Performance celebrates HonorAir Reunion

The Henderson County Heritage Museum, as part of the HonorAir Reunion weekend, is presenting the story of the people of Henderson County during WWII in the play, “We Interrupt This Program.”

The HonorAir Reunion will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday in front of the Historic Courthouse.

The reader’s theater play, written and directed by Tom Orr, will be performed by the “courthouse players” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2:15 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, in the “old courtroom” at the Historic Courthouse. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in the gift shop of the Heritage Museum.

The play uses quotes and excerpts from stories written on county WWII veterans, audio interviews and other resources from the Henderson County Heritage Museum, and experiences told by those who remained at home.

Sound is an important element of the play, in war scenes and scenes from the homefront. The music of the 1940s is heard throughout the production. Soloists are “courthouse players” Sandie Salvaggio-Walker and Ron Whittemore. Pat Shepherd’s School of Dance performs a USO scene.

Historic photos of Henderson County, along with photos of each of the veterans portrayed in the play, highlight each scene.

Other courthouse players include Mary Louise Barber, Tommy Marshall, Ronnie Pepper, John Shepherd, Ernestine Medd Rogelberg, Fletch Griffith, Pam Alexander Warr, Charles Medd, Doris Medd Allison, James Morse and Cathy Ridings Hammett.

Highlights of the play include letters written by the late H. B. Drake, Kay Drake Miller and Jack C. Jones.

Scenes from the home front include the Sherman farm, where Lake Pointe Landing sits today; glimpses of the city of Hendersonville; the late aviator Oscar Meyer; Dana, Edneyville and Hendersonville high schools; movie theaters and more.

Veterans mentioned, quoted or featured in the play include: Garland Rhodes, Clint Nichols, Joel Wright, Fred Logan, Fracier Griffin, Carroll Strider, Dewey Hunnicutt, Fred Waters, Homer Whitted, Clarence Thompson, Jim Benison, Craig Pace, George “Buck” Lyda, Mark Rhodes, George Edward Hudson, Harry Garren, Marvin “Jake” Owings, LeRoy Hawkins, George Justice, George Gash, H. B. Drake, Jack C. Jones, James Gibbs, Glenn Gibbs and Roy “Bud” Staton.

A WWII honor roll of the men from Henderson County who died in the war will scroll across the screen in Act Two.

Several restaurants and caterers are donating refreshments to be served at intermission in the community room of the Historic Courthouse.

In addition to the play, the museum, with the help of people throughout Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina, will feature a special display of scale models focusing on the ships, planes and other military equipment of WWII.

The free special display will be featured in the back lobby and corridors of the Historic Courthouse and may be viewed from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 1 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12.

For more information on the play or the special displays, call 694-1619 or visit www.hendersoncountymuseum.org. It is strongly recommended that play tickets be purchased in advance.

The Heritage Museum’s exhibit, “Let Freedom Ring,” has a display of uniforms and equipment from WWII, along with a multi-media production featuring audio interviews and music. Admission to the museum is free. Regular museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.