three to go...

I'm sitting in my "villa" at Fairfield Glade and washing clothes as we begin our final week here at the Sound of Music at the Cumberland County Playhouse.  It has been an interesting run, very good for the most part, I feel.  We've gotten good reviews and my colleagues never cease to amaze me on stage with speed of thought, playing the moment, and throughline.

The biggest surprise and blessing has been to find the church I've found in First Presbyterian Crossville.  From the first Sunday back in January, everyone has been so welcoming and warm.  I've made many good friends here that I believe I'll be in touch with for years to come.  I've been welcomed into their homes, fed, taken out to lunch and diinner, and then-as I began to have some housing problems-homes were opened up to me and I've stayed in two families' homes during my time here.  Truly amazing.

The pianist and choir director have ended up being the parents of someone I was friends with at Brevard Music Center in 1978 as well being on the faculty when I was there.  Quite providential,  when you add that the Pastor went to school with my buddy Louis Otey's son and knows BJ very well (BJ took a church out in Montana after graduating for Covenant).

Also, Pleasant Hill has brought me close friends in the Disselers and one Jeanne Kingsbury, a dear lady who opened up her home to Deb and me when the show opened (Lindy is allergic to MacGregor).  I've stayed with her for most of my time here, and she taken a special place in my heart.  The whole area has become very near and dear to me during my stint here as the Captain. 

Thank you Jim-Weslie-Ron-Katy-Kara-and all my children.  Each night we've made magic, I think, and I hope you feel the same way.