Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 20, 2009

The first annual "Gala at the Princess," a fund-raiser to help with the endowment fund to keep the theater functioning for years to come, is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. and again Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.

"A Musical Family Affair," is the theme for the event, which will present a number of area families in concert.

Families taking part include Mike and Susan GREENE, Nathan SMITH, the LAWHEAD family, the Doug GREENE family, the McCREARY family and the CRAUSEN family.

Mike and Susan GREEN, who now live in Saint Peters, MO, will be performing four songs. They include "Give Me Jesus," "Since I Fell For You," "Georgia On My Mind" and "Grace."

Representing the family of Alan and Valle SMITH will be Dr. Nathan SMITH from Independence, MO, who will be returning to play a classic piano solo -- "Variations Serieuses" by Felix Mendelssohn.

The LAWHEAD family will be performing "We're Pirates, We're Not Scared," "Let Me Go Blubber," "Burgler's Holliday" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" among other numbers.

Family members participating will include Florence LAWHEAD from Mesa, AZ, Dick and Camille JACKSON, Dr. Collus and Jane LAWHEAD, Dr. Carlin, Vicki, Chris and Connor LAWHEAD, all of Muscatine, Dr. David, Dr. Lauran and Ashton HOFFMAN of Missouri Valley, Dr. David and Paula LAWHEAD of Saint Paul, MN and Randy Theresa, Nicholas and Eleanor JACKSON of Des Moines.

"Light From Heaven," "You're Something Special" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" will be the songs performed by the GREENE family, including Doug, David, Charlene, Ashlie, Shelbie and Myles GREEN, Danny RAY, Alexa ANDERSON, and Darin and Darla DOLECHECK.

The McCREARY family will be performing "Have A Little Talk With Jesus," "Oh What a Savior," "His Love" and "Happy Birthday Jesus."

McCREARY family participants will include Faith SHINKLE, Carol Anne McCREARY, Grace WARIN, Jim McCREARY, Barbie BELZER and Laurie Anne BELZER.

The CRAUSEN family will include Mary DAVENPORT, Margaret BICKERS, Kary CRAUSEN, Keith and Andy TRULLINGER and Melonie and Allie KNAPP performing.

They will do "Some Days You Gotta Dance," "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," "Why Baby Why" and "One More Summer in Virginia."

Tickets are on sale at the Princess Theater and the Mount Ayr Record-News. Refreshments will be served for a freewill donation.

The Mount Ayr Lions Club will be serving a pancake supper in the shelter house on the courthouse lawn Saturday night between 5 and 7 p.m. before the event.

The proceeds will go to purchase kids rides for upcoming community events and additional donations will be accepted.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 27, 2009

The first year of operation for the Princess Theater in Mount Ayr was celebrated last weekend with "A Gala At The Princess: A Family Musical Affair." Representatives of six families with local roots shared music in the show that was presented Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Princess Theater Troupe board members announced that with at $10,000 grant from Direct TV and other money already pledged to the effort, the goal of $100,000 for an endowment for the theater has been reached. This will be matched by $200,000 in funds from the Dekko Foundation to give the theater a $300,000 endowment to help provide operational funding.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2012