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Thursday, June 25, 2009 | No comments posted. Don’t miss ‘Witness for the Prosecution'

Everybody loves a Whodunnit, whether it is on stage or a movie, because it is fun to try to figure it out. It is fun because the characters are fictitious and they don’t mean anything to us. Agatha Christie is a master at the Whodunnit. Theater groups have been performing her plays for several decades. A good mystery doesn’t age. Sure, the technology is a little more advanced nowadays, and a lot of the evidence, in the old days, would be blown away with modern forensics, but they’re still great stories.

The Bandon Playhouse at the Sprague Community Theater is currently in production with “Witness for the Prosecution,” directed by Jeff Norris. Produced by Lorna Salt, the story takes place in the offices of Sir Wilfred Robarts and in the courtroom. Not just any courtroom, but the Central Criminal Court, otherwise known as the Old Bailey.

Don Williston plays the part of the Prosecutor, Mr. Meyers, and he’s trying to prove whodunnit. The character Leonard Vole, played by Paul Hay, is accused of murdering a wealthy older lady just one week after she changed her will to give him everything. His alibi is “I was home with my wife.” A likely story! They should name a bar the “At home with my wife” saloon. The wife, Romaine, played by Linda Sack, turns out to be not that supportive of her husband, and so the plot thickens.

The lawyers defending Vole include Barrister Sir Wilfred Robarts, played by Richard Robinett, and Solicitor John Mayhew, played by Larry Doss, with office assistants Greta, played by Andrea Bowden, and Carter, played by Motts Thomas.

Like the good game of Clue, there are many twists and turns, and the fate of the defendant is in the hands of the Honorable Judge Wainwright, played by John Hubbard. Testimony by experts played by Wayne Robbins, Gareth Williams and Carolyn Sampson, and the victim’s maid, played by Sallee Belonga, is given and challenged by the prosecution, and the plot gets even thicker. Other characters are played by Bill Binnewies, Cindy Hay and Darwin Noorda. If you’re up for a great mystery, the show runs June 26 and 27 with a 7:30 p.m. curtain and closes Sunday, June 28, with a 2 p.m. matinee. You will walk into the theater wondering, and out of the theater knowing.

Josie Reid

Coos Bay

We’re going to miss Sandy

Newspaper item: Saundra Schnaidt died. Tough one to read. Sandy used to come in and collect for an ad in a newsletter I liked and one in a paper I didn’t. She wouldn’t sit down. Just stood on her swollen legs and chatted. Bought a book or two for a grandchild. Lamented that kids didn’t read much any more. Her friend, Tom, waited in the truck outside with her dog; sometimes he waited an hour while Sandy stood.

She knew people who needed work, for an hour or two or full-time. She knew dogs and cats who needed people. She collected blankets and food for animals and took them to the shelter. Sometimes she was too sick; somebody else did it. Then she couldn’t do it at all. Now Becky does it. Tom died. Sandy moved south of my store. The newsletter changed its format; Sandy didn’t do it any more. She had to have a caregiver. She still collected for the newspaper ad. She still called to check on me and the dog. Wonder who’s taking care of her dog?

Sandy loved animals and her grandkids. More than that I don’t remember. Didn’t need to know anything else. She was “just” a customer and I liked her.

The outside “haystack money” goes to animals anyway, but I’ll add an extra $50 and call June “Sandy’s month.” She’d appreciate that and I’m sad and don’t know what to do. If you feel anything like that, money from books you buy from the haystacks or donate at either store, those dollars and cents will go to the animal shelter up toward Coos Bay in Sandy’s name.

That’s all we can think of to do; probably she’s nodding in agreement.

Damn it, Sandy; we’re gonna miss your calls and visits.

Phil and “Happy” Arlen

Owner, Beach Loop Books and U-Needa-Book

Bandon

Be safe when crabbing

I was out boating with friends and family this past weekend. We had a great time and caught lots of crab and rock fish. We were in the ocean a couple of miles and it was great.

We came back and when we got into the Coquille River the nightmare began. There were crab pots throughout the whole channel. This is dangerous! If you take a crab pot and it has a 50-foot line on it and you throw it in 20 feet of water, the other 30 feet of line is going to float around.

Two times in about a hundred feet we had to stop because crab lines were blocking the channel.

I talked to a couple of people that agreed and said they carry a sharp fillet knife and will cut floating crab lines in the channel. My solution is to use common sense and put the crabbing gear outside of the busy channels.

This should be enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, police, port or anyone who can.

Please crab safely and use common sense; it could save a life. And always wear life jackets.

Dave Schradieck

Bandon Crab Derby organizer

Men’s Health Event a success

More than 45 men and a few women attended the second-annual Men’s Health Event held during this year’s National Men’s Health Week.

This event was made possible by a small grant from the Southern Coos Health Foundation and to make the event enticing and fun, door prizes were donated by local merchants and supporters.

Thanks are due to: Tony’s Crab Shack for a Coquille River hat; Stacy at the Hair Club for hemp lotion; Larry’s Xpress Lube for car wash coupons; John Ohanesian/Bandon Wealth Maintenance for a trivia game; Hennick’s Home Center for paint; Burgett Construction Company for a shop clock; Bandon Supply for a heavy duty stapler; Bandon Fitness Center for seven-day coupon for free membership; Bandon Coffee Café for a coffee card; and Bandon Fish Market for a dinner certificate.

A big thank you to OSU Extension Service for beverage holders and jump ropes and especially to Stephanie Polizzi for providing the opening talk, to NBMC for donation of a book from the Health Resource Center and to Dr. Leo Kusuda for a very informative presentation on urology issues and a through explanation of prostate testing.

Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center donated discounts on lab coupons for PSA’s, cholesterol profiles, and A1C’s. Finally, thanks to Martin Keller and staff at Brewed Awakenings for their patience and production of a healthy meal for the evening.

Oh, and thank you to those who attended for taking the opportunity to learn more about their health. By eating better, moving more and spotting danger signs early, good health is still largely a matter of our choice. Thank you again to all of Men’s Health Education supporters.

Mary Kemp, RNC

Community Health Education Coordinator

Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center

Bandon

Join us for a tea party July 4

Remember when the bright flashes and loud explosions of bursting fireworks made you feel awed by the festive celebration of our country’s independence?

Recapture that feeling and make this year more than a holiday remembrance by rallying for a fiscally responsible government at a local Independence Day Tea Party happening near you.

Bring your friends and family to a peaceful protest in support of reasonable taxes, a balanced budget, controlled immigration, an end to corporate bail-outs, and a limited Federal Government.

Saturday, July 4, starting at high noon until 2 p.m. bring your grievances with a bag of tea and join us at these locations for a Tea Party: the Coos Bay boardwalk and U.S. Highway 101 in Coos Bay; The “former” VA Clinic and Highway 101 in Bandon; The Curry County Courthouse and Highway 101 in Gold Beach; and Washington Street and Highway 101 in Port Orford (the Port Orford event is from 10 to 11 a.m.)

American flags and protest signs will line U.S. Highway 101 from Florence to Brookings with average citizens invoking their “Right to Assemble” in true patriotic rebelliousness. Be sure to sign the petition for access to public lands and the notification of participation that will be available for attendees.

Let’s stop an unprecedented generational theft by our elected officials who are burdening our children with insurmountable debt forcing them into certain financial servitude.

If you are genuinely concerned about these local and national issues affecting you and your loved ones then link to www.teapartyday.com, www.Campaignfor-Liberty.com, and www.Resistnet.com.  

Rob Taylor

Bandon