Rescue Hose preparing for 73rd Minstrel season

The Rescue Hose Company Fire Department will present its 73rd Annual Hobo Minstrels, entitled "How To Have a Minstrel." The first Rescue Hose Company Volunteer Minstrel began in 1929 and remains all volunteer in 2008.

Believed to be the longest running Minstrel group in the United States, the cast will present programs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Feb. 28, 29 and March 1 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Greencastle- Antrim High School auditorium.

Tickets are $5 per person. Children 10 and under will be admitted for $3. Tickets are available at the door each evening.

Proceeds benefit the Rescue Hose Company, Inc. providing fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the citizens and visitors of the Greencastle- Antrim community since 1896.

Greencastle's very own home-town 'heart throbs??' Frank Mowen and Russ Clever return as Premier End Men. A wonderful chorus blends the tones of many classic songs as we show the way in How To Have A Minstrel! Some of the favorites to be performed include: "Hey Look Me Over" by Larry Keener; "Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home" by Russ Clever; "I'm Gonna' Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" by Benny Thomas; "Ragged Old Flag" by Tom Shook; "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" by Frank Mowen; "About a Quarter to Nine" by Mike Mowen; "Lulu's Back in Town" by Harry Gsell.

Chorus favorites include, "How to Have A Minstrel Show," "Minstrel Days Are Here Again," "God Bless America." "The Bones" will be performed by The Wolfes. Special solos will be presented by a host of the volunteers. Piano by Trevor Timmons, Drums by a special guest, and Base Guitar by Durand Walter completes an evening sure to be enjoyed by all. "How To Have To A Minstrel" is under the direction of the Interlocutor, C. Gregory Hoover.

On Saturday evening, March 1, the Greencastle Rotary Club will host an "All- You-Can-Eat" Spaghetti Dinner in the high school cafeteria from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $4 for ages 6 to 12; and under 6 are free. Proceeds benefit the Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library projects.

Members will take the Minstrels "ON THE ROAD" and entertain the residents of Quincy Home on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and the residents of South Mountain Restoration Center on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.