RHC hobo minstrels to present ‘Songs of the States!’

Rescue Hose Company volunteers will present their 76th Hobo Minstrels season entitled “Songs of the States!” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24, 25 and 26 at the Greencastle-Antrim High School auditorium, South Ridge Avenue.

The first Rescue Hose Company Volunteer Minstrel began in 1929 and remains active with over 70 volunteers in 2011!

Believed to be the longest running minstrel group in the United States, the cast has grown to 70 volunteers in 2011.

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

Russ Clever and Benny Thomas return as Premier End Men. A wonderful chorus blends the tones of many classic state-themed songs. Some of the favorites to be performed include: “Rocky Top Tennessee”  by Larry Keener; “All My Ex's Live in Texas” by Harry Gsell; “Country Roads, West Virginia” by Benny Thomas; “Arkansas Traveler” by Tom Shook; “California Here I Come” by Russ Clever; “California Girls” by Todd Roland.

Chorus favorites include “Sidewalks of New York,” “Pennsylvania Polka,” “Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,” “Mississippi Mud,” “You'll Never Walk Alone” and “God Bless America.” “The Bones” will be performed by The Wolfes.  Special solos will be presented by a host of the volunteers. Instrumentalists are: Trevor Timmons, piano; Lanny Haugh, banjo; Craig Wolfe, drums; Durand Walter, bass guitar.

Russ Clever is the director and C. Gregory Hoover is the interlocutor.

Prior to the show from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, the Greencastle Rotary Club will host an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner in the high school cafeteria. The cost is $6.50 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12 and under 6 are free. Proceeds will benefit the Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library.

Members will take the minstrels on the road and entertain the residents of Quincy Home at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 and the residents of Falling Springs Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19.