Category: Community

By Michael V. Hannigan

That will be me in the photo on June 1 …. the shoes, not the tattoo.

I have signed up for the Henderson County Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, which is an “opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediations to sexualized violence.” … we will be doing four laps around the county courthouse.

The event will raise money for the East Texas Crisis Center, a wonderful organization in our area on the front lines helping the victims of abuse.

I know many of you don’t have a lot of extra money laying around — who does — but if you can spare $1, $5 or $10, it would really go a long way toward a very good cause.

If you can help, send a check to Walk a Mile, C/O Weinstein Law, 518 East Tyler Street, Athens, Texas 75751 (that’s my office). … If you want, you can even give Jasmine a call at 903-677-5333 to let her know a donation is coming.

Make checks payable to the East Texas Crisis Center.

If you are a man who would like to join the walk, call the East Texas Crisis Center at 903-675-2137.

Thank you so much for helping me to do at least a little bit to try and stop a big problem.

HCPAC press release

The Henderson County Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with First State Bank, announces the World Premiere of “In the Room Upstairs.” The show is the newest work of local playwright, Robin Haynie. The theatre has produced on of Mrs. Haynie’s shows for the last six years.

Charlie Brenham, played by veteran actor George Guillot, Sr., is an octogenarian who lives alone in the home he shared with his wife, who recently died from cancer. In addition to his loneliness and grief, Charlie deals with arthritic knees and a loss of hearing. Charlie has always been a bit difficult but he is now depressed. His only son, Chuck played by newcomer Gene Banks, lives in Chicago and keeps tabs on his dad through communication with the family’s outspoken housekeeper, Gigi played by Anita Joblin. Charlie indulges in too much late night whiskey and long conversations with his deceased wife. When he is not verbally sparring with Gigi, he is turning off his hearing aids in order to avoid listening to her input. Once a happy family home, the big house now feels like a waste.

Opportunistic small-time criminal, Denny Lucas played by Ash Gimler, and his girlfriend, Kacie played by Savannah Joblin, climb through an upstairs window and become squatters in an upper storage room. Denny convinces Kacie that this is a reciprocal relationship where, unbeknownst to Charlie, they live in his unused space while they look out for the old man’s safety. In her naivete, Kacie accepts this and thinks of it as an adventure. Denny does not count on Kacie’s growing affinity for Charlie. Kacie spends her lonely hours sitting on the dark stairs listening to Charlie’s lonely rants, growing in concern and tenderness for the troubled Charlie.

The night comes when Charlie and Kacie meet face-to-face and suddenly Gigi disappears. Kacie realizes that all are in grave danger. When threats are made will Kacie choose to protect the man that she has grown to care for? Or will she even get the chance? The show is directed by Judy Rhinehart.

This mystery runs April 4, 5, 6, 11 and 13 at 7:3 p.m. with two matinees at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 7 and Sunday, April 14. There is no show on Friday, April 12 so that patrons may attend the theatre’s Spring Fund Raiser at the Athens Country Club.

Reservations may be made by calling 903-675-3908 or on line at www.hcpac.org. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students and children. The show is rated Theatre PG-13.