The War Ridge Free Will Baptist Church held two Christmas Plays on December 11th. The first play was an adaptation of the play “Nellie’s Guests” and told the story of a widow named Nellie who helps a group of stranded carolers during a snowstorm. Our cast is pictured above, from left to right. First row Melissa, a stranded caroler, played by Makenzie Marks; Jane, a caroler and little sister to the twins played by Jayden Little; Betty and Betsy, carolers and twins played by Hailey Matney and Brystal Little; Tammy, a caroler who spends much of her time explaining Hannah, played by Brooke Fox; and Hunter (being held) by Steven, Doc Baker’s sons, played by Hunter Mann and Shawnory Mann. Second row Bobby, leader of the stranded group of carolers, played by Grant Fox; Nathan, a caroler and an orphan played by Devin Matney; Roy, Bobby’s best friend, played by Ayden McNicholas; Hannah, a caroler and pampered rich girl, played by Isabel Marks; and Margaret, a caroler and older sister to Tammy and Melissa, played by Shaelin Mann. Back row Dr. Baker, Nellie’s kind neighbor, played by Eric Shamblen and Miss Nellie, the lonely widow, played by Susan Fox.
The second play was an adaptation of the play “A Dish of Blessings” and told the story of Audrey and Ralph Finstand whose grown children are not coming home for Christmas. Audrey is heartbroken so Ralph takes matters into his own hands and invites a socially-mixed group over for Christmas. When the big day arrives, the party gets out of hand, but is saved from total disaster through focusing on the birth of Jesus and what it really means to all of us, no matter where we sit socially. The cast as pictured above Holly, Alice’s daughter, played by Makenna Mann; Ellen, Audrey’s friend, played by Laura Rand; Alice, a lonely newcomer to town, played by Faye Mann; and Eric, Alice’s son, played by Shawnory Mann. The second row pictures Mabel, a homeless woman, played by Betty Richmond; Mrs. Whippets, a stuffy well-to-do older woman, played by Bonnie Galford; and Ralph Finstand, the husband, played by Dakota Matney. The back row features Ethel, a homeless woman, played by Amy Bender; Mr. Whippets, a stuffy but distinguished-looking well-to-do older gentlemen, played by Dennis Galford; and Audrey Finstand, the wife, played by Crystal Matney. At the end of the plays the audience joined our cast for refreshments at the church fellowship hall. We wish to thank everyone that came out and made our play a success.
Pastor Keith Fox and The War Ridge Free Will Baptist Church congregation wish to extend an invitation to all to attend our Watch Night Service on New Year’s Eve starting at 7:30 pm. We will be celebrating the end of another year with a good service, fellowship, snacks and then pray in the New Year. The War Ridge Free Will Baptist Church is the only church on War Ridge Road; our address is 3134 War Ridge Road, Wayside. We hope to see you there.
