Tag Archives: Salisbury Grange

Post Rehearsal and Past Mysteries

I am not sure if I can up with anything for a Post-Rehearsal Post, but I will try.  I just returned from a rehearsal for Deadly Night Life, the interactive murder mystery we are putting on for Salisbury Grange this Saturday.  It went pretty well.  At least, we all had a good time and a lot of laughs.  These murder mysteries are always a lot of fun.

A suspicious bunch I’ve shared before.

Slipping into Throwback Thursday mode, here is a bunch from a murder mystery we did a few years ago, A G.R.A.V.E. Murder.  I had a lot of fun with that one.

Another fun night.

This one, Fabulous and Fatal, actually came up in a conversation tonight.  Of course we always bring up previous theatrical experiences during rehearsal.  Sometimes I have to interrupt the reminiscences to get us back to rehearsing.

Actors at work.

Here is a shot of the show we put on at the Grange last April.  I certainly hope Saturday’s goes as well.

This fabulous lady is in Saturday’s show.

For one last picture, I give you a cast member from both last year and this year’s shows.  I often have repeat cast members.  Could it be they like my scripts?  I can only hope!

 

Too Tired for a Pre-Rehearsal Post?

How about a Pre-Rehearsal Post on this Tired Tuesday (full disclosure:  I am tired most days).  I ought to be looking over my lines again, but regular readers know how seldom I do what I ought.

The rehearsal is for Deadly Night Life, the murder mystery we are putting on at Salisbury Grange this Saturday.  I have not blogged much about it, because it sold out quickly.  I did not want my local readers to get all interested then be disappointed.  However, as I have very little to blog about right now and (again, as regular readers know) very little brain to blog with, I thought I could talk a little bit about it.

Only there will be all tables on the floor.

Here is a picture I took of the Grange last April, when we presented Shooting at the Grange.  I did not act in that one, which I regretted on the day of the performance.  Oh well, I had my reasons for not taking a role, and we cannot always predict how we will feel about these things.

Here’s a shot with tables.

The above is a picture taken at one of last year’s rehearsals.  I have not taken any pictures of this year’s rehearsals, but perhaps tonight I will have a photo op.

It seems I have rattled on for over 200 words without saying much about the murder mystery, the Grange, or tonight’s rehearsal.  How typical of me.  No matter.  It is Tired Tuesday, and I always feel that a blah blog post is better than no blog post at all.  Do you agree or disagree?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

Brains Aren’t Everything

So… I missed making my Tuesday blog post Wednesday morning. I overslept as the introduction to a very weird day. And then I did not make my Wednesday blog post on Wednesday, and it is Thursday morning, and I thought I should post something.  I do not know what I will end up billing it as, but I confess at the outset, that I do not have much in the line of brain power.  If only I could handily find the picture from The Brain from Planet Arous, I could properly illustrate this post.

This group didn’t have their act together either.

I veer into Throwback Thursday territory (Wayback Wednesday?) with a picture from Much Ado About Nothing, presented by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company in, I believe, 2016 (no, I can’t go back and look it up, go ahead and roll your eyes at me) (you know who you are).  I had a lot of fun playing the Watch, or whatever we were called.  We played it really dumb.  I always say, go with your strengths (that was directed at me; I was not casting aspersions on the brainpower of my fellow thespians).

Ah yes, more theatre in the offing.

I add a picture of Salisbury Grange in hopes of inspiring myself to complete the as yet untitled script for the murder mystery we are doing there in April (preview of coming attractions).  What is with me that I have not finished it yet?  Get to work, Cindy!

“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

Yes, that is the caption I usually use with this picture.  It is how I feel:  half buried and unable to do anything but wave my arms and wiggle my toes!  I remind myself that how I feel is not necessarily reality.  I may be buried, but excavation is possible.  So is writing that damn script.  Look, I managed over 300 words of a blog post.  I think I will call it a Non-Sequitur Thursday.

 

Some Semblance of a Tired Tuesday Post

Probably no one is surprised, least of all me, that I was too tired to make my Tired Tuesday post on Tuesday.  I am having difficulty doing any kind of writing lately (and even typing; kept making typos on those last two sentences), but I did not come here to whine.  I cam here to drink coffee and, I hope, make some semblance of a blog post.

I like my coffee hot!

This is not the mug I am currently using, but I thought a Halloween mug would be nice since I did not make a Monstrous Monday post yesterday.  I do love all things Halloween.  Well, most things Halloween.  Not the really nasty stuff, like the dead baby decorations or most of the ’70’s slasher flicks.  I know that makes me lose cred in some horror circles.  So be it.

I’m afraid I do not have any plans for Mohawk Valley Adventures in the near future.  However, I may start running soon, making Running Commentary Posts a thing again.  I must decide by Feb. 4 if I am going to run the Boilermaker 15K in Utica in July, in order to get the best pricing for registration.  I had rather a traumatic time of it last year and would like to better my record.  Not that I think I can ever make a really good time; I would just like to finish without being helped to the first aid tent.  But enough of my running woes.

Additionally, I am writing (and having trouble with; see first paragraph) a murder mystery for April at Salisbury Grange.  That will necessitate a few blog posts, I hope.

A suspicious lot, to be sure.

Here is a picture from a rehearsal of last year’s mystery, Shooting at the Grange.  I see I am approaching 300 words.  Score!  I adjourn for more coffee, and once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

Small Wins on Non-Sequitur Sunday

If I manage to finish and publish this blog post, I will have made all my weekend posts on time (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  Some might argue that I do not have much room to feel pleased with myself over it.  After all, daily on time posts are what I am supposed to do as a daily blogger.  Still, I like to celebrate every small win.

For another example, earlier today I was at a big box store and took my purchases to self-check-out.  When I finished, I said to the employee who was standing right there, “I made it all the way through without needing help, are you pround of me?”

“Yes,” she replied, “It makes you the best customer of the day!”  I complimented her on her hair (it was really pretty, thick and brown in one big braid) and went about my business.

She looked fabulous.

I thought it was time to add a picture to pep things up.  Before I could find anything remotely apropos in my Media Library, I saw this one of my friend Mary Jane in Shooting at the Grange, the murder mystery we did in April to benefit Salisbury Grange.  I need to spend some time working on new murder mysteries (Preview of Coming Attractions), so perhaps it is apropos.

I am having a pretty OK Sunday myself.

I am once again watching an episode of Columbo.  I enjoy watching Columbo on a Sunday night.

I guess that makes this a kind of a Non-Sequitur Sunday Post, not my usual day for such things.  Still, it is a Sunday Post on Sunday.  Like I said, celebrate the small wins.

 

About That Murder Mystery…

Regular readers may be anxious to know how our murder mystery turned out, and I kept them in suspense by neglecting to post either Saturday or Sunday.  Or perhaps I flatter myself.  For anybody just tuning in, I refer to Shooting at the Grange, which we presented to benefit Salisbury Grange on April 29.

She welcomes you to my blog post.

I foolishly did not get pictures of each character, but I did take a few shots while the actors mingled with the audience before the scripted part of the performance.

They got a big crowd.

Everybody seemed to be having a fine time.  For my part, I was a little uncomfortable, because I am usually one of the actors.  I wanted to be out there interacting with the audience, dropping clues and dissing the other characters!

The Grange volunteers were very sweet.

They served pulled pork, corn, potatoes, cole slaw and rolls.  The actors and I ate after the performance.  It was delicious!

I should have gotten a closer shot of that glamorous character.

The whole thing went pretty well.  The audience seemed to enjoy it.  The actors did a good job.  The Grange people are hoping we will return with another murder mystery,  perhaps this fall.

I personally need to take a break.  When I mentioned this to a co-worker on Friday (incidentally, I had named the victim after this particular co-worker), he said, “Then on Monday, you’ll say, ‘I have an opportunity to write another murder mystery.’ ”

Who, me? Write another murder mystery?

 

Flustered Thursday, Late Post, No Alliteration

Yesterday I was a whirlwind.  Sort of.  I had a few things I felt I had to get done and a limited amount of time to do them in.  Full disclosure: my problems mostly stem from lack of planning and organization on my part.  You are free to judge me or just quietly enjoy feelings of superiority if you so choose.  I am content to stand as a bad example.

I throw in a picture to pep things up.

The reason I was in such a hurry was that we were to rehearse Shooting at the Grange at Salisbury Grange, which is almost a half-hour drive from Herkimer.  My first chore was to throw in a load of laundry, so I would have clean work clothes for tomorrow. I actually acquired another pair of work pants yesterday, so now I have three. Still not enough to get me through the week, but one does what one can.

Laundry in, I put on old sneakers and a hat (to protect my complexion from the sun), went outside, hefted my defective garage door open (broken spring, not my fault), and pulled out my non-power lawn mower. My bunions told me I ought to seize the non-rainy day.  Additionally,  with a non-power mower, it doesn’t do to let the grass get too high.

I intersperse the post with pictures to show that rehearsal was on my mind throughout my gyrations.

Laundry in the drier or hanging on the indoor clothes-drying bars, I did the dishes I had neglected, a truly judge-worthy omission.  While scrubbing I kept an eye on the time.  I still had to shower and get dressed!

I managed it.  I even put together a fairly color-coordinated outfit, although I could not find the ideal blazer.  One settles for less than perfection in this life.  The only thing I did not have time for was supper.  I munched down a roast beef and cheese roll-up with the result that I had to brush my teeth, which I did not have time for.  Luckily Kim was a little late picking me up.

They look thoughtful. Trying to remember lines?

Rehearsal did not go too badly.  The Grange people are very excited about the sold-out show.  I succumbed to their enthusiasm and may write further murder mysteries for their benefit.

First I need to get a handle on making my blog posts on time.

 

I Wuss Out on my Post Rehearsal Post

Wuss-out Wednesday follows Tired Tuesday,  we all know that.  Or I could call this All Shooting at the Grange All The Time. Full disclosure: I am ready to call it a day and go to bed, with or without a blog post.  What, me go to bed without making a blog post? Say it ain’t so! Additionally,  I am working on my Tablet with a stylus pen that does not work as well as some I have worked with.

Might as well share this again.

I think I heard they have sold out for Saturday.  This is bad news for some cast members who had loved ones who would like to see the show.

When I was better about getting rehearsal shots.

I put in a picture from another murder mystery rehearsal, because I did not get any pictures of tonight’s activities.  I hope to get pictures tomorrow,  when we plan to rehearse at the Grange.

From my Media Library,.

The Grange will look different tomorrow.  They will have tables set up for that sold-out crowd.  We must decide where we will do our part.  Actually I use the term “our” lightly as I do not have an actual role in Saturday’s script.

So this is my Wuss-out Wednesday Post for the week.  Thank you for tuning in.

 

Oh Yeah, Tired Tuesday

I just this minute remembered I ought to make a blog post today.

Just to make it look like I have been doing something.

Earlier tonight I had a rehearsal for Shooting at the Grange, the murder mystery we are putting on to benefit Salisbury Grange on April 29.  I think it went OK.  Herkimer Elks Lodge graciously allowed us to use their space for our rehearsal. I love those guys at the Elks Lodge!

We plan to rehearse at the Elks Lodge again tomorrow then at the Grange on Thursday.

I can’t wait for everybody to see the Grange!

Here is a photo from when I visited the Grange’s Open House a couple weekends ago.  One of my cast members went there too.  I was so pleased!  I think it is a great space and I am very excited to perform there.  I am only disappointed I do not have a role in this murder mystery.

I had hoped to take a couple of rehearsal shots from tonight’s run-throughs for this post.  However, since I was reading one of the parts myself, I neglected to do so.

Not exactly a related photo.

I searched my Media Library for a picture from another murder mystery at the Elks Lodge and found this one from Donate to Murder in November 2021.  It was to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  This fall we may do one to benefit the Elks.  After all, they have been so nice to us about rehearsal space!

 

Rehearsal at the Elks for the Grange

I just returned from a rehearsal for Shooting at the Grange, the murder mystery we are putting on to benefit Salisbury Grange on April 29.  We rehearsed at Herkimer Elks Lodge,  which was gracious enough to accommodate us.  Now I am hoping to make my blog post before going to bed. Full disclosure:  I had a couple of glasses of wine at the Elks.  I was not driving,  I add for those who might be concerned.

Making this a Way-Back Wednesday.

This is the room at the Elks Lodge we were in, although it is a shot from September 2018, when we did Donate to Murder for the Elks.

Earlier today, after I learned that two actors could not make today’s rehearsal due to illness, I vowed this would be my last murder mystery.  It is too difficult,  I said, to find actors, to schedule rehearsals, etc. etc…

Well tonight I heard myself talking to the head Elk (the Grand something or other, how embarrassing that I don’t remember) about doing a murder mystery for the Elks this fall.  My feeling is,they are being so nice about letting us rehearse there.  Additionally , I have been having such a nice time sitting st the bar, arranging for rehearsals then before and after rehearsal,  Why would I not want to do something for these people?

Oh, OK, one more time.

I throw in the information about Shooting at the Grange, just for good measure.