TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Celebration Brims With Patriotism

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Ronald Thomas entertains guests in the lobby with his Uncle Sam puppet as Barbara Parker says about the puppet " I am going to a party tonight and he is going with me, his my escort tonight". Guests attended a free show, American Heritage Celebration, held at Highlands Little Theatre in honor of the fourth of July, Friday in Sebring.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: July 4, 2008

SEBRING — Fourth of July at Highlands Little Theatre was the place on Friday to hum along with, tap your foot or sing along to patriotic tunes, while remembering the origins of our country.

The audience walked through history on a wave of song and dance during several half-hour productions at the day long American Heritage Celebration.

The landmark theater was packed with celebrants, most wearing red, white and blue, for the first performance at 11 a.m. A block party took place outside the theater. The festivities were capped off by a fireworks display above Lake Jackson after dark.

A presentation filled the screen behind each performer with Independence Day-themed photographs. Seven songs, plus a reenactment of part of a Lincoln-Douglass debate both educated and pulled at patriotic heartstrings.

Tom Macklin, former Avon Park mayor, closed the show with a rousing version of "God Bless the U.S.A."

"This is a battery charger," said Macklin, after the show. "Emotions well up inside themselves."

Ali Driscoll, 8, Dustin Holland, 11, and Stephen Driscoll, 7, were visiting Marilee and Clint Schurman, of Sun 'N Lake of Sebring, for the holiday. Everybody was dressed in red, white and blue. The kids recognized all but one of the songs.

Marilee Schurman annually celebrates her birthday with the country. She was born on July, 4, 1943.

"I always thought it was all just for me," quipped Marilee.

Husband Clint laughed.

"She thought all the fireworks were for her," he said.

Mel Wils of Sebring sang along from his seat in the audience to "God Bless America" with stage performer by Sunny Zengler.

"It makes you be thankful you're an American," said Wils.

Betty Norman of Highlands Little Theatre was working the door and said it was the best turnout, for the first show the day, in the 20 years she's been attending the event.

Scott Jahnke, 16, of Lakeland, was the youngest performer onstage and talked about the music. He sang "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

"It really shows you what our country's gone through," said Jahnke. "I appreciate our country. Some countries don't have what we have."

Art Harriman belted out Dixieland and debated Lincoln as Douglas, with a fine Southern accent.

"This reminds us of our own heritage," said Harriman. "In an entertaining way it brings us back to the reality of what this day's all about. The Fourth of July is a patriotic holiday."

Other songs included: "Chester" by Adam Meredith; "Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Bill Farmer; and "You're the Grand Ole Flag" by Lynda Fulcher.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT