The Update | Program on WWI Battlefield Truce; Canfield Fair Ranked Among Biggest
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Local historian and author George Johnson will give a presentation titled “A World War I Christmas: The 1914 Christmas Truce” at noon Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown.
This program will include images and videos about Christmas in the trenches with a special emphasis on the spontaneous Christmas Truce of 1914 when for one day the guns of war fell silent – not because the generals wanted it because the common soldiers on both sides made it happen. Accompanying the presentation will be a display of artifacts that show how the war affected Christmas.
Johnson is a collector of vintage and antique Christmas items who loaned his talent and collection to numerous museums and decorative arts centers for display, including the Memories of Christmas Past exhibition at the Arms Family Museum.
The presentation is part of the MVHS’ Bites and Bits of History series, which has returned to in-person programs. All attendees must wear a mask.
Canfield Fair Is Among Nation’s Biggest
CANFIELD, Ohio – The Canfield Fair’s attendance has earned it a spot on Carnival Warehouse’s annual list of the top 50 fairs in the nation.
The 2021 Canfield Fair attracted a total of 285,125 people over six days, ranking it No. 42.
The State Fair of Texas took the top honors for 2021.
Based solely on attendance, the Carnival Warehouse list is dominated by state fairs and multi-state expositions. Canfield is one of a handful of county fairs to make the list. To view the full list, go to carnivalwarehouse.com.
Auditions for ‘The Lion, the Witch’ at Salem
SALEM, Ohio – Salem Community Theatre will have auditions for its upcoming production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” on Dec. 27 and 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. The theater is at 490 E. State St. The play is being directed by Actors age 9 and up are eligible.
Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script. The play will be presented Feb. 4-6 and Feb. 11-13.
Auditions for MLK Drama at Playhouse
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Auditions for The Youngstown Playhouse’s production of “The Mountaintop” will take place Dec. 20 and 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The play was written by Katori Hall, and is being directed by James Major Burns.
“The Mountaintop” is a gripping reimagination of the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
After delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted King retires to his hotel room in Memphis, Tenn., while a storm rages. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy.
The play won the 2010 Olivier Award for Best New Play.
Actors are being sought to play the roles of Dr. King and Camae the motel maid.
Callbacks, as needed, will take place Dec. 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Rehearsals will begin Dec. 27, with technical and dress rehearsals occurring the week of Feb. 13 in the evening. Performances will be Feb. 18-27.
Christmas Tales, Irish Legends
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Nationally known storyteller Michael Kasony-O’Malley will give a presentation titled “Christmas Tales and Old Irish Legends” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m., at Chad Anthony’s Grille Meeting Room, 4698 Belmont Ave., for the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s Memories of a Lifetime lecture series.
A Struthers native living in Columbus, Kasony-O’Malley has shared his tales with hundreds of thousands over the last 25 years.
A 1984 graduate of Youngstown State University, he specializes in Christmas Legends, Irish and Slovak tales (from his ethnic heritage), and old hearth family stories from Youngstown and Struthers, and is known for his engaging delivery. His program is suitable for children and teens, as well as adults.
Admission is $10 ($5 for nonmembers).Reservations are suggested; call 330 726 8277.
Pictured at top: Soldiers enjoy a game of soccer during the battlefield Christmas truce of World War I. Image courtesy of Mahoning Valley Historical Society.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
