Fun and Fancy Theatre Group   6/16/09
By LJ

At the end of each “season” ( July 1st to June 30th), we celebrate the past year, and inaugurate the new year, with our Annual Banquet and Show. This year the banquet was held on June 3rd, in the Crystal Ballroom. It started with a cocktail hour, with Ray Williams at the piano, after which we had a delicious dinner. Then we got down to business. Miriam Weintraub gave the Treasurer's Report, and Gerry Kaufman and Mike Schwartz made a few announcements. Miriam Rothchild then proceeded to thank the out-going board of directors for its service, and inducted the incoming board. Gerry Kaufman then announced the presentation of a Life-time Membership to Larry Jason, for his years of dedication to Fun and Fancy. Although he tried to cover it up with jocularity, those up close could see the moistness around his eyes, as he gratefully accepted. Then it was entertainment time. The theme was “A Monthly Celebration of Life”, and the show was produced and directed by Julie Repeta, and featured Shirley Aehle, Dollie Bennof, Jo Bianchi, Angela Bufalo, Ralph Durbin, Leon Friedman, Jim Hummel, Nena Ickes, Betty Jones, Courtney Jones, Gerry Kaufman, Phyllis Lovett, Millie Pfleiger, Julie Repeta, Art Rounds, Bobbie Seidel, Ken Tash, Sally Tash, Gayle Wilson, Chris Wright, Eleanor Zuraski, with Jean Raesly and Printzi Sims providing piano accompaniment. Thanks to all of you for a wonderful evening.

I listed the names of all those who participated for a reason. I am sure that if you review the list you will see a few that you are not familiar with. That was not done intentionally, but it always works out that way. There are always some new names, new faces, in our productions, because that is what Fun and Fancy is all about. We have recently been accused of being “exclusive”, rather than “inclusive”. Nothing is further from the truth. I challenge our accuser to give me the name of ONE person who has been denied membership in Fun and Fancy if they met the only two requirements we have, (1) they must be a resident of Leisure World Maryland (2) they must pay the annual membership dues (currently $8.) The FACT is, in forty-two years, NO ONE has ever been denied membership. Furthermore, it has been the general policy of every director we have ever hired, to include as many of the people who audition for our major productions as possible.On the other hand, of course, we do not wish to attract, nor do we encourage, prima donnas. Fun and Fancy is an equal opportunity volunteer organization. Although our members have tons of talent, we have no stars. The person who plays a principal role in one production, may be in the chorus in the next.