Julia Martin passed. She was 92. Her death was a ripple over the pre-holiday chaos.

I visited with her at least once a month over the last few years.  To say “a ripple” is not meant as a slight, but rather it is apropos since her many years administering the Bookmobile for this and our surrounding counties was like the proverbial pebble tossed in the still pool of ignorance. The ripple her life made spread far and wide, rejuvenating the water and cultivating minds, offering books for pleasure, knowledge, escape and that special kind of solace that only a good book can offer.

When I made my monthly rounds, Julia was always the last one I would see, for she was always upbeat. Even as her body failed, her mind remained as sharp as a tack. She enjoyed my company and appreciated my visits almost as much as I appreciated her past accomplishments. She had retired at 74, giving me hope.

We will never know all the good and continuous ripples she made happen. Like Mamie Jean Harper’s leadership of our public library, the Bookmobile allowed reading to be accessible to each and everyone, turning back time, transforming lives and turning dreams into realities.

In my mind’s eye, I see a succession of pig-tailed young girls lining up at the Bookmobile, discovering Louisa May Alcott, and barefoot young boys lining up to get the next installment of The Hardy Boys; small hands proffering pennies for having kept a book just that much longer, to read, to dream, to know, to learn, to escape.

Julia reminisced about her family’s inclusion of her on their recent trip to Florida, wheelchair-bound and all. She was grateful and amazed that, with all her extra needs, she had been included. I told her it was because they loved her. She retorted, “I know that, but still…”

Our ninth annual production of Eve Ensler’s modern classic The Vagina Monologues continues through February 5th, playing Thursdays at 7:00pm and Friday and Saturdays at 8:00pm. This weekend’s performers are Roslyn Seale, Jill Eichhorn and Faith Boles.

We received an email from someone who was shocked that we used the word “vagina” on a poster touting our production. She was concerned that a child should read the word and question its meaning. I tried to explain that questioning the word was a teachable moment. I was wrongly instructed myself about sex, while on a train going to a weeklong Boy Scout camp.  The misinformation was frightening, and I cried every night.

Through this production, we have raised thousands of dollars for the Montgomery County SafeHouse and the Magdalene House in Nashville, and I am proud that this important work is part of our canon.

See you at the theatre!

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I’m proud to know the “Mayor of Franklin Street,” and I call her my dear friend as well. She’s been mayor longer than John E. Piper, or even before we entered the Guinness Book of World Records by having two women as mayors. Au contraire, we have three: McMillan, Bowers and King.

Paige King has changed my life, my attitude and my mind. She lets me see the cup as half full. I was not so slowly turning into a drudge and could only think of all we lacked. Paige has helped me see the treasure we have and how we can move it forward and make it bigger and better. If one is allowed more than one best friend, Paige King is mine.

Her shop, Hodgepodge, puts me in mind of all the unique shops I haunt when I’m outside of Clarksville. Now I can joyfully haunt one here. She said that having a theatre helped seal her decision to settle in Clarksville, which is nice to say and even more to mean.

Her husband, Major Darren King, has enlightened me about the importance of the military to our community, as well as letting us know what value we give to all of those families separated by time and distance, who find a source of solace and maybe a chance to forget their fears and troubles for a moment.

She works tirelessly on our board and is working tirelessly for so many other civic and city boards.

Hodgepodge has been the best prop closet any theatre could want. We have had on loan watches, tables, chairs, rugs, linens and lamps. We once used an iron and brass double bed for A Streetcar Named Desire, which I’m sure seeing it on stage helped to sell it.

Darren came down to drill the boys in Red Badge of Courage so that their marching would be real and authentic.

Their son Haedyn is a ham. I say that with the best of intentions, for he brings to the stage a creative spirit and talent which is far beyond his years. Their daughter Hunter sorted out the auctioned art for the Roxy Gala and handled the financials like a pro. And Hannah, the youngest, is an avid theatregoer, organizing groups from Trinity Episcopal to attend the Roxy as part of their Wednesday night youth group.

Paige is my confidant, mentor and psychiatrist. I find myself moving a stack of beautiful things to make room to sit and share and talk and listen, which lightens my load while also lending an ear to a friend.

One evening on their way home, I overheard Darren, upon seeing me in the lobby, say to Paige, “There’s your friend.” With a glad heart, I called him on it and said, “I’m your friend, too.”

Now playing at the Roxy Regional Theatre

A Christmas Carol continues to beguile on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, with 2pm matinees on Saturday, December 11 and 18.

Click here to view the embedded video.

After the Thanksgiving rush is over, sit back and relax at the Roxy Regional Theatre with a rolicking holiday morsel that is sure to sweeten your taste buds and warm even the hardest of hearts. John McDonald, as Ebenezer Scrooge, meets the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future while rediscovering the true meaning of the holiday in the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, opening Friday, November 26th.

Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley

See you at the theatre!

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