Secrest Auditorium is a local gem
Have you noticed how rapidly July is flying by? It’s half over, evenings are getting shorter already. The corn fields are beautiful and that first tomato tasted so good.
I want to thank all of those folks who made our Zane Trace Commemoration weekend possible. Downtown and the Putnam area were buzzing. My hope for next year is to see more involvement from our school bands and our 4-H clubs.
I’m thrilled with the programming and appearance of Secrest Auditorium. Some from my era will remember our Sen. Robert Secrest. He lived in Senecaville and did so much for our area in the 1930s, one being Seneca Lake. We received the Secrest Auditorium, many communities received a post office and roads and bridges were improved or replaced. Most of the construction was preformed by W.P.A. workers with most workers being locals who needed employment.
In fact, that was my very first paying job. A new bridge was built near our farm near The Wilds. This was before electronic signage. In fact we had not received R.E.A. I was 7- or 8-years-old and for 50 cents a day, I was to fill and light a smudge pot on each end of the construction site each evening and then extinguish them each morning before school. Those 50-cent days added up and my father took me to the courthouse to pick up my pay check when the construction was completed.
Secrest Auditorium has hosted so many special programs. I have been able to attend two superb ones recently. The Zanesville Memorial Band celebrated its 100th anniversary there on July 2. The Zanesville Community Choir accompanied them to honor our veterans. It was a lovely patriotic program celebrating our freedom.
The band has provided free concerts each summer since 1923. The last for the season will be at 7 p.m. July 30 at Zane Landing Park. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy. In case of rain, it will be in the Secrest Auditorium.
You know of my fondness of young people and a few weeks ago Secrest presented a documentary on Paige Calendine. Paige, the 12-year-old daughter of Sean and Heidi Calendine, is a student at Maysville. What a trooper and what a personality. Paige was born without legs. She attends school, excels at gymnastics, is a superb swimmer and shines in archery.
The Lorena Sternwheeler is looking mighty sharp. Local folks brought it up the Mississippi to Zanesville in 1976 to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Please treat yourself and your family to a delightful cruise on the Muskingum River before school begins. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pape have served as captains for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Victor Sellers are now in training to fill their place and I am sure they would welcome you for a relaxing cruise.
Dorothy Montgomery is a former teacher, 4-H adviser and county commissioner.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Secrest Auditorium is a local gem
