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Stanly News and Press September 16, 1977 Mrs. Surratt is
Speaker for DAR
Mrs.
Allen Surratt gave the program "Opera in Albemarle, etc,
etc," to the Yadkin River Patriots chapter Daughters of the
American Revolution when they met in the McCain Memorial Club House Thursday
afternoon, September 8, at 2:30.
After
the hostesses, Mrs. R.F. Overcash, Mrs. J.C. Bell, Sr., Mrs. Richard Koontz,
Mrs. T. G. Loftin, Mrs. N. W. Reinhardt, Mrs. Francis Starnes, and Mrs. Fred
Priester served delicious refreshments, the regent, Mrs. R. L. Brown, Jr.,
called the meeting to order with the DAR Ritual. The chaplain, Mrs. P. H.
Carlton, for devotion read the NCDAR Theme "The way of the Lord is strength
to the Upright" - Proverbs 10:29, and several verses from the fourth
chapter of Philippians. She ended the ritual with prayer.
Palmer
and Courtney Brown, the young sons of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brown, and grandsons
of the regent, Mrs. R. L. Brown, Jr., led “The Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag". The group then recited the "American's Creed," "The
DAR Pledge to the Flag" and sang one verse of "The Star Spangled
Banner.” Mrs.
Surratt, a member of the Historical Properties Committee and the Stanly County
Museum Board of Directors was introduced by the first vice- regent, Mrs. Dwight
Morris. Mrs. Surratt began her program by showing photostatic copies of the
advertisements appearing in The Albemarle Enterprise, the first one
being a circus given for the opening of the Opera House September
24, 1908, and Thomas Dixon's "The Clansman" on December 4, 1913. She
stated the Stanly
County Library gave their collection of Thomas Dixon's
books to the Pfeiffer Library for historical research. Admission
costs for the circus were 25, 35, and 50 cents and for "The Clansman"
75 cents, $1.00 and $1.50.
Mrs. Surratt's references came from the Stanly County Library and Museum and there was no indication that an opera was ever performed, the last program being "William's Vaudeville Circus". The Opera House opened September 10, 1908, which was located above Starnes’ Jewelry Store and seated 800. Mrs. Surratt closed by stating, “Of pictures, programs or other memorabilia, of chairs, properties or other furnishings we have none so far. If this presentation evokes a spirit of search and gift through you who have listened so graciously to those who have attics and trunks, bookcases and barns, or who have a willingness to reminisce on paper or on record, it will have lasting value. Isn't it a fine thing to be able to conclude by applauding the fact that live theater -even opera- is very much with us again in our two year old Uwharrie Players, the Community Concert Association and Pfeiffer College's excellent Cultural program ?" After
this interesting program, two of the members, Mrs. R. L. Brown, Sr., recalled
some of the things she remembered, especially the formal dress of those
attending, and Mrs. P. H. Carlton recalled her high school graduation exercises
there. The
President General 's message was read by Mrs. Dwight Morris. Mrs.
L. J. McNeill gave the National Defense report using from the National Defender
"Embassy Eaves-Dropping" which the Russians are carrying on.
The article states that we should tell them to stop this or we will close their
Embassies. The regent announced Constitution Week September 17-23 with Mrs. Lane Brown as chairman, and the District Meeting to be held in Fayetteville, Friday, September 23.
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