Among other things

This community is so fortunate. How? To have the talents of so many people, particularly those responsible for and participating in Polson's centennial musical, Valley Full of Diamonds, presented May 19-23.

Words fail me; awesome would be a gross understatement. How awesome? Consider these factors:

1. Creating the story line involving selections of highlights of the various decades over a 100- year period and relating them with words, music and dance.

2. Managing the logistics of scheduling, coordinating and timing of the entrances, performances and exits of the huge cast, including a herd of youngsters, and making them all fit on the relatively small stage of the John Dowdall Theatre.

3. Planning rehearsal schedules for cast members of all ages, some coming from as far away as Bigfork and Arlee.

4. Casting the various players in roles suited to their abilities - and to be able to spot talents that some of the performers didn't even realize they had.

5. The ability of artist Carmine Mowbray, a former Lake County Leader publisher, to create a three-dimensional backdrop showing the lake, the Narrows and the mountains.

6. The efforts involved in getting the word out in publicity stories and paid advertising.

Please show your appreciation to Neal and Karen and their Port Polson Players by attending summer theatre presentations at the John Dowdall Theatre. Scheduled for this year's summer theatre in Polson are the comedy "Lover's Leap," June 30-July 18; a musical, "That's the Poop," July 21-Aug. 8; and the comedy, "The Dixie Swim Club," Aug. 11-29.

And the annual Kids' Camp, June 14-19, when the kids will present "100 Candles," for Polson's centennial year. For camp information and application form, check www.portpolsonplayers.com.