Do You Hear What I Hear?

Written By: - NONE - | Issue: 2018/12 - December

The Highlands Cashiers Players and the Highlands Performing Arts Center are presenting a collection of favorite Christmas music along with original readings by the Highlands Writers Group.  The annual free Holiday Program on Thursday, December 13, at 7:00 P.M. at PAC will focus on the sounds of the season. 

Not only will there be an octet of the Mountain Voices, but Susan Clearman will play her accordion and Les Scott, Music Director of Highlands United Methodist Church, will sing and play his dulcimer.  Lori Bee will sing Betty Holt’s original Christmas song, “Highlands Christmas,” and HCP actor Lynleigh McLain and her dad Greg will be singing a medley of seasonal songs.  Veteran actresses Donna Cochran and Virginia Talbot will read “Poinsettias.”  Vangie Rich, the Director of the show for The Highlands Cashiers Players, will take the program to the Cashiers Library on the next Monday, December 17, at 7:00 P.M. for the enjoyment of that community.

HCP is holding combined auditions for its final two shows of their 2018–2019 season in January.  Those auditions for the March Dinner Theater’s four one-act comedies(March 21–23 and March 28–30), will take place at the Highlands Performing Arts Center on Sunday, January 13, from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. and on Monday, January 14, at 5:30 P.M.  Auditions for “Calendar Girls” are also on January 13 starting at 3:00 P.M.; and January 14 at 5:30 P.M. at PAC.  There are 10 parts for women and four for men.  

Tim Firth’s hilarious play is based on the true story of 11 Women’s Institute members who famously posed semi-nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund in 1999.  Veteran HCP actor and director Ricky Siegel will be directing this story of love, friendship, and ingenuity.  Plan to audition for “Calendar Girls,” which will open May 23–26 and May 30–June 2, on January 13 and 14.  Rehearsals will start in early April.  Read more about “Calendar Girls” on page 47 of this issue. A copy of “Calendar Girls” is available at The Hudson Library and Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Cashiers Library.

A Highlands Christmas
© December, 2013, Betty Holt
Christmas comes but once a year to the little town of Highlands
Bringing all its Christmas cheer and leaving people smilin’
Holiday magic in the mountains, our special place
Nestled among evergreens and holly’s kind embrace
Chorus
A Highlands Christmas…tree lighting on Pine Street
A Highlands Christmas…warm cookies there to eat
A Highlands Christmas…store owners decorate
A Highlands Christmas…our own sweet parade
Some years if we’re lucky we will see some falling flakes
Ice skaters turn out in throngs to glide on Harris Lake
And always there are get-togethers, fellowship and fun
Eating, drinking, merry-making ‘til the season’s done
Chorus
A Highlands Christmas…the Highlands Players read
A Highlands Christmas… chock full of loving deeds
The church chorale…as it makes a joyful noise
As Santa hands out…toys to girls and boys
Bridge
And then we bow our heads as we celebrate the birth
Of our friend, Jesus, who walked with us on Earth
Chorus
A Highlands Christmas…cold nights and starry skies
A Highlands Christmas…bright lights and soothing fires
A Highlands Christmas…the best Christmas gift
A Highlands Christmas…I love each part of it