Madison Messenger - July 22nd, 2018

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PAGE 8 - MADISON MESSENGER - July 22, 2018 www.madisonmessengernews.com Passing on the love for all things steam engine By Kristy Zurbrick Madison Editor Steam runs through Kim Besecker’s veins. His grandfather made a living threshing and sawing with steam engines, then in retirement turned to making steam engine models. “He got me involved with shows, and I’ve been going to them since I was 3 years old,” said the Arcanum, Ohio, man, now 67. Like many who take part in the annual Miami Valley Steam Threshers Show and Reunion in Plain City, Besecker has made a living and a hobby of all things mechanical. He holds a first class steam engineer’s license, has operated steam locomotives, is a former power plant operator, and knows his way around welding and maintenance equipment. Besecker carries on his grandfather’s passion for old-style steam engines, going to seven or eight steam-themed shows each year in Mike Brown of St. Paris, Ohio, checks on his 15hp Reid oil pumping engine. He has displayed the machine at the Miami Valley Steam Threshers Show for the past four years. The engine dates back to the early 1900s. Ohio and Indiana. His son and grandson often accompany him, proof that he has passed along the steam gene. He owns four antique steam engines, as well as a quarterscale, steam-powered sawmill his grandfather built in 1957. He took the sawmill and one of his fullsize engines to this year’s show in Plain City, held July 12-15 at Pastime Park. There, he connected with fellow enthusiast Alan Petitjean of Burkettsville, Ohio, who at 24 years old is one of the younger show participants. Petitjean hooked up his third-scale 50hp Case engine to Besecker’s sawmill. While Petitjean stoked the engine with wood and coal, Besecker pushed small logs through the saw blade. Both happily answered questions posed by anyone curious about their set-up. “We’re all here to accomplish the same thing: to preserve the past and educate others,” said Petitjean, who has attended the Plain City show for the past three years. “We’re just one big family,” Besecker said of the people who make a hobby of steam engines. “Everybody knows everybody.” Mike Brown, a St. Paris, Ohio, resident is another Plain City show regular. This year, he displayed a 15hp Reid oil pumping engine that came from an oil well in West Virginia and dates back to the early 1900s. He owns other engines, including a small hit-and-skip, and travels to several shows each summer. As for what he likes about steam engines, Brown quipped, “I can keep them in my barn, and I don’t have to feed or clean up after them.” On a more serious note, about the Reid oil pump engine, he said, “I like to listen to it run. I like the idea that it worked hard in its day.” This year marked the 69th anniversary of the Miami Valley Steam Threshers Show and Reunion. The show is held every July. For details, go to www.mvsteam.com. Messenger photos by Kristy Zurbrick Kim Besecker (foreground) runs a log through his quarter-scale sawmill, while Alan Petitjean stokes his third-scale steam engine to power the belt that turns the saw blade. The demonstration was one of many set up at Pastime Park July 12-15 for the annual Miami Valley Steam Threshers Show and Reunion. Messenger photo by Kristy Zurbrick Finishing up for our furry friends Donald Freeman and Tim Freeman of Freeman & Sons Fencing in London finish work on fencing for London’s new dog park. Next up is finishing the parking lot, running water to the site for drinking fountains for humans and canines, and installing trash receptacles. Mayor Patrick Closser said the park should be open to visitors in a week or two. Located at the corner of Keny Boulevard and State Route 38 (Elm Street), near London Middle School and London Elementary School, the park features separate areas for small dogs and large dogs.
www.madisonmessengernews.com July 22, 2018 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 9 Arts Council stages ‘Shrek’ at London High By Dedra Cordle Staff Writer Like many visitors to New York City, Brandon Boring had ‘See a show on Broadway’ on his list of things to do. However, at the time of his trip to the Big Apple, he was a college student and thus limited in funds. Ss most people on a budget are apt to do, he searched for deals and discounts and came across a production of “Shrek: The Musical.” Having enjoyed the 2001 animated feature, he decided to take a chance on the stage adaptation and came away impressed. “It was just a wonderful time,” recalled the graduate of The Ohio State University. It also sparked a dream for the aspiring thespian to star as the loveable green ogre one day. As the years passed, no opportunities at the local theatre level came across his way. Boring began to lose a little hope. “I wanted to play Shrek because, like him, I am an ample gentleman and there are not a lot of leading roles out there for performers like me,” he explained. “With Shrek, I knew I fit the physical requirements and I knew I could portray his personality that is filled with humor.” Recently, Boring’s luck changed when he the Madison County Arts Council announced its summer production would be “Shrek: The Musical.” Boring knew he had to audition. In late May, Boring was one of 60 people to audition for at Brennan Loft in London and one of a handful for the role of Shrek. Director Kevin Brown said Boring stood out right away and it had little to do with his height or body type. “He just had a presence,” said Brown. “I knew he would do a great job portraying Shrek.” Other casting choices for lead roles included Krissy Hartman as Princess Fiona, Ryan McCarty as Donkey, Troy Berry as Lord Farquaad, Ruth Peart as Dragon, and Tim Compsten as Pinnocchio. Brown said the cast as a whole has true chemistry which has helped him tremendously as he navigates his solo directing debut. “‘Shrek: The Musical’ is just this big, fun show with crazy costume changes and makeup, and it could have been a real mess for me,” he said with a laugh. “But all of the cast and crew have made this experience a real pleasure.” Brown specifically called out music director Kent Brooks, choreographer Paul Smith, sound technician Jason Hanrahan and lighting designer Bowen Moss as being true marvels of their crafts. “We have a lot of staging tricks in this show—and I’m sorry I can’t tell you what they are; I don’t want to spoil it for the audience—and these people have made something so special with their skill and expertise.” Brown said he has utter confidence that the cast and crew have created something magical and that the community will find Messenger photo by Pat Donahue Rehearsing for the Madison County Arts Council’s July 27-28 production of “Shrek: The Musical” are: (from left) Krissy Hartman who plays Fiona, Brandon Boring as Shrek, and Ryan McMarty as Donkey. joy in this humorous, toe-tapping musical that features a message about friendship, love and acceptance of self and others. “I think the community will have a great time,” he said. Show times are July 27 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Joyce Hildebrand Auditorium at London High School, 336 Elm St. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets are available at: the door; Wilson Printing & Graphics, 158 S. Main St., London; or by pre-order by calling (740) 852-5934. Additionally, the public is invited to a pancake breakfast set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 28 at the high school. Visitors will get to meet some of the characters in costume. The suggested donation for breakfast is $5. Eagles help Olympians to soar Susan Thompson (center), superintendent of the Madison County Board of Developmental Disabilities, accepts a donation to Madison County Special Olympics from London Fraternal Order of Eagles 950. On hand for the presentation were: (from left) Chris Stires, Eagles president; Gene Ball, member of the Eagles’ charitable committee; Thompson; Jim Stidham, Eagles treasurer; and Gary Beatty, member of the charitable committee.
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Madison Messenger - July 22nd, 2018

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