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<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>In Memoriam</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Linda Nelson</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Daisy Stanley- The Man Who Came to
Dinner (December 2005)<BR>Helen- Born Yesterday (March 2007)</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4>Behind the scenes and box office so
many times we lost track</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4> It is with a great deal of
sadness that we announce the death of our dear friend and fellow thespian, Linda
Nelson, who died on November 10, 2008, surrounded by her family and loved
ones. Carol and I will always remember Linda’s radiant smile, infectious
laughter, and bubbling optimism as we think back to the days when this theatre
was experiencing its growing pains. As she stated many times to us,
quoting her character from The Man Who Came to Dinner, “Ernest, it isn’t that
bad.”<BR> Linda came to the theatre on a whim. She wanted information
concerning our children’s program for her granddaughter. When we stated
that the children’s program would develop probably towards the end of the fourth
season, she then shyly asked about adult parts. She really did not know it
at the time but she fell into that wonderful trap called acting and
theatre. Cast as Daisy Stanley, the harried but kind home owner in The Man
Who Came to Dinner, Linda brought a comic angle to her character. Not
satisfied with giving just lines, she gave Daisy the necessary dimension that
endeared her to the audience, crew and cast. <BR> Linda was the glue
that held two casts that she was in together. Many of the younger
actresses gravitated to her and it was not unusual to see Sarah Peters and Lisa
Van Gaasbeek constantly talking to her about their dreams and plans. Her
support and love to these two actresses have spurred them on to bigger and
better things. Today, Sarah is a student at the New York Film Institute
and Lisa is finishing her studies at Kent State University in the Theatre
Arts. During one of my last visits with Linda, she stated how proud she
was of both of them.<BR> Linda will always be remembered for how she
handled adversity on stage. When Born Yesterday was postponed for one
week, she kept telling the cast and Megan Huber specifically that we can do
this. The cast, concerned about Sandra Schmeltzer’s husband who had taken
ill right before Opening Night, rallied under Linda’s reassurance.
<BR> In The Man Who Came to Dinner, Linda accidentally fell and severely
twisted her ankle on the fifth night. Waking up the next morning, she
discovered that she had a very swollen ankle. However, with Gary’s help,
she managed to wrap the ankle in such a manner that she was able to perform the
next night. No one knew what happened except the cast and crew as Linda
played Daisy with her normal bravura.<BR> The cast and crew of The
Christmas Gifts which includes her grandson, Steve, have dedicated their six
performances in memory of Linda. The entire Players, all one hundred of us
acting on stage and helping behind the scenes, extend our sympathy to Gary and
his family over this untimely death which has taken one of the most charming
people to ever grace the stage. <BR> Linda wanted so much to see
Steve in The Christmas Gifts and I assured her that she would right before she
died. She just would have a better seat to see the
performances.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4> Calling hours are on Thursday
from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Swigart Easterling Funeral Home, 624 East Cherry
Street, Canal Fulton, Ohio. The funeral will on Friday at 11:00 am at the
United Methodist Church, 363 West Cherry Street, Canal Fulton.
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