A full-house (above) enjoys one of six performances of the play, “Desperate Ambrose” in the township hall of the Richland County village of Adario while the ageless hall wraps itself in post-sunset darkness (below).

BUTLER TOWNSHIP INSTITUTE
The tradition continues...

It was another of those places right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

The American Flag was flying proudly while 200 voices-strong inside the old, masonry township hall proclaimed their Pledge of Allegiance. Proudly.

While stars twinkled and Amish buggies clip-clopped down the Olivesburg-Fitchville Road the hall was rocking up there in Adario which, that night, was smack in the middle of the salt-of-the-Earth, US of A.

They pronounce their town name Ad-ah-RYE-oh, not the slanderous Ah-DARE-e-oh; a common mistake of outsiders—and a shameful one, indeed.

Applause slammed into the night from the township hall because, of course, the 114th annual Farmer’s Institute was underway.

It all started back in 1896 when the legislature created the Institutes as an official means for agricultural communities around Ohio to celebrate Spring and homemaking and farming and the bounty of the land.

Local folks believe theirs is one of only five institutes remaining in the entire state.

The institutes are two days of meetings in the township hall with informative programs on rural life, and meals, and displays, and fellowship—lots of fellowship. And, entertainment, usually in the form of an annual play, almost always featuring local talent—lots of talent.

Enjoyment rippled through the audience that night while the Adario Community Players presented a repeat performance of “Desperate Ambrose”, a three-act farce set in our country’s very lawless wild-west.

Panhandle Jake (Dean Glenn) was stunning in his portrayal of a hapless but loveable town drunk strongly supported by Ambrose Groves (Doug Eichelberger) the self-deprecating hero of the show. And Tillie (Carolyn Glenn); my oh my!

And, Hoot Owl Pete and Stinkweed and the villainous Sheriff Crandel. I was convinced central casting for this show must have had their offices on Broadway.

This play repeated the same show done there 40 years ago and the Glenns (Bob, Dean and Carolyn) plus Bob Cuppy appeared in both.

The program saluted Diana Eichelberger for her years of service as the play director. She, naturally, played “Lena” in the 1970 production.

We are humbled by and applaud this tradition of thespian excellence and strong, community values.  And, we are thankful we were there that night.