HotU & lantern « April n

35

British Seagull 387 A Day to Honor

Seagulls by Ima Byrd The laughing gulls are back. I heard them giggling across the bay and chuckling under the boardwalk. Some of them are up at the Stone Harbor Point trying to help their relatives, the tern, find a suitable nesUng site. But the situation there is almost impossible. Now I know it isn’t nice to complain, but I thought that perhaps you humans might not understand Just how important we are. You see if you would read your history books you’d discover that gulls, and other birds, are very nice creatures. We've even got p great monument to us gulls out in Salt Lake City. Let me tell you about it and then maybe you’ll give us the respect and appreciation we deserve. It all happened in 1847 when Brigham Young led a group of pioneers out West to settle. All they wanted was to find a peaceful place where they could worship in their own way. THE PIONEERS STOPPED in the great salt desert where the dry, barren land was considered by most folk to be useless. Everything was against them. Even their scout, Jim Bridger said nothing could grow in the dry land. But Young was stubborn and he knew that God bad led th$pi to the desert for a purpose. Young flooded the ground with water from the mountains, that started what is now known by farmers as irrigation. Then they planted seeds and in the short season they could harvest a small crop with enough food to last through the winter. Young wouldn't allow them to touch the crop but instead left it for seed for the next spring. The people almost starved to death that first winter. But with their waning strength, the next spring they cultivated and planted 5,000 acres with their seeds. They were very excited about the green fields and thankful for the promise of food. YOU MIGHT BEGIN TO BE wondering where the seagulls came in. Well, what happened next was both a potential catastrophe and a miracle combined. All of a sudden from the northern hills a gigantic black cloud landed on the crops. It was millions of crickets. They landed on the crops and ate everything in sight. Men, women and their children fought them off, but nothing worked. Day after day the onslaught of crickets appeared. The people were exhausted. All their seed had been planted and they were nearly 1,000 miles from anyone who could sell them more, even if they had funds. With winter coming it meant starvation for everyone. The people prayed, and prayed. God must have heard them because from out of the western sky came a flock of white birds, seagulls! More and more came. At first the settlers thought they were doomed but to their surprise, ^ the gulls pounced on the crickets, eating them. For nearly two weeks the gulls flew back and forth ridding the field of the insects. TO THOSE SETTLERS it was miracle. For gulls are not found in deserts, but near water. Yet there they were. The crops were saved. As a remembrance of the miracle, a monument to the seagull was erected in Salt Lake City. Now, I don’t profess to take credit for what happened in Salt Lake City, but I think the story is well worth noting. And whenever you humans get to thinking seagulls are a nuisance, Just remember the story of Brigham Young and the crickets. Maybe someday we’ll receive the recognition we deserve here on the Jersey shore. Maybe someday they’ll replace that stupid concrete ship at Cape May Point with a monument to us. Maybe someday. . . NEXT WEEK: Peace March

A SCENE from the Wildwood High production of ‘West Side Story,’ here during a rehearsal.

Theatre to Open With

A REVIEW Performing Like Professionals

‘The Price’ Next SOMERS POINT’Following a highly successful spring season subscription drive which brought over a 70 per cent increase in South Jersey Regional Theatre’s membership, and critically acclaimed production of ’.’Sleuth,’’ SJRT is now in rehearsal for an April 15 opening of Arthur Miller's tension-packed drama, The Price. Directed by Richard Wilcox, whose previous SJRT productins have in-

Wednesday eluded I Do, I Do. The Boy Friend, Camelot, and The Sea Horae, the star-studded professional New York cast will count in its ranks P.J. Bhrry, Eve Marlowe, David Vogel and Dylan Ross. The Price will be per- . formed through May 2 with evening performances on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8;30 and a single matinee performance on Tuesday, April 28 at 2 p.m.

BY Robert Shiles WILDWOOD - When Wildwood High School drama instructor Marie laconangelo decided to produce Weat Side'Story this year she chose one of the most difficult and demanding shows for any high school to master. A demanding musical score, coupled with the need for versatile actors and strong choreography, makes this show a challenge even for professional theatre companies. Very few high schools can do West Side Story justice. Usually the audience leaves the production feeling that something is missing. But the performance Friday night at Wildwood High School was a truly professional-like production. Under the directiod of Mfs. laconangelo, the cast of 45 youngsters combined acting, vibrant singing and spirited dancing to generate an evening full of entertainment. WEST SIDE STORY is an American tragedy. It relates the bittersweet tale of two lovers — Maria from Puerto Rico and Tony, an American — who try to find their place together in a society that resists any attempts to cross cultural barriers. Unfortunately, Bernardo, Maria's brother, and Tony are members of rival street gangs. This eventually leads to the tragedy that prevents the naive lovers from ever escaping the realities of the harsh, and often unfair, world in which they are caught. Topping the bill of talented actors were senior Michelle Cincelli as the naive and idealistic Maria, and senior John Gant as the searching, love struck Tony. Both of the leads exhibited excellent acting and professional stage presence. Although sometimes weak in solo situations, overall they handled the difficult vocal arrangements well. Especially memorable were their renditions of “One Hand, One Heart," "Tonight,” afid "Somewhere.” In duet situations, with the orchestra adding Just the right touch, Ms. Cinelli's and Mr. Gant's voices

blended together harmoniously. ‘ TAG MILLER’S portrayal of Anita, Bernardo's girl and close friend of Maria, was close to perfection. She exhibited throughout the performance a-high degree of acting, dancing and vocal talent. Memorable performances wore chalked up by all of the Sharks and Jets, # especially Irvin Smith, who portrayed Riff; John Ferry as Action, and Mike Johnson as Bernardo. These three individuals were very well cast and did an ideal/job with their acting, Ringing and dancing assignments. Although not a major character, one of the champion show stealers was Patty Beck. Her portrayal of Anybodys was excellent. She provided just the right amount of carefree stage presence, whimsical expressions and sharp delivery of lines to allow the audience plenty of laughs. MAJOR STRENGTHS of the production were the polished group song and dance numbers. Based on audience applause and laughter, the number that brought down the house was the Jets rendition of "Gee Officer Krupke." Other notable chorus numbers included "America" and "I Feel Pretty." Overall the choreography, created by Linda Vdt, and the vocal arrangements, directed by Betty J. King, were superb. How one can teach amateurs to sing and dance so well in only three months is truly amazing. WEST SIDE STORY can never be successful without an excellent pit orchestra. Although they had to master a demanding musical score, the musicians under the direction of Tom Gicas performed as professionals. They worked well with the vocalists, almost always providing the correct amount of presence. Those who missed this production, missed a good night of entertainment. Everyone in the show did an excellent job — and the audience knew it.

—n o t i c e t o Letters Writers

The newspaper is beginning to receive Letters to the Editor which cannot be printed because we are unable to contact the wrjters to verify authenticity. In general, opinions for our Reader's Forvm should; •Be signed by the writer and include'the writer's address and phone number. Letters can be printed anonymously, but the newspaper must have writer verification. •Deal with one topic or issue in an accurate, nonlibelous manner. •Be typewritten or legibly handwritten, doublespaced on one side of the paper. •Be received by the newspaper prior to Friday.

Courageous Stand (From Page 34) Bieberbach and Moran for not allowing an important issue to be turned into a “moral" crusade. IT IS EVIDENT THAT increasing our police personnel, strictly enforcing the ABC laws, and closing the “barefoot" bars, can be more of a crime deterrant than decreasing the bar hours for the summer months. It is a shame that some people forget that bar owners are also taxpayers and have a right to make a living. It is fortunate that at least two-thirds of Lower Township Committee respect that right. BUI Righter la a Birch Rd., Villas realdent.

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