Author Archives: Colton Hall

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Who thought the notion of baking a red velvet cake could be so funny.

Riotously funny is the only way to describe the wonderful production of the “Red Velvet Cake War” presented by the Winner Community Playhouse. The opening weekend was Friday and Saturday. But you still have a chance to see this  great play that showcases some wonderful talent on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. To make a reservation persons can call the playhouse at 842-1958. The  doors open at 7:30 p.m. and play starts at 8 p.m.
This southern fried comedy takes place in Sweetgum, Texas, as the three Verdeen cousins are planning a family reunion. Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette could not have picked a worse time to throw their family reunion. You see, it is a traumatic time for Gaynelle. Her husband has run off with his girlfriend and in retaliation Gaynelle has “accidentally” run her car into the double wide trailer home of what she calls a man-stealing woman. Gaynelle subsequently faces various legal charges as well as being observed by a court appointed psychologist who is checking on her sanity.

Now the Verdeen family reunion is usually presided over by an  overbearing aunt LaMerle. The aunt wants to cancel the reunion because of Gaynelle’s scandal but the Gaynelle and her cousins insist the reunion go forward.

Besides, Gaynelle bets her house with LaMerle that she can make a better tasting red velvet cake than her aunt who annually takes home the prize for the best cake. Let the war begin!

Cast in the roles of the Verdeen cousins are Sarah Gustafson as the suitably attired proprietress of Whatley’s Western Attire. Gustafson’s droll delivery and deadpan approach to this character are wonderful.
Tami Comp is good as Gaynelle who takes up the challenge to make the best red velvet cake.

Kara Connot has a grand time as Peaches whose trucker husband left home one night years ago and never returned.

The chemistry between the women who play the cousins is a delight to the audience.

Michele Hagenlock is matronly as the overbearing aunt.

Barb DeSersa has fun as busybody neighbor, Bitsy, who has her eyes on a recently widowed neighbor. But she has competition as one of the Verdeen cousins, Jimmy, also eyes the same man. I don’t want to go into too much detail but you have to see the fight scene between DeSersa and Sarah Gustafson.

Enter into this  wild family mix a one eyed suitor Newt Blaylock, owner of the Wig N’ Worm outlet founded by his late mother. Winner High School teacher Wyatt DeJong is wonder as Newt. This is DeJong’s second appearance in a Winner Community Playhouse Production.   DeJong has some  eye popping lines in this production.

Rounding out the cast are Tia DeSersa as a German psychologist, Kenzie Irick as Cee Cee Windham, a local TV personality; Jack Frantz as the sheriff and Chris Frantz as Purvis Verdeen. All were wonderful.

But for me, the show stoppers were Maurice Gustafson as the old uncle Aubrey and Linda Waton as Mama Doll Hargis. What a super job!!! They can shuffle along with the best of them.

Sandra York directs this funny play and used her ability to allow the characters to act their part for all its worth. York was able to bring out the best in the actors and actresses.

Dan Patmore, as technical director, designed the set of the Verdeen living room.

Though there area a lot of scenes in each act, good use is made of having some scenes played in front of a drawn curtain. It was effective and kept the play moving.

It is a must see and one of the funniest plays the Winner Community Playhouse has ever presented.

Kudos to all who made this possible.

Winner students were among 60 high school students who were awarded the highest academic scholarships at Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell.

Sam Naasz received the John Wesley academic/athletic scholarship.

Tyrel Haley received the presidential academic/athletic scholarship.

By Dan Merritt, Reporter

Hopefully, Julie Manke of Winner didn’t flee to the bathroom to vomit once a Winner Advocate interviewer left her home last week, Wed., March 11.

Not that she had been grilled with tough “Watergate”-like question that left her drained and ill.

She’s pregnant and that means feeling sick, according to Manke.

Sick for 40 weeks generally. “It’s like having the flu for months on end,” she stated.

She’s gone through it four times in the past nine years.

That’s not the experience of most pregnant women, some who have told Manke they’ve had their best health while pregnant.

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

It is important for persons to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft.

Last Tuesday afternoon the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon as 30 people listened to advise on how to protect their identity.

Chad Vetter, Aberdeen, Wells Fargo at  Work program consultant, was the speaker.

Wells Fargo of Winner provided the speaker for the luncheon. The goals of the presentation was to raise awareness of exactly how personal information can be stolen and learn how identity thieves operate.

Vetter explained that there is a difference between identity theft and identity fraud.

In theft, thieves use stolen personal information, such as Social Security number or bank account number, to open accounts or initiate transactions in another person’s name.

Identity fraud is usually limited to an isolated attempt to steal money from an existing account, such as charging on a stolen credit card.