By Marcia Thomas
Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players again produced the “sweetest Sunday of the Year” last Sunday when it presented Food for the Soul at Christ Episcopal Church in Jefferson.
The chocolate recipe-making competition was in the Parish Hall of the church where tables were decorated using a Valentine’s Day theme. A beautiful floral center- piece donated by Fairyland Florals of Jefferson decorated the serving table.
As entries were lay ed out on the tables, Players board members were busily singing in visitors at the door of the old historic church where they would be entertained with gospel music from local and area singers while awaiting the judges deliberations.
Judges for the tasting event were Amy Ellis and Tracy Welch of Marshall who donated their time to the Players only yearly event that helps raise funds for the continuation of the groups plays and musicals.
Gospel singers included Johnny “RiverRat” Nance who sang a number of well-known songs by the late, great Stuart Hamble, a native of the Kellyville settlement just west of Jefferson. Mr. Hamblen was posthumously celebrated and remembered for this musical talents and subsequent conversion to Christ after a meeting with the late Rev. Billy Graham in Los Angeles in the early 1950s.
The Opera House Theatre Players produced a 3-day event in 1999 that attracted hundreds of fans and admirers as well as relatives to the dedication of a bronze marker in downtown Jefferson. His widow, Suzy, then 94 years of age, and a daughter attended along with several grandchildren.
Others on the gospel program were Ann Leslie of Marshall who presented a program of old popular music of the 20s and 30s and several more recent original compositions. She was followed by two Shreveport music teachers and professional musicians, Lisa Daye and Jennifer McMullen, who sang a program of old, classic religious hymns and gospel songs including “I’ll Fly Away”.
Last on the program was the local quartet of note, The Gospel Girls, who sang with respect and meaning many of the songs that are popular in the areas black churches but seldom heard by white congregations. One of the final songs was a special request by the Players, “Revive Us Again”, a favorite of Southern Baptist congregations still. It was dedicated to the memory of Professor J. C. Pitts, a long-time educator in the Jefferson black school system for many years who taught in the building that was originally the first Marion County Courthouse located just west of the downtown when it was built. The building was abandoned as a courthouse and given to the black community for a school by the 1880s but burned completely in 1942. It was noted that that gospel hymn was his favorite hymn.
Following the music program, the audience was invited to go to the Parish Hall and wait for the announcement of the winners and then partake of all the chocolate they could hold.
The winners were 1st Place, Sara Davis, who received a Blue Ribbon and a Gift Certificate for a visit to Jefferson Nails and Spa; 2nd Place, Isabella Ashcraft, who received a Red Ribbon and a ticket to the Mutts Gone Nuts show at The Strand in Shreveport; and Sara Davis, who received a Yellow Ribbon and a Kitchen Ensemble and Wall Hanging, courtesy of The Willow Tree and River Rose, Jefferson boutiques.