Theatre: Marvelous Murder on the Orient Express at Colonial

By Betty Lou Roselle

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is based on a 1934 detective novel by Agatha Christie featuring Hercule Poirot. It is adapted by Ken Ludwig adding his comedy talents to the production. Everyone knows Agatha Christie, detective novelist and playwright whose books have sold more than 100 million copies, translated into 100 languages. An interesting fact about Dame Agatha is that in 1926 Christie’s mother died, and her husband, Colonel Archibald Christie, requested a divorce. In a move she never fully explained, Christie disappeared and, after several highly publicized days, was discovered registered in a hotel under the name of the woman her husband wished to marry.

Who murdered Samuel Ratchett?

As the play opens just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.

Director Jennifer Wolfe has assembled an extraordinary cast that Christie would certainly approve of.

Bill Haburcak plays the role of Samuel Ratchett with a relish. He tries to enlist Hercule Poirot to help him discover who has been threatening his life. We quickly observe why someone would want to kill him. John Devine is solid as the proprietor of the Orient Express trying to keep his friend Poirot from frightening the other guests.

Meghan Hanson is mysterious as Mary Debenham as is her lover Colonel Arbuthnot played by Mickey Donahue. Jacob Ryan plays the clueless Hector MacQueen with enthusiasm. Kate Scanlon shines as Countess Andrenyl. Nick Squeri is good in his double roles as Michel the Conductor and the Headwaiter.

Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” includes these three suspects.

Stephanie Donahue’s charming as Greta Ohisson, assistant to Princess Dragomiroff royally played by Susan Wefel. It was wonderful watching Princess Dragomiroff square off against Helen Hubbard played with gusto by Barbara Scanlon (nice change of character when the truth comes out).

Bill King is excellent as Hercule Poirot, never missing a clue to solving this mystery. His monologue figuring everything out in the end is epic. Voiceovers were provided by Loic Barnieu and Connor Scanlon.

Kudos to director Jennifer Wolfe, Stage Manager Peggy Oleynick and the entire production staff for their great work. There are six performances left: May 9, 10, 11; 16,17 and 18.

Colonial Playhouse is at 522 West Magnolia Ave., Aldan, PA. Call 610-622-5773 or visit www.colonialplayhouse.net.

Lansdowne Folk Club welcomes Chris Kasper

Lansdowne Folk Club presents Philly native and folk/rock/bluesman Chris Kasper on Thursday, May 22, 2025.Please note that the concert date has been changed from May 15 to May 22 due to a scheduling conflict.

Philly native and folk/rock/bluesman Chris Kasper

Chris Kasper is an American songwriter who is currently based in the Philadelphia area. He’s been active in the local and national scene for the last 20 years. Over that time, he has released six records and toured with acts like Amos Lee and The Wood Brothers.

His music traverses the Americana, country blues, indie folk and vintage rock spectrums, blurring the lines between genres. Kasper’s evolution into a no-nonsense songwriter is heard throughout his latest album, with nods to songwriters of the 70s like Bobby Charles, Lowell George, and Neil Young. Listen to his music, watch a video, and learn more about him at http://www.chriskasper.com.

If You Go:

Held at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, doors open at 7 p.m. and show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance online or with an advanced phone reservation and $25 without an advance reservation.

For reservations, parking information, advance ticket sales and more information visit website https://folkclub.org, email Lfolkclub@gmail.com or call (484) 466-6213. Only cash accepted at the door.

Parking in front of the 20th Century Club is no longer available. Parking is available on the side streets near the Club or at the Septa train station lot two blocks away. Street parking is available on Lansdowne Court (adjacent to the 20th Century Club) or on Dudley Ave, (across Lansdowne Ave. from the 20th Century Club).

There is one ADA designated handicap parking spot behind the building, but additional handicapped parking can be made by emailing Lfolkclub@gmail.com in advance of the concert.

Upcoming Concerts:

June 5, 2025: John Gorka

Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Composed by Fr. Chad Ripperger

Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men; Queen of heaven and of earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God; Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope.

Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works, and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of thy Son, we humbly ask that thou wouldst turn thine eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion.

We consecrate to thee the integrity of the upcoming election and its outcome, so that what is spiritually and morally best for the citizens of our country may be accomplished, and that all of those who are elected would govern according to the spiritual and moral principles which will bring our nation into conformity with the teachings of thy Son.

Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they will choose leaders according to the Sacred Heart of thy Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve.

Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and thy maternal care, we have perfect confidence that thou wilt take care of us and will not leave us forsaken. O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.

Margie Royal Shows Resilience Battling Helene

By Betty Lou Roselle

When Margie Royal, the original creator of the Delco Culture Vulture website, moved to North Carolina a few years ago, she had no idea she would end up battling a hurricane. Anyone who knows Margie, knew she was up to the challenge.

In the last week, she created an outside area to cook her meals, found a way to live without electricity, get her dog to the vet and keep in touch with all of her friends in Delaware County who are praying for her.

One very scary moment is when she realized her dog Danu had been attacked by an animal and was bleeding. She is our hero as we watch her conquer one challenge after another. Take a moment today to pray for Margie and all our fellow Americans who are battling the effects of Helene and now Milton.

If you would like to help out local Delaware County friend and editor Margie, go to GiveSendGo | Donate to Margie Royal Helene Hurricane Relief

Grace Morrison at Lansdowne Folk Club

Lansdowne Folk Club presents singer/songwriter Grace Morrison on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Held at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, doors open at 7:00 PM and show begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance online or with an advanced phone reservation and $25 without an advance reservation.

For reservations, parking information, advance ticket sales and more information visit website https://folkclub.org, email Lfolkclub@gmail.com or call (484) 466-6213. Only cash and checks accepted at the door.

Parking in front of the 20th Century Club is no longer available. We suggest parking on the side streets near the Club or at the Septa train station lot two blocks away. Street parking is available on Lansdowne Court (adjacent to the 20th Century Club) or on Dudley Ave, (across Lansdowne Ave. from the 20th Century Club). There is one ADA designated handicap parking spot behind the building, but additional handicapped parking can be made by emailing Lfolkclub@gmail.com in advance of the concert.

Born and raised on the shores of Cape Cod, Grace Morrison’s unique brand of “saltwater country” has established her as a confident, refreshing voice in country-pop. With performances at Nashville’s Bluebird Café and co-writes with multi-Grammy winner Lori McKenna (Humble and Kind) and hit songwriter Barbara Cloyd (I Guess You Had to be There) under her belt, Grace made a name for herself in 2022 at songwriter festivals from Massachusetts to Montana. During this stretch she gained further recognition and invitations to write with Dana Hunt Black (Check Yes or No), and Steve Dean (Round About Way).

Outwardly effortless and radio ready you might take for granted what makes Grace’s songwriting special. With musical influences ranging from Fats Domino’s rock and roll licks; the raw expression of jazz; Celtic ballads; and 90’s pop choruses – Grace delivers “three chords and the truth” in a package that is familiar and yet undeniably unique.

Grace Morrison is a mother, musician, renaissance faire performer, cranberry farmer, songwriter, and storyteller. With subjects ranging from Titanic to tantric; an “evening with” Grace will take you from the court of King Henry VIII to debauchery in Denver. With humor and raw honesty, audiences leave Grace’s shows with her songs stuck in their heads and their toes tired from tapping. Check her out at https://www.gracemorrison.com.

Other upcoming concerts include Craig Bickhardt and Jesse Terry on November 21, and Carla Ulbrich with Barry Rabin on December 5.

Founded in 1993, the Lansdowne Folk Club is a 501(c) (3) all volunteer non-profit corporation dedicated to presenting folk, acoustic and blues music.

Relive the Music and Magic of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s

Get ready to travel back in time with a night of unforgettable music at the Oceanfront Arena inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce presents the 20^th annual ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s Weekend on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 in the Wildwoods, New Jersey. This two-day extravaganza celebrates the iconic eras of the 1950s and beyond, while also honoring the pivotal role the Wildwoods played in the birth of Rock ‘n Roll music.

The weekend kicks off on Friday night, Oct. 18 inside the Wildwoods Convention Center with a ‘50s Dance Party featuring The Cameos, who will have you dancing the night away to classic oldies. The Dance Party, reminiscent of the Sock Hops of the ‘50s and ‘60s, takes place 6:30-10:30 p.m. and admission is $20 per person.

Saturday, Oct. 19 will feature a full day of outdoor fun and music during the FREE Street Fair at Fox Park, located across from the Wildwoods Convention Center on Ocean Ave., from 11am to 5pm. The Street Fair will include live entertainment throughout the day featuring the great sounds of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s with Animal House, Living Proof, and The Deck Band performing. Enjoy a variety of vendors offering memorabilia, merchandise, many delicious food options, and much more. A classic car show will be held at the circle in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center across from Fox Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The highlight of the weekend is the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s Concert taking center stage at the Oceanfront Arena in the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday, October 19 at 7 p.m. This star-studded musical lineup features Mr. Frankie Avalon performing hits like “Venus,” “Why,” “I’ll Wait for You,” and “Beauty School Drop Out.”

Also gracing the stage are The Lettermen, known for their classics, “Goin’ Out of My Head,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Theme From a Summer Place,” and “When I Fall In Love.”

The Shirelles starring Beverly Lee will captivate the audience with their melodies, including “Dedicated to The One I Love,” “Tonight’s The Night,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Mama Said.”

The event is hosted by The Voice of Tribute, starring Tommy Cono as the voice of Frankie Valli, Lou Christie, Bobby Darren, and Frank Sinatra. Expect Tommy C. to sing timeless classics from each of these iconic artists. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the concert and an unforgettable night of music and nostalgia.

For those eager to secure their tickets or gather additional information, stop by the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at 3306 Pacific Avenue in Wildwood, visit www.Wildwoods.com, or call 609-729-4000. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations. A limited number of tickets will be available at the Wildwoods Convention Center Box Office the weekend of the event.

For additional information, visit www.gwcoc.org or call 609-729-4000.

Review of the movie – Reagan

By Betty Lou Roselle

This was a highly entertaining movie, very nostalgic and historical.

Dennis Quaid should get an academy award for his portrayal of President Reagan. He fully inhabits this character which is a hard job since Reagan is so well known. He has Reagan’s voice and mannerisms down to perfection. Penelope Ann Miller did a stellar job as Nancy Reagan. Sean McNamara does a great job directing this talented cast which includes Jon Voight and many other veteran actors you will recognize. Ignore the critics at Rotten Tomatoes. I expected that critics would give it bad reviews because let’s face it, they all lean left. They know audiences will see the similarity of the love Reagan had for this country and the love President Trump has. What’s important is the audiences love it, 98%!

Wildwoods Hosts Morey’s Mania Beach Wrestling

Morey’s Piers is proud to host the Morey’s Mania Beach Wrestling Tournament on the Wildwoods’ beaches Saturday, August 3.

Beach Wrestling combines several wrestling disciplines, including Sumo, into a 16’ diameter ring placed directly on the sand. This event is open to boys and girls, ages 7 to adult. Weigh-ins will take place Friday, August 2 from 4 – 6 p.m. as well as on Saturday, August 3 from 8 – 9 a.m.

Morey’s Mania Beach Wrestling will take place on the beach at Oak Avenue, next to Morey’s PigDog Beach Bar. Wrestling begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 3.

The tournament will follow United World Wrestling rules and regulations for the discipline of Beach Wrestling.

Divisions include:

Boys Division age groups: 6 & under, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14, and 15-17
Rookie Boys age groups: 7-9, 10-12, and 13-15
Rookie Girls age groups: 7-9, 10-12, and 12-15
Female Division age groups: 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18
Open Division Men ages 18 – 35
Open Division Men Over 35 years old
Open Division Women ages 19 – 35
Open Division Women over 35 years old

There is an entrance fee for participants, but no fee for spectators. Sit in the sun and sand and enjoy the unique competition of beach wrestling!

Included in each registration is a 4-day admission to Morey’s Piers Amusements and Water Parks. Passes are good for admission to both Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis Water Parks, and all three Morey’s Piers amusement piers (Mariner’s, Adventure and Surfside Piers). Family and friends of wrestlers can purchase a discounted 4-day combo pass.

For the tournament director, email moreysmaniabeachwrestling@gmail.com.

Wildwoods Baseball on the Beach Returns

Step up to the plate and enjoy one of the big hits this summer! The 9^th Annual MudHen Beach Baseball Tournament returns to the Wildwoods’ beaches for two exciting back-to-back weekends, Friday August 9 through Sunday, August 11 and Friday, August 16 through Sunday, August 18.

Presented by MudHen Events and partnered with Morey’s Piers, the MudHen Beach Baseball Tournament transforms the beach at Rio Grande Avenue, right behind the Wildwoods sign, into a baseball fan’s delight with four fields set for youth players to “play ball.”

The tournament is for youth baseball teams 9U-15U. Registration is now closed, but spectators are encouraged to watch for free from the beach or Boardwalk. A Home Run Derby will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. both Friday nights of the tournaments. Tournament times each weekend are Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with championships on Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sunshine, an ocean breeze, and the crack of bats hitting baseballs into a sandy outfield – it’s tough to find a better combination than that. America’s favorite pastime is often seen played on the beach throughout the summer, although where most use a plastic bat and wiffle ball, MudHen Beach Baseball brings the real deal to the Wildwoods’ white-sand beaches.

These annual youth baseball tournaments offer entertainment for all ages and families. The unique beach element makes it more difficult to field ground balls and to catch fly balls, making the game more challenging and exciting to both watch and play.

For additional information, call 609-408-7035 or visit www.WildwoodBeachBaseball.com.

President Trump May Have New Constituents

An opinion by Betty Lou Roselle

I didn’t think I could like President Trump any more than I already do. But when I came home from an evening out on Saturday, I turned on Newsmax and saw him at the Michigan rally.

As soon as I saw his ear, I was reminded of another hero of mine – Spock from Star Trek.

That got me thinking back to those terrific episodes of Star Trek that I watched growing up. Watching them was great entertainment. It took me growing older to realize the wonderful lessons they provided.

Spock would be so proud that Trump is for rational thought. He was always about logical behavior. Trump’s courageous reaction to an assassination attempt reminds us of that quote from Spock “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few – or the one.”

And like Spock we know Trump wants us to live long and prosper. I think he’s locked up the Star Trek vote.

Wouldn’t it be fun if rally goers started showing up with Spock ears?