When ‘the whole town came out’ for a play
By Erik Pekar, Town Historian
A recent research request fielded to us will be of interest to quite a few former students of Granville High School. Elio Del Sette, a former teacher at the school, called us. Del Sette was looking for an editorial written by MacArthur Manchester about an exhibition of the play “The Sound of Music” in December of 1965, which he directed when he was the advisor of the Granville Drama Club.
Del Sette fondly recalled his time in Granville, as teacher and heading the drama club. “[Granville was a] quiet little town, in that high school they were outstanding,” said Del Sette. “We worked so hard.” Del Sette taught history and social studies at Granville High in the 1960s. Upon coming into the village he was greeted by the welcome sign. Del Sette was impressed by the slogan on the sign, “You’ll find unity in our community.” During his time in Granville, he stayed with the Frank Caiazza family.
The club members dedicated themselves to preparing for the play, practicing a few hours every night. A few of the students practiced for longer and, as a result, were sometimes drowsy in other classes. No stones were unturned in the effort to motivate the players. Del Sette ordered the show costumes from a New York City professional costumer and told the drama club members that the costumes they would be wearing had previously been worn by the actors on Broadway.
The nights of the play, Dec. 3 and 4, 1965, were banner nights in Granville. “The whole town came out [for the play],” said Del Sette. The hard work of the Granville Drama Club members, and the showing of support from the Granville community, did not go unnoticed.
“Mac” Manchester wrote in an editorial in the Dec. 16 issue: “It was but a week or two ago the amateurs at Granville High School out-did the professionals. In fact, the town is still talking about the musical directed by Elio Del Sette, advisor to the Drama Club, which electrified the community. It’s been many a year since an event has caused such favorable comment. It just proves that it can be done; that the arts are appreciated; that the arts are appreciated; . . . it just proves, ‘it can happen here.’ . . . the Sentinel went all out in support of a venture which succeeded! . . . the distinguished Elio Del Sette, his assistants and particularly those able actors acquitted themselves in such a manner to warrant the warmest of commendation. . . . So, as we’ve said before, it can happen here . . . we in Granville have our own theater set which is polished, and highly professional. What more could we ask?”
Del Sette was pleased that the editorial had been found, but the excitement was soon surpassed when we divulged that people had taken photos of the stage production for the 1966 Granville yearbook; he didn’t take any photos, nor was he aware of any, as he was involved in the production. The editorial sought by Del Sette was printed, along with the articles and photos, and all readied to be mailed. Del Sette was beyond thankful for the research effort, and we were thankful for his decision to call us to seek out the editorial. The wrapping up of the files brought a conclusion to an interesting historical research request.
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A Granville resident has been working on beautifying a space on Main Street in Granville. The space is a short section of land along the rail trail, adjacent to the Heavenly Hair property, starting at the Main Street sidewalk and running north for at most 100 feet.
The space, named the Granville Ladybug Garden, has been the work of Kathy Terrio. It is true that there have been others who contributed at times, such as those leaving painted “ladybug” rocks, painting their hands on the concrete tower, or the Granville village DPW bringing dirt for the garden. However, the idea, planning and direction of the garden was all hers.
The building of the garden space was started last July. The effort started with the beautification of a concrete “eyesore,” which once had been the foundation tower of a steel utility pole carrying a power line over Main Street. A parking sign was moved so it wouldn’t block the view. Over the summer of last year, hands were painted onto the block, and painted rocks were left around it. A garden was made around the tower, and at that time the name was painted on the concrete tower.
Expansion of the garden space further back from the sidewalk started last fall, with the planting of a small conifer sapling, intended to evoke a “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree. True to the intent, it was later decorated with ornaments. This year, the garden was given a major expansion. More plants and flowers were planted around the tower, and in a new garden area further back from the tree. In late August, a pathway was made along the entire section of the garden area to the utility pole. The pathway was inlaid with slate squares, from Camara Slate.
Terrio hopes that the garden will be an attraction to draw people to Main Street. She has more ideas planned to further improve this garden space. Terrio is to be commended for her efforts in building up the Granville Ladybug Garden and beautifying a part of Granville’s Main Street.
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After a year’s delay, the Granville Community Days celebration is right around the corner. The event is sponsored by the Granville Community Foundation, Telescope Casual Furniture, the Granville Lions Club, and NYVTmedia. This event was originally scheduled for last September but postponed last August due to concerns relating to the pandemic. A year later, those concerns have been alleviated and the organizers are pushing full steam ahead.
Friday, Sept. 9, will be a gala dinner, taking place in the graded parking lot next to the Telescope property. This was intended to be where the Granville Community Foundation would be introduced to the Granville area, and while they are known now, they will at last get their introduction. About 1,000 people will be served at the dinner, with several area businesses contributing to catering. This event had ticket reservations; all sold out before it was postponed last year. While a handful of ticketholders did ask for and receive refunds, there was a long enough waiting list that it did not change that the ticket sales are closed. A friendly reminder to those holding tickets that suggested dress is business casual.
Saturday, Sept. 10, will be a celebration of Telescope’s presence in Granville for 100 years. A family-friendly event will be held at and around the Telescope factory complex on Church Street in Granville. This event will include carnival games, bounce houses, local food trucks, music, a petting zoo, opportunities for prizes, and guided tours of the factory. The public is encouraged and welcome to attend the Saturday event. The Granville Community Days are set to be the biggest thing that has happened in Granville in many years.
Note: Second to last paragraph edited to remove incorrect dress code reference concerning the September 9 dinner.
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