Frontporch Friends
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This page is dedicated to Friends of the Frontporch Stage!
Our Thanks to all our friends everywhere.

 

May 3rd,   The Ouachita River Ramblers, a small crowd of familiar faces
May 10th      Rained Out
May 17th   Milestone
May 23rd  Good Ol Days Gospel
May 24th   Good Ol Days
May 31st    Dewayne Hodges
June 7th    Prairie Grove band
June 14th  The Hartley Family
June 21st  The Ouachita River Ramblers
June 28th  Mountain Mist  ( Rained out & Blacked Out)
July 5th    The Ouachita River Ramblers ( Rained out)
July 12th  Prairie Grove Band
July 19th  The Harvey Boys
July 26th  John Talley
Aug 2nd  The Ouachita River Ramblers
Aug 9th   Phillip James & New Generation Bluegrass
Aug 16th  The Priairie Grove Band
Aug 23rd  The Unknown Legends Show with John Talley and The Rena Wren Trio
 


Guest Book 2008

Visitors, Out of State in Yellow, International in Blue
John & Gina Eidson, Welcome to Mt Ida!
Fred & Liz Aikin, Malvern, AR
Lynda & Bob Soady, Just passing thru
Ricky Lee, Debbie Lee
Pat Paradies
Anita  & Dan Watson
Bob ? Unasuski?
Roxanne Sperre
Robert Deming, Texas just driving by!
Barbara & Norm S., Medway , Mass.
Larry & Judy Whittington, Vidalia, Louisiana
Ronald & Myrtis Barnhill, Ferriday, Louisiana
Sherry Small, Sanman, Indiana
Rhete Ryland, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fran Halloway
Lester Shadrick, Fayetteville, AR
Beryl & Sue Jacobs, Hot Springs, AR
Terry Foster, Maumelle, AR
Kathleen King, Jeanin Roberts, Chippewa Falls, Wisc. Happy Birthday Kathy!
Loretta & Glen Stell, Crossett, AR
Roselyn Smith, Allene Daniels, Raymond Daniels
Carmen Binns, Ft Lake, AR
Bonnie Carter
Carl Hudson, N. Little Rock, AR
Ceji Wooley, Glenwood
Ernie, Marvin & Teresa Kehrs, Valley Springs, South Dakota
Jan Watts, Norman
David Raddle, Little Rock
Jerry Spakes, Rison, AR
Denise Bush, Conway
Randy & Erika Herman, Garland, TX
Kai Cunningham, Carrollton, TX
Wayne & Deana Robinson, Warren, AR
Kevin & Cindy Henderson, Brandon, Mississippi
Red & Effie Romero, Taos, New Mexico
Tally Fisher, N. Ft Myers, Florida
Amy Smith, Little Rock
Albert Yaun, Little Rock
Jamie Walker, London/Leeds, UK THanks for making this a wonderful Saturday evening!!
Sylne Mabille dePoncheville, Normandy, France. A great evening for a nice town!
David & Margaret Lapham, Great Program
 Ernie & Doris Tarter, Arlington TX
Mike & Brandy Phillips, Rison
Greg & Donna Phillips, Rison
Cheryl & Ron Williams, Poplar Bluff, MO.
Greg & Jennifer
Johnny & Donna Hanny
Danny & Jessie Terry, Melissa TX
Ron & Patsy Pugh, Waskon, TX
James & Caye, Elysian Fields, TX
Judy Martin, Hot Springs
The Sanchez', Taos, NM
Charlotte Eiland, Alpine
Pat & Margie Snyder, Auburn, PA
Sherry, Taryn, Dustin & Trenton Toms, Caster, LA
Willard & Janice Mauerman, Tremont, IL
Billy & JoAnn Carter Hot Springs
Jeff Augustine, Alexandria, LA
Fritzie Shown, Alexandria, LA
Mary & Leslie Lowe, Pavilion, NY
Charles Stockton, glad to be here
Harold & Patsy Bronson, Pine Bluff , Good Show!
Ken & Gladyce Butt, Pumpkin Town, S.C.
Dr. Don & Natalie Dailey, Hot Springs Village, Enjoyed!
Patsy & Harold Branson... wonderful music
Scott & Susan Allen, Little Rock
Henry & Emma McAllen, Little Rock
Roni, Jody & Emily, Hot Springs
Gene & Marg Hall, Hot Springs... Howdy Gene!
Debbie Pearon, Conroe, Texas - What a pleasant surprise!
Wayne Mathes, Cut-n-Shoot Graingerland TX
Carol & Gary Lindley, Eufaula, OK
MaryAnn & Dean Rogers, Hot Springs- good show!
Dorothy & Scott Tucker, Hot Springs- good show!
Chuck & Theresa Allen,,,,,,,, Austin, TX enjoyed the show!
Bill Ballard, May the Forest be with You, Watson, OK
Jean Bratton, mountain dulcimer player from Indiana
Erlene Ebrhardt, Jean's friend from Illinois
Dale & Melody Driskell, Farmington, MO... camping thru both rain outs
 Rick & Sydne Smith, Hot Springs
 Betty Reeves & Virginia Peasler  Albany Oregon
Hazel & Walter, West Monroe, LA
Sherry, Sierra & Heather Franks, Fulton, MS
 Marvel Dingert, Shannon Hills
The Southards, Benton
Bonnie Jefferies, Traskwood
Jenice Hutton, Norman
Lois Rhodes, Benton
Nancy Drake, Mena
Manda Hill, Midland, TX
The Mulbrandts, Stockbridge, GA
Bill Ballard, Watson, OK
Dr. George & Cheryl Edwards from Fort Smith
Betty & Rhea Hambright visiting from Fayetteville, Texas
Our friends for many years, Robert & Mary Thiele from Fulshear Texas!!
Our visitor Marina Baker takes the distance honors coming from Everett, Washington
Denise Kalkwarf thought it was great!!
Sandi Janssen visiting us from Iowa..glad to have you!
Shelley Furr from Leesville Louisiana
Dan & Carol Harris from Keithville, Louisiana
Thomas & Aimee Boothe from Kilbourne, Louisiana
Harold Oliver from Peoria, Illinois
Denise Haenel from Caddo Gap, Texas (that's right, Texas)
Brooks Allen from Saginaw, Texas (that's right, Texas)
and our camp counselor of the week from Ole Miss, Daniel Trotter who will be
returning to Mississippi later this month...
Ray & Debbie Hammon enjoyed their visit to Mt Ida
Margaret McMillan from Cypress California thought it was Great!
Sally from Livermore ..."fantastic"
Ron & Shirley Fisher, Enjoying Mt Ida
Denise Morgan from England, AR
Marice Nawacki from New Jersey visiting Hot Springs and The Frontporch
?? Wet Postman from Hot Springs...
Vern & Indy McNelly  visiting from St James City, FLA
Greg & Maria Friesen & Family from Honey Grove TX (Tigertown!!)
Mike & Holly Brought to the Frontporch by Ron & Betty... YeeHaw!! Conroe, Tx
Melody Milbradt visiting from Atlanta, GA.
Don & Glenda Webster enjoying their visit from McAlister, OK
Although they didn't sign the guest book, Jim & Gina from St Paul, MN 


 

Join the Nocturnal Order of the Possum Now!!!

Simply copy this application, print and mail it to us...address below

The Nocturnal Order of the Possum is a non-political social club dedicated to serving our community and having
a little fun at our own expense. Our Mission is the preservation of our local music heritage and providing Mt Ida, Montgomery County and the Ouachita Region with safe family oriented activities.
Join soon and participate in the great concerts and activities of The Frontporch Stage,
Possums Unlimited, Possum Tracks Studio and much more!!! 

Lifetime Dues are $15.00, join today and receive a membership certificate suitable
for framing and a personalized membership ID card that carries absolutely no privelege!

You can contact us via e-mail at frontporchmusic@earthlink.net

Nocturnal Order of the Possum
Montgomery County Arkansas Lodge
Membership Application

Name or Aliases:___________________________________________________________
Address or Known Hangout:__________________________________________________
Phone Number or Map to where you might be____________________________________
Do you know any Possum Jokes? (not a requirement)______________________________
Did you go to school? (Also not a requiremint)___________________________________
Do You have any special skills? (Not a requirement)______________________________
Does your sense of humor extend to roadkill references? YES or NO (not that it Matters)
In as few words as possible... why do you want to join such a secret organization?______
Are You willing to be part of an organization just for the fun and satisfaction of doing
something for your friends and neighbors and visitors to Montgomery County? Yes

Signature____________________________ or X
Date______________

The Nocturnal Order of the Possum Lodge’s primary mission will be to assist with the actual concert activities of the Frontporch Stage.*Just help
out if you can> The Nocturnal Order of the Possum will also be organizing and conducting other fun events to be determined by the membership.
By accepting the terms of membership you also agree to abide by our code of secrecy about the Nocturnal Order of the Possum, our Lodge, Meetings, Edicts of the Potentate, Secret Passwords, Secret Handshakes and Secret stuff in general. (As we have no secrets, this shouldn’t be too hard on anybody)

* Online members may not be called upon but their support is still welcomed. Your Dues, your suggestions and input will always have a vital place in our planning.

You can contact us via e-mail at frontporchmusic@earthlink.net
Mail your Application to: Possums Unlimited, P.O.Box 1252, Mt Ida, Arkansas 71957

 
Duane Allen Crandall, Born Aug. 22, 1922 in Byron, Nebraska  ~
  Left us April 18, 2007 at home in Mt Ida, Arkansas.

Duane Crandall grew up in Beatrice, Nebraska with his half brothers and sisters. His dad was a butcher by trade in the
winter and ran a carnival concession in the summer. When school was out for the summer Duane and his best friend Harold Van Borkum would hitchhike to join and work the carnival for the summers. His love for theatrics was born in him early on and was a passion for him for life .His family eventually moved to Nevada where Duane worked in a magnesium plant. He served as a clerk in the Navy during WWII and returned to Nevada after the war. In 1947 his parents, his brother Frank and his family all moved to Mt Ida. Duane and his "pappy" were house painters. Duane related that his dad had taught all the boys in the family to paint very early in their lives. They owned a business called "The House of Cedar" where Atlantis Found Rock Shop is located today. Duane's Mom worked at The Rock Cafe which was located in that stone building just before South Fork Road. After his dad passed away in the early 60's Duane took up house painting as a full time profession and also cared for his mother until her passing in 1995 at the age of  99. His handiwork as a painter will be remembered by the many who had him work in their homes.

Duane "Hollywood" Crandall truly loved the community theater. He became a member of the MCCPA shortly after it's founding and was involved in almost every production whether on stage or backstage. He was an incredible performer with the great ability to memorize lines. His debut on stage took place in 1989 in Paint Your Wagon and took any role except singing. He refused singing parts explaining his aversion to torturing his audiences. He appeared in at least 25 productions and in 1991 MCCPA produced Duane's original play Music, Magic, Mayhem and Mirth  He played the "grandpa Jones" character in the Frontporch/MCCPA productions of HEE HAW and was involved with Possums Unlimited and was the first member of The Nocturnal Order of the Possum.

Duane was a writer of short stories ..homespun country tales that have been published and were sold locally. He started writing his tales on an old typewriter, then progressed to a word processor typewriter then to a computer. He loved the computer because he could save or delete his work at he touch of a button.

Duane loved the outdoors and could tell you about almost every plant or tree in this area. He enjoyed digging crystals and had an extensive knowledge of geology and wrote about the local area geology in a couple of books. He loved animals and as he was drawn to them so they too were drawn to him. Much of his health can be attributed to his walks with the dogs. Not the ordinary walks but treks across the creek and up the mountain and on trails in the woods around his home.

Duane was a bachelor, never married but loved children and had incredible patience. He would always slow down or stop to enjoy the simplest things with children from looking at lizards, skipping rocks or just feeding the chickens. He always took the time with all his nieces and nephews, the great, the great great and the great great great. He had at the end nieces and nephews nationwide and not limited to just family. He was truly a friend to all and always had a smile for everyone.

Our community will sorely miss this kind humorous man who suggests that we not mourn for him but rejoice that he is now telling his tales in Heaven. He expressed the wish that when the end came he would rather go like the Indians...
"in the woods, sitting under a tree". From what we know he left in Peace and did not suffer. He was buried near his home and a few things went with him. His pipe, tobacco, a paint brush, a handkerchief, one of his magic rollers that he used to make doors look like wood, his latest favorite ball cap and a copy of the playbill from "Of Mice and Men"
He was laid to rest on April 21, 2007 at Rocky Valley Cemetery just down the road from his home.

Thanks to the Crandall family, Carla Carlson and to Delores Schakel, MCCPA

Thank You Duane A. Crandall for being a part of our lives and we are all the beneficiaries of your smiles, jokes, stories and kindnesses that you always gave freely. We will miss you but you will always be with us and we celebrate your life with a big smile just like you always gave us.