Category Archives: In Other News

The Passing of Carol Kirby

From Tim Rogers

MISC_Carol KirbyCarol Kirby, in her early 80s & Larry Behymer’s partner in crime, passed away this week after a battle with food poisoning and pneumonia connected with her dialysis issues.

Carol’s was a generous, sweet, and hilarious spirit, who occasionally trod the boards at Milford (“Man Who Came to Dinner”) and Mariemont (“Lion, Witch, & Wardrobe”) among others.

She is best known as Larry’s girlfriend, for throwing great parties for Beechmont Players at her house in Anderson, and telling better jokes and stories than Larry.

A gathering in remembrance of Carol will be held Tuesday, May 31, at 5pm at Fueled Collective, 3825 Edwards Rd, Suite 103.

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The Passing of William “Kip” Moore

MISC_Kip Moore Remembered4/11/22 – Services Information

Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Sorg Opera House, 63 S. Main St., Middletown. His funeral starts at noon with Pastor Jamey L. Colts from New Era Baptist Church officiating. Moore will be buried at Woodside Cemetery.

4/15 at 11am – Kip Moore Remembered (see photo at right)

MISC_Kip MooreFrom Middletown Lyric Theatre:

Today, we lost one of our own, Mr. William “Kip” Moore. Kip was a performer, director, and friend who brought so much joy and love to every project. His brilliant smile, and powerful voice will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace dear friend.

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The Passing of Don Haas

FLI_Don HaasFounder, Treasurer, Donor, Member, and Friend of Footlighters, Inc.

The stage lights dimmed on March 18, 2022, and our stained glass was not as colorful as it usually is. Founder, treasurer, friend, and firestarter of the Footlighters organization, Donald J. Haas, passed away at his home in Bellevue, KY, at the age of 91. 

In the early 1960s, Don, his wife Mary, and other close friends—like Ron and Freida Houck and Mario Pitocco—joined forces to bring a new theater organization called The Footlighters to the West Side of Cincinnati. Their vision was to present musicals and plays of the highest professional quality with help from many talented and enthusiastic actors and technicians. 

It wasn’t long before venues began to witness one of the most vibrant community theater organizations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, thanks to the driving energy of Don and his director/actress wife, Mary Haas. 

Their love for this organization found a higher calling in the late 1980s when a historic building and former church, located at 8th and York Street in Newport, was heavily damaged in a freak tornado. The dwindling congregation of the church felt it would be best to sell the building, and the founders invested their own money to purchase the building that is today the home of season after season of magical productions. 

Don’s wife Mary directed the very first upstairs mainstage production of the musical “Annie,” and that was all it took to breathe life into a building many assumed was destined for the wrecking ball. Since then, countless numbers of audience members and season subscribers have benefited from the vision of this great man, his wife, and a team of fast friends who will never forget his passion for this group and the arts as a whole. 

Don’s family was the Footlighters organization, yet he held tight to his relationship with his true family, including his son and daughter, five grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. 

We at Footlighters will continue to see and appreciate his decades of sweat equity in building and remodeling this wonderful arts venue. We will all truly miss him.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022, at St John’s United Church of Christ, 415 Park Ave. in Newport. Funeral Ceremony will follow at 11 a.m. at the St. John’s UCC. Burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s United Church of Christ, 415 Park Avenue Newport, KY 41071; or the Stained Glass Theatre, 802 York St. Newport, KY 41071. For the full obituary, or to give online condolences, visit dmefuneral.com.

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ACT Cincinnati’s 2022 Winter Forum Now Available on YouTube

ACT_logoSad that you missed the 2022 Annual Judges’ Forum? Well, not all is lost. While you won’t be able to interact with our three amazing presenters, you still have the chance to watch their presentations and hear their responses to the questions posed by the audience and other ACT Cincinnati members.

Tune into ACT Cincinnati’s YouTube channel to watch and learn from:

  • The energetic Betsy Obermeyer as she educates us about The Finishing Touch; Symbols and Meaning in Set Décor & Properties
  • The incomparable Dee Anne Bryll as she teaches us all about Breaking Down Choreography
  • The silky smooth Derek Snow as he regales us with A Sharp Focus on Acting

Special thanks and kudos to Chairperson Laureen Catlin and the rest of the Long Range Judging Committee, President Dan Maloney, and Technical Guru Amanda Emmons Shumate on another wildly successful winter forum.

View all three presentations here: 2022 ACT Cincinnati Winter Forum

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The Passing of Lynn Ann Minges

From the obituary:

MISC_Lynn Ann MingesLynn Ann Minges (nee Wuest), of Harrison, passed away on February 17, 2022, at the age of 67. Lynn was born to Richard E. and Gloria M. (nee Raffenberg) Wuest on October 17, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio. On April 26, 1975, Lynn married George Stephen Minges. Together they were blessed with 4 children: Sarah, George, Rebecca, and Stephen. Lynn was a true thespian; she acted in the Rivertown Players Theater and sang in VOCE Harrison Community Choir. She also served as treasurer of VOCE Harrison Community Choir. Lynn loved the Cincinnati Reds and was a longtime member of the Rosie Reds. Lynn was very outgoing and fun-loving. She never knew a stranger.

Those left to cherish her memory were her loving husband: Stephen Minges; devoted children: Sarah (Nathan Martin) Minges, George Charles Minges, Rebecca Minges, Stephen R. Minges; grandson: George James Minges.

Lynn was preceded in death by her parents: Richard E. and Gloria M. Wuest.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 10010 Carolina Trace Rd., Harrison, Ohio 45030, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 10:00 am. Burial to follow at Venice Cemetery in Ross, Ohio.

The family requests memorials to be made to the Harrison Life Squad. A funeral home representative will be present to help the day of the services. If you are unable to attend you may mail your memorial to Brater Winter funeral Home, 201 S. Vine Street, Harrison, Ohio 45030. 

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