IF FILMING BEGINS, CAN A SHOW BE FAR BEHIND?

Princess Productions, specifically Gary Baker, Doug Mills, and yours truly, began filming another round of personal interviews of notable people in Roane County this afternoon. After almost 4 hours of shooting, we had 4 interviews in “the can”, or in today’s terminology on “memory packs”!

When filming begins, you can start looking forward to the next Princess Productions stage show at Roane State. However, it will be sometime yet before the next one, but we began today to start documenting interesting and informative content for the future production.

Today’s interviews were with James W. (Dub) Harmon, Dr. Julian Ahler, David Webb, and Lewis Spivey. The time flew by for me, because I was completely wrapped up in the history spewing forth from their memories! It would have been a shame not to document the experiences these gentlemen have had, even if there was never to be another show. It should be a lesson to all us to start talking to our parents and grandparents about their memories, before it’s too late.

Not surprisingly, many of the stories overlapped and became a seamless history of the many theaters that were once on Roane Street in Harriman. From their earliest memories to their thoughts on the future, each told their stories as if they happened yesterday, and they spoke positively about Harriman’s future. However, each warned that we (citizens of Harriman and Roane County) need to act now!

Dr. Ahler reflected on the beginnings of Harriman Hospital, all the doctors that mentored him, and how medical practice in Roane County has changed over the years. Many of the doctors I had not thought of in years like, Hooper, Cunningham, Kellifer, and Bowman. All were instrumental in making the hospital what it is today. Doctor Ahler and all the past doctors chose to live in Harriman and Roane because they, like us, loved it here.

I want so much to tell you about everything that I heard tonight, but that would spoil the next show for you. You’ll just have to wait!

Let me remind you of the upcoming “Boys of Summerville”. Brooks Benjamin will be showing his movie, shot in Roane County, at the Roane State Theater at 7PM on Friday, June 26^th. I personally saw the tickets this afternoon, so they should be at the Rocky Top General Store and the Harriman Jewelry Exchange sometime tomorrow or Friday. You might call ahead to be sure.