Grease!

Susie here.

When I was a star struck girl in college and singing in a couple of musicals, I dreamed of performing on Broadway some day. Well, I soon became a college graduate who fulfilled every girl’s (in the 50’s) dream and received her Mrs. degree and married the man of my dreams. Thus, began the development of the Manny and Susie Hinkle family tree. The grandchildren came along and filled in the family tree. Each family brought great pride and provided wonderful memories for us. Each grandchild developed his/her own special talent, which brings us to the memorable experiences we had yesterday at Timber Lake Resort.

Our granddaughter, Kaci Hinkle, (who has chosen Kaci Scott as her stage name) is employed by this resort for the summer. She was “Sandy” in the musical “Grease” that has had a 10 day run in the theatre at this resort. All these college students who have come from all over the United States were so outstanding and the sold out audiences have been enchanted. As we watched, clapped and, yes, shed a tear or two, we were so proud of Kaci as well as each cast member.

Kaci is not only blessed with a wonderful talent and amazing singing voice, but she is blessed with a family who adores her and has supported her throughout high school and college as she as set her sights on her musical career. None have been more supportive than her parents, Suzy and Matt, who have provided help with high school productions, provided emotional support and, yes, mucho dollars for her singing and dancing lessons and her college education at Baldwin Wallace Music Conservatory in Berea, Ohio, (suburb of Cleveland). Her parents, maternal grandparents and brother came from New Mexico and Texas for her “Grease” performance, as did we. This is such a wonderful opportunity for Kaci as she is majoring in musical theatre and, yes, hopes to perform on Broadway after graduation in two years. We will return in July to watch her performance in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”.

As I have watched these gifted performers I realize that God has a plan for each of us. He saved me from absolute rejection and embarrassment if I ever thought that I had any semblance of talent needed to be on Broadway. But—isn’t that what life is about—receiving the God-given talent that is ours and going with it? My talent was obviously not on the stage, but is it O.K. if I dream a little as I watch my beautiful granddaughter fulfill the dream for both of us? We know that God is watching over our Kaci and will direct her in the right path to pursue her dream.

Now, Rob. I'm ba-a-a-ck:

We got to Timber Lake late Sunday morning, got set up, then found Kaci for a short visit.

The Sunday matinee was the last show of the run. Most of you probably know the Grease plot, but just in case:

Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?

Lots of teen-age emotions and fun music and dancing.

The movie starred Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta as Danny.

Here, the Timber Lake Danny and Sandy sign autographs.

And here is Timber Lake itself.

The campground is on one side of this little lake. The theatre on the other side.

Getting here was interesting. We trusted Garmin GPS all the way. We drove through lots of gorgeous corn and dairy country like this, no hints of timber or lakes, the road dwindling in size and apparent traffic, no signs giving any indication that we were in a theatre district.

Then, we came to a wooded intersection and there it was! A real oasis. The campground has about 200 camping spots, well-shaded and separated. There are lots of seasonal sites for people who come year after year and stay all summer, plus sites for short-term RVers like us. We'll be here two nights, then start heading west and north.

Cheers,

Susie and Rob