THE EDEN VALLEY STORY (A 40TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES)
as told by Bette Lou Higgins, Artistic Director

PART 16

But these breaks with Ohio History at the Health Museum were not permanent breaks with our “roots”. In 1985, we re-created the Medicine Man scenario for the Canal Society Of Ohio back where we began -- at the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area for their 10th Anniversary. In 1991, we travelled to the Western Reserve Historical Society for a performance there which ended in their beautiful garden. In both of these presentations our Medicine Man was Rod Knight, our schill was Barb Knight and our “Drunken Corpse”, Michael O’Reilly was Michael Higgins.

The Historical Society program was memorable for another favorite story. As Michael O’Reilly wandered through the museum with his whisky jug and “love apple”, telling everyone his tale of woe and threatening to kill himself with the deadly tomato, one of the audience women reported to the security guard that there was a drunk wandering the halls and threatening to commit suicide! He had to explain to her that it was part of the show.

1985: For the Ohio Canal Society
Gathering The Crowd	Michael O'Reilley tells his tale of woe... "There's nothing to life for!"
The Schill looks on	The Medicine Man gives his spiel -- he can cure anything!
The Medine Man begs Michael not to kill himself!	The Drunken Corpse is brought back to life!
1991: For the Western Reserve Historical Society
	All's Well That End's Well!

To be continued ...