St. Johns Lutheran School will produce its annual school play, Who Stole the Tarts?, on Sunday, February 23 at 2 p.m. at the old gym in the former middle school at Wykoff. This serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the school and offers the community a chance for entertainment during the sluggishness of winter.
Who Stole the Tarts? is a lighthearted, one-act musical play, featuring memorable childhood Mother Goose characters, including Little Bo Peep, Humpty-Dumpty and the King and Queen of Hearts. In preparing for the king’s birthday, special birthday tarts are made, but go missing. Suspects confess to the crime, but who is the real thief?
“Our school has a long-standing tradition where, every third year, the parents put on a play or host an event instead of the students. This year, the parents chose to do a play in conjunction with a silent auction. We want to promote the blessing of having a Christian school within our community, and satisfy the curiosities of what’s going on at the old school,” says Gregory Brand, St. Johns’ principal and teacher.
Many Wykoff residents and members of the community have been quite curious about the former school. In 2018, Kingsland School District closed the buildings, which previously belonged to the Wykoff School District before the 1992 consolidation of the Spring Valley and Wykoff school districts. A chance to return to the school satisfies a certain nostalgia, which pairs well with the playful theme of Who Stole the Tarts?
“We are excited to bring the community back into the school — especially to support St. Johns, which is such an asset to Fillmore County,” states Rick Stockman, joint owner of the property. There are plans underway to develop the site into a community space with a fitness center, daycare, living spaces, and performance/event spaces. While that is the vision, utilizing the space for events in the meantime is essential. So come enjoy the play and take a gander!
The St. Johns parents will host a silent auction along with the play. It will feature numerous gift baskets with items collected from area businesses and those donated by families and staff. It is another way for attendees to enjoy themselves and perhaps win fabulous items.
The school’s fundraising proceeds will be matched by a grant from the LCMS Foundation. Thrivent is also sponsoring this event. Admission is free. There will be a freewill offering and concessions will be available for attendees’ refreshment. The former middle school is located at 201 W. Bartlett St., Wykoff.
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