[New] Manger

From cast has never faltered, through rain, sleet, snow, howling wind and freezing temperatures. In all those years there has been only a handful of times we had to cancel a showing.”

That dedication from the cast and the behind-the-scenes crew members who support them to tell this most important story is a huge part of why this production has lasted so long, Stokes said. All that bad weather he mentioned never once caused a cast member to back out of the production.

“I myself have said about five times over 42 years, ‘Hey, it is too bad out, we are not going out.’ But not once has a cast member ever said, ‘We are not going to do it. It is too cold, it is too hot, it is too rainy.’ Not once. That touches me greatly to know they have that much enthusiasm for it just like I do,” he said.

Nothing is better than standing under the stars sharing the story of Jesus’ birth with family, friends and strangers a few days before Christmas every year, said Leslie Lingenfelser, who has played the part of the angel speaking to the shepherds in the field since the very first performance, when she was in her early 20s. It is “the perfect place to stop and count your blessings and say thankful prayers.”

Even the few times she had to miss because of a family emergency, she was still present in a way because she voiced the part of the angel on the recording that recounts the story to spectators, said Lingenfelser, who comes from her home in Blacksburg every year to uphold the tradition.

“I miss everybody at the church and it is lovely. It is like a reunion every Christmas of all the people that I love at the church and that are here,” she said. “It is the most important part of Christmas – the whole point of it is to celebrate the birth of Christ. That is my favorite part and I am delighted to do it every year.”

Change has come incrementally to the Live Nativity through the years. The first Live Nativity had a small cast of three kings, three shepherds, a few angels and Mary and Joseph, Stokes said. The first show lasted 22 minutes with narration recorded on a cassette tape – later converting to CD in 1996.

“We have grown a bit since the early days. We now have over 30+ cast members and numerous folks who work behind the scenes to bring the miracle of the manger to Trenholm each year,” he said.

The cast for all 42 years has included sheep provided by Henry Paris, and Kenneth Hatcher’s Honkers has been the “Star Donkey” for years, he added.

The first site for the nativity was a small barn in a field behind the old store in Trenholm that also served as the post office. The store was the focal point of the community at one time and later became a private residence.

Years later, the nativity was moved to the field beside the old Muddy Creek school house and then later where it is now behind the church itself, Stokes said.

“In 2001, Lillie Mae Stratton suggested we take the Nativity to both proposals, The Berkley Group was chosen due to their experience and references.

The budget impact listed on the documents was $60,000. The board documents included a proposal to update Powhatan County’s Compensation and Classification Plan for approximately 136 posi-

Metrocreative

Event times are listed below, but volunteer astronomers will be on site before the event to provide telescope assistance. Note that the $5 park fee applies at all times; park fees are waived for volunteer astronomers who are sharing their expertise or equipment for the event and volunteer astronomers are welcome to continue to observe through the night after the public hours. Astronomers that can help with any of these events, send a message to president@richastro. org.

Upcoming dates are: 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 21 and Feb. 18; 7 to 9 p.m. April 22; 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 22; 8 to 10 p.m. Sept. 16; and 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9.