‘Viva Ramona’ in its 100th season at Hemet’s Ramona Bowl

Tony Ault Staff Writer

“Viva Ramona! Viva Ramona!” was all the shout at the fourth showing of the Ramona Pageant as more than 1,500 spectators, actors and stage hands enjoyed the spectacular live outdoor event at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater in Hemet Sunday, April 30.

The 100th season of theatrical production “Ramona,” written from Helen Hunt Jackson’s “Ramona” novel in the late 1800s, turned America’s attention to the mistreatment of Native Americans across the land.

Eli Santana, veteran actor of Ramona’s character Alessandro, mirrored the excitement of not only the play’s audience, but of all the actors including his co-actor Kayla Contreras who played Ramona in this season of the outdoor pageant dubbed “California’s Official Outdoor Play.”

Speaking of this year ’s play,

Santana said, “It’s absolutely heightened. It’s a lot more special than I ever thought, You could feel it in the bowl and it’s that way with the cast and the crew. You can get out there and just feel it coming from the audience and from the 1,000 fourth graders,” referring to the regional students invited to see the play.

“You can feel it from them,” Santana said. “The little guys were into it full time. Yeah, it feels like the 100th year.”

The veteran actor is in his fourth year as Alessandro in the play.

“It brings the goodness of the community together and volunteers for two, three and five generations. It shows what a wonderful community w e have, ‘It’s Viva Ramona!’” Hemet City Council member Linda Krupa, who is on the board of directors for the Ramona Bowl, said. “We are beginning the second 100 years and everybody is excited about it.

I heard from a few cast members after each performance so far who said there is something different about it. There is a new energy in the cast. There’s a new energy, a feeling.”

She said part of the feeling in the audience was when they began applauding some scenes that never before brought applause.

Norm Kyriss, president of the Ramona Bowl board of directors, was all smiles as he said with one weekend left to go for the Ramona play.

“The excitement and the energy I have seen is just off the charts, not only with our cast and our volunteers and our performers but the audience even,” Kyriss said.

He praised the energy this season’s performers have.

“It’s amazing,” Kyriss said.

The last two performances took place over Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7. For more information, visit http://www.ramonabowl.com

Tony Ault can be reached by email at tault@reedermedia.com.

TALENT from page A-1 change to a non-competitive variety show to more closely match the nonprofit’s mission of “bringing the arts to Menifee and local artists to the public.”

Most of the performers, who ranged in age from 10 through 80-plus, were making their MGT stage debut. However, Hannah Butler was returning to the stage, having been the first MGT winner in 2011 when it was still a talent competition. At that time, she also performed an original song, “Journal Entries.”

“Honestly I love competition, but I loved how everyone was on equal footing, and how everyone felt special,” she said. “For me it was a lot of nostalgia, but then actually being at the show was amazing and I loved it more than I thought.”

Now a stay-at-home mother with her own jewelry microbusiness, the artistic musician has little time for performing but was appreciative of this opportunity to do so. Her creations can be found at https://instagram.com/thebrushstrokebutler

Tracy A. Schaffer is Butler’s mother and had another reason to be beaming at the show as her son, Aaron James Schaffer, also performed. The 10-year-old pianist played his latest original composition, titled “Starfall.” Playing piano for more than four years, he has been creating and composing his own pieces for the past three. Tracy said her favorite part of the show overall was the variety of music, culture and ages that were represented.

Schaffer has seven children, ranging in age from 8 to 35. “I introduced all of them to music in some form or another. Although all of them had lessons in music, be it singing, composing or playing an instrument, only three so far have decided to pursue their love for it,” she said. “We have always appreciated various types of music. We put musical instruments into each of our children’s hands as soon as they were able to sit and control their little hands. They eventually decided on their own what their musical passion would be as far as instruments were concerned.”

Ten-year-old Joseph Luna Jr. wowed the crowd with his vocals. He has won the North American Country Music Association International Male Vocalist of the Year & Male Entertainer of the Year, held in Tennessee, for the past two years in the 7- to 12-year-old age division.

His mother, Shannon Luna, said, “Joseph has always been the singing and dancing kid. He told us after COVID that he wanted to start voice lessons (with vocal coach Gwyn Sanborn). In the last two years, watching his progression has been amazing. He’s gone from the kid that likes to sing to a kid that can sing.”

Joseph has two siblings, an incredibly gifted artist sister, Mia, 19, and a 9-year-old brother Mason who loves jujitsu. The family owns and operates the PZA restaurant in Canyon Lake where Joseph often sings on karaoke nights. To learn more, visit www.thepza.com.

“Joseph just loves to be on stage and share his gift,” Shannon said. “He loves all things music. Joseph was inspired to start singing by Queen. His taste in music is eclectic and he listens to everything. He loves 60s, 70s and 80s music. He also plays the guitar and his favorite guitarist is Pete Townshend, followed by Eddie Van Halen.”

About the MGT show, Shannon said, “Watching all the talented performers was amazing.”

Another young performer who wowed the crowd was Audrey Woisin, who has become well known around the Menifee area where she opens many community events with her rendition of the national anthem. Her father Kevin Woisin, said his daughter will once again bring her talent to the Menifee Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on May 29 at Central Park. She also plans to sing at a golf tournament fundraiser on June 4 and then at the Menifee Park After Dark! series on June 16 at La Ladera Park from 6-8 p.m.

“I’m still new at this whole manager role but I’m trying to help her get as much experience and exposure as possible being that this is her dream,” Woisin said. “I try to support all my children’s dreams and aspirations.”

Audrey, 13, said she chose to perform “Easy On Me” by Adele because she can identify with such a strong voice. “I normally don’t get the opportunity to sing songs like this and this performance will hopefully help me make it to the big leagues,” the Santa Rosa Academy eighth grader said.

Angela Mona ended the program with an acoustic version of an original song that she wrote during her stay in Armenia last year that included some lyrics in Armenian. She was a Menifee’s Got Talent performer in 2017 and said she thought it would be fun to do it again. The professional singer, who still lives locally, said her musical style is best described as “a blend of everything, not one genre only, but if I had to categorize it, it’d be alternative.”

Mona said, “I’m a first-generation superstar on my way to break a generational curse, to become one of the greatest outcasts who breaks barriers and never conforms. Spread love and truth, not judgment and hate.”

Longtime Perris Union High School District Supervisor Jonathan Greenberg served as the Master of Ceremonies, providing each act with a short introduction.

Ackerman said, “The variety was amazing and my husband, Bill, and I set the line-up with that and a few logistical things in mind.” She said the performers had one rehearsal the night before and she was happy everything came together so seamlessly. She couldn’t pick a favorite act, saying, “They were all entertaining and oh so talented! In addition, they were wonderful to work with. They were great communicators, always respectful towards everyone and supportive of one another.”

From Richard Ketcham channeling Dean Martin to Jasmine Lliescu, who is going to the American Ballet Theater this summer, sharing her dancing talent, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Ackerman added that ACM was grateful for the support they received to host the event at Liberty High School, especially from Theater P rogram Director Chelsea Dove for her cooperation in the planning and facilitation of this year’s event. Additionally, PUHSD’s Executive Director of Technology Joseph Williams and the students at Liberty High who supplied lighting, sound and a video of the show were thanked

It is everything gospel as DeAndre Pullen shares his talent with the audience at the Arts Council Menifee MGT event.

Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes for sharing their expertise and volunteerism.

Fine arts photographer Tiffany O’Malley provided her talents for the event and photos can be ordered and downloaded from her website at www.tiffanyomalleyphotography. com or by calling 951-837-0662. For more information, www. artscouncilmenifee.org, 951-2902781 or artscouncilmenifee@ gmail.com

Peripheral Neuropathy Breakthrough!

“My feet feel like they’re on re.”

“Each step feels like I’m walking through wet paint.”

“I live in constant fear that I’ll fall.”

“I can’t sleep, my hands and feet tingle all night.”

What do all of these people have in common? ey su er from peripheral neuropathy. It’s estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States have peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately this gure may be signi cantly higher as the disease is o en misdiagnosed because of its wide array of symptoms.

Sarika Connor, L.Ac, of Soma Acupuncture & Wellness in Temecula shares this belief. “I’ve been treating neuropathy, in all its various forms, for about a decade now and so o en my patients come to me because of the symptoms, not because of a diagnosis. ey see me on television, or read the testimonial of another patient and say to themselves ‘hey, I feel the same thing’.”

Frankie M. of Murrieta testi ed to this. “I remember my husband driving me to my consultation and I saw a woman running just outside our neighborhood. I was so envious - I just kept thinking ‘I would give anything just to walk again’. My primary care doctor told me my troubles with pain and balance were just symptoms of old age and gave me a prescription. I was so depressed.”

Fortunately Frankie would eventually see Sarika on the local news talking about similar symptoms and how she o ers a real solution at Soma Acupuncture. “I just knew I had to see her. She was my last hope.” ey’ve been everywhere else. ey’ve been told there’s no hope. ey’ve been told ‘it’s just part of getting older’.” shares Amanda, a Patient Care Technician at Soma Acupuncture. “It just breaks my heart but I know how much we can help people like Frankie so I’m always so happy when they walk through our door.” ose diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy o en face a very grim reality; Western medicine declares that there is no solution while most alternative therapies carry large price tags and o er little to no resolve. Which is why Sarika and the sta at Soma Acupuncture pride themselves on being ‘the last resort with the best results.’

“Almost all of our patients come to us with a story similar to Frankie’s.

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves and this damage is commonly caused by lack of blood ow in the hands and feet. A lack of blood ow results in a lack of nutrients; the nerves then begin to degenerate and die which causes pain ranging from discomfort to debilitation. Because neuropathy is a degenerative condition, once those nerves begin to deteriorate they will continue to do so until they are completely expired, leaving those su ering with crippling balance issues. “In this case, the absence of pain is not necessarily a good thing,” shares Sarika. “ is usually indicates that your nerves are hanging on by a fragile thread.”

So how exactly is Sarika able to reverse the e ects of this degenerative disease? “Acupuncture has been used to increase blood ow for thousands of years which helps to get the necessary nutrients to the a ected nerves. But the real magic happens when I integrate ATP Resonance Bio erapy™. is is tech that was originally developed by NASA to expedite recovering and healing.”

“I just can’t say enough about Soma Acupuncture,” Frankie shared through tears of joy. “My husband and I moved here 3 years ago and he’s gone hiking almost every day. I always stayed home because of the pain and discomfort. Yesterday I walked the trail with him! And next week we’re starting ballroom dancing lessons. I am truly living life these days.”

“According to Frankie’s test results, she has seen a 74% improvement in pain and functionality, which is on par with a majority of our patients.” shares Amanda. “But more important than those test results is the joy she’s expressed being here and hearing about all the amazing things she’s able to do because she feels great!”

By seamlessly blending the ancient science of acupuncture with modern medical solutions Sarika has achieved a 90% success rate in reversing the e ects of neuropathy. She starts each patient with an initial consultation during which a sensory exam is performed. “ is not only aids in making a proper diagnosis but it helps to de ne just how much nerve damage has occurred” tells the practitioner. “ is is important because if a patient has su ered more than 95% damage, there is little that I can do to help them. I’m familiar with the medical miracle but I know my limits as a practitioner and the limits of my medicine.”

When it comes to treating peripheral neuropathy, regardless of its origin, early detection greatly improves your chances of a full recovery.

If you or someone you love are su ering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling or ‘pins and needles’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options. ere is hope.

Call (951) 597–0488 to schedule an initial consultation or visit SomaAcuWellness.com to read more incredible success stories.