Wilmington, NC 10 - Much Ado About Murder by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter Page B

of room for improvement in that house.”
    “I wanted to ask you about the oak tree in the back yard. We think it may be dying. We’ll probably have to take it down. We really hate to do that but we have children to think of.”
    “That’s an old, old tree,” Dalton said. “It was a mature tree when I was a boy. I’m not sure how old it is but I think I heard it was there when my fifth great-grandfather built the house.”
    The waiter poured wine for us all, and Scarlett proposed a toast. “To the theater,” she said. “And to actors everywhere.”
    “Here, here,” Dalton said.
    Scarlett continued, “I was especially impressed with the TACT production of Guys and Dolls . Ray and I went last month. Those kids were great. Absolutely talented. We really enjoyed the show, didn’t we, Ray?”
    “We did.” He smiled. “You’d think Scarlett would have had enough of Guys and Dolls but no, she wanted to see the children perform it.” Turning to Binkie , he said, “I understand you and Dalton were friends as boys. Grew up near each other.”
    “That’s true, Ray. Our parents were friends as well. Dalton’s parents and mine served on the Thalian Association board at one time or another.”
    “I’ve heard people say the Thalian Association might be the oldest surviving theater group in America,” Ray said.
    “That may very well be true,” Binkie said. “But as yet I’ve discovered no proof to substantiate the claim. Although it does seem likely from what we know. And as more and more old books and records are digitalized, we may very well find proof of such an assertion.”
    “Perhaps you aren’t aware, Ray,” Aunt Ruby interjected, “you being from New York and all, but the Thalian Association is the Official Community Theater of North Carolina by an act of the General Assembly.”
    “No, I didn’t know that. Does that mean it is the oldest theatrical group in the state?”
    Binkie answered, “It does. An association of actors was organized here in 1788 or before. One of the founders was Dalton’s ancestor. To put that date into perspective, that is the same year delegates met in Hillsborough to debate whether to ratify the U.S. Constitution. They could not agree and North Carolina remained out of the Union until a Bill of Rights was incorporated into the Constitution. That will give you some historical perspective.”
    Dalton said, “My fifth great-grandfather was one of the founders of the Thalian Association.”
    Melanie chimed in, “He built the house Ashley and Jon have just bought from Dalton. That house is a historical treasure.”
    “We can’t wait to see it,” Scarlett said.
    “Come anytime, Scarlett,” Dalton invited. “I’ll be happy to show you around. You too, Ray. Although I can’t make it up the stairs any longer. My hip, you know.”
    “Too bad women weren’t allowed on stage in the early days of your theater group,” Scarlett said. “Men played the roles of women. I hear some of them were very good at it.”
    Aunt Ruby chimed in, “And two hundred years later we’re still fighting for women’s rights and gay rights.”
    “Yes, my dear,” Binkie said. Then to Dalton, he said, “Do you remember how we used to hang around the USO when we were kids and watch the soldiers congregate there?”
    Dalton smiled. “I do. I remember how much I wanted a uniform.”
    “I loved the music that flowed out of the USO. Made me want to dance. And I was just a kid.” Binkie laughed.
    “Remember? We used to hear Hannah Block herself play the piano. After I heard her play, my mother didn’t have to push my piano lessons. I was eager to learn.”
    “Is that how the Community Arts Center got its name?” Scarlett asked. “The City named the building for the woman who played the piano?”
    “Quite true, Scarlett,” Binkie said. “In 2006 the building was named for Hannah Block. Then two years later, restorations were completed. The lobby was restored to its 1943