LEWISTOWN - Life on the home front during the World War II and Korean War era will be depicted through the talents of local entertainers at the Mifflin County Historical Society's "A Night at the USO" later this month.
The show will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on March 20 at the Burnham Lions Building, which may not be recognizable amid the patriotic decorations and displays planned to enhance the USO experience.
Tickets are a donation of $25 per person, which includes refreshments at the "canteen."
Veterans of World War II or the Korean War who wear their uniforms will be eligible for a special drawing. All those attending are encouraged to dress in styles of the era or with a patriotic theme.
Headliners for the evening will be Marke Bush, a critically-acclaimed impressionist from Burnham whose career as an entertainer has included touring with the Bob Hope USO Show and receiving a USO Four Star Esteem Award from the U.S. Department of Defense.
"Marke will do a stand-up routine, which includes singing impersonations as well as many other voices," said Karen Aurand, executive secretary of the historical society. "We are working in military-themed items, and will have a military tribute during the evening."
Other local performers also will take the stage. Skip Leeper and Fred Richard have put together a band called Blue Notes for the evening that includes Freda Richard, Phil Wysocki, Stephanie Diehl and Matthew Aurand. Carol Bower will sing with the band at various points through the evening.
Drew Picketts will play the guitar and sing, and there will be tap dancers from Miss Stephanie's School of Dance.
"We hope to run the evening similar to a real USO show, with talent being introduced and performing throughout the evening," Aurand said.
The room will be decorated with red, white and blue bunting, and each table will feature a patriotic-themed floral arrangement, some of which will be given away as door prizes.
A World War II Navy uniform and posters will be displayed, as well as other memorabilia of the era. A wedding dress made from a World War II parachute and owned by Marian Barr also will be on display.
There also will be a silent auction during the evening.
Refreshments at the canteen will include chicken, ham and egg salad and cheese spread sandwiches, potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, doughnut holes, cupcakes, coffee and soda.
The event is billed as a fund-raiser, and the society hopes to use proceeds to help with a $3,000 budget cut from the state for the McCoy House Museum. Proceeds from other historical society fund-raisers go to a scholarship fund.
Reservations are due by March 15.
For tickets, send checks payable to "MCHS" to Dot Aurand, 20 Clarks Lane, Lewistown, PA 17044, call her at 248-7647, or call the historical society office at 242-1022.
