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LEWISTOWN -- In 2017, Mifflin County's community theater group, the Stone Arch Players, celebrated its 50th anniversary.
At that time, the Players' Board of Directors asked about the possibility of compiling a history of the group, and board member Bill Peightel offered to take on the task. He has been a member of the Stone Arch Players since 1980.
"I learned so much about the group as I did research for this book," Peightel said. "Interviews with Paul and Thiry Olbrich -- two of the founders of the Stone Arch Players -- yielded a wealth of information."
Peightel researched newspaper and newsletter articles, received emails, phone calls and letters from past and current members, and conducted interviews while putting the book together.
He also went through a treasure trove of hundreds of photographs supplied by Bill Daup, Zachariah Smith, Colette Hartzler and others, editing them down to a manageable and affordable number to publish in the book.
The Stone Arch Players was founded in 1967 by a group of local residents interested in theater. Their first production was "The Mouse That Roared!" presented at the Chief Logan High School auditorium in 1967.
The book describes the evolution of the theater group as it grew from offering one or two shows per year in the local high schools, the years at the Pressroom Theatre, and on to their current permanent location at the Theatre in the Park at Kish Park.
More than just a history book, the volume then goes on to explain all of the steps required to put on a show at the theater, and features interviews and quotes by many of those cast and crew members who make the shows possible.
The last section of the book relates memories sent in by many past and present members of the Stone Arch Players.
"The History of the Stone Arch Players -- 50 years of Community Theater in Mifflin County," written and edited by William S. Peightel, is now available. Copies of the book will be sold prior to performances at the Theatre in the Park, as well as at the offices of the Mifflin County Historical Society and the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce in the Mifflin County Historic Courthouse in Monument Square in downtown Lewistown, and at Friendship Bookstore at Mifflin County Commons in Burnham. Proceeds benefit the Stone Arch Players.
The price of the book is $28.30, plus $1.70 tax ($30). Checks may be made payable to the Stone Arch Players. Mail orders require an additional $4.50 for postage and packaging, and may be sent to William Peightel, 204 Woodland Circle, Reedsville, PA 17084.