SYRACUSE - Wawasee Kiwanis will present another popular Murder Mystery, "The Mystery of the Tanzanian Ruby," to benefit Kosciusko County Habitat for Humanity's Syracuse-North Webster Initiative, which is raising funds to build its third home for a deserving family.The event in the Dining Hall at Quaker Haven Camp on Sept. 20 will include appetizers and punch at 6 p.m. and a buffet-style dinner at 7 p.m. Chef Dan Bauer's menu will include hand-carved roast beef and Marsala chicken, as well as homemade pies.
Performed by the Lakes Area Players and Wawasee Kiwanis members, the play was written and is directed by Elaine Pearson.
In the mystery, Rolland Mansfield (Kent VonGunten) has just returned from a lengthy cruise after his whirlwind romance and rush marriage to Sarah (Becky Tusing). Upon their recent return while shopping in uptown Syracuse, Rolland finds a lovely piece of jewelry in the Forever Treasures consignment store, owned by Etta Mae Parker (Teri Herman/Susanne Robinson). After discovering through his research that the gem is actually the rare "Tanzanian Ruby" mysteriously stolen from the tomb of a king, Rolland later returns to buy the gem.
Other characters include Albert "Kosciusko" Jones (Stephen Leininger), an "Indiana Jones" wannabe, who prides himself on his adventuresome searches and rare finds throughout the U.S., using his trusty metal detector, and Rosie Grimes (Erin McCray), Rolland's obsessive but loyal housekeeper and cook for the last 10 years, who has seen the Mansfield family through many feuds and trying times.
Rolland's recently divorced daughter, Mindy Mansfield-Rogers (Tami Vandal), loves the lavish lifestyle her daddy's money has given her and is thoroughly convinced that Sarah was attracted to her father because of his money. Mindy's brother Robert (Aaron McCray), who is president of Mansfield Jewelers since his father's retirement, also enjoys the lifestyle of the rich and famous, including fast boats and fast cars.
Rounding out the cast is Pearson, who portrays Jane Ewing, Sarah's mother, who dearly loves her little girl and is delighted with her daughter's recent marriage to Rolland. The former owner of a Kentucky general store, Jane just recently moved to the area and works part time at McDonald's where she enjoys rubbing elbows with the more affluent people of the lakes area.
For reservation information, call Jan Hodgson at 574-457-2497 or Sara McKeefer at 574-457-5814. You also may mail your reservation with your name, phone number, number in your group, group contact person, along with $35 per person to: Wawasee Kiwanis, P.O. Box 2, Syracuse, IN 46567. Reservations must be received no later than Monday.
