The Coshocton County Beacon January 8, 2020 | Page 19

Colin Mochrie brings new show to the
Performing Arts Center
NEW PHILADELPHIA - Prepare yourself for the unexpected
when HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis comes to the Per-
forming Arts Center at Kent State University - Tuscarawas on
Saturday, Jan. 18 with a special 8:30 p.m. performance time.
From the minds of improv and comedy legend Colin Mo-
chrie and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci comes a brand new,
mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, side-splitting show. Hypnosis
and Improv -- two art forms that have mystified and enter-
tained fans, skeptics and everyone in between for decades
worldwide – come together as two masters of their crafts
unite for a totally unique comedy experience, HYPROV:
Improv Under Hypnosis.
How it Works: Twenty random volunteers from the audi-
ence will be put under hypnosis by Master Hypnotist Asad
Mecci (the process of which is a show in its own right), their
inhibitions evaporated and their minds no longer their
own. The contestants are methodically and hysterically
whittled down until the five best are left on stage when one
of the world’s leading improvisers enters! Co-Creator Colin
Mochrie takes the stage to improvise with the top five while
they are still under hypnosis, turning the show into an
improv extravaganza!
In the hands of two masters, and solely crafted from the
audience’s uninhibited subconscious, this will be an entire-
ly original and completely unforgettable theatrical experi-
ence, for who knows where the unconscious mind will go…
Subject matter may be for mature audiences.
Tickets for HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis start at $34
and are on sale now at the Performing Arts Center box of-
fice, 330-308-6400 or online at www.kent.edu/tusc/pac. The
box office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Performing Arts Center’s 2019-2020 Season is spon-
sored by Michael Taylor Insurance and Financial Incorpo-
rated, an Allstate Agency.
Free parking is available for all shows. Kent State Tuscara-
was is located at 330 University Dr. N.E. in New Philadelphia.
Cooper has record-
breaking series
GARAWAY - River View boys bowling competed
in the Garaway Holiday Classic on Saturday,
Dec. 28. Leading the boys in the tournament
was Justin Cooper with a record-breaking series
of 498. Following close behind him was fresh-
man TJ Crosby.
Returning in action on Monday, Dec. 30, the
black bears took on Indian Valley. The black
bears fell short in the contest 1,710 pins to 2,268
pins. The team was led by senior Brice Starcher
with a 307 two game series. The bowling teams
will be back in action Saturday January 4th in
the Muskingum University invite in Heath at
noon.
Contributed | Beacon
Contributed | Beacon
The Christmas presence
Mike Jansen | Contributed
COSHOCTON - “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth
peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14. This year Sandy
rented a house near Cooperstown, NY for our family to
spend Christmas. Though we had to travel from Ohio, it
was about the half way meeting point for our rapidly scat-
tering hither-and-yon adult children. It had been years
since we were able to get all eight kids under the same
roof at the same time. Adding in Matt’s fabulous spouse
and children brought our number to thirteen. I antici-
pated a day of pandemonium fun colliding with absolute
chaos, which is about how it turned out.
Packages of all sizes, shapes, sorts and wrapping dis-
guises were exchanged. The little ones are always a slam
dunk. They liked everything. The early twenty-something
twins have definitely moved into adulthood classifica-
tion, they got so excited over boxers and socks! The hit
for all the women – weighted blankets. Personally, I can’t
understand why one would want to sleep with twenty
pounds of sand distributed over the top of them but I
have never been one to keep up with fad or fashion. For
years, my favorite gift has been and continues to be a
pound of orange slices and I am not talking about the
ones with the Sunkist stickers that are supposed to be
good for you!
Better than the gifts, all seemed to so enjoy that time of
banter and togetherness under our imported, pulled-from-
retirement-for-the-occasion, artificial Christmas tree.
Let’s talk food for a minute. Since Sandy was asleep
when I rolled out early, I got to work first thing getting the
appetizers set up. I started with bowls of caramel pop-
corn, fancy chocolates, Chex mix, oranges and grapefruit
for those that just had to start healthy, and a heaping
bowl of “Grinch Bark.” If you’ve never had it before I as-
sure you it is 80 times better than any dumb ol’ grapefruit
you’ll ever meet! Next up, oven fresh and hot French toast
casserole, heavy on the maple syrup. Who ever knew
suffocation could be so pleasing? If death be a choice, let
me go in that fashion. Amazing!
All had such a great time catching up on one another’s
lives. I listened spellbound as kids who just a few years
JANUARY 8, 2020
ago couldn’t keep their room clean or get their homework
done, thoughtfully articulated adult reflections with
one another on their work, current affairs and the world
around them. I wish I could have heard every conver-
sation! Who would have known they would grow up to
become such interesting, capable, competent adults?
Listening to them talk and witnessing how they were
turning out was my favorite present!
Around seven that evening, Chris bounced out. He had
to be to work early Thursday to begin special training for
a new software program coming his way at work after
the first of the year. Thirty minutes or so after he left, he
called with a blown tire. His last Christmas present for
the evening, the spare was flat. I hopped in the car to go
help him dislodge the lug nuts rusted onto the rim and
come up with a Plan B. Next morning, we rolled out at six
to be the first ones at Wal-Mart to see if we could get him
going. That’s when we met Deon.
He looked to be about thirty. At seven in the morning
he was wearing a uniform with the day before’s dirt and
an invisible load of three hundred pounds upon his
shoulders. Trying to lighten the mood, I decided to zero
in on some small talk. “Did you have a wonderful Christ-
mas?” I asked. His shoulders slumped another three hun-
dred pounds worth, his head just drooped and he shook
it side to side, not saying a word. Schooled again on how
thoughtless I can sometimes be, I shot a quick rebound.
“I’m so sorry!” No response. Missed again.
For the next fifteen minutes as I watched him quietly
and competently change the tire, I speculated on the
differences between Don and Chris. Chris had just en-
joyed a filled-to-the-brim, food, folks and fun Christmas
day with his family. Like many of us, life hasn’t always
been easy for Chris, but he knows he has a family and the
LORD who love him deeply. If he’s ever in need he knows
we are only a phone call away. He’s a part of us and we
are a part of him. Nothing will ever change that. Be it
Cooperstown, NY, Outer Banks, NC, Coshocton, OH or
anywhere in between, he knows he has a place at our ta-
ble, party and lives anytime. He also knows that one day
down the road, there’s a seat waiting at the banquet table
of all time with his name on it. Even when life is tough
that constant is always there for Chris. And he knows it.
That wasn’t the vibe I got from Deon.
I figured Deon has no idea who Jesus was or continues
to be. A Savior who set aside His Glory to rescue all man-
kind for all of time. A teacher, a counselor, a comforter,
a friend. For the folks who really know Him, never again
will pain triumph in their lives. The joy can begin anew
through every situation starting right now! I wonder if
Deon had any family. If he did, how do they get along?
I wondered if anyone had given him a Christmas gift,
shared with him that he mattered, expressed an appre-
ciation that he was alive and loved him for nothing more
than just being himself. Christians so take all that for
granted sometimes, don’t we? I was feeling that nudge,
reminding me that I had a gift I could share.
I usually have enough in my pocket for my needs and
often some to send along for others. “LORD give me your
words!” I prayed. As Deon turned to leave after mounting
the tire, I mounted up my courage and spoke. “Hey Deon,
I want to thank you for changing that tire. It means a lot
to us. By the way, I am sorry about your Christmas. Let’s
make the day after a little better than the day before. I
want you to have this, Thanks and Merry Christmas” I
pressed a gift into his hand. I could see he was shocked
“No man, I can’t take that.”
Yes, you can, Deon. Yes, you can. Take the gift. Christ-
mas opportunity still awaits. While you are at it, receive
the gift of all time. Get rescued everything and anything
that ever pushed you down. Meet Jesus and take His gift.
One that lasts for all time. Merry Christmas! I thought I
saw a smile as he turned away. A sad smile but at least it
was a start.
I’m so glad I opened the present offered to me in Christ
so many years ago. Deon, I hope this is the year you do the
same. Take the present. For those of you who know what I
am talking about, I hope you get a chance to give His Pres-
ence. Keep your eyes open and do it as often as you can.
Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to all!
Mike Jansen is the pastor at the Coshocton Christian
Tabernacle.
www.coshoctonbeacontoday.com
THE BEACON 19