An interactive historical play that draws audience members into the fun will highlight the 42nd Annual Bulloch County Historical Society meeting, slated for Monday, June 27.
Written by historical society member Virginia Anne Franklin Waters and updated by puppeteer and artist Scott S. Foxx, "Lord Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise!" invites members of the audience to interact with cast members as they bring local history to life.
The cast portrays an assortment of characters from early Bulloch and surrounding counties, including the infamous Lorenzo Dow, described by Waters as a "hell fire revival preacher" who allegedly cursed the Screven County town of Jacksonboro for its unwelcoming reception to his style of preaching.
The play covers the formation of Bulloch, Bryan and Screven counties in the late 1700s. During that time, people living in the area would meet for "church" services in outdoor brush arbors near the river, and making it to the lowland meeting spots often depended upon the weather, hence the phrase "I'll see you on Sunday, Lord willing and the creek don't rise," Waters said.
In the script, one of the play's characters, Susan Alderman Franklin, tells another character, "A site near shallow water that could be forded on both sides was the most desirable. Someday, a log cabin church will be built here, and who knows - maybe it will stand and house the faithful for years to come."
The play is filled with historical references to local families, churches and locations.
One of the most colorful characters is Dow, who is unafraid to tread on anyone's toes and doesn't hesitate to fight for his convictions. His lines from the play include, "But the Devil himself would not stop me, and I forged into one of the saloons, took an iron poker and smashed a keg of whiskey. God be praised for Mr. Goodall, for without him drawing me away, my life may very well have been lost that night as I worked to drive the Devil from the place."
Mr. Goodall is Seaborn Goodall, who gives Dow refuge from the angry crowd of drinkers and carousers. Legend has it that when Dow cursed the town of Jacksonboro, he made an exception for the Goodall House, which still stands today, although the town does not.
The historical society's annual meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Georgia Southern University's Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education Center.
"It will be a fun and informative meeting, and all will enjoy it," said Joe McGlamery, historical society president.
Tickets are $25 and are available to purchase at the Statesboro Herald office at 1 Proctor St. The deadline to buy tickets is Monday, June 20.
The menu for the event includes spinach salad with red onions, bacon and goat cheese with balsamic raspberry vinaigrette; stuffed airline chicken breast with sun-dried tomato cream sauce, roasted asparagus and rice pilaf; and chocolate lava cake or Greek yogurt cheesecake.
Bread baskets with butter will be provided on the tables. Beverages are tea and water, with a coffee service available. There also will be a cash bar with beer and wine, Waters said.
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.