Wakefield's Hometown Variety Show offers loads of talent

WAKEFIELD - Thursday evening's 45th Annual Hometown Variety Show was loaded with local talent, including several musicians, a living history performer, a 45-year-old comedy act, and - for the first time - fire spinners.

The nearly two-hour show, which normally takes place in the gym of the Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School, instead was held this year outside of the building, facing Sunday Lake.

Denise Haas, known as "Big D," acted as emcee for the show, which started with the audience reciting "The Pledge of Allegiance" and singing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Tammy and Peter Grewe of Ironwood kicked off the event with a cheerful patriotic medley, during which Peter also yodeled.

Afterward, Haas asked, "So, how many people here still love our country?" After plenty of audience applause, she added, "That's what I love about this place."

Mike Salli of American Legion Post 11 then presented the American flag as Brad Wakefield of VFW Post 9084 provided historical perspective on "The Pledge of Allegiance."

While also playing guitar, Seth Neill, 15, of Bessemer sang an original song. He did not offer a title, but the heartfelt tune included the lyrics "I got Jesus down in my soul, and I ain't lettin' go."

Donna Ferson, a member of the Wakefield Historical Society, offered a well-received comic act titled "Descendents of the Ladies of the Lake," during which she led a circle of audience volunteers in repeating silly song lyrics while engaging in a related series of gyrations.

Haas said it's "the longest running act in the history of the variety show," dating back to the first of the 45 shows.

With a voice that reverberated like a bell through the open air, Yvonne Blake of Ontonagon began singing "America the Beautiful" a capella and then added her own guitar accompaniment. She also sang a song called "Train of Dreams."

Conner Wolfe, 14, of Ohio, spends summers at Lake Gogebic and traveled from there to share notable skill with a keyboard rendition of "The Phantom of the Opera."

Haas then joined the Grewes in singing "Heaven in My Mind," which is the title song of a CD they are creating by the same name. Haas said that she fashioned the song by rewriting lyrics to James Taylor's "Carolina in My Mind."

Living history presenter Steven Cole of Ironwood returned by popular demand to reprise his act playing 19th Century abolitionist Frederick Douglass, a role in which he is a master of timing, intonation and gesticulation.

Ron Roscoe, who is a painting contractor by day in Bessemer, shared alter ego talent by singing "Keep the Change," an original song that he wrote in 2014. He also accompanied himself on guitar.

The most unique act of the night was that of Jenny Moth of Ironwood and Carolyn Kauffman of Ramsay, who acted as fire spinners. They engaged in a graceful series of movements while twirling and tossing hoops or sticks that spurted genuine fire.

Haas closed the list of acts with the thoughtfully-rendered song "My Jesus."

Thursday's show was a fundraiser for the Wakefield Historical Society's museum. Donations of any amount qualified donors to be placed into a drawing for one 10 gift certificates, each worth $25, provided by 10 Wakefield businesses.

The audience then ended the program by standing to sing "God Bless the USA" while being led by the night's musicians.

"Let's hear it for Big D for doing all this," said Peter Grewe of Haas, who coordinated the show. "She's amazing."

Haas also received a bouquet of flowers, and in turn, expressed appreciation for performers, for business and community support, for Ferson's organizational help, and for veterans whose service "makes our freedom possible."

The last variety show was in 2019. Last year's show was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.