8-05-2021 6:48pm

Flickinger Center Celebrated the Life of Teresa Newman Ham August 1, 2021 & upcoming Orphan Train Performance

Chris Edwards Editor

Teresa Ham Photo Courtesy of Flickinger Center

The Flickinger Center staff and patrons remembered Teresa Newman Ham on Sunday August 1st at the Flickinger Center with a Celebration of Life.

The remembrance began with a welcome frim Loren Jackson, Opening Prayer by Donnie Burt and Reflections by friends Joe Weidner and Lorrie Black. Special music was performed by Fonnie Burt. Further reflections from family included Remick Ham, Phillip Newman, Jennifer Ham and Joni Castello. Further special music was provided by Joni Castello and Carol Ann Garcia with Acknowlegments by Loren Jackson. A reception followed at the Patrons Hall.

The Flickinger Center Guild and Alamogordo Flower Co. made an incredible contribution to the weekend Memorial for Teresa Ham in providing delicious foods and the flowers were wonderous to anyone in attendance.

Ham is remembered for many endeavors in the community but specific to Flickinger she was the general chairperson for the initial Million Dollar campaign, working for a year to convert the movie theater into a performing arts center. She served on the Flickinger board and was instrumental in the acquisition of new seats for the theater, as well as underwriting the acquisition of the adjacent building, which is the Patron’s Hall and Heritage Gallery.

Ham believed that it was important to give everyone, but especially students, a chance to see live performances.

The Flickinger Center is the cornerstone for a diverse community of cultural arts advocates and is crucial for quality of life and economic prosperity in the Alamogordo community and the historical New York Avenue revitalization efforts.

Thousands of people of all ages, each year, attend world class performances from throughout the region at the Flickinger Center. The theater is also used by local talent and many other nonprofit organizations.

In that vein the Children's Music Theater of Alamogordo will be showcasing a performance of The Orphan Train opening August 20th.

The play tells the story of nine orphans on an "orphan train" that left New York City on May 28, 1914. The train travels to Midwestern towns in search of homes, any homes, anywhere for the orphaned and unwanted children. There's Mary, Evie, spunky Pegeen, Annie and Little Lucy, a quiet one. Other orphans include Frank (who later becomes Frankie, a small girl), Raymond, Lucky and Danny the song-and-dance boy. And there are the men and women hoping for children. The lonesome whistle wails as the train chugs between encounters of anxiety, laughter, wistfulness, rejection and acceptance. Eight stories unfold, each a memorable surprise. The Orphan Train is a charming heart-warmer and all we expect from one of legendary playwrights for children, Aurand Harris. The staging creates a highly theatrical story, moving, amusing and always tellingly human.