Gnomes Dan & Luanne

On a beautiful spring day, Gnomes Dan and Luanne were walking down by the river near the big Oak Tree, when Dan noticed the potential of a large rock filled ravine.   "Look, Luanne", he remarked, “that pile of rocks is a natural amphitheater.  This could be Gnometown's auditorium.  Just think of the entertainment that could be performed here.  Everyone would have a great view and the acoustics are strangely perfect."  
 "It’s even in the shade," Luanne added. Just at that moment, Gnomes Ruth and Shar happened to walk by and Dan pointed out the natural formation and they agreed about the potential.  "We've always needed a place like this," exclaimed Ruth. "I think we should get a bunch together and do Handl's Messiah right here," Luanne added. The small group went directly to the Maestro's red rock on the other side of the river.  They were excited to tell them of their idea. "Oh, yes!  I've been waiting for an opportunity like this," the Maestro said, "but our town celebration, Riverfest, is coming in June and I think we should highlight Gnometown's talent.  We will certainly do the Messiah at another time.  But let's get started!  Where do we start?”  
 "We'd love to become better acquainted with the other gnomes here." Gnome Luanne interjected, "We will case the town thoroughly, looking for talent and encouraging them to perform. "And while we're looking for talent," Dan added, "I will be seeking folk to help make this natural theater better.  Making a stage and back drop, cleaning up the weeds and moving a few rocks to accommodate more seating in places."      
  The community became excited about the pile of rocks by the river. Gnomes Dan, Rudy and Harris, with others got busy and quickly it looked like a theater.  They decided to call it Riverplace.  Luanne organized a program and found a place in the program for all the talent she had found.  Gnometown was to have its first big production in the new amphitheater at Riverfest! The production would be called "Gnometown has Talent."  They even found judges! The winner would be honored to be the lead unit in the Riverfest parade! 
The evening of the production had finally arrived.  A full house of excited gnomes were gathered at Riverplace.  A quiet hush fell on the crowd as Gnomes Al, Dennis, and Dick, drove the honorees in squirrel-drawn walnuts to the new stadium, parading directly to the stage. Gnome Luanne steps out from the first unit, then Gnome Dan from the second unit, and finally the Maestro from the third. Everyone clapped and cheered for a new tradition was born in Gnometown to showcase all the talent.   The Maestro had gathered an orchestra of youth and adults who played throughout the whole evening.  Many gnomes stepped forward to show their talents.  Mary played a piece about a butterfly on the piano, Deb sang beautifully, Ralph played a peppy sone on his trombone, Loren and a few other gnomes played and sang folk songs on the guitar. Vern and some of his students sang and danced, Ruth and Shar did a silly comedy skit, and even Coach Steve got a bunch of gnome boys to do tricks with berryballs.  The acts were all polished and entertaining.   
 After the show, the judges strolled off with their papers to discuss who would win.  It would take a while to determine the winner. Gnome Del was there to capture these moments on film and Gnome Gladys wrote a fine article for the newspaper.  Elder made sweet treats for the whole audience and players to feast on.  
The judges, Gnomes Phil, Marlene and Bob, stepped forward to announce the winner. "It was very difficult."  Gnome Phil said. "There is so much talent in Gnometown, all deserve to be winners.  We have decided to award the honor to the ones who recognized what we already had in Gnometown, developed it into a new tradition and created, Riverplace, a new venue to use for many productions.  We award the honor to Gnome Luanne and Gnome Dan. Congratulations and thank you for joining us and inspiring us to make our community a special place for gathering and celebrating." The crowd roared their approval with clapping and rose to their feet in cheers!  
 Gnometown, indeed, was a better place to live!