Big Flat Community Grain Bin hosting 'Queen of Blaine County'

A community non-profit is combining some comedy entertainment with outreach and updates in Turner next month.

Big Flat Community Grain Bin Inc. said in a release that it has set Saturday, April 6, as the date for its first hosting of Montana Actors' Theatre dinner theater.

"The evening will serve a dual purpose as a brief activities' update for the (Community Grain Bin)," a release from the organization said.

This year's MAT traveling dinner theater production is an original by MAT Executive Director Jay Pyette, billed as "a murder mystery with cows," and is running this weekend in Hill County before returning to Blaine County for the Turner performance.

Promotional material for the production says it revolves around the queen of the county being crowned at the annual county fair.

"The winner will have with bragging rights and a wonderful prize basket," the promo says. " ... This year is different, however, as outside forces infiltrate the contest. Californians, hippies, soccer moms and even a branch of the mafia (or a very, very, very distant cousin of the mafia) give the local ranch wives, farm ladies, church choir singers, 4-H leaders and others a run for their money.

"A zany, fast-paced farce with four actors and about a zillion characters," the promo concludes.

Big Flat Community Grain Bin release said that, although 2020 slowed progress on several activities the entity was pursuing prior to that, trustees are now refocused on their mission to "build upon the foundations established by previous generations by enhancing and supporting the charitable efforts of local organizations and the public school." 

"To this end the MAT Dinner Theatre will provide not only family-friendly entertainment for the evening but an opportunity for community members to hear about current activities of the BFCGB and solicit project ideas for the future," it said. 

Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Turner Christian Church, with dinner and a brief community listening session at 5:30 p.m., which will include a testimonial from a past scholarship recipient, an update from Tricia Kimmel of Kimmel Ag on plans for a privately owned event center to be established in town, a report from the Turner Storm Chasers booster club, as well as summary of current projects of the Community Grain Bin now underway.  "The Queen of Blaine County" will then be presented by the cast of Montana Actors' Theatre immediately after dinner with dessert served during intermission and ending around 7:30 p.m. Turner FFA members will act as wait staff for the event.

The Big Flat Community Grain Bin fundraises and provides grant funding to several local organizations and academic projects for Turner Public School and is continually working to improve the community, the release said. Some organizations the Community Grain Bin has provided grant funding to include Big Flat Grocery, Turner Ambulance, Turner Volunteer Fire Department, as well as serving as fiscal sponsor to the booster club and the Turner Lions. 

Funding has been provided to several school activities including Montana Online Academy that allows students to take college-level courses while in high school, as well as several grants to the FFA and art programs, in addition to the academic scholarships awarded to current and past graduating high school seniors.  The group is in the process of purchasing a large tent for outdoor events such as the upcoming Turner-Hogeland All Class Reunion, the release said.

It added that, to learn more about the mission and activities of the Grain Bin, people can visit https://www.TurnerMontana.us online or contact Executive Director Alyssa Garrett at [email protected].  "Current trustees Johannas Brown (406-945-1709), Andrew Jones (406-570-4362), Tricia Kimmel (406-379-2512), Shelly Harmon (406-379-2501) and Julie Welsh (406-390-2194) are all great sources for questions or to purchase tickets," the release said, adding, "Anyone interested in serving on the board of directors is urged to reach out, as well, when Kimmel's seat comes open this spring."

Tickets for the April 6 Turner dinner theater are $50 per person and must be purchased no later than March 27 by contacting any member of the board listed or by visiting https://www.TurnerMontana.us/MAT, or by mailing payment to BFCGB, PO Box 182, Turner, MT  59542.