I wrote the adaptation with some great help from the NAT staff.  I decided to do this adaptation because none of the adaptations I read of the story really pleased me.  Somehow, they just didn't grab me or excite me, and if I can't get excited by the script, it's nearly impossible for me to stage it in a way that excites an audience.  So, I decided to adopt the do-it-yourself approach which is something I've done a couple times before, but never with a story, or in this case two stories, of such huge scope.  So, it was a bit of a challenge.  I'd like to write a bit about how we went about meeting that challenge. 

Nearby Poplar Grove is home to both Long Prairie Trail and Espressions Café. Although you might never have heard of either of these, you should probably check out both of them. In fact, the trail leads directly to the café. Combine the two and you have a great excursion for an autumn (or for that matter any) day.

AWARE, an auxiliary of the Alzheimer's Association, announces the third annual Sounds at Sunset - A Tropical Treasure for the Family, featuring an outdoor concert performed by The Men of Our Times and a Children's Treasure Hunt. 

Get ready for music and fun along the banks of the Rock River. No, we aren't talking about On The Waterfront this time. In fact, this one comes along a lot sooner and is located a bit North of Rockford in Beloit, Wisconsin. Of course it can be none other than Beloit Riverfest. It's that time of year again, and 2005's edition of the annual festival occurs July 14th through the 17th, and as always will be packed with plenty of family fun, good food, music and much more.

The 11th annual Byron Fest will be happening July 8-10, and if you haven't made it down to one, perhaps this is the year to start. If you have gone before, then you know all about the fun in-store. If you are used to events like On The Waterfront, this might be a little different, but definitely in a nice way. They manage to incorporate much of the fun of the larger festivals while still maintaining a small town feel.

Rockford will be one of approximately 44 cities in the US who will host The Great Race, presented by the National Guard.  Last seen in Rockford in 1994, the Great Race is a "uniquely American event", according to Wayne Stansfield, Chief Operating Officer for Rally Partners, Inc., the owners of the event.  "It brings the spirit of adventure and independence to life every summer."