Summerset Theatre’s last production of the season was so British that the New York publisher didn’t have any copies of the script in the United States.

Wednesday, July 26, 2000

Summerset Theatre’s last production of the season was so British that the New York publisher didn’t have any copies of the script in the United States. They had to send to the United Kingdom for them.

Blimey.

Director Robert Dudley promises that "Midsummer Mink" should appeal to almost everyone – young and old – except perhaps the most fervent anti-British.

"Midsummer Mink" opens at 7:30 tonight at Riverland Community College’s Frank Bridges Theatre.

The show revolves around a group of aged, rather overzealous charity volunteers who are so into their fund raising that most of their friends have deserted them, because they’re tired of being hit up for money every time they meet.

The accidental acquisition of a stolen fur coat by Nan (played by Janet Anderson) leads this group of good-intentioned senior citizens down a dubious path. They figure if they can sell one stolen mink coat and give the profits to charity, they can sell a lot and the benefits will be that much greater. They become modern-day Robin Hoods, running a meticulously organized receiving system for stolen furs.

"They become fences basically," Dudley said. "The true criminal element, all younger types, think they can take advantage of these older citizens, but in fact it’s Nan and Brigadier Rayne (played by David Dahlquist of Lyle) and the others who have them in their pockets. I won’t say what happens in the end, but they do stop becoming fur fences."

The couple pointed out that flood insurance covers only the essential items in a flood-damaged home, such as electrical, furnace, water heater, washer and dryer, and not personal possessions.

Sharon Gates said all insurance companies also become less than customer friendly when more than one claim is filed.

"The second time you file a claim, you cause a real stink if they think you’re a repeat offender," she said.

The woman blamed farmers in the watersheds north of Austin for the city’s and her own flood woes.

"Where do you think that water is coming from?" she asked at one point. "As long as they keep tiling land north of Austin and properties in west Austin, it’s going to come through the city and we’re going to be flooded again.

"Is that fair to continue to allow this cycle?" she asked the commissioners. "It’s not the right thing to do. It’s not the smart thing to do to let this happen again and again."

Returning to the subject of requesting the county to pursue a flood buyout program, Daryl W. Franklin, county planner and zoning administrator, explained, the county must prove the properties in question are, indeed, located in a flood plain and otherwise qualify areas in the county for possible flood-buyout options.

Dr. Gates wanted to know whether the couple should continue to have their home repaired. No less than eight contractors are working on the residence at this time to repair flood damage.

Ray Tucker, Second District county commissioner, encouraged the couple to work with their insurance company on that issue.

Franklin said that if a flood buyout program is approved, it will take time for the transaction to be completed; possibly as long as a year.

Also, the funding would come from other agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

A motion authorizing Franklin to pursue the flood buyout option for any applicable area of the county was unanimously approved.