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However, CAPA has never tackled something as modern and thought-provoking as Bug, the intense psychological drama about a lonely coke-snorting Oklahoman (Kaitlin Gustafson) and the paranoid Gulf War veteran on the run from the government (Kellan Aldrich) who changes her life.

Agnes White (Gustafson) and Peter Evans (Aldrich) are two individuals with a lot of emotional baggage.

Agnes lives in a spooky motel room (the setting for the entire play), hiding from her abusive ex-husband and still reeling from the disappearance of her son.

Peter's past is less clear, though he claims to have been used as a test subject by the army and to now be on the run from the government.

The two meet through Agnes's lesbian friend R.C. (Mackenzie Melwing) and are soon in a dysfunctional relationship. Meanwhile, Peter begins to tell Agnes about the "bugs" that haunt him day and night. She buys into his delusions (although whether or not there really are bugs is left up to the audience) and mass paranoia ensues. Soon, the motel room is coated in tin foil and not even a mysterious Dr. Phil-like character (Jacob Bliss) can do anything to stop the two from going completely insane.

"I'm so excited about playing Agnes," said Gustafson. "I've never played a character so different from myself. She's so vulnerable, but at the same time, very tough. Taking the show to competitions and seeing the other students' reactions is going to be really fun."

In addition to a bug light inspired set design and a highly addicting soundtrack, Bug will feature nine dancers to help portray the story in a conceptual way. These dancers, led by '06 alum Jesi Lehman and Jackie Streeter, are Gabby Contreras, Megan Crippin, Krystal Indlekofer, Heather Kardas, Jordan Lorencz, Kimber Lucius, Lisa Muirhead, Heather Nathan, Jamie Polom, and Amy Rogan.

"I'm super-excited because the music is so killer and the make-up is going to be really awesome. Plus, Richard Simmons is my idol. I have some crazy awesome love for Richard Simmons!" said Gabby Contreras.

Richard Simmons is one of the many ways the dancers have been getting in shape for their bug-like dance moves. Also involved are Brett Russell (stage manager and body double for the pizza delivery boy) and Myles Shephard (playing Goss, Agnes's abusive ex-husband and providing the voice of the pizza delivery boy).

Districts will be Jan. 26, with the home shows on January 31 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Chesaning Middle School Auditorium.

Be sure to come out and support one of the most successful teams at Chesaning High School (second only to the cheerleaders in state ranking).

"Life is good being a horse girl"

St. Charles student reflects on her equestrian experiences

ST. CHARLES - Justine Burgess fell in love with riding horses one summer, and has been spending time in the saddle ever since.

The St. Charles Thurston Middle School student has been taking riding lessons for six years from Tessa Hoffman at John Mishler's farm in Chesaning.

"Everyone starts riding on Freckles," wrote Burgess. "Once you get confidence and skill, you can move onto other horses."

In May, she received her own 22-year-old black Arab, Eclipse. Burgess and her parents searched for over a year for the right horse.

"Eclipse has taught me to do my best..." she said.

Burgess now rides Eclipse in hunt seat, saddle seat, western, speed and bareback with others at the Mishlers.

"Western riding is totally different," she commented, "The saddle has a horn, the bridle has split reins, and you do not post in a western saddle."

"I have a great horse, a great coach and my mom and dad help a lot," Burgess wrote. "I do my best in school so I can ride as much as I want."

Burgess said that riding has introduced her to good friends.

"I have learned a lot and made good friends. Life is good being a horse girl," she said.

New Salvation Army program helps those in western Saginaw County

SAGINAW -- Needy residents of northwestern and southwestern Saginaw County no longer have to worry about how they are going to get to the Salvation Army's Saginaw office to apply for assistance. The Salvation Army of Saginaw County can now overcome the lack of transportation of these rural residents by obtaining funding for a social worker to visit the client's home and take the required face-to-face application for help without the client having to leave his or her home to apply in Saginaw.

This service is in response to a study in which it was revealed that some 2,251 residents in northwest Saginaw County and another 4,595 residents living in southwest Saginaw County are likely eligible for some type of Salvation Army assistance.

The three groups likely to be eligible for this service are low income families, senior citizens and disabled individuals who either cannot drive, or those who do not own a vehicle and cannot find a way to the Saginaw office to apply.

These services include groceries, heating and utility shut-off assistance, prescriptions for seniors, housing assistance, personal need items and household goods. Additional services such as referrals to other community agency partners will also be available.

Social services assistance applications will be taken on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in the southwest Saginaw County area. This area includes Albee, Brant, Burt, Chapin, Chesaning Township and Village, Maple Grove, Marion, Oakley, and St. Charles Township and Village.

A Salvation Army social worker will be in northwest Saginaw County to take applications for assistance on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The northwest area consists of Hemlock, Merrill, and Fremont, Jonesfield, Lakefield and Richland Townships.

Social workers expect to return to each of the two areas every other week. All potential clients are assured of complete confidentiality. While the Salvation Army cannot guarantee that every person who applies will be eligible for assistance, or that funds will be available for every program at all times, the Salvation Army did serve 10,000 men, women and children in 2006 and final numbers from Christmas, 2007 are currently being reconciled.

Appointments must be scheduled ahead of time for the in-home visit and are expected to fill quickly. Low income Saginaw County residents living in either of these two geographic areas are encouraged to call immediately to schedule for the upcoming Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 in-home visitations. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact the Salvation Army at (989) 793-8371.

Maple Grove millage defeated

DEB MILLER

The Tri-County Citizen

MAPLE GROVE TWP. - About twenty five percent of Maple Grove Township's registered voters made the decision Tuesday to turn down a 1.5 mil proposal that would be used to fund road and bridge improvements within the township.

Only 477 out of the township's 1,961 registered voters turned out to the poles to contribute to the decision that was defeated 293 to 193.

The 1.5 mil, four-year proposal would have meant approximately $1.50 per $1,000 for taxpayers each year for four years.

According to Township Clerk Richard Maxa the township recently experienced unexpected repairs when bridges inspected by the county were found to be in dire need of repair.

The Gasper Road bridge and the Ferden Road bridge were completely redone as ordered by the county and have put a financial burden on the township.

The township maintains roads using the chip seal method each year and is currently working on a two-mile stretch of Bueche Road between M-57 and Chesaning Road.

However, Maxa notes that even that is getting very expensive.

"Even chip seal is becoming very expensive due to the petroleum products we must use," Maxa noted.

As for the non-support for the millage vote, Maxa said it simply boils down to the economy.

"It's the economic times, it just comes down to money. People look at paying more taxes and they are hanging on to their money."

At this time the township has no plans for their next step.

The Maple Grove Township Board meets on the third Monday of each month at the Maple Grove Township Hall located at 17010 Lincoln Road in Chesaning.