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Ministry's Mystery Mastery

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

RIDGE MANOR - A Methodist congregation wrangled a murder mystery down at the dude ranch, and the church's children's ministry came out the better for it.

Last Saturday's fundraiser at Ridge Manor United Methodist Church yielded more than $600 and drew a record crowd of 146, children's ministry director Diane Beuthe said. "We had to turn some people away at the door," she said.

The scenery for "Murder at the Dude Ranch" was on its second tour of duty; it was the same set used for last year's "Avalanche Ranch," the 2007 Vacation Bible School.

"We already had the scenery so the Western theme was adopted," Beuthe said.

The mystery began unfolding when matriarch Miss E. Claire was slain by one of the ranch staff. It was up to the audience and Sheriff Conrad to figure out "who done it" and how.

The guests enjoyed a dinner cooked up by church volunteers behind a kitchen window in fellowship hall disguised as the back of a chuck wagon.

The cast included Judi Moran as Miss E. Claire; Janeen Defilippo (the guilty party) as daughter Sheila Caruthers; Darin Defilippo as Sheila's husband, Neil; Gregg Wance as their son, Junior; Bob Beuthe as Wrangler Bob; Grady Cunningham as the stableman Jake the Snake; Chuck Huggins as Sheriff Conrad; and Angela Huggins as the flirtatious doctor.

Proceeds from the event will help pay for additional curriculum materials and for food served before the children's program on Wednesday nights.

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