Farmer Gray and friends announce a return to Panida's stage

On Sept. 22, 2007, the Panida Theater will host the return of Farmer Gray, Junior, Egbert, and the Farmerettes. Just as it was in the "olden days," there will homespun family entertainment featuring some new faces and some of our better-known talent. Ken Payne and Val Millard will be reunited on stage and will perform with Ken's band from Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada.

There will be numbers drawn from a drum and some happy person will be awarded a prize. It might be groceries, a gift certificate, or an assortment of other items.

One thing for sure, everyone there will be awarded a full measure of memories of a time gone by, but certainly not forgotten.

Floyd Gray had a background in vaudeville and was at his best on stage at his Panida Theater. The blackened tooth, old straw hat, red bandana handkerchief, plus a corn cob pipe, were all he needed to transform himself from the four time mayor of Sandpoint into the character everyone loved and still remembers with pleasure.

For me to tell you what it was like at the Farmer Gray Emporium would be ludicrous; I never saw one. But I can share with you a conversation I had with Diane Miller, who not only saw the show, she actually lived it: She is Farmer Gray's daughter. Below, Diane shares with all of us, in her own words, her memories of her dad and his show that became a part of Sandpoint and North Idaho.

"Farmer Gray's Country Store: A time that folks looked forward to that brought a break in their daily lives, a sort of escape into fantasy. When I first starting reminiscing about those days, my thoughts came together in three categories — sights, sounds, and smells.

"The sights, oh, those wonderful and exciting sights!

There was a theatrical excitement in the air. People came from everywhere to be part of it. Some you only saw during those special days of Farmer Gray's Country Store.

Talent! There were performers from Priest River, such as Bob Evans, and his guitar. There was Biarn Neil and his guitar. Then there were those from our own town and school … Kenny Payne and Val Millard. Then there was a big tall cowboy with the deep voice.

"I loved being up on the stage dressed in my yellow and white gingham pinafore. It was fun just being up there and part of it all, watching as the performers did their thing. The footlights on the stage. The painted backdrop and the false front country store with the pickle barrel on the front porch. The chair to lean back on and enjoy the lazy day.

"The costuming of Farmer Gray and his little shadow Junior, both dressed in the typical bib overalls. Farmer Gray was complete with his corn cob pipe in his pocket, the bandana poking out of his back pocket, the wire rim glasses, the goatee, the blacked out teeth and freckles. The straw between his teeth, and the hat, that shaggy, ratty looking straw hat, complete with hole in the top and ragged edges. He was a sight for sure, but oh, we loved him. Junior just trailed behind silently following as a shadow without a word.

"Dad loved people, and they responded. He was at ease in his role as Farmer Gray.

"The footlights on the stage, the groceries and clothing and all sorts of donations given by the willing merchants of the town.

"The stage was set.

"Now the sounds: Any time the theatre was packed, which it most certainly was for Farmer Gray, Dad would get up in front and tell people if they hear someone yell fire, don't panic and run and cause a stamped, but just yell back, "Where?"

"The sounds: The excited audience as they awaited the start of the show.

"The music of the performers, and the response of the audience to their performances.

"The clapping to vote for the winner as Dad held up a card over the heads of each contestant.

"The smells: The smell of Dad's whacky cake that he prepared right up on stage, making little holes in the flour mixture and pouring in the ingredients, then it baked and did it smell good, Yummy. Then there was the smell of the pancakes and strawberry jam as they were being prepared by ladies in their white uniforms, and then everyone was given a taste. What fun.

"The smell of the hay bales up on the stage. The grease paint and glue to stick on Dad's goatee. I remember distinctly sneaking backstage into his dressing room when no one was around. I went through all his grease paints, and gleefully pretended I was on stage and wearing the glasses and freckles.

"The sounds: I remember the sound of the microphone whistling and the program being transmitted to the KSPT radio station.

"It was all like a dream, but something I felt comfortable with, and looked forward to with excitement each year.

"What a time. What a place, and oh, what a man was Farmer Gray and his infamous Country Store."

(Farmer Gray returns to the Panida stage on Sept. 22. The matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the evening performance at 7 p.m. The show is a benefit for the Panida and will be a celebration commemorating the 80th birthday of the theater. The show is directed by Deborah McShane and is sponsored by the Bonner County Daily Bee.)