Published August 1961 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
From the Office of UNITEO STATES SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD Room 342, Old Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. Volume I -- Number 32 8-11-61 BYRD'S EYE VIEW A Public Service Column by SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD "HONEY" IS A PLAY OF COURAGE AND A COURAGEOUS UNDERTAKING Out of a mountain wilderness almost 100 years ago, great men of uncanny foresight and unbounded courage fomented a series of events which led to the birth of a new State. They called it West Virginia. Of these men and of this State, the first known drama of the Civil War -- "Honey in the Rock" -- has been written by a native of Welch, Kermit Hunter, under the auspices of the West Virginia Historical Drama Association. "Honey in the Rock" is worthy of the time and attention of every West Virginian. Like the courage it displays, it is a courageous undertaking. It is being staged each evening -- with the I, exception of Mondays -- from now until Labor Day, in the heart of Grandview State Park located approximately 16 miles from down town Beckley. Guests are seated in comfortable chairs -- not benches -- in the beautifully constructed, newly bui1t open-air amphitheater of stone and stained Ponderosa pine. The amphitheater, the pride of Beckley, was completed in May of this year and cost $157,000. Parking is no problem, for there are ample grounds surrounding the amphitheater, and there are many guides, dressed in Civil War garb, to direct persons to free parking space. The wire-tight tension during the period between 1861-1863 is captured by Kermit Hunter in this powerful play. The human and historic themes cross and counter cross, creating a powerful impact which leads to violence, confusion, and anxiety. The soul-searching torment of many of the people as they struggled to choose between separation of Western Virginia from the Mother State or secession from the Union, between the armies of the North or the armies of the South, between loyalty to one's family or loyalty to one's convictions -- all are depicted in Honey. But all is not serious in "Honey." The playwright skill fully peppers comic relief in many scenes~ fills the stage with beautiful costumes and expert dancers, which add up to a delightful and entertaining evening at the theater. One of the surprising elements of the evening is the frequent changing of stage settings. Each of the eight sets is mounted on wagons. Each is complete and authentic down to the most minute detail. Coupled with the newest concepts of lighting and stereophonic sound, the staging of "Honey" rises to the finest of Broadway standards. "Honey" was a big undertaking. It took $80,000 to stage it. The West Virginia Drama Association collected this money from contributions coming primarily from Beckley citizens. The play itself kindles a deep pride in West Virginians In "Honey" they see the recreation of the true Mountaineer spirit. But even more, the teamwork and the hard work, the planning and execution of such an overwhelming project by such a small group of people, demonstrate what can be done by enterprising and energetic West Virginians. The teamwork and initiative that it took to produce “Honey" kindle an even deeper kind of pride. As we prepare to celebrate the l00th anniversary of the birth of West Virginia -- a State which was "the child of battle, conceived in a cauldron of fire," we should take example from the accomplishment of the West Virginia Drama Association. It took a play to help boost the economy and moral spirit of West Virginia. It took a dedicated group of citizens to bring about its success. Using the same recipe with the same ingredients, West Virginians can undertake other ventures -- in tourism in commerce, in industry -- which could redound to the benefit of the State. The honey is in our rocks if we but look for it and take measures to discover and exploit it! --30--