Centennial camaraderie

QUINCY — Vigorous applause and cheers followed virtually every act Monday evening at the Quincy Community Talent Show, as a medley of performances crossed the stage.

Barbershop quartets, religious music, dance, book recitations, piano performances, ballet and a dead-on Sonny and Cher impersonation were just a few of the talents Quincy residents turned out to showcase, as the show kicked off the town's year-long centennial celebration.

The show, performed at the Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, served as the senior project for Quincy High School seniors Leslie Mickelson and Alyssa Van Dyke.

Mickelson and Van Dyke explained they're carrying on a tradition, and following in the footsteps of friends who put on the show last year. They teamed up with the City of Quincy-appointed Centennial Commission (Van Dyke's mother serves on the board) to be a part of the festivities.

The students found the various acts in the show by advertising, contacting past performers and talking with people they knew possessed different talents.

With it being Quincy's birthday year, they both would like to see the talent show continue on into the next 100 years.

"It's like a big thing everybody looks forward to and can get bigger," Van Dyke said. "That's really what we're wanting, is to keep it going. The town's growing a lot."

Quincy High School science teacher and master of ceremonies Tod Heikes kept the audience entertained as he worked to fill the time in between acts, punctuating the history of the town with humorous ad-libs and peering through the curtains to check on the progress being made backstage.

"I'm one of the jokers in the school, so I think that has something to do with it," Heikes said of landing the emcee gig. "I'm always amazed with the talent that comes out of Quincy. Singing, plays, all the acts, the dancing — everything that comes out of here is always incredible. It always floors me every time I see it."

For Harriet Weber, chair of the commission, the talent show proved a natural opener for the city's 100th birthday.

"We thought, what a great way to kick it off, have a community event," she said.

The festivities don't stop with the talent show.

"There were just so many things people wanted to see happen, to try to do it in one event. We felt it did not do justice to what has brought us to 100 years," Weber said.

Undertakings to mark the occasion include an in-progress mural depicting the names of people who settled in the community over the past century and the history of the area's agriculture, business-sponsored battles of game, card and athletic tournaments; family histories to be included in a book, publication of a community cookbook and centennial merchandise, including a Quincy calendar.

Two quilt projects are in the works, including a centennial quilt contest and a group's creation of 100 quilts, to be donated to the Quincy Food Bank.

The town celebrates its 100th birthday March 30. In May, free bus tours of agricultural spots and points of interest begin.

"It's a huge year," Weber said. "I think there's a lot of enthusiasm in Quincy right now. People are very proud of their community. I think everyone is ready the next 100 years. I don't know how it's going to change but I think we're growing, and everyone's real excited."

Sophia Longoria was one of the most energetic members of the audience during the show.

"I came so I could be wild and crazy and scream for everyone," the Quincy High School junior said with a laugh. "I like being able to scream for everyone and watching everyone do their talents I don't have."