Celebrating AMERICA’S birth Medford Area Community Theatre presents in the Red/White Theatre at Medford Area Senior High School. The performers have been rehearsing since late April. Tickets are on sale during business hours at The Star News and will be available at the door prior to the show. The cast includes some familiar faces as well as those new to the stage. Cast members include: John Adams - Patrick Porten; Benjamin Franklin - Buzz Mahner; Thomas Jefferson - Samuel Porten; John Dickinson - Sean Porten; Edward Rutledge - Brad Paff; Abigail Adams - Kenzie Flynn; Martha Jefferson - Lauren Gierl; Richard Henry Lee - Colin Porten; Courier - Cullen Jones; John Hancock - Terry Lybert; Charles Thomson Patricia Steiner; Andrew McNair - Sandy Bradley; Robert Livingston - Andy Paff; Roger Sherman - Dave Fleegel; Stephen Hopkins - Gavin Lybert; Col. Thomas McKean - Barry Plautz; Dr. Lyman Hall - Alex Wilson; James Wilson - Alexandra Paff; Dr. Josiah Bartlett - Jonathan Bartnik; Samuel Chase - Brian Wilson; Joseph Hewes - Tosh Satterwhite; Lewis Morris - Peke'bo Donovan; George Read - Beth Wilson; Caesar Rodney - Veronica The United States is turning 250 years old and Medford Area Community Theatre (MACT) is celebrating with a presentation of the musical “1776.” As described by Music Theatre International, “1776” puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! “1776” follows John Adams of Massachusetts (played by Pat Porten), Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania (played by Buzz Mahner) and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia (played by Sam Porten) as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. “1776” is a funny, insightful and compelling drama with a striking score and legendary book. Show dates will be Thursday, June 25, Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 at 7 p.m. each night. All shows are Mahner; Rev. John Witherspoon - Karsten Olson and Apprentice - Adrian Durbin. Pictures by Brian Wilson • Page Layout by Lydia Ploeckelman Celebrating AMERICA’S birth Medford Area Community Theatre presents in the Red/White Theatre at Medford Area Senior High School. The performers have been rehearsing since late April. Tickets are on sale during business hours at The Star News and will be available at the door prior to the show. The cast includes some familiar faces as well as those new to the stage. Cast members include: John Adams - Patrick Porten; Benjamin Franklin - Buzz Mahner; Thomas Jefferson - Samuel Porten; John Dickinson - Sean Porten; Edward Rutledge - Brad Paff; Abigail Adams - Kenzie Flynn; Martha Jefferson - Lauren Gierl; Richard Henry Lee - Colin Porten; Courier - Cullen Jones; John Hancock - Terry Lybert; Charles Thomson Patricia Steiner; Andrew McNair - Sandy Bradley; Robert Livingston - Andy Paff; Roger Sherman - Dave Fleegel; Stephen Hopkins - Gavin Lybert; Col. Thomas McKean - Barry Plautz; Dr. Lyman Hall - Alex Wilson; James Wilson - Alexandra Paff; Dr. Josiah Bartlett - Jonathan Bartnik; Samuel Chase - Brian Wilson; Joseph Hewes - Tosh Satterwhite; Lewis Morris - Peke'bo Donovan; George Read - Beth Wilson; Caesar Rodney - Veronica The United States is turning 250 years old and Medford Area Community Theatre (MACT) is celebrating with a presentation of the musical “1776.” As described by Music Theatre International, “1776” puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! “1776” follows John Adams of Massachusetts (played by Pat Porten), Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania (played by Buzz Mahner) and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia (played by Sam Porten) as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. “1776” is a funny, insightful and compelling drama with a striking score and legendary book. Show dates will be Thursday, June 25, Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 at 7 p.m. each night. All shows are Mahner; Rev. John Witherspoon - Karsten Olson and Apprentice - Adrian Durbin. Pictures by Brian Wilson • Page Layout by Lydia Ploeckelman
Medford’s Kayla Baumgartner rolls a shot over two Columbus Catholic blockers during Tuesday’s season-opening tournament at Raider Hall. MATT FREY/THE STAR NEWS
Chloe Pipkorn gets the 2026 season started for Medford, taking the backstroke leg of the opening 200-yard medley relay at Thursday’s Fun in the Sun Relays hosted by Merrill. Pipkorn, Eva Strebig, Emily Leao and Tori Nicks placed sixth out of 24 teams in the race. BRETT LABORE/THE LAKELAND TIMES
Ava Dallmann and Madelyn Anderson bump the ball back and forth to get warmed up for Monday’s volleyball practice in Rib Lake. The Redmen got their 2026 season started by going 0-2 at Loyal on Tuesday. MATT FREY/THE STAR NEWS
