Poppies featured in play

FALLBROOK — We all remember the scene well: just as Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow are about to reach their destination of the Emerald City, the Wicked Witch of the West cackles, “A-hah! Something with poison in it, I think. With poison in it, but attractive to the eye — and soothing to the smell! Poppies! Poppies! Poppies!”

In the Fallbrook Players Junior Conservatory’s (FPJC) version of the beloved story, the audience members will actually become the poppy field. FPJC is teaming up with the Fallbrook VFW to generate income for the local VFW post and to provide interactive fun for the audience. Before each show, VFW members will provide poppies to theater patrons. During the performance, when the witch, played by Mandy Bayless-Lee, casts her spell, audience members will hold their poppies aloft, becoming part of the scenery.

“This is going to be so much fun, and a very worthwhile fundraiser for the VFW, as well,” said Jane Stimmel, publicity director for FPJC. “It is great for one nonprofit organization to be able to help out another.”

Bonnie Johnson, local VFW poppy chairperson, emphasized, “All of the money we raise stays right here in Fallbrook; not a dime of it gets sent out of town. It will be so exciting to see our community come out and take care of their veterans and also support the kids of this town as they entertain us with ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”

Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, “In Flander’s Field,” describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.

For more than 75 years, the VFW’s Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans’ welfare and the wellbeing of their dependents.

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans’ organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation “Buddy Poppy” was adopted at that time.

In February 1924, the VFW registered the name “Buddy Poppy” with the US Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name “Buddy Poppy.”

“One of our goals here at the VFW is to bring community together,” said VFW President Trish Harrison. “This is an awesome opportunity and I hope all of our families and friends come out to support this collaboration.”

“This is such a perfect fit,” added Carla Woodson, FPJC board member and Wicked Witch chaperone. “It really shows that if we all look hard enough, people and events can become entwined to work together to make Fallbrook a great community.”

“The Wizard of Oz” plays at the Fallbrook Mission Theater from Friday, October 27, through Sunday, November 12. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, which is across the street from the theater on Main Avenue, or by calling (760) 731-2278. The Buddy Poppies will be available for a donation prior to each show. In addition, the show on Friday, November 10, will be in honor of veterans and active duty military, who will receive a special $2 discount on tickets. For more information about “The Wizard of Oz” or FPJC, visit their Web site at http://www.FallbrookTheater.com.