Spring Garden Mill Suffers Irene Damage

Hurricane Irene left rivers swollen, roads unpassable and families in the dark. The Spring Mill Garden, home to the Langhorne Players, is one more place to add to the list of injuries. 

The Mill, whose structure dates back to 1819 according to the Langhorne Players website, took a hard hit last weekend. Most of its handicap ramped washed away to the woods and a thick mud covers most of the interior flooring. The water line from 1999's Hurricane Floyd is still visible inside the theater, next to its recent additions from Irene.

“I can’t believe I’m reliving this nightmare again," said Robert A. Norman, director of "Rabbit Hole" and steward of the Mill. "In 1999 Hurricane Floyd left two feet of water and mud in the Spring Garden Mill, forcing closure of the last show of that season, "Fit to Be Tied," which, coincidentally, I co-directed.”

The Players were forced to postpone the rest of the "Rabbit Hole" shows because the damage was too severe.

Charles Gorman, President of Langhorne Players, said, “This damage is less severe than Floyd, but the impact to Langhorne Players is the same. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time. We were just trying to catch up on Mill expenses with a fundraiser on Sept. 23 and 24. Now we’re not even sure we’ll be ready in time to hold it.”

Friends and patrons of the Mill tell their Floyd stories on the Players' facebook page, reminiscing about the pearl necklace that miraculously survived and tears shed over the sheer magnitude of the wreckage. Most have their spirits up asking, "When's the clean-up?" and making triumphant statements like, "We will return!"

The small theater company intends to conquer this most recent hurdle quickly and effectively. They will be staging clean up this weekend and hope to be dried out soon. Visit their website and Facebook page for updates, according to the press relase.

In the midst of the mess, the Players are sure that "the show must go on."

Founded in 1947, Langhorne Players is a non-profit, volunteer community theater company that produces plays year-round. For more information or to make a donation: call (215) 860-0818, or visit www.langhorneplayers.org.