Fandangle Sampler returns to ranch
By Donnie A. Lucas
For the first time in a quarter of a century, the annual Membership Sampler of the Fort Griffin Fandangle is returning to Reynolds Bend on the Matthews Ranch on Saturday.
Held at the ranch for a number of years, the membership party and preview of the 2022 summer show will return to the historic Lambshead Ranch for the first time since Watt Matthews hosted the event 25 years ago.
Artistic director of the production, Lorna Ayers, said that rehearsals are moving out to the ranch on Thursday (today) for a dress rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. The cast and crew will also do a runthrough on Saturday afternoon before the actual performance at 6:00 p.m.
The gates at the ranch will open to membership and guests at 5:30 p.m.
Reynolds Bend is located in the northwest corner of the ranch some 27 miles from Albany, with about half of the trip over gravel roads on the ranch.
The Sampler concludes the annual membership drive that began in January, but Fandangle office manager Jamie Parsons said it is still not too late to join or renew membership in the association and attend the show.
Memberships are available online by going to www.fortgriffinfandangle.org and clicking the “Join” button.
Memberships can also be renewed or purchased at the gate; however, it is now too late to RSVP for the tenderloin dinner being prepared by TE Catering of Albany.
“We turned in a count of 280 for the meal on Monday, so only those who made reservations will be served,” she said. “But members can bring a picnic supper and join us.”
Parsons said people can drop by the Fandangle office located in the Depot in downtown Albany to purchase a membership on Thursday or Friday, or call the office at 325-762-3838.
For those not familiar with traveling to Reynolds Bend, the main entrance to the ranch is located about 13 miles north of Albany on U.S. 283 North. Follow the signs that will direct visitors to the site of the Sampler.
Parsons said that she will have a list of current members and meal patrons at the gate.
“There has been a lot of interest in the Sampler being held at Reynolds Bend,” she said. “Many people in Albany, even some in the show, haven’t been there and are excited to get to see it.”
The site features the original ranch house of Barber Watkins Reynolds set in a horseshoe bend of the Clear Fork of the Brazos River at one of the most northwestern points of the ranch.
Sallie Reynolds married John Matthews at the ranch on Christmas Day 1875, marking the start of the couple’s life on the ranch which is chronicled in Sallie Matthews’ book “Interwoven.” The book serves as a primary source for stories told in the Fandangle.
The Sampler was scheduled to be held at Reynolds Bend last year but was moved to a location in town due to heavy rains at the ranch.
Memberships are available at seven levels, including a Pioneer Membership for $25 to a Platinum at $5,000.
Rehearsals Continue
The cast and crew members will move to the natural amphitheater at Reynolds Bend for rehearsals on Thursday, April 21.
The Sampler is a shortened version of this year’s production, started about six weeks ago.
Ayers said that the cast and crew are working to tighten up the show, which follows the spirit of frontier adventurers and settlers such as George Reynolds.
“While the Sampler does mention George Reynolds and his type of rugged individualists who settled this part of Texas, more of the full length summer show will be centered around stories involving Reynolds and his family.
Ayers said that the natural stage at the amphitheater at Reynolds Bend is a beautiful setting for the show. The restored ranch house at the Bend where the Reynolds and Matthews families first began intertwining is just steps away from the stage.
