APPLE CREEK CITIZENS READY 'REE HAW' SHOW FOR 21ST ANNUAL RUN

APPLE CREEK, Mo. -- At this time of year, a relative large percentage of the population of Apple Creek is cracking corny jokes and rehearsing songs in preparation for the debut of the 21st annual "Hee Haw Show Apple Creek Style!"

The show has become part of the fabric of life in Apple Creek. Folks sometimes say, "There's old Arch" when they see Ray Sauer coming. Sauer has portrayed Archie, one of the characters in TV's old "Hee Haw" program, for the past two decades. He and his wife, Evelyn, direct the annual show and will be at the helm when the next version premieres at 7:30 p.m. March 17 at the Apple Creek Hall. Other shows will be presented at 6:30 p.m. March 18, at 7:30 p.m. March 24, and at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 25.

Proceeds go to St. Joseph's Catholic School. Tickets are $7 for adults and $2 for children 3-12 and are available only at the door.

Sandwiches, pie and soft drinks are available at all the shows. Chili will be served on March 25.

Started in 1980

In 1980, the parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church held a talent show to help raise money to rebuild the church's school, which burned down. In the first show, Sauer did a 20-minute "Hee Haw" skit that had people shaking with laughter. Ever since, "Hee Haw" has been the theme the rest of the show is built around.

It raises about $10,000 a year for the school, but money isn't the only benefit.

"It brings (people) together to work together," Sauer said.

Alma Unterreiner, Mary Jane Buchheit, Shirley and Lawrence Buchheit, Richard Baer, Donald Welker, Larry Kohlfeld, and Carol and Leo Balsman have been involved in the show every year since its beginning.

Finding people to be in the show hasn't been a problem.

"We haven't been taking many new ones because the old ones keep coming back," Sauer says.

Two regulars, Gus and Mae Buchheit, retired their Oly and Lena characters this year.

James Welker, who portrayed Grandpa, died since last year's show. Out of respect, Grandpa will not make an appearance this year.

Kevin Engert keeps the music coming by playing the fiddle, banjo and guitar.

The Sauers write many of the jokes and skits. Trips to Branson, Mo., and other locales help them gather material.

"We try to remember what they did, and people help us out when they find a joke in a magazine," he said.

Jokes are recycled only after about 10 years.

Last year, the parish hall was nearly full for each of the two-hour shows. Busloads of people come from St. Louis and Illinois.

The show brings the community together each year, Sauer said.

A few years, the Sauers decided to step aside and let someone else direct. It didn't happen.

"I couldn't get anybody to take over," he says.