A Flair for the dramatic
Hughesville – Life has literally been filled with drama for Hughesville native Rudy Mummey who received the Community Arts Center’s (CAC) award as “Volunteer of the Month” for April.
The Williamsport group’s recent press release lauded Mummey by saying, “He’s a valued member of the team. He aids in tasks both large and small from helping with annual student mantinees to assisting special needs patrons on lifts to attend shows. Rudy, who joined CAC in the summer of 2005,has a sincere and welcoming smile for all.”
According to Mummey,his efforts have gleaned even more rewards. “I receive free admission to all shows and have met such celebrities as Bonnie Raitt, Amy Grant, Gordon Lightfoot and Terry Fador.”
Mummey no longer wonders what he’ll do with his time since retiring in 2004 from Lewisburg High School where he’d taught English and German. There he’d directed annual dramas for 39 years. “Some associates and I provided a summer theater for kids so I’d been involved in 56 student shows over the years,” Mummey said.
Chaperoning student groups, Mummey toured Europe, Australia, had numerous jaunts around the states as well as traveling to productions in NYC.
In addition to time spent at the arts center, his volunteerism includes being a member of the Board of Directors for the Upper Northumberland County Chapter of the American Red Cross. “I’ve gone through CPR training, first-aid and help with public service events,” he said.
Last June, Mummey was hired as a step-on guide for Lewisburg-Williamsport tours,the company of a former student.
Another hobby is collecting flags which taught Mummey much about history. He’s garnered 850 flags of countries, states and historical events, flying them to commemorate special days.
“I became interested in flags when required to learn capitols in Grant Lunger’s sixth grade class.The teacherbroughtcharts and flags to school,” Mummey said.
The collector says he “just breaks even” buying and selling flags through his website at www.shop.longmayitwaveonline.com.
The retiree and volunteer is a 1961 Hughesville High School graduate having been inspired to seek a career in education by former English teacher, Robert Strunk.
Mummey holds degrees from Lycoming College, the University of Innsbruck in Austria, and two from Bucknell University.
Hehas two siblings that locals might remember; a sister, Betty Marie Bowman of Hughesville and a brother, Bill Mummey of Erie, high school classes of 1946 and 1947 respectively.
Mummey’sthree children are Robert, a graduate of Bloomsburg University, residing in Milton and director of its public library; Karen, an art teacher in Philadelphia who graduated from Kutztown and Temple Universities; Matthew who is looking for a big break hoping to take over for Letterman,and land a job intelevision mediaafter graduating from Penn State.
Meanwhile, when you patronize the Arts Center look aroundbefore the lights dim. The smiling face you see might be Rudy Mummey, the volunteer alwayswith a flair for the dramatic.