Bits 'n' Pieces: Bingo! Driver sees manager as right for theatrical production

Fern Carness

Clark Hart

Clark Hart never participated in theatrical productions in high school. In college, he majored in mathematics, not drama. Now, at 50 years of age, the Vancouver resident is making his acting debut in Slocum House Theatre Company’s “Queen of Bingo.”

Hart, who manages a Portland-based transportation company, first got involved with the Vancouver nonprofit community theater about a year ago. Jim Fully, one of his drivers, is active with Slocum House and encouraged him to join the board of directors; Hart is now the board treasurer.

Fully is directing “Queen of Bingo,” and convinced Hart to audition.

“He kept telling me I’d be perfect for the role of Father MacKenzie Muldoon,” Hart said. “He said that I listen to people, and that my attitude and how I treat people was how he pictured this part.”

The play, which opens Oct. 17 and continues through Nov. 9, is set at a church bingo game. Hart’s priest character has the opening lines and later involves the audience in a round of bingo.

Hart has experience with public speaking on the job, but adopting a different persona has presented a new challenge.

“I’m finding it difficult to address a crowd as someone other than Clark Hart,” he said.

Still, Hart is enjoying the experience and getting to see all the work that goes into putting on a stage production.

“I’ve found that a lot of fun,” he said.

Fern Carness believes a little pocket change could make a big difference in cancer treatment and prevention.

Carness, a 57-year-old Vancouver resident, recently spoke at a kickoff event for Safeway and Providence Cancer Center’s October “round up” collaboration. Coinciding with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oregon and Southwest Washington Safeway shoppers are being asked if they’d like to round up their grocery bill to support local breast cancer research.

Carness was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and had a double mastectomy. The cancer returned in 2005 and spread to her bones and lungs. Four months ago it moved to her brain and liver. She’s currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Carness’ medical background goes beyond her personal experiences with cancer. She’s a registered nurse and has a master’s degree in public health. Carness also is a certified mastectomy fitter and co-owns the Portland lingerie shop Just Like a Woman, which began as a boutique for women who’ve had mastectomies.

Speaking about her struggles with cancer comes easily to Carness, and she hopes money donated by Safeway shoppers will help scientists discover a breast cancer vaccine. If enough people pitch in, the change will add up, she noted.

“It’s money that you’re never going to remember you had,” she said. “When you round up 30 cents, you would have thrown that at the bottom of your purse. Instead it will go toward a good cause.”

Bits ’n’ pieces appears Mondays and Fridays. If you have a story you’d like to share, call Features Editor Elisa Williams, 360-735-4561, or e-mail elisa.williams@columbian.com.