The bleating hearts of 'Heidi' - Monroe Times

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The bleating hearts of 'Heidi'

Times photo: Tere Dunlap John Marean has been the goat handler for the annual Heidi plays in New Glarus for 25 years. Originally from New Glarus and a member of the Heidi Festival committee, Marean now lives in Scioto Mills, Ill., and still makes the hour trip to take care of the two goats, a yearling and a two-month old, on stage. Joan and Lawrence Hefty provide the goats. Order photo

Times photo: Tere Dunlap John Marean has been the goat handler for the annual Heidi plays in New Glarus for 25 years. Originally from New Glarus and a member of the Heidi Festival committee, Marean now lives in Scioto Mills, Ill., and still makes the hour trip to take care of the two goats, a yearling and a two-month old, on stage. Joan and Lawrence Hefty provide the goats. Order photo

NEW GLARUS - For the past 25 years, three cast members in the New Glarus performances of "Heidi" have never had a curtain call - the two goats and their handler, John Marean.The classic 1880 play, written by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, is performed annually at the Heidi Festival in New Glarus.