Grit & Grace reborn with new twists History of Walton County comes alive in new production

Grit & Grace, Walton County’s official Folk Life Production, is returning to the stage Sept. 9-11 at Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs.

Established in 2000, productions have taken a hiatus since 2007.

“This is our rebirth,” said G&G president Marie Hinson.

Hinson is the driving force behind the rebirth, and also appears in the play, portraying Alice May Catts, wife of Florida’s former governor, Sidney J. Catts.

Catts was governor from 1917-1921 during the days of prohibition.

“He was a colorful governor,” said Hinson.

Hinson found a descendant of the Catts in DeFuniak Springs to ask questions about the governor and his wife. She found that Alice May was an elegant lady, refined, and the opposite of her husband. 

Both Alice and Sidney are buried in DeFuniak Springs.

In addition to Alice May Catts, other every-day residents of DeFuniak Springs such as Minnie Stinson and her handyman, Frank Rabon will be portrayed, in addition to a Walton County High School Braves star athlete, Royce Phillips. His story of tragedy and triumph is told, along with tales of prohibition, women’s rights, a stolen election. Gator hunting in Western Lake is thrown in for good measure.

DeFuniak Springs resident Ann Robinson will portray her aunt, Minnie Stinson, for the third time.

When Robinson speaks of her aunt Minnie, she tells of a woman who was a presence to be dealt with.

“She was a McCaskill and grew up in Freeport, then moved to DeFuniak Springs. Her father was a lumber baron. She was very bossy and we had a phrase in the family of ‘don’t Miss Minnie me’ when someone was being bossy. Her handyman, Frank, worked for her every day. She paid him $3 a day every day. He was her helper, maid, handyman, gardner, and probably her psychologist.

Grit & Grace is a community theater production with local actors, who bring stories to life onstage that have been handed down from generation to generation in Walton County. This year’s production of “A Box of Grace” will be the theater’s ninth season.

This year’s script was written by Armand Coutu, who has written three of the previous season’s. The play will be directed by Bruce Collier.

Songs for “A Box of Grace” telling of gator meat and gangster blues are original and written by the music committee — all in three days, said Hinson.

“We are proud of this production,” said Hinson.

“A Box of Grace” will be presented at 7 p.m. nightly with a matinee on the 12th at 2 p.m.