Rendezvous to include new 'Grand Ball' event

HAYES CENTER -- The Hayes Center Lions Club will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the "Grand Duke Alexis Rendezvous" with a "grand ball" Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m., in the Legion Hall in Hayes Center.

The annual rendezvous commemorates a trip across America by the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, the third son of Russian Czar Alexander II, in 1871-1872, and his hunt for buffalo in Hayes County, Nebraska, with William F. Cody, General George Armstrong Custer and Sioux Chief Spotted Tail.

The trip was at the same time punishment and a mending of a broken heart, as the Czar had had Alexis' clandestine marriage to his mother's lady-in-waiting -- a commoner -- annulled. The monk who married the couple was exiled to Siberia and Alexis was sent to America to -- according to historians -- drink, dance and smoke, and meet young American women.

Rendezvous co-coordinator Doris Vlasin of rural Hayes Center said "The Duke" will be accompanied to the grand ball by "Lolita Thompson," a New York performer and femme fatale of the 1870s. The Duke, portrayed by Lithuanian-born and Russian-speaking Jahnis Abelite of Seattle, Wash., and his lady friend, portrayed by Abelite's wife, Nora Abelite, will lead the grand march.

Other historical recreators will be Kirk Shapland of Dighton, Kan., as Buffalo Bill Cody; Steve Alexander of Monroe, Mich., as U.S. Army Gen. George Armstrong Custer; and Wayne Mintling of Culbertson as U.S. Army General Phil Sheridan.

Highlights of the three-day event will include living historian presentations, black powder shoots and hawk and knife throwing, tribal dancing, a ladies' tea and children's games and craft demonstrations.

The schedule is:

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 -- Student Day for area elementary students.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26

9 a.m. -- Black powder shoots, hawk throwing, knife throwing and trail ride.

11 a.m. -- Living historian presentations.

Noon-2 p.m. -- Lunch break (concessions are available on site Saturday and Sunday).

1 p.m. -- Trail ride, living historians photo session.

2 p.m. -- Ladies' tea and children's games.

4 p.m. -- Living historian presentations.

5:30 p.m. -- Tribal dancing.

7-9 p.m. -- Evening entertainment.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27

8 a.m. Black power shoots, breakfast.

9 a.m. -- Trail ride.

11 a.m. -- Worship service.

Noon -- Lunch break.

12:30 p.m. -- Living historian presentations.

1:30 p.m. -- Gospel music.

3 p.m. -- Raffle drawing.