Residents of Cascade are hosting a “renewal of vows” performance to honor the life and marriage of Charles and Nancy Russell this weekend.
Charles "Charlie" Russell was a renowned artist and storyteller who spent most of his life in Montana.
He and Nancy lived in Great Falls, and residents thought it was important to remember the couple and all they gave to the Treasure State.
“It’s an inspiring story, and it’s about people who didn’t really know where they were gonna go but they figured it out together,” said Mary Jane Bradbury, who will be portraying Nancy in the performance. “It’s a story of companionship and partnership and love, I think we can all use stories like that these days.”
Channing Hartelius, who will portray Charlie, bought the Russell honeymoon cottage in Great Falls in January, and decided that it would be best to use the site as a learning opportunity for people that might not be familiar with the Russell story.
“The more you know about Charlie and Nancy, the more you learn about what wonderful people they were,” said Hartelius. “The more you know them, the more you get to learn about Montana history, which I love dearly.”
Wedding cake made from the same recipe as the original cake will be served, and there will be food, dancing, and a special screening of the PBS documentary "Charlie Russell’s Old West," which portrays the life of one of America’s favorite Western artists.
Admission to the event is free, and it will be from noon until 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Wedsworth Hall in Cascade.
