Okay, the book hasn’t made it to big screen quite yet. Certain informed persons have informed certain other persons that such a film would cost $10 million to $20 million dollars to produce. Since that’s not the kind of change I find in my lint trap, I’m not holding my breath. However, if you have fifteen million dollars and a real yearning to see a D.J. Schwenk movie, just let me know.

But who needs movies? The Browns River Middle School of Jericho, Vermont, recently wrote and staged Dairy Queen: The Play, and I, so luckily, got to watch! Below are my terrible photographs of the wonderful production. My apologies to the students for not managing to capture everyone onstage.

Emily, the brilliant eighth grader who wrote and directed the play. She’s also one heck of a baker.

“Brian” asks for a drink of water in the middle of haying.

Between scenes, three dancing cows entertained the audience. See what I mean by brilliant?

The Schwenk family at lunch.

One of the many murals created in honor of Dairy Queen.

A John Deere tractor cake, with accompanying cow cupcakes. Clarissa baked and decorated them herself.

Afterwards, the kids celebrated with a round of finger football.

The BRMS Reading Club. Lovely Joyce Babbitt (in the front row) organized the entire event. Booksellers and librarians throughout Vermont speak of her with admiration and awe.

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