March 18, 2024
The Liberty Lake Splash
PO Box 363
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Phone: 509-242-7752
News Blog Business Community Opinion Sports
Splash photo by Sarah Robertson

Charlotte DiCiccio and Jackie Babin, sisters who live in Liberty Lake, have both found fulfilling volunteer roles at Liberty Lake Community Theatre.

Search the News Archive Search the News Archive

In the May Fountain: Sisters who serve together
4/29/2015 9:41:17 AM

By Sarah Robertson
Splash Contributor

Jackie Babin and Charlotte DiCiccio might be the sweetest pair of sisters you will ever meet. It's not hard to imagine them as Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen singing the "Sisters" lyrics from the 1950s movie "White Christmas:" "There were never such devoted sisters."

Both ladies happen to love theater and enjoy spending many hours volunteering with the Liberty Lake Community Theatre (LLCT). 

It all started when DiCiccio's husband, Dan, auditioned for a part in a musical in 2010. After being cast, word quickly spread that DiCiccio was quite the seamstress. 

"I ended up making the costumes," she said.

Since then, DiCiccio has taken over the volunteer management for all productions and become a member of the Liberty Lake Community Theatre board. That's how Babin became involved. 

"We lacked volunteers, so I recruited my sister," DiCiccio said.

Babin helps with concessions, ticket sales, costumes and set building. She also helped rebuild the stage and construct a concession and ticket counter. 

"She is a really good carpenter. She blew away the men," DiCiccio said.

The sisters take pride in coming from a long line of handy men and can-do women. Babin said their dad was a professional Boy Scout serving as a Boy Scout Executive. She also recalled not only the fun of archery, boating and shooting at camp but first love and first kisses too.

"We were the first female Boy Scouts," Babin said with a smile. "We learned how to do everything staying at Boy Scout camp during the summers. It made us very self-sufficient and independent."

DiCiccio has been a Liberty Lake resident since the opening of the Safeway in town 15 years ago, from which she recently retired as the employment manager in human resources. Her husband, who helped open the store, is still the manager there.

Babin has been retired from teaching for a bit longer. After leaving her long-time teaching job at Freeman, Babin moved to Loon Lake. Just two years ago, she decided to relocate to Liberty Lake. 

"I wanted to move back to civilization and the golf courses," she said, "but the best thing about living here is being close to Charlotte!"

"It feels like a small town from 50 years ago," she added. "I've never been in a community like this. I'm overwhelmed with that feeling. The golf and concerts are really cool too!"

While Babin and DiCiccio love the golf and outdoor adventures they find in Liberty Lake, the theatre has become a true passion for both.  

Much to DiCiccio's surprise, Babin revealed that she had been in the Shadle Park High School productions of "Cinderalla" and "Alice in Wonderland." 

"I was so shy and had to sing," Babin said. "I was so panicked."

Her career continued after high school when she took a job as a singing bar maid at the Gazebo - now the Swinging Doors - where she had to dance and sing funny songs. DiCiccio was astonished by this revelation and couldn't stop laughing at the thought of her sister as a singing bar maid. 

"Ever since then, I have had no desire to be on stage, "Babin said determinedly. 

Now it's DiCiccio's turn to take to the stage. She recently had a "breakthrough role" in "This Old Haunted House." It is both sisters' favorite play produced by the Liberty Lake Community Theatre to date. 

"She (DiCiccio) came out and was supposed to have a gun and threaten someone, and she forgot her gun, and used her finger," Babin recalled. "She was wearing a black glove, and I didn't know she was supposed to have a gun. I thought it was really funny!"

DiCiccio remembers being slightly more mortified at the mishap but can laugh at it now. As it turns out, the gun was in her pocket. DiCiccio went on to take parts in other plays, and this fall, she will make her directorial debut with "Rumpelstiltskin." 

Each sister has found different ways to serve with the Liberty Lake Community Theatre - ways that speak to their unique talents and aspirations.

Babin enjoys meeting people in the theater and helping to organize. Her favorite part so far has been helping to build the ticket and concession counters. 

DiCiccio loves to sew and make costumes, but she also treasures the fabulous friends she has made through the theater. 

DiCiccio and Babin encourage anyone interested in theater to volunteer. Their greatest current need is for actors.  

"I want to help people understand that we are a local, community theatre, and you don't have to have experience to try out," DiCiccio said. "We're a learning theatre. We welcome veterans and newcomers."

And you can always support by attending a show at the theater, 22910 E. Appleway Ave., Suite 2. For more information, visit www.libertylaketheatre.com.

• • • 

Fountain Profiles: Jackie Babin and Charlotte DiCiccio

Activities they love
Theater, golf and concerts at the park

Favorite Places to go in Liberty Lake
Liberty Lake Athletic Club (Babin) and the bike paths (DiCiccio)

Local restaurants they'd recommend
True Legends (Babin) and Palenque (DiCiccio)

What they love about Liberty Lake
"We love the community feel, the friendliness and the safety.  They also have the best grocery store around, and we love our neighbors!"

Advertisement

Copyright © 2024 The Liberty Lake Splash | Print Page