What better way to be charitable than a four-course meal and a live game of Clue with an Effingham twist? The Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Program held a murder-mystery dinner theater at South Effingham High School Friday and Saturday evenings for their annual fundraiser.

“Murder on Jabez Jones,” written by local pastor Ted C. Kandler, was set in a mansion where characters at a party were interrogated over the murder of their host. Played by members of the Bloomingdale Alliance Church’s Lost and Found Drama Team and the SEHS Drama Club seniors, the characters includes some familiar family names such as Mr. Morris Shearouse Smith (pronounced Smythe), Mr. Dwight Gnann Tebeau and Mr. Hodges Salzburger Langford.

Guests were served by cast members and allowed to question them in order to solve the mystery and win door prizes from Teach Right! and S&P Auto. Julie Montgomery prepared the meal that included Tuscan potato soup, chicken breast with béchamel sauce and brownie pie a la mode. Erin Woodcock, an ECVWAP supporter and the SEHS social worker, helped coordinate the event and served as stage manager. All proceeds went to ECVWAP, which provides support and advocacy to victims and witnesses to traumatic crimes.