VIENNA -- For the 26th consecutive year, the Vienna Historical Society will present humorous plays in which time is turned back to bygone days when life was simpler and neighbors knew each other's business.

The performances will take place in Vienna Union Hall at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. July 26.

The children's play "Professor Perkins' Singing Lessons" takes place in the 1930s at a Vienna farmhouse, and stars Levi Smith as a professor who claims that "singing helps drive away ailments." He also tells his pupils, "It's good for anyone to learn something new every day."

"Professor Perkins' Singing Lessons" was written by Beverly Wight Smith and is directed by Laura Church, who wrote some of the music and lyrics. Others in the cast are Lindsey Smith; Ashley, Ben and Allie Emery; Greta Stuart and Brook Burnham.

"Romance in Vienny," also written by Beverly Wight Smith, is set in the 1920s in Vienna at Jasper and Partheny Boody's farmhouse, where a zany assortment of characters come and go.

Judy Dunn is the director and also plays the role of Beulah Belle Bean, who has invited two conceited friends, Annabella and Louella Bachelder, and their distinguished nephew, Bentley Bachelder, for an afternoon's visit, hoping Bachelder will become interested in her niece, Bonita.

The final play of the program takes us down Memory Lane to the days of the Mount Vernon Telephone switchboard.

"The Buzz," written and directed by Beverly Shaw, involves a pending disaster at the phone office and a commotion at a local farm which keeps townfolk on tenterhooks. Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for those younger than 12.