Hello Everyone!
With the 2015
Wizard of Oz Festival only two months away, it’s time to get some news out!
EXCITING NEWS for THIS
YEAR'S
"WIZARD OF OZ" FESTIVAL
At The JUDY GARLAND
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM!
The Judy Garland Museum
is proud to announce that this year we will have a very special guest attending
the Festival -- HAMILTON MESERVE -- son of MGM's legendary "Wicked Witch
of the West," MARGARET HAMILTON.
 |
| Margaret Hamilton with some young fans. Taken during her visit to Grand Rapids, 1979 |
On the evening of
Saturday, June 13th (time still to be set) HAMILTON MESERVE will
entertain us with his enthralling talk, "OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM: TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW." This
June, you will have the chance to hear some first-hand stories from the Wicked
Witch of the West’s son. Ham” was a child when Margaret Hamilton filmed THE WIZARD OF OZ, but his
memories encompass those days as well as events across the many
ensuing decades he shared with his mother. This will be a great event for all who love
this classic motion picture.
***
A little about
Hamilton Meserve:
“Ham” is retired and
lives in Maine with Helen, his wife of fifty-four years. He's enjoyed a happily
diverse career, working in international banking in the 1960s and
1970s (opening countries in Asia and the Middle East for Citibank); owning
-- with Helen -- seven community newspapers in New York's Hudson Valley from
the 1980s to the 1990s; and partnering -- again with his wife -- in Running Battle
Antiques, in which they've done up to twenty-five national shows a year from
the 1990s to 2006.
Ham is currently a
County Commissioner in Lincoln County, Maine, as well as president
of Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club, and Treasurer of The Boothbay Region
Land Trust and The Friends of the Harbor Theatre. The latter organization
is committed to keeping that cinema open.
***
Don't miss Hamiton
Meserve’s fascinating presentation, "OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM," on Saturday evening, June 13th, to be followed by a
question-and-answer period with the audience. Margaret Hamilton’s performance
as the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz” has thrilled and
frightened fans of all ages for over seventy-five years. This is a rare
opportunity to meet and hear from one of the genuine members of
"The Second Generation of Oz."
***
***
YOUTH SINGING CONTEST
The Judy Garland Museum
annonunced today that there will be a Judy Garland Youth Singing Contest during
the Festival on Saturday, June 13th in the afternoon (time to be
announced). To take part, contestants
must be between the ages of six through eighteen. The First Prize will be a
scholarship.
Last week, The Reif
Center broke ground for a $9 million renovation. Because of this, the museum decided
to scale back our yearly talent contest and focus just on singing. The Youth
Singing Contest will take place in the Art Room at the Children’s Discovery Museum.
We expect to make a few changes in the next month, in order to make the room
more event-friendly. Meanwhile, you can ask for further information on the
contest at The Judy Garland Museum in the next week.
***
MORE ABOUT THE
WIZARD OF OZ FESTIVAL
In the following weeks,
we will focus on each of our special guests and events. Meanwhile, here is a
general schedule of what to expect. A new schedule with set times will
be put out out in the next two weeks.
2015
Wizard of Oz Festival
Wednesday, Jun 10th –
Judy Garland’s Birthday
- Cupcakes
and Free Admission
Thursday, June 11th –
Opening of Festival
Evening events:
– Musical Piano Concert Celebration of Judy
Garland’s Career – Josh Gallagher
– Author Joan Beck Coulson – “Always for Judy” – will speak about
meeting Judy and seeing her in concert
Friday,
June 12th – First Day of Activities
2:00 – 4:00 – Outdoor Gale Farm Fair – Lots of animals and
food!
4:00 – 5:00 – Oz Character Contest – More information soon!
5:30 – 7:30 – Outdoor Picnic – BBQ – Music! Come and have
fun before the film!
9:00 – 10:30 – JUMBO
SCREEN outdoor The Wizard of Oz
showing - Evergreen Terrace
-
“Fun
Facts about Oz” FREE TALK – great for kids - with an anti-bullying theme –
John Fricke
-
Judy
in Concert – talk and film clips – John Fricke
-
Book Signing - Joan Beck Coulson – Always for Judy
-
Book Signing – Michelle Moran – Stealing the Ruby Slippers
Saturday,
June 13th, 2015
11:00 - 2:00 Old Central School House – Emerald
City Fest – Horse & Carriage Rides, Face Painting, Hair Braiding, Tattoos,
Glinda’s Bubbles, Games etc.
- SINGING TALENT CONTEST in the art room at the Museum – Must apply in advance
-
Wizard of Oz Jeopardy
-
OZ PRESENTATION 1- “The Oz that Almost “
– with film clips – John Fricke
-
OZ PRESENTATION 2 – “Away from the Yellow
Brick Road” – film clips - John Fricke
-
“Judy
and Chuck Walters” – Author Brent Philips talks about his new book on famed award-winning choreographer and director, Chuck Walters. Film Clips included!
- Brent Phillips Book Signing
-
"OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM" - HAMILTON MESERVE, son of
Margaret Hamilton, Wicked Witch of the West
Sunday,
June14th – 9:30 am Farewell Breakfast
***
EASTER PARTY AT THE
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Two weeks ago, the
museum hosted an Easter party for Member families of the museum. The art room
was beautifully decorated for the children who arrived excited for the Easter Egg
Hunt. One hunt was available for children five and under and another for
children six and above. It didn’t take them long to find all the eggs!
In the art room, snacks
were available. There were also a number of crafts for young people to make,
including purses, Easter bonnets and napkin holders. A good time was had all!
 |
| Debbie Sias, one of the CDM Teachers waiting with the Easter Bunny to greet the kids. |
Buy you membership today
and take advantage of the fun you can have. A complete year of visits, free,
10% off all gifts and special parties.
Be sure to check
the times of the Festival events! We will be back in two weeks with more
information about this year’s wonderful new Wizard of Oz Festival!
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