November 2015 - Letter From Home - Catching Up!

Hello to Everyone, 

Happy November! As we look forward to the holiday season, surprisingly there has been no snow as of yet in Northern Minnesota. Yesterday it was 64 degrees, but that could change any time!  Meanwhile, we know we have been remiss in reporting on the 2015 Festival. There's also some new news and updates to give you, so here goes.

2015 Festival a Great Success!

The 2015 Wizard of Oz Festival was a great success. From June 10^th thru June 13^th, the Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery Center were a hub of activity with lots of visitors, talks and events for children.

Hamilton Meserve, Son of the Wicked Witch Arrives

On Saturday evening, June 13^th, our keynote speaker, Hamilton Meserve, son of The Wizard of Oz’s beloved Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton, gave his talk, “OZ, THE WITCH and MOM” at the Judy Garland Museum. Meserve and his lovely wife, Helen, were attending the Festival for the first time.

During the talk, a rapt audience listened to Meserve’s recollection of seeing his mother completely covered in bandages – except for her left eye – after being burned during her filming of The Wizard of Oz. However, his mother chose to make her appearance into a game for the three year-old, and his nanny told him that mommy was ‘wearing a costume’ so as not frighten him.

The audience also learned what a wonderful, generous woman Margaret Hamilton was. Early in their marriage, Hamilton and Helen lived with Margaret in her small New York City apartment. Hamilton revealed that his mother often allowed out-of-work homeless actors to sleep in her apartment at night.  Helen recalled that they often had to step over the bodies sleeping on the floor of Ms. Hamilton’s small apartment.

Everyone attending this event thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Margaret Hamilton and having the opportunity to meet two warm and lovely people, Hamilton and Helen Meserve. 

A Grand Opening

There were many other wonderful events during this year’s festival. It all began on the evening of Wednesday, June 10^th with two remarkable programs. The opening act, a brilliant musical program-- “A Jazz Tribute to Judy Garland”-- was performed by Au Claire, Wisconsin pianist, Josh Gallagher. His program included many Garland favorites, including a rousing “I Got Rhythm” and the beautiful “Friendly Star” from Summer Stock.  Gallagher’s performance wowed the audience.

Joan Beck Coulsen in the Judy Garland
Museum Gift Stop

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Following the jazz tribute, author Joan Beck Coulson, a native of England, spoke of her many meetings with Judy Garland and her experiences watching Judy both onstage and in the recording studio. The audience was thrilled to be able to hear these first-hand recollections. 

Last year saw the release of Joan’s new book, “Always for Judy,” and during the Festival she took time to talk to people and autograph copies of her book, which has sold quickly.

John Fricke Returns – Four Great Talks

Author and Oz historian John Fricke’s talks have become popular events at the Festival, and this year was no exception. On Friday, Fricke gave a short presentation geared for children, “Fun Facts About Oz.”  The talk was not only great for kids, but also was attended by many adults. John Fricke skillfully and beautifully wove an anti-bullying theme into the presentation, by speaking of how different Dorothy and her friends all were, but at the same time they helped and supported one another.

Later that day, attendees were treated to “Judy in Concert,” a program which included rare film footage of Judy Garland onstage along with some rare audio as well. In this presentation, audience members were able to see a much younger Judy than the Judy seen in most television shows. Some of the footage included the 1951 Palace engagement, where Judy appeared to be quite young, close to the way she looked in many of her MGM pictures. This event was a truly unique experience.

On Saturday, John Fricke outdid himself with two events: “ The Oz that Almost WOZ” and “Away From the Yellow Brick Road.” These presentations included film clips of stars who were considered for roles in “The Wizard of Oz” but did not make it, and clips of the stars from the film, showing  what they did later in their careers. The events were truly fascinating. All we can say is, you had to be there!

Author, Brent Phillips on “Chuck Walters”

This year’s festival was full of events and special guests, and author Brent Phillips was certainly a special guest. Brent has written the first biography ever of great director/choreographer/ dancer, Chuck Walters.  Those who have read his book know there’s a great deal more to this artist than even most fans of MGM musicals realize.  In addition, Phillips’ carefully researched biography reveals important facts about Judy Garland’s time at MGM, giving details on how she was treated that previously have not been written about.

For his presentation, Phillips was joined by John Fricke, as moderator. Together, the pair created a wonderful presentation of film clips and commentary, the likes of which you might expect to see on Turner Classic Movies. People came from all over to attend this event, even persons who did not attend the Festival. It was a wonderful presentation.

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This year, we tried to balance events honoring Judy Garland – for whom the festival was originally named, and the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz, which has been the Festival’s new moniker for the last two years. It was felt by many that this year’s balance between the two was a good one.  Our Wizard of Oz events were mainly geared for children and families, but enjoyable for everyone.

Judy Garland Museum Youth Singing Contest

l. to R. back row, Kaitlin Skaja, Olivia Skaja, Cassanda Bender
Liz Burns, Nadine Clark

This year, due to the closing of the Reif Center for expansion, the museum hosted a smaller youth talent contest for singers only. Four very talented young girls between the ages of 13 and 18 registered. 

Sisters Kaitlin and Olivia Skaja, who performed “What Is this Feeling?” from the Broadway musical “Wicked” took first place. The second place winner was 14 year-old Cassandra Bender of Northome for her unique rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” Liz Burns, 13, took third place for her charming rendition of “How About You?”

Wizard of Oz – Fun Events for Children Abound

On Friday, the Dorothy’s Farm and Zoo Animals event was able to bring together quite a number of animals including: pigs, a calf, lambs, a tortoise, spider and others. For this event, the Judy Garland Memorial Garden was decorated with a yellow brick road, Wizard of Oz cut-outs, a giant Tin Man and other items which really turned the garden into an enchanted place to visit for children.

That evening there was a BBQ and showing of “The Wizard of Oz” under the stars on a jumbo screen. Thankfully, this year we were blessed with good weather both Friday and Saturday. 

The Emerald City event took place downtown by the Central School House on Saturday. There were carriage rides with the “horse of a different color,” which the children love, games, face-painting, Oz characters to meet and pose with and more.  As they say, ‘a fun time was had by all!’ 

It should be noted that a great deal is owed to Board Member Melanie Jacobson for helping to conceive and organize these children's events. We could not have done it without her!

The Ruby Slipper Dive

The Ruby Slippers and their recovery has been a big subject this year. 2015 marked ten years since the slippers were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum. Due to a detective investigation and rumors flying around in the last few years, it was decided that some of the tips contained enough verifiable information, they should be followed up.

On Thursday, June 11th and Friday, June 12th, the Itasca County Sheriff's Dive Team conducted a number of dives in the Tioga Mine Pit just outside of Grand Rapids to see if there was any truth to the rumor that the slippers had been dropped in an air-tight container into the mine pit.

Despite some skepticism, the Dive Team conducted a series of dives in the site. A number of items were found at the bottom of the lake, including an old satchel and a large metal container, but unfortunately,  the Ruby Slippers were not found.

Friends and fans at the Tioga Mine Pit

Following the Festival, a long-distance Wizard of Oz fan, having heard about the efforts to recover the Ruby Slippers, offered a $1,000,000 reward for information leading to their return. There were several stipulations attached to this offer, yet despite world-wide attention over the announcement, no credible leads were received. The offer of a reward expired on the tenth anniversary of the theft in August. At this point, we are back to square one and hope of ever recovering the slippers is fading.

2016 Festival Dates

Although nothing has been set as yet for the 2016 Wizard of Oz Festival, the dates are:

       Thursday, June 9th thru Saturday, June 11th.

We hope to have an announcement out early next year. Some ideas are in the offing, and if you have any suggestions, please e-mail us via the link at: 

 http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com

Christmas Party

The annual Christmas Party, which is FREE for everyone in the community, will be on:
 Saturday, December 12th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Place: Judy Garland Children's Museum

Last year, the children had loads of fun making ornaments, listening to live music, meeting Santa and taking outdoor hay rides, so don’t miss it!

Members Are Important

As 2015 draws to a close we’d like to thank our members for their support. Without you, the Museum would not be what it is today. Your contributions sustain us and give voice to the idea that Judy Garland’s legacy matters!

For those of you who do not have a membership with the Judy Garland Museum or have let your membership lapse (or if you know someone who would like to be a member) , please pass this blog on. You don’t have to live in Grand Rapids to gain value for your membership. If you attend the Festival, you can receive a discount on Festival  tickets. You can also receive a discount on all Judy Garland Gift Shop purchases. Outright contributions are fully tax deductible.

Remember, we really need our Members! YOU are the sustainers of the museum and your membership says that Judy Garland is still important.  If you don’t have a membership at this time, please consider one!

Judy Garland Museum http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com

Happy Holidays until next year!

The Judy Garland Museum