Judy Garland Letter From Home - Judy Around Town!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Since our last newsletter, the lovely and unusual Indian summer that we have so been enjoying suddenly turned into full-blown winter. Yes! We received nearly 21 inches of snow in a few days!

Our last newsletter focused on the annual Wizard of Oz Festival here in Grand Rapids, Minnesota Meanwhile, as soon as the letter went out, we realized we were remiss in telling you about one event – one of the most popular events this year: The Judy Around Town Tour!  So, here goes.

Judy Around Town

Conceived and directed by Paul Herrick and Joe Malinovsky, Judy Around Town was one of the most popular presentations during the 2016 Festival. A bus from our local bus company, Arrowhead, was hired for the event and quickly sold out. In fact, standing room was filled!

Paul Herrick, who has been flying to Minnesota from his home state, Washington since 2001, and Joseph Malinovsky, a native of St. Paul who has been attending the Festival just about as long, joined together to create this tour. The pair also conduct our annual Judy Jeopardy and Wizard of Oz Jeopardy games. These two have been collecting information for this tour for many years.

Joe Malinovsky speaking to director of "The Slippers,"
Morgan White

Fans were able to visit the outside of Frank Gumm’s New Grand Theater, where Judy made her debut at the age of 2 ½ in 1924, and visit the inside of the Pokegama Hotel. The Pokegama, now an apartment building, has been here since 1891. It once had a grand dining room (now a flower shop) where Judy was celebrated at a luncheon on her return visit in 1938.

Other stops made were the former Itasca Hospital (now an apartment building) where Judy was born in 1922, the Episcopal Church where visitors were able to see the hand-signed document for her christening in 1922, and the original site the home where Judy lived. The bus toured around Silver Lake where the Gumm family used to swim and picnic, stopping along the way to visit the Gilbert House. The Gilberts were friends with the Gumms. Kathryn Gilbert helped Mrs. Gumm at events, decorating the house or fixing food. Her brothers Bob and Wayne appeared on stage with Frank Gumm, singing and strumming their ukuleles.

Presently, more research is being done on the Gumm family in Grand Rapids and the people they knew. We are hoping to figure out which homes their friends lived in and re-create a real sense of what the old neighborhood was like. Perhaps the next time Paul and Joe decide to do a tour, there will be even more interesting things to show you!

The Judy Garland Museum and Amazon Smile!

Long-time supporter of the Judy Garland Museum, Angela Fischetti, nominated our Museum for the non-profit charity Amazon Smile program and we are now listed!

Now when you do your Christmas shopping on Amazon, please think of us! For every dollar you spend, Amazon will donate a portion back to the Judy Garland Museum. Isn't that fabulous?

Here is a link.  Thank you Angela and all participants!

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/41-1790485

Ethel Gumm Lost Her Lavalier - Reward Offered

Recently a member of the Itasca Historical Society mentioned to us that he found an article in the 1916 Grand Rapids Herald Review that Ethel had lost a beautiful gold and silver lavalier on a certain corner or neighborhood of Grand Rapids and was offering a reward for its return. We wonder if she ever got it back. Apparently the ad remained in the paper for more than a month. Very possibly, this lavalier was a wedding present – possibly even from Frank. If we find out more, we will let you know.

The New Grand – Photograph Wanted

Although John Kelsch, director of the Judy Garland Museum has looked for many years, as of this date no photograph of the New Grand Theatre in Grand Rapids, Minnesota has been found.

Recent investigation has discovered that after the Gumm family left Grand Rapids for California, the theatre pretty much continued as it had for a number of years with films and amateur nights. In 1929, the theatre was renovated due to the changes from silent pictures to sound.

In 1931, the new theatre next door to the New Grand – the Rialto – was built. Although it is difficult to see now, at the time this theatre was quite stunning with a huge lighted sign and fancy front. Because the street outside was not as wide then, the front of the theatre extended out further than we see today.

The week before the new Rialto opened –Armistice Day 1931, the New Grand announced that it would be showing its final pictures. And so, eighty-five years ago this month, the New Grand saw its last picture show. Since then, it has been used for various businesses.

It is further interesting to note that  had the Gumm Family stayed in Grand Rapids, it is clear that they would have had to find another means of employment – whether with another theatre, another line of business, or  by moving to another town.

The Ruby Slippers to Be Restored

Last month, the Smithsonian Museum announced the intention to restore their pair of Ruby Slippers from the beloved film, The Wizard of Oz.  In an article they stated that the sequins on the shows are presently more of an amber color, than red and other details need care to prevent these beloved icons from receiving further problems.

Opening their quest of $300,000 on Kickstarter, the goal was met in less than a week. In fact, by the end of the month, the Smithsonian raised more than $350,000 to restore and maintain the slippers. In addition, they are now collecting funds to preserve the Scarecrow’s costume as well.

Children’s Discovery Museum Hosts Christmas Party

Each year the Children’s Discovery Museum – which is a part of the Judy Garland Museum – hosts a Christmas party. The organization subsidize this event every year, allowing it to be free for everyone.

This year our annual holiday party known as the “Ho Ho Hoedown” will take place on December 8, from 2-4.  There will be carriage rides, live music, crafts and games and, of course, Santa Claus.  If you are in town, don’t miss it!

We want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season.

Remember to keep in touch. We are working on our annual Wizard of Oz Festival with some very special ideas for the Judy Garland portion of this event in 2017!