Letter from Home - 2016 Wizard of Oz Schedule!

We know you have all been waiting for news of the 2016 Wizard of Oz Festival, so without much ado, here it is. The dates are:  
Thursday, June 9^th – Saturday, June 11^th.

Please note: We will put out a new schedule by May which may reflect changes, additions and/or more defined information about this even. Please stay turned. 

Thursday Eve, June 9th

                  4:00 - 5:00 - High Tea and Style Show in the Judy Garland House

                  Will include a tour of the house, fashion show with replicas of Judy's costumes   
                  and coffee/tea with pastries. Details to be announced later. 

                  7:00 pm - Josh Gallagher – Piano Jazz Concert

                  Josh Gallagher, who wowed the crowd with his amazing 
                  performance last year has been asked back. This year, for
                  the 80^th Anniversary of Judy Garland’s film debut, Josh will
                  give us a sparkling jazz tribute to Judy’s film work.

                   8:00 pm - Film - “Pigskin Parade”

In keeping with the celebration of Judy’s film career, we will be showing her first feature-length film. Made in 1936 at 20^th Century Fox when Judy was fourteen, the film also stars Jack Haley, Betty Grable and Patsy Kelly. It’s a combination college musical and football film. Judy, barely in her teens, demonstrates her already remarkable her talent. (93 minutes) 

Introduction by John Fricke & Michelle Russell

Friday, June 10^th - Judy’s Birthday!

Free Admission all day and treats (can't say what they'll be)

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon – “They Remember Judy”

John Fricke shows a rare video montage with commentary. These are video excerpts and anecdotes from interviews he conducted in the 1980s and 1990s; the participants Wilma Casper (who lived with the Gumms in 1925), June Allyson, Alan King, Hugh Martin,
Norman Jewson, and many others.

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – The “Judy Around Town” Tour 
Paul Herrick, who has spent years studying Garland/Gumm sites in Grand Rapids will conduct a tour by car and on foot, showing the sites important to Judy and her family’s life while they lived here in Grand Rapids.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  – “Judy Remembers Dorothy”
John Fricke will lecture on Judy’s memories of “The Wizard of Oz,” what it meant to her and the manner in which Dorothy Gale accompanied her throughout her life. This will be a straight lecture with no video.

          8:00 p.m. – Pizza and Snack Food Truck

          (More information on this later)

           9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. - “The Wizard of Oz”

Showing of the classic 1939 film, "The Wizard of Oz" starring 
           Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr,  Margaret Hamilton 
           and Billie Burke on a JUMBO Screen outdoors.

****

Saturday, June 11^th

     10:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon – Judy/Wizard of Oz Jeopardy

     Come play the game. Lots of fun and PRIZES!  FREE

      11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Emerald City Fest

      A fun event for kids of all ages at the Central School 
      in the heart of Grand Rapids.  "Horse of a Different    
      Color" carriage rights, Face Painting, Hair Chalk/Braiding,
      Tatoos, Manicures, Instrument Petting Zoo, Dress-Up for
      Photos, Wizard of Oz characters, games and more. 

      
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Oz Trivia and Oz Anti-Bullying Talk

John Fricke gives a short, fun Oz talk for kids of all ages!

               

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. – Dorothy’s Farm Animals

Judy Garland Memorial Garden – Come and see animals of all kinds: Alpacas, lambs, a calf, rabbits, goats, chickens, ducks, dog, and cat with kittens.

                 

 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. - The Best of Judy, 1965-1968

John Fricke presents and comments on clips of the best of Judy's television work across the last years of her life: dazzling solos, plus duets with Vic Damone, Sammy Davis, Jr., Perry Como and others. Includes a special showing of one of the museum's prime treasures: Judy’s famed microphone from the CBS television series and "The Ed Sullivan Show" (1965).

  

                 

                  6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  -  "THE SLIPPERS" - SPECIAL EVENT!!!

Grand Rapids' premiere showing of “The Slippers,” a Tricon Film and Television documentary about the history of the famed Ruby Slippers. Includes historic film footage, celebrity interviews, and sequences filmed in Grand Rapids. This will be a very exciting event! Director/producer Morgan White will be present to discuss the film.

5:00 p.m. social hour with live music, followed by dinner and film.

*We are trying to see if, in addition to this showing, "The Slippers" can also be shown outdoors on the Jumbo Screen. We will let you know if this can be arranged.

For more information on “The Slippers,” please watch the trailer:  https://vimeo.com/157766079

We have a few changes and refinements coming up which we will post in a new newsletter, so stay turned.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL EVENTS and INFORMATION here MAYBE CHANGED WITH OUT NOTICE.

Take the "Oz" Train

We thought you’d all like to know the latest news about Oz! Warner Bros. is trying out a new "Wizard of Oz" train -- in the fashion of their holiday-time "Polar Express" train. The Oz train began its first trips this month, and they'll continue (across long weekends) through mid-April. The train leaves from French Lick, Indianna. If you are in that area, you might like to try it!

For more information on Warner Bros. "Wizard of Oz" train, please visit:

http://www.frenchlickscenicrailway.org/Wizard-of-Oz-Train-Ride

Judy Garland - Star of the Month on Turner Classic Movies!
April means Judy Garland is Turner Classic Movies Star of the Month! For those of you who get TCM, be sure to check out the line-up of great movies.

Each Friday from 8:00 p.m. (depending on what coast you are on) until early in the morning, Judy Garland movies will be shown. As an example, on April 1st the following films will be shown:

Pigskin Parade
Listen, Darling
Love Finds Andy Hardy
Babes in Arms
Everybody Sing
Thoroughbreds Don't Cry
Broadway Melody of 1938.

In the old days, the old way for people to see these films was to wait for the networks to play them. Although now, many fans own these films, this is still a great event. A lot of people who have never seen them will be enjoying Judy, co-stars, some wonderful stories and great music.

Happy April!

Please visit our Facebook page and "Like"!

https://www.facebook.com/judygarlandmuseum/?ref=bookmarks

Letter from Home - A Trip to Hollywood - February 2016

Dear Friends:

A few days ago, the air in Grand Rapids was filled with the sounds of melting snow dripping off roof tops, forming streams and lakes in our years and roads.  Now, except for a few big piles of the white stuff, it seems early spring has arrived.

It remains to be seen whether spring is here to stay, meanwhile in this newsletter we'd like to take you out of the snow for a trip our director John Kelsch and Michelle Russell took to Southern California. This February, the pair set off for Los Angeles and Hollywood where they forged new connections for the Judy Garland Museum and explored some Judy Garland history and treasures.

A VISIT TO WARNER BROTHERS

John Kelsch seated across the street from Warner Bros where
some of the greatest films of all time were made.

One visit was to Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, where, in 1954, Judy filmed one of her greatest cinematic works, “A Star Is Born.” Warner Bros. now holds the rights to “The Wizard of Oz” and all of Judy’s films. During this visit, John Kelsch was able to meet with representatives of the studio. We hope this meeting may result in more news in the future.

Like Universal Studios, Warner Bros. now has tours of its great studio which visitors to Los Angeles may want to check out! 

TWO GUMM HOMES and A HOTEL

In the books “Young Judy” and “Rainbow,” there is information about house which the Gumm family lived in 1933, after they left Lancaster. The home on Ivanhoe in the Silver Lake District was chosen by Frank Gumm himself. He didn’t feel the little house Ethel had rented was appropriate, so he scouted around until he found this house, which resembles a small medieval castle.

Michelle Russell, who authored the book, “From Tennessee to Oz” on Judy Garland’s family history and early life, was particularly interested in seeing this home. Judy’s sister, Jimmy called it “a wild house...” At the time the family lived there, you crossed a bridge to enter the first floor where there was a living room and a grand outdoor terrace. The second floor contained a kitchen, dining room and two bedrooms. The third floor had more bedrooms and a playroom. In additon, there was a floor below the living room that had a sauna and an exercise room. Finding this house was a great adventure.

Using “Siri” on an i-phone, Kelsch and Russell were guided from the Hollywood area, through a residential neighborhood to a narrow, winding hilltop area of old homes that looked like a cross between San Francisco and Italy. In many cases there was only room for one car to pass with “S” shaped winding curves as steep as one can imagine! Down the side of this hill, they ascended up another hill which finally led them to the Ivanhoe address. There was no mistaking the location with its castle turrets. A section has been added on to the house since the time Mr. and Mrs. Gumm lived there with their three daughters. The positioning of house is spectacular, with a view in three directions that includes all of Hollywood and part of the Los Angeles. Although the Gumms only lived in this home for a short time, it must have been an experience they never forgot.

The second home Kelsch and Russell visited was the home where Judy, her mother and sister, Jimmy, lived after her father, Frank Gumm, died. This home is on McCadden Place in the Wilshire District, an older, upper scale area with many lovely homes.

Judy lived in this house from the beginning of her MGM contract in 1935 – during the making of all her early films, up to and including the making of “The Wizard of Oz.” During the making of “Everybody Sing,” Judy and her mother began planning the design of her Stone Canyon home, They did not move into the Stone Canyon home until 1939, after Judy had completed work on “The Wizard of Oz.”

Ma Lawlor''s Professional School
once stood on the corner of
Hollywood Boulevard & 

On their final day in Los Angeles, Michelle Russell headed back to the Hollywood area via the new subway system which avoids all of Los Angeles’ crazy traffic. There were two stops she had in mind. The first was the site of Ma Lawlor’s School for Professional Children where Judy attended School with Mickey Rooney in the early 1930s. This building is gone and probably has been for a while. Meanwhile, there is so much construction of new, tall buildings in Hollywood, the old buildings are disappearing rapidly. 

Another important site in Judy Garland’s personal history is the St. Moritz Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. This old hotel is the place the Gumm family stayed on their first visit to Los Angeles in 1926. Amazingly, this site still exists and it is still called the St. Moritz, but known as Apartments rather than a hotel. The address is: 5849 Sunset Boulevard. It’s quite amazing to imagine Frank and Ethel Gumm with their three girls, Mary Jane, 11, Jimmy, 9, and Frances, 4, residing  in this hotel so many years ago. Standing there for a few seconds you are able to travel back in time.

HOLLYWOOD TREASURES

Another place of note is the Hollywood Museum just off Sunset and Highland. This museum is situated in the old Max Factor Building. Max Factor created makeup which all the movie stars used in the old days. Factor's building was considered the height of elegance at the time. Today you can go in and see the make-up rooms where stars and others came to have make-up designed specifically for them. There are rooms for blondes, redheads and brunettes.

The Hollywood Museum contains hundreds of rare photos. It also has many costumes on loan from both classic and recent films. At this time, there are costumes on display from the films nominated for the recent Academy Awards.

Of special interest to Russell and Kelsch were some costumes said have been worn by Baby Gumm. The costumes were not marked and after further investigation we were informed by expert Woolsey Ackerman that these were worn by the little actress playing Baby Gumm in the made for TV film about Judy Garland, “Me and My Shadows.”

There were a few of Judy’s actual costumes on display, including the “Peanuts” dress from “A Star Is Born.” (The Judy Garland has on loan the hat from this costume on display here in Grand Rapids) and the wig Judy wore in “Babes on Broadway” for the “Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones.”


Coming out of the Hollywood Museum, across the street, there is a huge mural on the Hollywood High which portrays many of the stars who attended that school. The mural, which is quite stunning, shows Judy shown as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.”  

THE NEW ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES

On visiting the site where the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will stand, it was evident that construction is underway. The Museum will be located on the elegant Wilshire Boulevard in an area known as the ‘museum miracle mile.’ The designers plan to preserve the Wilshire May Company building façade – a beautiful store which opened in 1939 – an important year in film history.

The iconic entrance of the former May Company store with its many storied gold tower will create a classic entrance for the new museum. Interestingly enough, in the brochure about the new museum, there is a 1940 picture of young Judy Garland standing on the corner Wilshire and Fairfax, in front of this building! How appropriate.

John Kelsch had a very productive meeting with representatives of the museum. In the future, we hope to have some exciting news to report.

BACK TO GRAND RAPIDS and THE WIZARD OF OZ FESTIVAL 2016

John Kelsch is now back in Grand Rapids and plans are being put together for the 2016 Wizard of Oz Festival. Since this year marks 80 years since Judy Garland made her film debut, along with our celebration of The Wizard of Oz and events for children, we are working on some programs to celebrate Judy’s career and legacy. We promise to be back in touch with another newsletter within the next couple weeks.

JUST A NOTE:  Judy Garland is Turner Classic Movies APRIL STAR OF THE MONTH. Let's celebrate!   http://www.tcm.com/schedule/

Happy spring to everyone!

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2016 - Happy New Year from the Judy Garland Museum

Happy New Year Everyone! 

 We thought we’d take a few moments to send good wishes for the New Year your way and catch up on a bit of news.

- Christmas Party

- Wizard of Oz Festival

- Members Officer

- Did you know?

- This Date in History

- A New Years Message from Judy

Christmas Party Breaks Record

Every year the Judy Garland Children’s Museum has a free party for the children and families in the Grand Rapids area. The party, known as the “Ho Ho Hoedown,” boasts crafts, games, cookie decorating, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music and a visit from Santa Claus. In addition, this year, Denise Rodgers, a representative from Project Read ISD-318 partnered with the event to distribute more than 200 free children’s books

.

For many years, Children First has sponsored the Ho Ho Hoedown. This year we broke a record with 297 attendees. That’s a third more than any previous years. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

The 2016 Wizard of Oz Festival

This year, the “Wizard of Oz Festival” -- previously known as the Judy Garland Festival-- will take place from Thursday, June 9^th through Saturday, June 11^th. 

As 2016 begins, and we look forward to June, we’d like to ask what ideas you might have for this year’s festival. What would you like to see? What events do you think would attract visitors?

This year marks 102 years ago that Frank and Ethel Gumm first moved to Grand Rapids. October of 2016 will be the 90^th anniversary of the date on which the Gumm family bid Grand Rapids farewell as they headed off to “sunny California.”

Just write your ideas down and email them to us via: jgarland@uslink.net

We have some ideas in the works as well, but you never know, your idea might be the one chosen!

Members are Important – A Special Officer

Our members are very special people. They help keep us going. They share their ideas and emotional support, as well as monetary support.

As a great museum in a rural area, we have few visitors between October 1st and May 1^st, so we really depend on our outside contributors. Thank you to all of you who joined this year, gave a donation, or renewed your membership. You are tremendous; you make a difference!

For those who have been waiting for whatever reason, here’s a little nudge. Anyone who purchases a membership or renews their membership from now through January 31^st, 2016, we’d like to offer you a unique picture of Judy.

If, by chance, you have already joined or renewed your membership or given a donation after November 20^th, and would like a picture, please contact us with the date of your purchase/donation and we will be happy to send you a picture as well.

Thanks very much. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Did you know?

During the process of entering the museum donations and holdings into our new computer program, the Museum Archive room has undergone some changes. In the process, we’ve also discovered some “new” and interesting items.

Did you know that one of the first Judy Garland fan clubs (1955-1965) put out a newsletter known as the Garland Gazette? This periodical contained stories by fans who followed Judy around and got to meet her. They also contained copies of photos that some fans took themselves. These gazettes are fairly rare now.

In the November 1965 issue, we discovered that fans, knowing how Judy loved children, sponsored Korean orphan toddler, Lee Sun Ja, in Judy’s name. Sadly, this little girl, after suffering the deprivations existing in Korea after the Korean War, was not well and died of pneumonia in September of 1965.  

In this issue of the Garland Gazette, we learn that the fans want to sponsor another child in Judy’s name. A little three year-old boy named Shin Joon Ho. A letter from one fan states that with 300 fans in the club and all the money spent on Judy’s concerts and records, they can certainly afford to support a child. The letter states… “… but if they really love Judy as much as they say... – don’t they love her enough to do this in her name?”

An interesting bit of history and something to think about.

What Happened on this Date

Do you ever wonder what you would find if you stepped back on this day in history?

Here are a few dates for you:

January 1917 – Mr. and Mrs. John Milne came to visit Mrs. F.A. Gumm, their daughter. The following week, the Gumms entertained Frank Gumm’s sister, Mrs. O. McPeak, who was visiting from Alabama.

Mary Jane (l) in her
Charleston dress &
Jimmy (4) in her song
outfit, Baby in the middle

January 5, 1926 – Misses Mary Jane and Virginia Gumm sang and danced the Charleston on the stage of the New Grand between shows. Later in the show, Virginia sang a solo. Where was 2 ½ year old Baby Gumm? We think they left her at home! Obviously, in January of 1926, Virginia was the star of the show.

January 1956 - The concept for Judy’s television show, “Judy Garland in Concert” was announced.

January 9, 1966 – For the first time, Judy watched “The Wizard of Oz” on television all the way through. She said that previously she’d spent so much time comforting crying children she hadn’t been able to watch the film!

Love and Peace for the New Year

Judy Garland’s News Year’s Wish

As your new year begins in a world full of division and troubles, we’d like to remind you of the words Judy Garland spoke over fifty years ago. They are timeless; and seem as appropriate now as they did then.

Courtesy the Judy Garland Experience

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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

                                                           ***

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.

***

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