Aberdeen Civic Arena Brings Back Special Memories by Jo Davis

Jo with Meadowlark Lemon

As I read the blog about the Aberdeen Civic Arena, fuzzy memories in my mind brought back images of events that I attended, including the Harlem Globetrotters, the Shrine Circus, and musical concerts.    I'm sure my dad thought that the Globetrotters would spark an interest in sports for me.  Jesus Christ Superstar was the first non-Beatle album I literally wore down the grooves. 

It also brought back the stage events that provided a shape for my life direction.  Before attending Central, I was a Girl Scout in Mrs. Ray's Troop for a limited period.  Aberdeen was privileged to host the National Girl Scout Jamboree.  I think we had a huge camp out as an ice-breaker and it seemed like there were 5,000 teenage girls with their leaders, badges, sashes and scout related items to gush over.  The theme that year had to do with choices in life, if I remember right.  Careers, maybe.  Recognition of jobs?  Anyway, each troop had designated professions to work with.

 I remember wearing a maternity smock and holding a cardboard painting palette to represent ARTISTS of the world. Pretty sure Picasso was turning in the grave.

Girl Scout Troop Camping

Mrs Ray thought my height could also be best used to portray a tall president. Thus, onto the stage went the gangliest Abraham Lincoln with a tall stovepipe hat, courtesy of moms craftiness, and a charcoal beard, thanks to my dads burnt cork make-up. The compliment I got was a handshake and a nod saying "Mr President" afterwards from my dad who looked like he had gotten something in his eye. 
 

President Jo Davis

If I had stage fright, I didn't know. I was focusing on just walking. None of my career visions materialized. Not a June Taylor dancer, nor an airline stewardess, a veterinarian, and window dresser. It was the age of dreaming big.  The next and last time in the Civic Auditorium was the life altering graduation. Again, just focusing on walking across, not falling down, gripping that diploma like it was a life support and not forgetting to breathe.

The hugeness of that space was overwhelming at age 17, going on 25. At the 45th reunion visit, it still echoed as large but not as all encompassing. Now if we were to walk across that stage carrying all of our achievements with us, I know mine would have to include professions of dancer (not June Taylor quality) , writer, silk finisher, greenhouse overseer, medical caregiver, motivational speaker (cracking the whip), listener and information source. And the most rewarding, non-monetary job of life mate, mom and gramma.

Thanks guys for another flashback.

WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT or How I met my best friend. by Joan Wiederhoft Davis

With Love to my Best Friend

Ever say something you wished you could take back? The life altering sentence I said was: "What's the matter with you? You look like somebody died".

I know- such tact for a 17 year old! To which she answered, "Somebody did, my dad." And that became the foundation.

Linda and I were Beatles and 'Our Town' different. "Louie, Louie" and any music from The King and I opposites. She had a brother. I had a cat.

Her mom worked, mine made cookies and was always there when I came home from school. She wore head bands, I had bangs to

Linda with my son Cory

my eyebrows. She smoked, I did not. She was Lutheran - I was Catholic (she did convert later--think my mom had something to do with that.)

She spent more time at my house than her own, so she adopted my mom. Of course that would be after putting in many hours on sets with the drama class with painting and getting the details just right for opening night. Mrs. Pratt could only walk on water as far as Linda was concerned. I had speech class with her and it seemed her feet touched the same ground as mine. (but I did get a B)

We did the regular hang out stuff; she, I and one
other would drive up and down main in the green Ford Fairlane. She suffered thru her first Beatle movie with me (it was my 5th viewing) and would order Pepsi while my drink was Coke.

The following year, my dad passed. She became the

Beatles Concert in Minneapolis

older sister I never had, the ears I could cry into and the person who made it a mission to learn to drive a straight stick so she could drive us to see the Beatles in Minneapolis to fulfill my dad's promise that I could go. At the A & W drive in, it took 9 attempts to get out of the parking lot. Easy to overlook a parking

brake, especially when you've never used one before. My cheeks hurt so bad from laughing and there were many looks from others as she leap-frogged backwards at each try. She did not see the Beatles. She stayed in the parking lot with my mom and people-watched for over 2 hours.

During some ceremony at the Civic center, awards and recognition was being done, Linda was given a special pin. It represented her hours of drama work and dedication to that art. The tears that day were of pure pride for her.

Linda became my pen pal when she went to school in

Wedding

Vermillion, my maid of honor, my oldest sons Godmother, my mom's matron of honor when she remarried many years later.

She was my oldest chronological and physical friend I have had. She was one day and one year older that I, so we compromised and celebrated it on Jan, 9th. Linda passed the week before Christmas 2015. It was my heart that had the tears. 

I dedicate my best High School memories to Linda Strecker. My best friend.