The earliest settlers on the prairie were surprised at how strong and blustery the wind could be. The background comes to mind after last night (Sunday). Sunday in the morning, First Lutheran of Morris had its Christmas program with the kids. A scene to be repeated all over, with total delight. It never changes. Somehow a person can feel out of place if you are not a parent. At least that feeling tugs at me some. People would discourage any such thought. Because, Christmas is truly for everyone.
Are you a non-believer or non-Christian? Well you can join in with the spirit anyway. That's the attitude my generation took as schoolchildren back in the day. We'd use the term "Christmas" unreservedly, even though it's tied to the deity of Jesus Christ. No pressing need yet to use "holiday" as the sterile substitute. And we knew there were non-Christians among us. I don't think any of us looked down on them.
We'd sing the Christian-themed songs with their religious quality. All the kids lined up on the "risers" like at our old school auditorium - the building having been razed several years ago. The distinctive "art deco" auditorium, remember? Generations of young people showed their talents there.
Audience members would be up in the "balcony," just like "Statler and Waldorf" on the old "Muppets" TV show! The big all-school musical "Oliver" was performed there in 1970. The same spirit we sensed with this year's "Little Mermaid." Another institution that never changes: the school musical. I would wager the singing was sharper back in 1970. I mean, the notes being hit with greater precision.
And re. "Mermaid?" In a constructive vein I'll suggest the singing guidance might have left something to be desired. Did someone want everyone to sing soprano? But the bottom line is that "Mermaid" continued the tradition of the wholesome exhibition of kids' energy and commitment. No better outlet can be found.
My generation could veer off into some undesirable behavior. Maybe we were all in a funk over the day-to-day developments with the Vietnam war. Sorry to cite this so often but it is true. Today's young families appear to have little idea what it was like in the '60s and early '70s. The fall of Saigon did not happen until 1975. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974. He had failed to at least see to it that America saved some face with how it exited Vietnam. The U.S. came off looking like the "loser."
We had no choice but to depart when we did. That was because of the "fragging" phenomenon: U.S. servicemen "killing their own colonels," the way a C-Span panelist put it. Yes it's a downer to reflect on this.
Let's look at the other side of the coin: no such travesty is going on today, nothing at least that would literally take the lives of so many precious young people. The past is a cautionary note. Let's not put it aside.
Our celebration of the present is tempered more than a little by the specter of Donald Trump. Now that I have mentioned that, some of my friends would react "there you go again." We must be attuned to the danger. An America that could elect Richard Nixon twice and put up with the persistence of the U.S. military presence in Vietnam can do dangerous things. We've see it before, and remember that the Democratic Party produced Lyndon Johnson who had his hands all over the U.S. involvement in Indochina.
JFK? That's a good question. He apparently sent "advisors" but in those days that was a code for our inevitable military commitment.
We're more careful today? Well in terms of sending actual troops, yes. And here it is the self-anointed "conservative" Donald Trump who condemns U.S. military intervention abroad, whereas a quite different climate of thinking prevailed in my growing-up years. The parents of my generation had won World War II. It was "the good war." We should have resolved to keep it in the past as having been an ugly necessity, I mean to stave off the Axis powers.
George W. Bush had to sort of grope to argue in similar terms for his military adventurism. And "conservatives" coast to coast were the ones getting on board with him. During Vietnam such folks listened to John Wayne. For Iraq, I guess it was Toby Keith? While the "Dixie Chicks" with their heroic skepticism were kicked to the curb. And in my young years, it was the Smothers Brothers with their TV show who were relegated to the margins.
Relegated by the John Wayne element, and who was John Wayne? Why he was a professional movie man, the consummate professional in his field. So he deserves glowing compliments on that basis. Outside those boundaries for judgment, we should have been more circumspect, knowing this man was hardly the appropriate opinion-leader. He knew how to seize on the type of jingoism that had currency - attach his wagon to it.
Fast-forward
Enough of the jingoism impulse remained to get our forces ensnared in the Middle East. But with Trump now "trumpeting" the skepticism about foreign wars, all that could well be laid to rest. "Liberals" always led the way with war skepticism. I have wondered why economic sanctions and special ops can't always do the job with foreign problems.
Trump is scary now but I'll accomplish nothing trying to put out a cautionary note. It's futile here in rural western Minnesota. I have stated my feelings before. So I accept my lot as mere observer.
Trump may get the U.S. literally aligned with Russia. And who knows what end Vladimir Putin may be contemplating. A conquest of Sweden? And when we wake up, will it be too late?
How many people around Morris remember the school musical "Oliver" from way back in 1970? Mike Johnson and Judy Hjembo were instrumental in leading the many kids. I really think "Oliver" had a subtle "liberal" political message. Maybe it wouldn't pass muster today?
It's too bad the old art deco auditorium could not be preserved. Yes the bathrooms seemed rather primitive! But not as primitive as the men's rooms at the old Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood.
The "codes" have taken over for forcing change with so many old structures. That's why I think it's futile for trying to preserve the old State Hospital in Fergus Falls. I prefer calling that building by its original name, the "Kirkbride."
With some amusement I'll point out what I feel would be the top drawback of our old auditorium today. It's the "drop-off" from the edge of the stage. Man, in today's age with so many people walking around inattentive and looking down at their phones! I think some sort of barrier would have to be erected today. Lawsuit potential.
But there were times when kids ran all over that place as with phy ed classes.
I attended several varsity basketball games at the old gym, like when Paul Kelly was a star player. I believe football was his forte. In those days we did not specify "boys basketball," it was just "basketball." And girls were in "home ec?" Well, they had "Girls Athletic Association," good for a page in the yearbook. Sorry to remind you of all that.
Let's look forward to the MAHS school musical for next year! I do not think Mike Johnson would have chosen "Little Mermaid." He was quite inclined toward more "artsy" or esoteric productions. Hjembo was the MHS choir director. "MHS" not "MAHS." My classmate Candy Steinkogler was active in choir. Was fun to see her for our recent 50th reunion, Class of '73.
I was 15 years old when I saw "Oliver." I remember Mark Lammers performing.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment