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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, February 12-14, 2014 W AY WE WERE Brownies for Valentine's Day By SARAH HILL Park City dances for hope ‘One Billion Rising' rally for female empowerment By SARA TABIN Research Librarian, Park City Museum Park Record Intern "Say John, Feb. 8th is our wedding anniversary, had you forgotten? I should say not. We're going to the High School that night to see the Brownie Band Operetta." - Feb. 1, 1924, The Park Record Creating the perfect date night for an anniversary or Valentine's Day is a daunting task, and one not lost on the citizens of Park City in the 1920s. Thankfully, in 1924, the Jefferson School provided residents with the perfect solution. Students would be performing an operetta entitled "The Brownie Band" in the high school auditorium on Feb. 8. The children dressed in unique costumes, sang, and danced while the high school orchestra played. One of those students can be seen in the image above, a brighteyed smiling face. Young Glen Osika played a brownie in this playful and fun operetta. For those of you who don't know what a brownie is, you are not alone. I, too, was at a loss and had to do some research. A brownie is a creature popular in Scottish and English folklore. According to legend, brownies inhabit houses, aiding in household tasks. They do not like to be seen, and only work at night. Homeowners would give them small gifts of food in exchange for their work. They can be mischievous and cause trouble in the house if not kept completely happy. The Brownie Band Operetta was a success, with newspapers raving about the night's events, stating that "The costuming was appropriate, the stage settings most fitting. Notwithstanding the many complimentary expressions given by those present, the kiddies will remember The Brownie Band. The memory of it will remain as an educational one." An interesting fact about this image of young Glen dressed in his brownie costume is that he had this image printed on postcards and then gave them out as Valentines. The one we have in our collection was given to his 6th grade schoolteacher, Mrs. Mae Paxton. Glen Osika was born in Park City on Sept. 28, 1912, and spent his entire youth here. He was a Red Cross field director in Europe, North Africa, Italy and Alaska. His father, William, was the office manager at the Judge Mine, and had the fortunate experience of meeting Charlie Chaplin in August of 1920. Glen passed away in April of 1966 in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, at the age of 53. Without this amazing postcard, we may A-17 The Park Record PARK CITY MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THOMAS F. HANSEN COLLECTION, MADE POSSIBLE BY A GIFT FROM PETER AND GAIL OCHS. Glen Osika in his brownie costume for The Brownie Band Operetta. He made his Valentines that year with his very own picture. have never learned about Parkite Glen Osika or his participation in the Brownie Band Operetta that all the locals and lovebirds got to experience in 1924. It is incredible how one small image and a few notations on the back can lead to such an interesting story. If you and your love are looking for something fun to do on Valentine's Day this year, consider visiting the museum. Take a romantic stroll hand-in-hand in our exhibit space, snuggle up on the train while watching a historic video, or steal a quick kiss inside the gondola! Don't leave your advertising under construction In a wave of color, joy and hope, one billion people across the world will come together. From dozens of nations and cultures, they will find a common purpose, congregating in cities and villages, on mountains and in valleys, to dance for a future that is safe for girls and women everywhere. This Friday, Feb. 14 at noon, Park City too will rise, intertwining itself in a worldwide celebration of female empowerment as it joins the "One Billion Rising" movement. According to the World Health Organization, one out of every three women will experience physical or sexual violence during her lifetime. On a global scale, this statistic means that one billion women will suffer from gender violence. One billion women, one billion people, will be subjected to rape, mutilation, battery, or murder. Haunted by this global epidemic, Eve Ensler, author of "The Vagina Monologues" and founder of V-day, began the "One Billion Rising" movement in the hopes of dragging violence against women out of the shadows and into the light of day. Inspired by the powerful female dancers she met in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ensler chose dance as a universal medium by which to spread the message of equality and liberation. The campaign launched in 2013 with hundreds of communities across 207 countries participating in a global protest against the injustices women face. Says Ensler, "Each year people decide in their own communities what injustice they want to rise for." The success of the 2013 ris- PARK RECORD FILE PHOTO Last year Park City joined communities across the country by holding its own "One Billion Rising" rally at the Town Lift Plaza to raise awareness of domestic violence. The local event was spearheaded by Teri Orr, front left, and helped to raise funds for Peace House. ing led to the creation of Eve Ensler and Tony Stroebel's short film "One Billion Rising," a visual testament to what can be accomplished if all the world unites. Screened at Park City High School during Sundance, the short combines uplifting footage of humans of all ages from different places marching, chanting, and dancing. While focused on the empowerment of women, "One Billion Rising" hopes to involve men as well as key players in the fight for respect and equality, engaging "one billion women and all the men who love them." "We are very happy to see so many men rising with us and understanding violence against women isn't a woman's issue. If men don't rise up to protect their mothers and sisters, we will never end the violence," said Ensler. Park City has been involved with Ensler's work for close to a decade through annual performances of "The Vagina Monologues" that raises money for the Peace House, a local shelter for people who are experiencing domestic violence. With the second year of "One Billion Rising" also comes the second year in which Parkites will have the opportunity to dance. Last year, Parkites gathered at the Town Lift Plaza. This year's event will take place at the plaza in front of Park City High School, providing high schoolers with the opportunity to join in the festivities. According to Eccles center director and event organizer Teri Orr, "There's a great deal of violence towards women in Summit County. There are a lot of quiet victims and any time we shine a light in dark corners it helps people move out of them." Although there will be no fee to participate, Orr is hopeful that the event will result in direct donations to the Peace House. She added, for the sake of maximum inclusion, there will be no choreography, just a "free-form joyous celebration." "Last year we had over 50 men and women, we'd love to double it this year," she said. The public is invited to join Park City's celebration of "One Billion Rising" this Friday, Feb. 14 at noon in front of Park City High School, 1750 Kearns Boulevard. Beautifully Updated With Big Windows To The Pinebrook Views Build your ad with us! Offered At $849,500 You'll enjoy coming home to the open floor plan and over-sized kitchen with new stainless steel appliances and granite counter-tops. 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