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Show Times Ne Page A6 Thursday, May 8, 2003 Fondly Eernemlbesing Grem's Finest Hons1 Mrir and CLYDE E. WEEKS, JR. Times Correspondent Graduation time this month at Orem High School recalls, for some who participated in it, what many people believe was Orem's finest hour. Some Orem residents might remember remem-ber viewing it on video, or on television's televi-sion's Late Show. The name of the 40-year-old movie was "Bye Bye Birdie." It starred the young Dick Van Dyke and Ann Margaret, those legendary film stars, who are still going strong today, playing senior citizens on TV dramas. But, of course, you must know that the motion picture production of "Bye Bye Birdie" is a rather inferior version of the original Broadway musical, which saw its zenith right here in Orem, Utah, on the stage of Orem High School. The year was 1964. Robert Smoot was the drama director at Orem High School, and Wes Barry was the band director. That was the year they produced pro-duced "Bye Bye Birdie" with an all-student casta production that some say, nearly 40 years later, was the most outstanding musical ever presented on the Orem High School stage. The setting was a small town, where Kim MacAffee, played by April Melody Weeks, was the president of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club. Singer Conrad Birdie, an erstwhile Elvis Presley type, had been drafted into the United States Army. Conrad's agent, Albert Peterson, had arranged for Conrad to visit Kim's home town to give her "One Last Kiss," before leaving for his Army service. The Ed Sullivan TV Show comes to town to televise that famous kiss to the nation, and all pandemonium breaks loose. The star-struck Kim MacAffee sang the show's hit song, "One Boy," to Conrad Birdie on national television. Playing Albert Peterson was Lars Christensen, a remarkable young Orem performer whose singing voice and acting act-ing persona put Dick Van Dyck to shame. His fiance, played by Mary Ellen Stoddard, as "Rosie," made Anne Margaret look like an amateur in the motion picture. The musical score for "Bye Bye Birdie" was outstanding, and every Orem High School performer was a stand-out in his or her role. The costumes and staging were eye-popping, eye-popping, and the Orem High School orchestra out-did itself in playing the prize-winning music. Each night, "Bye Bye Birdie" was performed in the . Orem High School auditorium, the seats were packed by both students and townspeople. Something about the story, the music, the dancing, the actors, all came together togeth-er in a joyous burst of energy and enthusiasm that filled the auditorium! Those teen-agers, playing the leads, as well as the strong supporting roles, were not just acting! They actually became the characters they were playing. play-ing. And when it came time for the final performance, no one wanted the show to end! Someone suggested that they stage one final performance to be filmed, so that each one could have their own copy of the production to view at their leisure in years to come. Everyone wanted to do it, but one or two key players play-ers said they had plans to leave town the next day, which they could not cancel. can-cel. In desperation, a student suggested that they all return at 3:00 a.m. the next morning and do the show for one last time. Someone's father agreed to photograph the final performance with his movie camera, and the grand plan was made. "Bye Bye Birdie's" group of tired, but willing actors and musicians returned to the stage early the next morning, and played their hearts out in that production pro-duction which, for some of them, would be their last performances before graduation. grad-uation. The few students and parents, who viewed that early-morning performance perform-ance of "Bye Bye Birdie," said that it was a magical experience, never to be forgotten. for-gotten. Reluctantly, the student actors laid away their costumes, and the musicians musi-cians packed up their instruments, as the volunteer parent photographer shut off his camera, and everyone went home to bed. In my mind's eye I can still see and hear my daughter, Melody, as Kim MacAffee, singing one of the show's hit songs, "One Boy." And the very talented talent-ed Lars Christensen singing, "Everything is Rosie." And Mary Ellen Stoddard, as Rosie, singing and dancing danc-ing her way through the uproarious Shriners' Convention. And "Conrad Birdie" swiveling his hips, as he sang, "You've Got To Be Sincere." Robert Smoot was the outstanding director for the musical, and Wes Barry directed a great band. A few years after that show, Bob Smoot became a Seminary teacher at Orem High School, retiring just a few years ago. Wes Barry finished his career as a band teacher at Orem High School, and died recently, after enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Melody Weeks married and had four children, before becoming a top sales executive at Orem's Phone Directories Company. Mary Ellen Stoddard moved to Hollywood, continued performing, and nearly married a movie star. Popular and talented Lars Christensen's star continued to rise in the musical theater, until his tragic and untimely death on September 9, 1982. You can see his headstone about 250 feet south of the new Veterans Memorial at the Orem City Cemetery on Memorial Day. It is inscribed with memorable song lyrics from "Pippin," one of his favorite shows: Rivers belong where they can ramble. Eagles belong where they can fly. I've got to be where my spirit can run free. I've got to find my corner of the sky! No one knows what ever happened to the movie film that someone's father made of that early-morning performance perform-ance of "Bye Bye Birdie," back in 1964. What a number of aging Orem High School graduated thespians would not give, to own a copy of that film, showing the only true and authentic performance perform-ance of "Bye Bye Birdie," which many people believe was Orem's finest Hour! Help stamp out Hunger in Utah- Leave some food for your letter Carrier on Saturday, May 10 Letter Carriers will hold their annual Food Drive this Saturday, May 10. Utah residents are being asked to participate by placing plac-ing non-perishable food in a bag near their mailbox prior to mail delivery on Saturday, May 10. All of the food will be distributed to local food banks whose shelves are traditionally tra-ditionally barest his time of year. Last year Utah letter carriers car-riers collected a record one million pounds of food-enough food-enough to provide approxi mately 300,000 meals for hungry Utah children and adults. Food Bank statistics show that hunger has increased 28 percent in Salt Lake City this year alone- a high percentage of those are children. "It may mean a heavier mail satchel and maybe a few sore muscles, but the burden will be eased by knowing that our efforts will help feed families in need." said Mike Miller, Salt Lake City Letter Carrier and President of Branch 111 of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). This year marks the 11th Anniversary of the Letter Carriers' Food Drive, which is the largest single-day food drive in the nation, with letter let-ter carriers form hundreds of cities in all 50 states partici pating. Over the last decade, letter carriers nationwide have collected over a half billion bil-lion pounds of food. The NALC is a postal labor union representing more than 300,000 members who have a long history of service to their communities. Public Notice Advertising Protects Your Right To Know NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Legal Notice City of Orem Notice of City Council Public Hearing The City Council will hold a public hearing on May 27, 2003, in the City of Orem Council Chambers, located at 56 North State Street, Orem, Utah to consider the fol: lowing: May 27, 2003 6:45 p.m. Check City Rezone 15 South State Street- C3 to C2. The proposed amendment is available avail-able in the Office of Development Services, Room 109, 56 North State Street, Orem, Utah. If you have any questions ques-tions regarding the proposed zone change or amendment, amend-ment, contact the Development Services Department at 229-7058. The public is invited to participate in all City Council Meetings. If you need a special accommodation to participate in the City Council Meetings, please call the City Recorder's Office. (Voice 229-7074, 229-7074, TDD 229-7035) 116 9 9 Published in the Orem-Geneva Times Thursday, May 8, 2003. Orem Community Garden Last year, a unique gardening gar-dening project took root in central Orem that brought families together and provided pro-vided volunteer opportunities opportuni-ties for students, families, and community group. The Orem Community Gardens were formed a collaboration of local neighbors and Orem City, with technical support provided by the American Community Garden Association (ACGA). The Orem garden is the only on in Utah Valley but there are several in Salt Lake. The garden consists of 46 4x8 foot planter boxes on an acre of land surrounded by homes and an orchard. Last year, in response to an ad in the community newsletter, students, married mar-ried couples, and other people peo-ple who wanted to be part of a gardening community, joined together to develop this space. Several of the planter boxes are "charity boxes", where the produce form those boxes are donated donat-ed to the local food bank. Meridian School is conducting con-ducting an all-school project, proj-ect, and is heading up a clean-up of the Orem Community Garden Saturday, May 10 from 12-4 p.m. Meridian welcomes and encourages interested individuals indi-viduals and community groups to join them. The gardens are located behind the home at 245 W. 400 S. in Orem. Participants need to park in the street on 400 S. and walk down to the driveway drive-way at 245 W. Refreshments will be provided, pro-vided, but volunteers will need to bring their own pitch forks, rakes, shovels, etc. Beth Higginson is in charge of the Orem Community Gardens, and can be contacted at 360-3841. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Legal Notice City of Orem Notice of City Council Public Hearing The City Council will hold a public hearing on May 27, 2003, in the City of Orem Council Chambers, located at 56 North State Street, Orem, Utah, to consider the following: fol-lowing: May 27, 2003 6:15 p.m. Enact Section 22-6-2(H), PRD Zone. Amend portions of Article 22-7, PRD standards. 6:30 p.m. Amend Section 22-6-8, Residential Development Standards. Amend Section 17-8-1, Deep Lots Standards. The proposed amendments are available in the Office of Development Services, Room 109, 56 North State Street, Orem, Utah. If you have any questions ques-tions regarding the proposed zone change or amendments, amend-ments, contact the Development Service Department at 229-7058. 229-7058. The public is invited to participate in all City Council Meetings. If you need a special accommodation to participate in the City Council Meetings, please call the City Recorder's Office. (Voice 229-7074, 229-7074, TDD 229-7035) 116 9 8 Published in the Orem-Geneva Time Thursday, May 8, 2003. If" - J f . Competitive Rates Great Service Se Habla Espanol Call for a Quote Today, You'll be Glad You Did. Lender Insurance, Inc. 390W800N106 Orem UT 84057 f Timpanogos Green IN MAY IS MOTHERS DAY How much too soon, she left My boyhood self, my mother's child. The cancer in her flesh, irreconciled, Incredibly bereft The heavy hinges of my heart. That ancient, deadly shaft of death Had split my rainbow far apart, And stole the whole of Mother's breath, Reprieved, once, by the knife, For two years, more, my mother smiled, While cruel cancer cells spread wild In shortening her life. Her nurse's cap upon the shelf Recalled her former healing days, When she walked hospitals, herself, And garnered many patients' praise. Yet, here, at last, she lay In chalk-white sheets upon her bed. A golden halo rested on her head, That sent a sweet sachet. My mother sighed a tender smile, And breathed her last sweet breath on earth, As I, a grieving juvenile, Gave up the one who gave me birth. How much she missed; and I, Disconsolate and much alone, Searched, vainly, for my answers, yet linknowi Why Mother had to die; What thirsty things I longed to share! Her precious thoughts that I would know! And who would help me to prepare To find the way that I must go? My high school graduation. The time I left and went to war, Enlisting in the Marine Corps, Avoiding amputation. My courtship and my marriage vows; Surviving triumph and disaster; My wife and family and house; My forty years as a postmaster! And now, my Mother, dear: I missed you every single year. How much I wish that you were here, today! Now, since you went away, Your progeny has, very greatly, grown: Grandchildren, great grandchildren of yourofl' Await your kiss, along with me, With all the bliss there is to be. May all that this concerns be made aware, Be diligent and join me in a prayer! My Dearest Mother, and my Father's Remembering, I celebrate your life! Cars UghtiH.D. 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