The Mystery About Mysteries

Deck reading days are almost here. Summer is a great time to breeze through a mystery novel, but did you know that not all mysteries are created equal? Nope! Mysteries can be classified as "Locked door," "hard-boiled," "police procedurals," "cozies," "medieval," -the list is sooo long! Each type has specific characteristics, so I thought I'd spend a few blog entries sharing some details.

Let's start with COZIES, those lovely little English country house mysteries, with little violence, no gory details, and nary a cuss word to be found, except an occasional "Jeepers!" Other elements that define a cozy mystery include: a cat somewhere in the story; an amateur sleuth who snoops as a sideline rather than as an occupation - her day job being a cook, a nun, and even a bookseller; murder is often by blunt instrument and/or home decor item such as Aunt Polly's imported paperweight; the murder is discovered, not portrayed, and the person discovering the body must shudder at the sight of blood; and the murder is usually done in a home setting and, surely, there will be a fireplace nearby where interested parties sip tea as they piece together the clues.

Cozy writers to check out: Charlotte Macleaod, Dorothy Cannell (her detective in an interior decorator), Susan Wittag Albert (Beatrix Potter mystery series; the animals talk, way too cute), Charlaine Harrie (Tea Garden series) Tamra Myers and Diane Mott Davidson (both feature main characters who are detectives/cateresses, both writer's book include recipes), and of course, Agatha Christie.

There are far more than I can mention, but rest assured, if you have a hobby, there may be a cozy mystery about it. Do you knit - yup, there's a series, more than one as a matter of fact. There are cozies for artists, rare book collectors, gardners, lovers of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott, well, you get the idea.

So, when Mother Nature finally cranks up the heat for us here in Wisconsin, grab a cozy mystery, head to the beach, the deck, or you favorite, cushy backyard swing and spend a simple hour or two solving a crime.

April is National Poetry Month

Poet William Carlos Williams ate the plums his wife was saving for breakfast, and, as the story goes, he left this poem of apology in their place:

This is just to say /I have eaten the plums

that were in the icebox

and which you were probably

saving /for breakfast

forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet/and so cold

Using that poem as a model, Mrs Merz asked her sixth grade class to write poems of apology, and they ended up liking their poems so much, they put them together in a book. Not only that, but they got the people to whom they apologized to write poems back. Then they asked one of their artistic classmates to illustrate the poems.

In haiku, pantoums, two-part poems, snippets and rhymes, Mrs. Merz's class writes of crushes, deception, overbearing parents, loving and losing pets, and dodge ball accidents. Some poets are deeply sorry, some not at all. Some are forgiven, some are not! But, each pair of poems reveals a relationship, a connection - between sisters, brothers, students father and son, teacher and student, and best friends.

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Here is part of Carmen's poem to Mrs. Merz

I am so sorry for my rude words.

The class was so dead/No one had anything more to say about Old Yeller

and we were all crazy to go outside.../so I raised my hand and made that comment

about your dress/and everyone laughed....

(P.S. I notice you're not wearing that dress so much anymore./Green is not good on you anyway. I like the new one with blue in it, which makes you look thinner.)

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What sort of apology poem would you write?

And the Winner Is....!

Heart-A-Rama ends tonight. Every year we reflect on how long we worked - planning, brainstorming, writing, editing, evaluating, building, scheming and dreaming. Then, suddenly, it is upon us, and just as suddenly, it ends. The week after the show closes, the parade begins. Cast and crew members stop by the store one by one - to catch up on "old times," report newsy bits, share reflections on this year's show, and give suggestions for the next. Mostly, they just want to stay in touch, and for that I am glad. Funny thing happened today, though...the parade has already begun. As I write this, I have had three early morning visits, and, right now, one cast member is sipping cappuccino and visiting with friends. More are sure to follow next week. You can't beat this group.

Now, in the spirit of any fine performance genre...it is time for the First Annual Hearty-HAR-HAR Awards, decided and awarded by a committee of one - me. Before you got all excited, rest assured that everyone is deserving, but I am limited by time, space, and diminished mental capacity due to too many late nights in a row (that would be nights after 10 for me!)

Here we go!!!!!!!!

Most Creative Use of Duct Tape Award...Lynna, who provided some tense, but titillating moments each night on stage

Most Excited to be Caught on Stage Award...the entire stage crew who screamed in unison when the lights hit them letting us know they really want to be cast in speaking roles next year

Flasher Award...Jeri, who always has some crazy, new blinking toy to share

I've got Rhythm, I've got Music Award...Greg Buckley, rumored to be a contestant on the next edition of "Dancing with the Stars"

I May Not Have Any Lines, but Doggone it, You will Remember Me Award...Rhonda for the shaking her popcorn nightly


The Check Out How Scary I can Look Award..... Scott!

Anyone who passes up the chance to get to know this guy because... well, because he pretty much looks like this all the time...is missing something. He's interesting, fresh, clever, generous, and yes, so very colorful!


Kim gets the I'm so Happy to Have Lines I'm Speechless Award!
Each year, when I cast my sections of the show, I try to work with at least one new person. This year I hit the jackpot, getting to direct Tommy, Jeff, Chuck, Jen, Lisa, and Kim. A few were new to HAR, and others were people I had not had the opportunity to direct before. Kim came to every rehearsal with enthusiasm and a desire to grow and improve. I had no idea her HAR lines were a first for her. Way to go, Kim. Be proud!

Tonight, we roll up the tents and leave town for another year. Early in summer, we will be summoned to meeting for a post mortem on this show, an start-up for next year. If I am fortunate enough to be asked back for another year of directing,
I'll blog about the process, step by step. I won't give anything away, but it might be fun for you to hear a little about how the show comes together from the writing, casting and directing end of things.

In the meantime, watch for all the great events happening on the Lakeshore. Not only will you be doing good for our community, or for the targeted cause, you'll have a great time as well. Just think of it...MetroJam, Acousticfest, Lobsterfest, Sputnikfest, and many plays, music, and art events right here in the Lakeshore. Sounds like a perfect summer on the horizon.

Bringing Back an Old Favorite

"He came into the world in the middle of the thicket, in one of those little, hidden forest glades which seems to be entirely open but are really screened in on all sides. There was very little room in it, scarcely enough for him and his mother."

That's how this simple adaptation of one of the most beloved nature stories begins. I written a lot about children's books lately, but, they're perfect reading while I'm working on a show.

Felix Salten is the pen name of Austrian writer Siegmund Salzamnn. He wrote Bambi: A life in the Woods in 1923, and it was translated into English in 1928. Bambi is the name of the main character, a male deer beginning life as a fawn, then moving through adolescence and into adulthood.

Taken from the first chapter of Salten's original tale, Bambi's First Day depicts the early moments of the fawn's life in the safety of the forest glen, and the shelter of his mother's embrace.

Favorite children's books transport us back to the comfort of those safe places and times we all tuck away in memory. We don't always have to be in step with the literary times by reading the latest and greatest best seller, or hunting for the appropriately trendy, alternative, hot, new title from a small press. Treat yourself to a picture book from time to time. Before you know it, you'll feel a tiny smile along with that smug feeling of perfect indulgence. Ten minutes...that's all you need. Your day will be better for it.

Backstage Pass/Quickshots

Below are few shots of the action backstage. The band was also quite photogenic last night! The tech guys let me run the soundboard for the band every night at intermission. Despite my fun with the reverb button, the band plays "Margaritaville" for me several times each night.

Laurie, Brenda and Brad do double duty this year...on-stage and some offstage jobs!

Al, Bill, Chuck and Jeff get the crowd going with their version of "The Lonely Goatherd. " You should see these "girls" dance!

Jerry also does two jobs for us. Here he is gettting ready to play Louie in the musical. He also plays bass in the band.

More pictures soon...I just need time to catch up with more people.

What am I reading? The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, scheduled for release in June. I'm only on page 13, (I've been busy) but I'm finding themes similar to Hamlet, The Life of Pi ,and Watership Down.

I Found One!

Every month we receive 10-20 ARCs (advance reading copies) of books; these are early runs of books and will likely have some spelling, grammar and usage errors; the cover art may not be final. Publishers hope we will read the pre-publication editions and stock the final editions. All booksellers cope with the problem of what to do with them.

We have come up with two ways to share the ARCs that people seem to like. Although we cannot sell them, I do put some out and ask a suggested $2.00 donation/book, which we then give to charity. I also give copies to loyal customers, or to people I know will enjoy a particular title. One of the best parts of my job is matching up people with the right books.

All of that works nicely but, as you can see, theARCs are taking up valuable shelf space in our kitchen, and in other areas of the store. Inspired by a current project led by Pam Aikins at Washington Junior High School, I have decided to "release" some of the ARCs. The Washington kids picked out favorite books, and are leaving them in predetermined spots in hopes that someone will find them and enjoy them as they did. I believe they tracking the travels of each book.

Keep your eyes open for "released" ARCs. You may find them on a park bench, in your grocery cart, under a theatre seat...I plan to release some in a few retail locations as well, with the owners' permission. I would enjoy a shout back if you find one. Each book will have instructions on how to do that. Once you're done with the book, re-release it. Writing your comments in the inside flap would add to the fun!

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I woke up at 4:17 this morning when this little guy, or one of his relatives, started partying in my backyard. At first, I thought it was an obnoxious water sensor I have in a large plant in the living room. Ironically, it is a cardinal that starts chirping when the water is low. So, trying not to wake the dog, I snuck around in the dark to water the plant, which was not in crisis as I had assumed. The dog woke up, decided it was time to start her day, gobbled up some food,washed it down with a stiff drink of water, and then needed to rush outside to empty out.

The bird was still celebrating something the last time I looked at the clock at 4:47. When I finally caught up with him at a more reasonable hour, he shot me the annoying look you see here. Birds in the morning, crickets at night, and letting fresh air into the house through widely open window always signal spring to me. My only wish was that this guy had waited another hour before announcing his presence.

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Until now, I haven't opened the blog up to comments. Reader comments on other blogs are nice and friendly, but tend to be of the the "Oh yes, I agree with you" variety. I would like my readers to hit that comment button and find substantive thoughts, suggestions, and perhaps event a few challenges. In addition, I am quite confident that, at least once a day, I would find this comment - "Jeeze Louise , Bev, don't you have a spellcheck on that computer of yours?"

I have been wanting to hear what you are reading, and hoping that eventually, we can pick a book a month and open the blog for comments on that book. What do you think?


Let's start with this? What's your favorite book ever, and why? Write as much or as little as you want. I can't wait to hear from you.


Here's my fave

When I first read this book, all I cared about was whether or not Boo was going to come out of the house. As an adult, I was enamored with Atticus' integrity and gentle strength.

See? That's all you have to write. Please keep it family friendly. Thanks. Now, someone please take the plunge. Be the first. Let's see where this goes.

Light Weekend Reading...Or So I Thought!

Charming! Abby and Kirby go exploring every Saturday morning! They both enjoy the adventure, but from there, opinions differ. Abby and Kirby share their favorite moments about their walk in side by side pages. The illustrations couldn't be cuter! I always wondered what my dog would say if she could talk. I would love to hear her laugh. After all, she has a sound for anger, frustration, need, and a few more, so why not happiness? If you're one of those dog owners who give voice to your pooch, you'll understand this book. It will make you smile, and I guarantee, you will take your dog for a walk the moment you finish!

I had no idea what a treat I was in for when I started Inside Inside, the book authored by James Lipton, creator and host of Inside the Actors Studio which airs weekly on Bravo network. Expecting insight into the artistry of acting, I was stunned, and quite frankly, overwhelmed by what Lipton offered. I can best describe this book as cultural archeology. Lipton is a schooled performer, writer, director, and visionary who covers everything from cinema history to experimental film in the Soviet Union. He does it all with authority but not pretense. Lessons in theatre history are often dry and mechanical, but he infuses the commentary with familiar examples of films and plays, along with quotes from actors. His analysis of the power of the film editor in relationship to audience response was especially provacative. While this may all sound academic, it isn't. This book is facinating - not a single snoozeworthy page. If you enjoy movies, and theatre, you might enjoy this book.

The Times They are A 'Changing

Here's Jeff selling heartdogs at intermission of Heart-A-Rama '08. For Jeff and a few others, this is a totally new experience. He has fallen into place nicely, volunteering to take on jobs before the show and during intermission in addition to his roles on stage. For our new cast and crew, this is all fresh, and their perception is that this is just the way things are.

Heart-A-Rama spent the majority of its 38 year lifespan at Jacks 'R' Better, and now we have moved to Two Rivers. Fear of change is natural, and one result of our move to Two Rivers is that we must alter some habits, and work to establish new traditions. Last week, I watched groups struggling to recreate comfort zones from our past. Part of the draw of this show for the cast and crew is the reunion with those who have become task companions over the years. At Jack's, the make-up people had their table where they played cards and board games while waiting to handle quick make-up and hair changes. There was the round table where tickets and money were counted and sorted throughout the night. It was the backstage drop-in table, and the faces and conversations rotated as cast, crew, family and friends stopped by to chat. The 7 o'clock club met every night at the bar for a ceremonial pre-show shot of something, and the bar was also a traditional gathering spot for many cast members.

Change is so very complex. It marks both an end an a beginning, setting up an emotional conflict. The way I see it, change puts us in step with truth, since everything changes. Most changes are so subtle and incremental that we don't notice. They are processes, rather than events. Not so for our cast. Last year we were all together at Jack's, with the stability of 36 years to rest upon. Suddenly, we asked the cast to switch gears and perform in an unfamiliar venue, knowing full well there would be no ticket home.

The good news...the wonderful news...is that we all did well. The transition was smooth, and by the second night, the community house felt like home. The psychology of change has been examined by just about every philosopher, psychologist, writer and artist imaginable. My long time impression of Andy Warhol was that his avant-garde persona made him nearly impossible to understand. I have been doing some reading about him, and discovered that the simplicity of his work reflected the clarity with which he expressed himself. In commenting about his approach to art, he questioned "Isn't life a series of images that change as they repeat themselves?" That's sort of what we did. When you shake it all out, was moving to Two Rivers so dramatic or traumatic? Didn't we just shake ourselves around a little, point ourselves north and end up with essentially the same show? Once we all learned that the move was in no way counterproductive, and the build up anxiety dissipated, the result was a frenzy of energy that exploded on stage. It was great fun to watch it all happen!

David Bowie sang about ch-ch-ch changes; so did Bob Dylan and Donavan. They celebrated and encouraged change. And, we can't forget that snappy little tune from "Grease" - "Magic Changes." The changes have indeed been magic for Heart-A-Rama. Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief, look forward to four more nights of HAR '08, and then head on to 2009, when we will continue to flourish and change, and build upon a tradition of goodwill and good cheer.

Quick Shots

Jamie and Brendo are all set for Heart-A-Rama 2008. Notice how Jamie got her eyes to match Brendo's flower hat. That Jamie...what a trouper!

Our band is all set to rock...Pete (guitar), Connie, (keyboard), Bob (dums), Jerry (bass), Dave (not shown) and...we have a new band member. I think he's shy since we haven't formally met him yet, but we know he's from Green Bay and has big talent!

This is Dominic. Our store is in a neighborhood so we get to know a lot of neat little people. Dominic and his brother, Jordan, are daily window peepers.

Here's a sweet little picture of Susan Rose. I recently did a story hour (five story hours in one day, actually) for the MACs second graders. I read Three Lessons for Astaire the Bear. Joan, the school librarian, then helped the kids create some journal entries that were sent, along with this cuddly stuffed Astaire, to a bookstore in another state. We were one of two stores in Wisconsin that Astaire visited. The author sent him on a tour collecting journal entries from kids all over the USA!

Emma came to hear a children's musician and took some time out to do an art project. Emma is a regular here at LaDeDa. She always has a great story or two to share with me, or a new song from pre-school. I think she has a little Ethel Merman in her. For being a tiny, little person, she opens her mouth and fills the store with sound. She keeps up her end in a conversation, too. Sometimes, when I have been really, really nice to her, Emma takes me out to breakfast.

Heartdogs, Performers, and Readers. Oh My!

This is Terri in her role as Sister Mary Amnesia in a Forst Inn production of "Nunsense." Terri has entertained many local theatre-goers over the years. Best known for her comedic abilities and impeccable timing, Terri can also wow an audience with her lush alto voice, happy dancing feet, and attention to character detail. On Wednesday night, Terri, along with a cast of about 35, will dress up silly, wait for Connie to hit the first notes on her keyboard, and kick off the eight night run of Heart-A-Rama '08 - "Heart-A-Rama Goes Exploring."

Our first dress rehearsal in our new "theatre" went marvelously well. Driving home from Two Rivers I continued thinking about something that struck me as I watched the show. I wonder what compells singers to sings, dancers to dance, actors to act, and writers to write. I had just spent nearly five hours with people dressed as -you name it - a giant hot dog, the bow of a Viking ship, a flock of tap-dancing seagulls - and I never thought to ask anyone why they do it. Would I have gotten a serious reply from Brenda, the chrysanthemum, or Al, our octogenarian dancing German girl? Chances are, they would have said they are doing it for the cause - for the American Heart Association. But, if helping that group is their sole motivation, they'd just hand over a chunk of change and move on, right?

So, what is it about the arts anyway? And how do these kindred spirits find each other? I marvel that like minds somehow mysteriously connect with each other, leading to creative explosions that affect the world. Look at Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat, Madonna and David Bowie. What a high-powered group that must have been. No matter how short-lived their various and random connections were, nuances of their energies can be found in each of those artist's works. There's Truman Capote and Harper Lee. Was it coincidental that these two literary heavyweights lived next to one another, and did their creative excesses flow between them, resulting in a symbiotic relationship that gave us memorable works such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and To Kill a Miockingbird? I know, they each published individually, but we do know that Harper Lee was Capote's research assistant on In Cold Blood, and some literary critics believe that Capote's hand can be detected throughout ...Mockingbird. Then there are Emerson, Thoreau and Hawthorne, those New England transcendentalists, who were frequent visitors in one another's homes. Can you just imagine what those dinner conversations were about? Did they discuss social injustice, the solitude of life at Walden Pond? did they debate the significance of current projects, argue about politics? Perhaps they simply spent quiet evenings, enjoying each other's company, laughing over a glass of whisky, and playing poker. I envy that creative connection, no matter how it is generated, or how it expresses itself.

A bigger question that comes to mind when I think about those powerful artistic associations is "Did they know who they were?" Perhaps that's part of the magnetism that brings artists together. That never-ending drive to go beyond the previous offerings, to stretch past imaginable limits, and to live in a constant whirlwind of image and thought, would frustrate, annoy, and tire most people, but artists somehow know how to act upon that - they make things, and they make things happen. In that respect, perhaps they do know who they are, but not who they will be in the lives of those of us who can only consume, appreciate and try to understand what they have created.

Maybe Heart-A-Rama is like that in a way. We know who we are right now, but have no idea what impact our work will have in the big picture. In the present, our evenings of "shameless exploitation for the good of others," brings smiles and laughter to the audience, and to the hundreds of volunteers who make the show happen. The fun we will have over the next two weeks translates to dollars for heart health in ways we may never know.

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This weekend I was able to sneak in a movie, La Vie En Rose. Marion Cotillard stars as French chanteuse, Edith Piaf. I discovered Piaf a few years ago, and although I cannot understand a single word she sings, her voice is haunting. Her life was as remarkable as her music. She was a sickly little girl who had the misfortune of growing up in a brothel, and then in a circus. She was plucky enough to get beyond it all. This is not a rags to riches story. Far from it. Nonetheless, Piaf's story is sad, inspirational, and her music is breathtaking.

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Ogee! This weekend, I learned that people are really reading this blog. Up until now, I thought I may have simply been committing random thoughts to cyberspace, but since that isn't the case, I may have to reconsider my approach. Random thoughts don't require much planning, or editing. I'm not sure that I want to return to those college days of agonizing over every word, mulling over the rhythm and syntax of each sentence, and striving for balance and flow in each paragraph. The end result would be than same message written in stronger prose. Let me think about that. If the blog goes dead for a while, it means I'm thinking it over!

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Someone asked why I never use last name. Many of my friends like to function with a degree of anonymity, so I am granting them that protection. For example, if I tell you that today I am proudly wearing my Heart-A-Rama shirt designed by Kristin and Kevin, they can deny it if they choose to. Kristin can say," No, you must be talking about some other talented artist named Kristin who designs for HAR." Kidnappings, stalkings, and bags of fan mail dumped on their doorsteps are also avoided by not using last names. Maybe I'll start putting little Long Ranger masks on their pictures to protect them even further.

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What not to say to an indy bookstore owner (#1) Do you have the phone number of Barnes and Noble?

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What am I reading? I started Miss Julia Speaks her Mind and am loving it. But, it's my book group book for May, so I though I'd read it closer to our meeting date. Instead, I decided to go with The Latehomecomer: a Hmong Family Memoir by Kao Kalia Yang. The author immigrated to Minnesota when she was only six, but the story of her family, and her people is powerful. More later.

A Boy, A Dog, and Scientology

Anne Ylvisaker's book tells Harold Sylvester George Klein's story of the challenges of being different. Because of his size, "Little" Klein can barely keep up with his rowdy, borderline delinquent brothers, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Life changes for Little when he finds and adopts a mongrel, that he names LeRoy, after his mother notes a resemblance to the boys' "ugly uncle" of the same name.

Little and LeRoy spend the remainder of book romping from one adventure to the next. A strong background presence is mom, whose answer to any calamity is to sing "Shall We Gather at the River." Nothing big, or outrageous, or grandly insightful happens, but the mid-century simplicity, episodic plot, and well-crafted characters make for a nice, leisurely spring read. Although there are no big laughs from this book, there are plenty of opportunities for those "Ahh, yes, I remember that" type of chuckles. An enjoyable book.

Now, on to Tom Cruise: The Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton. What was I thinking when I picked this up, huh? There's no good reason why I read this book, but I have two lame excuses. First, my book group has an unnatural interest in Tom Cruise and every move he makes.(There's no excuse for that interest either!) Second, when the book came out, it sold quickly, and we were informed that there would not be a second printing. Immediately, I figured that must be the result of all the lawsuits that the Church of Scientology had threatened against the author. So I read it.

The info on Scientology was intriguing, but an article that appeared in Rolling Stone Magazine a few years ago was more thorough, and, I suspect, better researched. While on the subject of credibility, I had to laugh at the endorsements on the back of the book. One was from "a childhood neighbor," and another came from "a high school girfriend." You can't get more definitive than that, can you?

I did find the pages devoted to the filming of Eyes Wide Shut with director Stanley Kubrick compelling. Kubrick always struck me as emotionally bent - putting the film before the welfare of his actors, and at time immersing them in mental or physical danger in the name of art. If what Morton says even remotely resembles reality, that man was creepy , and used the process of film making to fulfill some aberrant desires.

Next up: Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. I can tell from the first ten pages that I will like this book .

Remember?

We're about a week away from opening night of Wisconsin's second largest fund-raiser for the American Heart Association. I have been fortunate to be part of this organization for many years in a variety of capacities. Countless numbers of volunteers have made this show happen over the past thirty-eight years - all good people who check their egos at the door and do what needs to be done for the benefit of others. We've made many friends over the years, and we have lost far too many of them. Some moved away, others simply decided to take on other projects. Sadly, we have lost others to illness, but I bet they find each other every April, think about us, and sing "You Gotta Have Heart" with us each night at 7:30. Listen for them.

Here's a look at some of our missed friends.

Doug Malzahn's entrances stopped the show cold. Each night, when he stepped on stage in his Stanley S. Stalwart character, the audience would erupt. They knew what was coming. Doug's lisping, sputtering character was a yearly favorite. Doug and his wife, Helen, gave many generous years to Heart-A-Rama. They come back each year to see what the new kids are up to!

Jack Mounford's claim to fame was playing slick talking characters. He was a master at double takes, cunning double meanings, and deliberate line delivery. His wife, Joretta, and daughters, carry on his legacy by heading up the props committee for the show.





Kathie Bundy did it all - act, direct, produce, write. My favorite memories of Kathie include how much the general co-chairs' dogs loved her. She did not return the love! Whenever we met, one of the two huge dogs, a black and a chocolate lab, would inevitably seek out Kathie and spend the evening either snoring at her feet, or with her head resting comfortably on Kathie's knee. On one occasion, one of the pups emptied Kathie's purse item by item while we discussed plans for the show.

Kathy is a long time champion of civic projects, and remains active in the arts.

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Linda Moses left us for the light of Vegas.

Ralph Schwark was just goofy all the time, always laughing. He ran a local laundromat and had an amazing collection of costumes concocted from unclaimed dry-cleaning items.

Bobby Lebarek...well, this picture says it all. This particular costume was a pair of long-johns and Bobby had a terrible time keeping the trap door in the back closed. Eventually, he just gave up! He still stops by LaDeDa to say "hi," and catch up. Bob has begun taking impressive pictures of Manitowoc architecture.

Sheila Hansen was Heart-A-Rama's resident sweet young thing for many seasons. Although she's hasn't been on stage for several years, Sheila is always on hand to sell notepads, chocolates, take tickets, whatever needs to be done. HAR is a family business for Sheila. Her mom is a general co-chair of the show, as was her father, Ron, before his death. Her husband, Biff, is our show MC.


Lucky for us Sheila continues to do local musical theatre whenever possible.


Oh boy! What can be said about Jim Jansen? People still refer to him as "the little guy from the DMV." This little guy made a huge impact. We were somewhat concerned for his safety when he first auditioned for the show but Jim easilybecame a regular. Audiences loved him. We admired his courage. Jim was in pain all the time, but no one ever knew it. This guy just didn't complain. He was in life to do what he could, and he took whatever came his way. He enjoyed Fellini films, a little gossip, a shot of Jack Daniels, and an occasional colorful joke!

When Jim died, his mom sent us her favorite photo to use in the HAR program. I had it on the counter at the store and accidentally slipped it into a customers's bag with her holiday purchases. She put the bags in her closet, never looking at them. When she wrapped the gifts and sent them off to Florida, she just packed the books, still in the store bag, into the box and shipped it out. Imagine her daughter's surprise when she opened the box and found several books and a nice picture of Jim! We had to call Jim's mom and confess we had lost her favorite picture. We got the picture back sometime in spring.

Lori Lippert has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. This will be our first yea in many without Lori in the cast, and she will be missed. I hope that she will come back in the future. She's fun to have around, and wonderful to direct.

Lori is a private person, and I suspect, somewhat shy. I am glad that I have gotten to know her over the years. She is generous, caring, and makes great Texas caviar


That's John Reade in the center. Al and Bill are behind him; watch for them as two lovely German girls in this year's show. John was only with us for two years, but we will remember him for his strength. During last year's show, he was battling pancreatic cancer, and we had a stand-in ready to go on at a moment's notice. John wouldn't hear of it. He was a trouper.

The year before, John had us all worried. We liked him well enough, but for some reason, he could not learn his lines. His director finally worked out a way for John to go on stage with his script. Two weeks after the show, I ran into John at a restaurant and he stood up and recited his lines perfectly!





Jim and Mary Mellberg were one of many husband and wife teams in our show. They were both leaders in community theatre, and were unstoppable when it came to over the top physical comedy. Nothing was too wacky or too outrageous.

Jim had exemplary on-stage range, and he loved the opportunity to stretch and add a few more nuances to his repertoire. He was a punster and a practical joker. Every so often, I hear a joke that I know Jim would have loved. I just holler, 'Hey Mellberg, listen to this!" When's he's not singing with Elvis, I like to think that Jim is telling those jokes to someone!

Johnny Depp...OK, so he has never been in the show - I'm just dreaming! But, there's a good chance he'd get a part if he auditioned.

There are more...many more people past and present who have imprinted our show. If you get a chance to see this year's show, take a minute to think about the history upon which this organization rests. It is impressive. Look around at each piece of the show - the costumes, the make-up, the stage, the curtain, lights, sound - everything. A volunteer touched that. A volunteer made it happen. New volunteers will join the ranks, others will leave. Just having been there is important! It allows us to go on!

Sniff Any Good Books Lately?

This sweet little picture book by Michael Shoulders, and illustrator Teri Weidner, got me thinking about people's relationships with books. Each person in the new baby bear's life connects with him through a favorite book. Of course, after each character reads - mom, dad, brother, aunt, uncle, grandma and grandpa - their special alone time evolves into a practice session in which they coach the new baby into saying their name! Each wants his/her name to be that first, precious word uttered by the new baby.


We all use books for different purposes, and we all relate to them in different ways, and for different reasons. My friend, Pat, is a book sniffer. When LaDeDa first opened eleven years ago, she made me promise that she could open the very first box of books that arrived. On the big day, Pat carefully razored open that first treasure chest of printed gold, then lifted each book out ever so gently, ran her hand lovingly over each cover, and finally opened it and sniffed. I had never seen anything like it before. Well, it seems that Pat is not alone. After we were up and running, several customers made comments about nothing being better than the scent of new books. One day, a mom and son came in. The boy, who was about nine, was studying the literary fiction selections when mom began apologizing profusely. He was opening each book. sticking his nose in and inhaling deeply. She was embarassed, and I think, considering getting him into therapy ASAP. I assured her there was nothing to be concerned about. He was not alone in his joy. Besides that, didn't we all indulge in whiffing those wonderful mimeod handouts elementary teachers used back in the stone age? It must trigger the same endorphins as that new car smell.


Not to lead you astray about Pat - she is a voracious reader, and I am often embarrassed when she begins her litany of questions about books I haven't gotten around to reading. She reads so much, and so widely, and so deep are her desires to read it all, that she has begun farming out books to be read for her. Occasionally, I will mention what I'm reading, and she'll reply "Oh, Liz (her daughter) is in charge of reading that one," or "Mike (her husband) is reading that one for us." Not many people can keep up with her, and it is always a special treat when Justin, (see the reading with my twin blog) is in town. When those two start running lists of titles, the rest of the world evaporates into an inconsequential fog. Although Justin is in his late twenties, and Pat is not, they have a book bond that is both intelligent and entertaining.

Some people, I have learned, have seasonal reading habits. Upon picking up a book, they immediately determine if is is a spring, summer, winter, or fall book. Once home, the book is assigned to the appropriate pile, where it will be consumed at the appropriate time. Some people christen a book by breaking the binding, others avoid any sign of wear on their books by opening them just a tiny bit, and then peering between the barely separated pages as they read. Some folks stack vertically on the floor, or on bottom shelves of end tables, while others will only place books horizontally on bookshelves dedicated to that purpose. You will never see a ceramic bunny, or plastic planter with cascading, silk ivy on those shelves.

Where to read, when to read, how many volumes to buy during a single shopping spree, paperback or hardcover, and how many books to have in progress at one time...these are all issues of concern to readers . However, whether or not to write in a book has to be one of the greatest bibliophile debates in the history of literacy, that is after lending, of course! To many, a book is sacred, a collection of pages filled with ideas to be honored, pondered and sometimes acted upon. If the book is a gift, even the simple act of writing a small note on the inside cover is something akin to sacrilige. Books must remain pristine, appear untouched, preserved for some unknowable future. For others, including myself, nothing personalizes a book more than a few errant scribbles. I love finding old kids' books at yard sales filled with crayon marks, or better yet, an old textbook hosting a note screaming that "Miss Funnyface wears baggy nylons."

When I first opened the store, my friends, Jim and Susie, brought me a gift. Susie prefaced the presentation saying they thought it might be redundant to give a bookstore owner a book, but they felt this one would be perfect. They were so right. The book was about flowers mentioned in various Shakespeare plays. Each page had a stunning, botanical print of a flower, the line from the respective play or sonnet, and then details about the flower itself. The best part was that the book was used. Each page fell open easily, and each page contained tiny, tiny notations in pencil on where a previous owner of the book had planted a particular flower, along with comments on the success of the plant. Knowing that someone had read and valued that book before me, and knowing that Jim and Susie cared to give me this perfect gift, was priceless.

No matter what our relationship with books, one of the gifts we give by reading is the assurance that some books will stay alive. We pass the stories that speak to us on to others, who in turn will fit them into their lives when the time is right. The way I see it, we all need a few good books (and at least one good dog) in our lives at all times.

What am I reading? I finished Little Klein on Sunday. More on that later. I also ripped through the unauthorized Tom Cruise biography. Stop laughing at me!

A Grizzly Ending

Crooked Tree led to a pulsating, albeit melodramatic, ending. You knew from previous posts that it kept me page turning. The ending dragged, though, and I felt the final third of the book was terribly overwritten.


The answer to why to bears began their killing spree became obvious by page 200, and the rest of the book was devoted to an intricate plot to rid the community of the evil that had infiltrated. The search, which was predictably Oedipal, revealed some marginal connections between Native American, and Christian beliefs. Yes, I ws a little disappointed in the unwinding, but all in all, I think readers of King, Saul and Rice would enjoy it. It's a fresh take on a supernatural thriller.





I'm moving on to Little Klein. I know nothing about it except that it is a Midwest Connections title. The Midwest Booksellers Association regularly suggests books that are set in Wisconsin or neighboring states. This is one of them. Besides, with a little boy and dog on the cover, it has to be good!

The Last of Crooked Tree? (Crooked Tree Part 3)

If you've been following my comments about this book, I will warn you that I may stop today, until I finish the book. Then I'll try to pull things together without giving away too much. So much happened in the pages I read last night and early this morning. The pacing accelerates in the second section of the book as the tension rises, and fear grips more and more people. This section is all about anger - anger of the Native Americans at the lack of respect for nature and the refusal of the younger generation to accept lore as truth, anger in the natural world at the lack of recognition of its significance and power, and human anger caused by the inability to tame what cannot be seen or understood.

Because I know this book is slated to become a movie at some point, I have taken it in differently. I can see scenes play out in my mind, and I can just about imagine the types of music that will be used. Tonal Native American sounds will mix with pulsating drumming as each episode drives to what should be a conclusion - most end in cliffhangers that will come together near the end.

When I read The Night Birds by Thomas Maltman, a similar thing happened. I envisioned where, how and why characters moved as they did.; I heard their voices. The dark/light motif that Tom incorported throughout created a moodiness that permeated the entire storyand strengthened his major themes. That book, too, would make an amazing film. In relating that to Tom, he said that sort of cross sensory imaging is rare. To me, it just seems a by-product of puttering around in theatre as long as I have been. At any rate, rare or whatever...it makes reading even more enjoyable. I think it slows things down for me however. By the way, if you haven't read The Night Birds, you should. It's out in paper this month and has won numerous awards.

Wilson does a nice job with imagery, and dialogue. I wouldn't say that the the book is brilliantly written, but the he does have some impressive skills. I like his tempo best. The first section moves slowly and rhythmically, changing directions in a predictable pattern. It's a lot like heaviness of bears, lumbering through the forest, moving their heads from side to side as if some internal metronome is at work. As I said before, the second section of the book is more aggressive, and the events are random - like an aggitated bear poised for action.

The end result of all this change is that I can no longer read the book at night; it scares the bejeepers out of me. Even reading early this morning was creepy. As a matter of fact, this morning, a young wife had her hand on the latch leading into the cooler in a funeral home, looking for her husband who had crept down there after hearing noises. She was about to open the door (and, of course, a little dramatic irony plays out here since I knew what she would find) - my phone rang! I'm pretty sure I barked a terrified "Hello" and then tried to explain, but I don't think the caller bought it.

So, I'll be starting a new night time book to replace this one.

Jean, Jean Roses are Red (Crooked Tree Part 2)

We had lots of rosy cheeks from laughter here on Sunday, March 3o, when Jean Feraca honored us with a visit. There were also some visible tears as she related personal stories of the deep love and respect she had for her mother despite the challenges of her mother's bi-polar disease.


My former high-school teacher instinct told me from the start that there would be no daydreaming through this presentation. Jean's congenial manner let everyone know that this would be an entertaining, insightful and relaxed event. She read from her memoir, I Hear Voices, and followed up with Q&A. Most of the questions focused on her radio career, but I bet those people who purchased and read the book as a result of her presentation wish they had another chance to ask questions.

Jean's life has been rich - partially because of the opportunities her job has afforded her, but also, because she has taken the time to find the richness amid the twists and turns of her personal adventures. As far as memoirs go, this has been one of the strongest I have ever read, and I hope that, eventually, it will be recognized in a wider circle than it is presently. She encouraged everyone to write a memoir!

Personally, I was thrilled to see so many people anxious to experience a book event. Sadly, I had to turn some people away due to space restrictions. Jean graciously began with a plug for independent book stores. Honestly, I always worry a little when we host an author. We're small, and certainly not slick, like many of the stores they speak at. I worry about what first time visitors will think when they come in. But, Jean put my mind at ease the moment I met her, and we talked about the fact the Wisconsin has only 75 surviving independent bookstores. I want to ask people who pride themselves on saving a few dollars at Amazon and B&N if those places pay taxes in Manitowoc. Do they contribute a donation when asked to give one to a Lakeshore charity?

If you're travelling, this summer, please stop and patronize these friends of mine who own indy book stores:

• Steve at PassTimes in Sister Bay
  


• Glen at Creekside Books in Cedarburg
  


• Michelle at Novel Ideas in Bailey's Harbor
  

Also check out Readers' Loft in Green Bay, BookHeads in Kiel, and Harry Schwartz all over Milwaukee.
(end of PSA!)


This is Jean Feraca signing our bathroom door. It has become a tradition here for guest authors and performers to sign the "Wall of Fame" before they leave us.

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These are my "orphan" books - the ones that I have earmarked to read soon, but keep making their way back to a shelf in my office. Most customers who stop in have a book they suggest for my must-read list. Each month we get 20-30 advance reader copies of books that will be published within the next 3-6 months (and which publishers are hoping we will read and promote!) , my trade associations send books to be read and be reviewed for various publishers and websites, and then there is always the book for our next book discussion meeting. I am still committed to reading the orphans, it's just a matter of when. I bet you bibliophiles are drooling!

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The campers in Crooked Tree survived the night! I have mixed feeling about this book. At times the sentence structure is clumsy, and there are logic gaps in the plot progression. Sometimes I have to stop and look back to see where I was given a piece of information, only to find the author expected me to infer a fact without telling me what I needed to do so.

Despite that, this is a page turning thriller. Wilson got me hooked on the characters, and now nothing will stop me from working my way to the end. The section I read this morning included some nice Indian folklore, and every so often, there is a passage that I find deserves extra thought, like this one in which a Native American speaks of respect; "Our grandfathers had a respect for nature. They knew how much greater the forces of nature were than themselves. They saw into the souls of the animals, and they found themselves. They knew the bear as a cousin and paid him the respect saved for elders, knowing that he may very well hold the souls of their grandfathers. They did not hunt for fun, but for food and clothing and housing and tools. And when they killed, they did not cast aside the victuals and cart off the trophy. They offered his spirit appeasement and asked forgiveness for having had to kill him."

I'll keep you posted on this book, but, the closer I get to the end, the less you will be hearing!

Is it Cholera, Love, a Dog or a Bear? (Crooked Tree Part 1)

I never expected to like this book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Romance isn't my favorite genre, but I was very wrong about this one. There's no sloppy sentimentality here, rather a powerful story of the effects of sincere, but tortured love.

Florentine and Fermina fall in love in their youth, but she is forced into an arranged marriage. The unlikely hero rejects her rejection, and pines for Fermina for fifty yeas. The symptoms of his sickness mimic those of cholera. While he waits and dreams of being united with Fermina, Florentine clumsily occupies his time with a string of colorful women, and unfulfilling trysts. He is quirky, sardonic, and oddly enough, both pathetic and sympathetic.

The book goes far beyond the story,however. It is a skilled examination of the many forms of love - love of convenience, love of self, unrequited , heart-breaking , dangerous, and platonic loves....lust, adultery, and of course, perfect and passionate,love.

The translation from the original Spanish is smooth, and adeptly captures the nuances and style elements so characteristic of this culture's writings.

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I also cruised through The Dog who Loved Cheerios and other Tales of Excess. This is a book of little, one page dog biographies! There's Basil, whose favorite word is "braunschweiger," Arlo, the old English sheep dog who sees a doggy psychiatrist because everything frightens him, and Maddie, whom the author dubbs "most ubiquitous."

Each of the charming little essays is accompanied by a portrait of the featured persona. If you have a dog, or if you know a dog, you will relate to the pups' funny habits. If you don't have a dog...well, not to insult anyone here, but I think I know some humans with similar, engaging traits.

Pogo, the handsome fellow on the cover, runs. He runs year round and even joined a team of mountain bikers that he now considers his pack. You could say that Pogo is a true "lap" dog!

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Between life stuff, I am still working on Crooked Tree, by Robert C. Wilson, the book set to be the next Johnny Depp movie project. Tension is building with what appears to be a warning hit on the home of a lawyer working to prevent big-city developers from encroaching on Indian territory in Michigan. No doubt this plot will eventually come together with the missing/dead lawyer, and bear attack plots. This morning, two young teachers packed up and headed out for a camping trip near Crooked Tree. I suspect they're goners! The author's pacing is slow and heavy, resulting in lots of drama.

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I'll post some pictures from Jean Feraca's visit this past Sunday as soon as I find the cable for my camera!