By Staff
Remember that ugly orange vase I talked about this summer? The one I threatened to throw out or toss to the curb for the benefit of curbside shoppers?
The one that is actually orange peel glass from Czechoslovakia and worth about $200?
Well, it appeared - again!
A group of us had dinner at the Wood Fire and later attended “Forever Plaid” at the Beckwith.
The temperature that evening was comfortably mild, so Naomi and I walked downtown and were the last to arrive at Wood Fire.
Our friends were already seated at the farthest back table (so we wouldn't disturb other diners!) and low and behold -there it was. I was quite surprised to see it out in public.
It had been securely hidden behind a large tabletop picture in our dining room but thanks to the stealth of family and friends, it escaped.
Like Cinderella, however, it was now transformed in the center piece de resistance!
Bittersweet and those cute little orange lantern things that ripen in the fall filled the vase.
Actually, it was quite attractive, thanks to Shirley Laylin's artistic touch.
The orange peel vase was an appropriate prelude to a great evening of nostalgia.
All that was missing was Lawrence Welk and a bottle of champagne!
Actually, a lot of people were missing - heroes from a gentler world of entertainment.
Remember shows such as “Arthur Godfrey and his Friends,” “Arthur Godfrey's Talent Show,” “Truth or Consequences,” “The Garry Moore Show,” “What's My Line?”, “Name That Tune,” “Westinghouse Theater,” “I've Got a Secret,” “Howdy Doody” and scores of others?
Remember Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and all the other cowboy superstars? And animal stars - Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, Flicka and even the pig on “Green Acres”? As Archie Bunker and Edith used to sing, “Those were the days.”
I'm writing this on a Sunday afternoon - the porch is too chilly for sitting, but the view from my study window is a good substitute.
It's one of those afternoons conducive for reminiscing.
This morning the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang a rendition of Louis Armstrong's “What a Wonderful World.”
And what a wonderful world it is, in spite of all that is wrong with it.
This wonderful world encompasses memories brought to mind by “Forever Plaid.”
It includes the influences of all those bigger-than-life heroes of decades ago. And it stretches way into the future with hopes of a good life for our children and grandchildren.
My wonderful world includes a host of faces, near and far, past and present (and future) who enrich my life.
People who bring music into my life. People who challenge me to remember my history and live up to my expectations.
People who laugh and tell stories and applaud music that echoes in our minds.
Yes, and even people who keep bringing out that orange vase. Orange vases, plaid tuxes, superstars of another time and place, all remind us that the world is still a wonderful place.