Random Notes

by Rhonda Westfall

On mistakes, the SJHS Theatre Master, and a mural update

Mistakes are a part of life. Sometimes they produce good results and other times not so good, but either way our errors are always a learning experience.

In fact, if I were among the graduates walking across the commencement stage at St. Johns High School today, I would certainly qualify for a degree in the subject area of mistakes - maybe even a Ph.D. I've made some whoppers between Graduation Day 1970 and today, there's no doubt about that.

While coping with major, sometimes life-altering errors, is an emotional, gut-wrenching experience, it's the little mistakes that are often most bothersome.

For example, somehow I've managed to call people by different names in articles that have appeared in the Reminder over the past two weeks. The sad part is, I know these people - have known them for many years - but my tired brain obviously wasn't responding properly when it decided to rename Linda Ritter as Linda Root, or change Dick Cornwell into Scott Knight.

Adding to the mess, I identified Pearle Vision as NuVision - not once, but twice - when I knew perfectly well what that bright red and white sign says on the storefront at 119 N. Clinton Avenue. Obviously, there have been some major lapses in brain activity for yours truly. Fortunately, the damage wasn't too great - both Linda and Dick (and Scott, too) know who they are, as does everyone else as of this writing. My apologies to all.

And, on an even brighter note, there is a cure for this mind-disease - vacation. Two weeks and counting down before the peaceful blue waters of Lake Michigan provide some soothing relief for a weary mind. Maybe I'll even grow some new brain cells - that would be good, too.

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This is the appropriate time to add my feelings of deep appreciation to a man who has become something of an icon in high school theatre - here in St. Johns and across the state.

Bob Koger is well deserving of the praise he receives from SJHS theatre alumni in the article on his retirement from the stage that's part of this issue. There really are no completely accurate words to describe what he has done for the fine arts curriculum during his 31 years guiding Redwing thespians.

The theatre program that exists here today - and which is recognized state-wide for its consistent high quality - is a Koger enterprise. He built it from scratch, beginning with the 1968-69 school year when the Mask & Dagger Club was reborn and it participants captured first place at the Drama Play Contest which Koger initiated.

That was the start of a tradition of excellence in Redwing theatre - and Koger is its master.

But even the Grand Poobah of the SJHS stage can make mistakes. During the course of our interview last week, I reminded the venerable director of one budding thespian whose theatric career was nipped short during tryouts in his debut year at Rodney B. Wilson High School - me. Yup - I got the axe from Mr. Koger. When the cast list for "The Diary of Anne Frank" was posted near the doorway of Room 200, my name was not included.

It was undoubtedly the correct decision - my talents lay elsewhere, as "Ma" Bates brought to light.

Still, it would have been a neat experience to be part of a Koger production. Keep me in mind, Bob, if you come out of retirement and need a wanna-be stage diva.

And, thanks for the multitude of truly wonderful shows you've brought to our small-town community. You've made folks across the state sit up and take notice of SJHS theatre - we do appreciate your years of hard work and dedication.

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Finally, we're passing along the following letter from a former St. Johns resident, Jerry Benedict, on a recent article on a future life for the mural of St. Johns after city offices are moved to the new courthouse. Jerry's email message was sent to the St. Johns Independent web site at sjindy.com

Greetings from an "old" Rodney B. Wilson H.S. grad now living in Sandpoint, Idaho.

The mural is a real treasure for today's citizens of St. Johns. The pictures represent life as it was back "then" and will never be "again." The photo of the students coming out the front doors at RBW was taken in the spring of 1952. The students are from the senior class, and includes along with those you identified , Alma "Smith" Joseph (not her sister, Carman), Donna "Woodbury" Snyder, Shirley "Clark" Benedict and Doug Cook. Several more can be identified with some more effort. The photo was taken the same day as a similar one that appears on the front cover of the 1952 Wilsonian. Shirley and I became "interested" in each other that spring and we celebrated our 44th anniversary this past April. See some things do last!

You have an excellent web site - and I will return to see some of the students that appear in that photograph.

Gerald "Jerry" Benedict

We appreciate Jerry's letter and his added identification of some of the RBW students in the mural.

Rumor has it that the county is contemplating placing the mural in the new courthouse building. We support that initiative. As Jerry points out in his letter, the mural represents life here as it was 'back then' and never will be again.

It's a part of our history that is worth preserving.