Oktoberfest was great fun and the streets were full of visitors enjoying the artisans, the food vendors, the live music, pumpkin decorating, and all those things planned by our merchants and the Chamber of Commerce. This event continues to grow significantly each year and they make a special effort to make it a family event. It's great to see all the young families with their kids coming out and enjoying the day in Whiting.
And speaking of families, there were many who came in for the historical society's ID Day. Again, cell phones were busy calling other family members to come in and check out the 60 historical photos on display. Thanks to about 300 visitors throughout the day, close to 200 people were identified in the photos. It was great as people brought in 'new' old photos for the historical society to have in its archives. Many people said that they were now going home and start looking through their old photos to see what they had.
One thing we did discover was that we need more photos from the 1960s and beyond. While I always love the earlier pictures of organization founders and class pictures back to 1918, I forget that photos that date back to the 1960s would be considered historical by today's young adults, especially since most class photos and first communions of people my age were still black and white.
It's like going to antique stores today. You used to see signs that read, "Yes, we know your grandmother had one like it. Please don't tell us about it." Today you go in and you see things from your own childhood or worse yet, from your own children's childhood! I'm always amazed when young people are buying things from the 1950s. I remember thinking at the time how ugly most things were when I was a kid, except for clothes like Lucille Ball wore. Maybe that's how people now in their 80s think of things that we boomers like to buy from the 30s and 40s. When young people refer to the old days, I immediately think of 1920. They're talking about 1980 which, to me, was last week.
Speaking of last week, I went to a rehearsal of the upcoming November fare offered by Marian Theatre Guild. It's the fun musical "Anything Goes." This is one of those Broadway classics and is the one that first introduced Ethel Merman to audiences in New York. The music is by Cole Porter, a native Hoosier who was born and raised in Peru, Ind.
"Anything Goes" celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Marian Theatre Guild. The musical, which takes place on an ocean liner, pulls into port on Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16. Saturday shows are at 8:15 a.m. with Sunday matinees at 3. Saturday night dinner/theatre packages are also available. Seniors/students are $10 and adults are $12. Call the box office (219) 473-7555 to make your reservation today. The theatre is at Lincoln and 119th Street in the Marian Memorial Auditorium.
The opinions expressed are the author's own. Reach her at puccini99@aol.com or (219) 659-8129.
