Remembering those “Thrilling Days of Yesteryear” when Easter was one of the most fun holidays…large coconut eggs dipped in milk chocolate from Joe Clark’s (the best) putting hard boiled eggs into the vinegar and dye mixture, our brand new Easter duds complete with hats.  What special memories! 

Cut and dissolve….Hollywood, CA….I had read about the Easter Sunrise Service at the famed Hollywood Bowl all of my life, well I produced and directed 3 of those services in the 70’s.   What a thrill to stand on that stage and take in the vastness of the Hollywood Bowl…one such service I worked with Bee Beyer a wonderful very Christian woman (I also produced her syndicated TV talk show).  She knew a lot of those avid Christians who wore lots of diamonds and cowboy duds and came to rehearsals in limousines.  But I must tell you though, they were absolutely wonderful and were fun to work with.   My opening number was not one but two Black choral groups (60 each) making their entrance from the top of the Bowl, coming down the steps singing the Hallelujah Chorus interspersed with dancing harem girls…to say the least it was an eye opene r…thank you, Mr. DeMille! Macdonald Carey, radio, television,  soaps (Days of Our Lives) and movie star was a PR client of mine and I asked him to read the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning.  Being an ever vigilant PR man, I went into the audience so I could get a great photo of Mac onstage.   Beautiful moment, Mac in his best theatrical reading standing on the stage and he finished the prayer, raised his arms and 100 white pigeons took off from the stage to the back of the Bowl.  As I stood there taking pic after pic, as they zoomed over my head…some of those little darlings decided it was “ka ka do do” time and I was soon covered with white spots all over me and the camera.  I swear as they flew over I heard one pigeon coo….I told him no pictures….

It’s my Uncle Bill’s birthday…he’s gone now…passed away many years ago much too soon but his persona has stayed with me and will for many years to come.  He was athletic, warm and very handsome. Try to imagine a boy who was the perfect son, brother, uncle and friend all rolled into one….legend has it that he was mischievous too.  Seems that one day, Bill, age 15 and his best friend,  Gail Massart asked my Mom if they could take me for a walk in my baby carriage.  She was busy in the kitchen that had a window that looked out on Fentzel Alley which ran up to 10^th Avenue so she agreed.  It was a bit steep.  She was doing the dishes when she looked up and saw me in my carriage barreling down the alley.  Not to worry, pal, Gail was standing at the end of the alley to catch me.   I was about 3 and I thought this was great fun.  Needless to say,  my Mom didn’t agree but for years we laughed about “the trip”. 

Whenever I would come home, Bill always the first to drop by to see me.  Each time, I promised myself I would call him as soon as I arrived but he always beat me to it.  He made me feel so special.   He had the great fortune to marry the girl of his dreams, Betty Jane Bouchet and had two wonderful children, Bill Jr and Marcia. 

Uncle  Bill…thanks  for all that you did for all of us and for being such an inspiration…you were truly one of the good guys!