Crotchety victorian businessman, Ebenezer Scrooge was played by Alastar Sim.  Scrooge has no use for the festivity even at Christmas.  After resentfully allowing timid clerk, Bob Cratchit to have the holiday to spend with his loving wife and family, Scrooge is swept into a nightmare. The ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley appears, warning that Ebenezer will be visited by three more spirits who will show the coldhearted man the error of his behavior.  

A Christmas Carol was released on December 2, 1951.  The story is by Charles Dickens. The film was released in Great Britain under its original title, Scrooge.  United Artists handled the U.S. release under the title A Christmas Carol.  The film was originally slated to be shown at New York City's Radio City Music Hall as part of their Christmas attraction, but the theatre management decided that the film was too grim and did not possess enough family entertainment value to warrant an engagement at the Music Hall.  The film was one of the most popular in Britain, but was a box office disappointment in the U.S.  However, the film became a holiday favorite on American television where it was broadcast regularly during the 1950s and 1960s. In the opinion of critic, A.O. Scott, Scrooge is the best film adaptation of A Christmas Carol ever made.

Bah Humbug

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

 

 

Last Christmas by Wham!

Wham! were an English pop music duo consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley formed in 1981.  They became one of the most commercially successful pop acts of the 1980s selling more than 30 million records worldwide from 1982 to 1986. Wham! sparked something of a pop revival in the mid 80s and could arguably be held responsible for sparking off the boy band trend of the 90s.  Prior to Wham! breaking up they gave a farewell performance before a sold-out audience of 72,000 fans at London's Wembley Stadium.

Michael sold over 80 milion records worldwide making him on of the best-selling music artists of all time. He won two Grammy Awards and was ranked 40th on Billboard's list of the Greatest Hot 100 Artists of All Time.  

George Michael comfortably stepped straight into his own highly successful solo performing and recording career.  Sadly, George Michael died from heart and liver disease at his home in England on Christmas Day 2016.  He was 53.  RIP

With each passing Christmas we still get the chance to hear Last Christmas sung by Wham! whether we are shopping in a store, listening to the CD or asking Alexa to "play Last Christmas".

Be Safe.

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse 

 

  

 

John and Margie Fuchs

Growing up in Holly, Michigan Christmas was always a special time of the year for John Fuchs.  He fondly recalls spending time hanging garland and lights around the windows of their family home.  

"When I was about 7 or 8 my Dad and I built my first lighted Christmas display.  It consisted of a Santa, sleigh and Rudolph, complete with a blinking red light for the nose."

Since 2004, Fuchs, a retired engineer has transformed his home at 629 Winsor Street in Jamestown into Lights on Winsor, an intricate light show that synchronizes with music played on 104.9 FM.  

"When we first moved into the house in 1974, my wife and I did luminaria the first few years.  Then little by little, more lights started to appear.  First on the bushes, then on the front of the house in tree shapes.  Eventually, the whole front of the house was covered."

Today, Fuchs estimates his display has about 10,000 individual lights that he has transformed into snowflakes, bells, trees and, most recently, a manger scene.

"It takes about two days to place the shapes and effects and another one to two days for the wiring.  A two-and-a-half-minute song takes about another week to program.  Then it is all tested and prepared to run."

And while in his seventies, Fuchs generally does all of the programming and installation himself, he has had help over the years.  His wife, Margie, continues to offer her full support, local artist Gary Peters, Jr. created the manger scene and Brandon Caruso, Guest Experience Researcher and Developer at the National Comedy Center, has programmed several songs and displays.  

This year, when it looked like the annual show might not happen his son, Christopher drove up from Maryland to help and together they got it done just in time.  "It truly has been a labor of love."

Recently, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation announced Fuchs as its 2020 Axel W. Carlson Unsung Hero Award recipient.

"What makes this award so special is that it is designed to recognize those that make an impact in their community, while flying under the radar," said Bob Young Jr., Axel W. Carlson Award Selection Committee chair.   "What John does for the community, year after year, brings an incredible amount of joy to everyone who passes by.  And now, more than ever, that is something to celebrate."

Besides his holiday light show, Fuchs has been quietly serving his community for decades.

According to Tom Andolora, who nominated Fuchs for the award, Fuchs was an integral member of The Shoestring Players, a local theatre organization known for their musical productions. Founded by Richard Corbin in the 1970s as an opportunity for local youth to dabble in the arts, The Shoestring Players performed at the Consistory, today known as the Carl Cappa Theatre at The Robert H. Jackson Center for two decades. 

"I have known John since I was 15 years old when we worked together on musicals for The Shoestring Players. His true gift to the city is his unselfish gift of turning a visit to his home as a holiday destination and tradition in Jamestown", Andolora wrote in his nomination.

In addition to providing lighting and technical support for each production with The Shoestring Players, Fuchs also served as the organization's treasurer for several years. Following the natural blend of The Shoestring Players, Fuchs continued volunteering his time to many community organizations, building websites, offering videography services and providing technical support when needed.  Fuchs even offered his engineering expertise when a local family needed help recreating their father's holiday light display after his death.  Recently, Fuchs retired as treasurer of the board of directors at the Jamestown Concert Association.  

"Although we are unable to gather and host a celebration to honor John, we still wanted to do something special for him and show him how much we appreicate what he has done for our community", said Tory Irgang, Community Foundation executive director.  

The Community Foundation has created a place on its website for community members, family and friends to send Fuchs a congratulatory message or upload photos of their families enjoying his light show.  For more information, visit crcfonline/lightsonwinsor.

In addition to sharing those messages with Fuchs, the foundation will also send Fuchs a $1,000 award for himself, as well as, make a $500 donation to a charity of his choice in his honor.  

Due to his and Margie's experience ringing the bell for the Red Kettle Campaign, Fuchs selected The Salvation Army to receive the donation.  "This time of year, they are in the same business we are, which is simply making people happy," Fuchs said. 

Lights on Winsor will be available for viewing during the week from 5-10 p.m. and on weekends 5-11 p.m. through Christmas.  To learn more, or to view previous displays through the years follow Lights on Winsor on Facebook.

For 35 years, the Community Foundation has presented its Unsung Hero Award annually to residents of the Southern Chautauqua region who have made significant contributions to their community through their efforts while neither receiving, nor expecting, reward or recognition. 

The Skater's Overture

Congratulations to John and Margie Fuchs, who truly have given from their hearts to .. simply making people happy. 

And to Tom Andolora for his nomination.

Be Safe. 

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

 

Despite the fact that the year, 2020 presented us with Covid-19 I felt that I needed to post a story about a film made in Hollywood that delivers a special message for all of us.

The holiday classic is It's A Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra. Clarence Odbody played by Henry Travers was George Bailey's guardian angel who showed George how life would have been had he not been born.  Clarence showed George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years.   At the end of the film viewers learn .. when we hear a bell ring it means an angel has received its wings.  When Clarence had finished his angelic assignment for George he left a handwritten note which appears at the end of the film as George looks upward and gives a wink thanking his guardian angel for teaching him a valuable lesson.  

This little girl was Zu Zu Bailey though her real name was Karolyn Grimes.  Her father, George Bailey referred to Zu Zu as "my little gingersnap" in the film once God gave him his life back and all that he truly treasured.  Grimes was born on July 4, 1940 so she is now 80 years old though forever young, on film.  The day after her birthday in 1946 she began filming her iconic scenes.  

Zu Zu Ginger Snaps were round drop cookies produced beginning in 1901 by National Biscuit Company.  The snaps were "a spicy combination of ginger and sugar-cane molasses".  The mascot was the Zu Zu Clown.  The Clown became central to an advertising campaign which included ads, signs, free clown costumes for children and two sizes of clown dolls.  The name ZuZu comes from Zuzana, a Czech/Slovak form of Susana.  

Actor Jimmy Stewart's emotion is palpable in this scene, one that acclaimed actress Carol Burnett called "one of the finest pieces of acting ever on the screen".  What may have escaped audiences watching It's a Wonderful Life over 70 years after its making is that the tears running down Stewart's face are real which the actor later shared.  Stewart had just returned home from serving as a flight leader in World War II and this 1946 film was the first movie since witnessing the horrors of war.  Without Stewart's real acquaintance with darkness, the holiday classic's redefining perspective on life wouldn't be able to shine so unforgettably bright.  After serving in the Army Air Corps, Steward had been absent from Hollywood for five years when he was offered the George Bailey role.  He was initially hesitant to do the film, but it was his only offer except for a film featuring his war service.

"It's a Wonderful Life was a result of Jim's war experiences because it unlocked this depth of soul in Jimmy.  He had to learn to act again and that's what you're seeing on screen.  It's like lightning that just got captured in a bottle."

Robert Matzen, biographer

NBC, which now owns the rights to the film, broadcasts It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve every year.  In 2016, Variety reported that the netywork's 42nd Christmas eve airing of the program brought in 4.5 million viewers!

The town of Bedford Falls was believed to be though never 100% confirmed the central New York State Village of Seneca Falls complete with a bridge like the one in the movie. The former Seneca Theatre houses a museum to commemorate It's a Wonderful Life.  On display are several historic advertisements for Zu Zu Ginger Snaps as well as Zu Zu dolls and gifts made by fans of Karolyn Grimes.  

It's A Wonderful Life has a Facebook page and these websites. 

www.therealbedfordfalls.com 

www.wonderfullifemuseum.com

The museum is located at 32 Fall Street and is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  They will be closed December 25 & 26.  Visitors must wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.  Admission is free. Call 315-568-5838 for more information.  

For Grimes, the scene that encapulates the film is its climax, in which George begs God to let him live again.  "When he says the word 'God', that's when the snow starts to fall and you know he's back.  He has discovered that what's really important in life is not money nor social status, but faith, family and friends."

The movie's location of Bedford Falls was one the largest sets ever built for an American movie.  The main street was 300 yards long with 3 city blocks.  It had a tree-lined center parkway.  The set had 75 stores and buildings including a bank with a marble front, a post office and a library.  It had 20 full-grown transplanted oak trees.  

Movie snow in those days was usually made of corn flakes painted white.  To cover the whole town in the set took 3,000 tons of shaved ice, 300 tons of plaster and 6,000 gallons of a special mixture of Foamite.  And ironically, the "freezing" scenes were shot during a record heat wave in the summer of 1946.  The film crew won an Oscar for their new development in snow making techniques.  

                On the set with the snow making service to create the winter magic.

                                                                                   

               George Bailey finds Zu Zu's flower petals .. a poignant moment in the film. 

                                             

              George and Mary Bailey during the final scenes of It's a Wonderful Life
                                                           

It's a Wonderful Life was based on the short story and booklet The Greatest Gift which Philip Van Doren Stern published in 1943.  The movie budget for the film was $3.18 million and the film made $3.3 million at the box office.  Produced by Liberty Films which was an independent motion picture production company founded in California by Frank Capra in April 1945. It produced only 2 films one of which was It's a Wonderful Life.  Liberty Films' logo was the Liberty Bell ringing loudly. 

                                        

                                           

Merry Christmas from all of us at Chautauqua Lake Pops to all of you.  And may we all experience a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Be Safe.

Pat Locke                                                                                                                                                  Maestro Muse                                           

      

 

Tori Kelly

The holiday song, This Christmas has been recorded by many artists though the years and we can now add singer, Tori Kelly to the list.  This Christmas was originally recorded by the late American soul musician, Donny Hathaway and released in 1970 on Atco Records. It is the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time.! When you hear Tori sing her rendition of this holiday classic .. you will know why.   Enjoy.

Happy Holidays .. This Christmas

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse