Rogers is the name! (Part III)

Welcome back to the neighborhood my loyal readers. I hope you weren’t too bored with this three-part series, but I admire this man and his wife so much for what they have done for the kids in this country, and the world for that matter, that I just wanted you to know a little bit about this kind and gentle man Fred Rogers and his wife Joanne. In every episode of the show, Fred always thanked his viewers.

Let’s see now um where did we leave off - - oh yes how did they meet and how did Fred propose to Joanne. But first - - - - - -

ABOUT JOANNE ROGERS

Fred’s wife of 50 years Sara Joanne Byrd was born March 9, 1928 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was the only child of homemaker Ebra Edwards Byrd and Wyatt Adolphus Byrd, a salesman and postal worker. Joanne, the name she goes by, is the mother of two sons ,Jim and John Rogers, and two grandsons. She is an alumni of Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida a suburb of Orlando and earned a master’s degree for the piano at Florida State University in 1952.

Joanne was honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom and 40 honorary degrees. Also Joanne is known for her music concerts with Jeannie Morrison. They performed on their pianos in their live shows. She is as famous as Fred. Both of them loved music a lot. Music is an important factor that bridges their relationship. Joanne is leading her life without Mr. Rogers.

HOW FRED AND JOANNE MET

In 1948, a strapping young lad by the name of Fred Rogers was considering a transfer from Dartmouth College to Rollins College so he could major in music. Before applying for admission, he decided to see this prospective new school in Florida. Joanne was attending Rollins when she heard about this potential transfer’s visit. She drove out to the airport with a group of students to welcome Fred.

At first, Joanne recalls, we were just good friends as we didn’t do much dating because we all ran around in a group of friends - - but we thoroughly enjoyed each other and as a bonus - - “he was a marvelous dancer - - no A FABULOUS DANCR”! She would ask him to her sorority dances and he would ask her to his fraternity dances. They became close enough that Joanne was introduced to Fred’s family, who sometimes vacationed near the school.

THE PROPOSAL

Being the most beloved children’s show host Fred went the “old fashioned” way of proposal, well um not exactly. It was not on bended knee with ring in hand but via a letter which he mailed (not email) to her.

H m m m m not all that romantic in my mind but effective because when Joanne received the letter she ran to a payphone and called him and said “YES!, YES!, YES! They were married in the summer of 1952. Now all this was before “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was aired.

JOANNE AND FRED ROGERS LEGACY

Fred Rogers passed away of stomach cancer in 2003 at the age of 74. Since then many accolades have continued to follow him. Pittsburgh declared World Kindness Day as “Cardigan Day” in November. The film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” starring Tom Hanks was released at the end of last year. On March 23, 2018 the U.S. Postal Service dedicated a Forever Postage Stamp in the honor of Mister Rogers

Joanne was a part of the film promotion, and continues to make sure that Mister Rogers’ legacy of promoting kindness and making the world a safe and inspiring place for children will never be forgotten. Fred Rogers widow, now at 92, still acts as a spokeswoman for her husband’s legacy. She had a long career as a concert pianist, performing duets around the country and recording two albums.

I hope you had a good time in the neighborhood learning a bit more about Fred and Joanne Rogers as I did so - - -

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD and MAY GOD BLESS POP QUIZ: who was the first president and first lady to live in the White House?

H m m m m think before you answer because I went to a lot of trouble in procuring this imported prize IF your name, among those entered, was lucky enough to be drawn. That prize IS - - a wad of sidewalk gum imported from a New York City sidewalk for your chewing pleasure.

Answer to the last POP QUIX Filling-in the blanks of these comic book characters - - Mutt and JEFF, Little LULU, and FELIX the cat. If you were lucky enough to complete this quiz you might win this fabulous prize which is an all expense paid trip to Quaziland where you can help them make a mountain out of a molehill.

Well, that’s it for now . . . So until next time . . . This is my view from the Pilot house.