SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019 | 5A
Topical and Timely Book Reviews
by Siuslaw News reporter Mark Brennan
B
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“The Good
Neighbor, the Life
and Work of Fred
Rogers”
By Maxwell King
“Knowing that we can be
loved exactly as we are
gives us all the best oppor-
tunity for growing into the
healthiest of people.”
— Fred Rogers
T
he renewed inter-
est in the unusual-
ly low-key and quirky
children’s show “Mr.
Rogers Neighbrhood,”
which ran nationwide
from 1968 to 2001 —
and its iconic host Fred
Rogers — has resulted
in a new major feature
film release, a best-sell-
ing biography and an
award-winning docu-
mentary.
The new film, “A beau-
tiful day in the neighbor-
hood,” stars Tom Hanks
as Fred Rogers. The film
has garnered good re-
views from the viewing
public as well as critics,
and is currently playing
at City Lights Cinema
through this Wednesday.
The book “The Good
Neighbor, the Life and
Work of Fred Rogers”
is an entertaining and
well-researched
look
at Rogers life and the
important cultural de-
velopments introduced
for the first time on the
long-running show. The
show also set the stan-
dard for an intelligent,
thoughtful approach to
children’s programming,
which until then was
lacking.
The new Rogers bi-
ography was written by
Maxwell King and pres-
ents, for the first-time,
material from the Rog-
ers’ family archives and
interviews with his co-
workers and friends. It
also provides a fresh in-
terpretation of the work
done over the decades by
the show’s primary writ-
er, host and producer,
Fred McFeely Rogers.
The book begins by
recapping Rogers’ early
years as an unhealthy
youth in Pennsylvania.
His family was well off
and his mother was an
active presence in the
community of Latrobe,
Penn., often writing a
check or giving cash
directly to neighbors
in-need. The family’s
strong ties to the Pres-
byterian Church and
its ability to help others
was one of the lessons
Rogers carried with him
throughout his life.
Religion was import-
ant to Rogers as well,
but as in most areas of
his life he was accepting
and respectful of the dif-
ferences inherent in the
world. Rogers was mar-
ried to his wife, Joanne,
for more than 50 years
and she was often on
the set during filming.
Her council and support
of her husband knew
no bounds and she was
an early and constant
contributor to the ideas
shared during the show.
Helping others, either
through the words he
wrote for his characters
or the actions he took
out-side of the show,
would always remain a
central element of his
life.
“The real issue in life
is not how many bless-
ings we have but what
we do with our bless-
ings. Some people have
many blessings and
hoard them. Some have
few and give everything
away,” Rogers said.
This message was the
foundation upon which
he built not only his per-
sonal life, but also was
one of the underpinning
of Mr. Rogers Neighbor-
hood.
“I went into television
because I hated it so,”
Rogers once said in an
interview with CNN. “I
thought there was some
way of using this fabu-
lous instrument to nur-
ture to those who would
watch and listen.”
The sense that Mr.
Rogers Neighborhood
was a place where ev-
eryone was welcome,
regardless of ethnici-
ty or physical abilities,
was a cornerstone of the
show’s message to its
young viewers.
The inclusion of ac-
tors of color, women
and characters that were
puppets was done in a
way that was unusual at
the time but, in retro-
spect, can be appreciat-
ed for its inclusivity and
lack of bias.
These unique aspects
of the show, coupled
with the low-key deliv-
ery of Rogers, led some
to the opinion that the
persona of Fred Rogers
was fake, according to
Basil Cox, an executive
with the nonprofit es-
tablished by Fred and
Joanne.
“Fred was very contro-
versial for most of his ca-
reer. There were always a
significant number
of people who just
didn’t believe him
and thought it was
an act,” said Cox.
“They thought that
somehow he was
phony.”
One of the most
memorable
and
J OIN U S I N W ORSHIP
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Located at Munsel Lake Road and North Fork Road
Worship Services 10:00 AM Sunday
All are welcome! 541-997-7268
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Worship Services 10:00 a.m. Sunday
Adult class 8:30am • Sunday school 10am
Coffee Fellowship Following Service
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m., Wed. Bible Study 6pm-7pm
Website:florence4square.com
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A.
Corner of 10th & Maple –997-3533
Wednesday, 7 p.m. - Family Connections
Adult Bible Class, 9:30am on Sundays.
Sunday Services, 9am and 10:45am.
florencecrossroadag.org • office@florencecrossroadag.org
21st & Spruce Street – 997-8113
Pastor Rachel Simonson – All are welcome
Adult Forum 9:00 a.m. – Sunday school !0:30
Worship Service Sun. 10:30 a.m.
www.florencenewlife Lutheran.org
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SBC
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
1935 25th St. – 997-7660 • Pastor, Ron Allen
Wednesday 6 p.m., Sun.; 11 am & 6pm, Bible Study 9:45am
Sharing the Hope and Love of Jesus Christ
to our community by being Living Proof of a Loving God
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy – 997-2961 –Non-Denominational
Worship Service: 9:00 am & 10:30 am
Middle School and High School youth groups meet on
Wednesday.
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
1833 Tamarack Street (2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
www.churchofchristflorence.org
FLORENCE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
12th and Nopal –997-9020 • Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
Online Worship Service@ florencenaz.church
Wednesdays Celebrate Recovery 5:30 pm
facebook:florenceoregonchurchofthenazarene
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523
Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School)
Mid-Week Activities, all ages.
Traditional Worship Service 10:00 a.m. , Reverend Greg Wood
Sunday School and Nursery – Organ and Choir
All Welcome. Come as you are.
3996 N Hwy 101 997-7136
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
We worship in homes at 11am Sundays
Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for locations.
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH,
L.C.M.S.
Every Sun., Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship Service 10 a.m.
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
Pastor Randy Benscoter
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
2135 19th St. –- 997-6600
8:30am, Tuesdays, Morning Prayer
Sunday Services: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - Wed, 11 a.m.
Everyone Welcome – Come walk our Labyrinth.
meaningful
moments
from the show was a
segment which includ-
ed a discussion between
Rogers and Jeff Erlanger,
who at the time of his
appearance was 10 years
old. The two talked can-
didly about Erlanger’s
physical challenges and
the reasons he needed a
wheelchair. The conver-
sation ended with the
two singing a touching
version of “It’s you like,”
a song that became a
regular part of the show.
The willingness of
Rogers to actually show
Erlanger sitting in his
electric wheelchair, and
discuss his life, was
groundbreaking at the
time and remains an ex-
cellent example of the
changes Rogers made
to traditional children’s
programming.
This was quintessen-
tial Rogers, who felt
that there were no sub-
jects that were off limits
if handled in a simple,
straight forward man-
ner.
As appreciation for
the manner in which he
produced and hosted the
show, Rogers was asked
to speak before Congress
in favor of a bill which
would fund an entity
that would become the
Corporation for Public
Broadcasting.
Nixon was opposed to
funding a new form of
media and wanted the
hearings to show that
the need for a publicly
funded television net-
work was overstated.
He also wanted to use
the $20 million that was
being discussed to fund
public broadcasting for
the war effort.
Rogers’ testimony that
day forever changed the
future of broadcasting
and of children’s televi-
sion. Senator John Pa-
store was Chairperson
of the Communications
subcommittee
which
was holding the hearing,
and Nixon hoped that
the conservative senator
would oppose the fund-
ing.
Pastore was inclined
to do so, according to
one of his former aides,
until he heard Rogers’
testimony after which
he said. “I think it’s won-
derful, just wonderful.
It looks like you’ve just
earned $20 million.”
Fred Rogers died from
stomach cancer in 2003.
But before he passed,
he received the highest
American civilian honor,
The Presidential Med-
al of Freedom, award-
ed by President George
W. Bush. Fred Rogers
Productions continues
the work of its founder,
creating and producing
meaningful
children’s
programming.
A lifelong reader and learner, Mark
Brennan will review one nonfiction
book each month in BookMarks, a
new feature of the Siuslaw News.
Christmas with
On The
HT
G
I
N
TO
Siuslaw
News
+
Coast
Charles Suniga
and the Angels
Saturday , December 14th • 6pm
Florence Events Center
Charles Suniga a Florence native, Siuslaw High School
Alum, and two time grammy nominee brings his classic
holiday cheer back to the coast. Charles will be backed up
by the “Angels” Audrey Breznikar, Jeannine Harwood, and
Julia Weiss along with returning guest vocalists performing
many of the holiday tunes we all grew up with.
For more information or to charge by phone, call the
Florence Events Center’s ticket offi ce at 541-997-1994 or
visit their website at www.eventcenter.org
Tickets for the performance are $20 each
Sponsored by:
LOFY CONSTRUCTION, LLC
You’re Invited
5
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e
b
m
e
c
e
D
y
a
Sund
Kids,
Teens
&
Adults
Present
11:00 AM
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE
DUNES
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Masses: Sat. 5:30 p.m., Sun. 11:00 a.m.
1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312
FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951
Worship on Saturday 10:30 A.M.
Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 9:15 A.M.
FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road
RUAUU? All are welcome to explore the answer.
Sunday Worship Service ~ 10:00 a.m.
www.FlorenceUUF.org - (541) 997.2840
Join Us In Worship
4 lines, approx 15 words,
$10 a week
4 week Minimum
Deadline
3 p.m. Mondays.
To be included in this directory contact
the Siuslaw News at 997-3441, or drop off
information at 148 Maple St., Old Town, Florence.
First Baptist Church
Florence
1935 25th Street
Come join us as we
celebrate Jesus!
www.shoppelocal.biz