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| MAMIE IN MISSOURI |
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| It was a wonderful trip to Missouri (the folks there made me smile when they called the performance the "Missouri premiere"!) My one-woman performance was part of the annual Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival, which began in 2006, sponsored by The Route 66 Repertory Theater. This year was the Festival's first to celebrate a National First Ladies Day, now assigned as the last Saturday of every April. |
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Here’s a photo of the stage I performed on at the Marshfield Church of the Nazarene! It was well-designed and a pleasure to perform on.
The Ike images were done with a projection with internet photos — a surprise provided by the creative and capable tech person there. He also found terrific WWII music for pre-show, and even the "I LIke Ike" campaign song! I had a walking mic. As my friend and driver Shirley said, "She got a standing ovation!" Which I can quote, because it’s not bragging if you're quoting someone! |
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The other picture is of me with Mary Jean Eisenhower, Ike and Mamie's youngest granddaughter. I met her just before I went on. She smiled and, before speaking, looked me up and down. "The hair is perfect," she said. "And the dress. And the hat and the shoes … yes."
She may have guessed what a relief that was to hear — but she could never have guessed the week-long, "last-minute" panic that went into that hair!
I had such a good time. Can’t wait to take Mamie back on the road again. |
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| NOVEMBER 11, 2020 |
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| We are filming Mamie’s play, which I have re-written a bit to change the setting. Instead of watching Mamie give a campaign speech, we see Mamie relaxing before her speech, having tea with some old friends.
Tea With Mamie will be performed and filmed in a century-old home on Story Street in Boone, Iowa. Boone is where Mamie was born; filming will take place on Veteran’s Day.
Tea with Mamie will be available to view on-line. Look for details on this website. |
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| DELICIOUS! |
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This whole adventure began when “the Mamie House” (Mamie’s birthplace home and museum in Boone, Iowa) hit the headlines in 2017 when funds were running low.
Fast forward to November 17, 2019. Mamie’s Birthday Party fundraiser at the Big Kahuna’s in Boone introduced Mamie’s New Million Dollar Hot Fudge Sundae (see more below). The result? A $500.00 donation from Jane and Roger Martin, owners of the Big Kahuna’s!
No wonder our Mamies look so delighted!
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| MAMIE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY |
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Mamie’s Birthday Party at The Big Kahuna’s Retro Candy and Ice Cream Shop was a fundraiser with the emphasis on fun. Each order for one of Mamie’s Million Dollar Hot Fudge Sundaes resulted in a $1.50 donation to “The Mamie House” museum in Boone, Iowa. Eating ice cream for a good cause—it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!
Some of the good words heard:
“Where do you get your clothes? They are so perfect!”
“Is that your own hair, not a wig? It looks just like Mamie’s!”
“You’re wearing a charm bracelet. Did she really wear a charm bracelet?”
And for the first time ever I displayed, up close, the locket charm with Ike’s picture inside. I glowed at the “ooos” and “ahs”! …
A woman picked up one of my bookmarks, with my website and a photo of me out of costume. She held it up, comparing it to me in the flesh, dressed as Mamie. “Can you believe this is the same person?” she asked her friend. “It doesn’t even look like the same person!”
People took photos when I wasn’t looking, and photos when I was, posing with me. My dear friend Ashley Cowden, who did my make-up and so much more for the earliest productions, came in ’50’s finery just for fun. Someone asked, “Who is she? Is that young Mamie?”
And, of course, a joking gent or two had to say, “You look pretty good for 123!” |
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| Mamie’s Million Dollar Hot Fudge Sundae—hot fudge over Ashby’s Cherry Amaretto ice cream. I think it tastes like a chocolate covered cherry! |
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| CELEBRATING MAMIE'S BIRTHDAY ON SUNDAE SUNDAY |
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In 2019, three events continued Mamie’s legacy in her birthplace of Boone, Iowa:
First, “the Mamie House” museum had a grand reopening after a closure of several months.
Second, the recreation of the 1919 U.S. Army Motor Transport Corps Transcontinental Convoy (Ike took part in the original) visited Boone.
Finally, Big Kahuna's, a retro candy and ice cream store opened at 1105 W. Mamie Eisenhower Avenue. Thinking it looked like a fun place to work, I applied. |
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It is a fun place to work! Customers of retirement age walk in—but only kids walk out. But I’ve always got Mamie on the brain, it seems …
Knowing Mamie’s devotion to pink—and pride in her “Million Dollar Fudge” (named by Ike)—I imagined drenching the popular Amaretto Cherry ice cream in hot fudge, topping it with a festive cherry, and calling it “Mamie’s Million Dollar Hot Fudge Sundae”!
The Big Kahunas themselves—shop owners Jane and Roger Martin—gave their blessing and more: Half of the $2.99 purchase price per sundae sold during Mamie’s party on November 17 will be donated to the Mamie D. Eisenhower Birthplace Museum, via the Boone County Historical Society. Ashby’s Ice Cream, the Michigan-based company that makes the Amaretto Cherry ice cream, has donated the ice cream for the Mamie’s treat.
Mamie’s 123rd birthday would have been November 14. But a sundae needs to debut on a Sunday! I’ll be there dressed to celebrate, appearing in full “Mamie” costume starting at 2 p.m. on November 17. My husband, Tom, will even accompany me as Mamie’s Secret Service—shades and all! (He may not work for peanuts, but he does work for ice cream! …) |
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| HISTORY BOY AND HISTORY GIRL |
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Backstage at History Boy is like stepping into an “Andy Hardy” film! Shared make-up tables with round bulb frames; flotsam and jetsam from shows gone by—and plenty of great big mirrors! |
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Mamie Doud Eisenhower died on November 1, 1979. Forty years later, “I Like Mamie” remembered the First Lady’s life at History Boy Theatre in Jefferson, Iowa.
The crowd was warm, but small (I forgot that early November is still high school football season!) Football has always played a part in Mamie’s story: Ike was a driven and talented football player until a college knee injury changed his course. Not long afterward, he met the lovely Miss Doud …
History Boy Theatre is a beautiful “house”: cozy seating, amazing acoustics, an intimate but comfortable stage: a fine place to be on a chilly autumn evening in Iowa!
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| WE REMEMBER MAMIE |
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Mamie’s new red shoes made their maiden voyage at the IAAP conference October 17, 2019. Comfy enough to last the entire day, but elegant enough to earn Mamie’s endorsement as “the last word”! |
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As a society, we are fortunate that so many of us have lived through epochs that transfigured the world. We walk among people who remember the world before we were born, and are happy to share their knowledge of our common past.
When I perform “I Like Mamie,” I often meet people who remember meeting Mamie—or seeing her in a parade car, or even on contemporary television. This is especially true when I perform in retirement communities, as I have in Iowa. Which is why I was so pleased to present a brief excerpt of “I Like Mamie” to the Iowa Association of Activity Professionals at their conference on Thursday, October 17. These are the wonderful, dedicated people who care for our elderly every day.
Sitting in on their workshops was enlightening; visiting with them such a pleasure. I appeared in full Mamie regalia that day—dress, hat, hairstyle, nails, pearls and new red shoes—I got the impression I was a novelty in the conference setting. “Becoming” Mamie to perform was easy: I simply removed my glasses! |
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| ON THE STAGE IN GREENFIELD |
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On September 22, 2019, I had the good fortune and great pleasure to perform “I Like Mamie” on the stage of the Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield, Iowa.
() The beautiful, historic facility has been restored with such care and dedication that the atmosphere itself seems charmed. The dressing rooms are spacious and modern; the art gallery/shop on the ground floor is full of the work of new Iowa artists. Yet the stage—its wooden floor, its elegant proscenium, and the house (complete with balcony)—glowed with a timeless warmth that welcomed Mamie’s memories.
The community theater group calls the Center home, and the facility hosts a constant stream of performances to suit many tastes. The Warren Cultural Center is a huge asset for a small town.
Many thanks to the Center’s Dan Dickinson. He not only served as Mamie’s liaison, but also took a wealth of amazing photographs of the performance. I share some here with pleasure—thank you, Dan!
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| Diana Star Helmer portraying Mamie Doud Eisenhower at the Warren Cultural Center, Greenfield, Iowa (photo courtesy Dan Dickinson) |
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| 1919 MOTOR TRANSPORT CORPS CONVOY ANNIVERSARY |
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2019 was the 100th anniversary of the 1919 Motor Transport Corps convoy. The commemorative recreation passed through Boone, Iowa, the birthplace of Mamie Doud Eisenhower. I was delighted to attend for a personal reason:
The convoy is one of the episodes I include in I Like Mamie. In telling her story, it seemed that the automobile “drove” much of the action!
Soon after meeting Ike, Mamie learned he was “crazy about cars,” an interest shared by Mamie’s beloved father John Doud. The resulting male bond didn’t hurt Mamie’s opinion of her beau!
Just two years after their marriage, young Ike had the opportunity to go on the 1919 Motor Transport Corps convoy as part of his army service. This first-hand experience of auto, road and army interaction led, I believe, to Ike’s support of the interstate highway system.
The commemorative convoy featured vehicles dating from that original trek, through more recent U.S. military conflicts, including Desert Storm. The original coast-to-coast route was recreated as closely as possible. The Lincoln Highway, used this year, was only partially used in 1919: it was still under construction.
Hundreds lined the highways to watch, and gathered when the vehicles made a rest/refueling stop, as they did at the National Guard Armory in Boone. Many, many thanks to the hundreds of devoted helpers who guided on-lookers like us!
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| THAT HAT! |
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I learned that Boone would host a stop of the 100th anniversary Transcontinental Convoy the night before they arrived! I wanted to dress for the occasion, to honor the dedicated recreationists; I also hoped to “blend in” with the spirit of the occasion for a photo. I thought this dress of mine was a nice “retro” look without being over the top—but for a period look, a lady needs a hat. This dress had no matching hat!
The next morning, on our way to the Transport, I crossed my fingers and stopped at a funky “junk” shop here in town—Paradox 818, the place I found Mamie’s first pink hat. I walked in, wearing “the” dress, and said, “Have you got a hat that would go with? I have five minutes to shop…”
In less than three minutes, the deal was done. And for only six dollars!
Thank you, Kelly at Paradox. Thank you, recreationists. Thank you, Mother Nature, for perfect weather.
And, of course, thank you, Mamie. |
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| GRAND RE-OPENING OF MAMIE EISENHOWER BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM IN BOONE, IOWA ON JUNE 29, 2019 |
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“The Mamie House” in Boone, Iowa, inspired the adventure of I Like Mamie.
Boone is where Mamie was born. The Mamie House is what locals call the small, restored house which now serves as a museum of family artifacts. It is heralded with interstate highway markers.
In 2017, the Mamie House closed, lacking the funds needed to keep it safe. The city was abuzz. It dawned on me (a relative newcomer to Boone, having lived there just nine years) how little I knew about the woman whose name graced one of Boone’s main thoroughfares (Mamie Eisenhower Avenue, aka “Mamie”).
Once I knew Mamie’s story, I wanted to share it! I wrote the play, and began performing it.
On June 29, 2019, the Mamie House re-opened with a modest but festive celebration on an appropriately sultry summer day. Boone County Historical Society Vice-President Shirley Walrod welcomed me by sharing a copy of a 1971 voice recording of Mamie visiting a Boone elementary school (wow!)
The meeting seemed even more like kismet when I found beautiful truffles from Walrod’s kitchen, and cupcakes from Juliana Sterling’s Nest Bakery—and both goodies were gluten-free!
Food for body and soul. How perfect. |
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| Diana Star Helmer |
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