11/21/2023 0 Comments Bowker songs of remembranceOnce she tired of it and asked me, "Do you think they'll ever change this song?"įor me, the song was a window to her former life that I could only imagine. However with dementia, she fortunately forgot what bad voices we had, so we were both free to sing out loud - and loudly at that - along with Teresa Brewer during my twice-weekly visits to her nursing home. She and I were born with the worst singing voices ever, and she taught me from a young age to basically lip-sync in public in order to hide it as she herself did. Once I played "Music, Music, Music," she would perk up as she sang along, tapping her leg to the beat. On days when she didn't recognize anyone and my conversation attempts fell flat, we were able to still connect through this song. Some days were harder than others, and on the hard days when nothing clicked, I could see she was still there with help from this song. In her later years my mom developed dementia. This song encapsulated her youth in a unique way that allowed her to remember that brief period of her life throughout her remaining 70 years. Being that a seat at the movies was 11 cents, a 5 cent song was appreciated by the whole crowd. They'd all be hopeful that someone would have another nickel to put in the nickelodeon, or jukebox, so they could keep dancing, which is the main theme and chorus of the song. She told of being dressed up with her girlfriends and wishing to dance a bit with the handsome Jimmy Messner, my dad. She'd also describe the long ago scene when she and her contemporaries were at the local Soda Fountain on a Saturday night. ") of which she couldn't believe would be lyrics in a song, let alone a top hit. She often recalled and laughed at her incredulity as a young woman at the racy parts ("I'd do anything for you, anything you'd want me to. During the last few years of her life, she and I listened to it as we walked, visited, or just sat and enjoyed the view at her nursing home. Finalists in the First World War Centenary "Lest We Forget" poetry competition will be reading their poems (Hall of Memories, 1pm).The song "Music, Music, Music," as sung by Teresa Brewer, was released in late 1949 and topped the charts in 1950 when my mom, Margaret, was 19 turning 20. New Zealand's Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata will be presenting Duty and Adventure, a reflection on why he joined the New Zealand Defence Force and a look ahead to the centenary in August (7.30am, WWI Sanctuary).ĭuring the day, the kids can make poppies at Weird and Wonderful (noon-4pm) while film buffs can join Gaylene Preston for a screening and talk about Illuminate 2014, the spirit of New Zealanders in 1914 at the beginning of World War I (Te Korowai Room, 12.30pm). It is the city's place to honour and commemorate the fallen.Īs well as the Anzac Day Services (Dawn Service 6am, Civic Service 11am, Court of Honour) there will be performances in the World War I Sanctuary of rousing wartime melodies by the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Trio (6.45am-7.20am and 8am-8.20am) and songs from Auckland Youth Choir (9am) and the Graduate Choir New Zealand (11.45am). The Museum, opened in 1929, was built from subscriptions raised to commemorate that New Zealand sent more men to fight in World War I per head of population than any other nation. Until April 27 April, 9am-4pm, Estuary Arts Centre, 214b Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa. And leave your thoughts and memories in the remembrance book. Time your visit to bring the children to hear Anzac stories (yes, they deal with the themes of war and sacrifice). The Naval Museum at Torpedo Bay hosts an interactive exhibition, Field of Poppies - visitors make a paper poppy and help the field grow during the day. Register to comment on the blogs or take part in the forums. If you would like to be involved you can suggest a project, nominate a school, or contribute as a community member if you are not involved in formal education. This inclusive community, aims to turn lessons from the past into learnings to shape the future. Students from France and New Zealand are already partnering to carry out projects of remembrance for the commemoration period 2014-2018. Although the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I do not start until August, the website is already full of stories, resources for researching your family's involvement and a register of events. Education and arts events are a great way to reflect on the sacrifices of war.
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