Bob Hope entertained military troops for over 50 years. One of his last shows happened on the tiny island of Diego Garcia, in the middle of the Indian Ocean - Christmas 1972.
It was 1:00 p.m. and it was hot. “On that island it was 113 degrees every day,” said Seabee Ron Ronning, 19 year old at the time who later became the mayor of Appleton, Minnesota. “That was Christmas Day. It was raining, pouring rain before the show. Then, all of a sudden, the sunlight came out.” The shows, explained Ronning, increased morale immensely.
This was a scene that played out again and again for nearly 50 years from World War II, through Vietnam, to the Gulf War. The legendary comedian traveled the world, visiting remote outposts in Alaska, dangerous battle zones in Beirut and isolated battleships in faraway seas to put on USO Shows.
Although Bob Hope won’t be making an appearance in Slayton, the sounds of the season is hoped to spark the same enthusiasm that Hope did for the troops abroad.
The Slayton Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this fabulous Christmas show featuring the Fulda Area Big Band along with Kordal Kombat as well as a host of talented vocalists.
The Fulda Area Big Band has been playing music since 2005. Their repertoire is primarily dance music of the 1930’s and 40’s with a few current and popular selections added for variety and fun. This the second Holiday Show the band has performed in. Over the years, the Fulda Area Big Band has enjoyed keeping the sounds and traditions of the ‘Big Band Era’ alive and well!
Vocalists are some of the most talented in the area featuring Scott Veenhuis - also an MCC graduate. He has been singing the lead with the Kordal Kombat Quartet for the past number of years. While attending UMM Scott participated in both of UMM’s choral ensembles, UMM Jazz, intramural sports, and many other activities. He currently lives on his family’s homestead in Slayton and works as an electrician as well as farming with his father.
Veenhuis will also be bringing his quartet Kordal Kombat to the stage of the MCC Auditiorum. They are a young barbershop quartet based out of central Minnesota. Kordal Kombat delivers a fun, high-energy performance that comes with a variety of great music. Fulda High School graduate, Myah Holinka, will share her vocals as well. She has been performing with her guitar around the area. Tony Moger will take to the stage performing Rusty Chevrolet, Baby Please Come Home along with Hallelujah.
The trio of Tammy Aanenson, Stephanie Korver, and Denise Halbur are excited to be part of this magical holiday performance was well.
Sheila Crowley, another Fulda native, has been coordinating the efforts behind the production of this show. She is the Slayton Area Chamber of Commerce president and has been the vocalist for the Big Band for a number of years. After their performance in Luverne a couple of years ago, it was her hope to bring the show to Slayton. Knowing the area has tremendous talent, she wanted to share the sounds of season with the production of the Christmas USO Show. Crowley has been managing the Murray County News in Slayton since 2005 and is excited to be a part of this show as well.
Providing some historical perspective on the show is Janet Timmerman. She recently retired from the Murray County Historical Museum where she has worked for a number of years and is excited to share some local veteran history as well as stories about Bob Hope. Performances will take place at the Murray County Central auditorium on Saturday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. as well as Sunday, December 11 beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the Murray County News office, 2627 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN. or Minnwest Bank in Slayton. Tickets at the door will be $18.
The proceeds of this show will help fund the 2023 lighting of Gullord Park. The hope is to expand on this project going into 2023.
