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 p.m. and it was hot. “On that island it was 113 degrees every day,” said Seabee Ron Ronning, 19 years 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. The group has been playing music since 2005. Each year the band performs a concert in June to open the Fulda Wood Duck Festival and also has performed at the Luverne Veteran’s home for their Harvest Festival. Over the years, the band has provided music for dancing and entertainment at weddings, anniversaries, receptions, retirement parties, town festivals, many types of fundraisers, adult proms and other occasions.
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 is 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 Tyler Wasberg, a MCC graduate who toured with Lorie Line. He also sang with the Augustana Choir and was in the opera program as well as the South Dakota Symphony Chorus. He graduated with a music degree.
Another local favorite is 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 aswll as farming with his father.
Eden Bengston, another MCC graduate, will also be performing. She grew up in Slayton and recently graduated from Minnesota West Community and Technical College with a LPN degree. Residents across the area have heard her sing at the Autumn Boutique with Alex Carney as well as Painted Prairie Winery. Bengston is employed with Hospice of Murray County.
The show is also welcoming vocalists from the Fulda area including Linda Lund. She taught music at Fulda Public Schools for a number of years and was involved with the Fulda Area Community Choir as well as holding roles in several community plays. Arlan Swanson, administrator of Maple Lawn Nursing Home, will be joining her for a duet.
Tony Moger and Corey Klumper will take to the stage performing Rusty Chevrolet, Baby Please Come Home along with Hallelujah.
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 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 has been with the Murray County Historical Museum for the past 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 11th at 7:00 p.m. as well as Sunday, December 12th beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the Murray County News office, 2627 Broadway Ave., Slayton, MN. Tickets at the door will be $18.
The proceeds of this show will help fund the 2022 lighting of Gullord Park. The Slayton Area Chamber hopes to coordinate with local businesses and groups to create a lighting spectacular at the local park for the Christmas season of 2022.
