Bearfest 2000 
It was the dream of Michael and
Carolyn Miller to bring
this exciting film festival to Big Bear Lake, California
We'd like to express our
sincere thanks to the Millers
and to Dee Rutledge, the film festival's Executive Assistant.
She was very helpful to Shirley's web site.
Michael Miller (pictured) is the founder of Wood
Duck Productions
and the President and Festival Producer.
The Lobby of the Performing Arts
Center in Big Bear, California.
Performing is The Barber Shoppers Quartet.
(from left: Bill Douglas, Richard Rosborough, Hector Castillo and
Bill Elam)
This awesome sculpture was donated by Wilma Schaefer. That
is Wilma in the photograph above
with Ian "Scotty" MacFarland, S.A.G. Representative for this years
event.
Wilma is one of the founders of The PAC.
The Performing Arts Center is a beautiful structure that's been the venue for many
fine plays.
The Music Man, The Sound of Music, and Carousel to name only a few.
If you plan to be in the area, check their
production schedule.
Monika Skerbelis 
director of Programming,
began the opening ceremony with words of "Thanks"
to the many sponsors, festival workers and festival
volunteers,
who helped to make everything come together.
Shirley's Community Appreciation Award
Shirley gave a 
very genuine and slightly teary
acceptance speech upon receiving the festival's first Community Appreciation award.
Shirley announced to the crowd that she loves Big Bear and she loves the movies!
She has been an off and on resident of the community for over 25 years and in
the movies
for over 40 years. Shirley expressed her hope that the festival will be held every
year
in their valley and she noted that if there's anything at all that she can do
to help the festival go on for
years to come, she is available.
Shirley mentioned her first meeting with actor Al Pacino when he was in town to
shoot a film.
She said their paths had crossed from time to time, but they had never
really met.
She admires his work and when she went to visit him on location,
Shirley offered her home as a place to stay while he was in the area.
Quote: "I
hope to work in this business for many more years to come,
and I'd love to have the opportunity to
film a motion picture in Big Bear".
Shirley 
motioned to 
Marty
who was sitting in the audience and asked him if he would like to say a few
words.
He told the story of Shirley and Marty's first public appearance for the city of
Big Bear.
This was Christmas of 1986. They had been approached to perform the town's
"Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony".
The president of the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce at that time
was a fellow named Steve who arranged to have a 90 foot tree brought
in!
They rented a sleigh to bring the celebrity couple to town and convinced
Shirley and Marty to
dress as Mr. And Mrs. Santa Claus. Well, Shirley and Marty got caught in some
pretty heavy
freeway traffic while driving in and everyone was getting a little restless.
CBS, ABC and NBC had all sent reporting teams to cover the
event. Plus, over 3,000
people from the community were on hand to enjoy the show.
Shirley and Marty arrived just in time. Shirley sang "Silent
Night" to a
rather cold, but grateful community. Shirley then sang "Let It
Snow"
and it DID
A guest performer at
the 
film festival wrap party sang "The Impossible
Dream".
When he finished, Shirley grabbed her program and
treated our table
to an impromptu solo of the song. It was awesome, to say the least.
She's so incredible, and that song has never sounded better!
I only wish I had a recording to post here at her web site.
My husband took this photo of
Shirley and me before we entering the
Village Theatre for the "Elmer Gantry" screening on Saturday at
12:15.
What a special day!
Click
Here to go to the page that contains the Elmer Gantry
Question and Answer Session with Shirley Jones that followed the screening.
Sound File included.
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