Memories of Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School in Southfield, Michigan

             A Visit to Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School in Southfield, Michigan

On a recent vacation to my hometown Detroit area, I stopped by Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary school in Southfield. Sad to say, but it is abandoned, closed and run down.

I was a student there when it opened in 1970 and recently found the dedication program my parents attended in 1971. 

Eisenhower was a great Elementary school. I fondly recall sitting in the "commons" area watching the fledgling PBS TV system for the "Electric Company."  The art classes offered everything from a kiln to fire our clay projects to learning paper mache'.  I remember music class and letting us bring in our favorite 45s to play in class. I was already then a mini nostalgic rambler as I brought in songs from "My Fair Lady" or Vaughn Monroe!  I played floor hockey in the gym and gave a performance or two on the stage there for various Christmas programs, probably playing the accordion.

Since we were the first group there, we spruced up the side of the property by planting trees as a student body.  I think we even had a garden.

We raised money for the projects by bringing in popcorn poppers from home and selling popcorn in school. Can you believe it?!

The former President Eisenhower had passed away in 1969 and he was very well loved, thus naming the school after him. Some of the quotes from the dedication ceremony celebrate the man. From his first inaugural address this quote "Almighty God...Give us the power to discern right from wrong...to work for men everywhere."  Powerful words today that probably wouldn't be tolerated.

"Ike", as he was known, said "there is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure."  Wow.

Eisenhower Elementary school is falling apart, much like the values the Ike and the 1950s when he was president idealized.

I'm a bit sad.... 

Star Trek Continues

In the prehistoric days when I was a kid, I would set my cassette recorder next to the TV set and record the sound of "I Love Lucy." Then I'd listen to those tapes for hours. A wonderful Desilu Production.  I made my own Lucy posters and shirts (long before Lucy memorabilia became popular)

In the prehistoric days when Vic Mignogna was a kid, he would set his cassette recorder next to the TV set and record the sound of "Star Trek." Then he'd listen to those tapes for hours. A wonderful Desilu Production. Vic sewed his own Trek costumes and as a child became a miniature Captain Kirk during his playtime. 

As the years went by I watched "I Love Lucy" and memorized much of the dialog.

As the years went by Vic Mignogna watched "Star Trek" and memorized much of the dialog.

I always thought it would have been awesome to be able to visit Desilu and see "Lucy" being filmed. I wasn't even born then, so end of that story.

Vic Mignogna was so into his favorite show he decided to become Captain Kirk and finish the five year mission of the Starship Enterprise.  He came up with a show called "Star Trek Continues." The show stars Mignogna as Kirk and features a painstakingly accurate reproduction of the sets. The scripts are well written. The music and editing very much in the style of the 1960s original show.

You may not have heard about this show as it's what is considered a "fan film", not produced by the folks who now own Star Trek. The show is so realistic in its re-creation, about the only thing missing is  the credit "A Desilu Production" at the end.  (Lucy...why did you sell Desilu??? Your heirs could REALLY be rich now...).

Mignogna calls "Star Trek Continues" his love letter to Star Trek and it's a very expensive love letter as it is all non profit. After the first episode which he financed himself, fans donated to continue production.

You can find the shows at www.startrekcontinues.com or on Youtube.

Recently my wife and I had the chance to visit the set of "Star Trek Continues" at the Neutral Zone Studios in Kingsland, Georgia.  This was a special fan appreciation day as it isn't a tourist attraction open to the public. It was a surreal experience and felt like being on the Enterprise. Vic Mignogna was there and proudly showed us the sets. 

                                        Vic Mignogna on the set of Star Trek Continues

                                                             Here I am roaming the corridors of the Enterprise

                                                                   Transporter room

                                                         Beaming my wife somewhere

                                                                               Captain Jeff  on the bridge.

                                                                             Sick Bay

                                                                                      Vic in engineering
The show has been out of production for several years already. The man who now owns the studio now is paying out of his pocket to keep the sets intact.  Hopefully concerned fans will keep this gem alive with donations.

Since the show was filmed, there have been changes in the rules regarding fan productions so there will be no more big scale productions like "Star Trek Continues". I guess that means I can't decide to built a replica of the Ricardo apartment set and play Ricky Ricardo... but then, I don't think I could perfect a Cuban accent anyway. I might have been able to sing Babalu though.... It would have been cool to be on the set of the Tropicana....

By the way Vic who was the brains behind "Star Trek Continues" has done lots of other things including singing and voicing anime cartoons. He  is a Christian and graciously has allowed the radio station I run to air his "Gospel of John." A very interesting and talented man. Or as Spock would say "fascinating."