Garrison Keillor

[Georgie]

Tonight I had the delight of hearing Garrison Keillor live in the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ. That's the tiny Methodist Campmeeting town where I work during the summer. He was marvelous. He told stories, as only he can do, did skits a la Praire Home Companion, had us all singing old hymns and other sentimental songs like "Down in the Valley" and "Tell Me Why." What a WONDERFUL three-hour performance. It was quite hot in the Auditorium, so he finally had all the spotlights turned off, and we sat in the dark while he wandered through the audience telling us stories..just as though we were listening to him on the radio or on tape. Incredible. My personal highlight came right at the beginning of the show, when suddenly a voice at my left shoulder said, "Please join me in singing the national anthem." And there I stood, shoulder to shoulder with Garrison Keillor, singing the Star Bangled Banner! Wow!