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Home , Jerry Lee Lewis, Million Dollar Quartet, Sam Phillips

Women’s Health CLINIC

MAY 2016

SEASON | YEAR

A NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND FRIENDS OF THE FIRESIDE THEATRE Johnny, Jerry Lee, Carl AND Elvis!

ON , 1956 , WHO HAD A BIG HIT WITH HIS SONG “” WAS RECORDING SOME NEW SONGS AT IN MEMPHIS, TN. , THE LEGENDARY FOUNDER OF SUN RECORDS WANTED TO FATTEN UP THE INSTRUMENTATION ON THE SESSION AND SO HE BROUGHT IN A YOUNG MUSICIAN THAT HE HAD JUST SIGNED TO PLAY . HIS NAME WAS .

Yes, THE Jerry Lee Lewis. He was rediscovered in 1981 and released in virtually unknown outside of Memphis Britain and the legend was born. at the time. Sometime in the afternoon a former Sun records artist named Elvis In 2007 Floyd Mutrix and Colin Escott Presley stopped by with his girlfriend to wrote a stage musical based on the visit Phillips. He came into the studio famous recording session. It’s played to chat with Perkins and before you in Chicago, on Broadway, in the West knew it Perkins, Presley, and Lewis End in London, and enjoyed a wildly started singing songs they all knew. successful National Tour that ran for a They were joined by , who number of years. also recorded for Sun, and had come by “Everybody loves the music of earlier to listen to the Perkins recording Now we get the chance to present this these great artists but the show session. As the four of them talked unique, one of a kind musical at The also reveals a compelling human and sang the recording engineer, Jack Fireside and I’m really excited. Everybody story about success, loyalty, Clement, decided that he’d better record loves the music of these great artists but the show also reveals a compelling and the challenge of making life the jam session. human story about success, loyalty, and choices.” Phillips quickly called up the entertainment the challenge of making life choices. I am

– Ed Flesch editor of the Memphis Press-Scimitar putting together a great cast who will sing who came over with a photographer. and play their own music as they bring Next day he wrote an article about the to life these giants of entertainment. You session under the headline “The Million really don’t want to miss this production Dollar Quartet”. which, in its own way, will become as exciting and memorable as the original The tapes sat around for years after Sun jam session. Records was sold in 1969. They were

SAM PHILLIPS’ TRAVELING WITH FLAME OF AN ELEGANT INFLUENCE ALLEN LAMERS - FRIENDSHIP AUTUMN P2ON ELVIS P3 72 YEARS & COUNTING! P5 PARTY PICS P7 SOIRÉE! Hospitality never goes out of style!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CAPTURES THE INFECTIOUS SPIRIT, FREEWHEELING EXCITEMENT, AND THRILLING SOUNDS OF A SINGULAR MOMENT WHEN FOUR OF POPULAR MUSIC’S EXTRAORDINARY TALENTS CAME TOGETHER FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EVENT. THE PLACE WAS SUN RECORDS’ STOREFRONT STUDIO IN MEMPHIS. THE MAN WHO MADE IT ALL HAPPEN WAS SAM PHILLIPS.

It’s no wonder Sam Phillips “Elvis, son, I don’t record TV appearances including became known as the “Father of singers, I record souls. I can the Ed Sullivan Show, and his Rock ‘n’ Roll” after discovering tell without askin’ you’re up from first movie, “Love Me Tender.” the talents of both Mississippi. I can tell you and In an era when milk cost 97 and Johnny Cash. Trained as your folks are good people, but cents a gallon and gas was 22 a DJ and a sound engineer you ain’t never had nothing. I cents, Elvis Presley had sold he opened his own studio in can tell the other kids looked $120,000,000 worth of records 1950. His recording company, down on you. Look me in the and merchandise by 1960. To Sun Records, produced more eye boy . . . can you play that say he was “popular” hardly rock ‘n’ roll records than any git-tar and let me hear some says enough. other record label of its time. a’ THAT? I wanna hear your In his simple, one-room studio, soul boy.” You’ll hear more of Elvis’ story Phillips looked for innovation, as well as Johnny Cash, Carl not imitation. He encouraged Sam Phillips was actually Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis his young artists to looking for an artist that could who make up the rest of the experiment with their popularize the negro music to . That one personal style. Here’s the white population. When night in Memphis was the four some early advice he he had Elvis record “That’s All legends-to-be only performance gave to Elvis Presley, Right” he knew he’d found his together; a cultural flashpoint man. Later that year, however, that captured the birth of rock ‘n’ with his studio in danger of roll and has come to be known running out of money Phillips as one of the greatest rock jam sold Elvis’ contract to RCA. sessions of all time. Join us Here’s a scene from the Over the next year Elvis’ this fall as we recreate it just show and a picture from career took off with songs for you! the actual event! like “,” GROUP LEADER PROFILE

“Wisconsin’s been a great place to do business!” – Allen Lamers

Learning from ALLEN LAMERS LEADS THE STAFF OF 1,600 AT LAMERS TOUR & TRAVEL, each other FOUNDED BY HIS PARENTS IN 1944.

In September of 1944, the late Lyle Lamers covers the state of Wisconsin with 35 Allen’s introduction to The Fireside came was quietly running his farm while his wife locations in-state as well as one in Northern back in the mid-1960’s when The Fireside was teaching school. Back then, when a Michigan and one in Florida. They’re was a popular supper club. The company woman was expecting she was required to not just in the major cities, either. Yes, had been providing transportation for stop teaching. So when Lyle was asked they have terminals in Milwaukee, Green the Wisconsin Council of the Blind for to drive school bus, and then asked if he Bay, Wausau, and LaCrosse, but they many activities and once a year their wanted to buy the bus, he said, “I s’pose,” also have them in place to cover the rural members came together for a banquet at and Lamers Bus Lines was born, along areas such as Darlington, Elcho, Juneau, The Fireside. The largest group was nine with their first son, Allen. Lyle ran the Muskego, and Spring Green. “Wisconsin’s coaches from around the state. “I knew farm and the bus company while Ellen been a great place to do business,” Allen then that The Fireside was really a family drove the bus. Allen grew up learning noted. “You really get to know and enjoy oriented place. This group was made to both businesses and as a young adult he serving the people of these communities.” feel more than welcome,” Allen recalled. farmed and fixed buses. Later on he built Wisconsin is indeed well served with their “It’s just a real nice experience.” We’re a terminal in Green Bay where they had 18 110 motorcoaches, 1,200 school buses, pleased to work with Lamers offices in buses and the company kept expanding and a staff of 1,600. In addition to school Milwaukee, Wisconsin Rapids, Menasha from there. Lyle continued to drive bus buses and motorcoaches they also serve and DePere and of course many groups until age 72 and passed away in 2012. customers with medical transport vans and use them for charter service when they limousine service. come here as well. It’s rare not to have a Allen and his brother, Kevin officially took Lamers coach in the lot on a busy group charge of the business in 1992. Allen’s Allen literally spends most of his days tour day. late wife Carol had been key to setting on the road traveling from terminal to up the offices and getting everything terminal, delivering parts to the mechanics, There are a lot of parallels between the running smoothly. He always felt she meeting with the office staffs, and helping Lamers story and the Fireside story. Both was the brains of the operation, he was with scheduling or decisions that need to have humble beginnings, strong leadership, just the braun. Today three of their five be made. When questioned about why impressive growth and success, long time children work in the business with him. His the top dog is out delivering parts he loyal staffs, and eventual transitions to wife Elaine, pictured with him here, has replied, “There is no top dog, I just work to the second and third generation of family experiene in tour planning as well through support the staff. We’ve got a lot of long management. We were proud to honor her work at Affinity Health. term employees and it’s just great to have Allen Lamers with a Flame of Friendship everyone working together.” Their head Award at this year’s Group Leader While Kevin handles the business end of mechanic has been with the company for Appreciation Event. He was completely things, Allen spends his days on the road. 42 years and three others have 34, 36 and surprised and humble in his acceptance Their network of bus terminals pretty well 39 years of service! - all the more reason why he deserved it! BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE BOX OFFICE

Meeting Your Group Sales Team - Charlene Garcia

Charlene started her Fireside career Charlene’s favorite Fireside shows include working evenings and weekends in the EVITA, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and Box Office while also working full time as a MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET - which she church secretary. This was after a 30 year hasn’t even seen yet. She knows enough career with Chicago Northwestern Railroad about it to be sure she’s going to love it, in downtown Chicago, the last seven of including rave reviews from everyone she which she did while commuting from Fort knows who has already seen it. (If you’re Atkinson! not booked yet, just give her a call and she’ll set you right up!) She and her husband, Richard had At the Associate Preview for our production decided when their children were high Charlene’s oldest son works for American of PETER PAN this February, Charlene school age that they wanted a more small Airlines in Charlotte, North Carolina and Garcia was recognized for 20 years of town experience for them and chose Fort her daughter works in law enforcement service to The Fireside! “It doesn’t seem Atkinson for its location as it allowed a here in Jefferson County. Her younger son like that long,” she said. “It’s been a lot of relatively easy access to the train into was killed in a car accident shortly after he fun and the Klopcics have been very good Chicago. After retiring from the railroad she graduated from high school and she lost to me.” Charlene, in turn, has been very also worked for a few years at the University her husband nine years ago after a long good to The Fireside and our guests. of Wisconsin - Whitewater where Richard battle with cancer. She misses them every also worked. In Chicago they owned a day but keeps busy with her work here A real “people person,” Charlene’s favorite ceramic business that did both production and helping to raise her three wonderful thing about being a member of the group runs and customer orders which Charlene grandchildren. If you look closely, you’ll sales team is the ability to communicate helped to paint. Being an opera lover and with all types of people and personalities. “I a big fan of the Chicago Opera, Charlene’s just really like people,” she said! In addition favorite custom order was to make 150 to taking bookings and helping groups plan plates for their production of CARMEN, one their trip she’s responsible for entering all of which gets broken at each performance. of the payments and is also our primary Famous Tenor, Placido Domingo, loved the telemarketer. She describes her territory sound of their plates so much he insisted as “coast to coast, Canada to Florida” and she and her family be invited to the show it truly is. as his guests where they watched from the front row and had a tour backstage with him While most of our business comes from afterward. What fun! the Midwest we’re always thrilled to host see that the oldest one in the back is groups from across the country. To get So add Certified Ceramic Instructor to her wearing his Fireside bus staff uniform. those groups Charlene has to sell them list of credentials which include experience Hopefully the others will follow his lead on coming to Wisconsin or even Northern in Accounting, Human Resources, when they’re old enough to work. Illinois and help them find other interesting Management, Dispatch, and Logistics, all things to fill a tour - something that’s not before starting her work in Sales for The It’s been a great life and a great Fireside hard to do in Wisconsin with the great Fireside. While trying to sort out and career and she’s not done yet. Give wealth of opportunities we have here. She keep straight her various jobs it became Charlene a call if you need any help with loves overcoming someone’s skepticism apparent that for her entire adult life she’s your booking or finding other things to fill about there even being a place like The almost always had more than one job at out your itinerary. She has a wealth of Fireside in a small town in Wisconsin, but a time, and you can take out the “almost” knowledge and is eager to share it! all it takes is getting them here once and when you count “mom” a full time job! they’re hooked! Flame of Friendship Awards

APRIL 16, 2016 2016 Flame of Friendship Honorees PICTURED WITH RICK AND RYAN KLOPCIC

ALLEN LAMERS VICKI MATUSAK LAMERS TOUR & TRAVEL, GREEN BAY, WI NATIVITY CHURCH, GREEN BAY, WI

DONALD S. KENNEDY RESTAURANT CONSULTANT ELM GROVE, WISCONSIN

Grand Prize Winners!

Grand Prie Drawin Winner: Roger Prindiville of St. Charles Seniors in Geneva, IL (CROCK POT Triple Dipper Lazy Susan Warmer); Julia Terwilleger of American Trust & Savings of Dubuque, IA (Folding Party Wagon); Rick Volz of the Fond du Lac, WI Knights of Columbus (WEBER Deluxe Gas Portable Grill); and Diane Wurm with State Bank of Freeport, IL. (Grand Prize of a Fireside VIP party!) Congratulations to all! MORE FUN FROM THE FLAME OF Inside the FRIENDSHIP AWARDS PARTY! Kitchen with Chef Mike

For MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET I am excited to debut a new soup to all of our guests - Butternut Squash Soup. Butternut Squash is also known as Winter Squash. It’s a summer growing annual fruit but differs from Summer Squash in that it’s harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage, when the seeds have matured fully and the skin has hardened. Butternut Squash has a yellow skin and the orange flesh inside has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin.

To make the soup, I start by steaming the squash until it becomes tender and then puree it, add it to chicken stock that we also make here, and then add onions, heavy cream and some brown sugar. I’m excited to see the response we get from this new soup and hope you’ll let me know how you like it.

This show also features one of our most popular entrees, the Roast Boneless Pork Chop served with our Herbed Crouton Dressing, whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes with a rich Pork Gravy, Creamed Sweet Corn, and a ramekin of our specially crafted Cinnamon Apple Sauce.

To finish off the meal, enjoy our Triple Layer Carrot Cake made with Cream Cheese Frosting served with Homemade Butterscotch Ice Cream. YUMM!!

Executive Chef GROUP TRAVEL TIPS & NEWS 2016 Season Jean’s Corner of the World BOOKINGS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR ALL BIG NEWS: We are working hard to finish the 2017 2016 PRODUCTIONS! Season so if you have not already heard that news you will shortly! I am positive it will be a season to remember. We Just are all about memories, right? Call MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET: All I have heard about Jean! Million Dollar Quarter, or MDQ, as we like to say, is one superlative after another. You read that it is Charlene’s favorite and she is never wrong! Reading Ed and Rick’s articles makes me want to book a group. For personal help with any of your bookings, FLAME OF FRIENDSHIP AWARDS: For those who were call me at 800-477- able to join us for the Awards Party April 16th, I hope you 9505 or email jean@ enjoyed yourselves as much as we enjoyed hosting you. I firesidetheatre.com. don’t know how Chef Mike outdoes himself each year with the menu. There were a lot of smiling faces in the dining room and exiting the theatre after SISTER ACT which is exactly the result we want. Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication.

As a note for those that might want to join in the fun next year, if you sell two different shows for 2016 coming with a minimum of 42 for each show you will earn an invitation to next year’s gala event. Every level you reach above that, up to an Executive Producer coming to ALL seven shows with a minimum of 42 for each, earns you more gifts and a chance at a wonderful drawing. It is our way to show our appreciation for all you do.

NEW FOR 2016: Ever got on the bus then had requests for a menu change or find out as you pull into the Fireside parking lot of a food allergy? You don’t have to worry about this again! Our amazing kitchen staff can now accommodate last minute changes easily and in a timely manner from the table. Instead of trying to call us, simply let the guest discuss the dietary issues with your server. Voila’ problem solved.

You may still call in requests but even then the servers, who are the experts, will review needs at the table and inform the kitchen based on that discussion. The important dietary restrictions to call in, if you know them, are the guests who have very serious allergies requiring special handling of food or a list of issues that may need Chef Mike to review in advance. You can find an As always we are here to help but this change should make it easier for you and better for order form for the guest! Yeah! 2016 promotional material on the “Groups” page of our web site. Box Office and Sales Manager VISIT OUR GIFT SHOPS

Planning For An Elegant Autumn Soirée THE MIRIAM WEBSTER DEFINITION OF SOIRÉE IS “AN EVENING PARTY OR GATHERING, TYPICALLY IN A PRIVATE HOUSE, FOR CONVERSATION OR MUSIC.” YOU CAN MAKE ANY EVENT A SPECIAL SOIRÉE WITH THIS GORGEOUS NEW MERCHANDISE FROM GRASSLANDS ROAD, ONE OF OUR FAVORITE GIFT COLLECTIONS. ITS RICH, WARM TONES CREATE AN ELEGANT AUTUMN DECOR SHOWCASING COPPER, SILVER, AND GOLD METALS.

Stemless wine glasses, metal bowls, and leaf dishes in gold, silver, and copper pair elegantly with ceramic pieces edged in gold. They’ll give your party a very welcoming look. Be sure to check them out when you’re here this fall. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE FIRESIDE THE FIRESIDE, INC. 1131 JANESVILLEJANESVILLE AVENUEAVENUE P.OP.O.. BBOXOX 7 FORFORTT AATKINSON,TKIKIINSONSOSON,N, WI 535553538338 MAY 2016

SAVE NOW! CALL 800-477-9505 WWW.FIRESIDETHEATRE.COM

Visit early to get the best discount! MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET • In addition to the Featured Menu, Featured Menu September 8 - October 30, 2016 try our Sunday Brunch, Thursday Served Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday Matinees, Saturday Evening and Sunday Midday Evening Signature Buffet or five course dinner on Saturday nights. Butternut Squash Soup • Groups of 18 or more are $67.95 Garnished with Fresh Chives (Sat. Evening $71.95) plus tax. Freshly Baked Breads from our Artisan Bakery • Save an additional $3.00 per person Roast Boneless Pork Chop when you book a performance from Herbed Crouton Dressing with Sauerkraut and Jones Original Recipe Sausage. September 8 - October 2, 2016. Served with Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes glazed with rich Pork Stock Gravy, • Ask about our Incentive plan for Creamed Sweet Corn, and a ramekin of our specially crafted Cinnamon Apple Sauce. Wednesday & Thursday matinees. Triple Layer Carrot Cake • Arrive at 10:30 a.m. for Matinees, With Cream Cheese Frosting and Homemade Butterscotch Ice Cream. 2:30 p.m. for the Sunday Midday, 5:15 p.m. for Thursday and select Coffee, Tea and Milk Friday Evenings and 4:45 p.m. for Saturday Evening.