Ever since my book Day at a Time – An Indiana Girl’s Sentimental Journey to Doris Day’s Hollywood & Beyond came out in late 2007, I have had the opportunity to share my sentimental journey as Doris Day’s secretary with many people around the country. My target audience is upscale retirement communities where people love and remember Doris Day.
Just this past weekend I spoke at Meadowood, a lovely retirement community in Bloomington, Indiana. They called my presentation “A Sentimental Journey Tea” complete with pastries and tea for those attending. Two people who had stories about meeting Doris in 1945 when she was singing with the Les Brown Band shared them. One man named Mic was about to be deployed to Pearl Harbor in the middle of 1945. He had an overnight stay in Los Angeles and along with some of his buddies went to hear Les Brown and his new young blond singer, Doris Day. He was so excited to share his story with all of us and said he even had the opportunity to dance with Doris. The other person, a lady named Pam, said she was working at the USO in Los Angeles where Les Brown and Doris were entertaining the troops. Pam said she was able to have a few words with Doris while she was taking a break to have a snack during intermission. Both Mic and Pam were so anxious to share their brief encounter with America’s Sweetheart with me and others who came to hear my story. They emphasized Doris’s sincere friendliness.
I was a devoted fan growing up in Indianapolis and years later ended up in Doris Day’s home as her personal secretary. Talk about a dream-come-true. I love sharing my story and often hear some interesting stories along the way.
Several years ago I was invited to be the luncheon speaker at Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati. It was a cold, snowy and icy day in early February, but I made the trip without any problem. While greeting guests coming to my talk, a lady came up and said her elderly friend really wanted to be there, but due to the very wintery, cold and icy weather, she decided to stay safe at home. I could appreciate that decision. But the rest of the story was, “My friend was in the train wreck with Doris Day in 1937 here in Cincinnati and she was looking forward to meeting you.” We did meet later that year and have become great friends sharing stories of time spent with ‘the Girl Next Door.”
I look forward to more talks and more stories. If you would like to book me for a trip down memory lane with Doris Day, please contact me via my email: studiogirl1944@yahoo.com Or click back to the website and order the book, paperback or hardcover from Hawthornepublishing.com
By Hawthorne author Mary Anne Barothy