tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post6937881007607819120..comments2024-02-24T18:30:26.749-07:00Comments on prairiemary: MELBA DAY SPARKS HENNING 1915 - 1993Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-90418296524581178052015-02-19T18:34:31.868-07:002015-02-19T18:34:31.868-07:00Thank You Mary!! I have shared the post in the fa...Thank You Mary!! I have shared the post in the family tree and have linked it back to your blog post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05899030846988640046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-31994134807401129882015-02-19T16:22:20.838-07:002015-02-19T16:22:20.838-07:00Of course you can use anything I write about Melba...Of course you can use anything I write about Melba. I was a little startled since I've just posted a little bit on thematic.co/maryscriver and intend to post a longer version of that on prairiemary.blogspot.com tonight at 10PM Mtn Standard. There's lots more to say. My email is prairiem@3rivers.net. If you're googling, you'll find other posts by me.<br /><br />Mary Strachan ScriverMary Strachan Scriverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00538160009129822362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-84940583996111418892015-02-19T15:13:04.647-07:002015-02-19T15:13:04.647-07:00Melba was my 2nd cousin that I just discovered thr...Melba was my 2nd cousin that I just discovered through my family history research. Thank you for posting this wonderful story of her! It brings to life a woman that I never had the pleasure to know. Would it be OK if I added your post to my family history research?Diana Poppnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-80346256236813925792011-01-07T01:43:11.070-07:002011-01-07T01:43:11.070-07:00I had not even thought of her name until today... ...I had not even thought of her name until today... when a dear friend from high school drama class (Madison... 1967-68) wrote, "Melba Day Sparks would be proud." I wish I could have thanked her. And what a marvelously-led life!Ted Newsomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12044488931744355814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-2789432938145153652009-10-19T19:40:03.145-06:002009-10-19T19:40:03.145-06:00Mrs Sparks changed my entire life. I hated high sc...Mrs Sparks changed my entire life. I hated high school, yet found my place in the drama classes and backstage world she showed me. I remember we all put our names on the wall after each performance. I loved her. She taught me the joy of performance and how not to be afraid. The cast parties we had backstage were legendary. Or so they seemed at the time. I played everything from the Virgin Mary to Estelle in No Exit. Mrs Sparks would tell such wonderfull stories in her office late in the afternoon. She showed me a whole other world and I am glad she was my teacher....Susan Stephens... Madison High School...1969-1970chAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-63753452430950475842009-09-21T20:10:19.452-06:002009-09-21T20:10:19.452-06:00We called her, simply, "The Lady." She w...We called her, simply, "The Lady." She was my drama teacher at Madison 1961-64, and planted a love of theater in me that lasts to this day. I've just completed my 43rd show since I started acting again 20 years ago. She's with me every time I step on the stage or enter a rehearsal room.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-46109065948525449142009-03-05T18:45:00.000-07:002009-03-05T18:45:00.000-07:00I didn't realize that Melba had such a colorful ca...I didn't realize that Melba had such a colorful career before coming to Jefferson in 1945. She taught English and presented as a prim school marm in tweeds and french twist. <BR/><BR/>The next year she blossomed into the dramatic teacher and director outlined above. Talk about style - she had it in spades!<BR/><BR/>Mr. Sparks daughter-in-law recently died but his son is still living in Portland, Oregon area. For years I kept up with Melba's activities when the younger Sparks<BR/>lived in Southern California.<BR/><BR/>I recall that she once had a bad fall and broke her wrist. But knowing her, I am sure it did not<BR/>stop her from accomplishing. The list of her activities is tremendous - as was she.<BR/><BR/>A wonderful person to have known.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11838465.post-67737074605805639462008-11-09T21:14:00.000-07:002008-11-09T21:14:00.000-07:00This brought back a lot of memories. I took drama...This brought back a lot of memories. I took drama under Mrs Sparks at Madison in her last years there from '72-'75. She was an amazing person. Thanks for all the information, that I didn't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com