Hey, neighbor Won't you be mine?
Special week commemorating Fred Rogers begins March 15
by Mary Lancaster • Independent Writer
He was known for his cardigan sweaters, navy blue sneakers, gentle voice and encouraging words - a kind and patient man who strove to bring families across the country together in a united spirit of neighborliness. As an honor to the influence and dedication of the late Fred Rogers, the week of March 15 to March 20 has been designated as "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" days with the 20th set aside as "Sweater Day" to acknowledge what would have been Mr. Rogers' 80th birthday.

BEVERLY HALL PHOTOS

The idea for the special week originated with Family Communications, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa., the nonprofit company Rogers founded in 1971 to produce his children's program, "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." The intent is to promote neighborliness in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania where Rogers spent most of the year when not on Nantucket for the summers, but it is hoped the message will spread and become an annual com- memorative event.

"He is an icon and one of the founding fathers of one of the first public radio stations in America," said Margy Whitmer, project director for Family Communications, Inc., who noted that Rogers' program is still on many public television stations and ranks as the longest running children's show in the nation. "We wanted to celebrate his legacy of being a good neighbor. We would love to have it continue. He is the inspiration; Pittsburgh is a city of neighborhoods, but I would love to have it happen all over the country."

Fred Rogers, who died in February 2003, drew fans of all ages when he was on screen and in his personal life. His son John, sibling to the Rogers' other son James, said his father and mother started coming to Nantucket in 1957 and at Christmas 1958 the deed to their "Crooked House" in Madaket filled their stocking. The sons have kept the house in family ownership, and John is exceptionally pleased that his father is being honored during the upcoming week.

"The word continues and dad's legacy continues. He had such a good message," he said.

Fred Rogers began his career as a floor manager for NBC in New York City, then returned to Pittsburgh and with the late Senator John Heinz, helped start WQED, the first station that aired Rogers' original show, "The Children's Corner." The family spent a couple of years in Canada where a station showed a 15-minute program called "Mr. Rogers," before the family returned to Pittsburgh. In 1965 "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" was aired on WQED and has continued to reach families ever since. John Rogers, who said Nantucket was his father's favorite place, spoke about his dad and what he believes he meant to others.

The late Fred Rogers, beloved by children who watched his show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," gathered many adult fans as well. Above, he paid frequent visits to Madaket Millie, whose cottage was not far from his "Crooked House" in Madaket where he spent summers. March 15 to March 20 has been designated as "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" days. Rogers died in 2003 and March 20 would have been his 80th birthday.

"In his gentle way he was good at having people talk about their feelings. He always talked about acceptance and would say 'I like you just the way you are.' I thought it was fabulous that five years after his death people still have him in their hearts and that the legacy continues," said John. "I think it's fabulous that someone can live on in that manner."

Mr. Rogers certainly lives on in the memories of many, particularly some who were his real neighbors in Madaket. Susie Locke was not a neighbor, but recalls a funny story that illustrates how Fred Rogers influenced people of all ages. Locke said several years ago she was at the airport on a summer night awaiting the arrival of her daughter Diana and her daughter's sister-in-law Margot Brunelle, both sophisticated young women in their late 20s. Locke spotted Mr. Rogers at the airport, but he disappeared from sight. The women came in the terminal and Locke told them of her sighting, and when they saw him moments later they ran after him just to say hello to a childhood idol.

"They were just like a couple of little kids - they were like five-yearolds. It was as though 20 years just went away," said Locke. "They caught up with him and he was gracious. It was just dear."

Madaket resident Ruth Grieder said her father, Everett Chapel, who died in 1969, took Fred Rogers fishing during his beginning years as a summer islander. She took her grandsons James and Scott to visit him when he was sitting in his yard, and Mr. Rogers took photos of the children as he enjoyed doing with just about everyone he met.

"He was a good neighbor," Grieder recalled. "He always had time to stop and talk to you no matter where he was."

Professional photographer and Madaket neighbor Beverly Hall met Mr. Rogers shortly after his family started spending summer seasons on the island. Not only did she treasure their friendship and the fact that they shared being ministers, she produced an extensive collection of photos of him she lent to summer visitor Benjamin Wagner, who works for MTV News and met Mr. Rogers six years ago. Wagner felt so much admiration for him he is producing a documentary called "Mr. Rogers and Me."

Hall considers Fred Rogers as one of her very good friends in life, and said he was so highly regarded at St. Paul's Chruch, where he worshipped in the summers, that an iconic statue of him was commissioned that bears the words, "Kind, gentle and true," and stands near the pew where he always sat.

"He meant a lot. He was one of my most cherished people on the path," said Hall, who with St. Paul's former minister Joel Ives, performed the eucharist for Mr. Rogers on his Crooked House deck. "He made people feel he truly cared about them. He was an authentic person and very spiritual. He lived his gospel 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Forty years [knowing him] was not enough."

Wagner, now 36, met Fred Rogers on his 30th birthday and the following day was given a tour of his home during which time Rogers played "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" on his piano. Wagner's mother Mary Bolster rented a cottage next to the Crooked House and became friends with the Rogers' in part because she was studying for her master's degree in theology, a deep interest of his.

"He took an interest in everything and everyone he met. I have yet to meet an adult who is more thoroughly invested in the moment or the person before him than Mr. Rogers," said Wagner, whose documentary is not authorized by Family Communications or the Rogers' family, but represents his personal memories and impressions.

"In short, Mr. Rogers changed my life," said Wagner, recalling a conversation they had about Wagner's job and Rogers observation he never forgot. "Standing on his back porch he said 'I feel so strongly that deep and simple are far more essential than shallow and complex.' In his show he took time to explain things well and clearly in a way kids and adults could understand, and he didn't shy away from hard questions like what happens when my goldfish dies or why are my parents divorcing. I think that takes a special kind of courage, especially in the culture we live in."

Wagner's documentary is in the editing stage and he anticipates it will be released as an independent film next year.

"It is my remembrance of him and goes into details of our conversations about crucial cultural values," said Wagner. "I grew up watching Mr. Rogers, but he moved me as an adult. There are very few people in the world who have that curiosity of others. He

was a really special, unique man." I