By ROBERT TRISHMAN
Beloved child entertainer and mentor, Mr. Rogers,
dies of cancer on February 27
We are in the midst of an onslaught of "reality TV." From shows like
COPS which broadcast people's misdeeds everywhere, to "Survivor" and "Fear
Factor" which put people in dangerous situations they really do not need to be in
even if it is their choice. And most recently, "Joe Millionaire" and "Married by
America" among others have trifled with one of society's most sacred institutions.
Lost in all of this, and only found when it was gone, was "Mr. Rogers'
Neighborhood." I know I grew up watching the mild-mannered minister juggle his
shoes and zip his sweater every day. For me, his loving, fatherly tone of voice was
an escape from the fighting of "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe." The beautiful neigh
borhood remained an island oasis, unscathed by tidal waves and hurricanes on the
sea of declining morality that television
is. Fred Rogers, very plain in manner
and dress, didn't change with the times.
He delivered the same message over 30
years in word and song. He made it
child-friendly through the characters in
"The Land of Make Believe." He had
people on the show doing arts and crafts
projects to teach children to be produc
tive with their time
Was "Mr. Rogers'
Neighborhood" reality TV? It was. Parents Magazine editor Sally Lee explained why in a letter to USA
Today. She wrote, "...the gentle, decent, thoughtful, soft-spoken Mister Rogers of television was not a per
sona-it was exactly who Fred Rogers was." In this he set a great example for us to stick to our values and
be who we really are.
Rogers was as ordained Presbyterian minister, and no doubt took Jesus' admonitions to love chil
dren and be humble to heart. God called Fred Rogers back to Him, but it is my hope that He sends another
just like him. And make it "speedy delivery."
Copy Editor
Neighborhood
Fred Rogers says farewell, neighbor, when he died
of stomach cancer, He was 74