On this day in 1928, Fred McFeely Rogers was born in Latrobe, PA.
His television show ran for 33 years on PBS and was produced at WQED Pittsburgh. A children’s television icon, he inspired kids around the world with his messages of kindness, compassion, and learning. 20 years after the show ended and almost that long since his passing, his legacy and teaching are more relevant than ever.
The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the Plane Crash in Shanksville occurred just a week and a half after the last show aired. Even though he was no longer with us physically, we could look up quotes on the internet to help us through some of the more tragic events that have shook the nation. Here’s one we can always turn to when bad things happen that’s always been a favorite of mine.
I saw this posted on social media when the Boston Marathon bombing occurred in 2013. It rang true during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic when we speak of the essential workers. In our own world when something happens to a loved one or in our own community, we can look to inspiration from America’s favorite neighbor and Latrobe’s favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers.
I’m blessed to live in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and see how Latrobe has honored the legacy of its favorite son. Street signs have trollies 🚋 next to them. The statue of Mister Rogers in the park (named after his father) and the words “You are Special” still ring to this day.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood came out in 2019. I saw the movie in theaters just before Thanksgiving. Tom Hanks played the role of Mister Rogers very well. I’ve also read books on Rogers including The Good Neighbor and I have one about him written by a local author as well as this gem. I picked this up at Masterspieces during their grand opening week in September 2020.
On today, the 94th birthday of Fred McFeely Rogers. Remember that “You Are Special”, “It’s You I Like”, “I’m Proud of You”, and it’s always “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
Stylish 🍒 