The Isle at Harding I n February 1987 Harding Student Ron Turner recei ved a personal 400-page rough draft of the book, "Inside Gilligan 's Island," from that '60s program's creator/producer/writer Sherwood Schwartz. That mon t h , wi t h permission from Schwartz and Turner Entertainment, the copywrite owners of the series, Turner created the Gil - ligan's Island Fan Club, a worldwide organization that had 185 members as of January 1990. Turner said the fan club for his favorite show was founded with three goals in mind for its members: (1) Learn more about the show; (2) Meet the stars, creator and others affiliated with the series; and (3) Honor them for using their talents , dedication and hard work in creating quality entertainment. The club is non -profit, striving only to meet its goals. These goals have been met by sending plaques to Schwartz and the cast members, reading about the show, and by selling and giving club memberships to people in order to create positive public relat ions for the show. The Harding chapter presented a slide show in chapel in 1987 and presented President Burks with a copy of the book by Schwartz. Turner represented the club at "America on the Rerun ," a four-day program in Houston shopping malls. There he met Bob Denver (Gilligan) and Tina Louise (Ginger). He also attended a seminar on "Writing Television Sitcoms," sponsored by the American Film Instit ute in Hollywood in December 1988. While in Hollywood , Schwartz picked up Turner, drove him to his Beverly Hills home, and visited wi t h him for an hour before bringing him back to Hollywood. At t he seminar Turner gave out free memberships. He now has television writers and former Harlem Globet rot ter Geese Ausbie in the club's membership. Cast members from the show expressed similar sentiments regarding their work on the show and their appreciation to Schwartz. The following are excerpts from the book, "Inside Gilligan's Island": "For 25 years fans of 'Gilligan 's Island' have come up t o me, and they're always smiling," said Denver, who played Gill igan on t he show. "So Sherwood, we must have done something right. " The late Alan Hale Jr., who played the Skipper on t he series, said "They say that ' imagination is the playground of the mind.' Sherwood Schwartz benefi t ed a multitude of viewers by using his imagination in creating 'Gilligan 's Island.' Maybe it was broad comedy. Maybe Catherine E. Frey - Madison, TN. Marketing. GATA (Athletic Director). American Ma rketing Associat ion, In te rcollegiate Cross Country and T rack. Robert Lewis Friberg - Concord ia, KS. Don Alan Frost - Clarksvi lle, AR. Chemistry. Titans. Campaigns (Co lorado), Campus Ministry, De lta Gamma Rho Beau, Dean 's List, Int ramurals, Pre-Med Club (Vice P resident), SA Spiritual Life Commi ttee, Student Impact (Ene rgy Group Leade r). Dana Ly nn Fulbright - Goodlettsvill e, TN. Mathematics. Shant ih. Alpha Chi , Marching and Pep Band , Campus Mi nistry, Dean's List, HUF, JOY. it was farce. Maybe it was even slapstick. But all seven of us were dead serious about the nonsense which he portrayed. Thank you, Sherwood Schwartz, for our great fun in doing the show, and for giving me the best friend I ever had - the Skipper." "Here 's to the man who, with vision, talent, love, fortitude, optimism, kindness and sensitivity created, for so many people, so many hours of fun! " said Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann. "What a joy to be part of it and television history! Sherwood, I salute you with love, gratitude and admiration. " Schwartz, who also created and produced "The Brady Bunch ," said of television itself: "Television is such a pervasive medium; it's more than an entertainment medium; it's GI LLIGAN'S ISLAND FAN CLUB. Front row: Dan Shill, Paul Brooks, Ron Turner, Doug Black, Melydia Clewell; Second r ow: Blake Moore, Ryan Richard s on, Fra nk Me rritt; Third row: Rob Melillo, Chuck Baril, Mark Kennedy; Back row: Mark Thomas. - Pho to by Wayne Wester holm. more than an educational tool; more than a business. Television has become, in many ways, responsible for viewers' behavior patterns. As such, TV programs have a chance to provide some answers to peoples' problems. " - Ronald A. Turner Ruth Ann Gardner - Augusta, AR. Martha Marie Garrett - Brookston , JN. Office Systems. Reg ina. A. Capella (Women 's Ensembl e), International Campaigns (Scotland), Phi Beta Lambda, Student Impact (Group Leader). Sheila Kathleen Gaskin - Daytona Beach, FL. Public Relations. Regina (Vice President) . Bison Staff (Reporte r), Campus Players, Dean's List, Dramatics (Annie, King & I) , KHCA Staff, Petit Jean Staff, T V-19 Staff. Leigh Ashle y Gal y an - Searcy, AR. Denise Gaye Golde n - Kansas. Anita Carmen Gentry - Sea rcy, AR. Managemen t. Transfer from Uni ve rsity of Cent ral Arkan as-Conway and Arkansas tate Unive rsity-Beebe. Barr iste rs, Dean's List, SAM. Renee Lynette Gentry - Sea rcy, AR. Math ematics. T ransfer from Arkansas St ate University- Beebe. Alpha Chi, Kappa Delta P i. Quend y Lynne Gibbins - England , AR. Managemen t. Ko Jo Kai (President , Vice President, Rec ruiting Director, Histori an). Alpha Chi , Sub T -16 Queen , Dean 's Li st, Delta Mu Delta, Friends, HUF, SA Homecoming Committee (Chairman ), Student Impact, FACT Team. Seniors 141
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