Contact: Facebook.

Annual History of Jim Andris 2012

We started the year out with a visit to Hanson, Massachusetts, where live Stephen's daughter Stephanie, her wife, Dawn, their son, Zander, Stephanie's mother, Harriet, and for the year, a German exchange student, Eddi. We had especially been looking forward to seeing their new house in a semi-rural setting. They have been raising their own chickens, who have somewhat become household pets. Also living in the house are Sally, an English bulldog and Marcelaine, the cat. We had a great time, visiting the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, but mainly just hanging out on the farm. We are hoping to do this again next year.

Stephanie and Rosie	Dawn, Zander and Stephen
Rosie out in the yard	Harriet, Stephen, Stephanie, and Eddi

May 6 will be burned forever in our memories, literally. Three doors to the east of us, but still in our own building, lightning struck the home of Chris and Stephanie and their child, Ella around noon during a thunderstorm. Within half an hour, that townhouse and the two adjacent townhouses were on fire. We were all evacuated from the building, and I was terrified beyond my experience. Both the unit that was struck by lightining and the one to the east of it (which, by the way, was damaged in an earlier fire a few years ago) had to be condemned. Fortunately for everyone, rebuilding both these units is proceeding, and John and Debbie at least hope to be back home in February.

Jim was there April 20, 1980

I was also very happy to bring my research on the "first" St. Louis Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration in 1980 to some sort of fruition. I interviewed several of the pivotal organizers of that event, and did some deep library research on others not available for interview. I wrote a comprehensive article that showed how other, earlier work and events led to this one. On June 9, I was invited to give a presentation of my work to the PrimeTimers, a group of senior gay men. Over 50 men attended that presentation, and there was even a couple of historians there. My presentation was well-received. My responsibilities at home have truncated my research for the year, but I really hope to get into it again in 2013.

Jan, Stephen, and Ann Watts, MUNY, 2009

We have continued—as we have been able—with our church, theatre, film, bridge and play reading commitments. However, it is somewhat sad to see us and our friends get so old that infirmities can keep us from fully enjoying our lives. On that note, we felt particularly bad as we watched our very dear friend, Jan Dunlap, fight stage four lung cancer, and eventually, on August 30, loose that battle. We were glad to stay in touch and sit with her from time to time, as were several other of her friends. In our larger church community and the ragtime community, others came to the end of their lives.

Stephen continues to amaze me with his courage and will to live. He has endured two surgeries and a broken arm this year. We are currently in a healing stage, but he has managed to sing again with the Trinity choir, a fine choir, nearly every Sunday. On Dec. 7, Stephen attended a dinner and performance in honor of Jeanette Myers who is retiring as director of the River City Pops. Jeanette helped Stephen so much, first by helping him to regain his voice after his stroke, and then by helping him to develop his voice to its full potential. Pam McGrath and Patrick Lampe organized the enjoyable fete.

Stephen, 3rd from left, next to Jeanette Myers, retiring as director of the River City Pops. Pam McGrath is front, 4th from right, and Patrick Lampe is the tall dude in the back.

I've had my own struggles with health this year, but I have a couple of new doctors that I really like, and even though I've had a fortune's worth of medical tests, these tests come back more or less negative. We're getting my hypertension better under control.

Brother Tom and wife Diana came out to visit for a long weekend in late September. We had a good time just being laid back and eating out, with a few visits, like the one to St. Louis Cathedral. Unfortunately, Dee suffered a bad sprain to her ankle in the CWE. It was good to renew old ties, and review a lifetime of memories.

Other visits we had planned, one to see Will in Sarasota, another to visit Mariam in Ventura, and a possible trip to Wisconsin to visit Mary Alice and Tom and Kathy, all had to be cancelled or postponed because of our health challenges. Maybe next year.

One other accomplishment that I really worked hard on, but was proud of, was a production of three of Noel Coward's plays in October for the dinner theater we belong to. Stephen and Jeanette reprised the balcony love scene from Private Lives. They sang the wonderfully memorable "Someday I'll Find You Again." We also did two short ones from 1936, Tonight at 8:30, (Red Peppers and Shadow Play). This time, I emphasized several of Coward's wonderful songs, transcribing a couple of them from old records and YouTube videos.

Me and Becky as George and Lily Pepper in Red Peppers. (Songs: Has Anybody Seen Our Ship and Men about Town.)	Andrea as Victoria in Shadow Play (Songs: You Were There, Play Orchestra Play, and Then)

Stephen and I are grateful for lots of support to us as we age, but we are particularly indebted to Julien and Kate Worland, for generally loving us and inviting us and close friends into their beautiful home for some holiday dinners. Rosanda Richards Ellsworth, now my dear friend for 42 years, and Stephen's for 28, has called us to offer support, encouragement, and gentle kidding almost every day. She also keeps me well connected with many of the networks of her friends. Ann Watts has become family to us. In recognizing these very special people in our lives, we also quickly recognize many, many others who also show their love to us. We are truly blessed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 2012

James Andris and Stephen Nichols (and Midas and Birda)