She Dresses Others For Success

When Judy McGiveney left Los Angeles for Coeur d’Alene in 1995, she deserted Murphy Brown, Frank Fontana, Corky Sherwood and Jim Dial.

“Murphy Brown” was scheduled to end that year and Judy was ready. Seven years of 14-hour days as the show’s costumer had taken its toll.

She outfitted everyone and had to watch the taping of every scene to note the status of everyone’s apparel.

When taping resumed after breaks, Judy had to know whose sleeves were rolled up before the break and whose coat was buttoned. It was enough to cross even patient Judy’s eyes. She needed rest.

But she hasn’t gotten it in Coeur d’Alene.

“I had a fishing license last year that I didn’t get to use,” she says. But she doesn’t seem to mind. “When I left L.A., I dumped patterns, everything. I thought I’d never get back into this.”

Her talents are in demand in her new home. It’s no surprise, considering her background. Judy, who’s 50, outfitted ice skater Peggy Fleming on tour for a year, then a series of television and award shows (“a lot of hemming and ironing”).

She dressed the Solid Gold dancers for six years as assistant to the designer, and Pam Dawber (“wonderful person”) and Kate Jackson in their television shows (“My Sister Sam” and “The Scarecrow and Mrs. King”) before joining “Murphy Brown.”

Judy’s coveted theater degree from Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) admitted her into most of L.A.’s professional circles, with one exception.

“I always wanted to do movies, but I never did,” she says. Until she reached Idaho.

Judy arrived just before “Dante’s Peak.” She planned to open a crafts boutique in Coeur d’Alene but decided the area couldn’t support it.

When she heard about the movie in Wallace, she submitted her resume. She was hired as a costumer, made Linda Hamilton’s movie dress and went on to work on Michael Douglas’ recent movie, “The Game.”

Between movies, she designs and sews costumes for the Lake City Playhouse community theater, Eastern Washington University and North Idaho College, where she runs the costuming department.

She’s also designing the wardrobe for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre production of “Mame.”

“This is what I like to do,” she says, holding up a gold brocade, ruffled gown she designed for this week’s Chautauqua, a role-playing history event at NIC. Marie Antoinette will wear Judy’s work. So will Plato, Mark Antony and more.

“People thought I’d be so bored here,” Judy says as her long fingers adjust pleats in Plato’s toga. “I don’t miss L.A. even a little bit. I’m having fun.”

Whiz kid, the sequel

Remember Ed Mihelich, Immaculate Heart of Mary class of 1968? Last week, I told you the Coeur d’Alene scholar’s 16-year-old son, Chris, was a finalist in the prestigious Westinghouse Science Talent Search.

Chris won. He collected a $40,000 scholarship and likely will go on to win a Nobel prize someday. If only Ed hadn’t moved his family to Indiana ages ago …

Signs of spring

Even before the mercury edged up to 60 degrees, I knew spring was here by the big-eared bunny cup atop Jammin’ Java.

The little espresso hut just off Ramsey Road on Kathleen Avenue in Coeur d’Alene redecorates its enormous steaming cup for every holiday. Nice touch.

Other spring signs: blooming crocuses, more traffic, people cleaning winter from their yards, cyclists, runners training for the Spring Dash, open garages, clean cars and mangoes for $2 each instead of $3 each at the supermarket.

What signs of spring have I missed? Plant some on Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83814; FAX to 765-7149; call 765-7128; or e-mail to cynthiat@spokesman.com.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo