The amazing Miss Florence

When I was 4 and 5 years old, I was enthralled every weekday morning by Romper Room and the beautiful Miss Florence who would call out children’s names through a magic mirror at the end of each show.

I begged my parents to let me go on, and somehow, I was accepted for the program. But the two-week gig would have required a parent to drive me every morning to KREM’s studios on the South Hill in the winter in the days before snow tires were very good.

We were a one-car family in 1959-60 and my mom had six kids and my dad a busy law practice and so, the plan looked impossible.

I must have been inconsolable, because I remember that one morning, the phone rang, and it was Miss Florence on the line explaining that I couldn’t be on the show this time, but maybe “when the snow melts all off of the ground.”

I never did make it on the show and didn’t pursue the “snow melt” promise. But I remained a forever fan of Miss Florence for making that phone call.

I recently interviewed Florence Petheram for a story that ran in the newspaper today . She is still beautiful. And at 81, still amazing, living in Auburn to be near her four grown children. She’s written two children’s books, skydived for her 80th birthday, has a special man friend and for Mother’s Day, she requested a hula hoop! She’ll be in Spokane Saturday, reading from her book Magic is for When You Need I t.

Thanks for the phone call long ago, Miss Florence, and for the memories!

(Photo courtesy of Florence Petheram)