Carolyn Hastings

Miracle

March 11, 2020 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

I have a granddaughter who plays the game. Initially, when she made the announcement that she wanted to play Women’s Ice Hockey I thought it random. Random because no one in our family has truly ever embraced “cold” sports. We’re more apt to head to the beach than the snow. Three years later, she’s still playing and loving the sport and I’ve kept my winter coat handy year ’round so I could be reasonably warm watching her play.

In 2020, the United States is celebrating a “Miracle.” Forty years ago, our boys, quite literally beat the men, also quite literally of the USSR for the Olympic Gold. Miracle is that story.

“I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.” We’ve probably all heard that old saying but it may just be more truth than fiction. From what I can see, the kids, and often adults, who play the game are just plain tough!

The year was 1980. The place was Lake Placid, New York. The Soviets had won the Gold for the last four Winter Olympics. But! In 1960 the United States team had taken the Gold for the first time ever and Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) was left sitting on the sidelines watching. Having trained with the 1960 team for months, he was the last one cut from the roster. His dream of winning never faltered, so when asked to coach the team he was ready. He truly believed he could coach this scraggly bunch of college boys to victory. With no Gold Medal since 1960, no one else believed in his dream.

The first hurdle was picking the team. When questioned about his choices he said that he wasn’t looking for the best players, he was looking for the right players. In the midst of his year-long training he was told over and over again that he was working the boys too hard. Many held grudges against their fellow players for tactics in past games. Many were young and didn’t quite want to work that hard. Many just didn’t believe it could be done. It was his almost impossible task to mold them into a winning team.

Miracle is a David and Goliath story in a time where it was badly needed. The Cold War was a cold fact. The world was hurting. The USSR had invaded Afghanistan just a few months before. The communist way of life threatened the very fabric of the lives of freedom loving people around the world. Evil was alive and well and rearing its ugly head. This win was more than just a Gold Medal. It was symbolic of victory over our enemy, without a shot being fired.

I loved the poignancy of the wall in the locker room covered in telegrams from well-wishing Americans…even the one that said. “Beat those Commie Bastards.” Like I said before, in 1980 this was more than a hockey game to so many. The average age of our team was 21. Most of the well-seasoned USSR team had been playing together for 15 years but as Coach Brooks said, “Great moments are born from great opportunity.”

Throughout their training, Coach Brooks would occasionally ask a player, “Who do you play for?” They would say the name of their school. When he finally asked the question to one young player and heard the reply, “The United States of America.” He knew he had his team. They learned that the name on the front of the jersey was more important than the name on the back. Coach Brooks gave them not just a chance to dream, but to believe.

Miracle is a great family movie. You can watch it with your kids, your grandkids or alone. Alone might be best, that way you won’t be embarrassed when you jump out of your seat, pump your fist in the air and yell “GO USA.”

As usual, you can email me at chastings@rockcliff.com

Ahhh, Love! Loving Leah

February 5, 2020 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

One would think that a subject so universal to mankind (and womankind) by its very nature must be simple. While, or shall I say, whilst, it may be the most analyzed of subjects, it certainly is not the simplest. The poets have written about it since the beginning of civilization and the scientific community has studied it ad nauseum and most of us still do not understand it. We feel it if we’re one of the fortunate, but I daresay, we don’t always understand it.

I love Loving Leah for many reasons. In the opening scenes we are placed in the middle of diversity. Diversity that is almost palpable. Not an uncommon scene; two brothers with dramatically different chosen paths, one an Orthodox Rabbi, the other a Secular Cardiologist. Diversity. My review truly isn’t about the movie; it’s about us, and the world we live in today. I realized that while we think diversity is about Muslims and Jews, Republicans and Democrats, or Protestants and Catholics, it truly is just about humanity. It can be about the rich and the poor or the educated and the uneducated and yes, it can be about black and white. Truly strange, if you think about it, no one is truly white and no one is truly black, they are just names, names designed to put down or elevate, depending on where you are on the spectrum. Names created to divide…diversity. Reality is, there are many sects within each of the major religions of the world. Even Christianity has denominations too numerous to mention, but they are there, with their differences, some subtle, some not so subtle.

So, now back to Loving Leah, one of my top two romance movies I’ve ever watched. In full disclosure, I will say that it was one of the original Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies. I love Hallmark in general for championing clean entertainment, but this one is truly a cut above. Firstly, the stars were not used over and over again, as is currently done with the Hallmark “mill.” I don’t want to disparage their efforts because I still believe they hold up against mainstream TV, but they are “churned” and usually with the same cadre of actors as in the early Hollywood Studio days. Loving Leah is just different; there actually is a back story—a story about culture, devotion, brotherly love, and yes, romantic love.

Two brothers, Jacob and Benjamin. Jake is a single, successful doctor who can’t remember the last time he went to temple. Benjamin, a devout Orthodox Jewish Rabbi. Leah, Benjamin’s wife from a (semi) arranged marriage. Diverse but reasonably happy. Brother Benny dies and up crops tradition. An ancient custom asks the single brother to marry the widow without child or denounce his brother’s existence. That’s all you get! The rest you have to watch the movie to see. It’s easy to find. If all else fails, try the Library. Trust me, you’ll love it, it’s witty, it’s funny, it’s eye-opening. While writing I realized that love is not immune to diversity, it is the champion over diversity. Whether its love thy neighbor or love the love of your life, love is love. Down deep, it sometimes brings hurt, sometimes brings sorrow, but if you persevere, it almost always brings joy. As always, I invite your comments at Carolyn@carolynhastings.co

No Safe Spaces

December 31, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

As I’m writing this, the chaos continues. Will the Impeachment pass in the House today? Probably. But then what? The chaos will continue because in my humble opinion “The Chaos” has become white noise, ever present in our society, the new norm.

I only mention the seemingly never ending saga of the impeachment because it is in some strange way a bi-product of the subject of my movie review this month.

I went to see No Safe Spaces in the theater. I’m not usually a huge fan of documentaries because they are often designed to promote a certain perspective. I actually expected no less from this one, yet I have to admit that I arrived with a glimmer of hope for a true unbiased vantage point.

So there is no confusion I am going to quote directly from the promo.

The First Amendment and the very idea of free speech are under attack in America today. A growing number of Americans don’t believe you have the right to speak your mind if what you have to say might offend someone, somewhere. They advocate for “safe spaces” in which people won’t be offended by ideas they may find troubling. But is that what America is about?

In No Safe Spaces comedian and podcast king Adam Carolla and radio talk show host Dennis Prager travel the country, talking to experts and advocates on the left and the right, tour college campuses, and examine their own upbringings to try to understand what is happening in America today and what free speech in this country should look (and sound) like.

As I’ve mentioned before, I consider myself a patriot. I love my country. It’s like a big family, some of them may do things I don’t like, but they’re still family. I love the principles our country was founded upon and feel they are truly worth holding on to and defending. Somewhere along the line, we have gotten off track and the divisiveness is only getting worse. The University of California at Berkeley right here in our own back yard, has gone from honoring and defending our First Amendment of free speech to looting, pillaging, shouting and screaming and yes, violence to keep it off their campus. When did that happen? You’ve heard the old analogy about putting the frog in the pot of cold water if you want to cook him and turn the flame on under the pot. That’s how it happens. That’s how one day you wake up and free speech is not free any longer. Slowly, very slowly the pot of water heats up and cooks the frog…

I’ve got four teenage grandchildren and I didn’t see freedom of speech in our colleges and universities going away. Is it too late? I don’t think so. Dennis Prager and Adam Carolla have created a film that every American should see. I don’t care if you know their politics or like their politics. In fact, once you see the movie you’ll understand that it goes much deeper than that. It’s who we are as Americans. It’s who we want to continue to be. Owen Gleiberman wrote in Variety, ‘The most head-turning point made by No Safe Spaces is that today’s anti-free-speech radicals, who on many college campuses dominate the discourse, are going to be tomorrow’s leaders. Now, that’s something that can keep you awake at night! We can no longer afford to stay uninvolved while the pot of water starts to boil. We need to bring back the art of civil discourse. When it comes right down to it, it’s not what you say but how you say it that usually makes the difference in whether others listen.

As always, I welcome your comments at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com

The Christmas Jars

December 5, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

It might not be quite in the league of A Christmas Carol but I recently saw, no strike that, experienced, a Christmas movie that I loved. It was one of those one night in the theater movie events that they use to stir some word of mouth to promote the film either on streaming or DVD. After watching it, I decided that I needed to add it to my personal film collection.

The Christmas Jars is based on the bestselling novel written by Jason F. Wright. It tells the story of reporter Hope Jensen, who uncovers the remarkable secret behind the “Christmas Jars,” literally old fashioned canning jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for people in need. Hope is desperate for a Christmas story for her boss, and this one appears to fall in her lap. She does the research and finds the family that she believes started the Christmas Jar phenomena. She engages them under false pretenses to get her story even though she knows they have worked hard at keeping their secret among their family. The more she gets to know this very special family, the deeper she gets into her lies. The film is well done. The acting is amazingly good and the directing is thoughtful.

It isn’t often that you find a story that creates a culture but when I decided to order my copy of the DVD, The Christmas Jars I went online at a major big box store. What I found was very interesting. Not only were they selling pre-orders of the movie, there had been over a million inquiries directly after a one night, single showing of this beautiful movie for, you guessed it…canning jars! This was just one store! What an incredible impact for such a small audience. But then again, I too, was looking for my own Christmas Jar. I also realized that the very next day after I saw the movie, I started using bills to pay for my purchases instead of digging exact change out of my wallet or using my debit card. I actually wanted the coins for the first time in my life. I had found a true purpose for them!

So, if you’ve decided to skip the movie and go straight to the Christmas Jars idea, you will do yourself a huge disservice. Although the self-sacrificing act of the jars is a central theme to the film, the plot is much deeper, more tender, sweet, and downright heartfelt. Unlike A Christmas Carol, there are no ghosts, just an intriguing story that unfolds at a magical pace. By the time the film ends, Christmas has arrived in so many ways. The true Spirit of Christmas. The Spirit that every year we tell ourselves we’re going to make it last all year long, and then sometime after Valentine’s Day it’s nowhere to be found.

I want to challenge you this Christmas. See The Christmas Jar, find your jar, even decorate your jar if you’re so inclined. More importantly, fill your jar packed full of “anyway money.” Then let that “anyway money” make a huge difference in someone’s or some family’s life next Christmas. It will change your perspective all year long if you let it. Have a Merry Christmas and a Bless New Year! Carolyn@carolynhastings.com.

Invictus

November 13, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

I recently found a gem—a South African Diamond—so to speak. I’m not sure where it was, or me for that matter in the last ten years, but there it was in my local library ready for me to “discover.” Invictus is a film that I can’t say loudly enough, is not to be missed! It was given to us by producer-director Clint Eastwood, and let me say, it is a gift to humanity.

This story is a little slice of the life of Nelson Mandela taken from his book, Playing the Enemy. Mandela is played brilliantly by Morgan Freeman. Apartheid is over but definitely not forgotten, and Mandela shows up for his first day as president of the Union of South Africa to find the “whites” from the former government packing up their offices in boxes and leaving—an assumption. Mandela calls a staff meeting and tells them they are not fired and that if they feel like they can work with him, he would like them to stay. As expected, most leave but a few faithful South Africans choose to stay, some his personal bodyguards.

Creating a new government-based on a different mindset was, as expected, virtually impossible, made even more so with his hope of inclusivity. I dare say most expected him to toss out the old and bring in the new. In retrospect, from a world apart that would have just been another coup, another transfer of power, where eventually the power would probably have shifted back and forth forever. Nelson Mandela had something different in mind. This story, told through a quite different lens, was a turning point.

Springbok Rugby in South Africa was primarily a “whites” sport. The “blacks” preferred soccer. Mandela approached the Captain of the Springboks, Francois Piennar (Matt Damon), with the challenge of actually winning the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the year after he took office. Francois saw Mandela’s vision of unification and took up the challenge, pulling his team together, working them mercilessly until the last drop of blood, sweat, and tears.

Invictus is brilliantly acted and insightfully directed. It should have swept the Oscars, but if you recall, there was a lot going on in the United States during that time.

Nelson Mandela died in 2013. Seventy countries were represented at his memorial services, including four United States Presidents. If this review and film does nothing more than peak your curiosity enough to do a little more research about this brilliant man who spent 27 years in a tiny jail cell for the freedom and equality he believed in, I have made a difference here.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

October 13, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

Planes, Trains and Automobiles stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, an uppity marketing executive who, on a flight home at Thanksgiving, finds himself bumped from first class and forced to sit in the tourist section next to a boorish and emotionally needy Del Griffith, a shower curtain salesman played by none other than John Candy. Del dresses funny, is too eager to be helpful, and has abominable snacking habits. Most reprehensible, he stole a cab from Neal when both were fighting their way to the airport.

When a snow storm in Chicago closes the airport, the plane is routed to Wichita. These two ill-matched travelers find themselves stuck together for a series of misadventures on the road. You sense immediately that circumstances are going to make Neal and Del strange bedfellows in motel hell. You know too, that much worse will follow as this misalliance uses all the modes of transportation specified in the title (plus such unnamed delights as a farm truck, a refrigerator truck and a bus that grinds to an unpleasant halt) in the desperate effort to get home.

It is, of course, always a pleasure to watch Martin’s steam-gauge face register his rising internal pressures and to witness his exquisitely expressed blow-offs. But Candy offers even more insinuating delights. Covering lonely need with empty gab, insecurity with a not entirely trustworthy savvy, he is the most dangerous kind of pest, the type who worms rather than blusters his way into your life. The movie works the same way. For all its broadly farcical air, Planes, Trains and Automobiles finally seals its bond with the audience the same way.

Writer, director, producer John Hughes drew out superb performances by both leads. Man versus technology has been one of the staples of screen comedy since the earliest silent days, and Hughes makes the most of the format here packing as many of the frustrations of modern life as he can into this calamitous travelogue of roadside America.

Now a word about Canadian Actor John Candy. John Franklin Candy (yes, that was his real name) died of a heart attack at the age of 43 while filming Wagons East in Durango, Mexico. Primarily a character actor, John was in so many riotous comedies there are too many to list here. He left two children, one long term marriage and was memorialized on one Canadian stamp. He left a legacy of laughter.

While Planes, Trains and Automobiles has an R rating (Martin drops the F-word about 20 times in a single scene) it is still being quoted by a whole generation. So, either watch it after the young ones are abed or do some real explaining before it starts, but find the time during this season to cuddle up on the couch and laugh till your sides hurt. Once again, I invite your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

The Blind Side

September 16, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

It’s football season. Do you know how I know? My grandson wore his freshman football jersey to school today. It was his very first high school pep rally. I was told by a junior girl that the grade levels are all “color-coded” for the pep rally. Not by skin color or hair color or even eye color, the freshmen were all supposed to wear gray, a different color for each grade level. But not my grandson, he got to wear his red and black football jersey.

I have to admit to not knowing virtually anything about football. Most of the people who sit around me at the field or on the couch know a lot. That is the exact reason I’ve never asked for an ongoing tutorial. I just do not want to impede their enjoyment of the game. It seems as if whether its recreation league, high school, college, or Pro, a football lover is a football lover.

The Blind Side was released ten years ago but I honestly believe it is one of the best football movies ever made. Maybe that’s because it’s about a whole lot more than football. It’s only icing on the cake based on a true story.

Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) is a Southern Belle and former college cheerleader socialite, married to well-known college basketball star, Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw). That was quite a long sentence and I still didn’t get in the 85 fast-food chains they own and more importantly, that they both graduated from Ole Miss, University of Mississippi. In the South, where football is a religion, that is the only place to play.

Michael Oher is an underprivileged kid that for the most part hasn’t had a life worth remembering. He’s been shuffled through the system and ends up attending a Christian School in Memphis. He doesn’t “live” anywhere and carries what little belongings he has around in a plastic shopping bag—the small kind with no handles. After a school event one evening, he catches the attention of Leigh Ann. It’s cold outside and he has no jacket. She chases him down and falls in love with this gentle giant of a child that people call “Big Mike,” that is when they bother to call him at all. Leigh Ann, Sean, and their two children are very white, by the way. Michael isn’t.

This is the true story of a child with nothing, literally being absorbed into the very fabric of a wealthy, loving family that see him as their own. I can’t even begin to explain, so I am just going to say: Watch it! Oh yes, Michael played football for Ole Miss and was later drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.

The Blind Side won an Oscar for Best Picture, and Sandra Bullock won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actress. That, along with the $300+ million box office gross and you understand that I’m not the only one who loved this movie. It’s got heart, it’s got love, and it’s got pure human goodness. And, of course, it’s got football. Once again, I love your comments a

Behind the Mask

August 12, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

A friend of mine recently moved into a newly purchased condo. Knowing I love to read almost as much as I love movies, she invited me over to give me a few of her treasures. I told her my bookcase and DVD tower were past full, but I went home that afternoon with a big plastic tub that she gleefully provided, full of good stuff. After telling her that I would keep some of it, give some to friends, and donate the rest to the library, I realized she more than likely just wanted this “gift” out of her new space.

I am so glad I said yes to the gift, as I popped one of the treasure items into my DVD (yes, I still have a DVD built into both of my TV’s). From the moment this film started, the weaving began. Not one Slam Bam in the film—just a beautiful true story, amazingly crafted and brilliantly acted.

Behind the Mask is the true story of Dr. Robert Shushan, a man passionate about helping others. He founded a non-profit that employs the otherwise unemployable. He chases grants and hunts down contracts and mostly abandons his family for his dream.

One day in his rush to a meeting he has a heart attack in the parking lot of the business. He slams his car into the building and the last thing he remembers is being saved by the janitor. This starts a much-unexpected chain of events. The Doctor has a new friend that at first blush appears unwanted. As the friendship develops they both find they have a huge hole in their life that, at least for now, propels them in a direction neither expected.

Dr. Shushan is brilliantly portrayed by Donald Sutherland. It had been quite a while since I had seen one of his movies and I had forgotten just how well he crafts a character. When this was filmed in 1999, Mathew Fox was playing in Party of Five. His character, James Jones, was complex and challenging but somehow, with a little coaching from Sutherland the transformation blossoms. Brian Shushan is played by Bradley Whitford who definitely holds his own. Rounding out the cast is Mary McDonald who never loses faith in her husband, Robert.

In this film, an unlikely hero is made and a rare friendship born that proves to be life-altering for them both. I loved it but it took me a while to learn that it was originally made for TV by Bravo so it’s not rated.

The writer is Gregory Goodell, who won an Academy Award for Rain Man. This little jewel was highly acclaimed but modestly distributed, yet it is worth the effort to find and watch. As always I would love to read your comments at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com.

Independence Day

July 10, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

Okay, I admit it; I cry when a marching band goes by. I also tear up when God Bless America is sung. While I am free to criticize my government at times and do, I consider myself a Patriot, yes a capital “P” patriot.

One of my biggest fears is that true Patriotism is at risk of fading away…one young person at a time. I was recently at my grandkids’ graduations. Yes, grandkids. I had two graduating from middle school and one from high school. As I looked around, so many in the audiences were showing no respect to our pledge, anthem or flag. It’s not like they were burning flags or never even had them visible, but the majority didn’t even put a hand over their heart. This is the generation watching their “role model” athletes taking a knee at the pro games. I did see some that gave me hope—especially since they belonged to me! It’s not that I did anything special, but I did raise my son and daughter to raise sons and daughters to have some insight into the incredible country they live in. Do you know how truly amazing the United States of America is? It’s a country worth fighting for and a culture to be proud of, in spite of what some say. This is my country; “land that I love.” I never give up on her, never turn against her, and I teach my children to do the same.

There are “must see” movies this time of year. Independence Day may not be the deepest, or even the most well-acted, but for just sheer fun, it can’t be beat! This film dates back to 1996 but I just watched it again and enjoyed it almost as much as the first time.

The aliens are coming, the aliens are coming…and this time they really are. Apparently, out of nowhere every major city in the world has a massive spaceship hovering above. These mother ships have lots and lots of baby ships. At first the thought is to see if we can make new friends but it soon becomes obvious that they are here to annihilate humans and take our resources.

Independence Day’s strong suite is not plot, obviously. It’s the resilience of mankind. It’s got good guys, better guys and superheroes. Will Smith is cocky Marine fighter pilot, Captain Steven Hiller who has had yet another rejection from NASA. There is the nerd, played as only Jeff Goldblum can, and a host of other recognizable names including Harry Connick, Jr., Vivica A. Fox, Randy Quaid, Judd Hirsch, Mary McDonnell, Robert Loggia and Margaret Colin.

What I like most about Independence Day is its spirit of optimism. America was founded on that ‘can do’ attitude. Bill Pullman plays President Thomas Whitmore. One morning he awakens to the find the mother ship of all mother ships literally hanging over his head. He and a few trusted others hop on Air Force One and head, well anywhere but Washington D.C. Since all the major cities have the same view in the sky, he ends up in California at Area 51. The very place where all this begun and not even the President had been privy to.

I couldn’t help but almost get to my feet and cheer when Mr. President, a former fighter pilot goes after the aliens! I know this is totally unrealistic but it felt so good to have a real leader, top gun, top dog, protecting the good old US of A!

So, don’t take this film too seriously. Don’t look too close, but do watch it and enjoy. It’s good family fare if the kids aren’t too young to hear some swear words. This movie just had to have a few. All in all, Independence Day, makes you stand up a little taller, hold your head a little higher and just plain makes you proud to be an American!

Comments are always welcome at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com

Sunny Day Doris Day

June 11, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

I had a second home in Carmel for a while. For the locals there, Doris Day was a local too. That used to irritate me. Why? Because Carolyn Hastings had never even had a long distance sighting of the iconic Miss Day. Until, one day I had made a quick trip to the grocery store and as I was leaving, an old faded yellow Jeep Wagoneer came rumbling up and parked right by the front doors. A plainly dressed older heavyset, (yes, heavyset) woman hopped out and opened the back of the Jeep. A few minutes later a box boy, came out with a huge pallet of big bags, yup, dog food. I had finally gotten the Carmel owners reward: A Doris Day sighting! The box boy (I can’t believe we used to call them that), loaded the Jeep and away she went, home to her family. Did I ever see her again? Nope, but I didn’t need to; I was finally part of the “Carmel Insiders.”

We lost Doris Day a few days ago. I suppose we didn’t really lose her because I was at my local library yesterday, perusing the movie section as usual, and lo and behold, there she was in A Glass Bottom Boat. I snapped it up, checked it out and headed home to spend an evening with the girl next door, or so it seemed. I had forgotten how real she seemed whether playing a mermaid, a cowgirl or an interior designer. She always came off as just the girl next door.

Her career started as a Big Band singer. Then someone decided they needed an actress who could actually carry a tune, so she became an actress. She could do both and do them well. She made 39 films and spent five years as the star of, yes, The Doris Day Show on TV. Hundreds of her songs that most of you would remember, even if you didn’t remember who made them famous, were made a part of everyday life back in the 50s and 60s.

Doris was born, Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff in 1922—”Doris Day” to us and the rest of the world. She made movies that made people smile. She had charm, wit and spunk and her fans waited with baited-breath for her next new character; her next new film. I asked my brother and his wife what their favorite Doris movie is and they both immediately responded Calamity Jane. My brother is 80 and loves his westerns, of course, Doris as Calamity Jane would make him smile.

Several years ago a guy friend of mine and I had the privilege of spending a magical Valentine’s Day at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. This magnificent old theater often shows Classic films. On this particular evening, the show was Pillow Talk with the legendary Rock Hudson and you guessed it, Doris Day. Rock and Doris, big screen, Valentine’s Day…unforgettable.

After some failed marriages and twenty years in Hollywood, Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff walked away. I take that back. Doris believed that we have seasons in our lives. You live them and move on. She had always been an animal lover, so in 1981, at forty-nine years old, she moved to Carmel, founded the Doris Day Animal Foundation and started a new season, “doing good” in the US and around the world. In 2004 President George W. Bush awarded her the Presidents Medal of Freedom.

At 97 years old, Doris Day, America’s Sweetheart, is gone, but certainly not forgotten. She inspired love, devotion and loyalty. Her countless fan websites are mourning for a woman who embodied more innocent times. Her family says, “There will be no funeral, memorial or grave marker.” Why? Because she said so, she didn’t like death. But beyond a shadow of a doubt, we know she was here, a radiant icon of sunny, funny femininity. That was Doris Day.