People we love: Mary Wickes

Mary Wickes, June 13, 1910 – October 22, 1995

I think I loved Mary Wickes in anything I ever saw her in. Whether it was White Christmas as the well-meaning but eavesdropping housekeeper, or Sister Act as Sister Mary Lazarus replaced as choir director by Whoopi Goldberg. Perhaps one of my favorites roles was as the voice of Lavern the Gargoyle in Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

A great comedic talent, she was also a great dramatic actress, in 1942 in one of her earliest screen appearances she played Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came to Dinner, reprising her stage role.

Through the years we saw her in movies and on TV in such showes as The Doris Day Show, M*A*S*H, The Love Boat and here in the role of Madame Lamond giving a ballet lesson to her longtime friend Lucille Ball.



Statement of Virginia’s next great Senator: George Allen

Allen delivers victory speech regarding GOP Primary 2012. Photo by Shaun Kenney.

Upon winning tonight’s GOP primary with 65% of the vote, George Allen issued the following statement:

George Allen: One Step Closer to Victory for Freedom and Opportunity for All

June 12, 2012

George Allen: One Step Closer to Victory for Freedom and Opportunity for All
Henrico, VA – Today George Allen released the following statement after winning the Virginia Republican Primary for U.S. Senate:

“Today, thousands of Virginians sent a message to President Obama, Tim Kaine and their allies in Washington that they have had enough of the failed policies coming out of Washington. The way to get America creating jobs again is to reinvigorate the entrepreneurial spirit of America with pro-job growth policies, unleash our American energy resources and creativity, and rein in an overreaching, overspending federal government.

“This November, Virginians have a choice between two very different futures. My opponent supports the failed economic policies coming out of Washington and has a record of supporting bigger government and higher taxes, while losing 100,000 private sector jobs. I trust the people, not Washington, and have a proven record of reducing tax burdens, cutting regulations and creating jobs in Virginia.

“While it won’t be easy to change the ways of Washington, the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines. That’s what motivated Bishop E.W. Jackson, Delegate Bob Marshall, and Jamie Radtke, and I commend them and their supporters for their passion and concern.

“Just as we brought Republicans and Democrats together to reform welfare, cut taxes by $600 million and create over 300,000 net new private sector jobs, we will bring Virginia’s voices and values back to Washington. I welcome Republicans, Independents and Democrats to stand with me in November to secure the promise of the American Dream. We can spark a genuine American Comeback based on Freedom and Opportunity for all. It’s our time for choosing – let’s lay claim to victory for Freedom in November.”

Governor McDonnell is on a trade mission to Europe but issued the following statement from Germany:

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on
George Allen’s Victory in Virginia Senate Primary

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement regarding Governor George Allen’s primary win in Virginia.

“I want to congratulate my great friend George Allen for a very well-deserved victory tonight. This November, Virginians have a critically important decision to make. These are tough times in America. Our next Senator must be a proven leader. Someone who is committed to growing our economy, promoting American energy independence, and getting spending under control. George Allen is that leader, and he will be that Senator.

George Allen has a record in public office of making government work better, getting spending in check and ensuring that the private sector is free to create good jobs for our citizens. He has been a longtime supporter of a Balanced Budget Amendment, introducing it in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. As Governor, he created a pro-growth environment that helped the private sector create jobs, and made government smarter and smaller. He was the most reform-minded and innovative Governor in modern-Virginia history. Now, we need George Allen’s vision and leadership in Washington.

I look forward to traveling all across Virginia and working hard to ensure that George Allen is elected to the United States Senate this November.

Bearing Drift had all day primary coverage.