Mrs. Olson

If you had your choice, who would you most like to wake up beside in the morning?

We'll start with you, sir, in the back.

"Kim Bassinger!"

Ah, yes. An excellent choice. And you, ma'am?

"Tom Cruise!"

We're certainly a hot crowd today, aren't we? Any more suggestions?

"Michelle Pfeiffer!"

"Gabriel Byrne!"

"Roger Rabbit!"

Roger Rabbit!? ... now wait a minute.

"Pee Wee Herman!"

"Miss Piggy!"

Enough already! We're all entitled to our preferences, but some of you should think about getting professional help.

As for me, I like waking up to a pleasant, smiling face and a good cup of coffee. Which makes my candidate for the perfect "morning-mate" obvious: Virginia Christine.

That's "Mrs. Olson" to the rest of you.

Always smiling, always ready to listen to other people's problems, and always ready with a hot cup of Folger's coffee, Mrs. Olson was a friendly face in commercials for years.

She was born Virginia Rickets, and took the last name "Christine" for her stage, movie and TV appearances. But it is as Mrs. Olson that she has established her place in the North American psyche.

As Mrs. Olson she comforted slightly overwrought young couples by offering them Folgers Mountain Grown coffee.

So how surprised are we to find that her home town of Stanton, Iowa, has a 120' coffee pot?

Stanton is a centre of Swedish culture rich in old traditions such as the Santa Lucia Festival, held on the Saturday nearest December 13, which ushers in the Christmas season. One of the highlights is crowning a young woman with candles as "Queen of the Light."

Another popular tradition occurs on the last evening of April, during which a group of men go from corner to corner singing "Skona Maj" ("Beautiful May"), and accepting invitations for a cup of coffee by the residents.

The 120' coffee pot is the town's water tower painted to look like a Swedish coffee pot. A handle, spout and lid have been added to complete the effect. It has a capacity of 640,000 cups.

As for Virginia Christine she's been somewhat under the weather for the last couple of years.

And I think we should do something to help her feel better.

I think all of us who fondly remember "Mrs. Olson" should drop her a line.

Stanton is having its 125th anniversary in 1995 and its organizers would love to have her attend the celebrations. Perhaps with enough encouragement she can make the trip.

If you were feeling poorly you know Mrs. Olson would have perked you up.

Letters should be addressed to:
Virginia Christine
1234 Rochdale Lane
West Los Angeles, CA
USA 90049

Take a few moments, make yourself a cup of coffee and write a few lines. You'll get a good feeling from it — and so will Mrs. Olson.