The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 15

After a fashion Sheila projects aura of strength By Marian Christy NEW YORK Buxom-blonde Sheila MacRae sashays seductively into the searing spotlight to perform a nightclub fashion farce featuring some of the world's standout women who have indelible clothes signatures. Sheila. Gordon's ex-wife, is now married to television producer Ronald Wayne. She is spoofing Bette Midler with funky clothes that spill spangles and de- colletage. She's cavorting on the stage in those ridiculously exaggerated platform shoes, making music.

A minute later she's a cool-elegant Jackie-0 in a proper black cire Valentino coat punctuated by those familiar outsized sunglasses. Carol Channing is Sheila's next target and she's wiggling around the stage in a i fringed dress that's studded with rhinestones. Here comes Cher! The Dior-Paris gown has a notoriously low neckline and Sheila's expression is predictably blah. Finally: She exits as a cocky Barbra Streisand in Scaasi's black sequinned pantsuit with now-famous, devastating see-through rear qualities. It's an exhausting exhibition of quick wit.

superfast change and a speedy routine that, seemingly, drains the fiftyish mother of 4. There's a confirmed luncheon interview. She's a no-show who gives no advance notice. An embarassed agent stutters abject apologies about Shelia's completely unexpected absence at the table set for 3. jhe has made an impromptu decision to spend the day sleeping.

Sheila wants and gets a day of rest without intrusions. Twenty-four hours pass. Now the comedienne is ready to talk but only at brunch, only in her Manhattan hotel suite and only with a press representative present. Agreed. The natural expectation? A Sheila MacRae who's an egotistical, Hollywood type deciding to hold court.

The impression is erroneous. Bursting goodwill, an ebullient barefoot Sheila comes to the door in a sleek while Halston pantsuit. She zooms around the apartment playing charming hostess and exuding enthusiastic energy. Today Sheila MacRae is the epitome of the saleswoman on those Punch detergent commercials that reportedly earned her $36.000 over a 3-year period. The amount of work involved was minimal compared to the massive exposure that made her face and name household-familiar.

On herself: "Ninety percent of the people who evaluated pictures flashed on a screen picked me as the person they considered most crediblei They all remember me as Jackie Gleason's television wife Alice Kramden. To them, I'm the woman-next-door who couldn't possibly tell a lie." Upcoming television commercials involve a series to boost the image of the badly snafu'd New York telephone system which has antagonized a sophisticated, fast-moving public. The trust millions maybe billions -of women have in Sheila MacRae is based, partly on the fact that she's not a thin woman who's on a constant diet. They identify with her. "I can't get energy without eating so I eat." she says.

"A lot of my friends strive to remain underweight. I'm just myself." Her hair is frankly bleached and she wears fails, wigs, hairpieces. What's more, it doesn't look as if she's ever had her face lifted. And she's positive about her sensuality and communicates that confidence: "A man cannot own a woman. The only way a man can possess a female is spiritually.

She has to feel utterly, totally protected." After 25 years of and Gordon MacRae parted ways via a quick Mexican divorce in 1965. Gordon has since married the former Mrs. George Sheila MacRae Schrafft of the restaurant chain. The same year Sheila married Wayne at an outdoor i a i a ceremony on the shores of the East River. There was serious consideration of a liaison without accompanying legality.

She says: "I could have done things the 'today' way. My daughter. Heather, extended her approval. She's definitely not into the concept of people getting married. We decided that, in our case, the traditional system was preferable." An individual that has kept the present marriage successful is, says Sheila, the fact that Wayne treats her as an "individual" rather than a "wife." She equates the label, as being synon- omous with the distaff partner who makes the major "adjustments" while the husband's attitude is relatively inflexible.

The wife becomes a subsidiary rather than a partner. Is that what went wrong with her marriage to MacRae? "When Gordon toured with bands between 1946 and 1948," she says, "he was gone for months. It was all right for him to move around. As his absence was condoned. What do you suppose would have happened if the roles were reversed and I went on the road? Is it always the woman who has to make accommodations?" Sheila projects an aura of strength.

Everything about her suggests solidity, vigor and potency. In private life. Sheila is dressed by conservative James Galanos and flukey Holly Harp 2 top Los Angeles-based designers. Both know that Sheila's arms must go under cover. "There's a million ways to play down fat hips," she says with a smile.

"But to hide muscles is a whole othe.r ballgame." Sheila owns plush townhouses in New York. Los Angeles and Golden Beach, a development near Miami. She's ensconced in a hotel during the current stay because the Manhattan address was rented for a year to Robert Stigwood, the Britisher who produces "Jesus Christ" Superstar. Tenant and landlord have an agreement: "I can go into the house any time to pick my clothes which are stored in dozens of closets there," she says I have a file system that lists which dresses are in which closet. Trouble is, I've lost the index." She is known to be an imaginative hostess who leans toward spectacular entertainment.

Sheila's marriage, which she describes as the "ultimate freedom," does not preclude having gentlemen friends. When her husband is busy and therefore unavailable, there are men with whom she plays tennis, others who take her to dinner, still another handful who gladly escort her to theater openings. "It's a very British attitude," says Sheila who was born in London, whose father was a designer of Bentley automobiles and whose mother had male companions. "In America, married women who cultivate male friendships are open to simultaneous suspicion and ridicule. It's too bad." When Sheila was 15, she was graduated from high school and was offered a scholarship to Middlebury college.

The British producer Christopher Morley was a neighbor and she would beg him for onstage jobs that would take her away from campus life forever. For her 16th birthday, she got a bit part in an insignificant play. It just happened that Gordon MacRae, then 19 and fresh out of prep school, was also in the cast. It was love at first sight. Within 8 months, they were Mr.

Mrs. "When you're a teenager," she says, "you think you know everthing." Sunday, July 14,1974 Salina Journal Page 13 Manor musings ACS staff thanks participants for successful celebration Action fostered by Salina LWV studies (Continued from Page 13) date, the only male member of the League of Women Voters of Salina. The other approximately 80 members of the LWV of Salina are. quite naturally, women. The oldest member is Mrs.

G. L. Campbell, who will celebrate her 86th birthday July 19. Although Mrs. Campbell walks with a cane she's an enthusiastic League supporter and attends a majority of the meetings.

Mrs. Campbell, a member of League for 5 years, says she joined the organization because "I wanted to do something different. My daughter lives in Lincoln! Neb. that's a very political place -and she used to take me to League meetings there. "I enjoy it.

The members are young -young to me, that is and full of vim and vigor, fn League. I'm kind of getting back into what's going on. I feel as if League is something that's right now." Services Among the services provided by the LWV are a voters service for persons a a i a i a i pamphlets including the "1973-1974 Guide to Government" and "Campaign Spending: The. Great A i a Treasure and a local candidates meeting that is open to the public. Also, recently the LWV of Salina announced the addition to its speaker's bureau of a talk on the 5 amendments that will be proposed on the Aug.

6 primary ballot. According to Mrs. Gerald Hudder, speaker's bureau chairman, "the talk is designed to acquaint Kansas voters with the gist of each proposal and to explain the reasons for which the LWV of Kansas the 2 specific positions of support and opposition. On 3 of the issues the League has no position." The "Amendments" speech is available through Aug. 5.

Interested groups can call Mrs. Hudder, 837 S. Santa Fe, to schedule a speaker. Send your news tip to The Salina Journal, $17 in prizes every week. Mr.

and Mrs. Joyce A. Jackson (Deborah Jo Kasl) Kasl-Jackson Belleville's United Methodist Church was the scene July 6 of the marriage of Deborah Jo Kasl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kasl.

Stockton, and Joyce A. Jackson, Hays, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jackson. Scandia.

The Rev. Larry Harvey. Courtland, officiated. Musicians: Mrs. Guy Snyder.

Belleville, and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Keiffer and Cindy Befort. all of Hays. The bride selected a gown of dacron polyester organza, accented with sequined Chantilace and a chapel-length train.

Her mantilla-type veil also formed a train. Maid of honor: Cindy Befort. Bridesmaids: Alice Jackson. Alexandria. Charlotte Nickerson, Belleville, and Jane Kasl, Stockton.

Best man: Leon Lindecranlz. Topeka. Groomsmen: Larry Kasl. Belleville: Merle Jackson. Wichita, and Ray Jackson.

Scandia. Other attendants: Roxann Ayotte. Salina: Duane Nickerson. Omaha. Gerald Hall, Scandia: Steve Pounds, Norway: Mike McEuen.

Manhattan: Lurena Kasl, Stockton: Gary and Lisa Nickerson, Olathe. and Greg Adams. Lincoln Neb. Church reception assistants were Mr. and Mrs.

Jim Nickerson. Olathe. and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ayotte, Salina.

Mr. and Mrs. Beryl Thomas. Scandia, were hosts for a dance at the Eagles lodge. Mrs.

Jackson, a graduate of Belleville high school, attended Fort Hays State college. She works at Travenol. Her husband was graduated from Scandia high school and the North Central Kansas Area Vocational-Technical school. Beloit. The bridegroom works for the Ford Motor company.

Hays. The newlyweds will be home at 110 Buster Drive. Hays, after a wedding trip to the Black Hills. EHU calendar Wednesday Cambria. 1:30 pm.

Mrs. tison. Salina RFD3. Kenneth Mat- Friday Home Companion. 8:30 am, Kenwood park shelter house.

By CAPT. LARRY E. MARTIN The staff of the Army Community Services Center takes this opportunity to express sincere thanks to everyone who worked so hard in preparation for and who participated in our old fashioned 4th of July celebration. The day's entire schedule of festivities was a resounding success. Although the large crowd was not overwhelming, it remained at a stable level all day.

Oldsters and youngsters alike had fun playing the games, dunking celebrities in the water, looking over the static display of military equipment, refreshing themselves, taking part in the "he-man" auction and the hourly prizes and lastly, observing the ascension of the giant hot-air balloon later in the afternoon. The weatherman is to be commended for the day was beautiful and the wind was mild. The festivities were successful due to the tremendous support, coordination and cooperation of a great many individuals and organizations, both civilian and military. To lisT everyone individually would be a a a the following should be recognized: Jim Greenwood, president of the Salina' Chamber of Commerce, Whitley' Austin, i a i a a i Clemend. president, Mid-State Mall association.

Norman Miller, chairman military affairs committee; Maj. Gen. Gordon Duquemin, commanding general, i Col. Ernest i commanding officer, Army Readiness i 8 i i Marymount college; Clyde Barnes, i a association; Norm Lindenberger, Quick- draw Gunfighters: Kansas City Carnival Supply, Buck Brown and assistant, Pepsi-Cola; Ken Smith, manager of Woolco, Loran Loch and Harry Smith. Tony's Pizza Service; Ed Honomichel, oompah a a a of KINA, KSAL, KSKG.

KFRM and TV Channel 6 and finally those Mid-State Mall merchants who generously donated gifts for the prizes. A special thanks goes out to all the women who represented the various Schilling Manor activities who helped so hard and did such a tremendous job. Also the military men assigned who took the 4lh in stride as being a duty day because they are committed to the Schilling experience to help our families remain involved as a means of helping the time pass as quickly and as pleasantly as possible. Mrs. Dottie Bianco and Sfc.

Donald Crable both also deserve a special thanks for their coordination of the day's activities and programs. Protestant news from the Manor: The general meeting of the Protestant Women of the Chapel is scheduled for 1 pm Friday. They are planning a tour of Kenwood View nursing home after the business meeting. Your suggestions are welcome to make PWOC more interesting and enjoyable. The Oriental Christian Bible study and the Thursday Bible study groups have combined and will meet at 1:30 pm Thursday at the Chapel annex.

Choir rehearsal has been changed from Thursday to Wednesday until further notice. The time is 6 Catholic news from the Manor. The monthly potluck supper will be at 5:30 pm this Sunday near the locomotive in Kenwood park. The menu will include hotdogs to be furnished by the chapel, along with the beverage. You are asked to bring 3 out of the following 4: baked beans, salad, chips or dessert.

A bus will leave the chapel at 4:30 pm for those who wish to ride it. The bus will be back by 9:30, Altar boy class: Tuesday is the date for the 2nd session from 7 to 8 prn at the Chapel. Attendance is mandatory for altar boys presently serving here. The class is also open to any interested boy in the 4th grade or above. Lector-Communion minister's meeting: At 7:30 pm Monday, all present lectors, commentators, and communion ministers will meet at the Rev.

John A Flaska's home, 150 a There is a need for more lectors commentators. Sodality news: The new Sodality officers were elected at the last meeting arA will be installed at next month's meeting. They are: Carol Keck, president, Gerry Lewis, vice-president, and Mary Fsi- tel. secretary-treasurer. Congratulations, ladies! Thanks go to the outgoing board: Teresa Simbeck, Linda Mueller, and Nandy Montalvo.

These women have really be-n leaders for the entire chapel program. Christine Chaput Chaput-Pierce CLYDE Mr. and Mrs. Bernard E. Chaput.

formerly of Wichita, announce the engagement of i Christine May, to Gail Duane Pierce, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Pierce. San Antonio, Tex. Miss Chaput is a graduate of Clifton high school and works at Sandy's cafe Clyde.

Her future bridegroom, a graduate Clyde high school, formerly worked at the Hutchinson Royal. Clay Center. He is in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Ajax. now overseas for 8 months.

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