We managed to get
both boys here for a couple of days.
Nothing would do but
to take the now-traditional "Family On The Stairs"
picture at Norma's house. Aspen is being held by Tash at top of
stairs and Sky is barely visible at top.
Nov. 6, 2020 Diane's 80th Birthday
We
were able to arrange a surprise visit from Brad and Scott. Only
for a couple of days, but it was soooooo cool to surprise Di.
Family - Nov. 9, 2020 Norma's
Birthday
(The now-traditional staircase family pic)
The COVID-Masked Clan
Unmasked
Family - Thanksgiving &
Christmas 2019
The family picture 15
months later. In June 2019 (below) Norma had her hand on the expected
new addition to the family, Bri & Andrew's new baby. Shown here at
two months into his life as the newest addition to the clan is Denver
Skyler Hirko-Kovacs. We've settled on calling him "Sky."
And here's the
clan at Bob & Diane's house. Sorry, Kirsten, just about cut
out of the pic.
Family - June 2019
Happy came to Denver
for a visit in June of 2019. A family dinner (one of several!!!!)
resulted in this nice photo
of the gang. Left to right Rylan, Susan, Andrew, Happy, Bri,
Norma, Bruce, Diane, & Bob. (Click to enlarge with better
resolution.)
Brad,
Mom, Dad, & Scott
Christmas 2018
Jac Alder 1934 -2015
Jac died of respiratory failure on May 22, 2015. He was 80. He was the founder
(with his deceased wife, Norma) of Theatre
Three in 1961 and for the past fifty years was its artistic director, the longest of
any artistic director in the
United States. Not to mention all the other tasks done for the Theatre like
marketing, set
designs, directing, and acting in various shows over the years. His
passion, energy, and intellect were legend. He was totally
active and engaged until, literally, his last
breath.
He was a tireless advocate for the performing arts, not
just for Theatre Three, on a
level which over the years transformed the Dallas arts community. The breadth and
depth of his passion during his life and the huge hole it will leave in so
many people's lives going forward is best conveyed by others in the following
articles.
The
Announcement of Jac's death, North Texas Performing Arts News, by Mark
Lowry
Dallas
Morning News article, Nancy Churnin, reviewing the Celebration Of Life on
July 13th.
The celebration of Jac's life
was in
Dallas July 13th, 2015. It was a most joyous occasion recounting again and
again his astounding achievements, the wondrous number of lives
he impacted and the incredible impact he had on his passion -- the
performing arts and in particular live theater. Held at the Dallas City
Performance Hall, seating for 750 was packed with standing room only. Included
in the fantastic Celebration were wonderful eulogies, singing, dancing, and recitations.
Laugh, cry, and applaud, minute by minute. As Jac's final instruction made clear,
“I
prefer to have any celebration-of-life ceremony include a eulogy, along with
secular readings and music that brought joy and inspiration to my life. Let
there be delicious food and useful libations for the mingling after the
talking and singing. Then everybody get on with it.”
And that is what we did and that is what we will do.
Below is a 5 minute video
constructed from still pictures of Jac's amazing
life. A special thanks to Lois Leftwich and Sid Curtis, both Theatre Three board
members,
who produced it. It was repeatedly shown on big screen
off-and-on during the entire
Celebration as background for various presenters.
Below is 7 minute complication of about 70 of his drawings -- just doodles, if you will,
he created to simply occupy his prolific artistic mind.
What a life -- this amazingly talented and beloved person,
my dear brother Jac.
Annual
Xmas Dinner with the Hurtt Family- Dec. 2012
Both Brad &
Scott were both here for Christmas and we attended an
"Ugly Christmas Sweater" dinner with the Hurtt
clan.Bob and
Brad didn't have ugly sweaters, but we did have equally
tacky battery operated, articulated, musical Santa hats.By the way, the Alder/Hurtt Christmas get-togethers
now date back over 40 years!How cool is that for a wonderful family
Holiday
tradition?
During the
evening Caroline, Anne and Brian's daughter and Mike &
Kaye's granddaughter, created this
fun video. She did it in about 10 seconds on an
iPhone. Don't you just hate 8 year olds who are technologically
smarter than you? Seriously goofy funny.
Thanks Caroline.
Our
Bike Riding Trip to France - Sept. 2012
Our
latest great adventure was our recent bike riding-trip in France.
Here's a teaser photo.
For
comprehensive coverage of this wonder event, visit
the SmugMug pictorialof our trip or just click on the
image at left. Be sure to read the captions for each photo
to get the full story.
ALDER
Get-Together July 2012
(Click
to enlarge even more)
No,
this isn't the "Last Supper." At least we
hope not! Rather, a gathering of many of the
Alder Clan. Left to right, Norma, Ashleigh Alder,
Bruce, "Happy," Jac, Bob, Andrew Hirko,
Bri Kovacs, and Hunter Kovacs.
Happy came to
Denver on her long summer road trip and Jac came up from
Dallas meaning all five siblings were in town. So,
Norma hosted dinner for all of us plus Ashleigh (Bruce's daughter),
two of her kids -Bri and Hunter- and Bri's finance
Andrew. A really good time over several
days. And a great picture, thanks to Hunter.
GLADYS ALDER, 1914-2010
As
many visitors to this site will know, Mother passed away
May 11th 2010 at 95 years of perpetual youth. She was amazing in her zest for enjoying life. She made it her business to like wherever she was, stay in good humor in the face of adversity, and reach out to all the people who touched her life.
Incredible help came from Denver Hospice for the last seven months, keeping her comfortable and supporting both her and the family in this human journey. She's been able to laugh many times, remaining competent almost throughout. She remained her usual generous self, interested in others and their lives, even as her own life was weakening.
This vibrant woman touched many, many lives. Her lifetime of music-- teaching, playing, singing, listening, appreciating--will be her legacy. We will certainly miss her, but her influences will remain in all who knew her. We were very, very lucky to have her for a mother.
Click
here to review a page devoted to Mom and some of her more recent accomplishments.
HAWAII VACATION
- FEBRUARY 2008
In February we
returned to the
Hawaiian Islands
after a five-year absence.We were fortunate to
again spend the first week
with our good friends Mike
and Kaye Hurtt at their
great home on
Kauai.In fact, it was a
reunion of osrts since Diane and
Steve Christensen were also
there.Five years ago the
four of us also visited Mike
and Kaye and had such a
grand time, a re-do seemed
appropriate.
Then for our second
week we went over to the
Big
Island.Not having been over
there in maybe 30+ years, it
was nice to revisit "Hawaii."
Below are a couple
of pictures from the trip,
but a complete Gallery can be
found on our SmugMug
site. To visit that
site CLICK
HERE to visit our SmugMug
site. Click on any
below to enlarge.
Orchids,
Hawaii's trade mark flower.
The
"Gang" - Mike,
Kaye, Diane C., Steve, Bob
and Diane A.
Diane and Bob at
Hanalei Bay, one of the most
beautiful in the Islands.
A classic
Hawaiian sunset.
BIG NEWS IN THE ALDER FAMILY
Scott's
marriage to Kirsten!!
Scott Alder & Kirsten Bergquist - Nov. 2006, Hawaii
November, 2006 -- Scott and Kirsten (Bergquist)
recently went on a long vacation to Hawaii's big Island. Scott, being a bit of a romantic, waited until they were on
top of Mauna Loa to pop the question and to offer her a ring. She was completely surprised. Great! The attached
picture was taken soon after the great moment while still on the top of the volcanic mountain. Pretty spectacular setting,
don't you think?
April
20-22, 2007 -- Kirsten's
folks, Chuck &
Karen, held a great
engagement party in
Longview over this
weekend. Scott
and Kirsten had driven
up the week prior,
Diane and I were able
to go up for the
weekend, and a good
time was had by
all.
The
Bergquist Clan
at the
Engagement
Party in
Longview with
Bob, Diane,
and Scott
September
22, 2007 -- The
wedding weekend was a spectacular
success. Kirsten
organized it and
everything came off
with a
"hitch."
(Sorry. Couldn't
resist the bad pun.)
Even the weather
cooperated. The
following pics are but
a teaser. Please
click on this link to my
SmugMug
Gallery devoted to
their engagement and
wedding.
It's well worthwhile,
many more pictures,
captions, etc. (SmugMug Hints)
