My parents bought their first TV in 1947.
We received three networks and the public broadcasting channel.
Kids programs like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger and Tonto and Ramar of the Jungle made up my Saturday mornings.
But nothing topped the Walt Disney Show with the Mouseketeers and their mouse-ear beanies.
So I was saddened to learn that Karen Pendleton died at age 73 of a heart attack. She was paired up with Cubby.
One of the 39 Mouseketeers over the years, she was on the show for its entire run from 1955 to 1959.
She and Cubby were asked to stay under contract with Disney, but she refused. A 1983 car accident rendered her paralyzed from the waist down.
Pendleton went on to earn undergraduate and masters degrees from Cal State and became an advocate for disability rights.
Many young people identified with the Mouseketeers, back when kids' TV shows were wholesome and lacking of violence.
So please join me in singing a goodbye to Karen:
“Now it’s time to say goodbye to
all our company....
M. I. C.”
Adult Mouseketeer Jimmy replies,
“See you real soon.”
“K. E. Y.” reply the kids.
“Why? Because we like you,” replies Jimmy.
“M.O.U.S.E."
Roger Carlton is a columnist for The Graham Star.