Island Icon:
Dixie Beth Stern-Talbot By Jasmine Lo, Coronado Historical Association Intern
All photos courtesy of Mrs. Stern-Talbot.
“The spirit hasn’t changed a bit. People are still friendly. People want to be involved. They’re very giving and very loving,” voiced longtime Coronado resident Dixie Beth Stern-Talbot. When Mrs. Stern-Talbot moved to Coronado, she recounted how the bridge was newly built and the Cays was known as the “pig farm.” From the establishment of the Coronado Historical Association to the addition of the Winn Room at the Coronado Public Library, so much has changed. Mrs. SternTalbot reminds us that “growth is good,” even though she still misses the Coronado Department Store. Growth is what allows Mrs. SternTalbot to follow her passion for music. She lived through times of major musical eras, crafting her unique perspective. Her favorite aria is “Un bel dì, vedremo” (“One fine day we’ll see”) from Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. Her favorite singer is Tony Bennett, who she was able to work with while singing at the Chicago Music Theatre. Throughout high school in Springfield, Missouri, she was heavily involved in the drama department, choir, and drum core, graduating in 1949; they
for P.B.S. On September 26, 2000, she
ways that involve singing. As a member of
called themselves the “49-ers.” She matricu-
released her folk-music CD A Look At Life
the Coronado Opera Guild, she sang at
lated at Southwest Missouri State, where
and Love, including her songs “Look At
their spring meeting in May 1975. Mrs.
she majored in music while also studying
Life,” “Down Home,” “Faded Photo,” and
Stern-Talbot recalled a memory from one
a combination of drama, English, and
more. She shared, “The songs were all about
of their spaghetti dinner fundraisers; the
education, which would later allow her to
people I knew, and I tried to tell their story
husband of a member of the opera guild
become a teacher. She has sung profession-
in the song.”
served too-large portions of their home-
ally in musicals, appeared in T.V. commer-
Combining her love for music and the
made spaghetti, causing them to run out, so
cials, and was the presenter of two series
community, she frequently volunteers in
someone ran over to Marco’s to get more.
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