Anna's Independence Day Pool Pary
July 4th 1976

After some turbulent time over the past year and a half the pool party was back on again in 1976.
The theater held a tribute to the late Linda Clay in May of 76' and this gathering brought many past and present from the theater together and it was from this outing that the pool party was revived once again.

Here's the host Anna starting things off with a rather exotic looking suit. Anna would turn 56 later this year though no one would ever guess it by looking at her; neverless, Anna had encountered some health issues and was trying to learn to curb her activities.

In typical pool party fashion, we see Anna out of suit being helped by Mr. Cottington and the always playful Mary Strat in the background.

Here we see familiar faces enjoying the pool, from the left we see Anna, Mr. Cottington, and then im told that is in fact James Corey along with Stella, and standing behind Stella is Bevy Schuyler.

Here we see Anna and Barb in the pool. Barbara was introduced to Anna by Stella and the two had become close in the past few years.

Here's Barb at poolside with Zeke Range, being coaxed into the pool perhaps.

Zeke's coaxing seems to work..Zeke Range was a foreman at the Wellington Timber company and by this time was probably as able as anyone at the timber company, he was also a friend of
James Corey.

Here's the lovely Stella at poolside, not sure if she's getting in or out....

Here's Stella again, this time for sure being in the pool and trying to get Barb to stay in the pool with her it seems.

Here's Anna's daughter Alexa and her new hubby Rich. Alexa had struggled with marriage and being single for that matter but seemed happy at least for awhile with Rich.

Here we see Stella sitting in the pool joined by Beverly Schuyler; who by this time was working sparingly at the theater but remained in contact with everyone.

Here's Bevy with another one of her famous groundbreaking underwater poses..

Anita Eckard returned to the pool party and the theater in 1976. Anita's last appearance here was in 1971 before leaving to pursue other ventures however the past 5 years hadnt been too prosperous for her. Anita only briefly knew Linda Clay yet was a bit of a wild child herself and both Anna and Stella took this opportunity to beckon Anita to settle down a bit.

Anita did well in the theater in 76' but did not heed the advice of Anna and Stella thus leaving the theater again by the end of the year.

Monica Fahey joined the pool party fun once again and after only a few short years had become one of the hardest workers at the theater on stage and behind the scenes, she was in fact a personal favorite of Vivian Arnell.

Donna Mehnger was not working in the theater anymore but did return to the pool party in 1976. Donna had new priorities, a career and family to tend to and had become a more "formal" woman by this time but still allowed a sneak peek in the pool.

I was amazed to find these gem photos of the young playful Joani Rydalch. Joani was a receptionist at Wellington Timber by day yet was aspiring to work in the theater group by night and it would seem she got a quick pass to be in the pool parties as well..

I dont think Joan was old enough to be at this party, but the statute of limitations has since expired so we'll accept it and move forward

Joan loved swimming and was eager to be part of the famous underwater photo class..

Stella's friend Mami joined the pool party again and made quite a splash..

Here's a fun early day photo from the pool with Pauline Nash to the front followed by Bev Schuyler and Mary Strat to the back.

Here's the incredible Pauline Nash taking in some sun poolside at the party. Pauline's popularity continued to grow not only at the theater but she was now getting modeling and movie offers from the west coast

Pauline had become one of the sexiest attractions at the theater and did the same at the pool party.

Shelly Freidrichs joins the pool party and the theater in 1976. Shelly has a passion for theater and was quite talented in dance.

Shelly was a good change of pace for the theater at this time and did a good job of covering a wide variety of supporting roles.

Here's Shelly taking up some conversation with fellow theater actress Lisa Baker.

Here's another of Lisa Baker relaxing in the pool. Despite becoming a mom, Lisa continued to work in the theater when she could and contributed immensely when the theater was short of help.

Another great pool photo here with Shelly Freidrichs and Mary Strat

Vivian Arnell joined the party again in 76' though she showed up to the event early and left early as well, Vivian enjoyed the swim but as she grew older wasnt so fond of the party activities.

Speakin of pool party activities, another classic pool wars photo this time with Mary Strat, Monica Fahey and Joani Rydalch. I dont know who the guy is, when I find out I'll update the page.

To cap off one of the most photo friendly Anna pool parties of all are these two incredibly steamy photos of Mary Strat at the guesthouse...

I dont know who took these photos of Mary but I intend on finding out. Mary Strat had become perhaps the most popular and favorite of the theater members and her skills much like Pauline, were being noticed outside of the theater community.

The 1976 pool party was a major promotional event bringing many past and present theater performers together in an effort to breathe some new life and a fresh start into the theater and as a result, to the pool party as well.
The effort was a total success not to mention alot of fun, and the pool party would live again the following year.
Pool Party 1977