Ginger Rogers (July 16, 1911- April 25, 1995) was born Virginia
Katherine McMathn in Independence, Missouri.

Actress, dancer and singer Ginger Rogers appeared in films, and on 
stage, radio, and television throughout much of the 20th century. She
originally wanted to become a school teacher.

During her long career, she made 73 films, working with Fred Astaire 
as a romantic lead actress and dancing partner in a series of ten
Hollywood musical films. She ranks #14 on the AFI’s 100 Years…100
Stars list of actress screen legends.

Original Newspaper ad from 1936

From a Oregon Journal Special Section, June 19, 1980

October 1953

Claire Trevor and Edward G. Robinson

Big Town is a popular radio drama series that was broadcast until
1952. Edward Robinson played Steve Wilson, the managing editor 
for Illustrated Press until 1942 when Edward J.Pawley took over for
most of the remaining episodes. Claire Trevor portrayed Lorelei
Kilbourne, a society editor and Wilson’s  sidekick. She was replaced
by Ona Munson in 1940.

Big Town was rated No-one among all of the reporter-type drama
series on radio. It was also rated in the top 15 among all radio
programs broadcast and had a listening audience rated between
10 and 20 million people. The program was later adapted to both
film and television and a comic book published by DC Comics. 

  
                                                                                                Photos: Dean Simmons

Besides promoting shows and co-starring with celebrities, Buddy Simmons 
worked as a disc jockey for KVAN in Vancouver, WA and KRDR in Gresham, 
OR where he was the program director as well. It is widely believed that 
he was the first person to play country music on the radio in the Pacific 
Northwest. He also had TV shows on three different stations, “Northwest
Jamboree” on KPTV 12, “Hoedown” on KATU channel 2, and “The Buddy 
Simmons Show” seen on KGW channel 8. 

 
Buddy behind the KRDR microphone in Gresham, Or

Willie ‘Buddy’ Simmons (February 3rd, 1926 – August 21st, 2012)