Mary Ellen St. Aubin, who stands a mere 44 inches tall, was married to an original Munchkin from the 1939 MGM movie classic, The Wizard Of Oz. To help commemorate the heart, courage, wisdom and love of home that Oz instills, Mary Ellen appears in Chesterton, Indiana on the third weekend of each September for the country's oldest and largest Wizard of Oz Festival.
But Mary Ellen's full-time profession is Administrative Assistant at St. Coletta's of Illinois in Tinley Park, where she recently showed Wayne Kottmeyer, St Coletta's Executive Director, some Oz memorabilia, including a plaque of her husband, Parnell, the tiniest soldier in Munchkinland.
'The fact that Mary Ellen was recently named 'Person Of The Year' by St. Coletta's is an indication of what she's all about,' says the
organization's Executive Director, Wayne Kottmeyer. 'We all think the world of her. Mary Ellen has worked with the St. Coletta's family for more than 18 years,' he says, '...and is probably one of the most positive, loyal and nicest people I've ever met.'
From September 16-18, you too can meet 'Munchkin-By-Marriage' Mary Ellen St. Aubin at the 24th Annual Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton, Indiana. For information, log onto www.wizardofozfestival.org, or call Lakeshore Festival & Events at 219-983-1691.
MaryEllen and bald guy text:
PHOTO: Standing tall at 44 inches, Mary Ellen St. Aubin, who was married to an original Munchkin from the 1939 MGM classic movie 'The Wizard of Oz,' visits with a worker at the Vocational Training Center of St. Coletta's of Illinois in Tinley Park.
For more than eighteen years, Mary Ellen has served as Administrative Assistant in St. Coletta's Vocational Services office. The organization was created by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi to provide services for those with developmental disabilities. 'St. Coletta's,' she explains, 'provides on-the-job training to 234 adults with special needs.'
Mary Ellen has a heart of gold. And, from September 16-18, she will help commemorate the heart, courage, wisdom and love of home that the Wizard of Oz story continues to instill, by appearing at the country's oldest and largest Wizard of Oz Festival.
You can meet 'Munchkin-By-Marriage' Mary Ellen St. Aubin and her Oz friends and Oz fans at the 24th annual Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton, Indiana. Log onto www.wizardofozfestival.org for information, or call Lakeshore Festival & Events at 219-983-1691.
