A.J. (Alice Jo) Younggren Cargo

After performing with the KIDS in 1969 and 70, I was a Kids Colonel's Secretary/Kids Counselor in 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975. I graduated form UW-River Falls in 1974, with a major in vocal music performing and worked for the university until I married Bill Cargo in January of 1976 (a pastor with the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church, retiring 2011). In 1989 I returned to school to complete an elementary teaching certificate. I have been teaching elementary education since 1991 in Oscoda, Michigan on the shore of Lake Huron. Currently I am a RETIRED from teaching as of June 2013. I am still connected to students through facebook to support them with Conflict Management, self-control and continued respect for themselves and others.

I have sung with two community choruses: Seaway Choral in the "Downriver" area of Detroit and Huron Shores Chorus in Northeastern Michigan, having been a soloist in both and involving no ladder :) I currently sing in my church choirs in Oscoda UMC and Brentwood 1st Pres., TN.

Musical Director: Shore Line Player, Oscoda, Michigan - Mikado, Annie Get Your Gun and Brigadoon (1990's)

I love to encourage people to be the best we can be, garden in sand, take our dog swimming in Lake Huron (until the ice forms on the shoreline and then leaves in the spring), refinish furniture, do general house repair, sew, and wave runner on Lake Huron. My husband says he gets a kick out of seeing me race off into the lake. I am about to have new bindings put on my x-country skis and buy new boots! I completed the National Writing Project and look forward to having more time to write!

Life has been good! We will continue to live in Oscoda, Michigan after my retirement, but also own Bill's Family Log Cabin in College grove, TN, 30 miles south of Nashville, where our son and his family currently live.

God bless you all!!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE ON YOUR SPECIAL DAYS>>>if I should miss the postings!!! You are all remarkable people!!!!

Singer/Ladder Stander
Official Scrivner
Being a "KID" was a life changing time for me. God bless Colonel, Betty and Nick for all the love and patience and nurturing they offered! God bless all the KIDS who became my friends and family away from friends and family!!

UW-River Falls (my hometown), has hosted the KIDS every since our inception. They look forward to our return every year!!!

During the summer of 1969 a sudden storm that took down tents at the State Fair Park. I was watching Tahiti Nui with Marsha Waterhouse. When we saw the tent being picked up, she pushed me under the stage and followed right behind me. We were safe! Thanks to Marsha's fast thinking. After that, those of us that were still in the park waited by the Admin building to get a ride back to the motel. A little girl sat next to me on the curb with her mother. When her mom said, "Do you know who that is?" pointing to me. The little girl said, "She's a Kid From Wisconsin." and asked for my autograph! That was a wow moment!!!

***40 years later, after a reunion at State Fair Park, my husband and I stopped at the Dells to see the Tommy Bartlett Show. We sat next to an elderly lady who stuck up a conversation with my husband about having missed seeing the Kids at the State Fair because they were rained out. She had not missed a summer seeing them since 1969. My husband introduced me as a first year KID and this made her day. she asked for my autograph and I gave her my Kids' key chain from the reunion. That evening my husband found out how important the KIDS have been to the State of Wisconsin - I was reminded what a wonderful difference we have made to the joy of audiences!!! Thank you for the opportunities!!!

Patriotic Medly (This Is My Country) & Prayer for Peace

River Falls

Younggren

Performer & Official Scrivener 1969, 1970, Counselor/Secretary: "71, '72, 74, '75