THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9503290172
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Questions, Page 20 Hometown heroine Hope Spivey began her gymnastics training in Suffolk when she was 7 years old.
It was not too far from home - the Birdsong Recreation Center.
``She made up an original routine to the `Hill Street Blues' theme,'' said Jenny Austin, the youngster's first instructor.
As years went by the routines became more complex, more intricate. Spivey worked hard for the eventual goal she achieved - competing in the Olympics.
To get that far she had to spend most of her teen years away from home, attending a school that excelled in training young gymnasts, catering to youngsters from all over the United States.
For five years Spivey attended the Parkettes National Gymnastic Training Center in Allentown, Pa.
It was this reporter's pleasure, in '88, to watch Spivey in action there and talk to Donna and Bill Strauss, the Parkettes' owner and the Olympian's second family.
Now, to answer some of those other questions:
1 - The actor whose career began as a pianist in New York City is Jack Lemmon.
2 - The tailor-president was Andrew Johnson - president No. 17.
3 - The former skeet shooting champ is the host of ``Unsolved Mysteries'' - Robert Stack. By the way, he had another distinction. He bestowed the first kiss upon Deanna Durbin.
4 - What presidents Lincoln, Grant and Garfield had in common is answered in the first word of the question. None of them left wills.
5 - Sitting Bull was the leader of the Sioux. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The actor who began his career as a pianist in New York City is Jack
Lemmon.
by CNB