Peg Williams
What’s your favorite memory or story about living in Chicago?
There are thousands of them. Hard to pick just one! A funny story is in about 1968, there was a new style of bathing suit that had been introduced called the “tri-kini,” which was essentially a bikini bottom and two large pasties. Of course I had to get one, then put it on (the tops sort of glued in place) and headed for Oak Street Beach, the most populated beach on Lake Michigan. My hair was very long, so it covered almost all of my back, but from behind it looked like there was no top to the bathing suit. I was chatting away with some friends when they started to giggle. Behind me were two police officers, walking very quickly toward me and smiling broadly. They put on their very best official expressions and walked around in front of me. The looks on their faces were hysterical – such disappointment! Then one of them found his voice and said, “Damn! That’s the best one I’ve ever seen!” Much laughter, no citation!
What do you remember best about everyday life in Chicago? What do you miss the most?
Everyday life was difficult, but could be exhilarating. I worked from 8 at night to 4 in the morning, and went to school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I enjoyed the audiences at the club where I worked, as it was a comparatively classy spot, with a good mix of couples, conventioneers, and new 21-year-olds. My routines were all fun and mixed in with more than a little humor, so I made friends. School was fascinating, a combination of art and architecture, so the projects were challenging and uplifting at the same time. The only thing regularly missing in my life was sleep!!!
What’s something you learned from being an entertainer that you still use today?
That you can teach people more with humor than you can by being totally serious. Including teaching them how to behave toward you. In a night club many customers were under the mistaken impression that the girls in the stage show were available after hours for other “activities.” That couldn’t be further from the truth, but when you started chatting with a table full of men (a required activity,) you had to get them to like you while letting them know you were not available beyond the stage for anything but conversation. Making fun out of the whole thing made me earn many repeat customers, and helped the gents enjoy themselves as well. After all, the pressure was off of them, too!
If you could live anywhere for a year NOW, where would you set up shop?
This year has proven to me that I am happiest when close to family members. I love my crazy old house, and adore my kids, so the best place for me is right where I am.
What prompted you to move back to Pennsylvania?
Everything had turned to crap in Chicago, with a divorce, another broken relationship, no job, and no place to live. I moved back in with my parents, which wasn’t easy, as I had been gone for 8 years! It worked out well, though, as my Dad was working in North Carolina for the year, and Mom wasn’t good by herself. We ended up getting to know each other as fellow adults, which helped a poor relationship grow into something we both could respect.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Ambler?
ROOTS! I moved eight times before I turned 21. When we found Ambler, I found stability. I love my house and its 120-year history. We have had the same neighbors for many years, the kids have grown up here and maintained lifelong friendships. If any of us has an emergency, we have easily five or six people we can call who will show up immediately to help. This is a fabulous little town, with a wonderful character to the community. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
What’s your favorite job you’ve ever had? Why is that and what was it like?
Teaching Psychology and Sociology to 2-year college students, many of whom had been told they “were not college material.” My challenge was to prove that they were. I learned to teach when I entertained audiences in Chicago, or when I was in the Psych-based extemporaneous theater troupe. I knew if I could get them laughing I could get them learning, so I thought up weird exercises and crazy examples to portray complex theories. I loved watching them light up with a new piece of knowledge, and considered it a privilege to be the one who opened it up. I even loved correcting my exams, which were all essay and all open-book, to see that my students were working hard and successfully explaining their newfound knowledge to me. I also like the age range, mostly female, from 18 to 65. The diversity of opinions and backgrounds made for a fascinating class.
What did you learn about people from teaching adults at business school?
That you can get people together who have little world knowledge and little self-esteem, and put them in an environment where they need to think and work together, and the result is a team of learners who want to help each other and get as much as they can out of the course. This isn’t 100%, but it came close.
Would you ever write a book about effective techniques for teaching adult learners? If not a full book, what idea or ideas do you think could help people reading this?
I’ve thought about writing something about the use of humor in a classroom, but got caught up in other, more interesting things, and it never got written. Maybe a TED Talk?
If you wrote a book about your experiences, what would be the main themes? What would you title it?
It’s in the works, and it’s called “Tuning Up the G-String.” Autobiographical. I have 32 pages written and am blocked. Don’t know if I’ll continue.
What makes you feel the most proud about the outcomes of raising your kids?
Just the simple thing of watching them live their lives day to day as smart, funny, well-liked and well-respected adults. I am tremendously proud of who they are. I am also thrilled that they have both chosen to live close by. What a pleasure!
What’s a favorite story you have about when your kids were younger?
Good grief! Okay, here we go. Their school held an auction one year as a fund-raiser, and one of the items was a four-hour rental of a luxury limo. I got it for $15, and told each kid to get a friend, then planned a date and took them to South Street for Saturday lunch. It was a riot!
What are some reflections you have about being a second mom to your kids’ friends? Do you have any favorite stories about earning that role?
I did nothing to “earn” the role, but I did just love them for who they were. I am incredibly proud to be considered for that honor, and to this day get a little teary when one of them calls me “mom.” My favorite pastime was when all of the gang were teens and were gathered in my living room for a gab session. It was my great pleasure to plunk down in the middle of the floor and be part of those conversations.
How would you handle it if one of your kids was friends with someone who surprised you by revealing that they were a white nationalist?
We would be having a Looooong talk, and if they weren’t willing to listen, they were not invited back. Also, I don’t think the friendship would last very long.
What mistakes do you think American parents make that make their kids worse off?
Not allowing them to take responsibility for their own actions. Sometimes kids fuck up. They have to be able to make things better and feel the sense of accomplishment that leads to. They also need to learn to apologize when it’s called for, especially to themselves.
What do you think is the most important action people in your generation can take to support young people and other vulnerable members of society?
Teach them as much history as they are willing to absorb, ask questions and LISTEN to the answers. Be there when needed and back off when necessary.
What civic action or service work have you done that you’re most proud of?
Since I was 15 and a Charter Member of the Student Nonviolent Co-ordinating Committee, I have been involved in civil rights. Sometimes I was more active, as in marches on Washington for both civil rights and against the Vietnam War, writing letters to elected officials, attending meetings for the Peace Movement (recently), organizing a movement to disallow a gun store in the middle of Ambler, and sending out 300 postcards to Pennsylvania Democrats to get out and vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Sometimes I just talk quietly with one of two folks who disagree with me, to see if I can get them a little closer to my stance. I always have the rights of others at the top of my list. I was one of the original organizers of the Ambler Food Co-op, now Weaver’s Way, and I also put in volunteer time when possible at the Mattie Dixon Food Cupboard. I am most proud of never giving up.
What do you think society has learned from the Trump years? What about from the fallout of the pandemic?
That has to be a wait and see answer. I don’t think we are anywhere near the learning stage yet. It’s hard to learn when you are terrified and/or pissed off.
How do you think societal conditions will be materially better for people in Joe Biden’s America?
I hope we learn to trust each other more. I know jobs will come back, and people will have a better shot at being financially more secure. A national health care initiative will really help.
In what way do you think the current US government is doing a good job?
Ask me in a couple of weeks! Right now it’s touch-and-go. [note: I asked Peg this question in the period between the 2020 election and Joe Biden’s inauguration]
In what way do you think your state or local government is doing a good job?
I think Wolf has handled the state’s response to the pandemic pretty well. I hate that he has had to juggle the health of the population with the high pitch complaints of some business owners. I also wish he had more support from the federal government. (yeah, right!)
What single thing could that government body do to better support its constituents?
Start a state or federal-funded program that trains laid-off workers to be proficient in the technology needed for clean energy resources and the IT job market.
What do you hope American society will look like 20 years from now?
Greener and kinder.
Who is a leader that motivates you the most to act? This could be political, ideological or otherwise.
I honestly do not have any real role models at the moment. People I really love who are in the spotlight are the Obamas. Jill Biden looks promising. I am a huge fan of Rachel Maddow, as she is so incredibly smart and well-intentioned. I like Dr. Fauci for his knowledge and honesty. And he is eighty!!!
Do you think Facebook and social media helps or harms community ties? Why?
Individuals have to realize they can control what shows up on their pages, and stop being instigating, petty, and boring. I don’t give a crap what you had for lunch but I do want to hear what you did this week that was good for mankind. I think trolls should have their phone numbers circulated among all telemarketing firms, here and abroad. Spammers, too.
Do you think there’s still hope?
Yes. My life’s experience tells me that there are far more good people than bad, and way more opportunities than pitfalls. We have to stop being afraid of the next step.
Who’s your favorite content creator and why? This could be an author, a comedian, an artist, a TV host, a public figure, or someone on social media, etc.
Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert for their innate kindness and acid wit. Rachel Maddow for her insistence on truth and ability to dig deeper than most. Amy Ferris for her energy and unwavering support of all women, and liberal use of the word FUCK. Al Franken for intelligence and humor. Jon Oliver for intelligence and humor.
What’s the last great book you read?
Bridge of Clay, by Marcus Zusack. A young author from Australia who has written two of my all-time favorites: this one and The Book Thief. Also Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobleski.
What’s your favorite book of all time?
I hit my stride at two or three a week, then slow down for a while, but get back to that speed pretty regularly. For that reason it is absolutely impossible to give a favorite of all time, although two come to mind. Le Petit Prince by St. Exupery, and The Tin Drum, by Gunter Grass.
Do you have any favorite quotes or ideas from modern (or ancient) philosophers? How do you implement those ideas?
I don’t know if he would be considered a philosopher, but Steven Covey and his “Seven Habit” were a life-changer many years back. Two of his seven that I constantly work with are “Begin with the End in Mind,” and “Seek first to understand, Then be Understood.”
Do you think the Minions are funny?
Yes!
What’s your favorite type of internet humor?
Humor from anywhere – Satire. Mel Brooks, Monty Python. I sometimes like snarky one-liners from online.
What’s your favorite subject to paint?
Teddy Bears, Landscapes, semi-abstract impressions.
Do you collect anything?
Teddy Bears, books, art supplies.
What happened the last time you were pleasantly surprised?
I had admired a photograph by an artist friend for a long time, and my husband got it for me for our anniversary last year. It is framed, and hangs in our dining room.
Do you consider yourself more introverted or extroverted? Why?
Depends on the place and the population. And the occasion.
What led you to Lake George, NY as an annual retreat?
My grandparents honeymooned at Lake George in 1916, then built a cottage on the lake in 1918. I have been there almost every summer of my life. Not only does it have great beauty, but my idea of the perfect place to achieve peace is in a boat, on the water. Anything from a canoe to a massively over-powered speedboat.
What’s your favorite thing to do to relax?
Be on or next to the water. Or a blanket and a good book by the fireplace. Or learning something completely new.
If you could post a fully-sponsored billboard somewhere visible near your hometown, what message would you want everyone to know?
STOP PICKING ON EACH OTHER!!!
LOVE IS LOTS MORE FUN!!!
Would you want it to be anonymous?
Yes.
Now that you’ve seen these questions, if I was writing an introduction for you to give context to this interview, what are important highlights would you want me to touch on?
That I would leave up to you. I like seeing how other people put together their overviews of me and my varied experiences.
What do you hope people remember about you when you retire to the countryside to live with the alpacas?
That I made them think, that I made them feel valued, that I gave great hugs.