Ted Knight Says "Hello"

TERRYVILLE - Many local people would know the name Tadeus Wladyslaw Konopka as belonging to a past resident who palled around with some of our town fathers, who dreamed of becoming a star, who had the courage to pursue it, and who periodically returns to Terryville to say "Hello" again to friends of long ago.

Konopka did indeed become a star, winning two Emmys for his role of Ted Baxter on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, but he changed his surname for a show name, easy to remember, especially to those in town.

Ted Knight came to Terryville Thursday afternoon, stayed at Jay's Motel on Route 6 with his business manager and press agent, and began a hectic four­day schedule including time with relatives and friends and meeting new faces. He drew hundreds to town by appearing in the town's Bicentennial Parade Saturday and later gave tribute to those honoring him at the testimonial dinner in the high school.

A quality which comes easily to Knight is the knack for remembering the town and its people. Many times during his stay folks walked up to him, asking, "Do you remember me?" and more times than one would expect, he said, "of course", and proceeded to relate how he knew that person. Physically, the town has aged since his boyhood in Terryville, the casual personality remarking, "The buildings and people have deteriorated, but it's still the same place." Having left Terryville some 34 years ago, his memory is vivid of the Main Street, local sites like Horseshoe Falls, and the waterwheel on Route 6. But most surprising is his very real memory of the people.

Knight obviously feels very close to Terryville, recognizing his time spent here this past weekend and his comments of helping with the Lock Museum's National Fund Drive. He told the Press during an interview Saturday morning that he was "doing what I can" through his own personality as a star to make the venture successful. The celebrity has agreed to be the national honorary chairman and added he would do whatever possible to help.

While the Lock Museum has "put Plymouth on the map," Knight will go one step further through a nationally televised special depicting the events of Saturday. The show tentatively scheduled to be shown Dec. 8, will be much like a play, the actor said, along the lines of comedy, surrounding his return home as a star. A cameraman traveling with Knight continuously filmed during the past days, possibly for use on the special. Writers in Los Angeles are now forming the script, to be taped in mid­August. It does also look as though the name of Terryville will be used on the show.

Looking around town, Knight saw the vacant Eagle Lock buildings and came up with what he believed to be an excellent idea. Mostly, perhaps because of his strong inclination toward stardom as a youngster, he would like to see the plant turned into a summer theater, which he also said he would be willing to come back to. He asked that others look into the possibilities and get back to him on the findings.

Shedding the role of the telecaster apparently in love with himself, Knight comes across easily as a "regular guy" with a California tan. However, much to the apparent delight of Terryville's folks, he did a few times put on the cloak of the character he portrays. One such incident was during the testimonial, when a speaker said "he's great", in reference to a comment by Governor Grasso, and Knight piped back. "I am too."

The truth is, from the faces and greetings given Knight, the people think he's pretty special.