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Young <strong>Eder</strong>-fan Gabriella Greco meets <strong>Linda</strong> for the<br />
first time in 2000.<br />
<strong>Linda</strong> <strong>Eder</strong>: The Bonus Lady<br />
By: Jo Blackhead aka FrissieCats<br />
Young <strong>Eder</strong>-fan Gabriella Greco with <strong>Linda</strong> after the<br />
Palace Christmas shows in New York City in 2004.<br />
Yes, <strong>Linda</strong> <strong>Eder</strong> is known as "the Bonus Lady" to my students! This came about because of two events: the 2002<br />
Winter Olympics special debut of "Gold" and I'm always looking for new ways to motivate my students to take<br />
ownership of their grades. When the song aired, the announcers failed to give credit to <strong>Linda</strong>. The word went out<br />
to call local NBC stations to ask who sang it. I could call the NBC affiliates in the bordering states but I thought<br />
I'd offer it as an extra credit opportunity for my "little darlings" on an upcoming test.<br />
I don't think we generated many calls BUT a silver lining came to light: my "little darlings" were fascinated that I<br />
had a favorite singer AND that I knew so much about her. So we began a weekly <strong>Linda</strong> bonus question and my<br />
students came to call her "the Bonus Lady."<br />
I even put my shyness aside and asked <strong>Linda</strong> to sign a photo<br />
to my students and to add "The Bonus Lady" to her<br />
signature. <strong>Linda</strong> complied but I think she was expecting the<br />
men in white coats to come claim me! (Thanks for the idea,<br />
Judi!)<br />
A few weeks into the new school year, I put the autographed<br />
photo in a visible place but said nothing. It took a few<br />
classes before someone noticed it. I heard a startled, "She<br />
knows about us?" I assured them that I shared our bonus<br />
question situation with <strong>Linda</strong> (I had posted it on the message<br />
board). Like wildfire, word spread amongst the relatively<br />
small student population and I had visits from many former<br />
"little darlings" who wanted to see "the Bonus Lady's" note to<br />
them. They were thrilled to say the least!