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Here - Linda Eder

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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!

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