Island Icon: Dixie Beth Stern-Talbot

By Jasmine Lo, Coronado Historical Association Intern

All photos courtesy of Mrs. Stern-Talbot.

“The spirit hasn’t changed a bit. People are still friendly. People want to be involved. They’re very giving and very loving,” voiced longtime Coronado resident Dixie Beth Stern-Talbot. When Mrs. Stern-Talbot moved to Coronado, she recounted how the bridge was newly built and the Cays was known as the “pig farm.” From the establishment of the Coronado Historical Association to the addition of the Winn Room at the Coronado Public Library, so much has changed. Mrs. SternTalbot reminds us that “growth is good,” even though she still misses the Coronado Department Store.

Growth is what allows Mrs. SternTalbot to follow her passion for music. She lived through times of major musical eras, crafting her unique perspective. Her favorite aria is “Un bel dì, vedremo” (“One fine day we’ll see”) from Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. Her favorite singer is Tony Bennett, who she was able to work with while singing at the Chicago Music Theatre. Throughout high school in Springfield, Missouri, she was heavily involved in the drama department, choir, and drum core, graduating in 1949; they called themselves the “49-ers.” She matriculated at Southwest Missouri State, where she majored in music while also studying a combination of drama, English, and education, which would later allow her to become a teacher. She has sung professionally in musicals, appeared in T.V. commercials, and was the presenter of two series

for P.B.S. On September 26, 2000, she released her folk-music CD A Look At Life and Love, including her songs “Look At Life,” “Down Home,” “Faded Photo,” and more. She shared, “The songs were all about people I knew, and I tried to tell their story in the song.”

Combining her love for music and the community, she frequently volunteers in

ways that involve singing. As a member of the Coronado Opera Guild, she sang at their spring meeting in May 1975. Mrs. Stern-Talbot recalled a memory from one of their spaghetti dinner fundraisers; the husband of a member of the opera guild served too-large portions of their homemade spaghetti, causing them to run out, so someone ran over to Marco’s to get more.

Buying that spaghetti ate up their profits that night. Despite this seemingly failed event, the Coronado Opera Guild was an opportunity to bring people together to advocate for the opera. She was also able to introduce many young people to music by volunteering as a vocal coach for musicals at Coronado High School, as music director at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, and also director of St. Paul’s Methodist Church Choir. She loves bumping into the students she taught who are all grown up and still pursuing music. Her love for kids and education led her to help coordinate the first CSF Telethon in 1983, where they auctioned off a haircut, a manicure, a weekend at the BayView hotel, and a $42-value dental exam, x-ray, and cleaning. They were able to fundraise approximately $2,000 for Coronado Schools. The largest sum donated was a gift certificate from a local dentist for $42.00. This included an examination, e-rays, and cleaning. Mrs. Stern-Talbot also spearheaded two television programs. One of her television programs focused on children’s literature where she read books in costume and wrote the corresponding teacher’s guide. Her second program centered around organic gardening.

Mrs. Stern-Talbot emphasized, “Opportunities come and slip by.” Besides teaching and singing, she was also a flight attendant with American Airlines based in Chicago. From this career, she met her first husband, Captain Stern, who flew with American airlines for 34 years. Following their marriage, she had to resign, as her contract stated that flight attendants needed to resign when married or by age 32.

Nowadays, you can find Mrs. Stern-Talbot buzzing around town in her chartreuse golf cart or volunteering at the Coronado Public Library’s Second Hand Prose Shop. She is also singing in the newly formed Coronado Chorale and enjoying many activities at the Spreckels Center. Mrs. SternTalbot is a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren, Harrison, Sam, and Kate, and mother to her daughter, Sally, who is married to Jamie Perley. After the passing of Captain Stern, she married Mr. C. H. Talbot. Mrs. Stern-Talbot remarks, “I feel my greatest achievement has been sharing music and being involved in activities that better our community. I’ve been so blessed with wonderful opportunities and so many loving, caring, giving friends.”