Just Writing Through: Groundhog Day: the return to the tower

One brisk January morning I scaled the ladder-like steps of the Woodstock Opera House bell tower.

Oh, I didn’t do it alone. I was going to photograph Mr. Rick LeFevour in the tower where he once stood nearly three decades ago. And, he brought his son, who, ever-so-kindly, acted as my spotter.

Both Rick and his son, Rick, are stuntmen. Rick owns Midwest Stunts and his son, Rick Jr., works alongside him. I was thankful that Rick had brought his son along … because I’d met him before and interviewed him and he was nice, but mostly because 1.) He took my camera up the perilous climb to ensure its safety. 2.) He stood behind me – counting steps and being ready for anything, as a good stuntman would. 3.) He was a stuntman. So, when I arrived at the top of my ascent, and realized just how high I actually was, he made certain that I didn’t die.

But I digress. Rick was the body double for Bill Murray during the filming of Groundhog Day.

On the day I took him up to the bell tower, Rick said he hadn’t been up since the fall. He said climbing the glorified ladder steps (my words here … he’s a stuntman, so these were just regular, old steps for him) brought back a flood of memories.

Many of those recollections were of the time spent with cast and crew, playing baseball games with locals, and enjoying time both at work and at leisure. But he also reminisced about the way in which the now iconic jump came to be. He recalled walking around the Square with the late director, Harold Ramis, looking for, “ways to kill Bill,” referring to Bill Murray’s character Phil Connors.

Rick told me that Ramis liked him – and was a little worried about him taking a fall from 70 feet, but the stuntman was confident that he would be able to do it.

He also said that it is a lot higher when you are actually up there – which I’m inclined to agree with. It was terrifying – I mean breathtaking – to see the city from atop the tower.

But as he stood with his arm out just as he had in the same location just under three decades ago, he recalled the freefall – something he said was a little different because most jumps involve explosions and flailing arms. The freefall was different.

He explained the type of bag he used and the way he was required to hold his head up so he could remain in freefall for as long as possible. I was trying to picture it as I listened to him describe it, but …

I guess I must be honest here. I had only seen the movie once. It was a long time ago -- likely just after my parents snapped an image of my brother and I with Bill Murray when he was filming the movie. So, it had been awhile. Though I write about and photograph the Groundhog Days festivities on the Square every year, I had never watched it as an adult, and, for some reason, I had never really forced the issue.

Last year, Stephen Tobolowsky spoke at the Woodstock Opera House, and I had the opportunity to interview him. What I found was that he was unexpectedly and incredibly inspirational – and he gave me the push I needed to re-watch the film. However, it took me until after I went with both Ricks up to the bell tower to actually do so. And I’m glad I did.

First off, it was super fun to watch (and re-watch) the bell tower scene and know what I now know. But it was also a powerful lesson in humanity.

Besides seeing all of our local haunts, I found that the movie was about a man who perhaps needed a wake-up call (figuratively and literally, of course), and discovered that, despite what he allowed himself to believe about his personality, he ultimately was a person who cared about people, who learned from every experience that he lived and relived (some surmise for perhaps 30 years), and further determined to live that day to the best of his ability – caring about each and every person he encountered. I watched as his compassion grew and his courage swelled. Though, perhaps initially, his efforts were spurred by his desire to get the girl, he genuinely ends up liking this new, kinder version of himself – and, as a result, inspires an entire town along the way.

What a difference a day – or a life – can make.

It’s beautiful if you really think about. So, do the things that make life beautiful. Be the person who inspires. Live your life so that others’ lives are better. Mostly, dare to dream – like Bill, er, Rick, who does the unthinkable and defies gravity every day behind the scenes, so that others shine. So shine. Be the light – and always believe in yourself. And don't forget to bring others with you.

You can read more about Rick and our journey up the bell tower here.