After the Curtain Call: Coming Full Circle: David Newell at TEDx Seton Hill University

The lights came up after the curtain call and there he was: the star of Harvey, sitting right in front of my grandfather and me, talking to the audience, doing his infamous spoon tricks. I was hooked! The opulence of that 1890s theater setting captured my young heart so much so that I went home and re-created every part of the Harvey play. David Newell's own Speedy Delivery travel through time began when he was hired as a prop manager by Fred Rogers. Soon, he became Mr. McFeely, wearing a cap, jacket, and those infamous glasses, delivering mail, packages, and special guests to Mister Rogers' neighborhood Friends. Though Mister Rogers' Neighborhood production ended in 2001, Mr. David Newell continues his delivery service for special appearances and is currently working on a book detailing his personal legacy. From that first encounter with stage through his career as Mr. McFeely in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, David Newell has come full circle and is now continuing the legacy his grandfather began.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)