Mini-Puppet?

We received a surprise package a couple days ago from Allen Fuller. It contained a "kissing Santa" that he handcrafted for us using needlepoint and plastic canvass. Exquisite. Squeeze little Santa's cheeks and he opens his mouth to present the holder with a Hershey's chocolate kiss! Very clever.

Now I know this piece is intended as a Christmas ornament, but in the hands of any ventriloquist it becomes a mini-puppet - just squeeze his cheeks to open and close his mouth! "Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!" Love it!

From Wilma Swartz: Here's some pictures of my Christmas show for all the heart transplant recipients and their medical team. My 6' ostrich, Sandy Twinkletoes, sang with The Sunshine Boys, a barbershop quartet that became a barbershop quintet. Huffenpuff the Dragon tried to convince the audience he was Rudolph with antlers and a blinking red nose until I got him to admit he was Rudolph's replacement since Rudolph was in Judge Judy's courtroom answering the charges for running Grandma over. Croc The Crocodile sung "A'' I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth. Cinnamon Stick sang a hymn to several HIMS. Even though this gig was a freebie, I got more wealth out of it than anyone could imagine. I even told the audience how ventriloquism and heart transplants have in similarity with Paul Winchell but I was extremely careful never to use the "D" word during this part because I didn't want anyone to think I was implying they were a "D".

We have a winner!

This original Ventoon by David Miller was first published on the December pages of the 1978 Ventriloquist Calendar published for members of the NAAV (North American Association of Ventriloquists). The winner of this mounted page, "Perfect Fit", under glass in an 8x10 frame (photo right) was Geoffrey Moran, Australia.

Geoffrey was the required first person to respond to this post although four others were within two minutes. Thankfully, the computer clock can tell me to the second when each email arrives!

Greetings From Blog Visitors:

From Joe Overfelt: "Clinton, I wanted to send these photos. 'Andy' is a special friend now because he travels to not only my children's events but to all of my concerts just in case I get to coughing during these cold months. I can pull him out and He can finish my program instead of me just talking. This picture is us outside my house in Roanoke, Virginia where we got our first snow of the year measuring 16 - 20 inches, depending where you measure. I also included a few snow pictures for your pleasure. And thanks for the stickers. They are on the outside of Andy's case. Also thanks for the great buys on ebay. I have gotten 6 books so far and I love them." Joe Overfelt Ministries

Christmas Stocking

From Jeff Scott: I used the talking Christmas Stocking at a nursing home earlier this month and they loved him. He speaks with a Spanish accent and is named Leotardo (Spanish for stocking). He tells the tragic tale of becoming a single in a dryer accident but that God worked it out so that he has the best job ever-- work for a month and have 11 months of vacation each year!

The sad thing about Leotardo is that he is seasonal. It got me to thinking about an idea for you or Kevin. What if you could build a basic face, either round or square, that has the moving mouth and maybe blinkers. That basic face would be the center that could be popped out of several seasonal novelty shells (heart, shamrock, kite, apple, pumpkin, etc. - whatever seasonal symbols that seem appropriate). The shells could even be made from thin plywood and painted. It would be inexpensive and give a variety of novelty bits through the year by just changing the shell that fits around the basic face. A second set of cut outs to go with the basic face might be animals (rabbit, turtle, etc). Just an idea...

* * * * *

From Clinton: I can imagine what you suggest and it's a great idea. It would work. I'll pass your suggestion on to Kevin.

From Ron Havens: "Here's a picture of me and Calvin at a 'Dinner with Santa' event at my church in 2006 and at our local town's Christmas parade. I had only been doing ventriloquism about 5 months when these were taken. In those days it was just him and me. We were constant companions. Although I've added quite a few more characters to my vent troupe since then, Calvin will always hold fond memories 'cause he was the first."

From Keith Edward Summers: "I took a few shots of Mort and I and complied them into a photoshop holiday card. We have been having a good time working up a skit. Happy Holidays."

Holiday Novelty Puppets

This is an invitation for you to check out my #4 Photo Album which currently leads off with a few of the novelty puppets I created for the holiday season: http://maherphotos4.blogspot.com/ .

As you know, I also invited visitors to this blog to send me their holiday photos. You will see these photos beginning tomorrow and running through Christmas Eve.

A couple of my collection Give-Aways are also scheduled during this photo presentation.

Enjoy!

Clinton (aka Mr. D.)

Just toothpicks...

I began building objects and structures with toothpicks when I was in the 5th grade. I thought I had accomplished an impressive feat when in 1957 I built a toothpick suspension bridge from 5,000 toothpicks. Even the Diamond Company was impressed - they published the story, with a photo, in their trade magazine. But records are simply seen as a challenge to many people, including those who decide on a toothpick construction career. And in that field of endeavor, Stan Munro, must certainly rule supreme!

Stan Muro has constructed a miniature city made out of millions of toothpicks! It took 38 year old Munro 6 years to build his toothpick city. (You see a portion of it in the upper photo.) He used 6 million toothpicks and 170 litres of glue. He can spend up to 6 months to create a building and each of his creations is built to 1:164 scale. He works at the Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse , New York ( USA ).

I'm humbled! I'll stick to puppet making, but I can honestly tell you that for me, it all started with toothpicks!

We have a winner!

Strike up a conversation with this big MATCH PUPPET! You can read more details about the puppet on my post for 12/10 Click Here .

He was the only one left in my collection and was awarded FREE to Naomi Slozat (PA) the required 12th respondent to this post. Congratulations Naomi!

Next free give-away: Monday 12/21.

SAFE FROM FIRE

By William Andersen

The following is a brief excerpt from the routine by the same name in the book, Safety Dialogues, now on my 99 cent eBay auction listings for this week. Click HERE to see the full list.

V: Well, what is hot today?
F: Fire is hot!
V: I know that. Do you want to talk about fire?
F: Sure. Either fire or girls.
V: Let's talk about fire. What do you know about fire?
F: Enough to stay away from it. I used to be a tree, you know.
V: Getting in a fire could be bad for you. But it is also bad for others, too.
F: I wooden know about that.
V: It is important to know about fires and fire safety.
F: Like what?
V: We should learn two things about fires. One is how to prevent fires, and the other is what to do if you are ever in a fire.
F: Prevention or burn.
V: Prevention is right but you need not burn in a fire if you know what to do.
F: How can we prevent a fire?
V: I'm glad you asked. Are you ready?
F: Fire away!

The routine continues to discuss reasons not to smoke, proper heaters for the home, open flames such as candles and fireplaces, electrical outlets and cords, having a fire safety plan and more. All with a touch of humor; entertainment with strong message.

Shop talk

Santa's helper, busy at work...it's

that time of the year again!

While two of these are sold - most

are still available. Let me hear
from you if you see one you are interested in.
mahertalk@aol.com

Note today from the UK

Hi, Clinton:

Scotty arrived to-day. He said he had a good flight but didn't like the in flight movie!!!

I must say that he is fantastic I am very pleased with him. My wife thinks I am completely mad but loves Scotty to bits.

Thank you so much. Keith Maddox

A personal note from me to you ...

Thank you to all of you who sent the many cards, emails, notes (and even a couple gifts!) to wish me a happy birthday. What fun it was for me, and an encouragement as well. I am blessed to have such friends!

With considerable "tongue-in-cheek" I will say you all reminded me of a sign I recently saw in a Idaho Springs (CO) shop window:

Still in progress...

I've had this vintage Charlie McCarthy doll in the process of restoration for quite some time. I repaired the cracks in the finish, closed the spaces along side the mouth and repainted the entire head. I need to make a monocle and do some work on the body. But he's beginning to look quite nice. My thought has always been that when completed he would be sold on eBay, but I'm thinking now I might prefer to use him as a give-away on this blog. Stay tuned...

We have our winners!

Here's a collector's item for you! A mint condition copy of The New Oracle (Mark Wade editor and publisher) May-June 1984 with Jeff Dunham and his McElroy "Ollie" the cover feature. I notice when Mark was writing about his featured vent for this issue he closed his writing with these words: "Jeff and "Ollie" have done much in a short time and we're sure you'll see much more out of this very talented young ventriloquist." How prophetic!

This issue also has articles by Gary Owen, Bill DeMar & Conrad Hartz. News and photos of numerous other vents, ads & more.

I sent a copy FREE to the first eleven (11) people who responed to this post. Congratulations all.

Watch for my future give-aways!

China revisited

Deputy Bob Walsh and Friends made their second tour to China schools in as many years.
It was a a purposeful and adventuresome experience performing ventriloquist programs up and down China’s east coast in international and local schools.

In this trip to east Asia, Deputy Bob and Friends presented 29 ventriloquist shows for over two thousand children on character and faith-based themes in the following schools:

Yew Chung International Schools – Primary (Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing)
Yew Chung International School (Secondary) (Hong Kong)
Gigamind Kindergarden (Hong Kong)
Po Kwong Buddhist School (Hong Kong special needs children)
Rong Kwong Hope School, Shantou, PRP
Bo Ai School, Shanxi Province, PRP

Inmate Joe and Jeremiah, the Student, accompanied Deputy Bob to Hong Kong and the various stops in China. Last time, it was Matthew’s time in the limelight. The children in the local schools of Shantou and Shanzi Province had never seen a ventriloquist before. They were not distracted even though an interpretor was necessary to translate the stories from English to Mandarin for eleven programs. The remaining programs were presented in English in the international schools, including an assembly for four hundred secondary students.

Christine Chan, founder, Bo Ai School in Shanxi Province, PRC, said, “the teachers and support staff highly esteemed Deputy Bob and Friends because of being in law enforcement and partnering in the community with educators to teach children character lessons.” By contrast, in China, people are afraid of law enforcement

Great Wall of China (Badalang): Deputy Bob toted Inmate Joe up those ascending steps in a carry bag but as soon as his ventriloquist character emerged to the public view, the duo enjoyed some moments of celebrity as folks wanted to take pictures with them.

Rong Kwong Hope School, Shantou, PRC: This was a public school for poor children in southern China. At one of the presentation introductions, the translator accidentally erred in translating the word “my boss” (Lao ban) and said “my wife” (Lao po) when referring to Inmate Joe's sheriff. Oops!! The children in the class erupted in laughter and the mistake was correctly immediately. It was funny because Deputy Bob is a man and not a wife.

Winter weather and frozen locks in the cargo bay of checked-in luggage on the Juneau Air bus created an opportunity for Inmate Joe (dummy) to escape from custody of law enforcement. The plane was re-routed back to its place of departure and it took two days for Inmate Joe to be back in the arms of Deputy Bob and later extradited back to Virginia.

From Bob Abdou ...

Hey, Clinton:

I can continue your Clipper story (12/8/09). Here is a photo of my very FIRST time on stage in Atlanta at the Punchline Comedy Club in 1995.

I took a comedy writing course and on graduation you had to perform your act. Being a beginner vent, I used my Maher dummy on stage. I called him "Chip" at the time but my lip control was not good and you can imagine what his name sounded like, ( wink wink), so I changed his name to "Teddy", much easier to say and it made the act more cleaner, if you know what I mean.

The act bombed and I was terrible but this was the beginning of my career, and it all started with my "Maher" Clipper figure. Back then I was broke, hungry and bald. I am happy to say after 14 years now of being a professional ventriloquist I am doing fine, not hungry, but still bald!!

99 Cent Book Auctions

Maher Studios published over 150 books on the subject of ventriloquism. This was only possible because of the talented ventriloquists who were the writers willing to share of their knowledge and humor. Col. Bill Boley was definitely an industry favorite author. I have several of his books on my eBay auctions ending tomorrow. To see all this week's offerings: Click Here

FYI: I only offer on ebay the titles where I have an overstock supply, but there are many additional books I keep in print which never see the weekly 99 cent auctions. Visit http://www.maherbookstore.blogspot.com/ to see all the books I keep in stock.

We have a winner!

Bob Neller was a master ventriloquist, both as performer and ventriloquist technician. He was also one of the art's most sought after mentors. While Bob is no longer with us, we are fortunate he recorded his unique method for future generations of ventriloquists. On this one hour CD Bob explains and demonstrates how to be a flawless ventriloquist. Prepared from his more than 40 year's performing experience, this resource will definitely stand the test of time. Bob's explanation of Distant Voice production, by the way, is superb.

This CD retails for $9.95 Postpaid, but since Bill Biles (NC) was the 10th respondent to this post, he will receive this one FREE. Congratulations, Bill!

Give-Away Posts - some tips

Here are some facts about my give-aways that may (or may not) help in the future.

1) I post a Give-Away item every three days.

2) Posts are published at the top of the hour. (1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 0'clock, etc. through 12 0'clock and then I will start over with 1 o'clock) Mountain Standard Time (MST).

3) Each new posting is one hour advanced from the time the previous give-away was posted.

4) 24/7.

In other words, you can determine when to expect the next Give-Away posting by checking to see the time and date of the most recent past "We have a winner" post, then advance three days plus one hour, adjust for your time zone, and you'll know the time on your clock for my next "Win this item" posting.

The difficult part is knowing when to submit your entry. Some prizes are more popular than others which results in more entrants in a shorter amount of time. Days of the week and worldwide time zones are a factor as well. This blog has visitors 24/7, but some hours the traffic is heavier than others.

One more thing - the hour posted (MST) determines the number of entrants required to obtain the winning entry (1 o'clock - the first entry wins; 2 0'clock the second; 3 o'clock the third, and so on through 12 o'clock when the twelfth entry wins), and then we start over at 1 o'clock. Good luck!

Thanks most of all for visiting my blog - you're welcome any day, any time, whether you enter for a free item or not!

Question: How can I enter to get in on your free stuff? I see where you have winners, but I never see where I can enter!
* * * * * *
Answer: The "Give-away" posts are published right here on my blog every three days titled "Win this item!" But as soon as we have a winner (or, as soon as possible), I change the title to "We have a winner!" It is the SAME POST - just edited.

Historical monument?

Standing in a wheat field about 3 miles NE of Harper, Kansas is a concrete silo, all that remains to mark the site of my birthplace 73 years ago today! The house that was our home once stood to the right of where the combine is seen in this photo (taken Spring '08). Mother chose to remain at home for my birth and let the local doctor come to her, not uncommon at that time.

I'm told my uncle Ura Hostetler built the silo. Its construction of poured concrete was quite innovative with unmatched durability compared to the methods of the day and probably the only reason, while leaning slightly, it still stands. Next time I visit south Central Kansas maybe I should take a plaque to mount on the silo, "This marks the site of the birthplace of ventriloquist...." - maybe not. :-)

"Striking" Novelty Puppet!

This Match Puppet with moving mouth is the one remaining novelty puppet in my collection that was created by Randy & Laura Huckleberry (IL). Their clever creations were featured in the Maher Studios catalogs of the early '90s. The match puppet is 22" tall with a cute open and closing mouth (which works from a control on the back). The idea for a match puppet was suggested to me by Jim Ellis who at that time used "Mickey the Match" in his health, safety, and environmental shows. The puppet you see here will be offered as one of my give-away items at some point this month - I just haven't scheduled the time and date.

We have a winner!

You will read about the magical Tetra-Flexigon in the post below. I offered one free to ninth (9th) person to send me an eMail after reading this post, and the lucky 9th respondent was Val Hilliker. Congratulations, Val!

Note: Your email address is always secure with me. I will not share, sell, nor use for any other purpose other than contacting you about your "Give-Away" entry on this blog - never have; never will. I do respond to every entry so the sender knows I received their email entry and in what number position.

Tetra-Flexagons

From Donald Woodford:

I got one of your $25 package of goodies when you were closing Maher Studios. Included in the package was a hexa tetra flexagon. I've finally found a use for it. I want to use it with my Bully presentation. Can you direct me to where I can purchase these. I'm hoping to be able to get one with pictures printed on it.Thanks
* * * * *

From to Donald:

Adelia's brother, Jay Yoder, made the Hexa-Tetra-Flexagons. I believe I still have several somewhere. Adding images is a great idea. Maybe you could glue some pictures to the solid colors surfaces. Or print pictures onto a sheet of label stock using a copier, then cut out the images and apply them to the Flexagon.

* * * * *

Note to Blog Readers: The Tetra-Flexagons were simple to use and really quite amazing. The unit appears to have only two sides when in actuality there are six sides! One side of the 8"x8" flat unit has four RED squares (see picture). The other side has four BLACK squares. Fold it in half (like a book) and reopen and the red squares have changed to BURGUNDY! Fold and reopen again and the Black squares have all changed to WHITE! Fold again and reopen and all four squares have now magically changed to GREEN! Fold one final time and reopen and all the squares are now GOLD! Add some "patter" and you had a nice and easy variety bit for the show. (I'll have one of these for give-away shortly.)

Clipper

Question: Mr, D. I bought this figure from you in about '92 or '93 and have just enjoyed him as a truly great face and figure. I purchased him from your shop in Littleton and brought him home to South Dakota. One thing I never even thought of at the time was to ask you for a little bit of history on Clipper! Builder, etc.. He has been pretty much flawless. Thanks, Dave Ferdinand
* * * *

Answer: Your Clipper was designed and built by Craig Lovik (long since retired from figuremaking). Like you, I also prefer characters with slightly "cartoonish" appearance and Clipper does have one of the great faces of all time. In fact, of all the figures we sold over the years, he was my choice as well - my "R.C." came from the same mold! I'm glad we got them when we did as both the Clpper mold as well as the maker have been retired for more than a dozen years!

Free Puppets

Question: I was wondering if you have a puppet to donate? I know this seems to greedy to ask, but I have a son who's ill and I saw your puppet on the Internet and I liked them very much and gave me an idea to give this to my son for Christmas and not only that I know I can make him laugh a lot and happy. I'm not working because I too am ill and going through some hard times. I thought it won't hurt to ask.

* * * * *
Answer: There's never a good time to be ill - certainly not this season of the year. I wish for both you and your son a complete recovery. While we do have charitable organizations and groups to which we contribute, we regret we are unable to accommodate all requests for donated puppets. However, there are a number of free resources available to those who can make their own puppets. Doing so can be both effective and rewarding. I would recommend starting with a sock puppet. Here's an excellent site where Evy Wright, puppet designer and puppeteer (right) for The Lady from Sockholm , and co-owner of Curious Moon Puppet Theatre, shares instructions on how you can make a sock puppet at home.: http://www.sockholm.com/games2.htm If you and/or your son are unable to make the puppet yourself, perhaps you have a friend or family member who would like to do it for you.

You'll find many more make-it-yourself puppet resources here:
http://www.teacherhelp.org/puppets.htm#sock

Enjoy!
Clinton

Through our bedroom window...

December 6, 2009

We have our winners!

Several months ago someone wrote asking me about the Carrying Case Stickers once sold by Maher Studios. So I went on a search and found my supply in a storeroom cabinet. When first made available in the 1970's there were 17 original designs (by artist Dave Miller - see below), sold individually. Later a sheet of the 6 most popular designs (shown here) was printed on day-glow stock which the user could cut apart, then peel-and-stick as 6 individual stickers. The image above shows a new set, mint condition.

I promised one set of Case Stickers FREE to the first eight (8) people who emailed me after reading this post. The winners: David Miranda (CO), Dave Ferdinand (SD), Joe Overfelt Jr. (VA), Jerry Bell (WA), Charles Prouty (TX), Bob Steininger (PA), John Byrd (VA), Roger Riggs (TX), and Mark Sallee (CO), and Abhijeet (India). (I know - that's ten but, oh well...)

Nerves

Comment: On my recent show I was absolutely nervous. I practised my lines as much as I could, and practiced handling my vent figure, but I felt it all "turned to custard". I did get some encouraging comments after the show, thus it was still a good day for all despite my worries.
So I will get back to it - but I need a recipe for driving away the nerves.
* * * * *
Answer: If its any consolation, we've all been there. With repeated shows, confidence grows and "butterflies" lessen. But until then maybe these words from one of the master pros, Col. Bill Boley, will help:

"Don't worry about making mistakes. Making mistakes is a very important way to learn things. I always seem to make every mistake possible when I start to do something. We learn by our mistakes so the more mistakes we make, the more we learn. It's knowing the mistakes that can happen that helps us make plans so that they won't happen again. Nobody is born full grown. You had to fall a few times before you learned to walk. This is the value of experience. Learning by mistakes makes a professional, and separates you from the beginner. It takes a long time to become really professional, so don't get too impatient. Just keep plugging away."

The above paragraph was taken from the article, Making Mistakes by Col. Bill Boley, found in the book, CONQUERING STAGE FRIGHT, published 1980 by Maher Studios. I do have a new copy of this very helpful work listed for eBay auction now. You will find it among my current auctions: Click Here

Wanted: Holiday Photos

Wanted:

Ventriloquist/Figure Holiday Photos

for this blog!

I'd like to fill this blog with your seasonal

Christmas/Holiday photos December 20-24.

Chanukah December 12.

You can email images to me at any time:

mahertalk@aol.com

Or send by letter mail to:

Clinton Detweiler

PO Box 420

Littleton, Colorado 80160

Thank you!

Insull's work in my shop

Comment: You are a magnificent Artist of puppet making! The photos of you working in your shop always are inspiring. Are those Insull paper mache heads hanging there too?

* * * * * *

Answer: Yes, they are - the two heads on the left in the above photo are Insull paper mache heads that our son, Kevin, has rebuilt so they have a ball neck base (left) and new and more traditional, easier-to-manipulate controls (right). Kevin did an amazing job on these, but he said they took far too much work and would be the last ones he did! Now those are the exact words I said about similar jobs 30 years ago! "Like father; like son." The heads are hanging in my shop because I am painting them. (These heads are not for sale - the work has been completed at the request of their owner.)

Clowning around

Question: What figure are you making out of the Emmet Kelly doll I see hanging in your shop?

* * * * * *

Answer: You know what - I'm not sure. He's pretty much an experimental project. I've never modified one in the same manner I'm doing this one, so I actually have no idea what to expect. I'm as curious as you are - probably more so! Keep your eye on this blog. When finished, I'll post a photo.

We have a winner!

Framed (5"x7") Edgar Bergen "Great Ventriloquist" trading card with double mat mounting. Beautiful. With Bonus. This unique piece of memorabilia will come with a duplicate trading card, loose, so you have full access to both front and back side of the card.

The Edgar Bergen card was #1 in the four set series of Great Ventriloquist collector trading cards (48 total)produced in 1992 by M. A. Denemark, OO-LA-LA, Inc. Each set was made up of 12 cards featuring past and present well known ventriloquists with photo on front of card and brief biography on the back. Superbly done!

The 8th person to respond to this post and winner of this item was Tom Farrell (OH).

(Personal P.S. to M. A. Denemark: If you read this, could you send me an email? I no longer have your contact information.)

* * * * *

From Major Wes Green: " This must be a way to clear your attic or storage. I really need to follow your example and just donate my stuff to The Salvation Army. I find your blog inspirational and often relate it to a spiritual journey. You minister in special messages to special messengers and thru special messengers." Serving Christ Joyfully, Wes Green, Major; The Salvation Army.

Gluing Plastic

Question: I am attempting to animate a skeleton that I purchased. My question for you is what type of glue will bind wood with plastic? Also, will plastic wood or wood dough bind with plastic?
Thank you for your help.
* * * * * *
Question: If the skeleton is made of lightweight molded Styrofoam as were some of the heads I have worked on, then carpenter's white glue works about as well as anything.

But if you have a skeleton made of the rigid molded plastic that is used for the manufacture of plastic toys, the task is more difficult because there is no readily available over-the-counter glue that will provide a permanent bond between the plastic and itself, or the plastic and any other material. I have had good success bonding wood to such plastics by first grooving the surface of the plastic (leaving it as irregular as possible) and then gluing the two pieces together with 5-minute epoxy. Or by drilling small holes in the plastic for the epoxy to seep through before hardening, thus "locking" the pieces together. Screws and rivets used as fasteners in place of glue (where possible), make a good alternative to glue.

You will see photos of many such plastic novelty puppets in my photo albums. See Mr. D's Photo Albums, (see left sidebar. Specifically: Clinton's Novelty Creations 1969-1989 and Clinton's Novelty Creations 1990-Present )

New life for Mort

This (left) is one of the original Mortimer dolls manufactured by Juro. He was sent to me for upgrading:

Hollow body,

Head on headpost,

Lever controls,

Side-to-side eyes,

Raising eyebrows,

Larger body,

Deluxe legs,

Repainted,

Wig and eyelashes.

A speedy and very cost efficient way to achieve a nice semi-pro figure (right). He didn't have far to travel either, since he resides in neighboring Boulder, Colorado! I hope to be seeing you around town, Mort!

Happy Birthday!

You've seen her name on the dialogue and gag file books she has authored, and watched her perform on the Detweiler's Live DVDs. Today is her birthday so I'll take this public opportunity to wish our Daughter-in-law, Sonja, a special Happy Birthday!

You can find further information on Sonja's books and DVDs here: http://sonjasbooknook.blogspot.com/

Steve Meltzer - Final Curtain

Some of you are aware of ventriloquist/puppeteer Steve Meltzer's recent months' battle with cancer. Yesterday the following was forwarded to me:

11-30-09
Dear Members of the LAGOP:
It is with a heavy heart that I send you this email. Steve Meltzer, our dear President and friend, passed away last night. His last day was peaceful and without pain. The last few months have proven that Steve was a valiant optimist, a man of great compassion, integrity and strength. We are planning on having a Celebration of Life service on December 12th. We will send details as soon as they are confirmed. We hope to see you there.
- Christine Papalexis, LAGOP Communications Coordinator
- Ric Wilson, LAGOP Vice President
Cards may be sent to Steve's 92-year-old mother: Sylvia Falk, 401 Montana Avenue, Apt. 2, Santa Monica, CA 90403-1303.

Yet Steve leaves us with a smile. Check out this happy song video with Steve in action. Amazing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdxy6hdK6vc&feature=related

Head start

I promised a customer I would try to take a couple pictures of her "Eli" in progress. As I glanced at my band saw today and saw Eli and his "twin" (building two at a time is more time efficient) awaiting installation of their headposts, I thought, "photo op", and grabbed my camera for this quick shot. My goal is to have them complete within a week...no time to waste.