Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 57

Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sunday, March 5, 1995 LIFEFEATURES 30 Memories of Captain 1 1 I I TV Jmmmtmt'ilk fl '-( I hi "'ti-ij YV wJ. jij Paul BuckowsM Argus Leader uses a storage room at KELO for a dressing room. Memories treasured minutes with the kids including the usual 6 minutes and 40 seconds of taping for the weekly broadcast. He tosses sponge Frisbees to them and promises Captain 11 balloons and Gigglebees tokens. The kids still light up when they see their faces on the TV monitor.

"Don't pick your nose," the Captain tells one child, then asks another to give him five. He sends a string of questions at a silent youngster, closing with, "Thank you very much." A letter writer picks Key 24 to open the treasure chest, and the Captain picks a helper from his weekly crew. They twist hard, but the chest doesn't open. The taped bits with the kids will be tucked in between cartoons before the program is broadcast the next Saturday. In the end, the kids leave the bleachers for the wave that starts with one hand, goes to the other, adds one foot and then the other.

Dedrick doesn't know how he'd quit and offers only one hint about how long he might stay. "It says in the opening of my program, one man in each century," he says. "How long have we got to go?" Dedrick found two paperboys and their dog outside the studio and invited them in. More children showed up the next day. The station added a portable bleacher for the kids, and those with birthdays were invited to be the Captain's co-pilots.

The kids are the reason he's stayed with the program. But they've changed. Sophistication rules "Kids have become so sophisticated early on," he says. "They've gotten so sharp with Nintendo and all the rest of the stuff. They've become so self-sufficient.

They've become loners." He claims the world of 3- to 8-year-olds as his ballpark. "The universal catalyst is the little kid, the eyes of the little kid when they see Captain for the first time. The eyes are the same anywhere." To be Captain 11 is like being Santa Claus 12 months a year, he says. It hurt when the show was moved off weekday afternoons in 1989: "It was like the end. I wasn't ready to quit." During the Wednesday tapings, Dedrick spends only about 15 40 backyard became Infamous as a fun drag strip to drive that go-cart.

The smile on Don's face was one of many as we cruised on the speedy dragster. Lynn Gottlob, 40, Salem Back In 1958, we lived a few miles from Wentworth. Our son, Gary, was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer in his right knee and, in hopes of stopping the cancer, his leg was removed in late February of 1958. Gary was an energetic, tough, determined 6-year-old and returned back to the first grade at Rutland in late March. In mid-May, his other leg began to pain, and we were told the cancer was spreading.

His seventh birthday would be June 1, and the neighborhood club that I belonged to decided to have a birthday party for him. Radio station KJAM was informed and Bob, the announcer, and Bert Getz of Brookings station decided to make this a big party and invited everyone, including many dignitaries. Gary was impressed with the fire truck, the sheriffs badge from Sheriff McGillvary, a puppy, a canary, and many other things; but, you came and gave Gary a BB gun and entertained him and his classmates and hundreds of others in attendance. The children were so excited to see you in person. Each day after that you pushed a button for Gary, and your salute made my little boy so very happy.

I can still see his big brown sparkling eyes and his quick smile as he watched you every day. Gary passed away at home, July 3, 1958. Darlene Schnleders, Dell Rapids I have many memories of taking my children to the Captain 11 show. All four of them Ainsley, Allison, Andrea and Chris Berry enjoyed the show. Shirley Elllngson, Sioux Falls On July 3 in the very early stages of Captain 11 1 took my young son, probably 3 years old, and other youngsters to see Captain 11.

It was sweltering in that place no place to sit. Captain 11 paid attention to the little ones only when he was on camera. They'd want to talk to him during the cartoons but he'd push them away and ignore them. The last straw was when he ate neopolitan ice cream in front of all these little ones. They had nothing.

Needless, to say, we never went back to see him again. Edna Colwlll, Sioux Falls I was 6 years old the first time I was on the Captain 11 show. This was back in 1959. I wanted to say hello to our house cat, as if the cat would really understand. When Captain 11 asked the cat's name I said "Nevermind." He looked startled and asked the cat's name again.

I told him "Nevermind, that is the cat's name." He then asked, "Why did you name him that?" I then replied, "Becuase he never minds." He laughed and then told me he once had a dog he named "Runaway." Wonder why? DiAnne King, 41, Sioux Falls My special memory happened when our first grandson was about 5, now going toward 15. He informed me earlier in the week, "I'm going to be on TV, Gram. Are you going to watch?" I assured I would. Again on the morning he was going down he called and told me once again. And I in turn told him we were baling, but I'd try to arrange a lunch break and he was to be sure to give us a big wave when that time in the program came.

He told me he would. Things worked out to watch, but when the time came for the wave none whatsoever. So when I saw him the next time, I asked him, "How come you didn't give me a big wave?" And this was his reply: "Well, Gram, Captain 11 asked kids from town to give a big wave, those from out of town to give a big wave, but Gram, I'm from out of And he didn't ask for them to wave." Thus I thought I had a very smart little grandson! Joyce Croegaert, Sherman i MWs1i; have red hair and a purple dress on. LaVonne Wolles. Sioux Falls I liked the Little Rascals and Flash Gordon but it was really fun when we were teen-agers during District 18 Tournament times.

Captain 11 really catered to all the kids that came in with wild hats and fun things like that. Bonnie Shumaker, Tea We were one of two people who had a television in Gary. We had to use a wind-charger tower and get it up high so you could get the signal. We have lots of memories of Captain 11." Dorothy Rourk, Lake Benton, Minn. At the end of every show he'd say, "Wave one hand.

Now one hand and one foot. Now both hands and one foot. Now both hands and both feet." Then he would ask all of the kids to freeze. He would go through the kids and he would pick up the ones that were the most frozen and tell them how great or still they were. Anne Morstad, Sioux Falls I was on Captain 11 back in the 1950s.

My mother and a friend of hers were Brownie leaders and would take all of us down to see Captain 11. Mavis Grosz, Sioux Falls I sent in for the Captain 11 Toy Chest and they drew my name about the time of the 11th birthday. I didn't win the grand prize but I did get the consolation prize. They sent the consolation to another Tim Donelan who happened to live in the same town when I was growing up. Later he brought it over and it was a $1 bill.

Timothy Donelan, Sioux Falls I remember when Captain 11 came to our town, Tyler, Minn. My mom brought five of us I am one of 13 children down to shake Captain ll's hand and get a bag of candy. As soon as we got to the front of the line, Captain 11 mistakenly said, "You've been through this line before." He made us leave the line without shaking his hand and getting the bags of candy. At the time it was very upsetting, but my brothers and sisters and I have had a lot of good laughs about it over the years. Jack Thooft, Sioux Falls When we moved to the Sioux" Falls area 10 years ago, my sister-in-law and I began bringing our children to Captain 11 on their birthdays and on Halloween.

It was a fun way for their grandparents from Worthington to see them on TV. Diana Wlertzema, Brandon I am a 48-year-old man who watched the show from 9 to 12 years old. At that time, all we had was black and white TVs, so I remember being surprised when we came to the studio by the blue and yellow uniform. Dan Billion, Sioux Falls I based my birthday parties around Captain 11. My dad was blind since I've been 4, so somehow I got there, then home for cake, presents and pin the tail on the donkey, Jump rope, Hula hoop and jacks fun.

So, thanks Captain, you made my birthdays just great. Darla Bethke, Hartford I was 11 years old when he started his show. When my baby sister turned 1 year old, my sister and I took her to see the captain. I also had my infant son with me. The Captain got quite a charge out of their ages and that they were aunt and nephew and would both be a year old.

Patricia Walth, Marion When we were very young, my little brother Rob and I set up a Kool-Aid stand in front of our house at Wall Lake, complete with table, Kool-Aid, glasses and our little Fisher Price cash register. The day became long and hot. We didn't have very much business that day and just when we were going to pack it up and quit, a car pulled up. It was Captain 11! We were so excited! He placed a whole dollar on the table, reach for a full cup and drank it in one swallow. What he didn't know was all the ice had melted and it was very warm.

He just gave us this strange look, got into his car and drove away. "Captain I said, "don't you want your change?" Cindy Lea Bahe, Pierre Thirty-one years ago, we moved to a house a block from KELO-TV. Every day, Dan, age 9, and Bonnie, age 7, would go to the Captain 11 show. I'd turn on the T.V. and they would be there.

Mary Abb Welnzett, Sioux Falls Thirty-three years ago you made our family so excited when my brother Don was lucky enough to win the go cart that was sponsored by Polly Parrot Potato Chip KELO. Our neighborhood and We asked readers to comment on their memories of Captain 11. Here is a sample of their responses. I've been watching the Captain since I was a little tike, probably around the middle 1960s until his show went to just Saturdays. I remember once when he was in a demolition derby and boy that was probably the wildest thing I remember about that.

I went home and smashed all of my toys because of the Captain. It was really fun. Gary Delfs, Baltic I remember Captain 11 because I had one child who was 4 years old and I went to the hospital to have another one and that was in the days when they couldn't bring the children to the hospital. Grandmother took my older daughter for her birthday to see Captain 11 and then I saw her on television when I was in the hospital with my newborn daughter. I cried.

I thought this was great because she was on Captain 11 and I could see her. That was May 5, 1960. Bonnie Irvine, Sioux Falls When I was young, about the age between 7 and 10, my mom would take me to Captain 11 on my birthday which was Dec. 23. Then afterward we would go to Shakey's Pizza and I remember her calling to my grandmother up in Albee telling her I was on the air Tylese Buck, Sioux Falls I came from a poor family so we didn't get a television until I was 7 years old and that's when I first saw Captain 11.

After he visited Mitchell he stopped out at the Nite Day Cafe where my mother was cooking. My mother told Captain 11 she had two little girls at home. She showed him a picture of us and he autographed it on the back, "Girls, your mother is a real good cook!" and he signed it Captain 11. I'll never forget it." EUle Tuffs, Sioux Falls My favorite memory was getting to ride the Ferris wheel with him and my friend Eva Schyma. This was in Salem at the County 4-H Achievement Days.

Arlene Drew, Sioux Falls When I was 11 years old in the spring of 1964, 1 was at home with the flu and watching Captain 11. They had a contest called the Hop-A-Roo contest. The idea was to guess how many hops a kangaroo would hop, I think it was in a mile. With the help of my father we looked up in the encyclopedia and found out the average hop was and we sent the number down with the entry form. I think it was sponsored by Kenner.

Lo and behold we got a call from the people at KELO-TV saying I had won the contest. I had an invitation to come down and attend a Captain 11 show and also received a large box of I had a suit on, and went down and got my hair cut with the hinny look with butch wax so it stood straight up. I went to the show and met Captain 11. Rex Nelson, Eden Prairie, Minn. "I used to take my young daughter to Captain 11.

She was about 4 or 5 years old and we went down and he asked her what her name was and how old she was. She said, "I told you last year." Corrine Murley, Sioux Falls I thought I would bring my children down to see the captain one afternoon in the winter. I had about three of my kids on the program and during one of the breaks he picked up my youngest boy Cody. At that time Cody had a pretty bad face problem, skin problem, with eczema. He asked how Cody was doing and he really seemed to take a liking to Cody.

Him being the weatherman he is, he told us to get on the road because a front was coming in. Mark Steen, Brookings I'm 28 years old right now and I've watched Captain 11 all of my life. When I was about 6 years old I got to go antelope hunting with Captain 11. He was a friend of my great-grandfather, Ed Christian, who lived by Draper. I didn't know Captain 11 would be there.

He gave me a Captain 11 whistle. He was my hero. David Thomas, Davis "I was 7 years old when I first went to Captain 11. McDonald's was fairly new and they were giving away a hamburger, french fries and a malt on every show. I got the chocolate malt from Captain 11.

1 felt really special." Denlse Varus, Sioux Falls I was 10 years old when I saw him and I didn't think he was very nice. I was thoroughly depressed when I went and saw him and I've never watched him since. Chris Johnson, Renner My fondest memory is the day he held me up in front of the camera and told the people not to adjust their screens because it wasn't the color on their screens. I really did Dave Dedrick, a.k.a. Captain 11, Captain 1 1 Continued from 1G remember a genial, kid-loving hero; a few recall a stern Captain who told children to behave during filming, was gruff when the camera wasn't on or ate ice cream when kids had none.

Dedrick looks puzzled when asked about those stories. "I've had some kids tell me they were really torked. It doesn't ring a bell." He figures he's now entertaining his third generation of children and doesn't know how many have visited his more than 9,000 shows. "You never get a second chance to make a first impression," he says. "They've formed their opinions.

There's nothing we can do to say they're wrong." The Sioux Falls children's show began as a summer fill-in March 7, 1955. Dedrick, then 26, headed to Minneapolis to see how a similar show worked at KELO's sister station WMIN. "We had a brand new toy called television," Dedrick remembers. Those involved learned quickly that the new medium was a hungry monster that devoured product. At first, shows were filmed and the film often thrown away after the program aired.

When KELO got its live camera, owner Joe L. Floyd was ready to fill time with live shows and save the cost of film and developing. Floyd wanted a children's show for Sioux Falls, and called Murray Stewart and Dedrick into his office, looking for a volunteer to go to Minneapolis and check out that show. Dedrick lost the coin toss and headed north to learn the format: "It was nothing. A guy talking to a camera," Dedrick says.

The Minneapolis Captain 11, Jim Lange, filled time between cartoons talking to the camera. Dedrick came back to Sioux Falls, modified the uniform, worked with local engineers to strip a pinball machine, reuse the bells, lights and relay switches. They built the Captain 11 time converter. Show-biz wizardry When it was done, the lights flashed in set patterns, the twer-litzers spun. The Actuator Control, the Variable Confuser control, the Thermal Diode Control and the Reversometer were part of what Dedrick later called a majestic mass of show-biz wizardry.

"We didn't realize what it would turn into," Dedrick says. To be on TV in the mid-'50s was to join the likes of Ed Sullivan and Abbott and Costello: "It was almost like we were mega movie stars." Before the month was out, ROYALE SATIN DRAPERIES, TOP TREATMENTS AND BEDCOVERINGS 111 OFF 'i i I i 1 1 jl lining and installation! llT i JML ill ror 1 iimkw, INSTALL BY EASTER Call by March 15th and we will install our Royale Satin Drapery and Tiara Voile Drapery by Easter acnocnemans At Schoenemans we will let you bring in your old credit cards 1 from businesses that left and are leaving i Sioux Falls and let you open a new account with us! I Commercial Accounts Welcome mum 50 OFF Vertical Blinds and Panorama Vertical Blinds Sak ends Saturday. April I. Additional 10 offcffrrrjvt March 5 March 18. Appointment must bt madr March 5 IK to receive extra 10 off.

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