The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 19

7 -Heartland TAMPA TRIBUNE 12. 1972 Jimmy Nelson Appears For Retirees HEARTLAND Jimmy III, who accompanied his Dad Sunday and was celebrating his seventh birthday as well, is apparently the only one in the family not yet actively participating in show business. "The shows were done live then," he recalled. "You would do your show and then someone would 'you weren't on something happened Those were great day," he grinned. "BUT, THERE was not as ness.

Larry is a radio disc jockey and Lee tours as vocal soloist with a musical group. As for Jimmy he is enjoying "roots." "My work with First Federal here is the first thing I have done locally since those early Chicago days," he said. "And," he smiled, "I like it." Living the community life has become Jimmy Nelson's lifestyle now something not many popular performers have been able to attain. much competition then. d- WIFE BETTY helDS write ther, and we were seen by(iiand routine his act.

Daughter, Marianne, appears professionally with her little Danny O'Day Jr. twins, Lee and Larry, also chose show busi- Jimmy Nelson with his "friends" Farfel the dog, Humphrey Higsbye, left, and Danny O'Day. It was "standing room only" for the Nelson performance Sunday at First Christian Towers in Winter Haven. A "gift" to residents at the retirement home. The popular ventriloquist appeared during a special Christmas celebration.

Tribune photo by Dolly Luhrs. minion viewers. Today, no one show can draw that many because of all that is on against it." His career actually began when he was in the fourth grade and his teacher brought in a ventriloquist dummy carved by her husband. Following those early TV days, Nelson, Danny O'Day and Farfel endeared themselves for 10 years to a whole generation of TV viewers with their Nestle Chocolate -v. ir i 1 if 'V I "'f --i- imiMt Gifts for all ages handbags holiday gowns handcrafted items By DOLLY LUHRS Tribune Correspondent WINTER HAVEN Jimmy Nelson, famed ventriloquist who has appeared on many major television shows, is proof that wholesome entertainment still lives and flourishes and can be rewarding, as well.

In fact, Nelson, who appeared here Sunday with his "friends" during a Christmas tea at First Christian Towers, is able to work in his own way and still select his own lifestyle. With his wife Betty, a voice teacher and former professional singer, and their family, he enjoys the good Florida life. From home base at Cape Coral, he hops off for his many personal appearances as a favorite performer on the State and County Fair Circuit, conventions and nightclubs and Master of Ceremonies stints. Nelson's appealing speaking voice and warm personality have made him a performer-salesman. Currently, he is the local radio and television spokesman for the First Federal Saving and Loan Association of Fort Myers.

"I THINK we are all little kids at heart and like to be entertained," he commented following his performance Sunday. His appearance at the 14-'story retirement apartment house where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Nelson, reside, was his Christmas gift to the residents. A seasoned performer who gained fame when he appeared on the Milton Berle show as sole TV salesman for Texaco, Nelson's ability to localize his act has made him papular with convention and banquet groups.

Many a weary convention audience has been perked up by Nelson and his "friends" preco I call for free lesson appointment facial care make up techniques. HEARTLAND Florida Life i Boutiques betty jackson jane pierce "fr 683-7712 1037e dixieland mall lakeland, florida 33803 His large following has made his' "Danny O'Day" ventriloquist dolls and "Farfel" hand puppets best sellers in department and toy stores as well as the large mail order houses. Offered in conjunction with Juro Novelty Company of New York City, they are available with Jimmy Nelson instruction records "instant ventriloquism" and "ventriloquism in this country and abroad. IN NELSON'S routines, it is the dummies who score with the witticisms. The pace is so fast-moving and the dialogue so hilarious that the audience tends to forget it is actually only Jimmy Nelson Because of his "family" type of entertainment, he once also refused to appear at a stag party booked into one of the Contemporary Hotel Convention Rooms at Walt Disney world.

Knowing the type of performances sometimes demanded at this type of party, he almost declined the invitation. "I have never worked that way not even in night clubs," he said. "But, then I thought 'this party is being held at Mickey Mouse's So, I accepted." Apparently his show was just what they were expecting and he was a big hit. The men all sat back in obvious enjoyment and would scarcely let the act close. Fine Gift Selections Hours 10-9 10-6 Sat.

A Linuiii.il in mi i iiiji ii in 1 A i I': 1 45 -1 'lift 1 I The Lakeland String and Voice Ensemble appeared on the urogram, "Christmas in Music and Prose" presented recently during a luncheon at the Woman's Club of Lakeland. Mrs. Emory Walker, narrator; Mrs. Charles Pope, violin; Mrs. Thomas E.

Blount, soprano soloist and director; Mrs. Charles B. Kells, piano accompanist and Mrs. Frank Laver, harp, left to right. Tribune photo by Dolly Luhrs cious Danny O'Day, pompous Humphrey Higsbye, and Farfel, the talking dog.

A veteran of early pioneer television, Nelson graduated from local neighborhood theater amateur show victories in his hometown of Chicago to star weekly on local television station WGN. After several appearances on the Ed Sullivan show in 1951, he achieved fame as "master-of-commer-cials" on the Berle show. fc' -a Winter Haven 'Peterson Municipal Tuesday Music Club Meets Today judge Resigns of LASTING BEAUTY! Our own freshly cut Cheeses Sausages We will mail throughout the country Give the gift that lives 1 Tribune Bureau WINTER HAVEN Munic- ipal Judge Scott Bunn has resigned effective Jan. 1. He was appointed to the post in November of 1970.

He told the" city commission the increasing work load in his private law practice necessitated the decision. Andrew Trakas, Bunn's assistant, probably will be named to the post. The city plans to phase out the municipal court in midsummer when Polk County will handle all cases. Many members of the original cast of the past musicals will be recreating their original roles for the occasion. Tickets for the Saturday performance, at $1 each may be obtained in advance from the school or members of the Thespians and will also be available at the door as long as they last.

Performances will be at' 7 and 9 p.m- under the direction of Dale Hamilton, the school's media specialist and the-spians sponsor. p.m. tomorrow in the Magnolia Building of the Tourist. Center. The meeting will feature Christmas stories and Christmas carols.

Refreshments will be served. -All Tourist Club women may tend. Cards and bingo will be played by Tourist Club members at 7 p.m. tomorrow. SEBRING Songs from past presented musicals of "Little Mary Sunshine" and "Mame" will be among the feaures of i 4 I ill Milford Zornes in New Mex-, ico.

Bombard holds monthly art classes, sponsored by the Lakeland Art Guild at Tiger-town from November through April. LAKELAND The Lake-land Junior Woman's Club will meet tomorrow at the Woman's Club at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Peggy Brown, guest speaker has selected as her mmmmmmsmmmm Club Clock ora jm 2 gift 7 certificate! -j Phone 683-4011 GROVE PARK SHOPPING CENTER U. S.

98 LAKELAND, FLORIDA 682-1001 Nurseries liit i Acroii tram j. M. Fields vlT I 225 New Auburndale Hwy.f I HEARTLAND I Pn At The the musical revue presented by the Sebring High School Thespians at their first showing for the 1972-73 school year. The Thespians' Christmas revue will be presented at the high school auditorium on Theaters LAKELAND Jerry Ltwi Cinema Fal Cily gtarrini Stacy Keach 5:30. 7:30 and 9:30 P.M.

P.G. LAKELAiND Jerry Lewis Cinema II: Lecend of Miaier Charley, 7:43, 9:45. WINTER HAVEN Winter Haven Mall Cinema Fat City ttarrinft Stacy Kearh. Rated P.G. Shows at 3.

5. 7, and 9 P.M. Admission 99c and 49c'. Open everyday at 2:45. LAKELAND Christmas will be the theme of the Tuesday Music Club meeting to be held today at 10:30 a.m.

in the club building. Mrs. Emory Walker is director of the program, en-. titled "Davids Harp." Duo-pianists Mrs. Gerald Stevenson and Mrs.

Roscoe N. Skipper will perform "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming" by Brahms. The Lakeland String and Voice Ensenible, an affiliate of National Federation of Music Clubs, will' present 'IThe Old Testament Foretells The The group' includes, Mrs. Thomas E. Blount, soprano and director; Charles Pope, violin; Mrs.

Frank Laver, harp, and Mrsi Charles B. Kells, piano. Mrs. Fred T. Baldwin and Mrs.

William A. Will, are co-chairmen for the. luncheon which will follow-the pro- gram. Hostesses will be Mrs. Jo-, seph R.

Chesser, Inez Wilson Clarke s. CJyatt, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Marguerite Corn and Mrs. B.

W.Faulkner. LAKELAND A mixed-media exhibition by Lakeland winter resident Floyd Bom- bard will continue the Right Hall Gallery of Polk Publie Museum through Friday. Bombard, president of the Lakeland Tourist Club and an active member of the Lakeland Art Guild studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. He also studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago as well as the Taflinger School and Herron Institute in Indianapolis. He has attended workshops in painting with Eliot O'Hara in Illinois and Flat Rock, with Michael Frarey in Missouri, with Edgar Whitney on the Main Coast, with Rex Brandt in Europe, and withx Call 682-8375 for information on this column tit, LAtiHtLAiSL AISXjA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE presents at the If you're going to spend more than $100 on a camera, better get it from us.

We not only have the world's finest cameras, we also have the quality service that goes along with them. Things like special lessons and suggestions and tips for taking care of your camera. That's something most other places don't offer. 6RANSC0MB AUDITORIUM WED. JAN.

24th at 8 P.M. IIHMIII, II II II III 1 I'f 1 fi topic -r- making Christmas decorations from everyday items around the house and from common plants. The Arts Department is in charge of refreshments which will be made from recipes to be sent to the State Federated Arts Department bake-off this year. On ay, club members will go to the State Sunland Training Center in Orlando where they will give a party for the children and bring them gifts. This is a yearly club project.

Members visit with the children, feed them, walk them around the grounds and perform other needed services. On Dec. 20, new members will sing Christmas Carols at the Presbyterian Home here. LAKELAND The Lakeland String and Voice Ensemble, under the direction of Mrs. Thomas E.

Blount, soprano, will present a special Christmas program for the Lakeland Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) tomorrow at the Munn House. LAKELAND The Chat Sew Group of the Lakeland Tourist Club will meet at 2 I School Units To Present Yule Music Special to The Tribune LAKELAND Lakeland Senior and Kathleen Senior High School choruses will join in presenting a program of Christmas music at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary. Familiar carols will be presented and the Kathleen High singers and the Lakeland Ad-, vanced Chorus will conclude the program with their combined performance of "For Us a Child Js Born," Bach's Christmas cantata. Soloists will be Walter Bill-ingsley, Donna Dobbins and Jim Gartrell.

Directors of the choruses are Robtrt Boulware at Kathleen and Everett Amos at Lakeland. The program is open to the public. IK everything for the photographer distinctive SANBORN-DAVIS cards and gifts camera centre Main Floor Reserved $5 $6 Balcony General Admission $4 Tickets At La ka land Ana Chambar of Commtfc 35 Uka Morton Drivt 0A By Mail Mak Chacfc or Moray Ordtr payablt to Lakeland Chambar of Commtrea P.O. Box 3538, Lakeland, Florida 33802 235 SOUTH KENTUCKY LAKELAND. FLORIDA 33801 682-0814 I.