The La Crosse Tribune from La Crosse, Wisconsin • 7

La Crosse Tribune, Friday, August 2, 198S 7 Big Bird finally makes his way to Ir-w-W 4 I1' lfV4 4 tL big screen Bird paused. Silence. Then he said, in that naive voice that every mother loves, It's In the tradition of Jack Benny," he said. Just another marvelous example of the magic of television." But another question still remained "What about your relationship with the mysterious Mr Spinney?" I asked. Isn't it true that he controls your every move, every sound, every gesture?" "I don't know the man," said Bird.

Although I've heard of him, he's never around when I am. Honest, I've never seen him in my life Some people say he is always around and that I'm suffering from Clark Kent syndrome I wouldnt know about that." For such a naive, some say slightly dumb, bird, it was amazing how he could handle these tough questions. "Listen, Mr. Bird, is your friend Oscar the Grouch available?" "Yes, he's here," said Bird "But he's not in such a good mood. He's not I could hear the phone being grabbed from Bird's hand "He says hes never seen Spinney," said Oscar, gruffly "Every time I turn around Spinneys there.

I can't get rid of the guy. He's always just around my shoulder. I can't get a moment's peace. Of course, I like it that way." Oscar, my personal Sesame Street favorite, has only a supporting role in "Follow That Bird "I know," he said "Everyones always after me to star in a picture but I haven't seen any scripts that are trashy enough for me The trashier the better This Bird movie isn't trashy enough for me The one great thing about Oscar is that he never has a kind word for anyone. He revels in his garbage can home located in the main alley off Sesame Street.

I didn't know what the big deal was about the bird leaving anyway, he said "If he wants to go, let him go. Everyone made such a big deal about it. He's too cheery for me anyway. That's why we've never done a scene together. I think I'd get ill." According to Oscar, hes been offered other roles.

"They wanted me to take the Mike Hammer part on television," he said "I liked parts of it because he spends so much time in my milieu bark alleys. But I turned them down. Not trashy enough. I'd consider taking the lead in a re-make of On the I'd make a great stevedore and I love the smell of the East River. Are you done?" I "I guess so, Oscar," I replied.

"I hope that you get the lead in Follow That Personally, I think it'd make a much more interesting journey. "Cut the compliments," he said. "I hate that. The best thing you could say about 'Follow That Bird' is that its the trashiest film of the Suddenly, Oscar gave the phone back to Spinney. I had titne for one more question.

Do you prefer Big Bird or Oscar? "Both, Spinney said, diplomatically. But naturally, he'd sit on the fence. They've been his meal tickets for 16 years. Follow That Bird, rated is playing at the Valley Square theater. By MICHAEL BLOWEN Boston Globe BOSTON Big Bird conducted the Boston Pops, appeared In the Ice Follies, sang with Pete Seeger, traveled to China, was honored at the Night of 100 Stars and co-starred In television specials with Julie Andrews and Boh Hope.

But until this summer, the television star of some 16 years has never made a feature film. For countless episodes, Big Bird's played the naive, Innocent, clumsy character of many feathers on Sesame Street. Other characters, such as Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, who are also under long-term contract to Jim Henson and his Muppet empire, went on to success on the silver screen; Bird was stuck in the little television box every weekday afternoon. But then, it's so like him to just go along with the program and not raise a fuss. Finally, the clumsy yellow creature with the most innocent eyes since Disney's mouse, has broken into the big time with Follow That Bird, the first movie direct from Sesame Street.

According to the film, Big Bird, or BB as his intimate friends refer to him, is forced from Sesame Street by a do-gooder bird named Miss Finch of the Feathered Friends Society. Finch believes that BB should spend time with his own kind, instead of walking around Sesame Street without the guidance of other birds. Finch arranges for Bird to be adopted by the Dodo family and rechristened Big Dodo a name Oscar the Grouch feels is completely appropriate. Naturally, the Sesame Street gang cant live without their resident optimist so they engage in a nationwide trek to find their friend and bring him back to Sesame Street. Bert and Ernie are joined by Oscar, Grover, Snuffle-Upagus, The Count and the human residents of Sesame Street in a quest to return Bird to his rightful home.

Some Hollywood gossip-mongers claim that Big Birds Svengali is Caroll Spinney, a man's who's pulled the strings and manipulated the star for years. One wag even suggested that Spinney is to Bird what John Derek is to Bo. When trying to get an interview with Bird, or at least Spinneys other client, Oscar the Grouch, the phone in the office was answered by Spinney. This is Caroll Spinney, he said. May I speak with Big Bird? I asked.

"Of course, said Spinney, who grew up in Waltham and Acton, and graduated from the Boston Art Institute. Spinney's tone was cheery, suggesting that he had adopted the attitude of most behind-the-scenes manipulators in Hollywood. It took some time for Big Bird to reach the phone. His effervescent voice suggested that Spinney couldn't be far away. When Bird feached the phone, the whole world seemed to brighten.

After all, who wouldn't be charmed by the fan- tastic bird who goes through life with such blind, ebullient faith that he makes Dorothy of Oz fame seem like a 9 S' 4 A photo Young actors Alyson Court, left, and Benjamin Barrett join Big Bird as the tries to find his way back to Sesame Street in the movie "Follow That Bird." job they could. Everything was wonderful." Even the scene where the airplane comes closer to your head than it did to Cary Grants in North by Well, that was frightening but I knew they had a great pilot so wasn't that scared," he said. "I did all my own stunts except for the one where I had to hop off the moving truck. For that one they decided to hire a stunt bird. I couldnt delay the big question any longer.

Excuse me for seeming a bit skeptical, Mr. Bird, but how can you have been on Sesame Street for 16 years and still claim that you're only 6 years old?" cynic. Hello, he said. "This is Big Bird. Thank you so much for wanting to talk to me about my movie.

Everyone was so wonderful making it. Everyone helped. We all pulled together. The weather was perfect and sunny. I just loved every minute of it.

Even the days when you sat around in the heat, burdened by feathers, waiting 12 hours for your scene to be sel up? Oh, yes," he said, with his smiling voice. I know movies take a long time and everyone was doing the best Cancer victim's wife needs new outlook Heating pad will keep crib warm Before leaving for a day at the zoo, fair, or any outing, tag each child with a stick-on label that gives his name, address and telephone number. Wrap new crayons with masking tape and they will be less likely to break. And for fresh, smooth paste, moisten the lid with water before screwing the lid back on. To make your childs grooming chores less complicated, and out of respect for the little one, hang a second mirror at his eye level in the bathroom.

All correct trivia answers should be received by me no later than Wednesday afternoons. Quite a few readers are not seeing their names listed with other winners because of late entry, and I want to give credit to everyone who is correct. George Gobei is famous for saying, Well, I'll be a dirty bird! A lot of readers thought that it was Red Skelton, but Ldnesome George said it first! Last weeks trivia winners are: Armond J. White, 1051 Birch View Joanne Fiers, 1914 So. 16th St.

This week's trivia question is: Where was little Suzie sleeping when the Everly Brothers tried to wake her up? Persons may send answers to trivia questions or any requests for help to; Jane Liebl, in care of the La Crosse Tribune, 401 N. Third La Crosse, 54601. Here are some great ideas for the new and not-so-new parent. Keep a heating pad beside the baby's crib and when hes up for night feedings, turn the pad on warm and place it bn the crib mattress. When you put the baby back down, his bed will be nice and warm, and he will settle down more quickly.

But be sure to remove the heating pad. For those of you who prefer to make your own food; puree fresh vegetables, place in ice cube trays, and freeze for use at a later time. If your child has trouble swallowing a pill, place it in a teaspoon of applesauce and see how easily it goes down. A small sucker makes an excellent tongue depressor when checking for a sore throat. To remove a splinter from a childs finger, soak the affected area in cooking oil for a few minutes.

The splinter can be easily removed. Also, applying an ice cube to the finger for several minutes will numb the area and allow the splinter to be removed painlessly. Then you can kiss the finger and make it all better. When your child reaches the creeping stage, tape light cords tightly around a table leg. This will prevent him from pulling lamps onto the floor or worse yet, himself.

If you use transparent tape it will not mar the furniture. To protect your child from smashed fingers, place a cork at each end of the keyboard on the piano. Now, if the lid drops, his fingers are saved. If" your child tries to sneak outside when you are not looking, try the old doorbell trick. Tie a small bell to the door.

You will always be able to hear when the door is being opened. To allow your child to be more independent, attach an extra handle near the bottom of the screen door. Your child will then be able to pull the door open himself without calling for help. Almost everytime a child puts on his shoes when first learning how, theyre on the wrong foot. To teach a child how to put the right shoe on the right foot, mark or tape the inside of the right shoe only.

Are the diaper pins dull? Simply stick the pins into a bar of soap. Clean stuffed toys with dry cornstarch. Rub in, let stand briefly and brush off. Your child will be able to hold onto a glass of milk better if you place two tight rubber bands around the glass an inch or so apart. This makes it easier for little hands to hold.

Dear Ann: I feel so alone I pray you will print this letter and respond so I might know if there are others in the same predicament. My husband has had cancer for seven years. When he was diagnosed, dozens of friends, colleagues from work, family, people from clubs we belonged to and church members called and visited us. Time has passed. His hospital stays are more frequent.

Hardly anyone comes over. The family has virtually disappeared. The loneliness is unbearable. Watching someone you love deteriorate is very painful. To feel abandoned adds to the misery.

People make excuses. They say, "I cant handle it. Im no good at saying anything. I have a hard time dealing with cancer. SO My husband does not talk cancer 24 hours a day.

Hed love to converse with someone from the outside world. Even a phone call is a welcome break in a long dreary day. As for me, no one wants to discuss my problem. People cut me off with, It's so depressing. Spare me the details." Or, Ill pray for him." If this letter makes one person telephone or visit someone who is terminally ill it was worth the effort it took to write it.

Sign me Disheartened In The Midwest Dear Disheartened: I dont mean to sound cruel, but everyone has his own life and his own troubles. From the time your husband was diagnosed, I wonder how many others in your circle have met a similar fate. (One out of every four people alive today will get cancer at some time during his or her life.) It is unrealistic to expect family and friends to hang in there for seven years. Your best bet is to be imaginative about keeping your lives as full as possible. Do invite folks over on the days your husband is up to having visitors.

Dont wait for them to come on their own. Good luck and God bless. Dear Ana Lander: I'm still burned up at all those people who wrote to tell you bow dumb you were to fall for the letter about the little girl who was lost in the supermarket. (An employee found her in the bathroom with a man who had cut her hair, given her a sedative and was about to carry her out under the disguise.) The letter turned out to be a hoax. So who cares? Ill bet a lot of people learned something from it.

Thats what your column is all about, isnt it? Several months ago I lost track of my wife in a large shopping mail. The only system they had for finding lost persons was an old, broken-down security guard who asked, Are you sure you brought her in with you? Just keep doing a great job and tell those nit-pickers to get lost. A Fan From Lancaster, Pa. Dear Lan: Thanks for a sweet letter but I really dont mind being criticized. When Im wrong I want to be told, and apparently there are plenty folks out there who are happy to do it! Dear Ann; A man I considered my best friend is getting married at the age of 40.

I received the wedding invitation today. It was addressed to Mr. and Mrs." I phoned my friend and asked if the invitation included our two children, ages 6 and 10. He said, "Sorry, the children are not included. This is going to be very formal.

My wife and I do not want to travel 500 miles for a wedding and leave our children home with a baby-sitter. Joe is special to us and our feelings are hurt. Are we wrong to feel this way? No Name, No Location Dear N.L.: Joe and his fiancee have the right to exclude children if they wish. I see no reason to feel hurt. If you cannot find a family member who will keep the youngsters overnight, take them along and ask Joe to find a sitter, whom you will pay.

This way, everyone will have a wonderful time. (c 1995 New Amerlce Syndicate If SPFWFH doesn't work, try SWADE from another group: Second Wives of America Demanding Equality (SWADE). This group is less social and more concerned with the lack of rights for the second wife. They want some laws changed or at least some of the inequities righted. The mans home is his castle is a myth according to them.

Wifey No. 1 can latch on to a second familys home. Wifey No. 1 can break a will, she can collect a disproportionate share of the divorced father's net income. As to children, the second wife has to dispense discipline in two doses: one normal for the children of their union and one kid-gloved for the stepchildren.

(They are seriously thinking of a splinter group: Child-Abused Stepmothers.) The membership has grown at an astonishing rate for SWADE, possibly because there are 1,300 remarriages each day. Also the current divorce rate for first marriages is nearly 50 percent and second families have a divorce rate of nearly 65 percent. I've always felt guilty for not joining something. After reading through all this, the only group I can relate to is the Depression Glass Roundtable. It would be nice to meet someone more depressed than I am.

(C) Lot AngtlM Tlmt Syndic! In reading the paper recently, I realized how organized we have become. As my eyes scoured the headlines, I saw where the (DGR) Depression Glass Roundtable was meeting, the (PMS) Pre-Menstrual Syndrome Support Group was having a do, the (REACH) Respond Early and Control Hypertension was staging a program and a (STAND) Start Taking a New Discipline meeting was open to the public. If theres a problem, theres a group to solve it. I have the feeling if you have a hangnail, within hours you could put together a charter, slate of officers, national affiliation, an auxiliary, a telethon, a $3 million budget and chapters in 37 states. Probably no one has become better organized than the ranks of men and women who are in or out of marriage.

For some reason, its a condition that needs a lot of support to get through it. Parents Without Partners originally started as an organization of widows and widowers. Now the membership is diverse and includes divorced men and women and single parents by choice. What brought all this to mind was an invitation my husband and I received to become members of the Goose and Gander, a Society for the Preservation of First Wives and First Husbands. (SPFWFH).

Their motto is fidelity and frivolity forever," and their membership is up to 217 in 21 states, the District of Columbia and two foreign countries. Their creed is simple. They intend to remain loyal, committed spouses because they believe that such committed couples have more fun, live longer and are more productive. Their meetings are social events in which the sole purpose is to celebrate their good fortune in having chosen mates wisely. On a questionnaire, they asked if we would like to -attend a fall affair in New York City.

I'm sure it doesnt mean what it sounds like. Right on the heels of that invitation came a letter PUBLIC NOTICE OF EXPLANATION FOR CITY OF LA CROSSE ACTIVITY IN A FLOOD ZONE TM City of La Croat ho conducted an evaluation, aa required by Executive Order 11 ass. ID determine to potential eflec of Ns decision to pave a ana partially In toe Hood plain. The protect being evaluated la toe BoyaOlrta Club Protect which conaleta of paving an existing gravol area with bttummou asphalt tor an outdoor racraaMonaf area. The BoyeOina Club la located at 1331 Canton Street The environmental aeaeesmord revealed toe! no significant adverse enact would result bom Implementing toe protect The protect la estimated to coal 521.000 and even though no structure are being buM.

a constructton activity wt conform with applicable local and state codes. Because ol toe very Smnad nature of to protect end to aingi purpose of locating to Improvement ol to BoysrOiria Club, toere wero no togismat anomoovo to to proposed action. For further Information regarding to BoyaObls Club Protect contact to City Planning Department Sth Floor. City Hall. SOS North Sixth Street La Crosse Wisconsin 54001.

weekday between 30 a m-12 00 noon, and 1 00 OO Comment on toe proposed protect may be addressed to to City Planning Oepertmanl at to above address and received no later than August IS. tOOS. Pabtcb Ztofke, Mayer City el La Crease. Wisconsin.