Here is a recap of the meeting, as best as I can recall. Not responsible for any errors or omissions (I'm human.)
Large gathering for the FVA meeting on 9/25/11. About 25 people in attendance. Ed and Sandy Thomas opened their home to host the meeting. Regular boosters in attendance to ensure a good time to be ad were, John Parisi, Tom Dahl, Margaret Davis, Donald Woodford and Jacki Manna. Not to be left out of the fun were Mark & Amy James, Mike Palma, Larry Larken, Jimmy Vee, Lee Wolfson, Carol Stein and. Special guest in the house, Jim Teter.
First presentation was by Ray. Entertaining the group with his comedy. Tom Dahl was second up. Tom, a magician for over 30 years performing through out the central united states and appearing with countless celebrities is venturing into the world of ventriloquism. He performed with a Selberg, Gramps, appropriately named "Larry Houdini." Audience was treated to a routine intertwined with magic.
Mike Palma, brought out his new figure and character by Dan payes, "Facetious." The one and only brother of the famous Confucius! Unfortunately he does not share the wise wisdom of his kinfolk. Figure was beautifully dressed in detail Chinese grab. Can you say, winner. The character and performance Mike gave, are just that, winners.
Mark & Amy James, celebrating their thirteenth anniversary were presented with a oak wood heart, with interlocking wedding rings done on a scrollsaw by Donald. Donald also performed with a Selberg Reggie, his figure saying he was a great singer even going so far as to claim a president told him he was a great singer. Must have been one of Teter's figures.
Jim Teter, with all the presidents' men was next up, well actually he only had a few. His entertainment career was most interesting. For 13 years Jim and Jim McDonald, traveled the highway an byways of the US entertaining in many different venues.
The first president to come into being was Kennedy. Nightly, the figure would be the closer for a musical revue and it proved to be crowd pleaser. Kennedy was killed before he could expand the use if the figure, and he stopped using it. while he made Kennedy, a wood craver made the subsequent figures (don't recall the builder's name.) Jim is a fine impressionist, and was very good at the presidents' voices. With five presidents in the house, the Secret Service was working overtime.
Jim retired in 2009 from performing. One factor that led to this was, the excessive charges by the airlines for baggage. He traveled with 7 trunks for his show. Can you say, thousands, just for the luggage.
Not to be missed was the good food, Ed and Sandy provided for those in attendance.
See you at the next meeting, Nov 6th, Celebration, FL.
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