5.22.2008
Colorado tornado
Our thanks to those of you who have written to inquire of our safety in light of today's tornado and severe storms in the Denver area. Like you, Adelia and I first learned of the storms from a distance away via the television news. We are currently in Nashville (TN) on our way to the Pigeon Forge area for a family reunion. Our Colorado families and homes are safe for which we are very grateful. We join you with our prayers on behalf of the victims of this tragedy.
In His Own Words
By Fred Maher
We are all accustomed to seeing clothing displayed on dummies in store windows. The faces of the store window dummies are painted smoothly in a somewhat perfect wooden-like manner. Their faces are not painted bright in color but rather subdued and toned down. This is done so that the prospective buyer will not be too conscious of the figure itself, but instead his attention will be directed to the clothing displayed on it.
The ventriloquist dummy portrays personality and expression, not clothing. It is his face and brightness of expression that is needed to impress your audience. Therefore, his coloring must not only be lifelike, but slightly accentuated. He should be as natural looking as possible, and as bright in expression as the fellow who is the "life of the party," and the fellow from whom "you never know what to expect next, " yet, whose presence lifts the mood of any crowd to gaiety and laughter.
* * * * *
Reprinted from Catalog No. 1, Maher School of Ventriloquism 1950
5.21.2008
Book signing
When our Rocky Mountain Ventriloquist group met this past Saturday morning, I enjoyed presenting a signed copy of my new Ventriloquism In A Nutshell to each of the six members present. (Hillary, Tony, and I are visiting above.)(Photos by J.D. Haile)
5.20.2008
Voices in the garden
From Ed Casey:
I have been hearing voices while working in my garden. While giving my plants and flowers their much needed TCL I find myself talking with them and making up what I think they would say back in different voices, making up a personality for each. I did not hear my neighbor come to me from behind one day and suddenly break out into laughter scaring the you know what out of me. The attached picture illustrates that I have entered the great beyond. A form of hyperVENTilation. Truthfully the possum in the picture does have bigger hang ups than me! Make it a great day!
5.19.2008
"Talking" eyebrows!
At opportune moments, this guy lets his eyebrows do the "talking"!
Eyebrows that both raise AND lower are now pretty much standard effects on all the figures I complete. Both eyebrow effects operate from the same single control. When the control is released, the brows self-return to the natural neutral position.
For greatest effect, I prefer darker hair on figures with raising and lowering eyebrows. That is why I sometimes even use brown eyebrows on a figure with blonde hair.
5.18.2008
Bumper Cars Chapel Service
Rich and Jennie Hardesty have a most unique ministry to bikers. Their chapel services are held wherever the bikers gather. In April Rich and Jennie attended eight different motorcycling events. Of course, "Randy", Jennie's ventriloquist longtime partner appears at the services as well. If you look closely at the left center of the top photo you can see Jennie and Randy standing as they speak at an outdoor Sunday morning Bumper Cars Chapel Service, Elk Grove, California.
Jennie wrote: "There were over 80 people at the Bumper Car Service. The owner of the Carnival is also the president of the Western Festival and is a Christian, so every morning he has a meeting for all the workers of the Carnival. Sunday he made it at the time and place of the Service. They were a real good audience."
After some biker services you may find them holding a Bike Blessing as they minister to the bike owners. Rich and Jennie also provide crafts, balloons and other give-aways for children of the bikers. To learn more about this amazing ministry, go to http://www.jcandusministries.com/
5.17.2008
ASFW?
Is that what this is, "ASFW = All Star Figure Wrestling?" Actually, I'm just putting a wig back into place after having removed it to adjust the inner mechanics. "Nick Nack" is smiling...I think he's enjoying my struggle! Fortunately, the cap I'm wearing hides my grimace!
5.16.2008
The Brown's visit Colorado
What a treat we experienced this past Monday when Dale and Leslie Brown, Wisconsin, came for a visit! Dale brought "Chip" for some minor tuneup work as well. It was a beautiful day so we managed
to squeeze in a short scenic drive into the Rockies, stopping for lunch at the historic El Rancho mountain restaurant (where we all tried a taste of their rabbit and rattlesnake sausage appetizer - Chip said he was glad to have missed that part of the trip!).
to squeeze in a short scenic drive into the Rockies, stopping for lunch at the historic El Rancho mountain restaurant (where we all tried a taste of their rabbit and rattlesnake sausage appetizer - Chip said he was glad to have missed that part of the trip!).
Returning from the mountains we gave our attention to Chip. There were smiles all around when the job was successfully completed!
Dale Brown, author
I'll be forever grateful for all the ways Dale Brown came along side us at Maher Studios, lending his professional business expertise and advice. Not the least of which, were the five best selling books he wrote for Maher Studios' publication:
Audience Participation
Banquet Performing
Booking And Working Trade Shows
Making It Up As You Go (Ad-libbing)
Putting Money Where Your Mouth Is (Using vent to earn $$)
Fortunately, although Maher Studios has closed, the books are still available from The Dummy Works: http://www.dummyworks.com/books1.htm
Audience Participation
Banquet Performing
Booking And Working Trade Shows
Making It Up As You Go (Ad-libbing)
Putting Money Where Your Mouth Is (Using vent to earn $$)
Fortunately, although Maher Studios has closed, the books are still available from The Dummy Works: http://www.dummyworks.com/books1.htm
5.15.2008
Project overseer?
Nicole has been coming over weekends to work on her school science project, a Deciduous Forest Biome. R.C. insists if Nicole is building a display replica of his kin in their native habitat, he should have final say as to how things are done. Nicole says, "Grandpa, can you move R.C. pretty soon? Having him watch me work is creepy" 
Nicole explains her finished project to Grandma.As Nicole turns her projeect the 3-D seasons of Spring, Summer,Fall, and Winter come into view, each with their display of colors, trees, plants, flowers and animals in their proper place. "R.C." is has been put into his proper place, too, for which Nicole is grateful. From Nicole's perspective, having Grandma nearby is much more enjoyable! (From "R.C.'s" perspective - within his case - I still hear muffled protests. :-)
5.14.2008
Fator on Letterman
Terry Fator will appear on the David Letterman show tomorrow night (Thursday). See Terry's web site for more details: http://www.terryfator.com
