Lawrence Welk inspires holiday events
From the Farm
When John Cain, executive director of South Shore Arts, was searching for the ideal short story to share with a packed luncheon audience of more than 300 last week for his 26th Annual holiday reading event, he decided bubbly maestro of yesteryear Lawrence Welk would make a great theme.
Joined by puppeteer Jim West on stage in the dining room at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Cain and West shared the vocal narrative reading duties while presenting the published short stories of John Rowell titled “The Music of Your Life” (2003 Simon & Schuster).
During a 20-minute coming-of-age story recited during the charity luncheon, Cain’s yarn include a who’s who of names ranging from Welk and his TV cast of Bobby and Cissy, piano-playing Jo Ann Castle, accordion favorite Myron Floren and of course, “Champagne Lady” Norma Zimmer as well as references to “Batman” stars Adam West and Burt Ward as the Caped Crusaders pitted against Eartha Kitt as the villainous purring Catwoman. A portable bubble machine on stage showered Cain and Co. with a barrage of bubbles reminiscent of the bubbly opening credits of Welk’s show, a TV staple from 1951 to 1971 and which still lives on today via popular trapped-in-time reruns on local PBS TV stations nationwide.
While Cain’s annual charity luncheon opportunity, using his unique brand of humor to hold court, has already passed, the
31st Annual Festival of the Trees Holiday Luncheon presented by the Women’s Association of Northwest Indiana Symphony is still just around the corner. The event is on Dec. 4 at The Center for Visual and Performing
Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, starting at 10 a.m. with “a Stroll of the Avenue of Trees,” with ornate and unique trees throughout the lobby area representing a variety of sponsors and clever themes.
WANISS President Marti Ross promises there will once again be caroling and shopping at “The Boulevard of Shoppes,” while guests enjoy the traditional Wassail Bowl mulled wine punch. Lunch is at noon with entertainment to follow.
The cost is $50 per person and reservations are due by the end of the day Nov. 27 by calling 219-836-0525, ext. 206. Reservations can be guaranteed by mailing a check by Nov. 25 to NISO, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321. Make checks payable to WANISS. This event benefits the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
A new event hosted last year for the first time by the ladies of WANISS is also returning. The Children’s Festival of Trees Holiday
Breakfast is from 8:30-10 a.m. on Dec. 7, also at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts.
Children have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa and his elves. There will also be an opportunity for children to vote for their favorite Christmas trees from the Festival of Trees. Proceeds from the breakfast will go to WANISS’s Edith Root Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships for area students to attend summer music camps throughout the Midwest. Santa Breakfast tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children. To make reservations, call 219-8360525, ext. 206. Reservation deadline is Dec. 2.
Raised in a strict and German Catholic family in Strasburg, North Dakota, Welk savored his mother Christiana’s hearty home-cooking at their family farm. It was young Welk who convinced his father Ludwig to buy him a mail-order accordion in 1915 for $400 with the promise that he would repay the money by working on the family farm until age 21.
Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. Mail questions to From the Farm, P.O. Box 68, San Pierre, IN 46374.