Thirty Three Years And Seems Like Minutes

I just can’t believe it but Helen, my wife and partner, and I have today made it to our 33rd wedding anniversary. It just seems like yesterday when I volunteered to work for the Cerebral Palsy Telethon where we met.

I instantly had the sparks flying and I guess Helen did also. We met dated for a month and I asked her to marry me (I just knew I wanted her) and she said YES!! Five months later we were married. So I defy anyone to say there is no such thing as love at first sight. We have been lovers, best friends and partners in everything since then.

I just could not imagine being without her and this past convention was the very first time I did spend any significant time away from her. As much as I loved being at the ConVENTion and working I really did miss having Helen there with me. I can guarantee that she will be at ConVENTion next year. She did say she missed seeing everyone so she will have to return next year!!

In these hard and trying times I find it very comforting knowing my life partner is here with me no matter what. Yes it is a very hard job but the rewards far outweigh the work.

Thanks Helen for always being there for me!!

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Personal, Ventriloquist Central | 3 Comments

Ventriloquist David Pendleton and Mike Robinson

Back on July 10th, ventriloquist David Pendleton and his family visited us here (click here for blog post about the visit).

A few days before that visit, he sent this email and pictures:

Hi Dan,

I was just onboard the Westerdam performing with a conference (Insight for Living). Our conference comprised roughly half the ship. Guess who the ship’s entertainment was for the other half of the ship! It was none other than our friend Mike Robinson. Isn’t that fun? I’m attaching a few pictures for you…

David

 

mike-david

mike-performing

mike-performing02

 

Thanks, David for sharing the pictures.

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central | Leave a comment

What Kind of Ventriloquist Figure?

I get all kinds of emails from different people wanting to know what kind of ventriloquist figure they have.

This email and story came from Andrew Leavenworth. He wanted to know what kind of ventriloquist doll he had and tell “his story.”

I thought it was cute and he gave me permission to share it with you.

 

Hi Dan,

I have had this little guy in the various houses I have rented over the years.

When I first moved in with my former roommate, Jo Ann, she said that ventriloquist dolls always freaked her out. I just laughed and said she watched too many Twilight Zones and horror movies and I put him up on the old piano in our living room.

Later, that night at around 2 a.m. she said she heard notes on the piano playing! She was too scared to go into the living room that night. She was sure that the doll was playing the piano. She told me the story the next day.

I told her the next time it happened we had to go into the living room and turn on the lights and see what was going on.

Several nights passed by and no piano playing. Then, just when we thought she had imagined the whole thing, the piano started playing again! This time I heard it and we both went to the living room and turned on the lights.

There was Jo Ann’s black and white cat, Elektra, walking across the keys a few steps at a time and enjoying the vibration and sound of the piano as she walked. Elektra stared at us with big eyes, like she had been “caught in the act.” We laughed so hard!

Here is a photo of the “little man” who has scared many of my former roommates over the years.

I’d love to hear any ideas on his origins.

Thanks!

Andrew

VentriloquistDoll

 

Of course I let Andrew know that he has an Effanbee Charlie McCarthy.

Thanks, Andrew for letting me share this story.

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figures | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Central Wants Your Pictures

I am asking all of you who were at the ConVENTion to please send in any pictures that you took. We have set up a page dedicated to just snap shots from the ConVENTion.

Vent Haven ConVENTion 2009

I myself was busy doing the video and audio blogs throughout the week so I was not able to take pictures. I would love to have done some but in packing I took the Flip video camera and forgot the regular camera. So I need your help.

Send us any and all of your pictures you want to share (with the exception of any pictures taken inside the Vent Haven Museum, we cannot post those due to Vent Haven restrictions).

Also, any of you on Facebook that have pictures to share, let us know (not everyone has Facebook).

Email your pics to: pictures@ventriloquistcentral.com

We want everyone to see what you saw and who you met at this great ConVENTion fo make sure you get them to us ASAP!!

Thanks

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Vent Haven, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, W.S. Berger & Vent Haven | Leave a comment

Maryland Ventriloquist, Tom Crowl Is Staying Busy

Tom Crowl sent an email to us with links to online articles about his act.

2009 Ocean County Fair

Free shows at Oceanfront

 

Thanks Tom for sharing this information with us.

 

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

***************************************************

Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central | Leave a comment