Jimmy Nelson to speak at Historical Society meeting Oct. 12
The Cape Coral Historical Society will kick off its season with special guest Jimmy Nelson and his ventriloquist pals Danny O’Day and Farfel when the group holds its first monthly meeting Oct. 12.
Nelson and his pals appeared on television in the early 1950s, when they were featured on Milton Berle’s Texaco Star Theatre. In 1955, Nelson began his long association with the Nestle Chocolate Company, which also featured Farfel the dog.
In addition to his commercials, Nelson also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, Jackie Gleason, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, the Tonight Show and his own weekly show on ABC-TV.
In 1998, Nelson received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Ventriloquists Association, as well as being inducted into the Ventriloquist Hall of Fame.
Museum Curator Anne Cull said she decided to have him speak at the first meeting because he is a member of the Historical Society and has been very supportive.
“Every month we have a guest speaker and we are starting off the season with Jimmy,” she said. “A lot of people will remember him and enjoy his presentation.”
Cull said she has seen him perform many times and “he is really great.”
Nelson will share the early days of television at the first meeting at 2:30 p.m., by showing some film clips and explaining what is in them.
Cull said they also have an exhibit of Jimmy’s two dummies in the museum, along with lots of photographs that he donated.
Although it is a membership meeting, everyone is welcome to attend the meeting, and join.
Cull said she is expecting a large turnout for the meeting, due to the amount of calls she has received.
There is no admission fee to attend the meeting, but those who wish to donate money for the Historical Society are more than welcome.
The meeting is held at Cultural Park Theatre located at 528 Cultural Park Blvd.
On the second Tuesday of every month, the Cape Coral Historical Society features a speaker of historic significance for the monthly meeting.
The museum is made up of three buildings with many exhibits of Cape Coral. Cull said they go in-depth with their exhibits to provide the most information they can.
She said she hopes more people will come out and visit the museum because so many people still do not know it’s there.
“Our attendance last year was terrific, but we need more people to know about it,” she said.
The museum is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, from 1-4 p.m. For information, visit www.capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org or call (239) 772-7037.