Apr-May 2016 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter From The President: By Linda Rolls BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2017

PRESIDENT Spring has Sprung....and sum- are: 1) Increased nationally Linda Rolls mer will be here before we sponsored events in areas oth- [email protected] know it. We are gearing up for er than Southern California; VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE an amazing convention in July. 2) More support for chapters; Louis Boish Please be sure to check out 3) Better communication over- [email protected] the information in this news- all. Through a Strategic Plan- VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP letter regarding the seminars, ning process, we will use your Jeannie Lee [email protected] banquets, and registration. input to develop a detailed Reserve early to get the best plan for the future. We want VICE PRESIDENT OF CHAPTERS Gary Des Combes pricing. you to know that your voices [email protected] are being heard. You may peri-

VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDIA RELATIONS & As many have already heard, odically see follow up surveys COMMUNICATIONS D23 has announced their next in the future to help us clar- Dr. Andi Stein Expo for 2017 to take place at ify some of the information we [email protected] the same time we would ordi- received. and your direct par- SECRETARY narily hold our convention. ticipation will be a critical Ted Bradpiece Clearly, we won't be planning piece of the improvement pro- [email protected] anything that would be in com- cess. Stay tuned! EDITOR-IN-CHIEF petition with the Expo, but we Bob Welbaum [email protected] are considering our options. With respect to activities in In doing so, we want our mem- other areas, please check the CONVENTION CHAIR Brian Hugo bers' input and will shortly website and watch for the [email protected] be sending out a Convention eblast on the next Walking

SPECIAL EVENTS CHAIR Survey via email. When you re- With Giants event, which will Cathy Perrone ceive the survey, please be be in Florida. Our good [email protected] sure to take a minute to re- friend Robbie Sherman has ar-

WEBMASTER spond. We are anxious to hear ranged for our song to be Theo Fukushima your ideas so we can make the played by a high school march- [email protected] most informed decision possible. ing band in the parade on Dec. DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE 19th. Cathy Perrone is working Thomas C. Taffinder The last survey that was sent on a luncheon with Robbie and [email protected] out was a tremendous success! the band members on Sunday, Dec. Nicolasa Nevarez Laurie Smith There was in excess of a 75% 18th. I hope many of you will

response from our members, and be there, especially those who LEGACY CHAIR your input is being used now find it difficult to get to Allan Halcrow as we discuss new directions events on the West Coast. [email protected] for our beloved DFC. Overall, CHARITIES CHAIR data showed that our members In closing I wish all of you Dennis Ritchey [email protected] find satisfaction in DFC. Some magical adventures and the of the needs that were noted ADDITIONAL EDITORIAL STAFF good health to enjoy them! Assistant Editor Ian Miska

Disneyland Correspondent From the Editor: Gary Marlis

Dianeyana Dispatch Newsletter™ is published by the Disneyana Fan Club, for the benefit of its members. Subscription is included in Club member- By Bob Welbaum Greg Shelton ship. With the exception of copyrighted material provided by the Walt Disney Company or any of its divisions, copyrights for all material held by the Disneyana Fan Club © 2013 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is prohibited. Brief extracts may be If this issue looks different, readability. What do you used with due acknowledgement. The Disneyana Fan Club is not responsi- ble for mail not delivered due to undisclosed changes of address. Back I’m getting professional help. think so far? issues, if available, may be ordered for $2.50 each. All inquiries, com- ments, contributions, address changes, or requests for back issues should be made to: No, for the newsletter. A new I promised you an issue of Disneyana Fan Club member with experience in mar- Tomart’s DISNEYANA Update mag- P.O. Box 19212 Irvine, CA 92623-9212 keting and branding has gra- azine with this newsletter. (714) 731-4705 ciously offered to lend her Unfortunately, Tomart is a bit www.disneyanafanclub.org expertise, so we’ll be trying behind schedule, so that maga- some new ideas to improve zine will be coming next time.

2 “Why do we have to grow up?” — Walt Disney Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016 This is a paid advertisement. The Disneyana Fan Club is not affiliated with the advertiser and does not evaluate or endorse the quality or value of the service or product being promoted.

“[Tinker Bell] has charm, spunk, willfulness, and a bold passion. She is not bland or passive; she reacts decisively and directly.” — John Canemaker 3 Apr-May 2016 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter

Cover Story — Gina Rock: The Longest Serving Tinker Bell in Disneyland History By Joshua C. Shaffer with Gina Rock

Joshua Shaffer is the author of Discover- hold Programs contract for ing The Magic Kingdom (DTMK). Visit presidential-declared disas- ters. him on his website discoveringthemag- ickingdom.com/ and meet him at the DTMK: What got you interested July 16 Show & Sale. in doing aerialist work as Tinker Bell? Tinker Bell is one of the most iconic characters that Disney GINA: I was always interested has ever created. She made her in gymnastics and took ballet first Disney appearance in the for eight years. I loved ath- 1953 animated feature Peter letics from a very early age. I Pan. Disney then used her to had a curiosity about circus promote the upcoming theme performing and stunts starting park, Disneyland. Since the at the age of 11. I was discov- opening of the park in 1955, ered by Bob Yerkes (stunt man Walt thought the night-time in Back To The Future I & III, fireworks show lacked something Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, Who spectacular. Walt introduced Framed Roger Rabbit, and as crowds of Disneyland visitors Boba Fett in Return of the to the first live version of Jedi) at a gymnastics practice Tinker Bell in 1961 when he had during my senior year in high the 4-foot 10-inch tall Tiny school. Bob started training me Kline zip across the castle before I left for Texas to join Gina Rock 1976, Ringling Brothers from atop the Matterhorn. Her the circus as an aerialist. I Photo Unknown appearance was welcomed by all eventually went on to join who saw her. After her retire- Ringling Brothers and Circus Taiwan, as a flying trapeze ment in 1964, Tiny passed on Circus. I had also traveled to performer with an act that was the “wand” to Mimi Zerbini, who hired by Judy Kaye’s ex- only flew for two summers, then husband, Paul Kaye Circus. Judy passed the wand to Judy Kaye, was Tinker Bell in the park at and then on to Gina Rock. that time. I remembered seeing Tinker Bell fly over the castle Gina became Tinker Bell on May at Disneyland when I was at the 31, 1983. She amazed the chil- resort for Grad Night. I stated dren nightly during the fire- to my date: “Oh, I would love works for 21 years until her that job!” I asked Paul how retirement. Chances are if you Judy got the job at Disneyland. saw the fireworks between 1984 He said he didn’t remember how and 2005, you probably saw her. she acquired the job seven Gina holds the record for the years before, but that she was longest run as the popular pix- going to try and do it again ie. After all that time, what after the Fantasyland makeover. would Tinker Bell do after she So I was given the heads up retires? Well, I had the pleas- about the Tinker Bell spot by ure of speaking with Gina on Judy’s husband. After almost the subject. Tinker Bell goes ten years of circus performing, on to help those in need. Gina Left: Mitzi & Sergio Ramos I returned to San Fernando Val- joined an engineering firm that ley. Fantasyland was just re- retains the Individual House- Right: Gina Rock furbished, so in 1983 I visited Photo Unknown

4 “Why do we have to grow up?” — Walt Disney Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016 the Park and visited Card Cor- tion of America and have worked ner to inquire about the posi- with athletes on their health tion if they were going to hire and physical fitness issues. I a new Tink. As luck would have also teamed up with a holistic it, they said they were going doctor on speaking tours, lec- to put her back in six months. turing on health and fitness Talk about perfect timing! I issues, and visited many pedi- auditioned and acquired the atric wards of hospitals to job. My first flight from the keep up the spirits of the pa- castle was in 1983 when I was tients. 28 years old, and found out two weeks later that I was pregnant DTMK: What were some of your with my first child, “my favor- Gina Rock & Frank Wells enter the An- favorite acts that you have ite pixie magic.” A few years nual Employee Forum, March 21, 1989. booked? later I was pregnant with my Disney Studios Photo, 1989 second child and flew that sum- GINA: All of them were fun. But mer as well, barely three GINA: Oh yes. I was only Tinker I loved how diverse everyone months along. Bell for about twenty seconds a was. But my favorite was book- night. My mother used to joke ing the comedians. I myself am DTMK: What was it like during and say I only worked twelve a comedic person. I love to your nightly routine? minutes a year. At the time I laugh and make other people wanted to raise my children laugh. GINA: To be Tink, I was escort- myself. I didn’t want them be- ed through the park and up the ing raised by a babysitter or a DTMK: So having your own compa- inside of the Matterhorn where nanny. So, in 1986, I created ny at home made it possible to I was tied to the cable 160 ft. my own talent agency called be Tinker Bell and raise a fam- in the air. At a specific time World Wide Acts. In the early ily? during the fireworks, I would 90’s, when Disney owned the take off and zip across the Queen Mary, I provided fifty GINA: Yes. It worked out well. castle and crash into a giant variety performers for the al- I was married in 1984 and had mattress at the end. Cast mem- bum release party of Innuendo my daughter, Jennifer, shortly bers would come from all over which was released for the band after. She is now a video edi- the park just to watch me crash Queen with my company at Dis- tor, and then later I had my into that mattress. After I was ney’s request. At one point I son, Austin, who is a reality detached from my harness, I booked thirty performers for a show technician. Working from would be taken back out of the corporate event when Aladdin home made it possible to be park. (Gina holds the longest came out with Robin Williams in there for my children and con- run as the popular pixie, as 1992. I also booked special tinue doing what I love. well as Patty Rock, her ex- entertainers for the opening of sister-in-law that Gina had Indiana Jones and the Temple of DTMK: Why did you stop portray- recommended initially as her the Forbidden Eye media event. ing Tinker Bell? substitute in 1985, but then Basically, I did some booking later filled the position for for large media and corporate events and brought on jug- GINA: In 2005, Disney upgraded half the time in 1995. Most the Tinker Bell portion of the glers, stilt walkers, contor- importantly, the Tinker Bell show which was called crew that stayed with Gina and tionists, fire-eaters, balanc- ing acts, sword swallowers, as “Remember... Dreams Come True,” Patty throughout their tenure narrated by Julie Andrews. well as aerial circus perform- were not only vital to their Tinker Bell was now going to be ers. Besides Disney, I booked safety and security but became flying back and forth, up and and promoted headliner rock like family.) The Tink crew down. At the end of 2004, I acts such as Motorhead, and would ready the equipment and think around September, Disney showcased musical talent for then carry it across the park began casting auditions and had solicitation for record la- to the mountain, prepare the me train other aerialists for bels. For a while I was a book- rigging, strap me in, and send the new flight sequence, and ing agent for FM Station Live me off. Trusting your crew was that’s when I decided I had a and a promoter for Filthy of the utmost importance. fabulous run -- I was ready to McNasty’s Saloon. I procured retire. I wanted to pursue oth- openers, middle, and headliner DTMK: Did you do anything else er interests. So, after 21 comics around the country for for Disney besides flying as years of flight and at the age over ten years. I was certified Tink? of 50, I decided to hang up my as a Personal Trainer by the wings. I officially retired as Aerobics and Fitness Associa-

“[Tinker Bell] has charm, spunk, willfulness, and a bold passion. She is not bland or passive; she reacts decisively and directly.” — John Canemaker 5 Apr-May 2016 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter

Tink on March 28, 2005. DTMK: What do you do when emonies, performed comedy jug- there are no disaster zones to gling with a partner, and aer- DTMK: What did you do after report to? ial ballet from 1979-1982. you left Disney? What inspired me to work in GINA: For the first few years recovery was when I was a can- GINA: I trained to work with it was pretty slow for me. I dy striper from the age of 14, an engineering firm that as- would only go out for three to from 1971-1973. sesses residential damages af- four months at a time. In that ter a natural disaster. I am a time, I still kept up with my DTMK: I hear you are trying to disaster housing inspector for talent agency World Wide Acts. publish a book. What is your Parsons Brinckerhoff/WSP/ I owned a SAG franchise for book about, and why did you Alltech, Engineering. When eight years, but wasn’t start writing it? people register for individual thrilled with it so I discon- assistance, they have their tinued it. My niche is for GINA: About four years ago I houses inspected for damages, procuring talent for live was at an inspection and medical needs assessed, and shows and events with those started to interact with a damages on vehicles evaluated. who have spent years honing little boy of about the age of I was sitting in a college their skills. I was also a seven. I asked him if he had class in August 2005 when I project manager for a new piz- any crayons and paper. When he was paged to go out and re- za restaurant for a year in returned with the art sup- spond to my first post- 2009, responsible for ordering plies, I asked him if he would disaster. It was for the His- building material, remodeling, like to draw a picture of his toric “Hurricane Katrina” in and researching the recipe for house being flooded and how Louisiana. homemade signature pizza his experiences made him feel. dough. And from 2008-2009 I The boy was all excited and DTMK: What made you want to was hired as a circus director drew his interpretation of the pursue a career in that field? and project manager for a pi- flooding for me. I was lot program: Circus Arts at thrilled and impressed with Los Angeles Gymnastics. GINA: I met a friend of a mu- how his drawing turned out. I tual friend who had been doing started asking children to the job for 28 years. I had draw pictures for me of their just started college in 2003 experiences with the disas- when I met him. I was in- ters. The children varied in trigued by what he was telling age from four to twelve. Right me about the job: helping now I have four books full of folks after a crisis, and about 250 of these children’s traveling. He stated that af- drawings of their experiences. ter I retire from playing I call the collection of hand- Tinker Bell, I should take drawn pictures Post-Disaster classes as an independent con- Art Therapy, which is at the tractor for this engineering U.S. Copyright Office right firm. My mother was altruis- now. My job sites and collect- tic, and I gained that attrib- ed pictures with children cov- ute from her. My dad was a nu- er six different states. One clear physicist, which is of my favorite sketches was Gina Rock Over Disneyland. drawn by a little boy in 2013 where I get my engineering in- Photo by Chuck McCance, 1986 terest from. of a helicopter scooping his family up in a basket to take DTMK: It sounds like you have experience everywhere. What them away from their flooded DTMK: How long are you at a home in the mountains of Colo- single site? Does this job else have you done? rado. Another favorite is one have you travel a lot? drawn also in 2013. I was in GINA: For a ten-year span I Alabama in an area where the GINA: Yes, it has me traveling was a personal training educa- kids didn’t have any crayons everywhere. I have been sta- tor and taught vitamin therapy to color with, so they used tioned in twenty-seven states, remedies until 2004, and con- pencil. These pictures turned post-disaster. While posi- tinue to provide this vital out to be more amazing because tioned in the disaster zones, service for the rest of my of the detail. All these pic- I spend from three weeks to years. I was a Circus of the tures inspired me to create six months at one site. Stars trainer from 1978-1982. and share a book about my ex- Along with that I was a flying trapeze artist, master of cer- Continued bottom of next page

6 “Why do we have to grow up?” — Walt Disney Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016 Taking On Tink’s Wings Disneyland’s Second Tinker Bell, MIMI ZERBINI! By Mindy Johnson

Mindy Johnson is au- A trained trapeze artist since robe to protect my wings. Then thor of the book Tinker the age of five, Mimi was born we had to climb those steps.” into a long line of circus Mimi and team climbed the 234 Bell — An Evolution. performers. “It’s in the fami- steps from the bottom of the ly,” she laughed. “My father Matterhorn to her tiny perch Only a select was a lion trainer. He passed at the top. “My wand would handful of women that on to my brother. I loved light up and halfway through have taken the trapeze and that was my deci- the wire, I turn my light on form of Walt Dis- sion to do this.” Mimi trav- my wand and that gives the ney’s favorite eled with her family in vari- signal to light up the fire- fairy and known ous circus shows throughout works…so yes, I really did set the exhilaration of flying Europe and the US. “In 1960,” off the fireworks!” across the night skies above she recalled, “we were in Disneyland. When Tiny Kline, France and my daddy ran his Among the many highlights of the first to fly as Tink, hung own circus, then we came to Mimi’s time at Disneyland, up her wings, the second woman America in 1961.” meeting Walt Disney was the to take flight as Tinker Bell most memorable. “When I met was Mimi Zerbini, a delightful From June to just after Labor Mr. Disney, I was practicing seventy-something pixie and Day, Mimi transformed into the trapeze inside and he former trapeze artist. Tinker Bell. “The costume was said, ‘Who’s this?’” Learning sequined to reflect the light Mimi was the next Tinker Bell, “I was asked if I’d like to and even though I’m a blonde, Mimi recalled “I was sweating work for Disney as Tinker I had a little cap for Tinker and he pulled his handkerchief Bell,” Zerbini recalled. “I Bell’s hair. The harness was out of his pocket and I dried was just 19 years old and nev- heavy because it also hooked my face off when I was talking er away from home. It was very on my back to the cable, so with him. He asked me a bunch exciting.” From 1964 to 65, that was hard. Lela my ward- of questions and got very ex- Mimi flew as Tinker Bell to robe lady would dress me up cited when I told him I came light up the night skies over and put me into the harness, from Florida. He showed me a Disneyland. “Every night. Rain then lock it to make sure it big map and he said that’s or shine, we went,” Mimi was good and set.” Once where Disney’s going to be in laughed. “It would be windy, through wardrobe, Mimi and her Florida. That was long before but we never called it off. It guardians made their way Disney World was even open. was quite a ride.” across to the Matterhorn ride. Mr. Disney was always super “They had to roll me around with me. He was a very lovely the park and I had this big man.” periences with the children ing office for FEMA. I will be also working on two books: If drawing their depicted experi- honored to share these crea- I Could Live 400 Years, which ences in post-disaster situa- tions produced by children af- will discuss what to do with tions. It is my hope that fected by natural disasters. your life if one could live to these sketches will help chil- be 400, and the other is a fun dren express their feelings DTMK: That is just an amazing motivational book about how and cope with difficult times. story. Are you planning on do- fat cells run our lives. It Every child has a story, and I ing disaster housing inspect- teaches you how to stop them want people to see that story ing until you retire? from demanding food. As you and have a way to heal. My can see, I have already lived book is called Children’s Art GINA: I graduated recently a varied life with many won- Therapy: Creations from Post- with my BS in Public Safety derful vocations I loved, but Disasters and my target publi- and Emergency Management, and the experience and the magic cation time is summer 2016 I was just accepted for the will always be the role of the when I hope to gain approval graduate program at USC for pixie Tinker Bell. from the government contract- geospatial intelligence. I am

“[Tinker Bell] has charm, spunk, willfulness, and a bold passion. She is not bland or passive; she reacts decisively and directly.” — John Canemaker 7 Apr-May 2016 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Flying High with Tinker Bell By Jim Korkis

Jim Korkis is an internationally respected Kline, at age seventy, became In 1965, Judy Kaye began a ca- Disney historian. His new book, The Unoffi- the very first Tinker Bell to reer of more than a decade of cial Disneyland 1955 Companion, will be fly at Disneyland in 1961. At flying across the night sky at the time she was four feet ten Disneyland. Kaye stood five released in June. He was an original mem- inches tall and weighed ninety foot, one inch tall. She was ber when the National Fantasy Fan Club -eight pounds. born into a circus family and began. paid her first visit to a cir-

“She was a funny little old cus arena when she was barely lady,” Disney Legend Bill three weeks old. “Sully” Sullivan told me. “We used to escort her up to the She said, "I love doing Tink top of the Matterhorn and dis- because of the flying. I'm patch her. She was seventy partially a ham anyway. I en- some years old and we were joy my work. I wouldn't oth- young whippersnappers and erwise do it. Show people stay she’d bolt up the hill inside young. Tiny Kline was a clas- the mountain so quick that it sic example of that." was tough for us to catch up with her. Kaye’s father, Terrell Jacobs, worked with lions and tigers “Originally, she wanted to do for the Ringling Brothers Cir- that Tinker Bell gig by her cus. Her mother, Dolly, was a teeth. She was an old circus dancer and an aerialist who performer and that’s the way eventually became grounded due she did her act then. She did- to a series of falls and even- n’t want to look down. tually turned to working with animals as well. “She’d hit two mattresses. We had big old football players When Walt Disney began making at the catch tower and she’d films featuring live animals, Tiny Kline in her dressing room. hit that thing just as fast as many of the animal stars were National Geographic, Aug 1963, p 199 she could and BAM, she’d knock owned and trained by Judy's these guys over and she’d mother. Walt even included Tiny Kline came to America as a smile and go, ‘Thank you, some of the animals in the old Hungarian immigrant at the age boys!’ She loved to hit those Disneyland Mickey Mouse Club of fourteen as part of a dance mattresses as hard as she Circus that only ran from No- troupe. Her trademark act when could. She took the bus in vember 1955 to January 1956. she performed with the each night and had to run to Ringling Brothers Circus was catch the last bus going back Judy remembered that in those an aerial iron-jaw act where to Los Angeles after the per- days they had a young Indian she was suspended in the air formance.” elephant owned by her mom. from a metal bit in her mouth Walt walked up to the baby on a long glide wire where she Kline performed for three sum- pachyderm and exclaimed: slid from the top of tent to mers but in 1964, health prob- "That's Dumbo!" Judy's mom the ground. lems required her to hand over corrected Walt, "But her the wand (and harness) to name's Dolly." "From now on," On August 1, 1958 at a special nineteen-year old Algerian proclaimed Walt, "she's Dum- “Disney Night at the Hollywood circus acrobat Mimi Zerbini. bo." Bowl”, Walt Disney was im- Zerbini was also a circus fam- pressed with a spectacular one ily veteran but only performed When not performing as Tinker -thousand-foot glide from the as Tinker Bell for that one Bell, Judy still trained and top of the amphitheater and summer. Kline passed away in worked with animals as well as over the audience that ended 1964. designing and making circus on the stage that was per- costumes. Her husband, Paul V. formed by Kline dressed as Kaye, had his own circus that Tinker Bell.

8 “Why do we have to grow up?” — Walt Disney Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016 toured internationally. Judy At the end of the night pa- Tinker Bell's nightly flight and her husband also were co- rade, the park announcer di- was sidelined when her landing partners in a talent agency rected guests to look into the tower had been torn down to and booked some of the talent skies over Sleeping Beauty’s build the New Fantasyland in that toured the U.S. and Eu- Castle where Tinker Bell would the early Eighties. Gina Rock rope as part of the Disney On light up the night with Fanta- at the age of twenty-seven au- Parade show. sy in the Sky. ditioned for the role when the New Fantasyland re-opened in Shortly before nine o’clock A recorded “click track tape” 1983 and that’s the rest of each night during the summer, counted off the seconds before the story that Joshua C. Shaf- Judy Kaye would go into the take-off. At the highest fer shares in this issue. Entertainment Office that was point, Tinker Bell is on a then above the America Sings wire about one hundred and attraction dressed in her fifty feet in the air while street clothes. With some as- most high-wire acts in the sistance she was transformed circus are done no more than into Tinker Bell. fifty feet above the ground.

Wearing a long coat and her Approximately thirty seconds head covered, she was moved from the time she left the through the park to the Mat- mountaintop, she 'landed' at terhorn where through a series the tower, sometimes coming in of stairs, elevators and lad- easily, sometimes rapidly and ders, she was taken up to her packing a real wallop, depend- position. ing on a number of factors such as weather, weight and She was helped into her har- speed of flight. ness that resembled a para- chute-like contraption, her At that end, the other half of wings attached and then was her crew 'catches' her in a hooked up to the cable. Her large, padded body mitt, calls “launcher” would hold her an- the mountain to let them know kles in position as they wait- she made it and how, unhooks Tiny Kline over Sleeping Beauty Castle. ed for the signal. Her her from the cable, de-wings National Geographic, Aug 1963, p 198 “catchers” waited behind the her, and she's down and off in Fantasyland break area with a a waiting van, back to the En- Do you have a favorite Tinker Bell story? large mattress or two. tertainment Office where she Send it to [email protected]. becomes Judy Kaye once again.

Fact and Fiction in Publishing

Dave Smith, Disney Legend, the re- Nancy Temple Rodrigue, author of 12 tired Chief Archivist of The Walt Dis- books in total, has recently released ney Company, and valued friend of the her fifth (and final!) Hidden Mickey Disneyana Fan Club, has continued his novel Hidden Mickey Adventures 5: "Ask Dave" column through the Inter- When You Wish. A lot has happened net. In recent years, questions have with this series, and this book is no gotten more interesting and difficult exception. Examine the cover art and for Dave to answer, as the more com- see how many hidden Mickeys you can mon answers can now be found find. (There are supposed to be online. Now with another critical mass fifteen.) Visit her website at http:// of about 1,100 new Disney trivia Q&A, hiddenmickeybook.com/. in May 2016 Dave released his second From the website: volume, Disney Facts Revealed: Answers to Fans’ Curious Questions through Disney Editions. Divided into chapters covering a specific A Family in Crisis: When tragedy strikes, Adam and Beth find it more aspect of Disney history, including Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and more difficult to believe in miracles. Will their family ever be Disney films, Disney television, Disney characters, Disney collecti- whole again? Peter is handed a special message. It is from Walt bles, and more, many of the questions lead Dave to fascinating in- Disney himself. Can Peter get back his love for Disneyland and fulfill formation that has not been published elsewhere. his special Hidden Mickey quest?

“[Tinker Bell] has charm, spunk, willfulness, and a bold passion. She is not bland or passive; she reacts decisively and directly.” — John Canemaker 9 Apr-May 2016 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Giving Back: Chapters Support Charities

Our recent survey revealed that many of our members don’t realize how extensively the Disneyana Fan Club supports charities. So we asked our chapters to report on their latest contributions.

Star of the North Chapter SW-British Columbia Chapter

th The year 2016 marks the 25 Anniversary of the Over the years we have supported many different chapter. Over these years, we have contributed kinds of charities. We have donated to Food tree ornaments and toys to various charities Bank, Basic for Babies (which is local charity and hospitals in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. help family have baby supplies in cooler We have made cash donations to food shelfs, months). Last couple of years we have donated Salvation Army, American Heart Association, School Supplies to kids that can't afford to American Diabetes Association. buy them and to the BC SPCA, providing old blanket, food and toys. We continue to support There have been times when a member is person- our local charities. ally involved with a charity and requests the chapter’s support. We have fulfilled a hos- Chad Durrant, pice’s “wish list” booklist to be used for President, SW-British Columbia Chapter grief support groups for children, supported a college student member in a dance-a- thon for a Pediatric Oncology Department and donated new toiletries for use by foster children. A Word About National Charities

Donations have also been made to honor and re- As a national organization, the Disneyana Fan flect the lives of chapter members who have Club also supports Give Kids the World, Kis- died. There is a Disney brick in front of Magic simmee, FL (http://www.givekidstheworld.org/) Kingdom, Florida because of the love for any- and Ryman Arts (http://www.rymanarts.org/). For thing Disney and a tree in a local Japanese over 30 years, GKTW has been hosting children garden for being a volunteer at the garden. One with life-threatening illnesses of our members was selected as Veteran of the and their families on its 79-acre Day at WDW and also was selected to take an resort. To see exactly what impact Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. from Minneso- Ryman Arts is having, click on ta. The chapter honored him by making a contri- this logo on the home page and bution to Honor Flight so that another veteran read 25 inspiring stories about RA may have the same opportunity. alumni.

Over the past 25 years, the Star of the North Chapter has made it a priority to make World Chapter Elects Officers thoughtful donations to our community and to make “Magical Moments”. “It has been a privilege and pleasure to serve as the President of the World Chapter of the Dis- Roxanne Michelson neyana Fan Club. With the elections occurring on President, Star of the Saturday, April 30, 2016 my duties as president North Chapter, Minnesota have ended.” — Adria Smith, Immediate Past President Our giving spirit continued with a do- nation of more than two dozen books Recently elected officers for children, teens, and parents to North Memorial Hospice of North Me- President — Oscar Smalls, Jr. morial Health Care in Robbinsdale, Treasurer — Linda Lawriski MN. The books are intended for use in Member at Large — Tony Caselnova the hospice lending library to help chil- Member at Large — Jim Lord dren and teens who are grieving or Member at Large — Susan Muela experiencing the death of a loved one.

10 “Why do we have to grow up?” — Walt Disney Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016

Nor Cal Chapter Land of Mickey Chapter

Two of Nor Cal DFC’s biggest annual charity As our Chapter has been endeavors are Halloween treat bags for hospi- in existence since talized children and our major support to a 1992, we have had many opportunities to do nearby community's Christmas holiday program charitable work. Our that combines Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids most recent and current and Food for Needy Seniors. charitable cause is our local Ronald McDonald It's pretty House, a new location Halloween common to in our area and just think about getting established. We have collected needed products, including children cleaning supplies, personal care items, gift around cards, and toys for their program. Christmas, but Hallow- In the past, we have contributed to many or- een is also ganizations in the greater Northern Illinois a big deal area. They include: school supplies and food stuffs for the Peoples Resource Center; toys to many of for holiday gift giving for Mooseheart Child them. For City and School and Family Shelter Services, a several battered women’s shelter; and personal care years, we kits for a local homeless shelter. We have al- have assembled 50 treat bags and left them at so made donations to Central DuPage Hospi- a local hospital for very grateful nurses to tal, Little Friends of Naperville, local nurs- distribute to appreciative hospitalized kids ing homes, and adopting families during the winter holidays. who miss out on trick or treating.

We recently auctioned off a collectible at a Because of dietary restrictions, the treat club meeting, the proceeds of which are going bags don't contain any food items, but we've to provide a donation to the Walt Disney included mini-beanbag plush toys, crayons, Birthplace as they seek funds to renovate the coloring pages, bouncing eyeballs, goofy home. straws, spider rings and dozens of stickers, Outside our area we have provided funds to al- temporary tattoos Christmas low the Leadership program students of Henry and a Wendy's T. Gage Middle School (an L.A. area school in Frosty treat cou- a low income area) to go to Disneyland during pon. Each bag the 50th Anniversary. probably has a retail value of In addition, we pur- chased a brick in $10-$12. In addi- Marceline to support tion, we've added the Walt Disney a few copies of Hometown Museum and popular new re- provided funds to lease DVDs to the Give Kids The World, hospital’s entertainment library. Our small Ryman Arts, and Make- chapter's efforts for Dixon's Christmas pro- A-Wish.

gram has been ongoing for more than 15 years We believe in and we've donated items totaling several hun- "spreading some Dis- dred dollars of items annually, including ney magic" for others hundreds of toys every year. in need and our members have done so in many ways for 24 years. Leo Holzer President Northern Illinois Chapter, "The Land of Northern California Chapter Mickey"

“[Tinker Bell] has charm, spunk, willfulness, and a bold passion. She is not bland or passive; she reacts decisively and directly.” — John Canemaker 11 Apr-May 2016 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter

Speakers For DisneyanaMania 2016

The convention committee is proud to an- ning animation at Warner the Screen Actors Guild. nounce the following speakers for this year’s Brothers. She'll also share convention. (Of course, all subjects, speakers, some artwork and photos of Bob Gurr: Turning Dreams into Reality and events are subject to change without Walt from the early days. WORLD PREMIERE notice. But don’t worry, it’ll be great!) With Bob Gurr: Christopher Friz was born Isadore Freleng Crump, Garner Holt and Carlene on August 21, 1906 in Kansas Thei Mark Walsh City, Missouri. With no formal “Passing the Torch — How clas- training in drawing, his first The documen- sic Disney inspired the modern job as an animator was with tary, Bob Gurr: animation at Pixar” United Film Advancement Ser- Turning Dreams vices in 1924 at the age of into Reality, Mark Walsh was an 17. The first work Friz is tells the story animator and di- credited with was for Disney of one of Walt Publishing Ape Pen rector at Pixar Studios where he worked as an Disney's earli- Animation Studios. animator on the "Alice" series est 1954 Imagi- He began his ca- in 1927. neering Leg- reer at Pixar in ends. His ca-

August 1997, work- Images Google Don & Ron DeFore reer spanning ing on A Bug's “Growing up in Disneyland - 45 years. How Life, then pro- From the Opening Day Parade to he created 250 projects with gressed to story- Frontierland's Don DeFore's Disney and beyond will be ex-

board work on Toy Silver Banjo Barbecue” plored. Story 2. He also worked on Mon- Don DeFore is Authors Panel sters, Inc. and then became best known for Lynn Barron & Ken the directing animator of his work in Pellman — Finding Nemo. Other film cred- television. Cleaning The Kingdom: its include working a short Beginning in Insider Tales of

while on The Incredibles be- 1952, Don had Images Google Keeping Walt's Dream fore moving to Ratatouille as a recurring Spotless supervising animator, working role as the on the DVD and promo produc- Nelsons' Kelly Comras —

tion for Up and Toy Story 3, friendly Ruth Shellhorn and directing Tom Hanks in re- neighbor, (Masters of Mod- cording sessions for a number "Thorny", on the ABC sitcom ern Landscape of Toy Story Toons episodes. “The Adventures of Ozzie and Design Series) Most recently, he directed the Harriet”. In 1955, Don was nom- short film Partysaurus Rex, inated for Best Supporting Ac- Greg Triggs — where he voiced Drips the tor in a Regular Series Prime- The Next Happi- Whale. Mark left Pixar in 2015 time Emmy Award for his work est Place on and is now a director at Mo- on “The Adventures of Ozzie Earth tional Entertainment, working and Harriet.” In time though, on a VR short film called Gary the role of Thorny was super- Jeff Heimbuch — the Gull. seded by Lyle Talbot as Joe Jeff is Brooklyn

Amazon.com Randolph, and Mary Jane Croft born and currently Hope Freleng Shaw as his wife, Clara. “California liv- Hope will talk about her fa- ing.”

ther, Friz Freleng, and his From 1954 to 1955, Don served early work as president of the National “For years, I have with Walt Academy of Television Arts & written about various topics (in Kansas Sciences. He was instrumental in theme-park history for a

Google Images Google City and on in arranging for the Emmy variety of publications, in- Steamboat Awards to be broadcast on na- cluding several fan sites and Willie) and tional television for the magazines. I also write a lot about his first time on March 7, 1955. of fiction and non-fiction as work run- He also served on the board of Continued on page 15

12 “Why do we have to grow up?” — Walt Disney Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016

“[Tinker Bell] has charm, spunk, willfulness, and a bold passion. She is not bland or passive; she reacts decisively and directly.” — John Canemaker 13 Apr-May 2016 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter

14 “Why do we have to grow up?” — Walt Disney Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016

DisneyanaMania 2016 Speakers of Disney guests to host each joy, and, if I may brag a lit- continued table which always makes for a tle, the most unique and tal- memorable evening. And at the ented group in the world. well, for various end of the evening all monies We’ve built nearly 500 Chuck places (mostly for Story a Cute of It’s Kind raised goes directly to bene- E. Cheese animatronic shows myself). I do fit Ryman Arts. So plan now to for restaurants all over the write some screen- attend the wonderful event planet. We were the first out- plays as well, and that is open to everyone re- side company to create an ani- do a bit of act- gardless if you are attending matronic character for a clas- ing. Trust me, the DisneyanaMania gathering sic Disney attraction — we now nothing exciting. or not. Registration is avail- have more than 400 figures in I currently write able on the Club's website. Disney parks throughout the and produce Return Home, a se- Hope to see YOU there! world. In our more than three rialized audio drama, and co- decades of work, we’ve built host Communicore Weekly, a Thursday July 14th DFC Legends more animatronics and other popular theme-park podcast. I Luncheon Honor- unusual and amazing creations also think Animal Kingdom is a ing Garner Holt Garner Holt Productions than any organization on the full-day park. I usually have planet.” 15 different projects going on Garner Holt is at once.” founder of Gar- Friday July 15th Banquet in ner Holt Produc- Celebration of Alice In Won- tions in 1977, derland's 65th Anniversary!

Comedy Warehouse Reunion Comedy Ware- when he was house still in high school. Please join us (Formerly at for our Walt Disney It all started in his parents’ “Curiouser and

Google Images Google

World’s garage — “with my mother act- Curiouser Ban- Images Google Pleasure Is- ing as secretary!” — and has quet” as we land)— This grown to a giant production conclude this improv come- facility, studio and mockup year’s Dis- space where they operate today neyanaMania.

dy routine takes ideas from the audience with the help of nearly a hun- You never know and turns them into hilarious dred talented employees. who might show up for our tea sketches right before your party. So dust off your top eyes. Whether the cast is ask- “With a mission to inform, ed- hat, petticoat, and rabbit ing for your input into a ucate, and entertain, I be- ears and come dressed to im- sketch or using you as the lieve our work and our crea- press as your favorite Alice butt of the joke, Comedy Ware- tions have a lasting impact on character for our costume con- house is always a lively time. our audience. This company is test. my main focus, my pride and Meal Events: Wednesday July 13th, Welcome Dinner - Fund Raiser for Ry- man Arts

Once again we will kick off DisneyanaMania with our annual Ryman Arts fundraising event. It will be held on the evening of July 13th at the Wyndham Hotel in Garden Grove. As in the past, we have some wonder- ful items for our silent auc- tions and we are busy arrang- ing some very exciting person- alized "experiences" that will DFC member Matt Crandall’s Alice in Wonderland exhibit is be a part of our live auction. As always, we will have plenty appearing at the Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, 301 W. Camden St., Baltimore, MD ,21201 until October 2, 2016.

“[Tinker Bell] has charm, spunk, willfulness, and a bold passion. She is not bland or passive; she reacts decisively and directly.” — John Canemaker 15 Disneyana Fan Club Disneyana Dispatch Newsletter Apr-May 2016

UpcomingUpcoming EventsEvents June 11-12 2016 — Dayton Disneyana 2016, Holiday Inn, Fairborn, OH, visit http:// daytondisneyana.org/ for details. July 13, 2016 — Evening to Benefit Ryman Arts, Wyndham Anaheim/Garden Grove Hotel, 12021 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove CA, 92840. July 13-15, 2016 — 2016 DisneyanaMania Convention, Wyndham Anaheim/Garden Grove Hotel, 12021 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove CA, 92840. Saturday, July 16, 2016 — Disneyana Collectible Show & Sale, Wyndham Anaheim/ Garden Grove Hotel, 12021 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove CA, 92840. December 19, 2016 — First performance of the Disneyana Fan Club theme song at Walt Disney World and by a marching band.

For more information on these and other DFC events, visit us on the Web at www.disneyanafanclub.org.

REQUESTED SERVICE RETURN

9212 - 92623 CA Irvine,

19212 Box P.O.

Club Fan Disneyana

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