Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 1978 — Page 11

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER pAGE ^ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1971 U

‘Wilbur’ a walk down memory lane

Black comic strip lovers’ answer to Dennis the Menace might have been born right here in Indianapolis. His name is Wilbur. He’s the six-year-old, innocently mischievous, central character in cartoonists Vernon Etter and Alonzo Hayes’ pen-and-ink family of children much likte those who play house and kickball in neighborhoods across the country. “We were looking for something different than Dennis the Menace, Wee Pals, or Nancy,” says Etter, the strip’s creator and gag line writer, explaing the cartoon’s development. ’’We wanted something which would relate to a black six-year-old and his associates as well as a black family.” The strip includes five other main characters aside from Wilbur, and they all should neatly find a place in one’s childhood memories. Penny’s a tom boy, who has a crush on Wilbur. “But at six-years-old, you know that little boys goin’ ‘Yuk!!!,” Etter laughs. Stick is the quiet, athletic type, while Tubs is the chubby food lover. Sophisticated lady like Doris makes Stick the subject of her love letters, and artist Hayes says the strip’s dog, Soot, is “just a big dumb dog. He’s probably the dumbest character in the strip, and he has a fear of cats.” “Everybody knew a tom boy,” he adds, “and everybody knew the little nice girl who liked to dress up in dresses. Everybody knew the kid who was always athletically inclined, the kid that ate too much, and, of course, everybody knew the dog.” Etter says the strip even finds a place in his childhood memory bank. "Some of the captions reflect various gestures I used to get

involved in when I was small.” “Yes, I was kind of easy-going and used to sneak into a little devilment when I was small,” he says when asked if his childhood reminded him of Wilbur’s. And, like most children, Wilbur causes his share of embarrassment with his outspoken innocence. Etter describes one of his snappy gaglines: “Wilbur and his parents were leaving church, and they’re taling to a Rev. Curtis, and Wilbur says, ‘Yes sir, Rev. Curtis, I'm familiar with God. I just never knew he had a last name until dad smashed his fing er with a hammer.’ ” v Another time Wilbur follows his mother’s instruction to hang a picture in the living room by hanging it by a hangman’s noose. Etter, a Crispus Attucks High School grad, and Hayes, a Scecina grad, who is currently pursuing an art education degree at Herron Art Institute, have guided the strip into sizable fame locally. It’s been adopted by the local chapter of Operation PUSH, and was recently on display at Central Library. Pushing for syndicated comic success can sometimes be discouraging, with strips like Peanuts, Blondie and Archie all but representing the mass comic movement, but Hayes, who says he’s been drawing since “I could hold a pencil,” draws strength from sensable theory. "If you can relate to life and its comic aspects, you can do it.” -LYNN FORD.

CARTOONISTS ETTER (left) & HAYES POSE WITH WILBUR GANG

Believe Me CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 of Lillian Parks’ “Backstace At The White House” date to be announced....Everyone is getting on the “Star Wars" band wagon. CBS TV will offer “The Star Wars Holiday Special" featuring James Earl Jones as the voice of villian Darth Vader and a guest list that includes Diahann Carroll among many others. BITS & PIECES: We always enjoy talking with the “now generation” youth especially those interested in black music culture. Recently we had the pleasure of “jawin" with two new friends namely: Eugene Simmons and Vernon Robinson, residents of our neighborhood. Simmons is currently learning to become a percusionist (drummer). Robinson is interested in rock ‘n’ roll sounds. Maybe, someday he will also learn to play an istrument. Music is a great career...Believe Me! Arthur Van Dyke, one of Indy’s “all-time keyboard artists" is currently confined to his apartment after a long illness. He wants the cats to get-in-touch. Telephone: 259-7530. Address: 5264 Michigan Road. Apt. #207. Be sure to dig him. Later, until next week...Believe Me When I Tell You! Snooper’s Teen Talk Congratulations, Stacey Lawrence, for being one of Arlington’s top academic pupils. Keep up the good work, lady. Andre Berry’s problem is a big one. He can’t deride which high school he wants to go to. He first went to Broad Ripple, then, he went to Marshall, and now, he’s at Arlington. I think the only reason the dude keeps playing musical schools is because he's looking for a school with a basketball team he can be a real superstar on. Well, Andre, I’ve got news for you. Arlington just could be your biggest mistake. Marshall will take its unbeaten football record onto its field this weekend against Lawrence North Patriots John Adaway and Jeff Fisher could be the keys to Marshall’s city championship potential. Teddy Johnson and Donna Hayes broke up quite a while ago, and believe me, Teddy didn’t waste any time in finding a new lady. I keep trying to uncover clues and hints, but her name still remains a mystery. Some say, though, the new love interest in one Linda Beene. Donna's taking her time about finding another boyfriend, but she won’t have to look far, because I hear she’s got many an anxious dude waiting in line. Basketball season’s slowly coming around, and it oughtta be interesting, both on and off-court, because, whatever happens, you can bet yo’ last money... THE SNOOPER WILL BE WATCHIN’

Prep band on cut ATLANTAAtlanta, Ga., - based discojazz group Brick will feature a high school band on a cut to be included in their upcoming third album for Bang Records. The song, “Marching Band," will be from the group’s “Stoneheart” album, followup to one gold and a second near-gold release.

Mike goes disco Three of Mike Douglas' opening shows from his new Hollywood base will feature top name disco artists. Evelyn “Champagne” King, the 18-year-old whose single “Shame” is a million seller, will lead off the trio at 1:30 p.m. October 17, on WTTV-4, with comedienne Shirley Hemphill of television’s “What’s Happening!!!” Next day’s show will include A Taste of Honey, two guitar-playing girls from Los Angeles who sing the millionselling disco hit “Boogie Oogie Oogie,” while the Sylvers family act will play the October 19 show.

PISC DANCE MATINEE AT THE EMBASSY LOUNGE 3512 N. COLLEGE ISAT., OCT. 7 4 • 8 P.M. DONATION $2.00 AT DOOR $2.50 SPONSORS MAPIITON-FALL CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION fcssasssssssaessssss*

SHERMAN 1 Dl 2306 N. $K«rnvon Or.543-2686

ADULTS 1.50 AT ALL TIMES

WH YT

POP PIN’ PERRY PIERCE /...HAS RETURNED... TO DELIVER SOUL & DISCO BROADCASTING TO THE CAPITOL CITY! WEEKDAY-AFTERNOONS

EARTH, WIND & FIRE’s Maurice [left] and Verdine White (far right] flank Natalie Cole

Hilton and Shoreham Americana hotels. White brothers donated $15,000 to the

after her performance last weekend at the caucus, while the dinner also included an eighth Congressional Black Caucus Legisla- address by President Carter,

tive Weekend Dinner in the Washington

GEORGE

THE BROTHERS JOHHSOH GO “BLAMU”

MARKET SQUARE ARENA THURS., OCT. 12-8 P.M. WITH SPECIAL GUESTS HEATWAVE 'BOOGIE NIGHTS" "THE GROOVE UNI" "MIND BLOWING DECISIONS'

Dfff Charlie Smiths .had a rich,full life. For 135 years

*nd MOTHER’S FINEST

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The saga of the oldest living American reads like a one-man “Roots’.’Slave, cowboy, train robber and a dozen other things — his amazing story is now a stirring drama, the season premiere of the acclaimed “Visions” series. MONDAY 8:00 PM “CHARUE SMITH & THE FRITTER TREE — ALSO“THE JORDAN-AIRES SINGERS” TNI RMST GOSPEL SINGING IN THE MIDWEST -0N“0N THE STREET” 9:30 P.M. «s CHANNEL 20