LOONEY ON FILM

Here in Virginia with the mercury popping its top would be just about the last place in the world to expect to see Santa Claus.

But he was in Craig county today, big as life and on the hottest day of the year in the Old Dominion. The old boy played host at the annual June Christmas Party staged for the campers at Camp Easter Seal in Craig County.

The small fry didn't seem to mind the heat at all, and anxiously waited for Santa to pass out the gifts, but not pass out himself. It was apparent even to the casual observer, that old Saint Nick longed for the ice and snow of the North Pole. About 67 children are in attendance at the camp this year, which is sponsored by the Valley Junior Woman's Club and the Virginia Society of Crippled Children and adults.

Also entertaining the kids today were "Uncle Looney" and Scott Doyle, both of the WSLS*TV staff. All seemed to have a good time. Also, the brand new Miss Virginia was present today.

A sparse crowd rattled around in Victory Stadium to watch the cold contest between the "Rats" of VMI and VPI.

Trophies were presented in pre-game ceremonies to some of the outstanding bands in today's ceremonies.

The Kazim Temple uses proceeds of the game to finance the treatment of crippled Children at the Shrine Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina.

Hundreds of spectators braved a biting cold wave in Roanoke today to watch the annual Shrine Parade.

The parade was the prelude to this afternoon's Shrine Bowl football game between the freshman squads of VMI and VPI. All told 18 high school bands took part in the parade, with a blonde, hip-swinging majorette leading the Kazim Temple Marching Band down the streets. Clowns handed out candy and favors to large crowds of children bundled up against the cold.

One of the biggest attractions in the parade of WSLS-TV'S "Uncle Looney". The Channel 10 personality was perched on the station's own ancient Ford and waved to the children and grownups who greeted him.

Not only all the City-County high schools were represented by their bands, but outstanding aggregations from all over Virginia took part. The crack George Wythe High band of Wytheville drew applause with its intricate maneuvers and music. The most colorfully-garbed outfit was the Radford High.

Tonight was Uncle Looney night as the venerable character appeared between games. A throng of youngsters rushed onto the field to get a close-up view of their TV idol. Looney responded to their enthusiasm by handing out autographed pictures.

Uncle Looney appears on WSLS-TV each day with a diet of cartoons and funny stories for his youthful audience.

The Harvest Festival was underway in earnest tonight, as a 58-unit parade made its way from downtown Roanoke to Victory Stadium.

Everything from a Mexican float to pony teams were featured in the parade. Old cars made their appearance, along with school bands including numerous high school aggregations.

A large crowd lined the streets to watch the parade and later to follow it to Victory Stadium where the Harvest Festival entertainment began after the parade had arrived.

Among the bands participating in the colorful parade was the Woodrow Wilson Junior High School Band. A float sponsored by the U.S. Army added to the festive atmosphere of the night.

Local celebrities abounded at the parade, including Channel 10's Uncle Looney, who waved to his young fans from one of the WSLS remote trucks.

This afternoon, the red carpet was rolled out and Miss America flew into Woodrum Field. She was greeted by members of the Junior League and city officials. The eighteen year old Michigan beauty will be guest of honor at the VPI-UVA game tomorrow afternoon, as will Miss Virginia—Cathy Birch—and a number of princesses from nearby girls' schools.

When Virginia's Cavaliers and Tech's Hokies take the field at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon at Victory Stadium, the 3rd Annual Harvest Bowl Game will be under way. And if the weather is as pretty as the princesses in Miss America's Festival Court, it should be a fine afternoon indeed. The weatherman calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the sixties.

Meanwhile, at Victory Stadium, a scene of gaiety, entertainment, rides for the children, free apple juice and apples were the order of the day. The younger set had a great time. The crowd at the stadium was also large, and milled around the exhibits set up at regular intervals.

A local talent show drew an interested audience. The crowd awaited the arrival of network television personality Bud Collyer. However, Collyer's plane came into the airport later than expected and he was not on hand when these films were made. It was a cold night and the crowd hopped about to keep warm. Then, into the stadium came the float bearing the Court of Princesses, Miss Virginia, and finally, Nancy Lee Fleming of Michigan, Miss America.

Today was the day of the Tenth Annual Shrine Football Classic between VMI and VPI Freshman teams.

) Kickoff time at Victory Stadium was 2 P.M. and before the game, the 20 odd bands and assorted floats built for the occasion took part in a parade across town. The game is held each year with proceeds going to the Shriner Crippled Childrens Hospital at Greenville, South Carolina. The annual contest is sponsored by Roanokes Kazim Temple.

The fans assembled at Victory Stadium saw the VMI Keydets trample VPI 22 - 0. All-in-all, it was an exciting day in Roanoke as it is every year, with WSLS's Uncle Looney and Cactus Joe on hand to participate in the event.

One of the largest crowds ever turned out to watch the annual Christmas Parade pass thru downtown Roanoke.

According to Police Superintendent Major Frank Webb, ideal weather was responsible for the large crowds along the route. Over 75 units participated, including the Snow Queen Float. This year's Queen is 17-year-old Mona Thornhill who will also reign over the Salem Christmas parade. She rode with her ten princesses and was second only to Santa Claus in order of march. Mona is a senior at Andrew Lewis.

And WSLS's Uncle Looney was on hand to clown it up for the kids, along with another popular Channel 10 personality, Cactus Joe Grant. The four winning floats were those entered by the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, and the Junior Women's Club of Roanoke, Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Youth Club, and a float entered by J. A. Sutphin.

The Miller & Rhoads Santa Claus Train made its annual trip to Elliston.

The event is eagerly awaited by the youth of the community each year. Santa and his snow queen, personalities of radio and TV, and refreshments add to the trip.

This year there were actually two trains with 24 cars a-piece. Each car carried 110 chidren and parents. WSLS-TV's Uncle Looney, Cactus Joe and Barker Lee were on hand and chatted briefly with every child on the trains. Another sign that Christmas is just around the corner!

Easter fun for the kids began today at the American Theatre with a Mad Hatter Contest and an Easter Card Contest.

Each child made their own hats with the assistance of their parents. Each child received a prize but there were honors for the most original.

WSLS's Uncle Looney and Tom Morrison were on hand to narrate the program.

Lou Padgett and Linda Epperley took top honors in the hat program and the winner of the card contest was Fentress Matthews. These winners and their parents get a weekend trip to Natural Bridge.

It was Christmas in August for the kids at Camp Easter Seal yesterday...

The Fifth annual summer Christmas observance was sponsored by the Valley Junior Women's Club. And a combination hard to beat. Santa Claus, Miss Virginia, and Uncle Looney were all on hand to pep up the festive occasion.

Each child received a gift from Santa Claus and refreshments were served. This is the final week of camp for the summer at the facility, which is under the administration of the Virginia Society for Crippled Children. The camp is located near Newcastle in Craig County.

With one more day to go, Index '61 continues to draw capacity crowds.

One of the star attractions at this year's Index has been Miss Index III, Susan Gieanitti of Roanoke College. Between 2,500 and 3,000 persons visited the booths today. At closing time tonight, Index spokesman Jack Adams predicted that an estimated 71,000 persons from all over Virginia will have visited the exhibits. Personnel and the exhibits took time out tonight, while the William Fleming and Jefferson Football game was being played. Radio and TV personalities are on hand at the WSLS booth, including Uncle Looney, Cactus Joe and others. The final day of Index '61 begins tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.

(Note: We don't see Uncle Looney in the video, only his photo on the wall, but he was there somewhere.)

The Cerebral Palsy Telethon presented by WSLS-TV is regarded as a substantial success.

A final count of the pledges and cash was $45,342.69. The Telethon ran from 11:15 Saturday night until 5:30 yesterday afternoon. It was scheduled to end yesterday at 5, but the time was extended by Channel 10 until 5:30.

The Telethon was marred by the illness of singer Ilene Woods, who collapsed during the program. Miss Woods' doctor reports she has a case of influenza, which is not severe enough to require hospitalization. Her doctor didn't say when she would be able to travel.

Sharing the spotlight with Miss Woods were singer Johnny Desmond, the star of the Virginian, James Drury, and Ken Curtis and Shug Fisher of the Ripcord series. Also on hand were Channel 10 personalities Uncle Looney, Cousin Larry, Cactus Joe, and Little Biddy Pete.

Roanokers proved once again they love a parade - especially a big and gaudy one. Today, the VMI and VPI freshmen played in the annual Shrine Bowl Football Game.

This morning, the Kazim Temple of the Shrine staged perhaps its finest show and the streets were lined with people. All told, 30 high school bands participate in the parade. The drum majorettes pranced and strutted and the bands played lively tunes; the favorite being "Dixie". The parade was the opening of the day-long Shrine festivities which were capped tonight with a dinner honoring the grand imperial potentate of the Shrine, Harold C. Close.

As children and grownups watched, the parade wound its way down Campbell Avenue and up Jefferson street. The parade moved smoothly with only a few minor holdups; it may have been the biggest parade of its kind ever staged in the city.

The big attraction of the parade, of course, was James Drury, star of the NBC-TV series, "The Virginian." Drury rode a borrowed horse and handled it well, although the horse stopped several times and refused to budge.

WSLS-TV Characters Uncle Looney, Cactus Joe and Little Biddy Pete of WSLS-TV fame also got a lot of attention from the small fry. It took one hour and 15 minutes to complete the extravangza which moved out from Kazim Temple on time. Shrine officials believe this may have been the largest crowd ever to watch one of their parades. The proceeds to today's game went to support the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. It also marked the first time the Shrine Imperial Potentate had attended the Roanoke event.