A Nostalgic Afternoon In

Fox Lake, Wisconsin

 

By Julie Flemming

 

    Friday afternoon, May 18, 2012, will be a great day to visit the past, hear a fantastic concert and enjoy the moment.  The event will take place at Mullin’s Drive-In in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, when the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee kicks off for a wonderful weekend.

     To visit the past, the Wisconsin Illinois Musical Antique Phonograph Society will be on hand at 3:00 PM to present a program of original Bunny Berigan recordings played on vintage phonographs.  The WIMAPS (Wisconsin Illinois Musical Antique Phonograph Society) began their regional chapter in 1993.  They are known as the “Wisconsin Cheeseheads” in the Phonograph Society world and have adorned Nipper as their logo.  The Wisconsin organization is a group of dedicated collectors of phonographs, records, and anything related to the area of vintage phonographs and music.  They meet four times per year for the purpose of extending their knowledge, learning from others by sharing collections and generally having a good time.

       The WIMAPS have made their goal to help promote regional events, such as the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee and other community events including school and museum presentations.

       At this May 18th event one can enjoy the present by indulging in one of the famous “Moose” burgers served up at Mullin’s Drive-In, and watching as “real-life” carhops go about their business of taking orders and delivering the foods.  Mullin’s Drive-In is one of the few drive-ins in the State of Wisconsin today where “true” carhops work.  Gerald “Moose” Mullin has been credited with helping many young people earn summer money to help with further education.

      Not only has “Moose” Mullin helped local young people, but he is a sponsor of the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee. “Moose” offers a FREE kick-off concert of the Bunny Berigan Memorial Band from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. on the Friday afternoon of the Jazz Jubilee weekend, this year being May 18th.  There is plenty of lawn at the Drive-In and all are encouraged to bring their own chairs.  The concert is held rain or shine (rain site is the American Legion Post in downtown Fox Lake, one block West of the Drive-In). “Moose” has been sponsoring this very special concert for years in memory of his father, Emmett Mullin, who played in the Fox Lake Juvenile Band with Bunny.  Bunny’s Grandfather, John Schlitzberg, was the director of the Band and he was known for the coaching he did….. making musicians out of young men.

       The public is invited to this very special afternoon in Fox Lake, Wisconsin.  Come and visit the past, enjoy a Dixieland concert given by jazz greats of the United States, and experience the moment. Further information can be had by calling 920-928-6094 or emailing: julieflemming@yahoo.com