Traynor Ora Halftown (February 24, 1917 – July 5, 2003), better known as Chief Halftown, was a Native American entertainer who hosted a children's show that aired on WFIL-TV (which became WPVI-TV in 1972) in Philadelphia from 1950 to 1999.[1][2][3][4] Originally intended for a six-week series, his show went on to become the world's longest running local TV children's show.
Following Halftown's death in 2003, Dave Davis, the president and general manager of Philadelphia's television station WPVI-TV6, said of Halftown:[5]
"It would be difficult to find another local television host who connected with so many generations of children. Chief Halftown will be missed, but more importantly, he will be fondly remembered by us all."
During his teenage years, Halftown worked as a pinboy at a local bowling alley in Jamestown, New York. A member of the United States Army during World War II, he competed with the army's bowling team. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he briefly resumed his musical career that he had begun prior to the war when he was billed as "the Singing Seneca," but left that career behind when he began work in television.[7]
While working as the host of a popular children's television program in Philadelphia, he also continued to pursue his love of bowling, working as a professional bowler and spokesman for the Brunswick Bowling Manufacturing Corporation.[1] As part of this work, he became a certified bowling instructor, and launched a series of popular bowling clinics for children, each of which frequently attracted large numbers of participants. One report estimated the impact of his outreach through these clinics at 300,000 children and teenagers.[8]
Broadcast careeredit
Halftown hosted a children's show that aired on WFIL-TV (which became WPVI-TV in 1972) in Philadelphia from 1950 to 1999.[1][9][10][11]
His signature greeting was "ees da sa sussaway," which is Seneca for "Let's get started." Originally intended for a six-week series, his show went on to become the world's longest running children's program on local television. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Halftown into their Hall of Fame in 2004.[1]
Later years, illness and deathedit
Sometime around 2001, Halftown relocated with his wife to Brigantine, New Jersey, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Diagnosed with diabetes, Halftown died in Brigantine from complications related to the disease on July 8, 2003.[12] The Rev. Robert J. Fritz delivered the homily at his funeral at St. Thomas' church in Brigantine.[13][14]
His widow, Margaret, died in Brigantine on February 17, 2004.[15]
^Mullane, J.D. "My one, bright shining morning with Our Gal Sal." Willingboro, New Jersey: Burlington County Times, January 28, 2013.
^"Sally, Happy, Chief Entertain Kids." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1963, p. 247 (subscription required).
^Lauer-Williams, Kathy. "Sally & Other Early TV Stars." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, February 23, 2013, p. Life 1 (subscription required).
^Takiff, Jonathan. "Let's hear it for the chief" and "With his trademark expression, Halftown was a Philly fav." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Daily News, July 8, 2003, p. 10 (subscription required).
^Lauer-Williams, "Sally & Other TV Stars," The Morning Call, February 23, 2013.
^Grasso, John and Eric R. Hartman. Historical Dictionary of Bowling, p. 143. Lanham, Boulder, New York, Toronto, Plymouth, UK: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.
^Pezzano, Chuck. "Requiem for teacher of lane and Indian lore." Hackensack, New Jersey: The Record, July 27, 2003, p. 33 (subscription required).
^Mullane, "My one, bright shining morning with Our Gal Sal," Burlington County Times.
^"Sally, Happy, Chief Entertain Kids," The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1963.
^Lauer-Williams, "Sally & Other Early TV Stars," The Morning Call, February 23, 2013.
^"Children's TV host Halftown dies at 86." Hanover, Pennsylvania: The Evening Sun, July 7, 2003, p. 5 (subscription required).
^The Rev. Robert J. Fritz, in "1960s," in "Notes," in La Salle Magazine, Winter 2003-04. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: La Salle University, retrieved online November 28, 2022.
^"Children's TV host Chief Halftown dies at age 86." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, July 8, 2003, p. 11 (subscription required).
^"Margaret Halftown" (obituary). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 19, 2004.
External linksedit
Photograph of Halftown, PhillyHistory.org
Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website
April 13, 2024
traynor, halftown, february, 1917, july, 2003, better, known, chief, halftown, native, american, entertainer, hosted, children, show, that, aired, wfil, which, became, wpvi, 1972, philadelphia, from, 1950, 1999, originally, intended, week, series, show, went, . Traynor Ora Halftown February 24 1917 July 5 2003 better known as Chief Halftown was a Native American entertainer who hosted a children s show that aired on WFIL TV which became WPVI TV in 1972 in Philadelphia from 1950 to 1999 1 2 3 4 Originally intended for a six week series his show went on to become the world s longest running local TV children s show Chief HalftownTraynor Ora Halftown c 1960sBornTraynor Ora Halftown 1917 02 24 February 24 1917Cattaraugus ReservationDiedJuly 8 2003 2003 07 08 aged 86 Brigantine New JerseyOccupationEntertainerYears active1950 1999TitleHonorary chief of Seneca tribeSpouseMargaret HalftownChildren3Following Halftown s death in 2003 Dave Davis the president and general manager of Philadelphia s television station WPVI TV6 said of Halftown 5 It would be difficult to find another local television host who connected with so many generations of children Chief Halftown will be missed but more importantly he will be fondly remembered by us all Contents 1 Formative years 2 Bowling career and military service 3 Broadcast career 4 Later years illness and death 5 References 6 External linksFormative years editBorn on February 24 1917 on the Cattaraugus Reservation which is located roughly twenty five miles south of Buffalo New York Halftown was a member of the Seneca Nation of New York 6 Bowling career and military service editDuring his teenage years Halftown worked as a pinboy at a local bowling alley in Jamestown New York A member of the United States Army during World War II he competed with the army s bowling team Following his honorable discharge from the military he briefly resumed his musical career that he had begun prior to the war when he was billed as the Singing Seneca but left that career behind when he began work in television 7 While working as the host of a popular children s television program in Philadelphia he also continued to pursue his love of bowling working as a professional bowler and spokesman for the Brunswick Bowling Manufacturing Corporation 1 As part of this work he became a certified bowling instructor and launched a series of popular bowling clinics for children each of which frequently attracted large numbers of participants One report estimated the impact of his outreach through these clinics at 300 000 children and teenagers 8 Broadcast career editHalftown hosted a children s show that aired on WFIL TV which became WPVI TV in 1972 in Philadelphia from 1950 to 1999 1 9 10 11 His signature greeting was ees da sa sussaway which is Seneca for Let s get started Originally intended for a six week series his show went on to become the world s longest running children s program on local television The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Halftown into their Hall of Fame in 2004 1 Later years illness and death editSometime around 2001 Halftown relocated with his wife to Brigantine New Jersey to be closer to their children and grandchildren Diagnosed with diabetes Halftown died in Brigantine from complications related to the disease on July 8 2003 12 The Rev Robert J Fritz delivered the homily at his funeral at St Thomas church in Brigantine 13 14 His widow Margaret died in Brigantine on February 17 2004 15 References edit a b c d Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Chief Halftown A Broadcast Pioneer Accessed 2010 11 30 Mullane J D My one bright shining morning with Our Gal Sal Willingboro New Jersey Burlington County Times January 28 2013 Sally Happy Chief Entertain Kids Philadelphia Pennsylvania The Philadelphia Inquirer September 15 1963 p 247 subscription required Lauer Williams Kathy Sally amp Other Early TV Stars Allentown Pennsylvania The Morning Call February 23 2013 p Life 1 subscription required Takiff Jonathan Let s hear it for the chief and With his trademark expression Halftown was a Philly fav Philadelphia Pennsylvania Philadelphia Daily News July 8 2003 p 10 subscription required Lauer Williams Sally amp Other TV Stars The Morning Call February 23 2013 Grasso John and Eric R Hartman Historical Dictionary of Bowling p 143 Lanham Boulder New York Toronto Plymouth UK Rowman amp Littlefield 2014 Pezzano Chuck Requiem for teacher of lane and Indian lore Hackensack New Jersey The Record July 27 2003 p 33 subscription required Mullane My one bright shining morning with Our Gal Sal Burlington County Times Sally Happy Chief Entertain Kids The Philadelphia Inquirer September 15 1963 Lauer Williams Sally amp Other Early TV Stars The Morning Call February 23 2013 Children s TV host Halftown dies at 86 Hanover Pennsylvania The Evening Sun July 7 2003 p 5 subscription required The Rev Robert J Fritz in 1960s in Notes in La Salle Magazine Winter 2003 04 Philadelphia Pennsylvania La Salle University retrieved online November 28 2022 Children s TV host Chief Halftown dies at age 86 Allentown Pennsylvania The Morning Call July 8 2003 p 11 subscription required Margaret Halftown obituary Philadelphia Pennsylvania The Philadelphia Inquirer February 19 2004 External links editPhotograph of Halftown PhillyHistory org Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Traynor Ora Halftown amp oldid 1171165017, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
