WHAT A GUMBY IS

I vaguely first remember Gumby on The Howdy Doody Show. He didn't do much; in fact, I don't think he even talked. But he wasn't as cool as Clarabell, who only told us, "Good-bye."

I never understood what Gumb was. But I read that he turned 50 the other day. So happy semi-century, big guy.

I guess I should have asked Stephanie Lindsay about him. I remember she liked him. But she has a newborn and a 3 year-old, so she probably needs to make better use of her time. She dressed as Gumby for Halloween once I remember.

When I went to Illinois State and guys found out I was a Mt. Vernonite, they said, "Oh, you now Gumby then." I said, no. But when they told me his name, of course, I knew him, but not as Gumby. I think he knew more people at ISU than I did, and they all simply called him Gumby. I didn't ask why. Maybe he did look a little like him.

So I'm still puzzled. What's with the lack of feet? Is he clay like Mr. Bill? What the heck does he do? Why does he need a horse or pony? And does he ever ride it?

I don't know. Along with Stephanie's brother, Mike, we invented, or rather borrowed a real guy's name and tried to get him elected to Student Council when Mike was in high school. We failed. I got yelled at. But we had a lot of fun doing it. I think our invention of Ed Bauta was better than Gumby, but Ed will never make it to 50.