Follow The Yellow Brick Road . . .

by Greg May
(Graphics by JAMIE RICHIES)

Once Upon A Time in Orlando-Land there lived two families.

The May Family and the Ellis Family were neighbors.

During the summer, Ruth May and Betty Ellis would take their 'brood' to Rock Springs and water-skiing on Clear Lake and The Butler Chain.

The two moms were smart: they knew how to 'wear them out' so they would take long naps in the afternoon.

Once in a while, Betty and Ruth would take their children to Gatorland. Back in those days, Gatorland was the only attraction in Orlando and it was free. This was years before Disney arrived. (see "Before Jaws There Was Gatorland" on this website)

Once while at Gatorland, Betty said to Ruth, "Let's take the children next door to Tupperware. They just had a convention there and the children may enjoy it".

Tupperware - which manufactured those plastic containers found in every kitchen in America - moved its national headquarters from Massachusetts to Orlando in 1952. Their sprawling complex next-door to Gatorland featured a large auditorium and an interesting exhibit of food containers throughout the ages.

The year was 1967 - I think - and the Tupperware Convention was based on the theme of "The Wizard of Oz".
The sets and decorations were still in place as Ruth and Betty watched Linda, Lee, Sandy and this writer skip down The Yellow Brick Road.


Little did this writer know that that Yellow Brick Road would bring him back to the Tupperware Convention Center in 1979.

That was the year The Sports & Travel Show was held at Tupperware. This event was the creation of the late PAUL ANDREA, owner of Lucerne Publishing and CableWeek
Magazine. Paul had taken an interest in my fledgling television career and gave me lots of promotion through his magazine. I was fascinated by Paul because he was featured in WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA demonstrating The Jitterbug!

Paul Andrea brought in several celebrities for the event including Cypress Gardens WaterSki Champion PAUL MERRILL and Mr. Universe, MIKE KATZ. But the celebrity I was most interested in meeting was the world-famous mentalist, "The Amazing Kreskin".

I enjoyed watching Kreskin's syndicated television show and now I had the opportunity to interview him for my own TV show!

I just knew Kreskin could read my mind and know what I was going to ask him before I opened my mouth. And seeing his live performance in the Tupperware Auditorium was mind-blowing.

In the late 60's and 70's, many concerts and celebrities appeared at Tupperware before the Orange County Convention Center and Downtown Arena arrived on the scene.

I wonder if the critters next door at Gatorland appreciate the peace and quiet today?