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The New Addition

Posted September 08, 2014 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler The Herald Tribune

CHESTER -- With a couple of tugs on a blue tarp, the granite statue of Prof. O.G. Wotasnozzle was formally unveiled to the world on Saturday during the 35th Annual Popeye Picnic.

Now at his permanent home in front of the 1925 wing of Chester High School, Wotasnozzle is the latest entry on the popular Popeye & Friends Character Trail that began in 2006 with Wimpy.

The trail has added a new character at the Picnic every year since, which sponsors sharing the cost.

"I couldn't be more pleased," said Mike McClure, coordinator for the Popeye & Friends Character Trail. "Every year, it's sort of a wait-and-see type attitude.

"We send in the artwork, King Features Syndicate does the official artwork, and they create a clay model for the committee with the exact specifications.

"By the time that's translated to granite, you just don't know because it's definitely an art."

Wotasnozzle debuted on May 8, 1932 as part of a spin-off complimentary cartoon to Popeye called a "topper" and involved the adventures of John and Myrtle Sappo.

An eccentric inventor and self-described genius, Wotasnozzle rented one of the rooms in the Sappo residence and quickly became the star of the strip.

The plot of the comic involved the testing of Wotasnozzle's inventions, which usually ended up in disaster.

"The professor, and I hate to use cliches, was thinking outside the box," McClure said. "Eccentric doesn't really cover it.

"He was coming up with ideas people weren't even thinking about. Everything he worked on didn't quite make it."

McClure said Wotasnozzle was looking for "the betterment of mankind" through his inventions and didn't stop trying. The inventor was part of the Picnic's "Popeye Gets an Edjamacation" theme this year.

"One (invention) in particular, he thought it was a waste of time to go out duck hunting with guns," said McClure, when asked if any of Wotasnozzle's inventions were successful. "He came up with a formula, tossed it into the lake and it put a sheen across the lake and captured all the ducks.

"Then, he grabbed the side and started reeling it in like a net. It worked, but they said it was 'too unsportsmanlike' and Castor Oyl bopped him and he freed the ducks again."

Among those who attended the ceremony were several other characters who will share the Character Trail with Wotasnozzle. Popeye, Bluto and Olive Oyl took pictures with the statue and crowd members, including a selfie with Chester High School Principal Tim Keefe.

"One of the main components of any successful school is its relations to its community," Keefe said. "You want to have a strong connection and these statues are connections back to the town in giving it its identity."

Prior to the unveiling, Keefe delivered a five-minute speech that included using several props. A can of spinach, a bottle of Olive oil and a paper anchor were used to help illustrate the significance of Popeye to the school and community.

"I think the key is to never keep trying," said Keefe, when asked what message Wotasnozzle sends to the students. "One of the most important traits you can give students is the trait of perseverance and he represents that in his own comical way."

The unveiling of the new statue was just one of several events taking place during the Picnic, which ran through Sunday. The annual Popeye Picnic Parade went on as scheduled, despite some light rain showers.

It was attended by Chicago residents Jimmy and Cathy Dello, who have been attending the Picnic every year since 1991 and also attended in 1981 and 82.

"Elzie Segar was a brilliant cartoonist and humorist," Jimmy Dello said of Popeye's creator, who grew up in Chester and based many of his characters on the personalities of city residents. "The humor and comedy of the strip, the humanity and the soul of the Popeye character stand out."

Cathy Dello said Popeye's "strong sense of purpose" stands out to her.

"He sees his duty and he does it," she said. "Even if it's not the popular thing, or he gets beat up in the process."

Other events included Popeye Trivia, Wimpy's Wiener Dog Race, Popeye Pet Show, Swee'Pea's Petting Zoo, Illinois Championship Alliance Wrestling, several live bands and a fireman's challenge/obstacle course.

"It's another opportunity for people to get together," said Chester Mayor Tom Page. "See old friends and the weather was absolutely begging for a Popeye Picnic."

For complete coverage of the Popeye Picnic weekend, including photos and results, see the Herald Tribune's Popeye Picnic tab included in next week's edition.

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