Talk Focuses on a New Orleans Icon - Mr. Bingle

Jerilyn Alline Faulstich and Denise Alline Gurtner, daughters of the creator of Mr. Bingle, will discuss “The History of Mr. Bingle,” at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

Mr. Bingle is a snowman character created for the Maison Blanche department store. He was conceived in 1948 by Emile Alline Sr, the store's display manager. Initially named "Snow Doll," he was renamed Mr. Bingle to align with the store owner's preference for the initials "MB." Mr. Bingle became a beloved New Orleans Christmas tradition through puppet shows and radio and television commercials.

Mr. Bingle is a little snowman with an ice-cream cone for a hat, holly-leaf wings and Christmas ornaments for eyes. Local puppeteer Oscar Istentrout was hired to bring Mr. Bingle to life for passers-by on Canal Street through regular marionette shows in the store's front window.

Jerilyn Alline Faulstich was born in New Orleans in October, 1943. She graduated from St. Pius X Grammar School, then Mount Carmel Academy High School in 1961. She started working for Shell Oil Company, New Orleans, in 1962, starting her career as a Mail Clerk and retiring 33 years later, in 1995, as Secretary to the General Manager of Exploration & Production. She met her husband in grammar school,. They were married in 1966 and this past June they celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. They have one son who lives and works in Louisville, KY. She now spends her time painting watercolor and acrylic pictures, especially Mr. Bingles.

 Denise Alline Gurtner is the baby of the family, arriving when her sister, Jerilyn, was in high school and her brother, Emile Jr., was in college. She attended St. Pius X Grammar School, Mount Carmel Academy High School and LSU. She is married and has two grown daughters and two young grandsons. She is a Master Gardner, and enjoys gardening, sewing, glass mosaics, and crafting. She has a collection of Mr. Bingle items that she displays during Christmas.

Program inquiries should be directed to Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.