A caring, carnie couple

Danette Goulet

He picks their brains, and she tickles their funny bone.

The are the quintessential carnie couple.

Ernie and Mary Lee Guderjahn returned to the Orange County Fair this

year as the Traveling Game Show and Maureen W. Puppet after being gone

for four years.

He travels in a flashy stage with all kinds of bells and whistles. He

throws out trivia questions to crowds that can start as small as three or

four, but quickly grow to 50, then top 100 or more.

“What food comes in more than 100 shapes,” he asks, throwing Mardi

Gras beads to the first person to say “pasta.”

What is the sequel to the “Iliad”? What will the cradle do when the

wind blows? In 1904, what Olympic event included rope climbing and club

swinging?

“The concept behind it is that it’s smart to be smart,” he said.

For the first correct answer he hears, Ernie Guderjahn throws out a

string of Mardi Gras beads. When a bell sounds signaling a bonus round or

a contestant has three strings of beads they wish to trade in, he has all

sorts of other little prizes, from mechanical pencils to electric

calculators.

“It’s fun. I’ve always liked trivia, and he really pays attention to

everyone around him,” said Jack Hollander of Lake Forest. “The prizes are

tacky, but I can always use a pencil and a screwdriver set.”

Although he has nine acts for fair boards to choose from, the

Traveling Game Show is one of his favorites, Ernie Guderjahn said.

“It appeals to people that are pretty mentally based,” he said. “The

kids who are quiet will come and play this game. Maybe the louder, more

physical games aren’t their thing, but maybe they study more and find

they know the answers here.”

His wife, who fairgoers know as Maureen W. Puppet, is an engaging

character in her own right and with her own stage.

She, too, is a traveling show, and she walks the grounds near Kiddie

Land, startling many a passerby.

Once they spot her, children make a beeline right for her.

For the younger ones, the seemingly live puppet is fascinating and

just a bit frightening.

“Let’s ask her,” whispered Emily Russell, 5, clutching her friend

Christiana Tran’s hand. “Are you a puppet?”

For slightly older children, after the initial shock wore off, they

were intrigued.

“Can you see me,” asked Rose Marshall, 9, trying to peak behind

Maureen’s curtain and attempting to poke a finger in the puppet’s mouth.

Like her husband, Mary Lee Guderjahn pays constant attention to the

children who gather around her, making them feel not only that she can

see them, but that she is a somewhat extraordinary puppet.