Traynor Ora Halftown

Traynor Ora Halftown (February 24, 1917 – July 5, 2003), better known as Chief Halftown, was a Native American entertainer who hosted a children's show that aired on WFIL-TV (which became WPVI-TV in 1972) in Philadelphia from 1950 to 1999.[1][2][3][4] Originally intended for a six-week series, his show went on to become the world's longest running local TV children's show.

Chief Halftown
Traynor Ora Halftown, c. 1960s
Born
Traynor Ora Halftown

(1917-02-24)February 24, 1917
Cattaraugus Reservation
DiedJuly 8, 2003(2003-07-08) (aged 86)
Brigantine, New Jersey
OccupationEntertainer
Years active1950–1999
TitleHonorary chief of Seneca tribe
SpouseMargaret Halftown
Children3

Following Halftown's death in 2003, Dave Davis, the president and general manager of Philadelphia's television station WPVI-TV6, said of Halftown:[5]

"It would be difficult to find another local television host who connected with so many generations of children. Chief Halftown will be missed, but more importantly, he will be fondly remembered by us all."

Formative years

Born on February 24, 1917, on the Cattaraugus Reservation, which is located roughly twenty-five miles south of Buffalo, New York, Halftown was a member of the Seneca Nation of New York.[6]

Bowling career and military service

During his teenage years, Halftown worked as a pinboy at a local bowling alley in Jamestown, New York. A member of the United States Army during World War II, he competed with the army's bowling team. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he briefly resumed his musical career that he had begun prior to the war when he was billed as "the Singing Seneca," but left that career behind when he began work in television.[7]

While working as the host of a popular children's television program in Philadelphia, he also continued to pursue his love of bowling, working as a professional bowler and spokesman for the Brunswick Bowling Manufacturing Corporation.[1] As part of this work, he became a certified bowling instructor, and launched a series of popular bowling clinics for children, each of which frequently attracted large numbers of participants. One report estimated the impact of his outreach through these clinics at 300,000 children and teenagers.[8]

Broadcast career

Halftown hosted a children's show that aired on WFIL-TV (which became WPVI-TV in 1972) in Philadelphia from 1950 to 1999.[1][9][10][11]

His signature greeting was "ees da sa sussaway," which is Seneca for "Let's get started." Originally intended for a six-week series, his show went on to become the world's longest running children's program on local television. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Halftown into their Hall of Fame in 2004.[1]

Later years, illness and death

Sometime around 2001, Halftown relocated with his wife to Brigantine, New Jersey, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Diagnosed with diabetes, Halftown died in Brigantine from complications related to the disease on July 8, 2003.[12] The Rev. Robert J. Fritz delivered the homily at his funeral at St. Thomas' church in Brigantine.[13][14]

His widow, Margaret, died in Brigantine on February 17, 2004.[15]

References
  1. Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. Chief Halftown, A Broadcast Pioneer. Accessed 2010-11-30
  2. Mullane, J.D. "My one, bright shining morning with Our Gal Sal." Willingboro, New Jersey: Burlington County Times, January 28, 2013.
  3. "Sally, Happy, Chief Entertain Kids." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1963, p. 247 (subscription required).
  4. Lauer-Williams, Kathy. "Sally & Other Early TV Stars." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, February 23, 2013, p. Life 1 (subscription required).
  5. Takiff, Jonathan. "Let's hear it for the chief" and "With his trademark expression, Halftown was a Philly fav." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Daily News, July 8, 2003, p. 10 (subscription required).
  6. Lauer-Williams, "Sally & Other TV Stars," The Morning Call, February 23, 2013.
  7. Grasso, John and Eric R. Hartman. Historical Dictionary of Bowling, p. 143. Lanham, Boulder, New York, Toronto, Plymouth, UK: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.
  8. Pezzano, Chuck. "Requiem for teacher of lane and Indian lore." Hackensack, New Jersey: The Record, July 27, 2003, p. 33 (subscription required).
  9. Mullane, "My one, bright shining morning with Our Gal Sal," Burlington County Times.
  10. "Sally, Happy, Chief Entertain Kids," The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1963.
  11. Lauer-Williams, "Sally & Other Early TV Stars," The Morning Call, February 23, 2013.
  12. "Children's TV host Halftown dies at 86." Hanover, Pennsylvania: The Evening Sun, July 7, 2003, p. 5 (subscription required).
  13. The Rev. Robert J. Fritz, in "1960s," in "Notes," in La Salle Magazine, Winter 2003-04. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: La Salle University, retrieved online November 28, 2022.
  14. "Children's TV host Chief Halftown dies at age 86." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, July 8, 2003, p. 11 (subscription required).
  15. "Margaret Halftown" (obituary). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 19, 2004.
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