The Champagne Lady

When I was a little kid, back in the dark ages of the early 1970’s, there was really only one show that was ever on Saturday nights.  Every week, Saturday night bath all completed, and Styrofoam curlers in my hair (which never really worked because my hair was too thick), the TV would go on, the sound of the champagne cork would pop, and the strains of the Lawrence Welk theme song would begin to play.  It's probably where I first developed a love for the old standards.

This comes to mind today because of the passing of one of the stars of the Lawrence Welk Show, Norma Zimmer, or as Lawrence used to pronounce it, Tzimmer.  Lovingly referred to as “The Champagne Lady”, she was THE  female star of the show.  She typically sang a big solo number, surrounded by champagne bubbles, and did commercials for Rose Milk, which was a lotion popular among grandmothers.

Segue to a few years ago, when I attended the Swiss Days festival in Midway, Utah.  Among the entertainment that year was a woman who used to be on the Lawrence Welk Show.  I forget her name.  But the thrilling thing for me was towards the end of her set, when she introduced an audience member, her very dear friend, Norma Zimmer.  OMG – it was the Champagne Lady herself.  She was pretty elderly by then, but it was her.  And I admit it, I got all verklempft and had to have a moment.  

Several months later, memories of Lawrence Welk and seeing Norma Zimmer all came full circle for me when I was in Iowa for a family reunion.  It was a Saturday night, and the couples had gone out to a movie, while I stayed home along with the Aunts and Grandmas to babysit.  Of course, thanks to the re-runs available on public television, you can probably guess what the Grandmas wanted to watch.  That's right - there we all were in the living room, TV on, when the champagne cork popped and the strains of the Lawrence Welk theme song began to play.  We all sang along, and you know what, the little girls absolutely loved it! 

I'm guessing that Norma Tzimmer and Lawrence Welk had a grand reunion in Heaven today.  And that the champagne (or at least the sparkling cider) is flowing.