ASK MR. KNOW IT ALL

Q. Whatever happened to Lu Ann Simms and Julius La Rosa? They were on “Arthur Godfrey and His Friends” in the 1950s.

L.A.S., North Mankato, Minn.

A. Lu Ann Simms was born in 1933 as Lu Ann Ciminelli. She married Loring Bruce Buzzell in 1954 and remained with him until his death. She was a guest on “Arthur Godfrey and His Friends” from 1952 through 1955, and she appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” four times. Simms died of cancer on Sept. 21, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif.

Julius La Rosa was born Jan. 2, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a popular singer who worked in radio and television beginning in the 1950s. After high school, La Rosa joined the Navy and sang in the choir and in area clubs. Friends arranged an audition with talent scout and radio and television personality Arthur Godfrey. Godfrey was impressed. La Rosa appeared on Godfrey’s TV show; at the end of the spot, Godfrey announced that when La Rosa was out of the service, he’d be back — and he was. La Rosa was a regular on the show from 1951 to 1953.

Julius LaRosa is living in Westchester County, N.Y..

Q. On a newer Ford model, placing your foot under the bumper opens the tailgate. How does this work?

J.B., Clinton, Mo.

A. The kick-activated tailgate opener features a two-sensor system that recognizes movement of your foot and opens the tailgate. The system operates only when it recognizes the remote-entry key.

Q. I’m watching reruns of “The Lawrence Welk Show.” There is a female cello player. What is her name?

A.S. Bolivar, N.Y.

A. Charlotte Harris, born April 29, 1931, in Oak Park, Ill., took up the cello when she was only 5 years old. She played with both the Chicago and San Antonio symphony orchestras. In early 1961, Lawrence Welk hired her as the first and only female member of his orchestra; she left the show in 1978. She then retired to Palos Verdes, Calif., with her husband, Ed Deveny, where she taught at the Deveny School of Music, a school they founded together.

Q. After hearing the theme song for the TV program “Frasier,” I am wondering what “tossed salad and scrambled eggs” means?

A. The music was written by Bruce Miller, who called Darryl Phinnesse to write the words. Phinnesse came up with the idea of “tossed salad and scrambled eggs” as representations of Frasier Crane’s mixed-up patients.

Miller wanted Mel Torme to sing the vocals, but the show’s producers insisted that Kelsey Grammer sing the theme.

Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

2014 Gary Clothier