The Men behind the Mermaids ~ Thom Shouse, the Mer-Papa who started it all!

Thom Shouse and the ladies of FinFolk mermaid tails!

  I could sit here and tell you all the amazing and wonderful things Thom has done. From his most famous contributions on the set of Splash to some of his not so famous, yet funny movie props that have been in everything from B Horror movies to Ron Jeremy movies!

I could tell you how he changed my life, how much I look up to him and how much I respect him for not only being a great tail maker but for being a father figure to me.  But it’s not about me or about the accomplishments Thom has made. It’s about Thom, a man who has touched the lives of so many, without ever knowing their names or faces.

At the beginning of this month Thom, Myself and my Landsman traveled to North Carolina for the first ever NC Mermaid Festival. It was an amazing event with the most amazing group of Merfolk to ever gather in one place! I got to see all the people who have admired Thom from afar, the people who were too scared or nervous to speak with, and the people who cried from joy when they got a chance to hug Thom and tell him their stories. That is what this blog about; it’s about Thom and the people who love him and I’m going to let them tell you their stories!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <3, ☮ , & ><((((º>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I met a gentleman named Thom Shouse at the NC Merfest gathering a couple of weeks ago. As someone who has some issues with movement, I use a walking stick to help me get around. Thom has a beautiful walking stick of his own, with a swimming mermaid for the handle. We discussed the trials and tribulations of being 'stick-walkers', and became friends. One of his many gifts is that he also gives some of the world's best hugs, and he is very willing to share! He tells wonderful stories, and is just so genuinely nice and caring (and he has a great twinkle in his eye!). I am so happy I got to meet him and I look forward to seeing him again someday!”  ~ Susan Gardner

The California Merfolk with Thom!

"Thom Shouse, you're an amazing and wonderful man. I feel so blessed to have met you! Your work has broken down a wall between dreams and reality for so many people, and I sincerely hope you feel the love of everyone around you. Thank you also, for making me brave enough to haul my tail onto the plane with me as a carry-on lol.... and for hugging me when I tried to shake your hand. “~ Lotus the Mermaid ~ Nicole Colchiski"

 “Thom is an approachable person who is warm, charismatic, and caring. Considering that he created the original tail from Splash and is a mermaid icon, I was happily surprised at what an unpretentious person he was. He could have been arrogant and snooty, but he wasn't at all.  He invited my husband and I to hang out with him in his hotel room during MerFest. I don't remember much of what we talked about, (I was just excited and honored to have this time) but I do remember feeling joyful in his presence. He was so encouraging about my mermaiding, and I felt that I could let my hair down, makeup off, and be myself around him without him judging me.  During our special visit, he invited us to his home and offered for me to try on his tails! He is so open and sweet like that! I never got to have a grandfather, but if I did, I would have wanted Thom to be him. He truly cares for all of us merpeople as if he were a grandfather. Since Merfest, he has sent me encouraging messages, and has taken the time to communicate with many of us.” ~Bonnie Lavender

Thom and Rania the Halifax mermaid

“I'd like to say, this is a highlight of my mermaid career. For those who don't know, this is Thom Shouse the tail man. He basically is the first to make realistic commercial tails. You have seen his work in many famous images, movies, TV shows, and commercials. Many celebs and even Olympians have worn his tails. He has a heart of gold, and truly loves people. I became his friend, and he read my book in a night. That's the highest compliment ever to me. Mermaid Rentals is his FB page.”  ~Rania the Halifax Mermaid

“Hi, just wanted to say that in my amazing Journey in becoming a Mermaid I had the honor of meeting Thom Shouse! How awesome such a down to earth person, wish i had more time to have spoken with him and look he even in boxed me! How cool is that! Hope to meet up again on our next NCMerfest event .”  ~Cookie Ramirez

Mer-Prince JV & Thom 

“This is a very emotional photo for me. In this photo, I'm sitting next to my hero. The person who sparked the fire in me to become something larger than myself, and who continues to inspire me every day. Thom Shouse, everyone. The man behind the years and generations of mermaid magic.” —Mer-Prince JV

Thom, guest, and Mermaid Veronica

“During my trip to the NC MerFest in the beginning of January 2014, I had the most wonderful blessing of getting to spend some time with one of the most kind and loving souls I've ever had the privilege to meet, Thom Shouse. I was lucky enough to end up sitting right behind him on our bus trip to the aquarium, and to share his company for both lunch and dinner that day, so my husband and I got to chat with him quite a bit!

Thom loves to share his passion for mermaids and the mer-community, as well as lots of stories from his many adventures it the special effects industry. He's also a very loving listener willing to share advice on mer-tail making, friendship and life overall. Spending even just a little time with this sweet soul will have you sharing tears of joy and the most wonderful bear hugs you've ever had. Thank you, Thom, for letting me into the wonderful world of your water-filled heart! The touching connection you shared with us, made the water spill out of every one's eyes! “ ~ Veronica Grace Serendipity Shimmy Fins

"I am so thrilled to have met Thom Shouse. It isn’t every day you get to know a person who is just as kind as he is talented, caring and generous. I mean his list of credits and notable celebs are to the moon and I will spare listing them because I am sure they were just as happy as I was at those times to share experiences, continued lifelong learning and talent and techniques beyond creativity and imagination. It takes a lot to touch the hearts of so many of the young and older as myself.  I am grateful to be a friend of Thom’s ..... Joy, hope, peace and the most important is love ya'll.” ~ The Grand m'ere Mermaid Connie

'My time with the King...'  by Merman Christian

Thom and Merman Christian 

The weekend of January 3-5 was one of the best I have ever experienced, both in general and as one of the few Mermen in the community.  Many tails were to be seen and heard, but the best were from the MerKing himself, Thom Shouse.  All my life I have loved everything about the ocean, I was the kid that would NOT get out of the tub!  I watched the 1984 film SPLASH so many times my parents had to replace it TWICE.  Daryl Hannah's orange tail stands out among all the others with its breathtaking style and flowing fins, and this beautiful work of art was created by Mr. Shouse, who with this design has been my number one inspiration for my own merman tails.  I had the pleasure of taking a bus trip to the aquarium with him and sat in amazement from all the great stories he had to tell about SPLASH and it's tv-sequel, Charmed, and so much more.  But it was the experience beyond the stories is what got to me.  Thom is a true giver with such a heart of gold. There was a brief point during the weekend when I saw Thom getting off the elevator and looking very under the weather, and he was more upset about letting everyone down than his own health.  I assured him how much myself and everyone loved him and that he needed to take care of himself.  I gave him a hug and walked him to his room.  Hours later when he was feeling better he thanked me for that, and that was such a great feeling, not to mention the night before he said he loved my tail that I had made.  When it comes to Thom Shouse one of the best words to describe him would be ETERNAL.  He is a man with as many gifts just as big as his heart, he has given to much to the community and to the overall idea of Mermaids, that I know will live on forever.  Thank you Thom for being a wonderful soul and our true MERKING!

Thom and Allie Causin (Lyrique the Mermaid)

"I got the incredible opportunity to sit and have the most wonderful conversations today with mer-papa, Thom Shouse!! I treasured every story he shared: He made me laugh, he made me cry (happy tears!!!), and he is probably one of the most beautiful and magical souls I've encountered!!" ~ Allie Causin

~~~~~~<3, ☮ , & ><((((º>~~~~~~~

And there you have it! A whole community brought together by one man’s craft and held together by his heart! As friends, family, or Pod it is the bounds we make, the friendship we gather, and the love we share that will keep this community a float!

    The moral of this story: It’s not about the tails; it’s about the heart!

Love, Peace, and as Always Mermaids!

Meridian Mer-Gyver

If you would like to catch up with Thom, check out his pages!

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/thom.shouse1?fref=ts

and

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mermaid-Rentals/373445526043647

Website:http://www.mermaidrentals.com/

Stay connected and be sure to follow Meridian Mer-Gyver at:

 Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/meridian.mergyver

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MeridianMerGyve

Blogger:

http://meridianmer-gyver.blogspot.com

Festival of the Sea 1908 and now.. Pacific Coast Mermaid Festival 2014

Ted Hake’s avid button collector and 

author of Collectible Pin-Back Button 1896-1986 

was asked which is his favorite button of all times,

 “It would be the 1908 Long Beach Festival of the Sea button.  

After all, how many buttons feature lettering formed by sea snakes?”

Here we sit in early 2014 a mere 106 years after the very first and only mermaid festival to be held in Long Beach California…until now! This June 27^th thru the 29^th the Pacific Coast Mermaid Festival will be held in conjunction with Belmont Shores Pirate Invasion. The likes of which have not been before, for the first time pirates and mermaids will storm the shores of Long Beach’s, beautiful Belmont Shores. It is exciting to think that in 1908 pods of mermaids, sailors, longshoremen, and ocean enthusiasts walked these beaches and now we have a chance to recreate that moment!  

But whose footsteps are we following in, who created the Festival of Sea? And why was it never held again? I am always curious of the past and so I went in search of the answer to these and other questions, what I found is brilliant and I hope you will enjoy this little Long Beach history lesson!

Henry S. Callahan started life a “furniture clerk” and he apparently was quite good and made quite a bit of money, because in 1906 he and a partner began the Bank of Commerce and in 1907 he ran for an office in the city council and won. He took office in 1908, just as he and his family, wife Augusta and their daughter Thelma moved into their new and stately home on 855 Elm Ave.  Also in 1908 the Chamber of Commerce and the Mercantile Manufactures Association decided the city need to host an all-inclusive event reminiscent of the parades and carnivals that were being held in San Bernardino.  They would call it the Festival of Sea and it would be grandiose and magnificent!

Callahan home in 1907 approx.

How Henry got involved with the Festival remains a mystery to me, but he made sure he was front and center!  During the Festival of the Sea a Mermaid Queen was crowned and as luck would have it, it was none other than Augusta Callahan, Henry’s wife. At the end of the closing parade the mysterious King Rex was unmasked to reveal the face of Henry Callahan. The Festival of the Sea was a five day extravaganza with parades, masquerades, and the coronation of the Queen and Juvenile Queen. Festivities of all every kind were held throughout the week and into the evenings. The coronation grabbed the attention of local reports and the event was emblazoned upon the front page of the Los Angeles Herald.

Now, I could give you the cliff notes of the article but in order to really drink in the opulence of this five day event, one must read it and see it from the eyes of those who were there to truly understand. Below is the best transcription of the article that I could manage! 

LONG BEACH CROWNS QUEEN OF ITS FESTIVAL  

CARNIVAL OF SEA BRILLIANT SPECTACLE!

 BEAUTIFUL CITY ABLAZE WITH MYRIAD OF LIGHTS!

 Scene of Regal Magnificence Witnessed by Thousands of Persons Crowded Into Monster Grandstand

Special to The Herald.

LONG BEACH, Sept. 1^st — Spectacular and gorgeously beautiful was the opening night of the first Long Beach Festival of the Sea. Picture a gigantic grandstand, built upon the beach, the waters of the Pacific lapping against it, long and broad and high and festooned with lights. Imagine it filled with thousands of persons whose gaze is eagerly directed toward the delicately colored seashell, rimmed with incandescent (lights) and banked with flowers and palms, which rears itself high above the surf. Within this brilliant shell there is a throne, with sumptuous fittings. Suddenly, about 8 o'clock, the shrill blasts of trumpets fill the air. "The queen!" the cry goes up; for Queen Augusta , "mermaid queen," has arrived. A fairy appears and dances across the stage. The fairy accomplishes the transformation of the "mermaid queen" into the queen of the Festival of the Sea, A wild salute follows, all her subjects joining until the echoes ring. Lights flash out, many folk in costumes of many kinds appear upon the stage and the queen is given a rousing welcome.

The queen of the Festival of the Sea, Mrs. H. S. Callahan, was escorted to her throne by A. C. Malone, prince consort.

The coronation was a beautiful scene. Miss Georgia Lanphere, Mrs. W. F. King, Mrs. F. L. Wood and Miss Floss Goldsmith, were first, second, third and fourth ladies of the court, respectively. Other ladies and gentlemen of the court who participated in the brilliant coronation were___________________.

After the coronation a vaudeville program was given by Patsy Dolivar, wire walker; Miss Floss Goldsmith, Japanese dance; Shreck brothers, gymnasts; Miss Jane J Havering, French and Italian dance; George Raymous, high dive. Fireworks displays followed. Queen's Ball, at 10 o'clock in the Auditorium, was a notable affair. The queen, preceded by her court and royal attendants, rode to, the Auditorium from the seashell stage in the royal litter, a seagoing sedan chair, in her lovely robe of plush and satin she made a brilliant entrance into the big hall. Members of the court, who were all in costume, danced a quaint minuet before the ball began. The Auditorium had been transformed into a bower of beauty. Festival colors of red, green and orange in pennants, festoons and drapes ran from end to end of the building and from the center strings of the pennants extended in every direction. Huge American flags adorned the galleries and ceiling, while thousands of lights glittered among the waving riot of color.

The stage represented a subterranean throne. Fishnet, in which seaweed was caught, was ' draped from the proscenium arch. Starfish, kelp and moss were effectively used in the draping. Cat tail rushes were hung from the ceiling in a way greatly to strengthen the subterranean Idea. : Ball tickets sold at $1. The floor was crowded. Ball souvenirs were sea shells attached to silk ribbons. W. J. Desmond was chairman of the committee in charge. He was assisted by Mrs. Clay H. White, P.lmer Campen, Miss Mabel Ena, Dr. H. V. Epperson.  Thousands came in today to witness the festival’s opening. Tomorrow morning at 10:30 the festival and floral parade will move through the streets. Dr. A. B. Austin will be marshal. In the parade will be a large display of beautiful floats bearing richly gowned young women. There will be many handsomely decorated automobiles and carriages______ Head of parade form on Pine at Sixth street; down Pine to Ocean avenue, west on Ocean to Magnolia avenue, ' north on Magnolia to Fourth; east on Fourth to Locust, north on Locust to Sixth, east on Sixth to American avenue, south on American avenue to Ocean avenue, west on Ocean avenue to and past Hotel Virginia; then disbanding. ___________________ Tomorrow afternoon there will be sports of many kinds, going on at the beach and in the Water, including , horse swimming races. There will be afternoon performances daily in the seashell stage, as well as in the evenings. There will be dally balloon ascensions and band concerts. Eight bands will take places in the parade tomorrow and the * Municipal band, Willey's concert band and the Ocean Park band will have a concert contest in the Auditorium in the afternoon for prizes of $300, $150 and $75. The Fullerton band, the Whittler state school band, the Naples band and the Majestic band will also compete in the parade contest  for prizes of $100, $50 and $25. A "rube" band will be in the rear of the parade. The poultry show opened today with 250 splendid entries. Awards were made today in a number of classes and the judging will be finished tomorrow. The prizes awarded today were as follows: Poultry Show Prizes (omitted)

 The cat show also opened today. Many fine animals are entered, an Interesting one being an Australian cat which was washed overboard in the Golden Gate, San Francisco, and was rescued by Mrs. J. J. Osmer of Long Beach, after the cat swam a mile. Mrs. Leland Norton of Los Angeles ls to Judge all the cats. James Heartwell  jr. Long Beach;  H. W. Gunston. South Pasadena; George H. Masterson, Duarte; and G. A. Goodacre, Compton, are Judges In the poultry show. Friday a Public Holiday Mayor Windham today issued a proclamation declaring next Friday a public holiday in honor of the festival. Harry Wright, the aeronaut, made a sensational balloon ascension at 2 o'clock this afternoon from the corner of Fourth street and Pine avenue, 5000 people witnessing It. The balloon came down on an East Fourth street residence, breaking two telephone wires. Wright suffered a slight ankle sprain. James Zerbe, president of the Los Angeles Aero club, was here today, superintendenting the setting up of his airship, made at Bimini hot springs. The craft, which has not been exhibited before, will endeavor of make daily flights from the top of the Byde-A-Wyle theater on the Pike. The city looked gay and festive tonight. Strings of red and green Incandescent (lights) hung across the main streets and made a canopy of light over the pier.

~End of Article

   (Side note: I omitted the lists of names, prizes, and places awarded)

Wow! That is a spectacular Spectacle, indeed!  As rumor has it the festivals over the top grandeur is what kept it from ever returning. While the city did see a revenue increase the cost of hosting and cleaning up the Festival of the Sea was more than expected.  Lots of talk and plans were in the works to bring it back, but it never saw the light of day again. Since then small groups and organizations have banded together to host one or two events in Long Beach trying to continue in the vein of the festival gone before them.  Nothing has ever been done on this scale and the Pacific Coast Mermaid Festival cannot promise Cat and Poultry Contests but we can promise to keep the spirit of wonderment and magic alive on our beaches! ^th – 29^th during the Belmont Shores Pirate Invasion!

 This festival is brought you by the mind of the infamous Thom Shouse creator of Daryl Hannah’s tail in the movie SPLASH!

 Who will be at the event with some of his famous movie props and memorabilia. Heading up the organization is Robin St. Graves our resident King Neptune and Ocean Conservationist!  Talderoy Acrew gentlemen pirate and creator of the children’s story Pirate Santa is the artist behind our logo (in progress) With so much talent to support the Pacific Coast Mermaid Festival, it is sure to be a tidal wave of success! So come join us at the Pacific Coast Mermaid Festival in conjunction with the Belmont Shores Pirate Invasion this June 27th thru the 29th, 2014 in Long Beach, Ca.

Celebrate Mermaids! Celebrate History! Celebrate the Oceans!

What learn more the Pacific Coast Mermaid Festival?

Check out our Facebook page, ask questions, volunteer, get info and make friends!

https://www.facebook.com/events/387892624688263/

Love, Peace, & Mermaids,

 Meridian

Stay connected and be sure to follow Meridian Mer-Gyver at:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/meridian.mergyver

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MeridianMerGyve

Blogger:

http://meridianmer-gyver.blogspot.com

PS. Wondering what happened to the Callahan Family? Me Too! 

Henry died in 1934 and his wife continued to live in there family home now located at 3215 E. Ocean Ave for the next two years. The home at 855 Elm was sold to the Scottish Rite, the home was torn down and the Scottish Rite Cathedral was erected. The cathedral still stands today and is one Long Beaches historical markers. Agusta then moved into a high rise apartment where she lived out her days, passing ways in 1964 at the age 90. Augusta, Long Beaches only Mermaid Queen, out lives her entire family. 

Very little could be found on their daughter Thelma, she was born in 1900 and only lived to see her 17th birthday. I have no idea how or why she died so young, I can only speculate that is was a tragedy, because there is no record of her beyond the census. The remaining record of Thelma is from a census from Indiana indicating that she born to Augusta and Henry Callahan.

The family is buried together in the family plot at Sunnyside Cemetery in Long Beach California.