Margaret Kerry AKA Tinker Bell, was a guest at the October 12 Aquila Chase Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century (CDXVIIC) Marking Ceremony, the unveiling of a plaque that recognizes the historical significance of the Inn, built in 1911.

Kerry was a guest of her good friend Scarlett Stahl, CDXVIIC Historian and Marking Committee Chair, who noted the petite Kerry is, “Very interested in American history,” and related to another famous person, William Bonner, AKA Billy the Kid.

Mike Peraza, an animator and Disney art director - including “The Little Mermaid” - also attended the event that drew state CDXVIIC officials, Mayor Rick Cook, City Councilmen and Mercer-Prieto VFW Post #2043 veterans. 

Kerry admitted she has her own favorite Disney film: “ ‘Mary Poppins’ I loved that. It had both live action and animation... I see something new in it every time, especially the Chimney Sweep dance.”

A dancer, Kerry was particularly impressed with film co-star Dick Van Dyke, “To be able to move like that, and he’s not a dancer! 

“And I love the song ‘A Spoon Full of Sugar’ - of course,” she added with a laugh, “my next favorite film is ‘Peter Pan’!” 

It was easy to spot Kerry in the crowd, the way she moved reminiscent of the character first created by J.M. Barrie.

Initially, Tinker Bell was described by the author as a “common fairy” and a “tinker” who mended pots, pans and other metal things. 

“Did you recognize her voice?” Peraza joked to those meeting Kerry; Tinker Bell in the 1904 stage play was just a darting light used as a special effect and in the later landmark Disney film Tinker Bell spoke no lines, but rather made a sound like a tinkering bell.  

Kerry, on the other hand was perfectly understandable and delighted with the attention, although she is a busy inspirational speaker who tours the nation. 

Kerry is also featured at numerous “fan” conventions - such as the recent Stan Lee Comikaze - and in September was a special guest at the annual Mount Airy, North Carolina “Mayberry Days” honoring the Andy Griffith Show in which she appeared several times. Kerry, whose first role was with “Our Gang” when she was four, also has appeared with the Three Stooges and done voice work for shows such as “Clutch Cargo” and “Space Angel” among others; she does 21 dialects and 48 character voices

But it’s the voiceless, animated Tinker Bell that Kerry is best remembered for, a character drawn by “Old Man” Marc Davis of Disney’s famous stable of artists. Davis observed Kerry and posed her for months to do the sketches that brought the Tinker Bell character to life, although for years rumors persisted that the fairy with the hourglass figure was based on Marilyn Monroe.

Although much like Barrie, no one at Disney imagined Tinker Bell had much of a future, but the fairly has reached cult status both for her initial appearance and new role as a symbol of all the magic of Disney. Unlike Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up, the voiceless pixie subsequently became her own woman, or rather fairy, with a series of animated Tinker Bell films.

The original Tinker Bell was - at times - a thorn in Peter’s side: she could be ill-tempered and stubborn, which led to the famous Tinker Bell foot stomping and “mad stance” - arms folded across her chest.

It was a pose Kerry, complete with pout, was happy to take with 10-year-old Amber Wineman of Newbury Park. 

Although it was her first visit to Santa Paula, Kerry said “I’ve seen a lot of Santa Paula in movies! But I almost missed it,” due to a lack of signage on Highway 126. 

Nevertheless, “I would like to come back here and talk... I give talks; I speak often to women’s church groups. 

“I live in the fray of Glendale and Santa Paula is a wonderful small town, small but big for relaxing!”

“I always wanted to meet Tinker Bell!” said VFW Commander Jerry Olivas. Said Maria Bombara of Santa Paula, “When she crossed her arms and did the mad stance it was exactly what Tinker Bell would do!”

A dedicated Disney-phile, Bombara said meeting Kerry was “More than meeting a celebrity... it was meeting a very special person with pixie dust in her heart!”

“It was really fun to meet her,” said Amber, who brought Disney DVDs for Kerry and Peraza to sign. “I really like that we stamped our feet and crossed our arms... just like Tinker Bell,” in a fairy snit. 

Kerry is appearing the evening of November 8 for the 80th Anniversary of the Ventura 24 Club Toastmasters at Poinsettia Pavilion, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets - and the event is almost sold out - are $30 each; for more information visit www.VenturaToastmaster.org or call 805-236-3467; you can also email club24s80th@gmail.com