Tulsa Elementary Celebrates Uncle Zeb Week

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- For a couple of generations of Tulsa kids, Carl Bartholomew was "Uncle Zeb", and a Tulsa TV icon.  When he died his family started the Uncle Zeb Foundation to benefit charities that work with kids with cancer and their families.  Also this week, a Tulsa elementary school is celebrating Uncle Zeb Week.

For kids throughout the 1970's and again in the 1990's, Uncle Zeb's Cartoon Camp was must see TV.

08/18/2009  Related Story: Tulsa Television's 'Uncle Zeb' Passes Away

"This week we are introducing all the kids at Eliot Elementary to Uncle Zeb's Imagination Games, because they didn't know who Uncle Zeb was growing up," said Cathy Essley, 3^rd grade teacher at Eliot.

Essley and the other 3rd grade teachers at Eliot imagined a week of games during morning announcements.

They replay the old opening of the show then have students play one of the many imagination games.  They race with balloons or play grab the streamer.  There's also a contest to see who can keep a feather in the air the longest.

The students play for bubblegum because that's what Uncle Zeb used to give away.

"It's been really fun to watch the kids this week because they've been wondering when it's coming on what channel is it on what channel can I watch it on.  I think still today Uncle Zeb would be a hit," said Stefani Bartholomew.

Uncle Zeb Week continues at Eliot Elementary through Friday, but the Uncle Zeb Foundation is ongoing at Bank of Oklahoma.  Contributions can be made at any BOK branch.