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Phoebe arrived one day on the
doorsteps of the Everett family (like Mary Poppins) to help Professor
Everett with his domestic difficulties. You see, the Professor had lost
several housekeepers in the last year. They had all left because the
Everett household was in such a chaotic array. After all, taking care of
three children as well as a menagerie of animals including
Waldo, the family
sheepdog,
Myrtle and Mike the guinea pigs; Sebastian,
the rooster; and Jerome and Geraldene, the baby goats was indeed quit a
task. But not too much of one for Nanny who seemingly had a magical way
about her. So taking the reigns of the situation, Nanny set about to right
the household and establish order, peace and harmony throughout.
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The Professor |
Hal |
Butch |
Prudence |
The Everett children quickly grew to love Phoebe, but from time to time
they suspected that Phoebe might be a witch or something like that because
she always solved situations as if by magic. For one thing, Nanny could
communicate with the animals and she often chattered to the family dog
Waldo who apparently understood everything she said. Was the nanny
psychic? Hmmm? And mystery still surrounds just how old is Nanny?
Once Hal accidentally found a passport in Nanny's trunk with a photo and
date of birth as April 18, 1864 (or 106 years old.)
On a day-to day basis, Nanny used her magical
personality to sooth the Everett family's spirit and make everyone feel
special about themselves. To save time, she even answered the phone before
it rang (Spooky). And Nanny did all this without ever revealing any of her
secrets (like whether or not she was a witch or some other kind of magical
being.).
When necessary, Nanny was happy to help out
family or friends with their problems. Like the times she helped Prudence
face up to her fear of monsters (Wiblets); helped Butch make an
astrological discovery when he used his dad's old telescope; intervened
when the city's street widening project required the destruction of the
children's tree house; befriended a lonely actor living in a suspected
haunted house; put on a show to raise money for a new park fountain; drove
Hal to the school dance so he could impress his new girlfriend; helped the
Professor keep a basketball player from failing math; and provided Hal
with enchanted golf clubs when he entered a local golf tournament.
Nanny and her car "Arabella"
To get about town, Nanny drove an
antique 1930 Model A automobile which she nicknamed "Arabella." Nanny used this second family car to do the grocery shopping
or deliver or pick-up the children from their many destinations throughout
the week. Strangely, Arabella's radio only broadcasts shows from the
1930's.
Once three loudmouth boys
challenged Nanny to a race, but she responsibly declined the offer.
Unhappy, the boys called the car "Yellow Arabella". But later, Nanny had
the final laugh when she encountered the boy's car (called "The
Buckingham) on the road. Accepting their offer to a race, Nanny drove to
the finish line - with one complication. Arabella broke down just shy of
the finish line and Nanny and the rest of the Everett's had to push it to
victory. Their challengers. lost the race because they had car trouble
(smoking engine) and had to pull off the side of the road. Imagine that!
Eventually, Nanny traded in Arabella for a newer model car.
From time to time, some of Phoebe's
relative's dropped by the Everett home for a visit. They included Nanny's
Uncle Alfred; her Aunt Justine and Aunt Agatha (who arrived by balloon);
Nanny's Uncle Horace (who visits from the South Seas to cure a
drought using a rain dance); ; and Nanny's psychic Aunt
Henrietta, a frequent visitor to the house. Henrietta owns a traveling
circus. Nanny also had a look-alike great aunt (never seen) who lived to a
ripe old age (she was born in October - a Libra; and, of course, Aunt
Arabella, the inspiration for the nickname of Nanny's car.
Continued >
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