Green Bay’s Golden Girl: The show goes on

Continued from previous week

Splitting time between Ephraim and Key Biscayne, Fla., Mary Jane Sorgel was set to headline the Miami Fourth of July Parade in 1973.

“Billed as ‘The Golden Girl of the Green Bay Packers,’ Mary Jane was to have led the Fourth of July parade, twirling a baton,” The Miami News stated. “But, the band she was to join didn’t show.”

Always one to make sure that the “show goes on,” Mary Jane joined the parade instead of leading it.

Mary Jane continued to teach young students, and in 1974, two of her Sturgeon Bay students — Jeff and Jody Zahn — took international honors at the world championships in baton twirling held in South Bend, Ind.

She continued to make appearances in Wisconsin and Florida throughout the next decade, and in 1984, made newspapers all across the country when she was featured in a story about “Late Night with David Letterman” and its staff member Sue Hall —who was in charge of finding talent for “Stupid Pet Tricks.”

“Stupid Pet Tricks” was a staple of the David Letterman show from 1982 until 2015, featuring animals performing unusual, and sometimes silly, tricks.

A reimagined version of the iconic segment was brought back on TBS in 2024 — hosted by Sarah Silverman.

In 1984, Sorgel sent in a videotape of her in a red-sequined drum-majorette costume and high-heel boots.

“As an off-camera accompanist strummed a guitar (likely her husband who played the guitar) and dolefully sang ‘How Much is That Doggie in the Window?’ Sorgel twirled a baton while balancing a Yorkie on her head. It was difficult to tell where thee teased hairdo ended and the fluffy dog began,” the article, circulated nationwide, stated.

Hall called Sorgel “a sure thing” for the show.

Sorgel went on to make an appearance not once, but twice, on the Letterman show.

Following her original appearance, Sorgel was brought back on the show in February 1986.

After the show’s fourth anniversary, Letterman and crew brought a 747 to Florida, where three in-flight “Stupid Pet Tricks” were filmed — including Mary Jane and her dog, Muffy.

Sorgel and Muffy were highlighted on the show as the best “Stupid Pet Trick of 1985.”

Sorgel also appeared on the “Sally Jessie Raphael Show” and landed in the Guinness Book of World Records for her the routine her and Muffy performed while traveling in the 747 for Letterman.

To be continued