ShowBiz Feature
freshingly clear we really do have one who serves all of us just about every show day here in Southern California at the Blenheim horse shows. Pull up a chair, get a nice cup of coffee, and for you faint of heart
types..be sure you have Kleenex. It is the story of a fight for survival and a love story of a man and a woman and two chil- dren. For me, it is my pleasure to write about Julia Bunge,
In
case you doubt that, this story will make it re-
What's in a Name? Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th
President, was one of America's most colorful & well-loved politi- cians. He was also quite the man when it came to turning a phrase. When faced with frustrations or patently absurd situations, Teddy would boon out "Bullfeathers!" He did appreciate good manners & knew that "Bull____" was unac- ceptable in proper company. Les Bunge was a frequent patron
she makes me
of the place and their initial busi- ness friendship turned quickly into something more and they married.
then decided to design a children's line called Romper Stompers. It was all hand designed, caught on right away and it became available at mall kiosks and small specialty shops." "I loved doing it but as the kids
grew and the business flourished, there came a point where there was an obvious
made........expand the business OR raise kids! That was easy for me since I loved being a mom and go- ing to all the sports activities they became involved in. The Rompers business went on hold. But sitting
decision to be
humble just talking with her. Most- ly in her own words, this is her, and our story as a group of extended family in this
sport...it does take a village! Julia was born in Galveston,
Texas and the family moved about the country a bit, spending time in several states, New York, Virginia, Washington DC. Out of college, and just back from a year in Ge- neva, Switzerland, she stepped into the management position running Bullfeathers, the famous Capitol Hill gathering place on First street. For those who are not familiar with the place, this is what is said about it in their menu....
The first of two children, Jessica, arrived and Les decided to move his family to the west coast where another child, Morgan, was added to the family. He opened a new business, Laser Exhibitor Services, and it thrived as conventions grew and has now become a nationally well known convention production company, but remains planted here in Southern California. "I am not an office type," Julia
says with a quick smile. "I love the outdoors and freedom so as quick as I could get out from behind a desk helping Les, I did!! With two small children, out of necessity I sewed play clothes for them and
still is virtually impossible for me and I just had to keep my hands busy. Spending time sitting on the sports benches wrapped in a blan- ket I came up with a plan to make a few designer coats out of the blankets. There are wonderful and beautiful fabrics available which meant each one was unique." "You could only get them by
special order and I was commit- ted to them being made entirely in the USA. Then someone came along and copied the concept, produced them overseas and it became impossible financially to compete. During that time I fell in love with reading again and always
Above Left to Right: Julia at 9 months; As a freshman in college, 1975; Suprise 50th birthday party; With Jessica and Morgan in Virginia, 1991.
Photos Courtesy Julia Bunge 65
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