Monday, August 08, 2011

Erie bishop bobblehead to be available to public

The bobbing head of Erie Catholic Bishop Donald W. Trautman soon could be coming to a mantel, desk or shelf near you.

The bishop bobblehead figures were given to Catholic Diocese of Erie priests at a June gathering. 

The Erie priest responsible for the doll said other people now want one.

"There's been tons of requests," the Rev. John Detisch of Sacred Heart Catholic Church said. 

"I'm sure they'll be available somehow."

Detisch, who was out of town on vacation, said he planned to work out details for Trautman bobblehead orders after returning home later today. 

He said the figures would probably sell for about $20, depending on how many are ordered.

Joseph Lemmo, of Erie, wants one.

"It just would really be something awesome to have," said Lemmo, a member of St. George Catholic Church.

He called Trautman "a great man" and said he would be honored to add the bishop's bobblehead to the case in his memorabilia room. 

Lemmo already has a couple of sports bobbleheads.

The bishop, who's been good-natured about the doll, said the likeness was "pretty close" and he appreciated the "creative gift."

Detisch said he always does something for Trautman at the gathering's banquet, which falls around the bishop's birthday each year. Trautman turned 75 on June 24.

For this year's gift, Detisch did an Internet search and found a company in Atlanta that makes bobbleheads, he said.

The company's bobblehead dolls include one of Pope Benedict XVI.

Detisch sent in a couple of photographs of Trautman and eventually ordered 180 bobbleheads. He kept them a secret until a banquet during the priests' gathering.

"The funniest thing of all was seeing Bishop Trautman shake his own head," Detisch said.

Trautman has said he put his own bobblehead on a bookcase in his Erie residence.