Thanks for the memories

Three thousand Air Force recruits wildly applauded the green-eyed brunette who sang before them clad in a formfitting sleeveless pink gown.

The Alaskan summer breeze ruffled her long dark hair and her smile made each soldier ache for home. Then Bob Hope joined her onstage and joked with his audience while carrying on innocent banter with the dazzling young singer from Miami.

Maitland resident Helena Jackman, the girl in the gown, remembers that event and many others where she rubbed professional shoulders with celebrities such as Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, The Osmonds and Duke Ellington. Although this petite woman — now a redhead — treasures her memories, she does not rest on them. Thirty-five years later, Jackman still strives to improve the world one poem, one smile and one positive thought at a time.

Meeting Mr. Hope

Jackman came to work with Bob Hope when she and her sister moved from The Bronx to Miami in the late ’60s. She performed musical comedy at venues such as The Fontainebleau, Doral and Eden Rock hotels, which often hosted famous comedians and entertainers. In 1970 during a fire and police benefit, Jackman was introduced to and photographed with Bob Hope. He made such an impression on her that the next day she called his office to ask him to consider her for his opening act. He remembered her, and after checking her references with local entertainment directors, he added her to his lineup.

Entertaining coast to coast

“My first show was at a homecoming game at Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 1970,” Jackman said. “We did over 60 benefit shows together through 1994 including Farm Fest in Mankato, Minn., where we entertained a crowd of 80,000.” She also appeared in the Miami Orange Bowl Parade when Bob Hope was the Grand Marshal.

“Because Bob grew up in the Depression, he was careful with his money,” Jackman said. “He was a gracious, caring person and funny on and off stage. Younger generations only know him from watching the ‘road’ movies.

“Young people should study his comedic style and watch old footage of the Academy Awards because he was the best host. He always was on top of national and world current events and knew how to poke fun without insults or foul language.”

An unconventional mother

In the 1940s and ’50s, Jackman’s mother practiced yoga, studied metaphysics and was a vegetarian, which influenced young Helena. “I feel grateful for a mother who was so ahead of her time. She taught me how to shop, eat and live healthy. But most importantly how to be a caring, non-judgmental person.”

Jackman still cooks vegetarian. “I make a fantastic lentil, black bean vegetable soup,” said Jackman, who incorporated healthy recipes in her book “My Secrets for Staying Young, Healthy & Happy All-Ways.”

She is a certified yoga teacher and practices yoga three to four times a week, calling it the most underestimated form of relaxation and exercise.

Clean energy for the body, soul and car engine

In addition to yoga and meditation, Jackman advocates for issues such as green fuel technology that benefit the environment. She is passionate about products from Greenfoot Global that reduce tailpipe emissions and improve gas mileage.

Writer and artist Linzi Zuker has been friends with Jackman for 30 years and shares her love of laughter and search for inner peace. She also edited Jackman’s book.

“Helena is very spiritual. We met at the ashram through our swami. She has a big voice for a little girl and she still allows herself to dream,” Zuker said.

Musical dreams

One of Jackman’s dreams is to sing with the Orlando Philharmonic in a tribute to Bob Hope’s road trips. She has candidates to play Bob Hope and Bing Crosby and believes it will be popular with adult community residents. “We’re just looking for help with the sponsorship. This music has meant so much in their lives,” Jackman said.

Music has great meaning for Jackman. She sang opera when she was 10 but when her famous voice coach died she switched to musical comedy and summer stock. Her musical resume includes theater, movies and clubs, including her own comedy club in Miami. Jackman enjoys opera, jazz and reggae, writes pop country music, and continues to donate a portion of the sales of her DVD, CD and book to various charities.

Maitland resident Sara Liebling values her 20-year friendship with Jackman. “Helena is a phenomenal woman who has positive energy, a delightful voice and a beautiful soul,” Liebling said.