Trustees Honor Roll

Wish, Al

Promoter and Benefactor (1905)
Inducted on November 28, 1989

Devoting his life to charitable causes, businessman and promoter A1 Wish produced one of the most delightful Cleveland-style polka shows in television history. Teaming up with the Johnny Pecon Orchestra and well-known emcee Paul Nakel, Al sponsored and co-hosted the "TV Auction Party," a live, fast-paced weekly show combining outstanding music and dancing with merchandise auctions and studio audience participation. Within this forrmat, Al often furthered his charitable pursuits, sometimes taking the entire production to the Paraplegic Veterans Hospital with gifts and stage money for the patients. On another show he donated 200 Braille watches to the blind. "TV Auction Party" ran intermittently on Cleveland TV from 1957 through 1961 on station KYW.