Labor Day 2012

Depending on whether you count from the first Labor Day or from when it became a Federal Holiday. ThisLabor Day is the 130th or 118^th. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival would be held to amuse local workers and their families.

In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events. This year I will be celebrating Labor Day by moving into our new home and helping my sister prepare to move into our condo. 

Seems like it was just a year ago that I was packing up our house in Florida and getting ready to move to Tennessee. Oh wait, it was a year ago.  It has been a great year and we have definitely established Clarksville as our home. So yes in one year we have sold a house in Florida, moved to our condo on the bluff and had a new house built.   

The funny thing is I wrote 2 years ago here in my blog about how the Condo on the Bluff was my place to get away to a slower pace of life.  I talked about how tired I was of the metropolitan area of South Florida and how when I was here I slowed down, became more productive and creative.

It is a slower pace of life here but this year has not been that slow paced for us. Perhaps once this move is complete we will be able to slow down and enjoy our new home and the surrounding area.

It feels like we are starting over just as it did a year ago.  This time I know it is the last time I am going to pack up totes.  Luckily instead of 18 hours of driving, it is only 5 minutes from door to door.

Till next time LB

It Is Never Too Late

I recently saw a post in Facebook from a friend that felt it was too late to achieve a dream. This from a talented young lady with two small kids felt it was too late to achieve a dream. I immediately responded that it was never too late to strive for something you truly love to do.

I know this to be true. I always loved dancing and establishing my own class once we moved to TN was a dream. Sept 10, 2012 that dream will be a reality. I was fortunate enough to meet someone by chance that got me into the Clarksville Athletic Club. I now have a three month gig with the possibility to move this to a full schedule with the club.

This also gave me a great lead with the Montgomery County Parks & Recreation department. Now I have another opportunity to further establish my dance classes.  Possibilities will continue to present themselves as long as I am diligent in achieving my goal.  It is never too late.

Building a new house to our specification was another dream that I never thought would be obtained. Now it too is being achieved and we take possession August 31, 2012 of our new home. It is never too late.

Going back to a gym and sticking to regular regiment was something I did not think I would ever do again. Yet I am and doing it with Paul just makes it even better. We are enjoying it greatly and have even lost 10 pounds each.  It is never too late.

Getting involved with local sports was never a dream but a very pleasant addition to our life. We have become the softball team supporters for Cindy’s team. We are regulars now at the ball park for not only her team but to also support her as an umpire for the other leagues.  It is never too late.

So never give up on your dreams, never give up on new experiences. Yesterday is set in stone and cannot be changed. Tomorrow is not and holds all possibilities. You simply have to be open minded enough to see them as they approach. Take a leap of faith in yourself. It is never too late...

Till Next time…Larry B

 

Dance and Theatrical, Oh My!

The Ellen Valinski Story continues…I opened my first store in Shrewsbury MA. Next to the famous Spags. It was a fantastic location.  I did this right after closing all my Dance Studios and the store was called “Honey’s Theatrical and Dance Wear Shoppe. I specialized in ready-made costumes/theatrical make-up/custom made costumes/all types of dance footwear and theatrical accessories.  I also had a rental department for all masquerade costumes.

The first thing I had to do was reach out to the many dance teachers that I had been previous competitor. I called all of them and asked if I could give each and every one of them my personal attention by going to their studios to measure each student for their needs (leotards, shoes, costumes). Most took advantage of the service and this was a great start for my new shoppe. I then contacted all the Theatrical groups, high schools and local skating clubs and offered similar services and advertised recital planning and designing.

One of my former students Gary Cipro became my designer and window trimmer, he was great at everything.  Word soon got around to many entertainers such as singers, comedians, exotic dancers and female impersonators, we soon had more work than Gary handle. We would set up appointments in the evening for all these adult performers, strippers and all. I realized then that I had to go to New York to purchase lots of feathers. I went to the Avenue of Americas from which I found had the most wholesale trim and feathers. I went alone at first to introduce myself to these companies. Some would not even see me because I was a small new store. I finally met a wonderful old man at a large company who must have thought I was crazy thinking $250 was enough to purchase from him or anyone wholesale feathers.

He sat with me first and explained how to buy feathers; by the pound he said not the piece. He got a huge plastic bag and filled it with the most beautiful feathers, boas, ostrich, marabou, peacock and many more. He then showed me how to make my own feather boas, by twisting small one into expensive larger feathers. That was a real lesson in how to make more money with the product.

He also showed me the beautiful headpieces, which he designed for the Rockettes and Fans for Sally Rand. We kept our business going with each other till he passed away a year later. What knowledge he had in his profession and I was always grateful for his kindness and support.

I also went to wig companies, at the time these were mostly owned by Koreans. Once again a new adventure for me, for they were mostly in old buildings with gated elevators. It was very scary to have to go up and ring a bell for access with my few hundred dollars tucked in my underwear. I got some great deals on clown and character wigs.  This was just the beginning of a wonder new part of my life.

More to come… searching my memories… Ms. Honey….

Press Release-LineDanceNews.com

Clarksville, TN-8/10/2012- LineDanceNews.com announces the New International Line Dance classes by Larry B at the Clarksville Athletic Club, 220 Dunlop Lane, Clarksville, TN. The classes start September 10, 2012 at 8 pm.  Classes will be on Monday and Wednesday evening and currently will run for three months.

Larry B. has been dancing for 10 plus years and has been teaching International Line Dance for 5 years. Larry B moved to Clarksville from South Florida in 2011 and has been actively seeking a place to call home for his Line Dance classes.

International Line Dance for the Social Dancer is not your typical Line Dance Class. Classes consist of dance choreographed to Country, Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock N Roll, Gospel and Pop. International Line Dance is a fun socialization activity and a great exercise program. International Line Dance is for all ages and all levels of physical endurance.

The above is a preliminary new release that I am working on for release this weekend. I so excited to have found a new venue to host my International Line Dance Classes.  The arrangement is for 3 months to see what the response will be at the Clarksville Athletic Club. I have been told that if the Classes are successful then I will be offered a position on the Clubs schedule.  I foresee a long rewarding relationship with the Clarksville Athletic Club.

Moving to a new location has been a challenge in regards of getting into the local scene and establishing a venue for teaching.  My Sister, Cindy, asked us to attend a July 4^th celebration for her Softball team.  Tammy, the team coach asked what I enjoyed doing in my spare time and of course, I said teaching Line Dance. She was excited to hear and stated she wanted to take my class. I explained that I had not found a venue to host my classes since moving to Clarksville. She stated she would introduce me to Heather Evetts, a member of Cindy’s Softball team who just happen to work at the Clarksville Athletic Club.

I have also been given a new lead with the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department and will be reaching out to them as well over the next few weeks. Yes, I can say things are definitely on the upswing here in Tennessee, new house nearing completion, new venue to host my classes and possibility of making a deal with Parks & Recreation. 

Keep Dancing... Larry B

Celebrating Dad’s Birthday

Dad came over for a 4 day weekend today, to celebrate his birthday with us in Tennessee.  Sister had told him she was coming to Missouri for his birthday. He told her he had decided to come here to be with all of us. Of course, Paul and I told him, we knew the real reason for his decision was the fact here he will be fed and pampered.  If Sister visited him it would be take out and diners all weekend. He got a good laugh out of that reasoning but he did not deny it either.

After his arrival today, Paul took him to his first stop during every visit, the local Library to pick up his weekend supply of books. It is always a reading marathon when Dad visits. He can read on average 5 novels during a weekend.  He will have read at least one book by the time this gets posted. (Make that two novels)

Tonight, we will take him out for a light dinner then go harass Umpire Richards for a couple of hours. (That was the plan before the games were called due to wet fields, so Sister and our Friend Kris met us for Chinese). We have to keep Dad up past 7 p.m. or he will have the household up by 3 a. m.  Saturday, Paul will make him his favorite breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy. We will show him the progress on the new house and again describe his future Dad Suite. Although, we all know getting him to finally move and retire will take an act of God.

We will stop by Sister’s place for a while then head back to the little house on the bluff to relax. I plan to make my mouth watering, fall off the bone baby back ribs for Saturday dinner. Paul will make his famous baked beans and homemade Cole slaw. 

Sunday, for his birthday, Paul will make Dad a great breakfast. We will relax, read and watch Storage Wars, Swamp People and Storage Hunters. Sister will be over so better throw in some Olympics to that mix as well.  We plan to take him out to the New Catfish House so Dad can have “all you can eat catfish”.

Then it will be back to the little house on the bluff for a great home-made banana pudding, one of Dad’s favorite desserts.

Yes, it will be a nice quiet weekend pampering the old man and celebrating his 74^th Birthday.   Happy Birthday, Pop...

Till next time. LB