Ms. Honey's Great Adventure continues part 3

Hope everyone had a great Halloween.  After a hectic 2 weeks, it was time to slow down with Monday, October 29^th relaxing in.  Okay its getting colder so I enjoyed the toasty fireplace which I’m not able to do at home. Breakfast, lunch and a wonderful  dinner finished off a nice slow paced day.

On Tuesday, Paul took me shopping but I forgot my roller skates to keep up with him. Home in time for have a great steak dinner prepared by Chef Larry on the grill. I must say this was one of my best vacations ever.

We celebrated Larry’s Birthday on Wednesday with a dinner and cake, which is not on their diet.  It is still on my diet. I have dropped another 2 pounds and can’t believe it. No wonder all the celebrities can lose weight when they have great chefs cooking for them all the time.  I will surely miss that when I get back to reality.

We had Larry’s Birthday Dinner at the BlackHorse Pub in the downtown historical district of Clarksville.  Larry’s Sister, Cindy joined us in celebrating Larry’s Birthday. I was so pleased to see Larry order a martini, he sure needs it after working so hard. To heck with the diet on your Birthday, we all came back to the house for a piece of Sweet Potato Cake. Paul even relented and had a piece of cake.

Thursday, the deck awning was installed and another great feature to this already beautiful home. We did have some very sad news this morning from Florida, a very dear friend and neighbor passed after a long battle with cancer.  John Persico was a community Icon in Greenhaven 12^th.  Larry was the first person John met when he and his wonderful wife Irene moved to the community.   He will be dearly missed by the three of us here. I personally shared many wonderful times with John and Irene on several cruise and many parties. Rest well our dear friend.

Tomorrow is my last full day here in Tennessee and I already know I am going to miss being treated like the Queen and waited on by Paul and Larry .

Thank you for allowing me to share my wonderful vacation experience in Tennessee.

A lighter Ms. Honey.

Ms. Honey's Great Tennessee Adventure continues

Well week two started off nice and warm, Monday, October 22^nd, Larry cooked on the big new grill on their deck, Cindy, Larry’s sister joined us for a great steak dinner. Did I mention I am following Larry and Paul’s diet program?  It is really good and lots of food, I cheat a little; it is hard teaching an old dog new tricks.

Tuesday, I went shopping with Larry, who took the day off from his hectic work. It was nice to be able to take my time and wander up/down every aisle in the stores. Paul is good to shop with if you have roller skates. But I love him anyway.

Wednesday, Paul and I went to Kirkland’s where I did a little Christmas shopping. He even consented and took me to the Dollar store which he hates to do but endures it for my pleasure. Thursday, it was off to buy a lovely electric fire place, an early birthday gift from Larry to Paul. Great news, I have lost three pounds since arriving and following the boys diet program.  I think I will keep this up.

Friday was icy rain and cold. Larry’s Dad surprised him by showing up that afternoon with his sister for the weekend.  Larry took us all to the Catfish House again and I had the best Fried Oysters I have ever had. No weight watchers night for me.

Saturday, October 27^th, Larry took us to the Nashville Flea Market at the Tennessee Fair Grounds. This is one of the largest flea markets in the country and held the fourth weekend of every month.  It was cold and windy but we did make it through two of the buildings, I could have spent all three days there.  Larry took us to a great Sushi/Japanese restaurant on the way home. Everyone has seen the lovely photo of Paul and I passed out in the back of the van on the trip back to Clarksville. I still have to get Larry for that one.

Sunday, Paul made a wonderful breakfast for everyone. We visited with Larry’s Dad before he left to go back to Missouri. Larry prepped a casserole for dinner and then the three of us then did the Sunday Schmoozing to Sam’s and the boys bought another electric fireplace for the master bedroom. Then it was home to relax at home while Larry created a new flower bed on the west side of the house for the mums to take residence and mowed his lawn.  Chef Larry then finished up the casserole for dinner, a wonderful Butternut Squash Shepherd’s Pie. They are sure making it hard for me to go home. One more week to go and I have lost another 2 pounds.

Till next time

A Thinner “Old Southern Belle” Ms. Honey

Entertaining -Community service

During this week of Jewish Holidays, I was reminded of many years gone by when I entertained for the Jewish War Veterans Group led by the late Murray Broder. Murray was the owner of Broder's Wholesale Tobacco and Candy Store in Worcester Maine. We were a group of entertainers that went out once a week to nursing homes, veteran's homes, hospitals, military bases and orphanages. No one could ever say no to Murray. He was one of the most generous people, I ever knew.

For 15 years, I worked beside other great entertainers such as Nils Hagberg, Walter Fields, Carol Zannotti, The Gaslows, The Nadeau Sisters, Marion Rittaco, Steve Colombo, Andre, the Magician, Lilian Sedaris and Jerry Felicetti(my Dad), just to name a few of the many great talents that gave up their time to bring joy to others.

The audience's faces would light up at each show. Murray brought joy to all ethnic groups, including the Nazareth home for boys, St. Ann's Orphanage and others.  I even remember the nuns at these facilities having a great time at these shows as well. 

Many a Christmas day were devoted to doing 3 or 4 shows at several locations. Of course, Murray supplied the goodies to all and he showed his appreciation to the entertainers by treating us all at the Broadway Deli on Water Street.

It was so much fun and so many fond memories of those times, working with so many great talents and being able to bring joy and happiness to so many. Many that had served our country and it was our turn to give back to them. 

Till next time. Ms. Honey

I thank Ms. Honey for her contributions to my weekly blog. Her experiences and stories are always an inspiration to me.  I learn something new about my dear friend with each article.

Keep Dancing  LB

75 Years of Memories

Guest Author this week is Ellen Valinski.

It's hard to believe that I celebrated my 75^nd Birthday this July. With that many years, I have memories that could fill a book. I thought I would put some of my most favorite memories to paper and share with everyone.

Starting my own Honey Feliceti's Dance Studio at 16 years of age was just the beginning of a long career in business. After school every day I went to my small studio on Front Street in Worcester, MA. I only had 27 students in my first year. My parents helped out, so I was able to pay rent and phone. I would Baby Sit at night on weekends to pay for advertising. I was involved in all my high school shows, which was also great advertising. Dancing in shows for many groups such as Jewish War Veterans, Sons of Italy, Local T.V., U.S.O., Army hospitals, orphanages and so many others.

I was 18years of age when I married my soul mate Andy, who just happen to be 7 years my senior. He helped me so much with my business. I had over 100 students by this time, making my life a little easier.  My studio was now the whole 4^th floor of the Front Street location over Paris Curtain Shop. Business just kept getting better and better each year. Also now being old enough to perform in the good old fashion nite clubs on weekends, I did not need any further financial help from my family.

Dancing in the nite clubs was so much fun. I was entertaining with people like Totie Fields, Vaughn Monroe, Smiling Jack Smith, Jack Carter, Jill Corey, Walter Fields, The Nadeau Sisters, Jerry Lucci, and so many great musicians.

Next great memory was the birth of my first son, Andy Jr. Now Mom and Dad were back as baby sitters, without them my business would not have continued to grow to over 250 students. 

As I continued teaching and dancing at nite clubs, along came son number 2, Brian and then my daughter, Andrea.  Andy and I moved into a custom built house, across from Mom and Dad, the perfect baby sitters. Business was good, I had 4 teachers including myself, two other studios in different towns and over 400 students. 

Early Urban Renewal meant my 4^th floor studio was to be demolished but the new studio was a great step toward continued success. The location was a former nite club with mirrors everywhere and full of great memories of past entertainers. My wonderful husband, Andy replaced the carpet with a  wonderful hard wood floor. I had over 600 students, a receptionist, 6 teachers and a great old piano player, Gert. What a gem she was.

I had Honey Felicitti's Dance Studio for 25 years before ending that part of my business career.  Just wait till I tell you about my next business...

Till then, Ms. Honey