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

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….

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