Change of Seasons

It is that time of year the evenings are getting cool and the days are getting shorter. Football has started and homecomings are occurring. Summer softball has ended and the fall league has started. The deer stands are up and the archers have strung their bows.

This is the beginning of a wonderful time here in the Midwest. Pumpkins of all sizes and colors are piling up and everyone is rejuvenated after a long extremely hot summer.  The start of the decorating season coincides with hunting season. It is the time of fall festivals, craft shows and evening concerts. The crops are being harvested; the smoke houses are smokin and the kids are back in school.

I am already seeing homeowners preparing for the winter. It is the time for fertilizing yards, closing up pools, water sealing decks and pressure cleaning everything that does not move.  We have become part of that movement as well here at Orchard Hills.  We have planted bulbs for the spring thaw; water sealing the deck is next.  We have already fertilized the yard and put in more grass seed in the back yard.

Fall is the re-colorization of the earth, red, browns, yellows, oranges are popping up everywhere among the green.   It looks like this is going to be a beautiful season.  It won’t be long before the leaves start dropping and the winter gray will settle in its place.

The only drawback this year is all the political debris in the form of signs, billboards, and flyers that are making a mess of the otherwise beautiful landscape. If the politicians only would set aside a nice portion of their so called war chest for after election clean up.  Yeah I know like that would ever happen.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. It is great to be home.

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

Home Ownership

Okay, Condo living only lasted a mere eleven months, before we found ourselves back in a house. The past week has been a whirlwind of unpacking, organizing, hanging, arranging, deliveries, purchases, planning, purchases, contractors, installers and did I mention purchases.

It was only eleven months but home ownership was totally wiped from my memory. Condo living we only had to worry about the inside of the condo and the small patio out back.  Now we are back looking at taking care of a house again.  Yes, I know we are in a new construction with an exterior that is basically maintenance free but I do have to plan on winterizing exterior plumbing and water sealing the deck.

Plus for the first time in over twenty years, we had to purchase a lawn mower and weed eater.  Yikes, I have to do more in the yard than take care of a flower bed and fish pond.  Presently, I have to purchase more grass seed to assist the back yard, ensure the sod in front and side yards are fertilized and purchase border brick for the front flower bed. Notice that word Purchase keeps popping up, well that is part of being home owners.

We are also having 2 man caves completed over the next few days then we can reclaim the garage for its true purpose of storing automobiles.  What a concept the last garage I had was a work room /store room and this one is even large enough for two vehicles, a motorcycle and still has room to spare.

The D Suite (Dad Suite) looks more like a fine Hotel Suite than a guest room. Coffee pot, 40 inch flat panel TV, pub style table and chairs, rocking chair with reading lamp, and once the wall hangings, plus dorm size frig are added it will be complete.

We have created what we are calling the E suite which is the main guest room, Antique furniture, King Size bed, Antique wall decorations and just waiting for the plantation shutters.  Guest will have a nice short stroll down the Cruise Memorial gallery to their large yet cozy bath.

Yes, moving from 1000 square feet condo to what will eventually be 2200 under environmental control has been a great adventure. It actually is great to be back in a house where we have room to spread out and even room to grow. 

It is great to be home owners again and look forward to many years of happiness here. I am hopefully that the purchases will subside once we have obtained all the necessary tools and items we need to complete the house.

Till later LB

Yahoo!

New Beginnings

Yahoo!

Nearly 11 months ago, Paul and I made the decision that it was best for us and family to relocate to Clarksville, TN. After much discussion and mental anguish, I approached my boss to request a transfer and was rewarded with the knowledge that she was not about to lose me to another State or office. So with the security of being employed remotely, we put the house on the market, thinking we might have to leave and deal with a long distance sale. Fortunately, that was not the case and the Florida house sold in two days.

So with a month to pack, deciding what went with us in our two vehicles and what would be placed in storage, our path was clear to make the final move to Tennessee. We had purchased the Little Condo on the Bluff a couple of years prior as our getaway location and now it would be our new home.

The Condo is a great little house, quiet and peaceful but the goal of moving to Tennessee was to eventually convince Dad it was time to retire and that we wanted him to live with us. Dad is the only surviving parent that my sister, Paul and I have and it is our goal to ensure he takes care of himself. So even though we loved living in the condo, it was not going to be our ultimate location.

After spending months roaming Montgomery County, we looked at multiple re-sells but no matter what we liked it was going to take thousands to make it suitable for ourselves. Our wonderful realtor passed on a link regarding a new subdivision approximately 3 miles from the condo. After touring the spec. homes in the community we found the perfect model. It had a Dad Suite and a bonus room that we could convert into 2 man caves. Plus starting from the ground up we could make all the modifications that we wanted from the start.

So after 5 months, we are now in the Orchard Hills house. We have spent the week moving, unpacking and purchasing to our bodies and credit card are totally exhausted. We are now awaiting the delivery of the Florida Storage and few items that we had to order to arrive. The Dad Suite is nearly complete and now the real work of convincing the Old Missouri Mule to think about retiring will begin in earnest.

Clarksville has become our new home town and we could not be happier. A new home, new neighborhood and starting Monday September 10^th; Larry B resurfaces with an International Line Dance class at the Clarksville Athletic Club. It is always stressful starting out on a new beginning but having family and support from friends it has been a great adventure. Granted it is one we do not plan to do again, Clarksville is the final stomping ground.

Till next time, LB.

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….