2010 - PAST EVENTS
9/28 - Jupiter Trip to Burt Reynolds & Edna Hibel Museums
An unusual overcast Florida sky hovered above our car pools driving to the Burt Reynolds Museum. However, our collective mood lifted with delight once inside the museum which opened on a Tuesday just for our group. Our senior citizen docent and long time resident of Jupiter was extremely knowledgeable, articulate, and an admirer of the man and the actor. The Jupiter municipality provided the museum site, a vacant bank building, to the museum; donations provide maintenance costs. The exterior appears neglected. The interior is vibrant with the collections.
And, yes, the actor's real name, from birth, is Burt Reynolds. We learned that Reynolds lived in Florida, in Riviera Beach and Jupiter, as a child and adult. His parents owned a ranch and his father was sheriff. Burt’s own son, now in his twenties, is striving to become a law enforcement officer, following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
We viewed photographs of Burt’s family and friends throughout his life. The museum, also a studio for acting classes and performances, houses memorabilia from the seventy-four year old actor’s life. We learned that Mr. Reynolds did all of his own stunt work in all of his performances. All of his many national and international awards are showcased together with movie and television pieces used in his work. The “Deliverance” raft was on display as well as a horse drawn surrey from “Hello Dolly,” to name only two.
The white baby grand piano that Dinah Shore used in their home, during their relationship, is on display. Every showcase is filled with items of interest. Burt also had some pieces that were special to him, not related to his performances. One such item was the bill of sale for the horse, Trigger, from movie studio ownership to Roy Rodgers in 1943.
Our docent was extremely emphatic in impressing upon us that Burt Reynolds has been, and continues to be, a major influence in Jupiter and that he is dearly beloved and appreciated by the people of the community for his generous time, resources and availability. Everyone left knowing that Burt Reynolds is widely regarded by the community as an all around really nice, regular guy.
We set out for lunch at locations of individual choice and reassembled at the Hibel Museum, a trip of only less than ten minutes between museums. Unfortunately, the Hibel Museum’s sign was missing and we wandered until finally locating the building. After our excellent experience at the Burt Reynold’s Museum, the small Hibel Museum’s docent paled by comparison. We did have the opportunity to view paintings and plates exquisitely created by the now ninety something years old artist who resides on Singer Island. We experienced an interesting and fact filled enjoyable day. Oh, yes, Florida sunshine had returned for the ride home.
6/23 - Intracoastal Waterway Cruise
Ahoy There! On June 23rd, a group of members from The Philadelphia Social Club took to the waters of the Intracoastal for an afternoon cruise. Our vessel, the "Lady Atlantic" offered many areas for relaxing both indoors and out. Comfortable seating, cold drinks, good conversation and the spacious, covered open decks, provided a great gathering place to kick back, escape the sun and enjoy the balmy breezes.
Sailing north from DelrayBeach on beautiful blue waters, we were treated to a narrative with colorful stories of the people and the magnificent homes along the shores. In one hour we made our way to our turn around point in Manalapan. All too soon, back in Delray Beach, a very relaxed and happy group of Philadelphians disembarked the lovely "Lady Atlantic."
There was a drawing for free tickets for a future cruise. The winners were two of our members, Marilyn and Jules Meyers.
Thanks to Ann Zemble, Co-Vice-President, Events Planning for chairing and arranging this cruise.
3/3 - Book & Author Luncheon
On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, over 40 Philly Club members and guests met in the Coral Lakes Clubhouse Cafe for a Book & Author Luncheon, arranged by Gibby Palmaccio, the author of "La Casa Nostra." This was a first class act from beginning to end!
In addition to a delicious lunch (platters heaping with fresh salads, complete with loaves of challah), Gibby had placed on each table assorted nuts and trays containing a variety of cookies she personally baked especially for this event. Following lunch, there was a raffle drawing where each winner happily walked away with a wonderful gift.
On display were excellent paintings depicting Gibby's artistic talent. An artist in every respect, Gibby spoke about the events in her book, "La Casa Nostra" - all taken from various episodes in her life and that of her family. Her first attempt at writing a book and self-publishing, Gibby was proud to announce that "La Casa Nostra" is being considered by Martin Scorsese, Nicholas Pileggi and Warner Brothers Studio. After personally reading and thoroughly enjoying this "page-turner," it's easy to envision how this book would make an incredible movie!
Gibby graciously answered questions from the group and concluded the afternoon by signing and giving every participant a copy of her book, "La Casa Nostra." A definite best seller in the making, we all wish Gibby Palmaccio the very best of luck.
2/21 - KLEZMER CONCERT & DESSERT EVENING
The lobby was packed. Over 200 members and guests, anticipating our most popular event of the season, eagerly waited for the festivities to begin. At precisely 7 p.m. on Sunday evening, February 21st, the doors to our room at the Civic Center were opened to reveal a spectacular array of desserts.
Half the room was lined with long tables displaying the most amazing, scrumptious desserts, which ran the gamut from chocolate cakes, carrot cake, cheese cakes, key lime pies, Napoleons, brownies, home baked chocolate chip cookies to Dellie Rosen's signature chocolate pizza. On the other side of the room, a display (nearly as large) featured fresh fruit and every kind of "no-sugar added" desserts imaginable.
The creme de la creme of desserts was donated by Chuck Pheterson, president of "Totally Bananas." Suffice to say, everyone "went bananas" when they tasted these yummy frozen bananas on a stick, covered with gourmet chocolate and chopped nuts.
At 8:15 p.m., Jan Fleischman-Frank, opened the show, explained how Klezmer music originated, and introduced the members of the Harry Frank Klezmer Band. Jerry, the drummer, and Eddie, the violinist, both incredibly talented, are still with the band. Newcomers are Gary on keyboard, Marty on clarinet, and Chris on trumpet.
Gary opened the show with "Irving the Big Fat Short Jewish Cowboy and the theme from "Exodus." Marty followed with three musical selections on clarinet.
Another delight was Chris, billed as "The Token 'Goy," who performed "And the Angels Sing" on trumpet. After explaining his first gig as a bugler at a race track, he played "By Mir Bist du Shane" and sang "Won't you Come Home Bill Bailey."
Jerry, the drummer, was beyond outstanding and such a delight! His songs were hilarious ("Give me a Home where the Matza Balls Roam"), but the best was his Cowboy Cantor Rapper, where he sang and danced, complete with beard and hat. His act also included a lip sinc of the song, "Rumania," punctuated by a funny dance routine.
The best was saved for last. Eddie, from Russia, master of the violin, captivated the audience with "If I Were a Rich Man" from "Fiddler on the Roof." His act concluded with him singing and playing "Yiddishe Mama." When Eddie played, the audience was spellbound.
The surprise of the evening was when little 7-year old Biana walked out on stage. Biana was Eddie's protege who received a standing ovation after she played the violin and brilliantly sang "Over the Rainbow."
To conclude the concert, the group played "Shalom Aleichem" while a dozen of our members danced the Hora around the tables. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the overwhelming talent of The Harry Frank Klezmer Band, as evidenced by the standing ovation they received.
We would like to express our thanks to Lewis Rachmell, who presided over the raffle drawing of the ten gifts he donated, to all our bakers, to Thelma Spiegel who took the reservations for this affair, and to the helping hands of Jack Singer. Most of all, our thanks to Carol Weiss-Singer for the tremendous effort she put into this affair; not only the shopping, coordinating and arranging, but for making this entire event possible.
Last, our thanks to a dear friend, Anita Baker (may she rest in peace), who discovered the Harry Frank Klezmer Band and brought them to our stage on September 25, 2005.
1/17/10 - Doo Wop
Doo Wop is a style of rhythm and blues, popularized in the 1950's and characterized by words and nonsense syllables. It sure was a no nonsense party when on January 17, 2010, the fabulous Doo Wops, Vinnie and Paulie, performed non-stop to a packed house of Philly Club members and guests.
Following a scrumptious dinner, catered by TooJays and enjoyed by all, the large room at the Civic Center became alive with jive! Most were on the dance floor kicking up their heels to "Jailhouse Rock" and the like. There was lots of toe tapin' and hand clappin' for those in their seats as Vinnie & Paulie outdid themselves again, taking us back to the 50's and 60's on a trip down Memory Lane. Everyone had a blast from the past and a fantastic time was had by all!
PAST TRIPS - 2010
12/11-18 - CRUISE to the Western Caribbean on Celebrity Eclipse - December 11 - 18, 2010
See also
UPCOMING AND PAST 2011 EVENTS
2009 PAST EVENTS
2008 PAST EVENTS
2007 PAST EVENTS
2006 PAST EVENTS
2004-2005 PAST EVENTS
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