Kicking off the 2019 program
season for the NST Women’s
Club on January 16,
popular lecturer Marilyn Carminio
speaking on Louis Armstrong and
Ella Fitzgerald. Opening remarks by
Co-Vice President Gloria Beck were
made, spotlighting upcoming programs,
including wine and cheese
parties, Cinema Club report and
myriad offerings for our members.
Carminio presented an audio-visual
trip down memory lane, which
held attendees in rapt attention.
She noted the similar backgrounds
of Armstrong and Fitzgerald, from
their humble roots to their troubled
childhoods.
The son of a slave, Armstrong
spent his childhood in New
Orleans. As he grew to be the premier
jazz musician in the world, he
acquired the nickname “Satchmo”
(Satchel Mouth), from the face he
made while playing the trumpet.
Befriending a hard working Jewish
family in his youth, Armstrong
had first-hand exposure to both
black prejudice in the South and
anti-Semitism. As a result, he wore
a Star of David and kept a box of
matzo in his kitchen for the rest
of his life. Satchmo’s voice was
once described as “a wheelbarrow
crunching up a driveway.”
The introduction of “Scat”—
singing non-word syllables—was
also attributed to Armstrong, and
often employed by Fitzgerald,
and many other jazz singers. He
toured the world, made the cover
of Time magazine in 1947 and
appeared in many films in the
’50s and ’60s. Breaking ground
for racial attitudes, he was a role
model for disadvantaged youngsters
and contributed generously
to their development by setting a
working example of success for
black people.
Armstrong ultimately settled
in Corona with his fourth wife
Lucille, and the house is open to
the public as a museum today. He
died in 1971 after having the honor
of an audience with the Pope
and other luminaries of the day.
“It isn’t where you come from,
it’s where you’re going.” That sums
up Ella Fitzgerald’s philosophy of
life, as she too, rose from poverty
to great success as a jazz performer.
Moving from the deep South,
as a young girl she ran numbers
for the mob and ended up in a
black orphan asylum. Young Ella
worked at the Harlem Opera
House as a dancer. After singing
at the Savoy her career took off.
She got married in 1947 to Ray
Brown, and continued a successful
career, which included
appearing in many popular films,
including “An American in Paris,”
“Rhapsody in Blue” and “Funny
Louis Armstrong and Ella
Fitzgerald
Face.” In 1956, she appeared at the
Hollywood Bowl with Armstrong.
In 1987, she received the Medal of
Freedom from President Regan.
She also received two Grammys.
Fitzgerald died in 1996, but her
music lives on.
Program Chair Gloria Beck, has
arranged for Carminio to return in
March to do a program on “Young
Queen Elizabeth: The Early Years.”
You won’t want to miss it!
Marilyn’s Barrelin’ In!
CINEMA CLUB GOING STRONG
The Cinema Club continues to provide
reviews and insights into films aired in our
own movie theater. Dr. Nurit Israeli, a psychologist,
gives insight into characters portrayed
in various films, and recently Felice Hannah
was invited to give her perspective on the film
“Green Book,” another of the exceptional films
shown in Towers Cinema, which have received
multiple awards and great acclaim. Kudos to
proprietors Henry and Anne for their savvy
movie selections.
Watch for posters, announcing our next film
and date for discussion, in the mailrooms and at
the top of the stairs leading to the theater. All this
could not be possible without the cooperative
efforts of Howard Simon, co-manager of the
theater, who provides trailers of designated films
for us. So...Wanna feel groovy? Go see a movie!
WHAT’S NEXT???
February 13—James Coll: The Wartime
Constitution
March 27—Marilyn Carminio: Queen
Elizabeth: The Early Years
April 24—Howard Ehrlich & Harvey
Sackowitz: Jewish Gangsters Who Love Their
Mothers
May 15—Annual Spring Luncheon at The
Jolly Fisherman (Details to come)
June 12—Max Alvarez: History of the
Hollywood Musical
Also on the agenda is a to-do list of special
programs, including a back-by-popular-demand
return by resident social worker Barbara
Goldstein with an “Aging Wisely” workshop, as
well as an Arts and Crafts workshop, museum
trip, sleep specialist lecture, and other goodies
through the tireless efforts of Gloria Beck.
MUNCH WITH THE LUNCH BUNCH—
VALENTINE’S DAY-FEB.14
The popular lunch bunch series is alive and
well. Lunch takes place at Buffy’s and a $5
deposit is required to secure your place. Save
the Date—call the representative in your building
to reserve.
• Building #1: Anita Levien (347-408-4251)
• Bui lding #2: Mari lyn Goldberg
(347-502-7309)
• Building #3: Eva Kessner (718-631-7637)
NOT A MEMBER? FORGOT TO REJOIN?
NOW’S THE TIME…
Membership is always available for new and
present residents. Dues are $25 and provide you
with all these programs and lectures. Please
make out check for $25 and leave with the
concierge of each building:
• Building #1: Anita Levien (347-408-4251)
• Building #2: Marilyn Goldberg (347
502-7309)
• Building #3: Chickie Kaufman (718 819-8176)
That’s it for now. Remember to look for the
flyer with the yellow rose for ongoing information
about events. See ya!
News From NST
Women’s Club South
BY PRESIDENT ROBERTA GOULD
On Thursday, February 28, 2019, the
NST Women’s Club South will have
a luncheon at popular venue, Max’s
Grill in Meisner Park at 11:30 a.m. This will
be followed by a docent-led exhibition at the
Boca Raton Museum near the restaurant. The
exhibit is entitled “Imagining Florida: History
and Myths in the Sunshine State,” and has
been enthusiastically received. The Women’s
Club is generously sponsoring the admission
and docent charges for active members. A
check for $21 to cover restaurant costs should
be sent to:
Roberta Gould
16821 Colchester Court
Delray Beach, Florida 33484
NOTE: There will be no walk-ins and this
offer is available to paid-up members only.
32 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ February 2019