Haber’s Labor a Solid Win: “The Divine Miss M”
On Wednesday, March 10, the Women’s
Club was treated to a special Zoom meeting
held by lecturer Mel Haber on “Bette
Midler-The Divine Miss M.” Professor Haber, with
degrees from Boston University, Baruch College
and CUNY, gave a spirited and detailed account
of Midler’s private and professional life, replete
with original videos. As a devotee of old popular
music, he cited the “Make Believe Ballroom”
with Martin Block and William B.
Williams. Presenting a program on
Bette Midler was an extension of
this kind of devotion.
Haber traced Midler from her
birth in Honolulu in 1945 to the
present. Coming from a poor
family in New Jersey, the family
moved to Hawaii when her father
worked at a naval base there. She
always loved singing, and especially applause,
although her father did not approve. However,
encouraged by her mother, Bette moved to New
York City in 1965, and in 1968 appeared in an
Off-Broadway performance of Fiddler on the
Roof. Starting in the chorus, she finally got
the role of Tevye’s daughter Tzeitl. Continuing
her career, in 1970 she was a regular at the
Continental Baths, a noted gay venue at the
Ansonia Hotel.
Showing videos of Midler at that time, Haber
noted the fact that a producer of the Tonight
Show with Johnny Carson booked her for an
appearance. He showed a clip of Bette singing
“Chattanooga Choo Choo” as the Divine Miss
M, and a legend was born. Her tours all over
the US were sold out. In 1972 Midler produced
her first record album as the
Divine Miss M. The following
year a “trio of Midlers” did
a video of “Boogie Woogie
Bugle Boy” as a takeoff on the
Andrew Sisters.
Professor Haber discussed
Midler’s movie success as well,
starting with the year 1979
when she did her first film,
“The Rose.” Playing a drug abuser--a veiled
version of Janis Joplin--her acting ability was
duly noted and she began to make more and
more films. Haber pointed out “Beaches” in
1988, as the soundtrack from that film became
her biggest selling album. One of the songs he
mentioned was the famous “Wind Beneath My
Wings” as an example from that album. Leading
up to the present, “Everything’s Coming Up
Roses” was often pointed out as a comparison
to Ethel Merman.
As a New Yorker, Midler is known for her
charity work, investing in restoration work
and community gardens. In a career that has
spanned 50 years, she has won Grammys,
Emmys and a Tony, and has sold over 30 million
records.
PANDEMONIUM
POETRY
BY VICKI MAZEL
T’is a question so academic,
Is there a change in the pandemic?
Do facts point to the endemic,
Turning a corner on the epidemic?
What to do now we ask?
Still have to wear our mask.
Else we’ll be taken to task,
Sneak a little booze in a flask!
Be still my beating heart,
Only need be three feet apart.
Elevator rules same from the start,
Still wipe down your shopping cart.
Spring’s here t’will be getting hot.
Hope everyone got their shot.
Enjoy the warmer days a lot.
But get to the dentist before teeth rot.
People playing pickle ball,
All gardens begin to sprawl.
More socializing is the call,
Even a trip to a local mall.
Here’s advice you should know.
Whatever you do - take it slow,
Mr. Pandemic is still the boss,
So please stay off his course.
Still no rooms to hold our meetings,
Buffy’s open for meals and greetings.
Don’t fret - it’s really no bummer,
Looking ahead to a better summer…..
B-I-N-G-O!
Hosted by Dawn Steinberg
and Selma Baumgarten, the
virtual Bingo Game held on
Wednesday, March 31, was
judged a huge success by
Program Chairperson and
Co-President Gloria Beck.
After thanking the Bingo
hosts, Gloria went on to
describe the afternoon event.
“Dawn explained the rules of
the virtual Bingo to the attending
2021
May ¢COURIER TOWERS club members before the
action started, which was not
SHORE very different from any other
resident pick up.
Bingo,” she said.
The Zoom session offered
Gloria also acknowledged
open discussion with much
NORTH the positive response Bingo
reminiscing of tea drinking
received. “We are going to
in European countries, along
continue with this event,” she
with other topics of interest to
22 stated, “and there were even
the participants. Chickie was members from the Women’s
Club in Florida that joined in.”
Dawn Steinberg and Selma
Baumgarten are applauded for
their hard work, and of course
our esteemed program and
events leader, Gloria Beck.
Prizes were awarded and Rose
Tracey was the big winner of
the day.
Gloria also pointed out that
if people wish to play in the
future they have to put in their
reservations in a timely manner.
No reservations can be
accepted after the cutoff date.
Preparations must be made
behind the scenes, including
the Zoom invite, membership
verification and collection and
distribution of cards.
WOMEN’S CLUB LAUNCHES
TEA TIME
On Wednesday, April 2,
members of the Women’s
Club shared Tea Time under
the Zoom umbrella. The brainchild
of Chickie Kaufman,
Membership Chairperson and
Co-President, she provided
the tea and sweeties to the
attending members signed up
for the session. The goodies
were beautifully presented in
gift bags and sent to the various
building concierges for