January 16, 1993...
26 years ago today...
26 years ago today...
John Ettline died.
John spent the last nine years of his life without his wife Helen.
Imagine the strength and courage it took for John, a man in his 80s,
to go it alone, enduring the hardships of winter and keeping the Dell
in operation even as the teenage patrons became increasingly
rough, rowdy and disrespectful. How many of us
could have stood up to that challenge?
Imagine the strength and courage it took for John, a man in his 80s,
to go it alone, enduring the hardships of winter and keeping the Dell
in operation even as the teenage patrons became increasingly
rough, rowdy and disrespectful. How many of us
could have stood up to that challenge?
THE FOUR LADS
This year as we remember John I selected for your listening pleasure
three songs that I think he would have enjoyed, beginning with a song
that is worth a thousand memories, one that reached its zenith on the
pop chart 63 years ago. The Four Lads sing "Moments To Remember."
three songs that I think he would have enjoyed, beginning with a song
that is worth a thousand memories, one that reached its zenith on the
pop chart 63 years ago. The Four Lads sing "Moments To Remember."
"Moments To Remember" - The Four Lads
(Jan. 1956, highest chart pos. #2)
FRANKIE LYMON
AND THE TEENAGERS
Here's a great record that failed to reach the chart in the U.S. but made a run
at the top 10 in the UK. Released in December 1956, The Teenagers Featuring
Frankie Lymon is the group's only album. This song from the album peaked
at #12 in the UK. The title reminds us that generations of Dell rats needed
to convince their parents, teachers, clergymen and police that going to
the Dell did not turn them into bad kids. Frankie Lymon and the
Teenagers sing - "I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent."
at the top 10 in the UK. Released in December 1956, The Teenagers Featuring
Frankie Lymon is the group's only album. This song from the album peaked
at #12 in the UK. The title reminds us that generations of Dell rats needed
to convince their parents, teachers, clergymen and police that going to
the Dell did not turn them into bad kids. Frankie Lymon and the
Teenagers sing - "I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent."
"I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
(Nov. 1956 U.S. ver. uncharted, Feb. 1957 UK version reached #12,
from Dec. 1956 album The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon)
from Dec. 1956 album The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon)
ROY ORBISON
Hard to believe it's been more than 30 years since the great Roy Orbison's voice
fell silent. I think John would enjoy hearing Roy's first major hit, a record that
shoulda been, coulda been and woulda been #1 on the chart in 1960 had it
not been blocked by Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry." Here's Roy Orbison aka
"The Big O" aka "The Caruso of Rock" singing "Only The Lonely."
"Only The Lonely" - Roy Orbison
(July 1960, highest chart pos. #2)
John, you were the King of all Dell Rats.
If we have anything to say about it, you
and Helen will always be remembered.
and Helen will always be remembered.
We love you and miss you, John!
I miss so many peeps and cats, friend Shady as I know I will never see them again. although I tried so hard … Much love says this Alberta cat and her cat Theo.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteThank you for being the early bird this time as we remember John Ettline on the anniversary of his death 26 years ago.
It's an unavoidable fact. The longer we live, the more loss we suffer. It helps to express what you feel to friends and loved ones.
Thank you again for your kind visit and comment, dear friend cat. Much love to you and Theo and enjoy the rest of your week!
It was time he joined Helen. He must've had a ton of friends that kept him going since most men don't last a year without their wives.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for coming over early, good buddy! Yes, it's that time of year again, the flurry of remembrances here on the blog. The birth and death dates of John & Helen Ettline and Margaret Schneider all fall within the first five months of the year.
You make a good point. Many people pine away and die soon after the death of a spouse. It is amazing that John went on nine more years, given the disrespectful treatment he received from rowdy rats that took over the Dell those last few years.
Thanks again for your comment, good buddy Alex, and enjoy the rest of your week!
I hate to hear that his last years with the Dell were spent with disrespectful rowdy kids. That sucks because that's not what that place was intended for.
ReplyDeleteI was going to mention the same thing Alex did regarding his unusual length of time without his spouse. Its pretty common for couples in that age to die close together. Makes me think of Johnny and June Cash dying only a few months apart.
Oh Roy Orbison can sing the telephone book and it would be good. I love his voice and so sad we no longer have him around.
Never heard of the song I'm not a juvenile delinquent. Wasn't my favorite but it was different!!
Have a great rest of your week!
Hi, Holli!
DeleteThank you for coming back over again this week, dear friend. I am very happy to see you!
Yessum, it hurts to know that, in its last few years of operation, the Dell turned into the rough place that parents, teachers, clergy and police always believed it to be, and that John was subjected to abuse in his final years. John gave respect and deserved to get it in return. Most Dell rats of the 1940s, 50s, 60, and 70s gave him respect, but then the times changed, the music changed (to heavy metal) and, unfortunately, the clientele changed.
I'm glad you enjoyed hearing the velvet voice of Roy Orbison this morning.
Thanks again for joining me for this annual tribute to John. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Holli!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteIt makes you wonder why and how John went on. I guess he loved the kids and the company. Although, unfortunately, as the years went on, respect lessened. How sad. It certainly was not the same as it was in your heyday! (Or so I’m told since I missed all the fun!) What fun I did have learning the complete history of the Dell through you, Kathy and many other Dell Rats that still exist to this day!
Rest In Peace Dear John!
Hi, Toni!
DeleteIt was very nice of you to join us again this year as we pay tribute to John Ettline - The King of All Dell Rats - on the anniversary of his death. Thank you, dear friend!
I think you're onto something, Toni. John lost Helen and that was bad enough, but he didn't want to give up his other love - the Dell. When he finally did, in 1991, it didn't take long for him to die. I am sure it hurts all the thousands of good kids who passed through the Dell's doors to know that a few rowdies in the 80s made life miserable for John when what he needed most was love and respect.
Kathy and I will continue to share our stories of the Dell, the Ettlines and Margaret Schneider, so please keep checking back here at your home away from home, Shady's Place.
Thank you again for being here, dear friend Toni, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady! What a beautiful day to honor the memory of a great friend! We're having a cool, but sunshiny day here in the Lone Star State!
ReplyDeleteI know how much you miss John, and, as the designated Dell Rat honoree, you are keeping the name and memories of the Dell alive. If John is able to notice, or peek down through the clouds, he is probably scratching his head, and smiling with a tear in his eye! It's a shame, but it doesn't seem possible that today's teens would enjoy a venue such as the Dell. I think they dance, but not like we did in the 50's and 60's. Still today, us older folks still like to dance as couples. Oh, I did like some of the line dancing in the late 80's and 90's.
Roy Orbison's "Only The Lonely" is a perfect example of those sweet dances of days gone by! And, oh, is that man's sweet voice missed! And, Frankie Lyman...what a character! He could sing great, but lived a fast and dangerous life. I remember hearing of their song "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent", although I don't remember hearing it in the 50's.
Although The Four Lads do such a superb job on "Moments to Remember", the song makes me a bit sad. But what a good choice for a remembrance of someone who made such an impact on the lives of so many young people!
Thank you Shady for this remembrance of John. He would be proud! What a special man he had to be! And, he has played a large part in how special you became as a man! Take care, dear friend! ♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThank you very much for dropping by again this year as you have many other years on the anniversary of John Ettline's death. I am grateful, dear friend!
I hope that, somehow, some way, John and Helen see these annual tributes and read the kind words of honorary Dell rats like you. It has been discussed many times over the 10+ years of Shady Dell blogs. I can't see how a place quite like the Dell could exist in today's world. I watch almost every nostalgic TV show and movie that comes along, the ones set in the 50s and 60s, and I think you will agree that nearly every one of them misses the mark, fails to capture the period as we knew it.
I'm delighted to know that you got some enjoyment out of all three records, even if The Four Lads song made you misty. I'm sure it was intended to bring a tear to the listener's eye. YouTube offers several videos with the song that contain slide shows of vintage photos. I chose to leave it up to you to create your own mental images as the song played. That's more powerful. Truth be told, I don't remember Frankie Lymon's "JD" song from back in the day. I discovered it a year or two ago as I combed YouTube for material.
Your words are greatly appreciated, Suzanne. You seem to be feeling better today, at least that's the sense I got as I read between the lines. I hope that's the case. I'm glad you are enjoying fine weather over there in Texas. It was a very nice day here, too - cool and sunny.
Thank you again for your faithful friendship, Suzanne. Enjoy the rest of your week and I will see you next time. Take care!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteOne wonders how one can go one with the loss of a loved one. Thank you for sharing!
www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
Hi, Gina!
DeleteMy goodness, I am surprised and happy to see you, my old friend! It has been a long time since we last connected. Thank you very much for coming!
The loss of a loved one is something every one of us will someday face. The shock can be devastating and set a survivor's health on a downward spiral. John Ettline toughed it out for nearly a decade. His is one of the most inspiring stories in the history of the Shady Dell.
Gina, thank you again for thinking about me. I see that you have returned to blogging and that makes me happy. Please visit me again soon. You are always welcome here at Shady's Place!
A beautiful tribute to a man that meant the world to you and I love the music you chose especially ending it with Roy Orbison. This song must have made you think about how he must have felt with Helen by his side. My mom felt the same without her husband, my dad.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThank you very much for coming to join other Dell rats as we remember John Ettline 26 years after he died. It was especially nice of you to visit the same week that you are down with the blues remembering the loss of your dear mother.
I'm pleased that you enjoyed the three song set I picked for John this year. You're right. "Only The Lonely" resonates with those who have suffered lost love of any kind including our John and your mother.
Thank you again for being here for this annual tribute, dear friend BB. Enjoy the rest of your week!
That is a very nice tribute to your friend. Those last ten years of his life must have been difficult.
ReplyDeleteI love Roy Orbison ‘s music and always sing along when his songs come on the car radio.
Hi, Arleen!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming by to help me observe the death anniversary of Shady Dell owner John Ettline. You were also kind to drop in one week ago to meet John's wife Helen and celebrate her birthday. One by one you are meeting the principal characters in the Shady Dell saga. The first half of every year contains six special tributes along with my Mother's Day and Father's Day salutes to the Ettlines.
Imagine John, aging and in declining health, mourning the loss of his spouse and having to deal with punks and druggies in the dance hall. I don't know how he managed to go on nearly a decade after Helen's death.
I'm pleased that you like the smooth and soulful sounds of Roy Orbison. His songs do indeed invite you to sing along. They are the kind of songs you don't mind having stuck in your head on replay for hours on end. Am I correct? :)
Thank you again, very much, Arleen, for your friendship and support. I am delighted to have you along as I continue my blogging journey. Enjoy the rest of your week and weekend, dear friend!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteWOW, John lived 9-years past Helen! That's amazing. I was surprised with DH's dad made it four years longer than his beloved wife of 66 years which was really quite hard on him. I guess John's interaction with the kids at the Dell helped a great deal.
Your song features are excellent from the era. Roy Oribson "Only the Lonely" is the only I know here today but I enjoyed very much The Four Lads and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. The classic sound from artists in those doo-wap-wap days is golden. I love hearing upcoming artists on AGT and other singing shows mimick this style. I think it takes a lot of guts to step away from the masses and do this. Anyhow, back to John's remembrance. I know the man would be honored to know that you and other Dell rats hold a special spot in your hearts for him and Helen. I'm not sure how much if anything those in heaven know about what's going on down here but if he does then I'm sure he's looking down on you with a big smile of thanks. May you RIP John Ettline!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you for swinging over to add your thoughts to my tribute for John as we remember him 26 years after he passed away. This is an excellent comment, Cathy, and I thank you!
I have read about people who "stop living" the very same day that a spouse dies. The loss of a loved one is the toughest thing you will ever go through. Thanks for sharing the story about DH's father. My dad lived nearly seven years without my mother.
I'm delighted that you enjoyed the pop and rock 'n' roll songs I presented in John's memory. I was astounded when I looked it up and realized how long Roy Orbison has been gone. Perhaps it is because his songs play so frequently to this day, making it seem like he is still with us. Like you I am happy to know there are up-and-coming young artists and groups that dare to deviate from the modern dance-pop and hip hop formula and embrace the styles of the 50s and early 60s, and that they are able to reach a national audience on TV shows like AGT.
Again, thank you for the visit and for this wonderful comment, dear friend Cathy. Take care and enjoy the rest of your week!
Nice selection of songs you chose for your friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kirk! I'm glad you enjoyed the song selection for John.
DeleteShady, I have to enter 2 comments today. (1) I missed the previous post about Dennis Weaver who was such a good actor and I really enjoyed all his TV shows. I even remember the TV guide issue you featured! Now this will sound bad, but every time I see someone limping I almost always hear his character saying: "Mr. Dillion, Mr. Dillion!" as he limps on the set. (2) Now for this sweet post on Mr. Ettline. I love the songs you picked to honor him. How did he manage without his beautiful wife to help run the Dell? I guess he just forged ahead like his generation would do, hoping to provide a place for the kids to hang out and enjoy music. Too bad they weren't like your generation..the ones who truly weren't juvenile delinquents! I don't think even a younger man could run a place like that today I'm sorry to say. But you do have many wonderful moments to remember, like the song says, thanks to John and Helen. I guess we should be happy they, and you, had those good times back then and now have eternity to be together and I'm sure they make requests of the angels to sing a few of their favorite tunes! Sorry I'm late with my comments but I'm glad I made it over today. Wish us luck up here at a huge storm is heading our way for the weekend..be glad for those warm, sunny days down south! Big hug to you and thanks for sharing your Dell Rat days with us!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThank you very much for coming over and doing double duty as you respond to my two latest posts. I am very happy to see you, dear friend!
I'm thrilled that you admire Dennis Weaver as much as I do. Like you, I vividly recall Weaver as Chester in Gunsmoke hobbling after Marshal Matt Dillon and hollering "Mr. Dillon... Mr. Dillon!" I never missed an episode of McCloud.
I am also pleased to have you on hand again this year as I present my salute to John on the date of his death, and to know that you enjoyed the songs I picked in his honor. As I noted in the text, each of these songs relates to John or the Dell experience in some way. For nearly half a century, concerned parents all over Central Pennsylvania worried that if their offspring hung out at the Dell they would turn into juvenile delinquents. As you and I pointed out, the crop of young people who frequented the Dell in the late 80s and early 90s might have fit that description. They took over the place and disrespected John, a fact that hurts and angers loyal Dell rats that came before them.
I will never forget the day in March 1984 when I stopped in at the Dell for one last visit before moving to Florida. I found John in the snack bar alone and was informed that Helen had died a few weeks earlier. I was stunned and speechless. It must have taken every once of strength for John to continue on nine more years without his life partner.
Yessum, please stay safe this weekend as the big snow storm moves through your area. I hope it won't be as bad as predicted. It would be great if you could stay home by the fire but, if you are called to work, I know you will find a way to make it in. I will be thinking about you. Thank you again for your visit and wonderful comments, dear friend YaYa!
Back when my kids were young, they enjoyed books that had several endings to the stories from which readers could choose. My children went further and liked to make up their own narratives for the characters.
ReplyDeleteAs I read your tributes to John and Helen, it's easy to see that they made a positive and remarkable impression on the kids who frequented the Dell.
However, like those kids' books, I can't help but wonder how your life and that of so many other Dell patrons would have been different WITHOUT the Ettlines and their Shady Dell in your past.
I guess it's just something to idly imagine, but if each Dell Rat's 'book' of their life had an alternate plot that didn't include the Ettlines, I bet there would be many different outcomes and endings to those life stories! Other entirely different relationships, careers, and venues might have resulted.
It's wonderful that you honor the pivotal part that John and Helen played in your life and so many others, and that you hand-select music of the time to accompany it. Would that we all could, like John and Helen, let such a positive mark on the people we encounter in life, and then have someone like you come along to recognize their influence faithfully every year!
Hi, Kathleen!
DeleteThank you very much for contributing to the discussion again this year on the anniversary of John Ettline's death! As always you offered food for thought - a banquet, in fact.
The concept of alternate endings is fascinating, Kathleen. Mrs. Shady and I watch the superhero TV series The Flash. Every character on the show has a doppelgänger living on a parallel earth. The lifestyle and personality of the doppelgänger differs sharply from that of the main character on Earth 1. I am sure there are computer programs that could predict, to some degree of certainty, alternate endings for people like me if I had never been exposed to The Ettlines or The Dell. It is hard for me to imagine what my life would be like today if John and Helen were removed from the equation and I never had the opportunity to spend so much of my spare time in the unique space they created for the youth of Central PA. There was another popular venue across town, The Oaks, but it was a different type of place, and it didn't have John and Helen.
Thank you again for sharing your poetic musings with us, Kathleen. I choose to believe that John and Helen (and Mother) are all aware of what we are doing, saying and writing here to honor them, and that it brings them joy.
YaYa (above) is bracing for a major snowstorm in Ohio. I am sure Lancaster County will also be affected to some extent. Please be careful in your travels. I wish you a safe and happy weekend, dear friend Kathleen!
John sounded like a wonderful man, a lot of our elderly are wonderful people and have a lot to teach the younger generations. Thank you for honouring John's memory and stories.
ReplyDeleteI love the song selections this week, especially Lymon and Orbison's songs - they are some of my favourites. Shady, you spoke to my mood this week and this post brought some light to the darkness I've been feeling for a few days.
Have a great Thankful Thursday, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThank you for coming over at this difficult time when you are mourning the loss of your dear pet and long time friend Mimi. My heart aches for you. It's good to know that this post paying tribute to a great man, Mr. John Ettline, one that includes a few relevant songs of the past, shined light into the darkness and gave you some comfort.
Please take it one hour and one day at a time. I will be thinking about you and about Mimi. Try to have a good weekend, dear friend JM!