Two important dates on
the Shady Dell calendar
are only one week apart.
are only one week apart.
Helen Ettline's birthday
(January 9) and the date
of John Ettline's death
(January 16).
Starting today and in years to come,
I will post a single tribute combining
the two events. I'll call this period in
mid-January "Helen & John Week."
HELEN TROSTLE ETTLINE
was born 110 years ago
on January 9, 1911.
on January 9, 1911.
JOHN ETTLINE
died January 16, 1993...
28 years ago.
28 years ago.
John spent the last nine years of his life
without 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 dis-
respectful. How many of us could
have stood up to that challenge?
without 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 dis-
respectful. How many of us could
have stood up to that challenge?
This year as we celebrate Helen's birthday and
remember John, I will play records I think
they both would have enjoyed.
DAKOTA STATON
I am proud to introduce jazz singer Dakota Staton. Born and raised in Pittsburgh,
Dakota sang in a local club fronting the popular Joe Westray Orchestra. Dakota
traveled the nightclub circuit performing in other major cities. She wound up in
Harlem where she was discovered by a producer for Capitol Records and
given a contract. In 1955 Dakota was named "Most Promising Newcomer"
by Down Beat magazine. I chose what I believe to be Dakota's best
recordings beginning with her first single, "My Heart's Delight."
"My Heart's Delight"
(1954)
(1954)
There's even more to delight your heart when you flip that 1954 platter
over and listen to the B side - "What Do You Know About Love."
"What Do You Know About Love"
(1954, B side of "My Heart's Delight")
Early in 1955, Dakota released the doublesider "For The Rest Of My Life"
backed with "No Mama - No Papa." Both great songs are on this video!
"No Mama - No Papa"/"For The Rest Of My Life"
(February 1955)
A year later, in February, 1956, Dakota released another opus dedicated
to "losers, boozers and bluesers." This one's called "Weak For The Man."
"Weak For The Man"
(February 1956)
"I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" was written by
Blood, Sweat & Tears founder Al Kooper and included on
the band's 1968 debut album Child Is Father To The Man.
Dakota Staton did a fine job of covering the song
on her 1973 album I Want A Country Man.
"I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"
(from 1973 album I Want A Country Man)
In 1957 Dakota released her debut album for Capitol. The title track,
"The Late, Late Show," became her signature song, and the album
was cited in the 2004 book 100 Best-Selling Albums of the 50s.
"The Late, Late Show"
(from 1957 album The Late, Late Show)
The song "Abracadabra" by Dakota Staton, is not the Steve Miller
hit of the 80s. We turn the clock all the way back to the summer
of 1955 when this rock & roll style record hit the street.
hit of the 80s. We turn the clock all the way back to the summer
of 1955 when this rock & roll style record hit the street.
"Abracadabra"
(July 1955)
SHADY'S PICK TO CLICK!
Finally, listen to this marvelous Dakota Staton cover of "All In My Mind,"
the song penned and originally waxed by R&B singer Maxine Brown.
Maxine's version was released as a single in December 1960.
Dakota's cover hit the street the following month and has
stood the test of time as an outstanding recording
in its own right.
"All In My Mind" - Maxine Brown cover
(January 1961)
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY,
HELEN!
WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.
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, too!
I am so, so glad to see you here gentle Shady giving a beautiful tribute to these 2 very important people that were a big part of your life. Helen died too young in my book but she knew what love was and how many can say that truthfully. I don’t know this lady with the amazing voice who could easily have done a James Bond theme. She is great! And I marked down her name to see about getting a CD.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for hurrying over to claim the Early Bird title, dear Canadian friend! (We gotta stop meeting like this! :) By that, of course, I mean to thank you again for checking in on me so often lately. It is much appreciated.
Your kind words about Helen are also greatly appreciated, not only by me, but by all Dell rats. We loved Helen and John and wish both could have stayed in our lives forever. As it was, Helen died shortly after turning 73 and John passed away less than two months shy of his 87th birthday.
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the recordings of jazz singer Dakota Staton. Truth be told, she was completely unknown to me until I discovered her a couple of years ago on YouTube. I'm glad I did!
Thanks again for being such a sweet and devoted friend, dear BB, and for your kind comment this morning. Have a great week!
Good afternoon Shady and happy heavenly birthday to Helen! I don't know the singer, Dakota Staton, but her voice is wonderful and I'm sure Helen would agree! Although she and John had no children the Dell Rats will never forget them and the influence they had on young lives. It's too bad the kids he shared the Dell with at the end didn't treat him with the respect he deserved. Maybe if Helen had been there it would have been different. At least they are together now forever and also forever in your heart! Thanks for spotlighting them here today! I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteBy golly, you're the Early Bird runner-up, dear friend. Thanks a lot for coming over on your Sunday!
Having followed my blogs for such a long time, you know that I repeat every year on this occasion the story about John's final years of life - how teenagers who hung out in his dance hall turned rowdy and disrespectful. The older I get, the more I realize how hard it must have been for John, a man in his 80s, to face that strain day after day, month after month and year after year. It should never have gone down that way. He was too great a man. Yessum, I was just going to say that it might have been different were Helen still alive during John's final years. Those punks might have thought twice before they stirred up trouble.
Yessum, forever in our hearts, John & Helen. I am delighted that you enjoyed the jazz vocals of Dakota Staton, one of my latest discoveries. She's so good that I'm sure The Ettlines would have enjoyed today's concert.
Thank you again, very much, for your kind visit and comment, dear friend YaYa. Have a wonderful week!
I confess to never having heard of Dakota Staton, but she's terrific! As good with torch songs as she is with swing and proto-rockers.
ReplyDeleteAnother great tribute to John and Helen.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteHow's your 2021 going so far, good buddy? :) Thanks for being here for my first annual combined tribute to Helen and John Ettline... the King and Queen of all Dell rats!
I was hoping you'd appreciate the vocal style of Pittsburgh jazz songstress Dakota Staton. She is a well kept secret, because I managed to live more than 70 years w/o ever having heard of her, even though she comes from my Keystone State. I looked her up and she does not appear to be related to gospel/disco/soul thrush Candi Staton. I agree that Dakota handles various types of material with ease, making every song her own. That includes those fine covers of Maxine Brown and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Thank you very much for reporting in on your weekend, good buddy Kirk. Let's buckle our seat belts and keep our fingers, toes and eyes crossed for a better week ahead!
Hello friend Shady. I have not heard Dakota Staton before. What a beautiful voice. Such a nice tribute to Helen and John. Hope this is a better week for us. I'm crossing my fingers. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHi, Janet!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming over for my annual tribute to Shady Dell owner Helen Ettline on her birthday and husband John Ettline on the date of his death. This year for the first time, and from now on, I am combining the two observances into a single post.
I'm excited that your ears hear what mine hear with regard to soulful jazz songstress Dakota Staton. I could listen to her recordings all day long and not grow tired of her singing. Notice the grade-A musicians backing her, too!
Yessum, it promises to be another eventful week in the news. Whatever happens it's good to know I have a friend like you who is hoping for the same outcome I am. Thank you again for dropping in, dear friend Janet!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the introduction to Dakota Staton. The lyrics to "My Hearts Desire" is so sweet and describes perfectly how I feel about DH. :) Two big contrasting events for the Dell Rats this month, a birthday and a death anniversary. It's so nice how you carry the torch to keep Edna and John's memory alive. I know they were special people to you and other kids who visited the Shady Dell. I'm sure the would love the music you picked to honor them. Be safe and well, dear friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you for being on hand for the first annual "Helen & John Week," dear friend! I determined that I would be able to space my posts apart more evenly and fit in an extra post during the month of January if I made this adjustment and combined the two posts into one. I will do this from now on.
I'm glad you think The Ettlines would like Dakota Staton as much as you and I do, and that your heart strings went zing as you listened to "My Heart's Desire" and found that the song expressed how you feel about your sweetie DH.
Thanks again for stopping in, dear friend Cathy!
Hello Shady. This double tribute to John and Helen is fantastic! I never heard of Dakota Staton, but first off, I like her name. She certainly is a Blues queen with a lot of soul! She was a pretty lady, and I enjoyed all of her songs, and the video with "For the Rest of My Life", which was one of my favorites today. I have to give to you, Shady on "All In My Mind". You did save the best for last! This song really delivers, even as a cover. So great!
ReplyDeleteI think we will all remember John and Helen through your compassion, and love for what these two wonderful people contributed to the youth of a great time in our lives. They and your readers have you to thank for showing us how two people can have such a great impact on the lives of youth.
My dad was younger than John, but he served in the US Army WWII also. I hope you are doing well, Shady, and I am glad to see you here. Take care, dear friend.
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you, dear friend! Thanks for making it over for the first annual "Helen & John Week." As a longtime follower of my blogs, you well know that I used to run a post for Helen's birthday and a separate post a week later to mark John's death date. I am hoping original Dell rats will be okay with my decision to combine the two events into a single tribute from now on.
Isn't it amazing that none of us ever heard of Dakota Staton? Turns out she is a critically acclaimed jazz artist. I should say "was" because, sadly, Dakota suffered a stroke in 1999 and her health deteriorated in the eight years that followed, leading to her death in 2007 shortly before she turned 77. I'm thrilled that you agree with me that Dakota was beautiful and a great singer. That Baby Bollox Y/T channel does some excellent remastering work on old recordings, and they have Dakota's "All In My Mind" coming through loud and clear, a fine rendition that rivals the Maxine Brown original.
Thank you for reiterating what John & Helen meant to countless thousands of 20th century youth. I think about them every day, miss them and give thanks for the opportunity to have been part of that exciting scene, that unique setting, our home away from home, The Shady Dell.
I'm still reeling from recent events at the Capitol, but snapping out of my depression and determined to keep my version of the Shady Dell up and running as a safe haven where all are welcome and music and laughter work their magic and soothe the soul.
Thank you again for your kind visit and excellent comment, dear friend Suzanne. Take care of yourself and Scootie and check back this Saturday if you are able. That day, in my next post, I will reveal "cold facts about the Dell." See you then, dear friend!
Still in quarantine. All is well. You, friend Shady? Anyway ... I did not take pics and things this time while in PV, as I only stuck to the familiar places ... and in broad day light ... Police presence in the city was definitely "upped" a notch or two this time ... Took one super short video of the malecon at sunset with my regular singer ... https://youtu.be/odXaDDdXyTg ... Winter is mild so far in AB ... very thankful for that ... Wishing you continued health and happiness, friend Shady. Sending love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend! Thank you for attending the first annual Helen & John Week observance featuring songs by jazz vocalist Dakota Staton.
I'm sorry to learn that security was beefed up in PV during your visit in December. I enjoyed the video of the blind busker singer. I'm glad he was wearing a mask. It was a peaceful scene when you panned the camera and we viewed the sunset and birds over the water and heard the sound of waves gently breaking on the beach.
Mrs. Shady claims our Florida winter is colder than normal, but I disagree. The temp has not yet dropped to the freezing mark.
Thank you again for your cheery visit and comment, dear friend cat. I wish all good things ahead in 2021 for you and my good buddy Theo Thunderbutt. LUBBINS to you both!
Happy birthday, Helen! I'm sure you have met Nan by now and you are up in heaven celebrating with her famous strawberry shortcake. You, Nan, and John. May John rest easy.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea for combining. These pieces really suit John and Helen well. I wish I could have known them in real life, they seem like wonderful people.
May their memories bring you peace and comfort during this time. Have a wonderful day, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for being here for Helen & John Week, dear friend!
It's a lovely thought that your Nan met and became friends with my Helen & John. They would make a compatible trio. I'm sure John & Helen Ettline would have been as much of a positive influence on you as Nan was.
I'm glad you appreciated the set of songs by jazz artist Dakota Staton. I'm confident Helen & John would have enjoyed the show as well.
Thanks again for being here, dear friend JM, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteThese tunes helped my stress today. Mostly stress from a new position and things not going according to plan. I'm still waiting for my new system and access to certain programs.
I requested off from the library today. Another 1:30 meeting with my new role at my FT job. I normally eat lunch at 2, I'd have to eat my lunch at 1 and yesterday the meeting ran 15 minutes over 3:30 (when I have to sign out... company doesn't offer overtime). Today I would be at the library from 4:30-6:30; if that meeting runs over, I don't want to be stressed beyond belief and I don't want to get hungry while I'm working.
Another training that went 30 minutes over schedule today. Way too much information condensed and the girl was doing her own work, they didn't even make anything up for training purposes. So, I have another meeting until 4pm tomorrow. I had to tell my new manager, "Hey, since we don't get overtime, what should I do when I start at 7am?" We can only work 8 hours (after an 1 hour lunch).
I know these trainings won't last forever and I hope to get back to a normal lunch - 1:30 -2:30 pm or even 1-2pm with a 1:30 pm lunch instead of 1 pm lunch. 'm not going to overthink it, I'll be fine. I won't get fired, and this training won't last forever. A week at most. After tomorrow, I'm not scheduled for the library for another 6 days. (I only work Tuesdays and Wednesdays.)
I will probably chat with the director of the library tomorrow. She knows my full-time job is priority, but I want to ask her if something takes priority at work and if I have to stay extra, can I make up the time on Saturday? The worst she can do is say "no." I may not even ask her because Saturdays are Shabbat and I observe the Shabbat. Missing the library here and there wouldn't be the end of the world. It's 4 hours/week.
And honestly, if I do lose that job, would it truly be a loss? Sure, it's an extra money, but it costs me more to work there. Last week someone who used to report to Mrs. Davenport, said to me, "you're not allowed to be kind and say hello to other people because that takes too much time and no snack breaks either." I don't talk that much at the library and I get my work done. Someone mis-shelved things AND I'm the scapegoat for that. This is what has caused the anxiety and why I called out tonight. I'm not going to take it personally and I want to start freelancing anyway. The days I don't have the library, I can submit articles and that can be extra money. That way if something happens to the library, I will still have two income streams (full-time job and freelance).
Deep breathing and a hot shower really helped me reframe. I am thankful for Ms. Ernestine and Claire too... and I made sure to talk to them about other things as well. Learned my lesson about Marsha.
Anyway, yes, I think John and Helen would have been a positive influence for me too. I think they would be people I could trust and confide in. Ahhh, our elders, dear Shady. I miss them.
I hope that you have a wonderful evening.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteEvery new task, training course and new job requires a period of adjustment as you work out the bugs and learn how to streamline and proceed more efficiently. I think you will soon find things running more smoothly and quickly. If people are becoming unpleasant and the situation untenable at the library, it might be time to quit that job. Always have a plan B and C in the works as ways to supplement your income.
Deep breathing, meditation and patience through this period of adjustment will all help you in the weeks ahead. Good music is a potion that helps us through days like these.
Hang in there, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteYes. My new Fitbit tracks my sleep and rates the quality. I just noticed something about it. I noticed this:
Last week I was consistently scoring 70-76 as a sleep score, which is fair. I was awake off and on during the night and that's what lowered the score. I was extremely depressed and stressed last week. Once things ended with a friend that I wanted to end things with for a while and after I cleaned house, my sleep got better. I started scoring 84s, which is very good. I didn't wake up often and I had quality sleep.
Until last night. I fell asleep on the couch and woke up at 12:09. Fitbit had me falling asleep at 12:09 when I went to bed. I woke up several times last night and I scored a 71. I'm feeling anxious again and it reflects in my sleep.
It's just hard finding something that won't require a Saturday working schedule. My full-time job comes first and I've heard that most retail places aren't respectful of peoples' full-time schedules. Maybe I'll look into freelancing and before I quit the library, see if it brings in the same type of money.
Deep breath in, deep breath out. Have a great day!
Yessum, before you quit the library or any job, make sure you have something solid to go to, something that will use your skill set and give you satisfaction along with added income.
DeleteYou know, dear friend, I signed up for Skill Share a few months ago. It's a platform where I can teach people anything I want. I was enrolled in a class, but with interviews for promotions and then getting promoted, I didn't take the free classes. Once I figure out what my new schedule is, I can go from there. Right now I can't plan anything because right now I'm in a state of adjustment.
DeleteI'll keep the library. My new manager didn't say much about time and yesterday she left the meeting once it went over. They tape the meetings for us to go back and follow along. I've been watching the videos too. So, maybe it's really not a big deal. Sometimes I worry about coming off as unprofessional.
Nights at the Dell were some of the best nights of my life. I am sure many of my friends also feel this way. This could not have happened without the place and atmosphere created by John and Helen.
ReplyDeleteJerre
Jerre,
DeleteI really wish I could have experienced it in person. I love reading Shady's blog and imagining myself at the Dell. It sounds like such a special place and a great place for teens to go.
Jessica
Hi, Jerre!
DeleteThanks for joining Dell rats old and new for this year's tribute to Helen and John! As you see, I have for the first time combined these two major events into a single post.
You said it, Jerre. Those Shady Dell nights were the best and most exciting of my life, of your life and of the lives of countless other young men and women. How lucky we were to have been at the right place at the right time!
Thanks again for helping me remember Helen & John, good buddy Jerre. Stay tuned for "Cold Facts" about the Shady Dell in my next post on Saturday!
Jessica Marie -
DeleteYou would have made a great Dellette, dear friend. Helen would have taken you under her wing and the two of you would have spent hours every evening in the snack bar listening to the jukebox and chatting. I can picture it!
I can picture it too!
DeleteHmmm... I might have to check out York and I might have to recreate the Dell. ;)
Shady,
DeleteJohn's anniversary is one day after Mimi's anniversary, and 9 days before Nan's. It seems like January is a difficult month. :(
Have a great Thankful Thursday, dear friend.
I'll say! Moreover, as I have reported on many occasions, the birth and death dates of the three Dell V.I.P.s - John & Helen Ettline and Margaret Schneider - all fall within the first five months of the year.
Delete