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).
Again this year I am combining
the two events into a single post
that honors both of the Ettlines.
the two events into a single post
that honors both of the Ettlines.
Just think of this period in mid
January as "Helen & John Week."
January as "Helen & John Week."
HELEN TROSTLE ETTLINE
was born 111 years ago
on January 9, 1911.
on January 9, 1911.
JOHN ETTLINE
died January 16, 1993...
29 years ago...
29 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?
As we celebrate Helen's birthday and remember John, I will play songs
I think they both would have enjoyed. This year's tribute to The Ettlines
is a medley of boomer era songs performed by a gifted young vocalist.
Meet sweet rising star
Ellie Maxwell.
Ellie was born on Valentines's Day, 2008, in South Africa. Her middle name,
translated from her native Zulu language, means "Love." Ellie currently
lives on Manitoulin Island off the coast of Ontario, Canada. She has
made numerous appearances on Canadian TV and delights a
growing legion of fans on her YouTube channel performing
original songs as well as covers. Surely, Helen and John
knew the songs Ellie is about to sing in today's set,
and I think they would smile and nod their
approval as they listened to the vocal
styling of this talented young artist.
Ellie's first number is an Academy Award winning song composed by
Henry Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer and originally performed by
Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Over the years,
it has been recorded by many artists including Mancini & his Orchestra,
Jerry Butler and UK singer Danny Williams. Here's Ellie Maxwell with
her version of-- "Moon River."
"Moon River" - Audrey Hepburn cover by Ellie Maxwell (August 2021)
In the summer of 1965, the Burt Bacharach - Hal David song
"What The World Needs Now Is Love," sung by Jackie DeShannon,
vaulted to the top of the chart in Canada. Dionne Warwick released
a version of the song on her 1966 album Here Where There Is Love.
Here's Canadian miss Ellie Maxwell with her heartfelt rendition.
"What The World Needs Now" - Dionne Warwick cover by Ellie Maxwell (July 2021)
From the 1961 Elvis Presley album and movie Blue Hawaii
comes this next tender ballad. Here again is Ellie Maxwell
singing-- "Can't Help Falling In Love."
"Can't Help Falling In Love" - Elvis Presley cover by Ellie Maxwell (Mar. 2021)
In the fall of 1959, Canadian-American singer/songwriter Paul Anka
hit big with a love ballad that became one of his signature songs.
Watch and listen as Canada's rising star Ellie Maxwell does
her 2020s cover of-- "Put Your Head On My Shoulder."
"Put Your Head On My Shoulder" - Paul Anka cover by Ellie Maxwell (May 2021)
SHADY'S PICK TO CLICK #1
I saved for last the two performances I think are Ellie's best. The "prop"
Ellie uses in Pick to Click #1 would work well on a cover of Paul Anka's
"Puppy Love," and her voice is like butter as she sings The Penguins'
chart-topping 1955 signature song-- "Earth Angel."
"Earth Angel" - The Penguins cover by Ellie Maxwell (Oct. 2021)
SHADY'S PICK TO CLICK #2
Finally, I present Ellie's wonderful cover of a dreamy romantic ballad
written for the 1934 movie Dames and popularized in 1959 by
another doo-wop "bird group" - The Flamingos. The song,
as sung by The Flamingos, ranks high on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Here now is my second Pick to Click - a singing
performance and video that are pure magic
from start to finish. For Helen and John
and all the young men and women who
fell in love on the Dell dance floor-
"I Only Have Eyes For You."
"I Only Have Eyes For You" - The Flamingos cover by Ellie Maxwell (June 2021)
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!
Lots of good songs getting covered here, Shady. My favorite version of I Only Have Eyes for You is by Art Garfunkel. My mother loved the song, too, but I feel sure she favored one of the 1934 renditions.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly!
DeleteThanks for being the first through the door to claim the Early Bird title again this week, dear friend!
Yessum, I remember Art's cover of "I Only Have Eyes For You." I'm glad you appreciated young Ellie's covers of that and other oldies of the past. Thanks for sharing that your mother liked the song brought back as a doo-wop hit in 1959 by The Flamingos.
Thanks again for being first to arrive. Please pat Pat on the noggin for me and have a wonderful week ahead, dear friend Kelly!
I hadn't heard Ellie before but she can sing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tribute to both of them.
Thanks, Mary! I just found this comment in "SPAM" and published it. Turns out you were one of the Early Birds on this post, and I thank you. I'm sorry I doubted you.
DeleteI'm glad you like Ellie Maxwell. I think she has a bright future ahead of her.
Not a problem, Shady. It happens. I have to check my spam folder every week because Blogger messes up.
DeleteHappy heavenly birthday dear Helen. We've never met but thanks to this wonderful blog and tributes each year I feel like we have. I'm glad John and Helen are together forever now and hopefully dancing to lovely ballads that were featured today. What a beautiful young lady and such a fabulous voice! I hope she continues with her career because she's so talented! Have a good week Shady! Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for staying up late on day one to be among the first to experience this year's Helen & John Week tributes.
Yessum, you have been following me so long that by now Helen and John are very familiar names and faces, and you know the story of their Shady Dell as well as I do.
I'm delighted that you appreciate the singing style of guest artist Ellie Maxwell, a gifted girl who tapes her dreamy cover performances on the shores of the Canadian island she now calls home.
Thank you again for being here for Helen & John Week again this year. Have a wonderful week, dear friend YaYa!
Wow! This girl is good! What a powerful voice for a 14-year-old. This may be another Judy Garland we got here. Rescue her from that island, please! The wider world needs to hear from her. While I'm waiting for that to happen, I've decided to subscribe to her YouTube network.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tribute to John and Helen.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming over x-tra late on your weekend, good buddy!
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the jazz, blues, and soul infused performances of young Ellie Maxwell. Ellie is a familiar face to Canadian TV audiences, but I agree she deserves wider exposure. Yes, it would be nice if we could rescue her from that island, but I'm sure King Kong would vehemently object to our plan. That vid of Ellie singing while holding and cuddling her puppy brought tears, and the last cover song, Pick To Click #2, sealed the deal. She really does seem to be channeling great female vocalists of the past. In short, Ellie has an old soul.
Thanks again for checking out Ellie Maxwell and showing support by subscribing to her channel. Have a great week, good buddy Kirk!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing talent! Thanks for sharing Miss Ellie. I definitely want to check her out on YouTube. What I love about her vocal style is it's pure. She doesn't throw in crazy runs throughout the song which detracts from the voice and overall experience for this listener. She's a sweet young lady. I hope she never loses that innocence. I think Helen and John would appreciate listening to this darling young lady. Have a boogietastic week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteHappy 4M Monday, dear friend!
Thanks for coming over to watch and listen as the talented Ellis Maxwell covers the old classics. Yessum, I agree that she is a sweet, innocent, wholesome young lady, and nicely dressed, the kind you and I used to see entertaining us in our youth. Ellie's personality and attitude are ideally suited for the old school songs she covers. I noticed that Ellie does occasionally take the liberty of ad libbing notes as she goes through the songs, but it is subtle and works. She doesn't take it to the extreme as some modern artists like to do, running up and down the scale with operatic flourishes and warbling. Ellie is a smart singer as well as a great and charismatic one.
Thank you again for tuning in to Ellie and for being here for my annual salute to The Ettlines as we remember Helen on her birthday and John the week of his death.
Have a super week, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteI dropped by YT yesterday to check out Miss Ellie. She's done a few original songs. I enjoyed the listen and hope she scales the music ladder of success but I hope she doesn't lose her sweetness along the way.
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteYessum, I went through all of the uploads on Ellie's channel and picked half a dozen favorites for this tribute post. There are some other great ones, including original songs. Ellie is, or will be, age 14 this year, a critical juncture in the lives of many young people. She seems to have her head on straight and I think she is receiving good guidance from her handlers. There's always room in this world for genuine sweetness and innocence. It's a shame more young entertainers don't realize that.
Thanks for returning to follow-up, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteI couldn't agree more about the sweetness and innocence. Both are underscored qualities in society nowadays. One day, young people will wish they had their days of youth back. Once it's gone, it's gone. You might feel young at heart but to experience that youthful innocence is special. The Bible says there's a time and place for all things. We need to remind people of this always. Everything happens in the right order, don't rush it. Thanks for visiting this morning, my friend. DH is off tomorrow, so I'll be MIA in Blogosphere. My next post is set for Saturday, though. Have a good weekend, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteTurns out, you and I agree on 99% of things. That's something for us both to keep in mind. :)
Yessum, I read that you will be m.i.a. from blogging tamale so that you can hang with DH. I hope you have a wonderful day. I will be pubbing a new post tamale, but it runs 6 days, giving you plenty of time to check it out. Regardless, I'll be over to see you Saturday for some battle of the bands style "Songsuasion."
Enjoy your day off, dear friend Cathy, and stay safe and healthy!
They are smiling down on you and are dancing to these tunes. This little girl has one powerful voice that I hope she continues to develop and not go down the pop/rap path. Have a beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend! I hope you and your hubby had a pleasant weekend.
Thanks for being here for my annual tribute to Helen & John Ettline. Yessum, I like to imagine them smiling down and dancing, and I've a feeling they'd appreciate the song styling of my featured artist Ellie Maxwell. Ellie is practically your neighbor up there, Birgit. I'm sure you know where Ontario's Manitoulin Island is. Maybe you've even been there, and maybe you've seen Ellie perform on Canadian TV where she has a familiar face and voice ever since she was a tiny girl. Yessum, let's hope she doesn't opt to become a hip hop or rap artist. I can't see that happening, though. She seems to have found her niche and has good and wise people guiding her career.
Thanks again for stopping in, dear friend BB. I'll see you later this week at BBC!
Wow Shady! This is a great tribute to John and Helen, and I am sure they would have loved this lineup of memorable songs. They were truly a special couple, and as you say, I don't know if I could have endured hosting a crowd of rowdy teens in my 80's. I feel as though John was keeping the memories of his life with Helen, and the days that were musical and full of life with the Dell as alive as he possibly could for as long as he lived.
ReplyDeleteEllie is a beautiful young girl with a big strong voice. She covers all of these songs so well. I think my #1 pick is "Moon River". It is a classic song and one that Ellie should be proud to know. My Glee Club class in 9th grade did that song in a program, and I still pick it out on my keyboard. I actually have the sheet music from my class for this song, and I enjoy it to this day.
Ellie does great on the Paul Anka songs, and the scenery in all of her videos is so beautiful, making the songs move along smoothly. I have to pick "I Only Have Eyes For You" as my other favorite! Wow! Ellie performs this one with a mature voice, giving it a sultry and very soulful tone!
This is a wonderful way to celebrate the two people who made such an impact on your life, Shady! If John and Helen were here today, they would greet you with loving hugs and sit you down for a burger and coke! Thank you for sharing this tribute.
Take care and have a great week, dear Shady!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteWow, I'm thrilled to see you, dear friend! Thanks for being here again this year as I salute Helen & John Ettline on two important anniversary dates on the Shady Dell calendar - Helen's b-day and the date of John's death.
Yessum, every year at this time I think of John and how much of a hero he was, especially in winter time. He always kept a toasty, roaring fire going in the dance hall fireplace, helped rats whose cars were stuck in the snow in the parking lot, maintained peace and order at the Dell and so much more. Teenage patrons of the 50s, 60s and 70s loved and respected him. However, by the time Helen died in 1984, the Dell crowd was changing. Hoodlums started hanging out there and, from what I gather, used and perhaps dealt drugs and were involved with other kinds of criminal activity. They disrespected elderly John. It was the saddest chapter in Shady Dell history. I think you are absolutely right. By keeping the Dell in operation all those extra years, John was trying to keep memories of Helen and better times alive. I'm sure there were some good kids still going to the Dell, and John probably wanted to stay open for their sake. Finally, he absolutely couldn't go on, and needed to close. He died less than two years later, proof of what they say: When you give up your dream... you die.
I'm pleased that you like young YouTube singing sensation Ellie Maxwell. Yessum, she's a little girl with a big, powerful voice, and a maturity that extends beyond her tender years. In these videos, she was only age 12 and 13. I'm glad you singled out a favorite, namely her rendition of "Moon River." Thanks for sharing that you performed that song in high school Glee Club. I also love the version by Jerry Butler.
Yessum, Ellie lives on that picturesque Canadian island. Imagine that! Her videos are shot as she strolls along the water's edge and across the fields. They are all tastefully done. I'm glad your second Pick To Click is her Flamingos cover.
I'm misty after reading your kind and beautiful words, Suzanne. Thank you again for making time for a visit and helping me to remember The Ettlines in this year's Helen & John Week feature. I hope you and Scootie are well and in good spirits. We are back to running the air conditioner in the daytime, so please send us a cold front if you can. A snow storm would be a welcome bonus. :) Take care and come back and see me soon, dear friend Suzanne!
Hey there friend, I hadn't gotten an email telling me about a post from you so I came by to see if I was missing something and sure enough I was! What a delightful voice Ellie has and she certainly does justice to all of those classics. What a great tribute to your friends, Helen and John.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that you and yours are doing well. I am dealing with some personal trials right now, our daughter just had jaw surgery and her mouth is banded shut so I am taking care of her and my mom is in the final stages of life after getting Covid/pneumonia. We are not able to go to the hospital to see her but they've FaceTimed me a couple times and she is not responding. We are waiting for the hospital to call us any minute. Please keep us in your prayers.
Janet’s Smiles
Janet, I left a message on your site, and therefore anything I write here will be redundant. However, I will repeat that I am shocked, saddened and very sorry to learn that your dear mother is gravely ill, yet another victim of COVID. It must tear you and your family apart not be allowed at her bedside at this time. I trust that she is receiving or will soon be receiving palliative hospice care. I am keeping your mother, you and your family in my prayers, including your younger daughter who underwent surgery. It tries one's soul to have a year starting off the way this one has for you. Again I am terribly sorry, dear Janet.
DeleteThank you for reaching out. The Blogger email notification service has been discontinued, and therefore, if you'd like to keep following my blog, you will need to bookmark it and keep checking back here every 5 or 6 days when I publish a new post. I'm glad you like the song styling of young Ellie Maxwell of Ontario, Canada, and appreciated my annual tribute to the Ettlines on Helen & John Week.
Thanking about you, dear friend Janet. Please stay in touch and keep us posted.
Bookmarked!
DeleteThank you, Janet. I don't want us to lose track of each other. Prayers continue for your dear mother. One glance at that picture and I could tell she is a sweet and wonderful woman.
DeleteHappy belated birthday, Helen! May your memory be a blessing, John.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful songs to remember two beautiful people.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI'm happy you arrived just in time to remember Helen and John Ettline with me as we observe Helen & John Week at Shady's Place.
Thanks for the kind words for them. I'm also glad you like the guest artist, rising singing star Ellie Maxwell.
Enjoy your weekend, dear friend JM!
Health and happiness to you and your loved ones, friend Shady. Never forget your kindness. cat :)
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteI'm excited to see you, dear friend! You got here just in time for this year's tribute to the Ettlines with musical guest, young Canadian singer Ellie Maxwell.
I feel the same about you, dear friend cat. Thanks for the well wishes. I wish the same for you and your family, including my buddy Theo T.
Enjoy your weekend, dear friend cat!
Thunderbutt is sleeping a lot. He crawls under my covers, and stays there for much of the day/ night. Since he is feral, I do not know, how old he is and how many lives he has left ... Sending love, c.
DeleteBless his heart, dear friend cat. I hope Theo still has many of his 9 lives ahead of him, lives to be spent keeping you company.
DeleteLUBBINS LUBBINS LUBBINS, dear cat!
❤️
DeleteI thought for sure that I commented on this post. So it either got caught in the spam filter or Blogger gobbled it up, spit it out and lost it.
ReplyDeleteHi again, Mary! I just replied to your other comment (scroll up) which I just found in the SPAM bin for some reason. I have the blog settings to allow publishing of all comments for the first two weeks after a post is published. Only comments that are left more than two weeks later are sent to me for approval or rejection. This is the first time a legitimate comment like yours has been sent to the SPAM folder. I have found a couple of bot comments in that bin, but it is very rare. I will remember to check SPAM more often, but I hope your comments aren't sent there in the future.
DeleteThanks again for putting forth all this extra time and effort to get your comment submitted, Mary!