Corrine Jacobson has visitors
While Corrine Jacobson was recovering from surgery, she was so lucky to enjoy a family visit. Cindy Bond, her daughter-in-law and grandson, Barry Bond of Atlanta were first, then her niece, Marlene Price from Williston, Vt. enjoyed the “Cowboy-Culture” activities of our city. Recently, her cousin and husband, Gene and Gretel Holit of Walnut Creek, stopped by on their motor home tour of the South.
Movie and ice cream social for ‘Daytimers’
Next event for the “Daytimers” will be their annual movie party and ice cream social, featuring the classic comedy, Mel Brooks’ original “The Producers,” starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.
Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) is a failed, aging Broadway producer who ekes out a living romancing rich old women in exchange for money for his “next play.” Nebbish accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) arrives at Bialystock’s office to do his books and discovers a $2,000 error in the accounts of Bialystock’s last play. Bialystock cons Bloom into hiding the fraud, and while shuffling numbers, Bloom has a revelation which Bialystock immediately puts into action: a scheme to massively oversell shares in a Broadway production, then purposely make a horrific flop, so that no one will ever audit its books.
After an extensive search the partners find an unproduced play worthy of their efforts: “Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden,” written in total sincerity by a deranged ex-Nazi Franz Liebkind. They convince Liebkind to sign over the stage rights, telling him they want to show the world “the true Hitler, the Hitler with a song in his heart.” In order to guarantee that the show is a flop, they then hire the worst director in the business to stage the production. The part of Hitler goes to a charismatic but only semi-coherent hippie who wanders into the wrong theater by accident during the casting call. Bialystock then proceeds to collect money from dozens of little old ladies, ultimately selling 25,000 percent of the play.
The result is a cheerfully upbeat, utterly tasteless musical detailing the life of the dictator, which opens with a lavish production number, also titled “Springtime for Hitler,” celebrating Nazi Germany overrunning Europe. Unfortunately for Bialystock and Bloom, their attempt to make a show so bad as to guarantee failure backfires as, after initial dumbfounded disbelief, the audience finds the beatnik-like portrayal of Hitler to be hilarious, and the play is a universally praised hit.
Cost is only $5 for the film, free popcorn and ice cream. “Daytimers” has all flavors of ice cream including fat-free, lactose-free and sugar-free. For reservations, call Barbara Rubin, 817-927-2736, or Sylvia Wexler, 817-294-1129, or checks can be mailed to Daytimers, Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
The Sylvia Wolens “Daytimers” is a program of Congregation Beth-El with financial support from the Jewish Federation.
Jennifer Ratner completing doctorate, selected for award
Jennifer “Jen” Ratner is one class away from completing her post professional doctorate in physical therapy from Drexel University. Jennifer will be finished with her last class by mid-August, and she found out recently that she was selected for an award that goes to one person in the entire post professional program at Drexel. Jen was nominated by one of her professors last year for the Post Professional Clinical Leadership and Impact on Practice Award. The award reads: “Participants in the Post Professional DPT program are eligible for the Post Professional Clinical Leadership and Impact on Practice Award. The Leadership award honors a student who has demonstrated academic achievement (G.P.A. of at least a 3.75), outstanding contribution to the profession, and ability to serve as a leader in the professional community (artifacts in portfolio representing professional service and leadership capability).”
Jen has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arizona, a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from UT Southwestern and an advanced master’s degree in physical therapy from TWU, and is employed by Fort Worth Physical Therapy.
By the way, all good “wisches” to the Ratners, Jen, Hal and their two precious daughters, who will soon move into their new home on Arroyo.
Press notes
It was a weekend of renewing friendships for those who attended Paschal High and then, for some who didn’t. Their 40th reunion last weekend was the right time and the right place for many. Though my son, Steve Wisch, didn’t graduate from Paschal, he and his wife. Fern, came from Houston to be with friends from yesteryear. Among those they visited with were Dede Samson Seltzer of St. Louis and Terry Katzman Gary and her husband, Hal, of Pikesville (Baltimore), Md. It was extra-special for Terry, who was joined by her sister, Debbie, of San Antonio. And then there were other friendly faces from the class of 1969 including Sidney Goldin, Irwin Blum, Davie Rubinson and his wife, Deanne, and I’m sure there were others. The weekend also afforded the Wisches of Houston the opportunity to visit with mom, Rene, which was a special treat.
What a pleasant surprise to have Rabbi Z of CAS pop in for a quick hello earlier this week. Rabbi Z was in Dallas to personally extend his good wishes to friend and faithful congregant Hal Radetsky. You can send a card to Hal at Prestonwood Rehab Center, 2460 Marsh Lane, Plano, TX 75093. He’ll be glad to hear from you!
