FOLLIES LATEST NEWS!

THE ORIGINAL FLORIDA FOLLIES MEN!

2012-01-23T15:37:00.006-05:00

Back Row: Jack Deering, Joe Schiereck, Doug Gorab, Ted Crownover
Front Row: Joe Ruggiero, Jim Blatchley, Jack Stewart, Ron Plotkin

Above are some of the "MEN OF THE FOLLIES", who are an
integral part of our organization.

It has become more and more evident by comments we have
received that people have the impression our show is geared
toward women. Some are not aware of THE FOLLIES' huge
productions and the variety of new shows and new costumes
every year. Ours is "A High Energy Show for Men and Women
of all Ages".

Before our Season opens each January, we provide special
"Presentations" that are given at NO CHARGE to organizations,
clubs and gatherings at which time several of our show people
(in costume) are introduced, and a short explanation is given
outlining our goals to help children-in-need, with emphasis
on new clothing which the children and their parents select
at JC Penny's every October and is paid for by THE FOLLIES.
In 2011, $60,000 in clothing was allotted for 406 children
in addition to $30,000 in cash donated to two children's
organizations.

In the 12 years existence of THE ORIGINAL FLORIDA FOLLIES,
our organization has given a total of over $450,000 to
children-in-need.

There are still six shows left.
Get your tickets now before they are gone!

FOLLIES NEW 2012 SHOW SCHEDULE

2011-12-19T17:13:00.006-05:00

Photo #1: Front: Gay Crownover, Syd Gordon, Roz Kern,
Ron Plotkin, Love Crisson, Ruth Trimmer
Back: Jack Deering, Doug Gorab

Photo #2: Cristine Seber, Sherry Benjamin, Margaret
Taylor, Arlene Acker, Hank Phillips, Jack Stewart,
Shirlee Cappelletti, Sheila Siegel, Joe Ruggiero

Photo #3: Standing: Joanie Helgesen, "Elvis", Goodi Stewart
Sitting: Ruth Levy, Donna Mae Flynn, Connie Anderson
Doing Split: Cindy Trinder

The "Countdown" has begun for The Follies new
Show Season which starts January 22, 2012!

Routines are fully rehearsed, costumes have been
fitted, wigs have been issued, tap and jazz shoes
are broken in and ready to go!

WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS
NOW FOR SEATS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE VENUES
SHOWN BELOW. WE'LL BE MEETING YOU IN THE
LOBBY AFTER EACH SHOW! SEE YOU THERE!

FOLLIES 2012 SHOW SCHEDULE
ALL SHOWS START AT 1:45 PM

"DANCING DOWN MEMORY LANE"
TICKETS: $28 - GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
CALL 954-956-2626 FOR TICKETS & INFO

Sunday, January 22, 2012
Omni Auditorium in Coconut Creek

Sunday, February 5, 2012
Olympic Heights Theater in Boca Raton

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Olympic Heights Theater in Boca Raton

Sunday, February 26, 2012
Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar - call direct 954-602-4500
Miramar Cultural Center fee will be added

Sunday, March 11, 2012
Olympic Heights Theater in Boca Raton

Sunday, March 18, 2012
Olympic Heights Theater in Boca Raton

Sunday, March 25, 2012
Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale - call direct 954-462-0222
Parker Playhouse restoration fee will be added

FOLLIES HOLIDAY LUNCHEON FUN

2011-12-09T11:16:00.008-05:00

Photo #1 - Ron Plotkin, Margaret Taylor
Photo #2 - Beverly & Jim Blatchley, Terri Stevens.
Photo #3 - Jim Blatchley, Joe Schiereck, Terri Stevens,
Jim Harraka, Beverly Blatchley, Hank & Bob Phillips.

Our Holiday Luncheon on Dec 3, 2011 was a beautiful thing!
Twinkling lights and sparkling Holiday attire were
everywhere! In addition to the usual delicious food at
Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, Paul Spezzano's Gift Shop
table displayed his usual tasty delights.

Mary Monihan from Family Central (one of this year's
charities) presented Cathy Dooley with a plaque showing
their appreciation for the voluminous amount of
children's clothing and diapers donated by our members.

Thanks were given to Margaret Taylor for organizing the
Luncheon and to the Coordinator for the "Clothing for
Follies' Tots" drive, Terri Stevens and her assistants,
Beverly and Jim Blatchley.

Also, thanks to the special efforts of Hank & Bob Phillips
who collected $500 for the Diaper Fund, to Joe Schiereck
and his ball team for their donation, to Jim Harraka for
donating Beanie Babies, and to the winner of the 50/50
raffle, Rita Rhodes, for donating most of it
back to the Follies.

THE FOLLIES LOVES HELPING OUR CHILDREN IN NEED!

FOLLIES BRUNCH JULY 23, 2011 FEATURING FOLLIES IDOL TALENT SHOWCASE

2011-06-14T17:37:00.013-04:00

FUN AND DANCING AT A FOLLIES LUNCHEON

On July 23, 2011, at Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, The Original
Florida Follies will hold their quarterly social, this time a
"BRUNCH". Attire will be "Dressy Casual".
STARTS AT 11:30 AM.

Besides the usual good food, 50/50 Raffle and the delectable
items in "Paul's Gift Shop", entertainment will be a "Talent
Showcase" consisting of Follies members! Many of them have
talents other than dancing, and this Showcase will highlight
their diverse abilities.

You may join the fun by writing your check for $29 to:
The Original Florida Follies and sending it BY JULY 13, 2011
to: Margaret Taylor, 7745 Caprio Drive, Boynton Beach, FL 33472.

Directions to Lighthouse Point Yacht Club:
Turn East on NE 39th Street (off US-1 Federal Highway -
one block North of Sample Road). Take Left on NE 27th Terrace.
Go straight to end. Parking on right.

SEE YOU THERE!

DANCING DOWN MEMORY LANE - FOLLIES 2012 SHOW

2011-06-08T11:27:00.003-04:00

Recently The Follies gang met at "Ellie's 50's Diner" in
Delray Beach, FL with Follies photographer, Herman
Allison, to set up promotional photos for our 2012 show,
"Dancing Down Memory Lane".

It was great fun to pose with Elvis Presley and Marilyn
Monroe and the 50's decor in the background. It brought
back some cherished memories to all of us, and we are
expecting the same will hold true for our audiences when
they see our new show.

The day we shot the photos, there was a suggestion that
we take a photo of the complete cast which turned out so
fantastic we have to share it with you here. We call it
"Our 50's Class Reunion"!

Big thanks go to Ellie & Bob Smela for use of their diner
during business hours and to Herman Allison for donating
his time and resources for the photo shoot.

CONGRATULATIONS, FOLLIES!

2011-03-28T20:45:00.004-04:00

In Photo - THE FOLLIES' PRECIOUS GEMS:
(All over 80 years young!)
Mariann Sudzus, Barbara Warner, Vivian Jeffers,
Ann Cohen, Anita Barrett, Ethel Beardsworth,
Cindy Trinder (Doing Split)

ANOTHER GREAT SHOW! LIKE A GOOD WINE -
IT GETS BETTER WITH AGE!
We have completed another successful season with exceptional
results! Seven shows were a lot of work, a lot of aches and
pains, but a lot of satisfaction knowing that our efforts
were for a good cause. Thanks go to Cathy Dooley, Lois
Cangelosi, Ron Plotkin, Doug Gorab, the Dancers, the Models,
the MANY volunteers, and to ALL of the people who contributed
to our success!

SOME EMAILS & COMMENTS AFTER OUR SHOWS:
"I thoroughly enjoyed your show. Costumes are so impressive.
You all are an inspiration to me."
"I don't know how the Follies do it, but every time you go
to a program, they make you feel like you want to come back
the next year. It was extraordinary...Congratulations!"
"Better than any entertainment in the last ten years!"
"You should be on Broadway!"
"Can't wait for next year's show!"
"This must keep you so young!"
"I come every year and look forward to the next one!"
"You all look 16 in the Michael Jackson dance!"
"This show makes me proud to grow old!"
To Ruth Levy: "Do you take vitamins?"
Ruth - "Yes, lots of them!"
To Jo Shlags: I'm going out to buy tap shoes!
From an oldster: "I want to grow up to be like you!"

Follies - Blog - Omni Show 1-23-11

2011-01-31T13:58:00.005-05:00

Email from Ana & Susan (Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Cntr):
"Dear Doug, Cathy and The Fabulous Florida Follies!
Congratulations on a wonderful, entertaining, amazing
extravaganza! The children were dancing in their seats
and truly enjoyed the show. We are so very grateful to
you for your commitment to CDTC and appreciate
all the time and effort that is dedicated to this won-
derful fundraising event. On behalf of Antwon (CDTC
child) and the rest of our CDTC clients, thank you so
very much for caring about our kids. Cheers!"

Our Premier performance at Omni was terrific judging
from the comments from the audience! After the Finale,
when the cast stood in two columns, the exiting audience
gave us rave reviews! Listed below are some of them:

- "The shows get better every year!"
- "We don't know how you do it. You're wonderful."
- "It makes me want to get up on stage and dance!"
- "I come every year and won't miss any of your shows!"
- "You keep up to date with the music, and the dancing gets
better!"
- "The only complaint is that the show is not long enough!"
- "Thanks for making so many people happy!"
- "The girls are beautiful, great legs, great bodies, great per-
sonalities!"
- "Wow! I loved the show. I can never choose one favorite
number, but I did love "Mama Mia" - and the show stopper -
"I Got you Babe!" :) "
- "The show is fabulous. Wish we could look as good as you".
(Our usual answer - "When we get home and take off our
makeup, eyelashes, bridges, wigs, double leotards, girdles
and perky bras, we look just like everyone else!")

We love hearing these comments. They make all our
efforts worthwhile and make us eager to continue for
as many years as we have in us - God willing!

GOOD SEATS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT OLYMPIC
HIGH SCHOOL THEATER FOR SAT, MARCH 5TH, PLUS
SOME SEATS AT THE OTHER VENUES.

TIME IS GETTING SHORT!

2010-12-06T17:26:00.004-05:00

Back row: Joyce Shepherd, Beverly Blatchley,
Ron Plotkin, Cristina Seber, Love Crisson
Middle row: Lisa Evertz, Joanie Helgesen
Seated: Margaret Taylor, Sherry Benjamin

The Follies celebrated at their Holiday Luncheon
on Dec 4th and danced up a storm warming up for
their 11th season show,
"Another Op'nin', Another Show".

Tickets are going fast, and we urge you to call
our Ticket Reps for the venue of your choice
before all the good seats are gone!

Here is the schedule and who to call. Don't delay!

Sun, Jan 23 Omni Auditorium,
Sherry Benjamin 561-338-6860

Sun, Feb 13 Olympic Heights Theater,
Joan Sirota 561-734-1136

Sun, Feb 20 Olympic Heights Theater,
Jim Blatchley 954-454-2457

Sat, Mar 5 Olympic Heights Theater,
Sandie Bloom 561-733-3629

Sun, Mar 6 Olympic Heights Theater,
Sandie Bloom 561-733-3629

Sun, Mar 13 Coral Springs Theater,
Sylvia Reffsin 954-720-1880

Sun, Mar 20 Parker Playhouse,
Direct Line 954-462-0222, #3

Omni tickets - $20 All other venues - $28
(except Parker Playhouse adds a small restoration fee).

FOLLIES JC PENNEY CLOTHING GIVEAWAY

2010-10-02T16:18:00.006-04:00

THERE WERE MANY HAPPY CHILDREN (AND PARENTS) AT JCPENNEY'S
ON OCT 3, 2010 WHILE THE FOLLIES TREATED 170 UNDERPRIVILEGED
CHILDREN TO A SHOPPING SPREE!

Several teams got together to make all of this possible:
Doug Gorab (Follies President), Julie Pike (JCPenney
Coordinator), JC Penney sales staff, Follies performers,
and directors from Florence Fuller Child Development Center
and CDTC (Children's Diagnostic and Treatment Center).

Each child was handed a large shopping bag and allowed to
pick out clothing up to a total of $215. When they went
to the check out counter, each child received a backpack
filled with additional gifts.

JCPenney opened their doors at 7:00 AM (before normal hours),
and each family was allotted 20 minutes to do their shopping.
They were wonderful, well behaved children and went home very
happy!

Many thanks to Doug Gorab and Julie Pike who worked diligently
together to make this event a smooth operating machine! And
thanks to the Follies performers and JCPenney sales staff who
were invaluable in helping direct the children and their parents
to the best buys in the store.

These combined efforts produced a very rewarding day for all
involved.

SUMMER CAMP FOR CDTC CHILDREN

2010-07-28T13:38:00.005-04:00

Photos taken at CDTC Summer Camp

(RECENT ARTICLE TAKEN FROM SUN SENTINEL NEWSPAPER)
Several dozen children with serious medical needs got the
chance to try their hands at arts and crafts, fishing and
horseback riding this summer.

Local charities provided thousands in donations to help 40
HIV-positive children by attending summer camp for a week.
"Without them, we would not be able to afford the airfare
to get the children to camp," said Dr. Ana Puga, medical
director for the Comprehensive Family AIDS Program at
Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale.
The center provides comprehensive prevention, intervention
and treatment service to children with special health care
needs and their families.

The center has offered its "Kids to Camp" program for more
than a decade. For six days in July, 40 youngsters got the
chance to travel to Camp Hope in Houston, where they met up
with other children living with the disease. While there,
the kids can put their medical worries on the back burner
while concentrating on canoeing, cooking, swimming, nature
hikes, dances, carnivals and other fun camp activities.
"It is their life," Puga said. "I have kids that, as soon
as we get back, start asking me when camp will start again."

A contributor, The Original Florida Follies,
presented the center a check for $20,000 earlier this year.
The Follies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping
at-risk children in South Florida, consists of former dance
professionals between the ages of 60 and 90. Led by producer/
director Cathy Dooley, the Follies present Broadway-style
extravaganzas each year to raise money for children in need.
Over the past three years, they have donated $55,000 to the CDTC.

THE FOLLIES AND JC PENNEY UNITE!

2010-06-11T17:52:00.010-04:00

In Photo Above:
Back Row: Stephanie Clayton (CDTC),Paul Spezzano,
Julie Pike (JC Penney), Doug Gorab, Cheryl Brower (FFCDC),
First Row: Gay Crownover, Sylvia Reffsin, Lois Cangelosi

At The Follies' June 1, 2010 Management Team meeting, Doug
Gorab announced that we are proceeding with a new program,
the “The Follies Children's Clothing Giveaway Day at JC Penney”.

DETAILS THUS FAR:
Date – Sunday - October 3, 2010, Time – 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Number of Children–approximately 150 children will participate.
Clothing budget per child – (To be determined)
Special Gift – In addition to clothing, upon leaving the store
each child will receive a gift - i.e., a backpack filled with
necessities and other items a child would love to have.
Ages – to qualify the child has to be between
5 and 12 years old as of 9/1/10.
Guidelines – It will be mandatory for the children to select
underwear and socks prior to any other article of clothing.
Due to space restrictions in the aisles of the store, only
one parent will be allowed to accompany one or two of their
children, and they will be accompanied by a Follies performer.
JC Penney - will increase their inventory for this day and
will allow a 15% discount beyond already discounted clothing.
Follies Helpers: – To help the children identify us, all
Follies performers will be in costume. We will help with
tasks such as registering people as they arrive, assist the
families with shopping, handing out gifts, etc. JC Penney
employees will be working alongside us helping in any way
they can to see that this project runs smoothly.

Our Seven Board members are each taking on a special area
of responsibility for this venture:

Overall Coordinator – DOUG GORAB
Florence Fuller / Follies Coordinator – SHERRY BENJAMIN
*CDTC / Follies Coordinator - GAY CROWNOVER
Follies Performers / Members Coord–LOIS CANGELOSI
Follies / JC Penney Coordinator – PAUL SPEZZANO
PR Coordinator – JOANIE HELGESEN
Children’s Gift Package Coordinator – SYLVIA REFFSIN

*Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center

WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF OUR PROGRESS!

DONATIONS DELIVERANCE DAY!

2010-05-30T11:21:00.009-04:00

May 10, 2010 was a happy day for The Follies and for
the three children's charities that received the fruits
of our labors - their donation checks!

The Follies Board members delivering the checks (Cathy Dooley,
Doug Gorab, Sylvia Reffsin, Gay & Ted Crownover) first stopped
at the Florence Fuller Child Development Center in
Boca Raton where, to their delight, a group of adorable children
sang songs to them. This touching performance made all our hard
work of the past twelve months worthwhile.

Next stop was the Tamarac Community Center where the
Tamarac Bulldogs attend classes, dances, parties, etc. They were
elated to receive their donation which will be used for their
program encouraging independent living for their members.

Last stop was the Children's Diagnostic and Treatment
Center in Fort Lauderdale. They reported that because of
our donation, 45 of their children will be going to camp this year!

At the end of the day, the Board Members, representing the entire
membership, felt very rewarded for the good The Follies does for
children. We are now fired up for next season's performances!

$100,000.00 WOW!

2010-03-22T21:45:00.005-04:00

This photo, taken at our 10th Anniversary performance at
Parker Playhouse, shows the precision of The Original
Florida Follies' performers and the reason our audiences
come back year after year!

With 1,044 people in the audience at Parker Playhouse and
the performers singing “We Are Family”, all of a sudden
the music stopped, and everyone looked at each other
wondering what had happened! Doug Gorab then presented
a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses to Cathy Dooley from
her “Entire Follies Family” and proceeded to tell the
audience and the performers about Cathy’s dream for The
Follies' Tenth Anniversary - which was to make a significant
financial impact for children and expand her donation to
help more children than ever before.
And then he read:

"Cathy Dooley, in celebration of your 10th Anniversary
season, and through your hard work, the hard work of
this entire company, through the ticket revenues from
our wonderful audiences and from a private donation,
it gives me the greatest pleasure to announce that the
2010 donation this year from The Original Florida
Follies to our children's charities is -
$100,000.00 !"

THANK YOU FROM CATHY DOOLEY
"I am not sure if the shock was the $100,000 donation
or that they pulled something over on me. What a moment,
what a show, what a cast, what a company and above all
what a family! I am very blessed to have all of you as
part of the Follies and especially part of my loving
Follies family.

The compliments are rolling in like never before, and I
want to thank all of the performers, volunteer workers
and all those who do so much extra to make our Follies
the success that it has become. It was a great 10th
Anniversary season, and it will not be easy to top this
in 2011, but we will, and we will all do it together.

Above all, I am very thankful that we will make a big
difference this year in the lives of many children who
need our help. We look forward to many more years of
success.

Love, Cathy"

FOLLIES - "DOING MORE FOR CHARITIES"

2009-11-24T04:24:00.004-05:00

1) On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Cristina Seber and Terri Stevens once again coordinated the Follies participation in the Children's Diagnostic and Treatment Center's "Thanksgiving Food Basket Brigade". The Follies participants worked at various jobs - some as greeters, some were bag packers, and others delivered food to families. There was a huge turnout, and everyone got into the act (see the adorable little boy's photo above). One thousand bags of food were packed and distributed to underprivileged families who have ill children.

2) TOYS FOR FOLLIES' TOTS Cristina Seber (954-792-6379) and Terri Stevens (954-587-5651) are collecting new unwrapped toys (newborn to 11 years old) which can be given to them at the Follies Holiday Luncheon on Dec 5, 2009 at Lighthouse Point Yacht Club. During this year's Holiday Season, these donated toys will be given to children who attend Florence Fuller Child Development Centers and Children's Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

3) Do not regift your unwanted items. Give them to Cristina or Terri for the special needs children, Bulldogs of Tamarac. They use them as prizes for their various contests during the year.

WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

FOLLIES FUNDRAISER!

2009-07-25T05:26:00.008-04:00

In Photo Above:
Standing: Sherry Benjamin, Lois Cangelosi, Henrietta Phillips,
Lillian Fisher, Margaret Taylor, Joanie Helgesen
Seated: Ethel Beardsworth, Ron Plotkin, Lisa Evertz
On Floor: Love Crisson, Cristina Seber

COME JOIN OUR FUNDRAISER!
(to help Follies' Production Costs)
CELEBRATE COLUMBUS DAY "FOLLIES STYLE"
Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club
2701 NE 42ND St, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
October 9, 2009 - 6:00 PM
This Night Will Include: Italian Buffet: -
Caesar Salad, Chicken Marsala, Macadamia Nut Encrusted
Snapper w/light Amaretto Sauce, Lasagna, Assorted Rolls & Butter….
Dessert - Tiramisu
Live Entertainment, Dancing (Including the Tarantella), Karaoke,
Continuous Complimentary Raffle, 50/50, Cash Bar
All for only $ 39.50 per person

Make checks payable to: “The Original Florida Follies”

Send to: Paul Spezzano
3300 NE 36th St. - # 501
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone – 954-566-6117 Pastask@aol.com
" ARRIVEDERCI!"