 Of course, we all know stories of how Thanksgiving began. But, how many of us actually think of that on this holiday?
Generally, it is a day of the Macy’s Parade, football, family, and lots and lots of FOOD. It is a day that we are not hampered by buying presents and putting our financial situations in Jeopardy (for months and months) due to the holiday pressure. It is a day that we do not think of dieting. That can wait till tomorrow. It is a federal holiday, and we do not have to fight for the day off. Because it is always on Thursday, we can try for 4-day weekends. It is a day that we get to see family and friends. Those we love and also those we tolerate. If you ask most Americans, they will tell you it is their favorite holiday. And why is that? Your menu will most likely have leftovers. You can share them with your guests or else....tomorrow you don't have to cook. It is a great day to be Merry.......You can get up late. Most dinners start after 3 PM and onward. You can watch football, and it is expected of you. All in all, it is a holiday that you just get to be you, with no expectations! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
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 Have you read, “The Feeling?” Who was Roz Daniels-Lesser?
Let me introduce you! Roz Daniels-Lesser was the mother of our heroine, Rachel Sanders. Roz Daniels-Lesser’s life was turned upside down when her husband, Gary Lesser, unexpectedly left their home in 1948 for “another woman”. It was not a time when divorce was prevalent and was clearly a huge shock to her and her family. Roz was a housewife and did not work outside the home. This was the usual structure of family life in the forties. The phrase, “single mother,” was unknown at that time, but that is what she had become! Life would be different for her and her small daughter, Rachel. Roz was 37 years old and her daughter was 10 years old. The word “infidelity” now became a household word. Roz and the Daniels family closed ranks around Rachel. The family, comprising of Roz’s sister, brother, and parents would become, one household emotionally. However, Roz lived independently on the “fair” sum of money Gary sent each week. For the times, it was a decent amount. $75.00 a week, at that time, would pay for rent, electricity, food, clothing, transportation, medical, and assorted living sundries. There was not much left over, except for an occasional movie, which was definitely a treat. Roz was pretty, intelligent, neat as a pin, kind, and especially fierce when it came to Rachel who would become her whole life. When asked why she didn’t remarry, Roz would say, “I am not picking up anyone’s socks anymore, and no man will tell me what to do with my daughter.” Roz entrenched her life with family and Rachel developed the same closeness. Raising Rachel in a quiet atmosphere, with an abundance of love, she taught her child generosity and good sense A code of ethics was instilled early on, and an adherence to The Ten Commandments and a wish to strive for a good future family life. Roz had a ferocity of protectiveness for her child and grandchildren as though they were the only people in the world. She was strong but gentle. She was demanding, but loving. And her dedication would last a lifetime. THE BORSCHT BELT MUSEUM IS OPENING IN ELLENVILLE, NEW YORK ON JULY 29, 2023.   THIS PHENOMENON was also known as: THE COUNTRY THE MOUNTAINS THE CATSKILLS It was a retreat to escape the summer heat for the '40s, '50s, and 60's city dwellers. IT WAS THE BORSCHT BELT... …our oasis for vacation! I remember... ...I couldn't wait to go every summer. We spent one week, 2 weeks, or sometimes a month at our glorious, welcoming hotels. The weekdays were inhabited by the moms and their children. The Dads would come up on weekends after a long week's work. There was Simon Sez, card games, mah jongg, swimming, boating, basketball, softball, and 3 delicious meals a day. My Mom never put me in the children's dining room. She said I would catch their germs (it is the "only child" that gets this luxury) I was special in the grown-up dining room. At night we went to the "Casino." It wasn't for gambling as that is what the theater was called then. We sat on folding chairs set up in rows and would go early for the best seats. We saw up-and-coming comedians like Henny Youngman and Rodney Dangerfield. We saw singers who were just starting out like Eddie Fisher and Mel Torme, and beautiful dancers. All would go on to make a name for themselves. We were their first audience in the magical Borscht Belt. We were hungry for entertainment and gave them gold stars.  The young ladies of the family had opportunities to date the waiters and other staff members. They were all young men who were making money for the summer and going to college. The lifeguards were prime. So many engagements and weddings were formed here for new family life to begin. It was the stuff the movie "Dirty Dancing" was made of.
Fabulous hotels were waiting, Grossingers, The Concord, The Nevele, Kutchers, and a host of bungalow colonies if you wanted to cook yourself, called "kochelein". SO COME ONE, COME ALL.. ...VISIT THE BORSCHT BELT MUSEUM ON JULY 29, 2023. Partake in all the delicious memories with live music, comedy, and of course, some delicious borscht, knishes, and pastrami. Get a peek at how it was and explore the past of the New York Borscht Belt. See you there. Carol-Rose Author, Blogger, and Official Alumnae of The Borscht Belt WHERE DID SHE COME FROM? Carol-Rose authored a 750-page autobiography for her family. It encompassed the years 1860-2021. 161 years of information for her family, chronicling the past and where they came from. It took her 4 1⁄2 years to research, collect old pictures, and recall stories about her great grandparents and grandparents, her birth, and the creation of her present family through the year 2021. It is a beautifully bound 10" X 11", exquisitely covered book, intended to be used as a Coffee Table Family "Bible" for her family. She included treasured old pictures plus photos of Europe and Israel. It was a labor of love with the intention of their family history never to be lost or forgotten. She titled the book: "EVERYTHING CHANGES, NOTHING STAYS THE SAME!  The title was meant to be a lesson for the younger generation, teaching them to: Go with the flow, Open their Minds, Adapt and Grow! Look for future excerpts of this book, for more data about the history of Carol-Rose. The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps., and U.S. Coast Guard have a tradition where active military ships recently deployed in overseas operations dock in a variety of major cities for one week. The crews enter the city and visit tourist attractions.  It's the 1950's and we were World War II babies, now 17-18 years old. It was a different time and we were not worried about going into New York City, traveling on the subway, or unusual safety issues. My girlfriend, Marilyn K-P, and I were excited to go to Times Square during Fleet Week. We dressed up. Always skirts or dresses, college-size heels, lipstick, and powder, and were ready to go!  The fleet was in, and there were hoards of sailors all over New York City. The first stop is Times Square. We laughed, we spoke to them, we joined them in a drink (a drink at that time was a Coca-Cola or a milkshake). We showed them the Empire State Building. We did not have cell phones and were unreachable to our parents. But no one worried as we were safe and happy. We met our friends and traded stories with sailors who lived all over the United States and the world. Everyone was respectful. It was about honoring our Fleets, welcoming them, and meeting the “all-American girls” of New York. We explained our education, our life, etc., and listened to young men, off to who-knows-where. They were appreciative and it was all about having a good day. It was fun, and informative and opened up horizons in a good clean day’s events for all of us. We moved on and although approached to write to them, we declined. It was not realistic and we were just a welcoming committee to be stored as memories. Here I am in 2023 remembering. No, I would not allow my daughter or grandchildren to do this now. It is a different world (so sad) and there are many cries of danger, not with the fleet, but in New York City. How I wish they all had known that freedom, but the city has changed.  I love our American values. Please don't change them. My beloved grandson is graduating from Annapolis this weekend. We congratulate him and his beautiful young companions at Annapolis. The famed Blue Angels will fly over the Annapolis Graduation services. So exciting and spectacular! We are so proud of you all!  It's graduation time, not only at Annapolis but all across the land. Congratulations to my other grandchildren who are graduating, and those who are already fulfilling a work career.
We respect our constitution, our American Flag, and the young men and women who will be instrumental in developing a better world. And again, IT'S FLEET WEEK.............WELCOME !!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!! Be assured, I truly believed this was just a luncheon with my children. It had been a long time since we were all together in one room. When my son and daughter-in-law, who reside in Florida, offered to host it at their country club, I was happy to come as a guest. My husband and I arrived at the Country Club, along with my youngest daughter from New York and her fiancé. My son was guiding us through the dining room. My first FEELING was one of annoyance that we had to walk so far into the dining room. (Oh well, no-one ever listens to me) There were curtains ahead of us sectioning off a room of the club, and my son kept saying that he wanted us to see the new renovations the club had made. (Oh, can’t walk so far, why do I care?)  He parted the curtains and I saw a blur of people at tables in front of me. I turned to him and said, “This is a private party, let’s go.” Then I heard an exuberant crowd yelling, “SURPRISE”……HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” I thought, “OMG, THIS IS FOR ME!! OMG, I SHOULD HAVE HAD MY HAIR DONE! OMG, I would have worn something else…. And then, OMG I never had a surprise party before……. MY HEART STARTED PUMPING HARD! I am so EXCITED!!” My daughter, who resides in Florida, came rushing towards me, hugging and yelling “surprise.” My son from New York came over and exuberantly kissed me. My grandchildren flooded towards me...…. (I can’t believe it. This is thrilling…….) Then I turned to the table to my right and was totally taken aback that my childhood friends were sitting there….I hugged them and started to cry. (How did they get here?) My husband sent an uber for them. Then it hit me, my husband and I are together 24/7. How did he do this without my knowing? And my Florida son and daughter-in-law were his accomplices.” (Never thought anything would get by me, but….IT DID!) Then I turned and saw all my beautiful family and friends that filled the room. It looked like more than 40 people. STILL AMAZED, I THOUGHT, This is for me…..I can’t believe it. I am so thrilled and so grateful for all of you in my life. I GREETED EVERYONE….There was FABULOUS FUN, FABULOUS FOOD, FABULOUS PICTURES, FABULOUS CAKE, AND TABLE WTH A LARGE POSTER OF MY FIRST BOOK. WOW! EVERYONE SIGNED IT…..AND…..BEAUTIFUL GIFTS, WITH THE MOST FABULOUS HUSBAND, CHILDREN, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS ANYONE IN THIS WORLD COULD WANT.”    And…..they were not through yet…..after a glorious party, an after party with barbecue for all who could attend, at my son’s home…...This marvelous day will never end in my heart. Dear Everyone: Thank you so much….a special day, and feeling in my heart and soul. It was a remembrance that I will never forget. May you have all the love your heart can hold…. All the happiness a day can bring…. All the blessings a life can unfold. Thanks, kisses, hugs, appreciation, and joy for a Once in a Lifetime Surprise! (I have to write about this on my blog.) Carol-Rose Marshall Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend, Relative & Confidant Author and Blogger  |
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