CHARLOTTE from page 79

They'd conspire by phone, corn-
ing up with parodies and skits that
highlighted the honoree's life. They
were always funny, and sometimes
merciless at poking good-natured
fun. As we got older, we con-
tributed to the productions.
With three talented sisters —
Beverly was a trained opera singer,
Mimi a trained pianist and corn-
poser — there often was some
competition for starring roles. The
husbands and kids were usually
supporting characters. My dad was
always the emcee.
These productions were per-
formed - at rehearsal dinners or
Friday-night Shabbat dinners, with
friends and other family members
in the audience. They were fun to
be in, and touching and a little
embarrassing if they were staged in
your honor.
At my wedding, in San Antonio
at Thanksgiving nearly 15 years
ago, the cast did a marvelous job
roasting my husband Don and me.
But the showstopper was Aunt
Charlotte singing "Make Someone
Happy," accompanied by my
mother on the piano. She put so
much emotion and feeling into
the song no one had a dry eye.
My Aunt Beverly was supposed
to sing a song written by my
mother at my wedding, but she
had a heart ettack just beforehand
and wasn't able to be there. Aunt
Charlotte stepped in and sang
beautifully, again with much feel-
ing. It was very special — and
thankfully it's captured on video.

Traveling With Charlotte

My parents loved to travel. When
I was in college, I finagled my way
on a trip to the Canadian Rockies.
Aunt Charlotte came along, too.
It was 1980, the year Terry Fox,
who'd lost a leg to cancer, walked
across Canada to raise money for
cancer research. He was Canada's
celebrity that gorgeous summer we
drove from Calgary to Banff to
Vancouver and back again.
Along the route, people were
surprised to see another celebrity.
In small Canadian towns and
large, people recognized Mrs.
Garrett from The Facts of Life.
They stopped and stared. They
approached us at dinner and in a

movie theater, even while we were
hiking in anational park.
Sometimes my aunt signed auto-
graphs; sometimes she asked to be
left in peace because she was on hol-
iday with her family. Always she was
gracious. I learned something from
the way she dealt with people.
As a roommate, it was a similar
story. I wanted to read late; the light
bothered her eyes so she covered
them with a sleep mask. But she did
complain about my snoring.
I also remember her reaction to
nature, to the glorious scenery in
the Rocky Mountains, to the small
towns where powerful rivers
rushed through so dramatically.
She'd spread her arms wide and
.want to inhale it all.

yet

the ultimate
movie:going
experience

United Again

When -my Aunt Beverly died sev-
eral years ago, it was a blow to the
sisters. They were a triumvirate.
They talked on the phone con-
stantly. They traveled together,
and they took great joy in making
music together.
In the late 1980s, Aunt
Charlotte was playing the title role
iri Driving Miss Daisy. When the
touring company came to
Chicago, my parents came up
from Texas to attend with other
relatives who'd driven over from
Milwaukee.
At the end of the performance,
my aunt invited her two talented
sisters up on stage so they could
do a number together. My mom
was on the piano with her sisters
singing — as they always had
since childhood.
Now, with Aunt Beverly gone,
my morn sees Aunt Charlotte more
frequently. She was in Dallas when
my mom had a triple bypass last
December, and back again in
February to see a revival of The
Bar Mitzvah, a musical my mother
wrote with two friends. The Dallas
Jewish Center was packed, and no
one seemed prouder than Aunt
Charlotte.
I'll see her in early January at
bar mitzvah in Tampa for my
cousin's youngest son. She'll be
bringing her 14-year-old grand-
daughter Carly to keep her in the
family loop.
I haven't heard plans for a family
show yet, but I can bet who'll be
the star. ❑

.•
Uptown Palladium 12

metro detroit's premiere cinema complex

250 N. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham Call 248-644-FILM

now open!

showing november 16 - 21

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (on 4 screens) I Shallow Hal
The One I Domestic Disturbance [Monsters, Inc. I K Pax I Serendipity I Bandits

Shan g ti La

AUTHENTIC HONG KONG STYLE COOKING

"Featuring wonderful, traditional favorites...
a superb variety of dining specialties

DIM SUM LUNCH SPECIALS!

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

T he (mly

ChilleSe

o ► Cil ti U h it

6407 Orchard Lake Rd.
(ln The Orchard Mall)

(248) 626-8585

Hours: Monday thru Sunday

11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

NOW OPEN

Contemporary American Cuisine

"Cuisine from the Heart"

Shawn Loving, Chef/Proprietor

248-489-9400

Located at the Copper Creek Golf Course
27925 Golf Pointe Blvd., Farmington Hills

(12 Mile Rd. Between Halsted & Haggerty Roads)

11R 6

2001

