Life, Arts & Society ED 8th

Lives presents Third Annual Unity Day Expo Fair Saturday, Dec. 17,

Schmidt History Museum celebrates opening of Brightline’s Boca Raton station with ‘Fun Saturdays’ for visitors starting soon

Famed singer Connie Francis gathers

By Dale King

The Brightline high-speed train that roars through Boca Raton quite a few times each day will soon be making stops at the new Boca Raton railroad station scheduled to open shortly.

In celebration of the upcoming event, the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museumwill be offering two new special benefits for visitors, said Mary Csar,

the nonprofit’s executive director.

Starting Jan. 7, and taking place on the first Saturday of each month during 2023, the museum will offer free fun Saturdays, waiving the regular admission fee ($12 adults, $8 students and seniors, free for members and children 4 years old and under) for all visitors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

friends

85 th birthday party at her home in Parkland

Photos courtesy of Yaacov Heller

Singer Connie Francis, whose chart-topping tunes in the 1950s and 1960s made her a rock and roll icon, invited a group of close friends to her home in Parkland Sunday to help her celebrate her 85 th birthday.

Guests included Boca Raton artist Yaacov Heller and his wife, Sue, who are longtime friends of the music legend.

Changing Lives presents Third Annual Unity Day Expo Fair Saturday, Dec.

Changing Lives of Boca Raton, the non-profit homeless resource provider, is presenting its third annual Unity Day Expo Fair on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hughes Park, 200 NE 14th Street in Boca Raton.

The free, outdoor expo fair will feature up to 20 nonprofits and will highlight their no-cost to low-cost services, community services and resources for public assistance.

Changing

to aid homeless

World War II exhibit at The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. (Jacek Photography)

Schmidt History Museum celebrates opening of Bri-

close

to her

From left, Phyllis Kaufman, Pat Brand, Ron Roberts,AnnAnello and Sue Heller.

Connie Francis, left, with her friend, Pat Brand.

From left,Anita Morehead (AKA“Mother”), Judy Kobak, Phyllis Kaufman, Ron Roberts and Jack McDermott.

Hughes Park. (Photo courtesy of City of Boca Raton)

Famed singer Connie Francis gathers close friends to her 85th birthday party at her home in Parkland

Also on hand were Ron Roberts, an author and president of Concetta records, Connie’s own label; friends Pat Brand, Judy Kobak, Phyllis Kaufman and Jack McDermott, a pioneer Boston disc jockey, publicist and actor who met Connie in the 1950s and helped her to launch her career.

Also attending was Anita Morehead, also known as “Mother,” who performs impersonations of the famed singer. During the celebration, Morehead performed while wearing a red robe and gown, a copy of the outfit that Connie wore during an appearance on The Ed Sullivan show.

Ann Anello, professor of music at Florida International University, was also in the crowd. She has volunteered to be a judge at the Rotary Club of Boca Raton’s Future Stars Talent Competition next year at the Mizner Park Amphitheater.

Sue and Yaacov presented Connie with a bouquet of roses and orchids from Lily’s Bloom Boutique at Royal Palm Place in Boca Raton.

Offering a tribute to Connie, Yaacov said: “Connie Francis’ voice goes directly to your soul. In 10 languages, her voice has been bringing together the people of the world.” He offered a happy birthday “to the kindest, sweetest warmest, smartest, most talented songstress I know.”

Born Concetta Maria Franconero in Newark, N.J., she gained success in the 1950s and ‘60s with songs that encompassed country, rock and roll and traditional vocal pop.

She grew up in a working-class Italian American family. Encouraged by her father, she sang and played theaccordionfrom an early age, and in 1950, she made an appearance onArthur Godfrey’s nation-

ally televised”Talent Scouts”program.

Several months later, having changed her name to Connie Francis at Godfrey’s suggestion, she began a four-year stint on a children’s television variety show inNew York City. Francis landed a contract as a vocalist with MGM Records in 1955. After several non-successful efforts, in 1957, she recorded, “Who’s Sorry Now,” a 1920s standard that became a hit the following year after it was championed by Dick Clarkon his”American Bandstand”television show.

She followed up with songs such as the wistful “My Happiness” (1958), the Neil Sedaka-written “Stupid Cupid” (1958) and “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own” (1960). At the height of her fame, she frequently appeared on television and acted in several teen-oriented movies, notably”Where the Boys Are(1960),” for which she also sang the title song.

Connie Francis, left, with her friend, Pat Brand.

Connie Francis, center, with Sue Heller and Yaacov Heller during Connie’s 85 th birthday party at her home in Parkland.

From left, Phyllis Kaufman, Pat Brand, Ron Roberts,Ann Anello and Sue Heller

Connie Francis and her friend, Pat Brand.

A bouquet of roses and orchids sent by Sue and Yaacov Heller to Connie Francis for her 85 th birthday. The flowers came from Lili’s Bloom Boutique in Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton.

Anita Morehead,AKA“Mother” at Connie Francis’ birthday party

Ron Roberts and Connie Francis.

Portrait of Tony Ferretti, Connie’s boyfriend for the past 18 years, who recently passed away. The painting hangs in Connie’s bedroom.

Photos courtesy of Yaacov Heller

Changing Lives presents Third Annual Unity Day Expo Fair Saturday, Dec. 17, to aid homeless

Changing Lives of Boca Raton, the non-profit homeless resource provider, is presenting its third annual Unity Day Expo Fair on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hughes Park, 200 NE 14th Street in Boca Raton. The free, outdoor expo fair will feature up to 20 nonprofits and will highlight their no-cost to low-cost services, community services and resources for public assistance. The event will offer free food and beverages donated by Rebel House Boca, entertainment, health screenings, prizes and activities for children.

Unity Day connects families in need to a variety of resources and finding solutions to fundamental challenges. The goal is to help disadvantaged and underprivileged amilies struggling during these trying times and those at risk of being homeless by providing and informing them of all the great resources each non-profit and organization has to offer. “This will also serve to bring all

By Dale King

the amazing local organizations together to better network and help the community,” said Jerry Pagan, director of Changing Lives of Boca Raton.

Among the non-profits attending will be:

First United Methodist Church, which started the men’s shower and laundry program for the homeless. Homeless Hearts Food International, which provides food relief, housing assistance and mentoring.

Breaking the Chains Outreach Ministries, which works with at-risk children, the elderly, homeless, and the needy.

AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Inc.), which promotes violencefree relationships and social change by offering alternative choices to end violence and domestic abuse.

Schmidt History Museum celebrates opening of Brightline’s Boca Raton station with ‘Fun Saturdays’

By Dale King

Fun activities will include a museum hunt for kids, with prizes awarded to winners.

Whether visitors of all ages arrive by car, via Brightline or by walking, this is the perfect no-cost opportunity to enjoy the museum’s exciting and interactive exhibitsthat document the growth and development of Boca Raton from a small farming town to the sophisticated internationally known city it is today.

As soon as the new Brightline Station opens,the Schmidt Museum will be offering a$2 discountoff the regular admission to anyone with a Brightline ticket. “This is our way to celebrate both the arrival of Brightline to Boca Raton and to encourage riders to explore all of the wonders—cultural, culinary, and retail—in downtown Boca,” said Csar.

“We also hope people entering or exiting

through Boca’s new Brightline Station will enjoy the fascinating and informative wall panels conceived bySue Gillis, curator at the Boca Raton Historical Society,” Csar added

Located just north of Palmetto Park Road between Mizner Park and the city’s public library, the new station is within easy walking distance or a quick ride tothe Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum in historic Town Hall at 71 N. Federal Highway

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is the home of the Boca Raton Historical Society, whose mission isto collect, preserve and present information and artifacts relevant to the past and evolving history of Boca Raton and to maintain a visible role in the education and the advocacy of historic preservation in the community.

For information, visit https://changinglives.me/ unity-day-2022/

Changing Lives of Boca Raton, Inc is a 501C3 nonprofit organization dedicated to

enriching the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Its program aims to prepare clients for gainful employment and support individuals’ return to independent and self-sustaining living.

In addition to the spiritual and practical guidance to clients, Changing Livesprovidesassistancewithscholarships for sober living facilities and detox, housing stipends, costs for mentaland physical care, personal documentation and personaldocumentation,andendowme nts for business start-ups.

For more information please visitwebsite athttps:// changinglives.me/, Facebook page @changinglivesBR and Instagram page @changinglivesbocaratonor call 561-961-4635.

Hughes Park. (Photo courtesy of City of Boca Raton) Hughes Park. (Photo courtesy of City of Boca Raton)