The Sally Langwah show was presented on Nov. 10 in the community center. This was a veteran tribute hosted by Gary Wilcox.
The stage was decorated nicely with miniature flags placed several inches from each other and little bottles with a flag in the center, and blue and red surrounding it.
The show started off when Gary Wilcox introduced Roy Langwah.
Roy said a few words and then presented Sally Langwah who started the show singing “The Star Spangled Banner.” This was followed by “A Salute to the Armed Forces.”
Because this was a patriotic show, she continued on with a song from each branch, such as the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Merchant Marines and the Air Force. These songs were sung while the ones who served in that particular branch stood to be recognized.
Roy Langwah then came on dressed as Willie Nelson, with his signature pigtails and bandana. He sang his hit “All of Me,” plus “The City of New Orleans,” and he did a marvelous job.
Sally then came back on stage in a long brunette wig and a red dress as Crystal Gayle and sang the hit tune “Don’t it Make my Brown Eyes Blue” and a Cristy Lane song entitled “One Day at a Time.”
There was audience participation, and one cute segment when Barbara Livingston and Joan Fisher (both residents of Grand Horizons) joined Sally in performing a couple of songs by The Andrew Sisters, including “Beer Barrel Polka” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”
All three had the moves, and kept the audience swinging and clapping in their seats. It was some performance.
Rich Fulton, Paul Oi, Dave Lawrence and Rick Huey were called up as war vets while the song “When I Dream” was sung by Sally. They were each presented with a pin, which was a lovely touch.
Roy came out as Elvis Presley and shook hands with most of the audience while singing “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”
Sally came back on stage as Marilyn Monroe, told some jokes like only Marilyn could, and sang “I Want to be Loved by You” to Bill Sarver and “Happy Birthday” to Freddie.
We also got treated to the hit song by Louis Armstrong called “What a Wonderful World.”
Charo, the “coochi-coochi” girl came out to perform. This was a cute performance, and she called on Jim Leitzke to dance. Sally was dressed in a long blond wig, and in a lovely white and blue dress.
Toward the end of the show, she had several people come to the front of the room to perform the “Electric Slide,” a line dance.
The show ended with Sally singing “God Bless America,” and the entire audience sang along.
This would have marked the end of the show, but then Sally and Roy outdid themselves by continuing another half an hour with more singing and dancing. Everyone left on a very high note.
The following morning, we had an egg-in-a-bag breakfast, and 114 people were served.
It was hosted by Paul and Freda Williams, and they had several volunteers, including Jim and Judi Leitzke, Sue and Galen Parker, Carol and Clayton George, and Doris Sutfin.
Phyllis Jones provided the music, and everyone did a fabulous job.
Before breakfast, Galen Parker said grace, while everyone bowed their heads in a moment of silence.
After everyone enjoyed a hearty breakfast, Jim Leitzke presented a veterans program. The program started with the Pledge of Allegiance, and the entire audience stood.
Jim then presented a special video entitled “My Name is America” by Todd Allen. The POW/MIA table and each item on the table was thoroughly explained. This table remembers all the military lost.
Flags were then brought forward for each individual service.
There are many vets from Grand Horizons, and as each branch was called, the vets who were there stood to be recognized.
Thanks to the vets that served and gave us our freedoms.
The afternoon ended with all singing “God Bless America.”
By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons
Published December 6, 2017
