From Borscht To Woodstock

1969- Liberty, New York - the Catskills

Thebar lounge at the Grossinger's Resort has the look of which any1940's Jewish mobster would feel right at home. The red leatherbooths and dim lighting provides the perfect backdrop for just aboutany illicit gathering. However, the people in this story are neithernefarious nor adulterous.

It's11am and three people sit in the rear booth, engaging in comfortableconversation - Fae Feldman, the activities director; Irv, her husbandof ten years; and Lucy, her friend and foe of many years.

Awaitress wears an orange and white uniform, Grossinger's signaturewhite doily hat, and obligatory smile. She walks through the diningarea toward their booth, balancing three plates on her right arm. Herleft hand holds a pitcher of coffee, with cloth napkins draped overher forearm.

"Here you go, Mrs. Feldman," the waitresssays to Fae.

Fae beams, "Thank you, Helen!" She slides herempty coffee cup toward the waitress. "Now Helen, vee have you asvorking dis veekend, is dat right? Eez dat vut you requested?"

Thewaitress smiles as she pours Fae's coffee.

"Yes. Thank youso much, Mrs. Feldman."

As the waitress leaves, Lucywhispers, "The workers love you, Fae."

Fae holds up hercoffee cup as if giving a toast. "Vut's not to like?" She and Irvlaugh.

Fae Feldman has worked at Grossinger's in one capacityor another for thirty years. At twenty-two, she arrived at EllisIsland alone. It was 1939 and Nazi Germany had invaded and ultimatelyannexed her homeland of Czechoslovakia. Upon arriving, Fae appliedfor work at Grossinger's as a waitress. Her olive complexion andstatuesque frame opened doors for her. Many considered her exotic.However, it was it was her charm, ambition, and astonishing abilityto organize that propelled her through the ranks and into theposition of activities director. In effect, she had found a home atGrossinger's where she felt needed and, more importantly,respected.

"Here you go Sveetie." Fae says, handing Irvthe basket of onion rolls.

Irv takes the basket, gives Fae awink, and laughs.

"Nothing but eggs and coffee for metoday," announces Lucy. She opens a small silver pillbox, takes outthree tiny white saccharin tablets, and stirs them into her coffee."You know, Fae, McCall's put out an article last week...you shouldread it. It said the easiest way to lose weight is to only haveprotein and caffeine. I think it's already working! I have moreenergy than I've ever had!"

Faegently puts her hand on Lucy's. "Oh Lucy, don't believe everythingyou read."

Lucy pulls away, "I have to watch my figure!"She strokes her bright red hair.

Fae frowns, "Darlink, youneed to eat! Those little vite peels you take has taken all the vomanoff your bones!"

"You mean this saccharin? It'sharmless."

"No. You know exactly vut little pills Imean."

"Don't you ever think about losing weight? I loveyou, Fae, but you are by no means a small woman."

Fae smilesand gives Lucy a contemplative look. Lucy shifts gears, "It's justthat you're lucky, Fae, you have a husband." Lucy nods toward Irv,who is pretending to study TheDaily Racing Form.

Lucycontinues lamenting, "Here I am trying to find my thirdhusband!"

Fae sits back in her seat. "Vell, Darlink, all Iknow eez that Irv keeps a good eye on my vaistline, right Irv?" Irvsmiles and nods in the affirmative, his mouth full of gefilte fish.

Sixty-year-oldIrv Feldman stands about five-foot-three with his hat on. He has astocky build and teeters from side to side slightly as he walks. Hisbulbous nose, bushy eyebrows, and mustache give him the appearance ofa very serious man thinking about very important matters. However,his constant laughter at anything and everything reveals him to bequite an affable character, who is only heard speaking whenabsolutely necessary. A fixture at Grossinger's for the past tenyears, he is easily identifiable by the unlit cigar that has takenpermanent residence in the left corner of his mouth.