Many many thanks to regular visitor Dennis Rue for sending these two graphics. The photo of Dennis' mom with the count is the best one I have seen thus far. Most have been washed out photos. Also of interest is the photo of Dennis' mom at the Club Veldof (Remember that old timer?) and also long gone radio station WTNJ. Our choir recorded "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the WTNJ studios that were on Bellevue Avenue. (Please correct me if I'm in error on TNJ's location.)Tom:
The old gray matter in your head is correctorooney.
WTNJ was in a big house on the north side of Bellevue a door or two away from the corner of Prospect St. It was as I remember next to Poulson Van Hise Funeral Home ( the original)and the same block as Mercer Hospital.
Seeing my old Sacred Heart buddy Jack Walsh reminds me of the terrible rug he wore. This photo is apparently when his heirisute appendage was original. Jack died last year, and was quite a character around in the 50-60's. We would go out to Mercer Airport and watch him in feats of strength pull and airplane with one finger. Drive a car over his stomach etc. A great friendly Irishman.
PS: WTNJ moved to East State St. in the block of Lee Overalls, between So.Clinton, and Wall St.
Regards
Mike Kuzma
Anonymous said...I don't recall that station at all; when did they fall from favor?
Oh! For a picture of The Count, dressed in a tux with a WWII gas mask with a hole for the cigar while he played some Chopin classical number on the organ. Or his wood block puzzles he would do with his back to the bar and a towel around his head ... "Where did you learn that stuff? ... and Count deadpanned ... "Jail". Another time he caught me off guard with his "telephone" and after a few rings "It's for you Eddie" .. as I wondered who could possibly call me at .... the geyser of water got me in the puss. They say that Ernie Kovacs learned his early routines from him and what a treasure we had; slapstick for sure and Count ... you are missed and there will never be another like you.
Ed Millerick aka "Your Apostle"
Anonymous said...Trying to get The Count? My buddy and I thought and thought of how to get a rise out of him. He always had the perfect comeback in the "thrust and parry" of the humor and try as you would it was always "checkmate" with Felix on top. So we thought some more and after the military ... well our hair was quite long. My bud's Mom made us some "togas" and without saying a word, we took our usual spot in the corner. Needless to say The Count never batted an eye; absolutely nary a reaction till an "old time" local walked in and looked at the two long haired "sheeted" types, silent at the end of the bar. He finally asked Felix ... "what's with those guys? ... and he just deadpanned "I, am Jesus Christ and those are my Apostles, what of it? .... this went on for a week or two and I think he got some mileage out of it. One day he said if he ever wrote a book, this was worthy of a few paragraphs.
Ed Millerick
RECEIVED VIA EMAIL AUGUST 1:
Thanks, Sam, and welcome to the website. Your personal "Count Felix" experience is quite amusing and interesting.
Tom Glover
4 comments:
Tom:
The old gray matter in your head is correctorooney.
WYNJ was in a big house on the north side of Bellevue a door or two away from the corner of Prospect St. It was as I remember next to Poulson Van Hise Funeral Home ( the original)and the same block as Mercer Hospital.
Seeing my old Sacred Heart buddy Jack Walsh reminds me of the terrible rug he wore. This photo is apparently when he heirisute appendage was original. Jack died last year, and was quite a character around in the 50-60's. We would go out to Mercer Airport and watch him in feats of strenght pull and airplane with one finger.
Drive a car over his stomach etc.
A great friendly Irishman.
ps, WTNJ moved to East State St. in the block of Lee Overalls, between So.Clinton, and Wall St.
Regards
Mike Kuzma
I don't recall that station at all; when did they fall from favor?
Oh! For a picture of The Count, dressed in a tux with a WWII gas mask with a hole for the cigar while he played some Chopin classical number on the organ. Or his wood block puzzles he would do with his back to the bar and a towel around his head ... "Where did you learn that stuff? ... and Count deadpanned ... "Jail". Another time he caught me off guard with his "telephone" and after a few rings "It's for you Eddie" .. as I wondered who could possibly call me at .... the geyser of water got me in the puss. They say that Ernie Kovacs learned his early routines from him and what a treasure we had; slapstick for sure and Count ... you are missed and there will never be another like you.
Ed Millerick aka "Your Apostle"
Trying to get The Count? My buddy and I thought and thought of how to get a rise out of him. He always had the perfect comeback in the "thrust and parry" of the humor and try as you would it was always "checkmate" with Felix on top. So we thought some more and after the military ... well our hair was quite long. My bud's Mom made us some "togas" and without saying a word, we took our usual spot in the corner. Needless to say The Count never batted an eye; absolutely nary a reaction till an "old time" local walked in and looked at the two long haired "sheeted" types, silent at the end of the bar. He finally asked Felix ... "what's with those guys? ... and he just deadpanned "I, am Jesus Christ and those are my Apostles, what of it? .... this went on for a week or two and I think he got some mileage out of it. One day he said if he ever wrote a book, this was worthy of a few paragraphs.
Ed Millerick
I have a few remembrances of the Count, which I would be happy to share on the site, but I don't know how to get in!
I married a Nowicki niece (daughter of Count's brother, Chester) of the Count in 1965, and met the Count probably in about 163 or 64, at his bar on Anderson.
I got the full treatment as a young potential invader into the family. He always wanted to call me Gus, a nickname that
has stuck for 50 years now. I remember the fake handle on the restroom and the bells and whistles that announced its potential use.
My mother-in-law, Rose, participated, much earlier, in painting the mural on the outside wall.
The count was not merely a clown. He taught many of his nieces and nephews their first music lessons, and several went on to be serious musicians.
One, Susan Nowicki, Ed's daughter, is a professional piano accompanist. The Count also visited local prisons and taught music to inmates.
That was a generous and courageous gesture on his part. I believe he also taught in local schools later in life. The whole thing is a lost part of the
Trenton NJ that "once was," but the place sure was a hoot to visit. I only wish that I could have seen it in its prime!
Peter Karpoff
Silver Spring MD
Post a Comment