Columnist Joe Delaney: A note from friends doing good work in Peace Corps

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1999 | 9:26 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@vegas.com.

Some time ago comedian Cork Proctor and his wife, Carolyn, asked me to write a letter on their behalf as they were applying to serve two years in the Peace Corps. ... Cork was then at the Orleans hotel as lounge entertainment director. ... I wrote the letter but doubted that Cork, age 60, would follow through. ... The Proctors left for duty in Surinam, South America, just after Labor Day this year. ... Their postcard arrived Monday.

"Delaneys: The first four weeks were tough. So much to learn and study, culture, customs, etc. We're living with a family with many children, a sick baby. This is a big change for us but we are hanging in. So far, so good. There are 27 trainees, average age, 27, plus us."

Cork concludes: "We're the oldest volunteers ever to come here. Remember us to everyone. Best, Cork and Carolyn." We admire the Proctors, taking two years out for such a wonderful cause.

Playing catch-up

Anita O'Day ranks with Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald as an original jazz source. ... Lady O'Day was 80 on Monday, still feisty. ... Johnny Blowers, also 80, was the drummer on the all-star album I produced with Anita for London Records in 1948. ... Blowers and I hadn't crossed paths for 50 years until we served on the same panel at the Hofstra University Sinatra Symposium last year. ... Just received his latest CD, he's still swinging.

Blowers was borrowed from Frank Sinatra for the O'Day recording sessions. ... His story as told by Warren Vache is in the book, "Back Beats and Rim Shots," published by Scarecrow Press, 4620 Boston Road, Lanham, MD 20706. ... Mel Torme wrote the book's introduction.

Sea Breeze label has released a new CD, "It's Tru," featuring local jazz sax great Bill Trujillo, with Carl Fontana, none better, on trombone. ... Am also anxiously awaiting a new CD release by guitar virtuoso Joe Lano, with bass and drums.

More catch-up

"Fabulous Las Vegas in the 50s," by Fred E. Basten and Charles Phoenix, published by Angel City Press, is a wonderful collection of pictures, postcards and well-written narrative that captures the decade when Las Vegas came of age as a national resort destination. ... Keely Smith's foreword sets the proper mood. .... There will be a book signing, noon-4 p.m. Nov. 9, at the Tropicana's Casino Legends Hall of Fame.

Another interesting new book: Gloria J. Foy's "The Man in the Red Truck: Indiscretions of an Older Woman," is set in Las Vegas. ... The author will be signing copies, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, at the Inn Zone, Rainbow and Westcliff. ... It is available at Bookstar at Charleston and Decatur, among others.

More music: We recommend the special new CD by The Four Freshmen, 51 years and still going strong. ... A superior effort, it's on Nashville's Gold Label. ... The Freshmen play the Santa Fe hotel Nov. 12-13, a "don't miss."

Star-policy rundown

It's David Copperfield (Caesars Palace); The Golden Boys: Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell (Desert Inn); Buddy Greco and Lezlie Anders, Fridays only (Flamingo Hilton); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Tom Jones plus Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Smothers Brothers (Orleans); Alain Choquette (Paris Las Vegas); and Danny Gans (Rio).

One-night stands: Brian Wilson, Thursday and Black Crowes, Friday (Hard Rock Hotel) and Los Fabulouso Cadillacs, Thursday, and Echo and the Bunnymnen, Saturday (House of Blues). ... Susan Anton is back, starring in "The Great Radio City Spectacular" at the Flamingo Hilton.

The National Convention of Hypnotherapists meets in the Holiday Inn Boardwalk Casino convention area, Friday through Sunday. ... General sessions are free, open to the public, call for scheduled times.

Thursday addenda

Clint Holmes will actually make his first appearance in Harrah's main showroom on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. with a special Astoria Homes "Concert To Make A Difference," benefiting Catholic Charities Child Care Center and Regina Hall for at-risk adolescent girls. ... Tax-deductible tickets are $25, $40 and $50. ... Sunday is "Make A Difference Day" and your attendance will make a big difference for the charities named.

Sister Riccarda, now retired, created Regina Hall for Catholic Charities here in the early 1970s. ... The late Bobby Darin donated personal belongings to create a recreation room for the hall. ... Wayne Newton and Tony Orlando joined us for the presentation. ... See you Friday.