While doing research for Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop, I had the pleasure of interviewing Elnora Dyson, a member of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. Elnora had wonderful things to say about Frankie. She fondly remembered being teased by him when he jokingly imitated her Boston accent. It was hilarious to hear Frankie tell his version of the story, complete with said accent.
Elnora has enjoyed meeting the younger generation of dancers at events such as Frankie’s birthday celebrations and "Mark the Savoy." As with other original Savoy Lindy hoppers, the international swing dance revival has meant a great deal to her.
Elnora Dyson turns 90 on March 9th!!!
Here’s an easy way for swing dancers around the world to do something really nice for this delightful lady:
Please consider posting a birthday greeting to her on Yehoodi. It will only take a minute, but will bring her so much joy.
I’ll print your messages out, and Judy Pritchett and I will deliver them to Elnora, cake and flowers in hand, shortly after the big day.
Please try to post by March 10th, and feel free to include your location.
Below is Elnora’s entry from “Biographical Sketches of Lindy Hoppers” in the book:
"Elnora Dyson (March 9, 1920-present) was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, but moved to Hyannis, Massachusetts at age two, where she began dancing as a child at the ballroom owned by her aunt. She moved to New York in 1938, shortly after hearing about Whitey's Lindy Hopers from Willie Jones while he was performing in Boston. Whitey invited Dyson to join the Lindy hoppers on her first visit to the Savoy. She performed at the Savoy pavilion during the 1939 World's Fair, and on and off at other local venues until 1943. During the war, she worked as a riveter at a New Jersey defense plant; she later became a beautician, retiring in 1980."
Many happy returns Elnora – hopefully Cynthia’s initiative in drawing everyone’s attention to this celebration of your first 90 years will bring about the further recognition that you deserve.
Only getting to know you during the last few years I’ve nevertheless been one of the beneficiaries who’s learnt so much from you despite your usual opening remark that you “.....can’t remember anything, and you don’t know anything anyway,” that sometimes was said with a sly smile. It didn’t take those of us who have attempted to interview long to recognise an inherent modesty, especially when you nearly always followed that up by saying “Go and ask Frankie.” I don’t know whether that really has been your intention or not, but forcing us to make the effort of formulating the 'right' remark, association or perhaps even slightly provocative question to start you talking, invariably spurred us on wider understandings of many issues in addition to your eventual actual answers!
There are clearly two sides in making it this far. The obvious upside of being one of the numerically small band of surviving Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers to appear in the ‘Great Day in Lindy’ photo at Columbia University in 2004, the Savoy 80th and other long overdue occasions of deserved recognition, is counterbalanced by the continuing remorseless loss of the remaining members who must have meant so many different things to you– not the least of whom were Eunice, Stumpy and now Frankie. Thankfully you have a fabulous family who are proud of you accomplishments and who have constantly supported you, and thus to whom we also owe a lot, and hopefully you now see the rest of us as an honouree extension of your close circle of friends and family who are fervently wishing you on. Looking forward to seeing you again at the next big Lindy gathering in New York, which hopefully will occur soon?!
Hey Elnora!
I hope you have a wonderful 90th!
I love watching footage of Whitey's dancers- its such a huge inspiration to me as a new lindy hopper!!! so thank you for being a part of that!
Kindest regards
Tania xxxx (london,uk)
Hope you have a wonderful day. You have been a great inspiration to my lindy hop experiences and moves and I thank you for that and hope it continues for many years to come.
Have a great birthday Elnora
you've been a great influence on us jiving lindy hoppers.
we'll have a celebratory swing out over here for you!
love Geetha (london UK)
Picture of Elnora Dyson is now on http://www.jivinglindyhoppers.com (sorry don't know how to post it up on this one) for all those interested in her birthday.
Wishing you a most wonderful 90th birthday. It's thanks to the elders of the Lindy Hop that we have enjoyed dancing Lindy Hop in the UK. We have spent the past 23 years performing and teaching with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers what we have learnt from dancers who were there many decades ago. It's thanks to dancers from Whitey's Lindy Hoppers amongst others who have constantly inspired us to try and be the best that we can be and then try some more.
We hope you have a VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Happy birthday, from The Jiving Lindy Hoppers, Elnora!
I'm the little guy with glasses who came to visit you with Terry (I hope you remember). You'll be pleased to know that we are still going stronger than ever, thanks to your inspiration.
All the best from London, England.
Love, Warren.xXx
Happy Birthday, Elnora!
Thank you for leading us in a dance that fills a hall with smiles and laughter! You helped start something that is a constant inspiration - one that keeps us all young.
--cianna
Thanks Rik for sorting that out - as you can see I've learnt how to put such stuff up on the JLH website, I just need to learn how to do on Yehoodi.
I believe there are another couple of days left before Cynthia takes the printout of these greetings to Elnora, so its not to late to add some more if anyone else feels inclined to do this.
Thank you so much for bringing history to life with your tales of the Savoy Ballroom. I loved hearing your own fascinating story, and you really helped me understand how other Lindy hoppers at the time viewed Frankie. You did such a wonderful job of explaining their admiration and affection for him.
Many thanks for your role in Lindy hop history, a dance that has brought so much joy to so many people. I know it makes you proud that it's still going strong.
You are an inspiration! I hope your 90th birthday was marvelous, and that the upcoming year is fabulous for you.
Send Birthday Greeting to Original Savoy Lindy Hopper
cmillman
While doing research for Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop, I had the pleasure of interviewing Elnora Dyson, a member of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. Elnora had wonderful things to say about Frankie. She fondly remembered being teased by him when he jokingly imitated her Boston accent. It was hilarious to hear Frankie tell his version of the story, complete with said accent.
Elnora has enjoyed meeting the younger generation of dancers at events such as Frankie’s birthday celebrations and "Mark the Savoy." As with other original Savoy Lindy hoppers, the international swing dance revival has meant a great deal to her.
Elnora Dyson turns 90 on March 9th!!!
Here’s an easy way for swing dancers around the world to do something really nice for this delightful lady:
Please consider posting a birthday greeting to her on Yehoodi. It will only take a minute, but will bring her so much joy.
I’ll print your messages out, and Judy Pritchett and I will deliver them to Elnora, cake and flowers in hand, shortly after the big day.
Please try to post by March 10th, and feel free to include your location.
Below is Elnora’s entry from “Biographical Sketches of Lindy Hoppers” in the book:
"Elnora Dyson (March 9, 1920-present) was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, but moved to Hyannis, Massachusetts at age two, where she began dancing as a child at the ballroom owned by her aunt. She moved to New York in 1938, shortly after hearing about Whitey's Lindy Hopers from Willie Jones while he was performing in Boston. Whitey invited Dyson to join the Lindy hoppers on her first visit to the Savoy. She performed at the Savoy pavilion during the 1939 World's Fair, and on and off at other local venues until 1943. During the war, she worked as a riveter at a New Jersey defense plant; she later became a beautician, retiring in 1980."
Many thanks in advance.
Cynthia Millman
terry monaghan
Many happy returns Elnora – hopefully Cynthia’s initiative in drawing everyone’s attention to this celebration of your first 90 years will bring about the further recognition that you deserve.
Only getting to know you during the last few years I’ve nevertheless been one of the beneficiaries who’s learnt so much from you despite your usual opening remark that you “.....can’t remember anything, and you don’t know anything anyway,” that sometimes was said with a sly smile. It didn’t take those of us who have attempted to interview long to recognise an inherent modesty, especially when you nearly always followed that up by saying “Go and ask Frankie.” I don’t know whether that really has been your intention or not, but forcing us to make the effort of formulating the 'right' remark, association or perhaps even slightly provocative question to start you talking, invariably spurred us on wider understandings of many issues in addition to your eventual actual answers!
There are clearly two sides in making it this far. The obvious upside of being one of the numerically small band of surviving Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers to appear in the ‘Great Day in Lindy’ photo at Columbia University in 2004, the Savoy 80th and other long overdue occasions of deserved recognition, is counterbalanced by the continuing remorseless loss of the remaining members who must have meant so many different things to you– not the least of whom were Eunice, Stumpy and now Frankie. Thankfully you have a fabulous family who are proud of you accomplishments and who have constantly supported you, and thus to whom we also owe a lot, and hopefully you now see the rest of us as an honouree extension of your close circle of friends and family who are fervently wishing you on. Looking forward to seeing you again at the next big Lindy gathering in New York, which hopefully will occur soon?!
taniapieri
Hey Elnora!
I hope you have a wonderful 90th!
I love watching footage of Whitey's dancers- its such a huge inspiration to me as a new lindy hopper!!! so thank you for being a part of that!
Kindest regards
Tania xxxx (london,uk)
VQuirke
Happy Birthday Elnora,
Hope you have a wonderful day. You have been a great inspiration to my lindy hop experiences and moves and I thank you for that and hope it continues for many years to come.
Thank you
Vickyxx (London,UK)
geethajoseph
Have a great birthday Elnora
you've been a great influence on us jiving lindy hoppers.
we'll have a celebratory swing out over here for you!
love Geetha (london UK)
terry monaghan
Picture of Elnora Dyson is now on http://www.jivinglindyhoppers.com (sorry don't know how to post it up on this one) for all those interested in her birthday.
Russell Sargeant
Dear Elnora,
Wishing you a most wonderful 90th birthday. It's thanks to the elders of the Lindy Hop that we have enjoyed dancing Lindy Hop in the UK. We have spent the past 23 years performing and teaching with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers what we have learnt from dancers who were there many decades ago. It's thanks to dancers from Whitey's Lindy Hoppers amongst others who have constantly inspired us to try and be the best that we can be and then try some more.
We hope you have a VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Russell Sargeant & Carolene Hinds (England)
ClaudeMc
Hi Elnora
Happy Birthday
Hope you are having a great day
Love from London
Claude
warrenheyes
Happy birthday, from The Jiving Lindy Hoppers, Elnora!
I'm the little guy with glasses who came to visit you with Terry (I hope you remember). You'll be pleased to know that we are still going stronger than ever, thanks to your inspiration.
All the best from London, England.
Love, Warren.xXx
rikomatic
Ms. Dyson,
Thanks for all that you've contributed to this dance that we all love so well. Wishing you a very happy birthday!
Rik Panganiban
Brooklyn, NY
Flappers, Dandies & Lindy Hoppers Take over Governors Island for the "Jazz Age Lawn Party" (video)
Blowout Final Concert & Dance Competition for 2010 Midsummer Night Swing Festival
rikomatic
Here's the pic that Terry refers to above. Elnora is to the right:
Flappers, Dandies & Lindy Hoppers Take over Governors Island for the "Jazz Age Lawn Party" (video)
Blowout Final Concert & Dance Competition for 2010 Midsummer Night Swing Festival
OpeningMinds
Ms Dyson
I hope this is a tremendous birthday celebration for you - thank you for inspiring us!
... Lynn
New York City
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world" - Norman Vincent Peale.
cianna
Happy Birthday, Elnora!
Thank you for leading us in a dance that fills a hall with smiles and laughter! You helped start something that is a constant inspiration - one that keeps us all young.
--cianna
LadybugLala
Dear Ms. Dyson,
Wishing you the most happiest of birthdays with only happier ones ahead! Thank you for being a continuous inspiration.
Much Love,
Lala
New York
terry monaghan
Thanks Rik for sorting that out - as you can see I've learnt how to put such stuff up on the JLH website, I just need to learn how to do on Yehoodi.
I believe there are another couple of days left before Cynthia takes the printout of these greetings to Elnora, so its not to late to add some more if anyone else feels inclined to do this.
cmillman
These are beautiful!! Elnora will love them.
Terry is correct. You have a few more days to add a greeting.
Many thanks to everyone who has posted so far.
rikomatic
Read the FAQ about posting images to yehoodi. It's pretty easy.
Flappers, Dandies & Lindy Hoppers Take over Governors Island for the "Jazz Age Lawn Party" (video)
Blowout Final Concert & Dance Competition for 2010 Midsummer Night Swing Festival
AKE
Happy Birthday Elnora!
Harri
(representing Lindy dancers from Finland, near The Arctic Circle!)
fiddletree
Happy Birthday, and thank you for contributing to our dancing inspiration!
May you have a wonderful day,
Annie
Aosta, Italy
CharlestonAlley
Happy swingin' birthday Elnora Dyson!
cmillman
Dear Elnora,
Thank you so much for bringing history to life with your tales of the Savoy Ballroom. I loved hearing your own fascinating story, and you really helped me understand how other Lindy hoppers at the time viewed Frankie. You did such a wonderful job of explaining their admiration and affection for him.
Many thanks for your role in Lindy hop history, a dance that has brought so much joy to so many people. I know it makes you proud that it's still going strong.
You are an inspiration! I hope your 90th birthday was marvelous, and that the upcoming year is fabulous for you.
With much love,
Cynthia
cmillman
Our birthday visit to Elnora has been delayed until Saturday, March 20th. If anyone else would like to add a greeting, you still have time.
rikomatic
good to know! We just mentioned it on the latest Yehoodi Talk Show, so that should help get some more greetings!
Flappers, Dandies & Lindy Hoppers Take over Governors Island for the "Jazz Age Lawn Party" (video)
Blowout Final Concert & Dance Competition for 2010 Midsummer Night Swing Festival
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