Date: Fri 11-Apr-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

snapshot-Ginny-Lathrop

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: GINNY LATHROP

Occupation: Owner, director, and choreographer for The Lathrop School of

Dance. My husband, Mack, and I were in vaudeville forever , with all the big

names - Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra, Guy Lombardo, we were his pets when he made

personal appearances, Ed Sullivan, Kate Smith Show, President Truman. It was a

beautiful life, the Glory Days. When TV came in and knocked the stage business

out, we retired. In 1952 we opened the dance school.

How long have you lived in Newtown: Since 1939. I had an aunt who lived in

Woodbury and we had to drive through Newtown to get to Woodbury. We were

charmed by the Main Street.

Biggest change: When we moved here, at nine o'clock there was not a light on

in town. The biggest change is the population increase. The town hasn't

changed that much. Main Street is still beautiful. It's a metropolis now

instead of a town.

Family: Mack, my husband, passed away 12 years ago; my sister, Irma Carpenter,

is living with me - we were both Bostonians originally.

Pets: I have a dog, Mack - I had to have somebody to yell at! He's a Shih-Tzu,

a cutie. My cat, we call her Kitty, but her real name is Marcie. She was given

to us when our other cat died. She's a real character.

Hobbies: Frankly, dancing is my hobby; I live, eat, and breathe it. Even in

bed, I'm making up steps. It's the most gratifying thing that could happen to

a person.

Favorite dancer: There's nobody like Fred Astaire.

Favorite dance step: Mack originated The Lathrop Strut. We were considered a

"class act" due to his high-hat and cane - called The Lathrop Strut; all

footwork and style. I still dance, I'm 82, and I do some pretty difficult

steps, too.

Favorite food: I'm very flexible in the food department. I like everything -

pasta, steak, chicken, fish. Nice food, not McDonalds.

Do you diet: I can eat any thing.

What have you enjoyed most: Teaching. It's the satisfaction of seeing

youngsters starting not knowing anything, and then one day they know

something. It's so satisfying, always wonderful. We had 60 students the first

year and charged $1 a lesson - we didn't make any money; we lived off of our

own money. I have 350 students now, sometimes 400 and over, and charge $28 a

month. I really am in it for the love [of dance and teaching. I teach tap,

jazz and pre-ballet]. The students are 3 years to "over 50." The Stardusters

are marvelous - all started when they were 4 and they are now in their 20s,

30s, and 40s. I teach grandchildren of my original children. We go to

hospitals and nursing homes, but not to competitions. Our regular recital is

in June - that's a big event. We have five performances. The proceeds from

Friday night go to Danbury Hospital, and the proceeds from Sunday night go to

Newtown Scholarship Fund. My husband and I did teach ballroom dancing, it was

a young group - 30s and 40s. Mack just loved it and I could care less. We used

to have fights on the dance floor...

Most vivid memory: During one of the big snowstorms of all times, we had to

walk down [the driveway] carrying our suitcases over our heads. We had a show

in New York. The town has so many good memories. I wouldn't trade Newtown for

any town in the country. It was wonderful and it still is.

Personal philosophy: People today seem to be so disinterested. I like people

who are loving and kind. If people were nicer to each other we'd be better

off. I think everybody should have a lot of laughter in life. Things are

always better when you can laugh about them. I'm very happy, very grateful. I

thank God for everything. I've been lucky. Attitude means an awful lot; you go

in with the right attitude and you've got it made.