Birthdays, Deaths and other announcements

Happy belated 77th Birthday to Davenie Johanna "Joey" Heatherton!  You were one of my earliest girl-crushes circa 1966-69. I started 1st grade in '69 dreaming of being a singer/go-go dancer/entertainer/movie-star after raptly watching your many television performances of that era. I still vividly recall those sizzling Serta commercials of yours I would mimic before the tv when no one was looking. I never became a movie star, even after moving to Los Angeles (sigh), but I was a model/multi-discipline dancer (w/tap, modern dance/jazz, & acrobats my main 3): dance from the age of 5 until 23, modeling from 15-23, when my son was born. I also became a vocalist & author - my 1st local radio performance was in 1966, 1st locally published poetry circa-1981 - & I've been writing/singing ever since. So in a not-so-circuitous way, I have you to thank for inspiring my degrees in Music & English, even though my son was grown by the time I earned them. Not sure who did your choreography or if you designed your own routines, but I always adored your svelte dance moves, sexy costume choices & modern short hairstyles. And yes, once out on my own & off those back-breaking futons of the roommate years, my 1st major bedding investment was one of those brand-name mattresses you did such a good job showing off back in the day! It turned out to be worth the $ in the long-run, too. I hope you are happy and well wherever you are today. Now that I'm older (much) & have a better appreciation for the arts, I think I'll check out your film catalogue. I didn't realize back then you had done so many acting roles. Mine ended with college opera & musical theatre. It will be nice to see you on the big screen (my flat-screen and/or laptop) again. If somehow you ever read this, I hope you had a great birthday celebration! Many happy returns to you from a life-long fan. SRW in NorCal.