Memories of Mendel

A little over a year ago, I came across what I consider one of my best finds -- a cache of pictures and original recordings featuring Shirley White, an unknown Big Band singer who performed with The Phil Levant Orchestra in nightclubs throughout the midwest in the late 1940's.  Through this blog, I was happy to be able to return them to Shirley's family where they belonged.

Last month at another estate sale, I came across yet another cache of original records by another Big Band era unknown -- The Mendel Riley Orchestra.

While digging through stacks and stacks (and stacks!) of mainstream record albums from the 1960's, I recognized an original recording disc mixed among them.

Unsung

While out estate saling last Friday, I stopped at a sale in Mehlville.  While I was browsing, I heard people talking about the owner of the home being a local coach.  His name was Coach Raymond Cliffe and after doing a little research found he was well known and fondly remembered in the high school level sports scene, having taught over 40 years from 1948 through 1992.  In fact, he was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.  He was also a locally exhibited artist, helping design the scenery for the first holiday lights show at Tilles Park in Ladue.  The Post-Dispatch wrote a nice article on him when he passed.

But with all due respect, this blog is not about Coach Clifffe.  It's about his wife.

While rummaging through a box of photos and various ephemera, I came across what appeared to be publicity photos for a Miss Shirley White.