Out of the calendars and into the spotlight
Photo courtesy of SHARON HOWARD From left: Pin-Ups Julia (creator), Alicia and Becky have some fun on stage with Wallace Elks Exalted Ruler and U.S. Navy veteran Tommy Hayes.
Photo courtesy of SHARON HOWARD Becky, Alicia and Bailey smile for the camera with Wallace Elks and U.S. Army veteran, Wayne “Sano” Haldi.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
WALLACE — One would normally expect to see a “pin-up” girl (as the term suggests) gracing the cover of a magazine, the photo page of a calendar or even the nose of an airplane. Thanks to a dedicated group of actresses though, veterans of the Silver Valley recently had the chance to see these normally fictional women come to life.
Hosted by the Wallace Elks Lodge No. 331, the ladies of “Pin-Ups on Tour” stopped in Wallace on July 18 to take the audience on a trip back in time.
The troupe aims to recreate the theme and setting of the Hollywood Canteen — a club that operated during the 1940s that offered dancing, drinks and entertainment for service members who were usually on their way overseas.
Following the Elks’ monthly veterans appreciation dinner, the actresses performed a solid true-to-era variety show that included tap, stylized ballet, show girl style dance, singing and a few tasteful burlesque-style acts (including laying on a bed of nails).
During the show, the ladies sold raffle tickets for a drawing and calendars in which the buyer could include a written note to veterans living in veteran homes and hospitals.
Wallace Elks Veterans Committee Chairman Sharon Howard said that one of the most memorable parts of the production was when one of the actresses sang the theme songs to each of the services.
“When each service’s song was played, the veterans stood and the ladies came around and gave each a hug for their service. One of the gentlemen stood for each of the songs, he really liked the hugs.”
The 18-year-old or up show was attended by local veterans and their families — some even dressing up in 1940s clothing to really fit the theme.
Howard explained that the idea to have Pin-Ups on Tour perform in Wallace came from the Veterans Committee’s goal of having either a guest speaker or entertainment after every veterans dinner.
“I went to their show about four years ago in Spokane and really enjoyed the performances, as well as their mission,” she said. “We discussed it during our Vets Committee meeting and decided to bring them to the Elks. Tickets were free to veterans and we met the show minimum of 50 people, so we were only responsible for the cost of housing.”
With Howard’s positive experience as a reference, the Elks believed that this type of performance would help give local veterans an atmosphere to experience a similar type of camaraderie as when they were serving.
Turns out, they were right on the money.
“The show was a total hit,” Howard said. “The ladies were incredible performers and each one of them perform in shows around Las Vegas (professional dancers). This was the first performance for two of the ladies and they were perfect.”
On top of their talent, attendees also commended the troupe for their personable attitudes toward them.
Pin-Ups on Tour have been entertaining veterans since 2015, have performed in 45 states and donated more than 4,000 tickets back to veterans — as well as tickets to the 38 local veterans in attendance on July 18. Additionally, the troupe has donated more than $70,000 in tickets and money to AmVets, Heels for Combat Boots, Recon Sniper Foundation, Pin-Ups for Vets, American Legion posts and the VFW.
The show is set to return to the Wallace Elks again in the spring of 2020.
The next Free Veterans Dinner will be held on Aug. 27 from 5:30-7 p.m.
For more information on Pin-Ups on Tour, visit www.pinupsontour.com.
To learn more about the Wallace Elks Lodge Veteran’s Committee programs, contact the lodge at 208-753-4255 or Howard at 509-230-7373.