Flowers, Celebs and History, Entwined

A garden show featuring  the music of "Funny Girl" Fanny Brice, her former home and even an antique fire truck that helped rescue the house decades ago got underway Wednesday in Halesite.

Lynn Pezold, owner, with her husband, George, of the former Brice home, was chair of this year's flower show and decided to put it at her house.

The house and the Halesite Fire Department truck, share some history, Pezold and Chief Dan McConnell said.

"In 1935 a fire broke out in the house while she was hosting a garden party," McConnell said. "Brice didn’t let a little old fire get in the way of a good time. She called us to respond and we put the fire out. What was unusual is that our members were asked to stay for the rest of the party and they gladly obliged."

And the same truck that responded to that fire was brought out for display at the garden party Wednesday.

Christine Jordan sang several songs made famous by Brice, including "I'd Rather Be Blue Over You (Than Happy with Somebody Else)," "Second Hand Rose" and "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long."

Several people attending the show dressed in period clothing, wearing boas or hats with large feathers, as they looked over prize-winning flowers or listened to the music.

Brice, a comedian, singer, model and stage and film actress, owned the Bay Avenue home for several years. She performed in the 1920s and 1930s primarily. She also starred in the popular radio program, The Baby Snooks Show. Barbra Streisand portrayed her in the stage and film versions of Funny Girl.

The flower show continues Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.