Memories of Dean Martin
By DAVE GOSSETT, staff writerArticle Photos
STEUBENVILLE - David Lee Knight has been a Dean Martin fan all his life.
But Thursday was his first visit to the annual Dean Martin Festival, and when organizers found out he was a professional auctioneer they put him to work.
Knight, of Elizabethtown, Ky., worked the crowd at the Louis and Sandra Berkman Amphitheater for the Dean Martin memorabilia auction accompanied by Eric Richardson as Dean Martin and Matt Macis as Jerry Lewis.
"We looked this festival up on the Internet and decided to come up for the evening.
"We are leaving for Kentucky Friday morning as I am committed to an auction later Friday. But this has been a wonderful evening and worth the trip," said Knight.
"I have been a Dean Martin fan all my life. I saw him perform once at Bali's in Las Vegas, and he was the consummate entertainer. He was always superb in his songs, television programs, movies and night club shows. I just regret never having the chance to talk to him. But this is almost the next best thing," Knight said.
He later joined a line of people at the Deana Martin autograph tent, where he clutched a 1954 comic book in a plastic wrapper.
"This is an original Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comic book I bought years ago, and I am going to ask Deana to sign it for me. I have a lot of Dean Martin memorabilia at home that I have collected over the years," added Knight.
"We are going to visit the Spot Bar now because Dean Martin once worked there," he noted.
Knight was one of approximately 1,000 people to fill the amphitheater Thursday.
According to Jerry Barilla, president of the board of trustees for the Historic Fort Steuben and official gatekeeper of the fort's small parking lot on concert evenings, people started arriving at 4 p.m. for the 6:30 concert. "And they have been coming ever since," he said.
Bob Palmer of Brunswick stood patiently in line holding a life-sized cardboard standup poster of Dean Martin. The charter bus driver stood nearby shepherding her Cleveland area passengers back to their transportation.
"This only cost me $45 at the auction which is a pretty good price. I have spent more on stuff in the past. Now I am going to get it autographed," said Palmer.
"I have been coming here for 10 years, and it is absolutely great. I am a part-time standup comedian and I even do a tribute to Dean Martin as part of my show," noted Palmer.
Steven Maglio and his wife Debi drove to Steubenville to support their friends, Deana Martin and her husband, John Griffeth.
"Dean and I are members of the Friars Club in New York, and I know a lot of the Friars will be asking about this weekend.
"This is our first time in Steubenville and it is a really nice town. I walk down the street and wonder if Dean had a friend who lived in that house or if he walked on the same street I am on," said Maglio.
Ashtabula resident Jerry Slay brought his son, daughter-in-law and their two children to the opening concert Thursday.
"This is my seventh or eighth year to come to Steubenville. I have loved Dean Martin since I was 12 years old. It is something about his voice and how he sings that really moves me," explained Slay.
This weekend is the 13th straight year for Deana Martin and her husband to visit her father's hometown.
"I see a lot of new people but also a lot of old friends here. It is still a warm, family atmosphere where you can walk in a house and there is plenty of sausage on the table and you are immediately made to feel welcome. There is a strong sense of community here that I enjoy," Deana Martin said.
The weather for the outdoor concert was perfect, according to festival organizer Rose Angelica, said she's praying the area skies stay clear for the remainder of the festival, which continues through Saturday.
"I stopped at the St. John Neuman Chapel at St. Peter's earlier this week to pray for good weather. And I know a lot of other people are doing the same.
"Tonight has been absolutely great, and I am expecting an even larger crowd Friday and Saturday," stated Angelica.
An autograph session with Deana Martin is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. today at the Steubenville Kroger store.
Entertainment at the Spot Bar today will begin with the Frank Gallo Band at 7 p.m.; Dean and Jerry at 8:30 p.m.; Russ Loniello at 9 p.m.; a Martin impersonation contest at 9:30 p.m.; and an auction from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Admission is $5, and a continuous silent auction also will be part of the festivities," said Angelica.
The Dean Martin Parade will start at noon Saturday on Fourth Street followed by the awarding of the Dean Martin scholarships from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the amphitheater.
"The 2009 Dean Martin grand marshals will be Deana Martin, Lou Martini Jr. and Dean Martin's friend from childhood, Mindy Costanzo of Steubenville," said Angelica.
"In the event the parade is washed out by the weather we will hold our Dean Martin scholarship awards ceremony at the Spot Bar from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.," said Angelica.
Saturday's entertainment at the Spot Bar begins with the winner of the Martin impersonation contest at 7 p.m.; singer Rich Treglia at 7:30 p.m.; Coz Serrapere at 8 p.m.; a meatball-eating contest at 8:30 p.m.; Salara as Frank Sinatra at 9 p.m.; Anastasio at 9:30 p.m.; Dean and Jerry at 10 p.m.; and a tribute to Neil Diamond by Chris Denem at 11 p.m.
A special appearance by Deana Martin also is scheduled.
Admission is $25 for gold seating and $10 for general admission. For reservations, call (740) 283-9164.
(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)
