Late-blooming dancer again expresses himself with words

In January, I wrote an article about Joe Sepesy, the injured war veteran from Poland who took up ballroom dancing at age 59 as a form of therapy.

Sepesy was a helicopter pilot who was shot down in Vietnam.

He bore the physical and mental pain from that war on a daily basis. He walked with a limp and had balance problems, and also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Learning to dance was a mighty high obstacle for him, but – with the patient help of instructor Lynda McPhail – Sepesy not only learned to dance, but became quite good at it.

In the process, he also healed decades of mental and physical agony. It’s a triumphant story.

Sepesy shared his thoughts about dancing in a book titled “Word Dances” that was published early this year. It painted a precise and delicate word-picture of the nuances and emotions of ballroom dance.

Now Sepesy has released a follow-up to his first book titled “Word Dances II: Your Time to Dance.” It will be unveiled at a book signing Friday at Avon Oaks Ballroom on U.S. Route 422 in Girard, from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

“It is a continuation of the first volume but heavier on content, more observation than verse,” said Sepesy. “I reflect on my own experiences as a student, and my continuing journey in the world of ballroom dancing.”

Sepesy expects plenty of his dance friends will come to the signing.

Those who can’t make it can buy a copy of the new book at Lulu.com.

Sepesy already is well on his way to finishing up a third volume in his “Word Dances” series. He expects to release it in the spring.

BILL RAKOCY is remembered by art community in 2 states

Bill Rakocy, the Youngstown-born artist who became an icon in the El Paso, Texas, art community, died Aug. 1 at age 91.

Although he moved away when he was a young man, Rakocy left his mark in the Valley. He grew up on the South Side and graduated from Wilson High School (and the Kansas City Institute of Art in 1948). A mural he painted used to grace a hallway near the school auditorium, according to Rakocy’s sister-in-law, Marilyn Rakocy of Poland.

He also was known for doing character sketches at the Canfield Fair and at Idora Park.

Rakocy moved to El Paso, Texas, from New Mexico, in 1948, with his wife and children. There, he worked as the curator of the El Paso Museum of Art until 1988. Tireless and energetic to the end, he became a huge presence in El Paso and his portraits and scenes of the American Southwest were shown in many exhibitions there.

Rakocy also once taught art classes at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.

Louis Zona, director of the Butler, said he didn’t know Rakocy very well but did stay in touch with him over the years.

“He loved Youngstown and always remembered his roots, but he became a major figure in the El Paso art community and the museum of art there,” said Zona. “He was a very fine person who loved to make art and to educate people about it.”

The Butler’s permanent collection includes two of Rakocy’s paintings: “Limestone Open Pit Mine” (1958) and “Landscape with Blue-Violet” (1954).

“Both are very typical of his early work while he was a resident here,” said Zona.

JORDAN DEPAUL TO PERFORM AT NEW STRUTHERS RESTAURANT

Jordan DePaul will be back in the Mahoning Valley this weekend to perform at JD’s Summer Songfest on Saturday in Austintown (story on page 6). The Nashville-based singer-songwriter also will do a solo acoustic gig Friday evening at The Kitchen Post restaurant in Struthers. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The Kitchen Post, 582 Youngstown-Poland Road, was opened this summer by De-Paul’s old friend, Ross Fowler, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu culinary program in Pittsburgh. Live music isn’t a regular attraction at the new place, but DePaul and Fowler figured it would be a perfect way to collaborate in a way that showcases their creativity.

The Kitchen Post already has drawn attention for its fresh, unique and ever-changing menu.