Ask a New Yorker: Dell Long. What a pleasant sounding name. What are your origins?
Dell: Long is an English/Irish name and so is Dell meaning a valley. My Daddy, a jolly Irishman, was a peach farmer and friend of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Warm Springs, Georgia. He was among the first people to greet him when he arrived in Warm Springs, even before Roosevelt was Governor of New York. Daddy remained his ally and advisor all four Presidential terms. My Mama, Effie Cochran Long from Lanett, Alabama, part Cherokee/Choctaw Indian was an actress, and auditioned for Vivian Lee’s role in Gone with the Wind. When you ask a Southern girl about her roots she’s not having a Clairol crisis! Her roots run long and deep!
Ask a New Yorker: Rich Southern roots.
Dell: We are also descendents of Huey P. Long, Gov./Louisiana. Politics run in my blood, I was on National staff with Senator Gary Hart in 1984, and was a Delegate to the SFO Convention.
Ask a New Yorker: Your Father sounds fascinating.
Dell: He was the most honest and fair man I have ever known, loved by everyone who knew him, truly a “Good Samaritan.” He still remains my greatest role model and Hero.
Ask a New Yorker: Little White House?
Dell: That was Roosevelt’s second, home, where he battled and conquered polio. Hyde Park was his first home, The White House in Washington D.C. was his primary home when he was President. Daddy helped him pick out the land for The Little White House and The Polio Foundation, but turned down the position of Secretary of Agriculture, “Not wanting to leave his native Georgia and the beautiful hills behind his house.” Mayor Frank Alcorn and Daddy were giving the famous barbeque for Roosevelt the day he died, April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs.
Ask a New Yorker: So who is Dell Long?
Dell: Growing up on a peach farm, I longed to see what was over those mountains and across the sea, so I became a Stewardess for Delta Airlines. Not a Flight Attendant but a Stewardess, there is a difference! Matter of fact, Vanity Fair Magazine recently ran an eight page article entitled, ‘Glamour With An Attitude’ it said,” Stewardess of the 1960’s and 70’s lived a life that Flight Attendants only dream of!” Traveling the globe gave me the opportunity to study various world religions in their native land. “Spirituality” has become my quest and passion.
Ask a New Yorker: O.K, So what happened next?
Dell: After I quit flying I didn’t know how to do anything but give out pillows and magazines and smile. I had natural writing abilities, so I became a reporter for a Las Vegas Newspaper, reviewing shows in the hotels and casinos. The editor of the paper told me because I was from the South that I was too nice to be a critic, so he suggested that I go into PR, which I did… Working for B.B. King, Phyllis Diller, Gloria Lynne, Louie Prima, Radio D.J. Wolfman Jack, etc.
Ask a New Yorker: Did you do much gambling?
Dell: Occasionally, just for fun! Slots.
Ask a New Yorker: So who are you working with now?
Dell: I continue to work as a Free-Lance Public Relations/Event Planner in the areas of; Entertainment, Political, Literary, Art, Sports and Health. (I am for Hire!) smile. Recently I have ventured into Documentary Film making, Wining the Aurora and Telly Award (The two highest awards in Cable Television) with, The Movement, about the Civil Rights Movement. Producer Robert Cabell and I are co- producing a Documentary about the dance craze, from the 50’s and 60’s, in Panama City Beach Florida, called “The Bop”. (investors/sponsors considered). A lot of my services are donated to non-profit organizations, The UpTown Dance Academy (for under privileged children in Harlem), for their Black Nutcracker Performance, and currently I am working with General Nathaniel James and The Historical 369th Regiment Society, Home of “The Harlem Hell Fighters” from WW 1, on their May 18th Veterans Parade, honoring the returned Soldiers from Iraq. It gives me a lot of joy and reward to help others along the way.
Ask a New Yorker: So what’s it like for a Southern Bell living in Harlem?
Dell: WONDERFUL! “Harlem” in Dutch means “Heaven”. I was relocated to Harlem after Hurricane Katrina. We were first sent to Perth Amboy, NJ. Some went back to New Orleans and The Gulf Coast and others came to New York City. We were WELCOMED with open arms and hearts. I think going through the devastation of 9/11 gave New Yorkers, unconditional compassion.
Ask a New Yorker: I love the red, I love your hair and I love your pin. Where did you find it?
Dell: At a thrift store. I do all my shopping at thrift stores, flea markets and yard sales, the best places for terrific bargains! My favorite Thrift store is The Goodwill Store on 5th Ave and 135th.
Ask a New Yorker: And this gorgeous ring. What’s the story here?
Dell: This ring was given to me in New Orleans by a very mysterious man in The French Quarter, when I was a Stewardess. It’s a rose peddle ring with a little diamond inside, I was told to always wear it as a reminder, “That life like the rose is beautiful even though sometimes we may get pricked by the thorns and, every time I looked at that little diamond to try and bring as much “sparkle” into everybody else’s life as I did into his and I would never go wrong!”
Ask a New Yorker: Last but not least, as a Publicist what do you think of the concept Ask a New Yorker??
Dell: I think it’s an exceptional tool for educational, informative sharing of knowledge. It connects people all over the world to link people with New Yorkers. I hope to see it join forces with NY1 – TV, The New Yorker Magazine, and The Mayor’s Office.
Ask a New Yorker: Why thank you Dell, you’re a gem! Dell’s Email: delllongpr@yahoo.com
