Foreword by Mildred Calhoun Wick
In going through old letters, old newspapers and old “Cleveland Town Topics”, I learned a great deal about my husband, Warren Wick.
I found out how much he had contributed to the success of charitable benefits that were so popular in the early 1900’s, by giving of his unique singing and dancing talents.
I read letters of appreciation to Warren from the Play House, the White Elephant Sale, the Hermit Club, the Junior League and many others. Plain Dealer headlines proclaimed: “Yale Man’s specialty dance will be feature of Dartmouth Glee Club Concert . ..” Warren was master of ceremonies at Trinity Cathedral for the entertainment during the Depression years for the unemployed families. Quoting the newspaper: “Warren C. Wick created something of a floor show by doing some of his inimitable dances. He always ends his clogging by a handspring or a back flip.”
Warren never had dancing lessons, but, was shown by the renowned minstrels who came to his father’s Lyceum Theater, in the Wick Building, how they did their tap dancing and specialty routines. He has a God-given rhythm. He seems to walk on air with marked grace. When he was ninety years old, he was made Honorary Chairman of the Yale Dinner and Ball. On the occasion of his ninetieth birthday, he was presented with a Resolution from the City of Cleveland, expressing gratitude for his many civic contributions.
When Warren became ninety-one he was made an Honorary Whiffenpoof. The 1977 Whiffenpoof Jamboree with the Harvard Krokodiloes and the Wheaton Whims was dedicated to him. He sang “Antoinette Burby” in Woolsey Hall at Yale. The audience of 3,000 gave him a standing ovation when he was called to the stage and another standing ovation when he left the stage.
He has danced right into my heart and has opened my eyes to his kindness and love of people. Friends, old and young, still ask him to show them his clog steps. Warren is glad to oblige and the spectators laugh and forget their cares. What a wonderful gift my husband has- to make people feel happier when he dances by . . .
Mildred Calhoun Wick
