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Dolly Curtis' New York accent is one you may recognize. And the Easton resident had an experience at a recent July 4 fireworks show that confirmed this. "I sat next to these people," the 68-year-old broadcaster said, "and they heard my voice and they went, 'We were just listening to you in the kitchen.' And they go, 'We listen to you every week and we get a lot of ideas for things to do.' "
They were referring to the 20-minute segment she does for WICC 600AM called "Dolly's Quick Take on the Weekend." It airs Fridays just after 6 p.m. Dolly says she tries to find inexpensive things for families to do in these tough economic times.
Dolly has had more careers in one life than most people could have in several, and being in radio is her latest occupational passion.
Three years ago, she started a show called "Back Stage Buzz" with set and lighting designer Leo Meyer. It airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. on WPKN (89.5FM).
Though she doesn't have a theater background, she loves going to plays and is active in the theater community. She goes to two to three shows a week with Leo and does commentary on performances and people for her radio audience.
Before moving to Easton 31 years ago so she could have space for a studio and her 35-foot loom, Dolly lived in Norwalk. Her landlord there admired her ability to tell stories for hours and always be entertaining. The landlord was a CBS cameraman and editor of the 11 p.m. news with Walter Cronkite. He and Curtis, 68, worked together for 23 years creating more than 300 "Dolly Curtis Interviews." They ran on the public access channels of six cable networks and featured interesting people throughout the area. And all were done for no pay.
"We tried a couple of shows [at first]. Like with the radio now, it starts to take over. You get good at it and people keep offering you more opportunities." She recently had the shows copied to DVDs to be available at local libraries.
As for all those careers, Dolly has been a social studies and English teacher, professional baton and fire twirler, founder of a twirling and dance school for 400 girls, textile artist, curator of art displays at the Easton Library, television host, Lyme disease advocate, photographer, theater usher and most recently -- radio personality. And the best was saved for last.
Commenting on her on-air work, Dolly exclaimed: "I was born to do this!"
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