Second Hand Rose
by BILL COOK
originally published August 1, 2011 Life Style Magazine

hen Grant Clarke wrote the words to James Hanley’s “Second Hand Rose,” I’m thinking that he had a particular someone in mind. If Clarke were working on those lyrics today, he’d surely be thinking of Edgewater’s Rose Dingas.

Comedienne Fanny Brice introduced Second-Hand Rose to 1921 audiences at the Ziegfeld Follies. Here’s how it went:

I’m wearin’ second-hand hats and second-hand clothes.
That’s why they call me Second-Hand Rose.

Brice continues describing herself as the colorful character that was wearin’ second-hand shoes, and second-hand hose, second-hand rings and even dating second-hand beaus.

The words in this classic tune fit our Edgewater version of Second-Hand Rose to a tee – even the second-hand beau part – because if you ask her, she’ll tell you about her courtships and having been married three times.

Rose’s grandparents on both sides of the family immigrated to the United States from Poland before she was born. And Mom and Dad Chrzanowski were blessed with little Rose Chrzanowski’s arrival during the Depression years of the late 1930s.

Rose was raised in the little village of Hulmeville in Bucks County near Philadelphia. Growing up there was full of fun, and by the time she was 12 years old, she was dressing up in her mom’s clothes and performing in stage plays in her basement. She discovered how to make costumes out of crepe paper, and charged a nickel to friends and neighbors to see her very own production of “Snow White.”

Today she is an accomplished seamstress with an engaging smile, and has been the Costume Committee Chairperson for the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach for over 10 years. The membership at the Little Theatre recently bestowed Life Membership on Rose, an honor given only to the hardest working and most dedicated of volunteers at the theatre.

Over the years, she’s been a key inspiration to the Little Theatre’s success in the costume department. She meets with directors and actors and helps to decide how characters will be seen on stage based on the period and setting of the play.

During the theatre’s 2004 renovation, she helped design their elaborate costume workshop. It includes two sewing stations that share a 30 foot long layout table in the costume shop.

There must be over 3,000 costumes on hangers in the shop, all neatly arranged - from police uniforms to wedding dresses and everything in between. Some are donated, but many are designed and created by Rose and her seamstress sidekick, Ruth Stammen. And some were found at Rose’s frequent haunts – the thrift shops in the area – places like Drug Free Youth, Habitat for Humanity and The Pink Door.

“I never pay retail,” says Rose. “Not even for myself. A couple of years ago I needed an outfit to attend my high school reunion. I wanted it to be spectacular, and it was.” Rose was attending the Neshaminy High School reunion for the Class of 1956 back in Bucks County.
“Everybody was looking at me,” she recalls. “I was dolled up to the nines - dress, shoes, everything – the whole outfit including accessories only cost me $6.00. And I was ready to party.”

Speaking of being “dolled up” Rose has a large and unique collection of dolls and not one is a cheap imitation. And at one time, an entire room upstairs in her home was full of women’s hats – the classy ones.

Sometimes you’ll see Rose at Fisher’s Auction in Edgewater. Watch her for just a moment and you’ll see that she’s a pro at bidding and doesn’t spend a lot of money.

She recently made her granddaughter’s gown for the prom at New Smyrna Beach High School – it was a hot pink number with sequins. After the prom Rose says her granddaughter came home simply glowing from the rave reviews.

If you ask Rose Dingas what makes a good bargain, she’ll tell you about the years back in Bucks County when she and her mom collected antiques. “I know a good bargain when I see one,” she’ll tell you. “And at the top of the list, it has to be second-hand. It’s as simple as that – second-hand and cheap – or it’s not a bargain.”

Smyrnans can usually find Bill Cook wandering about town looking for an interesting story. Maybe yours will be his next tale. You can read more of his stories at ExtraHelpings.com or write to him at PO Box 1029, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170.