An ‘Elvis’-style new year

Impersonator helps local seniors get a leg up on 2018

WINSTED — Winsted residents celebrated the new year a bit early on Wednesday afternoon, whooping it up at the Blanche McCarthy Senior Center.

The event included a special lunch, complete with a chocolate eclair for dessert, raffle prizes and a performance from Elvis — or at least someone who looked and sounded a lot like him.

The senior center celebrates each holiday with food and entertainment, Executive Director Jennifer Kelley said Wednesday.

The music is especially meaningful, Kelley said — invoking days gone by.

“I think music is important because it brings back memories — and look at everyone that has a tiara on, you know?” Kelley said.

Keith Lewis of Foxboro, Mass., sang some of the Presley’s singer’s hits, including “Love Me Tender” and “Little Sister,” draping scarves around the necks of women in the audience during the ballads — and offering a quick smooch on the cheek — as well as giving a wiggle of his hips during the rocking numbers.

Lewis said he grew up an Elvis fan, and has performed over the years in musical theater, barbershop quartet, choirs. He said he has been performing as Elvis for nine to 10 years.

“(It’s) just an opportunity to entertain people, leave them smiling and happy and stuff,” Lewis said.

While Lewis was setting up, Jay Budahazy told the group about the time he shook the real Elvis’ hand.

Budahazy said he went to the MGM Grand Casino as part of a helicopter crew, traveling from the New River Air Station in Jacksonville, N.C.

He had just returned from Vietnam, where he served as a Marine, and was wearing medals as he played blackjack. An employee asked him if he wanted to see Elvis perform, and he jumped at the chance.

“I was always a big Elvis fan — my brother and I. We had all the albums, all the movies, everything he did,” Budahazy said, who continues to dress as The King each year for an annual party.

During that performance, this Elvis took note of Budahazy, he said — reaching down from the stage to shake his hand and prompting a standing ovation.

“There’ll never be another Elvis, never,” Budahazy said. “That’s something that you’ll never forget — when a guy like Elvis shakes your hand.”

Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media Winsted residents celebrated the impending new year on Wednesday afternoon, coming together for food and entertainment at the Blanche McCarthy Senior Center, including a performance by “Elvis,” aka Keith Lewis, of Foxboro, Mass.