Bibi Shapiro

Born:

Died:

Children: Bibi Shapiro

Bibi Shapiro lived in Saranac Lake in the 1950s. She was an actress in New York City and came to Saranac Lake with her husband James. They both worked as airport managers in 1956. She helped with makeup and other aspects of dramatic productions in town, including with the Girl Scouts and for Winter Carnival. She had a daughter, also called Bibi, around 1952.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise, October 19, 1956

Shapiros Attend Airport Conference

The Ninth Airport Development and Operation Conference was held this last Tuesday in Syracuse and was attended by some 280 delegates, including Mr. and Mrs. James Shapiro, airport managers of the Saranac Lake Airport. The conference was sponsored by the New York State Department of Commerce and Edward T. Dickinson, Commerce Commissioner, was the opening speaker. Panel discussions covered such subjects as planning for jet operations, how to get pilots and mechanics, the coming age of space flight, helicopters and heliports, and air traffic control. The Shapiros reported that the major burden of the conference was the need for more education in aviation. The air experts complained, it appeared, that the burden of education and training was now on the individual pilot and mechanic. It was felt that there should be provision for aviation education and training in the school system.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 9, 1957

Troop 36 Girl Scouts Entertain with Play

The Girl Scouts of Troop 36 presented a play, Three Gray Hairs yesterday afternoon in the Methodist Church hall, Saranac Lake. The cast included Tinka Klemperer as the mother; Ann Pecora, Mary; Marie VanNortwick, Jane; Amber Butterfield, Tommy. Cheryl Lyons was the stage manager. Susie McNamara was in charge of make-up and Ruth Boyd, sound effects. The play was written by Ann Pecora. The plot was that of a mother getting her three children off to school in the morning. The play was done as a requirement for the Troop Dramatics Merits badge with the help of Mrs. James Shapiro.

Following the play badges and service stars were awarded to Ruth Boyd, Lynn Buck, Amber Butterfield, Ann Crisham, Jo Ann Drutz, Pat Healy, Tinka Klemperer, Linda Landry, Cheryl Lyon, Judy McCasland, Donna McCormick, Karen McLaughlin, Susie McNamara, Donna Moody, Rosemary Muncil, Lois Narsh, Ann Pecora, Diane Sklaryk, Judy Stringham, Marie VanNortwick and Kathy Ward. All 22 girls completed the Troop Dramatics Badge. Honorary Girl Scout memberships were given to all persons helping with the badges. A cake decorated in green and yellow with the troop number on it was served by the refreshment committee under the chairmanship of Cathy Ward and Donna McCormick.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, October 29, 1959

Club Notes

Mrs. James Shapiro will direct the play For the Time Being which is a Christmas play written by the American poet, W. H. Auden, in free and blank verse. It is a modern adaptation of the biblical story of the advent of the birth of Christ. The play is done in ancient Grecian style with action on stage accompanied by large speaking chorus. The play will be sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, although it should be of interest to people of all denominations. It is hoped that every person wishing to take part either in the acting or with the speaking group, will contact Mrs. Shapiro at 2292. Casting for all young people will be done at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the Christian Education Building. Adults will cast on Tuesday, November 3 at 8:00 o'clock at the Education Building.

Recollections from Ann Pecora Diamond, March 2023

She was an actress who lived in SL, when I was in elementary school--the late 1950s. I met her through the Girl Scouts. (I thought she was very exotic.) I wrote a one-act play (with her help) called Three Gray Hairs', 'which we performed on the stage in the Methodist Church's basement. After that, she had me help her do the makeup (as a "powder girl.") for the Winter Carnival stage show. Some of the men who performed during that show wore black face in the tradition of minstrel shows. I don't remember why she ended up in SL. She had been an actress in NYC and I think in her late 30s or early 40s when I knew her. She was married, and I think she came to town, because her husband had a job--maybe at the management school.