Miss-Delectable
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The County Press
When R&R DoubleTake play their country duets to crowds there's often a third unofficial member of the group reaching out to the deaf community.
R&R DoubleTake is composed of twins Richard and Robert Fay, seniors at Lapeer West High School. Their friend, Mary Croff-Wlodek, signs American Sign Language at virtually all their concerts so that the deaf and hard of hearing may be able to enjoy it, too.
Croff-Wlodek was born a child of deaf adults, so American Sign Language was her first language and means of communication.
"All my life, my mother would have me sign the music on the radio because she wanted to know what they're singing," Croff-Wlodek said.
She has known the twins for 10 years.
"Richard and Robert, at age 8, did a St. Jude's dinner dance and learned a song, 'Love In Any Language' and only knew signs for chorus and asked me to join them," she said, and added since that time she's signed 90% of their shows.
"Deaf people can feel the vibrations of music as long as it's loud enough through the seats of the chair. You're not only feeling it in your heart -- you're feeling it in your whole body."
She said signing makes her happy as she performs sounds and signs it to touch people who can't hear the music. "That makes me feel gratitude. The biggest accomplishment is if you can make a crowd laugh or cry -- you've done your job."
Croff-Wlodek has also signed at funerals, in the workplace, for General Motors Corp., weddings, and at parties.
She uses American Sign Language daily to communicate with her deaf husband, Russell, and has several deaf family members. One was Miss Deaf Michigan.
Croff-Wlodek considers herself a deaf advocate and said she's lucky to be born hearing to deaf parents.
"I don't forget signs," she said. "A new song is hard. It takes time to make up the signs that go with it."
R&R DoubleTake will perform at the PIX Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13. Croff-Wlodek plans to be there signing American Sign Language for the audience. Robert Fay said he and his brother appreciate her signing for them.
"Mary's been an awesome friend to the family," Robert said. "We love having her (sign) and for the deaf community."
When R&R DoubleTake play their country duets to crowds there's often a third unofficial member of the group reaching out to the deaf community.
R&R DoubleTake is composed of twins Richard and Robert Fay, seniors at Lapeer West High School. Their friend, Mary Croff-Wlodek, signs American Sign Language at virtually all their concerts so that the deaf and hard of hearing may be able to enjoy it, too.
Croff-Wlodek was born a child of deaf adults, so American Sign Language was her first language and means of communication.
"All my life, my mother would have me sign the music on the radio because she wanted to know what they're singing," Croff-Wlodek said.
She has known the twins for 10 years.
"Richard and Robert, at age 8, did a St. Jude's dinner dance and learned a song, 'Love In Any Language' and only knew signs for chorus and asked me to join them," she said, and added since that time she's signed 90% of their shows.
"Deaf people can feel the vibrations of music as long as it's loud enough through the seats of the chair. You're not only feeling it in your heart -- you're feeling it in your whole body."
She said signing makes her happy as she performs sounds and signs it to touch people who can't hear the music. "That makes me feel gratitude. The biggest accomplishment is if you can make a crowd laugh or cry -- you've done your job."
Croff-Wlodek has also signed at funerals, in the workplace, for General Motors Corp., weddings, and at parties.
She uses American Sign Language daily to communicate with her deaf husband, Russell, and has several deaf family members. One was Miss Deaf Michigan.
Croff-Wlodek considers herself a deaf advocate and said she's lucky to be born hearing to deaf parents.
"I don't forget signs," she said. "A new song is hard. It takes time to make up the signs that go with it."
R&R DoubleTake will perform at the PIX Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13. Croff-Wlodek plans to be there signing American Sign Language for the audience. Robert Fay said he and his brother appreciate her signing for them.
"Mary's been an awesome friend to the family," Robert said. "We love having her (sign) and for the deaf community."