REVIEW POTPOURRI – Actors: Roy Rogers and Bob Nolan

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Bob Nolan

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Roy Rogers
Bob Nolan

Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers (1911-1998) and Bob Nolan (1908-1980) were the two most recognizable founding members of the Sons of the Pio­neers, a vocal group that would have immense success through radio, TV, film, records and live appearances.

They cut their first disc for the newly-formed Decca label on August 8, 1934, the very same day Bing Crosby began his own very long association with that label. In 1935, the group was signed by Columbia Pictures to appear as singing cowboys in the very successful westerns of Charles Starrett (who came to China Lake often during his childhood to visit cousins in the area).

To this day, Nolan’s Cool Water may be their most famous original hit and one they recorded for both Decca and RCA Victor, whom they signed with during World War II. A 1949 RCA ten-inch 78 (20-2076) features that and Chant of the Wanderer. Their very moving blend of voices may have been what distinguished them from so many other singing cowboy groups that inevitably sprung up like dandelions once the Sons hit paydirt.

A 1956 record, released as a ten-inch 78 and seven-inch 45 and selling for 79 cents, featured so-called “famous artists” performing three current hit songs on each side (Variety V-6022). They were Goodnight My Love, Pleasant Dreams; Since I Met You Baby; Slow Walk; I Dreamed; A Thousand Miles Away; and I Feel Good.

The singers and instrumentalists, whoever they were, delivered very nicely done covers; the ladies singing Goodnight My Love could easily have been mistaken. And the record was good value for the money, each side clocking in at five to six minutes.

Three woman vocalists each recorded a shellac 78 of some renown. Prague-born contralto Ernestine Schumann-Heink recorded a one-sided acoustic of a long forgotten, very pleasant song If I Forget in 1921 (Victrola Red Seal 87337).

Dinah Shore

Dinah Shore

On October 25, 1948, Dinah Shore, accompanied by two pianists, deployed her own quite pleasant pipes on two superb Great American Songbook numbers, Far Away Places, and Say It Every Day. Unlike her 1950 Victors when she squandered her talents on a lot of Tin Pan Alley garbage, her 1940s red label Columbia 78s featured much first class material and arrangements.

Vera Lynn

Vera Lynn

A 1953 ten-inch 78 from Decca/London (1350) presented English singer Vera Lynn (1917-2020), who was also gifted with a very long life, as were fellow singers Licia Albanese, Magda Olivero and George Beverly Shea. The two selections were the Lambeth Waltz, a gung ho, bombastic pep rally number accompanied by an obnoxiously cheery sounding men’s chorus, and a trite period piece entitled Queen of Everyone’s Heart to commemorate the 1953 Coronation of King Charles the III’s very wonderful mother, Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022).

She did much concertizing during World War II to boost the morale of service men and women and her fellow citizens with such classics as The White Cliffs of Dover, and We’ll Meet Again and she did have a vibrantly expressive singing voice.

 

 

 

 

THE BEST VIEW: The Journey (Observing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month)

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by Norma Best Boucher

As I ask myself when this journey all began, I must start with my mother in the ‘60s when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had been an older mother when I was born, so I had the advantages of having a mother who was secure with herself.

I remember vividly when she had her mastectomy and radiation. I have never seen anyone with such courage and strength. She couldn’t afford a breast prosthesis, so she stuffed a cotton curtain into her bra and asked me, “Norma, am I even?” before going to work as a first presser at the Hathaway Shirt Company.

My father had told her, “Just live, Lillian.”

For us, who loved her, she lived.

I had made sure that I never took any medicines that might add to my risk of having breast cancer. I had taken every precaution I knew, so when at age 62 they told me that I might have breast cancer, it was a slap in the face.

A lumpectomy revealed an additional lump – now, two different kinds of breast cancer.

My son took the reins and made appointments at a Breast Cancer Center. Within a week’s time I was at the center. Further biopsies showed two additional growths.

My breast was a cancer factory.

After the initial shock of the diagnosis and with the help of the doctors, I realized that cancer was not necessarily a death sentence. Suddenly, I had options, decisions, and hope.

My husband and I went home to Maine to visit. Family members and friends who had survived cancer were the greatest inspiration for me. People I hadn’t seen in years called to tell me of their experiences and to encourage me.

I left Maine with the decision to go through with the mastectomy and with the courage to fight for my life.

Experiences with my mother, God, and the love of my husband and son got me through the operation.

I was overjoyed to learn that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes. In fact, I was told that I wouldn’t need chemotherapy. I went to the oncologist prepared to take a preventative medication for five years.

Further tests, however, showed that one of the cancers was an aggressive type. Chemo was now on the table. This decision was more difficult than deciding on the mastectomy.

This was a setback. I had already moved on with my life, and, suddenly, I was grabbed back into the world of cancer.

The question was, of which was I more afraid: the cancer or the chemo?

With the guidance of doctors, I opted for the chemo.

My husband and son took turns taking care of me. I exhausted them. They had put everything they had into saving me, and now I needed them even more.

The chemo treatments were worse than the operation. It was an intense three months, but my family never waived.

Each person’s experience with chemo is different. Suffice it to say, “I wouldn’t wish this on an enemy.”

I did the treatments. My hair fell out in clumps after the second week. I wore bandanas most of the time because my wig was so loose that it slipped to my nose when I tilted my head. Some days I just wanted to heave it across the room.

The first time I slept for days after the treatment, I was scared. The next treatments I prayed to sleep.

Every time I had a treatment, I swore I wouldn’t take another, but then I felt better and tried again.

Finally, they were over.

I survived. I am alive and cancer free.

When I look back on this experience, I laugh, and I cry. God, everyone’s prayers, and my family’s love got me through this.

I am truly blessed.

Sometimes, when I’m dressed and ready to leave for work, I take a long, hard look at myself in the mirror.

In my mind’s eye I see my mother, smiling at me.

I whisper, “Thank you,” to her and to God.

Then, I pull back my shoulders, smile right back at her, and ask, “Ma, am I even?”

Norma Best Boucher is a freelance contributor to The Town Line. A former Waterville native, she now lives in Florida.

VETERANS CORNER: VA pay hikes, veterans benefit increases explained

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by Gary Kennedy

There is a lot of interest on the upcoming VA pay increases, veteran’s percentage of increase and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). I will share with you what I know and perhaps extrapolate some to use as filler. However, I should be very close. COLA is Cost of Living Increase.

We are all aware of what percentage we are being paid. Our range is from (0-100) percent. For the sake of argument, zero basically is VA’s way of saying that they accept the applied for condition as service connected/ aggravated. However, it may be used with another value somewhere in your ratings or it just doesn’t quite reach a value of meaningful substance, monetarily speaking. That is one item I always address for clarity with a Veteran’s Service Officer (VSO). This value might change with time or you can ask your V.S.O. about the substance of the matter. I touched on this last week but I will try to clear some things up.

Always keep an open mind and respectful tongue when speaking with a Service Officer as they are on your side and will give you good, professional advice and opinions. For the most part they have great training and carry great knowledge regarding veteran’s issues. You definitely want him/her on your side. In developing your claim they are the doorways to your success, they know veterans, veteran’s issues and many are veterans themselves. Their days are long and hard. They are dealing with issues which require a cool/calm manner and an up-to-date intellect. You want them to be your friends as well as your advisers.

So let me try and explain your pay check for 2024, which is paid on January 1, 2024. So, an extrapolation on my part is the amount of this coming COLA, Cost of Living Adjustment, on top of your current monthly check. This by the way also applies to your Social Security check. I have seen a couple of percentage increases but I choose to use the lesser of the two. “3.1 percent” Example: a 100 percent disabled veteran in receipt of $3,823.89, in this case has a wife. So, you would multiply the COLA amount by that figure ($3,823.89 X 3.1 percent). This should equal $3,823.89+118.54= $3,942.43. I believe I am pretty close with the math. Of course, we realize not all veterans are rated at 100 percent but the process remains the same. Just multiply your current check by 3.1 percent and then add the result to your current check. This will give you your amount of monthly income for 2024. Remember, do the same with your Social Security check and the result will be your SS monthly income for 2024 as well.

In regards to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) that is an entirely different issue. Some veterans are in receipt of monthly income over and above the 100 percentile of monthly rating. The reason for this is the veteran’s higher rate of need, due to special circumstances such as the need of aid and attendance by someone else or because of a specific disabilities. Examples would be the loss of use of a hand or foot or the need for aid and Attendance. If you have a 100 percent disability and have an additional disability which can be rated at 60 percent or more you could be eligible for more. If you are housebound this would give you a higher amount of income. This means you are pretty much confined to your home. From here it tends to become complicated as some situations can take you to R-1, R-2 which allows the veteran nine to ten thousand dollars per month. If you are confined to a wheel chair and require a caregiver or Aide and attendance you will require special considerations. The V.S.O. can explain all of this.

My advice is, if I haven’t answered your questions then call Togus VA and speak with a V.S.O. You can make an appointment to go in. You can use https://www.benefits.va.gov or call direct at 207-621-6938 and make an appointment to visit. If you go there be prepared with what your mission entails so the officers can be prepared to help you, it saves a lot of time. Also, have a copy of your D.D. 214 and/or your VA card. If you want to discuss something with me you can use garyek55@gmail.com.

I have shared with you in generality. Specifics are more complicated and are better served by Veteran’s Services, bldg. 248, Togus. If you know a lonely veteran, you know what to do. Sharing what you have will leave you with a wonderful feeling and most likely a true friend for life.

I will discuss more next time. Have a safe and happy end of summer weekend. God Bless.

Gary Kennedy is a freelance contributor to The Town Line. His views are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Lady Gaga Wants People with Migraine to Know They Are Not Alone

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Lady Gaga

(NAPSI)—Lady Gaga has been living with a silent disease – migraine – for most of her life, having been diagnosed when she was 14 years old. Her migraine attacks were so severe, she was often bedridden for days. She couldn’t read or keep lights on and would have to be alone in a quiet room for hours, or sometimes even days, until the pain subsided. Lady Gaga continued to experience migraine attacks into adulthood and the disease has impacted all aspects of her life.

“By the time I was 25, I was dealing with other medical conditions along with my migraine. The combination of pain from migraines and managing these other conditions had become so difficult that I was barely functional. And the migraines were now much more present. The hardest part about dealing with this change in my life is that it was now not once a month that I was getting migraines, but much more frequently.” This is the first time Lady Gaga has spoken about her experience with migraine, and she hopes that sharing her story will help empower others to be more vocal about their migraine pain. Migraine, which affects nearly 40 million Americans, is considered the second-most disabling condition worldwide.

Lady Gaga spoke to her doctor and began taking Nurtec® ODT (rimegepant) as an acute treatment for migraine. “I’m so grateful to my family, friends and fans for going on this journey with me throughout the years so I can share my story and hopefully it will help more people find the relief they need,” said Lady Gaga. You can learn more about Lady Gaga’s migraine story and Nurtec ODT at nurtec.com/ladygaga.

WHAT IS NURTEC ODT?

Nurtec ODT orally disintegrating tablets is a prescription medicine that is used to treat migraine in adults. It is for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine. It is not known if Nurtec ODT is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take Nurtec ODT if you are allergic to Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) or any of its ingredients.

Before you take Nurtec ODT, tell your healthcare provider (HCP) about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have liver problems,
• have kidney problems,
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant,
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Nurtec ODT may cause serious side effects including allergic reactions, including trouble breathing and rash. This can happen days after you take Nurtec ODT. Call your HCP or get emergency help right away if you have swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat or trouble breathing. This occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with Nurtec ODT.

The most common side effects of Nurtec ODT were nausea (2.7%) and stomach pain/indigestion (2.4%). These are not the only possible side effects of Nurtec ODT. Tell your HCP if you have any side effects.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 or report side effects to Pfizer at 1-833-4Nurtec.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Meaningful bouquet

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by Debbie Walker

Recently I was given a book called Thinking of You, by Molly Hatch. As you flip through the book there are flowers and their meanings pictured. When the flowers along with each type of flower slides up the picture it looks as though they are a bouquet in a plant pot.

Flowers have always been quite symbolic. It is said they celebrate, commemorate, and communicate beyond words alone. A lot of the meanings involve regions and culture. I’m using the Victorian language for the wisdom of these flowers.

Forget-Me-Nots represent “Cherish Good Memories”. There is a legend in which a knight and his fiancée were picking flowers by the Danube. The knight slipped in the water before he was swept away, he tossed a bouquet to her and shouted “Vergiss Mein Nicht” (forget-me-not}. The flower stands for our innate loyalty and consistency in our lives.

Pansy, it has to do with French for “Thought” and “Think Freely” and in the Victorian floral dictionary it means “You occupy my thoughts”. They also grow from a European wildflower also known as heartsease, Johnny-Jump-Ups and other whimsical names. It is said the pansy reminds us of our individuality .

Poppy – The ancients regarded sleep as a healer and consoler of human nature. Remember this wisdom when you are down and give into sleep, so you wake up with fresh perspective. The poppy represents, “Remember to Rest”.

Dahlias were grown by the Aztecs as an edible crop. The Victorian’s saw the dahlia as a symbol of dignity and elegance. Besides being edible, some are still harvested in Central America for potato-like roots. They say when you see this flower, remember to stand tall and bold, “Never Doubt Your Worth”. There is much more to you than meets the eye.

Hyacinth, the Victorian flower dictionary had many meanings for it but I am coming in for “Practice Self Forgiveness”. Colors could determine games and play, jealousy, sorrow, or forgiveness. Forgive yourself when slip up and adjust your course as you move forward.

Lavendar represents “Seeking Serenity”. Romans used it to scent their baths and homes. After the fall of the Roman Empire washing fell out of favor and became a forever deodorant. The fresh scent and oils became clear for clearing the air and your mind.

Lilac represents pursuing your passion. The blooming reminded the Victorians of the beauty of youth and first love. The message of lilac is never forgetting what captives you in your youth and keep looking for ways to pursue what you love.

Jasmine represents “Be Lovely and Kind”. Robert Tyas in The Sentiment of Flowers reads “There are some persons endowed with a disposition so happy that they seem to be sent into the world to be the bond of society. There is so much grace and ease in their manners that they adapt themselves to every situation. The Jasmine seems as though it had been created to express the quality of amiability. Sometimes we make the strongest impression simply by being accommodating and likeable, Just like Jasmine.

I’m just curious what your favorite flower is. I hope your fall has improved since I left Maine on September 21. It had rained every day I was there. But I am back in Florida now. Have a great week. Contact me with any questions or comments at DebbieWalker@townline.org.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Soprano: Lily Pons

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Lily Pons

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Lily Pons

Soprano Lily Pons (1898-1976) sang at the Metropolitan Opera at least 300 times between 1931 and 1960 and had a knack for using mass media to advance her career.

My first exposure to her was via a Columbia 45 rpm extended play album that Mother played at home and which went in one ear and out the other, since my opera musical sensibilities were pretty limited during second grade (I did give every record in the house a listen, being a record-holic since the age of two, if not earlier.).

However, in seventh grade, I was developing a love for classical music and was gifted a pile of 78s by a family friend that included her Victor shellac of Caro Nome from Verdi’s Rigoletto and a Columbia Masterworks 78 set featuring 4 Arias from Donizetti’s Daughter of the Regiment.

I played these numerous times and find them generally unsurpassed . Lily Pons sang with exquisite delicacy, her trills and high notes were technically phenomenal and she was quite knowledgeable about the history of the operatic literature.

Evidence of this is the fascinating essay she wrote about the background of the Daughter of the Regiment, the sopranos who performed it in earlier years and its technical challenges, that was included with the 78 set on Columbia.

She recorded numerous sides for Victor Red Seal during the 1930s before signing with Columbia around the time of her marriage to conductor Andre Kostelanetz (1901-1980) in 1938. As her Columbia discs were best sellers, Victor released a set of her earlier records for them in 1943 in the certainly justifiable attempt to capitalize on her success with Columbia and one in which she would also benefit.

The set, Victor Red Seal M-702, consisted of three 12-inch 78s and a 10-inch one, and very fragile; the mix of different lengths by manufacturers even in an album with cardboard insulation around the records themselves was not particularly conducive to the prevention of breakage.

The contents were a combination of arias from operas of Mozart, Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakov, Ambrose Thomas and, of course, Verdi and three semi-classical concert pieces, including a very beautiful Last Rose of Summer.

Operatic high points were an aria from Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio, currently my favorite Mozart opera, and duets with baritone Giuseppe De Luca (1876-1950) in Verdi’s Rigoletto and Rossini’s Barber of Seville. The other selections failed to make an impression despite her vocal prowess, especially the Rimsky Le Coq D’Or Hymn to the Sun in which her trills and gentle dynamics failed to communicate the haunting Oriental mystery of that Russian opera aria.

Pons and Kostelanetz divorced in 1958. During the ‘50s and early ‘60s, she made guest appearances on such TV shows as the Ed Sullivan Show and What’s My Line.

Lily Pons died of pancreatic cancer in a Dallas, Texas, hospital in 1976. She was 77.

Legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker once compared the lyrical beauty of fellow musician Johnny Hodges in his own playing of the soprano sax in Duke Ellington’s band to the singing of Lily Pons.

Many of her recordings and broadcasts can be heard on YouTube.

CRITTER CHATTER: An unusual release

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by Jayne Winters

I wasn’t sure what this month’s column would be about, but I needn’t have worried. Don always has a story or two (or more) to tell about the critters and experiences at the Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center!

After over 50 years in wildlife rehab, you’d think that he’s seen about everything, but he was anxious to tell me about the release of two red foxes a couple of weeks ago.

He and volunteer Jeff had taken the sibling foxes to an area near a gravel pit for release. The foxes had been placed in individual large pet carriers and tolerated the ride to the release site very well. The first to be released cautiously headed down a gravel road and around the corner, out of sight. The second fox followed a few minutes later, in the same direction, so Don and Jeff quietly went down the road to see where they had gone. There was a flooded area across part of the road, significantly larger than just a rain puddle.

Don was surprised to see one of the foxes standing belly deep in the middle of the water, not drinking or playing, just standing statue still. The other fox was on the edge of the water, but gradually waded over to where his brother was, working his way into the deeper part. They eventually left the pool of water and leisurely made their way into a nearby wooded area. While this may not sound especially noteworthy to us, Don said he had never seen anything like it in his many years of working with foxes. Although he always releases wildlife into areas with streams or ponds, he has never seen foxes swimming or standing in water much above their “ankles.”

Of course, I had to Google “Do foxes swim?” and learned that although canines, like our pet dogs, they don’t generally swim “for fun” unless they’re overheated, trying to escape a predator, or looking for food, such as ducks or fish. They keep their noses in the air and their tails straight, doing the familiar “doggy paddle.” However, they’re not strong swimmers, averaging 2-3 miles an hour, and usually try to avoid water since they don’t enjoy getting wet.

Of particular interest, one article I read stated, “They may even try to stay away from puddles if they are capable of doing so.” Don and I guessed that the foxes in this story sought relief from the hot and humid weather of the past couple of weeks by cooling off in the water before striking out to explore their new surroundings.

There were two admissions during the hour I visited with Don last Sunday. The first was a young gray squirrel which apparently had a foot injury from an encounter with a dog. It didn’t appear to be broken, but Don will further examine and observe it. Hopefully, a little TLC and rest will be all that’s needed.

The second critter was an opossum that had been found by the side of the road. Initially, the couple who saw it were able to encourage it to move away from the asphalt, but noted later that it had returned and was quite lethargic. They were able to get it into a plastic tote and brought it to Don. At cursory examination, Don suspected it had run into the tire of a passing car as there was obvious jaw injury, but no evidence of body abrasion or bleeding. It was semi-feisty, which is always a good sign in wild animals brought into human contact, and seemed to be healthy otherwise.

It will be fed milk and vitamins with a syringe for a while and eventually canned cat food mixed with milk in a blender until its jaw has healed enough for semi-solid food. Don noted that trying to set and wire the jaw would stress the animal, reducing its chance of survival; Mother Nature is often the best healer.

As noted previously, other rehabbers are generously providing assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. They are greatly appreciated! Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. Please note the previous e-mail address is no longer monitored.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Help Kids See Their Way To A Good Education

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Children do better in school when any vision problems are attended to.

(NAPSI)—If any of the approximately 74 million schoolchildren in the U.S. is someone you care about, here’s something you may want to look into: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), visual health can have a great influence on students’ academic performance. Visual disorders, the NIH says, are one of the best predictors of educational success.

A Look Into The Eye

  The eye is literally an extension of the brain. It is estimated that more than 60% of the brain has some duties associated with vision input, the American Optometric Association points out. Because of this, any condition that hampers vision or the processing of vision may result in learning problems. When diagnosed and treated early, however, most individuals have a better chance of learning efficiently.
That’s one reason the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends children between the ages of 3 and 5 get vision screening to reveal problems that may lead to blindness without early treatment.
So, many students, teachers, and parents may be glad to learn about an improved way to test children’s vision.

Seeing Vision Problems Clearly

A handheld, portable device called the Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener by Baxter has been designed to help quickly and easily detect the risk factors of amblyopia and other vision issues in children as young as six months, all done from a non-invasive, three-foot distance. A bright touchscreen displays instant results, indicating whether measurements are in range or a complete eye exam is recommended.
The machine objectively measures refractive errors and alignment between the eyes, which helps identify six risk factors of amblyopia. Select photo screening devices can examine both eyes at once and can take only a few seconds to perform the screening.
Results are easy to interpret and can be shared with family and other eye care specialists. It can easily be used in pediatric offices, schools and community vision screenings. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend the use of photo screening instruments in young children.

The Effectiveness of Photo Screening

A study performed by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that photo screening correctly identified more students in need of a comprehensive eye exam than an ordinary screening could. The study also showed that instrument-based screening is time efficient and can be performed in a quarter of the time of visual acuity screening.

One Family’s Story

The Malpass family, based in Washington State, includes two active boys, Miles, 12, and Parker, 8, who love to play all sorts of sports and are avid readers. When Miles complained that he could not see well out of his right eye, their parents had both boys looked at with a Spot Vision Screener. It was discovered that each boy’s eyes were slightly different sizes, causing a refractive error in the bad eye. The brain prefers to use the dominant eye, which made the vision worse in the non-dominant eye. An ordinary eye chart test at school had failed to catch the problem. Fortunately, it was correctable and both boys now wear glasses and see well at school and on the playing fields and ski slopes.

Learn More

To read stories about the importance of vision screening, visit www.hillrom.com/SVS-Testimonials. For more information on the Spot Vision Screener, doctors and patients can visit https://www.henryschein.com/us-en/medical/products/manufacturer-showcase/welch-allyn.aspx.

THE BEST VIEW: “Good vibrations”

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by Norma Best Boucher

We ran down the roadway to the Old Orchard Beach Ball Park. We were a little late because of the traffic, but that didn’t make any difference. His golden voice filled the air, and each perfect note sent a shiver through me.

That was the first and the last time I was to hear Roy Orbison, live. An hour of songs such as Oh, Pretty Woman and Crying was only the beginning. The next two hours were filled with Surfin’ USA, California Girls, and the Good Vibrations of the Beach Boys. This was definitely the best birthday present I’d ever received, and I was going to enjoy every note of it.

The outfield was mobbed with students of the ’60s. The crowd moved in time with the music producing a wave of bodies and minds, with dreamy-eyed adults reliving a memory and the children holding their hands and sitting on their shoulders, creating a memory.

Woodstock – Eat your heart out!

I wanted to move up closer to the stage, but my husband was convinced we’d never make it. He stayed behind while I pushed my way through the crowd with a plastered smile on my face and an “Excuse me” every two or three feet. To say I’m not easily deterred is an understatement.

Twice in the ’60s, while still a college student, I took five hours to push through a crowd of 100,000 screaming college students in the infield of Kentucky Downs and managed to see the favorites, Kauai King and Proud Clarion, race through the finish line to win the Kentucky Derby. I hadn’t even placed a bet. I would do no less for the Beach Boys.

They were older, and so was I, but their timeless music took me back to an era when the words “age” and “worry” were not in my vocabulary. After a few songs, I, too, was dreamy-eyed. Then the loudness of the music hurt my ears and stomach, and soon I was singing, dancing, and waving my arms with wild abandon.

Oh – youth!

My husband, usually the dancer of us two, sat in a bleacher seat with his feet up and just enjoyed. I could see him in the distance, smiling, reliving a time only he could know. A five-year-old boy, standing on a seat a short distance away from him, gyrated to the music. Totally self-absorbed, my husband and the boy neither knew nor cared that the other existed.

Sometimes, when I’m alone in my car, I play my CDs, and Roy Orbison and the Beach Boys take me back to that concert and to the ’60s when age and worry didn’t exist and when music and life could be described with “I like it…It has a good beat.”

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Lyndon B. Johnson

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Lyndon B. Johnson

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Lyndon B. Johnson

The 36th President Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908-1973) was, for good and bad, one formidable leader during his five years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

During October/November 1960, I vividly remember the two individuals and their running mates in the battle for the White House – Repub­licans Richard Nixon (1913-1994) and Massachusetts Senator/UN Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (1902-1985) versus Kennedy and Johnson. Every East Vassalboro school day in Susan Brondmo’s fourth grade classroom, I was bringing clippings of political cartoons from the Waterville Morning Sentinel for the morning current news show and tell; I may have monopolized the board on the wall with my offerings.

Anyways, the Cates tribe had been Republicans for decades, so I never shirked my loyalism.

Meanwhile, Uncle Charlie Rodis, who had married into the family the previous July, grew up in a Greek-American family of Democrats, in Portland; for reasons known only to God, he had never discussed politics and encountered stone cold silence at the Thanksgiving dinner when expressing jubilation about the new president.

To my little boy’s sensibilities, Nixon, despite his uncouth five o’clock shadow, and the pleasantly smiling, consummate gentleman Lodge epitomized true honesty and integrity while seemingly forthright but not quite trustworthy, Kennedy struck me the wrong way; Johnson came off as a smiling gross pig. Thus, I concluded that adults would use common sense and vote Republican.

Nixon won by a very narrow lead, so we thought; within 24 hours, Chicago Mayor Richard Daly’s Cook County machine swung the victory to Kennedy.

On November 22, 1963, aboard Air Force One, Johnson was sworn in as president with grief-stricken widow Jackie Kennedy at his side and he exuded the finest nobility and serious demeanor in his photo. I now trusted him.

Buildings of books, magazines and other documents chronicle Johnson’s legacy. He did sincerely wage war on poverty with his Great Society and shepherded the 1965 Civil Rights Bill.

Johnson also escalated and prolonged the horribly bloody Vietnam War , a conflict that still divides people very sadly (I am personally pleading the Fifth on whether it was worth it).

A very worthy reading experience is The Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson by Princeton professor and historian Eric Goldman (1916-1989) who served from 1963 to 1966 as a special advisor to the president.

At first their working relationship was congenial, although Goldman was never part of the inner circle. Only later when the controversies increasingly swirling around Johnson and a lack of understanding by Goldman as to what was expected of him ended his work at the White House. The book was published in 1969.

Also worth dipping into is the multi-volume, still unfinished biography of Johnson by Robert Caro.