BRIGHT: Emily Poulin, of South China, snapped this bright sunflower recently.
LOOKING BACK: Jayne Winters, of South China, photographed this grosbeak as it seems to be looking over its shoulder.
SALUTE: Virginia Jones, of Palermo, captured this American flag waving in the morning fog.
by Peter Cates
George Szell
Bizet’s opera Carmen was considered one worthy of meticulous study for aspiring conductors by the perfectionist Maestro George Szell (1897-1970) who held dictatorial Music Directorship of the Cleveland Orchestra from 1946 until his death from bone cancer.
I own a shelf of different sets of Carmen as sung by such grand prima donnas as Rise Stevens, Maria Callas, Marilyn Horne, Tatiana Troyanos and Angela Gheorghiu, etc. When Miss Horne did Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera, her co-star James McCracken as Don Jose wanted to use a real dagger instead of a rubber one for authenticity and was the kind of singer/actor who’d become totally consumed in the character.
She stated that no way in H___ was she getting on stage with him.
Another set for recent listening is an early ‘60s London Records album of three LPs and a libretto conducted by the late Thomas Schippers with Geneva’s Suisse Romande Orchestra, soprano Regina Resnik in the title role, tenor Mario del Monaco as Don Jose, soprano Joan Sutherland as Micaela and baritone Tom Krause as the bullfighter Escamillo, his own Toreador Song frequently used in TV commercials. It is a very good recording.
The arguably most famous Aria is Carmen’s own Habanera, which soprano Emma Calve (1858-1935) recorded on an acoustic 12-inch one-sided Victor Red Seal shellac and one well worth hearing via YouTube, despite the primitive fidelity of 120 years ago because of Calve’s own hypnotically sultry delivery and beautiful voice. Resnik was similarly splendid, as was Rise Stevens, Callas, Horne, Troyanos and others previously mentioned.
In the story, Carmen is employed in a Spanish cigar factory and deliberately attracts a number of men with her flirtatious ways, two of them being Don Jose with his own deadly posessive jealousy and Escamillo. Meanwhile, a wonderfully loyal girlfriend of Don Jose from back home, Micaela, arrives to plead with Don Jose to renew their commitment but he is too idiotically smitten with Carmen. Two exquisite Arias in the opera are sung by Micaela.
A popular one from Don Jose is the Flower Song.
An addendum – because of George Szell’s sarcastic personality, he was often referred to as his own worst enemy, to which former Met Opera manager Rudolf Bing retorted, “Not while I’m alive.”
While on the subject of Szell, he recorded Gustav Mahler’s 4th Symphony in 1964 with the Cleveland Orchestra . I have worn out a few copies of the record since purchasing the first one during the summer of 1966. It is a record I have played for several friends over the decades who were not fans of classical music previously. The experience had them changing their minds.
The Symphony is that beautiful and has been recorded with distinction a number of times but Szell, who was very selective with Mahler’s music had a high regard for the 4th Symphony and gave of himself totally to realizing every expressive detail. The 4th Symphony movement is sung by a soprano and ends on a quiet heavenly note. Szell had the phenomenal Judith Raskin as his soloist. It can also be heard via YouTube.
by Norma Best Boucher“Shhh! Can you keep a secret?”
I look first to my left and then to my right.
“Well, can you?”
Here goes. I read other people’s mail.
That’s right. I read other people’s mail.
Okay, before you get all bent out of shape, I don’t steal and steam open envelopes as snoopy neighbors do in the old-time movies. I read published books of famous writers’ letters edited by biographers and relatives.
These letters are very personal, and the authors most likely never expected their personal thoughts to be revealed to the world. That is probably why most of these publications appear after the death of the famous people.
I first got hooked on reading famous authors’ mail when a friend of mine gave me a book called “The Letters of Ernest Hemingway 1907—1922.” This Volume One of letters begins with his short letters with misspellings to his Papa when Hemingway was eight years old to his letters upon his arrival in Paris when he was age 23.
I had decided to read just a few letters each day, but as this young man experienced life and matured into the man who became the famous Ernest Hemingway, I just read right through to the end. Footnotes by the editor fill in the information educating the reader as to whom the letters are addressed and the relationships between them and Hemingway.
Knowing the ultimate famous life and death of Hemingway allows the letter reader to recognize the “dramatic foreshadowing” of Hemingway’s experiences.
Recently, I have been reading the letters of the author John le Carre’ (real name David Cornwell) “A Private Spy,” edited by his son Tim Cornwell.
Whether someone enjoys the le Carre’ books, which are mostly about spies and espionage, is entirely irrelevant. These letters show the real thoughts and emotions of this man with his wives, his lovers, his family, his friends, his enemies and with the other famous writers and actors who are involved in his many successes and failures.
Again, knowing about this author’s books and his death lets me enjoy reading the letter writer’s intimate thoughts.
I am only 300 pages into this 600 plus page tome, and I haven’t even gotten into his own life as an MI5 and MI6 British spy. Call me crazy, but this is a page turner for me.
I think I know why I enjoy reading letters. I was a letter writer in the day of letter writing. When I was of upper elementary and junior high school age, I had pen pals. I had a subscription to a magazine called “American Girl.” This magazine was not affiliated with the modern “American Girl” magazine and dolls.
Girls wrote short letters to the editor, and other girls could respond and become pen pals. I got a couple of pen pals that way, but the pen pal I remember most was a missionary’s daughter. We corresponded for a couple of years. She was a British girl who lived in India.
Back then mail to and from different countries took a very long time, so there weren’t that many letters exchanged. We wrote mostly about school and after school activities. Still, it was a thrill to receive a letter from India. I wonder what the postman thought when he saw those foreign air mail stamps?
My favorite pen pal was a girl who went to summer camp with me. Our letters were not really very interesting, but we wrote backwards and had to put the letters up to a mirror in order to read them. We wrote every week just because of the novelty of writing backwards.
One of my girlfriends was a pen pal to Annette Funicello, one of Disney’s first Mouseketeers. I wanted to be a pen pal with Annette, also, but I figured Annette wouldn’t want to be a pen pal to two people living in Waterville, Maine, so I didn’t try.
I understand now that those letters were probably fan letters sent to all, and I could have been another pen pal after all.
Of course, with letter writing, one had to have the prettiest stationery with matching envelopes. For 25 cents I bought a note pad or a box of uniquely designed writing paper. I also received stationery for birthdays and Christmases and even bought some out of my allowance, which was 50 cents per week.
Then there were the sealing wax sticks in multiple color choices. I melted the wax on the “V” of the envelope closure and pushed down a sealing wax seal stamp to ensure that no one but the intended recipient would read the letter.
I had different designs of stamps, but my favorite was my initial “N.” Somehow this stamp made the letter more personal AND mysterious, at least to my young mind.
I am sure that the authors whose published books of letters I read now did not use pretty stationery and sealing wax stamps.
I am also very sure that no one has saved any of my letters to be published in a 600-page tome after my death for all to read.
In 1965 during the first week in my first college journalism class, the professor told us never to write anything down on paper for anyone to read that we did not want to haunt us later in life.
I believed him.
He also told us in that class that in the future we would be reading our newspapers not on paper but through the use of a machine.
I DID NOT believe that.
Yet, look at me now – I read The Town Line newspaper on my home computer.
An innovative procedure can help people with back pain get back to feeling better.
(NAPSI)—For more than half of her life, 43-year-old Megan Bettor dealt with bouts of excruciating low back pain. She doesn’t remember a specific accident or injury that caused the initial pain – all she knows is that it was a constant part of her life.
Megan knew something had to change and began exploring surgical options, including a disc replacement, an invasive and expensive treatment that may or may not address her pain. That’s when she met Ramana Naidu, M.D., director of pain management, MarinHealth Medical Center and interventional pain physician and anesthesiologist.
This type of pain is a relatively new discovery and caused by vertebral endplates that get damaged due to age, wear, tear and everyday living. While approximately 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with vertebrogenic pain, this condition did not have an official diagnosis until recently, let alone a treatment.
Dr. Naidu thought Megan would be an ideal candidate for a procedure utilizing Boston Scientific’s Intracept™ Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System, which provides a minimally invasive, same-day treatment specifically designed to address vertebrogenic pain.
The Intracept system targets a specific nerve in the lower back – the basivertebral nerve or BVN – that transmits pain signals from the damaged vertebral endplates to the brain. The Intracept system uses a radiofrequency probe to heat the BVN and prevent it from sending these signals. The procedure is proven to be safe and effective, with patients reporting significant pain and functional improvements at five years after a single treatment.
“Historically, the disc was presumed to be the source of most chronic low back pain, but recent research demonstrates that the vertebral endplates play a significant role in causing pain,” said Ray Baker, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer, Neuromodulation, Boston Scientific. “By targeting the BVN, patients can achieve durable relief through a minimally invasive procedure.”
After receiving insurance approval, Megan underwent her procedure with the Intracept system in November 2023. Her pain relief was immediate and, as time went on, Megan ramped up her physical activities without the accompanying low back pain.
If you have suffered from chronic low back pain for at least six months and find it gets worse with physical activity, you may have vertebrogenic pain.
Physicians across the U.S. are trained to make this specific diagnosis and to determine if treating your low back pain with the Intracept system may be an option for you. You can also use the Intracept Physician Finder to locate a physician near you to make an appointment and learn more about this diagnosis and proven treatment.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
by Melinda MyersNo matter where you garden there never seems to be enough time to grow and enjoy all your favorite vegetables. Start preparing now to extend your growing season and continue enjoying garden fresh vegetables even after the first frost.
Some vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts tolerate frost and even taste better after a slight chill. Most of these can tolerate temperatures as low as 24 to 28 ˚F.
Leeks are another vegetable that thrives in cooler temperature. Many tolerate temperatures as low as 20˚ F. Just mound some protective mulch around the plants and continue harvesting.
Take advantage of the chilly winter temperatures to store some of your carrots, turnips and parsnips in the ground for winter. Just cover the soil with straw or evergreen boughs after it lightly freezes. Dig as needed or during a winter thaw. You will enjoy their wonderfully sweet flavor.
Floating row covers protect plants from frost while allowing light, air and water through. (photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com)
Those first few fall frosts are often followed by a week or more of mild temperatures. Protecting frost sensitive plants from the first few fall frosts is one way of extending your season. Cover the plants with old bed sheets, mattress pads, or similar items in late afternoon and remove them as soon as the temperatures climb above freezing. Keep these handy and be ready to cover whenever frost is in the forecast.
Make it easier by using floating row covers. The spun material allows air, light and water through while protecting the plants from frost. You will find different weights of row covers that provide different levels of temperature protection. Just loosely cover the plants and anchor the edges with stones, boards or garden pins. You only need to remove the fabric to harvest ripe vegetables. Otherwise, it can stay in place until the vegetables stop producing or you decide it is time to end the season.
Create a high tunnel over garden beds filled with large plants. Use hoops and row cover to allow easy access for harvesting while protecting the plants.
Cloches have long been used to jump start the season or extend it beyond the first fall frost. You’ll find a variety of shapes and sizes available. Select one large enough to cover your plants and protect them as needed. Look for those with vents to prevent plants from overheating and those that allow water through while trapping in the heat.
Don’t let unripe tomatoes go to waste if you are unable or unwilling to protect them from frost. Harvest any that are starting to show color before the killing frost and finish ripening them indoors. The bottom of the tomato should be greenish white or starting to color up. Store your green tomatoes in a cool (60 to 65 degrees) location to extend their storage life.
Spread out the tomatoes on heavy paper or wrap them individually in newspaper so the fruit do not touch each other. They’ll ripen over the next few weeks. Speed up the process by moving a few tomatoes to a warm bright location a few days before they’re needed. Enjoy green tomatoes fried, in relish, salsa, pies or many other ways.
And when your season ends, begin planning for next year. Enlist some of these strategies to jump start the season for an earlier harvest.
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
by Roland D. HalleeRecently, at camp, a friend showed me photos of a mushroom – an unusual mushroom – she had seen on the grounds. The mushroom had a blue hue and was seen in a wet area. So, it was research time.
It turns out to be an Indigo milk cap, Lactarius indigo, a type of wild mushrooms that are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. They typically grow in deciduous or mixed forests, and are often found in association with hardwood trees such as oak, beech, and maple.
Indigo Milk Cap is a widespread but uncommon, distinctively colored mushroom. In the summer and fall it can be found on the ground alone, scattered, or in groups, in oak and pine woodlands. It grows on the roots of hardwoods, including oak, ironwood, and blue beech; and pines.
These mushrooms look out of place in nature. Sure, mushrooms come in all kinds of different colors, but blue mushrooms are pretty rare.
Indigo milk cap mushrooms are a beautiful and intriguing species of fungi that grow in temperate forests around the world. While they are widely admired for their striking blue color and unique flavor, many people are unsure if they are safe to eat. In this article, we will explore the question, “are indigo milk cap mushrooms edible?”
First, it is important to note that not all mushrooms are safe to eat. Some species contain toxins that can cause serious illness or even death. It is therefore essential to correctly identify any mushroom before consuming it. Indigo milk cap mushrooms are generally considered safe to eat, but there are some important factors to consider.
One of the main concerns when it comes to eating indigo milk cap mushrooms is their latex, a milky substance that is exuded from the mushroom when it is cut or damaged. The latex of some Lactarius species can cause a burning sensation in the mouth or throat, while others can cause gastrointestinal distress. However, the latex of indigo milk cap mushrooms is generally considered non-toxic and is not known to cause any adverse effects.
Another factor to consider is the age and condition of the mushroom. Young, fresh mushrooms are generally safer to eat than older, more mature specimens. Look for mushrooms that are firm and have a fresh, fruity smell. Mushrooms that are slimy, discolored, or have a foul odor should be avoided.
It is also important to cook indigo milk cap mushrooms thoroughly before consuming them. Like many other mushrooms, they contain chitin, a tough, indigestible substance that can only be broken down by cooking. Raw or undercooked mushrooms can cause digestive upset or even be toxic.
When cooking indigo milk cap mushrooms, it is recommended to sauté or roast them to bring out their unique flavor. They pair well with garlic, butter, and herbs like thyme and rosemary. Some people also enjoy using them in soups and stews.
While indigo milk cap mushrooms are generally considered safe to eat, it is important to take precautions to ensure their safety. Here I will repeat what was written above. Make sure to correctly identify the mushroom, choose young and fresh specimens, and cook them thoroughly before consuming. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the unique flavor and beauty of indigo milk cap mushrooms while staying safe and healthy.
When sliced with a knife, the mushroom stains an even darker blue. They’re truly one of the most interesting mushrooms I’ve ever seen, let alone eaten.
As an aside (and it’s funny I even have to say this) cooking or visually enjoying these mushrooms will be the only thing you do with them.
Just because a mushroom is blue, doesn’t mean it’s magic (hallucinogenic). The only trip you’ll be taking is probably to the grocery store to get some garlic and parsley.
The amount of truly blue foods in the world is pretty slim, and these have to rank among the most interesting.
Long story short, the key to finding indigo milkcaps is timing. These mushrooms need a lot of rain to produce a decent fruiting, so after you’ve found a place where one or have been spotted, make sure to go there after a good rainfall, and you might get lucky. Milkcap mushrooms love the same habitat.
When harvesting, the most important thing to look for is the stem. More often than not, milkcaps will probably have been visited by bugs before you get to them. This may mean you cut off and discard the stems, or you may just have to pass on them. Timing is tricky, and a day or two can be the difference between mushrooms for a meal and compost.
The color and shape of these mushrooms is really distinctive – -there really aren’t any other blue mushrooms that you could easily confuse with them. That being said, certain types of dangerous mushrooms can have slightly similar colors, but mostly they’re purple-ish-not nearly the same striking blue as indigo milkcaps.
The indigo can be cooked like any other mushroom, and you can substitute them just about anywhere mushrooms would be welcome. These are relatively clean since they grow in coniferous forests, but you’ll want to check for the occasional pine needle.
The big problem here is that bugs like these guys, and more than likely what you find may be past prime. You could make some stock out of the buggy ones, or dry them, but there’s many other nice mushrooms out there.
If you really want to eat these, make sure they are the right mushroom, and you can find recipes online.
As for me, I will stick with the ones you buy in the supermarket. You can’t make a mistake with those.
Catcher Doug Mirabelli formed a famous tandem with which Red Sox pitcher?
Veterans Administration facility at Togus. (Internet photo)
by Gary KennedyThere are approximately 18.5 million veterans and only six percent have received V.A. Disability benefits. There are millions of benefits waiting to be spoken for. Every week that I write this column I should be heading for a conclusion but suredly such is not the case. Just this week I met three veterans who didn’t know the true story behind the existence of the Veterans Administration.
Togus VA is the first Veterans Center. Originally, the facility was used as a summer resort called Togus Springs. Togus Springs was established in 1859 by Horace Beals, a very wealthy granite merchant from Rockland, Maine. The name Togus comes from the Native American word “Worromontogus”, which means “Mineral Water”. I believe this time forward would place us at the very beginning of the Civil War. So, long story short, since Togus still exists, it is the oldest as well. I have watched it’s evolution for more than 55 years. The little pond of water by the hospitality house has been a special place. Once upon a time it was larger and was believed to have healing powers. It seems to me that would be an appropriate place for a healing center; and for the most part it is. Occasionally, it loses it’s way but always seems to find a way to return to it’s positive self.
Once known as Chases Acres with 1,000 acres, it was divided into half thus leaving approximately 500 acres. This in my opinion is plenty of growth room. It also has a couple of cemeteries with lots of history. Wild life abounds in this place and thrives. Occasionally, the areas wildlife has to be reduced because of over populations. However, I own some property within the confines of the original property and my wife and I enjoy it very much. We have many animal friends who know when they are not in danger. For us Togus is not only a Medical Center but a refuge for the veteran who needs aid and attendance.
Many lives have begun anew in the past 160 years. We were the first to accept women veterans. Senator Olympia Snowe was a champion in later years in this area. Many great people have walked through these gates. There is an unbelievable history in this one little area. The Winthrop library has some great literature for all of a curious heart.
If you served in the military and have some medical issues there is a very good chance that your service to your country had something to do with it, in one way or another. Many veterans that I have met with have decided they don’t qualify for help for many reasons. Some say, yes, I did this in the military but I didn’t report it or didn’t make an issue of it. They forget the big picture. When you took that physical and signed on the dotted line you entered into a two party contract. The contract basically implied that you would serve your country however needed and your country would be there for you and yours when needed. That contract extended to your family as well. Medically speaking, little things can become big things. All you need to do is remember the promise you make each other.
You can apply online, by mail, in person or by seeking out a Veterans Service Officer, (VSO). Online: apply at v.a.gov, by mail: download and complete VA form 21-526EZ and mail it to the Department of Veterans Affairs; in person: visit V.A. and seek out a (V.S.O.), Veterans Service Officer. The benefits you could likely be eligible for are Disability Compensation, Health Benefits or even a pension. If you were injured in anyway in the military you most likely have something going for you. You just need to know how to pursue it. That is why it is important to seek out a V.S.O. for advice. Don’t be afraid to do that. That is why they are there. Most of these folks are veterans themselves. Also, it’s their career and that is a paid position for them and a right to service for you. No harm will come to you and perhaps you will become pleasantly surprised at the result. Remember that contract you signed with the U.S.A.. I think you will find they are as honorable as you have been.
Thank you for your service is spoken thousands of times daily by those that genuinely appreciate you for the contribution you gave your country. The V.A.’s door is open 24 hours a day to it’s members in need. As of last September there were an estimated 17.9 million veterans in the USA. As of one year ago there were 5.27 million veterans with a service connected disability. This figures include physical and emotional disability conditions. Call 623-8411. someone is always there to answer your call. Stay safe brothers and sisters. God bless and keep you safe.
Don’t take your eyes for granted. Take these easy steps to keep your peepers healthy.
Good eye health starts with the food on your plate. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. To get them, fill your plate with: Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards, salmon, tuna, and other oily fish, eggs, nuts, beans, and other nonmeat protein sources, oranges and other citrus fruits or juices, oysters and pork. A well-balanced diet also helps you stay at a healthy weight. That lowers your odds of obesity and related diseases like type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
It makes you more likely to get cataracts, damage to your optic nerve, and macular degeneration, among many other medical problems. If you’ve tried to kick the habit before only to start again, keep at it. The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed. Ask your doctor for help.
The right pair of shades will help protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare while you drive, but don’t necessarily offer added protection. If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It’s still a good idea to wear sunglasses for an extra layer.
Staring at a computer or phone screen for too long can cause: eye strain, blurry vision, trouble focusing at a distance, dry eyes, headaches, neck, back, and shoulder pain,
Make sure your glasses or contacts prescription is up to date and good for looking at a computer screen.
If your eye strain won’t go away, talk to your doctor about computer glasses.
Move the screen so your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. That lets you look slightly down at the screen.
Try to avoid glare from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.
Choose a comfortable, supportive chair. Position it so that your feet are flat on the floor.
If your eyes are dry, blink more or try using artificial tears.
Rest your eyes every 20 minutes. Look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Get up at least every two hours and take a 15-minute break.
Everyone needs a regular eye exam, even young children. It helps protect your sight and lets you see your best.
Eye exams can also find diseases, like glaucoma, that have no symptoms. It’s important to spot them early on, when they’re easier to treat.
Depending on your eye health needs, you can see one of two types of doctors:
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care. They can provide general eye care, treat eye diseases, and perform eye surgery.
Optometrists have had 4 years of specialized training after college. They provide general eye care and can diagnose and treat most eye diseases. They don’t do eye surgery.
A comprehensive eye exam might include:
CHINA SUNSET: Susan Thiem, summer visitor to China Lake, from Corpus Christi, Texas, captured this sunset over China Lake.
RAINBOW OF ‘SHROOMS”: Emily Poulin, of China, photographed these multi-colored mushrooms.
SMILE, YOU’RE ON CAMERA: Gary Mazoki, of Palermo, snapped this red fox being vigilant while passing through.
by Peter Cates
Clark Gable
Clark Gable (1901-1960) might not have achieved the same level of greatness as, for example, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Rod Steiger, George C. Scott and, among the living, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branaugh, when it came to getting inside the skin of a range of different characters; but he had an on-screen charisma in his portrayal of the same charming, arrogant character in every film I ever saw of his.
They include Call of the Wild with Loretta Young, Soldier of Fortune with Susan Hayward, Teacher’s Pet with Doris Day, Command Decision with Van Johnson and last, but far from least, Gone with the Wind with Sir Lawrence Olivier’s then-wife Vivian Leigh; I had my first viewing of it at the long gone Winslow Drive-In during the summer of 1961.
His first appearance in the now legendary role of Rhett Butler is at the foot of the long staircase at the Tara plantation. He’s staring up at Vivian’s Scarlet O’Hara and this first eye contact sows some very turbulent seeds of ballistic romance.
One critic referred to Gable’s presence as brutally masculine. He was a man among men and hunted and fished. Yet he was also a voracious reader, had a huge library of books and absolutely did not want his men friends knowing about this hobby.
Gable was married five times, including a much publicized second one to actress Carole Lombard, who perished in a 1942 plane crash in Nevada.
He died in November 1960, at the age of 59, after suffering two heart attacks over a ten-day period. His widow was pregnant with his only biological son John Clark Gable, born four months later. Gable also fathered a daughter in 1935 during a brief affair with actress Loretta Young while filming Call of the Wild.
William F. Buckley Jr.
A 1988 biography, William F. Buckley Jr. Patron Saint of the Conservatives, by John B. Judis, proved a fascinating book to browse in. Buckley (1925-2008) brought a wit and intellectual brilliance to conservative thinking via the weekly magazine he founded in 1955, National Review, and his television show Firing Line. His nice guy debating skills both thrilled and terrified those on the other side of a given issue.
In 1965, Buckley ran as an independent in a three-way race against Democrat contender Abe Beame and Republican winner John Lindsay. Buckley wrote the following sardonic quote about Lindsay:
“For some people, politics is the ultimate concern. Of them, it can be said that they are serious about politics, in the sense in which Mr. John Lindsay is serious about politics. He is as serious about politics as, for instance, a flagpole-sitter is serious about flagpoles. Politics sustains Mr. Lindsay, even as the flagpole sustains the flagpole-sitter. Others care less for politics than for the end of politics. We climb flagpoles, but only in order to look at the horizon.”
Alma Gluck
A 12-inch acoustic shellac disc (Victrola Red Seal 88434) from 1914 features soprano Alma Gluck (1884-1938) in a collaboration with her husband, violinist Efrem Zimbalist (1889-1985), and pianist Eugene Lutsky performing Braga’s Angel’s Serenade, a frequently recorded concert piece during the World War I years. Gluck had one of the most beautiful voices of that era and sang a wide range of music including opera, hymns and folk songs.
They were the parents of actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and the grandparents of actress Stephanie Zimbalist.
This very fine record can be heard via YouTube.
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