Weaving solid gold Turk’s Head jewelry dawned on me when I saw my son’s nylon string bracelet of the same design. Perfecting the idea, including drawingourownwiretothenecessaryspecifications,wasalongandinvolvedprocess,andbecameasuccessonlyafteraperiodofrefinement.This veryolddesigndatesbacktoillustrationsbyLeonardodaVinci,andIhavefoundcarvingsinmanyforms,includingwood,ivoryandstone,butto thebestofmyknowledge,wewere,thefirsttoachievethisapparentendlessweaveinsolidgold.Alljewelryisindividuallywoven,thereforenotwo
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Toplaceyourorderortorequestacatalogue,please.call(800)341-0788orwriteto:A.G.A.Correa,POBox401-DE,Wiscasset,Maine,04578 Office and Telephone Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM (Mastercard, VISA, American Express) Showroom: 3240 Cross Point Road, Edgecomb, Maine
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Newsstand Cover Date: December 1994, pub¬ lished November 1994. Vol. 9. No. 9. copyright 1994. Portland Magazine is mailed at third-class mail rates in Portland. ME 04101 (ISSN: 08875340). Opinions expressed in articles are those of authors and do not represent editorial portions of Portland Magazine. Responsible only for that portion of any advertisement which is printed incorrectly, and as compensation we will run a correction in the following issue. Nothing in this issue may be reprinted in whole or in part with¬ out written permission from the publishers. Sub¬ missions welcome, but we take no respon¬ sibility for unsolicited materials.
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Justaquicknotetotellyouhow much I enjoyed the September 1994issueof PortlandMagazine*.
Gwen Thompson’s article on Ann S. Stephens was a prognos¬ ticationforthewildlypopular StephenKing.Acenturyfromnow hewillbeaforgotten,passingfan¬ cy.He,likeStephens,shouldenjoy thegloryofthepresent.
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“T^RED THOMPSON pauses onthestairsfourflights
HupintheCongressSquare buildingthathouseshis _l_l_televisionstation,WCSHTV,andhegesturesoutthewin¬ dow, his finger pointing down CongressStreetatPortland’shis¬ toryandhisown.
Barelyvisibleoppositethefor¬ merPorteous,Mitchell&Braun buildingisanotherbuilding,“built byJ.B.BrownCo.fortheRines Brothers, the Rines Brothers store,intheearly1880s,”Thomp¬ sonsays,stillpointing.“Andone oftheRinesbrothers,mygreat¬ grandfather, J. Henry Rines, movedupthestreetandbuiltthat hotel,theCongressSquareHotel, whichiswherewegotourcalllet¬ ters,WCSH.Hisson,mygrandfa¬ ther,builttheEastland,whichis overhere.”Thompsonisgestur¬ ingdowntohisleft,towardwhat istodaytheSonestaHotel.“Atone time,ourfamilyownedthatwhole block.Wewerethehighestpaying taxpayersinthecity.”
“Sowe’vebeendoingbusinessin CongressSquarefor”—hepauses to recall the number — “110 years.”
Andforallormostofthem,the Rineses have been socially and economically prominent. Before herdeathtwoyearsago,thelate Mary Rines Thompson, Thomp¬ son’smother,hadachievedamea¬ sureoffameforcharitablework duringthedecadeandahalfthat sheheldthereinsoftheMaine Broadcasting Co., which owns WCSH-TV.
that’s how Scarborough got a motelcomplexonRoute1authen¬ ticallymodeledafteraDanishvil¬ lage.OldHenryP.,Thompsonre¬ marks,hadbeengivingconsider¬ ablethoughtto“theonsetofthe automobile,andhesawthatMaine wouldbeinundatedwithtourists. ThiswasrightafterWorldWar1, andallAmericawasfeelingitsoats. Sohebuiltavillagethatpeople coulddriveto.Youcoulddrive righttoyourdoor.”
ButThompsonisgettingaheadof himself.Inthebeginningtherehad beenfourbrothersgrowingupona farminAthens,Maine,thesonsof “enterprising Yankee farmers,” Thompsonsaysasheleansacross a coffee table in his Congress Squareoffice,“andtheyallwenton tobecomeentrepreneurs.”Three ofthebrotherswentintothehard¬ ware and dry goods businesses. The fourth, Thompson’s great¬ grandfather, went to Massachu¬ setts and got a job as an in¬ ternationalsalesmanforasilver-
smithingcompany.“Herewasthis kidfromAthens,Maine,traveling toRome,Moscow,Glasgow,allov¬ erEurope,stayinginallthebest hotels.”Hisbrothers,meanwhile, had two stores on Middle Streetbythemid-1870s.J.Henry Rines, kept in close touch, though,writingfrequentlettersto hisbrothers,andtheyalldecided to go into business together, launching the Rines Brothers departmentstoreintheCongress Streetbuildingbuiltjustforthem.
J.Henryoftenthoughtabout thosefancyhotelsofEur¬ ope,andeventuallydecided toexpandthefamilybusi¬ nessbybuildingafirst-class hotelrightinPortland.In1894he boughtastandinghotel,toreit down,anderectedtheCongress SquareHotelinitsplace.Happen¬ stanceledthefamily’snextgener¬ ationintobroadcasting.J.Henry’s son,HenryP.,grownupandpres¬ identoftheCongressSquareHot¬ el Co., met a young engineer namedBillFosswhohadtheidea ofbuildingaradiostation.Accord¬ ingtofamilystories,Fosshad knocked on the door of nearly everybusinessonCongressStreet beforereachingHenryP.’soffice. “Ithinkradio’sreallygoingtobe
“Ofcourse,everythingwaslive back then. There was no such thingasrecordingtape.TheCape ElizabethEngineCompanyNo.2 Marching Band would come in and perform every Saturday night.”Later,Portlandlisteners tunedintohearactressLinda Lavin’smother,LucillePotter, singwithan11-manband,Dick LewisandHisSleepChasers.Still, Thompson’sgrandfathercouldn’t decide whether he was in the radiobusinessorthehotelbusi¬ ness.HebuiltahotelinManches¬ ter, New Hampshire, and later launchedaradiostationthere. Eventually,radiowon.HenryP. startednegotiatingtobuyaradio
license in Bangor and making planstoopenanotherradiosta¬ tion,inAugusta.“Hehadthis dreamofanorthernNewEngland newsnetwork,"Thompsonsays. utnotlongaftercom¬ pletingtheDanishvil¬ lagemotel,duringthe heightoftheGreatDe¬ pression — weathered inpartbysellingoffhotelrooms ascondominiums—HenryP.con¬ tracted cancer, which quickly provedfatal.Hewasinhismid50s, and Thompson speculates aboutwhathisgrandfathermight haveachievedwithalittlemore life.“Hehadrealvision,realpan¬ ache,andhewasonaroll...”The thoughthangsintheether,and Thompsonletsitend.
HenryP.’ssuddendeaththrust Thompson’s grandmother unex¬ pectedlyintothefamilybusiness¬ es. “She was the epitome of a Victorianlady—sheboughtinto everythingVictoriansocietyhad to offer — and she became the firstwomanattorneyinCumber¬ landCounty,althoughshenever practicedlaw.Sheraisedtwochil¬ dreninstead,andwhenmygrand¬ fatherdied,shebecamethehead ofthebusinesseshehadcreated, andraneverythingforthenext40
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“Youmeanthemomentit opened,thenewRE/MAX By The Baywasalreadywait¬ listedwiththearea’sbestreal estatebrokershopingtoaffiliate withit?Theyhavethatmuch talentintherealready?”
Oneofherchildrenwas Thompson’suncle,Wil¬ liamHenryRines,who eventuallywentinto thefamilybroadcast¬ ing business — television was addedin1953—andwhoeventu¬ allyfulfilledhisfather’sdreamof anorthernNewEnglandnetwork bypurchasingtheBangorstation in1958.Beginningasstationman¬ agerinPortland,UncleWilliam eventuallybecamepresidentof what was renamed the Maine BroadcastingSystem,aposthe helduntilhisdeathin1970.
Theotherofherchildrenwas Mary Rines Thompson, who re¬ placedherbrotheraspresident andeventuallybecamechairman oftheboarduntilherretirement in1983.Now,thefamilyreinsare inFred’shands.Heholdsthem firmly,evenabitgingerly,per¬ haps,butmorethananythingelse, he holds them appreciatively, knowingthedepthofhistorythat hasprecededhim.Inadisplay caseheshowsavisitorsomeof broadcasting’sheirlooms:theon¬ lysetofNBCchimesstillinexis¬ tence,acopyofWCSH’sfirstradio license,signedbySecretaryof CommerceHerbertHooveronOc¬ tober25,1925.Andinfrontofhis desk,another:anancienttelevi¬ sioncamera,oneofthefirstever made,abigboxythingfullof ancientelectronics,asakinto modernbroadcastingasamanual typewriteristonewspapering.
”T] 'I red Thompson has no ideawhattodowiththe
Hcamera—it’stakingupa lot of space — but he knowsonethingforsure: He’sneverplanningtopartwithit. LikeJ.HenryandHenryP.,likethe EastlandandtheCongressSquare Hotel,theoldcameraispartof family history. ■
Thenewlyavailablecomputerizedportfolioreviews offered by some securities firms can analyze investmentsformanydifferentfactors,butthemost importantthingtheyaccomplishistolettheinvestor knowwhethertheactualstrategyindicatedbythe portfolioreflectsthepreferredstrategyoftheinvestor.
For example, an investor may own ten different stocksofhighqualitycompaniesbutnotrealizethatall ofthemaresensitivetointerestratefluctuations.Ina
Aprofessionalportfolioreviewstartsaninvestoron the path to m anaging his or her investments by decidingonageneralstrategy,thenimplementingit withparticularactions.loooftenthereversecourseis followedandtheresultischaotic.
Reviewing one’s portfolio also provides the opportunitytoadjustholdingstoreflectlong-term objectives such as maximizing income, growing a futureretirementnesteggorplanningforchildren’s educationexpenses.
Quality-Howistheportfoliodividedamongquality levels? Too many low quality issues may reflect unacceptablerisk.Toomanyhighqualityissuesmay reflectunacceptablecost.
Capitalization-Ona“piechart.”percentagesof holdingsmaybeidentifiedaslarge-capitalization companies,mid-capitalizationcompaniesandsmall¬ capitalization companies. Many investors believe diversificationamongcapitalizationclassesishealthy forlong-termgrowth.
k I | i alk about having a good ' I day! Sixty years ago, at the I 1934 Four-Corner Indoor I Track Meet held between IThornton Academy, Port¬ land,Deering,andSouthPortland highschoolsintheoldPortlandExpo building,17-year-oldDeeringHigh Schoolsenior John Casavola seta recordineveryraceheran.What’s more,his5.8secondtimeforthe45yardlowhurdlesremainedunbeaten for29years,histimeof36.0seconds for the 300-yard dash was unsur¬ passedfor31years, andhis4.6sec¬ ondrecordforthe40-yarddashstill holdstothisday, thougheasilyover 100,000highschool,middleschool,
mandcollegiateinvitation¬ altrackathletessince havetriedonseparate occasions to best it. Nowretiredaftercoach¬ ingtrackforeighteen yearsatDeeringHigh, Casavola,whostilloffici-
atesatover100indoorandoutdoor trackandcross-countrymeetsper year,insiststhatheonlyrantrack then in order to become a better footballplayer.“Mostpeopleforget that1playedfootball,becausemy trackrecordsstoodforsolong,”he explains.
Infact,whenCasavolafirstattend¬ edDeering,theathleticdirectorre¬ fusedeventoissueafootballuniform tothe5’4",125-poundhopefuluntil thefootballteam’scaptain—who hadseenCasavolaplayingforfunin pick-up games on Saturdays (“We didn’thaveanyhelmetsorpadding in those days,” Casavola reminds me) — interceded on his behalf,
enablingCasavolatojointheteam, overcomehissmallsize,andeventu¬ allybecomeanall-statefootballplay¬ er.Typicallytakingeverythingin stride,Casavolaholdsnohardfeel¬ ingsabouttheincident:“Iagreewith him [the athletic director] even now,”headmits.“I’dprobablylook
ata95-poundkidandsay,‘You’dbet¬ terbemanager.’”
However,despitehisavowedpref¬ erenceforfootball,afterhighschool Casavola continued to run for an hour every day until he tore his Achillestendon17yearsagoasa resultofinsufficientlywarmingup and was forced to switch over to swimming. “1 even kept running when1wasintheMarineCorpsin WorldWarII,”hesays.“Ifoundtime toruninthemiddleofabattleon Okinawa."
Ifyouthink4.6secondsinthe40yarddashintheExpoisn’tanamaz¬ ing feat able to hold up to the running-start,Monday-Night-Football
You might believe people livinginahotterclimate wouldbemoreinterested incoolingoffwithfrozen foodsthanpeopleresiding upnorth,andyoumightventureto surmisethaticecreammustthere¬ forehavebeeninventeddeepinthe heartofthesultrySouth.Ifyoudid, you’dbewrongonbothcounts.It’s nocoincidencethattheicecream pickingsinSouthernsupermarkets tendtobepatheticallyslim,while famousbrandsoficecreamlikeBen &Jerry’shavenorthernorigins.A 1976MaineTimesarticlebyBarbara A. Riegel credits a New England housewife named Nancy Johnson, who invented the churn-type ice creamfreezerin1846,withthebirth of modern ice cream. However, accordingtoMaineSundayTelegram writers Fred Humiston and Harold Boyle,aPortlandcandymakergot thejumponherbyatleast20years withtheinventionofthedessert itself.
DavidRobinsonwastheproprietor oftwoPortlandconfectionerystores inthe1820s,oneonExchangeStreet andtheotheronthecornerofCon¬ gressandCenterStreets.Truetohis entrepreneurialspirit,hedecided onesummertoseeifhecouldmake aneasyprofitsellingsomethinghe couldobtainatnocost,namely,ice he’d cut out of a small pond on MunjoyHill(apopularskatingspotin those days) the previous winter.
Unfortunately,theWestEndhouse¬ holdstowhichheinitiallytriedto peddle his wares were about as receptiveasifhehadtriedtosell themMassachusettslobstersorIda¬ hopotatoes.
Inastrokeofadvertisinggenius, Robinson persuaded Captain Asa Clapp,awealthyPortlandshipping merchant,toservethenoveltyata lavishpartyhewashostinginhisele¬ gantmansiononthecornerofCon¬ gressandElmStreets.Theguestof honor—andicecreamguineapig— was none other than General Lafayette,theFrenchmarquiswho hadhelpedtheUnitedStateswinthe RevolutionaryWarandwasin1825 passingthroughPortlandonhislast Americantour.Althoughsomeofthe guestswereinitiallyalittlewaryof theunfamiliarsweetbeingserved,it quicklycaughton,andthesuccessful party—aswellasthestrangenew dessert — became the talk of the townforthenextgeneration.
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ONG BEFORE the Million DollarBridgebecameinfa¬ mousforitsconstruction costs,itspredecessor,the wooden Portland Bridge, couldboastofanentirelydifferent claimtofame:In1911,inorderto promotealocalappearanceatKei¬ th’sCivicTheater(demolishedin 1965),HarryHoudinijumpedoffthe bridgeandintotheForeRiverbelow. Asusual,despitebeingbound,hand¬ cuffed,andropedintoasack,the famousescapeartistsurvivedthe stuntunscathed.
Fortunatelyforposterity,thePort¬ landCameraClubknewallaboutthe eventinadvanceandsentoutsever¬ alofitsmembersinasmallboatto photograph the momentous occa¬ sion. As spectators swarmed over thesteelsuperstructureofthebridge inordertogetagoodview,Henry Peabody,CumberlandCountyRegis-
Priortohisdeath,Garrylivedwith BaxterattheGovernor’sMansionin Augusta,hadhisowncouchprovid¬ edforhimintheExecutiveChamber oftheStateCapitol,andevenhada specialpermitgrantedhimbythe PresidentoftheMaineCentralRail¬ roadsothathedidn’thavetoridein thebaggagecarwhiletheGovernor commuted between Augusta and Portland.Otherdogsbelongingto Baxterenjoyedsimilarprivileges: beforethedaysofautomobiles,Bax¬ ter was always accompanied by at leasttwodogsonthestreetsofhis nativecityofPortland;andwhilehe was an undergraduate at Bowdoin College,Baxter’sdogDekeattended classesandChapelrightalongwith him.Baxterevenattributedsomeof terofProbateandthefirstpresident oftheClub,wasabletosnapthree shotsofHoudiniashejumpedoffthe bridge,fellthroughtheair,andeven¬ tuallyresurfacedintheriver.Arthur Peabody, Henry’s son, remembers seeing lots of wooden and brass tripodsaroundthehouseasachild, andspeculatesthatthephotogra¬ phers probably stuck the sharp pointsonthelegsofoneoftheminto thebottomoftheboatinorderto holdthecamerainplace.“Youcan seefromthephotosthatitwasa verycalmday,likeamillpond,soit probably wouldn’t have been too hardtokeepthecamerasteady,”he says.
The Western Prom. Rob Elowitch glidingaroundinkneeandelbow¬ pads.ThelightsofthePortlandJet¬ port sparkling below. Trying to understandwhatitmeans. talkingJbout thenovelbyStephenKing, nor the film version of same.We’retalkingabout GovernorPercivalProctor Baxter’s Mackworth Island burial groundforhisbelovedIrishsetters. BaxtergavetheislandtotheStateof
theStateHouseinAugustabelow¬ eredtohalf-mastwhenhisIrishset¬ terGarrydiedin1923.Inresponseto thosewhoobjectedtosuchanoffi¬ cialdisplayofmourningforamere dog,theGovernorreplied:“Myfaith¬ ful dog, unlike many of my human friends,neverbetrayed,norbelieved illofme.Inallhislifeheneverwas
hispoliticalviewstohisdogswhen herecounted,inhismemoirentitled MyIrishSetterDogs,thefirsttimehe soldhispets’progeny:“Themale puppiesbroughtmetendollars,the femalefive.Atthisdiscrimination betweenthesexesIrevolted.Per¬ hapsthiswasthebeginningofmylat¬ er desire to help the weaker sex
beenadmirablyachieved.Stepping fromthedeciduoustangleofthetrail intotheloftyranksofpineswhose branchesmeetfaroverheadinan intricatetraceryislikeenteringthe vast, yet protective space of an ancientcathedral.Treerootsranged likestepsacrossthegoldencarpetof pineneedlesleaduptothemortar¬ lessstonecirclewithinwhichBax¬ ter’s pets lie undisturbed. The unearthlyquietisbrokenonlybythe soundofthetreesdripping,andthe rainhasdarkenedthehueoftheir barktoadeep,Irishsetterred.AsI read,onabronzeplaqueaffixedtoa boulder,thenamesofGovernorBax¬ ter’slifelongfriendsandcompan¬ ions, two casually-dressed young menwalkingdogsstrollthroughthe grove. The black lab barks at me (perhapssensingthatthisplaceis dedicatedtodogsandindignantthat Ihaven’tbroughtonealong)untilhis ownerquietshimandthensuddenly exclaimstriumphantlytohishuman companion, “See, 1 knew he was a politician!”
Mostparentshavesuch high hopes for their children:agoodeduca¬ tion,asuccessfulcar¬ eer, a safe home, a lovingfamily,perhapsevenfameand fortune.Imaginehowdisappointed VincentM.andMaryHewistonSisk ofParkStreet,Portlandmusthave been,then,whentheirdaughterMil¬ dredleftOhioWesleyanUniversity withoutadegree,failedtosupport herselfasanactressinNewYork City,wanderednomadicallyaround Europe and North Africa for ten
years,andfinallysettleddownto workinGermanyasaNaziradiopro¬ pagandistduringWorldWar11!On theotherhand,ifsheinheritedher politicalviewsfromherparents,per¬ hapstheywereactuallyproudofher. Whenshewastriedfortreason,she claimedthatshehad“triedtowarn America against Communism and Judaism, to show how they were threateningandunderminingAmeri¬ ca,”andduringherradiobroadcasts shedeclared,“1loveAmerica,but1 donotloveRooseveltandallhis ‘kike’boyfriends.”
Knownontheairas“Midgeatthe Mike”anddubbed“AxisSally”bythe Americansoldierswholistenedto herbroadcasts,MildredGillars(after herparentsdivorcedin1907andher motherremarried,sheadoptedher stepfather’slastname)probablyhad amultitudeofreasonsforhertrea¬ son. For one thing, she had long soughtthespotlightwithlittlesuc¬ cess,andworkingforRadioBerlin finallyprovidedherwiththecaptive audience she desired. And after yearsofscrapingtomakeendsmeet, shewouldnothavebeenlikelyto turnuphernoseatthehighest-paid Nazibroadcastingposition.More¬ over, the Nazi radio propaganda directorwhogotherthejob—Max OttoKoischwitz—hadbeenherGer¬ manprofessoratHunterCollegein NewYork,whereGillarswasbutone of many female students to have crushesonhim.Butwhethersheact¬ ed out of love for Koischwitz or whetherhecoercedherwiththreats oftheGestapo,ashertriallawyerlat¬ ersuggested,hisdeathin1944left Gillarspatronlessandunprotected. TwoyearslaterAlliedcounter-intel¬ ligenceofficersarrestedherina bombed-outBerlincellarandsubse¬ quentlybroughtherbacktotheUnit¬ edStatesforalengthytrialduring whichshewasfoundguiltyofonly oneofthetencountsoftreason— crimespunishablebydeath—with whichshehadbeenchargedbythe U.S.government.Incredibly,after servingtwelveyearsinafederal women’spenitentiaryinWestVir¬ ginia, Gillars worked as a music teacherinaRomanCatholicconvent whileatlonglastcompletingher degreeinspeechatOhioWesleyan fifty-fiveyearsaftershefirstenrolled. AlthoughherearliercareerasaNazi discjockeyseemshorrifyinginret¬ rospect, the American G.l.s who heard her broadcasts apparently found them more amusing than demoralizingandenjoyedalltheTin PanAlleytunessheplayedonher shows.AndsinceGillarshadalready movedawayfromMainetotheMid¬ westbythetimeshewasten,Port¬ landerscanalwaysconcludethatit must have been something she encounteredinOhiothatledtoher lifeofcrime.
Thiscolorfulsceneof Portland’sskylineat dawn was published from awatercolorbyBill Jewell,withovertwothirdsofthisedition alreadysold.Pleasecall 797-0910asearlyaspossibletoensureChristmasdelivery.
rivingthroughtheneigh¬ borhoodsurroundingthe Green Memorial AME Zi¬ on Church on Sheridan Streetlateonenight,we are suddenly overwhelmed by the unmistakablyhomeysmelloffreshly bakedbread.Unfamiliarwiththis largelyresidentialarea,weareignor¬ antofthesourceofthepowerfularo¬ ma,whichgrowsmoretemptingwith eachintoxicatinginhalation.With memoriesofeatinghomemadebread inGrandma’skitchenfloodingour soulsandsettingourtastebudsafire, we are consumed by an urgent
fromtheJohnJ.Nis¬ sen Baking Company on Washington Avenue.
Howcouldthesmellofalargecom¬ mercialbakery’sproductscooking insideafactorybuildingtransport me so immediately and completely
back in time to my grandmother’s weeklybatchofbreadbakinginan old gas oven that she lit with a match? According to Diane Acker¬ man’s ANaturalHistoryoftheSenses, humanbeingsarecapableofdistin¬ guishingovertenthousanddifferent odors, and since smell memory is almostentirelylong-term,veryfew smellsareeverforgotten.Moreover, smellscanoftenbe“overwhelmingly nostalgic”becausethenerveimpuls¬ estheytriggerinthebrain’solfacto¬ rybulbaresentdirectlyintothe limbicsystem.Inthishighlyemotion¬ alpartofthebrain,powerfulmemo¬ riesandtheircorrespondingfeelings canbeinstantlyrecalledbeforethe restofthebrainhasachanceto editorinterpretthem.Thismeans thatnotonlywillyouneverforget asmell,youwillalwaysremember howyoufeltwhenyousmelledit, whetheryouwanttoornot!
Ourreactionstospecificsmellsare alsoheavilycoloredbythecultures welivein.Twentieth-centuryAmeri¬ cans regularly spend their hardearnedcashonanti-perspirantsand deodorantsdesignedtocamouflage
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Mr. Philip Nelson, General Manager Portland Stage Company
oreliminatethesmelloftheirsweat, whileElizabethanloversexchanged and inhaled each other’s “love apples” — peeled apples they had keptintheirarmpitsuntiltheywere saturated with sweat. Thus, even though my grandmother would nev¬ erdreamofputtinghighfructose cornsyrup,doughconditioners,or caramelcolorintoherbread,andJ.J. Nissen’sbreaddoesn’ttasteeven remotelylikehers,thesmellofitbak¬ ing was still enough to keep us intensely craving homemade bread (and the comfortable security of childhoodthatitsymbolized)forthe nextfortymouth-wateringminutes.
Twentieth-century Americans regularly spend their hardearned cash on anti¬ perspirants and deodorants designed to camouflage or eliminate the smell of ' their sweat, while Elizabethan lovers exchanged and inhaled each other’s “love apples”-peeled apples they had kept in their armpits until they were saturated with sweat.
Question: What do an op¬ tometrist,abeautysalon,a telephoneansweringser¬ vice,asocialworker,a podiatrist,anaccountant, anartist,asecretarialservice,the RotaryClubofPortland,amassage therapist,alawyer,aChinesehealing practitioner,astainedglassmaker,a psychiatrist,andtheStateTheatre have in common? Answer: They and theiremployeesandclientsstill enjoy the once common but now rareprivilegeofridingtoandfrom
theiroffices(allarelocatedinthe CongressBuildingat615Congress Street)inamanuallyoperatedeleva¬ torwhichmaybetheonlyoneofits kindleftinPortlandbesidesthetwo attheSonestaHotelonHighStreet. According to Bob Michaud of Con¬ gress Property Management, which ownstheCongressbuilding,there usedtobetwomanuallycontrolled elevatorsandoperatorsuntiltheele¬ vatorintherearofthebuilding, which received much more use, neededextensiverepairsandthey optedtoreplaceitinsteadwithan automaticelevatorfourorfiveyears ago.
However,theelectricOtiselevator insidethefrontentranceremainsin allitsgloryjustasitwasinstalledin 1929 when the building was con¬ structed.Belowthebrasswalldial (itspointeristurnedbyacablecon¬ nectedtotheelevator),thebrass outerdoorswiththeirornaterelief medallions, the protective metal gate,andthepolishedwoodeninner doorssmoothlyslidebackinsynch torevealwhitewalls,awoodenfloor, abrasshandrail,andadecorative border of die-cast brass flowers encirclingthecubiclenearitsceiling. RayGilson,whooperatestheeleva¬ torweekdaysfrom10a.m.to5p.in., canrememberatimewhenitwasa veryprestigiousjobtobeanelevator operator:“Inthe1950sand60sthere usedtobeelevatorslikethisallover PortlandinPorteous,MarcusCloth¬ ing,RinesBrothers,andallthebig departmentstores.Backthenanele¬ vatoroperatorwasthethingtobe,” herecalls.Andnow?“1meetallkinds ofpeopleandpickupbitsandpieces ofwhatthey’resaying—it’sunreal.” Heshakeshisheadindisbeliefand adds,“1trytogetthemtosmile— it’s like a game with me. When they’regoingtothedentistwiththat lookontheirfaces,I’llmakealittle commentandgetasmileastheygo in.”
Ofcourse,anothercommonphobia isthefearofbeingtrappedinanele¬ vatorthatgetsstuckorinonethat breakslooseandfalls,butMr.Gilson assuresmethatthisOtiselevatoris one of the safest ever made. He claimsthatitcan'teverfall,because itisequippedwithsidebrakesas
wellasasystemofcounterbalances incaseanythingbreaksorthepow¬ ergoesoff.Inaddition,ifthedooror thecageisopenonanyfloor,theele¬ vator automatically stops, and there’sevenanescapehatchinthe ceilingaswellasanemergencytele¬ phone.“Evenifallthecablesbroke atonce,1wouldn’tworry,because you’dprobablyonlyfallaboutafoot beforethesidebrakesstoppedit,”he attests,andmischievouslyadvises, “Ifyouwanttogetridofyourboss, don’tputhiminthiselevator.”Wego ontodiscussthespeedoftheeleva¬ tor,whichisadjustable,andhowthe cables must be inspected by the stateeveryyear,afterwhichheasks invitingly,“Youwanttotakearide? It’ssafe!”andIstepintobewhisked uptothesixthfloorviewofthePort¬ landMuseumofArt.
You’restrollingalongthe Western Prom on a stu¬ pendous Indian summer day when you decide to turnoffontoWestStreet foraslightchangeofplace.Ablock later,onthecornerofChadwick,you suddenlyfeelasifyou’vesomehow wanderedoutofPortlandandwound upintheworldofCharlesAddamsas youbeholdalarge,red-brickVictori¬ anhousewithacrumblingchimney, dirty,peelingpaint,largeholesinthe screenporch,anddecayingwooden trim.Someofthewindowshavebeen boardedorevenbrickedupfromthe inside, others are covered with brownpaper,shadespulledallthe way down, or broken Venetian blinds.You’dalmostthinktheplace was unoccupied, except that the shrubshavebeenpruned,thegrass has been trimmed, all the dead leaveshavebeenrakedup,andarow oftrashbagssitssilentlywaitingat thecurb.
RuthG.Simonds,whoalsoownsthe house across the way at 107 West Street,whichappearstobeinmuch bettercondition.Coincidentally, these two houses with a common ownerinthepresentalsosharesimi¬ larpasts:bothhomeswereerected
Stevens.Thisballoon-frameColonial Revival house was erected at 107 WestStreetin1894,andCoxwasliv¬ inginitby1895.HissecondWest Street abode, conveniently con¬ structedrightnextdoorat111West Streetin1905,wasanotherColonial
aroundtheturnofthecenturyby menwhoeachbuiltthemselvestwo houses on West Street within the spaceofonlytenyears.JohnW.Burroweswasacarpenterandbuilder withofficesonKennebecandPreble StreetswhofirstoccupiedaQueen Annebrickhouseat92WestStreet thatwasdesignedbythenationally knownPortlandarchitectJohnCal¬ vin Stevens and Albert Winslow Cobb and erected in 1889. Burrowes’ssecondhomewasalsomade ofbrick,butitwasdesignedbyan unknownarchitectinthethen-popu¬ larColonialRevivalstyleandbuiltin 1898at104WestStreet,whereBurrowestookupresidencethefollow¬ ingyear.
JustlikeBurrowes,EdwardW.Cox, treasurerofA.F.Cox&SononUnion Street,alsohadhisfirstWestStreet home designed by John Calvin
Revival designed by John Calvin Stevens and his son John Howard Stevens that featured ornamental striatedbrickworkandadetached brickcarriagehouse.DodoStevens ofGreaterPortlandLandmarks,who has been helping me unearth this information,isonlymildlysurprised to discover yet another West End house designed by her husband’s great-grandfather.“Hewassoprolif¬ ic,it’shardtokeeptrackofallthe houseshedid,”sheremarks.
lights.“Ifit’sjustadriveway,then whyisitsobrightlylit?Andifit’s reallyastreet,whyarethesestreet¬ lampssomuchnicerthantheones on my street?” As with so many either/orquestions,theanswerto thisoneis“Both”:Itwasadriveway,
Isthatastreet,orisitadrive¬ way?”motoristsdrivingdown Foreside Road at night may wonderastheywhizpastanar¬ rowturn-offflankedbyrowsof forest-greenlamppostswithglobular anditisaroad.
When Portland architect George Burnham(bestknownfordesigning the Cumberland County Courthouse andtheBurnhamandMorrillBaked Beansfactory),builtthetwohouses oneithersideoftheshareddriveway forhimselfandhisparentsin1914, therewerenootherhousesbetween themandtheocean.Sincethenquite afewhavebeenconstructed,andthe entryway has been extended far beyondthetwooriginalhousesto giveaccesstotheothersaswell. Accordingtoaclosefamilymem¬ ber, Burnham installed the lamp¬ postsbecausehefeltthatallthe overhangingpinetreesmadethedri¬ vewaysodarkthatitneededtobe illuminated.Burnham’srelativealso remembers that the posts were alwayskeptasgreenastheyarenow everytimetheywererepainted.But
And so they remain, though not withoutanoccasionalthreattotheir existence.AnnWaldron,wholivesin
the house formerly occupied by GeorgeBurnham’sparents,laments the frequency with which vandals usedtobreaktheglassouterglobes thatoriginallyencasedthestreet¬ lights’bulbs.“Nowwejustusethe regularseventy-fivewattglobebulbs youcanbuyinthehardwarestore,” she explains. Although it’s easy enoughtoturnthestreetlampson andofffrominsidethehousevia underground cables, changing the bulbswhentheyburnoutorgetbro¬ kenisamuchmoredifficultopera¬ tionthatinvolvesclimbingupinthe backofapickuptruck.“It’squitean athleticevent,”Waldronremarks.
significantlocalsthatdatetotheear¬ ly1800s.Picturedhereinitsoriginal frameis“ElectionDayattheOldCity HallatMarketSquare,’’approximate¬ ly20x24inches,anoil-on-canvas datingtothe1850sbyIraSmith. Renaissancealsohasacollectionof earlyJonLegerewatercolors,aswell asanumberofexamplesoffinePeri¬ od furniture and China Trade objects.
The runaway winner is Jack Par¬ tridgeAntiques,Route1,NorthEdge¬ comb,Maine,whereyoucanseeup tosevendifferenttypesofwildlilac treesfromallovertheworldonthe grounds. ■
-Compiled by Gwen Thompson
Lijhe belt line trolley'was AN ELECTRIC-POWERED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF PORTLAND AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CENTURY. YOU COULD CIRCUMNAVIGATE the city, a nine-vailE Ride. FOR A DIME. IT VYAS DISCON¬ TINUED IN /<?32.
Wilbur Brown, who worked the waterfrontfor60years.CouldaUboatraidingBritishandCanadian shipping have actually come into porthereinPortlandwhenwewere technicallyneutral?
Iknewnowthathervisit,ifthere were a visit, must have predated October4,1941,whenshewassunk. Butwhenexactlycouldshehave comehere?
Ihavealwaysshakenmyheadat PortArthur,Texas,theportthat innocently fueled up the German tanker Altmark in1939,whichinturn fueledupthesurfacepocketbattle¬
Incidentally,theoneU-boatthat didsurrenderafterthewaroff thecoastofCapeElizabeth,the U-234, was escorted by Navy destroyer-escorts to Kit¬ tery.ThePortlandRoomofthePort¬ land Public Library has indexed newspapercoverageoftheeventas follows(seeourtableofcontentsin thisissueforapictureofthecrew leavingtheirboatonthedocksinKit¬ tery):
The menu is broken down some¬ whatlikeanItalianmeal,withfirst andsecondcoursesbutbreakswith traditionbyofferingalargeselec¬ tionofpastaasmaincourses.For ourfirstcourse,wechoseFallVeg¬ etableRavioliswithFourCheeses ($7)andRoastedPepperandFresh Mozzarella Bruschetta ($6). The ravioli were made from pumpkin, beet, and parsnip doughs and stuffedwithfourcheeses.Likemost flavoredpastas,thedifferenceis morevisualthangustatory,andit madeforaveryprettyplate.
Elegant Dining
Upstairs Casual Dining Downstairs ★
Themostdelectableofthefour cheeseswasgorgonzola,whichleft theothersveryshytothetaste.The accompanyingbuttersaucebelied itsrichnesswithaccentsandherb. Whilethetextureofthestuffing couldbelightened,itwasaveryfla¬ vorfulstart.TheBruschetta,Italian forgrilledbreadrubbedwithgarlic anddrizzledwitholiveoil,was topped with roasted red pepper, freshcheese,andbaked.Thissim¬ ple dish was made remarkable by the quality of its ingredients, notablythebread.
BetweencourseswesharedaCae¬ sarSalad($6.25)whichfeatured large, crisp leaves of Romaine, shardsofbitterradicchiocoated withroastedgarlic,cheesedressing,
Forthemaincourse,wechoseItal¬ ianSausageRotolowithHerbDemiglace($12.95)andVealLombardy ($14.95).TheRotolowasalarge sheetoffreshpastarolledarounda sausage,spinach,andcheesestuff¬ ing-sort of an open-ended pasta burrito-thenslicedintomanageable pieces. Scented with nutmeg and mincedtoasavorytenderness,the stuffingmadeforafullysatisfying Rutolo.Thedemi-glace,meatstock reduced to a syrupy concentrate that,oncemixedwiththecooking waterofthepasta,reconstitutesto aflavorfulstock,madeforalight andappropriatesauceforthisdish. Manypeopleintheirlifetimeswill noteatasmanyvegetablesaswere servedalongwiththispasta.The vealwasatastyconcoctionofstrips of veal, prosciutto, and penneshapedmacaroni.Thecreamsauce thatboundittogetherwasthickand justenoughwasusedtolightlycoat theingredients.Drowningpastain creamisan infainia. Thiswasrich andflavorfulalso,servedinamindbendingportion.
The only Afghan Restaurant in New England is located right in the heart of the Old Port at 88 Exchange Street, where the Habibzai family brings traditional Afghan cuisine to Portland using ingredientssuchasBasmatirice,lamb,chicken,beef, spinach, eggplant, green beans, and pumpkin. The results—includingvegetariandishes—aredelicious butnottoospicy,andattractcustomersfromasfar away as Boston and Bangor. The Afghan Restaurant hasreceived3-1/2starsoutoffourand“TheBest Ethnic Food" award from Casco Bay Weekly. 7733431.
Aharn Thai Restaurant, One City Center. Formerly known as Thai Garden Restaurant, the finest Thai restaurant in Maine is now open under new management with a new reduced-price menu. SpecializinginauthenticThairecipespreparedbyan experiencedchef,AharnThaiRestaurantisopenfor dinnersevendaysaweekwithalunchbuffetMondayFriday.Catering,take-out,andfreeone-hourparking at One City Center Parking Garage are available. Make sure you try their coconut soup! For reservationscall772-1118.
Amigo’s opened in 1973 on Commercial Street and moved to 9 Dana Street in 1980 after a fire. They came from the Southwest to open Portland's finest MexicanrestaurantintheheartoftheOldPortand wanttothankyouforyoursupportforthepasttwentyoneyears.772-0772.
The Audubon Room at the Inn by the Sea on Route 77inCapeElizabethcombinesbreathtakingviewsof theAtlanticOceanwithculinarymasterpiecesthat feature fresh local produce, native seafood specialties, and exceptional homemade breads and desserts prepared on the premises. Some house favoritesincludeGrilledSalmonwithanOrangeBasil Vinaigrette. Sauteed Oysters with Porcini and Champagne, and Lemon Custard Tart with Maine Blueberries.Patiodiningandcarry-outavailable.7670888.
SavorfinediningatCafeBrix,GreaterPortland's premierfive-stargourmetrestaurantfeaturingclassic continentalcuisineinterpretedwithamoderntouch. Enjoy elegant presentations in a sophisticated atmosphere.Anoutstandingwinelistisavailableto complementthemenu,withanextensiveby-the-glass selection. Full bar. Reservations suggested: 7732262. At Cornerbrook, 343 Gorham Road, South Portland.
Carbur’s Restaurant offers great food in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Take some time to enjoy yourfavoritecocktailorsoftdrinkasyoureadoverthe extensivemenuwithselectionsrangingfromTeriyaki SirloinorChickentoFish’n'ChipstoStuffedPotatoes, not to mention the munchies and salads. If it's a sandwichyouseek,you'vefoundtherightplace:over 70 outrageous “Grandwich" combinations are available.123MiddleStreet,Portland.772-7794.
David’s Restaurant at the corner of Market and Middle Street in Portland’s Old Port boasts a constantly changing, four-star menu of eclectic
REA
AmericancuisinewithaFrenchtwist.Experiencethe uniqueandoriginalchef’screations,divineluncheons, exquisite Sunday brunch, and extensive wine list Open 11:30-9:30 weekdays and 11:30-10:30 weekends.164MiddleStreet,Portland.773-4340.
WelcometoF.ParkerReidy's,siteoftheoriginal PortlandSavingsBankbuiltin1866at83Exchange Street.Establishedin1976duringtheRenaissanceof the Old Port area. F. Parker Reidy's has become a Portlandfinediningtradition,specializinginsteaks and fresh seafood, with prime rib featured on weekends. Turn-of-the-century decor, personalized service,andgreatfoodcreateawarmandcongenial atmosphere popular for both business and intimate dining.773-4731.
G’Vanni’s,34WharfStreet.Portland.“TheViol,The Violet and The Vine..." - Edgar Allan Poe. At G'Vanni'syoucanhaveitall.SuperbItaliancuisine. Art.FineWines.Romance.DiscriminatingDesserts. Mesmeric Entertainment. Apeirtif extraordinaire. Muse-lc.Camp-OutatG'Vanni’s.775-9061.
DeepintheheartofthemysteriousWoodfordsareaat 540 Forest Avenue is The Great Lost Bear, where you’llfindafullbarfeaturing50(that'sright,five-o) draught beers, predominantly from local microbreweries. Accompanying them is an enormous menu with everything from soups, salads, and sandwiches to steaks and ribs, as well as a large vegetarianselectionandthebestnachosandbuffalo wings in town. Discover where the natives go when they’rerestless!Servingfrom11:30a.m.to11:30p.m. sevendaysaweek.772-0300.
ThedinerisrebornintheOldPortatHomePlate.5 DanaStreet,Portland.Surroundedonallfoursidesby agiantwallmuralofaYankees-RedSoxgameinthe 1940s, families can dine out affordably, business people can take advantage of lunchtime soup and sandwichspecials,andthoseonalatenightoutcan dropinanytimefrom11p.m.straightthroughto3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Of course they serve ballpark food, with lots more besides, including breakfastalldayfrom5:30a.m.to3p.m.761-9567.
AttheMarketStreetGrilleinthePortlandRegency Hotel, spectacular cuisine. Old Port charm, and impeccableservicecometogetherinanelegantyet casualenvironment.Alongwithdailyfreshspecials featuringfoodsfromlandandsea.theGrille’schef preparesunforgettablefeastslikeSeafoodFettucine withlobster,shrimp,andmussels;BakedLobsterwith seafoodstuffing;SteakDianeTenderloin;andVeal Scaloppini.Visit31MarketStreetforbreakfast,lunch anddinner.Reservationsaccepted.774-4200.
Winnerofthe PortlandPressHerald's “Maine’sBest Pizza"People'sChoiceAwardforfouryearsrunning. Ricetta’sBrickOvenPizzeriaistrulyatasteofthe OldCountry.M.E.CurlyofthePPHraves:“Ricetta’s isarguablythebestpizzawestofRome."Dine-in, take-out,orfreedeliveryavailable;all-you-can-eat gourmetlunchbuffetincludespizzas,pastas,soups, and salads. With their newly expanded dining room youwon'thavetowaitalifetimeforthebestmealin
SaigonThinhThanh,608CongressStreet.Portland. JustacrossCongressSquarefromtheSonestaHotel and the Portland Museum of Art is Maine's-and probably New England's-finest Vietnamese res¬ taurant!Four-star,spicy,exotictastesjumpfromthe deliciousfish.pork,shrimp,andscallopdishesthat includeVegetableSateRiceVermicelli,Beancurdwith Garlic Rice Vermicelli, Scallops with Snowpeas. & extraordinarycurriesandspecials.773-2932.
The Snow Squall Restaurant, located at 18 Ocean StreetonSouthPortland’swaterfront,servesfresh seafoodaswellaschicken,veal,andagedwestern beef.Letthechefchallengeyourpalatewithmenu offerings such as Herb Ravioli filled with summer greensandservedwithtomatocoulis;GrilledSalmon Filletwithwasabiandpickledginger;NewYorkSirloin grilledtoorder;SmokedMaineCrabcakesservedwith tropicalfruitchutney;andofcourseMaineLobster. Servingdinner7daysaweek,lunchMonday-Friday, and Sunday brunch. 799-2232.
Taj Mahal Indian restaurant at 43 Middle Street. Portlandservesawideselectionofseafood,chicken, lamb, beef, and vegetarian dishes which can be prepared as mild or as spicy as you like. Mogul biryanismadewithyourchoiceofmeatorvegetarian are a specialty, as is their fresh, homemade, chemical-freecurry.They’reopenforlunch11:30a.m. -2:30p.m.,Tuesday-Fridayandfordinner5-10p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Telephone: 773-4498.
Conveniently located at 671 Main Street, South Portland—justminutesfromtheMaineMallatthe end of Exit 7 of the Maine Turnpike — Tony Roma’s specializesinthebestBBQribswiththeirownoriginal sauce,althoughthegrillisalwaysfiredupforafull menuofchicken,primerib,seafood,steaks,salads, andsandwichesaswell.Enjoythecasualatmosphere andcompleteyourvisitwiththeirfamousloafofonion rings.Openforbreakfastbuffet,lunch,anddinner sevendaysaweek.761-4211.
TortillaFlathasbeenservingNewEnglandersfine Mexican food and drink for over 23 years. At 1871 ForestAvenueinPortlandyoucanfindfavoriteslike nachos, fajitas, chimichangas, tamales, burritos, tacos,enchiladas,andfrozenmargantassevendays aweek,aswellasseafood,steak,pork,andchicken cooked with a Mexican flair. With lunch specials startingat$2.95.achildren’smenu,nightlyspecials, andaChiliHappyHour,TortillaFlatisamemorable Mexican experience you can afford any time. 7978729
Sells Top Product Lines-Kemcohas representedToshibafor15years.Toshiba's patentsaremorefrequentlycitedthananyof itscompetitors.
Service Capabilities-Kemcohasalarge servicestaffwithanaverageexperiencelevel ofover4yearseach.
v Helpful Consultation-Kemco'ssales consultantsaverage15yearsofexperiencein copiersales.Theycanhelpanalyzeyour copierneeds.
■ LISTINGS ■
T H E A T E R
Portland Stage Company, Portland Performing Arts Center. 27 Forest Avenue, Portland. As a special treat for the holidays, local Mainer AvnerEisenbergwillexploretheclassicclown dilemma (What do you do when you’ve finishedsettinguptheshowandthere’sstill five minutes until curtain?) in his inter¬
nationally acclaimed one-man performance piece.Auner the Eccentric. This wild, comic free-for-all where the unexpected rules makes perfect entertainment for the whole family (through December 23). Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m.,Saturdayat5p.m.and9p.m.,andSunday at2p.m.Fortickets,call774-0465.
Mad Horse Theatre, 955F Forest Avenue, Portland. “Apocalyptic Butterflies’’ by Wendy MacLeodisaneccentric,comiclovestorythat takes place in Fryeburg, Maine. What you woulddoifyourwifewasonthewarpath,your daughter still didn’t have a name, your Ford Falconjustsproutedferns,and$4,000worthof totem poles suddenly appeared on your lawn? find out at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 7 p.m. on Sunday through December 11. Tickets cost $18 ($16 for students and seniors) on Thursday.Friday,andSunday;$20onSaturday. BoxOffice:797-3338.
Oak Street Theatre, 92 Oak Street, Portland. Hall to the holidays’ Vintage Repertory Company, Oak Street’s Theatre-in-Residence, will present their perennial holiday show, "A Child’s Christmas in Wales," December 15-17 and 22-23 at 8 p.m., and on Sunday. December 18 at 5 p.m.; Dylan Thomas’ poetic rem¬ iniscences will be followed by a selection of traditional English Christmas carols sung in four-part harmony (tickets cost $10). Meanwhile, on Saturdays throughout Dec¬ ember, the Krackerjack Theater Company will perform an adaptation of 0. Henry’s beloved Christmastale"TheGiftoftheMagi"suitable forallagesandfaithsat11a.m.onDecember 10,17,and24(tickets$5).Inaddition,even thoughithasnothingtodowithChristmas,the American Renaissance Theater will bring Shakespeare’s romantic comedy "Love’s Labour's Lost" to life at 8 p.m. ThursdaySaturday and at 5 p.m. on Sunday through December11;ticketsare$10foradultsand$8 forstudentsandseniors.Call775-5103.
Portland Players, 420 Cottage Road. South Portland. Bah, humbug! Why does Christmas seemtostartearliereveryyear?Thisfallyou can get a head start on the holidays at the
Men’s Suits Now in: AthleticFit,ExtraLong,PortlySizes
FreeAlterationswithanyPurchase
Foraslongasyouownthesuit 574CongressStreet
Forest&CongressIntersection Portland, Maine 773-6056
■ LISTINGS ■
Portland Players’ version of the musical "Mr. Scrooge" (through December 10 at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the possibility of two additional performances on December 16 and 17). Tickets cost $13 — would Mr. Scrooge approve? Call 799-7337.
Lyric Theater, 176 Sawyer Street, South Portland.“HomefortheHolidays."awittyand sparkling family variety show, will feature traditionalcarolsandmodernmusic,balletand tap dance, comic pieces, seasonal readings, children’s performances, and more, so there should be something for everyone December 16-17 at 8 p.m. and December 18 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under12;call799-6509.
University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre, 37 College Avenue, Gorham. "Republic Incarnate...ThePhoenixWillRiseAgain!"isan original student-written play by Sid Gold¬ enberg, a series of cold war vignettes that destroyaseffectivelyasanyhotwarthatever killed a soldier (through December 11 in the Lab Theatre in Russell Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 5 p.m. on Sunday); tickets are $7 for the general public, $6 for seniors and USM faculty and staff, and $4 for students. On December 13-14 you can witness one stage in the development process of an originaltheaterpiecereflectingcontemporary Americanculturethatwilleventuallybetaken ontourtoEngland(alsointheLabTheatrein RussellHallat7:30p.m.onFridayandSaturday andat5p.m.onSunday);ticketscost$4.Box Office:780-5483.
The Theater Project, 14 School Street, Brunswick. How about a Yuletide tonguetwister? “The Butterfinger Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut, & the Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree" by William Gibson (author of “The Miracle Worker") is a comic renditionoftheChristmasstorythathintsat darker days to come (through December 11 at 8p.m.onFridayandSaturdayandat2p.m.on Saturday and Sunday); tickets are $10 for adultsand$8forstudentsandseniors.Thenat “Holiday Fete," the Theater Project’s annual seasonal celebration December 16-18, Artistic DirectorAlMiller,jazzclarinetistandwhistler BradTerry,andotherswillperform“AChild's Christmas in Wales,” “A Cajun Night Before Christmas."aholidayone-actbyPayneRatner, and a few surprises (Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.); tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.BoxOffice:729-8584.
The Public Theatre, 2 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn, celebrates the holidays with an inventive adaptation of Charles Dickens’s timeless classic, "A Christmas Carol," accompanied by Greg Boardman playing traditional English carols on his fiddle on December 9 at 8 p.m., December 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and December 11 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.;aChristmasconcertbyalocalchoirwill follow each performance. Tickets cost $10 for adults.$8forstudentsandseniors,and$6for childrenunder12;thePublicTheatreislocated on the corner of Lisbon and Maple Streets in Lewiston.BoxOffice:782-3200.
THE ILLUSSION byPierreCornielle adapted by Tony Kushner Oct.23-Nov.19
RUNER the ECCENTRIC starring Avner Eisenberg Nov.27-Dec.23
SIGHT UNSEEN by Donald Margulies Jan. 8-Feb.4
CHURCH of the SOLE SURUIUORby Keith Curran Feb.12-Mar.11
INTIMATE EHCHRNGES by Alan Ayckbourn Mar. 19-Apr. 15
MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION by George Bernard Shaw Apr. 23-May 20
Box Office 774-0465
25A Forest Ave. Portland
■ LISTINGS ■
once again lor the “Magic of Christinas," the PSO’s 15th annual Yuletide concert and carol sing-along, featuring special guest soprano Laura Burton, the Maine State Boychoir, the Maine State Girlchoir, the Portland Community Chorus, and of course the Portland Symphony Orchestra performing selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah, aswellasarrangementsoftraditional carols. In addition, municipal organist Ray CornilswillgivearecitalofChristmasmusicon the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ one hour before each concert. Performances are December 9-11 and 15-18 at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in City Hall Auditorium.Call773-8191or1-800-639-2309for tickets.
Portland Concert Association, 262 Cum¬ berland Avenue. Portland. The New York-based female vocal quartet Anonymous 4 — whose recordings have twice topped Billboard’s Classical Music Chart — will send their etherealblendofancientmusicsoaringupinto theresonantacousticsofSt.Luke'sCathedral at8p.m.onSaturday,December10inaholiday program entitled “On Yoolis Night" that will include a Christmas story with legends of the Three Kings, medieval English songs, and Latin motetsofEnglishprovenance.Ticketscost$21; toordercall772-8630or1-800-639-2707.
Portland Performing Arts, 25A Forest Avenue. Portland. This year PPA’s annual holiday
concertat8p.m.onFriday,December16atthe StateStreetChurchoffersjoyfulsongsofthe season sung by Montreal sisters Kate and Anna McGarrigle, whose intensely personal original songs have been covered by a veritable Who’s Who of pop stars over the past twenty years, despitethesisters’steadfastrefusaltomake any stylistic concessions to pop music fads. TicketscostSI7;call761-0591.
Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, 389 Congress Street, Portland, are sponsoring “Christmas with Cornils" at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. December 20 in City Hall Auditorium, where Municipal Organist Ray Cornils. the Kotzschmar Festival Brass, and the Handbell RingersofFirstParishChurch,Brunswickwill bring you the sounds of the season. Admission
AttorneysatLaw TwelvePortlandPier PostOfficeBox568 Portland, Maine 04112-0568 Facsimile773-5001
is by $4 suggested donation at the door; for furtherinformationcall774-3427.
Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Wash¬ ington Street, Bath. On Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tony Barrand, John Roberts, Andy Davis, and Fred Brunig will give their traditional presentation of “Nowell Sing We Clear," a romp through the history of Christmas music and traditions from pagan timesintheBritishIslesuptothepresentin North America (tickets cost $8 in advance or $10 at the door). Then on Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., CT Opera Express willperformGianCarloMenotti’sclassicopera Amahl and the Night Visitors, which tells the storyofacrippledshepherdboywhoisvisited by the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem (ticketsareagain$8/$10).NotlongafterNew Year’s, Schooner Fare, Maine’s favorite folk group, will play their umpteenth annual concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 7 (ticketsare$15/17).Call442-8455.
State Theatre, 609 Congress Street, Portland. The 6-Alive Family Holiday Fest at 2 p.m. and 7:30p.m.onSaturday,December10willfeature “A Maine-Made Christmas" with performances by children’s entertainer Bill Harley. Maine country artist Malinda Liberty, Devonsquare, and Tim Sample as Old St. Nick, plus lots of candy canes, lighted trees, cookie decorating, and more. The Judy Collins Christmas Show at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14 will resound with traditional carols sung with the Irishgiftofhope.Call773-5540fortickets.
MaineArtsInc.,582CongressStreet,Portland, plans to ring in 1995 with another “New Year’s Portland"chockfullofthefinestMainemusic, stories, dance, food, and fun for the whole family on December 31 from noon until midnight on Congress Street from Monument Square to Longfellow Square. Don’t miss Cindy Bullens and the Boneheads, the Maine State Ballet performingAlice in Wonderland, or the parade down Congress Street at 6 p.m. You can buy your buttons in advance or on New Year’s Eveitselfatanyoftheeventvenues;tickets cost $10 for adults, $6 for children under twelve,and$28forafamilyoftwoadultsand up to three kids under 12. For more informationcall(800)639-4212.
Jonathan’s Upstairs, 2 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit. NewYear’sEveatJonathan’slastsfrom8p.m. till 2 a.m. and encompasses a performance by the Shirley Lewis Blues Band, dancing, and a livepianobar.Dinnerstartsat8p.m.andthe showstartsat10p.m.;dinnerandshowtickets cost$50forthebuffetand$62.50forsit-down (tax, tip, and champagne Included). Call 6464777.
Maine State Ballet, 91 Forest Street, Westbrook. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without theNutcracker ballet,andfortunately. If you miss MSB’s spectacular production of Tchaikovsky's perennial favorite complete with liveorchestraatPortlandCityHallAuditorium December 2-4 at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 1:30 and 7:30p.m.onSaturday,and1:30p.m.onSunday (ticketscost$10-$22;call856-1663),youcan still catch the show at the Waterville Opera House on Saturday. December 10 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 11 at 1:30 p.m.(ticketscost$12-$18;call873-5381).
Portland Ballet Company, 341 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, will present their own
■ LISTINGS!
unique version of Tchaikovsky'sNutcracker balletsetinPortland'sVictoriamansionwith charactersdrawnfromthehistoryofPortland, such as Hermann Kotzschmar, James Phinney Baxter, and Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles Morse, who owned the mansion. This year, with an added cross-cultural twist, “The Russians are coming’” to dance the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Cavalier, and the Eccentric (Drosselmeyer). Performances are December 24, 9-11, and 16-18 at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (except Saturday, December 3) and at1p.m.onSaturdaysandSundaysinPortland High School Theater on Cumberland Avenue. Ticketsare$16foradultsand$12forchildren, students,andseniors.772-9671.
L/A Arts, 234 Lisbon Street. Lewiston. Where isn't the Nutcracker being performed this Christmas? Back by popular demand, Ballet Theatre Pennsylvania will be joined by two dozen local children performing supporting roles in the lavish production on Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Lewiston Junior High School Auditorium. Tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Call782-7228or(800)639-2919.
GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland.Forthefirsttimeinthreeyearsthe Hamilton Easter Field Art Foundation Col¬ lection will be displayed in its entirety, showcasing fifty-three works by modern masters such as Marsden Hartley and Stuart Davis who were associated with Hamilton Easter Field and the Ogunquit art colony (throughJanuary8,1995).Theexhibit“AnEye forMaine:PaintingsfromaPrivateCollection" offers glimpses of Maine past and present throughtheeyesofbothvisitingandresident artists such as Fitz Hugh Lane, Frederic Church, Childe Hassam, George Bellows, Louise Nevelson, Andrew Wyeth. Winslow Homer, Rockwell Kent, Alan Bray, and Jamie Wyeth (through January 22). And in a blast from the recent past, the “Fantasy in Fabric: Costumes by Seventeen Skowhegan Artists” exhibitincludeswhimsicaloutfitsdesignedin 1968 and 1969 by artists affiliated with the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (through January 22). Call 775-6148 for museum hours and admission.
Children’s Museum of Maine, 142 Free Street, Portland. Discover the culture of the Ancient Egyptians by experiencing it firsthand at the Tomb of Queen Mama Fi. where you can get mummified, dress up in ancient garb, try making jewelry and writing hieroglyphics, and watch wall murals being painted (through December 31). During December you can also explore the origins of holiday traditions through ongoing activities such as making Christmas and Hanukkah cards, boxwood trees,andpresents,andplayingholidaygames like Charades and DreideL The Christmas StorytellingSerieswilltakeplacefrom10a.m. to1p.m.onThursdaysandfrom1to3p.m.on
is pleased to announce the publication of
BY Colin Sargent
Cohn Sargent's poetry is terrific art He con embrace youwithwarmimpressionisticdetailandinthenext breath,stunyouwithslashesofbrilliantcolor.Heisun¬ afraidtohandyouacollectionofpricelessportraits:of family,oflovers,ofdepartedfriends,andsuddenly set thosepicturesaflame.
Hemightcomeatyouwithafistfuloffearasinthe poems Dark Bag ("How did we get here?”) and Cactus fyoursensiblelifeskiddedtoacrash").Orcarryyou into a cramped interior and somehow hold you there, os in Corvette f 'swimming on an empty bed”), for your entireyouth.Hetakesangeranddespairandfutilityon aholiday,stirsthemintochowderinthepoem Coatof Arms. In News he sketches the death of a speeder with aperspectivesorightyouarebothoverthesceneand sinking under the surface of the water—left hanging ontoonestrangewordfordearlife.
These poems ore the primitive paintings of an American artist,theonesherefusedtosell,thewildandpersonal works that lead us to a new understanding.
Sargent ts bold and ultimately dangerous because he makesyouparticipate,pointsbacktothepoem,tocre¬ ationitselfandsoys,Yousowthat,didn’tyou?Youwere alivejustnow,nght?..Andyoufindyourselfsaying. Yes, but where am I? Right now.
—Dan Domench
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Maine Historical Society Gallery, 489 Congress Street, Portland. The brand new “Maine People, Maine Stories” exhibit is designed to showcase artifacts from the 17th to20thcenturiesthathaveneverbeenpublicly displayed before due to lack of space. Paintings,manuscripts,clothing,textiles,tools, machines, Native American artifacts, and even a life-mask of Abraham Lincoln are arranged thematically around subjects such as Arts and Culture, Government. Conflict, Home and Work, and War (through April 8). For further information,call879-0427.
Maine College of Art’s Baxter Gallery, 619 Congress Street. Portland. “Intimate Obser¬ vations" is a group show of contemporary paintersthatexploreshowtheartistsusescale and subject matter (through December 11); “Land Mines Project" by Bobby Neel Adams consistsofphotographsoflandminevictimsin Cambodia and Mozambique (in the Photo Gallery in the Baxter Building through December16).Admissionisfree;call775-5152 for gallery hours and information or 775-5154 for special viewing appointments. Also, don’t miss MECA’s Holiday Sale, featuring art and holiday goodies by MECA alumni and friends: December 9-11 at 50 Monument Square, 2-7 p.m.onFriday,9<a.m.-4p.m.onSaturday,and 10a.m.-2p.m.onSunday.Formoreinformation call773-1546.
University of Southern Maine Art Gallery, 37 College Avenue. Gorham. The annual Faculty Exhibition showcases new prints, watercolors, oils, sculptures, and drawings by USM art faculty members (through December 15). The Gallery Is open Sunday-Thursday from noon to 4 p.m., and admission is free. For more information,call780-5409.
Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street,Bath.Aretrospectiveexhibitionofthe legendary ship models of John P. Gardner — a long-time resident of Castine who has spent a lifetime working on or near the water — will bring together more than a dozen of Gardner’s major works, most of which are privately owned and have never before been publicly displayed.Includedwillberealisticallydetailed passenger steamers, cruising and racing sailboats, motor yachts, and pinky schooners (through April 2, 1995). During Christmas Vacation (December 22-January 2) kids are admitted free with a paying adult. For museum hoursandadmissioncall443-1316.
Bowdoln College Museum of Art, Brunswick. “Art’sLament:CreativityintheFaceofDeath" chronicles the artistic response to epidemic catastrophes over 650 years — from the Black Death of 1348 up through the modern-day plagues of tuberculosis, cancer, and AIDS — withpaintings,prints,andsculpturesbyDurer, Blake, Gros. Munch. Mapplethorpe, and others (through December 23). Other current exhibits include “Angels" and “Reading Old Master Drawings" (both through December 23). Admission is free. For museum hours call 7253275.
BatesCollegeMuseumofArt,OlinArtsCenter, Lewiston. A retrospective exhibition entitled “Maine and Reminiscences 1953-1993" celebrates the painter Stephen Pace’s seventy-
■ LISTINGS ■
fifth year with a display of selected oil paintings and watercolors, many inspired by the daily life of Maine’s coast around Stonington (through December 18). Call 7866158.
Farnsworth Art Museum, 19 Elm Street, Rockland. The exhibit "Comics, Cartoons, and Animation” consists of original artwork by cartoonistsandanimatorswithaconnectionto Maine, featuring work fromBatman, Superman, TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles,Bambi,Pinocchio, Tiger, and theKatzenjammer Kids (through January15).ForfurtherInformation,call5966457.
Maine Audubon Society, Gilsland Farm Environmental Center, Falmouth, will show you how to make your own 10" by 7-1/2” roundbottomed basket decorated with colorful woven flowers at a basketweaving workshop on Saturday, December 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $35 for members and $40 for non-members, including all supplies, and reservationsarerequired.Thenattheoutdoor Winter Solstice Program on Sunday, December 18 from 2-3:30 p.m. you can welcome the coming of winter with song, dance, story, and folklore($3formembers,$4fornon-members). Forinformationandreservations,call781-2330.
University of Southern Maine Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth Street. Portland. Take a trip to the stars without leaving Portland! The new "Seasons of Light" show exploresthehistoricalwintersolsticerituals andholidaycustomsoftheworld,tellsyouthe reasons why we have seasons, and searches for a possible explanation of the Star of Bethlehem (through December 30). Every Friday and Saturday night there's an As¬ tronomy Show at 7 p.m. followed by a Laser Light Concert at 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday afternoons there’s a Family Show at 3 p.m. Ticketsfortheeveningperformancesare$4for adults and $3 for children; tickets for the Saturday matinees are $3 for everyone. For currentshowtitlescall780-4249.
Portland Public Library, 5 .Monument Square, Portland. The annual Brown Bag Lecture Series in the Rines Room continues with Tom Chappell, President of Tom’s of Maine, speaking on ‘For the Common Good — What it meansforabusinesstohavesoulandprofits" from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday. December 14.Call871-1700.
Cumberland County Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Square, Portland. Saturday, December 10 is the WBA Lightweight World Title Fight with contenders Joey Gamache and Gusshie Nazarovtearingintoeachotheratatimestill TBA(ticketsare$100ringside,$60.$40,$30, and $20). Then the Lorrie Morgan Enchanted Christmas Tour with full orchestra and choir touches down In Portland at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14 (tickets are $27.50 and $22.50). Meanwhile, the hockey season continueswiththePortlandPiratesplayingSt. John’s at 7:30 p.m. on December 10, Albany at 7:30 p.m. on December 16, Worcester at 7:30 p.m. on Decemer 17, Rochester at 7 p.m. on December 28, Binghamton at 7:30 p.m. on December 30, and Springfield at 2 p.m. on December31(ticketsforallgamesare$12,$10, and $8 for adults; $5 for kids under 13 and seniorsover65).Toordertickets,pleasecall 775-3458.
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fact,hewentallthewaybackto EleanorRoosevelt,thoughshenev¬ erfussedmuchwithclothes.Ire¬ member as a kid how once she cameintothestoreherselfandhow Istaredupather,feelingalittlebit sorry that she was wearing this flowery cotton smock-like dress insteadoftheshinypurplesilk gownIimaginedapresident’swife wouldwear.Ithinkshe.smiledatme butI’mnotabsolutelysure.
When daddy died of a sudden heart attack in 1969—mamma had passed away two yearsbefore—mysis¬ terJeanetteandmewentthrough thestore,contactingcustomers, cleaningup,doinginventory,all thosesadpost-mortemchores.If1 hadn’ttrippedonatornplaceinthe oldtanlinoleumbackinadarkcor¬ nerofthestore,Iwouldneverhave foundTheSuit,whichwashanging likeanemptyskininsideaplastic bagthatwasstucktoitinseveral placesbecauseoftheheat.Immedi¬ atelyIknewitwas the suit,1can’t explainwhy,it’sjustthat1hadthat certainfeeling.AndIsnuckithome makingsureJeannettedidn’tknow, hidingitinsideagarmentbagwayin thebackofaclosetintheatticof ourhouseinWheaton,somyhus¬ band and kids wouldn’t suspect nothing.Ofcourse,Ididcutthrough some of the plastic and, sure enough,therewerethebloodstains stillonthesuit,thoughtheywere considerablyfaded.
DidIfeelguilty?Well,inaway,yes, I’vegottoadmitit.ButIalsofeltI had been blessed with a special privilege;mayberesponsibilityis therightword.Yousee,Mrs.Ken¬ nedyandIwerethesameageal¬ mosttotheday,andfromthefirst timeIsawherpicture,Iadoredher. MyMaryEllenwasbornafewweeks afterCarolineandmyKennethtwo monthsbeforeJohn-John.Totopit off,I,too,hadamiscarriage,the sametimeshegavebirthtopoorlit¬
tle Patrick who died of Hyaline MembraneDisease.ThoughI’dnev¬ erheardofthatdiseasebefore,I couldn’tgetitoutofmymindno matterhowhardItried.Hyaline Membrane Disease, even now it sounds terribly important and scary.IguessIwasluckierthanher, though,becausewhenImiscarried Ineverhadtolookatthelostbaby. Oh,how1criedforherthen,andso manytimeslater.
Unlikesomeofmyfriends,though, Inevertriedtolookoractlikeher. How could a short plump woman likemeevenpretendtolooklikea goddess? How could Arlene SchrammDuley,born1930inBalti¬ moreandraisedonFarragutRoad off16thStreetinWashington;a commercialtrackgraduateofthe now demolished Central High SchoolandwifeofGeorgeDuley, branchmanagerofaPeoplesDrug Store; Arlene Schramm Duley who exceptforonetriptoNewYorkCity whenIwaseleven,hadneverbeen out of the Washington area, let alonetoaforeigncountry;Arlene SchrammDuleywhosegreatesttal¬ ents are baking snickerdoodles, embroideringguesttowels,running upsimpledressesonmyoldSinger, and doing some china painting— howintheworldcouldIbesouppi¬ tyastopretendIlookedandacted likeMrs.JacquelineBouvierKen¬ nedy?Besides,Iwasperfectlycon¬ tentwithmylife,dullasitmight sound.Ineverevenkeptascrap¬ bookofherpictureslikemyfriend BettyWalshdid.Everysinglepic¬ tureandnewsarticleshecouldlay herhandson!IguessI’mjustnot thatkindofperson;Idon’teven havenopicturesofmyownkids’ graduationsorthetimeGeorgeand merentedaplaceinOceanCity. Onetimeweconsideredgoingall thewayupnorthtoMaine,aplace called Ogunquit where George’s cousin has a house, but we were afraiditwouldbecoveredwithice, eveninsummer.
realcageyway,askedmydaughter MaryEllen(shewastakingcours¬ esatthecommunitycollege)what shewoulddoif she hadsecretpos¬ sessionofthepinksuit.Atfirst— wouldyoubelieveit—shesaidshe didn’tevenknowwhatIwastalking about.When1explained,shejust laughed.“Oh that pinksuit.With thelittleblackvelvetcollar?It’s nothing but a cliche.” When I pressedherfurther,shesaiditwas trite,outofdate,andshecouldn’t imagineforthelifeofherwhyI askedaboutsuchadumbthing. StillIwonderedwhattodowith it and back around 1978 ap¬ proached The Smithsonian about donatingthesuittothem,butI guesstheythoughtIwas justanotheroneofthose crackpots,likeallthose weirdoes writing books about assassination con¬ spiracies.Theynevergave meananswerevenafterI wentthereinperson,suitin hand,allnicelywrappedin afreshplasticbagandtied withpinkribbons.Soback itwentintotheatticcloset nobody ever opened. I myselfactuallyforgotabout itafterawhile.
Butthen1heardbackin May,1994,howsickMrs. Kennedywas.Icouldhard¬ lybelieveitwhenshedied sosuddenly;justacouple ofhoursafterIarrivedin New York on the Grey¬ hound to stand outside her apartment house withlotsofotherpeople. Don’taskmewhyIwent,I justhadto,that'sall.Ididn’teven gettoseeCarolineorJohn-Johnor thatpaunchybaldguy,whatever hisnameis,herlover.
I did, though, get to see the hearse on the way to Arlington Cemetery after standing four hours in the hot sun. Just to glimpseitforafewseconds.1think 1sawoneofBobby’ssons,theone
withlotsofcurlyhair,andanother nephew,notthekindofsleazyguy whogotintroublelastyearwitha girldowninFlorida,butmaybe Teddy’s son, you know, the one whohadcancer.IalsosawHillary Clinton,buttobehonest,Idon’t likeheronebit.Muchtoouppity, asifhermothernevertaughther the proper way to be a woman. Yes,Iknow,it’sthemid-1990’sand likeMaryEllentellsme,oh,moth¬ er—inthatmockingwayofhers— thingshavechanged.Evenso.I’m entitledtomyopinion,right?
Someladywithbrightor¬ ange hair was kneeling overPresidentKennedy’s flame,socloseherdress almostcaughtfirebefore aguardusheredheraway.Some¬ thing 1 had seen once on TV crossedmymind:howinIndiathe widowofadeadmanhastothrow herselfintotheflameswhenhe’s cremated.Iforgetwhattheycallit but1thoughtitwasprettyawful. Why should the wife have todiejustbecauseherhus¬ banddied?I’mnolibber,as youknow,butthatreally seems unfair to women. Well, one thought led to another and I decided I wouldsneakbackatnight withthesuitandtossit,all bunchedup,intotheEter¬ nalFlame.1couldjustseeit burningup,theflamesleap¬ inghigherandhigherand littleshredsofpinkwool soaring over the Potomac likeagreatstormofcherry blossoms,orbetteryet,like whathappenswiththefire¬ worksonthe4thofJuly. Andthenthesuitwouldbe gone,onelastgreatsalute to Mrs. Kennedy, and my consciencewouldbefree. Yes,itwasexactlytheright thingtodo.
The only problem was I couldn’t get anywhere near the flamewhenIdrovetoArlingtona fewnightslater.Icouldseeitall right,glowinginthewarmdis¬ tance.Allthetouristshadleftand itwassopeacefulandquietIcould have stayed outside the locked gateallnight.Buttheparkpolice got suspicious and told me to leave.Maybetheythought1was
■ FICTION ■
carrying a bomb in the plain GiantFoodsackIhadstuffedthe suitin.ForaminuteItriedto explainmymissionbutIcouldtell themanjustthought1wasanoth¬ er of those nut cases on the loose from Saint Elizabeth’s. Somuchforthegreatwildflames andpinkshredssoaringoverthe Potomac!AndthereIwasagain, wishing1hadsomeimagination.
Ifonly1couldconsultMrs.Ken¬ nedyherself,Irememberthinking. Sure enough she would have somebrightideawhattodowith thesuit.NotthatIbelieveinany after-life.Butitdidcrossmymind thatshemustbeverybusycatch¬ ing her husband up on all the thingsthathappenedsincehewas shot.Justthink:heneverheardof LeeHarveyOswaldorJackRuby ortheWarrenCommissionorhow Bobbywasassassinatedorabout Chappaquiddick and Mary Jo Kopechne, or Watergate or how Vietnam finally ended or how Ronald Reagan ended the Cold Warorallthenastystoriesabout him and those Mafia women and godknowswhatelse.Wouldshe tellhimaboutthatawfulman, AristotleOnassis?1hopednot.
1 guess 1 would never have thoughtofthesolutionifMary Ellenhadnotcomplainedtome over the phone (she’s married now and a mother herself) how thestoreshadnosummerskirts thatlookedrightonher.Either theyweretooshort—unfortunate¬ lysheinheritedmyfatlegs—or toolong,allthewaytotheflooras ifyouweregoingtoaball.CouldI runherupsomethingonmyold Singer?Ofcourse.AndwhileIwas atit,havingchosensomerealnice cottonwithdaisiesonit,whynot makeafewnipsandtucksonthe pinkskirt,addanelasticbandand anextrapanelsoitwouldfitme andwearthedarnthingmyself? HowcrazythatIhadn’tthoughtof doingthatalongtimeago.Now thejacketwasarealproblem,
Naturally,Ididn’ttella soulthatmynewpink skirthadbeenremod¬ eledfromMrs.Jacque¬ lineBouvierKennedy’s skirt.ThebloodstainsIconcealed withacleverlittlesash.Idon’t think1canpossiblyexpressto youhowgreat1feltwhenIwore thatskirt.Tall,rich,beautiful, clever,everybitasworthyasthe late Mrs. Kennedy. Like I was wearingabrandnewskin.SoonI begantofeelthatwayevenwhenI
Andllkere1wasagain, wishing II had some imagination. wasn’twearingtheskirt,likeIreal¬ lyhadcreatedformyselfanew skin. I didn’t even care that nobody seemed to notice, not George,blesshisheart;notMary EllenorKenny;notBettyWalshor anyofthegirlsIwentbowling with.Noteventheteacherofmy chinapaintingclassattheY.But, like1said,1didn’tevencare.What was important was that I myselfnoticed.
Sowhenlaterthatsummerthere wasaspecialshowattheSmith¬ sonian about the Kennedy era called“CamelotRevisited”Ididn't evenblinkwhenIsawondisplay thepinksuit,completewiththelit¬ tleblackvelvetcollarandbuttons. Notoneblink.BecauseIknewit wasnomorerealthanthesilkros¬ esthatsupposedlystoodforthe rosesshewascarryingthatdayindallas. H
