A Riverhead Thanksgiving

On the table in the dining room of the Anderson house –

One big Turkey

Stuffing (in the turkey)

Cranberry Sauce

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Green Beans cooked in bacon fat

Green Bean Casserole

Sweet Potatoes or Yams

Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pie

Ice Cream (always ice cream, for all occasions)

June’s mother (Maud Anderson) got up early to start the meal and she cooked it alone.  June rarely helped in the kitchen and consequently knew very little about how to cook anything.  Her mother didn't want her in the kitchen.  She thought the proper place for a young woman was learning a professional career at college.

Raised in Luray, Virginia, June’s mother cooked a Southern-inflected meal.  In particular, the green beans were distinctively Virginia style, cooked down to mush in bacon fat.  Everyone loved them.

An Anderson family portrait, circa 1938:  Ted, June,
Teddy, and Maud.

The meal was served early, usually between noon and one.  The serving dishes, brimming with food, had to be carried from the kitchen through the living room to the dining room.  Thanksgiving was a big holiday, but not a crowded one at the Andersons.  Most of the relatives were far off in Virginia and Connecticut.  So it was just June, her parents, her brother Teddy, and Aunt Thelma, who was living with them at the time.  The family was taking care of Aunt Thelma as she coped with a very severe and debilitating case of rheumatoid arthritis.

Art probably drove over for a short visit after the meal.  The visit had to be short because his family served Thanksgiving dinner in the late afternoon and he'd have to return back home for that.  If the Andersons had finished eating, Art would have joined them in the living room, where the floor model radio would have been on, probably tuned to a football game.

© 2010 Lee Price

A Note of Frustration and Thanksgiving

(Cross-posted on the Preserving a Family Collection blog…)

Last summer, I returned home from Florida with twelve large boxes comprising our family collection.  So much history…  and yet there are still countless gaps in the record.

Art’s letters are missing for that nine-day stretch of correspondence between June’s return to school and Thanksgiving vacation.  At the very least, we know we are missing the letter that June refers to as the “shortest.. on record” and the one with the “long, low whistle.”

We have no pictures in our family collection of the Traphagen School of Fashion where June attended for two years.  I’d be happy with an interior or an exterior.  My sister and I have searched the internet, the New York Public Library, and the New York Historical Society.  We’ve found nothing.

There are no photographs of June’s apartments in the city.

We've found no pictures of Shirley Stahl, June’s roommate and close friend.  Perhaps June used her as a model for some of her fashion illustrations?  There’s no way to know.

I don’t know where Jack’s (where June would eat breakfast before class) was located.  We’ve found no pictures of Roulston’s on Main Street in Southampton or Partida’s where Art went for his art classes.  And I’d sure love to uncover a photo of Helen Darby’s house where June and Art met.

Nevertheless, frustrating as it is to acknowledge these gaps, I’m deeply thankful for all that we have – twelve gift boxes from the past for us to care for and pass forward into the future.

Our personal heritage is important.  We’re indeed fortunate to have so much.

© 2010 Lee Price

The Nicest Decoration in the Room

This is the last letter of the exchange that occurred during the two weeks between June’s illness and Thanksgiving.  While it’s obvious from June’s letters that Art was writing, his letters appear to be lost.  When June and Art return to their correspondence following Thanksgiving weekend, his side of the correspondence will be fully represented once again.

Thursday, November 17, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,



Fabric drawings
by
June Anderson.



I came into the room tonight to find no letter waiting for me.  Felt kind of lost.  That letter is supposed to be the nicest decoration in the room.  Did you go out again?

Dorothy, Shirl, and I went to the movies right after school to see two English movies.  One was about how a ballet is put together – dance, stage settings, costumes and then the finished (short) ballet.  The other picture was one of those odd affairs that you can’t quite decide whether you like it or not.  Here it is 8:00 and we’re home already.  So, it’s more school work for me I guess!

We had a little fire at school today – in the elevator shaft.  Just a little one, but all the fire engines came.

Shirl and I are planning drapes and covers for the room.  We saw some material we liked today.  Shirl is balanced precariously on the couch and a chair measuring the window.  She looks as if she’ll fall any minute.

This is my last letter before I leave.  I get home at 7:15 on Friday night.  Remember?  Be seeing you.

Love,

June

Spending Money at Macy's

This current exchange of letters occurred during the two weeks between June’s illness and Thanksgiving.  While it’s obvious from June’s letters that Art was writing, his letters from this brief stretch appear to be lost.  When June and Art return to their correspondence following Thanksgiving weekend, his side of the correspondence will be fully represented once again.

Tuesday, November 16, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

I’m getting your letters so nicely – another one today.

Today one of our teachers was trying to teach us to do our quick sketches in contour drawings so we spent all morning doing that.  It was fun.  I’m staying home again tonight – going to try to accomplish some homework.

Macy's at Herald Square, circa 1950.

Shirl and I are both kind of tired, we went shopping in Macy’s after school.  We bought an ironing board.  It’s good too, I mean that we bought it – I’m beginning to run out of ironed and semi-ironed clothes.  I hope they deliver it soon.

Before I forget, I’m coming home on that train that arrives in Riverhead at 7:15 p.m. – unless, of course, I miss it at the last minute.

Certainly I won’t mind if Bruno comes back with us.  Bring him right along.  After all, we should help him along with Mary.

Eleven hours sleep just doesn’t sound like you.  It’s either too little or too much.  Then again, I guess you certainly needed it after Saturday night!

Just think, only two more whole days and I’ll be home.  I know, because I’m kept busy counting them and my money.  It’s a race as to which will go the fastest.  Love and kisses and ‘bye for now.  Behave yourself.

Love,

June

(For Thursday, June's last letter before Thanksgiving break...)

© 2010 Lee Price

Shootout on 82nd Street

Monday, November 14, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

Did you see in Sunday’s Journal American about the robbery on 82nd Street on Saturday night?  Shirl and I were witnesses.  You know – a cop, bandit and bystander were shot at the liquor store robbery?  We were on a bus when the shooting started.  The bus continued up the block and stopped at that corner and stayed.  It was just like watching a movie.  We saw the robbers chased after, shot at, and caught.  It just didn’t seem real.

I was down in the dumps last night.  Everything was wrong.  I have so much homework, I’ve spent so much more money than I should have, and above all I was terrified I would get sick again.  Well Daddy says never mind the money, but I still feel guilty.  Anyway, I had a good cry last night and feel fine today.  No matter what anybody says, a good cry will chase the blues away.  I almost enjoy them.

Well, tomorrow’s the 15^th – exactly a month since my operation.  What happens to time?  Just think – I’ll never have one of those attacks again.  Hooray!



Fashion sketch by
June Anderson.

It was nice to hear your voice on Sunday.  I always seem to have plenty to say until the phone rings.  That’s all right – I like to listen to you.  Looks like you are going to the Anchorage more now than you did when I was home.  Did you stay there all Saturday night or did you meander around?

I don’t like that long, low whistle in your latest letter.  Ha!  You’d better watch your step, young man!  My prescription – you should go out with some nice young art student, approximately 20 or 21.  To be more specific, a fashion illustration student is the ideal treatment for you.  See what you can do about that.

I shall be very happy to give you the pleasure of my company Friday night (some conceit!).

Loads of Love,

                                                                              June

(Tomorrow, spending money at Macy's...)

© 2010 Lee Price

Lena Horne in Person

Friday, November 12, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

Got another letter from you today in which you stated you had not heard from me yet.  It’s swell of you to write so nicely with no word from me.



Watercolor fashion design by
June Anderson.

Went to the movies last night and saw Lena Horne* in person!  She was the whole show.

What happened to all the boys?  Don’t they go out anymore?  Well, at least you’re getting plenty of sleep.

I hear you called up Mother yesterday to find out if I was coming home.  I’m very sorry my letters haven’t been getting to you sooner.  I’ll be home next weekend for sure.  Don’t forget!

Love,

June

* Link to Lena Horne with the Teddy Wilson Band doing "Unlucky Woman."  Looks like it might be 1949, too.

(For Monday, robbery on 82nd Street...)

© 2010 Lee Price

Breakfast at Jacks

Thursday, November 11, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

I have just finished reading your “Hello-Goodbye” letter again – the shortest, I believe, on record.  However, I won’t say anymore about it, for I’d much rather receive a lot of short letters during the week than one long manuscript.

This will be short, too.  Work, work, work.  That’s what I should be doing now.

You can forget about my weight problem.  Just mark it off the list.  I’ve been eating like an honest to goodness hog.  After finishing supper tonight, Shirl and I ate a

nice big ice cream roll.  Gee, was it good!  (All gone

now.)

Two watercolor
portraits by
June Anderson.

I had breakfast this morning at “Jacks” near the school.  My breakfast was orange juice, and halfway through the glass I decided I wouldn’t feel well if I finished it.  When I got to the door, Jack discovered the half-full glass and yelled across at me to come and finish it.  I couldn’t very well shout back, so I kept shaking my head while he intoned me to finish it.  All the people were having a free show and seemed to enjoy it immensely.  Oh well, that’s life!

 I miss you, too.  Maybe I’m glad I have all my homework to keep me busy.  Then I haven’t got time to think about missing you so much.

Be seeing you a week from tomorrow.  Oh, no, I’m not going to ask you for a date!  That’s up to you.

Love,

June

(Tomorrow – Lena Horne!)

© 2010 Lee Price