By TED SYLVESTER

(This column appeared in the Bangor Daily News on April 16, 1976)

A Rockland man has returned home after spending the winter in San Francisco, where he enjoyed a couple of unusual experiences – spending a day as a spectator at the Patty Hearst trial, and a weekend trip to Las Vegas, Nev., where he watched Dean Martin being roasted in a show at the MGM Grand Hotel. While our friend declined to be identified here, his experiences and observations are well worth sharing.

At the Hearst trial, the spectator section is limited to just 60 persons. This led some to stand in line all night outside the courthouse, and then “sell” their place in line the next morning for $20. Our friend got a chance to attend the trial through the acquaintance of a N.S. marshal. The day he attended, Defense Attorney F. Lee Bailey had prosecution witness Dr. Joel Fort under cross-examination. Our friend termed Bailey’s performance very impressive as he attempted to discredit the psychiatrist’s testimony.

The San Francisco press has engaged in considerable speculation over Bailey’s fee for defending Patty Hearst. One paper quoted Bailey as saying he was being paid $100,000 plus expenses by Randolph Hearst to defend his daughter. Other reports placed the fee at $8,000 a day, plus expenses. Included in the expenses were complete accommodations at San Francisco’s finest hotel, and a Cadillac purchased for Bailey by Hearst for the lawyer’s use.

Two paragraphs in a San Francisco Chronicle article by Jerry Carroll describe Bailey:

“Patricia Hearst is on trial, but it is the magnetic Bailey who dominates the 170-seat courtroom, his powerful baritone rising and falling like a cathedral organ. He moves in a jaunty strut, perilously near a swagger, the handsome leonine head with its tuffy sideburns seeming too large for the meaty 5-foot-8 frame.

“Bailey is dressed on this day in a beautifully tailored dark blue suit with vest and a violent orange and white tie that shouts in polka dots and stripes like an anarchist in a board room.”

Our friend termed his visit to the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas as “unbelievable.” A brochure lists the hotel as “a $100 million dollar fantasy.” It features 2,100 rooms and 376 suites. There are six restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts with all the frills. Guests have their choice of six 18-hole golf courses. Our friend went to the show as a guest and didn’t know about the costs. An indication of what it costs might be compared with the price of two drinks our friend purchased - $15.

Ever wonder what questions kids would have for a judge? The student body of Rockland District Junior High School was given this opportunity following a presentation of a mock juvenile hearing designed to give the young teenagers an insight into the workings of the court. The judge was Paul A. MacDonald of Sixth District Court.

The first question asked was how long had he been a judge, which is 11 years. He was asked what qualifications were needed to become a judge, and how were they selected. The 12, 13 and 14-year-olds were told that one must first become a lawyer and then “lucky” enough to be appointed by a governor.

The students wanted to know what the maximum sentence one could receive to boys’ training center, what was the youngest age at which a person could be sent there? The answer was that terms to the center are indeterminate with the person’s behavior dictating his release. The state has the power to keep an offender there until he reaches the age of 18. The youngest an offender can be sent there is 11. The judge was then asked what about those under age 11? What does he do with them? He said in these cases it is usually a matter of parents unable to handle the child and in such circumstances he transfers the custody of such children to the state.

During the dramatization a youthful offender was stopped for suspected probation violation and searched by an officer. A package of marijuana was found in a pocket. The students questioned the judge afterward on the legality of such a search. In this particular instance, the judge said, where an officer has probable cause to suspect an offense has taken place (probation violation) he has the right to “pat down” a suspect to check for any weapons.

The judge was asked what was the most common crime committed in the Rockland area by juveniles. Judge MacDonald said he believed it was criminal larceny, many times involving breaking and entering. Also listed was shoplifting and vandalism.

A question was asked was it a crime for someone to “give” marijuana to a friend. The answer is yes. Even to give a friend marijuana is considered a sale.

Finally a student asked what would happen if someone tried to bribe a police officer. The judge advised that this was a very serious crime and that anyone brought before him for such a crime would be “sent away.”

The judge’s appearance at the school was one in a series of projects promoted by the Chamber of Commerce – sponsored CYC committee (Community and Youth Communications) where a group of concerned people are attempting to open up the line of communication with the youth of today and to stem the tide of an increasing crime rate in the coastal area.

Did you see it last Sunday during the televised Boston at Baltimore baseball game? It was during one of those periods when the TV camera scans the crowd. The camera zoomed in on one sign that read, “I am from Rockland, Maine.” The message was read over the arena speakers by Red Sox announcer Dick Stockton.

Have no idea who the two people were holding the sign. One was a young man who appeared to be in his 29s., wearing a baseball cap and red warm-up jacket. He was also sporting a “Luis Tiant” moustache. If anyone can shed any light on the identities of the displayers, we will be happy to pass it along.

The MGM Grand Fire of 1980

 

The MGM Grand today, with a sign promoting Las Vegas as “The City of Entertainment”

 Ted’s “Fish and Chips” column for this month comes from 1976 and mentions the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas. As I was typing the column, I remembered the fire that occurred at that hotel in 1980. Now this may not be a story that is related very much to “Beyond the South End,” but as we all know, the business of Las Vegas is to separate as much money from you as possible; so consider this an April Fool’s story then if you like. After all, as the old saw goes, “A fool and his money are soon parted.” I suspect some of you New Englanders have visited Las Vegas, including members of my own family. Therefore, you can also look at this story as an impending vacation lure. Don’t forget to check out the amazing YouTube video of the fire also, which I have included at the end of this piece.

A few facts about the MGM Grand

Let’s look at a few statistics of this grand old hotel. It was built in 1973, just three years before Ted’s friend visited the place. A mere three years from that, in 1980, the fire occurred. The hotel has 2,100 rooms and 376 suites. Those numbers come from Ted’s story and may have changed since 1976.

As far as the fire goes, don’t be afraid to visit Las Vegas. Many of the safety measures of today did not exist then as the video will show. 9/11 and other bad fires, including the MGM, served to help change safety measures for hotel visitors.

Fire Statistics

At the MGM fire, 85 people died and 700 were injured. As the video will mention, most of the hotel had no sprinklers. There was also no warning system in place. No one even went knocking on doors to alert visitors.

The 14^th Street Fire in Atlanta

I must mention another fire here which I was an actual witness to.

I was working at the Jewish Community Center on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. I think it was in the 90s.

We looked out the window of my office which faced Peachtree Street and saw smoke coming from the 14^th Street building which sat directly across from our building. Not long after that the fire department arrived along with every emergency vehicle in Atlanta I believe. The street was choked with vehicles and equipment as we watched the drama unfold.

We watched the hook and ladder truck extend their ladders up to the tenth floor, as far as they would go. Some people inside had broken out some of the windows. I watched one woman come down the ladder with a fireman. She had a death grip on her purse. Must have been something really important in that purse I thought at the time.

I believe one woman died because she jumped from about the 5^th floor. I believe that building is approximately 15 or so stories high. Another woman jumped and broke every bone in her body. I didn’t see either of these people jump as they were on the other side of the building.

I don’t remember what started the fire, but guess what? Whenever I stay in a high-rise hotel, I refuse to stay in a room above the 10^th floor. To be truthful, I don’t like heights very much and much prefer the charming inns of New England to mammoth hotels.

So that’s my April Fools’ story for this year. Be careful out there today. Here’s the video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhubarb Musings

 

 

Shared From Maine Boats, Homes, & Harbors, The online version

We celebrate spring in the April/May issue with a story about that early garden sprouter, rhubarb, which was used as medicine long before it became a staple in pie — some people say rhubarb was introduced to this country by a farmer in Maine. (See also a story by Sandra L. Oliver, “That Old Rhubarb” from the latest edition of the magazine.) Also see an old time recipe for the fruit, which it is now categorized as by the U.S. Customs because of its present culinary use as a dessert.)

Rhubarb seems like it’s always been a part of the New England landscape. But actually, rhubarb is native to Asia, and was once a staple of the China trade.

We asked Dan Finamore, the Russell W. Knight Curator of Maritime Art and History at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, to help us track down some background on the plant. The Massachusetts Historical Society holds a notebook from William P. Elting, which contains details about the China trade from 1797 to 1803. In the back section of Elting’s notebook notes on how to trade in Canton, include a description of how to identify the best rhubarb, Finamore found.

About 1840, the Chinese scholar Lin Zexu wrote to Britain’s Queen Victoria “Not to speak of our tea and rhubarb, things which your foreign countries could not exist a single day without.” For what it is worth, it appears the letter was not received.

In Maine, the Old York Historical Society has a rhubarb recipe that was written down about 1850 by Louisa Caroline Wilcox Putnam of York, according to Joe Lefever, executive director of Old York Museums. Louisa married Captain William Putnam in 1846, and she accompanied her husband on voyages to Asia and the west coast of the United States. Perhaps she got the recipe while on her travels abroad.

The recipe for “Rhubarb Marmelade” is in a book used aboard the ship William E. Roman, built in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1849-50 and on the ship Empress of the Sea, built in the Boston area in 1852-53. The book with the recipe also has financial accounting notes, from 1853 in San Francisco. That means Louisa used this recipe book on board the Empress of the Sea, according to Lefever. There also are Chinese word pronunciations in the back. So this book also probably went to China when she and her captain husband were there.
On the Roman, the Wilcoxes sailed from New York to Shanghai, Macao, Ankier, and then to Scilly Lights, England in 1850-51, and on the Empress from New York to San Francisco in 1853.

Here is the recipe:

Rhubarb Marmalade

Pare five oranges, taking away the white
rind and seeds - put the pulp in
 a sauce pan - with the peel cut 
very small; add five pounds of
 Rhubarb and cut very small - and 
four pounds of loaf sugar. Boil the whole two hours and the fruit 
half an hour before adding the sugar.
 3 Lemons instead of five oranges makes a nice change.

(Transcribed with the formatting as written.)

Recipe and Account Book of Louisa Caroline Wilcox Putnam (York, Maine 1822-1894 York, Maine) and Captain William E. Putnam (Stamford, Connecticut 1811-1868 York, Maine). A2014.252.001, Old York Historical Society Collection, Gift of Dorothy Hungerford.

Please let me know if you were actually able to follow this recipe and recreate it.

A Modern Day Recipe for Rhubarb

 

 

 

Rhubarb Raspberry Galette

From cooking.com

 

 

Ingredients

For the Dough:

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. sugar

¼ tsp. salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

½ cup ice water

For the Filling

1 ½ lb. rhubarb

1 cup raspberries

3 tablespoons flour

1 to 1 ¼   cups sugar

Melted butter for brushing

Sugar for Sprinkling

Directions

To Make the Dough: Combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the ice water and toss just until the mixture holds together. Be careful not to over mix. Press the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 30 min.

Line a baking sheet with kitchen parchment. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 14-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate while preparing the filling. (It’s important to keep the dough as cold as possible until you’re ready to bake.)

To Make the Filling: Trim the ends of the rhubarb and, if the stalks are more than 1 inch thick, cut them in half lengthwise. Cut the stalks into 1-inch-long pieces. In a large bowl, gently toss the rhubarb and raspberries with the flour and sugar. Let stand until moist, 5 to 10 min.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Gently spread the fruit in the center of the chilled pastry, leaving a 2-inch margin around the edge. Carefully fold the edge of the dough over the fruit, pleating it as you go. Brush the edge of the dough with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the fruit is soft and bubbling, 45 to 55 min. Set on a rack to cool slightly. Wonderful served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Thomaston Library News

 

 

Intergenerational Book Club to Discuss Wild Swans

On Tuesday, April 21st, at 2:30 PM, the Thomaston Public Library's Intergenerational Book Club will discuss Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang.

 

1991's Wild Swans has been published in 37 languages and has sold more than 13 million copies (though it is still banned in mainland China). The book, by Jung Chang, tells the story of three generations of women in the author's family – grandmother, mother, and daughter – and narrates the tragic history of China in the twentieth century.

 

Jung Chang’s grandmother’s feet were bound when she was a child, and she was given to a warlord general as his concubine. As he lay dying, she fled with her infant daughter, who grew up to become active in the Communist movement and eventually became a senior official. Jung Chang herself, the third generation, was raised in the privileged circles of China’s Communist elite. She, however, had the audacity to question Mao. Her parents were denounced and tortured, and Jung Chang was exiled to the edge of the Himalayas.

 

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China is a tale of extraordinary cruelty and bravery, of death and survival. Majestic in its scope and vivid in its description of China’s long nightmare, it is both an important work of history and a remarkable human document.

 

On the third Tuesday of every month, the Intergenerational Book Club, a group of men and women of all ages, comes together to share their opinions and ideas about the book selection. Extra copies of the books are purchased by the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library from the Annual Appeal funds. We thank you for your donations. All are welcome at the Thomaston Library on April 21st at 2:30 p.m.

 

If you live in Thomaston and would like to attend but need a ride, please call the library at 354-2453 a week before the discussion date.

 

 

Steven Powell and Thomas Block with one of their

collaborative efforts. Photo by Steven Powell.

 

April Vacation week fun is returning to the

Thomaston Public Library

Our special guests this coming week include Fran Hodgkins introducing her new book

"The Secret Galaxy" from Tilbury House Publishing.

 

On Tuesday at 11am we will be having fun with Legos. 

Wednesday the 22nd at 11am, and on Friday the 24th at 11am Steve Powell and Tom Block

introducing their new collaboration - a book that includes a bear that dresses up like a person.

Thursday at 11am we will be getting messy with finger-paint! Stop by to join in the fun.

 

 

Photo by Tim English

 

 

Tim English's European Backpack Adventure, Part 2

 Wednesday, April 22nd, 7 PM

 

In 2013 local chef and Qi Gong instructor Tim English traveled for three months across Europe. Part 1 of Tim's slide-show of his European backpacking trip was shown in March to an enthusiastic audience of over 30 people.

Part 2 of Tim's slideshow will begin in Germany and proceed to Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, and Finland. The slides are very artistically done and highlight the landscapes and foods of each country. Tim narrates the slide-show, tells anecdotes from his trip, and reads excerpts from his travel journal. This event is armchair travel at its best and the next best thing to being there.

The Thomaston Public Library is located in the Thomaston Academy building at 60 Main Street in Thomaston. Parking and the library entrance are at the rear of the building.

 

Saltwater Film Society Screening of Tunes of Glory

 

On Thursday evening, April 16th, at 6:30 PM, the Saltwater Film Society will show 1960's Tunes of Glory, directed by Ronald Neame.

The incomparable Alec Guinness plays the part of Jock Sinclair, a whiskey-drinking, up-by-the-bootstraps commanding officer of a peacetime Scottish battalion. Sinclair is a career military man who expects loyalty and respect from his men. Enter Basil Barrow -- the educated offspring of a military family -- as Sinclair's replacement. John Mills plays Barrow and won the Best Actor award for it at the 1960 Venice Film Festival. Sinclair and Barrow go head-to-head in a fierce battle for control of the battalion and the hearts and minds of its men.

Based on the novel by James Kennaway and featuring flawless performances by both Guinness and Mills, Tunes of Glory uses the rigidly stratified hierarchy of military life as a vehicle to examine the institutional contradictions and class divisions of English society. The result is an unexpectedly moving film.

This screening takes place in Room 200 of the Thomaston Academy building.

For more information about the Saltwater Film Society, please see their website, http://www.saltwaterfilmsociety.org/.