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Alumni Spotlight Part II - Correspondence between Old FriendsGabrielle Griswold '44Elizabeth (Bertol) Moon '44 Following our efforts to put Gabrielle in touch with her classmates, this happy exchange took place. Thanks to Elizabeth (Bertol) Moon ’44 and Gabrielle for allowing us to reprint excerpts from their emails. From Griswold to Moon: "How absolutely thrilling to hear from you at last! I have been trying for WEEKS to reach you by phone. Finally I became aware of Roger’s Lycée alumni query line and contacted him yesterday. He responded with remarkable promptness, and so at last we are in touch! I am so glad. I am so happy to note that you retain much the same memories of the Lycée as I do. The magic of those early days in the school's history, the incredible quality of the education we received, the architectural beauty of the building, not to mention the marble, the wrought iron, the polished hardwood floors, the crystal chandeliers, the ballroom, ... The courtyard, which is no more, having given way to an annex building ... So many fine teachers, such interesting textbooks (in my mind's eye, I can picture them still), so much intellectual stimulus, and such a varied and fascinating student body ... Yes, you are right. We were fabulously lucky to have had that experience. I have little idea of what the Lycée is like today, except that it has expanded enormously -- five buildings in all, soon to be sold to allow the construction of one huge comprehensive one. I hate to think of OUR own original Lycée building being anything other than the Lycée, for who knows what will become of it when they do sell it? It doesn't bear thinking about. But I gather it will be there for at least another year, so I intend to go down next spring for the 2003 Spring Festival -- assuming they hold it again (and I am assured they will). Is there any chance at all that you might also go? I did go down (from New Hampshire where I now live) for that event a couple of years ago with my two daughters who, having heard me speak of the Lycée all their lives, decided they wanted to go and see it, too. It was marvelous to be in that building again. It is amazing to me to realize how often over the years those rooms, hallways, staircases and floor plans have figured in my dreams ˆ not necessarily as relating to the Lycée per se, but serving as backdrops for whatever action takes place in the dream. Always when I wake, I recognize the setting. And yes, the masquerades. You came to my family's apartment, gowned as Scarlett O'Hara (wearing her white Tara dress, if I remember rightly), and together we took a taxi to ride the three blocks from our place to the Lycée. I went dressed as an 18th-century lady (that was my favorite period then), Eleanor Cramer wore a richly embroidered yellow satin mandarin's costume, David Leach went as a Redcoat (I had guessed he would), and everyone entered beautifully into the spirit of the thing. It all happened exactly as we had dreamed it and was deemed a great success. In fact, a predecessor to later Lycée balls... Oh dear ... You have opened the floodgates, and I find the memories beginning to pour forth! So must try to return to the present for a moment... Of my two daughters, the elder, Marise, is married, lives in one of Boston's west suburbs, and is the mother of 7-year-old Sophie, my only grandchild. My younger daughter, Gillian, is executive director of one of Philadelphia's most prestigious law firms. Currently I live alone in a rather messy house that I adore, across from a small pond, with fields and mountains in the background and a sweep of sky overhead. Deer, moose, bears, foxes, Great Blue Herons, Canada geese and other interesting wildlife roam the neighborhood. I quite love that, too. Have I mentioned that I am SO happy to have found you? At some point during the last year or so, I thought I had found Esther Huisman, only to discover, before I had time to contact her, that she had recently died. Eleanor Cramer died sometime in the mid-1970s, but her mother still lives in the same 5th ave. apartment. Do you happen to remember a 1939 birthday party of Eleanor's, which I am sure you must also have attended, that was held in that selfsame apartment, a luncheon party following which we were all whisked away in taxicabs to witness a screening of "Gone With the Wind," during what I am certain was its first week's showing in New York? What a dazzlement that was ... But 'nuff said for now. How I would love to see you again. Perhaps at some point we can make that happen. Meanwhile, the only other former Lycée student with whom I am in touch is Maurice Raviol. Maurice says he and his wife definitely also plan to attend the Lycée's Spring Festival next year and it will be nice to see them. Till soon, Love, Gabrielle" From Moon to Griswold: "Ma dear little Gabbie! I can't tell you how exciting it was for me to find your message waiting for me this morning. Ever since I learned from Roger that you were anxious to find me, I've been plunged into that rich storehouse of extraordinary memories of the Lycée and those magic years I spent there. It's interesting to read (and re-read) your letter, because your memories are identical to mine, and the things you remember are vivid in my memory because I, like you, often think of the Lycée, which played such an important role in my life, and had such an influence on me. Your letter brought back so many happy memories!! How truly wonderful that we have been able to re-connect after so many years!!! So interesting to read the details about the Masquerade parties! I had completely forgotten that you had been the inspiration behind those spectacular events! - BUT I hadn't forgotten your beautiful dress....and I'm happy you haven't forgotten my Gone With the Wind dress.....I felt so beautiful that night! And I remember our ride by taxi to the Lycée...that was special........ I've been enjoying reminiscing about the Lycée and those wonderful carefree times when we lived through what appears to me to have been a magic era. We were so lucky to have had those exciting experiences. I think so often of that beautiful building.....those mirrored walls and rooms... And the courtyard where we played La Balle au Prisonnier... Monsieur Brodin.....Mme Mount. Mme Begue........Miss Horsey... Dear friend... Life is full of wonderful surprises.....this is one of the best! Love... Bette!" |
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