Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1950)

Cabbage I Remember Arthur — (Continued from page 28) /'s K/A/0 in October GOOD COOKING "The Complete Kitchen Companion" Now On Newsstands The once lowly cabbage, so rich in body-building elements, comes into its own as the delectable, tasty and interesting vegetable it really is — if you know how to cook it. In this issue of GOOD COOKING, there are five exciting new ways to prepare cabbage, any one of which will add new flavor to simple meals. also in this issue: "Mrs. Kay Kyser — Model Homemaker" "Boys Like Doughnuts — Enough To Make Them" "Home Comes First With Helen Hayes" 'Dinner On A Plank" "Dish Of The Month— Veal Stew Sauterne" "Soup Of The Evening, Beautiful Soup . . ." "Fancy Sauces To Dress Up Plain Fish" "There's Nothing Like A Big Baked Ham" "A Modern Table Setting" "Card Party Refreshments" "You Can Bake With Breakfast Cereals" "Autumn Fruits" "Old Fashioned Molasses Treats" and other helpful articles, recipes and menus for day-to-day reference. October . GOOD COOKING '<> is at newsstands now. . . . GET YOUR COPY TODAY! 90 Arthur was a very likable boy, always willing to help his pals, always loving fun and jokes. He and two other boys in his class were well-known trappers— the muskrat was their particular joy. They would set their traps at night in the swamps and then in the early morning they would go out to look for their prizes. Sometimes they were late to school, but Arthur always had a good excuse and in his persuasive voice was able to convince you that it couldn't be helped and so they were -admitted to class. I first started teaching in Hasbrouck Heights in 1903. That was the year Arthur was born in New York City, which is just across the river from the Heights. The Heights in those days was a slow-paced little town, but many of the people who lived there commuted to jobs in New York. Arthur's family was one of those for when Arthur was a year old, the Godfrey family moved from crowded Amsterdam Avenue to a quiet street on the Heights. I knew the family in those days, too. — Mrs. Godfrey especially well since we belonged to the same clubs, The Shakespearean and The Woman's Club. She was a concert singer and a fine pianist. Arthur has inherited his musical taste from his mother, I am sure. In January, 1949, Arthur came to Hartford, Connecticut, which is near where I now live, to put on his Talent Scouts show. Hartford certainly gave him a good time. There was a reception at the Hartford Club and a banquet at the Hotel Bond. I attended on special invitation from Arthur. Although I'd written to him, that was the first time I had seen him since he left the Heights in 1919. And I knew him the minute I saw him. He hasn't changed a bit since he was a boy. He's older and heavier, of course, but the expression is still the same. He seemed very much pleased to see me. We talked about the old days in Hasbrouck Heights and I told him news about people from the Heights who are now living in and around Hartford. It was then that I asked Arthur if he'd like to come to the small reunion I was planning for some of my old pupils. Arthur said he'd come if I could plan the party for some day when he didn't have a broadcast. I arranged it for a Sunday and invited twenty-five people. Arthur flew up from his home in Virginia. He struck a thunderstorm on the way and it delayed him, but he finally arrived at five in the afternoon. I was determined not to tell anyone that he was coming, so he had no annoyance. I think he had a good time because of that. We took pictures on the lawn and Arthur told stories about his radio experiences. Other folks answered his questions about the Heights — we really had a wonderful time. Arthur told us about the day, not very long ago, when he passed the Franklin School in Hasbrouck Heights. "I went in and sat down in my old seat," he said. "How did you feel?" someone asked him. "Depressed!" he answered. That made everyone laugh, but despite his jokes I know that Arthur has a genuine fondness for the old school and his memories of it are quite keen. Why, he even remembers a picture that hung over my desk more than thirty years ago. It's a reproduction of Watts' portrait of Sir Galahad and his horse, and it was won by Arthur's class in 1917 for selling the most tickets to a school exhibit. It remained in my classroom for many years, and when I resigned the principal said I might take it with me. ft now hangs in my living room in West Hartford. When Arthur saw it, he said: "I see you still have the picture that used to hang over your desk. Who is it supposed to be, anyway?" When one of the folks volunteered that it was Sir Galahad, Arthur asked, "Who's he?" Now he knew very well that it was Sir Galahad and he knew very well who Sir Galahad was, but being Arthur Godfrey he just had to have his little joke. Later he said to me, "Miss Quigg, it's just like you to want to have the purest knight of all around." Arthur enjoyed the reunion immensely, but I think he was a little bit disappointed because one of the girls who used to be in his class wasn't there. Her name was Ramona and she was the kind of little girl that all little boys fall in love with and worship at a distance. She had blonde curls and the prettiest face. Arthur wasn't her only admirer but I don't remember that he paid much attention to her. Nevertheless he was able to remember that once there had been a Ramona, a golden girl from his golden years. Sitting in my living room, listening to Arthur, made me recall that he always had had the faculty of entertaining people. His wit, his expressive manner, his gift for story-telling were qualities which, no matter how undeveloped, were apparent in Arthur as a young boy. I also happen to know that his other qualities were with him then, too : compassion for others, generosity, and, if he'll excuse me, tenderheartedness. I remember his helping the local baker when that man's family had the measles. The baker was quarantined, and he asked Arthur, who worked part-time for him, if he'd take over the whole job. Arthur did, but it meant missing school for two weeks and having to make up all that work. After graduating from my class. Arthur entered high school, but family fortunes forced him to leave when he was in his sophomore year. After that I did not hear much about his experiences until one day in June, 1934 I was at home with the radio turned on when I heard what sounded to me like a familiar voice. For a moment, I could not place it. Then I realized that it was one of my pupils, Arthur Godfrey, singing with that soft persuasive voice I so well remembered. Every opportunity I had after that, I listened to his program and finally I wrote to him. When we met at the banquet in Hartford, he said, "Why don't you write a story about me, Miss Quigg. You know more about me than anyone." I'm not sure that I know more about Arthur Godfrey than anyone, but I do know that once there was a little redheaded boy in Hasbrouck Heights, of whom I was sure I'd someday feel proud. And proud I am, you may be sure.