The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #4232 Message #2043900
Posted By: Linda Goodman Zebooker
05-May-07 - 10:15 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Alice Blue Gown
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Alice Blue Gown
In the '50's, in Cincinnati Ohio, my mother and grandmother used to decorate parties, especially fund-raising galas. My favorite of my mother's creations was the "Orchid Ball". I was about 11 and pretty tiny, and was given large bunches of orchid-colored helium ballons to hold while people attached them to tables (helium had recently returned to retail use after the end of the Korean war). I almost left the ground.
My favorite of my grandmother's was the "Alice Blue Gown Ball" - everything in that wonderful silvery blue. It's the first time I ever saw twinkle lights. Both balls were held in the spectacular, art deco Netherland Plaza Hotel, and its balcony.
The preparations for these balls were done with Walter, an antique dealer, who could come up with the most amazing stuff (life-sized plaster swans, for example). In his funky old shop he kept a parrot that HATED my mother for some unknown reason and would always be trying to bite her.
Great memories!
Linda