You are right, Jack did give it to Ted as a commemorative when Ted won the Senate seat. I have learned so much about Ted the man since his death. It is so surprising, his proficiency as an oil painter, his constant support and guidance to the children of  both brothers John and Robert after their deaths, the relationships he cultivated both professionally and personally. He reached out on multiple levels; such as making sure the families of those from Massachusetts who died 9/11 received a call from him afterwards, not only once, but for several years on the anniversary of the event. He sent them cards, checked on them. He remembered others in his state who met with tragedy, offered support to some, and assisted people locally who needed a helping hand now and then. All done quietly, no showboating, or press releases.

I read quite a bit about how he began drinking heavily after Bobby died, and his horrid public behaviors, culminating with the death of MaryJo. But he did work hard afterwards to deserve his place on this earth. He did not take his future after the accident for granted. He endured with the weight of his actions from that tragedy on him. I do think he was trying to make up for it in his own way. He worked hard professionally, and I do believe he left this world a better place for many. I can see that a saving grace for him was Vicky. He seemed much more at peace after they married.

Architectural Digest has rerun an article on them from the time they bought and redecorated their new home in Washington, D.C.(from 1999). You might want to check it out. Lots of memorabilia. One needlepoint pillow in his study made me curious.. I would like to know the story behind that one.

Laura,

I did not see if anyone else answered you, so forgive me if this is redundant. John gave his brother, upon the occasion of his election to the Senate,  a cigarette case with the inscription. He had it in his home on display, along with many other remembrances from family and friends.

Hope this helps.

You make them? Great!, I will have to remember to place my order to you just before Fat Tuesday!

I always thought the jelly ones were too sweet..the custard cut the sweet…sort of like whipped cream on a dessert.. but in regular donuts, custard was a favorite too, with a powdered sugar dust, not chocolate frosting, those can hit the rich roof…

I can imagine how good your kitchen must smell when you are making those… you must have a mob at your house :)

Karen,

 I remember reading about the lunch meeting and some of the details. So many theories flew around for years. I think by now a lot of the players are gone, and the mystery will remain.  I left Detroit two years after I finished (my late in life) degrees, in 1999. I haven’t read anything about him since. Great research, thanks.

Margo, this is delightful, but way too short!

I do not remember if it did come to light, so forgive me if I am asking the obvious, but do we know who Shelley Winters met each year?

Coming from north of Detroit originally, we heard a lot about Jimmy Hoffa. I always hoped we would someday learn the true story about the end of his life..there was so much violence, and corruption during that era, and the unions were very strong. What made it unforgettable? Did you feel uncomfortable interviewing him? Some reported being afraid when they met with him, others thought he was a gentleman. How was your experience?

Always a delight to read your features! Thanks!

Catie

Thanks for the link, (as late as I am in catching it) and I agree with you. It was spot on and based on facts rather than the  nebulous, and emotional opinions that seem to fly fast and furious of late, as though they will ultimately trump the truth.

Addressing some of the above remarks/questions:

In  a short interview on the Internet Maria stated that she had not originally included Kate Gosselin on the list of speakers, but her daughter "loves" Jon and Kate +8, so asked for her to be included. she gave in. Too bad.

Kate also stated that her daughter "was speaking too loudly, and bothering" her, so she spanked her. This is called hitting or parenting in defense. She was irritated by her. This was not a lesson learning discipline. Her demeaning remarks to her sons and others, Jon included, cause me to believe this girl could use some therapy. Her anger issues have been evident for quite awhile. Now that it is in the open, and she has admitted the truth of what has been going on for about two years now, I feel the audience/public have all been misled by the loving vows renewal, the loving family kitchen cookbook, etc. She has had help, and resources most of us could only dream of. We survived and raised our children, and coped with life.  I will not be spending time or money to hear what she has to say. She has pretty much revealed herself enough already. 

 In the past this was a beautiful event to attend. There will be some wonderful speakers at the conference. With the California economy at such a dire level, I also am wondering who will be able to afford to go this year.

A classic story, with politicians… Very often when arguing politics, when they cannot substantiate their claim, with Facts, Proof, they stoop to personal attacks.

Now, their tactics have caught on….

Well said Mommy Dearest.

The opinions that are held with passion are always those for which no good ground exists; indeed the passion is the measure of the holder’s lack of rational conviction. Opinions in politics and religion are almost always held passionately.

Bertrand Russell Sceptical Essays

No Charles, that is not true. No more than a joke gets distorted when retold. Maybe with some, but most, not.

Regardless of what someone believes their experience has been, however, a therapist is working with their reality. If they believe something, then it must be addressed, worked through. As one who has worked with many, many survivors of abuse and horrors, I do not believe much has been distorted with the telling.

For me, I used to keep a journal, and then when I could, I asked others about certain events.

My memory was correct.

And no matter how one tries to "remember the good stuff" you must consider the setting, the situation…. how about an example?  How good can it be to live through a Christmas, with company now present, laughing, and having a good time, when you have been beaten by your mother just prior for no good reason, but "I figured you did SOMETHING today to deserve the belt", (she needed to relieve her own stress and anger) and you know you have to stay away from certain relatives, hyper-vigilant, so they do not get their hands on you, knowing just what they will do to you if you get too close. Only to know that the one you cannot avoid will get you before the night is through.  Or a fine summer day when a babysitter is called in so mom can shop alone… and it is the abuser himself…

Living in the constant stress of an abusive home makes those "good times" surreal moments in a life that is a nightmare. The overall feeling of anger, the fears, the necessary vigilance.. pressure not to make any mistakes, the knowledge you are not wanted, and the feeling that you are not loved. This is the kind of life one survives….not one enjoys, or has what others would consider "good times". they are moments of short reprieve at best…

It takes an enormous amount of work to overcome an abusive childhood. But those of us who make it through the work, do not take life for granted. We work everyday to make our lives better, and create our own blessings. Create our own good memories. They say the best revenge is a life well lived…

Survive and Thrive! 

You are right, and I wrote to WOW as we cannot change it in our own profile. They just changed it today, I see.

I am also from Michigan. I enjoy reading your posts, not only for the male perspective they provide, but for the respect for others they reveal.

Thanks for the kind words.

Take good care,

Catriona

I missed the NPR statement. I heard something shortly after reading that Vanity Fair article today. I did not feel it was the vilifying piece a critic declared it was (he did let slip in which camp his loyalties lay). In some ways I thought the author was light on his views and others he was straight on. I am waiting to see more online reviews… with her resignation, it feels to me like she decided she didn’t want to play anymore, so she quit and ran home, like kids do when they didn’t like the way the game is going with their friends.

If she is quitting to focus on a national run, as some have speculated, I believe that is a huge mistake.  I cannot imagine voting into office someone who decided to quit their current job in the middle of their tenure to focus on another job elsewhere they wanted more.

I hope you will write a  piece on this new development! I am sure it will lead to another passionate debate on WOW!

I heard back from Snopes.com earlier today. They are going to "stay on top" of the new rumors on the deaths of those stars mentioned in earlier comments.

Also, I checked to verify the truth when I first heard that Sarah Palin is stepping down the end of the month as governor of Alaska. She is declining to talk about her future plans, just telling those who asked to"stay tuned" as she "twittered" her followers.

 what a week for news!