A GREAT LADY IS "UP THERE" , AMIDST ETERNAL WILDFLOWERS Last week saw the passing of a great American: Lady Bird Johnson. Not only remarkable because she gave perspective and balance to one of America's most dynamic and driven political leaders -- another "LBJ" /Lyndon Baines Johnson, President of the United States who suddenly assumed office upon the tragedy of the Kennedy assassination and carried the huge burden of the Vietnam War 1963 - '69.

Lady Bird was remembered for many things -- but one of her most significant legacies was land conservation and the encouragement of wildflower planting along American highways and public parks. There were two direct impacts that I will never forget. They make her departure one of sadness and, at the same time, celebration of a real life of hard work and service.

The first impact was right in the home state of Maryland during the battle to get billboards from cluttering our highways, including those funded through the Federal interstate system. Lady Bird Johnson's driving force was felt by several "grande dames" who ran the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, including my mother who was an active committed opponent of the billboard clutter that had gone way beyond the country scenes of small "Burma Shave" signs. Margaret Wills and others had been fighting the "billboards intrusion" on Maryland highways, including U.S. Interstates within and connecting our borders to the Nation's Capitol, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

When the then 1st Lady undertook the national battle to beautify interstate hghways, my mother, as Md. Federated Garden Clubs President, got members to join her and stand at intersections along the Ritchie Highway between Baltimore and Annapolis -- holding flowers with tasteful posters:

"JOIN LADY BIRD JOHNSON AND THE GARDEN CLUBS IN MAKING MARYLAND BEAUTIFUL !
WILDFLOWERS , NOT BILLBOARDS ON OUR ROADS ! "

The other special memory of this quietly dynamic person was when she, Laurance Rockefeller and others served on the Board of Trustees of the American Land Trust (ALT), a 2-year project during the American Bicentennial, 1976-'78. I got to know Mrs. Johnson , during those 2 years as executive director of this national initiative that raised $300 million in gifts of land or funds to preserve land for the Nature Conservancy.

An example of Mrs. Johnson's "gentle firmness" is reflected in working with her to protect the national treasure "Enchanted Rock" , a Texas wilderness rock outcropping. In the process, Lady Bird "encouraged" a reluctant Texas parks commission to reverse an initial decision not to follow ALT's challenge grant to preserve this remarkable wonder of nature. Suddenly the Texas group reversed its initial decision and unamiously approved funding a match to the challenge grant ! When I asked Mrs. LBJ "what happened ?", her soft reply, with a wink of the eye :

" I just reminded the commissioners of a few things that Lyndon and I remembered about them"

That is a legacy of quiet , but firm work and leadership , as Lady Bird Johnson joins her husband amidst eternal wildflowers.

Labels: Lady Bird Johnson, Maryland, Wildflowers

  10:20 AM •  0 Comments •

"Round Pond , Maine : The REAL 4th of July" Each year, the Maryland summer begins with 4th of July parades , nearly all invaded,even "infected" by politicians : incumbent and aspiring (or better known as "candidates" ) . From Baltimore outward to the surrounding counties and way out to the eastern shore and western Maryland mountains , glad handers with brochures and jump out of convertibles, run to friends or would-be friends. They carry one message :" I am just the person to vote for! "

We have seen this scene , going back to the days of the real grass roots types -- of which Louis Goldstein was the prime example. "Louie" would greet parade watchers with his wonderful drawl : "God Bless Ya All , Real Good!" Since those days the scene has enlarged to every size, shape and smile from candidates running for everything.

Is there an alternative that will truly encourage us all to be really entertained? Yes! My wife Suzanne and I found one 10 years ago in Maine where understated and low-key humor prevails . It is the famous/ even infamous 4th of July parade in the small coastal town of Round Pond, Maine -- known for years as the location of the a small church -- made famous by the folk song "Little Brown Church in the Vale".

Every year, our annual welcome to a beautiful quiet lake in Maine is equaled only by the pure fun of 4th of July parade that makes fun of everybody ! -- particularly politicians : elected or aspiring . There are also funny "darts" thrown at "celebrities" or impersonators who think they are important .

How is this done ? Answer : by a float that "roasts". Quite a variety :

1997 : a float with a Hillary Clinton casting a fishing rod and catching "mermaids" jumping out of a pond -- each having a "fish tail" , attractive figure to match, and individual identities : among them -- Jennifer Flowers, Susan McDougall, Monica Lewinsky!

2005 : a moving prison cell with Martha Stewart teaching prisoners to bake cakes in the shape and icing just like license plates!

This July 4, 2007 : a float with Dick Cheney hold a shot gun, and misfiring at a plastic figure in hunting gear. But , the special feature was the V.P.'s holding a toy monkey strongly resembling another high official and on his hat , the one big letter : "W"!

But,again this July 4 -- far more exciting than Martha Stewart , Dick Cheney, Hillary/Bill Clinton , George "W" : a young couple who chose the Round Pond Parade and a float to be the site of their wedding . Ellen Peterson and Kyle Westhaven has always joked about getting married during the parade -- and last fall, decided 4th of July was to be the date. The altar for the service was on the back of a truck and "bridesmaids" , actually the groom's male friends, in dresses, trailing the float and toasting the occasion while drinking beer.

This year , participants carrying "Impeach Bush" signs threw candy at flag waving children on Round Pond Road.and, a float blasting global warming was followed by a cluster of "tacky tourists" clattering folding chairs -- several "dressed" in lobster traps.

All of us -- whether year-round or "summah" (Downeast for "summer") people -- knew that the Round Pond Parade had made it "big time" when the next day's New York Times actually noticed this special 4th of July with a front section article and photos of the newlyweds and tacky tourists. How nice for the NYT to descend from its proper perch to catch a slice of real Americana!

Is Round Pond a lesson for future Maryland parades where politicians should only be represented by funny or outrageous imitations on tacky floats ?

The answer is "Yes". Come back,Louie Goldstein help Maryland ,the "Free State", really be free on the 4th of July!

Labels: July 4th, Maine, parades, politics

  4:44 PM •  0 Comments •