OUR NEW LOOK - Accessing the Past

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acquct
VOL. VIII, NO. 2
(91 u b
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 1969
'OUR NEW LOOK'
POOL IN FOREGROUND
ON LEFT IS MEN'S LOCKER ROOM
ON RIGHT IS THE TERRACE ROOM .
SEE CHARLIE'S COLUMN FOR DESCRIPTION
FROM CHARLIE ...
We have had many compliments
on my letter of March 20. Evidently
some members think that we have
been concentrating on taking care of
guests rather than members, which
couldn't be farther from the truth.
We do have a problem with every'
one wanting to sit in the Garden
Room and members glomming on to
certain tables for lunch and wanting
to keep them for the duration of
their stay-which, in some cases, is
for the season. With the new set,up,
the new Terrace will take some of
the pressure off and open up a new
"in spot" for lunch. It's pretty tough
when sixty or seventy members
want to reserve their tables for the
season. I'm wondering what we are
supposed to do with the other sev'
eral hundred.
My letter mentioned attractive
casual clothes. You'd be surprised
how sometimes members will want
to go up and dance in something re'
sembling sweat clothes.
Lilly comes up every morning and
sniffs around, reporting that there
have been very few dogs around,
which . should more than please the
H ealth Department.
We have had so many special
parties this year that I thought the
Chef would go out of his mind. One
almost every night of the week ...
sometimes two .. . proving that the
Farrell House and the new Terrace
Room is a great success. Some bright
members should experiment and sit
up in the Terrace R oom and see just
how attractive it is.
The Terrace is being used more
and more and will be the real in
spot when the rooms in the Court
Section are demolished and two new
tennis courts which I told you about
are built. They shouid be finished
by opening next season.
You can see by John M orris' art,
ist sketch what the new look will be.
W e like our members and their
guests ... so ... please do not come
in the EXIT . We have had too many
accidents and near accidents by those
using the EX IT rather than the r:w
TRAN CE when driving into the club.
Love and kisses!
Dr. Gabriel Giannini and lovely wife Olga have a welcome smile for friends as they arrive at
the Racquet Club.
..
Paul Gregory, Janet Gaynor Gregory and friend get together for an evening at the club.
Always lead with your left! Charlie and the Bill Gargans.
Duffy Edwards between two roses! Ruth Taubman and Betty Hoy .
Charlie "Barrymore" Farrell g1v1ng friends that well-known look-Lola
Fry of Sydney, Australia, visiting Margo Erwin .
Cocktail party honoring Congressman John Tunney~Lou Taubman, Mrs . Tunney ,
Congressman Tunney, Louise Steinberg, Lionel Steinberg and Ruth Taubman.
The pause that refreshes! The Ralph Storys enjoy the pool in smog-free
Palm Springs.
Burgess Meredith relaxing with the Charles Wohlstetters after a day of
filming in the desert of "There Was a Crooked Man."
GLORIA'S CORNER
Even occasional rain couldn't
dampen the spirits of Racquet Club
revelers.
The Garden Room, bar, dining
room and Terrace Room seemed to
'.'jump" with fun and action every
evenmg.
Hostess Jean Stralem greets long-time friends
Anita Louise and husband Henry Berger.
Mr. and Mrs. David Golden host a forma
party for friends at the Racquet Club.
On the clear, balmy nights some
guests dined outside on the Terrace
and Tony Rose and his orchestra
moved out by the pool for the afterdinner dancers.
It was nice to see Cary Grant,
the Buddy Fogelsons (Greer Garson), the Mervyn LeRoys, Jose Ferrer, Mel Ferrer, Perry Como among
. those dropping in for lunch, cocktails or dinner.
In addition to the usual fun, large
parties abounded. Cocktail and dinner parties kept members and guests
greeting one another throughout the
season.
' The soirees ranged from the
small impromptu get-togethers (such
as Eva Gabor's surprise birthday
luncheon given by her tennis-playing
pals) and the lovely cocktail caper
held in the Farrell House on Rose
Wohlstetter's birthday to the formal
dinner events including the Albert
Sloan and Margery Kanrich bash,
the Sam Grodin dinner honoring
James E. Thompson, chairman of
the Merrill-Lynch board and other
board members from throughout the
country, the Maurice Gross Clambake, the annual Stralem happening,
the Minna Bess and Marlo Lewis
cocktail caper for Mrs. Bertram
Rosarita Beach Eddie serves Waltah and Gretchen Clarke· at the R-C Round Up.
"Ain't love grand?" Ginny and Willard Parker have that look.
Cute Couple! Carol and Saul Rosenzweig enjoying themselves at a party in the Farrell
House.
Fields (Roberta Peters) and the
Philip Iselin party for the New
York Jets. Latter was such a swinging occasion that Hoagy Carmichael
and Al Hirt teamed for a couple of
duets-starting with Hoagy's classic, "Stardust."
Congressman John V. Tunney
was guest of honor at the party given in the Farrell House which had
Lou Taubman and Lionel Steinberg
as co-hosts. And Dr. James Oliver,
one of the first doctors in Palm
Springs, was honored by doctors
from the Palm Springs Medical
Clinic with Minette and Dr. Norman Haber greeting the guests.
Herbert Siegel, Ann Siegel, Billie Siegel with Ike and Rita Levy at the cocktail dinner party
hosted by the Levys.
More than 200 attended Dottie
and Stanley Ecker's bash which was
such fun that it lasted until the wee
hours of morn. And one of the nicest
of the big parties was hosted by I. D.
Levy, a founder and recently retired
board member from the Columbia
Broadcasting System.
Burgess Meredith and Martin
Gable (both filming "There Was a
Crooked Man," starring Racquet
Club member Kirk Douglas) were
among guests at the Levy dinnerdance as was Frederick Loewe. It
was nice to see Veva Selig at the
party and Rose and Charles Wohlstetter were still unwinding from
Rose's fun birthday party in the Farrell House a few evenings earlier.
Charles Farrell was among the
late, staying guests and "Mousie"
(Mrs. William) Powell was joined
by her sister, Maxine. Marlo Lewis
taMaMatted on the drums and another "guest'' drummer was Billy
Siegel, grandson of the host and hostess. (The Levys' daughter and sonin, law, Ann and Herbert Siegel,
were here for the party with their
sons, Johnny and Billy.) Some others
on hand were Buster Collier, Nelda
Linsk, Brownie Stewart, the Michael Goldsmiths, the Eckers, Lorena and Mike Nidorf, Virginia Zanuck, Dorothy (Gray) and Harry
Joe Brown, Edna Rothbart, etc.
Martin Gable paid a nice tribute to
Report card not so good! Randy Wohlstetter
helps mother celebrate her birthday.
'Long-time friends! Philo Le.serman, Gil and
Polly Kahn at the Stanley Ecker party.
Brother Milton K. Arenberg and Mrs. Arenberg are greeted by Claire and Al Arenberg at
dinner party hosted by the Al Arenbergs.
Levy when he said that when he
was a youth in Philadelphia, all
worthwhile projects there were
backed and supported by the Levys.
The Donald Stralem party has
become traditional in Palm Springs.
Guests started out at the Village
Theater where this year's screening
of an unrleased film was "When
Winter Comes" starring David Niven, Topolo and Anna Karina. From
the theater, it was back to the Racqeut Club for cocktails, dinner and
dancing. Among the show biz people who saw "When Winter Comes"
and enjoyed the party here were
Jackie Cooper and his wife, Barbara; the William Gargans, Donald
Woods, Charlie Farrell, Mrs. W illiam Powell, the Henry Bergers.
Mrs. Berger is the former Anita
Louise and it was nice to welcome
her back to the Racquet Club.
We've missed her since her move to
New York City.
Many long-time "Villagers" were
also in attendance such as Harold
and Mary Hicks, the John Kenastons, and a number of others connected with the Desert Museum of
which Mr. Stralem is president. Museum supporters included the Frederick Sleights, Gilbert and Polly
Kahn, Philo Leserman and the Joseph Hirshorns.
Marsha Barrett congratulates Mrs. Harold.
Florsheim as a winner of drawing during Ladies' Auxiliary of Desert Hospital fashion
show.
Fill - in drummer for Tony Rose orchestra.
Drummer boy Lewis.
Bess Meyerson Grant, Mervyn LeRoy, Greer Garson Fogelson, Arnold Garnt, Kitty LeRoy and
Buddy Fogelson enjoy an evening at the Racquet Club.
One of the most novel Racquet
Club "do's" was the annual New
England Clambake given miles from
the sea by Racquet' Club winter residents Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Gross.
Four years ago, they gave their
first Clambake here. Their parties
have grown from about 20 to 200
guests. The seafood was flown here
the day before the party and guests
cocktailed first in the Farrell House
and then moved into the main dinmg room.
The Dick Millens were on hand
and six couples who have been wintering here for the past dozen or so
years-Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Berns,
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bassachis, Mr.
Happiness is! Bobby and Sandy Rose at the
Maurie Gross party.
1
Hermine and Stanley Rosin dancing to the
strains of Tony Rose orchestra at the Stralem
party.
and Mrs. Michael Goldsmith. Ednah Root and Mrs. Maurice Horner
joined in the fun. And William
Powell, who seldom goes in for big
parties, said he wouldn't have missed
the Gross Clambake for anything.
"This is the start of my soci11l
season," he said with his dry sense
of humor, "and the close of it."
Later he cracked, "The crowd is so
big, I think we'll dine on whale instead of cracked crab and lobster."
Some of those who enjoyed the
Kanrich, Sloan party were Mr. and
Mrs. Walter Marks, the Mel Franks,
Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Strauss, Duffy
Edwards, Barbara and Zeppo Marx.
William Powell, Walter Lang, Mousie Powell and Mrs . Lang enjoy the clams and lobster at
annual party hosted by Dena and Maurie Gross.
The bash of all bashes was the
Racquet Club's own "Round Up,"
held to celebrate the club's 36th season.
The event turned the pages back
in time to the days when everything
was Western in Palm Springs. To
set the scene, a spectacular twinkling cactus, a mule and cart and a
large Mexican figure stood outside
near the entrance. Inside, cactus
were on each window, painted for
the party by John M orris. A huge
bull looked down on diners in the
Garden Room. Shortly after midnight, Charlie Berns hopped on his
back and made like "Hi Ho Silver."
The crowd from "21" would never
have recognized their leader!
t,
'"
Cheese! Brownie Stewart in a bewitching
dress at the Rose Wohlstetter birthday party.
Ann Peppers, only woman on the Board of
Directors of Santa Anita Race Track, with
friend John Eisbach at the Ecker party.
The Berns clan have been spending winters with us for almost 30
years. They enjoyed Palm Springs
when it was a Western town as
much as the early Racquet Clubbers
who attended the "Round Up" including Frank Bennett, the Earl
Strebes, film director Eddie Sutherland and Mrs. Sutherland and Jane
and Russ Wade.
Virginia Zanuck hosted a party
for long , time members Dorothy
Gray Brown (cute in long blonde
braids), Jimmy Van Heusen, Bobbe
Perlberg, John Haskell and others.
Guest Joe Schenken gives forth with song at the Philip lselin party.
The Charles W ohstetters, Donald
Stralem, and prexy Richard Millen
and his wife, Mary Alice, greeted
many of the members. The Wohlstetters spent March and part of
April here. They flew to Palm
Springs from New York with the
Harry Goulds and Maurice Uchitels who also unwound under blue
Racquet Club skies.
Mrs. Raymond Loewy enjoyed
the Round Up at the Stralem table.
And beautiful Mrs. Bertram Fields
(in professional life, Metropolitan
Opera star Roberta Peters) was a
knockout in her Indian outfit with
the Marlo. Lewises. The following
night Marlo and Minna Bess gave
that swinging soiree in honor of Roberta.
'That's a lot of bull! Charlie and Mollie Bern•
having a great time at the annual charity
party, R-C Round Up.
"Aw, come on - give me my change!" Ruth
Taubman and Grace Jablow, script girls for
Ladies' Auxiliary of the Desert Hospital fashion show.
The Paul Friedlanders were here
for all the fun-the Racquet Club
Round Up, Rose Wohlstetter's
birthday celebration, the Lewis party, and all the other fun events.
However, they flew back to Seattle
for a look-see at their new home
which is being designed by the designer of the Racquet Club. Although they missed the anniversary
party, it was nice to have the Frank
Loessers stay at the club for almost
two weeks on a vacation from New
York.
The Malcolm Clarkes enjoyed the
anniversary bash and Malcolm, vice
president of the Dunes in Las Vegas,
donated a trip for three days and
two nights to the hostelry - and
who was the big · winner? Buster
Collier.
Couple of Indian princesses, Hazel Kunody and Rose Wohlstetter, and their spouses pause
during the festivities at the Racquet Club Round Up.
A few others present were Ann
and Carl Goldenberg, Rosemary
and David McDonald, the Sandy
Roses (they gave a iovely cocktail
party in the Farrell House on the
eve of their departure back to Chicago), the Russell Oggs (she's columnist Norma Lee Browning with
the Chicago Tribune) , Virginia
Field and Willard Parker.
The charity drawn from the many
placed in "Charlie's Hat" to receive
funds from the party was the Joseph
Shapiro Eye Center to be built at
Desert Hospital.
Marlo doubling for Farrell at the Racquet
Club annual Round-Up charity party.
Mrs. Stanley Ecker, Mr. A. D. Nast, Jr., Mrs.
Nast and Stanley Ecker at party hosted by
the Eckers.
Guests of the Ed Fosters were-seated, Mrs. Charles Day, Ed. Foster, Chevy Foster, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Lewis; standing, Charles Day, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Lindgren, and Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Jennings. The group are members of the Wine and Food Society.
Mal Clarke congratulates winner of Las Vegas Dunes trip, Buster Coilier. Mr. Clarke
contributed door prize for Racquet Club Annual Charity Party.
Donald and Jean Stralem with "Love" and
Charlie making preparation for the Racquet
Club annual charity party.
Looking forward t·o the next course, lobster , . . Ike Levy, Mrs . Philip lselin, Maurie Gross,
Philip lselin, Mrs . Charles Schepens, Dr. Charles Schepens; seated, hostess Dena Gross and
Rita Levy. Annual party hosted by Dena and Maurie Gross .
Mrs. Charles Kauffman, Hy Kuchi and Mrs . David Dimsdale having a great time at the Sloan,
Kanrich dinner party.
"Oh, is that so!" Paul Friedlander and Charles Wohlstetter at party hosted by the Donald
Stralems.
RACQUETIQUE
Helen Breeding
Another season is about to
draw to a close-and fashionwise the pants, as we preqicted,
paid off. It -truly was a season
of the wide world of pants and
it will continue all through the
summer-especially the 2-piece
bare midriff look. Fabrics are
sheer and cobwebby and necklines are plunged- romance is
in the air.
· Now again timing will be of
the essence, by that I mean having the right thing at the right
time. So it's now time again to
gaze into the crystal ball and
see what goodies we come up
with for next fall. At the moment you will be reading this,
our yesterday's darlings are our
today's markdowns-so hurry
and come into the shop. So until next fall, I thank you one
and all for your patronage .
au rev01r.
Hands across Mel's tummy, Rose Wohlstetter,
Seth Baker and Mel Ferrer.
Eva Gabor making a point with friends, Hazel Kunody and Nancy lttleson.
Presenting trophies for A-Flight Mixed Doubles, our own Dina.h Shore-Gary Chazen and ·Barbara Marx runners-up, Ba rbara Wright and Bob Macleod winners.
Doug Macy, Friedel Dunbar-winners of Mixed Doubles, B Flight-receive trophies from Pro
Wild Bill Davis. Runners-up-Lynn Wexler and Mike Margucci.
COURT
SCENE
Julie Copeland
Here we are at the end of our
36th season and how the time flew.
It seems as though we are just getting started. The weather wasn't the
best we have had, but it failed to
dampen the enthusiasm ofthe tennis
players. Every time the rain would
let up even a little, people came running out to help mop the courts, to
try and get in a couple of sets.
Most of our Eastern friends have
returned home and now the "local
yokels" are back on the courts with
their usual matches. We'll miss the
Walter Stolkins, Armand Whites,
Herb Fuentes, Gene Weisbergs, Ben
Christs, Harry Katzes, Henry I ttlesons, Ed Smiths, Bob Rautbords,
Jim Stokes, and of course Arnold
Perry, Joe Tobin, Sol Gould, Sidney
Adelstein and so many other won- derf ul people that come and visit us
during t!ie season.
We're really excited about our
two new tennis courts that will be
built this summer. The location will
be on the other side of the pool
where people will be able to watch ·
the tennis while sunning or eating in
the Terrace Room. With the upsurge of tennis interest, we will certainly appreciate this addition.
The Mouseburgers, Ladies' Days
and our four tournaments were most
successful this season, and we have
added the Desert Medical Classic to
our list. We have drawn doctors
and their wives from all over the
country for this four-day event. I
really have a great job-where else
can anyone get free medical advice
regarding any "department" from
so many important physicians?
This is rather a short column because we are going to press before
our last tournaments. I'm off to visit
various places and friends these next
few months. Maybe I'll run across
some of you-hope so-but if not,
have a wonderful, happy, healthy
summer ... see you next season.
Senator Jacob Javits of New York and our , Julie Copeland discussing world situations.
Winners, B-Flight, Men's - Herb Jaffee and
Gene Corman-receive trophies from worldrenowned tennis great Alice Marble.
Mousie Powell presents trophies to Mr. and
Mrs. Frank McCabe-runners-up-and Joan
Primm and Tom Leonard, winners of the Mixed
Doubles Championship Flight.
Three Buccaneers-Marlo Lewis, Mel Ferrer and Seth Baker at cocktail party honoring Roberta
Peters.
Hostess Mina Bess Lewis and hubby Marlo with guest of honor, Roberta
Peters of the Metropolitan Opera, at cocktail party held in the Farrell
House.
Joan Bering, Helen Kenaston and Mollie Berns enjoying the latest fashions frol'T' Helen Rose fashion show .
Peaches and Cream - Grand Finale of Helen Rose fashion show for
Ladies' Auxiliary of the Desert Hospital.
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A toast to the oldest practicing physician in Palm Springs, Dr . Olive r.
Mrs. Norman Haber and Mrs. Percy Staley.
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Dr. and Mrs. George Kaplan at the Stanley Eckers' party.
1
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mendelson enjoy the
festivities at the R-C Round Up.
All aboard for the Santa Anita Races.
(;rown children of the Charlie Bernses and Sandford Roses at party hosted by the Roses.
Steve Soloman, Alfred D'Ancona, Abby Soloman, James Rose and Terry D'Anc-ona.
'rwo little girls! Pat Yucatel and Lucy Gould
at the annual Racquet Club charity party.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sloan and Mrs. Mariory
Kanrich host a cocktail dinner party at the
club for friends .
Old Amigos, sans Charlie, get together again at the 36th Annual R-C Round Up. The Russel
Wades, Eddie Sutherlands and Earle Strbes.
-...
Mary Alice and Dick Millen with Mrs. Irwin Kramer .t cocktail party
in the Farrell House.
A toast to outside dining on the terrace by Richard Millen, Dottie Ecker, hostess Mrs . Morton Scharnberg, Walter Hyman, Stanley Ecker, Louise Horner, Arthur Horwich, Mrs. Walter Hyman, Mary Alice Millen
and Morton Scharnberg.
Dancing under the stars.
Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Kramer, Rose Wohlstetter, Martin Revson and Eleanor Carmel enj·oying the club and each other.
Happiness is the "New Look on +he Terrace."
More dancing under the stars.
Enjoying the Maurie Gross party-Michael Goldsmith, Mrs. Jerry Berns,
Doris Goldsmith, Edna Root, Jerry Berns, Louise Horner and Mr. and
Mr~. William Bassichis.
Sam Grodin, Charlie Farrell, Mrs. Grodin and Mrs. James Thomson d
cocktail party hosted by the Grodins honoring James Thomson, Chairman of the Board of Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.
Our favorite model, ·Barbara Marx.
"Oh, not for me!" Bobbie Rose, Pat Dodge, surprised Birthday Boy
Duffy Edwards, Sandy Rose and Jimmie Morton at cocktail party hosted by the Sandford Roses.
Rona and David Richman and family at the cocktail dinner party hosted by the Richmans. Jack Warner, Jr., Barbara Warner, Jack Feder,
Francine Feder, Rona Richman, David Richman, Dione Fenning and William Fanning.
Our favorite model again, Barbara Marx.
!
•
'The 'Racquet .l91ub
1 alm Springs, f9alifornia
92262
IMPORTANT!
--,
SUNDAY-MAY 4, 1969
l
CLUB CLOSES
WITH
"A FUN AFTERNOON"
HELP
CLEAN OUT THE ICE BOX
WITH
'
A
SPECIAL LUNCHEON-12:00 NOON to 3:00 PM
(NO FOOD SERVICE AFTER 3:00 PM)
,
*
*
*
*
*
TONY ROSE AND HIS MAD CAPS
1:30 PM to 5:30 PM
BAR CLOSES AT 6:00 PM
MAKE YOUR LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS EARLY