The Key West Citizen Newspaper, January 6, 1953, Page 4

ee » = SOCIETY — PERSONALS — NEWS OF INTEREST TO WOMEN DOROTHY RAYMER, Society Editor Two Heads Make A Better Tale WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING STORIES, a husband and wife team like that of Mr. ai Mrs. Herbert Best, have found that two heads are better than one in spinning a yarn. They made Book-of-the-Month with a novel called “Young ’Un,” and have been collaborating for about 25 years. Mrs. Best writes and illustrates under the pen name of Erick Berry. She edits “Land of the Free” series of books for boys and girls. Best is also known for his adult books. Together they have turned out countless articles, stories and other contributions to magazines in addi- tion to over 60 books. At present they are maintaining a home on Patricia Street in Key West and have volunteered to help the recently forried Writer's Guild which will meet at their house Wednesday night at 8 p. m.—Citizen Staff Photo. ‘How The Bests Made The Best Of It, Two Can Write As Sharply As One * BY DOROTHY RAYMER Mrs. Best is a woman to reckoned with carefully. She went to Africa and came back with some Big Game, very much alive! His name is Herbert Best and he’s not only a writer but a very charming Englishman, Cambridge graduate, who was once a barrister. That's a lawyer in case you haven't been reading the latest British detective stories. He writes for both young people and for adults. His wife, American-born, not only writes, but illustrates books of her own and her husband’s and also edits the selections for the historical series of books for boys and girls called “Land of the Free” and Scribner's “Strength of the Union.” Her pen name is Erick Berry. The Bests, who are living at 1423 Patricia Street, have just sent off their 65th book manuscript | ba and are working on another. They have countless stories, _ articles, radio and television scripts to their credit, In 1947, “Young 'Un,” a book on which they collaborated, .was chosen by Book-of-the-Month. That's why the picture caption reads “Two Heads Make A Better Tale.” It also blasts to bits the idea that husbands and wives can’t form working teams in the field of writing or any of the arts. Suecess in the chosen field, of course, can’t always be attained by two people unless they buckle down to work. The Bests make the best of it. They get up at 6:30 a. m. and put in a full day of writing. Asked how they actually went about the. business of collaboration, they took turns explaining the system. In brief, the formula is this: the story belongs, usually, to which ever writer first conceives it. They dis- cuss the idea together, then map out a rough draft. They plan about three chapters ahead. Best types it out, then dictates it back to his wife who makes notes and suggest- jons. He then takes it back from her in more complete form and this switch continues until per- fection is reached. It usually takes five readings before the final draft is completed. The Bests e no children, but they have brain-children, and are experts at writing young adult fic- tion, I read two of the books, “Seven Beaver Skins,” one of the Land of the Free series, which is written and illustrated by Erick. 1 also read “‘Not Without Danger,” a Viking Press book by Bert. 1 didn’t find them “written down” as true. The Bests lived in that coun- be | try. In fact, a subsistance farm in Northern New York State where they produced the _ best-séller “Young Un” was their home for sometime. They laughed and said ' the best crop off the 200 acres (of which they used 15) was that book. “Seven Beaver Skins” was also inspired by the New York sojourn. As for “Not Without Danger,” Best’s yarn of adventure in Jamai- ca, it too, breathes with the air of reality. They own a “Great House”’ near Montego Bay, Jamaica, Bri- tish West Indies, and the setting of the story is built around the estate where they have. been living. Of course, this doesn’t mean that a writer’s imagination should be limited to small areas, but it does mean that the creator should be- come familiar with the chosen ckground. Mrs. Best (Erick) has large dis- cerning dark eyes which she knows how to use. tellingly. =a tingly serious as ad- Lenore did so when she said, the beginning of their writing tea work over 25 years ago. Erick was a fashion writer who wanted some- thing more than ruffles to get ruf- fled about. She had a little money saved up and set off free lancing. | She got an assignment on “Girls in Africa,” for MacMillan publish- | ers, but she started out on her own. In West Africa, she met Her- bert Best who assisted her with the story. And that’s how the colla- boration began. He spoke Hausa and other dialects. He translated words and meanings for her and gave her stories of his 12 years experience in Nigeria, where he had gone after World War I as Dis- trict Officer. The couple enjoys a great agen tastes in common, but they also have their individual likes and dis- likes. Bert likes dogs; she likes the saying goes, to a juvenile level. | cats. He prefers to cook, but won't Both were interesting enough to the grown-up mind (at least I fondly hope mine is) to hold attention right through to the last pages. eat vegetables unless they are homegrown. So his wife gardens and grows his favorites like green beans and little squashes. He likes | Yet a younger person would under- | goggle-fishing and she is interested stand and enjoy exciting stories. The secret, 1 believe, is authen- ticity. Erick said they never wrote in archaeology. Best has a neat Esquirish mous- tach, twinkling blue eyes which reflect his subtle sense of humor. | about a locale or a situation with- |He claims be has agctber name, out knowing a great deal about | j (Oswald) but oly uses it to sign PLAN COFFEE HOUR the place and characters or with- jobecks. He also stated be was a! wisay judge. On the present situa- tion in parts ny Africa with diffi- culty between the large numbers of blacks and the small percentage of whites, Bert has definite ideas. He says that most of the trouble springs from the fact that the. no- madic tribes feel as if they should be allowed to roam and settlers, both white and native, feel they should be allowed to farm. He com- pared the conditions to that of early days in the American West, and remarked that in the end, the farm- ers would win, just as they did in the United States. Said.he, “Sheer iaprddindy of Population will level off e situat In pid’ to Dr. (Sailor) Malan’s intolerance and the trouble in South Africa, Best opened that regional pride causes a great deal of fric- tion, and that Malan would never subjugate Africa. “Malan will cause bad feeling not only between the blacks and the whites, but be- tween the different groups of Africans who are even more dis- similar than Norwegians and Ita- lians. In the end, his government will be superceded by a much more reasonable attitude and administra- tion. One of the reasons that makes it possible for him to be such an idiot is the low I. Q. of his asso- ciates. But that will be changed,” Best concluded. A home in Jamaica, another in Sharon, Conn., and frequent travel- ling have made the Bests cosmo- Polites. But right now they have a touch of “Old Rock Fever” and if typewriter to flipper as it were, may locate for part of in Key West. have volunteered to be hosts Writer’s Guild on Wednes- day evening at their current home, 1423 Patricia Street. That's an in- dication that they have already be- }gun community interest. | bave to have a crystal ball to pre- jdiet that they will someday turn | out a story about Key West, |Writers Guild Conference Set |For Tomorrow Treat for the Writers Guild is in store for memiers attending to- morrow night’s meeting which is set for 8 p. m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Best, 1423 Patricia Street. The host and hostess are not only professional writers of over 25 years experience, but have had one of their 65 books selected by the Book-of-the-Month. This meeting's assignment is the writing of a humorous description. However, whether or not you have conference. Professional, i fessional and amateur writers are | welcome. |GRAY LADIES CORPS Coffe hour for the Gray Ladies out thorough research, and for | reformed character who now likes Corps is planned for Thursday, that reason the “Seven Beaver Skins,” which is about the settle- ice im his drinks, American plan. His varied career includes the January 8 at 10 a. m. ‘The group will meet at the home | something prepared, come to the | semi-pro- | ITEMS. OF INTEREST TO EVERYONE Page 4 . THE KEY WEST CITIZEN Tuesday, Sanuary 6, 1953 Singer To Be Wed To Chief Villier Of USS Gilmore The engagement of Rita Damas to Louis Villier was announced at a party at her home, 505 White- head Street, Sunday evening. Bet- iter known as Rita Wayne, she is the vocalist at the Trade-Winds Club in Key West. Villier is a Chief Hos- Pital Corpsman, stationed on the ‘USS Gilmore. The celebrants were entertained informally by Mory Wilde and Jerry North, or the Jestones as they are known professionally, with their accordian and bass fiddle. Miss Ruth Kingsley, veteran sing- er of numerous Broadway shows and overseas performances, enter- tained the party with selections from several of the shows, The Proceedings, including vocal well- wishings, were recorded by wire by Frank Flook, a co-worker of Mr. Villier, The entire party moved over to the Naval Station CPO Club later in the evening for dancing and more informally entertainment. Miss Wayne and Grace Duane Sang, accompanied by Don Baaska at the piano. The couple’s wedding date is in- definite and will. be announced later. Those present included: Grace Duane, R. W. Hamilton, Gladys Cox, Edith Copeley, John Speziali, Mr. and Mrs. John Walters, Ditua Branin, Earl Barnett, Marion Hen- derson, Mr. and Mrs. Don Baaska, Mrs. Ruth Kingsley, Frank. Flook, Donald Drury, J. R. Burnett, Mory Wilde, W. Bauman, Sam French, H. R. Hansen, Jerry North, Tom Dougall, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Pogre, Mr. and Mrs. “Ski” Skewis, John Pritchard, Ruby Gould, J. E. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Des Desid- erio, Johnnie Coughlin, Mr. and Mrs. William Bond, Paul Gibbs, Dotty Williamson, Mr. and Mrs. J. Shewed and Mr. P. Hoover, Coming Events TUESDAY, JANUARY 6— Kiwanis Club dinner meeting, 6:30 p.m. Youth for Christ Bible Study, Methodist Church, 729 Flem- ing Street, 7:30 p.m. Ft. Taylor Duplicate Bridge Club, 7:45 p.m. Beginners’ Bridge Group, Ft. Taylor Officers’ Club, 8 p.m. Minoca Council No. 13, Degree of Pocahontas, Redman Hall, 7:30 p.m. Civil Air Patrol, Am. home, 8 p.m. K. W. Assembly No. 13 Order of Rainbow Girls, Scottish Rite Temple, 7:30 p.m. K. W. Chapter No: 3, Disabled Am. Veterans, Luz Temple, 42 Amelia St., 8 p.m. K. W. Players, Barn Theatre, 8 p.m, Woman's Club, club auditorium, 3:30 p.m. Sea Finigee Cootiette Club 371, VFW Home, 8 p.m. Chapter No. 283, National So- journers, ist Presbyterian Church, 7 p.m. Coral Shores PTA, cafetorium, 8 p.m, Junior Woman’s Club, Woman’s Club, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7~ Navy Wives’ Bowling League, Naval Station Alleys, 1 p.m. Meeting, Junior Ch. Commerce at clubhouse, 8 p.m. Island City Navy Wives Club No. 88, meeting at Bldg. 178. 10:30 a.m. Ladies Golf Tournament. K. W. Golf course, 9 a.m. Handicraft Group, Naval Station Library, 2nd floor, 8 p.m. Dade Lodge No. 14, Masonic tg at Scottish Rite Tem- ple, 8 p.m. XZ-11 OWC, place to be an- nounced. SubRon Wives, Officers, Club, 10 a.m. Key West Outboard Club Aurxil- iary, 8:30 p.m., place to be announced. Writers Guild, meeting at home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Best, 1423 Patricia Street, 8 p.m. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8— CAP Cadets, Key West High Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. Navy Wives’ Bowling League, 1 p.m., N.S. Also open bowling. Rotary Club luncheon, 12:15, St. Paul's Parish Hall. Key West Lions, meeting, 6:30 _ at Lions Den, Seminary it. JayShees, place to be announced, Dr. Felix Varela Lodge No. 64, 919 Elizabeth street, 8 p.m Mothers Club of CMI and St. Joseph's School at Convent/ Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. i Coffee hour, Gray Ladies Corps, | 10 a.m., home of Mrs. Richard} Gleeson, 68 Felton Road, Sigs Legion at Woman's} ng was « postponed this date due to holidays, but meets regular- ly on First Thursday of each | month). | ments of the Dutch in New York | keeping of bees, cattle, sheep and | of Mrs. Richard Gleeson, 68 Felton | FRIDAY, JANUARY 9— State in the 17th century, rings | goats, surveying, soldiering and | Road, Sigsbee Park. 4 Old Fashioned nyma sing and! (CONCH CHOWDER By RAYMER Jaxon, not La Raymer, was the lucky New Year’s Eve roamer of “festive scenes.” The story which appeared_on the society page Fri- day began, “It was truly Maid’s Night out on Wednesday.” Out is right. I was out cold, with one, cold, that is, snug in my bed with cough medicine and capsules and my dog to keep vigil. I must admit it was the loneliest New Year’s Eve I’ve ever spent. At 11:15 Ski and Jeanne Skewis, Everett Woods and Julian Voloshin, dropped in to bring me a drop of New Year’s Cheer, but were gone to the bright spots’ by half past eleven and when midnight came, I listened to New York Times Square noise, via Everett’s kindly loaned radio, and heard the cavalcade of cars root- toot-tooting down Duval Street. I had to let the dog out shortly after the New Year’s Eve ushering in and did glimpse a half dozen people from a distance wandering up the street in funny hats. . .but that was all I saw of the “festive scenes.” THAT’S WHY I couldn’t keep the date with the Eugene Grays’ for New Year’s, or with any of the other nice people who asked me to drop in. Sorry. Charlie Gossett, ex- islander, now at NAS, Jacksonville, came by to say hello and mourn not being in Key West; but Doris, his wife, was presumably sun-bask- ing with George and Elsie Keys, and I missed her because on Sat- urday, do or die, sick with a cold, I had to make a fast trip to Miami | SATURDAY, for hearing aid repairs. Coincidence Dept.: Dr. Aubrey Hamilton had been seeing me throughout the cold session, but said he and Belle were going with Gene Nettles to see the Balinese ballet troupe in Miami. At about 3:30 p.m. Satur- day as I passed in a bus, I saw them come out of a house in the 11 hundred block on Sunset Drive, Coral Gables! Even if they could have heard me, I couldn’t have yelled. In fact, as this is being written I have to have all phone calls re-routed as I’ve progressed from that Talullah husky voice bronchial baritone to a mere whis- per with squeaks like a bagpipe which has been punctured. So I don’t talk unless I really have to, and, brother, what an effort that is for tlie likes of me! HOLIDAY LEAVE is over for Roger Des Rosieres (ex-Lodger) but George Rooney of OPI office was still on his at last report. When his colleague Edward Kenney, who recently chauffeured Rear Adm. James E. Maher around Key West, gets leave, he goes free, to come back in bondage. Eddie is altar- bound. Susan McAvoy’s wedding date with Cmdr. Ed Gibson is just around the corner and I'm wonder- ing if I'll have to cover the cere- *! mony with flippers on my feet, a snorkel on my nose and, water- tight goggles for an underwater wedding. Lewis Strong left for his home in Fort Wayne, Indiana to spend New Year’s. It took him two hours of stirrup-cupping to get go- ing and by that time he wasn’t PLAY TRYOUTS BEGIN TONIGHT Readings and tryouts for the next play, a mystery drama, will follow the regular business meet ing of the Key West Players which is slated for tonight. Time for the business session is at 8 p. m. at the Barn Thea- tre. All members and prospec- tive members are invited to at- tend. fellowship program, Poinciana Baptist Church, 8:30 p.m. Fern Chapter, No. 21, Order of Eastern Star, Scottish Rite Temple, 8 p.m. Busy Bee Club, 8 p.m. Gray Ladies Corps, 10 a.m. Unit 56, Ladies Auxiliary, FRA, place to be announced, 8:30 p.m. Ladies Aid Grace Lutheran Church, 8 p.m. Executive Board, High —_ PTA, 8 p.m. Key West Garden Club, Wo| men’s Club, 8 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary, Arthur Sawyer American Legion Post, Unit No. 28, Post Home, 8 p.m. 0. W. C. luncheon at Ft. Taylor, cocktails at 12:30 p.m. FAWTU 0. W. C. as hostesses for Hawaiian luau. JANUARY 10— Youth for Christ Rally. Fleming} Street Methodist Church, 729 Fleming Street, 7:30 p.m. } Martello Towers Art School, ; County Beach, children's class- es, 10 a.m. to noon. | | MONDAY, JANUARY 12— Alcoholics Anonymous, Key West group, meeting at 8 p.m. Beta Sigma Phi sorority, San) Carlos School, § p.m. Anchor Lodge, No. 182, Mesenie, | Scottish Rite Temple, 8 p.m. | DeMolay Mothers’ Circle, St / Paul's parish hall, 7.30 p.m. | sure he would make the entire trip. Threatened to go as far as Miami and have his mother send post- cards from Ind. However, he’s re- Ported to this base now and on Tuesday last was in Georgia ex- pecting to spend New Year's on the road somewhere in Kentucky. He ought to be back in another 10 days (daze). CHRISTMAS CARDS continue to arrive, one from “Cactus Jack,” Ledr. Jack Routley, Royal Navy, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire England; one from Betty Ann Del Compo Good, ex-camera girl at Club 22, Miami; from the Ross clan (Margo ergo), Chas. Gosset’s Pogo (a hamster); from Lt. Harry Phillips, Royal Naval Air Station, Gosport, Hants, England; from Becky Guthrie with a picture of Michael Reilly, born Nov. 5 at Sta- tion Hospital, Fort Sill, Okla.; Key West’s Reilly’s send a view of Miss Liberty because they don’t believe in Santa anymore; Patio Garden Restaurant want to know when I'll come and try THEIR Chowder; cards from Betty French, Apt. 306, The Asbury, 2505 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, 5, Calif., who may be en route to Key West by this time, and Flight Lt. Jim Read, now back in England, too, with the R.A.F. . There was something in here about Jim Cobb and cupid, but he de- leted it. As if we didn’t know! HS-1 O.W.C. MEETS TOMORROW MORNING The HS-1 Officers Wives’ Club coffee and business meeting will be held January 7, 10 a. m. at the home of Mrs. Billie Meadows, 34 Maine Road Sigsbee Park. ADELINES Interiors DIAL 2-2365 : 904 FLEMING ST. KEY WEST DIAL: Citizen Office, 2-5662 Combined Circles Plan | Meeting And Luncheon A covered dish luncheon will be featured Thursday, January 8 dur- ing the joint meeting of the Circles of the First Methodist Church. The luncheon and meeting will be at the parsonage, 411 Simonton Street, with the session beginning at 11 a. m. Leader of the program is Mrs. Earl Anderson. FAWTU O.W.C. To Be Hostesses IF; riday Afternoon Hawaiian leis, gras@ skirts and tropical flowers will brighten the decor at Fort Taylor on Friday when the Officers’ Wives Club have their monthly luncheon and pro- gram beginning with cocktails at 12:30 p. m. Hostesses for the event are members of the FAWTU group. Chairman, Mrs. J. L: Bettinger, will be assisted by co-chairman Mrs. C. W. Parr with the decora- tions supervised by Mrs. P. D. Henderson. A group of the FAWTU wives will put on a program of hula dancing. Fort Taylor by 6 p. m. Wednesday, A baby sitter will be in the play yard at the club so that the mothers who wish to attend can do so convenientl; 1953 City Dog License Due On Sale Monday, Jan. 5 Thru Jan, 31 at K. W. GARDEN & LAWN SUPPLY Fleming and Margaret Sts. and 240-A Poinciana Ext. HUMANE SOCIETY OF KEY WEST Shown above, Wylk’s Lee, who entertains nightly in th z nation’s chilliest spots at present, but t Lone. Excelling in the art of icp danci 2:00. new Reservations must be made: at = Lions Auxiliary _ To Install Newly : Elected Officers Next regular meeting of the Lions Auxiliary will be held at the Lions Den, Monday, January 19, at 8 p. m., when all the officers will be installed and announcement for various committees made. Projects for the year will be planned and all Lions’ wives and neon are ova to attend the portant gat At the meeting held recently, it was agreed that all members who signed before or on December 31, would be charter members of the newly formed organization. The new slate of officers unani- mously elected after being present- ed by a nominating committee, to be installed January 19 are : Fran- ces Albury, president; Josephine Esquinaldo, vice-president; Jean Sims, secretary; Edith Byre, trea- surer; Mae Nell Morales, tail twist- er. HOLIDAY VISIT ENDS The Misses Joan Knowles and Mary Imgrund left for W: D. C. after spending the with Joan’s parents, Mr. B. Knowles, of Eaton ——$—<——— ays “Mrs. JOIN THE he firmament of entertainers, Star Gloria y Gloria hails from Montreal, one of the re is nothing chilly chout ber dance interprete- , cate too, ahe dances each 10:30, 12:30 and