The Mystery Trip

by Helen Naismith

  “We want you ladies to be in on this all the way,” he told her. “This is your gift to the clinic and we want you to be happy with everything that’s done.”

  He then explained where the room would be and its estimated size, allowing for the contents they felt were necessary. He told her that he had given the matter thought, and would like to begin construction as soon as possible.

  “I’ll send you a copy of the plans when Mason has them ready,” he said.

  Anne was pleased that they were acting so quickly, but was concerned about having the funds available when needed.

  “I’ll advance whatever is necessary and you can repay me from your spring fund-raisers,” Ed told her. “I don’t expect it will be too much and I really want to do this, Anne. Paul thinks it’s a great idea, and we could surprise him by having it ready this winter – sooner, I think.”

  “Oh, Ed, what can I say, except thank you for all you’re doing for us. Yes, we think it’ll be wonderful for the children and their parents this winter, and you are a dear to make it happen so quickly. You are the expert in money matters, so we’ll handle it whatever way you want.”

  “Let’s just wait until we see the figures and we can decide. If this year’s Gala is any indication of your future fund-raisers, I’m not the least bit worried about it.”

  After the preliminary discussion with Paul regarding the room location, size and contents, Ed assumed full responsibility for getting it done, leaving his brother free to devote full time to his young patients. As soon as the architectural drawing was approved by Anne and Meg, work would begin.

  In the meantime, Anne arranged to host a luncheon at the Cape Ann Yacht Club for the volunteers who worked on the Gatsby Lawn Party. Its purpose was three-fold: to thank everyone for their hard work, to critique the first Gala, and to discuss suggestions for next year’s event.

  As the women enjoyed a seaside luncheon of New England clam chowder, lobster roll, and strawberry-rhubarb pie, they talked excitedly about the successful lawn party. When she invited them to the luncheon, Anne had asked them to be ready to discuss their committee’s activities – good, bad and indifferent. The information would be used to establish guidelines for future events. The women did not disappoint her. They all knew and loved Claire and dedicated themselves to support her memorial.

  Just as she was at the heart of activities at the Children’s Inn, she was also present in the hearts of her Red Hat family and friends who would work on the fund-raisers. The hours they spent working on the Gala was their way of memorializing her for the outstanding woman she had been. They were very enthusiastic about the memorial and were honored to take part in it.

  In opening the discussion after lunch, Anne thanked Jenny Adams for hosting the Gala at her home in Manchester-by-the-Sea. She then spoke of the work done by her own committee of volunteers who helped with entertainment and publicity, asking them to stand and be recognized.

  The entertainment was arranged by Thelma Briggs, Red Hat Queen of the Rambling Roses of Revere, who thanked Jenny Adams for providing the Victrola and records played at the speakeasy bar during the cocktail hour. In discussing the ragtime band, she said she had listened to tapes by several other bands, and decided on the Yankee Ragtime Band because it had the best repertoire of ‘20s music.

  “I loved the leader, Jack Langlois, and felt he delivered all he promised,” she said, “The players knew all those old Tin Pan Alley hits and, for those of us who couldn’t dance, it was great fun watching others do the Charlestown and the Lindy and other oldies. I think everyone enjoyed themselves.” Again applause expressed agreement as she took her seat.

  Meg spoke next, introducing those who worked with her on donations, ticket sales and sponsors.

  Ed’s friend, Bill Carter, a department store manager, was in charge of donations and sponsors. His wife represented him at the luncheon and praised the generosity of area civic clubs who gave generously.

  Shirley Owens, Queen of the Magnolia Mamas Chapter in Gloucester, handled ticket sales. She, too, gave a glowing report.

  “Tickets went rather quickly,” Shirley reported. “Sales were constant from the time the notice appeared in The Boston Globe in early March. We sold out by the first of May, but had a waiting list because we knew there’d be a few cancelations. We only had four, which were filled immediately. I was sorry to have to disappoint those we couldn’t accommodate. Hopefully, next year we’ll be able to include everyone who wants to come.”

  While Meg negotiated the catering contract and selected the dinner menu, she asked Mildred Benson, Ed’s cousin, to oversee dinner arrangements, including the delivery and setup up of the tents, dining room supplies and food service. In recognizing her contribution, Meg complimented her lavishly and the women applauded their agreement, following which Meg continued.

  “To quote Anne, who likes to quote the late Arlene Francis of What’s My Line fame, ‘It’s not what’s on the table, but what’s in the seats that makes for a successful dinner party.’ We are very thankful that we were blessed with both. Those who filled the seats at the lawn party were wonderful to come and support us in this way. And, of course, Karl’s Katering did a marvelous job with the food, as I knew he would.”

  Reporting next was Sylvia Holmes who chaired Rosemary’s decorations committee. Her sister had worked for many years in a florist’s shop and helped her with the floral decorations, which included pretty June flower arrangements on each of the fifty dining tables, wicker hanging baskets and tall mini rose silk trees in the corners of the dining tents.

  Several minutes of general discussion followed, during which everyone agreed the Gala was fun, exciting, and successful. Anne thanked the women again and announced the pending plans to build a small swimming pool at the Children’s Inn with the money that was raised. The announcement met with resounding applause.

  Anne then asked for suggestions for next year’s event. One woman proposed dinner and dance at a North Shore country club. Another suggested dinner at a club followed by a performance of the Boston Pops or Symphony. Or, a third suggested, a dinner theater show in Beverly. There was much to see and do in the culturally rich Greater Boston area, and other suggestions were offered.

  “I know this is a little different,” said Beth Elliott, a dignified matron from Essex. “But how about a steeplechase race?”

  Her question caught everyone’s attention and sparked immediate excitement. The women loved the idea and knew that Beth was the person to arrange it. She was a member of a prominent family whose ancestors were early settlers of that small New England town known for its rich maritime history and natural beauty of the meandering Essex River. Long before Essex was settled, eleven generations earlier, Joshua Elliott received a sizable land grant as a reward for supporting the king during England’s civil war. He, along with several other kindred spirits, promised to use the land to help settle the new frontier, which they did.

  While much is made of the early shipbuilding industry which helped develop this North Shore community, one of Joshua’s descendants, Samuel Elliott, was more interested in farming and horses, especially thoroughbred race horses. When his grandson, Samuel III, graduated from Harvard in the Class of 1909, he joined his father, whose childhood dream was to raise and train thoroughbreds for steeplechase races. Their land was ideal for cross country racing with its open meadows, rushing brooks and gently rolling hills. They named their farm Rolling Acres, and set about designing the landscape to have the look and feel of an English country steeplechase course.

  They began by preparing grazing fields with nutrient-rich grass for the horses, then built timber board-style fences of logs, posts and rails from natural wood in their forest. When the course was completed, they bought several young thoroughbreds that had run in flat races, along with two promising colts, and hired a trainer from Ireland to train them for the steeplechase.

  A steeplechase race is a thoroughbred race over the countryside and involves fence jumping and
uneven terrain. It had its beginning in the 18th century in Ireland when horsemen raced from church steeple to church steeple, jumping over stone walls and racing through fields and woodlands. In America as elsewhere, the race is now run on specially designed courses, some as long as four miles and others as short as four acres. All are governed by an official steeplechase organization requiring compliance with stringent rules and regulations regarding the course, horse, trainer and jockey. When introduced in America, experienced trainers and jockeys were brought from Ireland, but today most, if not all, steeplechases are run with American trainers and American jockeys, many of whom appear in the sport’s Hall of Fame.

  American steeplechasing uniquely supports charitable organizations, a fact which prompted Beth Elliot to think about a one-day meet at Rolling Acres to benefit Claire’s memorial fund. At the luncheon she reported that when she suggested it to her cousin, Harold Elliott, the farm’s present owner, he said it was a “distinct possibility” for the following year, and he was open to further discussion. The women were thrilled and asked Anne and Meg to meet with him as soon as possible.

  Two days later, on a rainy Friday morning, the meeting was held in the clubhouse at Rolling Acres attended by Beth, Anne, Meg, Rosemary and Eleanor. The senior Harold Elliot was joined by his wife, Margaret, and their son, Harold Jr. From the outset, it was obvious that steeplechasing at Rolling Acres was a family affair.

  As Anne described the charity she represented, all three family members listened respectfully. They had hosted other charitable organizations, some on a larger scale, and were familiar with the many details involved.

  “It would be a special one-day meet, not competing for a cup,” advised the senior Harold Elliott, “but the winner would win a purse, and your Foundation would benefit from income after expenses.”

  He then explained the sources of income: ticket sales, box seats, souvenirs, programs, concession stands and special parking.

  “We’ll take care of everything,” said the younger Elliott, who managed the farm’s business affairs. “We’ll just ask your ladies to help with ticket sales.”

  The steeplechases at Rolling Acres were very popular, especially when the competition involved a national cup. When dates are announced, the race pretty much sells itself. While the steeplechase is the main event, there are preliminary races during the afternoon which add to the day’s festivities.

  “For this event, we’ll see about a one-mile harness race for exhibition purposes only. That involves trotting standard-bred horses pulling sulkies, which always draws a crowd. There’ll also be tailgating, picnic baskets, and a vendor village with booths selling food and souvenirs.”

  As father and son outlined plans for the day, Margaret listened quietly. She, too, loved horses and was very much involved in operations at Rolling Acres.

  “You might also consider a black tie racing ball at the armory during that weekend, Ladies. You could have it the night before, or even Saturday night as everything will be over at five thirty. If not a formal ball, perhaps a dance of some kind, which would generate additional funds.”

  The women’s eyes brightened. They thought it a good idea and agreed to look into it.

  When they left the farm an hour later, excited and happy, their minds were swirling with ideas for next year’s fund-raiser. It would be a steeplechase at Rolling Acres with all the glamour and sophistication of a thrilling horse race, and there was much work for their Red Hatters to do in the coming months.

  In the meantime, Ed Benson met with the contractor, who agreed to begin immediately to have plans drawn for the additional room. He assured Ed there would be no problem having it completely finished and furnished by Christmas, making it the first of many gifts given to the clinic in honor of his wife.

  The four Red Hat Queens – Anne, Meg, Rosemary and Eleanor – were thrilled with the support the Foundation was receiving and looked forward to keeping the memory of Claire alive for many years in the future. Joined and supported by her devoted husband, together they would continue to honor the person who meant so much to all of them. Because she cared so much for others, her memory would be everlasting.

  In the words of Albert Paine, a noted American writer, “What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others in the world remains, and is immortal.”

  -The End-