Lexington, KY – There was a very intelligent and informed psychology professor at the university, from whom I took three courses. The courses had titles and descriptions in the catalogue, but what I learned in the courses seemed unrelated to either. They should have been called “Famous Psychologists I Have Known.” I learned a lot, and I have borrowed from the late professor a sort of theme for this column.
A recent issue of The New Yorker magazine was dedicated to food in part; there was an article about foraging from the earth, which was once customary and has now become popular again in Europe. The writer sought some companions for foraging in Oxford, England. I was pleased to see the name of Paul Levy, born and raised in Lexington. He is now co-chair of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cooking and has written for the Wall Street Journal. He has been food and wine editor of the Observer, the author of several books, the first of which was called “Finger Lickin’ Good,” in which he candidly discussed growing up in Lexington and his family. I knew well his parents and brother, and I taught him in Sunday School. His book was widely read in Lexington –– I am not sure if he has been forgiven or not, but I learned to write cautiously about my family and to save the interesting parts until they are dead.
Another promising person in Lexington got to be very famous in his field, reaping awards from relevant organizations. Marvin Rabin formed the Louisville Youth Orchestra, went on to Boston University to revive the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, and then to the University of Wisconsin where he formed the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra. This year, at 95, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, the third of those awards (the first went to Les Paul).
I could dredge up a few more famous people whom I had known in their youth, but I’m saving room for some people who haven’t achieved national notice, but whose talents and achievements I have come to know and appreciate.
A few weeks ago, I went to a poorly attended piano concert, given in honor of Franz Liszt’s 200th birthday. The pianist was William Adams; it was a superb performance of very difficult music, and I enjoyed it more than many concerts I have attended in the years. I came to know Bill because he plays bridge where I do. Until the concert, I thought his talent was at the bridge table, where he excels, and in being a kind and gentle person. I think he has not obtained enough attention for his talent at the piano, but he should.
A woman who lives where I do, doing poetry and art and sharing her gifts with others, is Miriam Woolfolk. She is recognized by a society of miniaturists by the inclusion of her exquisite miniatures in shows and by serving as an officer in poetry associations. I can’t say what organizations these are because I don’t want to ask her; I want this tribute to be a surprise to her. Her watercolors are exquisite as are the note papers she creates from them.
E-mail this storyPrint this articleFacebookTwitterDiggshareLarger | SmallerThen there is Jan Isenhour, recently retired director of the Carnegie Center, responsible for the successful creation it has become, and for inspiring and encouraging people in her classes. I give her credit for my own courage to send that first article to the Chevy Chaser leading to my final career.I’m out of space, but not out of local people who deserve notice, so I’ll conclude here and write about some others next year.
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