Grand Central story spurs memories
I read with interest the article by Sam Roberts ’68 regarding the centennial of Grand Central (“One-Track Mind,” March/April 2013). The terminal has always been a big part of my life. My father was a civil engineer and worked for the New York Central Railroad for thirty-five years. I was also an employee of the railroad: I was a rodman on the engineering corps in the maintenance of way department during World War II—the only female draftsman in the New York office.
Like Sam Roberts, I was always fascinated by trains. One of my dreams was to ride in the cab of a steam locomotive. That never occurred, but I did manage a ride in the cab of an electric locomotive.
Short Memory
In Sports, March/April 2013, you stated: “For the first time since 1997, Cornell has an alumnus at the helm of its football program.” Ah, how soon you forget! My classmate and good friend Jim Knowles ’87 held the head coaching position for six years (2004–09), to be succeeded by non-Cornellian Kent Austin in 2010.
Ed. Note: He’s right, of course. Our apologies to Jim Knowles.
Remembrance
Having learned of the passing of Alex Brooks ’67, I want to offer a few words of remembrance. As one who was fortunate to know and work with “Brooksie” thirty years ago, I remember him as a keenly perceptive man, gifted with a rare appreciation for art, music, and creative business experimentation. He founded the Rongovian Embassy in Trumansburg and promoted many musical groups there.
Alex had allowed my old-fashioned Classic Jazz Band to perform at the Rongo for several years before I approached him with the idea of producing an album of Ithaca songs. Rongo Records was born, and in 1984 it released Only Just a Dream, featuring more than forty local musicians. Â Five years ago, Alex came through again to produce a retrospective CD for me. He was a special Cornell alumnus, a great example of the best in American business, an extremely kind and generous supporter of art and music, and a truly exceptional person who left his print on this community. He will be missed.
Ed. Note: Well-known Ithaca jazz musician Johnny Russo has performed at many Cornell events over the years. During Reunion, he will be playing at the All-Alumni Luncheon in Barton Hall on June 7.
Oil and Water
The January/February 2013 issue has a back cover ad placed by Statoil, with their slogan “Always Exploring, Never Satisfied.” In my opinion, “always exploring, never satisfied” is the problem, not the solution. We must stop looking in deep underwater locations for more oil (which is what this company says it does). No Cornell institution should accept advertising that boasts about continuing to add to fossil fuel exploration, which leads to fossil fuel use and therefore adds to the climate change problem.
Ed. Note: Well-known Ithaca jazz musician Johnny Russo has performed at many Cornell events over the years. During Reunion, he will be playing at the All-Alumni Luncheon in Barton Hall on June 7.
Correction—March/April 2013
Currents, page 20: “All Wet,” about the AguaClara water purification project, included a misleading photo. The El Cajón dam filter is not part of the project.