Skip to main content
The largest online newspaper archive

The Lowell Sun from Lowell, Massachusetts • Page 4

Publication:
The Lowell Suni
Location:
Lowell, Massachusetts
Issue Date:
Page:
4
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

GUESTS CROSS WEDDING CAKE BRIDGE of creation by Antoinette Caldwell THE SUN! By FRANCES BERG BiUerica's Antoinette Caldwell, mother nf six, can recall a day at age when she looked long at an array of extravagantly decorated cakes on display and ventured to ask the baker how he did it. He didn't, tel! her. He sueeested she come back when she was older. But she could not forget First homosexual stale legislator Ry SKTH MYUANS Associated Press riler LOWELL Tne vestry of the First United Baptist Church was the setting ior the well received Spring Musicak" sponsored hv Ihe Sis ma Gamma Club of the church as their last event of the season. The formal concert featured Linda Cervantes Briggs as soloist, Phyllis Huff who entertained with a conversation about birds and their song as well as whistling and bird imitations, and Miss Lillian Sullivan, widely known local organist, voice and piano teacher who served as accompanist.

Mrs. Briggs. formerly of California, resides in the city with her husband Kenneth ami their four children. She is also studying voice with Miss Sullivan who was the first voice teacher ol Lowell's nationally known Metropolitan opera star Rosalind Elias. Mrs.

William H. Dunfey, president, npanecl the program and called upon Mrs! Eugene C. Winter. chairman who introduced Ihe guest performers. THE MUSICALE BEGAN viilh Mrs.

Briggs singing a variety ol arias from such popular operas as "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart; "tl Trovalore" by Verdi, by Lane Wilson and the "Cradle Song" by Krcisler. following intermission. Mrs. Winter cx "c'scd her appreciation to the prefotiners for "IT WAS a totally female environment. God.

it was great, a fantastic experience," she said. Since then, she has taueht speech at Emer BOSTOX (AH) The nation's second oldest Mr, College, earned a master's degree in educa legislaiive body appears unruffled by the pros lion from Harvard, produced a radio show ence of the nation's first avowed homosexual Cay Way, and continued the community slaie legislator. work thai led to her candidacy (or the Mouse. Oilier than knowing she's a gay person, When she joined the Massachusetts' House, it really doesn't affect me," says Rep. William she joined a body that had voted down a nomo Hosan, Everett, a conservative mainstay sexual rights bill three years running last year the' Massachusetts House of Representatives, by a 125 85 margin.

'She miisd; her own business and she does she joined a body that included among its her job," he says. "She's a person I can talk senior members Hop. William A Coiwrll to without reeling any trepidation whatsoever." Wcymouth, who opposed a gay rights bill this For Elaine Noble, Pennsylvania miner's nmnth, saying, "These people are predatory, in daughter oisd most visible member of Boston's rny opinion. bill gives encouragement to gay community, her first five months in the lesbians, queers and fags." legislature liave been an eye opener. j(jS3 startled some legislators hy her "This is a group of people, this' is a process.

mntelnon that there arc as many secret homo by which 1he most unlikely people, eon come Glials ir. the House itself as in society at large together and talk," she said in an interview. om 0r eve.rj. hundred according to "You have to listen to all different points of Kinseyi says. view.

It's wild, really wild." "oil. let's not go tor that hull again." Hogan Part of the mutual acceptance comes from saW jn ,,5,,. dot accpi those percent Miss Noble' 5 insistence that "I was a candidate He sad ilufas sa, that 'these who was gay, not a gay candidate." ycofle should accept psychiatric' help. It's an abnormal way of life." AS THE first admitted homosexual legislator i carries the burden of a statewide conslilu ATTRACTIVE, energetic, tough, committed, ency, beyond the Sixth Suffolk District she Elaine NoMe tne fir5t av0Wedly gay person represents in Boslon's Back Bay area. somc oI tne legisliitors have met.

But she works conscientiously to represent lllcm sayi Tve nevcr met the students, tlie elderly, the blue collar flne beforei. amJ T'lt say, Thai's not true, you workers, the mix of 20 nationalities who voted she sairj. for her. "Many of them have never really talked She has pushed actively for homosexual about it. "it they waul to discuss it and (heir rights legislation, but one o( her main con questions are serious and appropriate, I'll sit tributes toward that cause, according to ner down an(j talK with them." sue saw.

friend Ren. Harnev Frank. Boston. is simply that she's there "a sensible and intelligent human being who knows how to get along wills not a stereotype." In her words, "I'm extending to all the leg the display. She even dreamed of it.

Meanwhile, isators sort 9f an invitation to change their per she at least 'developed what she calls "a knack with "I had a reading habit recipe she recalls of that year. At age 12, with her mother's permission, she finally attempted baking her first cake on top of ine stove a meiai pan wun a glass uvu. sr.eetive a little bit. I'm not interested in ram ming anything down their throats, but i am interested in changing their perspective." Miss Noble, 30, came to terms with her own sbianism alter her graduation frnm Boston yellow cake with its plain frosting proved in New Hampshire. a success! "After that, I had charge of supper," she recalls.

Born and educated in Cambridge, attending Cambridge High and Latin Schools, she met her future husband, Macy, while' he was serving a six year hitch with the U.S. Navy during World War TT. The couple set up housekeeping on an RO acre farm near Gallalin, in 1919, the start of a nine year stint, "He drove the tractor, while I was on the corn husker," she said, As tenant farmers, they raised corn, soy, wheat, oats and did so well lhal they soon expanded to a 320 acre spread, having earned the purchase price of needed equipment like a combine and picker. THROUGH THOSE YEARS, Antoinette was deep in vegetable gardening and canning, along with raising their six children, Anthony, now of Fall River, age 23 and married; Linda, now Mrs, Steve Grant of Lowell, age 22, and a mother; along, with Theresa, IS; Joseph, 13; Paul, 13, and Jean, 10, all now resident with their parents in isutenca. When Ihe family returned East in 1957, they settled in SomerviUe, where Antoinette, who admits to learning almost anything fast, found work as a stitcher, With less extensive responsibilities, I she now found her old dream returning.

That year, she launched into a If) week evening course at Somerville High School. Impressed with the admonition that, practice makes perfect, she can recall inviting a sister in law to join her in practice sessions ranging into the wee hours of the morning an arrangehent not always delighting her husband. What started her off decorating in earnest, however, she relates, was the price of a small clown cake for one of their children's "1 looked it all over and after that, I started making clowns. She also began perusing in earnest a cake decorating magazine, which she had first discovered in the Midwest. FROM BIRTHDAY CAKES lor the children, Antoinette progressed to creations for other fami ly members, friends, co workers, even employers, attempting cakes for all occasions, even weddings and anniversaries, and trying always to design something just a bit different from ihe lime he fore.

The family meanwhile had moved to Billerica in 1962. Antoinette, inexhaustible as ever, worked for a time at the Bedford Veterans Administration Hospital, then looked for something closer to home. She recalls her first week in a downlown Low ell five and ten cent store. "They showed me around for one day. The second day, 1 was doing inventory.

The third, they had me on the steam table. "If I'm bound and determined I'm going to learn something, I'm going to do if," she remarks. "It just takes a little will power." Still with perfecting her decorating ability in mind, three years ago she launched into a year's courses in the culinary arts at Shawshccn Tech, learning the secrets of royal icing, for instance, and a little of everything about foods in general, as well as cakes, Antoinette, who finds herself delving into major cake decorating projects every month or two, has long since mastered tricks like building bridges, as in Ihe cake pictured above. Having started taking pictures of her cakes years ago on children's birthdays, she finally decided to submit this one 10 Iter favorite magazine, which printed it in its May issue with plaudits to her ingenuity 1 and artistry. She's surprised and delighted.

But one doubts she'll rest, long on her laurels. Antoinette is thinking of studying photography, having discovered that capturing a white frosted cake in all its intricate detail is hardly the rnsuvi in the world. Plus always thought I would like to own a restaurant hut it's a lei of headaches," she adds. 'But if I sense that the Questions are simply designed to titillate their fantasies, 1 remind thEm lhal I would no! hesilate to go to the press room and quote them on what they've just asked me. That usually takes care of it." Though they are loaring to co exist, the deep rooted differences between Miss and many of her colleagues are evident in her comment about their growing acceptance oi her.

"I hear cuvs savinir things like. a smart broad," she said. "They don't realize how University, when she took a job at Colhy slupki they sound." Isiivst perforsncrs at ihe "Spring Musicals" sponsored by Ihe Sigma Gamma Club of the Firs. United Baptist Ctiurch are shown chatting prior to show time. From left are.

Miss Phyllis Huff, ind bird imitator; Miss Lillian Sulli" and Mrs. Linda Cervantes soloist. Church Sigma Gamma Club presents "Spring Musicale" their Hue display of musical talents and recognized Lillian Suliivan for her musical excellence and tireless efforts in promoting local vocalists and pianists. Following Miss Hull's solo performance n( "May Night" "Indian lve Call." she collaborated with Mrs. Briggs in the performance of: A.

Brown Brown Singing, and "i Hear a Thrush at Eve." fn conclusion. Mrs. Briggs sang "Sunrise, Sunset'1 and a medley. Floral decorations enhanced Ihe stage and refreshment (able. COMMITTKE CHAIRMAN' assisting Mrs.

Winter included Mrs. Arm Palisoui. hospitality; Mrs. George McMahon and Mrs. Forrest Dupce, decorations: Mrs.

George Singleton and Mrs. Clarence Edwards, tickets; Mrs. Richard Con ant and Mrs. Elizabeth MacLeod, transportation: Mrs. Frederic's Finch, publicity.

Usbereltcs were Nancy Winter, Sheila McCarthy, Ellen Dupee, Debbie Mcl.cod and Susan Talisoul. All proceeds (rom the formal event will benefit Ihe church. Officers of Sigma Gamma, are: Mrs. Wil liam H. Dunfey, president; Mrs.

Elizabeth MacLeod, vice president: Mrs. George McMahon. secretary and Alice Fielding, treasurer. uf and accepted Elaine Noblo, first admitted homosexual She says this Is member of the Massachusetts legislature, dive who was gay finds she has been accepted by colleague. Encounter for engaged couples June 13 BRIGHTON The engaged couples encounter weekend designed to give couples planning marriage an intensive, iinncsl look al their commitment is scheduled Tor Ihe week curl of time 13 at Si.

Gabriel's Retreat House in Brighton The enecunter begins Friday at 8 p.m. and continues through Sunday, 3:30 p.m. A second session is scheduled tor 27, 21 and 29 at ihe same retreat house. For further information about registration, couples should contact in their area: Danny and Nancy Harlley. Martin Road, Tewksbury; and Briu and Anita Perkins, of Spofford Road.

Oxford, Mass. While the engaged couple encounter is Calhoiic in origin and orientation, it is for any couple of J.ny faith searching tor enrichment in the quality ol their life togelhtr. Tne structured weekend involves a series of presentations given by two married couples and a tic si who sher personally from their relationships. Topics are designed to initiate cnmmunicalion between the engaged couple. Couples are encouraged to sluy for Ihe entire weekend to insure continuity, hut may return home at night if they desire.

Through ihe atmosphere of Ihe weekend, free of the normal pressures, tensions and interruptions ol Ihe everyday world, the couple is ottered a weekend (indicated to helping them build a good relationship. Other weekends will be scheduled on a monthly basis. ANNUAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Sponsored By Jewish War Velerans Anx. No. 2R June 3, 1075 p.m.

LOWRI.LHEFlliFAV COMMUNiTY CENTER If you're going" to pay tbe price of a trick prhy not own a Buiek? LALLAS BUICK 11 ONE HOUR DRY CLEANING SCRIPTURE'S CLEANERS "TIL 13 DAILY '71 tM. Applcrfln sr. Hi HC5n ir cause she was a ean not a gay candidata. umgnpr WOMEN FRIDAY Miiy 197 Puyc 1 Sisterhood installation Monday LOWELL Officers will be installed at the Monday, June 2 meeting of the Montefiore Sisterhood. 460 Vvcstiard St.

7:30 p.m. Succeeding to office will be Leonard Bin nil as president. Vice presidents will be Mrs. Benjamin Price, Mrs. Joseph Gilboard, Mrs.

Henry Bower and Violet Gregorman. Mrs. Samuel Klain will be installed as Iroai urer; Sylvia Kovler. recording secretary. Airs.

Millon Denriy, financial secretary: Mis. Harry Qffcnberg, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Joseph Gilboard and Mrs. Israel Levin as social secretaries. Prospective members arc invited.

A coffee hour will follow the installation. McMANMON Florist and Nursery Lowell Lawrence Boulevard, Dmcut EST. 1890 45B 6101 SPECIAL BLUE SPRUCE 3FT.TAU VERY BUSHY A FULL 15 00 TOP SOIL 25 LBS $2.00 TOP SOIL 50 LBS $3.00 GOOD SELECTION OF Wi" GERANIUMS, VEGEUSLI PLANTS, ANNUJtlS, ALSO A LARGE SiLECTlON OF TlOWEfi PLAWS PETUNIAS IMPAWNS BKOWIIA fUSCHA FEU.

Get access to Newspapers.com

  • The largest online newspaper archive
  • 300+ newspapers from the 1700's - 2000's
  • Millions of additional pages added every month

About The Lowell Sun Archive

Pages Available:
153,336
Years Available:
1893-1977