1930s: A story that I heard many times from my parents was that Joe was adored by my father when he was a baby. Harry recounted that whenever he sang Brahms Lullaby to Joe, the baby cried.
It was thought that this baby was particularly musically astute. Just to prove his theory Harry sang to Joe numerous times and the baby cried each time he heard the music. Subsequent commentary (by my mother) recalled that perhaps Harry was torturing the infant!
1940 s “Flooden Ooden” Those were Joe’s funny words which I thought were somewhat endearing when I was a little girl.
1950s My image is of Joe pacing through the living room at 120 Riverside Drive, singing a passage of a Beethoven String Quartet…..”pom pom pom pom pom pom”.
1960s A visit with Joe and Ruth in Baltimore when Burt was in the army at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. Ruth served delicious pork chops (which Burt did not exactly eat) . This….just before Mark appeared on the scene.
1970s A visit to Washington DC when our children were little. We slept in a room on the second floor. Way into the night we heard the click click of chalk on the chalkboard upstairs as Joe was crunching numbers.
1980s Fourth Lake in the Adirondacks. We spent a (rainy) week with Joe, Ruth, Mark, Bonnie, Celia, Harry, Burt, and me, Bill, Sarah, Rachel….oops Rachel was a baby….this is still the 1970s. Only one day on the beach.
1990s A visit to Shadowbrook Farm in Stephentown, NY. Who would-a thought….. Joe’s second wife, Harriet, has an aunt and uncle who spend summers in Stephentown, NY! My parents become friendly with these folks.
2000’s ……if you live long enough…….Joe and Barbara attend High Holiday services at the little country shul in Chatham, NY which Alice & Burt founded. They liked it.
and much more……..A delightful evening in Washington DC a few years ago. Sarah and I were in DC to attend the Lemelson Foundation gala at the Smithsonian. A memorial tribute to Burt Swersey was part of the celebration. As Joe, Barbara, Sarah and I waited for a table at a rather tony outdoor restaurant…..Sarah was SO impressed with how much Joe knew about the flute repertoire.
Yes…..Music, Baseball, Chocolate Cake, an infectious giggle, a warm loving cousin…..
All my love Alice
Louis Uchitele, Joe Auslander, Paul Resika. Rooftop of the Wales Hotel May 9, 2009 on the occasion of Alice & Burt's 50th Anniversary Party
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