The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, June 22, 1961, page 5 (of 20)

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A Feature Editorial Twilight for Dad

By PHILLIPS RUSSELL Correspondent Adlai Stevenson has turned bitter. Not about politics, as might be expected. But about the present position of a once respected figure, namely, the father of the family. These are Adlai's words: "Father has become a dodo, a simpleton, an object of mirth." He points out that pappy is the butt and boob of the comic strips, of the TV serials, and the stage comedians. Not much of a greeting for dad on Father's Day after the huge success of Mother's Day. These truths are not new. Dad was dethroned long ago, and it has been often noted that whereas in song and story any reference to mother brings in a briny tear, a similar reference to pappy starts a he-haw. It would be useful to trace the downfall of dad. He was once the supreme ruler, arbiter, and monarch of the family circle, and his return to the house after a day's work was marked by a flutter and a scurrying to see that Mr. Almighty was not affronted by any unseemly domestic spectacle. But no one now questions that under the family roof he occupies a secondary position. Outside the house and yard he may be a big shot, but the moment he crosses the domestic threshold Mom has the say. The history of this gradual slide and downfall has been traced to by no less a personage than a Dade County resident, Philip Wylie. It might be argued that dad has only himself to blame. In some families he is only a flitting figure. He appears at meals — often late — but is soon off to business, to golf, or some hobby, leaving Mother to wrestle with a hard-to-handle family. What wonder that she does an imperfect job when the heavy-weight partner is missing?

OFF BEAT By MAURICE LABELLE

How to make yourself popular: Raise an issue over which there has been little controversy and people couldn't care less. Like the proposed addition to the Coral Gables Federal Savings and Loan Association Building, for instance. Except for chopping off one story of the proposed six-story add, the City Commission recently approved the building without too much fanfare. But the proposal, in this writer's opinion, is a poor one. First, the present building is a beautiful edifice of which the Gables could use more of. Second, the addition is and looks like an afterthought which will destroy the aesthetics of the main building. I doubt that it would have gotten by the Board of Architects if presented originally in that form and the board will have to do some fancy rationalizing to approve what has been presented. Third, under section 9.03 of the Coral Gables Zoning Code on "Height of Buildings": 'No subordinate or accessory building permitted by this code as auxiliary use shall exceed in height the maximum height of the principal building on the building site.' The predicament of too much success too soon, which has left the financial institution without sufficient room to expand, is a tough one. The five-story addition appears to be the easiest answer available—but is it the right one? If all of Coral Gables' problems are solved in this manner, we will wind up a junior version of downtown Miami. —ML— "I'm well again and I want to get into a fight with somebody," scrappy City Attorney Paul Semple told the City Commission recently in relating his plan to sue the county for taxing for and not providing services. —ML— When Coral Gables People to People Program members found themselves in the embarrassing position of having to name themselves directors, Ed Russo straight-faced told the group: "This is not the time to be modest." —ML— City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr., is some sort of a bug on electronic gadgets. His home and office are cluttered with all types of equipment he's made from kits. A recent addition is a two-way portable radio with which he keeps in contact with the Mrs. Hope Jimmie isn't henpecked!

Backdrop Of Novel Includes Us

By HELEN O'NEILL Correspondent A novel of special interest to Gableites is "The Golden Geyser" by Wyatt Blassingame, the story of the Florida boom. Mr. Blassingame captures the mood of the period. If you were in Florida at that time you will relive every minute of it. The story is vivid and Mr. Blassingame has added between the chapters bits of facts and actual character studies of the personalities of this period. We read about the Quaker, John Collins, vivid Carl Fisher, the dreamer, George E. Merrick, and the most flamboyant of all the salesmen, Doc Dammers. Mr. Blassingame, while doing some research in the Coral Gables Public Library for this novel, asked us for information on this super-salesman. The novel is a tribute, we feel, to George E. Merrick for Mr. Blassingame points out repeatedly in the book that Mr. Merrick would accept only the best for Coral Gables.

TIMES By Robert S. Hurwitz

"I am first beginning an art collection. So far I have three. Three small paintings on wood, lovely, but not important. My wife and I would give anything if we could help a work of art to be born." A simple, sincere request by an ordinary citizen made by Michelangelo Buonarroti. What inspirational impact a request like this might have on our artists today. Perhaps then a dedication to art may be encouraged in our modern day artists. "The Agony and the Ecstasy" is a biography of the life of Michelangelo so much worth reading that even sacrificing television viewing may be prompted. A book report is not my main concern here. However, I deeply feel that anyone who has ever asked the question about an artist — or his works — "What makes him great?" or "Why is tisp considered a masterpiece?" — will find the answer in the monumental dedication to the life of Michelangelo. REVIEW OF LAURENCE DONOVAN Time out from the head-scratching abstract expressionist shows is called by Laurence Donovan in his unsophisticated, simple, almost childlike works of art displayed at the Village Corner Gallery. Each work is so carefully executed in linear detail and pre-thought out design that each work gets its message across quickly. In his works depicting animals in their exaggerated habitat a likeness to the Primitivism of Henri Rousseau is apparent. Donovan has introduced a study of flat complementary color technique different and pleasing for Miami art viewers to contemplate. Many of the detailed pen and ink drawings, although crafted in his professional hands, fall short of general acceptance because of this applied art application. Donovan doesn't draw or paint beautiful women or animals, he doesn't overpower you with dynamic contrasts, he does soothe you with sincerity and his entry on the art scene is a fine change of pace and easy to appreciate addition. SUMMER ART MIAMI One of the most encouraging aspects of a fine season of art viewing is taking place now. There's no summer lull typical of Miami's norm. Galleries are giving us more works, introducing new names and are up-grading exhibits by intelligent selection. The artists and viewers have at last sensed this Miami Renaissance and are attending more shows and buying more paintings. Here's the best part. From indications so far — and behind the scenes planning (really for a change) — I predict for this area that starting in September, the biggest, finest, most interesting display of art ever seen. The junk will be less welcome, the tea club exhibits will be less attended, the art for art's sake will be more closely examined. The picture looks good.

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