Glass entertains Study Club with book review

The Rosebud Wednesday Study Club met on April 20 at the D Brown Library with 13 members in attendance. 

In the absence of President Beth Allen, Norma Burns presided.  

Burns called the meeting to order with flag pledges and an invocation by Linda Bernsen. Burns introduced Mary Frances Glass who gave a review of the book “The Residence” by Kate Andersen Brower.  

Glass related that the book covered stories of fifty years, ten administrations, and countless crises in the White House.  Some interesting facts included that in 1941 there were 62 Residence Staff at a cost of $152,000 and now it takes 96 full-time and 250 part time employees at a cost of $13 million.  

Glass told stories about several Presidents and their families, including the Kennedys, Johnsons, Bushes, and Clintons.  

Thanks to Jackie Kennedy the priceless antiques at the White House are now stored in climate-controlled facilities as they are changed out in the various areas of the building.  The Johnsons brought teenagers to the White House, so that was a new experience for the staff—Jackie Kennedy pink was out, and Lady Bird yellow was in; chowder was out, and chili was in.   President George H. W. Bush played horseshoes with a staff member and Barbara was a favorite of the staff because she was “one of them.”  

The White House staff has a code of honor:  What happens in the White House stays at the White House. The Clintons stretched that code to the limit with various antics that occurred, including Bill getting stitches in his head and the time Hillary’s decorator demanded seven new chandeliers to be hung without adequate preparation time.  White House Curator Rex Scouten won the battle by locking the door to the Treaty Room and no one entered for three weeks.  Glass ended by saying, “It is the people who make the White House what it is—the First Families and the Resident Staff.  There is one truth – “Nobody leaves the White House looking younger than when they came in.”

In old business Burns mentioned the rolling dividers for hanging pictures, but Sharon Skupin explained that the album system seems to be working better.  Mary Ann Mitchell has placed all of the One Act Play pictures in an album, along with the play books and has also identified many of the students.   Upon seeing the album, members agreed with the album system.  Mitchell is now working on a football album to include previously framed pictures as well.  The printer finally arrived and has been installed.  The stones were delivered, and Rosebud City workers lined the flower beds with them.  Skupin displayed all of the tablecloths that were recently purchased.  

In new business, members discussed when to have a 75th anniversary celebration of the D Brown Library.  Skupin read from the Yearbook about the actual date in 1949 so we are planning for a spring 2024 celebration.  

Members then moved to the Memorial Room to see the repositioned pictures of the Stubbes and the new covers on the chairs.  

Members enjoyed refreshments from the large oak table that was centered with a sunflower arrangement honoring Ukraine.  Members were treated to chicken salad, cornbread salad, a veggie tray, fruit salad, pecan tarts, peanut butter crisps, and cupcakes.  Hostesses were Pat Runcie, Burns, and Bernsen.  Next meeting will be May 11, 2022.