High School Memories of Fletcher, a Security Guard for Audubon Place, his sound advice about loving women (and vice versa), as well as a love song that eventually became dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
Pic: Public Domain, Tulane University President Home . Audubon Place, New Orleans, LA
Back in our late high school days in the Big Easy during the mid 70's, there was a cool, affable and diminutive Security guy named "Fletcher," whom worked at the front gate of the plush Audubon Place on St. Charles Avenue. (If anyone reading this has a pic of Fletcher - I don't recall his last name, please forward it to me, khorcasitas.yahoo.com, so I can put with the story; thanks.)
Since my late Daddy was a Tulane University Grad, it was neat to note then and now that the elegant house found to the left of the Audubon Place entrance is University owned and houses the Tulane U. President.
Scott Vincent and I would love to chat with Fletcher as we would make our weekend treks to Uptown “root Beer” establishments like Bruno's.
Fletcher was someone a teen could share stories of pubescent pimple and girlfriend escapade embarrassments!
There was even a bar in Fat City that bore Fletcher's name where we would venture out to during those early disco days.
Being a very shy teenager, Fletcher gave me some advice about dating that I will never forget:
"If you make a girl laugh, she likes you. If you make a girl cry, she loves you!"
Post Script: I made my better-half, Maria, cry when I was dating her in a long-distance relationship during grad school and had sent her a cassette recording of "Lady," by John Denver, which sealed the deal to our eventual marriage!
I eventually made this classic song into a dedication to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ: “My Sweet Lady, Mother Mary,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tkQ-IH-0os .
“My Sweet Lady, Mother Mary” - based on the song by John Denver.
John 19: 25 - 27. "Near the Cross of Jesus there stood His Mother, His Mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdeline. Seeing His mother there with the disciple whom He Loved, Jesus said to His Mother, 'Woman, there is your son.' In turn, he said to the disciple, 'There is your Mother.' From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care."
*** Lady, Mother Mary, are you crying, Do the tears belong to me, Did you think our time together Was all gone?
Lady, Mother Mary, you've been dreaming I'm as close as I can be -- On the Cross for you and all - And I promise to you Our time has just begun -- Just like I told St. Dismas, the good thief -
Close your eyes and rest your weary mind I promise I will stay right here beside you Today our lives were joined, became entwined -- Immaculate Heart of Mary/Sacred Heart of Jesus
And I wish that you could know how much I love you! ***
Harry Fox Agency Licensing, www.harryfox.com, Song Code M85200 Title: “My Sweet Lady” Writer: John Denver License # 1020897846.
Immediately I thought of Kenny Roger's classic, Lady. But when I checked out John Denver's, My Sweet Lady, I found a song that I had never heard before even though I like everything that John Denver wrote and performed, especially, Country Roads, just when I moved to "Almost Heaven, West Virginia." I can see why your fiancé cried when she got that song from you.
Audubon Place looks very ostentatious. And having a private security guard (doorman?) In the 1970s is a real perk. My alma mater president lived in a moderate Victorian that we walked past every day on our way to campus from the dormitory.
When I was at West Virginia U in the mid-1970s, they hired a young president. His wife immediately remodeled their five-year-old mansion to outrage by the University community for spending so much money. After stints in three other universities, the last being the Ohio State University, Gordon Gee is back at WVU. I wonder if he is housed in that same old house?
About 2004, our president at TSU, was ousted, but not convicted even though connected with Enron debacle, for building her own private mansion using University personal and funds, rejecting the place the University had for her.
She never felt safe at home as a young girl, and didn't understand why when she finally escaped she wasn't safe in the big wide world either ...effectively jumping out of the frying pan into the fire!
The true story of Cheryl Pierson Cuccio who made headlines in 1986 and her husband Rob Cuccio. Cheryl was abused sexually and physically and Rob died for 43 minutes on Cheryl's 43rd birthday.
(Richard M. Feldman) Ever since I was a young boy, the only thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. I wanted to own and work on a real ranch, with cattle and horses. Especially horses.
While I never became a cowboy, considering everything I have done
Pic: Public Domain, Tulane University President Home . Audubon Place, New Orleans, LA
