Sunday, March 29, 2009

KATHERINE FLETCHER SHREVES

That her union card and transfer document were found among Katherine Shreves' possessions is not surprising, since without a union card she would not have been allowed to work in New York and many other places across the nation. Recording and "canned music" were replacing live musicians at an alarming pace, and the American Federation of Musicians was busy defending employment opportunities for its members. Katherine's Republican political views made her uncomfortable with her union membership and was a source of tension between her and her sister Frances and brother-in-law Robert Gross.
(click on image to enlarge)
Union "locals" were very territorial in the years the Gross and Shreves moved to Los Angeles. Katherine was required to be in residence for a year before she could play AFM events. Her friend Della found a job working as a music teacher in the Los Angeles City Schools and never returned to performance for a living. When her brother-in-law used "connections" to get around the year of waiting, it created a long lasting rift within the family.

Monday, March 23, 2009

JANNE AND DAMON FECHT GO TO SPRING TRAINING


Both Damon and his mother Janne work long and hard at this time of year, so they took a break this last weekend to visit the Los Angeles Dodgers at Spring Training in Glendale, Arizona. To make sure that they got the full measure of their "sports fix", Damon and Janne went to see Phoenix play their NBA rivals, the Washington Wizards.
OK Janne, it's back to tax season.

Monday, March 16, 2009

ODDS AND ENDS


Yonkers Department Store - the chic place for a fashion lunch in Des Moines - c. 1940

Sunday, March 15, 2009

KIDDING HER BROTHER JONATHAN


Katherine Shreves sent this postcard to John M. Fletcher at 645 Harwood Drive, Des Moines, Iowa on June 24th, 1937
It reads: "Thurs - Does this afternoon make me homesick for Santa Monica. Oh boy. Love K. (click on image to enlarge)

POST CARD FROM JIM MOSS 1918


This post card was sent by James E. Moss to his grand daughter Katherine Fletcher on the 20th of April 1918. Jim Moss fought here during the American Civil War. (click on image to enlarge)
Note that the streets of Murfreesboro were not as yet paved when this card was purchased, nor are there any automobiles.