U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team

Sometime back in the mid- or late-1960s Jack Shore was in Chicago and invited me to a reception in the Loop for the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team. If I recall correctly, Jack was with Merck at that time.

He introduced me to the team's captain. I wish I remembered his name. I do recall that he was tall, very tall.

Someone nearby asked him what it was like to be on a tall hall and go over a 6-foot-plus jump.

He answered, "A lot better than not to go over it!"

Neighbor's house still in family

One of our neighbors on Warder Avenue was the Gershenson family, just two houses up the street in University City, Mo.

They were the American family - mom, dad, two kids.

Mom and Pop were friends with Mr. and Mrs. Gershenson (always "Mr. and Mrs." to us kids). And we kids were friends with Harry and Dorothy.

Mr. Gershenson lived to age 100 and died in 2003. He was 2 1/2 years younger than Pop.

Dorothy Gershenson Clock died in 2005 in southern California, where she had been active in civic affairs and the theater. A high school friend of mine informed me a while back of Dorothy's passing.

Just recently I was in touch with Harry, Jr. again. He owns the family residence on Warder Ave., which he maintains as his office. Harry lives just a couple of miles from the Warder Ave. house now.

Harry, Jr. is a life member of the Missouri Athletic Club and remembered Pop's having been a member.

If you get to St. Louis, I know Harry, Jr. would love to hear from you.

I'll always remember the night we were having dinner. We heard the back gate open and close, and then the back door opened and closed. And here came Harry, Jr., cutting through the kitchen and dining room and heading for our front door.

As he passed through, Pop asked him where he was going.

Harry answered, "Home. Just cutting through." Those were the good, old days!