| The Scene In and Around Boston . . . September 27, 2002 By Hilda M. Morrill The Carroll Center for the Blind, located in Newton, is a private, non-profit agency that serves persons of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. The Center is located on a five-acre, suburban campus. Under the direction of president Rachel Ethier Rosenbaum and vice president of development Gisele Marquis, an executive committee has been formed to plan a memorial garden on the grounds in honor of the late Dr. Simon P. Devine and the late Miss Rose Walsh, two of the Center's most noted benefactors. The garden will be called the Devine Rose Garden. Dr. Devine, a longtime member of the Board of Directors, was the catalyst for the annual Rose Ball, named for his friend the late Rose Walsh, a renowned Boston society columnist. For 17 years, monies raised through the Ball have benefited the Center. On September 13, the Center held a festive Garden Ribbon Cutting wine-and-hors d'oeuvres reception for invited guests, board members, the garden committee, staff and clients. The lovely afternoon gathering included viewing of the new garden plans, tours of the grounds, and entertainment by the very talented Sharon Zeffiro and Ray Cavicchio of the Ed Peters Orchestra. Michael Neagle was the Master of Ceremonies and thanked the many people who supported the event including Anthony DePari for the exquisite rose floral arrangements and noted artist Robert Lyon for designing the rose-motif party invitation. The Community Outreach Group for Landscape Design (COG), an organization of professional landscape designers, part of whose mission it is to provide pro bono quality design services to communities in need, is sharing its expertise and guidance. COG members Janis Porter and Alice Evans are planning a garden that will be sensitive to the needs and abilities of the Center's clients. On an interesting note, one of Dr. Devine's own rose bushes, from his lovely Chestnut Hill garden, was planted at the site during the groundbreaking ceremonies. Your columnist is honored to be the chair of the Devine Rose Garden Committee. For those wishing to make a contribution, opportunities for donations and support of the garden are available at several different levels. The Carroll Center for the Blind, Inc. is a tax-exempt charitable corporation. For more information, please contact Gisele Marquis, V.P. of Development at 617-969-6200, ext. 245. ....... This year marks the fortieth anniversary of Special Collections at Boston University. The department contains more than 100,000 volumes of rare books, as well as historical documents extending from the sixteenth century to the present. The holdings include illuminated manuscripts; documents of U.S. Presidents and the signers of the Declaration of Independence; papers relating to military history; Eighteenth Century Americana; and large archival holdings of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franz Liszt. The department also has an extensive program of changing exhibits for members of both the University community and the general public. The Department is open to anyone engaged in serious research. The various manuscripts and books are located in closed stacks and can only be used in the reading room located there. Researchers are required to register before using the materials and to observe established policies and procedures, which ensure the security and preservation of the collections. An appointment is recommended for the use of manuscript collections. Located on the first floor of Mugar Memorial Library, exhibits may be viewed during regular library hours. The Friends of the Libraries of Boston University sponsor many wonderful and interesting events. A treat was in store this week for the Friends and their guests when film legend Luise Rainer spoke on her life and work. "An Evening with Luise Rainer" featured the celebrated TV movie host Frank Avruch having a conversation with Miss Rainer, who is 92 years old and is the first actor or actress to win back-to-back Oscars for her performances in "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936) and "The Good Earth" (1937). According to Clementine Brown, director of media relations at the Special Collections, Luise Rainer has been a brilliant constellation on stage and screen for more than eight decades. Born in Vienna, Miss Rainer began her career with the eminent international director, Max Reinhardt. She moved to Hollywood and MGM in 1935 and married playwright Clifford Odets. A non-conformist actress, and unhappy with the roles assigned to her by Louis B. Mayer, Miss Rainer abandoned the screen in the early 1940s. Remarried to the publisher Robert Knittel, she appeared infrequently on television from the 1950s up through the 1980s and made her return to film in 1997. Other memorable Luise Rainer films include "The Great Waltz," "The Toy Wife," "Escapade," and "The Emperor's Candlesticks." Miss Rainer remains one of the Twentieth Century's most interesting and unique artists. Miss Rainer spoke on her life and work during an in-depth interview with Mr. Avruch followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. The event was open only to the Friends of the Libraries of Boston University and their guests. Maybe it's time to look into joining The Friends? For information about membership and upcoming events, please call 617-353-3696. Enjoy!
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