Resort Life, Chapter XL: September 1971 – November 1972
St. John USVI + Palm Beach + Down East + East Hampton + Fishers Island
By Augustus Mayhew
Watergate. On 17 June 1972, a bungled break-in at a Washington office by White House operatives triggered a series of headlines that absorbed the nation for the next two years, ending with the resignation of The President. It was the same year Liza Minnelli, Betty Catroux, Nancy Reagan, Cher Bono, and Mrs. Frederick Melhado were tapped for the best-Dressed List. In New York, Jackie and Aristotle Onassis were celebrating their 4th wedding anniversary, together. Jackie O, weary of being stalked by Ron Galella, filed a suit demanding the photographer stay at least 150 feet away from her and the children. And, with Ari heading to South America, “Won’t we miss him?” asked Suzy, as if there was no one else in El Morocco’s Champagne Room.
For Ellen, it was time to celebrate a milestone, the Big 7-0, and treasure the moments spent with her closest friends who passed away, Sidney Scott, George Garrett, George Widener, Spotty White, and Edward, the Duke of Windsor. And, it was a year to console friends struck by tragedy. Jane Scott’s son Jay Scott dies in a mysterious plane crash; Susie Cochran’s second husband takes his own life. Meanwhile, Lillian Phipps is planning a benefit around a “Love-In” theme. What could be more welcome during disquieting times?
Several of these more than 40-year-old images show the chemical problems inherent in the era’s color processing with blue-green discoloration, fading, and destabilized dyes. In the next chapter, there are Polaroid prints where the aging process is more apparent, perhaps like our memories.
September 1971
Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI
“We celebrate my birthday …”
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