Biographical Bytes from Bala: Laurel Hill West Stories #024

Glenna Collett-Vare was one of the giants of women’s golf and the top American player in the 1920s and 30s.  She won 49 amateur tournaments between 1921 and 1935.  She could hit a ball straight down the fairway nearly 300 yards.  She was the first woman to break 80 in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, which she won six times.  She is in the golf hall of fame, and the Vare Trophy is awarded annually to the woman professional with the best scoring average.  She played into her 80s but never turned professional.  In her day, she was "The Female Bobby Jones". 

She is buried at Laurel Hill West in a crypt that does not even acknowledge her presence – an unmarked grave.  

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #054: "Hey, I Know That Song", Part 5

Singer / songwriter / A&R man Richard "Richie" Barrett was cremated at Laurel Hill West, but even the Beatles were early admirers of his work. 

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #054: "Hey, I Know That Song", Part 4

Leonard "Hub" Hubbard was founding member of The Roots whom I will cover in full in a later podcast.  

Phebe Blessington was an extremely popular local singer who was tragically killed while heading to a gig shortly after her 30th birthday. 

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #054: "Hey, I Know That Song", Part 3

After Brenda Payton was discovered while singing on a street corner, she was soon high on the R&B charts with songs like "Dry Your Eyes" and "Right on the Tip of My Tongue"

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #054: "Hey, I Know That Song", Part 2

William Kirkpatrick was an Irish-born hymn writer whose Christmas carol you have been singing all your life.  It is highly likely you have sung other hymns written by him without knowing the composer.

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #054: "Hey, I Know That Song", Part 1

Septimus Winner composed several ear worms you sang as a child or with your children, including "Listen to the Mockingbird" and "Ten Little Indians".

• Septimus Winner was the composer of several catchy songs you sang as a child or have sung with your children

And yes, I will play you samples of their work, and a lot more.  Get ready for ear worms galore on this month's episode of "All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories

Biographical Bytes from Bala #023

Andy Warhol considered him "the only person in town with glamour."  The Philadelphia Art Alliance deemed him "the first gentleman of Philadelphia."  Connoisseur Magazine named him one of the top ten art collectors of all time.  

When Henry Plumer McIlhenny died in 1986, he left everything - an estimated $100M worth - to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where he had served for 50 years as curator, trustee and chairman of the board.  His collections were housed in both his magnificent Rittenhouse Square townhouse and at Glenveagh in Ireland, the largest privately-owned plot of land in the country.  His parties were legendary.  His friends were society's giants. 

At his death, someone commented "I had always thought that no one was irreplaceable, but Henry is irreplaceable." 

Fellow volunteer tour guide and historian Thomas Keels tells you of this remarkable man in the mid-August edition of “Biographical Bytes from Bala: Laurel Hill West Stories.” 

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #053 - Suited to a Tee, part 4

Charles Baily met his final fate on the 4th green of Merion East Cricket Club in 1933

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #053 - Suited to a Tee, part 3

George Clifford Thomas Jr. designed the original course at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, outside Philadelphia, and more than twenty courses in California, including Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades and Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga.