Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 24, 1949

P.M. with Dale Miller at Tweed Hall grading the student’s work—a disagreeable task, for which I had no taste or experience. A complication was the Faculty Reception given by the Provost & his wife on the school lawn from 3:00 to 5:00.  I felt we did not need to show up exactly at 3:00, but that we should not wait too long.  I kept prodding Dale, but he said there was time.  Eventually, Bertha came up and told us some were leaving, & that our absence was creating a scandal.  So I went down, but it was almost too late.  I took care to tell Dr. Gibson I had tried to break away before, but even so, it was not a good excuse (Even now—Sept. 10—it still bothers me—the one faux pas of our visit). 

Evening—with Alspach’s out lake shore to a little lunch car called “The Shack” for hamburgers & coffee—Mr. Lakuna the owner (who rented out boats for fishing).—Strong waves (Note: when there is a strong N.E. wind, the waves beat against the red earth dissolving it—the water at the shore is rich iron ore red, and blends out then to rich Prussian Blue—spotted with white caps it is a colorful sight).—Mr. Lakuma & his assistant trying to keep the pebbles off the dock, where they were pushed by the waves.  A & I looking for agates – he is much better at it than I.

Later to our apt. to look at sketches; Alspach bring their children & found Miss Cynthia & later Mr. King & Mr. Caldwell (the new public relations man)—we served ice-cream & drinks. Mr. King & his “leading questions”—are all pictures equally successful—what do I do with the failures—... I stopped him with “I guess I walked right into that one didn’t I?”

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 24, 1949