by Laurel | November 12th, 2014
22 September 1949
Associate Editor of Fortnightly Paris Magazine “Grapevine”
Jean Barry McCormick, 1949
Holyoke Lass in the Big Time, Writes Story on Anniversary of Paris Liberation;
Publication Nunbers Many Top-Flight Contributions
Miss Jean Barry McCormick, daughter of Municipal G & E Commissioner, John J. D. McCormick, of 37 Lexington Ave., has been named an associate editor of “The Grapevine,” a fortnightly Paris magazine, word was received her today.
Local Schools Graduate
Miss McCormick, graduate of the local schools, and who attended St. Joseph’s College in Hartford, is joined in publishing the edition by Miss Viola Ilma, a foreign representative of the Evening Journal. The magazine numbers such contributors as the three Rockefeller brothers; actor-producer Jose Ferrer; Bruce Gould, editor of the Ladies Home Journal and Drew Peterson.
Liberation Story
The first edition of the publication carried an article by Miss McCormick on the anniversary of the liberation of Paris. She wrote:
“Perhaps the scene that has left the most indelible impression on my mind has been the view of the Arc de Triomphe from the Champs-Élysées. From the Bois du Boulogne side three large spotlights shot up to the stars providing a profusion of red, white and blue colors that filled the sky, and that could be seen from miles around. Around the top of the great monument were lights hidden in the tiers of the structure emphasizing the chiseled intricacy of its design.
Napoleon’s tomb, like the numerous other monuments and fountains about the town were all ablaze with the light that reflected all the exuberance, happiness and prayers of a free people. Sometimes it takes something like the darkened depressions of a long, grim war to create a feeling of true thanksgiving for the taken-for-granted blessings of everyday existence. There was dancing in the streets on the Place du Vingt-Cinq-Août, which used to be the old Place d’Orleans, renamed with the Liberation date. In the big and small bistros all over the town the violins seemed to pick up the pulse of the people and the strains of the stringed instruments brought tears to the eyes of some, while others reflected jubilant looks, and some merely seemed to be gazing in silent retrospect.
“Flowers were banked in tribute to the loved ones they lost, similar to our Memorial Day, Fireworks exploded in different directions all over Paris.
“Mixed Feelings”
“Observing the mixed feelings of the people in their various holiday activities one realizes more acutely on nights like this that human emotion knows no boundaries, that there is an international language, that knows no race, creed, or color.”
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
