Alistair Cooke

BY DANNY Mc CARTHY

During the time of Corona virus - I just thought to go “write-on-ahead” & write about the truly renown Alistair Cooke as there was information I just had to share.

- I LEARNED THAT A NICK CLARKE of the UNITED KINGDOM, ENGLAND - WROTE A BIOGRAPHY ON ALISTAIR COOKE THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1998 BY ARCADE PUBLISHING {not ARCADIA PUBLISHING - which I am so used to} - and Nick Clarke DIED in 2006 - I WAS SURE TO CHECK amazon.com AND THERE ARE COPIES AVAILABLE :

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alistair+cooke+by+nick+clarke&ref=nb_sb_noss

It's the "write-time" - for my "TAKE" -

Taking a drive to Legends in New Suffolk and then heading up the street - one finds the former property of Alistair Cooke.

The SOUTHOLD column by ADELE PAYNE in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated July 9, 1970 gave some true details:

“… The lively and attractive oils of Jane White, wife of Alistair Cooke of Nassau Point{,} were being shown at the Patio Gallery behind Leo Stack and Son. Miss White studied at the National Academy and the Arts Studio League and then received a fellowship to study in Florence for a year.”

The CUTCHOGUE column in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated March 7, 1974 by Margaret Friis included:

“… One of our prominent Nassau Point residents famous for his television programs, Alistair Cooke, was the cover picture on the Parade magazine for Sunday. …”

“Revolution at Custer” was listed in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated July 18, 1974 stating that “At Custer Institute, Friday evening, July 19 at 8:30 PM is another in the Alistair Cooke series on America.

This is the episode of the ‘American Revolution’ as interpreted by a journalist and broadcaster. It covers the events which led up to the Revolution, how it was fought{,] and the {Colonists’} success as well as the leaders of the movement and consequent war. ALL ARE WELCOME.”

The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated July 18, 1974 shared “America at Custer”

In that column it shared: “On Friday, August 2, at 8:30 PM at Custer Institute on Main Bayview Road, another of the remarkable Alistair Cooke America films will be shown. This one is ‘The Age of Invention’ also titled ‘Money of the Land.’

This film depicts the life and rich lives of a new breed of tycoons. The inventions which made possible this accumulation of wealth were the reaper, Edison’s light bulb and phonograph{,} and the wonder of oil. All are welcome.”

A column titled “Custer Movie Series” appeared in The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated August 15, 1974 reading:

“On Friday evening at 8 P.M., Custer Institute will present Alistair Cooke’s episode ‘The Huddled Masses’ depicting the millions of immigrants arriving in this country at the end of the last century. It is a {well-done} study of this subject. All are welcome.”

The edition of the August 29, 1974 The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman carried this:

“On Friday evening, at 8:30 PM, August 30, Custer Institute on Main Bayview Road will present another of Alistair Cooke’s ‘America’ series, ‘Promise Fulfilled and the Promise Broken.’

It covers the prosperous 1920’s and the succeeding debacle of the depression years with the emergence of Franklin D. Roosevelt. …”

Custer Institute was again offering an Alistair Cooke-related event. According to The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated September 12, 1974, “On Friday evening at 8:30 PM On September 13 … the Alistair Cooke ‘America Series,’ ‘The Arsenal’. This shows how America changed from an {un-military} nation into the Anglo-French arsenal and fought two wars, in Europe and the other in the Pacific. In addition{,} a film on art called, ‘Art is,’ will be presented. …”

The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated December 11, 1974 shared about 1976 with Bicentennial public relations director Warren Hall announcing he was “preparing a history of the town {of Southold} to be recorded with background music and sound effects, illustrated with slides and shown at local civic and social functions early {in the spring of 1975} to spur interest in the 1976 activities. …

… An attempt will be made to confine the music to songs and instruments which were familiar to the colonials. At an afternoon-and-night recording session Tuesday, much of the sound was out on tape – the North Fork Chorale, which will be heard both in the background and in full tone. …”

I was absolutely thrilled that Peconic resident Theodore James was also among those involved. He offered technical assistance. Theodore James “was retained by Time-Life Films to write and produce a 12-part slide-music-narration-series based on Alistair Cooke ‘America’ TV triumph. {This article said that} “The James rendition is now being used by high schools and junior colleges throughout the country.”

Here’s more news about that Warren Hall’s event{s}:

The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated April 3, 1975 pointed out this:

“… In a now-it-can-be-told confession, Mr. Hall revealed this week that Alistair Cooke the author of the TV ‘America’ series and honorary chairman (by virtue of his residence in Nassau Point) of the town Bicentennial committee, had been asked to participate in the show. …

… It was a bit of a cameo appearance in a documentary that, after all, was the latest venture in an art form he created,’ Mr. Hall said. ‘I needed a voice with a trace of an English accent to read an order to Suffolk County farmers signed by a British commissary of forage. I sent him a copy of the order and asked him to read it into a tape-recorder and send me the cassette, so it could be incorporated into the show.

He {Mr. Hall} said he really didn’t expect a favorable response and long before he received a reply in which Mr. Cooke regretted he had no access to a tape recorder, the role had already been taken by Allen Dawe of Mattituck, a member of the North Fork Players. …”

Alistair Cooke was Honorary Chairman for Southold of the Bicentennial Celebration coming up in 1976. - The Long Island Traveler-Mattituck Watchman dated July 31, 1975 reported: “Alistair Cooke, a summer resident of Nassau Point since 1937, is the noted English-born expert on America. He accepted the appointment last year but warned he might be shooting television scripts in 1975 and 1976 ‘in all sorts of places.’”

“On Sunday, October 12, Mr. Alistair Cooke was presented with the Americanism Medal by the Southold Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Clifford G. Cornell, Regent of the Chapter, made the presentation on behalf of the Chapter at Mr. Cooke’s house.

The Americanism Medal, established in February, 1958, is awarded to an adult naturalized citizen who has been a United States citizen for five years and has demonstrated outstanding ability following naturalization. Mr. Cooke’s daily broadcasts to the British Isles from America during the war and his continuing appearing on TV dealing with the American scene and history, as well as his literary efforts, eminently qualified him for this award. It had been hoped to present the medal to Mr. Cooke at the Organizational Luncheon honoring the State Regent or at a regular monthly meeting of the Chapter, but the pressure of Mr. Cooke’s engagements prevented this.”

Of special note from The Long Islander dated September 11, 1986 –

Alistair Cooke was to be the guest speaker for the Suffolk County Historical Society Centennial Celebration on Sunday, September 29, 1986 at The Bavarian Inn in Lake Ronkonkoma.

Let’s make an issue of this, okay? That September 11, 1986 article clarified information:

“… Born in England in 1908, Alistair Cooke first came to the United States in 1932 on a Commonwealth Fund fellowship to study {theater - The article had that typeset as theatre but theatre means a building – and theater is the craft of studying the art of theater}. During his first summer in America, between two years of research in drama at Yale and Harvard Universities, Mr. Cooke traveled the length and breadth of the country. This formed the basis for his love of the U.S.A. which eventually led him to return and to become an American citizen.

Advance registration for this traditional Long Island duckling luncheon with special guest Alistair Cooke {was} required. Seating {was} limited. The cost {was} twenty-five dollars per person. …”

ALSO from The Suffolk County news {stet} dated December 4, 1986 – Year long centennial celebration in Suffolk County

“… Everyone agrees, the highlight of the year was the birthday luncheon held on September 28, 1986, at the Bavarian Inn, Lake Ronkonkoma. In honor of the event (the 100^th anniversary, to the day) Alistair Cooke {did make} a rare appearance as guest speaker. David A. Overton President of the Suffolk County Historical Society, presented Cooke with the first in a numbered series of commemorative plates that the Society has produced. The attractive plates bear the special centennial emblem, adopted for use by the Society this year, along with the names of the ten towns of Suffolk County and their founding dates. The plates are also a collector’s item, produced for a {fund-raiser} for the Society’s Board of Directors …”

PLUS within the classifieds in The Suffolk County news dated December 4, 1986 was a photo & caption:

“THE SUFFOLK COUNTY Historical Society marked its 100^th birthday with a Centennial Celebration Luncheon at The Bavarian Inn in Lake Ronkonkoma on September 28. Alistair Cooke spoke at the luncheon on ‘Turning History into TV.’ Attending the celebrations are Wallace W. Broege, SCHS Director; David A. Overton, SCHS President; Alistair Cooke, guest speaker; Legislator Steven Engelbright (District 5); Riverhead Town Supervisor Joseph Janoski; and Legislator Edward Romaine (District 2).”

The first listing in this post states that the wife of Alistair Cooke was Jane White. – In this next finding, you’ll see another female who was married to Alistair Cooke.

According to the Southold Town Hall Laserfiche {website} - I was able to locate an entry in SPLIA {Southold for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities} entry SD 97 reading that there was a “Richmond/Emerson house/Miss Mott estate 1909” on “South Harbor Road, on private Emerson Road, west side.” The owners were “Emerson/Wortis/Cooke” for this residence.

There were several sheds & cottages on the beach front/creek front property. “A {long-paved} road {led} through the woods to this large and picturesque estate. The scenery {was} varied: a cluster of barns and outhouses, open fields, wooded areas, creek and bay frontage. A path lined with evergreens {led} southward from the house to a gazebo overlooking a long 2 ½ story gable roof house with 2 ½ story, 3 bay wing on east and multi-bayed gambrel roof extension on rear (north). 3 arched window openings on north elevation of gambrel roof wing. Gable roof dormers in roofs. 6/6 windows throughout. House is of brick louvered wooden shutters and slate roof. Four high brick chimneys.”

The date of initial construction: “Prior to 1836, enlarged in early 20^th century. The architect: “Thomas Mott-Shore of Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, Boston.

“HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE:

The east wing is the oldest Richmond house; a three-bay, side-entrance plan {stet} house. East of the entrance is a large room with two fireplaces which was originally two parlors. The paired end chimney apparently {survives} from the pre-1858 Richmond house.

A new house on the property was built by Mrs. Ruth Cooke (divorced wife of Alastair {stet} Cooke) who is the co-owner of the estate with her sister{.} Dr. Ethel Wortis. …”

In my Lewis P. Wilkinson online post – I share that - In the 1950s and 1960s Spreading Chestnut Tree columnist Bob Smith for the Long Island Traveler shared different thoughts. Some of the highlights included a story of a shotgun reportedly used by Barnabas Horton, items people collect are discussed, the weather, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, and words on part-time Nassau Point resident Alistair Cooke (Bob Smith has Mr. Smith’s first named typeset as “Alastaire”.) In a February 26, 1953 Spreading Chestnut Tree column that was in the Traveler, author Bob Smith wrote about a word that is a good old Long Island word. It’s “pightel” which is pronounced “pikel.” He said this charming word is a fence or enclosure around a farmhouse. In a later March 5, 1953 column he remarked that “A pightel is an enclosure in a farm yard, not built around the house.”

I did check online and came across an Alastair Cook who is a professional cricket player from England – an “English cricketer.”

Just for the sake of it – Here’s something that is definitely not that far from a missing link stemming from the findagrave.com website regarding Alistair Cooke:

https://www.findagrave.com/mem...

NO WIFE’S NAME OF ALISTAIR COOKE IS LISTED {!}