MRS. ALFRED M. LANDON

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1936, Page 12

MRS. ALFRED M. LANDON

HOMEMAKER AND HOSTESS.

To get a fair picture of the blackeyed, smiling Theo Landon, who has become a potential White House hostess since the nomination of hex husband, Gov. Alfred M. Landon, by the Republicans, one really sll 2V d have a look in at her home. Mrs Theo Cobb Landon has proved hex sell ii homemaker and hostess of great charm and ability (says the Topeka correspondent o£ the Chxistxa Science Monitor”). Just ask Nancy Jo and John Cobb Landon, her small children. Ox rather observe them, for they are too young yet to have opinions on their mother as homemaker. But watch them a while, and it is easy to see that sho has made life at the Executive Mansion at Topeka a joyful thing for them. , t . People may say all they want to about the Governor of Kansas balancing budgets, but what appeals to these fun-loving children is his ability to balance them on his strong square shoulders while they towsel his hair. And their daddy really knows how to play horse —down on all fours! Occasionally guests are invited to participate in the frolic, and some of Kam gas’ most dignified senators and bankers, lawyers and newspaper men have galloped over the executive drawing-room floor. These youngsters can tell you right now who can buck the best! In spite of the many demands of public life, Mrs Landon has succeeded in maintaining for her children a normal atmosphere. They have most of their meals in the nursery upstairs. A big blue rag rug covers the floor with smaller ones arranged here and there. On the wall hangs a quilt appliqued with pictures to delight young folks. There are boxes of toys, hobby horses, and othei’ playthings to delight their little friends when they come to play. Mrs Landon’s mother, Mrs S. E. Cobb, lives in Potwin and her spacious residence is a welcome resort when events become too lively at the Executive Mansion. Such was the case on the eve of the recent Republican nomination. The children were told that the swarms of people and streams of cars around the house meant that there was to be a little celebration, something like the Fourth of July and they were whisked over to grandmother’s house where thej spent their first night away fxom home. Always on Nancy Jo’s birthday, (sho is only tlxree-and-a-half), Mrs Landon gives a party for the children of the Provident Association; and at Eastei’ she entertains the children from the two orphanages with an eggrolling on the lawn of the Governor’s mansion. Last spring she hid 85 dozen eggs in the glass and shrubbery for the children to gather into their baskets.

HOMEMADE MOVIES.

These jolly affairs have been recorded in home moving pictures which are sometimes thrown upon the screen in the living-room upstaiis, much to the delight of Nancy Jo and Jack. Two or three times a year when a play is produced in the Children s Theatre at the Women’s Club, Nancy Jo again has as her guests the young people of the Provident Association nursery. In these ways Mrs Landon hopes to teach her son and daughter tlie pleasures of sharing one’s joys with others less fortunate.

During her younger days Mrs Landon once had the ambition of being the head of an orphanage. She often went to play with the occupants of the home, taking along fruit and candy, and other gifts. One day she brought home a huge pile of clean socks, every one of which needed mending. She was a college student then and had little time for darning stockings, so, her mother explains, “Of course, I did it.”

Ever since her occupancy of the Executive Mansion in Topeka, Mrs Landon has held a tea for the women of two local homes for the aged. This year, although the Landon boom was in full swing at the time the guests from far and near were coming and going, the party was given just the same. Photographers appeared at the door, as has been theii’ habit of late, lint were met by the hostess saying, "No; this is my party, I. don't want any pictures taken this time.” Then it developed that the guests wanted theii’ pictures taken; so, rather than disappoint them, Mrs Landon called back the photographers and everyone was happy. Publicity has xifways been distasteful to her, but for the sake of her husband whom she admires profoundly, she is to-day facing the spotlight in the same sportsmanlike manner that has always characterised her actions. Mrs Landon's work has extended into many branches of social service and one yeax - she served as president of the Council of Social Agencies in Topeka. It is her theory that children should be reared to appreciate the treasures of the world without the idea of possessing them. And everyone, she believes, should have a hobby. Her own hobby is collecting antiques, which in her estimation is comparable to any other hobby in that the collector feels a satisfaction in preserving relics of historical value that tell of the customs, crafts and beauties of days gone by. Governor Landon shares in this interest. Much of their courtship took place in antique stores, Mrs Landon laughingly admits. And even . now, instead of bringing his wife flowers or candy when he returns from a trip ho often presents her with a piece of lusterwxife. Her uhusual collection contaixis more than 100 pieces in gold, silver, copper, canary, purple, mulberry, pink, gold resist, silver resist and Sunderland.

TALENTED MUSICIAN. In the upstairs hallway stands a beautiful harp, a gift from Mr' and Mrs Cobb to their daughter, Theo, upon her graduation from college. Already a graduate pianist, she gained proficiency on the harp and was in demand as a soloist and accompanist on many occasions. Music is still her avocation, and often she puts the children to bed with a lullaby sung to her own accompaniment on the harp. And while we are speaking of bedtimes, it is interesting to know that Nancy Jo slept in an antique bed with the face of a bearded old man carved on the posts. Little Jack has to sleep

in a bed with high sides, because, after being tucked in fox’ the night, he likes to climb out and play around in the nursery until he becomes sleepy. His mother used to find him curled up in a corner of the room fast asleep. Many of the children’s modish outfits, tailored and knitted suits, their mother makes herself. Such things she loves to do and somehow finds time in hex - busy lite. Not long ago she completed brother and sistex’ suits which the children take pride in explaining were made by “Mummy.” Peggy Anne, a daughter of Governor Landon by a former marriage, recently returned from Cleveland bringing back her version of the convention. She has completed her sophomore yeax* at Kansas University, hex' father’s alma mater, and so takes into the home a collegiate atmosphere. Mrs Landon is not only her comrade, but a sympathetic counsellor who can always “see both sides.” It is not very many years since Mrs Landon was herself attending college. After graduating from the Topeka High School, at 16, she entered Washburn College, walking the two miles actoss town and back nearly every day with her Potwin friends. She rated high in her studies, carrying on various extra-curriculax activities such as the editorship of the college paper. Her leadership was developed as president of the Press Club, the literary society, and as Big Sister Captain. As a member of the Delta Gamma sorority she was one yeax- chairman of the Kansas scholarship drive and latex - served for several years as alumnae president. No matter in what group she •was found, she had a knack of making herself useful. There has always been a quiet efficiency that gets things done at the right time and in an unostentatious manner.

Still vitally interested in educational matters, Mrs Landon is one. of two women who serve as trustees of Washburn College. She has been president of the American Association of University Women in Topeka. LIKES DETECTIVE STORIES. Reading is one of her chief enjoyments—economics, history, and biography, with once in a while a detective story thrown in fox - variation. Travel in Europe soon aftei’ her graduation and months of travel in this country have brought added interests into her life.

Although Mrs Landon came to the Executive Mansion almost a bride, and the youngest wife of a Governoxin the history of tlxe State, she has proved equal to the situation in every way. In accordance with the budgetbalancing principles of hex - husband, she practices strict economy in hexhousehold expenditures. All of her entei taining is marked by tasteful simplicity.

Of course she lias little time to give to details in the kitchen except in the matter of planning, so Daisy, the cook, reigns supreme. Daisy has served in a, similax- capacity fox - several preceding governors, and has received the highest praise, especially during recent months when Governoi’ Landon has been .entertaining visitors at his table almost daily. The Governor enjoys his friends always, but most across the dining table.

Mrs Landon can prepare a meal that compares with the best and during hex - first yeax - of married life at Independence, Kan., she baked all of the bread herself. As the wife of the Governor of Kansas, she maintains a simple household with the efficient help of foul - servants —a cook, housemaid, nurse, and chauffeur. Since tlxe nomination of the Governor, tlxe services of a private secretary have become necessary in oi'dex - to care foxthe increased correspondence. Back of the ease and capability with which this mistress of the Kansas "White House” handles hex - social duties and performs her various obligations is a trained mind. Ilexactivities axe marked by an undemonstrative thoughtfulness. Gentle and unassuming in niannex - , with sparkling black eyes, a bewitching dimple, a fiiendly smile, and soil, pleasant voice, she puts the visitor immediately at ease. One calling fox - the first time feels after a few minutes’ conversation that he has always known her. An atmosphere of serenity and warm hospitality pervades the Landon household, due in large part to the capability and graciousness of its mistress.