Saratoga News

Photograph by Louise Webb

Carol Scalard (center) wore roses in her hair to celebrate spring with with (left) Briana Campbell, Merina and Sarah Rainville.

Celebrating Spring around the Maypole

By Louise Webb

On May 1, I spent part of the morning at a May Day celebration in Willys and Betty Peck's back yard. I then left for Macy's in San Francisco to hear Elizabeth Taylor answer questions about her life. Taylor was promoting her Black Pearls perfume.

Shirley Guest remarked, "Louise, you're going from the sublime to the ridiculous."

I entered the Pecks' back yard at 7:30 a.m. and was transfixed because so much was happening. A trumpet was blown for the opening ceremony. King Winter and Lady Spring entered, carrying on a dialogue. Winter reluctantly let Lady Spring take over. Adults and adorable children were sprinkled over the yard watching. Everyone was in a festive mood.

The May Day court included Carol Scalard as queen, and Willys and Betty Peck's beautiful granddaughters Merina, 3, and Sarah Rainville, 6, and their friend, 6-year-old Briana Campbell. All three were unintentional scene-stealers.

Lee Anne Welch's student violin players provided background music while we took turns dancing in and out around the Maypole with our colored ribbons. The Pecks' daughter Anna Rainville gave instruction. She said her mother has provided Maypole dancing every May 1 since she was a little girl. Rainville has carried on the tradition in the kindergarten where she teaches.

A table was laden with beautiful flowers brought by many people. In the middle were bowls of luscious strawberries, ice cream and shortcake the Pecks provided; the cream came from Kenneth Peake's Monte Sereno dairy.

The Holly Davies family was present. Holly later left a thank-you note in the Pecks' mailbox that read in part, "You have tuned up our spirits for spring and summer. As I was dancing the Maypole dance, I kept thinking that life itself is a process of weaving disparate peoples, different materials, and ideas old and new all into an organized pattern."

I overheard someone say, "The Pecks must always have this festive occasion. What would we do without it?"

Then it was on to Elizabeth Taylor. There was an estimated crowd of 5,000 people at Macy's in San Francisco to see the beautiful legend. I sat up front with the press. Taylor carried her Maltese dog, Sugar, in her lap while answering questions. Somebody asked her if she would marry again and she answered, "No." Then a man shouted he loved her and she said, "Maybe I will marry."

Taylor is working on her fitness regimen. She's had two hip operations that kept her from exercising. The star showed warmth, compassion, and a sense of humor.

I asked her what she did for fun, and she said answering questions was fun. Taylor asked me if I was having fun. I was. What a perfect day!