We Need a Little Stardust

The year ends, for too many of us, in loss and disappointment. We need a little stardust, right this very minute. . . .

Artless angels spreading cheer have arrived in our mailbox for many a Christmas – each handcrafted and made special by the person who created it.

Louise Cuddihy was the founder's young secretary when I joined The Merrill Anderson Company. She was among the legion of gals who entered advertising and other areas of the New York business world after World War II via the only jobs available to them. Each was determined to type her way up. Most didn't.

Louise did. After work she went to school to study art and design, got her degree, then got another. Merrill gave her a job in the art department. In time Louise became assistant art director, a gal you could rely on for a practical solution to any graphics problem.

When Earl Bergendahl, the art director who created the Mondrian-esque signature format for U.S. Trust's ads, retired, Louise became Merrill Anderson's art director.

Personal note: In 1981, when my wife volunteered us to create and publish a history of the Norwalk Youth Symphony, Louise chipped in with all the layout work.

Louise has been retired for many years. She's enlivened quite a few of them with travel, but I'm glad she hasn't given up art. Her card arrived in today's mail.

Have a little stardust, folks. This year we need it.