Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/63916
TORCHY WELCOMES THE WORLD One of the WAC's most illustrious members, Torchy Torrance, played a key role in the Seattle World's Fair—at least with regard to the many luminaries who traveled to Seattle to see the wonders of the future. Appointed chairman of the Community Hospitality Committee by the Chamber of Commerce, Torchy was on hand to greet a host of movers and shakers, including the country's first atomic-powered surface vessel, the Savannah, which came to Seattle carrying a cargo of dignitaries and celebrity passengers bound for the fair. From the Canadian board of trade to a crew of American astronauts to Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine, to President John F. Kennedy (who visited prior to the fair) and his brother, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Torchy and his wife, Ruth, wined and dined and welcomed the world to Seattle. —Diane Mapes GETTING SOCIAL AND HAVING A BALL The WAC was involved in a slew of social events related to the Seattle World's Fair, starting with a "Space Dinner Dance" held exactly one year prior to the opening of the Century 21 Exposition. Decorations for the event included Century 21 posters, flying saucers and "space headgear for both men and women," according to the WAC News. "Solid fuel" cocktails were served in the Men's Lounge before partiers boarded a "rocket" (aka the WAC elevator) for dinner and dancing on the 3rd Floor. In March of 1962, the WAC embraced the space-age theme again with a "Fashion in Orbit" luncheon show, featuring spring designs in hot new colors like (gulp) lime sherbet. Also on display: two original World's Fair hats— including a tall flowery concoction dubbed the "Space Needle Iris"— both designed by New York milliner Don Marshall. social event of all was the "Carnaval" of the Century 21, a Brazilian costume ball held September 8, 1962, at the WAC. Hosted by Brazilian Ambassador Roberto Campos and his wife, the ball was billed as a re-creation of Rio de Janeiro's traditional celebration with a few twists, such as a costume contest. Marion Gartler, a Seattle Perhaps the most auspicious AN EMPTY FIELD PAID FOR FAMILY'S FAIR TICKETS I REMEMBER THE World's Fair. My family had a five-acre farm down south, and we rented out one of our idle pastures for people to park their cars. From there, they took a bus to the fair. I remember how excited I was the day we went. We'd seen it on TV and heard about it on the radio. On the way, I stood next to my dad as he drove our white Pontiac Bonneville. We didn't use seatbelts in those days. I remember the most exciting thing at the fair—the house of the future. There was a vacuum in the wall and a small little box that cooked food so fast it came out in minutes. I remember waiting in line to ride the children's textbook author and wife of a UW professor of genetics and medicine, took home the grand prize with a dress made of airline posters and gunny sacks, each featuring a map of Brazil and a "Product of Brazil" stamp. Her hat was an urn filled with steaming hot coffee. The risk paid off. Mrs. Gartler won a trip to Brazil. 36 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | MAY / JUNE 2012 Bubbleator. I was wearing a dress, and my mom told me to put my hand on my skirt as we ascended. No peeking, boys! I remember riding the Monorail. I even got to drive it using a silver L-shaped throttle. I remember how everything was rockets and spaceships, even the food. Last but not least, I remember the Space —Diane Mapes Needle and how it was the coolest thing ever. We ate lunch in the restaurant on top, and mom put her purse on the ledge. When she looked for it a little while later, it was gone. Dad chased it down a few tables away, right where the room's rotation had moved it. —Wendall Smith, WAC VP Human Resources MUSEUM OF HISTORY & INDUSTRY (2)