The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-29
SOCIE TY
Birmingham People In CIeueIand Write
 Of Trip

Mrs Edna Gockel Gussen, one or Birminghams most distinguished musicians and director of the Bir- mingham Conservatory of Music, with Mrs. Joseph Beitman and her three daughters, Felesta, -Leta and
 Mrs. Gussen, writing to her secre- genial party of motorists who made the trip from Birmingham to Cleve- land, O., recently in a most interest ing manner.
 Mrs. Gussen, writing t oher secre- tary. L~+s- Willie May Jones, said of the trip:
 Leaving Birmingham in our big touring car, we followed all the way the big car of MT. and Mrs. Eugene Jacobs, who were also making the trip. Leta Beitman, who. as you know, is pupil of rhire and a mighty good one, too, is also cool, clever driver and she manipulated the wheel splendidly and kept up with MT. and Mrs. Jacobs car all the way, even though they had an experienced chauffeur. We travelled 225 miles the first day and spent the night in Nashville. A nice visit in Clarksyille, Tenn, where we were delightfully."- entertained by a niece of MT. Jacobs.
 
 oh the third day It Is always the same when we try to go north: in stead of trying that awful stretch of cobblestones road. near the Nam moth Cave, that l experienced two summers ago, we crossed the western part of Kentucky, and it was like Jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Instead of cobble stones we had to go through miles and miles of pIaces that were more like a hog wallow than roads. It was so bad that it seemed quite heavenly when we finally crossed the Ohio river at Madsonville and had a lovely shaded and paved road for 10 miles, running into Evansville. Ind.
 From there on all was enjoyable and what a wonderful contrast is au- tomobiling when one drives through the prettiest parts of good looking cities like Indianapolis, Dayton, Co., lumbus and Cleveland. whereas by rail one always sees only the ugly part first!
 cleveland Is a great place. They have the most wonderful theatre in the world there-Keith's Palace. It Is really the most gorgeous thing l have ever seen any place-truly a palace. And their convention hall is Il matter of pride with them. too, and no wonder, most auditoriumS that have such tremendous seating ca pacity are merely huge. but the Cleveland one is beautiful as well as huge. If l were to begin to talk of the organ you would never be able to stop me. The guide book for trav- elers says it's the greatest instru- ment ever built by man, and I'm sure they are right. Mir. Edwin Arthur Kraft played on it for us. It is mar vicious; 1t has everything that any organist could possibly wish for, from the loveliest, soft celestial stops to the richest, most dignified and party said; Tt is like a bit of heaven. As for me. I was too impressed to speak. and the thrill of playing on It goes beyond my powers of descrip- ton.
 of course, I enjoyed meeting my old friend. Beryl Rubinstein, who played for me-gloriously. l can't Keep away from music schools ever when l am on my vacation. Mrs F'ranklyn Saunders, the director of the Cleveland Institute of Music, is doing a wonderful work in that school. She tells me that Beryl Ru- blnstein's success as both teacher il her school and as a concert pianist it quite extraordinary. l can scarcel! wait until he gets to Birmingham September 1, for at his concer there he will do some beautiful Scria bine numbers as well as others. NJ. other good friend, Sol Marcosson who is the director of the Marcosso: Music school of Cleveland. and a glo rious violinIst, and such a great Chautauqua favorite, left for his sum mer classes at Chauauqua while l wa in Cleveland. When he gives hi! concert in Birmingham in Septembe he and l will play the Franck sonat; for piano and violin on his recita program in the Phillips auditorium.
 MT. Edwin Arthur Kraft, who com rletes the trio of Cleveland artist who will visit Birmingham the frs two weeks in September is one 0 the most brilliant organists I eve heard, ans as organist at Trinit, church, Cleveland. is very popular I feel sure all Birmingham musician will be interested to hear MT. Kraft program at the Church of the Ad vent on the second Sunday afternoo in September. Mr. Kraft has charming bungalow on Lake Erie an he entertained us delightfully."-. Swim ming was so new to me and I am s enthusiastic that Biloxi will be m destination from here. where I ca Iwim to my hearts content"