The Washington times., 1937-01-12

| dCbAy W11dO VIC WUkAbCAP ~
days ago we met. as agreed the
night before, at sharp.
We were about half way around
the reservoir when we met Mary
Lewis, the famous opera singer,
and the well-known athlete,
George Brown. They called to us
to meet them when they came
around again and kept right on
going. We found out later that
they make it a rule to keep go
ing without stopping for any
thing until they have finished
the whole circle.
To meet them again meant we
would have to go around twice,
and they say it is two miles
around, but then who wouldn't
walk four miles to have a chat
with the lovely Mary Lewis? Be
sides, the walk is delightful at
that time of day when the air
Is so clean and fresh, so when
we finally caught up with them,
Miss Lewis asked what we were
doing up in the middle of the
night" as most New Workers
think Of any time before 8 a. m.
EVERY DAY
Then we learned she and
George Brown had been taking
the same jaunt every morning
since June, only they always go
around three times, and that, we
are told. is six miles. Besides
that, Miss Lewis walks back
home, which is about two more
miles.
The reason for all this was, Mary,
who has always been so nice and
slender, had put on too much
weight, and George Brown agreed
to show her how to take it off.
Take it off they did, for she now
weighs 30 pounds less than when
she started in June.
My friends and George went on
their way, and I walked back home
with Miss Lewis while she told me
all about her wonderful accom-
plishment. While she is perfectly
delighted to be so slender again,
she is even more enthusiastic over
the way she feels.
Mary Lewis, you know, is Mrs.
Robert L. Hague, and since her
marriage in 1880, the public has
sadly missed her beautiful singing
as she retired from all public
performances since then until this
last fall when she again appeared
at the Club Versailles and was re-
ceived with tremendous welcome
and with great success.
Before going to the Metropoli-
tan Opera house where she sang
for five years, Miss Lewis filled a
contract with the great Ziegfeld,
and then she spent two years in
Europe, where she appeared at the
leading opera houses in many for
eign countries.
She was known as "The Golden
Girl" at the Metropolitan because
Of her exquisite blond coloring,
and also for her remarkable taste
in the selection of her jewels and
clothes. She designed many of her
stage costumes, and continues to
originate many of the smart
gowns and hats she now wears.
She is such a pleasant, accom-
plShed girl, and we wonder
how she has the time to do the
things she does.
Her artistic taste is reflected in
the lovely home they maintain far
up in the Ritz Towers. The living
room is done in soft greens with
pastel and ivory, and the same
motif is carried out through the
whole apartment.
When Mary favors one with a
song, she plays her own accom-
pa1nment, as she is an accom-
pl1shed pianist, and keeps up her
rehearsalS and practices faithfully
every day. There have been some
very attractive offers directly from
some of the Hollywood producers,
and If we can judge by signs, we
would say it may not be long be-
fore the gifted Mary will be back
with us again as a screen star.
THE SUREST MEANS
You will be interested to know
some of George Browns theories
on reducing. He says he hardly
ever suggests diet for any wom-
an, as he thinks they are all so apt
to overdo it, and as he says, land
in a sanitarium.
'sIf tell them to cut out this
or that food, they 60 me one bet
ter and stop eating all Of the
foods they really need. SO," says
the wise George, 81 just tell them
to eat anything they usually do,
but to cut down on the amount"
Mr.. Brown thinks the out-of-
door exercises the surest and best
way to take off weight, and he
can't understand why all singers
do not make it a part Of their
training, as it is the very best
thing for their wind.
He says all professional ath-
letes depend altogether on this out
door work for their strength and
endurance, and it is the best way
to control the rhythmic breathing
so vitality important to every
singer.
There is a valuable little tip
on breathing that George gave us,
and we will pass it on to you. He
says when we inhale on, say about
four counts, we must try to hold
the breath for the same length of
time, then exhale slowly (the
slower the better).
This is what gives the lungs the