Evening star., 1954-11-21

These are things ] asked her III an interview.
ThiS IS her own story Of her Ife
She was born IN Sturgis. Mich, where the
family went for the summer. but her father.
W. 3 Skirvin. was then In the oil business In
Galveston Tex. He brought IN the second
largest oil well In the State, says his dauphter
IN Beaumont. Tex. So the wolf was never at
their door. 4.
When she was is years old the oil business
took her father to Oklahoma City where ais
family occupied an 18-room brick house that
was "one Of the incest houses In Oklahoma
CITY. When she was l8 she went to Paris with
her aunt to study voice. Prior to that time She
had attended private schools. a'But don't saw
that. says Perle talking like q politician. aSay
went TO public schools It sounds better"
She practiced singing in her mezzo-soprano
voice for hours every day and she gained some
snlng tnag was 70 aid her invaluably later as
hostess y learned to breathe properly and
stand properly. NY voice never gives out and
can stand forever without tiring."
Studies Voice
Voice study later took her to New York where
sne audltloned with SouSa's Band for q soloiSt
job. She got the job but her family put their
foot down and she never went on tour with
the band
When she was % she met the handsome
George MeSta in New York. OF Italian descent.
ne was the founder and president Of the Mesta
Machine Co. Of Pittsburgh that made the
biggest machinery in the world"
The most glamorouS part Of nv life was
when was married to George Mesta," says
his widow who's known some glamorous events
In her life.
They travelled great deal. spent much Of
their time In Europe. some in Pittsburgh, and
also kept an apartment at the Willard Hotel
here. They entertained wherever they went,
tossing most Of their parties in hotels or clubs.
Though few people realize II. it was way back
in the Willard phase of the new Mrs Mesta's
life that she began her White House connec-
tions.
Calvin Coolidge was the first man to occupy
that house whom she entertained though he
was Vice President at the time. He and Mrs
Coolidge occupied an apartment at the Willard
right above the Mestas. Mr.. Mesta was an ar
dent Republican ofsthe most conservative type
afdrms Perle, and they disagreed on politics all
the time. He was also great friend OF Cal
Coolidge.
OF the latter Mrs. Mesta says, aHe was ouiet
but ne always talked to me and he said lot
OF funny things"
PerIe Fetes Coolidge
They gave big dinner for the Coolidges just
before he became President and they had nal-
sic as always, but Cal would neither dance nor
sing. Mrs Mesta wouldn't think Of giving !
party without music, though. It's the key to
relaxation for most VIPs.
She also gave big luncheon for Mrs Cool
idge at the Willard and it drew people from all
around, she says. Later she visited Mrs Cool
idge at her New England home after the death
Of the ex-President.
The Democratic hostess who was invited to
President and Mrs. Eisenhower's dinner for the
Queen Mother Of Britain two weeks ago. started
being guest at the White House during the
Republican Coolidge and Hoover administra-
tlons. She had tea there many times she SAYS
i never fail to get thrill out of going to
the White House." states this friend OF Presi-
dents. IF most people don't feel that way.
they should"
After IL years of happy married life George
Mesta died and his widow took an apartment
here in the plush building that also housed the
multi-millionaire Andrew Mellon.
lnvodes Newport
She also took house at Newport, Beach,
mound, overlooking Baileys Beach that subse-
quently became the home of her sister and
brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Tyson.
And she promptly invited Charles Curtis up for
visit. His arrival created sensation In the
fashionable resort because 1T was the frst
time" afirms Mrs. Mesta. ''that vice Presi-
dent had ever visited Newport"
Other women scrambled to get him to their
parties but it was Perle who decided which he
should go to and which he should skip. Mrs.
James Duke was one who entertained for him.
and he also went to her daughter Doris
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