Author Archives: Ellen Ross

What’s In It For Me?

Author’s Note:  The following is not meant for any of the terrific men who subscribe to Letter From Elba.  You’re the best, guys, and I’m grateful for your support and your comments.  This post is aimed at a much larger … Continue reading

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Posted in Blogging, pop culture, The Internet | 20 Comments

Curses!

My new stationery arrived just the other day.  I had picked it out at an adorable store, All She Wrote. Denise, the manager, was super-helpful and together we chose an ecru-colored, slightly-textured paper with my name, cell phone number and email … Continue reading

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Posted in Avoca School, Nostalgia, pop culture | 2 Comments

Class Reunion

These are class photos from Echoes 1965.  My New Trier High School year book. (That’s me with the corsage- second row, third from the left. No idea why I’m wearing it.  Maybe this picture was taken on my birthday?) I … Continue reading

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Posted in Dating, Memoir, New Trier High School, pop culture, Restaurants, The 60's | 8 Comments

Yankee Doodle Dandy

(Photo courtesy of Janeane Reis) Happy Summer, everyone.  This is Sam Tofias, your Boston roving cub reporter.  I’m writing today’s post because my Gran is still too exhausted from all of the holiday festivities to type.  She delegated the job … Continue reading

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Posted in Grandparents, pop culture | 6 Comments

Gone Fishin’

Dear Readers, I’m out of here.  I’ve got places to go and people to see. Letter From Elba will be back on Sunday, July 12.  Have a happy, safe, wonderful Fourth of July. (And my apologies to all my brand-new … Continue reading

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Posted in Music, pop culture | 2 Comments

Respect

Dear Readers, do you know where you were on December 10, 1967?  I do.  I was in Madison, Wisconsin. My boyfriend Jon had just taken me to dinner here. (A pretty fancy joint on a sophomore’s budget.) But that was … Continue reading

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Posted in Music, Nostalgia, pop culture, The 60's, University of Wisconsin | 14 Comments

Best-Dressed

Happy Father’s Day, Dear Readers.  Hope it’s a great one for all of you. And in honor of my father today, I thought I’d treat you all to the movies. Our dad, Ben Roffe, loved the movies. And he loved … Continue reading

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Posted in Fashion, Movies | 19 Comments

Rage Against The Machine

That kid with the guitar- and the attitude- is my son, Nick.  Dressed in his boarding school clothes.  He had just gotten home for Thanksgiving break. The year was 1995. (Interior designers please note the wall covering in Nick’s room. … Continue reading

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Posted in Memoir, Music, pop culture | 4 Comments

“It’s Here”

When I was a teenager on Chicago’s North Shore, dating usually meant going to tried and true venues. Like Friday and Saturday nights at the Teatro Del Lago movie theater in Wilmette. Or the Edens theater in Northbrook. Maybe once … Continue reading

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Posted in Chicago, Dating, Music, New Trier High School, Nostalgia, pop culture, The 60's | 20 Comments

Gender Bender

In case you don’t recognize us, that’s Ted McGinley on the left and yours truly on the right.  The year was 1994 and we were on the set of Married with Children. If you can tear your gaze away from … Continue reading

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Posted in Gender politics, Movies, pop culture | 12 Comments