Author Archives: Ellen Ross

Young in Heart

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Ellen Ross

I was driving southbound down Green Bay Road in Hubbard Woods the other day. On my left I saw a large picture window in a building that looked like a charming, life-size doll house. Out of habit, I expected to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Memoir, pop culture, Winnetka | 19 Comments

Bafflegate

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Definition of baffle gate: A gate that permits passage in one direction only. I must confess that since I moved back to Chicago, I don’t ride the subway/El very much. I find it claustrophobic. And I’m not all that keen … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Movies, pop culture | 12 Comments

The Casting Couch

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Ellen Ross

I was watching The Forsyte Saga on Netflix the other night. Not the original with Eric Porter and Kenneth More. The newer one with Damian Lewis as Soames and Gina McKee as Irene. I was struck by the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Movies, pop culture, Television | 14 Comments

Mensch

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Are you lucky enough to know Lou Magor? Superb musician, Northwestern graduate, Camp Ojibwa counselor and music director, music teacher, organist, twenty-five year Seattle transplant and co-choir director for the Wilson Sisters of Heart. And guiding light and compère at … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, pop culture, Seattle, Travel | 14 Comments

Sleepless in Seattle

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Ellen Ross

(Photograph by Kevin Gibson) I’m back, Dear Readers. And this post marks a milestone. It’s my 250th. First, I’d like to thank all of you. Some of you have been here from Day One. And some of you have just … Continue reading →

Posted in food, Restaurants, Seattle, Travel | 19 Comments

Just My Type

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Ellen Ross

HERE I GO AGAIN. Dear Loyal Readers and New Subscribers, Forgive me. I’ll soon be off on another trip, and the exigencies of the blog can not be optimally-managed long distance. Letter From Elba will be back in your email box on … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, New Trier High School, Nostalgia, pop culture | 27 Comments

Hair

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Quick Quiz: Have you ever logged any time under the apparatus pictured above? Have you ever used any of these? Are empty frozen orange juice cans merely containers for the beverage from Florida to you? Or when you see them, do … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, Memoir, Nostalgia, pop culture | 10 Comments

Hollywood Hunger

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Ellen Ross

It’s Oscar Night. And in honor of the Academy Awards, I thought I’d pay tribute to two things I love. Movies, natch. And food. To be specific, fab foodie moments in cinematic history. Is there anything more mouth-watering than watching … Continue reading →

Posted in food, Movies | 26 Comments

The Kindness of Strangers

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Today’s post is dedicated to George Barany. A stranger once. Now a friend and co-conspirator in crossword puzzle crime. Happy Birthday, Doctor. CONGRATULATIONS. 15 Recently in “The Getaway” column of the Sunday New York Times, writer Stephanie Rosenbloom discussed the … Continue reading →

Posted in pop culture, Travel | 7 Comments

Granny Redux by Sam Tofias

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Good morning Mr. and Mrs. North and South America and all the ships at sea. Let’s go to press. This is Sam Tofias, cub reporter age seven months, reporting in from Boston. And I want to tell you all about … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Boston, Grandparents, Memoir, pop culture, Restaurants, Travel | 20 Comments