I’m not going to apologize for feeling more plus than minus about Hugh Hefner and Playboy magazine. I even went to a fundraiser at the mansion once and had a great time.
A lot of my good impression stems from being neighbors with Nat Lehrman, the Playboy
Editor, and his wife Kus. Nat was funny, generous and smart. He founded the Playboy Foundation which supported civil rights, women’s rights and social issues. He was just a great guy.
My other positive connection to Playboy was as a friend of Judy Wax, whose husband Sheldon, was Managing Editor. Judy comforted me during a scary time. My daughter was traveling around the world and there were weeks on end when she disappeared into the ether. Judy understood. Her son had also taken up life in India.
Judy’s career as a writer was just beginning with her book: “Starting in the Middle.” I certainly identified with that. She and Shel were headed to a booksellers convention in LA when their plane crashed at O’Hare.
Joan, I recall the story about your friends dying in that horrible crash. I didn’t know the Playboy stories. Interesting. Camille
ReplyDeleteVery sorry for your loss, Joan. Yes, life is complicated. More so than is comfortable in our times.
ReplyDeleteAnother great Chicago story.
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