Today, February 19th
A train ticket would have cost Charlotte May’s parents a full day's pay
FOUR-YEAR OLD CHARLOTTE MAY PIERSTORFF WAS MAILED TO HER GRANDPARENT’S HOUSE ON FEB. 19TH, 1914. No, not boxed with bubble-wrap—but rather sent with a cousin who was a postal clerk. After the US postal service first began parcel deliveries in 1913, the practice of having children shipped by train and delivered by a trusted local postman became quite popular (the limit on parcels being 50 lbs.) Charlotte May was sent from Grangeville, Idaho to her grandparents 73 miles away with stamps stuck to her coat. Another child—the10-month old baby boy of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Beauge from Batavia, Ohio—was posted for 15 cents in stamps, though his parents did insure him for $50.
Charlotte May’s legend is still available in book form
While several newspapers including the Washington Post and New York Times ran official decrees on June 14, 1913, stating children could no longer be sent through the mail, Charlotte May shows the practice didn’t stop completely. Her story became so legendary, it was even made into a children’s book, “Mailing May”.
BOB DYLAN’S BROADWAY MUSICAL IS NOW IN PREVIEWS. Unlike most “jukebox” musicals, “Girl From the North Country” has earned raves—both at New York’s Public Theater and in London (where it garnered two Olivier Awards). Ben Brantley declared it to be "the most imaginative and inspired use to date of a popular composer's songbook.”
The musical follows the denizens of a Depression-era boarding house in Duluth, Minnesota… each arriving with a song to sing. And once they do, their lives are changed forever. Two-time Tony nominee Conor McPherson’s vision has been called “achingly beautiful” and “a tearjerker”— suggesting the show will be more successful than the first Broadway musical to employ Dylan’s songbook—Twyla Tharp’s “The Times They Are A-Changin'” in 2006 (which closed after 28 performances at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre).
Opens March 5th. Belasco Theatre, 111 West 44th Street. Click here for discount preview tickets or visit theatermania.com
Join Sputnik Yoga for a silent headphone yoga session with an ab burn out
EXPAND YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN FOR FREE. If you’re clinging to that New Year’s resolution to get in shape you can do it for free at Bryant Park until the end of February. Been meaning to try the barre technique? Sample the low-impact high-intensity strengthening of Pure Barre’s 50-minute Classic class. Or up your yoga game with Sputnik or CorePower Yoga. They’re offering meditation and relaxation classes, too—though the all glass, 2nd story classroom overlooking the skating rink appears restful as is.
Pure Barre Classic is the original barre class and the foundation of Pure Barre's proprietary technique
Pre-registration is required; and you must bring your own mat and towel. View the full Winter Fitness schedule here and REGISTER or visit bryantpark.org.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, Between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues. To get there: Take B, D, F, or M train to 42nd Street/Bryant Park; or 7 train to 5th Avenue.