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| Jan Craig and Ann Wright |
Last weekend about a dozen guests threw a spectacular
birthday party for twin sisters Jan Craig and Ann Wright as they celebrated
their 80th birthday at French Lick Resort.
On January 11, 1937 at St Edwards Catholic Hospital in New
Albany Indiana, the twins were born during the 1937 flood. The Main girls, and
their mother, were evacuated from the hospital and moved to a relative’s home
in Fredericksburg where they stayed for several weeks. (Over one million people
were left homeless during the flood with property losses reaching $500 million
- $8.7 billion dollars today.)
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| Flood in Indiana - Filson Historical Photo |
According to the Filson Historical Society in
Louisville, “In January 1937 one of the largest floods in
American history inundated the Ohio River Valley. Many cities and towns
on the Ohio and its tributaries were affected. Louisville and Southern Indiana
were among those most devastated. Torrential rain together with some
sleet and freezing rain fell from January 9 to January 23, raising the Ohio River
to its highest recorded level. On January 23 the river at Louisville
crested at 51.1 feet, and eventually reached 57.15 feet above flood stage on
the upper gauge.”
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| Jazz Festival |
Jan still lives in New Albany, Indiana but Ann now resides
in Houston, Texas where she is a nursing director. Both twins remembered the
first time they were at the resort. According to Jan, “We attended a jazz
concert when we were I.U. students. Dizzy Gillespie and Peter Fountain played
and we sat out on the lawn and listened. It was great! Then I came back about
two years ago and celebrated my birthday here.”
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| Dancing Waiter |
For Ann, “It was long before the renovations were done. I
came with friends and we had a spa and massage. It was a great day away. It was
back when the waiters put the trays on their heads – they had such showmanship.”
But coming to French Lick Resort has always been something
of a family tradition. “Mom has been coming here for a very long time, since she
was about 5-years-old,” Jan said. “Her family drove over from New Albany on
Sunday outings. She remembers seeing people sitting on the porch and being told
that they were wealthy movie stars.”
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| 1950 Silver Dollar |
Although the twins can’t always celebrate their birthday
together, they try to spend a few days celebrating. “We went to Paris when we
turned 50,” Jan said. “Ann called me and said ‘I’m going to Paris for our
birthday. Want to come along?’ So I thought for a few minutes and said, ‘Sure.’
We have always enjoyed being together and we try to see each other a couple of
times a year. We have the same trend of mind. We buy the same furniture, the
same clothes.”
Ann laughs, “And we don’t know what the other one bought;
she lives in Indiana and I live in Houston – in fact, I have those shoes, Jan.”
Jan smiled, “We’ve bought the same gift for someone’s
birthday. We’ve given the same greeting card to the same person.”
Ann nods, “We even went into the same profession. – We
were both nurses” But there was a drawback when Ann had to move to
Houston for her job. She remembers it being rough, “It was a difficult move;
pulling up those roots … and Jan continues the story, “Because before that we
were always close by. I lived in New Albany and she lived in Jeffersonville.” At least for this weekend, the two could celebrate their milestone birthday
together with their daughters, grand-daughters and nieces.
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| The Spa at West Baden Springs Hotel |
So what was on the birthday agenda? “Oh we’ll be
spontaneous,” Jan said as Ann replied, “The spa and the casino.” Jan nodded, “Okay,
and some shopping. Just having everyone together will be fun.” “This group
always has fun,” Ann replied. “We’ll just spend time talking and catching up.”
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| West Baden Springs Hotel |
As the two prepared to start their day, Jan remarked, “Turning
80 is special and we wanted a special place to celebrate, so we decided on this
special hotel.” Ann smiled, “It’s such a vintage hotel and it has such charm … “
“It reminds me of the hotels in Europe,” Jan continued, “where the service … “ “The
service is wonderful and everyone here is always so friendly and attentive,”
Ann finished.
Wishing a Happy Birthday Jan and Ann from all of the staff
at French Lick Resort!
By Joy Neighbors