Under the Radar During Camelot (Paperback) | Released: 25 Oct 2013

My upbringing could not possibly have prepared me for the life I have led.I bring the the tumultous decade of the sixties back to you in this book. I actually knew 5 presidents, worked on Capitol Hill, White House Press charters with Pan Am, world travels, and spent those years with the most powerful, famous and accomplished people - including the political, CEO's, and movie stars. Sitting on the end of a diving board at Bing Crosby's pool that sunny day in Palm Springs while carrying on a conversation with Jack Kennedy, who was treading water beneath me wearing nothing over his birthday suit was crazy in itself. But not any more so compared to some of the other times I spent with him.Senator George Smathers of Florida, every bit as handsome and more debonair to me than Kennedy was my real introduction to the larger world out there. He became my paramour, my confidant, my father figure and was my boss on Capitol Hill. Being backed up in elevators and chased around desks by U. S. Senators became a way of life for me in the 60's and the "University of Capitol Hill" taught me more than I learned about life at Florida State University.I should have paid Pan American Airlines for the eight years of opportunities they bestowed me. I had many eccentric experiences flying internationally which do not even include behind the scenes White House Charters all over the world with Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. JFK personally had me assigned to these charters. I stood with the crowd at the Berlin gate for the "Ech bin ein Berliner" speech and a foot from Jackie Kennedy re-entering Air Force One in Dallas. I was along when President Johnson secretly traveled into a war zone in Vietnam at the height of the war. I had a love affair with Peter Lawford for several years and found myself hanging out with Judy Garland, Sammy Davis and many other Hollywood stars during the sixties. Describing myself sitting beside Moses in the form of Charlton Heston for a party at Steve McQueen's house certainly surprised my mother.An aide to President Johnson brought me even more chaos. Time aboard Air Force One, the Presidential Yacht provided tales for my personal diary. And, while in Guam, escaping out a second story back window to evade the secret service added to the deranged state of my life. A private charter with the Shah of Iran and dancing with Porfirio Rubirosa at El Morocco, rivaled my nights in Harlem with May and Sammy Davis Jr's entourage while he was staring in "Golden Boy" on Broadway.After marriage, I never read the "romantic novels" many women read, as I had livedthe romantic relationships they might only find in daydreams. When you can include a lover like Warren Beatty in your past, you do not have to fantasize. I finally married a successful, handsome former Marine who had a large yacht, private jet and six children which kept me unbalanced for years.My entire life has absolutely NOT been a party. No one gets through this journey without some challenges, or they will not develop character. Believe me; I now own a great deal of character. But these were my earlier caviar and champagne days and I hope you will enjoy sharing them, especially while reliving with me the tumultuous decade of the sixties.
About the Author: My memoir does not represent a life lived within the box. My life began in Pennsylvania, however my mother divorced and we moved to Ft. Lauderdale where I schooled and spent summers on my grandparent' s farm in Warriors Mark, very near Penn State. I was a Kappa Alpha Theta at Florida State University, and graduated with a degree in journalism. However, it took me more than fifty years to get around to actually writing a book. After moving to Alexandria, Virginia, I worked for a few months at the Pentagon. I was happy to be hired to work on Capitol Hill and lived a few blocks off Pennsylvania where I actually took the trolley up to the Hill. As a congressional secretary to Senator George Smathers on Capitol Hill, I soon came to know the powerful in Washington, including 5 presidents. Being Miss Florida State University and Homecoming Queen and LIFE Magazine doing a feature on me was inconsequential excepting it created more challenges for me as a working woman on "The Hill" in the sixties. Attractive women in those days could not declare sexual harassment and it was quite necessary for us to fend for ourselves. I dated several accomplished men including a Congressman and a General, which offered me the opportunity to attend grand functions and balls as well as embassy parties. I worked and traveled in the 1960 campaign for President Kennedy and thoroughly enjoyed it. After a vacation in Europe, I decided to take a year away from D.C. and fly for Pan Am to see the world. JFK had me assigned to the White House Press Charters, which PAA was awarded and I ended up flying with 3 presidents. I witnessed history in the making all over the world. I stood at the bottom of the ramp of Air Force One as President Kennedy's coffin was being carried up to the back cabin in Dallas and watched Jackie in her catatonic state. I knew then that I would probably not return to Washington. My five year relationship with JFK was quite unusual. I spent many occasions with him I never acquiesced to an affair, which is why my book reveals a story that relates directly to the assassination itself. I remained with the airline and enjoyed the motorcades and functions with President Johnson and Nixon, which included us due to being part of the "Presidential Party". I received more than my share of marriage proposals and finally married the CEO of an aircraft company. I feel now that a star danced the night I was born.