A celebration of self-expression

‘Cadillac is more than a statement. It’s a celebration of self-expression.

And a declaration of your independence.”

I’m not fond of quoting William Barr, but that is what the New York Times used to refer to as a “barnyard epithet.”

You did see that Steve Bannon said to Barr, “We’re coming after you, Bro,” for Barr’s temerity to use that barnyard expression.

I’m having a hard time imagining that that expression is ever used in a barnyard.

Reminds me of Ex- Prez’s saying that his Access Hollywood tape was using “locker room talk”.

A number of National Football League players were asked if that is the way they spoke when suiting up, suiting down, and to a player said they were too busy discussing their IRA’s.

The British playwright Doug Lucie says that “advertising is the revenge of business on culture.”

Two pals in Chicago did very well there in the ad world, one retiring at 33 after coming up with Spell Cheese, K-R-A-F-T. ( Miracle Whip, the Bread Spread, less successful). Jonathan Abarbanel then went on to produce my first play there, 49 years ago, so I shan’t be too hard on him.

The second, retiring a bit later, now goes to Africa three times a year and supports all sorts of great causes, including Chicago’s most needy theaters. So I shan’t be hard on Nancy McDaniel either.

The friend of many of us, Clifton Read, of Dark Entry and Cornwall Bridge, was head of Advertising for the Cancer Society during the Mad Men days.

One of my favorite Clif stories — the three martini lunch.

The one that consoled you for the morning’s work.

The one you really enjoyed.

The one that gave you the courage to go back to work.

Clif, who never smoked a cig in his life. Although his wife died of it.

How did these adsters do it?

Cadillac is more than a statement. A celebration of self-expression. And a declaration of Your independence.

Really? Could Clif or my Chicago pals have written that obfuscatory drivel?

Clif who grew up in St. Paul next to Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, a not so distant relative of the composer, F. Scott who wrote jingles to pay the rent. Nothing like the Unsingable Star Spangled Banner, I suspect.

Tender Is The Night, This Side of Paradise and The Great Gatsby, The Original Great American novel, F. Scott who gave us the phrase The Jazz Age. A white dude came up with that? Would we have those books without those jingles?

I am guessing not. That we would have those books, that art. All in all, Bless you, Old Adsters. Old Masters.

Martinis, anyone? Or is lunch over?

Lonnie Carter is a playwright, Obie winner and his signature play is “The Sovereign State of Boogedy Boogedy.”

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Peggy Ann McEnroe

AMENIA — Peggy Ann McEnroe, 60, a lifelong area resident, passed away surrounded by her family on Aug. 4, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York.Peggy Ann was the owner and operator of Peggy’s Sweet & Savory café in Amenia, New York (formerly known as Back in the Kitchen).

Peggy had a passion for food and travel and her creativity and generosity knew no bounds. Born on Dec. 10, 1964, in Sharon, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late William Thomas McEnroe and Caroline Ann McEnroe.She was a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Purchase.

Keep ReadingShow less
Evelyn Ann Moody Lamberti

WASSAIC — Evelyn Ann Moody Lamberti, 87, passed away July 13, 2025, in Barre, Vermont.

Born on Dec. 13, 1937, in Hartford, Connecticut to Hazen and Helen Moody, she spent her early years in Wassaic, New York and graduated from the first graduating class of Webutuck Central High School in 1955. She attended New Paltz College and then worked for the Dutchess County Supervisors Office in Poughkeepsie, New York.She married David Lamberti on Oct. 10, 1959, in Wassaic and moved to Vermont.

Keep ReadingShow less
Caroline (Lynn) P. Chase

SOUTHFIELD, Mass — Lynn Chase of Southfield, Massachusetts, passed away on July 30, 2025, at Berkshire Medical Center after a courageous seven-month battle with an aggressive cancer. Despite the challenges, Lynn continued to inspire those around her with her strength and determination.

How do you begin to talk about the extraordinary life of Lynn Chase?

Keep ReadingShow less
Kim Roberta Andrews

SHARON — Kim Roberta Andrews, aged 70, of Sharon, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 5, 2025, at her home in Sharon.

Kim was born on Feb. 19, 1955, to Robert and Thelma Andrews in Huntington, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less