For the love of candy

On a blue-skies Saturday in May 1950 family and friends gathered in Manhattan to celebrate the marriage of Hedi Basch and Robert Levenback. Among the guests were Hedi's cousin Rudolf, his wife Elizabeth and their children Annie and Hugo.

The wedding was a spectacularly glamorous event - at least seen through the eyes of 7 year old Annie Flesch. Seventy years later she still recalled her delight in finding the reception hall illuminated with coloured lights.

At the end of the evening Rudolf and his family congratulated the newly-weds and said their farewells.

Walking back to the car Hugo, Annie's younger brother, turned to his old sister and grinned. Sticking his hands into his pockets he pulled out handfuls of sweets. Somewhere in the reception hall he had discovered a bowl of candies and helped himself to as many as he could fit in his pockets!

Annie was mortified at her younger brother's behaviour but Hugo was immensely pleased with himself. For him it was the best day ever.