Perfect timing made for a fascinating visit to a New York institution, Anne Turvey writes.
In 1980 we decided to visit the United States, particularly New York.
I had written to Time Magazine asking if we might call in at their offices as I was interested in how they gathered their stories.
I had relied on the magazine to provide a connection to the outside world during my time at home as a wife and mother in the early 1960s and continued to subscribe.
I did not receive a response from them so decided that I would ring them when we arrived.
After all, I reasoned, they could only say no.
The receptionist responded to my call enthusiastically, which surprised me a great deal.
"Oh, Mrs Turvey, we have been waiting to hear from you! We have set aside a couple of hours from 3pm tomorrow afternoon. Can you come? Just come to the main door and ring the bell and we will have someone waiting for you who will be your escort through the building."
My excitement was tempered by the sudden thought that we had little to offer as gifts to our hosts and I scrabbled through my suitcase to see what I could find. I assembled the copy of the ODT that Dick had brought with him on the plane, a book about New Zealand birds and a collection of place mats with pictures of our major tourist attractions.
It seemed a pathetic offering in the circumstances.
We presented ourselves at the door and a kindly staff member welcomed us as though we were special guests.
So began an extensive visit to the magazine’s home, shaking hands with staff members, who briefly explained their work, then on to the next department.
It was all so special.
The illustrations department was very exciting with rows and rows of cabinets in the main room and what seemed to be an army of staff working behind windows that reflected the sky towers of New York.
Our last call after nearly two hours was to the top floor and the office of the managing editor.
This we had not expected and although not daunted, we were conscious of the huge compliment we were being paid.
My concern over our gifts was brushed aside and in return we were presented with a facsimile of the first Time Magazine produced, when Henry Luce was editor, and Time carrier bags.
We were told that the magazine received thousands of letters each week and many with requests such as ours.
It was chosen primarily because it came from New Zealand.
We learned that "your Prime Minister, a Mr Robert Muldoon, will be visiting Time Magazine next week and he will be only the third New Zealander after you folk, to visit us".
- Anne Turvey is a writer and library advocate, a retired social worker and former councillor.
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