As evening descended, the pleasantries did not cease. A delicious dinner of turkey or chicken pie was served after sunset, followed by music and dancing. Among those in attendance was Lois Burnham Wilson, the future co-founder of Alanon, and wife of the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson. At that time, neither Lois nor her husband Bill could imagine that they would play a central role in establishing the organizations that would save many from the scourge of alcoholism. Dr. Clark Burnham, a gynecologist and Lois's father, was one of the New Church's elders, and the rest of the family, including Lois's sister, Katherine, also pitched in at the flea market. There are those who believe that some of AA's impetus springs from the New Church's own origins, the teachings of the 18th Century Swedish scientist and mystic, Immanuel Swedenborg. The church was less dogmatic than most, and often hosted cultural events that were open to the general public.
Whether she was interested in the church philosophy or not--and at her age it is highly likely that she was not--Nancy could not but have been stimulated by the variety of items for sale at the fair and the delicious food that was served afterwards. The program continued well into the night with a dance, and shy as Nancy was, there is little doubt that she would have joined in if she could have found a partner.
Still another diversion was designed to maintain Nancy's positive focus. The family had just encountered an intriguingly animated portrait painter, recently arrived from far-away Poland, who was in the process of establishing a career in the United States. Above and beyond his halting English and thick eastern-European accent, the man seemed friendly enough, and having him paint her portrait might be just the kind of encounter needed to engage Nancy in a positive direction, or so must her mother have thought.
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