It's December 2, 1944, and my wife's Aunt Vicki, second on the left, and her girl friends (you could call women "girls" back then and get away with it) are celebrating something at the Iceland Restaurant, 1600 Broadway in New York. "Dining - Dancing - 3 Shows Nightly." The absence of men (I see just two on the dance floor) illustrates that about 13 million of them were serving in the military.

I know Aunt Vicki was writing to a sailor somewhere among those 13 million. My guess is the young lady on the left was the reason for the night out -- possibly for an engagement party -- because it appears she has slipped out of the chair closest to the camera to pose so sweetly for the shooter from Planetary Photo, 311 W. 34th St (printed on back of the one dollar photo). Also some of her friends are focusing on her. I'm happy to say today, at 89, Aunt Vicki is thriving in Delaware, has a good sense of humor and a generous nature as great as always. View full size.