Editor’s note: This is the final story in a series about the journey to write “The Legends of Old Baldy”.
By Liz Wood
Pegge Luchsinger Thompson worked as George Storer’s secretary for 17 years until his death in 1982. Then, for the next 10 years, she worked for Mary Storer, George’s fifth wife, until 1992.
Author Linda Durbano said she believes that Storer learned to be a humanitarian through his father. “He really gave with an open heart.”
Storer was named after his father. The youngest of three children and the only male, George Storer Jr. had to drop out of Cornell University to take care of his father’s business, when George Sr. died just short of his 55 birthday, Durbano explained.
Durbano said Peter Storer, George Jr.’s son is also a big part of the book in the later chapters. Peter’s philanthropic deeds and how he was a town’s person are included in the book. “Peter was a fun person,” Durbano said.
His Halloween parties are legendary, Durbano said. The people who worked at Old Baldy, as well as the members who stayed during the winter would gather at South Bend, Storer’s home, to celebrate. “They were like a big happy family,” Durbano said.
“Peter always considered himself a town’s person,” Durbano said, “even though he would spend time in New York City.”
Even though he was raised in a privileged environment, Durbano said, “He was a Saratogan.”
All three women agreed they built a friendship while working on the book. “Linda is so down to earth,” Thompson said. “She was so much fun, I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Thompson said she knew Carole Ward, but through the writing process, they have become good friends.
Thompson shared many memories of her time working for Storer and has fond memories of the people she worked with on the job. “He was demanding, but he knew how to build loyalty,” Thompson said.
Because she worked for Storer, Thompson said she lived such an interesting life. Thompson grew up in the Little Snake River Valley and was one of 10 children. College was not an option, but a teacher encouraged her to take a correspondence course in business through the Barnes School of Business. She said she believes that the education was beneficial to her throughout her career with Storer.
Thompson and her husband Stan Luchsinger both worked for Storer and would sometimes be working in different cities. Thompson said her children Rick and Meg were still in school when she started working for George Storer. Rick was a junior and Meg was in eighth grade when she started traveling to the Florida office.
From there, she would travel to the Bahamas or California, depending on where Storer was and what he needed. Her children were able to go with her, when they chose to. “It was a wonderful opportunity for them,” Thompson said.
What Thompson treasured the most, she said, was the friends she met and made while working for Storer.
The book “Legends of Old Baldy” can be purchased by contacting Judy Welton at 307-326-5222. Buyers will be able to pick up their book at the Old Baldy Club.
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