The Mountain Trek

Season 2, Episode 2

This Meet Me at the Wall episode spotlights Florence “Fleur” and her best friend Shiny through Anne Goodwin’s 1934–35 sketches and Betsy’s readings of Shiny’s original letters. Anne portrays Fleur settling in Charlottesville while Benj attends UVA law school, hosting a large cocktail party, and growing concerned about Shiny’s health; a second sketch dramatizes Fleur driving over winter mountains with her children to visit Shiny, mixing fact with a borrowed real-life detail. Betsy reads Shiny’s 1934 typewritten letter about wanting a typewriter, a possible Thanksgiving trip, and the Lindbergh kidnapping trial, plus earlier letters showing Shiny’s humor and her struggle to get well. Shiny’s son Frank Mountcastle calls in, shares memories of Shiny’s personality and Bay Head summers, describes his father’s work (including WWII production), and reflects on how important Fleur was to Shiny.

Photo:

Kraffert Family Archives Shiney’s Dashes---(even on the envelope!)

Book:

About the Lindbergh Kidnapping:
The Sixteenth Rail by Adam J. Schrager