Bill from Milan

In 1993 our neighbors across the street invited us to meet some of their friends who were visiting from Texas. While there we mentioned our plans to go to Milan, Italy on our next vacation. One of the Texans said that another of her friends, Hazel had a brother who lived there, whose name was Bill Ferguson.  He had been originally from Baton Rouge but had been living in Milan for many years.

Hazel gave me her brother's address and a little of his history as an LSU student. I wrote him a letter and told him when we expected to arrive in Milan. He answered promptly and suggested that we call him upon arrival at our hotel in Milan.

As soon as we arrived, I phoned him and he seemed pleased to hear from us. He asked if we had plans for our first night and we certainly had none, so he said, "I have 3 tickets for tonight's ballet performance at La Scala Opera House. Would you care to join me?" We were astounded to be invited to the largest and most prestigious opera house in Europe.

The opera house was opulent and simply magnificent in every way. The program as a most beautiful ballet called "La Beyedere" by Mincus. The entire performance was simply breath-taking in it's beauty and quality of dance and music. Virginia and I thought we must have "died and gone to Heaven".

This night was to be the highlight of our entire 25 day European vacation, and the start of a wonderful new friendship with our good friend, Bill. He now lives here in Baton Rouge and we consider Bill an extended member of our family.