From Sir, With Love

Would Sir Winston Churchill have enjoyed hanging at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda? Hard to tell, but historian James Humes’ characterization of the famous statesman seemed to like it just fine.

For an hour, Humes impressed a crowd eager to learn more about the man credited with predicting, making and recording history during one of the world’s more turbulent times. Some people came to reminisce about Churchill as an eloquent hero, while others, such as Laverne Harhay of San Clemente, showed up because she’s a fan of the library’s performances.

In between grimaces and victory signs, Humes told private stories about the very public prime minister, who died in 1965. There was the one about the time Churchill accepted sherry from a pretty waitress while dining with a minister in Alberta, Canada.

The minister, a stuffy sort, declined the drink, saying he would rather commit adultery than taste alcohol. Upon hearing that, Humes says, Churchill signaled to the waitress to return, calling, “Lassie, come back. I didn’t know we were given a choice.”

That was just the start of the anecdotes.

Humes, who met Churchill in 1953, explained how a photographer was able to capture the classic “bulldog” portrait--after he swiped Churchill’s cigar from his mouth, the leader responded with “a look that could stop the Nazis.”

Besides evoking Churchill, Humes has written speeches for presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bush. He’s also written 23 books, including “The Wit and Wisdom of Winston Churchill,” which he signed for library supporters.

The Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, positions itself as a performing arts center for public affairs. In the days after Humes’ performance, the library hosted events with Gerald Ford and Julie Nixon Eisenhower.

The library will offer free admission from 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 9, 16 and 23.

For a schedule of upcoming events, call (714) 993-5075 or https://www.nixonfoundation.org.