DATE: Thursday, May 1, 1997                 TAG: 9704290134

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Sam Martinette 

                                            LENGTH:   86 lines

WINNIE BALDWIN SYMPHONY RAFFLE CHAIRMAN

Winnie Baldwin, chairman of the Virginia Symphony League's annual fund-raising raffle, is part wheeler-dealer, part producer, part activist and completely delightful.

Every year, Baldwin, the wheeler dealer, hustles up prizes that convince 1,200 people to part with $100 each.

This year, the grand prize winner chooses a car from four offered by David Phillips Oldsmobile, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover. The big draw is the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster Convertible, one of only six available in this area. If the winner isn't excited about foreign cars, he can take the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette Van plus $10,000. Other prizes include a trip to Canada and two box seats for next year's classical, dance and pops subscription perfor-mances.

Baldwin, the producer, has been organizing the event for eight years. She's so busy with the raffle, she keeps a personal date book and a raffle date book going year round, she said. Baldwin, the activist, has been a music supporter and volunteer for more than 30 years.

In the '60s she was executive director of the Community Music School in Norfolk. The public school system had bands, but no orchestras, she said.

The music school was organized to train young people who were interested in orchestra but didn't have an instrument or couldn't afford lessons.

``Kids that like music really like it. If they don't get it, they lose it,'' she said. She called Metropolitan Music Company in New York and told them she needed violins for kids. They sent her 50 violins, which showed up on her porch wrapped up in one huge box.

``Providing something that is needed'' is so satisfying, she said.

Baldwin, who lives in the Algonquin area, spends her mornings training and practicing dressage with her horse, Parry.

She started the dressage sport, in which the rider controls the horse's movements with her arms legs and seat, 10 years ago.

``It's intellectually challenging, besides being good exercise,'' she said.

She couldn't do the raffle work if she didn't have the dressage workout, she said.

``I'd wake up in the middle of the night worrying.''

Name: Winifred Hayes Maddock Baldwin.

Nickname: Winnie.

What brought you to Norfolk? My husband was a doctor in the service during World War II. We came to Norfolk when he was stationed at the U.S. Marine Hospital.

Birthplace: Twin Falls, Idaho.

Birthdate: Dec. 1.

Occupation: Housewife forever. I did teach school once before I was married.

Marital status: Married 6 1/2 years to F.B.C. Baldwin, a native of Norfolk.

Children: One son, Dr. Robert K. Maddock Jr. I have two grandchildren, Robert K. Maddock III and Anna Maddock.

Last book read: ``Men To Match My Mountain,'' by Irving Stone. One of my favorite books is ``Xenophon, The Art of Horsemanship.'' It was first published in 1894, but it was written B.C.

Favorite movie: It was not the ``English Patient.'' I loved ``Pretty Woman.''

Favorite magazine: ``Dressage.''

If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Nobody, really. I'd much rather be on my horse.

Biggest accomplishment: My involvement with Community Music School in Norfolk. Today we have magnet schools that help talented musicians.

Most embarrassing moment: That's not something I think about. When something embarrassing happens I move on and forget it.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I have such a good life. A happy life. A satisfied life. I have no idea what I would change.

Perfect way to spend the day: Playing bridge.

Favorite vacation spot: South Pacific. I've been there the last four years.

Pet peeve: Another thing I don't worry about.

First job: Teaching P.E. for two years in Denver Public Schools.

Worst job: Teaching school.

Hobbies: Riding my horse is my main hobby. My husband and I also take wonderful trips to Asia and the South Pacific.

Favorite restaurant: Le Chambord.

What do you like most about Norfolk? I've been living here since Pearl Harbor. I like everything.

What do you like least about Norfolk? The traffic tie-ups at the tunnels, train crossing and main roads. But you can't have this setting if you don't have those things. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by BETH BERGMAN

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