1984 GHU Letter -Dec.30

Dec. 30 [1984]

Dear Folks – The last note of 1984.  It has been a good yr. with its ups & downs which is to be expected.  Christmas is now over with the task of removing the pretty decorations which will come next.  Thanks for the beautiful Bible.  I notice it is very complete as to information & I must begin to read it more as time passes.  

Our family is now on the decrease.  Cindy & Rob left the day after Christmas for Ind. to spend some time with her folks.  School here is dismissed until Jan 7th I believe.  Marianne & family left Thurs. for the west coast to be with Larry's mother & Corrie [sic] for a few days & then  home.  Joseph left Fri for N.Y. & then Angela & Cris plan to leave Tues. morning for Statesville.  The time has been short & I am sure we all enjoyed every minute.  The 2 boys certainly made good use of the ping pong table & of course enjoyed the beach as they all did.  The weather was quite nice all the time.  It only sprinkled a few minutes a time or two & a little cloudy at times.

Rob has decided to take up attending school Sats [sic] all day studying for a Masters' degree so he will receive a better salary.  He will go all day only on Sats beginning the 10th in W.P.B. I believe any way it is near.  

Fri I received a very nice picture of Roberta & Sid.  I suppose you folks did also.  It is good of both of them.  

I am reading the Christmas edition of the News J. by section each day.  I still have 2 more sections.  Not reading very much of each, but trying to look at each page.  I got an Upper Room Booklet to-day.  There is a notice Please 35¢ a copy.  We still have empty church pews.  A little unusual this time of year.

We will be looking forward to your coming as well as Roberta's arriving.

You can let us know as to time etc. as time moves a long.  Bed time for me.

Love, Mother.

[Written on left margin] Mary & Bill have been accepted for their trip.

* * * * *

Note: Some paragraph breaks have been added.

1984 Family Letter -Dec.30

December 30. 1984

Dearest Family –

Got out the file and realized that we haven't written to you all this month so better hurry.  We have talked to you several times on the phone (tried oftener) and did see John and X on Nov. 30 when we took G'ma to the airport.  It was so nice having Serena home for Christmas and glad to have Mary Virginia with us since Thanksgiving.   Hope that Serena got back OK.  Mary V called from Urbana last night & glad to hear from her.  She is attending URBANA '84 which we hope to learn more about - 20,000 there for a mission conference.  She said that they have three speakers each morning and evening with seminars in the afternoons.  Billy Graham is to speak this evening.  She is rooming with a girl from Pa. & one from North Carolina.  She and five others from Port William drove over in the van leaving at 5AM Thursday morning and due back Tuesday PM.

It seemed really strange celebrating Christmas early as Serena did want to get Chicago early Tuesday evening.  She kept talking about taking the 6:30 AM bus from Dayton but after attending Candlelight Communion service at the church Christmas eve it would have come super early.  We did get there in plenty of time for the 11:45 AM bus which would get her to Chicago at 6 PM.  Mie Young and MV went with us so we made good use of the van.

The tragic deaths of Sarah Burton Palmer and her daughter Barbara Mongold in an accident Dec. 21 in Adams County put a pall on the Christmas celebration in New Vienna.  Calling hours were Wednesday & Creed Culbreath had the double funeral Thursday.  Tina asked about you John - she is living in Dayton (was married in the church here a few years ago).  Saw most of the family except Rosemary who hadn't arrived yet from Florida.  Diane asked about you Catherine.  She lives in Lynchburg, still very slender and seemed to be the most stable one of the family.  Lydia has recently  moved to Tennessee to live with Cynthia and her family.  Aaron came home from Germany (he's in the service) and really a good looking young man and he asked particularly about Serena.  David and Diane are the executors of their mother's estate.  David is the oldest and lives in Blanchester.  We had never really talked to Sarah's husband and he seemed very nice – so different than her first husband.

That certainly wasn't anything that Jim Mongold needed to cope with as he has such a drinking problem anyway.  They had lost two children - one seriously handicapped infant and then their son who took his life (about 19) a few years ago.  Lora Drake was sitting with Tina Mongold as they had been good friends and room together in nursing school and she asked about you John.

Mrs. Howard Penn (Hazel) passed away Dec. 22 and so they had calling hours after the double funeral. It was really a blessing for her as she has been low for a long time.  Dad did get to see his old school chum Barbara who was her usual self boring her children with details of their friendship.  Larry Penn and his wife were there but Tim wouldn't arrive until the next morning in time for the funeral.  He lives in Tennessee.

Dad has one more day (Monday, the 31st) as commissioner.  David Stewart and the others were sworn in last Thursday and Dad was honored with a resolution then thanking him for his service.  David Bailey can be quite verbose especially when he has an audience - not that he wasn't sincere.  He enjoys the life of a politician.

Last night we stopped at the hospital to see Marge Wallen who asked about X and John.  We hardly recognized her as she has some infection or allergy (they are trying to find out what).  Her face was so red and swollen starting from a lesion on her nose.  She said that the Rax potatoes come from Nick's potato business.  I've heard they are the best so now we can see why.

[Love, etc.]

* * * *
Notes:
Sarah Alice Shinkle Burton Palmer 1914-1984
Barbara Ann Burton Mongold 1935-1984
Hugh Burton 1905-1967
Charles Palmer 1909-1989
Hazel Johnston Penn 1896-1984
Howard Newton Penn 1892-1963
Barbara Ellen Penn Nash 1925-2007
William Hoyt Penn 1932-2007

1974 Roberta's Letter -Dec.29

Dec. 29, 1974

Dear Family,

Hi – Since G'ma was visiting thought I would write a note – I'm really having some Christmas vacation – since our breakfast cook left town, Jowen [?] – the manager has taken over as breakfast cook & I'm doing most of his work!  We've really had some busy days lately – "the Season" has finally begun!  Today we came close to running out of bread so I had to call the Holsum comp. & they brought us down a new supply – that's what kind of service you get when you spend close to $700.00 in  2  weeks on bread!

Thanks again for the tape – John – tell me more about your job – what all do you do?  I like the part about you having your own little office!  And what's this about being on vacation till January 16th – gee – I should have gone to Exeter – HA!

I need some prescriptions filled at New Vienna's friendly drug store #12167 and #12044.  I would greatly appreciate it if you sent them both as soon as possible.

Did I tell you all what else I got for Christmas – a beautiful long brown sweater – jacket type from the Hortons.  A nice Buxton clutch wallet from my manager & his wife.  Also some perfume & junk like that from some down at work.

I go back to school a week from tomorrow.  I'll be glad when I'm all done w/school.  I'm ready to get out in the business world!  HO, HUM!

The Buick is running like a caddy again – I splurged last week & got it washed!  It sure needed it – hadn't been done since I left Ohio!  It was getting hard to see out the back window!  But now its really clean ––

I'd like to buy a bike – Sears had an ad in the paper – I might go there & look tomorrow after work.

J.B. – will you do my income tax this year.  I got the folder the gov't sent me – I'd never be able to figure it out myself.

Serena – how were your grads?  What about next quarter?  You can think of me – sweating out statistics!!

Thanks again for all the nice Christmas presents ––

Love, 

Berta

1962,1964 GHU & Joe Postcards -Dec.

Presbyterian Church West Palm Beach FL postcard, mailed 1962. Captioned: Lakeside Presbyterian Church 4601 South Flagler Drive (at Edmor), West Palm Beach, Florida.  Organized 1952.  Present building is education unit, dedicated December 1956. 

1962 Grandma's postcard to Serena -Dec.16

Dec. 16, '62
This is for your collection.  This card was given to us the Sun. we went to hear Joseph play & to attend services.  We call it "Joey's" church.

New York City Chinatown postcard -mailed 1964. Captioned: A few blocks stroll to the corner of Canal and Mott Streets will provide an atmospheric delight.

1964 Joe's postcard to Grandma & Granddad -Dec.29

Dec. 29 [1964]
Hi!  This is our last day in N.Y. and still no snow.  They've really had some warm weather lately.  You can't win!  Last night our group saw "Funny Girl."  It was great.  Radio City is always good too.   One night we ate at The Grill Room at the Taft.  I ate Frog legs!  Eek!  Bye for now.  Love, Joe

1954 Jean's Letter -Dec.26

Friends, history, humor, Christmas customs of 1954, and the recognition of early character traits continuing through one's life – much to appreciate in this December 1954 letter of seven pages, front and back, from Jean to her mother.  Serena must have had someone near her age in all the families mentioned.  What happened to the train?

26 December 1954 Jean's letter to her mother,
Lucie Brown Ballantyne – first and last pages scanned.

December 26, 1954

Dearest Mother,

We even hoped up to the very last minute that you might come & spend Christmas with us.  We were really disappointed to hear you had cancelled your reservation at the Pennsylvania [in Florida], think you should change your mind again.

We spent a very quiet but nice Christmas.  For once no one was down with a cold.  The girls were tickled to pieces with everything they received – the hobby-horse, scooter, dolls, muffs, books, cooking set, billfold, socks, etc.  Harold set up his electric train he had gotten   ?   years ago but in excellent condition & about the biggest surprise to them.  The dresses Virginia & Jim sent them were lovely & they wanted to wear them this morning.

We decided to put the money you gave us toward the hobby-horse & scooter if that's all right with you.  We also got a beautiful world globe 12" that we've wanted for a long time.  The water part is dark blue & the lettering is light blue.  We have it on the television & it really stands out both night and day.  Catherine even seems to enjoy it & plays games with it with us.

Did I tell you my ABComatic washer burned out (motor) so I had choice of buying new motor ($35) not recommended; overhauling ($85) which we also heard was not always successful or buying another washer ($300+).  We decided on a new Maytag which we could buy & have serviced here in town and they gave us a pretty good deal – so much for our old washer and also a discount.  They installed it just the day before my birthday so was quite a nice combination birthday and Christmas present.  I didn't like it as well at first as my ABC but now getting used to it.

You asked what we did Dec. 11 for my birthday celebration.  That was the day scheduled for the tonsil operation so spent the day with Catherine.  She's back to normal now and has almost forgotten all about her sore throat – can eat everything – does seem to have a better appetite.

As for giving up any social activities – didn't give up any.  Brought Catherine home from the hospital Sunday (the 12th) along with Harold who had stayed all night with her and had planned to stay home with her that night instead of going to the Redeemer's Class meeting at the McElwees.  But she said she wanted to see Mrs. Morton & didn't care if we went.  (We'd asked Mrs. Morton the week before, before we knew when the operation would be.)  Mrs. Morton said she'd call us if need be & the meeting was over early so all went fine & we didn't regret going.

The next Wednesday was the Bank dinner in honor of Miss Ethel Johnson & we also went to it – they held it in the new addition which has been turned over as a dining room at Snow Hill and everything was delicious – the food was not served on our plates but passed & dishes refilled & refilled – ate much more than I should have that way.  The employees gave Miss Johnson a beautiful lamp & the directors a round table for her 30 year's service.  There was no planned program but several impromptu speeches praising her & her thanks & then the older ones reminisced about the early days of the bank which was extremely interesting.  There were about 21 of us there so could be very informal.  We had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, glazed sweet potatoes, peas with mushrooms, cranberry salad, tomato juice, relish plate of celery, carrot sticks, olives & pickles, some kind of fancy ice cream cookies, mints, nuts, coffee & milk & also hot rolls, butter & jelly – and the next day –– heartburn! but well worth it.  Snow Hill was a nice place to have it for we all got together in the big living room with the huge fireplace lighted.  It was a terrible night – snow & ice but all went off fine.

Guess I told you about going to Aunt Mary's and Uncle Harry's for their annual family Christmas dinner.  That was nice too.

We had prime ribs of beef, roasted potatoes, mixed vegetable, applesauce & cinnamon rolls for Christmas dinner.  Next week we've ordered a ham for New Years – had planned to have it for Christmas but didn't get it ordered in time.  The girls had had plenty of turkey along with us (with even more) so plan to have one later in the year – Easter or so.

Roberta keeps picking up your letter & asking if I wrote you about the "2 babies?"  referring to the dolls we bought in Steubenville.  They weren't very expensive but made a big hit.  Catherine too has been busy with the activity books – & box you gave her.  She worked & cut out all day yesterday & was at it again early this morning.

Went to Sunday School and church this AM.  There weren't very many there – 114 at S.S. and about 40 at church – I was to have charge of Junior Church this AM but there was only one other little girl beside Catherine & Roberta so went up-stairs with them.  Catherine, as usual, was fine but Roberta couldn't hold out quite as long and refused to be quiet – During the final prayer – found the bag of Sunday School money & proceeded to spill it all over the church – $27.00+

Tomorrow night we're invited up to Melvin Long's (near Circleville) for supper – Calvin Smith is invited too.  Haven't decided whether to take the girls or not as don't think they'd enjoy too much of it & Helen is rather fussy – their baby Nancy isn't a year & they're expecting again in March.

Received so many cards & feel I have plenty of company with several babies born previous to now & some on the way –– Helen Thrasher & Jane Bossick both had boys in September, Nell Eikenhout Bartwich a boy in Nov. (She has three and the oldest is a year younger than Roberta!  Nell must be 37 or more, Jane Gilbert McKinley, a girl in Dec.

June Jones (Harold was in law school with her husband) is expecting in January.  She has a boy & a girl to her first husband, killed during World War II, a boy & girl to Ed (little baby girl died of polio at 15 mo.).

Catherine Smith Foster is expecting in February – had originally wanted 4 girls and so may be on her way to 3rd girl – both Betsy & Sally are in School.  Dook [sic – this is what it looks like, but currently he goes by Milt???] has gotten his PHD and they own a home in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Lee Ackerman Noble (knew her in library school) has two girls & hopes her next one will be a girl too – due in February, too.

Marge Zook (Linn's wife – Harold's best man & H was best man for them just a few days after Roberta was born) is expecting in March or early April.  She has varicose veins & the doctor won't let her gain over 3 or 4 pounds before delivery so she's on a very strict diet.  (Guess I should be really thankful.)  They have another little girl born on Catherine's birthday – Jan. 29, 1953.

And then, of course, Helen Long – where we're going tomorrow night.

I was at the doctors last Friday & everythings fine –– now weight 157  & he said it will no doubt all be over in the next 2 or 3 weeks – I'm due back Jan. 7 in case I haven't gone to delivery before then.  By the way Jan. 7 is Daddy Uible's birthday – so –– but Dr. F said between Jan. 10th & 20th & they say he can sure guess them.

Do hope your blouse fits & if not please let me know & we can get it exchanged – got it at a Rike's in Dayton –– or if you'd rather have something else would gladly return it.

Please think it over carefully & change your mind & plan to go to Florida –– & stop & see us on the way down –

All our very best love,

––Harold, Jean, Catherine and Roberta [plus about to be Serena]

1974 Roberta's Letter -Dec.26

December 26, 1974

Dear Family,

Got your tape today . . . . thought I would surprise you all with some written words from me.  Would you believe I had to get the dust off my typewriter tonight before using it????

Thanks so much for the gifts . . . . . . I really like the Forbes book of sayings.  I had it out on the table today and noticed that both Grandma and Aunt Mary had picked it up several times to read.   Also thanks for the note paper and pens (was that a hint) . . . . . thats one way I have saved money this fall & winter . . . . . on postage stamps.  I bought a box of Christmas cards, but never got them sent out as yet.  I figure I'll send them out now and that way people will have more time to read them, enjoy them, etc.  And thanks alot too for the ear-rings.  I especially like the snowmen ones.  I wore them to work yesterday and had alot of comments on them.  As to work yesterday (Christmas day) . . . . . . that will take another whole paragraph.

Mary Virginia thanks for the book-marks with our initials on them.  How did you make them?????  I think I'll put mine over my desk though instead of using it as a book-mark.  As for your Christmas present, Grandma wrapped it up for me today and if it gets in the mail tomorrow you should be getting it within the week.  Please don't lose any sleep over it . . . . as its not all that dynamic.  I'm sorry its late but you know at first I thought you all would be down, then I thought I might be home, well . . . . . that's not too great an excuse . . . . . but better late than never, huh?

I am also sending John and Serena something out in a few days.  Just give me time, ok?

Yesterday at work it was a mad house.  We thought it would be very slow but we were all dead wrong.  We opened up as usual with our usual morning customers, then about eight o'clock the place was packed and it stayed packed with a waiting line till two o'clock when we locked the doors.  It was really more business than we could handle.  The waitresses were all mad because they were running themselves ragged but they weren't making much in tips, because they couldn't give that good of service to their customers.  But, most of them walked out with around 40.00 in tips -- which isn't bad for 7 hours work.  I bussed tables like mad, and when they left they went together and gave me 10.00 for bussing tables for them.  It was funny one time because I had the container so packed I couldn't even carry it.  I had to ask one of the regular customers to carry it back to the dishroom.  After that I didn't pack it so efficiently.

I've had quite an experience with a woman owing me money down at work.  She supposedly needed money because she was sick, needed medicine, etc.  Well, she never paid me, always had some excuse. So last week she wrote me out a check for the whole amount, I run it down to the bank right after work, they cashed it for me . . . . no problem there.  Then yesterday 24th of Dec. I got a notice from the bank along with her check, and they had taken the amount the check was for out of my savings account.  I was firing mad.  Well she owes alot of people money besides me, but that didn't make me feel any better.  Tonight Diane went past her house and saw a U-haul it truck on the back of her car.  So right after Diane told me that I was down there knocking on her door.  I did get 30.00 out of her; I'll never again loan anyone any money.  Not even a dollar for gasoline, unless I see the gas going in their car myself!!!  Lois (the woman I'm talking about) even called me up this afternoon and wanted to borrow some more money.  The poor woman is an alcoholic.

I didn't have to work today so this morning I took Grandma over to the Medical clinic . . . she had to have a lab test done.  Then after that we went to see Mrs. Hobby.  From there we went over to Palm Beach and came back to Lake Worth on A1A.  I think that was the first time I had seen the ocean since Rut Shoemaker was down in September.  Isn't that terrible.  I had seen the lake a few times though.

I went back to weight watchers last week, I guess I told you all that before.  Jill, my girlfriend from Burdines who went back with me last week called me up tonight wanting to know what had happened to me this morning.  I guess my days are all messed up . . . . . but I told her I'd meet her there next week.  I have quit drinking so much milk down at work.  I didn't realize how much milk I was drinking, because you know how you do . . . . . but then one day I figured up I had drank [sic] six large glasses of it . . . . . at least.  I was totally shocked . . . . . thats more milk than an expectant mother drinks!!!!

As to the check in the Forbes book . . . . . thanks!!!  As you know I am taking statistics next quarter.  We either have to buy or rent a calculator from the school.  I figure I'd be better off in the end just to buy my own.  I have to get one that has a memory and does square roots.  I know I'm in for alot of trouble with this course.  But, once I get through it, I'll be on east street.  You will never know how happy I was to get that 'C' out of my political science course.  If I hadn't I would have had to go to summer school.

We all really enjoyed the tape you all sent this time.  The women down at the shop are hilarious.  After Rob heard it he thought he would like to work down there this summer.

Tonight Rob, C.W., Aunt Mary and Grandma went out looking at Christmas lights.  The National Observer Magazine place down in Lantana have a big tree and lots of flowers, etc. to see.  I saw them last year.

Did you all hear that Nancy Walker and her roommate will be in Fla this next week.  They are taking a three day cruise to the Bahama leaving Miami tomorrow.  I had a letter from Nancy about a week ago.  I hope she will call me tomorrow so that I can make plans to meet them . . . . hopefully in Miami.  I'm afraid I'll never get there unless I have a good excuse, like to meet them.

It's late . . . . . and I've got to be at work early in the morning.  I did want to write you one good letter before the year was over.  Thanks again for the book, stationary, earrings, and money.  The tape was really good.  I find it hard to believe that John has grown some more, and has long hair.  Serena ---- how is life at Wells???  You know I went to school with Faye McVey.  Who else do you work with?  How many people are on that shift?  Is Catherine still working at the plastic factory????  As I already said--got to go.

Love, Berta

1994? Jean -Christmas

This picture is undated, but we can determine it was taken at the house in New Vienna and Serena appears to be sitting nearby.

Jean at Christmas time, probably taking her time opening a present.

1984 Jean -Dec.25

1984 Jean on December 25

Look at the smile!  She must not have realized there was a camera nearby, and/or she was in the 

Christmas spirit and didn't mind her picture being taken.

1984 Roberta & Sid -Dec.

Sid & Roberta - official Christmas photo 1984

1974 Goodings & Uibles -Christmas Time

Can anyone identify the game?  

Clockwise from lower left corner: Jean, Catherine, Lisa, Beverly, John, Mary, Jim

1984 Senior Village News & Views -December Newsletter

A story from Roberta's childhood with a happy ending contrasted with an early Arizona story with a sad ending are transcribed below.  Eunice Williams was the editor of the Senior Village Newsletter.

Roberta Uible-King recalls losing herself when she was nine or ten.  She had spent the holidays with her grandparents in Florida.  She was allowed to walk to her cousin's house but became lost en-route.  After she failed to arrive, an all hands search was started.  No Roberta!  The Police Department was finally called.  The officers first checked the grandparent's home and there our little Roberta was.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas can be sad.  Eunice Williams relates events surrounding the Christmas of 1923 in Globe, Arizona.  Eunice had prepared a Christmas feast with all the fancy table linens and silverware. She felt it was a shame that there was no one to share their dinner so Ike, her husband, went to the Dominion Hotel in Globe to see if there was some lonely soul who would welcome dinner and companionship on Christmas Day.  In the lobby, Ike found a Mr. Lineberry a wholesale jam and jelly salesman, who the Williams had previously known in Louisiana.  Mr. Lineberry gratefully accepted the invitation and his subsequent actions at the dinner table confirmed that he really appreciated the Christmas feast.  He repeatedly commented concerning Eunice's outstanding meal.  Later, Eunice's four-year-old daughter , Eunice Maud, performed a dance for Mr. Lineberry in the "Gloria Swanson" style accompanied by music from the Victor Victrola.  Mr. Lineberry praised the young lady as a "natural born dancer" and insisted that she must have professional training.  But alas, this was to be the last Christmas.  Eunice Maud became ill with pneumonia and spinal meningitis and passed away in March, 1924.  A sad ending for a joyous Christmas season.

1954 Catherine's Tonsillectomy -Dec.11

I remember the squirrels climbing on the bare branch trees, going under the ether, and having ice cream (and a sore throat) afterward.  Reasonable cost for surgery and a night in the hospital.

1984 Catherine's Letter -Dec.10

December 10, 1984

Dear Mother & Dad,

Hi!  We appreciated your calling Saturday evening.  It's always nice to talk to you.  Hope you had a nice birthday, Mother.  We ended up going to Moscow yesterday instead of to Spokane as it was raining and we were afraid it might be snowing in Spokane.  After raining all night here it then turned to snow this morning making sidewalks and streets very slushy.  I'm glad I didn't have to go to Moscow today!

I've been trying to get Christmas cards ready to mail out.  Having moved this year has added to our list.  We bought some new decorations for our tree yesterday since we gave our old ones to thrift shop in Madras.  They were given to us in San Diego by friends of Roberta, Fred & Pauline (the Mormons) so were old when we got them.  We hope to get our tree in the next few days and probably put it up next weekend.

Gerry's birthday is also coming up in the near future.  I think I have bought enough for him to split it up between his birthday and Christmas, I got him 2 shirts, 2 sweaters, a Trivial Pursuit game with an extra set of Baby Boomer cards, and some other odds and ends.  I guess I still need to buy some stocking stuffers.  I also need to order a cake from the bakery.

Wendy is looking forward to her Christmas vacation.  She goes until the 21st and then school resumes the 2nd so it isn't very long.  I figure we will only need a babysitter on the 26th, 27th, and 28th.

Roberta called us last night and said she had talked to the Hortons and G'ma yesterday.  It's nice you will be able to get together in Florida in January.  We'll be wishing we were there!

Love, 

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

P.S. I'll send that booklist in the next letter.

1944 Jean Wallace Ballantyne

Happy Birthday to our beautiful Mother!  Words can't express how much we miss you and wish you were here to celebrate with us. . . .

1944 Jean Wallace Ballantyne 

1954 Jean's Letter -Dec.6

Dec. 6, 1954

Dearest Mother,

Haven't heard from you since we left but hope you will soon be in Florida for think it would do you a world of good.  We'd love to have you here for Christmas but realize it would be foolish for you to stay up here that long when you could be enjoying Florida all the sooner.

We went to Cincinnati last Tuesday & the girls really enjoyed seeing Santa Claus.  Took them in 3 of the stores – toy departments & looked at a lot of other display windows with toys, etc.

We bought them a rocking horse – they've wanted one for 3 years and some other things – muffs, books and so with their dolls, records, bathrobe, baking set, etc. feel they're well supplied for Christmas.

Wednesday night the McCoys showed their slides for the Lions Club & guests at Ladies Night & they spoke briefly besides.  They have mostly rural scenes – very good pictures & made an enjoyable evening with the turkey dinner.

Friday I went to the doctor before the WSCS meeting – in fact almost didn't make the latter for had quite a wait for Dr. Fullerton.  I've gained about 3 pounds and coming along fine – go back in another 3 weeks (day before Christmas).

Arrangements are made to have Catherine's tonsils out this Saturday.  She's to be at the hospital [Hale Hospital]  at 7:30 AM & will be allowed to come home the next day.  She's quite excited about it & is busy making all the arrangements.  Roberta is going to stay with the Johnsons that day & is looking forward to that.

Saturday evening the Walkers had a pot-luck dinner serving the venison that Jack had killed in Colorado this fall – had steaks & chops & also roast venison & each couple brought a couple of dishes which made it easy on everyone.  We took rolls and an orange chiffon cake – others took cranberry salad, fancy sweet potatoes, corn, Lima beans, scalloped potatoes, relishes, nut bread, pumpkin pie, cherry pudding, mint sauce & alot of other things I can't recall right now.

Sunday we were all invited out to the Johnsons & Elizabeth had fixed up birthday decorations, a cake, etc. since she heard it was close to my birthday.  We had fried chicken, sweet potatoes, gravy, green beans, scalloped corn, pickled beets, stuffed celery, pickles, cheese, pineapple & cotage cheese salad, cake, ice cream, etc.  We looked at their pictures of their trip to Canada & showed ours.  By that time it was supper time so we had more of the same  got home about 7:30 (a very full day).

Yesterday my washer wouldn't work right – first trouble we've ever had with it to any extent so thank goodness I was about thru & now am waiting for man to come fix it today.

Tonight is Mothers Club – tomorrow Womans Club.

Will give this to Catherine to mail so it will be sure to go this morning –

Enclosing a note rec'd from Jan Cochran Bossick.

All our very best love,

Harold, Jean, Catherine & Roberta

1944 HH at Stanford -Dec.

1944 Harold Uible at Stanford University 

1944 Jean's Letter -Dec.5

First and last page of Jean's letter to her parents - Dec. 5, 1944

Tuesday –

December 5, 1944

Dear Mother and Daddy,

I do hope you had a very happy anniversary and will have many, many more of them.  My only regret was that I was unable to be their to express my feelings in person.  [Nathaniel Wallace Ballantyne,  married Lucie Sarah Brown on December 4, 1906, they celebrated their 38th anniversary in 1944.]

I received the pretty pink slip Saturday afternoon and it was quite a pleasant surprise.  I like the way it is made and am anxious to wear it real soon and yet save it for some special occasion.

The fudge arrived Monday – yesterday – and it goes without saying – we certainly are enjoying it.  I've been sort of holding it back for it is so good but you know candy is quite popular these days so my rationing is not very effective.

I got my application ff to Western Reserve finally including an identification photo from a proof made last year.  It isn't so good.  But it would have taken a long time to have my picture taken and select the proof etc and this way I got them in only a few days.  The least no. I could have made was six so I'm enclosing two to show. you how horrible they are.  I hope W.R. won't notice it too closely.

The more I thought about the reference the more I thought they should be Miss Reese and Mrs. Carhart (2 librarians as they designated) and then I thought they might think I should give a professor in my major subject so I chose Dr. Stathers.  He knows me best probably and knows my family as well and is head of the Romance Language and Literature Department.  They are probably more interested in my college record than in my high school one so that is another reason they are all from the University.

I'm anxious to hear from them soon and no doubt I will be Thursday or Friday.  I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.

Jeanne is coming down this weekend.  There isn't a whole lot gong on – except the first basketball game of the year.  We are playing Fairmount.  She may want to go to that.  But the shows aren't anything to rave about as far as I know – "Kismet" with Marlene Dietrich and Ronald Coleman and the other is "Laura" with Gene Tierney.

I've got so much to do between now and the end of school [graduation in February 1945] and I'd like to get most of it done before I go home at Christmas.  I've got the Eleusis [for sorority?] news to get in, a term paper to write, a bibliography to compile, research questions to look up (this takes the place of a final exam so they'll be plenty tough).  So you can see I've really got to get busy and quick!

I told you that Janice and her mother were leaving last Thursday for California.  Well Mr. (Lt.) Gilbert called just a short time before and said he was being shipped out.  Of course they were quite disappointed but that is what Mr. Gilbert has been longing for – to get sea duty.

The clock just struck 12:00 so in order for me to get some beauty sleep I'd better get the light out.  I'll write more later.  I hope you both are feeling better and really taking care of yourselves.

Love,

Jean

P.S. I'm thinking about coming home on the train at Christmas time for the buses will be so crowded.  Let me know what you think.

P.P.S I've suggested Christmas gifts for me – why don't you both mention something I might be able to give you.

1974 Catherine's Letter to MV -Dec.1

December 1, 1974

Dear Mary,

Hi!  Thanks for your latest letter.  I was impressed to receive a three page letter.  That must be some sort of record, too.

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.  We haven't done much over vacation except read and watch TV.  It has been nice to just sit around for a change.  We had a good turkey on Thanksgiving Day.  We ate the turkey which Mom brought us when you were here in October.  Please tell Mom that it cost $9.88.

I'm afraid Mrs. Compton will have to live without getting a note from me.  During the week I hardly have time to brush my teeth and writing letters to people who have written me.

Although it keeps me fairly busy, I really don't mind working two jobs.  I like the people I work with at the plastic factory and the time passes quickly.  At the library things are about the same.  We aren't usually too busy during December as alot of people are busy shopping, partying, etc.  Tomorrow we're going to put up our Christmas decorations.

Was the M*A*S*H that East Clinton put on much like the TV show?  It is one of X's favorite TV shows.

When are you leaving for Florida?  Is Grandma going with you or before you?  I am planning to mail your Christmas gifts to New Vienna – I assume that will be all right.

It has been cold here.  It snowed about 10 days ago and the snow is still on the ground.  Winter must be here.  It has been getting down to about 10-15º at night and about 25-30º during the day.

Write again soon.

Love,

Cathy