1979 Family Letter -Oct.14

Sunday afternoon -

October 14, 1979

Dearest Family -

I'll start this letter and hopefully mail it by tomorrow as we often hear from a couple of you on Monday soon after we mail our letters to you.  No doubt you noticed the change in new carbon paper on the last letter we wrote and it wasn't any too soon.  The copy we sometimes made for home was really weak!!  Guess we shouldn't say too much about Aunt Mary's letters.

It has been cool with the temperature dropping in the 30's a couple days but grass is still growing and not all the garden and flowers are completely frosted.

We are making plans to visit Serena this coming week - leaving on Wednesday and taking over some things that she may need WHEN we hear more definitely from her.  She was to have gotten her phone in Thursday and so unless she calls us, we have no real way of getting in touch with her.  Dad was planning on combining this trip with business.

Grandma passed on your long typewritten note to her, Roberta and glad to hear how well you did on yours test.  Looking forward to seeing them - sounds quite complicated working on those grants, etc.

Also glad to get to talk to you yesterday, Catherine and always glad to hear about Wendy and her doings.  Sure wish that Gerry was feeling better or that we could help matters in some way.

It was good to have John and Carol here last weekend and we all enjoyed the wedding of Lisa and Marty but wrote of all that last week.  I don't know when John and Carol will get back but they are planning on spending Thanksgiving with us and Christmas with her side of the family.  As John has only one day it doesn't give them too much time to visit.

Friday was Homecoming at East Clinton and the Band Boosters served a chili supper before the game.  It had rained and was dry for the game itself but still alot of dampness and cold in the air.  (The farmers are having a time getting their soybeans and corn picked as we have had much more rain than usual this fall.)  East Clinton lost 3-2 to Cedarville.  They had won their first three games and have lost two but playing good games.

Dad was acting Sunday School Superintendent this morning and did a good job.  They dedicated new paraments at the church given by the United Methodist Women during the worship service.  Rev. Wise has had a children's sermon for the last two weeks which I was glad to see started again.

After church we drove down to Allensburg and had dinner.  Marie Broomhall and her husband were there.  Judy Clay had recommended it and it was very good food - salad bar, home made rolls and pies.  A Mrs. B. said it isn't great on atmosphere but good food.  She also recommended Rocky Fork Restaurant as it has changed hands this year and much better than it has been for some time.  We never did get down there this year.

On the way home from there we stopped to see Mrs. Priscilla Walker and she seemed very glad to see us.  I showed her some of the wedding pictures but didn't have the one of John and Carol that I thought I had with me.  We also took her some butterscotch drops which I was surprised she didn't refuse.  She kept raving over how dressed up Harold was asked if Bill Holmes had helped him.  She and Grandma had some trouble hearing each other - Mrs. W. seemed more fragile than ever but not bad for 92 years old.

I meant to tell you Catherine that we enjoyed your enchiladas last weekend when John and Carol were here.  We ate them before going to the wedding and good thing that we did for with the wedding at 6:30 and the reception so far from the church we were hungry again by then.  They were real good!! 

Sorry to hear about the loss of your necklace and other things Roberta and hope that your papers for the school turned up without too much extra work on your part - am surprised that you had to do all the chasing around.

Mary Virginia is to sing at the Sabina Baptist Church this evening she and Tim Larrick are to sing in his church next Sunday Morning.  She was also to sing at the Prayer Breakfast Friday morning (this past one) but there was such a poor turnout after the frantic work on the class floats for the Homecoming Parade.  (MV worked every night last week -- but their class won 1st place)   Ron Salisbury spoke and did a good job - not near as bashful as I had thought he might be.

Just got back from Sabina where Mary Virginia sang.  Denise Stewart accompanied Mary Virginia on the piano.  We dropped her off at her sister, Diane's house.  She (Diane) is married and her husband has four children by a previous marriage who live with them from five to 13 or 14.

Catherine, Grandma asked if you received Wendy's birthday money as she hasn't heard from you and you are always so prompt about such things.  I told her we would ask but it is unusual - perhaps either her card or your back to her might have been misplaced.

It is now Monday evening -- M.V. has left for a meeting with a group from her class to dismantle the float.  These floats are a classic example of how many hours of work for a few minutes of viewing.  M.V. is enthused about the prospects of going to Mexico next summer with Mrs. Woodruff and students in the 2nd year of Spanish.

We had a meeting tonight over at the Church at 6:30 on how to handle memorials and are going to recommend that a plaque be place in memory of the Rudisills for the church steeple.  The Church also received a nice gift of some $22,000.00 from the estate of Glenn Southerland. He left about ⅔ of his estate to two local hospitals, the Shrine Hospital and two Churches - here and in Lees Creek.  It is an interesting estate settlement as two people have sued me as executor for some $200M that they claim is due them for taking care of him for the last several years.

The Hortons have bought a new car - a Buick - and will be driving up to Mares next week then on to Ohio and then back to Lake Worth, which gives Joe one week in Florida and two weeks on the "road".   Rob is happy again as he has a new girl friend.  We haven't heard how Uncle Bill is weathering the "stock market news."  He talked of retiring this year end.  With the pessimistic economy we decided ot put on hold the purchase of that word processing typewriter.  Been noticing adds by IBM about their new electronic typewriter - one person told me it was nice but noise.  Anyway, that is a field that there will always be something new at frequent intervals.

Thanks for your letter and pictures which arrived yesterday (Monday) Catherine.  We will also try to freeze some of those little tomatoes too as that is what is most prolific now in the garden if they haven't been frozen out yet.  The frost did get some of the produce.

The Go-getters are hoping that John and Carol will plan to go with them to Cincinnati on their night out there the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Wilma thought that Kevin and Connie would be glad to hear they might go too as they want some people nearer their age(s).

This letter has been long enough in the writing and should be on its way.

With much love to you all --

1949, 1959, 1999 Photos -Oct.

On the back:  Happy Birthday Harold - Party time -- '99 -- GG, Carolyn & HH

Looking for a good picture for the 1959 Christmas photo
Catherine, Serena, John and Roberta

0ct. 11, 1949
Catherine in CJU/GHU backyard

1989 MV's Recital Photos -Oct.8

Jean, MV & John

HH, Jean, John, Aunt Mary, Uncle Bill

John, Roberta, MV, HH, Serena, Jean & GHU

1969 Catherine's Letter -Oct.9

9 October 1969

Dear Mother, Dad, Serena, John, and Mary,

Hi!  I was really glad to get the letter from you yesterday as it was the first one I've gotten here at home.  Hopefully it won't be the last.  I'm sorry to hear about Grandma.  I hope she is better now.

It looks encouraging for me to meet you in Mallorca.  Dr. Spaltmann said if he didn't officially know where I was and I don't broadcast it too loudly the school (namely Stavig and Fugate) won't know the difference.  I went downtown to see about arrangements with a travel office this afternoon but I got side-tracked.  I'll try to check before we leave for Koblenz tomorrow.  It will probably be best for me to fly from Berlin on the 24.  Please send me your address there and all other pertinent info so if I do get there I can get in touch with you.  I just got through reading about it in Europe on $5 a day and it sounds like a beautiful cheap place.  Of course you don't have to worry about a place to stay.  We leave for Berlin on the 18 and my address there will be:  33 BERLIN, St. Michaelsheim, Bismarckallee 23, GERMANY

Before I got sidetracked on my way to the travel office this afternoon I went through some old churches (interesting, but I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life looking at old churches) and also went in the Rathaus where the Treaty of Westphalia was signed in 1648.

It was then I made the great discovery of the day -- the city library.  Considering the size of Münster it isn't extremely big but it has more books than I'll ever be able to read in 6 months.  There must be between 800-1000 books in English but they are mainly books that would be assigned reading for a class.  After looking through the children's books I decided I'm about on the 10 year-old level although even those books had words I didn't understand.  The books are arranged very similarly to the Library of Congress method.  I haven't stumbled across the university library yet but I understand it is supposed to be pretty nice. 

Description

I've really been enjoying riding my bicycle around.  It gets me to school in 5 minutes instead of 20 too.

Would you please send a note to Dr. Stavig, ℅ FS, K. College saying that your daughter (namely me) has your permission to hitchhike.  And please, don't forget to sign it.  It is the acceptable ting to do and don't worry, I won't go alone.  Three of the other girls in our group already have their permissions in.

Thanks for sending me the picture although I think it is really ugly.  It's too bad because I always liked that suit.  I hope you didn't order any.

I'd love to meet Joe in France.  I wrote him a letter so now he owes me one.

John, here are a few stamps.  I'll probably just be sending you singles unless I hear otherwise.  Let me know.

Königswinter was pretty nice.  We climbing up Drachenfels which is a mountain right near there and there was a lovely view of the town and the Rhein.  There were too many people and too much drinking for my taste but I spent the day with someone who shared my feelings so we saw the other side of the mountain and a nearby town which seemed dead compared to all the excitement of the wine festival in Königswinter.

I'm looking forward to your next letter.  I hope Roberta hears positively concerning her job.

Love,

Catherine

Description

 

1989 MV's Recital -Oct.8

1989 Catherine's Letter -Oct.3

Tuesday,

October 3, 1989

Dear Mother & Dad,

Hi!  How are things in Ohio?  How convenient of Roberta to fly into Columbus on John's birthday so you can all go out to dinner in celebration.

It hasn't cooled off much yet although yesterday the high was only 99º.  I'm sure by the end of the month we'll see cooler weather and the beginnings of the snow birds.

Business is holding steady at the library although still down from last year when we did not yet charge for non-residents.  The Library Board voted to continue charging non-residents through at least 1990.  Cholla Branch at Metro is to open their remodeled (rebuilt?) building in March.  I'll send you the article about Peoria's library.

Gerry and I both had eye appts. last week.  Both of us are able to keep the glasses we have now but Gerry did get a new pair of single lens as the ones he has now are bifocals which he has had trouble with when he plays golf.  Hopefully the new ones will be better.  Wendy has an eye appt. on Nov. 6.

Wendy is semi-worried about all the teasing she expects to get from the Uible-clan at Christmas time.

Well, I need to leave this with Roberta now.  We're all looking forward to seeing you at Christmas -- despite the teasing!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry, & Wendy

1979 Roberta's Letter -Oct.7

Sunday Morning

10:00 A.M.

[10-7-79]

Dear Family,

Just got home from early church, World Wide Communion Sunday and quite a crowd of people out.  Winter visitors are slowly finding their way back to the Valley of the Sun . . . . and its still really hot !!!!

We had quite a day yesterday.  The special wheelchair van was there to pick up Agnes at 9:55 . . . . wasn't suppose to be there until 10:00 -- and I was just getting to the nursing home myself.  Agnes was sure ready to go.  Especially now that they keep her in bed so much.  The dog show that was to begin at 8:00 . . . . was put off till 4:30 in the afternoon.  i'm sure due to the heat.  So we went first to the mall.  I'll enclose a deal about it.  Sure is something else . . . . really nice.  Alot of stores were offering 20% off anything in the store, but except for free shopping bags nothing was being given away.  There are two very nice book stores . . . both B. Dalton and Waldrens.  (sp?)  Also a very nice christian book store . . . with alot of sheet music, etc.  Would anyone like to guess how many shopping bags I got?  They are really quite nice, plastic with handle, I'm sure I'll still have a few when you all come out.

Oh, this morning in Church, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Garett sang a duet . . . sure was good.  I still haven't sung yet for Mrs. Garett.  I think I'll make her wait a little longer.

Back to the mall . . . there were so many people there.  Really made it quite hard to get around especially with the wheelchair.  We ate lunch there . . . also I should add . . . or perhaps say I should not add . . . had a giant cookie.  Remember those at MetroCenter Mall?  Right after we had lunch Marion rushed back home to watch the last of the pre-series games on TV . . . then met us at the dog show.  Which we only got to see the people setting up for.  Some people were parading their dogs, just practicing, etc.  It was all quite interesting.  With it being at the junior college was no problem walking there from the mall.  Marion talked to some lady who -- of course -- had cocker spaniels.  The woman invited Marion to a dog club . . . where I guess you just sit around and talk about your dog . . . or whatever.  Marion is actually thinking about going.  I just can't believe that.  Now thats going too far.  While we were at the college going around looking at the dogs . . . which happened to be in thick grass . . . was it ever hard to push Agnes in.  Well I was pushing Agnes and must have hit a big hole, and out Agnes went out of the chair.  Marion was in front and she turned around to see Agnes in mid-air.  I -- from behind the chair reached out to grab her -- hurt my knee on the chair.  Agnes was just laughing.  Said that was the first time she had ever been thrown out of her wheel chair.  Thank goodness it was nice thick grass.  Said she wasn't sore or didn't hurt.  We tried to get her back in the chair, and finally had to get a man to help us.  It was quite exciting.  If she is sore today -- wouldn't be too surprising.  The wheelchair van picked Agnes up there . . . at the dog show as planned at 4:00.  Had planned it all ahead of time, tho in the opposite order . . . . dog show first, and then the mall.  The wheelchair van must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance.  But then when the dog show changed its time, I switched the order.  Had the van drop us off at the mall first, and then pick us up at the dog show.  I don't think I told you but they charged 55 cents -- one way -- for Agnes and $1.40 for me --one way.  Which is very reasonable.  I talked to the driver, and he said that the van wasn't being used near as much as they had hoped that it would be.  That they are lucky to get it out once a day.  Marion -- to save the $1.40 each way,just met us over at the mall, etc.

Just remembered, didn't get the card out yesterday . . . that I wrote in a flash to get in the AM mail.

What has not been a flash is this grant business that we are studying.  It is so hard.  There are like 9 types (or least that is all we are covering) of grants.   Some like proven methods applied to local problems, new approaches, old approaches, track records, formula oriented.  We were to figure out examples of each . . . by looking in all these Register of Grants books.  Then begin on a one that we would write up.  One could really get a job now just in this grant stuff.  Maybe when I get out of school, I'll just write up a grant to create a job for myself!!!  I'd rather do that than write grants for say the city of Phoenix all day.  I think of the New Vienna tennis courts.  Whatever happened?  With the land being donated . . . couldn't that qualify for a soft-match type of deal???  Dad -- how much have you gotten into this grant stuff???

I think I must owe Ruth Shoemaker two letters now.  She wrote in her last letter how the Uibles were greeters and really dressed to a "T".  Just this last week I got a letter, more a card with a note in it to Donna Brown.  Who is taking her place at the factory?  Did her retirement get a write-up in the newspaper?  What kind of actual party did she have???

Can collecting is still vey good.  Though I have cut out going over to the park at night.  Just do the dumpsters here and across the street.  Average about $23 dollars a week -- so am building up a little bonus in the gas money can.  Like about $50.  Will be spending most of that this week on getting a tune-up for the truck.  It hasn't had one since before I left here for Ohio in June.  Next project will be for tires on the truck, tho they still don't look bad at all.  Almost 30,000 miles on original tires . . . for Arizona roads that is pretty good!!!  Marion really likes the collecting . . . and says that it has been good for her back to get the exercise of bending down, etc.

Better be going, hope that you are all doing fine, look forward to your weekly letter . . . I'm sure glad that I have good eyes . . . sometimes the type is rather light . . . maybe the sun does it getting it out here . . .

Mary Virginia feel free to write.  And tell me how old will you be this year?  Will you be 15 . . . before too many years you will be able to drive.  I'm so sorry that I didn't save the Buick for you . . . to cruise around town in.  Maybe Elmer Whited would be willing to sell back the Chrysler???  Do you all still have the Mercury???

Love,

Berta

1979 Family Letter -Oct.7

Sunday Evening, Oct. 7th, 1979

Dear Family:

Carol and John came down yesterday afternoon and the five us went to Lisa Gooding's wedding at the Grace Methodist Church (a huge church where her parents were married and also that Dr. Werner had been the pastor before becoming the Ohio Bishop) at 6:30 PM.  Afterwards there was a reception at a restaurant about five miles away, which was complete with a buffet, band, etc. etc.  Jim Gooding has been going with this girl for some four years and he told us that he was going to elope.  He still has another year in art school in Cincinnati.  Bob Gooding really seems to be liking his job in private industry there in Dayton.

Going backwards last Thursday evening was the Band Boosters meeting and the current project is a chili supper this week before the Homecoming Game, as everyone knows there is always a need to make money, without even considering the possibility that the band may get to go to Washington this next Spring.  MV is getting along fine in riding with the Davidson band members, who live diagonally across from us, which is a great arrangement for us.

We got another couple here in NV - the Neal Pratts - to go with us to the square dancing class on Tuesday evening - there about six squares plus a few of those who have been in the course in a prior year - like Orville Harners.  The regulars have their night on Thursday night. It must be getting better for we both commented how much quicker the evening goes.

Last Monday night was the NV Mother's Club guest night - your Mother and Dad went.  It was Chinese evening as the Robert Bernards had just returned from China . . . interesting but too many pictures.  He told us of having name cards printed with an imprint of a turkey on them and how people would line up to get one.  There was a consistent theme as the dinner was catered by the Coopers (she is an Oriental) and it was a Chinese dinner from A to Z, complete with chop sticks.  We think the American farmer type went home hungry.

Glad to hear that Serena is getting settled in her new apartment and we are getting some blankets off to her tomorrow.  The way the weather is we hooked up our electric blanket yesterday.  Do hope to get to Chicago within the next month and get Serena some more supplies.  Do let us know, Serena.  As Roberta said, "That Chicago is too cold for us, except when like Arizona it is too hot.

We have been looking at home movies this afternoon . . . how things have changed in so few years - John and the paper route, Serena at Girl Scout Camp in Ga., Roberta at Barnesville and Catherine leaving here on that VW trip to California.  We were going to look at our wedding pictures but couldn't recall where we put the film . . . any of you have any recollection. (We must be getting old).  The Hortons bought a new Buick and are going to drive north with Joe the last of October and a brief stop here in NV.  We have ordered some boxes for Joe to display his cards of paintings that he sells in S. Arabia.

We finally got some new carbon paper and it makes a big difference, don't you think?  The other was wearing out my eyes.  Dad has written the first page but thought I might add some comments about things he had already mentioned.

We were glad to have John and Carol and forgot that Monday is a bank holiday so they will be staying until Monday evening.  Right now they are out at Pat and Mimi Bain's home -- she is a niece of Eleanor Johnson who married the Englishman and they have two sons.

The wedding was really beautiful really a large church and we wonder if Lisa has been going there - doubt if it was because her parents had been married there is the reason.  The crowd seemed small because of the largeness of the church and don't think anyone but the groom's mother came from New York so Jim seated us on the groom's side among some others to help even up the group.  Lisa looked lovely and the attendants wore a real deep red bordering on deep brown.  Marty isn't very tall - Lisa's shoes were more like ballet slippers with no heel whatsoever.  Serena, he worked with COPE in downtown Dayton but lives in Centerville where they will be living too.  Didn't your friend from Park work with COPE in Centerville.  I thought perhaps they might know each other.  He graduated in criminal justice from U.Dayton.  Lisa is continuing her work in child abuse.  I don't know what COPE stands for but thought you probably do.

We sat with Jim's girlfriend's family - the Hodsons who turned out to be first cousins of Bob and Dorothy Hodson of Hillsboro.  Mrs. Hodson had had Glenn McElwee for a teacher and had wondered what had happened to him after he came to New Vienna.  Mr. Hodson is from Mowrystown.  Their other daughter was Lisa's maid of honor and that's how Jim and Tami had gotten acquainted as their older sisters used to take them to movies, etc. and make them sit together and their relationship had grown from there.

We are still TALKING about going to Arizona at Christmas and hope that Serena might be able to come too.  From there we hope to drive to Oregon (if we drive out west) and depending on whether Roberta wants a car out there, may go back by way of Mesa.  This all hinges on so many things with unlimited possibilities.  We would like Roberta to go to Oregon too if she can afford the time.  If the Morgans get to San Diego at Christmas time we could arrange something that way - hoping this all meets with their approval too of course.  We do hope that his back is not bothering him so much for relatives when you don't feel good can be more than a nuisance and burden at that time.  Do let us know all your thoughts.

Serena's address is 6538 Lakewood, Apt. 11, Chicago 60626 and she is hoping to get a phone in the latter part of this week.  So we will let you know her number after we get word from her.  We had been most anxious to hear from her but hated to telephone Debbie Haines since she has moved from her place the earlier part of last week.  So glad when she called Friday evening.

Sorry that this letter is so late in getting written.  It isn't because we haven't been thinking about you all for seems like you all have been having your problems but hopefully things are better with all of you by now.  Your losing streak seem to compound more each day Roberta, and hope that your papers have been located -- too bad that they made you do all the chasing when t was their fault at ASU.

With much love to each one of you --

[Love, etc.]

1979 Roberta's postcard -Oct. 6

Saturday AM

[Oct . 6. 1979]

HI!  Wanted to at least get this postal in the mail this AM.  Tests yesterday went pretty well . . . maybe.  I'll be anxious to find out.  I sure have a heck of an assignment due in on Monday.  All about GRANTS . . . the federal ones, foundation . . . community, corporation, etc.  We have to find examples of each and then write out a draft on one . . . just a rough one, which will have to be worked on in time . . . as for in class.  I now have just over 1,000 miles on my bike . . . really putting the miles on it just going back and fourth to Tempe.  did go into Phoenix on it one day this last week . . . had to go down there to pick up some literature at the Council on Aging.  Had no problem . . . except was a little tired of seating when I got back.  No, that would be sitting.  Just on Thursday I got an invitation from Lisa -- along with a letter saying that she had found my invite in her car when cleaning it out.  How was the wedding???  Did you go to the dinner -- or whatever afterwards???  Three men -- two being in their 20's have bought the nursing home where Agnes is.  They are really making the effort to clean up the place both inside and outside.  Have really got it looking nice outsisde already . . . flowers planted in the planter, the whole bit.  Agnes still must spend most of her time in bed.  Tho today we have the Dial-a-Ride van for wheelchairs reserved to take her (and us) to the new Mall and also to the dog show at the Community College.  Though with her leg down so much she should be alot easier to lift than when Dad had to do it.  Fred is still not good.  But (according to him) with the dog, he can't think of going to a nursing home.  Ok, gotta go . . . to take the Saturday load of cans to the BIRP place before getting to the nursing home.

1969 Catherine's Letter -Oct.2

October 2, 1969

Dear Mother, Dad, Serena, John, Mary,

Hi!  I was glad to get a second letter from you today.  Thanks for the clippings.  I'd appreciate your sending me all the diet-wise ones you run across as in the Münster paper they have similar items however there is the slight language barrier.  It's a real challenge to read the newspaper.  I usually tackle it between school and lunch.

After having had only four school days my life hasn't really formed any set patterns but I can tell you a little bit about what I have been doing.

I got a used bicycle from some neighbors for 30DM ($7.50)  It was just fixed up tonight so I can hardly wait until tomorrow to ride it.  Ann hopes to get one too but she's going to have to check in the ads on Saturday as the neighbors only had one and I'd already made arrangements.

Tuesday night we went to a party or kind of a group get together.  We started out at Klein's which is the home of Bruce and Chuck, two guys from K.  The party was actually for their German brother, Reiner, who was at K this past summer.  We pretty well filled up the place so after an hour or so we moved to a discotheque down the street.  They were really happy to see us as it wasn't too busy a night and we gave them a lot of quantity.  It was after the buses quit running when we came home so the four of us there from this neighborhood got a taxi.  He drove right by where we told him we wanted to go so we ended up paying more and we almost got lost coming back here.

Yesterday Ann and I spent some time away from each other.  It was kind of strange.  She went home with Bruce for lunch and spent the afternoon with him while I did my homework.  And then last night she did her homework while I went to visit Martin Lohmann, a very close friend of Flo and Francis (my friends in K.)  Martin speaks perfect English so I talked to him for about a half hour in English.  Then his mother came into the room to sew so we switched to German.  After about 20 minutes I was mentally exhausted.  This speaking German has got to get easier, it certainly couldn't get more difficult.  His mother warned me I should remember I was in Germany and not the United States and it just isn't safe for girls to walk alone at night.

Mutti (my German mother) asked me what I had to wear to something really dressy.  (for example we go to the theatre or opera or somewhere in Berlin).  I showed her my vast selection of dresses, evening gowns, and other assorted formal attire.  She has a black dress with a white lace collar and a velvet front which I am helping her remake.  She has also offered to shorten my raincoat (which I hadn't even noticed was too long) and she told me I should wear my skirts shorter.

I guess Ann and I are really lucky as far as food is concerned.  Alot of the kids complain about how hard the bread is, etc.  Two guys even said they haven't had any meat yet at all.  We get an egg every morning for breakfast.  I'm beginning to really like the way we have them, too.  They are just a little short of being hard boiled, so they aren't dry.  And it's really neat to eat it out of the shell.  We also get a hard roll (which are really good) with butter and jelly, cheese, or meat.

Alot of the kids get sandwiches and/or apples from their families to eat during our morning school break.  We haven't asked, it hasn't been given, and it isn't really necessary.  We can buy milk at school for 90pf (a little over 20¢) a week.  I've skipped that too so far.  The milk is delivered to the school at 6AM and since they have no refrigerator it sits out in the hall until 10:30 or so. 

Lunch is the big meal.  Vater usually gets home at 1:00 and we eat at 1:15.  We've had soup every day except one, and then there is always the boiled potatoes (one day we had rice instead).  On Sunday we had french fries instead.  Usually there is some sort of meat in a sauce to go on the potatoes, occasionally salad or red cabbage, peas or beans (soup beans).  For dessert is pudding.  Coffee to drink at breakfast, nothing at lunch, coffee about 4:00 (only coffee during the week) and tea for supper.  Supper is either fried potatoes or potato salad and open sandwiches which are eaten with a fork.  Eating with my left hand comes really naturally now, too.

How did Roberta make out at NCR?  Does she have Irene's address?  Sunday, I'm going to Konigswinter and next weekend on a Rhein trip.  Write soon!  I'm anxious to get some mail here at home.

Love, Catherine

1979 GHU letter to John -Sep.30

Sun. -afternoon

[Sep. 30, 1979]

Dear John - "Happy Birthday"

Here it is about time to send out the special piece of paper.  So I will enclose same & hope it will be put to good use as I am sure you will.

As usual ate dinner with the family & had pork chops, baked potatoes, peas from the garden (frozen), apple sauce, slaw & a surprise of rice candy squares.  We made the remark we only had a piece of Carol's pie that would have tasted very good.

Thanks for the pictures sent, & I am sure there should have been a bill for same so keep that in mind when you come to N.V.  The bridal picture which was in the News J. of Carol was very good.  I cut one out & sent to Aunt Mary.

Mary V. & a friend sang 2 numbers at service this morning which I am sure was enjoyed by all.  Now Carol I didn't forget about you but as you see this is John's special note. 

Love to both of you.

Grandma

1969-70 New Vienna Kindergarten Picture & List of Names

A.M. Class pictured above included Chrysty Burns, Tammy Lynn Cain, Chris Dodd, Sonny Eggen
Shari Flint, Judy Henderson, Ruby Huddleston, Linda Lacy, Timmy Larrick, Darlene Linkhart, Kirk McMillan, Matt Moore, Tim Morris, Ronnie Pinkerton, Dale Robinson, Tammy Shoemaker, David Snider, Lynnette Stodgel, Mary Virginia Uible, Kelly Walker, Jimmy Wolfe.

P.M. Class: Steve Cluxton, Jimmie Davidson, Dwayne Doyle, Pat Garrett, Marvin Huffman, Michelle Hutchins, Richard Jones, Matt Lerch, Net Mann, Kirk Michael, Mike Mitchell, Jim Morris, Susu Myers, Bobby Norman, Pam Phillips, Allen Pinkerton, Erick Prater, Roger Reeves, Rachel Smith, Leatha Waters.

1969 Wilma Croghan letter to MV

[Mary will have to explain to us why Wilma called her George.]

[1969?]

My dear friend George,

Thank you for your letter and picture this morning and you even spelled my name right.  Thank you.

I am sending you a copy of the school schedule for next year.  This paper tells you when school starts and all the holidays we have that we don't come to school.  Put it up in your bedroom and you will always know what day to get ready for school and what day you can go on a picnic because there isn't any school.

Hope you had a fun day this morning at kindergarten.

Have a nice week-end and I will see you in church Sunday morning.  Don't be late!!!!!

Kevin and his mother (me) went fishing last evening at Uncle Harold's [Thornburg] pond.  We didn't even get a bite - but it was a nice evening to be out.  The birds were singing and we saw so many frogs jump into the water.  Lewis and David saw us there so they came over.  David caught me a little frog and put it on my fish hook and said I would catch a fish with that but I guess the fish just weren't hungry.  Maybe we will have better luck the next time.

See you

Wilma Jean Thornburg Croghan

(your friend)

1969 Roberta & her first apartment -Sep.-Oct.

Roberta at her 1st home out of H.S. at 969 Fife Ave. Wilmington.  Apt. #8.  9/1/69-10/30/69 [Think she shared this apartment with Vanessa and they worked at NCR (?)]

1969 Serena 9th Grade Picture -Oct.

1969 - Serena's 9th Grade picture

1959 Family Pictures -Sept.

Jean, Roberta (from the back), & Serena. 
[Note: Martins house in the background before the beauty shop was added on.] 

John (in high chair), Elizabeth Johnson, Roberta, and CJ Uible -- probably at Sunday dinner

"Spot" - first and possibly most beloved pet, gift of the Sankers.

1959 - New building at Wells Mfg. on the far right.  The additional buildings on the west side of Rt. 73 were built in the early 1960s.

1959 - New building at Wells Mfg. from a different perspective.

1959-60 New Vienna School pictures

New Vienna School, New Vienna, Ohio 1959-60 Third Grade
Top Row: Dana Storer (d.2011), Jennifer Gano, Sharon Hurst, R.W. Fenwick (1901-1986),  Martha Woodmansee (1903-1984), Eddy Eaton, Butch Scott, Debbie Wolfe.  2nd Row: Lloyd Tolle, Rose Whitmer, Tommy South, Cynthia Burton, Carolyn Hildebrant, (Garry or Larry) Akers.  3rd Row: Pamela Thompson, Vickie Priest, Nancy Walker, Rickie Drake, Robert Fisher, Benny Achor, Logan Lawson, Carolyn Simbro.  4th Row: Billie Nischwitch, Sandra Bentley, Connie Conyers, Barbara Deck, (Larry or Garry) Akers, Fay McVey.  Bottom Row: Roberta Uible, Donnie Achor, Donna Lightner, Douglas Prickett

Mrs. West, Music Teacher
Harriett Hunter West 1916-2005

Miss Smart / Mrs. Wolfe, Elementary Teacher
Wanda Jean Smart Wolfe 1936-2002

Mr. Rudisill, Coach and Jr High - High School Teacher
Thomas Woodrow "Rudy" Rudisill 1916-1970

1989 Wendy & 1979 Catherine to John -Sep.30

8/23/89

Dear Uncle John,

How are you?  I'm fine.  School starts on Monday.  I had four babysitting jobs last week.  I have one tomorrow too.  It's plenty hot here.  How's the weather in Ohio?  If you have forgotten my . . . .  [from Wendy]

9-30-89
Wendy wouldn't like me to send this "old" news but she's not here right now.  I think in the final sentence she was going to remind you of her birthday!  Hope yours is a good one!

* * * * *

Sunday, September 30, 1979

Dear John and Carol,

Hi!  Thanks for the post card from St. Thomas and the birthday card for Wendy.  She had a nice birthday - making a mess of the cake and spreading wrapping paper everywhere.  We also went to a Co-op picnic that day so it was a full day. 

How is life going for you two?  Have things settled down pretty much?  I was glad to see your apartment even if it was the rush tour.  You are lucky to have such a nice place.  Ours is much smaller than yours and we are getting kind of tired of the cramped space.  The redeeming factor however is that we don't have to pay rent for it.  And we'll get free heat this winter which will be nice.  Do you have to pay your own heat or is that furnished?  Do I remember seeing a fireplace?  Is that usable?

We hear that you made copies of alot of the pictures that were taken.  We are anxious to see them.  I will enclose a few on the ones I just got back.

This is a busy time of month for us with everyone's rent due and three of the apartments having turnovers means lots of inspections and typing of paperwork.  About half of the landscaping is done now and what a difference that makes.  They put down sod which meant instant grass.  I still had to stake it off to try to keep the kids from disrupting it long enough for the roots to get down into the other soil.  In a few days I'll have to start owing it.

Well, hope you have a good birthday, John.  When is Carol's birthday?  Write to us when you have a chance.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry 

& Wendy

1969 Catherine's Letter -Sep.29

Monday

September 29, 1969

Dear Mother, Dad, Serena, John, and Mary,

Hi!  I have been putting off starting this letter for about three hours because it seems like there is so much to tell you I hardly know where to begin.  First of all, I was glad to get your letter of Sept. 21 today at school.  I am going to check tomorrow about the possibilities of meeting you.  Dr. Spaltmann may be more liberal (?) than Stavig and Fugate.  Can you send me some precise dates?  We are going to Berlin from Oct. 18-25.

Now, to go back in time a ways . . . .  Last Thurs. morning we were to arrive in Cherbourg at 6AM.  So Wednesday night everyone said their sad farewells to those going to France.  All would have worked out as planned except at 3:30 AM one of the crew, reportedly drunk, went overboard.  International law requires that six hours be spent searching so for six hours our huge ship drifted around in the endless ocean, lifeboats were sent out, etc. but he wasn't found.  As a result we got to Cherbourg several hours late, skipped Southhampton entirely, and were only about two hours late getting to Bremerhaven.  We didn't have to go through customs at all.  All Kalamazoo luggage was unloaded, we picked it up, walked out of the station and got on special buses for Bremen.  We arrived at the Übersee Hotel about 8 PM (Fri.) and since I was really tired I just walked around a little and then went to bed.  It has some reconstructed medieval streets.

We were awakened at 6 on Saturday morning, took our luggage downstairs.  The room number was 327 but it was equivalent to an American 6th floor.  The price of a single room without bath was $4.  And breakfast (consisting of hard rolls with butter and jelly and tea or coffee) is included.  Buses took us to the train station and at 8:15 we got on the train for Münster.  It was quite a sight with half of us on the train pulling the luggage in through the windows as the other half passed it to us.

All 24 of us were suffering varying degrees of fright and nervousness so the 1½ hour trip to Münster went very quickly.  I wasn't exactly scared -- just kind of numb not knowing what to expect next.  Dr. Spaltmann (who had met us in Bremerhaven) herded us into a private room at the station where we were served sandwiches and then the families began arriving.

That concludes part one of this letter so take a break and rest your eyes before reading on.  Thanks for sending the letter from Sue -- it was a well-traveled letter and a bit out-dated.  I also got letters from Alice Fisher and Mike which Kalamazoo forwarded to me, a letter from Dave with the latest baseball statistics, and my grades.  They were better than I expected, C- in history, and B's in English, German and Archery.

Now, to continue . . . .  Ann Burt and I are sharing a family, the Volkers.  Mutti remind me alot of you, Mom.  She is short with short dark hair and speaks only German.  She worries about my not eating enough but I'm beginning to get through to her that one helping of everything is plenty.  Vater is a beer brewer and although he speaks to us occasionally we are usually ignored as he works at his desk.  He knows a little English which he learned as a prisoner of war.  There are three sons:  Wolfgang is 20 and is learning English in the university, Peter is 18, and Klaus is 15.

Our house is about a 20 minute walk from the school and downtown is about a 20 minute walk on the other side of the school.  Ann and I went downtown on the bus this afternoon.  It costs about 12½ cents one way.  It was our first real venture out alone and we managed fairly well.  It's rather frustrating to be surrounded by so many peple speaking a strange language which we are only beginning to understand.  Just buying some paper in a department store felt like a major accomplishment.  There is a Woolworth's although I didn't see any jacks or jump ropes.  I didn't feel up to asking.  Wait until I get a bit more proficient.

John, I wanted to get you a birthday card but the only cute ones I could find had more German than I could translate very well.  So, I hope you have a happy birthday anyway and I'll be thinking about you.  I was in a post office this afternoon but there were lots of people in lines everywhere and I wasn't quite confident enough of what I wanted to wait in line and ask for it.  Give me a little more time yet.

Yesterday we went to a town about 60km. (40Miles?) away and visited some friends of Vater and Mutti.  The town was in the middle of the coal and steel industrial area.

It's getting late so I'l tell you about the school and what else I've been doing in my next letter.  Good night!

Love,

Catherine

1979 Roberta's Letter -Sep.28

Friday Morning

7:30 A.M.

[9/28/79]

Dear Family,

This last week has sure been a busy one . . . it's almost hard to believe that its Friday already, tho I sure don't mind the weekend coming up.

Did the first of my visits yesterday for the activities class.  Went to the Scottsdale Senior Center which is right downtown . . . the old part of Scottsdale, near the Civic Center.  It is really something.  So different than the Senior Center here in Mesa . . . which is more like a Day Care center . . . for those who might other wise be in a nursing home.

Anyway Scottsdale Center was full of people, it is housed in three new buildings.  In one area there was a dance going on, some 100 people there.  In another room a bridge group, also another card game going on in another area.  Most of the people were just socializing in a large room.  They -- in general -- looked like a very healthy bunch.  Most of the people there -- or that go there -- are from Scottsdale, but no rule that you must be, you can be a citizen of Tempe, Mesa, wherever.  She (the director) who showed me around was very good, took alot of time etc.  She said that once the winter visitors get there it is really a busy place.  Under one roof they have all sort of services for the seniors.  Like Doctor's Clinic, Personnel 60+, Money Management, etc. . . .

There were alot of Cadillacs and other big gas eaters in the parking lot, as a whole these people in Scottsdale are sure not poor people, maybe affected by inflation like the rest of us . . . .  I went to Scottsdale on the bike and it made quite a hit with four older people who were getting out of their cars in the parking lot.  One man wanted to drive it, and I was just as glad when his wife wouldn't let him.

After visiting the center, I looked at the map (which I had with me) and decided I would take the time to go over and see Dr. Matthews.  When I got there he and a Mr. Tripplet were fixing their closets.  It was a matter of having too many clothes on one rod and the thing that hold up the rod broke.  This Mr. Triplet, sure knew both Grandma and Addy.  He said how he used to live in New Vienna, across the street from Grandma, and how Grandma would always take his mother with her to Athens when Grandma went to visit Aunt Mary in School.  Guess his mothers sister or aunt or something lived in Athens. . . .  Dr. Matthews seemed to appreciate my coming by.  I asked him about his trip to Ohio, and he said he just wasn't sure if he would go, hated to hurt his pride and have to use a wheelchair in the airports.  Yesterday he seemed to have trouble just talking.  Had to keep spraying some stuff in his mouth.  Thelma and Mrs. Tripplet were out shopping when I was there.  The Tripplets were driving are just here for about five days.  Had a trip through the Northwest getting here.

Time for me to run . . . will add more later.

Saturday Morning . . . thanks for your long letter yesterday.  I also had a nice letter form Carol earlier in the week.  Need to drop them a note, at this point I'll just send it in a birthday card for John.

Seems I sure have the school work to do.  For one class I need to make up an agency, give it a name, and then what is called the four P's.  Philosophy, Principles, Policies, and Procedures.  For the same class we are in groups of four, and we have to put on an "inservice" type deal for people working with older people.  You could pick your age group, as to the group you signed up with.

Next Friday I'll have my first two tests.  And for both of them (these are the classes I have the same prof. for) he has given us a test question which will be half of the grade.  Both of the questions are about urban planning . . . as far as parks and recreation go . . . which is HIS big interest.

I was sure sorry to hear about Miss Wendy's fall.  I lost their address, more details about that later.  But did get a card sent off to her late as to her birthday.  Just last year Aunt Mary, Grandma, and I were there . . . along with Mother to help with the celebrations.  Sure glad that Catherine and Miss Wendy made it to the wedding, the chances of me getting there for Thanksgiving are slim.  Do yo think Miss Wendy will make a good doctor??????

Now, as far as Christmas goes, I will be out of classes from about the 19th of December to the 17th of January.  That's a nice vacation, huh????  I checked a couple of weeks ago as far as getting one of these super saver flights.  They were all gone, I could fly at night, and it would still be close to $300 . . . big bucks.

What I feel like would be good for me is to get some experience here as -- to get 400 hours of volunteer (which can be paid or volunteer) work before they do their internship.  I have been excused from all this, but keep hearing . . . especially in my special topics class how the experience is just as important as the class grades.  Oh, in that class we have to make up a Resume for ourselves.  Oh, something else that I haven't mentioned is that Scottsdale has a neat program that they call Vista Nueva (which you would learn if you were in Spanish . . . to mean New Horizons.  It is a program for the isolated and institutionalized FRAIL adults.  (frail is a big word used alot)  This place has an office at the Scottsdale Center where I visited, and they bring the people there twice a week for activities . . . crafts, movies, etc.  I talked to the woman in charge, and she asked me if I would be interested in doing some volunteer work with them.  Which would be good experience, tho I would rather have something closer to here.  I feel sure that it would be no problem to get volunteer work here in Mesa.  Paid employment, esp. for such a short time would be hard to get, I'm sure.

What I might do is try to get a supersaver for like the week before the 17th of January. Or do you think that you people will be coming out.  If I wait until June to come and visit, the weather might be more to my liking.

Can't seem to get the [typewriter] keys in order today.  Seems maybe I need to get a word processor machine.  Sure have been using the typewriter for school.  Tho, when I type for school, I give up some of my speed for accuracy.  Dad, are you getting the word processor typewriter???  Is Phyllis on the computer yet???

What type of work is Serena doing in Chicago now??  Same thing.  She must like the area, if she plans to stay.  That would be far too cold for me.  Did Dad take her and how much stuff back to Chicago??

Have you all been back to the square dancing?  Remember the visiting school lady (now retired) the one that always wears her hair pulled up on her head, that asked me about what I thought about O. Harner square dancing, and what my father thought about it.  You should have asked her to go.  HA!!!

Marion is busy making wreaths.  Plans to sell them, both here and in Denver.  Tho I am not sure at all as to how to get them to Denver.  A wealthy church in Denver has an annual one day bazaar . . . last weekend in October.  She plans to go to Denver that weekend.  Will make a long weekend of it, by taking two personal leave days.  She is so much pleased with the situation at her school this year.  All three administrators are new, and very strict.  The smoking area is no-more which pleases her VERY MUCH.  Also order in the halls, etc.  As to the wreaths, she is now on the third one.

Can collecting is sure doing good.  We have some $40 extra in the gas money jar.  We have been averaging about $20-$25 a week, tho I (in fact we) are both cutting down in our collecting.  I still walk around school with a bag always, but finding myself needing more time for studying, etc.

Fred is still not very good.  He . . .YOUR TELEPHONE CALL JUST RECEIVED . . . THANKS . . . .

Oh, the last week and a half have not been very good as far as losing things.  First off, one day at school after walking to the bike from the library realized that my small, zippered compartment on my backpack was unzippered, lost my favorite pen, also a hot liner, which is much like a flair, except you use it instead of underlying.  That night, I went to look for my address book . . . which I keep there in the small zippered compartment, and it too was gone.  Luckily enough I had been using my new red one more and more and alot of addresses already copied in it.  Checked the lost and found at school but no one had turned it in.  Then a few days later I was studying on the couch and the back of my ear-ring fell off . .. .  I had just been emptying trash so went there to look but no luck  We really went over the area here, but also no show.  So now I am wearing my old brown small round ones.

Then on Wednesday at school I was on my way to class and bent down to put something in the trash can, and the chain on my cross necklace caught, popped the chain, and I quickly fished around . . . found the chain, but not the cross.  Rushed off to class, after two classes came back and the trash can had been emptied.  So . . . .  It was the necklace that the Wigets had given me the year we went to Africa.  Still feels funny not having it on.

Then on Wednesday at the beginning of my last class the prof said he needed to see me after class.  I went up afterwards and was told that my file folder (which I have never seen or touched) has been lost . . . or rather could not be found and that I needed to check it out.  This would include all my transcripts, test scores, etc. . .  all the stuff I needed to get together to admitted, it wasn't there . . . where it should be.  So they gave me a list of places to go . . . new admissions, graduate school, College of Liberal Arts, etc.  NOW, WHY SHOULD IT BE MY JOB TO LOCATE THIS . . . THAT I NEVER HAD.  The Graduate School had a record of it being together and sent to the Rec. Dept. as of last April.  So yesterday I went back to the Rec. Dept., and the secretary said that perhaps my advisor had it.  Of course he was out, so I have to check it back out on Monday.  I STILL CAN'T SEE HOW IT IS MY JOB TO LOCATE WHAT I NEVER LOST!!!!!

Better get going.  Thanks again for calling, for the letter, and the enclosures.  Good articles . . . and otherwise . . . .

Love,

Roberta

1989 John's Letter -Sep.27

Sept. 27, 1989

Mom & Dad,

How was your trip to Maine?  Thanks for the post card.

I have decided not to go to the wedding here on Oct. 7th so I should be home by 2:15-2:30 PM.  Is that too late to go down to Kentucky with you?  Of course I'll see you Wed night about 6:30 at 94th Aero Squadron.

Sorry I didn't get to spend more time with you Sept. 16 & 17.  I forgot to even thank you for treating me and the Baileys out for lunch.  That was very nice.

I am talking to a Rotary Club tomorrow morning at 6:45 AM and then to our singles group tomorrow evening.

A Lutheran Church in Heath invited me to come to their adult Sunday School Class this Sunday.  I talked to Ken Colvin and it looks like I'll speak at their church on Nov. 5th.  If you hear of anyone else that is interested, let me know I am open and happy to share about the trip.

Hope you two and Grandma are well.  I'll be anxious to catch up with all of your activities next Wed. and Oct. 7th & 8th.  It should be fun.

Love in Christ,

John

1989 Roberta's Letter -Sep.27

9/27/89

Dear folks,

Hi!  thanks for calling tonight -- We just got these pictures back so I'll send you a copy of the picture of our "Sunday Car."  It does have a great sounding radio too!  I'll also enclose some items I cut out from the Estes Park Methodist Church!

Tomorrow we go to Senita School for lunch -- all of Sr. Village except for 5 party-poopers!  Will have for lunch at $1.85 each -- great price for hot nutritious lunch w/ salad bar included!  Then we will go visit the 3rd grade class!  Next month when we go back it will be Halloween!  Then in 3 months -- Christmas!  Time flies!

Sid & I have really been working on the upcoming county inspection -- so we have had more paperwork scattered -- we could wall paper all of the walls!  [The letter is written on the back of two pages of a Senior Village monthly report July 1989.]

It's late now -- so I do look forward to my arrival in Ohio Oct. 4th.  Will save John's birthday card till then!

With Love,

Roberta