Sunday evening -
October 22, 1979
Dearest Family:Seems like a long time ago since we last wrote but guess just so many miles have been traveled that it seems long. We did get to Chicago to see Serena Wednesday evening. We took the old faithful (?) Mercury as it would hold more and not hurt if it got scratched up a little. We got there about 6:30 so avoided the rush hour traffic. Serena has a real nice place not far from Loyola University and about a couple of blocks from the EL where she takes the train to work. She is on the fourth floor - about 46 steps which Dad traveled many times but luckily there is a back entrance just off the street which made it handier. She has an entrance way into a large combination living-bedroom probably better called a studio with a dressing room, bath and kitchen and one end of it is divided where she can have a large dinette. It is a quiet apartment as it is off a sort of court -- not facing the busy street behind her. Across the back is also a Catholic elementary school (either middle or junior high really) which would add to the noise on that side.
We drove out to see Northwestern in Evanston just beyond where she lives after walking around Loyola. Then took the el downtown and had lunch with her in the same building where she is now working - for an insurance company. Dad went on to the courthouse to check on the latest in bankruptcy news on Chemtoy and I did a little looking in the shops and met him at Marshall Field. We met Serena and Debbie Haines for dinner - went to a Greek restaurant in Evanston. We took Debbie back home and got to see her apartment - where Serena lived until she found her own place. Debbie has it fixed up nicely with alot of plants but many disadvantages to her place over Serena's as far as we were concerned - on a noisy street (but there is a bus stop almost in front of her door - Debbie has to take a couple of busses and a train to get to work) but each one is pleased with their own arrangements so guess that is what matters.
After leaving Debbie's we drove down to Steve Weiss'es address and guess were lucky to find him as he had moved to another apartment in the same big building. He seemed surprised to see us. John had written that if we could bring him (Steve) home or take him back to Chicago it would be appreciated. But we were leaving before he could go on Friday and he had made arrangements to rent a car to drive to Ohio. Seems odd that there are only nine in his graduate (?) school class but evidently approved by Denison. The big news with him was that he had given up ideas of working for the railroad and was thinking about going into banking perhaps in Ohio or he might go back and go into business with is father. He hoped to make up his mind after seeing John and Carol. (and talking with them too.)
Serena got her telephone installed Friday morning and her number is . . . so it is nice knowing that we will be able to call her now and vice versa. The fellow who did the installation work was real nice and coincidentally he was leaving the same evening for Ohio to visit his sister and he had gotten married August 24th. He also helped Dad in the door of the building with a table and would have liked to help him more but said it was really against company rules.
We had signed up for a class at Scarlet Oaks on Friday evening, Oct. 20 a couple of months ago so came home that way (Cincinnati). We were going to be rather late for class but thought that better than not at all and found out that the class had been cancelled that night and we hadn't gotten word about that. Needless to say we hadn't or we would have had a more leisurely trip back - stayed longer with Serena or a number of other things - eaten a little more deluxe dinner, etc. as we had planned to pick up Mary Virginia after the football game and sock hop at East Clinton at 11:30 so we got home in time to relax a little before driving over to Lees Creek.
Saturday was a beautiful day as today also has been. The band was taking part in a competition at Glen Este - suburb of Cincinnati. It won first place in both the band and the auxiliary if you are like me and didn't know is the drill team, rifle unit and field commander (if female) or drum major (if male).
Appreciated getting letters from all of you - two from Catherine (on Monday and Saturday) and an extra thick one from Roberta with her test and some other papers and one from John besides. Thanks too for the pictures, Catherine. The ones we sent to you all are to keep - John had them made in Newark. We too are looking forward to seeing the wedding pictures taken by the more professional photographer.
I forgot to mention that since Mary Virginia rode back on the band bus we stopped by to see the Sankers and they had dinner just ready so ate with them. Hope that they didn't have other plans for the evening but we left about 8PM. Lowell is going to UC and plans to go back to ASU (?) hopefully as soon as his exams are over here. He has bought and fixed up a Microbus to drive out there. Bruce has a Volkswagen Bug which he is working on Bill has about three cars on which he is currently working. We were surprised to learn that GE has plans to open a factory in Singapore and they had a been looking into the possibility of going there but after Jeanne read about all the humidity, etc. Bill quickly lost interest. It would be for three years too which they thought too long a period to be gone.
They kept raving about what a nice wedding John and Carol had and were glad to get to talk to Roberta on the way to Cleveland and appreciated hearing from her afterwards. I had a copy of the picture of them at the wedding but hadn't taken it with me as I hadn't thought we'd be stopping by there.
I started this letter while the Sr. MYF met here this evening. Mary Virginia seemed to think we'd have about four here but had a good turnout because they wanted to decide whether to have the Haunted Hall. They aren't going to use the church this year but may use the IOOF if enough turn out tomorrow night to work on it. There were the three advisors + (Harold and Carolyn Thornburg, Ron Salisbury Jody Rankin, Kelly Grooms, Clara and Peg Sears, Danny Stricker) and the following yout: Kay Wolfrom, Melodee and Jerri Mahanes, Cindy Hannah, Judy Henderson, Billy Mahanes, Judy Smedley, Bill Hildebrant and MV.) The latter was elected president tonight too. I had planned to have cider and donuts and when I wasn't sure how many might be here decided to have potato and corn chips in place of donuts. Also had three kinds of dip to go with it and sesame sticks and peanuts and cashews - plenty salty so all the cider was finished up. I'd bought two gallons and had planned to freeze some if we had too much left over but there was only about a cup.
I don't know who didn't get the 2nd page of the letter last week but found an extra sheet so will send it on if I found out who was shortsheeted. I thought it was Roberta for mailed her letter after the others but Dad did check and said that hers had bout pages. Didn't send on to Serena as we were going up to see her so it had to be either the Morgans or the Newark Uibles.
Today was Rally Day at Sunday School - didn't have too many extra out but Marcia Pogue (Meddock) ? and her little girl were there and asking about you Roberta. She had a blouse on exactly like my cranberry & white. There was a pot luck after church and forgot to tell you that MV sang in church - How Great Thou Art and was great. She has also been asked to sing for the Mother-Daughter Banquet of the united Methodist Women (N.V.) and she and Tim Larrick are to sing for the Lees Creek Church next Sunday and also for Mrs. Larrick's Christmas party of their church women. Do you all think you could make arrangements for her western tour this winter to help defray our expenses? We are undecided on our Christmas plans but open to any suggestions. We would like to get to both Arizona and Oregon but hard to combine them with Roberta if she has only a week as four days would be spent in traveling if we go by car. We know that it is a good time for her to be getting in some extra time in her field work. Serena doesn't think she would be able to go so would stop in Chicago on the way (at least one way). Didn't have too long in Chicago with her last week but thinking perhaps we might go after Thanksgiving (that Friday when we take G'ma to airport if she goes on previous schedule). But what are your plans Serena? We don't want to intrude there. Hopefully we could get the John Hancock apartment. We are looking forward to having John and Carol for Thanksgiving (and longer) but don't think John has but the Thursday off.
Really hadn't planned for this letter to be so long when I began but have gotten carried away.
Mary Virginia's Christmas vacation begins Friday afternoon, Dec. 21 and school begins again Jan. 3 (Thursday). She says that she would like to be in Mesa at least one Sunday and Wednesday to see her church friends. I wonder if the Garretts will be gone over the holidays. Also her Bible study teacher. If it rushes things too much to try to get up to Madras in a week, Roberta, you might prefer to go another time and we could use that week away from Mesa but not as far as Oregon. How about ideas from the rest of you. Wish that we could talk Serena into going west with us. What we need is a private plane to get every place quickly.
Dad and Howard Wolfrom are flying down to North Carolina today to see Fli-Back as they are interested in selling their ball equipment machines, etc. They fly to Atlanta and then up to N.C. but can fly directly home (Cincy) from there. Friday Dad flies back to Atlanta for the day to go to the show where we met you Roberta and Cris about six years ago or five. I remember that the Mercury was new and John hadn't been driving too long. And Dad celebrated his birthday at our first trip to a Ferrells. Looks like we will be celebrating this year by going to the Halloween carnival at the school.
There is something every weekend from now til Christmas and I am sure that your schedules are getting just as hectic. Monday evening we are getting together at the church to work on craft things to sell at the Bazaar. (Dec. 1) We are still going to the western dancing lessons each Tuesday at Laurel Oaks but this coming Tuesday none of the four couples that have been dancing together are able to go. So at least we will all be missing the same time. We had thought we would miss the next one too but Joe called Grandma yesterday and said they plan to get to New Vienna either Oct. 31 or Nov. 1. He has had a terrible cold since he has been home but beginning to feel better now. They leave this Thursday for Marianne's pick up Cris in North Carolina. Rob may fly up for the weekend (this was mentioned by Aunt Mary several weeks ago but he now has another girlfriend so plans may have changed). Also Rob is growing a mustache. Joe won't get to see too much of the country except his relatives again unless he takes a day or so off and goes on his own from Mariannes but Aunt Mary says that he just can't wait to see his nephews. This no doubt may be true but wonder if he wants to spend so much time each year doing the same things. I know he loves visiting art museums and just an hour or so in Washington on the way back to Florida last year.
Meant to tell you Serena that we met Ella Hart Guard's aunt while we were working at the chili supper and she said that they are getting tired of being so far away from home in Tucson. Ella resembles her aunt, Mrs. Goodman in her facial expressions. Mrs. Goodman has two in the band I think she said. Have seen her a couple of times since - an attractive red haired person.
Forgot to mention or answer your question Roberta that the Pratts are still dancing as well as Elaine Biehl and her husband who are expecting in March. He works at the same place as Neal Pratt. -- Cin. Milacron. another couple is from Sabina - she works in the CCNB&T Sabina branch - Oraline and George Woodruff. I have an awful time remembering her name especially after hearing Tom Brumley refer to her as "Ovaltine". A young couple from Sabina also go - the Beams - cousins of the Marvin Beams. The Robert Terrells were going and really enjoying it but he fell of the roof of his barn and luckily wasn't too badly hurt but quite shaken so they have missed the last two lessons.
Judy Henderson told me last night that Nancy is doing most of the cooking since Ruby has been sick - was in the hospital with phlebitis (don't know where to look in the dictionary for the correct spelling). She is home now but not allowed on her feet much. Nancy has had a rough fall with her mother's death and her sister-in-law sick.
Really enjoy hearing from you ALL. With much love,
Dad & Mother
No comments:
Post a Comment