1989 MV's Letter -Nov.16

[11/16/89 -- ?]

Dear Mom, Dad & Grandma --

The weather this past week has been gorgeous -- It's hard to believe that it's almost Thanksgiving when the weather has been so gorgeous & warm.  It makes me wish I didn't have to work and study.

Well we're leaving for Georgia Friday afternoon at 2:00.  I'm going down to Macon with a friend of mine, stay with her Friday night and then go on to Douglas Saturday morning.  I'm scheduled to meet with the PPR committee at 10:00.  The UMW is having a bazaar, so we'll have lunch there and then continue meetings Saturday afternoon.  Sunday, I'll leave for Tuscaloosa to be at Betsy's church Sunday night to sing.  Monday night we're meeting a friend for dinner in Birmingham.  I'll leave Tuesday morning in order to be back in Lexington for Weight Watchers Tuesday night.

Christmas rush has really started at work.  People will come in and spend $100-$150 a shot without batting an eye.  We usually run 2 registers when we're busy but last Saturday we were using 3 and still had a line.  It amazes me how much "Jesus junk" some of these people will buy.

Now, you're planning on coming down Thanksgiving day, yes?  It will just be Don & I so I'll make reservations for approximately 1:00 or 1:30.  Will you & Grandma be spending the night then Thursday?  As far as coming home to sing on Sunday, I've asked to work early Saturday so that we (Don & I ) can drive up Saturday night and get there at a decent hour and stay at least until after lunch Sunday.

This past Sunday I sang at First UMC Lexington for both services, which went well.  They put me in the choir spot and had the choir sing during the offering!  Afterwards Don & I went to Red Lobster and I had the Shrimp Feast - shrimp prepared 4 different ways.  Wow -- that was the first time I'd been to Red Lobster in ages.

Okay -- I will see you people Thursday morning unless I hear otherwise.  We'll look forward to seeing you.  Sorry John & Serena can't come!

Love,
Mary Va.

1989 MV's Letter -Nov.1

11-1-89

Dear Mom & Dad --

Thanks for your notes on the walk!  It went very well, including the talk I gave Sunday morning.  Several people wanted to know why I'm not going into the Pastorate!!  The novelty would wear off quickly preparing something each week.

Have any decisions been made about the location of Thanksgiving dinner?  If I'm (Don & I) coming home, I'd like to make plans to get together with Lorraine while she's in Middletown if possible.  If not, there's some people I work with I'd like to invite (if we're staying in Lexington).  I will arrive back in Lexington Tuesday pm from the Georgia/Alabama trip.

How did the Wilmington walk go?  I'm singing this Friday night at the Lexington gathering.  I need to head out as I have sharing group at lunch.  Call or write anytime.  Please give Grandma my love,

Your favorite KY daughter

1989 MV's Thank You card -Oct.14

Sat. Oct. 14, 1989

Mom and Dad --

I just wanted to say thanks for all your help last weekend, especially in taking care of the financial details.  It meant so much to have family here and to be able to spend some time together.

This weekend is the men's walk here; Bill Stegenweller (from Texas) is on it along with about 5 other guys from the Seminary.

Let me know what you'd like to do about Thanksgiving; Ginny said it would be fine for you all to stay if you'd like to come to Lexington.  But do whatever is easiest especially concerning Grandma.  I'm flexible; I just have to be at work Friday.

When does Roberta fly out?  I've been trying to remember the last time I saw she and Serena.

Had a nice day Monday shopping with Teri Tegeder.  Got a pair of pants -- size 13!  She remarked about you mistaking Pat Kelly for her dad.

Love, 

Mary Va.

1989 MV's Recital Photos -Oct.8

Jean, MV & John

HH, Jean, John, Aunt Mary, Uncle Bill

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

1989 MV's Recital -Oct.8

1989 MV's Letter -Sep.3

9-3-89

Dear Mom & Dad --

Thanks so much for calling this week -- what a nice surprise!  Already last Sunday seems like years ago.  What a busy day.

In reserving rooms, I got 3 in Larabee (where you normally stay) - 2 have double beds, 1 has twin beds.  The room equipped for a wheelchair is in Grice (the other male dorm) also has a private bath.  The Larabee rooms are $28/night, the Grice room is $26/night.  Right now, the rooms are reserved for Saturday and Sunday night.  That can be changed if you all choose to leave on Sunday.  I just wanted to let you know they are available.

Also enclosed is the latest insurance bill, with the corrected amount.  Thank you for taking care of that.

I hope you had a nice visit with John, and that he got to stay through today.  I was sorry not to see him.

My new roommate is from Columbus, Mississippi, majoring in Christian Education.  She just finished her bachelors in music 3 weeks ago at Old Miss.  She's 23 and very nice.  I think we'll get along fine.

I'm sending an application to a church in Douglas, GA and I got a letter from a church in Denver (CO) that they had my resume & would be contacting me when they close applications.  The Denver church has about 1100 members and are willing to pay $25-$30,000/year.  They must have some rich folks in the congregation.  Otherwise I haven't heard anything else back.  Bill Goold got a call from a church in Alabama looking for someone.  He's supposed to get me more info.  He wouldn't say where in Alabama.

I'm putting in a recital invitation that I did.  I figure they cost me about 5¢/ a card -- which is very appealing over professional alternatives.  It serves the purpose well.  I'll probably mail them out this week or next.

I just called Shakertown to make dinner reservations and they are full on 10/7 in non-smoking so I'll make them elsewhere.  Well, I just called Fifth Quarter, a restaurant known in Lexington for their salad bar and steaks.  We have a table reserved at 5:30 on 10/7 in non-smoking.

Mother you had mentioned getting paper supplies for the reception?  I think shades of pink and burgundy -- we'll need drinking glasses (8 oz); napkins (full dinner size); table clothes (24 to fit an oblong table of six) and plastic ware.  I think Lorraine has everything else.  Oh -- yes cups for the fruit salad (4 oz) and plates for the sandwiches.  There may be some cups up in the closet from the last recital that could be used for the fruit salad.  I don't know how many were left -- actually if that burgundy sheet is still available, we could use that to cover the main food tables & just get 22 table clothes.  (Enough supplies for 150)

Well - I think that takes care of all the "business" for now.  Hope everything is well in New Vienna.  Please tell Grandma & Hortons hello.

Love,

Mary Va.

1989 MV's Letter -Aug.9

8-7-89

Dear Mom, Dad and Grandma --

Welcome Home!  Sorry to have missed your phone call yesterday -- thanks, too for the postcard.  I'm sure you're enjoying the scenery.

I'm enclosing the bulletins from where I sang yesterday morning -- the "plain" one is the early (communion) service and the fancy one is the second service.   There weren't too many people there -- maybe 400 total.  But I guess the ones that do come have the $$.  One of the richest churches in town.

Had a terrible storm Sat. am.  Power was out for 7 hours in Wilmore --Then another one Sat. pm in Lexington just as we were trying to count out to go home.  They'll have to reprogram our registers today, even though we are getting new ones installed Thursday.

This Thursday P.M. I'm going to Louisa (KY) with Leah (my pianist / W.W. friend) to pickup her kids at her mothers.  We'll spend the night & come back Friday a.m.  Then late Friay night we'll leave for the beach.  I'll try to call before I go.

Love,

Mary Va.

1989 MV's Letter -Feb.26

2-26-89

Dear Mom and Dad –

Thanks so much for the card and check for my birthday  I've already put part of it toward an answering machine and the rest I will use toward the dress for Colleen's wedding.

Thanks, too, for mailing my books down, they arrived on Tuesday, just as I had anticipated.  The notebook is due this Tuesday to Dr. Jay; I was glad to finish the first portion today (4 books), so tomorrow I can begin working on assignments for my other classes.

This weekend was the retreat for the women of ATS at the Kentucky Leadership Center south of Somerset.  I led the Music, so I got to go free; Margaret Therkelson was the speaker, with the emphasis on prayer.  My only complaint is that it didn't last long enough.

Right now I'm working on trying to come home April 6, 7, 8.  It should work since that's the only weekend I'm asking off in April.  Betsye Fowler won't be able to go to the Emmaus Walk until July so I don't have to take off work that weekend.

I also got a nice card (and check) from Roberta & Sid already.  She mentioned going to Florida next month.  J.B. called about a week ago to check on dates for visiting Kentucky and we talked briefly about going to New Jersey together 6/25.  I don't know if it would work for him, but Colleen's wedding reception, I should stay until at least 8-9 PM and it's in Cincy.  I would like to have the company driving though.

Thanks again for the sweet card and money.  Hope all is well in New Vienna.  Always glad to hear from you.  Are you still going to the Atlanta toy show?

Love, Mary Va.

1989 MV's Letter -Jan.17

17 January 89

Dear Folks,

Sorry not to see you this weekend at all.  We did make it to Louisville in plenty of time for the recital, which was excellent.  It turned out this lady was originally from Portsmouth and got her Bachelors & Masters at U.C. Conservatory.  It was a very nice recital.

The wedding went well.  We got there Friday about 5:30, the rehearsal was at 6:00 and then they had pizza afterword.  I went with Diane and stayed with her folks who live in Howell.  About 12:30 Saturday it started sleeting and then turned to snow.  By the time we got to Diane's I decided we'd all be safer in Michigan for the night.  By the time we left Sunday the roads were barely even wet.

Lorraine is coming down Saturday to visit and will stay until Sunday afternoon.  Asbury college is doing Amahl and the night visitors so we'll see that.

Sent Serena a birthday card this morning.  The card organizer I sent her was returned UPS yesterday; they had been unable to deliver it 3 times.

I'm sponsoring one possibly two people on the May walk in Lexington.  We went to the gathering this month.  They don't have any waiting list at all.  I don't understand that.

Enclosed are grades & comic strip for Mother.  Hope everything is fine.

Love –

Mary Va.

1989 MV's Letter -Jan.9

[1-9-89]

Dear Mom and Dad,

How is the FAX machine?  If I ever find one around here I may try it out.   At this point we'll have to stick it out with the U.S.P.S

At this point, it looks like we'll be leaving Friday Noon for Michigan to be there for the 6:00 rehearsal.  The wedding is at 2:00, so I hope we'll arrive in New Vienna sometime after dinner Saturday night.  We translates into Jerry Sutton & I.  Jerry is playing trumpet and singing at the wedding.  We'll probably leave about 3PM Sunday if you people don't have plans for lunch.

The first week of class is over – only 3 to go.  The class has been real interesting.  This past week we had to conduct 5 interviews on how people became Christians.  Next week we have to write an 8-10 page summary on the interviews.

I'll be looking forward to seeing you Saturday night.  Have a good week.

Love,

Mary Va.

1988 MV's Letter -Nov.

[11-?-88]
Dear Mom and Dad,

Sorry I haven't written in so long.  In many ways I feel as if I'm still catching up after the Emmaus walk.

It's getting to be the busy part of the semester – tests and papers are all due within the next month it seems.  I'm sorry now that I signed up for 15 hours. Next semester I'm only taking 12, and the additional 3 hours in January.

Last night I went to Louisville to hear the Radio Stuttgart Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Neville Marriner.  It was an excellent concert, at the new Kentucky Center for the Arts right downtown Louisville, just a block from the river.  The building is gorgeous – built just 5 years ago.  It makes Music Hall look ancient.  I've got tickets to see/hear 2 more concerts there – in January, Kathleen Battle will do a recital (well-known Soprano) and in March Vladimir Feltsman, the great Russian pianist.  Roberta Peters is in Lexington tomorrow night, but tickets start at $20!

Enclosed is a note from Bill Trimble here who is recently from Cincinnati, originally Pittsburgh  He's just over friendly I guess.

This weekend is the Women's Walk in Lexington; Diane & I are sponsoring a girl from here at school.  I don't know why but Lexington has never had a waiting list for their Walks.  I'll be interested to see how they do candlelight and closing.  Their walks are held at the Children's Home (Methodist) near Versailles.

The list for Thanksgiving has grown.  Diane and Margaret (from Africa) will be coming again this year.  In addition Diane's boyfriend, Kevin, Betsy from Georgia, Vicky from Jamaica, John from New Jersey, Don from Texas and Sally from Japan.  I realize that is a lot of people; we can sleep in the living room (none of them expect real beds).  If you take care of the turkey, we will do the rest – including breakfast Thursday morning.  They are not coming to be fed and entertained – we need a break from school.  They think it's wonderful that you're opening your home to them.  Is Serena coming home?

Enclosed are my new business cards.  I have already started two new voice students, with the possibility of 3-4 more at least.  I think after Christmas I'll be ready to leave Zondervan.

Dad – I got some notice from Tenneco yesterday  I haven't had a chance to go over it.  Do you know what I'm speaking of?  If so, what, if anything, do I need to do?  You can send the bill for your counsel with your answer, 🌞

Hope Grandma enjoyed her trip to Phoenix and recovers well.  Aways glad to hear from you.

Much love,

Mary Virginia

1988 MV's Letter -Sep.18

18-9-88

Dear Mom and Dad and Grandma,

Welcome back from Holland!  I hope you had a good trip.  I've had only one postcard thus far but I'm sure they're keeping you busy.

The past 2-3 weeks since arriving back in Wilmore have been very hectic.  Bill Goold was flat on his back in bed for 2 weeks with what the Dr. thought was a herniated or ruptured disc.  So I ended up directing the choir at church and Singing Seminarians here at school and other "little" things necessitated under those two headings.  Today was his first Sunday back in Church and Tuesday he'll be back teaching.  I enjoyed covering for him, but wish I hadn't had all my normal duties to keep after.

Classes are going fine.  I've ended up taking voice lessons for credit because there was a stink raised over me continuing to study with Ginny while not doing so for credit.  So now I'm taking 15 hours this semester.  None of my classes meet more than once a week.  I have one that meets 3 hours once a week (Foundations of Church Growth), 2 that meet 2 hours once a week (Character of a Methodist and Music Ministry to Youth and Adults).  Then there's conducting, Singing Seminarians and Basic Theology.

On October 2 I'm becoming an affiliate member of the UM church here in Wilmore in hopes that will help me with the Kentucky Conference, should I get a church job around here.

I appreciate you transporting John to and from the Walk this weekend.  If you would, there's a comforter (in a box) on the right side of my closet that you could take with you Thursday.  I'll drop him a note of explanation this week.

I have to work Friday and Saturday so I won't be able to there for Candlelight or closing.  I'm sure everything will be fine, I'd just like to be able to be there.

Today I ordered tickets for some performances at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville – among other things they are having the Radio Stutgard Sumphony (Oct. 31), Kathleen Battle (Soprano in January) and Vladimir Feltzman (Russian Pianist in March).

Anxious to hear about your trip.  The organist at Wilmore U.M. is originally from Holland and wanted information on the trip.

Love,

Mary Va.

1988 MV's Asbury Schedule -Fall '88-Fall '89

1988 Wilmore UMC Bulletin -Aug.14

Pertinent Info:

During the year ahead, Miss Mary Uible will be doing her Supervised Ministry under the direction of Bill Goold.  We welcome Mary and look forward to her help among us.

1988 MV's Letter -Aug.15

15 Aug 88
Dear Mom, Dad and Grandma,

I trust the trip to Illinois went well and you got Serena all situated.  I certainly hope her new job works out well and she enjoys it.

I'm enclosing the bulletin from yesterday [see tomorrow's blog post];  it announces my S.Min [Supervised Ministry] and I was responsible for the Ladies Ensemble that sang during the service.  My SMin officially starts next Sunday 21 August.

We have been extremely busy at work.  The back to school crowds have been running about two weeks early so I've gotten some extra hours the last couple weeks.  In less than a month we'll be putting out our Christmas merchandise; it's hard to believe that it's time already.

The controversy over the new movie is interesting.  (Last Temptation).  The Lexington paper carries Cal Thomas' syndicated column which was good yesterday.  Have you read either of his books?  I just heard him on Dr. Dobson a couple months ago.

As far as schedule next week, I have a meeting from 8-9 on Wednesday night, so we'll be coming after that.  Betsye (my Alabama friend), Sandi (she was the dorm R.A. last year, now Assistant dean) are definitely coming.  I'm hoping to find one more person so that there's not 3 of us (odd number) for Kings Island.  They'll leave early Friday, then Friday afternoon I'll head to Columbus.  Probably come home Sunday night, then I have to be in Lexington Wednesday at noon.

School starts Wednesday for public schools here.  Now will you have to help at the school at all this year, Mother?

Hope all is well in New Vienna.  See you soon.

Love,

Mary Va.

1988 MV's Letter -June 24

24 June 88
Dear Folks,

There's plenty of Homework, but I feel as if that's all I've done for the past three weeks, so I'm taking a couple hours off.

One thing about summer school is that the classes certainly move much faster.  It's hard to believe our final is Friday; I feel sorry for the people taking Greek.

The trip to Alabama was cancelled at the last minute; Betsye's parents separated this week, so she thought another weekend would be better.  They "celebrated" their 24th anniversary last weekend.

If I didn't have so much homework to do, I would've come home, I don't know how I would've gotten it all done in Alabama.  I've been averaging 3-4 trips to the library a week.  I really don't feel well! ☺️

And Dr. Goold's wife called tonight; he has to be in Indianapolis over Sunday and wanted to know if I'd direct the choir again.  I said yes before I realized that I have no idea what they'll be singing – I suppose it'll come off; they have choir practice at 9:15 Sunday morning, then sing at the 10:45 service.

Hope you're enjoying Wendy and Roberta.  The phone call was certainly a surprise!

Love,
Mary Va.

PS I have another voice student – total of 3 now.

1988 MV's Letter -June 4

4 June 88

Dear Mom, Dad, Serena, Grandma,

Got my grades this week, so I'll put them in.  It lists what I'll be taking summer and fall.  The fall schedule is right but this summer I'm just taking Servant as Liturgist and New Testament History and Criticism.

I started my voice lessons for the summer two weeks ago, but this coming Wednesday will be the first lesson in her home.  I think I told you what a nice neighborhood it is – so I'm anxious to see what the inside of the house looks like.

Dr. Goold (head of Music dept and ministry of music) is in Bolivia for two weeks, so I get to direct the choir & lead music next Sunday (6/12).  It's a nice size choir (50+/-) and about 800+ congregation.

It looks like I'll be home late (around 9 or 10) 6/17.  I may (doubtful) have a couple people with me.  I will let you know definitely.

Love

Mary Va.

1988 MV's Letter -May 30

30 May 88

Dear folks;

Welcome back to the USA.  I surprised Serena this weekend at home.  She really had the yard looking nice.  A guy here at school was ordained at his church in Springfield yesterday so we went up Saturday and came back last night.

Still haven't gotten my official grades yet, but I did make out a tentative schedule to follow until December '89.  The Fall '88 is what I'll actually be taking (see enclosure); as far as the Spring '89 schedule, I hope to be able to take one of the classes in January in order to lighten the load a little.  all those classes are required under the new MA program.

Summer classes begin June 7 – June term.  I'm taking Servant as Liturgist, July term I'm taking New Testament History and Criticism.

Work is going well.  I think I told you that we'd be closed June 6-27 for total remodeling of the store.  I started my voice lessons for the summer last week.  This summer she's teaching in her home in Lexington, which I'm anxious to see (the house).  It a NICE neighborhood, a fairly new subdivision on the south side of Lexington.

There are very few people in the dorm right now.  Most of the ones that will be here this summer have gone home for the two week break between classes.

Not much else up.  Grandma seemed good; I stopped in Sunday morning on my way to church.  Saw Liz and Bill McCracken yesterday.  He gave me one of his brochures left over from the campaign.

You should have a letter from me when you get home.  Serena was going to Bloomington Tuesday to look for more jobs, but I think she planned to be there only a couple days.

Love,

Mary Va.

1988 MV's Letter -May 17

17 May 88

Dear Mom, Dad and Grandma –

Sorry I couldn't remember the exact date of your return, so I thought I would simply go ahead and write.  Thanks for coming to visit last week and lunch and the check – I just wish we'd had more time, but there will be another visit to see the Horse Park, etc.

The voice recital went well last week; both Dr. Goold (dept. chair) and Ginny (my instructor) said they had seen such a measurable improvement over the semester, so I was encouraged by that.

And just this past weekend was the retreat in Alabama where I led the music.  It went extremely well and we had a lot of fun.  The church took really good care of us.  The only snag was a huge thunderstorm on Saturday night.

I'm done for the semester except typing my paper for vocal pedagogy, which I'll do tonight.  I'm anxious to see my grades next week.

I've tried to call John several times over the past few weeks to set a date in August to go sing/visit.  Since I'm not going up there June 12, I'll only be home the weekend of June 19 for Grandma's birthday.

Hope your trip went well.  Anxious to hear from you.

Love,
Mary Va.

1988 MV's Letter -March4

4 March 88

Dear Mom and Dad,

I got a call today from the Zondervan Bookstore at Fayette Mall (on Rte 27, South of Lex).  They have hired me part-time, starting tomorrow morning.  It is $3.50/hour, and they hired me contingent upon the fact that I'd be able to work this summer.  It's a nice size store, about the size of the one at Dayton Mall.

I'm also supposed to go Alabama next weekend with Betsye.  We'll leave Friday morning, return Monday afternoon.  I think I told you she's youth director at her church.  The following weekend Lorraine is scheduled to visit.

I guess with the job I won't be going far on Spring Break; I'll still be home for Easter, it's just I don't know when I'll have to work that weekend.

Got a real nice letter from J.B. today with Calvert's address in it.  Thanks for your letter this week also.  I'll write more next week after I know more about the job.

Much love,

Mary Va