1981 Family Letter -Aug.

Monday Evening, August 31, 1981

Dear Family:

This time last week we were in Chicago with Serena.  We appreciated Serena taking the day (Tuesday) off from her work to be with your Mother while I made some business contacts.  Did enjoy some new restaurants while there and took in a play and from my viewpoint the least said about the play the better.  (Serena and I enjoyed seeing Shelly Winters in "Gingerbread Lady" in the round - Mother)  Wednesday noon we had lunch at Howard Johnson in Indpls and on the last lap to NY visited the new library in Miamisburg, Ohio . . . guite mod architecture . . . and then supper at "Joe's is a Fish Restaurant" in Dayton, which was a good stop.

The new car gave us about 30 MPG, but for a trip the larger car is much more comfortable and the use of cruise control makes freeway driving so much easier.

Saturday morning we were off for Pittsburgh, PA and had lunch at the Ohio Valley Mall near Wheeling.  It was a super Mall with two steak places, plus several fast food places and we ended up at Wendys.  There were also two tour buses which had let people out for a lunch stop.  After getting Aunt Virginia in PGH we drove back to New Cumberland to Miss Marshall's house (one of your Mother's former teachers who is still QUITE active at 83 after having taught in N.C. for 40 years) where we were staying.  The 70th school reunion was in Toronto, Ohio, across the river for the crow, but 20 miles by car.  There were nearly 500 people there, including two from the class of 1913.  One of them sat across from us -- he is still active in the real estate business and had driven down from northern PA.  The other '13 Grad was also staying with Miss Marshall and was to leave for Florida the next day.  We left the "party" about 11 to take Virginia back to PGH, but got into HEAVY rain on the way back and we were more than ready for bed at 2 A.M.  We were lucky for we stopped for a few minutes for the rain to quit and in less than a mile had to stop; a pick-up headed toward us in our lane, but who couldn't get under a big tree that had fallen across the highway . . . U.S. 30.  Luckily we squeezed under the tree . . . that's an experience that we will remember for a while.

Yesterday morning we went to the Presbyterian Church, but short service since the minister had had a heart attack, but your Mother did see people that she knew there years ago.  The Sankers were also staying with Miss Marshall and Jean S. was a Methodist in N.C. so we went to her Church at 11 A.M.  Then in the afternoon the school reunion group had a picnic at 2, with the meal at 4 another big turnout.  For recognition the person who came the farthest was from Argentina, with six folks from Calif.

Now it is back to the "farm" . . . wish we could share some of our abundant garden produce with you folks.  Grandma is all set for her trip on Wednesday to Phoenix . . . she is a great inspiration for all of us.  Sorry that we missed your call last night, Roberta but glad that MV was near enough to hear the phone -- the airlines had called here no doubt due to your suggestion.

We enjoyed both trips but would rather spread them out a little more -- further apart that is but glad that we were able to do them both.

 [Love to all etc.]

1981 Family Letter -Mar.22

 

Sunday Evening, March 22nd [1981]

Dear Family:

Hope that all of you have been thinking that no news is good news as we just did not get into gear this past week in writing.  First was the overnight trip to Cleveland in which Elizabeth Johnson went with your Mother to get the Morgans and who enjoyed the John Uibles hospitality on the way home.

Thursday morning we left Mary Virginia and Mie Young with Ruth Shoemaker (or perhaps we should say the other way around) for Chicago.  Our first stop was in Cincinnati, where the Morgans got some things at Velva Sheen (always a popular stop).  Then the Hamilton County Court House where I had some papers to file (they won't take them by mail). (Have another estate in Youngstown and fortunately they do accept papers by mail.)  We stopped in Greeensburg IN for lunch at Bonanza and right across the street was one of our customers so spent a few minutes talking with them.

We got into Chicago about 5:30 and met Serena and Greg for supper.  We were lucky each night in parking on the street for garage parking is in the $6 and up range.  Friday we took in some of the high lights of Chicago including the Museum of Science & Industry, Aquarium and the Natural History Museum and Wendy kept right up with us.

The Morgans train left at 6:50 P.M. and had no trouble in getting to see their "compartment" on the train, which was a treat for us.  They [are due] to get home this afternoon.  Like all grandchildren Wendy is growing up so rapidly and always seems ready to go.

Yesterday we did some shopping around, including a stop at the Library.  Last night we went to a movie at the Chicago Art Institute on Alger Hiss, which was interesting in seeing the old interviews of FDR, Hoover, Nixon, etc.

Serena came with us as far as Lafayette, Ind. today so that we could have a longer visit, a look around Purdue Univ. and lunch at a good place there that we had been some years ago.  We missed out on Church with the change of time from CST to EST.  She would get back into Chicago around 6 P.M.

Roberta, we were interested in seeing the ads on the various houses in the Phoenix area and even more so in seeing you folks and your new home(s) this Mary

     Dad has written so much in capsule form -- we so enjoying having the Morgans even if our visit wasn't as long as we would have liked but glad they got to see John and Carol (me too) and also Serena so if Roberta has lived a little further north and G'ma and the Hortons they would have been able to take in the whole family.  Wendy saw so many relatives and did so much going -- it will be difficult for her to come back to reality.  But she was also looking forward to seeing her friends and teachers at the day care school too and would have alot to talk about -- wonder how much she will remember of the train trip in years to come.

[Personal note, Love, etc.]

1980 Family Letter -Oct.7

 

Tuesday --  

October 7, 1980

Dearest Family --

We did have a nice weekend in Chicago with Serena and wish that we could have stayed longer for had to leave right after having dinner with her but did have a good visit.  Thought especially about Roberta when we ate at the Khyber India which was real close by.  But the food was pretty hot even for Dad and we kept the waiter busy with the water pitcher.  We had heard you could order it mild or spicy or in-between but neglected to ask.  Looked over the Loyola library afterwards and then back to 777 Michigan Avenue where Imperial Smelting was our host.

Thought about John celebrating his 23rd birthday and wish we could have been on hand too but know he wasn't by himself.  Anxious to hear what celebrating they did -- looking forward to hearing soon.

Saturday morning after a stop at the Loyola bookstore (Dad went back to library) we headed north to Serena's bank and also found a nice girl's bike at a shop not far from her apartment -- not new but a good used one which someone had bought but was too big for them so got a smaller bike.  It has coaster brakes and balloon tires but looks almost brand new.  She plans to invest in a back pack.  We have had some around here at home but only one I found was a flimsy small one so she'll probably buy a good one.

We had lunch at one of the "Lettuce Entertain You" restaurant chain this one in Evanston called "Fritz is It" or some similar title.  (Last time ate in one not too far from Serena's place called "Johnathan Seafood" -- both good and very unusual.)  First time I can ever remember seeing so much caviar and fresh fruit at the salad bar.

Did a little other shopping and then ate quickly at 777 to get to the Drury theater by 7PM to see "I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking it on the Road" starring Phyllis Newman.  It is a good musical but some of the language got a little grating used over and over -- basically a woman's lib theme -- manager doesn't want singer using her own material or admitting that she is celebrating her 40th birthday, etc.  Had heard about it on Phil Donahue's show including some of the music so knew a little about it.

Sunday we went to church at the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel but amazed again at the vastness and cold-Cathedral like structure though beautiful.  Hannah Hunt the head of Univ. of Chicago did read the scripture and interesting just to see her after hearing about her - the first woman provost of such a large university.  Realized later that it was World Communion Sunday but this wasn't mentioned.  They were having lunch on the lawn afterwards to which we were invited but declined.

We did go to the only Mobil Guide recommended restaurant on the side of Chicago called the Court House which we found served only brunch from10:30 til 2:30 so had plenty of time there.  One unusual feature was the big basket of orange halves with two squeezers which were constantly being used by the patrons and another was the chocolate bottomed croissants -- delicious baked goodies, fresh fruit, fish, salmon and bagels (thought about Carol) and the more usual scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, soufflé and bread pudding.  And a salad bar too.  And lots of cheeses.

We dropped Serena off at the Howard El to take her back north and we headed south east and home.  We had planned to come by way of I-74 but found that exit closed so took off cross country for awhile but eventually got on it.

Mary Virginia had gotten along fine but hadn't had the best weather either for the ball game which they had won or for the trip to King's Island with five others.  Weather did clear but was coldish but price of $3.50 compliments of Cincinnati Milacron via Dale Howard to softball team was very reasonable.  She said they had the fireworks at 9PM so came home after that.  She stayed with the Hannahs.

She also had several pieces of bad news.  Donald Watters' brother Harold who also lives in NV had been killed in truck accident on Friday AM -- we had been rerouted because of it (near children's home).  And also on Saturday Terry Carey was fatally injured in an accident near State routes 73 and 729.  Some say Terry had swerved to keep from hitting a dog and ran head on into Violet Kuntz' husband.  Barely know him to see him but Vi has been at the New Vienna bank since Vera Baker left and they live in the second house on left in Snow Hill Meadows the subdivision just on the edge of NV toward Hillsboro.  His condition was serious but they now say good and think that he will make it.

Hope that this letter reaches Madras before G'ma and Roberta have left but will try to reach you all by phone Saturday morning anyway.  This is the only Saturday this month that MV doesn't have a band contest or something going on -- had thought about going to Newark but also realized that Monday is a bank holiday so imagine they have other plans -- to go to Erie or Ravenna or someplace or possibly have company in Newark.  There are so many things going on this fall up thru the middle of Nov.

Dad did have a call from Kim in Korea and wants a letter from us saying that Mie Young is needed to speak at a church meeting -- only way she can be allowed out of Korea.  He has her ticket bought but we are to say that her transportation will be paid by or church, etc.  They (Korean government) don't know that he has a US passport which she plans to use once she gets out of Korea as she is only allowed a 30 day visa.  With the way things are in Korea wonder if he just wants her out of there and maybe the rest of the family at other places though they don't have dual citizenships.

We had a pretty heavy frost Sunday night and so the garden is fast going, though I was able to pick more tomatoes, a couple of real small zucchini and over a pint of red raspberries.  The broccoli will last a little longer.

Back to the Loyola Library which is a great place with four floors, and annual reports on some 1000 companies from 1972 on.  Glad that Serena enjoys her work and the people that she works with there in the library.

Just returned from the Mother's Club guest night -- dinner at Washington C.H.  We all ate too much.  The speaker spoke on "Sound" from the invention of the telephone, the radio, T.V., etc., etc. and had taped messages of "highlights" in the news, i.e. when Edward VII (?) abdicated for Wally Simpson, F.D.R. when he said to the effect, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself" and JFK "don't ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country".  The speaker was a member of the 3C Toastmaster Club in Wilmington and they are looking for programs to give.  That is a talent to keep an audience interested.

We have been thinking today of Grandma and Roberta going north to Oregon.  Note that Phoenix is still having 100º plus days.  We are anxious to hear about all the activities on the western front.  How did the vegetables arrive?  (Sorry about the spelling [most of which are typed over] for my fingers do not coordinate with my thoughts and/or vice versa.)

Hard to believe that the Election is just four weeks away.  The paper tonight had a big section on "Christmas Layaways".

[Love, etc.]

1980 Family Letter -Jan.15

January 15, 1980

Dearest Family --

It seems like years since we have written a letter and guess that it has been a long time - way back in last month anyway.  We just got back from Chicago yesterday, after spending a couple of days with Serena which we really enjoyed.  We didn't get to the John Hancock apartment as both of them were spoken for but did get to stay at a different place - called Seven Seven Seven (North Michigan Avenue) which was much handier and not as complicated to reach as the other two.  We could see Loyola (Water Tower Campus) from our 37th floor apartment facing Michigan for Loyola was just across the street and up a little way (midway between the John Hancock and 777)  Serena hadn't gotten our card which we had written saying that we would be in sometime Friday evening but we finally reached her at her apt. and she came down and stayed with us.  Mary Virginia has stayed home as she would have had to miss a basketball game for which her grade would have been docked.  Saturday we took off for O'Hare airport area where the Variety show was being held and then Serena and I went on to a huge enclosed mall near there.  That night we went to see "Life with Father" at McCormick Place theater.  It was a theater in the round and we were on the 2nd row so had real good seats (all same price).  I don't suppose any of you have heard of the actors but Don Ameche was the father and Arlene Dahl the mother so interesting just to see them too.

Sunday we went to Moody Bible Church for a couple of reasons -- John and Carol had given us a subscription to Moody Monthly for Christmas and we had always heard of the Institute and interested in seeing it.  The church is right across from the Museum of the City of Chicago (which we visited afterwards) as well as the Conservatory just down the street a little piece.  We tried to go see Hull House but found it closed again as it is only open weekdays which we seem to forget.  We did some other things and then eventually drove up to Winnetka to a 4* restaurant which was mentioned in the RoadFood book.  It was very good.

The weather on the whole was very good in Chicago except for the gusty winds we had the night we got there.  The window of the drug store near the apt. had been blown out as quite a few others had about the city and several people had been injured from glass and winds.  (-12º chill factor).  But the next three days wee unusually warm - and I had on my long johns!!  But better too warm than too cold.

We left Chicago Monday morning and stopped in Lima to see the Schamauns but had no luck in finding anyone at home or the church but at least got to see both places and noted that the church is to celebrate their 100th Anniversary next Sunday according to the bulletin board.

Got home about 6:30 and so surprised to learn that John and Carol and Steve and a friend had been here for the weekend and so sorry to miss them but guess Ruth and Mary Virginia had managed things real well.  Mary Virginia woke up this morning not feeling very well so stayed home from school.  I talked to Wilma and she said that New Vienna has 91 absent today - and four staff members (75 yesterday) so they are setting records - people with flue symptoms, nausea, etc.  Dad still has the cold he was trying to throw off in Arizona and I finally managed to catch it so we are some combination.

We did enjoy our western trip and getting to see Roberta and Catherine and family - almost seems like a dream now.  Looking forward to seeing the pictures that were taken there at the ranch as well as others.  Haven't gotten any from the Flying E yet either.  That was quite an experience which will be long in our memories!

Do hope that Wendy is feeling much better and not bothered by hives any more.  Will be thinking about Gerry and his first day back at work tomorrow (Wed - the 16th).  Found her play money in our things so will try to remember to enclose it if I remember in time.

Backing up on our trip home from Arizona we enjoyed seeing Carlsbad Caverns - quite impressive and hard to realize that once there was one an island sea in that area.  Our last night out was in Nashville, and from where we drove down to Bell Buckle to see the Webb [?] that MV is interested in attending.  It is in a small town of 350 people and having lunch there in the local restaurant made us feel that we were in NV school.  We also visited the Burnett family in Nashville where MV had visited this past summer.

On the way thru Kentucky we had lunch in Bardstown and saw "My Old Kentucky Home".  Got home that evening in time for the band's spaghetti supper at Ginny's Restaurant on which they cleared around $600 which at least is start toward getting the band financed for their March trip to Washington.  They are going by train from Chillicothe, leaving Wed. P.M. and returning Sunday A.M.

Took advantage of the mild weather today to pour concrete for a truck dock and ramp at the old Farm Bureau Bldg. so that we can use the lift truck in getting things in and out.

We did go square dancing last Tuesday night and had to refamiliarize ourselves with a lot of the basic calls for the Christmas holidays had pushed our limited knowledge back in the corner.  Graduation from the course will be in March.

Last Wednesday night was a Republican meeting, time for all the candidates to get geared up for the Spring primary.  We are curious to see how the Iowa primary goes this next week.  Locally I am circulating a petition for the county commissioner.  I would make a poor politician as I can hardly stand these smoke filled rooms.

Next Sunday is my bride's turn to teach the Sunday School class, on which the basis is James I.  I know she would appreciate your prayers in making the 45 minutes go fast.  We saw a saying, the gist of is "Don't do anything in the dark that you would not do in the daylight."  That in itself could make the basis of a lecture.

Last Friday morning at Lees Creek the rest of the family helped put on the monthly prayer breakfast at Lees Creek and they had a record turnout of some 50 people.  M.V. is a big help in calling up people about going to things.  For a particular reason she is counting the days until her 16th birthday, i.e. driving.  That will help a lot in transportation.

[love, etc.]

1969 Catherine's Letter -Apr.27

4-27-69

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

Hi!  Here it is less than eight months until Christmas.  Won't be long, eh?  How's the garden coming?  Have you got lots of beans, tomatoes, and broccoli planted?

We've had two beautiful days both of which I had to work unfortunately.  Today it is overcast, we're supposed to have thundershowers later, so I'm sitting here in my pajamas getting caught up on correspondence.

Gerti has gone to see her parents.  They are staying in the Essex Inn which is across the street (coming this way) from the Conrad Hilton.  We thought they were coming late Friday so we took our time coming home from work -- crossed the tracks and walked over through the park on the other side of Columbus Drive.  Now that the trees are getting greener and the flowers are beginning to bloom it is really pretty.  They haven't started Buckingham Fountain yet but I understand when they do it is just for a few hours in the evening.  At least with Daylight time we'll have an extra hour of daylight after we get off work.

We got back here and had just put the leftovers in the oven and the soup on when her parents called.  They were here and why didn't we have dinner with them.  We ate in the Delmonico (Essex Inn's attempt at a dining room).  Only the prices compared with the few other high class places I've been.  Mother, I had lamb chops and mint jelly.  They were pretty good.

Yesterday they all walked me to work.  It was Gerti's day off so she showed them all around Marshall Fields.  They even came in the book dept!  Last night we went to dinner at the Conrad Hilton and it was a great improvement.  Did you say you had eaten there once?  We ate in the Haymarket.  They have these big high back chairs which rise about a foot above your head.  Gives you the real privacy feeling as it is impossible to see anything behind.  Afterwards we went to the Symphony.  Mr. Wanser is a real symphony nut but I'm not quite that hep. 

I like working with the books but I think if I had to do it for the rest of my life I would rather be in a library.  As it is now I work in the paperbacks on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday.  I like that the best.  On Thursday I work in the art and music books.  I have a definite handicap there as I don't know too much about either subject and it is difficult to help.  There are lots and lots of books but they are in absolutely no order and even when a customer asks for a specific book there is no way of knowing whether we have it in stock or where I could find it if we did.  On Friday's I work in the reference books which also includes the financial, science, literature and poetry books.  That isn't much better than art and music.  Another bad thing about those sections is that everybody else who works around in the neighboring sections is on commission and since I'm not I get these looks of hate if I am able to help a customer and don't give them a chance to snatch the sale.  They make 7% of their total sales.  And they're on straight commission -- no salary at all.

Thanks for forwarding the mail.  Mrs. Walker said something about giving you all a Yearbook to send me.  I thanked her for it but I haven't gotten it.  I guess there is no great rush as I can live without it, I was just curious as to what had happened.

I was glad to hear Joe's concert went off well.  My love to you all and to Grandma

Love,

Catherine

1969 Catherine Career-Service clipping -April

Mainly About People

Tina Richards . . . .
Milton Farquhar . . . .
Dr. James M. Read . . . .

Catherine Uible, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold H. Uible of New Vienna, is a student at Kalamazoo College and is enrolled in the College's Career-Services program.  She holds a sales position with Marshall Field & Co., Chicago, Ill.  The program is designed to give the students a chance to gain experience in their prospective careers through on-the-job training.

1969 Catherine Letter -Apr.8

Room 425, Town House Hotel
1229 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois  60605

Tuesday, April 8, 1969

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

Hi!  I hope you all made it home OK.  It was nice you could spend your vacation here -- Gerti and I certainly appreciated everything.

Today I finished my second day in the paperback books section.  I like it there real well -- I just need a map to find my way around.  All the books are categorized according to publisher -- and there are so many . . . .  The ladies I work with are all older but they're helpful and I couldn't ask for nicer people to work with.  Mainly I help people find books, I take telephone orders -- people who want a certain book charged to their account and sent out to them or special orders.  Today I spent about all my "extra" time straightening out the cookbooks and health type books.  The cash register wasn't too hard to master and I'm fast learning what 5% of about anything is.

Tomorrow is my day off.  Pete is coming in to town and we'll probably think of something to do.  We could walk up through old town -- I'm not sure if he's been there or not.  It's supposed to rain tomorrow but maybe it'll blow over or something.

You all made a real impression on the hotel management.  One guy has been kidding me now on when my brother is going to come to live with us.  John, I should have your stamps in a couple days.

I got a letter from Bob today.  Did you remember to send him the cookies?  Thanks.  The letter I got was just mailed yesterday -- so that's pretty quick mail service.

Hope Roberta, Serena, and John hadn't been away from school so long they forgot how to study or anything.  It sounds like a really hard life!

Write soon!

Love, Catherine

1969 Catherine's Letter -Mar.31

Monday, March 31, 1969

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

Hi!  Today I went through the process of being hired.  Ugh!  I'm glad I don't have to go through that every day.  Tomorrow morning I report for training at 8:45 - 5:15.  That runs through Friday.  And then Saturday will be my first day on the job.  I'll work then 9:00-6.  I'll be working in what is called the Young Chicago shop.  It has expensive suits and dresses for the college-aged.  It should all prove interesting.  There are millions of details I could tell you but rather than write I think I'll wait until I see you.  Gerti and I went in together this morning.  We were to be there at 8 so we left here about 7:15 and got there about 10 minutes early.  She is doing (or going to do) some sort of clerical work for Customer Service.  I haven't seen her since about 9 when she went to take the typing test.  The personnel manager of the apparel division talked to me for about an hour, I filled out a bunch of forms, had a doctor approve me medially and was told when and where to report tomorrow.  I was out of there by one.  On the way home I stopped and got my public library card.  When I was there the other day they had the book Preserve and Protect by Drury which I have been waiting for a couple of years to read but today it wasn't on the shelf so I got another book instead.  I've been working on my German some, in addition to reading the book, and writing to Bob.  I talked to him on the phone again Saturday night.  By now he should be in Bethesda.  I hope he got there OK.

In addition to the rubbing alcohol, toothpaste, vanilla, we can can also use some powdered milk, pictures to hang on the wall -- or rather tape to the wall, some containers to keep left-overs in.  Do you have any pot pie pans?  An apron would come in handy, and I could use a new jr. legal pad if there's one around.  I think I have a supply of postcards in one of the desk drawers.  I could use about 20 or so of them.  anything else you can think of in the line of food or otherwise will be much appreciated.

We've been doing a pretty good job of cooking for ourselves so far.  Yesterday for our big Sunday dinner we had pork chops, broccoli, baked potatoes, salad and butterscotch pudding for dessert.  Most of our meals aren't quite that elaborate but we won't starve.

Saturday we went to the Field Museum and the Aquarium.  Gerti hadn't been to either one before.  They are within very close distance.  In fact we can see the museum from the window.  We've driven through Old Town a couple of times with Rich.  It's been so cold though -- it wasn't nearly as lively as it was last summer.  Dad, we also went by the place we ate with those people.  When we walked to work this morning the temperature was 16º but when I came back it had warmed up to 26º.  I hope April brings warmer weather -- it's got to.

We could probably use some baking powder and baking soda if you've got a little to spare.  I want to make some cookies for Bob.

Love,

Catherine

P.S. Kleenex, envelopes (jack envelopes will do).