1991 MV's Letter -Nov.1

 11/1/91

Dear Mom & Dad --

So glad you all called on Sunday!  I have not had the energy or presence of mind to do anything but work, eat and sleep.  I've been tired all along, but about 3 weeks ago the nausea started and I've not felt very well since.  So I'm trying to eat several small meals (which helps) but I still feel pretty rough (normal until 2nd trimester).  So I eat breakfast, lunch #1 about 11AM, #2 about 2:00, Dinner about 4:00 and then a snack about 8:30.  I feel like all I do is eat & cook at home!

I don't remember if Don told you that he will be appointed elsewhere for sure in June because the church will not be able to pay him full time.  So we'll find out where probably late Spring.  Should be interesting to move at 9 months pregnant!

This Friday we're going to Lexington for a concert, spend the night, then Don has a class field trip on Sat. morning.  Then Saturday noon his youth group is coming up to Fayette Mall to eat, shop and go to Lexington Ice Center for skating.  It will be a full day.

Next weekend, Lorraine, husband & baby are coming to visit for the first time.  I think they're coming Friday Night thru Sunday.

I think Don told you that we got some inexpensive unfinished furniture that we plan to put together this week, then he will paint, to kind of replace the stuff which my missionary friend loaned us.  I am anxious to see what it looks like.

Guess that's about all -- looking forward to your visit whenever you can come.  We'll be up Christmas day and probably stay until Friday.

Love --

M.V. & Don 

2000 Ginny's Letter to Roberta -Oct.10

 

Ginny

10-10-00

Letter

to you!

Dear Aunt Roberta,

Hi, how ya doing?  Thanks for the stamps.  (and the pictures!)  I'm working on sending everybody at lest 2 letters a month.  I've already sent Kate 2.  I can check you of my list.  Tell Uncle Sid I said hi! By!

Love,
Ginny

(P.S. I have to put a heding on my paper at school.  So I thought I would do it to you.)

1998 MV's email -Nov.9

Well . . . a celebration . . . finally have made it through the 93 emails we had waiting for us when we got back on line almost a week ago, not to mention the ones we've received since then.  Sorry to those of you who received more jokes than you ever care to think about – just hit the delete button . . . . you wouldn't believe how many I DIDN'T send on!

To bring you up to date on things . . .
My friend, Susan who was admitted to the hospital Wednesday night with severe back pain was released Thurs. with the diagnosis of a ruptured disc and bulging disc (in two different spot).  She starts PT on Monday and will be off work a minimum of 4 weeks – probably longer.

Had a good meeting in Cincinnati this weekend and they kept us very busy, but some good ideas to bring home and some excellent speakers.  Keynote speakers were Cynthia Hale (Decatur, GA Ray of Hope DOC church – excellent black female preacher).  Michael Slaughter (?) pastor of Ginghamsburg UMC near Dayton, and Juan Carols Ortiz, hispanic pastor at Crystal Cathedral.  It was called Evangelism Connections and would certainly recommend it – sponsored by 7 different mainline denominations.  Certainly helped having my friend Susie (Lackey) along for the good company and that she did ALL the driving.  It was so fun to have her along not having to worry about logistics.

Christian is at my side TRYING to reach the keyboard . . . he has mastered pretty well the art of crawling – we weren't sure that he would – and can certainly pull up on nearly anything.  I wouldn't be surprised if he's walking by his first birthday next month!

Ginny is fine . . . really excelling at school, including spelling, which gave her FITS to start with.  One of the things her teacher emphasizes is memorization, esp. scripture.  For Christmas they are doing Luke 2 (the whole chapter) and she's got it down with the exception of one or two glitches.  Just amazing!

Looking forward to Mom, Dad, Serena and Catherine's visit next week, although relatively brief!  Catherine (my oldest sister) is flying in from AZ to Ohio, meeting up with Mom and Dad and will be coming here to meet up with Serena who lives in Asheville, NC.  All to spend the night with their favorite youngest sibling.

Christian is (finally) getting tired and I better move on.  Promise to write more personal stuff and send less jokes in the upcoming weeks!  Hope this finds all of you healthy and happy.  Always glad to hear from any of you.  Love, MVUC

1996 Crowson Family Photo

1996 Reunion at Izaak Walton Inn, Essex MT near Glacier National Park -July

1996 Kate & Ginny go to the zoo -June

1996 Ginny & Kate at the Cincinnati Zoo - June

1994 MV's Father's Day Card

Mary sends a Father's Day card to Dad in 1994. Regarding Don's Ordination HH wrote in his diary on June 7, 1994: "We left at 1PM for a 2½ hour drive to Morehead KY for Don's ordination as an Elder.  We had room at Super 8 Motel.  Hard rain en route.  Hard to keep Ginny still during the service."

1994 MV's Father's Day Card to HH

Hope you enjoy lots of happy hours with your new limb cutter!  We look forward to seeing you in Estes Park shortly.

Thanks again for coming to Don's ordination last week.  We were glad to see you folks!

Love, M.V., Don & Ginny

2003 Ginny & Christian Father's Day card to Grandpa

 2003 Father's Day card to HH signed by Christian, Ginny & MV

I Love You –Christian

Love ya lots! –Ginny

Sorry we're not there to celebrate in person, but hope you have a wonderful day!  We're looking forward to seeing you in July. –Love MV

1994 MV's Mother's Day Card

1994 MV's Mother's Day Card

Sorry we were not able to be with you even on Mother's Day we but know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, especially for your speedy recovery.  We're so glad you're back home, safe and sound.

Ginny is doing fine and is inching her way toward toilet training.  We've sung Happy Birthday more times than I care to count to more people and things (todays objects we sang to were her slippers and car seat . . . .)  Wouldn't candid camera have fun with that!

Our Mother/Daughter banquet was tonight at Somerset, wish you could have been there.  They did a hat theme with awards plus hats off to mothers with tributes to 6 prominent women in the group by their daughters and/or granddaughters.  The Methodist Men always cook & serve the meal – tonight they had Romaine salad, mixed fruit, chicken cavatine, gnocci [sic] & bread sticks, eggplant permesan [sic] (could have left that off!) and cherry cheesecake.  One of the men is quite a gormet [sic] and heads it up each year.

I was at a loss as to what to get you for Mothers Day as I was trying to think of something that might be useful while you recuperate (if Dad ever lets you be still . . .) I am enclosing two blank books.  You may use them however you like – a suggestion might be to record your life story for your own enjoyment and to pass on to your children and grandchildren et al.  I would be glad to type & Make copies for each child, but I think (know) it would be very meaningful and helpful to us.  Especially regarding your parents/siblings whom J.B. and [I] never knew and the oldest three ever so briefly.  This is just a suggestion.  It is your present to do with as you like.

Well, it is late & I better close.  Sorry not to see you this weekend but hopefully soon.  We go see our new parsonage (and church) 5/17.  Address forthcoming.

With all our love ––
Mary Va, Don & Ginny

PS [Paragraph about a suicide victim who had recently been arrested is not included here.]

2003 I Witness News -May 4

Mary's children's choir performs a big show in May 2003.  Ginny's name is mentioned as a soldier in "We Know Your Spies", on both of the inside pages and as a member of the choir on the back page.  Mary's name is not mentioned but I'm guessing she was the instigator, director, producer, motivator, and much more.

1994 MV's letter -Apr.26

4-26-94

Dear Mom & Dad

Welcome Home!  I am enclosing the fax I sent you, just in case – for some reason – you did not receive it in the hospital.  (If you did not, please let me know!)

How was the remainder of your trip?  Were you able to see much?  So sorry to hear of your fall but hope you got excellent care there.  It will certainly make it more memorable, right!

We have had unseasonably hot weather – in the 70's and 80's and Ginny is already getting a tan from playing outside and over the weekend.  Don went to Ichthus last weekend so Ginny & I played outside quite a bit.

I got my new contacts and glasses a couple of weeks ago.  I'm real pleased with the glasses but the contacts have not been good at all.  The more I wear them the more headaches I get, so I'm taking them back.  He had tried (something new) putting a regular lens in my eye with the bad astigmatism and it just caused too much eye strain.

I am thinking about applying for the job at Trinity Hill, but much will be contingent upon where Don gets moved.  Mainly I'm just tired of driving – this week alone I will have to spend 4 nights in Somerset.  Part of it is just time of year – at Trinity Hill I would only have to direct three choirs, which would be a nice change.  But it may be another four weeks + before we have any news about where we'll move.

This Friday night we'll have the annual lock-in for the children's musical – they rehearse the first couple hours, then have pizza and movie and go to be at 11:00.  And then they rehearse an hour in the morning before going home.

Ginny's favorite song this week is "Happy to You" (Happy Birthday) which she sings to nearly everyone she knows.  We always sing first to Baby Austin, a 9 mo. old boy in the church nursery who she calls "cutie-pie."  She got hold of the ToysRUs catalog and found the swings and slides which she went wild over.

4-27-94
Think I'll wind this up and get it in the mail . . .  Even though there is no mail service today in memory of RMN's [Richard Nixon, passed away April 22, 1994]  funeral.  Dis J.B. go?

We're hoping to come to New Vienna and on 5/5 and depart afternoon of 5/7.  We had talked briefly with JB about maybe meeting them for lunch on 5/6 and then you could go on to Newark for Kate's birthday party on 5/7.  We'll work out details next week after you're home and gotten some rest.

Love to you both!
Mary Va, Don & Ginny

2003 Young Author – Ginny

2003 Ginny (center) featured in Clipping -Apr.23

Young Authors

Each year students at each school are selected to represent their grade levels in the Young Georgia Authors competition.  Students also complete at the system and State levels.

Students selected from Hillcrest Elementary School were (l to r) Turner Gruber, fourth grade, Ginny Crowson, fifth grade, and Alex Peebles, third grade.  Ginny and Turner were also system winners and will advance to the State level.  (Special photo)

1994 MV's Fax to England -Apr.20

Conquest Hospital
Cookson Area

TO PATIENT JEAN B. UIBLE

Dear Mother,
We were so sorry to hear of your fall and surgery but hope you are feeling much better by now.  We send our love and you have been in our prayers.  I had called Georgialia to ask her to let your group know and when Ether Salisbury heard she called G.G., so that is how word got to New Vienna.  Hope you are comfortable (relatively speaking) and the food is not to awfully bad.

My Chancel Choir cantata went extremely well on 4/9  & 10, and I made a copy of the tape for you folks which I'll get to you when you get home.  My senior adult group is nearly ready to do their musical on 5/8 pm and the children will be ready by the time 5/22 rolls around.  It is a busy time of year, but the summer should compensate a bit for it.

Ginny's growth has slowed up but her vocabulary and sentence structure continues to grow; the only time her words are illegible is when she gets extremely excited.  This morning she put her "chickie" to be on the arm rest of the car (en route to Somerset), instructed it to go to sleep, patted it on the back and sang Rock-A-Bye Baby (the whole way through).  Her favorite song this week is Happy Birthday which she calls "Happy to you."  She also enjoys going for  a walk to see the dog that lives at the end of the street and picking dandelions that have already gone to seed.

Don is at the Dr. this afternoon for a check-up.  His coughing has cased and he seems much better.  I think knowing that he will be moving in June has relieved much of his stress and so his health has improved.  The D.S. has talked to him about possibly taking the church at Burnside so that I can my job here.  Jack Brewer will become a D.S. in June, but does not know where yet.  There will be lots of moves in the conference this year and nothing will be definite until appointments are made the second week of May.  With Jack leaving, that will man that I have the most seniority of the full time staff, which is not where I thought I'd be at this point.  The Music Director at Trinity Hill UMC (Lexington) is leaving in June to go back to school;  I've thought about applying for it but a lot of it is contingent upon where we move in June.  The position at Trinity Hill would would be about the same salary but direct 3-5 choirs instead of everything I'm doing here.  It would be nice to be in Lexington and there are some classes I wouldn't mind taking which I need before I could start on a Doctoral degree.

We had a real nice trip to Macon and visit with the Smiths.  Ginny traveled very well and the only trouble we had was she started vomiting as we drove through downtown Atlanta on I-75.  We may try to go to see them again in August as I have gotten Don tickets to a Braves baseball game for his (surprise) birthday present.

I'm thinking about possibly coming to New Vienna to visit after you get home but we can discuss that when you are stateside.  Tell Dad hello and not to drag you all over England if yo are dismissed from the hospital early.  You are in our thoughts and prayers and wish that we could visit you (it would be a nice excuse to take a holiday to England!!).  Maybe for your 50th anniversary . . . .  I'm running out of room and need to pick up kids for after school choir.  Today is 4/20.  Sending this 4/21 a.m.  P.M.

Love –– Mary Va. – Don – Ginny

1994 Mary's letter -Mar11

12:30 PM 3-11-94

Dear Mom & Dad –

Ginny is watching BARNEY so I have 30 minutes to get some writing done!  Her newest Barney-ear is a pair of Barney slippers (at least on size too big) which she had to put on before dinner last night!

Thanks again for the sweet birthday card and check!  I used the check for my annual dental cleaning and to get some new underwear.  The birthday party in Wilmore went well, there were several people from Emmaus there, Ginny Bowles, Leah Davis and four people from Somerset.  Diane & Frank came along with decorating & having the food ready.  They even brought a dozen dead roses arranged nicely in a vase.  It was a nice evening.

Don said Wendy called & left a message that everything was fine and "by the way" she had gotten a car!  Since it was a message we didn't get any details.

Don went to Knoxville today for a member who's having surgery today.  It was a nice but cool day so Ginny & I went for a walk after lunch.  She enjoys listening for birds & touching the pine trees.

Our daffodils & tulips are coming up but don't look like they'll be blooming very soon.  It was cold here this week but not enough to cancel school or stop anything.

The church is about to get a new PC - a Packard Bell 486SX (5¼) as they need a more efficient machine with more memory.  Rumor has it they may put the old one in my office as I have some software I'd like to use to keep track of my music library.

Barney's over, so we'll close for now.  You are welcome to visit anytime that you can make it down.  We'd be glad to have you (especially for Easter).

Love, Mary Va, Don & Ginny

2004 Ginny's Thank You Note -Jan 23

2004 Ginny's Thank You Note -Jan 23

1-23-04 [or 1/8/04]

Dear Grandma & Grandpa,

Thank you soo much for the awesome Christmas presents!  I love them!  I especially like the radio.  I can use it when I take Duke for walks.  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Love, Ginny

1994 Roberta Letter -Jan.30

1/30/94

Dear Folks,

Don't panic – but then don't get in the habit of hearing from me twice in 1 week – thru the US Mail!  Actually I'm still in shock over our most recent phone bill.  Between Wendy's last week in 'BRIT' – as she says & Christmas our phone bill hit an all time high!

We just got recent pictures of Miss Ginny included w/ a birthday card for Sid – She sure does take a great picture – I had forgotten how blond she is.  She is a happy & smart looking child.  I sure appreciate Mary VA & Julie keeping me supplied w/ recent pictures of young generation!  I'm looking forward to the photo opportunities we will have at Estes! 

Cris H called today – he wanted to know final Amt – tho not due till end of June he wanted to send now so that July would seem closer!  I told him he could keep it in his Acct – instead of mine – so we'll see.  They bought a new (to them) car – 88 Buick – so they will drive to Estes.  Still unsure about Angela's graduation date!

Do you remember my friend Margaret Kaps – she & her daughter were at our wedding.  Her husband a serious diabetic – toes would fall off.  He died while I was in NYC in September.  She always wanted me to go to Garden Grove [also known as the Crystal Cathedral, which is now owned by the Catholic Church] to Schuller's conference –  well, to make a long story bearable – we are going to all day conference March 10th.

I called the 800# & it was unreal all the prices & seatings, meals – etc. available – from $49 to $225.  We went with $79 seat but  NO meals, not the $30 breakfast w/ Zig & $50 lunch w/ Larry King – or the $15 reserved parking.  We will take the bus down & walk to the AZ Center for lunch (under $5).

Guess who the last speaker of the day is?  George Bush!!  We feel like it's great value to hear all the speakers for $79.00.  Besides I can use it for business expense.

It's late – Love, Roberta

1993 Postcard to Wendy June 28

Mark Twain's Boyhood Home postcard, Hannibal MO - mailed 1993  Captioned: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was born in Florida, Missouri in 1835.  He spent his boyhood years in this house on Hill Street in Hannibal.  From his experiences in these early years came the tales told in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, two of his best-loved novels.  Photo by Chick Smith.  [Lawson Mardon Post Card 1992]

1993 HH/JBU Postcard to Wendy June 28

Monday, June 28, 1993

Dearest Wendy,

Stopped in Rolla, MO on our way to Branson with G'dad & 39 others from in & around New Vienna including Aunt Mary Horton.  Uncle Bill didn't come with us.

Took Ginny to Georgetown KY yesterday where Mary Va's friend took her to Williamsburg.

Much love to you & your family, G'dad & G'ma Uible

1993 Family Letter - May 19

This letter in ALL CAPS seems a bit "LOUD" but still glad to have the letter. Speaking of letters, I've been wishing we had more of the 1953 era letters. There are three possibilities… 1 – They weren't written; 2 – they weren't saved; or 3 – I haven't found them yet. Hoping for the latter! Transcription (in lower case) of this 1993 letter follows.

Wed., Mary 19, 1993

Dearest Family –

It's been quite awhile since we have written to all of you but hope we get a letter off now while Dad goes over to see G'ma.  I brought the car down here so he could take off quicker (and I might play solitaire on the computer (haven't won a game since they told me how fun that is - fireworks & all).  I did copy some things so am now trying my luck again using the computer to better advantage.

Can't remember wen we last wrote but know it has been a long time.  We did enjoy seeing John , Julie and especially little Kate when she was just a few hours old on May 6th. Then a couple of days later we went down to Williamsburg to see the Crowsons and were there when the Bishop and the District Supt. came to Don's country church  to dedicate the new addition.  The Bishop said it is most unusual to not consecrate a church structure and then dedicate it later when it is all paid for but this was paid for right along.

Everyone was very impressed with all the dignitaries there and Don did an excellent job and Mary Virginia sang well as always.  Of course incidentally we enjoyed seeing Ginny too.  She is doing more and more things and will soon be walking - she moves from place to place by hanging on now.  She is a real good eater and so god natured.  Wish we could see them more often but do get to see them oftener than we did the Morgans when Wendy was that young.

Yesterday Dad had an all day meeting in Lancaster so John arranged a ride for him to Newark and I drove to Newark after dropping him off at his meeting place.  So I spent the rest of the day with Julie and little Kate or Katie.  She was much more wide awake and I tried to let Julie get some needed rest but Katie was awake and especially hungry.  She is adorable too and so tiny but has gotten a good start.  They take her to the Doctor Friday so we're anxious to get more details then. They have gotten so many cards and flowers.  The house is filled.  The nursery is loaded with gifts.  Mary Virginia sent up things that Ginny had out grown too so we added to the room.

The Hortons arrived Monday after stopping to visit friends on the way up and also the Crowsons unannounced.  M V had a big children's program at the Somerset church so know how delighted she must have felt to have company waiting for her.  Aunt Mary said how organized she is and helpful Don had been meeting them and leading them to their house.  The Hortons always seem to come at a busy time - busier than usual for the Crowsons are always busy.

Anyway the Hortons found G'ma real good and are back in the swing of things at the Senior Citizens' - they had mad reservations there for lunch on Tuesday (yesterday).  Some days G'ma is so wide awake and talkative and other days like last Sunday we couldn't get her awake enough to eat and barely drink a little.

Dad will soon be stopping for me so better close so I'll be ready when he stops - I'll try to add notes to each .

I forgot to mention that we did go to Dayton for the Ohio Bar Meeting and saw the Goodings Thursday night and glad that Serena was able to meet us on Friday evening.  She is super busy but we ate at a nice restaurant that was new to all of us.

[Love, etc.]

1993 MV's letter - Feb. 23

MV writes a letter a few days before her birthday. Front page scanned, entire letter transcribed below.

2/23/93

2:30 PM

Dear Mom & Dad –
Right now I'm sitting on the playground of the Primary School in Somerset!  It's FREEZING I imagine the temperature in the 20's . . . . We are here each Tuesday; My afterschool group is grades 2&3 and go to 2 different schools.  The first School dismisses@2:15, the second at 3:07.  The first week we met, we were on the church van the whole time between.  Since then I've gotten wiser & we go to the playground until 2:50 then to school #2.  One day it rained, but otherwise it's been a good plan.  Today's a bit chilly.

Ginny has a terrible cough/cold.  It started 2/19 z- she felt bad and ran a fever for a few hours.  Since she's been congested and wants to sleep a lot.  I've not taken her to the Dr. as I keep thinking it might be related to her teething, but thus far thee is no sign of new teeth.  She has been enjoying cheerios, Rice Krispies, Green Beans & anything else non-spicy that she can gum to death.

Don is taking a "church planting" class at ATS for his required Continuing Education.  He's really enjoying it and you never know when it might come in handy.  For his project he is writing a proposal to plant a church in S.W. Somerset.

I got our Tickets from Phx–Lubbock last week – we will leave for Lubbock @1:30 PM on Monday, so I think we may go to Mesa Sunday PM & possibly spend the night with them.  Just for reference, I'll be bringing Ginny's portable play pen, which she can sleep in on the trip.

We continue to be happy with our Honda – the only problem has been getting it licensed with the Co. Clerk's office.  Each time I go tot he C.H. with the papers they tell me I need something else. Tomorrow I hope to make my 4th and final trip.

Thanks for the birthday money.  I've used it to buy some new clothes and a couple books I've been wanting.  Wish we were with you in Guatemala (warm!).

With our love – The Crowsons

1993 Ginny's Baptism

Ginny was baptized on Sunday, January 10, 1993.