1960 Christmas photo of CJU & GHU

 

Christmas 1960 -- Florida
Gladys Hiestand Uible & Cecil J Uible

1991 Christmas Photo -Dec.25

Don & Mary, John & Julie, Serena, and Grandma - Christmas 1991

 

 

Dec. 19, 1971

Dear Grandma,

Hi!  We're here on the plains Illinois prairie having a good time.  Eureka has about 2500 people so it's slightly larger than N.V.  There is also Eureka College and I guess Ronald Reagen went to college here.

We really appreciated the Christmas money.  We put it right to work by buying two records and going out to dinner at a place called Mr. Steak.  There's still some money left -- maybe we'll buy some dogfood.  Ha!

Tell Marianne and Larry, Cris and Rob "Hi" for us.  We'll be thinking about you all on Christmas.

Love,
Catherine & Dick

1981 GHU Postcard -Dec.81

 [End of December, 1981]

The last card from '81.  We are having a shower for a change.  Weather extra nice the past week.  We are invited to Len & Mildred's for dinner this evening & will be eating on the porch so hope it continues warm.  Tues. we all went to Disney World except Bill & had quite a day among all the people.  The gate closed at noon.  We arr. at 10:30 & back home at 1 Wed.  The boys took turns pushing me.  We drove to Lantana to see the trees, etc. Mon. evening & of course moved through another crowd.  Red'd the Christmas News J. yesterday evening & it will take a while to look through al of the pages.  Cris & Angela will be leaving Sat.  Cris has books with him to read for school but hard to settle down to them.  The Cat is also along & he is doing nicely loves to watch a Squirrel which plays in the side trees.  It is time to take the Christmas ornaments down again but Mary is in no hurry so may be next week.  Had a note from Roberta along with a picture of Charlie on a mail box.  He is not small, so I wonder how big he will grow to be.  I think we have enough dogs in the family.  Thanks again for all the Christmas Greetings.  Wishing you all a "Good & Happy New Year."  -- Grandma

1961 Catherine's postcards -Nov.24,25

 

[postmarked Nov. 24, 1961]

Dear Everybody,  (Reply or Ripley?)

It is now 8:15 and we just ordered our food.  I ordered wheaties, orange juice, and milk.  We listened to Bob Hodson.  We are now in Berea at 11:45.  The car heater doesn't work so it was slightly cool in the car.  This is the pen Roberta gave me.  This is Serena's pencil. 

Love,

Catherine

Note from GHU: Harold do you remember whether the sink faucets were opened?

* * * * *

[postmarked Nov. 25, 1961]

Dear Everybody,

We have now gone 753 miles.  This morning for breakfast I had pancakes.  We crossed the Tennessee River and it was so foggy I didn't see any water.  We listened to WLW and Cadle Tabernacle this morning.  We ate lunch in Griffen at Dennis the Manis [Menace?].  We went through Roberta this afternoon.

Love,
Catherine

1991 Roberta's letter to GHU -Oct.27

 

10/27/91

Hi Grandma!

The cats must know I was going to write you -- they just jumped up on my lap & the table!  I know if you were here you would get after then with a newspaper!

Sid got back last night from Indiana -- visiting his daughter who teaches school & her family.  They really appreciate his visits because he takes his tools & fixes things in & around the house!

It poured down RAIN today -- over 1½ inches!  There was a small group in Church -- Snowbirds haven't arrived yet!

This week is our Halloween party -- I still don't know what to dress up -- what costume to wear!  I remember when you were here & you dressed up as a COACH -- with ball cap & whistle.

I'm going to send you pictures I just got back -- plus tell Sadie she can have the one with you & her in it.  Please give the rest to Mom & Dad.  The one of MAGS close up is a good one.  Also I like the one of Serena & you.  Of course I'll put one in of Mozart the cat.  Beethoven was hiding when I had my camera out.  I'll send copies to Aunt Mary too.

We got free tickets today for an opera -- it was all in Italian -- about a sleepwalker!  I justs about fell asleep in it!

I'll see you in January -- hope this finds you well.  Did you know any answers to the Cat Quiz?  Remember when I trimmed Beethoven's whiskers?  I'll need to borrow your winter coat!

Love,

Roberta, Sid & Cats

1981 Roberta's Letter to GHU -Oct.20

Monday PM 10-20-81

Dear Grandma,

Hi!  Thanks for your letter -- and YES I sure know what you mean by "every day seems to be full."  I'm glad to hear of Joe's visit -- glad that all of you got up to see John & Carol.  Wish I were close enough that you folks could have driven over to see me too that day!!

We went up to the cabin yesterday just for the day.  Was really a beautiful day.  We put anti-freeze in the toilets & all the water lines -- sure don't want the plumbing to freeze up there!

It looks like now I'll be moving next week -- but then I've said that for the last few weeks!  At this point I've got most stuff moved over there! -- Except for the furniture -- and that we plan to have it professionally done!!  With the truck I've really been able to haul over the boxes of stuff -- plus much small pieces!

Remember us going to the hospital to see Marilyn -- who had been in since 12th July?  She died last night -- a memorial service is going to be at the Senior Center -- where I met her -- I'm to give a short talk -- sure not looking forward to that!!

Yes -- it has gotten very COLD here -- I've had my winter coat out -- but then sometimes during the day I've been out in shorts!

Hi to All --

Much Love,

Roberta

1981 Catherine & GHU letter -Sep.14

 

Monday, September 14, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad and Mary,

Hi!  It was nice talking to you all yesterday.  Roberta and Grandma seem to be doing fine.  Wendy has been pestering Grandma ever since they got here.  Her favorite thing seems to be dancing with Grandma by holding her hand and twirling around etc.

Roberta and I went to the store and bought some things to eat for the next couple nights.  We bought fish for one night and rabbit for the other.  Care to join us Mother for the rabbit?  We had thought we might go out to dinner at Wong's with them but it turns out they are closed for a week's vacation until Thursday and there is no place else decent to eat except by driving a long ways.  Perhaps we will go out for lunch.

I don't have anything going on this week until Wednesday night which works out well.  Gerry has a meeting tomorrow night -- a planning meeting for the 25th Anniversary.  I have Bunco on Wednesday.  I worked all day Saturday on the Bookkeeping and got the profit and loss statement for August done for the Club.  The Lodge I only have to do a statement every three months so I will have that to work on next month.  This is the week that we turn the bulletin in to the printers so we will have that to work on probably the first of next week getting them all addressed etc.  We did get a new ribbon for the addressograph machine since last month and does that ever make a difference.

We did get your last letter on Friday as well as the two letters for Grandma.  However, the reference to the pictures was puzzling since you did not enclose any pictures.  Did you send them to someone else?  We bought some more film so hope to get some pictures while Roberta and Grandma are here.  I meant to mention to you about the lack of pictures when I talked to you but forgot.

Time to go . . . .

Love, Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

* * * * *

[From GHU, presumably the same day -- Sep. 14, 1981]

Dear Folks -- Mon.-morning

The day is on the way.  C. is on her way to work -- Gerry has left.  Roberta is doing laundry & Wendy is watching TV.  She didn't go to school [day care] to-day.  Roberta & W. plan to walk down town after while.  It is a beautiful day.  Roberta & I had a nice trip so far.  She says her head is still going a-round.  You will find enclosed the letter from Joe and a picture.  

Roberta wonders if Wendy ever stops talking but to me she is normal -- just thinking out loud & entertaining herself.  She has a row of cute freckles across her face & nose.  Sorry our cards did not arrive so you may get several at once.  Our plans are to leave here Wed. morning early.  So will not go into telling about our trip as it would take a lot of writing.  

Rec. a receipt for Refrigerator from Sr. Citz. Sec'y so wondered if it was placed ready for use.  Sorry to hear that Serena is having knee trouble.  Could it be her feet (arch) causing the pain?

Love to all --Mother

[note from Roberta] Wendy still hasn't quit talking.

1981 GHU postcard -Sep.11

 

Caption: GLACIER BAY NATIONAL MONUMENT offers some of Alaska's most spectacular Glacier scenery.  A cruise in Glacier Bay affords one view of whales, eagles and other species of wildlife.

Sept.11 - Yesterday was quite a day.  Rainy & OH the going became very rough.  After lunch the waves we were told were 20 ft with them splashing all around.  So we took a pill & went to bed & I stayed there & felt fine.  Roberta thought she was having a bad time for a while but was able to go to the late show for by 8 o'clock the waves became normal.  It seems as if we were on the ocean part for awhile.  Only a few came down for dinner.  We had instructions for suitcases to be outside of door by 12 tonight.  We leave the ship by noon to-morrow.

We are in the 4th bunch to leave so that is fine.  We will dock at 9 A.M.  It has been a nice trip.  Went to see the picture "Going in Style" this afternoon.

Love, Mother

1981 GHU postcard -Sep.10

 

Caption: SITKA, ALASKA, Main Street, St. Michael's Cathedral, a Russian church in the center of Stika, is undoubtedly the most interesting relic of the Russian period in Alaska history.

Sept. 10

Just finished breakfast 9:30 A.M. Roberta left early for Sitka to see a daughter of someone in Sr. Citz. group & is to return later for the boat is anchored near Sitka until noon.  I didn't go for it is not worth the effort for we are still having misty weather.  Last night we sure did have a taste of rough sea going.  There were 4 Dram. tablets left on our dresser while we were attending a program given by the Boys from Polinicia [Polynesia?] 10:30 PM.  We had been viewing the picture show 5 Seasons from 8-10 PM so that worked out fine.  But hard upon getting sleep.  I do hope the sailing will be better from now on.  The sun is trying to peep now.  At Juneau a group left & another group joined us.  The glaciers are quite a sight.  The waves are rolling along with white caps & I know that they mean rough riding.  They are nice to watch.  You may get cards all at once.  Love, Mother

1981 Roberta's Letter -Sep.9

                         

[9/9/81]

Wednesday pm

(10:00)

Dear Family --

We just got here -- have good seats for the 10:30 show (see program) -- just got out of the movie (FOUR SEASONS) about half hour ago.  G'ma & I sure keep busy!  As Vera would say -- 'go to bed & get up the same night.'

Today was a beautiful scenery day -- we got a good view table at 9:00 (for B'fast)  & kept it till 1:30 -- (after lunch).  tonight was the special Dutch meal -- we all wore little hats -- really crazy!  I took my #3 picture -- of 36 --

Still hard for me to believe I'm changing jobs when I get home -- esp. w/the idea of moving -- AGAIN -- on top of that!  Didn't want to keep the house & try to rent it out -- also afraid to keep it -- w/ the prospects of not liking the job -- since the 1st year is going to be the hardest!  Will be interesting to get the people in there -- hoping to get the 1 house filled w/ people by Oct. 1st -- so can get community backing -- thus hope to crank up alot donated things -- from furniture to linens for the other 5 houses.  They are beautiful homes -- each w/ a grassed fenced in back yard.

Think you also asked me about what title I would have -- PROJECT SUPERVISOR -- I'm working for Maricopa County -- LONG TERM CARE.  This project is the dream of one of the County Supervisors.

Rough waters predicted tonight -- they gave complimentary Dramamine pills --

Did I tell you all we had complementary flower arrangement (fresh) in our room when we arrived -- from Travel Agent.  Many agents gave their people free bottle of wine, etc.  So good choice -- the flowers!

Very cold today -- 50º -- I only went outside & back in to get the Hot Chocolate --

Will try to call you from Oregon --

Love to All,

Roberta

1981 GHU's postcard to Mie Youg -Sep.8

Caption:  ESKIMO TWINS in the Arctic region of Alaska.

 

Sept. 8
We are sitting by a window viewing Glaciers as we travel along.  Sure makes you feel cool.  I have on my wool dress.  Roberta just left to get her stockings on & get a sweater to wear.  A Ranger is making a talk which is interesting.  Now & then the going is just a little rough.  We are getting along fine.

--Love to All
Grandma U.

1981 GHU postcard to MV -Sep.7

Caption: Ketchikan, Alaska  -  an important fishing and lumbering center, is shown in top view with Mission Street below.  On right, the Raven Flood totem, one of Alaska's most colorful, stands at the entrance to Ketchikan's City Park.

 

Sep. 7 -- We are moving right along with our first stop at this town to-day but with the rainy weather we didn't venture off.  Plan to go into Juneau to-morrow.  We go on a boat which carries 80 people.  Last night attended the Captain's party & then a concert which was good with acting by 6 young people.  Oh -- the food.  I am slowing down on that before I have to.  Roberta is swimming in the pool this afternoon.

Love, Grandma

1981 GHU's postcard to John -Sep.6

Caption:  Holland American Cruises - The luxurious s.s. STATENDAM fully air-conditioned and stabilizer-equipped.  24,500 gross tons

 [Addressed to John and the Hortons, 1025 North B.Street, Lake Worth.]

Sun. [Sep.6, 1981]

Missed my church but we did attend a Cath. service 8am before we ate breakfast.  We are enjoying our trip & the sun is giving us a nice day.  The ship living is interesting with more food than I can handle.  Plenty things to do & many people around 850 we have been told.   Plan to take a couple of side trips by stopping at a couple of towns.  Roberta plans to go swimming tomorrow forenoon.  Hop you made the Florida trip safely.

Love to all - Grandma

1981 Roberta's Letter -Sep.6

 [Roberta & GHU on Alaska Cruise]
Sunday AM 7:20 -- 9/6/81

Dear Family,

THIS IS THE LIFE!!  Just got back from my morning tour -- had a cup of tea & ½ cantaloupe    -- my 'before' breakfast.  We plan to go to 8:00 Church Service -- then eat breakfast.

Have met lots of nice people -- some really put on the airs -- people from everywhere --

Grandma enjoying -- can't get over all the food -- but she is eating very good herself!

Vancouver was cold & rainy -- wheelchair didn't make the flight there -- from L.A.  We arrived at 12:15 pm -- it arrived -- at our hotel at 10:00 pm.   We were able to borrow from the airlines one that wasn't too swift -- kind like the old grocery cart that wouldn't go straight, only had small (4) wheels so G'ma couldn't guide it at all.

Lots of orientals in Vancouver -- I had some delicious take-out Chinese food there -- took it back to the hotel to eat.  G'ma had banana, muffin, some plums, etc.  We had eaten 2 good breakfasts on the plane --

Exciting to be here -- too much to do & see as we go --

Need to be going now -- want to watch the dance demo --

Much Love

(& wish all of you were w/us!)

Roberta

1981 Roberta's letter to GHU -Aug.8

 

Friday Aftn.

[8-8-81]

Dear Grandma,

Just pulled my weekly report out of this typewriter . . . so thought I would get a letter off while I've got the typewriter going.  Was sure sorry that you couldn't hear me when I tried to call you.  Some of the problem may have been with our telephone.  It's one of those cordless ones -- no cord between the phone unit and the thing that goes in your ear -- that you hold.  Sometimes the sound is not what it should be.  Anyway, I thank Mrs. Salisbury for coming to my rescue.

The travel agent called me up today -- I had her make reservations for us in Vancouver -- but I'm not too happy at all with the price of the room.  It is $50 a night.  We will stay in Vancouver one night before we take off on the ship and then the night we get back from the cruise.  This weekend I am going to check out some travel books and see about making a reservation myself in a motel there.  This $50 room is a room especially equipped for wheelchairs.  I will keep you posted on it.

I hope that Mary Virginia got down to see you Wednesday morning as to the money involved in plane tickets.  This is sure going to be a once in a lifetime experience for us.  If it is ok I will just send you the plane ticket for your flight here -- keeping here the rest of your tickets -- cruise, and plane tickets from her to Vancouver.  Will keep them under lock and key . . . .

We have alot of exciting news happening at the center.  We are going to have a big wedding here in less than two weeks.  The groom is 84 and the bride is 73.  All the talent in the wedding will be from here -- as to singers, etc.  We have decorating committees, entertainment committees, etc.  I think its the neatest thing.  I might take the excuse to buy a new dress.  Our one problem is going to be space -- the wedding is to be at 11:00 in the morning -- followed by the lunch.  The official announcement was made today -- and everyone was so excited.  It will be the big program for the month.

Vera -- the little old lady staying with us had a spell yesterday with her heart.  We got her to the doctor.  He wanted to put her in the hospital -- but she had no interest in that.  So she is to stay in bed for 48 hours -- and then back to the Doctors on Monday.  We had planned on going to the cabin this weekend -- but now that is out.  I.T. is flying in on Monday tho and Marion and I.T. will be going up there next week.

We got our July electric bill.  I had so hoped I could get it under $100 -- had turned off the hot water heater, using only the clothes line, etc.  But it was $120.04.  I keep thinking what if I was really poor.  Of course during July Marion was here -- and she is never cool enough.  Always wants to have a fan going.

I'm doing some volunteer work for a group called HOSPICE -- they work with the terminally ill.  I have two women I go and visit -- both of them are dying with cancer.  One is not suppose to live more than 6 months more.  Neither of them have a good appetite.  It's really very sad -- but then I feel like I am doing them alot of good so I stick right in there and do my best.

Bet your house seems pretty quiet with the family gone this week.  I talked to both Mary Virginia and Mie Young the other night and they both seemed very excited about going on the trip.  I wish I could meet Mie Young.  She seems like she would be very nice.

It's time I wind this up and get going.  See you in less than a month.  Be sure and bring a cotton dress for Arizona.

Much Love,

Roberta

1971 MV & GHU letters -Apr.7

 [These letters, sent to HH & Jean on their trip to Africa, mistakenly got filed in the August folder instead of April.  Fifty years later, a few months late seems minor considering the quality of the content.]

MV's letter:

April 7, 1971 4:30

Dear Mom and Dad,

How are both of you?  What are both of you doing?  John is good.  Thank you for the card.  We are having a good time.  TV is great.

Love,

Mary Virginia Uible

GHU's letter:

Fri. evening.

Dear Harold, Jean & Joe,

People are trying to think it is spring time the way they dress but it is still cold.  We did have a little shower this evening.  John was about finished with his papers.  Last evening Jennalou Noble passed away.  A bad cold had been with her for over a week.  She died on the way to the hospital.  [She was the second wife of "Doc" Noble, New Vienna druggist from the mid 1920s until the 1960s.  They were divorced in 1959.  She was the mother of Eugene Engel who married Faye McCune.]

Wed. Serena & I went to Hillsboro to see Aunt Mary [Hiestand] I wonder that she is able to get up for she certainly looks frail.  [Mary (1883-Oct.1971) was the second wife of Uncle Harry (1872-1967), GHU's brother.  Mary was also the mother of Helen Carr (1916-2007).]

Mary V. is with us to-night.  Mrs. T. [Thornburg] brought her in about 12:45 as she went to the 1 o'clock service.  So will stay until to-morrow sometime.  Mrs. T. has a hair appointment at 10 & then was going to Hillsboro on an errand.  Mrs. Lynd called & wanted a pyrex oblong pan of yours Jean to make some kind of bread for Tues. meeting.  Mary V. has a nice letter for you.  Enjoyed the cards.  

Had 30 jack letters to-day.  Phyllis said everything seems to be all right.  John meets her at the P.O. at 8 to get the letters.  Hope you are all enjoying every minute & try not to get lost.  I am sure Joe will enjoy having company for a change.

Should have had a letter from Fla. to-day but didn't.

I thought John would write a line but he has been busy with "Uncle Tom" for book review.  We had dinner at Polly's to-day.  Sheffields sandwich for supper & a drink.  I [could be "2" instead of I  -- hard to picture Grandma having a soda!] had a soda.  Catherine sent a card to Mary V. for Easter.  Said she was studying hard.

Love, Mother & Grandma

1981 Roberta's Letter to/from GHU -Aug.1

 

[8-1-81]
Saturday AM

Dear Grandma,

Thanks for your recent letters -- my lack of response -- is not a sign of my lack of appreciation!!

We are both feeling real good -- Marian still walks with a slight limp -- but her leg is coming right along.  She is a very slow walker -- would never win any foot races!

Today being August 1st -- our trip is just a month away.  I must call today & talk to the Travel Agent about when the airline tickets have to be paid.  Sure hope those Air-controllers get their issues settled way before it's time for us to be in the air!!

You asked about money -- my idea is that we would need very little while on the ship.  ALL meals & more entertainment than we could take in will be provided for the 7 days on the ship.  I think they do charge for alcohol -- which is fine -- let the drinkers pay for it!!

We will have the expense of renting a car in Portland -- but we should be able to do that for under $100.  We will be spending 2 nights in Vancouver -- hopefully at a reasonable place.  I'm going to get reservations soon -- if we stayed at the same place (motel) both before & after the cruise -- in Vancouver -- maybe they could keep a box of apples for us -- I know Catherine would appreciate that.

Once at the Morgans -- we will be there 3 days -- we can sleep in their beds & eat at their table.  We could treat them to a meal or 2 out -- or Catherine at the grocery -- and that would be fine.  I'm anxious to see Miss Wendy Jean.  I bet she talks alot -- hopefully tho not all the time!!

At our house -- again you can sleep in our beds & eat here -- hopefully we will get up to the cabin the weekend just before you go home.

I'm having a ramp built for up there -- one of the Red Cross drivers from the center is doing it for me.  He's a real handy man -- He and his wife are going up there the 2nd week of August.

The cabin is really a great get-away -- from this awful Arizona Summer heat!!  Sleeping arrangements there will be no problem!!

Did you watch that Royal wedding -- out here it was 1:30 AM live -- I know some people who actually got up at that time to watch it -- I watched it after & on the Today Show.  Since I have been to London there were alot of sights that looked familiar to me!!

We had to take Buffy to the Vet yesterday -- he's got colitis now -- nervous stomach.  I can't figure out why he has that!  The article you sent was sure good -- Marian enjoyed it alot & sent it on to her folks.  Marian's father always calls Buffy the WORTHLESS ASSET.

It really is a shame you have lost Judy -- sure hope the new woman works out -- it is good that she lives so close!!

My supervisor is quitting -- has taken another job with the county -- when the county has bought 6 houses & will put 6 senior citizens in each house -- people that should not be living alone any more -- but that don't belong in a nursing home.  She (Ann -- my supervisor) will be the project director of it all.  It's a brand new idea -- and I hope it works!!

Due to the Reagan budget cuts -- our budget has really been hit by the axe.  They are not replacing her -- and they are going to have to let 2 other people go -- who work at the downtown senior center.  My center is (& always has) worked with minimum amount of staff.

Direct Services -- for the senior citizens are not being cut -- which is good.  I went to a meeting last night -- on how we would all be affected -- by budget cuts.  I will be taking over about 15-20% of my supervisor's job -- I will now be responsible for all home delivered meals in all of Mesa.  That means to me alot more headaches -- mostly paperwork -- time spent on the phone.

I have spent alot of time in 3 different hospitals visiting people -- Beside Marian being in several people from the center have been in -- most of them without any family here.  I've really gotten into working on crossword puzzles -- have really enjoyed working on them.  I think too that it is helping my vocabulary!!  Marian helps me out on the really hard ones that I can't get!!  Will have to take several ones to take w/us when we travel!!

It's time for me to start my cooking -- Saturday seems to be kitchen duty day for me -- sine Marian isn't able to cook much!  So I try to make a meat loaf -- cole slaw, etc. stuff to see us through the week -- or at last part of the week!

Must go -- give my love to the family -- I don't get the letters written now days!

Much Love,

Roberta

See you in one month.  Hope you can read this!

* * * * *

[on the back of the last page of Roberta's letter, Grandma has written a letter to the family who were then in -- or on their way to -- New Orleans.]

Hi!  Just finished with 12 Jack letters & it is now after 9 so my bed time.  Had a wonderful rain yesterday after-noon & another good shower to-day with my spouts going overboard so called Wendell to come & see about them, said he would in a day or two so that may be in a couple of weeks.  If I get hungry I may sample a box of groceries that Mrs. W. left this evening.  

Phyllis told me she overhead that the $65,000 house was sold for $45,000 to Wayne -- I forget is it Davis?  The family that lives cross wise from you.

Looks as if about the last of the apples are off of my tree so plan to give them to Phyllis tomorrow as she said she would like to have them.  I asked her to stop tomorrow at noon so this letter can get on its way for with Sat. & Sun. coming up you might be leaving before it arrives.  Roberta's letter will be new to part of the family & Mary's card just came today.  Mrs. Moore called on the phone wanting to know if we were all attending the dinner at Highland -- $3.75 this evening said she decided not to go because they would serve more than she should eat in the evening.

Love to all -- Mother & Grandma

1981 Family Letter -July 6

Monday morning

July 6, 1981

Dearest family,

Hope you all had a nice holiday weekend.  New Vienna had its 7th annual celebration.  Mary Virginia and Mie Young were busy both Friday and Saturday there.  The girls' softball team had a booth to make money for their group -- sold donuts and coffee in the morning and chili and ice tea and Kool-aid later in the day.  That and the drill team's funnel cake booth kept Mie Young busy.  The church softball team also made a float (which took 1st in its category) for the parade and Mie Young rode on it and Mary Virginia marched with the East Clinton band.  All day long they had gospel singing groups -- each were given a half hour.  Some you could have listened to longer as others were much too long.  Mary Virginia played for the Sears sisters group and the Rankins (sang one number with Jody) and sang with her own choral group organized from the high school chorus.  Mie Young sang with Judy Henderson and Jerri Mahanes and did real well in a solo number.  They stopped for an hour or so during the parade and then rain came which delayed them pushing all the groups an hour later so MV was late in getting to the square dance held in the street in front of the gazebo.  We danced for about two hours there.  They had about six squares and people seemed to enjoy watching altho I felt awfully conspicuous, especially when our square broke down which wasn't too often but so many people said they didn't know we danced.

The drill team is trying to make money to buy new uniforms so Mie Young was also looking for sponsors -- each uniform is about $110 and she got over $150 in pledges and checks.  And she still had some other people she plans to ask.  Today they are being paid to move books out of the library at the high school while it is being re-carpeted.  Actually they are working for several days but Mie Young has to be back at her summer job at Wells tomorrow.  She and MV are going to be working in the rubber room this week til vacationers are back in the rest of the factory.

It seems like such a long time ago now since last Tuesday when we went up to see John and Carol and Piper.  Mary Virginia also went but Mie Young wasn't able to go as the drill team practiced each day last week working on new routines etc.  We got up there about 1PM and had a delicious lunch with them.  Dad and John took off for the courthouse and other places downtown.  Later all of us got a grand tour of the Park National Bank's remodeling and talked with the vice president and head trust officer who would like to have John in his department.  We had dinner at the Golden Wok (?) where we ate when the Morgans stopped there last March.  Had a real nice day getting back home about 11 PM so was a full one.

Dad has been busy keeping up with the raspberry patch and he picked our first green beans of the year and also peas on Saturday.  I forgot to mention that John and Carol have a real nice garden and gave us some bib lettuce to take home with us which we have been enjoying.  They have so many pretty flowers too all around their house and garage.

Enjoyed all the letters, cards and phone calls this past week -- G'ma got three from Roberta in one day, the same day as we got one which included another letter for her from the East Mesa seniors at the center.  She really had a rough day (Roberta) when she had two teeth pulled, three people a the center fainted from the air conditioner failing to work, another having to be taken to the hospital with a heart attack, losing the air out of one of her tires completely and breaking her backpack on the way home.  Just one of those things is bad enough.  Hope the teeth are ones that you will not miss too much -- you didn't say which ones they were.

Grandma had rather upsetting news when Judy informed her that Sid Clay has accepted a church in Circleville so they will be moving in a couple weeks.  Kim (Susie) Ertel is helping her temporarily but she isn't ideal.  She wants to go ahead on her own which would be good but not always what she wants done like winding G'ma's clock -- she had to move it out of her living-bedroom area as she wound the chimes part too.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill are to arrive sometime this evening for a few days on their way to Uncle Bill's East Springfield reunion Saturday.  Joe is coming to New York to attend art school there for a couple of weeks and he arrives around the 23rd of July.

Yesterday the Sankers came up -- had said they'd get here in time for church and finally arrived at 1PM.  I was rather tired after a full day Saturday that I would liked to have cancelled them out -- was so tempted to call them.  It turned out that Bill had an ad in the paper (Sunday's) to sell a couple of cars so he felt that they ought to be getting back earlier than usual.  Bill said he is quitting the car repair business.  He had just returned from a business trip to Cairo, Geneva and some other places.  We enjoyed talking about the places he had visited and some of the experiences -- like the $5.00 ice cream soda that he enjoyed before he found out the price.

Last Thursday night we went to our regular square dance club meeting, which was special in that it was an all singing/dance calls . . . they are easier for us to follow.

Serena we read in the papers where the bus etc. fare is going UP in Chicago.  NYC is also having their problems in public transportation.  How is the bike riding going?  We would like to get up some weekend but right now it seems impossible to get a weekend that does not have some problems, also thinking about the possibility of combining a Chicago visit with going to Oregon.  So, time will tell.

Finally got our tree pile across the street cleaned up.  Had Pug drag the two BIG logs away and Wayne Davidson came and chopped up the other pieces as our wood pile will rot away before we get it used up at the rate we are using wood.  Wayne really waxes ecstatic over his wood-burning stove he has.  Says if he uses it just this coming winter will have it paid for in the amount of fuel he used in previous years.

We had a damp weekend here and wonder how the campers got along -- there was a steady stream headed for Rocky Fork when we went toward Wilmington on Thursday evening.  Did the Morgans go camping?  With their other activities it is hard to work it in (and have a good place to camp on such a holiday weekend).  The days weren't too wet but seemed like it rained most all the nights.  How are things at Payson, Roberta?  Do hope that all goes well for Marion with her up-coming operation.  We will be thinking about all of you.  Always interested in the temperature outlook for all over the country.

Dad has gone to Wilmington to the Commissioners meeting MY to East Clinton so hope I have talked MV into going to the school to help me with the inventory which I haven't done for quite a few years and needs to be done badly.  She had her breakfast and I an early lunch so should hold us over for a few hours.

The Harners wrote glowingly of their trip west -- went to Marvin Fawley's wedding in San Francisco and on to Seattle for the National Square Dance Convention where they hope to set a Guinness record of 2200 squares for there were about 26000 people there for it.  They are traveling with the Campbells from Dayton -- Stan, Sr.'s sister and husband.

Roberta would you have any brochure or anything to tell about the itinerary of your trip to Alaska?  Grandma didn't even think she would see any more than the Alaska shoreline if that much -- I thought you are scheduled to make several stops.  It doesn't have to be elaborate but she would like to know a little more about it -- not that she doesn't trust you but she has begun to tell people that she is going or planning to go.

With much love to each one of you -- our next letter may be ??? as next weekend -- Sunday we leave for Louisville to attend the National Commissioners Meeting there for a couple of days.  The girls are going to stay by themselves this time.  With their having to be at work at 7 AM I doubt if they feel like too much mischief and Ruth might be more in the way than a help except for having dinner ready for them and clean up the house.

Love again to all of you,

1971 GHU Letter - July 1

 

Thurs. evening [July 1, 1971]

Dear Family --

Another week & perhaps I shall be at home by this time (8:30).  Everyone is gone.  Bill to Lions meeting -- Mary to choir practice -- Robbie to band practice.  I just finished a note to Mrs. Wilson.

We have had 2 or more phone calls from Marianne she has her problems but from now on I think she will be getting along better.  At least I feel better after her call last night.  For they seemed to have so many things to do last week that I did come to the rescue & packed all of her best china & glass ware.  She said not a piece cracked nor broken.  But what to do with it?

I made a call at the Mackey home this afternoon.  Mary had several errands so she dropped me off.  They remarked about my nice Ohio family and Mary V. being a doll in the wedding.  They thought Catherine might still be in High School.  Thought she looked so young.  She & Serena were very attractive girls.  Of course John came in for his share of praise as well as the Horton Clan.  They use to have a friend who taught at Kal. College.

Cris how are times?  Your Sail is still on the boat as your Dad says he has to have a combination to get something open I guess you know what.

If the garden was wet when you arrived home, I take it for granted that the yard needed mowing.  So John keep your account dated.  Then there is a paper bill due this week or next.  Never a let up, is there in bills?

I am still keeping the 8th in mind for checking out & arriving next Thurs. in Cin. at 5:30 unless I hear differently & then I will change my date to suit your plans.  

I tried to go without hose but I soon found out that the air conditioning put too much cool air on my knees.  Oh but it is hot out doors during the day.  I can just see my beautiful sugar trees at home in my mind.  I notice by the paper it is rather warm at home.  

I think Mary is getting cold feet about going to Africa, but yet she wants to see Joe so badly & Bill is just -- shall I say blank?  I wish we could drop in to see Joe & Marianne.

Love,
Mother