1961 Elizabeth Johnson postcards -Dec.

CLINTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE  -  WILMINGTON, OHIO

CLINTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL  -  WILMINGTON, OHIO

Dec. 2, 1961

Dear Catherine,

Are you all settled in school?  It has been rather warm here.

We have been sawing wood for the Furnace.  We got 4 loads this week.  I went to Wilmington shopping Thursday and to W.S.C.S. Friday and to a shower Friday night.

I have talked to your Mother about 3 times this week.  We hope you are having a nice time

Love, Elizabeth

* * * * *

Dec. 9, 1961

Dear Catherine,

Well its soon Mothers birthday again.  Remember last year you were out here for dinner & it snowed & sleeted all day.  Well its the same thing this year.  The radio says every-body stay home.

I am cleaning house & putting up a few Xmas decorations.  I have a new green table cloth.  And I made a white & gold wreath with a big white & gold candle for a center piece.

Love to all, Oscar & Eliz.

1953 Elizabeth Johnson Letter - Mar.14

 

Elizabeth Johnson

New Vienna, Ohio

Sat afternoon 

[postmarked March 15, 1953]

Dear Jean & Harold,

We are having rain this afternoon so we have to stay in.  Roberta is sleeping and Catherine is drying some dishes.  We washed the car yesterday as it was very pretty outside.  Then we went to the barn and Roberta walked right up and petted the calves.  She also caught a chicken.  Catherine was mad because she had been trying all week to catch one & couldn't.  They are both O.K. so far.  I don't believe Catherine is quite so lonesome as she was.  I showed her Oscar's niece's picture and told her that she slept in the same bad and so forth and now she feels like a big girl for the niece is soon six years old.

We had a trip to New Vienna this A.M. and Catherine told me how to go.  She also showed me where she lived and she didn't want to stop or anything so I guess maybe I was just scared she might be getting homesick.

One of our neighbors died Thursday.  He was a very good friend and had helped me so much when Oscar was gone.  He died so sudden it was an awful shock, because although he was 79 years old he was very young acting and such good help.  We certainly are going to miss him.  I want to go to the funeral to-morrow so I went to New Vienna this A.M. and Miss Letty said she would come out & stay with the children.  I hope this was O.K.  I stopped and asked Mildred [Henderson] but they were having company and she is having a spell with her nerves again and all she could do was cry and then that yard is right on the highway so I thought it would be much better to have Miss Letty out here.  We stopped in at the Steeles as I wanted to find out about my report for next Sunday night.  We really had quite a visit all around town.

I was amused at Miss Letty she was very much worried for fear the girls weren't getting along alright way out here.  She said she wasn't very well but she thought it would do her good to sit with the girls.  She even said she would miss church and eat an early dinner so she would be ready.

Well I am out of paper so must sign off.

Love, Elizabeth

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 -Nov.17

 

Monday morning --

November 17, 1980

Dearest Family --

I woke up early so decided to start a letter to all of you rather than just waiting for it to get time to get up.  It isn't as early as some letters I've started but . . . .

Seemed like it had been a long time between our telephone calls, Catherine.  Do hope that Wendy is feeling much better and over her scarletina and/or whatever else she had -- hopefully not strep throat but am sure they would have let you know if the culture had shown that.

We tried to get you by phone several times Saturday morning but no luck, Serena.  Anxious to hear how the root canal work is progressing.  You too, Roberta, if you have done anything about your dental problems.  That is one thing you shouldn't let go, especially if you have dental insurance or can get it done very reasonably like at Northwestern Dental School or in your case, at ASU?  What time do you leave for work on Saturdays?  It seems either too early to call you or too late and then we are never sure of your schedule the rest of the time.

Hope things are ironing out on the difficulties at the Senior Center with the hassle over the meal reservations.  The permanent people ought to rank above the winter visitors.  The indigent over the affluent, etc.

John and Carol's letter brought a shock with the possibility of taking 13-month-old foster twin boys and I am sure whatever decision you make will be with much forethought and prayer.  I mentioned it to Carol Wise and she said better 13 months than days or weeks.  No doubt it is hard to place two but having older children would be a big help.  Sorry that her (Carol's) grandmother Smith's eyesight is deteriorating.  She has been so active and sight is the most valuable of your senses for sure.

Had church every night last week (except Saturday) and a very good speaker from Circleville Bible College.  Friday night the Wises entertained him and the song leader for dinner and asked us to come too.  Jim had done the cooking -- or so they said -- turkey, etc.  It was the same night that MV had her friends in for dinner so worked out well.

Four young people have been coming down from Cedarville College to help with the youth program on Sundays so we had them for dinner yesterday and really had very little to do as MV had enough left from her dinner that all I did was make a salad and more mashed potatoes.  She had swiss steak, broccoli with cheese sauce, fresh pineapple and a super delicious chocolate dessert she had gotten from Charlotte Hause.

Dad and I went to Wilmington yesterday afternoon -- Jane Allemang had a baby shower for Megan Curtis (Roseanna Wills and Bobby Curtis' baby).  Dad did some studying at the law library and Wilmington College so I picked him up after going out to Extended Care.  Mrs. McCoy has been awake and much more alert than she had been for months the last two times I have stopped.  Invited Mrs. Matthews for Thanksgiving.  She says Charles Matthews is so weak and so hard to get his breath.  I wouldn't be surprised if she outlives him.  [Charles died in December 1980 in Scottsdale, Mrs. Matthews (Blanche) died in May 1982.]

It is now Tuesday and we have had our first real snow yesterday with it sticking to the ground -- though not in the streets here but did go to Sabina last night and it was much worse there with cars off the road, etc.  The Ohio Ministers (Methodist) Choir sang at the Sabina Methodist Church.  Paul Steele, John Beers and Al Briggs were in it so got to talk to them afterwards and Maxine Steele was there also.  John Beers says that Mark is taking driver's training and had gone to Toledo for part of it.  Jeff plays basketball, Rebecca is active in everything.  Wes Steele also sings with the group but wasn't there last night for some reason.  Al Briggs said that Sharon is working with the Louisville Opera and Mary Ann is living in Maryland.  The Sr. Briggs have a church between Urbana and Springfield in a town called Terre Haute, Mrs. Briggs has arthritis so hadn't come.  Didn't recognize John Beers at first for his face is much fuller -- bigger jowls.  They all asked about all of you.  Wes Steele's wife got a degree in accounting and is working in a bank in Harrisburg, Ohio where his church is.  I believe she works for Society Savings.  Paul said we didn't pronounce "Newark" the way they do -- "Nerck", Newarksians, that is -- or is that the proper term for the natives?

Grandma shared a letter that she had just gotten from Aunt Mary and they have been in North Carolina helping Cris move into his newly acquired property which he has been very busy remodeling and has really made big changes in the place.  It would be nice to see -- beautiful woodsy environment yet not far from a shopping center close to Statesville.  I'm not sure how long they plan to be there -- think perhaps they left yesterday for Lake Worth but anyway will be there Saturday after Thanksgiving when G'ma is to arrive.

Elizabeth Johnson's father passed away last week -- there were no calling hours and only brief graveside services at the New Vienna Cemetery.  June, Elizabeth's younger sister is so gray that she looks the oldest of the three.  John, her brother was there but came with his wife, stood in the background and left as soon as it was over so obviously the family is not at one on some things.  I had known they weren't too friendly when Oscar died but had thought they had patched up their difficulties, at least he and Elizabeth.  Mr. Warren was 88 and in his condition that he passed away.

Kim called again this morning, there is always some more red tape concerning their daughter's arrival in this country.  Hard to believe and frankly we are in doubt as to what is the right course.

We had our dental appoints this afternoon -- lucky, for all we needed was to have our teeth cleaned.  Dr. Hause told me that a good brushing should take 3 or 4 minutes, so am going to try to improve this next six months.  This was doctor's day as took Grandma to Wilmington for her two doctor appts., so she will be ready for the winter vacation.  We were lucky as we did make it to all places on schedule, plus I had time in between for a trip to the library and the courthouse.

Tonight the local basketball schedule gets underway, with MV in the band . . . we are glad that the home games are still held in NV.  Haven't heard anything about when the new school bldg. at Lees Creek will get underway.  Just a few days there was an article in the paper where they are going to put up townhouses around the J-R Golf Course at the east edge of Wilmington.  That will be interesting to see how that works out.  This is the first year at NV that the school enrollment has turned up, after a 10 year decline.  The student-teacher ration here is something like 20 to 1.  MV is reading college catalogs in her spare time.

Sorry this letter has been so long in the writing but hopefully will get it on its way today.  Joanne Rankin and I are to go over to the blood bank drawing today.  Lena Sears Hess' little girl, 11, had open heart surgery in Cincinnati and needs blood donors.  Some went down there to give but it hadn't been 8 weeks for me so waited til now -- I think they need 20 donors.  Seems like there is always some member of their family in the hospital.  One of Elizabeth's children is also in the hospital with a broken leg.

Read about more snow in the Cascades and low temperatures for Phoenix area so bundle up before you go swimming in the Kah-nee-tah pool again or cycling to work, Roberta.  Did you get much of the Monday snow, Serena?

Always enjoy hearing from all of you and looking forward to seeing John and Carol next weekend.  We go to see Dr. Schnebley for our physicals this Friday and back to Dayton Saturday for storytelling (demonstration for adults) with Jeanne Liggett, accompanying us.

With much love from all of us, 

1960 Catherine's Early Memories

 

The First Thing I Remember

Several years ago my mother and father spent two months in Europe.  While they were there my sister and I stayed on a farm with friends of my parents.

On the farm there were cows, chickens, and an old barn that we were told never to go near because it might cave in on top of us.  Of course, this was our favorite place to play.

Every morning and evening the cows were milked.  This was especially fun because we sometimes got to try the milking ourselves.  Although the first few times usually ended in disaster, by the time we went home we were professional milkers.  

Every cow had a name and we had a personal conversation with each every time they were milked.  

The part I enjoyed the most was the grinding of the feed.  I always had a desire to jump in with the corn, get ground up, put in a sack and then surprise my parents when they came home.

My favorite pastime was sitting on the tractor and pretending I could drive.  I did this for hours on end and made several interesting trips around the world.  I was devoured by cannibals, squashed in an elephant stampede, and murdered by a tribe of wild Indians.

Every morning it was my duty to gather the eggs which usually numbered between one and two dozen.  I had my own special basket which I always used.  One morning after I had reached the barn I realized I had forgotten my basket.  I should have known then I was headed for trouble, but I didn't bother to think twice.  I proceeded to gather the eggs and put them in my pockets.  At the time I considered myself lucky to have such big pockets.  When I got back to the house, got scolded, and saw what a mess I had made I wished I hadn't had any pockets at all.

--by Catherine Uible

1984 Elizabeth Johnson Letter to Roberta -Sep.20

 

Sept 20 [1984]

Dear Roberta & Sid, 

I really enjoyed spending Aug. 19 with the Uibles.  Its always good to see you.  Thanks for your card from Hocking Hills.  The last time I was there was the summer of 1951.

Garnet Fisher & I go to visit the Fishers at Logan, Ohio quite often.  I spent last week end with Garnet down near Rocky Fork Lake.  I went to Sunday school & church first.  Got to meet the new preacher.  I came home Monday evening.

I enjoyed the Bus tour to the Ozarks Sept 5 thru 8.  Saw the Play Shepherd of the Hills, also toured St. Louis.  Mariann came & took me to lunch for my birthday. [Elizabeth was born Sept. 14, 1914, thus we know the year this letter was written.]  June is taking us all out to dinner Sat. night.  Friday 21st is Mariann's birthday.  She will be 32 this time.  I was 70.  I am slowing down a little.

Worked upstairs the past 3 days.  Got it all ready to close off for winter.

Luther Warren's marriage license was in yesterday's paper.  He is 93 and she 78 years.  I am invited to the wedding on Sept. 30.  It's at the Friends meeting house on the campus and we are invited to a sit down dinner afterwards at Prairie View.  

Well must move along.  I have checks to bank and apples to make into dumplings for the freezer.

I am sorry we didn't get to the farm.  The Spurlocks are doing a really good job of taking care of the yard.  Everything looks neat & well cared for.  It would have been a good time for Sid to have seen it.

Love to you both,

Elizabeth

1959 Postcard to CJ & GHU -Dec.13

Caption: Greenbrier - White Sulphur Springs - West Virginia
"A resort that's a way of life"
The superbly Georgian Main Entrance to the Greenbrier recaptures the welcoming spirit and Southern hospitality that have brought fame to this mountain spa for nearly 200 years.

[postmarked Dec 13 1959]

Had a wonderful weekend here but the birthday umbrella came in mighty handy & will have plenty to fill in "My Trip" book.  Thanks alot.  Girls & John were looking forward to weekend with the Johnson.  Love to all, Harold & Jean

1979 Family Letter -Oct.28

Sunday evening
October 28, 1979

Dearest Family -- It was nice hearing from all of you either by phone or letter or both  . . . .

Sorry that I got this letter started on the wrong side of the carbon but hopefully all is okay now - at least  I didn't wait until I got to the bottom of the letter before finding it out.  It was good talking or hearing by letter from all of you / or both in some cases.

Sorry that Gerry has to be hospitalized but hope that puts an end to all the misery he has been having with his back and legs and that the surgery will be most successful if that is necessary.  We will be anxious to hear the results of the milogram.  I would love to be out there to help in any small way that I could -- especially with Wendy if nothing else. 

Do worry about you too Roberta and all the bee stings that you have been having so do keep the kit with you at all times.  Are there so many bees around the campus or is there something in your chemistry that readily attracts them?

Just wanted to tell you, Serena that we picked up Dad's coat and my watch at Haines house yesterday which you so thoughtfully sent home with Mrs. Haines.  I didn't talk to her but Mary Virginia did ever so briefly.  I had to take MV over to Denise Stewart's house to practice as she and Tim Larrick were singing in the Lees Creek United Church of Christ this morning.  They did very well - the interim minister said that it was the first time he had heard "folk music" sung in that church and really appreciated it.  He also closed his sermon with a song "Ten Thousand Angels" which he thought fit in well with his message and especially well with the other songs - Dallas Holm's Calvary and Mary's Song.  As we pulled into the parking lot we tapped the car beside us - not hurting it at all but I know that they knew it happened as they were still sitting in the car yet.  Not recognizing them we spoke and introduced ourselves and learned that it was the new minister and his wife who begin their ministry there next Sunday - Robert Fishers who are now living in Sardinia.  They were having a pot luck dinner after church so we came back to New Vienna, picked up Grandma at church and went to the Windmill and had dinner.  Mary Virginia had been invited to go to Fort Ancient with the Melvin MYF group.  So we visited people in Wilmington until it was time to pick her up afterwards so had a full day.  By the way Darrell Hunter was going to church (Lees Creek) for the first time since his illness.  And he spoke so highly of you Roberta - how you had stopped by so often and cheered him up in your visits there last June.

Last night was the Hallowe'en carnival at the school which was a busy place.  We had supper there and after the parade and judging took Grandma home and then to the Haunted Hall (IOOF building) where the Sr. MYF were holding forth (instead of the church where they have been having decorated the last couple of years.  Carol Wise asked us if we would take Lori as she didn't want to take the twins.  She was really petrified so I didn't see much myself.  Ann Wolfrom took her back up to show her some of them asa they looked without their masks - which made her feel a little better.  Mary Virginia really had a weird get-up on.  Ann Wolfrom had made an over-the-head mask out of papier mache' and no one could guess who she was.  I had never been all through those rooms upstairs over Ginny's Restaurant until last week.  It was nice that they didn't have to work half the night cleaning up afterwards as they had to do before in order to get the church ready for services on Sunday morning.  They made around $300 in just two evenings of being open.

Sorry if we upset your plans, Carol and John.  We had no idea that you were planning on coming on Saturday instead of Wednesday and Thursday.  We haven't asked the Bains but have been wondering if they might like to come for Thanksgiving too - that is if you will also be here.  Her aunt Eleanor would also be welcome.  The only person we have invited is Mrs. Matthews.  Neither of the McCoys are able to come.  Did we tell you that they are now right next to Mrs. Matthews at Extended Care? Mrs. McCoy doesn't seem to know anyone or say anything which is hard on him.  He has also failed quite a bit just in the last month.  To backtrack to Thanksgiving - we would like to have you come and be here Thanksgiving with us and later in the weekend too if that is possible.  We had thought we'd combine taking Grandma to the Cincinnati airport and then going on to see Serena but that may be too much as Mrs. Pauline Simkins is also planning on going to Florida at the same time.  So perhaps they would leave later in the next week.  Do let us hear though what your definite plans are and hope that we haven't upset them too much.

Dad and Harold Thornburg spoke at the last New Vienna Republican Women's Club Meeting last Tuesday night when I had the program and had been asked to have them speak on the office of central committeemen.  We didn't get to go square dancing but hope to go back this next week.  We had thought that the Hortons would be here and that we would miss this one too but guess that they won't be arriving until Wednesday or Thursday.  Then Aunt Mary mentioned on her card to Dad that they have to be back in Lake Worth Sunday PM so guess that they will be leaving Saturday at the latest.

Thank you all for your birthday greetings, as someone remarked it's a lot better to have birthdays than to consider the alternative.  The last Saturday of the month the men have a prayer breakfast at the Church, then in the afternoon did get the yard cleaned up.  That is more relaxing that going to Atlanta and back in one day and hearing how our competitors are selling things cheaper than us, but that story is as old as the hills.

Carol and John -- how did your leaf raking go yesterday?  We suppose that Granville has leaf pick up.  The politicians were busy in NV Saturday putting up signs all over town . . .Vote for Jim Curits OR Vote for Larry Akers for Mayor.  The Akers forces even had some fans sporting badges at the Carnival.  There are an awful lot of signs -- political that is, in Wilmington.

Mary Virginia has met all the Stewart family now and said that Debbie would like to have Serena's address which she keeps forgetting to give to her.  MV couldn't realize that there is another family with a bigger age spread than her own.  Dennis Stewart is 32 and is basketball coach at Circleville.

Poor Dad didn't really have a birthday dinner at all.  He had requested "thickened milk" which we had for lunch yesterday and I had thought that we would have his celebration today but with MV gone and only three of us he suggested that we eat out so he didn't have to twist my arm too far for that.

Not sure of the details, but Larry Martin was chopping some wood recently and the wedge flew out and hit his leg and he has been laid up since.  Today was the "Run" sponsored by the Y.  The Clinton Co. Bank had 15 entrants, including two from the NV office . . . they all had the pro shirts with their name too -- real class.

We didn't see him today but while at Quaker Apts. we asked about Leroy Atchinson (of old News-Journal fame) -- and they said he was fine.  Sixty Minutes had an interesting skit on the bulk of the Sunday paper and the value of all those ads . . . the Cincinnati Enquirer was one paper that they took apart -- ahh, what memories . . . of those newspaper days.

Elizabeth Johnson moved last Thursday to Wilmington -- 756 Xenia Ave.  --just two houses from her sister. 

[Love, etc.]

1959 Family Pictures -Sept.

Jean, Roberta (from the back), & Serena. 
[Note: Martins house in the background before the beauty shop was added on.] 

John (in high chair), Elizabeth Johnson, Roberta, and CJ Uible -- probably at Sunday dinner

"Spot" - first and possibly most beloved pet, gift of the Sankers.

1959 - New building at Wells Mfg. on the far right.  The additional buildings on the west side of Rt. 73 were built in the early 1960s.

1959 - New building at Wells Mfg. from a different perspective.

1979 Jean's Family Letter -Mar.26

Monday morning

March 26, 1979

Dearest Family –

We have had a busy weekend but do want to get a letter off to you all before too long so that it won't be such a long time since you have heard from us.

Glad that your gum operations are all in the past, Catherine and have no more problems in that direction.  It was so good talking to you on the phone Wednesday and wish we had been able to help Wendy celebrate her 1 1/2 birthday – hardly seems possible.  We have been sharing pictures of all of you lately that were taken in December and January and that's the next best thing to a real visit almost (telephone helps so much too).

Ruth called yesterday and said how happy she had been to get to talk to you, Roberta and was relaying your message to us.  She is coming along real well – for you others' information she got home Thursday and hopefully will not need an operation before June when she is to have some surgery.  She is on a strict diet and allowed only 800 calories a day but seems to be satisfied by it – hasn't lost any weight yet but is not craving water as in the past which just seemed to wash the potassium from her system.

Elizabeth Johnson just left after spending two nights here – we invited her in to hear (and see) Ed Perry and the quartet he is in that sang at the church Saturday nite and Sunday morning.  Yesterday was the beginning of the New Life Mission that the Methodist churches are having this week.  (Anything like that in Mesa or Madras or Denver?)  We have a minister form Defiance who is really a good speaker – he spoke twice yesterday and each evening through Thursday plus each morning a Bible study.  We had another visiting quartet group from Dayton and hope to have as good or better attendance the rest of the week as last night.

The weather was so beautiful for a few days but have had winter back again with snow flurries and its to get to the 20's tonight.  Dad is trying to get things ready for Grandma but the plumber has to make some minor repairs – hate to have her pipes freeze now – she plans to come home Thursday the 5th.  The Hortons are going to the Masters Tournament at Auburn (?) GA and visit Cris and Marita on the weekend before so Grandma is coming earlier for that reason.

Debbie Haines call you Serena or rather wanted your address if you weren't coming home for spring break.  She is working at Clinton Memorial Hospital as a nurse's aid to see what type of health related field she would like.

[Love, etc.]

1978 Family Letter -Nov.26

Sunday, Nov. 26, 1978 -- Four weeks to Christmas Eve

Dear Family:

Grandma and John left NV last Friday about 8 A.M. and got to LW around six yesterday evening.  John is uncertain as to his return, but it will be around the 12th of December, as that is the date that his "papers" are due at Denison.  He had hoped to live off campus this next semester, but things did not work out that way.  After the folks left we "winterized" the house and everything went well.

It was nice talking to Serena, Roberta and the Morgans on the phone last week, tho we must confess that these "late" calls sometimes find us too sleepy to carry on much of a conversation.  In fact, even when we are awake we have difficulty in being with "it."  On this competency bit the Olan Mill photographer was to have been at the Church this past Wednesday from 4 to 9, and the reason for his being there at 9 was the fact that the Company sent him to "New Vienna Methodist Church at Vienna, Ohio" so he said he drove all the way to Vienna, Ohio, which is near Youngstown, so I guess we have plenty of company.  The minister ended up taking pictures of people on Wednesday, so it will be interesting to see how "this" church directory does turn out.

The Church roof job is coming right along with only the steeple left to do.  I helped some on Friday and Saturday as Wells was closed for the long weekend.  The weather has been kind as the tomato plant near the house is still green.  Hope you Morgans are enjoying the snow, as some people really do enjoy outdoor winter sports.  Is there any skiing near Madras?

Your comment Catherine about the level of restaurants in your area reminds us of NV – it seems they take a TV dinner and mark it up four times.  One question the waitress asked us as we finished the man course, "Is it OK if I take the dirty dishes?"  Wonder where she got the idea that dirty dishes improve the atmosphere?

Serena, now that you have an efficiency are you doing more of your cooking?  We are glad that you were able to get a telephone put in so quickly.  Still riding my bike here, but will have to get out the gloves pretty soon.  Enjoyed reading your report on "The Adversary System," even tho your second line states, "A principal cause of the inefficiency is caused by the adversary process-lawyers."  Congratulations on the A-.

Roberta has survived her first week on the postal job -- too bad you can't be here in NV to cheer up the postal public.  These next four weeks are a busy season for all Post Offices.  Do you have boxes or is it strictly "General Delivery?"  Catherine, you mention about having trouble with your mail box at the apartment . . . have others had difficulty and are there any prospects?

Went down to Wells yesterday to type up a will for a party who wanted it tomorrow morning, and tho I am no speed typist wanted to get it done before the deadline.  The point I am coming to is how nice the new typewriter is the erase ribbon, which lifts the mistake off the paper rather than covering it up, which is especially noticeable on colored paper.  On the next typewriter purchase we want to get those new units that have a "memory" in them.

MV has been making posters for the Church Bazaar, which is this next Saturday.  The General Store at the Bazaar is to have a cord wood for sale to the highest bidder – that is a good commodity this time of year.  We are enjoying the fireplace right now.  Hopefully we will get some inspiration to get going on the Christmas Greetings.  At least we do have stamps on hand.

We attended Oscar's funeral on Tuesday.  Jane Ann Hause was there as the fellow that she is now engaged to, his family was good friends of the Johnsons.  After the funeral I was talking to a fellow [Loren Stuckert, 1925-2008] that I was in grade school with and he told me how Oscar had taken his entire family (the parents and six children) in after they had lost their farm in the early thirties, and they stayed with Oscar for several years.  That is a real example of Christianity.  Death never comes at the right moment.  Emerson Johnson also passed away this last week.  [Oscar was born in 1901, died Nov. 19, 1978.  The 1930 Census shows him as head of household with eight members of the Stuckert family living with him.  Elizabeth was born in 1914 and died Nov. 18, 1987.]  The rush must be over as Gene Smith is leaving for Florida this next week.

Sorry, Roberta, but we somehow didn't get a letter off to you in our individual notes last week – especially when you are so good about writing to us.  Catherine's letters have been coming in faster than we can get them answered but we do LOVE to hear from EACH of YOU.

[Love, etc.]

1967 Jean's Letter to Catherine -Nov.10

Friday morning,

November 10, 1967

Dearest Catherine,

We were really PLEASED to receive a LETTER from YOU this morning.  We have appreciated hearing if only a post card but this was a real treat.  A real RED, RED, RED letter DAY.   Glad to hear that Evan is going to the girl-bid dance and we shall be thinking about you.  Wish we had a picture of you that night to see you in your new dress not to mention getting to see Evan too.  Just be careful of any Polaroid coater.  Speaking of coaters do you have something appropriate to wear over your gown?  And how did the shoes come out.

We are interested in other things beside your social life though I have dwelt on that so far.  We had been wondering how you made out on your chemistry test but not real sure when you were taking it.  Good luck with it, whenever it is or was or will be.

Glad to hear you had a little rest from art – that would be a pleasant surprise.  Your comments on Dr. Bausch are amusing.  Is there any connection between him and the Bausch and Lambe (?) company and your science medal?  You might use it for a bookmark or paperweight in this class to get a little more use out of it.

The 1st Nat. Bank and Trust doesn't sound like the name of the one down over the hill from the college but it must offer some advantages.  There haven't been any visible changes at the bank here but Daddy says they plan to move into other quarters this winter during their big remodeling program.  Seems he said they are planning to use the mayor's office but not positive about this.

Mr. Hughes and Tim were here for dinner last night and they are real encouraged about Laura.  She may still be on the critical list but they did let her sit up a bit yesterday.  It will be a long time before she is well.  Karen's baby's name is James Michael (don't know where I came up with Maynard).  He was telling us what a time he had getting through to Weegie – tried for hours and always busy and then the switchboard closed and finally got thru by calling the housemothers room.  She came home last weekend for the first time but since her mother is better will not be home this weekend or perhaps not til Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving we received an invitation from the Bruces this morning to come to their house for the day.  We didn't receive too much encouragement else where but haven't answered their letter or really had time to discuss it yet.  Let us know if you have changed your mind or if there is any possibility of your getting home.  Mrs. Bruce thought she had heard us say that we were at loose ends and regretted that neither you or Roberta would be able to come.

Donnie Achor is really in bad shape.  They were operating on his leg when he went into convulsions and started hemorrhaging so they rushed him to Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati and he has only a 50/50 chance to live.  There is rumor that he and Larry Saunders were racing after Larry took Fay McVey home and it happened out by Burch Layman's.  Donnie's father has had a stroke and not able to do anything which makes it all the worse on him.

Is Howe's book "The Story of a Country Town" required reading  or are you finding some time for recreational reading?  Sounds interesting  & I'll see if Wilmington has it.

There were no contests in the New Vienna election but Wilmington had quite a few for mayor, council, and board of education.  Many were surprised that a man from Martinsville (Barnes) was able to win a seat on the latter.  His wife's recipe was in as well as her picture the same night as the results of the election – quite timely (the night the paper was so late)  They have six children (three of them are adopted).  The Hospital issue passed very favorably.

Sorry to hear you were without a pillow all this time.  You had mentioned the mirror.  How about an end for your towel rack?  What is your usual rising time?  Doesn't sound like you have much time to use a pillow for your head.  How about your beauty sleep?  Could you use another blanket?

We left tomatoes here to ripen before we went away and we are still waiting.  We did have alot of broccoli and Brussel Sprouts which Daddy brought in last weekend.

We realized after we left you that we hadn't gone to the grocery to stock you up on the things that had been mentioned including ULTRABRIGHT.  Could be you used some other brand when Evan was so indefinite?

Did I tell you that Elizabeth Johnson fell off the back of a chair and has most painful back.  Garnet Fisher told me the doctor is quite worried about her – thinks she pulled a muscle or something.  She was at the Open House at Blanchester Sunday but was carrying Bufferin with her.

We have had snow flurries but none of it has really stuck to the ground.  It is in the 60s today and to stay that way with rain predicted for tomorrow.

Mrs. Wilson came today – the first time in three weeks so you can imagine how much she was needed.  I may get a little housecleaning done as the only time she had any extra time is while Grandma is gone.  They are still planning to leave Sunday about 1:00.  Just dawned on me that I ought to offer to do your job in helping to turn off and close up the house.

This was just to be a short note – but see how your letters inspire me!  We'll be most anxious to hear all about the dance, chemistry test, and anything else on your mind.

Love and kisses,
Mother

PS  Charlotte Hause's sister and Eddie Hiestand & his wife & son were all on the Boeing 707 that crashed on take off from Cincinnati Monday night but none were hurt.

1975 Oscar & Elizabeth Johnson's Windmill

1975 Wilmington News-Journal - Feb. 19 p.8
Elizabeth and Oscar Johnson dwarfed by their towering windcharger

Electricity as 'free as the wind'

by RITA CAREY

Staff Writer

Last month, the Oscar Johnsons of 10251 SR 73, New Vienna, paid more for their electricity than they paid during the entire 10 year period from 1937-1947.

After an initial investment of $69.95 for a Wincharger in 1937, their electricity was as "free as the wind."  Last month they paid $82.

Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson explained recently, "Our farm is one-half mile back a lane from SR 73 near Snow Hill Country Club.  I went there as a bride almost 42 years ago.  At that time our electric came from a 32 volt generator powered by a gasoline motor and 19 storage batteries.

"In 1936 we built a new house and in 1937 replaced the gasoline generator with a 32 volt windcharger (brand name Wincharger).

"It consisted of the generator and a 10 foot air plane-type propeller, a governor to maintain the proper speed (375 RPM) even in the strongest wind.  It weighed 170 pounds and cost $69.95 at the factory in Sioux City, Ia.  It generated 650 watts of electric which was stored in the 16 glass storage batteries."

"It was something new in this part of the country, and although many told us it wouldn't work we were determined to try it anyway.  

"We had a 45 foot windmill tower in our yard and we mounted it on top of the tower.  It would generate in any breeze of seven miles or more.  I always picked a windy day to wash and iron, as those motors required a lot of power."

Oscar said the advertisement and booklet which came with the windcharger said it could be assembled with a screw driver, wrench and pliers. "And, that's all it took."  He assembled it by himself atop the windmill tower.

"We kept the old gasoline powered outfit just in case, but I don't remember every having to use it, Elizabeth added.

"In those days, all light bulbs, small motors and household appliance could be bought in either 32 or 100 volts.  It furnished power aplenty to operate my washer, iron, sweeper, radio, lights and various small electric motors in Oscar's farm shop.

"In 1947 the war was over and the power company could get the wire to build us a line back our long lane, so we changed over.  So for 10 years, our windcharger solved our energy problem.

"By this time, they no longer manufactured 32 volt things.  The windcharger still stands atop its tower in our backyard to remind us of the good old days when our electric was as free as the wind.

"The only upkeep we had was a few drops of oil when we thought of it.  The water for the storage batteries we got by melting snow in winter and storing it in glass containers."

"We still melt snow for our car and equipment batteries," Oscar said.  If we run our of snow, we catch rain."

Leaving Barcelona March 29, 1954

Time for one more card during the seven hour stop in Barcelona, before the Saturnia reboards and heads on to the next port – Genoa, as we follow HH and JBU on their European trip in the spring of 1954.

Barcelona "Holy Family" Temple* postcard mailed March 29, 1954

March 29, 1954 Barcelona Temple Postcard sent to Roberta & Catherine

Monday – in Spain
Do you like the stamps, Catherine?  How are lollipops?  We went to church yesterday on the boat, the sea is real green now.  Had turkey for dinner last night.  We had taxi ride around town and saw this church, but they have just finished the front part of it.  We are now in restaurant and Mommie had chocolate ice cream.  We get to Italy tomorrow and maybe we will see Uncle Calvin.  – Daddy & Mommie


Stamps?  Yes they're nice -- sorry Dad, if I didn't tell you that before.  It's the postcards I like more though! I'm beginning to understand where my interest in collecting postcards may have started.  Also my love for correspondence.

I think the lollipops were a "treat" left by Mommie and Daddy for us to enjoy during their absence.  Not surprised to read about Mother having chocolate.

Staying with the Johnsons was an experience in many ways, but the getting of the mail, was a highlight of the day.  Playing post office with old envelopes and magazines was a way of passing the time when Roberta and I were required to stay inside and keep out of trouble.  Keeping Roberta entertained in those days was more difficult as she didn't have her million other interests and connections to occupy every moment of her day.

Elizabeth's player piano was also a source of entertainment but required Elizabeth's supervision which made it a more limited and special event.  In an upstairs bedroom there was also an old hand cranked Victrola an ancient record player c1920s.

We'll delve more into the farm work part of the stay in a later post.

*The church, started in 1882 by Catalonian Architect, Gaudi (1852-1926), who also designed La Pedrera, the apartment building, which we saw pictured in a postcard in this post, was less than 25% complete at the time of Gaudi's death and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, resumed intermittent progress in the 1950s and passed the half way construction point in 2010 with anticipated completion in 2026, the centennial of Gaudi's death.  Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1954 Elizabeth Johnson letter to "Dear" -Mar.25

March 25, 1954

Dear Mrs. Ballantyne,

The girls want me to write to "Dear" and let you know they are in the Country.  Catherine is fine but Roberta has a cold but not to seriouse [sic].  She ate a bowl of cream of wheat with raisins, 2 glasses of orange juice, 1 glass of milk, ½ slice of toast & butter & jelly and 2 spoons of tapioca pudding for her breakfast this morning so I think she will be O.K.

I have a house cat and both girls are quite fond of it.  Roberta spends a lot of time talking to the cat.  Sometimes the cat hides from them and now whenever they can't find the cat they say she has gone to see "Dear."  They talk about you every day.

We got a package from Harold & Jean yesterday, some things they didn't want along, a hat, pair of shoes & etc.  They said Harold bought
a Beret to wear on the boat & Catherine is anxious to see her daddy in a womans hat.

We went to New Vienna yesterday and Roberta wand wanted to stop at home.  She is just a little homesick for Mommy & Daddy.  Catherine understands they are on a trip and is quite happy.  They keep busy helping me.  We have a new baby calf, and of course there are chickens to feed and eggs to gather so the days are full.  They fight over who shall feed the cat & dog & gold fish.

Well I must hurry they want lunch.

Love,
The Johnsons & Uibles

1953 Jean's postcard - Mar. 4, 1953

1953 Jean's postcard to her mother - March 4

Wed., Mar. 4, 1953
Dearest Mother,
Had letter from Daddy Uible & Mother U. has had her other eye operated on last Friday – we thought she was going to wait but evidently changed her mind.

We're getting packed up – hope to leave real early Friday AM.  Taking the girls out to the Johnsons tomorrow eve.  Hope to get to Hershey, Penna Fri. nite.  I put my address on the last letter so we'll be there thru the 18th or 19th.  Love – our very Best, Harold, Jean, Catherine & Roberta

[in HH's writing on left margin of back] Just reached Hershey, Pa at 5:30 will reach N.Y.C. tomorrow afternoon.

Elizabeth and Oscar March 22, 1957 (52-56 of 56)

"We saw much more than we ever dreamed of.  We shall always be indebted to Harold and Jean Uible for one of the most enjoyable and educational vacations of our lives.  It is one vacation we will live over and over again thru the years."

This is the concluding post  of Elizabeth Johnson's Scrap Book of her and Oscar's trip, March 9-22, 1957, to Philadelphia, NYC, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and historic stops in Massachusetts continues.  We left them spending Thursday night, March 21, in Hershey PA....

Friday, March 22, 1957 

We slept fine and ate breakfast in Linders Kitchen and started out to view the town.  We drove past other motels just to compare with ours, we liked our best, and we saw the big candy factory.  We went to the Model Creamery where we ate free Ice Cream while we watched milk being bottled and ice cream being made.  We also went thru the bakery but no samples there.  At 10 AM we went on the guided tour through the candy factory.  The speed they have to work in those places was terrible.  I got tired just watching.  I will always think of this town when ever I use chocolate in any form.

We drove to the PA turnpike after leaving Hershey and now we felt we were really on our way home.  We each took turns driving and had a lot of fun because right after we hit the turnpike we passed one of Danbury's trucks.  We thought it might be Earl Jr. but it wasn't.  Each time we changed drivers he would pass us and then we pass him, we played tag all day.

I got to drive thru several tunnels, something I had never done before.  We stopped at a Howard Johnson's place for lunch.  We went through Washington PA and pickup Jean's purse [which she left there on March 9] with everything there except the money.  We bought some food and ate our supper on the way home.

We got to New Vienna at 9PM and had quite a time getting all our packages and luggage divided and our car packed up again.  The Uible girls and Mrs. Turner [babysitter] were glad to see us.

We got home about 9:45.  Dick Woods was still here and had the house nice and warm.  We gave him a check for his work.  The pup still knew us and was glad to see us.  We went straight to bed.

It was a fine trip, the weather was extra good.  We saw much more than we ever dreamed of.  We shall always be indebted to Harold and Jean Uible for one of the most enjoyable and educational vacations of our lives.  It is one vacation we will live over and over again thru the years.
--Oscar and Elizabeth Johnson, March 1957.

Wilmington News-Journal Clipping from March, 1957.  Transcription follows.

Personal Mention
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Uible of New Vienna, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Johnson of Snow Hill, returned Friday from a week's business and pleasure trip in the East.  They were in New York, Philadelphia and Boston and visited relatives and friends in the states of Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

-----
For other posts in this series see:
March 9, 1957 (1-2 of 56) New Vienna to Philadelphia
March 9-10, 1957 (2-14 of 56) Philadelphia
March 10-11, 1957 (15-18 of 56) Philadelphia to NYC
March 11, 1957 (18-19 of 56)  NYC
March 11-12, 1957 (20-27 of 56) NYC
March 12-13, 1957 (28-31 of 56) NYC
March 13-18, 1957 (31-34 of 56) NYC - CT - RI
March 18-19, 1957 (34-45 of 56) RI - MA
March 20, 1957 (46-49 of 56) MA - NYC
March 20-21, 1957 (49-51 of 56) NYC - Hershey
March 22, 1957 (52-56 of 56) Hershey PA to New Vienna

Elizabeth and Oscar March 20-21, 1957 (49-51 of 56)

"I don't think there is any town that can equal it in any way. "

Elizabeth Johnson's Scrap Book of her and Oscar's trip, March 9-22, 1957, to Philadelphia, NYC, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and historic stops in Massachusetts continues.  We left them checking in at the Hotel on a return stop in NYC....


Wednesday, March 20, 1957 [Cont'd]


We washed up and went out to eat.  We talked of several places and finally decided to walk to Dr. Norman [Vincent] Peale's church and we ate at a Horn & Hardart counter service place on Fifth Ave.  Harold showed us a letter they had received from Catherine so it's a good thing we went back to the Piccadilly after all.  After we ate went on to Dr. Peale's church.  Dr. Peale wasn't there but we enjoyed the sermon and getting to see the church.

Thursday
Jean and I went shopping and Oscar went down to the piers again.  I got a Black Hat for spring also a Black Jumper* and some ear rings for Joan Flint since her husband was doing our chores while we were gone.

Macy's Receipts dated March 21, 1957

*[I wonder if she had a $10 budget for herself as these items total $9.98.]

Jean and I had lunch at a Chock Full o'Nuts place and went back to the Hotel where Oscar was waiting. Harold soon came and we were again on our way this time heading for Hershey, Penna. [sic]

We arrived about dusk and got rooms at the Hershey Motel.  They were very nice, clean and ultra modern.  We drove around the block to Lindens Kitchen for supper.  We drove over to the Hotel Hershey and walked through the lobby and bought some cards. [See below]  It was truly beautiful but very expensive.  It sits on a high hill.  I would love to see it in the summertime.  The town was unique in every way.  I don't think there is any town that can equal it in any way.  I never saw so many country clubs and golf courses.

Hotel Hershey, Hershey PA c1955

To be concluded....
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For other posts in this series see:
March 9, 1957 (1-2 of 56) New Vienna to Philadelphia
March 9-10, 1957 (2-14 of 56) Philadelphia
March 10-11, 1957 (15-18 of 56) Philadelphia to NYC
March 11, 1957 (18-19 of 56)  NYC
March 11-12, 1957 (20-27 of 56) NYC
March 12-13, 1957 (28-31 of 56) NYC
March 13-18, 1957 (31-34 of 56) NYC - CT - RI
March 18-19, 1957 (34-45 of 56) RI - MA
March 20, 1957 (46-49 of 56) MA - NYC
March 20-21, 1957 (49-51 of 56) NYC - Hershey
March 22, 1957 (52-56 of 56) Hershey PA to New Vienna

Elizabeth and Oscar March 20, 1957 (46-49 of 56)

"this was something very few tourists ever get to do"


We left the tired Johnsons, and the seasoned well-traveled Uibles spending Tuesday night at the Colonial Inn in Concord, Massachusetts.

Colonial Inn, Concord, Mass. c1950

 Wednesday, March 20, 1957 Diary continues:
....when I opened the blind a little to see if it was daylight, I was greeted by the most beautiful sight.  During the night several inches of soft fluffy snow had fallen and our New England country side was truly a winter wonder land.  ...we drove to the battle ground at North Bridge, parked the car and walked through the snow to the bridge.

We drove past the "Old Manse" [Home of Ralph Waldo Emerson's grandfather] and on to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.  It was very hilly and looked a littler dangerous in the snow, we drove in anyway.  We walked among the graves until we came to the Emerson family plot.  It was on a rather high hill.  I think this was something very few tourists ever get to do.  Walk thru Sleepy Hollow Cemetery just after day break in a heavy snow fall.

We drove back into town and ate breakfast at a small eating place.  Here we sat next to truck drivers and high school girls.  After breakfast we started our drive back toward New York City.

....next real stop was at Old Sturbridge Village [it was exceptionally impressive due to the snow she writes in a post card.]  Our guide recommended two restaurants, one was a very swank country club type of a place which we passed up and the other a lovely eating place along the road called Rom's Italian Cuisine [closed ~2009] – we had a lovely lunch in the "Oak Room," we were the only guests at the time (which was about 2pm) so we got the Deluxe service.  Jean & Oscar had fish and chips while Harold and I ate an Italian dish made of macaroni and cheese and etc.  It was very good.  We had fun with Oscar who covered his fish with the grated cheese that had been served to me.

After our lunch we again hit our turnpike and started on for New York.  It was a lovely four lane highway with a broad expanse of grass between the North and South bound lanes.  Traffic moved fast and we covered many miles in a short period of time.  As we passed the Orange [CT] turn off we thought of the Magnusons. [The relatives they visited the previous weekend.]

We had hoped to stop at the Paramount Hotel since the spring tour from Wilmington were to stop over there.  The rates were a little to high to suit us, so we went back to the Piccadilly where we again had rooms on the 11th floor.  We felt right at home here by now."

To be continued....
-----
For other posts in this series see:
March 9, 1957 (1-2 of 56) New Vienna to Philadelphia
March 9-10, 1957 (2-14 of 56) Philadelphia
March 10-11, 1957 (15-18 of 56) Philadelphia to NYC
March 11, 1957 (18-19 of 56)  NYC
March 11-12, 1957 (20-27 of 56) NYC
March 12-13, 1957 (28-31 of 56) NYC
March 13-18, 1957 (31-34 of 56) NYC - CT - RI
March 18-19, 1957 (34-45 of 56) RI - MA
March 20, 1957 (46-49 of 56) MA - NYC
March 20-21, 1957 (49-51 of 56) NYC - Hershey
March 22, 1957 (52-56 of 56) Hershey PA to New Vienna

Elizabeth and Oscar, March 18-19, 1957 (34-45 of 56)

"...so much to see that it was impossible to remember it all."

Monday, March 18, 1957 Cont'd – We left the Johnsons on the train from CT to RI where they are to meet the Uibles in Providence.


The diary continues....
The Uibles were waiting on the platform for us and we were soon on our way again.  We drove through Providence looking at points of interest and were soon on our way to Plymouth, Mass.  It was a lovely ride but there was so much to see that it was impossible to remember it all.

We started our tour of Plymouth by having lunch at Woolworth's.  Harold bought a pound of fig bars which we enjoyed very much as we did the tour.  We enjoyed looking down on Plymouth rock and up at the National Monument to the forefathers.

We drove through the Plymouth twine works. [Check this twine link for an interesting article about the role of twine in North American agriculture.  "...in the 1940s, ’50s and into the ’60s, much of the U.S. baler twine was supplied by Plymouth Cordage of Plymouth, Mass. Cheap labor in the Yucatan and elsewhere finally led to their demise."]  I never dreamed all these years I fed plymouth twine through wheat and corn binders that one day I would stand outside the great factory where it was made.  [The Plymouth car was named after the twine because of its popularity with farmers.]

We drove on to Boston, on the way we passed several cranberry bogs.  We arrived in Boston just as the Great St. Patrick's Day Parade ended.  I never saw so many people.  Harold gave us a brief view of the town before we headed for Cambridge where we were to spend the night.  [In a postcard to her Mother she says Boston "is an awful town."]

We went to the Hotel Commander [now Sheraton Commander] where we had room 137, a very nice room with TV.  We went out at once to get a good look at the town before dark.  Since we were right at the fire escape we went out that way instead of going through the lobby.

We spent a half hour walking around Cambridge, then we went to the Windowshop* where we ate supper.  It was a very unique shop, featuring imports from many countries which were for sale.  We were very interested in the display of Swedish glass and stainless steel.  After supper we walked around town spending a lot of time walking the Harvard Univ. grounds.

*The Window Shop was "an organisation to aid refugees by giving them a central place through which to market their goods and by training them in various skills in order that they may go out into the community to support themselves....We believe that idealism can be combined with efficiency. We believe that this project for refugees is a perfect place through which to show the community at large that Jews and non-Jews can work harmoniously together," founded in 1939 and disbanded in 1979. Restaurant closed in 1972. 

On Tuesday they have breakfast at a Waldorf Cafeteria and then see the Christian Science globe, site of the Boston Tea Party, Old North Church, Paul Revere's home, Faneuil Hall, lunch at Durgin Park, old State House, Boston Commons, tour of the U.S. Frigate Constitution "Old Ironsides" and Bunker Hill; then drove up the coast through Lynn, Marblehead and Salem to Concord where they stayed and had supper at the Colonial Inn.

letter to "Mom & all" Tues. March 19, 1957 transcribed below

Concord, Mass. Tues. night (March 19, 1957)

Dear Mom & all,
We really saw Boston to-day.  It is an awful city.  But we really saw everything and to-night we are in Historic Concord.  It has been quite cold here to-day.  We have been eating in some very famous places and living in some fancy hotels.

We hope to head for home Friday, getting in sometime Friday night.

I am ready to get home.  I don't thing [sic] we have missed seeing anything in the entire east now.  I am getting plenty tired tho.

Harold has to go back to New York City Thursday so I guess we will miss seeing the Falls [Niagara] this trip and I don't care.  I have seen so much now I can't remember half of it.

Well I am sleepy so will close.  Love, Eliz.

To be continued....

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For other posts in this series see:
March 9, 1957 (1-2 of 56) New Vienna to Philadelphia
March 9-10, 1957 (2-14 of 56) Philadelphia
March 10-11, 1957 (15-18 of 56) Philadelphia to NYC
March 11, 1957 (18-19 of 56)  NYC
March 11-12, 1957 (20-27 of 56) NYC
March 12-13, 1957 (28-31 of 56) NYC
March 13-18, 1957 (31-34 of 56) NYC - CT - RI
March 18-19, 1957 (34-45 of 56) RI - MA
March 20, 1957 (46-49 of 56) MA - NYC
March 20-21, 1957 (49-51 of 56) NYC - Hershey
March 22, 1957 (52-56 of 56) Hershey PA to New Vienna