1961 Roberta's Birthday Train Trip -May

 The 10th Birthday tradition of a train ride continued . . . .

Left to right: Roberta, Linda Shaffer, Mary Pat Clear, Serena, Nancy Walker, Jean & John

1970 Catherine's Letter -Feb.3

February 3, 1970

11 PM Tuesday

Dear Mother, Dad, Serena, John & Mary,

Hi!  I'm sure you understand that the reason I haven't written lately is because I never go anywhere or do anything so there is nothing new to write.  (The previous sentence applies only the the last five minutes since I sat down to write this letter.)

To go back in time a ways, I had a good time visiting Sue and her husband Steve, in Erlangen.  He is from Portland, Oregon where they will be moving when he gets out of the army in July.  Sue and Steve are very much in love and everyone seems happy about the marriage except Sue's parents who refuse to accept Steve and haven't told any of the other relatives that she is married.  Hopefully time will improve the situation.  Steve has been in the Erlangen area for two years so I met alot of their German friends as well as army friends.  Meeting all the Americans who speak English, had English books lying around, and all sorts of American food that they buy on the base -- it was almost like being in the states again.  I even got to drink a glass of kool-aid.  Sue and Steve have only one room to live, eat, and sleep in but they are hoping to move into an apartment in March.  Sue does the cooking on a hot plate, he keeps the coal stove (most apartments are heated by a coal stove, too) going, and the dishes get washed in the bathroom sink.  I was able to stay in Sue's old dorm room which she had leased until February 1.

I took an overnight train to Hannover, flew Pan-Am to W. Berlin and the 13 of us met at a travel bureau there.  Ann had been in Munich for the weekend but she stopped in Münster on the way to Berlin and brought me a letter from Mike and a nice birthday card from Grandma.  I haven't decided yet what to do with the money she sent me.

A bus took us through the wall and over to the East Berlin airport which is the deadest airport I've ever seen.  Our propellor plane to Moscow was pretty dilapidated but there were also double winged, 12 passenger planes which I understand are still in use.  Customs going into the U.S.S.R. wasn't too bad -- they checked one or two of our group's luggage and let the rest of us on through.  The Moscow airport was the next to the deadest I've ever seen.  Especially when one considers it is the 5th largest city in the world.  [now the 19th largest metro area per wikipedia]   Our guide Nonne, a lady of about 35, met us at the airport along with a bus which took us the 17 miles into town.  The flight took 2¾ hours and there was a time change of two hours so we had a short day.

We stayed at the Hotel Metropole which was very centrally located and even had heat in the rooms.  The meals (3 large ones per day) were also fantastic.  I especially liked the Borsch soup and some kind of drink which was slightly carbonated but not sweet like soda pop and came in assorted fruit flavors.

Our first night there we walked over to Red Square and then the 1¼ mile around the Kremlin and saw the changing of the guard at Lenin's tomb.  I certainly felt sorry for the guards standing still for an hour in the bitter cold.

Every place we went during the days the bus took us.  Fortunately, it was also heated.  We got a tour of the city, saw the University, where all the students are paid to study.  We saw the steam on top of the heated swimming pool.  I guess the water is comfortable but even the men are required to wear swimming caps so their hair won't freeze.  Saw and did all sorts of other things which I don't really feel like elaborating on at the moment but everything is written down in my diary so I can tell you about it when I get home.

It was also quite interesting just to talk to our guide.

And there I was in Moscow on my 21st birthday.  It was rather frightening to wake up that morning and suddenly discover I'm a genuine grown-up and fully responsible for all my own actions.  So far everything seems to be going about the same.  It was rather a low blow though when that very day Nonne (our guide, who didn't even know it was my birthday) told me I looked 15.

On Friday afternoon we retraced our path from Moscow to E. Berlin to W. Berlin to Hannover.  Dick and I had decided to spend the weekend in Hamburg so we jumped on a train for there.  But we got there too late to get in the youth hostel so we just stayed on the train and did an overnighter to Copenhagen.  We spent part of Saturday walking around there, even ran into two other K kids, and then headed back to Hamburg.  It's kind of neat because the train goes on a ferry for two hours and you can get off the train and walk around on the boat.  We saw the streets of Hamburg on Saturday night (I wouldn't want too much of that) and two museums on Sunday.  The Youth Hostel is on a hill overlooking the harbor which was nice too.  But it was most exciting to come back home again.  If coming home to Münster is exciting after being gone for 9 days, I can hardly imagine coming home home after six months.

It was nice to find the big birthday card from you all -- my living hasn't reached quite that level of graciousness yet.  And thanks also to Serena for her much appreciated letter.  The bathing suit arrived yesterday and I thank you for such prompt service.  I was also glad to get your letter today and hear the latest news.  The money is also appreciated although not necessary.  At the moment I have 75 DM, $250 travelers checks, $60.75 cash, 12 kopeks (worthless since I won't be going back to Russia for awhile), 40 pfennings from E. Germany, 20 centavos from Portugal (also both worthless), 3 pesetas which I can use in Spain and 21.95 Gilders which I will be using this weekend in Amsterdam.  That should be enough to get me quite comfortably back to New Vienna.

Yes, I am glad I got the Eurorail pass.  Whenever I am lost, bored, tired, or want to go somewhere I just jump on the train and relax.  Ann and I are going down to southern Spain during vacation.  You can reach me March 1-10 ℅ Poste Restantes (Gen. Delivery), Malaga, Spain; March 13 the American Express in Paris; March 15 at home here, and from then until March 20 at American Express in London.  (I'll send you the address later.)  I will probably be flying into New York on the big 747 on Saturday, March 21.  It leaves London at 11 AM and hopefully arrives in New York at 12:45.  What airlines can I get stand-by to Columbus or are they all ⅔ now?  How much will that cost?  Could you also please check on bus connections and costs.  As usual I will need a dentist appointment sometime that week.  School starts on March 30.

Mütti gave me a green sweater with yellow trim for my birthday.  It goes well with my brown skirt.  Mike sent me some yellow & orange & red beads which he made himself.  I'd also like to ask one more favor of you all.  I live in constant dread that this pen is going to run out of ink so I think one more would definitely see me through March 22.

Thanks for guiding me the last 21 years!

Love,
Catherine

1980 Catherine's Letter -Jan.3

Thursday

1-3-80

Dear Mother, Dad & Mary,

Hi!  Just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know we arrived home OK.

We took a taxi to the train on Tuesday morning and although we were about 15 minutes late arriving in L.A. the other train was right across the platform.  We were able to get one of those carts to put our luggage in as our compartment was in the very last car on the train.  We took a nap in the afternoon and slept as late as we could Wed. morning before we got off the train.   It was about 40 min. late.  We had breakfast with Denny & Pat (our friends there in K.F. [Klamath Falls]) before we drove home.  The drive was the worst part of the trip.  We got home about 1:00.

Within the first hour we were home we had about 6 people at the door and 5 phone calls.  So we got right back into the swing of things.

Gerry's Dr. appointment for today was postponed until next Wednesday so he didn't have to go to Bend today.  Sandi came over from Eugene for the inspection this morning which went fine so we have that over with.

Hopefully things will calm down for us by next week and we can relax a little.  The two apartments that were empty when we left I got rented yesterday and one that became vacant yesterday I am renting out later this afternoon.

I'll try to write again soon.  Hope you had a good trip home.  It sure was nice to see you and again, thanks for everything.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

P.S.  Wendy is all better.  She broke out with hives again this morning though.

1979 Catherine's Letter -Dec.3

Monday, December 3, 1979

Dear Mother, Dad, and Mary,

Hi!  Well sorry that this letter has been so long getting written.  Even though things are calmer around here there still always seems to be something that needs attention.  And the Christmas cards are ready to be worked on in the next week now also.

We are thrilled about our forthcoming vacation and glad that you are able to come to San Diego.  We certainly appreciate your paying for our transportation - we think Amtrak should be an exciting experience for all of us - especially with our bedroom!  We'll let you know how the reality compares with our expectations.  In a few minutes we are going downtown and will check at the bus station regarding taking the bus to Klamath Falls to meet the train.  If we decide that won't be satisfactory we have a friend (the former parts manager at the co-op) who lives near  K.F. and we could probably leave the truck at their house.  We are really looking forward to having a good time and to seeing all of you at Christmas.

We did make it to church yesterday - we walked, or course, and stayed for a potluck loyalty dinner afterwards where the budget committee made their 1980 presentation and passed out the pledge cards.  I had hoped to take a tongue but the store didn't have any when I went on Saturday so we took macaroni salad instead.  Speaking of salad we went to a new German restaurant in Bend last week when Gerry went to the Doctor and was it good.  it was buffet and offered around 50 varieties of salad and maybe 30 choices for main dishes and accompanying dishes.  It was really good.  $3.95 for lunch and $6.95 in the evening when they serve prime rib and several other entrees to round out the dinner.

Wendy is getting very anxious to leave - she is putting on her jacket right now - so I better bring this to a quick close.  The last few days have been in the 50's after a week where the temperature stayed below freezing so it is a little nicer to be outside.  Wendy likes to go but the minute she thinks we are headed home again she gets upset.  Yesterday she threw a tantrum at church because she didn't want to come home.

Well, I'll try to write again soon.  Hope you are all well and thanks again for helping us with our vacation!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1979 Family Letter -Dec.2

Sunday --

Dec. 2, 1979

Dearest Family --

Really had trouble getting the date or rather year right and it will soon be 1980 so had better start practicing.  My typing in general needs worked on after seeing Roberta's typed papers and letters as well as Catherine's.  A very worthwhile subject to take in school.

Was glad to get a letter from Catherine on Monday, John on Wednesday and Roberta yesteray.  The latter was a good 30¢ worth with all the descriptions of senior citizen facilities -- makes one want to move into that area to take advantage of what will be for us before too long.  Very interesting and well written.  It's amazing how that field has opened up in just the last few eyars.

Thanks, John, too for the map and new direction to the school in Gahanna where Mary Virginia is to take the test this coming Saturday.  She hadn't received anything at all from the testing service and thought that perhaps that they hadn't received her letter.  When nothing came in the mail on Friday morning I called and they said that it was in the mail and to come anyway if she shouldn't get her ticket but it came that afternoon - having been mailed the day before - a little close considering that they had said she would hear two weeks before hand.  Anyway we are all set to go and looking forward to being with John and Carol later that day - the test lasts til 12:30 so don't look for us til mid-afternoon at the very earliest but will definitely be there by                (Will let Dad fill in that blank to be on the safe side.)

Enjoyed talking to Serena and glad to hear that she is enjoying her work in the Loyola library.  We called her after her second day of work (found that she will be working on Tuesday evenings so she had just gotten in).  Wonder what the procedure is there when a library book isn't turned in or found turned in -- that seemed rather drastic at ASU -- especially not to get to use the reserve section of the library either - glad that it all straightened out in your favor, Roberta.  Do hope that you make definite plans over Christmas, Serena - just sorry that you won't be going to Arizona this year like last.  Are you thinking about visiting Noni in Madison Wisconsin or friends in Kansas City?  Also let us know what you have in mind for adding to your dinner ware - if you would like something in that line or something else or perhaps with fear of breakage it would be best to get it there or bring it over later.  We would very much like to get to Chicago during the packaging show and see you at the same time if it can be worked out that way and perhaps we could get the John Hancock apt. which would be near your work as well.  The Salisburys are thinking of going to southwest Texas to visit Tom and his family as they are to be located there for awhile.  And if they leave right after Christmas Dad doesn't feel like he should be away at the busiest time of the year - first weeks of January - we had originally planned to come back that way.

So glad that the Morgans were able to get train reservations from Klamath Falls to San Diego and looking forward to seeing them one place or another for as long as possible.  At least you and especially Gerry will be ablae to move around and the roomette should be real nice for all of you.  that is something we have wanted to do for a long time.  But either the time or the routing wan't the most convenient.  Out west thet rains are supposed to be much better too.

The bazaar was held yesterday from 9 to 6:30 which was much too long a day when most of the business was in the morning but they did make close to $1400.  We had both lunch and supper there and brought (bought too) home enough food for another couple of meals as the weather turned bad and they had very few people for supper in the evening.  Some woman bought three of the macrames, Roberta (I don't know who) and they reduced the afghans from $35 to $25 but have two others beside that to take to the bank along with quite a few other things.  Mrs. Thornburg didn't want her's reduced so it was touchy marking down yours they said.  They are pretty but New Vienna isn't willing to pay as much as they do in the larger cities.

I asked Mrs. Thornburg to make some big bags to fit on Grandma's wheel-chair and told her just how I wanted them - had planned to give them to her for Christmas.  But she made in a hurry and gave them to her (real dinky ones) before she left for Florida.  I asked her what I owed her and she said she wanted to do that for her -- Was kind of disgusted in some ways for I had wanted that . . . . [bottom line of page cut off]

We had a card from the honeymooners from Ft. Myers, Fla.  I don't think we mentioned what a nice wedding Melba and Orville had the night before Thanksgiving.  Peggy was her only attendant (Marvin walked down the aisle with her) John Harner stood up with his Dad and Stan, Jr. married them with the help of Rev. Wise.  It was a small wedding - mostly relatives and friends and a reception was held afterwards in the new fellowship room behind the sanctuary.  Had to go down and then up the back stairs to get there but a real happy occasion.  The next day the bridal couple had Thanksgiving Dinner for the immediate family (forgot to mention that Elaine and Isabel were at the guest book and the former and Opal took care of the reception.  Mrs. Young, Melba's mother and brother were also on hand both days.  Then the next day they (Melba and Orville) took off for Florida and she mentioned that they had rented a house for at least a few days ON THE WEST coast of Florida.  She entertains the UMW next Dec. 11 so don't think they'll stay too long - Does that remind you of anyone else that has meetings interfere with personal plans?

Yesterday was the auction of the personal property of the New Vienna Mill, on which Wells has bought the real estate as it joins right up with us on the west side.  We also got the old Farm Bureau Bldg. (N.V.'s first depot [?? don't remember hearing that before]) so we hope we can make this space into some usable storage space.  The mill bldg. is like the catacombs in the two subbasements.  There are cats everywhere -- you can guess why.  Anyway, that will be a project for 1980 to make the buildings more usable.

Grandma left Tuesday morning for WPB and called us that night that all went well on the trip.  Winter arrived the next day with our first skiff of snow and has been down in the teens, tho I guess compared to Chicago southern Ohio must seem like the tropics -- right, Serena?

Rev. Reece passed away - had been in the ministry 57 years . . . .  He had a rich life having been associated in the Friends activities all over the world.  We always will remember how fast he walked and his enthusiasm.  He is to be buried in Richmond, Ind. and they are having memorial services for him here next Sunday (Dec. 9).  Fairview will be looking for a new minister -- they were lucky to have a man of Rev. Reece's caliber for so long.  His wife died 9 years ago -- about a year and a half after they moved here.

We attended another square dancing practice session tonight which helps immensely as they go much slower and review all you have learned recently.  The Pratts haven't attended these sessions as that is the only day (Sunday) when they have time to go Christmas shopping together.  Hope you all will excuse us for not thinking of this reasoning.

Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday afternoon, Carol and John.

Catherine and Gerry - we think it might be easier on Gerry to fly from San Diego to Phoenix.  We would be most willing to go after you all but it is a 400 mile trip and would be much quicker and less rough on Gerry to fly.  If yo can get reservations both coming to Phoenix and back, please go ahead and do so.  Dad did call the Flying E Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona and talked them into holding rooms again Dec. 28 and 29 for one room and Dec. 28-31 for another two rooms but they are adamant about two to a room.  Wendy would be OK with you because of her age.  This place is *** (excellent) in the Mobil Tour Book and is on the American Plan with family style meals.  Hopefully it will be a pleasant experience for all of us.  Do let us know about your preference for getting from S.D. to Phoenix and back, and if flying, is your choice, let us know your schedule.  Our schedule is to leave here Dec. 20, arrive Mesa that Saturday evening and head back to NV around Jan 3rd or 2nd.

With much love from . . . .

1939 Lucie's Letter -Aug. 7

Lucie, Nat & Jean are on a train trip to the west which included visiting Nat's brother, James Freeman Ballantyne (1873-1957) who with his wife Maud (1872-1958) and son James, Jr. (1905-1951) moved to Idaho in the 1910s and then to Portland Oregon in the 1920s.

Monday 6:30 A.M.

Aug. 7, [1939]

Dear folks at Home [could include Lucie's brother Bert or son Bob, both in New Cumberland and/or Virginia who was married and living in Pittsburgh]

You see I am up to do the family washing but only part of my family.  We had a lovely day yesterday here at Mt. Rainier, gazing upon snow flowers and people by the thousand and also saw a glacier.  I don't know whether your father has written of the delightful evening we had  with Mrs. Fred Atkinson.  We all liked her so much and she seemed so glad to meet us -- says she reads the Independent all the time.  Fred is in Monterey, Cal. and will be gone five weeks.  We were there for dinner and took the ten bus back to Tacoma where we remained all night and then took the bus Sunday morning for Mt. Rainier.  They had signs every where not to feed the bears and to hang your food in the trees not to leave it in the cars for they could smell it. 

Paradise Inn is a very attractive hotel in the mts.  It reminded me very much of the Old Cheat Hotel at Mt. Chateau [Cheat Lake is in Monongalia County WV] only larger.  We had a good Sunday dinner & supper here and watched the tourists and picnickers children feeding the chipmunks - old ladies dressed in slacks about half way up their legs must have been borrowed lots of fine looking people in beautiful cars, people carrying baskets with their babies warming milk bottles so you see we had a busy day.  [Written in the margin:]  12,000  people at Mt. Rainier yesterday (Sunday).

Maude, Jim & Jr. brought us to the train and Maude gave Jean and I a beautiful talisman rose with a card: "For you a rose in Portland grows."  But the best part was a letter written by Bert to Jim Ballantyne -- news from home.  But they were so pleased were simply beaming.  It was very thoughtful of you and they appreciated it and it made us so much happier to get a line from home.

We are hoping for mail in Seattle to-day.  We arrive there at 12:30 Monday for lunch.

We are wondering how the centennial is coming on.  Thought many times of the union services yesterday and regret we cannot be there.  This is a big Day.  Gov Holt (WV governor 1937-1941) is to be there.  Hope we receive our Independent.  Trust every body keeps well and Best that you will be able to stand the strain.  I hope all the members of our family will do their part toward making it a success.

Nat and Jean are great pals and enjoy being together and talking over the trip.  It has really been wonderful every day different.

Much love to all.  Will not mail until we reach Seattle until we see if we receive any mail.

12:30 P.M.  Just arrived and no word from home.  all are disappointed as we had been in the Mountains for the past two or three days.

Leave tonight for Yellowstone.  Will be in the Park about 4 days.  On then to Denver arriving on Friday eve or Saturday.  Will advise from there our itinerary.

LBB 

1975 Freedom Train -June 4

The "Freedom Train" visited toured 75 cities in 1975 and 1976, stopping for public display in each of the 48 contiguous states, as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration.  There was also a Freedom Train in1947-48 to "reawaken Americans to their taken-for-granted principles of liberty in the post-war years."

In June 1975 the train visited Cincinnati, coinciding with Roberta's return to Ohio from Florida.

1954 HH Letter from Italy

The intrepid travelers arrive in Firenze [Florence], staying at the Albergo Bonciani hotel. Here is a link to the hotel website – looks like a nice place! Dad will have to enlighten us as to how much it has changed in the 60 years since their first visit.  No indication to whom this was mailed – the CJ Uibles most likely (if they were home from Florida) but possibly Wells.  Transcription follows.

Saturday, April 10th

We left Rome yesterday at 8 A.M. & arrived here at 12:15, a distance of 184 miles.  We came 3rd class on the train, which was 1836 lire as against 3100 each for 2nd class.  The European trains have the aisle down one side with compartments – 2nd class they hold 6 people, 3rd class 8 people – but there were only 5 of us in our compartment so had plenty of room.  They were all students.

Saw several teams of oxen plowing yesterday with their wood plows, also people breaking up the clods by hand.  Their farms are about one garden size. 

Say if you see any good prospective renters for the vacant apt. rent it to them @$20.  I had hoped Mrs. Frost might want it again, but I don't know what her situation is now.  Would rather have it vacant than the wrong people.

We walked around town yesterday afternoon & evening & bought a guide book which we we have read upon & will start out today to see the sights.  Florence is quite an old town & has its share of magnificent public bldgs & churches.  It is quite a leather center & the main bridge over the Arno is lined with little shops.  There are lots of little places where you can get snacks – all kind of pastries, beverages and sandwiches – where we usually make one meal a day anyway.  Also lot of fruit stands & they have wonderful pears – grown from around Venice [?? looks like Vemince, but Venice is about the right amount of miles] – 170 miles more.

Motor bikes, etc. are as prevalent as auto & it seems that half the people walk in the street – so maybe we should have taken out that accident ins. that the travel man wanted to sell us – Ha.

The hotels have radiators in the room, but use them from 11/1 to 3/15 & then they charge extra for the heat – 400 lire (625 to the $) the hotels have dim lights – about 40 watt, so we added to our equipment a 100 watt.

Believe our next mail stop is Frankfort, Germany, where we should be passing thru in about two weeks.  Glad we are on our own & not on a conducted tour.

Coming over on the boat we turned up our clock 42 min. each night so that now we are six hours ahead of Ohio, which difference we haven't really got use to yet!  Just this letter so please take or mail on out to the Johnsons. 

– Harold & Jean

1990 - Excursion Train from Midland to Greenfield

In memory of Aunt Mary, Uncle Bill and Mom, here are some pictures I recently got from Marianne.

HH, Jean, Mary & Bill - Excursion Train Midland to/from Greenfield - July 27, 1990

According to HH's Diary:

Friday, July 27, 1990 -  We, Mary, and Bill left Midland at 6:30pm on the train ride to Greenfield, cruising speed was about 25 mph.  There were 2 tables (six of us) in the observations car, also a club car, an observation car,  a coach and a diner.  Cost was $40 each.  Had an appetizer of cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, also cheese and crackers, entree of chicken and green beans or beef on rice, strawberries over cake to wind up.  The meal was finished when we reached Greenfield.  Also had mushrooms, meatballs and all kinds of cookies.  Back in Midland at 9pm. 


More pictures from the trip:

Excursion Train from Midland to/from Greenfield  27-July-1990

Wells Mfg. along Railroad Ave., New Vienna as seen from Excursion Train Midland to Greenfield 27-July-1990

Wells Mfg., New Vienna as seen from Excursion Train Midland to Greenfield 27-July-1990

New Vienna School rear view from Excursion Train 27-July-1990

July 27, 1987-99

Wendy's is Kate's favorite

HH's Diary 1989-1999 [lightly edited]

Monday 1987 - [west of Guttenberg Iowa to west of Kearney Nebraska] Lunch in Kearney, NE, van has 55,873 [miles].

Thursday 1989 - Took Jane [or Jean?] Kantner to Emmaus walk in Wilmington.  Hurriedly put out broccoli plants – what I had thought was broccoli was small cabbage.

Friday 1990 -  We, Mary, and Bill left Midland at 6:30pm on the train ride to Greenfield, cruising speed was about 25 mph.  There were 2 tables (six of us) in the observations car, also a club car, an observation car,  a coach and a diner.  Cost was $40 each.  Had an appetizer of cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, also cheese and crackers, entree of chicken and green beans or beef on rice, strawberries over cake to wind up.  The meal was finished when we reached Greenfield.  Also had mushrooms, meatballs and all kinds of cookies.  Back in Midland at 9pm.  Got our Hilton card today. 

Saturday 1991 - [Fairbanks Alaska with Don and Martha Ann Bernard] Breakfast at the bakery, then to visitor center, walked around downtown, then took ride on the boat Discovery III ($29.50 each).  Made a stop at Indian Village.  Mary Shields had demo on dog sled routes, etc.  In PM went to Alaskaland [now called Pioneer Park], ate at a Greek Restaurant and then went ⃞ dancing, $10/couple. 

Wednesday 1994 - Laura Hughes in the office.  She certainly has a negative attitude.

Thursday 1995 - Went early to Wilmington for Noon Leadership meeting.  Jean got new doorbell (the old one quite working), and I got a new wrist strap for my watch.  Got Marion Schantz (she was 86 last week) and took her and MUH to Murphin Ridge for supper, she seemed to enjoy it a lot.

Saturday 1996 -  [Banff to Jasper, Alberta Canada] To Morrow Lake.  At Lake Louise had lunch in Poppy Restaurant in Hotel.  Rode Snow Bus at Columbia Ice Field, $20/each.  Glacier was spongy,  Ate at Something Restaurant in Jasper, staying at Mt. Robson Motel.

Sunday 1997 - [east of Rhode Island, with John, Julie and Kate to Newark to home] Left Hampton Inn at 7:30, room was $59 and were in the "Chapel" in Akron for 10:40 service, near the UofA Campus, had trouble finding a seat.  They have four services on Sunday AM.  Spoke on Malachi 1 – what are we doing with our lives?  Had lunch at Wendy's, Kate's favorite.  A stop at Roscoe Village for ice cream, also at Longaberger, big plans for year 2000.  We left Newark at 4:30

Monday 1998 - Putting new roof on UMC SS rooms.  Lions magazine: 1,440,215 members and 43,897 clubs, 735 districts and 185 countries.

April 25, 1989-99

April 25, 1989-99 Onions, cabbages and broccoli

Dad's Diary 1989-1999 [lightly edited]

Tuesday 1989 - [Cross-country bike ride San Diego to Jacksonville continues through May 5]

Wednesday 1990 - Mother seems to "shake" her arms and hands more.  Planted white onions (180 to #) for 79¢.  Also 6 cabbage (79¢) and 6 broccoli (79¢).  

Thursday 1991 - [Baltimore MD]  Had nice breakfast conversation with an English couple.  Visited Lovely Lane UMC and Museum, the Mother Church of Methodism.  Then to B&O Railroad Museum, quite a collection of engines in the roundhouse.  Had nice lunch at the Brass Elephant, 924 N. Charles [closed in August 2009], then drove to York PA, visited the McCrory headquarters and store [all McCrory stores out of business by 2002], China outlet and the York Galleria Mall which is one year old.  Got on the wrong road en route here but have very nice room at Days Inn.  Went to open house suite -- what a layout, then grocery store for breakfast provisions.

Saturday 1992 - Met the three Hughes' (Fred and Gwen's sons) boys at their late Mother's home and divided things up.  It went better than I expected.  Went to see GHU -- she was very sleepy but ate pretty well.  Then we drove to Hamilton to see Serena, looked around Oxford and then had supper at Jakes.  I had a heavy gumbo soup for $11.95, pretty hot.  We saw where Mary Ellen K. (Mrs. Hadley's daughter) lived, also Serena's apartment.  Serena looks good.  Florence and Paul Christy now at Heartland.

Sunday 1993 - Mother complaining of her back more.  She drinks her 2 glasses of milk but not much else.  She loves the strawberries though.  More rain.

Monday 1994 - [Cornwall to Salisbury England] Drizzle all day.  Drove to Salisbury, 213 miles, room #1 at the Milford Hall Hotel.  Got food and groceries including dry soup which we warmed up on the "tea service" in the room.

Thursday 1996 - Lilacs showing white blossoms.  Long Leadership Clinton meeting, everyone wants things done, but no one wants to do it.  Lock box opening on Richard Dailey.  Roberta called. 

Friday 1997 - Bar Meeting in Middletown, went with Gano and Bill McCracken.  Gano's getting a new van.  Sat next to Mike Dougherty, a new attorney with Legal Aid.  He wants to open an office of his own.  What a mix up on meeting Terrells in New Vienna rather than Wilmington.

Saturday 1998 - [to Newark]  Jean had UMW meeting in Hamilton then met her in Wilmington.  John and Julie went to dinner -- Park Bank Employees and Stockholders get together*.  We took Kate to Wendy's, so surprised to see Clark Morrow [?] there and the gal -- Roberta Richards (?) that had been on an Elderhostel to Iceland three years ago. 

Sunday 1999 - Took rhubarb to Eileen Glass, then to [for sale?] open house at Evelyn Bernard's, drove around Sabina cemetery, to Walmart and got lamp for over piano for Sunday School, then to Extended Care where Howard Page seems in bad shape.  Oh what a heavy meal they were having.  Then to CMH where Leon S. is getting along fine.

* John added in 2010: 1998 was the last time we had one of those Park employee/stockholder dinner meetings I believe.  Must have been too expensive to continue the tradition!

Old Bulk Plant and Clinton County Ohio trivia

Back of photo:  Old Bulk Plant in New Vienna [Ohio], Main St., was next to Irons Building which was Daye Hardware, now the Antique Mall.

This is the back side of the Mongold Oil Company / gas station?  Picture is undated but appears to have been taken in the winter mid-1900s.  CJU had a financial interest in the company at one time and he also had a bulk gasoline business in Hillsboro where Bill Horton worked at one time.

Rollo Mongold was the owner of Mongold Oil Company, his older brother, R.W. "Shorty" Mongold ran the Southern Ohio Tool and Die Company.  Shorty and CJU were good friends.

From Page 5 of the 1985 County Seat Calendar

January 29, 1931 The last engine rides the Grasshopper Line.  Connecting Port William and Kingman [part of the Detroit, Toledo, and Ironton Railroad which shut down in 1933, was organized as the Waynesville, Port William and Jeffersonville Railroad in 1875] it was owned by Henry Ford who was sometimes seen in the area operating a handcar.  The line was named because it was so slow grasshoppers didn't stir from the roadbed.  The engineer backed to Kingman, as there was no turntable there, and sometime the train stopped off in the woods were the crew hunted squirrel.  [Kingman is now a crossroads on 380, north of I-71, near the Sharon Methodist Church, in 1915 eighty were enrolled in the Kingman HS.]

January 31, 1931 The town [Wilmington] acquires boulevard lighting.  116 lamps downtown.  It is described as "bright with radiance its first settlers would deem impossible."  Wilmington's first lights came in August of 1873, and were gas.  In November of 1893, town got first electric lights which were so poor townsfolk keep gas ones, too.  Before 1893, town operated on "moon contracts," with no lights during bright of the moon.

New Vienna Train Depot Razed

A mere 40 years ago....   From the Wilmington (Ohio) News-Journal Saturday January 30, 1971.  Transcription follows.

Workers dismantle Depot at New Vienna
by Clarence Graham (News-Journal Staff Writer)

NEW VIENNA -- Railroad stations, once the center of long-distance communications, commuting and industrial activity, are disappearing from the American scene. At least, from the more rural areas.

The depot at New Vienna has been sold by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and is being torn down. But not before it yielded a few memories.

Harold Wallen, New Vienna Route 2, was the original buyer but antique dealers Dale and Wanda Marks of New Carlisle, have purchased the building from Wallen.  [No information readily available on the Marks or antique dealers in New Carlisle.]

Wallen will tear the building down and the Marks will take the lumber to their farm and rebuild the depot in its original form.

The structure is of fine pine and Wallen says it was well constructed with the best lumber.  Each piece is held together by a wooden pin.  In early building construction these pins took the place of nails, bolts and spikes.

Each piece of lumber is full-sawed, meaning if it was to be a two-inch thick by 10 feet long piece, it was exactly that.

Wooden pins make dismanteling [sic] easier.   Wallen will drive the pins out and take the building apart piece by piece.

When Wallen and his crew began tearing down the second story of the depot they found some interesting papers.  Telegrams that were sent as far back as the year 1891 and freight tickets from the same year were also discovered.

Hundreds of these tickets and telegrams bearing such well-known names in the area as Derivan, Swingley, Bernard, Nordyke, Rice and others were stored in the top of the railroad-owned structure.

The telegrams were everything from business to personal.  Some told of arrivals of grain or coal shipments to local merchants.  Others informed local residents as to what the stock market was doing.  One personal telegram read, "Dear wife, Missed train, arrive tomorrow."

The Cincinnati Enquirer was shipped to the Commercial Gazette in New Vienna by train.

The depot in New Vienna was of X-style architecture and consisted of a waiting room, office for the station master, baggage room and a covered dock area.

Most of the train depots along the miles of track have been closed and only main stations such as Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland remain in operation.  The depot, the telegrams and the freight tickets are a link with the New Vienna of the past.  The restoration of the depot will keep alive a part of yesterday's America.  [--end]

NV Train Depot

 

B. & O. Railroad, New Vienna, Ohio
From the Uible vintage postcard collection. More about the NV Train Depot later this month.

CJ & Catherine ~May, 1950

CJ Uible & Catherine ~ May, 1950

I've always liked trains, perhaps I got the train bug early on....  Happy Birthday to Granddad (CJ) who was born January 7, 1883 and passed away January 13, 1969.  He would have been 67 at the time of this picture.