1990 MUH Letter -June 5

Monday -- June 4th [1990] [mailed to Turkey]

Dear HH and Jean:

Here goes a TRY at typing you a ltr on this weird typewriter . . . it has a heavy touch and makes a lot of noise.  I'm not sure what the different gadgets' are supposed to do?  I'm still wondering if there is a way to lighten up the touch?  It seems so heavy!

We got your first postcard from Pittsburgh.  THANKS!  I imagine the mails are questionable and difficult to find a post office?  When the earthquake hit some where over there, everyone was wondering if any tremors were felt in Turkey?  Sat. nite a tornado struck Harrison, Ohio and more damage done in Indiana.  8 dead, 150 injured.  Two-thirds of the town of Petersburg was destroyed by twisters.  Hundreds were left homeless just two weeks after floods knocked out the town's fresh water supply.  150 homes were destroyed and 120 were damaged when a twister ripped a 5-mile-long path.  Warnings were on TV all evening for the Tri-state area. 

I went to bed around 12 and the fire siren went off once . . . it blew and blew then after a min. or two it started off again.  I found out later that it means a tornado might hit.  I understand some people took refuge in the school house.  I slept peacefully on, not knowing the significance of the noise . . . I thought it was just another bad accident!!!  Should we save the Cincinnati Enquirer???

Mother is doing fine!!  What an appetite!!!  I cooked green beans, canned sweet potatoes and fried (over-fried) steak.  She could even chew the meat . . . better than I could.  Ha!  This house is like an on-going soap opera.  Each 'Aid' has a different sob story to tell.  Kathie says everyone is doing better at their job since I came on the scene!!  I can't get anything done in the way of typing letters . . . not enough privacy . . . a lot of yak-yak!!!  As Roberta said, for me, this has been a "Jot", if you know what that means?  Ha!!!  Guess!!  We've found that she likes the recliner chair . . . seems like it takes off the pressure on her "rear" a good change from her chair.  She hasn't asked about you all except the day after you left when she said, "I'll miss HH & Jean."  She seems more aware of things, and more responsive. 

Sunday was a "WINNER"!!!  Took Mother to S.S. . . only Mrs. Thornburg and Vivian Cochran.  Ev Johnson was sick, no teacher so they just talked.  I understand E.J. has had several attacks of vomiting, etc.  I think going to the hospital for some tests.  I went downstairs to move her.  S.S. room was shut off as they had it decorated in a Hawaiian theme for Bible School.  I peeked in and it was very decorative . . . a lot of preparation.  Mother said she wanted to go home. 

All day was a 'scenario' . . . Having someone here to put her on the pottie.  Gi-Gi and Bob volunteered their time from 11 to 3 o'clock.  Kathie wanted off to go to her in-laws for dinner.  She tried to get a substitute Sat. and called Gi-Gi, she tried but no one available so Kathie said she would stay Sunday.  But GG volunteered and insisted that she go.  Bob was of great help . . . I thought we could take Mother and go out and eat but Bob went back and forth to the farm as he and sons were trying to catch up . . . a race with the weather.  In the PM they had some parties to go to.  GG was a lot of help . . . wherever needed.  They are a NEAT COUPLE!! 

BIG SURPRISE was seeing SERENA briefly on Sat. and Sun.  She was very attractively dressed, both days.  She liked the library.  Stayed at your house Sat. nite and came in here Sun. AM at 8:30.  She wore a neat red suit.  Roberta called me last nite and I understand she was optimistic re her interview.  Then Sun noon MV called from home and while the pot pies were baking they called on us.  They had driven up Sun. AM and Don preached at Russelville.  GUESS WHAT they brought a plastic bag with a note inside - - - belongings in drawer in Room 37.  (I had left more than I thought.)  Ha!  My faith in human nature restored!!  Ha!

I picked 4 boxes of strawberries and Phyllis brought me two.  It's to go to 44º tonight The record is 43º.  Hope you are enjoying your trip . . . but I will be glad when you are back!!  We're enjoying activities at Sr. Citizens.  Bill and Elsie Z invited us over for dinner last Tues. with GG and Bob.  FUN!  Played Euchre and Bill Z has an attractive Pool Room in their house.  "Delish" DINNER!  The weather here is mostly rain and starting this wk, quite COOL.  Feels like Florida's WINTER.

Also Helen Carr and Wib popped in here for a min. on way to eat in Wilmington.  HOPE LTR ARRIVES!!!

Love -- Mary & Bill

1980 Roberta's Letter -Feb.22

Had guessed that this letter was written 2/29/80 but then there was a reference to a 3-page typed letter received by Mom & Dad on 2/26/80.  So, changing the approximate date of this letter to 2/22/80.

Monday Morning

7:30 A.M.

[2/22/80]

Dear Family,

My goodness!!!   Where should I start??? Between the moving and the rains we've really had the action here.

We actually closed the deal on this house last Monday.  I had the day off -- for Lincoln's birthday.  Marion took the day off -- to get duplicate license -- and also for the signing of all the papers.  We had to drive down to Phoenix to pick up the papers at their office downtown.   Figured that was cheaper than having to miss another day of work -- and the idea of paying the $25 dollars a day rent.  (details on that later).

I thought we would do the final stuff at the mortgage company -- but turned out to be a Title company.  It sure was a plush office.  Sure had the signing to go through.  In fact the first pen they gave me wore out in the process . . . all that signing.  Kind of reminded me of before I went to India . . . except that time I was signing for travellers checks . . . .

The woman at the title company seemed very good at explaining stuff.  I -- we had to figure out whether or not we wanted "joint tenants" or "tenants in common".  We chose the one where you wouldn't have to go through probate.  I understand probate attorneys really make the money . . . maybe that's only in Arizona.  (ha, ha) Dad, I would like you to write me a list of things that you feel should go in this agreement between Marion and I. (me)  Then I can write you back and let you know what I want said about it.  Also the woman said that the fire insurance was necessary to have since the common walls -- if your house was burning -- so would your neighbor's.

Last Monday night the Stubbs and Mandezes (both have pick-ups) helped us move all of our boxes.  Also drawers and clothes hanging up.  Over the weekend -- last weekend -- we decided since we were in such a hurry to get out it would be worth it to hire someone.  I called up some of the big name places -- the ones with the big ads in the phone book.  One came out and gave me an estimate of $600 for furniture only -- no boxes.  I almost fell over.  Then I called up some that advertise in the Pennysaver -- the little free ad type book we get delivered to the door once a week.  Two came over and gave me an estimate -- one was for $26 dollars an hour and the second for $125.  I picked the first since he thought it could be done in two hours -- which is their minimum charge.  They did a great job.  That was on Tuesday.  They had an 18 -- or maybe it was 20 foot truck and did everything in one trip.  They were also suppose to charge 20 cents a mile -- but they didn't add it on.  That $52 was sure money well spent.  Marion should not be lifting anything -- and was I tired from all the action the night before.

Oh, about the rent we were supposed to pay.  I had Marion tell her real estate agent that she had checked with her attorney and he said that she should not have to pay the rent until we had a chance to get their money to the bank . . . to put toward this place. Also I left them a note saying the same. Also that there was usually such an agreement -- like a "gentlemen's agreement" -- not to charge for first so many days.  Those creeps gave the real estate man the check on Friday night -- then we weren't home that night -- so they didn't get the check to Marion till Saturday night.  Marion couldn't get it to the bank till Monday -- and they wanted to charge us rent starting on Friday.

Thank you very much for the Valentine's card and the enclosed check.  We haven't done it yet -- but plan to eat out at the new Black Angus soon.  The last two weeks we have eaten out someplace fast -- or have eaten at home something fast.  All three of the restaurants near the new mall are now open.  We did eat at the one called "Around the Corner" -- right on Alma School north of Southern.  It was really nice.  And kind of neat the way you order.  Each table has a small phone (do I have a story on the phone company) and you do your ordering on that.  Then they buzz when the order is done and you go and pick it up.  Fix your own waters -- get silverware -- etc.,  Basic menu is about 20 varieties of hamburgers -- from $1.60 to $2.95.  Mother -- somehow the zip code was really messed up on the card -- 82502 -- and we didn't get it till Friday.

Now to build up to the story on the phone company.  Thursday was the dedication day for the new senior center, East Mesa center was closed that day -- all of our group came into town to take part in the dedication . . . which they all enjoyed.  It was a horrible rainy day -- and since it was right uptown I had Marion drop me off there -- and then I would call her when I was ready to come home.

I was in charge of the actual serving and all for the meal.  We had over 500 reservations.  There were so many people!!!!  Had two sittings and everyone got served in less than 45 minutes.  Had 8 senior citizens and 13 teenagers from a program called "time out" -- instead of being sent to jail they were doing this type of thing for public service.  Guess they do lots of painting and stuff.  And they were such good workers.  Really worked fast between getting out the milks, desserts, salads.  The people had to go through a line to get their plate of food -- fried chicken, baked potato, and broccoli.  Also rolls and butters had to be put on each table.  Then as soon as people got up tables had to be cleaned and reset -- placemat, silverware, milk, rolls, etc....

Thank goodness the meal was catered . . . and the man that catered it sent over three of his men that helped us out during the whole meal.  They would not serve . . . but did keep the trays of chicken and baked potatoes fresh.  They were so heavy I could hardly lift them.  My restaurant experience really came in handy!!!  Alot of the other staff were giving tours of the buildings.  They were really hoarse . . . from having to do so much yelling -- to all the hard of hearing people.

I'm really glad to be out in East Mesa.  It's just that I wasn't hired to run that center and that is what I'm having to do.  But, I asked them for experience -- and I'm sure getting that!!!

OH!!!!  Back to the dedication day . . . .  About three o'clock I was told I could go home . . . so I called up Marion.  She wasn't -- or rather no-one answered the phone yet.  That didn't bother me because she might not have been home yet.  So I kept trying.  And kept trying . . . finally at 4:30 someone answered the phone.  I saidMarion -- no it was a Sue.  so I said is this 839-7039?  Yes, it was.  I said, oh, that was my phone number, and she said it was hers.  She had just gotten her phone the day before (same day we had).  So I called up the phone company and was told that 839-7039 was not my phone number -- and they would not give me my own number.  I asked to speak to a supervisor . . . and was I ever hot!!!  She also would not give me my own phone number -- because it was not under Uible -- turned out to be under Vible.  The phone will be listed under my name.  To make a long story short she would not give me my own number either but did call up Marion for me.  Friday I got back on the phone at work with the telephone company.  Got one of the head supervisors.  I kept saying that I should have an adjustment made on my bill since I was given the wrong number -- and people that I had given the number to could not reach me.  But, they don't see it that way . . . tho they would call anyone I wanted them to and give them the correct number.  They were suppose to call you all up -- believe tomorrow -- no on Wednesday to give correct number.  Did they???  The phone number is 839-5794.  It was a circle of mistakes -- as someone else was given our phone number.  To make a long story short I knew the girl that was really given the 839-7039 number.  She has taught at Mesa Central.  I called her back and gave her this number in case anyone should call here -- that I gave the first number to.  What a mix-up!!!

We are going to try to get by with just the one phone -- it was put in Marion's bedroom.  Did get the call forwarding option -- it's an extra $1.65 a month.  But allows you to program your phone into ringing into someone's phone.  I like the idea of it.  You can add some $25 dollars worth of options (per month that much)  Like the deal where you just push a number and it rings into someone's home, whatever.  Or where you can tell if someone is trying to call you while you are talking to someone else.  Even where you can put someone on hold to answer another call.  All these systems can be done on a regular phone -- as long as its push-button.

Did you all eve meet Jay Asher?  He's a retired friend of the Stubbs -- his wife's name is Florence?  He has been busy in the garage building us shelves.  We are going to have them along the whole side on the North side of the garage.  Sure would have been nice to have had them finished before we move in . . . but they are almost done now, about half of them will have doors -- the first 8 feet closest to the kitchen.  The next 8 feet are just shelves -- four up -- as is the first 8 feet.  Also having an 8 foot shelf put up over above the washer and dryer.  I'd also like another shelf put in my closet.  We have more room in the house itself -- but miss the storage areas -- the pantry inside the house and the storage area outside the townhouse.  The shelves will make up the difference tho when they get all done.

Suppose you all have heard all the news of the flooding here.  It sure will make it next to impossible for all those who have to cross the river to get to work . . . like Marion.  The whole East side of the valley only has one bridge to use -- the old bridge in Tempe -- Mill Avenue.  For the whole valley there are only three bridges open -- the other being Central which is right downtown and then one on the West side of Phoenix.  Lots of roads in Mesa have been washed away -- alot of people had to evacuate -- leave their homes.  If the dam had broken -- which they thought it might -- we would have had to have done it.  The police came by and warned us -- that would have been the last straw.  We are suppose to get more rains this week -- but hopefully the danger of it all is over.

We have had quite a mess here -- the back yard and front yard are just one big mud pile.  And the cement poured outside the house -- in the back -- was poured with the slant toward the house.  Thus one big pool of water right next to the house.  I've kept it swept into the yard.  The builder says he will fix it.  Guess it's all going to have to be torn out and redone.  Otherwise Marion says a thin layer will just crack.

Yesterday I went to do the first load of clothes here -- to find out that the hook-up had not been done right.  The plumber was just here to fix it.  Also had him fix the water deals in the bathrooms.  Both were off -- when you push toward cold water you got hot, and vice versa.  Seemed to be but a minor adjustment.

The move has really been hard on Buffy.  He couldn't figure it all out over there with all the boxes -- over here he keeps his nose to the ground trying to get all the new smells.  Once the back yard gets laid -- oh, we have the grass ready to go down sitting outside -- the garage, Now -- I keep telling Marion -- it's turning one of her favorite colors -- yellow.  We did get a manual sprinkling system put in -- underground.  The grass will have to be carried through the house -- have to get a plastic runner of some kind -- so as to not ruin the carpet.  I'm going to enclose a sample of the carpet -- it's really beautiful.

OH -- as to the 2,500 -- First off I put 1,000 of it into a savings at Valley National Bank.  Before I did that I had been looking at furniture -- Marion had been kind of wanting to sell the corner group in my room.  I had never really liked it.  Bed too short -- and very narrow.  So we advertised it and sold it for just under what she paid for it some two years ago.  So  now I've got a queen size hide-a-bed -- so pretty.  Orange and brown print.  Has interspring [sic] mattress -- really comfortable.  Also bought a two-piece outfit similar to what Marion had behind the dining room table in the townhouse.  A set of drawers with a bookcase over and then a deal that open up longways with a bookcase on top of it.  Also have a desk on order that won't be here till the end of March.  All the pieces were on sale.  Everything was delivered on Saturday.  I'm sure happy over the idea of having the desk plus the added storage space.

Wish you all could come out now and see the place -- sure looks different than it did at Christmas time.  When the camera gets unpacked will try to get some pictures taken.  You all are planning on coming out this way this summer -- right???

Oh, the Sankers didn't call on Saturday.  I spent most of the day here -- hoping that they would.  I fear perhaps that they had trouble somewhere on their trip with the floods.  It might have been tho that they tried to call on Saturday and couldn't get through.  The telephone lines were really tired [sic] up.  I did call Lowell's friend up on Saturday morning and gave him my telephone number.

So how was New York City??? And Mary Virginia what did you think of Westtown??  Gee -- you have a birthday coming up -- now will you be 15 or 16-years-old???  How soon do you get your license???  Before next Christmas???

I keep meaning to tell you all everytime I talk to you on the phone about how glad I was to get the article about TOYS and Dad.  It was sure a good article.  I'll enclose some articles in this letter about the new center and also the flooding.  Oh, the roads for me going out to work will not be too bad . . . few little detours.  But, on Friday we had three cars stuck . . . as the center's parking lot is just mud . . . as also the lane that the center is on off University.  I had no trouble with the bike . . . but sure did take it very easy.  Getting alot of good use of the rain suit.  I forget what the wet suit looked like for the canoe trip.  This suit is a pair of plastic pants . . . that tie at the waist.  And a plastic jacket and hood that snap.  I did buy a helmet which is great as far as keeping me warm (ears) and also dry.

Three pages . . . how are your eyes . . . hope to write more frequently . . . .

Thanks -----

Love, Berta

1979 Roberta's Letter -Jan.26

[1/26/79]

Friday morning

Good Morning ! ! ! !

Thanks alot for your letter yesterday and all the enclosures, including the check ! ! ! ! !  Just came from the bank now -- Found out just a week or two ago that the bank right here by me has window hours from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m. so it makes it much better to go to the bank before I come to the store instead of waiting till my lunch hour (which is only 1/2 hour) and spending it there.

It is still raining . . . even the roads like Alma School, Dobson, etc. are only open one lane going both directions -- (two instead of the four) makes for alot worse time in trying to get around.

Mary Virginia has really been practicing her song for tomorrow.  She has to be at the high school by 6:15 so Marion keeps reminding me that I'm her sister -- so I'll be driving her.  She has had more than her fill getting home early this week trying to make it to school.

I'm buying health insurance.  Getting $500 deductible so I sure hope never to have to use it.  It's with a company out of Oregon but I can't remember the full name of it.  Right now I'm just tired of reading policies.

Now it is lunch time . . . yesterday during lunch I rushed over to HOM to the Dr's . . . still missed work -- but did get back by 2:30.  It's nice to just be able to stay here today.

Tonight is the concert - EVIE - or maybe it is spelled another way.  But Mary is to sing tonight at Mesa High -- some sort of regional or district tryout -- not related to tomorrow's activities.

We have been practicing our Spanish at home.  Can now carry on about a three minute conversation, hopefully it will improve with time.  Mary is helping us.  Really Marion is quite good about it -- she had four years of it in high school so remembers quite a bit.

The Williams seem to enjoy the Wednesday night supper at the Church.  They got another wheel chair from the nursing home and then pushed both of them over there.  Then afterwards I helped Marion with getting them back home, Mr. Williams back to his house.  Timing was just right, when we were back to the Church, Mary Va. was just getting out of youth group.  Also the rains started up just as we were getting back to the Church from Mr. Williams.

I want to get a basket for the bike.  They don't have them in to fit the new style -- like what we got.  It is not called a moped.  It's called a Honda Express.   Runs on either premium or low-lead gas.  Tanks holds some .65 gallon.  Not much.  What I would really like is for the rains to quit so that I can start riding the bike.  We've had something like 2 half days of sunshine since I got the bike.  That money could still be in the bank making money for me.  I did wait till I got the interest out of it before taking it out.

I got a Lee Wards catalog and have ordered some things out of it.  They sure beat the local craft store for prices.  Will be interesting to see the quality and when the things arrive.  At least this way you get out of paying sales tax on the stuff -- postage and delivery instead.

Please send us some recent pictures of Miss Wendy.  If you want them back just let us know.  Did I ever tell you that the large picture of the family did come in right after you all left.  Now we have a large picture (of course) of Buffy chewing on a bone.  If you all would like a copy just let me know.  Mary and Buffy get along fine.

Love,

Berta

Now Sunday – better just send this to #148 –
Rode the express yesterday – over to Dorothy's
We all enjoyed the EVIE Concert Friday night.

Love,

Berta

1968 Catherine's Trip to California Diary -Dec.21-29

12/21/68
11 AM - first stop - Marathon Gas Station, New Vienna - [odometer] 42306.  Arrived at Mary Beth's house for lunch.  Spent afternoon decorating tree and house.  Nice to see all – Jeanne, Bev, Marti.

12/22/68
Left Burkholders about 7 AM - 42419
Rationed out the food as follows:

• cheese 200 miles
• eggs 800 miles
• apples 480 miles
• tangerine 800 miles 
• cookies 300 miles

I doubt if we will starve but we sure won't gain weight!

A gas station just gave us a box of taffy and a box of peanut brittle – enough for a piece every 88 miles.  What a treat!  Everything went fine until about 5 PM when the car started gradually slowing down until it wouldn't go over 50.  Ardy thought it was the timer which had gone bad before so we stopped at a bunch of gas stations but none of them had the right tools to fix a VW.  By this time the car sounded worse than a truck, it wouldn't go over 30 and it smelled like the engine was burning up.  

We bundled up (the temperature was about 10º and the wind was blowing about 50mph) locked the car, and started the 3 mile stint to the nearest gas station.  We'd gone about 100 yards when a truck stopped and offered us a lift – we immediately accepted and he took us to Concordia, Missouri.  My left contact became dislocated from all the wind and I thought for sure my eye was going to pop right out.  I couldn't see a thing but I knew I hadn't lost it 'cause it was causing so much pain.  Ardy called AAA who said they could tow the car to Concordia but it would have to be towed to Sedalia (40 miles) to be fixed.  There was a motel right there but we figured it would cost us more than we wanted to spend.  A man at the gas station finally told us about a Mrs. Becker and her son who had a spare room.  She gave us the room, fixed us some supper and breakfast and it cost us each $1.50.

12/23/68

The tow man hauled us to Sedalia where we found out the clutch was burned out.  They fixed it and at about noon, mileage 43055, we started west again.  Car still won't move very fast so we found a VW place in Kansas City, Kansas.  Nothing wrong.  Interstate almost all the way through Kansas except last 30 miles – made really good time.  Called Sue when we got about 40 miles from Denver (10:30 PM - MST).  Got to Sue's house – great to see her family again.  Ardy went to bed, I stayed up and talked to Sue for awhile.

12/24/68

Got up at 6.  Mr. & Mrs. Steusloff were both up and had delicious breakfast (real food, even!) waiting for us.  Left about 7 with mileage 43764.  Back before we left I called home.  The Colorado mountains were really beautiful and the roads were good.  But then came Utah where the weather was good but the roads were terrible.  We went around Salt Lake City just as it got dark so didn't get to see the Great Salt Lake.  Stopped in the first town in Nevada at a Casino – cafe for coffee.  Hard to realize that gambling is legal.  The radio is getting a little repetitious every half hour we hear the same news stories about Apollo Eight and the Pueblo Crew.   Between news casts we hear the same Christmas Carols only each time we sing them louder to keep ourselves awake.  As the night went on we hung our imaginary stockings and made an imaginary fruitcake out of our food: cheese, tangerines, apples, oranges – all held together with taffy and the peanut brittle on top.  We celebrated the coming of Christmas in Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, and finally Nevada.  We stopped twice more for coffee and in the meantime the weather is getting increasingly bad.

12/25/68

(just a continuation of 12/24/68 – we drove straight through.)  Arrived in Reno about 5:30 AM – roads are just covered with snow and ice and when we finally got in California (where they confiscated our remaining apples and tangerine) we were told we couldn't proceed any further until we had chains put on the car.  Had to get off the road and make our way to the gas station to get the chains.  

Back on the road where it is snowing even harder.  Thank goodness it is divided road so we didn't have to worry about the cars coming the other way.  We were doing fine until it began snowing so hard the windshield wipers wouldn't work.  I rolled down my window, put half myself outside the car and scraped the snow off with the ice scraper.  That worked fine until I froze and Ardy thought the road curved where it actually went straight so we plowed into the snow bank.  The snow was up to the hood on one side.  We pushed, pulled, and spun the tires but nothing helped.  

Finally, after we had almost resigned ourselves to spending the rest of our lives in the snow, two cars came along.  The men got out and helped us push and pull until we eventually got the car dislodged.  We just followed the blurry taillights of the car in front of us which worked fine until they went faster than we could go.  Back down went my window but this time I just kept Ardy posted on how far we were from the snowbank to our right.  Then came that blessed sign "chains no longer required," the snow turned to rain the roads were clear, and we zipped on our way.  

[Although it seemed like an eternity had passed it was only 9:30 AM when we got out of that stuff.]  We stopped to see Ardy's friend Mary in Berkeley and arrived at Ardy's house at about 1:00 with the mileage 45069, making a total of 2763 miles between New Vienna and San Mateo.  We had two oranges and 5 pieces of taffy left.  Her family got home shortly thereafter, (Mother, Father, and sister Dell) Ardy opened her presents and at 3:00 we went to bed.

12/26/68

Woke up at 6, but that was about the soundest 15 hours of sleep I ever got.  All my stuff came through fine except my German book which is completely soaked from the melted snow which collected under the seat.  We went to visit Ardy's sister Janet who lives in an apartment in San Jose.  She is 2 1/2 years older than Ardy and just came out of the convent last summer.  Then we went to see her friend Joyce who she used to work with, go to school with, and they went to Hawaii together before our bicycle trip last summer.  We stopped and I got some postcards and then we went to her sister Roberta's house, who is married and has a little boy Chris.  Roberta is the second oldest daughter, Maureen who is older yet is in the Convent.  Back to Ardy's I found a letter and a card from home, and Christmas cards from Linda Popp, Marcia Chappel, and Micky Roussere.  Joyce called Ardy and she's having a party on New Year's Eve.

12/27/68

Messed around all morning.  I finished writing my postcards.  We exchanged some Christmas presents at Macy's and Hatfield's then took the car to a Body Shop in San Carlos to have the trunk fixed which the towing co. in Concordia had broken.  While it was being fixed I got something to send home and to the Steusloff's.  Also bought a bus ticket from San Mateo to Kalamazoo.  Got the car and drove down to San Jose – went through Palo Alto and got a glimpse of Stanford.  Saw San Jose State where Ardy went to school.

12/28/68

We went to San Francisco and saw alot of the sights – Nob Hill, Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, Cliff House, Point Lobos, Golden Gate Bridge, the Golden Gate Park with the Japanese Tea Garden, museums, etc. and can't forget the cable cars.  Met Ardy's friend Cheryl who has an apartment on Ashbury.  We all went out to dinner at Que-Lai a Chinese place – very inexpensive and the food was delicious.  We went to the ACT theater where they have a student standby plan.  The seats on the edges of the sections which don't sell by curtain time are sold to students cheaper.  We got $6 orchestra seats for $2.  Saw "A Flea in Her Ear" a really funny French farce which K put on just this past fall.  Stayed all night in Cheryl's apartment.

12/29/68

Had breakfast at Cheryl's and made it to 9:45 mass at St. Ignatius (sp?).  Picked up Ardy's oldest sister Maureen at the convent and then back home.  Found some mail – grades, . . . .  [continued in a letter dated December 30, 1968.]

1968 Roberta's Postcard -April 18

9:00 P.M.

Sunday 

[postmarked April 18, 1968]

Hi!  We are now in the "midst" of a "tornato" !  Wow!  I hope you all made it ok.  Thanks for all.

Love,

Roberta

1978 Roberta's Letter -March 15

March 15, 1978

Dear Family,

It's just 7:00 and I just got to work. . . nice to get here at 7:00 – some mornings last week I was here by 5:45; and by 8:00 when the rest of the people got here, I was ready to go home!  They worked day and night on opening up Country Club Road – and they got it opened for Monday morning, so that makes it much easier on Marion.

Alma School and the other crossings this way still have much work to be done on them.  We got out across Alma School in a jeep type affair the other day.  After going out several times to look at the progress and talk to the guys, Marion talked our way into the jeep with this guy going out to look over the situation.  (one of the work guys)  It was really something to see.  Road signs are all torn up like they were made out of aluminum foil.   Big hunks of the road were just not there -- plus it smelled awful -- because the water cut right into what used to a land fill place.

Last night we had pork chops out on the grill -- really good.  We were going to eat out but it was too cold for me -- low 60's.  Yesterday during the day it was in the low 80's.  NICE!

I applied for a job as security officer – guard or whatever, at Mesa High.  The high school on Southern that we went by that day three times looking for the oranges.  I got a call yesterday saying that the job was for a man – as they have need for both one man and one woman – but it was the head of security for Mesa schools that called me, and he said how well qualified I was – and that he would definitely keep my application on file and let me know if there were any openings.  He said that it was a 9 month job – and would I mind being off in the summer.  Sometimes the district find jobs – within the district that need done – but not guaranteed.

Mary Virginia – I'm not sure of Dorothy's address  but you could always send it in care of the school.  Mesa Central – 260 S. Center  85202.   Have you been bowling any?

This Saturday we are going to see South Pacific – one of the Mesa High Schools is putting it on.  Hope it is good.  You will never believe what we are gong to do tonight.  We have tickets – given to me – by MARTY . . . to hear her group and the Phoenix Sympathy (spelling? ? ?).  I think she has finally decided that I wasn't as bad as she thought.  I've been helping her a great deal with these surveys that had to be typed up – put together – etc.  Plus alot of other busy work ––

Mother, I am returning the check once more . . . . look closely and you can see why.  I never noticed it till I took it to the bank, and then the trained eye of the teller found it.  I had to laugh, because the day before I stood in line, then when it was just my turn I found that I had left the check at home.  Then the same thing happened yesterday – I waited in line with an unsigned check.

I had a nice letter from John giving me his travel plans . . . . N.Y.C., Washington D.C., and Florida.  He does get around.  Are you sure he is still in school?

It's time I get to work –––

Love, 

Berta

1978 Roberta's Letter -March6

March 6, 1978

Hi!

It's 6:15 A.M., and I have all the work I usually try to have done by 7:30 here at work . . . . could be because I stayed till 4:00 on Friday afternoon -- or that I got here at 5:45 this morning!  Marion will be part of the crowd fighting the Tempe bridge this morning.  And from looking at the roads, for a number of mornings to come!

We went out both Friday after school and yesterday after Church looking at what used to be the roads.  Country Club crossing is by far the worst.  The water was very high and the road must have been out for like a mile on both sides of the bridge together.  The water was really moving very very fast.  They make you park your car way back, because part of the road going up to it is all messed up . . . . like eaten up from underneath.   Alot of people in Tempe had to leave their homes, etc.  I've got some pictures (and a letter started at home) that I will have to send you all.

The tickets for "My Fair Lady" came the first part of last week.  The tickets are for Saturday afternoon -- which was our first choice.  The tickets are for the 7th row -- and right in the middle -- so we were very fortunate.  I could not have done better myself.  It is tonight that we go see "Same Time Next Year" -- at least ASU is on the right side of the Tempe Bridge for us.

I'm feeling fine -- last week the first couple of days back at work, I would just barely make it through the day, then I would come home and collapse.  It was a crazy week because of the flu going around the office, and also the weather.  Alot of absences -- on part of the students, but the two Jeannie's were both out Thursday and Friday.  Pat was out Wednesday and Thursday -- Dorothy was out on Tuesday.  Verna -- the new one that they hired to answer the phones -- but who hates to do it -- got much better at answering them.

Things in Arizona are really in an uproar -- with the floods, and the governor dying.  He was only in office 4 months -- today they are having viewing of the body in the capital.  I don't think I'll be going down.  Everyone seems to like the new governor the guy used to be Attorney General and guess he did alot in land fraud cases.  [see below for Arizona governor info]

Mary Virginia thanks for all the mail.  We got a good laugh out of the Mrs. Magill and Robert A. Marion does wear your hat and the teeth some.  The Mandes' came over Saturday night -- we went bowling -- and she had them both on.  First she went upstairs and then came down with both of them on.  It does look pretty weird.  She says she is going to take them both to school some day, but she didn't take them today.

I have some (alot) of letters I should be getting out . . . . seems I've gotten out of the habit of writing.

Thanks again for everything.  We enjoyed having you all here.  But, again, I'm just sorry I wasn't feeling better, though I don't when else I could have four nurses at one time!  (live-in)  We look forward to seeing "My Fair Lady" -- thanks for the fine tickets!!!

Sure hate to have to send back Check #1000!

Love, 

Berta

* * * *

From wikipedia's List of Governors of Arizona

Wesley Bolin, age 68, served from October 20, 1977 until his death of March 4, 1978.  He was replaced by Bruce Babbitt who served from March 4, 1978 until January 5, 1987.

"Bolin died in office at the age of 68 on March 4, 1978 and was succeeded by Attorney General Bruce Babbitt. Rose Mofford had been appointed by Bolin to finish his term as secretary of state, and thus was ineligible to succeed Bolin until she was elected to the office. Babbitt, being second in line and an elected official, finished the remaining nine months of the term and then was elected to two terms as governor in his own right."

1978 Roberta's Letter -March5

March 5, 1978

Hi, Family!

Seems hard to believe that it was just a week ago, we went to the lake picnic-ing!

The weather has remained warm but – oh – the rains – as I said today – the only way now you can get from here to Scottsdale is across the bridge in Tempe.  It's going to make it rough on Marian & many many others.  She didn't go into work on Friday but according to news & sources it was taking 2 hours to get from here to Scottsdale – 1 hour plus just to get across the bridge.

I just got done Watching Alice – did you all see it?  It was Mel's 50th birthday.

This last week has been a crazy week at work.  Dorothy was out 1 day – flu – Pat was out 2-1/2 days and both Jeanie's were out Thursday & Friday due to the floods.  Perhaps this week things will be back to normal – though I will be off Wednesday & Thursday – have permission to go to a seminar in Scottsdale w/ Marian – it should be good.  It is being put on through the Scottsdale Schools – about motivation, goal setting, stress release, etc.  I have to go in at night & type bulletin & absences – but I'll be paid for at least 1 of the days I'll be gone.

We went to Mandes' [?] last night for dinner – now Marian will have to cook a big meal for them.

I made up both orange juice and grape fruit juice today – the electric juicer is still not working – so some time is involved.  But – oh– sure tastes good!

Same Time Next Year – was really good – but oh the traffic – lined up to go across the bridge – took us 45 minutes to get to ASU – place was full ––

Love, Roberta

1984 Catherine's letter -Aug.25

August 25, 1984

Dear Mother & Dad,

Hi!  Sorry about the confusion of the telephone calls this week.  We did clear up part of the mystery but the rest remains.  According to Wendy we received two calls from "Grandma" on Wednesday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  She was here with the babysitter and we still do not know who these calls were from.  That was when I called you the two times on Thursday morning.  Then while I was gone on Thursday morning came the third call which we found later was from our insurance agent in Madras who was calling to answer our questions about the new policy we got when the house changed from owner-occupied to rental.  We knew her pretty well and she knows Wendy and called her "Sweetie."

The Moscow/Latah County Library called yesterday and my interview is scheduled for Wednesday, the 29th at 11 a.m.  Supposedly they wanted someone to start on Sept. 1 so there shouldn't be too much delay in selecting their new employee.  I'm really hoping I get the job.  I'll let you know the outcome as soon as I find out.

Summer seems to be winding down here as it has only been getting up in the high 60;s or low 70's during the day and down to around 40º at night.  Our house doesn't warm up much as it is surrounded by big trees so we've had to turn the heat on several times already.  Fortunately for the heat bill it is a small house.

And speaking of houses we intend to find a different place to live as soon as we know what my employment status is.

Wendy is looking forward to several big events in September like school starting, the County Fair, and of course, her birthday.  We really haven't thought much about what to get her for her birthday.  She loves that Cabbage Patch doll that Doris (?) made plus her other two dolls so I might get her some new doll clothes.  One of her dolls is now named "Urena."  Don't you think that would have been a good name for one of your children?

And now a message from Wendy:

cathy gerry wendy deedee j

That's the end of Wendy's message.  She likes to type but gets upset when she makes a mistake.  She's more of a perfectionist than I am.

I got stung by a yellow jacket on Thursday and now I have a big red area on m arm that burns and itches.  I put some ointment on it earlier this morning and it helped for awhile.  I guess I should keep putting it on.

I can't think of much else that is newsworthy so I guess I'll close and get on down to the post office.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1974 Catherine Letter -Jun25

June 25, 1974

Dear Mom, Dad, Roberta, John, and Mary,

Hi!  Thanks for your last letter.  You left us in suspense as to what happened to Dad, John, and the truck.

We have had quite a bit of damp weather (in fact, it's raining right now) but we are making very slow progress on the house.  It is taking quite a bit longer to get the forms ready for the foundation that we had thought.  They are going to be four feet deep and 16" wide which is quite alot of cement so we want to make sure the forms are well braced.  It would be quite a mess if the forms don't hold.  We will be pouring it in two sections.

I probably mentioned in my last letter that David Stone [friend from college] is here.  He is really a big help.  If I were the only one helping X things would be moving even slower.  We also have another friend here in Sanford who has been coming up one or two mornings a week and helping us.

We started a book sale at the library yesterday.  We had about 1200 books which had been discarded during the past six months which we are trying to sell for 10¢ each.  So far we've made almost $40.00 And for every 10 books you buy you get one free.  Shall I save you some?

I read "Malabar Farm" [by Louis Bromfield written in 1940s about an organic farm in Ohio, Malabar Farm State Park is in Lucas, Ohio, SW of Wooster]  I would have enjoyed going there.  Have you read any of his novels?  I think I read "The Green Bay Tree."  The scene alternated in it between urban Ohio and Paris.

Did I tell you that Sanford has a new discount department store?  It is where the Giant store used to be.  Ames [company founded in 1959 in Connecticut, became defunct in 2002] is the name of it and it seems to be quite a bit nicer than Giant but perhaps that is an unfair comparison because we only saw Giant in its dying days.  I have only been in Ames once briefly so I can't tell you if they have any Wells products.  I'll try to make it a point to check the next time.  I think they are centered in Massachusetts.  I do know that this is their first store in Maine.

I made a new couch cover out of pieces of old towels cut into 12" squares.  One of our puppies developed a real taste for the old cover and it was ruined before we were even aware what was going on.  You can tell Grandma her sewing machine got a real work-out as it seemed to take me hours and hours to get it done.  At least it helped to reduce our supply of old towels.

Alot of people do grow strawberries here.  I know of two places where you can go and pay to pick them and there are plenty of wild ones.  Last year I must have picked quite a few quarts of wild ones but this year for some reason I just haven't had time.  The season here is just now beginning and will probably peak in another two weeks.  And then comes the blueberry season which is real big thing.  I don't think there is anything much better tasting than fresh blueberries and yogurt.

It's getting late and I'm going to have to get up early in the morning so as to wake everybody else up so we can go to work on those forms somemore [sic].  that is assuming that it quits raining by then.

Write again soon!  I don't guarantee that you will too much from us during July but I'll do my best.

Love, Catherine & X

1992 Roberta's Letter to GHU - Oct. 18

Roberta keeps the letters arriving in Grandma's mailbox. Transcription follows.

 

October 18, 1992

Dear Grandma,

I just read in the paper how COLD it is in Ohio!  Below freezing!   Hope you are warm enough – no wonder the Hortons went back to Florida!  Aunt Mary is like me – she gets COLD!  I just got my ticket to come to Ohio in November.  I arrive on Friday the 13th in about 3 weeks!  Do you think it will warm up by then?  Can I borrow your winter coat – unless you need it.

Sid leaves Tuesday for his trip back to South Bend, Indiana.  That is where he lived and worked for 23 years!  South Bend is about 2 hours from Chicago.  It was the home of Studebaker automobiles.  Do you remember those cars?  South Bend is also the home of Notre Dame – the Catholic University.

Sid's youngest daughter and her family still live in South Bend.  Judy – who you met in Arizona – you might remember what a good loud voice she has – typical for a school teacher – Judy teaches 6th grade.  Mrs. Everett Penn – Mary Etta Penn was my 6th grade teacher.  I'll never forget how I had the same 3rd grade teacher that Dad had – Martha Woodmansee.

Speaking of school I've been busy with my 2 classes.  The reading is the hardest part – between reading slow and have a hard time remembering what I read!  Sid is a BIG help – he is my official typist – helps so much!

We had pizza tonight for supper – do you think that is on my diet?  With Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up should I wait until January to start my diet?

I hope you and Sadie are both doing very well.  If you want a cat I bet Sadie could get you one.

Sid will be in Indiana 10 days – when he got out the suitcase the cats got upset.

Hope you are eating/drinking enough – all the vitamins and minerals you need!

Much love, Roberta

April 23, 1989-99

April 23, 1989-99 Arts and Culture in DC

HH's Diary 1989-1999 [lightly edited]

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

Tuesday 1991 - [Silver Springs to Baltimore MD] Breakfast in our room [Econo Lodge] then we walked to Silver Springs Metro Stop.  Rush hour (until 9:30) $1.55, while non-rush hour is $1.10.  They have a $ changer with a +/- registering of amount of $ you have put in.  Simple after we learned how.  [Like many things in life.]  We met Louise [Robinson] at Woodward and Lothrop, then to National Portrait Gallery, National Building Museum, had lunch at National Art Gallery where we bought a couple of framed paintings.  Drove to Annapolis, early bird supper at Treaty of Paris, $16.95, four courses, very good.  Bought pair of Timberland "weather proof" shoes at Timberland ($145), then to Baltimore where we had reservations at Shirley Madison Inn [now Biltmore Suites -- not quite as historical sounding], room #26 with button for hotter water.

Thursday 1992 - Went to Milford with Marvin Chamberlain, Keith [Rankin?] and Gene Gibson [related to Polly or Tom?] to get deed signed by Dorothy Howell to Westboro UMC.

Saturday 1994 - [England] Got to Housel Bay Hotel on Lizard Peninsula [Cornwall], Room #4, a great view of the ocean, but oh the wind.  John* and Julie had stayed there two years earlier, also Murray had suggested this place.  We had so much breakfast, we saved the ham for lunch at G.... Park, what a lane/road to get to it, but very nice and Jean bought some cook books there.  Two nights at Housel Bay Hotel, total $166 [or#] The big room right over the Dining Room quite drafty.

Sunday 1995 - We called John, they decided not to come down, so called about going to the hospital dinner.  Dr. Von Stein spoke on orthopedic surgery, lots of illustrations and even a t-shirt.  We took Virginia Hildebrant with us.  Forecast of hail tonight so covered the tomatoes.

Tuesday 1996 - Jean worked at UMC District office.  Busy day at the office.  Ray King was over and got the screen saver on the computer.  John, Julie and Kate return from Florida.

Wednesday 1997 - Pauline Cameron came over and listed Elsie Satterfield's big house.  [and?] Preskells [Prickett's?] big house in Wilmington.  Loaded up book cases from GHU's to take to Crowsons.

Thursday 1998 - Looked at regular pick-up -- a '91 Chevy that they wanted $7200 with 38,000 miles.  Gloria Collins around on petition vs. Ed Brown.  Dow up to 10,700.  Put out notices about Wells shutting down in stages starting in two weeks.  Called salesmen, auction companies, etc.  Down to 33 degrees tonight.  Talked with the Zooks, he is having trouble with disintegration of the spine and her back problems have "moved to the other side".  Called Ed Jones and got recorded message.  Jean had long conversation with _______ in Bethesda, MD.

*John added in 2010: [Regarding 1994] Julie and I remember the Housel Bay Hotel in Cornwall with very fond memories. We did not have the ocean view, but enjoyed some of our best meals in England in their dining room.

1936 Ohio River Flood New Cumberland WV

The Uible/Ballantyne vintage postcard collection contains 17 postcards of 1936 Flood Scenes and a flood chart with pictures taken from "The Independent" a New Cumberland newspaper founded in 1877 by Jean's grandfather, Lucie Brown Ballantyne's father, A.W. Brown.  Unfortunately these are very poor quality pictures and can best be appreciated if one pretends to be "there" at the time, looking out into the rain through a dirty window.

Complete collection of cards can be found in this web photo album.  I will also post some of them at the end of this post.

Flood Records 1762-1942

New Cumberland West Virginia

On March 18 and 19, 1936 the town of New Cumberland and Hancock County,  (and the surrounding Ohio River area) experienced the worst flood in its history when the river peaked at Dam No. 9 in New Cumberland at 51.6 feet, about 26 feet above flood stage.  New Cumberland is 54.4 river miles below Pittsburgh, or 44.1 miles NW via US-22 and and WV-2 highways.

Known as the "Great St. Patrick's Day Flood," according to Wikipedia this was also the worst flood in the history of Pittsburgh where flood levels peaked at 46 feet.  Railroad service, communication and utilities were out of commission for up to two weeks, while the damage to steel mills caused hardship to over 60,000 workers within a 30-mile radius.

In addition to a wet March, flooding was a result of warmer than normal temperatures causing the melting of snow and ice on the upper Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.

Not much is available online specifically about Hancock County flooding, although did find a publication called 1936 WWVA Wheeling WV Flood Souvenir Book, listed as being in the archives at the West Virginia University Library but not available for loan.  WWVA is a radio station in Wheeling, first licensed in 1926.  Their 10th Anniversary in 1936 was a year of several weather related disasters.  High winds of 100mph+ hit the area in July 1936.

From History of WWVA, Wheeling
At 9 am on Tuesday, March 17, 1936, WWVA received first word of warning from the Wheeling Chamber of Commerce that high water was on its way to Wheeling. Two days later, at 3 pm on Thursday, March 19th, an angry avalanche of watery destruction roared down the Ohio River.
Through the dark and anguishing hours, WWVA staff, entertainers and engineers responded unselfishly and untiringly, maintaining 92.5 hours of continuous broadcasting, sending out bulletins, flood reports and spirit-lifting musical entertainment to residents of the stricken area. All other forms of communication had been destroyed by the swift and destructive waters of the Ohio River.

An Ohio River flood in late January 1937 was not as severe in New Cumberland (only 18 feet above flood stage as opposed to 26 feet in '36) but had far greater impact down river in southern Ohio, Indiana and norther Kentucky. In Cincinnati, the Ohio River crested at 80 feet, 28 feet over flood stage and 9 feet above the previous 1884 record.

The floods of 1936 and 1937 were so unprecedented that civic and industrial groups forced authorities to create a comprehensive plan for flood control, which the Army Corps of Engineers completed in the early 1940s. The history of the Corps began with the building of fortifications during the Revolutionary War. Their authority over river works in the US began with the fortification of New Orleans after the War of 1812.

Construction on Dam No. 9 in New Cumberland began in 1910 after the completion of Dam No. 8 in East Liverpool and was completed c1912.  The National Construction Co. of Evansville, Indiana was awarded the contract after a bid of $912,456.  The Cincinnati Library has an online collection of pictures of dams and locks including the newer one in New Cumberland.  Here are the links for those specific to New Cumberland: 2007 Locks and Dam Building, 1959 view of lock at Stratton OH [across the river from NC].

The current New Cumberland Locks and Dam is located two miles north of New Cumberland and was constructed from 1955 to 1961, replacing Dams 7, 8 and 9 which were constructed 1904-1914.  Dam No. 9 was at New Cumberland and contained a single lock and an old-style wooden wicket dam.

Flood Scene - New Cumberland, W.Va, March 19, 1936. This is a view of Rev. Fr. Okzewski residence, upset. Located in upper town, south of Peoples Store building. The Polish Priest lost another house and it landed in the Dr. Beaumont lot in lower town.

Harry Sprague's garage, upper town, moved its location from the David Ward property and landed on Railroad near residence of Ira Donovan.

The Dominick DeRiso Shop and dwelling on Chestnut Street, below the Railroad Station, showing wreckage that lodged against the DeRiso property. The water was on the second floor of the dwellings.

Bank corner – water coming up – Auto caught in flood tide. Small building opposite is 'Squire Milligan's office, before it left its mooring.

A view of Eden Valley. The Forrest house occupied by Frank Carpenter, the next is the John Reed dwelling and the Phil White house, occupied by B.F. Harper and family.

This view shows the Penna. Railroad Station after it collapsed. The white scene is the heavy snow that fell Saturday, March 21, the first day of spring.

Ireal "Tony" Glover's house floated with the swift current, it was caught down at Black Horse. The dwelling was located on the west side of the road opposite the Chelsea row of houses.

Last picture Pennsy. R.R. Station standing. Also rear view of R.B. McNeil's residence and a number of Mike Solomon's houses under water.

Madison Street at 11:30 Wednesday morning, March 18, 1936. Water continued to rise until 9 a.m. March 19th.

New Vienna (Ohio) Environmental Hazards

Most of the following information came from different parts of Homefacts.com.  I have tried to include individual links for each "subject" listed.  Enter your own/current address to find out what's near you.

In a follow-up to yesterday's post about storage tanks I found this information about current environmental hazards in New Vienna, Ohio. Fortunately there are no Superfund Sites, or Polluters but the following are listed:

New Vienna Environmental Hazards
Educate yourself on environmental hazards in your area

SUPERFUND 0
POLLUTERS 0
Underground Storage Tanks (UST) 8
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) 6
Aboveground Storage Tanks 0

Streber's Market
299 N.SOUTH ST, NEW VIENNA, OH UST
Streber's Market
299 N.SOUTH ST, NEW VIENNA, OH UST
Streber's Market
299 N.SOUTH ST, NEW VIENNA, OH UST
Streber's Market
299 N.SOUTH ST, NEW VIENNA, OH UST
Streber's Market
299 N.SOUTH ST, NEW VIENNA, OH UST

Shell
101 N SOUTH ST, NEW VIENNA, OH LUST

Packaging Resources
5566 NEW VIENNA RD (N OF OFFICE), NEW VIENNA, OH LUST

Packaging Resources

5566 NEW VIENNA RD (TRUCK GARAGE, NEW VIENNA, OH LUST

Orphan [Assume this means no property owner is being held responsible]
140 WEST ST, NEW VIENNA, OH LUST  [This is the current site of the Family Dollar Store, and we know who lived on that corner 60 years ago.]

At&t
RT 28, NEW VIENNA, OH LUST

New Vienna 1st Stop
ST RT 28, NEW VIENNA, OH UST
New Vienna 1st Stop
ST RT 28, NEW VIENNA, OH UST
New Vienna 1st Stop
ST RT 28, NEW VIENNA, OH UST

Green Township
10850 ST RT 28, NEW VIENNA, OH LUST [This address on Google Maps says John (and Brenda) Vergne, Fiscal Officer of Green Township.  All Clinton County Township Trustees are listed under this website of the Clinton County Engineer's Office.

Also available on this website are Criminal/Sex Offenders (7 listed with details), one former Meth Lab at 5915 Ross Road, Air Quality -- which I couldn't make much sense of, and which doesn't say where it is measured, but overall 80% of the country is better than NV.

Does the New Vienna water come from Clarksville?  And Clarksville's comes from Midland?  (rather confusing, especially since the website also says NV is in Clarksville and Clarksville is in Blanchester)  Here is the information about the Water Quality in NV:
Village of New Vienna
Water contamination monitoring and most recent reporting data for Village Of New Vienna in Clarksville OH.
7.9 OUT OF 10 [best in Clinton County]
Location: Clarksville OH
Population Served: 1,200
Test Available For: 2004-2009

Clarksville info:
Village of Clarksville
Water contamination monitoring and most recent reporting data for Village Of Clarksville in Blanchester OH.
5.8 OUT OF 10
Location: Midland OH
Population Served: 500
Test Available For: 2004-2007

Other hazardous trivia found:
296 tornadoes within 100 miles of New Vienna between 1950-2006.  On April 3, 1974 there was a Force 4 tornado one mile from New Vienna which caused two deaths and 39 were injured.  This was the date the Force 5 tornado hit Xenia.  An F-5 tornado has an estimated wind speed of 261-318mph, an F-4 tornado has 207-260mph with an average damage path of 400-900 meters (440-1000 yards).

Much less chance of a New Vienna earthquake with only 12 earthquakes within 100 miles since 1974, the highest being 5.2 magnitude 80 miles away on 7/7/80, the closest one 18 miles away on 2/2/95, 3.6 magnitude.

New Vienna crime index -- higher than the national average for property crimes, burglaries, and larceny theft statistics but negligible amounts of all other crimes.

Weather

It is supposed to be up to about 75 degrees today, but right now it is about 49 degrees. I've been thinking about turning on the heat - really only to make sure it still works before Mother gets here. I still haven't done it, maybe tonight.

Has everyone else turned on the heat already?

----------------
Now playing: Leo Laporte - Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy 505
via FoxyTunes

Update

Last night Kings and I went to Line Thai for dinner with Sharon O'Shea and Ruth and DC Black. We all had a good time. Food was good, although I ordered Pad Thai medium spicy and it was downright bland.

The Blacks did ask about Roberta's siblings and nieces and nephews. We told them about the big April blowout when Wednesday (Wendy Jean Morgan) and Ken got married.

Well, I see the sun is pretty much up now - I'm getting ready to go out on bike ride. I've gotten a new bicycle seat which is much more comfortable and gotten the computerized odometer on the bike fixed. The latter came with the bike (which cost $25 at the thrift store) . . . well, actually both the seat and the computer came with the bike. The computer only needed a new battery. The seat was beyond help. I'm thinking about replacing the seat on the bike that Murray borrowed when he was last here - he said it was very uncomfortable. I haven't really had a problem with it, but . . .

The weather has hit a major cool down finally. Expected high today only 95 - and at least the forecast is no triple digits this week.

Weather

The weather in Sun City West tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday is going to be warm - a high of at least 105 degrees. On those same days the highs will be around 63 degrees.

Foreign Weather

This post is for anyone who is thinking about traveling to some place, like Oslo, Norway - or as some people refer to it - the country of Ohslow.

Go to this site and then if you are looking for specific days, go to about middle of the page on the left, under "History and Almanac", choose the month and date. You'll get the minimum and maximum temperatures - average and record for that date.

Weather Forecast in Phoenix for December 11-12

I just checked the weather forecast for Phoenix area for December 11-12 - high around 74 degrees. For the same time period, southern Ohio forecast is for 29 to 40 degrees.

Saying I recently heard and the weather

"You can write it on a block of ice." Sounds like something Grandma would have said. I remember her telling us about ice being delivered, etc.

When I first got on the computer this morning - about 45 minutes ago - it was about the same temperature in New Vienna and Sun City West. Although projected high today for New Vienna is 66, projected high for Sun City West is 93.