Venice, April 12-13, 1954

1954 Itinerary so far:

Mon. March 15 - flew from ? to NYC via Pittsburgh on TWA

Weds. March 17 - dinner with Luna and Bob Herron and 3 children at their house

Fri. March 19 - board Saturnia or Vulcania

? - First stop at Lisbon, Portugal

? - Second stop at Gibraltar

Mon. March 29 - Barcelona

Tues. March 30 - Genoa

Wed. March 31 - Sorrento

Thurs. April 1 - Monreale, Sicily

Friday April 2 Palermo

Saturday April 3 Capri, Naples

Sunday April 4-9 - Rome

Friday April 9-12 - Florence

Monday April 12 Venice

Venice card to  Mrs. NW Ballantyne - April 12, 1954

Monday, 12 April 1954

Arrived in Venice this afternoon and have walked from the Rialto Bridge back to our hotel after taking a public motor boat up there.  Either you walk to where you're going or take a gondola or motor boat.  Not cars, no buses, taxis or anything else.  Plenty of little shops.  I'm watching for your pretty Venetian beads but all are real large so far but hope to find small ones like yours.  All our very best love, Harold & Jean

Venice postcard sent April 12, 1954 to CJU's and Mrs. NWB

Venice card to M/M CJ Uible - April 12, 1954

[To M/M CJ Uible] Monday, 12 April 1954
[Written by Jean:] Arrived in Venice this afternoon and have seen part of the town by motor boat and a lot by foot.  Found a hotel near the station 3600 lira [Written by HH:] including supper.  All these hotels have a fellow at the station trying to sell you – but we do better shopping around.  We had linen sheets (now Tues.) on the bed here.  Water is the streets and seems damp with no heat.  This bridge here is lined with shops.  No building lots at all in this town.  They say now is a good time to be here due to the smell.  Hope you had a * mail over the weekend.  [* Express mail?] – H&J 

Venice postcard sent to Catherine & Roberta - April 13, 1954

Note on front of card: 13 April 1954 Get on the ship in England 1 month from today.

We rode in a gondola like the one in the picture.  A lot [or it's not] like Lake Cowan – are you two ready for a picnic?  Leaving here at 6:26 AM tomorrow for Salzburg, Austria where we will be tomorrow night.  We went shopping today and bought cheese, ham, bread, butter, apples, oranges to eat tomorrow.  We see lots of signs in German now and can only guess what they mean.  Wonder if Roberta talks more yet?  Love & XXX, Daddy & Mommy

1974 Roberta Letter -Apr.12

April 12, 1974

Dear Family,

Hi!  The 1st part of the movie "The Greatest Story Ever Told" just came on so decided it would be a good time to quit studying & write a few letters (& also watch the movie).

First off – Wednesday I really lightened my heavy load (HO, HUM!) I dropped the course "population & Urbanization!"  I'm just not that good of a student to take 20 hours – plus I just didn't feel like being bothered!!  The course was really way beyond me – I was just taking it as an elective – where the other 3 courses I'm still taking now are all requirements.  Hopefully now maybe I'll come up w/some good grades this quarter now!!  Also I've decided I'm going to buy a new swimsuit & start going to the beach.  I refuse to go back to Ohio looking pale!!

Mother – "the purses" came today – of all days when we didn't think there would be mail service (because of it being Good Friday).  Aunt Mary really liked her purse – it's very pretty w/ the red initials.  And my purse is just the right size – and of course the right color.  (BROWN) [HA]  Thanks alot Mother.  They came before they were supposed to – didn't she say they would come about the 1st of May?  I think I'll write her & pay for the postage of them to get here.

Today the stock market was closed & no school but Weight Watchers have no holidays!  Our class met as usual – though we had very few people there.  Only 11 people – you know the Jews have been having their holidays & I'm afraid that alot of them might have gained.  Once they gain – they may never be back!   had 5 people this morning that were eligible for a pin because they had come for 16 weeks – if they had lost 10 or more pounds.  Well, of that 5 – only 1 of them had lost more than 10 pounds.  Really a good group huh – you can see how hard they work on it.  For some reason all the groups that meet at the mall seem to be like this – I think most of them come just to go somewhere or they just plan (& enjoy) on getting out & shopping & eating out!!!

Remember when we went to Cincinnati – or was it Columbus – to see this movie?  I remember how LONG it was!

I work tomorrow & then I don't work again till next Thursday – what a good feeling!!  The Monday after Easter the Hallmark Man will be there to pull off all the Easter cards & put out the Mother's Day cards!!

My girl-friend Nancy is coming over tomorrow night & then we are planning on getting up for the Sunrise service. Easter Sunday the L.W. Lions club has both breakfast & lunch pancake meal out at the park.  Since Uncle Bill has to be out there & Aunt Mary doesn't like pancakes & Grandma & I can't eat them we are going to go to Bonanza to eat lunch.  Aunt Sarah is also going to go w/ us.

Mother – if you can do try to find Grandma some salt-free food before she gets home.  Esp. bread, butter & anything else you can find.  (ie – cottage cheese, hard cheese, cereal, crackers, etc.)  OH – she especially likes to have some salt free cookies – she uses them to help get down her pills.  This is good – because she is so limited on her water.  I've found alot of things at the different health food stores around – but alot of groceries have diet sections you might check out. 

John – thought you might be interested in where judge Gayliardi went to school!

We had a nice letter from Catherine – she said she had lost about 7 pounds & wants to lose 10 more.  Grandma nearly had a fit!

As for myself – I'm still pretty upset w/ my dear Doctor Schnebly & his friend Dr. Thompson!  I manage to stay about 8 or 9 pounds more than where I'd like to be!  I talked to the health service down at school & they said that that's to be expected but that alot of it might be fluid.

Well – I've got 1 more orange to eat.  Did you watch the movie – NO – I guess you're "lodging" it tonight!

Love, Berta

Florence-Pisa, Italy April 11, 1954

Leaving Rome on April 9, 1954, HH and Jean travel by train to Florence, about 180 miles north.   While in Florence they also make a side trip to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower.  Pisa is some 60 miles west of Florence.  Two postcards with the same picture of the Leaning Tower were sent and one more Easter card as shown below.

Easter postcard from Florence to Mrs. NW Ballantyne April 10, 1954

[Saturday] April 10, 1954
Arrived in Florence yesterday after taking the train from Rome.  It's a beautiful city with so many interesting little shops – especially on one of the bridges across the Arno River.  We start sightseeing this am.  Plan to go to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower there, perhaps Sunday.  All our best love, Harold & Jean

Leaning Tower of Pisa postcard sent to M/M CJU - April 11, 1954

Sunday, 11 April, 1954
[Jean writes:] Just got back to Florence after going to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa – one of the Seven Wonders of the World* – climbed clear to the very top of it and oh the steps! – 297 of them.  [HH writes:] About 50 miles over.  Our heavy coats feel good today.  Plan to leave tomorrow for Venice.  [Have] Seen several women washing clothes on the rocks along the river.  Tell Catherine & Roberta that I remember this from history.  –H&J

[Jean to her Mother] Sunday 11 April 1954

Winter coats feel good here.  Just got back to Florence after going to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa – one of the Seven Wonders of the World* – it really leans – climbed clear to the top of it – the very top – no elevator and oh the steps.  Will probably leave Florence tomorrow for Venice.  All our very best love, Harold and Jean

*The Leaning Tower of Pisa is on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World, which follows: 

1. Stonehenge
2. Colosseum
3. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
4. Great Wall of China
5. Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
6. Hagia Sophia
7. Leaning Tower of Pisa

Other sites sometimes included on such lists:
Taj Mahal, Cairo Citadel, Ely Cathedral, Cluny Abbey

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient WorldThe historian Herodotus (484 – ca. 425 BCE), and the scholar Callimachus of Cyrene (ca. 305 – 240 BCE) at the Museum of Alexandria, made early lists of seven wonders but their writings have not survived, except as references. The seven wonders included:

• Great Pyramid of Giza
• Hanging Gardens of Babylon
• Statue of Zeus at Olympia
• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
• Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
• Colossus of Rhodes
• Lighthouse of Alexandria

The earliest lists had the Ishtar Gate as the seventh wonder of the world instead of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

The list known today was compiled in the Middle Ages—by which time many of the sites were no longer in existence. Today, the only ancient world wonder that still exists is the Great Pyramid of Giza.

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

1974,1984 Roberta's Letters -Apr.9

[4/9/74 - mailed with GHU letter]

Know you all will have a fantastic Easter w/ C.W. [Cris] there! I'm hoping to get up for the sunrise service – it's at 6:45 A.M – well – time will tell –

Have a great Easter!  We read about Wilmington in the Wall Street Journal – WOW!

Love, Berta

* * * * *

4-9-84

Dear Folks,

Hi!  Our May 'Vacation' plans are now made.  Plan to leave here Saturday May 5th to Yuma.  Will have a day or two to see the sights & then Sid's conference starts on Monday – lasts thru Wednesday.  On Wednesday aftn we will head toward San Diego – and be there till Sunday May 13th.

Have reservations in both places to PARK the 5th Wheel – both parks are rated '9' on the Good Sam Club Scale – with a 10 being tops.  Both have swimming pools – I'll probably get some good swimming/sunning esp. in Yuma while Sid is conferencing.

I got a Richard Simmons exercise tape – we have been using it.  I've also been to the water exercise group at the spa.  [Would that be Cortez Pool?]  In fact I have blisters now on the bottom of my feet from it.  Serena went swimming this AM before work – rode bike up there & back.

Lots of changes happening at work.  Ann Pierson is planning on leaving Long Term Care.  She has applied for Director's job at Mesa Sr. Center – will find out next week.  She used to be Asst. Director there.

Starting July 1st all residents will be getting back $47.10 per month from county.  No matter how much there income is or what size room they have here.  County will take over all buildings – which is fine with me!

Tomorrow Sr. Village goes to the zoo  we got 30 free passes – worth $4 per person!  Plan to have a picnic lunch afterwards.

Hope you all are dong fine ––

Love, Roberta

Easter Cards from Rome 1954

Easter card to Roberta from Italy - April 8, 1954

Weds. April 7 [1954]

Hi, Roberta, we had spinach and cauliflower for vegetables last night.  There are lots of little stores selling pastries, fruit and milk.  We bought this card in a 5&10.  Buona Pasqua means Happy Easter and you will have to wear your new dress then.  Do you still have the bird pictures over your bed?  Read in the paper where you had snow on the 5th. XXXX D&M

Easter card to Catherine from Italy - April 7, 1954

Weds. April 7 [1954]

Hi, Catherine, how do you like these different picture cards? Have you gotten any alike yet? Thought you would like this card for Easter and Roberta can tell you what Buona Pasqua means. Have you tried out your new shoes yet? Does our grass need mowing yet? You ask Granddad to get someone to mow it for us, maybe Newt. Mommie and Daddy have ridden a lot of buses here in Rome, but not streetcars yet. XXXXX Mommie & Daddy

Easter card to Mrs NW Ballantyne from Italy - April 8, 1954

Happy Easter! - 8/4/54
Dearest Mother, This is our last full day in Rome – this trip, as we leave tomorrow for Florence.  Preparations are really getting underway for Holy Week here.
We have seen a lot still much yet to come back to see.
Sent letter on to Mother Uible to send on to you (our 2nd from Eliz.)  Hope to hear from you and her here. 
All our very best love, Harold & Jean

Easter card to Catherine & Roberta from Italy - April 8, 1954

8/4/54
We got a letter yesterday from Grandma, who said they would see you soon!  No other letters here.  We saw 2 big churches today – St. Peter's and St. Paul's.  We get around town pretty well on the bus and streetcar.  How do you like the new calf?  You will have to show him to Granddad.  We see people everyday that we remember from the Saturnia.  We have been to the grocery twice and bought milk and there's lots of fruit stands where we buy fruit.  Say hello to Granddad and Grandma for us. XXX  M&D

1974 GHU Letter -Apr.8

Note from Roberta added at the bottom of the back page is also transcribed below.  The date is inferred from the envelope which is postmarked 8 Apr 1974, and a look at the April 1974 calendar which indicates April 8, 1974 was a Monday.  Roberta must have made a trip to the post office after the letter was written to have it be postmarked the same day.  The envelope has an 8¢ Eisenhower stamp and a 2¢ Frank Lloyd Wright stamp attached for those of you interested in the philatelic information.

[4/8/74]

Mon. evening

Dear Family –

Received your letter to-day.  I sure am sorry about the check & of course will wonder what happened to it & hope no one tries to cash in on it.  I had hoped that some one might find it & return to me, but no luck so far.  In the near future will send you a duplicate for the same amount.

Looks as if the church has a problem to raise that given amount but I guess if we all give "generously" it can be met.  Will try to give my share when I get home.  Right now I am getting papers ready to send out to my Dr. & hospital bills paid by medicare Ins. Total about $1700.00  It is a crime the way they charge, but what can a person do but go along.  I know that my right foot is better but my left is not doing so well.  At least I went to church service Sun. & was able to wear my shoes.  Cris took me & we used the wheel chair.  I want to go to Sun school & service next Sun. if all is well.

The Lions have their pancake day at the th Park but Mary & I don't plan to go as there will be salt in everything & Mary doesn't like pancakes anyway.  Roberta will be home for the store closes for Easter.

I had Cris to order my plane ticket Sat. for the 27th so hope you can meet me in Cin. that evening Harold I am not sure of the time Harold but I believe it is 5:35 P.M.  Will let you know later.  I wrote to Mrs. Wilson to day hoping she will open up the house once more.  So you two can make your plans hopefully for about the week of the 21st.

Jean if you are any place where a health store operates will you please get me some food that is salt free.  That is going to be my problem.  I may like to stay a couple of days with you until I get Marie started again.  I plan to write a note to her soon.  Since I don't walk as much as I did I may have a little trouble but I don't think so.  With Mary V's help things will go along fine.  We enjoyed your type written letter.  (Hope the letter with church check) & Mary V money was sealed & reach N.V. all right.

Cris is getting ready to leave us Wed.  He plans to spend a little time with his girl friend in Atlanta.  He made a good Mulberry pie last week.  I cut the stems off for him & then Fri. we tried bread.  He made 3 loaves & it was very good.  He enjoys baking.

Notice in the News J. that Mr. Ridgeway is trying to stir up something. 

[part from Grandma ends here, and the following is the note from Roberta]

We read about Wilmington in the Wall Street Journal – Wow!  Appreciate all the mail from College St. – Mary V. your typing is good!  ––Berta

Rome 1954

1954 Itinerary so far:
Mon. March 15 - flew from ? to NYC via Pittsburgh on TWA
Weds. March 17 - dinner with Luna and Bob Herron and 3 children at their house
Fri. March 19 - board Saturnia or Vulcania
? - First stop at Lisbon, Portugal
? - Second stop at Gibraltar
Mon. March 29 - Barcelona
Tues. March 30 - Genoa
Wed. March 31 - Sorrento
Thurs. April 1 - Monreale, Sicily
Friday April 2 Palermo
Saturday April 3 Capri, Naples*
Sunday April 4-8 - Rome

*HH adds: Do recall Naples in 1954 as still having war destruction areas to be cleaned.  We had a general idea of the areas we wanted to visit, but no advance reservations and we hadn't heard of credit cards then, just had travel checks and cash and two suitcases w/o wheels.

Rome - St. Peter's Square - card sent to Mrs. NW Ballantyne, Catherine & Roberta, and Wells

Rome card to Wells Mfg. - April 6, 1954

 4/6/54
Have spent about 3 hours here looking around - quite immense and beautiful.  This is a great place for anyone interested in old buildings for they are at every turn.  Right now we are up on the roof of the Church where the Vatican has their P.O.  Have seen lot of little gardens and they use every inch and wonder if the rhubarb is up yet at home.  We are going to stay her probably 2 more days then northbound, it is warm here.  "Happy Birthday" Reatha [Reatha Hakes, HH's Secretary] Have quit writing to Fla. for hope all in Ohio when this arrives.  -- Harold

Rome card to Catherine & Roberta - April 6, 1954

4/6/54 
Here this morning, had breakfast just outside marked with an X [bottom of picture just right of center].  St. Peters is an immense beautiful cathedral.  Have been watching for the Swiss Guard soldiers who wear very colorful uniforms, they guard the Pope's palace but haven't seen them yet.  Certainly miss you both but know you are being well taken care of.  Love, and XXXX, Daddy & Mommie

Jean to her Mother, April 6, 1954, St. Peter's Square

(Reg. Mail) 4/6/54
Spent the morning here and will have to come back tomorrow to see the Sistine Chapel and other things.  If I hadn't brought my low heeled shoes, would be miserable, for so much walking.  My raincoat and winter coat seem very adequate and I have adequate clothes with light blue suit, sweater, etc.  This card won't arrive as fast as those sent air mail but this is being sent from the roof of St. Peters where there is a P.O. and souvenir shop.  All our very best love – Harold and Jean

1994 Roger's letter to Bill Dailey

This property was eventually sold and Roger and Bob did not build retirement homes at the top of Ballantyne hill.

April 6, 1994

Dear Bill:

I am writing to you to explore a possible opportunity involving the property off Ballantyne Road in New Cumberland.  My brother, Bob, and I are possibly interested in building small retirement homes for our own use on top of the hill.  We have walked the hill and feel that the view from the top offers some potential for a small retirement home.  Both of us are within a few years of being able to make a move back to the Pittsburgh area.

There does not appear to be any interested parties willing to pay us for the land.  Bob and I would like to be in the Pittsburgh area and not far from the Greater Pittsburgh Airport.  The New Cumberland property could be a viable option.  We have shared these thoughts with Blaine and the Uibles.  They all suggested that we contact you to explore subdividing the property into lots.  The easiest way may be to divide the initial subdivision into three equal parcels.  The division could be made in such away [sic] as to give all three parcels a view of the river with some buildable sites.  A common access road could traverse the same access road used by the public utility to check their power lines.  This road runs perpendicular to the Ballantyne Road and intersects it near the top of the hill.

We have no interest in buying the entire piece of property.  We are only interested in using our one third to build a couple of small cottages for retirement use.  The question becomes how we divide the land to accomplish this project.  Your advise [sic] and recommendations would be very helpful to us.

Are you aware of any lawyers licensed in West Virginia who can assist us?  Are you aware of any plot plans or surveys showing the property lines?  There are other issues that we would need to explore.  The property may not even be suitable for building a home.  The power lines across the top of the hill, land grades and water availability could all be inhibiting issues.

I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Sincerely yours,

Roger

cc:
N. Blaine Ballantyne
R. Ballantyne
H. and J. Uible

1974 Roberta's Letter -Apr.8

April 8, 1974

––8:45 p.m.

Dear Family,

Hi!  Gee – since we've been so busy at work I don't seem to ever get any letters written!  Today was another good day at work – alot of people in the store – I guess people shopping for Easter.  We sold Easter cards & more Easter cards!!

It was good tot talk to you all Wednesday night – goodness – Zenia [sic] sure did make the news!  Have you all been up that way since it all happened –– was it really as BAD as they said it was?? 

I can't believe how fast the books made it to New Vienna - it was almost like they were "dropped - shipped." – as I had just bought them on Thursday – the 28th!

I should be typing this – but I was too lazy to go & get out my type-writer!!

Hope you all have fun at the Lodge this week – take a swim & a round of golf for me.  Also John –– take a bite of the bean salad for me. (HA)

Tonight after work a bunch of us went to Red Lobster to eat –– it was really good – besides after working hard all day it's nice just to sit down & let someone wait on me.  I hate to see myself when I'm 40! (HO, HUM!!)

They called up Marianne on her birthday – I didn't get to talk to her but I guess she is already in a panic – worried about what diaper service to use, etc!  She's coming down here May 17th & staying till June 21st.  I guess Larry is going to be gone for 2 of those weeks in Reserve Training, then he'll be coming down.

Cris has been doing LOTS of baking – we've had another pie,  3 loaves of homemade bread & muffins.  (Maybe I should say they've HAD) the house always smells good!!

Next Sunday I'll have off – due to Easter.  It's perfect timing because I have a big test the next day & then one on Wednesday.  This last week I sure haven't had much chance to study – I worked at B's 32 hours & this coming week will be a repeat of it!  I'll sure be glad to see Jennifer – my manager back! 

I hope it doesn't snow on you all, the way it did the last time – also 1st time – we were down at Sharnee (sp?)  That really made a good story to tell everyone down here!

Mary Virginia have you done any cooking lately?  If I came home for the summer you can be my personal cook.  How about it?

Well – better go – will write more later in the week – well – that sounds good.  (Ho, Hum) ––

Enjoyed your letter ––––––

Love, Berta

1954 Vatican Guard & Monreale cards sent from Rome

Five days in Rome April 4-9, 1954 at a $3/night pensione, the HHU's are seeing the sights and using up postcards they got in Monreale on April 2, same card that was pictured here.  I won't repeat the picture but here are two additional messages, first an unmailed card of a Swiss Guard at the Vatican.

This is a picture of one of the Swiss Guards who help protect the Pope and Vatican City.  
Their uniforms are really splendid – seemingly made of loose felt strips of gold and blue felt over red.  Wanted to take a picture of one but you never see them when you are allowed your camera.

Monreale Sicily card sent to Catherine & Roberta April 5, 1954

[Monday] 4/5/54
Arrived in Rome yesterday and about to go sightseeing today.  Unable to pick up mail in Naples but hope to have it forwarded and hear from you soon.  Had our first European train ride here – from Naples.  There was a little girl in our compartment just the age of Roberta named Marina Seggero. Love and XXXXX, Daddy and Mommie

Monreale Sicily card sent to Mrs. NW Ballantyne April 5, 1954

4/5/54
Arrived in Rome yesterday coming here on our first european train from Naples.  Very nice couple with a 3 yr. old daughter in our compartment and we had quite a time chatting thru our handbook of English-Italian phrases and terms.  They recommended a pension (rooming house) where we may board too if we wish.  Haven't so far.  We're next door to the kitchen and the food smells good.  All our very best love, Harold & Jean

1974 Catherine's Letter -Apr.5

Friday morning

April 5, 1974

Dear Mom, Dad, John and Mary,

I hope you didn't have too much tornado damage in New Vienna.  The news has been full of Xenia's wreckage.  We have had three days of rain but no tornados [sic].

As it stands now we hope to have the perc tests done next week, close on the land the following week, clear the driveway and house site the next week and then begin to haul in the rocks.  We have now more or less decided on a split level with two levels facing south and the mid level closest to the road.  rough dimensions would be 40 x 28 with each level being 40 x14.

No, the puppies don't keep us awake.  They make less noise now than they did when they were first born.  We have four of them given away which leaves xxx us with three and I xthink at least one more of them may have a home.  I'm sure owners for the others will show up the question is when.  One of the cutest ones turned out xxx to be blind in one eye which is why there are only seven left.

Do you remember gong in Shaw's hardware?  It's right on Main Street across from McClellan's 5x10.  I think you bought the can opener for us there and they gave you the rubber spatulas.  Anyway, Lincoln Press [purchased by the Walkleys] is located underneath Shaw's.  I've never been in it but X has.  We get stuff like stationery and date due pockets for the library from therm.

Of course, the Sanford library has a copy of the Exorcist.  We only have one hard-back copy although we have another one on order.  It has a waiting list on it.  I'm surprised at the number of 12-14 year olders who want to read it.  I wouldn't want to see the movie.  Did you all ever read the book about Exeter, A Separate Peace?  Does the Wilmington Library have Watership Down by Adams?  It's a new 400 page novel about rabbits. I guess it was first written as a children's book.  It's been compared to Wind in the willows.

Well, it is lunch time so I better get a move onxx.  It's always good to hear from you.

Love,
Catherine & X

April 3-5, 1954 Italy

Italy and another boat ride -- this time to the Isle of Capri, about 11 miles offshore from Sorrento and then back to Naples on Saturday, April 3 and take the train to Rome on Sunday.

Amalfi* postcard sent to Mrs. NW Ballantyne April 3, 1954

[Saturday, Jean writing to her Mother] 4/3/54
On the steamer back to Naples after seeing Capri.  It was delightful – esp. the boat into the Blue Grotto where the water is really a fluorescent blue.  Your have to lie flat on your back to go through the tunnel.
Then we took a chairlift up to the highest point on the isle and that was a big thrill too.
Everyone says Naples is so dirty and so many peddlers – so we're off for Rome in the morning.  Love to all, Harold & Jean

*Amalfi is an historic coastal town south of Naples.  Albergo Luna e Castello medioevale = Hotel Moon and medieval castle.

Palermo Cathedral* card sent to M/M CJ Uible - April 5, 1954

[Monday, HH writing to his parents]
4/5/54  Here we are in Rome, came up from Naples yesterday afternoon by train.  This is quite like an American big city but with lots of fountains and very old buildings.  We are going out today to see specific places on our own.  We are staying here in a pensione @ $3 a night and have a bed that seems square.  Bought an English NY reprint paper Friday – 8 pages – wonder if sprinklers [supplier? of zinc for jacks] before zinc went up.   Heard anything about the workhouse [or workhorse]?  Americans are everywhere here, wonder what it is like in season?  –Harold & Jean


*Palermo stop was on Friday, April 2.  Rome is 142 miles northwest of Naples.  Note that this card was forwarded from Florida to Ohio, so the CJU's must have left Florida before it arrived.  They tried to be home by Easter, which in 1954 was on April 18.  The Lake Worth postmark is April 19.

1974,1984 Anniversary Greetings -Apr.3

1974 Anniversary Greetings -Apr.3

1984 Anniversary Greetings -Apr.3

 

 

 

4-3-84
Here I am sending this on your Anniv. day so it is bound to be late!  Hope you had a nice celebration anyway.  We appreciated your post card from Kentucky – it seemed like a long time without hearing from you.

We are going to a resort called Rippling River in Welches (on Mt. Hood) for two nights next week.  I am going for the Oregon Library Assoc. and Gerry & Wendy are going for a mini-vacation.  That will be April 12-13. 

Wendy talks about going to Ohio almost every day.  She's been wondering what she will get for lunch on the plane.

Hope you had a nice Anniversary!

Sorrento puppies April 2, 1954

From Genoa the Uibles head south along the Italian coast, to Sorrento, on the Bay of Naples, a popular tourist destination.   No scenic view cards today but the dogs are high on the cuteness scale.

Dog postcard to Roberta, April 2, 1954 sent from Sorrento Italy

Dog postcard to Roberta written by HH, Sorento April 2, 1954

Sorrento - April 2, 1954
You let Catherine read your card and trade and you two show Grandma and Granddad the two dog's pictures.
Daddy washed his hair the other night and bet your hair is nice too.
We are going to take a boat ride to Capri and then to Naples and Rome.  We had raisins for dessert today.
We see lots of horses and buggies and bet you and Catherine would like to ride in them.
They sell stamps in tobacco shops here.  We see lots of little boys and girls.  Love & Kisses XXX -- Daddy and Mommie

Puppy Postcard sent to Catherine from Italy 

We got off the ship this morning and now down at Sorrento – a beautiful town on the Bay of Naples.
See lemon and orange trees, they are in the back yard of our hotel even.
The stamp is a picture of where we are going tomorrow [Capri] – on a boat.  Love XXX, Daddy & Mommie

Next stop: Capri, about 11 miles offshore from Sorrento.

1973 25th Anniversary -Apr.3

Williamsburg, Virginia was the honeymoon destination for Harold & Jean in 1948.  In 1973 they returned to celebrate their 25th Anniversary and ate at Christiana Campbell's Tavern.  The menu is scanned below.

1984 Joe Horton letter -Feb22

Fairly sure Joe's art work is a knock-off of what he mentions costing $10.  Both pages scanned to show off the art work.  Transcription follows.

Feb 22, 1984

New York N.Y.

Dear Aunt Jean and Uncle Harold,

As you can see I went back to the Four Seasons and picked up their stationery!  10 dollars a page – But who cares.  I used my Am. Express card.  Well actually, thank you for a wonderful dinner Monday evening.  I've eaten 1 piece of chocolate so far.  The rest is frozen.  What about a Kiwi souffle next time.  Even the raw oysters were good _ And then there's a Thank you for 456 in the village, too!  Indeed we had a great time together – just like old times in the "campement du Mali" – with the exception of now we fly 1st class.

I plan to go ice skating tomorrow with a friend from art school.  Hope my bones stay together!

Paid Cook Travel Agency a visit today to see about a trip to Russia in the Fall.  Who knows – just entertaining ideas.  I'll not forget the possibility of using your car to go to Oregon in July but that's all in the clouds right now.  I've not forgotten the foam rubber for the bed but that's up to you.  It will be a big bother for you to do it.  You are too generous to offer to do these things. Your hospitality is as splendid away from home as it is in New Vienna.

I've made reservation for Lutèce [French restaurant] for 3 in July.  We must check it out and I'll pay.  It will be my kind of luck when we discover they don't have the pre theater dinner prices!

I've seen 2 films already since you left.  "Footloose and "Silkwood."  What strange names for films these days.  What ever happened to titles like "Gone with the Wind" and "For Whom the Bells Toll" ?

Well, must get to bed in order to get up early to walk to school to draw draw draw.  When you see Mom and Dad, paint them a good picture of my apartment!  And life in NYC – so they'll be more apt to travel the distance.  Tell them we've discovered a new McDonald's – a place where prices aren't important.  Stress the free refills of coffee –

It was real fun to see you.  I only regret that we didn't have more time to spend together.  Remember a sophisticated doggie bag is an aluminum foil Easter basket here in the big apple!

Thank you for everything!
Love, Joe

And many thanks for the NYC literature which I'll use for my own personal tour of the city.

Monreale April 2, 1954

The last night on the Saturnia has passed and the travelers deboard on Friday, April 2, 1954, after a two-week home at sea which began on Friday, March 19, 1954.  Although they have had several port stops including Lisbon, Gibraltar, Barcelona, and Genoa – where they made the most of the limited time in dock, they will now be on their own.  As HH put it in his letter to the CJ Uibles, "now our sight-seeing really begins."

Monreale Sicily Cathedral Postcard sent to Mrs. NWB - April 2, 1954

Monreale Sicily card sent to Mrs. NW Ballantyne April 2, 1954

Jean writes to her Mother:

4-2-54
We visited here yesterday while the ship was docked at Palermo, Sicily – a really beautiful place on top of a mountain called "Montreale." 

Landed at Naples this am about 7:30 and took a tour to Pompeii – then the Amalfi Drive to Sorrento where we stay tonight and then on to the Isle of Capri in the morning.  

Beautiful scenery – the Bay of Salerno on one side and high cliffs on the other covered with grape vines, orange or lemon trees.  All our love, Harold and Jean

According to Wikipedia, Monreale is about 12 miles south of Palermo on the island of Sicily.  The cathedral pictured in the above postcard was begun in 1174 and is a national monument of Italy and an important attraction of Sicily. "Monreale" is a contraction of monte-reale, "royal mountain", so-called from a palace built here by Roger I of Sicily

Letter home April 1, 1954

Last night on the Saturnia, HH writes a letter to his parents.  Transcription follows:

April 1, 1954 letter from HH to M/M CJU from Italy

 Thursday, April 1

Dear Folks,
This is our last day out, so will get off this note before our sight-seeing really begins.

We were in Genoa from 3 P.M. until 12 noon and rode some of the buses around and saw the sights.  They have beautiful terrazzo walks in the business section, which are covered and supported by beautiful marble columns.  Saw some bomb damage in the city.

Wish we knew some Italian, bet we get around with the aid of a map and sign language.  At least this self exploratory system you don't forget so quick.  On money the Italians use mostly paper notes – the smallest ones are worth less than 1¢.  it takes 625 lire to equal $1.  Our first impulse is that things are high for we think of $6.25 rather in lire.  

We enjoy going up and down the old streets – 4' to 8' wide and crowded with all kinds of shops.  Of course no vehicles and crowded with people.  The stores close from 1 to 3.

I told Charles [Thompson] to send the bills for us – light, water – probably about $15 each, telephone – supposed to be on vacation rate and probably no oil bill since he didn't get around our last week home.  Keep track of them and hope we have enough left when we get home to pay you.  We do have our steamship ticket home – Ha.

We are in dock at Palermo, Sicily from 1 P.M. to 8 tonight, where we plan to look around.  All these big towns have famous cathedrals – which are quite impressive.  Enjoy most walking around among the people and the town.

To arrive in Naples tomorrow at 7 A.M. (be 1 A.M. back in Ohio) and hope to hear from or see Calvin by then so we may [know] what his plans are.  We plan to go to Capri – about an hour boat trip from the mainland, also to Pompeii and Vesuvius, then to Rome for next week.

We have gotten a letter from you at every stop, which we enjoy.  Like to read the news clippings and legal news.  Probably Charles has sent on the letter I wrote from N.Y.  Like to watch them load and unload cars from the ship.

[Above written by HH, following written by Jean, about mid-page of page 2]
We're enclosing a letter from Elizabeth and wish you'd sent it on to Mother [Mrs. N.W. Ballantyne] when you are through with it.  She sounds so conscientious about everything.  But would rather have her lean that way than be too lax about things.  I'm glad Dr. Fullerton was nice about her bringing in Roberta.

We have met so many interesting and congenial people on the ship – and on land too.  I'm interested to see how the Saturnia compares to the Queen Elizabeth [which they will take on the return ocean crossing] – most of the people that have traveled on both prefer the Saturnia for various reasons, food, service, informality, friendliness, etc.

Will write again after we land at Naples.  Love to all, Harold and Jean