Easter '78
[March 26, 1978]
Dearest Family –
It was a lonesome place without you people here for Easter Sunday but hopefully another time will bring us together. The weather was quite cool especially getting up in time for the sunrise service at 6:00 AM at the church. I had said I'd help with the breakfast afterwards so had to be at the church earlier to get things ready for that. The young people put on the program – a sort of you were there type with Clark Roberts as the only one in sight and others relaying the news in the background. Very well done but a little uneven in spots where the mob's voices took over louder than the speaker but on the whole very good.
Patty Walker was there with her mother at church and also her little girl, Shannon. Patty is really getting so large but doesn't expect her baby til July. This was at the regular Easter service – not the sunrise. Giz Walker Salisbury and her family were also there. As usual Dad and I sat so far front that we didn't see everyone.
Oscar and Elizabeth Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur McCoy and Mrs. Matthews were here for dinner afterwards. Mrs. McCoy is having difficulty hearing and getting around but all seemed to enjoy being invited. We had leg of lamb and Mary Virginia made her famous "strawberry jello cake."
We had hoped that John and Carol might stay Saturday but they spent just a little over an hour and were on their way to Florida. They talked to Nick about going with them but he couldn't find anyone to milk his cows Easter morning so they were soon on their way. They were afraid if they waited then Nick might back out noon Sunday as he had done before. We called Florida last night and guess the travelers had gotten to the Hortons about 7PM Sunday so hadn't wasted much time on the road – or off either. Said they slept a couple of hours at the Georgia welcome station and were on their way again. Carol can drive but don't know whether she had driven at all going down. They had gotten some sunburn yesterday. Grandma was making plans to go home with them probably Wednesday afternoon and planned to stop and see Cris on the way as well as the Sterretts in Charlotte, N.C.
I can't believe that Wendy has already celebrated her 6 month birthday – I had meant to mention it on the phone when we talked last Friday but in the excitement forgot. Wish we could see her doing the backward crawl – she'll really be getting around from now on. Glad to hear you enjoyed San Juan Bautista – there is alot to see there and not at all commercialized like many places. Someone there told Dad that the mission is located just above the San Andreas Fault. Heard that San Francisco area had quite a tremor last weekend – did you feel any of the effects?
We wondered what you were doing at Easter Serena – hope that you might get enough time off to come home but guess others want their vacations then. Any word from COlorado or Denver?? A post card would be greatly appreciated. My mouth still waters thinking of that good chocolate pudding you made for us.
How did you get along with all the company Roberta and Marion? John said that he had talked to Liz and di the others get there too? Sorry you had tooth trouble but hope you soon get it fixed – is that not allowable under your medical plan or what is the set-up?
Serena I forgot to tell you that I saw Cathy Dean Goff at the . . .
I invited Betty Gano to come to the Mother-Daughter Banquet and asked if Jennifer and Sybie might be able to come too and surprisingly they are all coming as well as Syble's daughter (they live in Blanchester and Jennifer in Sabina) so should have more news of them next week – Syble teaches, I do know.
In calling Hilda Williams, learned that Mike has one more year of medical school before beginning his internship. He goes to U.C. but is thinking about practicing in the state of Washington. His wife teaches handicapped children. Donna lives in Springfield and has two little girls. Barry is building barns in Indiana and Pam is a junior in high school (East Clinton). She played drums and xylophone in the band concert. (Marcia Haines was one of the ten seniors introduced as this is the last performance before graduation.)
I have been playing bridge about once a week since I've been back – all of the invitations have been substituting for someone in various clubs. If I'd play often enough I might get a little more proficient. Mildred Terrell did have a luncheon for just a group of friends before she leaves for Japan on the 21st to attend her 2nd granddaughter's graduation. She (granddaughter) is one of the finalists in the Merit Scholarship exams and has been offered any number of colleges from which to choose.
Carol Salisbury Webster and her husband have named their baby John Leon after both grandfathers. Esther has had a terrible cold and hadn't been able to get down to see him but had talked to Carol on the phone. He was born March 31st.
Our neighbors across the street are still gong strong and now that the weather is warmer you can really hear her yell at her little girl inside the house (outside all is sweetness and light) and yesterday a friend of hers blasted my ears off calling her little boy – what language!!! All the neighbors would like rid of them but Bob Sonner couldn't care less.
Our microwave passed the testing for radiation with flying colors. Clinton County Health Dept. has bought the machine for doing this so they will be going out about three times a year to individual homes. They have to do it regularly for restaurants so making the same thing available for other microwave owners.
Dad attended the Clinton County Bar luncheon and meeting yesterday and the grop had their pictures taken – guess they do this every 10 or 12 years. John McElwee and his wife are both members as is Elaine Harner Biehl. Running out of paper again so will sign off for this week.
[Love, etc.]
