1977 Roberta's Letter -Dec. 2

December 2, 1977

Dear Family,

This seems to be the slowest day at work . . . even the telephones are not their usual self, ringing constantly.  So thought I would come back from lunch early and get a letter off to you all.  Sure have enjoyed all the mail coming this way, and wish there was moe going out from this end.  I'm slowly getting pulled together again after my week-end trip.

We didn't get home till around 6:00 PM, Tuesday night.  Everyone, but me, was sick on the way back -- so it was quite some trip.  One that I would hate to repeat soon.  First, they forgot the address where they were suppose to meet me, we had agreed on meeting at Gardelli (sp? Square -- which is near Fisherman's Wharf -- at the intersection of Beach and Larkin.  I had written all this down, which they lost.  Quite by accident they drove by -- and after waiting almost three hours, was I every glad to see them.  We left the city at 5:00 in the afternoon -- just in time to hit all the traffic leaving the city.

The plans had been changed, and we were to stay at the Hollywood YMCA.  Even at 2:00 in the morning, traffic was still pretty crazy getting into L.A.  We were supposed to leave L.A. that morning at 4:00 -- but I simply said that I was not spending the night for a period of two hours.  So we stayed on -- and left the city about 9:00 that morning -- after calling here, and telling Dr. Crandell the situation.  I drove all the way home and thats a long way.  Except for 40 miles I drove all the way -- good thing I have cross country experience.

Coming aback to work was something too -- alot of work in my basket to do.  Mostly typing, running things off, etc.  I still enjoy my job a lot -- as I've said before, I'll never by a Phyllis, but I am turning into a lot more efficient office person.

Today is the Christmas bazaar at school -- all the classes are selling things, and it is quite a big affair.  All kinds of food, and homemade things for sale.  I bought a ceramic mug -- and some Indian brea.  Also there is an egg toss, and a dunk-em machine -- which seems to be very popular.

We got busy – right after I got this started – should have known!

This week at work sure went fast – only way to start a week on Wednesday!

The Buick is still in my name – for the purpose of license plates -- who & how much do I owe for insurance?

Mary Virginia it's always good to hear from you – you must be doing alot of letter writing to hear from Mary Thompson & Jennifer Maloney.  I saw Billy South in S.F. – Teresa (Jenifer's mother) brother.

Are you enjoying my stereo – I didn't realize that it was my old stereo – but glad you are using it & you are more than welcome to it.  What records do I have at home – do I have any fok or Christian songs – they would be long albums – not 45's – if you find them – I'd like to have them here.

Do I have any shoes at home?  Especially miller-type – comfortable – They are now $45.00 – so I've put off buying them.

I've started my shopping – Mary Virginia, what size do you wear now?  Or would you like something else other than clothes?  I'm very open for ideas ––

Did you watch the Bing Crosby Special?  I watched some of it!  I noticed where this week Billy Graham in Cincinnati is on T.V.  I'll watch it – look for you all.

What have you heard from Serena?  I had a nice letter today from Grandma & Ruth.

Love,

Berta

1967 MUH letter to Serena -Nov./Dec.

[undated late November, early December 1967, probably Nov. 30]
Thursday PM

Dear Serena:

SURPRISE!  Letter from Serena!  Was thoughtful of you to write.  Sorry to hear you and the family were sick.  NO FUN, THERE!  Everyone cured?  We had a touch of (?) about the time your Dad arrived but we were all taking an antibiotic and no one was too sick except for Cris.  He missed a whole week of school and lost several pounds . . . and that he doesn't need to do!  But he is back in full force again . . . spear-heading the HIGH SCHOOL membership drive this week and playing tennis when he finds time.  The school tennis matches do not begin until Spring.

I saw the pictures of you three that G'Ma has.  Serena, I like you hair-do.  Real attractive!  And tell John he has joined Rob's LONG hair group.  HA@  I'm not against LONG hair however!  Looks contemporary.  John needs some of Rob's fat and Rob could use some of John's height.  I bet Mary V. keeps you all a steppin'!  She sure is growing and so cute!  It would be nice to have a litle one in the household at the Hortons.  Guess I'll have to wait until I'm a Grandmother!  HA!

I did actually get your addresses.  Don't faint!  HA!  I called a Cain in the phone book (only 10 or more names) that lived on A Street; I thought it logical that your friend lived there if she attended Highland school.  Had a nice chat with her mother.  Cain's: 521 North A St. Zip code:  33460.  Cindy Deese lives on 3121 Vassalle Ave.  Same Zip.  Her father died a year ago Thanksgiving week-end.  He drove his truck (Jewel Tea Co.) over into a canal.  Accident or suicide no one really knows.  I've heard different opinions.  Too bad in any event.  Difficult for the family.  Their mother works at the telephone company.  Now get busy and catch up with your correspondence!

Serena, you should see our black cat!  He is so BIG and fluffy.  For several months a lot of his hair was out in patches; especially on the hind legs.  He was skinny too.  So all our effort (weekly medicated baths plus pill hormones brought him out of it) paid off.  If we are faithful with the bi-weekly powdering he does very well now.  He's a family parasite though for all he does is EAT and run for cover.  He doesn't like to be petted.  Though if I'm under the clothesline he comes from 'nowhere' and wants me to rub his ears!  But he hates it indoors.  Probably because he figures we want to either give him a bath or rub something on his skin.  HA!  Rob has an interesting book he is reading (believe it or not he is actually enjoying reading!)  "Zoo Doctor" by Wm. Bridges.  Each chapter is about a different animal at the Bronx Zoo and how the doctor treats him.  I found it informative and unusual too!  Do you have an estimate of HOW MANY books you have read?  Must be a BIG sum!  You should be a very knowledgeable young person.

Do you still have the hamster?  How do you like Junior High?  And what's "cooking" with the Girl Scouts?  Who do you enjoy playing with?  You are the 'First Chief' now being the eldest at home.  It seems strange around here with just Cris and Rob.  Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving?  I had a ltr from Joe yesterday and he visited Catherine on Friday.  He passed her on the walk and she didn't even notice him.  HA!  They ate lunch together and he met some of her friends and saw the campus.  Mares and a friend, Vicki, were here for Thanksgiving.  Lots of activity while they were around!

Ask Mother and Daddy about SUGGESTIONS for G'Ma and G'Dad for Xmas and we'll go it together!  OK?  Write again.

Love, Aunt Mary & All

If any of your family sees Humphry's music critic Column in the Enquirer this week on Dedication & programs of UCCM's Bldg.  how about mailing them on?  (Complicated sentence)  MUH

1967 Jean & HH letter to Catherine -Dec.2

December 2, 1967

Dearest Catherine,

Mary Virginia was so pleased to receive the [Florida post] card from you but can't quite understand what you are doing in Florida. She had left her blanket at the Bruce's and it came in the same mail so it was quite a RED letter day for mail for her.

As to when we want you to come home – please come at the very earliest unless you have a way or company for the trip but we are anxiously looking forward to your coming and the earlier the better.  We'll be glad to meet bus train or plane or however you happen to take.  Daddy read where Christmas vacation was a good time to set up interviews for your summer job.  Has Kalamazoo any information about job opportunities – anywhere?

Roberta called last week to say that The Stuckeys were planning to go to Barnesville to pick up their boys and would take a friend of hers to visit for the weekend.  Debbie Walvoord nor Nancy Walker were unable to go so Serena got the opportunity at the last minute.  We woke her at 7:30, she ate hot cereal in record time, took a shower, washed and dried her hair by 8:00 and had things well under control by 8:30.  She got excused from school at 11:15 and we were at Stuckeys at 12:15 Friday.  They also plan to go after the boys so she will have a way back as it is.  But the weather is so rainy on top of all the snow that we had on Thursday that we are keeping our fingers crossed that they won't all take the bus back.

We received another Goodyear Christmas album this year and have been enjoying listening to it today.  Mary Virginia particularly enjoys "Santa Claus is Coming to Town.".

Billy Allen came home from school with John yesterday and has helped him with the paper routes yesterday and today.  Kevin did Serena's but he refused to collect for her – even left Sonners money in the door and forgot two papers last night.  We were a little surprised when Bill said it was the first time he had stayed at a friend's house overnight.  We thought he had been here before.  He is exceptionally well mannered and quite a diplomat.

You might send Joe's Aunt Frances a note of thanks; I don't know her husband last name but asked Aunt Mary for it.  It was nice of her to send you the baked goods.

Today was the Hospital Bazaar.  I didn't go over and almost forgot to bake a cake and send a couple of surprise packages for the children.  They had no TV celebrity for the children this year but some local entertainer(s).

The bank has moved to the mayor's office and there really is traffic jam around there and the post office what with the Highland-Clinton County TB office back behind there.

At the Redeemer's Pot Luck at Beers last Thursday night only Sarah Burton, Mr. and Mrs. Fawley and our family attended.  John Hughes is president and Alice Rudisill secretary were neither there.  Mrs. R. is confined to her bed with blood clots in her leg.  Laura Hughes was to have been program leader.  Neither the recreation or devotions leaders showed up so we just sat around the table and chatted.

I've been in to see Mrs. Hughes twice and she looks real good.  They had put her leg (left) into a cast on Tuesday and now she is trying to learn to use a walker.  Because she broke a bone in her right foot she can't put any weight on it and the cast won't bend so it is quite difficult mastering the walker.  Dr. Hale had said she could go home anytime and Dr. Terrell is the real boss on when she leaves and had intimated in a couple weeks last Monday.  She is in a private room now and her room is just loaded with flowers – most planters.

Sorry we didn't get your yearbook to you sooner.  No excuse for it really.  Thought it was very well done.  Really shocked to see people we knew on the inside covers. Patty looks more like an albino than ever with her light hair and fair complexion – not from yearbook picture but from last time I saw her in church last Sunday.

What ever happened to Gina and Evan – you never mention either one of them anymore?  Glad things worked out all right with you and Susan and Tom, etc.  That could have been a ticklish Thanksgiving dinner.

We had to dry Bill Allen's clothes in the dryer so that he would have dry things to wear home.  It really poured on them while they were delivering the papers this afternoon.

Will leave room to add more either from Daddy or additional thoughts tomorrow.

Love from all of us,

Mother

From HH:

Your Mother tells me, Catherine, that she is using the red ribbon for it reflects the Holiday Season more than the black.

The enclosed check represents the sale of that preferred stock for which we got 56¢ twice a year, as I recall.  Been trying to buy you some Consumers Power at 38.5 but it has not gotten that low yet.  That Co. services the Kalamazoo area.  Noticed their old office bldg opposite the Methodist Church (across the park)

We noticed the ad of Checker Cab Co. as being another Kalamazoo business.  The Cincinnati bus strike is now in its second month.  Do you see any evidence of the Kalamazoo Sled Co.?

Had a man come yesterday from Akron to get the rubber press started via plane.  He was suppose to land at Sabina (a corn field) but the way the weather thought he would probably come to Washington C.H. where they have a paved run way, but which was not cleared of snow.  Instead he went to Cincinnati and rented a car so was out about three hours.  Profiting from that experience we are going to Cincinnati Monday for a company to fly us to Louisville to look at a machine which he wants to sell us, so hope our timing is better.

Will you be changing rooms as well as roommates this next quarter?  The Fawleys tell us that Peggy has applied to Eastern Kentucky.  Our Lions Club next Wed. is going to college – having our Ladies Night at the Pyle Student Center.  The Denver House has a new Chef and their old Chef went out to the Blue Grass.  Even Burger Chef has been advertising 5 cheeseburgers for a $1 for several nights.

12/3 – See you next week?

Love,
Mom & Dad

1977 Catherine's Letter -Dec.2

Tuesday morning

December 1, 1977

Dear Mom, Dad, and Mary Virginia,

Hi!  Thank you for your letter which arrived yesterday – two day service – I guess the mail isn't too bogged down with the Christmas rush yet.  We got our first Christmas card this week.  It was from Gerry's grandparents, they said that Wendy is their 31st great-grandchild.  We have mailed one box to Maine but we still have one more to send – I hope to get it mailed tomorrow and then I'll just have the Christmas cards to get off.

I meant to tell you I did get the sewing machine fixed and I have used it a couple of times.  (I haven't sewed the curtains though.)  They supposedly ordered a booklet for me but I haven't heard from them – I'll have to call them again probably.

Tricia (DeeDee's mother) has offered you the use of her house while they are gone to Canada if you are interested.  I said I would ask you.  It is about a 15 minute drive from our apartment but you could sleep there and still come over here for meals etc.  There are no empty apartments here at the moment but things could change in the next few weeks.  Starting January 1, the rent is going up $10 per month so that may prompt some people to seek another place to live.

We have been thinking about places where we might take you all to eat while you are here.  We went to a real good German restaurant last weekend with Hal & Cindy.  It is near where they used to live.  The food was delicious and the people were very friendly.  We told them we'd probably be back during the holidays.  We also thought you would like the Bit-O-Sweden smorgasbord where there is a lot of variety at a very reasonable cost.  We were also thinking of going to Vacation Village for a buffet Christmas dinner.  Ask John about that – we went there last year for Christmas dinner.

Is Cris's address – 3517 Lilac?  If not, please send me his current address – also, is his wife's name Marita?  I would also like to have Mary Ellen's.  No never mind, the Walkley's.  I just found it in my address book – 10 Penwood.

I finished that blue & green afghan I was working on.  I think I'll wait awhile before starting a new one.  I need to finish that crewel that Gerry gave me lat Christmas.  That reminds me, we hung the hook-rug that Mary Virginia made in the living room and Wendy really likes to look at it – the bight color really attracts her and whenever she is on the sofa she looks at it.  Dee Dee made her a mobile out of cardboard, straws & yarn.  We hung it over her changing area.

Well, I have some dishes that are waiting to be done so I better get a move on.  Write again soon!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry &

Wendy

1957, 1967 Serena, Roberta, Catherine, school photos

1967 Serena's school photo -7th grade

1957 Roberta's school photo -1st grade

1957 Catherine's school photo -3rd grade

1967 Jean's Letter to Catherine -Nov.

Despite the estimated date of Dec. 1967 entered at the top of this letter, it was evidently written closer to Nov. 10th, as the Leesburg Post Office postcard mentioned was dated Nov. 6.

[November 1967]

Dearest Catherine

It's almost 4:30 and Kevin & John are still waiting for tonite's papers.  Just called WNJ & they said lady is on her way but press had broken down.

Rec'd your Leesburg P.O. card today.  You had alot of snow.  That would please the Texas girl & others who had never seen much snow.  Too bad the old shoes cost so much [to repair].  As I recall they were only $3.88 new (on sale).  How did the Chicago shoes dye – gold or turquoise?

Mrs. Hughes has 9 broken ribs among her other troubles so she has a long pull ahead of her.  Karen had a baby boy last Saturday – James M(aynard?) & his great grand father Bernard for whom he's named has already seen him.  Mrs. Bernard was going to take care of her (Karen) & baby.

Mary Virginia & Mrs. Fenwick and I drove Kit, Roberta, John & Joe Stueber [?] back to Barnesville.  Really didn't seem as long a trip as I had anticipated.

At Mother's Club last night at Eltzroths, Lee, when I asked him about Linda, said "I don't know how she is but I know she got an F."  Three are four or so of her paintings that we could see & one has Second Prize ribbon hanging on it. I also heard Mrs. E say that Linda may minor in Art.  What's her major?  Got a good idea – saw her framed "cum laude" award hanging in their dining room

Papers finally came in about 4:45.  Atch brought them so glad to see him.  He said he missed the good cookies and lemonade.  Seemed like old times.  John's disposition wasn't the best by the time he took off as you might well guess.

Serena was so thrilled with her letter from you & glad to know you still write letters.

Saw Mrs. Fisher (Alice's mother) yesterday & she said they'd like to see you at Christmas.  Alice showed her parents some of the things she has learned in Modern Dance & they wonder if college education is worth the money.  Alice comes home every other weekend, spends all her time then baking to take things back.  Says there's nothing to do on weekends there but go to beer joints.

Thought you might be interested in write-up about your old friend Rita Thomas.

Donnie Achor was in accident out by Burch Laymans Tuesday night (terrible fog) and his leg was fractured.

Much as we would have liked to go – did not get to the Friends of Kalamazoo C. meeting at Cincy last night.

Talked to Mrs. Henderson & Nancy is doing fine.

Love, XXXXX

Mother & Daddy

Write soon!

1967 Roberta's Letter -Nov.29

[about end of November 1967]

Dear family,

Here is some papers I though you would like to see.

Got my little green note-book i the mail today.  Pretty fast, huh?  Also your letter with money.  Gee – thanks.

Really got to go.  The two exams I missed are also here  Took them "EARLY" MONDAY MORNING.  ICK!  I got 81.5 instead of the 79.5 as marked on the one.  On the other one a 59.  Highest grade was 89 on it.  Still doesn't make mine look good.

Love, Roberta

P.S.  Teacher Jody's mother died last night.  Teacher Bill is still sick.  Biology is going (downhill). 

THREE WEEKS TILL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS!

1967 Catherine's postcard -Nov.28

Lakeview Motel, Nicholasville KY postcard -mailed 1967

11/28/67
Hi!  Got Dad's card this morning, and one from Dayton yesterday.  After almost 2000 miles the tire on the bike just wore out.  I thought you were going to send the yearbook when it came – but never mind now.  Almost 1-2 inches of snow last night.  Art test tomorrow.  UGH!  Any particular day you want me to come home?  Like Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday?  They feed us through Monday, December 18. 

Love, Catherine

1967 Jean's Letter to Catherine -Nov.29

Nov. 29, 1967

Dearest Catherine,

Thanksgiving weekend is over and things are beginning to settle back to normal again.  We did miss you so much but hope you enjoyed your day in Battlecreek (or is it Battle Creek?)

We did enjoy our visit with the Bruces though Mary Virginia was so full of cold.  Then we stayed all night at the Sheraton Dayton almost caddy-corner from Rikes.  But it was so crowded that day (Friday) that we were glad to get out of there.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that because Roberta hadn't been feeling too well she got permission to come home with J.N. Careys and called us from Interstate 71 and 72 Wednesday evening and we picked her up there.  We had been conferring back and forth with Barnesville but didn't know she was actually coming until she called.  She went back with them last evening – we took her to 71 and 35 to meet the Careys there.  She was feeling much better and hope all goes well with her from now on.

Patty had her Hawaiian girl friend with her at church yesterday – she evidently had spent the weekend there.  She is a most attractive girl.  I spoke with Weegie briefly.  She looks real cute with her hair cut real short.  Her mother was moved to a private room and is allowed visitors so will try to get over this week.  They have removed the trachea tube so it takes some getting used to breathing normally again.

Romeo and Juliet was put on Friday and Saturday evening but things just didn't work out for us to go.  Serena and John went Friday and Serena was going to baby-sit when we went Saturday evening but then she had her Sunday School Class Party at Rupps on Saturday night and had to take all the refreshments out for that and various other reasons just didn't make it.

We saw Greg, Carolyn, Marlena and Sybil at church too.  They have tentatively set the Post High Christmas party for the Thursday after Christmas which would be Dec. 28, I guess.

Mrs. Bees called and wanted to know if Roberta would baby sit Saturday evening (she told her she was busy as she and Nancy Walker had tentatively planned to get together) so then she asked for Serena and of course she had plans to go to Rupps so Mrs. Beers said that she guessed she would take the boys to the play so another reason to stay home.

Mary Virginia left her blanket at Bruces so she has been lost without it.  I told her she would probably get it in the mail so she keeps wanting to go out to the mailbox (Fife's) to see if it has come.

We wonder if Joe was able to get in touch with you.  Roberta had a letter from Mrs. Schamaun and she said that Greg is working at some real fancy restaurant in Daytona and has to wear black fancy suit (perhaps tux) and cummerbund (sp? – wide fancy belt).  He has waited on one of the Rockefeller family.

Really nothing new around here but counting the days till you get home.  (How?) 

Love and Kisses, 

Mother

Glad to receive your  long letter and 2 cards.

1967 Catherine's postcard to MV -Nov.28

11/28/67

Hi!  Gee, it is cold today!  Not long now until Christmas.  Have you seen Santa Claus yet?  The Christmas decorations are up here in Kalamazoo.  How are Mark and Jeff?  Are you still delivering papers?

Love, Cathy

1967 Roberta's Letter -Nov.28

[about 11/28/67]

Dear Family!

Hi!  Just got done flunking two tests!  Wow!  They were both for English.  One a Vocab & Grammar and the other one on Kim!  I sure am glad we are done with that junkie book.  Anything can't be as bad as that.

We got back about 10:20 last night.  Everyone was quiet and the whole place dark.  One of my room-mates met me at the door.  I guess they had tried to call; but while they were talking to the operator Leslie came down and told them to get in the room because the bell had rung.  They told her they were trying to call me and I guess she told them I was on my way back already.

Scott – the boy from Cinn. left school this morning for good.  (Yes, John, that's the hippie!)  Rick – the boy who got off the bus in Dayton and then was found in Chicago is now back at school after being gone over three weeks.  There are two boys that will be leaving soon and also a girl.  The boys might stay till the end of 1st semester but from all I hear I sort of doubt it.

Well, I really should be going.  Got something that needs done – for instance studying – Ick!  I hate to study!  Catherine finally admitted it too!

Thanks alot for the past weekend. Remember my prescription costs $6.00 – which is a pretty big hunk out of the $10.00  (HAVE THE HINT!?!)  I'm going to look downtown Satudray for a TALL navy blue skirt.  They had some in Kirks for half off – that's about $5.00 or so.  and $5.00 & a little more for a skirt and $6.00 for pills really does a good job of using up $10.00.  Hint! Hint!

Thanks for the food.  John, the cookies were great!  Helen's picture too John please send it; she is looking forward to it.

Love, Roberta

1977 Roberta's postcard to John -Nov.26

Disneyland Country Bear Jamboree postcard -mailed 1977

[postmarked Nov 26, 1977]

Welcome bak to school!  What a way to spend my vacation – with 9 teenagers.  What a change from HG senior citizens.

How was Thanksgiving at home?  I missed all the traditional this year.  I.T. came in Tuesday night – said hello to you.

Love, Berta

1967 HH letter to Catherine -Nov.27

11-27-67

Dear Catherine –

Thanks for the letters & post cards.  Glad Joe made it, we were afraid to say too much in fear he wouldn't make it.

Don't worry about the grades, just do the best you can.  Saw several of your class at Church yesterday – as Patty says "It is hard."

We are sending you a pkg today.  John is responsible for the home made part.

– Dad                                                              

P.S. Left my pen at home.  [written in pencil]

1967 GHU postcard to Catherine -Nov.

Florida Spanish Moss postcard - mailed 1967

Mon. [November 1967]

Dear Catherine

Just to let you know that we are all settled once more in Fla. & had a nice trip down.  Enjoyed seeing Marianne's school & talking with her.  Said she would like to hear from you, but supposed she should write to you.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Grandma & Granddad

1967 Jean's postcard to Catherine -Nov.24

Sheraton Dayton Hotel postcard - mailed 1967 

11/24/67 2:15PM

Dearest Catherine,

Stayed here last night after Thanksgiving at the Bruces.  We missed you!  Went shopping at Rikes today and it was a MAD HOUSE.  Hope you had a nice day.  We're counting the days til the 16 or 17?

Waiting now for Dad to come from Springfield & then home to the papers.

Love, M, D, R, S, J & MV

1967 Catherine's Letter -Nov.25

November 25, 1967

Dear Mother, Dad, Serena, John and Mary,

Hi!  Got a letter from you all this morning, and I'm glad to hear you all survived the virus or whatever.

I have spent maybe a half hour studying since Wednesday.  Maybe I should have gone home for Thanksgiving to get caught up on my homework.  The worst part is that I have nothing really pressing to be done but before the end of the quarter . . . .

1. ART – Not much better than it ever was.  I have made a little progress on my term paper.  J.F. Peto's wife was from Lerado, Ohio which has since gone out of existence I think.  Last week we finished studying sculpture and we are now on architecture which is 100% improvement.  However, it has come too late in the quarter to help my grade average much and I'm still maintaining a D average.  I just hope I can do well enough on the final to keep the D.
2. PHYSICS –  keeps getting more difficult and as the difficulty increases my grade decreases.  On our second hour exam which we received back yesterday out of a possible 100 points the grades in the class ranged from 0-82.  The average was 51 and I got 57 which is probably a C.  My average at the moment is pretty unstable and could fluctuate either direction depending on the final.  I am therefore, hoping for a C.
3. MATH – is about the same.  After two tests, I still have a B average and unless something drastic happens which I am certainly not looking forward to, I may pull out with a B.

As for the chem test, I did well enough so that I won't have to take it next quarter.  However my grade was below average which means I'm going to have to study that mach harder.

Wednesday night I went with Tom W. to see the play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" which was downtown at Carver Center.  We doubled with Sarah and Greg and had a great time.  Tom is from Chillicothe and Greg from Hamilton so except for Sarah from Colorado we had a convention of Southern Ohioans.

We had a great time at Gertie's on Thursday.  Counting Gertie and her parents there were seven of us: Alice, Susan, Sarah and me.  Gertie's mother must have spent hours fixing all the food!  Her father sells farm equipment or something in that line so they live out in the country.  Gertie did take us in and showed us around Battle Creek for awhile  We saw Kellogg's.  Rah!

Yesterday we came back to the dreary old classes with about 20% of the students present and attending.  Big thrill!  Good old Miss Wood never gives up and she kept eight of us who were stupid enough to go to class 25 minutes late.  How disgusting!  When we finally got out of class I was rushing over to Saga to eat before the line closed when I walked right by this unfamiliar looking boy who obviously was not a K student.  I really didn't think too much about it though since a lot of people's families are here.  However, when this "strange" person said "Hi! Catherine." I just about fell over.  My very own cousin and I didn't even recognize him!

Joe thought it was really funny but I must say I was really embarrassed.  When we walked in Saga everyone immediately jumped to the conclusion that this was my "boyfriend from home" and why hadn't I ever told anyone.  Things finally calmed down when the word got around that he was only my cousin!

Tom and I gave him an extensive tour of the campus which lasted a record 45 minutes.  We kind of had to drag it out though!  It certainly was a surprise to see him (I didn't get your letter until today saying that he might call.)  and that dear kind lady, Aunt Frances, sent the mot delicious cookies and a little pumpkin pie.  Of course, they are all gone by now.

Last night I had really good intentions of settling down and really getting some studying done.   What a joke!  Tom came over and we were going to watch TV or something when I remembered that those library books which I took out when you all were here were due yesterday.  So we trotted down to the library instead.

Tonight I have a date with John.  This afternoon I am planning to work some more on the art paper, and study math.  And tomorrow with the exception of going to church with John the whole day is going to be dedicated to physics lab and physics.

I don't know how this roommate bit is going to work out.  Nothing new has happened in the last week or so.

It is almost lunch time so I think I better be signing off now.  Only 21 days until those horrid exams will be finished!

Love,

Cathy

1967 Catherine's Naples Florida postcard to John -Nov.24

Hunting Camp, near Naples, Florida postcard mailed 1967

[postmarked Nov. 24 1967]
Hi!  I want to thank you for that nice letter I got last week.  I have been pretty busy or I would have written sooner.  Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?  I hope you didn't eat too much!  Has it rained much lately?  How are the newspapers?  Any more trouble with the dogs?  Your picture was very good.  I got a post card from Roberta today.  It's not long until Christmas.  Love, Cathy

1967 Catherine's Postcard -Nov.20

11/20/67

Hi!  26 days until exams are over!  Spent $5.75 on bike – good thing it only has two wheels!  Got letter from Mom this morning.  Sounds like home is a sick ward.  Hope everyone is better.  We had open house Sat. night.  I invited Bruce Morgan, a very nice guy from Illinois.  The play Fri. night was fantastic!  John's dorm had open house so we had a great party afterward.  He (John) also went to church with me yesterday. 

Nothing new on the roommate situation.  Sarah and I may move as we seem to be the main cause of all the fuss.  Not much news on the grades.  All of my classes meet on Friday but most of kids are going home anyway.  They did cancel all the Thursday classes!

Whatever happened to my yearbook?  I stuck most of my post cards up on the wall – makes the room look really fancy!

The boys have started pledging societies.  I was really shocked to see Charley all dressed up at breakfast this morning.  Thought maybe he was going to a funeral!  It's about time for art class now – keep me posted on events in N.V.

Love, Catherine

1977 Catherine's Letter - Nov.23

Wednesday morning

November 23, 1977

Dear Mom, Dad, Mary and John (?),

Hi!  I doubt that I will do much letter writing tomorrow so I thought I'd get this off to you today.  We were disappointed that Roberta won't be coming for Thanksgiving but I can understand her wanting to go to San Francisco.  We'll miss her.  We decided not to eat out for Thanksgiving and also not to go in with the "community" for dinner.  Instead Frank and Elma are coming over here for dinner.  They are fixing the Turkey and the stuffing and we are supplying everything else – cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, rolls & pie.  I forgot salad – I'm making that kind with lime jello, pears, cream cheese and nuts.  We have ordered two pies from House of Pies – pumpkin and cherry.  I went down there yesterday to sample the pumpkin to make sure it was good enough to go with our dinner.  It passed the test!  We should have a real feast.  DeeDee was sick yesterday – flu, I guess – but we are i hopes she will be fully recuperated by tomorrow so she can enjoy dinner with us.

DeeDee is really excited about going to Canada.  It is still a month before they leave but she knows what she's going to wear, when the plane leaves, when it gets there, what they are going to do when they first get there, and then what they are going to do the first day, the second day, etc.  I don't know if she has what they are going to eat planned out too or if she is leaving that up to her Grandmother!

Wendy has been sleeping more lately and eating less.  She falls asleep in the middle of her breakfast and sometimes during her lunch too.  She has been sleeping all night without any trouble and taking 3-4 hour naps in the morning and the afternoon.  Then at night she has a tremendous amount of nervous energy and it takes awhile to get her calmed down enough to go to sleep.

I got a six month subscription to the Sanford Star so we'd hear more news of Sanford.  It comes out once a week – on Wednesday.  the Nov. 2nd issue came on the 16th and Nov. 9th issue arrived on the 17th.  We usually hear from someone in Gerry's family – usually his sister – every two weeks or so but she doesn't keep us up on the local news too well.

Well, I better finish this off, I want to try to get the apartment cleaned up a little today so it looks a little less cluttered for the big holiday! 

I'll probably be talking to you before you get this but hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

Love,

Catherine, Gerry

& Wendy

1967 Roberta's Postcard -Nov.22

[Nov 22 1967 postmark]

Hi!  Well, I'm still around but that's about all!

Nothing new – just the same old stuff.

Biology teacher is still sick – has been since last Monday (a week ago).

Love, Roberta

1977 Roberta's Letter -Nov.21

November 21, 1977
Dear Family,

Here I am at work – w/ a broken type writer – the letters (some – not all) just won't print – can't figure out what's gone wrong!

It's hard for me to believe that this is Thanksgiving Week – when I made my airline reservations it seemed so long till November 23rd.

Yesterday I had a call from this guy who had seen my name up on the A.S.U. bulletin board for wanting a ride to go to San Diego.  It was really weird – he wanted me to come over to ASU to meet him & give him the $ (30.00) – $10 of it supposedly refundable.  So I told him I didn't have a car – & I would not pay ahead of time anyway.  In about 15 minutes the guy calls back & told me to forget it.  I wouldn't mind saving $ – but it will be nice just to fly it – since the time is so short!

It got down to 47º this morning – mighty cold!  I'd like you all to bring out my lined green coat, mittens, & a scarf.  Also the brown wool sweater sometime – like the one Aunt Mary gave me.

The winter visitors are sure beginning to arrive – Marion & I have been gong to the Methodist Church on the East side of town (she lives on the West side) & yesterday we got there at the same time & had to be seated in chairs at the very front of the church.  There are three services 8:30, 9:45, & 11:00 – we attend the 9:45.  the parking lot was full of out of state cars – and lots of Canadian cars.

After church Marion started her ballgames and I got out on my bike & went 9.4 miles – I was on the roads that I had been on w/ the car before – but it was surprising what all I saw.  First I went to see the Meades' [?] new home – the bath tubs are now in.  They say once the dry wall goes on – it will be a month.  (Which isn't on yet.)

Mesa is rally growing – especially the West side – no high rise buildings but alot of town house type apartments being built.  The freeway is almost finished now to Alma School Rd.  the entrance/exit will be about 1 mile from Marions.  Right now you have to go about 2 miles to get to it.

We went bowling on Saturday night – there are two places here in Mesa – one is about a mile from us – brand new – all computerized, charge $1 for shoes + $1 per game.  The other alley is about 3 miles away – older – not computerized – charges 40¢ for shoes + 75¢ a game.  Can you guess which one we go to?  (The 2nd one!)  A Saturday night ritual is to go to the Chinese restaurant – where you can eat all you want for $2.15.  The food is really good – though you would be in trouble if you were looking for big pieces of meat!  We've also noticed business picking up there in the last couple of weeks.

Again – I don't want the Granada brought out – winter out here may be hard on it –

We are having a party here at work – just the office people – each of us is suppose to bring in a dish on Wednesday

All for now – Have I got good news though!

Love, Berta

1967 Jean & HH's Letter to Catherine -Nov.21

Nov. 21, 1967

[From Jean]  Dearest Catherine,

Glad to receive your cards – two came Monday which were written Friday and Saturday, Just how did the Chemistry test turn out?  You said you had gotten the results but no mention of the outcome.  Do you plan to take it next quarter?

It was nice of Gertie to invite you girls to her home for Thanksgiving and glad that you accepted.  We feel a little better about not getting to be with you that day.  Just getting out of Kalamazoo for a few hours should be refreshing.

Your mention of Sarah – your best friend was your first mention of her.  Hope things work out for you all to change roommates.  Will you or Gina be keeping your room?  Does she have someone she wants to be with for a roommate? 

Any regrets about inviting Evan to the Girl Bid?  There seems to be much more mention of John S. now so curious to know the outcome.

First Serena had the 24 hour virus plus touch of flue; then Mary Virginia took sick on the way to Columbus and she kept it up all evening.  Our plans to have a nice dinner and do some shopping sort of fell by the wayside and we were happy to be fairly near a ladies room when the urge came for Mary Virginia.  Daddy's plane was 20 minutes late and we sat and stared at a map of Lake Central Airlines which showed Kalamazoo but didn't make any reservations for you at Christmas but was surely tempted.  If you didn't have a very long vacation would have though.

John filled up at MYF and about 11:00 regretted it for the rest of the night for he had the 24 hour virus then.  He missed school Monday morning but went yesterday afternoon.

Elizabeth Johnson was in this morning and brought us 2 gallons of milk.  They are having more than they can use so told us to bring the bottles back and they would be glad to refill them.  They are switching over to grain farming so should take less physical work.

Love, Mother

[From HH]
No wonder we could not find anything on Mr. Peta.  Keep us posted on his developments – like a fellow from outer space.

We plan to stay overnight in Dayton Thursday and I'm (Dad) will be going to Springfield Friday morning on a deal to hep screen applicants for the military academy for Congressman Brown.  Have read the applications for four boys so should be an interesting experience.

The folks NJ [News Journal] service in Fla. got off with a bang, the first mail they recd two papers – but they were both of the same issue.  Mother wrote that the sun was too bright to be outdoors.  So there are advantages to being in air conditioned Michigan.

Love, Dad

P.S. We talked to Joe on the phone and he may try to call you when he is in Michigan visiting his Aunt Frances; he's leaving for Cincinnati Saturday so it will no doubt be Friday as we told him you wouldn't be there Thursday.  Happy Thanksgiving!

1907 John Freeman Obituary -Nov.21

John M. Freeman (1829-1907), third-great uncle of the Ballantyne-Dailey-Uible cousins was born in Pittsburgh in Feb. 1829, died in Toronto, Jefferson County, Ohio in November 1907.  He married Cyrene Peggs in August 1864 and they had two daughters – Lucile Freeman Rogers (1873-1920?),  and Cyrene "Rena" Freeman (1872-1952).  

John, who owned and operated a Sewer Pipe Manufacturing company, was a Civil War Veteran and was the younger brother of James L. Freeman (1809-1892).  James was the maternal grandfather of Nathaniel Wallace Ballantyne (1868-1949).

Following is the obituary from the (New Cumberland WV) Hancock County Independent, published November 21, 1907.

JOHN M. FREEMAN

- - - - -

Pioneer Brick and Clay Manufacturer 

Answers Death's Summons

John M. Freeman, one of the pioneer brick and sewer pipe manufacturers of the Ohio valley, prominently identified with the fire clay industry for nearly half a century, died at his home in Toronto, Sunday morning.

Mr. Freeman had not been in good health for two or three years, but was not confined to the house except for a few weeks prior to his death.  He was in the 88 year of his age at the time of his death.  He was born in Pittsburg, being a son of Thomas Freeman, who came to this county with his family in 1833, and settled at Freeman's Landing.  There the senior Freeman embarked in the clay and brick business and is said to have been the pioneer of that industry west of the mountains.

The business was conducted there for many years, and the family was honored and respected among the most prominent residents of the county.

There were fourteen children, all of whom but two have answered the final summons.  Among those were James, William B., Samuel, Charles A., and John M., the survivors being Miss Virginia of this place and Mrs. Mary Trusdale [Truesdale], of Iowa.

In 1846 John M. Freeman went to Cincinnati and there engaged in the brick, coal and cement business, which he conducted for ten years, and subsequently engaged in similar business i Madison Indiana and after devoting some years to that field, returned to this neighborhood, and embarked in the brick and sewer pipe business at Freeman's station, with his brother, Charles A., which business was continued until it was merged into the American Sewer Pipe Co., in 1901.  The death of Charles Freeman followed about five years ago.

Mr. Freeman [indecipherable: who had recently lived?] in Steubenville with his daughter, Mrs. Lucile Rogers, moved to Toronto, and the days he spent there were days of real enjoyment, because he always seemed glad to get back into the vicinity in which he spent his boyhood days, and here he enjoyed meeting his old friends, the rugged river scenery, the sight of the old factory operated so many years by his venerable father long since dead.

Mr. Freeman was a man of genial social qualities, which made for him many warm friends.  The news of his death therefore will be learned with sadness by all who knew him.  He was a man esteemed in business circles for his honor and integrity.  He was a member of the Second Presbyterian church of Steubenville.  He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Rodgers [Rogers], of Toronto and Miss Cyrene Freeman, of Steubenville.

The funeral services were held at his late home in Toronto at 1 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon brief services being conducted by Dr. Robinson and Rev. Hodil and the remains were conveyed by trolley to the Steubenville cemetery for internment.

1987? Roberta's Disneyland postcard -Nov.

Captioned: Disneyland – India – It's a Small World.  The mysteries of beautiful India and its elegant Taj Mahal are seen as flat-bottomed boats sail down the winding seven seaways and through the Middle East. 

[undated, postmark indecipherable, Nov. possibly 1987]

Happy Thanksgiving from Mickey Mouse & all the gang.  We leave today at 3:00 for San [Fran? or Jose?] getting in late tonight, actually staying in San Jose tonight.  Last night we stayed at Santa Anna YMCA – in gym – I'll have lots of stories when I get back to tell – like trying to go on 2 hours sleep!

Love, Berta

1967 Serena's Letter to Catherine -Nov.21

[11/21/67]

Dear Kathreen, (differentish)

I am now in Mrs. Mires study hall.  (Friday)

To start you off I will tell you my new classifications.

Reading Aok ** (B)
Spelling Aok * (A)
History  Ick (B)
Band      Ha *** (B)
Science  HaR **** (B)
Lunch    Ick & Aok (nothing)
English  Aok (B)
Music    Ick & Aok (B)
Math      Aok (B)
Phys.Ed  Ick (A)

** = bit better than so-so
* bit bit better than so-so
*** Half hard
**** 3/4 hard

How is Jena?  How is Alice?  How is Charlie?  How is whats his-name?

I am now in Mr. Briggs study hall.  Dad, Grandma and Granddad left yesteday (today is Monday).

Tell Jena I wrote her a letter – but forgot to mail it so it is "outdated."

Well to continue my "How is" column – I remember whats-his-name-its EVAN.  How is DAVE?

Our Sunday-School class is having a PARTY !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  I'm in a committee to get refreshments!?

Grandma said I was a very good singer.  (BIG JOKE?)

Your beautiful, smart, lovely, charming sister,

Miss 

Serena Uible

P.S. DON'T FORGET YOU
P  PROMISED
R PROMISED
O PROMISED
M PROMISED
I PROMISED
S PROMISED
E PROMISED
D PROMISED  PROMISED  PROMISED

(If you have time – you owe me a letter (remember you promised)

1967 Roberta's Letter -Nov.19

 November 19, 1967

Dear Family,

Hi!  Glad to have spoken to you last night.  As I'm writing this I don't know what I'm going to write but I do know how I feel & that's pretty rotten.

It's now about 3:00 & I really should be studying but to be truthful it doesn't seem to matter anymore.  As I said on the phone – all my grades are going down.  I just don't seem to care and it's pretty hard for me to do something or a good job if I don't.

I really don't want to have to say this and I realize you all aren't going to want to hear it – here goes.  (I'm afraid it will take me awhile to say all what I want to say – and I doubt if I can.

I can't seem to relax around here anymore.  After spending a long time thinking about this  I  finally decided I need to get away from here to think & to start all over again caring about school and everything else too.  I've really thought on this matter seriously and  I  do think it is what I need the most (for now) maybe later after I'm back to my natural self again I could come back.

For natural reasons I can't tell Teacher Tom or Teacher Nan this.  It would be hard to tell any teacher this.  In fact it's hard having to admit this to you all.

So many people seem to have me wrapped up in a little box that is always happy with no problems at all – well – I can't go on acting that way much longer without sort of quietly going insane or something.  I'm tired of acting happy when I'm really not.  I want to be able to let my emotions out too.  Instead they are all bottled up inside of me which (to me) isn't too good.

I got your letter today that you wrote Thursday I guess.

I'm planning on calling you up Tuesday evening or if you want to call sooner it's fine.  I want to give you all a chance to think about it & also myself a chance to do the same.

I suppose you have called Teacher Tom or someone of some "authority" around here by now.  I'll speak to anyone before I speak to Teacher Susan.  She treats me like a "thing" without any feelings and then she expects me to come crying to her when I got a problem.  Same with everyone else too except for about 2 people.

Well – I've got pride.  The other teachers are too nice & busy to bother.

Please think about what I've said.  'll call Tuesday night unless you call before.

Love, Roberta

1977 Catherine's Letter -Nov.17

Dear Mom, Dad, and Mary Virginia,

Hi!  I haven't gotten a letter from you all in quite awhile so I'll probably get one today after I mail this.  Roberta called us – I think it was Monday – I guess I spilled the beans about the Buick but you were right about it being Marion who bought it.

Mother, do you remember the girl upstairs who was pregnant?  She had a 7 lb. 14 oz. boy on Monday.  She was two weeks overdue.  I guess she is supposed to come home from the hospital today.  So now Wendy will have a playmate. Supposedly they are to move out within a month but they are not anxious to move so we'll see how it turns out.

We went to an open hose at DeeDee's school last night.  She has a really nice school – it was built about two years ago.  We got to meet some of her friends, her teacher, principal, etc.  They also had packets of their school work fixed up for the parents to look at.  DeeDee was kind of hurt though because the teacher had put pictures of pilgrims that the children had drawn around the room but she didn't put DeeDee's up.  Wendy didn't seem too impressed with her first visit to a school classroom.

Wendy is eating three meals a day now with cereal & egg for breakfast & supper and meat and vegetables for lunch.  She is nursing about five times a day and is also taking her juice and water much better.  I bought a different kind of nipple – playtex natural action type – and maybe that has made a little difference.  So far her favorite kinds of juice are orange and apple-cherry.  She isn't so wild about apple-grape.  Today she is having prune-orange.  She had a little before breakfast and seemed to take it real well.  She's had corn, peas & green beans – and corn is definitely her favorite although she ate the others OK.  The only kind of meat she has had is chicken so I can't say on meat yet.  We did buy her some turkey & sweet potatoes so she can have a real Thanksgiving dinner.

Speaking of Thanksgiving dinner I think we will be eating at home and getting together with some other people here at the apartment so we can share in the cooking and eating – makes for more variety and more of a holiday spirited meal.  We had thought DeeDee would be spending the day with her Mother but her Mother doesn't seem to have anything planned so I guess she will be coming over here after all.

Wish we had more of those Ohio golden grimes apples.  Ever since Grandma was here and made apple sauce I haven't been able to live without it!  I make a batch every week and eat it on toast, in yogurt, on oatmeal, cookies, etc.  I'm not so gung-ho on cottage cheese anymore or I'd be eating it with that too.

The whole letter seems to be about food!  I've been watching the scales so I can try not to gain back the weight I lost!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1977 Roberta's Letter to John -Nov.17

November 17, 1977

Dear John,

Everyday I get to work early so I can write one letter and this morning is your morning,  Doesn't it make you feel good????   I called home on Sunday trying to find out more about the Christmas holidays and you and the family's final plans, but don't know anymore since I made the call.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is almost here, a week from today I will wake up and be in San Diego.  It seems like a long time since I was there last, and when we were there we were there for such a short period of time.

I have written the family and told them and will tell you the same . . . . I have decided that I do not want the Granada out here.  For as little as I would use it, I much prefer to let you keep it.  Besides I hear that you got the oil changed on it.  Good to hear that you are taking care of the car.  If you would like to have car in your name, I'd be willing to make a really good deal for you.

Did Sally and Annie call you?  We haven't heard from them, since the Yankees won the world series.  What all did they have to say?  From talking to them, did you find out how the dogs are doing?   You know I got to meet the dogs when I was in New York after the season, and they just seemed like dumb dogs to me.

Did I tell you that we had supper with Ella, remember her from the farm?  She really is a neat lady.  Her son and his family live out here in Scottsdale, and her grandchild goes to the school that Marion teaches in.  They live in a super-duper house . . . . . . kind of like . . . . gee . . . . I can't even think of a comparable house around New Vienna.  It's got the sunken living room, and its so big, has swimming pool, etc.  Ella says she thinks they are living in debt, which she finds kinda upsetting.  We told her that we would not be back, and she said she sure hoped you would be coming back.

Work is going fine.  The only thing that bothers me is that I don't have one person I'm really accountable to, but instead I've got six different ladies, and also the vice-principal that keep giving me things to do.  Sometimes that gets pretty hectic and it's hard to please all, if you know what I mean.  But, then my day is full of variety so I enjoy that.  There is a big bond issue to be voted on this coming week, the biggest in the state of Arizona.  Our school will benefit the most from it so of course it's discussed alot, and all kinds of people have been checking up on it.

11/21  You will be home!  Hello to All!  Love, Berta

1967 Catherine's Letter -Nov.16

November 16, 1967

Dear Mother, Daddy, Rober (I only do that when I type!), Serena, John, and Mary,

Hi!  Greetings from the North Pole!  Brrrr!  You probably received my last post card rather late as I wrote it on Friday and I don't think it went out until Monday.  I just dropped it into the mailbox downstairs rather than carry it all the way down to the big box at Bowen and then I remembered that the next day was Veteran's Day and they wouldn't be picking up the mail here.

The dance was really great!  The dress fit fine.  I didn't have the shoes died but now they are really a mess after I walked to the dance in the rain they are really muddy.  Any suggestions on cleaning?

Afterwards we went to get a pizza.  It really turned into a chaotic evening!  We put the order in for the pizza and after we sat around waiting for about 40 minutes we decided nobody could be that slow with a pizza.  When Evan went to check it turned out that some man had come in and said our pizza was his, and he had just left the place.  Of course just as we are running out after him to get our pizza back he zooms off in his car.  By this time its is 1:10 A.M. per is 1:30, the pizza is not ready and we are 15 minutes away from the dorm!  The pizza place really put out the steam and gave us a pizza (the wrong kind, but nevertheless a real pizza) in five minutes.  Somehow we made it back to the dorm and had a few minutes to spare, but how I will never know!

Sarah (my new best friend and comrade) and I decided that Sunday was still part of Girl-Bid weekend so we did some more work in that line.  She invited a guy to served dinner which we have every Sunday noon but he said he had too much homework and was planning to skip the served meal.  (I can see why he had too much homework, he is in my physics class!)  I invited John Schaeffer to go to church with me but it turned out he is a Catholic so he invited me to served meal!  Sarah ended up with his roommate and we had a nice foursome.

After supper the four of us (Sarah, Cal, John and I) went to this house where Sarah was babysitting for a five-year-old boy (she brought him to supper.) and played hide and seek for awhile.  It felt pretty good to get out of that studying rut!

The whole end of our hall is playing musical beds in an attempt to come up with a roommate for next quarter.  Sarah and I want to room together but the total move would involve eight people and there is one girl who is pretty adamant about staying.  You can see how one person could foul the whole thing up pretty well!  We were supposed to have our slips in yesterday about roommates for next quarter but since our mess is so complicated they gave us an extension to work things out!

Last night Sarah and I went to see "School for Wives" by Moliere which was put on at Western.  The Western kids stared at us like we were foreigners or something.  What really shocked them was when we pulled carrots, celery, cucumbers, lettuce and marshmallow apricot salad out of our pockets to eat during intermission!

The real highlight of yesterday was when I went to the library to study between PE and math class.  Math starts at three and I must have fallen asleep for when I looked at my watch I discovered it was 3:45 and I was still in the library.  I grabbed my math book and my coat and zoomed over to fourth floor Olds in record speed so that I was arriving as everyone else was leaving.  Dr. Bausch was very understanding when I told him how embarrassed I was, etc.  Today we are having a test so he said if I had any questions I could come in and ask him!

We also had a big physics midterm yesterday which I don't think I did too well on.  I guess time will tell.  Do you know if I ever decided to go to graduate school I am going to have to work triple hard all the rest of my four years here just to bring up my first quarters grades.  What an encouraging thought!

The chemistry test was too much!  We haven't gotten the results but if I did like I think I did I will probably be taking chem next quarter.

Are you going to Bruces for Thanksgiving?  Speaking of Thanksgiving, next Monday night we are having a Thanksgiving fast for freedom which means that for every person who doesn't eat they save so much money which goes to Vista or somewhere like that.

Save this letter it may be the last one you get before Christmas!

Love,

Catherine

(alias Annie Anonymous)