1989 HH Postcard to GHU - Apr.11

WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Caption: Alamogordo, New Mexico.  One of the world's strangest and most spectacular deserts.  Over 224 square miles of what appears to be white sand but in reality is pure gypsum . . . Fifteen miles south of Alamogordo, on U.S. Highway 70.  "The Treasure Trail."  The sand dunes, sometimes as high as 50 feet, shift slowly and are ever increasing as to the area covered.  A fine paved road leads into the heart of the sands to a recreational area.

4/11/89
Got here @ 2:30 PM staying at Presbyterian Church & just across the street from NM State Univ. We all ate @ Rae's for supper – lots of curious ? from other people there – 1 couple said they do well to drive as far as we have come on our bikes.  Mother, how would you like to visit this area when you out next fall?

Love, Harold

1969 GHU postcard to Roberta -Apr.10

Cavalry United Methodist Church, Lake Worth, Florida

Thurs.  evening [April 10, 1969]

Dear Roberta – This is the interior to the new church.  I did hear the sermon last Sun. because I tried using the ear aids.  The church is simply too large but it does have a beautiful window.  Cris celebrated his birthday yesterday by having two dinners.  We had a little extra & Rainie was a guest.  Then it was announced at school that Cris was appointed the "Boy of the Year."  A trophy was given to him by the Exchange Club who sponsor the affair & a dinner was also given at a meeting & he was invited.  Enjoyed your letter & I hardly realize that the time is drawing near to return to Ohio.  The car license plates came yesterday.

Love to all, Grandma

1989 Jean to HH Letter -Apr.9

[HH on cross country bicycle trip, letter mailed to Llano, Texas]

Sunday –

Apr. 9, 1989

Dearest Harold –

It was so good of you to call yesterday and to hear that the wind was in the right direction for a change.  Roberta also called when she got home & they were playing the tape they'd made – said they'd gotten some real good pictures of you and the group which I'm sure you'll enjoy seeing too.  They enjoyed their visit with you and at the Embassy Suites though it was a half hour from your "suite."

I forgot to tell Roberta that I had shared the grapefruit, oranges & lemons she gave me with the office staff of Wells as well as your Mother and the Johnsons.  Mary Virginia was only interested in the grapefruit so gave her six to take back with her so you can see they (Sid & Roberta) gave us plenty.  Guess they were generous in their gifts of food to Wandering Wheels too.

The weather report just on the radio reports it will be in the 20's.  I know I can hear you asking if I don't want the storm windows back up.  I did call Evelyn Brown and she is to help wash windows for us a week from Monday (the 17th) unless the weather is uncooperative.

There was a small item in the paper about the break-in at the bank in New Vienna – nothing missing but only damage was the break-in itself so that was good.  I had asked Carolyn R. about it but said she only knew that GG had said the bank was locked when she tried to get in that particular morning.

Remember the Grande Bretagne in Athens a well as this one in Palm Springs?  [Hotel Grande stationery p.1-2. Westward Ho in Palm Spring, etc. p.3-4, Dromoland Castle, Ireland p.5-6 and Hyatt Regency Jerusalem p.7-8]  We have had a lot of wonderful trips, haven't we.  We have enough stationery to last a lifetime so thought now would be a good time to put it to use.

I forgot to tell you on the phone that GG said we had what looked to her like a wedding invitation from Bruce Gross with fancy writing (calligraphy?) on the front.  I knew you'd be most anxious about this and might want to go direct to New York from Jacksonville if it is that same weekend – or perhaps leave the group early?  Right?  Right!

Mary Virginia and I had no cavities – her bill was $28.  Both of us thought our mouths were exceedingly sore afterwards – more so than I can every remember after her cleaning them.  Both Dr. McM. & Melinda were interested in your trip & want to hear more about it.

Mary Virginia also got out the ramp and was half way round the house before I could catch up with her to help.  I'm sure it would be tempting to use it with the skateboards I've seen in the neighborhood.

Your Mother had gotten the card you sent her from just out of San Diego.  She didn't mention any before that but imagine she had those too.  I read her a thank-you she had received from Cris & Angela that came in Friday's mail as well as your card from near San Diego.

I'll add more to this after I've been to church.  Your Mother called to say she'd take me to lunch today but leave food here, ramp in place & not sure I could get her in & out of the car too easily.

Church & dinner are over.  So many asked about you especially Stan H., John Hughes & many others.  Dorothy Ellis was out for the first time in  ?  weeks.  Rita Johnson's sister Rosemary ª÷º won the pie which Georgialia brought.  They ran out of bulletins – even the xeroxed kind.   Didn't seem like that many there but I gave some to the ones that sat in the minister's study but even they had to share.

Charlene's thermometer looks real nice – It's up to about $4300 & is located between the 2nd & 3rd windows on the side toward the school.  I taped Schuller's program this AM as it wasn't on last night & your Mother wanted to call the Hortons this AM.  We tried several times yesterday but no answer.  Bill insisted I'd used the wrong zip code [probably should be "area" code] but called the same number each time.

They are fine – planning to go to Cris & Angela's to see the baby baptized on Mother's Day & will probably come on from there but nothing definite.

Joanne keeps asking your Mother as I guess she wants to find other work while the Hortons are here.  I don't know how she can fit someone else in but your Mother sees no problem.

She is bringing at least 8 guests to the Mother-Daughter Banquet.  That's nervy too when she herself comes so seldom but among them are Elaine Burton.  Evidently Bill Fawley has been in the hospital – Opal mentioned his getting out & his name is on the prayer list – also Heber Ellis but I didn't get to ask details.

Stan, Lynn & Andrew were in church this morning.  He gave a booming prayer at the close – didn't see him afterwards either.

I called Serena yesterday to put her on the back [?] for her ticket at Christmas.  I found out she can fly from Peoria to Phoenix via Chicago but I'm sure there are other ways to go besides American Airlines. I told her to check & call me tomorrow evening.

Never had any luck getting through to John & had planned to call this AM but time got away.  Just realized I'll be lucky to get this to you on time & if not I won't be able to tell you I'm sorry but will take a chance.

I did get to the yogurt shop with Ruth Shoemaker and it was very good.  They didn't have the lite or low calorie & the chocolate was delicious.

Saw Betty Arnold briefly & she asked about you.  We were both rushing & so didn't really have a chance to talk.

Wish that I could drop by and see you like the Gila Bend or on your way cycling but be assured there are many thinking about you & praying for you.  Looking forward to having you back home.

Much love,

Jean

1979 Roberta's Letter -Apr.9

April 9, 1979

Dear Family,

Thanks alot for calling, it's a shame then that I didn't feel better, but now I feel just fine . . . Saturday was really a good day -- we changed our plans as to what we went to . . . I went to the one on how to make up a business plan -- it was really good.  We taped the ones we went to, so if you all are interested let us know.  Marion went to one on tax-saving  angles -- it was quite good.

I am enclosing the GRE Scores -- also the deal that explains it all -- I am hoping to double my score on vocab, also raise the others -- I have bought a third book that I use now -- there are four practice tests in the book, I just got done with the second one -- and my scores on it are much better than the first practice test.

My job is getting to me, I'm attempted to quit, and just try to do temporary type work thru June -- or should I say till June.  I'd like to give it a try.  My boss has a bad ego problem -- which I can't figure out since there business is in such trouble.  All day long the phone rings for someone in Accounts Payable Dept. -- some business wanting $$$$ -- with alot of businesses (esp. Wallpaper -- etc) they are on a strictly COD policy. 

I've been trying to hit upon a good business out here -- want to get into something that would be pretty stable -- year round type deal -- I've got the idea of maybe one of these electronic type game rooms for kids -- of all ages.  You know the arcade type business -- I want something that is cash and carry.  I'm not interested in something where you have to be a collection agency too.  I think working -- or rather having a business that attracts kids would be the thing to get into . . . they always have money.

I did write Serena tonight -- mentioned the fact that maybe she would be interested in coming here -- spending a few days and then driving East.

Marion's sister Rachel is here -- got here on Sunday -- Marland and Karry will either be flying down (their plane)  or driving down on Thursday or Friday.

I sure have been using the juicer Serena gave me for Christmas -- oh I forgot to tell her.  We have been getting oranges form Mr. Williams tree and making juice.  Sure good . . . .

I am anxious to hear more details about John's possible jobs -- the job at the bank in particular. 

I need to study so better cut this short -- always good to hear from you all . . . Oh, Mary -- we got our girl scout cookies from Charlene the other day . . . but as usual we forgot to give her the letter.

Have a nice Easter --- will try to give you all a cal -- if I can get through . . . .

Love,

Berta