1968 CJU's letter -Jan.16

 

Tuesday 1-16 [1968]

Dear Harold

Recd your letter with other paper enclosed this noon.

Will be alright with me to move me over to the desk with Phyllis

Didn't see where H. Rulon is in Hosp at Columbus did see where he was in the Wilmington Hosp.

Glad you are getting the new price list out as planned

We are having a touch of cooler weather this week, down to 44 this morning but is about 70 now 2 P.M.  Expect to again tomorrow be cool.

Have all Bills Paid to date including [?] the Rubber Mill and nest eggs off 5000 left  Will try to get along until next mo.  You better slow down a little bit.  --Dad   over

[on back]  Had letter from Roberta and card from C last Sat  So far this 16 days have paid out 39800. dollars [Assume the last two paragraphs made more sense to HH]

1971 Catherine's Letter to Serena -Jan.15

 Friday morning

January 15, 1971

Dear Serena,

Hi!  Happy birthday to you!  I would sing happy birthday to the tape recorder and then send you the tape so you could be so lucky on your birthday as to hear me singing.  However, it might ruin your day so I hope you can bravely bear the loss!  Also, I hope you like the present I am sending you.  I had a hard time trying to decide what to send you since I only had 7¢.  Believe me, I spent hours walking all over town searching for something you might like.  I finally gave up and decided to send you one of my most prize possessions which I have been saving for at least two weeks since it was my last piece.

What have you been reading lately?  I spend most of my time translating but I keep a couple books around in English so I won't forget how to ready in my own language.  Right now I am reading Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship by Goethe (pronounced Gerta).  Even when I read books in English I try to read ones that have been translated from German because it will probably help me graduate as a German major.  Anyway this one is a rather long novel (542 pages in paper back and I've read 55) about this guy who starts out being really naive and I suppose at the end will be mature.  Right now he is fantastically in love with an actress who doesn't really care anything about him but likes having him around until her rich boyfriend comes back form his vacation.  There is one chapter in which he is telling her a long story about his childhood and she falls asleep.  The chapter ends with this sentence:  "It is to be wished, that in future, our hero, when recounting his favorite histories, may find more attentive hearers."

Another book I have been playing around with is A Vision by Yeats.  This one isn't German.  Both Dick and a friend of ours, Bruce, are also excited by this book.  Wednesday night Bruce came out and we sat up all night reading it to each other.  It is the kind of book that is read slowly and takes a lot of studying.

I hope your 16th birthday is a good one.  I don't remember a whole lot about mine but I know that 6 years minus nine days later I'm doing well!

Love,

Catherine

1971 Roberta's Letter -Jan.15

 

January 15, 1971

Dear Family,

Thanks alot for the letter today, along with the clipping and check!  Wow!  I'm glad you liked my grades.  I just hope I don't flunk out this term!

I'm glad you all had fun in Chicago.  I heard about the trip - well - actually the time in Chicago in a letter I got yesterday.  Guess who I heard from?  Catherine!  She told me she heard that I answer all my mail and she hadn't been getting much mail lately so she thought she would write.

Has it been snowing in Ohio this week?  It started snowing here late Sunday night & kept it up off & on till yesterday.  We had - now get this - 18 inches all together - on the ground, very unusual for Oregon!  But -- yesterday it started raining & today it rained alot more so it is really a mess out!  Got up to 40º today!

All the Public Schools were closed Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday around here.  Alot of teachers here couldn't make it in so we did get out of a few classes.

Last night I walked downtown to my class and, it had been canceled.  Oh!  I don't know how or if we will have to make it up.

This week there was a Careers Conference here at school.  Nothing too exciting.  The school just had a bunch of people in to talk on various topics & all.  Alot of it didn't go off at all because the people who were to talk, etc. couldn't make it because of the snow.

I did change today from Bible to Social Problems.  I like the class alot so far -- even tho Monday morning I'm to have a make up test over the 1st three chapters!

Instead of term papers we were put on different groups of our choice.  My group is Urban Problems & Poverty.  Our group has to plan a field trip for ourselves and then we have to make a 2 hour presentation as a group.  We do this instead of doing a term paper!  That's ok with me!  We have to go to agencies, etc. where our social problem can be studied.

I haven't had a chance to look for a Bible yet.  The money is safe (?) in the bank.

Your letter that I got today only took 3 days to get here -- that's a speed record since I got back.

By the way, I have written University of Cincinnati for an application & other material.  That is the only school I have written to so far.  If I get around to it I may write Nancy Walker & see what she would have to say.

John, which do you like best -- Chinese or Japanese food?  Serena -- have you had your raw fish lately?  Mary Virginia how are you eating with your chop sticks?

I sure hope Sears new 104 story building doesn't make their dividend check any smaller!!!

I haven't gotten my typewriter.  You spoke of getting the bill for it -- do you know if I should have to pay any freight?

Today I put up a sign on my door that reads "A man must learn how to fail intelligently, for failing is one of the greatest arts in the world." (by Charles Kettering)  How do you all like that?

Well, I better be closing.  I'm glad you found the immersion coil.  Did you find my U.S. postcards?  I might have misplaced them here.  They were with the Christmas card I got from Grandma.  I hope the postage prices don't go up for awhile -- a long while!

Be Careful -- Hope you all are fine.

Love,

Bert

1981 Catherine's Letter -Jan.15

Tuesday evening
January 13, 1981

Dear Mother, Dad & Mary,

Hi!  I just have a few of these Pic & Save stationery left.  I think this is some you gave me last Christmas.

Glad you got the tickets back OK.  We have made arrangements with a travel agent in Bend to get our Amtrak tickets.  We should be getting them next week.

Seems like every day we read in the papers about the cold weather you are having.  Our lowest so far this month has been 30º.  The farmers are worried because if the ground doesn't freeze the bugs thrive.  It helps on our heating bill though.  Our elec. bill for Nov. was $57 and December $60.  I hate to think what it would be if we had a month of cold weather!  Sure hope the weather is good in March!

Wed. morning.  I'm already wrong about the low temperature.  It got down to 28º last night -- still not what you'd call real cold.  Wendy I have been walking every day trying to get her in shape for hiking.  We set a new record yesterday -- 12 minutes from here to Day Care Center.  Usually it takes 15.

On the 29th we are going to see patients from 9-12 and then Debbie & I will clean the office during the afternoon and I will work on Friday as it will be my turn.  I work this Friday and have next Friday off.  I have been busy this week interviewing applicants for the chairside assistant job.  I am doing the preliminary interviewing.  Do you like people?  Why would you like to work in a dental office?  What kind of person would you like to work for?  Etc.  The Dr's wife will do final interview depending on how they do in preliminary.

Time to get ready for work!

Love, Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1984 Mary Uible Horton's Letter -Jan.12

 

 TH PM -- Jan. 12, 1984

Dear Family:  (Friend or foe or anyone wishing to give up their precious TIME to read a lot of past detail!!)

Now, where to begin?  (Roberta, have used the liquid (oops) paper in the very first line!!!)  How about Christmas as a starter?  Seemed strange, after having YOUTH in the household ever Xmas for the last 36 years, to have only OLDSTERS around!  Larna invited us for Xmas dinner which was a relaxing day for me after attending S.S., Church, etc.  As there were only 9 of us, she could handle the dinner with ease in her trailer-home.  Was Santa good to all of you?  Seemed odd for 3 adults to be sitting 'under the Xmas tree' opening up gifs, etc.  Appreciate everyone!!  I thought Roberta's gift was very clever.  After we arrived in Phoenix, she gave us a cloth sack on which was written in BOLD RED LTRS.,  "SANTA'S SACK", and Santa's face in white on a BRIGHT RED SQUARE.  And surprised on the inside:  All kinds of practical objects used around the house.  Surprising enough, most of them were items we had just run out of or gadgets we can use and never thought of.  HA!  THANKS BERTA and SID!!!!  (I used the bag to put my dirty laundry in just before returning home . . . ha)  That takes care of Xmas . . . except it's quite a SHOCK to come home from a trip in Jan. and find all the Xmas ornaments on the tree, decorations, etc. and know that ALL THAT STUFF has yet to come down . . . maybe in a couple of days ???

The trip to Arizona sure did pep me up . . . . I've got my second wind for the new year 1984.  HA!!!  But for the H.H. Uibles, and Sid . . . . I don;t know how they survived all the excitement and pre-wedding hustle-bussle with all the relatives arriving on different days and housing and feeding all of us.  We counted up and H.H., Sid, or someone in the family made something like 17 trips back and forth to the airport (picking up and returning).  Thanks to Harold, we stayed at the WestCourt hotel (?) . . . a real swanky place for the first few days.  There were a lot of Ohio State people staying there; followers of the Ohio State football team.  Did anyone watch the game?  Sure was exciting.  We saw the close finish.  A lot of kids were staying there also . . . members of a marching band from northern Florida.  The big Fiesta Bowl parade on New Years Eve . . . which we did not see . . . we were attending something more important that PM.  Roberta's and Sid's WEDDING!!

We were dying to meet this MAN!!  Who had the audacity to capture the heart of INDEPENDENT, CAREER-WOMAN, ROBERTA??? (ha).  We were not disappointed when we met SID!!!  He was a good looking blonde about the same height as Roberta, maybe taller, with "R" shoeless.  A trim physique (sp) . . . tho both he and Roberta said that they were going on a DIET after we all left . . . and shouldn't we ALL, after consuming all the good candy, cookies, and all the holiday goodies!!  He's soft-spoken, witty, good humored, ALWAYS BUSY and helping Roberta . . . the speed he was going he might take over the Sr. Citizen project (Ha . . . watch out Roberta).  I'm sure he will try to slow down "Berta" for to quote him, "She does the job for 3 people"!!!  When I do a letter I really do RAMBLE!!!  Sid seemed very cooperative and patient!!!  A delight to be with!!!  Now the rest of you can draw your own conclusions whenever you have the opportunity to meet him.  

Roberta and family were still doing and fixing for the wedding right up until ½ hour before the wedding.  I understand that Roberta was over at the church before 6:30 AM probably overseeing the Brunch which was to follow the wedding, in the church.  [Followed by a long description of the decor. etc. which is not included here.]

Love to all -- MUH & BILL

1981 Family Letter - Jan.12

 

Monday --

Jan. 12, 1981

Dearest Family --

Since Dad wrote the last letter -- it seems like a long time since I have written -- guess it was last year.   And now it has been 2½ days since I began this one!  I have been trying to doctor myself for sinus infection and finally ended up going to the doctor this morning.  Dad made the appointment for me for I'm sure he is tired of hearing me sniffle and snivel and etc.  After recovery there is always the good feeling of how great it is "to have good health".

Sunday evening was International Family Dinner Night at Wilmington College, which we all enjoyed.  There was a good turnout as there are some forty foreign students at Wilmington College.  Two boys from Japan sang in Japanese, a pianist from Austria and three girls from Thailand gave a dance.  Dr. Kim's family was there and they have two children with the American names of Jean and John.

On Monday, Mom went to Dayton for the monthly library meeting and Dad his weekly Monday meeting at the Courthouse, which was one of the big meetings of the year as it was the organizational meeting.  The big challenge coming up later this month is the appropriations for the 32 departments.  Some of these programs are no more than keeping people off of welfare.

Having been sharing a ride to Wilmington with two other people one who works at the Courthouse and the other at the Bank.  Vera Baker, an employee at the Main Office, fell on the slick floor and hurt her shoulder.  The spring thaw has been on this past couple days, so have been riding a bicycle again.  The weather has not been bad as the wind has not been strong.

Mie Young seems to be getting along fine . . . sure glad we have the two bathrooms for with their daily hair washing, the rest would be called patience.  She has a couple of classes with M.V. and seems to enjoy going to the square dance class on Tuesday night with us.  We, oldtimers, who graduated last March, are still learning things in the new class lessons . . . perhaps the third time around we will get some polish.  It has also been adjustment for M.V. for no longer is she the only child here.  We have yet to master the pronunciation for the basics, such as "Good Morning" in Korean, and we thought Spanish was difficult.

Phyllis was on jury duty Monday, but they settled the case out of court and she was back to Wells around 10 A.M.  The Salisburys are leaving this Saturday for two weeks for a trip to Florida -- it will be their first and they are planning on being around Kissimmee.  Florida has been in the news about the COLD weather.

Georgialia Hannah is speaking at the Christian Woman's Club luncheon tomorrow.  Mie Young and Mary Virginia are planning to go along with another friend of Mary Va.'s.

The box from Arizona came and was full of surprises -- had never seen a Bible like that one but have been making good use of it as I should be teaching the Sunday School lesson next Sunday.  Anxious to hear the tapes but both tape recorders need new batteries.  Mary Virginia's bookends too are very pretty and unusual.  Many, many thanks.

[Love, etc.]

1981 GHU letter to Roberta -Jan 12

 

Drawing by Joe Horton 1979

Dear Roberta  --  Jan 12 [1981]  -- 

We use to think we could keep warm in Fla. but the last week you have to draw upon your imagination along with some real heat to keep warm & not to forget your warm sweater & better have a warm coat near.

Your nice package arrived to-day & of course we had to sample it soon after opening the goodies.  Rob had to arrive from school at the time & I told him since the air was so cold he might need some extra calories to keep him going.  Since I only let every one have one piece then I am sure the extra sweetness would hardly affect one's weight.  Thanks a lot.  I am sure I will enjoy each piece I eat & I will have calls as to where is that box from Roberta?

How is Buffy by this time?  I believe he knows when Marion is getting ready to take off & he works himself up into a ditter over the idea.  Our dog Tippie always knew when we were getting ready to leave in the car & he was right at the car door trying to edge his way into the car if possible.  He loved to ride.

Last week one afternoon late we had 3 callers.  -- Ellen (1902-1999) who you know & her 2 sisters Lois (1908-1990) from Texas & Luna (1915-?).  [GHU's sister, Aunt Luna' Hiestand Mitchell's (1874-1970), daughters].  You know her from Princeton I had forgotten, as you have met her.  They all met in Fort Lau. -- Luna had suggested the place.  It seems as if she has a Boy Friend & he was there also that week.  Believe it or not she has had a face lift.  She thought she had too many wrinkles.

Of course you hear the news from home so will not go into that.  I just hope the Korean girl will not cause them too much inconvenience.  Hope you don't struggle too much over your tax report.  I have received my book so must get my figures added soon to send to your Dad to finish.

It is past my bed time so must be on my way & get out extra cover for it is to be cold tonight is the report.

Love, Grandma

1968 CJU Letter - Jan.12

Not too many letters or anything much at all in CJU's handwriting, and this is the first of two that have recently been found in the date unknown file.  His writing is not the easiest to read and his grammar isn't what one would call perfect -- good thing he had clerical help at Wells! The year is unknown, but based on the Friday clue and the mention of Cris, the year is probably 1962 -- just found the envelope, and the date is Jan 12 1968.  This would have been a year before he died, so could be part of the explanation for the failing of his handwriting, etc.

Friday 1-12 [1968]

Dear Harold & All

Your [birthday] package arrived last Sat afternoon and thanks a lot.  We ate out for dinner at Port Lucie [Park Lane?] Rest. and for supper was over at Mary's for Ice Cream strawberries and cake.  Mr. Roy Garrett ate supper with us.  Had a nice day and wore the new jacket.  Its very pretty and a good fit.  Cris took a big liking to the jacket.  Will come in handy.  

Went shopping this morning at A & P bought 8.00 worth including 2 apple pies.  Gave 1 pie to the Hortons.  On our way home stopped at Food Fair and got 3 pints fresh picked strawberries for 89¢.  Have a very nice weather so far and still nice today.  60 low 75 high.   Begin to look like spring is just around the corner.  

Yesterday Mr. Decker and his housekeeper was out in the yard most of the day.  Cutting grass trimming the shrubbery and cleaning up their flower bed and etc.

Usual amount of people are here but no increase.

Regarding the old rubber will less try to have your Japanese [?] man try to sell it for us.  Price $4000 and allow him $500 commission if he can sell it.

Both of us is O.K.  

--Dad

1991 Serena makes newspaper -Jan12

 

Greenville (Ohio) Daily Advocate -Jan.12, 1991

Serena's Opinion:  I think there will be a war in the Persian Gulf. I hope that this war won't be for long.  It's like anything else.  You can win the war, but it's going to cost the United States, both in lives and resources for having done so.

* * * * * *

Note: The Gulf War began with an extensive aerial bombing campaign on Jan. 16, 1991.

1982 GHU Letter -Dec.26

 Sun. evening
[Dec. 26, 1982]

Dear Family - 

We have survived the excitement of Christmas & by degree will get back to normal.  Cris & Angela at the last decided to come to Lake W. arriving Thurs. afternoon & left this morning at 6:30 A.M.  Marianne, Larry & boys came in Wed. evening & left at 11:10 AM today.  Bill & I went to service.  Fri. evening I took all the family out to eat & for some reason Bill got a little disturbed about our going & was on a silent trend for several days.  Roberta you know how that goes in this family.

On Christmas we had 7 of the Hortons from the Park & 11 of the family here, for Christmas dinner at 5 o'clock.  Mary fixed turkey, dressing & cranberries & we had the dishes & tables arranged in dining room through the efforts of Marianne, Cris & Larry.  The different families all brought in food so we had a very good meal.  We opened up presents after breakfast C. morning.  Every thing was nice & we all had a good time until we drop out by 10:30 P.M.  We all went to services on Fri. evening 7:30 & Mary had invited several people in after service & served cookies & punch.  Cris brought his cat along & he was sure a good cat.  He never caused a bit of trouble stayed around & located himself in a box upon the shelf in the laundry, staying around in the garage.  

Thanks for all the flowers & presents.  I was on the spot for a little while for when the package that you had sent Jean, Mary had opened it & put Book under the tree which was wrapped in paper & getting mixed up with other gifts & sure forgot what it looked like & opening it I got the card mixed up & then I wondered who might have sent it & Mary didn't seem to be much help.

Thanks a lot but I fear I may need a lot of help in writing in the right information.  Roberta your package always bring a surprise so thanks for everything 7 enjoyed all the cards.  

At last a News Journal came on the 21st.  It was the 16th issue I believe.  So it will be coming form now on I expect with out trouble.  Sorry to read of Pam W. [Pam West, daughter of Carol & Harriet died Dec. 1982 at the age of 35] death especially at her age.  Glad to hear that the Bazaar did so well.  I wonder how they sell so much when there seems to be sales & more sales.  We seem to be having showers & more showers.  It is now raining but so far it has not lasted long each time & happens to rain early morning or late in the evening.

Rob & Cindy have signed up to buy a house in a new development near where they teach.  They had us to come out Wed. evening to see the place.  I hope it works out alright for them.  It is in the $50,000 development range.  Rob said the monthly payments were what they were paying for rent & of course that goes out & not much to show for it except a place to live at the time.  We also stopped where they live for he wanted me to see the furniture they had bought.

(Roberta will you please mail this note to N.V. if your Dad & others have left your place.)

With Love,

Grandma

"Happy New Year."

1971 Catherine's Letter -Jan.10

 

Sunday 10 P.M.

January 10, 1971

Dear Mom, Dad, Serena, John, and Mary,

Hi!  I assume you all are getting home about now.  We got home about six -- all intact -- and I have already had time to semi-strew-organize the things you sent back with us.  Thanks for the underwear, the salad dressing, hamburger papers (the last time I bought hamburger I froze it into patties on brown paper bag paper for lack of anything better.  The disadvantage is that the paper sticks to the hamburger a little too well and you sort of have to peel it off as the hamburger fries.), measuring spoons, tomatoes, ice cream, 7-Up and yogurt.  I had one of the tomatoes for supper.

We certainly had a good time in Chicago.  Sorry our restaurant suggestion for last night turned out to be such a dud.  Just shows not all risks are good ones I suppose.  Someday when we have a little more money of our own, we'll treat you to a weekend on the town.  As a matter of fact we could manage to give you a weekend of country life Kalamazoo style right now.  Why don't you all come up here for my birthday?  If that is out of the question the chances may be better than you think of us coming down.  I will try to let you know in time to get a cake made!

Thanks too for the coat, dress, and money towards library school.  I feel at home in both the coat and dress already which means you will probably be seeing them around for some time.

We didn't have any mail when we got back so I have resolved to write more letters in an attempt to get the mailman to stop more often.  I bet you weren't expecting a letter from me so soon.

I better be getting to bed fairly soon since tomorrow is already pretty filled up with doing the laundry, looking for a stereo, my doctor's appointment and going to Detroit.  If I get up early I'll have time to get a few pages translated before all that begins.

Thanks again for the weekend from both of us!  Love, Catherine & Dick

1975 Roberta's letter to John -Jan.11

 

January 11, 1975

[Roberta now in college in Florida and John at Exeter]

Dear John --

Back to school after a nice long vacation -- I'm so sorry I didn't get to spend it with you!  (Or vice versa -- you didn't get to spent it w/ me!

I've already had a week of classes & already seem to be about a week behind in everything!  Statistics is so time-consuming for me.  I even have a calculator to use & it still takes me hours to figure stuff out!  It's really a new experience for me.

I've hired a tutor for statistics -- @ $10 an hour.  I'm to meet w/ her tomorrow night.  At that price she should really be good -- I hope it doesn't take long to teach me.  Right now we are on all these charts & graphs -- also standard deviation & variance!  If I don't pass this course there will be no diploma for Roberta come June!

I had a letter form MOOSE (VANESSA) -- she is among the unemployed -- and would you believe going to the vocational school taking typing and some kind of computer programming class.  Can you imagine Vanessa programming a computer??

How are your classes in 1975?  Are you taking new courses or what?  I can't wait till my spring break -- its only 10 weeks away. (1 week down -- 10 more to go!)  Then I'll still have my science course to mess w/ for 3 more weeks -- but I'll have YOU KNOW WHAT (statistics) out of the way.  I'll die if I flunk out & have to go to summer school.

Hi!  It's now Monday morning -- January 13th -- Do you recall what happened 6 years ago today -- Granddaddy died -- then 5 years ago today Vanessa & I got hired at NCR.  (6 months later to be laid off.)

I have sent you a package -- a late Christmas present.  I've almost got all my Christmas shopping done now -- that's for 1974!

Are you working at the Church -- what kind of Church is it?  What exactly do you do?  I work Sundays -- haven't had a Sunday off since around Thanksgiving time.

I'm only working 2 days now -- I miss not working so much but I decided I had to realize that school is important.  Last quarter I worked alot & didn't study much.  So far this quarter I've not worked that much but still don't study any too much.  I've got to get into the swing of studying THIS WEEK.

All the Hortons say Hello -- you know Rob is out at the junior college.  I haven't seen him open a book yet!

Grandma is her good old self!

Write & let me know what's happening w/ you at Exeter!  Also let me know any N.V. gossip you found out about while you were home -- How was Rabbi Rider?

Love, Bert

1941? Uible Brothers

 

Left to right: Cecil Uible, William Uible, Frank Uible c1941
(boy is not identified)

Cecil J. "C.J." Uible born January 7, 1883, died January 13, 1969 -- youngest of three surviving brothers in this picture.  

Other children of David Uible (1845-1926) and Sarah Elizabeth Smith? Uible (1841-1890) were:

• William David "W.D." Uible - 1869-1942
• Frank Crossen Uible - 1871-1942 (Crossen was the surname of the family that adopted David & his sister Elizabeth Louisa after their parents died of cholera in 1849)
• Mary Louisa Uible 1873-1893
• Ennis Harris Uible 1876-1910
• George Clyde Uible 1880-1906
• Serena Uible Reynolds 1884-1963

There was also a half-sister, Ada Uible Jones (or possibly Ada Uible Smith), born 1862.  Her married name is undetermined as is her date of death.  

1910s-20s-30s - C.J. Uible - Multi-business Entrepreneur

Postcard Print.  HH writes on back: Store in Westboro, Ohio about 1913.  Folks lived next door [in a house] which burned.  From N.V. we use to go once a month to Westboro for groceries to help the Dudleys [who were buying out the store] pay for the store.  The building still stands 

 

Background: Business Stationery
Top left: Back of picture: "C.J. Uible in foreground - road job" appears to be on tracks
Top Right: CJ posing with c1925 - in his later life he had a fondness for Black Cadillacs, maybe this was his first one
Bottom:  "Harold on tar truck near Gratis, Ohio"  on OH-73 SW of Dayton

"Station at Morrow, Ohio that we had for a few years"

1976 GHU Letter - Jan

 

Tues. evening [probably Jan 8, 1976]

Dear Family - I wonder if my letters are worth 13¢ [first class postage rates went from 10¢ to 13¢, and postcard from 7¢ to 9¢ on Jan. 1, 1976] when perhaps I only write 2 cents worth.  Anyway we finally got Rob in the mood to go to the P.O. to-day to get 2¢ - 3¢ -13¢ stamps & wanted 1¢ which they didn't have & Air-gram [sic] which were lacking as we find that it will cost 31¢ now to send an air mail letter to Joe.  

We wondered how long Catherine would be in Africa.  I will return Roberta's card for she may want to keep them & perhaps John will want the stamp.  I wonder how long Roberta will be staying in India.  Her money must be holding out alright for the present at least.  

I do feel sorry about Marie & wonder what her trouble might be.  I wrote a note & enclosed a postal card (stamped) & told her I would appreciate hearing from her or one of the family as to how she was feeling.  I don't think she writes from what she has said.  

Bill said he talked to John yesterday.  I wondered if he got enough exercise to last for awhile.  If you have a little energy left after working on the corner lot & office repair you might think about the grape vines sometime this month.  I don't suppose you ever heard from the tree man.  

Now comes tax time again.  I paid the property tax today for the year & didn't send any stamped envelope for receipt return for I thought the check was enough.  I will try to get figures together some time this month for income taxes.  They are beyond me, I fear.

George -- the man across the street who is some what retarded or ?  -- came over Sat. & said he was hungry for he had nothing to eat & was on a salt free diet.  I divided a few things I had & Bill gave Rob some money to take him to the grocery & he bought mostly baby food.  He has cats & more cats to feed.  Perhaps his welfare check for Jan. hadn't come.  

Marianne, R.R, & Mary went to visit Roberta Dicks & family this evening.  Marianne & baby will be leaving tomorrow afternoon.  She wanted me to help pack when she saw what I had hanging in my closet she couldn't believe that I had gotten the things in my suit case.  So she got her things out on the bed & I packed.  (More than anyone needed for 2 weeks).  Everything in & hope the cases hold to-gether.  They are large & toys mostly in one.  Christmas presents, make-up, hair drier, etc.

Little Robbie [Kintner] fell out of bed Sat. evening & of course it hurt & scared him along with M. -- she thought perhaps she should take him to a Dr. but I didn't think so.  It only made a little red spot.  He is quite a climber & will have more bumps as time goes along.  Mary & Bill were at their bi-monthly card club.

I don't believe I mentioned that I sent your Christmas letter on to the Williams.  Mary looked up their address in the telephone book.  We knew about where we went last year to call but was not sure about the number.  You will see that I am enclosing a check for the church so please hand it in when convenient.  Mail being as it is I wonder if we get Sat. mail in N.V. the P.O. is closed here.  I believe the mail was delivered Sat. most forget.  The new rate may make a difference in Jack mail for Booklets.  Did you get the Bulk letters out before the increase for they surely advanced also.

Had a nice letter from Serena.  It is good to know that she is enjoying her school work.

I didn't know that Mary V. was a little timid about swimming.  Being a girl scout I guess I just took for granted that she was a good swimmer by this time.

Jean if your club or some organization is selling nuts this year you might get me 2# for I can use them as time goes along.

It's time to call it a day --

Love to all --

Mother

1971 Roberta's Postcard -Jan.8

 

[postmarked Jan 8 1971]

Thanks alot for the post card today.  All my classes are going fine so far.  Tonight -- in about 5 minutes I leave for criminal investigation.

Today was the first day it rained since I got here.  It's near freezing so very slippery.  Got check from Cinn. Gas & Electric today.

Hope all is fine.

Love, Bert

1971 Roberta's Letter -Jan.6

 Jan. 6, 1970 [actually 1971]

Dear Family,

Hi!  This is some of the stationery Pam gave me for Christmas.  I got into Newberg fine about 8:15 Monday night.  I had Pam & another girl meet me in downtown Newberg.  I did change rooms Monday night.  Pam had managed to get the key to my room & had all my dresses & also the dresser drawers all moved.  All I had to do was move my desk drawers & some other small things.

I went & got my grades today from my advisor & will be sure to send them.  I came awfully close to getting an 'A' in English -- Mrs. Carmmach [?] told me.  She gave me back my exam yesterday.  I'm planning on sending it with the box I'm sending for Serena.

I was told by several people that my flight out of Portland on the 18th was either the last or almost the last flight out of Portland for three days because of fog.

The Chicago airport was closed on Sunday between 3 and 7 in the afternoon.  Most of the people on my plane were not suppose to be on that one -- but an earlier flight.  We arrived in Portland a good two hours late.  Pam's mother had to leave because she works 2nd shift.

North Western Airlines starts today flying out of Portland again.  By the 15th they will be back to a full schedule.  I just heard that on the news.

I did go to the Newberg police station & asked about the course.  I am planning on taking it.  I talked to  2  women who both had on uniforms that will be taking it.  They said this is #2 but they didn't think I needed #1 to take it.  They both said it was very interesting.  I am going to have to buy a text-book that costs $11.00.

My books here cost me less than $30.00.  I went to the bank & put the rest of the money in temporarily.

The Browns would not take the $5.00 -- at all.

I've showed several people my "Ohio" book, sure will use my 5 & 6¢ stamps & also stationery.  I'll close for now & write more later.

Love, Roberta

1991 Catherine's Letter -Jan.4

 

1-4-91

Dear Mother & Dad,

Hi!  Since I just talked to you this AM I don't have much news but thought I'd write "something".  I called Roberta to tell her I talked to you and she said she had also.

Wendy & Roberta have plans for Sunday -- church, brunch and movie I think while Gerry and I are hoping to play golf.

Thanks again for loaning us this money.  It has really helped.

Thanks also for the Christmas gifts.

Love,
Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1981 Family Letter -Jan.4

Sunday, January 4, 1981

Dear Family:

We have to think twice in writing '81 and with that comes all the tax returns.  Fortunate in that area in that G.G. Walker is going to start working at the office for she has a lot of experience -- has been the secretary for an attorney in Sabina, who retired this past fall, and whose children will be thru high school in another five years and will be ready for more responsibility.

Last night we went with the Harners to Hillsboro to the square dance.  Out club had a raid, at least 12 couple were there from Clinton Co. plus others from Lebanon and Georgetown.  We do know enough of the calls to keep up most of the time.  As someone said, if you don't know what to do, "turn to the right and keep moving".  We can always laugh.

Getting to bed at midnight was a relaxing way of preparation for the Sunday School teaching this morning, but used some thoughts on the opportunities of the New Year plus had some good participation in discussing Matthew 22.

The Christmas things are back in the boxes for another year.  Mother, on your coming home we would be glad to meet you in N.C. at Easter time.  Do play it by ear and see what works out the best for you and the Hortons.  We do want to get down and visit with Cris.  Being a "county employee" does crimp our leisure plans, tho I am optimistic on that score for the other two men are very congenial to work with.  One takes his vacation during February and goes to Florida.  At least we have what Florida like weather should be inside our house.

Hope to attend a wedding in Washington on Feb. 14, as many of the Ballantyne side of the family will be there.  Then on to NYC for the Toy Show.  Mie Young has friends in the NYC area that she wants to visit.  She is adjusting and is talking of wanting to go to Ohio State when she gets thru High School.

Last Thursday Jeff Streber and some others were out playing and understand that a tractor was pulling an old auto hood on which they were riding, when it struck something and Jeff went flying and ended up with what is rumored to be a broken back and/or spinal cord problems.  This would certainly not help Joellen with all her cancer treatments. 

Had our last tomato from our garden on Christmas day and all enjoyed some of Grandma's pears as well.  The garden catalog arrived and as a material Christmas bonus the jack letters have increased.  On the new ones we are raising the cost from 20 to 25¢.  We are going to unpriced cards for most of the items so we will not be boxed in with these constant price increases.  It's always a sore subject when the retailers want to sell things for say three times what they pay for it, tho in reading the WSJ the retailers year is as bad as those in the manufacturing area.  

[Love, etc.]

1971 Catherine's postcard -Jan.4

Caption: THE ALAMO, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

 Jan. 4 [1971] -- We're in the middle of the blizzard.  Dick and I had a bunch of guys out to the house yesterday and when we brought them back to campus we stayed too rather than drive home again.  We finish working at the library today and I also have my Dr. appt.  Thanks for a nice Christmas.  We'll see you between 1 and 1:15 at MF 3rd floor waiting room on Sat.  Love, Catherine

1981 Roberta's Letter -Jan.3

 

[January 3, 1981]

Saturday Afternoon

Dear Family,

This has sure been a busy day for me . . . have been out shopping and went to the Post Office to get some packages in the mail . . . only seem to be a few weeks late!!!

Think I've spent all my Christmas money now . . . in fact maybe went a few dollars over . . . Spent a large part of it at Radio Shack.  Bought a real neat stereo -- small -- but with two speakers.  Has both AF/FM radio and Cassette Tape player.  Also bought two external microphones -- should really be able to tape some great sounding stuff now.  I will be able to use it alot out at work.  You will never believe what else I got . . . a cordless telephone.  They have one that they use as their business phone.  You all will have to wait till you get out here to see it . . . Figure it should be able to stretch throughout the house.

Also got an expense calendar -- and hope to keep track of the money coming in and out better.  Think I told you this last week I also bought some tapes out of Christmas money.

Your letter came in this afternoon's mail.  Just a shame you all aren't here to enjoy our record-breaking hot weather.  Think it got up to 83º yesterday -- just hard to believe that its winter back in Ohio!!!  And hope that we don't have the annual floods this year!!!

Buffy is just feeling fine again -- up to his usual stuff -- tearing up kleenex -- etc.  Of course Buffy was sure happy to see Marion come in on Thursday.  Marion took a bus from nearby her town to Des Moines -- got there around midnight New Year's Eve.  Wasn't suppose to fly out till about noon that day (New Year's) but was able to get an early morning flight out.  Was here six hours before she was suppose to be -- for her thats quite a switch.  I had a few women from work in for a small New Year's Eve party -- they stayed up much later than I did.  After ten o'clock I said that it has already changed to 1981 in Ohio so I could go to bed.  Marion called up about 11:45 to Wish Happy New Year's -- woke me up from a sound sleep . . . then again at 6:00 A.M. to say that she could get this earlier flight.

I did try to call you all up New Year's Eve -- said you must have ben out square dancing.

Now Thursday Morning -- where did the week go??  I got the package/book from Serena. Looks really good.  I've really been enjoying the stereo that I bought with your Christmas Money.  But I have made some changes.  Took the external speakers back and exchanged them for a set of ear-phones.  Think that I will get alot of good out of them.  The recorder did a good job of picking up what I wanted to record without the use of the external mikes . . . just using the ones built-in to the machine.

Work has gotten very hectic again.  Seemed to be almost quiet during the holidays . . . as far as not having the big crowds.  Now people are back in town, or their company has left, and we are again turning away many, many people.  

I need to run . . . Or at least start walking fast to get everything done that needs to be done in the half hour thats left before I go to work.

Thanks again . . . for the Christmas Money . . .

Much Love,

Roberta

Read Article Re: Library wrapped around book

1973 Rob's letter to John -Jan.2

 

Jan. 2, 1973 Tues.

Dear John B. Uible

I am very sorry that I did not get to see you over the Christmas holidays, but there will always be another year.  I know you have been keeping up with my Miami Dolphins.  They are nothing except NO. 1!!!  Now the Miami Masterful Magicians made it a sweet 16.  The Dolphins duel the Redskins next in the L.A. Coliseum.  Don't miss it!!

Now I will turn the globe to the stamp world.  I think and I am pretty sure that I have "kicked the habit" of collecting stamps.  Maybe, when I see you I'll give you my whole collection, on second thought, do you want to make a purchase?

We had a very nice Christmas with plenty of good food which I love !!!

Now I will go to the blackboard.  I made the honor roll two six-weeks in a row which is excellent for Mr. Robert Horton.  I hope the true spirit of this Christmas season -- its joy, its beauty, its  hope, and above all the abiding faith may live among you and to plan for the future with confidence for 1973.

Happy New Year

Your Chubby Cousin,

Robert H. Horton

P.S. Joh I am sorry but I can't think of one right now.

1991 Serena's Letter -Jan.1

 

January 1, 1991

Dear Everyone:

At long last believe it or not I have been trying to catch up on all my work at home.  What a a fun way to start the new year!  Of course now that my files are more or less up to date rather than in stacks by decades, maybe it will be slightly easier to find things.

For those of you who may have not heard from me for awhile, which admittedly is almost everyone, my last big letter campaign was about a year ago -- when I wrote about half of everyone for whom I have an address, then I wore out.  Then I got ambitious again about six months ago, but being older I wore out even more quickly.  The really embarrassing part is that I have no real idea of to whom I wrote.  Unfortunately everyone I run into swears they haven't heard from me in ages.  I have decided there is some correlation between the people I never run into and the people I write.  No wonder I quit writing Christmas cards after the second one.  I've been working on the same package of Christmas cards now for five years -- I'm giving the leftovers to Goodwill.

Anyway, I left my job as reference librarian in suburban Peoria (Alpha Park Library to be exact) at the end of June.  I am now director at Greenville Public Library in Greenville, Ohio.  (For those of you who thought I was still a clerk in Chicago -- just call me, it is just too complicated.)  As far as how I like my job -- well, it pays a whole lot better than being unemployed and it gives me something to do with my time.  It also helps me appreciate the times when a really bad day meant dealing with lots of junior high students.

I now live in Greenville the famous town known for Annie Oakley, Lowell Thomas and Zachary Landsdowne.  It does have certain advantages over Peoria -- I'm a lot close to people who I can go visit to get away from where I am living.  For those of you who note a certain lack of enthusiasm about my current situation, well, it could be worse -- maybe I should re-read Sartre's NO EXIT.  All I really remember about NO EXIT from my long ago reading is that hell is not being able to escape from a small group of really annoying people.  I do definitely see unambiguous similarities.

Anyway my siblings, are a happier lot.  Mary Virginia, my favorite younger sister, is now happily married to Donny Crowson and she is happily employed as director of music at THE Methodist church in Somerset, KY.  My favorite brother is engaged to be married to Julie Ashbaugh (sp?) [Note: Serena now knows her maiden name is Ashcraft]  and they plan a May wedding.  Roberta and Catherine, my favorite old sisters, are happily living in Phoenix.  This is obviously a QUICK sketch -- I've left out my in-laws, the children, the cats, vehicles, trips, etc., but I figure hey, life is short.  (In my current existence "life is short" is known as deep philosophy.)

Well, as usual, I close with my address and phone number -- this may be a limited time offer . . .  I have a rude impersonal answering machine, so that I an not be reached out and touched by annoying salespeople and other harassments of modern day life.

Love,

Serena

[Handwritten note to Mom & Dad]  

Dear All,

Here finally is your phone list -- if you find mistakes or problems, let me know.  Thanks for fun in Dayton at Christmas.  I spent all of the past week-end at home -- I'm over cold & bad headache finally.

1984 Scenes of Home

 

Jean's Book: Michelin Travel Guide to Great Britain
(they traveled to England/Wales in Dec. 1984)

New Vienna People - Pictures

 

USA Swim Team (or was it Club?) - 2004?
Couples from left: 
George (1928-2018) & Imogene Daniels (1931-2018) Shaffer
Harry G (1929-2008) & Caryl Lou Bohl (1929-2013) Allen
Harold H (1925-2019) & Jean Ballantyne (1922-2011) Uible
James F "Jim" (1934-2005) & Norma Smith (1934-2015) Allen

Bob & GG Walker, Jean & HH Uible at Tavern On the Green -1988

Elizabeth Johnson (1914-1987) - unknown date

Doris Palmer Martin (1922-2006) & Gladys Hiestand Uible  
NV Senior Center on 92nd birthday - June 22, 1984

Jean & Virginia Eaton Hildebrant (1917-2007)
Dressed as favorite character (?) for Mothers Club program - March 1988

1924 Jean & 1975 HH - pictures

Jean & her sister, Virginia - May 25, 1924
Jean, age 17 months, Virginia would turn 10 on Aug. 22

 

Fifty one years later, at the age of 50, HH & Jean went to New Zealand, visited the Hiestand relatives and enjoyed some hiking in the mountains in Oct. 1975

1911 Ira Franklin & Mary Ellen (Fawley) Hiestand

 

Ira Franklin Hiestand (1852-1912) &
Mary Ellen Fawley Hiestand (1853-1929) in 1911 
Married Sept. 19, 1871

Father & Mother of 

Harry Clarence Hiestand (1872-1967)

Luna Hiestand Mitchell (1874-1970)

Dorsa D. Hiestand (1876-1959)

Fawley Hiestand (1879-1881)

Gladys Hiestand Uible (1892-1993)

1955 Roberta, Serena & Catherine -Christmas Picture & HH's note to CJU & GHU -Dec.18

 

12/18/55

Discovered we had a short in our camera, which was the cause for not working.  On our last roll -- of which this is 1 -- we got 11 of the 12 pictures.

Had our church Christmas program this morning -- the younger classes had short parts.  Then Santa Claus (Doc Hause) passed out the treats.

Going to put our tree up this afternoon.  The girls are anxious to start.

Had dinner at Shef's today -- adults are now $1.  -- He is going to close up for 2 wks on Wed. & go to Florida.

--Harold

1980 Catherine's Letter -Dec.29

Monday, December 29, 1980

Dear Mother, Dad & Mary,

Hi!  This will probably be the last letter you get from us this year.  Did you see the comic strip where the guy writes 1981 on a sign and then hangs it upside down so that it read 1861?

Sorry about the delay in getting the airline tickets back to you.  I didn't want them to get lost in the Christmas shuffle but I suppose the post office could lose them just as easily any other time.  We got a new schedule from Amtrak but all the trains we will be on won't be changing - at least not yet.

We had a nice Christmas even if we did wait two days longer than the rest of the world.  I got contacts and a warm-up suit.  Gerry got a set of weights, an exercise bench, some new clothes and we got ourselves a set of bucket type pillows for the bed.  The co-op gave us a food processor.  I used it yesterday to chop up vegetables to make pea soup.  And then to slice ham for sandwiches and for quiche.  It also grates cheese -- did about ¾ pound in 15 seconds.

DeeDee gave us a matching towel and pot holder set.  DeeDee got a "Game of Life".  It had been several years since I last played that in New Vienna!  She had also requested some electronic games -- Simon & Merlin if you have heard of them but they are both on the expensive side so we decided she could spend her Christmas money on them if she wanted to after she gets back to San Diego.  We also got her some desk accessories as she just got a new desk.  

Wendy seems happy with her new toys.  She helped me sweep and mop with her new housecleaning set which also contains a vacuum sweeper, apron, dust clothes, brush, etc.  She's better equipped than I am!  She really likes her Fisher-Price school which comes with about 100 pieces.  Fortunately they all fit inside the school which closes up and can be carried around.  One of her other favorites is the Baby with her Treasure Chest (see p. 516 of the Sears Christmas catalog.)  She loves to push the baby around in the stroller.  The housekeeping set is on p. 547 and the school p.607.  We are looking forward to enjoying our present from you in March.

The weather here turned slightly more winter-like yesterday with the high in the 40's,  The low last night was 35º and the sun is shining now so it may warm up more today.  Western Oregon had alot of floods because of the warm weather but it didn't affect us any -- we did have two days of rain though.

Wendy will be staying home with DeeDee this week instead of going to school.  I will have another long weekend this week with Thursday and Friday both off.  Gerry will have to work Friday and Saturday though.  DeeDee will be flying back to San Diego next Tuesday afternoon from Redmond.  Gerry will take the afternoon off or however much time he needs to get her there but I will probably stay at work as it is difficult to get time off.

Almost time to go to work so I better close.  Happy New Year!

Love,

Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

1952-53-54 (?) Roberta & Catherine - Christmas

 

1980 Family Letter -Dec.28

 

Sunday evening -

December 28, 1980

Dearest Family --

Christmas seems like a long time ago now but it was so nice getting to talk to each of you -- if not in person -- on the phone.  John and Carol picked up Serena at the Columbus bus station and got here around six Christmas Eve.  We had plenty of snow that day so were a little worried about the roads.  But they did get here safely.  We all went to church at 11 PM that evening for the Christmas Eve services.  Mary Virginia among others sang but the quartets were limited to one number (MV and Cherie Cooper were each asked to sing two -- don't know how the others felt about this but Va. Hildebrant said because they are younger they were given that opportunity).

We didn't get up early Christmas morning in spite of Mary Virginia's threat to waken all of us.  I'm sure if Roberta had been here things would have been different.  We had a late breakfast then opened our gifts and had a leisurely day.  We had dinner about 4 PM and then John and Carol took off for Newark around 6:00 PM.  He had to work Friday and then they had Saturday off and were going to Erie and he had Monday off to visit some bank operation up there.

I should have mentioned in the beginning of the letter that soon after we wrote our last letter we got a call from Los Angeles from Kyung Ho Kim's brother-in-law saying that Mie Young had arrived that evening and when did we want her to come to Ohio -- it was all such a shock -- though pleasant even if we had given up on the idea of her being able to come.  Anyway he called the next day to say that arrangements had been made for her to fly direct to Columbus -- non-stop (3 hours) and we were to pick her up last Monday evening at the airport there.  Her plane was late but did get in eventually and the airport is so torn up -- I hardly recognized it at all.  She is a real sweet girl -- very quiet and bashful.  A combination of everything got her off to a bad start -- upset stomach plus I am sure a lot of homesickness.  Anyway, after several phone conversations between here and Wilmington and Korea -- she ended up going to visit some friends of her father's in Wilmington.  He (Dr. Kim) is a OB-GYN specialist who practices with Dr. Goodwin.  They have two children near her brother and sister's ages so it worked out well -- she stayed there and then we picked her up after taking Serena to the bus station in Dayton.  We got home just in time to have a bite to eat and then both girls were off in a rush to the school to see Wilmington beat East Clinton in both basketball games.  They were parked clear down to our house before 5:30 so you can see it was well attended.

Today we were invited down to Wib and Helen Carrs and such an elaborate feast she had prepared.  We also went over to see Richard and his family.  His wife Rita is expecting momentarily to go to the hospital.  Their daughter is 11 and son is about 7.  they are living in a home Richard's great grandfather built about the time of the Civil War -- maybe Wib's but it has two identical beautiful stair way, circular in the front and back of the house -- 12 foot ceilings.  What a place to have to heat!

They must have given us almost 50 pounds of potatoes to take home with us for they said they wouldn't keep if the frost got them which undoubtably would -- wish you all were here to help us eat them or divide them up.  Another fringe benefit of legal practice was a gift certificate to the Golden Lamb Hotel for dinner for the family.

They announced in Church today that the Bazaar cleared some $1844.00.  Attendance was down today in SS and Church, tho believe we will end up the year in good shape with all the bills paid.  Have had some nice orders come to Wells in the last few days, tho it seems that the customer list shrinks as the competition list grows.  Luckily we are getting interest (now at 18%) rather than paying it out.

[Love, etc.]

1980 Roberta's Letter -Dec.27

 

Saturday Night

9:30 P.M.

[12-27-80]

Dear Family:

Somehow I'm not too tired tonight -- maybe having a four hour nap this afternoon would have something to do with it!!!!!  Really feel like a free woman with both Marion and Buffy gone!!!  Have been out and about every single night -- or had people in here!!!!!

Thanks so much for calling.  Christmas Day was a good busy day for me.  I was going to call you all up this weekend -- not fight the telephone lines that day!!!  There was so much food here that day.  I had bought lots of sliced meats -- turkey, ham, roast beef, corned beef (that was the most popular -- and lots of good cheeses.  Then everyone that came brought some sort of salad or dessert -- alot of them brought two or three dishes -- the counters were all full of food.  It was a beautiful day weather wise -- much, much warmer than last year.  I remember seeing Dad and Rob all bundled up to ride the bikes!!!  You all should have been here to enjoy the sunny weather.  And thank goodness much more room in the new house.  Hard to believe that this time last year we were watching this place being built . . . making sure the walls would be painted yellow . . . or slipping the electrician some money to get the hook-ups for the ice-maker, garage door opener, etc.

I've looked over the class schedule for ASU several times -- the classes that I need to take all seem to be at the wrong times -- middle of the day -- the only classes that would be ok for me to take -- late afternoon or evening -- I've either had -- or not ready for yet.  I'll keep you all posted should I register.  I've been at the senior center a year the first week in January.  It seems hard to believe.  We are now turning away more people each day than we used to serve.  A new center will be on Southern and Mesa Drive area -- about three miles from here.  I'd love to work there -- but its to serve the minority (Spanish) mostly (which is a joke) so a minority will have to run it.  It won't take any of our people -- not that they couldn't go there -- but due to the distance -- they would not drive in to it.  We really need a bigger center so badly out East.  We just have one large room -- which is the dining room -- so hard to have other activities -- because nothing appeals to all.  And its next to impossible to keep those not interested quiet so that a speaker can be heard.

Thanks so much for the Christmas check!!!!  I've spent a little of it already -- bought a new tape today of Dallas Holm -- my first of his.  Also bought a new pair of boots -- bedroom slippers.  A pair of Dearforms -- they can be machine washed.  The men's medium fit me just fine.  Don't worry -- I won't spend this money on the utilities -- but I'll tell you I don't see how families make it -- sure takes alot of money to keep a house going.  Are you aware of this situation Daddy????  There always seems to be something that either needs bought or repaired.

We are starting a monthly newsletter out at work -- was hoping to get the first edition out first week in January -- but not sure now.  It will include senior activities, recipes, household hints, known sick, want-ads (free -- of course).  The people seem to have taken to the idea -- and we have been bombarded with poems, where they live, their jobs, all their promotions, etc.  We have got three women working on the newsletter -- as far as putting it together.  It will also include monthly birthdays.  I'll be sure to send you a copy.

We are also trying to get a weighting club -- or rather a "how to stop playing the weighting game" group started out at work -- first meeting will be the first week in January.  Several people have requested a group like this.  Should be interesting.  We can't prescribe any definite diet -- more of a thing of awareness -- of your own power.

Marion called up today.  Think I told you she was going to fly into Des Moines, and then take a bus to Monmouth, Ill or somewhere much closer to meet her folks there.  She was so nervous with the idea of getting from the airport to the bus station, then buying the ticket, etc.  I just couldn't believe it.  But, she called and her sister and brother-in-law were at the airport to meet.  They did not recognize her -- with her curly hair, and a new winter coat.  She retired the red one "old red".

Marion will be back New Years Day -- that evening about 6:30.  It was last year when she was to fly in the night before going back to school and due to the weather and all got back to school two days late.  After this short time without Dear Buffy -- I'm convinced I could make it this summer without him -- having to rush home from work to walk him, feed him, etc.

Through a lady out at work I've met Dorothy -- a girl from Portland about my own age.  She is here visiting her father for the holidays -- really a character.  Both the father and Dorothy.  Dorothy went to clown school for a week this past year -- maybe you all are familiar with the idea.  Guess there is -- was -- an article about Clown Ministry in the Sept. 3rd issue of Time magazine.  She came out to the center one day and did a little fun type routine -- had a little duster broom that she dusted off all the tops of the bald men.  She had the clown outfit, paints her face all up -- really neat.  Her dad just thinks she is crazy for doing it.  She came in here Christmas night -- and I stopped by to see her last night.  She is an Ex-Catholic Nun.  Worked for some Methodist Missions school in New Mexico.  Went to Portland some four years ago and just stayed.  She is now working on her Masters -- took her 9 years to get her BA degree.  Now working with mentally retarded children in a school situation.  Dorothy is such a talker -- hardly pauses at the end of paragraphs -- let alone sentences . . . .

Talking about other Dorothys . . . Dorothy Stubbs and her husband came over today -- in fact they woke me up from my nap -- Rich Stubbs was on my old red bike -- the Honda Express and Dorothy is now riding a new bike -- just a bit bigger -- goes 45 to 50 mph -- called the Honda Passport.  Marion had talked about getting one of them.  Guess they have been very popular overseas and this last year was the first year for them to be marketed here in the states.  Really a nice bike.  She had just gotten it today.  They had been out looking at new cars and just stopped by the Honda Dealer on the way home -- their one car is just about worn out.  But now Doreen is going to be riding the old bike back and forth to school.  These new cars are really high priced -- Dorothy thinks maybe her husband had it all planned out to stop at the Honda dealers the whole time.  I think you all would really like one of these small Hondas.

I went over to Stubbs for leftovers tonight.  Would you believe I didn't have any leftovers on Christmas . . . actually I had gotten lots of food, but then when people left packed up several bags of food for everyone.  It really was a nice day -- just sorry that you all weren't here.

Don't think I told you that Grayce -- the one who used to work out at our center -- the one whose husband died just before Thanksgiving . . . is now working at the center in town.  She just couldn't stop talking about her husband to the people out at the center -- really wasn't a good thing for the people.  I talked it over with Ann (my boss) and she thought it might be better for her to work in town.  Besides she had been going to school (if you can call it that -- training to be a hotel manager) two days a week and was all done with the schooling.  We really didn't need both Grayce and Judy (the part-time one) but I didn't want to lose Judy because she is so talented -- music, arts and crafts, etc.  Ann had talking about sending Judy into town when Grayce was done with school but I was sure cold on that idea.  To make a long story short, Grayce has been in town now some three weeks and really seems to like it.  They have her doing office work type of stuff in the mornings, and then in the afternoons working with the outreach program.  It really has been good for her.

The first few days after she got back she was so quiet at the center -- but then all Gracyce could do was be upset and get alot of other people all upset too.  As Catherine Marshall said in the latest Guidepost (thanks for the new subscription) that everyone feels their loss is worst than anyone else has had.

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR . . . and I thank you for all your support (in all ways ) during this last year . . . I love you all . . . .

Love,

Roberta