Tag Archives: 1960s

Order of Service

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana, October 24, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

Dad is spending his afternoon at the hospital. Since he had the duty, he had to go when an accident occurred. He spend so much time over there last week, he spent all of two evenings at home. In spite of his heavy duty away from home, he is about ready to finish the beds he is making for John. John is coming home next weekend and he wants to have them finished by then. John is coming home to escape the little Halloweeners around Champaign. I like to think he is coming home for my birthday.

Mrs. Myers is still in the hospital. I asked Dad this noon when he was going to dismiss her and he said he didn’t know. He thinks she isn’t well enough to go home and be alone. I went over to see her Friday afternoon and took her a lovely lavender mum plant. Just about the time I was ready to leave Bethel and Mrs. Pronger came and Mrs. P. had a mum plant almost exactly like the one I had taken. I asked Mrs. M. how she got along on the hospital bed and she said it was quite uncomfortable. Bethel said she had to take Mrs. P. back to Kentland so I arranged for her to take some foam rubber back to the hospital (one of the pieces I had bought for the beds in your room). I asked Dad how she liked her bed and he reported that she was much more comfortable. Harold and Doris were out of town when Mrs. M. got sick and Dad sent her to the hospital. They were back in town last Sunday and Harold talked to me about her after Sunday school. He was planning on taking a trip the next day – he and some of his friends have been going on fishing trip in Ky. Every fall – and was wondering if he should cancel his trip. Mrs. M. persuaded him to go. Well, he started, but got ill himself and his fishing trip ended abruptly in a hospital. Doris went to get him Friday. I know Harold and Doris are both glad to have Mrs. M. in the hospital. They have both been trying to get her to go in for a check-up. They say they know she hasn’t felt well for a long time.

Dad said you had better to go [to] your Health Center (B.U. does have one doesn’t it) and have your bumps checked. My lump was not a hard one, but my wrist was as sore as if a rock had been removed, instead of liquid. Mark got a hard knock on his and it disappeared. Let us know what you need to do. If it isn’t urgent, Dad will take care of them when you come home.

Our Church voted to change the order of service, so we have Church first now. We usually have a large church attendance, but the S.S. attendance has been cut. I suppose some people just won’t spend that much time in worship. I could always use all the time allotted for S.S. class, but I was in a minority. The second Sunday in Sept. the first two hour service was held (from July to first Sunday in Sept. there was ¾ hour church and ¾ hour S.S.). While we were away, someone who thought 1 hour was too for S.S. got a commission (I suppose Education Commission) to reschedule the time, so now we are supposed to have ¾ hour S.S. then a closing service. The way I feel now, I could give up my class without any qualms. Attendance is down and interest seems to have fallen. Of course, if I analyzed the situation I would probably have some good reasons why attendance was down today. The first Sunday we were back, I didn’t stay for S.S. because the family was home and after church we came back home. I had Juanita Kain substitute for me and there were 18 in the class that day. Last Sunday the attendance was down (8). However, the group attending today were all interested and (8) every one took a question for next Sunday, so maybe things will pick up. Also got several to promise to help clean the nursery Tuesday AM. I have always thought it more important for children to be in Church than in S.S. (in view of some of the teachers we have had in the past). I feel that the adults who would attend R. Zell’s class then walk out before church were robbing themselves. I am sure, with all due respect to R. L. and the time he spends preparing his lessons, I would rather listen to a minister give a sermon. My idea has been that if my class would rather attend Church than S.S., I would rather they attend Church. I am sure Rev. McClure is better equipped to give them a religious education.

This coming week I have promised to assist in the UNICEF drive and next week I have charge of the United Church Women program at our Church.

Last night the Rotary Club had a fish fry at the old gym to raise money for their scholarship fund. We attended and after eating fish, french fries, and ice cream besides slaw, I have decided my digestive system be in pretty good order. Not one bit of trouble.

Love Mother

(over)

You were correct about Kirk’s birthday. I sent him a toy which didn’t get to him on his birthday but he did get the card I sent. According to Shirley he did have a big birthday. I am enclosing a washing instruction tag that was on the red dress. Also some S & H stamp.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/18/order-of-service/

The Only Doctor

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Oct. 17-1965

Dear Bonnie & David –

Dad is watching “My Favorite Martian” and I decided to communicate via letter. I called George Murphy and he promised to try and trace the desk. He thinks is may be lost but if it is – its insured, so if the old one can’t be found perhaps you will get a new one. I wish you could take the big one in your room. I am in a mood to get rid of things. In other words I am in a cleaning mood. Things have to go. Wish you could use some of things I want to get rid of (bad grammar). You started a trend. Dad is building twin beds for John’s spare bedroom. I have the foam rubber – bought it the last time I went to Lafayette. John will be home Oct. 31 for weekend, but I doubt the beds will be ready by then. Dad has been having to work pretty hard – he is the only Dr. taking

[page 2] care of patients at the hospital from Newton Co. – Kresler, Schoonveld & Parker are all on vacation. He had to take Mrs. Myers to the hospital last night. He said she was having asthma. She had an appointment in our office Monday but since she is in the hospital won’t get to keep it. I haven’t asked him how long he is going to keep her hospitalized. Drop her a letter or card. Since the radio reception at the office is so full of interference we decided to take the record player to the office and Dad has it hooked to the speakers – just like the radio was. We bought a few records, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, The King & I, Flower Drum Song, and a few others. Now I am going to get a stereo for home. The portable record player works but not automatically. You were inquiring about it. Do you need one? By the way, don’t buy any

[page 3] more records before Christmas. Have you acquired any since Das Rheingold?

The Fields have a new baby – Lynette Sue, born Oct. 10. They are pretty happy about getting a girl.

The African student Jim (can’t remember his last name) was married while we were away. Rosemary Murphy was going to give his bride-to-be a home this summer but for some reason she wasn’t in Kentland (to my knowledge). If she was it was only a short time in Sept. Jim is still in school in Terre Haute and now that they are married have an apartment.

Dr. Gery’s wife passed away last week. She had been ill since 1957. His daughter was killed in an automobile accident last April. She had been married a short time. He has a son who is in school at Purdue. Dad has always thought so much of Dr. Gery. He thinks he is one of the best.

[page 4] Since all the other Drs. were taking off, we didn’t go to the medical meeting this year. Dad said he didn’t really care. Since I am looking forward to a vacation next summer I really didn’t care too much either. We haven’t decided yet where we will go, but we plan a summer vacation because of A. & E.

In case I forgot – John’s address is 2510 Lawndale, Champaign, Illinois. Tele. (area code 217) 352-0743

Did you take the while towel set that Lea & Bob gave you or did you leave it here? Shirley said they left their set just like it here but I can only find one and it is with your other things. If you can remember, let me know,

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/17/the-only-doctor/

L.B.J. Ranch

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

10-11-65

Dear David & Bonnie –

John, Lea & Bob, Mark, Shirley, Becky & Kirk were here for the weekend. Kirk is talking – saying nearly everything – even tho some of his words come out a little hard. Seems he can’t say sc. He was holding a screw (I presume from his truck). We asked him what he had and he said “grew.” Of course that got a big laugh from everyone. I hope he is still as cute by Christmas time as he is now. Becky is quite interested in Kindergarten and talks so fast I can hardly understand everything she says. John said he would meet you at the airport. I will come along if possible.

[page 2] I mailed you a letter from Stonewall, Texas. They told us at a little store that Stonewall and not Johnson City was the hometown of L.B.J. After seeing Stonewall, we thought Lady B. should begin her campaign there. She considered it nothing more than a dump and could certainly do with a little clean-up of its own. We drove down the road that led to L.B.J. Ranch and were told if he was there we would not be allowed to continue. We knew he was at the Ranch – had heard it on the news but we drown down Texas Highway 1, and at a certain point there was a road closed

[page 3] sign and a parked car, so we turned around and went back to the highway we had left.

We attended a ball game in the astrodome. We have friends living in Beaumont, Texas, we visited. Also stopped to see the Georges. They are completely remodeling a house they bought for the lot. Nell and their daughter Merry are doing much of the work and it looked like they would still be working on it for some time. All in all our vacation was grand while it lasted. Dr. K. is leaving for the rest of October this week – so Dad says

[page 4] we won’t be able to attend the medical convention this month. Stacie is attending a small college in Va. I was told it has an enrollment of 300 and she is enrolled as a freshman. Evidently she didn’t get along too well in Greencastle last year.

I hope you aren’t doing too much – what with your Emerson position – but who am I to worry about people working too much, since I live with that sort of thing all the time.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/16/l-b-j-ranch/

Home Again

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Oct. 4 – 1965

Dear David & Bonnie –

Here is a check which was opened by your Dad. He didn’t look at the name, I thought you might be able to use it.

Dad came home from Rotary and has been going thru junk mail and magazines which accumulated while we were away. He is in the living room half way watching the program – or the coverage of the Pope’s visit. I have watched it in part. I wanted to see the Michelangelo statue at the world’s fair which was shown during the Pope’s visit to World’s Fair Vatican Pavilion, but as usual our T.V. wasn’t behaving too well. We didn’t go to Rome on our trip so didn’t get to see it there. That should be a good excuse for us to visit Rome.

I have been so busy trying to catch up with desk work today. I haven’t made much contact with anyone. I did call Mrs. Myers, I promised her I would stop and see her tomorrow. We bought Becky a doll in Disneyland and the Indiana with a drum-like the one he has worn out – for Kirk – and I want to take that doll for Mrs. M. to see. It is for Becky’s birthday and the Indiana is for Kirk’s.

While in Champaign John took us to see Cat Balleau. That was very funny and if you get a chance and haven’t seen it do go. Also the scenery in Lord Jim is beautiful – and although the movie has changed the story it is worth seeing. If you haven’t read Lord Jim it won’t bother you. The pictures which we took in Cambodia are the same as some of the background used in the picture. That is something else – the locus of Lord Jim is Indonesia. The Georges saw Lord Jim and when we told them we were in Cambodia when the picture was being made, they said that explained a few things. Nell said she knew that couldn’t have been made in Bali but there was a funeral scene just like some of the pictures we have and like they also have.

Our vacation was really wonderful. We stopped in San Francisco (Sebastapol), Los Angeles, Reno, Odessa, Tex., and Beaumont, Tex. for visits and really enjoyed seeing friends and relatives, and we felt they were all glad to see us. Everyone insisted that we come to the west coast (except Juanita) to retire (now). Juanita said they were going to Laredo, Texas, to retire.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/15/home-again/

Hearst Castle

1 Reply

[Postmark September 21, 1965, Lost Angeles, California]

Happy Birthday. We went to see this place this morning. Having a grand time.
Love – Mother & Dad

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/13/hearst-castle/

Sebastapol California

1 Reply

[Postmark September 16, 1965, Sebastapol, California]

Dear D. & B. This same view continues along Calif. coast. We have just come over a highway like the Million Dollar Hwy in Colorado but this time I wasn’t the least bit afraid. We are going D.A. Mercurio – 3490 Frei Road Sebastapol—just a few miles from where we are eating back now. We may make a trip over to Reno to see Wingfields, then down to L.A. to see Aileen & Tom. We really enjoyed the coast of Oregon. We took our time and picked up rocks & agates along the way. Our vacation has been very enjoyable. Happy Birthday in case I forget to send you another card. Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/12/sebastapol-california/

Oregon Coast

2 Replies

[Postmark September 12, 1965, Astoria, Oregon]

Dear David & Bonnie we have found a perfect place to spend a rest day. Our room overlooks a bay and it is a beautiful sight. Tomorrow we start down the coast of Oregon, then will go to Reno, Nev. and then to San Francisco. Last stop for visits on the coast will be L.A., then we will start back east. Dad is watching a ball game on T.V. and I am writing, a good way to loaf. Did you remember Becky’s birthday Sept. 10? Mother

Black Hills Passion Play

1 Reply

[Postmark September 9, 1965 Spokane Washington]

Dear D. & B. We have traveled a few miles since seeing the Play. I am under a dryer in Spokane Wash at present. Forgot to bring my dryer along. We will see Grand Coulee Dame today, then head for Oregon coast, then down to San Francisco & L.A. before starting back to Indiana. We are really seeing the U.S.A. and I must say we have some very beautiful sights. Took a picture of Romaine’s “little” house when in Des Moines. Love Mother

Yellowstone

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Sept. 7 – Waiting at Yellowstone for Old Faithful to erupt.

Dear David & Bonnie – We spent last night at Sunset Motel in Cody and drove here this a.m. We plan to drive on to Livingston, Montana, to spend tonight, then go to Glacier Int. Park next day. The scenery out this way is very grand, then we drive though some of the towns and see such heaps of junk and lack of zoning (So much for philosophy). We are wearing heavy clothes because the weather is quite nippy. We were bundled up Sunday night when we attend the passion play at Spearfish S.D. Dad even wore a pr. of wool sox. After putting on several layers of sweaters and our car coats, we took blankets along and wrapped ourselves so we kept warm. We were warned when we bought tickets to dress as for a ball game. We saw all kinds of blankets and other warm wrappings. Since we are going on to another Nat’l Park I decided I needed wool slacks so bought a pair in Cody this morning. Also found a sweater to match the skirt I bought at Loebs—the cranberry red. I have yarn to knit one, but bought one to use until I get the other one made—

We saw Old Faithful give a spectacular performance and then drove to Livingston Montana where we will spend the night. Tomorrow we will drive to Glacier International Park then on to Grand Coulee Dam, then over to the coast and down. I called John last night. He was getting ready to paint the inside of his house. He had purchased a garbage disposal & dishwasher. The last time

[page 2] we saw John he had just purchased his bedroom furniture and kitchen table, stove & refrigerator. We plan to stop there on our way home to see his place. Will drop you a card once in a while.

Love Mother

Should Have Known Better

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Dear B & D:

After you left, I noticed the garage door was open, so I went to close it and found these screws, so thought you might like to have them when you put your bed together. Also found the knife which I will return to Sears tomorrow.

After resting a while I started the washing of sheets, etc., and before coming to the office was about half through.

I was wondering what to mail these screws in, when I found the box from the calendar which you received from LeBeau.

When I came to the office, Arvella said someone was going to “catch it”—and he did. A patient had taken a cast off because it was too hot. Dad put a tension bandage on and dismissed him. I told Arvella this was

[page 2] the wrong day for him to have done that—and she replied any day would have been the wrong day for such a thing. I heard Dad tell him he was an adult and should have known better than do what he did. I sure will be glad when we get started on vacation. I will be glad to get away for a month.