Tag Archives: Boston

School of Mission

Letter transcription:

July 23, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie –

This is my fourth day at School of Missions and so far have felt fine. No infections this time. I hated to leave Dad home along, but he said he could take care of himself. I left food in the refrigerator and his clothes in order so hope he hasn’t missed me too much. It has been awfully hot – I think the hottest so far this summer. I think I have perspired more since Monday than I have in the past year. I have a room in Rector and the noise of the trucks

[page 2] has not bothered me. I was asked to be a Secretary for one of the classes – which makes me do a little extra work, but since this is really a vacation I don’t mind. Just wish Dad could take off for a week, but I know he doesn’t want to take a vacation until we can really get away for a month later on. I called on Sam Kirk this afternoon after one of my clinic meetings – and after one of his. He sends you his best wishes. Please excuse the lack of paragraphs in this but it is easier to do it this way. John arrived in the States Sunday. He stopped in Chicago long enough to call us, but since he was on his way to N.Y. we didn’t see him. He called me here yesterday

[page 3] and said the man he was to see in N.Y. wasn’t in so he flew to Bloomington and is visiting friends there. He is coming on the Monon tomorrow (1:14) and since our session ends at 11:30 I will have time to pack and eat lunch before I pick him up. I don’t know whether Dad knows John didn’t remain in N.Y. If not, he might be surprised to see me bringing him home – Just went for a ride. Mrs. Kathryn Jackson (her parents used to live in Kentland and her father owned the Bank – Mr. Teague) lives in Chesterton and wanted to give her car an airing. We saw the cultural center of Indiana (That’s a joke, son) I had heard

[page 4] so much about Greencastle but after seeing it can’t say I am too impressed. All the Greek letter house look like the caretakers are taking the summer off. I think the lawns in Kentland look neater than those close to the campus. I have just taken a shower and if I don’t get out of here into the cool air outside I will have to bathe again. It’s about time to attend Vespers, so must go.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/03/school-of-mission/

Update on John’s Arrival

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Letter transcription:

July 15, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie:

I had my letter to you ready to mail when yours came today. I received a cable from John that he would be arriving in N.Y. July 19. Cable came after I had sealed your letter and since you made two requests thought I should write another letter to tell you I mailed the pillows this afternoon. I have two enlargements – one from my collection and one from Alma’s – of the exit from the chapel. I will send the ones I have and have more made for us.

The T.V. set is on and I have been listening to the nomination and seconding speeches. Looks like Barry is in. You never can tell – he may win in Nov.

Dad is at the hospital for surgery. I have finally finished the waxing and buffing. I haven’t decided yet what to do about going to School of Missions. Since John was delayed almost a week in leaving I thought he wouldn’t be arriving home before the 25^th but since he will be arriving in N.Y. the 19^th I have no idea now as to when he intends to arrive in Chicago. Will be able to tell you better

[page 2] about what I do after I hear from John again. He is supposed to call me when he gets to N.Y.

I was able to get rid of one of the old worn out pianos in the church basement today – I mean the piano tuner hauled it away. I secured 3 other tuning jobs for the tuner here. If word gets around he may have to make another trip back. Seems tuners are scarce.

Love Mother

P.S. Congratulations on Bonnie’s success in getting a contract.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/02/update-on-johns-arrival/

Waxing Floors

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Letter transcription:

July 15 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

I presume you have been having a vacation as you mentioned in one of your letters, the reason we haven’t heard form you recently. We received a long letter from Bonnie’s mother one day last week. They evidently had a good time in Japan.

Today I am having the piano tuned. I was desperate and told Daddy I had to find a tuner. He said, “Why don’t you try the yellow pages,” and I did. Not only found a tuner but a means of getting rid of the extra piano in the church basement. This man is from Lafayette and rebuilds pianos besides tuning. I found 4 jobs for him today. Seems I wasn’t the only one looking for a tuner. I thought I had better get the piano in shape before John gets home. We received a cable from him Monday the 13^th which had been sent from Malang the 8^th. He was ill and couldn’t leave when he had planned. We hope by now he is in Hong Kong. His cable said he would leave Djakarta around the 14^th.

You won’t believe what I am going to tell you, but I cleaned the built up wax of the kitchen, family room, hall & bath room floors all by myself. Seems John H. had other jobs he had contracted and I decided that wax – really it isn’t wax but more like varnish – had to come off. I was on my hands and knees part of the time – using wax remover which doesn’t remove but just loosens, then I brought the scrubbing machine from the office and with steel wool pads got the rest off. I started last Thurs. afternoon and yesterday – Tuesday – I almost finished – that is cleaning and waxing. I decided to use paste wax and buff. I just have where my desk, couch, and washing machine area to wax then it will be finished. I was so tired yesterday

[page 2] afternoon I went to bed for two hours and hardly moved. I think every muscle in my body ached, but I had the satisfaction of knowing the floor in clean and shouldn’t need such a cleaning for at least six months. Liquid was is a bad word as far as I am concerned and mothering could induce me to use it again. When I was in the cleaning process that stuff would come off in sheets. I used a paint scraper in places.

I am going to Greencastle Sunday evening to attend School of Missions – that is if John’s homecoming doesn’t interfere. I hardly think he will get to Chicago before the 26^th since his departure was delayed about a week. He was planning to spend some time in Hong Kong & Japan before coming back to the States.

Dad & I went to Mt. Ayr Monday evening to give a program for the Hospital Auxiliary and had a record crowd. Meeting was held in the Methodist church. Every seat was filled and folding chairs had to be set up. We showed our Hong Kong and Cambodia pictures. I just hope no one was disappointed. We received many compliments & comments after the meeting was over.

The Janssens are going to the Black Hills and into Colorado for their vacation. I got them some Triple A guide books and told them about our trip via the Million Dollar Highway – The Alps of America. Do you remember that drive? – it was the trip when we visited Colorado Springs and went to the top of Pike’s Peak. They plan to visit Mesa Verda National Park – one of the places we saw as we were on our way to see John.

Don’t forget to write.

Love Mother

Thanks for the pictures.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/01/waxing-floors/

Beautiful Eyes

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Letter transcription:

7-7-64

Dear David and Bonnie:

Tues. evening. We had a hard rain today so the lawn will be in shape for mowing in a day or so. Dad finished the fence so the little dogs next door can’t come over so easily. If they do they will get a bebe or two. When Mark was here for the 4^th he said Dad was pulling “an Uncle Mutch.” At least we haven’t been bothered since he gave three of four of them a pelting last Friday evening.

While Mark & Shirley were here Shirley and I took the children to see Mrs. Myers. Mrs. M. said Kirk has beautiful eyes – in fact she said he is a beautiful child. Of course, his grandmother agreed. You remember the little dog in a basket the girls gave Dad for Christmas? The children discovered it on this visit and Shirley wouldn’t let them have it, but would wind it up and let them watch it. Kirk would get so excited he would act like he would explode. We found it a nice interlude to amuse them. Kirk doesn’t say much but he certainly can communicate without words. Becky seems to have much more fun with him. They play together very well now – and get into trouble together. If M. & S. take a vacation – they weren’t sure because of some unforeseen financial stress – had to buy a new refrigerator – they are going to leave Kirk here. I think we will be able to get along with him if he stays with us.

If John’s plans go according to schedule he should be on his way to Hong Kong

[page 2] at this time since it is Thursday there, and that is departure day.

We are going to the Hospital Administrator’s home this evening to show them some pictures. Mrs. Wahler seems quite interested. We have selected 480 pictures from the whole trip so we are giving a selected round the world program. We watched an 80 hr. trip which Chicago Tribune sponsored. We saw it Sunday evening. A travel agent Harvey Olson (the one L. Kresler works for) and a photographer and another man made the trip. We saw some familiar sights.

Dad had to leave home at 5 a.m. for a baby case. He also has some surgery scheduled so I have no idea when he will be home. Probably not for lunch.

I am trying to get ready to attend School of Mission in Greencastle and hope I won’t have an infection this year. I am not sure about John’s homecoming date. I want to meet him at airport and can’t very well be in Greencastle and O’Hare at the same time. He may not get home before July 24 and I will be home by then.

We haven’t heard from the McGraws. Have you? We wondered about them and the earthquake in Japan.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/31/beautiful-eyes/

Her Grandmother’s Favorite Granddaughter

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Letter transcription:

7-3-64

Dear David and Bonnie:

This mail has accumulated in the past few days, so thought I had better get it forwarded to you – not that it amounts to much. Mark and Shirley and the children came last night and are going back to Roselle tomorrow. They are both (the children) very tanned and very lively. We have had some rain today, so they have played in the house most of the time. Kirk says Ma-ma (sounds like a mama doll) dog and NO and that is about the extent, so far, of his vocabulary, but he is pretty sharp. He climbs all the time and must be going to climb mountains because nothing seems to discourage him. Becky talks constantly like a recording, but is as cute as ever and still her grandmother’s favorite granddaughter. Last night we showed the wedding pictures and then some pictures of the children. Both children sat very still and seemed to get quite a thrill out of seeing themselves on the screen. John is receiving mail from U. of I. I have talked to the Professor he will be assistant to, over the phone. He wanted to know how he could get in touch with John. John should be beginning his journey home next Wed., which will be Thurs. in Indonesia. I have sent one letter to Hong Kong in care of Miramar Hotel for John. I am about out of paper and it is time for another patient to come in, so must get this in the mail.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/30/her-grandmothers-favorite-granddaughter/

John’s Plans

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Letter transcription:

Sat. June 27 1964

Dear David and Bonnie:

Yours of June 24^th postmark received the 26^th – so don’t bother with airmail – it arrives just as fast by regular – at least your first letter did. You wanted to know what I meant by saying John was coming home via Japan & New York. Don’t ask me – that is what I understood – at least that was what he wrote. He has to stop in New York for an examination which is required of people who terminate their services overseas. In his last letter he said he would leave Djakarta the 8^th or 9^th – fly to Hong Kong then to Japan. Since he has to stop in New York he won’t arrive home until about July 18^th – so maybe he is going thru Chicago without stopping to see us. At any rate I will give you the full details after he come home.

I have been working with slides and have all but – one box or two in slide trays – I didn’t put your dental pictures in a tray. I even put the ones from Korea and the pictures John took in Indonesia & Bangkok in trays. We sold the little Bill & Howell projector to Janssens and I was going to give them a number of boxes – did give them two but discovered we didn’t have any left after I finished putting our own in order. I gave a program for Morocco W.S.C.S. and they gave me a check for $15.00. I am saving for a new screen. The one we gave isn’t large enough and there is a kind that can be used with lights on. We have to give a program for Hospital Auxiliary July 13. Dad is giving one for the Nurse Association July 8 – I am invited. We gave a program for Goodland Lions Club this week on Tues and they gave us an Argus projector. It is a neat little gadget for viewing individual slides. Enlarges the picture about 4 times.

So glad to hear about your job. I hope you took some of those old shoes along. As far the hours you have to work – well you were always a night owl.

– Monday – I hope it isn’t as hot in Boston as it is here. We have really had a few scorching days. I had to go to Lafayette today to Officer’s Training Meeting.

[page 2] Even after being home in air conditioning I am still warm. However I feel better in hot weather so have no complaints. We have six boxes of pills for Bonnie. Will try to get box mailed tomorrow.

The enclosed slip is for your information. Your stock certificate from Sperry came so your file is complete.

Dad is preparing a program he is going to give for Nurse Assn. He is selecting a few pictures from each country and he took some pictures of maps. We don’t have any idea how those will be but we thought a slide showing a map would help in showing where we traveled. Alma was here last night on her way back to school in Urbana. She loaned me some of her slides of the wedding and rehearsal and I am having duplicates made. I was going to put a picture in the local paper but can’t seem to get one just right. All of my slides look good on the screen but do not make good prints. For some reason all are too dark.

The swimming pool next door is quite a popular place. Just like County Fair with radio on most of the time and guests talking and taking dips in the pool. We still are having the dog next door problem but think we will get situation under control in a day or so with more fence.

I want to get this in the box before I retire, so will take it to P.O. while Dad listens to the news.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/29/johns-plans/

Speaking Program

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Letter transcription:

June 25, 1964

Dear David & Bonnie:

Dad brought the enclosed home (more free samples) so I thought I would get them in the mail – not that Bonnie needs them this soon, but so I won’t forget to send them. I think you can use them in the same dispenser – these tablets are made by a different company, but Dad says they are the same with a different name.

Dad had to go on an emergency call Sunday evening just before time for guests to arrive, but he was home before we had finished eating dinner. Alma came for a little while on her way back to Urbana. She left the pictures she took at the shower and wedding and I sent them in to have duplicates made and got prints instead. Will just have to send them back for more duplicates. The pictures she took of you and Bonnie coming out of the Church is better than the one my camera took. I am having an enlargement made of it and will send you one when it finally comes back from the photo shop.

Mark called Sunday evening and said Kirk was running a temperature and they couldn’t get a Dr. so Dad gave a druggist a Rx over the phone. I called Shirley Monday evening and Kirk had improved. She said she gave him some jello and milk and he tossed it then a little later he found a cucumber and ate it and kept it down, so I decided he must be much better.

All of your stock certificates have come back but Sperry. I sent your Blue Cross policy last week.

Last night I went to Morocco and gave a program for WSCS – my subject, Hong Kong. I wore my silk dress I had made in HK and heard a lot of ohs and ahs. The group all seemed to enjoy the program and looking at my art objects. I also took the extra saree along. I think I could have taken orders if I would have wanted to go into business.

This is one of those Thursdays when the telephone isn’t bothering too much. Dad has finished mowing the lawn and looking for something else to do, or maybe nothing to do.

Father Fallon was found dead in his house by another priest this morning. He (Father F) was just in our office Tuesday evening for a Rx.

Alma is supposed to stop this evening. She said she was having a long weekend, since she doesn’t have classes tomorrow.

Have you heard from Bonnie’s parents? We were just wondering if they got out of Japan before the earthquake. Let us know what you hear from them.

Love Mother

P.S. Sending pills later.

Insurance Policies

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Letter transcription:

June 19 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie:

Here is your Blue Shield – Blue Cross Policies and your cards – one for each to carry. Just hope you won’t need to use them. I think it will be a good idea for you to read your policy to see what coverage you have.

Summer has really settled down on us today – ninety in the shade before noon.

Lots of luck.

Love Mother

Grandmother Clubs

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Letter transcription:

June 18, 1964

Dear David & Bonnie:

Yours received several days ago. I have sent on several pieces of mail and some packages. You didn’t sign your stock certificates correctly, so Jim sent something for you to sign. He talked to me over the phone and I thought he said he had your address and was going to send it directly to you, but it came here, so I forwarded it.

We are entertaining bridge club Sunday evening. We are going to stay home for dinner – we usually go to the Nu-Joy, but I decided I could do it by myself. I have everything practically ready and am going to serve the kind of dinner that won’t take too much last minute preparation.

I have been cleaning what used to be your room – now I just call it the extra room – and have found a place to get rid of all those books which had been stored there since we have lived here. There is a little library at Lake Village and they have a Book Mobile and said (Mrs. Arbuckle) they would be glad to have anything, so I am taking everything I want to give away and she said if they couldn’t use something, they would give it to someone else. I have the back end of the blue Cadillac about as full as it will hold of books and magazines. It is surprising how much one can get rid of when one decides to just throw away. I just wonder why we kept all those text books, etc., so long. Well now I have a lot of empty shelves and I suppose when John gets home he will fill those shelves with his things. Maybe it is a good thing I got busy.

Dad has been spraying today and trimming and taking bebe shots at the neighbor’s dog. There is a dog with the trailer next door and their dog can get to be quite a nuisance. Dad kept talking about doing something about it. One day Garnette was here and said he knew where Dad could get a good bebe gun very cheap, so now we have one. It, I think, is going to help keep the stray dogs out of our evergreens, etc.

According to John’s calculation he should be home a month from today. The last letter we had gave us that information. I think he intends to spend a little time coming home – about ten days, so that will be his vacation I suppose.

Florence Puetz was in the office recently and was a little concerned about Jim being in Tokyo or close to Tokyo. She was wondering if where he is stationed the earth quake did any damage, or if he had to help in the stricken areas. You know, he went to Japan just recently.

Mrs. M. called me one evening this week and was quite happy to have had a letter from you.

I gave a program for one of the Grandmother clubs this afternoon (about Bali). The women all seemed quite interested. Dad decided we needed an automatic projector, so we bought one from Sears. It is quite good, but a little heavier than I like to carry. We are to give a program next Tuesday evening for the Goodland Lyons club. Janssens bought the one we had (Bell and Howell Projector, that is). We keep getting calls all the time for more programs. I have to go to Morocco the 24^th and give one for W.S.C.S. We went to Brook last Saturday night and gave the Bali program for the Hospital employees. Several said the program wasn’t long enough, but Dad insists on keeping them not too long. We intend to review the Aegean Sea program tonight ourselves for giving Tuesday. The new slide boxes hold 40 instead of 30, so I have had to transfer all the slides. The new projector is my Father’s Day gift to Dad. I hope you don’t forget to send Dad a card.

J. Janssen came two days this week and cleaned and waxed floors. He seems to like to make the money and it gives me a lift. He is to come Saturday and wash windows, and do any little thing that needs to be done.

Hope you have found employment by this time. I read in the W. Street Journal about the public transportation difficulties in Boston. I hope they won’t effect you.

Love Mother

Your letter was posted June 13 and we received it the 14^th.

The Doctor’s Schedule

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Letter transcription:

Dear B & D:

I hope you didn’t need this to get your apartment. I didn’t think about enclosing it in the letter mailed this AM. Letter from John today. He will be arriving home about July 18. He is going to Hong Kong and Japan after leaving Djakarta July 9^th. I wouldn’t want to say whether he will stop and see you on way home, however, I will give him your address just in case he would want to. The letter I wrote yesterday gave a small account of accident – when Dad came home he told me the youngster was only 12 years old and he was sure he has a fractured skull. I don’t know what the outcome will be (law wise) since he was too young to be driving a motor vehicle. Dad had to go to Hospital at 11 AM for surgery and I think a baby case followed him over, so he may have to miss afternoon office hours. That always makes the next day or two much harder. He got the mower out last night and did get some done before accident. Too bad I won’t take to that mower, but there are plenty of people who will gladly run our mower for a price. I have been putting pretty bows in a drawer today and getting rid of boxes. We have a new projector.

[page 2] We have programs to give June 13 (both of us) June 16 (just me) June 18 (just me) June 23 (both of us) July 13 (both of us) and Sept 21 (just me). Dad decided our projector was not adequate so the new projector is for Father’s Day.