Tag Archives: Hotel Kentland

Happy 21st Birthday!

September 20, 1963, envelope

Letter transcription:

September 20, 1963, p. 1

David, My Dear: I am getting this ready to give to the postman on his rounds in the morning, the only way I have of mailing letters now. I am so glad to be able to tell you that the hotel is sold. Harold Funk bought it, and is taking Dick Ryan in as a partner to run it for him. I think they plan some changes. They will take over on Oct. 1^st. I have been filling in at the office now and then. Probably this Sat. for the last time. It seems queer not to be in business after almost 50 years, but good.

September 20, 1963, p. 2

[page 2] I hope you are not completely swooned after all your activities and will be able to settle down to a more routine way now, although I realize how little time you will have.

Your mother stopped in a few minutes a few days ago. I will be anxious to hear all about you but don’t worry about writing when you don’t have time. I understand.

I will be thinking of you on your 21^st birthday, and wish I could bake you a cake. It is a history making day for you. Give my love to Bonnie

Grandma

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/25/happy-21st-birthday/

Life Magazine

2 Replies

May 9, 1963 envelope

Letter transcription:

May 9, 1963, p. 1

Kentland, May 9, 63

Dear David

I hope things are going well with you during your last lap of school year, and that you are enjoying it. Your mother was in several days ago and brought me a copy of LIFE which published your letter. Hurray for you, how true and well put. Hurray for you, how true and well put. I’m proud of you. I do not get LIFE and therefore did not read the letter on which you commented, but I had read about her and her activities in other publications. Her children are to be pity and I hope they are able to think for themselves when they grow up.

Your mother also told me about your trip to Indianapolis with Bonnie, and I had good report on Bonnie also. When she comes home with you I shall look forward to meeting her.

The deal which was hanging in the balance regarding sale of the hotel has not come through and things seem at a standstill. Also Pronger has been very slow in getting the apartment ready, but I am going into it as soon as it is finished, whether the hotel is sold by then or not.

We are having summer today, and I hope it remains so there will be no more big fuel bills. There will be one for April, certainly, it was so cold most of the time.

By for now
Love
Grandma

Editorial letter in Life Magazine (May 3, 1963, p. 21)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/24/life-magazine/

49th Wedding Anniversary

1 Reply

April 3, 1963 envelope

Letter transcription:

April 3, 1963, p. 1

Kentland, April 3, 1963

David Dear

Forgive me for not writing last week, as I did so much appreciate your letter of March 20^th, which I received on the 21^st, being my 49^th wedding anniversary. I, too, love the psalm 27. I feel comforted and unafraid of the future.

I long since gave up any idea of making the hotel into apartments. It would require more money than I care to take a chance with at my time in life, also huge job of merely doing it leaves me weak to contemplate. My one desire now is to dispose of it.

I am going to take an apartment this spring while there is a downstairs one available. I will tell you all about it when you are home. I have been going through a trying time, sorting out a burdensome accumulation of one sort and another. It is appalling what one has on hand to dispose of after living many years in one place. I am trying to do such a good job of it this time that it will not be such a chore the next time.

I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and loved your letter, and I won’t try to write again until after I have seen you.

Your mother was in for a few minutes yesterday. She wanted to take me for a ride, but Harold was out so I couldn’t leave the office unattended.

I also saw your Dad last week, I was at the office and have been taking some medication. Hope all is well with you. Did you see Goldwater on the Jack Paar Show? I did. Didn’t quite know what to think.

Love,
Grammaw

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/23/49th-wedding-anniversary/

A Turning Point

1 Reply

March 19, 1963 envelope

Letter transcription:

March 19, 1963, p. 1

Kentland, March 19, 1963

David, My Dear

Please know how I appreciate the two good letters I have had from you since I have written, and I started to write you yesterday, and then thought I would wait until this morning and see if a letter came from you, as they usually arrive on Tuesday morning.

First I want to explain why I have not written. I have really been going through a turning point in my life. I have been in a state of very deep depression for the past several weeks, and simply have not been able to carry on the normal activities. I have decided to make a serious effort to sell the hotel as soon as possible. Harold agrees with me in this and is going to help me carry it out. This has been my home for the past nineteen years and at my age it will be hard to pull up the roots in view of my handicap, but I feel that I must do it.

I have now placed my affairs in God’s hands, and I know that His law of love and justice will take care of me, since I have done all that I can do to help myself. I know you share my belief in a personal God who cares for us.

When I watched the appearance of Nixon on TV I hoped all the time that you also were watching. I was delighted, and you know, I believe if he had displayed that side of his personality during the campaign he would now be president. However, I can well understand how it is impossible to be one’s own self when trying to please so many difference factions. I thought he was charming. I am anxious to know if you and Bonnie got to see Sen. Goldwater and what your reaction was.

It must have been thrilling to talk with Bishop Raines. You have the opportunity now to meet and know so many worthwhile people, which is an education in itself and helps to build your own personality and character, and I am sure they all feel it is very worthwhile to know a young man like you.

I am glad to hear you did well in your test on history of the reformation. And I must say that the only real laugh I have had in some time was to imagine YOU as a Catholic priest doing the twist with an angel. Really, I flipped.

March 19, 1963, p. 2

[page 2] While your mother had the children here she was in for a few minutes with Becky one afternoon, and a few days later she brought Kirk in to see me. David, he is the sweetest baby, just beautiful and so good. I told your mother I was so happy for her because he is such a wonderful baby. She said he did not even require a feeding during the night, but slept right through.

I will close now and I will write you next week or sooner if I have any news. Your letters always give me a lift and I thank you for taking the time to write me when you are so very busy.

Best love,
Grandma

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/22/a-turning-point/

Miss Indiana University

1 Reply

February 21, 1963 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 21, 1963, p. 1

Kentland, February 21, 63

Dear David

Your fine letter of Feb. 16 was received with great pleasure and appreciation. Chris’s picture, well, “Wow,” she is indeed all you say, very beautiful indeed. She looks just like a movie star, and a lovely one at that. I will be thinking of you tonight and picturing you helping her with her dramatic reading, and also tomorrow night. If her talent matches her beauty, I don’t see how she can miss.

I missed that TV program you spoke of, I had looked forward to seeing it, but had to be on duty in the office and guests wanted another program. Tomorrow night on NBC there will be the life of Maurice Chevalier, but of course you will not see that as you will be at the pageant. I enclose a clipping I have been keeping for you about him. How well I remember those girls Rosie and Jenny Dolly, twins, in their heyday with him about fifty years ago.

I would love to have seen your panel program, and your Dr. Hill sounds wonderful. What a rewarding thing for you to know people like this and be associated with them. Your program for this semester sounds wonderful and I am sure the subjects are ones which will keep you interested and feeling you are doing what you want to do. The requirement of attending eight Beethoven concerts would not be hard to take. I love to hear the cello. When I was a youngster in Chicago and saw all the big musicals, I formed a habit of picking out one instrument and following it through the performance. Thank you so much for the reprint. I remember reading it. I always read everything on that subject with great interest.

We are back again in the deep freeze, and of course you are too. It fell below zero again last night, and the roads very icy and high wind, which all occurred early in the afternoon, so men who were out on the road hunted cover, and we had the first good night’s business this year.

I am so happy for Lea. It is tragic for those who want a family not to have it, as I well know from my own experience. It is a terrible things to grow old without a family. I hear the schools in Brook and Remington have been closed on account of the flu, and Harold said this morning that Patty says half her class are out sick, and there is talk of closing the Kentland schools. I pray it passes us and we are spared such a thing.

Please let me know as soon as you can about the Miss IU contest. I will close and get this in the afternoon mail.

Much love
Grandma

The ten finalists for the Miss Indiana University pageant, 1963, can be viewed in this newspaper clipping.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/21/miss-indiana-university/

Christmas Pictures

2 Replies

January 17, 1963 envelope

Letter transcription:

January 17, 1963, p. 1

Kentland, January 17

David Dear

Just a line to say that I hope all is well with you, and that you are accomplishing all the hard work you told me was before you when you got back.

No doubt you have been wearing your ear muffs and long johns, I hope. It is a little warmer here today. I have not been out of the house, I even cancelled my usual date with Mildred.

Your mother came in with the pictures which were taken at Christmas time. They were all fine, and I selected some I wanted her to have made for me, which she said she would do. The one of Becky and me, one of you and the two babies and one of your dad and mother with the children.

We are having great difficulty today, plumbing trouble, involving three bath rooms, which is going to mean taking up some stools and other work, a stoppage some place. Whoops, more expense. Harold is busy with tax work and there is always someone in his office, so I try to stick close to the hotel desk to take care of that.

I have not seen any clippings which I thought worth sending you, but I watch the Trib every day. No doubt you see the Indianapolis papers.

Bye for now
Much love
Grandma

Yegerlehner Family, 1961: (Standing) David and John, (Seated) Roscoe, Gladys, Shirley, Becky, and Mark

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/20/christmas-pictures/

Diamond Lil

1 Reply

December 9, 1962 envelope

December 9, 1962, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, December 9-62

Dear David

You will never know just how much I have enjoyed the Mae West book. I was thrilled when I saw it, and it has made a dull and otherwise boring week and one filled with laughs and remembering of old times. You know, she is only four years younger than I, and I remember so well those different plays and characters she writes about, especially during the twenties and thirties. I just adore it, and I thank you more than I can say. You really did something for me.

I fully intended to get to work on my Christmas cards, but my hands are so stiff and painful I find it almost impossible to do so. I will try to do a few at a time if I can.

Business is at a very low ebb of course, as always at this time of year. It is very cold tonight and has been snowing and blowing all day, but there is not much staying on the ground. The weather report tonight said there was eight inches in northern Indiana. Harold is going to Gary in the morning to attend what he calls a tax school for three days. He is planning to drive home each night but maybe he will change his mind. There seems to be new tax laws with which he has to get acquainted for his accounting work.

I have not seen your mother since you were home. I have read and watched TV until I am bleary eyed, since I have not felt like exerting myself otherwise. I’m sorry to hear you have been losing sleep. That is no good for a hard working youngster. I wish I could help you.

Good night and don’t work too hard

Love
Grandma

I saw her in Diamond Lil

Senator Landgrebe

4 Replies

November 15, 1962 envelope

November 15, 1962, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, November 15, 62

David Dear

How I thank you for the book you sent me. I read it through that day, and now I am gong over it again more slowly. It is indeed helpful and I seem to gradually begin to have a better understanding of some things which have troubled me concerning the Bible. The more I read along these lines, the deeper my faith becomes.

For some reason I feel very low spirited today. I have been heartsick, actually, about Nixon and all that has happened since the election. Like you, I have that helpless feeling and it is hard for me to concede that a dear old belief and way of life is being discredited. I simply could not believe that Capehart had lost, and I don’t like the smart aleck young Democrat who has displaced him.

The day before election day Landgrebe and his son came in to call on me. He was going to Rotary that evening, and I believe he was to speak at the dinner. He certainly is your friend and admirer. I don’t believe he had any idea at the time that Capehart would not be elected. I told him what you were considering, and he said he was delighted.

I don’t even like to watch anything on the ABC channel since that disgraceful broadcast, and on Veteran’s Day at that. Well, words fail me.

Jim Wagoner came home from the wonderful job at Thule Air Base in Greenland, and Shirley (the maid) wanted some time off to be with him, and she was to come back to work yesterday. But on Tues. Jim called up and said she was sick and I don’t know when she will be back. You never know what they will do. I got Helen Hillis to take me in her car to Watseka yesterday to Dr. Wood the podiatrist. Shirley has been taking me in Harold’s car.

We had ten men together in a pheasant hunting party the other night. They were from Indianapolis. There is news this morning that Red Bruck (B & B Store) had a lung removed at Mayo’s yesterday.

I watch the papers for clippings which might be of interest to you, but this has been one period I simply didn’t have the heart. Thank you again dear for the book.

Anymore dates?
Love,
Grandma

College Students at the Hotel

3 Replies

October 31, 1962 envelope

October 31, 1962, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Oct. 31^st

David Dear

At long last I have my old trusty typewriter back again, without which I am out of communication. It got a complete overhauling and it seems it took a long time. Big deal.

Your mother was in for a few minutes this morning, and she tells me that your date with Chris came off as you wished, and that makes me happy for you. She said you would be home this coming weekend, so maybe you will have time to tell me about her.

The way things look now, it could be we will all be here for a while longer, I hope. I saw your picture in the paper, and clipped it to send you. If you did not pose for this you could have, it looks so much like you. Your mother brought Becky in to see me, which didn’t seem to interest Becky in the least as you can imagine. She said they were in Chicago Sunday and the new baby is big and beautiful. You know what I was thinking? You just save that name “Julie” for the future, for that lovely day when you will have a Julie of your very own.

We have been having lots of college students at the hotel. A couple weeks ago we had a bus load of girls, 35 in fact, from St. Mary’s of the Woods. We have them every Fall and Spring. They are brought here to attend something they call a “mixer” at St. Joseph in Rennselaer. We are going to have another group this coming Saturday night for another one. Last weekend we had 25 boys and girls from University of Cincinnati who were out on a field trip through Indiana. Their geology Prof. Richard Durrell brought them here. He comes here frequently to look after farm interests of his own. He gave a lecture to them that night in the lobby. It was too technical to understand for me. They were going to invade the Newton County Stone Quarry the next morning.

There was a picture at the Kent theatre I wish we could have seen “That Touch of Mink.” I enjoyed Roz’s story in the Post. I also read the “Fail-Safe” which is causing so much discussion. Blood curdling. Last night I read a piece in Reader’s Digest taken from Nixon’s book, the story of his part in the Alger Hiss case.

Bye for now
Love
Grandma

Broken Typewriter

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Oct. 24

David –

Thanks for your letters & contents. I started to write some letters yesterday & my typewriter stopped so now Boyd Neher had it for repair & I will have to wait till he returns it. I can’t hold a pen long. Your mother & Becky were in to see me this a.m. They are going to Chicago Sunday. Nobody talks or thinks of anything except “The Crisis.” Will write

Grandma