Tag Archives: Kentland

Meeting Bonnie

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Wed. Apr. 24, 1963

Dear David,

Even tho I was very tired when we arrived home Sunday evening, I was glad I had made the trip. I was so glad to meet Bonnie. She seems very refreshing and easy to be with. I noticed when we turned onto Meridan that you were at the wheel of her car.

I haven’t been doing much this week. I have rested two hours every afternoon. There was a club meeting last night, but I didn’t go. I was glad I stayed home when I learned that it lasted until 10:30. About the extent of my work so far has been to prepare meals and clean up the kitchen. We were supposed to entertain bridge club Sunday night but judging from the way I feel now, I didn’t think I would be equal to the task. I started to call the other members of the club and learned that I would have to get 3 sets of substitutes so decided against trying to have it. J. Batton said she would entertain in May (26) and I said I could take it in June after you get home to help me. The plan seemed to meet the approval of all until I called Lucille and she thought we should try to have a party May 5. I told her if she wanted to have one on that date she is welcome, but I am not going to entertain until you are home to help. Dr. Gery indicated when I talked to him after my x-rays that putting myself under pressure could cause part of my trouble. Dr. Gripe wasn’t satisfied with my E.K.G. (examination of heart) so I am to go Friday morning and have another one run. Dad has me on some medication now that seems to be taking care of my digestive system. I am eating regularly (bland diet) and sleeping well. I told Dad at noon I am not making any more salad plates. I told

[page 2] him he can eat his raw vegetables between meals. I can eat cooked vegetables, but none raw.

Dad is planning to mow the lawn this evening after he gets home from the office – unless he has to do something else. We had a freeze here last night. Fortunately Dad hadn’t set any plants out and the roses haven’t come yet. We had a card indicating our order is being sent. The dogwood tree is putting out leaves.

Since this in the 25^th year since Dad graduated from Medical school, we may go to Indianapolis May 8 for a meeting I.U. Medical School is having. Will let you know. However since it will be on a Wednesday you will be too busy to go to Indianapolis, so we will be looking forward to seeing you at home May 27 or 28^th.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/09/meeting-bonnie/

82 Days

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Mon. the 18^th 1963

Dear David –

Now I am one letter ahead of you. Bill called me yesterday – I didn’t know he had come home – and asked if I had anything to send to you but at that hour I didn’t have time to bake a cake. My Sunday school class came out here last night after the Sunday Evening Lenten service. We are making a survey of all church members (and others) to get a file card on everyone as to what they can do and will do. I was to take all the cards for my class members and I thought it would be easier for me to have them come here than to try to call on each family. There were 11 in attendance so my plan wasn’t as successful as I wanted it to be. I will still have to see the ones who didn’t come last night or contact them by phone.

The opera you gave me for Christmas has just finished playing. I was working here at my desk this afternoon and decided to listen to it. Dad was in the hospital all day yesterday so in the afternoon I listened to it.

We have our itinerary and I am afraid you aren’t going to be too happy about our plans but we decided we could see more in 82 days by going air. We plan to leave here Jan. 10 and return Apr. 1.

I am going to take my car to have it washed, so must be going.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/08/82-days/

Jealous of Kirk

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Sat. the 9^th, 1963

Dear David:

Just finished writing to John so thought I had better dash off a line to you.

We went to Chicago Thursday to visit some more travel agencies. I think Dad thought last night when we were spending the second night of going over travel folders that we had too much and it was beginning to get a little confusing, but I think we will be able to get something on paper before long. We found a travel agent we think is pretty good, so I think I will call her – she said to call her collect any time – and tell her what we want and have her fix a trip for us. Dad would like to go part way by ship. Except for the relaxation, I would rather go by air all the way, but since he likes sea travel I think we should go part way by sea.

We stopped to see Shirley and the children. You won’t know Kirk the next time you see him. We hardly knew him ourselves he has grown so much in the past month. Becky definitely does not want grandma to have anything to do with Kirk. When I would hold him she would insist that either her mother or poppa hold him, but not grandma. I don’t want her to be jealous of Kirk so it looks like I may have a problem on my hands until she gets a little older. She had a puzzle that she worked in a flash. Of course it was the most elementary kind, but she knew exactly where every piece belonged.

I presume you have heard from Dr. Bailey about a meeting you will have to attend to get your preaching permit – or whatever it is you have to attend the meeting for. I haven’t talked to Rev. Fields recently about you, but will try to see him tomorrow about when you will have to come home for the Board Meeting.

We are still in the grip of winter. The two days of balmy weather just served to melt some of the snow down and now we not only have snow, but ice and snow on our driveway and on most of the streets around town. Chicago was the dirtiest place I think I have seen this winter. There were still piles of snow, but it looked more like piles of coal. Kentland looked so clean when we got back here late in the afternoon. We had intended to make our trip to Chicago a little vacation outing, but one of Dad’s baby cases didn’t cooperate, so we hurried up there and back. We did stop at Tiebels long enough to eat on the way home.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/07/jealous-of-kirk/

Moles

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
April 1, 1963

Dear David:

We received the pink slip. I hope you will be able to overcome your difficulties in the course.

The grass is getting so green, we feel winter must be about over. Dad was figuring yesterday how to apply the chemical that eliminates the grubs and other things that attract moles. Dad said he saw signs of moles across the street, so is anxious to keep them from ruining our lawn again. We both took most of yesterday to rest. I was having a slight infection, so took a long nap in the afternoon. I had made statements on Saturday and didn’t quite finish, so after my nap I finished the statements and mailed 307. That should help the finances toward all the expenses we will have this month, like meeting the last installment for 1962 taxes and the first installment for 1963. March 26 I deposited $40.00, March 27 $30.00, March 28 $60.00, and March 30 $85.00 to your account which makes a total of $215.00. Will that be enough to hold you for a while? You are going to have to learn to budget very closely next year, because I will deposit three months allowance for you in January and it will be too bad if you run out before we return from our trip. I am going to do some work on planning the things I have to get done before we go. There will be quite a few things I will have to attend to before January 10.

Janet Miller has another girl and she has red hair. Esta is keeping Julie while Janet is in the hospital. I haven’t talked to Janet since the baby arrived, so don’t know whether she is disappointed at not having had a boy.

We had another Lenten service last night. Jo Wenger went with me. We didn’t stay for the social hour – there has been a committee every Sunday to serve coffee and cookies after service – I was anxious to get home and didn’t care to be sociable. Jo said she would rather go home, because they have to get up every morning at 5 o’clock, since they both have to be at work (she works at the hospital and Russell works in Brook) at 7 o’clock. The guest speaker was the minister from Otterbein. I still say we have the best speaker. I think Bob is a deep thinker and his sermons are probably too deep for some people, but I think it certainly show he puts a lot of work into his sermons. Yesterday we honored members of 50 years or more. Quite a number were present for the morning worship service.

I have noticed the time and it is almost 10, so must get this finished and get on my way to pick up the mail. I will be glad when you get home so you can take care of a few little chores for me – in addition to a few large ones. We will be glad for you to be home aside from the help you will give us.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/06/moles/

Bank Account Update

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Thurs. Mar. 21, 1963

Dear David –

Your bank statement came today (once in a while the bank mails statements – I always ask for ours on first of each month) and I misinformed you about the amounts I deposited for you –

Jan. $225.00
Feb. $175.00
Mar. $102.00
– and I also deposited $85.00 today. I checked your canceled checks and they include from 173 (Dec. 4) to 204 (Mar. 11). You have one fee of $0.50 for overdrawing your account once and three bank fees .65 0 .60 – .50 total ($1.75) plus the 50₵ which makes $2.25 you will have to deduct from your check stub to make your balance agree with the bank. I hope that clears the matter for you.

Dad is out running the roller today. He is well dressed for the job but it is so cold he may not continue. The sun is shining but the wind is cold and the temp is only 32°.

Love Mother

Dad put a self starter on the lawnmower so now you won’t have to use the rope to start it when you keep the lawn this summer.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/05/bank-account-update/

Sunday School Materials

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – Handwritten by David]
Wednesday March 20 1963

Dear David:

Yours received this AM. You can do it Louie, so keep those grades up there. You will have to concentrate on the French a little more, eh?

I checked with the bank this morning and according to their account you had a balance of $58.49. According to my figures the deposits have been as follows: Dec. 3 – $200.00; Jan. 30 – $225.00; Feb. 11 – $75.00; March 1 – $100.00 and $2.00 from GM in March.

You seem to [be] concentrating on Bonnie. I hope you both enjoyed the opera. Wish I could have been there to hear it also. Since I couldn’t I will enjoy my records. I have Fidelio playing now.

There is some work being done at the Church in the way of painting, etc. The dining rooms have been paneled and painted and the vestibule on the east side of the basement is to be painted next. We are getting ready for the big District meeting we will be entertaining next week (the 28^th). I have been conducting a study class on Wed. a.m.’s at the Church, so was there this morning. Rev. Fields had a woman from a Lafayette church come up Monday night to talk to the Primary Dept. workers about the material being used in that Dept. I don’t want to sound unprogressive, but I think I could have told her a few things on my own. You know there is nothing like experience to learn a thing and since I had had more than 12 years working in that Dept. I think I know a few things. If the teachers in that Dept. didn’t have anything to do but prepare material for their classes on Sunday morning, they might like the material she was trying to promote, but they have a few other to do – like helping make a living. I think the people in the Department of Education in the Methodist Church could learn a few things from other churches.

Today is typically March, blowing, snowing, and cold. First the sun shines, then it is cloudy, but thru everything the wind keeps blowing like a storm is either coming or going.

I hope the above figures helps you to straighten your bank account.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/04/sunday-school-materials/

Shirley’s Grandmother

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Wed. Mar. 13, 1963

Dear David –

I am at my desk today trying to get a few things done that have accumulated in the past 9 days. Shirley’s grandmother passed away Sat. a.m. Mark had come Friday night to help with the children. He took Becky to Indpls. Sun. a.m. after I went to Sunday school (I didn’t stay for church, so he could get on his way). I kept Kirk and they came back yesterday afternoon to get him. Shirley was getting a sore throat, etc., so they stopped at the office for a shot of penicillin. I hope it stopped her ailment. She was probably tired from helping with her grandmother’s care. They plan to come the weekend of Apr. 5 which will be before your spring vacation begins. We have taxes to finish before the middle of April so thought they had better come the 5^th. You won’t know Kirk. He is growing very fast and is quite an “eater.” Whereas Becky didn’t always want to eat when 4 hours toll around Kirk is ready for his food and no monkey business. It seems a little quiet around here today after having company for more than a week. I will go to the office today – I had a vacation from that while the children were here.

Dad was on emergency duty yesterday and was in the hospital most of the day and after coming home for three hours went back to help on bone surgery until nearly midnight. He took care of three accident patients – two of the three requiring bone surgery.

[page 2] The DePauw Choir will be in Kentland for a performance tomorrow evening. I was asked to buy tickets but I think I won’t make the effort to go. The Tri Kappas are sponsoring the event and since I don’t belong to said organization feel no obligation to go.

I have much work awaiting me on my desk so should get this finished.

I bought a new Bible Dictionary thru the Bookshelf. It is the first good one I have had. It has a lot of interesting information in it. I used one of the circulars that had come to you to order. J. Kain wanted a commentary, so got that also besides the dictionary.

The weather today is about as uninteresting as possible, but at least we are rid of the snow and ice and Dad says he can see a little green showing on the roses. We thought the roses were probably killed, due to the severe winter.

I put a $2.00 dividend check from GM in your account.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/03/shirleys-grandmother/

I.U. Program

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Friday, Feb. 15, 1963

Dear David,

Yours received. We tried to get your I.U. program but last Sunday evening I.U. in our area wasn’t good and we couldn’t get Indianapolis. We did get the sound and heard – I.U. panel and then we heard your name and that you were going into the ministry and that was all we could get. The picture was non-existent. Someone told me if we had traveled as far south as Raub or Earl Park we could have gotten the program. Better luck next time.

Glad to know you like your new subjects. I wouldn’t mind taking the Old Testament course and the one on the Reformation. I was asked to have a study class and decided since we are about finished with the study of Acts in Sunday school and have it fresh in my mind would use it. We meet on Wed. mornings at the church from 9:30 to 11:00. We had our first meeting this week and four came but with the roads so hazardous I could excuse some for not coming. Maybe the attendance will pick up when the weather moderates. We are still having 0 and sub 0 here. We can only use the west side of the driveway. There was more snow and wind and there was a drift across the east side of the driveway that looked as high as a car (almost). I had to take food to the church yesterday for the smorgasbord, so Dad furnished my transportation. I had been to Ambia Thursday a.m. to give a program for W.S.C.S. I showed the Indonesian and Thai pictures and talked about Ford Foundation – plus a few other things. Marge Janssen took a group of ladies from Raub and I rode with her to Ambia.

Financially the smorgasbord was a success last nite. Since I was ticket chairman I took charge of the money and banked $500.00 this morning. There was $120.54 in expenses so we realized a $380.00 profit. I said I wouldn’t be in charge of tickets again but I didn’t say why. I hope this time next year we will be enjoying a sunny clime on the other side of the world. Don’t worry about the mode of transportation we choose. Neither of us fear going by air and I am sure we will travel if not all the way by jet, at least half way.

Thru my prodding the repair work on the dining room wall in the church is about to begin. The Board decided to use paneling on the lower half of the wall. We are to entertain the District Woman’s Society meeting in March. I tried to get some painting done in the vestibules, but I doubt if that is done by March. I am not the only one who thinks we should have the church looking its best by the time we have guests from all over the district.

I have a notarized statement as to my birth, in lieu of a birth certificate, but we are having to furnish proof of Dad’s birth thru documents like Navy discharge and application for an

[page 2] insurance policy in 1923. We have to send photo copies of those papers to the Board of Health to get what is called a Delayed Record of Birth. He has to have that to apply for a passport.

Let me know when you plan to come home. I want to tell Rev. Fields. He will have to have a called meeting of the Board for you.

Luck with your date.
Love Mother

5 Below

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]
Monday January 28, 1963

Dear David:

It is 10 below here this morning at 10 o’clock. According to the Chicago forecast I think it was to reach a 5 below, but I didn’t think they really meant it would get that cold. The schools are still not open – due to drifted country roads the school buses aren’t running. From what I can hear from parents, most of them are ready for the school to reopen.

We still haven’t decided definitely how we will travel. I talked to L. Kresler two weeks ago about a conducted tour, but the more we think about it the more we think we wouldn’t get much rest and one of the reasons we want to take a two or three months vacations is to get away from work and hurrying around. I think those conducted tours have too many time schedules to meet.

I was very glad about your grad report. From the difficulty you were having with the two courses, I am glad you didn’t flunk, but of course, I am expecting much better from you next semester, or I should say the present semester.

John’s address is
Dr. John Yegerlehner
FAK KIP
Djalan Semarang
Malang (Djatim)
Indonesia

We liked the little cartoon you enclosed in your letter.

I have deposited $225.00 to your account. I also like your sense of humor about GM & INR. Of course when GM goes up, your four shares increase in value also.

I think we had about the smallest attendance at Sunday school and Church yesterday we have had this winter. Of course, some people couldn’t get out because of the drifted snow. Bill Williams has been keeping our driveway and the street here cleared with his earth moving machine.

I hate to think of going out, but since all my errand runners are gone, I will have to brave the cold myself.

If you have a preference as to which weekend you would rather come home for that Official Board meeting, let me know.

Love Mother

Snow Drifts

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

January 24, 1963

Dear David:

Right now it is a chilly 13 below just outside our window. It did get down to 16 below just before we went to bed last nite. My car got stuck in the driveway yesterday, so when Dad came home from the office he was able to get it out and into the garage where it is going to sit today. Bill Williams (next door) has a large earth moving machine he has been running up and down this street and cleaning out driveways. The wind blew all day yesterday so the driveway kept getting full of drifts and when I tried to get out just before 5 o’clock got stuck in one of those drifts. According to all the weather men this is the coldest we have had in a number of years.

I talked to Rev. Fields about you and Quarterly Conference. He said it wouldn’t be necessary for you to come then, but some Sunday when you could be home, he would call a special Board Meeting after Church and take care of the matter. I will let you know when you need to come.

Bill Corbin went to Mrs. Shoaf’s yesterday and got your shirts. I have them all packed and ready to go. I want to talk to him about how he plans to get our package from the train station to the Quad. I think he shouldn’t try to carry it all that distance. I thanked him for running the errand for me, but you might thank him again.

I was supposed to attend a meeting (Legislative Seminar) in Indianapolis this week (Tuesday), but Dad thought it wasn’t necessary for me to go and the more I thought about it the more I agreed with him, and I certainly was glad I didn’t go. The weather was rather disagreeable that day and I was glad I had stayed home. Since we are planning such a large vacation next Jan. and Feb. I intend to save all the unnecessary trips this year possible.

I finally got the taxes (Federal) finished. That is such a large job. When Mark was here we didn’t have time to finish, but next year I hope Mark will be able to take care of the entire job himself. He plans to come the first weekend in February to do book work. The weekend of Feb. 22 (Washington’s Birthday) Mark gets a long weekend, so they plan to go see Shirley’s family. I don’t know whether they will stop here or not, but they will have been here Feb. 2 & 3. I forgot to tell you Quarterly Conference here at our Church will be March 18^th, which you can see will be on a Monday and not a day you would be out of school.

Take care of yourself and take your vitamins.

Love Mother