Tag Archives: Kentland

The Saga of the Stereo

Letter transcription:

February 27, 1966

Dear David and Bonnie:

Was ist los? Denken Vater und Mutter nein sprechen zee Duetsch? Ihr meinung ich versteche nicht.

Don’t worry about our German. So what if we can’t speak it perfectly! Cousin Joyce took her dictionary along and said she forgot about grammar and had a wonderful time talking to the relatives in her own way. They seemed to enjoy her visit. We have decided to fly to Zurich and rent a car and take about two weeks in Switzerland and just see the country in our own way. Floyd and Ruth were here today (Floyd was taking Ruth back home). Floyds, the two Ruths and Helen (Ruthie’s sister) went to Florida together for two weeks. He was telling us about a friend of his in Lebanon who went to S. and rented a VW and had a good time seeing the country. He said he found that there is a lot of English spoken. He didn’t have any trouble. I think we will know enough by the time we go to get by very well.

There has been someone or more than one perhaps in Kentland driving around town shooting at windows. Several windows on Main Street had been hit. One evening last week Mrs. Myers’ living room window was hit. I stopped in to see her Friday (after attending the funeral of Mrs. Van Kirk) and saw where the shot (we think it was a bebe) hit the window. It sent glass across the room—not much, but some. She was pretty well shaken. She called the Prongers and Harold and they went to her apartment. She called here and Dad told her to call the sheriff. I think it was reported to the authorities, but as Dad says, it is hard to catch someone like that. They will eventually get caught I hope.

There are meetings at our church tonight—Lenten services, to be conducted by Rev. Watson, McClure and Stevenson. Watson is going to teach Ephesians and McClure Tests of a Living Church. I think Stevenson has a topic about Your God is Too Small. I haven’t decided yet whether I will sit in the Watson or McClure class. I would like to hear Watson, because I listened to his Lenten lectures last year. I would also like to hear what McClure has to say about the Tests of a Living Church. If it wasn’t so much trouble I would get Watson’s lecture on tape and sit in McClure’s class. However, I have my Interpreter’s and can read what it has to say about Ephesians.

The story of our stereo is long and complicated. We are not satisfied with it at all. The amplifier we had when you were here proved not to be stereo. We have another one which is stereo, but we have a rumble that is quite noticeable, even when listening to Das Rheingold. Janssen said he would do what we want. He said he would keep ordering sets until he gets on that is satisfactory. Also one of the speakers gets mushy. Dad has tried everything possible to find the trouble. We have that extra turntable (the one we gave to hospital and which was not satisfactory, because no one there seemed to know how to take care of records). My good little stereo radio is out there now and I am using a small radio from Sears (on loan). The help at the Hospital want to keep my radio. I will get something out of the deal, but at present things are in a state of confusion. As stated above we have the turntable and an extra amplifier, as a start on your stereo. We think the trouble must be in the amplifier we now have. The extra amplifier is on its way from Chicago and when we get it hooked up and we still have the rumble, I may tell them to take it all back. Will let you know what we do. Don’t worry about not getting your stereo. We will eventually get one for you.

Saturday was Mark’s 33^rd birthday. I called him. The baby is getting along first rate. The other children were well, and Shirley feels fine. Last Sat. a week ago I called and when Mark answered I said “Guten Morgen, mein sohn.” He replied, “I am sorry, but I think you have the wrong number.” When I told him it was his Mother speaking he said it was too early in the morning for such talk. He said I had gotten him out of bed. Little David requires a 2 o’clock bottle, and since Mark gets that bottle for him, I think he was getting a little extra sleep that morning.

One of these days, when I am in the mood, will send you the money for the operas mentioned earlier.

I talked to M. Beatty last week one day. She now lives in Chicago (Jim’s mother) and she has been to Petra. She was telling me about her experiences. She says if you like that sort of thing, not to miss it. I wrote to Louise and Mac and inquired if they would be interested in seeing it. Since we will be in S. until about Aug. 1, we might be able to make connections with them.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/03/05/the-saga-of-the-stereo/

Late Night Caller

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

2-18-66

Dear David & Bonnie,

It is midnight and I think Dad is asleep. For some reason I wasn’t sleepy when we went to bed, then someone pushed the doorbell. Dad told them to go to the hospital & call the Dr. on emergency. He was sound asleep when the visitor came. He answered over the speaker system.—The Telephone has just broken the silence and it is the hospital calling. Evidently they didn’t get the Dr. on emergency. Dad has given the nurse instructions. Someone had either taken too many sleeping pills or pain pills.

Now we really have stereo. The amplifier which Dad said wasn’t, turned out to be as he said. We will give it back to Sears. I listened to the new Magic Flute today. I am listening to German records—according to Joyce, most of the relatives speak German—so I thought listening to the Flute would help my German lessons. We are going to use the tape recorder and tape some expressions from our records which we think will be useful in learning some necessary words. It is surprising how much German we know. It isn’t going to be too hard for Dad to grasp it, I am sure. Glad you received the Flute.

Tomorrow I have promised to take Mrs. Myers to the dentist. She is having quite a time with those 4 remaining upper teeth. I told her she should go to the hospital when she has them pulled. I don’t have any idea what Limp will do tomorrow—whether he will pull any or give her another appointment.

I am feeling better, but have decided to cut out some of the things I had been doing. I was pledged to help entertain a group Tues. night. I was supposed to have them here, but Clarice had the party at her house. I had to take a car load of things with me, but J. Janssen

[page 2] helped me and after the party the committee loaded for me and when I got home Dad unloaded. That was my last obligation for awhile and I am glad. I have to do so much studying now to get some German, I won’t have time to wear myself out otherwise.

The enclosure came for you and I opened it before I noticed it was addressed to you. So solly! You will probably toss it in the round file.

John was to have his teeth pulled today. I thought about calling him. He said he might come home tomorrow if he doesn’t feel like staying alone. I didn’t call because I thought he might not feel like talking.

So glad to know you are attending a Methodist Church. I have the same feeling about too much ritual. Our church had a series of meeting last week, but I didn’t attend any. I had missed church 2 Sundays. I did get to church last Sunday and hear the last speaker. From all reports the meetings were well attended and the offering asked for was oversubscribed.

Will you be back in Boston by Aug. 13 or 20? If so we may plan to stop and see you, but we should be able to see you some before we leave July 16.

As I said, I am feeling better. I am beginning to clean house and that is a sure sign. Things had gotten pretty well stacked here in the work area, but I didn’t care.

We got some pretty good pictures of the baby and when I get the extra copies will send you a few. We haven’t talked to Mark & Shirley since last Thurs. so I presume everything is OK.

I think it would be worth your time to read War & Peace. I am cramming about Switzerland and that takes a lot of my reading time, but I have started Crime & Punishment. I hope to get back to it before too long. I am reading every day in the New Testament. I read the New English version and also the Anchor. I rather like the commentary in the Anchor.

Love Mother

P.S. You didn’t leave the “Lamb” here.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/03/04/late-night-caller/

New Arrival

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

February 11, 1966

Dear David and Bonnie:

Yesterday we took the day off and went to Chicago. First we went to the Loop and visited the office of AAA (foreign travel) and consulted with one of their agents for a while and set up a possible schedule which we will follow from July 16 to Aug 13 or 20. We plan first to go to Switzerland. We also received a letter this morning from cousin Joyce (Fitz-Randolph) who lives in New Jersey, and who has visited the relatives near Bern. She gave us the names of those she has visited and their addresses. She agreed with us that she didn’t want to go on a guided tour when she toured another country. We will go to Petra and also see some of Israel, Damascus, Istanbul and Rome. I hope we can plan to be in Rome at the same time as Dr. Beck. Let us know when he will be there, maybe we can manage it. We would like to be with Louise and Mac if that is possible sometime during our trip and theirs. Since we will be gone in August (and not all of July as originally planned) maybe something can be arranged with them. I know you told me the other evening when I talked to you when Dr. B. plans to be in Rome, but I didn’t write it down, so don’t remember.

We went out to Mark’s and visited with them until about 8:30 (our time) then started back home. The baby is quite a nice looking individual with lots of black hair—something neither Becky nor Kirk had. They are both quite proud of him. So far he has been a very good baby, however he is just one week old now. Mark said he had forgotten how tiny a little baby is. After handling Kirk one would be prone to forget. He is certainly a character. He seems to forget he wanted to name the baby Chalie. He seems very proud to call him David. Shirley’s mother is staying this week. The Wards are planning to go to San Diego to see Dick and his family. He was transferred from Hawaii shortly after Christmas and since they haven’t seen them for more than two years they are quite anxious to pay them a visit. Dick will be going to sea duty off and one for a few weeks, then I think he will be away several months and if they go in February they will get a chance to see him.

Our stereo turned out to be just mono and it is now in the shop being repaired, and if it can’t be repaired will be replaced. Dad hooked up the hold portable Mark left here to the speakers and that is what I am using now when I want to listen. The other set that was sent to the Sears store was purchased for the hospital. After a few weeks Dad said he could see it was hopeless to have a record player in a place like that. No one was responsible for the records and they were being handled like a deck of cards. He decided to take the turntable back and get a tuner and hook it up to the amplifier and speaker. He purchased a new tuner and the turntable is back here. I told Dad that could be the start of a stereo set for you. Now all you will have to get (or rather we will have to get for you) will be amplifier and speakers. How does that sound to you?

The Magic Flute has arrived and I have the old one packed and ready to send back to you. I haven’t been out yet, but as soon as I finish writing this will take both to the P.O. I haven’t done much this week but rest. I haven’t had too much pep and since we wanted to go to Chicago yesterday that took about all the strength I had stored, so today I have been resting. There has been a series of meetings at the church this week with a different missionary every day, but I haven’t been to hear any of them and as far as I know won’t, because I think it is more important for me to recuperate this week, than to go to the meetings. I have kept going all fall and winter with not much energy to spare and all at once things caught us with me, and I decided I had better start taking care of myself.

I sent Bonnie the thyroid which Dad says for her to keep taking. Also sent her a day book and a calendar.

We have the records out and are starting to listen to German and will probably try some French and Italian before July. We are really going to work on this language bit until July and hope we get something substantial before we go.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/03/03/new-arrival/

To Clay City and Back

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan. 27-1966

Dear David & Bonnie –

I just finished listening to Mozart’s Don Giovanni. John brought it in exchange for the album Mark & Shirley gave me for Christmas and since I like M. and this is one of his best I couldn’t have been more pleased. Dad is at the hospital seeing one of Dr. K’s patients—and it is about 2° above. He had put both cars in the garage before six, but he said at the time he didn’t think he would get to keep his in. A bearing burned out of his car so we had to use mine to drive to C.C. yesterday, then when I went to get it yesterday Tuberty told me it needed a new exhaust pipe so I had to take it back this morning. After lunch today John went back to Champaign and took Aunt Ruth home as he went.

[page 2] We arrived home just before six on Wed. and Dad called the hospital and one of his O.B.’s was ready for delivery. He rushed to the hospital and was back in time for us to attend a stockholder’s dinner at 7. We were a few minutes late but in time to be served. I should have stayed home I was so tired but hope to get rested back to normal by morning. I intend to take a bath & go to bed as soon as I finish this. Yesterday was a long day. We left here at 8 a.m. and got back at 6 and we were standing, sitting or riding the whole time. The ladies of the church had a meal ready to serve after the funeral service so we had a chance to talk to the relatives before we came home. I talked to Mrs. Myers this evening and told her why I hadn’t seen her this week. I haven’t had time to stop. I usually stop once or twice a week.

[page 3] Dad said if I would get some information from his cousin in New Jersey about the cousins in Switzerland, we would stop and see them when we take our trip this summer. I have written.—Friday—It has been below 0 today and it has seemed much colder than the reading. When we came home from the office we put the cars in the garage and I hope Dad doesn’t have to go out again.

Wed.-Feb. 2—I haven’t been out of the house since last Friday—and should have stayed in then. I have been having a temperature that just stays with me. I am able to be up and do some things, but have not really done much work. John H. is here now running the sweeper and will mail this. He has been running errands for me. The record player started cutting out so Dad & Janssen decided it needed more

[page 4] ventilation, so Dad drilled 100 holes below and above the amplifier last night and said he wanted me to run the record player all day. I listened to the Barber of Seville twice, once to Carmen and now have a symphony. It hasn’t cut out any today, so maybe that was the trouble. I think Dad really enjoys this stereo. The TV gets turned on some, but it is definitely taking second place. I never get tired of listening to good music but that TV racket does bother me and about the only time I give it is for news or specials.

We haven’t had any word from Chicago, so it won’t be a January baby now.

Love Mother

P.S. I am taking declomycin for my temperature.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/03/02/to-clay-city-and-back/

Aunt Clara

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan. 24-1966

Dear David & Bonnie,

I wrote you this a.m. and wouldn’t be writing now, but Aunt Clara passed away today, and I thought you should know. I went to Wilmington this afternoon to get Aunt Ruth. I called Mark & John. John is between semesters now, so he is coming home tomorrow and [will] go with us to C.C. Wed. to the funeral. Incidentally John has to have 4 wisdom teeth pulled soon. I didn’t give him much encouragement

[page 2] about the after effects. In reading your letter again, it is the Magic Flute you want and not Figaro—or would want Figaro also—it is a beautiful opera.

Dad is having trouble with the leased car and had to drive my car this a.m.—and he is at the hospital on a baby case. Garnette is going to give me a lift this afternoon—to the bank and dentist office (I think I cracked a tooth last week) if John doesn’t get home in time for me to use his car.

[page 3] Last night when I talked to Mark the stock hadn’t made an appearance yet, but is due any time now. They are really enjoying the record player.

Did we tell you we have tickets to Hello, Dolly—May 5, and the name of the picture we mentioned is “Cat Balleau” with Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin, plus a few others. It was around last fall and I would guess you have missed it unless it returns to the small neighborhood theatres.

Love Mother

[page 4] Please see you Prof. about the trip to Holy Land and let me know.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/03/01/aunt-clara/

Vesper Circle

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

January 23, 1966

Dear David and Bonnie:

This piece of stationary got misshapen by the printer, so I thought you wouldn’t mind if I used it. We received a letter from Bonnie’s mother last week. They plan to leave Malacca Aug. 1 and arrive back in Boston the end of August. Too bad we couldn’t take the same month and meet somewhere. Louise couldn’t believe her eyes when she looked at David’s picture. She didn’t think it was David. I suppose the robe and that little added weight changed your looks. I am going to work in the office today to give Edna a hand. The insurance is piling up again and she was going to work yesterday, but I told her Saturday evening not to, that I would help her, so here I go. Last week was a hard one for me. On Monday evening I discovered I was to entertain the Vesper Circle on Wednesday evening I hadn’t been asked if I would and I didn’t see the announcement in the bulletin (however my name shouldn’t have been put in the bulletin until I had been asked if I was going to have it and where). I called my committee and got them busy calling the membership. On Wednesday AM the person who was to give the program called me and said she was ill. Then one of the hostesses called and said she couldn’t be here. Rosemary Murphy did call and tell me (she doesn’t belong, but must have heard I needed some help) she had something she could give for devotions. It turned out the devotions were long enough for a program, so that was that. I was too tired after all that. I didn’t do any more than I had to do Thurs., Fri., Sat. or Sun. I feel OK this morning, and working in the office won’t make me that tired. There is a new drug act which required us to record all the drugs (for a report if called on) containing ephedrine and or Phenobarbital. I have a system all worked out which I think won’t cause too much extra work. Dad attended a Medical Meeting with the Benton County doctors (he and Dr. Kresler went together) and some of the Doctors at the meeting said there were not going to comply. I am afraid if an inspector comes around, they may be at a disadvantage if they do not have their reports ready. I think we will play it safe and comply. I read your letter to Mrs. Myers = she gives me all your letters. Why don’t you go to the trouble to get some carbon paper and onion skin paper and send me duplicates of hers? Am looking for the Marriage of Figaro (over)

[page 2] Dad has been listening to the stereo and seems to enjoy this one more than he did the hi-fi. Yesterday when I came home from church he was listening to The Nutcracker Suite. Last night together we listened to Maurice Revel’s L’Enfant et Les Sortileges. I rather like that. You should get that for yourself. The only think I don’t like about it, it doesn’t have the English translations, but I found I could follow the French—not that I knew what was being said—maybe once in a while—but to know where I was. It would help one to learn to pronounce French words to listen to that a few times. Dad is going to wire my radio that I have back here in the Family Room to the speakers in the living room. I decided when I listen to the opera on Sat. afternoon it would improve on the tone quality to have such a hook-up. I must get to work.

Love Mother

We are beginning to make plans to attend Tournament of Roses next year. Also planning to see Petra in Jordan in July.

P.S. David: I just read your letter after arriving at the office. Talk to the Prof. as to when he is going to take the students to Holy Land, etc., and see if we could be included in their tour. We haven’t decided yet just where we will go, but I am pretty sure it will be July, because we have told Arvella she could have her vacation in July. I am not too sold on the package tours and was about to try to find some means of getting to Petra, other than by tour.

Will send you Figaro when new one arrives.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/28/vesper-circle/

Dinner and Bridge

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

1-14-66

Dear David and Bonnie:

I am enclosing a check for $18.00 to pay for the $14.00 album you mentioned in your last letter, also $3 for the two books you suggested for Mrs. M. and I allowed $1 for postage. Now I will be looking forward to my new stereo recording of Magic Flute. Also the books for Mrs. M. I took her to the office last Tues. I think she is feeling as well as can be expected for one of her age, etc. I stopped to see her this afternoon and left two books I thought she would enjoy reading.

The second wood carving which Louise sent arrived today. It is very beautiful and much heavier than the other one. Dad said it must be made from mahogany. I wrote to Louise today and told her I would send her a few pictures of the wedding when Alma sends me some duplicates. You know, I forgot to take my Instamatic. Did you send her an account of the wedding and some pictures? How did yours turn out?

We entertained the McClures, Johnsons and Fords with a dinner and bridge last night. We played records all evening—the most light type music, but they all seemed to enjoy it. We play My Fair Lady, Sound of Music and several Strauss numbers. I had The Marriage of Figaro on when they came, but I rather think it didn’t catch on, and that is one of my favorites.

We are planning to go to Calif. for the Tournament of Roses Jan. 1, 1967. Of course, that means we will have to leave

[page 2] here before Christmas, or shortly after. We haven’t worked out that schedule yet. We are debating about where we will go in July. We may go to Jordan or we may take a tour which will include Japan, Hong Kong and a few other places in that part of the world.

Love Mother

Books for Mrs. M. –
Christian Beginnings
The Literature of the Christian Movement

Records and a New Stereo Cabinet

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

1-6-66

Dear David and Bonnie:

This came to us, but I think it should have been sent to you.

Dad is about to complete the cabinet for the stereo. You may be interested to know that I am keeping my records in the order in which you left them. I have played for my own enjoyment when I am home alone all my Christmas records, except the one Mark and Shirley gave me and John took it and is going to get me something else. After listening to all those, I have started to listen to all my records as you have them stored. I was listening some today, but had the washing machine going and there was too much noise. (I mean the classical ones.)

We had a very nice visit with Mark and Shirley and the children. They certainly were happy to get the hi-fi and it didn’t get much rest after we got there. Becky and Kirk had some records they wanted to listen to, then we listened to some of Mark and Shirley’s. They have quite a nice collection. I am glad the children will learn to listen to good music. We came home Jan. 1, arriving in time to get lunch and then watch the tournament of roses in Pasadena. Dad didn’t get a baby while we were away, but said the office was very busy and he has glad he had stayed home. He said if he had taken Friday off, he probably would have been in the office alone most of Saturday. I suppose he had a point there. One year he gave the girls the day after Christmas off and had to spend most of the day working the office alone, so he decided he didn’t want any more of that. Anyway, he was anxious to get some work done on the cabinet. I think it will be very nice when he gets it finished.

[page 2] I had an appointment with R. Huth to work on our taxes Jan. 3. I took the car to the Cadillac place and was told they could work on it. After keeping my appointment with Huth, I shopped some, ate lunch, then to the garage. They had lost my ticket—or rather had misplaced it and no one had touched the car, so I just sat in the garage and waited and it was a good thing I did. The last time I had the car serviced here, they had failed to do a lube job and the mechanic told me that was the reason the power steering wasn’t working. So besides getting the window mechanism repaired I had a lube job done and a new belt put on and now it works like new. The next time I take the car to a garage here, I suppose I will have to tell them everything I want done. I thought I had specified a complete job the last time.

It is about time to have supper. I think Dad needs a break.

Love Mother

P.S. Bonnie—Do you want a desk day book? I received one today.

Christmas is Coming

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Thurs. Dec. 16, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

The wrapping room (wherever you want it) will be open when you come home. I talked to Mark last night and he said he thought they might have Christmas for the children before they come down Christmas Eve and though you wouldn’t mind sleeping a little longer. However, I think he plans to be here by noon. He said the children were quite excited about Christmas. He was telling me that Kirk has a memory like an elephant. He had promised Kirk he could have some eggnog before going to bed, but for some reason he didn’t get it and went to bed in a sulk. At six o’clock the next morning Mark had to go the bathroom with him and although he was groggy with sleep he said, “You wouldn’t give me any eggnog last night,” or something to that effect. I said, “Why do you have to get up and go to the bathroom with him?” Mark said he thought at that hour he was so groggy he might fall in if he didn’t go with him and another reason, he is too short to reach the stool. I think you will agree he is pretty cute. (fond grandmother speaking)

My Christmas cards haven’t come, but I found some Christmas correspondence cards from last year, so have written to the McGraws (Louise bought another wood carving for me in Singapore and I wanted to send her some money). Also wrote to the Mercurios, the Easterlys, the Moores and a few others. Marie Mace has remarried and we received a card from her today—Mrs. Don. Shewmaker.

I don’t remember whether I wrote you about Aunt Clara, but she isn’t very good. I am afraid from the way she looked when we were down there and from what was going on—she is losing so much weight and can’t keep her food down—or couldn’t when we were there, that she isn’t going to get better.

I want to make it to the P.O. before it closes, so must get this ready to mail. We are going to Country Club tonight to a party for Hospital. Dad is making a Lazy Susan for Lea’s table. He just started on it today, but I think he will get it finished before they come home.

Will be looking for you some time Christmas Eve.

Love Mother

P.S. I can’t remember whether there was a letter enclosed with the Echlin information.

Haven’t Time to Write

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Dec. 10, 1965

Dear David:

I really haven’t time to write—it is time for my siesta. I have been working in the office this week to help Edna get caught up with insurance forms. Yesterday (Thurs.) I took the leased car to Lafayette to have it serviced and did a little shopping for myself and Mrs. M. Dad opened this letter by mistake. I thought you could perhaps use it before Christmas. Mark is going to meet you at the airport since they plan to come down Christmas Eve. Lea and Bob will be here, also John, so we will all be home for Christmas.

Tomorrow night my S.S. class will meet here for Christmas Party and I am not ready. Tonight we go to the Hospital for annual meeting. Maybe I will have time when we return after the meeting to get a few things done. At least I am not going to knock myself out trying to clean. I think everyone will have just as much fun whether or not I dust the books, etc.

I must get to that siesta, so for now this is all. We should have the stereo installed by this time next week.

Love Mother