Tag Archives: Lafayette

Gladys – December 17, 1969

Letter transcription:

12-17-69

Dear David & Bonnie,

Since Dad has the duty the 26^th we will plan to leave here at 7 a.m. on the 27^th. We should, weather permitting, get to Rockport by the evening of the 28^th. We will plan to start back on the morning of Jan. 2 – so we will be with you 4 days.

If you want us to, and if we can fit it into the car, we will bring the large baby bed along and also a hobby horse which Becky, Kirk and David have used. If you do want either let us know. The hobby horse and bed are both in good condition, and should do Debby as long as she will need either. Please let us know in time to bring them.

I went to Kentland Monday and took Mrs. M. her gifts for Christmas. She said she would be alone for the first time on Christmas day. I said we could bring her here, but she thinks she couldn’t stand the trip. Doris and Harold are not going to be home for Christmas. I wish we could bring her here, but she only gets out now to have her hair done and to the foot Dr.

Our U.N.I.C.E.F. sales this year, so far has been almost $4,300.00, which is about $700.00 more than last year – in spite of all the John Birch members here in Lafayette and their hate literature. Dad said he thinks they helped promote the sales.

Looking forward to seeing you the 28^th –

Love Mother

P.S. I wrote to Irene & Joyce we would be in Rockport and asked them to come and see us. I haven’t heard from either, so don’t know if they plan to come. If they do, we will go to Capt. C. in G. for dinner.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/17/gladys-december-17-1969/

Gladys – October 14, 1969

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Letter transcription:

October 14, 1969

Dear David, Bonnie and Debby,

Have sent one package of pills and will send more. Dad says there is another kind available which he prescribes now – take three weeks – off one week. If you want some of that kind, will send. Let me know. Also ordered the note paper, but couldn’t have it sent to you. It has to come to me and I will send it on. It should be here in a week or so.

We were in Kentland last week (Wed.). Saw Mrs. Myers and then had dinner with Dr. Imperial and his wife. Since it is hard to guess the ages of some people – especially a person like Dr. I. I would hesitate to say how old he is, but he has a very good looking young American wife. They were just recently married. We went to the Country Club for dinner and he asked us if we wanted something before eating. I said ginger ale would do for me, but Mrs. I. refused anything, saying she did not drink (and I think smoke). He was laughing about her mother coming to visit and about the beer he had in the refrigerator. He had a beer before we had dinner. He is building a new office next door to Geo. Kingsley’s home. Geo. is trying to sell his place, since they are living in Monticello – have a home on a lake. Since he (Dr. I.) is moving to a new place there were some thinks he wanted from our building. Some thinks we let go and other we kept. Such as wall cabinets. When we hear about what he charges and how he won’t make house calls or deliver babies – I think he certainly set a new pace for Kentland. Dad used to charge $1 for a person to get a shot for allergy (if they furnished the medicine) and Dr. I. charges $5 for the office call and $3 for the shot. He (I have heard) charges $25 for a house call if he makes one. Dad saw Mrs. Myers the last time we were in Kentland and gave her two Rx for a bowel condition she had. She said last week that had taken care of her. He saw her this trip and assured her that the swelling in her left arm is to be expected. She said while we were there that she didn’t trust anyone but him. I don’t know what we will do with the building in Kentland. We may try to sell it, or make it into two apartments. I hate the thought of doing anything like that. I would rather try and sell it for a small sum, than to be bothered with running to Kentland to have the work done for remodeling.

Trinity is conducting a stewardship campaign. We have a minister helping from Marion, Indiana, who has had success in this type of campaign. He has gotten many people involved and I think that will help, because it will apprise more people of the financial status of the church. At present we have been operating on a deficit balance. I haven’t seen the most recent treasurer’s report, but every one so far has been with a balance of just a few cents. After helping to collect money to pay for a gift for the first minister’s 25^th wedding anniversary (in June), my observation was that Trinity should have no money problems. We were able to buy a service of 12 in the silver pattern they chose, a silver tea service and give them $43 and pay for the reception, which amounted to about $50 or $75.

We are planning to go to Champaign for my birthday – will be going the 31^st, so will miss all the little trick-or-treaters. That is the weekend of the Purdue-Illinois game and, of course, we have tickets. Just hope the weather is not as cold as it was the last time we went there for a game. I mean, when I attended. We have been over there to one this fall and Dad attended and it was hot. We have a weather report tonight that cold weather is due here tonight. We have all our little citrus trees in the house.

I wish you would write Mrs. Myers a letter. She does enjoy hearing from you and wonders when you do not write, why she doesn’t hear from you, so please one of you take time to write. I see I am running out of paper.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/05/gladys-october-14-1969/

Gladys – September 1969

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Letter transcription:

Dear David,

We are spending weekend with John, Bob & Lea. Dad, Lea & Bob are attending a football game and John and I are listening to an opera (Louisa Miller) and talking. On our way home from Tokyo we sat by a young Japanese girl who said she was coming to Champaign to U. of I. She is on the staff and is working in the computer dept. of the University. We are going to get her at 5 PM and take her to Lea’s for dinner. She is very shy and is a little timid about her English. I am sure she won’t feel too much out of place, because we will all do our best to make her feel welcome.

This week has been centennial week at Trinity, but since we were invited here for the weekend decided we wouldn’t be missed in the anticipated crowds

[page 2-3] at the church Sat. & Sunday.

Talked to Mrs. Myers recently and the Rx Dad gave her seemed to clear her trouble, but said she didn’t feel too good generally. I think it will just be a matter of time until she will have to give up her apt. and live in a nursing home. Her hips gets gradually worse. I think she will have to be in bed in the not too distant future. She went to Lafayette sometime during the summer to see Dr. Stahl and he said her hip bone is deteriorating and there is nothing can be done about it.

Would love to see Debbie and her Mother & Dad, but can’t say now when that will be.

Love Mother

P.S. had to go to Indianapolis last Monday to attend meeting (Director of Project Equality in Indiana and North Indiana Conference Director). I have been appointed Coordinator for Project Equality in North Ind. Conf. On the way home a piece of plaster board on the highway was thrown into the front end of the Mercedes and besides making a dent, it broke the right turn light. I am glad I was driving a heavy car. I am afraid a lighter car would have been jolted. After the meeting I went down to Mark’s. They had gotten moved into their new house. They are now in Glenn’s Valley and both children (Kirk & Becky) go to same school – within walking distance of their home.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/01/gladys-september-1969/

Gladys – September 1, 1969

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906
Sept. 1, 1969

Dear David, Bonnie and Debbie,

Enclosed find check for $20.00 – $10.00 for each of you for your birthdays.

John was quite impressed with Debbie’s reaction to the brightly colored blocks which Lea said you had bought with the money I had sent for her birthday. I asked John what he gave her and he said nothing – that he doesn’t give his nephews and nieces birthday gifts. He has always given them Christmas gifts, but not for birthdays. I have also put $10.00 in Debbie’s savings account for her birthday. That is something I have been doing since Becky arrived. Becky reminded me when we were there over the weekend that she would be having a birthday the 10^th. I also reminded her that I had bought her birthday present in Japan and it was on the way.

The house that Mark and Shirley are buying is only two years old. The couple have been divorced and are living in other states, hence the delay in getting the final settlement and the key. We looked at the house from the outside and I would say it is in the same class as Bob and Lea’s house. The big difference is that Bob and Lea are on a lake. However, there is a woods and a field back of Mark’s. They will have a very nice large yard for the children to play in and the children will only be a few blocks from school. Shirley will have to take them the 5 miles, beginning tomorrow, to school until they can get moved. The house is brick – light buff – and has some landscaping. It has been vacant since July 1^st, so Mark will have a man sized job getting rid of the weeds all around the house. There is a large living room, family room, kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a small den and a two car garage. There is an area around the side of the garage and back of the house that has been fenced and has a cement floor. There are morning glory vines growing all over the fencing. We can’t figure what that area was used for. Dad suggested they could put Kirk and David in there at times. Shirley said she thought it had been used for a dog, but Mark didn’t seem to think they needed a dog – since there are several in the neighborhood already.

Dad has washed and waxed his car and mine today. We had thought the forwarding company was going to ship our car via auto transport (that was what we were told by the company in Indianapolis), but I got a call Tuesday evening that the Mercedes had been cleared through customs and that I could pick it up at any time. We got a flight out of Indianapolis Wednesday evening – spent a night in a motel near the airport in Newark and Tuesday morning had the car and were on our way home. In the papers which I received there was an authorization for a car wash job – $35.00-, but I didn’t order that because the Company in Indianapolis said – when they had told us the car could be shipped that they would wash the car – it was covered with cosmoline to protect it during shipment. It took two washings to get the cosmoline off, but I still think $35 was a pretty high price for a car wash job.

John Janssen was married to Lana Farlow Saturday evening – in the Christian church in Rushville. The minister gave a different sort of marriage ceremony – it amounted to a lecture. The Janssens told us last night – they stopped here on their way home – that he lectured John and Lana one hour Friday evening before he would consent to marry them. Also they had to rehearse the wedding three times on Friday and he ordered that no pictures be taken at certain times during the ceremony. However, friends of Janssens from around Kentland and other points north didn’t hear his prohibitions, so flash cameras were flashing all

[page 2] around the church. I didn’t have my instamatic along, so I was not guilty.

Today Dad had the duty, which so far hasn’t amounted to any work, but he still had to be here. The day isn’t over yet, so he may have to do something Health Center wise yet – but I am hoping he will not. He had to have Friday and Thursday covered by another Doctor for us to go to NJ, but since there isn’t much going on now, I rather think it wasn’t asking too much to get away those two days.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/27/gladys-september-1-1969/

Gladys – July 9, 1969

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906
July 9, 1969

Dear David and Bonnie,

Just hope those pictures get here before we leave, your letter came yesterday. Dad got the schedule rearranged for this week, so we are going to be leaving on Friday instead of Saturday. I asked the travel agency about flying from Boston, but was advised against that since there has been some difficulty with planes getting into airports. They thought we had better just leave from O’Hare. Dad doesn’t have to work tomorrow, but since July 10^th is the last day of the special rates for tours, all seats were taken, but we did get seating for the 11^th. The lab report on Dad’s skin was OK. His face has just about recovered and his black eye is entirely gone. However, he did have some discoloration for about two weeks.

We went to Champaign Thursday evening and to Indianapolis Sunday morning, since we had a long weekend. We wanted to see Mark before leaving – he has power of attorney for us and John and Lea and Bob wanted us to come over before leaving. I am beginning to feel like I am about ready to go. Have the bags just about packed and hope I have thought of everything we will need while we are away. Since it has been so cool here most of the time and I had a letter from the woman I have been corresponding with in Switzerland telling me that it has been cold and rainy there, I am taking two wool suits with me. I remember three years ago I was not quite warm enough while we were there, so this time I am going prepared. This morning it was rather cool here, but by noon I had the air conditioner upstairs on and now we have both on. It is so humid and since we are on daylight (Eastern – that is) savings time, it stays light here until about 9:30. It is eight o’clock now and the sun still has some distance to go before setting.

I am enclosing a copy of our itinerary for your information. We will write to you from time to time, or send you cards. I found the cards after you left that were misplaced on my desk. I had put everything on the basket behind the adding machine and the cards being slick, had slipped off and were behind the filing cabinet.

Sandy Corbin was married last Saturday, but we didn’t go to the weeding since we were in Champaign. Her picture is in the Journal-Courier tonight. She was quite a beautiful bride. From the account in the paper, it was quite a large affair. Had an invitation to attend a shower for the bride to be of Jim Johnson, Nancy Dickman. They are to be married the weekend after we return and the wedding will be in Michigan, so I rather think we will not be going.

We plan to return August 18^th, so we can talk to you before you leave about money. When you will need it and how much. Will you keep your checking account in Rockport, or how will you handle your money? If you won’t need it until after the first of the year, how will we handle that?

The enclosed letter was opened by Dad by mistake. I am sending it on, though I hardly think it would be necessary. It has been on my desk for some time. Forgot to send it the last time I wrote.

Love Mother

Ck. for $5.00 – the extra $5.00 is for something for Debbie’s birthday

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/15/gladys-july-9-1969/

Gladys – June 13, 1969

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906
June 13, 1969

Dear David, Bonnie and Debbie,

I am sending some vitamins for Debbie. Dad brought some he acquired from a salesman yesterday.

Have been so busy since you left, I didn’t even get a card off to you for your anniversary. I presume you arrived back home safely – how would we know since we have not had a word from you. By the way, send me Patriquins’ address. I want to write her a note and there was not a return on her envelope and I don’t remember the name of the street or their house number.

We really had about as good a day as any so far for our celebration on the 25^th. Last evening we had a hard rain – I was in the drug store at Wabash Village when it began to rain – without benefit of an umbrella. We had had the air conditioners on all day and this morning the temperature was 60°. I had to make a trip to town and wore a wool suit and light coat. I saw Sandy Corbin this morning – she brought me a box from LeBeau’s. He gave me quite a discount on the gift the people from Trinity are giving the Morin’s for their 25^th wedding anniversary. Sandy is getting married July 5^th. She is going into the Lutheran church and her boy – I should say fiancé is from Hobart, Indiana, and the wedding is going to be held in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hobart. I asked her this morning if they had selected their silver and they have – Gorham sterling – the most expensive on can buy. Also very expensive china, but surprisingly, Fostoria crystal. I looked at sterling when we thought about buying something for the Morin anniversary and found that sterling costs almost four times as much as plated silver. I asked Sandy what they have in the their sterling and she said, “So far not one piece.” One place setting costs about $50.00 so I think I won’t get them a place setting. I will probably get them a piece or two or something in crystal.

The last time we were in Kentland we saw the Janssens and Garnette was telling Dad that LaVanche T. brought a young man home with her that did not suit her Dad and he said you either get rid of him, or I will cut you off without a penny – which he did because she wouldn’t. She is staying in Colorado Springs and has two jobs. That must be hard on someone like that who has always had the best of everything. I haven’t seen Dorothy for a long time, so have no idea how she is taking it. She was so wrapped up in their child, I can imagine it is hard on her.

Just had a letter from Dr. Hugh Lormor telling me the person to write to in Karachi for a look at things while we are there. He also said he was sure the McGraws would give us a good tour of Penang. He said he was interested to know that I am Bonnie McGraw’s mother-in-law.

Let us hear from you – we are interested to know how your plans are progressing. We met a man from Stuttgart one evening this week – he is visiting here with his son – and he has invited us to visit with him while there. I think we will spend more time in Germany than in Switzerland this time.

Love Mother

(over)

Debbie made quite a hit with the Kentland people. I gave a redwood planter to Dad for Father’s Day. He wanted to transplant the orange tree I had by the kitchen sink. He was going to put in something so had to give him his gift yesterday.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/10/gladys-june-13-1969/

David’s Diary – May 19, 1969

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Monday, 19 May 1969

Up about 7:30. Spent the morning getting ready for the trip—had to write some letters, straighten up my desk. Alan Federick brought his parents over to say good-bye; wrote to Cambridge re: apartment. Virginia Bate was around most of the morning. Had lunch about 10:30. Shaved. We finally were ready to go about one o’clock. Strong winds + our car-top carrier kept our speed low; we stopped 2 or 3 times. In general Debbie traveled well—didn’t get car-sick. We arrived at Stoners in Schnectady at 6:15—230 miles from home. Good weather—mostly cloudy but very little rain. We had supper, Mr. Stoner and I went for groceries. In the evening we showed slides, saw Stoner movies—sat around and visited. Very weary; looked at Niagara folders; bathed, off to bed; lights out about 11:30. θ+

Tuesday, 20 May 1969

Up at 7:30. Had breakfast—loaded the car—heavy rain falling when we got up—kindly let up when we were loading the car. We finally got off at about 9:20. We drove through quite a bit of rain stopped several times for picture taking—including a shot of the site of the old Erie Canal locks. We ate lunch at a pleasant park along the road. We got to Buffalo about 4:30. Came directly to the camping ground: Miller’s Creek. Only 2 or 3 other campers in the area. We ate supper in the car, then about 7:00 head up on the road to see the Falls—several miles away the mist from the Horseshoe Falls was visible. We strolled around, drove around, took pictures—we found the Falls very spectacular—Debby seemed astounded by the Falls. Our drive ended about 9:00 back at the Falls; we took pictures of the illuminated falls; back at the campsite about 10:00—prepared for bed; this is written by auto headlight lights out at 10:40.

Wednesday 21 May 1969

Up at 6:15! Unfortunately a chilly morning. After breakfast we broke camp and got everything in the car, loaded, packed by about 8:30. Then got on the road back to Niagara. Mist was blowing from the horseshoe falls across the road—impossible to get good pictures. But we found a lot to photograph. Saw the replicas of the crown jewels. Strolled around the gardens. We had lunch on the grass in the sun near Niagara glen, headed toward Detroit—stopped to see the locks at St. Catherine. Unfortunately took slow rt. 8 through Hamilton to get to 401. Got there about 4:00—then straight through to Detroit—arrived about 7:45 our time (6:45 theirs), at the Kings [1]; had supper; visited; Mattijane’s brother + wife are here with 2 kids—a real madhouse altogether. Later in the evening showed how our slides; 11 o’clock saw moon TV pictures; bathed off to bed, lights out 1:12.

Thursday, 22 May 1969

The Yegerlehner Clan, Roscoe and Gladys’ anniversary weekend, May 1969

Up about 9:00. Had a big breakfast—all the household had breakfast together—quite a gathering. Spent the morning getting the car loaded—and shaved. We finally got on the road to Gary about 11:30—somewhat later then we had hoped. A cold, overcast day. But we were able to make a good speed—with the help of huge trucks which drew us along. We arrived in Gary at Paul + Marty’s shortly after 5:00. We unloaded the car, then had supper. After supper watched CBS news—Apollo 10 orbiting the moon. After this we all got in Paul + Marty’s car and drove to the ditch where their boat is docked. We spent about an hour or so on the water—but didn’t go on to Lake Michigan—too rough. Came home, had a snack, then set up the projector—we showed them our slides. They are going through a “boat” stage— + were very interested in some of the slides; off to bed, lights out 11:45.

Friday, 23 May 1969

Forget what time we got up. The morning was not rushed—rather leisurely—sat around and talked; Paul + Marty didn’t go to school—both of them weren’t feeling very well. The morning seemed to go fast; we got the car loaded and then got on the road about noon. Arrived in Kentland at Mrs. Myers’ apartment about 1:30—an hour earlier Kentland time. We stayed until after 5:00—Mrs. Krull, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Hufty came by to see Debby. We got on the road again and arrived at the folks in W. Lafayette about 5:40. Unloaded the car after hurriedly looking at the box of slides which had arrived. Had supper; in the evening we just relaxed—watched a comic movie on TV. I got several pictures of the raccoons as they came begging + were fed—Al + Gwydelyn. Ran the slides through the projector; off to bed; lights out 12:07.

Saturday, 24 May 1969

Up at about 9:40—it was good to sleep so late. One of the first things to be done was a trip to the grocery store for baby food; then I went down into the ravine behind the folks’ home to take pictures. A very sunny, warm day. It was a day of just relaxation; Bob + Lea + John arrived for lunch. In the afternoon I made a trip for film + postcards—wrote postcards to people in Rockport—had an opportunity for chatting with Bob and John. For supper we ate out on the patio—a delightful meal. Debby was in her playpen; Lea was pretty occupied with Debby; Lea had her third miscarriage last week. After supper we watched TV—some inane programs, but then The Miracle Worker came on—the story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. During the movie we saw a telecast from Apollo 10 at hundred at 169,000 miles from Earth; after movie we showed our slides; bathed; off to bed; lights out 12:54.

Sunday 25 May 1969

Up about 7:30. Shaved; dressed; mother, father, John, Bonnie + I went to the 9 o’clock service at the Trinity Methodist. Home around 10:00. Relatives began arriving: Floyd + Ruth came after Bob, Lea, John; Mark + Family; Alma Hubbel. We had lunch on the patio—a nice day. Uncle Clarence + family were here for a short time. Posed for pictures—I was the photographer. We spent the afternoon lounging around, talking, relaxing. Bob, Lea + John were still here for supper; after supper I climbed down into the ravine with Dad. Watched TV—utterly slummed. During the evening we called Joyce Fitz-Randolph in New Jersey to arrange to stay with her on Friday night. This has been a very relaxing day—we managed to avoid feuding over politics. But also rather tiring; off to bathe about 11 o’clock. θ+ lights out before midnight.

[1] Rev & Mrs. Levon King (wife Mattijane); he was one of the ministers who married us; the other, Harold Hill.

Gladys – April 12, 1969

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906
April 12, 1969

Dear David and Bonnie-and Debby,

Thanks for sending back the tax statement. We are not even supposed to receive that statement, because we pay our taxes through the agency where we make the loan payment – insurance and taxes are included in our monthly payment. I can’t imagine why it was included in your envelope, because we received a statement for our personal property. Someone was “asleep at the switch” I suppose.

This weekend we are keeping four young women who are attending a Baptist Youth Meeting at Purdue. I asked them how far reaching this meeting is and they said it covers the entire state of Indiana. This group (here with us) is from a little town in the vicinity of Terre Haute. They just spend the nights here and are at Purdue the rest of the time. The only meal we furnish is breakfast.

Last week John, Bob and Lea, Mark Shirley and children were her for Easter. We hid eggs on the patio and the children had a lot of fun gathering them. I had made up baskets for them and I am still picking up the artificial grass. A lot of it came up with the sweeper, but I suppose I will be picking up bits and pieces for a long time, but the children had fun, so what is a little grass on the carpet. We talked about our 40^th wedding anniversary which is next month. They are all coming back to help us celebrate – wish you could be here also – . We are going out to eat, because they said they thought it wouldn’t be right for me to cook a meal for all of them on my anniversary. I agreed with them. We decided just to make it a family affair. We haven’t been here long enough to hold open house for people here in Lafayette – I suppose enough from Trinity would come – but Dad seemed to think it was too far to ask people to come from Kentland – and besides I would just rather have the family.

After reading your last letter, Dad seemed to think you might get a Rotary scholarship, but it would be too late to get it for this year. I think the one granted this year has already been granted. I think you have to apply several months – maybe a year in advance.

Dad has gone to see an eye specialist – about the condition I mentioned to you some time ago. I think it is nothing serious, but the Dr. said for him to come back. I went back a little more than a week ago to have a check-up and was found to be in good condition. Have to have one lens in the glasses I wear after I take my contacts out stepped up.

The weather here is beautiful and we are enjoying every minute of it. Dad has built a fence where the canvas sheets used to be to give us privacy on the patio. He is also going to make a gate – to keep out the neighbor’s dogs – on each side of the house. We would rather the stray dogs would not come and disturb our wild friends. Last night the raccoons came to be feed while we had company. The Baptist girls got quite a kick out of seeing them eat. Dick and Nancy (the couple who stayed here while we were gone last summer) were here last night to bring us some grapefruit and oranges from Florida. That is where they spent their spring vacation. They borrowed a camper from Nancy’s parents. They also enjoyed seeing Al and Gwendolyn come begging.

[page 2] Received a note from the Loan Company today asking us to send them the tax statement, if we have received it.

Have much work to be done on my desk – would rather be out in the yard to enjoy the sunshine – so must get at it.

Love Mother

P.S. Last Sat. afternoon John & Lea cooked a Chinese dinner for us. Very good. We watched Peter O-Toole & Richard Burton in Beckett and fed the raccoons. Lea made egg rolls which were very good. They came for lunch and I had one of their favorite meals – beans & cornbread. I can just see Bonnie droal (?)

Gladys – March 25, 1969

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906
March 25, 1969

Dear David, Bonnie and Debby,

When going through my papers found I had brought some of your things home with me – Senator Kennedy’s letter, etc. Sorry about that. Have been very busy since returning. The following weekend we went over to Champaign. John had an Indonesian dinner for us on Saturday evening. Lea helped him prepare it. On Sunday we had dinner at Lea’s. We attended the Wesley (on campus) service on that Sunday morning and heard Rev. Richard Hamilton from Bloomington, Indiana, preach. In this month’s Together Magazine there was quite a bit about (in our Indiana section) about the Fund for Reconciliation and how the two Conferences are going about the job of raising the funds. Rev. Hamilton is in charge of the South Indiana Conference fundraising and Rev. Bjork is in charge of the North.

Last Monday a week ago I had to go to Plymouth to attend a meeting of the Division of Christian Outreach. Have another meeting next week with the Section of which I am Chairman – Social Witness – to get what we have to say ready to go into Conference Minutes. As I said to our associate minister’s wife – I wonder if it is worth all the effort – I set the meeting at Logansport – that is some closer than Plymouth. There will only be four of us so only two of the four will have a long way to drive – one from Mishawaka and one from Gary. The other member lives at Peru – just a short distance from Logansport.

Thanks Bonnie for sending the cuff links. They made quite a hit with one or two of the men – but the women all thought they were quite unusual and wanted to help choose for their husbands – saying if they didn’t wear them, the wives would. I gave each one a card telling what Beach Glass is.

Last week I watched the hearings on TV about the ABM and thought Fulbright got a load off his mind when he brought in Vietnam. Heard Proxmeyer from Wisconsin this morning telling about the enormous amounts being spent by the Defense Dept. which he thinks could be cut drastically. The Today Show has been talking about the subject of “Poverty and Hunger” and said that so many people have no idea how widespread hunger is in this “the most affluent country in the world.” I was in a meeting last week and was a little bit “shook up” when I heard some of the comments made. One woman was not in favor of the Fund for Reconciliation. She couldn’t see turning over all that money to an agency. Her argument was, “How do we know how they will use the money?” I thought about calling her this week after reading the Together Magazine and if she doesn’t take it, send her my copy. However, when people are like that, no doubt one article won’t change their thinking. Heard on the Today show this morning that the President of South Vietnam has finally consented to include the Vietcong in the peace talks. Wonder what kind of threat was used to bring about that sort of about-face. Also have been hearing former Sec. of St. D. Rusk on the Today program. After listening to him I thought, how could anyone in his position be so far removed from facts. He said this morning he thought the Peubolo (sp.) incident should just be forgotten as something that was unfortunate. In other words – when he was at the head – they goofed.

Love Mother

Gladys – Mid-February 1969

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Dear David & Bonnie,

I will be flying from Chicago on United flight 236 at 2 p.m. and scheduled to arrive in Boston at 5:02. Just hope there isn’t a snow storm next Thursday the 27^th. Also hope Allegheny gets from here to Chicago on time. I will have about one hour and 45 minutes between flights if Allegheny is on time.

So far this week we have had spring like weather, but snow or rain is in the forecast.

The raccoons came back last night – at least I saw one. I think they have been back before, but last nite was the first itme since last November I had seen one. The fat I had been putting on the bird feeders had been disappearing too fast. The birds eat some but not that much.

Will see you next Thurs.

Love Mother

P.S. I wrote to Irene in Conn. And told her I would be visiting you Feb. 27 to Mar. 3. I hope it is agreeable with you if they decide to come up while I am there. Joyce is in either the Middle-East or Europe now.