Tag Archives: West Lafayette

Gladys – 28 April 1971

Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court 47906
April 28, 1971

Dear David and Bonnie and Debbie,

Yours received today and since the rest of the week seems to be well taken, thought I had better get a line or two off tonight. I still do not have my own typewriter. The one the shop loaned me works, except the ribbon won’t turn and I have to give it a turn once in a while—hence the unevenness in the way the words show.

Tomorrow Edna is going with me to get the missionary who has been itinerating in Logansport and Lafayette Districts. He is speaking at a church near Logansport tomorrow evening. He will spend the night here and speak at our church Friday morning. I hope someone comes to hear him, since this meeting was a rather quickly arranged affair. Seems the Board of Missions sometimes doesn’t know what all is going on. We had his itineration set up so he would be at Trinity Sunday morning and at another Lafayette church in the evening, but he has to be in Buffalo, N.Y., by 8 PM April 30^th. Did I mention in my last letter that Delmar Byler attended a meeting for North Indiana Conference Missionary Secretaries, members of Div. of Christian Outreach and District Superintendents? That meeting occurred the day before I went to Wichata. He told me he was going to come to Rockport to see you some time. It seems his wife has something in Boston from time to time.

Dad has the duty today, which lasts until 7 o’clock in the morning, so he isn’t carrying on a project tonight, except to watch tv and answer the phone.

One of the nurses who used to work at Purdue is married and lives in Germany. Her husband is a German, but an American citizen and serving in the Army. They have invited us to visit them this summer. We will have a week to drive around in Germany and Switzerland after we leave Africa. The Schillers live close to the French border, but in an American housing development for army personnel. We didn’t see much of Germany when we were there two years ago. We should see more this trip. There was an exchange student living with a family who attends Trinity last year. She helped the girl of the family she was living with make a banner for WSCS and I sent her a jewel box from Japan last summer. She sent me a very nice thank-you note. She lives in Marburg and we plan to see her while we are there.

Last week while I was in Wichata, I was able to enjoy real spring weather. Now that I am back home, it is like winter again. The flowers and trees—everything growing—was so much further along. The flower beds were full of blooming geraniums, and other flowers in full bloom. The part of Wichata that I saw was very clean. It was a delight to see the area around the Exhibit Hall—Century II. Everything so clean and orderly. The taxi driver who took me to the airport to come home said something about the stupid liquor law they have in Kansas. He seemed to think it kept Wichata from getting conventions, because most conventions have people attending who want to drink. That didn’t bother CWU. The convention center is a 13½ million dollar building—quite a place. Meets the needs of any convention.

There is a luncheon I plan to attend in Wabash Village—close to Glenwood Heights. It is a meeting of League of Women Voters which I have found is a very interesting organization. They really do get the facts on any subject they deal with. I haven’t been able to attend very many meetings, but have enjoyed the ones I have attended. If we could just get our church people to be as interested in getting the facts and to know what is really going on as the League, we might be able to accomplish more. I heard I.F. Stone on the Today Show this morning along with James Michener. It seems the Reader’s Digest condensed something Michener wrote about Kent State and left out something very important that seemed to give Michener’s article (book, really) a different meaning. Stone asked him why he permitted R.D. to do that to his book? They had quite a heated discussion about Kent State.

Love Mother

©2018 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/01/15/gladys-28-april-1971/

Gladys – 22 April 1971

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Letter transcription:

April 22, 1971

Dear David & Bonnie,

Had to get up at 5 this morning to get a ride to airport with a friend. We got the TWA 8:10 to Kansas City and changed planes and were in Wichata by 9:30. It was about 10:30 by the time I was ready for a nap. I am rooming alone, so had no competition from a room mate. It is about 12:30 now so I had a chance to catch up a little.

Yesterday morning a young girl from Indianapolis who had been a J-3 from the old Northwest Conference spoke to 5 of the circles of our W.S.C.S. We met in the church parlour. After the meeting was over I went to the Geneva Center to a meeting that had been called by the Ex. Director of North Ind. Conference. The Division of Christian outreach, all Missionary District Secy’s from the 10 districts and the D.S.’s were also present. Imagine my surprise when I arrived and saw Delmar Byler. He flew back to N.Y. from Indianapolis so saw him again this a.m. He says he is going to come see you sometime.

The convention center called Century 2 is just across the street from this hotel. I am on the 8^th floor and have a grand view of the city and Arkansas River. We never did get to Wichata while living in Liberty, but I know in the past 25 or 26 years it has changed much. When I was in Kansas City in 1967 it didn’t

[page 2] look much like what I remembered when we lived close.

I read your letter after I got home yesterday and glad you have made contact with Lea and that she plans to stay with you after the baby comes. I will come when I can get away.

Spring has arrived a little early in W. Laf. and the ravine was beginning to show green when I left. I had noticed around town the red buds beginning to show some color. We are far enough south here, the trees are in full leaf and the red buds are far enough out that the blossoms are about gone from some.

This isn’t the most expensive hotel room I have ever stayed in. There were two sheets of paper and no envelopes. Guess I will have to see what I can find on a desk in the lobby.

Plan to be back home Monday the 26^th.

Love Mother

©2018 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/01/11/gladys-22-april-1971/

Gladys – 16 April 1971

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper court
W. Lafayette, Ind 47906
4-16-71

Dear David, Bonnie and Debbie,

At last the Annual Meeting is over and the meeting today (program planning for Officer’s training day)—two days later. When we started planning the meeting last fall, we thought if we could get 400 to attend we would feel like it was a success, since it was to be a different type of meeting. 748 were seated at the dinner at 6 o’clock in the evening. The Seminars were all filled—12 altogether. In the afternoon session which was held in the south ball room, 700 chairs had been set up and those were nearly all filled and many people were standing. The first session lasted from 2 until 3. Seminars from 3:15 until 5:15. A group came in following the dinner to hear the speaker—Miss Peggy Billings from the Board of Missions, so we can’t say just how many did attend. At any rate it is over and I think everyone is glad it is over and was what we consider a success. There were 96 tables set up for the dinner. With the help of three other persons, we made 97 table decorations. Centerpieces made with a 15” candle in the center, surrounded with evergreens, straw flowers and paper butterflies. Everyone seemed to think the centerpieces were very attractive. We gave them away after the dinner. No problem there. I didn’t want to have to gather them up after the meeting, so decided to let someone from each table have one.

I have been so busy with the above mentioned meeting, have had to neglect my desk. I have worked here for a while this evening, writing checks and just getting things cleared off my desk. Next week will also be a busy one. Have to go to Geneva Center for a meeting on Wednesday, then at 6 o’clock on Thursday morning start for Wichita. A friend is going to drive to Indianapolis and we are going to fly from there. Since she is driving, I am going at the time she wants to go. If I didn’t want to get up that early, I could have Dad take me to the airport, but after I get to Wichita, I can sleep. I am rooming alone, so will be alone and not have to talk to someone. The first session doesn’t begin until 1:30, so I will have time for a good nap. (Church Women United)

My typewriter still hasn’t been repaired. I hope to get it in to the shop next week before I leave for a good overhauling. Probably should not be using it now, but hate to write by hand.

I didn’t get to go to the first Project Commitment Meeting, but was told over 500 attended. I hope to attend the next one. There will be six meetings. As I understand, some of the people Project C., is aiming to reach are not attending. The militants, and the disadvantaged whites. Too bad, because they are the reason for having such meetings…

Dad is doing some glueing for someone at the Health Center—now called Student Hospital. Somehow the word got around that he is good at repairing broken things and every once in a while, someone brings him something to mend.

Glad the Avon soap has given Debbie so much fun. We had an Easter Egg Hunt after Mark and Shirley had the children came last Sunday. I have been wearing pant suits and had one on when they came. Becky said she would like to have one, so Grandma got one for her yesterday and mailed it to her. She is rather slender so it is hard to get a good fit. I didn’t take the boys measurements, so couldn’t get them anything. Hope they won’t feel slighted. Thought I might find something for them in Witchita.

Your Insurance notice came and I am forwarding it.
Love Mother

(over)

Lea & Bob didn’t come—both bad colds—so don’t know any more about Lea’s plans than before.

©2018 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/01/08/gladys-16-april-1971/

Gladys – 9 April 1971

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Ct
West Lafayette, Ind 47906
April 9, 1971

Dear D, B, D,

Will try to get this written before a committee comes to help me with table decorations for our annual W.S.C.S. meeting which is being held at Purdue. Some thought if we got 400 registered, we would be doing well, but as of now there are 700 reservations for the dinner at 6 PM. There will be seminars in the afternoon dealing with issues of today such as Racism, Extremism, Population Explosion and Hunger, Pollution, World Development and Understanding, Sexuality and others to make twelve. Trinity women are making table decorations. I went to a floral shop—the woman who runs it belongs to our church and she showed me how to build this “thing” we are making. Just think in terms of getting made and delivered to the North Ball Room before Wednesday afternoon— and our meeting is in the afternoon and evening—90 separate table decorations. I undertook to do the job myself and thought I was about finished—had made 40 pieces, when I got word yesterday that we can expect 700 or more at the dinner. I had solicited help Wednesday and two women said they would come and help and it is about time for them to come.

Dad is going to Kentland today to get some dental work done and if I can possibly get away for two hours, will go see Mrs. Myers. Have been too busy attending committee meetings, etc., etc., since my last letter to get up there. I have two gifts for her—Avon soap and Avon scented candles. She likes Avon soap so well, and I thought I could not give her anything better. Dad is having a vacation this week, since this is Easter vacation for Purdue students.—We went to Kentland yesterday and when we returned, my committee returned (they had worked with me for 2 hours in the morning) and we finished the decorations—90 altogether. Dad fixed a place in the basement to store the “pieces of art” until they can be taken to the North Ball Room, which may be Tuesday evening or may be Wednesday morning. When we had finished, Dad had us stand (my committee) with the decorations and he took a picture.

Before we finished the decorations, John came home, but he didn’t disturb us, because we were too anxious to get our job finished. I don’t know what I will do if I get word of any more reservations—just make a few more center pieces I suppose. Lea and Bob didn’t come. John said they were both suffering from colds. Mark and Shirley and the children will come tomorrow. I colored eggs last night and some this morning. I have six baskets ready to put out for a hunt after they come. We have had a very warm, sunny day and tomorrow promises to be the same, so we can have the egg hunt out of doors.

Yesterday when I visited Mrs. M. found her feeling as usual. She had gone to beauty parlour the day before and had a new permanent. Doris had taken her to the shop. Doris goes over about every two weeks and takes care of some of her errands. Yesterday (I mean Thurs.) was the first time she had been to the beauty parlour for a long time. The operator has been going to her apartment and giving her shampoos and sets. She does manage to go to the foot doctor in Watseka once a month or perhaps every six weeks, but other than that she has not tried to go out for a long time—except the day we took her to the McClures for lunch the day Dad gave a program on drugs for the high school class.

I am having trouble with this typewriter and want to get it in to have it worked on when I go to Wichita April 22^nd to the 26^th. I think I had better stop writing, since it is so difficult to use this. Hope Debbie received her Easter package. The little Avon cologne is for Bonnie.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2018/01/04/gladys-9-april-1971/

Gladys – 2 April 1971

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Ct. 47906 April 2, 1971

Dear David and Bonnie and Debbie,

My typewriter needs to go to the repair ship, but I think I will wait until I am going to be out of town for a few days, like April 21^st to the 26^th. I am to attend a meeting at Geneva Center—a place the Presbyterians own, but a place we have been using since our Conference uniting meeting in 1968. On the 22^nd I will fly to Wichita, Kansas, to attend the Assembly of Church Women United. I will return home the 26^th. I hope I can keep on using this until then. I would be out of business without my typewriter.

Our days are still a bit chilly and there was a snow flurry today, but it didn’t amount to much. We haven’t had any really severe weather, but now we are having lower than normal temperatures for this time of year.

The enclosed folder should inform you about our trip to Africa this summer. We have decided to leave the tour when we leave Africa and instead of stopping in Rome, to fly on to Zurich and rent a car and drive into Austria. We have not been there and the woman who makes our reservations at the travel agency says Austria is even more beautiful than Switzerland. Sorry we can’t make connections with Mac and Louise, but we will miss them by a few days. I think we will be returning to the States at about the same time.

There is an organization in Indiana called Indiana Interreligious Commission on Human Equality—IICHE for short. It is supported by the Fund for Reconciliation from the United Methodist Church. There are several churches which support the organization. One of the projects of IICHE is called Project Commitment and the purpose of it is to get people of different races and social status together and have conversations to try to ease racial tensions. This program goes on for six weeks and anyone signing up to participate in it is asked to promise to attend at least five meetings out of the six. I am going to help with some mailing matter this evening. I won’t be able to participate in the dialogue, because I have too many dates on my calendar which would conflict, but I am helping to get the meetings going.

Some time in the next two weeks I want to go to Kentland to see Mrs. Myers. I have an Easter gift for her and rather than send it, will take it if possible. I also am sending Debbie a package for Easter and will try to get it in the mail tomorrow.

The bridge club met here Sunday evening. They were delighted with the Steamboat dinner and said the next time they come, they want us to serve same thing. Some said they would rather eat the main course than have dessert, so I would say it was a success. Jeannette Batton asked me where I got all the chopped food—I presume she thought there was a place here in Lafayette where one could buy it. I told her that I did all the chopping. They seemed—several that is—to think it took an awful lot of chopping. It does, but I don’t do it all at one time.

I wish I could have a picture of each one of the banners you have in your church. You should tell your (two) people who object to visit some other churches where banners are being used and see what is going on in the world. The First U. M. Church here in W.L. had banners made for the front of their new sanctuary to add a little color. The interior of the church is brick and is very severe. Just recently I was in a church that was using banners in the sanctuary. I was telling one of the ministers from North Indiana Conference about your banners. He said the banners are doing now what the stained glass windows did when they were first used. Banners are really not a new idea and should be used, as in your case, to do something for the walls.

Haven’t any plans just now about coming out. Lea had a sore throat so they didn’t come over Sunday so I have not had a chance to talk to her about what she plans to do. She did tell me some time ago that she planned to come and stay with you when the new baby comes.

Hope we get a copy of the picture taken by the professional photographer.
Love Mother

Gladys – 25 March 1971

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Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Ct
47906 March 25, 1971

Dear David, Bonnie and Debbie,

Came home from Rochester today. Had been attending a meeting of W.S.C.S. Program Planning Committee. Also had gone to LaPorte yesterday to have new tires put on my car. Janssens live there and Garnett is manager of the Sears store there. I went there yesterday and spent the night with them and went on to Rochester today. I am very tired this evening—having sat all day on a hard chair, then drove home 60 miles. When I arrived home Dad told me that the Conference office had called me to tell me that a special meeting had been called for tomorrow evening for the Division of Christian Outreach—of which group I am also a member. I called the secretary about half an hour ago and told him as tired as I am tonight, I may not be there. There seems to be some trouble over money. The Conference Council met yesterday and cut our budget about 13 percent and we have to meet to decide how we will reallocate askings. The way our Conference is organized—the Division of Christian Outreach has to decide on who gets what—or I should say how much. There are askings of $259,701.00 and our budget was for $198,726.00 and now that has been cut. The thing I can’t quite understand is why we have to meet and spend all the time we do on making the decisions then have the Conference Council question our decisions, and the Council has the power to give or take away from our budget. This new Conference is just a little more than 2 years old and I suppose we are going thru some of the growing pains any infant organization has.

We are entertaining the bridge club Sunday night and since I have been away home for a day and one half, I need to stay home to get a few things done before Sunday. Besides I don’t want to drive 120 miles again tomorrow.—This is tomorrow—I mean I have slept a night and today I feel much rested and guess I will make the trip, since I am a member of the Division and should be on hand for any decisions.

At least we seem to be having some spring weather. However, it is not very warm yet, but at least the sun is shining today and that gives one the impression spring can’t be too far away. I remember one time when we lived in Kentland, we had a blizzard after the middle of April and traffic was tied up and people were sleeping in the gym. We were in Kentland not long ago and everywhere I looked the town seemed to be in a state of deterioration. However, the merchants along main street have added a shelter to the front of their stores, so one can shop along that one section—Kenneys, Hopkins Hardware, Ashtons Dress Shop, Al Thomas’s drug store, the Colonial Inn and an office building—without getting wet when it rains. LeBeau wouldn’t go along with the idea, so the roof stops at his place. Looks little odd, but that is the way it is.

This morning I got the vegetables cut for the Chinese dinner we are going to serve the bridge club Sunday evening. Since I have to be away tonight, thought I had better get some of my preparations taken care of today. I have had the chicken, pork, chicken livers and shrimp in the freezer for a long time. We haven’t tried this dinner with the club, so don’t know whether it will be a success or not. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Dad is a little dubious about having this kind of dinner for the club, but I figure everyone has to do his own thing and if they don’t like it they can eat what they like the next day. Very few persons have said they didn’t like the “Steamboat.” It is a fun sort of dinner and since I have all the chopping done ahead of time, won’t have so much to do Sunday.

Dad has built some more shelves for me in my office. I had been using that book shelf you had in school, but decided it was inadequate and thought shelves from floor to ceiling would be much more convenient. Dad says I will just have more junk, but I am going to surprise him and throw away a lot of the papers which have accumulated.

I am in the process of sorting and storing slides in a cabinet which Dad built. He found the pattern in a magazine and it holds the projector and there is storage space for several thousand slides. I am in the putting away process now. Have finished storing the pictures we took last year in Japan. Have put away the ones we took in Switzerland and other places around the world in 1969. Have stored on 1964’s. Since I have them in order, it won’t take long to transfer them to the new storage place. Will take a picture of the project when it is finished.

Thanks for the pictures of Debbie and of you. Get Bonnie in on the next ones.

Must get this in the box.
Love Mother

Lena’s Postcards #14

2 Replies

: January 16, 1912 (front)

: January 16, 1912 (back)

Postmark:
West La Fayette, Indiana, January 16, 1912 8 PM

Addressed to:
Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Hackleman
Connersville
Ind.
RR#2

Message:
1/16 – 1912 Have just mailed mother a report of our timothy and clover seed which I think is fine: the timothy is 99.57 percent pure seed & clover is almost as good. I expect that we will be kept pretty busy from now on. I suppose it is too cold to have much sport hunting rabbits or has Johnnie got them all. Write yours as ever,
Irvin

Irvin was Irvin Dora Shortridge, another Shortridge cousin. He was the older brother of Bertha (Shortridge) Rees. “Johnnie” may refer to the Hackleman’s youngest son, John Carl Hackleman.