tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17490024276616157002024-03-12T21:34:16.899-04:00Letters From Homestephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-63925771951785848292012-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-24T08:00:06.487-04:00HURRY HOME!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0teiQzgsp3zScLkpLAxlYXc2_2GqN5TnfbUNlTlgIwEWm3noPLVnWbcP132W6PS9OpXvIKwxB6lPklkieiu5m8zznbE5feYn_zXmqRY2L15wswbgACTRt-kuywVs8AXWbwjMY5Bzbv-R/s1600-h/1024.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124873376557804850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0teiQzgsp3zScLkpLAxlYXc2_2GqN5TnfbUNlTlgIwEWm3noPLVnWbcP132W6PS9OpXvIKwxB6lPklkieiu5m8zznbE5feYn_zXmqRY2L15wswbgACTRt-kuywVs8AXWbwjMY5Bzbv-R/s200/1024.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Friday, October 24.<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Just a few lines to say all's well and let's hope you're on your way. I got your letter of the 17th here at the office today, Andrew, and Mommie's from John came out to Hydes she told me lunchtime.<br />
<br />
The only eventful thing worth mentioning is that last night while I was teaching, someone sprung the car door and stole my topcoat off the back seat; they left the raincoat right beside it. And I had the car parked right on the corner under a bright neon sign at a parking lot on Park Avenue. I wasn't in the parking lot but you couldn't help but see someone fooling with the car. I tried to find a cop but finally gave up and went home. The damage to the car is covered by insurance but the coat is goodbye.<br />
<br />
Hurry home.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's note:<br />
<br />
This is the last of 68 letters Charles sent to his brothers in Korea. A year before, the trip to Korea was a rough one. The ship on which the brothers traveled took a long time arriving because it "zig-zagged" to avoid possible submarines. John especially hated the trip and told his brother that he wouldn't be surprised if they went home on the same "God damned" ship.<br />
<br />
The brothers came home safely on the same ship that brought them to Korea. John and Andrew returned to the jobs they had before the war. Andrew was a supervisor for Chevron Oil Company and retired around 1987.<br />
<br />
John became the editor of The American Home Builders magazine. He founded the Long Green Valley Playhouse and performed and directed many plays and independent movies from 1960 and until his death in 1980.<br />
<br />
Charles continued working for the Burtons. In 1957 they moved across the street from "The Inn" to 13107 Long Green Pike. He and Ann raised three more children. <br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-65790080965596936142012-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-21T08:00:02.704-04:00A Radiator Key, If You Please<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOURX5qpFafiOSP-IEVVhtRqmbXp1waTYpDJC4pnSQ08x1UKrT9Za4a53NvQm58e9q5Sud1QCx1eZD8dR-CIuLzxoek-4n4ltRNVeLoJWBpQI8j3n67_qOa14scj05L9XuQBM84H8UFdzC/s1600-h/1021.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123782987440565538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOURX5qpFafiOSP-IEVVhtRqmbXp1waTYpDJC4pnSQ08x1UKrT9Za4a53NvQm58e9q5Sud1QCx1eZD8dR-CIuLzxoek-4n4ltRNVeLoJWBpQI8j3n67_qOa14scj05L9XuQBM84H8UFdzC/s200/1021.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Tuesday, October 21, 1952 1:21 p.m.<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
The parcel postman just walked into the office with two wire-bound boxes from you, Andrew, and one brown paper wrapped and cord tied from you, John. They seem to be in excellent condition with not a dent or tear. I shall throw them in the back of the car and take them with me today, to lock in the storeroom on the third floor when the kids aren't around to ask questions. We won't touch them till you get here.<br />
<br />
The radio this morning said that Washington had just released information to the effect that boys scheduled to be rotated from Korea during October had another wait coming, from two to four weeks because "of the manpower shortage" whatever that is. Are they mowing them down over your way too fast to be replaced. Let's hope you're under the wire because otherwise we'll just have to keep postponing Christmas by turning back the clock like they do in Congress.<br />
<br />
A letter came home yesterday, forwarded from Catonsville and addressed to Gran from American Oil. It is not a form letter, but a regular typing job and I forgot to look at the signature to remember it. I do recall the fellow's name began with a B. Anyway, it was asking Gran for your address, Andrew, and if you would be at that address come Christmas as they wanted to send you a little "remembrance". Ann replied on the bottom in her handwriting and didn't tell them you would be out but that you were scheduled to reach home by the 18th of December and anything could be sent to your address at Hydes, Maryland. So we shall see.<br />
<br />
Our National Radiator special is circulating its little heart out and keeping us toasty warm these last two days. The temperature dropped to 24° last night and is going lower tonight. If you can still use any influence, John, stay in uniform and wangle us a radiator key when you get back. I was so sure we wouldn't have need of one that I left our one and only at 25. Nobody sells the things.<br />
<br />
Got home late last night from school to find Ann feeding the Baltimore County police coffee in the living room. They had motor cycle cops at every crossroad from Towson to Hydes, two in front of our house and more on the other route to Harford Road. They were still in summer uniform and mighty cold. Mr. Baldwin is laid out at his home and all the politicians have to find it, so they used this method of signposting.<br />
<br />
A little notice In today's paper says that <a href="http://www.bettedavis.com/">Bette Davis</a> made a pre-show curtain speech last night and told her audience she had to lay off for a day or two on her doctor's orders as she had put in too much practicing for Sunday's opening of <a href="http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=2203">Two's Company</a>.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 24, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-66887066779500979892012-10-20T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-20T08:00:05.370-04:00Bette Davis Takes A Fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-RFgdXMS3q_crpLfVH7PecaMuCBHojDzJ_nDJGNZfcJL1HUwQmbHKHNtiOT6eYHgVVv9wKInIcp3xzDLOCQKzmM-dy-JgW0O9UOKYjbaOyGoEWtIgr5M2DEOAQv7BFGp7kXDwglU5VJf/s1600-h/1020.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123410270178618626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-RFgdXMS3q_crpLfVH7PecaMuCBHojDzJ_nDJGNZfcJL1HUwQmbHKHNtiOT6eYHgVVv9wKInIcp3xzDLOCQKzmM-dy-JgW0O9UOKYjbaOyGoEWtIgr5M2DEOAQv7BFGp7kXDwglU5VJf/s200/1020.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Monday, October 20, 1952<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
We've started around on the virus again. Arlene was running a temperature Saturday and Sunday but wouldn't stay in bed. Yesterday was such a beautiful day, though, that we didn't want to wait any longer. Before I went to church with Arlene at 10:30, I gave the Boehms a call and told them we would pick them up about 1:00. Came back from church a bit piffed because I missed Communion for the first time since New Year's 1945--on a Sunday, that is. Don't know what happened; when the bells rang at Communion time the altar boys hopped up and went for the water and wine instead of the plates. The people looked at one another but no one attempted to do anything about it. We left home at 12:15, just Ann, the little ones and myself and went in at Cousin A's and Cousin C's for a minute to see their newly decorated kitchen. We were back at 2:30, gave them a tour of the place and sat around and talked. They stayed and ate with us and didn't leave till 7:15. I made the round trip taking them home, taking my time, and was back in the house at 9:10. I'm glad we did it yesterday; it was 65° and the route all the way is lined with trees that have just turned. You no doubt had a quick glimpse of autumn as your winter set in with a bang. Over night the temperature here fell to 40° and when I called Ann this morning to tell her Aunt Til had called me to say hello, Ann said it started to snow at 9 this morning and at that time - 12:15 - it was still coming down. I'm sure it won't lay. Tonight, the weather man says 26° so we're getting into your territory. The only thing is, yours is there to stay and ours is so changeable. I think Cousin A and C. liked the place except they wouldn't want to live out there. They acknowledged that with a car town was very accessible. Cousin Anna even took a glass of our special blend $1.69 a half-gallon sherry.<br />
<br />
Arlene got her pup on Saturday morning and I have to admit it's a pretty nice hound. Four months old, housebroken, even though it stays in the cellar, and all white with black dots and a black ear. Name of Lady MacBeth but we call it Mac for short as everyone refers to her as him. Mike tolerates him, I mean her; Kathy loves her and leaves her; but Stevie eats it up. He trails it around the yard and shares his cookies with her. I don't think it will grow as large as I mentally predicted as we find it is dalmatian with just a dash of bird dog. In her gallops around the yard, every once in awhile she'll stop, raise one paw, straighten the tail and point a bird perfectly. Maybe you'd get used to her.<br />
<br />
We did the usual grocery shopping in Jacksonville on Saturday, I mean Friday night, but drove in as far as Parkville Saturday afternoon to the 10-cent store. We got around to TV promptly at eight so as not to miss <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Durante">Jimmy Durante</a> with <a href="http://www.franksinatra.com/">Frankie Sinatra</a>. It was a very good show and Frankie kept out of it most of the time. Somehow <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Show_of_Shows">Show of Shows</a> continues just as good and the guest hostess was a bit different this time - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alicia_Markova">Alicia Markova</a>, the ballerina. She did a 15 minute bit toward the end from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Sylphides">Les Sylphis</a> or whatever that ballet is. Gunther's Playhouse had another 2 hour film "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033758/">International Lady</a>" with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Brent">George Brent</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0557314/">Illona Massey</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Rathbone">Basil Rathbone</a>. It was an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_movie">A</a>, with nothing but familiar supporting actors but I managed to see a 1942 copyright date. A little earlier in the evening we missed "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040522/">Bicycle Thief</a>" which I told you was presented last summer for the first time on TV. So, as I've said, they're going around again and you'll be just in time for some good ones.<br />
<br />
In one of the envelopes or in with the movie review of the Times I'm going to put a review of <a href="http://www.bettedavis.com/">Bette Davis</a>' new "<a href="http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=2203">Two's Company</a>" show I mentioned not having heard when I wrote about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallulah_Bankhead">Tallulah</a> last week. Coming in to town in the car this morning - I have the radio on for the news and heard that Bette collapsed in Chicago last night where Two's Company was putting on its first performance. She had to be carried from the stage in the first scene by two stagehands, the commentator said, but was back to finish the end of the show and made a curtain call to tell the people "You can't say I didn't fall for you."<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXA6LHUvLsO-eKFNbf5HRkglezZFnfzg3O0AJgI256utUU1x5ipaR113L5Sf9dxd27UAkdHAM-hlKj5flpA4SuFp14X0OuzTEsYi5zSW2Hc3qTm3X0Gxlwurbi9z_03l6OV_SO4eVQCFq/s1600-h/streett.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123410446272277778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXA6LHUvLsO-eKFNbf5HRkglezZFnfzg3O0AJgI256utUU1x5ipaR113L5Sf9dxd27UAkdHAM-hlKj5flpA4SuFp14X0OuzTEsYi5zSW2Hc3qTm3X0Gxlwurbi9z_03l6OV_SO4eVQCFq/s200/streett.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
Streett Baldwin died yesterday afternoon; was only 58, the papers say. He was coming around Saturday even though he couldn't speak but contracted pneumonia and that finished him.<br />
<br />
That last paragraph of yours, Andrew, about the visit from our mutual "cousin" was something. The letter just came this morning. I couldn't resist telling Ann about it lunchtime. I asked Cousins, A & C if they had heard anything and they said no, their trip to Chase never materialized. We'll have to have Aunt Hannah out sometime and see if she will tell us the score because I'm sure she knows.<br />
<br />
The postman dropped by the house the other night to ask if I would buy stamps or if I could buy stamps for Doctor from them and not here in town. I told him Ca-Ma-Sil used a postage meter and that the rest of the stamps didn't amount to more than 10 or 15 a month. He said that strange as it may sound that would mean a lot of business for him. So I've gotten permission to get most of our regular stamps out there. I noticed they have an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esso">Esso</a> gas dispenser next to the store so I dropped by Friday, being pretty low. Mr. Sewell was coming out of the store with a pan of something as I went in and I said I wanted to get some gas. He said just to help myself and give the money to Ma; that if she wasn't in the store, just to yell and she'd answer. And that's what happened. I also found the mail doesn't come out on the <a href="http://www.maparailroadhist.org/">Ma and Pa</a>. It comes twice a day, delivered by truck, morning and afternoon. The postman's route, he told me, measures a little over 50 miles and he has 1,475 stops or potential ones. That's really something and I'm glad we're about the first on the list.<br />
<br />
Stay well till you get the heck out of there and I'll get off a few more letters until I hear from you that you're sure you're moving out the end of the month.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 21, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-58540772359214407662012-10-17T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:00:13.450-04:00A Trip to Hydes and No Room in the Bed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xJrMYsOVgWQz69ySgxbB2v_cvXJn6_x5j88Y9ILW7S9Ntb7AbkWLmmyH4O6ifZk_4A2zz6RFBYcvYzAvRerzRZ0X4Ttu8Me7A8TqpYh8ewSVO9G-eaiqCpq9gVx886lwoT7QcxkiHiH7/s1600-h/1017.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122262135226084594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xJrMYsOVgWQz69ySgxbB2v_cvXJn6_x5j88Y9ILW7S9Ntb7AbkWLmmyH4O6ifZk_4A2zz6RFBYcvYzAvRerzRZ0X4Ttu8Me7A8TqpYh8ewSVO9G-eaiqCpq9gVx886lwoT7QcxkiHiH7/s200/1017.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Friday, October 17, 1952<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
We've been having such beautiful weather, it must be due for a change. Each day the paper has predicted rain or cold and it has continued to warm up in the morning and today is another in the seventies. The warmth of the ground and the condensation has caused early fog, though, and wait till you see it. Coming in toward town or rather until you hit the road to Towson there are several mile stretches where you couldn't see one car length in front or behind. But you only find this during the fall or spring or perhaps some warmer winter weather. Did you notice the flowers advertised on the back of the Times movie section of last week; to bloom from November to March.<br />
<br />
If this weather and our health holds out, we plan on getting Cousin Anna and Cousin Claire Sunday for the afternoon. I haven't called them and don't intend to until Sunday to see how things turn out. We did get a 'phone call at home from Cousin Claire on Wednesday just to see how things were. I haven't talked with Cousin Anna since week before last.<br />
<br />
Annie Clapsaddle called me here at the office to say they were back from Texas. Does not intend to call out home any more since they charged her 75¢ for the last call. They brought Earl's mother back with them and Earl does not know whether he is going back to Bridgeport, Conn. to work or perhaps somewhere in Canada.<br />
<br />
It was such a nice day Wednesday, that Ann took the kids for a walk to the Hydes Post Office, which is where the <a href="http://www.maparailroadhist.org/history.htm">Ma and Pa Railroad</a> crosses Hydes Road on the map. I paced it off with the car and it comes to 7/10 of a mile so it isn't too far but they got a ride back with the postman which didn't hurt any. I believe I have already told you that Peterson's said they open at 7:30 and close around 9:30. I asked the feller at the Post Office-general store for his hours and he called to the back room, "Hey, Ma, what time would you say we close up evenings?" She yelled back, "Oh, about midnight". So there you are. You never have to worry about running out of anything with him that close. Suprisingly enough his things are fresh though they do cost a penny or two more. Ann and I laughed at his window decoration-several boxes of Kotex piled atop five or six shotguns and dozens of packages of shells.<br />
<br />
I find I haven't another darn thing to tell you. The little ones are still sleeping beautifully from about 7 or 8 p.m. till 1 a.m. Then we start playing checkers: in comes Mike to our bed. Kathy can climb over her lowered sides and she will appear next or Stevie will use one of his three words and call me. I can't fit any more so I go in the other room to Michael's bed. Or if Stevie and Kathy monopolize our bed I take to the couch. When it gets colder I'm going to protest.<br />
<br />
I'll get another out on Monday but just like you to hear from us. Ann says she'll talk your ears off when you get home.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's notes:<br />
Ann Clapsaddle is Ann's friend from high school.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 20, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-60378800858750620612012-10-15T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-15T08:00:01.272-04:00A Dalmation and News From Catonsville<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxF5u_A13pX2shmd6PYHCfHezv-I3Tc4yQTqOd9dhN4snCoYDdJ94BHWSLv_c_H9IvsiZ05O3zWIJXaClOKKmp0fKhBtfn7k0rG-nXQlTWKtPbAUoGdKLRV-OAIroFjGWU21blgw_AwaW/s1600-h/1015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121520493158313186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxF5u_A13pX2shmd6PYHCfHezv-I3Tc4yQTqOd9dhN4snCoYDdJ94BHWSLv_c_H9IvsiZ05O3zWIJXaClOKKmp0fKhBtfn7k0rG-nXQlTWKtPbAUoGdKLRV-OAIroFjGWU21blgw_AwaW/s200/1015.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Wednesday, Oct. 15.<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Here's another I hope you never receive unless you're on the way back. You each actually received a piece of mail, forwarded from Catonsville. Ann opened one (they're both alike from outward appearances) and it's a wedding invitation from someone in Philadelphia; very fancy and even embossed paper. I forgot to look at the date and can't remember the name other than it being Italian sounding. Maybe I should have sent one to you but we thought and still hope you might be on your way.<br />
<br />
Just got finished wrassling with Metropolitan Life Insurance. They cancelled policies on Ann, Mike, Stephen and Kathy because their office reported they hadn't been paid for September and October. I had been worrying them every few days since the last of August and they kept saying wait, that they had a collector out in our area. We waited and waited but he never showed up so last week I called the head office and they advised me to pay by check to them which I did including an extra month to keep us ahead. Now I find we had to or rather have to send everything by mail but they can't find the check I sent last Monday a week.<br />
<br />
Streett Baldwin is still hanging on by a thread and Ann was over next door in the back yard taking the clothes down for them yesterday and had taken Stevie with her. They have a full sized sliding board for their kids and Ann says she was reaching for a clothes pin and saw something flash by out of the corner of her eye and it was Stevie head-first. She dropped everything to go to him but he had somersaulted and was halfway up the ladder again, this time to come down the conventional may. She said in five minutes he had worn himself out and that was his first experience with such a contraption.<br />
<br />
One of Arlene's relatives 'phoned her that if permission was granted, they had a dalmatian puppy as a gift. I kept my big mouth shut and Ann gave with a hesitant OK. We had to go to Peterson's store for bread and while there an animal that just came to my belt-line walked out of the back storeroom and Ann asked Mrs. Peterson if it was hers. She said Oh yes it was their six month old dalmatian puppy. Ann just looked at me with her mouth open and I continued to say nothing. Now Ann is busy talking Arlene out of it. At breakfast she said we'd have to keep it outside and down the cellar and putting out food and water would be a big complication for you-know-who Stevie would toss the critter for the food every time, gentle lad.<br />
<br />
Ann's letter from Mrs. Bellis was a nice long one. She has been trying to get out our way with Ruth but Clyde has been using the car. Mary has managed to get a pass to see Francis, her husband, at Bainbridge; and a group of her classmates from last year gave her a huge shower, with another one coming up next week.<br />
<br />
I saw no TV Monday or Tuesday so I have nothing to report there but I picked up a News this noontime and am enclosing several articles from it. I thought <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louella_Parsons">Louella</a> had retired when her husband died but you can read her column in one of these letters.<br />
<br />
More tomorrow or Friday.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's notes:<br />
The Bellis' were next door neighbors back in Catonsville. Mrs. Bellis' daughter Mary married Francis in August.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 17, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-49149656379539508422012-10-13T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-13T08:00:04.685-04:00A Fire In Baldwin and Tallulah Does Durante<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjRaPoLDEhI-Nc6Wji_A1bCFNs3Rkz5Fwe3ExGOV_aa70fSVH7VBT5eiGCNJzH1xK27nq7PnqCrBcx_5qI8TKID6nVUN7yzwO_Xg81-cTXO8cdrBYfdsaerH1BwLw0csnPAH0Mrj82TAW/s1600-h/1013.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120835716457540818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjRaPoLDEhI-Nc6Wji_A1bCFNs3Rkz5Fwe3ExGOV_aa70fSVH7VBT5eiGCNJzH1xK27nq7PnqCrBcx_5qI8TKID6nVUN7yzwO_Xg81-cTXO8cdrBYfdsaerH1BwLw0csnPAH0Mrj82TAW/s200/1013.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Monday, October 13.<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
We're working naturally and so is school tonight but the banks and most of the business offices are closed down today honoring your birthday on yesterday.<br />
<br />
One Friday, I mean on Friday afternoon I 'phoned Abe and he is feeling much better since he found he has only a tendency toward diabetes and not the actual stuff. Noontime Mommie told me she got a letter from Mrs. Bellis but didn't read it because I have to keep these calls from the office to home short. Got the 'phone bill Saturday and Arlene had called her friend Mary Margaret in Catonsville to the tune of $1.19 worth. For other news of Catonsville, Virginia called Ann to say she was dropping in on Sunday and Dee called again Friday to say no they wouldn't. And yesterday afternoon we have a - I can't even think straight - we had a short visit from Ellen and Gerry Bures. They are anxious to get out of West Edmondale where they bought their new house but can't find cheaper quarters elsewhere. They're so darned on edge they're nervous wrecks.<br />
<br />
It was raining Friday evening so we postponed our trip to the food store till Saturday morning. It cleared Saturday noontime and I fixed the back door and wiped off the car and then drove Ann and the kids as far as Woolworth's on Harford Road. We were gone a little over an hour and came back Long Green Valley Road way to find fire engines racing past us to a big fire. If you still have a map or remember my describing Peterson's store and packaged refreshment shop, it's right next to that. Burned down into the ground with not a beam or shingle standing were the post office (Baldwin) general store and hardware and a good part of Baldwin Motors, a combination garage, repair shop and sales agency for tractors and farm equipment. Doctor's property ends down that way - it's almost a mile from the house really -- and one of his barns full of hay was partly burned. Arlene went with her friend Ann Woodward, our second neighbor to the south, and her father who is a member of the volunteer firefighters. She said they had eleven fire engines there but it got too much of a start. Ann didn't see the results but I drove past yesterday morning with Mike and Kathy when we event to pick up Arlene from Mass. Ann and I went to 8:30 yesterday for a change as it was Holy Name and in memory of our 8:30 Mass six years ago. Father Doran takes his good old time and has a sermon no matter how long he talks on the matter of Propagation of the Faith or the particular problem for the Sunday. We got home from 8:30 Mass at 10:02 and it started on time. Arlene was out in half an hour. We could go over on Harford Road to an earlier Mass or in to Towson but I think it's better to stay in the parish and they need our two-bitses.<br />
<br />
I guess it was about 5:30 when we got back Saturday and I didn't look at the paper till after we ate so were we surprised to see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallulah_Bankhead">Tallulah</a> listed for <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042106/">All Star Review</a> at 8 p.m. We were up and waiting for the beginning. You remember how <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Durante">Jimmy Durante</a> used to and still does close by walking off as though into the distance. Well, Tallu comes from way back walking slowly and playing with her hair, right up into the camera and croaks "Hello Dahlings". We loved it. Her support all through the show were no less than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Barrymore">Ethel Barrymore</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groucho_Marx">Groucho Marx</a>. But the show was all Tallulah's. She danced, sang and had several skits to herself as well as with the others. It was from New York as she remarked Ethel and Groucho had flown in from Hollywood. I liked her semi-final, a solo of how she had gone from her place at 59th Street to visit some friends in the country -- way out at 181st St. on a thing called the subway. Maybe it's old stuff but we enjoyed her applying at the money changing window for a drawing room and saying of course they would take her check. She pauses and gives her name as the fellow has evidently asked who she thought she was. She says, "I'm Tallulah Bankhead", then another pause listening to him and reaches her hand through to shake saying, "I'm so glad to know you, Mr. Bonaparte". Just as she is about to board the subway train, the camera follows her past a big paste up ad featuring the head and shoulder picture of <a href="http://www.bettedavis.com/">Betty Davis</a> and "Two's Company" which is apparantly her latest. Tallu goes past, does a double-take and then comes back to whip out her lipstick, hunch over the pic and step aside to show her decorations of glasses, a mustache and beard; no talking. Her ending of the show was a reversal of the beginning; saying "'Bye Dahlings" in front of the camera and walking slowly to music off into the rear center. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Show_of_Shows">Show of Shows</a> did everything right as usual, this time with a host, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_O%27Keefe">Dennis O'Keefe</a>. After this Ann retired but Arlene and I sat to watch <a href="http://www.nndb.com/people/436/000079199/">Louis Hayward</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Bennett">Joan Bennett</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sanders">George Sanders</a> in "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033076/">Son of Monte Cristo</a>". I didn't realize it was such a big production and lasted just five minutes short of two hours.<br />
<br />
We sat around all yesterday and had finished eating and cleaning up when Gerry and Ellen came. I guess they were here from about 5:30 till 6:30. We went up to TV for <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041065/">This is Show Business</a> which was fair and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Hour%20http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808954/">Colgate's Comedy Hour</a> had a pretty good show in <a href="http://www.bobhope.com/">Bob Hope</a> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_MacMurray">Fred MacMurray</a> and <a href="http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Gallery.jsp?id=e-98&mid=m-1168">Connie Haines</a>. Phil Playhouse which last night was Goodyear Playhouse came on with some gypsy offering <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0591176/">O Ramany</a>. Ann said the author is a good one but we didn't care for the beginning so turned it off for the evening. Ann heard Mrs. Baldwin next door calling and I went down and read awhile. Ann came back and told me she had promised to go next door to stay with the kids in the event Mrs. Baldwin would be called back to town. Her husband's father, Streett Baldwin, had suffered a heart attack and stroke on Friday. So far they have kept it out of the papers for some political reason or other but as of this morning he's hanging on. The doctors now say there's no hope whatsoever and he is paralysed except for the fingers of one hand.<br />
<br />
On our ride to the ten cent store Saturday we had to go past the Maryland School fort the blind on Taylor Avenue. They have their annual sign out advertising apples and cider. Ann says, from past experience, there's none better. They'll have it for some time but we don't want to get any as it might turn or that might be for the better also. It's only twenty minutes away by car.<br />
<br />
That Stevie slob at the table will shovel in three helpings of meat, potatoes and vegetables I couldn't come near downing, then sit back with his shoulders slumped and mouth omen and wait for the monstrous bubbles that usually follow. Right after eating his stomach hangs down the way Kathy's used to. Nothing new on Kathy this week but Mike is due one of my famous haircuts no later than tomorrow.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's notes:<br />
October 12, Columbus Day, is Charles and Ann's sixth wedding anniversary. It is also the birthday of twin brothers, Andrew and John.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 15, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-19468640711851620272012-10-10T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-10T08:00:05.724-04:00Jimminie Head<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvG6RWyvylp-oZmi1aRF-5ZMw0pc7hZavRWzzMAv1We_kTt7k676phL42dvvMVbtDpD0vBgAhqOjGHTT71Krb9HliOHbaV6MCfxI0v7J4iAkWzygOB_Az0paJKX1ZExfQJV9ilK2MDI2Js/s1600-h/1010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119666102373559490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvG6RWyvylp-oZmi1aRF-5ZMw0pc7hZavRWzzMAv1We_kTt7k676phL42dvvMVbtDpD0vBgAhqOjGHTT71Krb9HliOHbaV6MCfxI0v7J4iAkWzygOB_Az0paJKX1ZExfQJV9ilK2MDI2Js/s200/1010.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Friday, October 10.<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Ann waited till I got home late last night to let me read about the cancellation. Will it do any good to write a congressman? Here we were hoping for Thanksgiving and now we got to keep our fingers crossed about Christmas. They have to let you out by the 6th of December or am I just being silly.<br />
<br />
Here's last Sunday's church notices which I've been carrying about with me.<br />
<br />
Whether or not they change shipping schedules or what have you, I'll keep writing through the month of October and though I know the Army is not that efficient, maybe they'll cut off some of the letters and reroute them at San Francisco. So in the event they surprise you with a hasty evacuation our way, this may be one of the last letters Korea bound and we'll he only too happy if you're already on your way and miss this one.<br />
<br />
Have I or has Mommie told you about "jimminie head". That's a game Mike and Kathy play with Stevie and he loves it. You recall the "Jimmie's" chocolate variety on ice cream cones; outside, they use dirt; in the bathroom, water; and in the kitchen, it's cereal. Luckily the little slob has one of my special <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzz_cut">whiffles</a> and Ann has to shampoo only once per day. He sits outside as patient as can be while they shovel on the dirt in the one corner of the yard that is not grass covered. It's only when it gets in his eyes and mouth that he protests.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 13, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-44183047667578799182012-10-09T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-09T08:00:02.825-04:00The Previous Tenants and Mickey Mantle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzEAazV3_v0gfxjP_La4sPMG1tkhYkZIG7yDGjSDhm-_flXpeRteJtqbsJG7KpPW_WrXO_tDn3EDj7sl-FGLGKKj4wAhXGVH9_y6tLGMcGIr1N1Aid3l73HvGZodFFOU9n74njtLbpnZY/s1600-h/1009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119299269216808114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzEAazV3_v0gfxjP_La4sPMG1tkhYkZIG7yDGjSDhm-_flXpeRteJtqbsJG7KpPW_WrXO_tDn3EDj7sl-FGLGKKj4wAhXGVH9_y6tLGMcGIr1N1Aid3l73HvGZodFFOU9n74njtLbpnZY/s200/1009.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Thursday, October 9th.<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Haven't much to tell you but like to get something off anyway.<br />
<br />
When I got home Tuesday I found that Virginia had called and cancelled her trip to see us. She and Connie were supposed to come but one of them couldn't make it.<br />
<br />
Kathy's virus in her tummy persisted through this morning and I called home noontime to find out how she was and Ann says she's much better, having produced her first burp in three days. Stevie, the slob, is back in there shoveling in the food with both hands. His face is getting fat and he's going to outgrow Kathy in the weight department. But she's getting taller, I'm sorry to say, though I do think she'll still be in the cute stage for a couple of months till your return. Mike is all legs and has his spells of eating like a horse and staying away from everything but you can't call him unhealthy. Arlene we don't have to worry about. In the Christmas Card we chose for this year, I put her name next to a caption of Food Editor. Stephen is saying just a few more words but understands everything. His pronunciation is not as good as Mike's was at the beginning, as he calls our little girl, Kaki and has a few other wild expressions but you can't cross him up. I think you'll find Kathy changed most for she was just saying a few words as I remember it when you left and now she'll string an endless sentence into 5 minutes without faltering or stammering. But she's got to warm up to you first. And that'll probably take a couple of hours. When we went out to see Abe last month, while Ann was downtown shopping that day, Kathy wouldn't even look at Abe for the first hour; she buried her heady in my shoulder even when he tried to give her a little china dog. Abe is having a bit of trouble right now, too. I guess it's the combination of his father and I'm sure there are financial difficulties. He was feeling so bad he went to see our Dr. Gallager who gave him a thorough physical and suggested he take hospital test for diabetes. So Abe tolls me he was at Mercy Hospital for 5 hours on Monday with some sort of glucose test and there is a show of diabetes. His father is on the first floor at home, apparently to stay and the bathroom Buzz has half-built is still unfinished as you know Buzz. I asked him Monday what's new in Catonsville and he said nothing that he could see.<br />
<br />
Tuesday evening I sew about an hour and a half of TV. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Berle">Milton Berle</a> has gone the way of the many others and is now on only every other week. In his place we saw the last half of a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044244/">show sponsored by Buick</a> with the regular performers apparently being <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_E._Brown_%28comedian%29">Joe E. Brown</a> as a clown and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolores_Gray">Dolores Gray</a> and a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Raitt">John Ratti</a> as singers. I don't know if the circus is to be the continual scene but that's what I got from it. Last night we saw the first half of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Godfrey">Godfrey</a> and Arlene switched to a new show starring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Fontaine">Frank Fontaine</a> and <a href="http://www.misspattipage.com/">Patti Page</a> with some very good dancers and sponsored by Scott. They played up their Cut-Rite wax paper and paper towels and Scotties but no mentions of the toilet tissue; Ann says they probably don't think that good advertising.<br />
<br />
It turned quite cold Monday night. Western Maryland had temperatures down to 28° but we went no lower than 42°. Today it's raining but I'm sure we'll have nice weather again in October.<br />
<br />
Andrew, you mentioned you'd like to get out of uniform as soon as you can when you get back and I've been thinking about fast ways of obtaining something decent to wear inexpensively and if we could run out as far as Sam the Tailor in Catonsville, I noted he is now carrying a full line of suits as well as slacks, coats and other men's wear. And knowing him, he'd put the cuffs on and make the alterations while you wait. In an hour I bet you could get pants and a coat, if necessary. And if either or both of you don't have company and intend to go on a shopping spree, I'd like to take off and see what they're offering these days. I'm down to one pair of shorts myself which I'm washing out at nights and those dacron socks I bought in the spring of '51 are still holding up pretty well. The rest of my wardrobe is good enough for another year, except for ties and there my last additions were what you two gave me last Christmas. So I'll provide transportation if things work out and I also know your credit is OK at Katz for when Ann talked with the fellow the last time he called to say he had received your remittance, Andrew, he said he was glad as you no doubt would want to use the account when you got out.<br />
<br />
We've been learning a little more about the Barbours, the people who occupied the house before us. Jean Baldwin next door and Mommie lean on the fence or hang up clothes together. Mrs. Baldwin said one day this past spring she came over to what we occupy now to pick up laundry that was left while they were out and Mrs. Barbour was stretched on a couch smoking and reading while one of the smaller girls was dragging dump trucks full of dirt in front the outside and dumping the loads behind the pillow on an armchair with no correction from Mrs. B. Also, Mr. Barbour made all the clothes for the family in the garage and in the cellar and also sponsored a baseball team which met several times a week in the back yard or the Pasture across Long Green Valley Road. The kids were never supervised And one night in early summer, when Mr. Baldwin was on the verge of trying for his bar exam, at 2 a.m. in the morning the kids were whooping it up in the back yard. He asked them to quiet down a bit and Mrs. Barbour stuck her head out of the window and yelled, "Ignore him, he don't own the place". And just before they moved, referring to Mrs. Burton she said, "We're going, but I called the old bag up and gave her hell."<br />
<br />
I heard the last two games of the World Series on the old radio here at the office and the papers around are giving Mickey Mantle the hero role. I mention this as I went down to Peterson's store last night for some bread and one of the farmers was addressing a small group and saying, "I was with the Bums and if it wasn't for that wop, Mickey Manuel, we'd have beat 'em."<br />
<br />
Take it easy with the final moving. Mr. Pearson here at the office picked up a bag of Micalith at the mine and got himself a hernia which he has to have operated on in December.<br />
<br />
Two weeks from today!<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
Two weeks from todayis the deadline for John and Andrew to leave Korea!<br />
Charles' employers own a mine that results in a product called micalith.<br />
Abe is a longtime friend of Charles<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 10, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-59951997484093176022012-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-07T08:00:09.772-04:00Frankie and Ava Have Split<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizCs8B84juiaegsYz3Hh5ZZqTyUgCxC0nZSV4mnJYfP2112d9ZVVawEB0jYmZHnwA2CeNauMb1uaVb0G2feYF48ZVDjIdVwwnWPKFkS700ozNW5_FcFlGjU8W9Zm7dIBRE6XGsoLIJvGZ/s1600-h/1007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118598420748414114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizCs8B84juiaegsYz3Hh5ZZqTyUgCxC0nZSV4mnJYfP2112d9ZVVawEB0jYmZHnwA2CeNauMb1uaVb0G2feYF48ZVDjIdVwwnWPKFkS700ozNW5_FcFlGjU8W9Zm7dIBRE6XGsoLIJvGZ/s200/1007.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Tuesday, October 7th,<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
I'm late this week; had a busy day yesterday and could only get off the Times. We got a letter at home from you yesterday, John, and we hope the cold has cleared up. Wouldn't want anything to delay departing for either of you. Nothing has come to the office yet in the way of packages but I think six weeks is the minimum we can expect service. We had a little trouble with our mail but I think it has been corrected. When we didn't received our 'phone bill or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hochschild_Kohn%27s">Hochschild's</a> by the end of September, I called and found they had been mailed out. Ann asked Mrs. Baldwin next door and she said oh yes a little girl down the road, the same one who had gotten in her deep freeze in the cellar, has been caught reading the mails in the neighborhood and then tearing up the evidence. We hope nothing of importance has gone that way. Hochschild's and the C & P are mailing out new bills today and the postman is now going to toot his horn when he puts mail in the box as it can't be seen from our part of the house.<br />
<br />
We shopped again at the grocery Friday evening and had things cleaned up for some TV by 9:30. It's dark at 6:30 now but we're getting used to it. We saw some quiz program and then Ann and Arlene were almost asleep and gave up but I sat through an English mystery called "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025860/">Tangled Evidence</a>" with nobody I recognized. I worked on the car and played around with the kids Saturday as the weather stayed in the seventies. We didn't have a visitor or hear from anyone as usual. It wasn't until after supper however, that we looked in the paper and saw WBAL had taken off <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Show_of_Shows">Show of Shows</a> for a darn pro football game. We put the Stevie to bed and pajamaed Mike and Kathy when Arlene called down she had it so we went up and found Show of Shows coming from Washington and clearer than we used to get it at home. Following that, we switched hack to Baltimore and enjoyed <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036578/">Abroad with Two Yanks</a> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_O%27Keefe">Dennis O'Keefe</a> and <a href="http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Bendix/bendix.htm">William Bendix</a>. The hostess on Show of Shows, I forgot to say, was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanda_Hendrix">Wanda Hendrix</a>. She has changed her hairdo or let her jaw dawn or something for where she used to have a heart shaped, face, it's now square: looks like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Grayson">Kathryn Grayson</a>. Speaking of show people, I heard on the radio this morning that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Frank_Sinatra">Frankie boy and Ava</a> have split up--Ave giving him her wedding ring back, of all things. Sunday, Arlene and I get home from church at twenty minutes to twelve and the 'phone rang two minutes later, which I answered. It was Virgina asking if we'd be home Tuesday (today) and I said of course, so she said she'd be out this evening. She talked to Ann about two weeks ago and was supposed to drop by but came down with a bad cold. Kathy picked up the virus on Sunday that we've all had but wouldn't stay abed, just wanted to be held. It reached a peak yesterday when she tossed her breakfast but this morning woke bright and happy. Sunday afternoon we left Arlene at home with the World Series and took an hour's ride to Jarrettsville, which was new to me. It's only 8 miles and we circled back around the farms and home as Kathy was restless. It was another lovely day and nice and peaceful. We ate early and brought the little ones upstairs with us for TV. <a href="http://www.redskelton.com/">Red Skelton</a> is on at 7 p.m. Sundays this year and on film. I don't think it's as good. He was followed by <a href="http://www.jackbenny.org/">Jack Benny</a>'s monthly appearance and I had forgotten to look who was to be on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colgate_Comedy_Hour">Colgate Comedy Hour</a>. At 8 o'clock they flashed the station break announcement saying next in line was Colgate Comedy Hour. There was a 15 second pause and the announcer came in to say "We're waiting for the Colgate Comedy Hour from Hollywood". Still nothing, and here's where it got good. Again the announcer came in to say while they were waiting we'd have a film of something by Schubert. The music swelled up in the background but they must have pushed the wrong projector for on the screen came the regular motion picture makeup " <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029760/">The Thief of London</a>" starring <a href="http://www.nndb.com/people/687/000042561/">Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Hobson">Valerie Hobson</a>; that faded to "With" and pictured <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Hale%2C_Sr.">Alan Hale</a>, nodding, and the rest of the cast; then fade-out and as the first scene came on everything went black for a moment, then there was the conductor leading the Schubert symphony. That was followed by another short and finally at 8:20 the announcer returned to say that we would watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvieObtpItA">Tanhauser</a> for the next forty minutes as there had been a "disagreement" with the engineers in Hollywood and the Comedy Hour would not be seen and heard. We switched over to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sullivan">Ed Sullivan</a> who was having an ASCAP show of all famous composers in person, playing their own melodies and it wasn't bad. Philco presented a pretty good one--<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Lynn">Jeffrey Lynn</a> in "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0674384/">Black Sheep</a>". After that we turned it off.<br />
<br />
Ann found a cleaner who seems to do good work. Anything sent on Wednesday is returned Saturday and pick-ups Saturday come back the following Wednesday. I believe he charges a dollar where I was paying 75¢ before but we can't be too particular when you're off the beaten track. You'll have to look forward to seeing the place next spring as you're missing a lot of the good scenery right now. The only thing around in the roar of flowers seems to be something out front which we're not sure whether it's a rose bush or a blackberry vine. In the back yard are three or four lilac bushes. Maybe we can add something that will bloom right away. We have searched the store room for your tulips and as I've said to Ann, I still believe the movers made off with a lot of stuff as I can still remember making the last trip to the truck and he slamed the door before I got there and said that's all. They may be at the bottom or some of the carton boxes and I hope so. In the last days at Bloomsbury with Mike and Kathy, and Jane, Edward, Susie, Tyson Ann and many others roaming the house, they broke the radio-record player combination and Mike's little record player as well. Some of these quiet evenings we've wanted to listen to the few records we managed to save. I shouldn't really say few because there are about 50 or so. In transit, our Nutcracker Suite and part of the Carmen Abe and I bought were broken but a lot of individual records are left. You mentioned in a letter a month or so ago that one of the boy's father had sent him a 45 r.p.m. I played one for the first time at Ann Clapsaddle's and I remember telling you I liked it but now they've added something new to that, what they call 45 extended play records. Each side of a regular size 45 plays about 8 minutes. At Parkville last month I noticed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read%27s_Drug_Store">Read's</a> was selling a big counter of popular 45's at four for a dollar so they must be overproducing.<br />
<br />
I'm copying this last paragraph from a Prentice-Hall Accountant's Weekly Report which came yesterday and the case is listed as true:<br />
<br />
A New Orleans lawyer sought an RFC loan for a client. He was told that the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to property offered as collateral. The title dated back to 1803 and a had to spend 3 months running it down.<br />
<br />
After sending the information to RFC he got this reply: We received your letter today inclosing application for a loan for your client, supported by abstract of title. Let us compliment you on the able manner in which you prepared and presented the application. However, you have not cleared the title before the year 1803 and therefore before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary that the title be cleared back of that year."<br />
<br />
Annoyed, the lawyer replied: "Your letter regarding titles in Case No. 189156 received. I note that you wish titles extended further back than I have presented them. I was unaware that any educated man in the world failed to know that Louisiana was purchased from France in 1803. The title to that land was acquired by France by right of conquest from Spain. The land came into possession of Spain by right of discovery made in 1492 by a sailor named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the then reigning monarch, Isabella. The good queen, being a pious woman and careful about titles, almost, I might say, as the RFC, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope upon the voyage before she sold her jewels to help Columbus. Now the Pope, as you know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, who, it is commonly accepted, made the world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that He also made that part of U. S. called Louisiana, and I hope to hell you are satisfied."<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 9, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-41754411961268777842012-10-02T12:07:00.000-04:002012-10-02T12:07:00.087-04:00A Bad Battery and Good Reception<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dGLJJRqGrVIUCqyEoig4xj_xQ8b6lv77amF3p-f_iWJbKv52XbMbcxXe9Rj6lXYfKOhaMJ3A0lr18_oyTo8-_NsOYnIElb1loRCYtj874N6LarZCCWofLXPJsk8Ki33k_fAiqEozWGGX/s1600-h/1002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116696888402619538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dGLJJRqGrVIUCqyEoig4xj_xQ8b6lv77amF3p-f_iWJbKv52XbMbcxXe9Rj6lXYfKOhaMJ3A0lr18_oyTo8-_NsOYnIElb1loRCYtj874N6LarZCCWofLXPJsk8Ki33k_fAiqEozWGGX/s200/1002.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
Thursday, October 2 1952<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Monday night on the way home from school, I was crossing North Avenue at Maryland Avenue in the car and the fellow in front of me thought he heard an ambulance or fire engine but it was several blocks over. He jammed on his brakes and I did likewise. There was no accident but I couldn't start the car so there I sat smack in the middle of North Avenue which is about an acre wide there at the market. Finally some nice fellow in an old Plymouth gave me a shove and it started OK. Got home all right, turned the motor off and started it again and it seemed fine. So, Tuesday morning I got up at 5:30 to go to the 6 o'clock Mass for Forty Hours and it wouldn't turn over. At 7:30 I got Richard to give me a push with the truck and I made the trip to the Auto Clinic without trouble. The battery had gone up. I ran it right over Wards and they made it good as I had a three year guarantee and bought it last November. All this and I was back in the office at 9:55.<br />
<br />
The virus in Mommie's tummy got worse on Tuesday, continued into Wednesday and then stopped just as suddenly last night. Mike's case so far has been mild, just play a little while and then run for the bathroom. I'm sure it's not the water or anything. Doctor says it's airborn and when you go to the store you hear various ones complaining of the same thing.<br />
<br />
I didn't see TV Monday or Tuesday nights but went up at 7:45 last night for <a href="http://www.perrycomo.net/">Perry Como</a>, then <a href="http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/G/htmlG/godfreyarth/godfreyarth.htm">Godfrey</a> and the Kraft Playhouse which you may have seen a year or so ago. New actors, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Forbes">Scott Forbes</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0728958/">Maria Riva</a> in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0622374/">Michael and Mary</a>. By the time you get home they'll be just coming around to all those you have missed. After Kraft the only thing on was rassling and the fights so before going to bed I tried a few channels and found Philadelphia clear and the sound excellent. Maybe it's only because of the good weather but I'll try it again some time. The Washington stations had a little snow but much clearer than Catonsville and the sound is good. So as I said before, we're going to wait to look around for a set. Mr. Lucas says they're so tight now and the prices are so stiff because of all the new stations coming into existence and they're making allocations of a dozen or so to dealers where they used to try to push carloads off on them.<br />
<br />
Another bond came through from Catonsville yesterday for you, John. This one is dated August and is probably the last. Taking out the one we used last January for Virginia's friend on the play, the refrigerator, etc. you now have 9 in the box, I'm sure.<br />
<br />
Ann received a letter from you yesterday, Andrew. The only thing I meant about text books was that through the school I thought maybe I could get for free or at wholesale anything you two would like that you may have discussed, seen or heard about in the service. I forgot to cut a piece out of Sunday's paper that I wanted to send you two. Johns Hopkins has been advertising their McCoy College division. Their first semester just started and this year includes about a dozen or maybe twenty subjects, listing the price of each and the length of time. For example, they had something on play writing, fifteen meetings of one hour each and total cost $12. There was also something on drama and the theater. Nothing was priced more than $15 and you can take as few as you care to.<br />
<br />
We received a post card from Ann and Earl, somewhere in the South and a "see you in two weeks" closing. Ann still thinks Earl's father will talk them into staying down there with him; a couple of good subjects to practice his bone crushing on.<br />
<br />
I've told you we're going to buy from now on at the Cloverdale Farm store but during the week, for odds and ends such as bread, cereals and soups, we dash down to Peterson's, beyond the church. Ann was pretty woosy Tuesday night but she went with me. To show you how the country people are, we bought three dollars and something worth of groceries and then, after she had run it down on the adding machine, I went over to the package goods part of the store for a carton of Pepsis which I paid for. We were all the way home when Ann opened her purse on the kitchen table and found she hadn't paid for the groceries. She went right to the 'phone and told the gal (wife of the owner) and this Mrs. Peterson said that when we went out the door of her store she had said to herself that she wasn't sure if we had paid but not to worry about it. I took them the cash last night.<br />
<br />
Also on Tuesday night, I located the Wilson Methodist Church hall where we have to vote and signed a green slip to transfer our sheets from Catonsville to the new district and precinct as we are still in Baltimore County.<br />
<br />
It's too bad you'll get home after the weather has grown colder as I want you to see the Pearce's corner plantation restaurant, as they call it. It's all on one floor right on the corner you see on your map and you eat on a wide porch that completely circles the building lighted by hundreds of all colored lights. I don't know what they do in the winter unless there's some way to close up this porch which I can't see right now. We haven't been there but Mrs. Baldwin told Ann the prices are low and the food pretty good but maybe that's by her standards.<br />
<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 7, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-63473355091568670602012-09-29T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-29T08:00:01.332-04:00Crackers, Beer and Tomato Sandwiches<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhi3wKxNIt-YLsnlLSNjI8gaNvsAI3P2nTdnxbbKFxUTm0wxtRmp6aqOqfbqOG8XZaweZ7E2fjzadG2t23ERFV9o70W6sGMLqgTrzwuOJ_BoBMGiCcO9SrJVmHbDrSTJWU_3q1rTHOa5Vw/s1600-h/0929.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115619411045562866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhi3wKxNIt-YLsnlLSNjI8gaNvsAI3P2nTdnxbbKFxUTm0wxtRmp6aqOqfbqOG8XZaweZ7E2fjzadG2t23ERFV9o70W6sGMLqgTrzwuOJ_BoBMGiCcO9SrJVmHbDrSTJWU_3q1rTHOa5Vw/s200/0929.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
Monday, September 29, 1952<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Standard time again as of yesterday. Couldn't have wished for a nicer, quieter week-end. We did our shopping Friday evening at the store in Jacksonville and I puttered around early Saturday morning till about 10 a.m. when Abe walked in. It was like old times sitting around the kitchen table with crackers, beer and tomato sandwiches. I sent him your greetings and he says likewise and stayed till about 12:30. He's pretty worried about his father and doesn't like to stay away long. About four Ann and I went to confession; Arlene had to stay home because she turned her ankle again Saturday while talking to horses but she's up and around on it again. Confession was crowded with one other person besides ourselves and it was extra special because yesterday was Forty Hours. But they really turned out yesterday morning. Eight o'clock Mass yesterday let out at exactly 10:14. I rushed Ann hone and came back with Arlene at 10:20 and we were home from our Mass at 11. Ann says if we're still here when our ship comes in, first donation goes for new kneeling benches. In the afternoon yesterday we left Arlene with her foot and took the kids up church for a visit. Afterwards, Father Doran was outside and I introduced Ann. We stood there talking for over a half hour. We had noticed what we thought was a plaster statue or the Blessed Mother on the church lawn as the church is back about 300 yards from the road. He gave us the lowdown and a closeup view of the statue which turns out to be of one piece of Italian marble carved in Italy. Wait till you see it. It weighs 4,000 lb. and was donated by a woman in Towson whose son is a priest. The Archbishop blessed or dedicated it the same day in 1950 as the school. Father Doran says during the summer they have the rosary services there on the lawn Sundays under the trees. Just about that time, Sammy pulls up and says Pud is down the house. So instead of a little drive we went back and sat around. They stayed for a meal, our first guests, and Ann suggested a movie, which she hasn't seen now to five weeks. So she and pud went to Hamilton for the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045198/">Will Rogers Story</a>. When they returned at 7:15, Sam and I came in to Baltimore as he wanted to see A Minute or <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044997/">One Minute to Zero</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Joe_Walcott">Walcott</a> fight pictures. We left home at 7:30 and were buying the tickets in front of the <a href="http://www.kilduffs.com/TBA.html">Town</a> at 8:05. I liked the show but wondered how many persons <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes">Howard Hughes</a> killed in taking it. We were home again by 11 and found Mommie with another touch of the virus in her tummy. She still has it this morning as I 'phoned her noontime but not so violent; so does the gal next door.<br />
<br />
We saw a couple of TV shows Friday and Saturday. Friday we didn't go up till 11 and saw the movie "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022489/">Tonight Or Never</a>" with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvyn_Douglas">Melvyn Douglas</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Swanson">Gloria Swanson</a>. It was supposed to be a drama but we laughed till our sides hurt. Gloria had bobbed hair and would walk over to a doorway the way they satirize now, throw out her chest and place her arms, palms outward, windmill-like against the wall and groan "Do you want me'?" This masterpiece was before censorship. I'll give you an idea how old it was. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Karloff">Boris Karloff</a> had black hair and three lines as a waiter who told Melvyn Douglas that Gloria was going to visit his apartment. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Skipworth">Alison Skipworth</a> had co-starring in the billing. To top it off, the jerk at WBAL kept calling him Melville Douglas. Last night I didn't go up at all, being in town, but Saturday I saw my first complete Show of Shows and it was wonderful. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Raines">Ella Raines</a> was guest Hostess. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imogene_Coca">Immogene</a>'s solo was a musicale with chorus boys, swell music and dancing and called Give Me a Ragtime Turn or I Want a Ragtime Band something like that. They wouldn't stop applauding. If nobody else suggests it I want to ask that they bring back on film some of these shows or parts of shows that are so darn good and so many people miss. And <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_Piazza">Marguerite Piazza</a>'s number was her portrayal of that page-boy part <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_Stevens">Rise Stevens</a> has been doing at the Metropolitan the past few years with <a href="http://boards.imdb.com/name/nm0461493/">Aariana Knowles</a> singing opposite her. We were so contented after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Show_of_Shows">Show of Shows</a> that we enjoyed Gunther's following movie--"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039496/">Intrigue</a>" with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Raft">George Raft</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Havoc">June Havoc</a>. It was made in 1948 but I don't recall it being around here. <a href="http://www.kilduffs.com/CDA.html">The Century</a> usually gets stuck with G. Raft. She is the boss of a black market operation in Indo-China and in one scene sways in with a sprayed on gown and admires his shoulders. He says back, "I can see you ain't packing no rod neither". Next week, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036578/">Abroad With Two Yanks</a> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bendix">Wm. Bendix</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_O%27Keefe">Dennis O'Keefe</a>.<br />
<br />
At the Town last night I was thinking it was my first time in Baltimore to a show on Sunday night since we've been married. We've been down during the week but not on Sunday. They showed a special notice on the screen to the effect that in a month or two they're going to offer the new three dimensional Cinerama and that it's being installed right now. I don't remember if I've told you the <a href="http://www.kilduffs.com/HHA.html">Hippodrome</a> is For Sale and has been for several months with no takers yet; it has been closed since the little fire they had back stage around April or May.<br />
<br />
Ann berates herself for not writing but I told her I've stepped up my pace to a couple a week and she has been pretty loaded. She has a pencil written letter I forgot to pick up this morning but will get it off tomorrow sure.<br />
<br />
Got a long letter from Brother Bertin this morning and he's at St. John's Prep for another year as principal. He's coming down around Christmas for a short stay at St. Joe and promises to come out and see us if Brother Nilus will provide transportation. Br. N. is now stationed at St. Joe once again. I told him we'd see that he got there as long as he gave us a call.<br />
<br />
I'll be on the lookout for the boxes and will probably put them in the storage room on the third floor till you get here to open them.<br />
<br />
Three weeks and three days....<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: October 2, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-43972203225993678952012-09-26T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-26T08:00:17.249-04:00Father Doran<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUKCUqJqu848MSrw6btITqsjBdotEZrQlCImHGiVZu1ICQn7oGES-LSPgn8RqhKX9eLEdgbgIfDGu2wZWB8TRx4MnmbYIYEBHWB7s315kWh4rVQLb92BFRbrK_B-4YFDSN5bg1sWvZQFa/s1600-h/0926.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114471499421928706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUKCUqJqu848MSrw6btITqsjBdotEZrQlCImHGiVZu1ICQn7oGES-LSPgn8RqhKX9eLEdgbgIfDGu2wZWB8TRx4MnmbYIYEBHWB7s315kWh4rVQLb92BFRbrK_B-4YFDSN5bg1sWvZQFa/s200/0926.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Friday, September 26,<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
All is quiet and not much news but Wednesday night, when I drove to the store for bread, I decided to drop by St. John's on my way back and had a nice long talk with Father Doran. First of all, the door was opened by his brother, Mr. Doran, a layman, who is principal of the school. While waiting for Father to come down he told me how he came out of the service in 1945 (he looks about 50 now) and had to get out of business on doctor's orders. He came to St. John's when his brother was transferred from. St. Thomas Acquinas on Roland Avenue in Baltimore and is still there. It was just in 1945 that they started the school. They took an old building not much larger than a couple of chicken houses along side the church and fixed it up to accommodate the first 26 children. Father Doran looks a lot like a Brother Patrick (not Thomas Patrick) we had at St. Joe but taller. He's swell and I told him all about you. He says if you have time, one thing he'd like you to do when you return is put on a play for him; they've never had one but evidently have the auditorium in the new school. The new school was put up in 1950 and cost about $300,000. It doesn't look like more than a half dozen rooms and maybe the hall, but you know prices. He said when they first started the school idea in the ramshackled building people didn't really believe it. They set aside two days in August for registration and he said, would you believe it, up to five minutes of twelve on the second day, the only registrants were five Protestants. However, they started off with about 26 and now must have many more for the sisters whipping by in the station wagon seem to number six or seven; and they have two new buses which cover the area and, according to their schedule, make several trips each. Father Doran also told me they have a congregation of 500, counting men, women and children. The little chat lasted over an hour and both were so darn nice I am sorry for doubting them; in fact, Ann called Peterson's store to find out where I was.<br />
<br />
Today is very warm, about 80°, but the nights are cool and we've had the heat on--down to fifty. The fog was so thick this morning I had to creep along till I hit Loch Raven.<br />
<br />
Saw just one more TV show from 9:30 till 10:00 Wednesday when I got back; called "<a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0044268/">The Hunter</a>" with <a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0625167/">Barry Nelson</a>. Very good! And then <a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0000897/">Ralph Belamy</a> stuck his fat face in at the end to say he is coming back next week with <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0041040/">Man Against Crime</a> to replace it.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 29, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-28411249385545611862012-09-24T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-24T08:00:01.499-04:00Good Dreams Or Bad Dreams<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcyNGRHEpPJYOB_EgvLQG_dWL37HnLuaWNuyB3yvc1UhOlQwMFFZlUdibf4KOpgSqpAPeLEXaXZ0VlKQgVBPJLR-Ism6L9CAU-bzf1iYCGfnAjVmGVcbuJ8RufWjC2exujXn5rMjcVDza/s1600-h/0924.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113726640423652594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcyNGRHEpPJYOB_EgvLQG_dWL37HnLuaWNuyB3yvc1UhOlQwMFFZlUdibf4KOpgSqpAPeLEXaXZ0VlKQgVBPJLR-Ism6L9CAU-bzf1iYCGfnAjVmGVcbuJ8RufWjC2exujXn5rMjcVDza/s200/0924.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Wednesday, September 24<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John<br />
<br />
One month from day and I hope you'll be out of Seoul bag and baggage and by 24 hours. We're still having nice days and cool nights and it's supposed to get warmer later in the week; but no more of that humidity. About a week and a half ago, on a Saturday, it set a record around here with 97° but we didn't even notice it out there because of only 29% humidity.<br />
<br />
I can't tell you anything more about the TV programs because I haven't been up to the third floor since Sunday night. Monday I had school and got home about 10:05 but had a sandwich and milk and read the paper while Ann went up to see "<a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0712490/">The Big Kill</a>" on <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0040051/">Westinghouse Studio One</a>. I purposely left the radio and TV pages in the Times this week so you can get acquainted with the programs and any switches. Your good friend, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Gleason">Jackie Gleason</a>, John, is on CBS Saturday nights the same time as the <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0042106/">All Star Review</a>, so that takes care of him. I just remembered the guests on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cantor">Eddie Cantor</a> next Sunday--<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fisher_%28singer%29">Eddie Fisher</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Kirk">Lisa Kirk</a>. Last night I was home early, which means 5:45, so it isn't much later than Catonsville, but after supper I ran Ann in to Parkville to Reads as she had to get some cheap nylons for Arlene. The school rules called for those ribbed lisle stockings for the high school girls but they took a vote on it and came up with nylons, I'm sorry to say. We were home again by eight but Tuesday is a poor TV night, so I invested a dollar in six beers and we sat in the living room talking and eating peanuts till about 9:30. Stevie wasn't feeling good yesterday; nothing serious, we hope, but some of what's going around, as they say, and he'd get those pains in his tummy. Mike and Kathy had long naps in the afternoon so they played on the floor. Mike had shown me a picture from that Currier and Ives book we've had from Book-of-the-Month Club days, of a horror depicting a bad man's moment of death as he lay in bed with bulging features and satan came through the window jamming him in the stomach with his fork. Mike wanted to know when that man came around and I told, him that was only a dream and had to explain further that dreams came from maybe eating something, like peanuts, before going to bed and some were good and some were bad but they couldn't hurt you. This was all several weeks ago. So last night he picked a peanut out of the can and looked at it and said he was going to eat it and I said OK one or two wouldn't hurt him. He sat there holding it and finally put it down and with a sigh said he didn't think he would as he didn't know if the dream would be bad or good. It didn't hold Kathy back though and she wedged all we'd allow her. Her eyes continue deep blue with the blackest lashes but when you see her be sure to remark on her "red" eyes and she now insists her lashes are red also. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Joe_Walcott">Walcott</a>-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Marciano">Marciano</a> fight was also last night but they had it off both radio and TV in that theater arrangement. For $2.50 you get to see the feature and the fight. In Baltimore the <a href="http://www.kilduffs.com/SBA.html">Stanley</a> and the <a href="http://www.kilduffs.com/SCA.html">State</a> carried it and to 31 other cities in the country.<br />
<br />
I called Cousin Anna yesterday noontime and she said they had been trying to get in touch with us. I had given her the 'phone number but they couldn't find it and when they called Catonsville all they could tell her out there was that the number had been disconnected. I called the Catonsville office later and asked them how come but they didn't know---said they were supposed to give the new number till the change was made in the books. Anyway, I said we'd pick them up some nice Sunday and let them see the place. Cousin Anna was all nervous over their kitchen. Their sink was falling apart so Cousin Claire offered to replace it and at the same time put a cabinet around it and paint the kitchen plus a new Celotex ceiling. They nearly dropped dead when the fellow said $1200. They've finally decided on just a new sink and painting for $300.<br />
<br />
Cousin A asked again if we've heard from Mary as they were supposed to visit her and summer has become autumn.<br />
<br />
I have it from good authority that Thanksgiving is on November 27 so we're figuring how you can make and be with us for both then and Chrristmas, that is Christmas and I think it can be done. There ought to be plenty of good country cider in those parts and just wait till you taste what Mommie does with electric cooking. She has been making apple pies that never grow cold.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 26, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-7828928556215915952012-09-22T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-22T15:23:08.500-04:00We're Not Presbyterians, We're From Catonsville<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSJiABKtABX-iIonXqLVjxfJ9IYTE6oH85ynX6RHx7keexON5wsP_Thnb7yHoDUrTsdJJH6iTOzr3zG6gBbkpeZctTH8Uv_TCndZhwv-7CMpkKATB8vYYXMHR9i1-sJr1lgLm5UHKBc_K/s1600-h/0922.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113018395919875442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSJiABKtABX-iIonXqLVjxfJ9IYTE6oH85ynX6RHx7keexON5wsP_Thnb7yHoDUrTsdJJH6iTOzr3zG6gBbkpeZctTH8Uv_TCndZhwv-7CMpkKATB8vYYXMHR9i1-sJr1lgLm5UHKBc_K/s200/0922.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Monday September 22<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Shades of Bloomsbury Avenue: the toilet was stopped up Saturday night and it was my fault partly. Mike has long been housebroken and Kathy is for her water burps but whenever we see her standing cross-legged we know it's a more odorous affair. I relieved her of a baseball sized object and tossed it in the bowl and believe it or not it clogged the works. It was late so I couldn't do anything till Sunday morning. On the way from church I dropped up to Richard's-the maintenance man--but he was away and his plunger was locked up. The fellow at the general store didn't know what I was talking about I asked Ann what she thought he used - his foot. Another, fellow at my last hope store said his wife always took care of those things and he didn't have one to sell or borrow. The solution was right next door where Mrs. Baldwin kept one for just such emergencies. The Barbours who lived there before us, she said, were constantly losing their teeth or the children's plastic toys in the darn thing. But it's working fine again as though nothing had happened. Hope I'm not disillusioning you.<br />
<br />
On the Television matter again, a surprise. Friday I gave Geipe a call, went out to the Edmondson storehouse and loaded your TV in the back of the car and took it home. It's in perfect condition and Ann gave it a coating of Preen wax just for good measure. Then we carried it up to the third floor but thought we'd try it out before putting it in the store room. It works much better than it did in Catonsville. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WJZ-TV">WAAM</a> comes in picture clear no matter how you fool with the inside aerial. But the best thing of all, you don't have to change the antenna and the sound is wonderful, too. Besides the 3 regular channels there's pictures all over the place but I haven't had a chance to try them to find out what they are. I didn't watch it Friday evening but looked forward to Saturday when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Durante">Jimmy Durante</a> was on with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Truman">Margaret Truman</a>, at 8 o'clock. So at 6:30 in walks Aunt Alice, Jeannie and Uncle Lawrence, followed by Annie and Earl Clapsaddle, who didn't come in that new Chevy I told you about because Saturday he traded it in for n Mercury. They gabbed through J. Durante but Aunt A and Uncle L left at nine and the C's at 9:30. So we raced each other up the stairs to see the last part of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Show_of_Shows">Show of Shows</a>. Saw the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chico_Hamilton">Hamilton Trio</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Caesar">Cid</a> and <a href="http://www.sidcaesar.com/imogene.html">Imogene</a> in solos and for the finale, <a href="http://www.margueritepiazza.com/My_Autobiography.html">Marguerite Piazza</a> singing a ten minute role of the Haben-what's-its-name from Carmen. Swell. Sunday I picked up Aunt Til in Towson at 1:30 and we didn't go upstairs till 8 p.m. The papers last Sunday must have been wrong for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_and_Lewis">Martin and Lewis</a> were on and were great. Their guest was <a href="http://www.rosemaryclooney.com/">Rosemary Cluny</a> in her new short hairdo but she didn't mess around with them at all. Sang "If you Love Me Half as Much" and that "Botcha Me" thing. We're locking the third floor during the day to keep the kids down and keeping the TV for a special treat. Before all this happened, I had gone down to Johnson Brothers on Thursday afternoon and had a nice talk with Mr. Lucas. He sends hello. Speaking of the <a href="http://www.tvhistory.tv/1950-59-CAPEHART.htm">Capeheart</a>, which the B's said they could get at 40% discount, he said they won't allow one in the door of the shop. They had some big Magnavox's that were beauts but the prices made me do what I did about your set. And even though your picture is a little smaller than the popular sizes now adays you can't find a better picture than the one we get on your set. So, if it's OK with you both, as Andrew said, we'll take good care of it. And Mr. Lucas said Johnson Brothers has their own service man out in our area, paid by and acting only for Johnson Brothers. They also service Annapolis, Westminster and all points within about fifty miles. I forgot, the one other thing we saw last night--<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040049/">Philco Playhouse</a>, was a good dramatic play called "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0674456/">The Thin Air</a>" with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Lorring">Joan Lorring</a> (remember her) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Forbes">Scott Forbes</a>. The sets keep getting better and they must have used a dozen. After that I took Aunt Til home and the rest went to bed.<br />
<br />
We tried the new food store at Jacksonville Saturday and Ann loves it; a regular supermarket, big, too, and a general store, also, but all on more of a citified plan. It's evidently tied in to a chain that specializes in country stores called the Cloverdale Farm Stores. This one in particular is run by a family of Miles. A nice looking woman about 50 was marking prices and smiled at the kids. She introduced herself as the grandmother and I suppose she meant she was the mother of the three giants behind the meat counter. I bring her into the story because she came out with, "Are you folks by any chance Presbyterians?" And not wishing to get started in a religious scramble, I came back with, "No, were from Catonsville." Every time I think back on it I realize how asinine it sounds. It's only about ten minutes drive from home and in miles I should say not five, compared to Towson's ten and Parkville's nine but no traffic and good roads this way.<br />
<br />
In one of your envelopes I'm putting a sample of the mimeo pages they give out in church every Sunday. Arlene and I went to 10 yesterday and were out by 11:10 but Ann got the visiting priest at her Mass from Baltimore and he whizzed through in 30 minutes. I'm also enclosing a map I tried unsuccessfully to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeograph">mimeo</a> with one of the stencils I had left from National Radiator.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 24, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-17206866964391774822012-09-19T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-19T08:00:15.123-04:00Spiders and a Cocker-Poodle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDGk303QyQi4SnzPJybxahCCNqUECwglxmPMfPWrD05z5FYLINXfIIq1OBqcsX_SoFGUEg1gwS-E2UtQgv5dknQAGDr4iifAwG4KiNdNMuej28pPL0sqgLnY-wE_Ipvpz65Dl0MPiIJxm/s1600-h/0919.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111868930304274034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDGk303QyQi4SnzPJybxahCCNqUECwglxmPMfPWrD05z5FYLINXfIIq1OBqcsX_SoFGUEg1gwS-E2UtQgv5dknQAGDr4iifAwG4KiNdNMuej28pPL0sqgLnY-wE_Ipvpz65Dl0MPiIJxm/s200/0919.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Friday September 19<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Pretty quiet the last two days. Ann got a call from Aunt Tillie that she'd like to visit and will meet us at the movie in Towson on Sunday at one o'clock; so that saves me ten miles. But you really don't notice it after a while. I just sit there from home to Towson and listen to the radio or just think about some problem and you don't have change gears once. I'm still experimenting with York Road vs Charles Street and find that the shorter way, Charles Street down to Guilford and then over to Calvert Street to downtown is a steadier pace. I'm still going at school and plan to continue for the first couple of weeks in October now until I see how things settle down financially. Counting our expeditions to the grocery stores, we're burning about 15 gallons of gas a week at 27¢ & 29¢ a gallon and traveling nearly 300 miles each week. So that's what I want to adjust to our new way of life where before the speedometer didn't show a 50 mile a week jump sometimes.<br />
<br />
We have issued an ultimatum for one thing to leave the house, especially in anticipation of your return--spiders. If you have some beauts over there, wait till you've seen ours. Stevie had one cornered in the hall on Monday larger than his big fat hand and it took me a half a can of Flit and an old comic book to subdue him. I think it's getting ready for the fall that has them looking around inside. Yesterday morning Ann was making our bed and as she brushed the sheet smooth up under the pillows, she felt something. She flipped over the pillow (mine) and there was another with a four inch wingspread. They are wasp waisted with very large and very black upper and lower bodies and have those muscular and hairy legs you see in pictures of tarantulas, they must he related. Ann told me about the one in the bed just as we were turning down the spread last night and I spent the next quarter of an hour with a flashlight under the bed inspecting each of the springs and any likely hiding place. Where they come from I do not know for the floors are new and solid and the screens are on like storm windows from the outside but we'll get them or get ourselves in the process. What I mean by that is that we don't know if the tummy aches Ann, Arlene and I had the first three days of this week were from a virus that's going around or if we're inhaling too much of these sprays. We have no worry from the usual mice or rats as Doctor has the place under a five year contract with Baltimore Fumigators. Arlene was laying on the lawn in the backyard and letting the kids roughhouse with her when we heard her yell Wednesday. Kathy said look at the cute little worm and Arlene turned her heard I mean head to find a garter snake looking her in the eye. They're harmless but it startled her and the kids are apparently fearless of anything and are getting used to dogs. Stevie always has loved them and slobbers all over every one he meets.<br />
<br />
Arlene was sitting on the front parch after school Wednesday with Mike and Kathy and a kid came tearing up Long Green Pike in a hot rod. She didn't know him but he leaned out to yell something at her as he turned into Hydes Road at our corner and went straight through the fence on the opposite corner, owned by this Mr. Flaccus of the telephone number mixup I told you about. Arlene jumped up to see if he was hurt but by that time he had backed the car out of the mess and away he went. He tore down enough fence to drive a tractor through and as this Mr. Flaccus puts some of his small Black Angus cattle in that field Ann gave him a call for which he was thankful. I saw the car that did the job yesterday morning when Arlene yelped as she was going out the front door for her bus and it was and is a combination of a Chevy chassis of the 20's mounted on an old Ford, is painted bright red and has "44 Junior" lettered on the back; so Flaccus shouldn't have any trouble finding him.<br />
<br />
They have two dogs next door but they never let them out of the yard. One is a pedigreed cocker named Midnight and the other her son, Puddles. Puddles is about six months old and is the reason they're never allowed out. Midnight got out about a year ago and when she had six of what they thought were the cutest little cockers, they didn't know how, but they clipped their tails in good cocker fashion and kept one. As Puddles grew, they found from inquiries that Midnight had gone up the hill that night to see Pierre, also very high class but a French Poodle and now Puddles is the darndest looking thing with the silky coat of his mother and the long neck and legs of his father and the clipped tail when they thought he was a cocker.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 22, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-27971113899382083102012-09-17T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-17T08:00:11.220-04:00A Settlement In Catonsville<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtr4vxN67DCtB-4EwkeAvcESCcbJBwvm7nR4nkJDRk2u981JjPu8j0c06FdgBKFhqj1P1m-g4UaWEJ0xP6zrA5Gs6QkX-rVin04teQzvqQZmrkCg-euP9ue0onM57gMBplHz4IjNi9oz5/s1600-h/0917.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111131557971678210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtr4vxN67DCtB-4EwkeAvcESCcbJBwvm7nR4nkJDRk2u981JjPu8j0c06FdgBKFhqj1P1m-g4UaWEJ0xP6zrA5Gs6QkX-rVin04teQzvqQZmrkCg-euP9ue0onM57gMBplHz4IjNi9oz5/s200/0917.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Wednesday, September 17<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
I spoke too quickly in the first paragraph of Monday's letter for John's letter came out to the house that morning, mailed the same day yours was, Andrew. Today I got yours of the 11th here, Andrew, about you all missing out on another good show--<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fisher_%28singer%29">Eddie Fisher</a>. I guess I'll make you feel bad by telling you some of the shows you're missing here (and we are, too). Last Sunday night I read where <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_and_lewis">Martin and Lewis</a> were back on TV and Arlene had them on last night (Tuesday) on their new radio show for Chesterfield. This coming Saturday <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Durante">Jimmy Durante</a> comes back on the All Star Review with his first guest, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Truman">Margaret Truman</a>; and today's paper; which I read in the barber shop (my first haircut in 7 weeks) displayed a picture of <a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0000845/">Tallulah</a> and scheduled her first TV appearance on the All Star Review for October 11. I guess you read also where she was supposed to go on TV with her Big Snow but the price was too high. I'll come out and tell you the truth now that one big reason we didn't bring your television, for our benefit and yours also, was that Mrs. B. had been hinting around and actually came out and told Ann she was going to present us with one which we would have to call our Christmas present. And knowing we could pull the other out of storage at any time gave insurance if one would go bad and might as well get something for nothing while it's going around. However, in talking with her this morning on the 'phone and telling her that settlement had been made, she said that's fine and that now we will be abel or able to pick up a set and she will see that we get it at wholesale. She was talking about the Harford Gas Company. Which is at Jarrettsville, some six or seven miles away. So I don't know what we will do yet. She also said this Mr. Henderson up there said not to take a service contract with any set as he guarantees the picture tube for one year and a 3 month certificate on the entire set. Also, that for service, they use a fellow who lives out that way but who works for Johnson Brothers and who does the repair work in his spare time and at very low prices. This part sounds pretty good; and I think we'll hold off for another week or so to see if she comes through with her first idea. She really told Ann not to tell ma but that she was going to give us a set as a surprise. From all appearances now, that's out.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned in the above paragraph, the settlement was made yesterday; only took two hours and five minutes. I stayed home and brought Ann and the little ones in, arriving at the Fidelity Building a quarter to one. The Seicke's were waiting outside and we went up together. The offices are the law firms of Kohlemann and Dumler, Dumler being apparently the big cheese of the Fairview Loan Company who was granting the loan to the Seicke's. We had to sit and wait for another Settlement to be ended. The door opened and who should walk in but Mrs. Virginia Reyman Emerson. That's where she has worked all these years. Will is still in Frederick on business but she said she is living in their home on Cherrydell, across from 0verbrook Road at Dr. Gallager's. The kids were very good for the first hour but overcame their shyness and got warmed up before it was over. I felt so darn sorry for the Seicke's. I know they're getting a bargain for the little they are paying for the place but they had planned it so there would be a few hundred to spare for fixing up and as it turned out the extra fees took all they had plus two hundred he had borrowed from her mother and $38 they had to sign a note for. Last summer when Downes, the lawyer, had to search the title to the land when I borrowed on the house, bought the land from Mrs. Boutall and paid Mary off, he showed me why it had taken six months times to compile the three inch thickness of papers in front of him which brought the house and land clear and without encumbrances up to August 1951. For that he charged $60 which I didn't put on your expenses as it was strictly a cost to us for buying the land. For the one item of searching the title from last August, the loan company charged the Seicke's $95. The rest of the fees, recordings, notaries, etc. brought their miscellaneous expenses to $250. We had to pay $10 for half the revenue stamps required in these transactions and $7 for placing each of the powers of attorney on record but we got back $19.38 as credit on the property taxes which you and we paid in June so that balanced that. Let me know if you want to know the balances of your accounts at Catonsville as I went out there this morning and made the deposits. You may want to plan what you have to work with when you get back. We're keeping our checking account out there too because they don't charge for the checks as they do these banks around town here<br />
<br />
Eden Terrace has been making the papers these days. Something I didn't know, up till now they had a private water supply from underground wells which was owned by a company out there. Recently the State Department made them hook into the city water supply as the wells were polluted and unfit for human consumption. They did so, or rather this company did so and continued its private ownership but didn't pay its on water bill to the city; so the city ups and turns the water off on them which affected all the people living in that area from Glenmore to Dunmore and over to Edmondson Avenue. I don't know if the people have worked it out yet or not but after several days the city ordered the water to be turned back on.<br />
<br />
Coming in this morning in the car I heard the news report a terrible explosion near Seoul, about a railway train blowing up and killing a number of school children. Was it near enough to hear about; I hope not.<br />
<br />
While writing this (noontime) I had a call from Annie Clapsaddle. Said she was calling me because she talked with Mommie a week or so ago and got her 'phone bill today with a 75¢ call. They must have talked a half hour. She just wanted to report the news which is not news that her hubby had just quit his job in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Also, the car he gave her, the brand new Chevrolet, he was taking back, because the car he was using, the 1940 Chevy, he had sold. He is thinking about going to Canada or on second thought thinks he will stay around Baltimore and find a job but realizes he will have to take a cut. OH, BROTHER.<br />
<br />
You will be tenting by the time this reaches you; so take it easy and we'll continue to write up to the last possible minute.<br />
<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
The Burtons are Charles' employers.<br />
The family has recently moved from Catonsville to Long Green Valley northeast of Baltimore.<br />
Ann Clapsaddle is an old friend of Ann's.<br />
<br />
TAGS<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 17, 1952<br />
<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-10791264789804709542012-09-15T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-15T08:00:09.655-04:00A New Number and A Visit To Catonsville<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO78AsGHag19CLgHe0qznl_R8LtydW1v8R3foZhjJfqyjzd1jwj7xHuFbB9msrMXIX8sbRnfg9QEwSby3rSeLUxxlWLoHyycikS9qy9oB1WSEZtH-a6wIuld_jMBJ5Au6G6o-qjceeghqU/s1600-h/0915.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110440149841400818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO78AsGHag19CLgHe0qznl_R8LtydW1v8R3foZhjJfqyjzd1jwj7xHuFbB9msrMXIX8sbRnfg9QEwSby3rSeLUxxlWLoHyycikS9qy9oB1WSEZtH-a6wIuld_jMBJ5Au6G6o-qjceeghqU/s200/0915.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Monday, September 15, 1952<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John<br />
<br />
From now on you can send mail to either place; the only thing I will say is that it is delivered one day sooner here to the office. The letter you wrote on the 10th, Andrew, holds the record so far. I'm enclosing the postmark to show it was mailed on the 11th and was delivered here at the office about 8:15 this morning, the 15th. I believe I told you we have a big fat mailbox out there on the Hydes Road side of the other house, that will hold six or seven full Sunday editions of the New, York Times and if something comes that is too large, the man brings it to the front door.<br />
<br />
On the TV set, I think an aerial is a must in our location. The Baldwins next door have a contraption with a dozen arms on it waving atop the roof. I'm sorry in a way we didn't bring the set along but there were so many circumstances at the time. Everything we thought we would smash we took with us in our car and with the family it made quite a load. I understand from Geipe, however, that any time we can go out there, sign for and take away anything; that is stored or they will deliver free. Maybe the set would work on the third floor with the indoor aerial which we have with us to prevent the, boys in the warehouse from playing with it.<br />
<br />
Our telephone number has been changed. It is now, FORK 3690. We're on the same line; just the last digit to 0 from 4. How come is that we were getting six or eight calls a day for a Mr. Flaccus, of Three Cousins Farm, a big horse place on the other corner of Long Green and Hydes Road. I looked in the Harford directory and sure enough he too was listed as Fork 3694 so I thought he no longer had the number and that it had been given to us when he was disconnected. But on Friday I happened to look in the Baltimore suburban section where we shall also be listed with the new book and there Flaccus was as Fork 2694. I called the C&P in Bel Air and they had made an error in the Harford book so they thought it best to give us the O. This now means that instead of two, short rings we now answer four short rings. You only hear the rings of two of the four parties on the line. But yesterday (Sunday) morning the 'phone gave two shorts and I thought maybe I should try it. It was for us - Frances Seisor wanted to know if we would be home. She and Albert came at 3:00 and stayed till 6:15.<br />
<br />
Nobody else from Catonsville has come to visit us so we visited there on Saturday. The kids were down to rags for p.j.'s and underclothing so Ann came in as far as the bargain basements and the rest of us continued on to Bloomsbury Avenue. I dropped in at the bank (it was open Saturday as Friday was a holiday) and put in your latest check, John, and then Kathy and I went to see Abe while Mike, Arlene and Stevie met Jane and Edward in front of the school. Abe walked down to the Bellis' with us and after saying hello to everybody I went over to home and looked in the cellar windows. I was relieved to find no water but they haven't let the people in yet to clean up. Schatz called on Friday again and we made definite arrangements for the settlement tomorrow (Tuesday) down in the Fidelity Building at 1 p.m. I plan to stay home tomorrow morning and bring Ann and the kids in at noontime. Arlene will be at school. About Catonsville, they're digging up the whole schoolyard. They have bulldozers and tractors all over the place and someone said there were complaints of smells from the sewerage system. Someone else said they are planning a road from the other side of the school near the Amoco station across the field to Bishop's Lane. I don't know if it's permanent but they have a road there right now of gravel. They are also making preparations for the fence they always talked about. Arlene said she walked in the Bellis' back yard and Mr. B was up on a ladder as usual painting. She said hello and he gave back a casual "Hello, Lene" and then did a double take as he realized it wasn't just an hour before he had last spoken to her. Same thing with Mrs. B. They couldn't believe we had been away only two weeks and five days.<br />
<br />
Ann still can't get adjusted to St. John's after St. Mark's. I went with her to 8 o'clock Mass yesterday and I think it's because they take everything so easy. You never saw so many big fats slumped over pews. Actually, the Masses aren't crowded--there's plenty of room. Yesterday was Holy Name Sunday but everyone sits just where he or she wishes. Kids, parents and several nuns are all mixed up over the church. The organ played and a couple of Mrs. Garveys entertained. At communion time the men crawled over each other and went to the altar rail first, then the others. As soon as Mass was over we got up to go and I was already out in the aisle when the fellow at the end of our bench started the Litany of the Holy Name. If I had known, I would have stayed. He gave out with three or four lines and no response. A dozen or so men had remained in their seats but none had player books. This fellow got up and turned around and yelled, "Come on, let's hear it, cancha?". Eight o'clock Mass began at 8:05 and was over at 9:15 but Arlene went to the 10 and they were out already at 10:50.<br />
<br />
Friday night we shopped in Parkville, far the last time I hope. It was worse than, Towson the week before. It took us an hour and forty-five minutes to get out of the A & P and we had to walk three blocks to their parking lot. Our plan beginning next week is to try a place called Jacksonville, about 4 miles up the road where the prices are supposed to be pretty much in keeping with the big places.<br />
<br />
We read in the papers that the temperature hit 97° in town on Saturday late in the afternoon but we were back at Hydes at 1:45 and thought it just pleasant. It went to 90° yesterday but we didn't notice it, so if the winters aren't as cold as the summers aren't hot, it will be all right with me.<br />
<br />
You probably won't hear from me tomorrow but try to get something out on Wednesday about tomorrow's meeting and anything else I've forgotten from this hurried thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 17, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-70439170023595263812012-09-11T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-11T08:00:12.156-04:00A Bad Haircut<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIIaD2RiM7hdUvxmMkn3b_i2xaHSnnnk8uSqmPF_g3H9a00mWMzhUjGnM2gJA_CkzMzqRucG8mJ2ulprMAXfXvuqcHJIdEIwDJFklHY0hUdRCrY-IsJt3DtcOeRkrUE21a2_4SwCHmHn7/s1600-h/0911.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108920998946490050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIIaD2RiM7hdUvxmMkn3b_i2xaHSnnnk8uSqmPF_g3H9a00mWMzhUjGnM2gJA_CkzMzqRucG8mJ2ulprMAXfXvuqcHJIdEIwDJFklHY0hUdRCrY-IsJt3DtcOeRkrUE21a2_4SwCHmHn7/s200/0911.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Thursday, September 11<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
I sent for fifty of these back before we moved and, they've just come. They were very cheap, a dollar and something, and you could have had your name printed, also which I omitted. We plan to send them only to people who are far away, like Peg and Mitch and Jerry, and Len so you can send those I send you to any relatives you may think of because we've shown them to no one, not even the girls last Thursday. They're rather bulky so I'll get out a few more to you under separate mailing.<br />
<br />
Had a long talk with Mrs. Bellis over the 'phone. It just flashed into my mind to give her a call as I remembered she and Ruth and Aunty Edith go out at least once a week and usually look for a new spot; so I thought it would be a good idea to surprise Mommie. She said probably next Tuesday would be the day. She also said we had no doubt heard about her daughter and I asked how they were coming along. He went into the Navy 4 days after they were married as scheduled and Mary won't see him for eight weeks while he is in boot training. Mary went right back to work at the Blue Cross and is living at hone. Our last Argus was forwarded to us and right beneath the huge write-up on Will Emerson and Virginia Reymann was a couple inches devoted to Bellis-King and I think they did it very nicely. They mentioned the double ring ceremony before Reverend somebody at Arlington (which could have been Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia) and said the bride was residing at the home of her parents until the groon came out of the Navy, not saying he was stuck for 3 years.<br />
<br />
No settlement yet. We were sure we wouldn't have to wait this long but that's how it goes. Tomorrow is supposed to be the last day they have under the agreement to close the deal so it just shows the agreement doesn't mean a darn think unless you try to get out of it.<br />
<br />
I just spent ten long minutes yelling at J. Norman Geipe. Got a registered letter here at the office the day before yesterday containing your inventory list coupled with their contract and insurance agreement and showing the storage is at Rolling Road and Edmondson Highway, Catonsville. They got me riled up by enclosing a bill for $15 for hauling for 1 1/2 hours at $10 per hour and 46¢ for insurance. Ann and I went over the thing carefully and she said she talked to two different people on two different days before we left home (I think she also talked to everyone in the city for our last 'phone bill was $26); one Geipe representative was a woman and one a man. She said they each stated the charge would be $4.50 each month and that she particularly asked them if there was anything else and they said only a $10 down payment. Furthermore the bill goes on to say that storage will be $6.00 a month and not $4.50. This person I spoke with could only say that all this should have been explained at the time of one of our calls and didn't know why it was not. I'm going to write them a nasty letter today; think I'll make it to J. Norman personally as he was in my class at St. Joe. I paid the thing and we'll straighten it out someday so don't worry but it just makes me madder and madder because all this wouldn't have had to be.<br />
<br />
The same Argus had an obituary on Mr. Joyce, who died the first of September. Maybe the mother will come live with Jean now and take care of the kids, for when we left Jean was working and Glyn Bailey is away all week in New York while the poor kids were locked out and all over the place.<br />
<br />
Your allotment came yesterday John, forwarded OK from Catonsville and Andrew, you got a nice bill for the $6 not paid on your income tax which we filed in March, plus interest of 19¢ or maybe it was 49¢, as I left it home in the desk. Do you want me to keep it here or do you want to pay it from Korea with a bunch of yen or whatever that stuff is. They must have made some adjustment or other, I because as I remember it, I believe I wrote you in February that you owed the Government $14 but why worry about it. Let them try and collect.<br />
<br />
Ann won't talk to me this morning; I cut Michael's hair last night. I honestly don't believe I did as bad a job as I did on yours but there are spots.... So it's my plan to add the clippers to the Polaroid and offer it as a package unit.<br />
<br />
The Girls said you were anxious to see the old house at 25 again when you returned and maybe the Seicke's would let you walk through. I think at your age I would have felt the same way but now my only thoughts would be to look for this hole or that crack and think of the condition of the roof and the cellar and watch more paint chip off on the sunny side. But with a little time and effort this fellow Seicke should be able to put it in fair shape again except for the darn basement.<br />
<br />
I have school again tonight and had a talk with B. Herbert on Monday evening about giving it up. I have agreed to go through September but will probably stop then so if you can think of any text book I can try and corral, let me know.<br />
<br />
Figuring from October 23, and sixteen days on the long water trip, if they hurry the rest through you still might make it by Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
The family has recently moved from 25 Bloomsbury Avenue in Catonsville and are living in Long Green Valley.<br />
The Argus is the old name for the Catonsville Times Newspaper.<br />
Mrs. Bellis was the next door neighbor in Catonsville<br />
B. Herbert Brown ran the business school that Charles taught at night.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 15, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-67740474008751879432012-09-08T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-08T08:00:03.416-04:00Five Lousy Tomatoes and Do You Bite Or Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8j5kPLJSLlY_ymaJQrxD6Qpbwhzg0dpN6R1F3MS2ru58A6-EbMG1ul4SgKfi-u8zlFHGHAgbNcQeH3m1dpCs8Tfv7S29RttkMDiQ6JPwLdBcjFp6sDgs-LFcHs5B55OanEM8gUPgtkaO/s1600-h/0908.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107847635079612082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8j5kPLJSLlY_ymaJQrxD6Qpbwhzg0dpN6R1F3MS2ru58A6-EbMG1ul4SgKfi-u8zlFHGHAgbNcQeH3m1dpCs8Tfv7S29RttkMDiQ6JPwLdBcjFp6sDgs-LFcHs5B55OanEM8gUPgtkaO/s200/0908.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
Monday, Sept. 8, 1952<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Got your letter of Sept. 1 this morning, John, and "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singin%27_in_the_Rain_%28film%29">Singin' In The Rain</a>" was the picture Ann and I went to see in April when we went to Pierre's, the first and last time I was in the <a href="http://www.kilduffs.com/CDA.html">Century</a> since 1949. We thought it was swell, too, and just the thing after a good meal, but the critics didn't give it much. It was also the first time since I saw Debbie Reynolds and liked her, too. I'm getting the movie section of the Times off to you this week and will be able to do so for the next six weeks till we lose contact for a while. They tell me Gene Connor is back and that they gave him a furlough immediately before release so looking at the calendar we thought maybe you'd make it by Thanksgiving which is either November 20 or 27.<br />
<br />
After saying nobody was coming to see us, it was good to have Virgnia, Dee and Connie drop in on Ann last Thursday. I was at school but I hear then didn't get there till 9 o'clock after driving past the place for an hour or so. I got home at 10:15 because of the darn Thursday night traffic and they stayed till eleven. They brought some Pepsies and a box of Turtles which Ann indulged in but her greatest joy was the bottle of sherry as the third gift, We got real kick out of Connie's tale of wondering why you two were making all the fuss over five Korean women and then she found out that by five lousy tomatoes you actually meant five lousy tomatoes.<br />
<br />
We came in to Towson Saturday morning for our weekly food shopping and patronized an A & P Supermarket. Towson has everything but parking space so next week I think that it will be back to Parkville which is one mile closer. That new <a href="http://www.btco.net/ghosts/Buildings/deptstores/deptstores.html">Hutzler</a> store at the York - Joppa crossroads is almost finished and will be something. There's about ten acres of parking space to the northward, on the other side of the road and entrance to Hutzler's from the parking area will be under the roadway and through a complete Edmondson Village like lineup of stores under the road By that I mean the parking lot is that much lower than the road and Hutzler's on the other side. We were back home at 11 a.m. and there we stayed for the day. I had them drop off the power lawn mower and cut that strip of grass you see in picture No. 1 to the front and side of the house but it took longer than by hand as I had to take the mower apart twice when it clogged--fuel line. After dinner Arlene's Uncle Orr dropped by the house to say hello. You've both met him--about my age with black curly hair; has a son, Jack, and a new daughter seven months with cheeks twice as big as Kathy's used to be. He's in the plumbing business, as I believe I mentioned before, and took another look at the heating system. We had just been talking about <a href="http://tesla.liketelevision.com/liketelevision/tuner.php?channel=798&format=tv367g12&theme=guide">Show of Shows</a> coming back so Arlene got herself invited to spend Saturday night with Orr and he brought her back Sunday noontime. We sat in the living room talking and Ann caught up on her sewing and you could tell and she readily admitted she missed the TV. Arlene said it was only fair and Pearson told me the same thing this morning. Sunday at 12:30 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMAR-TV">WMAR</a> (Channel 2 to brief you for when you get back) had a movie I would like to see again: <a href="http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Fitzgerald/fitzgerald.htm">Barry Fitzgerald</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Mitchell_%28actor%29">Thomas Mitchell</a> in "<a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0032728/">The Long Voyage Home</a>"; lasted about two hours. Sunday afternoon Earl Clapsaddle dropped by again to buy the synchronizer for my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica">Leica</a>. He called up Saturday night and I promised it to him, thinking I would get cash as Ann had to take out of the food money for Arlene's shoes on Saturday: they have to wear a uniform type obtained in Towson. Sunday Earl gives me a check.<br />
<br />
Abe called Sunday around noon to say he had been out to see us and we weren't home. I asked when and it was Saturday morning at 9:30 and we had gone in to Towson at 8:45 a.m. He said his father is better but he can't leave him and Buzz is fixing up a bathroom on the first floor while they are thinking about renting out the second floor. He again promised to bring Father Farrell out and we still haven't heard from this Father Doran at St. John's. Guess you won't find another bunch like that at St. Mark's. The girls said there are four permanent priests there now and 8 Masses every Sunday.<br />
<br />
Sunday afternoon at 4 we went in to Parkville for a couple of magazines and some cleaning fluid Ann needed. We were back at 5 but no one had been there as I left a note on the door. I forgot to tell you we went out the back door to the garage on Saturday morning and we don't have a key as yet to the back, which is a Yale lock. Someone had hooked the front screen door and when we got back we were locked out--doors and windows. I managed to pull open the bottom part of the screen and get my hand in far enough with the key to unlock the front door, then put the metal leaf rake in to push up blindly till I struck the hook on the screen door, so it wasn't so bad. But Ann in the meantime was in Baldwin's bedroom getting out on the roof to see if the bedroom windows were all locked. We got the kids bathed and bedded early but they wouldn't go to sleep so we all retired early and Arlene started to school in earnest this morning. I was going to wait and see if the bus picked up her or her up and it did at five minutes to eight. We'll have to see when she got to school and what time she gets home.<br />
<br />
I heard Mike bragging about you on Saturday in a sort of way. The Baldwin Boy next door and his sister come over our place but we haven't let Mike or Kathy go over there as we have a much larger yard. I was working on the mower and this kid, Marty, said he had a pony at his grandfather's; Mike countered with the fact he saw a pony once; then Marty had a coke and ice cream, he said, and Mike had a Pepsi and ditto; finally Marty said he was at Ocean City for two weeks and Mike came back with "Jody and Drew-Drew are in Korea".<br />
<br />
Kathy is something too. She'll talk and talk two inches from your nose with those big blue eyes and dark lashes going and she can invent stories to make Aesop ashamed of himself. One of her favorite games with Mike is that Mike will come at her with his teeth showing and claws up announcing "I'm a tiger". She'll ask "do you bite or love?" He mostly says love and they go into a clinch but if he says "I bite", you can hear her scream for nothing at all way across the valley. Ann will say, "I'm exhausted" and Arlene and I come back with "do you bite or love".<br />
<br />
Ann says again to extend her apologies for not writing but the house work so far has kept her running. When Arlene can get home a little earlier it will help but last week from Tuesday to Friday, Arlene and I came at the same time--about 5:45. The place stays much cleaner but it's the getting everything settled and falling back in laundry and ironing that has her on the jump.<br />
<br />
Here's hoping they have an Indian Summer over there and that you'll get out before winter sets in.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
The Baldwins live in the other half of duplex that is The Inn.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 11, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-84786689007359269062012-09-04T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-04T08:00:09.441-04:00Green Green and Sharp Doesn't Cut<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosK0gCbQ_gZ0Z-hvjJlDnrz06H_1xp5NuenbdG916e-SsyHy2OdmKoIl_GiptRYmZ8avuhqH5om5t8961C_XG-rYPPcq6JrbB3IATbIr8Mh4U4R8Ccy8IW6xZGTsKyv7BhwUtHuiRyXnx/s1600-h/0904.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106305703165642402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosK0gCbQ_gZ0Z-hvjJlDnrz06H_1xp5NuenbdG916e-SsyHy2OdmKoIl_GiptRYmZ8avuhqH5om5t8961C_XG-rYPPcq6JrbB3IATbIr8Mh4U4R8Ccy8IW6xZGTsKyv7BhwUtHuiRyXnx/s200/0904.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Thursday, Sept. 4th<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Just got your letter of the 29th, Andrew, and to answer your question first, any taxi you took would probably have to be on a contract basis and I should judge the fare would be around $3.00 from downtown Baltimore. So don't plan to travel that way for the time being. Our transportation problems are working out, but slowly. I told you Arlene's first day of school was Tuesday and I took her home. Yesterday she had a half day and went to a Towson show till I picked her up. Today was a headache but I hope it's solved. She has a full day of school but I have to teach tonight and tell B. Herbert I'm going to resign with due notice. I was on the 'phone all yesterday evening but it wasn't till we went down the little store for bread that we met a mother and her Towson Catholic son in Arlene's class. It's my opinion we made arrangements for Arlene to get a ride with his rider as far as Glen Arm this afternoon and then his father will come get them from there-about four miles. Tomorrow I'm sure I'll be able to take care of and through talking with Father Doran (haven't met him in person yet) and a Sister Placidius I understand starting Monday the county school bus stops right outside our door and a new law passed last year compels them to carry Catholics as well as the public school students and FOR FREE. This I gotta see. We thought sure by now this Father Doran would drop by the house one day, especially since we were up there but he was out. Another thing, the sisters don't live in or near the new school. We noticed them beating back and forth on Long Green Valley Road in station wagons but thought they were out riding. Now they tell me they live at Notch Cliff, up pass Glen Arm on the way to Baltimore and come back and forth each day. If you still have that old map I sent you I may have marked Notch Cliff on there.<br />
<br />
We were only out in the country for a few days when we noted Mrs. B. had a green fad on this year. She put several pieces of this rustic wood furniture in the yard and painted it bright green. The porch furniture that came with the house ditto and while the Baldwins next door were away (from Aug. 15 till Sept. 2) she had their lattice work, cellar door, backyard summer furniture as well as our own painted green. She also donated a trash can and a garbage can which were smeared with the same color. We had on hand at Bloomsbury a 20 gal. trash can from Sears which we brought with us loaded with dishes and breakables. As soon as that was spied, she had Richard, the maintenance man, slosh it green. We got a kick out of Mrs. Baldwin beating around the back yard yesterday talking to herself and caught the words, "You go away for a few days and come back and find everything green; two new trash cans---green!" as she booted the lid off so as not to take the green with her. Finally, Ann was washing dishes yesterday afternoon and you remember those nice natural colored peel cane chairs Ann picked up last summer which we used inside during the winter; well, she saw them bob past the windows and when she went to the back door Richard just looked at her and said nothing but carried them out to his truck; she tells me on the 'phone they came back this morning....green. We met the Baldwins Tuesday evening when they returned from two weeks in Ocean City. They seem nice, around thirty, with a boy age 7 and a girl, 4. She has spoken to Ann several times but haven't seen him since we shook hands. I understand he has a real estate and law office in Towson which he is just getting started and I may have told you he is Streett Baldwin's son which we hope will keep the roads open hereabouts.<br />
<br />
I talked to Abe on Tuesday. His father is better and at home now which is why he hasn't been able to get out. He told me they had a SOLD sign on the house and as we hadn't heard a thing about the settlement, I called Schatz first thing yesterday morning again and he still says no word other than he's sure the loan has been approved.<br />
<br />
The bridges were repaired yesterday and we could take the shorter route into Towson this morning. By the time you get here maybe the new bridges will be up as I understand they can't begin work on them until the bids have been posted for a certain length of time. I found out a little more about the schedule and the price on the Ma and Pa R.R. In the event we can't meet in town or Towson any friend who wants to visit, the Ma and Pa leaves the station there at North Avenue and Howard Street each morning at twenty minutes to eight and gets to Hydes at 8:25 a.m. In the evening it comes down from York and gets to Hydes about 5:20 for the trip to town. It's $1 a round trip but 69¢ one way.<br />
<br />
The little Baldwin boy was over playing yesterday. The day before Mr. Hahn contributed an old three wheel bike of his grandson's and a bus with a seat atop that Kathy seems to like. The Baldwin kid called to his sister, "Come on over here if you want to see something sharp", and Mike ran after him saying, "No, no, it won't cut you". Mike just ain't up on his slang.<br />
<br />
They're coming out tomorrow and Saturday so I may have something more interesting to report.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
Charles also teaches night courses at B. Herbert Brown's Baltimore Institute.<br />
Mr. Hahn also works for the Burtons.<br />
The Baldwins live in the other half of duplex that is The Inn.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 8, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-49247483221116163282012-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:002012-09-02T08:00:06.519-04:00A Hurricane and A Lake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6Ps8-RDAJbyP4khtFTULspL4tSGWmatFNlyaPKNQS-23F7FOxX0p_BoJMa4bghRGijdqA-dPuR23YV2-edk81OCin6YRAU69VHIBHMu6hOsIKFYyVdfhDa6laKh0KF-6ggMC9K1Qnaoz/s1600-h/0902.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105613118214325906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6Ps8-RDAJbyP4khtFTULspL4tSGWmatFNlyaPKNQS-23F7FOxX0p_BoJMa4bghRGijdqA-dPuR23YV2-edk81OCin6YRAU69VHIBHMu6hOsIKFYyVdfhDa6laKh0KF-6ggMC9K1Qnaoz/s200/0902.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Tuesday, September 2<br />
<br />
Dear John and Andrew,<br />
<br />
Got more letters from you at the office here this morning--two from you, Andrew and a two pager from you, John. By this time we're settling down and I hate to do an about face, but they've been very nice to us. Ann's 'phone conversation telling her just where we stood seems to have worked and there has been mention of the subject they were going to tell us all about. Since Friday, the house has blossomed out with rungs, that is rugs, chairs, pictures and little odds and ends which we had hoped to acquire if the house was sold at the higher figure. But we got them anyway showing our prayers were answered and this was evidently meant to be.<br />
<br />
I tried everywhere to find a New York Times on Sunday but Baltimore is the closest spot and we didn't get in nearer than Parkville. I'm going to work out a little deal with Mr. Beesemyer starting next week where he can get it for me here in town an he likes it himself and can bring it across the street from his apartment on Monday mornings. I even asked the paper man on our route out there but he said he couldn't order it. I have a copy of LOOK I'm mailing today to make up for it and we should be back on schedule next Monday.<br />
<br />
Don't worry about the monthly payments to J. Norman Geipe. We'll take care of them and work it out with you. In fact, I'd better cell them because they're supposed to start sending the statements here to the office and we haven't received their typed copy the inventory yet. I believe the down payment of the $10 takes care of the first month.<br />
<br />
This was a pretty nice and a pretty bad week-end, the bad part being only the weather. Saturday was OK and we spent a quiet day putting a few more thinqs in place and looking for others. It clouded up by nightfall and Sunday morning was rainy. I took Ann to 8 o'clock Mass which they start when they feel like it. Ann says it got under way about 8:20. I went to 10 and that began on time but didn't let out till 11:05 with a long sermon. The church, as I said before, is smaller than St. Mark's but nice. It wasn't crowded at the 10; maybe due to the rain and maybe not that many usually are there as I noticed a number of out of town cars. Not a soul visited on Sunday and we left the house for only one hour, to go to Parkville for a little ride and some magazines. A hurricane that turned inland hit us Monday morning about 5 o'clock. The wind was so strong it forced the water under the weather-stripped doors and windows. At 6 a.m. the electricity went off and we didn't have water or cooking till five after twelve. But later in the day I found out we were lucky and that parts of Baltimore didn't get service until yesterday evening. You should see the pictures in the paper of Catonsville and Ellicott City. In Ellicott City the water burst the fronts out of almost every store on Main Street and washed the contents down to the Doughnut Machine Corp. One picture shows 17 autos that were carried down and dumped in a mess of silt. Abe (whom we talked to by 'phone last night) said refrigerators and electric appliances as well as watches and all sorts of jewelry and junk were floating over the place. Catonsville was hit almost as hard and till this morning and maybe still has only bus service to Irvington. I called up Schatz first thing this morning and he says the loan has been approved that all they're waiting for is the settlement. So if the house is still there, it is apparently going through.<br />
<br />
Our lone visitors for the entire week-end were Aunt Alice, Sam, Pud and Jeannie, who came by yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours. I forgot to say that the storm abated as quickly as it began and by noontime the sun was shining. Now the papers say there's a big one coming in from the northwest that is supposed to hit this evening sometime.<br />
<br />
This morning was school for Arlene. I haven't located the other girls we heard were going to Towson Catholic from out our way but I can bring her in all right. She was supposed to have a half day for this first day but at 10:25 she called me and said they were through. I drove out and picked her up and she's downtown with her weekly allowance right now seeing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Show_on_Earth">The Greatest Show on Earth </a>at popular prices.<br />
<br />
I see that your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Show_of_Shows">Show of Shows</a> is due back this Saturday night and all the others are slowly falling in--<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_parade">Hit Parade</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinah_Shore">Dinah Shore</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Como">Perry Como</a>. We never listen to the radio hut Arlene has it on quite a bit and gets around 30 stations. What the stations are I don't know, but two in particular have the same program one hour apart. For instance, Sunday night she listened to, and called me in to verify it, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Fontaine">Frank Fontaine</a> show at 8 p.m Daylight Time and at 9 p.m. Daylight time heard the same show over again. Both stations are strong and clear and one is from Pennsylvania.<br />
<br />
It took a little longer getting in this morning and the roads were tough going. The two temporary bridges they had built around the bridges that were knocked out by that big storm in June were washed out yesterday along with another bridge on the alternate route a half mile down the road so we had to come in by way of Glen Arm and the Joppa Road and found the Joppa Road cut off which necessitated more detouring; but there's many ways and a mile or two doesn't seem much when you're not in traffic. Mrs. Burton always wanted a lake on her place and this morning she has one which you can see from our windows looking out across and beyond the fence Mike was sitting on in one of the pictures we sent. It's about 160 feet in diameter but not very deep. The wonderful feeling is going down the basement and finding not a drop of water but I still worry about the house on Bloomsbury,<br />
<br />
I hope they don't try to kill you off with pneumonia as a result of your messy set up and let's hope the cold weather isn't upon you too quickly after all the water subsides. If it takes all that time in transit, will they start moving you out in October instead of November. They do have to get you out by Dec. 6th, don't they, if nothing happens?<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
Mr. Beesemyer also works for the Burtons.<br />
Ann's Aunt Alice's children are Puddy and Jeannie<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 4, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-43574943405605162062012-08-29T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-29T08:00:09.546-04:00Uncle Andy Visits Too Soon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96aPlwqg8Xz7vbao7IT-eZ_jc5NEX_-GOhPkDbO1ZA813zGJzrizF2EPdBCL6GzAt4_B3YrXmdG_mp8JZBgAYTboKSMPr9FyBOVw1q_fPS5VP09oMjH5sk9Ff-5mgPKmFYyzSrwG3TxWP/s1600-h/0829.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104080171371939458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96aPlwqg8Xz7vbao7IT-eZ_jc5NEX_-GOhPkDbO1ZA813zGJzrizF2EPdBCL6GzAt4_B3YrXmdG_mp8JZBgAYTboKSMPr9FyBOVw1q_fPS5VP09oMjH5sk9Ff-5mgPKmFYyzSrwG3TxWP/s200/0829.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Friday, August 29<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
I just finished reading your letter of the 23rd, Andrew, and the copies of the letters, and had to drop you my two cents worth. I think you're absolutely right and I hope you agree with me, John. If I can do anything further or if anything seems to develop from it unfavorable to you, I'm going to send these copies to Congressman Fallon from here in Baltimore. I mention him because he was instrumental in having Willis Jones, Mr. Hahn's son-in-law, held in this country for a few weeks and not sent over your way because he only lacked that much time to pull him within the six month period for discharge. He was in the North African and Italian campaigns and had been taken in again under the reserves but he was still subject to go over and several of his buddies did. Just a letter to this Fallon started it off and I wrote all of the following correspondence for Mr. Hahn so I know the fellow worked hard on it. I'm glad this happened in your last months and not the first over there and I hope that they can't make it too unpleasant for you, but if the going gets rough, just think about our front living room which I'm saving as a surprise for you. There's no open fireplace but enough other things to make up for it; a nice sized bathroom and plenty of hot water for showers and baths.<br />
<br />
I think I forgot to mention that when we were at the house on Sunday, the day before we moved, I had to go out to Doctor's car to get a blanket, when I heard a car horn and looked up to find Aunt Helen and Uncle Andy. I had tried to call them four times the previous week to say we hadn't moved but couldn't get anyone. Also, I couldn't invite them in and have called twice on Wednesday and yesterday and once today but can't reach them. I dropped Mrs. McDonald a line today and included a rough map of our location. She asked me to do this on Monday when I said good-bye as Sarah is living in the Dulaney Apartments just past Towson and she might bring Mrs. Mac over sometime. Had to go downtown this noontime and told Aunt Hannah we were getting settled and she said she had heard from you. Might be a couple of weeks before we can have her out but we'll work on that.<br />
<br />
No word from Schatz about the settlement so well have to throw in a few prayers for that along with those for you. Arlene goes to school next Tuesday. Last night a fourteen year old named Ann Woodward came by to introduce herself to Arlene. She lives down the road about as far as the Morsberger's on Bloomsbury and will be going to Towson High School in another week; which is two blocks away from Towson Catholic.<br />
<br />
Ann has a letter for you waiting for my postage. More next Tuesday, after Labor Day.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
Mrs. MacDonald was a neighbor in Catonsville.<br />
Mr. Hahn also works for the Burtons.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: September 2, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-77502574200913395812012-08-27T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-27T08:00:11.867-04:00Mary Eloped On Moving Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvyo1g7r9uaRH3GNloeZnYb0Soima96TJqQIZYUmwtoZHJah4CGC75CgXhXTrx7js-qj4xxMHy5YgXR_oCVzPMEB6P2kn7prGGJZXR7ZFvab3dMbShxC0CiayV6Hy1f5VG1F-uu7fgSUV/s1600-h/0827.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103337910828877410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvyo1g7r9uaRH3GNloeZnYb0Soima96TJqQIZYUmwtoZHJah4CGC75CgXhXTrx7js-qj4xxMHy5YgXR_oCVzPMEB6P2kn7prGGJZXR7ZFvab3dMbShxC0CiayV6Hy1f5VG1F-uu7fgSUV/s200/0827.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
Wednesday, August 27<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
Your prayers have been answered. We're in and Ann's happiness is catching up to the past several weeks of worry. The only thing we need right now is you two. I kept my word on the pictures; laid the six I took on the table so I wouldn't miss them and then walked out this morning without them.<br />
<br />
First, I've got some news that overpowers our moving. Mary Bellis is married. She left for work the same time Monday morning, met Francis (King) and they drove to West Virginia and were back to tell Mrs. B. by four o'clock that afternoon. Aunt's are laying all over the floors. We heard about it when Debbie called Arlene yesterday morning, then Ann called Mrs. B. last night and had a long talk with her. Mrs. Bellis said she went up to her room after we left Monday morning and cried for almost an hour and had pulled herself together and was going about her work when Mary walked in and she had to retire again. I don't know how Mr. B is taking it but I'm afraid it's a little bit his fault. Ann said Francis would come over there to visit Mary and I've told you how big and quiet the kid is, and Mr. B. would come out of the house, walk up to him and say, "Well, boy, why don't you say something; don't just sit there with your mouth shut." As I understand it, he figured he would be drafted in a few months so he went down and enlisted in the Navy, counting on having a little time, but he has to report this coming Friday so they're honeymooning in Frederick for a few days. Now I'm beginning to feel old for I can recall Mary yowling on the side porch right after she was born and you can almost remember it yourself.<br />
<br />
Back to the weekend, Mr. Beesemyer called us on Saturday and, I dropped by the office Sunday to pick up a letter from you, John, and this morning I got Andrew's of August 17 so I hope things have eased a little by the time you get this. We got your stuff out there OK and stored up on the third floor. There's plenty of room for stuff in that unfinished section; in fact, I believe we could get everything we own in there. If it wasn't for you-know-who we could have everything of yours there right now. They were supposed to come out to supervise the moving in but we called the movers on Saturday and told them to make it as early as possible Monday morning, so we were out at the new house and the last piece of stuff had been carried in by 12:40 and they didn't show up till one o'clock. Things have quieted down mow but Monday was something. We had eaten early--about seven and had to skip lunch, rushing and helping with the things as they were on an hourly basis, and when they showed up that didn't give a chance to breathe. On top of that, they stayed till a little after six and then we had to go to the store. We ended up with sandwiches and Pepsi's and off to bed. By Tuesday noontime, most of the essentials were in place and they came out again in the afternoon till 5:30. Today Ann is not supposed to have their company but Ann Clapsaddle called last night and offered to help wash dishes and is dropping over some time this afternoon. Wait till you see the little 'phone booth under the stairs and this 4 party line is not so bad after all. Annie Clap says when she called the operator said their line is busy now but just give me your number and when the line was open she rang her back and then rang us. Same thing happened when Debbie Bellis called in so it must be a regular feature. The weather couldn't have been more cooperative--the days are just right in the seventies and the nights cool and fiftyish. Peterson's store is one mile up the road past the church. It's fairly small but large enough to be a self-service, push-around-the-basket type. People know where yo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RgvqnOSuTwVP0ndeRYd3lbGv3j9vBTBvbQ_MAsx_p_CG_ufNBX_kcd5yKF4Qy3ML31hdUyAEFUAXnbZS3x29YSgcKrS4EKXnd6bxZobzRwkMyAJUVf0xgAjy90bIMOGy6DB4n4iI8LzE/s1600-h/HouseAtHydes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103338108397373042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RgvqnOSuTwVP0ndeRYd3lbGv3j9vBTBvbQ_MAsx_p_CG_ufNBX_kcd5yKF4Qy3ML31hdUyAEFUAXnbZS3x29YSgcKrS4EKXnd6bxZobzRwkMyAJUVf0xgAjy90bIMOGy6DB4n4iI8LzE/s200/HouseAtHydes.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a>ur live and who you are before you meet them; the word certainly gets around fast. And the store stays open till 9:30 at night. On the way there last night we dropped off at St. John's to see Father Doran. His full name is J. Leonard Doran. He wasn't there but we talked to the housekeeper, a Miss McGovern for awhile. She said she's a city girl but has been out there for the past seven years and wouldn't go back for anything. The church is very small. Just one aisle, about twenty pews on each side, holding about four each. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqG2x5xfgCi7r5BwBnxLUYIAWtHibFAQU4CSfCxvCQO3jHOwJQhmCp4VXRDrk80YOFbCI8BhZBgVBdYCtM4nwLdpvID_dHOICs8HvpiPJrrLGFALsP6-5ss5GgRHLYwAJVpHBASg8Evdp/s1600-h/MovingDay.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344719715261679522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqG2x5xfgCi7r5BwBnxLUYIAWtHibFAQU4CSfCxvCQO3jHOwJQhmCp4VXRDrk80YOFbCI8BhZBgVBdYCtM4nwLdpvID_dHOICs8HvpiPJrrLGFALsP6-5ss5GgRHLYwAJVpHBASg8Evdp/s200/MovingDay.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 160px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>I believe there's a small balcony also. She said Father Doran has a mission parish at St. Mark's in Fallston or someplace where he visits weekly and says a Mass on Sunday. Masses there at St. John's on Sunday are at 8:00 and 10:00 during the summer and 8:30 and 10:30 from October on. They also have a daily Mass and one of the Masses on Sunday is said by a visiting priest.<br />
<br />
I also dropped in at the Post Office yesterday and made ourselves known but there was nothing there for anybody. When we left the change of address card at Catonsville, we marked it for "entire family" and I noted it is in effect for two years. I dropped at the P. 0. yesterday because we were going in to Hochschild-Kohn, Belvedere, but everything was too high so Ann came back and got out the Ward's catalog. Driving slowly, Towson is twenty minutes away, but you can easily make it in fifteen. This morning I took my time coming to work, went out the back door at eight o'clock, got the car out of the garage and was here in the office by nine-fifteen -- I meant to say a quarter to nine. The big hold up is after you pass Towson and run into traffic coming down town. On week ends you can make the run from office t0 Garage in forty minutes. Mrs. B says it never takes them over half a hour from Guilford. Doctor went down and got us a new mail box yesterday that you can put Kathy or Stevie in without any trouble. The Evening Sun is delivered at 3:00 in the afternoon and mail comes at 10 a.m. just like at home, but at home we got the morning Paper and no afternoon; here, we're reversing it.<br />
<br />
In a way, I'm glad your stuff is stored. As careful as they were with wrapping and padding your TV and refrigerator, they beat our stuff all to pieces--same boys. The refrigerator is full of scratches, dishes are broken and Ann's card table set has the leather or plastic torn and the paint pulled off where they piled heavy objects upon it. They also dropped a couple of cartons we haven't unpacked yet so we don't know the damage . But we have all your small stuff, the contents of your drawers, John's uke, etc.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
The Bellis' lived next door in Catonsville.<br />
Mr. Beesemeyer also works for the Burtons.<br />
Annie Clapsaddle is a high-school friend of Ann's.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: August 29, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-27051335716111419892012-08-22T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-22T08:00:03.145-04:00A Chill Before The Move<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyg7uur-PgA5jVSbm4aHRSHJn1hIUjIZuN4iA6qwYogYLSqXbu-c1o73lbqYPgkOw1LSbO0V4a0cy9si5fA5vAwmyvIdyLztHb-qwK7zjr2Rllx9ELOVAXB_S6GUuBNy7_jE9nLIy5_i7/s1600-h/0822.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101486986082731602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyg7uur-PgA5jVSbm4aHRSHJn1hIUjIZuN4iA6qwYogYLSqXbu-c1o73lbqYPgkOw1LSbO0V4a0cy9si5fA5vAwmyvIdyLztHb-qwK7zjr2Rllx9ELOVAXB_S6GUuBNy7_jE9nLIy5_i7/s200/0822.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Friday, August 22<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
We have been reading about the floods and storms over your way and it must be for that reason the mails have not been coming through. The last letter we received was from Andrew on last Thursday, August 14, and that was received here at the office, so I guess the planes have been grounded. It was messy here for a week up till last night, when the northern air moved in following a thunder storm while I was at school and the temperature dropped to 50°.<br />
<br />
The Sun gave a column yesterday to the fact that application blanks were now available for applying for schooling under the Korean-June 1950 set up. If they'll give them to just anyone, I'll try to send you a couple.<br />
<br />
You probably won't hear from me next Monday; and if I can, I'm going to try and take Tuesday off also to help put things together and Mr. Hahn has suggested that I come to the office on Wednesday. We are still uncertain as to whether the Seickes will be able to obtain their loan but I'm going to, see him tonight as I called Schatz this morning and could get nothing there.<br />
<br />
If circumstances and finances permit, I'll unlimber the Polaroid and try to give you an idea of the place by the time I write again.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, Dr. and Mrs. Burton, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.<br />
Mr. Hahn also works for the Burtons.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: August 27, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749002427661615700.post-39336777317871919962012-08-21T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-21T08:00:06.454-04:00When It Rains, It Pours<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJx78suRPcX5cnwNcPNySpEuouZ5Aa1FeoNEw8xrgaEqsFXH7bACwfEuKr8OYf7StLr7R_AoaPUGhoRH_HJ7mSlwmPPgG1stP3uF3xnEwUse01ht-vXAt1VBMCUrMP2t2Aw2t5ZZTAbYx/s1600-h/0821.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101122244575053378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJx78suRPcX5cnwNcPNySpEuouZ5Aa1FeoNEw8xrgaEqsFXH7bACwfEuKr8OYf7StLr7R_AoaPUGhoRH_HJ7mSlwmPPgG1stP3uF3xnEwUse01ht-vXAt1VBMCUrMP2t2Aw2t5ZZTAbYx/s200/0821.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Thursday, August 21.<br />
<br />
Dear Andrew and John,<br />
<br />
I'm not making any more rash statements, but by the time you get this we should have moved; if we haven't, we'll be without 'phone, water or gas and electric. Tuesday night this Corbett of Schatz came to the house with the contract of sale already signed by the Seickes. I was a little reluctant to sign but did so, but first changing the date of "on or before" settlement from September 24 to September 15, which means it has to be settled by then. I also questioned Mr. Corbett further and he said they had not yet approached the B & L Association but would do so on Wednesday; also that if it was not approved, then Schatz would take it up with their B & L and if that fell through, they would declare it no sale and return the cash to the buyers. Well, no sooner had I signed and gotten him on his way when the 'phone rang and Ann talked to Mrs. Herrig, who was happy to say her brother-in-law had OK'd giving them the cash and she wanted the house. She hung up and we were still looking at each other when Mrs. Murphy, another Schatz agent, called and said she had what looked like a definite sale as the people had to be located in Catonsville by September 1. So there you are; stewing over this thing for a month and then three possible sales in one hour. I'm trying to put some pressure on Schatz to hurry this one through or at least find out by the week-end if the loan is to he made to the Seickes so we can let Mrs. Herrig know right away. Her set up, I'm sure, would go through much faster, as is the case when you are dealing with a bank.<br />
<br />
Virginia offered to take Ann and the kids for a ride out to the house on Friday and Ann accepted but I found out yesterday that Mrs. B. plans to be at the house all day Friday and wants us to try to meet her out there Saturday afternoon to see what Progress has been made as we have only been inside the house that one time. I dislike the idea of leaving the house on Bloomsbury empty for maybe a week and maybe more but Arlene has to be in school a week from next Tuesday and I guess we can't delay it any longer. As for transportation at the new place, until you pick up your Cadillac, we'll have to make friends fast. The Hyde railroad station is within walking distance down Hyde Road but the darn train makes only one trip north and one trip back to Baltisore each day. It hits Hyde in the morning about 8 a.m. and goes on up to York, Pa. Coming back that same day it stops at Hyde a little after five and gets to Baltimore about 6 p.m. There is a bus that goes from Baltimore to Jarrettsville a couple of times each day but as far as I can determine, it doesn't use any road nearby. But there's plenty of people out that way so they must use something. When we were at Aunt Alice's last Sunday we found out that St. John's may not have a high school but they have a senior social club. They advertised in the Baltimore Sun last Saturday that they were holding a carnival and chicken picnic Saturday and Sunday from morning till night.<br />
<br />
Abe had to take his father to the hospital again yesterday. His blood pressure was way, way up and he couldn't speak. They had a night nurse on him and he seemed to be resting this morning, so Abe said.<br />
<br />
I'm filling out a forwarding address card this morning for all of us and I see it is for two years so we won't have to worry. I'm also checking the block promising to guarantee postage on any parcel post or other literature in case anyone sends you or us anything.<br />
<br />
END OF LETTER<br />
<br />
Editor's Notes:<br />
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, Dr. and Mrs. Burton, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.<br />
Virginia is a friend of John's.<br />
Abe Scop is a long time friend of Charles.<br />
<br />
Next Posting: August 22, 1952<br />
<br />
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Connerstephen connerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118242303883175821noreply@blogger.com0