Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1963

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact.

1963

**  SEASON'S GREETINGS   **

                                                         

Dear Friends:

Christmas 1963

"AUTUMN comes in stealthy ways, her present scarcely known.… Till green of summer leaves become a yellow tone."… That is the way the Christmas season has crept up on us.… But better late than never-I will send my Christmas greeting to you.

The big news in my family is a new baby born November 4 at the Pottstown hospital to Darlene and Glenn. They have named him Scott Glenn-maybe another astronaut? Little brother Curtis needed a playmate, but recent news from there says he spends most of his time being a good baby and not much for Curtis to play with.

I plan to spend Christmas vacation in Minneapolis with Bob's family and also to go to Pottstown for a visit with them. I am looking forward to being there, but not to the trip. Traveling by any manner is becoming more and more difficult. I may have to even resort to a dogsled.

Bob & Ardis spend much of their off time taking care of interests in Brookings. They enjoy the Lake life too, and did spend quite a few weekends at their cabin on Lake Poinsett. They spent their Thanksgiving in Soo City with Ardis' sister. Her mother and sister joined them there also.

I spent Thanksgiving at Cresbard at Jess & Vera's- farm home. Althia & Paul were there for several weeks. My nephew Roger and wife Carol came up from Tulsa. Roger was interested in taking back his limit of pheasants. They all left for the south before the snow storm hit us. Althia and Paul will probably go to Fla. again this winter.

I have had a busy year, but took a week off in August to visit in Minn again. Two ladies from here went also. I believe the ladies enjoy the trip- although we were visiting only my relatives. Jessie and I made the curio shops while and went fishing.

Work in the office continues about as usual. There are changes in the trends of public health work, but never any less work. Not much contagion to visit. Our clinics are well attended, but that will be reduced with the popularity of the oral vaccine.

Nothing new at my house, except new carpeting- oh yes-wall-to-wall-nylon.. It needed it. 

Our canasta club still enjoy playing. We play 5 decks- really runs into big scores. I play bridge with the neighbors now and then but I'm not good at that.

Must close and wish you and yours the Best of Seasons.

Myrle

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1962

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter was long with few breaks so I added line breaks for readability.)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS - 1962

"Toast-mistress' Dream Letter"

Dear Friend

INTRODUCTION:
(short)

Christmas 1962

Our first snow puts us in the Spirit of Christmas! I am Wishing you the Best Christmas ever at this time.

The buying spirit has not struck me too strongly as yet. I am still in the looking mood. My relatives will not fare very well as I have little time to even look. I should try sitting on a tack. You know the story: it should make you get up and do something about it! Or should I just send them my recipe for Happiness Cake: "1 cup of good thoughts; a cup of kind deeds; a cup of consideration for others: 2 cups of sacrifice; 3 cups of forgiveness; 2 cups of well-beaten faults. Mix together, add tears of joy and sympathy. Flavor with love and serve often."? What we need every year is TWO Decembers, and more vacations.

BODY (meat):

I visited both boys and their families this summer. Bob's have their home in Mpls now, you recall. And Glenn in Penn State. 

Bob's Joel and John are Paper boys & the two older girls are busy with piano. Paul is in school so that leaves Ardis with only little Jill at home for company. She has taken up teaching and SS class and Bob joined the choir. They did go frequently to visit in Bkgs at their Lake cottage, but those trips will be less frequent, with the added duties. I get to see them less frequently. They live near a very nice shopping center; good school and other advantages of city living.… 

Glenn and Darlene have also bought their own home. I visited there in July and now I will have another excuse for a visit. I love to go, but it cost a small fortune to go that far. Darlene's sister Carole accompanied me (by train). They (all of us) enjoy Curtis (2 yrs)-he is quite a talker, and being their first and only…

I also visited at Potato Lake (Park Rapids, Minn). A friend went along as she likes to fish, I just like to be lazy. It was very pleasant up there. Althia and Paul have sub-rented their home in Soo City and will spend winter months visiting around. They spent some time at Cresbard with Paul's sister and husband. I spent some enjoyable week ends there also. 

I did a bit of rejuvenating my house this summer. I did look around with "buying" in mind as there are lots of new houses for sale in Miller. I finally thot, with some refurbishing my house would look more like home. I had the furnace overhauled and redecorating and now it is more livable. I still need a new living-room rug but it will have to wait.

I play canasta with the four-some and enjoy TV and radio, and my perennial plants in the summer. Lawns were not much of a problem as rainfall was plentiful. But what's that old saying: get a dandelion an inch and it will take a yard.…

SUMMARIZING:

The Office is the same as before. Winnie (Supt) had surgery this fall, but recovered quite rapidly & back into the harness again. Part-time help is needed due to increased enrollment, although we have doubled up on many schools. Courthouse is having a dinner party Dec-11-eve., we look forward to this get together, altho most of us are weight conscious. We should pattern after the monkeys-they thrive on bananas, and did you ever hear of a fat monkey?

I better use the space to Wish you and Yours a HAPPY NEW YEAR & hope that you will write me all your news. I still drive my 1958 ford-I think that I shall try sleeping at the wheel, Someone told me that it's a good way to keep from growing OLD!! .....

Best wishes   ……...   Myrle P

Christmas Letters

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1961

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact.

**  MERRY CHRISTMAS    1961  **

***

DEAR

Christmas 1961

Our nice fall weather has turned to snowy white a Christmas season. It is no doubt pleasing to the merchants. It is helped put me in the mood for Christmas.… If the weather is good I plan to drive to Brookings where Bob and family will also be spending the holiday season at Ardis' folks. Bob and family moved to Mpls this fall. He is with the small firm of Eng. Consultants. They live near Brooklyn Center. They will miss their nice large home in Brkgs but have a fairly new home but smaller. We all spent Thanksgiving together including Ruth and Jim Wells of Sioux City.

I have had some interesting vacation days this past year. July 4 & Labor Day week ends at Lake Poinsett. Bob has a cabin there, and we had several cookouts. The grandchildren enjoy the lake - swimming; boating and waterskiing. Paul (5½) enjoys fishing, and landed a big northern with the help of his dad while I was there. Jill, the baby smilingly looks on. 

Glenn & Darlene & Curtis (15 mo now) spent about three wks vacation here. They went to Minn & spent some time with Glenn's cousin Paul and Moore & fmly. Mrs. Davis took care of Curtis and I got better acquainted to by taking him some of the evening hours. His mom is finding out how to keep up with the lively boy. I guess that they are getting him a hobbyhorse, that should keep him corralled… I spent a week end at Sioux City after Thanksgiving-and got acquainted with Brian and Jeanie, Paul & Marlene's children. The SC relatives really showed us a nice time and we were invited to several friends homes as well.

We Miller people have had some interesting visitors this fall. Ralph Andrews and his French wife Joy paid us a visit & shortly after Cora and Bud (Reed) also of California came. Cora had not been back to SD since she left in 1946. It was her husband's first trip here. I believe they had a nice time as they have so indicated since the return. Ralph & Joy are near Glen in Penn. Both are teaching.

A weeks vacation was spent at Lake Miltona with three friends. We just relaxed and had wonderful weather.… My phn goes on and on, no rest for the phn. Our nurses are limited. Several new ones have been added but several others have left. Alice Brady is my supervisor at present, and Florence Dunn paid me a visit recently. Alice Olson makes a call now and then. I did not get to the Conv this fall, as I seem to always be very busy.

I hope that you will send me a resume of your 1961 activities, as I like to hear all the news.

** MY BEST HOLIDAY GREETINGS **

***

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1960

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter was long with no breaks so I added line breaks for readability.)

BEST CHRISTMAS WISHES

FOR 1960
*****

Dear       

Christmas 1960

It is a cozy feeling to be in where it is warm. The snowdrifts are piled high and our winter has started early, so I have time to get my Christmas letter written to you. This is truly Christmas card weather, and should inspire everyone to get the Christmas spirit, so I will start by wishing you a warm, old-fashioned Christmas and much happiness in the New Year.

The big news in our family this year was a new baby boy-Curtis Aain- born to Darlene and Glenn on Oct. 9th. I spent my vacation in September, but the stark would not cooperate, so I have seen only a picture of him so far. They say he is doing well, and Darlene plans to retire from active nursing & remain at home for a full-time job, I am sure. Her folks and sister Carol will visit them in Pottstown, Pa., this Christmas. Glenn is still with Mpls Honeywell- branch plant there.

I spent Thanksgiving vacation @ Bob's home in Brookings. He is busy building and Ardis seems happy with their new "Model" house on 104 So Jefferson near a new grade school. Their children are growing up fast. Julie 8 takes piano, while Joel 10; John - 9 are now taking horn lessons in school. Lynn- 6 is in first grade, and Paul- 4½ will soon be in kindergarten.

I went on to Sioux City and had Thanksgiving dinner with the Moore's family. Paul & Marlene have a new baby girl-Jean Marie and Brian (2½ yrs). They live in a lovely new home which Paul designed & built. Roger & Carole are also employed in Sioux City. Roger is building homes as a side-line. It is interesting to visit with the young people & get to know them better.

I have had a busy year. We have set some new records in clinic attendance. We have started the long-range Mantoux testing program. Lots of follow-up and records required. The new President-elect will have to increase the Public Health Nurse's budget, so I can have a secretary.

Altho this sounds like an annual report, you'll have to read between the lines, and see that "Every day should be like Christmas, with love in the air- it takes such a little Remembrance to show someone you care."

I Will be looking forward to hearing from you and hope the good fortune will smile on you in 1961…

That is my Christmas wish for you.

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1959

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter seems to end abruptly with no closing or signature.)

Christmas in Miller

1959

Dear         ,

Christmas 1959

Here it is practically Christmas and I'm just writing my letter. Could it be that I am slowing down? Or is it that I am busier than ever? Every year seems busier.

Being on the Hospital Board and Auxiliary Red Cross Home Nursing and First Aid Programs and Increasing interest and Dental Health Organization all take their toll of my time. Mental health programs, are certainly in the news. For the senior citizens especially broadened program, it is the use of our Loan Closet. It doesn't seem that we can crowd in another category into the public health picture.

Our immunization clinics broadened to include polio shots for adults. The attendance for both children & adults broke all previous records. Which is good news but makes more work. Volunteer help is wonderful and willing, but so many are now on full time jobs, so available health is limited. So that is what makes me busy, and sometimes pretty tired. All of my friends say the same things so guess that it is the same with others.

Miller is not standing still, many changes have taken place. New curbs & new paving, new business places are going up fast, and many more in the planning stage. Supermarkets with increased parking areas are being planned. To the North we have the new Lutheran Church and Wilber's huge Feed and Seed store. Also theUltra modern sunset Motel, electically heated, wall to wall carpeting with TVs… So if you pass through Miller do stop. To the NE we have the new Biddle Addition of pretty new homes and the New Trailer Court, and way out east the new Chevy "Show-room" with plenty of room for Used cars. The new armory adds to our enjoyment, it is roomy and well lighted-even the parking area, does not invite some of "sparking" in the parking.

That is Miller and my center of interest altho I have a great interest in Bob's work in Brookings. He is with Midwestern Homes now. He and Ardis have renamed their company to "The Pauldo Builders" includes both their middle names. Building in Bkgs is making great strides. My family there is planning on moving into their new split level home soon. Joel; John; Julie and Lynn are in school 4th; 3rd; 2nd; and Kindergarten-only Paul remains at home now. The older ones are taking piano, so guess that Ardis is kept busy. She likes to sew-I don't get down there very often, but when I retire-I should move closer perhaps.

Glenn and Darlene will be flying home for Xmas week, both are very busy. D works in an OB doctor's office pms and Glenn still keeps busy at Honeywell. Their address is 966 Warren Str. Pottstown, PA. If you should be in that area they would love to have you stop. We will try to visit as many relatives and friends as possible while they are at home.

I spent a few days at Potato Lake with Althia and Paul in their Lake Cottage, spent some pleasant hours with relatives and friends up there, and enjoyed boat rides on their Lake. Paul & Marleen have a baby boy, Brian. Marlene is Home Ec instructor at a new school (in Riverside area). Roger and Carol also live in Soo City, and are both employed-Carol in a clerical position in the school system, and Roger with the City management. Paul Sr is pretty well and Althia is taking a few courses at Briar Cliff College. Both Rog and Paul are building new homes.

Our courthouse is showing the Christmas spirit with the big Christmas tree in the lobby and wreaths on the office doors.


(Note - the letter ends abruptly here.)

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1958

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. (This particular letter was long with no breaks so I added line breaks for readability.)

1958

Dear Friends,

Christmas 1958

Now comes the days of address books and the dilatory pen, when friendships wilted are doused with ink, in hopes they will bloom again….Yes it is Christmas time again, although I've been so busy, I can't believe it. We are all happier when busy, aren't we?

We are getting in the spirit in the court-house today, by decorating the huge tree in the lobby… If I have the Annual dinner in the New Catholic Church dining-room next week… There will be some changes in the office personnel next year, so it will be a farewell to some - but they always seem to not mind.

I have a college student this fall quarter she is very good help, catches on quickly. I shall be sorry when she has to leave… She remarked that she will regret leaving, even tho we have been extremely busy, this is one community she has enjoyed very much. We also have two students at the hospital for experience in a rural type of community…

I go to Brookings often, where Bob and his family live. Their family is the same, except the children are growing up fast. Joel (almost 9) John (almost 8) and Julie (6) in school; Lynne (4) & Paul (2½) keep Ardis busy at home… Bob found time to build a cabin boat this summer. They had it out on Lake Poinsett a few times, but hope to have more fun next year…

Glenn and Darlene are in Pottstown, Pa. He is still with Honeywell and Darlene works in surgery in one of the hospitals nearby… Guess that they like it better in Mpls., but they will soon be acquainted. I visited them this summer & we took a trip of the Eastern seacoast. We saw some of New York City, many places of interest in Pa., R. I., & Mass. It is a trip I won't soon forget. Darlene's folks and Bob & family also paid them a visit this summer. They have a nice apartment, which they're having fun furnishing. They will not try to come for Christmas.

Althia & Paul have a new grandson-Paul and Marlene have a 6 mo old baby boy-Bryan Alan. They now live in SC. Rog & Carol are in the Sports car business in Tulsa.…

Guess this sums it up for this year… And hope to hear your news very soon… Best wishes

Myrle

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.

Grandma's Christmas Letters: 1956

My paternal grandmother wrote a Christmas letter annually which she then copied and sent to friends and family.  She also kept a copy for herself. Re-reading them as a family historian gives me a new insight into her daily life. Below is a transcription of one of her letters; I've tried to keep her actual words, punctuation and grammar intact. 

Christmas 1956

South Dakota

Dear Friends,

Christmas 1956

I have been hoping for Christmas would be coming soon, so that I could again write my Christmas letter to you, and then perhaps get a reply in return. I am writing this on the day after Thanksgiving, and we are having a bit of unusual weather. We had a few inches of snow, and then it rained last night, so driving is extremely hazardous for those who went away for Thanksgiving. I stayed in Miller, as the weather look bad, & I had a lot of "catching-up" to do at home.

My family has grown since last I wrote you. Glenn and Darlene were married, Sept. 22nd, so now I have another daughter. Also Bob and Ardis have Paul Richard, who was born April 10th. I spent a few days in Brookings while Ardis was in the hospital, and got better acquainted with the other two boys and the two little girls. They are a nice family.

We all had a very nice time at the wedding. Many relatives and friends from away came, which I thought was wonderful. Some of them I had not seen for a long while. John (5½ yr) was ring-bearer; and Julie (4 yrs) was flower girl. They looked like miniature bride and groom, cute as buttons. Darlene is an RN., of McKennan. They have a furnished duplex in south Minneapolis. Darlene is at present employed in a doctors office and Glenn is still with Minneapolis Honeywell.

Bob manages to keep busy, as there is a terrific housing shortage in Brookings. They remodeled their own home, so now they have it very nice and enough room as well as roomors. I did a little fixing up my house this summer. Little by little I got the painting and varnishing down, so that I would be ready for the big event and wedding guests.

We had a interesting Work-Shop at State College during the first two weeks in August. It was rather a vacation from general county work, and I believe one of the best we have had. Most of the public health nurses stayed at the dormitory, so we got pretty well acquainted to. At present arrangements are underway to place a student nurse with me for her Public Health field work, under the four-year collegiate program. I think that I will be pretty busy.

Enjoyed seeing a number my friends in October when I attended the Nurses' Convention in Aberdeen. Out side of that I guess I have told all the news. I spent too much time watching TV., but I do enjoy it, and I guess I just like staying home.

I will be looking for a letter from you now, so with my very best wishes for the Christmas season and lots of good luck.

Myrle

Christmas Letters

Photos are in the author's personal collection.