a little bird told me…

It's Time for a Change

Vol. 23, No. 5 [Gene—letter missing] 

Vol. 23, No. 6 [Pauline] 

Washington, D.C. September 22, 1946

 My dear Gee and Family: 

Here I am settled down for a long winter and those two vacations were the means of supplying the energy. I have told most of you about the wonderful week at Capon Springs. I do hope we can complete plans to convene there next summer. 

Let me be the first to congratulate Lal and Fred on their silver anniversary which they will celebrate in Lima on October 5th. It seems like “only yesterday” Lal, and my fondest wish for you is many more happy years together. 

We are looking forward to seeing the Chandlers next Saturday. They will land at the Airport here, and if they can fly, I don’t understand why I cannot summon the courage. 

I am 100% in favor of the plans for restoring our cemetery lot and will go along with whatever is done and agree with Dan that the cost should be divided among all of us. It has been shamefully neglected and I hope someone can be lined up who is responsible enough to keep it in good condition. 

After hitting our heads against a stone wall for years, we have finally succeeded in securing decent office space. We will move into it during the early part of October and the address is still the Investment Building—4th Floor. Maybe I can now persuade them to put my name on the door. 

Now that I finally have sent our copies of the Family History to you, Nan, I am looking forward to your version for posterity. We are still talking about the Reunion. When you have an opportunity, Gee, let us have Larry’s (Jr.) address and even though he is in the peacetime Army, I think we should all write to him and make his time as pleasant as is possible. I do hope compulsory training will be abandoned before your other boys and David Voss will reach eighteen. 

We are all very happy to know that Dick and Ann are so well set up and hope they will continue to get good breaks, particularly until Rich has completed his education and is launched. 

For the record, I have Gene’s name for the Christmas draw. I was not present at the drawing and can speak only for myself. I am in favor of a rerouting of the chain and in Mr. Dewey’s words—“It’s Time for a Change.” The tribute to Mother is perfect and I too know now why it was not possible for you to read it. Thanks for sending it and may I suggest that it be included in Nan’s history. I shall now turn this over to K. 

Love and Kisses to each of you. 

Fondly, Paulie

Head Over Heels

Vol. 23, No. 4 [Sadie]

 

Sept. 8, 1946 

Dear Gene—and all my Dear Ones: — 

This round finds me “head-over-heels” in school work again. This is my eighth year in Lansing, and my schedule is the same as in previous years. I had a delightful, restful summer. Pauline, your report on 541 was very interesting. I would like to see it. 

May I add my hearty approval to the cemetery project. I have felt for some time that there should be markers, especially since no member of the family is in Lima. I am sure I would not be able to identify the graves if I visited the cemetery now. I am glad the blue spruce is being planted, too. 

The gathering at Capon Springs next summer sounds good, and if circumstances permit, and there are not too many complications between then and now, I should like to be among those present. As it is, I am planning to ask for permission for a trip to Washington during the coming year—and maybe I will fly! 

A rising vote of thanks to Howard and Kay for the reunion pictures, and many thanks for the offer to send copies. As for the pictures of David and Steven, they are both precious, and I put my name on them, too. What do you mean, any remarks, Rose! I cannot remember passing up any previous snaps without comment, and the boy in person surpasses all pictures. I hope to see the “bitsy boy” before too long. 

Gee, the tribute to Mother is truly beauty, and we can all understand why you couldn’t read it. No doubt by this time, Larry Jr. is well settled, and you have contributed you share to Uncle Sam. I hope he will be able to continue his studies at government expense. 

Since Pauline, Kay and I do not have any in-laws to contribute letters (I daily ask my Divine Spouse to contribute graces and blessing to all of you,) it is Larry Voss Sr’s turn to add his portion, I believe. 

Dan, I was sorry to hear bout Sean’s mishap, and trust that no permanent harm was done to the little tooth ready to come through as a permanent. Let us know, won’t you? I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the colored movies. 

Isn’t it fine that Dick and Ann are so happily located in Toledo? That was a good break, and I know they are taking advantage of it. So Janice is waiting until Spring for her wedding! The time will come soon enough at that. 

Gene, we are all anxious to know your plans for the coming year, and hope you have been able to find something satisfactory. As for current events, my current problem just now is guiding high school students in their schedules, etc—so, back to work! 

Love and prayers, 
Sadie

Tete a tetes

Vol. 23, No. 3 [Irene] 

September 3rd, 1946 

Dear Sadie and Family, 

On this third day of Sept., I am sitting indoors with a coat around my shoulders. We have had a delightful August. Never remember it being so cool. Jerry went back to school today. Seems early, to open for the new year. It seems impossible that two and one-half months have passed since seeing you all. That was, indeed, “le coup de maitres” and week-end that I, for one, shall long remember. 

It was such a thrill to see each one of you again, and everything seemed to step right along on schedule. The pictures are very good. Won’t it be nice to have them from each reunion? 

Gee, about Mother having a reason for not marking Papa’s and Joe’s graves. I remember her saying that Papa always said: “he did not want his grave marked, for his own would always know where he was, and that no one else would care.” Whatever the rest of you decide to do is quite O.K. with me. I do think that the graves should be built up and perhaps ivy planted on them. And right now I visualize black marble markers to match the O’C. monument. 

Sorry I did not get to visit with you more Sadie, and with Aunt Ellie, too. In fact, no one seemed to be getting in any “tete a tetes.” It seemed good just to see every body around. Gee, the poem is lovely. I shall copy it before sending it on. 

I drew Shan’s name for the Xmas exchange. I’m so glad that “Mr. Martini” has joined us. Janice will not be married this fall. I’m very glad that she will be with us a little while longer. 

Muriel Shannahan is going to Atlantic City the latter part of this month and will spend some time with us at that time. It will be grand having Muriel here. I must get this off now and not delay it more. 

With love to you all, 
Irene

Friday Night Lights

It doesn't get any better than this!

Ramblings

Vol. 23, No. 2 [Helen] 

Dayton, Ohio Aug — 26th — ‘46 

Dear Irene and Family— 

Sorry to be the one to hold up the letter this time. We arrived home from a two weeks’ vacation yesterday and found it here. We had such a lovely restful week at Lake Tippecanoe, Ind., with Gee, Larry and their family, and last week we were in Lima, Toledo and Detroit. It was the first real vacation Fred has enjoyed in five years. Dick, Ann and David were with us of course and the three of them went on to Madison, Wisc., from the Lake. 

You all probably know that Dick is to resume his studies at Toledo University and that Ann has been appointed an Instructor? While we were in Toledo, we saw the little apartment on the Campus, which they will occupy, by virtue of Ann being a member of the Faculty. If all goes well for them, Dick will finish a year from September. 

I saw Aunt Ellie last week. She looked and felt unusually well and was still chuckling about the reunion. She has received permission to come out to our house, some day this week. Fred is going to take her out to see the Airport, Wright Field and the city sights. 

While I was in Lima, I went out to the cemetery and arranged to have a blue spruce put on the lot. They said it would be better to wait a few more weeks to plant it. I also saw Uncle John about some markers and that will be taken care of before long. Will let you all know the cost of same, a little later, cause from the tone of the letters you all in favor of it. 

The pictures are very good and we are very anxious to see the movies. Rose your baby boy looks so precious. I had seen that picture of David before and think it is a beauty. 

It seems almost like a dream that you were all here. It was wonderful while it lasted but was all too brief. Hope we can get together again next summer at Capon Springs. 

Believe I told some of you that Aunt Rose has wanted a lapel watch for some time, so we went shopping one day and bought one and I applied the money you all gave on it. She was so thrilled and very grateful and she loved the card. 

I wrote a letter to the Mother Superior and thanked her for all of us, for the courtesy extended at Salem Heights. Aunt Ellie told me that Aunt Margaret Mulvihill was confined to bed for two weeks after her return to Vicksburg, but she thought it was well worth the effort. 

This is a dull letter I know, but we cannot wait for a writing mood, when there has been a delay of ten days now. Sorry, but it was unavoidable. 

I, too, would like a review of who got who on the drawing. The only one I can remember is Shan getting Sadie’s, and Sadie getting mine, and that probably is because I got such a big kick out of Sadie’s snappy and sparkling comeback to Shan, when he said he was sure I would get a prayer-book. 

Dearest love, Helen

in the present day...

Found this over at Joy's blog. It is a site called Yearbook Yourself. It is a fun site. You can see what you would have looked like in several different decades. Here is mine (I picked 1966). 

A Man Named Martini

Volume Twenty-Three 

Vol. 23, No. 1 [Dan]
 
August 5, 1946 

Dear Helen and family: 

Don’t get the idea I was ever one to avoid an argument, nor that I want the chain to become merely a diary of domestic ditties. There will be the normal amount of disputes to keep us sharp, if I know this family. For my part (that is to say in my opinion), too, the “dinner hour” at the reunion will always be a wonderful experience to remember, and I think the high light of a very delightful occasion. 

Your suggestion as to taking immediate steps to correct the situation at the cemetery, Gee, has my whole hearted endorsement, and I suggest you proceed sine die. I veto the clause however about excluding some from the expense and insist you divide the cost 9 ways. Perhaps Am Bishop would assume responsibility and assure a good job. 

Rosel, the Capon Springs idea sound O.K. to me and you can include us in. Do suggest we make is sufficiently flexible tho’ to permit change in plans. In other words let’s not consider it in the light of a reunion but rather a joint vacation for whomever can attend. 

Since Dayton, I have been to Tulsa for 10 days, deposited my family there, and to Terre Haute twice. Looks like I will be in Wilmington for the balance of this month at least. 

I vote for Howard as the in law who contributed most to the pleasure and success of the reunion. 

A letter from Eloise tells me Sean just fell off the bed, hit the side with his front tooth and drove it up into the gum. I’m slowly learning the heartache part of being a parent. 

Which one of the in laws is next in line to add a letter to the chain? Let’s not permit this idea to escape. 

Also will each of you clear the air and designate WHO DREW WHOM for the Xmas exchange? I blush to say I can’t remember whom I drew unless it was a man named Martini. Help please! 

May I suggest we each write to Aunt Ellie thanking here for her courtesy and kindness? Starting next week I shall route the 100 feet of colored film of the reunion to each of you in this order (1) SHAN (2) SADIE (3) GEE (4) HELEN (5) GENE (6) DAN. Consult your friends and borrow a 16mm projector or try to rent one for overnight use. The pictures are splendid. Please treat them with care. I shall show them personally to the Washington contingent. 

I recommend for your pleasure the moving picture “The Green Years.” 

Love, Dan 

P.S. Shall we have a new routing for Vol. 24?

That Boy Rates

Vol. 22, No. 10 [Shan] 

Columbus July 27 — 46 

Dear Dan et al— 

The “chain” arrived in Youngstown early this week. We spent most of last evening (Friday) reviewing and discussing. It made for a lively and interesting evening. It appears that the ultimate and penultimate members of the clan O’Connor have directed their thinks earthward on the proposal to include in this exchange a discussion of current topics. I can understand that. From the time that Nan and Don were zero to adult age ninety percent of our thoughts revolved around their development. You never lose that completely, but as you advance with the years, your point of view becomes more objective and less subjective. This is good for both parent and child. 

No one enjoyed Roberta, Diane, Ronnie, Sean, Jamie and David more than I. They have been a permanent topic in our conversation since Dayton. We want to hear all about them and the family activities of very branch. This should always be an important part of this exchange. The foregoing is not to be interpreted to the effect that I relinquish my convictions that something other than family record should be injected into these letters. 

I venture the statement that when Volumes one to twenty-one have been compiled and distributed, the expression of one’s individual thoughts on subjects other than family affairs prove invaluable and certainly irreplaceable. Personally, I like to know how the other fellow is thinking. It helps with my own thinking. 

Nan is waiting to receive Paulie’s resume of the family history and Rosie’s report of the luncheon to complete her report of the reunion. Don’s pictures have been developed. He has some excellent shots, but has not found time to date to organize them for distribution. 

Paulie: we all got a tremendous kick out of K. Hanley’s report of the reunion as it appeared in the Lima News. She reminds me so much of Luke (her father) but none of you would know about Luke. 

Affairs here are uneventful. Cannot close this without a comment on Howard’s thoroughness. “That boy rates.” 

Love Shan