August 25, 1970 (Letter from Dody)

It sounds as if you're really ready to go back to school.  Well, join the group.  For the past 3 days, I've been so "school sick" that I just haven't got the ambition to do a thin.  I'll really be glad to get back.

I met another girl 4 weeks ago from DuBois.  I don't really know what will become of it but it's fun while it lasts.  We communicate real good.  She's 5'3", blond, and has an impish mischievious smile.

My brother (John) came home from Alaska about 2 weeks ago.  He was here for about 5 or 6 days.  At the most he'll be up there for 9 more months.  Then no one knows where he'll go.

I paid my first semester last week and it looks like New York has to wait for awhile.  They raised my tuition so I'll be working right up until I go back.  (Hey, this summer's getting to be too much like work!!)

By the end of August I should have the American Legion just about finished.  As for the State Hospital--.  Today I shoveled cow shit for about 5 hrs.  That's what I call a lot of bull----!

Amy Baker called the other day about being an usher for Grant Geer in his wedding in April.  She seems to  be pretty happy about their marriage.  All I can say is good luck.

Kathy Schneider and Gary Tuller are getting married sometime in December.  I saw her about 1 1/2 weeks ago and she's also pretty happy about it.

Hey, how's it feel to be free?  I think it's a pretty good feeling.  Life's too short to mess it up with marriage so early in one's life.  Notice I said the above statement softly because the love bug strikes people between the ages of 18 and 26.  (Draft age.)

My botany professor and hopefully my future fraternity brother were here when I got home from work today.  He brought his sailboat and he's going up to Kinzua for two days.  Unfortunately I couldn't go.  But, eh said that in a couple weeks he'll be up again and then we can go out for about 2 or 3 days.  Nothing like brownie points, huh??

Dad put a deck out in back of the house this summer and he's also having aluminum siding put on our house on Oak Street.

All in all this summer's been pretty lousy with very little time to enjoy oneself.  Maybe next summer will be better.  Here's hoping.

My address for school should be the same but I'll let you know for sure.  Are you going home before you go or what??  Let me know so that we can get together and go over things.

Take care and write soon.

January 18, 1969 (Note from Mardi)

You just wouldn't believe this place.

Hi, it's now Sunday.  I really got a lot said last night, didn't I?  As I was saying we have not changed the name of this place to Gage Home for unwed mothers and narcotic addicts.

1.]  Amy Baker is four months pregnant, with some guys baby out here.  She called her parents just a minute ago and they weren't home.

2.]  This other girl down the hall is pregnant supposedly by the guy Wendy used to date, Mike.

3.]  We have pot on the third floor, Jane Musante's roommates have it and she told our housefather, so now I have no idea what will happen.  "The Feds are coming."  I'm about ready to climb the walls.  I did not do one thing this weekend but eat and sleep.  I can't concentrate on anything.  Get me out of here.  Famous last words.

I got a letter from Barb yesterday too, I guess things are bad all over.  Once you get back from Christmas things go straight downhill.

The little, little things keep me going.  "Surf at Easter" is the motto of the day.   I must close  Carol's going out so she can mail this.  Some day I'll write something exciting.  Take care.

January 16, 1969 (Note from Mardi)

Hi!  I wrote you at school but I guess you're home.  I hear you saw Mike, glad to hear you made it.  How was Mike?  Did ya have fun.  I hope so.  What's fun?  Duh.  It doesn't really take long to get back in the rut.  I' haven't been getting much mail because it's been really screwed up.  Not much to do anymore.  Wilson Pickett will be here Saturday.  We found a new roommate in our apt (I wrote you about her) we got rid of her and everything is back to normal.  We have another roommate now -- our 6th.

It's like a regular Peyton Place around here.  Amy Baker is 4 1/2 month pregnant and we now have dope on the third floor.  I must go I've got tons of work.  Please take care of yourself.  Write soon.