June 28, 1970 (Letter from Gail)

Sorry to hear that you didn't make it out to Calif.  I guess Minneapolis will just have to do.  I'm glad that you found a job and that you like it.  God, was I surprised to hear about Foster.  I guess he's all talk and no action. If Mike's gonna be that much of a baby the rest of his life -- he's gonna have a ruff time.  But it will be his own fault.

I started summer school at EOC last week.  I needed three more credits so I could transfer in the fall.  I'm taking a history course.  It's horrible!  Boring as hell!

Two weeks ago Sheryl Larson, Barb Check, Phyllis Valone, and I spent a week at Lake Erie.  We rented a beautiful cabin near Barcelona, N.Y.  We didn't meet many people but we had a good time by ourselves.   Bought a couple  six packs and some gin and got totally smashed on night.  We all were drunk, had thrown up and were in bed by 11:30 pm.  It was hysterical, but I had one hell of a hangover the next day.  Friday night we drove into Westfield and went to the drive-in.  Guess what?  T hey only show dirty, pornographic movies there and they even checked proof.  (You have to be 18 or over.)  The movies we saw weren't' that dirty (shit) but
the previews we saw were censored!  Wow!  We came home last Sunday (regretfully) and now I'm already back in the same damn rut.

I haven't seen much of Mark.  He's lifeguarding down at the pool.  He stops in here on his way home sometimes.  His girlfriend was here last week.

I can't believe that this weekend is the fourth of July.  A couple of us girls are going to the parade in the morning and then to the fireworks that night.  Sounds like fun, huh?

I went to a wedding that your father performed yesterday.  My cousin, Cathy Benson, got married.  She married Terry Stanko.  It was really a nice wedding.  Your father was, oh, should I say magnificent!  Just like his son!

Be good Paul, and take care of yourself.  Write soon.

October 26, 1969 (Letter from Gail)

If you only knew how sorry I was for not writing to you sooner -- you have my most heart-felt apologies.  Do you accept them and am I forgiven?

It was really great hearing from you and I guess when you lose touch with someone like that over the summer, it makes that first letter in the fall sound so much better.  Right?  My summer sounds about the same as yours. I ate, slept, worked at gold ole Tiny Town, and took a 3 hr. course at EOC for 6 wks.  I hated to start school in the fall because none of the kids that we were really friendly with last year were coming back.  I miss them.  EOC ain't what it used to be.  I got elected to be a member of student govt again this yr and plus on the board -- govt is so-so.  Not too much has been happening in my life so far.  A bunch of us girls went to Shorty's last weekend and then again this past Fri nite.  It was so damn crowded that we all left and went to -- ready -- Pejo's.  God it was funny!  I haven't been there since senior week 1968!  Angie was unreal -- we bought 2 pitchers of beer so she gave us a third one FREE plus a big dish of popcorn!  But seeing as how we were the only people in the joint, she figured she had to be nice to us to get us to come back. There were 56 of us girls and then 7 more kids that go to EOC followed us up there.  It was really beautiful.  Then we stopped off at Shorty's on the way home just long enough to use the bathroom, then we left.  God, if that didn't look obvious!

We had midterms this past week.  Oy vay!  They were so tuff!  But I can't believe 1/2 of the semester is gone already!  Wow!

Last Sun my parents were going down around Penn State to visit some friends, so Sheryl Larson and I went along and they dropped us off at PSU to spend the day with Leslie Stein.  Well we got right before Ridgway and the hood of the car pops up -- right in our faces!  I was panic stricken. The damn thing did it twice.  So my dad bought a chain and chained it down and it was ok for the rest of the trip and on the way home.  To top this off -- my dad made a wrong turn and to get back on the right road he had to cross a median in the road and just as he got on the damn thing, a state trooper comes by and pulls us over.  My father got a $15 fine for driving on the wrong side of the road!  It was quite some day.  I'll say!  I hope I never have to go through it again.  I sat for the rest of the trip (after the hood flew up) with my fingers crossed and my eyes closed.  I was so-o-o scared!!!

Nothing much has happened in Warren lately.  Except it snowed here for 2 days last week.  Ugh!

Congratulations on your new car.  It sounds really nice.  Bring it home some weekend.  I'd like to see it.  What color is it?

I'm so mad at Mark.  I wrote him 3 wks ago and he hasn't answered me back.  Oh well.  Leslie hears from him quite regularly.  He calls her up at lest once a week and he's going down to see her sometime next month.  I guess.  Oh well.  WAHS played Kane yesterday.  We beat them 46-0  That's not saying much for the Dragons though, Kane kicked 14 guys off their team for drinking.  See what I mean.

Take care and come home soon.  Get out of the smog and get some fresh clean country air in your lungs!  Ha!

March 5, 1969 (Letter from Gail)

I'm really sorry for not writing sooner but when I tell you why, I'm sure that you'll forgive me.  These past 2 or 3 weeks have been really, really busy and exciting for me.  It all started when I had two tests 2 weeks ago in Art and Math.  Well, I got an A in Math and a B in Art.  Oh god was I happy.  I've never gotten an A in Math before.  I don't know if I told you that I was trying out for the play at school.  Well on Tuesday (last week) I found out that I made a part in the play.  I play a Norwegian maid -- Helga -- who gets pregnant by the son of the family I work for.  I'm so excited, I can't stand it!!!  The play is really crude but it's funnier than all hell.  We practice most every nite.  It's gonna be presented on April 17-19.  I haven't even started to learn my lines yet.  This past Monday we had elections for student government and guess what!  I made it!  That just made the week perfect!  I can't believe it.  So many things have been happening.  Little old EOC is really groovin'.  We're having our talent show this Friday nite at Beaty.  It should really be funny.  They have about 20 acts for it.

Last Sat nite our Zodiac coffee house opened up.  God, was it terrific.  This boy came down from main campus and sang a whole bunch of songs and played his guitar.  He was really fabulous.  The Zodiac is only open 3 nites a week so that if there's anything going on at the college, the coffee house won't keep the kids away.  When you come home, I'll have to take you up.  You'll dig it.

So how's life been treating you?  Has the Board of Health condemned your apartment yet?  I'm only kidding, you know that.  I think on March 20th a bunch of us kids are going to main campus to see the 5th Dimension.  I'm excited.  It should be really great.  Well, I gotta go pick up my sister now.  Be good, Paul and take care of yourself.

February 19, 1969 (Letter from Gail)

Sorry it took me so long to write back.  I guess I just never got around to it.  You know how it goes.  And then, there hasn't been anything going on that's worthwhile to talk about.

School is the same old drag.  I've got so much extra work to do, but I don't seem to have the urge to do it.  I just sit around and do nothing.  Sounds like fun, right?

Last night we had tryouts for the play at school.  I tried out but we have to tryout again Thurs night and then we'll find out who made it.  I would really like to make it.  I think it would be a lot of fun.  But if I don't make it this time, I'll have two more chances at it next year.

We're having a talent show next month.  A bunch of us girls were gonna do something, but it fell through and I guess we're not gonna do it.

Sheryl and I are still hitting Shorty's every Friday night.  This weekend Leslie is coming home, and I guess Sherry and I will include her in on our little Friday night drinking club.  Too bad you couldn't join us.

Thanks for inviting me to Buffalo to see you.  Maybe the next time you come home, we can make some plans.

I told Dody to write to you.  I hope he did.  I heard from Mark yesterday.  He's fine except for his ulcer.  He really likes school now.  I'm sure he told you.

Well, take it easy (or anyway you can get it) and write soon.

February 12, 1969 (Letter from Barb Salapek)

Sorry I took so long to answer but I've been pretty busy with school and basketball games.  (I'm a cheerleader for EOC.)  Our team has done pretty well this year.  We've won ten games and lost three, (so far).  Saturday night we're going to Jamestown to play Jamestown Business College.  We're going to have a play at EOC.  The name of it is "Halfway up the Tree".  It's about a man who comes home after being away for 4 years and finds his son is a hippie and his daughter is nine months pregnant.  She doesn't know how the father is and she doesn't care.  In the end, the father becomes a hippie and the kids go straight.

I don't know whether to try out, or just work on a committee for it.  Did you know that the student government at EOC is changing the apartment over the B&B Smoke Shop into a coffee shop for college students only?  It's really going to be neat.

For the first time I got smashed Thurs night at Melody Inn.  I didn't act silly or anything, I just talked a lot.  When I got home and laid down on the bed I thought I was going to be sick.  The room just flew around in circles.

Well I have to close now, but I hope to hear from you soon.  Call me when you come home.

December 5, 1968 (Letter from Gail)

I figured since I had the old typewriter out I'd write you a letter on it.  I hope you don't mind and that you can read it cuz my typing is not too good.

Boy that was quite some envelope you sent your letter in.  When I got it, I could not figure out what it was.  Then when I turned it over and saw it was from you, then I knew.

I'm glad you had a nice Thanksgiving.  I did, too.  I saw Mark quite a few times.  The 1st night he was home we went to Jamestown to see "Gone with the Wind".  Then on Saturday night, Mark, Sheryl Larson and I went to the Gloves.  What a place!  I really like it there.  About 10:15 we left and went to the 4:00 Club, stayed there about 1/2 hour, then we went back to the Gloves until 11:30.  We gave Patti Suppa and Missi V. a ride home.  Patti was so drunk she didn't know what she was doing.   So we stopped at Shorty's on the way home to sober Patti up a little.  So I guess we sort of made the rounds that night.  Right?  Mark says your hair is really long.  I can't wait to see it.  What did you parents say about it?  Don't get it cut till after Xmas so I can see it.  OK?

How's school going for you?  We got quarter grades a couple weeks ago (really about a month ago now).  I got 2 B's, 2 C's, and an F in World Civ.  We had a W.C. test about 3 wks ago and I flunked it, too.  So I'm not doing too well in that class.  As long as I can keep my other grades up, I'll be satisfied.

Tomorrow night is EOC's dance at the Women's Club.  I got asked by this boy from Aliquippa, Pa.  We're really just good friends and he's a great kid, only one thing - he's just about my height.  And I just pray I won't be taller than him in my 1/2 inch heels.  I think we'll just sit out the slow dances.  We're doubling with Bonnie Freund and her date so we'll probably leave the dance around 10:00 and go to Shorty's.  See, it's a dinner-dance.  Din is at 6:30 and the dance is from 9 to 1.  It should be fun cuz all 4 of us are real good friends.

It finally snowed today.  This whole week it was really nice except it rained a lot.  The wind is really blowing hard and it's pretty cold out.

We got a new dog a couple weeks ago.  We had to put our other one away.  He was really sick and he could hardly walk.  We got the new one the same night we took Scamp away.  The new one's name is Timmy.  He's a beagle, 3 1/2 years old, and I love him to death.  When you come home you'll have to come down and see him.

I know typewritten letters aren't very personal, but the tw. was out and I do need practice.  I hope you don't mind.  I really missed seeing you over Thanksgiving but I'm sure we'll get together over Christmas.  Right?  Right!

Be good and take care of yourself.

October 22, 1968 (Letter from Gail)

I'm so sorry I haven't written sooner, but last week, I felt like the world was closing in on me -- I was swamped with tests and readings.  T his wk has been a little better, so I thought I'd do all my writing now.  Mark was home this weekend.  We went to see "Barbarella" Sat night, then we went to the Pub.  Poor Mark couldn't drink because of his ulcer.  He told me that you were in the hospital.  I hope you're up and around and feeling better.  Too much boozin' it up, I suppose, plus with all those girls!  EOC isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  There isn't much social life but then of course all the action takes place right in town!  Right!  I had a molar pulled yesterday.  Oh, my god, did that ever hurt!  It really hurts today.  Plus, tonite in speech, 6 of us had to put on a play.  What a switch for me, not being able to talk.  How's your social life?  I hope you didn't torment the nurses too much.  Did you?  Sorry it's short, I'll write again soon.  Write if you get a chance.

 

October 9, 1968 (Letter from Dody)

Howdy!  Well, the big tests begin Friday and Monday, so I'll be hitting the book triple hard.  Phys Sci, World Civ, and Psych.  3 real drags.

Got home from homecoming 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  I came home and absolutely fell.  It was really great though.  (We lost to Indiana, 58-0.)

This weekend I'm going to hit Shorty's and maybe the Surf Club.  God only knows.  Ya know one can lose his direction in Shorty's.

I got a letter from Mike.  I guess he's actually studying pretty hard.  Neat!  Now he's not laughing so hard at you and me.

Hey, when yall comin' home for Thanksgiving?  Let me know will ya?
\
The courses have finally leveled off to a bunch of learning brain teasers.  So far I've fallen asleep in Eng. all but once.

Tuller came home last weekend.  I see by his face that things are pretty rough, too.  Wouldn't it be nice if everyone passes their first year?

As for coming up, I probably won't be able to come up until the 2nd quarter or  maybe not even until 2nd semester.  But I'll do everything I can to come.  Thanks for the invite, I'll use it in the future.

Would you believe that I'm getting fat?  Yep!  I started this year around 155-160, now I'm between 165-170.  I feel like a big fat toad.

How's the girl situation?  I'm absolutely starving down here.  They get uglier every single day.  Puke.

Well, the kid's got lots of studying to do so I'll add a later to the end.

September 29, 1968 (Letter from Gail)

I'm sorry I haven't written sooner but you know yourself how busy things can get.

It sounds like you're having a pretty good life at school.  How's the Jewish pop out there.  Mark V. said the Jew pop at R.I.T. is about 60%.  He said I should come out and stay with him and find a nice Jewish husband.

Here it is a nice Sunday afternoon -- at home.  I hate Sun.  They get to be so boring because there is nothing to do.

In fact there's nothing going on in this whole town.  Last night Bonnie Freund and I went to a Student-Faculty tea at the EOC lounge.  It was pretty nice.  Then we went up to the high school dance.  Boy, that school is getting worse every year.  I'm glad I'm out of there.  EOC is ok.  It's nothing special, though.  They've had a couple of dances.  They've been real groovy.  How are your classes?  Mine are so mixed up.  I've got four evening classes - Mon. to Thurs.  If that isn't hell.  I'm taking World Civ, Speech, Eng I, Psychology, and Principles of Biology.  I've got Mr. Gene Williams for Bio.  Do you remember him?  He used to teach Bio at the H.S.  He's a really nice guy but what a teacher!

Have you heard from Mark yet?  He hasn't written me yet.  Next time you write him, tell him I'd like to hear from him, if he has a chance, OK?

I haven't been doing too much drinking this fall.  I've been to Shorty's a couple of times.  In fact I was there just last Tues.  It was great.  Am I making you homesick?  When are you coming home?  We'll have to have a big reunion at Thanksgiving.  Agreed?

Well, Paul, take it easy, study hard, but have fun.  Write soon.