June 26, 1972 (Letter from Gail)

I was really surprised to hear from you but very pleased.  It's been a long time.  Friends shouldn't let that happen.  But sometimes, I suppose it's impossible to stop it.  From your letter you sound like you're really enjoying your life and things are going good for you.  I'm happy for you.  I wish I could say the same about me.  I graduated from Edinboro State Coll. on May 21st, 1972, over 1 month ago.  Now it's June 26th and I am still sitting on my ass.  I am unemployed!  It was fine for about the first 2 weeks -- I really enjoyed the vacation and the care-free attitude I had.  Well, now things have changed.  I've changed and I need work.  I want to settle in Erie for awhile.  I've applied at some places, but no luck.  I took a Pa civil service test last week, but it will be 6 wks before I get my scores back.  I've applied all over Warren, but got the same story.  I want to work in a social service agency.  I grad w/ a B.A. in Psychology.  Get this pisser -- I was politely turned down by New Process today because I had a degree.  They felt that I would only be there temporarily and they want lifers!  I really don't know where to turn.  I want to go to Erie because of the guy I'm dating lives there, but I suppose if things don't gel there, I'll have to go someplace else.  I am going crazy being idle.  I am turning into some sort of vegetable who eats 3 meals a day and watches TV.  My life has changed so much, I really didn't want the year 1972 to start because I knew what it held for me -- Nothing!  Paul, if this sounds very depressed, despondent, and apathetic, please excuse, but those 3 words describe my present feelings.  I get these days where I sit and fight to hold back the tears.  It's one of those days today.  Well enough of that shit.

Last Fri nite Barb Check, Carol Gustafson, and I went up to Oakview and it was like our class reunion up there.   Dave Blair, Harry Spackman, Rick Brewster came over and sat with us.  What a group.  Mary Sandblade and Bob Thompson got married -- finally.  Oh Carol G. says hi.  I haven't seen Foster yet.  I would like to though.  Leslie Stein is home for the summer w/o a job.   Did you hear about Mark V. V.'s divorce?  I haven't seen him.  I was waiting to hear from him 1st, but so far nothing.

It finally stopped raining in Warren.  We were getting so much rain from Agnes.  But we didn't get flooded out.  Thank god.  Did you hear the rumor about the crack in the dam?  It's not true.  Christ, rumors travel faster than facts.

I guess that's all the depressing news I have right now.  Paul, the next time you're around Warren, Pa. get in touch w/ me I'll probably be here.  I'm so glad things are going well w/ you.  Take care and please write again.

April 16, 1971 (Letter from Gail)

It was really great to hear from you.  I started to write to you once, but when I went to address the envelope I couldn't find your address, so that blew that.

It's been a long time, I was really glad to hear that things are going good for you.  I guess I could say that things are going ok for me, too.  It's been a rough semester though, course wise, that is.  I've got two math courses, Coll Alg., and Psych Statistics and they are really getting me down.  It makes me mad, because last semester was so good for me.  I'm a psychology major, and it's just a bit rougher than I thought.  But I guess if I make it through this semester, I'll be ok.

I went to see "The Grateful Dead" at Allegheny College last nite.  They played from 8:00pm to 1:00am.  It was unbelievable, all the kids that were there.  You'll never guess who sat in front of me -- Gary Porter -- remember him -- he graduated with us?  He's gotten really freaky, he's letting his hair grow, has wire rims, and was even with a girl!  He was up dancing and clapping his hands!  Right on Gary!  A couple months ago I saw "James Gang" and "Steel River" at Gannon in Erie.  They were really good too!  I liked Steel River best.  "Chicago" was at ESC in February.  They gave such a horrible concert.  I think they played for a total of an hour!  It was really poor.  But that's Edinboro, always bringing in the best groups.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't think I'm going to be in any exciting places this summer.  I applied at the State Hospital for a job, which I hope desperately that I get.  If I don't, well, I'll probably end up back at Tiny Town (God forbid) or commuting back and forth to Edinboro (with Barb Check) taking a course or two.  As it is I'm not going to graduate till August 1972 anyways so it doesn't matter what I do this summer.  I would really like the job, for the money, but things are tight and I'm afraid I"ll be squeezed out.

I'm going down to Penn State tomorrow morning to spend the weekend with Leslie.  It's going to feel good to get away from this place.  I wanted to go to Florida over Easter but we only had 5 days off and I couldn't afford to cut classes, so I didn't go.  I went home and helped by uncle out in the store and sat on my ass the rest of the time.  It was Passover too that weekend and my sister and her husband and baby were home, so I guess the vacation wasn't a total loss.

What's with Mike and the rest of the gang.  I guess Renee and Morrey were home for Passover but I didn't get to see them.  I guess Renee lost lbs.  Good for her.  I hope she keeps it up.  Right!

Well Paul, I guess that's all my news for now.  Write back when you can. I'll be here till May 21st. Take care.

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.

May 13, 1970 (Letter from Gail)

Sorry to hear about your ankle.  I hope you are taking care of it.  I hope by now UB has cooled down a bit.  It must be horrible but I would think it would be exciting sometimes.  Maybe I'm goofy and terribly innocent, not innocent, I mean ignorant but when you lived in a terribly unexciting town, well, you know what I mean.  Monday was my birthday and some of the girls took me out to inner.  We went to Edgewood Motel in Y'ville.  It was pretty good.  I had London broil -- fabulous.  We had a good time.  I can't believe I finally hit 20.  Wow!  Sunday I went to Edinboro (main campus) to see a pop concert.  We had a good time.  It was spring weekend and they had -- The Rare Earth, Rotary Connection, Pacific Gas and Electric and Marvin Braverman (a comedian).  The Earth were terrible.  Rotary Connection was great and M. Braverman was hysterical!  I had never been to a concert there and well, it was an experience.  The concert lasted 4 1/2 hours -- my ass was so sore.  I'm really happy for you about Calif -- I'm also very jealous.  I hope you'll be home before you leave.  We'll have to get together and have a big welcome home-bon voyage party.  Finals are next week -- can't wait.  I'll be so glad when it's all over.  Next year it's going to be so different from this year.  Well, kids, be good.  See ya soon.

April 22, 1970 (Letter from Gail)

Happy Earth Day!  What did you do today my friend, to help stop the spread of pollution?  I think today I drove my car and littered more than I ever have!  I had the car all evening till about 11:00 and most of the afternoon and with the three cigarette buts, 3 matches, 1 ice cream wrapper that I deposited out of my car window, I'd say I did a great deal to help pollution spread!  I think this whole Earth day thing was a bit much -- it has a good cause -- but a corny way to show it.  EOC had a big program lined up.  Did UB do anything?  Or did they have another riot with smoke bombs and all?  I guess the riot situation at Penn State is really getting bad.  I hope Leslie stays clear of it all.

Nothing much has happened around here lately, for a change.  Over East break (we had a week) I went to Arlington Va and spent the week with my sister and brother-in-law and my new nephew.  My sister had a baby so I went down to give her a hand.  I stayed from Thurs to Thurs.  I had a great time.  My nephew is the greatest!  I love him so much.  I hated to leave him.  I left Wash National Airport at 6:00PM Thurs nite and never got into Bradford till 10:30AM Friday.  15 hrs. late.  You'll never guess what happened!  The plane couldn't land in Bradford cuz of strong winds, I guess the area had a terrible snowstorm that nite, so the plane was gonna land in Erie.  But we couldn't land there cuz the runway was completely ice covered, so we flew on to Cleveland and we spent the night there, or else we would've gone on to Detroit where that flight originates!  There were 7 of us that were supposed to get off in Bradford so we all stuck together like glue.  The airlines put us up in a beautiful motel for the nite and we took an 8:45AM flight the next morning.  There was a girl around my age in our group and she and I shared a room.  I was so thankful she was there and vice versa.  But I had a terrific time, it was a little tense for awhile, still I enjoyed it.  If I had the chance I'd do it again this weekend.  It was an experience I'll never forget and am glad it happened!

I can't believe we only have 3 more weeks of school and 1 week of finals left.  It all went so fast!  When are you finished?  That would be fabulous if you and Mike could go to Calif for the summer.  Oh wow!  I have to take a course at summer school so I'll be stuck in Warren and at Tiny Town again for another summer.  But I swear it's gonna be the last one!!!

Mark will be home this summer so at least I'll have a little company.

Went to Edinboro last wk and made out my schedule for next fall.  It worked out pretty good -- at least I'm satisfied with it now.  Wait, tho.

Well, it's 1:00am.  Guess I'll catch a few winks now.  Take care of yourself and write soon.

P.S.  Please, Paul, be careful of those girls in 482B -- you can never tell what might happen?  Blue painted faces at 5:00am!!

March 8, 1970 (Letter from Gail)

One night (a couple of wks ago) I was watching TV about 11:00 and the news came on, as I was about to turn the channel, they started showing films of the campus and their riots.  I sat -- glued to the TV.  My mother says -- "Doesn't Paul go there?"  I said yeah!  All I could think of was that I hope Paul's not involved in that.  I beet your parents were kinda upset.  I was.  I hope everything's settled down by now.  I'm sorta glad ECO is so damn small and queer now.  The kids over here wouldn't have the guts to do something like that.  Another thing is that there is really nothing to complain about because there is nothing!!!!!!!

I hope you've recovered from your "accidents".  That's a dirty shame.

Leslie came home for the weekend so we went to DeMarco's last nite.  It was lousy!  Fri nite Sheryl Larson, Pat Suppa, and I went up and had a great time.  The place was jammed and really alive.  Last nite it was -- bleck!  I was home by 11;30.  Guess who was there, tho?  Mardi and Barb L.  I was surprised to see them. I didn't talk to them, tho.

Les told me that she talked to Mark last week and he said he's bringing that Sherry chick home for Easter or spring break or something.  But anyways, it's for 2 weeks.  I can't wait to see her.  See what she looks like?  Have you seen her?  I got a letter from Dody yesterday.  He's fine and school's going fine.  Said the social life stinks.  But I guess Lou went up there this weekend.  So it couldn't be as bad as he says.  Right?

Guess what?  My sister called us yesterday and I'm an aunt!  I can't believe it.  I'm so happy!  They had a little 5 lb. baby boy, Michael David.  I can't wait to see him.  But they're in Arlington, Va.  So it mite be awhile.  We celebrated last nite on my new position as "aunt".

Well kiddo, be good and take care of yourself.  Write soon.

February 25, 1970 (Letter from Gail)

You would not believe how cold it is here tonite.  I was over at the coffee house till about 10:00 so on my way home I checked the temp -- 2+ out!  Oy!  I can't stand this damn weather much longer!  I wish spring would hurry up and get here.  Oh -- for that warm weather!!

I've been keeping myself pretty busy lately.  I'm in 2 plays this semester.  A short 1 act play for the coffee house -- get this -- only 2 people in it -- me and this boy.  Sharp, huh?  Then I have a real small bit part in our Drama Club spring production.  I'm really excited about both of them.  The C.H. one is March 20 and 23 and the other one is the end of April.

Last weekend I stayed at Patti Suppa's house.  Her parents went to Fla for 2 wks ( those lucky SOB's) so 3 of us stayed there for the weekend, Sheryl Larson, Barb Check, and me.  Barb is staying for the full 2 wks.  Well, Friday night we went bar-hopping.  We hit the biggest dives in J'town I think.  1st Shorty's (naturally) then Pejo's -- picked up some EOC kids, went to the Silver Dollar and Samuels.  We got back in town at 1:00 and Pat and this other girl that was with us stopped at the T&C and Allegheny Hotel and got served!  Oh wow -- what a night.  I didn't get drunk though.  Got in about 2:30.  Sat nite was even better, we went to Satellite Lounge bowling for awhile -- then barhopping again.  We went to one place -- oh god -- it was a real western saloon -- with Merle Haggard on the juke box and real cowboys dancing with their chicks!  Funny!  Then at 5 to 1 we found the greatest bar -- called the Sportsman Cafe -- the place isn't much, but the bartender is fabulous!  A young Italian guy -- "Bootsie" they call him.  Well he told us if we came back in 2 weeks, he'd buy us all a free drink -- there were 8 of us.  Great!!!  We got back about 2:00 then everyone came in and ate pizza.  Then at 4:00 we went for a ride around town with a six pack.  All I could see was the cops pulling us over.  Oy, I was scared but nothing happened -- thank god!  We got home at 5:00 and I finally went to bed.  I was absolutely exhausted -- a little drunk too, but that's beside the point.  I had a great weekend!  So now you probably think I'm a lush, etc.  But you know me better than that.  Right?  Hey, have you heard from Mark?  I haven't.  When are you coming home.  Be good and take care.

January 21, 1970 (Letter from Gail)

Sorry that I didn't write to you sooner.  But the week I got you letter I was studying for my finals.  God, what a week!  We should be getting our grades tomorrow or Friday.  I know I did good on my sociology test, but the other three -- well, I'd rather not talk about them.  We're on our semester break now.  It's a great feeling not to have any school work hanging over my head for a change.  I luv it!

Oh Paul, I was so sorry to hear what happened to your apartment.  God, what a horrible thing!  Did you report it to the cops?  I hope they can catch the guy who did it.  Great and I'm living in an apartment next year at Edinboro!  I'm scared now.  Think I'll put aside about 5 extra locks plus 4 bolts on the door.  Just to be on the safe side, of course.

Not much has been happening social wise, that is.  Dody is taking me to Bud's (in Jamestown) for dinner tomorrow night.  I'm sorta excited, I've never been there before.  He leaves for main campus this coming Sunday.  I'm gonna miss him.

Hey, how was your New Years Eve?  I haven't seen you in so long, I don't even know what you did New Years Eve.  I had a nice New Years.  I went to this guys house for 4 days.  In fact, I had a great time!!  I went to Penn State last weekend and stayed with Leslie.  We had a great time.  Sat nite we went to see a Paul Butterfield Jazz Blues concert.  It was good.  Heave you ever heard of him?  I never had till I went down there.  He's pretty good.  After the concert we went to an apartment party.  It was fun.  Did you ever play Charades when you're high?  God, I did.  It was hysterical!  I couldn't do anything.  I had "Easy Rider" to do and when I went to make the movie sign -- I said "movie" while I was doing the sign -- plus other dumb stuff like that.  That was the first and last time I got to play Charades!  We got in about 3:30AM.  Then we sat and talked til 5:00AM.  Then I had that damn long bus ride home that day (Sun).  What a trip.  4 hours of pure shit!!

You wouldn't believe how cold it is here!  It's supposed to go as far as -15 tonite.  Oh boy, can't wait.

That's about it from this end.  Take care and keep warm.  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 19, 1969 (Letter from Gail)

Boy, was my face red tonite!  Bonnie Freund and I were sitting in History tonite and we were talking while the teacher was lecturing.  Well he got a little pissed and told us to shut up and stop acting like high school girls!  He stood there and carried on like that for about 5 min -- giving us this big lecture on class behavior, how it's rude to talk while someone else is and blah-blah-blah.  I was so humiliated, I could have spit in his face.  Bon was really embarrassed, too.

Well, Mark came home last wk.  I've only seen him once, Fri night.  Sheryl and I took him over to our coffee house but before we walked in, I saw this guy I haven't seen in 13 months.  He just got home from the service, so I started talking to him.  Well, Sheryl got upset and went home and Mark got pissed and he took off and went to Y'ville with his sister.  He never did make it up there.  But really, I don't think he'd like it.  It's just not his type of place  So I'm not going to force him to come with us anymore when we go there.  I've talked to him once since Fri -- on Monday -- so I think he's up tight about me.  Enuf about Mark.  How's you?  How's all your campus protesting and sit-ins coming along?  Quarters are here on Fri so we should be getting our grades within a couple week.  I'm not really sure what any of them will be but I know that they'll be somewhere around average, as usual.

We were supposed to go see the 5th Dimension at the main campus tomorrow, but as usual our plans were screwed up and we won't be going.  Damn.  Count Basie will be at the high school pretty soon, so we'll probably see that.

Boy, has the weather ever been beautiful here the past 2 days.  Everybody was riding around with their convertibles down, guys were wearing shorts and playing baseball already. But tonight it got cold, so I don't know what it'll be like tomorrow.

Are you coming home for Easter?  Gee if you are, the whole gang, or those who made it home will have to get together and have another New Years party!  Right?  Except this time, there will be no whiskey, no "friends" of Joan's and NO throwing up or passing out till 5:30 in the morning.  If we eliminated these, it sounds like a hell of a boring time, no really, sounds like fun. We'll have to see what we can do about it.

 Well, Mr. Nelson, gotta hit the sack.  Take care and be careful.  See ya soon, right?  XOXOXO.

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 4, 1969 (Letter from Gail)

I hope you're not going thru hell in Buff like we are here.  It is so cold here, it hasn't stopped snowing all day and the wind is blowing really hard.  I'm upstairs in my room writing and I'm getting frostbitten instead of writer' cramp.

Mark was home this past weekend.  I talked to him on the phone about 4 times but I didn't get one chance to see him.  He came late Fri night and he never called till Sat.  He wasn't going out at all on Sat night. so I didn't see him.  But he said he'll probably be home in another month.

Sheryl and I went to Shorty's last Fri nite, an every Friday nite happening with us.  I won't be able to go this Fri cuz I have to go to a Bar Mitzvah.  Shit!  We met this boy there that used to go to school with us, but he moved away after ninth grade.  His name is Jay Bowes, he grad in 1967.  Do you remember him?  I didn't at all, but Sheryl did.  We sat and talked for awhile about "the good old days".  (?)  We were getting ready to leave about 11:45 and just then a whole bunch of EOC kids came in so we stayed for an extra 1/2 hour.  It was great!  Mary Speidel was home this weekend, too.  I got to see her.  Wouldn't you know it, I always see the girls and not the guys.  Strange!  I hope you're keeping your apt nice and clean and oh god, how can you stand Pall Mall?  Yeech!  Well, it's your lungs!  With that, I'll close for now.  Take care.

January 26, 1969 (Letter from Gail)

I was really happy to hear from you so soon and I'm sorry we didn't get to see you before you left, and the end of May seems so far away but I'll survive if you will -- OK!

We got our grades yesterday.  I got 3 B's, 1 C, and 1 D in World Civ which is better than the F I had at quarters.  I was satisfied with them I guess.  Sheryl and I went to Shorty's Fri nite.  Wow what a great time.  It was like old home week and the '68 class reunion combined.  I got really drunk and I paid for it on Sat.  What a hangover and I had to work all day.  Then last night I went to a party which didn't matter any.  Today I'm just taking it easy -- writing letters all day.

Sorry this is so messy but this paper is a real bitch to write on, plus my Bic keeps blobbing all over.  If y ou can't read it, send it back and I'll translate it for you.

How's school going?  I hope you've cleaned your apt by now.  If not, I'll be glad to come and do it for you, only on 1 condition, you won't let me go back to Warren cuz once I'm out of this town, I'm never coming back and I mean it too!  Have you heard from any of the gang lately?  I haven't -- I finally wrote Mark back but he hasn't responded.  Oh well, probably a delayed reaction, you know Mark!

Well, Paul, I better go.  I've gotta write to my grandparents.  They've been gone 2 1/2 months and I haven't written to them yet.  So I better get busy.  Take care and have a great time but study once in awhile.

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.

 

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.