July 14, 1976 (Letter from Barb L)

Was that April?  Seems like a month ago at the most!  No explanation will suffice for my not writing all this time.  It's a matter of discipline.  I have been thinking of you -- especially since I was not in Warren the whole time.  Let's see -- May -- I interviewed for a new job here -- teaching at the new Day Care Center that Children's Services is starting-- gave my notice at the workshop and quit there at the end of May.  My friend Linda had called me from the Cape & wanted me to come for the summer but I didn't know about the job yet, etc.   I did to up there the 1st two weeks in June & helped her with the kids & restaurant.  Didn't write any letters but I know I should have called you. Weekends there were impossible to get away from however since that was the work time & week days were free.  I really didn't know how long I was going to stay -- if I had a negative reply from Children's Services I intended to stay there.  But I had no reply the whole time so I did come back June 20th.  The time on the Cape was really good after the hectic month of May trying to finish up my work at the workshop & training somebody, etc.  During the middle of the second week I almost decided to stay -- it was such a temptation to go back to that life in which I was so happy & contented in the past.  Why did I come back to Warren?  3 reasons:  the possibility of the job that I really wanted.  Harry & Sanchez were here, & #3 -- the perennially illusive reason -- a relationship with a man here!  It always happens to me at in-between changeable times.  I started going out w/ this guy here in April -- young (22) and a Warren person, although saved by the fact that he's a freak & has been away before.  Another Taurus named Rick -- of course.  I don't know if you're familiar with him -- Rick West.  He's the cousin of a deaf-mute girl at the workshop.  He's Warren but he's not -- anyway, it's a good relationship coming at a time when there was nothing else to hold me here.  Seems it's in my karma to be in Warren for awhile longer, although I felt so much more myself while away.  I can't even explain it!  I did talk to Rick (Gray) on the phone while I was there -- he called Linda's & we had a nice friendly conversation.  Unbeknownst to me, he came to Boston Airport the day I was leaving looking for me -- the nite I arrived home he called again.  I really had thought he did not want any contact but I guess it never changes.  Also when I returned home I got the letter from Children's Services -- no job.  Turned out she hired all certified teachers in order to get her grant money.  So here I am -- 3 weeks later -- I volunteer at the workshop 2 afternoons a week & am unemployed.  I've applied for unemployment & will find out about it Friday -- probably will not get it due to quitting my job.  I have some money left but did spend a lot on my vacation (enjoyed every minute of it!)  I really don't want another job in Warren right now.  Would love to go back to the Cape next month or even September.  If I get unemployment I will be happy with having some income.  I've been busy reading, doing macrame, going to the workshop & hanging out with Rick.  It's easy to shed the Warren work ethic in two weeks on the old fun-loving Cape!  Of course I see Patsy a lot -- whose now working as a bartender at Cole's Landing & of course Mardi about once a week.  I did the 4th of July parade w/ her & Matthew & Yolanda.  Martin is still working at Levinson's & hating it.  He's been talking about moving to Phoenix, Arizona but probably won't.  Mardi took a week in June & few to Minneapolis! Far out, huh?  She stayed w/ Mary (David Brown's old girlfriend who now lives with "Stone" -- Bill Peterson.)  After spending some time w/ both Dutch & Bill she then returned home with no appreciable traumas, much to everyone's surprise.  I guess Bill is really mellowed out -- lives in a nice place, works steady, quit smoking cigarettes (unbelievable) and appears to be calm and collected.  Dutch is a suburban husband living in a big fancy house & appears somewhat melancholy & quiet, according to Mardi.  It seems that Mardi has begun to accept what and where she is & is no longer trying to go back to a Minneapolis past.  I think the security here is what she needs & she realizes this.  She seems a lot more content anyway.  No word from Joan to anyone, not even her family.  In May her father called her & found that she's living w/ a guy & does not intend to come back.  Next time anyone called the number had changed so no one even knows where she is.  I really don't understand what all the secrecy is about -- how bad is it to be living with somebody??  Who knows?  I just hope she gets her divorce in the process.

Well, there's the news -- I just saw your mom yesterday "over town" & she wondered if I had heard from you.  Your life sounds "wonderfully secure" indeed -- a first for you!  Looks like it could be beneficial to you.  I do want to get up there & visit.  There's a guy in Warren from Boston (friend of Martin's, work at Rexnard) who drives back & forth occasionally.  I can ride w/ him later this summer as far as your place, if you're going to be around.  In any case -- we will meet again, my friend, even though it didn't happen in June.  Meanwhile you continue your Springfield existence & I'll continue my Warren romance (incongruous terms!)  Hope you had a good time in Pittsburgh w/ the library school reunion.  Take care -- I will write again.  I'll call you if I have a chance to come up -- send me your phone # if you're not listed.

Peace!

Harry & her "itchies" say hello!  Also Sanchez.

February 10, 1969 (Letter from Joan)

Don't faint, but here is a letter.  I can't find the letter you wrote anywhere, so you'll have to wait if you asked any questions.

My week at Carolyn's is something to remember.  I got there about 8:15 AND she and Jackie picked me up.  We went over to State College and, guess what.  We ran into Gail Rock (I grew up with him).  So he took us around campus.  The boy he was with wrote me a real nice letter.

Wed night I had a bowling date and then went out to a place called Red's for something to eat.  The guy I went out with sort of attacked me and my tooth cut the inside of my lip!  (More about that later.)

Thurs. night I went to a small drinking party in a cold trailer down by the river.  I was with a real nice guy that night.  My lip got worse, though.

Fri night our other girlfriend came.  Carolyn went out w/ her boyfriend.  Three of us girls went out to Red's and I met some more boys.

Sat night there was supposed to be a big cabin party, but it fell through.  So Carolyn went out and Barb, Naomi, and I went drinking with 8 guys.  Well, we started to go drinking, anyway.  The cops are really bad around here so you have to go way out in the woods.  We took 3 cars -- 2 guys in each -- and the three of us in one.  Our car was the first to go up to a firetower.  The road was sheer ice and the car started skidding backwards.  The driver and the other guy got out to look over the situation.  Meanwhile the car starts moving again.  Don't think we weren't scared.  There was about a 500 ft. dropoff.  The driver jumped into the car and stopped it just before it went over.  The car was on a slant and we had to crawl out.  I almost died that night!!! Needless to say we never got to the tower.  The other 2 cars never made it up and we had to walk down to get them.  Then we went to Red's and stopped some guys and picked up some more.  It ended up with 4 guys and 3 girls.  My lip got worse.

In that week I met 13 guys and 6 girls.  Sun we came back to school -- and the story had just begun!!  (I have to go work in the cafeteria now.)

(2/11)  Sun night 2 guys came down to the dorm to see Carolyn and I.  They took us to the Eagles Club.  I got served and everything.

Mon night our gang up here went drinking in the woods and got chased by the cops.  We didn't get caught but they got 2 4-packs of Schmidts.

Remember when I told you about my lip.  Well, to make a long story short, I ended up with strep throat, an infection in my throat, trench mouth.  I had to get a shot and take all these pills.  Needless to say I was sick all last week.  I missed out on a really great weekend the 31st and 1st.

Last weekend I had a date to a basketball game and drinking.  Then on Sat I went home.  And on Sun I became a godmother.

The reason I didn't finish the letter last night is because I went babysitting with this boy at his sister's house.  We had rum and coke and watched TV.  Chuck and I are going to a party Sat night in honor of a couple who transferred over to main campus.

We've only been back 2 weeks and so much has happened.  I left out a lot!  Like my roommate and I bought a hamster and had to get rid of it.  We gave it to a commuter.  We have it back now.  Our room is all decorated with 3 Musketeer stuff.  We have matching bedspreads and curtains, posters, and a barrel that say "The 3 Musketeers".

Well, I have to get some other letters out.  Keep me informed.

September 11, 1968 (Letter from Joan)

Hi, old boozin' buddy!  How are you coming along?  It sounds as if you fit right into U of B.

A lot of stuff has happened in the last few days, but I'll try to tell you some of the more interesting things.  We had a dance last night w/ a local band.  About half the kids from last year who are going to main campus came up.  That place swung like the Surf Club never did.

There are only about 30 of us who came to the Venango Campus so you can imagine all the hugging (and crying) when the kids came up.  J. O. was here, but I didn't speak to him.  It seemed funny to be dancing w/ all his best friends while he was dancing w/ mine -- and yet not talk to him.

I'm campaigning for Student Senate of the freshman class.  The group this year is even better than last so I'm glad I came back.  I'm in triple section on 3rd floor right next to the boy's door.  My roommates are really nice, but my best friends are on the second floor.

A new ruling came out that the 2nd semester freshmen have to take past in Frosh week.  Two guys want me to be their slaves.  I'm not sure yet if I have to take part - I hope not!!

Well, Paul this was going to be a long letter, but I have zillions more to write.  You're welcome (for the collage).  Well, here's seeing you at Thanksgiving.  Write soon!