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.

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.