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.

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!

October 19, 1969 (Letter from Barb Lucia)

Well, Pauly, yes it has been a long time.  I just about have it figured out where everybody id -- what they're doing is another thing because nobody knows that.  Take me for an example -- DUH!  I am now working in Warren Pa. 16365 (!) at the Blue Manor Restaurant 6 days a week, waiting on a bunch of old, middle-class, conservative, mother-and-apple-pie, small-town, narrow, stagnant -- shall I go on?  I'm sure you understand -- you have only to live here to know -- Bla-a-a-h!  And Mardi spends her days at New Process -- I don't even have words for that!  She works until 5:00 and I work till 8:00 and we see each other from about 9:30 to 11:00 at nite -- during the day it's like being in solitude because there's no one to talk to at work anyway.  But, t his is my choice and not by force -- right?!  Like, I know I made the right decision about school, but duh, duh, duh that leaves me neither here nor there -- "come on in, I dig long hair" -- I wonder what song that's from --something I heard at the Cape.  I remember something and I can't remember whether it was said to me, by me, for me, sung -- complete confusion of the mind.  That place...we should all go up there next summer.  You have to work hard at a job but it's worth it 0-- worth what??   There's all kinds of action if you're a guy -- duh!  Believe me when I say it because I know!  Being a broad is a real kick in the pants -- you don't know what in hell -- ahem! -- the hell to do sometimes.

Mardi said you quit your job -- yes Paul -- Go, go, go.  Working and going to school is a real drag -- you're there, Tired, Tired, Tired!!  Are you coming home next weekend -- 24th!  Good grief, imagine having someone else to talk to -- Mari and I have been using sign language.  We had planned on going up to see you and going to Pittsburgh for a weekend, etc. etc. but shit, damn, and screw I only have Sundays off!  If it gets too bad I'll just quit and go where I want to.  I mean, this is ridiculous -- I have enough money saved to pick up and go somewhere -- so why don't I go?  Boston is the likely place, but something says, Wait, wait, wait.  Thinking rationally is completely out of the question, don't you agree?  Trusting yourself completely to your instincts will really mess you up but it's real - you know?  Duh, what am I talking about?

Today you're probably sitting around the old apartment drinking beer and watching the game -- maybe you're at the game -- blah, no it's too crummy out.  What's O.J. like in person -- I'm sure you've met.  I can't believe you've lost 20 pounds -- I've lost 5 lb and it's bad news.  You might not have eaten, slept, etc. but did you have a good time.  No.  Well, that's life, Paul.

I talked to Mike once or twice before he went back -- we were all sitting at Shorty's once (once is enough!) and he was expounding on something or other.  Michael Fraternity Kid Foster is still the same but then Mike's not all that bad.  I'd take Mike over 3/4 of the other fruit-loops running around the world  Haven't seen or heard from Renee since Christmas??  I hear through the grapevine that she and Morrey were here for awhile -- oh, Renee, you've got to be kidding -- married?!!  The pattern her parents, etc. have forced her into is so obvious -- doesn't she care?

And then there's Joan -- God, I hate to even think about what she's doing -- Mardi and I haven't heard a thing -- I can just imagine -- Freddy, Freddy, Freddy -- Oh, we are all in fine shape, aren't we -- I've never known Mardi to be so confused but then I'm a big help because I'm a complete dud at the present -- there are no answers in Warren, Pa!  Remember that.

Well, I will close up and clonk over to Mardi's now through "the rain upon the trees".  Take care -- we'll see you soon.  Paul, do you still go into a trance when you drive?  I will never go to Lum's again with you kids unless I wear my spike shoes -- honestly, laugh much.  Haven't been anywhere near Bemus Point -- how is the old dud?  Last nite Masked Martin and Girl Wonder went to the Pub (duh!) for a nightcap -- we're there  -- sip, sip, oh brother, get me out of here.  I had my proof for 21 all ready but they didn't ask me.  Mardi had a line of bullshit ready.  Well, I did say this is it!  Goodbye!

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.

February 2, 1969 (Letter from Barb)

I've been trying to write to you all weekend -- this go, go, go -- party, party, party life is getting me down.  Yes, right, don't I wish...The collage doesn't make any sense at all -- it's one of those "pick out a page and cut everything out" ones.

Thanks for writing, letters always make ya feel good.  I wasn't surprised to hear that Mike is the same.  He probably has a couple of friends and considers everybody else really "hoody" or dumb -- does he date anybody?  Poor Michael, but what are you going to do -- Mardi's in a bad way -- between freezing weather, crummy social life, school (blah!), dirty kitchens, and pot raids, she's about ready to shove it all.  It takes time to learn how to handle all the shit they dish out to ya at school.  We have a break (ten days) starting Feb 21-March 2.  I really want to go out and see her.  I could pull if off for $30 or $40.  I really can't afford it since I'm a couple hundred short for school anyway, but I think I'll do it anyway.  If I'm gonna go every day and work at that lousy job I might as well do something I want to do with my money.  Right?!

Things are their usual duddy self here but I really don't mind anymore.  My shoot-down from last semester is haunting me.  I just had Dorm Council for one time I came in an hour late last October and got campused for last night -- neat, huh?  I saw Mr. Wonderful at a party Friday night but he didn't speak -- why are guys always so nice, it must be a real effort.

I have a feeling my grades will be at a new all-time low at the end of this semester.  I haven't done one thing yet this semester!  During the week I don't even have time to breathe right.  I have four hours of classes a day -- that's not much at all, but I work 4 hours a day too, so I have time to squeeze in lunch and a cigarette and that's about it.  Then at night I clunk out for a couple hours in a dead sleep, get up, and shit around -- school, what school?  Missed a test on Friday that I'll have to take a zero for, oh yes, life is a shit sandwich and every day is another bite!  This Friday Smokey Robinson is here.  I'm supposed to have a date with some guy who might not go and I've never even met the kid anyway and you know I'd go alone in my jeans and bare feet and stand in the snow to see Smokey Robinson!  Not get this, that's Friday night and Saturday I'm supposed to go down to Penn State to go to the Chambers Bros with some kid I met there last week (went down last weekend, had a great time) but his roommate called me today and said he's been missing all weekend.  They called the cops, the whole bit.  He took all their hash and said he was coming up here to see me and nobody's heard form him. This poor guy takes LSD and is kind of screwed in the head, if ya know what I mean -- Is this making any sense?

Like I said before -- Help!!  Can't wait to get out of here and take off this summer.  We're going up to Cape Cod if it kills us; I can't take another summer at home working at New Process and sitting up in Shorty's everynight.  Oh, I forgot, Surf Club every weekend.  I feel like I should have my Friday night barstool reserved.  We'll do all that stuff at Easter and that'll hold me for awhile.  I go home April 2-7.

So, Paul, you see, Mardi and I need a few words of wisdom -- got any handy?  I imagine Joan needs more than a few -- I haven't heard from her except she sent me a birthday present.  I wonder if she's married to Rick, hehe, unless of course he hasn't gotten over his "fuckin crab yet".  W hat a case that kid is.  Swinging New Years at Renee's.

So you're going out with Gussie at home -- where is your taste?  I'm just kidding you, she's probably a "very fine person", cough.

P.S.  Was your spirit right about Cheryl!???   You mover, you!

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.

November 26, 1968 (Letter from Mardi)

Hope you're enjoying your vacation.  I know you are!  I'm just sitting here all alone.  (It seems so good.)  Everybody should be gone by tomorrow night for sure.  Jim Mead got here today.  Nobody knew.  He came to see Peggy.  It seemed funny to hear him talk about the Gloves and Shorty's.  It was like old home week.

Nothing too much is happening.  Saturday night Wendy and I went party hopping.  We took four pint size cans of Bud and two cans of Colt 45 and brought it back to the apt.  You could bring in a case and nobody would know.  Then we went back out and drank Southern Comfort and we stopped at one keg party and I swear I never drank so much beer!  I was up all night drinking ice water.

Jan is supposed to have a big bash at her apt Thursday.  But I really don't feel like going.  I think I'd like to spend a nice quiet day and night.

I've getting spastic waiting for Christmas.

Today in Charm we started make-up.  You'll never recognize me.  We're starting with the eyes and today she shaped my eyebrows.  I'll be my own duddy self, don't worry.  My hair is getting long!  I'm trying to get rid of the bangs.

I hope you can make it out here in January.  I forgot to tell you that Mr. Sayles told me when I talked to him that he's supposed to come out in January some week for a convention, second or third week.

I must go and do some speechwriting.  Take care, waiting to hear you on the phone.  I sent Mike some pictures for you to look at.  They're really cute.

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.