January 10, 1969 (Letter from Kathy)

First of all I must wish you a Happy New Year.  Hope you brought it in right -- with lots of booze -- heaven knows I certainly did -- I was 18 the day before.  I've got the champagne bottle sitting right beside me.

I find it really difficult to get back into the swing of things after being home so much the past month.  I like school, I guess, but I had kinda got used to being carefree with no studies.  I have three term papers in English to do and one for Dental Theory.  Mid-terms are the week of Jan 20.  T

This weekend and next are to be devoted to studying.  I must read my back assignments and get the background needed to even start to study.

I might take a break for a while tonight to go ice-skating with the girls -- in the interest of exercise.  I made a New year's resolution to either take a walk or get some type of exercise every day (I'm too inactive here) and to lose 10 more pounds (I lost 10 over Christmas vacation).

When Jodee told me that she weighted less than I did, I decided right then and there I was going to go on a very strict diet and I've stuck to it.  I felt really bad when Gary made a remark about watching me walk across the gym floor at the basketball game.

So tell me, what have you been up to?

Start teh year out well, study the first week -- fool around the rest.  Really, though I'm gonna quit going to fraternity parties -- they're fun only if you drink and right about now I'm kinda sick of drinking.  After New Years I don't think I'll drink for awhile.

Well, take care.

My roommate bought me the Happenings album for my birthday -- has the songs on it that they sang at teh concern in Warren last year.  I've wanted it for so long.

November 8, 1968 (Letter from Kathy)

Well, I went to another fraternity party last night, only this week I was a good girl and didn't even get high.  I had four glasses, but I was completely sober and didn't really feel good, but I still had a good time.  Have a date tonight with the guy I met last Friday night at the fraternity party.

I got a ride into Buffalo for Thanksgiving, and my parents are going to pick me up at the airport there.  This guy is either coming back Sunday night or Monday morning.  I have a final in chemistry Monday morning, so I'm hoping he'll come back on Sunday night.  If I ride with him both ways then I'm definitely going home for fall break (Dec. 3-8).  If Marie is willing to spend the $32 for plane tickets, then she is going to come with me.  I really hope she decides to come.  She should have gone to my high school (well, maybe not) because we would have gotten into so much trouble.  We both would have gotten into so much trouble.  We both seem to have the same ridiculous ideas at the same time.   It's really funny.  I want to show her a good time too, because I'm proud of my little town and the wonderful people in it and I want her to like it too.

I make her study and she helps me get around in this big mean city.  I'm still kinda scared of the city, and having Marie as a guide sure helps.

The guy situation is getting better.  Have met a few guys that appear to be after things other than sex -- like nice clean fun.

I'm working the desk (paging people) this afternoon as a favor for the girl on my floor.  I'm kinda scared, but I guess I"ll live through it all.

This is a long weekend -- no classes Monday.  I have to use the time wisely though and get some homework done ahead of time so I'll have free time later to study for finals that are rapidly approaching.  They're only two weeks away.  But then again home is only two weeks away, also.  Yeah!!!

I'm interested in this "thumper" game.  Since when has the drinking age 21 posed a problem for the Warren gang?  In fact, being 17 never even bothered us in high school.  Why in heavens name should we start worrying about it now??  You'll have to show some of us how to play it.  OK?  OK!

I bet you made a really cute American flat -- that was such a better idea than the mummy idea.  I'll remember it!

I smoked last Friday night for the first time when I was high.  It was really, really terrible.  Even drunk, I went and rinsed my mouth out right away!

Well, Paul, I'll see you in two short weeks.  Take care until then and please don't get sick again.

P.S. I think they're gonna be two long weeks because of all the anticipation.  I'm really getting excited.

November 8, 1968 (Letter from Mark)

Today's Saturday and I had to do my laundry so I thought I'd catch up on my letter writing.  They finally got some laundry machines working around here.  I've been living out of the laundry bag for the past week.

I've only got two more weeks till I get home for Thanksgiving.  I'm going home the Monday before with Mary Jane Miller.  I'm going to have to skip four days of classes to go though, don't know whether I can afford to miss all those days.  I'm liable to change my mind and just go home on Thursday and that's all.

Still haven't heard from Mike.  Don't even know how school's going.  Don't care either. Mike was always a sucky friend anyhow.

Last night I had a blind date to a fraternity party at the Treadway Inn.  Had a great time.  The girl I was with was an upperclassman, but she didn't care and we just danced and drank and had a great time.   Think I'm going to pledge Phi Sigma Kappa.  That's the one I like the best and the guys are really great.  Some of them are in art & design.

Still haven't got moved yet.  We did get bunk beds and desks, so it isn't too bad.  Just hope they hurry and get this place done.  Lots of kids are really getting pissed.  We've had a couple pickets and that kind of stuff, but it hasn't done much good.

Tonight I'm going to 4 frat parties with Flower.  We just go to one and then hop from one to the other.  It's a lot of fun.  By the end of the night you can hardly stand up.

My sister Karen and Steve came up on Tuesday and spent a couple days here.  He was looking for a job up here and he had a few interviews at Xerox and Kodak.  Would really be nice if Karen and them moved here.  Then I could go and visit someone once in awhile.  Cities can be really cold places sometimes.

You'll have to decide when you want to come up.  Sometime after Christmas maybe.  Janice still wants to go out with you.  Keeps asking me when you're coming.

Well, guess I'll go for now.  Write soon and see you in a few weeks.

November 4, 1968 (Letter from Mardi)

How was your birthday?  I hope you're getting caught up with things.

My weekend was a total piece of mass hysteria.  Friday night Wendy and I went to party and we got rather high.  So Mike and I started talking.  I had met him the week before, so we were together the rest of the night. He's really great, he's studying law, and he's rich.  He's a nice guy and I really like him.  His parents own a hotel so they're not hurting.  He took me to a fraternity party Sat. night.  To say I was in control of myself...I had two pints of Southern Comfort.  I really, really had a good time.  He he.

Mike called last night and Wendy's Mike and Mike and I went out about 10.  Wendy's Mike had his car so we drove out and they took us to this gorgeous park with huge waterfalls and we walked and talked.  Then we drove over to the university and got something to eat.  They were going to have us up to Mike's (my Mike) (this is confusing) apartment for steak but Wendy worked till 9 and it was late.

Mike told me this coming weekend he'd plan it.  So we shall see what happens.

I had to see my ticket to see Hendrix Saturday night!  It's about par for the course.  He was fantastic, so I hear!  He said he was coming back.  Oh well, I'd rather have been with Mike anyway.

Wendy and I skipped this afternoon and went walking and walking and walking.  It's beautiful here.  It's supposed to rain.  I don't think we're going to have that much snow.

I want you guys to call me at Thanksgiving.  I don't think Barb will be able to come out.

I just got a letter from Dody today, I pity the kids in Warren.  You've just got to get out.  I love it here.

Well I did my exercise and took my nightly bath.

I bought a pack of cigarettes this afternoon and have one left.  I really should get at my homework or rather apartment work....I shall return.

I shouldn't be writing to you, I should be in class, but you won't believe what I got into last night.

We went down to the Leamington Hotel, because that's where Humphrey is staying, so we thought maybe we'd get to see him.  We saw him all right!  We're standing in the lobby w/ jeans and jackets.  Everybody is just about dressed to kill...and this one guy comes up to me and says would you girls like to get in?  We're there yes yes yes!  So he pulls out 6 passes.  We went in through the cops and guards and they had cameras and lights all over.  We felt really bad in jeans so we went back to the apt and changed.  The place was fantastic.  Nancy and I talked to Tommy James and the Shondells.  They were there for entertainment and they were fantastic.  Inger Stevens and Gene Barry and Orville Freeman were standing right beside us -- I touched them!  Everybody was tanked by 11:30.  It was so packed you couldn't move.  It was wall to wall people.  Outside, people were lined up all around the hotel.  Nancy and I took a cab home.  It was snowing lightly last night.  I didn't get to bed until 3:30 and I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow this morning so I cut my morning classes.  I feel really bad about it!

I wish this weekend would hurry up and get here.

I got a letter from Mark this morning, he's doing fine I take it.  How are you coming along with everything?  Please take care of yourself.  I must go now and eat!!!

Yes, there are many here -- who think that life is but a joke.  So let us not talk falsely now...That Hendrix! I haven't heard from Joan or Tina -- shove it up your left sneaker, girls.  Don't forget -- 41 days.

October 5, 1968 (Letter from Kathy)

You should be like me -- write on both sides of the paper -- it doesn't cost as much that way.  For heavens sake I don't care what you write on -- just as long as I can read it.

I've got tickets to see Bill Cosby this Wednesday night.  We have seats for first row center balcony.  It's at Symphony Hall.

This guy took me out to dinner at this really exclusive place -- Pier 4.  It's one of the very best in Boston.  We had a table right on the ocean!!

I took a 3:00 last night.  My roommate, Marie, and I had a double date with these guys.  I don't know about me Paul.  I get really upset.  All the guys are so fast up here.  I really get nauseated by them.  We went to a victory party at a fraternity. I was french kissed by three guys I've never seen before in my life before I even knew that I was in the door.   Oh there are nice guys here -- don't get me wrong -- but honestly I find myself pulling away from more guys.  They've got me all wrong if they think I'm anything like the city girls.  It really worries me.  Oh well, how come I'm pouring out to you?

I have met a really great guy -- so much like Gary, but he hasn't been around for awhile.  That's what is neat though.  Everyone is carefree.

You dirty boy -- going to those clean sleazy?? places!!

I haven't gone to church either, but I guess it's worse for you.

My initiation is Thursday.  It should be fun.

We start working in each other's mouth this Tuesday.  I can't wait.  It's really going to be cool.

September 25, 1968 (Letter from Kathy)

My schedule is really pretty good.  I never have the same subject two days in a row.  Dental theory, clinic, bio lab, chem lab, and speech are each only once a week.  (They run either two or three hours, though.)  I always have at least two nights in which to do assignments.  Last night I went out to the drive-in.  I was in by 11:30 though.  Curfew is 12:00 on weeknights and 1:30 on weekends.  My roommate and I (Marie is her name) are going to a work party tonight for the mayor of Huntington campaign.  I'm not sure what it is all about yet.  It has something to do with the fraternities.  Five of us girls went to three fraternity parties Friday night.  The first one we hit too early and there were 5 girls to every boy, the second one was shut down by the police, and the third one we hit too late -- all the neat guys were taken.

I've met a really neat prep school guy from Harrisburg - the only other N.U. freshman from Pa.  He's my buddy, and we really talk things out.  That's one of the things I miss most -- some of the old gang to really feel relaxed with and talk to.  Things are getting better here now though as we're all finding our friends.  My roommate and I get along better every day as we find out that we think very much alike.

Our chemistry isn't too bad because the prof realizes that Forsyth girls (dental students) are not interested in chemistry and he only holds us responsible for the essentials (which I do not know like everyone else because I had such a wonderful chemistry teach at Warren Hi!!)

I almost died laughing when I read that part about your laundry.  It sure was funny -- cheered up my day -- as mail always does.

I don't care what you write on just as long as I can read what it says, so don't apologize for writing on typewriter paper.  Be good (huh?) and study hard (huh?)

I haven't heard from Mark yet and he said I wouldn't write!!!  The big fink.