August 2, 1970 (Letter from Kathy)

I'm at Kinzua -- enjoying what the residents of Warren consider a nice day because the sky has a few blotches of blue among the many clouds.  Here with Cam and her younger sister and brother.

Thank you for your congratulations.  Mrs. Tuller has been really nice to me since we've been engaged.  We had told them we were going to get married so they weren't shocked.  We're waiting for Gary to find out just exactly when his leave will be, and we figured around Dec. 5.  He has two weeks then and that's when we'll be getting married.  I'll go with him wherever he goes the next four years (unless he goes someplace overseas where I can't go -- I hope not) and hope I'll be able to work as a hygienist.  If not, I'll get something.  Probably will waitress the four months we're in Illinois, because it hardly seems worth it to go to a dental office for that short a time.  Never know what the future brings, but I certainly don't' mind.  We'll be together like we want to be for the first time in 3 years.

I must say I was disappointed when I heard you hadn't made it to Calif.  I must have called you a fool a couple times, but you seem to be pretty happy where you are and that's what counts.  Be sure to say hello to Barb and Mardi for me.

Your job sounds interesting.  At the end of basics, Gary spent a few days doing the same floors over and over and I doubt he'll ever want to do anything that has to do with them (floors) again.

Paul, Gary is in Illinois now.  Don't know how far he is from Rockford, but he's 120 miles south of Chicago.  Don't know whether you're interested or not, but his address is.....

I missed the fourth in Warren also.  Spent two weeks in Colorado and five days with Gary in Illinois.  He's waiting for school to start tomorrow.  For the past couple weeks, he's been distributing linen, pulling weeds, KP, and distributing directions to incoming troops.  He's really anxious to get in school.

Hi, I'm back (in case you didn't notice I went swimming!)

Sounds like you finished last year well.  It was my worst quarter.  Between the moratorium, the sun, my laziness, and graduation I just cut too many classes.

Hope you're feeling better.  Always thought you were a strong, healthy male, what happened?

Work is going well.  So far I've had Rick Brewster and Gloria Hahn as patients and among the more prominent people of Warren Dr. Whipple and Mrs. Eaton.  What a laugh, but Dr. Whipple is really nice.  Most of my patients (60-70% are children, and I really like them.  I practically get hoarse from talking to them though if I have a lot of them in a row!

My parents are in Colorado Springs with my sister and her husband.  Last I heard they had just gotten down from Pikes Peak and were on their way to the Grand Canyon.  They'll be coming back from their 18 day vacation Wed or Thurs.

Well, that about concludes Warren business.  I refuse to hit any bars so all my info is late and third hand.

Take care.

P.S.  Cam said "hi".  She wanted me to say -- well, hell she can write it --

I talked to your Miss Right the other day and she says she's not gonna look for you either, but you'll probably run into each other some day anyway.   Have fun!  Cam

July 25, 1970 (Letter from Kenny)

How has it been going?  Sorry I didn't write sooner but with my mother leaving for Europe things were pretty hectic.  She left Thursday night on a 747 and it left a half-hour late which is pretty amazing.

I don't remember whether I told you about the Sly concert (7/11) but it was very good but not great.  Rare Earth was also there but they were only pretty good.  The next week was Simon & Garfunkel and naturally it was what you would expect from S&G.  The only problem was that they were alone and played for 2 hours which is a lot but the concert seemed short.  When they finished "Bridge Over Troubled Water" the house came down and were given a 5 minute standing ovation after that one number.

Now that my mother isn't here I have the car all the time which really doesn't excite me overwhelmingly.  Yesterday I bought my new stereo, the same on as you except that instead of "50" speakers I got "50A" which are the same size but the new model.  They had a sale and for the same price I paid ($180 with tax) I could have gotten these huge, great speakers.  They were the same height but twice as wide as the "50A" and sounded really great.  I couldn't figure where the hell I'd put them so I didn't get them.  It's just as well.  Last night after I set up the stereo I got stoned and listened to most of my records.  I haven't gotten many new ones only Melanie and Let It Be.

I've tried to call Michael a few times but he's never been home.  I still have his check.  I see Herb and Chris pretty often and I've seen Eric a couple of times.

So when are you going to come to the "Big City"?  Let me know so I can contact and mayor and maybe he'll give you a key to the city.  On Aug 5 outside concert in Manhattan will have Chicago and Guess Who and I'm thinking of going even though I saw Chicago last month.

Oh yeah, a while ago we went to the track and in one race a horse name Fort Nelson was running so I bet on him for win (1st) and show (3rd)  Herb bet him to win and Chris to place (2nd).

The whole race we were all screaming "come on Paul" and everybody around us thought we knew the jockey or something.  You did pretty good, a photo finish but came in second, so remind me to hit you when I see you.  Well that's about all for now.  Take it easy and write when you can.

P.S.  I read Catch-22 also, and the Godfather which was great.

July 17, 1970 (Letter from Tony)

Well, here I am in all my splendor and glory, and in answer to your questions, yes, no, and only occasionally.

This has been a strange summer so far.  When school ended I was working 4 hrs/night at Buf. General.  I lounged in the sun the rest of the time.  Then came the post office job and I was working 12 hrs/day and sleeping 6-7.  I grew rich and retired from the post office.  I am now working 5 hrs/night at Buf General.  During my off hours I am trying to catch up on things like letters, laundry, etc.  So far it's been very good, as soon as I grew tired of my current situation, it changed.

On Mon I'm going to sign up for a 3rd session course, Industrial Relations 301.  Also I'm going to go thru a book on my own that should help me with the math I'll need for my Eco course this fall.  It has the clever title of "Mathematics for Economists".

I'm in the music room.  All by myself.  I really miss your stereo.  It was probably one of the finest stereos (stereoes?) I have ever known.

It sounds like you're really enjoying yourself.  That's good.  Here it's OK.  My social life is continuing at the same fever-high pitch.

Thanks for the money.

I didn't have time before to look for apts.  Rich, a transfer student from Ohio State, got the lists from University Housing and he called most of the places.  There wasn't much there, but I didn't expect there to be.  There's a place on Custer I have to check out, I'm going to talk to Mr. Mann, the guy who owns Herbie's apt. and see if he has any others, and I'll be checking the News, and the Amherst Bee (wow).  Are you sure you don't want to go back to Allenhurst?

I just talked to Kenny on the phone yesterday.  Vinnie called him to explain to him why he can't pay his rent just yet.  Vinnie's thinking of selling his car, he's still got $1,800 payments to make on it.

My bicycle's still fine.  I rode it to work Monday, right down Main St.  I was scared shitless.  Bad.

Zelda and Jane are leaving Sun nite for Europe.   I got a letter from Sue, she's really enjoying herself.

Mike worked for 3 wks in a factory then quit in a dispute with his boss.

Another strange aspect of this summer is the people.  It's rare that I talk to someone who has smoked, let alone see any of the stuff.  Everyone drinks a lot.  Next week we're having an office party out in the country and everyone is planing to get really smashed.  These people are nice, but they are a better fit for the early 60's than the 70's.

There are a couple of other college age kids that work with me nights and we sit around the plot the revolution.  Actually, I've been doing a lot of thinking about my politics and I think that a commune or a free store is much more effective than a demonstration.  How's that for heavy, deep, out a sight, and right on?

This campus is really nice during the summer, when it isn't raining.  There are a lot of trees, a lot of grass, a lot of room.

You probably heard that Ketter was picked as president.  Could be trouble this fall.

I've started the world's largest collage on Herbie's bedroom wall.  I've got 3 pictures up.  It could take awhile before I finish it.

If you haven't noticed, I've run out of things to say right now.  So, farewell sweet prince, until we meet again.

July 1, 1970 (Letter from Herb)

How you doing dum-dum!  It was really good to get your letter.  Sorry to hear that things didn't turn out better for you this summer -- cheer up though it's not over yet.  Maybe you can get your roommates off of booze and turn them on to the finer things in life.  Anyway you've always got Mardi there, right!  I'm sure things will get better.

I'm not sure where to start to tell you what's been going on here.  Well, I'll start with the short stories first.  News from Buffalo has it that one Vincent Williams has moved into our apartment with Tony.  Just one problem we can't seem to get any money out of him.  Short of lying up there we're doing everything.  Christ is going crazy.  He's pissed as all hell.  Knowing Vinnie I don't really expect to see it though.  Speaking of Chris, he's fine.  He's in love with Liz.  He's been seeing her all the time.  She's going away this weekend but he wouldn't even think of getting a date.  After all, Liz might not like it.  He's working in the pork factory again.  So I don't see him too much.

Next story concerns Kenny and me frantically looking for jobs.  Neither of us had been very successful as of the first week in June.  So being very upset, I decided to try my ace in the hold.  The parking lot I worked in last year.   Kenny came with me.  I was surprised when I got there and found out they not only remembered me but offered me my old shift back.  Naturally I was in no position to argue, 9-6 everyday Tues and Wed off.  Now comes the good part.  Kenny got offered a job too.  After some coaxing he accepted.  Imagine Tuchman parking cars all day.  His shift wasn't as good, 12-9 every day Wed and Thurs off, but he took it anyway.  Okay I started on a Thursday and everything going pretty well.  Kenny started that Saturday.  He was looking for a new job on Sunday.  You see I sorta lied and told the boss that Kenny could drive a standard (hoping he could learn fast).   Well, everything was going fine Sat.  I left at 6:00.   Later that night I spoke to Kenny and found out he did a nice job denting a car (it was a standard).  Kenny said uh-uh.  Kenny was out of work a few hours later.

But it turned out alright.  He found a job the next week with an investment company.  It even turns out that he's working across the street from Lauren.  La di da.  He's been seeing her pretty often -- he says not because he really wants to but just because there's no one else.

So everything is going pretty well with me too.  Except that I have no weekends because of my job.  But Tues and Wed aren't too bad.  I've been seeing Barbara a lot.  She's fine.  But I've been sprouting out and seeing others too.  All in all it shouldn't be too bad a summer.  Keep in touch -- Kenny says he'll write you soon (you should live so long).  Have fun -- say hello to Mardi for me.

June 29, 1970 (Letter from Zelda)

It was really great hearing from you.  Especially since you seem pretty happy and quite well set up.   I meant to write to you the4 first day I got your letter.  I even went to the music room and listened to the Moody Blues to get in the right mood.  But you know the old story I just didn't sit down and write.

Though things sometimes are a bit of a drag, it seems like there is a lot to tell.  (Considering I haven't seen you in over a month, it seems likely that something has occurred.)

I'm sure Tony has filled you in on somethings.  Buffalo is the summer is pretty nice.  There is actually sun, trees grass and all.  The campus is really very pretty and peaceful. I often just sit around on they grass and pretend to study.  It was nice just lazying (?) around for awhile but after a week or so it became boring.  The place is fairly dead -- that is to say no people.  Norton on a busy day has 10 people in it.  The only time you really see anyone is going to classes so I have to go just for that reason alone.  Today starts Freshman orientation so there will be more people around.  As well as more things to do.  You know how they try to impress the new class.  The school has a very good summer activities booklet.  In fact they have more movies and groups during the summer than they do all year.  I've heard 2 bands so far (one was blues -- really good) and tonight they have another.  I've seen some movies (Medium Cool, Oh What a Lovely War) and I've gone to the craft shop a couple times.  It is really lots of fun. I'm trying to make a belt but I sort of messed it up.  I'll probably wear it anyway.  (Don't forget to compliment it or I'll be quite hurt!!)  Well that about covers all the big action up here. I spend the rest of my time in the music room in Norton, in my swan k apt, in my math class or downtown searching for a job.

I worked for one week for a temporary agency.  I really enjoyed it.  The hours were perfect for me -- 5 pm - 11:00.  The men I worked with were dolls.  (About 30 -- quite witty.)  I did regular clerk's work.  I didn't even have to type and we would talk while we worked.  It was great except once they finished the job they didn't need me any longer.  They rarely work overtime like that.  Since I've been among the ranks of the unemployed, I actually haven't been looking that hard.  I plan to resume my search this week.  Now that Karen's back (she came back St.  She had a great time.) she'll be looking as well as one of my roommates Marlene.  Thus, the three of us can troop out all together.

Well, Paul I won't apologize again for being so negligent in answering your letter but I really am sorry.  It has been sitting here in my stationary box for a week now.

I thought I just would add a few more lines and send it out so at least you'd have some word from me before I leave.  Jane and I will be sure to send you another card from Europe.

I'll be leaving in one more week but it will be one hell of a week before I go.  I have an incomplete that I should finish off (but won't have time for), an exam and final, all my packing up in the apt and packing for Europe and so on.  I just can't wait till Mon morning.

I don't know if you've heard from Sue (I presume she doesn't have your address) but anyway she's settled in Paris and quite happy.  She has net some people and is busy regularly running from place to place.  Her french has also improved tremendously.  I'll enclose her address so that you can drop her a line if you'd care to and you can also write back to me care of that address.

Please write back soon.  I promise to answer sooner and hopefully I'll have a lot to say.

P.S.  Hope your job and all are still going well.  Do you plan to stay there all summer or are you moving on? (Send me your address if that's so.)

P.P.S.  Karen and Tony say hi.

June 29, 1970 (Letter from Kenny)

Well shithead like I always said Minnesota and California are just like twins.  Sorry I haven't written sooner but I have been working.  I got a job as a mailroom clerk and other things in the biggest investment survey house in the world.  It's really interesting, especially to me so I was really lucky.  I've been working 2 wks. (9-5 35 hrs/week) 2.50 an hour and I usually work about 38 hours instead of 35.  Glad to hear that you got a job.  Hope you're having a good time.  I haven't gotten in touch with Mike yet because I lost his number and can't get it from the operator.

Saturday night I saw Chicago.  It was the greatest concern I have ever seen.  Blodwyn Pig was also there and they are pretty good.  Some other group the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood was also there and they weren't bad.  The concert was at Fillmore East the late show which was supposed to start at 11:30 but started a little after 12.  It lasted until a quarter to four.  They started with "25 or 6 to 4" and sang all sides 2 and 3 except "Fancy Colors" plus "In the Country" and another one from the second album.  Also side 1 and I'm a Man from the first.  Also a couple of new ones.  It just built and built and their last bit was the entire side "Make Me Smile" which tore the place apart.  Their traditional encore was I'm a Man which everyone was standing and clapping.  Then they came back again and improvised and then they even turned the amps off but had to come back again because everyone was standing and screaming.  They did over an hour in encores.

Hey listen about you coming down, great.  My mother will be gone from July 25 for 3 weeks but I'll be working but you can come then if you want.  Otherwise how about Sept. 45 or so because I'll be finished with work and will be going to school about the 10th or 11th.

Oh yeah, don't do anything stupid like marrying Mardi this summer huh.  Regards to all and write if you can.

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.