Greetings! Today (Tuesday) has been a rather decent winter’s day, with lots of sun and melting. Of course, it’s the calm before the storm, as we’re getting snow tonight, not sure of the amount. The daylight is lengthening, and it’s less than a month until we spring ahead.
While looking through piles of paper for a particular item (still not found), I came across a paper which had a record of Fanny Hayes talking about my mother. I will mention that my mother attended Gould Academy, and stayed in the dorm, due to the generosity of Mrs. Hayes. Fanny or Frances, was the daughter of President Rutherford B. Hayes, and owned property in Bryant Pond, right on the lake. I believe the connection began with my mother’s parents. Nevertheless, Fanny saw promise in my mother, and sent her off to Gould. After my mother graduated, she went to work for Mrs. Hayes. She was her chauffeur, cook, maid, you name it! Here is what I found:
On July 5, 1934, Fanny Hayes wrote a friend: Life pokes along calmly, and there is not much to tell, Barbara continues to live up to the reputation I have given her, and I don’t believe I could find anyone more satisfactory, if I hunted high and low.
On August 10, 1934, Fanny Hayes wrote that on a trip to Bryant Pond: …there was a furious storm after leaving Detroit which cooled the air and it rained all the way from Montreal to Bryant Pond. Several friends met me, and Parker Allen brought me home. Barbara had the house all set and dinner a-cooking…Barbara is going to take this to the post office right away, or it will not get off on the afternoon train.
I love reading these words about my mother, written so many years ago, And yes, my mother’s name was Barbara. Next Tuesday would be her birthday.
I’ve been watching a steady dose of the Olympics. I so admire the dedication and determination of the athletes. There was a brief pause on the Olympics due to the Super Bowl, which I find no need to discuss.
On Monday, Susan, Dave, and I went to Conway, NH, to surprise brother Michael at Casamigo’s at lunch. He and Penny, their children, Brian and Brenda, and a friend, Lori, met us at the restaurant. Mike was very surprised (thanks to Brenda), and it was a great meal and time to celebrate his birthday, which is the 10th.
I am very happy to report that my son-in-law Tim and my grandson Josh are right now in Japan, on the big ski trip. They left very early Saturday from Portland, on to Newark, and then the 14-hour flight to Tokyo. That’s when they encountered a problem. The weather caused their next flight to be canceled. Rachel had dealt with many of the issues from home, so she got them a flight out, and arranged transport to the ski resort. It was quite a task, but they made it. Of course, they had arrangements made, but due to the cancelled flight, it was like they were back at square 1. But, they had a van waiting for them when they got off their flight. Phew. I think Josh must be having the time of his life, skiing in deep powder, and eating sushi! They have a guide for a couple of days to show them around the ski area (Niseka) and take Josh to the wooded trails in powder. The guide has been great at taking photos and videos, which then get shared to a group photo album on our phones. They return home on the 16th, if the weather allows!
I do have the dates for the Lenten luncheons, which will be on Wednesdays, from noon to 1:00 this year. The dates are February 25, March 4, and March 11. This simple meal of soup and bread is an opportunity for people of different faiths to gather and reflect together on the journey to Easter. The meal is free. Each church is invited to bring the food for the three Lenten luncheons.
The West Parish Congregational church is sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive on Friday, Feb. 13, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is a critical shortage of blood right now. Your pint of blood or platelets can save someone’s life.
Send me any news or events: lstowell@roadrunner.com