Mary and Sam visit friends, go to events

It’s a plain old busy week for Mary. She is a social butterfly. When I was a kid, my mother would sprinkle clothing that was to be ironed with water. You couldn’t wait too long because mold could start to grow on the clothing.

Friday, Feb. 20, 1948

Squires came down and worked until noon so now all the early flowering stuff is moved. We have the garden in pretty good shape. Sam raked cedar limbs and needles off the lawn and cleaned up the pile I raked yesterday. We just finished when it began to rain. In the afternoon called on Addie Jones, Donna Bird and Mary Ruth (who gave me some grand cake). Took Alma Bard’s overshoes to her. Was glad I could get to see all of them. The time simply flew and it was just pouring down rain when I went to the locker to get some berries. Sam got canned peas instead of sweet peas and how we laughed! Anyway we have lots of peas. We were just sitting down to the table when Henry came in on his way from Seattle. So now the three men are all over in the cabin logging. Have gone over my Chapter work every day as I hope I can do it well next Thursday. Buster Schultz came at 9:45 p.m. and talked to Sam, Henry and Dad till late.

Saturday, Feb. 21, 1948

Today it began to rain and was really bad. Cleaned up all the housework and started the washing. Then to Wychoff’s and got my hair done at 10 a.m. Sam finished washing all the clothes and the washroom is full. Now 1:20 and simply pouring down out. Wrote a letter to Inge Baur. Tonight Sam and I went to the Dancing Party for Marie Higgins. It was lovely too. The decorations were silver stars hanging on threads from the ceiling and all around on walls were silhouettes of palm trees, hula girls and Hawaiian scenes. The Starlight girls presented Marie with a lot of orchids flown specially from Hawaii for the occasion. The Sun reporter and photographer were there so there will be pictures in the paper. The Al Bards and Roy Mitchells were there from Belfair besides the Clarence Davis, officers and wives and husbands, many we knew. Afterward, a group of us went out to Cleora’s and Lou’s for coffee. Home late.

Sunday, Feb. 22, 1948

A very windy day and I couldn’t sleep so got up and read the papers. The weather is trying to change today. Called Lovey about gift for Cleora. She has no sugar tongs we found out last night so I guess that will be it. Took down all clothes and put away and sprinkled ironing for tomorrow. Sam slept until 15 till 2 when I called him. We went over to see Ruby and Earl and saw nearly all their family save Vera and Cole as it was Uncle Henry’s birthday cake and coffee. We had a very nice visit and stayed until about 7 when we left for Bremerton to eat noodles. Took a friend of Earline’s home to Harper on our way. Home fairly early and read a few minutes and then to bed early. Stopped raining and now it’s blowing out again.

Monday, Feb. 23, 1948

Arose early and had all my work done at 9:45 a.m. Went up to Belfair and called in notice of Thursday Chapter meeting. West to Stuyts and saw Louise and we drove over to Skene’s. They were working on the cottage again. Louise had some lovely material with a gold thread in it she had made for Annie’s birthday. Back home and ironed my clothes and got out the books Louise wanted. Then Leonard and his wife came and we walked around the place and dug out some perennials for her to take home. The sun was out and it was lovely outside. Made dinner and the folks stayed but John came for Louise as she had to leave. We had frozen chicken, roast frozen duck, dressing, dumplings, gravy, broccoli, peas, potatoes, coffee, strawberries and cream. Very good. Sam went up to Masonic Temple and I stayed home and studied my ritual. Saw Louie Curl. He went back into the service. Said Betty was getting along OK. Was out of bed.

\Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1948

Mailed a birthday card to Elma Claen and Clara Fisher. Sam went to Seattle and I cleaned everything up for quilters. Went up to Belfair at 11 and saw Alice Pope at Stuyts. She had tried to call me. Said quilters could not come as they could get no batt. Then to Post Office and Locker and saw Mrs. Miles Howell at store. Had quite a visit. To Wychoffs and had my hair recombed. Visited there. Called Alma Bard. She will meet us at 6:30 to go to Port Gamble. Rec’d nice letter from Mildred Robischau. Five met me at Belfair at 6:30, Alma Bard, Christine Ahl, Alice Pope, Lavine Williams and Mary Woolridge. It did not rain so the driving was easy. We arrived there in exactly an hour which was good time. There was a nice crowd and a short nice program. The decorations were yellow daffodils and huckleberry leaves (the best homemade flowers I ever saw) very effective. Very colorful table with green nut cups and napkins with daffodils. Their addendum was very nice too. Marie, Lovey, Cleora, Mayna, Bob and Edna were there too.

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1948

Today it is starting to rain but it is a warm rain so I suppose it will bring all the flowers along fast. Sam came home from Seattle late. Said some shrimp he ate made him sick so he is still in bed. To Wychoffs and got my hair done. Picked up Mrs. Oliver and called at Kitty Williams who had the batt for the quilt. Mrs. Thompson, Kitty Williams and Alma Bard came down and we worked on the quilt till 4:15. Got it on the frame and quite a lot done on each end. It surely will be a nice one. Took Mrs. Thompson home and called on Mrs. Crosswhite about the cake. Then home and got dinner. A letter from Babe Michael. She is not interested in Star at all. Very wet out. Studied tonight in my ritual for tomorrow’s work.

Thursday, Feb. 26, 1948

Last night a big wind came up and it is still blowing but the sun is out. Olga Stephens came down to work on the quilt but no one but Wilma Rasmussen could come today so we called it off until Tuesday next. The Wychoffs in Emmett’s truck as Sam took the car today. My hair looks very nice today. Sam is going to attend the Bremerton Shine Club tonight with Eddie Fischler. To Eunice’s early and set up Chapter. The room looked very nice with evergreens and paper roses. Saul and Eddie Fischler came to Eunice’s to tell me that two trees had fallen across our driveway in the wind. Took Lovey to Chapter. We had a nice initiation and was glad when it was over as I was a little nervous. The Star Points and Robert Marvin were perfect. Alma Bard, Alice Pope, Margaret Skene, Wilma Rasmussen, Alice Rice and Alma Sundstrom were in from Belfair. I was so

happy. Margaret and Wilma rode as far as Belfair with me. To bed late. All the old-timers were out last night and I was happy to see them.

■ Clydene Hostetler is a longtime Belfair resident, local historian, media archivist and documentary filmmaker of “Hidden in Plain Sight.” She has been researching Mary Theler’s life for the past 13 years. She can be emailed at [email protected]