It was 'a big night for ... Sam Theler'

The barometer points to rain. I remember as a kid we had a barometer with a thermostat. There was a third gauge, but I cannot remember what it was. You know as soon as I send this to the paper I will remember.

Saturday, April 16, 1949

We ate fairly early, and I cleaned the cabin good. Sam ran the vacuum over rugs and chairs while I changed the bed and got it all done by one. Then Henry came so I made the potato salad for Easter, and we ate ham with it. Very good and we all enjoyed it. Henry stayed all afternoon and helped Sam rake the extra grass off the lawn. Cleora and Maryle Norton came and saw the primroses. I gave her some plants to take home. Then Mrs. Morrison came down with all the greens for decorations for the bazaar. They will work out OK, I'm sure. I raked out on the lawn near the poplar trees and now Dan has it nearly all hauled away. Looks pretty good even if it is so ragged. Also colored 2 dozen Easter eggs so there won't be much to do Sunday. It was a beautiful warm day, and everything is getting quite dry. Had a nice letter from Doris Kurth. To bed early. So tired!

Sunday, April 17, 1949

Arose early but it was so very dark we thought it would rain! To Holly at 11 and left the house spic and span in case anyone should follow us home. There was a good crowd at Holly. The only ones not there were Cole, William Baker and his family, Carl Veitenbois (in Air Corps) Polly and Violet and Louie and his family. There was a lovely lunch and enough ham and fried chicken (from Ruby) for all. We all ate too much. Then later hid the eggs and all the tiny children hunted. Myrtle took pictures again. We all walked down as far as Hattie's and saw her flowers. Saw Maudie's flowers on the way home. They were lovely. Grandma was fine and she seems to enjoy the company. Two tables of cards went all afternoon. Home about 6 o'clock. Very dark and cold out and the barometer points to rain. To bed early so I could get a good rest. Henry and Laurice came, we had coffee. Much fun,

Monday, April 18, 1949

A dark day and we rose late. Sam went to Olympia at 10 a.m. I cleaned the house, and cabin good and put in fresh flowers. It looks very good. Called up Alma Nelson and she wanted me to come in for some cherry blossoms. So, I went just as Joe and Mary brought Blanch home. Alma looks fine and we had a nice visit. Home and arranged all the flowers. Looks so lovely. Made a stork arrangement for the table too. Blanche made some good cookies, so we are all set. Very cold and dark out all day. Told Ritzen's about Sam's initiation Wednesday. They will try to come down. There were 22 women at Betty Fischler's shower. Her mother was here also. We gave Betty a play pen. She was pleased! We played court whist, and everyone had a wonderful time. Blanche and I cleaned up after they left. To bed late. We had chicken sandwiches and cookies. Everything was a huge success.

Tuesday, April 19, 1949

We arose late as everyone was tired. Sam did not get up until after we left for Social Club. Put away everything from the party so house is all clean again. At 11:45 Blanche and I went to Bremerton. Picked up Eunice Duffield and Lovey who stayed for a little over an hour. We had a delicious lunch of spring salad and spaghetti with ice cream cups and a birthday cake as Social Club is 23 years old this year. Bertha Zoe elected Sect. Then we embroidered on Layettes while Mrs. Holloway demonstrated corsage making. It was very interesting, and we all bought some makings for corsages. She certainly makes lovely corsages! Then home and got 4 lovely trout from Schlage's. Oh, they are beauties. Blanche and I picked all the primroses for the tables Wednesday. They look so lovely all together. Very windy out. Cold. Sam went to Seattle.

Wednesday, April 20, 1949

Today we got up fairly early. I cleaned house and Blanche did the dishes. Then I took her to the Masonic Temple at 10:30. The committee was all there so I came back later and got her. Ah! Were the ladies lovely! Doilies for under plates, place cards, pretty napkins and candles in star shaped holders full of flowers from my garden. Sam and I made salal chains for the bazaar. It took us about 3 hours. It was quite a job but now we are all ready for the bazaar. Then Eddie Fischler came down and he stayed until about the time Blanche and I came home from the Beauty Shop. It rained most of the day, so it was a good time to do a lot of things inside the house. Tonight, Eddie Fischler came by for us and Sam, Blanche and I rode down with him to the Temple. There was a very good crowd out and many from Olympic Chapter. I walked around with Sam from the door to the preparation room to the end of the initiation. It was very nice, and the officers did a lovely job. I was so proud of them! After the meeting everyone came up to congratulate Sam and he was really happy! Then to the refreshment room where we had a hilarious time. Someone gave Sam a parcel and all the women wanted him to open it. So, when he didn't, they peeked and in it was a breast pump. Ah, such laughing! Sam didn't even know what it was, nor did George Pope or Eddie Fischler. Home late and to bed. A big night for Belfair U.D. and for Sam Theler.

Thursday, April 21, 1949

Today we all were very tired after last night. We ate and at 10:30 went up to the Temple. We put up the greens, tied the red roses to them and put up all the silhouettes. It really looks good and I'm really proud of our work. Sam, Roy Mitchell and Bear Cat Thompson worked on it. We were at the Temple for 2 hours and then went home. We had some tea, and I got the pale blue linen dress ready to wear that Blanche loaned me. Then Sam hauled away the garbage and Blanche and I called on Mrs. Robertson. She seemed fairly cheerful and was glad to see us. Although it was a hard visit to make. We were glad we went there. Then home and fried the trout that Schlanges gave us. They were delicious. Then over to the house and wrote a little. The rain has stopped and oh! How green the lawn is. My outfit is all ready for Saturday's Bazaar.

Friday, April 22, 1949

It rained all day so we could do nothing outside, but we pressed out stuff for the Bazaar. Sam went to Tacoma to get the car greased. I had my hair combed out at the Beauty Shop. Then later Blanche and I went to the Primrose show. We saw so many members of the Garden Club from Belfair there. I bought 3 pulmonarias plants and put 2 up by the creek and one by the holly tree. With all this rain they should grow well. Alice Pope won a lot of prizes. Blanche made pea soup, so we ate some for dinner. It was delicious. Wore my new dress and shoes tonight. To shower on Betty Fischler. Everything was so lovely. It was at a Dr. Weddell's and exchanged partners every 4 hands. Low man got pick of gifts. Then lunch and Betty opened the gifts. Oh, such lovely things! Betty's mother was so pleased, just bursting! The car was full as we drove home late. To bed at 1:30. Sam still up.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler's life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].