MARY'S MEMOIRS

This week was full of Christmas parties and preparing for them. Sam drove off in their car and the cat jumped inside and he didn’t know it. I’ve done that before. It is getting cold out too.

Sunday, Dec. 4, 1949

Arose early and ate, then at 10:30 a.m. came Alma Nelson and her mother. We drove to Myrtle’s and got our directions. Ralph had made a good map for us. So, we had a cup of coffee and pie downtown and then went out to Myer’s Antique Shop where we spent two very pleasant hours. We heard so many lovely airs on the old music boxes. Ah, it was lovely. And how Alma’s mother did enjoy it! Then we started for home and ate at a seafood café along the highway. Home at 5 and found Sam away in my car. So, I got my clothes all put away and ironed some. Wrote in my diary and got my desk cleaned and scrapbook up to date. Put stamps on all Christmas cards. It was a most beautiful day, and the bay was clear as glass. It was lovely riding through the country near Olympia where we had not been before.

Monday, Dec. 5, 1949

Arose early so I could go to Bremerton to sew. Sam went to Seattle, and I had to tow the car to get it started. The cat had jumped in Sam’s car, and he did not know it until she “meowed” way up by Nichols Road. Squires came down and planted balance of roses, bulbs and my three bleeding hearts. To Alma Nelson’s where we sewed until about 4. All handwork done on handmaidens’ gowns save the hems. We called a cab to take us to the ferry and it came so late we missed the 4:40. Then Georgia came. She missed it too, so we ate a turkey sandwich. On the boat we saw Stiles Harvey and Harry Stees. Art Crown took us up to the temple in his new car. The initiation at Temple Shrine was very lovely and we enjoyed it. Saw Ruth Thoreson and Lorraine Stark. We learned a lot about our work in the White Shrine. Home on 11:45 boat and in bed at 2:15. Very cold out and they sanded the roads from Blanches. A very large day. Got a letter. So, I told Alma I’d be one of her officers.

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1949

Today it is very foggy. I arose late. Sam is still in Seattle. Made my shadow box for Garden Club and sprinkled my clothes to iron tonight. To Belfair and got my mail and Alice Pope rode to Garden Club with me. We had a nice meeting and several of the members brought swags, table or door decorations. Mine was a shadow box with holly in it. Flossie had her Mexican dustpan full of greens and a big red bow of ribbon. Home and ironed. Very cold out. Sorted out Christmas cards. Brought the candy home so we can fix the bags tomorrow. Mamie Gould called. She has her stage and program all lines up. Tied up the rest of the Christmas parcels and now I’m finished for this year. Tomorrow will try to mail Kent and Blanche’s gifts as they have the farthest to go. To bed at 10:30.

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1949

Arose late to find a heavy frost out. Everything was white and oh how lovely the mountains were! Cleaned house and then Maimee Gould called and said she would come out to help with candy. Sam came home and we bagged some of the candy until we ran out. Then he went for Maimee, came back and I made lunch. After Sam came, we ate and then we finished all the bags. Cut a lot of cedar so Mamie could decorate the tables. After she left, I mended some clothes. Sam took down last faucet and rode to Potlatch with Emmett. Starting to warm up outside. To Belfair Chapter and had a nice time. There was a good crowd out. Lovely decorations of holly and pine downstairs. Home early.

Thursday, Dec. 8, 1949

Up late and got all my work done before I went to Bremerton. Caught a mouse in my trap. Skenes came over just as I left. To Gorst and got my hair done. Then to the temple where we practiced for an hour. Everyone did very well, and we were all happy. Home to Eunice Duffield’s to dinner and then to Chapter. Took Lovey with us. We were through at 9:30 but by the time we ate, and I got my passengers together it was after 10. Home and put away my stuff. A most wonderful day out but rain is in the offing. Ethel Stees was installed as Elects. We had a nice meeting. Everything just flew along. To bed late. Sam got the silverware for Billy Hyde. Decorations were lacertine, sword ferns and holly. I took some home.

Friday, Dec. 9, 1949

Today I got up early and put my beans on to bake. To Bremerton and Sam rakes leaves and watched my beans. A wonderful day and it is a shame to stay indoors. We set up the tables. Grace Anderson and I, then Rose Aberg and Maude Shuberg, put on tablecloths. Eunice De Long came and helped Maimie and Levine Renstrom worked on the stage and Lovey superintended all. Guy Anderson, Walter Miller and Sam Braelin worked at the tree. Finally at one Lovey and Jessie Miller went for more silver for the tree so I left as everything was about done. Sam got the salad at Bettie’s. Had my hair combed then to the party. We worked steadily until everyone was served, then the officers ate. There was a good crowd. We must have served about 220 people. There were 17 bags of candy left over. A very good program and Santa at the tree. Was really good. Walter Miller surely enjoyed being Santa.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 1949

Very foggy outside and froze hard last night. Caught my 3rd mouse. Skenes were here and sat awhile on their way to the ferry to meet guests from Connecticut. We had a nice visit. We went to Shrine dinner dance in the evening. But in the afternoon, I called on Alma Bard, then came home and raked cedar brush out of the lawn under the trees. Sam hauled away all the leaves. We saw quite a few we knew at the dinner. Sat by Herb Travis, Jack Jones, Fischler’s, Jessie Larson and Schrickers Scotts. So many we knew. Dinner was turkey and great platters of fried chicken. An orchid corsage for each lady. Mine looked so nice on my black blouse with orchid skirt. The program was lovely. A Mrs. Tushy sang, also some Scotch bagpipe number, the Highland fling and a sword dance by a small girl. Then we left and attended our Dance Club. We had a very good time even if Sam did fall down. A good crowd. Home late and to bed. A large day.

■ 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].