Letter from Aunt Mary

I was looking for an old pattern book this afternoon, one that hasn't been used for probably 25 years, and found this sweet memory.

It's a letter from Aunt Mary.  Apparently I had requested a crochet pattern from her during a visit in early 1988.  Apparently Perry and Carol had a copy machine at home (for the business?) and she asked Carol to copy this pattern for me. You can tell that home copiers in that era were not common, by her comment that Carol "did a wonderful job" making the copy.  :-)

I think it's interesting how productive and artistic the ladies of that generation were.  She had so many projects going at one time. 

You can see her handwriting in the photos, but the letter is hard to read, so I'll type it in first.  Hope you appreciate it as I did.  

Jan 13-1988

My Dear Ann.

It was so good to see you when you were here.

I finally got your copy of the granny squares made.  Carol--Perry's wife--made it for me.  She came yesterday a.m. and picked up my book and brought it back in the afternoon.  She or they have a machine at home.  I think she did a wonderful job - hope you can read it and make your afghan.

If you ever have trouble let me know and I will make you a square.  

I finished the afghan I was working on Sat. eve.  Always glad when they are finished.  Carolyn got my other all white that I had finished last week.  Now I am going to work on my star quilt.  Have it altogether but the border.  Started yesterday.  Hope to finish it today.

Then I have 12 Dresden plate blocks made ready to sew on the white squares.  So I can be busy for awhile.  It's been cold so I don't go out very much.  Try to get to church if it's good underfoot.  Tomorrow I am invited to a luncheon here in town at Katie Meiss and hope to go if I can.

Good luck with all your afghans.

With love

Aunt Mary

Ada & Jerry's story !!! ....from Cleve

As an Illinois State University graduate, I receive a bi-monthly publication about ISU, as do most graduates.  It's interesting, informative, and has updates on various graduates and faculty members.   Every issue features a column called "How we met...", highlighting a married couple who first met on campus at Illinois State University.  I was pleasantly surprised recently to open to page 32 to see and read about Uncle Jerry and Aunt Ada!!   You will surely enjoy reading the history of one of the "favorite couples" of us all...... and a great, colorful photo of them, too!
(click on the picture to enlarge, for easier reading...)

 

 

Marty K. makes front page of Gridley News !!

The Klopfenstein family is currently creating a long-term niche in the Gridley community -- as my brother, artist Marty K, is painting a life-sized mural on Center Street in Gridley.  As I understand it, he is painting this mural on the west side of "the old post-office"...so people will face East from Center Street to view it -- just 1/4 block up from the old grain elevator office.  This photo and headline covered the lower 1/2 of the front page of this week's Gridley Village Times!
If anyone can prove me wrong, please do....but I think this talent might have been inherited from the "Slagell" side (my mother, Catherine, had an aunt from N. Carolina who was a bona-fide artist).   You might want to click on the picture to enlarge it.  Anyway, congratulations Marty!!! 

CUBS WIN WORLD SERIES

All the way from Morton, Il to Bloomington Il to Gridley, Il to Anderson, SC, to  Atlanta , Ga to Little, Elm Tx,  Klop fans watched as the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series.  Jay and Ralph would have been thrilled to see the Cubs victory.  An added feature was that Ben Zorbist, Eureka native won the MVP.

An added benefit is that is was great to have some relief from the stress of the ugly political scene that we are face to hear/see daily.  As excited as Jay and Ralph would be to see the Cubs W, they would also be stressed over the 2016 election.  Nov 8 is coming soon.....Go into the booth...hold your nose and vote!!

2016 will be a memorable year....Cubs won world series and the Presidential election that has make profanity and vulgarity household words.