Mary, Sam have dinner dance in Port Townsend

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting on a friend's deck and the sun had gone down and the frogs were singing up a storm. I always think that is a sign spring is around the corner. When Mary writes about going out in the sunny weather I am jealous. I am ready for sunny weather, with much higher temperatures of course.

Friday, March 5, 1948

Arose at 8 and ate at coffee shop downstairs. Then to wholesale house and got our supplies for Masonic Temple. We found everything we wanted. Looked at Dohrman Hotel Supply first. To Association Conductresses meeting at Fredericks and it was very interesting. Saw Bertha Attridge there. Then I did some shopping and came to car where Mrs. Wychoff met me at 3 p.m. We picked up the dishes at Greene Winkler and got home at 5:30. Then I had my hair combed for the dance. We attended the Worthy Matron's Ball at Philathea and took Jess and Eunice along. There was a fine crowd and we had a grand time, better I think than at our own dance. The floor and music was both better. Stevens, Loss, Lais and many others we knew were there.

Saturday, March 6, 1948

Arose late and cleaned everything up good. Put the daffodils in blue bowl I bought. They look grand. Joe Hackett was here. Says his mother is still holding her own. Sam went to Belfair and got side-tracked as usual.

Weather is trying to clear out, very bright. We went to the Shrine Dinner Dance at Chevy Chase Inn at Port Townsend and had a very good time. We did not know so many there, at least I didn't, but two I'd seen at chapter and Mrs. Rogge. We had a grand dinner. Speakers were good and Mr. Catrender sang four songs. Then we danced and talked until 1:10 when we left to drive home. The inn was built in 1851 and was full of old pieces of furniture. A grand evening and met a nice woman Mrs. Ostrander of Ravenna Chapter.

Sunday, March 7, 1948

Today I was planning on sleeping late but the dogs barked so I arose rather early. Cleaned up my desk of all work and got off some letters. Sam washed clothes while I did some transplanting of violets. Trying to rain hard out after a couple of days of sunshine. To Belfair and mailed some letters and still have dishes in back of car as no one was at the temple so we could unload the things. Bud Wells bought 4 acres from Mrs. Wolfe where the old Watson house used to stand and where the orchard is now. In the evening read the Sunday papers and went to bed early as I was so weary. It's fun to go out but you surely get tired. Had a letter from Babe Michael and one from Marie Rosenthal Stippe.

Monday, March 8, 1948

A cold dreary day and rained most all the time. Finished all the ironing and mending and cleaned some clothes. Sent some to cleaners too. Sam and Papa rode to Port Gamble to see Art Brooks. They made a deal whereby we shall get the upland where the log dump and road is so perhaps we can get that government property someday. I hope so. Then I went to Belfair and saw Alice Pope, John, Annie and got a scrapbook. Drove over to Skene's and told them they could get the berry plants any time. She may go to the tea at Hoodsport with me. Took Sam to Masonic Temple and he unloaded the dishes. Then I went home. Wrote to Mother, Babe, Marie Stype and Mrs. Rogge. Sent for bulbs to Dreers and Wayside Gardens. Then read awhile and went to bed early. Still cold out. Frogs are croaking with all their might.

Tuesday, March 9, 1948

Arose early and the sun is out real bright. The snow on the Olympics simply glistens! Beginning of dry weather from the looks of the barometer. Sam went to Seattle to get some work done on the car so left at 9:30 a.m. Then I finished all my work so I could sew on the quilt. Mrs. Short, Mrs. Small, A. Jones, L. Williams, C. Mann came and we surely got a lot done. We are ready to roll the quilt back a second time with just a little more sewing. A grand sunny day and I went out in the sun as soon as everyone was gone. It was so nice and warm! This evening went to Elinor Chapter at Union with Wilma Rasmussen and it was very nice. Helen Anderson was elected conductress and Bill Goodpaster associate patron. It was really a thrill to see Helen get the office as it will mean so much to her. Home late and very sleepy.

Wednesday, March 10, 1948

Arose early and had my hair done at wychoff's. Then stopped at Walker's on my way home. Sam went to Shelton to pay taxes and we also paid our income tax today. I went to Belfair to get some things and worked outside after I came home. Very clear out but not nearly as warm as Tuesday. Clouding up again. Have all my stuff ready for Friday at the temple for tomorrow will be busy and there won't be time enough. Addressed all Waster Cards but two so that is all finished. Sam, Rudy and Charlie Ryan went to a port commission meeting at Allyn. A venison dinner was served there so I'll hear all about it tomorrow. Made some dessert but think it's a failure as I let it get too set before I mixed the Jell-O. To bed early after a good bath. Subscribed to Eastern Star magazine also.

Thursday, March 11, 1948

Today had my hair combed out at Wychoff's and when I was home but a short time Mrs. Larson, Bard and Loreg came down to work on the quilt. To Eunice's early and we drove out to Cleora's to see the figurines and had tea there. I took the figurines home with me as I did not want her to take them if she was not satisfied. We set up chapter and home to visit and ate a lovely dinner. To chapter at 7 and picked up Lovey on my way. She looked good with a green orchid in her red hair. Had election of officers and Mayme Gould was chosen as associate conductress and Jess Duffield as associate patron. We were all very happy. After the meeting Guida Short and Addie Jones sold a lot of tickets for our bazaar. They rode home with me. We heard that Gladys Watkins had an operation in a Seattle hospital which was a shock to all of us. She is getting along OK. Quite a few plan on coming out to Belfair Friday Eve.

■ 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]