Mary and Sam have packed house for Easter

I got a kick out of reading this week’s diary. I have seen the 16mm home movies the Thelers took at the Easter gathering Mary writes about. Looked like fun. Mary has to take her car into the shop to have a new wire put on her horn because it would not stop honking. Can you imagine everyone looking at her as she drove down the street?

Friday, March 26, 1948

Today I saw the DeSoto Coupe. It is a beauty and Sam is so proud of it. Cleaned house very good and fixed all flower vases for Easter. John was down and got some oysters. Sam brought home the mail and there was a lovely cut glass dish there from Helen Anderson. Was I surprised! Also, many Easter cards. Very chilly out today. Sam has fixed the gate so the dogs can’t get through and run over my flowers. Cleaned four dresses too. In the evening Bette LeMier and her mother came down and we had a lovely visit. They stayed until almost 10 and I went straight to bed as I was very tired. Very clear out and cold. A big moon is shining. Rec’d many Easter cards. Such lovely ones.

Saturday, March 27, 1948

The sun was shining brightly before I was out of bed. Did my housework and then to Wychoff’s to get my hair done. It surely looks good too. Home and put the ham on to bake. Bud Bickle cleaned up the raspberries and is now working on the water pipe. Charlie Gilman was down to get some oysters. A very beautiful day and many cars are out. We had a very nice ham dinner and Rudy was down. How we enjoyed it! Henry came just as dishes were done so Sam got him some lunch. Took more tickets to Mrs. Mann’s and met her friend. To bed early as I was very tired.

Sunday, March 28, 1948

Today was one of the finest, warmest Easter Sundays we have had for years! Vina and Henry came over and rode with us. There were 49 of us there, only nine relatives were not here. It was our largest crowd. Vera gave Grandma an orchid and oh was she proud of it! The lunch was very delicious, and the ham disappeared in nothing flat. Mama thought the figurine I gave her was OK. After lunch we hid eggs for the small children and then pictures were taken. Afterward quite a few of the folks played ball. Then ate some more and went home. Hiked to Hattie’s and back. Cole and Vera stopped by to see the new car. Louie and Grace and children were down from Bellingham but could not stay long as they had to get back. A very crowded busy day. Very tired. Will go over my work for tomorrow and to bed.

Monday, March 29, 1948

Today Sam got the breakfast ready and was I glad as I was weary. Then he left for Seattle as soon as he could to see Carl Rhodes take his third degree in Masonry. At noon I went to Bremerton. I had to get a new wire put on my horn as it would not stop blowing. Eunice and I set up Chapter and Manie and Cleora came in while we were there. Home to Eunice’s and ate my bread and milk. To get Lovey at 7 and to Chapter. We had a very nice meeting and Florence Tillet made us a wonderful birthday cake. The initiation went off nicely and there was a good program. Took all seat covers and badges home to work on them. To bed very late. A cold windy day out.

Tuesday, March 30, 1948

Today I slept late. Sam did not get home. He called me about the dress material, and I told him what to get. To Bremerton and Lovey and I bought a cup and saucer for Cleora and a notepad for Robert Marvin. So, our gifts are taken care of. Then we ate lunch and who should come along but Mrs. B.C. Alexander. We had a nice visit. Home and cleaned up some work. To Belfair and met Helen Mitchell at 6:30. We arrived at Port Orchard before the doors were open, but Almarie King came soon so we got a good seat.

In came Duffields, Marvins, Marie, Lovey, Cleora, Mayme and many others. Saw Ruby after it was all over. Florence Waggoner, Dolores Moore and Ross Stohl helped install the officers. It was a very pleasant evening and plenty of humor which we all enjoyed. The decorations are lovely and addendums were very clever. Especially the one about “hats” the Startlets put on. Home late.

Wednesday, March 31, 1948

A very windy cold day yet the sun was out all the time. Took slip material Sam got in Seattle to Walker’s so she could sew on it. Then ironed clothes. Skenes came for lunch and stayed until about 3. We had a lovely visit. We took home some raspberry bushes. Finished the ironing and cleaned the white chair covers for Chapter. It was over an hour’s job, so Sam started and got most of the dinner. Sam bought a new power lawnmower, so he mowed the lawn, and it looks grand. Finished my scrapbook for Associate Conductresses Year. Doesn’t look bad either. To bed early as I was weary, so much going and hubbub.

Thursday, April 1, 1948

Today I just finished transplanting some plants when Helen Mitchell came to sew on the quilt. So, we worked on that for three hours. Then we had tea. To Walker’s and tried on my slip. It is a beauty and looks so good under my dress. To Wychoff’s and had my hair combed out for evening. Then home and made some soup, quick like, for Papa and I so I could go to Chapter. Sam went to Bremerton and Olympia both so came home late. Started to sprinkle about 4. The hyacinths are coming out now. To Reliance Chapter Installation with Helen Mitchell, Alice Pope and Eleanor Orcutt. A lovely evening and Hazel Jones was a wonderful marshal. The Chapter Room was lovely with huge baskets of yellow forsythia, white plum and cherry blossoms. The Worthy Matrons wore pink. Worthy of Mention were Lee Moby Boys who put on an addendum of which 2 were the Worthy Patron’s sons. Marie, Lovey, Cleora, Mayme, Duffield’s, Marion’s, Lois and many more were there.

■ 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].