Mary's handiwork amply rewarded at fair

There was a fair going on this week and Mary entered some exhibits. Mary does not say which fair, but she won some prizes. Maybe the Puyallup? Remember from last week her regular hairdresser left and would be out of town for a while? So, Mary gets her hair done at a beauty salon in Gorst. Summer is coming to an end, folks, so enjoy what's left.

Friday, Sept. 17, 1948

Slept late as I was tired. Then cleaned house and up to see about taking weaving to the fair. Called on Robertsons on my way home. Also saw the Ritzens who were busy canning peas. A lovely day. I took Papa up to get a haircut. Then Jack Morgan came down, so I sent flowers to his mother with him. Picked flowers for the fair and fixed some arrangements. Very warm out. Lay in the sun awhile to get rested, and tan if possible. Then got dinner and picked some more flowers for the fair. Went up to Housen's and the Minards came. He tied up loom underneath and it works OK so they took it to the schoolhouse in the truck. Saw quite a few I knew there. There were a few exhibits, but most will come in the morning. Alice Pope was glad to see the loom come in as it was part of her committee. To bed early. Very cold out, and a big moon out.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 1948

Arose at 7 a.m. and put all dahlias in bottles. Was at fair at 8:10 and home at 9:15. Takes quite a lot of time to enter so much. Then got all my work done and shopped in Belfair. Saw Alice Pope and they wanted a picture of the loom and me, so I went in. To Mae Housen's at 1:30. We wound some thread and down to the fair. She and I wove off and on until 5 when I took her home. Took Blanch with me and we ate dinner. Chicken soup and peaches, cream and cake from the fair. Back to fair and with Papa and saw so many I knew. There were folks from all over there. Many lovely exhibits. At 10 we took up all our stuff. Mrs. Minard came down and wove in the afternoon and evening. It was so nice of her to do it. Home and put all my stuff away. Two sweepstakes, one arrangement, one fancy work, 12 first prizes, six second prizes, and three thirds. Guess I should be happy? Really can't see how I can compete with Evelyn Edmiston, but I did. To bed late. Cold and clear out.

Sunday, Sept. 19, 1948

This morning was very foggy. Washed clothes, cleaned house, all done by noon. The sun is now coming out warm. Hope it is hot today. A very heavy dew again last night. In the afternoon I lay in the hammock and got a good dose of sun and studied in my ritual. Felt good to be lazy. Then got dinner at 5 so I could be thru early. Windy out. Mamie Gould called and wanted me to come to dinner, but I'd already put the roast in the oven. Will go another day. Rudy and Alma Sundstrom were down. We had a nice visit. Glad to see that Alma is doing so well after her operation and that school is not tiring her too much. Sprinkled clothes to iron tomorrow. A small ironing. To bed early. I really rested today.

Monday, Sept. 20, 1948

Today got Squires here at 9, then I did the ironing and mending. Up to Belfair and got mail. Saw several I knew. Then took flowers to Mrs. Morgan and we had a nice visit. She surely has her hands full with the two children. Home and read awhile and got dinner. Trying to rain out. A big wind coming up and it looks bad, Sam has not shown up yet. Most likely in Seattle. Christine Ahl and Helen Mitchell came in later. They planned their march and settled a lot of things about the new chapter. We are going to make programs as soon as Helen gets the material. Lunch and talked until late. Sam was in bed when I got home. To bed late. Raining out.

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1948

Squires did not work today but sent a nice bouquet of roses down. Raining hard out. Sam went to Olympia to fix up slot machine license. To Social Club taking Eunice Duffield along. A nice lunch was served, and a talk was given by a woman who had visited Mexico City for three months. It was very interesting, and we stayed until the very last. Rec'd a letter from Walter Dickson's daughter-in-law. They say I can have the China closet, but two doors are broken. They are moving into the house. Fixed the prizes I won in my scrapbook, so I'll know what to take to fair in 1949. In the evening read awhile then went to bed early. Tired. Raining out again.

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1948

Rained off and on all day. Was clear for about 30 minutes about 6. Today I had my hair done at the Baby Doll Beauty Shop in Gorst. She did a good job but did not get enough lacquer on it to stay good. Home and cleaned in the attic for a couple of hours so I have a good start. Sam waxed the floors in the apartment, and they look real nice. In the evening went to a practice at the Masonic Temple in Belfair. There were several from Reliance there and we were so proud of how well the new Chapter did their work. Gilda Short says Mrs. Walker is going to make her dress so she is very happy about it. So am I for it will look lovely on her. To bed late. Sam took Gene DeMerio some fish.

Thursday, Sept. 23, 1948

A very wet morning and we arose early so Sam left for Seattle before 9 a.m. Cleaned house and put a lot of vases in the attic. Put cup hooks in cupboard and hung up more cups. Evelyn Edmiston called up about the flowers for Monday. Betty and Eddie Fisher were here to talk about going to fair Friday. Cleaned the attic. All that is left is to use vacuum cleaner in corners and mark a few boxes. Had my hair recombed at the beauty shop. I picked up Lovey and we put the flowers upstairs. Our meeting was very short, so we had a pleasant evening. Upstairs were coffee, tea and doughnuts being served. The flowers looked very nice on the tables with salal leaves. Asked Lovey to go to dinner with me Oct. 30. She was in good spirits tonight. Maybe she is feeling better. To bed late. Cold out, some fog by Lighter's Lake.

■ 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 14 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].