MARY'S MEMOIRS

Mary and Babe Michael drove down to the beach for the day and had a wonderful time. Hottest day of the year was this week in 1949 and Mary said the swimming was so unreal. Raspberries are still being picked but I think they should be about done.

Sunday, July 10, 1949

We arose late as it was so noisy it was impossible to sleep. Ate breakfast and looked over the park which was very lovely although we could see not much time or money has been spent on it. Drove around some of the lovely view property where you could see the mountains from all sides. On our way home at 12 and ate at Alderbrook Inn. Very clear and nice and we enjoyed it. Saw Ree Rocher there. She is fine. Home and went in swimming and started to water the lawn. Very warm out. Sam still in Seattle. A great many cars on the highway. Rested in the evening and put away things. Very weary so we all went to bed early.

Monday, July 11, 1949

Today I cleaned the garden by the grape arbor and over two-thirds of the one by the house. Sam washed the clothes and there surely was a lot. Then he brought home our rowboat from Sandy’s boat house. Evelyn Hyde picked all the raspberries and got almost as many as I did last time. We ate early and I went to visit Amaranth Court No. 9. Quite a few out and we had a nice meeting, but I did not go down to eat as it was so late. In bed at 12:15. Drove over to Dahl’s and ordered some more blackberries for Thursday. This should make me about all I shall need for a couple of years. A card came from Rosa Mann. She is having a good time at her daughters. Tied up all phlox, etc. so that is done for this year. We heard from the Canadian Pacific about our tickets so we shall have the reservations this week.

Tuesday, July 12, 1949

Very warm out today and I could not sleep so I cleaned up the rest of the garden. Then to Gorst and got my hair combed out for tonight. Shopped at the store and home. Did the mangling and put all clothes away. Sam cut the suckers on the grapes and watered the raspberries. Went swimming and it was so warm it was almost unreal. Mrs. Bush came at 6 and Alice and Ruth Small a few seconds later. We found good seats as we arrived early. The decorations upstairs were red roses and downstairs sweet peas. They served open-face sandwiches and ice cream cups. Welcome had the opening and Elinor the initiatory work though Betty Goodpaster had a broken ankle and 3 substitutes they did the best work. Helen Mitchell was Esther, Eleanor Orcutt was Martha and Winifred Williams was associate conductress. It was so warm one of the candidates fainted, so Bill Goodpaster, Roy Mitchell and Alma Bard took care of her. Then Fred Sauers took her home and the Worthy Grand Matron ruled she was “initiated.” Home late. To bed at 1.

Wednesday, July 13, 1949

Arose early and picked roses and raspberries before it got too hot. Sam watered real good and got our picnic tables out and washed them. Then I cleaned house, fixed the flowers and got everything ready. Blanche made biscuits so all is set. Dishes out and chicken ready to fry. One of the hottest days on record so I was glad to rest awhile. John Stuyts was down for a while. We had a letter from Toronto so now our room is reserved for Grand Chapter. The Duffield’s, Lars Milhouse’s, Lovey, Eunice and Maimee Gould came about 6:30 and everything was on time, so we ate. The biscuits Blanche made were delicious and the chicken was good too. We had green peas, a dish of sliced vegetables and raspberries for dessert. Afterward we sat around and visited. I believe everyone had a good time but Lovey who seemed so weary she could hardly talk. We ate outside and it was just right. A nice breeze and very pleasant. Glad it all went off so nicely. To bed late.

Thursday, July 14, 1949

Today I ironed and made 15 pints of raspberry jam. Was through at 2 o’clock. Very hot today, but there is a breeze. Blanche went to Seattle but as I write this she has returned on account of some irregularity in her contract. Took her to see Bill Cady about it. To Skene’s and got four hand-woven squares for Belfair Line Officers. They should like them. I hope. At 6 we drove over to Leonard’s and had a most wonderful chicken dinner and wild blackberry pie. She has a wonderful garden, and her flowers are lovely. Leonard was very happy to have us, and we had a good time. We went home about 11 as Sam had to go to Seattle early Friday.

Friday, July 15, 1949

Today I took Babe Michael to the ocean, and we had a fine time. We drove to Westport and bought some crabs, looked up Betty Le Meir but no one was at home. We took our lunch out to the beach and had a good seat by the ocean. It was very nice, and I think Babe enjoyed it. Home by way of Aberdeen where I bought some good bread. Also bought 2 snuff jars at Elma on my way down. When I went down took my red rose and snapdragon arrangement to Betty Fischler. It really was one of my best this year. Home and watered and then to bed. Quite tired for it was a long drive.

Saturday, July 16, 1949

Today I slept late and got house all cleaned up before I went to Gorst Beauty Shop. Evelyn Hyde came down and picked all the raspberries. Watered good up until nearly 11 and then at 3:15 I started again. Did a little mending and gave electric clock to Doug White to mend. Very cool and windy out all day. Today went in early and went to Poulsbo to Chapter with Alma Nelson. We had a wonderful evening and saw many old friends. Duffield, Lovey, Bob Marvins, Mayme Homberg, Belfair’s line officers, Maxine Roessel and so many. The work was beautifully done, and the decorations were lilies, delphinium, calla lilies and glads. Wilma Rasmussen and Ruth Small rode home with me. Myrtle Oliver passed away and Belfair Chapter will have the funeral. Will be the first for the officers and quite a trying experience as all were fond of Myrtle.

■ 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].