Helen Balusik: Oct. 30, 1928 Phillips, Wis.

Dear Friends,
Hello all. I had a good weekend. No drama for me. It is starting to feel like a usual winter. It's colder and snowy.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

As always,for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says:

                 Phillips, Wis.
                 Oct. 29-28
Dear Howard:-
   Yours came a few
days ago so will now
proceed to answer it.
One grand day out but
the wind is so cold.
Won't be long and winter
will be here eh, Howard?
Well, I wasn't surprised
at you for not coming
that Sunday when you
wrote you would. One
thing it was so cold
and rainy- Howard
have been useless coming
on a day like that.

           2
besides you having a
cold- I had one now
for about two weeks
just got over with it.
So, you are busy going
to socials? I don't
blame you because I
love to go myself. I
was to one last Friday
right up at Hacket. Sure
had a good time there
but didn't have a basket
for fear no one would
buy it - (Ha Ha)
Then I was to a wedding
last week Tuesday.But
that was punk. Some
fellows played but no

         3
one danced. Not even
the bride and groom.
It sure was a dull
wedding. First one I
ever went to that wasn't
any good.
  Just think its Halloween
this week- Are you going
out to do some mis-
chief? I know I'll be
up to something if I
go out with the rest of
the gang.
Its terrible
what the kids don't do
in the city- Sometimes
they go pretty far with
it.
Well Howard, it would

          4
be all right to come down
some Sunday afternoon
but the only reason is
I am at Sunday School
from two o'clock till
almost four and that
way you wouldn't find
me home, see? Oh well,
maybe some time we
can arrange some
way to meet - eh? its
pretty hard when its so
fay away.
Well now, I'll have
to get busy & cook
Supper - Pa wants a
pie so that means
I have to stop

           5
scribbling-
Will leave you now
till I hear from you
again.
   Your friend
    as always
      Helen

Here is a joke she included:

Being inside the letter all these years the paper is not even faded. It looks very new.

It sounds like weather was starting to get colder.
I wonder if they had been able to meet up in person yet or not.
I wonder if Grandpa went out for Halloween that year and cause a little trouble. Or I should say have a little fun.


Here is the next viewer card from "The Wedding" set:

Congratulations in 6 different languages.

Here is a story from the scrap book:

I wonder if that record still holds today? Did she survive and if so how long did she live?
I just looked up smallest baby and found that on Sept. 19, 2004 at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. She weighed 9.2 ounces. Now that's small.


Here is a random picture for you to look at:

This might be one of my uncles and aunt. But I could be wrong.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
I hope you will come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Harriet: Oct. 23, 1928 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine was good. No drama. It just felt like it was the beginning of something amazing is starting to come my way. Time will tell I guess.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Harriet:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says:

                  Chicago Ill
                Oct 22, 1928
Dearest Sweetheart:
Received your darling
letter a few days ago and
it made me so happy
to hear from you.
It is such horrid weather
here at present.
It has been raining
for the last week and
is still continuing so thats
that--
I'm working at the same
firm as before. They got
more supplies so every
thing is O.K. now-
They gave a dance
last Saturday night

              2
And oh boy did we have a
wonderful time and how! Didn't
get to bed until 4:30 Sun. morning
So slept all day Sunday had enough
sleep for a while.In the evening
I went to see ( Al Jolson) you
have heard of him haven't you. It
was all Dictaphone and was it
sad. Why everyone was sobbing
So don't think I could stand
to see that over again.
Well whats all the news
around that part of the
country.
I had a letter from Isabel
the other day. Do you ever
see her around there.
Freda called me the other
night. She sure surprised me.
Haven't
been out to see her
yet but will do so soon.
Gee it is so lonesome around
here to-night and it is such
miserable weather etc.
So honney wish you was
here to cheer me up.
How about it.
(whoopee)

Have you heard from Walter yet.
He hasn't called me for a long time
Guess he must of forgotten all of us
eh!__
well "sweetheart" news are rather
scarce.Of course there is plenty of Chicago
news but may not all be as interesting
so will omit it___
So honney I will sign off for the
evening with__
Heaps & heaps of (love and Kisses)
              Your only
             Sweetheart
             Harriet
Answer
at once
and I don't
mean maybe
either.
                  (SWMK)

I like the idea that the place she worked at put on a dance for it's employees. Now that's something that does not happen today that I know of.
It sounds like Walter was not interested in her since he has not got in touch with her again.
I wonder what she saw that Al Jolson did?


He was a well known actor who did things for Vaudeville, pop standards, and jazz.
He did do some things in black face.
He was the star in the first talking movie. The Jazz Singer in 1927.
He helped to introduce African American music to white audiences.
As far back as 1911 he fought against the discrimination of black people on Broadway.
He died Oct.23, 1950. He was 64 years old.

Here is the next viewer card from "The Wedding" set:

I like that it is written in 6 different languages.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

The rain swollen Potomac river and wills creek rose to the second stories of many buildings in
Cumberland, Md., a city of 40,000 which was all but submerged by the flood. This is an aerial
view made Wednesday morning.

This is from 1936.
Global warming back then too.

And here is a random picture:

Not sure if this is the same person or where they were taken.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a good weekend.
And don't forget to stop by again soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Harriet: Oct. 9, 1928 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I don't know about where you are but it's been very foggy around here. I want to see sun shine, Please!!! But I suppose before that happens we will get snow again.
Oh well, here is the next letter from Harriet:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says:

              Chicago, Ill
              Saturday P.M.
Dearest Sweetheart Howard
Received your darling letter
and it certainly made me happy
to hear from you again.
How's every thing with you?
Fine I hope.
Have a terrible cold spah I
could send it to you. But am
not that generous ha! ha!
Have only worked two days
all week as our department got
slack so we was sent home
for a few days.
Was kind of nice to have
another vacation I am a lady of
leisure- Not so bad eh!
Went out to see Lucia yesterday

                  2:
It took me about two hours to get
there. So was that a ride.
I didn't tell you that I was over
to see Edna a couple weeks ago. They
came and called for me was there
for dinner and stayed over night.
and they took me to work the next
morning. Sure was nice of them
Gee it is so lonesome to-day. Haven't
a thing in the world to day Wish
you was here honney to keep me
from getting lonesome.
Am going to night and take
in a show I guess.
What's all the news up there
Is Runbergs still a going. Do you
ever go out there any more.
Do you see Violet very often
Haven't heard from her for some
time. Suppose she is busy with
all her (boy friends)-

             -3-
Have you heard from Walter W. lately
What did he say about me. Tell me
in your next letter. Haven't talked to
him just lately.
Well as lunch is ready I think
I will sign off my broadcasting
station (HPL) for this time
With heaps of love & kisses from
                 Your only Sweetheart
                         Harriet
Please answer soon
Don't wait as long as I did
HONNEY
SWAK
xxxx
xx
x

I hope her cold didn't last to long.
I wonder if she will see Walter any time soon.
I wonder what show she saw.
I wonder where she worked and why they were slow at time.
So much wondering about things that happened so many years ago.

Here is the next viewer card from "The Wedding" set:

With this Ring I thee Wed.

I like that it comes with so many different languages. 6.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

(  Photo by Hugh Cecil, London; Copyright 1936 NEA Service Inc.)
In this most recent official portrait, King Edward VIII, England's new
ruler is wearing the uniform of Admiral of the Fleet- the same uniform in
which he appeared before the Privy Council shortly after King George V's
death to make the touching speech in which he pledged to pattern his reign
as a constitutional monarch after that of his father.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

Not sure who they are or when it was taken. But I'm sure someone will tell me.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
I hope you will come back again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Helen Balusik: Oct. 7, 1928 Phillips, Wis.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine was the same as always. The weather is warm causing the snow to melt faster. It can be slippery and slushy. The snow is sliding off the roof so you have to be careful around some buildings.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says:

                  Phillips, Wis.
                      Oct. 7-28
Dear Howard:-
       Sorry to keep you
waiting so long for an
answer but I really
haven't written many
letters at all this summer.
I suppose it's same way
with you busy all the
time.
I'm so thankful we
are through with the spuds
at last took us
about two weeks.
My sister & Anna Novy
went to the city about
three weeks ago. I sure
do miss them even
now that I should be
use to it.
I don't know when

         2
I'm going whenever I
get tired of it here I
guess.
Last night I was to
the station to see some
of my friends off-I
am sort of tired of the
city. Have been there
long enough.
I was to Sunday School
this afternoon. The
crowd was so small
it makes such a
difference.
Haven't we had some
nice cold weather
after the fair. Sure seemed
like winter was at hand.
You asked me if I
was to the fair, yes I
was on Tuesday &
Thursday

      3
I didn't think it was
good at all this year
did you?
Wasn't my brother lucky
to get a prize on his cheese?
I'll say he was.
I could have laughed
when you wrote you
were as far as our box
well, you sure were not
very far from here.
From the boxes you can
see our house it's yellow
it's the first house on
the side road, there is
an empty house across
our place.
If you care to you
could drop in some
Sunday evening. I usually
am home on a Sunday nite.

            4
But you let me know
whenever you do plan
on coming up this way, eh?
Well, it's getting to be
pretty late, seems I'm
all out of ambition to
write tonite so I can't
write you a long one
this time.
    Hoping I may hear
from you again
       Your friend
      "Helen"

I wonder if the two of them got together at all that summer.
I wonder what kind of cheese her brother won a prize for?
I wonder how cold it was around the fair that year?
So many wonders and no answers.

Here is the next viewer card from "The Wedding" set:

 (4) The Bride.

I didn't notice the words on the back.
I think this is showing it in different languages.Pick your out.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

In 1929, Al Smith congratulating the newly elected New York governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

I thought that with a new leader starting today, I would show you one from the past.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

Just a random picture of a log haul. No idea who could be in the picture.

Well, that's about all I have to share with you today.
I'm kind of tired, long day. Lots of walking for me.
I hope you will come back again real soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Harriet: Sept. 28, 1928 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I don't know about you but I had a good weekend.My daughter and her husband did a reveal on when they are having. It was an exploding target that my husband shot. The woods in our back yard is now kind of pink. It's a girl! Going to have a granddaughter. Yeah!!!
Anyway, here is the next letter from Harriet:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says:

                      Chicago Ill.
                      September 28, 1928
Dearest Beloved
     Just a little note in response
to your pleasantly surprising
letter which I received some
days ago.
 My dear you need not
be bashful in showing me how
you feel towards me.
Which I hope you will show
in action when I see you
next summer.
I will be very very lovable
with lots of kisses for my (hot pappa)
I just can't wait until I see
you again "honney".
Then 'Oh boy' won't we have fun.

              -2-
we will cuddle up close and
sing a baby song__It won't be
lonesome for either one of us
I didn't want to tell you when I
was home just how crazy I was
over you, but dearest I will
admit that I love you very much
Oh! by the way where did you get
those eyes. Where did you get
those lips. Same place as mine
You sure picked out a beauties
you sweetheart.
Well hows our "bungalow"
coming. I will consider myself the
happiest girl in the whole world
by having the opportunity to live
in your "bungalow".
 Say listen "boy friend" I want
you to tell me next summer just
how much you love me, and
I am going to try and tell
you how much I love you.

              -3-
I'll say try because I don't
think I could tell you how
much I care for you-
You will never know honney
but you will find out some day.
well honney I'll have to close
for the present.
With oceans of love and a
hair on every wave
Till the sands of the desert
grows cold.
                I am
          Your beloved
             Sweetheart
               Harriet
Answer
immediately
                            SWAK

Interesting letter. A sweetheart kind of letter. I wonder if they got together the next summer or not.
I know I got a few words wrong, sorry.
Hot Pappa ? Not sure what to say about that one, but okay....
Can't wait to see what her next letter will be like.

Here is the next viewer card from "The Wedding" set:

(3) The wedding March.

I like the different dresses the girls are wearing. If you notice the bride is standing off to the side.

Here are a couple of pictures from the scrap book:

(below 1st picture)
The swollen Ohio river moved westward toward Cincinnati Monday while Pittsburgh pressed re-
habilitation work. This picture sent on a portable transmitter shows men clearing away debris
from a Pittsburgh store_ A.P. wirephoto.
(Below 2nd)
A False alarm brought on this panic in Johnstown, Pa. Citizens are shown fleeing to the hills
after a report was received that the dam on Conemaugh creek had broken just as it did in
1889 when more than 2,000 died. The dam held, however- Copyright, 1936, Universal Newsreel.

1936 was a year for bad weather.
I wonder who panicked people into believing  the dam broke. Fake news, even back then.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

No idea who they are or where it was taken, just the date it was developed.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
It's suppose to be very warm around here this week so a lot of snow will melt. One big sloppy mess to deal with.
I hope you will drop by again soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Mabel Elmblade: Sept. 17, 1928 La Grange, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine involved a little much snow, cold temps and dealing with the end of a kind of sinus pressure. But I survived. So if you survived, pat yourself on the back.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Mabel:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says:

La Grange, Sept. 15 1928
Dear Howard,
I got your most welcome
letter. thought you had
forgotten me. But now
I see you haven't. We
have nice weather.
I sure am glad. I have
a nice boy friend like
you. of course we will
have to see each other
Before we can say
anything. I feel rather
sad tonight. I was thinking
about my dear sister-
that died and god-
and I started to cry.If
you were only near me
to cheer me up. as I
get blue often. well:
when time comes I feel
we will meet. you
asked if I see Alice and
I do once in a while
she says you a real
nice fellow. you sure
sound like a christian
Well dearest Be your
picture I imagine could

             2
love you. you have a
sincere look. if if gods
will I will see you
soon or in the future
But hope to hear from
you right along now
dearest loving Howard
I will close hoping
to hear from you
          real soon
           Your Loving
            Sweetheart
               Mabel
          Write soon
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
         a lot of
        intimate Kisses
           from
           Mabel
But might be real
some times.

To me she sounds like she is still morning her sister. This might have been what Grandpa didn't want to deal with at that time.
I hope she able to find the right guy for her and live a long happy life.

Here is the next viewer card from the "Wedding" set:

(2) Dressing the Bride.

If you are able to look more closely at the wall paper or maybe they are pictures.

Here is a picture for the scrap book:

Now We sing: Snow-ful Off to Buffalo

For the second time in a week Buffalo, N.Y., was crippled by a heavy snowfall over the week-end
as this picture indicates. Last Tuesday 19 1/2  inches fell and on Saturday almost 10 more inches
blanketed the city.

I just thought you enjoy seeing a snow fall from the past.

And here is a random picture for you to look at:

Not sure who they are. I do have a number of picture showing this tractor and guys. No idea what year this was.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a good weekend.
This Sunday I will learn if we will have a grandson or a granddaughter. She is due in June. Our youngest daughter is expecting.
I hope you will come back again soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Harriet: Sept. 11, 1926 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you stayed warm this weekend. I did. It was a nice drama free one for me. Other parts of the country are not lucky right now. We are suppose get maybe 6 inches of snow right now. Winter is just being winter.

Anyway, here is the next letter from Harriet:

As always, for those that find it hard to read, here is what it says:

             Chicago Ill
             Sept. 10, 1928
Dearest Howard,
Received your dearest
letter and sure was glad
to hear from you.
How's the world treating
you anyway.
Hope it is treating you
as fine as it is me.
We have been having
some hot days again
this week. Hope
winter will soon be here
So we can all have ?????

Had a letter from Edna the
other day. Sure was surprised
She invited me over there
some day this week.
Walter called to-night So
I told him to answer your
letter (with speed)
He wants to make a date
for some night this week
but haven't decided whether
to go or not as I don't
like to cheat on you honey
How about it?______
Had a letter from Violet N.
the other day. There wasn't
any news, excepting about
Rosenburg the main attraction
around Ogema___
Oh ha ha! Am I tired to-night
am going to bed as soon as
I have finished this letter.
Was out riding last night
with a bunch of friends mostly
girls! And gosh have had more
the trouble so didn't get home

as early as affected as my girl friend
came up home Bloomington and left at
the 11 o'clock train. We had to wait
and see her on the train.
So you are fixing your house that a boy
for just us two, think so?
well deary I am getting to sleepy
to write any more. Please excuse
this bum writing will do better
next time.
With lots of "Love & kisses"
                     Your sweetie
                       Harriet
 Answer
immediately          (SWAK)


A few of the words were hard to figure out. I did the best I could. Maybe you can do a better job of it then I did.
I wonder if she was avoiding going out with Walter and was just using Grandpa as an excuse. I guess I'll never know.
He must have told her he was working on his house.

Well here is the first viewer card from a set I'm calling "The wedding" set:

(1) The proposal

copyright 1902 By H.C. White co.

It didn't scan very well. This set is very stiff and curved. This makes it hard to scan well.


Here is a random picture for you to look at:

Not sure who this is,(it could be Grandma ) but it looks like they were ready for the winter.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Congressmen Break Rules to Aid Veteran

I wonder if something like that could even happen anymore today without strings attached.

Well that's about all I have to share with you today.
I just hope they will have the road plowed before I have to go to work tomorrow.
Don't forget to come back again soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy