Helen Balusik: May 15, 1928 Evanston, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. Mind was good. I had a busy day on Saturday. I went to the Edgar steam show. If you like old tractors and flea markets, it's a good place to go. Lots of walking and and  a lot of things to look at.The weather on Saturday was cloudy but while we were there it didn't rain.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Helen:

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

                     May 15/28
"Dear Howard"!
  well how are you
getting along out there
Howard, I hope just fine.
Was very pleased with
your letter always enjoy
reading them.
Today is my day off so
I was down Chicago most
of the day but now I am
back - If it doesn't
rain tonight I am
going down to the
lake get some good
fresh air & steal some
lilac blossoms, don't
you want to come along?

Really everything looks
wonderful out doors it
sure is hard to work inside
in weather like this.
You asked me when I was
coming home oh, either for
the 4th of July or little later
it all depends. I sure am
anxious to go home again
seems ages since I was
there.
Well last Sunday was Mother's
Day- The people here all wore
either a red or a white
carnation that was to signify
whether you have a mother
or not. If living they wore a
red one if dead why a white
one. Many times I wish
my mother was still living.
Imagine pretty soon is
Decoration Day. We all get off
that day so I sure am glad.
A bunch of us are planning on
taking a trip to Milwaukee some
time but I'm hoping we can
sometime this month. It's
such a long time since I was
there that I have almost
forgotten what it looks
like. I'm able to travel

Chicago pretty well now
but still I could get lost
if I didn't watch my step.
Well Howard, it seems I'm
so out of news I don't know
what to write - You always
can write such long ones
& interesting-
  How is your radio? I am
pretty tired of them things you
can't help but hear it every
where you go here in the
city. At times I think I would
rather have a phonograph
then that-

                 2
Did you hear or read about
the three great flyers
that came to Chicago the
other Day. Many of them
are trying to see if they
can beat Lindberg's speed
but I don't think they
have done it yet.
We will have to try &
beat them or else no
one else will, will they
Howard?
  I am getting hungry
now I guess I will run
down in the kitchen &
see what I can find in

the line of food.
Gaw I would love a
strawberry shortcake, oh my!
Well Howard, I think I
shall proceed & close
this letter of mine oh I
bet you get tired of reading
these letters, well I don't
blame you if you do.
I really hope I can hear
from you soon again.
Be a good boy now
and write soon.
        I remain
                Your friend
                   always
                     Helen

I wonder if she was able to get back home to Phillips after the 4th or not.
What do you think of the tradition back then with the carnations? I think it is something that should have stayed. Maybe it should be started again.
As for Decoration Day it is now called Memorial Day.

Which do you like better?

I think she meant Charles Linbergh. The year before he had done his famous trip across the Atlantic.


I wonder why she didn't like radios? But in a way I can understand why she does not like listening to so much at once every where you go.

I wonder if she got to have strawberry short cake?

Well here are two more viewer cards from The Fun With Friends set:

These cards are faded so I did my best to darken them.
I wonder if I will ever find out who took these pictures.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

I think this is Grandpa with a couple of chickens. No idea how old he was, if this is him.

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

Mary Mattingly: May 6, 1928 Willisburg, Ky.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week. Mine was quiet as usual. I'm looking forward for the weekend to a point. I do not have to work but it could rain during half of it.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Mary Mattingly. It is another hard one to read and figuring out what she was trying to say, So bare with me.

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

                   Willisburg Ky
                      May 6 1928
Dear Friend Howard
Received your letter yesterday
and will answer now this.
Sunday afternoon it is
a pretty day we have had
Some fine weather the last
week most of people are
done planting corn just I
own the farm but I don't
live on it I live with
my mother and brother my
sisters are married I am
the youngest child is
your Brother younger
than you will it would
been nice if you had
a sister to keep house
for you will I guess you

             2.
have your grain should
bring this time I bake so
I would be pleased to
get a picture of your
farm I love to get
letters and pictures
I don't live on the
road and I get awful
lonesome sometimes I
usually go to town Saturday
a four noon and you never
was in Kentucky was you
I just you wouldn't like
hear do you thank you would
I have never lived in
any other country I don't
know where I would like
Please answer soon
from your friend
Mary Mattingly

I did my best to write what I think she wanted to say. Her spelling is so bad I would like to say I am sorry if I got things wrong.
I'm pretty sure she was Swedish.The spelling of a lot of the words tells me that might be the reason things are spelled the way they are.
She is a farm girl so she would be a hard worker, I think.
I'm not sure right now if there are any pictures of her.

Here are three more cards from the Fun with Friends set that tells a little story:

These are very faded. I did my best to get them darker so they could be seen better.
The things that are colored in these pictures, were colored by hand.
Do you think they add to the pictures? They do make things pop a little more.
The last one are the names of the people in these pictures.
I wish I knew who took these pictures. For that time, they had an eye for fun.
It proves you could smile in these kind of pictures.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

This is my Aunt Jeanie.I'm not sure what year this was taken.

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

Sigrid Niemela: May 13, 1928 Mt. Iron, Minn.

Dear Friends,
How was your weekend? Mine was quiet. I did have to work on Saturday so my time off was a little shorter. The weather started out wet and then got cooler but the sun was shinning by the end of the day.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Sigrid:

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

                  Mt. Iron, Minn.
                    May 13, 1928
Dear friend,
Received your
letter for which ever
so many thanks. I
feel rather tired now
so I'll just write a
short letter. I've been
out all afternoon.
We started at 12 and
motored to a farm
about 30 miles off and
come back at 7. I think
this spring wind
and warmth make
one feel so tired and
today it's looked like
rain all day but it
hasn't showered yet.

We need it badly. My
goodness, the roads
were dusty. Pity any-
one walking with
cars going past.
  Saturday we planted
a little bit potatoes
even if it is early.
I had to drive the
horse and it was
hard at first because
I've never driven one
But at the end it
started to go alright.
I don't think I'd make
a very good wife
for a farmer lad.
I'm so dumb at every-
thing and never
too much interest
in such work even

         2.
if I have worked
some.
You sure do get up
early, what on earth
do you do so early
in the morning?
I usually get up at
6:30 or 7 am. I think that's
plenty early enough. I
seldom go to bed before
10 in the evenings either.
 No, of course not. Why
should I be sore at
you. You write how
you feel & I, how I
do.
I'm glad we're getting
warmer days so one

can go to the lakes
soon. I'm not much
of a swimmer but
I like to go there
anyhow. it's so much
fun to lunch out,
and enjoy a regular
picnic.
Must close now
and close my eyes
too, they nearly are
already, for that matter
                As ever,
                   Sigrid


Is sounds like it was a kind of dry time for upper Minnesota. At least where she lived.
Her comment about people walking while cars are going by, is something I have deal with when I go for a walk. Somethings never change.
From her comment last letter Grandpa must have thought she was not happy with the way he wrote to her. I think she was a kind of matter the fact kind of person. She was not the kind of person who sugar coated things.
As for going to a lake to picnic, that sounds like fun. For me, I am a swimmer. I would be spending more time in the water then out of it.

Here are two more viewer cards from the Fun with Friends set:

I had to darken these pictures because they are more faded.
I wonder who the baby is that is being handed off in the first picture.
In the second picture, why does the woman on the right side have a board? Is it her oar?
The third are the names of the women in this picture.
I wonder where on the Wolf River this was taken?

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

This is Selma. Taken July 4, 1938
Selma was married to Grandpa's brother.

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

Sigrid Niemela: May 6, 1928 Mt. Iron, Minn.

Dear Friends,
The week is almost over. I say almost because I'll be working on Saturday for 6 and a quarter hours. I decided that I would start working every other Saturday for awhile when it is offered. A little extra money does not hurt either.
Anyway, here is the next letter from Sigrid:

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

              Mt. Iron, Minn.
                May 6, 1928
My dear friend,
  Received you letter
for which thanks.
I just came home
and as I'm not a
bit sleepy I thought
I'll write to you. The
neighbors asked me
to come out riding
with them. But to
my nation it isn't
much fun riding out
on a Sunday night,
There's so terribly many
cars on the pavement
that one has to just
watch where you
drive & can't enjoy

the scenery or any-
thing. I just love car
rides tho' I bet if
we had a car I'd
use more gas than
I was able to pay for.
We are having such
wonderful evenings
now too, a full moon
and so warm compared
to what it's been.
Gosh, I didn't even
see that operetta. I
was waiting for some
promised company
and they didn't even
come so I missed
everything. My luck
as usual. And every-
body said it was

         2.
real good too.
No my mother cert-
ainly doesn't know I
write to you, nor does
anybody else either.
Mother is awfully strict
too, especially about
me I guess because I
don't stay home on the
farm, but here in
town. Gosh, they must
think I'm a baby yet.
I see you will be
pretty busy all summer
too. It looks the same
for me. My work is
doubled & tripled in
some places, now that

Grandpa is ill. he
seems to be going slowly
down, instead of better.
I don't know then how
long he'll last. It cuts
off so many of my
few amusements etc.
but it can't be helped.
Good gracious, I've
even forgot to thank
you for the beautiful
birthday card you sent.
I've been looking for
a card to send to
mother for Mother's Day
but they haven't any
here, yet anyhow I was
going to make her
something but haven't
had time now.

           3.
This letter is stretching
out to such length
that you'll probably
have to get glasses before
you're through.
Do you believe in
love Howard? How
do you know if you
love me really truly
when you haven't
ever seen me even.
What if I'm an awful
cranky, hot tempered
snob for all you
know & I'm sure you
wouldn't be happy
ever with such a
mate, who is supposed


to live forever on with
you then. I love
you as a friend Howard
but as yet I can't
tell you otherwise.
Maybe some day! One
can never tell.
If you get lonesome
when you look at my
funny picture don't
do it, for I don't want
you to be lonesome
anymore.
I must close
now. Lets hear from
you soon again.
            Sincerely
              Sigrid
P.S. It isn't quite my right
name even, but I hate
my real one.

Not her right name? I'm not sure if she will share her real name in a future letter or not.
I think she sound like a very strong girl. Someone who was not afraid to protect herself from the wrong people. I'm not sure if she did send a picture or not. At least there is not a picture in a letter from her yet.
I wonder how long her Grandpa lasted.
I wonder how close of tabs her mother kept on her?
Did she ever find the right man for her?
What is her real name?
Was Grandpa telling all the girls he loved them or did his letters just sound to mushy?
Will any of these questions ever get answered?

Here are three more viewer cards from the "Fun With Friends" set. They tell a little story I think you will enjoy.

Whoever this group of friends were, they certainly had a lot of fun.
In the third picture next to the little girl is a dog. Must have sneaked into the picture.
If anyone knows who these people are I would love to know something about them.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

No idea who this is or when it was taken.

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

Nellie Currier: May 5, 1928 Manchester, N.H.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was quiet. In other parts Mother Nature has been doing a lot of big things.
Oh well, the next letter from Nellie is a long one, 8 pages plus a message on the envelope and a picture:

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

                485 Lake Shore Road,
                  Manchester,
                                    N.H.
                              5/5/28
Dear Howard:-
   I received your very
nice long letter and sure
was glad to hear from . There
was only one of the pictures
we took came out good. The
baby (Willis) and I were in it,
I don't know whether you
would like it or not. We are
going to try and get some
more taken in the near
future and if they come

                2.
out good you shall get one.
Yes, I know it is harder to say
anything on paper because
you can always explain it
better in speaking it. Yes,
well Hazel likes Tom's letters
pretty well too I guess. Ha, Ha.
We are having some peachie
weather over here in
Manchester and I hope it
stays so as I hate to have it
I am. I hope when this
letter of mine reaches
you, the sun will be shinning

           3.
very nice and bright. Your
car must be quite old, isn't it?
But never mind it gets you
there just the same.Ha, Ha.
You must be pretty careful
with it if you've never been
in a ditch with it. I sup-
pose you help Thomas quite
a bit fixing up his house
and farm, when you are not
away working. I suppose
when your future wife makes
her "egg-money", you will collect
all of it won't you or do you
have enough money without

               4.
it? I think a farmer is just
as good as anyone else and
sometimes better. Ha, Ha.
Was that your nice strong
looking horse in that picture
with the FARMER? Gee, Howard,
you must have a swell
farm if all your money goes
on it. There sure is a very
nice view out there anyway
I could tell by the picture.
Then by your letter, Howard,
you must be a Swed.
What makes you think

           5.
that I would want to
stay out there the whole
year 'round?
I am sending you back
the joke and think it
sure is a good one. I am
enclosing my awful photo
to you and you can see my
girl friends baby. By the
way Howard don't let this
picture frighten you because
you would never get over it

             6.
if you did. Ha, Ha. But if
you don't seem to like it
be sure and return it
won't you? The baby doesn't
look much like Willis (the
baby). But maybe the
next ones I take will
come out better. If the camera
has strength enough to
take such a picture, maybe
that one wouldn't of come
out so good only Willis was

              7.
there with me at the time.
I am closing now
and if you don't HATE my
picture be sure and write
to me again won't you?
     I remain as a friend
       Miss Nellie Currier
       485 Lake Shore Rd
            Manchester
                N.H.
P.S. if you know any more
jokes or stories send them
to me and maybe I can

             8.
send you some of mine, Ha, Ha.
I know some good ones too.
           Bye-Bye.
Don't get to frightened
because I want to hear
from you again.
      Ha, Ha.
    from a friend who
thinks of you
         N.C.

( written on the inside of the envelope flap)
Apples are good
But peaches are better.
And if you don't hate my photo
Please ans. my letter.

Another thing written on the envelope were these letters;
S.Y.I.M.D.T.N.
Which I think stands for: See you in my dreams to-night.
There were some more letters but they are half gone. Someone ( Uncle Peter) took the stamp. He collected them.
Here is the picture that was included:

To me that is not a frightening picture. She looks like a very nice girl.

Is was a very nice, long letter. She was doing her best to get to know him.
He must have told her he was helping Thomas fix up his house.
I suppose when he told some of the girls about working on a house he gave each girl a different version of this.
She did get one thing right about Grandpa's wife, she did sell eggs. I always looked forward to going to their house in the spring when they had a bunch a baby chicks. Plus there would be a hen that they let hatch out it's own babies.

Here are two more viewer cards from the Fun With Friends set:

I wonder who the letter was from that she was reading.

It must have been a good letter because she does not see her friends sneaking up on her.

I wonder if I will ever find out who took these pictures and put them together. They are amazing for that time period.

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