Helen Balusik: Nov. 10, 1928 Phillips, Wis.

Dear Friends,
Well I hope you had a good weekend. Mine was good.
But I did just learn that one of my classmates passed. I can't say we were friends but I think we could have been if only.... But I guess I will never know what could have been. It will always be one of my biggest regrets that I did not reach out more when I had the chance.
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
                Nov. 9-28
Dear Howard:-
    Here it is Friday all over
election and everything - So
our man got his vote eh?
I sure was glad when I heard
the news.
I'm not doing much of any
thing today so I decided to write
some letters. Yours will be first see?
Well, its too bad you didn't
come to the social at Hackett
after thinking of going. I bet we
would have known each
other eh? Maybe we would
be too bashful to speak, no
doubt we would.
Speaking of you being there
two years ago. I'm pretty sure
I was because I was here at that
time- But I was to so many
around here that I don't
really remember if it was
just then.
No, I do not know Ester
Anderson, not personally-
There is a girl teaches at the
Stone Lake school near Spirit
that comes from my home
town. She was home last week

for couple days- we had a
good visit together. Do you
happen to know the school?
Yes, everybody is installing
radios in their homes- Wish I
was the lucky one. I surely
would make use of it while
reading books. I'm reading
some of Zane Grey's books now
they sure are interesting especially
the romance part of it (Ha Ha)
Now don't laugh at me - for I'm
sure you will-
I must see how the bread is
baking so I don't burn it
like I do sometimes when
I do something else.
News are scarce so will
have to sign off this station
Hoping you are felling fine
like myself.
           Your friend
         as always
           Helen

Well I wonder if they ever met up or not. Or maybe they met before and didn't know it at that time.
I wonder what kind of radio was the more popular at that time.
I do know that Grandpa did like to read Zane Grey books. I remember seeing them from time to time when we were growing up.
I hope here bread didn't burn.

Here is the last viewer card. I think it should have been shown first.

Mr. Slight is spending a pleasant evening with Miss Havyway.
when Mr. Newcome, his sworn enemy is announced.

I think I got it right it was very hard to make out a couple of the words.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Willard Peterson, 25, of Appleton was killed early Thursday when his 10-ton trailer truck skidded on the road and was ditched
on Highway 55 and N. One Hundred Eight st. The trailer loaded with 11 tons of paint, tipped over on the cab, wedging Peterson
inside. It took a wrecking crew with a derrick almost four hours to remove the body.

I don't know why I choose this picture. I guess it was to show the hazards of winter driving at any time.

Since it is Valentine's Day I thought I would show you one from the past.

 Happy Valentines Day to All!

Here is a random picture:

This is Peter Keuer. He was a classmate of mine who just passed away.
I would like to say this:

To the boy I knew
and the man I wish I
would have known,
you will forever be in
my heart.

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

Cousin Walter Walin: Nov. 6,1928 Chicago, Ill

Dear Friends,
It's the end of another week. Time is sure flying by isn't it? Mother nature is certainly having fun with us.
Oh well, here is the next letter from Cousin Walter:

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

              Chicago Ill.
                11/5/28
Dear Howard:
       First of all
I'll have to apologize for
not writing sooner but
have been rather busy.
Didn't get much time to
look around for a set
but tonite I happened
into a store that is
handling Stewart Warner sets.
Stewart Warner you know
has built up quite a
reputation the last few
years. First auto parts
and now radios. The
circular I am enclosing
shows sets that can
be operated by either
battery or eliminators and
come complete with tubes
and speaker but less batteries.

Batteries only cost $10 or $12
 if you want any of
the models shown let
me know at once and
I'll go in & hear them
first & if O.K. will get it
for you.
Called your lady friend
up a couple of times. Don't
find much time for anyone
but myself & my personal friends.
why don't you drive down some
time for a week. It wouldn't
cost much. Just for your
trip down & back. It wouldn't
cost you anything while here
as I'd see to that. I'm sure
your friend would be glad to
see you Says she lonesome
as much as ever but don't
tell her I told you. Think
it over and let me know.
I'll show you the town
in any way you want to see

it. Boy I'd just like
to take you to some of these
night clubs. You'd have
the time of your life. You
only live once.
  Let me hear from
you. With best regards
I am           Your cousin friend
                     Walter.

 He did send a booklet about those radios. I scanned the whole thing so here it is:

I looked it up on Wikipedia and it said that this company is no more in  Chicago but is in Lancaster as part of another company.
I wonder if Grandpa got a radio form Walter?

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

Finally married and alone at last.

I was going to include a picture but because of length of the booklet I decided not to.

Well I'll close for now.
I hope you will come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

Harriet: Nov. 2 1928 Chicago, Ill.

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good weekend. The weather was kind of cold and breezy on Saturday. On Sunday it was a little better. We put more wood in the basement so we are good again for awhile before we have to put more in.
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
                 Wednesday- 1928
Dearest Sweetheart"
Received your dearest letter and
to sure was glad to hear from you
again.
Are you having any winter weather
up there yet. It has been quite cold here
for the last week but have no
snow yet ha! ha!
Well to-night is "Halloween" So
suppose you have some pranks
on your mind eh!
A bunch of us girls are going to a dance
all dressed up in overalls pretending
we are some farmers ( from Ogema)
ha!
Don't you wish you could
see us We might be liable to
take the first prize of beauty-
No kidding ha!

               -2-
went to a Halloween party last Sat. night
and sure did enjoy myself.
Walter called me the other night sure
did surprise me.
I told him to hurry up and answer
your letter. I hope he took my advice
If he didn't just let me know
You asked me about Buff color.
Yes dear I think that will be OK
as that is one of my favorite colors.
You are getting our (Bungalow of dreams)
all dolled up aren't you?
went to a show last night Saw
Clara Bow "In Fleet's in" It sure
was very good.
well "dearest" haven't much to write
about so hope you will excuse my
uninteresting letter this time will do
better next time.
Loads of love & Kisses
                 Your sweetie
                Harriet
  Answer
at Once         (SWAK)


It was Halloween time. I wonder if Grandpa had fun that year.
The post mark on the letter was Nov. 2. So it took her awhile to get it in the mail.
I wonder how often Walter got in touch with her.

  The actress, Clara Bow was born July 29, 1905 and died Sept 27, 1965 at age 60 of a heart attack.
She appeared in 46 silent films and 11 talkies.
She was known for being the original "it girl"
She married Rex Bell in 1931 and retired from acting and became a rancher in Nevada.




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

(9) "To the health of the bride."

There was nothing printed on the back of this one.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Just as towns in Kenosha county were hoping to get some coal cars through with the arrival of a
railroad snowplow to clear a path into village switch tracks, the plow was wrecked, as shown
above blocking the railroad right of way. As a result a dozen towns are facing a shortage of
fuel until wrecking equipment can make its way through to clear the tracks. (Associated press Photo)

I wonder what happened to the plow. How did it get wrecked?

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

I wonder how many sleds of wood this tractor was pulling.

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

Mabel Elmblade: La Grange, Ill.

Dear Friends,
Another week done. I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to the weekend. I don't have anything planned. It's a take as it comes kind of weekend.
Here is a letter from Mabel. I think this letter is out of order because someone took the stamp(Uncle Peter). It should have been shown before:

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

Dear Friend,
I will write you a few lines
How are you. I am fine.
Alice Johnson gave me your
name and address and told
me to write you. I live in
La Grange, Ills. I have blue
eyes Brown hair love music
I'm 5ft my name is Mabel
and what is your name
when you write give me a
description of yourself and
also a Picture of yourself.
well this is all for this
time. So Bye Bye.
         Mabel Elmblade
29 Washington ave.
La Grange
         Ills.
over)

Say Listen I'll come up
with Alice sometime to
see you is that alright
Don't forget to write
    Your truly
     Mabel.

I guess that this letter should have been the first one she sent. With the date cut off the letter I should have read the letter first and put it in the right place.
But now we know who gave her Grandpa's name.
But right now I don't know who Alice was. Not sure if she was a relative.

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

With this being The Wedding Breakfast, what time did they get married?
Just asking.

Here is a picture from the scrap book:

Wolves may be killing deer near Clintonville, but here's one
110-pound fellow that Joe Petka (right) fixed so that it won't
bother any more deer. Petka has killed 91 wolves in four years.
This is the biggest. Albert Eland is with him- Dekarske Phto.

Now that is one big wolf.
For one person to kill that many wolves in four years is a lot.
Now remember, this was 1936.

Here is a random picture for you to look at:

I'm one who does not know a whole lot about different cars, so I don't know what year this one is from or who's it was.

Well, that's about all I have to share with you today.
I hope you have a good weekend.
Don't for get to come back soon for more Fading History.
Till then.
Your friend,
Sandy

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