Brownsdale Study Club

The Brownsdale Study Club met on Feb. 17 at the home of Mary Gallaher. The meeting was opened with the reading of the collect led by Fern Paschke. The secretary-treasurer reports were read and approved. Ten members answered roll call by naming an interesting wild animal.

There was no old business. New business was a reminder of the blood bank on March 7. Motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Sarah and seconded by Beryl. Hostess for our March meeting will be Shelley Vogal. Sarah Hatten gave her topic on “The Love Letter.”

In 1970, Barry Holland was on his second tour of duty in Vietnam. His wife Cindy wanted to be with him but the Army would not let spouses stay in military quarters during deployments. She had a toddler son, was pregnant with their second child and had a dog. So she moved back home to live with her parents.

Some days were frustrating and difficult. However, every day she wrote a letter to Barry. on the back of the envelope she wrote 149 DTG (days to go).

Then, one day her stress boiled over and in her letter to him, she wrote, “I don’t want to be an Army wife anymore.”

She gave the letter to the mailman.

Within a short time, she realized what she had done and how it would change their lives. She wrote him again and told him to disregard her last letter and that she loved him. Soon, she got a letter from him, but he didn’t write one word about 149 DTG. He only said he was safe and that he loved her.

She kept wondering about that letter. She knew it would crush him. Then, weeks later, the mailman knocked at the door. His expression was grave. He handed her a crinkled envelope with a muddy tire print smeared on it. It said, “Address unknown. Person not found.”

Cindy turned the letter over. There was 149 DTG. A miracle had happened. The last letter was returned. Now she knew her husband was safe and so was their marriage. In 2015 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Joyce Juhnke had the outside reading on Our Nations First Ladies

Martha Washington, 1789-1797.

In 1759, our first president George Washington married Martha Custis. She would go on to become the First Lady of the United States. Plump, matronly, simply dressed and queenly; she was a mother, a grandmother, an Army wife and a general’s lady. She could manage and entertain many people and enjoyed serving the guests plum cake and tea at Mount Vernon.

Abigail Adams, 1797-1804

John and Abigail Adams married and began their life together on the Adams Quincy Family Farm. She saw her husband come vice president and then President of the United States. In 1780 John and Abigail were the first couple to take up residence in the White House in Washington, D.C. Half-finished, damp and drafty, it needed repair.

Abigail went right to work. She became the first mistress (household keeper) of the White House. She was resourceful and knew how to make do. She was also a soulmate and a political advisor for her husband. She and Martha Washington were good friends and promoted the abolition of slavery, the vote for women and extended education for the young. In 1801, the White House was opened to the public. John and Abigail wore brocade and velvet for the celebration.

Dolly Madison, 1809-1817

Dolley became the First Lady when she married James Madison in 1809. Being goodhearted, she loved people, parties and projects. As First Lady she redecorated the White House with gold, satin and damask. It looked magnificent. Her social schedule included interesting guests and superb services. However, in 1814, The British set fire to Washington, D.C. It was tragic. It was Dolley who gathered state papers, the government’s silver and a portrait of General Washington. She fled down from the roof, left the city in a wagon and spent the night in an army tent. She was the last to leave and always said, yes to life.

Today Washington’s portrait is back in the East Room of the White House.

Mary served a tasty cherry dessert for lunch.