After I finished the last posting I remembered I hadn't shared with you some of the other things we saw, or learned on this trip. So here we go with the rest of the story.
Starting in Kansas City, Kansas we went to Independence, Missouri and visited the Temple site. It looked a great deal different then, than it does today. In one corner was the small building of the Stangites and in the opposite was the large home of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The rest of the Temple lot, which is quite large really, was just a nice grass and tree studded lot. Across the street was a small Visitors Center where we went for our lecture. It was here we learned it was not safe to go into Galletin. This is where Sidney Rigdon had given the talk on the "worth of salt". It so enraged the people before their local election that they drove the Saints out of their community. Feeling still ran high there, and we were told not to try to go into town. We did not try. (a note from 2009 - there is an active Ward in that town today. Feelings have finally changed.)
We drove then to the City of Diamond which is pronounced Di Ah Mond. It is here a memorial has been erected on a tiny lot in town to the memory of the Three Witnesses: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. We were able to get out of the Bus and walk around and take pictures. This place is in a quiet neighborhood of regular homes. It seemed to be a very old part of town.
From here we took a short drive out to Adam ondi Ahman. A rough ride really. Open country, more like a pig trail. The bus was scraped by the trees as we drove back to the place Lynn McKinlay would give us the story of this interesting place. Lyman Wight had a farm here and when he was laying out his property, he discovered it. Realizing it was something different he didn't disturb it. When Joseph Smith, Jr. came to Missouri, Lyman took him to the spot. It didn't take Joseph long to give its' history. He told Lyman this was the alter where Adam had given his first prayer after leaving the Garden of Eden and the very place Adam had called his posterity together for their blessings before he died. It is also the place where Adam will turn over his stewardship to the Savior prior to His Second Coming. Lynn had a hard time being heard over the chatter of the Katy Dids that seemed to inhabit every tree in the area. As long as everything was normal, they were quiet. When Lynn would raise his voice to be heard by the crowd, they would begin to do their thing. We had quite a laugh over it. Mother and I wandered around and found a pump house for the well for the ranch. It was not kept very well, so we weren't sure if someone was still living and caring for the place or not. In a conversation with Truman later he told us when the time came for Adam to hand over his stewardship every other head of any other dispensation would have to turn over their stewardship to Adam first. There would be a rather large gathering in that case, but no one would know they were there. The modern day Prophet would be there and no one would notice his coming or going. One of the reasons I suppose the area is kept as rural as it is. I have not been back since 1965 so have no idea what it looks like today.
We went then to Liberty Jail. It was a very small stone building set on a city lot in the midst of a residential and business area of the town. We were not able to go in, but the size made an impression. When Jay, Dawn and I visited it some years later there had been a great change. A large impressive Visitors Center had been built on the site and the walls or part of the walls of the original jail had been torn down to expose the lower chamber where the Prophet and Bretheren had been kept for so many months. It also showed the upper floor where the jailer stayed. None of it any size at all. The heat in the summer must have been unbearable and the cold in the winter just as bad. The food was of the most course fare. One wonders how they survived such housing and food. Lessons to be learned did not come easy, and Joseph pleading with the Lord from that humbling place brought some very enlightening truths. It was here the Prophet came into his full stature. He was tried in the firey furnace, and came out refined.
The Saints had been driven from Missouri and were languishing on the banks of the Mississippi River. Only the kind assistance of the people of Quincy, Illinois came to the aide. The people of Far West had vowed they would not let the Mormons dedicate the land they had purchased for a Temple. Guards were set, in fact when we were there though the plot is small, and at the time nothing had been done to it, there was a house across the street where the guards were on duty. Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve crossed the river in the dead of night. Held their meeting, sang their songs, laid the four corner stones of the Temple and Dedicated the ground then left. No one saw or heard them, even at so close a range. Now how do you suppose that happened? If you visit that spot today, the corner stones are marked and a great marker is set on the back of the property. When the time comes, there will be a Temple there - you can count on it.
Next we went to Nauvoo then on to Carthage. The drive was much different than the ride Hyrum and Joseph took those long years ago. We found the town just a very small hamlet and the Jail seemed to be the biggest part of business around. The tourist who came kept the community financed. There was a small Visitors Center, but nothing like it is today. We found a local family had set up a Museum across the Street. Mother and I walked over and went through it. Nothing much to tell about it, except we were approached by a local who asked us:
"when are you Mormons going to take the curse off our town?" Amazed me to think after 120 plus years the people were still blaming someone else for their problems.
We were to have Truman Madsen give the Lecture here at the jail, but when the time came, he was no where around. Lynn stepped up and told us the story, we all knew so well, but hearing it here was very impressive. We walked into the jail, saw the lower quarters where the jailer and his family lived and then we walked the narrow stairway up to where the cell was and the bedroom where the martyrs were allowed to stay. The cell was small, and would have been most uncomfortable for the amount that insisted on staying with the Brothers. Joseph was successful in sending a number of them away with letters or assignments. This left only the two Smith Brothers, John Taylor and Willard Richards. That has always struck me - two witnesses remained to tell the tale. When the Carthage Greys came into the jail, they had one thought in mind - kill the Smiths and anyone else that would try to stop them. The struggle at the door tells its' own story. Holes where the guns fired killing Hyrum and wounding John Taylor. Hyrum fell backwards leaving his witness of blood on the floor that is still visible. Joseph realizing he could not help more decided to jump, hoping to save the others. Oh, you may hear that he was shot and fell. True, he was shot from the front and the back, but the width of the window cile was too wide for him to have fallen out. He would have had to propel himself out. He as shot from the yard which apparently changed his motion, when another shot at closer range from the door drove him into the yard. You won't hear it told too often, but here you will hear that his lifeless body was propted up against the well and shot a number more times. A reward of $1,000.00 had been offered for the head of Joseph Smith. One of the group took the Prophets' hair in his hand and was about to strike the blow that would win him the reward when a shaft of light froze him in that position, and he had to carried away. That is another story not often told, but a notarized statement to the fact tells the story. (You can read it in "Fate of the Persecutor of the Prophet Joseph Smith.)
I should explain what happened to Truman Madsen. I found him in the Bus very depressed and having a difficult time. We talked for awhile and he told me he could not bring himself to go into the jail. He was so close to the Prophet in so many ways it was a very painful experience for him. Even talking about it was upsetting. During our conversation he told me he was the Grand-son of Heber J. Grant. That his Great Grandmother, who was the mother of Heber J. had been sealed to the Prophet Joseph in Nauvoo, Illinois. When the Prophet was killed she was married for time to Jedediah H. Grant, Heber J's. birth father. He felt he was also the Great Grand Son of the Prophet through this line. According to the Eternal Marriage, that would be correct. It probably explains the life long work Truman Madsen did on the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the film presentations he completed prior to his recent passing. I have no doubt that all the facts that Truman learned and shared with his many faithful students and fans has left a legacy that will mean thousands "shall know Brother Joseph".
It was my great pleasure to have been in many classes, read the books and view the films Elder Madsen made during his life time. He was noted for his memory. Just one more incident that might show just how great it really was. I was in a Session at the Los Angeles Temple many years after the 1965 Tour. I noticed Elder Truman was also in that Session. When the Session was over, I stayed in the Celestial Room for a short while and saw Elder Madsen with a group of friends. He kept watching me from a distance and after a short while he left that group and walked over to me and said: "little sister, how good it is to see you." We talked for a short while, and then parted. I didn't have another chance to speak with him after that experience, but it ment a great deal to me to know that after so long a time, he still had a memory of me, and when and where we had been in touch. I treasure my time with him and Elder McKinley Sister McKinley, Lynns' lovely wife Sam - short for Samantha. Another thought, I saw Lynn some years later while we were living in Anaheim, California. He also remembered me, and we had a nice conversation.
Samuel Smith a younger brother of Joseph and Hyrum was ill at home in Nauvoo when the Prophet left. He got out of a sick bed and road to Carthage arriving too late to help. The Greys had run from town thinking the Mormons were coming - they feared for their lives. Samuel made arrangements to take his Brothers back to Nauvoo for burial. He never regained his health and died six months later. Lucy Mack Smith had now lost all but one of her sons.
(Samuel, it should be noted here was one of Josephs strongest supporters and so anxious to help spread the Gospel he took the first few pages of the Book of Mormon off the presses and went on his first Mission. He was faithful to the end of his life.)
Next we went to Winter Quarters. We heard about the hardship of the Saints as they made their way West. The small graveyard across the street from their camp ground was soon filled with their dead. The City deeded that Cemetary over to the Church after years of the Church maintaining it. A Visitors Center was built across the Street and the story of the faithful Saints is told there. It has been expanded, and the Cemetary has received many additions like a listing of those buried there and some beautiful sculptures. Of course the most spectacular addition in recent years is the building of the Temple at the base of the Cemetary. It appears as if it rises right out of the hill. Amazing. A vantage point of the sight has been built into the Visitors Center. If you haven't seen it, you should make it a must for a future trip.
Next we went into Ohio. What a lot of things to see. We saw the Harris Farm and the Whitney Store and Sidney Rigdons home. We saw where the Prophet lived, but the most amazing experience was at the Johnson Farm. This is where the Church was organized. The little log cabin was yet to be restored at this time, but it was plain to see where it had stood. The lovely new home that graces the property had a wide covered porch. It was here Lynn McKinlay stood to give his Lecture. During this time I was standing a ways back from the rest of the group. I liked to be where I could see everything, and hear too. While Lynn was speaking I heard a noise and it wasn't long until it caught the attention of everyone else. It was soft at first and then it became louder. I couldn't figure out what it was, but I was certain it was coming toward us. As
I looked out over the wheat field, I could see what it was - a dark cloud was moving toward us and it was dumping a large amount of rain as it traveled our way. I guess my expression caught Lynns attenetion, he looked out and saw it as well. He quickly told the group to get up on the porch. Those that made it in time didn't get wet, the rest got soaked in short order. It was an amazing experience.
We visited the Kirtland Temple as I have told you, but I would like to take this time to tell you about the restoration of Kirtland, Ohio. One of the men who served with Jay on the LSM 330 has a daughter that is on the Town Council, or what ever it is called in Kirtland. She has contacted me about the work there. They are all Catholic. She had never had any experiences with LDS people but had heard about us from her parents. When the Church came to them to see about changes that would help inhance the restoration of Kirtland, they laid out a very elaborate plan indeed. After the prsentation the Church representative was asked: "and just how do you suggest we pay for all of these major changes?" She said they were shocked to hear him say that the Church would pay for them if the City would give them the clearances necessary. She wanted to have me come back there and see what they were doing. Unfortunately, I have not been able to accept her invitation. I have been in contact with her over the years and am pleased she still has such a high oppinion of the Church. I understand working with the Church the City has been pleased with the work, and appreciate the tourist advantage they have now that is helping their economy. Ohio has long been one of the areas that has been very shy about having the Church and its presence there. This has been changed greatly with this project.
I have talked about Palmyra, but did not mention it was here the locals had arranged a wonderful dinner for us in their Stake Center. We did enjoy our visit. We saw the home that Alvin had built for his family. The old Log Cabin they lived in was not restored at that time.
There was no Temple either. The Visitors Center was small but I am sure is much enlarged since that first visit. I have not been back there either.
I believe this covers it, however if I come up with any other tid bits, I might be back to blog them as well. In the mean time, I have been blessed over the years to have added upon what I learned on this trip, and am greatful for all those who have gone before in this History and given me the opportunities I have to be blessed by the Gospel, and to have my own opportunities to share my inthusiastic teaching of what I have learned.
Written this 15th day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
1965 BYU Travel Study - Church History Tour
I had read about this particular Tour and thought it would be a great Graduation Gift for Paul. It would give him a great foundation for his up coming Mission, no matter where he was called to serve. (Or so I thought.) I made the arrangements only to find Paul did not have the slightest interest in such a venture.
Not to be detered, I talked to my Mother and she was very interested in taking the reservation I had made for Paul. At the time, neither of us realized the adventure that was just ahead of us as we finalized our plans to leave. I spent a great deal of time sewing for the trip. I wanted to have dresses that would be easy to pack, and cool enough to take the humidity and weather we would have during the time we were gone.
Mother drove up from Huntington Park and Jay took us over to Bakersfield to fly up to Salt Lake City where the Tour would begin. It was exciting. The two Tour Guides were known to me from Classes I had taken during Education Week in Southern California. Both were outstanding teachers, and very knowledgeable about the places we were going to visit. Things took a decided turn just before we were to leave. The Airlines decided to strike. BYU had made arrangements for changes in our travel plans to accomdate the lack of Airline connections, but it ment a great many hours on a Bus. Nothing could be done to change that. I don't know if anyone backed out, but Mom and I were a go, no matter what.
I believe the original plan was to fly to New York and work our way back from there to Salt Lake City. With the Strike on, we started by flying Continental to Kansas City and picking up our buses there, hoping that by the time we finished in New York, the Strike would be over and getting us back by flying would be no problem.
Some housing changes had to be made at some of the locations due to the changes in our stops.
Mom and I had to share a room with another lady some of the time. She snored, and made it very difficult for a light sleeper like me to get much rest. The room had two large beds and as I was the youngest of the three, I got to sleep on the "roll away". I was greatful it did'nt happen too often. I think Mom was as well.
As we were starting the Tour in reverse, it took some adjusting for the teachers as we went along. They adjusted their speaking assignments and it was really special to have them both at every stop. Oh, I don't believe I told you who they were. Lynn McKinlay and Truman Madsen. Lynn McKinlay had his wife plus one or two of his children along. They were so nice to have with us. We became great friends by the end of the Tour.
I had decided to apply for Travel Study Credits, so that ment I had to take a great many notes and of course pictures as we went along. I would have anyway, but I was most careful to get everything down that would make a worthwhile report at the end of the journey. Our contact for the Tour with BYU was Robert Young. He would become a very great freind as well by the time we finished the adventure we had started. Probably a good thing we did not know the end at the beginning, for an adventure it certainly would become as we went along.
We started at Independence, Missouri. At this time there were still places we could not visit due to the lingering feelings against the "Mormons" in the area. It was not noticed where we went, which was good. We attended Church in a lovely new Chapel on Sunday. The Later-day Saints in Missouri treated us with a lovely luncheon after Church. It was a highlight to begin our Tour. Meeting people who had embraced the Gospel in an area that was not friendly before gave us a great start. It was a beautiful day, Missouri is a beautiful State.
Everyday the Tour Guides had to check to see what arrangements had been made for us at each stop. With such a large group to manage it was always a problem getting some of the members to remember they were in a group. Some would take more time shopping at each stop to the point it would hold us up in getting to where we had to be at a certain time. Another draw back was so many arriving at one time to be fed. It did put a strain on those who had accepted our Buses for service. We soon learned who was willing to step up to help things move along and who were too self serving to care about the rest of us.
I guess it was at these times the Tour Guides sorted out those they could count on to assist them in keeping things running smoothly. It could be a big job for just two or them. I am not sure just how they kept there cool with so much having to be taken care of everyday. It is difficult enough to guide, teach and satisfy such a large group when everything is laid out nicely and no hitches in the daily routine, but this Tour was another thing altogether.
We had a young lady in the group who seemed fine until we got to Kirtland, Ohio. She had taken a decided attachment to Lynn McKinlay. I was happy his wife was there, she helped him I am sure with the increasing problem. When Lynn had finished his lecture in the Kirtland Temple, he asked us to follow him out to the Graveyard that was next door. We all got up and were about to leave when this young lady fell down in front of Lynn and started to worship him. It was an ackward scene for everyone. Truman Madsen had to step in and pick her up and take her out to the Bus. The rest of us, stunned, but willing to follow orders walked outside and just walked around the outside of the Temple until things could be brought back to order.
Truman Madsen had been Mission President over the Mission in this area, so knew people he could call for help. The young lady was given some medical treatment and housed until her family could make arrangements to return her home. I believe she was from the State of Washington. No one ever mentioned her again. I talked to Truman about her later. He said she had an emotional problem and should not have come on the Tour. Her family was able to get her home and taken care of.
Our trip to Nauvoo, (I am not sure I am taking this in order) was made special for Mother and I. We were standing on the edge of the lot for the Temple when a group of men working in one of the back corners started shouting. We learned later they had just brought up the first of bucket of water from the well that had furnished the Temple Baptistry. Remember, this is 1965 and there was nothing but an indentation in the lot where the Temple had once stood. When I stood on that same area in 2006 there was a sidewalk and steps leading up to the Temple as it stands today. What a thrill to know I had been there when such an important event had taken place.
Nauvoo was different then, only a portion of the buildings had been rebuilt. This was before the Restoration had started. The Reorganized Church had a much larger presence there than did the Church. That has all changed now. We were fortunate to see the difference over the years.
Joseph Smiths old Homestead and the Mansion House were all that were at the Riverside area.
The Nauvoo House foundation and some of the lower wall was still there, but that was all. The Church had secured the Burial Plot behind the Homestead, but the Brick Store was gone. Not the way you find it today.
Because I am such a fan of Orrin Porter Rockwell, I was interested in his home. Truman told us that he had been given a lot in town, but had never built a home on it. We drove by and he pointed it out to the group. We spent time at the Heber C. Kimball home. It had been restored, and we were allowed to go through it. The Summer Kitchen out back is where Vilate Kimball received answer to her prayer about why Heber was so troubled. She returned to the house and told Heber she knew what was troubling him, and that they would take care of it in the morning. After breakfast she went with Heber to visit the Prophet Joseph at the Mansion House where she submitted herself to Plural Marriage. If there ever was an Elect Lady in Nauvoo, surely Vilate Kimball earned such a title.
Our Tour was planned so we could attend the Pagent at the Hill Cumorah. It was all the more special because it was the first time they had used their new sound system, and Lynn had done the narration. The ground shook when the tempest was depicted during the Pagent, and the thrill of seeing the Savior come down to the Nephites following his Crucifiction. However nothing could compare with the visit to the Grove and the meeting that was held there followed by a Testimony Meeting. The people who come from all over to put that Pagent on have their meetings in that setting, and it must be awesome for them. It certainly was for all of us.
We spent time at Niagra Falls before we went down to New York City. I had not been there as an adult. I guess the family had gone there when I was quite young, but I didn't remember it. One has to be prepared to get wet when they visit there. It is such a great thrill to see it both during the day and at night. Yes, it is lite up at night.
Now the adventure begins. When we got to New York, the question was, will we be able to fly?
The answer - well we got a phone call and I was asked to meet Truman in the Lounge. A lovely room with couches and chairs all around. He informed me that Lynn had a speaking engagement and had to leave. Robert Young had been able to get him out on a plane, but there were no such arrangements for the group. The Tour would have to Bus back to Kansas City where they hoped to have accomdations for all to fly back to Salt Lake City. Now however, the Tour was minus one Guide. There were more people than one Bus could handle so the decision was made to split the Tour Members who lived in California and send them on a regular bus going to Salt Lake City. BYU was responsible to see they got there, and that their food and transportation was paid for. I was asked to conduct the group. The next day, Truman took me to the Bus Station and to the Office where I would be given tickets for the group and he gave me $50.00 in cash to feed them.
One problem. When we got to the Office, there was no ticket. I was told the Tour Bus was leaving right now, and Truman needed to get down there. No Ticket for me . I was told however the Driver had a manifest that would see us through to our destination. Truman had already left with the Tour Group. Here am I with the California Group and instructions where to take them when we got to Kansas City, no Bus Tickets and $50.00. Oh, and the private telephone number for Robert Young. I was to call him at every stop, and report our progress. Being on a Regular Bus on a Regular Schedule, there would be different stops to eat, etc. so I had no guarantee I would see the other Bus any time along the trip West. Who could panic? I had too much to think about.
If you haven't taken a Bus trip across the United States, you have no idea how much you have never missed! It is not a way to go. I ended up with Mother, the lady that snored, a couple that was beside themselves to think they had been pond off to a nobody, a grandmother and her two grandchildren. There was someone else, because I had 10, but I don't remember who they were. Anyway, we got on our Bus and headed out. Truman and the Group had left about 20 minutes ahead of us, but they were not on the whistle stop we were, so I did not expect to see them again.
I tried to see to everyones comfort, pick up their tabs when we stopped to eat and get them back on the Bus before we had to leave again. When we got to Omaha, Nebraska we were to have a long layover before our next bus. I had talked to the group and asked if they would care to take a taxi out to Winter Quarters and spend some time there. I could give them a short talk about the place. I had spent years studying Church History, and felt I could make it interesting for them. It was agreed, I went to the phone to call Robert Young and tell him what we were doing, while I was waiting for the phone call, Mom came to the booth and told me we had to go, the Bus Drive had come and said we could make the Bus that was just leaving. I hung up without talking to anyone and ran to catch the Bus. We were off. It was now we had picked up time and I hoped we could make connections with the Tour Bus. Sure enough as we are going down the highway, one of the kids noticed the Bus. I was able to get to a window where Truman Madsen saw me. I was waving to him and he was blowing kisses to me. He was relieved to know we were O.K. and now ahead of him.
When we arrived at Kansas City, I was sure we would meet up with the Group, but when we got to the Hotel, no Tour. The Hotel only let me have half enough rooms, so the "odd couple" insisted in having a room to themselves, so the rest of us crowded into one room. It was O.K. because it was early, and the weather was beautiful so we just sat around the pool and soaked up the sunshine. It was much later in the evening when the Tour arrived and rooms were assigned and everyone could go to bed. Truman announced they were able to get everyone on the Bus on a flight to Salt Lake City the next morning, but the group from California would have to take an Air Bus that would make a great many stops before it got to Salt Lake. Again I was told to keep in touch with Robert Young and he would talk me through every step as we went.
The Tour Bus had become a hassle. Everyone sort of did their own thing, that was why we had caught up with them. They made every stop a layover while they shopped and lingered over their meals. Truman was nearly beside himself with the attitudes. When they arrived in Kansas City and found we had been there for hours before they arrived, they were really upset. When they heard they were getting an Airliner out and we were going by Air Bus, they were pretty pleased with themselves.
They left before us, but their plane was delayed. That is the way of it when a Strike is on. We on the other hand got right on our little put put and flew from Kansas City, back to Lincoln, Nebraska then I can't remember how many time we were up and then down, but we finally arrived at Salt Lake City. I got the snorer out on one flight, the grandma and her kiddies out on another, and the Odd Couple on their way, but had to wait for our flight to Bakersfield. After that was all taken care of, I made a call to Robert Young down in Provo. He asked me where I was and I said: "Salt Lake City". He gasp and said: "Salt Lake City?" I said yes, I had just put my other California people on their flights back home and Mother and I were waiting for our flight to Bakersfield. He told me he hadn't heard from Truman, they hadn't arrived yet. He thanked me for all my help and I was happy I had been able to do whatever it was I did.
The Ending was choice. Here Mother and I stood when the plane arrived with the Tour Group
and Truman. He was so happy to see me - by then we were very good friends and he had dubbed me "little sister". The rest of the party were not the least pleased to see us standing there. The Puddle Jumper had beat the big airplane, go figure. All I can say is when the Lord
has a small flock under the care of a scared leader, He takes over and great things happen. I cannot say enough about the way we were carried from New York to Kansas City and then on
to Salt Lake City. On a Bus with no tickets, supposed long layovers and some very unhappy people. Well it was a miracle. Truman could not believe we beat them, and yet he knew the group he had was not the least bit co operative in keeping them on schedule. They had held themselves up at every stop. As we have all heard, "alls well that ends well". We had an outstanding Tour, learned a lot, and enjoyed ourselves greatly. I wouldn't care to do it that way again, but have been greatful for the experience.
A week after my return home I received a lovely boquet of flowers from Robert Young, Truman Madsen and BYU with a card that said: "Thanks for service above and beyond the call of beauty".
I was saddened some years later when I heard Robert Young had passed away, and now all these years later that Truman Madsen has passed away as well. Two very good friends who I will remember lovingly forever.
Written this 15th day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Not to be detered, I talked to my Mother and she was very interested in taking the reservation I had made for Paul. At the time, neither of us realized the adventure that was just ahead of us as we finalized our plans to leave. I spent a great deal of time sewing for the trip. I wanted to have dresses that would be easy to pack, and cool enough to take the humidity and weather we would have during the time we were gone.
Mother drove up from Huntington Park and Jay took us over to Bakersfield to fly up to Salt Lake City where the Tour would begin. It was exciting. The two Tour Guides were known to me from Classes I had taken during Education Week in Southern California. Both were outstanding teachers, and very knowledgeable about the places we were going to visit. Things took a decided turn just before we were to leave. The Airlines decided to strike. BYU had made arrangements for changes in our travel plans to accomdate the lack of Airline connections, but it ment a great many hours on a Bus. Nothing could be done to change that. I don't know if anyone backed out, but Mom and I were a go, no matter what.
I believe the original plan was to fly to New York and work our way back from there to Salt Lake City. With the Strike on, we started by flying Continental to Kansas City and picking up our buses there, hoping that by the time we finished in New York, the Strike would be over and getting us back by flying would be no problem.
Some housing changes had to be made at some of the locations due to the changes in our stops.
Mom and I had to share a room with another lady some of the time. She snored, and made it very difficult for a light sleeper like me to get much rest. The room had two large beds and as I was the youngest of the three, I got to sleep on the "roll away". I was greatful it did'nt happen too often. I think Mom was as well.
As we were starting the Tour in reverse, it took some adjusting for the teachers as we went along. They adjusted their speaking assignments and it was really special to have them both at every stop. Oh, I don't believe I told you who they were. Lynn McKinlay and Truman Madsen. Lynn McKinlay had his wife plus one or two of his children along. They were so nice to have with us. We became great friends by the end of the Tour.
I had decided to apply for Travel Study Credits, so that ment I had to take a great many notes and of course pictures as we went along. I would have anyway, but I was most careful to get everything down that would make a worthwhile report at the end of the journey. Our contact for the Tour with BYU was Robert Young. He would become a very great freind as well by the time we finished the adventure we had started. Probably a good thing we did not know the end at the beginning, for an adventure it certainly would become as we went along.
We started at Independence, Missouri. At this time there were still places we could not visit due to the lingering feelings against the "Mormons" in the area. It was not noticed where we went, which was good. We attended Church in a lovely new Chapel on Sunday. The Later-day Saints in Missouri treated us with a lovely luncheon after Church. It was a highlight to begin our Tour. Meeting people who had embraced the Gospel in an area that was not friendly before gave us a great start. It was a beautiful day, Missouri is a beautiful State.
Everyday the Tour Guides had to check to see what arrangements had been made for us at each stop. With such a large group to manage it was always a problem getting some of the members to remember they were in a group. Some would take more time shopping at each stop to the point it would hold us up in getting to where we had to be at a certain time. Another draw back was so many arriving at one time to be fed. It did put a strain on those who had accepted our Buses for service. We soon learned who was willing to step up to help things move along and who were too self serving to care about the rest of us.
I guess it was at these times the Tour Guides sorted out those they could count on to assist them in keeping things running smoothly. It could be a big job for just two or them. I am not sure just how they kept there cool with so much having to be taken care of everyday. It is difficult enough to guide, teach and satisfy such a large group when everything is laid out nicely and no hitches in the daily routine, but this Tour was another thing altogether.
We had a young lady in the group who seemed fine until we got to Kirtland, Ohio. She had taken a decided attachment to Lynn McKinlay. I was happy his wife was there, she helped him I am sure with the increasing problem. When Lynn had finished his lecture in the Kirtland Temple, he asked us to follow him out to the Graveyard that was next door. We all got up and were about to leave when this young lady fell down in front of Lynn and started to worship him. It was an ackward scene for everyone. Truman Madsen had to step in and pick her up and take her out to the Bus. The rest of us, stunned, but willing to follow orders walked outside and just walked around the outside of the Temple until things could be brought back to order.
Truman Madsen had been Mission President over the Mission in this area, so knew people he could call for help. The young lady was given some medical treatment and housed until her family could make arrangements to return her home. I believe she was from the State of Washington. No one ever mentioned her again. I talked to Truman about her later. He said she had an emotional problem and should not have come on the Tour. Her family was able to get her home and taken care of.
Our trip to Nauvoo, (I am not sure I am taking this in order) was made special for Mother and I. We were standing on the edge of the lot for the Temple when a group of men working in one of the back corners started shouting. We learned later they had just brought up the first of bucket of water from the well that had furnished the Temple Baptistry. Remember, this is 1965 and there was nothing but an indentation in the lot where the Temple had once stood. When I stood on that same area in 2006 there was a sidewalk and steps leading up to the Temple as it stands today. What a thrill to know I had been there when such an important event had taken place.
Nauvoo was different then, only a portion of the buildings had been rebuilt. This was before the Restoration had started. The Reorganized Church had a much larger presence there than did the Church. That has all changed now. We were fortunate to see the difference over the years.
Joseph Smiths old Homestead and the Mansion House were all that were at the Riverside area.
The Nauvoo House foundation and some of the lower wall was still there, but that was all. The Church had secured the Burial Plot behind the Homestead, but the Brick Store was gone. Not the way you find it today.
Because I am such a fan of Orrin Porter Rockwell, I was interested in his home. Truman told us that he had been given a lot in town, but had never built a home on it. We drove by and he pointed it out to the group. We spent time at the Heber C. Kimball home. It had been restored, and we were allowed to go through it. The Summer Kitchen out back is where Vilate Kimball received answer to her prayer about why Heber was so troubled. She returned to the house and told Heber she knew what was troubling him, and that they would take care of it in the morning. After breakfast she went with Heber to visit the Prophet Joseph at the Mansion House where she submitted herself to Plural Marriage. If there ever was an Elect Lady in Nauvoo, surely Vilate Kimball earned such a title.
Our Tour was planned so we could attend the Pagent at the Hill Cumorah. It was all the more special because it was the first time they had used their new sound system, and Lynn had done the narration. The ground shook when the tempest was depicted during the Pagent, and the thrill of seeing the Savior come down to the Nephites following his Crucifiction. However nothing could compare with the visit to the Grove and the meeting that was held there followed by a Testimony Meeting. The people who come from all over to put that Pagent on have their meetings in that setting, and it must be awesome for them. It certainly was for all of us.
We spent time at Niagra Falls before we went down to New York City. I had not been there as an adult. I guess the family had gone there when I was quite young, but I didn't remember it. One has to be prepared to get wet when they visit there. It is such a great thrill to see it both during the day and at night. Yes, it is lite up at night.
Now the adventure begins. When we got to New York, the question was, will we be able to fly?
The answer - well we got a phone call and I was asked to meet Truman in the Lounge. A lovely room with couches and chairs all around. He informed me that Lynn had a speaking engagement and had to leave. Robert Young had been able to get him out on a plane, but there were no such arrangements for the group. The Tour would have to Bus back to Kansas City where they hoped to have accomdations for all to fly back to Salt Lake City. Now however, the Tour was minus one Guide. There were more people than one Bus could handle so the decision was made to split the Tour Members who lived in California and send them on a regular bus going to Salt Lake City. BYU was responsible to see they got there, and that their food and transportation was paid for. I was asked to conduct the group. The next day, Truman took me to the Bus Station and to the Office where I would be given tickets for the group and he gave me $50.00 in cash to feed them.
One problem. When we got to the Office, there was no ticket. I was told the Tour Bus was leaving right now, and Truman needed to get down there. No Ticket for me . I was told however the Driver had a manifest that would see us through to our destination. Truman had already left with the Tour Group. Here am I with the California Group and instructions where to take them when we got to Kansas City, no Bus Tickets and $50.00. Oh, and the private telephone number for Robert Young. I was to call him at every stop, and report our progress. Being on a Regular Bus on a Regular Schedule, there would be different stops to eat, etc. so I had no guarantee I would see the other Bus any time along the trip West. Who could panic? I had too much to think about.
If you haven't taken a Bus trip across the United States, you have no idea how much you have never missed! It is not a way to go. I ended up with Mother, the lady that snored, a couple that was beside themselves to think they had been pond off to a nobody, a grandmother and her two grandchildren. There was someone else, because I had 10, but I don't remember who they were. Anyway, we got on our Bus and headed out. Truman and the Group had left about 20 minutes ahead of us, but they were not on the whistle stop we were, so I did not expect to see them again.
I tried to see to everyones comfort, pick up their tabs when we stopped to eat and get them back on the Bus before we had to leave again. When we got to Omaha, Nebraska we were to have a long layover before our next bus. I had talked to the group and asked if they would care to take a taxi out to Winter Quarters and spend some time there. I could give them a short talk about the place. I had spent years studying Church History, and felt I could make it interesting for them. It was agreed, I went to the phone to call Robert Young and tell him what we were doing, while I was waiting for the phone call, Mom came to the booth and told me we had to go, the Bus Drive had come and said we could make the Bus that was just leaving. I hung up without talking to anyone and ran to catch the Bus. We were off. It was now we had picked up time and I hoped we could make connections with the Tour Bus. Sure enough as we are going down the highway, one of the kids noticed the Bus. I was able to get to a window where Truman Madsen saw me. I was waving to him and he was blowing kisses to me. He was relieved to know we were O.K. and now ahead of him.
When we arrived at Kansas City, I was sure we would meet up with the Group, but when we got to the Hotel, no Tour. The Hotel only let me have half enough rooms, so the "odd couple" insisted in having a room to themselves, so the rest of us crowded into one room. It was O.K. because it was early, and the weather was beautiful so we just sat around the pool and soaked up the sunshine. It was much later in the evening when the Tour arrived and rooms were assigned and everyone could go to bed. Truman announced they were able to get everyone on the Bus on a flight to Salt Lake City the next morning, but the group from California would have to take an Air Bus that would make a great many stops before it got to Salt Lake. Again I was told to keep in touch with Robert Young and he would talk me through every step as we went.
The Tour Bus had become a hassle. Everyone sort of did their own thing, that was why we had caught up with them. They made every stop a layover while they shopped and lingered over their meals. Truman was nearly beside himself with the attitudes. When they arrived in Kansas City and found we had been there for hours before they arrived, they were really upset. When they heard they were getting an Airliner out and we were going by Air Bus, they were pretty pleased with themselves.
They left before us, but their plane was delayed. That is the way of it when a Strike is on. We on the other hand got right on our little put put and flew from Kansas City, back to Lincoln, Nebraska then I can't remember how many time we were up and then down, but we finally arrived at Salt Lake City. I got the snorer out on one flight, the grandma and her kiddies out on another, and the Odd Couple on their way, but had to wait for our flight to Bakersfield. After that was all taken care of, I made a call to Robert Young down in Provo. He asked me where I was and I said: "Salt Lake City". He gasp and said: "Salt Lake City?" I said yes, I had just put my other California people on their flights back home and Mother and I were waiting for our flight to Bakersfield. He told me he hadn't heard from Truman, they hadn't arrived yet. He thanked me for all my help and I was happy I had been able to do whatever it was I did.
The Ending was choice. Here Mother and I stood when the plane arrived with the Tour Group
and Truman. He was so happy to see me - by then we were very good friends and he had dubbed me "little sister". The rest of the party were not the least pleased to see us standing there. The Puddle Jumper had beat the big airplane, go figure. All I can say is when the Lord
has a small flock under the care of a scared leader, He takes over and great things happen. I cannot say enough about the way we were carried from New York to Kansas City and then on
to Salt Lake City. On a Bus with no tickets, supposed long layovers and some very unhappy people. Well it was a miracle. Truman could not believe we beat them, and yet he knew the group he had was not the least bit co operative in keeping them on schedule. They had held themselves up at every stop. As we have all heard, "alls well that ends well". We had an outstanding Tour, learned a lot, and enjoyed ourselves greatly. I wouldn't care to do it that way again, but have been greatful for the experience.
A week after my return home I received a lovely boquet of flowers from Robert Young, Truman Madsen and BYU with a card that said: "Thanks for service above and beyond the call of beauty".
I was saddened some years later when I heard Robert Young had passed away, and now all these years later that Truman Madsen has passed away as well. Two very good friends who I will remember lovingly forever.
Written this 15th day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Friday, September 11, 2009
Those Great Things in the Church I Miss
As you know I have been a Member since 1952 and in the years since joining there have been a great many changes. The Church has grown and some of the things that were possible when the Church was smaller, and not World Wide, have had to go by the wayside. One of those things is the Dance Festivals. Now I know when they have their big productions when the Temples are ready to be Dedicated, have some of the same things, but not like when they were Church Wide.
When I was first in the Church, our children were small, the Church had Dance Festivals. In fact, Joe Sly and his wife Bernice (Cousins) were part of the committee that worked up the dances, and decided on the costuming. What a show those were. The one I worked on first was held at the Rose Bowl. We had to see the Young Men and Young Women were paired up into couples, and learned all the dances. Then their mothers were given the pattern and material for the dresses, and the Young Men were told what their outfits would be like. I only worked on the Young Womens outfits, so I am not sure just how the Young Men were taken care of. I remember that particular year the dresses were of yellow, orange and light green taffeta. They
had the layered petty coats to make the circular skirts stand out. When they were practicing in the Ward Building, it was colorful, but nothing like it was when the floor of the Rose Bowl was filled with all the Young People decked out in their colorful outfits dancing. It was like a kaleidoscope. Each group that was to dance had to wait their turn to go out on the field. There was a lot of nerves, and excitement, but nothing like the thrill of being in such a large group all doing the same steps to the same music. All the hours of practice and sore feet paid off and there was not one of the Youth who felt their time had been wasted. Oh, there were a number of dances, but our Stake was responsible for only about two. With Stakes working on the same program it was something to see it all come together with just a little practice together. The main job was to get the placement on the field so that the effect was something to behold.
Now the Church is so large, such things are limited to Special Programs, and then I know those who are fortunate enough to participate find the hard work and time spent well worth all they put into it.
I remember when I was asked to serve with the Mutual Program that was being started with the Senior Members of the Church, we went to the BYU Campus and saw the Youth in Utah put on a Dance Festival. I was so tired from the trip up I had difficulty staying awake, but when the Dancers came out on the field with their bright costumes and the Music started, I couldn't help but stir and marvel at the magic that was happening. I guess you would have to have been there to realize just how great it was. That was when I learned "Shall the Youth of Zion Faulter" I don't think I will ever be able to sing that song without recalling that experience.
It was way back then when they had General Conference in June also. That is when Primary was the feature. Oh what a thrill it was to set in the Tabernacle with all those Primary Workers and hear from the General Authorities. The one experience I don't think I will ever forget was
when the group was gathering in the Tabernacle before one of the General Sessions. Everyone was standing up in the narrow ilses of seats talking and gauking to see if they knew anyone in the close area. It was during this time the slides that would go with the talks were being tested for color, etc. So while we were are blabbing, laughing and enjoying the spirit of the occasion, one particular slide came up on the screen, now mind you, no one was really paying attention to that. It had been going on for a number of minutes. However when this one slide came up on those screens in the Tabernacle, every person shut up, sat down, and not another word was spoken. I am sure you have guessed what the slide was. Yes, it was of Christ. From the moment that image came on the screen, the spirit was so thick it caught everyones breath away and the tears flowed from every eye. I shall never forget that moment. I believe that is the way it is when you set in Conference and without really knowing it, you sence the Prophet has come into the building. Everyone immediately comes to attention. It is just automatic. I do believe it is proper, but when we see Christ our immediate reaction will be to fall on our knees, not just set down.
There were Stake Preparation Meetings back then too. Oh, what a help they were. Every teacher had a Stake Leader who went through all the lessons for the next month and had all the pictures and suggestions for preparations. I was working with the boys in Primary at the time, and it was so helpful to have the assistance of someone who had been teaching for years and knew just how to make the program work. They had these Meetings for all the Auxilaries. When the Church grew so big, and travel became more difficult, they decided to stop them. That was when the Manuals became larger, with more helps included. Amazing how we got spoiled with them. Now we are back to the smaller versions, with fewer helps, and the opportunity to dig down and find things on our own. The questions at the end of the lessons is to help lead us into some research on our own. The only problem with that is if we haven't been use to study and research, we can miss out on what is to be learned. As we all know, it is the teacher that gets the most out of any lesson. Many an opportunity is lost when a teacher doesn't pick up on the challenge that teaching bring their way. As President Harold B. Lee said: "you cannot lift another any higher than you are yourself" (not an exact quote, but near enough). A teacher has the opportunity to become so caught up with the lesson, they cannot give 1/10 of what they learn to the class, but they can inspire them to dig deeper for themsleves. I guess that is what the Brethern mean when they ask us to Ponder and Pray when we study. Wonderful how far that can take you if you pick up on the invitation.
It was back then a Temple trip ment planning a week-end with a drive to St George. There were no Temples in California until 1955 when the Los Angeles Temple was Dedicated. I recall how wonderful it was when we were able to go, to be able to drive the short distance to West Wood to attend the Temple.
It was then Temple Garments were available at the local J C Penny Store, or in some Stakes they had a Stake Garment Specialist who kept supplies in their home. Now you have to order them from Salt Lake, or have a Temple close with a Center to purchase. Yes, life is a series of changes. Each for the purpose of getting us closer to being self reliant. I am not sure just how well we are doing, but it is interesting to look back over the years and see just how much the programs have been moved toward taking the responsibility to do for ourselves. With the new technology that is available, there is always a lot of information at our fingertips if we just turn on the computer and know what buttons to push. Even our Genealogy is becoming "home bound". Little excuse for any of us to say we can't do it. The LORD only calls us to what HE knows we can do. If it seems beyond us, that only shows how much faith HE has in us. It is about time we found more in ourselves. Well, just a thought!
Written this 11 day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
When I was first in the Church, our children were small, the Church had Dance Festivals. In fact, Joe Sly and his wife Bernice (Cousins) were part of the committee that worked up the dances, and decided on the costuming. What a show those were. The one I worked on first was held at the Rose Bowl. We had to see the Young Men and Young Women were paired up into couples, and learned all the dances. Then their mothers were given the pattern and material for the dresses, and the Young Men were told what their outfits would be like. I only worked on the Young Womens outfits, so I am not sure just how the Young Men were taken care of. I remember that particular year the dresses were of yellow, orange and light green taffeta. They
had the layered petty coats to make the circular skirts stand out. When they were practicing in the Ward Building, it was colorful, but nothing like it was when the floor of the Rose Bowl was filled with all the Young People decked out in their colorful outfits dancing. It was like a kaleidoscope. Each group that was to dance had to wait their turn to go out on the field. There was a lot of nerves, and excitement, but nothing like the thrill of being in such a large group all doing the same steps to the same music. All the hours of practice and sore feet paid off and there was not one of the Youth who felt their time had been wasted. Oh, there were a number of dances, but our Stake was responsible for only about two. With Stakes working on the same program it was something to see it all come together with just a little practice together. The main job was to get the placement on the field so that the effect was something to behold.
Now the Church is so large, such things are limited to Special Programs, and then I know those who are fortunate enough to participate find the hard work and time spent well worth all they put into it.
I remember when I was asked to serve with the Mutual Program that was being started with the Senior Members of the Church, we went to the BYU Campus and saw the Youth in Utah put on a Dance Festival. I was so tired from the trip up I had difficulty staying awake, but when the Dancers came out on the field with their bright costumes and the Music started, I couldn't help but stir and marvel at the magic that was happening. I guess you would have to have been there to realize just how great it was. That was when I learned "Shall the Youth of Zion Faulter" I don't think I will ever be able to sing that song without recalling that experience.
It was way back then when they had General Conference in June also. That is when Primary was the feature. Oh what a thrill it was to set in the Tabernacle with all those Primary Workers and hear from the General Authorities. The one experience I don't think I will ever forget was
when the group was gathering in the Tabernacle before one of the General Sessions. Everyone was standing up in the narrow ilses of seats talking and gauking to see if they knew anyone in the close area. It was during this time the slides that would go with the talks were being tested for color, etc. So while we were are blabbing, laughing and enjoying the spirit of the occasion, one particular slide came up on the screen, now mind you, no one was really paying attention to that. It had been going on for a number of minutes. However when this one slide came up on those screens in the Tabernacle, every person shut up, sat down, and not another word was spoken. I am sure you have guessed what the slide was. Yes, it was of Christ. From the moment that image came on the screen, the spirit was so thick it caught everyones breath away and the tears flowed from every eye. I shall never forget that moment. I believe that is the way it is when you set in Conference and without really knowing it, you sence the Prophet has come into the building. Everyone immediately comes to attention. It is just automatic. I do believe it is proper, but when we see Christ our immediate reaction will be to fall on our knees, not just set down.
There were Stake Preparation Meetings back then too. Oh, what a help they were. Every teacher had a Stake Leader who went through all the lessons for the next month and had all the pictures and suggestions for preparations. I was working with the boys in Primary at the time, and it was so helpful to have the assistance of someone who had been teaching for years and knew just how to make the program work. They had these Meetings for all the Auxilaries. When the Church grew so big, and travel became more difficult, they decided to stop them. That was when the Manuals became larger, with more helps included. Amazing how we got spoiled with them. Now we are back to the smaller versions, with fewer helps, and the opportunity to dig down and find things on our own. The questions at the end of the lessons is to help lead us into some research on our own. The only problem with that is if we haven't been use to study and research, we can miss out on what is to be learned. As we all know, it is the teacher that gets the most out of any lesson. Many an opportunity is lost when a teacher doesn't pick up on the challenge that teaching bring their way. As President Harold B. Lee said: "you cannot lift another any higher than you are yourself" (not an exact quote, but near enough). A teacher has the opportunity to become so caught up with the lesson, they cannot give 1/10 of what they learn to the class, but they can inspire them to dig deeper for themsleves. I guess that is what the Brethern mean when they ask us to Ponder and Pray when we study. Wonderful how far that can take you if you pick up on the invitation.
It was back then a Temple trip ment planning a week-end with a drive to St George. There were no Temples in California until 1955 when the Los Angeles Temple was Dedicated. I recall how wonderful it was when we were able to go, to be able to drive the short distance to West Wood to attend the Temple.
It was then Temple Garments were available at the local J C Penny Store, or in some Stakes they had a Stake Garment Specialist who kept supplies in their home. Now you have to order them from Salt Lake, or have a Temple close with a Center to purchase. Yes, life is a series of changes. Each for the purpose of getting us closer to being self reliant. I am not sure just how well we are doing, but it is interesting to look back over the years and see just how much the programs have been moved toward taking the responsibility to do for ourselves. With the new technology that is available, there is always a lot of information at our fingertips if we just turn on the computer and know what buttons to push. Even our Genealogy is becoming "home bound". Little excuse for any of us to say we can't do it. The LORD only calls us to what HE knows we can do. If it seems beyond us, that only shows how much faith HE has in us. It is about time we found more in ourselves. Well, just a thought!
Written this 11 day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Monday, September 7, 2009
About those things gone, but not forgotten!
I was setting here thinking over this holiday week-end about some of the things I would like to have a taste of again. Like Birley Grape bottled drink, or Mission Orange bottled drink. My cousin Ed Smith worked at Mission Orange. It was Kitty-Corner from Owens-Illinois Glass where I worked. Talk about a great Orange drink. It was about the best. Then there was good old RC (Royal Crown Cola) that came in a bottle too. It was a pretty good runner up with Coke back in the "good old days". Of course if you watched "Mash", you remember Radar was always having a Nehi, which was another bottled drink. You may wonder about "bottle", but back then all soft drinks came in bottles, cans hadn't come into being. Everyone saved their bottles to take them back for the refund. All the bottles were then taken back to the Company where they were washed and sterilized to be refilled again.
I miss the Milkman who use to deliver Milk to our back door every morning. Milk came in bottles back then too. In fact then, it wasn't even homoginized. Oh, it was pasturized, but the cream would come to the top. If you wanted to have whipped cream for anything, you could pour the cream off if not, you just shook the bottle to have whole milk. Now you never see any
cream on milk. You can buy it in a seperate carton, and pay a lot more for it. Milk comes in two or three types. 2%, 1%, Vitamin D or Non Fat. We wouldn't have known how to order it back then. Some times when I go shopping, I don't know which kind I would like to buy. I should be drinking Non Fat I guess, but the 1% looks better.
I think I have mentioined the Helms Bakery Truck before, but they were a real treat. The kids use to run out and see what was on the Truck. Of course he always had Donuts, and that was a favorite for the kids. There were all kinds of bread, and cakes and pies plus a nice assortment of cookies. Everything was fresh. Those things are gone for good.
There use to be a corner store in every neighborhood. The prices were higher than at the big Super Market, but they were usually further away, and it took a weekly shopping trip to buy up the things needed. That was when meals were planned for a week. If we needed something else, we usually sent one of the kids down to get it. Now, there is a Market usually close enough that the small "Mom and Pop stores" are gone. Well you do see them in some areas, but not where we are living now. We had one in Taft, and I saw a few while I was in Salt Lake City, I
didn't shop at them however.
Gas Stations were independantly owned. Usually with just two pumps, and the owner or his helper would come out and pump the gas, check your oil, water and see there was proper air in the tires. Some of them had an area where they did work on cars, but not all. Back then Gas was about 15 cents a gallon. I think when Jay started to work, he worked in a Gas Station for awhile. That was when everyone doing that kind of work, wore a special uniform. There were no Oil Company Stations back in those days. Of course there weren't as many cars either. As you may remember, we didn't use our car much, people still walked most places.
When we went uptown shopping, there was always at least four or five shoe stores. They pretty well carried the same styles of shoe, but the prices were sometimes better than one of the other stores. That was what made shopping so much fun. The same for dresses. There were the more expensive clothing stores, Sears-Roebuck & Co , Montgomery Ward and good old Mode-O-Day dress shop. Man how I wish they were still around. You don't know what you missed by not having a Mode-O-Day shop in town.
Sears use to have a catalog that was the greatest item in every household. You could shop for almost anything, and it would be shipped to your home. Montgomery Ward also was a store with a catalog department. We always called it Monkey Wards, but don't ask me why, I just know that is what we called it. The first year Jay and I was married, he loved to shop at Monkey Wards. He bought our first radio from there for me for Chirstmas, and his table saw when we moved into our first home. That Radio was state of the art for the time. It had a record player that pulled down from the front. Man it was classey. We used to play that thing all the time. Beautiful piece of furniture for that time.
Those Catalogs were called "Wish Books" I suppose many hours were gleefully spent going page by page checking out everything that could possibly bring a desire of one sort or another to the forefront. In days where there was not Television or Radio, those Catalogs became a great way to pass the time.
Now Sears no longer has a Catalog Dept and Montgomery Ward is out of business. Or at least around California it is. We use to go to the Catalog Store at Olympic and Soto Streets in Los Angeles to look for bargains. We found a great many things discounted there over the years. Of course the same is true of May Company in Los Angeles. We use to go there to shop in their basement where they discounted items. A great place to find something, as Jay would say, that would save money on something you didn't need. Great to shop for Christmas things. We found a lot of great things for the family at Christmas at the May Company in Whittier. Well May Company is no longer. It merged with Broadway and I don't know what they are calling themselves these days. Not many of them around either.
As for Automobiles, well they have gone too. There was the Nash, the Hudson, the Studebaker, and for awhile the Kaiser. None of them are around today. Oh, and the American Motors. George Romney was the head of that company for awhile. They made a good car, but it is gone too.
One of the Movie Weekly Specials was "The Passing Parade" Little did I know then that I was
living in one. If I would have been more alert, I could have kept a good record of just what was in today and gone tomorrow.
None of this makes me feel old, it just makes me sad that so many good things that were wholesome and good, have left, while there are so many harmful and useless things around today. One of the signs of the times I guess. When I was younger, we had to worry about the cost of things. Today the things we thought were expensive or not needed, would be such a treat today. We drank Cool Aide back then, instead of bottled drinks. Today everyone drinks from a can, and rarely ever makes Cool Aide anymore. Amazing!
Maybe this is a challenge for you younger folks to take inventory of the things that surround you and then watch and see just what is still around 50 years from now. You may be surprised that so much of what you took for granted is no longer part of living anymore. Not that it will be such a disaster if it is gone, just proof that nothing lasts forever. Or nothing material that is. Things change and times change, but life is still evolving and change is the only thing that lasts. Some good, some bad, but change is what life seems to be made of.
I'm greatful for what I had, sad for what I lost, and hopeful for what lies ahead.
Written this 7th day of September
by: Eileen Rosenberg
I miss the Milkman who use to deliver Milk to our back door every morning. Milk came in bottles back then too. In fact then, it wasn't even homoginized. Oh, it was pasturized, but the cream would come to the top. If you wanted to have whipped cream for anything, you could pour the cream off if not, you just shook the bottle to have whole milk. Now you never see any
cream on milk. You can buy it in a seperate carton, and pay a lot more for it. Milk comes in two or three types. 2%, 1%, Vitamin D or Non Fat. We wouldn't have known how to order it back then. Some times when I go shopping, I don't know which kind I would like to buy. I should be drinking Non Fat I guess, but the 1% looks better.
I think I have mentioined the Helms Bakery Truck before, but they were a real treat. The kids use to run out and see what was on the Truck. Of course he always had Donuts, and that was a favorite for the kids. There were all kinds of bread, and cakes and pies plus a nice assortment of cookies. Everything was fresh. Those things are gone for good.
There use to be a corner store in every neighborhood. The prices were higher than at the big Super Market, but they were usually further away, and it took a weekly shopping trip to buy up the things needed. That was when meals were planned for a week. If we needed something else, we usually sent one of the kids down to get it. Now, there is a Market usually close enough that the small "Mom and Pop stores" are gone. Well you do see them in some areas, but not where we are living now. We had one in Taft, and I saw a few while I was in Salt Lake City, I
didn't shop at them however.
Gas Stations were independantly owned. Usually with just two pumps, and the owner or his helper would come out and pump the gas, check your oil, water and see there was proper air in the tires. Some of them had an area where they did work on cars, but not all. Back then Gas was about 15 cents a gallon. I think when Jay started to work, he worked in a Gas Station for awhile. That was when everyone doing that kind of work, wore a special uniform. There were no Oil Company Stations back in those days. Of course there weren't as many cars either. As you may remember, we didn't use our car much, people still walked most places.
When we went uptown shopping, there was always at least four or five shoe stores. They pretty well carried the same styles of shoe, but the prices were sometimes better than one of the other stores. That was what made shopping so much fun. The same for dresses. There were the more expensive clothing stores, Sears-Roebuck & Co , Montgomery Ward and good old Mode-O-Day dress shop. Man how I wish they were still around. You don't know what you missed by not having a Mode-O-Day shop in town.
Sears use to have a catalog that was the greatest item in every household. You could shop for almost anything, and it would be shipped to your home. Montgomery Ward also was a store with a catalog department. We always called it Monkey Wards, but don't ask me why, I just know that is what we called it. The first year Jay and I was married, he loved to shop at Monkey Wards. He bought our first radio from there for me for Chirstmas, and his table saw when we moved into our first home. That Radio was state of the art for the time. It had a record player that pulled down from the front. Man it was classey. We used to play that thing all the time. Beautiful piece of furniture for that time.
Those Catalogs were called "Wish Books" I suppose many hours were gleefully spent going page by page checking out everything that could possibly bring a desire of one sort or another to the forefront. In days where there was not Television or Radio, those Catalogs became a great way to pass the time.
Now Sears no longer has a Catalog Dept and Montgomery Ward is out of business. Or at least around California it is. We use to go to the Catalog Store at Olympic and Soto Streets in Los Angeles to look for bargains. We found a great many things discounted there over the years. Of course the same is true of May Company in Los Angeles. We use to go there to shop in their basement where they discounted items. A great place to find something, as Jay would say, that would save money on something you didn't need. Great to shop for Christmas things. We found a lot of great things for the family at Christmas at the May Company in Whittier. Well May Company is no longer. It merged with Broadway and I don't know what they are calling themselves these days. Not many of them around either.
As for Automobiles, well they have gone too. There was the Nash, the Hudson, the Studebaker, and for awhile the Kaiser. None of them are around today. Oh, and the American Motors. George Romney was the head of that company for awhile. They made a good car, but it is gone too.
One of the Movie Weekly Specials was "The Passing Parade" Little did I know then that I was
living in one. If I would have been more alert, I could have kept a good record of just what was in today and gone tomorrow.
None of this makes me feel old, it just makes me sad that so many good things that were wholesome and good, have left, while there are so many harmful and useless things around today. One of the signs of the times I guess. When I was younger, we had to worry about the cost of things. Today the things we thought were expensive or not needed, would be such a treat today. We drank Cool Aide back then, instead of bottled drinks. Today everyone drinks from a can, and rarely ever makes Cool Aide anymore. Amazing!
Maybe this is a challenge for you younger folks to take inventory of the things that surround you and then watch and see just what is still around 50 years from now. You may be surprised that so much of what you took for granted is no longer part of living anymore. Not that it will be such a disaster if it is gone, just proof that nothing lasts forever. Or nothing material that is. Things change and times change, but life is still evolving and change is the only thing that lasts. Some good, some bad, but change is what life seems to be made of.
I'm greatful for what I had, sad for what I lost, and hopeful for what lies ahead.
Written this 7th day of September
by: Eileen Rosenberg
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Jay visited the Enola Gay
Some of the family may have heard Jay tell this story, but there are those who will not remember it, and I think it bears repeating, and including it in this material.
While Jay was in the South Pacific aboard the LSM330 he had been given a leave to visit the Island of Tinian. It was at the same time the Enol Gay was there waiting for the weather to make the flight to drop the Atomic Bomb on Japan. It was a time when the Navy was gearing up for the landing on Japan. Jay was part of that Navy build up.
It was only because of the Mission of the Enola Gay and the crew that risk their lives to drop that bomb that thousands of lives were saved in the Armed Forces of the United States. Jay was always greatful for what those Airmen did.
Anyway while they were on the Island, they heard the B-29 was there and none of the men had
ever seen one before. They went over to the airfield, and were given permission to look at the plane. It was quite an experience for all the fellas. No one knew, at that time, just what was about to happen.
Another interesting fact about this is the Aircraft Carrier that was assigned the task of taking the Bomb to Tinian was observed by the Japanese Navy but they did not engage her in combat at
this sighting. The Bomb was delivered safely, and then on their return trip, they were engaged by the Japanese Navy and sunk. If the first encounter had brought about the results of the final encounter, the first Bomb would never have been dropped, and who knows what the effects might have been for everyone. Our family especially.
To make the story even more colorful, that Aircraft Carrier was the same one that was being given new crew members when Jay was standing in line after finishing Boot Camp in San Diego.
The last man placed on that ship was the one just before Jay Ford Rosenberg. It would seem that Jay was ment to have survived the War and have his family.
One never knows what trick life plays that places us in the right place and for the right reason. I
have heard Jay tell this story many times, and each time he was so greatful for the things that he knew had brought him through safely.
After months of training and waiting in the Waters off the Philippine Islands he realized that the
time was soon coming when he would be in the midst of the conflict. When the news came over the radio that the Atom Bomb had been dropped and that the Japanese had suffered such horrific damages and loss of life, he was relieved to know things had taken a trun for the better in the War. It wasn't until the Second Bomb was dropped that things came quickly to an end.
History may tell one side of the story, but for the Rosenberg Family we are well aware of the effect the Bombing was on the lives of all those men who had prepared for an invasion. There was not one of those men who did not realize the decision to drop that Bomb was most difficult, but of the utmost importance to save American lives and stop the War as quickly as possible.
No matter how History tells the story, and tell it they will, the truth will always remain that it
was a necessary evil to bring about the best conclusion to a War that was too long and too costly.
It was not an easy task for the men who trained, those who delivered, and those who had to drop such a horrible weapon on innocent people. It is never the leaders who have to pay the price of
War, they are only humiliated if they lose. It is the innocent civilians who have to pay the price.
The United States did all it could following the War to go in and help rebuild and give aid and comfort to those who survived. Was it enough? Well as their are two sides to any story, or
toss of the coin, we should remember the thousands of men who lost their lives on that early Sunday Morning December 7th 1941. Not to mention the other thousands who laid down their lives for God and, all over the South Pacific.
Uncle Ronald Smith was with the 1st Marine Division and was one of 6 men who survived out of 600 that fought with his Unit in the South Pacific. Uncle Ralph Smith was with the 111th Airborne Divison that jumped in the Philippines to liberate those terrible Japanese Prison Camps. In fact he told us how he and the men he went in with were waiting for their ship to pick them up on the beach, and watched the Newsreel and Movie Cameras making the history of McArthur wading ashore and freeing the Philippine people with his: "I shall return". They had to shoot it twice, because it didn't take too well the first time. All the while, there sat these men who really "returned" setting quietly by watching the show being put on by the "brass". Made for a great story, but not necessarily the way it really was.
Written this 1st day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
While Jay was in the South Pacific aboard the LSM330 he had been given a leave to visit the Island of Tinian. It was at the same time the Enol Gay was there waiting for the weather to make the flight to drop the Atomic Bomb on Japan. It was a time when the Navy was gearing up for the landing on Japan. Jay was part of that Navy build up.
It was only because of the Mission of the Enola Gay and the crew that risk their lives to drop that bomb that thousands of lives were saved in the Armed Forces of the United States. Jay was always greatful for what those Airmen did.
Anyway while they were on the Island, they heard the B-29 was there and none of the men had
ever seen one before. They went over to the airfield, and were given permission to look at the plane. It was quite an experience for all the fellas. No one knew, at that time, just what was about to happen.
Another interesting fact about this is the Aircraft Carrier that was assigned the task of taking the Bomb to Tinian was observed by the Japanese Navy but they did not engage her in combat at
this sighting. The Bomb was delivered safely, and then on their return trip, they were engaged by the Japanese Navy and sunk. If the first encounter had brought about the results of the final encounter, the first Bomb would never have been dropped, and who knows what the effects might have been for everyone. Our family especially.
To make the story even more colorful, that Aircraft Carrier was the same one that was being given new crew members when Jay was standing in line after finishing Boot Camp in San Diego.
The last man placed on that ship was the one just before Jay Ford Rosenberg. It would seem that Jay was ment to have survived the War and have his family.
One never knows what trick life plays that places us in the right place and for the right reason. I
have heard Jay tell this story many times, and each time he was so greatful for the things that he knew had brought him through safely.
After months of training and waiting in the Waters off the Philippine Islands he realized that the
time was soon coming when he would be in the midst of the conflict. When the news came over the radio that the Atom Bomb had been dropped and that the Japanese had suffered such horrific damages and loss of life, he was relieved to know things had taken a trun for the better in the War. It wasn't until the Second Bomb was dropped that things came quickly to an end.
History may tell one side of the story, but for the Rosenberg Family we are well aware of the effect the Bombing was on the lives of all those men who had prepared for an invasion. There was not one of those men who did not realize the decision to drop that Bomb was most difficult, but of the utmost importance to save American lives and stop the War as quickly as possible.
No matter how History tells the story, and tell it they will, the truth will always remain that it
was a necessary evil to bring about the best conclusion to a War that was too long and too costly.
It was not an easy task for the men who trained, those who delivered, and those who had to drop such a horrible weapon on innocent people. It is never the leaders who have to pay the price of
War, they are only humiliated if they lose. It is the innocent civilians who have to pay the price.
The United States did all it could following the War to go in and help rebuild and give aid and comfort to those who survived. Was it enough? Well as their are two sides to any story, or
toss of the coin, we should remember the thousands of men who lost their lives on that early Sunday Morning December 7th 1941. Not to mention the other thousands who laid down their lives for God and, all over the South Pacific.
Uncle Ronald Smith was with the 1st Marine Division and was one of 6 men who survived out of 600 that fought with his Unit in the South Pacific. Uncle Ralph Smith was with the 111th Airborne Divison that jumped in the Philippines to liberate those terrible Japanese Prison Camps. In fact he told us how he and the men he went in with were waiting for their ship to pick them up on the beach, and watched the Newsreel and Movie Cameras making the history of McArthur wading ashore and freeing the Philippine people with his: "I shall return". They had to shoot it twice, because it didn't take too well the first time. All the while, there sat these men who really "returned" setting quietly by watching the show being put on by the "brass". Made for a great story, but not necessarily the way it really was.
Written this 1st day of September 2009
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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