Finally, finally found a photo of Rebecca. She's the second from the left, top row
Freshman photo, West Virginia University 1938.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Just a note to any of you that read my blog, I've not posted any thing new since April. My daughter got married in June and to say the least, the whole family was very busy.
I've found a couple of more letters that Emil wrote to Becky in 1945 and will be posting these soon. I'm still of course, so interested in this couple, Emil and Becky and especially because their courtship was in the 40's and he served in the Army Air Corps during WW II. My husband and I are watching on the History Channel, WW II in color.
Must get back to work (yikes). Later.
--Nancy
I've found a couple of more letters that Emil wrote to Becky in 1945 and will be posting these soon. I'm still of course, so interested in this couple, Emil and Becky and especially because their courtship was in the 40's and he served in the Army Air Corps during WW II. My husband and I are watching on the History Channel, WW II in color.
Must get back to work (yikes). Later.
--Nancy
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
August 18, 1942
Hello Butch (term of endearment Emil and Rebecca had for each other),
You know darling it seems strange writing to Moundsville (Becky was teaching in Moundsville). Today I flew one hour and the other hour on instruments with my instructor. I enjoyed the ride very much. I put my elbows on the ride and enjoyed the scenery.
Yours forever and always,
Emil.
Hello Butch (term of endearment Emil and Rebecca had for each other),
You know darling it seems strange writing to Moundsville (Becky was teaching in Moundsville). Today I flew one hour and the other hour on instruments with my instructor. I enjoyed the ride very much. I put my elbows on the ride and enjoyed the scenery.
Yours forever and always,
Emil.
Letter from a builder that knew Mr. Nay (Becky's dad)
6 October 2008
Thank you for inviting me to share in the scrap booking of the Naricks, by sharing what I might know about Rebecca's father , Harry Ray Nay, an architect from Wheeling, West Virginia. I fear I don't have much, but what do know, I am sending along.
Mr. Nay was instrumental, along with Mr. Ray Fisher of Carnegie Tech (now Mellon), also an architect, in securing a CSI charter for Pittsburgh. This was prompted by a chance meeting of myself and Mr. Fisher at the Pittsburgh Builders' Exchange. Other that I don't recall Mr. Nay being very active in the Pittsburgh chapter. My better recollections of him are from my visits to his office in Wheeling.
As you probably know he was quite, large man, perhaps approaching more than 250 pounds. He always wore both a belts and suspenders, but most of all I recall him being a pleasant man, almost jovial. As a representative of ceramic tile companies I visited his office on several occasions. He had a separate room set aside to visit with sales people. He called it "Peddlers' Roost". I am not certain of roost, but peddlers' is for certain. Mr. Nay would offer a drink, coffee or water, usually. Occasionally there would be a dish of cookies. This, I assure you is not the way we were usually greeted. He seem to respect us and was interested in what we had to say.
I also knew of Mr. Narick (Emil). He was a well known football official in the Pittsburgh college and high school ranks.
I'm sorry I don't have more, but thanks for wanting to hear from me.
Sincerely,
Ray Brooks
Thank you for inviting me to share in the scrap booking of the Naricks, by sharing what I might know about Rebecca's father , Harry Ray Nay, an architect from Wheeling, West Virginia. I fear I don't have much, but what do know, I am sending along.
Mr. Nay was instrumental, along with Mr. Ray Fisher of Carnegie Tech (now Mellon), also an architect, in securing a CSI charter for Pittsburgh. This was prompted by a chance meeting of myself and Mr. Fisher at the Pittsburgh Builders' Exchange. Other that I don't recall Mr. Nay being very active in the Pittsburgh chapter. My better recollections of him are from my visits to his office in Wheeling.
As you probably know he was quite, large man, perhaps approaching more than 250 pounds. He always wore both a belts and suspenders, but most of all I recall him being a pleasant man, almost jovial. As a representative of ceramic tile companies I visited his office on several occasions. He had a separate room set aside to visit with sales people. He called it "Peddlers' Roost". I am not certain of roost, but peddlers' is for certain. Mr. Nay would offer a drink, coffee or water, usually. Occasionally there would be a dish of cookies. This, I assure you is not the way we were usually greeted. He seem to respect us and was interested in what we had to say.
I also knew of Mr. Narick (Emil). He was a well known football official in the Pittsburgh college and high school ranks.
I'm sorry I don't have more, but thanks for wanting to hear from me.
Sincerely,
Ray Brooks
July 2, 1942
Thursday Morning
Dear Emil:
I feel like a slacker not getting a letter off to you at least once in a while, but I let Becky tell you all the news from home while she was here.
So very glad to have your letter this morning.
It has been very hot here fro a few days and makes it so noticeable for it was cool enough for a fire on the hill for so long.
Becky will be down home Friday evening. We miss her so much this summer, and can't hardly wait for her to get home.
My first letter to her was returned from Pittsburg to the home address, saying she was not at 200 n. Bellefield. I guess they did not try to deliver the mail. Becky will be so disappointed that she had not heard from us this week.
The place on the hill is beautiful now, all the flowers are blooming and the grass is so nice and garden also.
The bees are fine (remember in Becky's letter to Emil, June 5, 1942 she mentions that her mother is ordering bee hives) and are not any trouble now, the first two weeks we had to feed them two pounds of sugar made into syrup a day, and that cut into the sugar supply a plenty. But they are on their own now and will repay the cost of the sugar many times.. maybe when we don't have any sugar (remember sugar was rationed during World War II). I have had no trouble working with the bees at all, but am always worried about getting stung. Dad is a interested in them as I am. We have them at the back of the garden under a maple tree, so we are not crossing their path of flight at any time. That way they don't get cross.
We had the ceiling or rather the attic space of the house insulated yesterday. That will make it warmer in winter and supposed to make it 15 degrees cooler in summer. Will tell you more about that after we have time to see what happens.
We are gong to spend July 4, in a very quiet way. It will be on the hill and maybe a watermelon or iced grape juice extra?
I have beans to can that day and will be very busy most of the time, but I am planning to have help from the family. Wish you were here to string beans.
The Dutchess is beautiful since she has lost all that light hair. She is such a rich brown. She had a rabbit chase last night. A little rabbit about as big as your fist was int he garden so we let her after it. She was so excited, but it got lost from her in the field across the road.
Dad brought an electric grass clipper for me to do the grass trimming with and it is a dandy. The grass is going to be very well barbered when I get it all gone over the first time. I worked out until after eleven last night doing the grass between the stepping stones out back.
Harry Paul is a dandy baby, spoiled so bad it is a shame, but I guess one learns on the first one. He wants to be outside and have some one carry him. He is gaining so nice now. Wanda is such a good mother. Really too good for Harry Paul doesn't get a chance to cry much, she is always doing something for him.
We are still very busy at the Office (Harry Ray Architect, ...12th. St., Garage Bldg., Wheeling, West Virginia). Would not be if we did not have defense work. All the architect's offices in town are closed for the duration but Farris and ours. We think we are very lucky and are so thankful for the defense work. Mr. Shaw from the other office (our used to be office) is helping us out down here. We miss Howard so much. We closed the other office the 1st of May, after all building was frozen except defense work.
The Boss is out in a conference and I am out of work for a minute (not looking for any just now).
We are wishing you the very best of good luck in your work. Put your all into it and everything will come out fine int he end.
We will be praying for the good Lord to be with you and care for you every minute of your work.
Loads of good wishes,
Becky's folks.
Thursday Morning
Dear Emil:
I feel like a slacker not getting a letter off to you at least once in a while, but I let Becky tell you all the news from home while she was here.
So very glad to have your letter this morning.
It has been very hot here fro a few days and makes it so noticeable for it was cool enough for a fire on the hill for so long.
Becky will be down home Friday evening. We miss her so much this summer, and can't hardly wait for her to get home.
My first letter to her was returned from Pittsburg to the home address, saying she was not at 200 n. Bellefield. I guess they did not try to deliver the mail. Becky will be so disappointed that she had not heard from us this week.
The place on the hill is beautiful now, all the flowers are blooming and the grass is so nice and garden also.
The bees are fine (remember in Becky's letter to Emil, June 5, 1942 she mentions that her mother is ordering bee hives) and are not any trouble now, the first two weeks we had to feed them two pounds of sugar made into syrup a day, and that cut into the sugar supply a plenty. But they are on their own now and will repay the cost of the sugar many times.. maybe when we don't have any sugar (remember sugar was rationed during World War II). I have had no trouble working with the bees at all, but am always worried about getting stung. Dad is a interested in them as I am. We have them at the back of the garden under a maple tree, so we are not crossing their path of flight at any time. That way they don't get cross.
We had the ceiling or rather the attic space of the house insulated yesterday. That will make it warmer in winter and supposed to make it 15 degrees cooler in summer. Will tell you more about that after we have time to see what happens.
We are gong to spend July 4, in a very quiet way. It will be on the hill and maybe a watermelon or iced grape juice extra?
I have beans to can that day and will be very busy most of the time, but I am planning to have help from the family. Wish you were here to string beans.
The Dutchess is beautiful since she has lost all that light hair. She is such a rich brown. She had a rabbit chase last night. A little rabbit about as big as your fist was int he garden so we let her after it. She was so excited, but it got lost from her in the field across the road.
Dad brought an electric grass clipper for me to do the grass trimming with and it is a dandy. The grass is going to be very well barbered when I get it all gone over the first time. I worked out until after eleven last night doing the grass between the stepping stones out back.
Harry Paul is a dandy baby, spoiled so bad it is a shame, but I guess one learns on the first one. He wants to be outside and have some one carry him. He is gaining so nice now. Wanda is such a good mother. Really too good for Harry Paul doesn't get a chance to cry much, she is always doing something for him.
We are still very busy at the Office (Harry Ray Architect, ...12th. St., Garage Bldg., Wheeling, West Virginia). Would not be if we did not have defense work. All the architect's offices in town are closed for the duration but Farris and ours. We think we are very lucky and are so thankful for the defense work. Mr. Shaw from the other office (our used to be office) is helping us out down here. We miss Howard so much. We closed the other office the 1st of May, after all building was frozen except defense work.
The Boss is out in a conference and I am out of work for a minute (not looking for any just now).
We are wishing you the very best of good luck in your work. Put your all into it and everything will come out fine int he end.
We will be praying for the good Lord to be with you and care for you every minute of your work.
Loads of good wishes,
Becky's folks.
June 9, 1942
12:30 A.M.
Dearest Fiance,
You know tonight I think was probably one of the rudest awakenings I have had for some time. I sat there with a room full of girls that I have known for several years, and as I looked them over, I couldn't quite like what I found. Filthy, dirty jokes that I don't think men could surpass and every innocent statement was twisted into a dirty smutty meaning. I just didn't fit in for my mind just doesn't work that way. I'm afraid I seem dull and lifeless, but I don't ever want to be that way. Now, I have that off my mind.
Otherwise, it was a lovely party, and Martha received many lovely gifts. I believe I told you before, but in case I didn't, I gave her cocktail napkins which had embroidered on them, Drink To and the sign of victory.
Drink
To
V
They were very clever and caused a great deal of comment. There's an old superstition at a shower, that the seventh package opened (owner) will be the next one married. Tonight mine was the seventh.
Heavens, I've been sitting here almost half an hour just thinking....a sign of old age creeping up on me.
Four of us there with men in the air corps and quite a good representation.
And now darling, it's one o'clock. I will scramble into bed and say goodnight sweet, until tomorrow.
All my love forever,
Becky
Good morning dear,
You are I imagine, just finishing up your flight line...is that what you call it? I am sitting out front on the steps, waiting for the bus. I am going to lunch with the gals and then all afternoon I work at the office. More fun. Here comes the bus.
Have lettered specifications all afternoon.
Your Sunday letter was so full of interesting news and thoughts. Enjoyed every page of it. Will read it again this evening.
Family sends its regards. Will write again this evening.
Did you know I love you with all my heart. Bushels and bushels. A great big X for the sweetest fiance I've ever known.
Always your,
"Becky".
12:30 A.M.
Dearest Fiance,
You know tonight I think was probably one of the rudest awakenings I have had for some time. I sat there with a room full of girls that I have known for several years, and as I looked them over, I couldn't quite like what I found. Filthy, dirty jokes that I don't think men could surpass and every innocent statement was twisted into a dirty smutty meaning. I just didn't fit in for my mind just doesn't work that way. I'm afraid I seem dull and lifeless, but I don't ever want to be that way. Now, I have that off my mind.
Otherwise, it was a lovely party, and Martha received many lovely gifts. I believe I told you before, but in case I didn't, I gave her cocktail napkins which had embroidered on them, Drink To and the sign of victory.
Drink
To
V
They were very clever and caused a great deal of comment. There's an old superstition at a shower, that the seventh package opened (owner) will be the next one married. Tonight mine was the seventh.
Heavens, I've been sitting here almost half an hour just thinking....a sign of old age creeping up on me.
Four of us there with men in the air corps and quite a good representation.
And now darling, it's one o'clock. I will scramble into bed and say goodnight sweet, until tomorrow.
All my love forever,
Becky
Good morning dear,
You are I imagine, just finishing up your flight line...is that what you call it? I am sitting out front on the steps, waiting for the bus. I am going to lunch with the gals and then all afternoon I work at the office. More fun. Here comes the bus.
Have lettered specifications all afternoon.
Your Sunday letter was so full of interesting news and thoughts. Enjoyed every page of it. Will read it again this evening.
Family sends its regards. Will write again this evening.
Did you know I love you with all my heart. Bushels and bushels. A great big X for the sweetest fiance I've ever known.
Always your,
"Becky".
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)