Excerpts from a letter Claudia wrote in Salzburg, Austria, on May 5–6, 1971, her final one before returning home to the United States. She tells of being in Prague, Czechoslovakia for the Communist May Day parade. She also mentions an ending tour she would be going on toward the end of May “to Amsterdam, Brussels and then a tour through Scotland and Wales and back to London” before returning to the United States.
Last weekend we went to Prague, Czechoslovakia for the Communist May Day parade—that was quite an experience! You could feel the communism a lot more there than in Yugoslavia or East Berlin it seemed like. There is no private enterprise so all the stores have everything for the same price, a lot of the buildings are quite similar too ’cause they’re all government constructed. There’s just very little feeling of individuality and it’s real sad!
. . . Two girls from Prague stopped and asked us if they could help—one is a teacher and the other is studying to become a teacher—it seems they’d spent two months in England and they spoke pretty good English—it was interesting to hear how they felt about things: We were talking about the May Day parade and they told us that no one likes to go but that they’re forced to and are checked on—they said it was like living in a prison, that we don’t know what it’s like to live under socialism and to be glad and appreciate what we have—I think I really did learn to appreciate a lot more during this trip, freedom is a precious thing—we asked them if they thought they’d ever be able to go back to England again and they said they probably never would—it was sad—but it was awfully interesting to talk to them!
The weather turned cold and gray and rainy for May Day and the parade, but it just seemed to fit. We went to watch the parade but somehow we ended up in it—there were soldiers and policemen all up and down the street and after a certain part they wouldn’t let anyone through without a pass and so you had to get in the street with all the other millions of people (that’s how they get more people in the parade, they are pretty sneaky!) All of Czechoslovakia was decorated for the celebration—everywhere we went there were millions of flags—plain red flags for the working people; red, white and blue flags for Czechoslovakia; and the big red flag with the hammer and sickle and a star for the Communist party—and they were all everywhere! Prague was just RED! and they had a big platform set up where all the VIPs and dignitaries would sit during the parade and speak to the people—above it were four great big pictures—of Marx, Lenin, the guy who’s head of Czechoslovakia now, and some other guy—it was really something!
i’m going to be leaving on the end tour Monday, May 24. Our end tour is to Amsterdam, Brussels and then a tour through Scotland and Wales and back to London.
This weekend we’re going to see all the big famous castles in Germany, including King Ludwig’s castle, the Mad King. It ought to be really jolly!! I can’t wait to see them—castles are fun!
Showing posts with label College letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College letter. Show all posts
Friday, April 11, 2008
64. Mother's Day Card
An undated note penned inside a German Mother’s Day card, sent to Claudia’s mother, Barbara Jean Fraughton Lange (1928–1994), probably sometime in early May 1971. The printed portion of the card said, “Herzliche Glückwünschezum Muttertag.”
Liebe Mutti
Thank you so much for being the very best mother ever!! i really do love and appreciate all the many things you’ve done & the love you’ve shown me. You’ve always been so cheerful and jolly, i have lots of fun, special memories—like when you used to lay by us (and when we’d all get in the bed together on Saturday mornings!), the tickle-fights (with David always begging for more & then dying of laughter before you even touched him!), the way you’d be mommy again, and all the songs and little dances you could do. i hope i can graduate from mother’s school and be as good a mother as you’ve been.
i love you lots and lots, Mom, and hope you have a Joyful Mother’s Day!
Thank you for being my very favoritest mom! i love you!!
Liebe Mutti
Thank you so much for being the very best mother ever!! i really do love and appreciate all the many things you’ve done & the love you’ve shown me. You’ve always been so cheerful and jolly, i have lots of fun, special memories—like when you used to lay by us (and when we’d all get in the bed together on Saturday mornings!), the tickle-fights (with David always begging for more & then dying of laughter before you even touched him!), the way you’d be mommy again, and all the songs and little dances you could do. i hope i can graduate from mother’s school and be as good a mother as you’ve been.
i love you lots and lots, Mom, and hope you have a Joyful Mother’s Day!
Thank you for being my very favoritest mom! i love you!!
63. A General Letter from Salzburg
A second mimeographed letter dated April 20, 1971, in Salzburg, Austria, this time addressed to “Dear Family,” and signed by a bunch of the study abroad participants: the Ken Polly family, Marilyn Darland, Claire Richards, Claudia Lange, Tamera Nielsen, Lynda Christensen, and Marianne Thomas.
Saturday was the prescribed date for the return of the weary travelers, but no one dared set a date for our recovery. However, there were two days in which we could recuperate and try to prepare ourselves for the ever-threatening mid-terms. Easter Sunday was a delight for most of us who were looking forward to spending a day anywhere but on a bus. It was an overcast day, but the thrill of walking and sitting on something that didn’t bounce more than made up for the lack of sunshine.
Monday we turned our thoughts away from rest to the more practical aspects of life. Some spent the day acquiring writer’s cramp and almost wishing they hadn’t collected so many letters from home during vacation. Others gathered the multitudes of dirty clothes they had been saving and set out to find some place to get them cleaned and (hopefully) returned. Still others we the way of the bank in hopes of getting their pocketbooks replenished. All stood in fear of the oncoming tests for which they had not yet prepared themselves. As a matter of fact, there were those who were in voluntary solitary confinement, eating and drinking not. Needless to say, we were all grateful that there were only two days of tests to look forward to.
Finally test days came, and they were all that we had expected. Anxiety levels got higher and higher as tests in German, Education, Music, and Political Science were given. After it was all over, there went up a big sigh of relief from everyone.
These days were not without relief. On Wednesday, we had no tests in religion class, so Dr. Baker and Dr. Sucher spoke to us. These men are very competent in their roles as professors, but they are even more dedicated to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We appreciated hearing from them and being revitalized with the spiritual aspects of studying in Europe with a group from Brigham Young University.
Then came the customary day of parting. With the completion of those much worried-over tests, everyone was ready for an escape into the realms of recreation. One group went to Kapurn, a monstrous glacier, where you could ski and ski and ski. Some went to Switzerland and, among other things, bore gifts from loving sisters to some lucky missionaries. Others, who decided to get a better look at the Salzburg area, went on a day’s bicycle trip to Hellbrun Castle, and the choir started that day on the trip to Kaiserslautern to sing at a conference.
With only four days away from the bus, it was with little enthusiasm that the choir members started another four-day trip, but with a stop every little while, the ride was easily forgotten, but the places we visited are the experiences we will remember. The old German town of Dinkelsühl was our first stop. We spent an interesting night in the youth hostel there. At first we thought it might be an old monastery, but the sign definitely said youth hostel, so we unloaded and started to look for the entrance. The entrance turned out to be a huge wooden door at which we were greeted by some brass trumpets heralding our approach. We felt like we were entering some medieval castle. It turned out to be an orchestra practicing who welcomed us, but we never lost our accompaniment, as the springs in the beds were rusted, and when we turned over in our beds we had a lovely chorus of screaming springs. Dinkelsühl was beautiful though. On Friday morning we looked around the town and some even climbed the tower by the St. George Church and had a magnificent view of the country.
On our way to Frankfurt on Friday, we stopped by Rothenburg, where we met Sister Hahn, who is the only member of the Church in that city. Then we went to Würzburg and the Residenz Palace and hurried on to Frankfurt, where we spent the night.
In Frankfurt we met President Luschien, who is a counselor to President Cannon of the West German Mission. President Luschien is also the man who translated Jesus the Christ, by James Talmage, into German. On Saturday morning President Luschien gave us a short tour of Frankfurt before we got on our way to Heidelberg and then on to Kaiserslautern.
Sunday we sang at the conference in Kaiserslautern. It was a touching event even though we still don’t understand much of what is said. President Luschien took very good care of us, and we were sorry to leave so soon, but we were all anxious to get back to Salzburg. Before we left, we made a quick trip to the PX and bought 45 hamburgers and some French fries and pop. What a way to end a trip!
Now we are beginning a new week—so that means it’s almost over. Soon we’ll only be able to say that we remember our trip to Salzburg. We are enjoying it here. Thanks again for helping us come.
Saturday was the prescribed date for the return of the weary travelers, but no one dared set a date for our recovery. However, there were two days in which we could recuperate and try to prepare ourselves for the ever-threatening mid-terms. Easter Sunday was a delight for most of us who were looking forward to spending a day anywhere but on a bus. It was an overcast day, but the thrill of walking and sitting on something that didn’t bounce more than made up for the lack of sunshine.
Monday we turned our thoughts away from rest to the more practical aspects of life. Some spent the day acquiring writer’s cramp and almost wishing they hadn’t collected so many letters from home during vacation. Others gathered the multitudes of dirty clothes they had been saving and set out to find some place to get them cleaned and (hopefully) returned. Still others we the way of the bank in hopes of getting their pocketbooks replenished. All stood in fear of the oncoming tests for which they had not yet prepared themselves. As a matter of fact, there were those who were in voluntary solitary confinement, eating and drinking not. Needless to say, we were all grateful that there were only two days of tests to look forward to.
Finally test days came, and they were all that we had expected. Anxiety levels got higher and higher as tests in German, Education, Music, and Political Science were given. After it was all over, there went up a big sigh of relief from everyone.
These days were not without relief. On Wednesday, we had no tests in religion class, so Dr. Baker and Dr. Sucher spoke to us. These men are very competent in their roles as professors, but they are even more dedicated to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We appreciated hearing from them and being revitalized with the spiritual aspects of studying in Europe with a group from Brigham Young University.
Then came the customary day of parting. With the completion of those much worried-over tests, everyone was ready for an escape into the realms of recreation. One group went to Kapurn, a monstrous glacier, where you could ski and ski and ski. Some went to Switzerland and, among other things, bore gifts from loving sisters to some lucky missionaries. Others, who decided to get a better look at the Salzburg area, went on a day’s bicycle trip to Hellbrun Castle, and the choir started that day on the trip to Kaiserslautern to sing at a conference.
With only four days away from the bus, it was with little enthusiasm that the choir members started another four-day trip, but with a stop every little while, the ride was easily forgotten, but the places we visited are the experiences we will remember. The old German town of Dinkelsühl was our first stop. We spent an interesting night in the youth hostel there. At first we thought it might be an old monastery, but the sign definitely said youth hostel, so we unloaded and started to look for the entrance. The entrance turned out to be a huge wooden door at which we were greeted by some brass trumpets heralding our approach. We felt like we were entering some medieval castle. It turned out to be an orchestra practicing who welcomed us, but we never lost our accompaniment, as the springs in the beds were rusted, and when we turned over in our beds we had a lovely chorus of screaming springs. Dinkelsühl was beautiful though. On Friday morning we looked around the town and some even climbed the tower by the St. George Church and had a magnificent view of the country.
On our way to Frankfurt on Friday, we stopped by Rothenburg, where we met Sister Hahn, who is the only member of the Church in that city. Then we went to Würzburg and the Residenz Palace and hurried on to Frankfurt, where we spent the night.
In Frankfurt we met President Luschien, who is a counselor to President Cannon of the West German Mission. President Luschien is also the man who translated Jesus the Christ, by James Talmage, into German. On Saturday morning President Luschien gave us a short tour of Frankfurt before we got on our way to Heidelberg and then on to Kaiserslautern.
Sunday we sang at the conference in Kaiserslautern. It was a touching event even though we still don’t understand much of what is said. President Luschien took very good care of us, and we were sorry to leave so soon, but we were all anxious to get back to Salzburg. Before we left, we made a quick trip to the PX and bought 45 hamburgers and some French fries and pop. What a way to end a trip!
Now we are beginning a new week—so that means it’s almost over. Soon we’ll only be able to say that we remember our trip to Salzburg. We are enjoying it here. Thanks again for helping us come.
62. Claudia from Yugoslavia
Excerpts from a letter Claudia wrote in Yugoslavia on Sunday, April 4, 1971. She tells of a sacrament meeting they held in Thessaloniki, Greece, where the Apostle Paul ministered nearly two millennia earlier.
Liebe Familie
Here we are in Skopje, Yugoslavia! We’ve been traveling on the bus all day and tomorrow we travel some more to get to Dubrovnik— i’m getting really experienced at traveling long hours! Boy, that 12-hour ride to and from Utah won’t even phase me anymore!! Today being Sunday we had a really neat experience—we held our own sacrament service in Thessaloniki, Greece, where Paul wrote his letters to the Thessalonians so long ago. It’s a large city (the second largest in Greece—Athens is first) but we stopped at a park next to the dock and with the boats and men drying their fishing nets it must have been very similar to when Paul walked, talked and wrote there. We sat on the grass and had our own little service—i’m sure it was the only one in all of Greece (Greece is 95 percent Greek Orthodox and the Church has no mission in Greece) but yet it’s neat to know that we can have church wherever we go—we’re not like the Catholics who need their guilt church buildings and ceremony—as long as we have the priesthood there to bless and pass the sacrament we could have church in the wilderness—anywhere!! Needless to say, it was a really special meeting! A lot of people had gathered around, watch¬ing us and for our closing song we stood up and faced them to sing “The Spirit of God.”
Greece and Italy are beautiful—especially Greece! They’re so green with tall dark cypress trees and then all the olive trees—the mountains and hills of Greece are covered now with green-green, spring-green grass that waves in the wind and they’re covered with all kinds and colors of wild flowers!! It was so jolly when we went to the ruins at Corinth, Mycenae and Delphi ’cause you could climb all over the neat rocks and ruins and pick the most joyful flowers—I picked bunches and bunches full!!! i’ve pressed some of them so I can save them for ever and always! I wish we had wild flowers all over at home like that—it makes the whole world so beautiful and joyful!—those days climbing and exploring the ruins have been my most favorite days of the trip—the sun even shined! (We’ve had mostly gray overcast days—those days of 90 degree weather in Athens and Rome disappeared.)
i’m really having a jolly time with the Williams’ kids—there are five of them and poor Sister Williams really has a handful running after all of them—the kids and I get along great so i’ve been trying to help her a little by watching after the kids a lot during the trip (actually I guess it’s more for my benefit—you know how I love kids and love to be around them!!!) The youngest is Terrill, he’s less than two, and he’s so cute—right now he has a crush on me—he calls me Kwadia and always runs to me when he sees me or wants me to hold him instead of his mother holding him (I eat it up! I love to hold kids) Glenn is jolly too!—he’s four and has the biggest dark eyes—they’re all jolly and I have so much fun playing with them! Somehow it seems like they all flock around and so we have fun together—walking or climbing or just sitting on the bus together—I love to help Sister Williams with the kids.
Tomorrow is going to be exciting—we’ll be going through a treacherous mountain pass to get to Dubrovnik and there’s six feet of snow all around—the roads are clear but very winding and we have to go slow—but it sounds exciting (eventful anyway)—when we get there i’m going to go to the Tourist Office and get some posters of Yugoslavia—they’re free and they make great souvenirs.
Liebe Familie
Here we are in Skopje, Yugoslavia! We’ve been traveling on the bus all day and tomorrow we travel some more to get to Dubrovnik— i’m getting really experienced at traveling long hours! Boy, that 12-hour ride to and from Utah won’t even phase me anymore!! Today being Sunday we had a really neat experience—we held our own sacrament service in Thessaloniki, Greece, where Paul wrote his letters to the Thessalonians so long ago. It’s a large city (the second largest in Greece—Athens is first) but we stopped at a park next to the dock and with the boats and men drying their fishing nets it must have been very similar to when Paul walked, talked and wrote there. We sat on the grass and had our own little service—i’m sure it was the only one in all of Greece (Greece is 95 percent Greek Orthodox and the Church has no mission in Greece) but yet it’s neat to know that we can have church wherever we go—we’re not like the Catholics who need their guilt church buildings and ceremony—as long as we have the priesthood there to bless and pass the sacrament we could have church in the wilderness—anywhere!! Needless to say, it was a really special meeting! A lot of people had gathered around, watch¬ing us and for our closing song we stood up and faced them to sing “The Spirit of God.”
Greece and Italy are beautiful—especially Greece! They’re so green with tall dark cypress trees and then all the olive trees—the mountains and hills of Greece are covered now with green-green, spring-green grass that waves in the wind and they’re covered with all kinds and colors of wild flowers!! It was so jolly when we went to the ruins at Corinth, Mycenae and Delphi ’cause you could climb all over the neat rocks and ruins and pick the most joyful flowers—I picked bunches and bunches full!!! i’ve pressed some of them so I can save them for ever and always! I wish we had wild flowers all over at home like that—it makes the whole world so beautiful and joyful!—those days climbing and exploring the ruins have been my most favorite days of the trip—the sun even shined! (We’ve had mostly gray overcast days—those days of 90 degree weather in Athens and Rome disappeared.)
i’m really having a jolly time with the Williams’ kids—there are five of them and poor Sister Williams really has a handful running after all of them—the kids and I get along great so i’ve been trying to help her a little by watching after the kids a lot during the trip (actually I guess it’s more for my benefit—you know how I love kids and love to be around them!!!) The youngest is Terrill, he’s less than two, and he’s so cute—right now he has a crush on me—he calls me Kwadia and always runs to me when he sees me or wants me to hold him instead of his mother holding him (I eat it up! I love to hold kids) Glenn is jolly too!—he’s four and has the biggest dark eyes—they’re all jolly and I have so much fun playing with them! Somehow it seems like they all flock around and so we have fun together—walking or climbing or just sitting on the bus together—I love to help Sister Williams with the kids.
Tomorrow is going to be exciting—we’ll be going through a treacherous mountain pass to get to Dubrovnik and there’s six feet of snow all around—the roads are clear but very winding and we have to go slow—but it sounds exciting (eventful anyway)—when we get there i’m going to go to the Tourist Office and get some posters of Yugoslavia—they’re free and they make great souvenirs.
61. Claudia from Greece
An excerpt from a postcard sent from Greece, written by Claudia on Thursday, April 1, 1971.
We spent Tuesday night in a hotel in Xylokastro (I dare you to pronounce it!) right on the edge of the beach—it was so beautiful and jolly. I went right out and ran up and down the beach and in the morning I gathered a whole pocketful of real beach pebbles from the shores of Greece! Yesterday we saw the ruins of Corinth and Mycenae—it was really jolly ’cause they are on beautiful hills that are covered with green and wild flowers ’cause it’s spring—it’s neat how they grow around the rocks and ruins—I climbed all over them and picked bunches and bunches of flowers! i’m in love with Greece—it’s the greenest country i’ve seen, with rocky cliffs and green hills and meadows and the sea is all around! People here don’t have cows but goats instead so we drink goat’s milk and the donkey is their main work animal—we see lots of goats and donkeys and sheep too.
We spent Tuesday night in a hotel in Xylokastro (I dare you to pronounce it!) right on the edge of the beach—it was so beautiful and jolly. I went right out and ran up and down the beach and in the morning I gathered a whole pocketful of real beach pebbles from the shores of Greece! Yesterday we saw the ruins of Corinth and Mycenae—it was really jolly ’cause they are on beautiful hills that are covered with green and wild flowers ’cause it’s spring—it’s neat how they grow around the rocks and ruins—I climbed all over them and picked bunches and bunches of flowers! i’m in love with Greece—it’s the greenest country i’ve seen, with rocky cliffs and green hills and meadows and the sea is all around! People here don’t have cows but goats instead so we drink goat’s milk and the donkey is their main work animal—we see lots of goats and donkeys and sheep too.
60. Claudia from Rome
A postcard Claudia sent her family from Rome, Italy, on Saturday, March 27, 1971.
i’ve decided Italy has to be the most romantic country in the world—I fell in love with Florence. It’s so beautiful and then everywhere you go it’s rolling green hills, vineyards and beautiful trees—it’s just joyful!
You should see our hotel here in Rome—it’s unbelievable! Everything is marble and there are song birds in cages and aquari¬ums with beautiful fish and they even have a cage of monkeys in it! (Boy, those monkeys sure scared me that first night when I went bipping by in the dark—they woke up and started to shake their cages—I just about lost seven years growth—and I can’t afford that!) But everything is really elegant (except the rooms themselves)—they even have a roof garden between the fourth and fifth floors which is a terrace with fountains and statues and foliage all around—it looks out over Rome and it’s so beautiful—especially at night when the stars are out.
Today we had a tour of Vatican City and it was really interesting—we saw the Sistine Chapel—it’s unbelievable! I don’t see how Michelangelo could put so much of his life into doing the ceiling, especially having to lie on his back the whole time! That’s really devotion and unbelievable skills and genius!! We also went to St. Peters which is the church the Pope presides over as bishop and it’s also the largest church in the world—it’s BIG!! And the interesting thing is that it’s never completely done—’cause every time a Pope dies a new one is chosen and more is added—it’s really magnificent to see. I thought I was going to get a stiff neck today, so much to see and so high up! Tomorrow we see ancient Rome.
i’ve decided Italy has to be the most romantic country in the world—I fell in love with Florence. It’s so beautiful and then everywhere you go it’s rolling green hills, vineyards and beautiful trees—it’s just joyful!
You should see our hotel here in Rome—it’s unbelievable! Everything is marble and there are song birds in cages and aquari¬ums with beautiful fish and they even have a cage of monkeys in it! (Boy, those monkeys sure scared me that first night when I went bipping by in the dark—they woke up and started to shake their cages—I just about lost seven years growth—and I can’t afford that!) But everything is really elegant (except the rooms themselves)—they even have a roof garden between the fourth and fifth floors which is a terrace with fountains and statues and foliage all around—it looks out over Rome and it’s so beautiful—especially at night when the stars are out.
Today we had a tour of Vatican City and it was really interesting—we saw the Sistine Chapel—it’s unbelievable! I don’t see how Michelangelo could put so much of his life into doing the ceiling, especially having to lie on his back the whole time! That’s really devotion and unbelievable skills and genius!! We also went to St. Peters which is the church the Pope presides over as bishop and it’s also the largest church in the world—it’s BIG!! And the interesting thing is that it’s never completely done—’cause every time a Pope dies a new one is chosen and more is added—it’s really magnificent to see. I thought I was going to get a stiff neck today, so much to see and so high up! Tomorrow we see ancient Rome.
59. Claudia from Venice
A postcard Claudia sent her family from Venice, Italy, on Friday, March 26, 1971.
This is Venice—with lots of jolly canals and water and boats and everything! We took a boat down the Grand Canal to our hotel yesterday and last night a guide took us on a walking tour of the city. Venice is actually 117 small islands connected by 450 bridges—so you can walk anywhere in Venice and that’s what we did! We just bipped all over—through narrow winding allies and over bridges and all sorts of fun things!
The Italian Navy is here and that’s a real experience—all the cafes and bars were on strike last night and those sailors didn’t know what to do with themselves. We kept to big bunches with the priesthood handy, so they didn’t give us any trouble.
The ride through the Italian Alps was really beautiful! You’ve never seen such majestic mountains, rugged and all covered with snow!! Oh it was joyful!! Today we’re on our way to Florence (that’s where they filmed Romeo and Juliet).
This is Venice—with lots of jolly canals and water and boats and everything! We took a boat down the Grand Canal to our hotel yesterday and last night a guide took us on a walking tour of the city. Venice is actually 117 small islands connected by 450 bridges—so you can walk anywhere in Venice and that’s what we did! We just bipped all over—through narrow winding allies and over bridges and all sorts of fun things!
The Italian Navy is here and that’s a real experience—all the cafes and bars were on strike last night and those sailors didn’t know what to do with themselves. We kept to big bunches with the priesthood handy, so they didn’t give us any trouble.
The ride through the Italian Alps was really beautiful! You’ve never seen such majestic mountains, rugged and all covered with snow!! Oh it was joyful!! Today we’re on our way to Florence (that’s where they filmed Romeo and Juliet).
58. A General Letter from Salzburg
A mimeographed letter dated March 11, 1971, addressed to “Dear Folks” and signed by lots of the study abroad students stationed in Salzburg, Austria. The first four paragraphs were signed by Judy Northcott. The final ten paragraphs were signed by the Tom Jarret family, Patty Jean Porter, Janis Tribe, Kathy Barlow, Sandi Harnagle, Elaine Bowers, and Shiela Harris. Claudia was with the group of students who visited Budapest, Hungary.
In spite of what some people think, we do study over here. The music history class had a most fascinating lecture this week by Dr. Rech, who is the secretary of the Mozart’s Historical Society. He told us some interesting details about Mozart’s life that you just can’t find in general music history books, and he showed us some of the original letters and manuscripts which have been preserved. The letters told interesting details about Mozart’s personality and his relationship to his family, and the manuscripts revealed the immaculate perfection of his creative genius. It was a most exciting hour for us musicians.
Another exciting event for some of us was the opportunity to play in the Mozarteum for the opera, “The Barber of Seville,” by Rossini. The entire production was done by students, even the conducting. Katie Blocker commented that it was a strange new experience to be under the direction of a German-speaking conductor and not to be certain of the meaning of his directions. It is a good thing music is an international language! They had two four-hour rehearsals, Thursday and Friday nights, and then performed Saturday and Sunday. So our tired players were quite relieved when it was over but glad for the experience.
For those who didn’t go to Budapest, the weekend was full of various activities. Some went skiing, some to Oberndor, others to Freilassing or Berchtesgaden, which are just a few miles from Salzburg. Several made trips to Munich by train or with Brothers Williams and/or Sucher. An interesting sight in Munich is the Schatykammer or Royal Treasury where there are many crown jewels and other precious gems. Sometimes it was hard to believe the size and beauty of the diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. In the late afternoon some rode out to Dachau on the outskirts of Munich. Dachau was one of Hitler’s concentration camps. There is a museum there and you can walk through the gas chambers and the barrack grounds. It was a most sobering experience.
We all had dinner at the Hofbrau, the most famous beer hall in Germany. It was exciting to think we had Munich beer on our shoes and if you are interested in a place with rollicking atmosphere that is a good place to visit. Afterwards, our music fans went to the famous opera by Mozart, “The Magic Flute.” the Bavarian state opera house is very opulently decorated, and of course the opera was wonderful. Dr. Williams takes students to Munich once or twice a week to attend operas or other concerts. Europe certainly has a wonderful musical heritage and we are all thrilled to be a part of it.
On the weekend of March 11th–14th, 50 of us traveled to Budapest, Hungary, to discover a new exciting world. Emotions were mixed as we felt the delight of the Hungarian customs and Gypsies, and then experienced Communism and saw the scars of the 1956 Revolution. Hungary is one of the freest communist countries. The people have freedom of religion, and may leave the country for brief periods after conforming to complicated bureaucratic procedures.
We began our tour with a visit to state farm in Gyor. It was 125,000 acres in an area with about 2,500 workers. 40% of the workers are women. All types of grains are produced, 85% of them to be exported. Here we were told that after the age of 16, everyone is required to work, although the choice of job is theirs, if they have qualifications. The fortunate, who can pass the educational tests upon graduating from the 12-year school system, are provided with further education by the government, then they are expected to use their knowledge to profit Hungary. A major problem today is the number of youth who leave the country upon finishing college.
The cost of living is rather low with only luxuries being high-priced. Few people have cars, but most have the necessities they need. We saw many horse-drawn carts on the farms.
On the evening of the 11th, we were given a great Hungarian meal, and first-class attention from the Gypsy orchestra. They wandered from table to table playing requests and delighting the students.
We had two tours of the city. Budapest was originally two separate towns: “Buda,” which means “water,” and “Pest,” meaning “bread.” The Danube divides the two parts.
On Friday morning we toured Buda, visiting the Citadelle, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastian, Royal Palace, and the Vienna Gate. All were up on the hills of Buda overlooking the Danube and Pest. We also visited the wine cellar, built in a natural cave under a tavern. That evening we were given excellent front center section seats for the tragic opera, “Tosca,” written by Puccini. It was sung in the Hungarian language, but we were saved by programs explaining the scenes to us.
The east side of the Danube or Pest was our campus on Saturday morning. Here we saw the Parliament Building, Margaret Island, Hero’s Square, the Basilika Cathedral, People’s Stadium, Amphitheatre, other Roman ruins, and the National Gallery.
It was so interesting to see the evidence of the past revolutions, especially the platform where Stalin’s statue had been. In 1956 it was pulled down and shattered by the freedom seekers. It was evident to us why these people with all their customs would fight to keep their freedom.
To bring our evenings in Budapest to a close, we were given a “wine-tasting” party, but as requested, our drinks were only fruit juices which we daringly mixed together. They also served a special Goulash soup, and a meat course. The night was filled with Gypsy music, folk dances, and singing.
The highlight of our visit, however, must have been our lasting friendship and memories of our guide, Laslo. He was full of the spirit of love and was so kind to all of us! Not only did he see to all of our comforts and needs, but he imparted a vast amount of knowledge concerning Hungary and Budapest. We were excited to find that he didn’t smoke or drink. He was very interested in the gospel. Just recently, John and Margie Hasler and Martin Harris visited with him until three o’clock in the morning and he went to church with them. Perhaps with prayer and fasting, the church may gain a wonderful member and maybe even a family. We loved Laslo and as we sang, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” there was not a dry eye among us—even Laslo had tears!
In spite of what some people think, we do study over here. The music history class had a most fascinating lecture this week by Dr. Rech, who is the secretary of the Mozart’s Historical Society. He told us some interesting details about Mozart’s life that you just can’t find in general music history books, and he showed us some of the original letters and manuscripts which have been preserved. The letters told interesting details about Mozart’s personality and his relationship to his family, and the manuscripts revealed the immaculate perfection of his creative genius. It was a most exciting hour for us musicians.
Another exciting event for some of us was the opportunity to play in the Mozarteum for the opera, “The Barber of Seville,” by Rossini. The entire production was done by students, even the conducting. Katie Blocker commented that it was a strange new experience to be under the direction of a German-speaking conductor and not to be certain of the meaning of his directions. It is a good thing music is an international language! They had two four-hour rehearsals, Thursday and Friday nights, and then performed Saturday and Sunday. So our tired players were quite relieved when it was over but glad for the experience.
For those who didn’t go to Budapest, the weekend was full of various activities. Some went skiing, some to Oberndor, others to Freilassing or Berchtesgaden, which are just a few miles from Salzburg. Several made trips to Munich by train or with Brothers Williams and/or Sucher. An interesting sight in Munich is the Schatykammer or Royal Treasury where there are many crown jewels and other precious gems. Sometimes it was hard to believe the size and beauty of the diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. In the late afternoon some rode out to Dachau on the outskirts of Munich. Dachau was one of Hitler’s concentration camps. There is a museum there and you can walk through the gas chambers and the barrack grounds. It was a most sobering experience.
We all had dinner at the Hofbrau, the most famous beer hall in Germany. It was exciting to think we had Munich beer on our shoes and if you are interested in a place with rollicking atmosphere that is a good place to visit. Afterwards, our music fans went to the famous opera by Mozart, “The Magic Flute.” the Bavarian state opera house is very opulently decorated, and of course the opera was wonderful. Dr. Williams takes students to Munich once or twice a week to attend operas or other concerts. Europe certainly has a wonderful musical heritage and we are all thrilled to be a part of it.
On the weekend of March 11th–14th, 50 of us traveled to Budapest, Hungary, to discover a new exciting world. Emotions were mixed as we felt the delight of the Hungarian customs and Gypsies, and then experienced Communism and saw the scars of the 1956 Revolution. Hungary is one of the freest communist countries. The people have freedom of religion, and may leave the country for brief periods after conforming to complicated bureaucratic procedures.
We began our tour with a visit to state farm in Gyor. It was 125,000 acres in an area with about 2,500 workers. 40% of the workers are women. All types of grains are produced, 85% of them to be exported. Here we were told that after the age of 16, everyone is required to work, although the choice of job is theirs, if they have qualifications. The fortunate, who can pass the educational tests upon graduating from the 12-year school system, are provided with further education by the government, then they are expected to use their knowledge to profit Hungary. A major problem today is the number of youth who leave the country upon finishing college.
The cost of living is rather low with only luxuries being high-priced. Few people have cars, but most have the necessities they need. We saw many horse-drawn carts on the farms.
On the evening of the 11th, we were given a great Hungarian meal, and first-class attention from the Gypsy orchestra. They wandered from table to table playing requests and delighting the students.
We had two tours of the city. Budapest was originally two separate towns: “Buda,” which means “water,” and “Pest,” meaning “bread.” The Danube divides the two parts.
On Friday morning we toured Buda, visiting the Citadelle, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastian, Royal Palace, and the Vienna Gate. All were up on the hills of Buda overlooking the Danube and Pest. We also visited the wine cellar, built in a natural cave under a tavern. That evening we were given excellent front center section seats for the tragic opera, “Tosca,” written by Puccini. It was sung in the Hungarian language, but we were saved by programs explaining the scenes to us.
The east side of the Danube or Pest was our campus on Saturday morning. Here we saw the Parliament Building, Margaret Island, Hero’s Square, the Basilika Cathedral, People’s Stadium, Amphitheatre, other Roman ruins, and the National Gallery.
It was so interesting to see the evidence of the past revolutions, especially the platform where Stalin’s statue had been. In 1956 it was pulled down and shattered by the freedom seekers. It was evident to us why these people with all their customs would fight to keep their freedom.
To bring our evenings in Budapest to a close, we were given a “wine-tasting” party, but as requested, our drinks were only fruit juices which we daringly mixed together. They also served a special Goulash soup, and a meat course. The night was filled with Gypsy music, folk dances, and singing.
The highlight of our visit, however, must have been our lasting friendship and memories of our guide, Laslo. He was full of the spirit of love and was so kind to all of us! Not only did he see to all of our comforts and needs, but he imparted a vast amount of knowledge concerning Hungary and Budapest. We were excited to find that he didn’t smoke or drink. He was very interested in the gospel. Just recently, John and Margie Hasler and Martin Harris visited with him until three o’clock in the morning and he went to church with them. Perhaps with prayer and fasting, the church may gain a wonderful member and maybe even a family. We loved Laslo and as we sang, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” there was not a dry eye among us—even Laslo had tears!
57. Claudia from Salzburg
Excerpts from a letter Claudia wrote to her family on Saturday, March 6, 1971, from Salzburg, Austria. She recounts a visit to Vienna, Austria.
Last weekend we went to Vienna & had a gay ol’ time—every minute was packed with fun-filled adventure & Moments to Remember! We took the long southern route to Vienna & passed through the most beautiful mountain country i’ve ever seen—it was like the movie Heidi, with little villages snuggled in tiny valleys covered with snow & surrounded by mountains of tall pines—we saw two snow avalanches off the mountain¬side, that was kind of exciting & then we put our bus on the train & went through a long tunnel for about 10 or 15 minutes—that’s the only way anybody can get through the mountain pass during the winter. One of the neatest parts of the whole trip was when we got to get out of the bus & climb an old castle that was high on the hill—it was so jolly & old—just like the real thing (which it was!) i climbed this one little winding stairway that was made of crumbling stone & covered with leaves—it was real tiny & narrow, just like out of King Arthur & when I got to the top i was in a lookout tower—it was so joyful! i could see clear out over the entire valley (no one could have sneaked up on this castle ’cause you could see everything! It was so exciting!) The castle was so neat—it had turrets and places for the weapons in the wall & everything!!! Boy, castles are fun to climb, i wish we had them in America!
The trip normally only takes 4 hours from Salzburg to Vienna but since we took the long southern route & stopped to climb the castle, it took us about 13—when we finally got to Vienna the bus driver got lost & we drove around the city for a while looking for the youth hostel where we were going to stay—we finally ran into Dr. Baker in his little VW, he was looking for us, & he led the caravan to the hostel. We had 8 in a room—4 sets of bunk beds—and it was the same bunch who’d been with us in Berlin, we really have a gay ol’ time together! We laugh & talk all night with a little “soft shoeing” & messing around thrown in for fun—we really get along good together!
Saturday morning we got up & it was freezing cold outside! i have never been in such cold weather in my entire life! Even with gloves & boots & arctic tights my hands & toes froze—i couldn’t believe it! (We found out the next day that it had been –20o F with 30 mph winds—which explained it) but that just made it all the more an adventure!! The famous Lippizan horses weren’t performing but they were training & that was open to the public so we went & watched—Goll, those horses are fantastic! They are precision trained & just beautiful (pure white), they’re so neat to watch!
After we went to the Spanish riding school & saw the Lippizan horses we—hey there’s so much to tell you i’m going to sen y’all a tape OK?!!! Vienna was full of adventure!
i love y’all lots & think about you often! A lot is happening all the time & there’s so much to say but i just don’t have the patience to write it all down—so be expecting a tape. i love you!!
Last weekend we went to Vienna & had a gay ol’ time—every minute was packed with fun-filled adventure & Moments to Remember! We took the long southern route to Vienna & passed through the most beautiful mountain country i’ve ever seen—it was like the movie Heidi, with little villages snuggled in tiny valleys covered with snow & surrounded by mountains of tall pines—we saw two snow avalanches off the mountain¬side, that was kind of exciting & then we put our bus on the train & went through a long tunnel for about 10 or 15 minutes—that’s the only way anybody can get through the mountain pass during the winter. One of the neatest parts of the whole trip was when we got to get out of the bus & climb an old castle that was high on the hill—it was so jolly & old—just like the real thing (which it was!) i climbed this one little winding stairway that was made of crumbling stone & covered with leaves—it was real tiny & narrow, just like out of King Arthur & when I got to the top i was in a lookout tower—it was so joyful! i could see clear out over the entire valley (no one could have sneaked up on this castle ’cause you could see everything! It was so exciting!) The castle was so neat—it had turrets and places for the weapons in the wall & everything!!! Boy, castles are fun to climb, i wish we had them in America!
The trip normally only takes 4 hours from Salzburg to Vienna but since we took the long southern route & stopped to climb the castle, it took us about 13—when we finally got to Vienna the bus driver got lost & we drove around the city for a while looking for the youth hostel where we were going to stay—we finally ran into Dr. Baker in his little VW, he was looking for us, & he led the caravan to the hostel. We had 8 in a room—4 sets of bunk beds—and it was the same bunch who’d been with us in Berlin, we really have a gay ol’ time together! We laugh & talk all night with a little “soft shoeing” & messing around thrown in for fun—we really get along good together!
Saturday morning we got up & it was freezing cold outside! i have never been in such cold weather in my entire life! Even with gloves & boots & arctic tights my hands & toes froze—i couldn’t believe it! (We found out the next day that it had been –20o F with 30 mph winds—which explained it) but that just made it all the more an adventure!! The famous Lippizan horses weren’t performing but they were training & that was open to the public so we went & watched—Goll, those horses are fantastic! They are precision trained & just beautiful (pure white), they’re so neat to watch!
After we went to the Spanish riding school & saw the Lippizan horses we—hey there’s so much to tell you i’m going to sen y’all a tape OK?!!! Vienna was full of adventure!
i love y’all lots & think about you often! A lot is happening all the time & there’s so much to say but i just don’t have the patience to write it all down—so be expecting a tape. i love you!!
56. Claudia from Salzburg
Excerpts from a letter Claudia wrote to her family on Friday, February 19, 1971, from Salzburg, Austria. She recounts their trip through East Germany to visit Berlin.
Last Thursday we took our trip to Berlin—that was really neat and interesting! Especially the train ride through East Germany and our visits in East Berlin. The country in East Germany is really beautiful—it’s sort of like a pastoral view of the 1890s—with beautiful rolling hills and patchwork fields of green, the quaintly architectured buildings which must have been built ages ago, the rivers and streams that flow across the country and the men with their wagons pulled by horses. The little towns were almost deserted—you didn’t see anyone walking around and there weren’t any cars to be seen. It was all a pretty picture but kind of sad in today’s world of advancements.
When we went across the border into East Germany we stopped at a train station for the East German guards to check our passports. The train station wasn’t like any i’d ever been in—it was empty except for one woman with a suitcase and the gob of guards that swarmed onto the train to check us. That was a freaky and exciting experience—we had to just sit in our seats and be quiet, we weren’t supposed to laugh or anything and no books (especially political science books) were to be out—the guards could confiscate anything if they wanted so we had to be quiet and good and not aggravate them while they looked at our passports and stamped them. We were checked by several guards to make sure none of the other guards had let anyone slip in who shouldn’t. Absolutely no rights then and if we got into trouble the U.S. government couldn’t even help because we don’t recognize East Germany as a country and we don’t even have an American embassy there.
There was a marked change from the empty oldness of East Germany to the bustling newness of West Berlin, where the streets were full of cars and people. Being almost totally rebuilt after the war, West Berlin is a very modern city like New York or L.A. We stayed in a hostile there which was large and really quite nice—I was expecting it to have one big long room with straw mats to sleep on—the girls at one end and the guys at the other with the directors and their families in between—but it wasn’t like that at all! There were three sets of bunk beds which were really comfortable and we had feather blankets that kept us snuggily warm—it was a very clean, nice place. But I understand this was an exceptional hostile—most of them aren’t quite that nice.
Friday we had a tour of West Berlin—including the wall, which is miles of wire and concrete—there’s a platform you can climb up and look out across the wall into the East. It’s hard to explain the feeling it all gives you, I wish I could. The day was gray, foggy, overcast and dismally dreary, but it seemed to exactly fit the atmosphere and situation. It’s really sad to look across to see an imprisoned people who can’t even do likewise.
Saturday we went on a tour of East Berlin—the buildings there are a lot older—some haven’t even been really repaired since the war and even though they’re different colors the whole city just seems to be varying shades of grey. East Berlin does have a charm of its own though that West Berlin doesn’t really have—here are all the old historical buildings of Berlin and the cultural center of former times. Being rebuilt after the war, the West doesn’t have that.
Sunday we went back to East Berlin and had the neatest experience! Two teachers from Frankfurt am Main took us around and explained everything to us. They were so nice! One took us clear through the museum of German history and explained it to us—it was interesting to see how even though they had presented the facts, the East Germans had kind of colored the history the way they wanted by emphasizing certain things—it was neat because the teachers could point out a lot more of this propaganda to us and we would have missed a lot. They also took us to the Paragam museum which has the altar of Zeus and a lot of other stuff from ancient cultures—that Altar of Zeus is enormous! It was really interesting!!! and those two men were so nice to take the time to show us around like that—they were so cute. One kept apologizing for his English, which was really quite good—he hadn’t had an opportunity to use it in twelve years. Goll, I wish I could speak German that good!
Last Thursday we took our trip to Berlin—that was really neat and interesting! Especially the train ride through East Germany and our visits in East Berlin. The country in East Germany is really beautiful—it’s sort of like a pastoral view of the 1890s—with beautiful rolling hills and patchwork fields of green, the quaintly architectured buildings which must have been built ages ago, the rivers and streams that flow across the country and the men with their wagons pulled by horses. The little towns were almost deserted—you didn’t see anyone walking around and there weren’t any cars to be seen. It was all a pretty picture but kind of sad in today’s world of advancements.
When we went across the border into East Germany we stopped at a train station for the East German guards to check our passports. The train station wasn’t like any i’d ever been in—it was empty except for one woman with a suitcase and the gob of guards that swarmed onto the train to check us. That was a freaky and exciting experience—we had to just sit in our seats and be quiet, we weren’t supposed to laugh or anything and no books (especially political science books) were to be out—the guards could confiscate anything if they wanted so we had to be quiet and good and not aggravate them while they looked at our passports and stamped them. We were checked by several guards to make sure none of the other guards had let anyone slip in who shouldn’t. Absolutely no rights then and if we got into trouble the U.S. government couldn’t even help because we don’t recognize East Germany as a country and we don’t even have an American embassy there.
There was a marked change from the empty oldness of East Germany to the bustling newness of West Berlin, where the streets were full of cars and people. Being almost totally rebuilt after the war, West Berlin is a very modern city like New York or L.A. We stayed in a hostile there which was large and really quite nice—I was expecting it to have one big long room with straw mats to sleep on—the girls at one end and the guys at the other with the directors and their families in between—but it wasn’t like that at all! There were three sets of bunk beds which were really comfortable and we had feather blankets that kept us snuggily warm—it was a very clean, nice place. But I understand this was an exceptional hostile—most of them aren’t quite that nice.
Friday we had a tour of West Berlin—including the wall, which is miles of wire and concrete—there’s a platform you can climb up and look out across the wall into the East. It’s hard to explain the feeling it all gives you, I wish I could. The day was gray, foggy, overcast and dismally dreary, but it seemed to exactly fit the atmosphere and situation. It’s really sad to look across to see an imprisoned people who can’t even do likewise.
Saturday we went on a tour of East Berlin—the buildings there are a lot older—some haven’t even been really repaired since the war and even though they’re different colors the whole city just seems to be varying shades of grey. East Berlin does have a charm of its own though that West Berlin doesn’t really have—here are all the old historical buildings of Berlin and the cultural center of former times. Being rebuilt after the war, the West doesn’t have that.
Sunday we went back to East Berlin and had the neatest experience! Two teachers from Frankfurt am Main took us around and explained everything to us. They were so nice! One took us clear through the museum of German history and explained it to us—it was interesting to see how even though they had presented the facts, the East Germans had kind of colored the history the way they wanted by emphasizing certain things—it was neat because the teachers could point out a lot more of this propaganda to us and we would have missed a lot. They also took us to the Paragam museum which has the altar of Zeus and a lot of other stuff from ancient cultures—that Altar of Zeus is enormous! It was really interesting!!! and those two men were so nice to take the time to show us around like that—they were so cute. One kept apologizing for his English, which was really quite good—he hadn’t had an opportunity to use it in twelve years. Goll, I wish I could speak German that good!
55. Claudia from Salzburg
Excerpts from a letter Claudia wrote to her family on Saturday, February 6, 1971, from Salzburg, Austria. It was her 20th birthday.
Liebe Mutti, Vatti, David und Gunther
Jetzt bin ich hier in Salzburg und ich kann es noch nicht glauben! Salzburg is really a beautiful city! I love it! We’re surrounded by mountains and we even have two castles! Right now there’s snow on the ground and it’s just like a fairy tale! (We had snow Wednesday afternoon and it kept right on snowing until Thursday morning so the snow is really hanging heavy on the trees—it’s so joyful!)
Classes start Monday and i’m really looking forward to them—I think they’re going to be awfully interesting and jolly!
Yesterday Brother Nestlinger took us on a tour of the city—he’s the cutest little old man. He met us at the train station too (he meets the BYU kids and all the new missionaries when they come) and he always wears the joyful little outfits you picture an Austrian man would wear—right down to the hats with the feathers and stuff in them! He took us all over and there’s so much to see here, so much history—buildings built anytime from about the 1890s on are considered new (any building that isn’t over 100 years old is young). We even saw Sound of Music places where it was filmed!!
Thursday evening we went to Relief Society and that was neat! I could understand quite a bit; but that didn’t matter even so because even if you couldn’t, you could have felt their spirit there. These are extraordinary women. It would really be a test to your testimony to live where there are so few of you and where you’re challenged all the time.
Salzburg is a beautiful place and I like it quite a bit better than Paris, although I really had a joyful time there! The German food is delicious!!
Oh, I haven’t told you about my room yet—it’s really cute and fun! It’s just little—two beds, a sink, and a wooden closet that’s for both of us. The neatest part of the whole room is the little part that juts out and is part of the gable (we’re on the third floor, the very top)—we have a little desk and chair there with a window that looks out onto Salzburg and the mountains—i’m writing from there now—it’s my favorite part of the room, but the whole thing is just the coziest, most joyful thing ever!!!
Liebe Mutti, Vatti, David und Gunther
Jetzt bin ich hier in Salzburg und ich kann es noch nicht glauben! Salzburg is really a beautiful city! I love it! We’re surrounded by mountains and we even have two castles! Right now there’s snow on the ground and it’s just like a fairy tale! (We had snow Wednesday afternoon and it kept right on snowing until Thursday morning so the snow is really hanging heavy on the trees—it’s so joyful!)
Classes start Monday and i’m really looking forward to them—I think they’re going to be awfully interesting and jolly!
Yesterday Brother Nestlinger took us on a tour of the city—he’s the cutest little old man. He met us at the train station too (he meets the BYU kids and all the new missionaries when they come) and he always wears the joyful little outfits you picture an Austrian man would wear—right down to the hats with the feathers and stuff in them! He took us all over and there’s so much to see here, so much history—buildings built anytime from about the 1890s on are considered new (any building that isn’t over 100 years old is young). We even saw Sound of Music places where it was filmed!!
Thursday evening we went to Relief Society and that was neat! I could understand quite a bit; but that didn’t matter even so because even if you couldn’t, you could have felt their spirit there. These are extraordinary women. It would really be a test to your testimony to live where there are so few of you and where you’re challenged all the time.
Salzburg is a beautiful place and I like it quite a bit better than Paris, although I really had a joyful time there! The German food is delicious!!
Oh, I haven’t told you about my room yet—it’s really cute and fun! It’s just little—two beds, a sink, and a wooden closet that’s for both of us. The neatest part of the whole room is the little part that juts out and is part of the gable (we’re on the third floor, the very top)—we have a little desk and chair there with a window that looks out onto Salzburg and the mountains—i’m writing from there now—it’s my favorite part of the room, but the whole thing is just the coziest, most joyful thing ever!!!
54. Claudia from Paris
A postcard Claudia wrote to her family in California on Saturday, January 30, 1971, from Paris, France. As a student at Brigham Young University, Claudia did a semester abroad in Salzburg, Austria, from January till May 1971. She turned 20 while she was in Europe. A picture of the Arc de Triomphe was on the reverse side of her postcard. Gunther was the family’s German shepherd dog.
Dear Dad, Mom, David, and Gunther,
Howdy doody!
Gee, here i am in Paris & i don’t believe it even now! except for it’s a little hard to communicate sometimes—do you know even the dogs & cats here speak more French than i do?! That’s a freaky thing when even the animals know more than you!
i’m having lots of fun though! Everything is an adventure!! Yesterday when we took the Metro (their underground subway system) to the Arc de Triomphe we got lost 4 times but some joyful people helped us out! It was really exciting and the ride is jolly ’cause those Metros really bip & rattle along & there you are standing up with a million other people (except they’re French & that’s even jollier!) holding on to the poles so you don’t fall in all the rattling—it’s really fun!!!
The Arc de Triomphe was neat to see when we finally got there. It had the French tomb to the Unknown Soldier & the eternal flame & it really was kind of neat. Today we saw Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the artist’s section & Saint-Chapel which has some of the most beautiful stain glass windows i’ve ever seen! They go clear to the top & are from about the 13th century! ooh they’re beautiful! Tomorrow we’re going to visit the Louvre most of the day (it’s free on Sundays) & then we’ll have our own church service in the night.
Paris is a joyful place! i’m loving every minute of it— there’s so much to see & do & learn & people are neat wherever you go.
Thank you for the letter, it was jolly to get—especially since i didn’t think you had the address!!!
Dear Dad, Mom, David, and Gunther,
Howdy doody!
Gee, here i am in Paris & i don’t believe it even now! except for it’s a little hard to communicate sometimes—do you know even the dogs & cats here speak more French than i do?! That’s a freaky thing when even the animals know more than you!
i’m having lots of fun though! Everything is an adventure!! Yesterday when we took the Metro (their underground subway system) to the Arc de Triomphe we got lost 4 times but some joyful people helped us out! It was really exciting and the ride is jolly ’cause those Metros really bip & rattle along & there you are standing up with a million other people (except they’re French & that’s even jollier!) holding on to the poles so you don’t fall in all the rattling—it’s really fun!!!
The Arc de Triomphe was neat to see when we finally got there. It had the French tomb to the Unknown Soldier & the eternal flame & it really was kind of neat. Today we saw Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the artist’s section & Saint-Chapel which has some of the most beautiful stain glass windows i’ve ever seen! They go clear to the top & are from about the 13th century! ooh they’re beautiful! Tomorrow we’re going to visit the Louvre most of the day (it’s free on Sundays) & then we’ll have our own church service in the night.
Paris is a joyful place! i’m loving every minute of it— there’s so much to see & do & learn & people are neat wherever you go.
Thank you for the letter, it was jolly to get—especially since i didn’t think you had the address!!!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
49. From Claudia to Her Parents
Excerpts from a letter written in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, November 3, 1970, from Claudia Lange to her parents, J. Marvin and Barbara Lange, and her brother, David, in San Gabriel, California. She mentions seeing the Prophet of God, President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876-1972).
i think that was one of the most special Sundays i’ve ever had—it was truly joyful and i could feel a strong spirit there. Relief Society was really neat that morning, with an excellent spiritual lesson and thy my Sunday School class was good too—i have an excellent teacher—he teaches kind of unconventionally by making you find your own answers, you really have to think, he doesn’t feed it to you—he’s kind of scary but that’s what i need! Then i bore my testimony in fast and testimony meeting. That whole morning was just really special and meaningful to me—the lessons were great and what i really needed. It was a beautiful day too—like the kind in heaven might be like.
But the afternoon was the neatest part of the whole day! They had the 10-stake fireside in the Fieldhouse and Sister Jessie Evans Smith spoke. The Prophet accompanied her and that’s an experience i’ll never forget!
The fireside didn’t start until 4:00 p.m. but they opened the doors at 2:00 p.m. We got there at 2:15 (we went as a family) and so we got pretty good seats—you should have seen all the people! By 3:30 it was filled to capacity and people were standing in the back and in the aisles, everywhere! But it was worth it—we spent some of the time singing, the whole auditorium was singing hymns and then when the Prophet came in we all rose and sang “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” i really can’t explain it—but it felt so good and i really could feel a spirit there—i have never sung that song with a real live prophet there—it was neat and i really knew he was a prophet! We sang all the verses after the benediction and i could hardly sing it.
Sister Smith is really a good speaker and she’s so cute and dear. She said a lot of important stuff and you could tell just how special her relationship with the Prophet is. i hope i can have that kind of love and liveliness when i’m 80 or 90! That’s the kind that lasts an eternity!! and they’re so cute and funny together— like they were just a couple of teenagers—only with a lot more wisdom.
Sister Smith sang a song for us and then she and the Prophet sang a duet—it was so joyful!!! It was just the neatest fireside ever—and so special! When they left, Sister Smith blew kisses and the President waved—i waved right back!
i think that was one of the most special Sundays i’ve ever had—it was truly joyful and i could feel a strong spirit there. Relief Society was really neat that morning, with an excellent spiritual lesson and thy my Sunday School class was good too—i have an excellent teacher—he teaches kind of unconventionally by making you find your own answers, you really have to think, he doesn’t feed it to you—he’s kind of scary but that’s what i need! Then i bore my testimony in fast and testimony meeting. That whole morning was just really special and meaningful to me—the lessons were great and what i really needed. It was a beautiful day too—like the kind in heaven might be like.
But the afternoon was the neatest part of the whole day! They had the 10-stake fireside in the Fieldhouse and Sister Jessie Evans Smith spoke. The Prophet accompanied her and that’s an experience i’ll never forget!
The fireside didn’t start until 4:00 p.m. but they opened the doors at 2:00 p.m. We got there at 2:15 (we went as a family) and so we got pretty good seats—you should have seen all the people! By 3:30 it was filled to capacity and people were standing in the back and in the aisles, everywhere! But it was worth it—we spent some of the time singing, the whole auditorium was singing hymns and then when the Prophet came in we all rose and sang “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” i really can’t explain it—but it felt so good and i really could feel a spirit there—i have never sung that song with a real live prophet there—it was neat and i really knew he was a prophet! We sang all the verses after the benediction and i could hardly sing it.Sister Smith is really a good speaker and she’s so cute and dear. She said a lot of important stuff and you could tell just how special her relationship with the Prophet is. i hope i can have that kind of love and liveliness when i’m 80 or 90! That’s the kind that lasts an eternity!! and they’re so cute and funny together— like they were just a couple of teenagers—only with a lot more wisdom.
Sister Smith sang a song for us and then she and the Prophet sang a duet—it was so joyful!!! It was just the neatest fireside ever—and so special! When they left, Sister Smith blew kisses and the President waved—i waved right back!
47. From Claudia to Her Parents
An excerpt from a letter written in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday, 28 October 1970, from Claudia Lange to her parents, J. Marvin and Barbara Lange, in San Gabriel, California. Claudia at this time was a sophomore at Brigham Young University majoring in elementary education. The following semester she spent studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria. As intimated in this excerpt, she later interned as a second grade teacher at Grant Elementary School in Springville, Utah, during the 1972–73 school year.
i’ve figured out what i’m going to do instead of student teaching—they offer an internship program in place of student teaching. That’s where you actually teach for a full year on your own but under close supervision. i think that’s the best plan—they pay you for that time too instead of you paying tuition to student teach! And when you apply for a job you can say you’ve had one year’s teaching experience—which HELPS! And you start on a higher pay scale! That would mean i wouldn’t graduate until the summer after i’m a senior but i think the money and experience would be worth it. It also means i’ll be on this love-sick campus in the spring next year—but i’m tough! i think i can make it—besides it’s a good test. Hey, i just had another neat thought—that means i can work the summer after this one, too, to help pay off Salzburg! . . . i really think this is the best plan. i talked to one of the ladies in the ward and that’s what she did. Also, there’s the possibility i could teach in Provo.
i’ve figured out what i’m going to do instead of student teaching—they offer an internship program in place of student teaching. That’s where you actually teach for a full year on your own but under close supervision. i think that’s the best plan—they pay you for that time too instead of you paying tuition to student teach! And when you apply for a job you can say you’ve had one year’s teaching experience—which HELPS! And you start on a higher pay scale! That would mean i wouldn’t graduate until the summer after i’m a senior but i think the money and experience would be worth it. It also means i’ll be on this love-sick campus in the spring next year—but i’m tough! i think i can make it—besides it’s a good test. Hey, i just had another neat thought—that means i can work the summer after this one, too, to help pay off Salzburg! . . . i really think this is the best plan. i talked to one of the ladies in the ward and that’s what she did. Also, there’s the possibility i could teach in Provo.
28. From Claudia to Her Parents
This letter was written by Claudia Lange in Provo, Utah, in December 1969, to her parents, Marvin and Barbara Lange, in San Gabriel, California. There was no date on the letter itself, but the envelope was postmarked in Provo on Tuesday, December 16. Claudia was a freshman at Brigham Young University during the 1969-70 school year. The Grandma she refers to was her mother’s widowed mother, Bernice Dixon Fraughton (1902–1992). Aunt Pat was her mother’s sister, Patricia Fraughton Smedley. She died in 1990.
i went to Salt Lake yesterday and visited Grandma. Aunt Pat and Uncle Dan picked me up and Janine drove me home. (She’d come up for the weekend.) It was nice to see everybody. Grandma’s just thrilled with her footstool—she was really excited about it & it’s fun to watch her! She’s got the most darling new rocking chair and the cushion just matches the footstool. We had a yummy dinner and once again I got stuffed! i’m going to bring the Christmas presents home with me rather than mailing them (i hope there’s room!)
Aunt Pat is knitting a cute cap for Mike for Christmas. It’s one of those LONG caps that you can even wrap around your neck and has a ball or tassel on the end. i’m knitting a scarf for Carol for Christmas and so we sat and knitted together while watching TV (Has Brinker & the Silver Skates). There was a fire in the fireplace and Christmas decorations all around—it was truly cozy!
Right now we’re singing Christmas carols in German (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht). i went to the German Club and they even had der Weihnachtensmann (Santa Claus)! It was jolly and everyone spoke German—even the prayer was in German! There were German goodies to eat and singing & dancing. Joyful! i met my German teacher’s wife too, she a cute little German girl he met on his mission & married.
it seems like i spend my whole life in the library and i may have to spend some more during vacation. You can’t believe my English. We’re now doing two research papers at once and the pressure is awful!! My whole life is in the library & i think i’m going crazy! i’ll be glad when this semester is over—we’re the only 115 class who’s doing this much & it’s really wearing me down! i’m so tired & i don’t get hardly any sleep.
It’s beautiful up here. Everywhere you go it’s Christmas. There are four Christmas trees in Cannon Center alone! The decorations are joyful & everywhere. It snowed for about 4 days last week and that made it even jollier!! So there was even snow for winter carnival & they didn’t have to cart any in for the snow sculptures! (they’ve had to for the past 3 years, but not this year!)
i went to Salt Lake yesterday and visited Grandma. Aunt Pat and Uncle Dan picked me up and Janine drove me home. (She’d come up for the weekend.) It was nice to see everybody. Grandma’s just thrilled with her footstool—she was really excited about it & it’s fun to watch her! She’s got the most darling new rocking chair and the cushion just matches the footstool. We had a yummy dinner and once again I got stuffed! i’m going to bring the Christmas presents home with me rather than mailing them (i hope there’s room!)
Aunt Pat is knitting a cute cap for Mike for Christmas. It’s one of those LONG caps that you can even wrap around your neck and has a ball or tassel on the end. i’m knitting a scarf for Carol for Christmas and so we sat and knitted together while watching TV (Has Brinker & the Silver Skates). There was a fire in the fireplace and Christmas decorations all around—it was truly cozy!
Right now we’re singing Christmas carols in German (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht). i went to the German Club and they even had der Weihnachtensmann (Santa Claus)! It was jolly and everyone spoke German—even the prayer was in German! There were German goodies to eat and singing & dancing. Joyful! i met my German teacher’s wife too, she a cute little German girl he met on his mission & married.
it seems like i spend my whole life in the library and i may have to spend some more during vacation. You can’t believe my English. We’re now doing two research papers at once and the pressure is awful!! My whole life is in the library & i think i’m going crazy! i’ll be glad when this semester is over—we’re the only 115 class who’s doing this much & it’s really wearing me down! i’m so tired & i don’t get hardly any sleep.
It’s beautiful up here. Everywhere you go it’s Christmas. There are four Christmas trees in Cannon Center alone! The decorations are joyful & everywhere. It snowed for about 4 days last week and that made it even jollier!! So there was even snow for winter carnival & they didn’t have to cart any in for the snow sculptures! (they’ve had to for the past 3 years, but not this year!)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
6. To Jerry
Excerpts from a letter I wrote in Provo, Utah, on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1968, to my older brother Jerry Cleverly. I was a freshman at Brigham Young University and had just returned from a week's visit to the Chicago area in the days immediately following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4.
Now to the late Dr. Martin Luther King. Again this came as quite a surprise to the nation. His funeral in Atlanta was the largest of any private person's in the history of the country. Even the Church sent an official representative to the services, in the person of James O. Mason (first counselor in the Atlanta Stake presidency). President Hugh B. Brown spoke for the Church, saying:
"The leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wish to express to the wife, friends, and associates of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our profoundest sense of shock and grief. We join hands with all those who see in his death a need for recommitment to all those just principles in which we believe."
We cannot really understand his death from the view point we have here being isolated largely in the Mountain West. The first reason for such widespread reaction was because Dr. King was a leader of a significant segment of the American population. Think how you would feel were President [David O.] McKay assassinated—that is how so many of the Negroes must have felt, because Dr. King was also their spiritual leader as well as champion of their rights. The second reason for such notice was because there is in the East (I sensed it while in Chicago a great deal) a very real fear of total civil war. Had not public leaders from all levels and of all parties praised him, there may well have been much more rioting than there was. Can you sense the urgency? A very real threat of civil war. Troops surrounding the White House and Capitol were protecting the seat of government of the world's mightiest nation from its own citizens. Things are quieter now, but this may be a very bad summer. Events will occur to cause Americans who truly love their country to weep for the troubles ahead.
We were only able to participate in the priesthood session [of general conference] and the Saturday morning session (rebroadcast back there on Sunday). But from that much I sensed the urgency the Brethren feel towards the nation and its problems. The priesthood session dealt with us as a people preparing for the future, the Saturday morning session dealt entirely with the nation and was directed to America as a nation more than to the Church itself. The Brethren know full well what is happening.
President [Alvin R.] Dyer's appointment to the First Presidency was unknown to me until I read your letter. This is especially interesting when learning what his duties are. I quote from his own talk:
"And more recently, I am grateful for his [President McKay's] assignment, to give concern, and to be a 'watchman on the tower,' with regard to Missouri—a consecrated and destined land in the great latter-day work of our Heavenly Father."
Does it sound as if we are getting ready to go home? Things are happening (remember how I said I felt that after October conference?) towards the winding up scenes. Listen to President Brown in the priesthood session:
"The war which began in heaven and has been going on ever since—a war in which the immortal souls of the children of men are at stake—is about to reach a climactic point. This appeal, therefore, is in a very real sense a call to arms. The call to be prepared is sent to each of you by and from the President of the Church, the Prophet of God. It is vital and of paramount importance. The preparation must begin at the center of your hearts and extend to the end of your fingers and toes."
The prophets of God are speaking and we had best listen to what we are being told. President McKay urged unity in the October conference. This conference bespeaks of preparation. President McKay's closing words this time:
"With all my soul, I plead with members of the Church, and with people everywhere, to think more about the gospel; more about developing of the Spirit within; to devote more time to the real things in life, and less time to those which will perish."
Search the rest of the message. To those prepared this last stage of the world's history is going to be indeed glorious.
Today is Easter. . . . I would close with an Easter theme which is really the culminating point of the whole gospel. Were this not true, none of the other principles would mean much. "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! (D&C 76:22). May we all catch the significance and the witness of that simple statement is my fervent prayer, for we will need it soon.
Now to the late Dr. Martin Luther King. Again this came as quite a surprise to the nation. His funeral in Atlanta was the largest of any private person's in the history of the country. Even the Church sent an official representative to the services, in the person of James O. Mason (first counselor in the Atlanta Stake presidency). President Hugh B. Brown spoke for the Church, saying:
"The leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wish to express to the wife, friends, and associates of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our profoundest sense of shock and grief. We join hands with all those who see in his death a need for recommitment to all those just principles in which we believe."
We cannot really understand his death from the view point we have here being isolated largely in the Mountain West. The first reason for such widespread reaction was because Dr. King was a leader of a significant segment of the American population. Think how you would feel were President [David O.] McKay assassinated—that is how so many of the Negroes must have felt, because Dr. King was also their spiritual leader as well as champion of their rights. The second reason for such notice was because there is in the East (I sensed it while in Chicago a great deal) a very real fear of total civil war. Had not public leaders from all levels and of all parties praised him, there may well have been much more rioting than there was. Can you sense the urgency? A very real threat of civil war. Troops surrounding the White House and Capitol were protecting the seat of government of the world's mightiest nation from its own citizens. Things are quieter now, but this may be a very bad summer. Events will occur to cause Americans who truly love their country to weep for the troubles ahead.
We were only able to participate in the priesthood session [of general conference] and the Saturday morning session (rebroadcast back there on Sunday). But from that much I sensed the urgency the Brethren feel towards the nation and its problems. The priesthood session dealt with us as a people preparing for the future, the Saturday morning session dealt entirely with the nation and was directed to America as a nation more than to the Church itself. The Brethren know full well what is happening.
President [Alvin R.] Dyer's appointment to the First Presidency was unknown to me until I read your letter. This is especially interesting when learning what his duties are. I quote from his own talk:
"And more recently, I am grateful for his [President McKay's] assignment, to give concern, and to be a 'watchman on the tower,' with regard to Missouri—a consecrated and destined land in the great latter-day work of our Heavenly Father."
Does it sound as if we are getting ready to go home? Things are happening (remember how I said I felt that after October conference?) towards the winding up scenes. Listen to President Brown in the priesthood session:
"The war which began in heaven and has been going on ever since—a war in which the immortal souls of the children of men are at stake—is about to reach a climactic point. This appeal, therefore, is in a very real sense a call to arms. The call to be prepared is sent to each of you by and from the President of the Church, the Prophet of God. It is vital and of paramount importance. The preparation must begin at the center of your hearts and extend to the end of your fingers and toes."
The prophets of God are speaking and we had best listen to what we are being told. President McKay urged unity in the October conference. This conference bespeaks of preparation. President McKay's closing words this time:
"With all my soul, I plead with members of the Church, and with people everywhere, to think more about the gospel; more about developing of the Spirit within; to devote more time to the real things in life, and less time to those which will perish."
Search the rest of the message. To those prepared this last stage of the world's history is going to be indeed glorious.
Today is Easter. . . . I would close with an Easter theme which is really the culminating point of the whole gospel. Were this not true, none of the other principles would mean much. "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! (D&C 76:22). May we all catch the significance and the witness of that simple statement is my fervent prayer, for we will need it soon.
4. To the Family of Charles Batt
A letter dated September 21, 1949, from the office of Franklin Stewart Harris, president of the Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah, addressed to the family of Charles H. Batt. To the best of our knowledge, Charles Batt did not have a middle name or a middle initial, so we are not sure where the "H" came from. The letter was signed by Franklin S. Harris, college president, and three others of a committee representing the faculty. Charles had worked for 54 years as a handyman and gardener at Utah State. At the time of his death on September 17, 1949, he was gardener emeritus. His obituary in the Salt Lake Tribune on September 20, 1949, referred to him as a "retired landscape, heating, and light superintendent at Utah State Agricultural college." Charles Batt (1861-1949) was the father of William B Batt (1888-1959), who was the father of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915-1982), who was my mother.
To the Family of Charles H. Batt
Dear Friends:
When Christopher Wren, the English architect, died in 1723, his body was laid at rest in the choir of St. Paul's, the great London cathedral which he had designed, and to the construction of which he had devoted thirty-five of the best years of his busy life. Over the entrance to the choir, the visitor may still read the appropriate epitaph to this great artist and builder, a Latin inscription which reads in translation: "If you would behold his monument, look around you."
As we gather today to carry to their final resting place the mortal remains of our revered colleague Charles H. Batt, it seems to us that a similar inscription might with equal propriety be carved upon the marker of his grave. For within easy view of the hilltop where we are to lay him to rest is the noble campus of our College, and we can truly say that in all its green expanse there is scarcely a spot that has not in some way been made more beautiful by his care.
Before coming to America in his early manhood, Mr. Batt had served his apprenticeship as a gardener on the estate once owned by the poet Shelley, and preserved as a memorial to that great, tempestuous spirit. With him he brought to the land of his adoption that love of smooth lawns and well-planted landscapes that is so vital a part of the English heritage. Thus it was a piece of rare good fortune that when the building which is now the South Wing of Old Main was erected on the brow of what was then a barren sage-brush bench, Mr. Batt should have been employed as one of the custodians. For more than fifty years he made the beauty, comfort and convenience of the Utah State buildings and grounds a mission and a labor of love. During that time he saw tiny plants which his hands had carried from the mountains grow from the first small nucleus to their present impressive numbers and magnitude, and saw them interspersed with lawns and walks and shaded terraces. Always, winter and summer, he was there, while the years took their toll. Only when failing senses and enfeebled strength made further service impossible did he consent to lay aside his burden.
And it was not alone as a custodian of buildings and grounds that Mr. Batt rendered service to the institution. To the halls of this great People's College there have come from the first many young men in straitened circumstances who were compelled to find work on the campus to enable them to attend. To these, "Brother" Batt was a kindly but exacting taskmaster, holding them to rigorous standards of honest and careful work. Many a successful graduate, looking back to his student years from the vantage ground of maturity, has testified that some of his most valued lessons were learned not in the classrooms and laboratories, but in halls and greenhouses at the hands of a man who held no degrees and knew no academic titles.
To Charles H. Batt, therefore, we pay the tribute of a revered and beloved colleague. Acknowledging him as one who exemplified the best for which this College stands, we join with you in mourning his passing, and in pride for the achievements of his long and fruitful life. To him we accord the Master's own accolade: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Sincerely yours,
The College Faculty
To the Family of Charles H. Batt
Dear Friends:
When Christopher Wren, the English architect, died in 1723, his body was laid at rest in the choir of St. Paul's, the great London cathedral which he had designed, and to the construction of which he had devoted thirty-five of the best years of his busy life. Over the entrance to the choir, the visitor may still read the appropriate epitaph to this great artist and builder, a Latin inscription which reads in translation: "If you would behold his monument, look around you."
As we gather today to carry to their final resting place the mortal remains of our revered colleague Charles H. Batt, it seems to us that a similar inscription might with equal propriety be carved upon the marker of his grave. For within easy view of the hilltop where we are to lay him to rest is the noble campus of our College, and we can truly say that in all its green expanse there is scarcely a spot that has not in some way been made more beautiful by his care.
Before coming to America in his early manhood, Mr. Batt had served his apprenticeship as a gardener on the estate once owned by the poet Shelley, and preserved as a memorial to that great, tempestuous spirit. With him he brought to the land of his adoption that love of smooth lawns and well-planted landscapes that is so vital a part of the English heritage. Thus it was a piece of rare good fortune that when the building which is now the South Wing of Old Main was erected on the brow of what was then a barren sage-brush bench, Mr. Batt should have been employed as one of the custodians. For more than fifty years he made the beauty, comfort and convenience of the Utah State buildings and grounds a mission and a labor of love. During that time he saw tiny plants which his hands had carried from the mountains grow from the first small nucleus to their present impressive numbers and magnitude, and saw them interspersed with lawns and walks and shaded terraces. Always, winter and summer, he was there, while the years took their toll. Only when failing senses and enfeebled strength made further service impossible did he consent to lay aside his burden.
And it was not alone as a custodian of buildings and grounds that Mr. Batt rendered service to the institution. To the halls of this great People's College there have come from the first many young men in straitened circumstances who were compelled to find work on the campus to enable them to attend. To these, "Brother" Batt was a kindly but exacting taskmaster, holding them to rigorous standards of honest and careful work. Many a successful graduate, looking back to his student years from the vantage ground of maturity, has testified that some of his most valued lessons were learned not in the classrooms and laboratories, but in halls and greenhouses at the hands of a man who held no degrees and knew no academic titles.
To Charles H. Batt, therefore, we pay the tribute of a revered and beloved colleague. Acknowledging him as one who exemplified the best for which this College stands, we join with you in mourning his passing, and in pride for the achievements of his long and fruitful life. To him we accord the Master's own accolade: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Sincerely yours,
The College Faculty
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