Tag Archives: Florida

happiness

Sitting on the front step waiting for the postman(FGK 245)

So what was the parcel Uncle Marshall sent???? Cliff hangers all over the place with these letters! Did grandma and grandpa find a good place? And why was mom at the age of 15 allowed to be out until 3:30 am???? I have questions haha!

1061 Volusia Ave

Daytona Beach

Jan 5, 1956

Hi!!

Marshall’s parcel hasn’t arrived yet and I’m consumed by curiosity so I’m sitting on the front step waiting for the postman to come by so I can ask him about it. I’ve spent almost the whole morning here so it had better come today!! I also owe him some money so….

School started Thursday thank heaven, terrible to say but I was actually getting tired of the holidays and I’ll have to tell you this, by the end of them I was so tired of movies I refused to go to them!! I know you’d like to hear that!

I went over to Adam’s New Years Eve for dinner and then went to a drive-in it was one of those marathon affairs and we didn’t get out until 3:30am – you can see why I’m sick of them!!

New Year’s Day I didn’t do anything except sleep and write thank you notes – I could have gone to a movie but for some queer reason didn’t.

I’ve done some looking around for a place for you to stay but it’s rather hard without a definite date of your arrival as most of the places are booked up for February. The Shaliman may have a room for a few days but it is doubtful, it would amount to about $30 per week. Mrs Franks and I went to see a motel down Volusia a way – a few hundred yards from the airport entrance. They’d be quite close to us but not near the school and you’d need a car. The linen and everything is furnished for $40 a week and it has quite a nice kitchenette. There’s a bedroom – living room combined. It would be about the cheapest you could get and still be in a good clean etc place. I phoned Mrs Adam’s about it and most of the places over there (if there’s vacancy) are $60 to $75 a week. I could probably get you some on the ocean if you like but it’ll have to be soon because you just can’t get anything good in this town unless it’s in advance that’s whyI want to know the date of your arrival. Mrs Franks doesn’t recommend the Shaliman because their best rooms are taken and you would only get one on the third floor and of course you couldn’t cook. Tell me about how much you want to pay and that will save a lot of time and whether on the peninsula or the mainland.

The Colonel gave us our report cards the other day. He said I could sign my own, I’ll send it up to you all but don’t sign it because I already have but I thought you might like to see it.

We’ve gotten over our cold snap now and it’s back to 75 degrees. Which reminds me, Mrs Franks says not to send down any more warm clothes because except for a very short spell I’ll never get a chance to wear them

Later

The mailman never did come so all my waiting was in vain. I went over to see Jetty after lunch. We went on a walk on the beach and had a nice long talk. We don’t see each other very often but make up by phoning ever day. We had a lot of lost time to make up for though. She’s doing just fine and has a good place to stay. She always asks about you and sends her love.

Mrs Franks was sure pleased with the pastry forks. They were a bit late arriving but I was glad you got something so nice for her. She deserves it.

Did I tell you we took the clock I gave her for Christmas back and got a lawn chair instead. She also got an extra one so when you come down you’ll have a place to sit out in the sun and get a tan.

I’ve got some more parcels this week, a manicure set from Aunt Nan, a pen from Kumlin’s, gloves from Geordie, lamp from Janet, soap from Donna, nylons, pen, candy and jigsaw puzzle from the Red Cross, china figure from Raymond, wallet from Joan Whittle, and necklace from Lou and Kay Copithorne. Aunt Annie and ? And is on gave mea toilet set.

I can’t think of any news. Mr Adam’s is still in the hospital but will be out sometime next week – that’s about all – I sent him a card.

We’re going to have a steak dinner tonight!! So I must go and get ready – let it never be said we don’t eat well!!

thanks for your letter Marshall, it was very good.

Will try and write you again soon.

Love Marg xxx

PS Sheila sent me another $10!!! Goll-ee

Am enclosing letter I received from Mr Vaughn today

The Shaliman Hotel *Daytona’s most distinctive hotel*

1/4/57

Miss Copithorne

Mrs Goodale tells me your mother and father plan on being here during the month of February and would like to get a small housekeeping apartment or efficiency but if they cannot they would like rates on a twin room with private bath for the month.

Since February is our heavy month and since the auto and motorcycle races consume nearly the entire month the reservations are always completely filled for the month.

It will be next to impossible to get an apartment of any kind unless our folks do so very soon and then the rates for Feb are very high.

We do have a nice corner room on the third floor which is two short flights up. It has twin beds and private bath and we will rent it to your folks for $37.50 per week but that of course would depend on knowing they wanted it waiting say 10 days from now for undoubtedly we will have a great number of requests very soon.

So will you write your folks and send this letter along then they can write back and I presume the room will be available by the time they answer.

Sincerely The Shaliman hotel (Sherrod N. Vaughn)

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happiness

I am doing just fine so you can relax (FGK 242)

I can say that 60+ years later many Americans still have some weird ideas about Canada. Sooooo many people used to call it Canadia – I could understand a couple people doing it for a joke, but in Roanoke it seemed that the general public thought that was the name. They’d also sell hats with the Pom Pom of a certain style and call them toboggans. When I tried to explain the different between a toboggan and a toque I was laughed at like I was making it up. And I also was asked in a taxi on my way to the airport if I spoke the language up there in Canada. I responded by saying yes, and in fact I’m speaking it right now!!! On the other hand it was pretty humbling to see how much about the States I didn’t know or had misunderstood.

618 N. Halifax Ave

Daytona Beach

November 7, 1956

HI!!!

Sorry I didn’t get enough time to write you yesterday. With the elections and all it was quite a day! I’m telling you I’ve never been as utterly sick of anything as that darn election for a month or more now that’s all anybody I’ve met has talked about.

i went and saw Mrs. Franks yesterday and she thought I was doing just fine so you can relax.

I’m having an awful time trying to decide what collage to go to. Everyone says I should go to Rollins college in Winter Park, the university of Miami has sent me a lot of literature about the University and it looks very good. Ug Florida (?) thinks it is suitable and wants me to go and see them and Queens has sent me catalogues and even the application papers – nothing like rushing things.

Honestly, Jetty and I are just starved. It’s a long time between 12:30 and 6:00 when all you have at noon is soup and I haven’t enough money to go down Seabreeze and buy something to eat. Times are tough.

I haven’t had my nose off the grindstone since Monday long enough to do anything exciting. Monday morning Jetty and I slept in an hour. I broke all speed records getting ready to go to school luckily just as I came out the gate one of the boys from school was passing in his car so I got a ride and wasn’t late. The Colonel kicks us out for the rest of the day if we’re late. Last nite I could have gone to a views (?) but decided at the last minute not to. From what I hear I didn’t miss much anyway.

Nancy hasn’t been around hardly at all lately. I guess the novelty is beginning to wear off. I must go over and see them one of these days.

I’m starting to educate some of these Americans about Canada. I get quite a ribbing from some of the kids in class ‘cause some of them have the oddest ideas about Canada I’ve ever heard. Some just won’t be convinced that I’m not British because I’m from Canada!!! also I happened to say I hoped they’d knock Nehru’s head (block) off. Somebody should have done that long ago. American’s just don’t see it that way and Im not saying they’re not right, but I do despise the man so.

Are you still having snow and cold weather? I sure hope it soon gets better. Jetty just got drove out into some shade on the verandah to get away from the heat! How does that make you feel?

Say “hello” to everyone around there and don’t forget to tell me “what’s up”. You all should feel honoured you’re pretty well the only ones who get letters from me! Be good and don’t work too hard!

Love Margie xx

Jetty sends regards.

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Go Throw a Snowball For Me (FGK 241)

I may have mentioned this before, but I remember as a little kid in school when my parents would send in a note to the teacher I would often be called up to their desk so I could read the note for the teacher. Mom said the handwriting was so bad because she was a lawyer and developed the scrawl because of all the notes she had to take in university. But reading a letter from her 16 year old self says that perhaps this handwriting issues had been going on for a little while longer than that.

Let me just say that when I skipped school it was a much different experience than it apparently was for my mother. Also, I never confessed to such acts of delinquency. But now I can haha.

I also want to know who TIBERIOUS and Cyril are? Dogs? Horses? People? Anyone know???

618 N. Halifax Ave

Daytona Beach

November 16, 1956

Dear Mom, Dad, and Marsh

Thought I’d better drop you all a line before the weekend started. Thanks for your letters. I hope you got the negatives I sent in my last letter. I flunked Latin today and only got 66% passing is 70%. I skipped 3 periods of school today with Cynthia and Ellen Paul. However, I spent most of it doing bookkeeping for the student council.

Was glad to hear Sheila got off to Vulcan ok but you forgot to tell me her address. I’m sure she’ll like it there.

Don’t worry about Christmas. I only mentioned coming home because I thought it would be handy if the company plane went to New York. Never fear, I’ll have plenty to do in the Christmas holidays. Believe it or not I’m not homesick.

I still haven’t decided what university I’m going to. Queens would be swell but it’s sure nice down here. What a problem!

Next day: Saturday

Well we didn’t do much last night. We went over and played cards art the place of a boy from school for a while then came home and watched TV. This morning I went over to the school for extra classes in algebra.

Guess what!! I know where i can get the neatest little sports car for only $400!! Let me tell you it’s a Bayan!! One of the boys at Seabreeze High is selling it.

I want to know what you want for Christmas. Give me hint at least. Don’t worry about me just give me clothes – not fancy party ones but just ones that bill be really liveable. Do you want me to buy gifts for all my friends up there or will you? I’m afraid the customs would take quite a toll.

Everyone says to say “hi” to you all and they’re all doing fine down here. Tell Lorraine Eklund she’d better hurry up and write to me or I’ll be really mad at her. What is she going to school for anyway? How is LaVerne? He’ll be so big whenI get homeI won’t know him and so will Marlene. Also say “hi” to Deloris and Ken for me and George and Mary and the girls.

It’s a lovely day here as it has been all week. About 80 degrees, calm and beautiful. You poor souls up there – hah hah!!! Go throw a snowball for me. The oranges are just getting right so I’ll pick one for you. Man!! Do they taste good!! The guava season is past though.

I’ve got simply tons of homework to do. The publicity committee advised he Colonel to be really strict with us and pile the homework on!! The Colonel never goes back on their advice. How is Buckles coming? AND HOW ARE TIBERIOUS AND CYRIL? Nobody ever mentions them. How could you.

Love Marg xxx

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Purple People Eater (FGK 237)

Monday night

July 21, 1958

Dear Margaret

How are you? How is work? What is new up your way? Everything is just about the same down here. I am still working one to ten. I thought I would write you once more and mail it before the mail goes up. The weather has been very hot down here.

“No Time for Sgt” is very good. It was funny.

Margaret, I went downtown last week and went into the dress shop. I now have two new dresses. One is a dark print, it is thin and will be nice when it gets cooler. The other is a party dress. It is navy blue and white stripped. It is sleeveless and goes up fairly high in the front an down low in the back. It has a full skirt. Around the bottom is about 6 inches of white organdy (I had to google this: a fine translucent cotton or silk fabric that is usually stiffened and used for women’s clothing” with lace. I just couldn’t help it. Mom also made me a very pretty pink dress with sort of full sleeves. I am just a hopeless case. Mom says I shouldn’t buy any more summer clothes, but with fall coming I can a start all over again. I only wish you were down here to go shopping with. I used to have so much fun when we would go on our sprees every Saturday.

We haven’t heard from Larry lately. I guess he will be pretty busy now. Boots is in the hospital over in Orlando now. She is in some pain after her operation. If you’d ant to write here write to:

Marion Hilton

Orange Memorial Hospital

Orlando, Florida

I am going downtown tomorrow and buy Elvis’ album from the picture. Have you seen it yet?

Wanda and I went shopping the other day, for a while, she likes her school work very much. She is learning about the hair styling end of her work. She has to go to school for nine months. Roy was home a couple of weeks ago. He was looking just the same as usual. He asked how you were. I guess he is in California now from what Wanda says.

When I tell you this you will die. At work the other day I was sitting next to this girl who was placing a collect call to some girl and guess who the cal was from? Freddy Peacock, our old friend. The girl accepted the charges. He must really get around these days huh?

Lila’s (however you spell) cousin works in Furchott’s. I was there the other day. She said to say hello to you.

I haven’t been to the beach or swimming in ages. I am so pale!

I painted my finger nails a really weird shade the other day. I put two coats of gold over two coats of apricot ice. It looked just like a new shade out now called “orange gold”.

The top song around here is still “Purple People Eater” I am getting so tired of that song.

Have you heard Ricky Nelson’s new record of “Poor Little Fools?”

I left my pen with the green ink at work today, I sure hope it will be there tomorrow.

Well Margaret, write me soon and tell me all the news.

Love Barbara

PS did I tell you Merle and Marty got married last month. Big deal!

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A History in Photos 19 (FGK 176)

The next couple of days are all about Grandma ❤️

Edna Copithorne
Lake Louise 1974. Edna Copithorne
Edna Copithorne
Edna Copithorne in Florida with Margie
Edna Copithorne in front of our dear friends’ home – the Adam’s home in Daytona Beach Florida, USA
Edna off to Florida (this is not how I looked when we used to fly regularly – she really knew how to be stylish!)
Edna Copithorne
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Edna’s Story 42 (FGK 149)

As I said before, her life was very lonely, taking grades 9 and 10 at home. I wrote all over America trying to find a school without steps into it and in a warm climate. Nowadays they do build one-story schools in this country. I was finally successful and found a private school in Daytona Beach, Florida. This was built by a former headmaster who had been injured and had to spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair.

Margi and I flew down to enrol her and make arrangements for her to board at the home of one of the teachers. I also arranged for her to have her physiotherapy after school with a very fine physiotherapist, Mrs. Franks, who became a good friend of ours. While there, I celebrated my birthday and the teachers’s wife where Margi boarded had a small dinner parry for me. Just as we were starting our meal, someone banged and pounded on their door and shouted to them. Mrs Rich went to the door and there stood a neighbour with his arms full of things that looked like huge pineapples. He kept shouting “It’s blooming, it’s blooming, come and see it.” Mrs Rich promised him we’d be right over after dinner. It was a rare night blooming Agave or Century Plant and only blooms about once every hundred years. Mrs Rich put one of the huge buds in the centre of the table and before the meal was over it had opened out and filled the room with perfume. It was all very interesting to me, especially the unusual fauna. Guava grew along their back fence and they just looked exactly like lemons but you eat them skin and all and they make delicious jelly. The huge old trees around the school were heavy with silver moss and mistletoe.

Interesting too was the beautiful home across the street where Betesta lived and Cuba was in such turmoil then. Margi took her Grade 11 and 12 there and we had many interesting trips down there. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1958. What excitement that was and so beautiful. That was the year the girls were all wearing crinolines and fluffy dresses that suited their southern accents so well. They had two or three different affairs, all very exciting. One was a big lawn party at the headmaster’s home with the honour students in the receiving line. It was all a very happy and proud moment for me as I listened to the praise of Margi and saw them place a bronze plaque with her achievements inscribed on it in a place of honour in the school. She also gave a very good talk in her valedictory address. I took her to the Bahamas to celebrate before we returned home.

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