Name/Title
AU Harris, James Lowell - 1956-02-14 letter to Dear Friends EverywhereEntry/Object ID
1990.1.435Context
A VALENTINE LETTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
from
173 BEVERLY ROAD
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
February 14, 1956
Dear Friends Everywhere:
1956 is here! --- and now our New Year's Letter "on the state of the family" has turned into a Valentine! With this Valentine goes a warmth of love from our home to your home. As you can see by the picture above, taken Christmas week, we are now seven in number (plus the usual dog!)
1955 was an exciting and busy year for all of us. First let's take the family by individuals:
Carla and Ellie are the latest additions to our family. Carla (standing at the back, center) is a Junior in Central High School. She has talent in art, and is one of the candidates for American Field Service scholarships for residence in a foreign country this summer. No doubt she will live several months with a European family and take some more of her lovely kodachrome pictures. Ellie (standing to Carla's left) graduates from Central High in June. She is President of Phi Chi Tri-Y and has interests in art and athletics. Both young ladies are active in youth activities at First Church, as well as assisting in the Church School.
Diane, (Miss Young America of Syracuse) has had an exciting 17th year. Now 18, she is a Freshman in Syracuse University. She is pledged to Chi Omega, sings in the Hendricks Chapel Choir and is active in Westminster Foundation activities. She is enthusiastic about the university and has made many new friends. She hopes to work in a resort or camp this summer.
Suzie, now 10, is busy with activities at Bellevue School. She recently acquired a flute and will take lessons preparing for the school orchestra. Along with Girl Scouts, piano lessons, Church School and Carol Choir as well as being an ardent T-V fan, she is a happy and healthy young miss. She already blows a clear steady tone!
Jimmy, who is 6, is still full of "Hop-a-Long Cassidy" cowboy spirit. Better watch out for him or with his cowboy yells he'll pounce upon you with guns blazing! He and Suzie have learned to ice skate on Hiawatha Lake in Onondaga Park just across from our home. He is learning to read and write in the first grade and is a blonde-haired "Cherub" in the Cherub Choir at church.
"Mom" (Caroline) has a big job keeping us all fed and parceling out household responsibilities, as well as keeping the girls in formals with her sewing talent. Being occupied nearly every evening (and some days too) in church activities, she has a busy schedule. But she has found time to take on a lively Girl Scout Troop which meets in our basement.
"Dad" helped to lose some of his excess poundage by rooting at all the home games of Syracuse University football team. He is serving as President of The Ministerial Association of this City and County. He keeps busy in the pastoral supply problems of Syracuse Presbytery, preaches occasionally and directs six choirs. He is directing the music at the gatherings of Presbyterian laymen in New York City this month and in Chicago in March.
"Lassie", our full-blooded cocker spaniel took the place of "Bessie" who paid the supreme sacrifice for chasing cars. "Lassie" has landed twice in the City Dog Pound, but promises to be a good Preacher's dog and stay home now!
The climax of the year came when our church dedicated its modern Church School building located on the corner of our campus. This building also has the new offices of The Protestant Center which includes the New York State Council of Churches, the Syracuse and County Council of Churches and The Presbyterian Synod of New York. It is an advance in United Protestantism in New York State.
With this letter goes the hope that 1956 will be a year of spiritual growth for you and your dear ones. To our summer congregation in New Hampshire we wish to say: "We will be seeing you in July in the summer manse."
A beloved retired Minister of our church passed away recently and left this poem which we pass on to you:
"So on I go, not knowing ---
I would not, if I might ---
For I'd rather go with God in the dark
Than to go alone in the light;
And I'd rather go with God by Faith
Than to go alone, by sight.'
It has been good to hear from so many of our good friends. All of us send our heartfelt Valentine greetings!
Caroline and James Lowell Harris
Carol Diane
Carla Lee Brooks
Mary Suzanne
Eleanor Hall
James Lowell, II
"Lassie"
