All posts by Alpha

1975 SPORTS & STUFF

1975 JANUARY

Survived the Christmas holidays and still enjoying third shift. However, I was asked if I would like to go on salary again to work in the Process Design department. It would just be until the busy summer season of change over started in the shield shop tool room. The design department would be working six days a week and it would be on day shift. I’m not crazy about alarm clocks, in fact I hate the idea, but it would be good experience and a change of pace! OK!

More school pictures…Debbie is a 6th grader this year and Greg is in the 4th.

1975 SIXTH GRADE
1975 SIXTH GRADE

 

 

1975 FOURTH GRADE
1975 FOURTH GRADE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1975 FEBRUARY

Mother’s birthday and she was excited about her present!

GERRIE WOLFF
GERRIE WOLFF

1975 MARCH

GREG & THE KIDS
GREG & THE KIDS

Square dancing with the Rambling Hoosiers group is still a fun filled respite from a hectic work schedule. Its great to have a family activity that we all enjoy.

 

 

 

THAT`S MY PARTNER
THAT`S MY PARTNER

Dancing with broomsticks or going barefoot and blindfolded trying to miss the wet sponges on the floor was always good fun.

 

 

EUGH!
EUGH!

 

 

WATER VWHEEL
WATER VWHEEL

 

 

 

 

 

An unusually warm spring weekend begins our camping season and our first outing was to Spring Mills State Park.

Spring Mill State Park is a 1,358-acre state park and is located to the south of Bloomington, about 3 miles east of the city of Mitchell on Indiana Highway 60. It contains a settler’s village, the Gus Grissom Memorial, a nature’s center, and campgrounds.
DEBBIE & A MERCURY CAPSULE
DEBBIE & A MERCURY CAPSULE

Gus Grissom, commander of AS-204 (Apollo 1), along with his fellow astronauts Ed White and Roger B. Chaffee, died on January 27, 1967, during a pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission at Cape Kennedy, Florida.

1975 APRIL
1975 FISHERS 76`
1975 FISHERS 76`

April is a busy Little League month, Gary and I are preparing for our first baseball team draft. Tryouts are held over several days where we evaluate and rank dozens of 8 to 10 year old players. Then we have two days to finalize our hopeful choices prior to the draft. After a blind draw for the team draft order, we choose players for our team.

While all of this is going on, the Franklin Little League officers are drawing up schedules. buying equipment, preparing

GARY & SOME 76ERS
GARY & SOME 76ERS

the diamond, recruiting volunteers for umpiring, score keeping, announcing, groundskeeping, concession stand help and team sponsors.

Carole volunteered to help out in the concession stand and as Gary and I started our first practice, the summer baseball frenzy had begun!
 1975 MAY
THE WOLFFS 1975
THE WOLFFS 1975

Somehow during all this activity, we managed to have our first professional portrait taken. And we all look great!

GREG & DEBBIE
GREG & DEBBIE

Summer brings the busy season back to the tool room and me back to third shift…10:30pm to 7:00am. It`s also a good time to start-up the summer projects around the Wolffs Den. I had plenty of help painting the new T11 siding on the family room and garage.

CEDAR SHAKE SHINGLES
CEDAR SHAKE SHINGLES

The next phase involved adding cedar shake shingles to all of the gable peaks.

 75 greg3The Franklin Little League season is getting underway and we practice our team several days a week in preparation for our first game. One of our practice routines is to swing a baseball, that is attached to a long cord, into the strike zone of the batter.
1975 JUNE
trainDuring the rainy days of summer, Greg and I play with and work on our scale model train layout.
 train2We transformed our 5ft x 9ft ping pong table into the layout bed for the train.
CAROLE WOLFF
CAROLE WOLFF COOKING

When its not raining, most of our spare time is spent at the ball park.  Carole works in the concession stand, where she started making and selling Spanish Hamburgers. All of the profits go toward equipment and upkeep for the league.

One way we save money is to reward a returned foul ball with a free bag of popcorn. The PA announcer always yells, “popcorn ball!!!!” whenever a foul ball goes out of play.
GREG CATCHING
GREG CATCHING

75 greg1Greg enjoyed playing many different positions on the team and eventually accomplished playing at all nine positions during the season.

 

 

 

 

 

THE RACER
THE RACER

One weekend, we found time to make a trip to Kings Island. The wooden structure Racer roller coaster was one of the main attractions of the park. The Racer made its public debut at the park’s grand opening in 1972. It was thrust into the national spotlight after being featured in an episode of the popular TV sitcom The Brady Bunch in 1973 and is often recognized for playing a vital role in the roller coaster renaissance of the 1970s.

DEBBIE, GREG & THE RACER
DEBBIE, GREG & THE RACER

When we planned this trip, we had no idea that the Partridge Family TV show was going to be filming an episode for their final season showing.

 

 

 

THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY
THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY
SHIRLEY JONES
SHIRLEY JONES

The Partridge Family is an American musical sitcom starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy. Jones plays a widowed mother, and Cassidy plays the oldest of her five children who embark on a music career.

DAVID CASSIDY & SUSAN DAY
DAVID CASSIDY & SUSAN DAY

I had my 8mm movie camera with me for this trip and was able to catch the cast as they returned to their motor homes after filming a scene.

 

 

 

 

BRIAN FORESTER
BRIAN FORESTER

Debbie caught Shirley Jones eye from her motor home and got a wave from her. She was so excited

 

 

 

DAVE MADDEN
DAVE MADDEN

As I was filming, Dave Madden walked over to the crowd and noticed me filming and, being the ham that he was, stoped to ask about the camera and where we were from. Kind of cool.

 

 

PUTT PUTT GOLF
PUTT PUTT GOLF

We frequently provided varied activities for our baseball team and Debbie usually joined in. Putt-Putt golf was always a fun outing as were the post game trips to the Dairy Bar for ice cream treats.

 

STOCK CAR RACE
STOCK CAR RACE

A friend of Garys`, who helped with the team, drove stock cars at the Anderson Speedway and provided the team with passes to a race. What a night!

 

 

1975 JULY

1975 FISHERS 76
1975 FISHERS 76

Baseball season has come to an end and Gary and I feel good with the outcome and what we were able to teach the kids. We finished second in the minors league and are planning to apply for a major league team next year.

 

 

 

FISHERS 76 ROSTER
FISHERS 76 ROSTER

 

We had three Gregs on the team, so we decided to create some nicknames. Greg Wolff became Fox, Greg Fisher became Fish and Greg Simpson became Juice (for O.J. Simpson prior to his troubles)

 

 

 

POOL PARTY
POOL PARTY
IMG_20190627_0008
GREG WOLFF

The team celebrated with a party at Gary’s in-laws pool. A great ending to an exciting and rewarding summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1975 AUGUST

Now that our league baseball season is over, work is beginning on an addition to the cement block concession stand. A local contractor, with the help of us volunteers, started work on building a score booth on top of the concession stand. We helped with the framing, roofing, drywall and painting. Some team sponsors helped with flooring and wiring.

HILDRED`S OBITUARY
HILDRED`S OBITUARY

Just as this project was wrapping up we received some very sad news from Grandpa Barrett… Grandma had passed away. She had lived and worked for decades with a congestive heart problem but, after 78 years it caught up with her. She will be sorely missed. She was the bond that held the Barrett clan together, from Washington state to Ohio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My two favorite pictures of Grandma Barrett show her love of flowers and animals. We all knew how deep her love of family went.

1970 GRANDMA & HER WISTERIA
1970 GRANDMA & HER WISTERIA

She was so proud of this wisteria that she and Grandpa started. It got so big Grandpa had to add 2×4 crutches under the branches to keep it upright!

This is what inspired me to start one of our own at our Wolffs Den.

 

 

 

GRANDMA & THE KIDS
GRANDMA & THE KIDS

This picture was taken with Mothers kid goats. The kids brought out the infectious laugh that  Grandma had.

 

 

 

 

8/19 ESTHER LAWS
8/19 ESTHER LAWS

Two days after we returned from Grandma’s funeral, we celebrated Esthers 58th birthday with a small family birthday party at our house.

A few days later,August 24th, we celebrated Debbie’s birthday.

 

 

1975 SEPTEMBER

GREG WOLFF
GREG WOLFF

75 greg5As Debbie was starting Junior High at South Side Middle School, and Greg was in the 5th grade at Franklin Elementary, the Fall weather brought on thoughts of basketball.

 

Our great neighbors, the Weatherfords, had a basketball goal installed between our adjoining drives and encouraged Greg to take advantage of it.

 

 

YMCA 1975 youth leagueGary Fisher and I decided to try coaching youth basketball at the Anderson YMCA this winter. We felt like it would be a good idea to have our sons coached by someone else for basketball since they had to deal with us all summer during baseball season.

Greg back row far right
Greg back row far right

Greg was picked by Leonard Gentry who also coached at Franklin Little League. It helped Greg in this new endeavor to have a familiar face around. The league was light hearted and fun, not as competitive as Little League. A nice change of pace.

 

1975 OCTOBER

PARTY IN THE FAMILY ROOM
PARTY IN THE FAMILY ROOM

October 3rd and we had kids galore for Greg’s birthday party.

 

 

 

 

 

PREPARING FOR GARAGE SALE
PREPARING FOR GARAGE SALE

My intuition concerning Mother and Dad getting restless at their house on Roberts Place proved correct! On the 30th of October they bought a two story house on the White River at east 75th street in Indianapolis. Packing up again and a garage sale were in the works.

THE RIVER HOUSE
THE RIVER HOUSE

Another fixer-upper to keep them busy. Lots of tree trimming, painting, caulking and general maintenance were needed. With Dad having to retire due to a nervous condition, this may prove to be great therapy.

River house1The inside had windows that needed re-glazed and the beautiful stained and varnished woodwork and trim needed attention. The old barometer from our Canada trip still followed them to the new house.

GRANDPA BARRETT AND MOTHER
GRANDPA BARRETT AND MOTHER

Another tradition of “following”, continued as well. Grandpa Barrett, as usual, was the first to visit the new project.

 

 

 

1975 NOVEMBER

GRANDMA WOLFF
GRANDMA WOLFF

We all enjoyed a Thanksgiving visit with Grandma Wolff at her retirement community. She will be 91 years old next month and is still sharp as a tack with only a little arthritis problem in her hip.

 

 

 

DAD< MOTHER & DEB
DAD< MOTHER & DEB

After the visit we gathered at Mother and Dad’s River House for Thanksgiving dinner. Mother was showing Deb some family items from a blanket chest.

 

 

 

 

RIVER HOUSE
RIVER HOUSE

Later this month a heavy rain storm caused some flooding around the River House. Nothing close enough to cause any problems just pools in the drive and back yard.

 

 

 

1975 DECEMBER

BEAN BAG CHAIRS
BEAN BAG CHAIRS

Christmas on Scatterfield Road was the year of the bean bag chairs. They eventually could be found being used in every room of the house, …maybe not the bathroom!

 

 

 

IMG_20200222_0002Greg got a new bedroom suite, complete with a study desk.

 

 

 

 

 

HAND VAC
HAND VAC

Moving on to Esther’s, for the Law’s Christmas gift exchange. We gave Esther a most wonderful, useful and practical power hand vacuum. (45 years later and it is still very useful!)

 

 

IMG_20190626_0001The kids got her a framed collection of various country scenes.

 

 

 

ICE STORM
ICE STORM

As work continued on the upgrades to the River House, an ice storm brought down several branches from the many large trees around the house. This created a lot of clean up and luckily only some minor damage to some gutters.

As this year comes to a close, we are looking forward to the coming year with Deb entering South Side Junior High, more Little League, camping, square dancing and our country’s Bicentennial celebration!

 

 

 

1974 LITTLE LEAGUE

1974 FEBRUARY

1974 ROBERT`S PLACE
1974 ROBERT`S PLACE

It didn`t take long after the snow storm, for Mother and Dad to decide that a move was inevitable! They ended up on the north side of Indianapolis at 62nd street and Benford Avenue. After 22 years, this would definitely shorten the drive to work!

1974 Feb-Roberts Place IndyAnother advantage was the elimination of the steep, long and winding driveway. This was still a rambling ranch style on a level lot.

74 debMeanwhile, we were still enjoying the goofiness of square dancing as we tried to maneuver while keeping  our feet in shoe boxes!

 

 

1974 MARCH

1974 GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT
1974 GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT

Right on schedule, Grandpa and Grandma Barrett came down for a visit and to see the new house.

An unusually warm spring brought out the early rose blooms.

 

 

1974 5TH GRADE
1974 5TH GRADE

We were able to pass on the kids school pictures to their great grandparents while they were here.

 

 

 

 

1974 3RD GRADE
1974 3RD GRADE

 

Debbie was in the 5th grade and Greg was in the 3rd grade. They finally managed to get a smile out of him this year!

 

 

 

 

 

1974 APRIL

1974 GREG WOLFF
1974 GREG WOLFF

Franklin Little League try outs for the draft were held this month. Greg was picked up on a minor league team sponsored by Frank Campel Painter.

 

 

 

I was still in charge of the T-Ball League, and was busy organizing try outs and the players draft. Carole was active, volunteering time to the concession stand. We both, along with Debbie, spent a lot of our time at the ball park during the summer.

1974 THE WOLFFS
1974 THE WOLFFS

We did take some time to visit Grandma Wolff at the nursing home in Indianapolis. She would turn 90 years old this December, and was still sharp as a tack. She continues to avidly read her romance novels and watch the soaps on TV. Rheumatoid arthritis has handicapped her somewhat, necessitating the use of a walker.

1974 MAY

1874 NEW SIDING
1874 NEW SIDING

Updating The Wolff`s Den is a constant operation. This summer we all pitched in to add new siding to the garage and family room. New paint theme from green to brown. Cedar shake shingles to be added to the gable peaks.

 

 

Taking the summer off from school this year. We need more time for projects, square dancing, camping, baseball and family. Still working third shift and working the overtime though.

We were saddened to learn about the passing of Mother’s only brother Jay this week. He was Arthur Jay Barrett Jr., named after Grandpa Barrett. He served in the Merchant Marine, shipping supplies to the allies across the Atlantic during WWII.

ANCESTRY

Name: Arthur Barrett Jr
Birth Date: 1 Jul 1918
Birth Place: Oklahoma, United States of America
Death Date: 11 May 1974
Death Place: Hammond, Lake County, Indiana, United States of America
Cemetery: Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens
Burial or Cremation Place: Schererville, Lake County, Indiana, United States of America
Has Bio?: N
Father: Arthur Barrett
Mother: Hildred L Barrett
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/mem…

1974JUNE

IS THIS SAFE?
IS THIS SAFE?

Another trip to Kings Island in Cincinnati, and we were able to convince Carole to brave another crossing in the gondola ride. She was very courageous!

 

 

 

HIGGINS & MOTHER
HIGGINS & MOTHER

Mother was enjoying getting her flowers started at the Roberts Place house. Little upgrade projects were being done, as with all their houses in the past.

Dad was beginning to experience anxiety and depression symptoms, and was seeing a doctor to determine if any treatment was needed.

While watching Greg’s First year of minors, I became acquainted with another player’s dad, Greg Fisher. After watching a few games, we began discussing the many basic baseball fundamentals that were not being taught to these kids. By the end of the season, we decided that even we could do a better job of coaching, and agreed to apply for a minor league team next year!

1974 JULY

32ND BIRTHDAY
32ND BIRTHDAY

A square dance friend and I were surprised with homemade birthday cakes! Looks like we may have to get the fire department on standby!

 

 

 

1974 AugMother and Dad with Higgins, were enjoying the new surroundings in Indianapolis.

Dad has been prescribed some anxiety medication to see if it would help. He is still working at the Indianapolis Star newspaper, but is under deadline pressures every day, and pushes himself to be perfect. Not a good combination for anxiety issues!

 

1974 AUGUST

GO FISH
GO FISH

While waiting for a family birthday dinner at Goggie`s, Debbie and Greg decided to play a card game.

School is just around the corner as Debbie will be in the 6th grade and Greg in the 4th.

 

1974 BARRETT KIDS
1974 BARRETT KIDS

This month, Grandpa and Grandma Barrett had the first family get together since Jay’s passing.

Left to right: Jin, Gerrie, May, Dot, Marg and Grandma and Grandpa.

 

 

I am guessing that the lack of photos during this period of time is due to me taking more 35mm slide pictures and 8mm movies…sorry.

1974 DECEMBER

SKIP & GREG
SKIP & GREG

Whiz through three birthdays, four counting Esther’s, and Thanksgiving dinners, we arrive in time for Christmas. Moving our Christmas tree around from year to year has landed it in the dining room this year. Carole took up the photography work or we may not have had any tree photos!

CAROLE
CAROLE

Back in the old days of snail mail, and friends and family exchanging  happy Christmas wishes, we displayed our Christmas cards on the fireplace mantle and dining room table.

 

 

LOOK WHAT I GOT
LOOK WHAT I GOT

Still many Christmases and dinners to attend, but Christmas morning always started at home.

 

 

 

GREG & CAROLE
GREG & CAROLE

Greg had time to set up his monorail train track, and show Carole how it worked before we headed off to other Christmases.

 

 

 

DEBBIE & CAROLE
DEBBIE & CAROLE

At Esther`s, we had a great Christmas dinner and gift exchange before heading off to Mother and Dad`s.

 

 

 

DEBBIE & GREG
DEBBIE & GREG

The first Christmas at the Roberts Place house with Mother and Dad. We didn`t know it would be the only one. Debbie and Greg enjoyed the fireplace there.

 

 

 

CAROLE & SKIP
CAROLE & SKIP

Carole and I enjoyed some snacks before dinner. Then Mother and Dad began talking about the house and its` location being sooo close to Binford Avenue and the noise, and with houses all around, there was no view. I sensed a move was in the works!

 

 

1973 SUMMER FUN

1973 NEW YEAR

Continuing my studies at IUPUI, and made the Dean`s List this past year. My Purdue on campus classes and my apprenticeship classes transferred to my class credits, so I am considered a mid-term junior.

DEBBIE & GREG
DEBBIE & GREG

The family is still enjoying square dancing, and we travel several times a month, with our Rambling Hoosiers club, to several other clubs in the area. Debbie and Greg enjoy meeting the other kids at the dances and the pitch-in refreshments that are always on hand.

SMILE GREG
SMILE GREG

IMG_20190509_0002During a break in the weather, we made a trip up north to Lowel, Indiana to visit Grandpa and Grandma Barrett. They had both settled nicely into their new house and surroundings.

 

IMG_20190509_0001Most of their family lived in the nearby area, and paid them frequent visits. Two daughters and a son along with the grandkids keep a close eye on them.

 

Third shift at work is great. I can flex my sleep to adjust to any day or night activities in which we are involved. This is coming in handy, because last year I was appointed T-Ball director for the Franklin Little League, and with organizational meetings and tryout planning I need to be available mornings and afternoons.

DEBBIE 4TH GRADE
DEBBIE 4TH GRADE

Once again we have school pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREG 2ND GRADE
GREG 2ND GRADE

Greg was getting better about having his picture taken. He almost smiled this year!

 

 

 

 

 

1973 SPRING

73 greg:brandy

A fellow worker raised miniature poodles, and had a new litter of pups ready for sale. Having lost Cappy, the kids wanted another dog, so we checked out the poodles. An apricot colored one caught our eye, and we named him Brandy.

 

1973 T-BALL
1973 T-BALL

T-Ball tryouts were held in April, and Greg was drafted by a different coach this year. We bought a regulation Tee-Ball batting post, and also practiced hitting a pitched ball this year.

 

 

1973 DEBBIE TWIRLING
1973 DEBBIE TWIRLING

Debbie was still taking gymnastics and started working on baton twirling this year.

 

 

 

 

IMG_20190513_0008Greg had joined a WMCA boys youth group, that had activities based off of the Native Indian culture…but not necessarily this action!

 

 

 

1973 CAMPING UPGRADE
1973 CAMPING UPGRADE

Carole and I began looking at camper trailers…big camper trailers with solid sides and a roof! We found a new 32 foot fully self contained one at Modern Trailer Sales in Anderson. They installed a wiring harness for the driving lights and a Reese trailer hitch on our 1966 Chevy station wagon. With some temporary license plates we were on our way.

1973 HUNTSVILLE ROAD
1973 HUNTSVILLE ROAD

This April, Mother and Dad sold the Barn House, and bought another fixer-upper on Huntsville Road near Pendleton. It set high on a hill off the Huntsville Road curve heading to Anderson.

 

 

 

1973 April Huntsville RoadDad still had to tend to a long gravel drive again. This house was a long rambling ranch style, so everything was on one level for a change.

 

 

 

Untitled8The kids, Brandy and Higgins liked the new house!

 

 

 

 

 

1973 MAY

1973 DEBBIE
1973 DEBBIE

Warm weather brought out a variety of summer activities, including sidewalk roller skating.

 

 

 

 

 

1973 GREG
1973 GREG

Greg`s bike accident with the water balloons last year didn’t diminish his love of bike riding.

 

 

 

 

73 deb1The weather was perfect for our traditional Memorial Day pool opening!

 

 

 

73 gregGreg got off of his bike long enough to cool off in the pool.

 

 

 

1973 JUNE

YOGEY BEAR
YOGEY BEAR

As school was out for the summer, and in between T-Ball games, we were able to enjoy an outing to Kings Island amusement park.

 

 

 

1973 SKIP & GREG
1973 SKIP & GREG

Of course I had to join in the fun. And, Carole even braved the cable car ride high above the park. She and Debbie were in the gondola ahead of Greg and I. And, as I was taking pictures with the 8mm movie camera, most of what I filmed was of Carole yelling at me to make Greg quit leaning out over the side! We had a great day.

MOTHER, GRANDPA & GRANDMA
MOTHER, GRANDPA & GRANDMA

Grandpa and Grandma Barrett drove down to visit and see Mother and Dad`s new house. This was pretty much a tradition with them. I always remember them driving to visit us within the first week of our moves…including the Houston, Texas move.  Grandpa was 83 years old now, and had a hip replacement last year! I hope I got some of his genes!

1973 JULY

OUR NEW CAMPING HOME
OUR NEW CAMPING HOME

 

We took our longest trip with the new camper on July 4th. We caravanned with friends to Madison, Indiana for the Madison Boat Races on the Ohio river.

 

1973 MADISON REGATA
1973 MADISON REGATA

While caravanning, we all had citizen band radios, (CBees) to keep in touch with each other about traffic and upcoming hills or curves…of which there were many in southern Indiana.

 

1973 T-BALL ALL STARS
1973 T-BALL ALL STARS

Back home in Anderson, the Franklin Little League T-Ball tournament was under way. Greg and his team won their first game, and went on to win the league championship. Greg was selected for the all star team, and they competed in the city tournament, winning a couple of games, but ended up loosing to the eventual city champ.

1973  AUGUST

IMG_20190513_0004Summer turned to fall, and we decorated the family room in preparation for Debbie’s 10th birthday party.

 

 

 

 

OLD CIDER PRESS
OLD CIDER PRESS

This fall, our friends from square dancing, Bill and Sally, invited the campers to their apple orchard in Knightstown for a camp out. They set up their old cider press, and we all picked apples and the kids cranked the press. We enjoyed the best tasting apple cider ever!

HOBO STEW
HOBO STEW

As was our camping tradition on the final day, we all pitched in our remaining food for a slow cooked kettle full of hobo stew!

 

 

1973 OCTOBER

SPRING MILL
SPRING MILL

Winter is on its way, and our final camping/square dancing trip of the year took us to Spring Mill State Park, where we celebrated Greg’s 8th birthday. This makes the fourth state park we have camped in this summer.

IMG_20190513_0001We did add an improvement to our camping experiences this fall. The nice long patio awning was greatly appreciated when shade trees were not available.

 

1973 NOVEMBER

SNOWY DRIVE
SNOWY DRIVE

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Mother and Dad’s new Huntsville House this year. The weather made it a chore to get up the long snow covered drive, but we made it.

 

 

Untitled2Dad and greg took time to enjoy a board game after dinner.

 

 

 

 

1973 THANKSGIVING
1973 THANKSGIVING

 

1973 DECEMBER

IMG_20190513_0006Greg was a huge Miami Dolphins football fan, and his wish came true this Christmas when he got his Dolphins jacket.

 

 

 

DAD WORKING THE SNOW
DAD WORKING THE SNOW

In preparation for our Christmas visit, Dad was busy plowing the driveway from another snow.

 

 

1973 CHRISTMAS
1973 CHRISTMAS

We arrived safely, and the kids enjoyed the fireplace before getting their Christmas stockings.

The old kitchen clock from Felix and May Wolff`s house on High Street, still held the prominent spot on the mantle.

 

 

dec197201Carole, me, Mother and Debbie enjoyed a gift opening by Mother.

 

 

 

 

 

Untitled4Greg received another great Miami Dolphins gift.

Then, being all bundled up, they had to take advantage of the giant snow covered hill out front.

 

 

SLEDDING
SLEDDING

 

I recognized some grumbling mutterings from Dad, about the snow and that driveway. That often indicates a need to find other pastures better suited for the times…we’ll see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1972 WOLFFS DEN FOR SALE

1972 SPRING

I am still going to classes two evenings a week. I get home in time to head for work on the third shift. My sleep schedule is usually to go to bed when I get home and get up when the kids get home from school about 3 PM.

DEBBIE 3RD GRADE
DEBBIE 3RD GRADE

 

School pictures for this year were brought home and again shared with family members.

 

 

 

 

GREG 1ST GRADE
GREG 1ST GRADE

With growing up in a family of picture takers, and always having a camera on him, I never did understand why Greg disliked having his portrait picture taken. No pictures with Santa and Debbie would go with him to convince him its ok to have his school picture taken. Go figure?!

 

 

 

GOOFING AROUND
GOOFING AROUND

We were still square dancing with some really fun people, and began to take what is called round dancing lessons.

 

 

 

 

DEBBIE & SKIP
DEBBIE & SKIP

Round dancing is a couples dance with specific steps and moves which are choreographed to a country song, and cued by the caller. The kids joined in on the lessons.

 

 

CAROLE ORGANISING
CAROLE ORGANIZING

Springtime was also a time to get the camper and equipment put in order and ready to go.

 

 

.

HAPPY EASTER
HAPPY EASTER

Easter this year was rainy and cold, so indoor activities were planned for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOOK WHAT I FOUND
LOOK WHAT I FOUND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREG`S TRYOUTS
GREG`S TRYOUTS

Greg had T-Ball tryouts this April in preparation for the teams draft. The program was new to the local Little League Organization and the league decided to try using only teenage coaches and managers. Our league was Franklin Little League and the baseball diamond and concession stand was behind the Franklin Grade School. The parents were expected to volunteer by umpiring, keeping score or working in the concession stand. Of course we jumped in with all four feet!

USING THE TEE
USING THE TEE

It turned out that our neighbors son drafted Greg and will be his coach this year. The emphasis on T-Ball was teaching the fundamental skills of baseball and not so much on winning or losing. So, lots of practice.

KITES
KITES

Spring was always a time when, as a kid, we would buy or make kites, and hope for the perfect windy spring day to lift them aloft. Debbie and Greg followed the tradition at the Barn House this spring.

 

1972 SUMMER

MOTHER WITH GOATS & BURRO
MOTHER WITH GOATS & BURRO

Mother and Dad were still enjoying their menagerie and the relaxing fish pond. The pond started as a 55 gallon barrel with the ends cut out and buried in a soggy area. It filled with water and was used to irrigate the gardens.

DUCKS & GEESE
DUCKS & GEESE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Untitled02

 

 

72 marv:deb 72 marv:gregThe kids loved the tall swing that hung from a high branch in the tree, and being pushed real high by Grandpa!

 

 

 

GREG & DEBBIE`S NAP TIME
GREG & DEBBIE`S NAP TIME

After all that excitement, a nice relaxing nap in the rope hammock was a time to cherish.

 

 

 

 

Even with T-Ball games always being played on Saturday mornings, we still found time to go camping. Many week-ends Greg and I would get up early and drive back to Anderson for his game and then go back to the campground for the remainder of the week-end.

On one particular outing at Richard Leiber State park, we didn’t have to leave for a game because a severe thunder storm with high winds was moving across central Indiana. We were in the pop-up-tent camper with our awning staked down outside the tent flap…it was the first to go! While trying to hold the tent flap closed, we were being pelted with rain mist that was being blown through the canvas top. After much swaying and bouncing, the storm finally passed, and we set about rounding up our awning and possibles from throughout our camp sight. Maybe we should think about a regular camper trailer!?

JULY 1972 FOR SALE
JULY 1972 FOR SALE

This Summer saw the beginning of the end of The Wolffs Den Barn House. Mother and Dad listed the property for sale!

 

 

IMG_20190501_0002

It wasn’t really a shock, because it had been discussed for quite some time. But, to actually see the listing…it left a lump in my throat.

This was the place where, after all of the moving and moving, I was finally provided with the secure roots that helped me develop into the person I am today. Those were fantastic years, and now Carole and I are starting to put down those same secure roots which will enable our family to grow and develop.

1972 FALL

1972 BIKE WRECK
1972 BIKE WRECK

On a balmy autumn afternoon, Carole and I were alarmed to see a neighbor bringing Greg home. He had been bike riding, and some friends thought it would be fun to pelt him with water balloons as he rode by. But, in this case, they soon realized its all fun and games till someone gets hurt!

1972 DecThe water balloons bursting on Greg`s bike and his head, made him crash his bike on the pavement. He got a chipped tooth, scraped and cut elbow and forehead, but no broken bones! All`s well that ends well.

 

DEBBIE`S 9TH BIRTHDAY
DEBBIE`S 9TH BIRTHDAY

Debbie`s birthday included two cakes this year. Happy 9th Birthday!

 

 

 

 

GREG`S 7TH
GREG`S 7TH

 

Carole baked a Snoopy cake for Greg`s 7th Birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

1972 HALLOWEEN
1972 HALLOWEEN

Debbie was invited to a Halloween party, and had a hard time deciding on which costume to wear.

 

 

 

 

1972 SCHOOL MORNING
1972 SCHOOL MORNING

One last morning photo before the school bus comes.

 

 

 

 

1972 WINTER

DEBBIE & GREG WITH HIGGINS
DEBBIE & GREG WITH HIGGINS

Having the last Christmas at the Barn House was a little nostalgic. But, we all were in great spirits and enjoyed the day.

 

 

1972dec.jpgDad always enjoyed Christmas with the kids, and  this year was no different!

 

 

 

 

1972 LAWS CHRISTMAS
1972 LAWS CHRISTMAS

The Laws` Christmas was busy as usual with the cousins.

 

 

 

 

 

GAMES WITH CAPPY
GAMES WITH CAPPY

Our Christmas at home was a little more relaxing after the whirlwind family gatherings. We had time to enjoy some games before our big day.

 

 

 

CAROLE & DEBBIE
CAROLE & DEBBIE

Carole made square dance dresses for her and Debbie, complete with Debbie`s first crinoline!

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOW!
WOW!

Our Christmas morning, and not to worry, he won’t shoot his eye out! It`s a toy rifle.

 

 

 

As the year comes to an end, we reflect back on our progressions, and we are quite comfortable with this place and time in our lives!

1952 BEGINNING
1952 BEGINNING
WELCOME TO THE WOLFFS DEN
WELCOME TO THE WOLFFS DEN

Mother and Dad, on the other hand, after 20 years at the Barn House, have agin been bitten by the rambling bug! Although I lived there only half that time, it was like growing up in Mayberry and living in the Happy Days TV series. It will be missed.

1972 sept01

Goodbye Barn House!

 

1971 WOLFF SR. & JR. DECISIONS

1971 JANUARY

PRACTICE, PRACTICE
PRACTICE, PRACTICE

During the winter months, Debbie showed interest in her electric piano and we decided to pursue piano lessons. We then found a vintage upright piano at a reasonable price. One of my fellow tool room workers had a working hobby of piano tuning and repair. He came over and checked out our piano and said it only needed a few minor tuning peg repairs. We had those repaired and then tuned and Debbie was on her way.

CAROLE
CAROLE

We decided to update the stove to match the avocado green fridge and portable dishwasher. Carole enjoyed the long phone cord I added to our land line, (our only line)!

 

 

 

1971 RAMBLING HOOSIERS
1971 RAMBLING HOOSIERS

We also decided to join some of our friends and take square dance lessons this winter. After a few months we graduated and received our Rambling Hoosiers name badges!

 

1971 GRANDPA & GRANDMA
1971 GRANDPA & GRANDMA

Mother and Dad decided to sell the Barn House and the realtor strongly suggested the property be sold as a total package, which meant Grandpa and Grandma Barrett would have to sell also. Grandpa`s arthritis in his hip was now requiring a cane or walker to help his mobility.

They discussed moving to a smaller place in northern Indiana to be near their other kids and grandkids.

Back to our other decisions this year. The UAW local agreement was settled and one of the demands that was agreed to was about to impact me. The agreement involved my tooling group and the process organization. Process engineering had a group of classified workers that built paint shields and material handling tools. They wanted to be classified tool makers and they were put in a tool maker classification following the settlement.

This affected me because as a tool and die maker I was also qualified to be a tool maker. The catch had to do with seniority which determined my shift preference options. As a tool and die maker I was on the bottom of the seniority list and that meant I would be on second shift for a very, very long time. As a tool maker I would be on the top of the seniority list, because the newly classified tool makers would have a seniority date as of the contract signing and my seniority date would be my journeyman date.

After some discussion I submitted my request to transfer to the toolmaker classification in the process engineering group. I had the option to return to the tool and die classification if I wished.

1971 APRIL

1971 DANCE REVUE
1971 DANCE REVUE

Debbie was still taking dance lessons and they just finished their spring revue. Debbie is top left.

 

 

 

 

 

1971 KINDERGARTEN
1971 KINDERGARTEN
1971 2ND GRADE
1971 2ND GRADE

 

 

 

More pictures had come home from Franklin Elementary School; Greg`s kindergarten photo and Debbie`s 2nd grade picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1971 JESABELL & KID
1971 JESABELL & KID

Even though Mother and Dad decided to sell the homestead, their natural instinct to constantly improve drove them to complete past planned projects. This included getting a burrow and her little one. That was the reason for the higher fence down the back field!

1971MOTHER & JESABELL
1971MOTHER & JESABELL
1971 CORRAL FENCE
1971 CORRAL FENCE

Adding a corral fence across the back field was in the plans.

 

 

 

 

 

1971 FISH POND
1971 FISH POND

This must have been the year of the fence, as a new fence was added to the back yard fish pond.

 

 

 

1971 DRIVEWAY FENCE
1971 DRIVEWAY FEN

 

Not to be outdone, new fence was extended down the curve of the drive.

 

 

 

 

1971 CRUSHED STONE
1971 CRUSHED STONE

The finishing touch was to add and spread tons of crushed stone on the half mile of driveway.

 

 

 

 

 

1971  MAY

THERE IT GOES
THERE IT GOES

We found out from our neighbors son that there was a youth baseball program for 6 and 7 year olds. It was T-Ball, where the batters hit a baseball off of a rubber “T” set on home plate. The age limit required the player to be 6 years old to join the league in April, so Greg would have to wait until next season to join. But, practice began!

HIT IT
HIT IT

A tetherball pole was added to the backyard playground and competition among youth and adults got fierce!

 

 

FAMILY ROOM FISH POND
FAMILY ROOM FISH POND

Mother and Dad were still maintaining and improving the Barn House. This included the frequent cleaning of the family room fish pond.

 

 

BE CAREFULL
BE CAREFULL

Dad was busy finishing building the wood awnings for the upper windows. Completed the painting and started hanging them.

 

 

 

 

My transfer request for tool maker was approved and I moved my toolbox and things to my new department 345 paint shields. My first order of business was to submit a shift preference request for day shift.

1971 A CAMPING WE WILL GO
1971 A CAMPING WE WILL GO

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to us, Esther had entered a drawing for a pop up tent trailer camper at the local grocery store. SHE WON! She had to decide whether to keep it or sell it. She wanted someone to get some good out of her good fortune and since we were the only ones in the family that were interested in camping; we got the honors.

AHH THE LIFE
AHH THE LIFE

I added a trailer hitch and light harness plug to the 66 Chevy station wagon and with Ester we picked up her prize! We started off with picnic lunches and a cooler for day trip outings to nearby state parks. Soon we added a propane cookstove, lantern and porta-potty for overnight outings.

Debbie still has her cast on for her fractured wrist. She and some of the neighborhood kids were playing in the back yard, climbing the fruit trees. In the process, one of the kids pulled her down from the tree and she landed awkwardly on her arm. No child abuse investigation!

1971 JULY

After much discussion and negotiating, Mother and Dad purchased Grandpa and Grandma`s “Ravens Roost”. Grandpa and Grandma then moved to a house close to Aunt Virginia “Gin” and Uncle Jim in northern Indiana. Grandpa immediately started laying out a plot for next years garden!

1971 GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT
1971 GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT

While I was on day shift for my orientation period in paint shields my shift preference came through….no more second shift!!!

1971 MOVING IN
1971 MOVING IN

Back at the Barn House, Dad`s brother Willard “Bill” and wife Edna came for a visit. They were also making decisions on where to move. During the visit the discussion came up about the empty “Ravens Roost” and what the plans were

FIXING UP
FIXING UP

for it. Since they were looking for an interim place to stay and Mother and Dad didn’t know exactly when they would put the property up for sale, it was decided they would rent Willard and Edna the house for a year.

Dad and Willard did some roof repairs and other minor maintenance   on the house after the move.

1971 AUGUST

1971 8 YEARS OLD
1971 8 YEARS OLD

Debbie`s 8th birthday, how time flies! Tumbling, dancing and piano lessons, oh my!

 

 

 

 

 

BIRTHDAY PARTY
BIRTHDAY PARTY

Debbie had a very nice birthday party this year with kids from the neighborhood, school and square dancing.

 

 

 

Clifty Falls State Park

Finishing up our camping for the year included a trip to Clifty Falls State Park with great scenery and plenty of hiking.

 

 

NEW AWNING
NEW AWNING

We added an awning extension to the tent camper along with a food cabinet and folding Table this year.

 

 

 

 

DEBBIES FIRST FISH
DEBBIES FIRST FISH

Many of the Rambling Hoosiers camp and have camping trailers or motor homes. Usually a camping trip is combined with a square dance at the camp site. The local campground at Anderson was Lost Lake located east off of 38th street. Debbie caught her first blue gill there.

1971 OCTOBER

GREGS 6TH BIRTHDAY
GREGS 6TH BIRTHDAY

Greg`s 6th birthday with friends was mostly in the backyard play ground with dodge ball. baseball, tetherball and the swing set.

 

 

 

1971 HALLOWEEN
1971 HALLOWEEN

Halloween was a time for trick-or-treat in the neighborhood and Captain America with the Fairy Princess would get their share.

 

 

 

 

1971 DECEMBER

My day shift hours were from 6:45 to 3:15 and I soon realized I didn’t much care for the early morning hours, especially in the winter. I turned in a shift preference request for third shift, 10:45 to 7:15. This way I had the option of going to bed in the morning and getting up when the kids got home from school, or staying up for appointments, school activities or home projects.

1971 SANTA & GREG
1971 SANTA & GREG

Greg never did warm up to Santa much, but this year we were able to finally get a Santa Christmas Picture!

Thanksgiving seemed a little hollow this year without the big Barrett clan gathering. But, other changes were in the wintery wind and before we knew it, it was Christmas. Not just any Christmas; maybe the last Christmas in the Barn House!

 

1971 GREG & DEBBIE
1971 GREG & DEBBIE
CAROLE, GREG & DEBBIE
CAROLE, GREG & DEBBIE
1971 MOTHER
1971 MOTHER

 

1970 MOVING FORWARD

1970 JANUARY

OH BOY!
OH BOY!

During the winter months, while impatiently waiting for spring weather and summer projects, we occupied some of our time playing with one of the kids games. I think this was called a spin and hop. It was a battery operated disc which sat on the floor with a two foot plastic rod extending from its` center. The disc would spin, moving the rod around in a circle about eight inches off the floor. The object was to hop over the rod as it rapidly rotated around. The person with the most successful hops was the winner. With Dad pushing down on my shoulder, I had a slight handicap!

A new discussion surfaced this winter. Mother and Dad talked about their thoughts concerning retirement. Dad wasn’t 50 years old yet, what brought this on? One of their concerns was whether we would be interested in buying the Barn House sometime in the future. Having just started our own Wolffs Den, the idea had never entered our minds. We would have to give this some thought.

We did suggest that we didn’t see how they could keep up the pace of doing maintenance and upkeep as they got older. But, that was a long way off.

DEBBIE 2ND GRADE
DEBBIE 1st GRADE

While Greg was waiting to start kindergarten this fall, Debbie was enjoying her first grade experiences. School pictures were sent home this week and Debbies` first grade pictures were shared with family and friends.

Back in the tool room, talk was going around about a possible UAW strike against GM this contract year. The top priority issue was to be able to retire after 30 years of service with full pension and health benefits. Buttons were being worn with “30 & OUT” on them to support the union demands. September was the contract expiration date. Better start putting some money back!

1970 APRIL

1970 EASTER
1970 EASTER

Easter and spring arrived and the dinners and Easter egg hunts were here. Outdoor Easter surprises at Mother and Dad`s were a regular tradition.

 

 

 

WASHING UP AT ESTHERS
WASHING UP AT ESTHERS

Easter treats and a big family dinner was always on hand for the Laws` family at Esthers`. But, first you had to wash up!

 

 

 

 

1970 MAY

PETTIGREW LAUNDRY POT
PETTIGREW LAUNDRY POT

With Grace staying with Esther, we have noticed several items missing from the old Pettigrew homestead. Esther and her sisters decided to clear out the the main items from the house. After all of the keepsakes were salvaged and dispersed among the sisters we noticed the old cast iron laundry kettle in the back yard. We asked if anyone wanted it and with the response being a resounding NO, we “inherited” our part of family history. It soon became our focal point flower pot.

GRANDMA WOLFF & DEBBIE
GRANDMA WOLFF & DEBBIE

During a visit with Grandma Wolff one weekend, she was feeling in good spirits and I asked her if she would enjoy going for a ride to see our new house. Arthritis was becoming a mobility problem for her but, she was determined not to let it keep her down.

During her visit I was able to get another rare posed photo with Debbie. One of the best pictures she ever had taken and it only took 86 years for someone to capture it!

CARTWHEELS
CARTWHEELS

Debbie was still working on tumbling and gymnastics and enjoyed the open air practice area of the front yard.

Dad even got into the spirit of the event!

 

OH MY
OH MY
REDBUD
REDBUD

May was also tree planting time and we had plenty of help planting the sycamore, and redbud saplings. The Anderson Mayor wanted to create a “Redbud Capitol of Indiana” and encouraged everyone to plant redbuds this summer.

SYCAMORE
SYCAMORE

Our new wheelbarrow came in handy today with six trees to plant and the flagstone stacked by the garage for another project on the way.

 

 

GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT
GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT

Grandpa and Grandma Barrett were enjoying the blooms on their wisteria that they trained into a bush.

 

 

 

 

 

OUR NEW FLAG POLE
OUR NEW FLAG POLE

Memorial Day saw both of the Wolff Dens celebrating by installing 20 foot flag poles in our yards. We used 2 inch galvanized water pipe which we painted white. It was then inserted into 2 1/2 inch pipe which we buried and cemented in the

AND WE HELPED
AND WE HELPED

ground. I drilled and tapped three screw holes into the top of the ground pipe to hold the flag pole in place. It could also easily be removed for future painting or maintenance.

 

MAY WE NEVER FORGET
MAY WE NEVER FORGET
YOU MISSED A SPOT
YOU MISSED A SPOT

The same procedure was used at Mother and Dad’s Pole raising, only Dad had a straw boss to help him.

 

 

 

 

RAISE HER UP
RAISE HER UP

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARV AND GERRIE
MARV AND GERRIE
YEA SUMMER
YEA  SUMMER

Just one final job to finish up this month…the traditional Memorial Day pool opening!

 

 

 

1970 JUNE

CAROLE GOT STARTED
CAROLE GOT STARTED

With the trees planted and the flag proudly flying, we began another landscaping project. The shrubs outside the dining room window were surrounded by sod which reached out to the sidewalk and was difficult to mow and trim.

CAROLE LAYING THE BASE
CAROLE LAYING THE BASE

The solution was to replace the sod with flagstone pavers and gravel. Let’s get busy.

 

 

 

 

MOTHER PAINTING
MOTHER PAINTING

Mother and Dad were still working on finishing touches and additions to their Wolff Den that seemed to never end.

The carport needed a brick walkway to the sunroom entrance and a fence leading to the back yard.

 

1970 oct3

1970 JULY

GRACE PETTIGREW 1880-1990
GRACE PETTIGREW
1877-1970

We all experienced a sad period this month with the passing of Carole`s Grandmother, Grace Pettigrew. She was 93 years old and buried in the Pettigrew family plot at Mendon Cemetery south of Pendleton.

 

 

GARAGE AND WORK ROOM
GARAGE AND WORK ROOM

Progress continues on with the painting of the garage, work room and family room siding.

 

 

 

Carole
Carole

Carole took on the project of shampooing our oval braided family room rug. With the pool table as a hindrance, she decided to tackle the job outside.

THE END OF THE BACK FIELD
THE END OF THE BACK FIELD

 

 

Grandpa and Grandma Barrett were still working their huge vegetable garden and tending the many berry bushes and fruit trees.

 

Mother and Dad were still questioning what to do with the Barn House and I could tell they were getting restless. This was by far the longest they had ever lived in one place. I remember during my freshman year of high school, the conversation came up about selling and maybe moving to West Virginia. I said that if they did I was somehow going to stay in Pendleton and finish school here.

MULTAFLORA ROSES
MULTAFLORA ROSES

Carole and I discussed the option of buying the Barn House and both agreed it would be way more work and upkeep than we wanted. As one small example, in 1955, Dad had planted multaflora rose bushes along the edge of the drive from the front gate to the cow barn. They grew so fast that they had to be trimmed twice a year to keep them from scratching the car as we drove down the drive. This was a week long project.

NEVER ENDING MOWING
NEVER ENDING MOWING

Add in the pruning and care of over 55 trees, almost 3 acres of lawn to mow, dozens of flower beds to weed and tend not to mention the quarter mile gravel drive that needed stone and grading every so often. Oh, and then there was the red wood Barn House and out buildings and pond! Guess what we decided?

DAD FENCING
DAD FENCING

Even while considering selling the Barn House, additions continued. I helped Dad put in fence posts and stretch farm fence from the cow barn to the back field. This was to keep the jumping goats out of the garden area.

 

GRANDMA BARRETT & THE KIDS
GRANDMA BARRETT & THE KIDS

 

1970 AUGUST

DEBBIE, GERRIE & GREG
DEBBIE, GERRIE & GREG

Pendleton was celebrating its` sesquicentennial this summer and Mother along with most of the population got into the spirit of the occasion. Mother located a period hat and had a nice turn of the century outfit made.

1970 pend sesqua

1970 FLOOD
1970 FLOOD

We have had heavy rains before, but this fall one came down that beat anything we had ever seen before. The little drainage creek that floes through the field south of the Barn House is usually 2 to 3 feet deep and 6 to 8 feet wide. It empties into Fall Creek just north of Pendleton. This flood crested to 12 feet deep and 100 yards wide in spots. This was taken from the Barn House roof, looking south toward highway 67 and Pendleton.

DEBBIES` BIRTHDAY
DEBBIES` BIRTHDAY

 

Debbies` birthday was this month and I guess I must have taken 8mm movies of the celebrations, because this is the only picture I could locate from that day. Go figure.

 

 

1970 SEPTEMBER

Greg had finished his first T-Ball season and really enjoyed it. Now it was time to start kindergarten and see how that goes. Debbie is ready to begin 2nd grade this school year.

GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT
GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT

 

I did manage to snap a shot at Grandpa and Grandmas` 57th Wedding Anniversary though.

 

 

 

1970 GM STRIKE
1970 GM STRIKE

Well, the UAW decided to strike GM since little progress was being made with the negotiations. Since I worked 2nd shift, my 8 hour picket duty was scheduled for the 3pm to 11pm shift. We were provided with picket signs stating our demands, the main one being the 30 and out obstacle. 55 gallon drums and firewood was distributed to various duty stations for our fire barrels.  A lunch was served at the union hall following our shift.

When GM controlled 40% of the automotive market in the 60`s and 70`s, Guide Lamp was at its` peak. In 1970, GM was the biggest automaker and the largest employer in the world and Walter Reuther, who had been the UAW president since 1946, had a vision for all workers to have adequate health care and a secure retirement program. These dreams were in danger with his untimely death in a plane crash this spring. Leonard Woodcock would now have to play a much larger part in the negotiations.

I was still taking classes year round at IUPUI and one of my first papers for an Industrial Education class was my progress report.

1970 PROGRESS REPORT
1970 PROGRESS REPORT
1970 PROGRESS REPORT
1970 PROGRESS REPORT

With the extra available time on my hands due to the strike, my brother in law and I decided to re-shingle Esthers` roof. The turn of the century house was built with native timber which wasn’t cured and was very, very hard. Half the roofing nails bent before we could make a secure fastening. This took quite a tole on our fingers too!

1970 NOVEMBER

The strike has drug on for eight weeks now, but our spirits are high that it will be settled before Thanksgiving.

1970 THE HUNTER
1970 THE HUNTER

Mother and Dad talked to  Grandpa and Grandma recently about the possibility of selling The Wolffs Den. It didn’t go well. Even with their health problems, they still wanted to stay on “the farm”. Grandpa still enjoyed his winter hunting.

1970 GOOD EATS
1970 GOOD EATS

Thanksgiving was still a big family get together. With canned fruit, jellies, jams and vegetables preserved from their garden, the Barrett Thanksgiving was always a feast!

 

And of course, the ever growing kids table!

1970 BARRETT GREAT GRANDKIDS
1970 BARRETT GREAT GRANDKIDS

Another great thanksgiving was that the strike had been settled! The 1970 contract restored the cost-of-living adjustments Reuther had set aside three years before, instituted “30-and-out” (retirement after 30 years) and increased the, already hard fought for, healthcare benefits.

1970 MAY M. WOLFF "MAGGIE MAY"
1970 MAY M. WOLFF
“MAGGIE MAY”

 

 

A Thanksgiving visit with Grandma Wolff.  Dad had a toupee made that he was trying out.

 

 

 

1970 STORM
1970 STORM

The winter was not being kind. A snow ice storm took out our Redbud trees in the front yard.

 

 

 

1970 ICE DAM
1970 ICE DAM

The ice dams on the roof produced 3 to 4 foot icesicles around the house.

 

 

 

1970 DECEMBER

1970 CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
1970 CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST

Christmas morning at home and we were still able to have a very nice celebration after the 10 week strike. Mother and Dad came over for Christmas breakfast and to watch the kids open their presents. The first order of business was checking out the stockings hung by the chimney with care.

1970 CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS
1970 CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS

 

JUST TURN LEFT
JUST TURN LEFT

 

This Christmas theme was action toys. Greg enjoyed his peddle race car and helmet.

 

 

HOP HOP HOP
HOP HOP HOP

 

Debbie finally mastered the bouncing ball and was ready to take it outside for a try.

 

 

FAMILY ROOM FUN
FAMILY ROOM FUN

 

Dad helped set up the slot track figure eight race track and compete in the action. Note Grandpa Wolffs` old Morris chair in the foreground and the movie projection screen in the background.

 

 

1070 CHRISTMAS TREE
1070 CHRISTMAS TREE

 

The Christmas tree was in the living room this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Mmm mmm GOOD
Mmm mmm GOOD

After our Christmas festivities wound down we headed over to Mother and Dads for Christmas dinner. Carole, as usual, was the first to check out the turkey bird!

 

OH CHRISTMAS TREE
OH CHRISTMAS TREE

Mother and Dads` Christmas tree was still traditionally natural whereas ours morphed into the artificial one this year. Another tradition of the Wolff tree trimming was the hanging of the tinsel. Mother would meticulously hang each strand on the bough so that both ends hung even and the tinsel was evenly dispersed on each branch! Dad, on the other hand, felt it only necessary to stand back and randomly toss the tinsel at the tree and let gravity do its` job! After much cajoling and numerous admonishments proved fruitless, Mother would rearrange the misplaced tinsels onto their proper place.

HA HA
HA HA

Carole and Dad had started another tradition…bickering and taunting each other. Whenever the chance arose they would jump at it.

 

 

POKE POKE
POKE POKE

More Christmas stockings and presents were enjoyed and then a family mirror portrait was taken, We still had the Barrett and Laws Christmases to work in. It has been a wonderful year, moving forward. Now let’s see what the coming New Year will bring our way!

MIRROR IMAGE
MIRROR IMAGE

 

 

 

 

1969 BECOMING THE WOLFF`S DEN

1969 FEBRUARY

HAPPY 48th BIRTHDAY
HAPPY 48th BIRTHDAY

Good old wintertime! We took some time out to help celebrate Mother’s birthday today. Debbie and Greg were eager to help blow out the birthday candles.

This winter gave us time to finish our interior painting and the entryway Vermont slate flooring addition.

CORNER TABLE
CORNER TABLE

We also swapped out some ceiling light fixtures and began hanging wall decorations. The Kitchen table we made while in Pendleton made its way to the family room. We found some heavy, ornate cast-iron bench legs and fastened pine boards to them to form a corner bench for the table. Carole selected some upholstery material and covered the benches before we fastened them to the walls.

1969 MARCH

DEBBIE KINDERGARTEN
DEBBIE KINDERGARTEN

 

Franklin Elementary School pihotos finally arrived and we had our first school pictures to eagerly pass around and add to the growing photo album.

 

 

 

1969 DANCE RECITAL
1969 DANCE RECITAL

March must be picture month, because we also received Debbie`s dance recital photo. She is the second from the left…the cutest one! She had been enrolled in dance class before we moved to Scatterfield and really took to it. It is developing into tumbling and gymnastics, which she constantly practices.

1969 APRIL

1969 DEBBIE & GREG
1969 DEBBIE & GREG

Easter arrived and it was time for the annual dress up time. A visit to Mother and Dad`s for an outdoor Easter egg hunt was fun for all.

 

1969 EASTER
1969 EASTER

 

 

Note the old quanset hut in the background and the stone  fireplace Dad built.

 

 

 

IMG_20190318_0006

 

This was just behind the sunroom addition which was added onto the den.

 

 

 

MOTHER & THE KIDS
MOTHER & THE KIDS
IS IT SAFE?
IS IT SAFE?

 

 

Dad hung a new swing on a very high tree branch down by the pond.Carole had to try it out.

SOME OF THE WOLFF CLAN
SOME OF THE WOLFF CLAN

 

A very rare photo opportunity happened this Easter when most of the Wolff clan gathered for an Easter dinner at Uncle Leopold and Aunt Janett`s House. Clockwise-Grandma Wolff, Janette, Edna, Carole, Cousin Donald, Skip, Marvin, Leopold and Willard.

GREG`S RIDING TRACTOR
GREG`S RIDING TRACTOR

Back home we continued the Easter egg hunt and Greg enjoyed his new Easter present of a tractor.

 

 

 

A PROGRESSIVE DIE
A PROGRESSIVE DIE

This Spring, I was still working the dreaded second shift in the Guide tool room. I had just completed  my very first progressive die project as a journeyman. It was a progressive form, punch and trim die to produce a parking lamp housing. It came in under hours and cost which gave me a feeling of satisfaction. The photo is not my die…we were not allowed cameras in the plant, but it is the same type and configuration.

PROGRESSIVE DIE DESIGN
PROGRESSIVE DIE DESIGN

Not long after we ran the die in production to check it out, I was again offered the opportunity to work in Tool Design. With day shift hours and overtime, of course I accepted. So, after completing a final tooling process, (building), I was now on to start work on the beginning tooling process (designing).

1969 MAY

YARD WORK
YARD WORK

With May, came many projects for the two Wolff Dens. Carole started the refinishing work on some old kitchen spindle back chairs,  and Greg helped me with thatching the lawn.

 

1969b Aug03 2

Note the Best Ever milk box just to the left in the picture. Yes we still had home delivery of dairy products for a while yet!

DAD`S NEW PROJECT
DAD`S NEW PROJECT

Now over at the senior Wolffs Den, Dad was upgrading the birdbath and fence area out by the willow tree. They had located some old heavy wagon wheels and wanted to incorporate them into the fence line.

 

FINISHED PROJECT
FINISHED PROJECT
1969 KARMANN GHIA
1969 KARMANN GHIA

 

Dad also bought the 1969 sporty Volkswagen Karmin Ghia. It was a four speed, four cylinder, air cooled rear engine coupe.

 

 

THE WOLFFS
THE WOLFFS

Dad and I took a little trip to visit Grandma Wolff at her new assisted living residence in Indianapolis.

 

 

GOT YA ESTHER
GOT YA ESTHER

During a Memorial Day cookout, Esther thought she could strike a pose behind the magnolia bush and not be caught on camera! Today was also the day for opening the pool and   croquet.

 

DEBBIE & GREG
DEBBIE & GREG
GREG & GRACE
GREG & GRACE

1969 JUNE

CAPPY
CAPPY

The kids have been asking about getting another dog. Boy, with everything else that`s going on right now do we need another project?  Well the decision was soon made when a fellow worker said

DEBBIE & CAPPY
DEBBIE & CAPPY

he had two Scotty pups left from a recent litter. They were three months old and reasonably priced. Question answered. We named him Cappy.

 

GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT
GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT

Summer went along with shrub trimming, tree pruning, soffit and trim painting and several indoor projects.

The Barretts were still gardening and raising beautiful flowers.

1969 AUGUST

1969 DEBBIE
1969 DEBBIE

Debbie`s first grade school year is just around the corner and she is growing literally with leaps and bounds. We decided she had outgrown her small bike and it was time for the next size up. So she was surprised with her new banana seat bike for her 6th birthday.

BLOW HARD
BLOW HARD

 

There was a birthday celebration at Esther’s with the Laws family and then on to the Wolff`s for more cake and presents.

 

 

 

During my time in tool design I was offered the salaried job to be a full time tool designer. Being a day job, I decided to try it. I could always go back to the tool room if it didn’t work out. After designing several dies for the sheet metal area they had me work with a senior designer on a plastic mold design.

However, as the slow season began to limit our work load, Guide Lamp began to layoff several salaried engineers and designers and I was included. Well back to second shift.

It was during this time that I decided to take advantage of a Purdue degree program which would give me academic credits for my work experience and apprenticeship classes. Plus Guide Lamp would pay for my tuition costs!

1969 OCTOBER

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY

 

 

Greg`s birthday was celebrated with much fanfare…but this was the only photo!

 

 

TROY,MARK,DEBBIE,LORI&GREG
TROY,MARK,DEBBIE,LORI&GREG

 

On Halloween, we took the kids with their cousins trick-or-treating around the neighborhood and visits to family.

 

Fall was also time to head back to the toolroom from design. As much as I hated second shift, it felt good to get my hands on actually building something,,,and the overtime also helped.

1969 NOVEMBER

THE BARRETT FAMILY TREE
THE BARRETT FAMILY TREE

Mother had been researching the Barrett and Augenstein family genealogy for quite some time and was now putting it into book form to publish. Mother’s printing business came in handy for the printing and publishing.  Carole helped with some of the typing, correlating, and book binding to have the paperback books ready for Grandpa and Grandma Barrett`s Christmas. Of course the kids helped too!

ANTIQUE SHOPPE
ANTIQUE SHOPPE

 

As if Mother didn’t have enough on her plate, she had also added an antique shop in the second den.

 

 

BARRETT CLAN
BARRETT CLAN

The Barretts got together for another family photo this fall. Left to right; Marg, Walt, Gerrie, Marvin, Arthur, Hildred, Jay, Dorothy, Jim, Jen, May and Fred.

 

 

THANKSGIVING
THANKSGIVING

We managed to pull things together and have the family Thanksgiving at our Wolffs Den this year! The family room pool table with the ping pong table on top served for our dining room.

 

 

KIDS TABLE
KIDS TABLE

Of course we had to continue the traditional kids table for Debbie, Greg and the cousins.

 

 

 

1969 DECEMBER

AN ORGAN!!!
AN ORGAN!!!

Ahh, winter and a crisp smell of Christmas in the air. Christmas day begins at our house early in the morning. The bright photo flood lights set up for the 8mm movie camera to capture the festive mood with everyones hands over their eyes to prevent flood light blindness!

DOE RAY ME
DOE RAY ME

Debbie was surprised with an electric organ. It also brought back memories to Carole of when she took piano lessons.

 

 

LET`S SEE NOW...
LET`S SEE NOW…
LET`S GO
LET`S GO

Greg enjoyed his new Big Wheel and couldn`t wait to get it outside!

 

 

 

 

THE FIRE TRUCK
THE FIRE TRUCK

Now it was off to the Wolffs for another Christmas!

Of course we had to check out the fire truck for Greg to make certain it worked properly!

 

 

I LIKE THAT!
I LIKE THAT!

There were presents galore and a good time was had by all!

 

 

 

 

 

KODAK MOMENT
KODAK MOMENT

 

 

Debbie got her first camera, a Kodak Instamatic!

 

 

 

 

Mother also finished her Barrett Family Tree book and gave us a first edition

IMG_20190328_0001

1969 Barrett ThanksgivingNow over to Grandpa and Grandma Barrett`s house for the Barrett Christmas dinner and the omnipresent kids table!

 

Then it was off to Esther`s house for the Laws family Christmas exchange and dinner.

DEBBIE & GREG
DEBBIE & GREG

The next day saw plenty of sunshine and the kids were out and about playing. I did get them to stop for a minute to pose for a photo.

 

 

GRANDMA WOLFF
GRANDMA WOLFF

That afternoon Dad and I went to visit Grandma Wolff. She had her Christmas decorations up for display.

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS

We had a snack and exchanged presents with Grandma. Then it was back home and   relax time with my family.

 

 

Going back to work. Still on second shift. Still working overtime. Starting the Purdue semester at IUPUI with two classes. The new year is on the way and we look forward to what`s coming our way.

 

1968 OUR OWN HOME

1968 SUMMER

Moving into our own home was the beginning of many exciting life adventures to come! One of the first priorities was to get Debbie enrolled and registered for kindergarten at Franklin Elementary School, which was just down the road at 38th street. The next item of business was to get everyone settled into their rooms and start evaluating the work needed done on the house.

CAROLE IN THE DINING ROOM
CAROLE IN THE DINING ROOM

 

Painting was determined to be number one on our long list of upgrades and maintenance needed on the house that was built in 1952.

 

 

DAD HELPING OUT
DAD HELPING OUT

Dad loved to paint and was a ready volunteer! He started in the living room. The fiberglass and aluminum window awnings that were over the front porch and three picture windows would eventually be removed for better indoor lighting.

 

DEBBIE & GREG HELPING
DEBBIE & GREG HELPING

Even the kids helped out with the painting and clean up! Well, kind of.

SECOND DEN AND CAPORT
SECOND DEN AND CAPORT

Dad was not only helping us get settled but, still working adding on to the Barn House. He enclosed the carport and created a second den and then added a new attached carport. No more room for additions the west property line had been reached!

1968 Dad on 2nd den

PETTIGREW FARMHOUSE
PETTIGREW FARMHOUSE

We weren’t the only ones moving this year. Carole`s Grandmother, Grace Pettigrew moved in with Esther. Grace was a VERY independent woman. Born in 1880, she grew up around farm work and when her husband passed

GRACE PETTIGREW
GRACE PETTIGREW

away in 1938, she remained in the rural Pendleton family home, living on her own. Much of that time was spent without indoor plumbing while heating with kerosene stoves.

Several incidents preceded her move

ESTHER LAWS
ESTHER LAWS

to town with her daughter. One day a passing neighbor noticed her up on the roof! After stopping he discovered that this 85 year old lady was in the process of replacing some shingles which had blown off the night before. He was finally able to persuade her to climb down. Esther didn’t find out about this until she happened on the neighbor at the store and he relayed the story much to Esther’s surprise.

Grace was still driving her 1938 Pontiac to town for groceries and visits. On one such visit I asked how the car was doing. She said fine except the gas peddle would stick sometimes but she fixed it. I asked how she did that and she said she tied a rope to the peddle and laid the end of the rope up on the seat so when the peddle stuck she could give the rope a jerk and un-stick it. Going out to the car to check this out I was expecting to see a close line rope or a length of twine but instead there was an inch and a quarter diameter hay rope doing the job. It wasn’t long after this that she relented into moving.

Grace could be a little ornery. When Debbie was younger, Grace would tease her with the fly swatter until one day Carole had enough and grabbed the fly swatter and while shaking it in Grace`s face, told her this was going to stop…and it did. Grace was very proud of her independence and would insist on paying her five cents for ice cream when we went to Jimmies Dairy Bar.

GOOD OL`PEGBOARD
GOOD OL`PEGBOARD

Back at our house I was enjoying finally having a space in the utility room to organize some tools and getting some maintenance work started. One of the first things that I noticed after moving in, was out of the 5, three way light switches in the house, only one was wired correctly. How could someone live in a house for over 15 years and go back across a room to the switch used to turn a light off to be able to turn it back on? I finally managed to switch the wires onto their proper connection even though the normal practice of using a red wire was not used for the common lead.

CARPENTER CAROLE
CARPENTER CAROLE

Carole and I picked out some dark walnut paneling to install on the lower half of the entry way and dining room walls. Wallpaper on the upper half would follow a little later.

The “R” on the storm door from the previous owners would soon be removed.

BUSY BUSY
BUSY BUSY

We made new cornice boards for the draperies in the living room, dining room and family room picture windows.

Dad was putting a second coat of paint on our 5×10 plywood ping pong table which would fit on top of the pool table. We had many heated games on that table.

DEBBIE
DEBBIE & THE GOATS

 

This summer also saw some new family moving into the Barn House menagerie. Mother added a new goat and her little kids. Debbie loved feeding the little kids and playing with them in the back field.

 

SHHHH
SHHHH

Dad built a shelter in the back field for the goat and her kids. The sheep also took advantage of the shade on hot days. But, when it was nap time Betsy would clear everyone out so her kids could rest. Greg helped keep things quiet.

 

UP CLOSE
UP CLOSE

On one sunny weekend we took a break from our work on the house and visited the Indianapolis Zoo. Debbie and Greg enjoyed seeing the different animals but, their favorite was the petting zoo attraction.

INDIANAPOLIS ZOO
INDIANAPOLIS ZOO
MAY M WOLFF & MRVIN
MAY M WOLFF & MRVIN

Grandma Wolff also found herself moving this summer. Uncle Willard and Aunt Edna bought a duplex in Westfield and Grandma moved into one side. Westfield in 1968, was just a small town surrounded by large areas of farmland. Grandma was 84 now and still living on her own but, arthritis was slowing her a bit and it was nice to have someone close.

1968 OLD MAIN
1968 OLD MAIN

A little Wolff history…the “Old Main” building on the Anderson College campus was taken down this summer of 1968. Grandpa Felix Wolff helped build this building after moving to Anderson from Moundsville, West Virginia with the Gospel Trumpet. Back then it was the first Trumpet Home.

CAROLE AT BIBLE SCHOOL
CAROLE AT BIBLE SCHOOL

Carole helped with the Pendleton Methodist Church Summer Bible School Camp, which was held atTurkey Run State Park. Debbie and Greg went with her while I stayed home and worked. As I remember it may have been a three day week end retreat.

CAROLE, DAD & UNCLE HOWARD
CAROLE, DAD & UNCLE HOWARD

Late this summer, Uncle Howard came by train from San Jose for a family visit and stopped by to see us and our new home. We had just moved the pool table into the family room from the garage this week. He really thought that was great!

 

1968 FALL

DEBBIE`S BEDROOM
DEBBIE`S BEDROOM

August came and we celebrated Debbie`s 5th Birthday painting her bedroom with the color she picked out.

We were still working on other areas of the house trying to finish up before Christmas.

I was back in the tool room still working the second shift that I hated…not the work…just the hours!

BARRETT`S 55TH ANNIVERSARY
BARRETT`S 55TH ANNIVERSARY

September rolled around and Grandpa and Grandma Barrett were given a party to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary. Still looking good!

With fall in the air, it was the time that they started canning and freezing fruits and vegetables from their huge garden.

GREG`s 5TH BIRTHDAY
GREG`s 5TH BIRTHDAY

October brought Greg`s 3rd birthday to our new home. He had already made a lot of new friends from the neighborhood behind us. We did find time to re-assemble the swing set in the back yard for the kids to play on.

 

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD GANG
NEW NEIGHBORHOOD GANG
1968 CAROLE`S BIRTHDAY
1968 CAROLE`S BIRTHDAY

 

November was Carole`s birthday and she was surprised with a birthday cake from Mother and Dad.

 

 

 

BARRETT`s THANKSGIVING
BARRETT`s THANKSGIVING

Thanksgivings were split between the Barretts and the Laws. This year we were at Grandpa and Grandma`s home for dinner. The aunts and uncles and cousins would all show up and the usual “kids table” was set up! I helped cut the turkey and ham for the kids.

 

 

CHRISTMAS ON SCATTERFIELD
CHRISTMAS ON SCATTERFIELD

Our first Christmas in our new home was a dream come true. We were up early and sharing the excitement of our family together on this morning seemed special.

 

FIRST CHRISTMAS AT HOME
FIRST CHRISTMAS AT HOME

We also had finished the addition of the walnut paneling and the textured wallpaper to the dining room walls just in time for Christmas.

We still had several Christmases to share this day.

 

FIRST CHRISTMAS 2ND DEN
FIRST CHRISTMAS 2ND DEN

 

Mother and Dad had a first Christmas too-in their second den! Their Christmas tree was traditionally set up in the living room by the stairway so, this was something special.

 

1968 Greg & Grandpa Barrett

GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT
GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT

 

Grandpa and Grandma Barrett`s Christmas was next and I got some good photos with the kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finished the great year of 1968, with the Laws Christmas and a visit to Grandma Wolff. Let’s see what the future on Scatterfield Road brings as we recall past events and happenings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR SECOND BORN!

OCTOBER 3, 1965

On a crisp October morning, our second child was about to join our Wolff Pack. We still had no idea if it would be a boy or a girl, but we were prepared with names picked out for either one. Jennifer Ann Wolff was decided on if a girl was born and Gregory Alan Wolff if a boy.

The name selection for a boy created quite a controversy with my parents. Mother just assumed we would follow the tradition that was started with Marvin Eugene Wolff, Marvin Eugene Wolff, Jr. and of course Marvin Eugene Wolff, III. I was the stumbling block when it came to the “family tradition”!

These were my thoughts on the issue. Immediately after I was born, I was nicknamed “Skippy” as I was considered the skipper of the ship. The next problem arose when I was enrolled for school. Was it Marvin Eugene Wolff, Jr.? No, it was Gene Wolff! My playmates and family called me Skippy, but at school I was Gene. Grandpa Wolff was the only one who deferred to the use of Gene. After graduation from high school, I enrolled at Purdue as Marvin Eugene Wolff, Jr. and the name Marvin followed me to work. Work and Apprentice school…Marvin, Friends and family…Skip, old classmates…Gene.

If we had a son,I did not want him to go through that confusion. Carole diplomatically deferred the son naming to me and we headed to Community Hospital with our selected names ready for whoever popped out!

GREGORY ALAN WOLFF
GREGORY ALAN WOLFF

Greg was born that day and Dad came to the hospital to visit, but Mother didn’t. It was just one small protest, because once Greg was home, they were both there!

CAN I HOLD HIM?
CAN I HOLD HIM?

 

 

Debbie loved her new brother and was always by his side like a mother hen. She loved to rock him in his cradle and sing to him.

 

IS IT NAP TIME YET?
IS IT NAP TIME YET?

Carole was recovering from an iron deficiency and Greg was a little anemic, but was coming along fine. I took a few days off from work to help out a little, but still had to attend night classed for the apprentice school.

1965 THANKSGIVING

OOPS
OOPS

With all the October excitement going on, Thanksgiving kind of snuck up on us this year. But, Esther was prepared as usual with turkey and all the fixin`s! We finally were able to sneak another photo of Carole`s mother, only because she thought she wasn’t in it.

1965 CHRISTMAS

BE VEWY, VEWY QUIET
BE VEWY, VEWY QUIET

Debbie, as always, keeping an eye on Greg as we prepared for the Christmas season. Apprentice wages were not the best, but we had a great Christmas and splurged on a few things. The main spirit was IMG_20180903_0008thankfulness that we were a family together in a comfortable home and that we shared an optimistic outlook for the future.

 

 

TOY BOX OR PLAYHOUSE?
TOY BOX OR PLAYHOUSE?
WELCOME HOME GREG
WELCOME HOME GREG

 

 

Of course, Mother came around and got over her huff once Greg came home and we enjoyed Christmas at their Wolff`s Den.

Christmas was always hectic and exciting as we were lucky enough to have both grandparents and great-grandparents around to share Christmas with. So five Christmases were enjoyed by all!

1966 SPRING

SMILE!
SMILE!

Not much of anything going on this spring except work and apprentice school. Of course Greg was growing like a weed and Debbie was still enamored with him.

Two years into my four year apprenticeship and I had been working the day shift at Guide all of this time. That was the norm for apprentices, because day shift had more machinist and journeymen for us to work with. We had a required number of Gregtraining hours on each machine with a skilled machinist. After my two years, I had completed almost all of my machine time. Getting the machine time in early was required so that as we began to train under a journeyman tool and die maker we were expected to do our own machining as needed.

A fellow apprentice and I discussed the appeal of working third shift, however no apprentices had ever been placed on third shift before.

In 1963 our apprentice class was one of the largest ever started at one time and this did create some scheduling problems with our training requirements. We planned to use this to our advantage with our plea to be placed on third shift. Not only would we get a 10% third shift pay premium, but there would be more machines open for our use as we worked on our die making details. We would also be available to run service on the tools and dies out in the plant, under a journeyman’s supervision of course. Sounded like a no brainer to us.

SMALL METAL LATHE
SMALL METAL LATHE

A few of the dozen or more metal working machines that we served time on are shown here.

SURFACE GRINDER
SURFACE GRINDER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HORIZONTAL BOARING MILL
HORIZONTAL BORING MILL
LARGE CENTER LATHE
LARGE CENTER LATHE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAPER
SHAPER
INTERNAL GRINDER
INTERNAL GRINDER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JIG BORER
JIG BORER

 

A few weeks later I was called to the general foreman`s office. It seemed our idea about third shift made its` way to the tool rooms superintendent`s  desk and he supported the idea. We were to start third shift next week! This was not achieved without a stern warning. “Don’t screw this up or third shift will never have another apprentice!” I went on to complete my remaining apprentice hours on third shift.

1962 APRIL  GUIDE ADVERTISEMENT (30)In 1966, Guide Lamp was rapidly growing to become the largest automotive parts supplier in the world.

1966 AERIAL VIEW
1966 AERIAL VIEW

1966 SUMMER

OH BOY!
OH BOY!

 

We enjoyed a nice sized back yard across from the Falls Park and added a swing set for the kids. Well, for Debbie right now.

We just finished planting the boxwood hedge along the north side of the house.

 

Carole`s mother, Esther, worked as an inspector for Micro-Matic Hone corporation in Pendleton. Carole would frequently take the kids on a stroll to the plant and have lunch with her.

My being on third shift afforded me a few extra perks. Preparing for the new model change over, spring was a very busy and hectic time for Guide. We were finishing up the new production dies, tools and fixtures for the new model year coming up this fall. Overtime was required in order to complete projects in time to run trial parts prior to production start up.

One of the perks was that we were told we were going to have to work weekends. Apprentices were seldom  given the oportunity to work overtime, but they were going to try it on third shift!

The other perk was that the extra hours worked, counted toward my required number of apprentice training hours!

The Barrett clan had the regular summer family get together dinner. A good  photo op of Mother`s family!

THE BARRETT CLAN
THE BARRETT CLAN

Left to right, Marv & Gerrie Wolff, Jim & Jin Prevo, Jay & Dorthy(Dot) Barrett, Fred Scarcelli, Marg & Walt Schimmer, Grandpa Barrett and Mae Scarcelli.

While I had the camera out, I had Dad take some candid shots of Debbie and us. (Greg was staying with Goggie.)

DEBBIE & CAROLE
DEBBIE & CAROLE
DEBBIE & SKIP
DEBBIE & SKIP
DEBBIE`S THIRD BIRTHDAY
DEBBIE`S THIRD BIRTHDAY

Debbie`s third birthday was celebrated twice this year, one with family and one with friends.

 

 

 

1966, OCTOBER 3

GRACE PETTIGREW< GREG & ESTHER LAWS
GRACE PETTIGREW< GREG & ESTHER LAWS

How time flies. Greg`s birthday party at Goggie`s house, captured two of the hardest people in the world to photograph, Esther Laws and her mother Grace Pettigrew!

 

1966 OLD CABINETSAnother sneak photo of Esther in her kitchen shows her cabinet doors that were warped and would not close. I found some louvered shutters and trimmed them to fit. Adding some new hardware and her cabinet doors were good again. Of course we had to fight over her wanting, no…demanding, to pay me. I lost!1967 NEW CABINET DOORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GREG & HORSEY
GREG & HORSEY

 

 

We got Greg his beloved “Horsey” for his birthday since it was an on the floor type. He loved it.

 

 

 

ONCE UPON A TIME
ONCE UPON A TIME

 

 

Meanwhile, Debbie was enjoying her audio story books while using my stereo headphones.

 

 

1966 CHRISTMAS

1966 CHRISTMAS
1966 CHRISTMAS

We decided this would be our last Christmas in this house. It was great, but with two kids now, the two bedrooms were crowded. We began weighing our options.

Debbie got her own colonial rocker this year.

 

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

 

Christmas at Mother and Dad`s was great. We even enjoyed putting together Debbie’s tea table she received from them.

 

MAY I SERVE?
MAY I SERVE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REALLY?
REALLY?

Debbie`s visit with Santa went well. She had a lot of questions, which Santa was eager to answer. Greg did not like Santa!

We wished Santa could give us an easy answer to our question concerning where to move. We weighed all the pros and cons of staying in Pendleton versus moving to Anderson. Anderson won out.

Anderson schools, at the time, offered a broader curriculum and many more extra curricular activities. We also felt the need for the kids to grow up in and experience the ethnic and cultural social changes which Anderson provided. And of course, most of our entertainment was in Anderson.

HE TALKS
HE TALKS

 

Debbie enjoyed playing with her little brother and encouraging him to walk.

 

 

 

1967JANUARY

Once again, Mother and Dad were not pleased with our decision. They had planned on our staying in the house for a longer period of time and now talked about the dreaded prospect of selling the house. Selling the house? We thought it was a retirement investment! Why not rent it? No, it had to be sold.

We of course went ahead with our plans and found a nice three bedroom rental on a quite dead end street on Lafayette Circle in north Anderson.

LAFAYETTE CIRCLE
LAFAYETTE CIRCLE

 

Our third rental had much more room for our expanded family plus an attached garage which we used for a pool room. Our (my) Christmas/Graduation present was a new pool table, so the car stayed outside.

 

FIRST STEPS
FIRST STEPS

Shortly after we were settled in, we were in the back bedroom putting some things away when, from the living room, Greg`s curiosity got the best of him and he took his first steps to find out what we were doing! Luckily, he was very slow and I was able to grab the camera.

STORY TIME
STORY TIME

 

 

 

Debbie kept Greg occupied with her story telling skills.

 

 

 

1967 MAY

After our hectic move and the resettling, I attended my Anderson Apprentice School graduation ceremonies. With the help of overtime hours, I had completed my hourly training requirements and was now a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker!

1967 DIPLOMA
1967 DIPLOMA

1962

 

My identification badge showed I worked in the 390 tool room department and my time clock number was 077.

 

 

 

COLLECTING THE CARDS
COLLECTING THE CARDS

Hourly rate employees had to “ring” in and out at the beginning and end of our shift. The term “ring in” was tagged because as the time card was pushed down into the time clock, it would “ring” to let you know it was stamped on your card. Back in those days, your social security number was on almost everything, including the top of your time card.

GO FIX IT
GO FIX IT

 

 

We had tricycles provided for us to run service on the tools and dies out in the plant. It did cover several acres!

 

 

I CAN GO
I CAN GO

Greg had a tricycle too! But, Debbie had to make sure it was safe for him. The circle, with its sidewalks, made a great play area.

We only had one incident with fast traffic and it was motorcycles. We dads in the neighborhood tried talking to the riders about slowing down, to no avail. So, one day we all waited for their usual race with our rakes and broom handles at the ready. As the cycles started down the circle we postured as if to throw the rake and broom handles through the spokes of their wheels. For some reason they found another race route!

BATH TIME
BATH TIME

 

We rescued our first dog, a shepherd mix. He rapidly became one of the family and played with all the neighborhood kids.

 

 

OUR GANG
OUR GANG

 

Speaking of neighborhood kids, these are just a few of them with Debbie. Look at all the toe heads…must be something in the water! Greg`s was snow white too.

 

1967 FALL

I started out working regular overtime after graduation, however because of seniority rules I was transferred to second shift. I hated second shift! It seemed as though we couldn’t get anything done at home. Before you knew it, it was time to go to work and when I got home everyone was ready for bed.

On the weekends most of the adults were up late sitting and visiting on their porches or driveways. So, when I would get home, Carole and I would have coffee and visit and solve the world problems with the neighbors.

At work I heard about a house in north Anderson that was just refurbished and ready to rent. It had larger rooms and kitchen and a big back yard. It was in the Greenbrier Addition, Aspen Court, on a corner lot with privacy shrubs along both streets. We went to see it and put down a deposit.

greg67We moved in just before Greg`s second birthday. Before we left the old neighborhood, one of the families offered to have a birthday party for Greg since all his friends were there. We thankfully accepted and had a great birthday party and farewell!

1967 birthday

 

OUR FOURTH HOUSE RENTAL

DEBBIES` BIKE
DEBBIES` BIKE

Debbie got her first bike, complete with training wheels, just before we left Lafayette Circle.

We settled in just before Thanksgiving and felt we had plenty to be thankful for.

 

LIVING THE DREAM
LIVING THE DREAM

A new avocado green, side by side refrigerator freezer was a great thing to be thankful for in 1967!

Another thing to be thankful for was being offered the opportunity to go on salary at work to help out in the tool design department. The winter months were always the overtime months for tool designing getting ready for the next years lighting products. I decided to give it a try. We worked 10 hour days and 8 hours on Saturday.

1967 CHRISTMAS

THE CUSTOM VANITY
THE CUSTOM VANITY

Carole and I built Debbie a vanity and bench for her bedroom this Christmas. Greg graduated from the glockenspiel to a ukulele this year and Carole broke a string while tuning it.

 

HERE, LET ME HELP
HERE, LET ME HELP
DEBBIE, MARV, GREG and GERRIE
DEBBIE, MARV, GREG and GERRIE

 

As usual we had the many Christmases with our families and it has been a great year for The Wolff’s Den!

 

ESTHER LAWS
ESTHER LAWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOTHER and GRANDPA BARRETT
MOTHER and GRANDPA & GRANDMA BARRETT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1968 SPRING 

GRANDMA WOLFF
GRANDMA WOLFF

Easter rolled around and we paid Grandma Wolff a visit at her assisted living home in Westfield. The annual Easter egg hunt was enjoyed at the original Wolff`s Den.

 

 

1968 Easter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I GOT THIS
I GOT THIS

As the weather warmed the bikes and trikes emerged for their summer fun. Debbie had her training wheels removed from her bike and Carole helped with riding lessons.

 

LET`S GO
LET`S GO

Greg enjoyed the slight incline on our driveway to race downhill to the sidewalk.

 

 

 

 

1968 SMMER

Overtime in tool design was coming to an end . I decided to return to the tool room and go back on the clock as their overtime season was about to begin.

Carole had been having severe abdominal pain that would come and go. The doctor was pretty sure it was gall bladder attaches, but each time tests were run, they didn’t show any blockage. Surgery couldn`t be done without the tests showing positive blockage.

Debbie was finishing her year of pre-school and Carole didn’t have to drive her each day now and that helped. However, the pains persisted.

Finally, a test showed some blockage and surgery was scheduled. Our neighbor lady volunteered to keep the kids during the day for as long as we needed! Let’s get this done.

Backtracking a bit…  Carole and I had bought a lot in the new Wooded Ridge addition in Pendleton, before we made the decision to move to Anderson. Now lately, we had been watching the adds for houses for sale in Anderson. We had pretty much decided on the south side of town and the Madison Heights high School district.

Back to present…The surgery went well and the reason it took so long for the tests to show blockage, was that there were no stones. What she had was like sand that would block and then clear out. Well at last that’s over and would be home in a few days.

In the mean time, I heard about a house thad had just been reduced in price by a widow who was eager to move. It was at 4533 Scatterfield Road…Madison Heights school district…Franklin Grade School just down the road.

I made an appointment to see the house. It was a three bedroom, brick ranch style built in 1952 on half acre lot. The 2800 square foot living space included two full baths, large living room with fireplace and built in bookshelves and cabinets, a dining room, large kitchen with breakfast nook and built in pantry, a laundry room, family room with an open beamed ceiling, knotty pine paneling and a fireplace. The furnace room off the kitchen opened into the two car garage and off the end of that was a workshop. It needed some painting and minor maintenance, but I loved it. Carole was being released today. Would she love it too? Could we afford it? What happens next?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR FIRST BORN!

1963, AUGUST 23,

I AM READY!!!
I AM READY!!!

On a very hot August afternoon, Carole was more than ready to deliver our first child. After two false alarm trips to the hospital this month, we were both kind of in a matter-of -fact mood to get this done.

We didn`t know if it would be a boy or girl. We just wanted a happy, healthy baby!

1d01All of the tests and checkups were positive and we were ready. We stopped by Mother and Dad`s on our way to Community Hospital in Anderson as the first labor pains started….again.

SKIP, CAROLE & Mother
SKIP, CAROLE & Mother

After all the ‘well wishes’ and ‘good lucks’, we headed toward the hospital as the pains increased in frequency.

SKIP, CAROLE & DAD
SKIP, CAROLE & DAD

We ended up driving around town for awhile, waiting on the pains to get closer together and trying not to have another false alarm. As they grew closer together we decided to check in and wait for the results. And wait and wait….it was pretty obvious as to why my area was named the waiting room! In those days that is what the father did…just stay out of the way!

1963, August 24,

DEBRA LYNN WOLFF
DEBRA LYNN WOLFF

 

About eight hours later this stubborn child decided to finally join us. A beautiful baby girl, Debra Lynn Wolff!

Carole stayed another day at the hospital, which was standard procedure then. We finally were able to head for home.

 

CAROLE & LITTLE DEBBIE
CAROLE & LITTLE DEBBIE

It was great to have  our family home, but we still had concerns about the health issues of heating a house with a kerosene heater. Mother and Dad had discussed the issue with us and they were helping us find a different place to rent.

Meanwhile, we had a constant flow of family and friends coming to see “Little Debbie”.

MARVIN SR. & DEBBIE
MARVIN SR. & DEBBIE
MARV & GERRIE
MARV & GERRIE
SKIP & DEBBIE
SKIP & DEBBIE

All this commotion just wore us out! Then it was back to work and apprentice school for me and mothering for Carole!

1963, September

PICTURE PERFECT
PICTURE PERFECT

All was picture perfect as we got used to no longer having a regular routinte. Fixing formula, sterilizing bottles, washing and drying diapers and walking the floor with a child that had her days and nights mixed up!

 

Barrett

Mother had been planning a 50th wedding anniversary for Grandpa and Grandma Barrett for some time and now the date of September 18th, 1913, would be celebrated! The Park Place Church of God hosted a reception and Mother hosted another one on a later date at The Wolff`s Den for the family and friends that couldn`t attend the other.

ARTHUR AND HILDRED BARRETT
ARTHUR AND HILDRED BARRETT

At the Barn House pond, decorations were added for the 50th anniversary celebration.

Barrett2

PENDLETON HOUSE
PENDLETON HOUSE

1963, NOVEMBER

Mother and Dad found a two bedroom house in Pendleton which they decided to buy for a future retirement investment. We could rent it at a very reasonable rate which included some sweat equity  for our painting and landscaping work! The location was great! It was just down the street from Carole`s mother and just across the street was Falls Park with a playground.

GRANDMA WOLFF & DEBBIE
GRANDMA WOLFF & DEBBIE
LAMB CHOP & DEBBIE
LAMB CHOP & DEBBIE

We settled into the “spacious” two bedroom house and Grandma Wolff came over for a visit with Mother and Dad. Debbie seemed much more contented here in this house with its` central heating keeping us all comfortable.

Dad gave me his old Argus 35mm film camera when he bought his new Zeiss Icon single lens reflex camera. A new baby and camera equals way too many events that can not be ignored!

THE BIG BAD WOLFF
THE BIG BAD WOLFF
MOTHER & DAUGHTER
MOTHER & DAUGHTER
DEBBIE AT 3 MONTHS
DEBBIE AT 3 MONTHS

1963, DECEMBER

DEBBIE`S FIRST CHRISTMAS
DEBBIE`S FIRST CHRISTMAS

Our first Christmas together for the three of us was awesome! Just to be settled and comfortable was the best gift ever. Work and apprentice classes kept me busy and Carole worked non-stop getting the house furnished and decorated.

1963 CHRISTMAS
1963 CHRISTMAS

1963 Debbie 2

Debbie`s Christmas photo captured her bright personality!

KNIGHT KIT TUNER
KNIGHT KIT TUNER

During the winter I had started acquiring components for a stereo music system. So, for Christmas I got a  Knight do-it-yourself kit for an AM-FM stereo resistor tuner. Carole helped me sort and identify parts that we soldered to the circuit board. We had parts scattered all over the formica top kitchen table we built with help from Dad`s Shop Smith. As we plugged it in and flipped the power switch and the frequency setting light came on we were so excited! But, when the Indianapolis Stereo FM station tuned in and played through the two speakers, it was awesome to behold. What a great Christmas it was.

1964, SPRING

Winter plodded along and finally gave way to some beautiful spring weather. The Grandparents and Great- Grandparents came over for a visit and Mother was able to catch us all together for a rare photo op!

THE BARRETTS & WOLFFS
THE BARRETTS & WOLFFS

Carole and I had been providing some of our sweat equity into painting the rooms over the winter and soon it would be time for the landscaping.

STARTING THE FENCE
STARTING THE FENCE

We had finished planting the pine trees along the front of the house and were starting on the fence. Lots of post holes to be dug

THE INSPECTOR
THE INSPECTOR

After a few weekends, the project was finished and Debbie was more free to roam.

1964 Debbie & Pendleton House

These trees, over the years, would grow to be over 30 feet high until being cut down in 2017.

In the fall of 1963, when the new model year cars would go on display, I had been reading about a new model Chevrolet Corvair which was being released this year. It was a sporty model named the Corvair Monza Spyder and it featured a four speed, floor mount shift  with a posi-traction differential. This would provide great traction combined with the rear engine design. The four cylinder engine was beefed up and a turbo charged induction system was added. It was rated at 150 horse power and when the turbo charger kicked in it had great acceleration. We had to go check it out!

1964 CORVAIR SPYDER
1964 CORVAIR SPYDER

Wow with wire wheels…it was awesome! Puckett Chevrolet, in Pendleton, only had one in stock and begged us to delay purchase so that they could display it a little longer. We agreed to a couple weeks and got a better deal on our 58` Chevy convertible trade.

Spyder The bucket seats and instrument panel really gave it a sporty feel. The rear engine compartment even had room for a full sized spare tire!images-2

I LIKE IT!
I LIKE IT!

One early morning, we found Miss Mischief in the entry way with her newly discovered play thing.

WHAT?
WHAT?

 

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

A few weeks later, we found this doll advertised in a magazine and had a good laugh. Of course we had to have it and that was the beginning of a re-established doll collection. (Carole`s childhood doll collection was discarded by her mother during a clean out session after we were married. Nothing malicious, just thoughtless.) Little did I know that my comic book and baseball card collections would befall the same thoughtlessness!

1964 FALL

Part of the Wolff clean out was a result of rearranging the house to make room for Mother`s new home business.

Let me back up a bit to 1959. Xerox introduced a new office copy machine that could produce copies on plain paper.

“The company had been founded in 1906 as the Haloid Company and is known today as the Xerox Corporation. In 1959, it introduced an office copier called the Haloid Xerox 914, a machine that, unlike its numerous competitors, made sharp, permanent copies on ordinary paper—a huge breakthrough. The process, which Haloid called xerography (based on Greek words meaning “dry” and “writing”), was so unusual and nonintuitive that physicists who visited the drafty warehouses where the first machines were built sometimes expressed doubt that it was even theoretically feasible.

Since Chester Carlson thought of xerography, no one has come up with a better way of making copies on plain paper. That is an almost inconceivable achievement, given the usual pace of hightechnology innovation, evolution and extinction. ”

XEROX 914
XEROX 914

Mother`s new printing business would be built around this new technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_20180821_0001

NEW OFFICE SPACE
NEW OFFICE SPACE

 

 

 

 

 

The sunroom on the back of the house would become the Wolff`s Printing and Copying Service office area. The second den, with the flat roof, would house the Xerox machine, typewriters, paper cutter, binding and packaging equipment.

The IBM Selectrix  Golf Ball electric typewriter would provide font changes. A choice of 20 different fonts could be selected just by changing the golf ball type key.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS
OPEN FOR BUSINESS

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY

August 23, 1964, a birthday party for Debbie and I am still unable to get a photo of her grandmother Esther. When she notices a camera come out she vanishes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Barrett`s side 8/24/64

Grandma Gerrie and Grandpa and Grandma Barrett managed a photo op.

Grandpa and Grandma gave us their cherry drop leaf table as a house warming gift!

 

Deb & Mom 8/24/64

 

Let’s start this music awareness as early as possible!

Wow! I made beautiful music.

 

 

I LIKE THIS ONE
I LIKE THIS ONE

 

Debbies interests also included the flora and fauna that surrounded her while growing up.

 

1965 SPRING

GRANDMA BARRETT
GRANDMA BARRETT

Grandma Barrett was the horticulturalist matriarch of the family. But Debbie also enjoyed Grandma Gerrie`s flower gardens.

deb65

 

 

THIS IS THE LIFE
THIS IS THE LIFE

 

 

 

 

 

A riding tour of the early Spring vegetable garden from the comfort of the garden tractor trailer was a treat.

 

WHAT IS THIS FOR?
WHAT IS THIS FOR?

 

Easter, this year, was an exciting new experience to be enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

Another experience, which was not new, was also about to be enjoyed. Carole was pregnant again!

OH BOY!
OH BOY!

Just as with Debbie`s birth, we didn’t want to know the gender. We enjoyed the suspense. But some speculation was inevitable.

We had a beautiful daughter, so naturally we were hoping for a healthy boy. Looking at the genetic odds didn’t help much. My mother’s  siblings consisted of 3 sisters and a brother. My dad had 3 brothers. Carole`s mother had 2 sisters and a brother. Carole`s dad had a brother and sister. Wow a 50-50 chance!

1965 SUMMER

I CAN DO THIS
I CAN DO THIS

Another Summer roles around and not much going on but apprentice school, work and doctor appointments. We did find time for visits to the park and some tricycle lessons for Debbie.

 

 

OH QUIT THAT!
OH QUIT THAT!

 

As we headed in to Fall, I finally managed to click a sneak photo of Carole`s Mother, Esther Laws,  “Goggie”.

Now on to our next installment of The Wolff`s Den!