In the 1970s the descendants of Lafe and Dollie Wadsworth
wrote, and I compiled a newsletter each year where we all shared the most
important things that happened that year.
The 1981 letter never did get compiled and sent. But Linda Lee found the original from our
family, and I presume others, which I reproduce below. Note that the research trips were for the
George Allen Wadsworth book which would be published in 1983 with the updated
30th anniversary edition in 2013. Of course, we always looked for
information on all our ancestors on these trips, so we found some interesting
Free data as well. I seem to remember that it was in the archives in Reno that
we found information on the Walker family as well as much other great stuff.
LFK
Keep reading, because this includes a most scary
experience from my Mom and Dad as well.
Well, it was really scary for all of us.
1981 30 Nov The Most Important Thing[s] that have
happened to me this year
By the VanderBeeks
RON: This year
has been very eventful – from minor events such as extracting Margo’s tooth, to
exciting events such as a genealogy trip to Reno, Nevada, to an adventure trip
to Ghost Towns in Montana and the Jordan Temple Open House, to major decision
events such as changing jobs. The major decision was the most difficult. The
job that I had was designing control systems for the nuclear reactors at the
Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.
Although
I enjoyed the work, it was slowing down because one of the reactors was going
to be shut down after its last experimental test, and funding was not
appropriated for another existing reactor. There was still work but the outlook
was not promising. Although engineering jobs elsewhere were plentiful, the
economy being the way it is – mortgage rates 18% and a buyer rather than seller
market – it did not lend well to the decision of moving to another area. I
interviewed in the company and found a job in the engineering field but not in
the design end. It is in the licensing of nuclear reactors for the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission [NRC].
It
was a big step I feel from engineering design to the new job, but I feel now
that it will benefit me in the engineering career that I chose in college.
Since I’ve been at my new job I have traveled to Washington, DC to meet with
the NRS and will be going back again this December. I will also be visiting a
nuclear reactor plant in Massachusetts in December.
A
spiritual event has been my calling as the Ward Clerk of Osgood Ward, Idaho
Falls West Stake.
HELEN [LaRae]: On
the 10th of Oct Mary Ann Smith [my bodyguard] and I were in Paradise
to attend the baptism of Pat Whiting and her sons Michael [10] and Mark [15].
Pat
and I have been working long distance on a genealogical publication, Born Free, for three years. I had sent a
Book of Mormon about a year ago. In
Sept she called because she was blue; she still hadn’t found a job. So in the
course of our conversation she said she wanted to know something about my
church. I sent the missionaries to her, and she and her boys listened.
Sat
morning [Oct 10] Mary Ann and I flew to San Francisco, rented a car and drove
to Paradise, California. When we arrived at Pat’s, she and I hugged. It was the
first time we had ever seen each other.
On
the plane home, I was surprised to find my mission president, Robert Backman.
It was wonderful to be able to tell him why were in midair with him.
SIMONE [age 12]: In Nov we went to the Jordan Temple. It
was real nice and warm. I never have been in all parts of a temple before. It
was real special. I saw all the rooms; they’re real pretty. We went through all
of the floors, so we could see all the rooms, like the sealing rooms, baptismal
font and the Celestial room, etc. The chandeliers were really pretty. I couldn’t find a fingerprint on anything.
I
also got on the eighth grade first string basketball team. I really like to
play basketball.
MARGO [age 10]: This summer we went to Reno, Lake Tahoe
and Provo. On Labor Day we went to Virginia City and Silver City, Montana which
are ghost towns. Other places we went are Panaca, Salt Lake and Boise. I’m in
fifth grade. I’m on the school basketball team. At Reno we went to Circus
Circus. We saw some acrobats. I won two toys by throwing balls in a straight
line. It didn’t matter which way the line went.
DAVID [age 6, just barely]: Jordan Temple Oct 1981: I liked the big round light with the diamonds
hanging down. I like the baptism with the cows’ heads stuck out.
Kindergarten Aug 1981: I like when I started school. We
got a new store from doing all our ABCs good. I love Mrs. Chappell [his teacher
who was also a Pulsipher relative].
Lagoon Summer 1981: I liked the fair on the way to Provo.
I like the haunted house – the pictures they show and how they pretend to break
stuff. I like the kid roller coaster.
I
have chicken pox.
I
want to tell my jokes:
Q. Where was Johnny when the lights went out?
A. In the dark.
Q. Why is a horse like a leaky barrel?
A. Because they both run.
LORY AND MYRTLE JOY FREE CHRISTMAS
1981
One of the days that stands out most in 1981 for Lory and
I is April 16th. He and Matt and Mark had been working with his
little horse, Hickory, and Lory had been injured. He and Matt came in Grandma’s
house. Matt looked sort of scared and Lory looked, well, sort of “beat
up.” They told us about the accident and
Lory showed us his hand that had a huge swelled up black and blue bruise on it.
I said, “Lory, I think you had better go to the Doctor.” He said, “No, I think it will be alright.” So
we hurried and got it in cold water. In a few minutes Aunt Helen said, “Lory, I
think you had better go to the Doctor.” He said, “I’ll be okay.” A few minutes more passed by, then Lory said,
“I think I had better go see the Doctor.”
It turned out that in addition to many bruises he had three injured ribs
and a separated shoulder that required major surgery. That was bad, but the
really frightening time came five days after he had been released from the
hospital. I came up stairs and found him writhing in pain and struggling to
breath. We rushed him to the emergency. We saw on the screen the huge blood
clot that had gone through his heart and lodged in his left artery. Then it was
that his life hung in the balance. Nick and David administered to him while he
was in the semi-intensive care having pain shots every hour and pain pills
every other hour in addition to make it possible for him to breath. Nick in the
prayer said, “Your family needs you,” and he did get well. It’s hard to explain
how grateful one can feel to have her companion still here when the opposite
possibility was so close. I am so
thankful for this blessing. Myrtle Joy
Mamma [Dollie] had her surgery, and it was not
malignant. We are so thankful. Aunt Rae
[Empie] passed away after much suffering. There was the really fun Wadsworth
Family Reunion on the 25th of July in Panaca. Helen Rae and I worked
very hard on it along with some other folks. The rest of the 24th of
July celebration was very special also. We surely saw a lot of dear and loved
friends and relatives. There are so many good things like grandson Sammy
receiving the Aaronic Priesthood and little granddaughter Charlotte learning to
walk and long walks with Andy and Nicky and I together, Sam and Simone coming
for the BYU basketball clinics and others of the family being with us here in
Provo, our trips to Panaca, etc. We are so grateful for our association with
each one of you and that YOU are our relative. We wish you all a happy
Christmas and a wonderful year/years ahead. Love and God bless you each one.
Uncle Lory and Aunt Myrtle Joy
I dreamed I found a gold mine and there by the burned out
fire was a frying pan and a can full of gold nuggets…Uncle Lory…
I love my family. I’m happier where you all are. Thank
you for helping me and being so kind when I need it. Grandma [Dollie] Wadsworth
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