January 31, 1932 - Sunday

I slept late again this morning altho’ I did manage to get about an hour studying in before lunch. Afterwards Doro and I went to a show. Talked to Jeanne & Jane before and after tea. George got back at eleven & called.

I started out to Phi Beta this term and I’ve been kind of slowing down lately but I’ve got to keep it up because I want an A in sociology. It wouldn’t hurt me to study ancient history either. Mid terms here already.

January 30, 1932 - Saturday

George went to Portland today. I slept until eleven. George called just before he left. We put on a matinee this afternoon. I went to a show between then and dinner. Then the play again tonight. To bed at 12.

Jane's Notes: Scrapbook has a program from "The Trojan Women" at the Guild Theatre. Members of the Chorus include Ann Powell.

January 29, 1932 - Friday

My room is still filled with flowers. We didn’t have class this afternoon so I washed my hair and rested. The play went off pretty well tonight. George brought me home and stayed until 12:15.

George answers his father's letter:

Hello Dad,

I enjoyed your letter immensely, and my little friend down on the mill race liked it too. She asked me to return your hello and to tell you that she is just dying to see you again --- don’t talk to me about dazzling them.

Yes, we have quite a lot in common --- you like waffles and I like them too. However, waffles with horn rimmed glasses on them are very very strange creatures. This girl might have come from Astoria, but all that does for me is to put the kibosh on that flowering young city.

Yesterday was Anne’s birthday, and she is now a very old woman, 21, with all the wisdom and experience that goes with age of course. All of her friends came through with a flock of lovely presents, and just made her one of the happiest girls in Eugene. She received six letters from home, a jeweled bracelet (jewels were diamonds of course), six hundred dollars, a nice pillow, and all the other little incidentals they grow in the Orient.  I ups and sends the little flower of the afore-mentioned Orient, a bunch of roses. But, oh, the care I enclosed Dad. Hi – Di – Dy – Di – a card like that should be worth all the diamond bracelets in the world. Maybe I am reaching for the moon – sometimes I think I am. I am going to stick though, and see this thing through. I heard you say that faint heart never won fair lady --- well just come around one of these days and see what a strong heart I have.

It will certainly seem good to have you and mother down here for a little visit. I have been looking around for a suitable time to go to Portland, but as yet, I haven’t found any.

That is just about all I am able to say right now, Dad; thanks so much for the letter and write some more.

Love, Brother

Jane's Notes: Ann seems to have been in this play called The Trojan Women. According to Wikipedia: The Trojan Women is a tragedy by the Greek playwright Euripides. Produced in 415 BC during the Peloponnesian War, it is often considered a commentary on the capture of theAegean island of Melos and the subsequent slaughter and subjugation of its populace by the Athenians earlier that year. The play follows the fates of the women of Troy after their city has been sacked, their husbands killed, and as their remaining families are about to be taken away as slaves. In modern times Jean-Paul Sartre wrote a version around the turn of the 20th century that remains largely faithful to the original text. It adds veiled references to European imperialism in Asia and minor emphasis on common existentialist themes. The Israeli playwright Hanoch Levin also wrote his own version of the play, adding more disturbing scenes and scatological details. It is probably one of these later versions that was produced in 1932 on campus.

January 28, 1932 - Thursday

And another happy birthday has flown past. When I got up found a box of roses from George. Got flowers from Doro, Jeanne, Janet, Carol and Dorothy. Family presents arrived in the afternoon. Played with George in the afternoon. After rehearsal took secret date with George until 12:30.

Jane's Notes: Mom's 21st birthday. Scrapbook has florist enclosure cards from that day. George's says "A happy birthday Anne, Dear. You have brought me more love and happiness than material words can express. George." Other enclosures say "With love, Carol and Dorothy," Happy birthday, Annabell, lovingly Janet, "Doro", Congratulations Anne Dear. Hope you have many more happy birthdays. Jeanne."

A poem written by AB Powell on the occasion of his daughter's 21st birthday

"Some lines to Ann on her twenty-first birthday anniversary.

I

Today you’re twenty-one and round us still

Lingers the excitement and the thrill

Of that far day

When you arrived from out the bourne of time

And changed life’s prose into a gladsome rime

And tuneful lay.

II

For who among the sons of heav’n and earth

Would not respond to all your charms since birth,

Your winsome way

Has captured our devotion from the start

And drawn full measured love right from the heart

Until this day.

III

And so we bless this day of all the year

When you came down from nowhere into here

Made life so fine

Remembrances of moments spent with you

The glorious days and years again renew

Sweetheart of mine."

A letter from George's Dad:

St. Helens Hotel, W. F. West, Mgr. Chehalis, Washington

Jan 28, 1932

Hello Geo.

That note you would like to have from your Dad. Well I am hitting the fall and things have been going very well so far, had a very good week last week. This week is a little weaker than last week but maybe next week will be a little stronger than this week and as Saturday is the last day of this week and Sunday is the first day of next week and it also being, as well the first day of February, I will be able to draw a little money so I will be glad to see this week go and next week come and then I will be happy.

Well lad how goes school? Studying hard I suppose.  Mother and I will surprise you one of these weeks and pay you a visit. We are beginning to wonder what you look like and what color your hair is. Oh yes mother made some dandy waffles for me yesterday morning. She says you like waffles too. Boy you sure dazzled them, hot dog.

How’s Ann? Give her my best and tell her we would like to have her come and spend a weekend.

Well, Geo. everything is OK. Don’t worry and remember we are thinking of you all the time.

Love, Dad