Durand, Wiltbank win LCSD seats

The Regency on Laurie Lane

Nov 10, 1986

Dear L & Bob -

Greetings! It is evening. It has been a beautiful Autumn day. Our mums are beautiful, the orange tree continues to grow apiece (and oranges too), and this year there are more lemons hanging over the neighbor's fence into our yard. This afternoon Marie & I moved the sundial to its new location in the west flower garden. New petunias were planted around it (Fun - working outdoors!)

Where it formerly stood in the back yard there is now a 7' 6x6 redwood post atop of which rest a 50 lb. school bell I purchased as a gift to Marie. It symbolizes her two decades plus of teaching. Yes, it rings. Loudly enough to awaken the dead (asleep in their beds)!

Marie is sound asleep on the couch having been lulled to sleep by the relaxing work in the warm Autumn sun. (It seems that each time I write she is resting or sleeping, but that is because I relax by writing. So we engage in our mutual resting periods.) We paid a visit to Dr. King (regular appointment) and I'm happy to report her SMAC, vitals, blood counts are all in the normal range, and that girth and weight remain constant. Today I visited the store and purchased ingredients for some holiday cookie baking. M-M-M! I can hardly wait. She makes such delightful goodies!

And this morning I took my car into a Glendale body shop for some slight body refurbishing due to a brush with an aspen tree while campaigning in Greer. Marie and I are gearing up psychologically to tackle finishing up the work in the garage. I had hoped we could get around to getting out to purchase a sweater (or 2) and new tennis shoes for Marie today, but we didn't make it.

Today they canvass the votes in Greer, The elections supervisor in St. Johns assure me it dealt with write-in votes only. My win still stands (unless someone contests it). I got the most votes in a field of six candidates. Jack Wiltbank, a life-long Greer resident, received the second most votes. So it looks like we two have a four year term on the Little Colorado Sanitary District Board. It was sort of fun seeing it reported on the front page of the White Mountain Independent. "Durand, Wiltbank win LCSD seats."

Ruthie and Jane took us to the Renaissance Fair at their church Saturday. It was fun. The staff and church members were attired in Elizabethan costumes. There were jugglers, archers, farmers market, handcrafts and a processional of HRM Elizabeth I led by Scottish bagpipers & including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Burghley, Sir Francis Drake, William Bradford, a pilgrim, etc. There was a short drama depicting the religious history of the time with HRM cautioning the Puritans that they were being carefully watched. Wm. Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway recited parts from William's play.

This morning I understand they had an Elizabethan period worship service follow by a feast in the patio on velvet table cloths covered with lace. Fun, huh?

Haven't hear from our busy Becky the last couple of days, but did have a visit from Rick, Kim, and that oh so bright chunk of a great-grandson, Collyn. Marie & Kim had a discussion about raising children who won't want to sleep and Rick made a payment on his car loan. Our dancing sisters are busy teaching and preforming this terpsichorean arts.

Stevie & Stephanie celebrated their birthdays together. We attended one segment: lunch after church and present opening at Steve's home afterwards. It wasn't the most joyous occasion. Steve seems terribly tired and uptight - he has us all worried. A letter from you and from Bob might be appreciated by him. But don't mention we told you of his "weariness", please!

Called John to let him know of my "victory" at Greer. John was very warm & congratulatory & expounded on the importance of my new post. All goes well there. "Their" candidate won handily in W.F. first Republican in the history of the county. The newspaper blamed his victory on "right wing extremists" and "big bankers." Since John invested quite a bit of cash into the campaign he figures he is one of the "big bankers" - but "right wing extremist!" - that made John really bristle!

And now a brief extra content statement or two from the older German Baptist preacher - Dunker Durand - or Dee Dee, for short.

1. My proclamation today is "Enter into God and one never leaves. Reading the lives of mystics they speak of a glory they experience. This glory is come remarkable way appears to be the essence of the experiencing individual." "Essence" = the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being.

2. Someone once described me as a quiet bull in a china shop: a repressed aggressiveness. Don't wave a red flag in front of me. Maybe they are right! I'll bet LCSD Chairman, Kellis, is sorry he was rude to me on the plan last June. The bull in me went into action and I burst into the Board's front door & broke some of their china!

3. How would you guys describe yourself: towering sunflowers or demure creeping vines (or periwinkle) - blossoming early like the crocus - or late like the Chrysanthemum? Well, better turn Mon night football off!

Bye, Love Frank