20 September 2018

Preliminary Plans: May 1969



May 7 - Came home from Des Moines to find a letter from Jim Hoxeng [?] that support for living costs in Anguilla had been withdrawn. Tom Nicholson in Puerto Rico trying to arrange housing.

May 15 - Made application for passport in anticipation of going to Honduras.

Thurs.
May 22 - Talked to Tom Nicholson - he told us to wait until next Tuesday or Wednesday before definitely deciding to go someplace else.

Wed.
May 28 - Received letter from Hayden in Trinidad - they are preparing for us - housing & patients. Received phone call from British Consulate in Washington. They will find housing for us in Anguilla if we will come. Received phone call from Jim Hoxeng.

May 29 - Received our passports.

19 September 2018

Started at 7:15 A.M.



June 3 - Started at 7:15 A. M.
Jené: Wish we could ride on an airplane.
Mom: We will.
Jené: Where?
Mom: At Miami.
Jené: At Ourami?
Stopped at a Holiday Inn in Indianapolis. Vince missed the fun. While he napped, and I was keeping the kids out of the room so he could, Jené fell into the baby pool, fully clothed. She was freezing, she said. So she's had her first complete change of clothes.

June 4 - Squeals of delight when Arik & Jené opened their presents from Ella [Graves] & watched the "walking" cat and pig.

Stayed at Dalton, Georgia after missing a turnoff at Chattanooga [TN]. Mark & Dawn had a swim before supper so their day was made.

We stopped at Lookout Mountain and did some "touristing." What marvelous views! And Civil War history.



18 September 2018

Next Six Days



June 5 - Started at 7:00 o'clock. Missed the cutoff so drove through downtown Macon [GA] in torrential rain. Got to Orlando [FL] a little after six.

June 6 - Went out to Schulke's this p.m. Had a nice visit and a good supper. Peg just out of hospital & hobbling about.

June 7 - Had a boat ride with Merryl around his lake. (Peg has pleurisy) Left about 3 for Miami [FL] & got to Helene's about 7. She insisted we stay there. Ate at the Painted Horse.

Sun.
June 8 - Vince spoke at both services and at Adult Class. Went for a ride along the beaches.

June 9 - Helene took us to Miami airport, from where we had an uneventful but exciting flight to San Juan [PR]. Dr. Nicholson met us. Stayed at Holiday Inn.

June 10 - Arrived in St. Thomas [U.S. Virgin Islands] at 7:45, had breakfast, met Mr. Lutz, were flown to Anguilla [British West Indies] by Mr. Jack Chapman.

Went through Customs and Immigration.

The British seemed unaware that we were coming today, and whoever was in charge couldn't be found.

Jeff Hearst (sp?) finally came and got us and took us to Headquarters, where we met Michelle, a Br. Sect. Mr. Hearst then brought Pat Connor, the dental ass't, to meet us and they took us to the Camora Hotel, our place of residence, owned by Pat's folks. We are the only guests.


Hotel Camora, Anguilla. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.


Hotel Camora (front). Jené's head may be seen peaking out from under the right window. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.

After getting settled, Vince had a nap and then met Mr. Cumber. He also obtained use of a car so with the guidance of Simon Herman [?] we went for a ride to learn the town. The car stalled in

[Continued on next page.]

17 September 2018

Found the Beach



Tues.
June 10 [cont.] one place and in attempting to start it Vince broke the key in half.

Wed.
June 11 - Were wakened at 5 a.m. by local alarm clock - lady singing very loudly.

Vince went to work today. The kids and I had porridge a little after 10, and then attempted to find the beach. We gave up and were on the way back when a lady called and asked if we were going bathing. Upon hearing that we couldn't find the beach she went back into the house. Soon a girl came out and showed us the way. Her name is Rona. She walked with us for 15 or 20 minutes and even carried Jené.


Sandy Ground beach and salt ponds. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.


Sandy Ground beach. Photo Credit: Vince Williams. If driving we would often park near the modern house in the middle of the photo.


Sandy Ground beach even closer. Photo Credit: Vince Williams. The modern house is at the bottom.


Right on the beach. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.

The beach was delightful and the kids had a good time. After a hard hot walk back up the path, we made it back to the hotel for lunch dinner. We all got our start on a sun burn.

16 September 2018

Sick Little One



Thurs.
June 12 - Jené sick half the night with an asthma attack. Laid around all day - ate nothing. Gave her cough prescription, ilosone [erythromycin] & aspirin. Vince took the kids, Charmaine and Ricardo swimming after he got home from work. They had been waiting for that all day.

Fri.
June 13 - Went to the Galaxy Store this morning but found no white gloves. Mr. Connor inquired at 4 other stores for me - found none. Vince came home this noon with a car again (spare key in glove compartment).

Jené better today, though still not much appetite. Ate a little porridge at 10, and a little dinner at noon.

None of us has gotten upset stomach from change of water - surprised us.

Went bathing in the Sea after Vince got home from work.

Ate cinaps. [Guineps. Ovoid green fruit that grows in bunches on trees up to 30m high. The fruit typically ripen during the summer. The fruit is related to the lychee and have tight, thin but rigid skins. Inside the skin is the tart, tangy, or sweet pulp of the fruit covering a large seed. The pulp is usually cream or orange coloured.]

Met Belle who wants some dental work done.

15 September 2018

A Parade for the Queen



Sat.
June 14 - Went to the Parade in honor of the Queen's Birthday. Snappy band! Very military, proper and correct.

Met Pastor White - Methodist
"  Rev. Freeman Gootchi (sp?) - Baptist
"  Emile Gumbs, wife & Lori (sp)
"  Earl Niles, student at Toronto
"  Cecil Niles Eric Bergstrom - Tourist Chmn - Cayman Islands

Heard 3 hoorays for the Queen.

Took the kids to Blowing Point beach - beautiful waves.

Went to Reception - heard the band again - tremendous. They're touring States from Sept. - Nov.

Stopped at Walton Fleming's for a few minutes.

Vince went back to pick up Mr. Connor.

 
Bethel Methodist Church, South Hill, The Valley (left). Verla holding Jené, Arik, Dawn, and Mark (right). Photo Credit: Vince Williams.

Sun.
June 15 - Went to worship service at Methodist Church, building is 155 years old. The roof was blown off in the devastating 1960 Hurricane Donna. Pat sings in the Choir. The order of service was quite formal with several psalms being sung or read responsively. We had dinner, rested, and then went for a swim at Cove Bay. Took a wrong turn ^first and ended up at Maundy's Bay, met Mr. Randall, an American who owns a resort there.

Happy Father's Day!

14 September 2018

Car Troubles



Mon.
June 16 - Took Vince & Pat to work so I could have the car. When I picked up the hub cap which fell off I noticed the tire was low. Woe is me. I tried to find someone to fix it - finally one of the Engineers did change to the spare. So I got to the Bank to change some money. Then I drove the wrong way on the street in front of the police station. The fellow who stopped me said he wouldn't make a federal case of it. So I got home, had porridge & took the kids for a 1/2 hour swim. Then went back to pick up Vince.

Washed clothes Pd


The car in front of the Dental Clinic. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.

Tues.
June 17 - Walked down to Sandy Ground for a swim. Am getting a burn so I'd better watch it. Laid around the rest of the day till Vince came home when we went swimming again.

We've been here a week and I can't keep track of the days.

13 September 2018

Swimming, Shopping, and the Mobile Clinic



Wed.
June 18 - Took Vince to work again so we could have the car. Went swimming north of the Pier on Sandy Ground. Got home about 11 - had corn flakes with warm milk.

This afternoon, we went looking at several stores - didn't find much. Surprised at the prices!

Went to the airport at 2:15 to wait for the Hercules to land. It came at 4:00. Hurried to the clinic to get Vince so he could see it take off. It finally took off at 5:30. Fun to watch!

Had ice cream before bed. Wrote Pam.

Thurs.
June 19 - Fooled around all day. Went bathing at the Sea when Vince came home even though he was late. Lotza bathers - a couple of skinny dippers. Michele came down.


Pat and Lorna with the Anguilla Mobile Clinic. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.

Wrote Sharon & Dalen. Vince took the Mobile Clinic to an East End school. Saw one class - did 35 extractions. Plus the 15 extractions & few fillings he'd done in the valley.


Mobile Clinic at the school. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.

12 September 2018

More Swimming and Lotza Patients



Fri.
June 20 - Kept the car again so took the kids to Sandy Ground. They had a good time!

Wrote to First Lutheran this p.m.

Went and got Vince at the Clinic.

We're feeling a little queazy in the stomach - hope we don't have too much trouble. Fooled around tonight not doing much of anything.

Washed clothes Pd

Sat.
June 21 - Vince worked this a.m. Had lotza patients - they aren't used to appointment. Just come when they have a toothache.

Went bathing after Vince & Jené had a nap. Pearl and Pat went along. The Sea is refreshing.

Had showers and shampoos tonight before bed. The kids slept under mosquito netting. Heard from Vince's folks and Glora [Bakken] today. What fun to get mail!

11 September 2018

Lazy Days



Sun.
June 22 - Vince felt somewhat under the weather so laid around most of the day. The kids and I went to church - about 4:00 p.m. we went bathing in the Sea. Jené had a lot of fun and even went out up to her chin. Some folks from Bermuda stopped by - the Widdup's. She was from Milwaukee, Wisc. Wrote to the neighbors.

We walked to the Drug Store just before supper - a little boy went running into this house saying, "Mama, white woman...."

Mon.
June 23 - Read to Arik & Jené. Wrote a letter to Gladys.

Had out porridge at 10:30 and our lunch at 12:30.


Mark, Arik, Verla, Jené, and Dawn having lunch at the Hotel Camora. Photo Credit: Vince Williams.

Got ready about 3 to walk down to the beach; but before we left, Mrs. Connor had cool drink & Coke ready for us.

Had a pleasant swim - watched a helicopter. A British frigate was in the harbor. Four little boys stoppe to gaze at us, and ended up skinny dipping. They are as entranced by our fair skin & hair as we by their dark. Jené says, "Those boys are naked." Just as we were beginning to walk home, Vince, Pat & Lorna came for a swim. So we stayed a while longer.

Arik fell asleep on the porch. Think he was waiting for Mr. Connor.

10 September 2018

New Visitors



Tues.
June 24 - Wrote Doris & Bud [Hamilton].

Met Mr. Pete Van Den Heuvel [sp?]. He stopped by the Hotel for a rest and a lunch - he is on 2 weeks sick leave (points to his head), is Dutch from Holland but has lived in the Dutch islands for 20 years. We went down to the Sea for our customary swim. Mr. Van Den Heuvel was still here but just getting ready to leave. He plans to sail awhile. We went to pick up Vince after having a short swim. Talked with an Englishman. He had been to St. Martin - says prices are double for an American tourist. (He also says Anguilla's prices have gone up since the British came - and the outlying villages are more expensive than the Valley.

Arik floated.


Arik enjoying a swim. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

New tire put on.

Took box to airport this a.m. Will go out tomorrow.

Wed.
June 25 - Got letters from Mom [Agnes Blakey] and Spence [Williams].

Kept the car again so took the kids swimming this morning. I got burned again. Was talking to a couple who motorboated in from a sailing yacht. They had to have their passports stamped by military. (The Beacon said the passport requirement for American, Canadian & British tourists was lifted June 12.)

Picked up Vince & girls. He was too tired to go for a dip, but I took kids plus Pat, Lorna, & Pearl.


Pat (far left), Lorna (far right), and friends having fun at the beach. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

Vince said the Drs. - owner of the yacht - had stopped in to see him. They seem to be young to be retired. He-surgeon, she-anesthesiologist, have been sailing since Nov.

Some Council members met here. I think the British are moving too slowly with the improvements.

Vince told me the British military had arrested a Dutch man. I'm curious.

09 September 2018

Rain, a Crab, and a Dead Dog



Thurs.
June 26 - Had some good rain. Was cloudy and a little cooler so didn't go to the beach until about 3. Picked up Vince at 4:30. Vince had heard there could be a demonstration tomorrow, possibly because Lord Carradon [Hugh Mackintosh Foot, Baron Caradon Of St. Cleer, British Ambassador to the UN (1964-1970)] might be in to install Mr. [John] Cumber as Commissioner.

Fri.
June 27 - A quiet day! Took the kids swimming this a.m. They didn't swim much – a crab in the water scared them. We asked a man passing by what it was. He brought it out of the water and killed it. Told us it would make us sick if it bit us.


Dawn balancing a jar on her head. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

So we started looking for shells – then saw a dead dog floating. That was enough. The kids were ready to call it quits!

Picked up Vince at 4:00. Showered, shampooed, packed.

08 September 2018

Saint Martin – Sint Maarten


Left: Anguilla and St. Martin. Right: Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. Images courtesy of DuckDuckGo.



Sat.
June 28 - Left at 7:30 for Sint Maarten. Rented a car and drove to Philipsburg, got a room at Sea View. Shopped some, then Vince & kids went swimming. Jené napped. Ate lunch. Drove to Marigot, and around the island. Shopped a bit more before stores closed. Had a swim before dinner & then to bed.

A tourist island – interesting! Chanced to see Mr. Van de Heuvel on the street, again at DeWit book store, and then at the hotel. He had not been imprisoned here at Anguilla, but felt he had been harassed, (and over-charged.)

Sun.
June 29 - Got up at 6:00, had breakfast and went to Methodist Church. Very hot so kids took a dip – checked out & looked for a place to eat lunch. Finally stopped at Wong Kim [?]. Drove to Little Boy Beach hotel and then to find a beach. The kids had fun in the pounding surf.

Got back to Airport close to 4:30. Clayton came at 5:00 and home to Anguilla by 5:30. Good to be back!

07 September 2018

Evening Invitation



Mon.
June 30 - Letters from Sharon [Asche] & Lillie [Vince's mother]

Took Vince to work again. Took the kids to Sandy Ground again this morning – both Arik & Jené napped this p.m. so didn't work swimming in. Were invited to the Vanier'[s] for the evening – had a nice visit. He is manager of Barclay's Bank. Will be transferring to another island in a couple of months. Claudia is getting all her dentistry done before they leave. Think Vince has convinced Mr. Vanier to do the same. Got home at 11:30 – went to bed by candlelight.

Tues.
July 1 - Wrote Elaine Grimes & Pastor N. [Ness]. Vince wrote Spence.

A quiet day – cloudy and comfortably cool. Had the car but didn't take the kids swimming till Vince was done. Lorna & Pat went along.

Letter from Pam [Verla's sister].

06 September 2018

Cloudy & Cool



Wed.
July 2 - Vince wrote Lyle [his brother].

Cloudy & cool again – the kids are getting a little tired of sitting around. Most of their reading material has been read. Maybe activity will increase when school is out. Had a good heavy shower!

Took the kids swimming in the afternoon before picking Vince up. While waiting for Vince, the manager of the Bank of America invited us to his house on Friday for a Fourth of July party. He is from St. Paul.

Washed clothes! Pd on July 14.

Thurs.
July 3 - Wrote Barbers [friends] & Mom [Agnes Blakey].

Rained a good one during the night. Saw a big ship in the harbor when I took Vince to work.

Went swimming a short while at noon. Picked Vince up – cool & rainy.

W. Fleming came by & was telling of his work in construction. 

05 September 2018

Dawn Helps Out



Fri.
July 4 - Dawn went along with Vince this a.m. Vince took the p.m. off. We went swimming in Meade's Bay with Pat & Lorna. More rain today.

Went to party at Jerry Seifert's – must have been 50-60 people there. Mr. Cumber, Mr. Heman [?] - Mr. Gumbs, Jodge, Harrigan; Vanier.

Vince asked if Vaniers wanted to go swimming with us tomorrow if it quits raining.

Got home at 1:00 a.m.

Sat.
July 5 - Pat wasn't feeling good so Dawn went along with Vince to the Clinic to help. Vince didn't get home until 1:30 – a busy morning.

Got 2 letters from Mom [Agnes Blakey] and 1 from Pastor Ness. Mom wrote that Averland [Verla's brother] has a tumor on his lung – getting radiation treatments.

Took the kids to Sandy Ground – a big crowd today. These fair-haired kids sure attract company.

Had showers & shampoos before bed. (Had some good tasting apples today).

Vaniers decided to postpone our swimming date a week. Claudia had a toothache most of the night.

04 September 2018

Long Sunday Mornings



Sun.
July 6 - Vince wrote his mom and Mr. Lutz this morning. We have such a long Sunday morning – church is a 11, and we are usually up by 6 or 6:30.

Vince played hears with Dawn & Mark this morning afternoon, and then I took the 4 down to the Sea for awhile.

We had oranges this a.m. plus, cabbage, stewed tomatoes & fruit cocktail for supper.

Good!

Mon.
July 7 - Wrote Ella [Verla's aunt].

Took the kids swimming from 10 to 12 in the morning. Manny & Eddy were there. Wrote Mom – Went swimming again from about 3-4 before picking up Vince.

Took Pat, Lorna & Pearl down for a few minutes after work. Found out to rent a boat to take us to Sandy Island would cost about $15.00.

Dawn went with Pat & Lorna to practice – but ended up going to Dina's birthday party – Simon gave them a ride home.

03 September 2018

Another Day



Tues.
July 8 - Another day – Took the kids swimming but decided to go after lunch would be too much sun. So took Pat, Lorna & Pearl after work. Almost chilly.

Wrote to Sharon & Dalen. Early to bed & early to rise – Lights were out before nine.

Vince talked with Simon about the gift the church back home had offered. He said to go ahead – (has inferred that the Gov't would be endlessly slow in supplying all the needs of the clinics.)

Washed clothes. Pd.

Wed.
July 9 - Vince wrote Dr. Berg this a.m. telling him what kind of suction device to order for the Clinic. The clinic will be quite well outfitted, at least for extracting teeth, fillings, & impressions for dentures. Now to teach someone to keep it spotless & clean.

Took the kids swimming both forenoon and afternoon. Picked up Vince at work. He had a letter & a note from Mrs. Vanier. And some information on St. Barth.

Got letters from Doris [Hamilton], Sharon & Glora.

Wrote to Pam.

02 September 2018

Learning to Swim



Thurs.
July 10 - An ordinary day - went swimming both morning & afternoon. I should call it an unordinary day! I floated - both face & back. Maybe, just maybe I'll learn to swim. Have a month left. It's something I should have learned 25-30 years ago.


Swimming. Verla with Jené and Arik. Photo credit: Vince Williams.

Picked up Vince at work - he'd had a couple of difficult extractions - took an hour to remove a tooth on Mrs. White.

Ronald Webster brought in his daughter to have some teeth removed. She didn't want the injection.

Fri.
July 11 - Wrote to Sharon.

Went swimming in the morning - got home at noon. Fooled around in the p.m. - saw Vince drive by on his way to see Dr. Cable.

Picked up Vince at 4:30 - they were ready earlier. Went swimming - Vince had to see me float. He & Dawn swam a great distance - about 100 yards.

Read books to Jené & played Concentration with Arik.

01 September 2018

Shoal Bay and Island Harbor



Sat.
July 12 - Dawn went with Pat & Vince to work. Guess they had a busy morning – had 18 extractions. Vanier's came over but went ahead of us to Sandy Ground. We finally got together for a swim. Go home after seven six which was too late to get ready for a party – farewell to Michele. I had to shampoo my hair. Claudia loaned me her hair dryer but it was 220v.

Heard from Mom [Agnes Blakey].

Wrote Heruth's & Menzies.

Sun.
July 13 - We went to church and then had dinner. We went up to Shoal Bay for swimming, snorkeling, & shell hunting. Vince really liked it though the road was pretty bad. He found a beautiful conch shell which we are going to keep for a souvenir. We drove up through Island Harbor on our way home. Saw Pastor Gootch's (sp?) house, also his church and Ronald Webster's home.