Editor:
Since reading the article in the 55-Plus section of The New Era (Oct. 29), which the family gave me for my 99th birthday, I feel that I must write of my being part of the Nothiger family.
In August my family asked what I’d like for my birthday. I said “I’d like to go back to Sweet Home one more time.” It’s where I spent my childhood and early years until I was 24 and married.
I am Margaret Nothiger Morse, daughter of Jacob and Mathilda Nothiger. Pearl Strouts was my cousin, friend and playmate. I had two brothers, Charley, who married Opal Lundholm, and Herman, whose wife was Alice Hirschi.
It was good to drive along Long Street and see the beautiful Evangelical Church – much dif-ferent from the old white building I remembered from the 1910s to 1930s when I lived there. This is where I first learned the Bible verses that I still remember, thanks to the faithful Sunday School teacher.
The high school is now a very fine building. I see it is still District 55, as it was then. I may be almost the only one of my classmates still alive. I graduated in 1928. After working in Corvallis for three years I went to Pacific College in Newberg, now George Fox University.
Our old farm is now a trailer park and the owner graciously invited us in so I could look around to see where the rooms used to be and where they had added the fireplace.
I still have memories of the time when the town cop fined my father $5 for telling mother he would be home for supper when he stopped to phone her. That was quite a bit of money then. It was so normal for them to still use the German Swiss when they spoke to each other.
Also, during the First World War, Cousin Albin was in the Army and just when he was to come home, a shiny black car stopped beside us as we girls were walking home from school. He yelled, “Get in and ride!” It was Albin, who had bought a new car. Of course we, happily, got in and rode home.
Now, with four children, eight grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, I am enjoying my retirement at Friendsview Manor near my alma mater, George Fox University.
I taught school for 20 years. My daughter has worked in Mexico for Wycliffe Bible Translators for over 30 years and I have a son in Morocco for four years doing mission work. The other two sons have been teachers.
I have a small garden and enjoy three days a week of Sit and Be Fit exercises.
I would enjoy hearing from anyone who would like to get in touch with me.
Margaret Nothiger Morse
1301 Fulton St. Apt. 211
Newberg, OR 97132-1869