Counselors and Clerks

Hello Dear Reader,

The Stake Presidency told Grandpa (Wes) Carter to go home and pray about who he should have for counselors and clerks and report back to them by the middle of the week. He knew without any doubt who his counselors should be--he chose Arland Olsen as 1st counselor and Blaine Houtz as 2nd counselor; he chose LeMar Mangum as ward clerk with Russell Walker as financial clerk.

His counselors had both been teammates on the Pioneer Ward Basketball team. Blaine was 21 years old and had just returned from a mission, but Wes had prayed about this several times and always got the same answer--Blaine should be a counselor. Here's a photo of the basketball team they played on. Arland (Cory) is number 5; Blaine, 6; and Wes, 11. Isn't it interesting how lives seem to connect and paths cross?

Love,

Aunt Genni

A Call in the Night

Hello Dear Reader,
About April 1, 1951 Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter were awakened by a ringing phone. It was April Fool's day but Grandpa got up and answered the phone anyway. It was President J. Earl Lewis wanting Wes and Mary to come to his office as soon as they could get there.

President Lewis and his counselors interviewed them and asked if Wes would accept the calling of bishop in the new ward that was to be created. Wes said, "Yes," and was counseled to go home and pray about who he would like for counselors and clerks. He was to report back to them by the middle of the week. Wes was 32 years old and Mary was 30. What a huge responsibility for such a young couple.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Rumors

Hello Dear Reader,
Early in the spring of 1951 rumors were going around that Rivergrove Ward was to be divided. There was much speculation who the new bishop would be. Grandpa (Wes) said to Grandma (Mary Hall) Carter, "I know who the new bishop is going to be." When Grandma asked, "Who?" Grandpa replied, "Me."

Mary was concerned that Wes would be let down if he wasn't called as bishop but he said, "No I won't because I know they will call me." How's that for confidence?
Love,
Aunt Genni

Growing Confidence

Hello Dear Reader,

When Grandpa (Wes) became active he became really active. It wasn't long until he was called to be Sunday School superintendent. Meanwhile he and Mary participated in church dances and other activities. He really began to love being in the spotlight. In fact, he became quite the thespian and participated in several plays and skits. He also continued to play church basketball and softball. As he became acquainted with more people he became more and more confident.

This is a photo of Wes Carter, Corey Olsen, Harold Curtiss, and Odessa Snow in the play, "The Haunted House." It was performed in the Rivergrove Ward.

Love,

Aunt Genni

The Carter Children

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

When we were young and Grandma (Mary Carter) had a photographer come to take our portraits she always hired Mr. Massey. He fooled around and fiddled until it drove her to distraction--and she gave him the nickname "Messy Massey." But he did a good job and so she would call him again the next time. Here is my Christmas present to you this year--Kent, Carol, Marilyn, and LeAnn. I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas!

Love,

Aunt Genni

Christmas Eve

Hello Dear Reader,
Christmas eve was almost as wonderful as Christmas morning because it was Grandpa's birthday--or so we thought. We usually had our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve because it was Grandpa's birthday dinner. We came to think that was the best time to have it; the next day the refrigerator was filled with leftovers that we could eat as we wanted.

When we were very young Uncle Elmo (Carter), Wes's brother had the most wonderful Santa Claus suit and he always made a trip to our house in the evening. He wore sleigh bells across his chest and came running up the sidewalk singing in his beautiful baritone voice, "Here comes Santa Claus." He would come in the front door (remember we didn't have a fireplace) and acted surprised that we weren't in bed yet. Then he took each one on his knee and asked us to remind him what we had asked for. Then he sang a few Christmas songs with us, told us to get to bed so he could come back when we were asleep, and ran out the door and down the sidewalk singing.

Is it any wonder I love Christmas?
Love,
Aunt Genni

Christmas Season

Hello Dear Reader,
When I think of Christmas I always think of family. Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter made Christmas really fun for us children. I think I already described what our Christmas trees were like back then but the tree was just the beginning of a wonderful time of the year.

One year I asked for a table, a set of play dishes, and a cowgirl outfit for my doll. Grandpa built me a table with drop leaves and Grandma made me a new outfit for my doll. I treasured these gifts from Santa. I also got the set of dishes I asked for. They were tin and painted in the "Blue Willow" pattern. I loved them.

We always hung our stockings on the arm of a chair on Christmas eve. We didn't have a fireplace. The girls definitely had the advantage back then because we wore long brown stockings that we attached to our undershirts with garters. On Christmas morning our stockings had an orange in the toe, nuts, and candy (those cheap chocolate drops that my children hated) along with hard tack. I have such fond memories of Christmas.
Love,
Aunt Genni

LDS Girls--Aaronic Priesthood Banquet

Hello Dear Readers,

I'm not sure you'll be able to see the young people in this picture very well but I thought I should post it. Grandma (Mary) Carter is in front on the right in a white blouse and Grandpa (Wes) Carter is standing in back on the right in a white shirt. I recognize Frankie Killpack and other faces look familiar, but I couldn't put a name to a face.

Love,

Aunt Genni

More Personal Growth

Hello Dear Reader,

Gradually Grandpa (Wesley) Carter's leadership ability began to emerge. I thought you might like to see what he looked like when he was in the Sunday School Superintendency. Here is a picture of him counseling a deacon before Sunday School. The deacon is Dick Olsen.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Meeting Schedule

Hello Dear Reader,
When Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was put in the Sunday School superintendency the meeting schedule was different than it is now. We went to church in the morning on Sunday, usually about 10 o'clock and were there for 1-1/2 hours. The meeting consisted of opening exercises with a sacrament hymn, sacrament, and 2-1/2 minute talks. There was also singing practice and other business, then about an hour in class. After that we went home for dinner and returned in the evening for another 2 hour service where we partook of the sacrament again and listened to two speakers.

All of the auxiliary meetings were during the week. Primary was usually on Tuesday or Wednesday after school. Relief Society was held one morning each week and Mutual was held one evening each week. Priesthood meeting was on Sunday morning before Sunday School. I think I like it better the way it is now.
Love,
Aunt Genni

End of the Semester

Hello Dear Reader,
The semester is over. The papers are in. The finals are taken. Even the Christmas cards are written. It's been a hard semester for me--possibly because I missed Mom, possibly because it's just hard to get this old brain working and unthinking bad habits picked up over the years. I would like to say that I'll do better about blogging next semester--and that is a possible New Year's resolution--but I'll just have to see. I have 2 days to organize, pack, and leave for Florida for Christmas.

It will be wonderful to see my girls and grandchildren. I think I look forward to seeing my sons-in-law too (just kidding Patrick and David; I'm anxious to see you as well).

My "Historian's Craft" class was hard but I learned a lot about researching and a lot about New Portage, Ohio and the events that took place there. That's where Eliza Darrow Fifield Bates McNeill lived with at least 2 of her husbands. My paper ended up being 11 pages + bibliography. If anyone is interested in reading it let me know.

I'll try to post a couple more times before I leave for Christmas break.
Love,
Aunt Genni