Bertha Myers (Mathers), wife of William Denver Myers
This note was found among Mother’s papers and cards after her death in Nov. 1998. She had kept it, along with other important letters, dating back to her teenage years. Granddaughter Becky wrote it to her in Dec. 1997. The card still has tape on the back, where Mother had hung it up in the house.
Dec. 21, 1997
Dear Grandmother,
Thank you so much for the gift. We will definitely put it to good use.
I can’t wait to see you in January—the three weeks between now and then seem like an eternity. I would hope that over all these years you know how dear and important you are to me. I feel a profound influence from you in my life.
I love you.
Becky
Dec. 21, 1997
Dear Grandmother,
Thank you so much for the gift. We will definitely put it to good use.
I can’t wait to see you in January—the three weeks between now and then seem like an eternity. I would hope that over all these years you know how dear and important you are to me. I feel a profound influence from you in my life.
I love you.
Becky
Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe CA - Riding the Tram up the Mountain.
When a ewe died giving birth in early spring on Ruth and Russell Terrell’s farm, sometimes we adopted the orphan lambs. We fed them warm milk from glass Pepsi bottles, and they lived in the house until it was warm enough for them to be outside. Note the famous dog, Tippy, is watching over the operation of Mother’s two-handed feeding technique.
April 12, 1945
Bertha my dear!
I have not neglected you really tho it has been quite some time since I have received your nice letter. But after the holidays I had a bad cold with a good suggestion of pleurisy in my right side and do you know every once in a while that flares up and it is painful so that I just sit and wait for it to subside. Of course I have it taped now. But anyhow the thing detains me. Today I feel good as here goes a few letters--and this one to you.
Speaking of teaching: if they are youngsters (under 12) I begin with "Violin Instructor" by, I think, it's Lehman. It is very easy--simple--does not progress too fast. Then I go to "Elementary Studies" by Wolfhardt. They have little exercises with different formings for the same study. You know--I keep on with Wolfhardt and go into his positions. If the child is a prodigy (???) I put them in Keyser instead of Wolfhardt and then give them the works by having old Kreutzer. You may be fortunate and have a few of this kind but I am not! I plod along with Wolfhardt. Smart ones have the Hans Litt first 5 position studies. They are a little difficult. Now have I helped you any? I hope so. Write for more suggestions when and if you need them.
I wish you could have heard Milstein when he played for the M.M.C. I am telling you it was all around the very finest violin playing I ever heard. And when he played the Paganini Caprices (4 of them) my hair went straight up and hasn't really been any good since. I told people that if Paganini played like that it was no wonder they put him in jail because he was certainly a wizard. It was marvelous. And not a note missed all morning and oh yes! these days he has such beautiful emotional qualities. Interpretations just all to be wished for. I thought of you all morning. Am sending you the titles of some of his numbers. Send for them and have some fun.
The Streamstress by Mussorgsky
Rain in the Village (delightful) by Koldag (?)
Maiden's Song -- Stravinsky
All Milstein arrangements
Bach A Minor Violin Sonata
And he played the Lalo Espagnole. It's so easy for him he simply "played" with it and then played the Habanero from Carmen.
Whew!!!! Thirds to give away.
Maybe this summer I can come over for a day or two. I love my Church in Liberty--and my pupils around here. Don't teach in Cincinnati at all now. Was a little twinge to give them all up (18) but, oh it's so nice and easy over here. I should worry!
Write me again when you can. You know you are my "pet." No one has ever taken your place.
Affectionately to all,
Mamie H.
Bertha my dear!
I have not neglected you really tho it has been quite some time since I have received your nice letter. But after the holidays I had a bad cold with a good suggestion of pleurisy in my right side and do you know every once in a while that flares up and it is painful so that I just sit and wait for it to subside. Of course I have it taped now. But anyhow the thing detains me. Today I feel good as here goes a few letters--and this one to you.
Speaking of teaching: if they are youngsters (under 12) I begin with "Violin Instructor" by, I think, it's Lehman. It is very easy--simple--does not progress too fast. Then I go to "Elementary Studies" by Wolfhardt. They have little exercises with different formings for the same study. You know--I keep on with Wolfhardt and go into his positions. If the child is a prodigy (???) I put them in Keyser instead of Wolfhardt and then give them the works by having old Kreutzer. You may be fortunate and have a few of this kind but I am not! I plod along with Wolfhardt. Smart ones have the Hans Litt first 5 position studies. They are a little difficult. Now have I helped you any? I hope so. Write for more suggestions when and if you need them.
I wish you could have heard Milstein when he played for the M.M.C. I am telling you it was all around the very finest violin playing I ever heard. And when he played the Paganini Caprices (4 of them) my hair went straight up and hasn't really been any good since. I told people that if Paganini played like that it was no wonder they put him in jail because he was certainly a wizard. It was marvelous. And not a note missed all morning and oh yes! these days he has such beautiful emotional qualities. Interpretations just all to be wished for. I thought of you all morning. Am sending you the titles of some of his numbers. Send for them and have some fun.
The Streamstress by Mussorgsky
Rain in the Village (delightful) by Koldag (?)
Maiden's Song -- Stravinsky
All Milstein arrangements
Bach A Minor Violin Sonata
And he played the Lalo Espagnole. It's so easy for him he simply "played" with it and then played the Habanero from Carmen.
Whew!!!! Thirds to give away.
Maybe this summer I can come over for a day or two. I love my Church in Liberty--and my pupils around here. Don't teach in Cincinnati at all now. Was a little twinge to give them all up (18) but, oh it's so nice and easy over here. I should worry!
Write me again when you can. You know you are my "pet." No one has ever taken your place.
Affectionately to all,
Mamie H.
August 31, 1926
My dear Bertha,
It is with much pleasure that I write you -- you won a scholarship! I am sure I feel as happy over it as you do and I know your mother must feel gratified.
I have made a permanent reservation for you at the dormitory and looked at your practice room, so that when you arrive, all you have to do is unpack and begin your work, which I hope you will find a pleasure. I am certain with no trips to take each week, you will have a much easier time.
So I will see you Saturday morning sometime. Take things easy so that you are not too tired, and when your mother leaves you, try and not miss her. Anyhow she won't be far away and then you can always come over and see me at the College until you get used to it at the "dorm." But there has never been a nicer class of girls than there is this year and I feel you will find much congeniality there awaiting you. Many of the girls are very talented and it will do you good to be with them. Then you will be convenient to all recitals.
So be happy and know that you are a lucky girl. Congratulate your mother for me. Remember me to her with kind wishes.
With love,
Mrs. Hahn
My dear Bertha,
It is with much pleasure that I write you -- you won a scholarship! I am sure I feel as happy over it as you do and I know your mother must feel gratified.
I have made a permanent reservation for you at the dormitory and looked at your practice room, so that when you arrive, all you have to do is unpack and begin your work, which I hope you will find a pleasure. I am certain with no trips to take each week, you will have a much easier time.
So I will see you Saturday morning sometime. Take things easy so that you are not too tired, and when your mother leaves you, try and not miss her. Anyhow she won't be far away and then you can always come over and see me at the College until you get used to it at the "dorm." But there has never been a nicer class of girls than there is this year and I feel you will find much congeniality there awaiting you. Many of the girls are very talented and it will do you good to be with them. Then you will be convenient to all recitals.
So be happy and know that you are a lucky girl. Congratulate your mother for me. Remember me to her with kind wishes.
With love,
Mrs. Hahn