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November 2, 1934 “Now, for the first time in my life I am all alone by myself.”

Nov. 2, 1934

671 N. Dearborn St.

My dear Goldkind:

Sorry I am writing again in pencil. My fountain pen has outlived its use and I have no ink here right now since I am writing at work, while I have nothing to do.

Thank you Pappa for the nice long letter which I will answer in detail soon since I do not have it here with me now.

As you hopefully saw from my postal card, I did move yesterday. At first we thought to take an unfurnished room but then we decided it was better if she [Aunt Henny] stayed where we were and I take a furnished room on the “near north side.” If we had moved on the 15th we would have had to pay a whole month rent anyhow. That meant that Monday and Tuesday evenings after work I had to look for a place.

Now, for the first time in my life I am all alone by myself.

The first time I did something like that by myself alone and I liked it. I must have gone to about 50 places. This is not exactly what I was looking for but the best I could get for the $3.50 a week I was willing to pay. So that meant Monday and Tuesday looking, Wednesday night into packing and Thursday evening moving.

Now, for the first time in my life I am all alone by myself. Now don’t think that Aunt Henny and I parted unfriendly after exactly 5 months together. In the contrary, we are very good friends.

She sold most of the few pieces of furniture and took an unfurnished room. Now we can both do what we please, when we please. See if you can find my new address on your Chicago map.

It is not the best neighborhood but it is nice and especially clean. Also it is close to work so I can walk it in 25 min. instead of riding the streetcar for 1 1/4 hrs. (I wanted to save the 7¢ car fare each way.)

Sunday night I was with Leonard and a friend and his wife in a radio station. Not one of the big broadcasting companies, but very interesting anyhow. This is very different from German radio. It is all privately owned, everything has to be paid by the people who are sending something. Of course there is a lot of advertising.

"I am glad I have my warm gray coat"

On Wednesday was a big holiday called Halloween. It is mostly for children at the time the pumpkins are ripe. And you can see pumpkins carved in all sizes and shapes in stores and windows. People dress up like on Purim or Shrove Tuesday. Children go from door to door, in costumes, asking for candies by saying Tricks or Treats. Some do make very bad tricks like putting soap or wax on car and house windows.

It is pretty cool here now and I am glad I have my nice warm gray coat.

Did you talk to Max? I wonder what he has to say. I did not receive the fashion news Pappa sent.

Love,

Trudel

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Posted by Leonard Grossman on November 2, 1934 in Chicago, diary, family, immigrant experience, Letters, Memoir

Tags: apartment, broadcasting, furnished room, Halloween, moving, pumpkins, radio station, rent, trick or treat, unfurnished room

September, 1936 – Trudel Hats at last – a room and shop of her own.

25 Sep

September 1936 was a busy month for Trudel. She has her dream – a shop of her own. Her notes for September include one letter, but a note dated October 1, 1936 is really about September as well, so I am including them in one post.

Remember to click on the photos. Most will take you to full-size versions of the images.

Leonard Grossman
One of Trudel’s Sons.

September 6, 1936 – Trudel Hats

I have moved to 195 E Chestnut St and combined my own hat shop, living room and bed room together.

Trudel Working

Trudel’s All-in-One: Shop and Room

Triple Self-Portrait

Trudel Hats on Chestnut

Tomorrow, Labor Day, we are planning to go to Riverview Park, an amusement park and expect about 50,000 people if the weather is nice, Leonard will preside the first half of the day since it is all Republican.

Aunt Henny is planning to stay in Florida.

October 1, 1936- Riverview political rally, and a “lunch break” on Yom Kippur.

Had trouble getting your letter, dear Papa, since I was not home when they tried to deliver it at my apartment and I had no identification with me when I went to the Post Office to pick it up. I did finally get it.

Temple Sholom

Thanks for stamps and prayer book for Mrs. Samuel. On Yom Kippur I went to a German service, using the prayer book same as West End Synagogue [in Frankfurt]. Only, the songs’ melodies were different and they had 2 ½ hours lunch break. I met Kurt Heichelheim who is here only 2 weeks and very happy to see one person he knew.

On Labor Day, 9/7, was again Thompson Day in Riverview Park. All big Republicans. Leonard introduced all the candidates from noon until 6:00 pm in bright sunshine, which he likes.