The Omaha guide., 1945-09-29
MRS. MARY DUNCAN
VISITS OLD HOME OWN
RELATES TRIP AND TELLS
OF HER VISIT HERE

An Acknowledgement of another
grand opportunity----diSpite con-
ested travel conditions l made my
annual visit to Omaha arriving
Tuesday, August 2S, to De guest of
my girlhood chum and husband
Mr.. and Mrs. l.. B. Houston. Ny
visit was shared with my sister
Mrs. Johnny owen and family. my
neice Mrs. Dorothy Scott Glenn and
my cousin ]. N. Blain and family.
From Portland, 1 was accomp-
anied by Mr.. Duncan across to
Jackson, Mich, where We visited
his mother Mrs. Ellen Duncan, his
neice and husband Mr.. and Mrs.
Dave Journey. In Saint Ann. Ill.
we visited Mr.. and Mrs. George
Runtree; Mr.. and Mrs. John Mea-
chem and Mrs. J. E. Tuddle. my
sisters and brother-in-laws who
own acreage and new homes. In
Chicago. we were house guests Of
other lifelong friends Mr.. and Mr..
Griffin Wilkerson. who motored us
about this metropolis. to meet.
greet and be entertained by form
er school mates and friends. His
vacation up by this time (much of
it expired before reservations
could be securely Mr.. Duncan re-
turned to Portland and l came on
to Omaha our former home.
1t is a grand reunion with family
and friends when we wight Omaha
--home-.be it ever so hot Git was
during our Stay) smoky and over
crowded with migrants, it was
home for 22 years until we moved
in 1882 to Portland. Oregon from
when we have been returning the
past ten years. This years visit
has been an exception. at least for
the war years. in that we've (the
world) celebrated and ~rejoiced ov-
er VI Day; peace has been declar-
ed, hostilities are ceasing, we have
every reason to believe that our
boys will soO be home-that nor
malcy will be restored.
\. My arrival was saddened by the
passing Of Mr.. George Ray and
Mr.. Steel. long time residents Of o.
maha-trustee and choir members
respectively of ST. John Church.
Our sympathy went out to the ber-
eaved. Yes many of those we miss
from year to yea as we return.
Some. have moved to other localit-
ies----many however have stepped
behind the curtain. their voices sill
ent----but memory of them fingers
on.
1t was truly a Homecoming to be
in attendance at St. John Church,
(our home church) Sunday Sept. 2.
to hear that wonderful choir und-
er direction of Mrs. Pearl Ray
Gibson, with Mrs. Otis Jamison and
Miss Edna Blair at the pianos.
to hear H. l.. Preston. basso, do
tina tsong of songs Does Jesus
Care" which prefaced a powerful
message by his uncle. the Rev.
Jackson, a visitor from Daytona
Beach, Fla. 1t was a pleasant sur
prise to see that great pulpiteer.
(now Editor of the Western Re
corder) Rev. Fred A. Hughes. who
on the following Sunday drew an
overwhelming attendance to Saint
John~---his eloquent message long
will be remembered. We worship
ped in gratitude to those loyal I'M
firing christians, church men and
women Of st. John whose labors
with their great chieftain and lead
er Rev. E. F. Ridley, is at last COM
pleting the million dollar edifice.-
Greater st. John.
1t was a further pleasure to look
in on the Iowa-Minnesota Annual
Conference of the 4th Episcopal
District held at Council Bluffs,
Iowa, under hat great head and
lovable parsonage. Bishop ]. A.
Gregg. We again revelled in the
spiritual uplift as ST. Johns choir
enlivened the Missionary Session.