Floyd Raymond Flansburg 1896 – 1972
At the time of the 1910 census Floyd Flansburg, age 13, was living with his parents, Frank and Mary, on Central Street in Watertown, NY. His father worked as a shipping clerk at a flour mill.
In January 1920 when the census was taken, Floyd was working as a plumber and Ava Patrick, who grew up on Pillar Point, was boarding in the city of Watertown and working as a factory inspector. They married just a few weeks later on January 26, 1920 and lived in the Watertown area.
Joanna Lane Meyer sent me a copy of this letter to the editor from some old clippings of her mother’s. I was impressed with the spirit of this letter. I wish I had known Ava Patrick Flansburg who, bound to a wheelchair, spent her time writing notes to folks “who need cheering up.” Her warm and generous spirit shines through the letter like sunshine.
Ava Patrick was a cousin to Clara Ash Moore, Doris Eveleigh and Edith Weeks, and to Chester McAfee and his sister, Helene.
A Letter to the Editor
by Ava Patrick Flansburg 1900 – 1981
I didn’t start off very well. I’m your neighbor two doors the other side of Davidson’s motel toward town. I’m handicapped – sit in my wheelchair typing with one finger all morning to all who are eager to hear from me – friends, relatives, neighbors, folks in hospitals who need cheering up.
We enjoy the Town and Country news so much. It takes in surrounding towns so we keep in touch. It’s a wonderful little paper. I enjoy hearing of children coming home on vacations from college or just visits. My family lives in Pennsylvania, they come ’til bad weather – then wait ’til spring – a wonderful time of year we all look forward to. Our son, Jim lives on Gifford Rd. with his family – we are fortunate he lives near and can come to us if needed. We live next door to Claude Thomas – a good kind neighbor. We appreciate things they do for us so much.
My mom left me a farm in Pillar Point and we went there summers for many years when our kids were both home, a great place, it was a 50 acre rich land farm, old roomy house, lots of cool air if it was hot outside. We were a little way from neighbors – back in from busy road so had it all to ourselves. My mom was alive then so was with us a few years. When I started being afflicted we had to stop going down. I miss going dreadfully, my folks moved there when I was five so it means home. But we must adjust when life gets complicated – so I try to take it pleasantly, though it’s difficult at times.
I bought this electric typewriter last summer from Stocker – it’s easier on my arm, which I use so much. My grandaughter comes to use it evenings some for her theme paper at JCC. I love to hear her type, she studied typing – I didn’t.
I enjoy the birds at our feeder by my window. We’ve had grosbeaks, nuthatches, chick-a-dees, blue jays, a woodpecker now and then, no cardinals yet. It’s nice to know we feed them. I read of the photographer seeing a hundred robins on Dry Hill, poor things, they got mixed up I think. I hope they live to appear this spring. I’m pushing spring – it’s not far away either.
I mustn’t bore you with my chatter, just meant to tell how we like the little paper. Come see us some day.
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