THE THOMSON SCRAPBOOK

NARRATIVE OF BOOK 4 OF COTTON'S SCRAPBOOK

Page 1 It is 1954 and Ralph, Cotton's brother, is now the comptroller of the National City Bank of New York, one of the highest position in the bank. Michael is now a year old and has his 1st birthday party. The last snow in March gives Pop a chance to build a snowman for Mike. Jim in in Korea and lives in a quonset hut, K-46. Jan celebrates her birthday with the Folks but Jim sends roses.

Page 2 Still 1954 and Pop comes home from the hospital. He may have had gall bladder problems but I am not sure. He is well enough in June to attend a conference in Leland and get one more sunset there. Dave earns money during the summer driving a taxi. An excellent newspaper photograph of Ruth at her job at the YWCA. Pop is fishing at one of his favorite fishing spots in Leland.

Page 3 Lester and family visit East Lansing and, like all visitors, they go to the Red Ceder River to feed the ducks. Then Pop and Mom head to Leland for the annual vacation with the Watson Parkers. Naturally, Pop takes a few sunset snaps and Dave actually catches a fish while out on the lake with Pop. Pop gets an excellent photograph of the Leland Fish Town, i.e. the harbor where all the boats are tied up.

Page 4 A few more photos of Leland and then Jim returns home from Korea and his son, Mike, doesn't remember him but that is soon taken care of. Dave joins the Army in the fall after graduating from Michigan State College to avoid the long wait for the draft, which is still in effect at that time. Mom and Pop visit their close friend, Dr. Don LeDuc, at his cottage on Lake Michigan just north of Holland.

Page 5 Pop and "young Mike" do some yard work after which Mike takes a TV break with Grandma. Tom and his family move into a new home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After many years of sleeping on the 2nd floor, Mom and Pop remodel the downstair's parlor into a nice bedroom and shower. Much easier not to have to climb those stairs each night.
Page 6 Jim starts his education again at Michigan State College but since he is a veteran he, Jan and Mike get on campus living quarters, albiet a converted quonset hut but it is cheap and nice as he can walk to school. Daisy comes home for Christmas from Ft. Leonard Wood after an all night drive by one of the Sergeants who drive 5 recruits home for the holidays. Mom gets a new range for the kitchen while Jim gets a new TV. Unfortunately, Jan has to hang her washing out to dry in mid-winter. Mike celebrates his 2nd birthday.

Page 7 Pop represents Ohio Wesleyan University in the processional for Michigan State College's Centennial celebration, February 12, 1955. Dave gets a chance to come home again in March and meets with his old college friend, Howard Adams.

Page 8 1955 - Mom looks over her tulips and we see how the front of the house looks after the steps are in. Plus, Mom favorites rose trellis is doing nicely. Pop is set for the summer with his new summer outfit and Mom poses with a co-worker at the YWCA. Then everyone heads for Sandusky, OH, where the centennial celebration of Sandusky High School is the big event of the year. Dr. J.D. Parker, "Bompa", is recognized for his active work with the school board and then Pop and Mom head back to Leland for a vacation and a conference.

Page 9 Leland, as always, is wonder to visit. The fishtown offers Pop excellent photo-ops. The trip to Leland is made easy by Pop's new Super 88 Oldsmobile, which he buys used, only 7,501 miles with power steering and brakes that make it much easier to drive. Mother Thomson spends some time at Leland and the daily "run" to the Merc, the local grocery store, and the post office is shown.

Page 10 Mother Thomson, Ruth and Cotton enjoy their vacation at Stier's small cottage on Lake Lelandnau. A swim on a hot day is "just the ticket". Pop snaps two great photos - a storm approaching and another of his sunsets. But the real prize is the 17.5" large mouth bass he caught and, with the help of Ruth, ate! All take a side trip Glen Haven, Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.

Page 1	It is 1954 and Ralph, Cotton's brother, is now the comptroller of the National City Bank of New York, one of the highest position in the bank. Michael is now a year old and has his 1st birthday party. The last snow in March gives Pop a chance to build a snowman for Mike. Jim in in Korea and lives in a quonset hut, K-46. Jan celebrates her birthday with the Folks but Jim sends roses.
Page 2	Still 1954 and Pop comes home from the hospital. He may have had gall bladder problems but I am not sure. He is well enough in June to attend a conference in Leland and get one more sunset there. Dave earns money during the summer driving a taxi. An excellent newspaper photograph of Ruth at her job at the YWCA. Pop is fishing at one of his favorite fishing spots in Leland.
Page 3	Lester and family visit East Lansing and, like all visitors, they go to the Red Ceder River to feed the ducks. Then Pop and Mom head to Leland for the annual vacation with the Watson Parkers. Naturally, Pop takes a few sunset snaps and Dave actually catches a fish while out on the lake with Pop. Pop gets an excellent photograph of the Leland Fish Town, i.e. the harbor where all the boats are tied up.
Page 4	A few more photos of Leland and then Jim returns home from Korea and his son, Mike, doesn't remember him but that is soon taken care of. Dave joins the Army in the fall after graduating from Michigan State College to avoid the long wait for the draft, which is still in effect at that time. Mom and Pop visit their close friend, Dr. Don LeDuc, at his cottage on Lake Michigan just north of Holland.
Page 5	Pop and "young Mike" do some yard work after which Mike takes a TV break with Grandma. Tom and his family move into a new home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After many years of sleeping on the 2nd floor, Mom and Pop remodel the downstair's parlor into a nice bedroom and shower. Much easier not to have to climb those stairs each night.
Page 6	Jim starts his education again at Michigan State College but since he is a veteran he, Jan and Mike get on campus living quarters, albiet a converted quonset hut but it is cheap and nice as he can walk to school. Daisy comes home for Christmas from Ft. Leonard Wood after an all night drive by one of the Sergeants who drive 5 recruits home for the holidays. Mom gets a new range for the kitchen while Jim gets a new TV. Unfortunately, Jan has to hang her washing out to dry in mid-winter. Mike celebrates his 2nd birthday.
Page 7	Pop represents Ohio Wesleyan University in the processional for Michigan State College's Centennial celebration, February 12, 1955. Dave gets a chance to come home again in March and meets with his old college friend, Howard Adams.
Page 8	1955 - Mom looks over her tulips and we see how the front of the house looks after the steps are in. Plus, Mom favorites rose trellis is doing nicely. Pop is set for the summer with his new summer outfit and Mom poses with a co-worker at the YWCA. Then everyone heads for Sandusky, OH, where the centennial celebration of Sandusky High School is the big event of the year. Dr. J.D. Parker, "Bompa", is recognized for his active work with the school board and then Pop and Mom head back to Leland for a vacation and a conference.
Page 9	Leland, as always, is wonder to visit. The fishtown offers Pop excellent photo-ops. The trip to Leland is made easy by Pop's new Super 88 Oldsmobile, which he buys used, only 7,501 miles with power steering and brakes that make it much easier to drive. Mother Thomson spends some time at Leland and the daily "run" to the Merc, the local grocery store, and the post office is shown.
Page 10	Mother Thomson, Ruth and Cotton enjoy their vacation at Stier's small cottage on Lake Lelandnau. A swim on a hot day is "just the ticket". Pop snaps two great photos - a storm approaching and another of his sunsets. But the real prize is the 17.5" large mouth bass he caught and, with the help of Ruth, ate! All take a side trip Glen Haven, Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.