As some of you know, I have transcribed a diary kept by Margaret Dickie Michener McCulloch over the years 1847-1908. Margaret was born in Nova Scotia in 1847 and moved to the Vassar area in 1881. Looking over some of my material today, I found a letter that Margaret wrote to the editor of her hometown newspaper in Nova Scotia. It tells quite a bit about life in Vassar so I am sending it to the Michigan list. Vassar, Mich. Dec. 28th, 1906 "Dear Advance and your host of friends. Happy Greeting to all, wishing you a prosperous New Year. I believe Michigan has had a year of prosperity, at any rate, the majority have much to be thankful for. The barns are pretty well filled, and though the presses are not filled with new wine, yet there is considerable new cider, which is good in many forms, but I warn all against hard cider, it paves the way for stronger drink, and hurts the stomach. We have had a pleasant Autumn, with a few disagreeable days, and high wind. The ground is about half white with snow, the rest looks brown. The roads are in fine condition for wheeling, and the men and teams are busy hauling gravel for the roads where it is neeed in some places. The usual Christmas exercises have taken place at the churches, with the tree and its presents, and we all got a share of candy and popcorn. The sparrows are plenty, and some boys are trying to capture some, but the sparrows are too smart for them. The Telephone is in constant use and many a message is passed of business or friendship daily, and in the evening music is often asked for and all along the line once or twice a week the receivers are down listening to the Gramaphone or organ and violin, or piano. So with all the work, there is pleasure mixed with it, and all are seeking to please themselves and help to please others. Many years ago Asa Hines used to sing, "A mixture of joy and trouble I daily do pass through &c," and this is still the case, if not daily, it is at different periods, for the usual amount of births, marriages and deaths occur among us. We among others were called to mourn the death of the father of James McKay who died in August and the remains taken to Canada and buried beside his wife; we miss him very much, he was so kind and helpful, so genial, ever ready to give pleasure to others. The people around us are of a social turn and these holiday weeks are filled with drives and visiting. One of our great pleasures is in having Mrs. Anna Andrews with us, we would love to retain her all winter, but fear she will leave us before many weeks. We all spent last evening pleasantly at a neighbors a mile away, when everything tended to enjoyment with the music of piano and violin. Thus young and old are enjoying the season and giving and receiving presents, ourselves receiving pleasant reminders of past friendship from the dear friends in N.S., Mass, and Mich. Blessings on the head of the fellow who sends me the Advance. May he never come to want, but always have plenty in his closet and pocket-book. So with nothing but love and good will for all the world, I remain as ever . . . Aunt Margaret." Margaret died in 1908 at the age of 81; she is buried in Tuscola cemetery. carolyn in rhode island