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(seq. 22)
[Stamped]Censored by M.C.L Concord[Stamped]
[top right] Box 00 W. Concord, Mass. August 24, 1965
Dear Dr. Miriam:
Great to have your letter which came today. Thank you for keeping me posted on what's happening in the areas of our mutual interest.
It is lovely of you and Anne Gladding to have visited the Dearborns during Howard's convalesence. I am glad the family is OK and of course hope with Howie that he makes it back to work Monday next. That is the best possible medication.
I am delighted and grateful about your invitation to Francis and Rita to attend the Muscular Dystrophy Board meeeting at your house tomorrow at 8 p.m. I am sure they will love it. I hope Rita tells you about her work with the Fairs & Squares in Framingham. It is a country-western dancing club to which she and Francis belong, together with a hundred or so fine people from that vicinity. Rita is recording secretary and quite excited about the President's Ball which the Fairs and Squares will put on next month, honoring the presidents of the different dancing clubs. I know she will invite you and Mary Marcin to the affair, and I am sure you will make some good friends for Muscular Dystrophy there. SDG is at your service, as you know, when the campaign starts, November 1st. We should be able to handle the letters or any assignment with dispatch this time.
Oddly, while addressing the newsletter to Cynthia Thomas, I had a feeling she might be gone off camping with her youngsters. Yes, I too hope she is enjoying herself trying to keep up with her three small adventurers. All of us look forward to seeing both of you when there's a chance of making it.
It is heartening and significant that Director Alexander should attack Capital Punishment despite predecessor Bennett's support of it. Some of the Staff here are attending Congress of Corrections sessions in Boston, including our SDG Coordinator Victor Pozerycki. He will brief us on the rational there.
I feel great lately and hope you are OK.
Always with deep respect and love, Jim Kerrigan
P.S Best wishes from all SDG members.
(seq. 23)
Box 00 W. Concord, Mass September 30, 1965
Dear Dr. Miriam,
I apologise without excuse for the delay in response to your great letter which came on the heels of our meeting, September 17th. Been hung up a little here but things are now fine and everything is going well with the group and myself.
Our Co ordinator, Mr. Pozerycki, will contact the Furniture Shop about the bench for Ralph and I will let you know. I think we can manage it all right.
It was such a pleasure to have seen you again. You really looked wonderful. So did Cynthia Thomas.
We shall have the Muscular Dysrophy letters completed over the weekend. Only a few this time. Remember, we have 34 men with willing hands and hearts, so if you need the manpower now or later, just forward the work along. You know it will be a pleasure for us.
Donald Painten and the rest extend warmest regards.
Thank you for your kind comments about thevisit. It was truly a delight for the four of us. We hope next time the whole center group may meet with you; and of course, everyone in all groups look forward to seeing you at our second annual banquet, January 15, 1966.
I shall write again real soon.
Ever with affection & admiration,
(seq. 24)
[Stamped]Censored by W. Concord[Stamped]
W. Concord, Mass. October 13, 1965
Dear Dr. Miriam
Great to have your letter of September 30th, then the lovely chikadee bearing your shining thoughts on October 8th. All the SDG members were delighted too. For them and for myself, I thank you.
The Muscular Dystrophy letters are addressed and waiting to be picked up, though there were not enought envelopes to accomodate the listings; about a hundred short. Since you are going to Vermont on the 17th, perhaps it would be convenient if Francis delivered the material to your house this this Saturday after the visit. You could telephone Rita if that arrangement is all right.
On the bench for Ralph, we do have a furniture shop, but the men would not be permitted to make it even if you supplied the lumber. Mr Pozerycki was very nice about it, and tried for us, but to no avail. There is no woodwork on larger objects in avocation. And Francis told me there are no benches at Gregg & Co., so we drew a blank all round. I hope you can still make out in this regard in time for Ralph's birthday anniversary.
Francis told me also that he and Rita enjoyed your MD board meeting and liked the fine people there. Of course they also enjoyed Mary Marcin's delicacies. What a wonderful, loyal aide and friend you have there. Someday I hope to test my sweet tooth on her cakes if she would not mind. I am glad you invited Francis and Rita to todays MD meeting. I am sure the children will like Rita's dancers at one of the parties.
We are a bit distressed at Howard Dearnborn's bad luck in the injury dept. In my book, his best insurance is still hard work, the same as it is for all of us in SDG. Naturally, we can now only hope he is up and about his duties real soon. Thank you for letting us know the story on his situation.
Yes, the Pope's visit to the U.N was very exciting, and his message most meaningful. It is beautiful of you to have noted the occasion so warmly. I joined those here who received Holy Communion on October 4th at a special Mass for the Pontiff's intentions. You and yours were in my thoughts together with the rest of my loved ones. Please tell Helen I love her.
Ever with love Jim Kerrigan
[writing up side] PS Best wishes and much affection from Ronald Pontin and every SDG Member
(seq. 25)
[text top left] SDG NEWSLETTER [text top right] Mass. Correctional Institution West Concord, Mass.
Dr. Miriam Van Waters Framingham, Mass.
September-November, 1965
Dear Members & Friends:
Parole Board and Corrections Dept. approval for outside meetings is imminent, contingent upon the appointment of more parole agents. Professor Lloyd Weinreb of Harvard Law School and Commonwealth Service Corps has been in close touch with Parole Chairman Joseph F. McCormack in behalf of the Self Development Group. Professor Weinreb has also contacted outside members in additon to maintaining laison with the inside group, and facilitating the release of several members by obtaining the required job-home clearance.
In the latter connection, Dr. Weinreb is lately being assisted by SDGers Ronald Addison and Neil Sullivan. The object is to establish a job backlog available to members who need work. Things are looking up.
Members who wish to write should address communications to Professor Lloyd Weinreb, Harvard Law School, Cambridge. This will obviate any need for correspondence with the inside group via Staff which is in conflict with Staff policy.
SDG consultant, Dr. Miriam Van Waters of Framingham, who has counseled the SDG leadership from the inception of the program two years ago, recently wrote of each of the 34 inside members. Dr. Van Waters' inspiring messages, together with the dedication and knowhow of Professor Weinreb, keep SDG moving forward. There remains much to be done, some of the work seemingly impossible, but it shall be done nevertheless. The SDG spirit is ever deepening and expanding; and SDG experience is accumulating significantly toward a telling contribution to real corrections locally and nationally.
Dr. Belinky and Mr. Clark of Harvard University visited with the Center Group several weeks ago with reference to the Mission Hill Extension. The Messrs. Belinky and Clark have a project going there concerning school dropouts in particular and delinquency in general.
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