[JonoBN41]

Letter Number 1

Sept. 23, 1971

Dear Mom,
Well, I am finally a frog. This is frog week and all the freshman are frogs. We have to do crazy things that people tell us to do. Last night Gene had to run the elevator in the High Rise for ½ hour and “rivit” when anyone got in.
I’ve been having a real good time so far. We went to the beach the other day. You wouldn’t believe the temperature of the ocean. It’s so warm it’s like taking a bath and you can’t wait to get out. There’s an OSO launching on Sat. morning and I think I’ll ride down to the beach and watch it.
Last night we had a small party at Rick’s room – we drank a case of beer and watched the 3 Stooges on TV, ate peanuts and I got drunk. But don’t think it’s all fun and games – I’ve got a hangover! Oh well, C’est la vie, huh?
So how was Liz’s trip to Connecticut? It rained most of the way down here – especially in N.Y.C., where we passed 2 accidents. I wasn’t in ‘em so don’t think I’m dead or nuthin’.
Yup, it’s damn nice here, bub (I’m still a Bonacker at heart, you know). A lot of the dudes in Melbourne (pronounced Melburn) are grits. You know, the “You’re in a heap of trouble, boy” guys who ride around in ’56 pickups with gun racks in the rear window and bumper stickers saying, “If your heart’s not in Dixie, get the hell out!”. But that’s mostly up north more.
When I get around to it, I’ll send you some pictures of this place – did you know we (FIT) have our own jungle? It’s like a nature trail.
Most of the people here at FIT are good. We know those 2 guys from Bay Shore and the guys in the fraternity. You know what happened to Gene? I was in his room the other night when someone opens the door (with a key), walks in and says, “Gene Ferraro”. Gene says, “Yeah, that’s me”. He says, “No, that’s me. This guy had the exact same name – initial included! Far out, man. Last time I heard, he was living in the gym.
Send me the Star, ok? I miss reading who got arrested.
My roommate is some Physics major (junior) who works for NASA on the L.M. at the Cape and I can’t shut him up.
Somebody set off a line of firecrackers that lasted about 10 minutes last night (2:00 am) and I got up at 9:00 today, so I’m kind of tired. By the way, my new address is:
Me
Florida Institute of Technology
Box 953
Melbourne, Fla.
32901
Write soon, (and send me a cake or sumthin’)
Jon