Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Like many friends of long acquaintance, Mary Jane Sprong and Joy Blinston have shared the ups and downs of life - births, deaths, happiness and sore trials. In the case of these two women, though, they didn't meet face-to-face for 15 years.
Sprong and Blinston began their correspondence in 1944 as pen pals. As a student in Detroit, Mich., Sprong received Blinston's address through an exchange program at Redford High School. She believes the information was provided in a civics class.
"It was so long ago," said Sprong, now 78, of the friendship that has spanned six decades. "I can't remember the exact details. I don't remember if the pen pal names were chosen or assigned."
Blinston lives on Jersey, the Channel Island closest to France at the mouth of the English Channel, in the Sea of Malto.
Sprong's family visited Winona Lake every summer where both sets of grandparents lived - Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beaver and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gillard.
After Sprong and her then-husband, Richard McElroy of Winona Lake, were married, they moved to France while McElroy served in the U.S. Army.
Sprong took the opportunity to visit Blinston twice, once when her pen pal served aboard the Queen Mary as a nursery nurse.
"She's been a great friend to write to. We write and say what kids have done, who's sick, things like that. We always hear from each other at Christmas," Sprong said.
This year in a package sent halfway around the world, Sprong received a drawer sachet, a hand towel and a Christmas card from her long-time friend. A newspaper article from the Oct. 16 Jersey Evening Post also was included. The story was about the St. Mark church's 160th anniversary. A personal note from Blinston indicated she gave readings during the occasion, reading from 1 to 4 a.m. Postage was 2£.20 - about $4.10.
Vacation postcards are always sent and the two women call each other on occasion.
Blinston is a widow now, with two daughters; Sprong, a retired registered nurse, has four daughters. Both women have several grandchildren to spoil.
"We usually send things by airmail. It is wonderful and dependable," Sprong said. "Although the cost of postage is horrendous."
"To me, what is really special, is Joy has maybe told me in writing what she might not have said to a friend."
