Historical Context

This letter was written on March 19, 1933, by Myrl (Washburn) Hamilton, from Provo, Utah. 

The "Pung Waltz" mentioned by Myrl is a fascinating cultural nugget. A "punk" (often spelled "pung" phonetically here) was a stick of incense or similar material that glowed in the dark. In an era of strict social chaperoning—noted by the "suspicious" Relief Society members—the Pung Waltz was a rare moment for students to dance in the dark.

Myrl mentions B.Y.U. winning the Rocky Mountain Conference Championship in basketball. In 1933, B.Y.U. did indeed have a standout season, and the dramatic last-second win over Wyoming she describes is a real piece of Cougar sports history.

The closing line, "feel thankful that you weren’t in California," is likely a reference to the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, which occurred on March 10, just nine days before this letter was written. It killed over 100 people and caused massive destruction.