Secret In The Attic

Season 2: Episode 6

Guest: Lori Hunter

Lori Hunter and her husband Tom, live in Longmont Colorado, where they have raised their kids and have been active grandparents as they continue to enjoy their retirement life.

A girls trip to an antique store in Walnut, Iowa, started her collecting old postcards with writings from the early 1900s.  The postcards sparked a passion for writing, but Lori’s writing process was abruptly interrupted by the tragic death of their daughter Jessica and two of Jess‘s girlfriends in a car accident in 2003. 

Years later, that loss lead Lori into another expression of love through writing. Lori found notes tucked away in Jessica‘s closet. They were mini time capsules, precious glimpses into her daughter’s childhood friendships. They were from grade school, middle and high school.  A gift of healing, and yet another glimpse into a beautiful girl's life taken too soon. The story unfolds as Lori gently unearthed each one…realizing the connection of writings…the power of words written on paper, even from childhood. The notes, in time, became a gift Lori returned to the original senders, who are now adults.  An exchange of heartfelt innocence, this all led to meeting with Jessica’s friends at Lori’s house and continuing the conversation…

Lori (back row third from left) with Jessica’s childhood friends

Richard Chase Kraffert

Photo from his time at The Hill School, Pottstown, PA

Letter from Dick to Family from The Hill School from family archives

Dick Kraffert’s official Civil Aeronautics Administration airman identification card, issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce

Example of Art Deco-era geometric lettering from family archives

Richard Chase Kraffert’s Fraternity at Cornell