The Story Behind
HUSON TRAVEL LETTERS

THE STORY:

At the end of World War II, a young journalist couple, Malva and Roland Huson of Baton Rouge, LA, loaded their two preschoolers, a typewriter, a Ditto machine, camping equipment and a few changes of clothes into a Ford sedan modified to serve as home, office and transportation.

For more than two years, they traveled throughout North America, writing about their adventures via weekly personalized Travel Letters to children who ranged from four years old to the 10th grade. (Even L'Abner cartoonist Al Capp subscribed for his daughter.)

Some of the original subscribers treasured their collection of 1940s Travel Letters, reporting that they had been used by their children and grandchildren to supplement their studies.

Thus, some 43 years later (1989-90),mother and daughter were inspired to recreate the U.S. portion of the travel to share the adventure with a new generation. They added two new states (Alaska and Hawaii) while producing two year’s worth of bi-weekly letters to homeschoolers and other subscribers.

ABOUT THE WRITERS:(circa 1989)

Malva Huson Brown and her first husband, Roland Huson, created and produced the original 1940s Travel Letters. Later, the Husons owned four weekly newspapers which Malva edited. They continued to travel throughout North and South America and Europe.

When widowed, Malva changed careers, becoming the director of a regional library system. Upon retirement, she and her second husband traveled extensively in Europe prior to his death.

A lively 73-year-old grandmother of fourteen, Malva holds a BA in journalism and a Masters in Library Science from LSU and did post-graduate work at Emory University. She has been active in the Louisiana Press Assn., Inter-American Press Assn., American Library Assn. and Louisiana Library Assn.

Juanita Huson Sylvest’s ”writing” career began at age four when she dictated some of the original Travel Letters to her parents. At age 10, she began 13 years as an award-winning Weekly op-ed columnist. Having traveled throughout all 48 states, Canada, Mexico and Central America before even entering school, Juanita’s love of travel as the “natural classroom” continues. She dedicates Huson Travel Letters to her five grandchildren.

Juanita holds a BA in languages from LSU, an MBA from SMU and a MIM from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). She was an eager participant in the education of her three daughters during which she was active in Parent Cooperative Preschools International, PTO, and Richmond (VA) Children’s Theater. She has been involved in the Washington (DC) Independent Writers, International Women’s Writing Guild, Travel and Tourism Research Assn. and Toastmasters International.

Malva and Juanita firmly believe that children of all ages have an innate curiosity and desire to learn. They see the supportive teacher/parent role as one of providing appropriate opportunities and tools with which to spark and fuel that natural drive to want to know more.


THE WRITERS (Today, 2008)
Malva (celebrating her 93rd birthday on August 18, 2008) lives with her son and daughter-in-law, Roland and Tina Huson, in Charleston, WV. She recently completed editing a novel for a local author.

Juanita (who, in 1999, legally changed her name to Juanita Ruth One in celebration of her 50th birthday) has retired into a Class C motorhome ("Angel Azul")and divides her time between Charleston, WV; Lexington, VA (where the motorhome serves as a "mother-in-law cottage" when she isn't on the road); and traveling. She can sometimes be found volunteering at campgrounds as a "host".

The "Traveling Husons" enjoyed a nostalgic opportunity to travel together again when Juanita drove Malva in "Angel Azul" from Charleston, WV to Baton Rouge, LA for a biannual family reunion over the July 4, 2008 holiday. They both continue to love travel as a life-long educational experience!

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