Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 17: Toys and Games




The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 17: Toys and Games

"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.


Prompt 17: Toys and Games

This week’s prompt is Toys and Games
    •    Can you remember your first toy, or game? - Not really; I'm very old...
    •    Do you still have it? - Certainly not.
    •    Who did you play with? - cousins, ... and brothers, eventually.
    •    Did you play board games? - Yes. Monopoly was a favorite, with four brothers, and cousins
    •    Have you inherited any of your family games & toys? - Not that I think of...
    •    Share some pictures if you would like to! Happy to...

My Lionel Train from 1952, which I have shared before, is my most memorable Toy, I suppose. I've shown my grandchildren playing with it. Here is one of my oldest daughter, Annette, in July 1965, playing with it as well. It still works... mostly stays in a box these days... ;-)



Families are Forever!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 1928 Kinnick Family Gathering


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
1928 Kinnick Family Gathering





This has been a couple of interesting weeks - far extended family contacts on both sides of my mother's family - that have led to me reviewing some of the old family photos - in addition to having resumed her diary daily entries on December 1.

I've posted some on Facebook, and talked about some here. I've shared some on email that are not on Facebook, and been posted to Facebook as it seems appropriate. Interesting exercises, for sure.

I'll share the back of the above photo, below, where all the names are mentioned, but, they are listed "backwards" in my view - behind the spot on the image, not in order as you look at it. So, I'll attempt to identify folks, right here. This was a family gathering at Wilson Herron's farm home, on March 25th, 1928. His wife, of course, was Lucile Kinnick - sister of Paul Kinnick, my maternal grandfather. Paul is third from the left, behind the two young men: Leo Kinnick on left and Wilbur Herron on right. Delbert Ford is on the far right. He is husband of Lillian Kinnick Ford, of course. She was most likely the one taking the photo! 

Wilson is sitting on the step, left, surrounded by children, a not uncommon experience. Donald H., Duane and Wilson Jr. (Ping) are two his left, in the photo. He holds one of the young twin girls - Geneva or Genevieve. Mother, Lucile, is holding the other one, in the back row. Also beside Wilson is daughter, Naomi. Next to Naomi is her sister, Pauline. Beside her, in the middle, is my mother, Eileen Kinnick - she would have been nine and a half years old. Brother, Buzzy, was still five months in the future to be born! 

In the back row, from the left, are Margaret Herron, Nettie Kinnick, Lucile, Dorothy (Sorensen) Kinnick, and Everett Brideson. Everett's wife, Gertrude (Kinnick) Brideson is in front of him, just behind Leo. I think that is everyone. Here is the back of the photo... written in my mother's handwriting... although is looks just like her Dad's - so there is always a glimmer of doubt! ;-)




Families are Forever!! For sure! ;-)


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Sorensen Family Gathering at Smith Place - 1950


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
Sorensen Family Gathering 
Smith Place - 1950





This is not going to be "nearly Wordless" - for sure. This image is very special to me, and I want to explain how I found it and then share some more about it. My daughter had a new "cousin contact" with a grand-daughter of the sister of my grandmother, Dorothy (Sorensen) Kinnick. This encouraged me to pull out the old black and white photos of the Sorensen family gatherings from the 1940s, etc. I had not looked at them in a long time.

In the process of doing that, this image of our farm house, in Iowa, popped up. It is the only image, of many we have of the farm at that time, that is from this particular view, and is especially meaningful to me, for several reasons. 

First, it is rare to see this "backyard fence" - more commonly photos are of people up by the house, with the house in the background; or, with the house to the back of the photographer.

Second. See this corner-post, far right. I distinctly remember "riding" that, like a horse, as a kid. Perhaps is was for a very brief time, after Dad put the post in, before he put up the wire. I was much younger, at the time of doing that, then when this photo was taken. Here, which is Fall 1950, I'd have been eleven - much too old to "ride a post!". In fact, Carol, the girl in the center, is the same age as me, within a month or so.

Third, this really shows development of the "house." Far left corner, of the house. Can you see the paint is a different color? That previously was an open front porch. It was removed, and a bathroom was added with a "formal front door and entrance." The bathroom was important in our lives. The "front door" was NEVER used. Everyone came into the kitchen on this side of the house, directly off the driveway, along the left, as you can see.

Finally, the biggest deal is, this "back porch" - see the difference in roof line? - was removed a year or so after this photo and a LARGE family room was built - we still called it the porch - that came about as far away from the house as to where the ladies are standing - with a big fire place on the right end! Quite an wonderful (and final) addition to the old farm house. Neat memories. Wonderful photo.

Let's take a look at a few more photos from that day - they had all been maintained fairly close together under SORENSEN.

The ladies, doing a dance-kick routine. They were all very musical. But, this seems ridiculous.






Another. Notice Carol and another lady joining in. Remember, we took very few photos, on a roll, in those days... we saved every one, no matter how bad!

Men/Guys standing around talking, out by the cars, in the driveway. How about those cars!! Buzzy, the one on the right, my "favorite" uncle (he and I spent a lot of time together as I was growing up!), owned the Mercury on the left. Alan Jackson wrote a song about "Riding in a Mercury" just like this one - in later years!

A bit of a close-up of the men - and a great view of the hen house, in the background!





And then, for some reason, a photo of Dad (left) and Mom (center) talking to another couple in the living room - I'm fairly sure they are not family, so, I assume it was just on the roll of film, and kept together!

One more thing. By comparing clothes on different folks, this is actually the same day as the Sorensen Family Group Photo (which I was actually looking for when I found these) from Fall 1950:




This was taken on the opposite corner of the front of the house. This is our farm, where I grew up. I'm just right of center, front row, just right of the lady in the white blouse. Brother, Tom (now T.K.) is right beside me, little guy, at the time. Brother Jim, in between, is to the right with white shirt.

On my Facebook page, I have shared this and several other group photos of this family going back over the years to 1940, when I was just a year old. Same families - you can watch all the kids grow - and show up, of course. What fun!

I love questions and comments - below, on Facebook, or via e-mail. Thanks! ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)







Saturday, December 7, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 15: Snow


The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 15: Snow
 

"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.


Prompt 15: Snow

This week’s prompt is Snow
    •    Do you live in area where you routinely have snow?

This Prompt turns out to be comical due to timing. Yesterday, we got 8-10 inches of snow. Very unusual, but very timely for the prompt. Historically, this are gets 4 inches in all of December…




I grew up in Iowa… very common for much snow through the winter. We moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1983, and then, it snowed there. So we are very accustomed to snow… even though we try to avoid it.


    •    How old were you when you first saw snow? - six months
    •    Do you remember it? - No, but I remember a huge snowstorm on May 28, 1947, in Iowa
    ◦    Did you make snowmen? - Of course
    ◦    Throw Snowballs - Of course
    ◦    Sledge Rides - not really, but about every other kind of "in the snow" transportation, Tractors, Truck, etc.
    •    What is the image that first came to mind when you read snow? - Outside my windows, today!
    •    What does snow
    ◦    feel like,
    ◦    smell like
    •    How do you see snow? - Far too often!!

Families are Forever!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 13: Special People / Iconic Figures


 
The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 13: Special People / Iconic Figures
 

"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.



Prompt 13: Special People / Iconic Figures

This week’s prompt is Special People / Iconic Figures

    •    If you had to hold a dinner party and could invite a maximum of 12 special people who would you invite?
    •    You can NOT include family in this – the special people could be famous or historical people.
    •    What meals would you serve and why.
    •    Perhaps include the recipe or a photo if you decided to actually cook the items!


I'm just going to provide my list of 12 people without comment.
You may comment, if you like! ;-)

John Quincy Adams
Tom Hanks
Bill Clinton
Thomas Jefferson
Teddy Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Albert Einstein
Henry Ford
Harrison Ford
Hillary Clinton
Ida M. Tarbull
Sandra Day O'Conner


Families are Forever!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Thanksgivings past (1941, 2003)


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
Thanksgivings past
1941 - 2003

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

What fun! I put "Thanksgiving" in my image finder and these two came up!

[Titled: Thanksgiving - 1941 - kids]

 This is Lohrville, Iowa - 1941 - Uncle Leo Kinnick's house. Especially appropriate, because cousin Dennis Ford (upper left; on the stump, lower left) will celebrate his 75th Birthday on Sunday, December 1, 2013. That is me, Bill, upper right, in front of that neat car!! I'm also in the lower left, as well... the cute kid, of course! Lower right is cousin Karen Kinnick, on the right, and her neighbor, on the left.

[Titled: Thanksgiving - 2003 in Branson]

From the left: Larry Johnson, Annette Lamb, Bill Smith, Nancy Smith, Ben Rathsack, and Arrion Rathsack, using automatic setting on Annette's Camera, I think, at the time... technology constantly challenges...  ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)



Monday, November 18, 2013

Hometown Monday - Old Carrollton School in final days


Hometown Monday
Old Carrollton School in final days
 

From: Coon Rapids Enterprise, Thursday, November 14, 2013. Front Page Story:

Sometime next summer the 1937 Carrollton School House will disappear from the rural landscape, following action by the Carrollton Community Heritage Club at their October 28 meeting. After nearly a decade of effort trying to save the building, the group dedicated to preserve the memories of the Carrollton Community have realized the task is too large and
expensive to achieve.

“Our intentions were to refurbish the building, maybe put an apartment in there, maybe a
community center,” said Rosemary Paulsen, one of the members of the CCHC.

The group even spent money in 2006 to have asbestos removed from the building in hopes that a renovation could eventually take place.

“We had all kinds of plans, of course, but we had no real money and the building continued
to deteriorate,” Paulsen added. “I hate it. It’s really sad. It’s the last standing public building in Carrollton. It would have been nice to save it,” Paulsen said.

The final straw, Paulsen said, was a report from Sebern Structural Services of Panora, who
was commissioned to document the deterioration and provide necessary costs to rehabilitate.
From there, the group solicited bids for demolition and the one from Mike Daniels was accepted.
Paulsen said he’ll fit the job into his schedule and will have it down by next summer.

Carrollton, the first county seat in Carroll County, had a school as early as 1856. In 1909 a consolidated school in Carrollton was built and in 1936 it burned down. It was replaced with this all-brick building and for many years it had 10 grades, although in the last years it was limited to eight grades. It closed in 1959.

Paulsen said that now plans for the demolition have been made, new ideas for the school property can begin in earnest. Not surprisingly, several have already been made, such as making an historical interpretative park or maybe shelterhouse. Many other ideas will circulate when the large group of Carrollton enthusiasts gather for the ‘Old Settlers’
Picnic’ on August 16 of next year.

In the meantime, Carrollton Community Heritage Club members can continue to enjoy
the Old Carrollton Park which it has developed on property which once was home to the
community’s first grocery store.


Families are Forever! ;-)

Saturday, November 16, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 12: The Year You Were Born


The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 12: The Year You Were Born


 "The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.



Prompt 12: The Year You Were Born
This week’s prompt is The year you were born
What happened:
    •    Historical
    •    Films
    •    Music
    •    Books
    •    Television

The Year was 1939… (per Wikipedia) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939

Jan 1 - Hewlett-Packard is founded as an electronic company in Palo Alto, CA
Jan 24 - An earthquake kills 30,000 in Chile
Mar 3 - In Bombay, Mohandas Gandhi begins a fast protesting against British rule in India
Apr 14 - John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath is first publishes
Apr 30 - The 1939 New York World's Fair opens
May 1- Batman, created by Bob Kane, makes his first appearance in a comic book
May 2 - Lou Gehrig ends his 2,130 consecutive baseball game streak, he has ALS
Jun 6 - The first Little League Baseball game is played in Williamsport, PA
Jun 12 - The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is officially dedicated in Cooperstown, NY
Jul 1 - Dr. Bill is born in Iowa
Jul 2 - The 1st World Science Fiction Convention opens in NYC
Jul 3 - Theodore Roosevelt's head is dedicated at Mount Rushmore
Aug 2 - Albert Einstein writes to U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt about developing the atomic bomb using uranium. This leads to the creation of the Manhattan Project
Sep 1 - Nazi Germany invades Poland - beginning WWII
Sep 28 - Warsaw surrenders to Germany
Oct 17 - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington premieres in Washington, D.C.
Oct 24 - Nylon stockings go on sale for the first time anywhere in Wilmington, Delaware
Nov 15 - In Washington, D.C., U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt lays the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial
Nov 16 - Al Capone is released from Alcatraz, due to deteriorating health caused by syphilus
Dec 15 - The film Gone with the Wind premieres at Loew's Grand Theatre in Atlanta, GA

... and lots, lots more... see link! ;-)

Families are Forever!

Shared Memories of JFK Assassination for GeneaBloggers




Shared Memories of JFK Assassination for GeneaBloggers
 
 
Our GeneaBlogger leader, Genealogy Ninja Thomas MacEntee, has asked that those of us with memories of that day, 22 November 1963, share whatever memories we do have. He was too young at the time, to have memories of his own. We are to include a relevant image, as well, as the memories will be collected at Pinterest.
 

I was a young officer in the United States Air Force, on that day, working in my green office, at my green desk, with a radio on another green desk, not too far away, in our series of semi-trailer vans that made up our radar unit. This was a Radar Bomb Scoring detachment, part of the Strategic Air Command. Our location was a mesa west of and above St. George, Utah. We had earlier (a couple of months) moved from another Mesa located west of Winslow, Arizona. We had two officers and 25-30 enlisted men in our detachment. [I also had a wife and young daughter, at our home, in town]

The only really clear memory is standing around that radio, shocked to hear of the assassination attempt, and awaiting the (unbelievable, but nearly inevitable) news of Kennedy's death. The rest is a blur. Shock always is.


Families are Forever! ;-)



Friday, November 15, 2013

75 Years Ago This Week - November 15, 1938


75 Years Ago This Week
November 15, 1938
75 Years Ago This Week began March 1, 1938 - my mother and father were preparing to get married later in the month. I'm continuing this meme, from time to time, as issues warrant.
[Image: Babe Towne Baseball Card]

From Page 5, Coon Rapids Enterprise, Thursday, November 14, 2013
:


75 Years Ago
November 4, 1938



No longer will “Babe” Towne, former Chicago White Sox catcher, be the center of attraction at
our annual baseball reunions. [See: 5 prior stories here on Babe Towne!]

“Babe” is gone. In the language of the diamond which he loved so well, he “struck out” suddenly from a heart attack while sitting in his car in front of the Textor’s cafe last Saturday afternoon.

“Babe” had been working for the Pioneer Hybrid Seed Corn Co. at Spencer the past couple of months where he was rated as one of the best salesmen. Saturday, with his wife, he returned to Coon Rapids to start his campaign for sheriff as the Republican nominee. Sitting in his car he was happily greeting an old friend when his heart failed him without warning. Ed Zavitz who was with him at the time called Dr. Wolfe who arrived almost immediately but too late to be of assistance.

Funeral services were held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Coder funeral home here, conducted by the Rev. O.E. Cooley.

A Masonic escort accompanied the body. Interment was made in Spencer. Jay King Towne son of Dr. E.B. and Angeline Towne, was born at Coon Rapids, March 12, 1880. He passed away October 29, 1938. He grew up in Coon Rapids and graduated from the local schools.

After playing ball around Coon Rapids for about two years he went to Rock Rapids where he played his first professional ball. In 1901, he played ball in Madison, SD. He continued to play until 1903 at which time an opportunity came to him to play with Des Moines in the Western League. In 1905, he played with Milwaukee in the American Association, coming back to Des Moines in 1906. In the middle of that summer he went to the Chicago White Sox as a catcher and played until the end of the season. Following this he played several years of minor league baseball.

After retiring, he went to Sioux City where he was in partnership with Tom Fairweather, owning the Western Franchise at that place. On December 23, 1926 he was married to Nettie Lilly. After living in a number of places, they established their home at Coon Rapids in 1934 where they continued to live until recently when they moved to Spencer.


[image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Babe_Towne.jpg]


"In July 1906, Towne was batting .357 when he was purchased by the Chicago White Sox. He played in 14 games and also pinch-hit once in the 1906 World Series, which the White Sox won."
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babe_Towne

Note: Wikipedia article erroneously states that he died in Des Moines, Iowa; same date.


Families are Forever!  ;-)


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Book Blog Tour Upcoming



Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Book Blog Tour Upcoming

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Homeplace-William-Leverne-Smith/dp/1493510401/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384372871&sr=1-1&keywords=christmas+at+the+homeplace
[Click image to go directly to Amazon.com]

See what people are saying about this new Christmas book, based on our family history research and life experiences. It is historical fiction in "The Homeplace Saga" series, but you very well may recognized some folks from your own family and the world around you as you get involved with these family activities.


Amazon Review by Jennifer Alfrod:

"Getting an advance copy of "Christmas at the Homeplace" was a real treat. Though I hadn't read any of Dr. Bill's previous books I found the characters easy to get to know and I was soon asking, "What happens next?" As a genealogist, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the start of a local genealogical and historical society in the town. I also enjoyed learning about the unique challenges of a family running a large Trust in the town. Now that I've read this book, it is just a matter of time before I go back and read his others."



Here is the tentative schedule for the upcoming tour, running from November 15-25:

Thursday, Nov 14 - Tour Schedule at The Homeplace Saga blog

Friday, Nov 15 - Tour Schedule at Dr. Bill's Book Bazaar blog with YouTube video

Monday, Nov 18 - Interview with Jessica at Literaryetc.com 

Tuesday, Nov 19  - Guest Post with Lisa DuVal at I Feel So Unnecessary

Wednesday, Nov 20 - Review with Lisa DuVal at I Feel So Unnecessary

Thursday, Nov 21 - Guest Post with Kayla Emerson at Green Mountain Couple

Friday, Nov 22 - Review with Julie Goucher at Anglers Rest

Saturday, Nov 23 - Review with Mindy Wall at Books, Books, and More Books

Sunday, Nov 24 - Guest Post with Brandee Price at Bookworm Brandee

Monday, Nov 25 - Tour Wrap-Up at Dr. Bill's Book Bazaar blog

Hope you join us on the tour, each day!


Families are Forever! ;-)

Saturday, November 9, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 11: Military





The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 11: Military
 
 

[I am third from right; leaders of RBS Express radar train]


"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.


Prompt 11: Military
This week’s prompt is Military
    •    Did you join the military?
    ◦    Were you encouraged or discouraged?



I participated in the Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) at Iowa State University, as an integral part of my college/university education. It was an intentional choice. My parents weren't particularly thrilled about the choice, but did not discourage it. My Dad always said: "If you choose to do something, do it well." I did that. I was among the top small handful of leaders throughout my ROTC experience.


My three-year active duty Air Force experience began in July 1961.
See some of it here: http://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/search/label/Air%20Force

    •    Did a family member?

My uncle (mother's brother) served in Army Intelligence, part of Occupation Forces in Japan, immediately following World War II - see here and here, for example.
Also, brother-in-law went through same Air Force ROTC program I did, four years ahead of me.

    ◦    Regular or for a particular incident
I served three years of regular service during time of Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis - got out just before Viet Nam Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions passed Congress.

[RBS Express train, on location in rural Nevada]


    •    Did you or your family serve overseas in the line of Service either during a war or a posting

I served in remote locations in the USA only.

    •    Any thoughts, photographs, memories relevant
See links above for a few examples. Also, this post, just earlier this week. The following is the radar "workroom" from the RBS Experess  - our local detachment was similar - in a semi-trailer, rather than a railroad car.


[Airmen at work in radar "workroom" on the RBS Express]



Families are Forever!

Friday, November 8, 2013

75 Years Ago This Week - My first appearances in Mom's Diary!


75 Years Ago This Week
My first appearances in Mom's Diary!


Boy Baby Rattle


75 Years Ago This Week began March 1, 1938 - my mother and father were preparing to get married later in the month. I'm continuing this meme, from time to time, as issues warrant.


On Thursday, November 3, 1938, Mom wrote:

Made pancakes for breakfast. It was raining. I threw up in morning. Did dishes & separator & went in to town. Pete got his hair cut & we ate dinner with the folks. Came home early & did up the chores, ate supper & went to bed.

On Tuesday, November 15, 1938, Mom wrote:

Really sick in morning and at Noon. Pete here to dinner. Felt OK after dinner. Washed hair, made cookies. Scalloped spuds for supper. Pete here early. Pete shaved while I did the dishes. Read & listened to the radio awhile and then went to bed early.

My comments:
I was born on July 1, 1939, about eight months hence... what do you think?


Families are Forever! ;-)

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Air Force Transfer - 1963


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
Air Force Transfer
1963 - 50 Years Ago

Lt. Bill Smith, at work in radar trailer

The Coon Rapids Enterprise
Thursday, October 31, 2013, page 5

50 Years Ago
October 17, 1963


First Lt. William L. Smith has been transferred to St. George, Utah from Winslow, AZ, as part
of Detachment 9, 11th Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron (Saco USAF).

Lt. Smith is second in command of the 80-man unit whose mission is to score electronically simulated bomb runs by Strategic Air Command B-58, B-52 and B-47 bombers. During the coming months, Lt. Smith will be engaged in training twenty-five new men in all phases of the detachment operations.

Lt. and Mrs. Smith and their daughter, Annette, 3, will make their home in St. George, Utah.

Lt. Smith is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leverne Smith of Coon Rapids. Mrs. Smith is the former Nancy Bolger. Both graduated from the Coon Rapids High School in 1957.


Families are Forever! ;-)

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Scarecrows are Halloween


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
Scarecrows are Halloween



Scarecrow image courtesy of Annette Lamb, Wayne County, Utah, Scarecrow Week fesitivities.

Bonus feature:


Halloween excerpt from "Christmas at the Homeplace," (just released), Chapter 4, Thursday, October 31 (Halloween), 1996:

    "The Homeplace Country Inn was tastefully decorated for the annual Halloween observance. Pumpkins lined the porch that was now the entrance to the Inn. A scarecrow sat prominently on the rocking chair near the entrance. The Heritage Room was decorated with fall colored leaves, corn shocks, with black cats and half moons on the walls. Some of the staff members were dressed as witches, others as ghosts.
Especially since the renovations were completed, the Inn had been a popular venue for families to bring their children for Tricks and Treats in the evening with two or three simple game events available and safe and reliable treats for all. During the day, these activities were being set up and each of the employees had specific responsibilities that they enjoyed carrying out, getting into the spirit of the season.

...

She (Karen) circulated around the reception area, checked the front porch, and then went to the Heritage Room where the Halloween reception proper was all set up. Four young ladies were already on hand and making final preparations for the early arrivals. Some families always seemed to prefer to arrive “too early” and she didn’t want to be there to greet them. She’d come back out about 6:15 to greet and help out as the bulk of the visitors arrived. She did enjoy seeing how the youngsters dressed up each year."


Families are Forever!  ;-)


Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 9: Halloween




The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 9: Halloween


"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.
 
Prompt 9: Halloween
Have you ever participated in a Halloween event?

Rarely, but yes, a significant one - must have been 1973. I was a personal assistant to Governor Robert D. Ray of Iowa, and then Deputy Commissioner, Iowa Department of Social Services. The governor hosted a Halloween in the Governor's Mansion, Terrace Hill.



Guess you can see I dressed as the Lone Ranger, my wife was an Indian Princess; Annette was a Skeleton, an Allison and Arrion were witches.

It was a great experience, once, but not something we had any desire to duplicate. We are definitely not "party animals!"
 - though it is hard to tell from this photo... we seem to be having a great time! ;-)


Families are Forever!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - One Hundred Days


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - One Hundred Days


My wife, Nancy, and daughter, Annette, put the finishing touches on this book this week, culminating several years of research, writing, and creative design into one final product (not available yet, but we'll let you know when it is). Now available at Amazon.com.

... and, here is the back cover... love the "turn of the century" GAR Band - Norman was Flag Man.



Oh, ok... a few words... how about a Book Trailer, as well:

... Still not available, for a few days...

Families are Forever!  ;-)


Saturday, October 19, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 8: Time Capsule




The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 8: Time Capsule


"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.

Prompt 8: Time Capsule

I'm going to treat this one very lightly. I do so many things to preserve what I think is important, taking the time, right now, to talk about, in this format, simply doesn't fit. Sorry, if this offends anyone. I think we each have a prompt or two that "doesn't fit." This is one for me.

Just a few words, in general. As far as personal things, and physical things, we are exceptionally fortunate that our three daughter are our best friends. We all talk about things such as this fairly often. There are/should be no surprises and hopefully no mis-understandings. Besides that, we've already downsized to very little, anyway!  ;-)

I continue to write, and I expect my various writings to be my legacy… to the extent there may be one.

Have a great weekend!  ;-)


Families are Forever!

Friday, October 18, 2013

75 Years Ago This Week - October 17, 1938




75 Years Ago This Week - October 17, 1938
 

75 Years Ago This Week began March 1, 1938 - my mother and father were preparing to get married later in the month. I'm continuing this meme, from time to time, as issues warrant.



Selected diary excerpts from Eileen's diary, from this week, 75 years ago:

This is a "Catch Up" article that appeared in the paper related to my earlier post - when the same photo was used.

It was in the Enterprise on October 17, 75 Years Ago column, dated September 30, 1938:

Mr. and Mrs. Leo Kinnick are the parents of an eight pound daughter, Karen Kay, born Monday morning at their home near Bradgate. Mrs. Kinnick is the former Ida Marie Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bell. The baby’s paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kinnick. Mr. and Mrs. Kinnick moved to their present home near Bradgate the last of
January this year. This is their first child.

My comment:
The one little reminder/surprise here is that they were living in Bradgate, when Karen was born. I'm sure I knew that, but it certainly was not a fact I had in my mind, for my first cousin. Leo was working in a dairy there, as I recall. Bradgate was on the west edge of Humbolt County, three counties to the north and one county east of Coon Rapids.


Families are forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Fall Corn Harvest Memories


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
Fall Corn Harvest Memories






Picking corn in Iowa in the 1950s - think my Dad is on the right, on tractor.

Neighbor, Elmer Nath, loading corn into elevator into our farm corncrib.




Love photos of people at their work! ;-)

Families are forever!  ;-)

Saturday, October 12, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 7: Grandparents


The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 7: Grandparents

"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog.

The concept: A series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.

Prompt 7: Grandparents
 
What were their names?

Maternal: Paul H. and Dorothy C. (Sorensen) Kinnick
Paternal: William E. and Ella R. (Preston Ballard) Smith

Where were they from? [All spent their married years in Iowa, by the way]

  • Paul Kinnick's paternal line is American back into the 1600s. His maternal grandfather was born in Wales.
  • Dorothy Sorenson was born in Denmark.
  • William E. Smith was born in the USA within 20 years of his father immigrating from Alcase, France, and his mother from Sweden.
  • Ella Preston's lines all go back into early colonial America.

Were they related? - No, not even close - American melting pot! ;-)

Photos

This is how I remember Paul and Dorothy Kinnick, my maternal grandparents. I have lots of photos of them, just go to my labels and put in their first names to see a few of them. This was their little house in Bayard, Iowa - during the 1950s and 1960s, I suppose.

Not the greatest photo, but about the only one I have of them as adults, together (probably 1921-22). He worked hard on his farm and his machine shop - he was know far and wide as a water locator and driller. The machine shop on "the homeplace" is another whole story of its own! ;-) In the family, they were always Mom and "Pop."

This is Bill Smith, whom I was named after, about a year before he died, in 1938.

What did they do?

  • Paul Kinnick was a bank cashier, primarily
  • William Smith was a farmer as well as a well driller

Did you know them?

I grew up with my maternal grandparents, yes; all three of our daughters knew them as well, into adolescence. He lived to 75, she to 95.
My paternal grandfather died (at age 70) a few months after I was born; his wife had died about 25 years earlier. He did not remarry.

My additional comments:
I was fortunate to know and be close to both a grandfather and a grandmother. They were each loving and caring in their own way. It is sad not to have known the other set; but I realize many folks go through life knowing none. I'm happy, as are my children.



Families are Forever!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Hampton, Illinois


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Hampton, Illinois


Click to view larger image

This is another interesting photo received this week from Will Grapes, one of my Nebraska Smith cousins, from our continuing series of emails. When Michael Smith (Schmitt), our great-grandfather, arrived in the Quad Cities area, before the Civil War, he and his family lived in or near the little hamlet of Hampton, IL. [Reminder: Michael, early on, before he went off the to Civil War, adopted the Smith surname. The rest of his family (parents and siblings) seem to have all retained the Schmitt spelling.]

This photo was apparently taken in about 1970. Most of these building likely were not there when he was, but it gives a 'feel' for the area. Laurel, another of the cousins, added this thought on the photo:
"The brick building far off looks like "Blacks Store" built in 1849. It still stands today and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Now known as Bretton and Black Museum. In fact it looks like all of those buildings are still there. They are located on 1st Avenue right next to the Mississippi River. Between 6th and 7th street."


Families are Forever!  ;-)


Saturday, October 5, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 6: Journals and Diaries


The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 6: Journals and Diaries
 
"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.
 

Prompt 6: Journals and Diaries
 
Do you keep a journal or diary? No… so those next prompt questions are irrelevant.

I have tried a few times, but it just is not something that is in my "bag of tricks," so to speak. The longest stretch was less than 18 months, back in the early 60s - very short entries, in a '5-year' diary...

I write a lot, but not in journal or diary format. My several blogs have been the closest I come, and, in recent years, many of these have information that is common to them.


Have you inherited any? Yes, my brothers and I have our mother's diaries, from 1932 to 1999 - her entire adult life. They are the diaries of an Iowa farm housewife who grew up in a nearby small town. She never lived outside a 10-mile radius, so they have some interest, is what they are. She started as a high school freshman. I have transcribed 1936 and it is on-line. Some of 1937-38 are online, as I've looked at "75 years ago." I will continue to read and interpret them, as time goes by. Many of you have enjoyed reading these snippets.


Do you intend to pass along your journals or destroy them? I generally do not destroy any family information.


Pictures - Do you have a favorite? Read this blog…  ;-)

My additional comments:
Really not a lot to contribute here. This blog is my primary "write about myself" venue. I've written Sharing Memories on Sunday posts that tell of my early years. My Retirement blog is chronicling my later years. My children, and grandchildren, read them all, and have access to them all. I guess that is the important part.


Families are Forever!

Friday, October 4, 2013

75 Years Ago This Week - October 4, 1938


75 Years Ago This Week - October 4, 1938
U.S. baseball player Dizzy Dean, featured on the April 15, 1935, cover of Time magazine.



75 Years Ago This Week began March 1, 1938 - my mother and father were preparing to get married later in the month. I'm continuing this meme, from time to time, as issues warrant.


Selected diary excerpts from Eileen's diary, from this week (and a day), 75 years ago:


Saturday, Oct. 1 (Mom had it circled; she and Dad started dating 2 years ago on Oct 1!):

…Pete to Carroll in pm. Pop with him. He ordered a heater. … Went with Lyle & Wilma to be married by Clayburg at Carroll at 7:00. … Lyle & Wilma stayed all nite. …

Wednesday, Oct 5:

… Alf Hetland put in the phone in the morning. Talked to the folks. … Did up the work and then listened to the World Series in pm. …

My comments: Getting chilly already this fall. Need a heater.

Lyle Kinnick was first cousin of Mom (Paul's brother, Robert's, son). They had stopped by a couple weeks before to ask Mom and Dad to 'stand up with them' - interesting to see how this wedding was handled.

They finally got a telephone… didn't need to drive the few miles into town, or up to his Dad's place, to talk to parents.

First game of the world series: New York Yankees - 3; Chicago Cubs - 1

"Dizzy Dean, who had helped carry the Cubs to the National League pennant despite a sore a rem, ran out of gas in the Series as the Yanks crushed the Cubs again (4-0) as they had in 1932." Wikipedia

Families are forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Grapes Headgear photo


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
Grapes Headgear photo






These are Grapes 'men' and their hats. I posted full family photos, earlier, but this one really caught my eye, of course, because I'm the oldest of five boys... on photo like this, of us, though.

Thanks to cousin Will Grapes, again, for sharing. His father is one of these boys. What a line-up! I'd love to more about the coveralls and the hats (headgear!), of course. What great memories to share!


Families are forever!  ;-)

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Sharing Memories on Sunday - Late 1940s on the Smith Farm


Sharing Memories on Sunda
Late 1940s on the Smith Farm


This stream of thoughts and memories started yesterday, with "The Book of Me" post.

Today, searching for some other photos, I came across this series of images that help date the changes in the house... that I've wondered about, for some time. Remember how I often say how important it is to 'look at the backgrounds' - not just at the people at the center of the photo??

Well, here we go. In this photo, the bathroom remodel (where front porch had been) was still underway. On the far left, you can even see the cement mixer is still sitting there. The outer wall has not yet been painted - as it is in the aerial photo, for example. Old east porch is still in place. The M Farmall was new. That was why the photo was taken. But... Pete is holding Jimmie. Jim was born in April 1944. He can't be a year old yet, so this is winter 1944-45. That dates the remodeling! Neat!


This photo is of the front (west) porch before the bathroom remodel was done. Mom is the taller one in the middle. I haven't tried to identify the others... friends of hers, but maybe I'll figure that out another time.


This image is clearly marked 1947. Wilson Thomas, our dog Whitey, Bill behind the tent, Jimmie out front, on the right. BUT, again, look behind. The car. The pickup! The new porch was not built yet. You can see, from the left, the 'wash house' - 'cob house' - 'chicken house' - edge of the barn!! Also some fencing that disappeared in the following years. The infamous 'grove' can be seen behind the buildings...  ;-)


This photo is labeled '1950 Chevy' - Tom was born in May 1948 - he would be two. That would be mid-1950 sometime. Jim would be 6+ and I would be 11. NO NEW PORCH yet. Note fence with picket gate! Things I've always overlooked, before.


The Easter 1954 photo had the new PORCH - and the 1950 car was replaced with a 1953 car - same colors, but this one had a visor! Mom wrecked the 1951, as I recall!  ;-) Here, Barry was a little over a year old, Tom was nearly 6, Jim (taking the photo) would have been nearly10. I, Bill, was 14, going on 15 in a few months. Loved that striped tie! ;-)

Oh, the memories...

And, one more photo image - this is from a photo of the wall of Jim's Apartment in Florida - he had the original color photo of the farm - does he still have it, I assume??

 

Families are Forever...  ;-)


Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Book of Me, Written By You - Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home


The Book of Me, Written By You
Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home


"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.


Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home

Your Childhood Home - My parents rented farms the first couple of years of their marriage. I was about 2 or 3 when they bought the farm where I grew up - through High School - until I left for college. My parents and four younger brothers (who were each born while we lived here) continued to live there for many years after I left.

The farm was on 160 acres in Willow Township, Greene County, Iowa, about 7 miles northeast of Coon Rapids, Iowa. We were just a mile east of of the county line with Carroll County, Union Township. Most of our community relationships were there. The aerial photo of the farm was taken in the late 1940s. (Note: the one-room country school I attended through 7th grade was located a mile north of our corner - just to the left of the upper left corner of this photo!)




What was it like – describe it – each room. Fairly normal farm house, for the time, actually, with a couple of special features. Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Bed Room on first level… this was my parents bedroom. Upstairs were two normal bedrooms, plus, over the kitchen, we made another bedroom (we called it the attic), that was used when brothers 3, 4, and 5 arrived. I got the first upstairs bedroom; later shared with one brother.

When Mom and Dad first bought the farm, there was a porch on the west (front - left, above), and also on the east (back) of the house. Early on, in the mid-1940s, the front porch was enclosed and made into a full bath room and entrance hall (though that door on the 'front' was NEVER used - everyone entered near the kitchen…on the side of the house). This was the status in the farm photo, above. In about 1949, the old, small porch, on the east, was replaced by THE PORCH. You can see it directly behind the family in the 1954 Easter photo. It was what we later called "a family room." Note: Entering that door, left, below, the kitchen was immediately to the left.

Bill holding Barry, Eileen, Pete, Thomas (T.K.) - brother Jim taking the photo

Was there a favorite room? THE PORCH was a special place for each of us. It was a large room. We moved the piano out there; there was always an upright freezer there, in later years, full of goodies. The east end was all mahogany bookcases built in the wall with a flagstone fireplace in the center. A long window seat under the big window. The television (we were one of the first in the neighborhood to have one) was in one corner - a Motorola. And, lots of space for boys to play. Couch and lounge chairs facing the fireplace. Many parties held here, family, friends, school, church, etc. 


Is there anything you particularly remember from the house? Everything. All family memories of the time are tied to this house, and the yard around the house. A very special place (of course!).



The road & area - We had a 'main' gravel rod running north and south west of the house. We also had an east to west road on the south side of the house - it ran to a house/farm a half mile east on a dead end. The drive came off the south road, past the house, and to the west. A nice lawn with apple and cherry trees occupied the corner, with walnut trees along the west road. Our farm was actually the 80 acres on the north and 80 acres on the south of that east-west road (this is the road you see along the bottom, in the photo. We later bought the land to the north, that is in the upper part of the photo, as well).

My additional comments: This was a fun exercise, because I always enjoy recalling those days, on the farm, the began my life. Thanks, for the memories!


Families are Forever!

Friday, September 27, 2013

75 Years Ago This Week - September 27, 1938





75 Years Ago This Week - September 27, 1938
Bill and Karen, at Paul Kinnick front yard in Coon Rapids


75 Years Ago This Week began March 1, 1938 - my mother and father were preparing to get married later in the month. I'm continuing this meme, from time to time, as issues warrant.


Selected diary excerpts from Eileen's diary, from this week, 75 years ago:

Saturday, Sept. 24:

… Took Pop over to Pilot Mound & back. Drove Polly's car. Polly went along but I did all the driving. Ate dinner at 2:00 at Schoppes in Jefferson. ...

Monday, Sept. 26:

… Karen Kay born at 5:00 a.m. Folks there when it happened. …

Tuesday, Sept. 27:

… Down to the fair awhile. Got season tickets $1.00. …

My comments: Wish she had said who they visited in Pilot Mound, over in NW Boone County. Assume it was Soderstrom cousins… his ('Pop' was my Dad's father, William Smith, of course) maternal grandfather had died there in 1901… I would not have expected him to still be in touch with family there; but, of course, I was wrong. ;-) A new family history research questions to work on...  ;-)

Karen Kay Kinnick was born 9 months before I was (on July 1, 1939); she is daughter of Mom's older brother, Leo Kinnick, and his wife, Ida Marie. Karen is my first cousin, of course.

Was your county fair 'season ticket' $1.00 this year?? What fun!


Families are forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Raymond Edward Schmitt - Baker


Wordless (nearly) Wednesday
Raymond Edward Schmitt
Baker





Raymond is my first cousin, twice removed; that is, Joseph Schmitt was his grandfather, and my great-great grandfather. He was a Baker. Love to share photos of people at their work. The photo comes courtesy of the recently expanded research and sharing of the "Nebraska Cousins" I've mentioned earlier. Along with my daughter, Arrion, they/we have formed a new Facebook Group for sharing and 'new cousin' discovery. This photo came from the latter source - contact with Pat Chittendon, in Wisconsin, a granddaughter of Raymond, who shared this photo, and others.

The new Facebook group is: Descendants of Joseph & Elizabeth Beatrix Schmitt (of Alsace, France) 

If you would like to join the group, let me know. We have 35 members now, and getting lots of looks.

One further note: I've written several times of my great-grandfather, Michael Smith, a Civil War veteran.
This group emphasizes that his family used several spellings of his last name, including: Schmitt, Schmidt.


Families are Forever!  ;-)