Buzzy Kinnick Class
Coon Rapids Iowa School
Wordless (Hardly) Wednesday
Engagement Weekend
I cannot share a photo without a story. I do not like to write a story with no picture.
This photo image is dated 13 Apr 1958 - slide was getting old when I scanned it, giving it that distinctive red tinge. I’m sure Photoshop can fix it, but I kind of like it as it is.
Another key Bolger-Thomas-Smith-Kinnick moment. Nancy and I came home from our respective colleges with the announcement that we were getting married. Even wore matching shirts - that she made - talented lady, always. She didn’t really care about being in school in Cedar Falls. She wanted to be with me. I was in Ames, and just wanted to be with her while I got me education. Such a thing as living together unmarried never crossed our minds in those days, of course.
Fortunately, this group, our parents in particular, were a strong support group - before we had ever heard the term. We all talked it out. They cared deeply about us and what was best for our future. That was what we wanted, too, of course. We just weren’t seeing it quite clearly, yet. We could be engaged, but not get married until the following summer, when Nancy would have earned her teaching certificate (two year degree at the time). By having specific dates and goals to work toward, we could agree to that. We did that and it worked out just fine. What memories!! Married 61 years!
In these old photos, you always want to look at the background and ancillary things, not just the focus of the picture. Of course, if Nancy’s younger sister, Janice, and my younger brother, Paul, looked at the photo, it would be about them, not the couple in the matching shirts. For those who might not know, or remember, my parents, Eileen (Kinnick) and Pete Smith, are on the left. Nancy’s Mom, Ruth (Thomas) Bolger, (her Dad Glenn Bolger) behind, is holding Janice. On the right are my mother’s parents, my grandparents, Paul and Dorothy (Sorenson) Kinnick.
We are all in front of the fireplace at the end of “The Porch” at my parent’s farmhouse. We would call it a family room or great room these days. It was, indeed, a Great Room. Further note: my model airplanes on the shelf, left rear, and copies of Saturday Evening Post; and many books on the right, even a hymnal. The console TV is at the far left lower corner. What else do you see?
This is family history at its best!
Families are Forever! ;-)
As I anticipate increased posting to this blog, I’ve been reviewing past posts and am reminded how deep the connections are between my family lines and those of my wife. Of course, they are all rooted in living in Coon Rapids, Iowa, and the nearby communities, such as the Star Community, their entire lives (those of our parents, specifically). Much of this has come from reading my Mom’s diaries, of course.
Here is a post about a 1937 entry: https://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/2012/03/eileen-kinnick-75-yrs-ago-week-11-march.html
Part of it reads: Week 11 (Mar 13-19):
On Sunday, March 14, Eileen noted that she and Dot T. spent the day together. Dot T. was Dorothy Thomas, sister of Wes Thomas and Ruth (Thomas) Bolger (my mother-in-law). Eileen had gone to choir practice, last week, and church (Methodist) this week - I'm confident that is how they connected this week.
Here is a photo of the Thomas five in 1960. Dorothy is front, left. Ruth is far left. Bill is front right, Wes is back center, and May is the younger sister, far right.
That one missed a brother, Bill… this one fills that in:
From left, May, Wes, Bill, Ruth, Dorothy
Many memories!
Families are Forever! ;-)
