Advent Calendar : Christmas At School

What did you do to celebrate Christmas at school? Were you ever in a Christmas Pageant?

I can remember participating in several Christmas programs in elementary school, including many in which I sang with the choir. One in particular I can remember I did a duet with Amy King, performing "O, Holy Night". Somewhere my mother has a picture of the event. I believe I was probably in the 4th or 5th grade at the time.

My momma says :

I don't remember my parents talking about celebrating Christmas at school.  I remember a Christmas program when I was in fourth grade.   We played the "Good King Wenceslas" on flute-a-phones (recorders) and every time I hear that song today, I remember when I was in fourth grade.   My children always had a Christmas program when they went to Orestes School.   Everyone looked forward to seeing the kindergartners walking in with pajamas on and carrying a stuffed toy and singing "Away in a Manger".   Mrs. Brackett always put on a good show. 

 Jason, Travis & Michelle LeMaster

Now that I've read mom's recollection, I can vaguely remember the program for kindergartners singing "Away in a Manger", though probably I'm remembering seeing my younger brother and sister.  Mrs. Brackett, our music teacher, was a very special lady.  She came to America as a young child from Germany right after the war.  Her accent was still very think, but she was sweet to the kids.  I remember that if she couldn't remember your name, she would say "Hey, Lady" with her German accent.  I can still hear her voice.


Update : The pictures have been located.

Travis LeMaster & Amy King, Orestes Elementary, 1977

Wordless Wednesday: Brother & Sister

Idola & Paul LeMaster

Wordless Wednesday – a great way to share your old family photos! Create a post with the main focus being a photograph or image. Some posters also include attribute information as to the source of the image (date, location, owner, etc.). Wordless Wednesday is one of the longest running “memes” in the blogosphere and is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Advent Calendar : Holiday Happenings

Often times December to mid-January birthdays and anniversaries get over shadowed by the Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year holidays. So we’re going to shine a spotlight on those family members and ancestors this time around. Select one or more December to mid-January birthdays and/or anniversaries on your family tree. Write a short tribute to or memory of those birthday guys and gals and write a toast to the anniversary couples.

When I think of December birthdays and anniversaries, I have to remember my mother's birthday on December 10th and my parents anniversary on December 7th.  Mom's birthday oftentimes was the demarcation line for when the Christmas tree would need to be put up at our house.  Their anniversary, forever tied to Pearl Harbor day, was always easy to remember as well.  I think my dad must have picked that day on purpose, so that he wouldn't forget.

My brother-in-law, Curt, has his birthday on December 23rd as well.  He's one of those babies that came home from the hospital in a stocking.  I need to ask him if he ever felt like his birthday and Christmas were blended presents-wise.

Mom offers her take on whole holiday birthday/anniversary issue:

Being one of those who was born in December, I understand how easy it is for Christmas and all it's activities to overshadow one's birthday.   However,  I must admit that as a child and an adult, my family has been great about remembering my birthday.   I also was married on Dec. 7th.   I always remarked that since my husband was a history teacher, this was one date he wouldn't forget.   Of course, he said that since my birthday, anniversary, and Christmas all fell in the same month, he would only have to get one gift.   He was joking of course.  

My father, Bill Wright, was born on December 1, 1919.   Although he passed away suddenly at the age of 53 1/2, I have never forgotten him on his birthday.   I miss him very much and wished that he could have known my children.   My daughter was 1 month old when he died suddenly, and my two sons were 2 and 4 1/2.   He would have been so proud of them and they of him.   

Advent Calendar : Fruitcake - Friend or Foe?

Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes? Have you
ever re-gifted fruitcake? Have you ever devised creative uses for
fruitcake?

I do not like fruitcake at all.  No one has gifted us a fruitcake in my adult life. 

I was not aware that anyone in my family liked fruitcake, until I heard from my parents regarding the subject:

We both like fruitcake.  Don't want to eat a lot of it but do enjoy having a piece now and then.   We did receive fruitcake as a gift and I can't recall ever regifting it.  

Well, at least now I have another gift idea!

Christmas Greetings

An Honor To Be Considered

It's an honor to be considered among the nominees for Family Tree Magazine's Top 40 Best Genealogy Blogs of 2011.  

This blog is a member of the MY FAMILY HISTORY category.

There are eight categories to vote on, and you can choose five (5) blogs in each category.

Voting is open until 11:59 p.m., Monday, December 20th. You may vote multiple times.

You can help choose the Top 40 by voting here.

For more information on the categories, and how the blogs were chosen, read here.

There are some great blogs listed among the nominees!

Tombstone Tuesday: LeMasters

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), LeMasters marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009

Floyd LeMASTERS and wife Shirley Opal (GAGLE), as well as son Floyd D. and wife Nevada J., and one unidentified LeMasters are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Floyd was born February 2, 1894 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTERS.

Opal was born September 12, 1895, the daughter of James and Myrtle (FREEMEYER) GAGLE.

Floyd and Opal were married October 9, 1913. They had two children: Remonda and Floyd.  Floyd was adopted.

Floyd D. LeMASTERS was born March 24, 1923 and died August 15, 1972.  He married Nevada Jane McKINLEY, born 1922, died 2001.

I do not know yet how the Edythe G. LeMASTERS (1907-1929) fits into the family.  

Tombstone Tuesday – To participate in Tombstone Tuesday simply create a post which includes an image of a gravestone of one or more ancestors and it may also include a brief description of the image or the ancestor. This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Advent Calendar : Holiday Travel

Did you or your ancestors travel anywhere for Christmas? How did you
travel and who traveled with you? Do you remember any special trips?

Every year on Christmas Eve we would go to my Grandma Wright's house in town.  Then, on Christmas Day, we would travel about an hour to my Grandma LeMaster's house.  

Right after my daughter was born, my in-laws flew all of us to Siesta Key, Florida for Christmas.  That was an interesting trip, especially with a six week old baby.  The weather was beautiful, and it felt strange not to have it be cold and snowy for Christmas.

My mother added her memories regarding holiday travel:

As a child, we went to grandparents home on Christmas eve to celebrate and exchange gifts.  When my brother moved to Chattanooga about 30 years ago, we decided to drive down on Christmas Eve Day and be with them.   A winter storm was predicted so we told the kids that we asked Santa if he could deliver gifts early and we left two days before Christmas eve. My mother went was us as she was a widow at the time.    It was warm (50degrees) and we went shopping on Christmas Eve.   We had a great time.

Amanuensis Monday: Future Farmers of America (1938)

An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. 

Source: Alexandria-Monroe High School Spectrum, Alexandria, Indiana, 1938

First Row: Billy Cranfield, Keith Sizelove, John Featherston, David Cade, Leroy Waymire, John Nacoff, Omer Young, Virgil Hughes

Second Row: Herman Brown, Bernard Balser, William Wright, Orville Wright, Thurman Fuller, Harold Sayre, Paul Thurston, Charles Sayre

Third Row: Mr. Disque, Ralph Porter, Forest McMahan, Harold Bess, Verle Allen, Barney March, Dale Blacklidge

Fourth Row: Donald Wilson, Robert Hobbs, Fred Johnson, Eugene Fields

Future Farmers of America

The Future Farmers of America is a national organization of farm boy studying agriculture in the public high schools throughout the United States, Territory of Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.  The F.F.A. colors are gold and blue.  Each year the State Organization selects two per cent of its membership for the Hoosier Farmer Degree.  The selection is made on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and record as a vocational agriculture student.  The Alexandria chapter has two members who have acquired the Hoosier Farmer Degree.  These boys are Paul Thurston and Thurman Fuller.  The local organization has twenty-nine active members.  The club has a basketball team and have played several good games this year.  Mr. Disque is the faculty adviser for the group.  The officers are :

President - Charles Sayre

Vice President - Paul Thurston

Secretary - William Wright

Treasurer - Dale Blacklidge

Newspaper Reporter - Herman Brown

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My maternal grandfather, William Wright, was the secretary of the F.F.A. for this year.  The Orville Wright mentioned in the membership roster is his second cousin.

Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

The Light of Christmas

Miss Vera Haley

Portland, Ind.

Route 9

Did Santa Clause forget you?  

Love and best wishes to all.

Beck

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This postcard, postmarked Midland, Michigan December 20 ____, was sent to my paternal greataunt, Vera HALEY.  I do not know yet who Beck was.  Vera was married in 1915, so that would place this postcard pre-1915.

Advent Calendar : Charitible / Volunteer Work

Did your family ever volunteer with a charity such as a soup kitchen, homeless or battered women’s shelter during the holidays? Or perhaps were your ancestors involved with church groups that assisted others during the holiday?


I'm not aware of my ancestors' activities regarding charitable work during the Christmas holiday.
Growing up, I do not remember any specific activity directly tied to Christmas.


As an adult, our family has been involved with one small endeavor during Christmas-time, and that is Operation Christmas Child. Eileen helped to spearhead the collection of items and we all helped with the packaging and deliver of the shoeboxes to the drop-off site. We became involved with this organization several years ago, when we members of a small United Methodist Church. After we switched churches and denominations to the larger Southern Baptist mega-church, we continued to be a part of the organization and distribution of the shoeboxes. Sad to say, the participation rate and output was greater in the smaller church (30 or so in attendance) than in the mega-church (nearly 1000 attendees).


For the past few Christmases, we have been church-homeless, and I admit that I miss participating in this project. I know that I don't have to be tied into a church to participate, but somehow, it has fallen to the wayside.

Sunday's Obituary: Ardis E. Bickel (1931-1996)

Source: Ardis E. Bickel obituary, Anderson Herald-Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, June 22, 1996

Ardis Ellen (LeMaster) Bickel, 65, Anderson, died June 20, 1996, at Community Hospital after an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 20, 1931, in Cowan, and lived in Anderson since 1953.  She was a homemaker.

She was a member of Vermillion Christian Church and Ladies Aid Society of the church.  She was a 1949 graduate of Madison Township High School.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Ralph Bickel Jr. of Anderson, two sons, Richard Bickel and Randall (wife, Theresa) Bickel, all of Anderson; two daughters and son-in-law, Barbara and Lonnie Short of Anderson and Carolyn Bickel of Greenwood; two sisters, Mrs. Gail (Gerry) Stoner of Troy, Ohio, and Mrs. Phillip (Ann) Monger of Hagerstown; nine grandchildren, Andrew Bagienski, Joshua R. Bickel, B. Keith Bickel, Autumn Ellen Short, Lonnita Short, Lori Waddey, Tara DeWeese, Nickelette Short and Lonnie L. Short II; three great-grandchildren, Jennifer Waddey, Joni Waddey and Brianna DeWeese; and two sisters-in-law, Helen LeMaster and Mrs. Walter (Wanda) Morhous, both of Portland.

She was preceded in death by three brothers.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Keith Creamer of Vermillion Christian Church officiating.  Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Salamonie [sic] Cemetery in Salamonia.

Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vermillion Christian Church.

Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

Christmas Program: Ft. Recovery Church of the Nazarene, 1949

You and your friends are cordially invited to the Christmas program at church


"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." - 2 Cor. 9:15


Date: December 23, 1949 at 7:30 o'clock.


Place: Church of the Nazarene Ft. Recovery, Ohio


Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Ft. Recovery, Ohio
R.R. 3


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This invitation postcard was postmarked December 20, 1949 at Ft. Recovery, Ohio and was sent to my paternal great-grandaunt & uncle, Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER.

Surname Saturday : HALEY

The HALEY surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are Swiss, though the origin spelling has not been determined.


Stories and history :


Ahnentafel # 10 : Eli Weldon Haley (1866-1957).  Eli was born March 24, 1866 in Erie County, Ohio.  He married July 21, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana to Cora Belle Metzner (1868-1955).  Cora was born August 21, 1868 in Jay County, Indiana.  They farmed in Noble and Madison Townships, Jay County, Indiana and had 7 children.  Cora died April 28, 1955 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Eli died July 14, 1957 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 20 : George Washington Haley (1840-1892).  George was born May 16, 1840 in Hardin County, Ohio.  He married October 14, 1862 in Ashland County, Ohio to Mary Jane Sherrick (1844-1916).  Mary was born January 13, 1844 in Ashland County, Ohio.  They lived in Seneca County, Ohio and Noble Township, Jay County, Ohio and had 7 children.  Mary died January 15, 1916 in Jay County, Indiana.  George died December 4, 1892 in Jay County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 40 : George J. Haley (1814-1888).  George was born December 14, 1814 in Canton Basel, Switzerland.  He immigrated with his parents in 1816 to Fairfield County, Ohio.  George married January 1, 1835 in Hardin County, Ohio to Rachel H. Gary (1816-1897). Rachel was born March 25, 1816 in Fairfield County, Ohio.  George was a minister in the Evangelical Association and the family lived in Hardin, Fairfield, Marion, Morrow and Erie Counties, Ohio, raising 10 children.  Rachel died November 25, 1897 in Erie County, Ohio.  George died February 27, 1888 in Huron Township, Erie County, Ohio.  Both are buried in the Scotts Cemetery, Huron, Erie County, Ohio.


Related blog posts :

• Wordless Wednesday : Eli W. Haley family

• Frank Haley called to Portland, Ind.

• Funeral Record : Eli Weldon Haley (1866-1957)

• Wordless Wednesday : Haley girls

• Biased Juror?  Eli Weldon Haley

• George Washington Haley (1840-1892)

• Tombstone Tuesday : George J. and Rachel H. (Gary) Haley

• Marriage : Eli W. Haley to Cora B. Metzner

• Eli Weldon Haley (1866-1957)

• Tombstone Tuesday : Eli W. and Cora B. (Metzner) Haley

• Today in my database : George J. Haley (b. December 14, 1814)

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

May You Join Santa Claus In Having A Good Time This Christmas

Miss Vera Haley

Portland Ind.

R.R. 9

Dear Friend - Monday noon.

I will come to Ft. Recovery Thursday noon instead of Portland.  There will be some freight at the depot for you but it can be taken in the carrage [sic].

I remain as ever

Clarence Stuber

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This postcard was postmarked December 2 ____, in Spencerville, Ohio from my paternal great-uncle Clarence STUBER to his future wife, my great-aunt Vera HALEY.  Unfortunately, the year was not on this postmark, but they were married in 1915.

Family Recipe Friday: Pecan Crescents

Pecan Crescents 
(also known as "Mexican Wedding Cakes")

    1 cup butter                                                   
    1/2 cup powdered sugar                                         
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract                                   
    1/2 teaspoon almond extract                                    
    2 1/2 cups flour                                               
    1/2 cup chopped pecans         

                                

Cream butter, sugar, and flavorings until smooth.  Stir in flour gradually and then the nuts.   You may need to use hands to mix as the dough seems dry.  Using 1 teaspoon of dough, roll between your palms into a roll and then shape into a cresent.  Place close together on a buttered cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until they start to brown.  While still warm, roll in powdered sugar.  You may want to use more powdered sugar when serving.  Makes about 7 dozen.

Variation: Black Walnut Balls

Cream 1 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. vanilla.  Stir in 2 cups flour.  Add 1 T. brandy and 1 cup black walnuts, finely chopped.  Shape into 3/4 in. balls using about 1/2 T. dough per cookie; place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 325 for 20 minutes.  Roll in powdered sugar while warm.  Makes about 6 dozen cookies

Family Recipe Friday – is an opportunity to share your family recipes with fellow bloggers and foodies alike. Whether it’s an old-fashioned recipe passed down through generations, a recipe uncovered through your family history research, or a discovered recipe that embraces your ancestral heritage share them on Family Recipe Friday. This series was suggested by Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

If thinking things and wishing things

Will help to make them true

You'll be so glad this Christmas

You won't know what to do

Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville Ohio
R.F.D. 5


Joyous Christmas & Happy New Year


Love


Beck


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This postcard, postmarked December 22, ___ from Midland, Michigan, was sent to my paternal greataunt, Vera (HALEY) STUBER.  I'm not sure who the Beck might be.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Gifts

What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give? Are there specific gift-giving traditions among your family or ancestors?


These days, I pretty much like try to stay with the lists I'm given.  I don't do subtle too well, if there is something you specifically want, you need to tell me about it.  


As for favorite gifts, I'm happy with a good history or genealogy book.  As a kid, one of my most memorable gifts was the year I received a Commodore 64 computer.  It was memorable because not only did I not think I would be getting one, but in the way it was discovered.  We thought all of our presents were done and then I was told there was "one more" - and it was a great surprise.


Traditionally, Eileen and I get each other a calendar every year - mine is usually a Civil War theme, hers is of our dog breed.  My mom still puts tube socks and oranges in our stockings at her house.  The girls always have a big shopping day just before Christmas for new clothes, etc. each year.


I asked mom and dad to share what they remembered :

As a child, I was enjoyed receiving a new doll each year.   My mother usually made me a complete wardrobe of clothes to go with the doll. Once she made me matching clothes.  As an adult, I enjoy giving gifts that I have made especially pies and other goodies and sewn items.     Your dad remembers getting a wooden barn that Paul had made and a metal filling station.   The next year he got a train that he enjoyed.   He's still getting trains for Christmas.   

Advent Calendar : Grab Bag

Author’s choice. Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!


One memory that I have of Christmases past was Christmas caroling with the adults of the First Christian Church in Alexandria, Indiana when I was a youngster.  


I can remember loading up on a bus and driving around, probably to local nursing homes and shut-ins, and singing the traditional Christmas carols.


But what stands out in my mind has nothing to do with Christmas, but instead has to do with one of the adults in the group (who I won't yet name) who lead everyone on the bus with rousing choruses of non-Christmas songs as we drove from place to place.


There is one song in particular that I can still hear him sing today : "My Gal's A Corker".  The lyrics were over my head at the time, but I knew it must have been risque.