Treasure Chest Thursday - Mama's Kitchen

My mother was never a "great" cook. Heck, she wasn't even a "good" cook!

Still there were a few things that I can recall that she did exceptionally well.

Cornbread, candied carrots [which we called "copper pennies"], fried cheerios, and fried green tomatoes!

Oh, none of us ever starved! And we weren't embarrassed whenever someone came to dinner! Mom simply wasn't extraordinary in her capabilities, and like as not, she often flubbed a recipe simply because she didn't measure properly and often substituted her ingredients!

My grandmother, her mother, was one of these exceptional French cooks who never used a recipe, and could "eyeball" a measurement to perfection!

But there are many memories, exceptionally GOOD memories associated with my Mama's kitchen!

Mama's kitchen was well appointed for the generation I grew up in. And Mama was always welcoming in it!

I can recall the plates that hung on the wall, her red-handled rolling pin [which my sister has today], and a particular set of wooden cannisters, that no one knows what happened to. Mama suffered a stroke following a brain aneurysm repair in 1995, and she can't recall.

Those cannisters represented to us, as small little girls growing up, the basis for Mama's goodie ability. Mama could bake cookies or cakes from the flour and sugar. And when a boo-boo threatened tears, [or later a heartbreak threatened the same!] the tea cannister was available for a soothing cuppa. When visitors came calling, coffee was brewed from the coffee cannister, and served with cookies made from the flour and sugar, and so the cycle begins again.

I have slowly been adding items to my kitchen that reminded of those wonderful childhood memories. And I had been searching for years for a set of cannisters like Mama's. Watching eBay, sets that matched Mama's usually went from $75 an upwards. More money than I have had recently to splurge on myself! But last week I came across the end of an auction, with no reserve. It was in the last minute or two of the auction, and an $8 bid was winning. Shipping was $13 for the set. I bid a hasty $8.50 and walked away. In my heart knowing I could never win!

Low and behold, I got up the next morning and in my email was the billing for the auction win! The seller had an automatic expedited shipment, and in 2 days I was washing my new [old/vintage] cannisters.

And according to my sister, and Mama's recollection, they are identical to the set Mama once had!

While they aren't the same set, they are in fact identical [when matched up to one old photo my Mama has]. And another similarity which is quite amazing is found printed on the bottom of the tea cannister:

Mama and Daddy were married in 1958 in San Francisco. And they received the cannisters as a wedding gift from a couple named "Gorman", according to Mama's recollections. Almost identical... so close!!!

I will treasure this set, even though they aren't Mama's original set, simply for the memories it evokes!

Do you have a similar "treasure"? Something that really isn't tied to your ancestry or heritage, but which evokes such a strong memory that you wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world?

Share it with us in the comment section below, or post it on your own blog and put a link below!

Wisdom Wednesday

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty." 

  John F. Kennedy

Tombstone Tuesday - Walter Elias Disney

Walter "Walt" Elias Disney

Birth:	Dec. 5, 1901
Death:	Dec. 15, 1966
Entertainment Magnate and Film Pioneer. Most remembered for creating Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and a host of other cartoon characters. He has won 32 Oscars, more than any other person, for his extraordinary achievements in films. Born Walter Elias Disney, the son of Elias and Flora Disney in Chicago, Illinois. His father's ancestors had come to America from Kilkenny, Ireland, seeking to escape from religious persecution. His father was always seeking success in many occupations but always finding failure, and the Disney family was always poor. Walt found that he could escape his father's harsh discipline by drawing, and in 1917, when he was 16 years old, he lied about his age to join the American Red Cross Ambulance Corps. When he was mustered out at the end of World War I, he set up shop as a commercial artist in Kansas City, Missouri. There he discovered the world of animation, and Walt took to it. Moving to Los Angeles in 1923 to be with his more successful brother, Roy, Walt began drawing commercially, making a modest living by drawing for the Alice series of cartoons, about a live action girl who travels to the world of animated cartoon animals. In 1927, his first really successful commercial cartoon, featuring Oswald the Rabbit, became a success, but Walt lost the rights to the character when sued by his distributor. From then on, Walt insisted on owning the distribution rights to his creations. In 1928, Walt created Mickey Mouse. His third Mickey Mouse film, "Steamboat Willie," was the first cartoon to use synchronized sound and became an overnight success. Walt was the voice of Mickey for the first ten years of the cartoon. In 1934, Disney pioneered the first full length cartoon movie, "Snow White", and again, critics were overcome by the sheer popular response of the public to the movie. In 1950, he produced his first live-action film, "Treasure Island," and in 1955, he opened his first theme park, Disneyland. Prior to his death in 1966 in Los Angeles, California, of lung cancer, he began work on his latest theme park in Orlando, Florida: Walt Disney's World. His brother, Roy, the business genius behind the scenes, continued to run the company, and 40 years after Walt's death, the Disney empire is still financially strong and keeping to Walt's legacy. Shortly after Walt's death, the Disney Company executive board was shown a short film that Walt made just before his death, where he addressed each board member by name, telling him what he expected of him, and ending the film by saying "I'll be seeing you." Walt Disney was one of the few Americans to be honored with a US postage stamp issued less than two years after his death (the US Postal Service prefers to issue stamps at least ten years after a person has died; an exception is made for US presidents), when a 6 cent stamp was issued in September 1968 in his honor.  (bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson) Walter Elias Disney Location of Walt Disney Memorial Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary [one of two entrance signs] Glendale, Los Angeles, California Walter Elias Disney with his iconic Mickey Mouse Walt Disney ****The above information and photos comes to us from FindAGrave.

Amenuensis Monday - John Bean's Indenture

John BEAN's Indenture Contract:
Dated: 20 Feb 1804
Monroe County, VA

This Indenture made this 20th of February one thousand eight hundred and four Between James Christy Robert Johnson Henry McDaniel and Owen Neel of the one part over seers of the poor for Monroe County and John Neel of the other part witnesseth that the S'd overseers doth bind an orphan boy named John Bean aged thirteen years and six months to the S'd John Neel county aforesaid and State of Virginia to serve the S'd John Neel Until he arrives at the age of twenty-one years Dureing all which time the S'd John Bean Shall faithrully Serve his Master and all his lawful Commands obey he shall not Suffer any damage to be done to his S'd Masters goods without giving him notice thereof He shall not frequent Still houses or taverns he Shall not play at Cards Dice or any unlawful game or at any time abscond himself from his Masters business without his Masters leave he Shall not commit fornication nor contract matrimony during Said term; But as a true and faithful Servant Shall agree to have the S'd John Bean taught the art trade or mystery of a weaver and provide for him a sufficiency of everything that is requiset for an apprentice During the term of his apprenticeship likewise he is to have him taught to read the Holy Scriptures plainly to write a plain hand and arithmetic through the rule of three which Education he is to thoroughly acquainted with at the expieration of his time and also to give Such freedom dues as the law directs taking care to have Said apprentice Instructed in the principles and Duties of the Christian religion as far as Said Master is Capable In witnef whereof the partys have Interchangeable Set their hands and Seals the day and year above writen.

Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presents of
Sme JCabell John Neel (Seal)
John Neel Owen Neel (Seal)

[The above document transcription is verbatim. - cbh]

John Bean is believed to be the son of William McBean and his wife, Sarah Bane. The couple moved into what is now Stony Creek [Giles Co., VA] and procured status in present day Monroe Co., WV. Either late in 1803 or in very early 1804, it is believed that William died, leaving Sarah widowed and with at least two sons, John and William, and perhaps a third, Roy.

In February of 1804, John was indentured. The following September, William was indentured, and family lore tells of a younger brother, Roy, who was indentured with William, although no record has been found to substantiate that claim.

John eventually settled in present day Greenbrier County, and is believed to have never married, dying there in 1872 single, with only a "friend" to pronounce his death. William went on to marry and have a large family, whose descendants are spread throughout the US and abroad today.

Sunday's Obituary

OBITUARY
Raleigh Herald
Beckley, WV
Tuesday, 22 Aug 1989


IRENE C. DREHER
GAP MILLS-- Mrs. Irene Caroline Dreher, 83, died of natural causes Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the home of a daughter in GapMills.

Born May 24, 1906, in New Albany, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Frank and Adeline Banet.
She was preceded in death by Henry Dreher on May 17, 1977.

Survivors include two sons, Bill Dreher of Green Castle, Ind and Arthur Dreher of Tucson, Ariz.; three daughter, Lois Beane of Gap Mills, with whom she made her home with, Laura Crain of New Albany and Ethel McCutchen of English, Ind; a sister, Lorene Lee of Georgetown, Ind; 18 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

Services will be Saturday at 2p.m. at the Gehlbach and Royce Funeral Home in Georgetown with the Rev. Joe Larue officiating. Burial will be in the Wolfe Cemetery at Georgetwon.

Friends may call Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home in Georgetown.
The Broyles-McGuire Funeral Home in Union is in charge of the arrangements.

Surname Saturday - Bateman

1.

of 2. Walter Maxwell BEANE and 3. Lois Velleda DREHER. She married Johnnie Lee HENRY in Covington, Alleghany Co., VA, son of Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge. He

was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX.

2.

son of 4. John Monroe BEAN and 5. Mary Elizabeth FAUDREE. He married Lois Velleda DREHER

in Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.

3.

of 6. Henry Condar DREHER Jr. and 7. Irene Caroline BANET.

4.

Waiteville, Monroe Co., WV. He was the son of 8. William McHarvey BEAN and 9. Margaret Smith

PERKINS. He married Mary Elizabeth FAUDREE 1935 in Clifton Forge, Alleghany, Virginia.

5.Mary Elizabeth FAUDREE was born on 03 June 1897 in Sweet Springs, Monroe, West Virginia. She was the daughter of 10. Stephen Ledford FAUDREE and 11. Elizabeth CARNEFIX.

8.

He died on 14 May 1890 in Gap Mills, Monroe Co, WV. He was the son of 16. William M. BEAN and

17. Rachel WISEMAN. He married Margaret Smith PERKINS on 26 Aug 1852 in Monroe County,

Virginia.

9.

1891 in Monroe County, West Virginia. She was the daughter of 18. Samuel PERKINS and 19.

Elizabeth TUCKWILLER.

16.

Wiseman's Hollow, Potts Creek, Monroe County, WV. He was the son of 32. William McBEAN and

33. Sarah BANE. He married Rachel WISEMAN on 20 Nov 1813 in Monroe County, VA.

17.

Potts Creek, Monroe County, WV. She was the daughter of 34. Joseph WISEMAN and 35. Elizabeth

BATEMAN.

34.

in Monroe County, Virginia. He was the son of 68. Isaac WISEMAN Jr. and 69. Elizabeth DAVIS. He

married Elizabeth BATEMAN.

35.

Monroe County, Virginia. She was the daughter of 70. Henry BATEMAN and 71. Elizabeth

UNKNOWN.

70.

BATEMAN and 141. Anne DAVIS. He married Elizabeth UNKNOWN.

71.

140.

married Anne DAVIS.

141. John BATEMAN was born in 1669 in Ireland. He died in 1765 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. HeAnne DAVIS was born 1700 in Pennsylvania. She died Aft. 1741 in Virginia.Henry BATEMAN was born in 1736 in Berks County, Pensylvania. He was the son of 140. JohnElizabeth UNKNOWN was born 1740 in Berks County, Pensylvania.Joseph WISEMAN was born on 29 Mar 1759 in Berks County, Pensylvania. He died on 27 Dec 1836Elizabeth BATEMAN was born 10 Jul 1762 in Berks County, Pensylvania. She died 03 Sep 1842 inWilliam M. BEAN was born on 18 Sep 1792 in Baltimore, Maryland. He died on 01 Jan 1864 inRachel WISEMAN was born 23 Apr 1790 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. She died 07 Nov 1856 inWilliam McHarvey BEAN was born on 26 Aug 1832 in Dropping Lick, Near Zenith, Monroe Co, VA.Margaret Smith PERKINS was born 03 Mar 1826 in Greenbrier County, Virginia. She died 11 JunJohn Monroe BEAN was born on 15 Dec 1866 in Cincinatti, Ohio. He died on 10 Apr 1954 inWalter Maxwell BEANE was born in Waiteville, Monroe County, WV. He was theLois Velleda DREHER was in Georgetown, FLoyd Co., IN. She was the daughterCynthia Ann BEANE was born  in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN. She was the daughter

Mass Grave From Holocaust in Romania

A Holocaust-era mass grave containing the bodies of an estimated 100 Jews killed by Romanian troops has been discovered in a forest, researchers said Friday, offering further evidence of the country's involvement in wartime crimes.

The find in a forest near the town of Popricani, about 350 kilometers (220 kilometers) northeast of Bucharest, contains the bodies of men, women and children who were shot in 1941, the Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania said in a statement.

On Friday, riot police sealed off the area, not allowing anyone near the site, local reporters told The Associated Press.

The find offers evidence of pogroms against Jews in the region, scholars say, campaigns that were long minimized in a country whose official history taught that Germans were the sole perpetrators of the Holocaust.

Sketchy reports about the possibility of a mass grave in the forest began to appear in 2002, and local authorities began an investigation, which was suspended in the fall after nothing was found. Experts resumed the investigation at the site and began interviewing witnesses again in 2009, according to Romanian historian Adrian Cioflanca.

About 280,000 Jews and 11,000 Roma, or Gypsies, were killed during the pro-fascist regime of dictator Marshal Ion Antonescu, who was prime minister from 1940 to 1944 and executed by the communists in 1946. About 6,000 Jews live in Romania today.

Historians have documented several pogroms in Romania during World War II, including one in June 1941 in the northeastern city of Iasi, where up to 12,000 people are believed to have died as Romanian and German soldiers swept from house to house, killing Jews.

Those who did not die were systematically beaten, put in cattle wagons in stifling heat and taken to a small town, where what happened to them would be concealed. Of the 120 people on the train, just 24 survived.

Romania's role in the Holocaust remains a sensitive and highly charged topic. During communist times, the country largely ignored the involvement of Romania's leaders in wartime crimes.

The country's role in the Holocaust and the deportation of Jews were minimized by subsequent governments after communism collapsed in 1989.

In 2004, after a dispute with Israel over comments about the Holocaust, then-President Ion Iliescu assembled an international panel led by Nobel-prize winner Elie Wiesel to investigate the Holocaust in Romania.


Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/05/1813676/holocaust-era-mass-grave-found.html#ixzz14QwrMIGm