Olympia Cafe Faribault George Boosalis and High Basketball 1965 starters

This photo was taken from behind the soda fountain at the Olympia Cafe in Faribault, for years, an iconic family restaurant, hosted by the Boosalis Family of Greek heritage. Here they provided hearty meals, and had a smile for kids at the soda fountain during the 50's and 60's of my childhood, on the corner of 4th and Central across from Payant Drug above which my father Paul H Weaver MD had a medical practice beginning in 1939. They also made and packaged their own chocolates as I remember. Picture here are the 5 starters of the Faribault Basketball team of 1965, who led the team to second place in the Big Nine and second placein the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament, when there were only eight teams, one from each region. From the left: Fred Zahn, Tom Weaver, Todd Andrews, 1945 Faribault State Tourney Team member ? name?, Paul Dragsten and Jim Ohnstad served by proprietor, George Boosalis.

Minnesota Basketball All Tournament Team 1965

This is a photo of the 12 players selected to the 1965 Minnesota All Tournament Basketball Team. First row, Tom Weaver, Paul Dragsten and Fred Zahn of Faribault (Runner Up), Paul Knight, Jerry Marquart, and Bucky Ives of Minnetonka (Champion), Second row, Bob Peterson, Henning; LeRoy Gardner, St Paul Central; John Dow, Bemidji: John Beyer and Del Jessen, Luverne; Bob Saeger, Bemidji.

Faribault High School Basketball 1965 Minnesota State Runnerup

This is the Faribault High School Basketball Team that finished as Minnesota State Runner Up to Champion Minnetonka in 1965. Coached by Al Wold with assistant Clyde Newton (not pictured) the team, was 9 -1 in the Big Nine Conference, losing by one point to Big Nine Champion Rochester in the only loss, and 7 -1 in tournement play, defeating undefeated Virginia in the first round 60- 55, and Luverne previous years state champion undefeated in 35 games in the semi finals 57- 50 to gain the finals. This author is #44 in the middle row.

Lewis Glessner Home 1875 Findlay OH

This is a drawing of the home, Lewis and Georgiana Cowles Glessner had in Findlay, I think on W Sandusky as printed in 1875, four years before Lewis Glessners passing. He purchased the Hancock County Courier in 1861 having met Georgiana in Delaware OH where they were married. He had apprenticed as a cabinet maker and owned land in Delaware county prior to his move to Findlay. Lewis was born in Somerset PA in 1811, raised in Columbiana Co, OH prior to moving to Delaware.

Lewis is the father of Leonard Cowles Glessner, who started the Glessner Medicine company. I had an email from Ann Sizemore www.hometraditions.com in Findlay today (March 27, 2009)  who is working with an author Linda Paul to do research on early homes in Findlay.  In 2012, I now have copies of the books authored by Rosalinda Paul, Families and Facades 2006 and Porches and Parlors 2009 Published by Allegra, subsidiary of the Findlay Publishing Company.  Fun to see the residences of the Glessner famiy who lived in Findlay for 3 generations, Lewis, Leonard C and Harry C. My mom, chose to move to Minnesota in 1938, after marrying Paul H Weaver in Findlay in 1935 while he was an OSU medical student, where he got an internship at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis.  My parents loved the Prairies and Lakes of Minnesota and stayed here for the duration of their lives. 

Margaret Glessner as a young girl Findlay Ohio

In her autobiography, Rememberings of an Eighty Three year old grandma, Peg wrote relative to this photo. "On the wall hung my rather large, oval, framed, tinted portrait, my smiling face topped by curls, looking somewhat like Shirley Temple. My mother loved Shirley Temple movies and was very upset when she learned, during her visit while Pete was interning in Minneapolis, that I had never seen her. The first house I remember living in was a bungalow, a one-story house with a wide porch across the front, at 1228 South Main Street , the main drag with a street-car car track down the middle. Small street-cars wobbled down the track, the motorman repeatedly pressing his foot on the control of a clangy bell. At the end of the track, only a few blocks from my house, the trolley, on a single track, was "turned around." The motorman got off: pulled down on a hanging rope to lower the trolley pole with its small wheel and reversed its attachment to the overhead electrical wire. But it was more fun to go down to the circus train early in the morning to watch the elephants push the wagons off ofthe flat cars. Afternoon parades were exciting, the clowns often calling out in my direction, "Hello, Red."
Peg, like her mom, Inez, reflected our Irish-English heritage as a red head.

Peg Weaver 1961 Amahl and the Night Visitors - Faribault Episcopal Cathedral

Margaret Glessner Weaver, June 3 1910 - Aug 10 2007, inspires through her participation in life at a variety of levels. Here in a photo from a book, The First Cathedral, Scott and Neslund, she is pictured on the floor of the cathedral practicing for the performance during the Christmas Season in 1961 at age 51. Peg had sung in Gilbert and Sullivan musicals at Findlay High School in Ohio and then was a member of the Oberlin Glee Club before soloing for the Broad Street Presbyterian Church at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1934 from Dvorak's New World Symphony. She continued to sing and be flexible throughout her life, into her 90's a theme song we often sang "Look for the Silver Lining".

Boys Choir 1956 Faribault Cathedral Protestants in Southern Minnesota

This is a photo of the boys choir I sang in as a boy on the prairies of southern Minnesota. In the 4th row, I am the first one with glasses and my brother Jack is the 5th one over. While being raised in Faribault, I was a acolyte, crucifer and sang in the senior choir as well when my voice changed in junior High. Greg Larsen, now a retired music teacher living in Denver Colorado is 4th in the first row. I am grateful for the beginning of my musical heritage that continues to this day. Some of my elders say "If I sing, I pray twice". Mitakuye Oyasin..Blessings on this spring day.

Musee Du Desert Les Protestants Visit Aug 2008

While visiting the Cevennes, Jean Luc drove me to this museum where I learned about how the persecuted protestants had to pray in the "desert" (out in nature, as Jesus did) to escape Catholic persecution. According to one source "At least 250 000 French Huguenots fled to countries such as Switzerland, Germany, England, America, the Netherlands, Poland and South Africa, where they could enjoy religious freedom. As many were killed in France itself. Between 1618 and 1725 between 5 000 and 7 000 Huguenots reached the shores of America." Thus the Chapelier-Chappelear and Arnaud-Arnold Families left France for England and then to America which is a strong part of my family tree.

1663 Book in Nimes Archives Chapelier-Roux Marriage

Jean-Luc Chapelier, guided me to the Nimes archives where I was able open this book with the documentation of the Louis Chapelier and Simmone Roux. According to the information we have their son Isaac Chapelier b 1672 Uzes, Languedoc, France escaped to London. He married 10/28/1696 at the French Church in Threadneedle St., London, England to Anne Arnaud, daughter of Elie & Magdalen (De Valau or Devallaud) Arnaud. Anne was a native of de la Tramblade, France.
Isaac fled from Bagnals to London, where he became a surgeon. Mr. C. G. Lart, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society states that Isaac Chapelier, Sr., was naturalized in London 05/25/1702. And that in 1697 his name was spelled Chappelie. He was "ancien et secretaire" of the French Church of Crispin St., London. He apparently went to sea with her majesty's fleet, which was trying to capture the Spanish main through legal piracy; hence his estate being in dollars rather than pounds (œ).

Uzes 2008 View from Dukes Tower - Home of Louis Chapelier

I took this photo to the east in August of 2008, looking a the Valley of the Gare while Jean Luc Chapelier, my guide and cousin was telling me about our ancestor Louis Chapelier married Simmone Roux here in 1663. Later we drove to Nimes to a genealogy library where I was able to photograph the book that documents the marriage. I was particularly struck by the history of the Huguenots, and how resilent the Chappelear family was, and they later connected with the Arnaud family from the area about La Rochelle as they found refuge in England and later in Maryland. Jean Luc was a great host, inviting me to visit his cabin up in St Germain de Calberte in the Cevennes where Robert Lewis Stevenson traveled in 1879 and wrote about in Travels with a Donkey. I look forward to visiting St Mary's County Maryland where Isaac and Elias Chappelear lived and married into the Wood and Brammel families in the 1700's before Elias moved to Virginia, to Culpeper County.

Mt Vernon 1928 Paul H Weaver and Roehm Family

Continuing with the camping road trip of my grandparents, Noah Elwood and Edna Eicher Weaver, this photo is of my Dad in front of Mt Vernon with the Roehm family, Glady, Tom Jr and Tom. Having visited Williamsburg and Jamestown in Virginia already, the caravan of two cars stopped at this famous location where I hope to visit within the month. My Chappelear ancestors, from my Mom's side, settled in St Mary's County Maryland about 1700, perhaps 30 miles as the crow flies across the Potomac from the Washington Estate, and during the war for independence, Elias Chappelear fought in the Maryland militia. He was a land owner in the Charlotte Hall area on land known as Woods Inclosure. Like many of the plantation owners in the area who raised tobacco they were slave owners.
Elias Chappelear served as a Private for 5 days during the Revolutionary War, July 21 through 27, 1776 with the 6th Battalion of St. Marys Co. Militia (Rev. Papers St. Marys Co., MD box 6, folder 1). The Militia was called up, at the time they expected Lord Dunsmore to attack. This makes Elias' descendants eligible for the DAR. Elias and Bramml (Brammel) Chappelear's 4th child was Zachariah Chappelear b. 07/31/1772 in St Mary's Co, whose son William Woods Chappellear ventured to Missouri during the turbulent 1850's, where my greatgrandmother Emma Chappelear was born. She married Len Glessner in Farmer City IL.

In Defense of Food - Plants with life energy and enzymes

I awoke this AM to the fresh air of spring and melting snow. As I sat to meditate prior to drinking my pejuta sapa “black medicine” AKA “coffee” I wondered what I could share about food and my knowing about real live food that has enzymes in it that cleanse and nurture the body in a good way, while supporting sustainable ecosystems throughout the world. I have been writing a blog lately to share my experience strength and hope about how honoring the integrity of the plant nation and healing power of plants can support each of our integrity and constitutions in a good way. I met with a local UCC church educator in St Louis Park yesterday, about meeting with their peace and justice group to teach about sustainable gardening. Well as I was sitting on the kitchen floor of my little apartment, I looked up and saw the Campfire Marshmallow Metal Box, whose image I have added here. I notice when I am present to my life, Creator has things right in front of me when “I have eyes to see and ears to hear.” My grandmother, Inez Glessner would use the lid of this container to put a cake on and then carry it to picnics with the top inverted with holes to let the cake cool. I love to take it to feasts after ceremonies to share the energy of my family tree. Anyway, according to the website of the current "owners " of the Campfire Marshmellow brand
www.campfiremarshmallows.com/history-of-marshmallows.asp and noticed the forked tongue (pen-keyboard). Talked of history "Marshmallow as a candy dates all the way back to Egypt, about 2000 BC. The ancient Egyptians are believed to have discovered a wild herb growing in marshes from which a sweet substance could be extracted and made into a very special confection reserved only for the pharaohs and gods. The Egyptians used a honey based candy and thickened it with the sap of the marsh mallow plant (althea officinalis)….hence the name marshmallow." and when I looked for the plant ingredients in the modern day product there is no marshmallow to be found...,sugar and petroleum distillates "Corn Syrup, Sugar, Modified Food Starch (Corn), Dextrose, Water, Gelatin, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Tetrasodium Pyprophshate and Blue 1."

So, no nutrition here, so I suggest in the spirit of Michael Pollan (READ and follow "In Defence of Food, An Eaters Manifesto" and my understanding of real food, to eat plants as they are raised in nature the ones that still have the life force, enzymes, vitamins in them. Cooking kills enzymes and living symbiotic, probiotic good bacteria. So find a real marshmallow look at www.nutrasanus.com/marsh-mallow.html and see how the herb got co opted along the way! /www.longcreekherbs.com/2006/08/make-your-own-marshmallows.html So I invite us all to tell "the rest of the story" AND make decisions to avoid all the sugar around the campfire! Blessings Dr Tom, the plant guy

Leonard Cowles Glessner -St Patrick's Happy 156th Birthday

Thinking of the green ties, my great grandfather would wear, not just on his birthday, according to the stories my mom ofter related. She related that he was the jolly one in her family and was a very successful businessmen and stayed active playing golf into his 80's. Len Glessner was born March 17, 1853 in Delaware County Ohio, son of Lewis Glessner and Georgiana Cowles. He moved with his parents to Findlay OH in 1861 when Lewis sold his land in Delaware County and purchased the Hancock County Courier. Len learned the printing and writing trade beginning at the age of 15 in Findlay and ventured west where in 1874 he purchased the Farmer City IL Journal. While in Farmer City, he married Emma Chappelear, daughter of William Woods Chappelear and Elizabeth Ewing Chappelear, and while there, their first child, Lewis Wm Glessner was born Nov 9, 1978. Len was a charter member of Farmer City Knights of Pythias Lodge 60, and then with his move to Carlinville IL personally founded Lodge 90 there continuing his 45 years of service to that organization being elected to the Grand Lodge of that organization of Illiinois, Missouri and Ohio. While in Carlinville he published the Enquirer there until he moved in 1883 to Sedalia MO where he published a literary and new journal, the Earth prior to his return to Findlay in 1887 during the gas and oil boom when he rejoined in his fathers publishing business. The the late 90's he began production of Dr Drakes Cough Syrup in his home and incorporated the Glessner Medicine Company in 1905. He became its president and served in that role until Nov 12 1936 after he died of injuries of being struck by an automobile in downtown Findlay while walking home.

Crabs in Basket Virginia Beach Summer 1928 Catch

This shows the basket of crabs ready to be taken to market at the end of the day.

Virginia Beach 1928 Fish sorting boat

in the album "Sorting the fish, star fish in catch" I particularly like the texture of the baskets and the action of the sorting fishermen in the boat.

Fishing Boat Virginia Beach 1928 Unloaded into Wagon

Written under this photo in the album. "Saw this fishing boat launched in the morning against incoming tide. It returned late in the afternoon." This is one of my favorite images from my grandfather Noah Elwoods camera. The following images with the baskets sorting the fish and crabs as well. Looking forward to fresh seafood! Will make sure I have fresh food and fresh supplemental enzymes for good digestion!

Atlantic Ocean Surf Virginia Beach Noah Elwood and Paul Henry Weaver

Here in 1928, Noah Elwood Weaver is 43 years old and his son 18. This in on the beach at Virginia Beach where they drove their car onto the beach to camp.

Virginia Beach 1928 Edna Weaver Glady Roehm Tom/Tony? with Wagon of Seafood

Here on the private beach at Virginia Beach where the crew awoke in their cars.

New Ocean Casino and Cottage Line, Looking South, Virginia Beach, VA 1928

This card is mounted in the Weaver family trip album opposite the Atlantic Beach photos of swimming and the fishing boat, purchased during the 1928 road trip from West Carrollton OH to Washington DC and back.

Virginia Beach 1928 Post Card of Cavalier Hotel

Comments about this card in photo album. "$2,000,000 Hotel Serpentine Walls paterned after the wall at University of Virginia which was designed by Thomas Jefferson."

Virginia Beach Camping in Car 1928

This is the place the group drove and camped overnight to wake up to having the Atlantic Beach to themselves.

City of Portsmouth Ferry Hampton Roads to Norfolk 1928

THis is the ferry the group took from Hampton Roads to Norfolk. The notes in the photo album recorded "Ferry Hampton Roads VA. $1.65 "

Jamestown Island Bridge 1928 Paul H Weaver

Continuing from Monticello through Richmond, the caravan of two autos progressed to Williamsburg and Jamestown. Here is Paul Henry Weaver again in the stylish knickers, quite elagant for an 18 yr old surely!

Louisa Virginia Camp Life 1928 E of Monticello

Paul H Weaver with back to camera to Tom Roehm Jr and Glady at the camp stove with the Buick and tent in background.

Jefferson's Law Office 1928

Here again is Paul H Weaver in his knickers in front of Thomas Jefferson's Law Office with his mom, Edna Eicher Weaver and Glady Roehm in converstaion on the right.

Monticello 1928 Paul H Weaver in Knickers

Interesting to me is the variety of wardrobe the crew on this trip carried with them. From white shirts and ties, to swim gear and packed in the car. Tenting as a group and having two cars. Here is my dad, at age 18, traveling with The Roehm family and the Weaver Family from Ohio on a travel adventure. Here at the famous Jefferson Home, where the inventive Thomas Jefferson created his home. www.monticello.org/ Thomas born 1743 April 13 at Shadwell, the family plantation.

Cedar Tree Natural Bridge Virginia and Paul H Weaver 1928

Paul Henry Weaver, had a life long interest in trees and nature. Here at age 18 he visited the Cedar Creek Nature Trail with his mom and dad who were on a road trip camping along the way. White or flat cedar is a medicine used in many sweat lodge ceremonies and interesting my parents moved to Minnesota 10 years later, in 1938, where white cedars surround many of the Minnesota northern lakes. I look forward to revisiting this site when I travel to Virginia in about a month and to see if this tree is still there along the trail! check out www.naturalbridgeva.com/trail.html

Natural Bridge Virginia 1928 Noah Elwood and Paul H Weaver

Here, along the drive taken by the Weaver and Roehm families, Noah Elwood and his 6'3" son Paul Henry are standing by a stream at Natural Bridge Virginia. On the way from North Carolina, it appears a variety of camping places were chosen near natural history areas as well as the sites like President Wilsons Home in Staunton, Monticello and Mt Vernon. I am thinking of retracing some of this steps during an April trip to the area. My Dad, Paul H, was continued with a deep interest in Nature during his time in Minnesota, especially at Pelican Lake near Brainerd, where he retired from rural medical practice in Faribault and Rice County MN in 1976.

"Natural Bridge and Niagara Falls were the two wonders of the new world that Europeans visited during the 18th & 19th centuries. Of the two sights, Natural Bridge, without clear explanation of its formation, was the more mysterious."

From: www.naturalbridgeva.com/about.html visit for more info.

Celebrating Christopher Isherwood, Berlin Cabaret Era

During my three week train adventure in 2008, I wanted to visit the era in Berlin prior to the Nazi take over in the 1930's. Jeremy Minsberg, pictured here led me to the spot of the Eldorado Bar, which was a famous Berlin Tourist attraction, that was closed down by the police on March 1, 1933. This memorial to Christopher is just down the street. In reading the book, Self Confidence and Persitence, I learned of Hirshfeld's progressive research through his Institute for Sexology, and how its life was terminated suddenly by the beginning of the state's racist politics when his institute was looted on May 6, 1933. The vast archive and library was carried off to destroyed in a public book burning on May 10. I am grateful to be a graduate of the U of Minnesota Medical School that has been sponsoring ongoing research at the Program in Human Sexuality since 1971 (when I was a medical student there from 1969-1974) as a resource for scientific inquiry in the 21st Century ranging from HIV prevention to family therapy. Check out www.fm.umn.edu/phs

Berlin Schwules Museum 200 Years of History Self Confidence and Persistence

Prior to my three week Eurail Trip in 2008, I contacted Patrick Scully founder of Minneapolis' own Patrick's Cabarat about who to contact about having a balanced tour of Berlin, my favorite city in Germany. While there I was led to the Schwules Museum, by St Paul native and guide Jeremy Minsberg, and an exhibit and this book cataloging 200 years of history of LGBT liberation and understanding in the world through German eyes. The Museum Catalog here talks of the pioneering scientific work of Magnus Hirshfield, and how seminal writers like Christopher Isherwood were attracted to Berlin during the time of the cabaret prior to Nazi repression in the 1930's. I first visited Berlin in 1971 and have images of Checkpoint Charlie in my mind and then returned in 1986 when I visited Joachim Bernauer in Dahlem and took the S-Bahn to East Berlin to see the Pergamon Museaum and ate a meal in the tall radio tower. Everybody worked, and no body did much in my memory back in those days. Then, I spoke German to a honeymooning couple from East Germany and shared American Coins with the images of George Washington. This time, Jeremy Minsberg, a St Paul MN native who now lives in Berlin was my quintessential grounded travel guide. Jeremy is a very sensitive tour guide with a great heart! I heartily recommend his services. Visit www.theberlinexpert.com and say "hi".

Mt Mitchell Camp Breakfast 1928

The photo album labels this as "Breakfast with bacon and eggs with fresh wild blackberries." Gladys and Tom Roehm Jr, Edna, Noah Elwood and Tony or PHW back to camera

Mt Mitchell One Way Road Great Smokies 1928

The two cars are stopped 1/2 up the mountain. Noah Elwood and Edna Weaver with Gladys and Tom Roehm Jr and Paul Henry Weaver. Elwood and Tom Roehm took a lot of photos of the travelers during this adventure of camping and driving.

Tom Roehm's Car Fixing Blow Out in Livingston KY

IN 1928, blow outs with tires were still common. Here the second car of the caravan is stopped in the town of Livingston KY. Two local boys look on as the tire is changed in front of a steel bridge. I like the feel of how is must have been on the road. The group of seven traveled to the mountains of the Great Smokies and then to the monuments of Washington DC and Virginia. I am struck by the openness of the country and the few cars on the road back then. Elwood was quite the adventurer and embraced new technology. I am grateful for his many photos.

1928 Buick Family Touring Car Eicher-Weavers In Ohio

This Buick Touring Car, driven mostly by Noah Elwood Weaver, my grandfather, is seen in Ohio, with Esther Eicher,Noah Elwood Weaver, Henry Eicher and Edna Eicher Weaver. In July of 1928, he would drive Edna, with his son Paul Henry Weaver, my father, in the company of Tom Roehm and his wife Gladys and son Tom Jr, with a man named Tony, a loop through Kentucky and Tennessee to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Mt Mitchell, thence north through Virginia to Richmond, Montecello, Mt Vernon and Washington, prior to driving the National Pike, US 40 back to southern Ohio.

Peg Weaver Spring 2007 - Age 96 - Being vibrant and open!

Here is one of my favorite photos, of my Mom, being vibrant and clear about what she likes and wants. She aways liked the color yellow and custard was a favorite food for years. We discovered D'Amico's creme brule' when visiting the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and having lunch there. So here is Peg enjoying a creme brule from D'Amicos, Eden Prairie branch. We were talking about the planting of a red bud, one of Paul H Weaver's favorite trees, the one with beautiful lavender flowers that blooms in Ohio and places further south. She attended the spring dedication of the tree at the Cathedral Garden in Faribault when I was supported by my good friends Jane and Byron during the ceremony. When teaching about nutrional health and being open to nutritional and herbal supplements, I remember how she looked at her diet and many other lifestyle and attitudinal changes she made after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and subsiquent Whipple procedure done at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in 1984 at age 73. She still teaches me from the other side! Thanks Peg.

Leonard Hamlet Cowles -1784-1861 Yale Attendee - Attorney Delaware OH -

This is a photo of Leonard H Cowles attorney in Delaware OH. This was one of the oldest labeled photos in the possession of the Glessners of Findlay OH I inherited. He was born in Southington CT, Jan 16, 1784, and attended Yale College Law School and went west to Delaware OH in 1804 to join with Moses Bixby in the early creation of the town. He served in 1822 as a member of the Ohio General Assembly. He marrried Nancy "Lucy" Bixby May 27, 1816 in Delaware. He died in Delaware in 1861. His daughter Georgiana Cowles married Lewis Glessner in Delaware in 1838. Lewis served as postmaster there from 1846-1850 and sold his farm land in 1860 prior to moving to Findlay and purchasing the Hancock County Courier in 1861.

Peg Christmas 2004 Cowles Family Tree from CT 1719

Nate, who took this photo and Jess, right, created a salmon dinner for Peg on Christmas Day, here at her Woodland Assisted Living Home in Brainerd. Peg lived near her Pelican Lake cabin home from age 92 to 95, when on Dec 7, 2005, Nate, Kerry Johnston of Brainerd and I moved her things to The Colony of Eden Prairie where she received increased levels of care until her passing Aug 10, 2007 at age 97 years, 2 months and 7 days. The Cowles Family Tree behind, reflects the history of the lineage of the Cowles Family. CAPTAIN JOSIAH COWLES,b 11/20/1716 Farmington CT, D 3/6/1783 Southington CT, served the the CT militia during the revolutionary war times. His son Gamaliel Cowles b 7/12/1742 Southington, CT, d 6/26/1787 Southington CT also served in the war. Camaliels son, Leonard Cowles, b Jan 16, 1784 Southington CT attended Yale Law School as a classmate of John C Calhoun, and moved to Delaware OH in 1804, where he was the first attorney in the area. He was a banking partner with Moses Bixby founder of the town of Delaware and married his daughter, Nancy "Lucy" Bixby May 27, 1816. Georgiana Cowles their daughter, b Feb 18, 1820 married Lewis Glessner April 8. 1838 in Delaware.

Peg Weaver's 90th Birthday, June 3 2000

I am writing a letter and sending a book in gratitude of mentoring by Ernie Campbell, who introduced me to the wilderness with the Cathedral Youth Groups of the 1960's. I was reflecting with on the phone with his wife, Margaret Campbell who moved with Ernie to Walla Walla Washington in 1969 what a gift Peg's life has been. I think of Earnie and his crew cut, when Margaret shared "he is now 81 and cutting back, having stopped skiing a couple of years ago". I thought of Peg's life long enthusiasm and her honoring of my coming out as a two spirited, aka gay man and son and father some 20 + years ago.
Like Len Glessner had been in the center of the Glessner Weaver clan when Peg was married in 1935. See entry in this blog, so to is Peg in the center of this biological family constellation in 2000 at the Pelican Palmer Nature Cabin.. Pictured first row, Susan E Johnson Weaver, Nellie Jane Williams Weaver, Margaret "Peg" Glessner Weaver, Valerie Brick Weaver, Jesse Macrorie Weaver, back row, John Eicher Weaver I, Kristin Derry Weaver, Nathan Blair Weaver, Melanie Brick Weaver, James Cowles Weaver, Thomas Glessner Weaver. Photo by Nate-Kris Weaver

Harvest 2009- Audacity of Hope for Fresh Garden Food

This is an abundance harvest photo from the garden I planted when I lived in Bloomington while taking care of Peg while she was in a nearby assisted living facility in Eden Prairie. I have a Troy Bilt rototiller, which I envision sharing with others, who want to share their own harvest, by creating a lawn garden this spring! May we harvest and create our own backyard Eden’s as we create more self-sufficiency in 2009.

I had an “audacity of hope” dream last night about sharing the gut awareness of each of us having the nutrition that comes from eating food from the local food chain. One of my favorite authors, Michael Pollan, in his 2008 book, In Defense of Food, that fell off the shelf into my basket at the Mississippi Market food coop in St Paul a while back, simply says to get off the nutritionism band wagon of chemical non foods begun in the 50’s and 60’s (think margarine marketed as a healthy substitute for real butter) by the seven words:” Eat food. Not too much, Mostly plants.” I re started what I had learned from my parents, who had a victory garden in Faribault during WW II, on 4th Ave S, on a lot they had thought about building a home on. Later at our home at 425 SW 3rd on tate paha, "windy hill," we always had a big garden in my youth, complete with flowers, and periennial fruits like raspberries among an orchard of apple trees. I was raised on real food prior to the 1960’s and the industrialization of the food chain, so I know what it looks like!

I now serve as a digestive health and medical consultant as my higher power, higher source, enlightened me to turn in my medical license and gave myself a Valentines present in 1998, when I knew, at a deep level, dealing petrochemicals as legal drugs, which was required of me as an allopathic physician, “M.D.” is not consistent with my integrity as a “pejuta wichasha” plant human being. Today I dedicate my teaching as a young elder, to sustainable ecological entreprurealism. With the same spirit as my Chapelier Huguenot ancestors who settled Maryland about 1700, and raised crops on their way west, I am here to of service to those who want to create gardens out of lawns here in the city. Be well, eat well and breathe well.

Glessner Company Family Business - Lewis Wm Glessner 1878-1964

Lewis Wm Glessner. b Nov 9,1878 to Leonard Cowles and Emma Chappelear Glessner, Farmer City IL, d 1964, San Francisco CA. Lewis served the secretary of the Glessner Medicine Company at 230 E Sandusky Ave, Findlay. He built a home on a lot on S Main, like my grandfather, Harry, a craftsman style at 1212 S Main. My Mom, Peg Weaver, remembered her cousins Robert M Glessner b 1907, and John L Glessne b 1910r, moved to California, San Francisco area in the late 1920's when he disassocatied himself from the family business and went west. Harry C Glessner and Mary E Glesser the remaining siblings stayed in Findlay and were involve in the day to day operations ot the patent medicine business into the 1960's.