Music and Culture - Silvis Energy with Weaver and Larsen Families in Faribault

 Here in 1949 are Ed Silvis, my mom, Peg Weaver (with earrings) and Marge Silvis at the piano, likely practicing music in our living room, at 425 SW 3rd St for a recital Marge and mom did at a local church.  Likely at the Congretational Church where Ed and Marge attended or at the Episcopal Cathedral where the Weaver's attended back in the day.  Photo By Paul H Weaver

 

Marge Silvis, Peg Weaver with Ed Silvis's back likely listening to the reel to reel tape recorder from the music they were practicing.  I was just 2 years of age, and I remember Marge and Ed being such a regular part of my young life back them

During the late 1940's, when I was very young and into the 1950's, when I was an impressionable grade school boy, going to Garfield Elementary, a old stucco and wooden frame building that creaked when we walked the stairs, Marge Silvis was our roaming elementary vocal music teacher, and good friend of my parents. Only in later life do I sense what large presence, tall Marge and her tall partner Ed Silvis, played in my formative young life.  Music and then an international flare, that is still a mystery.   Already in 1957, when I was 10, my mom was connecting with Marge and a woman, Anand, who was from India or could it have been Pakistan. Here are a couple of images from that time.

 1957 Ed Silvis, Anand, Marge Silvis and Peg (Margaret Glessner) Weaver , Silvis home in Faribault.

1957 in the Haessley or Silvis Home, Anand with Peg, Margaret Glessner Weaver, Faribault.

Here are Peg Weaver, my mom vocalist, and her best musical friend, Marjorie Hognander Silvis, piano accompanist, preparing for a recital in the late 1940's at the Guild House of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior in Faribault. I was inspired to add this today, March 28, 2011as my long term friend Greg Larsen, Faribault Class of 1965, was acknowledging his mentors on his Caring Bridge Site:
Monday, March 28, 2011 8:05 AM, MDT
Musical Mentors
This is the first in a series of reflections on persons who had a strong influence in the direction of my career in music.

I. Marjorie H. Silvis: The Persuasive Authority of Accompaniment

Marjorie H. Silvis was the K-12 Vocal Music teacher at Garfield Elementary School in Faribault, Minnesota during the 1950’s.

Mrs. Silvis was a commanding presence in any setting. She wore a heady essence of perfume that pre-announced she was in the building and was also quite tall. She emphasized this height by wearing very high-heeled shoes and through platinum blond hair styled in the mode of the 1940s.

It was her commanding approach to accompanying singing with piano, however, that really caught my attention. This accompaniment featured prominent bass using doubled sub-octaves – which encouraged rich inner harmonies to emerge, as well. It wasn’t that she played/accompanied loudly. Rather, she played with such authority - even softly - that you just felt compelled to sing.

I tried to emulate this accompaniment style throughout my teaching career and I hope that, perhaps, it inspired young singers to ‘get a grip’ in realizing their own voices. I am grateful for Mrs. Silvis’ example, which led me to consider music as a profession.."

Greg, like Marj, was a dedicated teacher of music, and both Greg (who was my best friend growing up in the small city of Faribault in the 1950's and early 60's) and Marj, supported my musical and especially my singing as a way of expression and communication.   I am adding other photos, today, in May of 2014, as my Rosen Method body work has led me to connect with one of Marj's grandnieces, Rebecca Wigg, who today, after a Rosen Method Bodywork day in Wisconsin, talked to me of her experiences with great aunt Marj and her husband Ed.

Here I am as a lad of 12, already nearing 6' tall looking up at my "uncle" Ed, now returning to Faribault with a lot of things and culture from West Pakistan in 1959.  Ed was exotic, and somehow unreachable by me, and yet this image of his reaching out to me, has stuck with me over the years.
 
Here is one of my favorite photos of my dad and me, dressed in costume for Amahl and the Night Visitors Christmas Pagant at the Cathedral in Faribault in 1961.  At age 14 I was now taller than my 6'3" father, and wore a hat from Pakistan that Ed Silvis brought back in 1959, prior to his traveling with the US Information Agency to other realms.

Another view of Marge Silvis in 1959 at the Congregational Church in Faribault.  I recall they spent a year in Abbottabad West Pakistan for a year in the late 1950's, and thus began their new career in the US Information Agency I was told. Their first assignment was in West Pakistan, and Ed, who was something like 6' 5" and Marge was nearly 6'1' I think, were quite the imposing pair. They brought back I lot of brass and copper things from Pakistan and had a reception at the Congregational Meeting place across from the Church where she directed the choir.


Marge, in the middle, displaying a lot of the things she and Ed brought back from West Pakistan at the 1959 reception at the Faribault Parish House of the Congregational Church.

Ed Silvis entertaining the Faribault crowd dressed in some sort of exotic head scarf.1959

 
1960 Autumn slide listed as slide "#268. Family &  Friends: Marge Silvis - in red -sad. "



Holiday Season 1960-61 Marge and Ed Silvis in Pakistani Garb.  (425 SW 3rd St Weaver Home, Faribault)

 
Ed and Marge Holidays 1960- 61  Pakistani Garb.  
Silvises and Weavers reconnect over the years. 1966 - 

 Here are the Silvi' as my father, who liked Latin and other languages, Marge and Ed with my father Paul H Weaver in the family sun porch in Faribault in Sept of 1966. Note the Cowles Family tree in the background. Ed was a speech teacher at Faribault High School and I considered the two of them to be the closest thing I had to an Uncle and Aunt. They left Faribault I think about 1961 or 62 to work for the US Informatiion Agency. Thus I missed having Marge as my High School Choral teacher, although she had a great influence on me and my interest in singing at an early age.

Ed and Marge Silvis in the Weaver kitchen in Faribault, dated Sept 13, 1966.
 
Peg Weaver and Ed Silvis - Weaver Kitchen Sept 1966 in Faribault. 
Labeled 1962, this looks like a Christmas Gathering with the Rev Van Kirk  family.  The Van Kirk's were at the Congregational church and Marjorie Silvis on the left, next to Wayne Van Kirk, then Peg Weaver, my mom, ?_____? Ed Silvis in the plaid shirt, perhaps Mrs Van Kirk? and my dad, "Pete" Paul H Weaver in the background.


 The Congo, Congregational church is now a UCC named place and a few years back I went there for a Christmas Service and my friend Rev Tom George was accepted by the parish as an openly Gay Clergy in Faribault. Something I enjoyed celebrating with Tom and other folks I saw in Faribault including the Gagnon family that purchased the Family Home pictured here, at 425 SW 3rd St.


Later, this time in 1978, Ed and Marge would come back to Minnesota to visit. Here they are with Peg Weaver at Pelican Lake. Ed was from Grand Rapids and Marge from the Cities, where the Swedish Hognander Family had been influential in Minnehaha Acedemy as I recall. Very much the acedemic types and stayed with the US Government Services. I visited her church in McLeanVA and sang in her choir when John Sonnenday a Carleton Grad was the minister there, back in the day.

Her obit: SILVIS MARJORIE HOGNANDER SILVIS (Age 92) Of Greenspring Village, VA on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at Renaissance Gardens. Beloved wife of the late Edward A. Silvis; aunt of Joe Hognander and Timothy Olmstead and great-aunt of Jason Sandeen. Memorial services will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1125 Savile Lane, McLean, VA 22101.
Washington Post
www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=marjorie-h-silvis&pid=144990073

Civic Music Association in Faribault -----1950's --

From Peg Weaver's memoir, Rememberings, p 62
"When a Civic Music Association was founded in Faribault, I became its first Campaign Chairman . Campaign headquarters were in the lobby of the Faribault Hotel where I worked with the New York representatives of the Civic Music organization and Faribault volunteers. Occasionally, to cheer our spirits, Swathe, Les Swanberg the editor of the Faribault Daily News, brought some of us daiquiris disguised in coffee cups. After concerts the artists were often entertained in Faribault homes with members of the Civic Music Association Board of Directors attending, as well as other volunteers. One of the items on my hidden agenda was to get Oscar Teisberg, who at first wasn't sympathetic to Civic Music, to serve on the Board of Directors. I was successful. In our Buick station wagon, with Marde Berhow I drove basso Jerome Hines (who became a star with the Metropolitan Opera Company) and    his accompanist to the Minneapolis Milwaukee Depot to take a train for his next concert. When they asked us to go to lunch with them, we wisely declined. "

From Faribault Daily News Sept 25 1951--

 

Chris Schuehle, Owner of the local Rexall Drug Store, with my mom, Peg Weaver then called "Mrs Paul Weaver" with Mrs Frances Gannon of New York  - article describes the campaign for membershp at the Hotel Faribault Dining Room with over 180 attendees ----Don Wafler was  the President the association - Peg was the campaign director and I remember attending concerts in the old high school building auditorium on 4th Ave N --

 
1952 Faribault Daily News Marjorie Hognander Silvis, Al Ochs, Peg Weaver, Brad Craig and Virginia Sartor, with the kick off for the Civic Music Society fund raiser, where my mom, and Marj Silvis worked together in the membership drive.    I remember the Silvis's were very regular visitors at our home, they played bridge with my parents, and created a skit using the tape recorder in front of them and made up tunes for "Billy's Buttered Biscuits" a satire that might have made it onto Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion, had that been an option in those times.  :-)

 
At the Weaver home in 1950, a Civic Music guest pianist, a Mrs Nettleton with Marv Horstman, Headmaster Of St James School in Faribault --photo by Paul H Weaver

Pelican Lake - Crucible and Family Playground Remembrances 1940's -1982

Here is the earliest Map that we found in the Palmer Family Cabins when the three Weaver brothers, Jim, Jack and Tom, purchased the land together in 1967. Today I am thinking about the passing of the soul of Nellie Jane Williams Weaver, of West Bend WI, my sister in law. I served as "best man" in my brother Jack's wedding on July 19 , 1969 when I first met Harold Williams her dad, I think it was in Monmouth IL, where Jack chose to go to college. I had left Friday Harbor Marine Biology Summer School early, to return for the wedding, as the three brothers had agreed to serve as best man in a rotating order. Jack having served as best man for Jim and Melanie, in Westport CT a couple of years earlier. Yesterday, Nellie's daughter Kris, had posted something on Facebook that clarified her mom's health status: "I have struggled all day to find the right words for it: my mom "passed away" yesterday. To put it in terms my mom would appreciate, I think: she has responded to another casting call and is off to her next Stage. Thanks for all of your comments, support and good stories about her."

Left to Right: Jack Weaver, Peg Weaver, Nellie Jane Williams Weaver, John Eicher Weaver II, Tom Weaver, Nate Weaver, Sue Weaver, Kris Weaver, Val Weaver, Jim Weaver. The body language and facial expressions are of great interest to me.
So thinking about the good times with Nellie and Jack is coming up for me. I think back to 1982, when we celebrated the life of Paul H Weaver, who passed over during the long cold winter, after being slowed down by his cancer. In Nellie's terms, he left the Stage of this world on , Jan 29, 1982. I have such good memories of the folks that showed up to comfort the family in our loss and grateful some photos were taken to recognize the people who came and the energy they gave for the living.

Also, seeing the photo of the family here in 1981, at the Family Cabin built in 1947, and serving as Pete and Peg's home from 1976 to 1982 for Pete, and then until 2002 when some of us moved Peg into Assisted Living in Brainerd. I am noticing prior to Paul H Weavers passing, and how the family mobile looked back then. Virginia Satir, the great family systems author, who talked about shifts in the family power and intimacy structure at the time of death comes to mind. For me, I learned with Peg, my Mom, after her husbands passing, that grieving the loss in a good way, was a real gift to us in learning how to be more nurturing and recognizing the gift of life, one day at a time. Just in time, he passed and allowed new energies to step in in 1982 for a lot of us. Perhaps others can see it in the countenances of our family and our body language as well.
(Left to Right: "Tom" Thomas G Weaver," Sue" Susan E J Weaver, Nate Weaver, Harold Williams, "Peg" Margaret G Weaver, "Jack" John Eicher Weaver I, "Pete" Paul Henry Weaver, Valerie B Weaver, Nellie Jane Williams Weaver, Kristen Derry Weaver, "Jim" James Cowles Weaver, Melanie Brick Weaver, Kenneth G Weaver, John Eicher Weaver II. Thinking about our family mobile and this quote from Virginia Satir comes to mind.
"Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family."
Virginia Satir
And Shakespeare again, the Bard of Stratford Upon Avon.
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. "
William Shakespeare
"Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. "
William Shakespeare
"If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. "
William Shakespeare
Thanks for the connection to Kris, who has been with her mom, and can reflect to others, how her mom wants to be remembered. So here are some images I find fun and memorable when I felt safe and connected with my biological family and trust and healing were shared especially in 1982, when we celebrated our fathers life with those whom his actions had impacted in a good way. Kris, Jack, John, Samantha . I trust your family and loved ones can co create ways of connection that support your grieving in a good way. I have yet of find information about your plans to create ceremonies or images of remembrance for Nellie and am open and willing to be of service, if that is a fit for you. I will call and check in later today.


Here again are the folks on the back porch of Harold Willams home in 1982 at Pelican , when the extended family showed up to honor the life of Paul H Weaver. Here, again, looking at the Shakespearean view, and our body language and all, are Peg Weaver, "Jack" John Eicher Weaver I, "Bill" William Henry Eicher" with pipe, Nellie Jane Williams Weaver, John Eicher Weaver II, Kristin Derry Weaver, "Sue" Susan E Weaver, "Nate" Nathan Blair Weaver, Valerie Brick Weaver, "Jim" James Cowles Weaver - Photo by Tom Weaver


One of the ways, I choose to honor Paul H Weaver, was to build what I called the Paul H Weaver Memorial Garage at Pelican Lake at a time when Pelican Lake and connection with my mom and brothers families was very important to me. Here are Jane and JD Banks from Neenah Wisconsin, who were very important for Peg, as Jane and Peg were classmates at Oberlin College. I learn more about this relationship, Peg outlined that in her autobiography she published for her grandkids in 1994.

One of my favorite images of Pelican Lake, is the warm connection I have with Peg and Pete's Faribault sponsors, here pictured
Bernice and John Foster. This old black and white photo is how I remember them in their cabin on Pelican Lake. John had a real estate business after working at Shattuck School, and had invested in Pelican Lake Shore.

His son John Burt Foster would visit with his four kids, Johnny, David Mary and Layton and we would enjoy the beach. I recently connected with John Burt Foster II who is a professor of English on the east coast. George Mason University I think. Here is an image of the Pelican lake Diving dock where the Weaver boys learned to swim. In this photo from 1956, I think is one of the Owen girls on the board, Johnny and David Foster. Tom Weaver, John Burt Foster, and Jim and Jack Weaver coming up the ladder.
John Foster taught at Mankato State for many years in English and I always remembered the family seemed so exotic and world wise as John was in China in the 1930's teaching in Wuhan. At this age I began collecting Chinese Stamps and of course the American view of communism and McCarthyism was all the rage during the 1950's. Thank heavens for Zhou Enlai and Richard Nixon opening the door in the 70's so to relieve the fears a lot of zenophobes try to promulgate. Grateful for having a wonderful Chinese Tutor now, Tian Xia that is encouraging me to learn the langauge and enjoy the Middle Kingdom, Zhongguo in a good way.

China Stamps Collected during the 50's and 60's

When I was a boy in Faribault MN, I was fascinated by China. Sadly much of the country of Zhongguo, middle kingdom was off limits to us in the US of A, during the Cold War and I had to get stamps from Taiwan, which then, we were told was the legitimate China and democratic. Well, never big into politics, I rather just like meeting people. While a medical student in 1971, I drove to Moscow USSR with two other Minnesotans in a VW Camper! So much for the Cold War. I did know how to speak German, as we left with a new pop up Camper from Wolfsburg and headed East from Berlin! I have a whole slide show from the time.
Anyway, here are some of the stamps from Taiwan that I collected. I love the maps and the butterflies. Hope to learn from some Chinese Stamp collectors some of the history through the China Stamp Society (CSS for Short) I just joined.
ttp://www.chinastampsociety.org/ I just wrote some stuff to introduce myself and my interests in hopes i can network..guanxi anyone? with some like minded folks in China..>Taiwan and Zhongguo, I need to learn the right language....Xie Xie. Zaijian.

Here are some more stamps from Taiwan I got as a kid- I remember the one of Lincoln and likely Chang Kai Shek, (sp?) Trying to make the propiganda that Taiwan is the only China I suppose back in Cold War times. I like the colors.

Finally some other art stamps. The big ones with horses and wildlife I always liked. Wonder where the original art is? Some museum on Taiwan or on the Mainland. Perhaps someone will guide me and I can find a network, Guanxi matters...not mei guanxi :-) Leave me a comment Thanks.

Water-The First Medicine the Creator Gave Us - Driving to Colorado and visiting my dear friend Greg Larsen

Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 23
"We must relearn how to cry. A strong man cries; it is the weak man who holds back his tears."
-- Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
Indian men and other men should really meditate on this Elder's saying. So many men have been taught it is unmanly to cry, to show emotions or to feel. When people cry, the Elders say there are two types of tears – one type will taste salty; the other type will taste sweet. One is caused by pain, and the other is caused by the release from the pain, or joy tears. A strong man knows himself and knows his relationship with the Great Spirit. The release of tears is a spiritual act. Our bodies are designed to cry. We should honor our bodies and use them as the Creator intended. Great Spirit, Grandfather, today, teach me to cry.

I am sitting here meditating on the power of tears in the healing of us pitiful two leggeds. With Mother Earth and nature with the Japan earthquake and tsunami teaching me about gratitude and resilience in the time of the Great Turning, I look to those in my life that model how to live in a good way. Modeling the networking and interdependence when some of the old institutions seem to be more into money, fear, power and control that into integrity. I am looking out the window at my bird feeder today, the 3rd day of Spring and see the snow being blown horizontal from the north. The direction of the elders in one of the medicine wheels I follow. I look to the north, the color is white, like the hair of the elders for wisdom and support during this time of change. Pilamiyapelo! I am in the place of gratitude.

Back in the 1980's, I trained with the Living Process Community begun through the vision and work of Anne Wilson Schaef and Associates in Boulder Colorado. I remember visiting the group on Wild Tiger Lane on the road above Boulder to Nederland. It was through this group, I first connected with the Lakota medicine circle in the 80's, and was led to the inipi as a place of balance and healing. In January 2011, when I heard about the illness that my good friend Greg Larsen was facing, spirit suggested it was important to visit him as I had done on my way back from New Mexico and the First Peace Gathering I attended with the Ehama Institute Medicine Circle some two years ago. Besides, the winter gets a little long here in snow county and a had a chance to meet a couple of men I had connected with on line. I first drove to Chadron NE, and stayed with Harvey B, who works at the local college there on Thursday night - he and I staffed a weekend in LA last winter when I was able to visit the land of my Chappelear Ancestors there. Driving then on Friday to Boulder where I had a sweet Rosen Work session with Todd Schwartz and saw Pearl Street in spring flower, his family welcomed me with fresh baked Purim Taschen, a traditional cookie to celebrate the Jewish holiday of spring and a new year! Thanks a lot. Wish I had a photo and the flakey chocolate cherry flavor still lingers in my memory! Finding the VQ Hotel in Denver after a meal of Sushi with a friend, I had a restful sleep before meeting Lee at the Amtrak Station. Here is the photo Lee took of me at one of his favorite places in Denver.
Thanks Lee for the kindness and patience you demonstrated that day. The magnolia trees you care for are lucky to have you in the dry parts of Colorado!

Here is Lee's home in Colorado Springs, the orange and purple colors that he reflects in his creative website.
http://orangemagnolia.com/homepage.html
I suggest visiting and listening to the great music here. Way to go with a great marketing site, Lee!!!
My 1999 Dodge Caravan, I call my green pony in the foreground. She was "totaled" according to an insurance company in January and went through a transformational rebirth in Sauk Rapids MN, at Bodies By Uch - Thanks Gary Engler, Mike Ames, Jesse and Nate Weaver for making my visits there productive with fun heart felt connections, making proverbial lemonade out of lemons! And what a nice trip to reconnect with her energy!

Here is Lee, showing me the buds of one of his magnolias. He assured me this area would be ready for visitors in the spring who want to learn more about these special tree people. All the best for you and your magnolia friends.

The primary goal of my trip over this weekend, driving from Minnesota snow to the dryness of Colorado, was to honor the life and connection of my friend for 59+ years. When I showed up for lunch, carrying a loaf of fresh bread baked by my friend, Scott Tower of Mankato, I was greeting warmly with hugs all around with Greg and his son Joe, who had just flown in from the Twin Cities. Greg here is his always dynamic self. Directing the conversation here, with gesticulations remindful of all the years conducting himself and choirs in a good way. I love the backlighting here in his living room where we shared tea and sandwiches. Thanks Greg and Joe for your creative and dynamic presence.

When Greg and I first embraced, I noticed the scar on his right side over the temple. He mentioned that his surgical team and he talked about the question mark that has healed so well, and that he is half way through is radiation and only now is losing some of his hair. For updates, check out his Caring Bridge site. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/greg_larsen

Here again are Greg, his trusty dog, and Joe. We chatted over lunch for an hour or two before Greg chose to nap and I needed to be on my way to Colorado Springs and then prepare to rest for my Sunday 15 hours sweet drive make to the land of where the Heavens are Reflected in the Waters. Minnesota Waste"

Newell Extended Family - Expanding Colorfully from Cuba to Bogota Columbia

Here is a gathering of Jane Newell and Don Roden's extended family, honoring the adoption of three girls from Columbia for the
Hanson nuclear family of Wisconsin: Jim, Jessica, Nathan and Joshua at the far end of the table. We are sitting here next to the Mall of America at the I HOP, ready to send them off on the plane to Atlanta then Bogota. Left to right are Patrick and Rachael (Newell) Lytl, Don Roden, Nathan, Jim , Jessica and Joshua Hanson, Jane Newell, Caitlin Lytle, Vivian Lezcano-Lytle. I had a chance to chat with Vivian Lezcano-Lytle who sat next to me, about her journey to the US of A back in the early 60's from Cuba, at the early time of Fidel Castro. She moved with her mom to Dubuque Iowa, where she eventually met Peter Lytle. She described her heritage from northern Spain, Espana, in the more indigenous Celtic area of the Basque people near Santander. I am struck by the fortitude of her part of the family tree, more of a recent immigrant to the US of A. She is familiar with Victor's 1959 Cuban Cafe where I have taken many friends who might consider themselves more revolutionary.

The color and all of Victors, and thinking about 1959 and revolutionary times. I remember being there with Jane and my Chinese friend, Liu Xiaosong, zhongguoren pengyou, in pinyan Chinese, or Steven, his American name. Here he is with me and Jane, at Victors at 36th and Grand in S Minneapolis back in 2009. I still consider Xiaosong a brother, Jane, Don and I, and reflect on the Lakota tradition of all skin colors of two-leggeds being equal souls here on the planet in our Creator's eye. Xie xie, thanks, gracias for the connections.

Continuing with the revolutionary international spirit, one of the I HOP staff, Frank, the Jordanian and I connected with a "shukran" Thank you and "afwan" you are welcome" as he took my camera to the other end of the table and graciously took this photo prior to the four Hansons from Wisconsin going on the plane to Columbia. Left to Right are Jim, Jessica, and Joshua Hanson, Jane Scott Newell, Caitlin Lytle, Vivian Lezcano-Lytle, Tom Weaver (this author), Patrick Lytle, Rachael Newell Lytle, Don Roden and Nathan Hanson.

Here is Frankee, our especially colorful waiter whom I especially enjoyed chatting with. His colorful rainbow pen set added a special flair for me, and I learned about the higher quality value of pens of many colors. Signo Uni-Ball is a pen to remember.
Such a delight to share in this time and place, by the Mall of America, sending 4 special people off to Columbia who will be returning with three daughters from an orphanage in Columbia.

Here is Jane showing a charm necklace with boy and girl images with the birthstone of each of her Hanson grandchildren to share with Jessica and the Hanson family. Nathan, Joshua, and the three new members, Maria-Camella, Angie and Roci.

Here is our fun waiter Frankee, with one of his Signo Uni Ball pens in the foreground. I just LOVED the spontaneous energy here prior to and after the Hansons left on the plane. Mitakuye Oyasin.

Chappelear, William Woods - Daughter Emma- From Ohio to Missouri and Kansas, Back to Illinois

Here is a poster, WW Chappelear, posted in Clinton IL in 1865. I was a shoe maker and salesman. His daughter Emma was born in Missouri and returned from the MO -KS area with her father as reflected in a history written by my great Aunt, Mary E Glessner.
"William W and Elizabeth Ewing Chappelear had eight children: Henry Stuart Chappelear (b.1841 OH), Mary Ann Chappelear (b 1842 OH, m Levi Ross), Julia Catherine Chappelear (b 1845 m John H Hall), Matilda Chappelear (b1848 OH.m Humphrey Holmes), Robert Chappelear (b 1849 OH) Aramintha Chappelear (b 1851 New Market, MO m Harvey J Smith), Emmeline Chappelear (b. Aug 25,1855 Camden Point, Platte Co. MO m Leonard C. Glessner), Leila Alice Chappelear, d Feb 1908
The Family moved as William supported the family as a “roving fiddling cobbler” traveling in a covered wagon from Ohio in 1850 to Platte, Co, MO, New Market and Camden Point in 1850’s. William W was against slavery, warned to leave Missouri and Platte Co. In 1859, he fled after a shot is fired over his bed. After crossing the cold Missouri in the covered wagon, from Missouri to Kansas where in Easton, Elizabeth caught pneumonia and died later in the year, according to Mary E Glessner, on Nov 17 and was buried on a hill over the town of Easton. From there the family left in the spring of 1860 to Clinton IA, and then to Clinton and Farmers City Illinois.

This is a portrait of Emma Chappelear Glessner, taken in Findlay Ohio. She was my great grand mother, and mother of Harry Chappelear Glessner.

Inside of a book 1892 or 3 "To Freddy from Grandma" Aug 17, Harry's 7th of 8th birthday. Showing his changing his middle name later in life. Christened Harry Frederick Glessner, by his parents, and later he changed his middle name to Chappelear to honor his mothers side of the family. Some antipathy toward his uncle Fred Glessner, my mom seemed to think. People and their resentments can be funny sometimes.

Fred Glessner's Card when he published the Hancock County Courier in Findlay OH in the late 1800's. He was the brother of Leonard Cowles Glessner, the husband of Emma Chappelear Glessner.

Faribault Minnesota Garfield School 1958 6th Grade - Minnesota Centennial TIme!

I am inspired today by my good friend, Greg Larsen, who now lives in Denver Colorado and is dealing with a brain tumor.
Very inspiring how he is dealing with this part of his life. I recommend checking out his caring bridge site.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/greg_larsen/guestbook
Here he is in the front row,# 22, with John Parker, #24, a friend who just commented on the caring bridge site. Ann Hanson (Schrupp) is #12. Miss Pirsig is #1 and yours truly is the tall one, #10 next to Santa. I know I have a list and key for this somewhere. I will post this now and get back to this later!

This is a page from a scrap book I made in 6th Grade, with a key to the people in the photo above.
1. Miss Elsie Pirsig, 6th Grade Teacher 1957-58, 2.Dotty Perron, 3. "Margie" Margaret Knutson, 4. "Sue" Susan Heath, 5. "Steve" Stephen Hultquist, 6. Gary Fechner, 7. "Bill" William Erickson, 8. Rick "Richard" Dietrich, 9. "Kenny" Kenneth Pike, 10. "Tom" Thomas Weaver, 11. Adriana Soeters, 12. Ann Hanson, 13. Linda Davidson, 14, Lorraine Deming, 15. Cheryl Hokanson, 16. Barbara McKinny, 17. Beverly Harris, 18. "Jim" James Davis, 19. Shirley Levendowski, 20. "Susie" Susan Knott, 21. Dennis Jenson,
22. "Greg" Gregory Larsen, 23. "Jim" James Palan, 24. John Parker, 25. Kirk Chaffee, 26. "Jim" James Sartor, 27 "Ray" Raymond Webb, Not Pictured Nancy Bauer.

Here is a photo of Garfield Elementary School as this author remembers it in the 1950's. I took this photo from the "little store" on the north, once owned by Nelsons, that later expanded into Nelsons Supervalue and was known as Vink's Store when I was a grade schooler and rode my bike get food, candy and even an occasional cigarette. Building was torn down some years ago.
When Googling Garfield School Faribault i found this link:
http://petersonartfurniture.com/history2.htm
"In 1996, Northfield attorney David Hvistendahl turned the Peterson Art Furniture site into an architectural salvage sales operation, selling on a wholesale basis to renovation and historic preservation contractors. Later a retail shop was added. Hvistendahl won salvage rights to Ytterboe Hall at St. Olaf when the dorm was torn down in 1996 and to Dow Hall on the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind campus in 1998. Other salvaged locations were the Lincoln, Washington and Garfield schools in Faribault.

Here is a group of 6th grade musicians, in a photo dated 1959. Somehow I relate this to the 1958 Minnesota Centennial Celebration. Margaret Knutson, Cheryl Hokanson, - clarinets, Greg Larsen - director, Tom Weaver clarinet, Ken Pike - Baritone, Kirk Chaffee - trombone. in what looks like an attempt to re create Bavaria! Om PA!

Here is a map of Minnesota with the logo of the Centennial on a heat protector I remember buying for the family. It was used as a hot protector for dishes on tables for many years!