Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Audie & Kids

Nancy Conover, Audie Katz, Dick Anderson

I love black and white photos. But the last several black and white photos I’ve found for this blog, have shown me that I’m not very good at trying to get them adjusted.  They either come out too dark or remain too light.  

But the focus shouldn’t be on how the photos look, but in who is in them.  Here we have Audie Katz and some familiar children.  Isn’t Nancy cute in her dress and ankle socks.  And Dick look like he’s trying to be a tough guy with his hands in his pockets.  

Unknown child with Audie Katz

Now I don’t know who this little guy is, but I’m assuming it is probably a nephew of June’s.  He’s pretty adorable with Audie in his overalls and hat.  And you can just see a shoe, not sure if that’s Hazel’s or prehaps someone else’s.  I’m assuming they are also at Audie and Hazel’s house it looks like one of the cabins in the background.   

And at least it’s a nice sunny day for a photo.  While I may never master adjusting black and white photos, I will continue to appreciate them and bring as many as I can for you to appreciate as well.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Cute Baby

Can you tell who this is?  I recognized him right away.  His face sure didn’t change much through the years, even though I met him in the final stages of his life, his eyes were as clear and piercing as they are here.  

Howard Julius Anderson was born on June 17, 1915 in Eureka Kansas to Julius and Anna Anderson.  The third child born to the Andersons, Howard grew up surrounded by family in Eureka.  He attended Emporia State and became a teacher.  He taught at many schools before his path took him and his young family to Wichita.  

This is a darling photo of Howard.  Even though he’s in what looks to be a dress, it was not uncommon for boys to wear them at this age, or perhaps this is his baptismal photo.  I have seen that look in so many of our family and I’m so glad that I have it to share with you.  While you’ve been gone awhile now Howard, I hope you’re having a Heavely Happy Fathers Day!  

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Gas Anyone?

Audie and Hazels Travel Cabins, Manhattan, KS

Ever since June told me that her parents ran travel cabins, I wanted to see what they looked like.  And when I found these photos I felt like I’d hit the Jackpot!  

Travel cabins like the ones Audie and Hazel ran became popular from the 1920’s through the 1950s.   Here you could stop on your travels and stay in a nice little cabin where there was a bed.  Also in the cabin,, I’m sure you could find chairs, and probably a  washbasin, lamps, and possibly a space heater, and rug.  I’m not sure if the cabins had bathrooms in them, or there was a general bathhouse available for guests to use.  Like many travel loges of their time Audie and Hazels boasted gas pumps at the entrance where you could fill up your tank for what looks like a bargain of 13 cents per gallon!  

Gas Pump at Hillcrest Cabins, Manhattan, Kansas

Here’s a font view of their gas station.  It boasts a crown on top of the pump!  Audie worked for the Standard Oil Company for his day job, so perhaps he was able to sell their gas a discount to him!  

Hillcrest Cabins, Manhattan, Kansas

And with this view we can see not only the gas pump and store, but 6 little cabins to accommodate travelers.  

I’ve looked for information on-line to see what I can find out about the Hillcrest Cabins that Hazel and Audie ran, but so far I’m coming up empty.  Perhaps that’s a discovery for another day but until then, we have some pretty nice photos of what their cabins and gas pump looked like.  

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Dick’s Blue & Gold

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a Cub Scout.  It didn’t matter that I was  a girl.  My brother was first a Cub Scout and then a Boy Scout and I did a lot of the things in his handbook right along with him.  While, I didn’t get to be a Cub Scout I’m glad that Dick did.  

Here we have Dick and a proud June.  I love her outfit! And doesn’t she look proud.  And based on all the badges on Dick’s shirt she has reason to be proud.  Cub Scouts begins in First grade with the rank of Bobcat and ends usually in 5th grade with the Webelo rank.  Boys then Cross over into Boy Scouts.  Based on the badges on his shirt and his neckerchief, I would guess that Dick was about 10 here getting ready for Webelos.  

Cub Scouts are a great way to provide opportunities for parents and their sons to do things together.  Scouting aims to promote character development, citizenship, leadership and learning to leave this better then how you found it.  And this time of the year is the time when a Scout is recognized for all their hard work at a Blue and Gold banquet.  If you’ve never experienced one, they are a lot of fun and not easily forgotten.  

While I don’t know if Dick continued with scouts after Cub Scouts, I am thankful for what he learned from the organization that he passed on to Todd, Kirk and Cris.  

The Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best 
to do my duty to God and my country 
and to obey the Scout Law; 
to help other people at all times; 
to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

First Tie

Kirk Anderson and his First Tie

Kirk, this year we not only celebrate your birthday, but the year of your first tie. Your mother wrote that on February 15, 1970 you were dressed with your first tie. I love how you’re standing with your thumb tucked into the waistband of those lovely plaid pants. 

There are so many things to see in this photo when at first it seems like the only thing is Kirk.  In the far corner is the piano with music books laid out just waiting for someone to sit down and play.  In front of it on the mobile cart is a nice television.  I can’t tell if it’s black and white or color though.  And the pretty flower chair which is in front of the dark wood panelling,  showcases the mid century Americana style that many homes had.  

The definition of a brother (noun) is that of a person who is there when you need him; someone who picks you up when you fall; a person who sticks up for you when no one else will; a person who can get you in trouble and make you madder then you ever thought possible; but a brother is always a friend.  Happy Birthday Kirk.    

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Daddy and Pat

I haven’t found many photographs of the Webers so each one I do find I treasure.  The first thing I ever do when I first look at a photograph is to flip it over and if on the back it is written whom the individuals are.  I hit the mother lode for here I had Charlottes sister Pat and their father Albert A Weber.  I was so excited.  

I haven’t found much about them when I’ve looked on Ancestry and other  genealogy sites which is discouraging, but I keep looking.  Albert was originally from Michigan.  He had moved to Oklahoma and was a physician in Bessie, Oklahoma.  Pat is Charlottes older sister.  Her name was Vivian Alberta but I guess everyone called her Pat.  

Daddy and Pat

I just love the look of this photo.  Dr Weber looks so distinguished in his waistcoat, tie and jacket.  And pat in her hat.  In researching her hat and from what I can see of her shoes, I think that this picture was taken in the very late 1920’s to early 1930’s.  In 1930 Pat would have been 19.  I wonder if she is holding the coat of the person who is taken the photo?  You can just see their shadow. Their hat is more in style with a male, but unfortunately all we can see is their shadow.

Dr Albert Weber died May 22, 1947 in Bessie, Oklahoma and is buried at Peace Lutheran Cemetery next to his wive Frances, who had died December 15, 1922.  

Pat was born September 17, 1911 and died 10 years before our Charlotte on March 31, 1992.  She is buried at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas next to her husband Major John K Whistler of the US Army who fought in World War II and the Korean War.  

Any information I can get on the Webers I treasure.  I hope to someday soon take a trip to Bessie and see what treasures I can find there to share with you about this part of our family.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Driving Out of Focus

Sometimes things in our lives get fuzzy, out of focus and hard to see.  We may find ourselves asking if we are going in the right direction?  This past year was especially difficult.  We’ve lived though a pandemic!  Which has made things change and continue to change for many of us. As I prepared for today’s post I found myself thinking about times when things might have been out of focus.  Suddenly things became clear what I should focus on today, a photo that’s not quite in focus.  

I found this photo when we were going thru things before Fran moved out of the house on Mission.  There’s no identifying markings on it, front or back.  Just an out of focus gentleman driving a Standard Oil truck with a child and possibly one other passenger.  I so wish I knew who was in the truck and where it was taken!  It’s a fairly large photo too, about 10 inches wide by 6 inches high. 

I know very little about vehicles, I couldn’t even begin to date the photo from the truck since I can’t see the people.  I love how the windshield has been opened and is horizontal.  Like many vehicles of that time, there were drapes which could be bolted or shaped in place for when the weather got bad.  Those tires look like they weigh as much as my present day car!  And I bet you had to have arms of steel to turn the truck.  

While we may never know who is in this photo, I like to think that we can use it as a reminder for when things may seem fuzzy and out of our control that WE are in the drivers seat and can steer our vehicles in the right direction!  No matter where you’re headed, have fun and enjoy the ride! 

Thanks to Jon Gordon – author of The Energy Bus and his 10 rules for the ride of your life 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Under Snow

When I was a child i loved winter.  The cold and wind didn’t slow me down.  Sure you had to be a little more careful during the winter months,  but we worked things into our playing outside. Things like frostbite and arctic exploration.  Plus it always felt so good to go inside after you’d been playing outside in the winter.  

Here we have are what I believe to be views from Howard and June’s house at 2630 North Belmont, Wichita, KS.  On the back of both of them all that’s written is Spring? 1970.  Records show that in March of 1970 there was a snowstorm in which 11.8 inches of snow fell.  I think these photos show the result of that storm.  While we’ve had pretty cold temperatures lately, at least we haven’t had snow like this to go along with the cold temperatures.  

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Do you want to build a snowman?

Time spent outside in the winter is different then anything else.  You are under a time constraint though you might not be aware of it.  For there’s only so much time in which you can experience being outdoors.  The first year I moved to Kansas I was so sick.  I was not use to one day it being in the 60’s and the next day it would be 15 degrees with a wind chill of negative 5.  I’m from the north.  When it got cold it stayed cold and then the fun would begin.  Making igloos with my friends and brothers, skating, sledding and staying outside until it felt like our hands and feet were going to fall off.  

Here we have the newly joined Anderson and Belden families, enjoying a great winter day in Wichita.  Dick only had eyes for Fran and the poor snowman doesn’t have any eyes.  But, it looks like a fun family time that I’m glad I get to share with you all.  

Winter Wonderland 
There are strange and mysterious sounds 
When the winds of winter blow, 
The long nights are crystal clear and cold, 
And the fields and meadows are covered with snow. 
The stars are frosty against the sky, 
And the wind's whistle is shrill, 
As the snow blows against the house 
And drifts against the hill. 

Yet, I like to see during the winter 
A white carpet on the ground, 
To plod aimlessly in the deep snow, 
where deer tracks abound. 
I like to feel the stillness 
Of a crisp winter's night, 
Watching a full moon rise over the horizon, 
Exposing a winter wonderland beautiful and bright.

 - Joseph T Renalid
Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Pour Me A Drink

Howard and Cris at the bar at 2630 N Belmont St Wichita, KS

When looking though photos at first I found myself overlooking this photo of Howard and Cris because of its simplicity. But then as I really looked at it there’s really so much to see. The first thing my eye is drawn to are all the decorative liquor bottles. These were the bottles that meant something to Howard. Most bottles get tossed in the garbage or now recycled, but these favored bottles got kept as a showcase item or as a memento of a certain time. And they aren’t just there at the wet bar. Look above Howards head and you can see a shelf that housed even more bottles. And that the house had a wet bar is really something. Wet bars has become popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s and were almost a tiny kitchen with a sink and refrigerator. One wouldn’t have to go to the kitchen for ice or mixes if one had a wet bar.

As my eye travels down the photo I first see the gumball machine. Ah what fun those were. I blame them for my love of mystery packages. In the fancy ones you never knew what you might get. A necklace or a ring or something even better! And then I notice at the very bottom of the shelf…the dog. At first I wondered if it was real, but yes indeed real it is.

And then I come to Howard and Cris themselves. Howard must be telling Cris something really exciting or interesting for Cris looks like he has been there a bit. I wonder if you took Cris’ shirt and socks and Howards shorts and put them together what that would look like. So while at first I thought this photo wasn’t anything much more then Howard and Cris, I’m happy to see all those other gems throughout it.