Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Christmas 1971

Christmas can be the absolute best time or the most stressful. Before I had children, I did not appreciate how carefree my Christmases were. And then, after the children came, the time to get presents bought and wrapped seemed to compete with just our everyday schedules. Time was a commodity that some days was scarce. Now, with a house free of children, we are back to a more carefree Christmas attitude. We can place ornaments on the tree wherever we want. If we don’t want the Holiday music on, we don’t play it, and if I want to watch every version of A Christmas Carol, I do! Here we have the Anderson – Conover – Katz family, who are experiencing each of these Christmas feelings.

Lets start with Hazel. She sits by the tree and holds Yo Yo June’s toy poodle. According to Cris Yoyo was Hazel’s favorite. Sitting in front of Hazel is Todd, patiently waiting to open presents. Aunt Nancy Conover and oldest son Chad are behind Todd. Chad looks to be as much of a handful as the dogs. Gary is standing behind Nancy, but none of the Anderson boys can remember the name of the dog that Gary is holding. So if someone knows it, I’d be happy to include them.

Next to Nancy and Gary is Howard and June. June is holding Jigger, their other dog. Howard told Cris that he was named after the small device you could use to hold the gas pump lever down to keep gas flowing into the gas tank. This was called a jigger, and Jigger the puppy could fit in his pocket just like the gas device. Sitting next to June is Kirk, who looks ready to open presents, although maybe not as patiently as Todd. Sitting on his mom’s lap is Cris – I figure he’s about two and a half in this photo. And Sherigay looks like she’s ready for Christmas to begin. King the German Shepard is sitting next to Dick. All the dogs look ready to get out of the way of the opening of presents.

As I went through this photo and looked at each face, I thought about all the good times at June and Howards house on Christmas Eve. I’ve heard it said if I knew that this would be the last time we’d be together, I’d have stayed longer and appreciated it more. May those who are no longer with us have a Heavenly Merry Christmas, and may we have a holiday season filled with cherished old memories and wonderful new ones.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Confirmation

I’ve never not known the Holy Spirit. I remember looking at my children’s bible when I was a child. While I couldn’t read yet, the pictures drew me in. I loved the one of John baptizing Jesus. I wanted to know what it was like to get baptized. While it’s a blessing indeed to have lived with God’s promise my whole life, it wasn’t until I was older that I realized that’s what my confirmation did. In the Lutheran church, you spend two to three years working with a Pastor being taught the doctrine of the Lutheran church and why we believe getting confirmed prepares someone to live out their faith in the church. It also marks our passage from childhood to adulthood. Once confirmed, you are now considered an adult in the eyes of the church.

Here we have Dick and his family on his confirmation day at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. June looks so proud and stylish as always. I know she had a Lutheran background as I’ve found records of Hazel’s family attending the Swedish Lutheran Church in Manhattan. Nancy seems sad that it’s not her confirmation day and Howard too looks ready for Dick to be confirmed. I’m unsure of the date as there was no information on the photos. Depending on the synod of Lutheran Church would depend on what age you were when you got confirmed. To me, Dick looks like he’s about 13 here. I was confirmed in June the year I graduated from junior high. It’s a rite that Dick seems pleased to take on. He looks comfortable and relaxed, to confirm his faith in Jesus Christ.

I remember Dick saying that when he was confirmed, it was before St. Pauls moved to their current location in Waco. And that photo definitely doesn’t look like the current St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, so where was it? Luckily I have the part of Ancestry.com in which you can access newspapers. I figured if the church moved, surely it would have been in the Eagle. Sure enough, I found not only the location of where it was moving to, but where it had been. The church used to be on the corner of 8th Street and Market. I was able to locate a newspaper article from March 31, 1956, which reported that St. Pauls was undertaking a building project and moving. The groundbreaking occurred on January 8, 1956, and the new building was to be completed in November 1956.

Former St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Wichita, KS

The former St. Pauls is now a homeless Shelter for Men

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Mother and Son

For some reason, I just love photos of June and Dick when he was a child. To me, there’s something so unique in how they are together. I’m not sure where the photo might have been taken as there was nothing on the back stating location. But there’s still lots for us to look at, let’s start with Dick. 

For some reason he looks like a little star to me. I don’t think it’s all one outfit, but that he’s in serveral different items. Our base layer is comprised of a one piece combo. Pants and shirt all in one. Over that at first I thought it was a jacket, but it seems like it might be a sweater as well based on the cuffs and how it drapes on his arms. I also thought the hood was attached but upon closer inspection, I think that the hat is separate from the jacket. Why are baby shoes so cute? They just complete his outfit. And doesn’t he look ready to take a walk or run around a playground? 

To me June will always be the very essence of style and grace. Her outfit is just so simple that you could wear it today and not be out of place. From her white shirt, dark skirt and open-toed shoes she is ready to hit the town with her child and wear him out so that he will take a good nap. 

Here we have a better look at Dick’s cute outfit. Look how pointed his hat is. June certainly has her hands full keeping him in her arms. He looks like he will take off running the minute he’s put down. And the good old Kansas wind seems to be blowing. I’m not sure but based on June’s short sleeves, this must have been taken during the spring or fall. 

I sure do miss their smiles, laughter, and fun times. If you haven’t yet subscribed to this page, I’d love to have you added to the subscription list. Just sign up with your email below. 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 2 Comments

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 · 2 Comments

A Meal With the Katz’s

June 10, 1951

I find myself wishing that I had been invited to this meal. Eating outside on a nice summers day when you can enjoy the food and the sun is one of the best ways to eat. The only thing on this photo is the date, June 10, 1951. That means that 70 years ago the Katz family got together and someone took this photo. I just wish I knew who was who.

I think that June is in the dark dress at this table facing the photographer. The scallop neckline on her dress and beads are so representative of that time. To me June was always fashionably dressed and what’s more fashionable then a dark garment and white beads. She appears to be looking at one of her brothers, maybe it’s Bill. I just love the lady sitting opposite him with her dark glasses, I just love her hair style. Every curl seems to be put in place. Behind June you can just see who I think is Howard and three others, one of which I believe might be our Dick. To the right of Dick, with her back to the camera is a curly head which might belong to Nancy.

The contrast between the light from the sun and the dark of the shade may be what appeals to me the most. And while, I didn’t get to participate in this meal, I think a meal like this would be such a nice experience.