Grandma’s Stories

Jul 16th July 17th, 1888

Before I was to start High School,  in the summer of,  1952 – my Aunt Irene, came over on Tuesdays, to show me what I was suppose to do –  to make Life easier for my Mother.

My  Aunt Irene ,  had her shopping list, off we were to the grocery store, 1st lesson with the fruit and vegetables and how she determines the best to select.  2nd the meat selections – best cuts for different types of meals, the amount for at least two  days of meals.    ‘Left-overs’    are the beginning of anther day’s  meal.

Back Home!   Aunt Irene is my – own   Private Chef –  Instructor –  following her instructions made food prep – clean and easy – and the meals made with her  – were the best. It would be nice if every young girl   –  would receive such excellent training.

To learn something when young  –  stays with you  all your life   – Making Memories  —  are the Best!   Happy Birthday  – Aunt Irene Riley!

Jul 13th Orphans Have Fun!

Have you been to  the ‘ZOO,”  lately? Well, all the  ‘Orphans,’   would board  ‘Chartered Buses’, and off we went with and under the guidance of  several ,  ‘Nuns’.  We walked all over, looking at the displays in and out buildings, seeing a  live animal show, and watching  the animals  ‘watch us’ parade by!

Then,  “All Aboard”  the buses – none of  ‘us’ are missing,  proceeded to the nearby ,  Forest Park  – Highlands Amusement Park, for the whole afternoon.  Each of   ‘us’ received   a numbered ticket,    allowing us on any ride   as offten  –  “Free”and a couple of pull-off tickets for food and drink – one for  a nice box lunch!

So there we  were having the time of our life – fun!  Oh, if you brought a swim suit – go  and enjoy –  be careful, Ester Bone  went off the  ‘High Dive’,  and in coming  up – the swimming suit  ‘top’ went missing? The other  excitement for the day  – one of the ‘Nuns’, went on,  “The Comet ride,”  and somewhere lost her  “head-veil!”  More    –  than that what    –    can I say  – The kids  had  “Lots'” to talk about  –   for a long time     – “A real fun day for  – All!”

Jul 10th Hot Weather Relief

This  100+ weather   –  we are having  – reminded me of the day , we,  “Orphans”, were treated,  “Royally.”  In the  late 1940’s, as regular  as clock-work  – 12:00  noon is dinner (big meal of the day)  – 12:30 pm  done  -dining-room kids do dishes  –  clean tables and set-up  for  6:00pm  supper meal (very light).

All the other kids – get ready   – changing back to school uniforms –  prepare to resume classes  on second floor  – start  time  promptly at 1:00 pm.   We are no  sooner settled at our  ‘Desks’  in the  classrooms  – when all the school children are told to go back to the dining -rooms??

Would you believe  –  a local,  Ice Cream  Factory,   had to unload all their  Ice Cream  –  due to  a refrigeration break-down?  Each child, could have a whole quart or whole pint of “Ice Cream”, in the carton  and keep eating any size brick by brick.

My brother,  Denny  was able to  “Help Out”  – and really enjoyed  “Helping Out!”

Jul 9th My Brother, “The Best”!

One day to look forward with exploding excitement was Labor Day, – – 1st Monday in September. This day each  ‘Orphan’, had a chance to be what  he or she excelled in  – practicing with eager-beaver enthusiasm as if  trying out for , the Olympic Games!

You would find groups working with different partners, trying a 2-legged race  –  3-legged race  –  broad jump  –  50 yard dash  –   apple on pie-pan on top of head  –  egg in spoon  –  book  on top of head ( these while walking as fast without spilling)  –  and others.

Well, I knew my brother, Denny was the fastest runner, and when the  ‘big day’ arrived   – the ‘Nuns’ , had the older kids set-up the tables with the prizes, everyone could see what they had been working for a chance  ‘to  Win’   –   I spied  a photo album  that I needed to put our family pictures in  – I had asked  Denny,  if he would pick that  “prize”  for me  –  nothing like a Wonderful Brother  to   give  his sister,     his  “prize”    –    I still have!

Jul 9th “Denny” #1 in Sales!

Every year, there would be a Picnic on the 2nd Sunday of August,  and an Anniversary – 8th grade Celebration on the 2sn Sunday of June at the German St.Vincent Orphan Home.  Each of these occasions,  required men to set up booths, for the various Auxiliary member churches in St.Louis, to make  money to benefit the children. Hand-made  Quilts  and  Pillow case sets  were raffeled  – cake walk –  hoop toss  –   Chuck-a-luck  –   Mystery Box  –  pull a string attached to a balloon that had the name of a prize  inside (maybe 50 or more strings in a long tube)  –   lots of games and prizes to be won!

Well,  the Orphan Home had raffle sheets – 12 chances per sheet  –   1 chance for  10 cents  –  3 chances  for 25 cents   –   $1.00 per  sheet   –    each Orphan was given so many sheets to sell   –  a prize given  for the most  Sold!

With plenty of people  coming and going,    excellent weather,    and a chance to get something for almost  nothing –  People were buying –   then as the day  rolled on  – I would approach a possible  ‘ buyer’ –  they would say,  “Red has already been here !”

My brother, Denny  had the  brightest  Red hair and personality to sell more tickets than anyone and  “Won the Prize”!