“Are ‘YOU’ in this 1947 Photo?”
This is the “Auditorium” at St.Vincent’s – “If you are in this picture – you might be in your late – seventies or eighties?” Here’s a help – look to the center and left of the room – do you see two “girls” – dressed alike?’ Those are the “Whitney Twins” – they have a younger sister, Phyllis Whitney – a year younger than me – and a very good friend of mine. ( Let me know where you are in this picture???)
When I first arrived here – this room would be filled with folding chairs for the families to sit together in small circles – “Visiting Sundays” were only once a month – and later – they had “Visiting Sundays” on the second and fourth Sunday! Maybe this change was made because my parents would come out to visit any day and at any time – and as often as they felt like it! We, KIDS _ “LOVED” it – but I guess some of the NUNS didn’t – but then – you never had to contend with my “Father” when he wanted to do things – “HIS WAY!” – Also, there would always be a NUN or two walking around and standing near some “VISITORS” – that would be our family to hear what I would be telling my “Mother” – exactly what happened in the new environment – for me – I would always tell it just like it happened – all the details – and would get into trouble – later with the – NUNS!
On very special occasions – like a special “Feast Day of a Saint” – there would be a movie shown in this auditorium – which was a real treat for all the kids! Some times – the film would break and the lights would all – go on and maybe and maybe not someone could fix the problem – and I believe we went to bed and never got to see the movie – due to technical problems. So, some time later – an enclosed area was built so the the movie projector and standard set-up – was all in one place and ready and less chance for failures???
When “Television” came to the Orphanage – there was an area on the far right and and center – along that wall – looks like a radiator there – if you look closely – just enough room for a small enclosed room for the “TV” – to be built and kept under lock and key. This was the last year that I was there and never watch the “TV” – as I would rather be on the play-ground and since I had my own radio – we girls would listen to the music and dance on the “Pavilion” and that was the real – “FUN!”
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“Sewing Class #101!”
In the previous pages of our “Schedule” at St. Vincent’s” – one thing that we do not teach our young girl;s is – embroidery and crocheting and general sewing by hand – something “creative and decorative items that will last, forever!
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“Do I Hear?” – “No Haircut Today!” ??
“Now that I think about “Hair-cutting” – can not remember any of the “BOYS” complaining that they did not want their hair cut – today? When I was a kid at “St. Vincent’s” – my brothers always looked good to me – their hair was always the same length – and everybody knows – that hair does grow – but their hair was always the same – so I guess that when the “NUN” – way back then – said, “It’s time for “HAIR” to be cut!” – Every boy just got in line and waited their turn – making sure not to complain – because – you know that if you do complain – “OOPS!” and the scissors could sure slip and really do a “terrible number” on your head – something that you’d remember – forever!
One of my brothers’ had the best shade of “RED HAIR” – if you wanted “RED” hair this was the color and shade to ask for! My other brother had “BLOND” – and you know what they say “Blonds” have more fun! They both had freckles and you could tell that they were from Ireland they were also full of “Blarney” with the gift of gab – some people are so “LUCKY!”
My hair was the standard “BROWN” – I’ll never know who ordered that color for me – but I would rather – have had either of the other colors – – that my brothers had and – looking so good – and “NO” – on the “freckles” – too! You might say that if you – don’t want something – you will more than likely – get it — but if you ever ask for something – you definitely will not receive it – so at this age – you become very – “GRATEFUL” for what you receive and learn to “LIKE” it!
This picture of the “NUN” and the boys are unknown to me – as this was taken after I left! The “BOYS” – look like having the “WEEKLY” hair-cut is no big thing – and that they sit and wait each week for their turn – “NO BIG DEAL!”
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“The Bakery” – the best place to be!
This picture has been taken after I have left “St. Vincent’s” – but Sister Augustella – still makes this Bakery the best place to be! – I know because when – I was finished working – where I was assigned to work – if there was still time – I would go to the “BAKERY” and help out – however I could? What I thought at the time was – that I would like to “BAKE” some of the good things – that Sister Augustella would make – and so easily – never a failure!
My “BIG MISTAKE” – while I was there – why didn’t I ask for the recipes???Crumb-cake and another similar cake served only on Sunday morning for breakfast was the Apple-cake. Then once in awhile for “RECESS TIME” Sister Augustella made a round do-nut type pastry – the best that I can recall – looks like a baseball size – ball of dough and cover with “Sugar” and only one (1) per child. Everyone could have eaten several at one time.
When all the work was done – Sister Augustella and the group of girls – who had just finished working – would sit around in the next room to the above picture – and we would just talk about everything and anything – and this special time spent in the “Bakery” was the kind of time – that makes “Memories” forever!
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“BIG” – Girl’s Dormitory – 1952
In 1952 – when I left St. Vincent’s – this is what the Dormitory looked like and the bed that was mine was on the left side near the windows – since the beds are so close and my eye-sight – not that good – the bed I had was maybe the 7th or 8th.???The cubical in the back right corner in where the NUN, slept.
Back – then – we did not have air-condition and as you can see no fans – and in the summer – we are on the third floor – it was “HOT!” Since we had to get up at 5:30 AM – we went to bed at 8:25 PM – the last year that I was there “Television” came out – and in the evening after Supper – which was from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM there was a short period time you could watch “TV” or play on the Play-Ground – but if you were watching “TV” – that would be turned off at – “Twenty-Five after Eight” – and you never did see the end of any program – that they had on. So, when I left St. Vincent’s – I never missed not having a “TV” – as there was no enjoyment – I would prefer a movie at the Theatre!
The above time for going to bed was for the “BIG” kids – those in seventh grande and under – all went to bed at “TEN after Seven” – and we all went and liked it! ??There was some good “SUN-LIGHT” still out and we could hear the NUNS and the older class still up – but you soon fell asleep ??? Those were the days when you tell a child what to do – when – and how – and – that’s – the end of the discussion!
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“Orphans enter “SOAP Box” Derby!”
This newspaper article gives all the information about the boys and their work to enter the “Soap Box” Derby! It sure is good that a real interest was taken in the boys – at “German St. Vincent’s Orphan Home” – I know that my brothers were included in this activity – really gave them a “hands-on” – as to what you can do in “LIFE” when you receive inspiration from men in the Community – the men who are interested in young boys getting a good chance to learn a few new skills and hopefully make something of their selves.
Once again – my Thanks for all the boys who benefited from this happy activity while at St. Vincent’s – and found that all the help received was something to remember for all of their life – also – a very special Thanks to all the participating “Chevrolet Companies,” who so generously gave financial and personal support and all those men who “volunteered ” and had a real hands-on with the boys in the actual building of the “SOAP-BOX” – I just feel that this was a terrific venture for all!
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