Sunday, December 25, 2011
Purpose
Friday, December 23, 2011
Introduction
On Friday, June 3, 2011, my aunt Elenore passed away, at the age of 92. She was the wife of Walt Flak, who was a brother of my mother, Lottie. Elenore and Walt had a son, Tommy, who arranged the funeral service for his mother.
On the way to the funeral home on Monday, June 6, to meet with the family, I remarked to my wife, Linda, that I had never known any of the Flak family members very well at all, and that I considered that to be pretty sad.
At the funeral home, I started up a conversation with my cousin Larry, and confessed my sadness that we (my five brothers and one sister) were never close to their large family, although we all attended the same elementary school, and lived within a mile of each other. I indicated that I had heard that there had been a feud between our fathers at one time, and my father (Steve) could be hard-headed. Larry said the same about his father, Matt. Then my cousin Jim (Larry's brother) came over and we talked some more. I re-introduced Linda to them, although we had seen each other at previous events over the years, mostly funerals as it turns out.
Linda and I decided to attend the funeral the next day, as we had not had a chance to talk with Tommy at the funeral home. After a very touching tribute to Elenore, we attended a luncheon, with Jim and Larry sitting next to us. We talked a lot and enjoyed ourselves very much. We decided to keep in touch, and I hope this web log (or something like it) will fit the bill.
On the way out of the church, I mentioned to Tommy what we might have in mind, and he was immediately in favor of it. So, that's where we are right now.
On the way to the funeral home on Monday, June 6, to meet with the family, I remarked to my wife, Linda, that I had never known any of the Flak family members very well at all, and that I considered that to be pretty sad.
At the funeral home, I started up a conversation with my cousin Larry, and confessed my sadness that we (my five brothers and one sister) were never close to their large family, although we all attended the same elementary school, and lived within a mile of each other. I indicated that I had heard that there had been a feud between our fathers at one time, and my father (Steve) could be hard-headed. Larry said the same about his father, Matt. Then my cousin Jim (Larry's brother) came over and we talked some more. I re-introduced Linda to them, although we had seen each other at previous events over the years, mostly funerals as it turns out.
Linda and I decided to attend the funeral the next day, as we had not had a chance to talk with Tommy at the funeral home. After a very touching tribute to Elenore, we attended a luncheon, with Jim and Larry sitting next to us. We talked a lot and enjoyed ourselves very much. We decided to keep in touch, and I hope this web log (or something like it) will fit the bill.
On the way out of the church, I mentioned to Tommy what we might have in mind, and he was immediately in favor of it. So, that's where we are right now.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A Word to the Wise...
Although this web log is an attempt to share information as stated in the Purpose, many members of both families may be much more computer literate than I am, and therefore may have an idea that is much more elegant and useful. Go ahead and suggest via my e-mail address (sent to you individually by me or someone else already involved) if you have a better solution; I won't mind.
In addition, please ignore dates in the future for some of the postings; it's the only way I can figure to keep some of them in the most appropriate order. If you have a better solution, please let me know.
Also, if you are a hands-on type and want to enter information yourself rather than sending stuff to me vial e-mail, feel free to contact me and I will set you up.
In addition, please ignore dates in the future for some of the postings; it's the only way I can figure to keep some of them in the most appropriate order. If you have a better solution, please let me know.
Also, if you are a hands-on type and want to enter information yourself rather than sending stuff to me vial e-mail, feel free to contact me and I will set you up.
Monday, December 19, 2011
A Word of Caution ...
In order to make this web log as usable as possible for all of us, I have not restricted it so that only people registered by me can view the information. Therefore, you may want to restrict any of your offerings so that any information you consider at all confidential is not displayed.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A Technical Tip
If you have never been a very good typist, or the aches and pains in your hands have slowed you down, consider a program that allows you to talk (moderately fast), and changes that speech into text. It may or may not work for you, and it takes a PC with quite a bit of power and memory, but it might save you some pain and/or frustration.
It's Dragon Naturally Speaking, and can be found for about $49.
It's Dragon Naturally Speaking, and can be found for about $49.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Types of Entries Being Sought
Everything!
If you have a memory, for example, of your mother or grandmother taking you for a stroller ride in John Ball Park, or going to Herpolsheimer's Department Store for a visit with Santa Claus at Christmas time, by all means share these thoughts; it might trigger memories from other people.
If you have a memory, for example, of your mother or grandmother taking you for a stroller ride in John Ball Park, or going to Herpolsheimer's Department Store for a visit with Santa Claus at Christmas time, by all means share these thoughts; it might trigger memories from other people.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
A Fortunate Coincidence
Approximately one month ago (May 10, 2011), Linda and I were in a book store - Argos, near the Eastown neighborhood in Grand Rapids. By the way, it's a great place to find a used book on almost any subject. Anyway, we found a book on the history of Sacred Heart Church and School. Since our interest in family history has been jump-started, Linda and I visited the store today and purchased the book.
I will share contents as I get into it.
I will share contents as I get into it.
Golembiewski Family Matters, Memories and Upcoming Events
Golembiewski Family Memories
Posted by Steve -
I don't know if any of you had ever heard this story, but - while visiting aunt Dorothy several weeks ago, we were told about an incident over 75 years ago. Grandpa had a large car (I think Dorothy said it was a Chevrolet), and he was very proud of it, especially since it was one of the first automobiles in the neighborhood. He let our dad, Steve, drive it.
One time, Steve came home and looked really flustered and upset. He told his father that he had had an accident with the car. He and his father went out to look at the car, which was not damaged too badly at all. His father said there was no such thing as an accident and asked Steve what had really happened. Steve finally came clean and admitted that he had been distracted. Grandpa would not settle for that and pressed further. My dad finally admitted he was distracted because he was in the process of lighting a cigarette when the accident occurred.
Steve -
I can remember going to Sacred Heart School, and almost fainting with fear whenever I went near the basement and smelled the alcohol they used to swab our arms before inoculations. I still get the same feeling whenever I smell that alcohol smell.
Steve -
My parents' marriage certificate lists my mother's first name as
Leocadia (I only heard her referred to as Lottie by her friends, and occasionally Lillian). However, that may have been a typographical error; long before the age of computers (1938), overworked clerks in a typical office might ignore such errors. As another example, my grandmother's name is listed as Totyraj, whereas we have always understood it to be Potyraj.
One time, Steve came home and looked really flustered and upset. He told his father that he had had an accident with the car. He and his father went out to look at the car, which was not damaged too badly at all. His father said there was no such thing as an accident and asked Steve what had really happened. Steve finally came clean and admitted that he had been distracted. Grandpa would not settle for that and pressed further. My dad finally admitted he was distracted because he was in the process of lighting a cigarette when the accident occurred.
Steve -
I can remember going to Sacred Heart School, and almost fainting with fear whenever I went near the basement and smelled the alcohol they used to swab our arms before inoculations. I still get the same feeling whenever I smell that alcohol smell.
Steve -
My parents' marriage certificate lists my mother's first name as
Leocadia (I only heard her referred to as Lottie by her friends, and occasionally Lillian). However, that may have been a typographical error; long before the age of computers (1938), overworked clerks in a typical office might ignore such errors. As another example, my grandmother's name is listed as Totyraj, whereas we have always understood it to be Potyraj.
Upcoming Events
This is a space for anyone in the families to announce upcoming events. Please remember, this is a public site, so don't put anything too specific as to time or place, unless it is a public event.
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