Treasure Chest Thursday--Ferdinande Weiss Olesen Psalms Bible

I have bits and pieces of my great great grandmother, Ferdinande or Ferdinanda Weiss Olesen's, Psalms Bible. It was given a a birthday present by her brother, Adolph Weiss on November 14, 1872. Of special note is the page where Ann has written the names and birthdates of several of her children. BTW--Elizabeth Ferdinande is my great grandmother. Way cool!

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Wordless Wednesday

Tombstone Tuesday--Ferdinande Weiss Olesen

     This is the tombstone of my paternal great great grandmother. Ferdinande or Ferdinanda (Ann) was the daughter of Frederick Heindrich Adolph Weiss and Ferdinande Lehman. She was born on November 14, 1855 in Hamburg, Germany. The family immigrated to West Hartlepool, England where she met and married Christian Invart Olesen. 

     Ann was left a widow in 1892, when Christian died unexpectedly on his way to work. She continued to live in West Hartlepool. When she left England her last address was Seacombe. 

     Listed as Annie, she immigrated to the United States arriving at the port of New York on June 24, 1920 along with her daughter, Emily Olesen Richards, her son, William Christian Olesen, her married daughter, Elizabeth Olesen Hughes and Elizabeth's husband, John George Hughes.

     Ann died at home on February 15, 1942 in Monaca, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. 

     She is buried in the Hughes Family plot number 4 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. 

Additional information added January 6, 2021

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

SNGF on Monday: My Other Interests

Following a weekend of work related activities, I am getting around to the latest Saturday Night Genealogy Fun. Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings has issued this challenge: Tell us about your "other" hobbies or interests outside of genealogy and family history research, writing, speaking, etc.


Contrarary to popular family belief, I DO have a life outside genealogy. The issue arises out of the fact that many of my hobbies seem to always circle back around to some form of genealogy research. I love to travel, but try as I may, travel always finds me in a cemetery, taking photos....any cemetery....anyone's family. It is just common policy now that if we drive past a cemetery, someone will ask, "Do you want to stop here?"


I love to visit towns, especially the small towns that dot our country. Again, I tend to be looking up...up at the top of old buildings for those family surnames and a date in stone, which I turn around into my blog series, Stories in Stone. I just can't help it!!!

I think my love of water sports is beyond the genealogical realm. I love to swim and kayak. This summer we do plan to take two separate trips to kayak, however one will be outside Morgantown, West Virginia which will leave me within a short drive away from the WVU genealogical library and the other is very near where my Hughes cousins' mother and about 100 years of her descendants lived.....do we hear genealogy here....again....

Gardening. I love to dig in the dirt and perennials are my passion. This one is genealogy free.....OR do I love gardening because some of my ancestors were farmers ;-)

I love to read. I have stacks of books ready to open, but it seems that my reading always goes back to genealogy related articles and books.

Photography. Miss Snap Happy is my nickname. Have Camera Will Travel. I do take photos of non genealogical places, people and items, however, with my blog, it seems that more and more snapping is for photos to accompany my writing....which means GENEALOGY.

I guess I am just hopelessly and HAPPILY addicted.




© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Stories in Stone--Mollhagen Building in St. Joseph, Michigan

When I am driving through small and larger towns I am fascinated by the turn of the 20th century architecture and building facades. Many of those that have survived the test of time have the building’s name and date carved in stone at the top. Today, many of those names have been highlighted with paint to identify the first tenant. I often wonder who owned the building and what was housed inside. This series of blogs will grow as I continue to photograph and research those that I see on my travels.

In August 2009, I was fortunate to spend a glorious week in St. Joseph, Michigan. While wandering around the town area I found several building that qualify for my Stories in Stone series. The Mollhagen Building, built in 1924 is located today at 307 and 309 Main Street.

The Mollhagen family was part of the St. Joseph, Michigan landscape as early as 1855 . They were from hardy German stock and made their livelihood as fishermen. When researching this surname I had to work backwards from the 1930 Michigan census to determine which Mollhagen built the building and what was housed inside. My surprise was that it was NOT a store that sold fish.

Charles Mollhagen, a fisherman, born in Germany and married to Christine, lived in St. Joseph, Michigan from about 1855. One of their children was Louis W. Mollhagen.

In 1888 Louis W. Mollhagen, along with a friend, William Freitag, purchased a grocery store located on Main Street from Charles Miller. Louis married Henrietta Bardenbort (Hattie) and the two began to raise their family in St. Joseph, Michigan. The 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 Michigan census reports list Louis as the owner of a grocery store. Louis' son, Lester, when he was of age, asssisted his father in the store.

The Mollhagen building standing today at 307/309 Main Street was built by Louis. By 1924 the store was called Mollhagen & Son and the store was run by Louis and his son, Lester Louis Mollhagen. Lester married Carrie Olive Brown and his family lived at 309 Main.

Lester Louis Mollhagen was born March 4, 1892 in St. Joseph and died on February 5, 1965 in Michigan. Lester and his wife, Carrie Olive Brown, his father and mother are all buried at the Lakeview/City Cemetery, St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.

Lester Louis Mollhagen
March 4, 1892-February 5, 1965

Carrie Olive Brown Mollhagen
1894-1990

Louis W. Mollhagen (father of Lester Louis)
1859-1937

Henrietta Bardenbort Mollhagen (mother of Lester Louis)
1866-1945

Charles F. Mollhagen (father of Louis W.)
1828-1916

Christina Mollhagen (first wife to Charles F. and mother of Louis W.)
1824-1878

Euphrosina Henrietta Mollhagen (mother of Charles F.)1794-1881

Sources:

-1860 Michigan Census, St Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; Roll M653_537; Page: 196.

-1870 Michigan Census, Saint Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; Roll M593_664; Page: 400B.

-1880 Michigan Census, Saint Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; Roll T9_573.

-1900 Michigan Census, Saint Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; Roll T623_703; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 77.

-1910 Michigan Census, St Joseph Ward 4, Berrien County, Michigan; Roll T624_638; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 91.

-1920 Michigan Census, St Joseph Ward 4, Berrien County, Michigan; Roll T625_757; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 108.

-1930 Michigan Census, St Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; Roll 977; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 50.

-Information on Louis W. and Henrietta Bardenbort Mollhagen from a Family Tree on Ancestry.

-Lakeview/City Cemetery and Mausoleum, From Sexton Records, St. Joseph, Berrien County Michigan.

-Polk St. Joseph City Directory for 1936.

-Polk St. Joseph City Directory for 1939.

-Social Security Death Index for Lester L. Mollhagen, Number: 386-34-5411;Issue State: Michigan;Issue Date: 1952-1953.

-World War I Draft Registration for Lester Louis Mollhagen, Registration Location: Berrien County, Michigan; Roll 1675068; Draft Board: 1.

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

A Bloggers Best Friend Award from Hummer

     Thank you Hummer, over at Branching Out Through the Years, for brightening up my day. I was so tired when I got home from work this afternoon and when I checked my blog comments there was the special "Bloggers Best Friend Award from my friend Frances.

     I am always anxious to read Hummer's new posts when they appear on my feed. Hummer you say you are a "greenie", but you write like a seasoned pro! THANK YOU....THANK YOU....THANK YOU. 

     I probably sound like a broken record, however I am saying it again.....I was so fortunate when I found the geneablogging community. I continue to learn from reading all the wonderfully written blogs and also from the comments given to me. I have formed some great friendships and look forward to hearing from y'all on Flipside and Facebook. 

     The developer of the award 'Bandit' "A Blogger's Best Friend Award" says it shall be given to your most loyal blog readers. Thus, the award should be given to a follower of yours who takes the time to comment regularly on many of your posts. In addition his or her blog should be creative, funny and always entertaining. 

     Upon receiving this award, pass it along to two fellow bloggers who fit this criteria. I guess we are to choose two....WHEW....two.....I can think so many.... I hear from Carol over at Reflections From the Fence on just about every one of my blogs and there are thoughtful comments from Dorene over at Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay. Both blogs fit the criteria outlined by the developer of the award. Congratulations. I am passing along this award to each of you. 

     THANK YOU to all those who have sent along comments and I wish I could have chosen ten and not just two.

Treasure Chest Thursday--Charles Stark Masonic Book

     This little blue Masonic booklet belonged to my maternal great grandfather, Charles Stark. Like many of the Stark/Frederick treasurers that have come into my possession, this was in a box of items from my maternal grandmother, Martha Marie Frederick Stark's, estate. When I first found the book, I only looked at the face value of it....an old book. As I began to dig into my family genealogy, particularly the Stark family, it began to reveal some long forgotten or perhaps never known, secrets.

     Opening the book to it's cover pages, on the right hand top, I have the actual signature of my great grandfather, deceased since 1895. It also lists his address at 6 Fayette, Pittsburgh, probably at the time he joined this Masonic group in 1874. I have not figured out what is written on the left hand top of the page. However, on the bottom are dates from the 1860's--the Civil War era. He was a soldier, enlisted in the union cause at Wheeling, (West) Virginia. His service rightly deserves it's own blog, which I have yet to write. For now, it is suffice to say, that he served. From his pension file his service was:

-May 15, 1861 mustered into the with the 2nd Regiment of the Virginia Infantry. 

-January 4, 1864 mustered out of the 2nd regiment of the Virginia Infantry.

 -March 5, 1864 he re-mustered as a veteran volunteer in Company D, 5th West Virginia Cavalry. This Company became Company H, 5th West Virginia Calvary during the summer of 1864. 

-January, 1865 Charles reenlisted in the New Company H, 6th West Virginia Calvary. 

-May 22, 1866 mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

     Blue from the covers has bled onto many of the pages due to water damage. My great grandfather's name is listed on the top page at the bottom--the last name. He became a member of the Allegheny Lodge # 223 A. Y. M., Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, on April 27, 1874 and was active until his death in 1895.

     

1874 Map of Allegheny City
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Diamond Square

1874 Pittsburgh City Directory

        Allegheny Lodge 223 met on the second Monday of each month in the Masonic Hall Diamond Square, Allegheny City until 1895.

     According to Charles obituary, Masonic Lodge 223 assisted in payments for the funeral.

Charles Stark featured on other Blogs on Flipside: 

Charles Stark Tombstone Tuesday 

Charles Stark Most Recent Unknown Ancestor 

Tracking the Addresses of Charles Stark

Charles Stark and Wilhelmine Catherine Swartz Stark

Is this Your Great Grandfather?

Updated April 4, 2021

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Carnival of Genealogy, 89th Edition--Ode to Hughes

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Ode to My Family's History! This time around we'll be composing a poem that tells our family's history. It can be long or short, rhyme or not rhyme, funny or serious, illustrated or not... you choose, but make it appropriate as an introduction for a book or video on your family history. Thank you to Creative Gene for again sponsoring this carnival.

My surname Hughes is English they say;
Proud common workers all.
From Hartlepool they sailed one day;
And touched New York in fall.

In 1906 they went by train;
To find a life so new.
Factories, steel mills and lots of pain.
Where skies were rarely blue.

Pittsburgh was their first hometown;
Then down river to Woodlawn.
Home was a house sided brown;
Til John Hughes died indawn.

Our family moved around the town;
More than one hundred year.
Now I can say wearing a frown;
No family is there, but near.

Wordless Wednesday--Bradley Woods, Westlake, Ohio, Bunns Lake

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Tombstone Tuesday--George Henry Hughes and Mary Ann Storey Hughes

George Henry Hughes and Mary Ann Storey Hughes are my paternal great great grandparents. George Henry, the son of Samuel Hughes and Ann Hill, was born in 1851 in Wordsley, Kingswinford Parish, Staffordshire County, England.

On Christmas Day 1870 George married Mary Ann Storey at All Saints Church, Stranton, West Hartlepool, England. Mary Ann, daughter of John Storey and Ann Robinson, was born on May 18, 1852 on the Headland, Hartlepool, England.

George died at home, West Hartlepool, England on May 08, 1930 and Mary Ann on March 14, 1935. They are buried in Stranton Grange, Hartlepool, England.

I admit that I did not take the photo. My good and now longtime English friend, Heather of Middlesbrough, drove up to Hartlepool and snapped the shot. She checked with the cemetery office to locate the exact gravesite and then drew the rectangle to mark the spot. My great great grandparents never had a proper tombstone placed in the cemetery.

Whatever would we do without friends who share our love of genealogy? I don't want to try!

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

No Monday Madness on Flipside--A New Graduate

I hope readers will allow me a little latitude here today to toot my family horn. My youngest son received his diploma by mail last week. Sadly, he missed cum laude by a miniscule percentage, but on the FLIPSIDE....he is now a graduate and will be moving on to Cleveland State University to finish up his final two years.


CONGRATULATIONS GARRETT

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

The Report Book of Warren Cedric Hoffman, Knox Township, Columbiana County, Ohio

I am crediting the idea for this blog to Dr. Bill over at Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories. His recent blog regarding a 1950's school booklet jiggled my memory. Years back I purchased a Report Book (grade card) for a young student in Columbiana County, Ohio. My Frederick family (maternal grandmother) lived in Columbiana County for years before moving into the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania area. When browsing antique stores, anything Columbiana County, Ohio was and is fair game.

The report book belonged to Warren Hoffman and judging from his grades, he was an excellent student. When I purchased this little booklet, probably back in the mid to late 1990's, it would have taken me some digging into microfilm to find out information on the family. Since the Hoffman surname is not my family, I put my purchase in a file, knowing I had it. Now in 2010, I simply let my fingers do the walking and VOILA a family history becomes easy with the records on line.

Warren Cedric Hoffman, son of Ira and Emma Heastand Hoffman, was born February 6, 1900 in Homeworth, Columbiana County, Ohio. On December 23, 1922 he married Leta Fay Davis in Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio.¹

On the 1930 Ohio census report, the Hoffmans were living on Cherry Street in Homeworth, Columbiana County, Knox Township, Ohio. Warren and Leta had two children, Mary E. and Warren I. The report also shows that Warren Cedric was an employee of a local supply company.²

I located a death certificate for son, Warren I. Hoffman, who died on October 11, 1942 at Elyria Hosptial, Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio at the age of 17. The Hoffmans were living in Wellington, Lorain County, Ohio at the time.


Wellington is not far from where I live. I am continually amazed at how some of my searches bring me right back home! Ancestry has the Elyria newspaper on line, so finding Warren Cedric's obituary was pretty simple. He died at home in Wellington, Ohio on March 25, 1956.

I was able to locate a death record for Leta Hoffman, who was a public school teacher in the Wellington system until she retired at the end of the school term 1968.³ She died at the Cleveland Clinic on May 7, 1982.⁴

Both Warren Cedric and his son, Warren I. were buried in Moultrie Chapel Cemetery, Columbiana County, Ohio. I was able to locate the death certificate for Warren's father, Ira Hoffman, who is also buried there. I would imagine that Leta Davis Hoffman and Emma Heastand Hoffman's final resting places are at Moultrie Chapel Cemetery.

If you relate to any of these folks, please contact me.

Sources:

1. Ancestry.com Family Trees. (Note: Information regarding the date of death is incorrect on Family Tree page).

2. 1930 Ohio Federal Census, Knox Twonship, Columbiana County, Roll 1759; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 12.

3. The Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio, April 10, 1968, page 27

4.Ancestry.com and Ohio Department of Health. Ohio Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Certificate: 031570; Volume: 24834

Names listed in the booklet:

Board of Education
H.C. Hoffman.....President
Jos. Crist
M.F. Heastand
Jno. Sturgeon
Jas. L. Scott
J.E. Pilmer......Clerk
Geo. W. Glass.....Treasurer

Teachers
Mary A. Scott
Chester Stofer
W.W. Stroup
C.C. Stackhouse
Iva N. Miller
Edith M. Greenisen
Carrie Stofer
Vesta Sanor
Elzona Stroup
Ansalom J. Cobbs
Edward Brsaid
Susan B. McQuilkin
O.C. Hahn
Ruth Pilmer
Helen E. Brooke

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Graveyard Rabbits Carnival--Cemetery Critters

Thank you to Diane Wright for submitting this GYR topic. I was not too certain if this meant live or tombstone critters, so I am submitting both.

This friendly fellow joined us on our search of the Union Cemetery in Independence, West Virginia back in July, 2008. I don't often see domesticated animals visiting cemeteries when I am wandering around photographing tombstones, so this was a bit unusual. Hence the reason for the photo.

I had information from another family researcher that my ggg Grandmother Sarah McElroy VanGilder was buried in Union Cemetery. The cemetery is located in a rather out of the way location. Thank goodness for Garmin!

Sarah McElroy VanGilder tombstone on Flipside

The second photograph is of a tombstone critter. Of the thousands of gravemarkers I have photographed, this is the only one that has an animal displayed. The bird is shown in front of a cross and sitting on a beautifully carved block. It is the marker of John Heller, died February 7, 1895 at age 51 years 7 months 24 days and found in Greenlawn Cemetery, Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio.


© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Wordless Wednesday--The Weather Outside is Frightful

One GeneaBloggers New Years Resolution---DONE

I'm on my way....beginning with the last of my geneablogger New Year's resolutions...to clean up my computer workspace. Not only is it a mess of gigantic proportions......I can't even see my screen since one of my cats, Pseudylous enjoys sleeping on the piles of papers stacked in front of it. The photo actually seems to make the area look better than it really is....if that's possible ; )

And now for the unveiling of the new and improved space.....

TA DAAAA

Pseudy is still there, but with less piles of paper, she doesn't cover up as much of the screen.

I wonder how long I can keep it this way!

BTW--Pseudylous--the main character from the Broadway musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum. Maybe I should blog about the genealogy/naming of my three cats ;-)

Tombstone Tuesday--Joseph Davidson Hill

     Joseph Davison Hill, the son of Robert Hill and Rebecca Caldwell, is my paternal great great great grandfather. He was born September 4, 1793 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia. 

     On September 22, 1812 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia he married Sarah Houston, daughter of Purnell Houston and Mary Tumlinson or Tomlinson Carey. According to the marriage records, the wedding took place in her father's home and the service was performed by the Reverend Joseph A. Shackleford.

     As you can see from the photograph, the tombstone is badly weathered. Joseph died on August 29, 1859 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia at the age of 66 just ten day shy of his 67th birthday. He is buried beside his wife, Sarah Houston Hill, in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Monongalia County, West Virginia.

Note:  There is a personal frustration and "grave" mistake on Find A Grave.  A second listing has been added for Joseph listing him along with his wife, Sarah Houston Hill as buried at Mount Union Cemetery.  The Mount Union listings are incorrect.  It has been taken from a 2000 addendum to a list on US GenWeb for Mount Union Cemetery.

The photos of the Hill tombstones, taken by myself in 2004, were in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.  The information for Sarah Houston Hill was originally listed on Find A Grave in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in 2004 by Jennifer Selfridge.  I emailed her to get directions to the cemetery.  

The parents of both Joseph Davidson Hill and Sarah Houston Hill were reinterred in Mount Union in 1928.  Those photos and the listings are mine.  

-HILL FAMILY BIBLE TRANSCRIPTION

Updated, September 2023.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Happy 101 Award--THANK YOU

Wow-ee Ka-zow-ee.....What a way to warm up my day!

THANK YOU to Dorene, Cheryl, Carol, Frances for sending along this award to Flipside. Now for my responsibilities. Ten things that make me happy and ten blogs, that have not alreay been chosen, that I enjoy reading.

Ten things that make me happy

1. Hearing from relations who are sharing genealogy info with me.
2. A good cup of tea.
3. Kayaking.
4. Putzing around in my garden.
5. Travel.
6. When my computer works!
7. Time with family and friends.
8. Warm weather and the sun.
9. Swimming.
10. Good health.

Ten blogs I read and enjoy. I am going to try to chose some that have not already received this award.

1. Exploring Almost Forgotten Graveyards in Ohio
2. A Canadian Family
3. A Twig in My Tree
4. Bits and Pieces
5. winging it
6. Cemetery Explorers
7. The Educated Genealogist
8. Ancestories
9. Lost Family Treasures
10. We Tree

If any of these blogs are not on your list, give them a look. I think you will agree they are all terrific!

The Pounder surname--Old Hartlepool, Durham County, England

The Pounder surname is part of my paternal Hartlepool, England Hughes line. Elizabeth Pounder is my paternal gggg grandmother. To date I have no knowledge of her parents. Figuring out the Pounders of Hartlepool, England would take a skilled individual who can navigate the name much better than I. So many Pounders...so many generations....all with the same first names.

Marriage record of Elizabeth Pounder and George RobinsonMy paternal gggg grandparents

Suffice to say, Elizabeth was probably born in Hartlepool. She married George Robinson, a fisherman also from Hartlepool on May 14, 1826 at St. Hilda's on The Headland, Hartlepool, England. Ther ceremony was performed by William Wilson, Curate of Hartlepool. Witnesses were: William Horsley, George Comer and John Fletcher. From the old records, neither George Robinson nor Elizabeth Pounder were able to write their name and signed with an "X".

St. Hilda's on The Headland, Hartlepool, England

My English friend, who by the way has done all the research on this family for me, sent me an addendum to the information which was of great interest to me. It involves the derivation of the name POUNDER. "From very early times, an important village offical was the 'pinder' or 'pounder'. His job was the impounding of stray cattle in the pinfold or pound until their owner redeemed them on payment of a fine." According to my friend, "I have a true 'dyed in the wool' Hartlepool ancestor with the Pounder name that is special to the Headland (Old Hartlepool). Very cool!!!!

Birth record ofAnn Robinson, daughter of George Robinson and Elizabeth PounderGGG Grandmother to me and Great Grandmother to John George Marsh

My first cousin twice removed from Hartlepool, John George Marsh, married a Hartlepool Pounder, Mary Pounder. Over the years Mary and I corresponded about family and we were both surprised to find that John descended from Pounders, something he was unaware of.

Always the generous one, Mary sent me information about her Pounder family. Mary was the daughter of Richard Pounder and Mary Herring. She was born January 23, 1923 in Hartlepool, England.

Additional Information:

John George and Mary Pounder Marsh on Flipside

The Headland/Hartlepool/West Hartlepool, England at The Linda Hughes Hiser Family Genealogy Home Page

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Follow-up to Hummer's Post--Volunteering

Hummer over at Branching out Through the Years had an inciteful post this week discussing her favorite genealogical related volunteering at Family Search.

One of the projects I contribute to is Find-A-Grave. Why do I do it? I love cemeteries, the art work found there, the stories of families, the exercise.... AND I love it when I get an e-mail back from an appreciative family member. Oddly, after reading Hummer's blog, just such a thank you arrived in my mailbox.......

Wow...thank you for what you do. Folks like me who do not travel really appreciate your efforts.

Hope that you stay warm this week by staying inside!

Elizabeth

I know I depend on others to do the legwork for me since I cannot travel from state to state looking for tombstones, records, etc., so it only seems appropriate that I do the same for others.

Thank you Elizabeth for your kind words. And thank you to all the countless volunteers out there who help others through their service.

Lesson Learned: Volunteer and remember to send a thank you to those who have helped.

Treasure Chest Thursday-- Keep Smilin

This little do-dad has been with me since I was a kid in the 1950's. It always hung on my bedroom wall on Washington Drive and even into my teenage years on Bramble Lane. Currently it is displayed in my kitchen. I seem to recall that back in elementary school I memorized this little ditty for a poety unit oral presentation.

I googled it to see if I could find out any more info, but came up empty.

The message seems appropriate for the new year.....new decade. It is a philosophy that I try to live every day even as adult.


Keep Smilin'

If you keep feelin' chipper
There's none can put you down:
You can make your luck by smilin'
Or loose it with a frown:
If you should get into a hole,
Keep smilin' even then
And when you hit the bottom hard
You'll bounce right out again.

Copyright --F.W.B. MCMXXVII

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser