Visits and Honors and Gravesites, Oh My!

Friday we drove up to Warren County for a multi-purpose purpose!  I'd heard that my high school was going to dedicate the new scoreboard/stadium to my very beloved teacher and locally famous coach, Domenick Collangelo. 

We went directly to my sister's house and then we went to the school.  Between us, Carol, her husband and I represented the classes of 1957, 1961 and 1964.  Each of us had been taught by Mr. C and each of us have particular, fond memories of that time.  He had always referred to me as "Annie" and when my sisters came along after me, they were called "Little Annie."  It had been 50 years since last I stood in BHS - between the fact that they have extensively added and appended, and the years gone by - I didn't recognize much except for the the front of the building.

A well attended reception was held in the library of the school (once the gym) and although Mr. C had had a stroke, he has come along very well and seemed to be enjoying the reminiscing and honors shown to him.

There were some wonderful photos, etc., displayed in the library - this one is featured in my 1961 year book, and has always been a favorite of mine...it's pretty much how we knew him:

Another is of his school days - he was from up in Pennsylvania where I had lived at one time - I never knew that.

The football game followed, and at half time they held the dedication.  Mr. C and his wife were escorted on to the field by golf cart...we missed all that since we old folks decided it was too cold to sit out the game.

SCARLET AND WHITE!  FIGHT FIGHT!

Instead of going to the game, (which - I am so happy to report - BHS WON!)we drove to niece Kelly's house and visited a while with her family - the kids were so fun - getting ready for a belated Trick or Treating - due to the recent snow storm.  Here is darling Emma in her Angry Bird costume made by her crafty mom.

After some hot green tea and a lovely (albeit unannounced and probably unfair!  :)   ) visit, we went back into town for a pizza party reception to end the day's festivities for the Coach.  Guess we got to my sister's house about 10:30 PM and we were all ready for a good night's sleep.

Next morning we headed out for breakfast and then on to Hope NJ where we did some "grave-digging."  First, in the Moravian Cemetery to show Carol and Elmer where our Raushenberger ancestors are buried.  And then up the road to the Union Cemetery where many, many Howells have been laid to rest.

Ann and Carol at grave of Frederick Rauschenberger

This grave is very nearly destroyed by the elements - it makes we wish that someone would come up with a way to save these fragile records before it is too late - depending on the stone in which they have been created, many have completely lost their lettering and are lost in time.  This one is of Levina Howell daughter of Jon ???  and Sarah Howell, died 4th of ???? 1818 in the 19th year of her life.



Union Cemetery - White Twp NJ



I took about 50 pictures to include in the family tree I've been working on - and the day was beautiful for such a past time - not a lot of wind, and plenty of warm (ish) sun. 

When we'd pretty much found all the identifiable Howell graves, we parted ways - Carol and Elmer to go prepare for a local church supper, and for us - to travel home.

Nature required me stopping just a bit up the road at the antique shop where they had the cleanest spot o pot I've ever frequented - thankfully!  This is such a pretty location in Hope - where my Moravian ancestors lived - with a lot of history and an even larger amount of beauty.

Home again, once more, grateful for time spent with loved ones and for safe return to take yet another trip - another day.

Boo! Sweetly

Hallowe'en was a lot of fun this year!  I actually had and took the time to decorate much more than I have in recent years.  We had about 50 kids come trick or treating and only one young man was less than polite and enjoyable.
I won't go in to what made him stand out - best just say his mom has some 'splainin' to do!

We were delighted with a visit from our favorite sugar cookie, Julia!



Even the squirrels got into the act of decorating!



It Just Isn't Quite the Same

Halloween is upon us.  I used to adore Halloween.  I used to put so much time and effort into decorating and making it fun for my own kids and for the kids who came to our house to trick or treat.

Lots of my enthusiasm for Halloween came from the way we spent the day back home.

Our town was small.  Everyone knew everyone.  In fact, lots of us were related to each other….there were no strangers – thus there was little danger in trick or treating.

We would ring the bell, or knock on the door and someone we knew would answer.  “Come in, come in!” 

And then the questions would begin.

“Do we know you?”

Nodding, we would silently reply.

“Do you live in town?”

Nod

And on and on it would go until you were either guessed correctly, or they gave up.  Sometimes the “give-up” was on purpose to reward a really good costume.

And then the real fun began.

Homemade, warm cider – homemade donuts, cookies.  All enjoyed sitting around feeling a warm and homemade sense of belonging.

Even the town gas station gave out donuts and cider.

We got some candy, some handmade and wrapped popcorn balls.

But it wasn’t so much the loot in our bags that counted.  We probably weren’t aware of it, but the real treat of Halloween was the sense of family – of fitting in  - of being a valued member of the town.

My kids didn’t have nearly as much of this sense in our suburban neighborhood -  but it came close….at least when they visited the houses on our block.

I didn’t have the money to spend on store-bought decorations over the years – but that didn’t stop me from making it the “trickiest” house around.  Many years I got compliments from other parents on the fun they had bringing their kids to our house.

I worked out a way to tape and play scary songs and sounds – some I made up myself – and little ones were noticeably reticent in their climb up our brick steps – scary in their own right!

One year I came up with a recipe for homemade makeup as developed by the makeup artist for Freddy Kruger.  Our youngest son wore it the first year.  He and his Dad wore it the next year…when I finally figured out I should prep the skin first so as to eliminate the removal of eyebrows and facial hair!  There were neighbors who took quite some time getting over the fear my husband caused when he went door to door with a gaping wound in his face!

But once the kids are gone, and the house is visited by kids car pooled in from who knows where, a lot of the fun disappears. 

It isn’t the same.  It isn’t anywhere near as much fun.

So you are subjected to Halloween music here on my blog…I came up with TP’s Halloween persona…..I’ll buy some candy…..

But it isn’t the same.

More’s the pity……