A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A
MOST HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

    An old year is passing on and a brand new one is just about here. Let's remember and dwell on the good things that have been and pray, ever hopeful, that 2006 will bring peace and love. We must believe.

    My Mom, Maria Anna Gierhofer, was born in a small place called a feldhausen (house in the fields) in the vicinity of Eberschwang, Ober Austria on December 8, 1886. Her parents were Franz and Franza Geierhofer. The first "e" was later dropped, when they came to America in 1891. Johan and a younger Franza were the other children.
     On a German steam ship "Weimer" they entered Baltimore Harbor April 22, 1891, after weeks in which their living space was an eight-square-foot cubicle below decks..five people, with their eyes set on a new home in this new country. They became Frank, Frances, John, Mary Annie, and Frances. A sister, Ida, was born a few months later in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM, I MISS YOU

    Other December birthdays are: Marye Curnew, Jack's wife and Gordon and Duane's mother, gone since 1997.

    On a happier note, Paul has two children who celebrate their birthdays in this last month of the year.. John-Robin and Molly.

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS AND MANY MORE
TO JOHN-ROBIN and MOLLY!

    When Nancy and her Mom, Carolyn, traveled to Wales, they heard a fine group of male singers and recently got a CD made by them. Nan brought the CD here and we had it running all day while she helped us with some "getting ready for Christmas" things.. like making sauerkraut salad (my favorite). and all of us making Krumkaka (Scandinavian crisp cookies), which Vern loves. We enjoyed the beautiful voices while we worked.
     Ever thoughtful (and knowing her father-in-law) she asked if she could hide them for me so there would be some left for Christmas. Lucky she did that, as he asked for some when he had his morning coffee and I was glad to honestly say I didn't have a clue as to where they were. Vern should be purple and fuzzy, since he is surely a Cookie Monster.

    I still have a few cards to send out. Oh, and listen to this. I grumped to Hildy that it wasn't nearly as much fun getting ready for Christmas since we do not wrap presents... Shopping is out of the question. I have neither the strength nor do I have any idea what to get for people anymore.
     Hildy, ever helpful and practical, brought down a bagful of small boxes so I could put the Christmas checks into them and wrap them, if it would make me feel better. Now, I can either do that, or admit how lazy I have become by using Christmas cards for them as usual. Darn her! She knows what will shut off my grumping! How can I "Scrooge" when she makes me laugh? I think my kids know me too well. Bless 'em.

    I'm enjoying cataloging the little newspaper "Outlook", the archives of which were donated to History House by the Stapp family, whose enterprise it was for many years. I doubt if I will ever get to the end of the job. I have been working half-days for several weeks and haven't finished one tubful, so far.. and there are twenty of them. I have done 1922 - 23 - 25 and some of 1927. It was a weekly. I am trying to look through them for anything that might be of interest to someone doing research.birth and death columns.political news. local new building, etc. but most of these early issues are made up of little items like "Mrs. George Hill entertained the Mesdames William Kirk, Clyde Forsby (and so on) with an elegant tea in her home. A good time was had by all".
     Once in awhile, I run across one like "City Council is discussing the possibility of building a salt water park north of Ballard", which makes my eyes light up. Then, weeks later, I find "Mr. George Carkeek has donated several thousand dollars for the salt water park being contemplated at Piper's Creek, north of Ballard" and I am suddenly aware of where that park I've known as Carkeek Park all my life got its name.
     Oh, and it is fun to read the "Coming Movie Attractions" column, and find names like Lon Chaney, Bebe Daniels, Ronald Colman, Rudolf Valentino, Tom Mix (in The Great A & G Train Robbery), Hoot Gibson, Richard Dix, and greats like Mary Pickford and the original Douglas Fairbanks.
     I'm loving doing it, and resent that I must limit the time I do to accommodate these macular degenerating old eyes.

    www.HistoryLink.org has a fine historical essay about Celilo Falls with four pictures to accompany it. One of the four was "taken by Dorothea Nordstrand in 1936".right above one taken by Asahel Curtis! I'm traveling in pretty nice company!

    The nicest thing about Christmastime, besides being with family, is hearing from folks we have known over the years. The numbers are dwindling, which makes those who are left even more precious!

    On the 18th, we attended a big Christmas party which included many members of my brother's and sister's (both gone) families as well as our own. It has grown over the years so we now have it at History House where several members of our family either work or volunteer. I hope someone took a picture of the buffet table that was set up. Everyone brought something for that table, plus a plate of cookies or candy. Son Paul set up a fountain that ran with melted white chocolate into which you could dip pieces of fresh fruit. I felt ten pounds heavier the next day and wish I had been smarter the day before.... But we had a great time. Naturally, we were both completely wiped out....It was worth it.

    Hildy, Dan and Jack were here Christmas Eve morning. They brought lots of goodies, including deviled eggs, veggies, fruit, and dips. Jeremy showed up around noon... wearing a wildly colorful (navy and bright yellow) padded vest that I used to wear when we went camping in the late 60s. It had been hanging in my closet for all these years and I asked Hildy if she knew anyone who might use it. It ended up on Jeremy... looks good on him... He likes what he calls "retro" (I think that's what he said) and that makes me very pleased. He went home with them to have dinner and spend the night for their family Christmas morning.
     I had asked Hildy to take some big breaths of plumeria flowers when in Hawaii. She brought me lotion, bath crystals, and a floating candle... all plumeria... Oh, joy!
     John and Nan arrived about 1:00. John made our Christmas Eve dinner... Dijon mustard-and-orange glazed pork tenderloin was the main course. It was delicious! Of course there were veggies with his special touch and pickled beets. Nan brought a scrumptious pumpkin pie. We are SO SPOILED!
     Paul and family came Christmas afternoon on their way out to Liz' Mom's in Issaquah and we had a good visit with them while exchanging gifts. Talented Liz had knit each of us a hat and scarf. Mine's blue, with a flower with a glitzy center on the brim. Vern's is multi-color. browns, orange, tan. They are cozy!
     The only "too bad" thing was that Dave wasn't able to come. He called, sounding croaky with a very bad cold... so we will do Christmas with him sometime in the future. Sorry, Dave. It's no fun to be sick during the holidays.

    Wishing you Health and Happiness, now and in the future.

    Dixie/Dorothea, Senior Editor

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