Sentimental Sunday: Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories

It's the annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories!  I've participated the past five years (2009 through 2013), and this year, the prompts and their sequence are the same as in 2013.  Due to some pressing needs to get some other projects done (like gift books for my parents made out of the previous years' blog posts), I'm going to link to the appropriate post from 2013 (which also links to older posts, when applicable) in the prompt title, and add a relevant photo - if possible.  Today is one of those days when I'm going to add a Christmas-related photo totally unrelated to the prompt - just because it's an old photo related to my family history!

The prompt for December 7 – Christmas Television and Movies

The oldest of my female first cousins at Christmastime in 1958, probably at Nana and Grandpa's house on Lunt Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.  From the left:  Marianne, Beth and Rosemary Streff in the back;
Shelly Dietz and Terrie Pape in the front

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family’s holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.

© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Santa Claus

It's the annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories!  I've participated the past five years (2009 through 2013), and this year, the prompts and their sequence are the same as in 2013.  Due to some pressing needs to get some other projects done (like gift books for my parents made out of the previous years' blog posts), I'm going to link to the appropriate post from 2013 (which also links to older posts, when applicable) in the prompt title, and add a relevant photo.

The prompt for today is:  December 6 – Santa Claus

Me and my sister Karen visiting the downtown Foley's Santa, Houston, Texas, December 1961

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family’s holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.


© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories: Friday's Faces From the Past

It's the annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories!  I've participated the past five years (2009 through 2013), and this year, the prompts and their sequence are the same as in 2013.  Due to some pressing needs to get some other projects done (like gift books for my parents made out of the previous years' blog posts), I'm going to link to the appropriate post from 2013 (which also links to older posts, when applicable) in the prompt title, and add a relevant photo - if possible.  Today is one of those days when I'm going to add a Christmas-related photo totally unrelated to the prompt - just because it's an old photo related to my family history!

The prompt for December 5 – Christmas Recipes 

A bunch of my first cousins at Christmastime in 1958, probably at Nana and Grandpa's triplex on Hastings in Evanston, Illinois.  From the left:  Rosemary Streff holding her little brother Tom, Marianne Streff holding Shelly Dietz, Ron Dietz holding Donna Pape, Bud Streff holding Ruth Dietz, and Terrie Pape "holding" Beth Streff

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family’s holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.

© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Christmas Lights

It's the annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories!  I've participated the past five years (2009 through 2013), and this year, the prompts and their sequence are the same as in 2013.  Due to some pressing needs to get some other projects done (like gift books for my parents made out of the previous years' blog posts), I'm going to link to the appropriate post from 2013 (which also links to older posts, when applicable) in the prompt title, and add a relevant photo.

The prompt for December 4 – Christmas Lights

One of many lighted displays in Shanley Park in Granbury, Texas, December 2013

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family’s holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.


© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Christmas Music

It's the annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories!  I've participated the past five years (2009 through 2013), and this year, the prompts and their sequence are the same as in 2013.  Due to some pressing needs to get some other projects done (like gift books for my parents made out of the previous years' blog posts), I'm going to link to the appropriate post from 2013 (which also links to older posts, when applicable) in the prompt title, and add a relevant photo.

The prompt for December 3 – Christmas Music

Playing and singing Christmas carols at Nana's 80th birthday party on December 18, 1982, in Chicago - from the left:
Rosemary Streff Grandusky, her daughter Heather Grandusky Odden, Beth Streff Malone, and Tai Phillips Streff

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family’s holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.


© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Christmas Cards

It's the annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories!  I've participated the past five years (2009 through 2013), and this year, the prompts and their sequence are the same as in 2013.  Due to some pressing needs to get some other projects done (like gift books for my parents made out of the previous years' blog posts), I'm going to link to the appropriate post from 2013 (which also links to older posts, when applicable) in the prompt title, and add a relevant photo.

The prompt for December 2 – Christmas Cards:

A great photo greeting card from my crazy cousin Regina and her family, from ten years ago

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family’s holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.


© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Christmas Trees

It's the annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories!  I've participated the past five years (2009 through 2013), and this year, the prompts and their sequence are the same as in 2013.  Due to some pressing needs to get some other projects done (like gift books for my parents made out of the previous years' blog posts), I'm going to link to the appropriate post from 2013 (which also links to older posts, when applicable) in the prompt title, and add a relevant photo.

The prompt for December 1 - Christmas Trees

My stepdaughter's family Christmas tree, 2013

The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories (ACCM) allows you to share your family’s holiday history twenty-four different ways during December! Learn more at http://adventcalendar.geneabloggers.com.

© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Motivation Monday: Happy 5th Blogiversary to Me!

I started my blog five years ago, on December 1, 2009!  This is my 815th post.

© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Sentimental Sunday: Commissioned

The same day he graduated from navigator training at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, Texas - April 11, 1952 - Dad was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force.  The picture below is from the day of the graduation and commissioning:

Apparently his class celebrated with a party - he saved a napkin embossed with "5205 A" as well.

© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.

Friday's Faces From the Past: Graduation From Navigator School

Dad graduated from Navigator School on April 11, 1952.  Below is his class picture.  Note that he wrote on it (near the bottom) "52-05 Last of the Navigators."  The name of the position was changed from Navigator to Observer right about the time Dad graduated, and he wasn't too happy about that.

Back row:  William V. Ryden, Pierre P. Demart*, Norbert G. Langrand*, Donald V. Ridenour, James R. O'Mahoney, Paul F. Woodberry, Frederick H. Pape, Forrest L. Hicks, Willie J, Rivers, Gene W. Ellinghouse

Middle row:  Claude J. Gueguen*, Claude G. Bieth*, Jacques P. Frezouls*, Phillipe Millischer*, Sam A. Austin, Delfino V. D'Ambrosio, Daniel E. Draper, James F. Bayes, Joseph G. Halpin, Arthur S. Nanos.

Front row, kneeling:  G. Paul Sims, Frederick R. Allen, Douglas G. McComas, Richard R. Parks, Garfield G. Thomas, Earl B. Roehm, Joseph H. Daniels, Pierre V. LeCointe*, Jean J. Vigne*, Walter Simon.

Missing:  Harold Lund of Norway.
*French students

Above is the cover from the program for the graduation ceremony.  Note that Dad crossed out Observer and wrote in Navigator instead.  Below is Dad's diploma - I wiped out his service number for privacy.

© Amanda Pape - 2014 - click here to e-mail me.