The life of a young women during the war

During the war Mother knit socks, mittens, and scarves for the sailors overseas.  She sewed stuffed animals for the Red Cross and many of her gifts are still treasured by family and friends. She was also talented in quilting, crocheting, and making rugs.  She crocheted my favorite granny square afghan.  She...
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Mom's Paternal Great Grandparents :: Laura Jane Libbey & John Sanders II

My Great Grandmother Laura Jane Libbey, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Libbey and Susan (Sukey) Demerit, was born January 25, 1815 in Compton, Quebec.  Her family moved from New Hampshire to Goshen Gore, Vermont around the year of her birth.   Great Grandfather John Sanders was born on September 11, 1818 also in...
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Mom's Maternal Great Grandfather :: John Brunton Jr

Great Grandparents John Brunton Jr. and Jane (Farmery) Brunton were Grandmother Maria Brunton'’s parents.  Jane parents were Thomas Farmery (1776 - Jan 9, 1843) and Maria Hoyle (1796 - ?).  Grandfather Farmery's birthplace is unknown but his three marriages took place in Ripon. His third wife, Maria Hoyle, was born in...
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Mom's Paternal Grandparents :: Amelia Sanders & Stephen Hyatt

Amelia Caroline (Sanders) Hyatt was the daughter of John Sanders II and Laura Jane Libbey and descendant of Betsey Webb, Azariah Webb, Joshua Webb, Hannah Ripley, Hahhah Bradford, William Bradford IV, Governor William Bradford III.  Amelia was born December 15, 1843 in Compton, Quebec and died November 14th, 1931 in Moe's...
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What is Heritage Makers?

You already know how valuable a family story can be.  It can bring back memories, shape our character, build self esteem and strengthen  our family.  But did you know there is a way you can preserve these stories in a book, along with your photos? Heritage Makers is an online publishing company that...
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True Story

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL    In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new  voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4.  Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and  decided to...
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A Curious Lesson

A Curious Lesson   "I don't like it here!" declares Dana*, her measured pacing keeping tempo with her anxious words, "I want to go back to the other place?" I'm confused. It's not unusual for Dana to feel restless toward the evening hours, but this is mid-afternoon. "What other place, Miss...
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My Two Best Friends Are Gone

   I lost my two best friends in 2008. It was not a great year.    Early in November I got an eamil from my old friend Brian's wife telling me Brian passed away the previous week from a sudden heart attack. It was devastating news.    I hadn't talked to...
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A New Year - Finally!

   It's just January 1 and I've already busted my first resolution.    I had decided that I'd get up each morning at 7:30 and take our chihuahua Buddy out for a walk - as much for his exercise as mine. Well, that's history, at least for today. My next resolution...
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Love Them While You Can

Love Them While You Can by Ronda Knuth "Help. Help! Help!!" Like fingernails on a chalkboard his cry unnerves me. It's unrelenting, insistent, demanding. It requires a response but I don't know what that response should be. From the desk where I answer phones and direct resident traffic I can see...
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Something As Simple As Touch

Something as Simple as Touch by Ronda Knuth At times the tyranny of the urgent bullies its way to the top of the daily to-do list extinguishing even the most rudimentary kindness. Indeed, in our desire to conquer our categorized index of mandatory responsibilities, we often leave little room for even...
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The Story of My Parents

Chapter 1  Moma was born in a small house in Wilmer, Texas.  It was the days when doctors actually made house calls.  Someone went to fetch the doctor.   Dr. W. J. Ridgell had come to Kleberg, Texas, a small community near Wilmer and in the southeast corner of Dallas, Texas.  Kleberg,...
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Trip to our Ancestoral Homeland

Eva Irene Chailland was my grandmother (granny).  She was born January 22, 1920 in Kennett, Missouri.  Her birth was like anyone elses of the time; meaning that she was born at home.   However, unlike everyone elses birth, hers was unique in one way...the doctor delivering her was drunk .  So drunk in fact that...
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A "Waterful" Adventure

The day began lazily as we sat and sipped piping hot Dunkin Donuts in the living room of the boathouse.  Perched over 16 feet above the water, the two-bedroom house has large windows overlooking Alabama's sleepy Fowl River.  The weather channel predicted only a chance of showers, so Bart, Tena and...
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A Young Mother's Letter

Nellie Turnage died on April 4, 1937 when she was 29 1/2 years of age.  My father, Paul was 4 years, 8 months of age and his brother Jim Hunter was 7 years, 7 months of age.  Nellie wrote a letter to "Dodie" when my dad was about a month old.  When she...
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I Am His (Based on Psalm 18)

I Am His The world marches on oblivious to her sorrow.  She covers her face in her hands and weeps.  Her heart is broken; her dreams lie shattered.  For Ronda all hope is gone unless the Father comes. It’s business as usual in the courts of Heaven. Melodious songs of adoration...
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Night of Terror - Chapter 3

Whew!  What a night.  If anyone ever told me I would have some slobbering drunk egghead bawling shamelessly on the edge of my bed at 1:30 in the morning, I'd tell them they were nuts!  But that just goes to show you that in this life we have to be ready...
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Night of Terror - Chapter 2

In one final attempt to get a response out of the menacing shadow headed for my daughter and me, I yelled as loudly as I could, "What do you want!!??"  Then, he opened his mouth and began to speak . . . "Hey, I've been looking for you.  I need to...
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Night of Terror

Chapter 1 In 1978, I lived in a rural community in Northern Michigan, where a car passed by my house approximately five times a night.  It was wooded and lovely but defintely remote.  The mobile home I lived in with my two small children was neat and clean.  Although about 10...
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From the Mouth of a Babe

For a brief period of my life I was actually unemployed.  Now, when I say brief, I do mean brief, but during those few months I was able to fully enjoy being with my two small children for more than just a couple of hours a day. We lived in rural...
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