Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Welcome Mary
Now I'm proud of myself because I just figured out how to become a member of the Netzhammer blog. I read all of the interesting stories and will certainly have some to add soon. Anything that helps us to stay in touch is great. Dad, keep those history lessons coming. The cruise is only 12 days away, I wish Mel and Ward's families could be with us. Maybe I'll figure out how to send pictures on this blog, so they can feel like they were there with us.
Monday, June 25, 2007
The (Great) Grandmothers--A History Lesson Part I
Today, my children, I would like to discuss my grandmothers, your great-grandmothers. I was blessed to have four grandparents until I was nine and believe they had a great influence on my life.
Grandma Netz: Frances Reiser 1883-1950. Since Carmel and I were the only grandchildren we had their unconditional and undivided love. We spent pretty much time with them, weekends and other times when our parents needed babysitters. When I was about five we moved six blocks from their house and I would walk to their house several times a week. My Dad’s and Uncle Frank’s beds were still in the house and we each had one. I remember the beds had moss mattresses.
I remember her as being very German—she and Grandpa Netz brewed their own beers, Homebrew, made cream cheese and ate limburger cheese. She would dress to the nines to go to church and whenever we were there on a Sunday she would take us with her—the Evangelical Church. She was so happy and proud to introduce us to her friends.
My relationship with Grandma Netz would have been very similar to your relationship with your Granny, so you can appreciate the bond. When I was a sophomore in high school I went over to their house after supper to get something. She had a friend over and when I went in the room she pulled me over to her and sat me on her lap and introduced me to her friend. That night she died in her sleep of a stroke. We got the call early the next morning and from that moment Grandpa Netz was a different person. He went from an outgoing person who would come over and fix anything that needed fixing take us to the levee to collect clover for our Easter baskets to almost a recluse. You had to beg him to come over even for holiday dinners.
Grandma Lozes: Anna Willmes 1870-1956. The relationship with Grandma Lozes was very different. First, there were 17 cousins who shared her affections. Second, she`was very reserved. Third, she had broken a hip before I was born and was always either on crutches or in a wheel chair. My Aunt Alma lived with them and took responsibility for her after Grandpa Lozes died even though she had a significant job with the Port of Embarkation. And into the picture comes Uncle George (remember the dollar bills he gave you when we stopped to see him after community). He also took care of his mother. In those days children took care of their parents.. In those days children took care of their parents. In those days children took care of their parents!!. (something happened to my printer) Anyway, he also worked at the Port and Aunt Alma and George went together for 30 years. Finally, his mother died and they were ready to marry. My parents agreed to take in Grandma Lozes and made an apartment in our basement. . An article appeared in the paper about the couple who worked at the Port and went steady for 30 years. Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived. After three years Aunt Alma died of cancer.
Grandma Netz: Frances Reiser 1883-1950. Since Carmel and I were the only grandchildren we had their unconditional and undivided love. We spent pretty much time with them, weekends and other times when our parents needed babysitters. When I was about five we moved six blocks from their house and I would walk to their house several times a week. My Dad’s and Uncle Frank’s beds were still in the house and we each had one. I remember the beds had moss mattresses.
I remember her as being very German—she and Grandpa Netz brewed their own beers, Homebrew, made cream cheese and ate limburger cheese. She would dress to the nines to go to church and whenever we were there on a Sunday she would take us with her—the Evangelical Church. She was so happy and proud to introduce us to her friends.
My relationship with Grandma Netz would have been very similar to your relationship with your Granny, so you can appreciate the bond. When I was a sophomore in high school I went over to their house after supper to get something. She had a friend over and when I went in the room she pulled me over to her and sat me on her lap and introduced me to her friend. That night she died in her sleep of a stroke. We got the call early the next morning and from that moment Grandpa Netz was a different person. He went from an outgoing person who would come over and fix anything that needed fixing take us to the levee to collect clover for our Easter baskets to almost a recluse. You had to beg him to come over even for holiday dinners.
Grandma Lozes: Anna Willmes 1870-1956. The relationship with Grandma Lozes was very different. First, there were 17 cousins who shared her affections. Second, she`was very reserved. Third, she had broken a hip before I was born and was always either on crutches or in a wheel chair. My Aunt Alma lived with them and took responsibility for her after Grandpa Lozes died even though she had a significant job with the Port of Embarkation. And into the picture comes Uncle George (remember the dollar bills he gave you when we stopped to see him after community). He also took care of his mother. In those days children took care of their parents.. In those days children took care of their parents. In those days children took care of their parents!!. (something happened to my printer) Anyway, he also worked at the Port and Aunt Alma and George went together for 30 years. Finally, his mother died and they were ready to marry. My parents agreed to take in Grandma Lozes and made an apartment in our basement. . An article appeared in the paper about the couple who worked at the Port and went steady for 30 years. Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived. After three years Aunt Alma died of cancer.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Mel in Superior
I'm midway through my first visit to Superior, Wisconsin. It's a city of about 20,000 on the shore of Lake Superior. Combined with Duluth, Minnesota, which has a population of 80,000, it's a nice area of the country. The hospitality has been wonderful. My hotel is on Barker Island and the walks along the water are very nice.
This is also my first experience with a conference of only 30 people. Usually the smallest ones I go to have 300 people. It's all very intimate and very nice.
This is also my first experience with a conference of only 30 people. Usually the smallest ones I go to have 300 people. It's all very intimate and very nice.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Keene State Talks about Anna Belle and Emile
One of our professors at Keene State took a class of students down to New Orleans to complete a service learning project. In a service learning course you use service projects as a means to reaching the learning outcomes for a course. In this case it was a sociology course. The editor of our student newspaper was one of the students in the class, and he made arrangements with mom and dad to conduct an interview. It turns out that the parents hosted all 10 of the students for breakfast.
Last night, the students presented their research and information about their trip. One of the segments they put together was "Meet the Netzhammers." While there were a few technical difficulties, it was very interested to hear them talk about our story. I'm working on getting a copy of the video to either post here or get around to the family.
They were really happy to have had a chance to get to know ma and pa.
They also cooked a New Orleans meal for the crowd as a fundraiser for the city. Excellent red beans and rice.
Last night, the students presented their research and information about their trip. One of the segments they put together was "Meet the Netzhammers." While there were a few technical difficulties, it was very interested to hear them talk about our story. I'm working on getting a copy of the video to either post here or get around to the family.
They were really happy to have had a chance to get to know ma and pa.
They also cooked a New Orleans meal for the crowd as a fundraiser for the city. Excellent red beans and rice.
Mel and Barack
Barack Obama came to Keene in April, and I was assigned the task of introducing him to a crowd of 2,500 students and community members. Barack was definitely a star, and by association I was given the star treatment. The cord around my neck is connected to a pass that would get me anywhere.When Barack arrived (I called him "Senator;" He said, "Call me Barack.") I got about 5 minutes of time to welcome him to campus and chat. Then I introduced him to the students who had invited him to campus.
He went into the clutch (that's the room where big donors get a piece of the candidate before the public address), and I went into the gym to handle the big introduction. I got a standing ovation. I'm sure pretty much anyone would have, but it was cool nonetheless. People laughed at my jokes, too.
Felicien Lozes--A History Lesson
Today I will give equal time to your great grandfather on my mother's side. Grampa Lozes. Felicien Lozes. Born in 1870, married at 19, 1889, and died in 1942. I was nine when he died and remember much about him. Until I was five or six we lived two blocks away and spent much time in their house. A big, beautiful house with many rooms and two porches off the second floor and two off the first. They had six children ( your grandmother was the second to youngest) and we gathered often at the house and only one room was used upstairs (Aunt Alma was still living at home) so we had a lot of places to play hide n seek, etc. They also had a slave quarters in the back, another interesting place.
He was a butcher all his life and in his obit it states that he had a stall in the Ninth Street Market for 54 years. From age 18 to his death at 72. It also states that for the last 11 years he was president of the N. O. Butchers Co-op Abattoir Co. That was the slaughter house for the area located in St. Bernard and I remember Sunday rides over there. They had a beautiful house, and were the only people I knew for many years who owned a car. He probably inherited money from his father who was not only a butcher, but also in his obit was listed as a ship chandler. (Supplied meat and provisions to ships) His obit was also unique in that it said he was a big man, 330 pounds, a volunteer fireman and that instead of a hearse he was moved on a fire tuck It also says he liked to dance.
Writing this brought back many memories and so I will propose a question for you folks. I can remember two events when I was 3 or 4, fragmented of course, that happened at each grandparents house. The Netzhammer house--Antoinette and Frank's wedding reception. At their house, a big tin garage in the back had kegs of been and the eats. At the Lozes house--my Aunt Claire's wedding. I remember her coming down the stairwell and some of us were under the stairs in our hideout.
So today, children I propose a question for you to share with us. What is one of your earliest memories. The advantage you have is that we perhaps can fill in some of the blanks.
He was a butcher all his life and in his obit it states that he had a stall in the Ninth Street Market for 54 years. From age 18 to his death at 72. It also states that for the last 11 years he was president of the N. O. Butchers Co-op Abattoir Co. That was the slaughter house for the area located in St. Bernard and I remember Sunday rides over there. They had a beautiful house, and were the only people I knew for many years who owned a car. He probably inherited money from his father who was not only a butcher, but also in his obit was listed as a ship chandler. (Supplied meat and provisions to ships) His obit was also unique in that it said he was a big man, 330 pounds, a volunteer fireman and that instead of a hearse he was moved on a fire tuck It also says he liked to dance.
Writing this brought back many memories and so I will propose a question for you folks. I can remember two events when I was 3 or 4, fragmented of course, that happened at each grandparents house. The Netzhammer house--Antoinette and Frank's wedding reception. At their house, a big tin garage in the back had kegs of been and the eats. At the Lozes house--my Aunt Claire's wedding. I remember her coming down the stairwell and some of us were under the stairs in our hideout.
So today, children I propose a question for you to share with us. What is one of your earliest memories. The advantage you have is that we perhaps can fill in some of the blanks.
Grandpa Netz--A History Lesson
My Grandpa Netz, your great grandfather, was one of 11--seven girls and four boys. Only one of the girls married and she had no children. (Ref: the aunts back o town. The mother died giving birth to the last child and an aunt came from Baden Baden Germany to raise the 11 children. The Netzhammers had a lot of land in Carrollton and their home and blacksmith shop was on the corner of Oak and Dublin Streets. Grampa Netz was a blacksmith, had a horse and buggy bread delivery business and finally was a Dock Board Policeman. They also had a cow or cows and both my dad and uncle Frank claimed they had to milk the cow before school and when they came home. Grampa Netz died in 1965 at age 94.
(sent by dad)
(sent by dad)
Monday, June 18, 2007
About this Blog
Hello Netzhammers...those by birth, those by marriage, those by choice, those by accident (and by that I mean those who stumble across this blog. Here's the deal. We're still working to become Web 2.0 as a family, and this is my latest attempt. This blog is a way to keep track of what's going on in the family and to leave comments for each other.
To leave a post, you can send it to me or you can send me an email address and password (not the one you usually use) and I'll fix it so you can post things yourself. To comment on a post, just click on "comment" at the bottom of the post.
You can follow my other blog if you'd like at melonmedia.blogspot.com.
To leave a post, you can send it to me or you can send me an email address and password (not the one you usually use) and I'll fix it so you can post things yourself. To comment on a post, just click on "comment" at the bottom of the post.
You can follow my other blog if you'd like at melonmedia.blogspot.com.
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