May 31.
Do you have any good bathtime stories?
When at the age of 2 & 3 I
took a bath in a square wash tub which
is used for rinsing clothes out of the wash
machine. I out grew that tub by age 5 and
had to take baths with wash cloth and sink.
When I turned eight yers old dad built the house on the farm which had a tub in it.
Also a shower in the basement.
May 30.
Grandpa & Grandma De Haan Grandma DH smoking a candy cigarette.
Ben M, Rob Rowenhorst, Johna M Jackie Punt
Grandpa back of Head
May 29.
Tell about the closest friend you had during your childhood.
It was a cousin named Arlin Plender.
He had a pony and so did I. We would ride
to each others' place and did things
together.
May 28.
Did you play a musical instrument?
Yes, I took piano lessons
for 2 1/2 years, I could play hymns but
never continued on. It did help for singing
and know the keys used. I always wished our
high school would have had a band. I would've played
something I'm sure.
May 27.
Share a special memory of Memorial Day.
I remember a cousin did
not come home alive after WWII. He
died while cleaning his guy which had a bullet
in it and went off and killed him. He is
buried in OC Cemetery. I always think of him
on that day.
May 26.
Tell about Memorial Day traditions during your youth.
Many times the Plender families would go to
a park for dinner and play softball.
Went fishing a time or two but never caught
very many fish. Then they would be dead
by the time we got home so just dumped
them in the spreader with the dead pigs,
That is why I never got interested in fishing.
May 25.
Were there consequences?
Yes, Dad whipped us all.
The boy with the white belt
may be your dad. Uncle
Rick is looking this way.
Ask your dad if he thinks
it is he.
May 24.
What was the dumbest stunt pulled by you and a brother or sister?
Throwing a ball as fall as we
could. The barn was in striking
distance. A window in the barn was
hit and smashed.
May 23.
Did you have homework during your school years?
Yes I would bring home a text book
of some subject and study it before
going to bed for the night.
May 22.
Tell about your graduation exercises or traditions. How many students were in your graduating class?
We always had a
commencement ceremony.
It would begin with the processial of the
Sr class and all the faculty. The principal was
the MC. Speeches by Valdictarian and Saloletarian.
Awards for achievements handed out. I received the
athletic award. A song or two by the
mixed chorus. Supt handing out diplomas.
May 20.
What year did you graduate from high school? What do you recall about your feelings, emotions, hopes and dreams at this time of your life?
1956 I was glad to graduate but
didn't know if I wanted to go to college.
When college started teh next fall I decided to go.
My parents didn't encourage it however.
Looking back I was glad I went to NW College. The
experience is great learning in itself. Plus got to
know a multitude of people one would not get to
know if hadn't gone to college. Went on choir tour
to Denver churches and other places witnessing for Christ.
May 19.
If you have another photograph of your childhood to share, place it here.
Two old ladies sitting on a park
bench conversing. One says to the
other, which is farther away the
moon or Florida. The other
lady says: dah can you see Florida?
May 18.
What early childhood rhymes or songs do you remember?
Old Mother Hubbard
Bah bah black sheep
Little boy blue
Twinkle twinkle little star
May 16 & 17.
Share a memory involving a war during your childhood or youth.
I remember at age 6 & 7 I would
listen to the radio on news how
the II World War was going.
My dad would listen too.
May 15.
Describe your military experience or that of someone in your family.
I was not involved in any
military altho I went for a
physical in 1957. There wasn't any conflicts
in the world so I was never called to duty.
I remember brothers Glenn and Lee
going into the military Glenn to Virginia
where he was a mechanic for Army
trucks for 1 1/2 years. Lee went to Germany
for 2 years. They both came home
and started farming.
May 14.
Tell about the first dance you ever went to.
I might never go to dances.
My parents forbade me to go.
Did your high school have a promo or formal dance.
We had a Jr, Sr, banquet
every year in April. Boys in suits, girls in
formals. The Soph class would serve the
food and fun time. A few dates but
not me.
May 13.
What kind of dances did you do as a youth?
Not much - step with the beat to
the music.
May 12.
Tell a favorite singer and a song that he/she sang?
George Beverly Shea sang for the Billy Graham
Crusades for many years. "I'd rather have
Jesus" was one song he sang after which
had very good works and meanings I liked
very much.
May 11.
What was your favorite singing group or band?
When I was a Soph in
HS the Blackwood Bros. quartet gave a
concert in Newkirk gym. From then on
I was hooked on Southern Gospel Music
Now there are dozens of Groups who sing
SGM I like them all.
May 10.
Name some popular hit songs from your youth.
"A White Sport Coat and a Pink
Carnation"
I did wear one at our Jr Sr banquet
when I was a Sr
May 9.
What did you learn from your mother?
Be responsible for your actions
and don't be two faced. Say
what you mean and follow thru what
ever the consequences.
May 8.
Relate your family Mother's Day traditions, or tell me more about what kind of person your mother was.
We would buy our mother a
coursage - Glenn, Lee & I.
I would by your Grandma Ardean
a coursage and say it was from her
kids. When the kids, R L T B, were
old enough they would by her the coursage.
Coursages' are out of date now.
I see very few mothers having
one now days.
May 7.
Tell about some good advice your mother gave you.
Always put on clean
underwear when going on
a trip. Hang up the clothes
to wear again or put them in the
hamper for the wash.
May 6.
Tell a favorite memory of your mother.
My mother was very clean and
sanitary. Washed her hands always before
touching food. Gave encouragement many
times.
May 5.
Did your mother ever make a special gift for you?
My mother was a very good cook,
She made many foods I liked like
marshmello nut cake with nut frosting
known as the Plender cake. Your
grandma and now Dianne makes it for me. Yum.
(note: I made him his birthday cake this past year. *pats myself on my back)
May 4.
Were you ever bitten by a dog?
Yes, when I was about 6 years old mom
put table scraps food into the dogs' pan.
I came from behind the dog and sat on
him and he bit me in the face. I
still have a scar from that. The dog
was afraid I was going to take the
food away from him so he bit me.
My dad beat the dog up for
biting me.
May 3.
Grandpa Bennie
De Haan Mulder
May 2.
What were May Baskets made of and what did they contain?
May baskets are for girls I
never had one or used one
May 1.
Tell about a May Day tradition.
