Wednesday's Child - Ronald Strean

"Ronald Strean

Ronald Strean, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Strean of Campbellsport was instantly killed at 6:15 p.m. June 3, when he was struck by a car driven by Earl Manthei of Kewaskum.  The youth was riding a bicycle on County trunk Y about a mile east of Campbellsport when the mishap occurred.

Ronald was born in the town of Auburn on September 29, 1938.  He attended St. Matthew's parochial school in Campbellsport and received his eighth grade diploma from the school the past week.

He is survived by his parents, three brothers, Robert of Lomira, Royal and Reuben of Barton, his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Amanda Strean of this city, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Coenen of Little Chute, Wisconsin.

The remains were in state at the Twohig Funeral home, Campbellsport, and funeral services were conducted at St. Matthew's catholic church there at 8:30 Monday morning, June 16.  The Rev. Peter Schwamb officiated and burial was in the parish cemetery."

No year or newspaper name written on the clipping.

Tombstone Tuesday - Michael Paul Brown - Vietnam KIA

Saint Gabriel's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hazleton, PA

Michael P. Brown's Senior Picture

Michael Paul Brown is my 2nd cousin once removed.  He was killed in Xom Dau, Tinh Long An, Long An, Vietnam while the 1/4 ton vehicle he was traveling in was hit by an enemy B40 recoilless round at close range.  Even though Michael was killed before I was born, I feel a connection with him.  A Radio Research Company would be a precursor to the same unit I served in.  The same type of unit and 30 years before I did.  I need to request his military records.  I am curious about the type of job he did and often wonder if it was similar to mine.

Military Monday - Edward Charles Cayemberg

Green Bay Press-Gazette

"Conduct Rites for Lt. E. Cayemberg, Korean War Victim

Special to Press-Gazette

NAHMA, Mich. - Final rites for Lt. Edward Cayemberg, Korean war victim, were held recently at the St. Andrews Catholic church here.  The Rev. O'Neil Durmore performed the rites, assisted by Father Melicam and Father Saciotte, and burial was in the Ensign cemetery.

Lt. Cayemberg was born May 4, 1929, in Pulaski and later moved to ensign with his parents.  He was killed in action in Korea on July 29, 1950, while serving as a navigator on a B-26.

Sgt. Robert Cayemberg flew from Germany to escort his brother's body home and another brother, Sgt. Earl Cayemberg, has returned from Korea for the rites and is visiting a sister, Mrs. Albert Gouin, 817 E. Walnut street, Green Bay.

Among those attending the rites was the 82-year-old grandmother of the deceased, Mrs. Eli Cayemberg of Pulaski, who came with Walter Cayemberg, also of Pulaski.  Attending from Tonet were Mrs. Eli Cravillion and Elmer Guillette.

From Green Bay were Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Cayemberg, Frank Cayemberg, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Cayemberg, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Moureau and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moureau, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fellows, Mrs. Russell Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Gouin and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gouin.  Mr. and Mrs. William Kranzuoch of Appleton also attended.”

Hand-dated, July 29, 1950, Green Bay Press-Gazette

Sunday Supper - Guinness Stew over Colcannon

With Saint Patrick's Day coming up (and me being 50% Irish), I've begun experimenting with various recipes so that this year's celebration does not resemble last year's dreadful corned-beef-and-cabbage-makes-me-want-to-vomit scenario.  I wanted to make a good Irish stew in my slow cooker but frankly all of the recipes looked like they may lack a little flavor so I switched to recipes for Guinness stew and after reading several and not finding one that really suited me, I decided to use my new found research of these recipes and create one with bits from all and add a little me to it.  I tried it out last week and it was very good.  It's a "go" for the holiday.  I served it over regular mashed potatoes instead of rice or noodles (that's why I didn't include any potatoes in the stew), but it will be served over Colcannon on the big day.

The Colcannon recipe was created last year.  I took the recipe from my "Little Irish Cookbook" and screwed it up when I did my shopping.  Well, it wasn't really a screw up.  I bought bacon for it thinking that the bacon was supposed to be in there and when I opened the book to start cooking realized I was wrong.  Instead of saving the bacon for another occasion I used the philosophy that "everything's better with bacon" and it turned out to be so true! :)

To be sure there will be more Irish recipes following as we approach the holiday.  They aren't family recipes in the sense that they were passed on to me, but recipes that I am making because of my love for my Irish heritage and wanting to start a tradition with my children that I can only hope they will share with their families as the grow up.

Guinness Stew

(the measurements are approximate but should be close.  Season to your taste!)

4-5 lbs beef stew meat
1 c. flour
1 tbsp kosher salt
1/2 tbsp fresh cracked black pepper
3 tbsp canola oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 tbsp beef broth (I used 4 tbsp water and added a scoop of beef paste since I don't keep stock in my house)
1 bottle Guinness (yes I used the whole thing)
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp thyme, dried
1 tsp rosemary, dried
1 large onion (it was a monster.  Probably the size of 2 mediums...maybe 2 cups), chopped
1 (2 lb) bag of baby carrots
1 lb of mushrooms, quartered (or more if desired)
1 c. sour cream

Trim meat of any large pieces of fat (if desired) and place the stew meat in a large bowl.  Mix together the flour, salt and pepper.  Add to the beef and toss to coat.  Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add canola oil.  When hot add the beef (in batches, if necessary, adding more oil if needed) and brown.  Place browned meat in the slow cooker (don't cook the meat all the way through.  You just want to brown it.

Add the onion and carrots to the slow cooker.  In a bowl mix together the tomato paste, beef broth, garlic, thyme, rosemary and beer.  Pour over the meat and vegetables.  Set your slow cooker to low to cook (my slow cooker's lowest setting is 10 hours).

About 1 hour before cooking is done add the mushrooms to the stew (they came out perfectly). Tested it and adjusted seasonings to taste (I personally added a little additional garlic powder since the fresh didn't pack enough punch and some onion powder). Five minutes before serving I stirred in 1 cup sour cream.

Colcannon

8 med potatoes, peeled and chopped (The smaller the pieces the quicker they will cook)
1 bunch scallions, chopped (abt 8)
1/2 c. milk
1 small head of cabbage, shredded then chopped (discard stump)
1 lb bacon, cut into pieces
salt
pepper
butter


Place the potatoes into a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Shred and chop the cabbage.  Add to a pot covered with water and bring to a boil.

While the potatoes and cabbage are cooking cut the uncooked bacon into pieces; fry until done.  Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

Remove cabbage and potatoes when done (a fork will easily pierce a potato that is easily cooked).  Drain.  Return the potatoes to their pot to keep warm and for some of the water to evaporate from the potatoes.

While the potatoes are losing some of their moisture add the scallions to the milk and simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Mash the potatoes with the milk and scallions, adding salt, pepper and butter to your taste (you know best your you like your mashed potatoes!).  Add the cabbage and bacon and serve.

NOTE:  If the potatoes are too wet simply place the mixture into a pot on the stove to evaporate some of the moisture.  You can simply add the milk a little at a time to avoid this, but ensure that all the scallions get in and aren't left behind in the milk if it's not all used.

52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History - At the Copa...

Sounds - Describe any sounds that take you back to your childhood.  These could be familiar songs, jingles, children playing, or something entirely different.


Hearing Barry Manilow not only brings me back to my childhood, but it takes me to a very happy time in my childhood.  A time before my parents' divorce began.  My mother would play her "Barry baby" records and clean the house or bake, singing the whole time!

My dad hated Barry...although part of me thinks he only hated him because he was a handsome man with talent that my mother adored...or perhaps just because my mother found enjoyment in his songs.  That's just the man my father was and is.  Sadly, because of my father's berating of Barry I grew up feeling as though I too did not like "the songs that make the whole world sing".  As I matured and entered college I realize upon hearing him once more that not only did I enjoy his music because he was talented, but because it reminded me of a happy time in my childhood.

I took to listening to Barry Manilow quite often through college.  I remember a time when my roommate, some other friends and I were sitting in our room listening to Barry, singing aloud and drinking root beer from bottles when our Resident Assistant banged on our door in an attempt to bust us for having alcohol in our room.  How foolish she looked!  How silly the write-up would have been if we had been boozing it up to Barry! :)

So I've come full circle.  I have my own children and I enjoy torturing them with my bad sing-a-longs to "Copacabana" and "Weekend in New England".  They don't generally fight with me when I play Barry.  They get a laugh out of mommy dancing and singing when she cooks or cleans.  While my husband does not share my appreciation for his music, I can say I married a better man than my father because apart from a kind teasing about it, he tolerates it very well!

Following Friday - She Makes Me So Jealous!

I've got a few blogs that I need to do a "Following Friday" on and 2 of them have already been kind enough to do one on me.  I've been distracted and should have done this much sooner. So I'll start at the very beginning...I hear it's a very good place to start...

Jennifer Woods is the goddess divine behind the blog, "Climbing My Family Tree" and she is the reason I've been introduced to you all.  I wanted to start my way down this genealogical path and when I started my blog she told me about Geneabloggers and told me to get my butt over there and recommend my blog.  What wonderful advice that was and I will forever be thankful.

Jenn is more than another genea-blogger to me.  We go back to 1997-ish when we were both stationed in San Antonio, TX.  She was in the Air Force and I was in the Army but I was still lucky enough to work with her.  San Antonio was great for the both of us.  It's where she married her hubby and where I met mine.  Great times, great friends!  Gosh time flies as we get older.  It seems like yesterday!

She makes me so jealous!  Her blog is not only informative and fun to read, but so creative and beautifully laid out!  When I grow up, I want to be more like her :)

I know many of my followers have also been following Jenn's "Climbing My Family Tree", but if you haven't I suggest you head on over and check her out.  You will not be disappointed!

Next week another excellent blog by another dear friend that just started blogging!

Thriller Thursday - Some People Just Can't Be Good, Part I

Helen Elizabeth Bronsavage nee Sabulash was my great uncle, Anthony Bronsavage's, wife.  Too bad she didn't act that way.  It got her in more than a little bit of trouble...

The Plain Speaker, 02MAY1949

"Man Found Shot To Death In Freeland:  Hold Witnesses

State and county police authorities were continuing their investigation today into the shotgun death of Louis Broton, 34, of Freeland, formerly of Harleigh, whose body was found early yesterday morning in the small two-room home at Freeland heights which he had rented only 14 hours before.

An official finding of homicide or suicide was still pending.  Dr. Lewis Reese, Luzerne county coroner, said yesterday at Freeland following the post mortem, "There is no decision yet as to whether this is a case of homicide or a suicide."

Two persons, a man and a woman, who are alleged to have been in the company of Broton Saturday evening, are being held as material witnesses by State Police.  Police withheld their names for the present.

State police said today that the ownership of the shotgun found at the scene has not been determined.  According to their investigation, Broton never owned a shotgun and how the weapon came to be there, has still not been determined.

The body was found in a small room, approximately 8 by 8 feet in size.  It was lying on a small mattress which was on the floor, police said.  The shotgun was also found on the floor, a short distance from the body.

Police said today that Broton rented the home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the owner, George B. Hudock of 406 Washington street, Freeland.  He and the woman moved a few possessions into the place at about 4 o'clock.

The woman went into Freeland to buy some groceries, she told police and returned home at about 8 o'clock.  she said the man, the other person being held, who also lives in a small home nearby, were drinking beer.  When the men left later in the evening, Broton went into the small room to sleep.

The man's story agreed with the woman's details, except in the time element, police said.  The woman told police she went into the room later and found Broton trying to put two shells into the shotgun.  She took them from him and later turned them over to police.

She said when she went into the room a second time, she found him dead, and immediately ran for help.  She told police she did not hear the shot, although she claimed to be in the next room during that time.  Police were called at 4:40 a. m.

John E. Jurica, of Freeland, deputy coroner, examined the body and called Dr. Reese, the county coroner.

Dr. Jules Foldes, Hazleton State Hospital pathologist, performed the post mortem in the Jurica funeral home, and at its conclusion, Dr. Reese said that cause of death was due to a shotgun charge which had blown off the top of the head.  He added that the charge had traveled from the front to the rear of the skull.

According to reports, Broton was married but was separated from his wife and family, who are now said to be living in New Jersey.

County Detective Michael Cassic, of Hazleton, was in charge of the county investigation.  Cpl. Robert Musser and Pvt. Louis Shupnik, of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Wyoming Barracks, took pictures at the scene and also dusted the shotgun for fingerprints.

After the post mortem, Coroner Reese released the body to a brother, Anthony Broton."

The Plain Speaker, Monday afternoon edition, 02MAY1949

What isn't mentioned in this article is that she was married as well, and to my knowledge was not divorced from her husband.  I suppose they were estranged but as far as I know there was no divorce paperwork filed (note to self - verify, just for the sake of good drama shaking the family tree...).  Anthony and Helen had a young 7 year old daughter at home when this happened.  Apparently, momma preferred to not parent.  

So the story is entertaining.  I see holes that I can drive a semi through.  Apparently so did the police...

The Gettysburg Times, 17NOV1949

 "Defendant Weeps At Court Trial

Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Nov. 17 (AP) - The Commonwealth succeeded in (??) the records five statements allegedly made and signed voluntarily by Mrs Helen Bronsavage 38 concerning the slaying of Louis Broton

Mrs. Bronsavage, West Hazleton, broke into tears on Tuesday when a statement which police said she made was read into the records.

The statement quoted Mrs Bronsavage as saying she was glad she killed Broton because she was good to him and didn't deserve the treatment she received from him.

'He threatened me so long, I thought it was either my life or his,' the statement said 'We had quarreled many times and I had taken many beatings and abuses from him I'm glad I killed him because he'd have killed me I didn't deserve to be treated like that I tried to be good to him and was getting to be a nervous wreck' "

A bit different story some 6 months after Mr. Broton was killed and the story must have been getting some media attention since it was picked up by the AP!  There's more to this saga, but we'll take it in pieces.  Wait until next "Thriller Thursday" for another update on the trial and the verdict...

FOLLOW UP (01MAR2011) - Sadly the Luzerne County Coroner will not release information on their reports and there are no trial records for this time period, because I'm told they 1) just didn't keep stuff like that (mmm....K...), and 2) records prior to 1972 were lost in the flood caused by Hurricane Agnes.  Drat!