Following Friday - Born to Blog!

As I said during my last Following Friday, there are a few blogs that I need to direct my modest readers to.  I began with a dear friend that introduced me to the geneablogging community and I will continue with an even older friend that just started her geneablogging!

Becky Rueblinger of Barking Up Our Family Tree and I go all the way back to the early 1990s during our time together at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.  Facebook is such an awesome tool and has brought me back in touch with such wonderful friends! Genealogy was not something that we were into in college, but as it turns out we actually became obsessed with it about the same time!

Becky had been posting "Notes" on Facebook with her genealogy finds and they were so incredibly well-written and researched (not surprising since she's a brilliant woman)!  She was a blogger in need of a blog!  She jumped right in, got her blog up and running and got it on Genebloggers.

Even her short blogs will make you smile and show the attention to detail she has!  A particular favorite was a picture of her grandma with a sign "Credit makes enemies,  Let's be friends!"  I would so have missed that detail in the picture!

And she has experienced some genealogical luck that I know would have the rest of us green with envy...her husband's family received a letter from an ancestor's homeland from someone they'd never met introducing himself because he's researching his family history and wanted to share information! Something most of us can only fantasize about (at least I hope I'm not the only one)!

She continually puts out awesome posts, brimming with excitement.  Each time I read a post, I'm motivated to do more, as I'm sure you'll be after checking her out!  Head on over and spend some time at Barking Up Our Family Tree!  You will not be disappointed!

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

Williamsport News 17NOV1949

"Mrs. Bronsavage Faints On Stand In Murder Trial

WILKES-BARRE (AP) - Mrs. Helen E. Bronsavage of West Hazleton fainted Wednesday during her trial on charges of murdering her common-law-husband, Louis Broton.

The 39-year-old woman told the jury Broton beat her "unmercifully" the night before he died from a shotgun blast.

She related how she went to his room and saw a gun beside him.  She said he was asleep and she reached for the gun.  But then he took hold of it and it went off, killing Broton, Mrs. Bronsavage testified."

Now it sounds a bit more like Roxy Hart Chicago style drama.  

As I mentioned last Thriller Thursday, Mrs. Bronsavage is my great-uncle, Anthony Bronsavage's, wife.  I don't know exactly when they were married (not my direct line so I didn't shell out the $$ for the record, but this is all pretty interesting so I may have to do that). Sadly, I have discovered since last Thriller Thursday the court records were lost in the flood brought on in 1972 by Hurricane Agnes, and that the courts at that time didn't keep the minutes from the trials. 

So Helen is on trial for murder.  The man she murdered is referred to as her "common-law-husband".  Hmm...I'll have to check into that one since I was fairly certain that she needed to be divorced before that reference could be used.  Perhaps it was just easier than to call her a trampy chick that was sleazing about, living with another man while married...anyway, outcome of the trial:

The Gettysburg Times, 18NOV1949

"Acquit Woman in Murder Case

Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Nov. 18 (AP) - Mrs Helen Bronsavage, 39, was acquitted last night in the shot-gun slaying of her common-law husband Louis Broton, 34, in a two-room cabin on the outskirts of Freeland.

A jury of nine women and three men brought in the verdict after receiving the case from Judge Thomas M Lewis shortly after noon.

The commonwealth sought a first degree murder verdict District Attorney Leon Schwartz built the state's case largely on five statements which police claimed Mrs Bronsavage made shortly after Broton was found dead last May 1.

Broton's skull had been shattered by a blast from a shotgun which lay near him in the shack.

Mrs Bronsavage said on the witness stand that Broton beat her "unmercifully" the night before he was slain.

She said she went to Broton's room and saw a gun beside him.  She testified Broton was asleep but as she reached for the gun he awakened and took hold of the weapon."

Seriously, I'm waiting to hear Richard Gere sing, "We Both Reached For The Gun"!  I'm a bit suspicious of the number of women on the jury as well.  I mean 3/4 of the jury was women who would be more empathic to an abusive partner.  In my opinion she quite literally got away with murder.  Not saying that she wasn't abused, but she's no angel either, which I will touch on in next week's conclusion, because as the title implies, "Some people just can't be good"...and she wasn't...TO BE CONTINUED...

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!