by MarianBeaman | Dec 13, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, neighborhood, Quotations
Once upon a time my Grandma Longenecker and Aunt Ruthie welcomed strangers into their home. They hosted Phuong Le from Viet Nam, their first refugee “daughter.” After Grandma died my aunt carried on the tradition opening her door to refugees...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 8, 2017 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Nostalgia, Quotations, Uncategorized
I found Aunt Ruthie’s autograph book at the bottom of this painted chest under a pile of blankets, dolls, and vintage clothing. Her classmates from Elizabethtown High School class of 1935 Wrote in her autograph book. Some sayings were Sweet, Some were silly. Three...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 18, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Uncategorized
Ask any question beginning with Who? What? When? Where? How? Why? Or Offer some answers that I can possibly verify A story may build A tale may be told Why not be bold!
by MarianBeaman | Oct 11, 2017 | blog, Memory, Mennonite History, Tips, Uncategorized
Writing memoir is like drawing a self portrait while looking in the mirror. Sort of. Don’t be surprised if your picture turns out backwards. Which may not be such a bad thing! And so I began . . . Two and one-half years ago after taking an online memoir-writing course...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 27, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
Mennonite Girls Went Camping in the 1940s with a tepee bringing their own food and a box camera How Many Were There? There were six women – unless a wo/man lurking in the bushes grabbed the camera and snapped this shot. Go ahead and count . . . When Did They...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 13, 2017 | blog, Conflict, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, neighborhood, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
“Janice, hurry up. This is a catastrophe!” My scream pierced the early morning air. I had bounded up the stairs shortly after 7:00 a.m. to check the bedrooms before the Ruth Longenecker property sale. Prospective buyers were already milling through our aunt’s house...
