(1993 July, Rueping memoir)
The Rueping summer estate was bounded on the east by Lake Winnebago, on the west by the highway running north from Fond du Lac to Taycheedah; along the north and south sides was a four-foot prickly hedge to keep intruders out. The Ruepings lived in three "cottages," which were just like houses, painted grey, etc. They fronted on the highway, and a semicircular, graveled drive, neatly edged, ran from it around the back of the cottages and then curved back to the highway again. Our house was across the road; there was also a "dance hall" and a boat house on an artificial island in the lake, reached by arched bridges, like Chinese ones. Frank Parsons designed and built the hoat house. The motor boats and canoe were stored above, under the ceiling, in the winter.
October 16, 2012
October 15, 2012
Who were the Ruepings?
(1993 July, Rueping memoirs)
You asked me ... "Who were the Ruepings?" And I could use this whole new tablet and more trying to explain this Fond du Lac family to you. But just let me say they were a rich German family for whom my father worked while I was in high school. [They owned the "Fred Rueping Leather Co., tanners and curriers" (per business card) in Fond du Lac. They had several town houses, but in summer they shared an estate about two miles north of Fond du Lac, on the western shore of Lake Winnebago. In 1917 Frank Parsons became the caretaker and landscape gardner of their estate, when Polly had completed 8th grade in Green Lake, and he continued in that position well into the 1920s. Polly recorded her extensive memories haphazardly as they came to her; I have reorganized and tacitly amplified them.]
You asked me ... "Who were the Ruepings?" And I could use this whole new tablet and more trying to explain this Fond du Lac family to you. But just let me say they were a rich German family for whom my father worked while I was in high school. [They owned the "Fred Rueping Leather Co., tanners and curriers" (per business card) in Fond du Lac. They had several town houses, but in summer they shared an estate about two miles north of Fond du Lac, on the western shore of Lake Winnebago. In 1917 Frank Parsons became the caretaker and landscape gardner of their estate, when Polly had completed 8th grade in Green Lake, and he continued in that position well into the 1920s. Polly recorded her extensive memories haphazardly as they came to her; I have reorganized and tacitly amplified them.]
October 12, 2012
Dance hall
(1992 Memoirs)
when I was staying with Aunt Olga in Oconto, there was a dance hall two houses from her (on Main Street) and I would go there with a girl friend about my age and dance. Not waltzes -- perhaps a one-step. I do not remember how the music was provided or what it was.
when I was staying with Aunt Olga in Oconto, there was a dance hall two houses from her (on Main Street) and I would go there with a girl friend about my age and dance. Not waltzes -- perhaps a one-step. I do not remember how the music was provided or what it was.
October 11, 2012
Pleasing Frank Parsons
(1992 Memoirs)
Once or twice my father came to see how I was getting on, and we were both rather afraid of him. He came to eat and she [Olga] made a point of buying meat for noon dinner, but he slept at the hotel. I was obliged to write him once a week and saw one of the letters where I said, "It snowed and snowed, father." I guess news was scarce and I knew he would have no interest in the doll outfits Florence Fenski and I would make of Aunt Olga's scraps, when Florence said, turn it up there and put a feather right here, and it will be the cutest little hat you ever thaw."
Once or twice my father came to see how I was getting on, and we were both rather afraid of him. He came to eat and she [Olga] made a point of buying meat for noon dinner, but he slept at the hotel. I was obliged to write him once a week and saw one of the letters where I said, "It snowed and snowed, father." I guess news was scarce and I knew he would have no interest in the doll outfits Florence Fenski and I would make of Aunt Olga's scraps, when Florence said, turn it up there and put a feather right here, and it will be the cutest little hat you ever thaw."
October 10, 2012
Winter wear
(1992 Memoirs)
In the winter, Olga would open the oven door and warm my underwear and long black stockings before she helped me into them. I sat near the range when I tucked my long underwear in my long black stockings. My woolen dress went over my slip. I was ready for school, fourth grade, when I finished my breakfast, pulled on my galoshes, hood and mittenes, and of course coat.
In the winter, Olga would open the oven door and warm my underwear and long black stockings before she helped me into them. I sat near the range when I tucked my long underwear in my long black stockings. My woolen dress went over my slip. I was ready for school, fourth grade, when I finished my breakfast, pulled on my galoshes, hood and mittenes, and of course coat.
October 9, 2012
New dress
(1992 Memoirs)
One evening as we [Polly & Olga] walked, we saw a girl playing on a school yard. "Look at her, Carolyn, tearing around in her new dress like that!" Next day she came for a hole to be fixed and Aunt Olga said "Humph!" But she did it.
One evening as we [Polly & Olga] walked, we saw a girl playing on a school yard. "Look at her, Carolyn, tearing around in her new dress like that!" Next day she came for a hole to be fixed and Aunt Olga said "Humph!" But she did it.
October 8, 2012
Bags
(1992 Memoirs)
One time Olga got a job she loved. A man came with a stack of cloth, all cut, ready to be sewn into bags to be used by the woodsmen for holding -- I have forgotten what -- pine cones? wood chips? Anyway, easy work for her -- no fitting etc.
One time Olga got a job she loved. A man came with a stack of cloth, all cut, ready to be sewn into bags to be used by the woodsmen for holding -- I have forgotten what -- pine cones? wood chips? Anyway, easy work for her -- no fitting etc.
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