This is a page where we can all go to share our memories about dad. Anytime any of you want to throw something in, just e-mail me with your story. Thanks! Char.
I guess I'll start it out with a couple of stories about disapline... I can only remember getting 2 spankings in my life & I guess I'll let YOU decide if they were deserved! Anybody else ever get their butt cheeks warmed? (CHAR)
The first spanking I can remember happened when I was probably about 5. It was when we owned the hotel. It was 2 stories high & had a very steep open backed fire escape staircase going all the way to the top. Dad had a great fear of one of us kids climbing it & falling down & breaking our neck on the ground. He was always reminding us not to EVER play on the FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS! Well... One day as I was looking for a really cool place to listen to my little radio & play with my Barbies, I spotted those forbidden stairs. How was HE to ever know if I was to go up there for just a little while??? It was a hot sunny day & there was bound to be a good breeze up there... So off I went. I was sitting almost at the top step with my feet dangling down through the stairs, just playing & singing to the song on the radio when all of a sudden, HE was there! Dad jerked me up from under those stairs & paddled my butt with his VERY STRONG hands, all the way to the bottom! I can still remember the song that was playing on my radio. It was "Stairway To Heaven"... (CHAR)
The other time involved my sister, Cheryl. I'm sure we didn't do anything very bad, but nevertheless, we got grounded to our room. And once again, it was a beautiful summer day. We shared a bedroom & it was on the ground floor. I remember that mom & dad were busy in the front of the house. Cheryl & I decided that if we just snuck out for a little while, they would never know... We'd climb back in the window before they even knew we'd been outside! Sounded like a plan! Well, I was older so I was going to go out first so I could show Cheryl how to do it & help her out. As I was lowering myself down, who should appear walking around the corner of the house, but DAD! My bottom got tanned as he helped me climb back through the window! (CHAR)Dad was a heck of a cook! I can remember him making us Beer Cake & Dog Food... He was mixing up a cake from scratch & sipping on a beer when he decided the mixture needed more moisture. Beer did the trick! It was one of the best spice cakes I've eaten. As for the dog food - That consisted of steak that he cut up in small pieces & gravy that we put over mashed potatoes. A guy I was going out with walked in the house & told dad it looked like "Dogfood". The name for that dish stuck. (CHAR)
Uncle Chuck, I still remember "Brooks". That is where you taught me how to drink a beer. I was only 14 years old, but that was the best memory I have of Michigan. You were always my favorite Uncle. You were so handsome and cool!!!! And you still are. I love you Uncle chuck. (Mary)
I have such good rememberances about the STAR-X Hotel and the playful times we had there. Every year around the end of June, I recall our trips to Traverse City, spending the summer with Grandma and Grandpa, and "going to town" on Saturday. Nearly all of those trips to town included a visit with you and your family. (Carole)
I have always loved my Grandpa, as my "Grandpa", but I do remember a time that my Grandpa really changed the way I came to love him... as a very generous, kind hearted man.
My Grandfather had moved to Florida when I was a little girl, and though we kept in touch quite a bit, I didn't get to see him very much as I was in Mi. and he was many miles away.
We went to stay with my Grandpa for Christmas one year, and one very cool Christmas morning, I saw my Grandpa doing his daily inspection of his car (he is VERY meticulous) like making sure it didn't need to be vacummed or dusted, when he saw a homeless man get out of the dumpster, yes this man was sleeping in the dumpster!
By the looks of this very dirty man, it scared me, as I saw my Grandpa talking to him, and then Grandpa went back inside as the man stood right there. (I was peeking around the corner the entire time.)
My Grandpa returned with a jacket and handed it to the man. The two men shook hands and off went the dirty homeless soul, wearing the jacket from my Grandpa. As the man started walking I clearly remember him turning around, and saying "thank-You sir, Merry Christmas!"
I was So proud of my Grandpa that day, and I am SO PROUD, to have such a kind hearted Grandfather! (Treasa Strunk)
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