Oyster Stew – Christmas Eve

Apparently there was some sort of tradition in some of the Cranston clan families for having oyster stew on Christmas eve. Certainly I remember having it with Helen and Wood, and it looks like the same tradition was prevalent with the Painters and Melbys. So . . . . Here’s the recipe that I found […]

Read More…

Susanne, John, Mike, Helen and Paul – ~ 1966

These are photos taken of Helen and Paul and Susanne, John and Mike back in 1966 around Christmas/New Years time. Somewhere in England Harrogate HarrogateHarrogate Helen on SS United States Helen/Paul on SS United States New Years 1967 Harrogate Helen with Lincoln Chair she Upholstered 1967 Helen and Paul on 1880 Train  General Custer Motor Lodge 1967

Read More…

Susanne Davies – More Photos

Here are some more photos of Susanne Helen, Susanne and Woody – Rotunda at USNA – Summer of 1960 John Davies and Helen & Susanne – at JFK’s gravesite – November 1963 John and Mike – Ferndale, MD – Fall of 1963 Susanne and Woody – Stapelton Airport – Denver – When Charlie left for USNA Mike and Helen […]

Read More…

Photos of Helen – in the 1960’s

Helen and Paul in Edgemont Helen, Susanne and John – Liberty Bell – Philadelphia – November 1963 Helen – Tired after arriving in Ferndale, MD – November 1963 Helen – Looking at Alan Shepherd’s Mercury capsule at Smithsonian – November 1963Helen, Susanne, John and Mike – Washington, DC – November 1963Helen – Mercury Capsule – […]

Read More…

Helen and Paul Peterson

In 1960, Helen married Paul Peterson who grew up in Harding County in northwestern South Dakota. He operated a ranch and later owned the Peterson Implement Company in Buffalo, SD. He later was a banker in Edgemont, South Dakota.

Read More…

Helen’s Sense of Humor

In the early 2000’s when Helen was in an “assisted living” home, I visited her a few times.   The first time I visited, she was telling me about some of the activities around the place.  And she had a BIG complaint.  “Charlie,” she said.  “This place isn’t much fun.  People around here are so […]

Read More…

Who Was “Auntie Pearl?”

Marion and Helen stayed with “Auntie Pearl” in LaGrange, Illinois where they attended and graduated from Lyons Township High School. “Auntie Pearl” was Louise Pearl Burnside and daughter of Marcus Terry Burnside and Maude Taliaferro Cranston who was some 14 years older than her younger brother, Christopher “Doc” Cranston. Marcus and Maude married in 1883.when […]

Read More…

Bad Man’s Butter!

When Marion, Helen, Bill and Tip lived with Giles and Nellie Campbell at (I think) the Shaw place, Helen, Bill and Tip were playing down by the Grand River.   One of them had to go to the bathroom (#2) . . . . went . . . and then covered the “stuff” with dirt. […]

Read More…