Old proverb: "To speak the names of the departed is to make them live again."

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Whitesides Visit East Coast

Here is an e-mail I received from Kathy Jo Whiteside, wife of Bob Whiteside II.  Their family recently took a tour of the "old country" of Bob's Fieg relatives (Oneonta, that is) as well as other locales on the East Coast.  Read on!

Bob and I and Molly and Annie attended Andrea Whiteside's wedding in Appleton in June...from there we traveled to Michigan, Niagara Falls, Oneonta, Boston and Maine. Our favorite stop was in Oneonta!

With the wonderful help of Greg Fieg, we were able to spend the day visiting several significant locations! We began at Mr. Foti's Bread for lunch, then toured several homes that Grampa Fieg had built. We then went to the childhood home of Grandma Hawkeye (Maxine)....and Grampa's "shop" and to the cemetery where we were able to find the stones of Frank and Philip and Grandma and Grampa.
 
The girls absolutely LOVED going to the SUNY bookstore! The BEST part was when we realized we could go to the library on campus and see Maxine's yearbook! This was so special to all of us! It is interesting because our daughter, Annie resembles Grandma very much at that age!
 
We then stayed on Otsego Lake at the Hickory Grove Inn. We were disappointed that the actual inn across the street is no longer a functioning place to stay because Bob and I have such fun memories of 24 years ago when several Whiteside family members stayed there.
 
We all agreed that our time in Oneonta was the highlight of our trip!


Molly and Annie Whiteside holding the 1948 edition of Oneonta High School's yearbook, wherein they found a photo of their grandmother, Maxine Fieg!



Bob Whiteside II with his girls on Glimmerglass, 2011

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Secrets of the Hon. Richard J. Bookhout Revealed!

1. THE HON. RICHARD J. BOOKHOUT'S CAREER in American jurisprudence spanned more than three decades, but arguably his crowning moment was when:

A. He presided over the probate and breakup of the Clark Fortune in Cooperstown after the death of Steve Clark Sr., philanthropist and heir to the multimillion Singer Sewing Machine fortune.

B. He won a handsome settlement in a malicious defamation suit against his Democratic opponent, who had falsely accused him of okaying a plea bargain for a suspected bootlegger in exchange for three unmarked cases of Old Overholt.

C. He made good on his vow not to rest until the capricious, cold-blooded killers Sacco and Vanzetti were either exectuted, imprisoned or placed under lifetime house arrest in the Pratt Hotel on Pioneer St., where they would be forced to order no other food except from the hotel menu.

D. He brought to justice Judge Fred Loomis and his notorious gang of cutthroats and highwaymen who, despite numerous breaches of justice, had always managed to elude the sheriff by disappearing into Nine-Mile Swamp.

2. IN ONE OF FIRST ACTIONS AFTER BEING ELECTED to the bench for his first term, outgoing District Attorney Richard J. Bookhout:

A. Placed his late grandfather's edition of the King James Bible on the bench in his courtroom in Cooperstown.

B. Bought an Army surplus jeep so that he would have reliable transportation between Oneonta and Cooperstown.

C. Took the .32 caliber automatic pistol he had always kept to protect himself against violent criminals while he served as district attorney, filled it full of cement and turned it into a paperweight to place on his bedroom bureau.

D. Drove past the Grove Street home of County Democratic Chairman Dr. Alexander F. Carson at midnight, blowing his horn repeatedly.

3.  THE LATE MULTIMILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPIST Steve Clark was only too familiar to Judge Richard J. Bookhout's brother-in-law, Frank Fieg, because Frank on at least one occasion had been asked by Steve to:

A. Hold a golf umbrella over the head of his little girl Jane so that she would not be sunburned while watching the outdoor induction ceremonies in front of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

B. Operate a manual clay pigeon catapault so Steve could shoot skeet with his friends Averill Harriman, Malcolm Forbes, Henry J. Kaiser and Thurston Howell III.

C. Help start Steve's 1925 Model T Ford pickup as Steve pulled down the hand throttle and called out repeatedly; "Frank! Frank! Turn the crank!"

D. Cut a hole in the ice so that Steve could burst out of his 135-degree sauna and jump through the hole into the frigid water completely naked.

4. DOROTHY FIEG ROMAN'S SON JOHN has been a familiar visitor in Cooperstown over the past 50 years and it is impossible to remember how many trips he made while growing up (and later with wife Anne)  or how many places he has stayed. The Phoenix Inn bed and breakfast, where John and Anne stayed during the 2009 Fieg Family reunion, had once been a well-known location to District Attorney Richard J. Bookhout because

A. This was the house where Richard and his wife Flossie honeymooned after they eloped.

B. The sleeping quarters are located above the boat house where the Bookhouts' boat, The Flossie B., was drydocked in the offseason.

C. The Bookhouts had been trying to close a deal to buy the building to use as a summer camp when they were outbid by relatives of summer resident Augustus Busch, heir to the Anheuser Beer fortune.

D. The Phoenix Inn had been something like a speakeasy, where not only under-age drinking was suspected but where girls were thought to have sold themselves into prostitution.

Click on the link below to find out the answers!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Lt. Fieg Downs German ME109

(Put down the blunderbuss -- this did not happen recently.)

Following is a December 1944 newspaper article emailed from Steven Fieg about his dad, Lothar "Bud" Fieg Jr.

On a recent bomber escort mission to Germany, 1st Lt. Lothar Fieg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lothar Fieg of 10 North Sixth, shot down an ME109 while helping to disperse a large formation of enemy fighters that was attempting to attack the Flying Fortresses and Liberators.  His victory was one of the 23 that the 352nd fighter group, based in England, scored that day to raise its total bag of enemy aircraft destroyed, in the air and on the ground, to more than 540.

"I was leading a flight of four P-51 Mustangs, escorting the heavies to their target at Merseburg, an important synthetic oil-producing center," said Lt. Fieg.  "The heavies had bombed their objectives and had started the withdrawal when we saw about 25 ME109s below.  We were at about 18,000 feet when the enemy fighters were observed heading for the bomber formations and we dropped down to head them off.  I picked out an ME109, fired a short burst, but missed.  My second burst was effective, and the nazi fighter went down, out of control and smoking."

Three weeks previously the 352nd established a new record for the number of enemy aircraft destroyed by a single group by bagging 38 nazi aircraft while escorting heavy bombers to the same target.

Lt. Fieg, who pilots the Mustang 'Denali,' is a veteran of 78 combat missions over enemy territory.  During his long combat career he has been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf cluster and an Air Medal with four Oak Leaf clusters for outstanding achievement.  A cluster indicates an additional award of the same decoration.

A 1937 graduate of OHS, Lt. Fieg attended the University of Alaska prior to entering service.

Score one more for the Fiegs!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Water Woes Continue for Iowa Family Members

As the Missouri River continued to rise, creeping into the ground floors of the multi-million dollar mansions closest to the banks, Bill and Marsha Whiteside Adams spent the day tearing out their carpet and carrying it upstairs, as well as ripping out the gypsum board in their basement.

As long as the water stays out of the second floor the carpet can be salvaged but the gypsum board is being sacrificed to avoid issues with mold after the material becomes wet.

Bill and Marsha had to get a permit to return home to perform this work but so far no water has seeped into their dwelling.  Ground water, however, has risen into the homes of their next-door neighbors and after watching them struggle with their water-logged carpeting, the Adamses decided to act immediately.

Authorities predict that it may be until the end of July or later before the water recedes, meaning that, by the time the couple get their home in order again, it may be almost Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Interstate 29 is closed from Omaha to the Missouri Valley just south of Sioux City.  Steven Fieg reports that the two rest areas just south of the city were closed as well.

Keep them in your thoughts.

What Does a Fieg Say to a Prince?

When meeting Prince Harry, conversation between him and Col. Ed Fieg will probably be minimal, although more expansiveness may be required if:
a.  Ed feels the need to explain about limitations in visiting critically injured troops in intensive care
b.  Ed becomes curious as to whether Prince Harry bears any grudges over the shellacking the Americans gave the British in 1776
c.  Ed decides to ease the tension with the old fashioned "pull my finger" joke
d.  none of the above
Go to the blog and click on "comment" to see the surprising answer.

What Does a Fieg Do When Introduced to Royalty?

Because Col. Ed Fieg is stationed at a British Apache helicpter base in Afghanistan, his path will soon cross that of Prince Harry, an Apache pilot who will spend some time in the combat zone.  When Ed is introduced to the prince he will be required to:
a.  address him as "your highness"
b.  wait to return his salute and address him as captain, because Ed, as a full colonel, outranks the prince
c.  nod and bow from the waist
d.  curtsy
Go to the blog and click on "comment" to find out the correct protocol!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Whiteside/Cataldo Wedding Photos

Thanks to Bob and Kathy Whiteside for these photos from the recent wedding of Andrea Whiteside and Jeno Cataldo:

The happy couple -- Andrea and Jeno Cataldo

Maxine and Dr. Bob Whiteside -- they clean up good...

Proud dad, Jeff, toasting the newlyweds

Survey Monkey Reveals All, Take 2

Here are the answers to the second Fieg Family survey.  Again, the correct answers are in bold italics -- surprise!!!

1. Diana Monaco's favorite movie, from which she quotes ad infinitum, is:
a.  Dr. Zhivago - 28.6%
b.  Tootsie - 14.3%
c.  Ordinary People - 28.6%
d.  Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion - 28.6%

2. Pasta with wine is the favorite food of:
a.  Ed Fieg Sr. - 57.1%
b.  Bobby McGonigal - 0%
c.  Jeff Whiteside - 14.3%
d.  Don Roman - 28.6%

3. Which version of the movie "A Christmas Carol" is the favorite of Anna Dangca:
a.  the black and white 1951 version - 42.9%
b.  the George C. Scott version - 28.6%
c.  the Jim Carrey version - 14.3%
d.  the 1938 version, introducing June Lockhart - 14.3%

4. Apple pie is the favorite food of which young lady:
a.  Nancy Fieg - 14.3%
b.  Kathy Clancy - 14.3%
c.  Maren Corkery - 42.9%
d.  Jennifer Boggs Murphy - 28.6%

5. When Emilie Kestner goes on vacation, she prefers to go:
a.  on a road trip - 28.6%
b.  to the beach - 28.6%
c.  to the mountains - 0%
d.  up north - 42.9%

6. One respondent's favorite food is "anything serving for function or use, i.e. food for thought." Who is this person?
a.  John Roman - 28.6%
b.  Jean Fieg - 42.9%
c.  Bill Doyle - 0%
d.  Steven Fieg - 28.6%

7. Greg Fieg's favorite food is Skyline Cincinnati-style chili. Who else shares this passion?
a.  Sarah Corkery - 71.4%
b.  Cade Dangca - 14.3%
c.  Heny Fieg - 0%
d.  Ed Williams - 14.3%

8. Annie Bookhout's favorite book is, appropriately enough:
a.  Seabiscuit - 42.9%
b.  Misty of Chincoteague - 0%
c.  The Horse Whisperer - 14.3%
d.  Black Beauty - 57.1%

9. Two respondents both selected Yosemite National Park as their favorite vacation spot. Who are they?
a.  Ed Fieg Sr. and Lisa Fieg - 71.4%
b.  Richard Fieg and Mary McGonigal - 0%
c.  Doris Holm and Greg Fieg - 14.3%
d.  Mark Roman and Ed Williams - 14.3%

10. Maxine Whiteside now prefers to stay close to home for vacations. What location was her favorite during her salad days?
a.  Chicago - 42.9%
b.  Florida - 0%
c.  Milford, PA - 0%
d.  New York City - 57.1%

My apologies to those who could not participate.  I think I did not manage the surveys in the correct way, but shall try, try again.

Andrea Whiteside Weds Jeno Cataldo

On Saturday June 4, 2011 Andrea Faye Whiteside and Jeno Joseph Cataldo were married at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Appleton, WI with the Reverend Jane Anderson officiating. 

The bride wore a strapless ivory gown with a ruched bodice overlay and six-foot train.  The knee-length veil, fastened to her elaborate chignon, was edged with silk flowers and her bouquet was comprised of white and peach-colored roses in full bloom.

The bride's sister, Julianna Corderman, was matron of honor and the groom's brother, Lorenzo Cataldo, acted as best man.  There were eight bridesmaids and eight groomsmen, including Andrea's brother Matthew.

A string quintet played the processional, "To a Wild Rose" by MacDowell and "Air on a G String" by Bach.  Then the strains of Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" signaled Andrea's entrance into the nave.  At the end of the ceremony the couple lit a unity candle while the musicians played "Panis Angelicus" by Franck.

Vivaldi's "Spring" served as the recessional and, as the newly-wed couple turned to exit the church, Andrea paused and bent to give a kiss to her loving grandpa.


A sit-down dinner reception after the ceremony was attended by 250 guests.

Andrea is a Milwaukee attorney at Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. with a focus on corportate law and an emphasis on real estate, tax law, estate planning and probate, among others.  She is the daughter of Kathi and Jeff Whiteside and granddaughter of Maxine and Dr. Bob Whiteside Sr.


Her husband, who holds a journalism and mass communications degree from UW-Milwaukee as well as a Real Estate Appraisal certification from Waukesha County Technical College, was recenly hired as a real estate broker with NAI MLG Commercial in Milwaukee.

Prior to joining NAI MLG, Jeno operated his own appraisal company and has extensive experience in the appraisal and restaurant industry, having owned/operated his own business for the past six years.

The couple will honeymoon in Italy.

Give Me A Sign!


Sign spotted in Napavine, WA: "Please no sitting on the cows...."  Billboard spotted in Austin, MN (home of Hormel Meats): "Not Your Typical Meat Museum...."  Sign spotted at the Cooperstown airport in Otsego Co., NY:  "Celebrating 50 years of relatively safe flying."

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Bob Morgan Returns From Visiting Ailing New Grandson in Canada

By Greg Fieg


Bob Morgan, Annie Bookhout's all-time favorite husband, recently returned home where he visited his new grandson, Kyle, two months old.

During grampa's visit Kyle contracted spinal meningitis, an illnesss of which some 70 percent of the victims are age five or under. The good news is that he will be home from the hospital soon.

Kyle's mother, Janice, and his father, Nick Soleros, live in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

While Bob was away, Annie remained at home in New York, taking care of her commercial equestrian stable, their farm and Bob's truck fleet. Annie is the daughter of the late Florence Fieg Bookhout and Hon. Richard J. Bookhout of Oneonta.