2016 Catch-up

Hi Twigs!

Here is a whirlwind catch up of stories buried in your editor's email files.  Hope you enjoy them, and that you can share them over the upcoming Christmas holidays.

Reunion
Sue Williams, only daughter of the late Lothar "Bud" and Catherine Shafer Fieg, attended her 50th high school reunion in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. this past June.  She and hubby Ed visited with her brothers Doug and Steven, and Steve's wife Eleanor, while there.

At Steve and Eleanor's home: Steve, Richard, Sue, Eleanor, Doug, Ed

Doug and Sue at the cemetery

Birthdays
Anne Whiteside Still celebrated 60 years on this earth in June.  Here she is with her sibs Marsha Adams and Bob Whiteside II.

Doris Fieg Holm celebrated her 89th birthday in October. Looking good, Doris!  Who's the photo-bomber??

Water
The Kestners in Corpus Christi survived another water alert in their city -- the fourth in about 12 months.  This time, instead of there being bacteria in the system, an industrial company had leaked a chemical into the water.   Luckily, before Judy had to decide whether to drive two hours to Harlingen, Laredo or San Antonio to stock up, the alert was lifted for their part of town.  Whew!

A Boy and his Dog
Greg Fieg travels everywhere with his little dog Rosie.  She helps brighten the hours spent on the road and also is a superb photographer's model!

Starring....
Jennifer Roman will be performing in a production of "Annie" at the Upper Main Line Y in Berwyn, Pa.  She will play the part of the evil Miss Hannigan, following in the footsteps of Carol Burnett, Kathy Bates and Jane Lynch.  The show will run the last two weekends of April, 2017.  Jennifer is the wife of Don Roman, whose mom is the late Dorothy Fieg Roman.

Backwards Boy
Keenan Murphy, grandson of Liz Bookhout Boggs, learned a new trick this year -- his father must be so proud!

Moving On
Diana and Bill Doyle have moved!  They said, "New Hampshire's the place we want to be!" so they loaded up the truck and they moved to Madison.  The new address is 51 Little Shore Dr., Box 149, Madison, NH 03849.

Mary and Jack Wolcott also moved -- ahem -- last year.  They bought an ocean-front condo in St. Augustine, Fla. and plan on doing more "want tos" than "have tos."  Their address is 1 Dondanville Rd., Unit 2016, St. Augustine, FL 32080.

Drop them a line!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

Long-lost Daughter of Bob Roman is Found

In July, John and Anne Roman connected with John's half-sister, Sandy Hatcher, who resides in Florida.  Here is the lightly edited story, written for the Roman family blog, courtesy of Anne:

John, Don and Mark Roman have known since they were young teenagers that their father, Bob, had a brief marriage to Dolores in his early twenties.  They had met when Bob was playing alto sax and clarinet with the Don Ragon Band in the mid-west during the late 1940s.  Dolores was from Indiana.


Among all the old photos taken by Grandpa Tony there were pictures of Bob and Dolores as newlyweds ...


and also some photos of a baby girl named Sandy.  John also remembers the name Dolores was crossed out on Alice and Tony's Bible family tree.


In the spirit of the fifties and early sixties, these things were just never discussed and certainly Dorothy never talked about a half-sister with her sons after their father died.  It's hard to understand for our generation that is so used to blended families.

In recent hears John, Don and Mark have talked about trying to find Sandy, but without knowing Dolores' maiden name or her new married name they didn't have a clue about where to start.  they asked Uncle Bill and Uncle Don who remembered a cute little girl, but not much else.

Fast forward to the weekend of June 25, 2016.  John and Anne were in Utica visiting with the family when Lori Birt came up with the idea to post the search on Facebook.  John created a short message asking people to "help me find my sister."

We released the postings after midnight and by the time we woke up on Sunday morning, John had an email message from a "search angel" who, in just 48 hours,  was able to locate a Sandy Hatcher in Gainesville, Fla. who was the daughter of Dolores!

Sandy saw [a Facebook message from Mark] when she was at work and it was the first time she had ever seen a picture of her birth father!  the message and the photos brought tears to her eyes.

Sandy was born in December 1951 and her parents separated when she was only 9 months old.  Dolores remarried and Sandy's stepfather adopted her.  she never knew that she was adopted until she was 17 years old.  When Bob died, Dorothy sent her a letter informing her of the news.

John and Anne had plans to be in Florida at the end of July, so arrangements were made for the three to meet.  Sandy is divorced and is a nurse in Gainesville.  She has recently moved to a small town on a branch of the St. John's River to live next door to her sister and brother-in-law, as she plans retirement later this year  Sandy's married daughter has s young son.

Word Paintings From November, 2016

Judy and Joe Kestner were hosts to their daughter, Emilie V., who came in from Abilene for the Thanksgiving holiday.  They also had a surprise - and very enjoyable - visit from Cade Dangca.  Cade, the number one grandchild of Greg Fieg, is currently stationed in El Paso, in his last year in the U.S. Army.  His paternal grandparents live in Corpus Christi and he and a buddy drove the 14 hours in to visit.   In all the excitement of watching him eat pumpkin pie and then a plate of turkey and all the trimmins, the thoughts of taking a current photo flew out the window.  Suffice it to say, Cade is a remarkable young man!

Kathy Boggs Clancy's turkey was done an hour and a half before the rest of the meal!!  So they all sat around and admired the pretty holiday table she set. 

Tommy and Tamara Bradford, Brenna Rose, Cindy, Richard

Richard and Cindy Fieg had their girls and son-in-law over for the holiday.  Peace out, dawgs!





Jean and Phyllis Fieg, in Greensboro, N.C., pulled a "Christmas Story" stunt and had Chinese for Thanksgiving.  Phyllis said the meal was from a new restaurant in town and was pretty good.  Judy and Emilie Kestner will be visiting in December -- hope we get to try it out!

Greg and Doug Fieg Enjoy Chitown Thanksgiving Celebration

The stars aligned and the peripatetic Greg Fieg (and his little dog, too!) was able to alight for a while to eat turkey, chat up the relatives and take a break from flattening out our nation's interstate highways.  Also, making the trek from the Show Me State to the Windy City was Cousin Doug Fieg, 

On Thanksgiving Day Greg and Doug joined cousin Sue Williams her home in Orland Park, Ill.  Sue's hubby, Ed, and his mom Eleanor rounded out the happy group. 

Greg reports that he had a most pleasant time, the food was delish, the company charming and the conversation sparkling.  Who could ask for anything more?

Recent Word Paintings

Maren Corkery, eldest child of Sarah and Kevin Corkery, was delivered to Northeast Catholic College in Warner, N.H. on August 21.  Maren earned a scholarship to the Catholic liberal arts institution which occupies 135 acres on Mt. Kearsage.  Maren will be missed, especially by her mom who can't believe she's old enough to have such an elderly kid!

Your editor and cousin Anne Roman both opted to receive their Social Security in the very same month!  They are now rolling in the dough, eager to use the shiny new Medicare cards they recently received in the mail. 

Shields relatives Peter Collier and his two kiddos, Will and Libby, are visiting upstate New York from their home in England.  They have visited the Delaware County Fair in Walton, gorged on barbecued brisket and enjoyed the beautiful scenery in Upstate New York and New England.  Peter is related through marriage to Midge McClenon, director of the annual Shields family reunion.  Midge's mother was a Shields.

Diana and Bill Doyle have decided they want to live on Little Peas Porridge Pond in New Hampshire, so they loaded up the cat and, on the third try, set off for the Granite State.  Originally this was to be an experiment: if Diana could continue her travel business from New England, they would sell their properties in New York and make it permanent.  Looks like the experiment was a success -- anyone want to buy a home in Lake Placid or Croton-on-Hudson?

In keeping with her birding-related activities, your editor has purchased what her husband, Joe Kestner, terms "the ultimate tree-hugger's car," a Subaru Forester.  It is jasmine green and just gorgeous!  We also have a new roof with a hint of green in the shingles, so, just sayin'....

With characteristic generosity, Eddie Fieg Sr. has purchased three commemorative bricks that are installed at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.  The bricks honor his dad, Frank Fieg, and his uncles Lothar "Bud" Fieg and V. Philip Fieg, who all served in that armed conflict.  On a recent trip to Louisiana, Ed and his youngest, Max, went on an airboat ride through the bayous and Max made a friend -- two in fact:

JUMPING FOR MARSHMALLOWS

MAX AND BABY ALLIGATOR

Daniel P. Corkery Is In the House!

On Flag Day, June 14, 2016, Daniel Peter Corkery entered this world.  He joins his parents, Sarah and Kevin Corkery, and his nine brothers and sisters in their Oneonta, N.Y. home.

Dan was born at 8:24 a.m. weighing 9 pounds and measuring 20 inches long.   He is the third boy in the family.

To your editor, he bears a resemblance to his maternal grandfather, Greg Fieg, who noted that even shortly after birth Daniel exhibited an alertness that is rare in one so tiny.

Something else sets this kid apart: his very sweet Kirk Douglas chin.

Our congratulations to the entire family!

What Happens in Vegas....

In early May Sue Williams, only daughter of Lothar "Bud Fieg and Catherine Shafer Fieg, took a trip to Las Vegas to visit both her brother Russell and his wife Heny, and our cousin Samantha Theobald and husband Chuck.  Here is the news that was allowed out of that city:

 

Hi family/friends,

 

We are home.... It sure is nice to travel when the shuttle, TSA, flights, bag claim, drive home etc. work out perfect - it can be fun to travel!

 

Vegas family looks great. We met up w/ Heny once for dinner, Russell twice and Samantha/Chuck once. Russell is looking good (hopefully he'll give up the smokes and look even better............I know how hard it is to do). Chuck has kept off his weight and Samantha is still doing the beautiful smile she always has when we show up. Hopefully we will get back out there Sept./Oct when the weather is good. We want to stay longer next time.....this trip was too short.

In the picture, from left, Sammie, Sue and Chuck.

 

 

The Fieg Name Lives On!

On Friday May 27, 2016 Brian Fieg of Acworth, Ga. sent an email to your editor as follows:

Our newest son, Nathan Daniel Fieg, was born this morning (at home) at around 2:41am. We are both doing well, just tired. We are a little fuzzy on the numbers, but we think he was 6 lb 4 oz and 19 inches long. Will send a correction if those aren't quite right.

He is nursing well. His brother and sister are very excited about him. We adore him!  

We love you all!

And from Facebook:

 Caleb and Lily are so happy to have another sibling to love. This time, I got to catch the baby, which was a pretty cool experience. Thank you Lord for a great birth and for our wonderful midwives Debbie, Lacey and Ashley!

Brian is the son of Doug Fieg and Susan Untiedt.  He and his wife Emily and their two children Caleb and Lily have been waiting for what seemed like nine months for the newest addition to their - and our - Fieg family.  Hugs and congrats to this burgeoning family!!
 

Anne Elinor Bookhout, 68, Dies Suddenly

Anne Bookhout

Anne Bookhout, an Oneonta native who, with an Ivy League education and a nursing degree from Hartwick College,  launched a county-wide public health agency, died unexpectedly May 28 at her Brooktondale, N.Y. horse farm.  She was 68.

Bookhout was born March 23, 1948 in Oneonta, the fourth child of  Judge Richard J. and Florence Fieg Bookhout.  She attended Bugbee School and Oneonta public schools, graduating from Oneonta High School in 1966 and from Cornell University in 1970.  She worked in various capacities in the healthcare field in Oneonta after receiving a nursing degree from Hartwick College.

In 1984 she returned to Cornell to earn a master's in healthcare administration. Anne founded a key city-county public health agency, Visiting Nurse Service of Ithaca and Tompkins County, serving 20 years as chief executive officer.

Having owned and loved horses since the age of 12, she later founded Quickland Stables, a commercial equestrian riding and boarding facility at her residence in the Ithaca suburb of Brooktondale.  She operated the business until her death.

Anne is survived by her husband of 25 years, Robert Morgan, whom she assisted in running a commercial trucking fleet.

She is also survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Denise Shedlock of Tallahassee, Fl., and their children Madeline and Ryan; a step-daughter and her husband, Janice Morgan-Solano and Nickie Solano of Edmonton, Ont., and their son Kyle.  Anne also leaves siblings Kathryn Bookhout Biggerstaff of Delmar, N.Y., William Bookhout of St. Augustine, Fl., Mary Bookhout Wolcott of St. Augustine, Fl. and Richard Bookhout, Jr. of Troutman, N.C.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Elizabeth Bookhout Boggs, of Oneonta.

Funeral services were held June 5 at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine.

Historic Fieg Photos Available On-Line

Great news!  Don Roman has set up an account on Shutterfly containing scanned photos from the first four albums of historical Fieg photographs dating from the 1890s through 1994. 

The albums were created by the founder of the Fieg Family Newsletter, V. P. Fieg.  He wanted to be sure these treasured images and other documents were preserved and, since this was way before anyone ever even dreamed of something like Shutterfly, affixing the actual photos to construction paper, punching holes and putting them into a notebook was the most cutting-edge method of preservation available.

You can see the faces from the past that look like the faces of today, use it as a great resource for a school project or just take a walk down Memory Lane.

Our thanks go to Don and brother John Roman for their dedication in scanning the 300+ pages and transferring them to the cloud-based storage site for our enjoyment, and the pleasure of future Fieg generations!

If you need one, create an account with Shutterfly.  This is a free service, though photos can be ordered and printed from the website at a competitive price. Better yet, they can be downloaded to your computer for free.   Once the home page pops up, click on the 2016-03-20 link. 

After some brief experimentation, your editor found that, to see the photos at full-screen size, you need to click on "slideshow," then click the pause button (two vertical bars in the circle) and last click on "full screen" at the top right.  You can scroll through the pictures at your own pace using the arrows to the right and left of the photo.

Many pages have multiple pictures on them  When they are downloaded to your computer they are saved as jpg files which are easily edited, cropped and saved individually.

Here is the link to view all the pages of these tomes.  Enjoy a blast from the past!

Fieg_Historic_Photo_Albums
https://fieghistoricphotoalbums.shutterfly.com/

 

Maren Corkery Wins Scholarships, Prize

Maren Corkery of W. Oneonta, N.Y., eldest daughter of Kevin and Sarah Fieg Corkery, is contemplating accepting a scholarship to Northeast Catholic College in Warner, N.H.

The seventeen-year-old, who recently got her driver's license, wrote an essay which won her a $1,000 annual scholarship from the school and an all-expenses paid trip to the Dominican Republic, the home country of her great-grandmother Marina. Maren was one of six recipients.

She also has been offered a $9,000 annual scholarship from the college, a $5,000 home-school annual scholarship and a $3,000 annual scholarship from the St. John Newman Society.

Maren is also considering attending school in Virginia.

Maren's grandfather is Greg Fieg.

And Babies Make Three....

You editor belatedly announces a new addition to the Fieg family tree, and two more to come.

First, Laura and Chief Kasibante welcomed a new baby brother to keep big brother Maxwell company.  The Kasibantes came back to the U.S. last year for the birth, and stayed in Georgia with Laura's brother Brian and his family.  Judah Mwebaze made his appearance on July 18, 2015, less than a month after his parents celebrated three years of wedded bliss.

The family returned to Uganda in September and, though the fall of 2015 saw some illnesses and even a hospitalization for Maxwell, they are now healthy and happy and working hard at the prayer center.  They have purchased more land and are building a larger facility, slated to cost $100,000, and donations toward that goal are welcome.  

Funds can be wired to Barclays Bank Uganda Ltd., Kampala; Swift code BARCUGKX; for the HOPCCN - House of Prayer Community Church, Nkumba, account 6004755837, Branch Plot 32 Luwum St., P.O. Box 2971, Kampala, Uganda.  You can see the construction progress at www.houseofprayermkumba.com.

 

The "two more to come" to which your editor alluded in the first sentence are also boys! 

The first, due in May 2015, will be Laura's nephew, son of Brian and Emily Fieg.  From the photo below, you can see that the reaction of the baby's brother, Caleb, is quite different from that of his sister, Lily.  (Greg Fieg is also elated that another male Fieg twig is sprouting on the family tree!)

In a November 2015 email to her Aunt Sue Williams, Emily writes, "Caleb is really starting to use advanced sentences.  He can count to 10 and identify all numbers 9-0.  He is almost able to do 10-20, too.  He can also say the whole alphabet.  We are in the process of potty training....  As soon as he can go without an accident for 2 weeks we will be enrolling him in preschool.  He is growing up so fast!

"And speaking of fast, Lily had grown immensely in the last 4 months.  When she turned 1 she wasn't saying any words, wasn't walking without support and only had 2 teeth.  Now she says more than 20 words, is walking and running and climbing like a pro and has 11 teeth.  She loves shoes more than anything and knows how to throw a heartbreaking tantrum when she doesn't get her way.  

"They love each other so much and enjoy making each other laugh, especially at meal time."

  
The second baby boy will be Greg's fourth grandson and child number 9 for Sarah and Kevin Corkery.   The due date is in June.  The new baby will be the third boy in that family.  The baby's father is partial to the name Daniel, though a final decision has not yet been made.

The Corkerys are planning for radical logistical alterations to make room for this ninth child who, in essence, will replace his eldest sister, Maren, when she goes off to college in the fall.  The baby's  siblings, in addition to Maren, 17 are Colette, 14, Grace, 11, Karoline, 9, Frances, 7, Sean and Seamus, 4, and Gemma, 2.