Amanuensis Monday - Grandma Hill's Poetry, Week 30

Mickey Mouse! Mickey Mouse!

Please don’t come to my house.

For I don’t think it would be fair

To scare me, ‘till I’d run and jump on a chair.

And every bit of bread and cheese,

I’d put upon my cupboard shelf

You would not even say “Please”

But eat it your own greedy self.

And my Dolly’s nice dresses

I’d put away as her best;

You’d chipple into nasty messes,

And then make your nest.

So, Mickey Mouse, please listen to that

Or I’ll tell my  old spotted cat.

And she’ll spring on you and make you go wee

Then take you home for her kittens to see.

And then to her kittens she’d say

Now wash your faces and look very fine

For on poor Mickey Mouse today

We are going to dine.

Note:  Similar theme as last week - I think she may have been fighting with mice when she wrote these.

Nancy Jane Wiley Hill (1875-1960) was always writing something.  Many of those poems are now in the possession of her granddaughter Shirley Kern.  Shirley, with the help of her sister-in-law Ruth Ormsby, transcribed these poems in 1996 for a Hill-Ormsby-Kern family reunion.  I am going to post many of these poems so that they may be enjoyed by all.

These are copyright 1996 and reprinted with permission.

Society Saturday - Carrie Chapman Catt

The Chicago Colony of New England Women recently met for lunch.  The National Society New England Women is an organization for ladies who descend from anyone born in one of the 6 new england states prior to 1789.

Regular business included welcoming two new members to our Colony.

Colony President Jane Schleinzer welcomes sisters Helen Martin and Florence Babos to membership.  Chaplain General Lorna Wright reads the oath of office.

After lunch, we heard an interesting program about Carrie Lane Chapman Catt.  The program was given by Sheila Hall, one of her descendants.  Carrie Catt (1859-1947) was very active in the Women's Suffrage movement here in the United States.  She was ahead of her time starting with her graduation from Iowa State College in 1880 as the only woman in the class.  She was well trained in education and public speaking which served her well in the future.  Her second husband was supportive of her suffrage, and gave her the money needed to travel for that cause.  She was the leader of the National Americn Women's Suffrage Association leading up to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.  She went on to found the League of Women voters.  This was a nice personal look into one of America's great women.

Sheila Hall tells about her ancestor Carrie Chapman Catt while Colony Vice President Joan Murray looks on.

http://nsnew.homestead.com/

Amanuensis Monday - Grandma Hill's Poetry, Week 29

Mickey Mouse

When married, Mr. & Mrs. Mickey Mouse

Came to make their home at my house.

They do so many, many things that are not fair.

The very first thing, they frightened me upon a chair.

And every time they find any bread and cheese

That I have laid away upon my shelves,

They never, never say “If you please”

But eat every bit, their own greedy selves.

And if they find any of my good dresses,

That I have put away to save as my best,

They chew them all up into nasty messes

And in them build their snug nest.

So now I’m asking you, Mr. & Mrs. Mouse:

“Won’t you take your children and leave my house?

For I warn you, if you don’t do just that

I’m going to tell my good old Nellie cat.”

“She will search for you, wherever you go,

She will pounce on you as you run to and fro,

She will bite down on you, as she does on her meat,

And then carry you home for her kittens to eat.”

Note: I believe this poem is about the rodent, not the animated character :-)

Nancy Jane Wiley Hill (1875-1960) was always writing something.  Many of those poems are now in the possession of her granddaughter Shirley Kern.  Shirley, with the help of her sister-in-law Ruth Ormsby, transcribed these poems in 1996 for a Hill-Ormsby-Kern family reunion.  I am going to post many of these poems so that they may be enjoyed by all.

These are copyright 1996 and reprinted with permission.

Society Saturday - The Merci Train

The Illinois Branch of the National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims met recently for lunch.  NSSDP is an organization for men and women who can trace their ancestry to a "Pilgrim".  Pilgrim is defined as someone who immigrated to this country before 1700 - anywhere now within the 48 continental states.

Along with regular business, we welcomed two new members to our Branch (aka chapter).

Branch Governor Jane Schleinzer welcomes new members Sunny Hayes and Elly Rabin

After lunch we had an informative program about the Merci Train by Lorna Wright.  After World War II, citizens across the U.S. sent care packages to France - these items filled 700 boxcars ($40 million worth)
of the Friendship Train.  As a thank you ("Merci") the French sent back 49 boxcars filled with sentimental items.  One boxcar went to each state (48 at that time in 1949) and one to the District of Columbia.  Several of the boxcars are still in existence along with some of the items.  It was interesting to learn about this topic that was new to many of us.

Photo from Library of Congress ( LOT 5899)

http://illinoispilgrims.homestead.com/

www.mercitrain.org

Amanuensis Monday - Grandma Hill's Poetry, week 28

Dear Betty and Charles:

I am so very glad that the proud stork delivered your male so safe and sound

Precious things come in small parcels, he must be very precious to weigh a wee six pound.

I hope the proud Mom and Pop will cherish him and care for him with the greatest skill

For you know his is my first great-grandson by the name of Hill.

 

Note:  this poem is dated March 20, 1950.  Charles Victor Hill (1924-52) was her grandson (the first with the surname Hill) - he and his wife Betty had their first child James on March 21, 1950.  Perhaps Grandma had her days mixed up?

Nancy Jane Wiley Hill (1875-1960) was always writing something.  Many of those poems are now in the possession of her granddaughter Shirley Kern.  Shirley, with the help of her sister-in-law Ruth Ormsby, transcribed these poems in 1996 for a Hill-Ormsby-Kern family reunion.  I am going to post many of these poems so that they may be enjoyed by all.

These are copyright 1996 and reprinted with permission.

Society Saturday - War Dogs Making it Home

The Illinois State Society of Children of American Revolution had their annual State Conference last weekend.

State President Callah Moree' McLeod did a wonderful job calling for reports, nominations, votes, and in general, running the 2 day meeting.  Twelve of the local societies in the state were represented and there were nearly 100 people in attendance.

Callah presiding at the State Banquet

C.A.R. is open to anyone, boy or girl, aged birth through 21 years who can prove descent from a Revolutionary War patriot.  It is a national organization with nearly 10,000 members.  The members learn patriotism, history and parliamentary procedure.  They hold offices and chairmanships.  Each member position has a corresponding Senior Leader position (22 and over).  The Seniors help guide the members.  Illinois is honored to be the home of the National President Caitlin Collins, who was in attendance, along with several other national officers.

Pierce Downer Society receives their Awards

Every year, the I.S.C.A.R. State President chooses a project to raise money toward.  Callah chose the group War Dogs Making it Home.  This is an orgaization that pairs Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and rescue dogs.  The vets participate in the dogs' training to become service dogs.  The dogs, in term, help the vets cope with their PTSD, and in some of the more severely affected, they even help the vets leave their homes and interact in the world again.

Callah sold lapel pins in the shape of dog tags with her logo and collected donations.  She was able to donate over $6000 to this worthy cause - enough to train more than 2 dogs.

Gary and Eva receiving the check from State President Callah McLeod and Senior State President Robert Collins

It was very special to see her present the check to Eva Braverman from the organization.  Eva was accompanied by Gary, one of the veterans.

National Officers from Illinois - National Corresponding Secretary Amanda Nagy, State President Callah McLeod, and National President Caitlin Collins.  They are standing in front of an awesome dog house custom made for the banquet by Mike McLeod.

www.nscar.org

www.wardogsmakingithome.org

https://www.facebook.com/WarDogsMakingItHome

Amanuensis Monday - Grandma Hill's Poetry, week 27

The duck is a low, heavy set bird, composed mostly of

meat, and feathers.  He is a mighty poor singer,

having a hoarse voice, caused by getting too many

frogs in his throat.

He likes the water, and carries a toy balloon in his

stomach to keep him from sinking.

The duck has only two legs, and they are set so far

back on his running gears, by nature, that she came

pretty near missing his body.

Some ducks, when they get big, have curls in their tails

and are called drakes.  Drakes don't have to set or

hatch, but just loaf, go swimming, and eat.

If I was a duck, I'd rather be a drake anytime.

Nancy Jane Wiley Hill (1875-1960) was always writing something.  Many of those poems are now in the possession of her granddaughter Shirley Kern.  Shirley, with the help of her sister-in-law Ruth Ormsby, transcribed these poems in 1996 for a Hill-Ormsby-Kern family reunion.  I am going to post many of these poems so that they may be enjoyed by all.

These are copyright 1996 and reprinted with permission.

Amanuensis Monday - Grandma Hill's Poetry, week 26

MARCH

 Now that March has come we can heave a sigh of relief

Knowing that old King Winter's remaining stay must be brief

that soon now each tiny shoot, bulb, and seed will be

sending up their carpeting of green

Making of the drab, barren earth a more beautiful,

enlivening scene.

Soon the young lambs, calves, pigs, and colts will be

rollicking on the hill

And the restful babbling of the water can be heard

in the unfettered rill.

Soon the children, freed from school, will be out with

a shout and a roar

Ready with some kind of plaything on wheels to ride,

skate, glide or soar.

Soon the birds can be seen carrying straws to build

their cozy little nest

And then moss and feathers to make warm the place

where the eggs rest.

In the country, the farmer with his implements of toil

will be up at the break of dawn

And in the city we'll hear the music of the mower

on the lawn.

Nancy Jane Wiley Hill (1875-1960) was always writing something.  Many of those poems are now in the possession of her granddaughter Shirley Kern.  Shirley, with the help of her sister-in-law Ruth Ormsby, transcribed these poems in 1996 for a Hill-Ormsby-Kern family reunion.  I am going to post many of these poems so that they may be enjoyed by all.

These are copyright 1996 and reprinted with permission.