By Eilene Lyon First, the name. Legend has it that an unauthorized expedition of Spaniards led by Antonio Gutierrez de Humaña and Francisco Leyva de Bonilla, came to what is now southern Colorado in 1594 (a much-disputed legend at that). On their way home, Humaña murdered Bonilla in order to make off with all the... Continue Reading →
An Only Child
Week 15: #52Ancestors – Solitude By Eilene Lyon I’ve previously mentioned The Putterer’s great-grandfather, Arlon F. Lyon, only in passing. Arlon was born in Chenango County, New York, in May 1860 and was a rarity for the era: an only child.1 His father, Cyrus R. Lyon, was 29 when Arlon came along. His mother, Lucy... Continue Reading →
Cakes on Fire!
Week 13: #52Ancestors – Light a Candle By Eilene Lyon Both my parents turn 87 this year. I have no way of knowing if they will make it to 90 or not (we do hope so!), but there is some precedent for achieving that milestone or more in my family tree. This is just a... Continue Reading →
Just-a-Mere Clubs
Week 12: #52Ancestors – Membership By Eilene Lyon My paternal grandmother, Reatha Halse, has several photos in her album from 1945 labeled Just-a-Mere Club. They were taken in Corvallis, Oregon. Her sister-in-law, Loretta (Frydendall) Halse, was also a member and probably got Reatha involved. (In 1945, Loretta was soon to be the ex-Mrs. Al Halse.)... Continue Reading →
Trains Bound for Glory
By Eilene Lyon I would have guessed that by 1890 or the early 20th century every community in America would have a church of some type, but that was not the case. Whistle-stop towns sprang up along the proliferating railroad lines, particularly in the west. In them, saloons far outnumbered churches. The idea of railcars... Continue Reading →
From the Vault: Getting Lei’d
By Eilene Lyon If my memory serves me correctly (and I won’t swear it does), this cowry shell lei landed around my neck when our flight landed in Papeete, Tahiti, at 3 a.m. on a December morning in 1998. Let’s just say I’ve had it so long I can’t imagine where else I would have... Continue Reading →
Portland’s Japanese Garden
By Eilene Lyon Having family in Oregon means I travel there regularly. The Willamette Valley is lush compared to where I live, so I always enjoy the change in scenery. Portland is very much a "garden city." I don't think I could tolerate the gray winters, though! The Japanese Garden is located within Washington Park,... Continue Reading →
Tents and Trailers
Week 8: #52Ancestors – I Can Identify By Eilene Lyon With the weather sort-of thinking along the lines of spring, I’m anticipating some camping trips around the state. It seems I’ve been a camper my entire life. My parents took us camping throughout the eastern states and in Oregon while I was growing up. For... Continue Reading →
Bio Bite: Howard Adrian Halse
By Eilene Lyon Howard Adrian Halse (1897–1978) Howard was the first-born child of Guy and Mabel (Cutting) Halse. He came into, and left, the world in Dexter Township, Codington County, South Dakota. He inherited his size from Guy, standing nearly six feet and topping 200 pounds. “Mr. Halse attended country school near his home and... Continue Reading →