"It's the Cinnamon Bear!"

   Back in the '30s and into the '40s, WGN radio in Chicago broadcast a 15-minute kids' program that ran from Thanksgiving to just before Christmass.  Called "The Cinnamon Bear," the 26 episodes followed Jimmy & Judy Barton, together with Paddy O'Cinnamon, as they entered a make-believe land where they met such characters as the Crazy Quilt Dragon, the Inkaboos, Penelope the Pelican, the Wintergreen Witch, and a host of others.  
The journey was taken to retrieve the Silver Star which was to be placed at the top of Jimmy & Judy's Christmass tree.

   Of course, it was a delightful children's story.  In the end, it turned out that Jimmy & Judy had dreamed this whole adventure in the attic of their home where their Christmass ornaments were stored.

  Sometime in the 1940s, Wieboldt's Department store in Chicago gave away a replica Silver Star to any kids that came into the store.  I dearly wished to have one of those stars, but, living 100 miles from Chicago, I wasn't about to be able to get one.

   Fast-forward to the late 1970s.  I now lived in Chicago and regularly listened to "Those Were the Days," a nostalgia old time radio program hosted by Chuck Schaden on Saturday afternoons for four hours.  Chuck regularly replayed "The Cinnamon Bear" on his show on the 4 Saturdays before Christmass.  I became addicted to the program all over--and got my young daughters interested in listening to it, too :-)

   And then it happened!  An announcement one Saturday on TWTD that Chuck had come into possession of a large number of mint-condition silver stars from the Wieboldt's days.  They would be on sale at his shop on a first-come, first served basis.  

   Needless to say, I hurried over to his store and purchased one of those stars.  

   Most years since then, the Silver Star has found a place at the top of our family Christmass tree.  This year is no different, as the picture shows.

   Good memories!       

Concordia Milwaukee's "Second Life"

For more than 30 years, Columbus Day week has been special for me as I head to Northern Wisconsin to spend a few days with a former prep school classmate and roommate.  We go fishing (if the weather permits), or we just "hang out" together.  It's a time to reconnect with someone I've known for almost 60 years.

The route I take to his home does not vary.  Once I've driven thru Milwaukee, I take back highways thru the Wisconsin countryside, enjoying autumn's colors and taking pictures of old Wisconsin barns (slowly disappearing from the landscape).

But my FIRST stop on the trip is ALWAYS at my alma mater--Concordia College Milwaukee (of blessed memory)--between 32nd and 33rd, Kilbourn and State Streets in Milwaukee.  Tho' the campus moved to a north Milwaukee suburb many years ago, the plot of land just mentioned is still my alma mater.  I stop here each year to walk around the campus, to remember the wonderful six years I spent here, and the give thanks for friendships that began here and have lasted for almost 60 years; for professors who modeled the life of servants of Christ and of Christ's church; and for values that were shared and instilled in me.

After Concordia left its former campus, the property was purchased by the Potawatomi Indian tribe and converted into the Indian Community School.  Several years ago, the Potawatomis moved their school to a far southern area of Milwaukee.

 About 18 months ago, something exciting began to take place on Concordia's "old campus."  Renovation of Wunder Dorm; building a new Data Holding Center; and renovation of the old classroom building are underway.

When I stopped at "Concordia" the morning of October 8, I met a remarkable CEO by name of Pepi Randolph.  Pepi graciously took me on a tour of the entire campus, much to my delight.  As we toured Wunder Dorm (the 3rd floor of which is now the office for the Potawatomi Business Development Corp); Pritzlaff Dorms A, B & C; the Refectory; the Library; and, finally, the old classroom building... memories of my six years on that wonderful campus washed over me with fondness, emotion and much joy.

Augie Rehwaldt's biology lab... "Pips" Zanow's physics classroom and lab... Room 9, where "Keats" Hattstaedt taught us ancient history in our freshman year... the chapel where we gathered morning and evening for devotions... the faculty room... the Refectory where we ate our meals family style and had pie on Tuesdays and Fridays every week... the rooms in the basements of the dorms that were barber shops, game rooms, publications rooms... the new snack bar in the basement of Pritzlaff C.

As we walked through these buildings, and the rooms that were in them, I could hear the voices that once echoed in them--the profs and the students--and the "ghosts" of years gone by.  I told Pepi stories of what I remembered happening in those buildings.  The stories helped Pepi  understand the great history of Concordia's life in Milwaukee a bit more clearly.

I documented the tour of the campus with pictures of the work that is going on right now.  You may access those pictures here.  And, if you're interested in checking out some historical information about Concordia, you can go here.

And, if you happen to be in the Milwaukee area... are a graduate of Concordia's "old" campus... and want to see a work in progress...  stop at the campus, take the elevator in Wunder Dorm to the third floor, and ask the receptionist if you can meet Pepi.  He'll be glad you stopped!

Remembering Dad

Dad's 46th birthday, June 15, 1956

  As I entered today's date and beginning mileage in my auto record book this morning, I was reminded that today is the 102nd anniversary of my dad's birth in Sodus, Michigan.
  Unfortunately for me (and the rest of my family), dad only lived another twelve years beyond the picture on the left.  We lost a wonderful dad and husband much too early in our lives.
  Several times, while I was growing up, dad's birthday anniversary fell on Father's Day (it's close this year).  Then, it was always a question of "do I get him a birthday present or a father's day present?"  Honestly, I don't remember HOW I resolved that issue :-)
  As Dad's birthday anniversary and Father's Day closely coincide again this year, I remember what a patient man my dad was.  Rarely did I ever hear him raise his voice in anger, tho' there were times when such action would have been justified.  I remember my dad as a man who wasn't afraid to tackle a difficult problem, whether it was to find a way to finance the new school that my home church built in 1952, or dig a water well next to the garage so my sibs and I could have a regular water fountain during the summer.  Dad encouraged me by way of example.  I'll never forget his words to me, right after my wife and I bought our first house in St Louis, and mom and dad came for a visit.  After supper, we walked around the property and dad took it all in.  Finally, he said, "Well, Bob, I think you and Margaret made a good deal!"  And that was his word of encouragement.
  I wish dad could have been with us many more years than he was.  I know I would have gained a lot more wisdom from him.  But, I'm grateful for the years he was my dad and for all I learned from him.
  Happy Birthday, Dad!

A Year's Difference

A Year's Difference



One year ago, Chicago was digging out from the third largest snowfall in the city's history--23 inches. The storm began on January 31 and didn't end until the morning of Groundhog Day.

One year later, Chicago basks in the 10th warmest winter we've had.

The pictures above show similar scenes in front of our condo in Oak Park at roughly the same time in the morning on February 2, 2011 and February 2, 2012.