Mildred Creamer

My grandfather, Alfred Oswald (“A.O.) Meinhard, married Wilhelmina Carolina Dushinske. Chuck Creamer is a Dushinske relative living here in Portland.

On April 26, 2006, Mildred, his wife, found out that she had abdominal cancer. On April 19, she died at home.

After the terrible news, Millie and Chuck continued the activities that had made their lives meaningful. There was, of course, the medical regimen the Doctors used to combat the cancer but Millie and Chuck kept up their regular activities with Veterans, Meals on Wheels, and Millie’s singing. She had a very good voice and both were active in Church activities.

On The 19th of April, Chuck was getting ready to go to his American Legion meeting. Millie asked if she could go with him. She used a wheelchair that Chuck kept in the car. At the meeting, he wheeled her into the men’s meeting. In the meeting Millie told them she would not be ale to sing at the Memorial Day program. At the Auxiliary meeting, she announced that she was resigning as Girl’s State Chairman.

After the meeting, Millie and Chuck returned home. They retired for the evening. At 4 a.m. Millie died peacefully.

I found Millie to be a very kind and gentle person, and a quiet person. When I first met her here in Portland, I immediately liked her. Her singing voice was well known. And she was active in various civic groups and church.

Her daughter, Debbie, helped her with medical appointments. She also has a granddaughter, Cassandra Trap who is enrolled at Western Oregon University.

Chuck is supported by his children, their children, and friends in the area. He is doing well. We will have him over for a holiday dinner when he is not busy with his family holiday gatherings. No doubt as usual he will enjoy talking about Dushinske descendants so perhaps we can post some of his family tree. His Step-mother, Agnes Creamer, celebrated her 100th birthday on October 18, 2007. She lives in Chamberlain, South Dakota, the same town where we once lived while Dad worked in the Ford garage.

Thanksgiving Training Break for J Alex & Robyn

At thanksgiving break for J Alex and Robyn,both are well into Undergraduate Flight Training. It takes about a year and 200 hours of flying. Most of flight training consists of the study and memorization of procedural details. VP (Justin Van Patten) came over for thanksgiving dinner and brought his study cards. He's about to start training and his quiet mumbling while we watched the 4 1/2 hr, 3 overtime loss of #1 LSU to Arkansas was his memorizing some basic aircraft parameters and procedures.

J Alex is now in the unit on formation flying. The unit begins with a large number of hand signals such as how give a radio failure signal for receiver failure. The initial pumping up and down hand signal indicates some system failure then 1 finger is hydraulic, 2 is electrical 3 is fuel, 4 is oxygen, and 5 is engine. Clenched fist means multiple failures. Much communication between pilots uses hand signals to maintain radio discipline.





The formation unit teaches them procedures for take-off, landing, joining, and flying in 3 different formations. Fingertip means flying with 10 feet of separation of wing tips. The advanced unit teaches them "lost wingman" procedures—how and when to execute lost wingman from turns, approaches, and so on. The pilots must maintain strict visual contacts or transmit "Texan 2 is blind" and execute lost wingman procedures.





The simulators are fascinating. J Alex went through all the system checks and start procedures in the instrument flight simulator for the T-6. The have procedures for checking everything including the system test panel and lamps that monitor other systems. There are two other simulators, one with a front screen and the other with a surround screen.



The language of the Air Force is, of course, technical with use of many acronyms. OBOGS is the on board oxygen generation system. The T-6 generates its own oxygen so this system is carefully monitored even in flight between planes using hand signals.

The cockpit itself requires 40 checklist procedures,then there are 9 steps to start the turbine, 40 steps before taxi, then procedures in the air during take-off and during landing.




J Alex had a flight scheduled but they aborted flying due to weather. We saw nothing but J Alex getting ready to leave.

Uncle Bob's 89th Birthday

Bob with his family and Donna

Bob celebrated his 89th birthday with a party on November 3rd. He planned the dance party and invited his dance partners, family, and other friends. He said that it was to be a dance party although “it is almost too late to do the dancing I want. I'll take pain pills, and invite a half a dozen or more women who have danced with me.”

Dorothea leading the line dancing


About 40 close friends and his family made it for the buffet brunch: families of Sheryl, Nancy, Bob junior, and Darla were there; Lorelei and Jerry Plaehn, our Meinhard families of Doug, Dorothea, Donna. At 1:30 about 40 more people showed up for the afternoon dance. It’s harvest and deer hunting season so Doris and Roger couldn’t make it nor could a couple of Bob’s friends. The small band was excellent, Bob said. It won a band of the year award and is one of the really top bands.



Dorothea led some line dances, and Bob managed to dance a few minutes with several dance partners in spite of his painful hip. Pretty amazing the kind of life Bob has…we all have. And consider this. He has visited the Mayo Clinic and is on track for a hip replacement. The doctors tell him it has become a rather routine operation and he will probably recover in a hurry.

Bob continues volunteering as a guide on tour buses, spending some time writing, going to the historic society and other meetings he so much enjoys, and meeting new and interesting people. Last week he met and heard an 87 year old women giving a speech who was a member of the Women in the Air Force. Congratulations, Uncle Bob

George With More Info on German Meinhards

George Shares This:

It's been quite a while since we went over Alexander's research many years ago. And all of that is somewhere at home - so I'm working from memory. I haven't looked at in quite a while - but remember that there was a discrepancy between it and the Michael Meinhard family history that we had from family records. The discrepancy was that the family documents included information about Simon, Michaels gr.gr.grandfather(?) and his son (Johannes?) owning & operating a mill/bakery at Metz.
But, later, Jacob, grandson of Simon, was back in Siegen owning the bakery there. But the lineage that Alexander had put together tied Michael to a family that was always in Siegen - and not to Simon. There were two distinct Meinhards with the same name, born a year or so apart (either the above Johannes or Jacob, I can't remember which) - one in Siegen and one in Metz. (Metz is quite a distance from Siegen). It looked like Simon had probably originally been from Siegen - but how he tied into the line further back was unclear.
I had suggested to Alexander that he research the Meinhard records around Metz. Hopefully what he has found establishes that link somehow. I would be interested in seeing what he has come up with.

I believe that Michael & family came to the U.S. (Troy Grove, Illinois) in 1853 - including his father, Jacob. Although it appears likely that two of the sons had come here somewhat earlier to live and to locate land where they could settle. The Vitts came at about the same time - but settled in Missouri.

George
*******

Uncle Bob Visits German Relatives

Uncle Bob just returned from his trip to Germany and Europe with his friend, Eileen. Eileen is Bob’s four year dance partner from Menominee, Wisconsin; Bob jokes that she’s his niece since she's the age of his daughter but she is a fabulous dancer, follows any moves he makes no matter how spontaneous, and is not only a great dance partner but a loyal friend. They went to Siegen, Germany where they visited our relatives and friends. After Siegen, they took the Eurorail to Amsterdam for a 15 day cruise up the Danube and Rhine to Budapest.


Bob shared some information new information about Alexander and his visits to our ancestor’s homes. I included are some details thanks to Gordy.

The Kerns

Bob and Eileen stayed with Jutta Kern who is married to Peter Kern from Siegen. From Gordy:

The Kerns have two children, Alexander and Carolina, and live in Siegen. Peter is a sales rep for a drug company, and Jutta is a teacher in a Siegen gymnasium. The gymnasium (pronounced with a hard "g" and a long Churchill-style "a") covers grades 5 through 13, and the kids are all university-bound (if they pay attention!). They stay together as a class with the same teacher for all of those years. One of Jutta's specialties is English which she speaks extremely well. Helen Ford was Jutta's host in the '60s, and Jutta knows the Fords and Uncle Bob well.

The Meinhards

Bob also stayed in the very large house of Alexander Meinhard, a very interesting fellow in his 40’s and a consulting engineer now divorced. Alexander travels all over the world helping companies look at their efficiency of their operations and solving management problems. On one trip, he helped the company find 5,000 tons of steel. He remarked that you wouldn’t think it would be too hard to find some steel.

Three German Towns—Three towns are key to the Meinhard-Vitt family—Siegen in Germany, a neighboring village/bedroom community Wilnsdorf, and Rödgen, midway between the two
View Larger Map.

Michael Meinhard came to the United States ca. 1850. He had been a baker in Siegen. The building that housed his bakery is now an historic hotel—Hotel zur Laterne (The Lantern Hotel), preserved and restored. Uncle Bob stayed and ate there on his trip. Bob said he could see the outline of the bake ovens in the wall. It may have been built in the early 1800s. When Michael Meinhard was forced to leave Germany, his farewell Notice to the Siegen people mentiond property that was to be sold. He was a burgher and not only owned the bakery but apparently he and a partner owned a flour mill giving him some vertical integration for his business.

Michael was one of the '48ers, those mid 19th-century liberals that were the driving force for a national democracy to replace the kingdoms and empires of Prussia and Austria. (This is grossly oversimplified, but I don't want to try to explain everything at once). I also believe that he was compelled to emigrate because of his participation in a movement/revolution that ended in failure. He sold his bakery and emigrated (with family?) to the U.S., ending up in Troy Grove, Illinois, where he built and operated the mill. His son Fredrick is the Union soldier whose Civil-War letters Bob has. Frederick is Dick’s dad's grandfather. Frederick married a Vitt, Dick’s dad's paternal grandmother.


The Vitts

The village of Rödgen lies about midway between Siegen and Wilnsdorf on the road south. Here is the estate of Eberhard Vitt. Like Michael Meinhard, he was a '48er. Vitt was a prosperous orchard owner, known far and wide for his innovative and progressive methods. He owned a considerable amount of land and produced excellent fruit, particularly apples. He likewise was forced to sell his property and emigrated. He eventually made his way to Missouri, southwest of St. Louis, in Washington County, where he farmed very successfully. That farm is still there, although suburban development is steadily encroaching on it. Donnas and Dorises visited it two summers ago.
Bob toured the old Vitt estate in Rödgen which still has many of the old buildings. The Vitt house is now an inn house, (Röverhoff?) like an upscale bread and breakfast, and Bob thought it would wonderful to be able to stay a night but it is popular and booked much too far in advance. Bob was impressed with how rich and prominent the Vitt ancestors were (and now who are poor and obscure today). In the family the Vitt inventory of what was sold when he left lists over 2,000 acres of land (it was in a German unit, morgens?, of about 7 acres).

Dorothea and I spent many weekends and holidays in Wilnsdorf, where Gertrude (Vitt) Achenbach and her family lived. She was ca. 10 years younger than your (Dick’s) mother (and she died last year). Gertrude was married to Werner Achenbach, and they had two children, Jutta and Gerhard, who are two years apart and very close in age to Dorothea and me. In the mid 70s, when we lived in southern Germany, we got to know the entire family well and visited them at holidays and on other weekends as well. Gertrude had several brothers and a sister who would come visit at the Achenbach house. Werner Achenbach was an "Architekt", which is more like a builder. The business was run out of the house, and Gerhard took over after Werner was too old to continue.

Werner was proud of his military service during World War II, claiming that he was an honorable, patriotic soldier who did his duty. He had contempt for those slovenly, undisciplined, garish American GIs who in his opinion were a blemish on the profession. Werner made his way up through the enlisted ranks in the Wehrmacht, marching all the way to Bordeaux and back again and then up to the Eastern Front (and back). He attained the rank of lieutenant and was assigned as a courier to the secret V-1 and V-2 project at Peenemünde (on the Baltic Sea). In this capacity he traveled frequently to occupied Poland to retrieve the test rockets that landed in the Polish countryside. He must have been acquainted with Wernher von Braun, the civilian scientist in charge of the Peenemünde project and who later headed the US space rocket program in the 50s.

We have wondered whether Alexander Meinhard is related to our family. At the time Alexander M came to N.Y. and to Donna's party, George Farris (who is expert in our genealogy) was skeptical that he was a relation but Uncle Bob thought he was genuinely related. Now Alexander has found a document definitely establishing the relationship and he gave a copy to Bob. Apparently Alexander and George have traced the Meinhard family back to the 16th century and now can show a direct connection with Alexander. The documents Bob received showing this relationship need be translated.

Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest

Bob and Eileen took a Vantage Cruise Company for their trip up the Danube and Rhine. Bob raves about the company and said the cruise “was perfection, very well run and complete.” There was always something interesting to do and the food was great. Many side trips were walking tours but unfortunately Bob has some arthritis in his right hip which had deteriorated rapidly. Walking had become painful but still he says he didn't miss out on much, often taking an alternative to the walking tours. He had a walker and cane for limping around, but the manager of tour group, a young Hungarian, was most helpful as was Eileen.


The tour brought a swing band on board the cruise ship and they played tunes of the American military old days that Bob thoroughly enjoyed. Bob enjoys swing most of all and the music was irresistible. The doctor had given him some spinal injections for his pain before the trip but recommended he have his hip replaced before he could recover his movement. Of course the great music meant he had to at least try to dance. “Come on, Eileen,” he said. And as always happens when he hears good music, a kind of a minor miracle occurs.

“We went through most of our maneuvers. One is rather complex. Into a cuddle, then out, I start turning under her and keep her going. I keep her turning and go under her arm again. Seemed to stumble through it but finished to wild applause. So many people came up days after and said how good we were. Also a double turn, back to back, a fun move. “Eileen says that as long as you lead, I can follow.”

The tour company arranged many side trips including a wonderful tour of Vienna ending with an ensemble concert in a recital hall at Vienna Orchestra Hall.

Bob continues a fascinating life discovering more history. This week he met an 87 year old women who was in the Womens’ Air Force Pilot Association. She speaks frequently and is quite a fire brand. And he continues to enjoy his historic society this week and his other meetings. He sets a high standard of scholarship and fun for our family.

Lilly's New Protector

The grandparents may be gone and Matt back at work but Liz still has help taking care of Lilly. She is clearly under good care.

The Grandparents Celebrate the Youngest Alcoke

The Alcoke grandparents with Liz and Matt






















The new family

Both grandparents with the new family

Grandparents

The Kiss

Cute and spoiled already

J Alex' 25th Year—Happy Birthday!

Alone at Fairchild





Robyn Comes to Dining
Out


Robyn Is Commissioned into the Air Force










They Get Married











and Honeymoon in Australia























Alone Again











Moving to Columbus and to Robyn











Finally, Together at Columbus and…


Ready for Pilot Training?

Jacob Cooper's Music at the Minnesota Orchestra

The Minnesota Orchestra is performing Jacob Cooper's Odradek on its Composer Institute Concert Conducted by Osmo Vänskä. Wow!

Sarah, Eric Anderson's wife sent me this note:

Hi Dick,

Nice of you to ask about Jacob! He's been composing for about 5 years now, mostly working on chamber music and electronic music for new music ensembles and scores for little independent and art films. The piece the Minnesota Orchestra is playing is one of a handful of full orchestral pieces he's written. You can find out lots about his music and hear some clips at his website. The premier next week is also going to be broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio, which you can stream live. We're very excited about it!

I hope you are doing well, and that the not-so newlyweds are, too.

Sarah

Gordy mentioned Jacob:

Dorothea and I went to the Minnesota Orchestra concert tonight. It reminded me that October 26th, Sarah's brother Jacob Cooper will be coming here to be part of a young composers' concert with the MO under Osmo Vanska. He's one of six that will have a work premiered by the MO in concert in Orchestra Hall. Sarah & Lucy and Martha and Neil will be here, too. Alas, Eric feels really bad that he can't make it, as he had agreed to a conference presentation that same night somewhere else and can't get out of it.

Bath Time for Lily

I know you've all seen a bath already, but it's really the only action we've been able to video-tape. We could send you a long video of Lily laying really still while she sleeps, but that would probably be a little boring. We cold send you a video of her screaming her head off trying to work some gas through her bowels, but that is just not too cute. So here you have another bath!

I had to make it very small, so the file size would be manageable. On your viewer, you could play it at twice the size, but much bigger than that will be too grainy.

--Matt & Liz

J Alex Takes His First Solo Flight

Just thought that I would let you know J Alex was able to solo last Thursday. He had a great time (we'll get pictures to you later). Now he has moved onto baby aerobatics which is loops, aileron rolls, and split-s maneuvers (I'm not quite sure what they are). This week he will probably have his first checkride which is like test of your flying skills.

I've completed physiology and am now studying systems. We started studying systems today and will have our first test on Fri which gives you an idea of how quickly we move through material here. This is a weird week for J Alex and I because I've been having early reports (5:45-7am) and he's on late week so he hasn't had to go in until around noon and then doesn't get done til late at night. I guess it's an introduction to what the year will be like for us.

J Alex and I have been following the mass of Meinhard emails and the new google group and blog page. It should be fun reading what everyone has to say.

~Robyn

New Addition, Mildred the Mixer

I put work into two categories: constructive work and scut work. In the first category work constructs a product that has some lasting value, like this concrete work putting in new steps at our West Linn house. On the other hand, things like household chores, while necessary, produce nothing of lasting value except a temporarily better condition. Construction work gives me great satisfaction, and I consider the opportunity to do it a fortunate privilege. So now I have Mildred the mixer to help me construct more things.

I love Mildred dearly even though she is adopted and not new. She came from a guy in Newberg who has a day job but loves casting concrete objects as a hobby—fountains, statues, horses, etc. He is a horse lover who wants to own a horse ranch someday so most of what he casts is directed to the horse people market.

His brother also is dedicated to a hobby, that of creating molds for concrete casting. He creates so many new molds, his brother doesn't have enough time to cast them all, and, of course, he has his own favorite castings he likes to do, like cowboy statures. Such is the natural, constructive powers of the human species.

Arleon's Cabin on Prince Edward Island

I located Donna and Arleon's cabin on Prince Edward Island.

Here's the Google map for Arleon's cabin.

Arleon says this:

Well, after all these years we found out that the route number is 3, not 2. So it is as follows:

Kelley/Meinhard
135 Glenway Dr.
RR # 3,
Vernon River, PEI C0A-2E0
CANADA

Phone: 902-651-2752

Cheers,

AK

It's going to be an extended summer vacation for us since we are planning a road trip with lot's of visits after Becky & Ted's wedding. It looks like Donna's PEI gathering will begin around the 4th of July and last until after the 8th. I hope summer plans work out for everyone else.

The Next Wedding—Becky & Ted

SAVE THE DATE: June 21st, 2008
WHY: Becky and Ted's wedding celebration
WHERE: The Howard Farm, Elgin, Iowa

Extended Itinerary, lodging and more information to follow. Look for a website soon.

In the words of the mighty Kool and the Gang, "Bring your good times and your laughter too, we're gonna celebrate and party with you...come on now...CELEBRATION!"

Becky and Ted

Mara & Gianfranco's Wedding

Hi,

Congratulations to Becky and Ted! We are delighted to continue the Meinhard Wedding Flurry and to pass the baton. You can see Mara and Gianfranco's wedding pictures here.

Photographer's ID: 89KAD9M
Password: deluca

My big news is that I had an appendectomy two weeks ago. All goes well now, I think. I was going to go to NYC to be with Lucy for a week just after, so that was rescheduled. Otherwise, all fine here. We loved having you guys all here. I love the way you come ready to party! There are some really funny pictures of my darling siblings!

Much love,
Dorothea

Our Newest Family Member

Lillian Grace Alcoke was born into the world on October 9, 2007, at 11:11pm! She was 8 lbs., 5 oz., 20.5 inches. She is doing great, and has a helluva voice!
We may not have access to e-mail for a short while, but we'll post more pics as we get them. Lily, Liz and Matt thank you for all of your support! They let us pick her up as soon as we came in. Five minutes old.

One last kiss good night!







Happy Dad!

















The happy family with Liz' mom, Marsha.

Matt and Liz