My mom (Mildred Woodley) and Sandy's father (Roger Pellens) were brother and sister. Roger and his wife Betty lived next door to our grandparents, Harry and Amanda Pellens. When my brother and I were growing up, Sundays often found us going to Hartwell (Cincinnati suburb) to visit the grandparents. And a big plus was seeing my cousins. (I just went to Google and looked up 8456 Curzon Ave., Cincinnati. Grandma and Grandpa's house is on the left; Betty and Roger's on the right.)
Grandpa's House on Curzon Ave, Cincinnati
Grandpa's house had a fairly large garage where my brother would hide from his noisy cousins. It also had a chicken coop, and there were chickens when I was really little. Betty and Roger's house had a lot that extended to the street behind it (Anthony Wayne), and their drive was off that street. Their yard was big enough for badminton or croquet.
The Stagecoach
But the highlight was the swing they had in their side yard. It was one of those old glider-types with a bench seat on either end. It became our stage-coach, and the stone patio was our saloon. Since my brother was older, Grandpa trusted him to light the old kerosene lantern, and we would pretend we were in an old Western saloon, etc. When my brother died in 2019 Sandy orchestrated a bouquet, and the card inside reminded us of the good times around the lantern!
(Here's a picture in the swing taken in about 1988 when we visited Betty and Roger at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The swing is out at the cabin right now awaiting new arms. Unfortunately we can't see the shape of the original arms but they were probably fairly simple since the whole design is rather crude as if homemade. Dick)
England and the Queen
When my first husband Sean and I lived in England Sandy came over and visited, and traveled around the country on her own. I vaguely remember that we drove to York, but frankly, not sure I'm right on that. She spent a few days in London before heading up north to Nottingham, and she told us this story: She was near Buckingham Palace and there was a large crowd because word got out that the Queen was due to appear. She asked a local bobby "Now where is the best place to stand to see the Queen?" to which he replied, "0n your feet, luv, on your feet!” I've never forgotten that.
Mt. Adams
Sandy had an apartment for a few years on Mt. Adams in Cincinnati. I remember one Christmas Sean and I went over, and a bunch of us went around caroling. I seem to recall her parents were there; her dad had a really good voice. His favorite hymn was "Faith of Our Fathers". I don't know if Sandy has a favorite or not.
Another childhood memory—I was jealous of Sandy because she lived next door to my grandparents, and said that she got to bake cookies with Grandma Pellens (I referred to Grandma as "grandma" but to Judy and Sandy she was MoMo.
Aunt Betty's mother and father, the Wistners, lived with Sandy's parents for a time. I remember her name was Bessie and I think his was Will, but not really sure. My dad loved to play cards with them whenever we visited. After a time someone—Uncle Frank?—lived in an attic room. Not sure the relationship there.
And that about does it. I'm enclosing a picture of the "stagecoach crew" taken at our house. Sorry it’s not dated, but I know it’s before 2011, since Judy died in the fall of 2011.
My love to you all,
Diane
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