She never married. She never had children. She lived most of her adult life in homes owned by her brothers or sisters. Yet Alma Kruttschnitt (1863-1942) had one important claim to fame: She was Queen of the Mardi Gras in 1896, at the age of 32. Now, 100 years later, an academic comes around and spoils Alma’s party, ripping apart […]
Archives for January 2011
Meany and Babushka Admired Each Other’s Handiwork
Andrea Calfee sent along this wonderful picture of Meany and Bill Thompson, which was taken by Andrea’s mother, Galia Kelsey, at their home in Eastchester, N.Y., circa 1951-1952. Meany, who was a marvelous seamstress, is wearing a beautiful beaded belt made by Andrea’s grandmother. “Meany and ‘Babushka’ had a mutual admiration society going,” Andrea remembers. […]
Hugh Simmers, Jr., Knew How to Have Fun, Even Though He Worked His Whole Life
This is, without question, one of the greatest family pictures of all time. I never got to meet my grandfather, Hugh Simmers, Jr. He died when my mother was 16. But I’m sure I would have really enjoyed his company. In addition to having a penchant for photography, he must have had a good sense of humor. And he certainly knew […]