Sign on the door - "Gone Decorating"

"Blog Closed for a few days while I decorate for Christmas"

I love Florida....went out to buy a tree this morning wearing shorts and flip flops.

See you next week with New Postings.

Have a great weekend

"The Conlon Sibs"

Only picture I have of Joe, Janet and Mike...not sure when

it was taken, but it was at an Elks Club, I think. If Janet or Michael remembers, let me know and I will adjust this copy.

Just want to share it with everyone.

(Janet left a comment that this was taken at her parents 50th Anniversary)

"Look what the tide brought in"

( Left to right - Tier One...Liz, Angela, Joey, Kate

Tier Two...Michael, Don

Tier Three...Janet and I hope she is not doing what I think she is doing)

This was taken on the beach in Port Washington, 1948.

My grandmother had a house about 2 blocks away. Everyone in the family would go to the beach on the weekends. Sometimes there was a caravan of cars filled with my aunts, uncles, cousins and friends... They would spend the entire day...cook on fire pits that were in a picnic area, with tables and benches, showers, restrooms and food concessions... It was a beautiful Private beach only 10 minutes from Sands Point, which was one of the most expensive areas on Long Island at the time. As a matter of fact, the singer, Perry Como had a home in Sands Point, and on the Sundays we went to church, he sang in the choir.I remember seeing him and his family many times. If you look over my mothers shoulder, the building you see was a sea plane hanger.They would fly people over the water and the Beach for a price. One Sunday my father and aunt Kate, after much daring, took a flight...Joey and I wanted to go, but were not allowed..We waved to them as they flew over and they were low enough that we could see them wave back...We were fortunate having all our family near us and spending quality time with them...although at the time no one realized that, it was just the way we lived....

"Grandmother Prudente"

This is the only known picture of my mothers and Aunt Kate's Mom...Margaret Neary Prudente...

Although it is very grainy, you still can see the family resemblance...I see my mom's, Angela's and Kelly's faces. She died in 1936, at age 42..so I imagine this picture was take in the late 1920's or early 1930's.

The dark hair you see, was bright red and funny no one in our family has red hair. I think, Meagan, Janet's granddaughter has or had reddish hair. Most of us came out blonde's. Joey, Angela and myself all had blond hair in our yut, (as Cousin Vinny says, from the movie by the same name)

I had platinum blond hair until I was about 4 or so, then it darkened and then fell out....Little by little you are seeing more of our family....I have many, many more pics to post. Hope you enjoy them.

"Now I find out"

After all these years I find out that my sister is older then me. Here is a picture of her holding me when I was 2 months old. It's great being the baby of the family.

Ok, if you are confused ( we must be related) this is my mother and I taken in April 1939 but again it looks like the clones or the body snatchers invaded Long Island City...and left my sister in my mothers place.

"Happy Birthday Angela"

Sunday, November 25th is my sister Angela's

Birthday...

Happy Birthday Sis, I will be a gentleman and not reveal your age.

Oh, by the way, the temperature this morning was

61

Enjoy !

"My Ode to Thanksgiving"

Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the kitchen, Mike was hidding, Liz was bitchin..

The trash bags were piled by the side door with care. In hopes the garbage men soon would be there.

The kids were all nestled in front of the Tube, while grandpa cursed and called Big Bird a boob.
Grandma in her afghan, the cat in her lap, just settled down for mid morning nap.

When out on the porch there arose such a clatter, it was Aunt Kate demanding her turkey platter. Away to the door, Liz flew like a flash, threw the dish at her, Oh what a crash.

The sun was melting the rest of the snow, giving way to the icey layers below.

When what to our bleary eyes should appear…hey its Uncle Mike, and he is drinking a beer.

From his boots, he scraped mud, flung opened the door, asked for a Bud or even a Coor, He smiled as said, "No macaroni for me ….just pass me a beer and some baloney" before anyone could say a thing, the cocktail hour was in full swing.
Food and snacks were piled high like a tower, as the sisters laughed, and Liz mixed another scotch sour and before anyone could get high as a kite, Lawrence Welk blew a bubble and said "To All A Good Night",,,,,

Wishing you a Great Thanksgiving,,,

"A favorite picture"

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mother, it was taken at Joey and Maryjane Conlon's engagement party in 1957. The party was held at Maryjane's mom and dad's house in Teaneck, NJ.....Everyone had a great time....my father was warned that he better behave because Maryjane's parents were very sophisticated...the best part was, they were really fun people and my father fit right in with them, there was nothing phony about them and they loved my dad...the one funny thing I remember was the invitation....In the slot for the time of the party was printed,

"From Four till Sick"....

I thought that was hilarious.

and yes, that is Angela in the background, or as my mother called her..."Mini- Me".....only kidding but I had to say that...

"Liz and Mike were cut ups"

A silhouette is a form of artwork. It is most commonly a human portrait in profile, in black. They do not show any facial expression. Silhouettes are most often made by a skilled silhouette artist by looking at a subject's profile, whether in person or from a photograph, and simply cutting out their likeness freehand.[citation needed]
Two hundred years ago, long before the camera was invented, someone wishing to have an inexpensive portrait created of their loved ones would have visited a silhouette artist. Within minutes and using only a pair of scissors and a skillful eye, he would have produced a little image with a remarkable resemblance to his subject.[citation needed]
This silhouette of my mother and father was done at Coney Island Circa 1940's. For you young'uns, I posted the above definition of a silhouette, copied from online. I did not go with them to Coney Island, but I remember being shown this the next morning. When they explained to me how it was done, I was amazed what a piece of paper and a pair of scissors could do.

November 15th Birthdays

November 15th

is

Alisa and Kelly's

16th Birthday

Wishing you both a very Happy, Happy Birthday

and please save me a piece of cake

Luv ya's

"Smile and say Cheese"

Kate, Fanny and Rose Circa 1954

A new character appears..that is Fanny. She was my mother and aunts first cousin. Her father Jimmy, was my grandfather Benny's brother. I am only explaining all this to fill in for the people who never met her. She was a real fun person to be with.She laughed and joked all the time.

If you look at the shadow on the floor, you will see that my mother took this picture. I can tell it is her and also that is how I happen to have this picture. This picture was taken on Broadway in Astoria, down the street from Kneers Ballroom (a catering house). They were going to Fanny's brothers wedding. His name was Jamesy. I do have a funny story to tell about Aunt Kate and Fanny, but I will save that for later.....I will give you a hint...it involves a pleated skirt, two sailors and an ice cold shower....I know that got your attention....until the next time.

(Click on this and all picture to enlarge)

"Look what the tide brought in"

I really can't believe this. How could Janet and my Sister be in a picture that is over 70 years old. This is like a Stephen King/Margaret Mitchell novel...."Clone with the Wind"....

I do not know who the boys are, but if they were hanging with this bunch there must have been slim pickings in L.I.City that summer.

( the usual left to right explanation)

Nancy, Rose, Kay and Liz.....

The sad part is, poor Nancy could not even wear a bathing suit, due to her deformed leg....

Looking at those bathing suits, they were a bit revealing for that time....even the guys suit covers more...actually it looks like a line up outside a Tijuana speakeasy....with two token gringo's.....

"Rent-a-Cousin Poster Children"

Here we have Michael, Kelly and Ron,

Floral Park September 1966

I think Ron is trying to show he has inherited my dirty knees.

Kelly is looking for some ronies and

Michael seems to be pondering, "Someday I will create a program and call it Doors"

"We Wish the same for our Daughters"

Circa 1929....(Left to right) Kate, Nancy, Rose and (seated) Liz

These four beauties seem to be dressed for the beach. I tried enlarging the photo to see what those things in the background are, but I can't quite figure them out. They look like oil tanks ?...pontoons ?...I am really not sure.

But..it is amazing how after 76 years Angela and Janet have not aged that much. Those Prudente girls have some genes,

but their taste in clothes leave something to be desired. All kidding aside, it is amazing how much Janet and Angela look like their mothers. I Guess Michael and I have lots to be grateful for....

"Email Story from Kelly November 10th"

Here's a story for you ....Yesterday Trinity School for Children (Kasey's school,, she's in the 7th grade) had Honor our Hero's Day ... in which the students were asked to bring a "VET" to school for the day. So Dad went and he spoke to a 2nd grade class....they were all so impressed with his stories that they asked him for his autograph ... they each stood in line and he signed an autograph for all of them. Then he spoke to an 8th grade class in which the comments were (to Kasey) "your grandpa has the whitest teeth I've ever seen" .... Thanks to Steve's great work!!Then he march in a small school parade and had a "VET" cake in thanks.Too cute!Anyway, I miss ya .. thanks for the great stories and the amazing photos !!! Keep them coming!!

"Do we get Wine and Cheese with that Cracker? "

Those were the days...(left to right) My cousin "Big Donnie", Janet and "Little Donnie"...

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Janet and I went to St Mary's grammar school and Big D went to public school. That is why we are wearing different outfits. I think Janet and I were very religious at that time...look at our knees, those are "Kneel down on hard wood floors and Pray" scabs...I bet Janet was praying for a guy like Mell,she is already puckering up for a kiss or was she still chewing on the wafer. Which one is it Janet ?... Big D is the only one smiling, I guess wearing long pants gives you a sense of maturity...I have to buy myself a pair of long pants.....

"Larry, Moe and Curley"

This picture is almost faded completely. I touched it up as well as I could. In case you can't make it out..( left to right) it is me, Joey and Janet. I would say it is about 1941. This was a little park near Borden Avenue, our parents would take us for a walk there and most times they even brought us home. I guess they had perverts in playgrounds even then....look at the man's shadow standing behind us.....Note: Click on pictures for largers versions...

"Two Bonnies in search of a Clyde"

I can only take a guess at the age of this picture. I would say the sisters look to be in their very late teens or early twenties.

I enlarged the picture and do not see any wedding bands..maybe it is just the wrong hands that I am looking at,,..so I think this was taken about 1934 or 35. I could be way off on this call.

It seems this may be Easter Sunday, due to the hats they are wearing....Those sisters did love strange hats. This is a picture the viewer can attribute any story to it they wish...Just wanted to share this with you all....

"Happy Birthday Mike"

November 4th

Today is Michael Conlon's Birthday...

The Big guy is 66 years old....

All you loving relatives, lets wish him a "Happy, Happy Birthday"....but when the 3rd "6" shows up...watch out.

Happy Birthday Mike...

Luv Ya...

"The Founder"

I think it is time to meet one of the people that started all this.....

This is my mothers father. His name is Bernardo Prudente, called Benny.....He was born in March 1890 and died in October 1950.

He was not your typical Italian grandfather from that era. He was always smiling and joking. He loved kids and aways carried candy in his pocket to give out to them. He loved a funny joke and took a joke with a broad grin. He was a tailor by trade and he was doing just that when he passed away. He was at work, stitching a ladies coat on a sewing machine. He stood up, and had a heart attack and that was it. His brother Jimmy, was working right next to him and was with him at the end. His wife, my grandmother, Margaret died very young, she was 42 and died January 14th shortly before my mothers wedding in September 1936.(Which also happens to be Janets birthday - 1939). That is where we get out Irish heritage. Her maiden name was Neary. She had red hair and freckles and looked like my mom...also I have a picture ( I will post later) and she looks just like Kelly. We heard she also had a great personality and loved a good time. It is a shame we never knew her. Getting back to grandpa, he did remarry but that is another story entirely. I will tell it one day. It's nothing bad, it has a cast of characters that will amuse you, reminiscent of the Soprano's.

So now you have met a few more of your family members with lots more to come.....

"Two Mikes at the Fair"

This picture was taken at the 1939-1940 Worlds Fair in the summer of 1940. The Fair was held in Flushing Meadow Park, in Flushing, NY....
Joey was four and I was one and a half. Making Our fathers 25 and 35 (Let me know if I am wrong I think Uncle Mike (Conlon)... was 10 years older then Aunt Kate)
My father and Aunt Kate were both born in 1915, and my Mom in 1917...Joey was born in August of 1936 and I was born in January 1939...Just supplying this info for you young'ens, who have no idea about any of this ancient history.
Joey was either camera shy or just bored. Probably a little of both. Dig those suspenders on our dads..I bet they both could have a used a belt, just about then and not the kind to hold their pants up either...
I think I have other photos of the Fair, I will post them when I come across them.
It's great seeing our dads so young....

"Ron and Group"

Ron formed a Music Group at work..( Merrill Lynch) playing at an open air Festival on the campus of Merrill Lynch....
for a charity drive benefiting
The American Cancer Society and The United Way.
Ron is on drums.
Enjoy this short clip.

http://www.4019edgelandtrail.com/test.html