Here I am dining in a highchair at 1517 Harbrooke, Ann Arbor, MI – c1956
I think we all could agree that I adore taking nostalgic visits through the old family photos. To be honest, I also ADORE food and have so many cherished memories of family gatherings for meals. Dinners at our kitchen tables, at the Elks Club, at Howard Johnson’s, Bill Knapps, The University of Michigan Union, and hundreds of other venues. Also, picnics at the park and visits to ice cream parlors. And, let’s not forget the many birthday cakes that have delighted us.
I have many family members that are gifted cooks/chefs/bakers. Personally, I lack skills in this area. In fact, my father who would never say a bad thing about me answered a question I posed to him in the most clever way. I asked him to tell me if I was a good cook. I was goading him. But…like usual he came up with a PERFECT answer that still has me smiling. He looked at me lovingly and said, “Well, I don’t think you would be known for your cooking.” (My Dad was amazing!)
I decided that it would be fun to write this post using photos of some of the meals, kitchens, or tables that were photo documented by my family. My secret hope is that these photos, put together as a collection, will serve as a storytelling tool and enable my family members to share anecdotes and narratives about the family history of dining together.
There are not many photos that show our food…just us eating. I so wish that I had a photo of Grandma Pet’s niffles and her french fries. I would love a photo of Madalyn’s shrimp bowls and Aunt Babe’s pan fried fish dinners. Still, this collection should be fun.
To all the good cooks in my family (past and present) I thank you. Enjoy
Photo 1 -my estimated date is 1917
Aunt Babe enjoying watermelon with friends. Bonus points if you can tell me where they are in the photo!
Photo 2 – my estimated date is 1953
This photo of Mary Ann may be from the kitchen in the 1860 Carlisle, Bethlehem, PA. The other possibility is 1517 Harbrooke, Ann Arbor, MI. I included this photo in this blog because it shows off the kitchen of the home and cuz Mary Ann looks so sweet.
Photo 3 – March 18, 1954
This is Gretchen Hess, with Mary Ann, and “Bones” Edward Charles Klotz. It sure looks like they are celebrating Mary Ann’s 2nd birthday at the Elks Club on Main Street in Ann Arbor, MI. I’m not sure what was on the menu, but we all remember the bread/cracker basket served with every dinner!
Photo 4 – February 11, 1955
I am fascinated by the photos of cakes from this era. Wow! This photo shows Mary Ann helping out while I have a meltdown on my own 1st birthday. Note the Bunnykins cup at the front edge of the photo.
Photo 5- March 18, 1955
Mary Ann celebrates her 3rd birthday with a super deluxe cake! This highchair stayed in the family for a long time! Our mother always dressed us so beautifully. This dress probably had a “stick out” slip inside – they were scratchy.
Photo 6 – I estimated the date to be 1959
Mom made fantastic decorations for our birthday parties. This was our dining room table at 1517 Harbrooke Ave., Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 7 – I believe this is from 18 March 1960
This photo of what appears to be Mary Ann’s birthday was taken in the home of Madalyn and Bones. 522 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI. We had so many fantastic dinners there in their very tiny formal dining room. The red shoes were hand-me-downs and later fit our Patty Play Pal dolls.
Photo 8 – photo from 27 Nov 1958
Happy Birthday Khaki! This cute photo is from the home of Grandma Pet at 520 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI. We had many fantastic dinners here. Mary Ann and I often wore matching dresses. I look rather serious in this photo, Mary Ann looks surprised, and Khaki looks HAPPY. Maybe you can spot the old fashion radio and the little brown teapot shaped creamers.
Photo 9 – this photo is from 27 Nov 1960
Khaki has little train candle holders on her birthday cake that were reused often in the Hess family. I am not sure how she scored 2 birthday cakes? This photo is from the dining room at 1517 Harbrooke, Ann Arbor, MI. Notice that Aunt Babe is wearing an apron. It was considered quite normal to bring an apron to a party.
Photo 10 – this photo is from 11 Feb 1962
This photo is from one of my most beloved birthday parties. My father made a little wooden pull-string bear for each child attending the event.
Photo 11 – This photo is from 18 Mar 1962.
Mary Ann is being treated to one of Mom’s amazing German Chocolate Cakes. This photo was taken in the dining room at 1517 Harbrooke Ave., Ann Arbor, MI
Photo 12 – I am estimating this photo was taken in 1963
What a fancy table. Where do you think we are? My mother was so beautiful!. I loved my Grandma Pet so much. You can see her seated at the end of the table. Grandma Pet died at age 79 in 1965,
Photo 13 – I estimate this photo is from 27 Nov 1963
This photo has been digitally enhanced. This is one of my favorite family photos. Mom is such a beauty. You can see that once again, Mary Ann and I are wearing matching dresses. I had a permanent to make my hair curl at the ends whlle Mary Ann had naturally curly hair. This photo was taken at our home at 1517 Harbrooke Ave., Ann Arbor, MI
Photo 14 – I estimate that this photo date is 1964.
This is a photo of our home at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. So many dinners and conversations happened in this space that included family members from 4 generations. The double oven was considered quite fancy for this time period.
Photo 15 – I estimate this photo date is 1964.
This is another photo of the kitchen at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI. From this view you can see into the Mud Room hallway and the door to the garaged. To one side of the garage door were one of the sets of stairs to the basement and on the other side of the door was a short hallway to the screened in back porch.
Photo 16 – I estimate this photo date is 1965
In my defense, the white cat eyed glasses were popular! What a great photo of us enjoying dinner with Natalie and Ed White with their children. I am not sure of the photo location.
Photo 17 – This photo is from 15 Oct 1964.
Mom and Dad hosted a 25th wedding anniversary for Bones and Madalyn. My mom is standing at the table with Bones and my Aunty Ginny is seated. This photo was taken at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI. Madayln and Bones were married on 15 Oct. 1939.
Photo 18 – This photo is from 15 Oct 1964.
Another photo of the Silver Anniversary party for Madalyn and Bones. Grandma Pet is seated in the orange chair on the right side of the photo. The photo is from 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 19 – I estimated that this photo is from November 1965.
This is a photo of a cookie decorating party for birthday girl Khaki. The photo location was 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI. The ping pong table is hiding the shuffle board marks that were a part of the floor. The big blackboard was a very popular household item.
Photo 20 – I estimated the date for the photo to be 1965.
Photo 21 – I estimated this photo date to be summer of 1966.
This breakfast photo of Mary Ann, Linda Claire (me) and Gretchen Hess was taken at Camp Michigania.
Photo 22 – I estimate this photo to be from 1966.
Photo 23 – I estimate this photo to be from Spring 1966.
Where are we?
Photo 24 – I estimate this photo date to be 1968
What was the event? Where are we? Uncle Bob, Barb, Mary Ann, Madalyn, Betsy, Aunt Ginny, Khaki, Aunt Babe.
Photo 25 – This photo is from Oct. 1964.
Mom and Madalyn are chaperones for a party. This is the kitchen at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI. That little black and white TV was certainly well utilized during dinner and meal preparations.
Photo 26 – I estimate this photo was taken in 1969.
I believe this was taken in Germany. Mom went on a European trip with Aunt Ginny and Aunt Ginny’s sister.
Photo 27 – This photo was from 1970
This is a photo of Dad in a hotel room – from my European tour with him in 1970.
Photo 28 – This photo is from 1970.
A photo of me and Dad at a dinner in a European castle. This was a fancy work event for him.
Photo 29 – I estimate this photo to be from October 1972.
I love everything about this photo! Can you see my knit vest- I adored it. Khaki is holding Mutti. This was a time for Bundt cakes to be very popular. Mom is also wearing a popular polyester jacket.
Photo 30 – This photo is from the summer of 1972.
Dad is at a work event.
Photo 31 – I estimate this photo to be from 1974.
It looks like a Christmas dinner…If I was taking the photo, where is my chair? LOL.
Photo 32 – I estimate this photo is from 1975
The best dress I ever owned! I made a romatic dinner for Jack and served it on a card table by the fireplace. Knowing me, Mom probably cooked…???
Photo 33 – I estimate this photo to be from Christmas 1975.
Are those Mary Ann’s snowflakes? So pretty. Mary Ann, Uncle Bob, Aunt Babe, Aunt Ginny, Robert Hess.
Photo 34 – This photo is from 13 Aug 1977.
Our wedding reception was held at our home at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 35 – I estimated the photo date to be 1979.
Probably Christmas dinner at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI
Photo 36 – I estimate the photo date is 1979
What are we eating? It looks like my plate is clean. This photo is from the kitchen at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 37 – This photo is from 1980.
From Bone’s 70th birthday party at his house at 522 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 38 – This photo is from Sept. 1982.
What’s to eat? I love this photo of Amy wearing a shirt decorated by Khaki and sitting in what looks to be my old highchair. I think this photo was taken at 609 S. 1st Street, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 39 – This photo is estimated to be from 1982.
Amy helps her Grandpa eat his dinner. This photo was taken in the kitchen at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 40 – photo date is estimated to be 1982
I love being Amy’s mom. This photo was taken at 609 S. 1st Street, Ann Arbor, MI
Photo 41 – I estimate this photo is from 1982.
Punch bowls and ice rings used to be a party staple. This is a photo of Aunt Ginny hosting a party at her home on Coronada in Ann Arbor.
Photo 42 – I estimate this photo is from 3 Jul 1989.
I believe that Mom made this amazing Cookie Monster Cake for Amy’s birthday
Photo 43 – I am estimating that this photo is from February 1983
The Valentine heart makes me think this is a cake for one of Amy’s parents. The photo location is the dining room at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 44 – My date estimated is 1985.
We are at the kitchen table at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor. I am not sure what we are eating. Could it be hand made chicken pot pie?
Photo 45 – 3 Dec 1986
This was the year that Amy requested a 1/2 birthday party. She was 5.5 years old. Grandma set up this whole wonderful event with flair. The photo location is the kitchen at 2629 Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor, MI.
Photo 46 – Easter breakfast c1987
Easter breakfast at Bethlehem Church always included easter eggs and donuts/coffee cake.
Photo 47 – My photo estimate is April 1987.
This looks like a birthday party for Kristy on Ardmoor.
Photo 48 – December 1989
Amy feeding her cousin Charlie in the kitchen at Danbury Lane, Ann Arbor. Do you remember our phone number? Normandy 663-2795.
Photo 49 -This photo is from 1989.
Mom would always entertain her grandchildren by making little books with them. This is page 19 of a book.
Photo 50 – I estimate this is from 1989.
Easter breakfast at Bethlehem Church
Photo 51 – Photo date estimated is 1991
Photo 52 – 1992
Where are we?
Photo 53 – December 1992
This was a banquet room at Weber’s Inn for a celebration of Bob and Gretchen’s anniversary.
Photo 54- 1992
I believe this photo is from 5431 Pratt Road, Ann Arbor, MI
Photo 55 – April 1993
I believe this was from a restaurant called Leutheuser’s.
Photo 56 – 8 Jan 1994
Bob, Jack and Charlie on Ardmoor.
Photo 57 – I believe this photo was from 1998.
We were celebrating Amy’s birthday and I think the restaurant was called Kales’ waterfall.
Photo 58 – 10 May 2000
It looks like a Thanksgiving dinner on Aberdeen.
Photo 59 – estimated to be from 2001
Was this Thanksgiving? We are all at a beautiful table on Ardmoor.
Photo 60 – photo estimated to be 2007
Where was this photo taken?
Photo 61 – photo estimate 2008
Cottage at East Coast Shores Resort on Lake Huon in Oscoda. We were usually up there on or near to Kevin’s birthday.
Photo 62- photo estimated 2008
At Mac’s seafood in Saline, MI
Photo 63 – photo estimated as 2008 or 2009
In my kitchen at 2725 Yost Blvd. – This was a gathering for Dad’s birthday
Photo 65 – photo estimated as 2008 or 2009
A birthday cake for Dad at my house on 2725 Yost Blvd.
Photo 66 – photo estimated to be 2015
I had to add this photo – Grandma’s dishes. I found this old flier many years after it was produced.
Photo 67 – photo date is estimated to be 2016
Dad’s kitchen table at the Brecon condo – 549 Lancaster
Photo 68 – estimated to be from 2016
Amy and Drew’s dining room table in Seattle WA
Photo 69 – photo estimated to be from 2019
Kevin’s MSU graduation party on Aberdeen
Photo 70 – photo from 2022 – dinner for one at 2502 Pittsfield Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI
telling life stories 