Wordless Wednesday: Heavens Peek

"Heavens Peek." Digital Image. July 1995. Original photograph privately held by 

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. Copyright (c) 2013

A Year of Creativity #170: Maple Tree

June 13, 2013, was a family anniversary that passed by relatively unnoticed. It was on a hot Friday afternoon in 1980 that our family backed a U-Haul truck into the driveway and proceeded to settle into our new home.

Thirty-three years ago we were the family that moved into John and Ann's house. It wasn't long before our front lawn was littered with bikes as the boys became part of what we affectionately called The Weslan Mafia. We all made countless new friends, enjoyed neighborhood barbecues and block parties.

In the blink of an eye and a few years on: bicycles on the lawn were replaced by cars and pickup trucks parked in the driveway. Soccer, football and baseball, homecoming, prom, graduation.

As I walked out onto the deck earlier today I thought about that first summer - the maple tree which was a little more than a sapling, now towers over the house offering shade in the summer, showers the yard with golden leaves in the fall and a haven for creatures of all sizes. A backyard sentinel giving witness to the changes of life's seasons.

"Maple Tree." Digital Image. Copyright (c) 2013 Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski

Wordless Wednesday: U.S. Canada Border Crossing 1941. When Life Was Simple.

"U.S. Canada Border Crossing 1941." Digital Image. Circa 1941. Original photograph

privately held by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. Copyright (c) 2013

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Rocky Mountain High

The excitement of my niece and her Air Force husband getting ready to begin their new life's adventure, brings to mind when Al and I spent six months in Colorado Springs while Al finished out his tour of duty at Fort Carson.

1972 - John Denver's breakout hit Rocky Mountain High was on everyone's stereo. We saved $20 a month by having our windows face away from the mountains - our parking lot view of Cheyenne Mountain was always breathtaking and a good reason to get outside.

A lifetime ago but it's where we had a chance to find a place to start.

"Rocky Mountain High." Digital Image. December 1972. Original photograph privately held

by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Cousins

"Cousins." Digital image. Circa June 1997. Original photograph privately held by

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013.

Happy Birthday Alissa

No matter how many candles are on your birthday cake or where you celebrate - today will always be special because it is your birthday. 

Thank you for allowing me to share your life. Happy Birthday my beautiful woman niece.

"Happy Birthday Alissa." Digital Images. Undated. Original photographs privately held by

Cindy Bergeron Schewinski (c) 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Alissa and Becky: Snow Angels 1996

"Alissa and Becky: Snow Angels 1996." Dated 1996. Original photograph privately held

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Oh You Boys!

Addressed to Mr. Archie Polar, Morley, Wis(consin)

Oh you boys - great on riding wheels. They aren't so bad are they

"Oh You Boys!" Digital imagine of Grace Pearson and Alma Polar. Undated.

Original photograph privately held by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Brothers. Nephews. Sister. Aunt.

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.

~ Joyce Brothers

"Brothers. Nephews. Sister. Aunt." Digital Image. Undated. Original photograph privately

held by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

A Year of Creativity #06: Namesake and Heirlooms

Thirty-four years ago we welcomed son Benjamin Earle into the world. Arriving on the Day of Kings it was a frigid, brilliant day in western Wisconsin.  Selecting a name for your child is always serious business (unless your parents name you Unit, Moonbeam or Hashtag). We kept our selection a shared secret - I've always been envious of Al's informing my parents their new grandson, Benjamin Earle, had joined the family. I'm sure it came as a surprise - 

I've written several posts about my uncle Earle Clair Bergeron and the connection I've always felt with him even though he died 11 years before I was born. We could not have chosen a better person to carry Earle's name.

My creative expression today celebrates Ben and Earle ... the blanket was crocheted by Ben's great-great aunt Leona Polar Belott. The hat is one that Earle wore as a baby, it was kept safe by Earle's mother's sister and given to me following the death of my aunt. The baby bracelet was Ben's first piece of jewelry.

P.S. In honor of Ben's birthday I've skipped day 5 of creativity - Ben deserves two days!

"Namesake and Heirlooms." Digital Image. January 6, 2013. Original photograph privately held 

by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2013

The View Outside My Christmas Past

Feeling rather nostalgic on this snowy winter morning. I recall my Mom having this set of stencils and using a spray on "snow." It was probably difficult to remove but we put them up every year.


Thanks Mom.

Wordless Wednesday: Cousins

"Cousins." Digital Image. Undated. Original photograph privately held by

Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. Copyright (c) 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Birthday Michelle

Happy Birthday Michelle. I love the woman you've become but recall so many fond memories of a time when we were both a lot younger.

"Mike & Michelle Cutting Wedding Cake." Digital Image. Date: July 30, 1994. Original photograph

in possession of Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski (c) 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Marian Jean Bergeron

"Marian Jean Bergeron." Digital image. Undated. Original photograph privately

held by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. Copyright (c) 2011.

52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History: Week 7: Toys

As a girl growing up in the 1950's and 60's, some of my fondest memories center around playing Barbie's with my friends. No matter where we lived, I could always count on finding common ground as the "new girl in the neighborhood" thanks to Barbie and Ken. Packing up Barbie and Ken in my white Barbie trunk and heading off to a friends house for the afternoon helped me fit into a new community, making new friends with Barbie as the mediator. 


I recall having one of the early Barbie dolls: blond hair in a pony tail with a black & white zebra striped swim suit, open toed shoes (never to be seen again) and sunglasses. Later on, I received a Barbie that came with three wigs: blond, dark brown and red. While I still have this Barbie, sadly, only one of her wigs remained with the doll.


When I was younger my most treasured Barbie outfit (beside the wedding dress) was the ice pink satin gown that came accessorized with a faux fur stole, opera length white gloves and, as I recall, a white pearl choker. 


But after forty-plus years, I am thankful to have one of the outfits lovingly made by my Grandma Bergeron. Even after all these years, the sweater and pants fit Barbie like a glove and if I do say so myself, she is stunning as she prepares to head down to the fire pit after an day on the slopes. 


I don't know how she does it - she doesn't look a day over 19.




Copyright (c) 2011 Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Dec. 15 Hoiday Happenings

Often times December to mid-January birthdays and anniversaries get over shadowed by the Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year holidays. So we're going to shine a spotlight on those family members and ancestors this time around. Select one or more December to mid-January birthdays and/or anniversaries on your family tree. Write a short tribute to or memory of those birthday guys and gals and write a toast to the anniversary couples.


Thanks to Randy Seaver for his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun posted on his blog Genea-Musings. Earlier this year he asked everyone to create a calendar then post the results. When I read the prompt for today's contribution, I had to think that Santa Randy was probably having the last laugh.

Looking at my December and January calendar created in Family Tree Maker I was surprised to see the number of my first and second cousins; once, twice and a couple three times removed who were celebrating birthdays and anniversaries during the holiday season. To those wonderful relatives, many of whom have sent their Christmas greetings, I wish you happy birthday or congratulations on achieving another anniversary milestone. No need to mention you by name but I hope you know I am thinking of you.

There are a couple of events I would like to pay special tribute to, listed here in chronological order:

Digital Image. Undated. Original photograph privately held

by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. 2010

Happy Birthday Grandpa Charlie. Born December 2, 1887, in Ham Lake Township, Anoka Co., MN, my paternal grandfather would have celebrated his 123rd birthday earlier this month. The oldest son of Francis Xavier Bergeron (1863-1953) and Mary Elizabeth Reinwand (1865-1951) Charles Edward Bergeron is seen in the above photo with my grandmother Mildred Eileen Little and cousin Connie.

Digital Image. Dec. 8, 1951. Original photograph privately held

 by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. 2010

Happy Anniversary to my parents who celebrated their 59th anniversary on December 8th. I love this photograph and can recall trying on my mother's wedding dress which was heavy white satin. My parents were married in a candlelight ceremony at the First Methodist Church in Antigo. They recall that it was a bitterly cold night with several feet of snow on the ground.

Having posted today's Wordless Wednesday as a birthday tribute to my sister Lori I won't embarrass her with any more cutsie photographs.

Digital Image. Undated. Original photograph privately held

by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. 2010

Christmas Eve 1976 will always be remembered as the year we attended the funeral of  my 13-year old cousin Becky Lynn. Becky was killed on December 21, 1976, when she and several of her friends climbed over a chain link fence intent on crossing Interstate 694 in Minneapolis during rush hour traffic. I've often thought about the driver of the car who was drawn into the decision the three friends made that night. It wasn't just my family whose lives were forever changed. Becky Lynn would have been 47 years old.

Digital Image. Oct. 11, 2009.. Original photograph privately held

by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. 2010

My youngest son celebrates his birthday in early January so it is a bit early to wish him Happy Birthday; he'll  just have to wait! To say that he is a joy is a serious understatement. Funny, smart, honest and giving almost to a fault, he makes me laugh and proud to be called Ben's Mom. My Dad has told me many times how proud his brother would have been to know that we gave Ben the middle name of Earle. I agree, I believe he is.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - Dec. 2 Holiday Foods

 Did your family serve traditional dishes for the holidays?

Was there one dish that was unusual?

I believe it speaks volumes that the Christmas food traditions I recall have nothing to do with the main course of a holiday meal. It was never a hard and fast tradition that we had 'thee' Christmas ham or turkey; I recall one Christmas enjoying a Crown Roast of Pork.

But Christmas would not have been the same without the many delectable baked goods my mother made. I think about the pounds of powdered sugar and gallons of food coloring we must have gone through over the years making the icing for sugar cut-out cookies. Coated in colored frosting they were covered with decorative colored sugar, heart shaped cinnamon, sprinkles and, my personal favorite, the silver balls.

Two of my favorite cookies were Spritz cookies and a date-filled cookie that I've never been able to duplicate.

During Christmas, my mother baked small loaves of date bread  made with nuts and candied fruit. For years I thought that this was the traditional fruit cake and could  not understand why everyone thought it was a joke to receive a fruit cake ... I loved my Mom's and why wouldn't everyone else want to receive such a tasty treat? Like the discovery that my grandpa Harley wasn't Santa Claus, it was disappointing when I received my first fruit cake.

Two holiday tradition my family carries on today:  Buche de Noel and egg nog.

My nieces and nephews who have spent many of their Christmas's at their Gram and Grandpa Bergeron's couldn't imagine Christmas without Buche de Noel.

I've come to discover that egg nog, like religon and politics, is most definitely a personal choice. Some recipes call for raw eggs (ewwww), the mere thought of consuming raw eggs triggers my gag reflex.  For years my mother made her special egg nog from a recipe that called for cooking the egg mixture, folding whipped egg whites into the cooled mixture. This holiday treat was served only on Christmas Eve and it wasn't until I was married and received the recipe that I discovered why: "... cook over low heat, stirring continuously until mixture coats a metal spoon (about 45 minutes.)"  45 minutes? Are you kidding  me?? No wonder we only had it once during the holiday season.

 Digital Image. Copyright (c) Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. 2010

It wasn't until the cost of microwaves became something the common masses could afford that I began experimenting with Mom's egg nog recipe and came up with the perfect upgrade. When our son's lived at home, it was tradition to have egg nog on the day we trimmed the tree and again on Christmas Eve. The tradition wasn't complete until the nog was served in special Santa mugs.

Digital Image. Copyright (c) Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski. 2010

During one of the Christmas's before I was the Big Sister, my Mom had found matching Santa mugs, a large size mug she personalized with my Dad's name and a smaller version with Cindy added in gold lettering. The first Christmas Al and I spent in our new home, a box arrived from my Mom with my Santa mug filled with holiday greenery. Fast forward a few more years and her grandson's all have their own Santa mug with their name in gold on the handle.

Before you pass on the nog ... consider making a half recipe. You might be surprised.

1 quart milk (I prefer 2%)
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 egg whites
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped (optional)

In microwave, heat milk on medium high for 10 minutes; stirring after 5 minutes.
Separate eggs; set aside 2 whites.
Beat 1/3 cup sugar into egg yolks. Add 1 cup of hot milk into egg yolk mixture.
Whisk egg yolk and milk mixture into remaining milk.
Simmer 5 minutes. Stir. Simmer additional 5 minutes.
Cool to room temperature and refrigerate until cold.
Beat 2 egg whites and vanilla until foamy. Gradually add the 3 Tbsp sugar until soft peaks form.
Fold into custard mixture and mix thoroughly.
Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream if desired.

A Time of Reflection and Jubilee

It never ceases to amaze me how smart my parents have become! My Dad is famous for his "ism's," several of which I have shared in my blog. Some of them are parental ("you'll appreciate this as you get older"), a couple apply to any situation in life, such as the time I was losing  my patience with a customer visiting our family's women's retail store to which he replied, "Remember, she is someones grandmother. How would you like your grandmother to be treated?" Several, such as "Plaid or Plain?"  and his reply of "Well, I won't walk across the street for it" in response to being asked how he liked a new recipe - are now Bergeron family standards.

Sitting down to write this post, I was genuinely surprised to find my last blog post was August 25th. Where did the time go? In answer to my own question, I recall my Dad commenting on how much faster time seemed to go the older he got. I also remember rolling my eyes whenever he uttered that sentiment.

Reflecting over my morning coffee, I am amazed at how quickly the past few days and weeks have become months. It isn't until now that I see how I have allowed commitments both from within and without my life to take up so much of  my time and attention. I also realize those decisions of how to spend  my day rests with me. I've not listened to that voice that reminds me that no matter what I may plan for this afternoon, tomorrow or next week, all I am guaranteed is this moment. Even with Cindy's Birthday Celebration Month set to kick off tomorrow, I will be grateful for the celebration of this moment and set a course for a Jubilee year.

The Big Site of Amazing Facts (c) describes Jubilee as "a season of rejoicing" and comes from the ancient Hebrews. The site describes the history of Jubilee as "Fifty years after the Jews were freed from Egyptian bondage, they created a semi-centennial festival that lasted a full year within which all land would be left fallow and returned to its original owners."

My Jubilee is being observed by a re-dedication of living in the moment, listening to the inner voice that reminds me when I becoming caught up in the extra-curricular that fill up my days but can threaten to overtake my life.

The changing of the seasons is marked by the length of sunlight, the migration of the birds, the "jubilee" of the leaves of the trees and the passing of the summer flowers. My first act of celebration is to post a new blog header photograph, taken a few weeks ago from the 'front porch' of our cabin. As we make our way towards the winter solstice, the constellations take up new positions in the night time sky but even as they move, I can count of the north star to point me in the right direction.

Time does seem to be passing by much faster now that I am 57. It's amazing how smart my Dad has become as he prepares to celebrate his 81st birthday.

Copyright (c) 2010 Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski

Fearless Females: March 6 - Heirloom

Whether or not the grandchildren were allowed to roam around in my grandmother's bedroom, it is one of my many memories of time spent at Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Bergeron's. We never called my grandma by her first name, Mildred, and to me she was always Gram.

Her bedroom was on the second floor of their two story home at 103 10th Avenue in Antigo Wisconsin. At the top of the stairs was a open area with a double bed, a buffet outside of Gram's room and a large radio/photograph where I recall listening to a scratchy 78 rpm record of Thumbelina (yes, I can still recite the story and sing the happy little tune). At the far end was a small storage area created when the staircase was closed off and relocated to the front of the house, and two bedrooms, one of which served as a guest room. Hanging on the wall in the guest room was a certificate, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt, expressing thanks on behalf of the country for the sacrifice made by my uncle, Earle Bergeron, in service to his country. Thinking about it now, I wonder why this token of appreciation was in the guest room and not in either of my grandparent's rooms.

Grams's room wasn't very big: a bed, a dresser, an overstuffed chair in a deep shade of indigo blue and a dressing table with a mirror. There were two windows that looked out the front of the house down Aurora Street and the other looking west over the alley. Other than the times when my cousins and I were playing hide-and-go-seek when we would steel ourselves to hide in Gram's closet (it was situated behind a wall and therefore very dark and scary), my memory of her room is that of quiet sadness. I have written about my uncle Earle on several occasions; his death at the age of 20, two months and one day short of his 21st birthday, had a profound affect on our family.

When Gram died in April 1968 and Grandpa Charlie decided to sell the house and move to Minneapolis, I was asked if there was anything special that I wanted of Gram's. Without hesitation I said I would like to have her jewelry box. When I was given a white covered jewelry box, I was crestfallen. What I wanted was the glass sided box that sat on her dressing table next to a photo of Uncle Earle dressed in his flight helmet and goggles. Inside was a photograph taken of Earle in the front yard of the home on 10th Ave. I thought the box was 'lost to me' until I discovered that my mother had the box. When I told her how glad I was it was still in the family, she presented it to me.

The box now sits on my dresser; the photograph of Earle that once was inside the box is now framed. My Dad shared that this photograph of Earle was on his last day of his leave before heading to North Carolina to begin the long trip overseas. The photo that is now inside the box is one of Earle at Fort Kelly, TX, when he was attending flight training as part of the federal program that created the "Flying Sergeants."

Thank you to Lisa Alzo for Day #6 for today's blogging prompt.

Copyright (c) Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski, 2010

Fearless Females: Going To The Chapel

Day #4 of Fearless Females, thanks to Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog, asks the following: Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.



I wonder what our ancestors would think if, once they had gotten over the astonishment of television, they watched an episode of Bridezilla not to mention the power of advertising behind DeBeer's campaign to create the diamond engagement ring.  What has become of the wedding of the new millennium? And having a third party plan your wedding? As we said in the 60s and 70s ... we've come a long way, baby!


I've shared my maternal grandparent's wedding photo on an previous post and for today's prompt I couldn't decide which of my great-grandparent's to feature but a coin toss made the decision for me.


The last entry in the above photo is the entry from St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Anoka, MN, recording the marriage of Francis Xavier Bergeron and Mary Elizabeth Reinwand, my father's paternal grandparents. Translated from French to English the document reads: A.D. 1886 die. Oct 26 joined in matrimony S.R.E. Francis Bergeron and Mary Reinwand, witnesses Gulidimus Stack and Julia Reinwand. Officiating Wm. Brennan


Francis and Mary remained in the Ham Lake/Anoka area for their entire lives raising a family of eight children; my grandfather Charles Edward Bergeron was their first born. They buried four of their children as a result of the flu pandemic of the early 1900s and would raise several grandchildren either as a result of death or divorce. I can't imagine they ever spent any part of their life without children to raise and support.


While I don't have a wedding photograph, I do have a photograph commemorating Francis and Mary's 65th wedding anniversary, thanks to the generosity of a distant cousin who is the Keeper Of Everything in her family.


From the November 4, 1948, issue of the Anoka Herald is the following article, found on Page 1:

F.X. Bergerons Feted on 65th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. F. X. Bergeron were guests of honor at an open house at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Spohn, Sunday afternoon in celebration of their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary. Their anniversary fell on October 26, but the celebration was held on Sunday so that more would be able to attend.

The refreshment table was centered with a lovely bouquet of rose and white chrysanthemums, a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Swanson of Burns and an attractive cake with sixty-five tiny colored candles on it was also a feature of the table appointments. The cake was made by Mrs. Armand Faubert of Minneapolis. The Fauberts were former neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. Bergeron near Crooked Lake and were among those present for the celebration. A delicious lunch was served and the remainder of the time was spent in visiting.

Mr. Bergeron was born in East Dayton June 10, 1863, and Mrs. Bergeron in Michigan on September 15, 1864. Both were brought to Anoka township by their parents when very young. Mrs. Bergeron was the former Mary Reinwand and she was two years old when she came to Crooked Lake. Mr. Bergeron was three years old when his parents moved to what is now the Crain Home near WCCO.

Mr. and Mrs. Bergeron were married in St. Stephens church, Anoka, October 26, 1883, and have lived in Anoka and Anoka township ever since. Eight children were born to this union of which four, Marie, Ethel, Henry and Frank, died some years ago. The other four, with their families, were all present. They were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bergeron and Carol of Antigo, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Campbell and sons of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bergeron and Gregory of Crooked Lake. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends also called during the afternoon.

The honored couple receive many gifts along with the best wishes of all. Mr. and Mrs. Bergeron are loved and respected by all who know them and they have a host of friends who wish them well.

Copyright (c) 2010 Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski