A Stumble Down Memory Lane

Found a ton of photos in a box while cleaning out my childhood bedroom.  What a great opportunity to embarrass myself and the one's I love.

My Jim Harbaugh grin at some ice cream parlor in Allendale, Michigan in 2002.  These kids to the right were doing something funny that was not captured on film.  But, I like the picture all the same...

"Excuse me Mr. Queer, will you take a picture with my sons?"  Nothing like being 15 years old and taking a trip down to Chicago to see The Queers, the Groovie Ghoulies, Screw 32, and Alkaline Trio (their first show) at the Metro.  That was also the trip where the highway caught on fire in Gary, Indiana and no one seemed to care.  They just drove through it.

Mike Nummerdor after the Chicago concert.  We stayed at some hotel in Michigan City, Indiana and stayed up all night (which was easy if you drank enough Bubba Cola).  I'll have to put up the pictures of us at the outlet mall next to the nuclear plant and other oddities at some point.

Meerkat Mike.  Probably about 1997 when the Nummerdor family moved into their home on the corner of Forest Park and Lake Harbor.  Lynne tasked us with removing a post at the end of the driveway, which ended up being a far bigger task than expected.  We did far more damage than help on that project.   

Nick Nummerdor as a groundhog.  

"Mom.  You just hit that button.  No, not that one.  The other one.  No.  What?  Did it go off?"  This was part of some project I was working on .  There are a series of these photos trying to instruct my mom on how to use the weird, cheap camera I use to own.   

Hey!  There's a gnome behind that rock!

J.T. Law teamwork retreat to St. Andrew's Hall in Pontiac, Michigan to see NoFX.  We're with Fat Mike, the lead singer and bassist.  Ben looks confused because he thought he was just some random guy we met in the parking lot.

Nick, Greg from the Bouncing Souls, and myself before the show at St. Andrew's Hall 

Ah, Ben figured out how I scored us free tickets to the show and we're not just randomly harassing people in the parking lot.  

 Grand Rapids is Burning!  On my way to something and got stuck when a building burned down near Division Street.  

Paul Bourdon, Me, Roddy Moon at our high school graduation in 1999 

Rodd Moon trying on an Inspector Gadget trench coat at ValuLand (RIP).   

And, more art.  A cool envelope by fellow SAIC alum, Jeni Gifford. 

The Galleria of Michael Kraus

Cleaned out my childhood bedroom last fall to make room for a new home office.  Found some stuff that I hope you enjoy.

"State and Madison Streets, Chicago", Pen and ink, 1999: The first piece of art I created at the School of the Art Institute (SAIC).  This was the view from my dorm (the Chicago building, which they renamed Jones Hall).  Classes hadn't started yet and I was trying to get use to moving from a town of 22,000 to a world-class city of 2.9 million people.  First thing they teach you in art school is to use something nicer than 20lbs copy paper.  This is an example why...

"Dorm", pen and ink, 1999: Another drawing I did in my dorm right before classes started.  This is a view of my roommate's side of the room.  

This was a series I started and never finished in 2004.  I believe this was for some project or show that never took place or something.  I forget.  But, it did lead to me creating a bunch more of these that I gave away to quite a few people.

"Leaving Iraq", scratchboard,  2004:  

"The Pizza Man and His Girlfriend (dark)", scratchboard, 2004:  

"The Pizza Man and His Girlfriend (light)", scratchboard, 2004:   

"Jacquie", scratchboard, 2004:  

"Back Alley", scratchboard, 2002:  Again, another view from my dorm at SAIC.  But, this the 162 N. State St. building.  The side of the Oriental Theatre is to the left and the ABC 7 building is straight ahead.  I was never bored living at an art school dorm in downtown Chicago.

"J.T. Law self titled cassette album cover (original)" pen and computer, 1999: Punk rock!  You couldn't get more DIY than this.  The artwork is a collage of photographs from various shows and activities we participated in.  A police officer that tried shutting down one of our shows actually made it in three times.  Hand drawn logo and band information.  Some snazzy work using scissors and glue with the song titles.  A friend of ours that worked at the copy shop of an office supply store printed a ton of these for us for free.  And, that's doesn't include recording the music ourselves in the studio.

 "J.T. Law Kids Flyer (copy)", computer, 1999: Nothing like appropriating strange photos for punk show flyers.  For the band, zine, etc, I use to have stacks of images from newspapers and magazines to use for various promotional items.  I'd pass out hundreds of these school and then drop them off all over town after 3pm.  The Big Wheels was a local powerhouse out of Montague.  J.F.K. (Just For Kicks) was a group with played with a few times out of Grand Rapids.  And Hoppin' Mad was from the Detroit area, I think...

"Monkey On a Hog Flyer (copy)", computer, 1999: Another show at Palmer Hall.  I remember going through the yellow pages calling every banquet, bingo, and reception hall in the county to try to find a place that would allow a minor to put on a concert.  They were one of a very few and they allowed me to do so frequently.  If I still lived in Muskegon, I'd love to buy that place and turn it into a venue as we always did well there.  I'd love to see the Wack Trucks, Temple of Doom, and "a mystery band" again.

"J.T. Law Tape Release Show with Liver Dye! (copy)", computer, 1999: The Ice Pick was an infamous venue.  The owner was in a constant battle with the police.  The graffiti all over the plywood walls.  The worst bathroom you could imagine.  Beer bottle dodging for every member of the band.  And, that's the tame stuff...  This was a memorable show.  And, if you've ever seen Liver Dye, you'll never forget them.

"Schism Zine One-Year Anniversary Show Flyer (original)", mixed media, 1999: By far, the greatest show I've ever been a part of.  Stephanie Rose was amazing at pulling this off.  For six hours, you could see Misled Youth, JFK, J.T Law (before I joined the group), The Big Wheels, The Addictives, Skeptics, and the Bounty Hunters.  To be in the show, we required each band to print and distribute at least 500 flyers.  It worked really well because we had people from as far as Detroit and Chicago show up.  It turned into a parking nightmare and when the only two police officers of the town arrived they decided it was better to pretend they didn't know this was going on than to try to shut us down.  If only I had a VCR, because I found a video tape that someone recorded and gave to me of the show as well.

And, if you're looking for some art, let me know.

To see more of my stuff, please visit:

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2011/01/nothing-is-something-im-use-to-working.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2011/03/waiting-for-better-title.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/01/oh-deer.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/03/hasa-diga-eebowai-does-that-mean-no.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-zine-anthology.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-wedding-in-woods.html

http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/10/roar.html

Robarge Family Graves

St. Mary's Cemetery is located at 1915 Park Street (just of Laketon Avenue near US-31 (Seaway Drive)) in Muskegon, Michigan.  I thought this might be useful for others trying to find members of the Robarge/Roberge family. The roots of this family can be traced back to Jacques Roberge (abt 1610 - aft 1651 of Rouen, Normandy, France) and Claudine Buret (abt 1610 - aft 1651 St. Germainele, Vasson, Normandy, France)   There are a few other names connected to my family as well.  If you need more information, I have quite a bit.  I'd love it if you have info too: MikeKKraus@gmail.com 

For more on St. Mary's Cemetery, please visit: The Muskegon County Genealogical Society (http://www.genealogymuskegon.com/Databases/Cemeteries/St.%20Marys/stmarys.htm)

Marian Lucille (nee Sangster) (1928-1975) and George Archie Robarge (1922-2005).  They are my grandparents.  Marian converted to Catholicism from Nazerene so that she could be married at St. Jean's Church in Muskegon, Michigan.  George always wondered why she couldn't go out on Thursday nights and followed her to find out she was going to Bible study at the rectory.  George was a Machinist and UAW Local 480 member at Muskegon Piston Ring.  

Peter Henry (1885-1942) and Marie Boucher Robarge (1890-1966).  Peter was born in Muskegon County, Michigan and later moved to Jacksonville and Chicago, Illinois.  His first marriage was to Jessie G. Whitney and later married Marie in Muskegon, Michigan.  He worked as a painter/decorator/contractor.  Marie was born in Canada and immigrated in 1909 to the US.

Celia (Cicilia) Robarge (April 29, 1924-April 19, 2005) is my grand-aunt.  She was a nurse who served in Korea as a 1st Lt in the Army.

Sharon Margaret Duff (January 20, 1945-April 29, 1947) is my grand aunt.

Joseph Jr. (1891-1945) and Libbie Idell Boucher (1888-1945). Joseph is my first cousin 3X removed.  

Detail of Joseph Boucher Jr. (1891-1945)

Detail of Libbie I. Boucher (1888-1945)

Edward J. Boucher (1894-1945) is my first cousin 3X removed

Robarge Monument for William M., M. Ada Hopp, Mary, and Henry.  Not sure how they are related to us.  But, I have to believe we are somehow connected since it's somewhat of a rare last name in the same community.  

William M. Robarge (1886-1916)

M. Ada Hopp (1872-1934)

Mary Robarge (1846-1923)

Henry Robarge (1844-1910)

Elizabeth (1872-1964) and Peter A. Robarge (1870-1929).  

Lynn Marie Robarge (1943-1955)

Elsie A. (1898-1972) and Thomas F. Robarge (1893-1942)

Thomas F. Robarge (1893-November 25, 1942) (SAME PERSON AS ABOVE)

Joyce A. Robarge (1924-1985)

William H. Robarge (1899-1900) and Mary E. Kent (1898-1962)

Mary A. (1871-1904) and Frank (Francis) H. Robarge (1865-1945)

Dolor A. Boucher (1916-1958) is my second cousin 2X removed

Jessie E. (19?-1986) and Fred E. Hamel (1906-1977).  Not sure if they are related to us at all.  But, my second great-grandmother was Melvina Hamel (1858 Quebec Canada, 1936 Chicago, Illinois).  There are countless variations on the spelling of her name.  Thought I'd investigate since I came across it. 

Evelyn I. (1913-1992) and Leslie Robarge (1903-1976)

Julia Trach (nee Robarge) (October 2, 1920-November 27, 2011) is my great aunt.

Michael Trach (September 17, 1917-February 10, 1999) is Julia's husband (above).  A Private in the Army during World War II.  Him and his wife were married in the rectory of St. Jean's Church in Muskegon, Michigan because he was not Catholic and could not do so in the church.  But, he did convert to Catholicism at a later date.

Peter Edward Robarge (May 24,1919-January 25, 1983) was a Private First Class during World War II.  According to family legend, Pete stormed the beaches of Normandy.  When his landing craft dropped the gate, he was immediately hit severely in the stomach.  While lying on the beach, medics looked at him and said something like "he's a goner" and walked away.  As they were leaving, he began screaming and cussing at the medics until they came back saying, "I guess he's go enough life in him yet."  

Ellen Josephine (1879-1968) and Bernard Joseph Duff (1876-1944).  These are my second great grandparents.  Bernard was an electrician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Ellen (aka Ella) was a member of the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee in 1937.

Anna M. (Wife of F. H. Robarge Jr.) (1872-1925)