Clowns + Katie + Rachel = Hashtag Awesome

Many of you have seen this already, but...  Megan balancing on a clown's face while he was lying in broken glass.  True story about the kickoff to the Rochester Fringe Festival at the Spiegeltent.  

Clown: "Now, stand on his ear."

Megan: "Do I have to?"

Clown: "Yes, right between here and here on his head...  Both feet"

Megan: "BOTH FEET!?!?!"

Clown: "Yep.  There you go."

Megan: "Ewww.  No!  I don't like it..."

Outside of the Spiegeltent

Megan and Rachel at Irondequoit Creek hiking around looking for seeds from plants we like. Such a pretty smile.

"Excuse me waiter, but I ordered the large beer."  I didn't expect a Super Mugs like the ones at the Mutiny in Chicago.  Anyway, Katie came to visit us on a very rainy weekend.  We are enjoying our beverages at the Monte Alban (http://www.montealbangrill.com/) just in case you want a really large beer. 

I missed out on breakfast at Steve's...  At least there were some left over Snicker pancakes with a drawing when I got home.  

Not much else to report on... 

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)

Stupid Bills. Lost Again. Wait... They Won? How Could That Happen?

 It's football season again and that means Conklin's Bar & Grill's Illegal Motion tailgating is back!

What's on the menu?  Why, is that fried bologna sandwiches and other assorted meats your making? 

MARISA!  What are you doing in Buffalo?  Really, if you are going to visit us, this is the best way to do it. 

When in Buffalo, you need Buffalo Wings.  And, in Buffalo, they are just "wings."  The Buffalo part would be redundant... 

"I bought candy from you already.  Don't you remember?"
"NO!"
Smart little cheerleaders raising money at everyone's tailgate parties. 

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!  Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers at Ralph Wilson Stadium.  

 Best way to avoid traffic to and get to the game.

Rainbow parachute!  What does it mean? 

 Ka-BOOM!  And here come the Buffalo Bills!

The mob rejoices 

It was a pretty rough game.  At least it was competitive.   

And, we got a CJ Spiller bobblehead just for attending the game.  As always, we had a great time!

Now for some other business...

A large book sale at the local Penfield Library.  A grocery store bag of books for $3!  Sounds like trouble.

Not sure if they were working on the utilities or having the best fried turkey cookout ever...

A Wedding In the Woods

CONGRATS TO MIKE AND ROSE!  You're married and Megan and I are so honored to have been there to see it!

First things first.  Getting re-baptized in Muskegon Lake

 Boat entering Muskegon Lake from the canal connecting to Lake Michigan 

Catamarans along the beach

Lighthouse on Lake Michigan at Pere Marquette Beach Park

Looking toward the Coast Guard station

 

Life size graffiti. 

Lake Express car ferry heading back to Milwaukee

Burcos Tacos (http://www.burcostacos.com/) in the old K-Mart plaza in Norton Shores.  I really liked the Thai and Old School tacos.  Dirt cheap.  Might have to buy the franchise rights and put one in down the street from me.

old acrylic painting from high school of the street I stayed on in Heidelburg, Germany

A pastel of some guy I did for some project.  Hope that helps...

Lake Harbor Park beach.  

Sunset 

The ladies watching the sun set

 A couple of the restored buildings on Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon.  Some nice little shops in the Century Building and the most hand crafted coffee I've ever had from Drink Drop Drink Coffee

Muskegon Proud mural 

An explanation of the history of snowboarding in Muskegon for the pics below

The Turning Point sculpture

The original Snurfer at the museum down on Western Avenue.

"Muskegon; Together Rising" a.k.a. "the can opener" 

Buster Keaton sculpture

Hackley Library 

Glass floor in the Hackley Library

 windows in the Hackley Library

The Hackley & Hume Home Museum (http://www.muskegonmuseum.org/hackley_hume.html).  Megan and I had some time to kill between errands and decided to check it out.  Charles Hackley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hackley) is pretty much the reason why Muskegon, Michigan exists at all and Thomas Hume was his partner.

Thomas Hume's Home

The barn they shared

awesome coat tree.  The next batch of photos is the interior of the Hackley House.

 

Living room

Pretty amazing stenciling on the ceiling of the entire house.

not a bad dining room buffet

The modern kitchen.

This is just the hallway...

I guess if you are a lumber baron, it's not a bad idea to have everything in the house carved in wood.

And now for the interior of the Hume Home

Brunswick pool table made in Muskegon.  Kinda sad to see since I saw they just tore down the old Brunswick factory.

 

Monet Garden 

Little Lily Pond

Frauenthal Theatre 

 

 Megan trying her first Wet Burrito at the Station (http://www.stationgrill.com/)

Downtown Manistee waiting for our hotel room and getting ready for the wedding. 

CAMPING WEDDING!!!

Mike waiting for his bride

Here comes the bride: Rose!

 TIME TO PARTY!

Now that is a steak

food and reception tent

Post-wedding ride on the bike

Nate 

Alice and I 

Andrew watching Matt and Nick 

Dustin and Cliff 

This was only the start 

TENNESSEE!!!  You're no longer a puppy...

Shots on the dance floor 

Frances and I in our obligatory "ugly shot."

Angela and Noah

Detroit-style pizza from Jet's (http://jetspizza.com/).  Thanks Lisa 

Niagara Falls.  A great place to stretch your legs between Muskegon MI,  and Rochester, NY.  This is the Horseshoe Falls.

Lots of mist

American and Bridal Veil Falls

Lots of tourists with the city in the background.

Horseshoe falls with a suspicious lady.

Maid of the Mist looking for trouble.

Well, it's been a very busy week and a half.  It was good going to a couple of wedding.  Seeing tons of my friends.  Seeing lots of my family.  Visiting all my favorite old haunts and all that that's changed back home over the years.  THANKS AGAIN and I hope to be back soon and see everyone again!