I Believe – My Values

Page two actually page one

Growing up we had a mysterious room upstairs off of our bedroom (and by my me I mean 6 sisters).  It was the idea that we had a place to store jars, winter clothes and other things we didn’t need at the moment.  The door was small, about 4 foot tall, there was only one small light in the room that you turned on with a pull chain.  It was so full of — well, we didn’t know what was in the back.  No one ever went more than half way back.

  I don’t remember when, exactly, but it was after I moved out that a large portrait of mom’s dad, my grandpa, turned up in the house.  I mean it was 24” by 36” in a beautifully framed portrait.  Probably a drawing of him in his early years.  We are all going, where did this come from?  Mom had it in the attic. Unable to look at it or talk about it, she kept it hidden in the back of the room.  I wondered what else was back there, and where it all went.  Are there other secrets our family holds.

Here comes Julie

Promise me you’ll always remember:

“You’re braver than you believe, 

 stronger you seem and smarter than you think”

September 12.   ,

After 2 weeks of waiting I thought this was the day..  Saturday morning  I woke up with pains,  Bill was at work.  I called the neighbor and good friend Lori to see if she would watch Lizy while we went to the hospital.  Then called your dad home and we went.  After getting examined, they sent me home, it wasn’t our time for you.

September 19, 1975

We were expecting you to arrive 3 weeks ago.  The doctor decided we would induce labor today.  It was strange to go in the hospital, I was feeling fine.  But after we were there I felt that this was a good day.  It was a sunny day and we had waited such a long time to see you.  After 3 1/2 hours of waiting  you were here..   A little less dramatic, and you were so cute with your red hair.  You were quiet..  Then, after you arrived we found out that Doug was born just the day before.  Maybe you two would be good friends.   we already had your name picked out, but we also had a boys name of Anthony, just in case.  I had always liked the name Julie.  It was my cousin’s name and she was very nice.  You were finally here,  we had planned on you being a playmate for Lizy   I can’t wait.

When I met my first baby Elizabeth

April 15th was a nice sunny spring day.  Bill and I had gone down to mom and dad’s, on the farm in Deerfield, from home in Brooklyn just for a visit. Mar had just got there with the minibike.  Dad had just bought it and I hadn’t seen it before.

I wanted to ride.  I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. Mom said no.  So naturally I had to go. It was spring and there were lots of potholes on the dirt roads making it a very rough ride. But no problem.  I took it down to Remy’s (1st neighbor to the right, 1/4 mile).  See mom, I’m fine.  We drove home, 45 minutes.  Bill had to work so he dropped me off at the trailer and went on to work.

terI was making myself a ham and cheese sandwich when I had a pain.  Indegestion I thought.  I started to eat and had another weird pain.  It was too early and I never expected I might be in labor.  But, I called a friend/ neighbor in the trailer park.  Judy and Rod.  They were a young couple we had been hanging out with, they had a 2 abyear old. I asked Judy what labor pains felt like.  It really didn’t feel much but Irythought I should find out what they felt like.  They were excited to come right over.  I said I think they went away.  Then all of a sudden I had to sit down.  I thought I was  ajust hungry, but Judy said not to eat in case it is labor,  or I would throw up.  They stayed with me awhile.  I had a couple more episodes /pains.  Nothing big.  They wanted me to go to the hospital to get checked out. 

Rod drove me because Judy had to go home to take care of Wendy their daughter.  On the way I told him a when I had a pain and he kept track of it,  7 minutes apart.  No bid deal.  He was getting me a little nervous though.  When we got to the hospital I seemed fine.  They took me to the OB floor to see if I was in labor.  Rod called Budd Company and left a message for Bill.  It was about 4 pm.  Bill didn’t get there till about 7pm. .No one else was allowed in.  Pains off and on all night getting closer and closer.  I was just so tired….

At about 3 am we went to the delivery room and even though we hadn’t had any classes they told Bill he could come in. I kept making small talk but he said “keep your mind on what you’re doing.

The next thing I knew I heard a little cry and they said it’s a girl.  We had already decided on a girl name of Elizabeth. The nurse put her beside me and I said, hi Lizy.  You didn’t cry much.  The nurse said you were healthy and took you off to get weighed.  I heard you cry when they took you.  I said she is probably cold, could you give her a blanket?  It was 3:14 am.

I couldn’t believe you were my baby!  That I even have a baby.  The nurse brought you down to my room for a few minutes and then you went back to the nursery to be with the other babies.   You were the first of 16 babies born that day,  April 16, 1973.  Dad slept in the fathers room, I didn’t want to sleep, I missed you. They told me I would have you all day, so I should get some sleep.

my hs english teacher was Miss Gabriel.  She always said, try to be original.  Change things up and don’t be boring. I think she meant in our writing, but. . . .  At first, I didn’t know how to do that.  I only knew what I knew, it was safe.  Now being on my own for really the first time in my life, I am getting know myself and what I enjoy.  

It seems now that life is just starting for me.  I have worked and did what was expected,  school, earn money and stay out of trouble.  OK  that’s done.  After staying under the radar for most of my life, I am learning and understanding what it means to be alive.  Standing still is so hard for me to do.   After 3 failed marriages, it’s time to get moving.

Yay,  I get to see my family more often.  Whenever I want- well whenever they want me.  It is the most important thing to me.  So many milestones to experience.  Staying up to date with technology, music, slang, their friends, interests, activities and whatever is new in their life is a challenge I willingly accept.  It’s important to be a cool and interesting grandparent

 

Your grandma did most of these things

A little history about grandma and her apron

The principle use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a holder for removing hot pans from the oven, it was wonderful for crying children’s tears.

From the chicken-coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When copay came those aprons were hiding places for shy kids, and when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.  Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.  From the garden, it carried all sort of vegetables. 

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time from the fields for dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace the old time apron that served so many purposes.

 

OK …here goes

Name: Elizabeth Patrice Schmidt

Nickname: Lizard in GR, Lizzie in Wichita, Lizy when you were young

Birthplace: Adrian, Michigan

Current Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Croutons or bacon bits: bacon bits

Favorite salad dressing: Fat free ranch

Do you drink:  often but not regularly

Shampoo or conditioner: shampoo

Have you ever gone skinny dipping:  No

Do you make fun of people: yes

Favorite color; green

Have you ever been convicted of a crime;  No

One pillow or 2;  5

Pets; just when I have guests

Favorite types of music;  everything but heavy metal and opera

Dream car; Saturn not with a V6

What was your first car;  Chevy Caprice Classic

Toothpaste:  baking soda, any brand

Favorite food;  TexMex and Dad’s mashed potatoes

Favorite outfit;  anything comfortable

Get along with your parents;  pretty well

Favorite town to chill in;  Boston, I hear

Favorite ice cream;  cookies and cream with vanilla

Favorite soft drink;  sprite, especially for a hangover

Favorite type of family game to play;  Scategories

What is a bad time of day for you:  getting out of bed

Favorite time of year;  fall

Adidas, Nike or Reebok;  Reebok, most comfortable

Favorite website;  www.hotmail.com, of course

Favorite subject in school;  lunch

Least favorite subject;  history

Favorite TV show;  Ally McBeal, 90210

Favorite movie you have seen recently ;  Great Expectations

Favorite movie of all time;  Stand by Me

Favorite alcoholic drink;  margarita, frozen, no salt

 

Your name: mom

My name: Kele

Where did you meet: in the delivery room

Take a stab at my middle name:  Jane

How long have you known me? 22 + years.

How well do you know me:  not as well as I’d like

Do I smoke?  I hope not

Do I believe in God?  Yes

When you first saw me what was ur impression:  she as good lungs, she is cold

she wants someone to hold her

My age:  22 years and 2 months

Birthday: 3/14/78

Color of my hair:  Blonde

Do I have any siblings? Yes

Color of my eyes: blue

Have you ever had a crush on me?  Yes, all my life

Have you ever been jealous of me?  Lots of times

What’s one of my favorite things to do: QPs 

Do you remember one of the first things I said to You?  It must have been da-da, but I 

remember you used big words (i.e. consistent) very early and I didn’t know

where you knew them from.  When you were 6 or so)

What’s my favorite kind of music?  Oldies

What is the best character trait about me?   Your energy and fearlessness

Am I shy or outgoing?  Out going most of the time

Would you say I am funny?  Very

Am I a rebel or do I follow all the rules?  Rules mostly, but a rebel when needed

Do I have any special talents?  Where do I start.  Patience, caring, tolerance, rubber 

bones, able to cheer up anyone, being a leader, etc.,etc.,etc.

Would you consider me as a friend?  I hope so.

Would you call me preppie, homie, average, sporty, punk, hippie, glam,nerdy, snobby or something else?  Obviously sporty 

Have you ever seen me cry?  Sadly yes

If there were one good nickname for me what would it be?  Fearless Fred

What are the 3 best words to describe me?  Beautiful, loving, young

Do I have a bf or gf?  Prob lots of them

Would you ever go out with me?  In a heartbeat

Have you ever made me cry?  Yes, but I will try to treat you like an adult from now on.

Do you love me?  Wow, saving the big ones for last, huh. Every second.

Have you ever loved me?  Is this to be answered it the last ? Is no?

What is one nice thing you can say about me?  She cares about people and is inspired 

to make the world a better place.

One thing I remember about mom was that whenever she talked on the phone for business, she always said that she was “Mrs. Carl Forche”.  I bet no one knew she had a first name. 

 I saw dad write these things called checks.  Evidently they were just like money.  Why didn’t he just write one for a million dollars.  My dad was so honest he only took what we needed.

A vivid memory of winter I have is one night we were having a blizzard.  It was really coming down fast and for some reason the chickens were not in the chicken coop.  

You could hardly see anything and it was freezing,  but we were out there running around trying to get the stupid chickens to go in the coop. we couldn’t go in until all 20 of they were accounted for.  That is the coldest I have ever been and to this day when I am out in really cold weather I still think of that night.

When we were growing up, I don’t remember ever talking about finances.  We always knew we would have a home, food, clothing and work to do.  All summer we spent every day in the field hoeing the sugar beets.  Dad kept track of the number of rows we completed and right before the county fair he would pay us – 50 cents a row.  I remember doing this until we were in high school.  

We went to Grama Forche’s lake every Sunday. Mom cooked chicken and potato salad to take with us.  All the cousins were there and we played all day in the lake.  Dad had the only boat and we ski-ed and wake boarded.  He made a wake board out of a painted 1/2 sheet of plywood. Grampa was a very quiet person, he listed to the baseball game in his chair next to the radio.  When we were finished at the lake, Grama got out her purse and gave us each a couple pennies or a nickel to walk down to the corner store to but candy or ice cream.  At supper time Grama broiled hot dogs and made Koolaid for everyone. After we were all packed up in the car we would all yell “bye” as we left.  She really like that.  We usually stopped 1/2 way home somewhere and got ice cream.  By the time we got home most of us (7 or 8) were sleeping.  It was a rare occasion that mom and dad got in the lake and a rarer occasion for Grama & Grampa. 

When I was 7 and just finished 2nd grade I had my appendix out.  It was the first day of summer vacation.  I felt sick and laid on the couch all morning, (which was unusual- we always had to be outside) we finally went to the doctor’s office and then right to the hospital.  I had surgery right away.  I remember crying that night “I wanted my mom”, but they wouldn’t call her, I was so sad.  I remember Grama and Grampa Forche coming to visit me with some presents the next day,  and I had jello and ice cream.  I think there were 5 or 6 kids my age in the same room.  We didn’t talk or anything I just knew they were there.  Then after a few days I got my own room.  I didn’t know why.  Then only dad came to visit and he wore a gown, hat and mask.   I heard someone say , “German measles”.  I didn’t know what that meant only the measles part.  After a week I went home.   It was weird at home- dark and I had to sleep in mom and dad’s bed with the shades down and in the living room.  Someone said it had to be dark or I could go blind.  Who knows if that was true. Ronald teased me about being sick.  He was always mean to us, the Shithead.

In reality – mom was pregnant with Sharon and she had to stay away from me because of the measles.   It was a really hard time for this little kid.

1.

Brenda Sometime while I was sick,  some new people moved in across the street. The Kapnicks. The dad was the son of the old people ( Mr and Mrs Kapnick) who lived there before.  Evidently they traded houses.  Mr & Mrs K had just opened a new business, a farm store,  in Tecumseh. Brenda’s mom and dad already lived in Tecumseh.  It was more convenient for the older K’s to live close to the business.

Anyway, by the time I was able to come out of the house Mar had already made friends with Brenda.  I felt leftout. 

The accident  September 1970. The day of Michael Baird’s baptism.  I don’t know why we didn’t have to go the baptism at church but somehow we- and I don’t know who- stayed home to get ready for his party at home.  Pat and I were on our way to get a couple things from the grocery store- it must have been in Blissfield.  I don’t know what car we drove but I remember it was blue.   I remember turning the knob on the radio and the next thing I remember was walking home in the rain.  Everyone said it was a beautiful sunny day and what I thought was rain was really blood on my face.  The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital 3 days later.  I could feel my face was kind of crusty and asked for a mirror to see what was on it but the  nurses wouldn’t give me one.  I didn’t know why I was there, I didn’t feel sick.  Mom and Dad  were there and mom told me that Pat and I had been in an accident.  Huh?  I didn’t think so.  When?  Where’s Pat? I don’t remember much else from the hospital.  I remember pulling little shards of glass from under my nose for a couple months.  

  The story as explained to me:   Pat and I were driving somewhere and ran into a ditch on Deerfield Road, close to Janice’s house. ( she didn’t live there yet). My head went through the windshield and came back through, almost cutting off my nose.  We started walking home and  An older couple saw us walking and took us home, then seeing no one was home, took us to the emergency room.

  (It was before the new shatterproof windshields) The only thing that saved my eye was I was wearing glasses.  That is why I have scars above my left eye and under my nose.

 We went over to meet the people that picked us up.  They were glad we were ok.  I don’t remember what happened to Pat.  Nobody ever really talked about it and I don’t remember anything else. 

    Our family life in Frenchburg was most enjoyable. Charlotte’s parents lived down the street and greatly enjoyed the grandchildren. Charlotte’s father, Kash Williams, passed in 1981. Charlotte’s mother was a great help to us and attended almost all of our kid’s sports and school activities.  Charlotte’s Aunt Olive also was close to the family, as well as her Aunts, BoBo and Anno. Charlotte and I and the kids would usually go to the beach in North Carolina for summer vacation with Aunt Dot and family. We lived in an old renovated home on Back Street in Frenchburg which had been owned by Clay Williams, Charlotte’s grandfather. This is the home where the kids grew up. In the year 2000, we built a beautiful new home on US 460 up the hill from Frenchburg.  We had an 11 acre farm on which we had cattle for part of the year. The home was popular with family and friends and many holidays were enjoyed there. It was great country living. In 2016 we sold the house and bought a home in Ohio in 2017, where now we reside. We have enjoyed being near to our daughter, Sarah and her family. We have attended many of the school and sporting events of our grandsons. We also travel to South Carolina to see son John, wife Melanie and granddaughters, Lincoln and CJ. We enjoy visiting our son, Will in Louisville, Kentucky. Many trips to Churchill Downs have been most enjoyable! We have also enjoyed traveling with Will.                                                                                                                            I will briefly cover the wonderful accomplishments of my children. John Clay was a fine student throughout his academic career. He as salutatorian of his senior class at Menifee County High School. He graduated Cum Laude from Belmont Abbey College in mathematics. He went on to Clemson University and obtained an Engineering Degree. He worked for Ingersoll Rand Corporation after graduation. John excelled as an athlete throughout his school years.  He was an outstanding soccer player in high school and played four years of varsity baseball at Belmont Abbey. John joined the FBI in 2005 and has had a stellar career. He served on the New York office Swat Team. He served in Afghanistan  as an FBI investigator and on the counterterrorism team in  Washington DC. John is now agent in charge in Greenville SC.                                                                                             William Daniel was also a fine student and graduated third in his class at Menifee County HS. He excelled in soccer and baseball. He also played a year of baseball at the University of Vermont. Will majored in political science and minored in English at UVM and graduated in 1996. He subsequently attended law school at Loyola New Orleans where he excelled in academics and made law review. Will practices law in Louisville, KY as a partner in the firm of Bahe, Cook, Cantley and Nefzger. He has distinguished himself as a trail lawyer and serves on the board of a trial lawyers association. Will has owned thoroughbred horses and belongs to the Churchill Downs Turf Club.                                                                                            Sarah Veith was valedictorian of her Menifee County High School class in 1995. She participated in academic competitions in high school and was a member of the “Problem Solving” team. Sarah started gymnastics when she was six years old and continued with it all through high school. She participated in many competitions and performances. Won lots of ribbons, but most of all had lots of fun. She was a high school cheerleader also. Sarah attended Furman University and graduated in 1999. While at Furman she spent a semester in Germany. Her major was political science with lots of German classes too. Sarah then went on to Northern Kentucky Law School where she made law review and was the recipient of a book award. She graduated in 2002. Sarah now practices law in Ohio where she resides with husband Patrick and her three sons. Sarah enjoys her family and avidly follows the boys’ athletic events. Her dog, Bruiser, is a family favorite!                                 This sums up a brief family history of the Nefzger side of the family. The Williams family history has been written by Charlotte. Happy Trails to all!

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

     I was born November 19, 1945, at Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ.  The family lived in Hackensack, NJ.  We lived in the same home for all the years I grew up.  The address was 448 Colonial Terrace.  We lived in a nice but modest home with a nice backyard.  My first memory is of a swing set in the yard and Mom hanging laundry outside.  I have a faint memory of my grandparents visiting the home.                                                                        I went to first grade at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic school in 1951.  As previously mentioned, I was taught by very strict Nuns.  Some grades would be taught by lay teachers.  We wore uniforms and were well taught in all subjects. My main activities were Little League baseball in Hackensack and Boy Scouts associated with my school.  I went to two summer camps with the scouts which I enjoyed immensely.  After grade school I attended one year of Junior High at State Street Junior High and then to Hackensack High School. My high school was staffed with a roster of truly great teachers. I played varsity Soccer and Tennis in High School and started as midfielder in Soccer. We played in the NJ State Tournament and lost in the second round. I was not a good tennis player, but lettered nevertheless. I did well enough in school to score high in the SAT and got accepted by the University of Vermont, U Maine and later Notre Dame. I enrolled at UVM.                         In the fall of 1963, I moved into the freshman dorm at UVM, Burlington, VT. While at school I played Varsity Soccer and lettered in 1964, which was Vermont’s first Varsity team. Sixty years later they became National Champs! It being 2025, I am glad I got to see that happen! I was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and received a Second Lieutenant Commission upon graduating in 1967. I participated as a Kake Walker in UVM Winter Carnival. I graduated in 1967 with a BA in Political Science with a minors in History and Sociology. My college years were filled with good times and memories and I applied to several law schools in the South. The area was attractive to me and I gave it a shot. I got on the waiting lost a William and Mary Law School and was accepted at the University of Kentucky School of Law. I obtained a graduate school deferment from the U.S. Army, which required me to go into the service after law school. In 1970, shortly after I graduated from law school, I received an option letter whereby I could do Army Reserve duty for six years after graduating from Armor School at Fort Knox KY. I chose to do that and after fulfilling my reserve duty I received my honorable discharge from the military. My mother passed away in 1970 while I was attending law school. She died from breast cancer. Her death affected my sister and me greatly. She came to the U.S. with nothing and worked hard. She dedicated her life to her family and was a kind a person as you could ever meet.  She met Charlotte shortly before she passed and said she was beautiful, which she was and still is!   I met Charlotte on a blind date. My good friend Larry Webster and his girlfriend, Cheryl Davidson, knew Charlotte. Charlotte and Cheryl lived in Hamilton House, a co-op living house on UK campus. Charlotte and I went to see a Steve McQueen movie, “Bullitt” and continued dating thereafter. The year was 1969. We were engaged in 1970 and married July 10, 1971. Charlotte is a daughter of the American Revolution and has documented her own family history. Charlotte and I were blessed with to have three children: John Clay (1972), William Danile (1974), and Sarah Allene (1977).                                                      My first job as a lawyer on the legal staff of the Kentucky Department of Revenue in 1971. Then a worked as a staff attorney for the City of Lexington. That year, I made a major decision to move the family to Frenchburg, Ky, Charlotte’s hometown. I engaged in private practice there and in 1981 was elected Menifee County Attorney. I held the position until 2006. I enjoyed the community and coached baseball and soccer for many years. I was a member of the Frenchburg Lions Club and served as its President for a year. Charlotte worked as a first-grade teacher and later a Reading Recovery teacher for 27 years. She retired in 2009. I engaged in private practice from 2006 until a retired again in 2016.  It would take many pages to relate my time as county attorney! A novel could be written about that experience. I can only say I learned much about human nature and strived to do the best I could to keep the people of my county safe. Hopefully, my contributions to county government and community development had some value. Coaching the youth of the county was also immensely rewarding. The contributions made by Charlotte as an educator were also of great value to the community. She gave equal attention to all of her students regardless of economic or social status. Many of her students achieved great success in later life. This is enough to be said for family history.