WATERFALLS VISITED BY RUSSELL AND AYIDA
BUTTERMILK, COHOES, SHINGLE CABIN, OZONE
Russell and Ayida visited BUTTERMILK Falls near Ludlow, Vermont in October of 2023. Russ and Ayida included photos of several waterfalls in their social media postings from the time but the photos were not individually labeled. I did some internet cross-referencing and my best guess is the photo below is of Buttermilk Falls.
During a May 2024 vacation Russ and Ayida took in COHOES Falls on the Mohawk River in Cohoes/Waterford, NY.
Russ and Ayida have visited numerous waterfalls in the past few years. I believe among them is SHINGLE CABIN Falls. Shingle Cabin Falls is located in Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania. Russ and Ayida visited the area in August 2024 but I can’t find a specific mention of Shingle Cabin Falls in their social media or emails now that I’m looking for it. Likewise, I believe the two visited OZONE Falls at some point. I can’t imagine why/how I would have made this up but I am beginning to doubt myself on this one. This particular waterfall is located in Tennessee and I can’t remember Russ and Ayida going there. Maybe Russ will weigh in with clarification.
MORE STREETS/ROADS WE HAVE LIVED ON
OAK HILL, MILTON, FIRST CIRCLE, QUEEN
The March 8th family puzzle included a grouping of “streets we have lived on” and the puzzle from October 4th included addresses where Gil and Claire had lived. This week’s puzzle picks those groupings up again with a few more former addresses.
Jennifer lived on OAK HILL ROAD in North Kingstown for a number of years. MILTON Lane was where Gil’s trailer was located in Coventry. Gil’s trailer in Brooksville, FL was located on FIRST CIRCLE Drive. Michaela (and maybe Isaac?) lived on QUEEN STREET in East Greenwich for a while – even closer to the railroad tracks than The 461.
STRAWBERRY _________
BLOND, KING, BIRTHMARK, SHORTCAKE
I think it’s safe to say that the predominant hair coloring among Hillmans lies within the brown range with some varying degrees of red or red highlights. There have been a few instances of the red coloring being paired with lighter blond hair rather than brown (STRAWBERRY BLOND). The standouts of this hair coloring in my mind are Rick Hillman and Russ (see two photos below – first image is of Rick, second is of Russ).
Michaela, Sheila, and Mike all displayed some variation of blond as kids with Sheila having the wider range of strawberry blond, dirty blond, and straight-up blond over the years.
Apparently Mathias Lussier (Claire’s grandfather) was known as the “STRAWBERRY KING of Arctic.” I need to find out if anyone knows what this is all about but I can mention that a 1989 family tree includes a notation that Flo (Mathias’ daughter, Claire’s mother) was a “part-time farmer with her husband growing a lot of strawberries like her father.”
I used the main image below (Mathias and his horse) in a puzzle earlier this year (January 25th) but here I had some fun with the image incorporating strawberry plant images and replacing Mathias’ cigar (held in his left hand) with a path to a carrot for his horse.
Catherine had a rather pronounced STRAWBERRY BIRTHMARK for most of her childhood. I believe this photo was taken a a Knott family wedding. Her birthmark is no longer red and only very slightly raised.
The Hillman family doesn’t hold any particular or specific tie to STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE but it is a logical item to use for the fourth item in this grouping.
Having said that however, I will note that I do remember buying strawberries from the Conn family on Old Baptist Road for strawberry shortcake. Additionally, family members such as Sarah and Jen may have fond memories of a different strawberry shortcake as the doll/character came out about the time they would have been toting such toys about. I think there was a Strawberry Shortcake toy in the toy box at The 461 for years. It was some sort of annoying musical thing with each limb and belly making a “musical” note when squeezed.
Below is a photo of the Conn’s house on Old Baptist Road where I remember buying strawberries grown in the garden that would have been out of frame just a bit to the left between the road and house.
ESTHER’S RECIPE INGREDIENTS
COCONUT, MASHED POTATO, CONFECTIONERS SUGAR, VANILLA
I asked my Aunt Judy (Gil’s sister) for a recipe associated with Gram Kenyon. Although I don’t recall ever having it, it seemed to me that there was a Penuche Fudge she was known to make. Judy confirmed this noting that Gram’s was made with peanuts while often Penuche is made with other types of nuts (walnuts, most often, I think). Judy noted that her father always cracked the peanuts for this fudge and that it was a “loooong process.”
Judy noted that she can see her mother’s recipe file in her cupboard at home but she can’t reach it so she couldn’t get me the actual recipe. Instead she sent me another recipe which I think she sent from memory rather than any written document as it seems to be a bit jumbled and missing details.
The recipe is for another fudge…albiet a weird one – mashed potato fudge. I have heard of it, not sure I’ve ever had it.
Here’s basically how the recipe came to me:
TWO PARTS: Bottom – 1 lb. CONFECTIONERS SUGAR, 1 medium (MASHED) POTATO, salt, VANILLA, 1 can COCONUT…(note from Judy: “don’t know if it comes in cans now”). Top – 1 c. sugar, 1 1/2 square chocolate, 1/3 c. milk.
Mash cooked potato. Combine the top ingredients while mashed potato is hot. Stir in other ingredients. Spread in buttered pan. Cook other three ingredients…don’t know how long!!! Spread over coconut mixture. Cool…Cut
So yeah, it’s missing info (quantities, type of chocolate, cooking times, etc) and the instructions are a little confusing but I’m thinking it might be enough to give it a try. Maybe I’ll try to make it for this year’s Christmas party.
Below is a photo of Gram Kenyon. There’s no direct relationship between this photo and a recipe (although, I suppose she could be writing a recipe in the photo) – it’s just an opportunity to share one of the few images I have of her.
5 responses to “November 15, 2025 – Puzzle Discussion”
This one got me…no clue.
I don’t remember Michaela or Isaac ever living in East Greenwich. Our brother Rick lived on Wine Street in East Greenwich.
I did not know our great grandfather was the Strawberry King! Love the picture!
I also remember Mrs. Conn would call Mom and give her a heads up when stuff was getting ready to be picked. She called about asparagus and also corn.
Thanks for sharing the pic of Grandma I’ve seen so few of them.
Norma – I was going to mention in my post about asparagus from the Conns but I tend to get long-winded so I checked myself there.
Didn’t mom and dad make some asparagus on toast with some sort of cream sauce?
Oh, and the EG apartment on Queen was the first place Michaela lived when she moved out.
Asparagus on Johnny Cakes with a white sauce
Ohhhhh! Johnny Cakes….yes I remember that now.