WEDDING FLOWERS
SUNFLOWERS
ROSES AND STEPHANOTIS
PAPER
PINK ROSES
When Megan J. got married in August of 2009, gorgeous SUNFLOWERS were carried by bridal attendants and Megan herself.
I would not have remembered this and I can’t come up with a decent photo (I only have the low-quality digitally archived Standard-TImes image), but Bev carried ROSES AND STEPHANOTIS as her wedding bouquet in January 1971.
In August 2016, Michaela’s wedding bouquet was that of PAPER flowers fashioned by her attendant, Heather.
At Gil and Claire’s wedding, Claire didn’t carry a traditional bouquet but instead had a corsage of PINK ROSES.
TATTOOS OF SIBLINGS OR THEIR SPOUSES
SINGULAR ROSE
“JAYCIE” AND “MALIA”
PIG
ROOSTER
Norma has a SINGULAR ROSE tattoo – (NOTE: I identified it as “singular” only to further distance it in the puzzle from the plural “roses” in the wedding flower grouping). Lou either has his granddaughter’s names or their birthdates tattooed on his arm(s) – maybe both names and birthdates? I guessed names, so therefore: JAYCIE and MALIA. John has both PIG and ROOSTER tattoos and there’s some story about it being good luck/preventing drowning (maybe?). I think John’s been pretty fortunate/lucky and while I haven’t seen him in the pool in a while, last I knew he was still staying afloat.
SCHOOL/SCOUT FUNDRAISER ITEMS
GIFT WRAP
POPCORN
TULIPS
COOKIES
There’s been a lot of school and scout (and sports) fundraisers in which family members have participated over the years. I recall either hawking or purchasing GIFT WRAP, most likely from the “cousin” era. POPCORN has been a mainstay of scout fundraisers. I bought some just last year from Cecil. Megan M. definitely sold TULIPS (and poinsettias) and multiple Hillmans and Hillman offspring have sold Girl Scout COOKIES.
I know I sold GS cookies, both Michaela and Catherine did. I’m 90% sure Sarah and Jen did so as well. Molly and Megan too, if I remember correctly. Ellie did just as recently as this year. Who else? Did Megan J? What about Amber and Sheila?
PRODUCTS/SERVICES OF VARIOUS HILLMAN COMPANIES
INVESTMENTS
CARS
MILK AND BEER
NUTS AND BOLTS
I came across two Hillman INVESTMENT companies. One is located in Bethesda, Maryland, the other in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Hillman CARS have been on my radar for a while. Advertisements for them showed up time and time again in my searches of the Standard-Times archives.
I’ve grouped two Hillman companies together for this one group item. There is a Hillman dairy in Siliguri (a city in India) and the Hillman Beer pub/brewery has several locations in North Carolina. Kathy McWilliams (cousin to the siblings) has visited a few of them and sent me a Hillman Beer winter beanie a few years ago. I couldn’t find it to grab a picture of it but I did have a picture of Brian from the year a few Hillman Beer items were in the family Christmas Yankee Swap.
The Hillman Group manufactures and distributes fasteners, nuts and bolts, work gloves, and key blanks. Their website claims they are in “every home in North America.” I don’t know if that’s absolutely true but I certainly have come across Hillman inventory at the likes of Home Depot and Lowes.
9 responses to “May 17, 2025 – Puzzle Discussion”
Some of you have mentioned that you like the Standard-Times clippings I include in these blog posts. I have to note that the clipping above detailing Gil and Claire’s wedding was something I came across early when I was considering doing the puzzles. I learned so much from it. I had known nothing of a honeymoon location for my parents and the write-up provided some information about my parents’ early jobs that I had not known.
Incidentally, the handkerchief box that showed up a few weeks ago came about as a result of my asking Aunt Judy if she knew anything about a honeymoon location for my parents. It turns out the box was purchased by my parents for her while they were on their honeymoon.
And reading through the clipping again reminded that I used “Monowatt” in one of the early puzzles. At the time Norma suggested that I might be referring to the intelligence level of some individuals. That was not my intent but I’m happy for the reminder to maybe start using it. NOT for any of you, of course!
LOVE this one! I got it, went in and out a few times but eventually got it!
I really like these old wedding announcements and the photo of Grandma.
Odd and random, slight connection – I never knew Grandpa worked Gorham Manufacturing! We had a lobby exhibit at work that was done by a local native artisan group and focused on Mashapaug Pond. There was a local lady who was VERY angry about the exhibit because her father had worked at Gorham and she felt it was a disparaging depiction of the pollution that Gorham had caused. She even came to an artist talk about the exhibit and yelled at everyone. I am now laughing with my coworkers that I should have been protesting with her!
Sarah, I hadn’t known that my dad worked at Gorham either! I remember going to an exhibit at RISD very much in-line with the one you mentioned — wonder if it was the same artist/group.
I did not get this one but loved reading the answers. The picture of Mom in her wedding outfit was beautiful! I never saw that before! And seeing the write ups in the newspaper of both her’s and then Bev’s were great. 200 people at their reception in Grandma’s house! Yikes that’s a lot of people! And how did I forget Michaela’s paper flowers! I knew it was wedding flowers just couldn’t get the right combination!
Norma, I was initially gobsmacked by there being 200 guests but then I remembered grandma had a significant number of siblings. But I guess even if you subtract immediate family (siblings, parents, aunts/uncles) out that’s still a lot!
Also, I know weddings today can easily go over the top but what I wouldn’t give for a few more photos from that day. I’d especially love one with mom, dad, and their parents.
Nancy thank you for doing these! Even if I get none I love reading all the connections!!
Thanks Norma! I really do enjoy putting them together.
I had a really long response and Lou called me outside for something. I accidently got out without hitting send. I’m not retyping it now. Maybe later.
Will say I finally got it. Multiple tries! Great job Nancy!
Karen that happened to me! I scrolled up to check on of the connections and when I scrolled back down my comment was gone! Doh!