NOTABLE WEDDING HAPPENINGS
IT WAS A LIMITED SHOWING
Not much need for text here, the invite says it all.
EVERYONE WAS SURPRISED
Well, maybe not EVERYONE WAS SURPRISED but many were when Michaela and Jay’s engagement party turned out to actually be Michaela and Jay’s wedding.
FLIPPIN’ LADY WEARING WHITE
I am so sorry I don’t have a photo or video for this, but yes, Megan J. was a FLIPPIN’ LADY WEARING WHITE as she did a number of flips, handstands, etc. at her wedding. In case you don’t remember, yes – while wearing her wedding dress!
Since I don’t have a photo from that day I decided to include an image I have of Megan in her earlier days of her gymnastic endeavors.
ABRUPTLY IGNITING ACCOUTREMENT
Most anyone that went to Bev and Tom’s wedding will recall the incident involving Bev’s veil. While cutting the cake (I think that’s when it happened), Bev’s veil passed by the flame of a nearby candle and caught fire.
I don’t mean to make light of this. It’s a scary scenario for sure – I believe a quick-minded (and footed) restaurant worker handled the ABRUPTLY IGNITING ACCOUTREMENT situation and crisis was averted. Furthermore, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the veil didn’t burn so much as maybe it smoked. Does anyone remember more clearly than I do? Please feel free to correct me.
Regardless, as mentioned last week when I was collecting wedding flower images, the only picture I had to work with for Bev’s wedding flowers was the low-quality digitally-archived one from the Standard-Times (above). I started playing with the image hoping to include it for that puzzle. I ended up passing on it as the flowers didn’t have enough definition to use. As I was playing with the image though, the idea of adding a flame and using it for this puzzle came to mind. I had a lot of fun playing with the low-quality image and making this graphical image with it.
The newspaper text indicated Bev’s flowers were roses but those look more like carnations to me. Can anyone provide a better picture?
HILLMAN HIKE HAPPENINGS
Many of you may be aware that I retired last week. Jan sent me a message saying that she hopes this means I’ll be able to get back to the sibling hikes. Read through the happenings of some of these hikes and you might see why maybe I’m not rushing back super quick.
AMPHIBIAN SAVED FROM REPTILE
I was not on this hike and whenever I hear someone talking about it the hair on the back of my neck stands up.
This AMPHIBIAN SAVED FROM REPTILE story is a simple one really. The group was hiking and came across a snake in the process of capturing its dinner – a frog. I believe the story goes that as they came upon the scene, the snake had one frog leg in its mouth and was working on the second, UNTIL Karen stepped in and freed the frog from the snake.
Karen admits that she may have only delayed the frog’s demise but I remain astounded that anyone would take such action. I’m not making a right thing/wrong thing judgement – it’s more of a EWWWW response/judgement. Karen is the only person I know that would do this – it’s equally amazing and EWWWW.
NEAR-DEHYDRATION DISASTER
The NEAR-DEHYDRATION DISASTER happened July 6, 2023 at Carter’s Preserve in Charlestown, RI. It was hot. Really hot. There was apparently far less shade coverage than anticipated on the chosen hiking trail that fateful day.
Siblings became uncomfortably aware of the intense sun beating down upon their brows. Siblings became woozy. Fortunately, Bill, being young and spry, was able to spring into action and made his way back to the parking lot for extra water bottles. All recovered if not maybe a tad bit worse for wear for a short while.
Below is a photo (a group shot by Norma) taken before the heat starting claiming its victims.
▼ (L-R) Tom, Jan, Bill, Mary, Diane (cousin to the siblings), Annette, Norma
SPECIALIZED FOOTWEAR MISSING
The case of SPECIALIZED FOOTWEAR (gone) MISSING happen on a hike/trek that Karen and Tom took. It was a bright winter’s day. The snow glistened in Goddard Park as the two made their way along the bridle trails. At some point Tom realized he only had one snowshoe. Karen and Tom will have to remind us how much time they spent backtracking looking for the other snowshoe. And, to be honest, I don’t recall if they did actually find it.
Below is a photo from a different snowshoe trek at Goddard Park (January 2022) – no lost equipment that day.
▼ (L-R) Annette, Jan, Nancy, Karen
THERE WAS STORYTIME – NO NAPS
I was on this hike. It was at Grills Preserve in Bradford, RI in December 2021. Amtrak trains pass through a portion of the preserve. Staying true to our “grew up near railroad tracks” roots, we heard the train coming, made our way closer so we could watch it go by, and of course, when it did so, we waved.
Oh, but storytime…yes, that was me. I had come across a bizarre story about a plane hijacking in the 1970s involving employees of the Naval Underwater Systems Center (my former place of employment). I read the story to the group during a break much like pre-school teachers might read to their charges before nap time. Essentially on this hike THERE WAS STORYTIME but NO NAPS. I have a copy of the story if anyone is interested in reading it. It really is quite strange. And to clarify, the employees were the victims, not the hijackers.
IN THE NEWS
FRANK & 11 OTHERS, MAYBE ANGRY
I’ve been surprised many times while looking through old editions of local newspapers to see the type of stories and information routinely included in the publications. A listing of recently selected jurors is one such example. I’m not actually sure if the Francis listed here is senior (my grandfather) or junior (my uncle). I initially thought the reference was to my grandfather but he’s listed as living in Allenton, so my thought now is that the potential juror was Frank Jr. I didn’t realize he (Jr.) ever went by Francis/Frank. Further, I thought his name was William Francis not Francis William but this is not the first time the Cummiskey family has confused me with the first name/middle name shuffle.
I find it interesting that only men were serving. A few sources I have looked at indicate that women were allowed to serve on juries in Rhode Island as early as 1927. What up Washington County?
And I concede that my clue for this group item suggests FRANK AND 11 OTHERS, (MAYBE ANGRY) actually served on a jury. I don’t know if he actually did. The article is about the 113 persons called for the jury pool, not any 12 chosen for a specific jury.
And, off topic, but, I’d be angry if I was the guy in that illustration. Stay away from my eye!
CAR IN GUTTER, GLASS CUT HER
The “official paper” of the town of North Kingstown reported this CAR IN GUTTER, GLASS CUT HER news. I don’t drive by there anymore without thinking of this “news” item and assessing the “brookiness” of the brook.
SPICE WENT ONCE, 2Xs, 3Xs
Good eats were up to high bidders at the April 16, 1953 meeting of local homemakers. SPICE CAKE, GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, GOING THREE TIMES…
Seriously though, I have questions. Was there one cake? Several? If one cake, did the hostess make/provide it? What did they do with all the collected monies?
FAMILY GOES ON VACATION
You know you’re small-town when stuff like FAMILY GOES ON VACATION is in your newspaper. The photo below the newspaper graphic must of been taken on this trip.
THINGS GIL WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE
YOU WERE IN BIG TROUBLE
One day when my father was still living at The 461 I stopped in for a visit. For whatever reason Rob Blais happened by and the three of us were chatting. Rob said something to which my dad responded sharply and I guess somewhat negatively. Rob turned to me and said, “is he kidding or is he really mad? All these years and I still can’t tell for sure.”
In this particular case (and many more) I’m quite certain, Gil was having one over on us. He used his ability to keep kids (and adults) guessing like a super power. I think the most common deployment of this super power was in making the kids think they (YOU) WERE IN BIG TROUBLE.
US FOUGHT BATTLE(S) VS INUITS
I don’t know why my father found it so amusing to bamboozle his kids but he really did seem to relish it. How many of us heard him tell of the “Battle(s) of the Eskimos”? I’m not sure if the photo below was taken before or after said battle(s) but I’d thought you might enjoy seeing it. Gil is on the left, I have no idea who the other man is.
SWAMP YANKEE IS A NATIONALITY
Much like the Eskimo deal above, he had me, at least, convinced “Swamp Yankee” was an actual nationality. Granted, I was too young to understand the concept of “nationality” but this premise did not serve me well in school.
COMM W JAPAN POSS VIA W-TALKIE
I believe one of my dad’s all time favorite cons was setting his kids up to believe they were talking to someone in Japan on newly-received-for-Christmas, $9.99 Radio Shack walkie talkies. I have searched high and low for a photo – circa mid-70s – of my dad sitting in the living room, walkie talkie in hand propagating this exact COMMUNICATION WITH JAPAN POSSIBLE VIA WALKIE-TALKIE sham but I haven’t been able to find it. In keeping with Gil’s messing-with-your-head modus operandi, I made a fake one.
The photo below is a bonus image. It doesn’t relate to any of the four items in this group but I came across it and my first thought was that he was at it again…he’s spinning some tale here for sure. And, ya gotta love the reactions of Mary and Bev.
13 responses to “May 24, 2025 – Puzzle Discussion”
Hope those puzzle clues within the puzzle were’t overwhelming but you’ve had a few easy weeks here in a row.
Also, just a side note to Bill, Mary, Karen, Lou, Norma, and Annette — have a great time on your trip! Safe travels!
I got this one in one. The first two I got were the hikes and things Dad said. The last two I got lucky and had four guesses. Still can’t believe the amount of time Nancy must spend looking at old Standard Times. Also hard to believe some of the stories the paper published. ‘Family goes on vacation” and “cake will be auctioned.” Ah those were the days.
Good job William Francis.
And here’s a scoop – since I haven’t seen a Standard-Times reporter about today – I completed the planting of the hanging baskets in the pool area this week and I’m planning to go to the transfer station today.
A trip to the transfer station for you now that the bridge is closed, would definitely be news worthy!
Your going to make front page above the fold with that news. My headline is “Man drives to Connecticut to drop off dog at kennel.”
If only you were a “Florida man” – then you’d have something.
Alright I got none – I will be honest, I didn’t even venture any guesses but came straight here for the explanations!
Fun ones! First, congrats on your retirement!
I forgot about Bev’s veil but have heard that story.
I LOVE the news clipping about the family vacation! How funny!
Great old pics!
You must have been aware of some of the hiking stories, no?
YES!! I think I have heard all the hiking stories except for the snake and frog! I am impressed! Karen is fearless!
I poked at the snake until it lost its grip on the frog/toad. I think it was a toad and not a very big snake. Pretty good size toad. I don’t think that snake would of ever been able to swallow it. I did this another time at my old house. That time I also saved the snake from my cat.
I have saved a few chipmunks and the like (maybe a baby bunny) from my cat but there’s a limit as to how far I’ll go with intervention.
I got nothing! It’s the Monowatt in me! But I have to say I think I laughed more reading the explanation then I ever have! I’m trying to picture Mom having a group of women over and raffling a cake! And we made the paper because we went on vacation! I did not remember Karen + Lou’s wedding invitation. And you are right only Karen would free a frog from a snake! I was on that walk and she fell behind. Where’s Karen…freeing a frog from a snake! So much good stuff here. Thanks Nancy look forward to this every week!
Congratulations on Retirement!
Norma, thanks – I think a lot of these scenarios are funny. I really have to try hard to imagine mom as part of a homemakers’ club. I have to wonder if they weren’t just glorified hen parties! I can get behind that.
And I’m not going to lie – I now wonder, was our grandfather a bad driver, did a squirrel run out onto the road and he swerved to avoid it? So many unanswered questions.