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A Fiery Turning Point
By: Jane Dow / Mutterings & Musings
“
Wake up, Janie. The chic-a-bob’s on fire.”
My 8 year old ears heard these words my
mother spoke, but I didn’t see any flames or smell
any smoke. My home couldn’t be burning up!
In 1956 my family and I lived in a sub-basement apartment under
a three story commercial building my father had designed. The top
floor had 17 hotel rooms, the ground level was a bar and restaurant.
A basement was under that, and we lived in a two bedroom apartment
next to the basement.
My father “Chic” was a larger-than-life businessman, his brother
“Bob” was a farmer. Together they built the Chic-a-Bob.
Life for a southwestern Pennsylvania eight year old and her five year
old sister Susie was the American dream from morning till night. We
walked to school, played outside till dark, and learned to be comfortable
around a bunch of drunks.
The dream came to an end that hot August night in 1956. The
clothing and toys Susie and I had madly thrown into pillow cases were
forgotten as we heard Mommy’s voice screaming to “come out of the
bedroom! You need to get out!!”
I still didn’t hear or smell anything. Why was mommy so scared? Our
neighbor, Mr. Claycomb, had arrived to drive us to a motel up the road.
Mommy stayed.
As we rode up the driveway next to the Chic-a-Bob, I looked back
through the rear window. I saw the giant orange flames licking out of
the third floor windows.
Shadows of firemen were holding powerful hoses, trying futilely to
douse the flames. It was a last memory of my childhood home.
August 29, 1956 was a turning point in my life. A few pieces of
furniture and some family photos were saved, but the only thing my
daddy and I could find the next day in the ashes were a few melted bar
glasses and eight blackened pennies. So much gone.
But true to form, six months later, my daddy built a 17 unit motel on
the very site of the Chic-a-Bob and named it the Janey Lynn. I’m Janey.
My sister is Susan Lynn.
Jane taught high school English and theatre for 30 years. She
now spends her time being a Toastmaster, enjoying the endless
entertainment options in our town, attending Pilates classes and
spoiling her rescue, Mandy.
October 2023
Exploring Your Roots: A
Great Hobby for Seniors
By: Craig Smith / Guest Column
Family history and genealogy are more than
just hobbies; they’re journeys of discovery that can
unlock the secrets of your past, connect you with your ancestors, and
provide a deeper understanding of your identity.
Whether you’re just starting your research or you’re a seasoned
genealogist, the world of family history offers endless opportunities to
explore, learn, and connect with your heritage.
Preserving Your Heritage: Family history is like a tapestry of stories,
and each thread represents an ancestor’s life. Preserving this heritage
ensures that the unique experiences and traditions of your family are
passed down to future generations.
Passing on family stories to your children and grandchildren is
important as well as enjoyable.
Getting
Started with
Genealogy:
Start by
collecting
information
from living
relatives.
Record names,
dates of birth,
marriages, and
any family stories or traditions they remember. This information can
serve as a foundation for your research.
Utilize Online Resources: The internet is a treasure trove of
genealogical resources. Websites like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org
(free), and MyHeritage.com offer access to extensive databases, records,
and tools to aid your research.
DNA Testing: DNA testing services like 23andMe and AncestryDNA
can reveal genetic connections to distant relatives and help you expand
your family tree.
Join Genealogy Societies: Connect with other genealogists by
joining local or online genealogy societies. These groups offer support,
knowledge, and access to resources you might not find elsewhere.
There are four genealogical societies right here in the Las Vegas valley:
1. Clark County Nevada Genealogical Society (CCNGS)
2. Nevada African American Genealogy Society (NAAGS)
3. Centennial Las Vegas Genealogy Society (CLVGS)
4. Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada (JGSSN)
Members of these organizations have years of family research
experience. They enjoy helping people get started with their family history
research and assisting with organizing family records.
Craig Smith is the President of the Clark County Nevada
Genealogical Society. The Society meets on the third Saturday of
each month at the Paseo Verde Library in Henderson. Craig can
be contacted at president@ccngs.org