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LILLIAN BETNUN
My Stories:
MANY MOONS AGO - OUR HOUSE ON 2809 E. 51ST ST., CLEVELAND, OHIO
A BUS ACCIDENT CAUSED BY NAKED DAVIDS
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 14, 1911. I had a very happy childhood in the backyard of my father's barrel business. We moved to Los Angeles in 1950.
I met my husband at Palm Terrace on Fairfax Avenue at a dance. We moved to Salt Lake City and had three beautiful children. Nathan, my oldest son has a Ph.D in urban planting. We owned the Betnun Music Store. Melvin has a music store on Beverly Blvd. Shirley is trying to find herself.
I love the Freda Mohr center where I volunteer and go to all the classes. I recently finished my first book, "My First 90 Years." I'm currently working on the sequel, "My Next 90 Years."
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OUR HOUSE ON 2809 E. 51ST ST., CLEVELAND, OHIO
Our property was divided into two parts. The front was a three-suite house, and the backyard was my father's barrel yard and barn. We rented the two downstairs suites. We had the whole upper floor for our family.
I remember my mother washing and scrubbing the huge kitchen on her hands and knees. Mother, I believe came from a small village. She enjoyed cooking and baking. We watched her rolling dough. However, she didn't like us to help. "Can we help you shred the cabbage?" we asked. It was a challenge and we enjoyed filling the barrel for sauerkraut.
Mother and Dad made barrels of green tomatoes, pickles and vishnik, which was wine from cherries. I will never forget the taste of that best-tasting wine. My mother would always share her delicacies with the neighbors and friends.
Our playground was our backyard. We would roll the barrel on its belly, and also roll the hoops with a stick and have a contest to see who could roll them the fastest. We would also play "hide and seek" between the barrels. I believe the song, "Roll Out the Barrel, Let's Have a Barrel of Fun," originated with my father's barrel business.
Before my father had to deliver a customer's barrels he would put the harness on the beautiful brown workhorse. I would love to watch. First came the halter, then the reins and the blinders. "Why does the horse need blinders?" I asked. My father answered, "So he would not be distracted while pulling, and also to protect him from the sun."
I remember playing house on a big square rock in the front of our house, which seemed to be planted there for our use. The barn was also our playground. We would go up to the attic where the bales of hay were stored. There were many cats that made their home in the haystack too.
We did not want to stay there long because the smells from the horse's secretion rose up. I can visualize the beautiful blue wild flowers in the ravine at the end of our street in the summer. Also, after school some of my friends and I would take a walk through a wooded stretch of land close by.
One day we were told that we could get fresher milk from a cow close by. We brought a bottle and the milk did not taste very good. We did not go back for more since it was not pasteurized. I donšt know if it was at the time.
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When I was a teenager we had great fun in the winter. The city of Cleveland would block off some of the steep streets close to our home. Out would come the bobsleds. We would scramble to get on either side. They would seat about ten. It was a thrill to race down the hill.
However, we had to keep handling the bobsled up to the top to start over again. We also had a small area of woods very close to our home where we would wander around. I loved the colors of the autumn leaves.
I vividly remember someone made a tire swing. The person had to sit in the tire and swing across a small ravine. Then the person had to swing back to the starting side. It was fun to watch but I was too chicken to try the swing.
My mother saved money to put a down payment on an upright piano. She paid it out in installments. My sisters and I dabbled on it. However my mother could not afford to give us lessons since she took so long to pay for the piano. I remember it was placed in the front room next to a stuffed very heavy oak chair next to it. We were extremely proud and I kept dusting it all the time.
The room was extremely cold because in the winter we closed the door without heat to conserve money. When we moved to California the piano was on the truck because we could not get a good buyer. We probably sold it very cheap when we got here.
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I love the great outdoors first of all. I always take a deep breath. Oh, how sweet and invigorating, just to smell the roses and magnolia trees. I love to find all the different plants I was taught to distinguish, like rosemary and the beautiful new flowering palm trees that were planted in Pan Pacific Park. I like to watch the children at play.
Sometimes the boys playing soccer intrigue me. How can they survive when the ball is thrown at their heads? I love the insects running and buzzing everywhere. I am amazed at the congregation of the hundreds of sea gulls at a certain spot. It seems like they smell the food the provider has in his sack. We miss them if they are not there to greet us.
The dogs are the next attraction. It seems like there are dogs of all color breeds and description. I just stop and watch them play ball and Frisbee. They seem never to miss retrieving the balls to their master. It certainly is a great way to get up and go. Others can get their exercise and the end result I conditioned myself. Also, at the same time, there is a great deal of sociability.
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I had a very busy but happy party week. Saturday I attended an American Red Cross award luncheon, which was held at the Atomi Hotel downtown. My friend, Wilma a volunteer of the Red Cross invited our walking club of four. An impressive flag salute was presented by the neighborhood Boy Scout troop.
Next, a delicious chicken luncheon was served and all the trimmings. Afterwards, the awards were spotlighted. I liked the title of "Unity through Diversity." Some of them were "Disaster Hotline," Medical, Health Fair, Ultimate Shelter Nurse, Fundraising, Improving Personal Preparedness, Personal Emergencies and Providing the Opportunity to Serve.
What impressed me was the Volunteer of the Year award given to the Rev. Joe Hyun Seung Yang who started serving when he was a little boy in Korea. He chose the Red Cross because he was too poor to buy a uniform, which was required in the other organizations. He raised 1.5 million dollars for the Red Cross Liberty Fund after the 9-11 disaster. The Korean Community in Los Angeles donated it all. This being Women's Recognition month,
I believe that Doris Walton, R. N., for the past four years was the "Ultimate Shelter Nurse." No matter how far the shelter is from her home, Walton's motto is, "I'll be there." Every one attending the luncheon had a chance to win a prize. One of our members, Louise won a lovely set of silverware. Thank you, Wilma for a great and rewarding afternoon.
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A BUS ACCIDENT CAUSED BY NAKED DAVIDS
April 30, 2002
Dear Susan,
It was a surprise and I was thankful to get the details on the accident so soon and in detail. I believe you are a good reporter for court procedures. I was in agreement with all the seniors that the driver was distracted by all the statues of the naked Davids.
However, according to my granddaughter who has her Bachelor's degree in engineering, she thinks that it was the brakes of the bus that needed repair. No excuse.
All of us were very disappointed for missing the 1K and 5K walks, which was supposed to be the highlight of our trip. On the other hand, in our Stress Reduction class we learned how to count our blessings and forgive.
The seniors had a few giveaways like an interesting water bottle and a massage. Lunch was good. We also had very good company. Our walk in the park in the fresh air and sunshine was very rewarding. How did you like the band and exercise lesson and other dancing and skits? I want to thank you ever so much for taking me home. You are a very caring and sweet person. All my best to you and your friends.
Till we meet again, Lillian P.S. We thank the Supreme Body that we are alive and did not get injured.
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Good morning everyone. One year ago I was asked by Michael to give a welcome talk on Eichenbaum Health Center and how it had helped me. Today I have the privilege and honor to tell you how the "gym" really helped me.
About one month ago I had a freak accident and fell on my back. I owe my swift recovery to the exercise machines at Eichenbaum and to regular walking. "How can I straighten my posture?" I asked Cathy, the Physical Therapist at Eichenbaum. She produced a huge exercise ball and showed me how to use it. She also recommended arm exercises to do. I'm having a ball! The attendance has doubled at Eichenbaum amd the numbers of exercise machines followed.
Thank you God and thank you Eichenbaum Health Center for helping me regain my health in order to have celebrated my 90th birthday on September 14, 2001! I'm sure that there are a great number of seniors that are being helped and thousands in the future by the Eichenbaum Health Center.
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