The original Elf on the Shelf, circa 1964

This is the 50th year, that this little fellow has adorned the family Christmas tree. He brings back many childhood memories.

One holiday season, many years ago, Joe and Norma had a holiday party to attend. Because of the hustle and bustle of the season, a babysitter was difficult to find. Grandma Rose agreed to watch the children, but she did not drive. Joe went and picked her up to bring her to our house. We always enjoyed every minute with Grandma, so were looking forward to the evening. It was a cold December day and the snow laid thick on the ground.

Joe and Norma were off, and Grandma was left with my brother and I. While we sat and talked, she relayed how she wanted to buy us a gift for Christmas. So we bundled up in our winter clothes and walked in the cold and snow to U-tell. The store was warm, so we unzipped our jackets and walked the isles. We were both young, and money did not mean much to us. We would stop and say to Grandma, 'oh, I would really like this', but Grandma only had $2 and would say, I just don't have the money for that.

My brother and I finally settled for these elves, mine green, my brother's red. When we returned home, we hung them on the tree. Every Christmas they have returned to adorn the tree and bring back all those precious memories of Christmas past and Grandma Rose.

Peace On Earth, 1972

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Subject: Louis and David Forrai.

Occasion: Christmas.

Date: 1972.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Photographer: Joseph Frank Forrai.

Relationship to me: Brother.

For the first four weeks in December, I decided to post the Christmas cards that my parents started sending in 1960. I think almost everyone is familiar with the photo holiday cards that some folks choose to send.

You may wonder where my father had these cards made? My dad had a dark room in the house where we lived. Photography was my dad's hobby since the 1940's. Each one of these cards were hand made.

How was the photograph taken? In the early years my dad used a portrait camera. There was a long cable attached to the camera. He routed it so it would not appear in the photograph. He would squeeze the button to take the photograph. In later years, he had a 35mm camera with a built in timer. My father always used a tripod, and it would take him a good deal of time for the set up for these annual photographs.

This photograph was taken in the hallway of our home on Scharles Avenue.  We moved into this house a few days before Christmas 1968. The cat in the picture is of Fluffy, our yellow tabby cat. He was a sweet, smart cat. My father taught him to fetch. There were a couple of large poinsettia flowers at the top of the signs that were cut out of the photograph.

It amazes me, how many of my relatives and friends of our family have hung onto these photographs. I am not the only one with a collection!

Cheers 1971

Merry Christmas 1970

Happy Holidays 1969

Greetings Forrai's 1968

Season Greetings Forrai's 1966

Season's Greetings Forrai's 1965

Greetings Forrai's 1964

Season's Greetings Forrai's 1963

Season's Greetings 1962

Merry Christmas 1961

Best Wishes 1960

Cheers! 1971

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Subject: Louis and David Forrai.
Occasion: Christmas.
Date: 1971.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Relationship to me: Brother.

For the first four weeks in December, I decided to post the Christmas cards that my parents started sending in 1960. I think almost everyone is familiar with the photo holiday cards that some folks choose to send.

You may wonder where my father had these cards made? My dad had a dark room in the house where we lived. Photography was my dad's hobby since the 1940's. Each one of these cards were hand made.

How was the photograph taken? In the early years my dad used a portrait camera. There was a long cable attached to the camera. He routed it so it would not appear in the photograph. He would squeeze the button to take the photograph. In later years, he had a 35mm camera with a built in timer. My father always used a tripod, and it would take him a good deal of time for the set up for these annual photographs.

This photograph was taken in the basement of our home on Scharles Avenue.  We moved into this house a few days before Christmas 1968. It was during this year that my father finished off a room in the basement with wood paneling and a tile floor. This room was considered the office and work room for most of the year. When we had a large gathering, we even used it as a dining room, as the kitchen was at the top of the stairs. The cat in the picture is of Fluffy, our yellow tabby cat. He was a sweet, smart cat. My father taught him to fetch. The Santa heads were stockings that my grandmother gave us one year, filled with candy and small toys.

It amazes me, how many of my relatives and friends of our family have hung onto these photographs. I am not the only one with a collection!

Merry Christmas 1970

Happy Holidays 1969

Greetings Forrai's 1968

Season Greetings Forrai's 1966

Season's Greetings Forrai's 1965

Greetings Forrai's 1964

Season's Greetings Forrai's 1963

Season's Greetings 1962

Merry Christmas 1961

Best Wishes 1960

Merry Christmas 1970

Subject: Louis and David Forrai.
Occasion: Christmas.
Date: 1970.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Relationship to me: Brother.

For the first four weeks in December, I decided to post the Christmas cards that my parents started sending in 1960. I think almost everyone is familiar with the photo holiday cards that some folks choose to send.

You may wonder where my father had these cards made? My dad had a dark room in the house where we lived. Photography was my dad's hobby since the 1940's. Each one of these cards were hand made.

How was the photograph taken? In the early years my dad used a portrait camera. There was a long cable attached to the camera. He routed it so it would not appear in the photograph. He would squeeze the button to take the photograph. In later years, he had a 35mm camera with a built in timer. My father always used a tripod, and it would take him a good deal of time for the set up for these annual photographs.

This photograph was taken at our new home on Scharles Avenue.  We actually moved into this house a few days before Christmas 1968. It was not quite completed, as rooms still needed to be painted and there was no carpeting or flooring on the first floor. The Luther Avenue house sold quickly, and we lived with my Uncle Leo and Aunt Elizabeth for several weeks before this house was complete.

My father was very proud of the blue spruce he planted in the front yard. 1970 was also the year that we took a fishing trip to Ontario, Canada. My dad had a friend who ran a fishing camp there.

It amazes me, how many of my relatives and friends of our family have hung onto these photographs. I am not the only one with a collection!

Happy Holidays 1969

Greetings Forrai's 1968

Season Greetings Forrai's 1966

Season's Greetings Forrai's 1965

Greetings Forrai's 1964

Season's Greetings Forrai's 1963

Season's Greetings 1962

Merry Christmas 1961

Best Wishes 1960

Happy Holidays 1969

Subject: Louis and David Forrai.
Occasion: Christmas.
Date: 1969.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Relationship to me: Brothers.

For the first four weeks in December, I decided to post the Christmas cards that my parents started sending in 1960. I think almost everyone is familiar with the photo holiday cards that some folks choose to send.

You may wonder where my father had these cards made? My dad had a dark room in the house where we lived. Photography was my dad's hobby since the 1940's. Each one of these cards were hand made.

How was the photograph taken? In the early years my dad used a portrait camera. There was a long cable attached to the camera. He routed it so it would not appear in the photograph. He would squeeze the button to take the photograph. In later years, he had a 35mm camera with a built in timer. My father aways used a tripod, and it would take him a good deal of time for the set up for these annual photographs.

This photograph was taken at a Christmas tree lot that was close to our home. I do not remember if this was the actual picture used on the holiday greeting card, but I do know it was from the photographic shoot.

It amazes me, how many of my relatives and friends of our family have hung onto these photographs. I am not the only one with a collection!

Greetings Forrai's 1968

Seasons Greetings 1966

Seasons Greetings 1965

Greetings Forrai's 1964

Season's Greetings Forrai's 1963

Season's Greetings 1962

Merry Christmas 1961

Best Wishes 1960

At the Schroeder Hotel, 1957

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Subjects seated at the table: Unknown couple, Joseph Frank Forrai(age 44) and Norma Elsbeth Waswo(age 35).
Date: 1957.
Location: Schroeder Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Patrick Cudahy Company Function.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father and Mother.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album she made for me.

There was little written on the photograph or the on the album page itself. My mother wrote that this was a company function at the Schroeder Hotel that is located in downtown Milwaukee. The Schroeder was also the location of the Junior Prom that I attended during high school.

This also could be an Elk's club function, as my father was a member during this time. It appears to be a formal occasion and I love the dress and purse my mother was wearing. My father was well known for his bow ties. I remember him wearing a straight tie occasionally, but there was always the remark of, 'what happened, no bow tie?' I am also not sure if this photograph was before or after my parents wedding, as they were wed November 16, 1957.

I welcome any additional comments or information from family and friends about this photograph.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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These are the last two photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

 Subject: Left to Right: The wedding cake with unknown guests.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown guests, wedding cake, Joseph Frank Forrai(age 32), and Norma Elsbeth Waswo(Forrai)(age 35).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: George Daniel Waswo Jr.(age 40), Middle top George Daniel Waswo III(age 9), Richard John Waswo(age 4) and Norma Elsbeth Waswo(age 35).

Subject: Left to Right: George Daniel Waswo III(age 9), Lucy Traulsen Waswo(age 66) and Richard John Waswo(age 4).

Date: November 16, 1957.

Location: Milwaukee, WI.

Occasion: Wedding Day.

Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Alan Bockay, Gail Bockay and Donald Paskowicz(age 10).

Subject: Left to Right: Gail Bockay, Ann L. Schoblocher Bockay(age 32), and Alan Bockay.

Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.
I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown guests in receiving line with the Pastor and his wife.

Subject: Left to Right: Norma Waswo(age 35), Joseph Forrai(age 44).

Date: November 16, 1957.

Location: Milwaukee, WI.

Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown guests.

Subject: Left to Right: Edward Kmieciak(age 35), Elizabeth Forrai Schelonka(age 46), Leo Schelonka(age 48), and Justine June Bockay Kmieciak(age 32).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Alma Bertha Traulsen Reichardt(age 60), Albert Emil Reichardt(age 71), and unknown guest.

Subject: Left to Right: Rose Forrai Bockay(age 69), Unknown guest(middle), and 'Auntie' Elizabeth Bockay(wife of George Bockay and mother of Steve Bockay).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Lucille Waswo(age 36), George Daniel Waswo III(age 9), Richard John Waswo(age 4), and George Daniel Waswo, Jr.(age 40).

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown guests, and head of Richard John Waswo(age 4).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown guests, upper right hand corner, Joseph Forrai(age 44).

Subject: Left to Right: Norma Elsbeth Waswo(age 35), Gloria LaPorte Strei(age 33) and Joseph Forrai(age 44).

Date: November 16, 1957.

Location: Milwaukee, WI.

Occasion: Wedding Day.

Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Lucy Traulsen Waswo(age 66), and unknown man and woman.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown woman, Albert Emil Reichardt(age 71), Norma Waswo Forrai(age 35), Albin C. Paskowicz(age 40) and unknown girl.
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.
 
I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Two unknown women, Gloria Strei(age 33), and unknown woman.

Subject: Left to Right: Dorinne May Traulsen Green(age 28), Henning W. Traulsen(age 65), remainder Unknown.
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

 Subject: Left to Right: Norma Elsbeth Waswo(age 35) and unknown woman.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown man, Joseph Frank Forrai(age44), remainder Unknown.
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown girl and boy, Alma Bertha Traulsen Reichardt(age 60).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

Subject: Left to Right: Lady seated with glasses Rose Forrai Bockay, Unknown woman, and the Pastor.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown couple, Albert Emil Reichardt(age 71) and Norma Elsbeth Waswo(age 35).
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

Subject: Left to Right: sitting, unknown girl, George Daniel Waswo III, Lucille Waswo, Richard John Waswo, remainder unknown.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.

Forrai-Waswo Wedding, November 16, 1957

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In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my parents wedding from their wedding album.

Subject: Left to Right: Unknown.
Date: November 16, 1957.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Wedding Day.
Photographer: Albin C. Paskowicz.

Subject: Left to Right: Norma Elsbeth Waswo(age 35) and Joseph Frank Forrai(age44). Remainder Unknown.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can identify people in the photographs.