For those of you unfortunate enough to have never met my Grandpa Ernie, may I offer my sympathy. He was a very funny guy, and worthy of his own website. He owned a paper warehouse in Mattoon, Illinois, that I remember was full of every single thing in the world. (They make Lender’s Bagels in Mattoon, y’know.) We only visited my grandparents – both sets – once a summer, and I remember the trips of being long and hot in the old white station wagon. Grandpa Ernie would do impossibly wild things with us – like swinging us by our ankles – earning a scowl from Grandma Norie – “Oh, GAWD, Ernie! Put her down!” He made me my first screwdriver – at age ten I believe. A glass of orange juice with a drop of vodka. Ahhhh.
My cousing Heidi wrote a sweet memory of him on her website, and I just thought you should see his picture.
Brad says
Grandpa Ernie, we hardly knew ye. Well, actually, I didn’t know you at all. But you sound like a nice guy. I toast you with a screwdriver! Here’s to Grandpa Ernie!
Annette says
no school, napping AND toasting?????
Peggy says
Is Paul & Christine McKillip related to Grandpa Ernie? How cool to have a website featuring your grandfather! My one grandfather died in 1936 & there isn’t even 1 picture of him in the family. (he was a Baltimore City Fireman--that’s what they were called then; and I’ve been trying to find out if they took pictures of the fireman then & might still have them in their archives somewhere. Long shot … but you never know. Any thoughts Brad, locater of long lost treasures …
Lauren says
I don’t think the McKillips are related -- they just bought the store. I hope you find somthing on your Grandpa! You’re right to get Brad on it -- he’s a finder, he is.
Brad says
Names! I need names! Your grandfather? What firestation he was with?
Michele (Brad's friend) says
You made me cry Lauren! I can picture you all sweating and complaining, “Are we there yet?” in that old white station wagon. Ours was blue. When I revisit childhood trips with us five kids tossed into the station wagon with no seatbelts it brings back fond memories. Your grandpa sounds very cool. I was lucky to know all four of my grandparents -- also very cool…summers catfishing off the pier at the shore, wearing PJs all day and playing cards with my grandmother…good times.
By the way, grandpa Ernie looks almost famous -- like he was one of those guys in old movies.
Kristi says
Only cool guys smoke pipes! And Grandpa must have been one cool dude. His picture reminds me of Bob Hope in a squinty-eye way.
Beth says
So, I’m most curious about why you posted Grandpa Ernie today? Is today a significant day in his life…or were you just feeling a bit nostalgic and thought you’d share the memories with all of us and send us into the Land of Nostalgia?
Lauren says
Heidi wrote about how Sunday (February 4th) she was remembering a song that he used to sing to her. She looked it up and played it at her mom’s (Aunt Marcy’s) house. Aunt Marcy said, “Do you know what day this is? Grandpa Ernie passed away on this day (eleven years ago).” How weird is that? Anyway, I started this post way back in December when my mom showed me the Lorenz Wholesale website, but I just got around to finishing it now.
Lauren says
I agree about the Bob Hope thing! It’s very ‘Hollywood glamour’ -- only a bit goofy. 🙂
Aunt Marcy says
Thanks,Lauren. He is probably telling everyone in Heaven to check out your blog. Funny thing…when Uncle Rich hangs the grandkids upside downs and wrestle them, Aunt Marcy says ( sometimes with a scowl ) “Rich…stop that roughhousing..and put them down.” Whew…the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.