Sunday June 30

Dear Friends,

Several weeks ago I received a phone call from Rena D'Andreas, an antique book dealer from NYC. She had been to a flea market in Connecticut, and found a 1907 baby book of Margret Mary Helser, born 9-18-07 at 443 Halsey Street in Portland.Mrs. D'Andreas is the mother of a NYC policewoman, and when she saw the name Portland, she remembered that our mayor and a delegation of Oregon folks went to NYC soon after 9-11 to show Oregon's support of the NYC.

She went to the website at www.fohcc.org and found a photo of the baby's father, Peter F. Helser's tombstone at the Columbian Cemetery. She then called me and asked if she could send the book here as a way of thanks. Since that time, with the help of Glenora,Celine and Diane, I have researched the Helser family in an attempt to return the book. We found that the Helsers were having a reunion today at a local park.

The book is a wonderfully illustrated record of an obviously loved child, complete with pictures of the family and the house on Halsey. As a collector of children's illustrated books, I was thrilled.

We were graciously invited to the reunion, so this afternoon I took a copy of the book and found a bunch of Helsers at the park. I was warmly welcomed, arrived in time for a group shot, so I grabbed my camera and started shooting, only to be invited to be in the picture. Explaining that I was not family, and why I was there, I was made immediately welcome, introduced around, offered food and drink and several kind folks went off in search of Marna and Loretta.

Such nice ladies! Tho I made no headroom in finding the baby, Loretta had pictures of Goldie, Peter's second wife and Francis Ruth,.the little one who is buried next to her at the Columbian. I gifted the ladies with copies of the baby book and know we will get much info back from them in return.

Peter's first wife, Maude Mary Campbell, mother of Margaret Mary and Peter were divorced when the baby was but 4 years of age. So far no information on her, but with all the confusion, we agreed that we should all retire to our computers to check the records.

Loretta said that she remembered "Aunt Goldie" and produced pictures of her, Francis Ruth, Loretta's grandmother and Goldie and Peter in later life(in Idaho). She has loaned me the pictures to make copies and I will get them to you asap.

I wish I could remember all the names of the good Helsers I met today. I did learn that the Helzer name was changed to Helser by some members of the family to distance themselves from the Helzers who have (still) the garbage business here in Portland.

After a bit of visiting and family gossip, I said my goodbyes and headed out for the cemetery in case anyone wanted help in finding the headstones of the many members buried there.

Then spent several hours working in the roses, thinking back over the pleasant afternoon. Such nice folks. More info to follow as it comes in.

Katie