Grandpa Stirling was my dear friend. I loved to sit and visit with him, especially if I was having a bad day, as he always made me feel better. I never ever heard him complain about anything even though he had to have been in a lot of pain. One time we asked him if he would like to go for a ride, which he sometimes liked to do, his answer was, "Not today, I hurt too much". This was the closest to a complaint I ever heard from him. Whenever anyone asked how he was, he would say, "Just about right". Darlene Stirling Wilder
I remember the time when a man in the town came to see 'Rex' to get some advise on the upcoming elections. Upon leaving, the man told someone that Dad disn't know anything because all he knew were Democrats. Dad was a Democrat through and through.
Dad liked to sit in the sideyard in the sun (On the side next to what is now Sue and Clayton's house). People would come by and stop and talk with him. Everyone loved Daddy. Jackie Pulsipher
When we got married, we went to Las Vegas and did not tell Jackie's parents. Then the next morning, we drove back to tell them that we were married. Her dad was just getting ready to say a few words, when in walked their Bishop. Of course, he had to introduce me to him as his "son-in-law". The words never did come. Warren Pulsipher
Friday, September 12, 2008
Memories of Grandma
Grandma was the center of many family get togethers, that we all miss. She loved the song, "Somewhere My Love", which she loved to have me play on the piano. Craig Hinton
Grandma always kissed us on our forehead. In her later years, she didn't keep much food around because Sue and Clayton pretty much provided her meals. But she would always offer us whatever she had...usually saltine crackers. They always tasted great, though. Jamie Kittrell
There are some things that happen to you in life that you just can't erase from memory. The following is a priceless experience between Grandma and me which I would love to forget. The moment of terror took place at Grandma's house. There was a house full of people at Uncle Clayton and Aunt Sue's house. Grandma was next door visiting and her house was quiet so I took advantage of the unoccupied bathroom. Unbeknown to me at the time, Grandma had an urgent need to use her bathroom. I suspect the urgency became more extreme as she got closer to the bathroom because she was at a dead run when the door burst open. Her momentum carried her inside the bathroom. My memory is a little vague at this point, but it seemed like we were both screaming although it could be conjectured as some expletive dialog and I believe I shouted, "I am done!" I think she said, "I'll go next door". (I wonder to this day if she really made it.) This embarrasing moment along with the excruciating expression on Grandma's face, as I'm sure I had the same expression, will be with me forever. Dennis Stirling
Grandma always kissed us on our forehead. In her later years, she didn't keep much food around because Sue and Clayton pretty much provided her meals. But she would always offer us whatever she had...usually saltine crackers. They always tasted great, though. Jamie Kittrell
There are some things that happen to you in life that you just can't erase from memory. The following is a priceless experience between Grandma and me which I would love to forget. The moment of terror took place at Grandma's house. There was a house full of people at Uncle Clayton and Aunt Sue's house. Grandma was next door visiting and her house was quiet so I took advantage of the unoccupied bathroom. Unbeknown to me at the time, Grandma had an urgent need to use her bathroom. I suspect the urgency became more extreme as she got closer to the bathroom because she was at a dead run when the door burst open. Her momentum carried her inside the bathroom. My memory is a little vague at this point, but it seemed like we were both screaming although it could be conjectured as some expletive dialog and I believe I shouted, "I am done!" I think she said, "I'll go next door". (I wonder to this day if she really made it.) This embarrasing moment along with the excruciating expression on Grandma's face, as I'm sure I had the same expression, will be with me forever. Dennis Stirling
Grandma's favorite joke
There once was a man that had a new overcoat. He went to see some friends and while there, had to visit the outhouse. When in the outhouse, he lost his coat down the toilet seat. When he came out, he explained his dilemma to his friend. His friend said, "Surely it would be easier to buy a new overcoat than to try and get yours out." The man replied, "It's not so much the coat, as the sandwich in the pocket."
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Quick Mustard Pickles
Grandma Stirling's cookbook
Place in bottom of quart jar:
1 Tablespoon pickling salt
2 Tablespoons mustard seed
4 Tablespoons sugar
moisten with white vingear
Wash enough small cucumbers to fill a jar. Slice lenthwise. pack cucumbers solid in the jar and cover with cold, white vinegar. Seal. Turn upside down for 10 days and then eat!
Place in bottom of quart jar:
1 Tablespoon pickling salt
2 Tablespoons mustard seed
4 Tablespoons sugar
moisten with white vingear
Wash enough small cucumbers to fill a jar. Slice lenthwise. pack cucumbers solid in the jar and cover with cold, white vinegar. Seal. Turn upside down for 10 days and then eat!
Stirling Newsletter March 2002
A blast from the past...
The Southern Utah News
August 5, 1986
"My family is the best. They do too much for me," said Thelma Stirling, 85, life-time resident of the Hurricane area.
This past July 26-27, Thelma's family held an open house and birthday celebration for her.
Forty attended the birthday party. She says they all 'put it together' and bought her a color TV set.
"They tried to surprise me, but one of the girls accidently let the cat out of the bag. A few days before, I told them "I'm too old and don't want a party, but I'm so glad they didn't listen to me," said Thelma.
Of the open house on July 27, Thelma said, "I'm so highly honored because so many people came to see me."
One of her grandchildren, Sandra Croft, honored her by writing a poem for her:
Grandma
We have a Grandma,
Small, white-haired; which was once red,
Someone who has a kiss,
For each small and big head.
She likes to wear pretty dresses,
Clip earrings, and a smile,
But most of all she loves the times,
When family members come for awhile.
Eyes dim with age,
But memories, laughs and a joke shared,
Are never to be forgotten,
Because Grandma is one who always cared.
Grandma, today it's our turn to brag,
So this program is just for you,
We want to wish a happy birthday,
and say, "We love you, too!"
Thelma's parents, Jacob Louis Workman and Mary Catherine Redd Workman, operated a hotel and boarding house, during the oil boom in Virgin.
"People from all over the country stayed there. I was only five years old when we left Virgin, but I do recollect all the hustle and bustle of the exciting times of the oil boom," Thelma said.
The Workans moved to Hurricane in 1906, and were the third family to arrive and settle in the area. Jacob set up a tent near where the brick house now sits on Main Street.
He first built a two room house and used one room to open the first post office in Hurricane. He was the first postmaster. Both of the Workman's were school teachers. The school also served as a church meeting place and was located on the corner of Main and State, where the "old white church" was eventually built.
The first family in Hurricane was the Morris Hinton family. They resided in a one-room house, where Dixie State Bank is now located.
The Anthony Jepson family was the second family to arrive, and Thelma said she can't recall exactly where they lived, but they did live on the north side of town.
Mary Catherine Workman served as the very first Relief Society President for 20 yeasrs. Thelma laughed, saying, "When you got in back in those days you were in for life." Mary also served as a postmistress during the time Jacob went on an LDS Mission to Houston, Texas.
Thelma fondly remembers her school days when she attended high school in St George. She said they had to ride a horse or buggy on Monday mornings and return home for the weekend.
I recollect the first car that arrived in the area. I don't remember who owned it, but I do remember they would let us ride down Main Street for 10 cents a ride--now that was exciting!"
Thelma met and married Rex Stirling in 1924 and they moved to Leeds, and lived there for 17 years. Rex was called on a mission to the Denver, Colorado area when they had been married for about 6-8 months. Thelma said their first born, Mary Marquetta, was born while he was on his mission.
She and the baby came back to Hurricane and the family home, while Rex was gone. She helped her mother in the post office.
Her father finished their beautiful home and passed away in 1911.
Thelma and Rex had four daughters and three sons. Their first born, Mary, passed away in 1974. Another daughter, Sue Olds, lives next door and, as Thelma said was the "instigator" of the big hullaboo of a party and open house of 50 children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The Southern Utah News
August 5, 1986
"My family is the best. They do too much for me," said Thelma Stirling, 85, life-time resident of the Hurricane area.
This past July 26-27, Thelma's family held an open house and birthday celebration for her.
Forty attended the birthday party. She says they all 'put it together' and bought her a color TV set.
"They tried to surprise me, but one of the girls accidently let the cat out of the bag. A few days before, I told them "I'm too old and don't want a party, but I'm so glad they didn't listen to me," said Thelma.
Of the open house on July 27, Thelma said, "I'm so highly honored because so many people came to see me."
One of her grandchildren, Sandra Croft, honored her by writing a poem for her:
Grandma
We have a Grandma,
Small, white-haired; which was once red,
Someone who has a kiss,
For each small and big head.
She likes to wear pretty dresses,
Clip earrings, and a smile,
But most of all she loves the times,
When family members come for awhile.
Eyes dim with age,
But memories, laughs and a joke shared,
Are never to be forgotten,
Because Grandma is one who always cared.
Grandma, today it's our turn to brag,
So this program is just for you,
We want to wish a happy birthday,
and say, "We love you, too!"
Thelma's parents, Jacob Louis Workman and Mary Catherine Redd Workman, operated a hotel and boarding house, during the oil boom in Virgin.
"People from all over the country stayed there. I was only five years old when we left Virgin, but I do recollect all the hustle and bustle of the exciting times of the oil boom," Thelma said.
The Workans moved to Hurricane in 1906, and were the third family to arrive and settle in the area. Jacob set up a tent near where the brick house now sits on Main Street.
He first built a two room house and used one room to open the first post office in Hurricane. He was the first postmaster. Both of the Workman's were school teachers. The school also served as a church meeting place and was located on the corner of Main and State, where the "old white church" was eventually built.
The first family in Hurricane was the Morris Hinton family. They resided in a one-room house, where Dixie State Bank is now located.
The Anthony Jepson family was the second family to arrive, and Thelma said she can't recall exactly where they lived, but they did live on the north side of town.
Mary Catherine Workman served as the very first Relief Society President for 20 yeasrs. Thelma laughed, saying, "When you got in back in those days you were in for life." Mary also served as a postmistress during the time Jacob went on an LDS Mission to Houston, Texas.
Thelma fondly remembers her school days when she attended high school in St George. She said they had to ride a horse or buggy on Monday mornings and return home for the weekend.
I recollect the first car that arrived in the area. I don't remember who owned it, but I do remember they would let us ride down Main Street for 10 cents a ride--now that was exciting!"
Thelma met and married Rex Stirling in 1924 and they moved to Leeds, and lived there for 17 years. Rex was called on a mission to the Denver, Colorado area when they had been married for about 6-8 months. Thelma said their first born, Mary Marquetta, was born while he was on his mission.
She and the baby came back to Hurricane and the family home, while Rex was gone. She helped her mother in the post office.
Her father finished their beautiful home and passed away in 1911.
Thelma and Rex had four daughters and three sons. Their first born, Mary, passed away in 1974. Another daughter, Sue Olds, lives next door and, as Thelma said was the "instigator" of the big hullaboo of a party and open house of 50 children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Family Jeopardy trivia....
We played Stirling Family Jeopardy at the reunion. How many can you get right?
What is the birth order of the kids?
What year was Grandpa born?
What year was Grandma born?
What was Grandma's sisters name?
Mary’s first child’s name is _____.
Who was the cheerleader in the family?
Brent’s first child’s name is _____.
Where was Bob born?
Jackie was a great ____player.
Tom went to what college?
Sue’s middle name is _______.
What is the birth order of the kids?
What year was Grandpa born?
What year was Grandma born?
What was Grandma's sisters name?
Mary’s first child’s name is _____.
Who was the cheerleader in the family?
Brent’s first child’s name is _____.
Where was Bob born?
Jackie was a great ____player.
Tom went to what college?
Sue’s middle name is _______.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Family Reunion June 2008
June 27th-29th, 2008 found members of the Rex and Thelma Stirling family at our biennial reunion. We were fortunate to have many that came from other states; Cindy and family came from Texas and Colorado. The Pulsiphers came from California. LaMar came from California, too. Several families came from Nevada. Brant came from Virginia. Of course, the majority were from our home state of Utah. We missed those that could not make it but hope they will be with us at the next reunion. By the way, the host and location are yet to be determined.
We have tried to hold our reunions in several locations. This has allowed us a variety of activities and places to stay. Hurricane, our home town, has been our center of activity and planning on many occasions. St. George has been another favorite. Kolob Mountain was a great location. This reunion site was at Duck Creek Village, at a family cabin. Tom and Fawn were great sports in letting us come and camp in their yard for a few days.
The weather was pleasant and the food was magnificent, as usual. Aunt Sue outdid herself with the delicious scones. Mom (Fawn) surprised us with afternoon cinnamon rolls-warm out of the oven. And Uncle Clayton's family was awesome at the Dutch oven cooking. Thoughts of the chicken, potatoes and cobbler makes a mouth water.
Friday evening we had chalupas, rice and beans. For a surprise activity under the stars, we played Stirling family trivia. The first generation were up on their facts and answered all but one question correctly. The unanswered question was regarding Aunt Jackie's blessing date (perhaps a little unfair!). Of course, we had to have food with the activity. We ate s'mores and roasted marshmallows. We discovered hidden talent in Steven, who makes a mean campfire. Bed time found only one single person in a tent...Cheri Von. Ron was in a tent trailer and everyone else took off for beds somewhere inside. (The bear was captured the week before so it really was safe to sleep outside!)
Saturday morning we woke up to a breakfast of ham, eggs, scones, tomatoes (from Aunt Cherrie's garden) and juice. After breakfast, we had a 'treasure' hunt for the kids. They successfully found the treasure chest filled with prizes for everyone. That activity lasted all of 15 minutes! And Mabel (Gary) was a great sport!
As customary, Denise had our family genealogy on display. We marked our names with colored markers, if we were in attendance. It was fun to see how many of us had made it! Denise shared that our numbers at the last three reunions have been almost identical. Next time we are hoping to have even more there. We had five babies in attendance; Abigail, Ava, Brooklyn, Ian and Tori. Two were true Stirlings--complete with red hair! It brought back memories of a reunion about 30 years ago in Hurricane. Dennis, Cindy and I walked in with red headed babies in our arms. All had been born within a month time. And, none of us knew the others had a red head.
Lunch was our main meal---the Dutch oven cooking team took over. Uncle Clayton and Aunt Sue worked hard to prepare a luscious meal. Green salad and rolls completed the meal.
Several members found making walking sticks was great fun while sitting around and chatting. Even some of the young ones got involved in the activity. Ron presented Steven a hand made walking stick for being a soon-to-be 'eagle scout'.
Somewhere in the middle we had a horseshoe area to try your hand at. A few did that. The volleyball net didn't receive too much attention....the young ones made forts, told secrets and laughed. It was reminiscent of early reunions when the 'cousins' did the same thing! That would be the circle of life.
After everyone revived themselves from all the food, we had a pinata filled with candy for the kids. Then the sugar rush took over the camp.
Saturday evening we all swore we could not eat another bite. After saying that, we proceeded to the kitchen and whipped up hoagie sandwiches and chips. Dinner took place somewhere around 8 pm! We Stirlings sure do know how to eat.
That evening Gary treated us to a slide show of all the pictures he took all weekend. He put it to music (that took a while to find something we all agreed would work...). After we watched it twice, we agreed it was fun to relive the memories of the last day and half.
When dark fell, the kids insisted on another bonfire so they could roast marshmallows and hotdogs.
Sunday morning the few left came back for one last meal and to share last minute hugs. Over pancakes, we laughed and confided how tired everyone was. It was a lot of work but so worth every minute of it!! I am sure those driving long distances really felt tired at the thought of their long journey ahead.
As our families grow, these reunions keep us linked. G'pa and G'ma would want that. We appreciate all your dedication in preparations and driving to share the time together! We want the newest generation (5th) to know each other and be able to call each a cousin.
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