A Side Excursion, in Three Takes

During one of the annual, Lithuanian-school picnics, my Dad escorted a few of us to the nearby Fabyan estate.

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1967. I do not appear in this photograph because I am taking the picture (you can see the camera strap here).

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"While the Fabyans lived on the estate, they employed more than 60 people in positions and maids, gardeners, chauffuers, scientists and farmers. They even employed a sculptor to create numerous stone and concrete fountains, statues and furniture as well as cages for the various wild animals they brought to the [Fox] Riverbank."

Helping with the bait.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. We're at the Lithuanian-school picnic again.

The Adults' Table

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1967. We didn't share our table with the adults.

Lunch Service

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1967. Mom and I are enjoying the annual picnic; Mom, again, has brought her knitting bag. The woman holding the ketchup bottle is Lily (I remember her dress; it was orange with white polka dots.)

I see a frustrated Mom.

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1961. She's not my Mom, so I'll just wander off in my usual, perpetual-motiony way.

The parents watched us closely.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1961. The adults oversee the children's table at our annual, Lithuanian-community picnic.

Chidren's Service

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1961. Women from our community oversee the children's table at the annual, Lithuanian-school picnic.

It's picnic season again.

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1968. Here's another image from that fashion-forward Lithuanian-school picnic. Both Mom and her best friend, Donna, have brought their gold, vinyl knitting bags.

The woman on the left is Lily, and the lady on the right—wearing a dress—is the "Other Irene."

Grilling

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1967. Women from our Lithuanian community grill during an annual picnic. The woman on the left—walking away from the group—is my Mom's best friend, Donna.

Babushkas at the Picnic

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. We're back at the Lithuanian-school picnic. Mom is eating, but the brown-haired head obscures her face. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, is tucked behind the woman with the elaborate hair bun. Mom's best friend, Donna, is on the right, wearing sunglasses. Donna took off the babushka later in the afternoon.

Our very own Boomers took up a lot of space.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1961. The Displaced Persons who emigrated to the United States contributed to the population "boom." The children's table at that Lithuanian-school picnic is full.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1961. The adults make sure everyone is well supplied. I am the little girl whose face peeks out from between the boys.

Picnic Culture: Things are changing.

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1968. My Mom and her best friend, Donna, knit at another Lithuanian-school picnic. They were knitting at a similar function three years earlier, but back then, the women wore dresses to the picnic.

Things were even fancier at the 1961 picnic.

Picnic Culture: Scenes

It was during this time of year—early Spring—that the families who sponsored our Lithuanian School organized an annual picnic. Back then, the drive from our home in Suburban Chicago to Geneva, Illinois, seemed like a long trip.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. The Fabyan Windmill, a landmark of the Geneva region, stands along the banks of the Fox River. I visited the windmill several times, but I found the structure frightening. I imagined falling through one of its shafts.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. The picnic begins when everyone sits down to enjoy a shared meal. "7-Up" is a popular beverage at this table.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. After lunch, some picnickers turn to a casual game of volleyball.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. Most of us, however, head down to the Fox River so that we can go fishing. I am the third person from the right. I am really excited to be there.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. I also don't need any adult assistance with my pole.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. The only fish I ever caught there were carp.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. It's good to verify that the Parents are keeping an eye on you.

Picnic Culture: Bring your knitting because it will be a long afternoon.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. My Mom's best friend, Donna, and Mom knit during the annual picnic sponsored by our Lithuanian enclave. Mom is wearing that yellow dress that I loved so much.

Look! There is a copy of Vogue Knitting peeking out from Mom's knitting bag.

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Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. My Mom enjoys the conversation, and my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, rests.

Picnic Dad

This photo may have been my Dad's favorite shot of himself, but this is how many family members remember him, in happier times:

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1967. Dad enjoys a smoke at one of the Lithuanian picnics along the Fox River. This is the photo that has stood, framed, on Mom's bookcase for years. I was delighted to learn recently that this is a favorite snapshot of my Toronto Cousin's eldest son.

Picnic Culture: Fishing Opportunity

Picnics along the Fox River gave me the chance to go fishing.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1962. I fish, wearing a "play dress."

Picnic Culture: Introduction

Lithuanians who settled in the United States often socialized at picnics. Most organizations hosted annual picnics that were elaborate affairs. The Lithuanian daily newspaper, for example, hosted a picnic to which people drove from around the city of Chicago.

In our community, the families that sponsored a Lithuanian-Saturday school organized a picnic early every summer along the shores of the Fox River, in Illinois, near Geneva.

Everyone got dressed up and brought a dish to pass. The children ate a separate table, of course.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1961. The adults organize the youngsters around the children's table. My Mom is on the far left.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1961. My Mom, right, and a friend relax after the meal.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1961. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, second from left, watches me as I sit on an admirer's lap.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1961. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, talks to a family friend, who holds her Chihuahua, "Murzė." I was afraid of that dog.