Picnic Cheer

Suburban Chicago, June 1965. Mom's worn a favorite dress to the outdoor party.

Flower Fashions

Suburban Chicago, August 1962. The "Other Irene" poses for Dad at a Sunday-afternoon party.

We toast, and then we dance.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1961. The party goers interrupt the dancing to share a toast.

They danced in the Rec Room, too.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1961. After dinner, the guests moved to the Rec Room. The Rec Room's tiled floor was good for dancing. Things changed after we carpeted that area.

Mistletoe Elf watches as friends gather.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1969. My Mom's best friend, Donna (right), and her husband Vytenis take their turn hosting the New Year's Eve gathering for our suburban enclave.

Waiting for the pageant.

Melrose Park, Illinois, December 1963. I sit patiently with the other Lithuanian-school students while Father Stanley talks with the parents.

Waiting

Melrose Park, Illinois, December 1963. The parents wait for the Christmas pageant to begin.

The Adults' Table

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

Picnic Fashions

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. The Moms relax while the men and children play.

Patio Picnic

Suburban Chicago, June 1966. We're entertaining in the backyard.

What will you make?

Suburban Chicago, November 1960. Mom and the Other Irene step away from our party to discuss some sewing and knitting ideas. The Other Irene pulls a skein out of an Eaton's bag, and that tells me Mom likely received the yarn as a gift from my Dad's twin sister, Jonė.

A Serious Toast

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1969. Everyone gathers in Donna's living room to hear our enclave's patriarch deliver the toast.

My friend Kris—Donna's daughter—and I have noisemakers in our mouths.

The best part about those parties was the dancing.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1965. The basement floor is perfect for a spin.

Autumn Sitting

Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois, October 1964. Dad has my coat over his shoulder.

It's August, and it's sunflower season.

Suburban Chicago, August 1962. My Mom and a friend measure the growth.

It's the weekend.

Suburban Chicago, December 25, 1961. It looks like everyone is having a good time.

Let's look at another party shot.

It's been a while since I posted a photo from a party. We shouldn't have to wait until New Year's Eve to see some fun images from 1960s get-togethers.

Suburban Chicago, January 1966. "Cook's" was the economical sparkling wine choice back then, too. There's an Encyclopedia Britannica on the bookcase behind my Mom. Here's another photo from that evening.
 

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."

Ring it in.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1962. Happy New Year!

Dad enjoys the New Year's Eve table.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1964. Someone else is hosting a New Year's Eve party, and Dad has taken off his glasses and moved closer to the Other Irene. Everyone is enjoying the "cold menu" that the lady of the house (the "gaspadinė") has prepared.