In the decades that followed World War 2, money was scarce and times were hard in eastern Pennsylvania. Some survivors were just not willing to settle for next to nothing. Folks had dreams in their hearts and dug in their heels. They kept right on believing that they had what it took to get out of the big city, build a home, have kids and raise them with values. But being hardworking and honest, was that enough?
With their enterprising ways, they used self-taught skills, a zest for life, strong work ethics, a healthy sense of humor, faith in a higher power and guardian angels, love for their family and a desire to do right by their kids. What they did have going for them was their strong work ethics, a healthy sense of humor, faith in a higher power and His Guardian Angels, love for their family and a desire to do right by their kids. Would it be enough? Would it last?
Jump into "The Sugarfoot Stories" through Margie's eyes to find out what folks were up against. Discover what it was like to be raised as one of four adventurous kids on a working man’s salary. First of The Sugarfoot Stories, Thick as Thieves: Angels on Willow Street will take you through wild adventures and the impact on one family’s life.
(Left to right) Bobby, Pauly, Lainie - Summer circa 1949
The Wiesner House (we built); 4407 Willow Street Oakford, PA (lived in from 1947 to 1961) -- circa fall of 1957
(left to right Pauly with cat Lady, Lainie, cousin Mary Frances with Tabby cat and Bobby - circa August 1951 Mary Frances came to help with the three oldest when I was born.
(left to right) Pauly, Bobby, Margie & Lainie in wheelbarrow – circa spring of 1952
(left to right) Margie, Lainie, Bobby & Pauly, ‘The Little Rascals’ with cement mixer – circa spring of 1952
(Left to right) Godmother Mary Witzel, Marguerite Theresa Wiesner, Godfather Hugh (Reds) Gallagher – Oakford, PA, circa August 1951.
The picture that was in our home growing up on Willow Street. The Guardian by H. Zabateri. c. 1918. This picture hangs in Theresa's daughter Juliana's bedroom. It remind me of her and her brother, my precious Little Laddie.
Bobby Wiesner second grade Trevose Elementary School, circa 1954
Lainie Wiesner 10 years old Oakford, PA circa Spring 1954
Pauly age 8 on left, and Bobby Wiesner age 7 on right Oakford PA, circa Spring of 1954
Margie Wiesner 3 years old Oakford, PS - circa Spring of 1954
Lainie Wiesner third grade her left arm was broken jumping out of the cherry tree at our cousins house.
Margie age seven, second grade, Trevose Elementary circa 1959
Bobby, circa 1959
Pauly, circa 1959
Lainie, circa 1959
Pauly Wiesner at Camp Kingston Front Row Far right in sweater Circa Summer about 1955.
(left to right) Pauly, Lainie, Margie, Bobby w/his loose tooth- Christmas circa 1953
(left to right) Margie, Pauly, Lainie, Bobby - Christmas circa 1952
(Left to right) Bobby, Lainie, Margie, Pauly - Easter circa 1955
Lainie 1960-61 She graduated a year early from academy.
Pauly, circa 1960-61
Bobby, circa 1960-61
Margie, circa 1960-61
(Left to right) Margie, Bobby, Lainie, Pauly - 50 years later at Neshaminy Falls (Where we used to fish and swim) circa 10/10/11
(Left to right) Bobby, Margie, Lainie, Pauly - 50 years later on steps of Trevose School, repurposed but the same building we loved circa 10/10/2011
Lainie & Larry Patullo circa 1962 The shadow Bobby made Mom was on the wall behind him. Larry is standing in front of the ceramic dog I gave her.
Larry Patullo and Lainie circa 1962 her first year of college.
(left to right) Grandmom and Grandpop Wiesner with their oldest son Fred and his wife Verla. In front of Grandmom and Grandpop's house in Titusville, FL circa 1960s.
Eleanore and her first child, Lainie Fall circa 1945
Francis Aloysius Grandpop Gallagher photo on the Henry Avenue Bridge & handpainted by taken by Hank Gallagher), Philadelphia, PA, circa 1942
(left to right) Grandmom Mary Bridgeman, & Grandpop Frank Gallagher, and Aunt Butch (Anna Mae) and Joseph Gallagher--in Philadephia, PA circa 1950s
Bobby Wiesner 9 weeks old w/Mom: Eleanore Philadelphia, PA, circa on Easter Sunday, 1947
(left to right) William & Eleanore Wiesner, Grandpop Frank Gallagher, (Dolly)--Mary McKenzie & Hugh (Uncle Reds) Gallagher--Double Wedding in Philadelphia, PA circa August 28, 1943