New information requires that I update my Bear family as follows:

My Bear Ancestors

Jane Evans Best

May 30, 2015

BA Hans Bär, b. ca. 1545; d. before 1614; Anabaptist; 10 ch. (JEB-PMH July 1998, p. 12  (Richard Warren Davis, Emigrants, Refugees, and Prisoners, Vol. III, p. 9)

m. ca. 1568, Katherina Huber, b. ca. 1549; bur. Apr. 22, 1622.

BA1 Hans Bar, b. ca. 1570; bur. July 20, 1617; Anabaptist; 3 ch.

m. Anna Biedermann, b. ca. 1575; bur. Jan. 11, 1618.

BA12 Oswald Bar, b ca. 1613; d. after 1679 (JEB p. 13; RWD III, p. 9); Anabaptist.

m. May 30, 1638, Elisabeth Lamprecht, b. ca. 1617; d. between Mar. 2, 1661 and Apr. 23, 1662

BA122 Heinrich Bar, bap. 1640 (RWD III, pp. 10, 12, 26, 27); Anabaptist; 8 ch.

BA1221 Hans Heinrich Ber, b. Dec. 5, 1663 (B Bible-PMH July 2014, p. 108);”Old” Henry Bare, d. 1731;

(JEB-PMH          Oct.1981, pps. 12-27); signed “Hans Heinrich Bar” in 1687 in the Kraichgau (RWD III,

pps. 9-12, 26-32); Mennonite; 6 ch.

(BA1222 Anna Bar, b. 1666; d. July 24,1702; m.  June 10, 1687, Hans Nussli  (RWD III p. 12)

BA1221.2 Heinrich Berr, b. Nov. 24, 1694 (B2-Bible); John Henry Bear (H), d. 1738, called John Henry

Bear in 1721 on Conestoga tax list; 9 ch.

m. 1717, Barbara Eby (EY4), b. ca. 1695; d. ca. 1744.

BA1221.23 George Bear, b. Feb. 1, 1723 (B23 Bible); H2 George Bear, d. 1811 (PMH Oct. 1981, p. 17;

PMH Jan. 1999, pp. 26-32; RWD III, p 28); Mennonite. 6 ch.

m.(1) Magdalena ______, b. ca. 1723; d. after 1755.

m.(2) by 1774, Christina ____, widow of Samuel Groff.

BA1221.236 George Eby Bear, b. ca. 1750; d. 1833; bu Bair Cem.; 7 ch. (PMH Jan. 1999, pp. 29-30)

m. Feb. 27, 1781, Mary Eby (EY212), b. ca. 1759; d. 1824.

BA1221.2361 Joel Bear, b. Dec. 8, 1784; d. Jan. 3, 1829, bur Bair Cem; 11 ch.

m. Feb. 1, 1807, Mary Wolf (WP11), b. Oct. 30, 1788; d. Jan. 22, 1836.

BA1221.23614 Joel Bear, b. Dec. 5, 1812; d. July 4, 1893; bur. Zeltenreich Ref. Cem.; 8 ch.

m. Dec. 19, 1839, Leah Bushong (BN2171), b. Nov. 12, 1818; d. Nov. 18, 1884.

BA1221.23614.3 Israel Bair, b. May 27, 1844; d. May 15, 1922, bur. Trinity Lutheran Cem., 9 ch.

m. Rachel Elizabeth Diller (DL3132.1), b. Mar. 17, 1843; d. May 15, 1922; 9 ch.

BA1221.23614.39 Anna Leah Bair, b. Aug. 29, 1885; d. Dec. 4, 1977; 1 ch.

m. Dec. 26, 1907, David Hillard Styer (SY4221), b. July 29, 1882; d. Jan. 25, 1952.

BA1221.23614.391 Florence Elizabeth Styer, b. Apr. 2, 1904; d. May 19, 1998; 2 ch.

m. Sept. 20, 1924, James Herbert Evans, b. Nov. 14, 1904; d. Sept. 4, 1965.

BA1221.23614.3912  Florence Jane Evans (EA2631.1332), b. Jan. 18, 1926; 4 ch.

m. June 15, 1946, Albert M. Best (BW1178.272), b. Sept. 20, 1919

Our family celebrated Christmas in many different places and at many different times in 2014. On Christmas Day Al and I enjoyed being at Nancy and Gary’s home in Lancaster with most of their family.

Nancy and Geoff Bennett always have much to talk about, and sisters-in-law Amanda Bennett and Rachel Lassman share a quiet moment.

Henry Lassman livens the scene while Elly, John, Michael, and Al look on.

A sumptuous dinner is a great opportunity to catch up on family news. Jaime’s family was here for Thanksgiving this year, and spends the alternate years at home in Lexington, KY.

Dessert follows later after cleanup, and is Henry and Dillon’s favorite part.

Al is recovering well after a difficult year, although his confusion is requiring his continuing residence at the Glen at Willow Valley. At 95 years of age he still enjoys the stimulation of every chance to be with family.

Elly and John Thomson’s wedding on September 12 at Rockford is the next big event for all of us to get together, and we look forward to it with great anticipation.

On Friday, December 26, 2014, Anna and Mike Himes brought Ryan, Molly, and Leela to the Clubhouse at Willow Valley to bowl with Michael and Rachel Lassman’s Henry and Dillon.

I don’t know who had more fun, the kids or their parents.

On Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, David and Janet Best arrived from Rochester, NY with Jill, Ben, and Jacob Staggert for Sunday dinner at Manor North.

Ben is a sophomore in high school this year, and Jacob is in sixth grade. I took them to the Clubhouse where they decided the golf simulator was more interesting than the bowling.

Matt Best spent his Christmas holidays in England visiting friends. He is still in the Peace Corps at the Borjomi National Park in the former republic of Georgia.  He expects to be home on leave May 14 to May 24, 2015.

Barby and Paul Ruskin came with Becky and Dan Shirer and their girls, Evy and Cora, on Monday, December 29, 2014, to Willow Valley.

Cora’s first birthday anniversary is January 23rd, and Evy is five years old and in Kindergarten in Albany, NY.

Barby and Paul’s other daughter, Anna Himes, brought her family back again on January 4, 2015, for our Christmas celebration, and again on January 25, 2015, to celebrate my 89th birthday.

Suzy and Fran Talarowski and Andy, Meghan, and Amelia Talarowski came on Saturday. December 6, 2014, to celebrate our Christmas because this was Andy’s year to go to California for Christmas Day. Suzy and Fran had dinner with Al and I on Saturday, December 27, 2014, and again on Monday, January 19, 2015, to celebrate my birthday.

Andy’s family returned from California in time to leave on January 4, 2015, for London, England, where they will spend six months while he completes work with his Ace Insurance Company there.

Fran spent several days at the Grand Canyon during the holidays, and showed us great photos of his camping trip when they were here on January 19.

All in all, it was a very busy and fulfilling time for all of us. Our family of 39 people is still the center of our retirement years, and we treasure every opportunity to be with them, or at least hear about all their adventures.

On November 27, 2014, Suzy and Fran Talarowski picked Al and me up at Willow Valley about 12:15 PM to go to Nancy and Gary Bennett’s house in Lancaster for a traditional Thanksgiving Day with family.

Geoff and Amanda Bennett had come from Abington, PA,  and Michael and Rachel Lassman brought Henry and Dillon from Scotch Plains, NJ Thursday morning because of the snow on Wednesday.

Jaime and Amy Lassman had arrived Tuesday evening from Lexington KY with Jack and Reed. Henry and Jack are in second grade, and Dillon is in kindergarten. They love to play with the iPad.

Reed is two years old.

George and Suzanne Strutt arrived from Baltimore, MD.

Geoff learned how Bennetts carve turkeys.

Everyone contributed to the great meal we enjoyed.

Lingering around the table afterward is half the fun.

The boys had other ideas.

The men, of course, watched the Eagles.

At half time we were ready for dessert.

Al and I were especially thankful for this wonderful day of family togetherness. Last April 28 Al had a heart attack which resulted in three days in the hospital, followed by his moving to  skilled healthcare at the Glen. On August 22 I tried to break his fall and broke my left ulna instead, which required weeks in a splint and physical therapy afterward.

Al is much better now, and I am getting back to normal activities. We are so grateful for all the support the family has given us during this difficult period, and are looking forward to seeing everyone sometime during the Christmas season.

After a rousing Easter service at church, Al and I went to Nancy and Gary Bennett’s home in Lancaster for a quiet day together.

Cheese and wine and conversation preceded a delicious dinner, followed by great chocolate cake.

Their four children’s families were busy elsewhere, but we caught up on all their activities. In the afternoon we walked and sat in their back yard in warm sunlight, most welcome after a long cold winter. Nancy is planning to remove several large trees that have been causing problems, and Al was happy to give his advice on her plans.

About 3 PM we went back to Willow Valley and had our usual naps. In the evening David and Barby called and we enjoyed hearing about their families. Suzy called on Monday evening and arranged for their family to come to visit us on Saturday, May 10, 2014.

It was a very satisfying Easter, and we are so thankful to have a loving family to be the center of our lives.

On Thursday, April 17, 2014, Matt Best stopped in about 10 AM on his last round of visits to friends and relatives before leaving on Saturday, April 26, 2014, for Washington DC, where he will leave on Sunday for the Republic of Georgia.

We had several hours to hear about his experiences since his last visit, and his plans for the future. He expects to be a part of about 80 other Peace Corps volunteers in Georgia, 15 of which will be in Economic Development as he will, and the rest teachers. They will have orientation there for 3 months and then be assigned a location for 2 years.

He expects to spend Christmas in England with friends and to see us here next spring. He left for the Poconos about 12:30 to visit friends, and returned to Rochester NY, for Easter.

We are so glad for Facebook and iPhones and blogs which will keep us in contact over time and space. Here is their Easter photograph that I copied and one Jill posted today.

We are all proud of Matt’s decision to devote this time in his life and career to using his talents for others. We wish him Godspeed and pray for a safe journey and many fascinating experiences to tell us about.

Barby and Paul Ruskin arrived from Penn State about 11 AM for our Palm Sunday dinner at Willow Valley. Becky and Dan Shirer brought 4 year old Evy and 11 week old Cora about 11:30 AM for our first meeting with our 12th great grandchild. Anna Himes arrived alone because Mike needed to take Molly and Leela to church to sing with their Sunday School group, and Ryan to baseball practice in the afternoon.

Cora decided she preferred to be walked by Dan while I ate a hurried meal at our 8 table, giving me an opportunity to take her to our apartment until Becky finished her meal. It was good to be useful and find I had not completely lost my touch with small babies. She is adorable, and enjoyed looking at herself in the mirror.

When I returned to the dining room I took Evy to the court yard to see the fish and ducks and release some of her exuberance in the beautiful spring day under the cherry blossoms.

Paul and Al joined us, and it was not long until Dan, Anna, and Barby, finished dinner, also.

We returned to our apartment and soon Becky finished nursing Cora.

Everyone admired the quilt that Aunt Nancy made for Cora.

I got a chance to hold a sleeping Cora and determine that she had Becky’s nose and Dan’s eyebrows.

When Al asked to hold her he got a crowd of photographers eager to record the oldest member of the family holding the youngest for the first time.

Evy was also a center of attention of her loving family.

She is in full time pre-kindergarten in Albany, NY, and loves to read and write. She will turn 5 on July 11 and go to full day kindergarten in the fall.

Anna and Becky appreciated the opportunity to be with their parents without having to go to Penn State.

About 4 PM they returned to Macungie where Becky’s family had been staying over the weekend. Evy and Cora are a delight to each other and to us, and we are so happy that they all came to spend a glorious spring day here after the long cold winter.

Barby and Paul returned to Penn State about 5 PM, and we basked in the joy of a wonderful, warm family day,

Jaime Lassman came to Lancaster with Jack and Reed on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, to celebrate spring break at The Lexington School, where he coordinates curriculum and technology. On Friday evening Al and I were invited to share dinner with them at Nancy and Gary Bennett’s home.

Jack and Reed were playing with the Wii when we arrived, and it was so much fun to spend the evening with children running around.

Nancy, Jaime, and Jack had just returned from seeing the Muppet movie, while Gary stayed with a napping Reed. We had a delicious dinner with the boys.

Geoffrey and Amanda Bennett joined us about 6 PM after work in Philadelphia.

It was so good to hear young people chat about their busy lives. Amanda just took her GRE exams for graduate work, which she plans to start soon. Geoff had been to Lancaster last weekend to help Elly move some furniture for their new home in Washington DC. Jack and Reed joined us for dessert.

Jack is six years old and in first grade at the school where Jaime works. Reed is 20 months old and goes to day care nearby. He is beginning to talk and is on the move every minute. They had been to Wilmington to see Marty Lassman, their grandfather, and were returning to Lexington on Saturday.

Reed is recovering from a sinus infection, and came to say goodnight to us before an early bedtime.

It was a happy evening – there is nothing I like better than to spend time with people who enjoy each others company.

Al and I were also delighted when Matt Best emailed this week to say that he would be able to come to Willow Valley for dinner with us on Wednesday evening, April 2, 2014.

I was delighted when Anna Himes called on Thursday that their family would be able to visit us that Sunday, March 23, 2014, after Sunday School. Their schedule gets very busy in Spring, and this week suited all of us.

After dinner Leela and I went to our apartment for a little one-on-one time while the rest enjoyed a more leisurely dinner. I showed her our new TV, and that is where Ryan and Molly also spent some time before their 2 PM swim. It also gave Al and Mike an opportunity for some engineers talk.

The children can now swim independently, and Leela can get along without a vest. Ryan has his head under water almost as much as above, and Molly swims very well, too, but they still enjoy a romp with Daddy. Anna and I had a good chat about their ski trip last month and all the rest of the family are doing.

About 3:30 they assembled for another hour of fun and refreshments in our apartment.

Molly and Leela had brought their cats, Snowball and Snowman, and introduced them to Al.

The girls got interested in the puzzles that they had left behind on their visit last month, and Ryan is never far from his iPod.

Anna enjoys looking at the pictures she and others in the family send me for my Pictorial Record of the Best Family, and Mike is ready to help the girls when needed. Al was still finishing his nap, but I wakened him before they had to leave about 4:30 for their trip back to Macungie. This time there was no snow storm to slow their return, and I basked again in the after glow of a wonderful time together.

David and Janet Best got tired of Rochester, NY temperatures below zero, decided  to head south on Friday, March 8, 2014, and arrived at Willow Valley about 2:30 PM. Their plans for the following week began with dinner in Baltimore, MD that evening, and then a stop in Virginia Beach, returning next Sunday to Rochester.

Al and I got a chance to hear details of Matt’s adventures in Utah the past week, and his trailer without running water or electricity but a solar panel to charge his iPhone. He has Saturday and Sunday off and expected to spend some time in a motel and get a good shower.  He seems to be enjoying his experiences, and will be leaving March 15 to begin a leisurely southern route home.

Nancy and Gary Bennett arrived for their usual 4 PM Happy Hour with us before Friday night dinner.

It was fun to be together and hear all about their busy lives. Elly and John enjoyed a trip to  Texas last weekend to a formal company event, a relief from Washington, DC snow.

On Saturday Suzy and Meghan Talarowski arrived about 2 PM with 11 week old Amelia. Andy is busy studying for his last actuarial exam next month, and Fran had work to catch up for his teaching job at Springfield High School. There is nothing I like better than holding new babies, and I had a wonderful time. She loves to stand, make sounds, and smiles easily.

We decided to order take outs rather than go to the dining room, and that worked out well.

Amelia needs lots of changes, and can be appeased with walking or a change of holder when she gets fussy.

Meghan starts her new job with OLIN in center city Philly on March 31, and will be able to nurse her at a day care at noon nearby. She also plans to start renovations in their first floor bath room before that time, so she will be a very busy Mother. It is good that Suzy and Fran live nearby and can do for them what my parents did for us when our children were little.

It was a wonderful family weekend being together, and Al and I both enjoyed our glimpse into the life of the newest generation.