I’ve written before about my grandmother Esther who ran a small hotel in the Catskills. (See My Heart Remembers My Grandmother’s Hotel and Hotel Kittens.
Esther was a wonderful cook and baker turning out meals for hundreds of guests at the hotel from Memorial to Labor Day. She had a staff of course, but she was always in the kitchen herself instructing, supervising, and tasting everything before it was served to the guests.
Then after the season when we were all back in the city she’d cook for us at her house or at ours. And by happy circumstance when my parents bought our Bronx house there was a wonderful grape arbor in the backyard that bore large and juicy concord grapes. (See 2026 McGraw, Mr Bucco and the Ginger Cat and Parkchester, Celebrate Me Home)
And so my grandmother – who could cook and bake up a storm – proved to be an excellent winemaker as well!
– Dana Susan Lehrman
How cute are you!
Thanx Maude!
Thanks for sharing your memories of Esther-lovely memories sweetly recounted. 🥰
Thanx Deb, do you remember that Bronx grape arbor?
Hi Dana,
I’m pretty sure we are related and would love to connect. I don’t remember her surname, but my great aunt Rosie was married to a Milton who taught at Smith College. My mom’s maiden name is Jean Webster and Rosie’s sister was my grandmother Margaret.
I have distinct childhood memories of visiting them in Massachusetts where she gifted me a copy of Mist of Avalon (which I thoroughly enjoyed and kindled a greater interest in literature). I found a piece you wrote titled, Rosie and Milt, the Literary Lady and the Second-Story Man. There was a picture of Rosie and Milton that I recognized.
I’m not sure how to contact you without publicly divulging my contact information. But it would be great to connect.
Wonderful to hear from you Jessica!
Yes indeed we are related by marriage,
my uncle Milton was my mother’s older brother, and his wife Rosie was my very beloved aunt. I am in touch with Rosie’s son Rick and her step-daughter my cousin Kathy.
How did you find my Rosie and Milt story?
I’d love to connect, please email me at
dana_lehrman@hotmail.com