[1960-1961: 40th Wedding Aniversary, Sara's Confirmation and Graduation]
Date Of Production
November 1960 – August 1961
Abstract
Home movie depicting Joanna Wittman's 4th birthday, Erna and Elmer Wittman's 40th wedding anniversary, Sara Wittman's confirmation and graduation from elementary school, and a family camping trip in South Dakota (including a stop at the Corn Palace).
Description
November 1960, at the home of Walter and Norman Wittman, 3306 W. Pierce, Chicago. Joanna Wittman is four years old and family have gathered. Erna Wittman’s special cake is on the table and Joanna has the doll that had been in the center. Also seen are Walter, Norma, Miriam, Sara, Elisabeth, Alfred, and Elmer Wittman. Jo opens presents.
April 1961. Family gather at home of Walter and Norma Wittman for the 40th Wedding anniversary of Elmer and Erna Wittman (married April 6, 1921). Kids are playing and jumping around, then they play with small turtles. Children include Sara, Miriam, Elisabeth and Joanna Wittman; cousins Barbara and Janet Hertel; Robert and Raymond Kramer; Melody Skalla. Other adults seen are Anna Knudten; Carl and Alyce Skalla; Marilyn and Art Hertel; Elaine Kramer. Cake is decorated with their names, date of their marriage and 40 years. Cutting the cake.
June 1961, at St. Simon’s Lutheran Church, 1540 N. Spaulding. Sara Wittman is one of the children being confirmed. People are coming out of church. Sara is there with friend Annie Losoff, also seen are the Bowen family, Mrs. Dome and many other church members. Rev. Walter Wittman is posing for photos with various confirmands.
At the home of Walter and Norma, there is a party following Sara’s confirmation. Again, many family members are present: Erna, Elmer, Alfred, Sara, Miriam, Elisabeth and Joanna Wittman; Erana Skalla; Marilyn, Art, Janet and Barbara Hertel. Also present are friends Annie Losoff and Lorraine and Linda Lee. Dessert is served and presents opened. Sara plays piano.
Possibly the following Sunday, the confirmands are having their First Communion. White robed confirmands go up the steps into the church (St. Simon’s).
Another family gathering at the home of Anna Knudten, Erana Skalla and the Kramers. Sitting next to Anna is her oldest son, Rev. Arthur Knudten and his wife Josephine. Art and Jo lived in California, so their visit may be the reason for the gathering. The kids are jumping in the background. Also attending; Alfred, Erna, Elmer, Walter, Norma, Sara, Miriam, Elisabeth and Joanna Wittman. Marilyn, Art, Janet and Barbara Hertel; Alyce and Carl Skalla; Elaine, Robert Jr. and Raymond Kramer.
Later in June 1961, Sara Wittman is graduating from James Russell Lowell Elementary School (located on W. Hirsch St and N. Homan Ave. in the Humboldt Park neighborhood). Miriam and Sara are in front of the church and begin walking over to the school a few blocks away. Elisabeth, Linda Lee, then Erna, Norma and Joanna Wittman also come out to walk to the school. After the ceremony, people come out of the school, Sara appears and soon surrounded by family and friends.
August 1961, the Wittman family is on a camping trip to South Dakota. They stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. View of trees at Fish Lake where the Wittman’s have their campsite. Norma and Elisabeth at picnic table. Views of buildings, campsite, playground. Miriam hides under a blanket. Joanna is looking out of the trailer with Norma is seen putting on her shoes. Walter is working on the car, which is where he sleeps during camping trips.
April 1961. Family gather at home of Walter and Norma Wittman for the 40th Wedding anniversary of Elmer and Erna Wittman (married April 6, 1921). Kids are playing and jumping around, then they play with small turtles. Children include Sara, Miriam, Elisabeth and Joanna Wittman; cousins Barbara and Janet Hertel; Robert and Raymond Kramer; Melody Skalla. Other adults seen are Anna Knudten; Carl and Alyce Skalla; Marilyn and Art Hertel; Elaine Kramer. Cake is decorated with their names, date of their marriage and 40 years. Cutting the cake.
June 1961, at St. Simon’s Lutheran Church, 1540 N. Spaulding. Sara Wittman is one of the children being confirmed. People are coming out of church. Sara is there with friend Annie Losoff, also seen are the Bowen family, Mrs. Dome and many other church members. Rev. Walter Wittman is posing for photos with various confirmands.
At the home of Walter and Norma, there is a party following Sara’s confirmation. Again, many family members are present: Erna, Elmer, Alfred, Sara, Miriam, Elisabeth and Joanna Wittman; Erana Skalla; Marilyn, Art, Janet and Barbara Hertel. Also present are friends Annie Losoff and Lorraine and Linda Lee. Dessert is served and presents opened. Sara plays piano.
Possibly the following Sunday, the confirmands are having their First Communion. White robed confirmands go up the steps into the church (St. Simon’s).
Another family gathering at the home of Anna Knudten, Erana Skalla and the Kramers. Sitting next to Anna is her oldest son, Rev. Arthur Knudten and his wife Josephine. Art and Jo lived in California, so their visit may be the reason for the gathering. The kids are jumping in the background. Also attending; Alfred, Erna, Elmer, Walter, Norma, Sara, Miriam, Elisabeth and Joanna Wittman. Marilyn, Art, Janet and Barbara Hertel; Alyce and Carl Skalla; Elaine, Robert Jr. and Raymond Kramer.
Later in June 1961, Sara Wittman is graduating from James Russell Lowell Elementary School (located on W. Hirsch St and N. Homan Ave. in the Humboldt Park neighborhood). Miriam and Sara are in front of the church and begin walking over to the school a few blocks away. Elisabeth, Linda Lee, then Erna, Norma and Joanna Wittman also come out to walk to the school. After the ceremony, people come out of the school, Sara appears and soon surrounded by family and friends.
August 1961, the Wittman family is on a camping trip to South Dakota. They stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. View of trees at Fish Lake where the Wittman’s have their campsite. Norma and Elisabeth at picnic table. Views of buildings, campsite, playground. Miriam hides under a blanket. Joanna is looking out of the trailer with Norma is seen putting on her shoes. Walter is working on the car, which is where he sleeps during camping trips.
Run Time
0:12:29
Format
8mm
Extent
154 feet
Color
Color
Sound
Silent
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Element
Reversal Positives
Form
Subject
Birthdays
Lutherans
Religious services
Commencement ceremonies
Camping
Family reunions
Family recreation
Lutherans
Religious services
Commencement ceremonies
Camping
Family reunions
Family recreation
Related Collections
Related Places
Main Credits
Wittman, Walter (is filmmaker)
Wittman, Norma (is filmmaker)
Participants And Performers
Wittman, Joanna (is participant)
Wittman, Erna (is participant)
Wittman, Elmer (is participant)
Wittman, Sara (is participant)
Wittman, Walter (is participant)
Wittman, Miriam (is participant)
Wittman, Elisabeth (is participant)
Wittman, Norma (is participant)
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