"Do you remember the time . . ?"

My family, like most families, has its own special traditions and lore. My cousin Tom may ask, "Do you remember when ...?" Or my sister Jean will say to an outsider, "Well, in our family we do it like this ..." Or Aunt Annette might explain, "It's an old VanderPutten tradition, dearie, that goes back to your grandfather . . ."

Insiders know these tales and family ways. These shared stories and myths -- these family memories -- help define the family. They are the glue that binds the family together over space and through the generations. 

On the following pages is the beginning of a continuing compilation of tales that are part of The VanderPutten Family Memory.