Early Life-- Pt. 3

Downtown, Flapper, River Fun, Coney Island

Early Life Pt. 2

Pharo Family, 1937 Flood, Father's Passing, etc...

Early Life Interview Pt. 1

In this video Mary discusses things such as her older brother, Harry*, her mother, and early movies.
Check out the 'eyeball' story that begins at the 7 min. mark.


*Interestingly enough, her older brother Harry and my great grandfather, Arthur Bertke, on my mother's side were best friends.  They were going to start an electric company together, but Harry was too afraid of the risk.  So, my greatgrandfather, Arthur, went ahead and started the company Bertke Electric and Harry went to work for him, along with grandma's older brother, Ray.  Small world!  My parents met without knowing this history...

Early Life

While her Mother's side of the family was from St. Leon, Indiana (Stenger, Frye), she grew up on Eastern Ave (now Riverside Drive) along the river in Cincinnati.  She lived above her uncle's saloon called Pharo's Cafe (aka The Blue Room).  Her father, George Pharo was a bartender in the saloon and a bookie.
http://blueroombelch.blogspot.com/2012_11_01_archive.html

The 'new' Pharo Cafe after it was moved across the street.  This was the wreck she spoke of.

Chris Pharo, far right, and George Pharo (her father) is in white in the center.  Grandma lived above the saloon.

Her father in Pharo's Cafe (on right).  His brother, Chris,-the owner, is on the left.

George Pharo

Earliest Memory

In this first video interview with my grandmother, she discusses her first memory from when she was 3 years old in 1923.

The Stengers (her grandparents) in St. Leon, Indiana.