June 14

THE HEALING BRUSH
BY GEORGE GEDER
A Monthly - Weekend With Shades - Column

This is the earliest known existing picture of my Dad, William Emmett Geder, taken in 1907. It is also my first photo restoration.

I wanted that grain look. I wanted to keep that 'buckle' in the rug as a reminder that it's an imperfect world.

Here's Dad with his parents and great grandfather. He never told me that his great granddad was a soldier in the Civil War.

This was a simple B&W conversion with some contrast adjustment.

Dad with is only sister, my Aunt Julia. Some sepia toning and cropping.

Dad goes on to become a pianist and band leader. They travel through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Adjusted for fading and sepia toning.

Trust me; William Emmett Geder never picked a boll of cotton in his life! Who insisted he call his band this? No adjusting.

Meet Mom, Pearle Hancock, and raise a family. Cropped for the smiling and emotion expressed by the newly-weds.

This is the only photograph I know of - and have - of me and my father. Taken at Christmas, 1954. I'm 3 years old.

After awhile, Dad would play for speakeasies and holiday events, having become a family man and riddled with arthritis.

That's Aunt Lettie at the mic. I gave this photo a blue tint for mood.

I was 26 in 1977 when my father passed. That's when I inherited these photographs and many more. In fact, these pictures were hidden for fear that my mother would throw them out in a fit of 'spring cleaning'.

Oh, I was wrong, here's the earliest pic; Dad at 2 years old.

In his later years, I would shave him, give him haircuts and clean him up. When we would 'belly-up' to the bar, he would tell me things.

Happy Fathers Day, Dad.
I love you more than you'll ever know...