The Capital Hotel is across the street on State Circle from the Maryland State House, which is the oldest wooden structured state house in continuous use.
The Bounelis children thought the State House was their personal playhouse. Every day the children would climb the 100 steps to raise and lower the flags.
The Bounelis children thought the State House was their personal playhouse. Every day the children would climb the 100 steps to raise and lower the flags.
Governor Albert Cabell Ritchie
Governor of Maryland from January 14, 1920 – January 9, 1935
Helen and her siblings would play in the Senate rooms and the room where George Washington resigned his commission. They would play school or government and sometimes the Governor would come and watch them with Efrosini, who would sit quietly knitting and watching the children.
Senate Room
Governor Ritchie’s office
They discovered many rooms, and tunnels. If a guard or someone bothered them or told them to leave, the children would go to Gov. Ritchie’s office and wait their turn to talk with him about their latest complaint.
The governor lived with his mother, Elizabeth Caskie Cabell Ritchie, in the Governor’s Mansion. Many afternoons Helen and her sisters, Catherine and Domna, would pick flowers from the Governor’s garden and then go to see Mrs. Ritchie. She would take the flowers and the butler would put them in water, and then there was always the offering of a piece of chocolate. Mrs. Ritchie always invited them back. She enjoyed their company. If the butler said that Mrs. Ritchie was lying down or couldn’t see them, they were disappointed, both for not seeing Mrs. Ritchie and not receiving chocolate.
The governor lived with his mother, Elizabeth Caskie Cabell Ritchie, in the Governor’s Mansion. Many afternoons Helen and her sisters, Catherine and Domna, would pick flowers from the Governor’s garden and then go to see Mrs. Ritchie. She would take the flowers and the butler would put them in water, and then there was always the offering of a piece of chocolate. Mrs. Ritchie always invited them back. She enjoyed their company. If the butler said that Mrs. Ritchie was lying down or couldn’t see them, they were disappointed, both for not seeing Mrs. Ritchie and not receiving chocolate.
Senate Room
Governor Ritchie’s office
Helen to this day can still pick out shapes in the marble in the State House such as a fish, a lady with a bonnet, and other shapes.
Efrosini used to make tea from the linden tree, on the grounds of the State House. The tea was called flamoudi in Greek. Efrosini would make this tea for the Governor and his mother.
Efrosini used to make tea from the linden tree, on the grounds of the State House. The tea was called flamoudi in Greek. Efrosini would make this tea for the Governor and his mother.
USNA
The Bandstand was a favorite area
Some days Efrosini would take the children and other times they were escorted by the maid, her name was May.
May would carry a big black bag that contained picnic items and milk.
One day the bag dropped and the milk bottle broke, cutting May. They took her back to the hotel and Dr. Purvis came to see to her. May stayed at the hotel for several days so the Bounelis family could take care of her. Helen remembers meeting President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Naval Academy, also at the State House. The President commented, “I love the water, I love Annapolis”.
Prince Edward of Great Britain and Helen Keller came to talk to the school children in the Playhouse “Circle” Theater on State Circle.
One day the bag dropped and the milk bottle broke, cutting May. They took her back to the hotel and Dr. Purvis came to see to her. May stayed at the hotel for several days so the Bounelis family could take care of her. Helen remembers meeting President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Naval Academy, also at the State House. The President commented, “I love the water, I love Annapolis”.
Prince Edward of Great Britain and Helen Keller came to talk to the school children in the Playhouse “Circle” Theater on State Circle.
circle Theater
Prince Edward
Helen Keller
Nick would go to the Republic/Playhouse movie theatre on Main Street and watch a movie. He would have to leave half way into the movie to tend to the restaurant, and come back the next day to finish it.
The Republic/Playhouse Theater on Main Street
The Capitol Theater on West Street
The other theater in Annapolis was the Capitol on West Street.
Nick always took a walk down to the docks. He would have Lifesaver peppermints in his pocket for the children and breadcrumbs for the birds.
Helen attended Annapolis Grammar School located at 180 Green Street.
Annapolis Grammar School
Annapolis, the sailing Capital of the World
The Bounelis children were all taught Greek and French at home before they entered school. Catherine and the twins, George and Domna started school together, with Catherine very quickly moving to 2nd grade. Efrosini didn’t realize the children could have started school earlier. Helen didn’t like being left at home, so one day after playing in the dirt and being barefoot, she walked to the school and sat in a class. She spoke no English. The staff finally realized she was a Bounelis and had Catherine take her home. Her mother had the police searching for her. The teachers said she could come back but she needed to be cleaned up a bit. She went the next day and was the school “greeter”, even though she didn’t know any English. She quickly learned.
On rainy days the maid, Lottie Bean, would bring the Bounelis children their lunches to school. Lottie didn’t realize that the boys and girls ate in separate rooms. She gave the boys one bag, which contained the meat and vegetables and the girls got the bag with the breads. Lottie would also come to the school with raincoats and galoshes when necessary. The Bounelis children were called “sissies” for this reason.
When it came to fighting though, especially at the State House hill, where the Bounelis children were one group and the “Fleet St. boys” were another, Helen was always called upon along with George, Charlie and Danny to fight. Helen was also known to have jumped from the hotel’s 2nd floor roof to the building next door, across the alley. She was quite the daredevil.
The Bounelis children were all good athletes. Domna and Helen were on the same track team, Catherine played tennis and Charlie set a record for the 50 yd dash, which still stands today. He and George had gone to Baltimore for this sporting event. Charlie’s age and weight were questioned (you couldn’t be above 95 lbs), as the judges were so surprised that he had won. Charlie would have been 16 or 17 when this took place. Charlie was called “Lefte” short for Leftedios. George, called “Geke” by teammates, played basketball, baseball and soccer. He refereed at the Naval Academy, and other college basketball, soccer and baseball games. He refereed the Regional Championship game at the USNA with Efrosini attending. The Bounelis family had their names in the Annapolis Evening Capital for many sports events.
On rainy days the maid, Lottie Bean, would bring the Bounelis children their lunches to school. Lottie didn’t realize that the boys and girls ate in separate rooms. She gave the boys one bag, which contained the meat and vegetables and the girls got the bag with the breads. Lottie would also come to the school with raincoats and galoshes when necessary. The Bounelis children were called “sissies” for this reason.
When it came to fighting though, especially at the State House hill, where the Bounelis children were one group and the “Fleet St. boys” were another, Helen was always called upon along with George, Charlie and Danny to fight. Helen was also known to have jumped from the hotel’s 2nd floor roof to the building next door, across the alley. She was quite the daredevil.
The Bounelis children were all good athletes. Domna and Helen were on the same track team, Catherine played tennis and Charlie set a record for the 50 yd dash, which still stands today. He and George had gone to Baltimore for this sporting event. Charlie’s age and weight were questioned (you couldn’t be above 95 lbs), as the judges were so surprised that he had won. Charlie would have been 16 or 17 when this took place. Charlie was called “Lefte” short for Leftedios. George, called “Geke” by teammates, played basketball, baseball and soccer. He refereed at the Naval Academy, and other college basketball, soccer and baseball games. He refereed the Regional Championship game at the USNA with Efrosini attending. The Bounelis family had their names in the Annapolis Evening Capital for many sports events.
Annapolis Grammar School
Annapolis, the sailing Capital of the World
Annapolis, the sailing Capital of the World
Charlie, George, Domna, Helen, George (Little), Theresa /George, Catherine, Helen, Domna, Charlie and Danny
Catherine holding Danny
Theresa with Bounelis children
Bounelis children on State House steps
As previously stated, one of the maids that worked at the Hotel was Lottie Bean. She always wore a scarf on her head, had big eyes, no teeth and was the blackest person we ever saw. One day Efrosini couldn’t find Helen, (not too unusual as she was a bit of a Tomboy), and when she finally returned home was asked, “Where have you been?” Helen told her she had gone with Lottie to her house, and she got to see a baby being born. Efrosini nearly fell over, as Helen was only about 5 years old. (This may have been the start of Helen’s nursing career.)
After Helen and Luther got married they stayed in the Hotel for a while. Luther was taking a bath in the room just off the living room when Lottie came in. Luther called to Helen to “Get her out of here”, to which Lottie replied, “Now, Mr. Luther, you don’t have nothing I haven’t seen before so go about your business.” He locked the door in the future.
In later years, if you asked Lottie how old she was she would say, “Now, Ms. Helen you know I’m only 65”. When you asked how old her son was, she would say, “Oh, he be an old man now, he’s 76”.
Another person that worked in the Capitol Restaurant was Carrie Brown the cook. Carrie ended up being over 101 years old when she died in 1988. An article in the Evening Capital from July 3, 1987, said “life was quieter when Carrie Brown was born, 18 presidents ago. There weren’t any traffic jams. There weren’t any cars. Carrie attributed her long life to clean living and an occasional tipple, I walked the path of righteousness, she said, If I didn’t walk straight, my mama would take a stick and wump my behind.”
Vic Moreno was the grouchy fellow that washed the dishes and cleaned up. He and Nick would spend many evenings together, having a little drink after the customers left. The janitor was named Spike and we were all afraid of him, except for Efrosini.
When Helen was in 4th or 5th grade, her mother had been advised by well meaning friends that if she cut Helen’s hair it would come in thicker, but when this didn’t happen, her head was shaved. This was very traumatic for Helen. Other children thought she had “nits” and she would explain it was to make her hair thicker. Sadly it came in even thinner than before it was cut.
Helen, Catherine and Domna used to deliver hats for Mrs. Lillian P. Musterman, who had a millinery shop across the street from the Capitol Restaurant. Come rain or shine they would walk all over Annapolis, delivering the hats. They were paid 5 cents for each delivery. At Christmas or special occasions, they received a special hat from Mrs. Musterman.
After Helen and Luther got married they stayed in the Hotel for a while. Luther was taking a bath in the room just off the living room when Lottie came in. Luther called to Helen to “Get her out of here”, to which Lottie replied, “Now, Mr. Luther, you don’t have nothing I haven’t seen before so go about your business.” He locked the door in the future.
In later years, if you asked Lottie how old she was she would say, “Now, Ms. Helen you know I’m only 65”. When you asked how old her son was, she would say, “Oh, he be an old man now, he’s 76”.
Another person that worked in the Capitol Restaurant was Carrie Brown the cook. Carrie ended up being over 101 years old when she died in 1988. An article in the Evening Capital from July 3, 1987, said “life was quieter when Carrie Brown was born, 18 presidents ago. There weren’t any traffic jams. There weren’t any cars. Carrie attributed her long life to clean living and an occasional tipple, I walked the path of righteousness, she said, If I didn’t walk straight, my mama would take a stick and wump my behind.”
Vic Moreno was the grouchy fellow that washed the dishes and cleaned up. He and Nick would spend many evenings together, having a little drink after the customers left. The janitor was named Spike and we were all afraid of him, except for Efrosini.
When Helen was in 4th or 5th grade, her mother had been advised by well meaning friends that if she cut Helen’s hair it would come in thicker, but when this didn’t happen, her head was shaved. This was very traumatic for Helen. Other children thought she had “nits” and she would explain it was to make her hair thicker. Sadly it came in even thinner than before it was cut.
Helen, Catherine and Domna used to deliver hats for Mrs. Lillian P. Musterman, who had a millinery shop across the street from the Capitol Restaurant. Come rain or shine they would walk all over Annapolis, delivering the hats. They were paid 5 cents for each delivery. At Christmas or special occasions, they received a special hat from Mrs. Musterman.
Helen, Catherine and Domna
Helen, Uncle Chris and Domna
There was a lady that worked for Mrs. Musterman, who apparently liked the slot machine that was in the Capitol. When she was supposed to be working, she would help herself to the till, and then slip across the street to play the machine. She got so addicted she would even go to the men’s bathroom downstairs, as the ladies was upstairs and deemed to far away, and someone might get to her “machine” while she was gone. Eventually Nick asked her not to return, so she moved down the street to the Wardroom to Nick’s brothers’ place to play the slot machine there.
Helen saved all her money and bought a bike. She would get up at 5:00a.m. and ride all over Annapolis with her friend. One morning, Helen went to get her bike only to find that it had been stolen, and after her working so hard to buy the bike.
Helen saved all her money and bought a bike. She would get up at 5:00a.m. and ride all over Annapolis with her friend. One morning, Helen went to get her bike only to find that it had been stolen, and after her working so hard to buy the bike.
Helen with her bike
Helen
Helen and Lady
Theresa and Efrosini used to take the children to St. Anne’s annex, on Duke of Gloucester Street. Here the adults would have pottery or craft classes and the children would also have a class. Afterwards they would all have cookies. This of course was the best part for the children.
Many years later, Helen and Novie Adams taught Sunday school here.
Annapolis High School
Helen and her siblings walked to school. They never missed a day. When the school was closed for inclement weather, a teacher had to wait until the Bounelis children arrived, to tell them to go home.
When Domna didn’t want to take a test, she would pretend to faint. The teachers would call for Helen, to come and take care of her. Domna definitely had a talent as an actress. Helen and Domna ended up in the same grade and went to Class Reunions at AHS.
Catherine and Helen used to double date quite frequently. Helen had dated James Botts (Jimmy) while in Annapolis High School. Jimmy lived in Odenton but was bused to school in Annapolis. Later he had a car, one of the few amongst their friends. Jim and Catherine later married. There was a workman staying at the Capitol Hotel and he and Helen decided to double date with Catherine and Jimmy. They went to a county fair where they went on several rides. One ride was a roller coaster ride. Catherine recalled hoping that Jimmy would put his arm around her, or maybe a little kiss. Instead he was holding on for dear life and turning green, as did Catherine. When Catherine turned to see how Helen was, she and her date were busy kissing and greatly enjoying themselves. Unfortunately for Catherine and Jimmy they bought 2 tickets each for the ride and they had to go round again.
Helen dated Junior (Bernard) Wiegard, who was deaf. Junior’s family owned the Maryland Inn, in Annapolis, pictured below.
When Domna didn’t want to take a test, she would pretend to faint. The teachers would call for Helen, to come and take care of her. Domna definitely had a talent as an actress. Helen and Domna ended up in the same grade and went to Class Reunions at AHS.
Catherine and Helen used to double date quite frequently. Helen had dated James Botts (Jimmy) while in Annapolis High School. Jimmy lived in Odenton but was bused to school in Annapolis. Later he had a car, one of the few amongst their friends. Jim and Catherine later married. There was a workman staying at the Capitol Hotel and he and Helen decided to double date with Catherine and Jimmy. They went to a county fair where they went on several rides. One ride was a roller coaster ride. Catherine recalled hoping that Jimmy would put his arm around her, or maybe a little kiss. Instead he was holding on for dear life and turning green, as did Catherine. When Catherine turned to see how Helen was, she and her date were busy kissing and greatly enjoying themselves. Unfortunately for Catherine and Jimmy they bought 2 tickets each for the ride and they had to go round again.
Helen dated Junior (Bernard) Wiegard, who was deaf. Junior’s family owned the Maryland Inn, in Annapolis, pictured below.
Helen would ride on the handlebars of his bike. One time Helen and Junior were riding around the Naval Academy and Junior was looking over the seawall at something, and leaning quite far out. A base policeman called “back away from there, you are too close to the edge”. When he didn’t move back or respond he then called out, “are you deaf?” Helen responded, “yes he is as a matter of fact”, the man looked ashamed. Helen and Junior just laughed about it later.
Catherine remembered letting Donny Taylor (the undertakers son, in Annapolis) carry her books at school. Catherine skipped 8th grade at school. Jimmy Botts and Charlie used to help George at school. Charlie even stayed back a year at school so that he could be with George until he graduated.
Helen was in an extra 5th English class in her senior year in high school. She was to give a speech. She chose Madame Curie as her subject. Clinton Rayhart gave his speech before Helen, and it fell flat. The teacher, Mrs. Cox then looked at Helen and said, “If your speech is as bad as his was, don’t bother to speak.” Helen looked at the teacher and said, “I have the right to give my speech.” The speech lasted one hour and Helen was given a standing ovation.
The teacher then said, “You will be giving this speech in the auditorium for the whole school. This she did and again was given a standing ovation. The newspaper wrote an article about this speech. When Helen would walk in the town, mothers, who attended the speech, would stop and tell her what a wonderful speech she had given. Unfortunately Helen’s mother, did not come to the speech as Helen feared she would become too nervous. Helen regretted her not being there later. After giving this speech Helen earned the right to read the Class History at graduation.
The notes from this speech are on the following pages.
Catherine remembered letting Donny Taylor (the undertakers son, in Annapolis) carry her books at school. Catherine skipped 8th grade at school. Jimmy Botts and Charlie used to help George at school. Charlie even stayed back a year at school so that he could be with George until he graduated.
Helen was in an extra 5th English class in her senior year in high school. She was to give a speech. She chose Madame Curie as her subject. Clinton Rayhart gave his speech before Helen, and it fell flat. The teacher, Mrs. Cox then looked at Helen and said, “If your speech is as bad as his was, don’t bother to speak.” Helen looked at the teacher and said, “I have the right to give my speech.” The speech lasted one hour and Helen was given a standing ovation.
The teacher then said, “You will be giving this speech in the auditorium for the whole school. This she did and again was given a standing ovation. The newspaper wrote an article about this speech. When Helen would walk in the town, mothers, who attended the speech, would stop and tell her what a wonderful speech she had given. Unfortunately Helen’s mother, did not come to the speech as Helen feared she would become too nervous. Helen regretted her not being there later. After giving this speech Helen earned the right to read the Class History at graduation.
The notes from this speech are on the following pages.