99 – Richland School, East Peoria
Information about the Richland Bottoms and specifically Richland School is hard to come by. The only reference that I could find to Richland School is a TopoZone map identifying it as an historical item.
Until I learn more, I’m going to theorize that the great 1943 Flood is possibly what did this school in.
A 2005 Peoria Journal Star article, in reference to rebuilding of the East Peoria Levee had this to say:
“In May 1943, the Illinois River reached a level of 28.8 feet, the highest in Peoria’s history. At the time, industrial plants were working three shifts to meet government demands for World War II supplies.
Some plants had to shut down, and hundreds of men and women working on government contracts were laid off. Floods covered railroad tracks, and roads washed away.
More than 1,000 men worked day and night stacking sandbags along the levee which nearly broke several times. An estimated 250 families moved out of the East Peoria Richland area in fear the levee and dikes would not hold.”
UPDATE 1/2/2007 : I tried, but my theory is way off base. According to two commenters, the school was open into the 1970′s.ÂÂ
Updated 09/03/11: Class photos courtesy of Ross Earnst.
Updated 09/18/11: Class photos courtesy of John Earnst.
November 4th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
I’ll take a stab at this. The old St. Pat’s school. My second guess is Webster school.
November 6th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Three strikes and you’re out?
November 6th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
What Glen Oak School will look like in a few years?
November 9th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
How about the Catholic School across from Blaine Sumner School.
November 9th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
No, but I’ll have to check that out
I give hints if asked.
November 9th, 2006 at 6:37 pm
I know you do, but what fun is that! Is it the school in East Peoria down by Cat? I get to keep guessing since no one else is.
November 10th, 2006 at 12:33 am
I think this is the old building across from Blaine-Sumner. Is the community outreach ministry still planned for these buildings? I’ve always been curious as to why they haven’t been demolished.
November 13th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
The Richland School was still in use at least into the late 1960′s. I have vague memories of going there for some reason while I was in high school. It is also on a Peoria map I have that is from about 1970. There is no mention of it on the East Peoria School district web site.
November 14th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Well, that blows my theory out of the water (no pun intended).
December 8th, 2006 at 7:43 am
jonny391
January 1st, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Richland school closed in the early or mid seventies, due to declining enrollment & the shift away from neighborhood schools. It stands empty today.
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Richland school was one of the happiest memories of my growing years. I went from kindergarten thru eighth grade there. There were some of the most wonderful teachers ever. And in my mind only one bad apple, far as teachers go. The area known as the bottoms was one of the most close knit neighborhoods in the united states back in the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s. There was not a door a child could knock on that the person who answered didn’t know them by their first name and that child didn’t feel safe. What a shame that it has become what it has and that they didn’t do something constructive with that old school that was once so full of life.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I remeber playing kickball there when I was going to school there and losing multiple balls in the barbed wire fence that lined cat parking lot
August 25th, 2008 at 1:35 am
The Richland school was still open in 1948 when I started 1st grade. I was there 5 years so know it open after that for a while.
January 19th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
This is DEFINETLEY and ABSOLUTELY , NO QUESTION!! Richland School, located on Globe Street in East Peoria Illinois in the shadow of Caterpillar , l know because l attended it from 1st grade through 8th grade in the 50′s and 60′s .
Where are all you old River-Rats at ?? We can not all be dead ?? How can they wipe this school off the records like it never existed when it was a second home to many of us and some of our children for so many many years ?? Where are the old teachers ?? Speak up , PLEASE !! ln this new age of cyber info how does something like this happen ?? Mr. Segrest, Mrs. Euronis, Mrs. Bolby , Mr. Widenradt, Miss Kennedy { First girls PE teacher in early 60′s } where are you all at ?? SPEAK UP ! Past students , speak up !! Memories like we all shared are precious and should not be lost ! Find out what happened , contribute what you know . Come on ! Your kids and grandkids need to know now , more than ever, that such a place existed and could again ! BRING RICHLAND School back ! At the very least get it on the school history data ! Why is it being erased as though it never existed ?? lt could not be from shame , unless the few who are shamed by their having attended it have that kind of power , because there are just too many of us who were proud to have attended it and known the fine teacher’s and staff { a shout out to Mrs. Schaefer and Mrs, French , to name a couple of the fine “lunch-room-ladies ” { best home cookin ever ! …mr. Denny our long time care-taker etc. } and all the wonderfull boys and girls who shared the experience . Have l jogged a few memories ? l hope so!
Guys ! Come on ! ACTION
March 9th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I was just reading my mother in law’s 1974 East Peoria Community High School yearbook, and there’s a little section that has news tidbits from around East Peoria during that time period. One of the notes from that section involved the closing of the Richland school to increase the integrity of the surrounding schools or something like that. Anyways so I’m guessing that means that Richland school was closed sometime in late 73 or early 74.
March 21st, 2009 at 1:45 am
Oh my goodness, I was just thinking of my childhood and immediately thought of Richland School. I also had Miss Euronis, Miss Sercowitch, Mrs. Ballard. These teachers were the greatest. Mr. Bunell was the principle while I was there. He was so cool, we all thought he was a secret pirate. If memory serves me right he had a hook hand and wore an eye patch.
One of my favorite times was running through the tunnel to and from school. I remember standing on the stage there putting on the school plays and getting our school pictures taken. Then that dreadful day came that they announced they were closing the school. We had to start riding the bus to LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. It was considered the rich kid school. I hated that and school was never the same for me again.
One girl made my life HELL and always made fun us all that came from the BOTTOMS. I do hope we can keep the memories alive too. Does anyone remember Monty who lived by the school who always came out to wave at us? I believe he was involved in an accident when he was younger. Helfridge maybe was the last name? Fun times.
April 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am
i’ve heard about that tunnel, is it still there? where did it start and end?
April 27th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I can’t remember the names of the streets but I have fun memories if that tunnel.
April 28th, 2009 at 9:08 am
My mom, Julia Helferich, was one of 12 kids who grew up across the street from the tunnel. As a kid visiting my grandparents (Millie & Al), my mom would walk us over to the Richland School grounds and tell us stories. My grandmother was the librarian at Richland School for years and my uncle Monty is the one who used to come out to wave at the kids. (Monty has CP and he still lives in the house across the street from the tunnel with another uncle.)
I’ve met Mrs. Serkowitz at various family functions over the years. She loved that school as much as the kids loved her, for sure.
I know that my mom would love to talk Richland School with others who remember. If you want to contact me via email, I would be happy to pass your info along to her. And if you weren’t Julia’s age, maybe you remember Judy, Lynda, Gayle, Kathy, Bettie, Brenda, Mary, Bill, Larry or Gary Helferich? Please feel free to get in touch: aschneider@mbmcompany.com
April 28th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Not only did I attend Richland School from 1947 until 1954 several of my nieces and nephews also attended. Mrs. Serkowich became almost like a part of our family. I didn’t have her for 2nd grade (Mrs Yuronis) but I helped out in her classroom. She taught there until the school closed. (The city is now is the process of tearing it down) For year rumors were around that Caterpillar would purchase and tear it down for a parking lot.
The old Caterpillar Union Hall was across the street where dances were held for Union Members and occasionally teen dances on a Friday night.
It is now deserted also. For years I have been trying to locate kids who grew up as River Rats.
About 7 or 8 years ago, Mrs Serkowich sponsered a get together at the East Peoria Park District for Richland students. I met several old friends and many that I don’t remember.
I also remember how safe everyone felt in that area. We were all rather poor but didn’t know any different until we went to HighSchool and were told that we were the “poor River Rats”
The flood mentioned didn’t do much harm to the school. We were living on Sanford Street at the time and had to leave for a week. My dad didn’t work at Caterpillar but at Herschels across the way.
Does anyone remember Spesias Grocery Store and old Charlie who worked at the candy counter.
I so appreciate my kids tracking this site down and would love to correspond with any of you. Julie
When I look back Richland has nothing but happy memories for me. High school years were different and even with our 50th class reunion coming up, I have no desire to go back there,
May 24th, 2009 at 7:55 am
i to remember my dats at richland.it is a sad site to now when we go down to the family home.it was a sad time when they closed the school.i was uot of there by then but can remember when they closed.the teachers were the best ever and even anyone else who worked there.montie is my brotherwho would always wave at everyone.he still in the the family house and still waves at who he sees.i do wish somemore people see this and reply with info.
May 31st, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I’m another one the the Helferich’s and was in the last 6th grade class at Richland. 7th and 8th grade moved to the junior high school at that time. The school is on Globe St. We lived on Maple St. Of course my favorite teacher was Miss Serkowich whom I had in 1st grade. She also later taught my daughter Robyn in her first grade. She was so much a member of our family as she was with many of her Richland kids. She came to some of our weddings and showers, Mom’s 70th birthday party and Monte’s 51st birthday I believe. I remember Mr. Hubbs and Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Brooks, Mr. Ingwerson,Mrs. Blakesley. Mrs. Ballard one time telling me oh go sit down nosey Bettie-don’t remember the reason. There was a Mr. Weber. There was a music teacher one year, can’t remember the name right now but sometimes he would sing the song “Moon River” and he sounded wonderful. I’m sitting here in the family home right now. Looking at Mrs. Wyatt’s house that had to be moved when they put in the Cedar Street extension. Our brother Larry helps take care of the mowing around the union hall and our side of the tunnel. It is still there but closed off at both ends. Red Butler still lives in his house across the street from the school. Soo many memories.
May 31st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
For those who attended Richland and are commenting here, I want to thank you all for sharing your memories. Through that it lives and breathes again. I am curious though – where is this tunnel you speak of and what was its purpose?
June 1st, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I’m sure you will have several applies to your question. The tunnel was built after I had left the Richland area, but it was built to help relieve the Caterpillar traffic. At that time, as most of you know, Caterpillar was a very very busy employer. They recruited a lot of young men from the southern states and no one would ever believe that it would leave such a scar on the Peoria area when they started down sizing. The highway extension for which the tunnel was built connected to the Cedar Street Bridge. It was to allow access to Richland School but what it accomplished was to ultimately close the school and leave the Richland area abandoned.
I would love to read more responses from people who grew up in that area.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I went to richland school in the late 50s and 60s .I remember Mr.Weber in 8th grade and the great cooks. Mr.Hubbs.Mr Seagram,Ms.ballard and so many more.I enjoyed my time there as a river rat and I delivered the peoria journal star.I picked my papers up at the old union hall caddy corner from the school.Proud to be a river rat.The bottoms hold alot of memories for me.
June 25th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I graduated from Central Jr High in 1955 so your time at Richland would have been before me but there is no way you wouldn’t have been to school with my brothers and sisters. Lynda would have after me and about the time you were there. Where abouts in Richland did you live?
We weren’t one of the well to do (were there any down there) but didnt really know we were poor until got to high school where we were told and that was where I first heard the Richland River Rats. Our 50th high school reunion is coming up and have no desire to go back but would love to have a reunion of people who went to Richland. Julie Helferich Branch
July 8th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I remember this school, only from my Dad (Marty Hosbrough) telling me about it from his memories. It looks like a wonderful school and I really hope it doesn’t get torn down. They should turn it into a historical site instead of wasting all that history by turning it into rubble.
I grew up my first two years of life down in the bottoms (not counting all my family that is down there), and honestly I think by turning it into a historical site would breathe some new life into the bottoms. 
August 5th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
is this by adrenaline dance club
September 17th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Heeeyy out there all you fellow River-Rats ! l am so delighted l could scream ! Rahhh! Rah ! Richland !! Go River-Rats! Go ! My computer crashed at one point and l lost my marking for this site soon after posting my original comment in January but l am sooo glad that l did find it again . You guys keep the chain going !! Hi, all you Helfrich gals and families ! l have fond memories of you all and your Mom { sweet lady ! } . Yes, l do beleive Mrs. Serkowitz was everybodies favorite { those lucky enough to have had her as a teacher anyway anyway !
Irresponsibilitie, bigotry and circumstances closed Richland School , the building , BUT l think these postings show that they didn’t shutter the memories and spirits when they shuttered the windows and doors of our old second home ! Keep the spirit …keep in contact ! l definetly will be rechecking thia page for post . God speed and God bless all of you survivors out there . Later Taters !
September 18th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I love this website! It’s great to remember good things. And Richland school and Richland Bottoms are good memories. As for Bettie Helferich wanting to remember the music teacher’s name, it was Mr. Sewak. He was cool, but evidently we river rats didn’t need any cultural education (haha) since he didn’t stay long. I saw Robert Bray’s name in the comments. He was in my class along with David Sweat, Doug Hosbrough, Shirley Smith(I loved her) Betty Perdue, Diane Riley and Kathy Helferich(we were real close). Some people adjusted to high school and did fine, I never seemed to fit in. I graduated mid-term my senior year and went to Arkansas on vacation and ended up getting married. I still am after 39 years! LONG TIME!!! I deserver some kind of medal, of course to be fair, so does he. It would be so cool if we could get another reunion like Mrs. Serkowitch did. I would have loved to have been at that one. I saw someone remembering Mr. Ingerson, he was such a perverted jerk to me. Remember his wife the gym teacher? She was different, of course she would have had to have been to been married to him. I would love to hear what happened to any of the ones I went to school with. I sure doesn’t seem like so many years should have passed, does it? I can remember the smell of the books and the chalkboard and the ever famous lunch room. It was such a simpler time. Life was, irregardless of what monetary means we didn’t have, very good. I wish my kids could have had the same childhood friends I had. If anyone wants to write me and relive old memories, my email address is: deanie2204@yahoo.com I would truly love to hear from you.
Julia
September 24th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I thoroughly agree with my babysister Julia…remember “chilli-day” ? Chocolate milk { in glass! } day? Seconds ?
Pops filling station ? Old Chicago grocery? Speacies Grocery Buhlea’s Hot Dog Trailer ? The Park parades and activities ? Waiting for a group to assemble at the corner of Chicago and …well any corner and Chicago ..on a cold winter day to huddle with the rest of the way to school…or rushing home for lunch and being just a tad slower on the return to school after lunch, but knowing you better high-tail it back .. …or if you were lucky and just slow enough { but not too slow} you could catch a ride with ol Bill the retired policeman /crossguard who took pity on the stragglers on such days ! Ahhh sooo many ,many fond memories !! Weren’t we the lucky ones ?? Or not ?? l quess to have had so much and lost it is not exactly “lucky” but l sure wouldn’t trade it for coin or circumstance .Keep the posts going or drop me a line at flame2250@yahoo.com
Right On { or in this case…write on ! } River-Rat-Revelers!
September 25th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Question for Julie Helfrich; wasn’t the old guy behind the candy counter { filled l might add with a wide assortment of delicious candy , including lots of penny candy …buttons on white paper,nutty chews , bubble gum , wax soda bottles filled with sweet juice etc.ummmm} anyway , l think his name was Butch not Charlie …l do remember Ruth and Charlie Lang who ran the filling station on the corner of Chicago right beside the old fire-station { yes, there was a fire station in the “bottoms” surprise ! surprise! Along with 3 or 4 stores { remember Hammond’s,Gormans ?? }. The older guys used to work on cars at ‘Pops” as we refered to it .
Keep on posting guys !
September 27th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I keep remembering names from my Richland days. With age comes senility. How could I have forgotten my first love from kindergarten, Jimmy Bradford or Tommy Moore and Frankie Givens? There was a Debbie Cook. And Judy Danz, who had to walk all the way from the trailer park by Steak and Shake. Can you imagine a kid doing that now? Danny Shaeffer, Vicki and Cathy Ray. What I would give to live in that time again and realize what I really had. I love to read new inserts. Keeps me feelin young. Thanks.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Heeey! Fellow River-Rats and River-Ratees !
Infamously housed in the security of the principal’s office ..why , just the mere mention of “The Paddle” could make a bad child go good ! 
of those a little harder to convince …there was the “Super-Paddle” { professed to have had holes cut in it to make it swat harder } threatened frequently , but l never knew of anyone actually “seeing” it , mus less having made its personal or physical aquaintance! 
there were so many things to do ….meeting the other kids after school and walking { which included most , if not all of the bottoms , almost nightly , weather permitting , or NOT ! 
}
Just going to throw out there a few more names and memories hoping to jog some more shared memories { boy, do l love this ! To reminence about a “Golden-time” during these so “troubled times” . What the world needs , especially during these crazy times, is more Richland-esque neighborhoods and support systems , what a different more peaceful world it would be .
Anyone remember …”The Paddle” ??
For the few hard-core culprits { or perhaps just numbed hienies !
For the rest of the majority of rough-necks from the area for which major crimes included such heinious things as { chewing gum , talking too much ,bunch !
We really were a cross from Happy-Days and Leave it to Beaver and l am not looking back with rose colored classes ! We had our bad days , but , over-all , we had such wonderful days { l realize everyone was not lucky enough to have shared exactly my reality , a lot probably had it worse and some had it better , but we all came from similar back-grounds and most of the fathers worked at Cat or Hershalls etc. so economically no one was that much above or below the next guy { Let’s just say l never worried about getting knocked in the head for my Nikis ! …We had our “kooks and characters” BUT we all knew who they were and what to do to avoid them .
Anyone remember the Park boys? Dave , Kenny ? The transfer student from “Dow-Under” { aka; Linda Dooley } ?
Anyone remember the 7th and 8th grade field trips ??
Please keep posting !
September 28th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Boy ! Is this theraputic or what !
} the Powder Puffs ?? Girls soft-ball team combo cheer-leaders?? The Richland Raiders sweat-shirts and semi-mini skirts ?? Heeey ! There are pictures to prove it !
} Shows ?
}
Anybody remember { or were you maybe even one of “us” ?
Richland School’s infamous “Talent { or lack of !
Saturday night dances at the Legion Hall or the monthly dances at the Park Pavilion on Springfield Road ? Shout out to Jim Bevard, Richard Denny , The Regentz brothers and sisters { and cousins , Lo out to Bonnie Stosich ! } ? The Turner’s La’Vella , Judy ??
The skating rink and it’s own cast of characters ?? The Bowling Alley ?? Newel’s Cafe ?? Max’s Cafe ?? Chick’s Hot Dog/Root Beer ? Piggly Wiggly ?? Verla’s Cafe { Come on Paula , Vick and you other gals that used to sneak off grounds with me at noon to go have fries and a burger at Verla’s !! How about Pete and Mary’s , The Goose …..
Teen Center ?? Percy Newel proprioter?? Anybody remember our “up-town” { by that l mean just past the old four corners ,,Washington and Main } teen hub where a quarter got you a game of pool or several choice selections off the juke box and you could keep up to date on the regulars …Dave , Riker,Susy, Darrel, Mohair Sam ,Barb Bird , Jim Reese and the Franklin brothers, Vickie and Kathy Ray , Wanda Owens to name just a few . Plus just about any new teen in town { just happens to be where l met my signifigant other over 4 decades ago !
Come on youse guys in put will ya !
October 6th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Hi Guys , is anybody still out there ?? Seems awfully quiet on the home front again . l have something to share that I wish weren’t so . l had asked if anyone remembered the Parks boys , Kenny and David and I just found out that they both had passed { in fact David passed just a few days after I asked that question .
EAST PEORIA – David L. Parks Sr. of East Peoria passed away at 9:59 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at home with family by his side.
If any body would like to sign the quest book or read the complete obit here is the address http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=6554254115073
Gee, fellow River Rats we seem to be dropping like flies !
You know, we aren’t THAT old …wonder if it was the air laden with smoke from ol CAT’s humungous puffing smoke stacks or the water poisioned by their run-offs that has brought on so many early demises??
Sorry , but I wanted to share . The rest of you hang in there , there has to be more because the music stopped befor we were through dancing . GOD bless and keep all you survivors well and in HIS palm.
October 9th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Blah,blah,blah sounds like i’m in the menopause chat lounge,lol Thanks for breathing life back into this old man. I consider this one of my luckiest days finding this web site. I still drive by the school and stop and remember all the days and years when we were all so innocent. I still have all my report cards and school pictures. Nothing more do i wish for beside having family back, to be able to stand on the front steps and see us all as the kids we were coming back to school. they may have locked the doors and boarded it up,to keep us out but they locked our hearts and memories inside.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:14 am
The youngest of eight kids we were all born in Mom and Dads house @100 Monson street across from the Little Church in the Valley. The custodian, John Denney was my uncle. which gave me ample time to check out the lost and found box.lol Actually all us kids had already left by the time he started working there. I MADE SURE everyone new i was a Richland River Rat, if they didn’t know respect they knew fear. High school wasn’t fun i was completely lost, i knew this wasn’t going to work so i didn’t finish.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:30 am
The grocery store on the corner of Sanford and Edmund was first Hageys,then Redmans,Gormans and last it was Hazels market. Butch was the name of the old man that worked behind the counter at Speacies market. Remember the free movies every weds. night in the Goose parking lot? I did tend bar at the Goose for Joe Genusa for 10 years,then for Cliff Himmelrich moving all those houses in Richland for the Cedar street ext. and that was like a spike through the heart of Richland……SAD
October 10th, 2009 at 12:31 am
For Donna
October 10th, 2009 at 12:41 am
For Donna,
Was Joe and Lorraine Crossno your Mom and Dad? I thought the world of both of them they used to come in the Goose to see Genusa. For the Helferich kids, I love and miss you all ahhhhhhhhhhh except for that one Helferich girl i think her name was Julie who used to throw rocks and try to knock me off my motorcycle. All i wanted was to ask her for a date but she wouldn’t talk to me. Oh hi Bob lol
October 10th, 2009 at 12:52 am
If you want to take a trip down memory lane sometime just stand on the front steps of richland school and close your eyes and be real quiet listen with your Heart and you can hear your favorite teacher and the kids in the classroom, can you still hear someone walking down those marble hallways and up the stairs,if your real quiet walk through the doors out on the stage and look between the curtains and you will see the kids setting up the tables for lunch that always smelled so good. The saddest day was when school was over and we hung around and played for awhile then went our separate ways for summer.Thanks don’t forget me
October 10th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Hi Joe !
}
Bless your heart ! You have re-affirmed my faith in man-kind and the fact { though true l am post-menapausel ! lol} that l am not crazy or dillusional . You confirmed that the rose colored days l remember did exist { here , in the real world , not just my idealized minds-eye view . } Thank-you so much for that ! I could smell the lunch-room aromas and feel the anticipation on the stage when l read your blog ! Your suggestion of sitting on the steps , l have already done , BUT , not without a great deal of pain involved , it is so bitter-sweet , knowing what was and what can never be again .
Yes, Joe and Lorene were my parents { Daddy has passed , Mom is still tickin down South of the Mason/Dixon} . I adored them both too but they sent me out to get bread one day 35 years ago and when l came back they had moved ! Only joshin , but they did leave and l stayed in ” Bed-ford Falls” , aka East Peoria !
Older Bro Joe has passed in 93 { doesn’t refering to it that way sound like a real “old-timer” , instead of a young fiesty 59er, like myself ?
Baby sister Lorri passed in 96 and Daddy in 98 , so the nineties was not a good decade for me but as you can see , better than it was for my family .:-(
Julia { Dee-Dee} is still alive and kickin down South and Lil Bro Jim , but that is all that is left of our clan .
I am almost afraid to ask , but is Richard still “with” us ?
I do remember you all and you were way cool on your motor-cycle whether Julie threw rocks or not !
Please keep bloggin , it verifies our lifes and heals our souls .
Gotta run right now but I definetly will check back later .Later ,Donna
October 10th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Me again! Menapausel-Mollie !
Even a lost home-work paper could sometimes , magically it seemed,be redeemed from Mr. Denny’s afore mentioned “lost and found” box !;-) Heeeey ! It was one of the Seven wonders of Richland -Land ! ” You know there was the infamous, already mentioned in a previous post ,” Paddle” ….Mr. Denny’s Lost and Found Box ….Butch’s unclassifiable accent …help me out Mouse-ka-teers …what else ?? 
You know …rack your brain , puddin-tang …you’ll think of them { it may be 4 o’clock in the morning when you do , BUT , you WILL remember them , or probably remember a few we all forgot ! 
Hey , it really is true , we have forgotten more than most people will ever know ! 
Valentine’s Day or Christmas were NOT complete with out a special Valentine addressed especially to Mr. Denny ! Heck ! He ranked right up there with the principal {remember, you know the guy people used to respect ? 
}
He kept her heart fire’s burning{ shades of the “furnace room”} and our cold little bodies warm, making sure all the parts were running smoothly. l don’t think any of us kids thought he had another family , l think we thought he was part of ours ! 
He kept many a child’s secret about such things as “accidents” , gosh , l didn’t mean to’s etc. God Bless Mr. Denny …he sure did us .
} people think I have either a fabulous imagination or am just a step away from “One Flew Over the Coo-Coo’s Nest” ! 
I just had to add a note about Joe’s Uncle …respectfully addressed as, Mr. Denny , simply because that is how things were done “back-then” .
Mr. Denny was every child’s friend , but none more so than the child who had lost something , favorite scarf, mitten , or what-cha-ma-call-it, or was simply lost themselves !
He was one of the care-takers of our second home and hearts. He treated The Grand Ol Lady { Richland } like a Queen . We had the shiniest , cleanest marble-halls in town , which was nothing short of a Herculeon task { we were after all kids, and kids will be kids ! Dirt and all ! I am sure he thanked { NOT! } Big Cat. many days when we tracked and retracked that ol Big Cat. soot in !
Many times l have started to literally write when someone would say; “Why don’t you write a book ? ” { whether they were being sincere or snide , didn’t matter } I have enough precious memories for a novel to rival “Gone with the Wind ” . Another thing GWTW and my story would have in common is I think they would publish mine under fiction , because , until someone like Joe steps up and backs it up { shades of “Stand by Me” !
Keep on postin !
Later R.R.R.
PS ; Joe , you were right about the River-Rats being feared , if not understood , which could be a blessing or a curse depending on the circumstance !
October 10th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Hi Donna,
Richard passed away october 2005,he was still skating every Sunday night in Moline and had every since the Roller Gardens closed. Mr Denney used to sleep at the school in the winter to make sure the boiler stayed working. Sorry to hear about your family losses I know the fealing. Your mom was so pretty and your dad had the biggest smile i thought they were the greatest, tell your mom i said hi. Didn’t they move to Magazine Ar. I was just teasing about Julie Helferich we were super close freinds and i still love her haha.She married a guy named Bob that i met a few times.He was a super good guy and i was happy for them both. Always remember all the girls that came out of Richland were the smartest,cutest,loving,caring,and most of all loyal girls in East Peoria. The guys,sometimes a little WILD “lol” were the toughest best athletes we could beat anyone at baseball,basketball and football. With the Walkers and the Redmans nobody ever messed with the kids from Richland. Do you remember Sylvia “Josie” Walker she lived at 419 Sanford St. part of the Walker clan. She ownes the Goose Tavern now and her twin girls tend bar there. I hung out at Charlie and Ruth Lainges gas station alot and tried to drink all their choc. soda and their goooooooood candy bars,but mostly i hung out at Speacies market.For Julia…. Jim Bradfords daughter and our 23 year old daughter are best friends. He retired as Asst. Fire Chief a few years ago. I still see and talk to Jim Franklin. I have 3 daughters Frannie Jo 48, Lisa Jo 42 and my baby Randi Jo 23. Always remind all the kids from Richland to be proud of who they are and where they came from because there is only two kind of people in this world ,people like us and people that wanted to be like us. Joe
October 10th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Lo Again Fellow R.R.R.!
{ Do you know l do not even know whose blog this is or even really how a “blog” works , for that matter !!} My only experience,over the years has been that l started to reminence and on one of those trips down memory lane l simply typed in “Richland School ” East Peoria and all that came up was this blog asking about if someone could name the land-mark shown in the picture . I sent the site to my Lil Sis Jewel { aka Julia or DeeDee} and she wrote in on it and the rest is now history its-self , although it sure took awhile to get the fire burnin { shades of Springstine!} ! 
Like I said l am really not sure how this works but at the moment it seems to be fun and l quess the R.R.R. version of “Face-book” or “My-Space” ! 
and a whole lot cheaper than a therapist !
Yet another cast of characters and what a chunk of our lives ! l would have went every night if the folks would have let me ! As it was l managed to stay there most week-ends . I think ol Chuck D.{ excuse me the ex-mayor of this great city ! } got to know my skate size pretty well , at least until l baby-sat enough and saved my money towards getting my own skates { my pride and joy ! } I think Mom and Daddy actually bought them for me , but why deal in insignifigant details ! 
..He reminded me of a cross of Tennessee Ernie Ford and Andie Griffin ! What a combo , huh ! And what a singing voice he had ! ahhh , He and Cliff Himmelrich were good friends and l bought my first home from Cliff and Mable …seems like yesterday , but the sands of time tell me it has been more like 40 years !! 
…l agree with you the gutting of the bottoms houses for an over-pass and other such “progress” was its death-toll !! ;-( Memories ! 
ln some l look like a Richland’s version of Annette Funnicello and in others l look like Scout { from “To Kill a Mocking-bird” } …Bless mother and her ‘home-cuts ” ! 
There is one, in particular, that l would gladly buy any copies l could get my hands on and burn if l could so that no human being have to suffer from looking at such a site ! 
l tell myself the photographer was to blame and l quess that if you can have a “bad-hair” day you could also have a bad-face, bad hair day too ! 
As l happened to be the hair-dresser in that case, l quess Mom is off the hook for at least that one and God had something to do with the teen-age zit adorning my face ! { Felt like a mountain! 
} ! 
Thank God l have had better taken before and since …but that one still haunts me ! Eeeee! 
Thanks goes out once again to Joe for comming through on the bloggin !
I was sad to hear that yet anothe R.R.R. alumni, { Richard }, had passed . He did so love to skate didn’t he ? Ahhhh…the Roller Gardens !
l will thankyou for Mom’s compliment , she really was a pretty woman and most people who knew her loved her . She and Daddy were one of the younger set of parents down there. l am a little predjudice l quess , but l was always so proud of them { l always thought Daddy was handsome { don’t all little girls think there Daddy’s are ?
I have all my pictures too Joe , although l have a few l wish l didn’t have ! Definetly should have been “retakes-day” fodder !
I was glad to hear that you and the Bradfords stayed close …They lived across the street from us when we lived on Chicago and Judy and l were very good friends, school and church mates. She was a sweet girl, the whole family was . Mr. Bradford{ Austin} ,Huey, Jimmy , Mrs. Bradford{ Eileene } ,loved them all . When they moved to Spring-bay Judy and l drifted and l haven’t heard about any of them until relatively lately.
Dang , smart hill-billy , if you ask me …also a dang smart R.R.R. , Mr. Denny ! 
.
l was so glad for the updates you gave . Thankyou ! Have you or Jim { Franklin} kept in touch with Jim Ray or Donna Byrd ?? Keller ? Do any of you remember Percy’s Teen Center? Shortlived , but ever so fondly remembered ?
I have been running into Starla { used to be Raily} a lot lately and she gives me some fill ins but l have only seen her once since her Dad died last month .
Loved your advise, Joe, on having pride in having been a R.R.R. and on the two kinds of people , us , and those wanting to be like us . Put me in mind of my Dad, he used to get a lot of ribbing about having been from “Down South” { shades of Hill-billies ! } and a lot of not so nice hill-billy jokes and l imagine when he had had just about enough , he would say something to the effect , that there were only two kind of people in the world ; hill-billies and S.O.B.’s and he was sure proud to be a hill-billy !
Keep on sharing and caring
October 11th, 2009 at 10:31 am
My kids just let me know that more people have responded to this web site. My computer skills are horrible. We still have dial up so dont spend much time on the internet except for checking e-mail. Would love to hear from all of you people. Internet address is Branchray@aol.com. Highschool just had 50th class reunion but the last thing I wanted was to see that group of people again. Someone start planning a Richland school reunion. I could make several more comments from what I just read but the only one I going to make is that I never threw rocks at Joe Denney’s motorcycle. Maybe him but not his motorcycle. And sweet ole Butch at the grocery store was my buddy. I loved those years in Richland and sitting on the fire escape steps to think and dream. I brought our kids there and to the Goose. My brother Larry still lives there in our old house with Monte and sometimes I think he is the happiest of us all. I want to hear from all of you. Julie
October 11th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Just a quick clarification on my last post . I don’t want my “hill-billy” references to be misunderstood . l got to thinking some folks might not take it like l meant it . lt was just one of those replies a person makes when another person has made equally as ignorant remarks and kind of lets them know that they are waaaay out of line, and l thought it addressed a problem at the time with a Fonzie kind of cool{ aka; R.R.R. cool !
} . Heck , There are plenty of fine folk out there , hill-billy or not and the pun was not meant to infer otherwise, just addressed to whom ever was making the hill-billy jabs at that moment . l hope l didn’t offend anyone ,Gollee! Having lived ‘up North” for most of my 59 years l am as much Northern as southern even if not by birth ! Actually l think we R.R.R. were a pretty unpredudiced bunch over-all . We pretty much ” took um as they come ” , worts and all ! 
Have a good day , guys and keep on keepin on .
October 11th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Shout out to Julie !
} ..anyway , no one needed to feel left out because there were playmates to spare ! 
I was just reading the latest posts and l see that you mentioned someone getting together a Richland Reunion …l think Starla has the same thing in mind . l am going to tell her about this blog the next time l see her . You other guys please do the same to any ol R.R.R. you might know who still survive .
Julie , is Brenda still around ? l haven’t seen her for eons . You all were always so close to each other . Among other things that l loved about the Richland years was that we all had little brothers and sisters or older brothers and sisiters , so hardly anyone was ever without a built in playmate { or pain in the ol B-hind depending on the mood of the moment !
Late R.R.R.’s
October 11th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
SORRY about the comment about MOTORCYCLES n ROCKS ….just a little humor..seems VERY LITTLE ….LOL…after 5i yrs. as OUTLAW BIKER ,and the starting 1stinIL. …i might say THINGS that I think are kinda funny , not meant to seem otherwise…if they ever HANG me for my protocol or good judgement…they are HANGIN an INNOCENT man.I have been accused of being in DENIAL..but Ithought DA-NILE was a River in EGYPT. well enough of THAT..lolRICHLAND SCHOOL Teachers …Ist.through 6
for NICE guy like me ..MRS>Tjaeden,MRS. YOUROS,MRS. BALLARD CLATT and MR. SHUTE. MR. SHUTE was also ASS”T. Supperintendent of ALL the grade schools . MR. PAUL BOLENwas Superintendent of ALL grade schools..He was a widower after his Wife passed away …and later remarride and had a HEART ATTACK while he was on his Honeymoon , so thats when MR. SHUTE left Richland School and enter MR. STAKER as6th. grade teacher and Principal .HE also like MR> BUNELL had only 1 arm..His Daughter taught there for only very short time …NOW for the GOOOOOD times lol enter MISS. CAROLYN STIERS .singing and finding out you had many other choices in life other than a career in song /dance …she really was a very nice Lady BUT…..personally i think she MISSED her greater oppertunity by not becoming a TEST PILOT AT THE BROOM FACTORY…she had me [excuse my use of the word sing] 1 line of verse ..end tryin out for school plays..she whacked me with song book ..lol she visited each grade school once a week ..GOD bless her..i talked to SYLVIA[Josie] WALKER last nite and she said she went to Richland get together about 7 yrs. ago and she was gonna get on see if she could this page ..thanks to ALL ..take care and always remember you got your MEMORIES OR HAVE THEY GOT YOU?bye Joe
October 12th, 2009 at 1:15 am
It makes me so happy to see all of the new comments on this site. My mom, Julie Branch (Helferich) has shared many stories about growing up in Richland and even stories about throwing rocks at that boy on the motorcycle..they are wonderful memories for her and I do hope that someone pulls together a reunion for all of you. E-mail her. Reconnect. I would love to hear new stories.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:47 am
for years and years I have been trying to reconnect with people from the bottoms. When my son Erik found this web site right after it was posted, I was very happy. Lynda and I went to the get together that Mrs. Serkowich had at the E. Peoria park district office. There were a lot of people there (couldn’t believe how old they all looked). I talked to Sylvia quite a while and she mentioned that she plans Old Richland get together nights from time to time. Joe, I am really surprised that you are on the internet. Larry called several years ago and mentioned that you had stopped by the house and I read in Richlard’s obituary that you were living down south now. Can’t remember the town. Hard to imagine Richland without you living there. Before Mom died we were there a lot and when she was able she always wanted to go to Steak & Shake. Richard was always there, and always had a nice word for Mom. It hasn’t been the same since she died. About once a year most of us get together at Davis Brothers for pizza. Usually it is when Gayle comes to visit from Florida.
Brother Bill is living in Hoopston, Il and just remarried. Gary lives in Washington, Il and just became a grandfather. Lynda and Kathy live in Kankakee. They came to live with us after graduating high school and married local fellows. Brenda lives in Sunnyland. She had some medical problems for a while but still lives in a trailor with Hollywood. It’s so funny how each blog brings back more memories. The Kellum family that llived on the other side of the union hall. Larry is helping the old couple who now own that building paint it. So many – many happy memories and I wish I could remember all of you who have written. Most are younger than me and closer to my sisters ages. I’m sure they will be in touch.
And by the way, Joe, I have both, my memories and they also have me. Julie
October 12th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Miss Amy Branch,…if you ever look up greatest/neatest/most loving and caring person inthe DICTIONARY OF LIFE ..it will say Julie fnone like her before or since…i met your Dad Rayand he wasgreat to talk to and be around . YOU are VERY LUCKY Girl to have Parents like them……DONNA Crossno ,i miss spoke about 3rd. grade teacher ..it wasnot Mrs. Ballard /i had MRS>Watkins GCHEE…did you all turn in your Patrol Belts when School closed ?lol…i STILL have my BLUE and GOLD letter R for when we went undefeated in 5th. and 6th. grade basketball yrs….but lost CHEER LEADERS somewhere along the way ..lolkeep on keepin on …always till then Joe
October 12th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I sure do love this site. For Joe, your uncle was so good to us kids. I can remember the last day of school, dragging home books he had given me (that were supposed to be burned) thru that tunnel and feeling like I was carrying gold. You said you see Jim Franklin sometimes, next time you do tell him DeeDee said hi and wishes him the best. He was always so cool to me. Reminded me of Patrick Swayze for some reason. Do you know who owns Richland School now? At one time I was told Bob Craggs owned it and was going to do something with it. We all need to chip in, buy it, and make it an old folks home for former Richland River Rats. We could think up some really cool name for it and would only let people in who could answer questions only a river rat would know. Could you imagine that old place coming back from the dead. Oh, well, I can dream.
Keep on dreamin and keep on writin,
Julia (DeeDee)
October 12th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Do- a Deer, a female deer , la,,,la,,,la ! Yes, Joe , Ms Stiers sure earned her place in our cast of colorful Richland characters . Reddish blonde hair always slightly a muss, nose seemingly constantly swollen and red from the latest lil bug going around. Hankerchief { the material version of Kleen-x for all you young whipper-snappers out there !
, always in hand, ever so lady-like . Honk ! sniff ! sniff! 
Puts you in the mood to do your scales doesn’t it ! 
Remember EGBDF..ie; Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge ! She always reminded me of a female version of Danny Kay { those of you past 40 might know who I am refering to ! 
} ..anyway she was definetly memorable . I was not aware until years later that her father was a Doctor here and that their ,and later her home , was the one that sits beside the Funeral Parlor that has the gargoles on the front porch{ l think someone else owns it currently} . l quess l was much too busy trying to connive ways of getting out of doing solo scales for Ms. S . to be bothered by curiosity at the time.{ and yes, she was quick with the whip , so to speak ! 
…People think l attended a parochial, not public, school when ever l point out such incidents of , should l say, sterness? 
l am not sure if she has passed yet but , l quess, she deserves her kadoos for trying to polish our rough lil Richland edges ,even though personally l think we would have been just fine without so much elbo grease ! 
l still have flash-backs { no drugs involved …l missed that part of the 60′s . 
} of having to do the scales in front of the class …as Joe’s experience went so mostly did mine …Shall l say that l never hit Broad-Way and the musical world survived well without me ! 
Prior to Ms S’s public displays of our profficiency ,or lack of, in the vocal department , l had always just lip sinced at church etc. { l was way before my time Milli-Vannila had nothing on me !:-) She blew my cover ! 
} { of course let me high-light { no pun intended ! 
} that l smoked since around the age of 12 , starting with and during the Richland days …heeey , it was waaay cool back then and some of my fondest memories { shameful as l know they should be ! ;-( } hover around that nasty little habit ! 
….like, everybody ante-ing up the whopping 25 cents a pack it took to purchase 20 of the lil cool sticks { l know , l know , about here ,some of you will say Cancer-sticks , but that is NOT the message they were pushing to us back in the day ! Sure you knew you were not supposed to , sure you knew they were supposed to not be good for you and if your parents found out you would be grounded for life { l wondered in later years how they could have been so naive as not to smell it on us or our clothes ?} but EVERYWHERE we looked “cool” people were smoking them …The Movies, TV , some of our own homes and relatives or friends …friends …that is how l got “brave” { now l know “stupid” was the better word ! ;-( } to try a “cig” { beleive it or not we used to call them “fags” } …I wonder how many of us have paid the highest price for that little experiment ? l have had friends pass who were in that first group of “experimentors” but l will never know for sure how much , if any, a role it had to play . Ahhh if l could just have kept the friends and the memories and not lose either to the consequences ! 
Must be yet another one of our shared R.R.R. traits only shared by true R.R.R.’s! 
On a different note;{ or l quess it ties in since “cigs” weren’t supposed to good for your ol vocal cords ! } I am currently almost a 5 year non-smoker, no brag , just fact { quitting was capital HELL for me !
Oh , well, What l do know that as long as we continue things like this and remember them in the telling of our “stories” …they will always live on …keep the hearts beating { or is that the drums ?
} Later fellow R.R.R>.’s
The staff at Richland that l remember off hand were; Mr.Seacrest { Principal} Mr. Wildenradt, Mr. McDonald , Mr. Hubbs , Mrs. Wilson Mrs. Ballard, Mrs. Bolby, Mrs. Dietrick, Mrs. Euronis, Ms. Scirclewitch .
PS. Joe , l took the same geographical studies you did l think , because the River of De-Nial is the one l remember too !
October 12th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hi Claudia LaDon LaDonna Donna Crossno and Deanie–and Joe, father of Randy–My brother Jim referred me to this site after meeting Donna’s daugher. Jim’s son is in class with Donna’s grandson! You all have much more detailed memories of Richland than I do..though I do have fond memories of the school and all my teachers. I think they were great and truly interested in teh welfare of the students . I started with Mrs Litchfield in kindergarten, then Mrs Serkowich, Youronis, Deters, Ballard and Wilson. I left after 5th grade. All of them read to us after lunch and I can still remember being so enthralled with the stories. (First got to love the Little House books then and as an adult I’ve visited the actual homesteads of Laura.) I went to Mrs Serkowich’s reception several years ago and saw Starla. Sometime in the 1980s I ran into Mrs Serkowich and eventhough I hadn’t seen her since I was 9, she knew me immediately, and remembered which class I belonged to. I am always impressed when I look at our class pictures and realize how BIG those classes were. Donna and Deanie I remember your parents well, but never knew your dad sang. Your mother had a beautiful voice and I would always ask her to sing Old Shep and I cried every time. Deanie: do you remember punching out my doll’s eyes one time when my mom was taking care of you? Well, maybe it was Jim that did it, but he blames you! I remember walking from the bottoms to the swimming pool and to the library–even for an adult that seems like a long way. But sometimes your mom would drive us to the library for fee movies. I was very close to Jenny Brown in those days. Now she is a great aunt to Donna’s grandkids. Amazes me.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Hi Judy …Randi Jo just loves you ! Few adults bring a smile to her face like the mention of your name does.Donna it has been 4yrs.8mo.since i quit smoking have’nt even had a sneek puff none nadda…had my last drink Sept.8 of 92.That only leaves ONE thing…………….oh well forget it.”lol” when Randi enrolled her Freshmanyr.at E.P.C.H.S.one day ,she came home and said SHE was NOT goin to that school..oh oh sent wife to Wally World to get [HOUSE for SALE sign at 10 pm that nite .put sign up same time and went back to high school 1st. thing next morning and UNENROLLED her.they were not happy but i MADE THEM OFFER THEY COULdNT refuse ..reluctantly we got refundback and some guy and his wife bought house that same day ..Wife Carol called sister in SULLIVAN il.AND HAD HER enroll Randi in school down there .Guy give mea large deposit too hold it for him and we went ...FANTASTIC school and facilities /school really neat and clean /whole school air conditioned/hour lunch /kids could eat or get lunch in cafetiria or take it v across street to unbelievable park/ride around town ..whatever ..take sodas n snacks into class rooms ..teachers would have um go get breakfasts for teacher n those that wanted somethin...MAN ...unrel about 450 kids in H.S.//the nicestpark across street from school beautiful large lagoon ///2 baseball diamonds/4 tennis courts /2basketballcourts ...WELL lit till11oclock every nite ...1st. class..civic center at play ground /OLYMPICsize in door poolwith 2 large weight rooms/2largeexercise rooms /large gymnasium open every day till nnnnine at nite. my WIFE was Supervisor there and Randi was Board Certified Lifeguard ...they had all life saving equip. plus paddles for life savingcircumstances..Randi saved some kids ..diving area was 18feet deep ..they did have everything for the kids .1 more thing...they had the HIGHEST slidin board i ever seen ...i got up it once and knew i would nnNEVER do that again..EVER....part of their playground equip. at park................................................Julie ..i am BACK in good ole E.PEO.....not TOO far from mMY HOME in RICHLAND......idrive down there often ...i go by ALL our houses.all the streets ..ready?Center,Franklin,Monson,Sanford,State,Fisher,Spencer,Globe,Clark,Maple,Elm,Edmond,Chicago,Cass....and of course OUR VERSION ofFondulac Drive..[RIVER ROAD] and the good ole levee…MY RACE TRACK N PARTY LAND lollots got their drivers licsense down there…MAN /we went the speed limit under the Cedar bridge on the cinders ….SURE WE DID lol ive got some pictures of the [43] flood and 2 or 3 of the [27] flood in Richland …that was a BAAAAAd one ..MOM n DAD moved back in the ole house at 100 Monson St.too soon n my oldest SISTERcaught pneumonia n died there..she was only 3/half …water was up almost Center Street…im outta here ….keep on keepin on …Joe
October 12th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Judy,Judy, Judy!!! Miracles do still happen ! Last l heard you had joined the flower child movement { which would not have surprised me at all , you were always so sweet .!
…don’t remember if my source of info was Donna Harbor or who , but l am sure it was as reliable as say ,CSpan { NOT } 
and again, for also pointing out that l slighted my beloved mother by not mentioning her own vocal talents { could have been a little miffed because the talent was not passed on to me ! 
…ah yes her famous renditions of “Ching-Chong the China-man ” were true classics ! 
and a few that were just a tad risque for the times like ; “Don’t Set Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me ” The woman could be a walking juke-box on occasion ! 
My ol friend how you have endeared yourself to me once again , first by remembering my Rosana Dana Dana rendition !
Your interest about Lil House on the Prairie would intrique my daughters . My eldest daughter went to school with Michelle Ingalls whose father { Wayne , he was Superintentant in Creve Couer at the time } was a relative of the Laura Ingalls branch and they shared many things with us about them { her mother , Joyce { she was a violinist in her own right and played with the Peoria Symphany } and l were friends and worked on a lot of school projects together, until Wayne was transfered to another school district …sooo along about the 80′s my baby daughter came along { the one Jim ran into } and fell in love with Lil House all over again { she still says her Dad and l remind her of Ma and Pa on the TV series !
Judy l can’t make my mind up to see you in my mind’s eye in your little Peter Pan { by the way ..remember Peter Pan and Never Never Land as viewed from the roof out in your back yard, sometimes shared with Ruth Ellen Smith ?? } ..or to see you as the teen you were when l last saw you , either memory is price-less !
Speaking of pictures , l have a picture l thought l had lost of Richland taken about 5 years ago when l began this re-visitation of the Richland saga , l wish l knew how to load it on this site …l will try to find out how to .
l am sorry to learn about your sister , Joe and l was glad to see that your move worked out well for you and your now family .Glad you caught this blog .You have been an anchor since this blog came into life of its own!
My daughter{ oldest one } has surgery in the morning …Please put her in your prayers , you guys …l think we ol R.R.R. ‘s have a special spot in God’s heart too so l know it can’t hurt but sure might help .
Guys l am so full right now thatl have to take a moment and gather myself and get to bed . l will check back tomorrow , in the meantime , God Bless and keep each and everyone of you and yours .
October 12th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
This is for Judy Bradford. My dear, dear, girl, although I can’t remember that incident with the doll’s eyes, you know Jimmy had to have been the one who did it. I was so sweet and angelic that I couldn’t have done such a sadistic thing. Now, Jimmy on the other hand, could have easily done that. And with him being my partner in crime for everything back then, him or me one, did the deed and the other was, I’m sure an accomplice. You tell him to search his soul and tell you the truth about what happened that fateful day. And since my memory had long left me, you can let me know if he fesses up. It was so good to hear from you. My apolgies to your doll.
Keep on with the writing,
Julia, Deanie, DeeDee
October 13th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Lo Out there, all youse guys in the Memorie Myst!
Now it is just a watch and see scenerio.
We ol R.R.R.’s just keep going till we fade away ! 
Err on the side of relativity { in that Jim is your relative, Jewel is not } ! 
I on the other hand will have to take her side { or lack of } because of that same relativity therory …BUT to be honest { and whose not ? 
} l do not remember the incident you two are refering to , so l can not be held accountable in any effent ! 
. that is why you didn’t know …he was the introvert to Maw’s extrovert ! 
He used to sing my little bro to sleep …Ramblin Rose …etc. in a rich deep baratone …Joe Jr. could really sing too , in the manner of Elvis , and ol Jewel { aka; well you know who } could and can still , hold her own in a sing off . Poor lil Sis Lorri { she was born after we moved up on Center street …you know waaay out of the bottoms ! 
and I were the only ones left who could only carry water not a tune! 
…she passsed away in 96 of breast cancer , but she also shared memories of Richland until Maw and Daddy took her and lil Bro and moved down South.
and what a nice bronzed …sunburn or two we managed , huh !? 
…then we drifted apart also and although my daughter has had an over a decade relationship with her nephew , l still have not run into Jen…just life and all its goofiness , l quess !
Daughter made it through ! Thank-you God , and all others .
Enough of the NOW , Back to the Past !
Joe , Kadoos for the non smoking { only a fellow hard-packer knows how hard that was for you to quit …l went cold turkey too but it was pure ol HE double tooth-picks !…Bravo , on the drinking too ….be proud that you have whupped two of the hardest addictions there are to whup …now as for the third thing you were afraid might go ?? Not a so long as you have imagination !
Judy, l wouldn’t want to instigate anything , BUT …before you attack Jim for that long ago transcretion , keep in mind Jewel{ aka; Julia , Deanie, DeeDee, What’s -her-Face} always had a vivid imagination and maybe Jim was the culprit , or co-conspirator …and maybe NOT !
I remember my Dad giving Jim “Dutch-rubs” till his face turn so red it looke like it would explode { Think that is where the lil alleged culprit may have gotten the idea to do the deed to your doll ?? { and yes, Judy, Daddy was a closet singer
Dolls , speaking of …Judy, Do you remember sharing the showing of our Christmas gifts with each other one year from our front porches, across the street ? Snowy, snowy day , and possibly one of us was sick , because l can’t remember except we both got dolls , l got Tiny Tears and l am not sure if you got Betsy Wetsy or one similar ?
I haven’t heard any mention of Huey , how goes it with your elder sib ??
Speaking of the long-haul move from Chicago to Center , once we moved to Center Jenny Brown and l became friends { Yoah, Jenny, remember our pinic/sunning outings on top of the { then under construction} via-dock?? Best cheese spread , crackers and cool-aid fare in the East !
Later guys as the mood and the spirit move me !
October 13th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
For Joe,
That was a sweet thing you wrote to my daughter Amy. We also have three great kids and two perfect granddaughters. Our oldest started high school this year at Evanston High School. Scares me but she and parents seem okay with it. Erik has our youngest and she started kindergarten this year. Don’t get to see them as much as we would like but take all we can get. It always makes me sad when we go down to our old house and see that my house is no longer standing. Larry has done a good job with planting flowers in the space but it’s not the same. A lot of memories were in that old house.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know where all you river rats lived when you were in the bottoms and what year you started at Richland. I’m trying hard to remember the names. I always stop to visit Rosalie’s gravesite when we go to the cemetary. I love that old cemetary. You can landscape it however you want. Are your parents buried there, Joe? The Earnst and Donaldson boys lived on Sanford when we lived there. Pete Winchester lived across the street. Lots of summer nights of playing kick the can and occasional summer days of putting up a blanket on the clothes line and throwing rocks. Betty Sherman lived in the area also. The Smothers girls lived around the corner. I used to be terrified of walking home from school because the Rosalie and her brothers would chase us and threaten to throw us in the ditch. It’s amazing how just thinking about these things put us right back in that time and era. Wouldn’t want my life to be any different but you do wonder some times about how it would be different if I hadn’t moved away. There has to be more people out there who feel this nostalgia. Wonder if the Journal know (or care) what they started.
Julie (Helferich)Branch
October 13th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Joe: I always got a kick out spending time with Randy and Shannon. Such creative girls. Your wife was good about teaching them crafts and I know Shannon liked that. Donna, I don’t remember showing each other our dolls after Christmas. Seems like something we would do though. And I did get a Betsy Wetsy, the very same Betsy who was destined to become BLIND at the hands of dasterdly little siblings. As for Never Never Land, ah yes. I remember vivid travels there while sitting on our roof, though it amazes me that my parents ever allowed us to sit on a roof. Surely they didn’t know. And I remember being in the apricot, cherry and plum trees in our yard. But I am wracking my brain to remember when we saw each other as teenagers. I do have a memory of being at Ruth Smith’s house and discussing the song “If you’re going to San Francisco” and how much I loved it. You must have heard about my wanna-be flower child status from her. Donna Harbor was long gone by then. I just emailed this website link to brother Hugh. He’s in the area, retired from Cat, living with his wife of…gotta be about 40 something years. They have a son who is with NATO in Europe. As for Jim, maybe I’ll have to try the Dutch rub thing to get a confession out him…(Donna, glad to hear the first phase went well for your daughter…)
October 13th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
To Judy Bradford, I remember your fruit trees and eating the fruit until we had a horrible tummy ache. I am sure Jimmy convinced me to eat so many. And wasn’t there a building or shed in the back yard? I kind of think it was the first site of Jimmy’s doctor’s office. His practice must not have lasted long. He needs to get on this site and defend himself. His youngest I understand is in grade school! My youngest is 28 years old(Jerry) and I have a 34 year old son (Johnny Jr.) and a 38 year old daughter (Amber). I am now raising my 3 year old granddaughter Catiera. She’s what keeps me going.
For Julie Branch you told me your sister Kathy had girls. How old are they? And your daughter is so sweet in her emails to me. Something about being raised by a River Rat that puts character in a person.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Judy, Judy, Judy …do you not remember when l would ride out with Donna’s dad after he got off work and spend the night as teen agers?? { well EARLY teens { l questimate 13-14 because we al were going whackers over the Beatles{ shoot we had our own Brit , remember Ruth Ellen’s big crush on David Jenners ?….heard he was a pilot somewhere now , how Ruth would have loved to have flown the blue-skies of his air-liner with him back then !
at the time and we would walk back and forth from her house to yours ?? { her Dad worked at the place next to my Aunt Laura Jeans { remember my cousins Sandy and Danny ?? …Danny has been the sheriff of the county 
in ol Greene County,Arkansas for the last 4 terms running for a 5th soon { l am only throwing that in for the irony of it all because they lived on the street right across from the fire house which at the time was adjacent to the Police Station facing Main Street beside the ol Roller Gardens . Any whoo l would go and wait for her Dad and a guy who car-pooled with him and he would take me to their house . l really loved her Dad he was so good to us { he always reminded me of George Montgomery { another oldie but goldie ! 
When l stopped attending church at ol E.U.B. church , l met my then future help-mete of the past 44 years about that time and nothing was ever quite the same again . oh well , l quess life happened . Like Julie H. says , l wouldn’t trade the life l had , BUT l have and do wonder sometimes what it would be like if we had all just hung in there , kept closer …and oh well , we still all shared a wonderful time and l quess we will all have to adjust to the NOW and consider ourselves blessed for the “Then” too ! 
any other letters of the alphabet want to jump right in there with a little fodder for this ol blog’s fire ?
There again , l drifted apart and last l knew Donna had moved to Beaver-Dam Arkansas { or some such place } and l lost touch of all of you . l blame that period of time and those seperations on teen-age hormones and instability !
Gee, we were really quite a mix weren’t we ? We had our Britt { already mentioned } , our Austrailian from Down Undah, our cherokees { shout out to Linda Cross } and an assortment that probably covered most nations all under our own lil worls flag of Richland !
Thanks for the wishes on my daughter , Judy
l ran into Hugh years , and years ago at the old Bogard store { now a pawn shop } with his wife …back then l used to frequently run into some of the ol bunch BUT as the years passed the meetings were few and far between , or brought on by reading the obit of one of them or their family members .
Keep remembering , Judy , Joe , Julie …wait a minute …what’s with the J over-load ?
Windy { aka;…ME} will let someone else have a chance for the moment
Meno-Molly outta here for now .
October 14th, 2009 at 8:43 am
I’ve been enjoying reading all of your remininces. You all prove that a school is not a physical building, but rather a school, as is a Church, is its people. Richland lives on through you, and I’m glad to offer up this forum for that.
If anyone has any photos they would like to share and would like me to add to the beginning of this post, you can email me at peoriaillinoisan@yahoo.com
Speaking of the school building, it is quite handsome. Is there or has there ever been any talk of opening it as a community center or for any other purpose, or has it been vacant for so long that it would be too expensive to rehab? Who owns it? If anyone has access to the interior and wants to give a tour, I’d love to tag along!
October 14th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Hey Guys !
} song comes to mind …”And another One Bites the Dust ! ” 
} { and yes, l agree with our gracious host The Peorian, that Richland was a handsome school , the detail would not be easy to duplicate , if at all , in this era of Faux this and that ,but it would make a remarkable somerhing or other . The boarded windows could be replaced , l assume the marble floors would still be there . Thanks again to thr Peorian for hosting our lil get together . l will be interested to see what input you get on the suggested tour…please , take lots of pictures and share if you do . { any one out there won the lottery or a millionaire in your own right ? Great investment potential …so far suggestions have ranged from a retirement home for Boomer R.R.R.s a ! 
…to a community center { great idea l agree and one l couldn’t understand that the city didn’t do when they owned it ? 
would have given it new life and served kids and their families just like it had always done in the past .
Anyone out there remember the old Roosevelt School that used to be on the “other-side” of the tracks ? lt sat back aways from the ol Martin gas station etc. It is another East Peoria School from that era that seems to be destined to fade into the mist . lf l remember right it was built on the same order as Richland, just like the old part of E.P.C.H.S. was { also recently torn down along with the “boulevard” !
Later Gators
October 14th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
OOPS ! Our host’s name is PeoriaIllinoisan, my bad !
The sentiment remains the same …Thanks !
October 14th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
to ALL,…Richland School was bought by a guy named Bob Rice n his Wife Myrtle …they used to have a tavern called the SHAMROCK that was next door to 1st.Natl. Bank where Becks Florist sets now at 4 corners at downtoun[with EMPHASIS on DOWN ]E. Peo…then Bobby boyn wife had the bar called the TRADEWINDS n sld it to what would become Nashville North [aka Christy Inc.]I DETESTED him for his resons he BOUGHT School..STOLE it ni made sure he KNEW it ..he was ARROGANT n real A–H—. he later had swap shop next to Kennys Cafe up town…which by the way ,i RODE my Motorcycle thru….in front door n right on out back / well after i stopped at counter n cheeseburger [the works thank you very much] to go n on out back door ..lolowner ,Kenny Robinson found out ..of course ..NOT HAPPY Nor THRILLED with ME ..BARRRRRRED for about 3 mos. ….so we took our SHOW on the ROAD across street to Hermans Snack Shop..good ole Kenny sent word to me i was NO longer ahhhbarred . circa 1957..we became very close frinds after that n i OPOLOZED n we laughed bout it .MAN …i was STUUUUUUUUUUUUUpid back then.i had RULE ,you might ACCIDENTLY step on my TOES ..but NOT my ATTITUDE .heck, when i got my 1st. BIKE in1954 n sold my last factory custom one in 2004 …ihad rode thru LOTS of bars ..lolMOST requested i would so beiny a FELLER that LOVED pleasin every one ..i did .
the things ONE does when youdo unto to OTHERS [and SOME were from Richland/but CHANGED when they got to H.S.]some had MEMORY LAPSES, but i introduced them to REAL WORLD .of ALL things , a Cop from Sullivan IL. where wife Carol n I were livingat time WANTED that BIKE in worse way .i sold it to him n tried to tell him it wasnt a TOY ,this thing was a Factory tuned CUSTOM ROCKETn i didnt think he could handle it ….he couldnt /sold it in less than 3 mos. lol…Julie …that little house [HOME] was neat.i WISH it was still there too.EVERY Flower MUST mean SOMETHING to SOMEONE .Larry is good person n Deeply respct him for what HE”S done thru all these yrs.how”s MY basketball playin BUDDY MARY?i just loved her ..her n Monty n others came over every nite n played b/ball .at the school. I kept showin Monty how to shoot n practiced / him nFIANALY he MADE one from out pass free throw circle…WE were both THRILLED …He was my Buddy ..tell all the KIDS n SPEC./Mary i said a BIG HI n i”ll always remember them.///What WONDERFUL Parents u all had .Dont forget this OLD MAN ..tell RAY i said HI.love ya///joe now Donna [aka menno millie ] lol ..glad everything went good for your Daughter….see prayers DO help..i say MINE every morn. n nite without exception ..MAN,,i:ve got a LOT of [WOULD YOU PAAALEEEEZ LORD FORGIE ME FOR*************************************************************************************************] …Donna ,My MOM lived3 doors down from your home on Center St.[326 or 316 ] n My DAD lived at 147 Franklin St. back in 1918.MOM would stand on back porch n DAD stood on post by crick on Franklin St. n they would wave at each other when they were teeners/thats how they met n latter married .our house at 100 Monson set across hardroad[then like dirt road ] n DAD bought it n Cterpillar [HOLT tractor Co. then ]payed Dad to move it across where it still is .they then built bigger foundry n BREATHE more BLUE ..COUGH<COUGH,excuse me while i clear my throat ]lol SMOKE.
Judy…dont you understand you could RUIN lol..your reputation admitting Jim is your Brother?Jim a GOOD guy /he worked on the T.P.&W. railroad for a while …i was lead machinist in the roundhouse n he was my helper i think for a while ..i finished there as lead machinist n r.h. foreman after 20 yrs. Santa FE bought it /abolished our jobs .offered me job /Santa fe anywhere i wanted to go ….ughhhh i dont think so .sounds like LITTLE DIESEL THERAPYto me ..like transfer me state to state till they wore me out..not this ole COWBOY ..been to that RODEO before ,thank you very much..i think i"lltake the severence money ,thank you very much…lol my Wife was BOSS{untill i got there lol] at COUNTRY CLUB of PEORIA up on Grandview Drive, so sheb hired me as BARTENDER..well,how bout this sudden turn of EVENTS …ALL my FAVORITE JUDGES n ATTORNEYS i had MET after51 yrs. of being ME n gettin to know these GENTLEMAN…unbelievable …NOW I is DA MAN…long hair n beard gone …hey ,ididnt look to bad tux. pants n jacket lol YEP, some remembered me ..but honestly it worked out great n i had a BLASTn THEY allways wanted me to make there drinks . got to meet um ALL……10 yrs. for me n 26 yrs. for my Wife ..WE could write a BOOK of the RICH n POWERFUL that ordinary people have never heard of ..we had no idea till then…met a lot o very famous people …..incidently the Santa FE tried for about 6 more mos. to get me to come back ,Itold um MY WIFE said ilook better / a martini in my hand than a can of oil end of my toy TRAIN set lol tx. yo all n keep on keepin on///Joe bye bye .we gone
October 14th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Hi Guys !
Gotta have my daily blog fix ! 
As l said you were waaay cool ! 
Love to read this blog, it has become an addiction to me !
Thanks for the wishes Joe and also the info about your folks …how sweet was that ?
l do beleive you were a Steve McQueen in the making on that cycle of yours guy !
Sorry to hear about the Rail-Road crappo …they were not good to us either .My hubby worked for a different one than you BUT they pulled about the same crappo , only NO serverence pay !! After 2 plus decades ! …we never did fully recover from that little stint , still haven’t got our second wind and it gets harder the older you get ! Heck , some days we are just glad to be breathing , mus less getting a second wind !
Later Gators
October 14th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Mr. Rice also owns the union hall. He and his wife are currently painting that building. He has hired Larry to help out a couple of hours a day. As far as I know they are still working on it. If the Peoria Journal does a followup story, it would be my suggestion that they contact Mrs. Serkowich. She is still living in Peoria but taking care of her ill brother. She is certainly the most knowledgeable about the history of the school. She also volunteers for the Historical Society. My dad worked for Herschel Manufacturing a small plant hidden by Caterpillar. They also closed with no severence and the retirement fund was broke. Try living with that with 12 kids. Well some of us were gone by that time but it was still hard on them. Guess we all have a hard luck story but at least we are alive to talk about it. I’m like you Donna, sometime during the day I need to wrap myself in a warm blanket of memories. To Marty Hasbrough, is Madonna your sister. She was a good friend of mine. She would come into the Spudnut Shop (remember that) when I worked part time there and married my boss. Used to see her mom at the hospital and she would catch us up on what was going on. I really enjoyed spending time with the family. To the one who asked about Brenda. She is working at Woody’s Restaurant part time. If you went in there, she would recognize you. She gets so angry when someone comes in that she knows from Richland and I don’t remember them. Could send you her phone # if you’re interested.
Keep blogging everyone. Julie
October 15th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Do I sense a lull here? I know when you get our age you have these, what do you call them, Brain F–ts? We were really rolling along on memory lane and then STOP> What happened to Bob Bray? He wrote one thing and no more. He was in my class. A really nice guy. Do you guys remember the dump? Boy, wouldn’t the EPA have a field day with that if it were here today. I can remember going exploring down there. If mom had known, we’d have been in serious trouble. Maybe that’s what’s wrong with me today. I got into something toxic. haha You guys talked about that Rice guy that bought the school. Maybe Larry can find out what he plans to do with it. My husband said when Cat was on strike, a bunch of the strikers went inside and did a lot of damage to it. Such a shame. It still stands tall and proud though, doesn’t it? Even the boarded up windows don’t take away from the strength you know it had and still has. Oh, well enough of that. This site is my first shot in the morning and the last shot at night. I guess I’ll go and watch the tube. Keep on writing guys. You make me feel like once again I’m part of something.
Good night
October 16th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Hey Julia,
I know the feeling – like we have been abandoned. I’m left in this space. One foot in the past when we were all 50 years younger and looking toward the future and one foot in the present where I can’t remember what I went into the kitchen to get. I do need to say tho I was disappointed in reading Joe D. last entry. Sounds like he thought life was better for him when he was wearing a suit and serving martinis to lawyers and judges instead of tending bar at the Goose and breaking up the occasional fight. Say it isn’t so.
I was talking to a friend about this website and asked about how it got started and how people learned about it. Then she saidshe wondered how our spouses felt about us spending time on it. Personally Ray likes it because he knows it makes me happy. Shoot, I’m even listening to Country Music again from the 50ths. Fell in love with Country Music when I was 15 but got disgusted with the modern country. Got me to wondering tho about how many marriages took place among the bottoms group. The only one I can remember was when Max Ray Tolley married Joyce Elliot and that was long after I had left the area. I think we all thought that Joe D and Sylvia would tie the know.
I know I am able to let my mind roam the paths back into the past because I am secure in the future. Hope it is the same for all. And Julia I also agree about what has happened to the guys who lived in the bottoms. Would like more people to write in.
We’re going away for a couple of days before winter really sets in, so will be absent from this blog for a while. I hope there are lots of new stories when I get back. Love all of you who are taking the time to respond. Julie
October 16th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
EXCUSE ME ! l want to claim “dibbs” on the honor of starting the Richland flow !
…. or at least partial dibbs ! 
l, at least , would like to think that my lil sis Jewel and l started the real Richland flow in this “blog” l found the site while l was remininsing and trying to find something { heck , ANYTHING } on Richland School and this site was just about all that came up! ;-( l sent it to her and she braved the cyber demons and made the first post …l realise Bob Bray and a couple others made post befor we did but not of the same kind . It doesn’t really matter , just the fact we were all led here means something …now keep on spreading the news and in putting . l am going to see if l can get a “blog” started , just for all of us ol timers . 
Everything Richland or that era anyway …That way if our hosts gets tired of us ramblin about our glory-years 
we have a place to hang and keep the fires burning . l am just starting it { with oodles of help from my hubby …who l think is much like Julie’s husband , in that he knows my Richland years were happy ones for me and remininsing about them makes me happy so he tolerates my stroll down memory lane ! 
l have to squeeze it in between work and obligations , but l think it will be cool when l get the hang of it and get it done . l will keep you all updated on its progress { or lack of 
} l doubt it will be ready by the time you get back Julie but hopefully in the near future .
Later all youse R.R.R.’s
October 16th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Sorry all , always little BUSY on Thurs. n Fri. / my close and LOYAL Friiends . We all meet at Harper Hall at Bradley / other Thespians n recite Shakespeare n then a lite lunch / a little Sauvenon Wine /n on Fri.i read nn tell them about early European culture n such as Im sure most of you would”nt understand or be interested in at ,Im sure ..Today I told them about the Volcha revolution in Eastern Europe ..We had Steak Tar Tar n oysters Rockafeller / a glass of 1968 Cabernet White ..Just a lovely 2 days …………………THEN that D_ _wife of mine whacked me upside head n said i WAS havin NIGHT MARE .GOT CHA ..LOL.you really started to CUSS me hate me ALL over again …DO you ALL still LUUUUUV good oleJoe ,UM?coundnt get on cause I thought I might be takin up toooo much of all youyr guys time readin my wacked out silliness ,,but I”LLbet I had youall gettin RED bout neck up ..lol.I did MISS you ALL terribly ..As far as Country Club of PEORIA ,they could”nt believe me ,,,,I showed them this ole BIKER could ANYTHING they wanted talk about .when I gopt thru with THEM, they could”nt find a banana if they turned um loose in a chiquita warehouse …iJoe never CHANGED for NOBODY …I changed THEM…Julie…i didnt know you worked at spudnut shop ..BOB married MaDonna Ellis n they moved to Branson ,Mo.n still live there ..Sylvia ? that would”been classified as CRUEL n UNUSUAL punishment for BOTH of us .we remain friends n talk occasionly ,she”s been married for bout35 yrs. i think . He”s really good guy ..we”re good friends .They own Wild Goose Tavern ..Well Julie ,You n RAY enjoy your little GETAWAY ,be safe n KEEP us ALL in your PRAYERS n let us know when u get back ..bye Joe ………..Donna ..oh Donna ,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz wake up ….you”re snoring woke the dogs in neighborhood n now teir all howlin or maybe dogs sleepin n thats you howlin .lol hows little SIS doin ?this is QUITE a HEART CHAIN you got started ..aBIG TX BABE ..you woke us all up //now we gotta find some of the others ..you?llbe able to tell the ONES that REALLY care n wanna remember or dont wantor cant deal with the PAST.Iftheir anything like ME, they”realize the GOOD times areover n wish for themGOOD ole days .I”d be happier n more relax ,broke n poor ,Iwas a H_ _ _ of a lot RICHER then …tx MENO MILLIE lol ..keep on keepen on..Joe I”m owtta here //will check later ..gone
October 16th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Do any of you guys remember the Tonjes family from down there? I think the mom and dad still live on that street back behind the gateway bar. With age, I have lost my memory of the street names. You can tell me who lived on it when we were growing up and I can see inside the living room of the house, but put a street name out there, and I go into slow mode. Anyway, Donna Tonjes was my dearest and best friend in the whole wide world for many years until I moved to Arkansas in 94 and somehow our connection drifted. My husband was sick (thanks to Caterpillar) and Donna had just remarried and so goes life. I miss her dreadfully, but cant seem to reconnect to her. She’s remarried and I don’t know her name now, and I cant seem to find any Tonjes in the phone book for her folks. She had a brother Kenny and two sisters. If anyone out there sees her or knows her tell her I miss her so. So glad to see Joe is back in there posting. I missed him. I read this thing several times a day, so keep on keepin on.
Love ya,
Julia, DeeDee or whatever
October 16th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Now tsk! tsk! Master Joe ! Course we all still love ya ! ;-( R.R.R.’s are just that way …once a River Rat always a River Rat !
} Spanx got nuttin on us ol buddies ! 
, knew l never did pick and choose my fellow travelers from the haves and the have nots …my criteria was mainly how someone treated me , ranked or rank-less . Even those l wasn’t crackers about had nothing to do with position or power . You were either cool or not cool with varying degrees in-between ! 
Once in my heart …NEVER out of it …some of you have been there for 59 years …some more constant than others …some intermitently { like Starla, we slid by years at a time , no contact …BUT whenever we meet again , there is never any distance …like we had just paused in a conversation and decided to pick it back up …it is that way with most of the ol team …Ruth Ellen is still “Ruthie” when we meet , so was Wanda Owens until she passed { almost 2 years ago now } …l always felt the draw back “home” when l saw her and the others . Still feel it every time l sign onto this page . ;-( 
We allow each other to ramble and still come home …flights of granduer can be exciting { short-term } BUT long-term , ToTo , there really is NO PLACE like home !
l always knew that money and circumstance can not make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear , BUT l choose to beleive we R.R. Rats were cut out of a different kind of cloth altogether ….bends and gives , stretches and forgives and in the end pops right back to where it started ! R.R.R.-EX or River-X [ instead of spand-x !
Seriously , money can give you creature comforts and the ability to have the latest and greatest , BUT you really CAN’T buy love , it can only be given . Don’t get me wrong , it helps a body sleep better at night knowing where their next meal is comming from and if the roof will still be over their head when they wake in the morning { ie; Now l lay me down to sleep , l pray my Lord my soul to keep …etc’} …BUT it is just a tool to enhance our lifes , not the end-all of our lifes. Anyone who ever knew me well, or even not so well
Night guys, sleep tight, don’t let the bed-bugs bite …you could get “cooties” !
Meno-Mini out of here
October 16th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Had to check the website before I shut the computer off. Glad Joe and his harem are back online. You did know I worked at Spudnut shop. Must have been having a senior moment. Sorry I don’t remember any Tonjes
Julia, DeeDee or whatever. Called Kathy and gave her your address and she promised she was going to write. But don’t give up. My BF from 1955, who also moved to Arkansas(why I ask you) found where I was from the internet. She first looked up last name and called my brother who still lived in EP. She moved before HS started and I keep throwing names out, but she doesn’t remember anyone. She remembers things about my mom and family that I don’t think ever happened. Funny what memories can do to you. I don’t remember Joe playing basketball with Monte but I do remember how nice you always were to him. Monte loved everyone and still does. As a family we have always been very protective of him and got rid of anyone who shied away from him. All of our friends felt the same way. When Larry agreed to stay with him in the house, I don’t think he realized how much of his life he would have to give to him.
I thank God for him every day. Bettie and Brenda help out with him when they can since they are the closest. It’s really been quite funny that one of the first blogs I read on this site mentioned Monte.
Take care everyone and enjoy the sun the next several days. Julie
October 16th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
PS …Jewel …the street was Clark l think …and l did tell Donna And gave her your phone number .
Later Lil Tater
October 16th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Julie , l think every kid who was anything in the “bottoms” knew Monte and felt a similar protectiveness . l DO remember that what you say is true ..you kids were A one with him { so was your Mom , Millie , she was such a sweet lady .} .God bless him and Larry for caring so well for him . l think God has a special place for both the care-receiver and the care-giver .
Have a great time on your lil get-a-way and check in with us all when you get back …and by the way Joe ….how did you know l snored ?
Outta here …AGAIN !
October 16th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Oh Yeah , and Julie …why NOT , Arkansas ??
October 16th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Why not Arkansas? I guess it is kinda like a magnet to wandering Illinois girls. But then if you kicked all the people from Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky out of Illinois, there would only be a handful left. And down here in good ole Paragould, I have found that for the most part they understand river rats, I guess they kinda relate to them, if you know where I’m coming from. Heck, there’s people from East Peoria, Peoria, Pekin and Morton all over this town. Most retired from Cat or Keystone or the likes. Gotta love em. I hope you have a good time on your weekend jaunt Julie. I hope it’s to a warm dry place. Not cold and rainy like it’s been down here. Till then, we’ll keep the fires burning and the blog turning.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Correction , please …my comment on good ole Arkie was directed at Julie H’s { not to Lil Sis Julia W.} Her comment about her ol friend being in Ark and she ask “why”??
} there are also a lot of other good things going for it …known as the “natural state ” don’t ya know ? 
lt is special in it’s own ways to me …BUT Richland is not just a place, it is a state of mind…so l have come back “home” to it to draw strength for the tomorrows that , hopefully we all will help make better …and l agree that people go places where they can recreate that Richland-esque feeling , if they are lucky enough to be able to , if not they take what they can get …like this blog site ! 
l took her to mean why would a person even want to go there …well aside from the fact it is the place of my birthin { so it has to be “cool” , for that reason alone , to have spawned a River-Rat-ette
Ride on R.R.R. ‘s
October 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am
My last comment too, was meant for Julie H. Common sense would tell you that a transplanted yankee need not explain anything about Arkansas to one who was born and spent all her vacations there. Need say no more.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
EEEEE…ALL Yall…EEEEE ! What you have just read is a written representation of the “Rebel” victory call!
…l gets the drift ! 
Speaking of …let’s all “drift” back to those glorious days of thundering hoofs , Lone Ranger, Mickey Mouse Club , Captain Jinx and Salty Sam …SUPER-Man ! 
Share people , share ..
…heck l had my 15 minutes fame back in the late 50′s when l got to be in the audiance at the taping of The Captain and Salty! l was delighted that The Captain asked me what flavor my gloves were { l was your average shy lil gal of the times wearing my “dress-up” white gloves with my “good” clothes and chewing on the finger of one of them mercilessly! 
{ I was A TAD , TO SAY THE LEAST , dissapointed to find that the Albatross was NOT a real ship …traumatized me l am sure , but l was a tough lil cookie so l sucked it up although l never quite felt the same when I watched the show …shades of reality creeping in even way back then ! ;-(
Remember when WE thought there were only two kind of old people …old grouches { jealous of our youth} and the “good” old people ..you know the precious ones like your Grannies and your Gramps ? But you know we were always respectful to them all { at least in front of the old grouches ! 
} and we really did want to grow up{ but of course that did NOT include getting “old” in either fashion ! 
} , so we could do what ever we wanted to { like we mistakenly thought all of them were doing ! ;-( Now , we know that the sad “old” truth is that “old” is only respected if the culture you live in respects it and somewhere along the way that respect has been lost { figures , with a Gazzillion of us boomers getting “old” ! 
. Like generations before us because we never thought that we would grow “old” …we couldn’t accept the concept so l supposed we help create the farce and the new “youth” culture …back then we were always “too young” to do anything fun or of importance …now we are considered just too dang old and are expected to paste , plaster and plasticize ourself so we can keep up with our youthfull co-workers until we drop at 90 or a 100 { if we are lucky? } from having to work to keep it all together . “Cat’s in the Cradle” ring a bell anyone ? 
…not really though, because our folks expected to work 20 or so years and then retire and travel and enjoy grand-kids etc. and though some of us have been lucky enough to do that all of us have not , in fact it is beginning to hit a lot more of “us” with this latest economy ! Geesh ! l am digressing …the whole point is let’s get in there and enjoy ourselves people while the memories flow , let’s let them .
Need not explain yourself lil Yankee Sis { whom l used to torture with the Rebel versus Yankee scenerio !
Remembering saving up your producers points to go to the movies ?/25 per bundle!
Hey , no one said we always had it easy and rosy smozy but over-all it was the ideal time to be a kid , in this ol gals opinion …old , speaking of , and who wasn’t !
Someone elsed turn now …
October 17th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
PS . To Julie H. ….l remembering being “country when country wasn’t cool “…thankyou Barb Mandrell… which wasn’t hard , l quess some would say, since l was born in the “country” but since l have lived ‘UP” North here for 57-58 of my 59 years , l quess it is also so that you CAN take the gal outta the country , BUT not the Country outta the gal !…not this one anyway , l am far from Northernized !
…anywho,WXCL was a “NEW” station back in the day and l got hooked on it because l couldn’t take Sheet Metal …excuse me is that “Heavy-Metal “? 
…sorry …hope l do not offend with my musical distates{ l live and let live …if you are a lover of music other than my own favorites l can dig your taste and respect you BUT l don’t have to like da music { l am just one honest hick , who honestly did not like it { much like l am not a fan of “RAP” in this current era …shoot me if you must , but in my own taste l must trust ! 
Come on back yall here . Later
October 18th, 2009 at 11:51 am
OK , I quess l am carrying the ball right now …so here we go ..catch ! …l am throwing this out there to see if l get any nibbles …
We were lucky enough to have lunch options; go home for lunch, eat in the lunch-room , or brown bag it …but on days you “went home ” your time was limited, especially after we moved up on Center ..then l really had to beat the clock ! But ummm…the only person to rival our fine cooks in the culinary department was my Maw …she could whip up a mean pot of potato soup , vegetable soup or any number of delights out of practically nothing at all { and it did not come out of a Campbell soup can ! 
…
} …because “ladies ” did not wear men’s clothes! No tennis shoes for us { later we could have them BUT only while doing our gym classes on the shiny , oh so shiny , gym/lunch-room floor , so that it stayed shiny, oh so shiny!:-) ..so that meant socks , sturdy shoes , and boots to have to wrassel off to complete the feat of removing the woolens before the dreaded “bell”! 
Quite a task and a “girl thing ” because the guys had no such requirements . ..and then …ughhh! The aroma of drying mittens , scarfs etc. wafting through the room as the items laid out on the radiators we relied on to keep our freezing , now slackless , bodies warm { NOT ! ..once you smelled that smell you never forgot it …even the wonderful aromas from the cook’s down in the lunchroom wafting up couldn’t do more than mask it ! ;-0 Ah , shades of a’A Christmas Story” , huh? You know whoever wrote a lot of these movies and TV shows that we have watched ,on that era , have to be at least R.R.R.’s at heart because they wrote of things that we so closely could identify with …Stand By Me, Christmas Story , Grease , ..Mad Men etc. Rob Reiner l know was responsible for a lot of them and he and his Ex { remember LaVern and Shirley } were from our era so maybe there are lots of “us” sprinkled all over the world …so hope springs eternal …here is hoping l jogged some more memories and others will share so Meno-Milli, can get off her soap box for awhile, even though l am like Jimmy Durante ..”l got a million of um ! ”
Anyone remember “cutting” through the alley { circa; before the “tunnel” …despite threats of serious repurcussions if we did this henious thing …you got it! We did it anyway …Sorry Mom !…but l only had a short time to get there and a long way to go !
Do kids today even know what an “alley” is , or a side-walk that you could chalk a hop-scotch board on and play for hours …maybe a game of marbles or ball and jacks ?? No electronic games for us …and “texting” ..heck , we were lucky to get to make that occasional phone call on the family { rotary -dial at that} { no cell, no your own phone,no head-phones . etc. } and when we did make a call it was usually limited to who, when , where and what ! ;-0 ..when our parents said “Go out and Play” , or “Find something to do ” …WE DID !
My I-Pod was a tiny transister radio that l swear my Dad had radar tuned into , because l would turn it as low as it would go and put it under my pillow at night and he would hear it and insist that l cut the music etc. ! l guess the fact there were no external noises to drown it out had something to do with his fine tuned hearing …the most disrupting noise at that time was the occasional train whistle , choo-chooin , and the Cat Traffic…7:18am, 3:18pm, and 11:18pm after that there was no traffic to speak of , just the rare whizz by of a car or two { or perhaps the buzz of a motorcycler who should have been home in bed ! Right , Joe ?
Gals { Judy you should remember this one } remember wearing your old wool slacks to school under your dress and having to take them off in the cloak-room/supply area { what a quaint name for a walk-thru closet, which is what ,in essence, it was !
PS .. The pictures of Richland do show what detail they used to put in the buildings …compare this to the new additions going up at Central Junior High and the E.P.C.H. …no comparrison in my opinion !:-) Sad , but to me , the new things look so cold and un-inviting .lf you check out the picture the PeoriaIllinoian has at the top of this blog , if you look to the left and the right of the main door and also upstairs …you will see the narrow windows which were where the cloak-rooms were …the upstairs one had a door that led into the principals office { don’t ask me how l know this , just know that l know this !
Catch ! lt’s your turn !
October 18th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Yoah! Bob Brady !
Yes, Joyce Elliot { mentioned earlier somewhere in one of these posts as having married Max Tolley } broke me in on my route which l beleive she had acquired some way through her brother Kenny ? } whatever , among other things you can say about we R.R.R.’s is that we were NOT slackers . We were industrious and quite the little workers …mowing lawns { with REAL push mowers ..no gas etc. just man-power , or boy -power in our cases . ! 
for the guys ,,babysitting and such for the gals ..idle hands were the Devil’s hands l quess must have been the philosophy at the time ! ;-0
Are you still with us ? l didn’t mean to take away from the fact you were one of the first to input on this blog …hey, enough glory to share , huh ?
Just a tid-bit …l too delivered the papers, yup , yuck! l know, A girl, you say !
October 18th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
heeeeeeeers Jooooooooey , i”m back …lol miss ME ? …the gal askin bout Kenny Tonjes,his family lived at 200 Clark St. onthe corner of Maple n Clark.his Dad Edwas dispatcher at one of them truckin co.s on Spencer St. /Kenny worked for older Don Montgomery Sr. at sandblasting place at 400 block Cass St. ///got hurt bad whilehe was using forklift n I THINK lost a leg . i hope I”M wrong, but think so …place closed later on and i seen Kenny once after that.then his Dad retired n they were GONE ….Iwanna be Serious for a short thing n then back to fun n games ..O.K.?Iwas teasin bout Harper Hall/Bradley n that B.S…just tryin to lightin things up a little .My wife Carol did work at C.C.O.P.[Country Club of Peoriafor 26 yrs. n she DID hire me as bartender . i FORCED myself toLAST 10 yrs. ..except for a couple of Judges and Cat. CEO”Sn Presidents that really liked me and would stay at Bar and listen to me talk MY STREET talk ,they loved my life as I lived it. they said they NEVER get chance to talk like me ,,they would tell their wives to go no out n socialize or WHATEVER n leave um alone …they would rather talk to me than go thru that SAME old YADDA YADDA they hear every nite at the club …MAN .did I ever give them a BIG DOSE of REALITY ..they love being real once in a while..BUT …Igot to where Icould?
“nt handle it anymore …GODLESS people that care about nothihg but POWER n MONEY..their Kids were same way ///like their parents n their parents ,,,waitin for um to die n get that money …and there was plenty of it ..IT made me realize how LUCKY I was to have had MY Parents n no money grow up n struggle ,AND Carol n I still do ….from railroad retirement check month to month .our car is 17 yrs. old n believe me ,,WE?RE happier n better off than any of them at that C.C.o.P….WE got FAMILY n now I”VE got my little FRIENDS…TX to yuou ALL.h_ _ _ _ , we”re so bad off ,,the birds brought BACK corn they took last yr. from our garden..Iplayed under 4 different names on COMP….pool/eucher/canasta/…rated expert on all and average on checkers / poker …no money just points and supposed to be fun..guys n gals get mad if they lost n I”D tell um it”s JUST a game man…I quit playin for 3 yrs.///didnt touch COMP. tillcoouple wks. ago when Carol STUMBLED onto you all..I”MComp. illeteret…Carol typed my IS”T message as i tpld her what to say ….man lol..so when i sign off n say LOVE YA ,,dont take ittoooo personal..ahhyea GO ahead..Iprobably would have NEVER got back on again if not for you ALL..allthe cussin n fightin with people i didnt know over a GAME ?not likely ..when I talk to my TWO ex wives ONCE IN AWHIE ON PH….Ialways TELL THEM i LOVE UM N THEY SAY SAME ..Carol n I went to both of their weddings when they remarried .2 or 3 times the 4 of us went out to dinner …lol waitress”s we”rnt rushin to wait on that table lol… you know ,i miss Julie already ,or maybe i”m just jealous their at some nice lodge in Vermont or place like that ,sittin by ole fireplace after day on the SLOPES .truth be known ,,i”ll bet she ski lift down slope n tried to ski back up the hill…but knowin her she probably grabbed some ones foot n hung on too get back up slope…OHHH,i know what I wanted to tell you Julie….Iwent to school across from union hall every nite 4 whole summer cause Carol was workin n i took Lisa Lo to play / other kids …ask SISTER Mary what yr. i think maybe 73/74 …Mary.MONTE,Danny Kerkern his little Sis. Benny Barnwell n his little Sis. n bunch of kids would stop by …but EVERY nite ..thats when Monte made basket fropm way out there ..ITwas a BIG DEAL 4 ME as Monte . ihad him be on my team alot ..ask Mary …i hope you n Ray have good time n get home safe ….n know i like to tease ALL of you!I dont see or talk to NOBODY n NOBODYcomes here.I”M sure many know i”m back but….they respect my privacy …iI leave the house maybe twice a yr. for DR”S app”t. n may be ride thru BOTTOMS ..but thats IT. oldest Daughter Frannie Jo is tazewell Cty. travelin Nurse .48 yrs. old /Lisa JO 42 yrs.. less then 5 min. from here …Randi Jo 23 yrs. lives here …President of OUTLAWS ,keeps in CLOSE contact with me by ph. regularly ,,just in case i need him…He”Randi”s GODFATHER n ALL know it. Imade him a MEMBER after a little initiation yrs.ago … He still calls me BOSS lol.they came up to hospital when i there ….the BEDDRIDDEN n sick were hangin out doors watchin this show .my NEEDS suddenly got LOTS better .well Menno Millie….you sure took us on nostalgic trip down memory lane.err make that highway lol ty …nice ride ..I”LL run 4 now n get back on later …Daughter wants Comp….the BULLY…no respectlol love you ALL …oh yea Julie ..i said i didnt know you WORKED at spudnut.iseen you there but never WORKIN lot of SITTIN lol …bye alll Joe gone
October 19th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Hey Joe, you were right about Kenny Tonjes. His dad lost a leg in a trucking accident years ago and Kenny lost his when that forklift. You’d never know it the way he gets around. I hate to hear you stay cooped up in your house so much. No more motorcycles? Do you remember the Iron Crossmen that rode around in the bottoms, well there and everywhere else. A really wild bunch. One of the qualifications is you had to have a job. Hells Angels they were not. Had a lot of friends in it. I couldn’t get my leg high enough to get it over the seat of a motorcycle now(haha). It definitely was a free feeling to be on one. I’d probably fall off now and not be missed for about 100 miles. Always was my kinda luck. Do you remember the family down in the 300 block of Chicago street whose house burned? They were working on the house and the kids had taken candles upstairs to go to bed cause there was no electricity and something caught on fire and one boy died in the fire. Another senior moment here. I can remember the night it happened and the fire trucks and all the people in the street, but not the people’s name it happened to. Oh, well. Hope you’re feelin better. Glad to see you back online.
Have a good one and stay safe.
God bless,
Julia
October 19th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Hultquist , Jewel …Johny , was the boy’s name who died l think. Willie Hultquist his bro was in my classes a lot and his mom ended up living beside me when we lived on Elmwood years later…funny how the ol wheel turns , isn’t it ? .
My hubby turns the big 60 this week and we are both in a severe funk but pulling back out an inch at a time …a little sunshine stickin around for more than 10 minutes at a time would help ! 
You guys inputtin a lot more would help even more ! …Later Taters
} l think you are safe to relive your “easy-Rider” days …and if any of you kids are reading this ..go in the other room this is not for delicate eyes ! 
Glad to see someone dropping back in blog-city …should we call it Blog-land in honor of ol Richland and the River Rats of Reknown?
Jewel , you need to be careful about reliving your moll days …who knows the kids might read this blog { yeah , right …NOT !
October 19th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
hi n GOOD monring ALL,….i”m changing my [HANDLE ] name to one of my POOL playin names cause TOOOOOO many PEOPLE know me OR of me EVERYWHERE and i mean EVERYWHERE .lol no probs. of any kind ,but things i might say ..uh..idontthink i want ,except for all of you guys . to know who”talking about THINGS ..OK all?Nite _Trainwill be fine n you”ll Still know who your talkin too …ty you all ..I know way to many PEOPLE n 1000times times that know or heard of me ..[or think or say they Know me ]….lol CRAZY …I started IST. CLUBin the 50″s ,again in 60″s i really got it going …out of CONTROL in a hurry …Iwas IST. 1%er….then came inorder ..REAPERS / COSSACKS /CROSSMAN / ARAPAHOS/ HENCHMAN/ DECIPLELES/ and on and on …GOT very BORIN after awhile ….they were all once IST. a member of my CLUB ..{THE TROJANS }enough of THAT .lol…….Julia ,the name of that Family that sufferedthat TERRIBLE tragedy on 300 Block Chicago St. was the HULQUIST Family i believe .that WAS awful , I didntknow Family very much ….but all you on here probably did .YOU STAY off them darn Motorcycles GIRL . not SAFE any more ..I try my darndest to discourage family members to quit /to get off n stay off .got 2 Nephews that ride n try to be {WANNA BE”S }like ME ….they AINT got IT..the one Nephew put his Son on also n …well he crashed the HARD way n know He”s a 20 yr. old Parapleegic confined to wheel chair ..paralized from neck down ..some movement in hands where he can use COMP. somewhat …for Menno Mille/you Julia ?Julie /Miss Amy Branch/ Judy B./Mary h.Rhodes /{my ole b/ball bud.lol /tell Julie when it was we were all playin every nite at the school ..seems either 73/74 or 77/78 ..not sure the KIDS had so much fun n TX to all of you I made it till Carol got HOME ..I lived on 100 block Chicago St. n rented from Max n Joyce Talley .lived in all 3 of their houses lol 143/141/139 Chicago St. …Brenda n her Son Peter lived in 1 of them also at one time next door ..we were at 141 nshe was at 143 i think ..tooooo long ago …NOW ,to ALL of you , I”m definatly not anti-social or showin early signs od dementia or anything like that ,lol,just got TIRED of old life style n so -called old {FRIENDS }that i hadthat never gave me time or room to BREATHE …non stop 24/7 ..could”nt handle it any more . ISOLTED my self for yrs. n realize they would tell these wild nn unbelievable STORIES of we did this n we done that …Carol use to get SOOOO mad guyscome up to me tell all these wild STORIES of all H_ _ _ raisin they did with this GUY [me] not knowin it was me they were talkin to.Ididnt know these people n they didnt me know me ,but the 1 that got Carol{and incidently Carol NEVER drank OR DRUGS ,}was when we were in bar and this guy comes up and ask if that was my BIKE out front next to his n i said yea .he as if i”d like to RIDE with him n his frie nds n i said naw ,,,i dont know that much obout groups lol … he said thats ok ,I”M ;and said MY name .Carol started to GO OFF on him n i kicked her foot n gave her THAT look so she shut up ….mean while bartender SHOCKINGLY looked at him n then me n started to t say ;WHAT THE ——-goin on n I looked at him with MY eyes BEGGIN lol ..PALEEEEZ dont say anything to this nut case …he didnt n Carol n I got up n left ..it happened alot so i JUST kinda GOT AWAY from my past ,all the RUMORS ?EXXAGERATIONS /UNTRUTHS /LIES /unbelievable stories they told …most made up …stayed to my self for 35 yrs. they had me [some of MY BEST N CLOSET SO-CALLED FRIENDS said they got HIGH with me all the time ]NEVER <…NEVER happened ].but it seemed like I could"defend myseflabout all the STORIES so I said ..SO BE IT ..then in 2005 I was losing weight n not feelin very good ,so i got ride up to PEO. from Sullivan where we lived at tme with one ff Carols sisters [Feb. 20th 2005 and went emergency room at OSF ST.Francis .they seen me walkin toward entrance n guy met ME with wheel chair n pass admiting n to BAY 3 in er ..1 look n they AIRED me up nstarted all kinds of I V"S and takin VITALS lol NOT GOOD …Carol got there ,she had followed us up from Sullivan..they asked her if /does HE have LIVING WILL n does HE want us to use ALL resusatation if need be ?I pulled oxygen off n said HE DOOO..lol they KNEW they had their hands full lol /I was down to 105 lbs./oxygen level 60 …50 you pass out n 40 you"redead ..MAN,,itwas close …But now alls pretty much ok ..Iam on oxygen 24/7 ..machine with 50 ft. airline n hand held ones when i go any where ..REALLy no big deal …I"muse to it ..ido anything i want , but its always on ..day /nite /sleep / shower …i check my vitals every day for the heck of it .oxygen stays 98/bp.120/65 /pulse 70 …weigh 177 lbs. hate that liked my 160 better..sooo we come to emotional part ..where I"M so GLAD i found ALL of you guys n as [ONE HIT Debbie Boone sang you really have ..LUVyou all …i hope you like n use my NITE-TRAIN handle ….well I LAYED it all out on the TABLE so keep on keepin on ..now we can all get siiy n laugh n have fun with what was n I wish i could do over …Caterpillar smoke/ railroad roundhouse diesel locomotive smoke for 20 yrs. /and them darn cigs. for 40 yrs. ..as Sinatra sang.,THATS LIFE ….this TRAIN leavin the STATION ..take care ….bye bye HE gone
October 19th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Teen Center …..Pool Hall . Old Swimming Pool , Max”s Cafe , Newels Resturaunt , Chicks , Skating Rink, Brownfields Resturaunt , Bowling Alley , Waible’s 5 and 10 , dances , school carnival/talent shows etc….come on guys …get with it ! ..anyone want to share ??? Hey folks , have we forgot that this bloggin is more a getta away from the stress of the realities of the “now” to remininse about the memories and realities of the “then” …Memories can be a balm or a bane on the wounds of time …let’s share some balm and hope it helps us all with the today’s we face { some of our R.R.R. group , sadly have had, or are having, less happy “todays” , some of us are lucky to have shared good, happy times , in both time frames , and then , of course , there are all the in-betweens . We can not bring back the times with our blogging but we can give them life for a short while in our bloggin . l do think they can be healing and give us strength .
}
l wish good health and wonderful memories past and future to all of you guys out there { our host also included …poor person , just asked if anyone could name this landmark and then we all kind of took over …sorry !
l will be checking back to see if anymore Richland centered memories are being shared .
God Bless
October 19th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Donna, et al.
Please feel free to write on here as much as you want. The point of this blog is not to just “name” a landmark, but to learn and discuess the history behind people, places and things and to strike up conversations about those things in the greatest Peoria area, as you have done.
Carry on!
October 19th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Menno Millie , Man you remember all of them OLD hang outs ..crazy lol…what was the Lady n her Daughter that had the Wagon Wheel restaurant that was on Wash. St. by the entrance ramp to interstate 74 going towards steak n shake ? I think tyey lived in 200 block State St. …Do you know that Gentleman that signs as Peoria ,Illinoison ? sounds like caring n interested fella …n a big tx out to HIM if he got STARTEDthe MACHINE n got this plane off ground n LET you take control of sight seein pllane ….we needed a GOOD pilot at the CONTROLS n YOU”RE just the ticket …once in awhile in you run into TURBULANCE [lol],have us put seat belts ,cause this could be BUMPY ride at times …I”VE got a parachute at my feet…or is that a BAG of Bricks u put there?you”re an EXELLANT pilot , GAL. none better ..you”ve got a fantastic way with words and great at the controls ..don”t BAIL out n leave us to keep this thing AIRBORNE or we”rein trouble -with a capital T..all them places you mentioned ..man..been there ..My BROTHER RICHARD was the KING of Roller Gardens. After they closed he went to Moline EVERY Sunday n sometimes during wk. too. They had BIG rink /plastic coated floor / live organ music n that guy got it on ..I went couple times …it was bigger n better than Roller Gardens , but not like old gang …it was FAST n they wer”nt quite as strick all the time like Jack Doballaire…RICHARD was KING up there too ..lol no contest man , they could” believe him lol…you should of been around when old POP SCHMIDT had skating rink on Wash. ST. just past VERLAS N ANTHONYS grocery store n tavern that set back aways off Wash. ST. n a round restaurant called LUCK”S i think …all the kids from Richland learned to skate there . it was bout block and back from R.R.tracks towards Richland …it finally closed cause the BIG C bought that land ..couple yrs. later Dobollaire built Roller Gardens ..before they built bld. LL on Cass ST. ..they used to have big carnival that sat up across Cass St. inbout 200 block …long ago it seems …i remember goin there ..well ,dont fall asleep at the Controls Menno lol you got our life in you”re hands..this Train gotta find ITS CABOOSE n get hooked up ..OH there she is ..OH CAROL ,CHUG >>GHUG>>CHUG …thats must be her fixin supper , CAUSE smoke alarm went off …hummm supper must be READY …WHERESthe dogs when I need um ..NITES leavin Station ..we gone bye bye
October 19th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
To nite_train, the woman that owned the Wagon Wheel Restaurant was Cleazel Boyles and her daughter Wanda. There was another daughter, but she was older and didn’t have much to do with the restaurant like Wanda did. I waited tables there my junior and senior year of high school. That was a great place. I had a lot of friends there. One of the waitresses, she broke me in, was Gracie Manual. She lived in the big two story house on the end of Clark and whatever. Right across the street from Jimmy and Ruthie Owens. Gracie had 12 kids one of them married my brother Joe. Gracie lives down here now. She’s lost both legs, but is as full of life as she was when we were pulling double shifts at the wagon wheel. Just goes to show you what a person can endure. I’ve go so many memories of that restaurant. 99.9% good ones. I don’t remember the other skating rink you talk about, but then of course, I am so much younger. A mere child of 56. But maybe my much much older and wiser sister does. Well, there goes my Christmas present! ha Hope you survived your supper to write again. I’m luckin out tonight my son is grillin so I’m chillin. And thanks to the PeoriaIllinoisan he does sound like a heck of a guy. Wait a minute, he might be a girl. That would explain the thoughtfulness. Well, keep on writing and I’ll keep on reading. I love it, love it, love it.
And as the kids from the bottoms would know me as DeeDee that’s how I’m signin off.
Later taters,
DeeDee
October 19th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Dee Dee…yea , tx that was their name …I ate there alot ..always by myself …always lots of potatoes n gravy came w/ goooood dinner …Mrs. Clezel Boyyels n Wanda ..unreal that you worked there .they always had that pie case that u couldnt resist too . tx for remembering that for me ..sure didnt think that would be you …lol so long ago tx n bye …Nite outta here for now ……………….
October 19th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Well , guys, l gotta give it to you …you got somethin !…just hope it isn’t cooties !
l just got in from work and drug my weary body over to this faithful ol computer , conveyer of my blogg addiction ! 
to see if youse guys was gonna make me take a swan dive or if ya was goin take the bait and give the ol Blogg another shot in the arm , and …danged if ya didn’t come through ! Now that l know that l don’t have to commit a cyber-suicide, l will take the wheel again , for a moment { no comments from the peanut gallery ! 
….speaking of the wheel { and no, l did not invent it , contrary to what some younger siblings inferences{ thanks Jewel ! 
} about age and the aged might lead one to beleive … 
…l remember Joe’s ..oops Night_Trains { as in “Leaving on the Midnight Train for Georgia ?” 
} comment on acknowledging and honoring the speed limit on the run under the ol Cedar Street Bridge { Shades of Danny and Poc-face racing in Grease ! Coincidental ? Yes…True …Probably ! 
} Anywhooo…l took the only driving lesson my dear ol mudder ever gave me down on that gravel road { well actually up the side of the levee is where l took the wheel, the car , the teacher ,her stomache and my determination , in that case! Poor ol mudder …needless to say it was her first and last attempt at instructing this lil diva driver …luckily , l have always been a Blanch Devoroe at heart and depended on the kindess of strangers from that moment on to finish my lessons in the area of recreational driving ! l am proud to say l have never run down a living thing since then , or up another levee ! 
} .
…you know the gal who bought her pearls at the five and ten { Waibles} she thinks she’s Zsa Zsa Gabor , but she’s just Donna , the girl next door ! 
That’s me …just Donna , the girl next door .
Glad you are all hanging in there with me even when the road deviates from where we intend it to go , bare with me and we will always get it back on track { or the road !
l agree with you lil . Sis , Gracie is quite a woman …makes a person ashamed to complain and glad for what you have ..she truely gives meaning to complaining about having no shoes until you see the person with no legs . God Bless her.
Thanks again, PeoriaIllinoisan, for the opportunity you provided , be ye male or female , you seem friend , not foe .
I will check back later. Since youse guys choosing your “handles ” ..l will stick with the handle , the one my hubby prefers, which is ; Donna, Donna, Prima-Donna !
Turning the wheel over for now ..one of youse guys take it will ya , l got a crink in my arm l gotta work out .
Later Taters
Prima-Donna
October 19th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
DEee Dee , i just forgot to tell you , I had a wild SITUATION in Conway ,Ark.once that I wont go into cause it was with SOME one from Richland ….but thatts where Harold Jenkins got his NAME …looking at a map way back in early 50″s , he picked out Conway from Ark. m n Twitty after a small townin Texas and……….so came up w/ the career name of one of the GREATS…Conway Twitty ..and as they say ..the rest is history .. MY favorite race car [NASCAR DRIVER ] has always been Mark Martin from Batesville ,Ark…..now *I”M gone …..Nite Train has left the STATION bye bye …he gone
October 19th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Hey, Nite_train I met Mark Martin. Batesville is only about 50 miles from Paragould Mark has a Chevy dealership there. Very nice man, so is his son. Now, as to my sister’s half truth on her driving record. She has been on the edge at time or two, throwing caution to the wind so to speak. Right after I got my license, my dad bought 5 cars from Harold LaConte. Three 64 Chevys and 2 64 Fords. My first car was one of the 64 Fords. The one I wanted was the red and white 64 Chevy, but since it was all souped up and had a 4 in the floor and I couldn’t drive a standard dad said no way. Too much power. Well Donna Prima Donna lived next door to Bogard’s Drug store downtown and we lived on Center Street. She wanted to come down and her hubby was at work, mom was busy and I convinced her I knew how to drive a 4 in the floor. So, the trusting soul said straight there and straight back and off I went scraping every gear I went into. Picked Donna Prima Donna up and we decided between the 2 of us, we’d get back to Center street without blowing daddy’s car up. Both of us with our soup can sized rollers in our hair, her sitting next to me like my girlfriend and shifting gears and me clutching and giving it gas. Needless to say, it was Cat traffic time and the cop directing traffic at the corner of Washington and Center was never the same after me and my “girlfriend” cut the corner onto Center street and got the h–l back to the house. No lives were lost in the making of this memory. At least none in the paper. So Donna Prima Donna must have learned something under that bridge or on the levy or whereever. That’s my story for tonight little buckaroos. Hope Carol tucks you in tight Nite_Train and I know Donna Prima Donna will be. And hey, shouldn’t old Julie be back and checkin in with us. We’re going to have to really get on to her.
Once again good night,
DeeDee
October 19th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Ahhh….Stretched a little and l sure feel better …Now where were we ..oh yeah, ..
..l loved it ! Held many a hand at that old meet and greet !…both from helping hold one another up and …well just becuz 
We had fun , pure de ol FUN ! l think the world has forgotten how to do that …young and old alike …just to have PURE, OL DE FUN! …to enjoy just.. BEING !
Make Beleive …The Great Pretender, yes, ol Conway was a favorite in our neck of the woods too ! Both in his Teen idolishy rock-n-roll days and also in his gone country days , Happy Birthday Darlin etc. He and older Bro died of the same condition so l have yet another reason to remember him.
Yes, l do remember Richard and the Roller Gardens . The Roller Gardens was kind of like a second home to me for a short while ….Moonlight waltzes, trio congos …falling on your hiney and seeing more of the floor than anything else till you got the hang of skating backwards…ouch ! !
Uh Oh ! Ladies choice comming up and this “lady” needs to sign off and get some shut eye …keep on skating, drivin , and bloggin and l’ll catch ya the next go round !
Prima Donna outta here
October 20th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Yoah , Hey put a gag in it , lil Sis tattle-tale mouth will ya , Jewel ?
Gotta admit l laughed my A–{ as in mule } off when l read it ! Heck , l thought you was going to tell about the time l kept harpin at Daddy that l could drive and finally one day at Maw Toler’s he tossed the keys to me and off we went , you , the lil ones and me on a drive into the back roads of those lil Arkie hills untill l pretty much stripped everything stipable and heated up everything heatable …and the car would move no more !! Thank God { and l truely mean that ! } for that old guy who lived back in the woods who came down and got us started and on the way back outta them thar roads …l NEVER begged Daddy to drive again { others, yes , Daddy , NO ! 
}
l was busy writing my , what l thought was the last post of the night , when l saw your latest “tattle” tale !
Oh well , we are alive to tell the stories …Thankyou God ..
Now Goodnight John Boy , Mamma , Daddy, Etc.
Prima Donna outta here
October 20th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Prima ..lol..Donna, talkin bout Conway Twitty n your Bro dying of SAME thing , Conway was some where between Branson n Springfield , Mo.when it HAPPENED to him ….didnt get to Hosp. in Springfield , Mo. in time …John Ritter ..same thing /he was taping his [sitcom show n got sick ] n they took him across street from Studio toHosp. [ST.JOSEPH in Glendale ,CA. ..incidently .where he was born ...son of Tex Ritter ] and treated him for HEART attack ..WRONG …he had SAME prob. that killed Conway Twitty n eventually Porter Wagner …IT”S called [ TRIPLE A ] abdomnable aorta anyeurism …….main artery n from Heart down thru abdomen to lower extremities ..its like a bubble in artery that gets toooo large n burst .just above navel …when it burst..you have VERY short time to get help ….like opening n stint anow NEW procedure w/ plastic connecting of aorta …I KNOW MUCH about this cause i have TRIPLE A also ….it hasnt enlarged ANY in 6 yrs. normal size of artery is 2.2 cm for a man n mine stays at 3.1……..for woman norm. size is 2.1 …..I DOOOO get CT scan maybe once a yr.was twice a yr. but DOC. says i”m fine n its not a prob./maybe not for HIM lol …enough of THIS …Which BRO. had that prob. ?…..yea ummmm , i wonder where or WHEN ole Julie is ?OH ..Iknow how we can find her .HERE KITTY >>KITTY >>KITTY …she was a REAL GONE CAT in her DAY lol..that DEE DEE sounds like SHE was too..YOU..uh..NO COMMENT lolIF your DADDY could only see you GIRLS now , HE would be SO proud n happy to see how GOOD a JOB HE n your MOM did . YOU”RE ALL GOOD Girls ..tx HERE the whistle?this TRAIN leavin STATION …bye ..bye ..HE gone
October 21st, 2009 at 11:45 am
You guys have been busy. Sorry not in a Vermont ski lodge. Riding in the car and looking at the colors along Illinois river. Stopped and gambled a bit (big time gambler – love those penny machines) Got home yesterday. Probably go to Wisconsin this weekend to see lovely granddaughter play soccer. Well she doesn’t exactly play. When goalie, she climbs up the net and chases the soccer ball by turning somersaults down the field. I hate it that they live all the way up in Madison. Conway, Arkansas. Ray’s sister lived there for several years and we visited there two or three times. Hey you Crosno girls – wish you had been my friends in grade school instead of bratty little girls who played with my bratty little sisters. Was hoping there would be more people on this site by now. I know that Bettie called and told Mrs. Serkowich about it. She doesn’t have a computer but said she would go the library and find it. But that has been a couple of months ago. Hey Joe, Night Train and a few other names I’ve been know to call you, Christies tavern that you mentioned – was bought to showcase the talent of local girl. She moved to Branson several years ago and has/had a theater there. We stopped in one morning to see if she was there, but wasn’t. She does those TV informicials promoting her gospel muscic. Under the name of Christie Lane. She wrote a book about growing up so POOR and MISUNDERSTOOD in East Peoria. She lived along the Illinois River (not Richland) and says she coined the phrase river rats. I gave the book to Judy who had been friends with her for a short time. Never saw it again. Talking about oxygen, Judy had been on it for years. Shut it off when she wanted a cigarette. She had planned a family get together in May several years ago. Was talking to my daughter when she fainted – had a massive heart attack and died. It was for her, good, because family was so important to her and she was surrounded by them. For the rest of us it was a horrible day.
Caterpillar has to be responsible for much of our problems. I was diagnosed with stage 1 cancer several years ago. The day I finished radiation (didn’t do chemo), Betty called and she was diagnosed with the same. She had both chemo and radiation and then Brenda got Hodgkins disease. All three of us have passed the five year mark. My brothers, I don’t know about. They don’t go to doctors.
Brenda occasionally keeps me in touch but it is usually long past the event. She sent me Richard and Max Ray Tolley’s obituary in the same envelope.
Also remember another marriage of Richland people. Don Shinall and one of the Goben girls. Don’t think that turned out to well either. To the ones who are writing in – why did you leave Richland? Family move or your choice. I know it was my choice. I felt lilke my life wouldn’t turn out the way I had hoped if I stayed. Maybe Joe wouldn’t be writing that we were all good girls. I know I have always had a problem with self esteem except when I lived there. Sorry to hear that you’re not in the best of health Joe. That’s what happens when we get older. If it makes a difference, you are always 26 in my memories. Of course, I am so much younger also. I’m glad your wife found this blog for you. Did you raise Frannie or Grace handle all of that. Take good care of yourselves all of you wonderful Richlandites and continue writing even if it only so few of us.
Julie
October 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Julie, you asked why we left. I graduated mid-term, January of 70 and went to work for Travelers Insurance over in Peoria. Because I hired in when I did, I got a 1 week vacation after 6 months. I tookit in June to Arkansas to visit my “kin”, met my husband the day I got there and was with him every day after that until we married in September and I brought him back to East Peoria as a souvenier. He went to work for the infamous Cat and worked there for 22 years, got sick (thanks to Cat) and we moved back down her to Arkansas to be close to his folks and mine who had moved down here when dad retired. I do miss Illinois, but my friends up there tell me it isn’t the Illinois I left. So sad. Wish we had a portal that would let us quietly slip back to that time and no one would miss us. I guess this site is about as close as we’ll get. By the way, still no word from your sister. Maybe sometime soon.
I’m off(in more ways than one)
DeeDee
October 21st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Shout out to all !
from the River to the old Four Corners and beyond just like the back of my hand ….Davis Brothers Pizza to the Piggly Wiggly and the Dairy-Queen …l knew and loved it all , just didn’t know how much until it was too late { ln answer to Julie H. on why we all left.. My reasons for leaving were pretty much in the same vein as your reasons , l quess l felt like l had to get out to really GO somewhere …not realizing l was already THERE ! 
Let’s take a roll call…anybody who knows anything about anybody from the Richland era , circa late 40′s,50,s and 60′s , in particular ….speak up …l want to see if we actually have any members left …we were after all , the Baby-Boom generation so there should have been quite a few of us , even with what seems to be cells of cancer deaths etc. odds are there were more of us to begin with so more of us should be left standing .
As for Christie Lane , yes, she lived up by me right off Bloomington Road right before they left …l love her singing “One Day at a Time” ..at that time she was a blonde and quite pretty .
Oh and Julie H…was you makin references to us lovely CroSSno gals as being , BRATTY ! tsk! tsk! Me thinks you have us mistaken with some other little darlins , Jewel and l were always the epitamy of taste and refinement ! Always on our most lady-like of behavior ! BLaaaah { that’s supposed to represent a razberry to you !;-) }
Back to Richland basics …l will list a few l know , the rest of you jump in …
Wanda {Owens} Majors …deceased { l beleive of cancer}
Bill Scott…deceased
Jim Owens …deceased
Clarence Gumm ….deceased
Linda Cross…??…Ruth Smith ? …Judy Bradford,{ recently ressurected on this site !;-) } Susie Majors,Bill Thomas , John Hall , Dian Hall , Brenda Cleaver , The Perdue gals, Betty and Brenda , Rona Clack , David Foster , David Perry David Jenner, Michael Hagey { deceased} ..Freddie and Cretus Horsley Judy Dobbins, Brenda Bradty, Bear{ Gary} Bowers, Tittle, Dave Lyons, Norma Ball { deceased} , the Browns , The Hultquists, the other Smiths, The Turners , The Regentz’s, Bonnie Stosich and Vickie Ray{ l have talked to last year ?? ..don’t know now }…Starla Raily { l run into occasionaly} ..there that’s a few to get you started l knew and loved it all , just didn’t know
Karen Green…??
Pamela Cross…?
Terry Ball …married Susie Berger and last l knew they lost their son to the war in Afghanistan, Iraq, but they were alive .
Paula Carman …?
Marie Hosbrough …l run in to her every once in awhile ,,still alive and kickin
and l know if you take a trip down the lane a little more you could start on one street , come up the other and name a whole lot more ! ….of course the “bottoms” also had it’s sections , so some of us are more familiar with some areas than others , BUT , back in the day l knew the whole area , my section and not my section !
October 21st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Julie….I KNEW when you seen MOUSE by your COMP.
you would COME back when you heard [ HERE ..KITTY ..KITTY...KITTY ] yoy CATS cant RESIST a mouse ..or in MY case a RAT /as in RICHLAND I hope ..LOL …MAN …SHOCKED n REALLY sorry to here bout YOU especialy n SISTERS w/ your own health probs. THAT spooks ME n makes me VERY sad ,but seems like ALLS very out for better …your”reright .every one from Richland breathed THAT D_ _ smoke blue smoke n all that TOXIC water we drank MY HEART would have been broken had I known you GIRLS were havin probs..Judy married Warren Corneilson n him n i were kinda of friends …What ever happened to him? AS far as Christy Lane …aka Estelle Johnston …she could”nt have FOUND Richland Bottoms W/ a search warrant …she came from sota large family also ,,,,BUT she WAS”NT ONE that coined RIVER RAT…NOT likely ..notta …Tell Ray ,Iwas in Conway ,Ark. in 1958 or 59 w/ some FRINDS from Richland n not most friendly situation lol we all got mad at EACH other and VERY quickly escallated into fight and from there things DETERIATED quickly ..thank GOD them were FANSTASTY people at restuarant/gas station and give us chance too leave ….I got outta that state like I was drivin stolen car …I mean GONNNNNE ..Carol n I had Frannie Jo now n then ..but MOSTLY my MOM N DAD ..Fran wanted to go n stay w/ them when they lived in Florida …But mostly Gracie Frannie has her MASTERS n MAJOR Degrees where she could TEACH Nursing ,,but rite now she loves being Tazewell Cty. Travellling Nurse n Office work there ..Caro n I raised Lisa Jo[ my second wife Marilyn ]and now we have our own Randi Jo ..we ALL get along GREAT ..KIDS/EX”S/ WIFE/ n of couse ME …Gracie n Marilyn are SPECIAL …Wife Carol has NEVER drank , been on MEDICATION lol now thats what I call COURAGE lol 39 yrs. DESERVESFRONT ROW SEAT IN HEAVEN …as for me n my health …I got hurt worse in a MARBLE game at Richland School ….LOL …. are You n Ray close to retirement or already there ? oh yea …bout ole Christy babe …ialways parked my Motorcycle or Vette on side walk the FEW times I went there JUST too P_ _ _ her off …NOT my kind of place …did”nt like her or tavern..errr excuse ME .NITE CLUB LOL ….love always n dcnt forget to ask Sis. Mary bout b/ball games at Richland School..70″s sometime …and you mentined Donnie Shinall /
?he died of blood poison ..cut finger or hand on license plate while changing on car …was good kid as was Bob Bradley; had sister named Barb..well .enjoy SCENIC trip and BE SAFE …keep on keepin on …this Train leavin station ..bye..bye he gone
October 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Julia…You said you met Mark Martin in Batesville where he has his Chevy dealership .unreal….He “s been my favorite driver since he started racing back in late 70″s ..tell me if you know or maybe should”nt …what happened to his son Matt that was really comin on strong n fast since he had started in go-karts at bout 6 yrs.old ….can u say why all of SUDDEN he quit ?get burned out or just chose to go in other directions in life …….Prima Donna ..as for Christy Lane ,her {ONE DAY AT A TIME }is fantastic but I like {ONE SET of FOOTPRINTS in the SAND }…MY 81 yr. old BROTHER n 79yr. SISTER still laugh n talk bout hearing that when they STARTED 1st. grade at Richland School , Julie…She was”nt born yet when THEY were hearing the PHRASE…[ Richland River Rats ] LOL …on your COLORFUL SWING you go North n take it ALL in on way to Madison ,Wi.?I”ve took all my 3 Girls to Wisc. Dells at least 2 times each n Branson 2 or 3 times . Mo. n Ark. are beautiful drive and nice People along the way ..N GOOOOD home style meals .. I hear whistle blowin or Carol blowin on supper.uuh must be supper, smoke alarm went off again …Heeeere Duke ,,get under table there boy …i got SOMETHIN 4 you …Train to Roundhouse …bye bye ..he gone
October 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Anyone remember , Christmas shopping “uptown” at Waibles ? 19 cents got you a cut glass rose vase for Gran , or any number of assorted figurines filled with little round candies , a hankerchief { remember , that’s a cloth kleen-x with pretty embroidery, that l refer to in an earlier post { which seems kind of ironic when you think about it , l mean to to use something that pretty to take care of something that nasty ! ;-}, maybe you wanted a card of buttons or a sprig of holley or mistleto….Good ol Waible s5 and 10 , it was the place that this Prima Donna bought all her “pearls and diamonds galore ” …it was the place l bought my first hair rinse …Nestles ! Lil pack quaranteed to make you a knock out blonde { and l was just the niave lil gal to beleive it would turn my raven black locks into sparkling gold { like all the Princesses seemed to have at that time ; you know Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella etc. { bar Snow White, who no one deemed to boost up as an example to we of the not blonde-haired, blue eyed persuasion! ;-} } and you know we were supposed to grow up to be princesses and ride off with the Prince …yadda…yadda.} when just mixed with water, this little packet would make me one of “them” !
Even with the Cat poisoned water we had, that wasn’t going to happen ! 
but hope springs eternal in the young and unjaded ! 
…now that l realize l had the better end of the deal if l had stuck with the raven locks and learned that l was fine , just the way l was …Maybe then l would never have went down Peroxide Parkway! 
{ remember you blonde bimbo wanna be’s from back then, dipping your comb in water you had spiked with regular ol peroxide and combing it through your locks as you put your hair up at night in the the afore mention soup can rollers ! 
Gave me a bronzed glow that my Dad just couldn’t put his finger on , but he knew something was rotten in Denmark { actually , on Center Street at the time ! 
} so l was trotted down the road to have my disgression corrected by a local hairdresser { she had a beauty shop in her home there on Schmidt Court , l beleive .Anywhooo, she attempted to straighten it out and l ended up with green hair …yup ! Green hair , lovely coif , latest “do” , just right for that eigth grade graduation l was going to ! Needless to say , l was a standout , my new yellow chiffon grauation dress and my grown up heels and my …green hair …ahhhh the joys of an ill spent youth
October 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I remember that green hair well! It glowed in the dark in our bedroom. Marked me for life. It would have been scary if I could have quit giggling long enough. I had such a sick sense of humor. Poor sissy. Bye the way, what was the name of our favorite perfume from Waibels. Was it Evening in Paris or someting else? That doesn’t sound right, but I can smell it now. If they still made it, I’d wear it today. It drove the boys in the bottoms wild. Of course, that didn’t take much since they were almost there already(haha) For Nite_Train, I met Mark Martin at a publicity thing for the store chain I worked for. I managed one of their stores, I will see if I can find out about his son for you. Shouldn’t be too hard.
Till then,
DeeDee
October 21st, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Hey Nite_Train,
I lied to you. Mark Martin has a Ford Dealership in Batesville. He has a Chevy dealership in Melbourne Arkansas or someplace like that. I asked my friend about his son Matt and he said he too a break to finish his schooling, but wasn’t quitting racing forever. They are going to see if they can find out anything else about him for me.
Till then,
DeeDee
October 21st, 2009 at 11:09 pm
You guys, I just love to read and reread these entries. My name is really Julia. When I started school there was a girl named Julia who was big and mean. Not you Miss Crosno, you’re younger than me. Told my mother I was now going to be called Julie and that has been my name ever since except on official documents. Of course my mother never called me that. I was always Julia when she could remember which daughter she was talking to. And I will not tell Mary that you said hello. I was mad at her for going to the playground and flirting with you. Yeah, I didn’t work much at the Spudnut shop. Never busy except when 2nd shift got off at Cat. Spent a lot of time folding donut boxes. It was Danny Crosno and his sister that I used to babysit for after school. And of course, I remember the dime store. Shoplifted the only thing I ever took there. Snuck it back a few days later. I do envy the ones who have tangible memories. We never had room in our house to save anything. I had one drawer to myself. And I was a lucky one. I think I have one old cigar box up in the attic somewhere with a few little items. Had an old stenographer pad that I spent a couple of months writing a diary in shorthand. Of course I can’t read it now. Also in the same pad, are several games of Crazy Eights.
And I think a note or two that you wrote Joe. Remember when Pat Tate would stop by. She kept in touch for a long time. Came to visit us after she had married and had two little boys. She went blind and was moved to a nursing home. Brenda saw her there a time or two. Her mom told me that she passed away several years before Mrs. Serkowich had her get together. Wasn’t it Don Shinal Dad’s that died from blood poisoning. I heard that shortly after Don and Margaret got married, he was institutionalized. There was a Victor something that lived behind the Goben’s and A Gene somebody who rode a motorcycle. He lived behind Hagey’s. Lucille Putnam or Putney went to our 10th year anniversary. The only one I went to. Danny Redmond was there. Was a contractor, I believe. I keep thinking Gayle, Lynda, Bettie, Mary and Larry will start writing on this blog. That’s just going to make me jealous. Talked to Larry today and he said Bob Rice isn’t going to let anyone into that school. He keeps the union hall locked even when they are working in there. I think I told you girls that my old friend, Jean Rydell lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Ray retired in 1990. I worked a few years longer. Company I worked for merged with another one and I had to drive 40 miles on a lonely two lane road. Took a couple of winters with ice and blinding snow and decided it wasn’t worth it. Miss some of the people I worked with, but stay in touch with the ones I want to. Are any of you on facebook. I don’t like that. I prefer hearing from friends on e-mail where everyone can’t read what’s written. Take this blog, I know that my girls read it often. Not that I’m trying to hide anything. Believe me, they know all and what they don’t, they tend to make up. One of our few accomplishments have been raising decent kids. We don’t have any doctors, lawyers or indian chiefs but they are all hard working and wonderful parents. (Okay they can read that) Sometimes at night I dream about walking across Cedar Street Bridge. Which I have done, but it my dreams it becomes a nightmare. I’m sure that means something but not sure what.
Talked a lot about the Wild Goose, Center Tap but no one has mentioned Anthony’s or Pete & Mary’s. I was never much of a drinker but did spend some time there. To listen to the music you understand. Somebody stop me, I may write all evening. One more thing, I never ever thought that someday I would be talking to you again Joe. Love Julie
October 21st, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Julia, the perfume was Evening in Paris and I think everyone of our mothers got it for a gift at one time on another.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Where to start ? Geessh it seems when we all get on a roll we really get on a roll , don’t we ?
Before l can get a post up someone else is posting ,,,ahhh l love it ! 
} doesn’t sound quite correct but then again it does ?? Are you sure you are not referring to my “Tabu” ? I agree on the not taking much to drive wild men wild ! 
….
{ like a girl friend of one of my daughters used to say : Our home is small but there is love enough in side for all , and that is all the room we need ” Shout out to Poppy for that one ! 
and we had no Danny in our immediate family .
First Lil Sis , my Yankee Sib….l know what you mean , Evening in Paris { although , l can see it’s blue bottle as l write !
Now , Julia2 { aka;Julie H } You hit on so many things ….before l forget again , l want to say how sorry l was to hear about Judy dying and the other girls troubles , You certainly seem to have had more than your share in that department !
And Joe l do hope you don’t think that l am flippant over your hardships , it is just that l get so carried away down memory lane that by the time you guys post l have to go back and re-read to see what l missed ! Know all of you that l care and wish you all the best , for whatever measure of worth that is .
l think it is sad that Mr. Rice won’t let anyone in , but maybe he has his reasons , l try real hard not to jump to conclusions until l have all the facts , having observed and been a victim of others doing that myself, l am slow to come to conclusions myself. l hope l err on the side of justness, at least l sure try to .
Julia2 l do remember how small your home was ..l had to walk by your place twice a day for years , going to and from school , BUT , sometimes Monty would conduct us and other days he was not in the mood , though the lil fellow would smile at you always !
l think our home was fairly large , but l do know what it means to “share” and not have a space of your own …Jewel was one of my roomies for years and she knows l had to get married to have a bedroom of my own ! ;-0 Well , now wait just a minute here…l quess when you think about it that way , l still don’t have a bedroom of my own ! ;-0
l think Julia2 , that you must have babysat Danny Langston and his sister Sandy Howard { both our cousins , the former is the “Sherriff of the county” that l wrote about earlier } because l am pretty sure we were the ONLY CroSSno’s in town .
l am remiss in that l did not mention Pete and Mary’s { my Mom worked there and they were great folks …l used to love to wait for Mom and play the shuffleboard …l am also more a music lover than a drinker too but l just always managed to have fun without the aid of the spirits …like to think l had more than my share { in fact , l have had better times telling someone what they forgot during a rip roarer than l probably would have had if l had ! ;-}
Prima Donna out.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Julia2…Cedar Street Bridge …EEEeeeeee!! l still feel the cars whizzing by as we would walk across it to go to the movie in Peoria …you felt as if you would go right out in the road with the next whizz….
October 21st, 2009 at 11:54 pm
My Bad ! l forgot to tell you Julia2…what you said about your kids not being Doctors, Lawyers, etc. …Just know that good human hard-working beings { especially who are also good parents } are dang hard to come by and a title alone does not make one any more or less than the next guy …l have known plenty of all you mentioned and they came in all degrees , not dieties but just like us “normal” folk …good people abound as do bad ,in all walks of life . l have been blessed to know enough good ones to allow me to deal with the bad “seed” .
l feel the Richland raisin had something to do with that .
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 am
Okay girls, does Jade East sound familiar. I woke up at 4 this morning thinking Jade East. Shows I spend entirely too much time on this blog. I too, have nightmares about Cedar Street bridge. I always dream I get to the top and there’s no more bridge. Sometimes one of my kids are falling off where the bridge ends and I’m trying to catch them. Boy, wouldn’t a psychiatrist have a field day with us. He’d probably change professions. That is so sad about Susy Berger. I ran around with her for a while in my younger days. The loss of a child would be more than I could take. My whole world has been my kids and now my grandkids. To lose one would be the end of me. But, as my mother says, and God knows she been thru some terrible things, You endure what God sends you to endure.
Enough of that. I remember Anthonys bar and their grocery store next day. Had a crush on one of the Joseph boys who was a nephew to Jug Anthony and helped out in the store. I remember Pete and Marys. We would go to pick my mom up and they had a big jar on the counter with these giant oatmeal cookies. I would bat my big brown eyes and say something cute and they’d always give me one. I can taste it now. Each time I get on this site my memory gets clearer and I remember more and more. I have a survival thing that I do when things are bad. I block it out. Well, in the process, I block both good and bad out. I think that’s why my memory is so bad. This site is opening up my good memories. We need to tell doctors to set up sites like this for Alzheimers patients. The cure would be there. I’m such a genius. Well enough analyzing for now.
Till next time,
DeeDee
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Jade East , Jewel , was for the guys.
} we would go in the “Deep” end and do what we called “underwater ” swimming { amounted to crawling alond the “side” of the pool underwater , comming up occasionally for air and going back down , opening your eyes under water to see the end …ah , Thanks again God for watching over children and fools { of which l have been both ! 
and even so we didnt corner the market on good memories , we just had more than our share! 
…also makes it hard for other times in our lifes to measure up , comparatively .
Jewel ! l should know and so also should you , l used to go to sleep sniffing Tomases sweater after l came in from a tete-a-tete wearing it and since you shared the same sleeping quarters, you should have inhaled enough second hand Jade East to establish that fact !
Back to the infamous scent of high-coture from Waibel’s 5 and dime …l think we are thinking of Ben-Hur ! lnexpensive and musk based …ummmmml make a skunk wanna change spray !
The Bridge …yeah , Sis , l think we all have forms of the dream you described …you fight to the top of the ol bridge , only to find that there was no more bridge …just the ol muddy river below !!! Freaky enough but when you can’t swim , even freakier !
Speaking of swimming , catch this …every day that we were allowed to in the summer , which was quite often …l gathered my little troop of assorted siblings and neighborhood buds and away we went to spend hours at the old East Peoria swimming pool ! What were the adults thinking ?? l could not swim a lick…but they all trusted me , kids and their parents alike but so l and my trusty lil brood would, as l say, spend hours at the pool …diving , dog paddling etc. and some times { when the life guard was distracted { which also happened quite frequently !
Hey , Peorian …wanna share some of your own memories of that time period …or are you way too young ? Boomers go all the way up to the 1960′s dont cha know ?
Prima Donna out …
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
There has to be something to that Cedar Street Bridge. Sometimes I have to crawl up the bridge to EP side and then fall off before I got all the down. My medical doctor for years has been trying to get me to into therapy. I refuse to do that. I told him that was what sisters are for. Then he said maybe sisters are the problem. Think I may change doctors.
I’m positive Evening in Paris is one of the cheap scents that we would get at the five and dime. There were probably others also. The Elliot boy was Eddie Elliot, Joyce was his sister. Think there may have been another sister. How about the Gregory’s? And you’re right about the family I babysat for. How our memory fails us. We couldn’t afford to go swimming many times. Dad would take us to the pits or whatever they were called. Also couldn’t swim and I am always amazed that none of us drowned. Tho I do remember walking with the hands around the EP swimming pool. And sitting outside under the trees with some of the Arkansas boys that Cat had recruited. A lot of them parked by our house. Mom never reported them. Mostly they were homesick. They would come early in the summer and visit until time to go to work.
Even tho Dad didn’t work there, our lives certainly revolved around Cat.
When they went on strike, either voted on or wildcat, Dad would have to walk the gauntlet to get to this job. I’m sure our car was struck by basebal bats and rocks more than once. And then the union hall across the street would be so busy we couldn’t even get to our house. Does anyone remember when Walter Reuther, head of the national union came to EP. I didn’t even remember that until this started. Nasty rainy day outside today. Think I’m going to watch an old black and white movie. Even my cereal boxes are turning nostalgic. Julie
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Ahhh Julie , as you pointed out …all was not always rosy in Richland-land .
l remember the strikes , the picket lines, Daddy working the picket lines .. the hamburger casserole { without the hamburger !;-) } the milk substitute etc. that Daddy would bring home from the Union Hall ..
These ol dreary clouds can only block the sun for so long and then it will come shining through again. The sunshine that this page has brought to all of us who contribute { and you stand-backers out there , reading but not in-putting..tsk! tsk! shame on you ! 
} …is something clouds can’t take away …dim maybe for awhile but never take away . Prma Donna out..
The Union Hall …l don’t know how you guys stood it on a busy night{ living so close and all to it } { dances , strikes etc. } because the traffic jams{ for back then , a minor clog these days !;-)}were horridous !
l have many happy memories that revolved around the Union Hall and one not so happy … being at the Union Hall watching a program , enjoying ourselves , me and my family } when the fireman came in to tell us our home was burning down !
at that time we lived in Peoria in the Heights and just visited Dan and Sandy that you babysat …yup , this die-hard River Rat almost wasn’t a River Rat …a quirk of fate made me a ‘bottoms” gal …quirks of fate have taken me most places in my life and ended me up here , on a strange blog reliving a long ago gone time !
Life is really a gas , isn’t it ? Up one minute , down the next ! The really odd thing is that l still always have a tad of Polly-Anna left in me and when all is said and done , l still always think that the sun is going to come out tomorrow , so Julie , hang on till tomorrow , come what may !
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
BEN HUR that was it!! I knew Jade East didn’t sound right.
Jewels
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Okay I have never blogged befor don’t want to write a long story until I see if this makes it!
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Hey Julie I remember Evening in Paris. It was less than a dollar and came in a real pretty blue bottle. At christmas you could get the perfume and powder together. Really felt like hot stuff. Anyone remember the Enlows. There was Linda, my age, and she had 2 brothers Dewayne and I can’t remember the other one’s name. They lived next door to LaContes for a long time and then down on Fisher. Does anyone remember Harold Collins, the guy that won the lottery years ago and gave it all to a girl named Cathy Moore? She used to run around with us up at the teen center. Harold bought her a competion orange Judge before he won the lottery. Poor guy walked to work and barely spent a dime on himself. He was a real nice guy. I think Cathy moved to Florida or somewhere. I wonder if he or she either one is still kickin. Oh, well.
I’m gone for now,
DeeDee
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I don’t have the scholl stories all of you have I have enjoyed reading all of yours. I was born in 1953 and my Mom,grandparents and aunts uncles lived on Edmond street. I am sure my mom and family went to Richland in the 40s and 50s. I remember the Sinclair station where my grandpa used to get gas. we were the Tinkham family. My Mom and a few aunts were very loving if you know what I mean! Grandpa worked at Cat at building KK.
I had the chance a few years ago to go to the Goose,I live in Georgia now,on New Yeras Eve it snowed and the bottoms was covered and I thought what a beautiful place in my older years I spent more time there then when I was younger. My grandparents moved to Dunlap and my grandmother was never the same. She was a cook I think it was Pete and Marys not sure we have and old picture somewhere of her and some of her friends. She loved being around the people there and she missed evreything that was going on. Josie at the Goose remembered my Uncle Kerman Tinkham,he passed a few years ago and he talked of the fun everyone had. Deanie thanks for sending me this site. I miss allthe stuff to and it is nice to read the stories.
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 pm
ALL ABOARD ?`…Tickets PLEASE..can”t ride w/ out TICKET ..OH OH Here comes Carol;;dont tell any one , but SHE thinks SHE”S the conductor{could”nt CONDUCT 2 man parade } lol ..she ask ME for ticket to ride THIS TRAIN n I told HER ;listen BUSTER , my FACE is MY ticket ,so she PUNCHED it !…..the Elliots were Kenny, Eddie [who passed away ,Sherry married a nice fella n moved to Alabama after he retired from CAT. ..n he later passed also , and Joyce whom Carol n I rented from for bout 9 yrs. Joyce had Son Reggie Sullivan from previous mariage..Joyce n Max had son Maxie Jr. ...they divorced n she remarried ... the Elliots were all good PEOPLE ..UHHHa LITTLE business to TAKE care of HERE n NOW MISS JULIE,,EXCUSE ME ,but WHAAAAAT is this SHOT bout SITTIN under trees and TALKIN[ YEA RIGHT ]to these POOOOR little ole LONELY boys ?WHAT TREES n wheres MY HATCHET …I sat under TREE in our yard a VERY lonely LITTLE boy n don”t remember any one BUZZIN buy but a bumble bee …Thats OK , I now know that when ANGELS fly TOO close to Ground some one always CAUGHT um n I was left w/ NOBODY ..Crossnos”/ ELLIOTS”/ELLIS”S/ WALKERS”/ and the BEAT [ and I mean BEAT ] go”s on..OH YEA all THEM { H } Girls that hid around corner on MAPLE ST. SITTIN under TREES” entertaining poor ARK. boys that were HOMESICK ..SICK..SICK ? EXCUSE ME ,,I”ll show you sick as i go too bathroom n THROOO UP ..LOL ..May i ask, DO you”re Husbands read n play on COMP. too?If so ,, they gotta FALL outta chair laughin at this or seeking HELP for All of US.. Donna…..Seriously..,you have an AMAZING gift that even YOU dont know or understand when telling STORIES n remaniscing …You could”ve been a Dannielle Steele or Nora Roberts or some one of THAT ilk. AMAZING GIRL …if some one saw me laughing at some ofYOU”RE stuff “re they” d come n get me …keep it up …Julia ,,,I thoughtat 1st. you were only SANE on …..but i think you GOT DONNATITUS …RARE affliction ..but times you can catch it FROM ah say like ah SISTER ..UNTREATABLE…There is a DOCTOR that can TREAT you , HE”S ah ,i think from Richland .don”t know his last name ,but think they call him THE ENGINEER , so he must operate TRAIN…as in NITE …LOL…SITTIN under TREES”…THATS” HARD to handle ..next time I go down to RICHLAND ,i”m gonna CHOP down 1st. TREE of LONELY NESS I see …maybe ALL trees…RAY CHARLES could SEE thru that LITTLE NUMBER .Can”t wait for some one too RUN a STORY by me like THAT again ..MaDONNA never come up w/ a STORY like that ….I think I”LLtry that out on Carol…Now we know she”s no GENIOUS or she GOT GONE LONG ago ,[ uhh LIKE 1"ST nite ]LOL OH by the way , a friend had keys too Union Hall [he was clean up guy ] always drunk ,Bob Davidson was Pres. n Ray Belcher Secretary / Treasure [ both GOOD friends of mine] n we would go in there after taverns closed n get on stage drink n sing …now that WAS baaaaaaaaaaad..Cedar St. Bridge HORRIFIC memories ..still avert that trip at all possible times ..DREAMS? NIGHT MARES….When bout maybe 8 yrs. old ,MOM n 3 Bro.”s nme would go across n walk too Szolds in southend n w/ coupons could get THAT Freakin RINSO laundry soap for 19 cents a box ….5 coupons ..5 boxes ..simple enough , but now LOOOOng walk back ..one day I was so tired n sidewalk ALWAYS so hot, just got back E.PEO. side ,almost off bridge n i passed out ..boom ..scared me when i came too …still hate Bridge . I”mSCARED too death of height /long bridges /elevators …when on earlier when runninMOUTH bout my yrs. of what I had to put up w/ n go thru ,I”msittin a bar drinkin yrs. ago n i here these guys talkin bout me [ not knowin who i was sittin in there]tellin ONE of CRAZY n OUTRAGES stories that i would hear now n then,talkin bout time they heard i rode my BIKE across bridge up on RAILING..the other guy says ,that true story .he had helped set BIKE up there for me …I got up n went out side n n thought i was gonna get sick ,man…..ME ,SCARED todeath of height n still will have a bad {DREAM }bout that bridge ….my DAD worked on building it for awhile..completed in 1933 …Julie….MOM n DAD used to get their water from community well across from you”re old HOMESTEAD ….circa1920–23 ..bye for now LUV nite -train he but back later tx all n Donna dont abandon us lol
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Yoah , my Richland pals of the day and my cyber pals of today …just blew in from work again and what to l do ASAP ?? Get on this ding-dong addictive blogg that is what l do !
Took me a few years but l quess l finally found another addiction to replace my old smoking one ! 
Took me a minute to figure out who you were gal ! 
How’s the Georgia peach doing ?
{ Jewel will back me up on that one ! 
} anywhooo they were all down under the afore mentioned Cedar Street bridge {and quasi race -track ! 
and he told all the guys that he could drive a motorcycle { l beleive he told them he had been in Hell’s Angels or some such stuff ! 
…lil devil had never been on a motorcyle , a honda or a hog ! 
so he kept on to one of the guys until they let him take the bike for a spin …what a spin that ended up being ! The entire time he had to be scared senseless and yet he managed to hold his own from the under side of the bridge , all the way across the bridge where his feat the triumphant { NOT } ended in the cinders in a lovely crash o’divine , not my behind ! 
….ahhhhh the R.R.R. life , bravado is sometimes all we had to carry us through …it and the grace of God !
} , the place , the feels , the smells , part of me always has lived there, my cousin { a retired school teacher tells me my style of writing is called Stream of consciousness writing ..Whatever ! l just tell it like it was and there is so much to tell that you have to include so much and so many different aspects ! WINDY ..that is what my dear ol mudder would define it as { oh well , 6 of one a half dozen of another ! ;-0 } …l have to live in this world now { not griping. really , for l realize how many were not as lucky as us to even have gotten to see this new century , but at times l sure do miss the old century and all that it entailed . To live in the “Now” , l have to shut off my Comp. occasionally and go to work so that l can keep the comp plugged in to a live circuit , if ya know what l mean ? 
Gotta go get something a little more substanial than my memories right now { like FOOD !lt’s been a long day and l am starving .
Yoah , out there to Ms Deb !
Maw loves ya like the daughter she never had !
How ironic is it that the Joe on this blogg can at times remind you of the other Joe we all knew , right Deb? Jewel?
Jewel , you remember when our other Joe and a bunch of the rougher guys{ by rougher , l just mean these guys just did not attend our Sunday school class on a regular basis !
Yoah , Joe the night_train rider …you do this ol gals ego a well needed stroke ! l love writing and in particular about those times and that era..the people, characters of every description { including your own dare-devil self !
Save my place some-body …l get dibbs when l come back
Prima Donna outta here !
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Nite_Train, I was the only sane one! Still am. I always walked the straight and narrow. Never faltered. Never said an ugly word or did an ugly thing. Absolutely a complete angel! NOT!! Donna on the other hand taught me all my bad habits. I was so sweet and innocent before she started influencing me. Like speaking of trees, there was a willow, I believe it was a willow, down on the corner of monson and clark before the tunnel and overpass was there, the branches bent all the way to the ground and covered a pretty goo spot you could slip into and that’s where my big sister invited me inside to partake of my first drag off a cig. One out of one of those 25 cent packsI suppose. I, being the angel that I was would never have done it if not for her. Oh, my poor abused childhood! I won’t tell you how she and her now husband would sneak off when we went to the teen center(Percy Newell’s) and leave her coat and purse there in case mom stopped in, so we could say she walked down the street and would be right back. Poor, trusting soul never took her allowance out of that purse I was left to guard. Once my allowance was gone on pool games, dear Donna supplied the money for the next few rounds. Those boys at the teen center loved me. Who was she going to tell? And now, Donna, after all these years, I apologize. I was a bad bad girl. Welll, I guess I’ll go now and try to forgive myself enough to sleep.
Till next time,
DeeDee
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Did l , or did l not call Dibbs, lil Sister of mine ? l go to grab a bite , for just a bit of substanance and what do you do ?? Grab the spot-light ! Shades of sibling something or the other …just call us the duling duo blogg bimbos …we weld a mean pen that is for sure !
} shows , l had plenty of reason to squealch the little darlin , BUT being the kind, humane , almost perfect BIG sister that l was { and am } l decided to just let her be and given enough rope she might hang herself { or at least trip over my purse as she took those quarters out …oops wait , that WAS back then and we are here right now ,,,right ! 
…and as one of my poems goes …”ah , my little sister , my little brown haired , brown eyed sister…
thankyou , thank-you very much …l got a hunka hunka burnin sibling love ! 
What is this garbage you are spouting now?? No, not the spreading elm tree fantasy you were sharing …the stuff about being sane ! Since when ? What did l miss ?
Ahhh lil sisters , ya gotta love um or kill um and although { as her little sample confession of past sinful atrocities pulled on her Big sister { beleive there are many more to atone for !
Dimples so deep they made Kirk Douglas’s pale …
On the drop of a dollar a melodical tune she would whale ..
Stealer of the show , sometimes on her behind l would loved to have left a blister ”
…Prima Donna out
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Ah girls – you are doing nothing to change my opinion of the little brats you were. Debbie did you have a sister or relative named Sharon? I seem to remember a Sharon Pinkham. Oh Joe – I do love you. You made me laugh out loud. Ray came in to see what was happening. Saw that I was on the blog, shook his head and walked out. If you guys ever leave, I may have to go into therapy. Still glad my sisters aren’t on the blog. We argue enough as it is. Trennis was married to one of Bogard girls wasn’t he. We weren’t allowed to go to town to the dances. Had to settle for the Union Hall old people dances and the occasional teen dance. Did go to the old Luxe theater on Friday nights when I was younger. Sometimes on Saturday and watch Lash Larue and the old serials.
Bless those traveling nurses. We called them visiting nurses. After Mom had a new baby, they would stop by once a month to see how she (they were almost always shes) was doing. I would usually be home. I was the one who had to stay home and care for the younger ones still at home. New mothers stayed in bed for two weeks after delivery. It’s a wonder I graduated from 8th grade. Let alone high school. It’s all the education I got sitting under the trees at the ole swimming pool. One of Ronnie Kellum’s sons was killed. He and his wife came to one of Monte’s birthday parties a couple of years back. It was a tragic story as I remember. Donnie and Glenn Kellum are still doing okay. Ronnie had also stopped by the hospital one evening when Mom was there. It’s hard to believe it’s been 13 years since Mom died. I still want to pick up the phone and call her. Now I’m getting morbid – hard to seperate the good memories from the bad ones.
Sitting in here listening to George Jones and laughing out loud. Some people would think I was crazy. Julie
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:32 am
Miss Debbie …There was a Tinkham Family that i went to Richland School w/..1st. thru 6th. grade ..Dewayne sounds familiar,but i seem to remember a Bud or KennyTinkham ..they lived at THAT time 1st. house when you came across Cedar St. bridge between Sanford and Clark St. just over embankment ..We lived at 100 Monson St. …i was friend of one of them in 1st. or 2nd. gradfe ….that would have been 1942/43 i guess …Building kk would yrs. later be built across st. from their Home of yrs. past..I have ALL my grade school pictures …I”llremember him when i see picture …Really NICE family …Donna ,that occasion Dee Dee talked bout under weeping willow tree { excue me , when I hear word TREE ,i get INFURIATED cause some one ON THIS BLOG ALMOST MAKE IT SOUND LIKE naughty thing}, OH WELL ,ANYWAY, she said at corner of Monson n Clark st. Monson and Clark don”t meet ..prob. Monson n Elm st. …I did”nt BELIEVE LIL OLE you would entice MEAN lil SIS to try something like introducing her to submit tohave a cig. ….MAN,,,she”ll do any thing to pick on you …She”S just jealous cause you kept or tried {and HER case ,looks like might have more work too do} keep everyone on straight n narrow ..Oh ,i know what i wantedto ask you…back in 60″s sometime ,their was guy [early 20"s prob. at your house on motorcycle ,thought some relation from Ark..,had Harley Sporster ,black paint job w/ flame paint job on gas tank ....that BIKE would FLAT FLY man...Some how i raced Bob Bradley in his Corvette n BLEW him away ...[ Bob passed away ..him n sister Barb were really nice kids ]…Doyou remember any one like that or am i thinking of some one else ..seems like they called him by initials ,like kj/tj/jt or something …I know i pulled front wheel up WAY too far at 105 mph …spooked me ,did”nt expect THAT ……Julie, BRO. Trennace is married to Wilma Bogard 52 yrs. ithink …She has twin Thelma that lives in Autowa or how ever you spell it lol ..Their Sister Sharon passed away bout 1yr. or 2 ago in Fl. brain tumor …She was special girl …I went to LUX theater 1 time , the LAST day they were open on a SAT. .only time ..Forget that THERAPY and THEM people …as the old saying goes ….any one that seeks THEIR help , needs their HEAD examined LOL we”ll take CARE of the THERAPUDIC probs. luv yaJoe ..this Train goin to the roundhouse ….bye ,bye He gone
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Hi Everyone! LaDonna you and Deanie are just too much makes my day reading your stuff,is this the Deanie or Dee Dee I know and love that is sane? Hmmm
Nite Train my Uncles name was Kermin and you probably did go to school with him he passed away a few years ago. He was more like a brother. Julie my Aunt was Sharon she lives in Cornland now she has been married to Howard Hurt forever they had 6 children.
As far as Ma loving me like a daughter that makes me happy,because I love her girls like sisters! As for Joe Junior I will forever think of him.
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Debbie, You know and can testify as to what a sweet and angelic person I am. I can’t believe Donna would suggest different. I didn’t know you lived in the bottoms. Have you told mom you grandma worked at Pete and Mary’s? I bet she knew her. Mom knows everybody. Think of all the trouble we would have gotten into if you were raised in the bottoms. We would have probably been in the same classes. I guess God thought that would be too much on even a Richland River Rat teacher. You know, they had to have their limits too. Small, small world isn’t it? Nite_Train did you know Ron and Terri Sauders? Terri and her brother were good friends of mine. Well, gotta go the old man says I gotta be productive. Too late for that.
Later taters,
DeeDee
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
The Day has begun { shades of Romper-Room ;Romper , Bomper , Stomper Boo ! Magfic mirror , tell me do , are all the children here today ? …l see lil Joe Denny, and Julia’s 1 and 2, Deb, Prima Donna } !
We all know we true R.R.R.’s can not start or end the day without checkin in at our favorite hang-out …the “Blog” ! 
…Hope it is sunny were you all are, it sure isn’t here . l hate{ well hate, that is a strong word, so let’s just say , grey days are not my strong suit in this ol game of cards ! { shades of “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down ” , l quess !:-(
} We always had someone staying with us and there was a JT but l don’t remember him being a motorcyle enthusiust …seems like our house was the hub for someone to stay at while they were waiting to go somewhere else ! 
We never turned anyone away that l know of . My folks were always great about that { sometimes to the detriment of our own family , no privacy , no seconds ! 
etc. Did give me a quite the lesson in sharing and diversity ! 
..
Yoah, Deb …glad your now an official “Blog-n-nite” !;-) We need a little fresh in-put here to keep us all honest { hey, nothing is impossible !
Jewel , do not let my discouraging lil sis remarks put you off , you knows l love ya like a sister ! Ya lil Yankee snot !
l may bicker and take sibling pot shots at ya , even verbally shoot ya , BUT l will defend thee against all other comers and ya know it’s true ! For example …the tree incident …without incriminating myself { you know the accused inticement to smoke } l will defend you in that there was a REAL tree there , at that time and in the vicinity that you mentioned that { though l truely am not sure that it was an Elm to be exact …l think that it was a weeping willow because the limbs hung down to the ground and made a perfect hide-out, hang-out etc. …it was on the way to school { right hand side going to school } and l think that is why you thought it was on a corner was because it was where some houses had been torn down, for the already mentioned, but not at that time, built , tunnel
Night_train buddy ….l will check into the shadowy fellow you inquired about with the initials for a name …off hand l think it was one of Jewels cycle buddies , BUT , l could be wrong { doesn’t happen often BUT can happen !
Gotta work …check in later
Prima Donna out
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I gotta make dinner and here I am back again are you kidding me? I could see us at class together and doing stuff. I bet I was conceived in the Goose parking lot and I am proud!!Yes Deanie I know what an angel you are! HA HA This is so cool you guys. They don’t like me saying you guys down here oh well. I remember one time I don’t know how old I was but I was on the porch by myself and this guy was getting off work from Cat and asked me if I wanted his lunch and I walked in the kitchen eating a fried chicken leg my grandma had a fit but I wasn’t givin it up!!
Those were really the days. Talk to you later River Rats what an awesome
group. Going to email my auntie Linda about this blog I am sure she went to Richland thru grade school. Bye4now
October 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Debbie …Kermin was the NAME ,,my lil buddy WAY back then ..MAN …long ago ..i think they moved away or somethin …When i was drivin 18 wheelers hauling tractors out of Caterpillar here n Aurora Il. to Fl./Ga./ Bama ./ n up East coast ,our hopme office was in Marrietta GA. …i HAD ROOM AT SAMS” Truck Stop where i stayed on lay overs ..Bars everywhere i looked .lol not GOOD mornings when them guys down there would get me to drink THEIR white lightnin ..SICK? time for Prayers n Psomises …NEVER ,EVER again …way outta my league .PEACHTREE this nPEACHTREE that ..could”nt keep up w/ them folks …too much for me lol tx for reply bye bye ……Well,everyones” seems to be accounted for but DIRECTOR of half way house of {home sick n I”m so LONELY n MISS the old folfs back home BUNCH }..Must be conducting SEMINAR n [comfort ...give me a BREAK ]class ..If any of you head NORTH by NORTHEAST , watch UNDER TREES” for our FRIEND .. FRIEND you say ? TRAITOR …IT took awhile BUT now we know why SOME people move away …Thank goodness for CROSSNO girls , n Miss Debbie ,,we find our REAL FRIENDS n GOOOD girls ..HMMMMDid i say THAT? oh well .hullucinating maybe lol later …Carol just DERAIlED this TRAIN ..back to roundhouse ,,she can”t corner me there…HE GONE
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
dONNA …yOUR”RE mOM N dAD WERE FANTASTIC BOUT lots OF THINGS …YOUR mOM was pretty n your Dad had that smile n him n Genusa would talk bout THINGS ..He was always so friendly when I was tenden bar them 8yrs. n they always brought life to the place …But every one KNEW dont CONFUSE his good nature nievate~ he was a MANS man that u did”nt mess with ..He could CHANGE in heart beat if you challenged him when he was rite …Was he strict w/ you Girls ? Your Bro. JOE n i didnt know each other that well , but we would wave to one another …he seemed to pick his own Friends n stayed away from trouble makers ..a GOOD kid ..he made better choices than me ..how old would he be now ? that Biker i talked about , i thought he MIGHT be your Mom or Dad nephew or somethin …i”m sure he was from Ark…..Do you talk to your MOM often ,i”m sure ?doubt if She would remember me from GOOSE …Do you still live in area ?you gotta have one heck of Husband that can keep up w/ your MIND ..LOL take care n excuse me for re-reading all your STORIES …this DEE DEE is[nippin at yor heels ] w/ her stories too……Debbie ,,you mentioned GOOSE TAP , i went there in the late 40″s n early 50″s when they had free movies in parking lot ..tended bar from 1960 to tru 1967 n stayed VERY close w/ Joe Genusa till he died in his sleep .On Fri. nites , he took nap until 10 pm when i got off work after i went too work on T.P.&W. R.R. ..My Wife n i would always meet at GOOSE at 1o pm and go at it ..WILD at times ..I was his SOLDIER ,if you know what i mean , and DO things that needed to be DONE …MY Mentor for about 30 yrs….so you think you were CONCEIVED in GOOSE parking lot HUH ?LOTS of THINGS happened in n out of that place . Did you marry Richland RAT ?lol Sylvia {JOSIE }owns it now …WE talk often , but i never go there any more ..We were 1st. BOY /GIRL friend for each other …We laugh about it at times ,1953 ,…NOW that was a TRAIN WRECK for real … tx n take care Debbie…..Well Julie , are you guys gettin ready for trip to Madison Wisc. thisvwk. end yet?Be careful n stay safe n have great time w/ family …don”t forget to take pictures …and by the way ,if you guys are gonna spend ALL your time riding around COUNTRY SIDE , u MIGHT think about getting LAP TOP ,or pay a FINE for absentyism .I wanna hear MORE about what was going on RIGHT under my nose .No one ever took me in when i was looney ..errrahh meant lonely .lol luv ya ..joe train gone later …………
October 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Lo Guys …
…you gals get with it ! …You are not gonna let a mere man out do ya are ya gals ? Remember you are River Rattets after all !;-)
… l got older and wizer{ ?} and well l quess that l just finally had to accept that my parents were both just human with all that being human entails,worts,and all
I see Joe has been holding down the fort while l was out being productive
You know l think this is a good time to point out to us all that although this IS great therapy and loads of fun …we ARE writing on a public blog and anyone can read it …and it stays cyber forever …so we really should just stick to remininsing and story telling . Hate to be a party pooper , but that is the way it is and it may be the reason why some of our other old friends do not partake in our open chat .
l want to keep participating and for others to feel free to participate and jump right in here too , but l don’t think they will if we get to far off the track if you know what l mean ..and l think you all do , when you think about it . but l will always be keeping that fact in mind and hope you all do too. l know it is hard to do when you get lost down memory lane , but we have to be diligent, don’t ya know?
I’ll let you know what Mom says about you next time l talk to her, Joe . Your description of my Dad is how l remember him too , friendly, fair and firm .,BUT..he ususually left the discipline to Maw { guess cause she was so good at it!
l know at times l idolized him{and Maw too…whether she thought so or not !;-) } I quess all little girls adore their Dads of course , BUT l also thought my mother was perfect { when l was very young !
… as well as that they were unusually good -hearted , kind and loving people and l wouldn’t have wanted any other parents then or now . .
Now back to the R.R.R. rehashen sessions ….jump right in kids…the waters great !
Prima Donna waiting
October 24th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Prima , got DRIFT n know EXACTLY what your saying …tx …now , whats this PRODUCTIVE stuff ? up here , we call it afternoon nap . I will keep OTHERS out of CYBER , but for this ole COWBOY ,everyones”seen my act or heard of it n THEY STILL have NO and I MEAN NO idea WHO I am or what I”VE SEEN / HEARD /DONE / or KNOW….ALWAYS been {NEVER volunteer / CREATE confusion / chaos / deny / and disappear .} I could tell anyone everything and they STILL WOULD”NT GET IT …LOL But I know what you mean…well taken …now YOU see it ,now you DON”T …them other gals must be recharging their batteries … THIS TRAIN headed for PARTS unknown ..NITE TRAIN gone bye ..bye don”t forget to STOP, LOOK, n LISTEN at all R.R. CROSSINGS …….
October 24th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Speaking of the water …anyone got a down by the river story to tell ?? Remember clammin Richland style …entaled climbing up one side of the levee , down the other side to the shore, beach , piece of sand whatever you want to call it …it was whatever strip the river happened to leave for us to stand on at any given time!
…wading out and using your toes to dig for muscels…squishing that old sand between your toes until you found that prize ,,,don’t know why we were always so happy to find them ..we never ate them or did anything else with them ?? Ah the joys of unspoiled youth ! 
l have had dreams many times that took me back to those old plum and apricot trees and the cherries ! Mmmm! Like Jewel remembers , we ate them till our bellies were full to the hilt and a humungous belly ache would follow . Straight behind and down your back yard we had access to the creek …do you remember ?? …the rope ? 
… Just remembering …
Shout out to Judy B if you are still there ….l do remember for sure that it was the roof in back on the old rental { not your house} that we gazed up at the clouds and waited for them to part or not so we could see Never-Never Land …We were rich in imagination if not in wordly goods that’s for sure!
October 24th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Remember starting on a “walk” and picking up kids as we went ?? Started out alone , but seldom ended up that way …traversed all those old streets up and down …alleys, creek beds , hide-a-ways …sometimes we ended up at ol Richland and had a came of hop scotch or grabbed a swing for a little glide to the skies ….sometimes we ended up down at the river , exploring every nook and corner , stopped at Pop’s for a pop !
…. or at any one of the corner stores{ Species,Gormans or the laundromaut for a 5cent candy bar and a Lotta Cola ! Geesh !what a quarter could buy back then , no wonder we never knew we weren’t rich ! 
some of the places would have raised the hair on our parents necks had they known , but come on now , when they said go out and play we …went out and played…for hours ! What did they think we were doing ?? Can you fanthom letting your children do as we were allowed to do ? Unbeleivable ! ;-0
October 24th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
My computer failed me. I wrote a really long blog last night with a LOT of interesting stories but I couldn’t send them. Had a hard time getting on to the site today. What will I do if you guys go away into cyberspace away from me? Debbie, did Sharon have red hair. I hope she’s the one I remember. We did spend a lot of time together if she’s the one. Add her to this blog if you can.
Ray stays as far away from the computer as he can. Has disliked it since he retired. I think he’s jealous tho. He always thought his small town of Centralia was close knit. They always have a class picnic each year along with 5 year reunions. After a couple, he didn’t want to go anymore. I’ve offered to see if someone has set up a site like this for Centralia, but he’s not interested. But he really does like that I’ve reconnected with my youth.
Okay Deanie, I know you live in Paragould, Arkansas but where do you live LaDonna. If you two just live across the street from each other that’s just sick.
Joe, I’m really happy that you have found someone that you were able to stay with for so many years. She must be a saint to put up with you and the “harem” and see past the bad boy image to the caring person that you have always been.
No one has mentioned about any of the Weir family. Abby, Elizabeth or Harry. I know that Abby and Judy were long time friends. She, Elizabeth and I were short time friends. When Judy and Corny moved to Alabama with their three kids, Abby moved down there also. Eventually Judy brought the kids and came back. Abby and Corny lived together for a while. He eventually remarried, but had no contact with their kids. A couple of them tried to get in touch with him. His new wife let them know a few years ago that he was dying. Randy and Pam drove down to Alabama but he passed before they got there. They stayed for the funeral. Said his wife looked and acted like their mother. Interesting.
I’ve too worried about everyone reading this blog. But how many would understand, the bottoms, river rats, KK & LL?
I would go down to the river with Dad to splash in the water while he fished. I remember those ugly crawdads. Can’t believe people eat those things down in New Orleans.
Didn’t go to Madison today. Erik and family got the flu so I’m stuck with you guys. I’m hoping we got a couple of sunny days. I love to take that drive from Rockford to Galena in the fall.
Don’t worry about the trees. Almost all of the leaves are gone now.
You girls had a lot more freedom than we did. We had laundry to do, floors to scrub, little kids to watch but when we were let lose, there was no restriction on where we could go. You were safe everywhere.
I wonder now why my parents allowed that. Because we weren’t safe everywhere all the time. Unfortunately a side effect of this remembering is also remembering some things that have been best forgotten.
Wasn’t the policeman who spent a lot of time in the bottoms named Red?
I need to leave this for a while. Getting uncomfortable.
I’m sure last night I wasn’t in this depressed place. Bye Love Julie
October 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Got an email from Donna earlier, like Julie and me, she had trouble getting on the site this morning. I thought she was going to go into cardiac arrest over the net. CPR would have been out of the question. I felt the same way though. I couldn’t imagine us having to stop what we just got started. Donna’s trying to set us up with our own site and that will be cool. She and her hubby Tom are a lot more computer savvy than me. Julie, were you talking about the cop who owned those apartments down in the bottoms or are you talking about the cop that hung out at the fire station? His name was Woody. Woody told my mom once, that he hadn’t stopped me yet, but she needed to tell me if I did another rolling stop at the corner of Chicago and Monson he was going to give me a ticket. He never did. Hey, I made sure no small children or animals were in my way and if he hadn’t been stuffin donuts in his mouth at the fire department and had been more visible I would have stopped all the way. I just didn’t want to wear out my brake pedal. I know what you mean about being safe everywhere. There were a couple people in the bottoms that parents would have thought were just dandy, but showed a different side to unsuspecting kids. Do you remember Strobels that lived down by Hagey’s? Hilda was my age and she had an older sister. They were from Germany. Her mom would make homemade bread and cheese and butter . Their house always smelled so good. Well, I guess I’ll go for now and hope this site stays in this spot from now on.
DeeDee
October 24th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Thank God! …l did think l was going to have to pull a Red Fox { aka as the “Big One” …l’m comming, Lizabeth! etc!
}
} already think that we are all short a few cards of a full deck !;-) They probably think our Legends of Richland Ramblings rank right up there with …Journey to the Center of the Earth , Fantasia , and Atlantis etc. . 
…of course that is another story in its self …heck , that is another book ! 
l thought your remark about , if it ended up that Jewel and l lived across the street from each other it would really be sick , was a gas ! l wish we did , but sadly several states seperate us …she high-tailed it outta Illinois after Maw and Pa { didn’t hurt that her hubbie’s people were from the same area , and No, contrary to some Northern opinions and southern steryotyping , they were NOT related !;-)…
..hey, it is East ! } and got stuck in Bedford Falls { aka Illinois ..as Jewel would say when evading speciffics , l’d tell ya exactly where , BUT then l would have ta kill ya !;-) …she’a a gem …that’s why l call her Jewel as mentioned before { you have to be a fan of “It’s A Wonderful Life” to get the real gist of the Bedford Falls remark }
…so many good cooks in the bottoms , so many good people .
lt was down right spooky guys and gals , when l could not get the “BLOG” to come in , especially since l had just written my “warning to all ” post ! l thought , uh !oh! Now we don’t have a hang-out again ! l don’t know about youse guys but l can’t wait around another 40 or 50 years to see if our G.G.G.Grandkids “find” Richland again !;-) Shoot, our kids and grand-kids { and according to Julia2 , some of our spouses !
Fear not Julia2{ aka Julie H} Jewel and l did not get by unscathed …we too had “chores” to do before the fun could begin { some of us more than others, right , Jewel ?
l , on the other hand ,expanded my search to non-locals { although there was not a thing wrong with the locals …in fact some came in pretty close in that old race …oops ! l digress .. l married actually an Easterner { W.Va. !
Yeah , Jewel , l remember the aromas from Strobles too …hmmm and Smith’s { remember Mrs. Smith’s famous { to us } Chillie ! Hmmm! …Judy B , your Maw could whip up some delicious aromas herself , gal !
l definetly am working on our own blogg , so bare with me fellow travelers we will share the road again . l will let you know as soon as it is viable , up and running …any ideas you want to contribute ? My only rules will be ; be on your best R.R.R. behavior , no hurtful, spite-ful input…..l trust the good sences you were all raised with to keep it from becoming trash or a trashing bin …l want a safe place to congregate, remember, heal and renew …safe …like we all felt back then …away from today’s world of crazy stress ….hurry! hurry , fast food mentality …safe …like we were back then
Prima Donna out
October 24th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Julie…that Cop called RED that owned apartments at corner of Chicago / Sanford St.,was Red Uppole ..He n Sam Pendola were partners on patrol alot …both ok guys , altho i drove um nuts ..Woody was Woody Slocum , I MADE it POINT to HARRASS him ..he messed w/ me every chance he could ,and iTRIED to tell him ,HEwas gettin in OVER his head . Other COPS tried to tell him too, but he INSISTED ..LOL Let the FUN begin..n it DID …end of SCREWIN w/ ME..end of STORY for those W? lil EARS …lol..Sam Pendola wrecked police car chasin me ,so police commision was goin to give him 3 day suspension w/out pay , for not havin lights n siren on , so i run him down when i heard that n told him i”d testify he DID …he said ,I”LL prob. have to give you ticket JOEY boy ,lol …I said thats , ok , i never pay um anyway …THEY did”nt suspend him them 3 days …Red Uppole”s son had slot car racing store up town next to MY OLE KENNEY”S Cafe…my stop n go ,CHEESEBURGER all the way n on out back door on BIKE..TERRIBLE …Julie , the Weir family had two older bros. ..Gordon and Richard also …Abby n i would run into each other alot n laugh about time when we were in 1st. grade n she chased me on playground n KISSED me LOL, ileft school n ran home cryin n told MOM , She took me RITE back to school …Abby n i always laughed about that ..Elizabeth lived in old Mike Pelalas”s house behind his on Monson that sat back by alley on Maple …River road n levee ..levee used to be bout half as high as it is now n land was bout 3 ft. lower …late 30″s n 40″s ,cars would park on top of levee n they would have Church Baptisms at river …we would watch it at times ..MOM missed her CHANCE to to get me STARTED on STRAIGHT n NARROW path .never recovered..lol..when WW 2 started ,Cat. hauled dirt n cinders down there from everywhere for new buildings ..land got higher and SO did levee.. I”m glad i took LOTS of pictures of how it[down under bridge [ my PLAYGROUND] n Richland/ downtown E.PEO. before they MESSED every thing up ..I also got to BLAST thru tunnel ,before YOU KNOW WHO , comeplained bout loud BIKER n they sealed it up ..My SMILE is still in there tho lol .Did any of you EVER try that OTHER tunnel out goin towards Franklin St. Bridge ? when you areolder n get on private blog , i”ll tell you STORIES bout DOWN UNDER lol ….keep on keepin on ..ya GOTTA luv ta HATE the guy or HATE ta luv im..train gone..bye bye leave one LEAF on one TREE ….
October 24th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Julie…Abby had two sons that i knew ,MAN lol…their last name was Blackburn ..ihad settled down then alot ,oh but not quite completely . i reaqlly liked um ..Abby n i talked about um cause they were like WAY OUT ,alittle on WILD side …they really liked me n wanted me to party w/ um ..well being one NOT to DISAPOINT people , i said sure buckle up BOYS , this could be bumpy ride ..i got um out of Center Tap before that melee started ,Abby laughin ,said i TOLD you ..well ,we went across st. from Lacontes to house ,upstairs where party was n sure nuff :HELLO COPS ..tyhey came in droves ..i”m sittin there smilin ,cops seen me and said they had complaints bout brawl n loud noise …i assured them all would be quiet n ok rest of nite and got them outta there n ended THAT ,THAT would NEVER happen again ..next time Abby seen me ,she ask , have fun ,huh? laughin at me ..Sorry you were Depressed bout not being able to go see FAMILY this wk. end ,but when some ones sick ,STAY AWAY from every one ..My Daughter called , Frannie Jo the Tazewell Cty. Nurse , she workin LATE darn nearly every nite gettin this H1N1 swine flu thing goin and making arrangements for the onslaught every day…no mention she says bout REGULAR FLU shots , too wrapped up in H1N1 ..BUT don”t get TOO down or DIIAPOINTED bout wk/ end cancellation on trip…Get on and talk to the GIRLS ,THEY could cheer SAD SACK up w/ their out of the BOX crazyness …I laugh just readin it over WILD …YOU like GOOD Country Music ,huh? not this R?R heavy metal country , man i” like to haveyou listen too MY top ten …MY LIFE STORY ,sad as it is ..Great Songs …luv joe TRAIN fuelin up for next run…and i wanna see if any of you know about THAT other tunnel when in private ..bye bye gone
October 24th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Wasn’t depressed about not visiting kids, okay a little bit. More so about old FORGOTTEN memories trickling in. I agree Red and Sam were good cops. Other than Red shot our dog who was hiding under our car. Mom told us the dog had been mad. I told her not before Red shot him.
But a very long time ago I had an occasion where I had to go to the police station as a very young child. I remember quite vividly Red going behind a tall desk and squatting down so he was eye to eye with me and talking to me.
Speaking of songs, one of my favorites is “Hank Williams You Wrote my Life”. When we were at Branson, we saw Loretta Lynn. It was the weekend Conway Twitty’s restaurant burned down. Also saw Ferlin Husky.
Had our picture taken with him. A few others but I remember them the most. No comment on that other tunnel.
The girls are really funny, but your sense of humor has improved also.
Don’t really remember that about you.
Isn’t it funny how early we all get typecast and we spend the rest of our lives either trying to measure up or live up to it.
Judy was the “wild one” I was the “quiet one”(little did they know)
Lynda and Gayle were the pretty ones, Bill was the son to carry on family name and the rest were the little kids. So are the girls trying to live up to oor live down the title of “funny ones” and you the “wild one” . I’m
on this darn blog a little later than usual. Told myself I wouldn’t start getting on it late in the evening when one tends to get sentimental.
So I’m shutting off. Love Julie
October 25th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Go to sleep little one n always remember it”s xmas eve n tomorrow”s the BEST present you can receive cause GOD gave it too YOU !as for livin UP to or DOWN for something , I just roll the DICE and what comes up is OK w/ me . I”ve ALWAYS been ULTRA CONSERVATIVE in my Private life that i lived, n did”nt care what people said or thought .I made a DEAL and PROMISE w/ GOD ,not THEM.No one ever could figure me out any way . did”nt waste my time caring what they THOUGHT they knew .LOL….The only SHOW we saw in Branson ,was Jerry Reed …can”t handle these HIP HOP so -called country performers that are out there now ….MTV on steroids Man ,BAAAD…MY favorite songs…FOR THE GOOD TIMES [Ray Price]/DO YOU EVER THINK of ME[Kieth Whitley ]WOMAN TO WOMAN n KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS[Tammy Wynette]AINT MISBEHAVIN][Hank Jr.]ITS JUST a MATTER of TIME [Randy Travis ]EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE [Eddie Rabbitt]STAND BY ME [Elvis ] HE STOPPED LOVIN HER TODAY [George no show Jones] and of course MY WAY [OLE blue eyes Frank Sinatra]…Do you know what tunnel i”m referring to? just a yes or no will be SUFFICE …NOW its morn. here so Merry X-MAS lol luv joe
October 25th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I went to bed but didn’t sleep at all last night. Have a lot of nights like that. Can you believe the coincidence – I just came in here and turned on the computer and put my Keith Whitley tape on. (It’s so old, it’s still on tape) The first song that came up was Do You Ever Think of Me. Then I came to your e-mail, Joe. I didn’t think anyone else even knew who he was.
I just want to share one thing about what this site means to me. I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and know who and what I am.
Somebody’s wife, lover, mother, sister, friend. But no one here really knows what I was, This site is the only place where I’m young and free again. Where I can remember the things that have been long forgotten. Like my first meaningful kiss standing on my crappy front porch on a warmish Christmas night. God had his plan for me and I’ve certainly been mostly happy and accepting with it. We’ve raised great kids and helped people along the way. Some we know about and some we may never know. I’ve survived tragedies when others haven’t. God has been good.
And I have to believe at this time in my life, He sent this web site to all of us. Ray and I went out to breakfast this morning and I asked him again what he thought about the time I spend on the computer. Again he stressed he is just glad that it makes me happy. I mention the people that are on the site and he is welcome to read what I or others write about.
Talked to Lynda the other day and she isn’t interested in writing on it. Occasionally she’ll read it.
Julia and LaDonna I enjoy reading your good natured bickering. And we do look to Joe as our historian. Maybe because you stayed there. Even when you left the area, you didn’t really leave. Okay, for some reason, the tears have arrived, so I’m signing off. Talk later. Love Julie
October 25th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Julie…Kieth whitley was married to Lorrie Morgan { daughter of ,George “CANDY KISSES ” Morgan },who died yrs. ago . Kieth drank HIMSELF to DEATH …He has another GREAT song called {It Ain”t Nothin a Little Love Won”t Cure }..BUT , beingi was LISTIN the JOE”S top ten ,LOL , I”VE gone crazy ,I THINK ,LOL i forgot my 2 favorites ..the ONE is fitting n proper for sure ..LOL …..FAREWELL PARTY {Keith WHITLEY }and this one you can take to the BANK ,STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YRS. {Paul Simon}…if you want a LITTLE humor ,check out a song maybe you”ve already heard , it”s been out for yrs. by OLE Country Guy called {TEN LITTLE BOTTLES } by Johnny BOND .CLEAN n FUNNY …I called Country station here , n they never heard of it , but would find it n play it ..never did …We have 40 Music channels on COMCAST TV cable here , n dam if next day they played it on Country station here. I hollerd at Carol , cause she did”t think she had heard of it , but after they played it , she remembered hearing it before .[ probably HAD”NT ,but said OH YEA , just to pacify me …I”M gonna have to have THAT GAL institutionalized to SAVE her sanity from my MELTDOWNS…LOL .. I told HER i”d get HER out if it took 20 yrs. she say”s NOT FUNNY ..OHHHH yea ,ALMOST forgot …Somebody”s wife ,lover,mother ,sister ,friend .OOOOOOOOK,now that we”ve established YOU”VE got a FRIEND NAMED RAY ,I think I”LL skip next round of QUESTIONS ……Had to TEASE YOU a little to GET you HAPPY ..SORRY , but i COULD”NT resist …that NUT CASE DONNA , has got my HEAD messed up w/ HER off the WALL stories that i re-read ..STILL luv me as I pick my self up off floor from lthinkin bout THAT DIRTY LOOK you”re givin me ..LOL …Man 1 more wk. n month over and its Holloween and Nov. 1st. …MAN, this television should be renamed HELLEVISION …TERRIBLE line up anymore …well you take care n remember ..THAT so-called crappy FRONT PORCH is STILL there as always will be the MEMORIES ….luv Joe ..Train gone .be back later
October 25th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Julie
Like I said before I don’t have the school history most of you have.but I do have the beginnings of my memories and things my family spoke of and many important things went on in the bottoms when I was older. I admire the things you said because it is how I feel. You look in the mirror and know who you are but so many people in your life don’t know who you were.
I often miss the girl I was and wonder where she went. Life happens is all I know. Nite-train I am happy that someone remembered my Uncle Bud(Kermin) he was one of my favorite people ever.Thanks Guys have a great night!
Deb
October 25th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Julie … I mispoke about that song {FAREWELL PARTY } darn it . ..SO many things i wanna say bout SO manythings ,i get ahead of myself …Gene Watson recorded it not K. W. ..Surprised my self , never been wrong about any thing , thought i was once ,but i was mistaken ..A BIG tx to YOU LIL MISS DEBBIE for remembering us”ns. Be back later so STUDY real hard n take Notes , for there MIGHT be TEST .YOU FLUNK ,and off to my OFFICE ..later .nite gone ..
October 25th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Lo Guys !
Seriously , l am not being catty and there is no punch line …l DO understand what you are sayiny. l think you worded the someone’s wife , mother , etc. making up who you are { who we all are in differeing degrees in fact} bit just right …
Hope ya’ll missed me??…Well maybe just a little ???…l had to make hay while the sun shone today …round here that is such a rare occurance you drop what you’re doing and stare in ga,ga, amazement..like ; what can that warmth emmiting thing in the sky be ? …by the time you realized that that bright yellow orb up there in the sky was actually the sun …it goes and hides again ! Lil rascal ! So l took advantage to get a few outdoors things accomplished { yes, aside from work and this blogg l really do exist in the real world, no matter how unreal it seems at times .}
Julie H…sometimes you break my heart .
l think you would probably agree with me also , that somewhere , someplace there was another part of us , that got lost along the way, or just misplaced with all life’s events … { probably also for some of the reasons you expressed ; trying to live up or down to being pigeon-holed or steryotyped } and that part that was lost was who we were , really were (the me, myself and l in all of us} ….the Julia , the Donna , the Joe , etc. …the original, the purer soul that went on to become , somebody’s wife , mother , etc. NOT the soul that writes now , shaped and molded by life’s adversities and what we have all been through , but the unshaped soul , the one that God gave us , the one that really was the “me” in any of us { the imp, the innocent , the pure of heart, the dare-devil etc. } . Sometimes the tears come from the loss of that “me” and this blogg just helped us to verify that what felt , what we were, was real and precious and we did not value it as we should have …l am sure we all would change a lot if we could go back and do it all over again , BUT mostly it is what we would NOT change …we changed ourselves to fit the world NOT the world to fit us and that is the biggest shame l feel .
When we were all younger and still the “me”‘s l am refering to; l always thought we would all continue to grow and have families and our children would go to school { at Richland} with each other and their children and so on …BUT as we all got older and began to doubt the “me” in us , so changed mine and quite a few others out-looks on the future.
The “me’s” got lost in the living of the “NOW” and left those “me’s” behind to “fit-in” ?? Like Joe says , l really do not care about people’s opinions just for the sake of their opinion , but we all were raised with-in similar guide-lines that told us certain actions , brought certain rewards ..l think we all found that we were all fine as long as we dwelled, safe, in our little corner of the world but once we went”out” and found out that the outside world considered us “the other side of the tracks” mostly in such a negative ways . we lost our footing and in losing it we have lost a great treasure and legacy we could have left our children. Our children and their children ,do not have anyway of knowing what they lost and have been deprived of , for they have never known a Richland to come home to …does any of this make sence to any of you ?
Prima-Donna out
October 25th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
First, for Nite_Train. Do you remember Keith Whitley’s song When you say nothing at all? I have sang that song to my granddaughter as I rock her to sleep or just when I’m holding her since the day she was born. What a beautiful song! As for the me I see in the mirror, it’s no where near what I saw when I lived in the bottoms. That girl died a long time ago. I don’t know how, I don’t know why. I agree, I thought I would marry, live across the street from my sister, down the street from my mother and with all the ones I grew up with around me with their children. But, choices, my choices, whether good or bad have me looking in the mirror today and really not recognizing who I see. I do believe we are where God wants us to be. So, here I am. Can’t complain. Life could be so much worse and I thank God everyday that I wake up and am able to see those I love and feel loved. AND that I am still able to waddle from my bed to this darned computer and get my morning dose of the river rats. It takes me back in time and I feel rejuvinated all over again and I’m good till I get my evening dose of the river rats and can lay my head down once again.
Later taters,
DeeDee
October 25th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Now we lay us down to sleep …we pray thee, Lord, our souls to keep…Keep us safe from want and harm, and wake us with the morning’s dawn ,Amen
Night All
October 26th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Another night of no sleep. Probably shouldn’t go on the blog. I’m in a weird mood. First off to all four of you (shouldn’t there by lots more by now) thank you for understanding what I was trying to write. A psychologist would say – how does that make you feel. You guys say – I know just what you are feeling.
Debbie, if your Aunt Sharon is who I think she is, I can remember down to her house. First out my back door, up the alley beside by house, then up the alley alongside the little church, down the alley alongside Joe’s house, up the next alley part way to where they lived behind Pete & Mary’s. I’m glad you’ve joined our little group.
Donna, Thanks for being understanding. Someone suggested using this as a therapy group. Don’t want to make you sorry.
Julia, Was going to include you along with Donna, but no you are Julia, a seperate person of your own and deserve your own sentence. I promise to stop addressing you as “the girls”. Ann said you two remind her of the Steel Magnolias.
Joe, Does it bother you that I don’t address you as nite-train? If I change your name, it will be one that I pick and you might not like it. You broke my heart when you said go to sleep little one. When did you get so sensitive? Got an e-mail from Amy today and said she read the blog and she thought we were flirting. Now tell me how does a 60+ woman and 70+ man flirt? Believe me I know how old all of us are. Well except Debbie. For some reason I wanted to be mad at you tonight. Like I said weird mood. I’m no longer the virginal naive girl you knew. Ray is a friend and lover. (Now my girls are going to be blushing again).
And I wonder sometimes if we are remembering the same things the same way. When I read the last blogs I was laughing and crying at the same time and decided maybe it was time to sign off for good. But guess what, I find I can’t leave. I’m hoping a good night’s sleep will clear up this dumb mood I’m in.
Thanks for the prayer Donna and back at you.
Love Julie
October 26th, 2009 at 12:49 am
I really should start reading what I write before I send it. Sorry to all if I offended anyone. I was writing more, but ran out of room and had to erase it to send this. Sorry Love Julie
October 26th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Julie do not be sorry! I don’t think anyone could say anything wrong its okay to have feelings. Like Deanie I do believe God has us just where we should be. I am thankful for her that I have known for many years and been close and thankful for you guys I don’t know but just met on this blog.
Write Later bye4now
October 26th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Kinda sounds like we’ve become more like sisters than just riverrats that reconnected on this blog. I like it. I know how you feel Julie and no, you sure can’t offend me. Yes, I do believe that we are in ourself, our own little therapy group. You guys are just getting a taste of Donna, but she has been my therapist for many many years. If she ever sends me a bill, I am going to have to mortgage the farm. It’s good to just have a place to say what you want with no repercussions. And THIS TRULY IS THAT PLACE
And so what if you are kinda flirting. It’s not like it’s being done in secret and it truly is innocent. I always remembered you Julie from when me and Kathy were kids. You were that elusive sister that lived in that far away place known as Kankakee. Isn’t that funny? It seemed like Kankakee was as far away as England or France. Funny how the minds of kids work isn’t it? Well, I am proud I am getting to know everyone of you and now that I’ve got my morning dose of therapy, I have to help my husband lay carpet in my granddaughter’s room. Till, I check in for my evening session, I must say good bye.
Love you all,
DeeDee
October 26th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Crap, another night of no sleep. I’m going to have to take something pretty soon, and I hate doing that. I was thinking Keith Whitley was my own little secret. Now I find out we all like it. Spooky huh? When I was driving an hour back and forth to work everyday I about wore the tape out. When I just found it again, parts of it are jumpy. It’s got “Don’t Close Your Eyes”, “I’m No Stranger to the Rain”, “When You Say Nothing at all” (which was recorded again by a girl in Springfield and she won an award), “It Ain’t Nothin”, “I’m Over You”, “I Wonder Do You Think of Me”, “Ten Feet Away”"Til A Teardrop Becomes a Rose” and “Tell Lorrie I Love her” Got another gallon of coffe to drink. Talk Later. Julie
October 26th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Feel like we’re starting to go down another path that I started so am backtracking and sending out a few new names. Ruth Ann Hittle who lived in various houses but was a good friend for quite a while. Last time I saw her was when I had gone home for a weekend and she was living on Globe Street and married to a man who was quite jealous. They moved later on and never heard anything about her since. Wasn’t there a brother and sister who lived on Edmond St named Huette (spelling probably wrong). How about an Earl Stanley. Not sure where he lived but I remember him walking to school with Judy and I a couple of times. Possible he was a boyfriend of Judy’s who just showed up at the house a couple of mornings. A John Fulkenrod (here a private spot would be handy because I’m going to describe him as a short squirrley kid – hope no ones relative has married him) Heard from Mom years ago that he was a city policeman. That’s all my tired mind can come up with now.
Love you people. Julie
October 26th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Girls , Girls ,Girls,…MAN where do I start and afraid of HOW i will finish…you ALL OPENED [protective shield ] you have protecting what you keep hidden in your heart and let ME look thru just a little window of your HEARTS ,just one little peek …tx …after reading n SEEING what i SAW n heard , isat here for over an hour w/ mouse in hand and tried to Mybring my self to respond properly…CRUSHED …After teasin you Julie ,felt terrible …so sorry …and then my DONNA and Julia , what i caught after small GLIMPSE you”s shared w/ us , the goodness / LOVE /caring /sadness /happyness /MEMORIES /you”ve ALL experienced ,i got to keep to my self to get ME thru tough times …I DON”T have the LUXURY of dwelling in the past …My HEARTS” got chain around it w/ padlock , and i can”t remember combination or quite possibly i DON”T wanna those in out and THOSE out in…the lives i”ve touched and those i was Somewhat responsible for and lost cause i could”nt do it all, i feel bad for and NOT very good bout me …I told them from start ,there could be only ONE like me ,,,DON”T try !……………………………………..last nite , Ialways tell FANG oops , Carol took look at clock ..it says 12:34 ,[1234] roll over and go to sleep, Carol…thats the time you sent blog ,Julie …unreal…lol…THEN,Iturn my station on and geuss what 1st. song is?YEP,Paul Anka”s signature song he wrote for ole blue eyes ,SINATRA ,{MY WAY}…enough Joe ?nooo not yet fool …next up ,uh huh,Paul Simon singin {Still Crazy AfterALL THESE YRS.}…I said nuff of this ,TIME for REPENTANCE..Where”s the Comp. …DAM ,don”t know how to get on it and FANG”S asleep …maybe just maybe if i PET her 1st. ,she wont bite me .OHHH i know , i”ll turn her LIFE support line off that she has running to frig. Speed bumps did”nt slow her down this MIGHT just work .started chewin on my arm ,glad i HAD covers on …LOL…not funny ? NOT !!!But, i was awake again ALL nite again .i THINK i”ll go back to TALK RADIO station out of Alanta ,Ga. WSB….Music bout topush me over Clif…OR , I know what we can DOOOO..Designated Blogger to BABYSIT me every nite on Comp. ,…HERE, HERE ,..don”t everyone raise hands at once ,we”ll uhh,i know like LOTTERY drawing ,and the number 1 ,gets to play …Now theres” 4 numbers in hat and between just US , tyey all say 1…ok w/ me .YOU guys” work it out …i NEED MEDICATION I THINK …lol luv Joe ….
October 26th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Julie…Huettes” lived on Fisher St. …Berlyn ,[my age]., Mary younger , n Stanley …Stanley wasPrincipal or maybe just teacher out Princeville or somewhere like that n got in car accident got killed …the Hittles “, several of them ….Talked to little Jake few yrs. ago , he owned bar in Peo. n he asked me bout some one that.that he did”nt like very much and i did”nt either , so go ahead n WHACK him , we were laughin bout it .. last time i talked to him … just joe bye
October 26th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I’m getting on this early tonight and then shutting if off and not turning it back on until tomorrow. I’m thinking some problems are caused by writing or reading so late at night that everything isn’t being interpreted
the way they are meant.
Julia, when I left Richland, I moved to Springfield where I met Ray. When we started talking marriage (after 3 weeks), the office informed us married couples aren’t allowed to work in the same office. Asked us to make a list of 5 places he would be willing to work. Believe me Kankakee wasn’t on any list. But that’s where they sent him. Our first two kids were born here, then he was transferred to Indianapolis and then Danville. I was 7 months pregnant when he was transferred back to Kankakee. We agreed to come back only if we didn’t have to die and be buried here. Guess what. I bet you are a good mother. And how lucky you are to have a granddaughter close enough to have a room for her. Our eldest granddaughter just sent an e-mail with her schedule til the school Christmas play. She is busy every weekend and holiday until Thanksgiving.
Donna, I too never thought I would never leave the bottoms. I would get a job in town and live close to my family as long as they were there. But I made the choice to leave as you did and am very happy with how life has turned out for me.
And to our revered historian, I have some new names and places to mention. Split classrooms at Richland where you had two grades in one room. I was in one of those for two years. Mrs. Ballard once threw an eraser at me in class. I dreaded the year when I would have to have Mrs. Clatt, didn’t have her, went to Central school for 8th grade she was my homeroom teacher. Either she had gotten better or I had. Either way it worked out okay. The Glen Oak Lagoon and kid’s amusement area in Glen Oak Park. Okay not Richland, but they were a lot of fun. When areas in Richland got paved roads. We were living on Sanford St when that happened. Oil burning stoves, outdoor clotheslines year around so in the winter you had to bring the frozen clothes in and dry them on the oil stove. Mrs. Lowery who lived where the Elliots later lived at the corner of Globe and Maple. Was she ever the gossip. Would come down to our house almost every morning with her nylons rolled down around her ankles. And she would tell mom if she thought Judy or I didn’t come in early enough. Learning to tell time by when Caterpillar would blow their whistles. Enough.
Anybody listen to Conway Twitty today. Julie
October 26th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Julie, yes I am lucky. My granddaughter lives with me. When she was born her mother did not bond with her. How, she couldn’t I will never know. But, her mother was a very self-centered person. We had her since she was born and adopted her at 6 months old. My son lives next door to us and is with her everyday. Her mother went on her way and will ask to see her about every other month. Enough of that. Her loss is my gain. Didn’t think I would be raising one at my age, but she is what makes my eyes open in the morning and my lips thank God that I’m alive. She definitely gives my life meaning. And when Ann said Donna and I reminded her of Steel Magnolias, were we Weezer and Clarise?(haha) I remember Mrs. Lowry. She lived right there on the corner, right? And what was the guys name that fixed bikes there on globe street? I remember pushing my bike there more than once.
Well later taters,
Love you all
DeeDee
October 26th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Old friends never die , they JUST fade away ,,,so ,like that old friend ,i”ll just ……………………..fade away _______aka..NITE TRAIN, MUDDY WATER ,DILLIGAF,SMOKIN JOE___________________
October 26th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Hellooooo….Everyone sleepin, snug as little bugs in your beds are ya? Well,just don’t let the bed-bugs bite .l am tired, but wired!
So instead of chillin l am quillin with my trusty cyber pen! 
BUT in the looks department, in her hey day Maw could drop kick poor lil Sally in and out of the good lookin hoop ! 
Not that Sally fields isn’t attractive in her own right ..BUT Maw had kind of an exotic thing going for her, ya know with the long black island girl hair and a knock-out figure…in her day , now l did say in her day ! 
{ mind you like the rest of us …it has been a couple of days past “her day” and prime time ! 
Sorry Maw , but l tell it like it is ! 
Always did get my A–{ mule} in trouble for that but l still keep doing it …some of us never learn ! 
…it wasn’t just you and
She moved out on Meadows sometime over the years and l would see her sitting on her front porch there , probably doing what she always did down by your house…watching ! 
{ shall we say that she had her own “neighbor-hood watching ” program ? 
Anywhooo , they just tore the house down recently , so l assume she either has moved or passed on to that great neghborhood in the sky …oops l quess that would mean that she was still watching ! 
} referred to me as Illinois and always made fun of what they thought were my Northernism { ie; You Guys !etc. } However , up North here l was and am always asked “where do you come from , your accent is ….WHATEVER! ..Kind of ties in to what Julie H. was saying about living up /down to other peoples criteria really …l wasn’t Northern enough to be Northern or Southern enough to be Southern { now , l realize that l was just well rounded! 
}
Shout out to her too !
l think we all are not by any means wanting to change our current lives , just enrich it with the rich past we all shared …let someone reading who doesn’t understand think that Joe and Julie are flirting , so ?? That is just the Richland charm comming out { much like the southern charm and grace that others write about !;)
anywhooo…l have never met or known better people { and l have met some very fine people } than my kids are …Last time , l looked , Julie , l didn’t have any Doctors, lawyers or merchant chiefs in my little clan either { There is a A Mylee Cyrus, and a Metal Man wanna be in the grand-kids sections , however …so who knows what the future will bring ! 
…BUT they are great people and wonderful parents , each and everyone of them with or without titles .Like l said about my parents , l would want no others but them in ANY life-time , “THEN” or”NOW”…l just wish we all could leave them a better world than it seems they are stuck with right now .
{ yup , this was a up North Yankee commercial in the day ! 
…”In the Land of sky blue waters …waters…comes the ….OK ! l have to call it a day …that’s all folks !
Yeah , Jewel , you would just jump to the conclusion that Ann was referring to Weezie{ Shirley McClain} and Clairee{ Olivia Dukaukus} as our Steel Magnolia counter parts ! Why couldn’t she have been refering to Mylynn { Sally Fields} and Truny{ DOLLy PARDON} ?? Even so , l suppose if l had to pick one of those two { l know ! l know ! you think that you are Claree and l am Weezie , but we both know that you are Weezie and l am Claree, if those be the only choices we have ! ;-} Myself , l am proud to be a Steel Magnolia , no matter how painful it may be .
Funny thing is that my girls think that Mylynn{ Sally Fields } is Maw’s twin in looks and actions …l think Maw has it covered in the action department… God knows she and the character Mylynn sure shared the tragedies and the fortitide to get through those tragedies { or at least endure what they had to }
Julie H , it is so funny that you mention Mrs. Lowry ….I could see her plain as day as l read your post …at night her reading { har! har! } light was always on and she was always ….watching .
Judy …l bet she could tell you who went where and with Whom , within that whole block area , including dear ol Richland !
Deb … l know what you mean about the “you-guys” and getting flack down South for saying it …when we would go home { Arkie} in the summer ..the local kids l ran around with down there { yup !Had a possee there too !
Joe, ol buddy of the bottoms bunch , don’t you whig out on us …fading out is for old film not old memories …so just unfade your self back to the table young man and clean your plate befor you are dismissed …Your wife sounds like a saint …shout out to her ! You sound proud of your kids too, your daughter sounds like a regular Florence Nightengale !
Like we all have voiced in one way or the other since we found this blogg of a life-raft!
The NOW for me has many plusses …many being my hubby and my children and grand-children { although of course l am wayyy too young to have Grand-children , but you know “things” happen !
Gotta grab some shut-eye gang …speaking of ; remember the old test pattern on tv when the broadcast day was done ??
The commercials { Don’t be a feared of ol Paul Beard …he ain’t had no learnin …sellin good cars just comes naturally ” !
Prima Donna outta here
October 27th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Hey !! Why are there just the 5 or so of us brave souls still sticking it out here ?? Where did all the other “Rats” go ?? I sure hope they don’t dissapoint me and do the un Richland River Rat thing and abandon what they think is a sinking ship !! That would be dirty rat time !
Yoo-hoo…come out , come out where ever you are !
Judy and Jimmy …”Oh little playmate , come out and play with me , climb up my apple tree, slide down my cellar door and we’ll be jolly friends for ever more ! ” { remember your “cellar door’?
October 27th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Speaking of old Paul Beard, remember Acri Creature Feature where they had some “scary scary” old movies and during the commercials tried to sell you aluminum siding. Those movies now, seem so corny, but at the time, kept me awake many a night. A lot better ones than what we see now. Back then, so much was left to the imagination and boy, did I have one. Todays movies are all gore. Disgusting. And remember the preacher with the pouffy hair do that had a 5 minute thing before the test pattern came on? After his words of wisdom, he would always rest his chin on his hand like the thinker. I remember one night when he did that there was a big spider crawling over the top of his hair. He probably had 2 cans of hairspray on it and couldn’t feel a thing. The TV made it look as big as a tarantula. Never could take that man serious after that. Oh, well, I guess you had to be there.(ha)
Good night sweet dreams till we check in tomorrow,
Love you all,
DeeDee
October 27th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Ken Yokum , Jewel that was his name …the preacher , he held his meetings at a drive-in in Peoria on Sunday mornings…beleive it or not he was still on TV last time l accidently tuned in during one of my ,either couldn’t sleep and was up late , or couldn’t sleep and was up early !;-) Either way he was on awfully early ..and he still puts his chin in his hand and he still says : May the road rise up to meet you.
} Geesh what was with us and the westerns ? Remember the Walt Disney Club ; Spin and Marty and your fave Jewel , Moochy? 
ahhh the way it used to be …with the “special” every week ?? We were so patient , now we have fast food mentality and can’t wait 5 seconds for anything. l quess that is our key to slow down and smell the flowers , huh?
} the world is in chaos of differing degrees , sonamis, hurricanes { people playing God , messing with the weather and everything else } is it any wonder that Richland in our hearts seems so inviting ?
}
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Ironic , huh , Jewel , since you use the palm of His hand as your signature !;-0 He must ta got through to you a little!
Yup , l do remember Acri Creature feature …but l was mezmerized by ol Chuck his self , l thought he was hot !
Remember Maverick, Sugarfoot, Have Gun ,Will Travel, Paladon? Roy Rodgers { one of my first flames !
News drives me crazy with all the gloom and doom !
Just for a very small example; Cat just announced that 2500 temp lay-offs are now permanent , H1N1 is either rampant or just another flu depending on who you listen too ,…get the shot , don’t get the shot { l know several people who got the shot and are now sick and several who are throwing a fit because they can’t get it because the health department didn’t get anymore yet ! Take it , don’t take it ! It is too new { the serum } yet they say it is afe ? They say had they known earlier { on one hand and yet on the other they say it has been here since April , that is more warning than they usually get ? Seems like the double-speak in George Orwell’s 1984 to me!
The very same programs that drive us crazy could do good if they just would , throw positive things out there , solutions to problems , not hype to sell us down the river …oops ! This is no way to start the day ! Bad Donna !
l will end this post on a positive note { negativity is SO easy and ANYBODY can do it !
I POSITIVELY know that l will be back on this blogg before 24 hours have past .
Prima Donna Out !
October 27th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Donna and Julia, I know it’s always said we pick our friends and are stuck with our family but I think that sometimes God sends us angels to be friends. I’m having dinner tomorrow night with a friend I worked with. We worked with another young girl who got married had two little kids, got a brain tumor. She and Sue (my friend) were closer than sisters. I believe I was sent up there to get to know them both and witness the closeness between them so when Cara got so desperately ill, Sue had to stay strong for her and her family and protect her family from her feelings, and she was able to turn to me at that time. Cara has been deceased for more than a year now and we still need to meet and cry.
Enough – still didn’t sleep very much last night and that’s where these thoughts come from. Promised her I would medicate myself tonight so when we meet tomorrow I will be at least a little lucid.
Okay so more names – the Lappins. There were two boys and one girl who was disabled. They moved in after I left. Then the Gregory family. I believe they lived down the alley behind the union hall. I don’t remember much except for the mother who was one of those people with a big heart and had to hug everyone when they met. I believe there was son named Roy who was younger than me but older than Lynda. How about the summer recreation programs at the park. Mom was in charge a couple of years and Of course we would help out. Madonna Hosbrough won a talent contest one year singing “Let Me Go Lover”and ended up going to the Heart of Illinois fair.
Another thought, in our dreams (nightmares) of Cedar St Bridge, I am always on the Peoria side trying to reach the bottoms. HMM
Looks like we’re scaring Joe off.
Be sure to get your HlNl short. Not all of us have our private visiting nurse. Julia what is your granddaughter’s name and age.
Today – rainy and gloomy – is a good day for Willie Nelson especially “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” Then I think a good old black and white movie cuddled up on the couch wrapped up in the comforter. Either that or plan for a pity party that I don’t want or need. Julie
October 27th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
friendly correction…Paul Beard saying commercial [ dont be "sceeard "of old Paul Beard ] and name of Pastor before test pattern , was Ken Slocum .
October 27th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
My granddaughter’s name is Catiera Reigh Weaver and she will be 4 the 29th of November. She is definitely the reason I breath. She’s at the front door right now yelling at a cat that is outside telling it to get out of the rain. She told it” I’m counting to 3 and you’d better be out of that rain!” I think she’s up to about 19 and the cat’s not cooperating. Everyone says she looks like I did when I was little. Long brown hair and big brown eyes. The Everly Brothers had Rhythm of the Rain, that was a good one for today too. Must be raining all over the U.S. today. Oh, well, just remember what comes next…… THE RAINBOW!!!!
Later tater,
Julia
October 27th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Oh Julia, 4 is such a sweet age. They are happy with anything you give them. You can buy the best clothes and not worry about the style. By 6 you might as well give up on the clothes and stick to jeans and t shirts. Only came back on because I am playing an old Statler Brothers tape and I had forgotten that they have a recording of a song called “Maple Street Memories”. If you can find the song on-line you should definitely listen it.
And just wait minute who said it was Joe and Julie flirting? Julie
October 27th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Shout out to the Observer …correction noted and accepted. Thankyou { contrary to what impression Jewel and l going back and forth might give you , l do take constructive correction { or even critisism} well l think l have already covered some of my human frailties and such in an earlier post, although it is a RARE thing, l CAN be wrong .
} decorated like a connestoga wagon and a sign that said California or bust , l was dressed in our idea of a pioneer lady garb { one of Maw’s old dresses and a hat with a veil we dug up from some where , very original , but not very authentic ! 
l carried my afore mentioned Tiny-Tears in one hand while pulling the wagon with the other { real UP town ! 
You probably already guessed that l am a Gone With the Wind lover ! Big surprise ! 
Jewel , l hear you over there snickerin …go cut a switch , you know you need some weepin-willow tea ! 
Each memory could be a book on its own .
Julie H…yes, l remember the park activities , Dot Woolard used to help out and l think she was part of the reason that l won a prize one year for my parade entry…not that there was any favortism going on ….after all l went all out and it WAS a grand production ! { little red-wagon { yeah , that’s right , you heard it here !
Speaking of costumes and parades …remember them …the halloween parties and parades …l give Maw kadoos on that one too because she could whip a costume up out of nothing { curtains ! pshaw ! Scarlette O’Hara was just copying one of Maw’s moves when she grabbed the curtains down and made a dress !
Cedar Street Bridge, Hey , we did venture over that old bridge a lot more than anyone would quess….whether by car , or on foot … had a drag race , and many challenges to drag race on that bridge { l would ground my kids for eons if l had found out they did such { but then Mudder never knew what we were up to either ! Oh, the sins of youth and ignorance ! Thanks again God , for the Guardian Angel that was always at my side !
The movies , Grant’s 5 and 10 , Block-n-Cool , Peoria Dry Goods , Ahhh, the windows at Christmas ! Magical !
Prima Donna off to work , check in later , you guys have fun while l am gone just don’t let Jewel get too lippy while l am gone .
Later Taters !
October 27th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Donna,
Hard to believe no one has mentioned Dot Wollard before now. We had a birthday party for mom a couple of years before she died at the EP park District Office and Dorothy was there. Bettie had married a “black man” (oh the shame) and Dorothy was filmed while Bettie was introducing Roscoe to Dorothy and you should have seen the look she gave him. It was really funny. I also remember one special year when we lived on Sanford that Mom made Judy and I pumpkin costumes. I was soo proud. And the hickory stick, I was thinking last night about parents having their children go out and cut a stick from a tree, bring it it and wait for the parent to strip the leaves off of it before whupping em with it. Sometimes we could get off with just the terror of what was to come before the stick outside. Also remember driving home from Peoria late one night with the before mentioned Max Ray and his brother, Junior and another friend of mine. We heard a favorite song on the radio – stopped the car at the top of the bridge and got out and danced to the song. And we were all sober. It’s no wonder we all kept a close watch on our own kids. My Grandpa worked at Blocks making floats for their annual Christmas parade. Doesn’t it seem like every blog kindles another memory. To those few who started writing at the beginning just look at what they are missing out on. Julie
October 27th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
LADY Donna, my Aunt that i LIVE with here in peoria heights ,happened across this place on her way to tyng and von stuben where she said she went to school anmd said she thought that building that used to be school was where a round kroger store i n east peoria before they tore it down she thought ..she dont know nothing i dont nothin about any .im from pekin 19 years old and MOVING back tomorrow ..you were right because my grandma said that ministers name was yokum auntie wrong as usual i apolozise . thank you .what confused her she said was she new man from over ther years ago named slokum that was she tinks a fire department guy .got CONFUSED and blamed me .this gal goin home .bye …now seh cant find this place on cumputer hee hee and at home we dont got one bye
October 27th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Ramblin Rose …Ramble on ..Oh …l quess l just rambled back to the Richland blogg page …imagine that!
…Just joshin ! l know you were well intentioned .
Please don’t anyone take what l just said in a bad, or sacraligious manner , l truely think GOD blesses a good and pure humour and that is what l was trying to use to explain my position .
Come on , will ya, contribute , cause l KNOW that you are reading ! 
lt is not polite to partake of the feast if you are not going to provide some vittles for it !
l see we have had some in-put whilst l was absent.
Observer …thanks for being the bigger,better woman. l “observed ” that you were owning up to being mistaken and that once again , l did know what l was ramblin about !
Julie …l got the drift on Dot and her “look” on meeting a “mixed” couple and l am not defending her, just l would like to try to explain what l have come to understand about her and others like her that were products of that era. l did say we Richland-ites ,over-all, were a pretty liberal bunch and pretty much took someone as they came, worts and all …First you do have to remember the times our elders were raised in , they didn’t think that they were bigots because , to them that is just the way it was …in their own fashion they were victims of their upbringing and their own time, and in their time, some things were just not done .These same folk that would worship in the Little Church in the Valley , Richland Baptist, Methodist , E.U.B.{ which is now considered Methodist } whatever the church , which most ,if not all, DID attend every Sunday of every week back in our day ,they would listen to sermons of brotherly love , and that GOD created us all equal and then they would proceed to be less than Christian in their treatment of someone who was not quite the same , be it skin color, dialect, heritage , the irony was not lost on me even as a child . l truely was naive and color-blind but l also knew what was frowned upon and what was completely unacceptable { at least to them , at least in those times } so l think we all walked between the two worlds and some went out to dissprove the old ways in probably a more radical way than others , but to grow , we have to understand and TRY to forgive …NEVER forget , but to try to move on and leave it all a little better than either they or us had it, in those respects that we can . Back then people could be very narrow minded { just like a lot are still to this day } they were not real open to change either{ another thing that still has not changed that much } You really went against the flow if you defied any of those set in stone ,{ but don’t really know why}, unwritten rules that they had . l was, and probably still am , naive enough to think that if l treated others as l wanted to be treated , they would return the favor …l did not then , nor do l now , find that to always be the truth , BUT l keep trying any way ! …and once in awhile l luck out !
l don’t care who you are , where you came from , or who you know, if you have a title or no title , if you are rich or poor or somewhere in-between ..ALL l care about , in that respect, is how you treat me and mine . . By the way to my understanding Jesus didn’t just mingle with the upper-snuff or just the riff-raff, he was an equal opportunity recruiter for his Father !
P.S. Julie .. l would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at that get together !
Hey Joe ! You really didn’t fade away did you ? The rest of you guys , hanging out on the edges , on the fence , not knowing whether to jump in or not …double-dog dare ya!
Later Taters
Prima Donna out .
October 28th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Again it’s almost 1:00 in the morning and still not sleeping. After past misunderstandings, I didn’t want to log on but couldn’t help myself. I wasn’t surprised to see that Joe is giving up this blogg. I think it’s CRAPPY but who am I to say. I hope for a few minutes anyway, the paper respects our privacy and quits reading this. I’ve gone over in my head for the last hour what I wanted to say and know it still isn’t going to come out right. Joe you are the historian and backbone of Richland history and certainly of this blogg. I don’t know what your reasons are for leaving this site and my self-esteen is way too low to think it has anything to do with me. I truly thought it was friendly teasing going on. It was a very comfortable feeling reconnecting with you after so many years. But if it was in any way connected, I would leave this site so you could stay on let others know what has happened to their old friends. I feel I have come to know Julia and Donna as something other than bratty kids and if they want to stay in touch, I can always be reached by e-mail. Also feel Ray is going to be more concerned about my leaving the blogg than being on it but leaving it I will be doing. If there is another reason, why don’t you let us help. We have all become more than friends in the last couple of weeks I thought. Sorry Donna, I’m not forgetting what you have written. I do know that when we were living in East Peoria there were 0 black people in the town. Could work there but live um no. That has all changed shortly after I left and I have no idea of the percentages there now. I’m sorry guys, my hands are shaking and I can hardly type and the tears are starting. I’ll check in tomorrow night hoping that you’re back on Joe. The site really does need you.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:27 am
Julie have I been missing something? You sound so sad.Please don’t be you have friends here. I too miss Joe he seemed to remember my family somehwhat. And he was so fun. Since Deanie and Donna are close to my age they wouldn’t remember my family we were gone by the time they got old enough to know neighbors. Julie my Aunt Sharon Tinkham had very red hair. I also have Aunt Linda that is about 66 we are very close.
When I was in grade school I went to Irving in peoria at the time the black children were not allowed to go to the school one block away from the Taft homes,so they walked in the winter to Irving at the time no in lunch program so had to walk home for lunch as well. It was a sad time I sometimes cried for my classmates because I did not understand there was a difference being made. All I could see was how cold they were.
Donna I think about the old stores too especially at Christmas. I know life is all about change and I have done more than my share but so many things I would have liked to seen not change.
Going To Work love to all
October 28th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Is there a way anyone can check on our Joe? Our little guy may be sick. Julie, I’m sure he didn’t quit because of something you said. Please don’t quit writing I love it when you do. I am concerned about Joe, he seems to have a lot of health issues and maybe one is working overtime on him. But, he is the Nite_Train and he will have to report back to the station. It’s in his blood. We just have to be patient. I loved those displays at christmas time in peoria. We used to go and walk down the streets. Remember Bergners and Carsons used to try to outdo each other. I wonder what they did with all those animated figures. They would be worth a small forture. Remember the Shaeffer boys that lived on the other side of the union hall? There was Gary who was older and Danny who was my age. I wonder what happened to them. Oh, yes, Julie, Kathy must be funking out again. She never has written. Oh, well. maybe sometime soon.
Julia
October 28th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Lo All ,
Sorry everyone seems in such a funk …ya think it has to do with lack of sunshine , or at least not enough sunshine to blind the blues away ?? Grey days drag people down ..:-( l guess we need to find a way to find that silver lining in those clouds we used to watch float by and hang onto it until the sun shines again .
} ..and now we ARE the old folk and helpin each other once again .
l am sure Jewel concurs with that !;-) Sorry if she and l take too much blogg space , but at times we have to keep it going till you guys get a grip and get back on here !;-)
…Joe probably just needed a break { or GOD forbid , he has the crummy flu ..either way we all will be praying for him and for you . Joe will return , we can not be without our Steve McQueen-er, now can we ? ;-0
Morning check in !
Joe , ol Buddy , check back in to the depot, will ya ? You got everyone worried pal and that just isn’t kosher . We will be glad to do blogg duty with you { get out that old Patrol Belt and Pin and we will even let you help us cross the street !;-) What goes around , comes around …we were kids and helped each other { ah yes, did my share of P.Duty too …ll really liked getting out before the other kids and wearing all our paraphanilia !
Out to Deb …are you infering that Jewel and l are too YOUNG to remember ANYTHING ? Bless you child !
Julie H….you did NOTHING wrong !! Do you hear ? You are NOT to blame for whether anyone writes or not …you are NOT responsible for someone elses happiness or lack of …what you did , l am sure , is to brighten a fellow souls way and lighten his load for awhile , took him on a well needed get-a-way trip with a little memory lane travel !
Later Sad Taters
Prima Donna out
October 28th, 2009 at 11:09 am
OOOPS! Out to you Jewel …that was Terry Schaefer , l think you meant .
…seriously , about this blogg ??
..again , seriously , is that what you meant ?
Julie H. , l have a question …you have made several references to the “Journal” ??Do you know something l don’t ? { shades of possibilities !
ls that what you are refering to? That this blogg is run by the Journal Star? lf so l demand copy-rights and residuals for all the original material we all have contributed !
Cheer up , lil buddies …the Sun’s goin come out , just like the song says so just hang on till it does .
Prima Donna
October 28th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Geesh …had a “Some-timer-Moment ” ….l forgot to ask, does anybody remember Damit Troll dolls ? My Grandchild loves the ugly little trolls { they are so ugly that they are cute } and he had a birthday yesterday { so guess what Granny ..or MaMaw as , l am referred to
] got the lil darling ? You got it , BUT along the way getting them l had to listen to assorted stories of how they been popular and re-popular over the years and how they originated etc. and several people referred to them as Damit Dolls { imagine back in the day , how shocking that was ? } …just a lil tid-bit to help get yall out of the gloomies or you will end up lookin like them Damit Dolls and we can’t have that ! 
(
Out AGAIN
Primo
October 28th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
HEEEEEEEEEEEEEERS JOEY….Whats been happening while i was out in the cold?i had to leave IN a hurry , not knowing if or when i would able to be back.We / I , had what started out as little prob. that escalated into stupid {outragious ] situatin …ALL uncalled for , and i might add NOT of my doings ..its ” been other day ,ain”t sure which one , i was getting on Comp.to chat ,when i went to sit down in chair and swing around ,struck my head on dresser ..no big deal , did”nt hurt me or dresser , but i hollerd some cuss word, [WHICH I NEVER SWEAR,,maybe cuss under breath ],and my glass eye fell out ..here comes EVA BRAUN {Hitler”s Wife} Carol hollern before i could explain what happened , she stepped on my eye rollin across floor that OF course she stepped on , down she goes and struck her BIG FAT HEAD onend table .out popped HER glass eye so i grabbed it as it rolled past my chair ..i huffed on it a couple of times and wiped it off and put it in where mine had been .as she lifted [and BELIEVE ME ,THATS a BIIIIG LIFT up off floor , she found mine ..she said i LOOKED stupid w/ one brown eye and her BLUE .i LIKED it and told her so , besides i thought i could SEE better , so she put my BROWN eye in ,,man she LOOKED goofy , but i said ok ,,not bad..not bad at all..well ,things started to quiet down little when i notice she had broken leg on end table when she fell after fallin ..i was LIVID …Gracie [my 1st. LOVELY wife had given us THAT as wedding gift . it had belonged to Gracie”ssecond husband , so it was like heirloom to ALL of us ..so here we are , and i need YOU ALL help..i told you”s I”VE never been wrong ,thought iwas once, but i was mistaken .prob. is …should i tell Randi Jo that when Carol, before i explained things to her ,,she was a Democrat?…….OK, now i used to live under Cedar St. Bridge , i mean my HOME, when NOBODY cared or would TAKE me in AND take care of poor lil ole ME { ITS” ALWAYS BEEN ME}…the Bridge was my ceiling ,MY PROTECTION , and too THINK SOME ONE would do the FREAKIN Tennesee WALTZ on MY roof is DISGUSTING and SICKENING …I”D liked to have come by and caught THAT little ACT,SOME ONE”S A_ _ would”ve been doin bungy jump off MY roof w/ out bungy cord …I would”ve never done Richland “ROMP”on their roof …excuse me,but i think i”ll go PUKE !well all have wonderful DINNER tonite ,,ithink i”ll have ahh.yea ,i know CROW smothered in HUMILITY SAUCE …call me anything you want ,,just don”t call me late for supper …
October 28th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Praise GOD and pass the ammo , Joeeeee is back in town !
9 lashes with a wet noodle !
Freddy Horsley used to be one of my lunchroom duty buddies and would we have stories to tell …are you out there Freddy? If you are , thanks for all the handle-bar rides when my ol Richland loafers were dogged and tired !;-) …another fun lunchroom duty buddy was Kenny Parks , but sadly he and l will have to share those stories once again in another world { not Richland , but maybe Heaven’s eqivilant } 
Glad to hear that you and your wife now see eye to eye !;-)
You do know how you have almost caused us to lose lil Julie H with your shinnanigans , don’t ya , ya lil imp !
Did you ever do lunchroom duty Joeee ? Figured if ya enrolled in the patrols ya probably also got drafted for lunchroom duty !
Just got in from work again , so l gotta grab a bite and then l will check back in …you guys behave while l am gone …Yeah, right , like l beleive that ..NOT !
Primo out to eat /back soon
October 28th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
oh, my mom’s last message broke my heart. So I felt compelled to write here. Mr. Nite-Train, welcome back. Please don’t go. Half the time I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, but that’s why I like you! Mom, you do NOT quit writing on this blog. You hear me?! Yes, I could just call you and tell you this, but why not do it here so Julia and Donna and Debbie and others could continue to support this. I absolutely LOVE that you have this blog to reconnect and reading your entries has introduced me to the Richland Julie H. and I want to know more about her. I want to know more about you ALL of you. This is a happy place. A Happy Place. A warm hug. A soft pat on the head. An emotional place. A reaffirming place. A safe place. YOUR place. Don’t go. ANY of you. LOVE, a proud (and assertive) child of a river rat.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Donna?…what do you mean,;shinannigans ;? i get punished ;TIME OUTS and GROUNDED; like all bad lil boys when i do DUMB things by Mrs. KRATCHET …[Carol]lol …Because I”M out of the LOOP w/ {PEOPLE} , i still have my HANDS full at times n dont EVER go out of my way too make ANYONE feel uncomfortable or HURT them… GOD knows I had that GUILT thrust on me w/ out tryin , ALL my adult life .but i tease n “play ” just to VENT and keep my MIND [whats left of it ,LOL]from thinking bout THINGS ..OK?ok…YOU dooo LUV me tho , EXCUSE ME? was that a YES or uhh maybe…no,no, ……no maybe”s … atta Girl i was hopen you would SHAKE your head w/ a BIG yes , and like that BIG fore – giver you are , you DID …ty …..NOW little MISS AMY , you listen here ,you”re suppose to be keepin an EYE on US old folks, and PERSONNALLY , i think YOU”RE doin a GREAT job ,A BIG TX ,lil one … you must be awful GROWN up and WISE too see and understand us old[ME]folks .We try too have fun w/ this thing and some times MY fun and REALITY gets in WAY of each other .lol…YOUR Mom and Dad don”t have to worry bout you Girl ,you”re WAY ahead of us …Stay close and keep us on straight and narrow …tx for your understanding AND INPUT …luv too ALL n YOU Mrs.________ , WHERE ever you are …Joe
October 29th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Amy …what a sweet thing you are !….Julie H. ….hold on help is on the way ….Joe …keep on bein Joeeee …Good night all … “GOOD NIGHT, Mrs. Calabash–wherever you are!”
October 29th, 2009 at 2:12 am
Donna….lol Jimmy Durante WAS and ALWAYS one of my 1st. favorites ..NEVER ,EVER missed his tv show in eary 50″s ..MRS. Calabash was”nt real person, it stood for a “secrect love “of a person he would never reveal …Calabash , his CLOSET friendsonce revealed,prob. 50 yrs. ago said it was name of town ,if i remember rite , of a LOVE affair of a girl ,that he would NEVER reveal , cause they lost contact when he was some where different every nite w/ his vaudeville act .He never could contact her for reasons ONLY they knew…New JERSEY or some town on East Coast somewhere …Friend said SHE was only GIRL he ever REALLY loved ….inky dinky dink,a inky dinky doo—-i love you , inky diny do …If you ever get chance to here HIS version of {SEPTEMBER SONG} , its” great …….So i WAS”NT talkin bout MRS. CALABASH >>>>LOL nite luv joe….
October 29th, 2009 at 2:17 am
Damn it – Damn it gosh darn. Excuse me. Okay almost 2 a.m. and awake again. I wish I had a simple uncomplicated answer for what has happened (whatever it was) like Joe did but can only claim lack of sleep. Does anyone else have insomnia this bad. There is a little bottle of Ativan in the medicine cabinet calling to me but I detest taking it. Dr gave me a prescription over five years ago and I still have a lot left except for what Amy takes from me. Wish our blog was up and running. My girls are trying to drive me crazy. Ann calls from work, scolds me, calls when she gets home and tells me everyone is back on and then Amy calls at bedtime (so she can scare us) and scolds me and then says she has written again. I try to explain to them that they are the children and I am the mother but they laugh at me. Sometimes it has been difficult for me trying to exist in both worlds. Delving too deeply in the past can stir up memories that are best forgotten. I’m talking before any of you were ever in my life. We’ve made a big deal about us being a blogg family now and like all families, we will get into disagreements from time to time. Pull away and then come back together stronger than before. And like family there is also a love and deep committment. Joe, we weren’t dancing to any song. It was “Unchained Melody” and my original family has a vow to dance to that whenever and wherever we are. How would I know that dumb Al would stop on top of the bridge. Not long after that, I was with a couple of my crazier sisters coming home from somewhere(probably Steak & Shake) about one in the morning. The song came on, Mary stopped the car FORCED Bettie and I to dance in front of The Center Tap and then drove away leaving us. We had to walk home. Center Tap was never one of my favorite places so we couldn’t go in there and ask for help. And I like to think there is room in my heart for a lot of people who love me and who I love. I would never think of putting chains to lock someone in. I would hope they were staying because they didn’t want to anywhere else. But you really do make me laugh and nothing could keep me away from writing to Julia, Donna and Debbie. I’m so glad to hear that your Aunt Sharon is who I am remembering. Where is she now and what is she up to. Tell be about her.
Oh and talking about craziness, three of us girls stood in front of St Francis hospital one afternoon and danced the Hokey Pokey after taking mom to the family room. She needed a laugh and couldn’t seem to find one. There is no end to what a person can do when necessary. As a side note, Larry pulled up in the parking lot during that time and kept repeating to himself, don’t let that be my sisters, please don’t let that be my sisters.
See he has no choice in the matter either.
This has all seemed like 5th grade drama – isn’t it great. Love Julie
October 29th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hey JULIE…looks like we were up at same time bloggin over each other..lolbout rite ….NOW don”t you be YELLIN at them lil ones … their WAY ahead of us ..they don”t have LUXURY of expericing the stupid ,siily ,and astrosiuos things we all have .so don”t be hollerin at them [ as long as they like me ] LOL.Their only ONES besides YOUR guys Husbands and “FANG” that would tolerate us and our FIGHT from trying to let go of PAST n get a REAL grip of holdin on to TWILITE time …THEIR the tolerant ones …GOD BLESS um for puttin up w/ us …a BIG ty to all of ABOVE {AND I MEAN ABOVE} them …that song ,UNCHAINED MELODY , was big hit for AL HIBLER in 1952 .A blind Black man … MAN, he had string of hits back then …YOU are the GLUE that cankeep this PUZZLE together and not MISPLACE pieces ,[ like that ONE piece that never seems to fit anywhere ...like ME,] just turn my “piece”over and sooner or later you”ll finnd where it GO”S ….lol CAREFUL there GIRL …LUV me ? I CERTAINLY missed you , so you don”t be scolden CHILDREN ,just because THEY all love YOU and their DAD so much …Children worry bout PARENTS ,as much as PARENTS worry bout them , believe me , you DO believe me ,WELL don”t YOU?…LISTENto ME , check exp. date on MED. in cabinet ,all can become TOXIC after time , besides you need that B.S. , just think of ME!!!LOL …i KNOW MED. …like i signed off at 2:17 and still awake at 6 am …know we know that AIN”T gonna work again ,nite after nite ….radio ,here it comes …some A– hole must be trying too getEVEN w/ mee lol, Jack Webb”s[just the facts mam, just the facts],ex wife comes on and i get CRY ME A RIVER,CRY ME A RIVER <I CRIED A RIVER OVER YOU ….I"LL show her a RIVER ..LIKE SLOUGH down onriver road by pumphouse . then Simon and GARFUNkLE{BRIDGE OVER TROBLE WATERS }Had enough JOSEPH ? NOPE not me sucker …already i hear the head in a vice comin ,YEP….RAY PRICE ..you got it ..{FOR THE GOOD TIMES }…So its" get up STUPID ,its almost 6:30 and enjoy DAY/NITE ,what ever VERY soon it"l be ,HELLO XANAX,,errmake that a DOUBLE FOOL .YOU"VE got a rondavuo w/ destiny ,as in RECLINER …luv and relax , you"re VERY LUCKY GAL /a STATUE OF strentgh inspiration …BE PROUD of YOURSELF / WE ALL SURE are TX for BEING YOU …luv Joe …….Donna , Got thinkin while lying in bed all nite [bout 3/half hrs. ] and thinking of Jimmy Durante as i use to listen to his Radio show in 40s, and could" help picturing OLE SCHNOZZw/ his hat , and it kinda remined me of My Uncle John [custodian at Richland School ]…he had hat like that ,all he was missing was Durante"s nose…i can still see him when i would stop in and see him makin his rounds too make SURE all things were complete …and across gym floor ,start up steps ,hesitate w/ one more glance, and off too HIS WORLD AND thoughts in boiler room …GOOOOD MAN …Sleep in PEACE old timer …..surely no FURNACES" where you"re at …….DIVA DEE DEE …you"re awfully quiet ,husband oops sorry ,err cat got you"re tongue?uhhh,somethin bout that DON"T sound rite …think I"LL do a Walmart and take IT back . just teasin , you laughin,NO ,,smilin just a little ,maybe ? ok no more of THAT ….gets like that when no sleep … luv nite …
October 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Oh Joeeee . You are such a card !
l enjoyed your info on the lady in Durante’s life ..makes one beleive in pure love again ! 
YES! YES! Your Uncle did put a body in mind of Durante ! You hit it right on the nose { pun intended !
l loved um both !
Julie , hold on the kinks are getting worked out …just hold Joeee on the straight and narrow until we are kinkless .
Later guys …the world and work becon me ….and like anything beconing it is irritating but necessary that l say adios muchachos , Later
October 29th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Once again the computer (bottle) let me down. I had written a nice long missive full of loving thoughts for all of you pressed submit comment, and the site says I was commenting too fast and erased all of it. I’m not going thru all of that again. So you will just have to imagine all the great things I wrote about you. I’m sure you’re got it just right. Love Julie
October 29th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Julie …checked w/ Microsoft about you sayin you MUST have been commenting TOO fast ,they said its” IMPOSSIBLE .They said those you are sending ,and I qoute “long missive full of LOVING thoughts”, you mispelled LOVING ,which in REALITY was picked up by built in “TRUTH WORM” and it says you meant B.S. thoughts ..LOL…IT knows when you don”t mean IT and will not let it go thru. . thats why MINE always come thru w/ out a hitch, cause ,I”M a good honest kind of feller . lol …i”ve had that happen to me twice , and go “NUTSO”. all finish and commit ,hello BLANK…DRIVE me crazy..uhh w/ me ,NOT drive ,”SHORT PUTT”…Carol ALWAYS ask if i want her re-type it ,but i can”t dictate what i wanna say to her to do…Her and Randi Jo can type 90 words a min.when she wants to help, i appreciate it but, i ramble toooo much .lol… yea , think of all them longest blogs i”ve sent and hit commit …get ATTITUDE and start over ….one finger ,MAN , quit SCHOOL cause they had TOO many RECESSES”S ,and i DON”T play. dont give up ,,try it again and I”LL shut off “TRUTH WORM” so it comes thru …I wanna see THAT . Frannie Jo called while i was typing n said their out of h1n1 virus AGAIN n expect more in tomm. or over wk. end .workin at least 10 hrs. ..6 days a wk.opologise for not callin or comin around …told her thats fine …SKIP the COMIN around part , dont wanna take chance of maybe being EXPOSED ,thank you very much …lol ..i told her she sees” tooooo many SICKOS” ..ph. call is suffice thank you ..lol she was laughin …DON”T FORGET NOW ,word for word ,what did”nt come thru…i can check w/ TRUTH WORM ya know ….STAY out of MED. cabinet …AMY “S countin um for me to see if any comes up missin ….lol luv Joe
October 29th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Came in to play a couple of games on the computer before Survivor comes on TV. Of course then went to the internet and see where Julia has the new blogg up. Went to the site and followed her wonderful directions and got no where. Think I will need to stay on this site until one of the kids comes home and fixes it for me. Will you stay on the site with me until then? Do you remember meeting Amy? I think it would have been at the Goose after Mom’s funeral. Whoops gotta go. Maybe write again when another sleepless night hits. Love Julie
October 29th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Julie …THAT”S a BIG {as MY Sarah PALIN would say ,YOU BETCHA ] ….I”LL stay here when ALL are gone and I talk back and forth to ME lol . yes , i remember AMY , seem so little back then .SURVIVOR ? you gotta be kiddin ..all staged and fake ! MENTALIST on at 8 …now THATS ” real ;.LOL , but good show …They gettin NEW blog huh? well i guess I KNOW whwere I stand ,or rather DON”T.well for THEM , you can play song {YOOOOOOUOO LEFFFFFTT ME ,JUST WHEN I NEEDED YOU MOST }…llol later luv Joe ….their ALL sleepless nites for me …me and radio …
October 29th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Dearest darling Joe,
We gotta have you email to email you the new site. Donna don’t want anyone and everyone havin it. As in you gotta be a river rat so to speak.
Email us your email address and we’ll email you the site. I already had Julie’s address cause I had been writing her before this. And what would a Richland website be without the MAIN MAN JOE. As dear old Sarah would say, “Say it ain’t so Joe” I still check the place out 4 or 5 times a day, probably always will. Donna is still getting the kinks out on the other one. You’re gonna like it.
Love you guys,
Julia
October 29th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I forgot to put my email address in so you can get the new email address.
Mine is deanie2204@yahoo.com
Later taters
October 29th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Yoah Joeeee …put the race-horse back in the shute ! You are jumping to conclusions , ol Buddy ! Of course you can hang out at the new place , wouldn’t be a real hang-out for R.R.R. without you , silly guy !
We do not want to post the new site on this site so you need to email Julie H.{ at the email in her post on this blog} To get the new address .We want it to be for all of us R.R.R’s
and people from that era , so word of mouth will get it out .
We want to thank our patient host , for allowing us his or her site for our forum , but l know he or she does not want to particpate in the new place , because they did not respond to our posts asking them if they would like to input on this one .
Who ever you are we are greatful for what you let us start .
See you all at the new hang-out R.R.R.’s and { like Joeee said in an old post } all you R.R.R. wanna be’s { or just come close tos .
l am still working on and probably will be for awhile kniks etc. so just bare with me …l am by far no computer expert .
Prima Donna Out !
October 29th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Mom, send me the e-mail that Julia sent you or tell me what she wrote about how to get to her blog and I’ll find it and send you the link. Then we’ll show nite-train how to get there. And Joe, a.k.a. Nite Train, thank you for the compliments. I was a tough kid to raise. And my mom and I were especially hard on each other when I was younger. But we are so very similar..and all that made us argue back then is what has made us so close today. I am my mother’s daughter. I’m so very happy to see that all is back to normal back here! Well, as normal as you all can be. I’ll go back to just being a reader now…
October 29th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Had to wait for The Mentalist to be over before coming back in here. We watch a lot of TV or rather one of us does. TV watching is about the biggest vice Ray has. When he’s not watching, he’s taping to watch later. Tried to tell him we can’t possibly live long enough to watch all he has on tape or DVD. So I come in here and talk to my friends when I can’t stand it anymore. What radio station are you listening to late night? I usually read. Hadn’t really thought about turning on the classic country music station on Digital TV. Julia and Donna have put quite a bit of work into their new blogg. Sounds like it will be a lot more than this. I kind of llike our small group. If I want to talk to people about the 50′s, I can go to the store. I want to talk to people who know about the 43 flood (which I only vaguely remember) Caterpillar traffic, the union hall being built, our lovely area destroyed in the name of progress (The Tunnel), Pete & Mary’s (a lot of people are connected in one way or another with that place). When Mary was a waitress there, she met her husband. Older than she is but they have been married over 25 years now.
One of the things I wrote about earlier was two newer country songs that I particularly like. Garth Brooks – “The Dance” and Trisha Yearwood – “The Song Remembers When”. Tho I don’t care for the singers, I do like the songs. It’s like this blogg has done – instantly put me a different time and place with all the sights and sounds.
We had gone to DisneyWorld with the kids long time ago and had gone to the Polynesian Review. We were sitting way back, barely seeing the stage. One of hostesses came to our table and asked if she could take Amy up to the front when the entertainment started. Said she would bring her back. Now we let our tiny little petite 6 year old go. (Hey it was DisneyWorld). They had a Don Ho imitator who asked Amy to come on stage and help him sing “Tiny Bubbles”. She really did look little standing up there in her yellow dress. I revisit that every time I hear the song. OK maybe three times-don’t listen much to Don Ho.
Don’t remember many songs from Richland days doing that. There was “Get a Job” when Jean and I were standing on her front porch singing that and waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up.
I can’t imagine Joe giving out his e-mail address, but if he does, I will send it on. I’ll check in with your site once in a while, but I think I’m going to hang in here so Julia and Donna, you have to also.
Joe, get your flu shot if you haven’t already. Still hard to get in this area.
Amy get yours too. Maybe on later if the elusive sleep stays away. 6 hours in 6 days is enough isn’t it? Love & Kisses Julie
October 29th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Oh my gosh …WHAT have l done ? …have l goofed or what ??
Ahhh , the best laid plans of mice and men ! . l told you guys l have a lot of work to do on it and in this very short time l already l see a lot of misunderstanding ..SORRY ! 
…our host has been at this for at least a decade ,according to the site date BUT myself, l have only been doing this a VERY shortwhile
} and that those people from ALL our eras might like to input too { sorry l thought this would include likr the 40′s events Julie spoke of } …l did not want to leave them out …YES , l meant the include any period from the bottoms in the last century up to now BUT most all of us { iincluding Joe and Julie } shared the 50′s and 60′s , BUT l was not limiting it to then or just us ..SORRY if that is the way it comes across . l will try to fix it . lf not l guess Jullie and Joeee will stay forever on the journal blog .
l knew l started letting the cat out of the bag waaaay too soon about the new blog, but l knew Julie H. was sounding like she was going to jump ship and l felt others wanted to jump in but wouldn’t because they didn’t feel safe !! So , l felt l had to get it out there quick , apparently too quick !
The intent was a to create place we all could go and share like we have been !! SORRY if l made it sound like it was just to involve the 50′s and 60′s { l intend to go back and edit all that , BUT right now l am fighting fatique from a long work day and flood waters creeping into my abode …so PLEASE bare with me .
l did ask for input in an earlier post on what you all might like to have at the new hang-out , BUT l didn’t get any so l started alone and will be glad to hear any feed back or in-put at all …..l did want the Richland area people in particular , but l also realized we DID venture out of the bottoms on occasion {
The request about email , Julie H. was because l thought , you , in particular , wanted to limit those who were just observing our writings , again Sorry l must have misunderstood …l am wet, tired and thirsty , so l am going to go dry off , get something warm and try to figure this all out . l may check back in later
Pooped/Puzzeled PrimaDonna out of here
October 30th, 2009 at 12:43 am
I would love to take credit for the new website, but in all honesty all the praise needs to go to my OLDER sister. She(and her husband) did it all. 110% of it. I just passed the news along. I am proud of them. I think they did a really great job. I just have to get more computer savvy. Of course, when I age more I might be smarter(haha). Donna is almost 3 years older than me, but when we were kids, I always wanted to be as old as her, so I would argue that she was 2 not 3 years older. She would get fighting mad. I would tag along with her and I know make her miserable. Now the older I get, the more younger I say I am than her. I truly was a thorn in her side. But, I was such a cute kid!!! She had to love me.haha
How about the song Countin Flowers on the Wall and For The Good Times.
well till next time
Donna’s thorny seesta signing out,
Love you all,
Julia
October 30th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Sorry Julia, I just thought you were the smart one. Donna, Donna, Donna you are doing a wonderful job and certainly have no reason to apologize. I really really am a klutz when it comes to the computer. I’m not kidding when I said I just figured out how to put this blogg on my favorites. I was a whiz on the computer at work because I was trained to do that particular job on it. But since I can’t write you all an insurance policy, I’m stuck. Countin Flowers on the Wall is on my play list. (Sounds like I have an IPod but I don’t even know how to use one of those) And what with “Lay your head upon my pillow” and “send me the pillow you dream on” someone should be able to come up with a marketing campaign. Hey Donna, stay up all night because you get smarter after midnight. I’m in this for as long as anyone else stays on and I certainly wouldn’t want you to move and not leave a forwarding address. You’ll just have to excuse us “old folk”. And I guess instead of “Walkin After Midnight” we’re blogging after midnight. That’s whats great about country music – theres a song that says something about everything. Thought about the expiration date on the ativan. Maybe that’s why after I take one the pupils in my eyes look like pennies. By the way I never write anything that I mind if any one on here reads. Probably should be but I’m not. Thanks for all your work oh smart one and cute one. Julie
October 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Girls where are you. You always check in in the mornings. We’re not having another family spat are we? Julia did you get the address for Joe. If not I’ll send it to you. Last night I slept 6 hours. Who knows what will come out of my mouth today. We are getting ready to go out to a late lunch and an early evening of playing cards with some friends. We usually go to dinner every Friday night but since it is so nasty we decided to have lunchm play cards. That will at least free up the evening so I can get back on this site. I was thinking about our little Amy when I went to bed which made me think of how we grow up thinking we know what love is but when you hold a new child in your arms, it’s nothing you ever knew before. Which got to thinking of the little granddaughter you are raising. I know there are women who don’t bond which their child but I just don’t know how. How lucky she is then to have you in her life. Oops time to go. Back later. Julie
October 30th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
some one will have to Julie….i have a email address now! 1st. time ever.and i SENT you MY 1st. one . I”ve got Julia”s also and PROMISE ,I will NEVER ,EVER tell or PASS them on to ANYONE ., and PLEASE don”t ADVERTISE mine ,if you KNOW what i mean..PEOPLE know me or of me EVERYWHERE ..FACT !MAN..did i {well , we had hell of a &^@+# .^#^* time goin thru that B.S. [pardon me ] , but , they wanted everything but rectel exam . AND I almost GAVE them that ! F.B.I. back ground check easier ,,, excuse my language this ONE time ,BUT ,WTF do they NEED w/ all this info? I wrote this and more LAST nite ,err this morn , bout 2:30 and hit SUBMIT , and everything went blank and lost it …some one will have too tell me HOW too get on Donna”s blog …, if AFTER this little LOVE letter ,LOL
October 30th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Yeah Julie you got 6 hours I am so happy. Hope you feel better. Talk top you all soon
October 30th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
YOU know WHO got 6 hrs. sleep alright , did’nt tell you she STOLE it from me tho,did she ?Hey where have you been GIRL? Do you want US to demand you bring DR’S slip when you’re absent or tardy ? What say you ?lol…one of you GIRLS were asking bout kinda dark complexin kid that lived over on Clark St. in house that kinda set in back ,it was in 200 block , ihad forgotten too ,until i got thinkin. i think you’re thinkin of Victor [Totten]Smith that was taken in by a older man named Bill Berry , a roofer i think…He kinda ran around w/ Billy Joe Landis ,Milo Turbett/Jimmy Linehan and Kenny Regentz …he hung out at skating rink ,set pins at bowling alley , but kinda stayed to his self.I give him aTHRILLLL ride on BIKE once , he did’nt ask again…some always kinda thought HE was from HAWAII i geuss because of his complexin and THAT long ,combed back straight hair …some people ‘looked ‘ at him as being ‘different ‘,but he was ok KID ,that never got a break,but CREDIT to him he DID’NT ask for any …i ADMIRE that .BEEN there/KNOW that …i hope that was the kid one of you were wondering about … well was NICE too see name DEBBIE in black n white again…bye bye nite_train………
October 30th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Sent you an e-mail with the web site on it for the new blog. That way your new address won’t be floating in cyberspace. You’re right- that was his name. Remember Victor but not last name. I don’t know about the Hawaii part but he seemed always to be walking around by himself. That’s why I remember him. I’m glad that you’re back too Debbie. Don’t you think the rest of us are just slightly crazy about all the writing we do? It is so hard to sustain childhood bonds and this is helping to do that. We’ll look for you on both sites also. Julia, I wrote to my friend in Arkansas and told her about this new site and will see if she is interested in looking for it. I wonder if maybe we are being censored when the message gets erased. Thanks for the sleep. I did need it. While we were playing cards this afternoon I was acting even more dumb than usual. Who needs sleep anyway. I seem to remember the Linehan name. Any other siblings.
And Julia, I’m still trying to get in touch with Kathy again. And in the words Ann used to put her little to sleep = “Loves you once, Loves you twice, Loves you twice, Loves you more than Beans & Rice. Julie
October 30th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I hope Kathy does come around. I hate to think of her being sad. She was always so upbeat. Sometimes, tho you can get overwhelmed. I know. Isn’t life crazy sometimes. To sit here now and look back and think, and to have sat back then trying to look forward and thinking. Well, I guess I have a 3 year old who has told me it’s bedtime. I get her to sleep and I get back up. If she wakes up and I’m not in there she get’s fighting mad. I sure don’t want to get grounded.
Later taters,
Love you guys
October 31st, 2009 at 12:55 am
HELLO,HELloo,ello llooo,lo,o,o…um ,ekcos,kos ,osss,s….I geuss i’m ALLLL alone …I’LL ALWAYS come back to you, when nobodys’ here and ALL fogot HOW we all MET once again …NITE_TRAIN will ALWAYS be waiting for that ALL ABOARD ? CHUG_CHUG _ CHUG ……………….
October 31st, 2009 at 12:58 am
Here it is almost 1:00 and still awake. This no sleep thing is getting to be no fun. Do you call your granddaughter Caty? Such a unique name. I just reread what I had written earlier and I apologize for all the typing mistakes. See what happens when you have 6 hours sleep. I’m glad someone remembered I was still here. How is the new blog working out.
Julie
October 31st, 2009 at 1:07 am
Julie YOU still there ?
October 31st, 2009 at 1:41 am
NO one here it seems …I’ll go to OUR e-mail room , may be LITES still on THERE .i don’t know if i can find my way OUT n back into other room …if i get lost ,PUT out B.O.LO. for me …if i never find you ‘s again , that’l be ME wandering along road of life ..DON’T stop and pick me up ,cause i prob. won’t recognise you or maybe myself …..sooo alone
October 31st, 2009 at 1:46 am
I’m waiting
October 31st, 2009 at 2:27 am
You either got lost or were just playing tricks. I’ll probably be up for another 10 or 15 minutes then see you tomorrow.
October 31st, 2009 at 7:27 am
Hey You Guys
I guess I can’t hang with the likes of you! I fall asleep in chair watching tv then go to bed and seep like a baby! I am up at 4 or 5 am but don’t get on computer I guess I should. I m on my way to work. wish I had more input. I know what you mean about typing errors I am not a typest but one thing about all of us who cares as long as we get to here from each other.
I miss so much about living in Il. I used to go 2 or 3 times a year but my family keeps passing and not many left. Its not the same but it is nice to remember sometimes you think you are left with your memories and no-one else remembers but they do. Love to all!
October 31st, 2009 at 9:38 am
Hey everyone. Julie, I call my granddaughter T,T, Don’t ask me why. And I call her pickle puss. When you ask her what her name is, she says”my name is Catiera Reigh T.T. Pickle Puss Weaver. That’s a mouthfull for a 3 year old. Who am I kidding, that’s a mouthful for her 56 year old grandma. I miss Illinois sometimes too. Of course I have a lot of bad memories with Caterpillar and how sick it made my husband. But, when the memories come flooding in about Richland, it really makes me homesick. Trouble is the places keep disappearing, due to PROGRESS, and when you’re there, you cant find the actual places to reconnect to. But, just close your eyes and everything comes back to life.Aint it great?
I wish I had your memory Joe. Mine sure isn’t very good. And Deb, I lied about my age too when I was 15 and went to work at the Wagon Wheel. Worked there till I graduated. Loved it! Met so many good and interesting people. Well, I guess I’m gonna go check the other site. Love you all.
Be back soon, Julie did you try the Melatonin? It’s all natural and you just relax. Your body produces Melatonin, sometimes just not enough. I does work. You ought to try it, if you haven’t.
Catch my extended family later,
Julia
Julia
October 31st, 2009 at 11:46 am
Okay Debbie, I was reading you blog this morning. I remember work. That’s something I quit doing a while back. So I tried thinking (and try is the operative word here) about how old you are. Sharon was your aunt, so I thought about the ages of my nieces and realized we have us a young one here. Tell us about what you remember, except for that part about the Goose parking lot.
I’ve tried about everything Deanie. Warm bath before bedtime, no tea, coffee or water after 8:00, a glass of wine (which does make me sleepy, just doesn’t let me fall asleep). My doctor is not a big believer in herbal remedies, but I have tried some. But it’s okay, I know what I’ve got now. Its called TMB or too many birthdays. I realize lack of sleep affects your health but basically I feel good. You haven’t said how the new blog is working. I really am interested. Just don’t you guys abandon me in here. Julie
October 31st, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Julie….I typed long blog rite after you sent blog to Debbie at 11:46 this morn. at 12:20 , hit SUBMIT ,BLANK AGAIN .I’M missin you like last nite ,you signed out at 11:58 and i jumped on and asked ;are you there STILL there Julie , and hit submit .that was all ,real QUICK, so I could catch you …waited till1:41 am ,no answer.knew you MUST be tired n went too other new site ,ALL asleep .lol .YOU know what I [SAID], and quit . this morn .wrote long blog too you n hit SUBMIT ,and guess what ?BLANK AGAIN …all might thoughts ..VANISHED..I hope SOME ^&_(*^$^(&$#(^@(&$] got and feels good from my wasted effort ..MAN,that __________ me off when that happens !MAYBE ,just MAYBE I’LL get chance too say [lovin you .today …LOL Joe
October 31st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Something is wrong somewhere because I was on the computer until 1:00, went in and read for a while then checked again and no one was there. Was looking forward to chatting with you on e-mail. Have a Happy Halloween. I’m a nasty person. Turning the lights off and not answering the door. When Amy comes home for Halloween she won’t let us do that. Don’t have any little ones in our neighborhood anymore and don’t know any of the others that come by. You do my heart good. Julie
October 31st, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Julie… I have this blog and my e-mail running,sent you an e-mail,getting to confusing going back an forth so Carol has both running for me. Now all i have to do is click on button to check without closing one to get on other,making me nuts! later Joe
October 31st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
It’s a learning curve.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Hey kids,
I just posted on the other blog. It’s different than this one, but it’s gettin easier. Joe, God bless Carol. She seems to be a sweet person putting up with us. Was she from the bottoms? Someone asked about Stanleys. Are they the ones whose mom owned the Catta Club for a while. I think her name was Sue. I knew her son John. Dated him for a short while. Remember the Underwoods, Jim and he had a couple brothers and I think one sister. His dad had a lot of property down in the bottoms. Remember Spanns? Then there was Howard French and he had an older brother. See, there might be hope for me after all. I keep remembering things more and more. Maybe my alzheimers is fading away. Well, guess I’ll sign off for now. Visit the other site children and practice practice practice.
Love ya,
DeeDee
October 31st, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Julie…it ain’t a curve for ME , more like knuckle ball in the BRAIN ! if i have such a thing left …i’m gonna stay here for awhile till Randi can teach me rite way …she’s miles ahead of Carol and has too correct her ALOT …lol.that DUMB story bout [glass eye stuff was meant too be funny n cheer all up ].Randi’s a WHIZ atevery thing …Criminal Justice Degree n now goin for Physical Therapist degree…BOTH comes in HANDY for ONE close too Her …joe
October 31st, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I found you. You can run but can’t hide.
Hi Deanie. Was halloween fun for you. As you noticed, I hid out. I know why I don’t sleep. Why don’t you Joe? It seems such a simple thing to do. Let’s see – you’re going to be nite_train on here and Joe on e-mail. How can we ever keep them straight.
Crap – just put an old Statler Brothers tape in to see if it should be transferred to CD and what song comes on – “Sweeter and Sweeter the Memories come by” . We went to see the Statler’s in concert in Merrillville, In. one spring and bought the set of tapes then. These coincidences are getting eerier and eerier.
And what did little miss TT spend Halloween being. Don’t forget to change the clocks. Hate the time of year when it gets dark so early. Talk later. Julie
October 31st, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Diva Julia…John and Sue Stanley owned GLEE CLUB tavern on Center St. /on corner…Marty and Fran had Catta Club.John died and Sue sold it for new CEFCU credit union , and bought the Gateway Tavern on Sanford St. by Pete&mary’s .Marty got out of Catta Club and his SOON too be ex-wife Fran took IT over .SO,now Marty buys’ Center Tap from Pauline Perry after her husband ,FUZZ dies , now HE’S dead .if YOU follow TREND here ,YOU KNOW I AIN’T bout to buy tavern or even TAKE one as GIFT, before i check w/ funeral director and take out MILLION dollar insurance policy…OF coure I’D put IT in Carol’s NAME ,cause i am a GIVING fella ! LOL SHE ain’t gonna like this GIFT ,nope ,no sense of humor ,that GAL …Underwoods’,,,man ,where do you start and if i do ,where do i FINISH? yes, he did own LOTS of property ,[at least3or4 times each place...miss payment or things get tough ,he 'd over and over ,BUY um back...French family i knew some ,,,ran around w/ a Chuck,,,he had sister named Carol ...well if this little history SHOT did'nt put you to a [why did i ask ] nothin will …lol any more QUESTIONS ? thought NOT …man ,,now i’m confused …bye Diva
November 1st, 2009 at 12:33 am
HEY GIRL,,,I’ll show you some run and hide ,LIKE RUN up north and HIDE in your mail box w/ a big SPECIAL DELIVERY sticker on my uhhh ,oh yea head ,forgot there for a moment where i was goin …MAN, for a stay at home Mom ,,,you sure get around alot …we’re so broke ,we can’t PAY ATTENTION !!!Gonna have to get Carol JOB at 24hr. service station ,so i can put some miles on car ,its’ gettin little bit SLUGGISH from sittin around all the time ,kinda like her …NOT me ,i’m up and goin at the crack of Dawn…then its time for me to lay down and grab some Z’s so i can be up for afternoon rest period …yessiree, good ole terra firma for me…the more firma ,the less terra …well ,i’ll get off and see if any one’s still up …luv joe…..
November 1st, 2009 at 1:30 am
I’m gonna check out MY e-mail ,and if nuttin ,i’m gonna sit rite down and write my self a letter ,and make believe it came from YOU!that was a good song…nite’s outta of here and off too mail box …gone till tomm.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:40 am
You sure give up easy
November 1st, 2009 at 7:36 am
Hi everyone,Busy with halloween lots of kids came to the house and had friends over and played Dominos. Yes Dominos they have different ones now they are not black play a game called Mexican train two people can play so it passes the time in the evening when nothing is on TV. Julie I will be 57. Nite-Train I met someone a long time ago named Chuck French he lived in the bottoms and My friend and I gave him a ride from a club one night didn’t know him well,but I remember he had a bathtub outside full of plants and flowers that was pretty cool.
Does anyone remember the Pudney family or the Cady family? I remember grandma saying the name Pudney which I have a neice,actually cousin, that is married to a member but she is only 24 but I remember the name coming up. In the 70s I had a wonderful friend named Willie Cady her dads name was Joe. Julie I was born in the bottoms but as much as I can remember I was probably about 4 or 5 when my grandparents moved to Dunlap, a lot of my stuff comes from stories of my mom,aunts and uncles. Later in life I worked in East Peoria on the weekends at nashville north I met a lot of folks there from the bottoms and lived in Creve Couer. I covered a lot of tracks back then,peoria full time job.east peoria part time job,lived in creve couer. I was worn out but I had a good life and often think of that.
Lots of Love bye4now
November 1st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Is this freaky or what Deb? I went to school with Shirley Cady and ended up being good friends with Willie! I loved Willie. I got close to her when I lived in Creve Coeur and the girl next door to me, Sue Wolstenholm and Willie were good friends. We really got close. She had a house down on Elmwood in East Peoria and then bought a house in Marquette Heights. She is a soul all her own. Did she ever read you cards? She did mine and she would really get freaky with some of the things she would come up with. She told me Shirley ended up being a cop in some southern Illinois town. Do you know what happened to Willie? Is she still in Marquette Heights? I hope you know. This is so cool.
Love ya,
Deanie
November 1st, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Deanie
I never knew what happened to Willie. I remember you and her became friends when I went to Arkansas. I saw her younger sister Debbie in about 89 and she said Willie married the pathologist she was dating,it wasn’t doing well from what her sister said,but no-one in our group we ran around with knew where she went. She and I were roomies for awhile before I met Junior. she was a sole all her own. I have many Willie stories she used to ride a honda 350 she was the only one I felt safe with on a bike,we were coming down creve couer hill and her hat flew off we were meeting her beau at the catta club for lunch so she was dressed up what a hoot us getting that hat back! We used to work together at nashville north for a number of years. She is one of those people I would love to find maybe we could work on that.
Love You
November 1st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Deanie
When I said I met someone named Chuck french it was me and Willie that took him home. No we did not get out of the car, it was a hoot for us to see his flower pot!
bye4now
November 1st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Well ,afternoon nap over . looks lke all got up EARLY and went back too bed . YOU’SE must have turned clocks forward bout 8 hours .the day just gettin started the STARRY ,STARRY nite . hmm. looks like i’m alone all again,over n over . i don’t know how long i can take it. i’ll keep checkin in …goin too mail box ,yea rite ,just what i need . another dissapointment …lol your one n lonely, oops , meant ONLY ….joe …..that Chuck French was prob. same one that we use to run around w/. Him/Ervin Ray/Kenny Mitzelfelt /Bill Davis and myself were very close at ONE time …THEM and THEIR parents did’nt seem to think it was KOSHER to run w/ me after last yrs. of high school , they could tell ,{I came toFORK in the ROAD and TOOK IT}! THEY could’nt of kept up w/ me anyway ,did’nt need excess baggage …ALL but Mitzelfelt turned out to be TWO faced rats anyway …Did’nt like my WILDSIDE,till they wanted to PARTY n have fun…NOT w/ this COWBOY, i told um , remember I’M BAAAD…LOL Ervin had two sisters , Vicky and Cathy Jo , you girls’ prob. knew ….bye DIVA girl…
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:14 am
This is the third time I’ve tried sending something. Early this morning, this afternoon and now. All 3 times it’s disappeared. The last time the error message said web site now found even though I was on the web site. Maybe the paper is mad about the new web site. Debbie I am going to try once again. I remember 57 – it is one of ages I didn’t like and now would love to have again. And Mexican Train, we play a couple of times a year with some friends. I never remember how until we start playing and then it comes back. And to everyone else, daughter Ann sent an e-mail and said while she was fooling around with the computer, she looked up EPCHS Class of 59 on the internet and sent me a list of names that were on it that she thought I might know. I knew several but only one that lived in the bottoms. Ronnie Kellum – he lived on Globe street behind the union hall with his dad, older sister Joanne, younger brothers Donnie and Glenn. If anyone remembers him except Joe (who knows everbody), she is going to send him a note and the address for this site. That could be a place where you could look up your hs graduation class and see if you remember anybody else. Hope everyone was able to enjoy this day. Julie
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:35 am
Hey guys. Where’s everyone at? No one’s posting on either site. This ain’t cool! I’m gonna have to ground you all. Take your keys away and the whole nine yards. If you go on Donna’s site and go to the very bottom of the page and where it says, like right now it says 18 comments, it will let you in. I just left one and when I click submit comment it said comment not accepted and I clicked submit comment again and it took it. This computer world is going a little bit faster than my old brain wants to work, but I’m keepin on keepin on. Hey, Julie and Nite_Train, let’s hear some sparks a flyin and threats a goin(haha) It keeps my blood pumpin.
Love you guys,
Julia
November 4th, 2009 at 1:41 am
hey DIVA ….we’re thinkin of you all the time …i got one e-mailmto go thru and sent another nice LONG one ,would’nt accept …tried 3 times ,nope …not only did it not go , it erased my blog that iwrote 3 times …had it memorise ,so tried again ,and not only lost it ,lost half of blogs that were already on there …one that i thought was from Mrs. Crossno naming all those names that were great that i knew all. lost her’s …..MAAAAD lol i’llget it figured out ….y6ou take babe ,and know we’re thinkin of you always ….luv nite-train…nite later
November 4th, 2009 at 2:50 am
Welcome back Julia, I’d come on here every day or so but nobody was writing and you all left me here with no support team or therapy group. What a group of friends. How would people find out about your web site? You guys went to an awful lot trouble to not have it work. Still don’t know when anyone is going to come home to set it up for me. Sometimes I just sat here and reread old entries. We have all had trouble with hitting send comment and the entry being erased. We weren’t fighting just teasing. Keep telling myself that and soon I will believe it. Talked to Kathy today and she said she hadn’t gotten anything out to you. And it’s not because she’s too busy. Erik, our son is a teacher in Madison, Wi and Obama is going to his school tomorrow. Some of the things he has been telling me about security is unreal. He”s a good kid but I don’t think anyone would want secret service checking your past. Okay, time for bed. Good to be hearing from you again. Julie
November 4th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I still check this about 4 times a day. I was so glad to see you and Nite_Train had written again. I think I was going thru withdrawal. And once again, I didn’t have anything to do with the other site. That was Donna. I think she did an unreal job setting it up. I wouldn’t even know where to start. I don’t know why when you hit post a comment on that it tells you you can’t the first time. Second time has always been a charm for me so far. Joe, you need to write your stuff on here too I guess. We can’t stop writing. I’m like Julie, I needs me dose of therapy a day.
Love you guys,
Julia
November 4th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Just finished watching Obama’s speech at Erik’s school and remember why I never watch politics. The day after Halloween, his 6 year old daughter called. She was so excited more with giving candy at home than receiving home. Told me it was like a happiness buffet. Where do we ever lose that enthusiasm. With me it’s more like a pity party but am going to try her philosophy. Glad that you are still here Julia. Kids need to spread their wings to grow but mom & dad want you to come home now.
Julie
November 4th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
HEY DIVA ….ihan’nt forgot you n Prime Time for a minute . been VERY busy gettin NEW private PAGE set up last few days for all of YOU!finally got it done , so hope you ALL APPRECIATE all the TIME n EFFORT I put in it ,while you all were just LAYIN around …I worked VERY hard,excuse me [ YAWN ] at gettin it up and goin!LOL …aVERY BIG TY to Prime Time and YOU DIVA for your time and effort ….VERY good…Diva ,down deep , i know you had to take alot of your expertise and show Primer how its’ done , but we’ll let her THINK she was pullin WAGON by herself….{SHE was asleep in WAGON while you done ALL the Pullin } so she feels important … NO one will be all the wiser , but you and i know …REALLY ,you BOTH did GREAT job ,cause i know it was’nt easy time consuming. Prime and HUBBY had more important things w/ rain n stuff , BIG TX luv Nite-Train …i DID get thru on private blog ,,,,,finally ! LOL GEESH…I was READY for PUZZLE FACTORY ..MAN…
November 6th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I feel lilke I’m writing to myself on this site. Where is everybody. Had an interesting conversation this morning. Had a doctor’s appointment (every 6 months whether I need them or not). The doctor had his internship at St Francis in Peoria. So I was asking him again what years he was there since he is younger than I am. He was there in the 80s. He asked if I had gone to the therapist yet. Last time he asked was 6 months ago when I told him it wasn’t going to happen. Then I told him about reconnecting with Richland friends and how it started on the Peoria paper. Said he dated a girl from Richland. Told him to be careful, I may be writing to her.
But he did say her last name was Gott. Means nothing to me but I’m throwing it out there to see if anyone knows the name. Another coincidence, our family doctor while growing up was Dr. Canapple from Peoria. Not sure what happened if he retired or decided it was time to change to an EP doctor and we started going to Dr. Davis. Anyway now we have a minister who has just moved to the area running a street mission. His name is Canapple. So I called him to see if was from Peoria. He’s not but his relatives are. Such a small world.
So did you all watch Simon Baker on The Mentalist last night. Such a good show. Not sure if this will be read by anyone but just so you know, I’m still here. Julie
November 6th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
YOU ARE NOT ALONE(haha)
Sounds like the begining of one of those scifi movies doesn’t it. I come to the site at least 3 times a day. I just don’t write unless someone else has. Was Dr. Davis the doctor that was on the street behind Waibels? I remember going to that Dr. It was the summer between 8th grade and high school. You had to get your last round of shots before going to high school, remember? I don’t know how I got to go by myself, maybe mom was working or something. Anyway, I told him my regular doctor was out of town and he had already given me my shots and all I needed was the physical card filled out saying I had gotten them all. I paid the fee and he filled out the card. Never did get those shots. I HATE needles. Do you remember the dentist that was upstairs a little down from Waibels. He was a sadist. I HATE doctors and dentists. I guess I’m just a wuss. I can take a lot of pain, just not needles. Sure wish Kathy would get out of her funk and write me. I would love to hear from her. I can’t remember a Dr Canapple. Our Dr. in Peoria was Dr. Powers. He was quite a character. Good Dr. , just a little eccentric. Does anyone remember the Jackson boy that drowned down at the river? I remember me and Donna and some of our friends being down and the opposite end of the levee when that happened. He couldn’t hear or talk. Remember? Sooo sad. Well sister Julie, I’m gone for now.
Love you all,
Julia
November 6th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Oh Julia, I don’t remember the dentists name, but we went to him to. What a quack. Don’t think he knew what a cleaning or filling was. He just loved to pull teeth. Or maybe our parents just couldn’t dental prevention, so it was an extraction or nothing. Yes that’s where they located. Didn’t remember the dentist thing til now but my jaw is aching. Kathy would remember the Jackson boy I’m sure. She was our spotter for the President’s speech. I just couldn’t stand for CNN to be on any longer. She has it on all day. Worked out fine for us. I Didn’t realize he was going to be doing a major address on education. Erik didn’t get to meet him personally but he was within 30 feet of the podium during the speech. He was shown on local TV several times. His father in law called and asked he managed to get on TV wearing a tie and his White Sox hat. It sure will be an event he won’t forget. And by the way Julia, I don’t need another sister who doesn’t talk to me. Be on again whenever. Julie
November 7th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
BLAA,BLAA,BLAA,…don’t you GALS’ have anything to do ,like MAKIN your Hubbys’ happy and comfortable, for ALL the TIME they’ve GIVIN up for you’se to make sure you can LIVE a life of just LAYIN around and ENJOYIN the GOOD life?MY LORD,WHAT kind of “women” have a NICE INNOCENT GENTLE MAN like myself got myself involvled w/ ?Now take my wife ,{PALEEEEEZ},she does EVERYTHING for ME ,and too SHOW my appreciation ,i borrowed money from her and bought her a brand new lawn mower w/ mulcher ,so she could be out in fresh air and just kinda WALK around yard today .Then when she came in ,i complimented her on how nice i got OUR yard looks.You guys could LEARN alot from me …What’s this CNN stuff?you one of the [25] people that still watch that and MSNBC? you gotta be KIDDIN! they’ve even got COLORED TV now !don’t need rabbit ears or outside antenna either !its really cool …DIVA,DIVA/canyou hear me?i’ll have Mark Martin bring newspaper back from HOUSTON,after race tomm. and drop it off .heck ,they landed man on MOON awhile back…LOLya LUV me?Now JULIE , she does’nt know too much either ,so WE{PRIME TIME AND MYSELF},think its’ best we kinda ,oh you know ,uhh,oh heck,KEEP her in the dark , so as too speak …DON”T tell her tho….LOL …well ,now that your all mad at PRIME TIME ,{she put me up too this and sent me note on what to write} i’ll get off for awhile ,[maybe forever if you'se take this wrong way ]and talk to all later …luvnite-train ..P.S. write soon lol
November 7th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
nite-train = troublemaker.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Amy just called. Asked her why she had time to write on the blog but didn’t have time to call me. She convinced me to try and get on the site by myself again so I did. Got on easier and was blown away by what you have put on the site Donna. But that was as far as I could get. Couldn’t read comments or write anything. You and hubby are masters on getting this done. Again sent the site to Amy and she will look at it and see if she can help by phone. The more you try to keep me away – well you know the rest. Don’t mess with my self esteem Joe or I’ll have to I don’t know what, but will think of something. Ray’s watching the Bears and I’m reading, but decided to come in and check the computer. Enjoy this beautiful day guys. Julie
November 8th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Julie if you go down on the page, in small letters it will say like 39 comments or however many are on there at the time. click on that and it will take you over to the other page where all the comments are. It takes some getting used to. I guess it because we got used to this site and it’s different. As for you mr. nite_train, so Donna put you up to talkin mean to me and Julie huh? I thought you were a man’s man. Didn’t know a little ole girl could intimidate you. She didn’t pull your hair and make you cry did she? I’m gonna have my mom ground her and tell her to quit pickin on you poor little boys. She always was a bully. Like I told you before, I was the sweet and innocent one. Never harmed a soul. Well, maybe Jimmy Bradford a time or 2, but that’s all. Well, will check back later. Had a rough night and gotta get me something to eat.
Later my loves,
Julia
November 8th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Well, its a beautiful Sunday afternoon here in Kankakee but I have been spending it reading all of the comments to the Richland blogg. There were a few questions thrown out that I had an answer for. The first was someone was asking about the Strobel’s who moved here from Germany. The older sister was Gerda. Gerda was in my class and low and behold when this German girl came to school she learned how to speak English. Someone also asked about marrages and Don Shinall was married to Frieda not Margaret Goben. There older sister was Barbara. Also Loyol Van Order married Gayla Hale. Does any of those names ring a bell? Some other people I remember is Russell White and sister Becky? J. R. Barnhill, Shannon Brevard, Sue Walker, Jimmy Linnehan, Donna Buckner, Barbara Aden. I recently got a hold of Carolyn Scott on Facebook. Do any of you remember them? I remember going to the dances over at the union hall and they even gave out free sandwiches. We were able to go even though we were not affiliated with Caterpillar. Also, to my sister Julie, I know how important reconnecting with the past is to you. I hope you are finding fulfillment. I too wish there were more people involved in going down memory lane as I miss the simpler times. I was just telling our granddaughter who on facebook was saying how bored, bored, bored she was that when I was growing up there was not a lot to do except getting together with friends and talking. We would sit on the little bridge over the creek and talk for hours. Well the day is almost over and the laundry is waiting. Monday is coming soon.
Lynda
November 8th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Gee maybe now I can talk to one of my sisters once in a while. Hi Lynda. Aren’t these fun people. If we can only get them to stay here. I told you if you ever came on you would like it. I’m going to try again Julia. Julie
November 8th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Okay guys, was it just at our house or did you know better than to say “I’m bored”? At my house, someone would have found something to occupy us so we weren’t bored. I can’t remember ever getting bored. We walked a million miles there in the bottoms. Hung out on the bridge Lynda was referring to I’m sure, and hit the park down on Cass Street and the playground at Richland. Along with stopping at who knows how many houses along the way to pick up more people to walk with. I remeber the Buckners and the Linnehans. I knew Ginny. Didn’t their dad have a bar up by Max’s Bargain Center? Remember Perdues and Rileys and Raileys and Smiths and Regents and Lucille Wickert and Tubby and Velma Neff. They used to have a furniture store some place up by the tracks. And Baileys Tavern was right by the tracks too. I’m so glad Lynda jumped on board. This is fun. Just wish you could get Kathy’s butt in gear.
Love you guys,
Julia
November 8th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Julia, I must be the dumbest klutz. Still having trouble. Tell me Julia, did I ever write anything that wasn’t nice about Lynda. She is more the age of you and Donna – all much younger than me, hope she will have names for you to trigger even more names. Have about 45 minutes before Cold Case comes on TV, then we’ll see if sleep happens tonight. Check in tomorrow. Julie
November 8th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
In my previous comments I mentioned Barbara Aden but it was Rosemary Aden. I believe she died a few years back from breast cancer. Others that come to mind – now that I have been reminded – is Yvonne Regentz. Also Judy Chism – they lived where the union hall is now. Danny Langston lived near us and I believe he became an East Peoria police officer also. No one ever confused the Helferich gang with the Helmerick group because as I remember they were the only one’s in the bottom’s who had money – or so we thought. Just a few more memories.
Lynda
November 8th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
HEY LYNDA GIRL …Know ALL them Kids you kickin ‘ around ….Myself /Shannon and Milo use to run around alot ….rode mini bikes, winter and summer ALL over the place ,nite and day! we went everywhere in bottoms and down on river road every day …I lived w/ Linehan’s for quite awile …Bar was closed , but lil Jimmy’s Dad and I had poker game goin EVERY day at the place!still had bar like it was when THEY closed him up,for reasons i won’t into …lolused too go next door once in awhile at a place called {SPUDNUT} shop , had some REAL DISH workin there ! MAN ,she was a DROP DEAD KNOCKOUT! kinda brunett w/ sorta long hair , but SHE would’nt give ME time of day !SHE seem to eat alot ,cause the donuts always had HOLE in middle of them !LOLLIL Jimmy had 2 sisters ,VIRGINIA[Ginny ] and GERRI and younger bro. named Tommy .JIM and HELEN were their parents name. Their Mother’s bro. , SONNY ,is married too SYLVIA[JOSIE]WALKER , who owns the GOOSE Tavern on Cass St….Lynda , don’t you have a sister named ,uh ,oh darn it ,i’m tryin to remember ,uh ,..OH YEA ,i think JULIE or somethin like ,oh yea THAT”S it ! SHE WAS SORTA MEAN spirited ,IF I REMEMBER RITE !NOW I MIGHT BE WRONG , BUT YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I AM…BUT not LIKELY …I’VE never BEEN wrong,THOUGHT I WAS ONCE ,but I WAS mistaken !lol…sTROBELS’ LIVED ACROSS sT. FROM ME IN 400 BLOCK EDMUND St.when CAT. tried to buy them houses ,he played [hard to get w/ them],so they let him keep it …then built BIG building RITE behind um …THEY really were nice people tho! OH YEA , DIVA , YOUR BIG [ oops ,did'nt mean it like it like you wanted me too say ] what I meant to say ,your OLDER sis. has THREATENED me in past ,so WHEN you come up here again ,maybe i’ll MAN UP when i’ve GOT back up !SHE put me up too lots of things that i ,PERSONALLY don’t mean , but what can i do,as YOU SAY ,and i qoute :she BIGGER than ME :,unquote…Lynda girl, get on more often ,and if you ever talk/blog to ,YOU KNOW WHO , ask if she remembers me …LUV ALL nite-train … later ….P.S….AMY ,STAY in contact W/ YOUR MOTHER ,or YOUR gonna be SUBJECTED too Cimanal and Unusual Punishment ,such as ,HAVIN to BLOG us ALL EVERY DAY for a YEAR>>>GOT IT GIRL ?LOL
November 8th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
See Lynda we are all fun people, okay most of us are. Don’t get caught up in this little game some people are playing. Sometimes we just call this group, Joe’s harem. Julia darn it still can’t on Donna’s site. Got up to password and it’s never accepted.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Hey there Lynda. Danny Langston is my cousin. He had a sister named Sandra and another older sister named Judy. (Judy was raised in Arkansas). Danny is the sheriff of the town I live in here in Arkansas. He has been for about 12 or more years. I remember Himmelrichs. They were good friends of my mom and dad’s. Mom was a real good friend to Mabel’s sister Mary. I remember going in their house and they had white carpet and plastic over the carpet. That would have lasted about 2 hours at our house, if we were on our best behavior. The plastic would have been ripped off and the carpet would have been a pretty shade of grey and brown. I remember Mabel had the laundromat on Cass street for a long time too. Washed a lot of clothes at that laundromat. Well enough for tonight, I guess. Hang in there Julie. Keep trying. I did and it just opened up and now it’s easier. Until tomorrow girls, play nice. You too Joe.
Julia
November 9th, 2009 at 12:12 am
hey Lynda Girl…I remember Judy Chism & herfamily …Danny Langston was E.Pea. cop for quite awhile and then was gone .maybe out of state too COP somewhere else ,cause he did’nt like havin to maybe mess w/ those he knew and THOSE that KNEW him..lol…Yvonne Regentz was 1st. married to Donny Montgomery, who’s Dad ran the sand blast place on 400 block Cass St. , that old man Turpin started ,and let the older Montgomery and his wife Katherine ,[she was Mr. Turpin's daughter ] take it over .Yvoone later married Doug Hosbrough , they’re still together…The HOSBROUGHS” and ELLIS”S were family . MRS. Hosbrogh had been married before to a Mr. Ellis ,and then married Mr. Hosbrough…THEY were ALL GREAT Kids , and I loved um ALL ,and STILL do!….Himmelrichs” were different when you got too KNOW um.MABLE and I were VERY close FRIENDS,once i started tenden bar for Genusa ! Iworked for Clif movin ALL them darn houses in Richland & every where else ,PEO./Bartonville for airport extension/houses up by old Couris” food market building by E.Peo. H.S. ….WE became VERY good friends and CLOSE …Once they got to KNOW me !lol ..they thought i was BAAAAAD for so long ,they were shocked when they got to know me .LOL …MAN,he paid me REAL well …Surprised me….If i HAPPEN to HANGOVER and over slept , HE NEVER got mad, he would come on in ,get me up and say :shower’s that way and laugh and wait …take to eat and by afternoon ,he would get SIX PK. , and start ALL over again!almost every day …we had a BLAST! Iwent too see him in hosp. day before he passed away , and THANK him for everything and told him {i loved him for the GOOD times }we had , and he teared up ,nodded his head … when i didn’t know um very well , i used to DRIVE her crazy ,lol but all ended well !You KNOW DEE DEE and PRIMA DONNA don’t you ?if you NOTICE ,you”LL find they GANG up on ME alot ,for no reason ! I think it’s because I’m such a nice FELLA ,and they are’nt used to being around nice people like ME! but ,i understand their misgivings and LUV um anyway …lol…keep on KEEPIN ON…nite-train..bye bye ,he GONE …
November 9th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
hey JOE , you out there anywhere ?………NO , and don’t bother me rite now , I”M busy answering ALL my e-mail …sorry too be SO blunt about it ,but thats’ how it is ,,GOT IT?….OK you^*())^%$%$#$&**(&^.I GOT IT …nite-train…gone
November 10th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Just stopped by to see what the RRRs are up to. You all are interesting story-tellers with an easy chatty style…too much for me to catch up with, but you also have great memories. I remember the people my age from Richland that Donna and Deanie have mentioned…most of them, and the EP cop/crossing guard who drove me home one time in first grade; some how I was taking a “short-cut” home and got confused and scared. And I’m glad that those two also remember our yard with all the fruit trees and grapes and blackberries. It’s almost time for Christmas Story (maybe cable has started playing it for this year already…) Can’t find a better transport back to the 50s than that. Later…
November 10th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Yoah , Judy !
He seems to have a weakness for the girls ! 
I am glad your back on blog ! Send me an email and l will send you the ural to the new blog if you would like .
{flame2250@yahoo.com} or twist Joe’s arm and make him cry till he tells you what it is …l know your just a lil thing , but Joe can be taken down fairly easy !
Later ol friend
Met you in Never-Never-Land #2
Do you remember any of the old passwords?
Later Tink { aka , Claudia , La’Don,La’Donna,Donna ,Prima Donna ! weeesh ! Gets to be a longer mouthful all the time !
November 10th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Hey Julie ,where you been for so long ? COMP. runnin slow andKEEP gettin KICKED off OTHER ,so can’t get there ! UNDERSTAND?Carol keeps tryin ,BUT!!!!try some more as DAY drags by…LOLthis AINT funny ,tho …you need too RUN down and >>>>>>PAY YOUR UTILITY BILL !GOT IT ?LOL Deanie down ARK. way ,prob. sent us ALL up here a VIRUS ! I heard her SNEEZE last time she was on , and she DID”NT cover her MOUTH !{ BUT,we can EXCUSE her ,cause she’s got SMALL hands }LOL . sorry ,PRIME TIME made me say THAT !maybe we can get Peoria Tent and AWNING to MAKE her BIGGER handkerchief ! Prime Time ,STOP that , leave my COMP. alone …LOL quit puttin WORDS in my head and i mean NOW! Boy , i’m tellin ya , that Gal is TOUGH ,amazing her Hubby can put up w/ her , when she’s that way ,every so often . ..later ..nite-train ..PS.DEANIE ?doya STILL luv US anyway ? LOLbye,bye
November 10th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hey Prime Time,….see where Judy B. woke up long enough to let Bears have her spot to go into” HIBERNATION”.good see here her voice , again . its’ her BRO. JIM that has daughter ,SHANNON ,that is my daughter ‘ RANDI JO’S best friend ! their togerther bout EVERY nite !as far as THAT girl Julie TWISTIN anything , she LOST that edge yrs. ago at TEEN dances .her git up and go ,got up and gone !YOU BET i can be taken down By fairly easy ,a WINK and a SMILE and I”M on my back smilin !i’ve got the arm ,waitin for the TWIST !LOL..Of COURSE you may need to bring EMT”S for me QUICK !if theres’ a smile on my face ,,aww..heck ,JUST let me GO !…By the way Donna ,YOUR MOM& DAD were VERY close too CLIFF aND MABEL ,FRIENDS and CONFIDANTS..I know Cliff thought of them, cause we use to talk of them often…CLIFFORD really liked your DAD ! WELL , i guess its’ time time to get BUTTERFLY NET and go lookin for Julie …AGAIN ! man ,this is gettin old . HEY Deanie …you got any OLD cow bells down there you aint useing?i think i might have an IDEA that might work ,if you know what i mean….lol…well , i’ll figure this thing out somehow …later…nite-train//
November 10th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Hi everyone. Thanks Joe and Julia for the input to some names I threw out. I remember now that Danny did become a police officer down south but where down south – Just in case I drive through the area. You also should get him on this blog as he was one of us also. Joe, you filled me in also on a couple of people – Jimmy Linnehan, well everyone thought he was it – tall and handsome at least for us 6th graders. I saw Gerda Strobel at one of our reunions but that has been eons ago. Someone also asked about the bike repair guy who lived up the street from us. His name was Al (like our dad) and the last name was something like Jacques. Does anyone remember my favorite teacher Mrs McCallum. She was the most beautiful teacher there was. Russell White just recently retired as superintendant of the Wilmington school district which is just up the Kankakee River from us. (Once a river rat always a river rat?) A few years back he told me he had been in touch with Mrs. McCallum.
Do any of you remember how Speecies would have a bonfire on Halloween and roast hot dogs for all of us. We could go anywhere down in the bottoms and trick or treat without any problems. Try to do that today in any neighborhood. I have been trying to think of others but I am younger than Joe and older than the rest of you – but I’ll give it a try. Some of the group was Tony Griffin, Margaret Dobbins, Glenn Kellum, Roy Gregory, the Majors clan just to name a few.
I just talked to Julie (we sisters do talk occassionally) and both of us are looking forward to our spa date on Saturday. It will give us a chance to talk in person.
Time to catch up on the mail, so talk to you later.
Lynda
November 10th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
HI LYNDA …Tony Griffin and his wife Margo lived next dood to me when i lived at 417 Edmund [they at 415] ,RoyGregory just passed away about 6 mos. or so ago .He drove LIMO for CAT> excegitives till he retire .Kellums ,most still around E.Peo. …Majors i think are all over area. …When their MOM and DAD got married , [ his mother name Marie ,[daughter of JONES",the Preacher at 101 Monson St. Little Church inthe Valley]and Dad Cecil ,i was5yrs. old and RING BEARER and her sister Frances flower girl..lol…I’ve got pictures of it still .well ,i got scared and ran across St. to our house and my MOM come and got ME and had to crouch down and go up isle w/ me so i would do it !LOL…then we had CHIVALRY ,[where we made NOISES at their bedroom window that nite ],. But NO , i don’t see any of them people anymore .YES i did get in on them HOT DOG give aways at SPEICES” Mkt. on halloween .On Edmund St. , Stobels lived across St. from us and Griffin. I LIVED w/ LINEHAN”S for quite awhile …Jimmy’s Dad ,JIM ,took care of me when i neededit ….we run a POKER game every day aftertavern had been CLOSED ,lol for reasons we won’t discuss now .Little jimmy got into Real Estate and done real welland NEVER came back around or too Richland ,ever .had two sisters ,Virginia and GERRI ,and younger lil boy Tommy …JIM and HELEN were GREAT ,i LOVED UM both ,daughter GERRI , uhh , WE KNEW each other VERY WELL ! NO further COMMENT !LOL …i don’t know if i REMEMBER your sister JULIE ,SOUNDS FAMILIAR ! NO FURTHER COMMENT there EITHER !lol YOU guys have fun and enjoy DAY together ..I’ll be THINKIN of YOU BOTH …take care babe and don’t forget me JOE…aka:nite-train…
November 11th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Lynda…i wasc wrong about Roy Gregory ,passing away ! IT eas his BRO. Gene ,OK guy too.SORRY for mistake …FORGIVE LIL ole ME ? always joeaka nite-train …ps…dont’t let Julie go back for SECONDS at lunch…put SPEED BUMPS down if you have ,to SLOW her down ! LOL bye
November 11th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Hey Lynda – did you get the site for the other blog? Talked to Gayle tonight and she’s anxious for Julia to send the site to her. You other guys are going to be jealous on Saturday when we’re sitting down, drinking wine, eating cheese and getting our feet rubbed. Julie
November 12th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I would settle for getting my feet rubbed. Although the other sounds pretty darned good. So, here’s what I think I’ll do. At the exact time you and Lynda are getting your feet rubbed I am going to force my husband to rub mine, and Nite_Train, you need to convince Carol that it’s for your best interest that she rub yours or if she gives you the woman on the edge look, rub hers. Life will be sweet. I’ll get Donna’s hubby to do the same. We may start something here. But, if things don’t work out, I don’t want you Julie, or Lynda to feel one bit bad about us. Have a good time.
Julia
November 12th, 2009 at 10:36 am
yea …RITE…i”l rub her feet w/ a STEAM ROLLER ! ..WE”ll discuss the” Rubbin part ” another time .WRONG NOUN & OTHER WAY around ! I’ll be on RECEIVIN END !THEIR gonna put SPEED BUMPS to SLOW them GALS down ,when they start on food line …julie WANTS to take SHOPPING bag ,for doggie bag!Last i HEARD , they HAD her PICTURE posted on bulliten board there ,for waitress’es too keep eye on her!GIRL just don’t know when to stpp…they weigh her on IN way OUT ,and CHARGE her by the POUND ,well that’s what i heard !kinda like WATCH list …she parks pick-up truck around corner , but THEY figured that out …lol they found out last time she was there , cause when she got in truck , her stomach was so BIG , HER horn would’nt stop blowin .Lynda told her ,SUCK it in ,but she had ate toooo much !….well , you all have nice day ,while either get :rub down or RUBBED OUT : after i take YOUR SUGGESTION …later, i hope … nite -train….gone >
November 12th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Here now, I told Lynda we all played nice here. This is a special treat that Lynda and I allow ourselves once a year. We get one glass of wine(?) a couple of pieces of fruit, cheese and crackers and chocolates. Almost all a woman needs. Plus a dark room, playing soft music, alone time and then we come out and there is that world waiting for us. Hey Julia, Joe is having a hard time watching his 2 year old niece For a day – how long have you had your little granddaughter with you. Hope Donna doesn’t scold you again for hanging out with us. Have you heard from any more of my sisters? Julie
November 12th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I’ve had my granddaughter since the day she was born. Joe needs to know there’s a reason they call it terrible twos. That spa thing sounds wonderful. We’ve got one down here, I’ve just been too chicken to try it out. And no, Joe it ain’t in the back of the barn. I would love to just have a really really good massage. I have a really bad back and that would feel so good. I always wanted to go down to Hot Springs and sit in their hot baths they have. They’re supposed to really be relaxing and medicinal. I haven’t heard from your sisters. I sent them the info on the other site. I hope they got it. If they need anything all they have to do is let me know. Never have heard from Kathy.
Julia
November 13th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
hey girl ..Deanie ,about “back of barn”,i’ve heard about thi back of barn stuff ! i’ve been in a BARN or TWO …LOL so i’ ll go on to something else “like ” HOT SPRINGS”, if you don’t mind {RIDIN ALONG }on the subject .hot springs and massage ,now I KNOW bout THAT ,1st. hand and experienced it up CLOSE and ”IMPERSONAL” one nite! well ,let me see,how do i approach this ,uh…oh heck ,,here go’s ….i mummeled a name this LADY ,A DEAR LADY ,{OK , WIFE }that she was not sure she EVER remembered her MOMMA ever callin her by,so thats’ WHERE the MASSAGE part comes in,,,i WIGGLED around w/ and for WORDS that might make us BOTH feel GOOD ,MASSAGING those WORDS SOOO carefully ,HECK ,she asked me ,WHAT WAS THAT name AGAIN ?MAN,,i got LUCKY and remembered it !STILL do too this DAY !…now thats’ what WE call HOT SPRINGS and MASSAGING ! …so if you know the RITE words at RITE time ,heck ,,,who needs ARK> ?You talk bout MEDICINAL ?i’ll tell you bout MEDICINAL ,GIRL,lol ,I took 1 LONG DEEP BREATH and said TY LORD ,best ” MEDICINAL “LOL ,i got THAT nite …i had THAT name TOTOOED on HER FORE HEAD…she’s crossed eyed ,so when she see’s it and looks at it and ‘SMILES’,i think too myself ,MAN ,why did i get that darn TATOO !i’m gettin toooo old for this . oh , i know what i…yea never thought of this ,,,I”LL get HER CORRECTIVE LENSES” and GLASSES ! YESSSSSS …I AM a GENIOUS …..why did’nt i think of this a HOUR ago ! well gotta go to BARD OPTICAL next wk….kinda WISH it was TOMM. tho .get one pair , 2nd pr. free ….yes ,we can both have glasses now ….is this a good life or not ! nite-train…bye bye
November 15th, 2009 at 2:14 am
Where have all you people gone? I leave for one day and what happens. WAKE UP chillens I miss your posts. Help me get thru the day. I need input to keep the old noodle workin properly. I don’t want to slip into a coma.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Hi Julia, Didn’t know that you were also awake last night. I check this site from time and see that no one has thought it proper to comment on Joe’s story. Quite a story teller – historian, story teller and who knows what else.
How is the other web site doing? I know that Gayle plans on writing but she wants to read thru everything first. Told her she needs some background from this one also. She has stayed friends with Gayla Hale thru the years. Read in our Tribune this morning this quote from a local column writer “All of us are made a little more real to ourselves by the people who remember us from the beginning.” Had hoped to get some of that knowledge from this site but you are all so much younger than I am. But I think that everyone who has been on this site just stumbled onto it. That’s why I hate to leave it. Hate how it gets so dark so early now but really don’t mind winter except for the darkness.
Take care of yourself and keep checking in and love that little granddaughter. Julie
November 15th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Julie, you need to put some fire under those 2 sisters of yours. Neither one has written on here yet. And miss Kathy hasn’t written me either. I remember Lynda a little a vaguely remember Gayle. How is Brenda doing my mom just loved her and her little boy. You never did tell us how you came out at the casino the other day. AND you never filled us in on the spa. I am so jealous. One of these days. Tell your sisters to get going and give us some of their memories.
Julia
November 16th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Another late night for you too I see. Lynda and I had a wonderful time until she scolded me for spending too much time on the blogs and e-mailing with Joe, I told her to mind her own business. She and Gayle both seem to think we all are too wordy. I’m sure Lynda’s husband keeps up with this site and fills her in. Gayle, I’m not sure – her birthday was Saturday and I think she is trying to catch up on the other site. Told her she should read this one also. Brenda doesn’t own a computer. Allen lives out in the state of Washington and has for quite a while. Ray stopped in at Comcast the other day and signed us up for high speed internet after all these years. My family is so happy about it. But they will be working on it tonight so not sure when I will be on line again. Little granddaugher would love to go with her grandma to have a pedicure. Why I finally had one. My granddaughter has had several. Talk later. Julie
November 16th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
You are not spending too much time on these blogs! This is a great avenue to reconnect, to vent, to do something when you are up late at night, to try and decode what Joe writes (haha, sorry Joe – I still don’t know what you are talking about half the time), and to reminisce. And why am I writing on this blog again?! Sometimes I just can’t help myself. Also, since I’ve been working so much and haven’t talked to you in a few days….HIGH SPEED INTERNET?!!! So proud of you and Dad. So proud.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I also had a wonderful time at the spa – although I think Julie and I agree that it wasn’t as good as last time. Everyone is cutting corners to save a buck. Also I don’t remember telling her she was spending too much time on the site. What I said was that no matter what you can’t go back in time. You can reminese and catch up on the lives of people you knew but you can’t go back. We are not 18 any longer – unfortunately. Time has gone on and I think for the most part it has gone on for the better. Sorry Julie – I still hope we can go for that massage we talked about. And I sure agree that it is time for the High Speed Internet – those pics of the grandkids will come a whole lot quicker! Larry has those Patsy Cline c.d
s ready and anytime you need some help just let us know.
Lynda
November 18th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Oh no, another Helferich on the blog; I am so glad Julie told me about this and that Lynda is now participating and I saw Bettie’s as well. I know Brenda will as well if she gets to a computer at the library. I have many of the same memories but as Julie said, some of mine are different. Some mentioned Miss Ballard; I recall one day in class she told us if anyone wanted to stay after school and cut a paper into fourths, she would give us a quarter (guess we were studying fractions)…Anyway, Joyce Elliott and I stayed after and measured carefully, cut even more so then took it up to Miss Ballard’s desk. Sure enough, she got out her ruler, measured each piece, then handed us back one of the pieces — our QUARTER. Guess I was then and even still now – gullible. Names mentioned about are well remembered. Sophie R, Dorothy Jean Pribble, Carolyn Fox, Barb Blacklock (probably not spelled correctly), Joe G – I think became a police officer in East Peoria. We Helferich’s all learned many life lessons from Monte’s outwardness and of those who reacted poorly to him. Most, I am happy to say, were very good with him and still are today. I’ll share more at another time. I am in touch with Gayla on Facebook and will share this website with her. Gayle Helferich Finan
November 18th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Hello sisters of mine. Welcome. Never said I wanted to go back in time. But most of us would agree, it’s a great place to visit. Julia, you’ll have to get them set up on the other web site now. Now this is no longer my “special place” but one I’ll be sharing with the “two pretty ones” Julie
November 19th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Hey Gayle, glad to see you got on board. You talked about what Miss Ballard did, do you remember Mr. Weber. He was something else. In sixth grade, Gary Hale pestered me to death. I would go up and complain and Mr. Weber would get on to him and in about 5 minutes, it would all start over again. I guess he got tired of me coming up and complaining, so he asked me if I was left or right handed and I told him left. He said “O.K., in order for me to catch Gary in the act, every time he starts. lift you right hand and I will take it as a cue to watch him and I’ll write down each time he does it and after school I will have a talk with him.” All day long I kept raising my right hand and he would nod at me, but he never did do anything. Walking home I realized all he did was keep me from coming up to his desk every five minutes and the class was at peace for a while. He really seemed out of place there, like he should have been a high school or college football coach. But, I’m sure glad he was a Richland. He was a good teacher. Really down to earth. They were good with the child psychology weren’t they. Do you remember Mr. Ingerson? He was a horrible man. He’s the only bad memory I have of Richland. For some reason he hated me. Truly hated me. And I seriously did nothing to deserve it. I can remember asking to go to the bathroom once and him saying no. I sat back down and the urge to go got worse and worse. I asked again and told him how bad I had to go and he said absolutely not. I knew if I didn’t hurry it would be all over but the crying, so I ran as fast as I could to the bathroom. He barged into the girls bathroom screaming and hollering and beating on the bathroom stall door. Mr. Wildenradt had to drag him out. When I got done and came out, he was standing in the hall with Mr. Wildenradt just seething. You could tell he absolutely hated me. I told Mr. Wildenradt what happened and he looked at me like he was sorry and said I had to apologize to him, so I did. But, he was horrible to me from then on. I never did figure out what I did to warrant such hostility. That man should never have been a teacher. He was the perfect example of the “One bad apple” saying. Sorry about unloading that, but I do feel better. So glad you girls are all on board now. I love this sight and Julie. Write more soon. Get a fire under your sister Kathy and get her to write me. We used to be so close in grade school. Till next time.
Julia
November 20th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hey guys, was it something I said? No one is writing. I need my blog fix at least once a day. Oh, Joe, where are you? I need you to make me laugh. I hope everyone is OK, I’m kinda lost without you guys.
SOMEBODY WRITE!!
Love you all,
Julia
November 20th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Hi Everyone – Another memory — this one of Miss Cassidy and Gary Johnson…it was probably fifth or sixth grade and Gary raised his hand and said “Miss Cassidy, Sophie just called me a queer” and Miss Cassidy put her hand on her hip and said back, “Truth hurts, don’t it, Johnson.” We were shocked back then; just imagine what teachers hear today!
Does anyone remember Dot Pribble, Carolyn Fox, or Barb Blacklock? Is Sophie still around? Jack Duke was a policeman in EP, I think.
Hope Julie gets her high speed Internet up and running soon; it helps a lot. Gave the URL to Gayala Hale via Facebook today – hope to have her share; I remember Lena and her dad (name slips my mind right now) but they drove the cutest little tiny car… Take care everyone! Til next time, Gayle
November 21st, 2009 at 12:50 am
to all my loyal and dear friends on this website ,:::::i feel like i’ve betrayed you this past wk. while i was, “out of town”,so as too speak !last Sunday after watching nascar race ,they were interviewing drivers .iwas so tired /exausted /and VERY sleepy.i thought i heard phone lightly in background and think i ‘dozed off for what i thought was only minutes ,but next thing I remember was wife saying car/luggage /all loaded and ready ,so lets get going too airport ,reservations made and ready ,we’re off to our Condo on the Gulf in Alabama . I certainly PERKED up and sure enough we were met at airport by friend who made ‘arrangements’and driven to our Condo and so surprised when we seen our new hot tub that had been installed next to our whirl pool on large deck overlooking the BEAUTIFUL Gulf!it was getting dawn ,so after quick shower, we were in hot tub drinking tiquila sunrises as sun came up .it was then ,not knowing i would regret my thoughts i had at the time . the next three days i got to play golf on the two magnificent courses they provide when your a member of their PRESTIGIOUS Country Club ,which we are members , of course …the second night at our Club ,much too my surprise , i was Awarded the Outstsnding Humanitarian Award for my Contributions To Mankind ! I was very surprised to say the least , but that was why they surprised me w/ trip down there .I had no idea what so ever , but flattered and humble ,but deserving i thought!my financial advisor / retired Judge / banker and myself had great rounds of golf tho. my money man did talk me into transferring more of my assests to off shore investments in Costa Rico also ,w/ economy as it is till 4th quarter results are in.it was then i realized what a WASTE of time it was for me to spend my idle time w/ this blogin stuff ,what a lucky guy i was !IT was THEN the DAM dog heard daughter pull in driveway and JUMPED on me in recliner ,stepped in my face too look out window and woke me up !my condo gone / judge?judges don’t like me /bankers ? h_ _ _ ,i’m broke /financial advisor?i GOT some ADVICE for one of them/..everything gone ,FRIENDS on BLOG ,everything!BUT if it had’nt been a DREAM ,i was gonna BRING you ALL down THERE ,REALLY !~~~~SURE I WAS ~~~LOL ….it was SO LONG SUCKERS,I”M GONE !LOL DO YA”LL STILL LUV LIL OLE NITE-TRAIN ? honestly , man, i had VERY busy week ,DRS. / paper work / ATTORNEYS /..talked to Vicky {Ray }Warren today ,and she said she’ll be jumpin on…good too hear HER voice ,after ALL these yrs. glad too see Gayle , Lynda , Bettie , Amy, are blogin ,that other one i can’t place {I”d like too PLACE her }called Julie i think , can’t recall her …do any of you know or remember my daughter Frannie Jo ,who use to be friends w/ Margie Bevard and a girl named Demelsa ,that use to walk around Richland in 70s ?well ,i’m outta here , so catch ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS later…?LOL nite-train….
November 21st, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Someone is always trying to play silly games on this site. But just read in this week’s People Magazine that our favorite Mentalist – Simon Baker is the 2nd sexiest man alive just behind Johnny Depp. Knew I wasn’t the only one who liked that smile. Everyone got plans for Thanksgiving? We will probably go to Evanston to spend the day with Ann and family. Hope you are all surrounded by your loved ones. Have a good week. Julie
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
hi Gayle….i remember the Pribbles’ /Carolyn Fox a Barb Blaylock[ not a Blacklock ] who had a Bro. named Bob and they lived in 400 block of Cass St. …we use to play a little basketball at their house ..them and OTHERS you mentioned were younger than me , but i would stop and shoot baskets w/ them …Jack was E. Peo. cop for yrs. , and retired …he was OK guy and his MOTHER worked all the time at her home at corner of Sanford & Chicago STs. .it always looked neat …Jack bought her home up somewhat close too his .for she was very independent & able too care for hereelf ….VERY nice lady !he has a storage rental business and she always wanted to help out too stay active …real good family …can’t recall his brother’s name ,but both could play good game of b/ ball…as for you DEANIE ….you were ALWAYS a PEST in school ,cause THAT older SIS> of yours made unbearable for all the teachers you were gonna have ,AFTER she got thru w/ um! LOL…it wasn’t anything YOU did or DID”NT do ,it was the LEGACY she left you ,SAAAAAAD …SHE had pulled SAME stunts that you did , { w/ HONEST intentions } so thats why Mr. Weber had you raise your hand…Donna always raised BOTH hands ,when she just wanted attention , so blame her .LOL that Mr. Ingerson is a VERY lucky guy ,that your DAD did’nt go to school and OVERHAUL him ,UNREAL …Wildenradt was a GUTLESS WONDER for ,1;not backing you , 2: not taking him in front of School Board for his uncalled BEHAVIOR!EXCUSE me for saying this ,BUT ,you should have APOLOGISED w/ swift KICK you know WHERE ….unreal that he would embarrass you in that kind of situation ..GOD bless you lil one !Actually i’m SURPRISED Donna did’nt go BAAAAd on them for that !did you ever tell yur Mom or Dad ? ….She was prob. in Central by then tho … well you keep things safe and healthy down there , and tell your MOM hi ,be safe and good too see others coming on board ….keep on keepin on always ~~~~~~nite- train bye ,bye
November 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Joeee..
Check your email ..and you will find more info on the Mr. Ingerson affair …you will see that l did defend both my and Jewels’s honor .
Later Prima Donna
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Hey Girl…i seen it immediately as soon as you sent it last nite !that wasFANNNTASTIC the WAY you TOOK care of THAT little situation . could’nt have done better myself . woulda loved to have been there , or MAYBE not …you took care of BUSINESS ! yea , i read it as soon as you e-mailed it .made me feel GOO)OOD . have nice wk. end ….always ~~~~nite-train ~~~
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
HEY ALL you bloggers out there …Outsider needs help ,Prima’s got him full nelson ,bent over backwards , so he can’t get to COMP> to get help ,….and she’s threatened me if i tell anyone ,so i can’t reveal who i am , but ALL you need to go to her blog and get her attention so she will free oUTSIDER UP ,AND HE can ask for help ! …jeepers ,creepers, where are all you “PEEPERS KEEPERS ” ? If you don’t come too his and my RESCUE,i’m gonna have too get the MOB, {my old buddies } to have a CONVERSATION/TALK W/ you all! LOL…you say YOU”RE not afraid of THEM eh?well , you just have’nt seen THESE OLD WOMEN I know ! they SCARE me ,cause i have’nt seen the MEAN old woman i can’t out run !…take care and remember POOR ole Outsider ,alone & fightin off that ferosiuos woman ,,,i think she bit him on the fingers too !….later have nice wk. end …..signed ..happy feet ,cause i’m on the run >>BYYYYYE ..
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Hi all! Gayle Helfrich Finan told me about this site. it has been interesting reading about all the memories everyone has had. Like Gayle many of mine have been alittle different also. Richland School was very vivid in may memories of my learning years. Mrs Walkins, Miss Serkowich, and many others left some amazing memories. Does anyone remember a Mrs Cassidy? A small women but a mightly one who taught maybe 5th grade or 6th. I remember a day she took on Jimmy L. for punching Hank T in the arm. We were so safe there with our little community. I was so scared when we had to go to Central Jr. High. I think Jack D become the EP police officer and Joe G become maybe a doctor .
I would like to get in contact with Jean Pribble if anyone has info on her you can e-mail me @ nana2527@comcast.net.
You all were talking about marriages among RRR here are some more : Vickyy Hale & Ralph Baker; Grace Majors & Royal VanOrder; Jack Majors & Wanda Owens; Joyce Young & Joe Majors; Jim Majors & Shirley Miller; Sophie Regents & Tracy Ball. I’m sure I could think of more if I thought of awhile.
I loved the little stores and Lang’s station (right at my bus stop). It was the 1st place we headed when we got off the bus. I still can see that red cooler filled with icey water and soda. I loved the orange Crush or cream soda. I remember when he started limiting only 3-4 of us in the station at a time. We thought that was terrible but it barely held 2 of us and him or her at the counter. The candy was cheap and the sodas cold and we would do it because well… that is all we had.
One summer well maybe two we had water balloon fights with the ones who had cars and the ones who didn’t. The best fun because every one in the neighborhood seemed to play. (kids that was) Remember the bridge (over the creek) on Monson and Sanford streets hang outs. That was were we all would meet to talk and just hang around . The 60′s were pretty good then.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Well,,,you all have left ME no alternatives or way OUT! SOO,Friday morning ,as much as i hate gettin up early ,i WILL be up and out too MALL at 4 a.m.,recruting NEW and TOUGHER members for the MOB ,{MEAN OLD BAGS}that have been there since midnite ,w/ their noses against windows of slidin doors ,dressed in camoflages ,combat boots ,shoulder pads ,helmets , some that look like they’re in elephant uniforms,[actually its' just how big and ugly they really are & look] some MAY have played hockey ,cause they’ve got puck in their mouth ,instead of CHAW of tobaco that their chewin on . MAD and ANGRY cause husbands hid some of their credit cards . i”ll pick out the first twelve that TRAMPLE all others to catch blue lite specials and THEY will be selected by how many they trounce on their way in and out !they will be picked by point system,which is as follows :2 pts. for older and crustier woman than THEM, if possible /3pts. for younger man/ 4 pts. for old & and i mean old man/ and finally 6 pts. for those who may be”peepers keepers” on our website or private blog , but DON”T check in but rarely . apparently my other GALS didn’t intimidate you ,,,well now ,we’ll just see ,won’t we ? you”ve been warned and you know who you are ,as do WE , and SOON my MALL RATS will….one w/ most pts. ,gets $5.00 bonus at K-MART on X-MAS EVE ~~~AND LIST of ALL names who DON”T participate on blog ! you can BLOG or get ROLLED like a LOG !~~~~~~~~~~~~aka~~~MUDDY WATER~~~~~~~~~~~
November 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Hi Gayla, Welcome aboard. Like it is with Deanie (julia C) I vividly remember the names of you girls but mostly as bratty girls who played with my younger brothers and sisters. Have you stayed in the EP area. I was surprised as how many the Majors family married locals. Bonnie and I were friends when we were quite young and lived on Sanford Street. I visited her a couple of times when she and her husband were at the Little Church in the Valley. Now for the test – We, the original and loyal group of the rrr – have a test that you must pass before becoming a member. You must tell me a secret about Gayle that no one knows but you. The deeper, darker the secret, the better. That will be your password to remain here and join Donna’s site. (Okay I made that up – but do you know any?) And you must agree to skip over anything that Joe D writes. We tolerate him because he makes us laugh at times. And he is a wealth of information on the bottoms. I bet you just keep getting happier and happier being on here. Julie
November 24th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Julie, Gayle and I were best friends. We shared so many stories and events growing up. Everything we shared ranged from crushes on boys to crazy clothes styles, to teased hair and wow the makeup. But to be honest, I could never reveal anything without incriminating myself. Those stories are sealed!
November 24th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Oh Gayala – what a cop-out. I am glad you have joined the blog – now get that husband on it because he and I were of the same age and had some of the same classes. Also no fair putting just last name initials. That leaves a lot to speculation.
November 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Hi ALL !!!!…Have a Happy ,SAFE ,and MEMERABLE THANKSGIVING W/ Family’s and Loved ones !ALWAYS be Thankful for WHAT you HAVE , and the ONES that made it possible for you ,because of ALL the LOVE and SACRIFICES they made so YOU would have this DAY, that THEY once had and SHARED W/ YOU !Remember those Special Thanksgivings that WE sat at the “LITTLE KIDS” table and could’nt WAIT till we could set at BIG table w/ BIG folks ,they KNEW one day they would have to ‘give up’ their “seat” at that SAME table to make room for US ,as WE will HAVE to some day ,DO the same ! SO be ever so thankful , no matter how bad things seem at times ,enjoy and cherish these TIMES you have W/ LOVE and Wonderful Memories ,for SOME day,as you look over your shoulder at :LITTLE KIDS TABLE: , we’ll give up our seat at that “formidable” and ‘memorable’ table for them ! SO as you set tables and place SETTINGS ,save a SEAT for ME W/ all the little Kids ,cause of the ” LITTLE BOY “still in me at TIMES , i think i’d rather be w/ them ,if you don’t mind, and remember, the excitement and innocence in their eyes and hearts !Have a nice day and SAFE return home ,for you are BRINGING fragile thoughts and memories HOME w/ YOU ,THATyou can NEVER replace ! HANDLE W/ CARE !~~JOE~~~~~~~~~~aka { NITE-TRAIN }
November 25th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Joe, I think you just said what we all feel, especially we older ones. I hope all of you have a great and wonderful holiday with family and friends.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
A BIG TX to you ,LYNDA ,….Carol was gone ,so i just sat down and started ‘ramblin’like i do at times , and out came some thoughts of DAYS past …but ty for understanding !!!well ,NOW for my darker side of BEING the ‘super slueth’ that i have to be around here at times to keep chaos controlled to certain parameters !I must wait tll ALL are “supposedly ” asleep {or in their case , food coma }and put out my :SPEED BUMPS & SPIKE STRIPS :, to CATCH and subdue those sneekin in and out of their beds during NITR to FRIG. ,too HORDE and stockpile food for themselves !i went thru this last year ,and i’ll never forget how LARGE their SHADOWS were two rooms away ,from how many trips they had made …they had cut alarm system on frig. door ,but i’m READY this year….so you have nice wk. end and careful if you go shopping {or in some cases called SURVIVAL training } over wk. end ….bye,bye,….nite-train~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 26th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
What a wonderful day. Our lovely granddaughter was ready to take over the Thanksgiving responsibilities. She baked a pumpkin pie, and made the noodles. When she wasn’t even old enough to climb up on a chair, we put her on the chair and she helped me unroll the noodles until she got older to help more and this year she took over. And so sweet about it. I hope all of you had an equally happy day to add to your memories. Be waiting to hear about it. Julie
November 27th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Hey everyone,
Glad to hear your turkey day was good too. The tradition of letting the little ones help cook is so cool. My granddaughter who will be 4 Sunday helped me too. She thought she was sooo big! It did my heart so much good. I was going to have to move a plastic picnic table in for kids to sit at and she and I had discussed it about a week ago. Well, my mother backed out of coming to my house this year and had some over at her house, so I didn’t need the outside table. She threw the biggest fit because no one would help her go get that table because MOMMA SAID WE NEED IT. It took me forever to convince her we didn’t. But, she was just helping momma. She makes my heart so thankful. Just as all of you, my new found friends do. Did anyone attempt shopping this morning? Not me, I stayed safe and sound in my bed. How sweet it was.
Later taters,
Julia
November 29th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hi guys, I’ve been thinking of the Richland area lately and why we all have such fond memories of growing up there. It was a community based on family. We all had fathers who were hard working trying to provide for their families. They knew the importance of having a job and stayed loyal to that job even when that job eventually left them with nothing. Many of them grew up in the depression and remembered their parents waiting in bread lines for their food. Our mothers provided for us by knowing how to make meatless meals before it became popular to do so. They knew how to stretch a pound of meat to feed us. They kept their eyes on their children which included any child within eyesight whether their own or their neighbors. They knew which “uncle” shouldn’t be left alone with children and where their children could play protected and watched. We all had our brothers and sisters which we would fight with but also hold hands with in games of Red Rover where no one else could break that bond. The school, grocery stores, taverns and restaurants were our touchstones binding us all together. I am happy that I had you, Julia, Donna, Joe and Debbie to take this journey with back to that time. I really don’t have anything more to add to this sight. Now that my sisters have joined in, they will help bring different people and memories and since they are young, they will be different paths to follow. Whether you stay on this blog or on Donna’s site, I wish you all much success in recreating these happy memories. I’m sure Lynda and Gayle will keep me updated on any happenings. Know that you all will always be in my thoughts. Love Julie
November 29th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Julie, what on earth makes you think you have anything to add to this site? You just can’t walk away from it, girl. It’s in your blood. We would miss you horribly if you didn’t sign in once in a while. I don’t have a very good memory and you’ve brought a lot of things back to my mind that I had long forgotten. And I appreciate that. You hang right in there with us.
November 29th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
a *mole * was about too be exposed that might have been doing undercover snooping for Highway Village group of 6 th graders of yrs. gone by that were jealous of girls from bottoms maybe .i went to woodrow wilson school up here and still live here so i might know some of them, including my own sister .so maybe it is best ,for she may not been who she led you to believe she was pretending to be .my sister thought she recognized her writings .the shadow knows . |be aware|
November 30th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
i think i know WHO { SHADOW }is ! its’ JOEEEE~~~aka~~~nite-train ….i thought so !so ALL is OK ….whew ,,,i’m glad i CLEARED that MYSTERY up ….later ,,,nite-train …
November 30th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I didn’t live in the Bottoms, but I did attend the Little Church in the Valley. My stepfather, Wayne Martindale lived on Edmunds, but I don’t know for how long or if he attended Richland. He passed away in ’93. I grew up in Highway Village and attended Wilson School, CJHS, and EPCHS. Good to see this site. I had done a search on Richland before this site was created and found nothing about the school. But I knew it existed! Was amazed that it had just seemed to vanish from public history. Glad to see everyone sharing their personal stories and keeping it alive.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
guess I’m expected to reply to Joe’s silliness once again. If I just ignore it, what would he try next? Okay I’m back – now what? Still nothing more to add. I guess the one advantage of writing on this blog, is that I can still get to it and only occasionally have I ever gotten on Donna’s site. How about Lynda & Gayle, have they got on yet? Another thing about writing on this site is that it stays here. Can’t delete it before you read it thoroughly. Not that anyone would do that but it could happen. Someone better write again. Julie
December 1st, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Tam….I knew your Step DAD real well…He would prob. be 75 or 76 by now .A real GOOD guy ,that was in same grade 2 yrs. ahead of me , but in same class as my twin Bros. at Richland School …HE had older Bbo. Virgil & Sister Lucille ,that was married to Grover[Bud] Etherton that i knewBOTH REAL well….your step Dad was one HECK of a GOOD roller skater ,,started out at young age at a rink called Pop’s skating rink down by railroad tracks about a block back from where E.Peo. Police station is now …then when it was torn down ,,he went to Roller Gardens down town ..MAN,,,he WAS good , and darn NICE guy that was sorta quiet ,{but not always } , LOL,,but you gotta remember, HE was from Richland !He COULD handle himself tho . the Martindales’ lived at the end of 200 block Edmund ST. their house kinda set back a little ways by corner …GOOD family ….i hope this HELPS you a little ….bye ~~~~nite-train~~~~ ps…he also use to go bowling at Bowlairo bowling alley just across railroad tracks also ….good at that toooo!…lol…
December 1st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Tam…sorry ,,but in a hurry ,i forgot to mention the skating rink owners’ last name was …Pop Schmidt , and correct me if i’m mixed up , but i thought i was in school w/ a sister named Shirley Martindale also i lived directly across the St. from the JONES” family ,that Pastor Jones [ED& Dorothy ]and their kids ,Marie,Betty ,Frances Paul ,and the young boythey took in ,Melvin ….we lived at 100 MONSON St. , they at 101 Monson St. …thats all ….nite-train …
December 1st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
nite-train, yes! I remember us going roller skating and him being on roller skates and I do remember my mom talking about them going bowling. He was a really good man, good heart. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. Worked hard his whole life. I don’t know about the Shirley you speak of, but he did marry a Shirley (my mom. She passed away in 2006.) I believe they were married twice. The second time was after I was born I was five when they were re-married. Shirley Garwood was her maiden name. I have the obits for Rev & Mrs. Jones. My grandma cut them out of the paper all those years ago and saved them. I also have a picture of Wayne’s house that he had written the address on. 250 Edmunds.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:46 pm
nite-train, Marie Jones is my sister-in-laws mother. She (Marie was my mother’s best friend when they moved to Sanford St. Marie and Ceil (Majors ) lived on Sanford next door to my parents and their children: Bonnie, Grace, Jack, Jim, Joe, Dick, Jerry, Susie, & Mary grew up with me and my brothers.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Mornin ALL… ” , AGAIN ” ,this OLD man has too opologise for letting my FINGER and MOUTH get ahead of my {MIND?},TAM, Wayne was all that and more ! He was my older brothers’ and sisters’ age group …Shirley your MOTHER , i remember her and the Garwoods from Highway Village .Proud family and boys that were in Jr. high and High School w/ myself and Bros…. Wayne’s Bro. that i knew better was GENE ! layed in bed last nite and IT hit me !MAN,i just shook my head and thought ,{nice goin Joe ,you moron }.lol …GEESH !SORRY …Speaking of Little Church in the Valley , i got married there ONCE by Pastor Jones ….and w/ that , I”LL wrap that part up !NOW ,,,Gayala , WE knew the MAJORS” [Cecil and Marie VERY well ! I was RING BEARER and Frances Jones was FLOWER GIRL when Cecil and Marie got married at the LIL CHURCH !I was 5 and Frances was 7...i've got pictures of us standing in front of Church before we went in ,ANNNND , i ran HOME across ST. rite after that ,when it was time too go in !LOL...My MOM CAME and got me and BACK across ST. to Church ,up isle ,[MOM crouched down behind ME w/ threats or promises ,PROB.-' both' ], and up ISLE to complete my lil DUTY ! They WERE FANTASTIC COUPLE and WONDERFUL family ,ALWAYS !….and while we’re on subject of VanOrders’ ,,,what were their SECRET of MAKIN all THEIR cars so MUCH better and FASTER than anyone else’s ….you can tell me , know one will find out !lol…The VanOrders’ and Bevards ” , always come out of their garages ,FASTER than the rest .Was it MR. VanOrder or MR> Bevard they called “PONY” ?well, tell all Joe {aka nite-train}, said hi …i think its’ time to put” brain “too rest …have nice day ,all …later
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Wow, loved the story of your experience as ring bearer. I will have to tell that to my sister-in-law. The Bevard and VanOrder boys loved drag racing their cars. They both had cars that they never drove except on the track. They would work all week I think every moment they weren’t working or going to school to get the car ready for the weekend. The Van Orders (Glore, Royal, & Loyal) raced until about 1970-71. A bad blown flywheel tore the car to pieces after we had spend all pre season painting and getting that car ready. 1st run it blow and it tore through the hood, floor board, and side of that car. They were lucky my brother-in -law was drving and was only sightly injuried. But that ended the racing for us. I think the Bevards raced a few more years. Both Bevards and Van Orders were all great at tuning and working to get the best engine, best speed and proformance out of them. Uncle Glane Bevard was the one called “Pony” Have a great night!
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Nite-train, you don’t know how wonderful it is to hear you talk of my family. My grandma Garwood (Gladys) lived to be 101. I have a picture of a class from Highway Village School. It’s very damaged, but I expect my mom is in the picture. Did they just rename Highway Village to Wilson or was it a completely different building and school? Do you know where it was at? Like Richland, there is little to no info on it.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Gayala…A big TX for your nice blog .. you called Mr.Bevard ,Uncle Glane ,were he and Mr.VanOrder’s wives Sisters’? I had too kinda smile when you talked about how the VanOrders’ and Bevards ‘could get the MOST and MORE out their cars ,and indeed they did just that! BUT, they would NEVER share their SECRETS w/ any of US other guys , that would’nt or COULD”NT take time to figure THINGS out cause we were TOO busy doin “STUPID” things ,like ahhh,oh well forget it!!!LOL..Yes,they made their MARK when it came too makin cars not only go fast , but look good too ! The kids from both Families were ALWAYS honest ,hard working ,good kids .{not like some that I know from Richland ,well at least one [I KNOW],LOL}.i won’t name any names ,cause i don’t like too talk about myself too much !!!ring bearer ,,,what a performance i gave um ,must have embarrassed my MOM terribly , not too mention the Folks inside watching and gettin a kick out of this charade MOM and myself were puttin on, Geesh.Bonnie or Grace’s middle name was Marie i thought and Joe’s middle name was Louis if i remember …your sister -in-law Mary and her sister Betty,are two of the NEATEST girls there are .I just LUV um both .if and when you see Mary , tell her i said HI !…..
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Hi Tam…I think ,ever since i can remember , the School in Highway Village was always known as Woodrow Wilson ….i’ve known and ran around w/ alot of guys from up there ,rode motorcycles w/ many guys that lived there too since early to mid 50s , and they always referred to School as W.W….i thought school was still there ,but i hav’nt been up to Highway Village for yrs.it was up hill #2 ,around slight curve to left on main road on right side of St.,and if you kept goin you would come to where Calverts’ Mkt. used to be ,before you come to hill # 1 to go back down to Meadows Ave….The Milligans /Owsleys / Christiansons /Hughes /Wilcoxens / Alan Savage/Eddie Bradford /so many , ‘ll check and see what i can find out for you . it MAY have been called “Highway Village School long ago and in different place , don’t really know , but i’ll sure try too find out for you !I DO know the school was on ST. that went from hill#1 over to hill#2 tho…i spent LOTS of yrs. up there ….bye ~~ nite-train ~~
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I have really loved reading the info posted from Gayala and Tam. Joe, you do remember everything about everybody who ever lived in the bottoms. Gayala what was that little car your family owned when we were young. Back then little cars were certainly not the norm so I really remember it. Wasn’t it purple and white? or was it green and white. I guess I don’t remember as much about the car as the fact it was just so small. Also Joe wasn’t there another name for the skating rink behind the police station. I seem to recall it started with a “D” Dandelles maybe the owners name.
Gayala, what has happened to Shannon Brevard? Is he still around and do you and Loyal see any of the old group anymore?
There is such a benefit to me that more people are writing on this site . Keep them coming and thanks for the memories.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
HI TAM…..Woodrow Wilson School was built in early to mid 50s. It used tobe called Highway Village Grade School ,that was on Meadows Ave. ,where Church of the Nazerine is now ,built in early 30s,and had only 3 rooms and not too many children ,but then was replaced by Woodrow Wilson .some kids also went to Washington School for upper grades of grade school .The friend i talked too ,said he thought there were two Garwood boys and a Shirley and maybe Betty that lived over closer too Hill #3.Bit Woodrow Wilson is still at 300 Oakwood St. in the Hghwy Village .MAN,,,,I hope i hav’nt confused you more than I AM!but,it seems some went to EARlY times at school where Chuch of Nazerine now sit [3room school ,probably most lower grades 1 thru 6 ],and some to Washinton School down closer to High School .i’ll keep tryin or guessin till i get it rite ! tx TAM…nite-train …. ask anytime you like about E.PEO. ,cause ALL 8 of us KIDS ,and myself being youngest ,were born in that HOME across from Little Church in the VALLEY , at 100 Monson St. take care & have nice wk. end …bye
December 4th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Lynda….Betwwen you and I ,i DOOOO know alot about aLOT of people in not only Richland , but E.PEO. !SOME i try REAL hard to {FORGET},especially ones tgat might ,just MAYBE include lil ole MEEEE! little too forget when it comes too ME tho ,cause i WAS one of FEW GOOOOD GUYS !LOL..I think i’ll go on too something else if ya’ll don’t mind cause theres’ a BIBLE on shelf close by and i think ITS”watchin me !LOL…That car you’re talkin about ,sounds like a old [HENRY J /CROSLEY / or Studebaker]…I’ll bet the VanOrders’ or Bevards” would definately know !The old Kiaser & Fraser s were a little bigger than what you’re referring too .And as for that MEAN old SHANNON, i think Milo ,Myself, Donnie Montgomery ,WORE him out in middle of winters riding mini-bikes on ice and snow till late at nite around Richland .Can you BELIEVE ,he wanted too go home and of ALL things GET sleep ,so he could GO to work the next day !Can you believe that?The rest of us ALWAYS said:when playin and irresponsibility interferes w/ work ,QUIT WORK !LOL…Shannon was always darn good guy ,and good ridin the ‘bikes’ too.we had alot of fun knockin each other around and crashin into each other .also you asked about Roller Gardens ,it was always Jack Dobbelaires’,Chuck and my Bro. Richard and Jim Bevard were ALways together ,every nite there.Chuck has Bro. called ‘Hoppy’ and real nice Sister Ila.THEY gave us unforgetable memories and times OUR Children can never have!maybe best yrs. of our lives !after Mr. Dobbelaire sold it ,it was NEVER ,ever ,to be the same …but i don’t remember the name you mentioned .it seems like,and i may be WAY offbut, i thought ron ragonor name like that had it ,and finally GONE!well ,i’m outta here ,all take care .~~~nite-train~~~ bye,bye ——-he gone
December 10th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Guess everyone is off Christmas shopping. If I am using Donna’s site correctly, and not sure of anything on that, no one is writing on that either. Miss you guys terribly and am going to cross you off my Christmas list if I don’t hear something soon. The weather is so cold and nasty what else do you have to do. Oh wait Christmas cards and wrapping presents and baking cookies and decorating the house. I guess I could be doing those things too —- Julie
December 10th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
HI ALL , I”M STILL HERE OR THERE >>IS ANY ONE OUT THERE ? HELLO !!!!!GOOD BYE ~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 10th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
It’s just you and me, I guess.
December 11th, 2009 at 1:50 am
I’m here too. I check in at least once a day, but no one’s been writing. Do you guys have your christmas shopping done? I haven’t even started. I always wait until the last minute. I have decorated this year. My granddaughter really notices everything now and I want to make her some good memories of me. I have to go get all new decorations I guess. I kind of stopped doing it until she came along. Up until this year, she really wasn’t interested in anything but the presents… and then the box it came in more than the gift. This year is going to be totally different. We’re gonna put cookies out for santa and the whole nine yards. Glad to see someone writing again. I missed you guys.
Love ya,
Julia
December 11th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
didnt go to school at richland but had alot of family that did i very much enjoyed the bottoms
December 11th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Ithink my grandpa rayburn worked on something for almost everybodyat one time or another in our good ol richland bottoms it always feels like home there
December 11th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Jason, are you related to Diane Riley? I think it’s Railey now. I think she married Jackie Railey
December 12th, 2009 at 12:33 am
that would be my aunt and my dad is glenn riley my aunt married john railey
December 12th, 2009 at 1:03 am
MERRY X-MAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO ALL !!!~~~NITE-TRAIN~~~~~~
December 12th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Iknow memories wouldnt complete of the bottoms, without river road.Aplace where as a child when i was riding in the car with my grand pa Rayburn and heading that way i knew i was going to get to drive his car first place i ever drove an automobile as years went by the river would produce alot of first time thingsif you all know what i mean as a teenager that ol muddy water became apart of my life as anything as we all know you cant get down there to good anymore memories locked away by a fence or a sign as all the river has become.Aproud river rat
December 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Hey There Jason….how’s it goin there guy ,you tell that Rayburn & Minnie i said hi ! i talked too your Grandma & Grandpa couple of days ago . your DAD / Grandpa & Me all worked on R.R. together for yrs…..another thing Jason , be aware of last names ,things you might say ,{ AS I HAV’NT AT TIMES IN PAST ,DA } , this is’nt private web and ANYONE in world can see & read it , if you know what i mean ,fellow River Rat ! be sure and tell your DAD i said . You miss the old place down there yet ? man ,all them houses gone , but Lacontes’ & Center Tap !be cool Bro. & take care of your folks up there ….~~~~~~~~nite-train~~~~~
December 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
For some reason Jason has put more memories in my head but I don’t know the connection. When I was little my dad (also Julie, Gayle, Mary and Bettie’s dad who you know from this site) would go to the grain elevator that was off of Edmund and Cass (I think) to look for worms to use when we went fishing. I remember we had to put rubber bands around our pants to make sure the rats wouldn’t come up our pant leg. Oh what wonderful memories we have.
I have been busy doing the things Julie spoke of earlier – decorating, baking – a little shopping although most of that is being done on line again this year. Also attending our grandkids Christmas concerts has taken up time although I wouldn’t miss them except for weather problems. That was the case earlier this week for our Kara’s concert. It was 20 miles away and the wind, ice, snow was a little too much. Maybe next year.
Well, hope others come up with more memories because we know those are the one thing no one can take away.
Lynda
December 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Wow. I have spent about 3 hours reading this and cried some and laughed alot. So many memories. Not much to add but it is great to read. Jason, I went to school with your dad all the way thru Richland. To my sisters, Julie, Lynda and Gayle-guess we can keep in touch here also. I remember Deenie Crossno when she and Kathy were best friends. If i remember right, Deenie didn’t much like me hanging around with them. And Joe, you are hilarious. Keep making us all laugh. Would someone send me the website that has been established? I don’t get on email all that often but would probably check this out when I did. Hope you all have a good night. Thanks for the memories.
December 13th, 2009 at 1:20 am
i Isaw somebody talking about the grain elevator. when I was a teen ager me and my buddies climed to the top of that that was pretty stupid…… Ifound a pretty cool sight about trainsfor the nite train http://www.railpicture.net/check it out theres stuff from east peoria Itwas pretty cool to hear from you all good nite JAS…midnite rider
December 13th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I was on this site twice and both times said site unavailable. Thought the paper had shut us off. But third time charm. Night Train-Midnight Rider. Let’s all use different names. Hi Bettie. Told you that you would enjoy this if you tried it. I have the other address for Donna’s web site and will try to send it to you. Sometimes I can forward othertimes not. Sometimes I can get toher website and sometimes not. This computer is the devil you know. At times you can write nice long messages and it will erase them. You can be reading over what you wrote and think maybe I shouldn’t send that and the computer just sends it anyway. So we must all be careful what we write. Lynda I don’t remember the grain elevator. Remember catching those big old night crawlers after a storm tho. By guys. Julie
December 13th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Bettie, I never cared about you hanging around us guys. We might have seemed that way, but I don’t remember you being a pest or anything. You were cute and sweet as far as I can recall. Of course, with age comes loss of memories.haha Maybe you were really a brat and I can’t remember. Never have heard from Kathy. I guess I’m gonna have to send out the goon squad and have em ruff her up a bit. Jason, I went to school with you aunt Diane. How is she doing? Lynda, have you guys already had ice and everything? That’s one of the few thing I DON’T miss about Illinois. Remember the cold, below zero, way below zero, wind chills we had and when it snowed so much the snow drifted up halfway on my picture windows when I lived in Creve Coeur after I got married. There was just room for one car to get down a street for a long time, more than once. Down here in Arkansas, it’s not uncommon for the guys to be playing touch football in the front yard, without a jacket, on Christmas day. No, I don’t miss those Illinois winters. I do miss all my friends. So glad people are starting to write on here again. I was going thru withdrawal.
Love you all, Deanie
December 13th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
the grain elevator was end of Center St. at Cass .it finally closed , after yrs. of pollutng Richland w/ lung killing fibers from corn grinding and corn cobs .in fall, trucks ran 24/7 ,7 days a wk . nonstop ,,for 3 mos. w/ no filters on shoots to filter the granuals of the corn cobs . SO I finally went down and tried too talk to them about it , and they got CUTE ,I GOT CUTER !!!!when EPA ARRIVED at my house house and i told this man & WOMAN FROM EPA THAT I HAD TALKED TO THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY DIDN’t SEEM TO CARE OR WORRY ABOUT WHAT EPA LIKED OR DIDN’T ,{ a little add on i INCLUDED },THEY TORE CASS ST. UP GOIN OVER THERE MAD AS H_ _ _ , AND SHUT UM DOWN TILL THEY PUT BOOTS ON, FINALLY CLOSED UM !!!!YOU COULD’NT SIT OUTSIDE W/ COFFEE OR TEA W/ OUT IT BEING COVERED W/ COB PARTICLES !THATS A fACT ,REALLY!!! I told um ,DON”T MESS W/ ME !!! LOL I got signatures of complaints & told um ,i DON”T GIVE IN /or GIVE UP / !!! alot of people for yrs. that lived close by had PULMONARY problems from that …..JAS…cool new handle ,TX , and remember to think of what you might say ,for EVERY ONE has access to this blog ,OK ? tx again ..~~~~nite-train ~~~
December 13th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Hey guys, you’re right about this being a public blog, but I haven’t seen one person write a thing that could be misconstrued. We’re all just reliving memories.
Julia
December 13th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
You’re right Julia about what I have seen on this blog. Actually I am glad anyone and everyone can read it because there is not a darn thing I am ashamed of regarding my memories of living in the bottoms. I believe from what I read that everyone else feels the same.
December 13th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Hey Julia. I had a memory later last night abt a time you were mad at me abt something I don’t remember. But you were wanting to beat me up. I can picture me laying over the chair and you were yelling at me abt whatever it was. I was pretty scared. I used to have pretty big mouth and couldn’t really keep a secret. Glad those days are over! Take care. Julie and Lynda, talk to you later. Love Bettie
December 13th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
HEY THERE GALS,,,,Julia , Lynda , Bettie & ALL other bloggers , wasn’t tryin to DICTATE policy about bloggin , just a cautionary thought that I DIDN’T use when i 1st. started ,some of the dumb{W/ A CAPITAL D } things i said , that i would like too erase ,lol , but you’re EXACTLY rite ,it makes it lots more interesting , and you’se rescued it JUST in time ,when it needed it most ,so keep on keepen on ! You ALL breathed new life in it at rite time !let er rip …forget any earlier thoughts or unintended wording that may have been sorta out of line or offensive ! OK?
December 14th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Joe, you have never been out of line with what you write. You bring the bottoms back to life for me and I’m sure everyone else who reads this. There would be no blog without you. And Bettie, I can’t believe what you could have told on me, cause I’ve always been a perfect child. Maybe we were just messin with you. I still only remember you as being a sweet kid. Of course, like I told you before, my memory does fail me from time to time.
Julia
December 14th, 2009 at 1:23 am
you all have brought back alot of memories for me aswell im even learning how to spell alot of my memories are torn down now on center st in my 33years of life on center st i had 2pairs of grand parents live there 1great grandma my dad my aunt cathy ellis god rest her soul all at one time or another and cousins and my 2xwives wonder if i should run for mayor of the bottoms the only thing left is the center tap even that place seems like aghost town but me look for the present and the future in this life but its nice to look back and remeber who iam and were i come from and i never got messed with in school R.J.R is my real initals…….
December 15th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
ok i have read thru a lot of this but i must comment nite train hey man how are ya.i sure do remember the basketball games.Sure did have a great time with Joe around never any reason to be afraid of anything.It is so nice to see ya here.I dont really remember a lot of things people are saying but some i do.im sure my memories are far differant than all of you.Im not going to keep replying just sitting back and reading things that mean a lot to you others.just remember joe you do mean a lot to our family.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Hi gang everyone thru x-mas shopping yet? Me too
December 15th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
MARY! MARY !MARY!…Surprised and shocked to hear from you, after about 35 yrs. OH and by the way, i did win that last basketball game you hit me in the eye with your shoe and ran home and i made the 2 free throws and won the game! Seriously, glad hear from you, keep in touch always remember the good times playing ball at Richland school you Monty and alll the kids…. Luv Joe aka nite-train
December 15th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
ok 5 Helferich’s, 2 Crossnos and a Denny plus a couple others that were either not river rats born and bred or related to some that were. We are family.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
yes bettie you are right,we are the true river rats.Joe i just cant imagine me ever hitting you .It was good to hear back from you also.i have enjoyed your knowledge of the bottoms so much has happened since the days on the basketball court.everyone take care.Love to all.
December 16th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Hello to my sisters. Bettie, if Joe made you laugh, who made you cry. And Mary, Joe accused me of throwing rocks at him too. I don’t think any of us are ever ashamed of growing up in Richland It’s what made us what we are today. But as much as we want it to be, it wasn’t the Garden of Eden. For most of us we took the memories with us when we left and we all know that as we get older, we tend to remember the best and forget the worse. There was nothing good in the smoke that blew on us constantly. Some memories that may come back as we think back to those days could be hurtful to others without are even knowing it. Some names thrown out may not be ones others want to remember. Not sure what I’m trying to talk about, guess I’m just wanting to remind us that we really don’t know who at the paper is monitoring this site. Sorry if I sound paronoid. Just keep writing Love Julie
December 16th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Mary …YEP , you sure did ..one sharp elbow in my eye when i shot ball ,knocked me out for about 5 minutes ,and when i came too, you had ran home & i could hear you SNICKERING ,so as i looked around , while still lying on ground ,i seen you peeping around corner of you’re house w/ your FIST still doubled up laughin ! well,i made two free throws & WON game ! SERIOUSLY tho , do you remember the Barnhill kids that played,[Benny& lil Sister Barb ], the Kerkers’{Danny & his lil Sister Ranae } ?Danny passed away a little while after that .they lived in my old house there on Monson ,i bought him a new basketball & took too him when he got sick . It BROKE my heart to see him like that .could’nt go back !HE was a GOOD KID .remember when Barb was climbing fence at CAT. parking lot where we played b. b. & she slipped and started too fall ,& cut her little arm so BAD [almost too the bone ],and i had to take her too Hosp. ,cause her Dad would’nt get up out of bed ,cause he had ‘bowling ‘game later that nite & needed his rest !MAN ,after i finally got a hold of her MOM to come too HOSP. , i wanted too go back to their house and HAMMER him ,man,what a guy !….well, stay w/ all of us ….~~nite-train ~~~
December 17th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
nite train how in the heck do you remember all this stuff.i do remember the kirkers and not the other kids.it does ring a bell about someone getting hurt.Dont know if you no this but i married dot woolards nephew.how is that for your mind.been married almost 32 years.i have no children of my own but don has 4.one died at 16 with bone cancer that was rough happened in are 2nd year of marriage.we have 3 granddaughters 15.16.18.im glad julie you remember the rock incident cause i sure dont remember throwing rocks.I know i was never ashemed of living in the bottoms had lots of fun but today we could never do what we did back then.sometimes it is sad how things have changed there.gotta go everybody have a good night. by the way nite train do you remember the hatcher family lived across from what i remember as hazels mkt which i worked at for a while well brenda hatcher lives out here where i live talking about a shock when i first saw her. see ya all
December 17th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
YOU guys’ had better wake up & stand at attention ! the WARDEN “S on her way ,and SHE AINT takin any “PRISONERS”, so be on your BEST behavior !she’s a BAAAAD one ,i’m tellin ya …SHE eats “NAILS”for dessert ,and SPITS um out like “BULLITS”… I’LL tel you how SCARY she is ,this year when i planted my garden ,i did’nt have a scarecrow , so i put a PICTURE of HER on a stick and stuck it in my garden , scared the BIRDS SOOO bad , they brought back CORN they TOOK LAST YEAR !!!REALLY …..SO BEWARE ! excuse me ,cause i’m gonna HIDE ,CAUSE I DON’T WANNA BE HERE WHEN SHE SHOWS UP ….LATER !!!NITE-TRAIN GONE ~~~~~
December 18th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
hey Mary ….i mispoked ,,,that other kid & his sister’s name was ,Benny & Barbara Barnwell , not Barnhill ,DA! she was the one that cut her little arm so bad . she was probably my Daughter Lisa’s age ,maybe 8 or 10 ..can’t remember .oh well, thats all ….~~~nite -train~~
December 20th, 2009 at 12:43 am
All the Barnwells are good bowlers. Barbie recently married (abt a year ago) Benny has kids who are bowlers as well. Barbie’s arm is none the worse for wear. Hope everyone had a pleasant day today. Shopped most of the day with my son in law. Talk to you all soon.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
A BIG T Y BETTIE >>>I ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT EVER HAPPENED TOO THEM !!!!TX A TON >>>>YOU & FAMILY HAVE THE BEST X-MAS & NEW YEAR EVER !!! >>>>nite- train~~~~~
December 20th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Hey Nite train. I’m not sure if the dad is still bowling but he may be. Benny has a son and I think his name is Tommy. don’t really know them. I know Barbie well enough. The Barnwell’s used to rent a house to our sister, Judy so they know her pretty well. Barbie’s last name now is McCane. Everybody have a good night.
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 am
I hope everybody has a great Christmas. I plan to. May God bless you and keep each and everyone of you healthy and happy and safe from harm in the new year.
Julia
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
My computer is trying to give up on me. Today it seems to want to work normally, so I wanted to stop and wish all the friends and family on here a peaceful Christmas surrounded by family and loved ones. I hope everyone is able to get where they need to be and home safely. All the presents received are cherished ones and presents given are appreciated.
Thanks to all of you for this remarkable year. Love Julie
December 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
EVERYONE HAVE A VER MERRY X-MAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!~~~~~~~NITE-TRAIN ~~~~~~~~~~~*******
December 24th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I want to wish a very Merry Crhistmas to all of my family and friends which i have found.Love the memories i have read here.Nite train it is nice to reconnect with you after so many years.And to the Crossno family i do remember you also.Hope this New Year brings everyone good cheer and good health to all.
December 25th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
MARY}MARY}MARY} ….What is this {RECONNECT}stuff ?i DIDN”T think there was EVER a DISCONNECT period !after YOU BEAT me up all the time on the basketball court,how could you ever “disconnect” ALL the pokes in my eyes ,kicks in my knees ,& rabbit punches in my ribs ,throwin sand in my face , just too WIN a game ! UNBELIEVABLE !!!LOL***tx for all the good times & games ,you & Monty !You& Family have very Happy ,Safe , Healthy , Prosperous 2010 !!!!your ,,errr friend ,i guess,LOL ….joe ~~~nite-train~~~ Always May GOD watch OVER & PROTECT YOU !!!
December 25th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
We had a wonderful and safe trip up to Evanston. I wish everyone of you could meet our Natalie. Love both grandgirls unconditionally but she just has that extra spark. No matter what present she opened, she would say something special about how it was wrapped, and if the gift was clothes, toy, book or a piece of gum she would be so grateful. And then Ellen was making the family “noodles” and decided to let Natalie help her so she would know what tradition was. Had rain coming home turned to snow as we got to Kankakee but no problems. Hope all had a wonderful day. Love Julie
December 25th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
THANKS:::THANKS ALOT;;; I”VE GOT A BROKEN HEART;THATS ALL I”VE GOT ,,,YOU MADE ME CRY ;I CRIED ALOT ;YOU MUST HAVE FORGOT ; HONEY THANKS ALOT !!YOU SAID YOU LOVED ME; AND THEN YOU DID NOT ;AND ALL I GOT ; WAS A “THANKS ALOT” ;SO THANKS :::THANKS ALOT ;I”VE GOT MY BROKEN HEART ; THATS ALL I”VE GOT;;; SO,THANKS; HONEY THANKS ALOT!!!
December 26th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Sounds like we all had a great Christmas with family. Except maybe this Muddy Water but at least got something even if it was a broken heart. Goodnight everyone.
December 26th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Good answer Bettie. If you can’t say who you are what do you want with us. Joe says it isn’t him. And what are we all doing up on Christmas night.
December 26th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Hey Muddy, I told you to leave these people alone. They’ve been doing okay. You want song lyrics okay you got them. YOU’RE BACK IN TOWN AGAIN, SPREADING TALK AROUND, THAT I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU, THO YOU LET ME DOWN, I HATE TO ADMIT IT BUT I GUESS THE TALK IS TRUE OR ELSE YOU COULDN’T MAKE MY HEART ACHE THE WAY YOU DO. I GOT A NEW HEARTACHE ABOUT AN OLD SWEETHEART AND THAT’S WHY I’M FEELING SO BLUE. Crys
December 26th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Bettie ….hope you & family had wonderful day ! its terrible gettin in or out of driveway ,so my wife drove daughter to work ,she had too be there at 1 p.m. she made it there , now Krogers , thats where i WORRY {LOL}about her gettin hurt ,fightin w/ check out lanes ! she gets in argument everytime down there ,cause they got long lines & 1 checkout register goin , and thats all it takes for Carol too go wacko & yell at them .lol…oh , and by the way ,that was me as “MUDDY WATER”hummin along a song on comcast while i was sittin here by myself ,while girls were checkin out some gift ,cowboy boots ,for daughter , so i tried to keep up w/ words of song on blog ….not very good keepin up & WORSE me singin .BOOTS FIT ,SONG didn’t !so all was ok w/ “ole muddy” , so don’t pay any attention to my singin [for sure] or silliness ! was a good song tho !…lol …HAVE a HAPPY NEW YEAR ,You & Hubby ,GOD BLESS ~~~~nite-train~~~~
December 26th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
sorry everyone – just trying to be funny. Guess that doesn’t work for me. I’ll not be bothering you again.
December 26th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I think you can make lyrics from songs work anywhere and mean anything or nothing. Come back Cryst, come back.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:13 am
What made this site come to a screaching halt? I miss you guys. I come here everyday and see if someone has started writing, but no one has. I miss the stories and the people. I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and that they have a happy new year and a great year at that. See you in the funny papers.
Julia
December 31st, 2009 at 11:30 am
I too have wondered where everyone has gone. We were such a nice group of friends. Reading about who was the better sister between Donna & Deanie. Joe’s silliness even tho he does have the greatest knowledge of Richland and EP. Seeing my sisters get interested again. I was hoping when all the Christmas decorations had been put away, we would start a New Year filled with happiness for all. Stay home and safe tonight. Julie
December 31st, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Maybe that’s all it is. Just so much going on with the holidays that we’ve been put on the back burner. I’m looking forward to the new year and all it will bring. I pray for the best for everyone. Hope to see a lot more writing after that. Does anyone remember the music teacher Mr. Sewak? He was only at Richland for a year or two at the most. I think he was dodging the draft cause he sure was out of place as a music teacher. He was a nice man, just kind of a fish out of water. Anyway, love everyone on this site. Happy New Year!!!
Julia
December 31st, 2009 at 8:59 pm
~~~~~~~~~HAPPY NEW YEAR<<>>~~~~~~~~~
December 31st, 2009 at 9:05 pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~HAPPY NEW YEAR,,,ALL~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 31st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
During the later part of this year I have enjoyed reminiscing about people from the past who was a part of my Richland years. Thanks to all of you – especially Joe – who has shed a little more light on where I came from and who I am. Happy New Year to all of you.
January 1st, 2010 at 10:07 am
Nice site – Wishing you and yours a very happy and prosperous new year !
January 1st, 2010 at 1:02 pm
haven’t had a chance since LAST year too say “HI” to everyone out there , SOOO HI!!!!have nice day ~~~~~~~~nite-train ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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January 1st, 2010 at 3:18 pm
sure hope everyone had a nice new years.in bed by 10 as usaul.getting ready for work.May 2010 find happiness and good health.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Happy New Year everyone. What a great way to start out. Family and old friends talking together and reminiscing if not in writing at least in thoughts. Lynda, your husband can sure put wonderful thoughts together when he wants to, can’t he? I retired yesterday and am looking forward to a relaxing rest of the winter. Hope to visit my sisters in Kankakee a little more but am going to Florida pretty soon for a few days. Was Mr. Sewak that teacher I asked about before that could play the piano so well and sing Moon River like he was the real singer? Taking it easy today and out of the cold. Talk to you all soon.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:32 am
The computer almost went out the front door today. I can’t put up with it anymore. Ray just left for Best Buy to see about getting a new one. Don’t know what I will be left with. Going to have the Geek Squad install it so I hope we don’t lose anything. But I wanted to let you all know if you don’t hear from me for a while, I haven’t forgotten you. And if I can never find you again, it’s been fun. To family and friends who have my land line number, you can call anytime. Love you all. Julie
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Guess it’s going to be about 2 weeks before the new computer so as long as this one is working all should be okay. I just remembered someone wrote on this blog way back in November to keep me off Donna’s blog so I guess that’s why no one was helping me find my way there. No matter. It may be that you’ve all judged me as being unworthy of being a friend. since I wasn’t the perfect young lady living in that perfect world you all seem to remember Richland being. and you don’t want to have to think that maybe it wasn’t that after all. I am certainly not going to disillusion any of you but I’m not going to lie anymore either. Julie
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:58 am
I guess I don’t think of Richland as being perfect. What was good was the close knit neighbors whether good or bad. Riverrats were always looked down upon by the rest of EP but we were all pretty equal. It was the same as any other neighborhood as far as closeness and feeling safe for the most part. It’s where we came from and what we took from it and grew from it that has made us the people we are now. Who knows what might have been but I am satisfied with my life and accomplishments.
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
deep stuff Bettie. But then everyone always likedyou. i warn you the doctor put me on medication that has my hormones about as messed up as they can get. It’s only for a week and I have a day and a half let but Ray is staying as far away from me as he can. I’d just as soon slit my wrists as shoot him. But I like you too and you done well for yourself. julie
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:34 pm
I love you, Julie. Hope you get your hormones straightened out soon. I never felt like I was well liked or respected. Always had low self esteem. Never felt I deserved to have things in life that I have and feel fortunate to have what I have. Guess this is therapy for both of us. Talk to you soon. Love Bettie
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:54 pm
hey Bet – low self esteem is mostly held by us Helferich gals. We all don’t have it. Don’t think Gayle even knows what it is. But Mom always told us that she and Lynda were the pretty ones. I know I don’t have to worry about you keeping the confidences I shared with you lately. Both personal and about others. Have a fun trip Julie
January 4th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Hello everybody hope everyone has a good start for a new year.Was at work yesterday and we have tables for customers to sit and have coffee and was listening to a couple of guys sitting there and they were doing what this page is all about going down memory lane and growing up in a small neighborhood and im standing smiling to myself wondreing if they have good memories of there childhood days growing up.So this brings me back to this page and rereading things.I do have good memories growing up and Julie and nite train has told other stories of interest.So i do enjoy reading this so lets keep this going on.Im going to call Miss Serkowich later and ill let you all know how she is.She was one important factor in are family. Love to all.Got to finish cleaning now.UUGG
January 4th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Hey guys, glad to see people writing again. My granddaughter has been sick and my daughter was down from Oklahoma and I really missed you guys. As for Donna’s website, I haven’t been on it in a long time. When my computer crashed, I lost the address, but, I emailed her to send us the address again. Julie, I thought I had sent it to you a long long time ago. My bad. I’m sorry about that. Now, with Bettie, I know what you mean about low self esteem. I never did feel like I was as good as everyone else. Don’t know why. I always thought you Helferich girls were so self confident. I used to tell my mom if I had half of Kathy’s confidence I would be happy. I wish I had know you, Julie, better. You were already gone by the time I was aware of anything. You were always that elusive older sister of Kathy’s that had move off and had this great life. You know how kids always were. We were envious of someone getting out of the bottoms and now wishing to God we were back there like it used to be. I want all you girls to know it was an honor knowing and now getting to know each and everyone of you. I’ll get that other website’s address. Oh, yeah and before I forget that was the same Mr. Sewak. I don’t remember that particular song, but I do remember he had a beautiful voice.
Love you all,
Julia
January 4th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Hey everyone. So glad to see you are back. My granddaughter has been sick and my daughter has been down from Oklahoma and I haven’t got to get on much. I sure missed you guys. Glad to see everyone seemed to have a nice holiday. Me too. Julie, I hope you’re feeling better. I know how treacherous those hormones can be. One minute getting all misty about how much you love everyone and the next minute, figuring out places to bury the bodies. You girls were talking about having no self esteem. Neither did I. I always felt inadequate. But, I always thought you Helferich girls were all so self confident. I used to think if I had half the self confidence Kathy had, I would have been able to do anything. I guess that goes to show no one really knows a person’s heart. Julie, I thought I had emailed you Donna’s site a long long time ago. I am so sorry. I thought she had too. My computer crashed and when my little brother restored it I lost all those addresses. I have’nt been there in ages. I did email her and ask her for it and I will send it to you. I hope you and Joe don’t mind when I forward you those little emails. Sometimes I think they’re cute and just hope they make you smile. I feel like life is so much easier when you can stop and smile.
Love you,
Julia
January 4th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Deanie, I’m so sorry about the little one. I hate it when the kids aren’t feeling well. Feel bad if I offended anyone yesterday. Things are better today. Interaction between medications. Knew what I was doing, just couldn’t stop myself. Self esteem is a funny thing isn’t it? When you don’t have much,it’s very easy to be offended by the smallest thing. I always knew we were loved and appreciated tho. As far as your e-mails, I don’t read anything that has to be downloaded. Not just yours but anyone that sends anything that has to be downloaded. As for Joe, I don’t now or never have spoken for him. You did send me Donna’s address for the blog, it’s just that sometimes I could get on it and sometimes I couldn’t. Once I wrote a comment and got a notice that it wasn’t accepted. I have always appreciated the work she and her husband put in to get the blog ready. Ray and I just watched Wall-E that he had taped earlier but I think you need to be under 6 to laugh at that one. You hold on to that little one because too soon you’ll turn around and she will be grown up. Love Julie
January 5th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Isn’t it funny the way people perceive you and how you really feel? If we could only accept ourselves as others do, there wouldn’t such a lack in confidence. Just think where we all may have been. It is enlightening to know that others looked up to you feeling that you didn’t have anything to offer. Deanie, I felt like you weren’t afraid of anything and looked up to you for that. Glad everybody is a little more understanding of each other. Talk to you all soon. Where or where is Nite Train?
January 5th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Anyone remember ME?finally got my hands on this ”almost “obsolete comp. ,been sooo long ,I’M NOT SURE I REMEMBER! had to promise daughter new car too get a seat ,so i must hurry …Her “FRIEND “stationed in Alaska ,CAPT. in U.S. ARMY SPEC. OPS. , just finish 2 tours of duty in each ,Iraq & Afghan ,now inAlaska after spending few days here at Embassy Hotel ,has got a webcam for his COMP. ,and is leavin for Arizona in March to go into INTEL ,so it finally DAWNED on us we have WEBCAM also.Well ,Carol plugged it in,turned on sound ,now they have taken over THEIR COMP. ,just lookin & talkintoo each other like MY life is of no consequense !this webcam thing is cool tho ,my brother-in-law &meused it all the time i was livin in Sullivan ,Il. ,while we were playin pool ,we could watch each other shoot / talk back n forth / see other / things in the room ,its as small as “deer whistle” you put on car bumper /swivel around …when i would beat him ,he’d see me rollin on floor laughin & flip me off and me the same ….they are really cool…cheap & don’t cost to use them ….you all should get one so we can see what we all REALLY look like after 35 too 50 yrs. later …OR GEESH:::MAYBE NOT >>>>LOL>>>I”M READY <DO YOU FEEL LUCKY <WELL,you DO YOU?CALLAHAN ,,,,SHUT UP !!!could be VERY INTERESTING !think about it ….later nite-train*********
January 6th, 2010 at 1:17 am
glad you’re back Nite Train. Have a good night everyone
January 6th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Another night of no sleep. Think you would just drop off while typing wouldn’t you? January is a hard month for our family, and the longer you try to fall asleep, the more depressed you get thinking about it. Larry’s youngest, Rachel turns 17 on Sunday which was 3 1/2 weeks before Mom died. Dad died on December 23rd 30 years ago and Ray’s Mom & Dad died 2 weeks apart January 28th and February 10th 50 yrs ago. I last talked to my Mom when she knew I was talking to her – 3 days before she died. But that year I spent the days just before Christmas thru New Years at the hospital with her. Bettie spent a lot of time sitting with us but she had been there so much, she needed to work. New Years Eve we brought in a bottle of wine and toasted the year with Mom in pill cups. Well Mom had a pill cup, I think Bettie and I used speciman cups. Enough of this. I just never know what my fingers are going to type when I don’t sleep. By the way, Joe, the last time we saw each other was after Mom’s funeral – 17 years ago. I didn’t get to meet Carol that night because she was working. We had both aged by then so I don’t want a camcorder. I like to think the people I know stay the same age as when I knew them. If I wanted to see how much people had changed, I would have gone to the highschool 50th reunion. So much has changed. Rachel now a young lady, Bettie retired Jan. 1st and is a grandmother. Okay I’m walking away now.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Sometimes don’t you think, Wait a minute, when I went to sleep I was only 17. Now, I wake up and I’m this ancient person I don’t recognize. At times it boggles my mind. When you look back at all the things you went thru, the ones you loved, the ones you lost, and the ones you found that you are holding onto so tight you almost squeeze the life out of them. Life sometimes has a very sick sense of humor. I am like you Julie, I don’t want any part of me and a camcorder. I want to remember my friends as they were. I do have one I use to record my grand daughter and kids. That’s because life slips by so fast you can forget so quickly. Well, I best not get started on the gloom. I’m so glad we have this place to let off a little steam.
Love you guys,
Julia
January 6th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Hi everybody .I did talk to Miss Serkowich and she is fine except some arthritis been taking care of her brother who isn’t well.She did to get to see the blog but dont know how much she saw. A secretary at lincln school found it and sent her some of it.She enjoyed it very much.She wanted me to tell everyone hello and that it seems like just yesterday when she met us all.Glad your back nite train and everybody else,gotta go to work so until next .love to all.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
HEY GALS:::::whats ALL this “BASHFULNESS” about WEBCAM ? if you think YOU “VE aged ,YOU awtta see THIS “COWBOY ” !BAAAAD !!!LOL<<<but NOT really funny ,when i look at myself ,when FORCED too shave ,which I NEED BADDLY !Got DR. app't.s the 22nd of this mo. & 11th of Feb. ,,,don't think i'll shave for either !!!Well,,Carol turned that MAGIC AGE yesterday ,RETIRED officially on S.S. & R.R. benefits ,which we took care of & had ALL papers taken care of couple mos. ago , so now ALL she has too do is wait on ME ,{HAND & FOOT}…HAND UP side of my head & FOOT in my BEHIND !!!THAT GALS MEAN & TOUGH ,eats BULLETS for breakfast ,so you don't wanna be around her if she burps ,could get SHOT !!! a TERRIBLE thing did happen tho,kinda sad when i think of it & don't ever wanna see it again ,,,we were camping out & i told her i thought it was better if we slept in our COOL van ,cause i'm petrified of snakes ,she wouldn't have any part of that ,,,so sure enough i was watching her gather wood for fire ,& clear area for tent ,[which i wasn't gonna sleep in no matter what ]but she insisted ,as i watched from van ,she moved some brush & sure enough i seen a RATTLE SNAKE off too her left a little ,,all i got out was ,,"SNAKE ,WATCH OU….& IT GOT her in the left leg ! I NEVER ,EVER wanna see the rollin on the ground ,pain, convulsions ,i witnessed helplessly for almost 2 hrs. before the SNAKE finally died .BUT ,I TRIED too WARN IT ,by hollerin at it , but it had already struck her ….POOR THING ! I told you she's tough …i did get BIT by a mosquita in van during nite tho ,so she put peroxide & bandage on it ! she was kinda mad at me for hollerin out window to wake her up from HER camp site & come to van to care for my arm so it wouldn't get infected …well,,,all you gals have nice eve. , & don't forget ole ***nite-train***
January 6th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
tryin too send mesage ….its messin up ….
January 6th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I’m looking forward to getting the new computer up and running. Still don’t know when that will be. Are any of you on Face Book. Erik set up a page for me several months ago but I think it’s awful unless you want to know the scores of the games others are playing. I’m trying to be nice here guys, so give me a chance. We all have our better days but lately it seems I have more than normal days that I’d like to forget about. Deanie, I know that Mary is on this blog but she would like to get on the other one also. I tried sending her the address, but didn’t go through. If you ask, she’ll send you her e-mail address. Stay warm and hopefully the 8 or 10 inches of snow will miss us. Julie
January 6th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
HEY ALL YOU BASHFUL GALS<<<< I mentioned WEBCAM & everyone ran for COVER !its' OK ,just thought it might interesting to see & talk at same time & see how much we had ALLCHANGED ,WELL, ME FORRRRR sure !you wouldn't recognized this ole "COWBOY",{OUTLAW BIKER },cause most of time I DON"T !!!SOOO,we'll forgetbthat & i'll quit lookin in mirror & freakin out !…LOL… got long hair,beard, mustache,white hair ,but still kinda CUTE !!!!got 2 DRS. APP"TMTS. jan. 22nd & feb. 11th ,so decided not too change LOOKS for EITHER !!!WELL, ,,BIG day yesterday ,Carol hit "MAGIC AGE ", and is officially (RETIRED)!so now she can draw her S.S. & my R.R. benifits that we TOOK CARE of couple mos. ago in anticipation of this SPECIAL DAY …Paper work/ Ph. calls /ALL paper signing taken care of ,so now ALL she has too do is take care of lil ole ME!!!!Which she says she can't wait to wait on me "HAND & FOOT" ,which in WOMAN talk means ,HAND upside my head & FOOT in my behind …not sure if this "RETIREMENT" ,is all its{CRACKED} up to be !she had smirk on face when I mentioned {CRACKED}…She is VERY TOUGH & MEAN to me at times .. she EATS BULLETS for breakfast ,so you DON"T wanna be around her if she [BURPS],a guy could get SHOT by stray BULLIT!!!However, on our LAST [and i mean LAST] vacation ,she wanted too "camp out",NOT ME .well she insisted on sleepin out but I told her i was petrified of snakes ,but she wouldn't have it .BIG fight ,i'm sleepin in nice comfy van ,so she was out fixin 'her' campsite gathering wood for fire & moving brush around for 'her' sleepin bag .i feel like a real heel know that I look back ,but i'm scared of snakes ,but couldn't tell her .BULLHEADED & PLAYS that TOUGH thing ,well,i saw something just kinda behind her & to her left as i was watching from safety of van .YEP,there it was ,a rattle snake ,i screamed out window ,"SNAKE<<LOOK OU….thats as far as i got when it GOT her on left leg !i'm telling you i NEVER ,EVER wanna see anything like that or be that scared and helpless the rest of my life ….imagine watching, pain, whining,rolling around on ground ,excrechiating pain & suffering for almost 2 hrs. ,then the poor snake finally died …I tried to warn him ,but he was to quick .she made her bed & went onto sleep ,as i did in van…but a MOSQUITO bit me on arm ,so i hollered out window for her to get 1st. aid kit & clean it W/ peroxide and bandage it so it didn't get infected ,,,she got kinda mad cause i woke her up to get in van & help me …MAN,can you believe that ?MOSQUITOS' can carry diseases ..unreal,i thought, someday girl ,you might need help & i'll treat you the same way !! well,,,its supper time ,so all have nice evening .~~~~~~~~****nite-train****
January 6th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
HEY ALL YOU BASHFUL GALS<<<< I mentioned WEBCAM & everyone ran for COVER !its' OK ,just thought it might interesting to see & talk at same time & see how much we had ALLCHANGED ,WELL, ME FORRRRR sure !you wouldn't recognized this ole "COWBOY",{OUTLAW BIKER },cause most of time I DON"T !!!SOOO,we'll forgetbthat & i'll quit lookin in mirror & freakin out !…LOL… got long hair,beard, mustache,white hair ,but still kinda CUTE !!!!got 2 DRS. APP"TMTS. jan. 22nd & feb. 11th ,so decided not too change LOOKS for EITHER !!!WELL, ,,BIG day yesterday ,Carol hit "MAGIC AGE ", and is officially (RETIRED)!so now she can draw her S.S. & my R.R. benifits that we TOOK CARE of couple mos. ago in anticipation of this SPECIAL DAY …Paper work/ Ph. calls /ALL paper signing taken care of ,so now ALL she has too do is take care of lil ole ME!!!!Which she says she can't wait to wait on me "HAND & FOOT" ,which in WOMAN talk means ,HAND upside my head & FOOT in my behind …not sure if this "RETIREMENT" ,is all its{CRACKED} up to be !she had smirk on face when I mentioned {CRACKED}…She is VERY TOUGH & MEAN to me at times .. she EATS BULLETS for breakfast ,so you DON"T wanna be around her if she [BURPS],a guy could get SHOT by stray BULLIT!!!However, on our LAST [and i mean LAST] vacation ,she wanted too "camp out",NOT ME .well she insisted on sleepin out but I told her i was petrified of snakes ,but she wouldn't have it .BIG fight ,i'm sleepin in nice comfy van ,so she was out fixin 'her' campsite gathering wood for fire & moving brush around for 'her' sleepin bag .i feel like a real heel know that I look back ,but i'm scared of snakes ,but couldn't tell her .BULLHEADED & PLAYS that TOUGH thing ,well,i saw something just kinda behind her & to her left as i was watching from safety of van .YEP,there it was ,a rattle snake ,i screamed out window ,"SNAKE<<LOOK OU….thats as far as i got when it GOT her on left leg !i'm telling you i NEVER ,EVER wanna see anything like that or be that scared and helpless the rest of my life ….imagine watching, pain, whining,rolling around on ground ,excrechiating pain & suffering for almost 2 hrs. ,then the poor snake finally died …I tried to warn him ,but he was to quick .she made her bed & went onto sleep ,as i did in van…but a MOSQUITO bit me on arm ,so i hollered out window for her to get 1st. aid kit & clean it W/ peroxide and bandage it so it didn't get infected ,,,she got kinda mad cause i woke her up to get in van & help me …MAN,can you believe that ?MOSQUITOS' can carry diseases ..unreal,i thought, someday girl ,you might need help & i'll treat you the same way !! well,,,its supper time ,so all have nice evening .~~~~~~~~****nite-train****
January 6th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Snowing pretty hard here and has since before 7. Glad I don’t have to get out in it tomorrow and hope everyone is safe when they have to go out. Have a good night.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Hey there little Mary, My email address is deanie2204@yahoo.com Email me and I will send you donna’s site’s address. We’ve been lucky on snow. Tonight is the first time we have a real chance of it and it’s only supposed to be an inch at tops. Of course, this is so much different than Illinois. It’s not unusual at all for the guys to play touch football outside on Christmas day. No brag, just fact. O.K. maybe a little brag. I don’t miss those Illinois winters at all. I can remember my dad walking up to A&P on winter and his fingers and nose getting frost bit. What our parents did for us, huh? Well, everyone stay warm up there. Mary, email me soon. Would love hearing from you.
Julia
January 6th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
wellgals….not too make you feel young ,butwife{CAROL}, hit that MAGIC NUMBER yesterday , & RETIRED OFFICIALLY !SS. & R.R. benifits from my railroad yrs. , we took care of paper work , ph. calls, all necessary details couple mos. ago , ALLS taken care of ,so now all she’s got to do is WEIGHT on ME “HAND & FOOT”….in WOMAN talk, that means :HAND UPSIDE of HEAD & FOOT in BACKSIDE :. waited long time for that! 26&1/2 yrs. at Country Club of Peoria up on Grandview Drive as Banquit Manager /Hostess {BOSS} & 7 yrs. as Supervisor at Civic Center in Sullivan ,IL. ,where we lived for 7&1/2 yrs. …Makes one older ,but in system while its’ still there….NO more clocks or calendars !!!I tended bar at C.C.O.P. when she hired me when railroad closed for 10 yrs., had her FIRE me ,so i could go on disability !!!SMART GIRL !!!lifes’ a _itch…LOL …well candles all burned out from PARTY yesterday ,so off to beddy bye ,bye ….take care ****nite-train****
January 7th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I was on this site Wednesday night and about the last several entries weren’t on there. Can’t understand what’s happening.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I was going through my spam filter this morning and found several comments which were erroneously flagged as spam, so I released them.
If anyone else has any problem commenting you can contact me at peoriaillinoisan@yahoo.com
Thanks.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Lynda, Could just call you, but thought I’d check this site first. Just talked to Larry and he mentioned someone by the name, I think he said, Basterly who said he grew up on Munson Street. He’s about the age of Kathy, at least he knew where we all lived and had a younger sister. Lives in Pekin now but Larry told him about this web site and he said he would check it out. Also said they had about 6 inches of snow. High School was closed for today and maybe tomorrow. Ann had no trouble getting to work. Amy is really in for a lot of snow but better now than last weekend. You down in Arkansas probably think you’ll escape all of this. Hope you do. Julie
January 7th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
We got about 1/2 and inch last night and it’s already gone. But, it is reallllllllllly cold. Well, for us anyway. It’s 16 and it’s supposed to get down to 9. But next week is supposed to be back up in the 50s again. No wonder everyone has a cold. I feel for you guys and all that snow.
julia
January 7th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
WELL,,,i wish i could ERASE some of THOSE repeats ,but none would go thru yesterday or day before !i tried sending one & it would dissapear. wrote that darn thing 4 times ,tryin to remember per- batom what i had written 1st. time ,& still wuoldn’t go ,just everything go blank !even went to private website & tried to send it to myself & my other {AKA}names ,still wouldn’t ,,,blank screen everytime time i hit send , so gave up & then today ,THERE they ALL were !felt like the MORON i am ,wanted to SCREAM so loud you ALL could hear me ..MAN, what a idiot i felt like :sorry:::
January 8th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Hi , drama queen here, it seemed to take forever for the medications to adjust to my body. And on top of that, I was trying to stop taking the ativan that helped with sleeping and evening out the mood swings. All of you girls know what I’m taking about. Everypart of you screams out to shut up and you just can’t. Husbands soon adjust after marriage and try to plan fishing trips, hunting trips of golf during those periods. Ray doesn’t do any of those things. He just uses the TV in the basement. Anyway if I offended anyone – sorry. Donna, I assume you were offended when I wrote about your web=site. I’m not going to say again, how much I admire the work you and your husband have done, because I’ve said that a hundred times. Goes back to that saying that you can say “I love you” over and over again and it’s not believed, but say “I hate you” once and it’s never forgotten. All I know is that it seems every blog would need to have safety controls. I wrote once, hit submit comment, and got “comment not accepted. Remembered that sometimes you have to hit submit comment twice. Rewrote, hit twice and got the same comment. I don’t think for a minute that I am excluded from the site like can be done when you block e-mail. Anyway that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
At times on this site, Bettie and I and I think you Deanie, talked about self-esteem issues. Think we all have those either high or low self esteem and when life is normal you handle them differently or they just don’t bother you. Then I read in todays paper that Tylenol has shown to help. And here I’ve been taking excedrin.
You guys stay warm. Julie
January 8th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
HAPPY 75TH. BIRTHDAY ,ELVIS^^^^^^WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU !!!!!UMM,THANK YOU MAM“`LADIES and GENTLEMAN, ELVIS=HAS LEFT THE BUILDING ,SO THANK YOU ;;;GOODNIGHT AND DRIVE SAFELY ON YOUR WAY HOME,THANK YOU .
January 8th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Hey Julie. I read in today’s paper that Vitamin D and calcium makes a person happier. And I thought it was retirement. Anyway I’m definitely enjoying whatever is making me happier. Good night Elvis, where ever you are.
January 9th, 2010 at 3:16 am
love you Mom!
January 9th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Thank you Amy and what are and Bettie doing up so late. I was going to write to Bettie last night but turned the d– machine off before I could. First dear heart, you and your sister need to know that I am fine. Please don’t call because I wouldn’t be able to talk to you about this for a couple of days. There was zero sleep last night. So basically I’ve had maybe 5 hours sleep since last Sunday. I should be a spy. The trouble with not sleeping is you can’t control your thoughts and they just roam anywhere and everywhere. Usually music has always soothed me and I could fall asleep listening to my favorite country or Great Standards even some jazz but music is the quickest way to get back to a time and place you don’t want to go. By the way, you Arkansas girls, we were in the Memphis several years ago when Ray and I were listening to a station that had a black man talking with call in listeners and playing jazz when he played a song about a cheating man. His wife knew he was cheating because he came home with lipstick on his pants. We looked at each other in disbelief. Then he and the call in listeners were discussing the scent that most men got turned on by – ready – baby powder. Think that’s why my folks had so many kids. Always baby powder around. Neither one us remember his name or the station name and we haven’t been back that way in a couple of years.
Now I’m going to bombard all of you with random thoughts – someone wrote about how we are perceived. I know that we are perceived differently by our family that we were born into, the family where we are the parent, our cyber family, if you go to church-your church family and so one. So we are constantly changing who we are, who we are perceived to be and where we are. One of the great things about this blog was being able to revisit the time when we were younger and had all the possibilities to look forward to, with the safety net of today under us. I don’t think any of us had any trouble going back and forth.
The doctor this week talked about therapy again ( I think that was when I hit him). If you aren’t open to it, I can’t see where it would help. I reminded him of my sisters and cyber family. He agreed about the Richland blog being of help but said that the trouble with that was you could leave any time. Said I could leave conventional therapy at any time. But he said no, he was talking about your group on the blog could leave at any time.
I still have so much more that I need to get out before I think I will be able to slelep again so I’ll be back on later.
I have been trying to help myself with sleep. I feel like I am in a field of lavendar. I have so many candles, lotions and sachets around and I have herbal medication and doctor medication. So I feel you guys are my last resort. Later – Drama Queen
January 9th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Dear Drama Queen-Hang in there. We will catch you if you slip. I was up late last night because I went to dinner with some friends and Robyn and Dan Drank way too much soda and couldn’t sleep. Maybe fell asleep abt 3:30 and was awake by 8. Read the newspaper then went to work out. Not feeling too bad. Maybe a little more activity might help? Just a thought. Talk to you later. Peppy one
January 10th, 2010 at 12:38 am
Julie, tell your doctor RiverRats don’t desert sinking ships, they patch them and keep on floating up and down the river. Besides, if something happened to this site and Donna’s we still have each other’s emails. He hasn’t run across any of our breed before has he? I hope your hormones get straightened out. You know, women get the bad end of the deal all the time. It’s us getting paid back for old Eve talking Adam into taking that bite of that darned apple. Hope all you guys are staying warm. It’s cold down here right now. In the 20s.
Later kids,
Julia
January 10th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Dear Deanie – you are a lifesaver. And I did get some sleep last night. It took a great combination of several things, Turned off the computer, locked the room and had Ray hide the key so I wouldn’t get back up and check to see if anyone still cared, Took a warm bath, sprayed lavendar spray on, took melatonin, a prescription drug, went to bed, left the TV off, and Ray came to bed without watching all the sports he had taped and gave me a soft back rub. Got up this morning, the sun was shining, had slept, felt good and told Ray that does it, I’m going to face my enemy. Since I was standing in front of him when I said it, he thought I meant him, but I told him no – the computer. Turned it on and there you were. Wonder if I had tried last night you would have still been on. So I declare you Mayor of the rrr. Funny thing about e-mails tho, incoming messages can be blocked. And yes my doctor does know about river rats. He took his training at St Francis and dated a girl from Richland. (I secretly think he’s hoping I can track her down_)As for those other random thoughts I wanted to talk about – I will but wish it didn’t have to be done on blogs and don’t think I’m going to do it today. Feel too much better. Deanie, I’m sorry but I forgot your granddaughter’s cute nickname. TT wasn’t it? I need one of those living with me. Drama Queen
January 10th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Hey there Julie, anything you want to talk private about, you know my email address. It will never go further than my inbox. I believe we all need a confidant that we can bare our souls to without fear of what they might think. I had a friend like that in Illinois for many years. She was a river rat. Her maiden name was Donna Tonjes. We were so close we could predict what the other one was about to say. I miss that so much. When my husband got sick and we moved back to Arkansas I think she felt like I deserted her. I don’t know what happened, but I sure do miss her. Oh, well. You know my email address and the doors always open and I love to talk. Hope everyone is staying warm. TT has been having a bout with her asthma. She is on the downhill slide now. But, nothing can make you feel more helpless than when you child is sick. I’ll be waiting to hear from you DQ. Hey, do you think that doctor could have been one of my long lost loves?haha
Deanie
January 10th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Sorry girl, he’s younger by quite a bit than we are. Glad I was right about TT being the nickname. Just an aside, when I was reading Donna’s blog, I noticed that Joe e e is still on there and nite-train is still on here. Looks like we have only lost the one that is actually real – Joe. Going to try one more time. julie
January 10th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Yeh, I think Joeee was a double agent in his day. He’s trying to straighten Donna out on the other site. Maybe, just maybe, he has an evil twin. That would make sense. We shall see. Hey, Mary never has emailed me. You can tell she takes after Kathy.haha Never have heard from her either. I would love to have Ms. Serkowich’s address. Gotta go check on the kid. If she’s quiet, all is not well! haha
Deanie
January 12th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
New computer installed with new keyboard and mouse. Help. Hopefully this will help me do better. Have new name. What I mentioned to Lynda was correct. Kathy confirmed it. Basterly is last name. Same age as you Deanie and Kathie. Larry thinks he had a sister. Lives in Pekin now. Put it on this site because that was the site Larry told him about. Julie
January 12th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Sister Bettie is visiting and she thinks the name is Vasterling. Great news about your computer, Julie…will catch up on the blog over the next little while!
January 12th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Me and Kathy did go to school with a Martin Vasterling. He had a sister, but I can’t remember her name. He was a little heavy, not fat and very very smart. Man, I haven’t heard that name in years. He was a very nice boy. I believe his whole family was. Martin was real quiet, but very nice.
Deanie
January 12th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Just a quick note about web cam. I love to read all kinds of books and in my mind I have a picture for the book, people, places, etc. Then the book becomes a block buster movie. See the movie and am so let down. Instead of Simon Baker as the hero, we have Will Ferrell and the whole movie is ruined. I have my mind pictures of how you all look (even little TT). Now it’s possible we could all be pleasantly surprised, but are we willing to risk it? Ummmmmmmmmmm – not me, I think.
Hey Bettie, I noticed you sent an e-mail on the 10th when I was deleting mail. All mail received that day went straight to old mail for some reason. You would have already been on the plane when I found out. Talk later. Drama Queen
January 13th, 2010 at 1:46 am
Martin Vasterling’s sister was named Becky. Really sweet girl. Remember a kid in the bottoms named Ronnie Parrish? They lived in Uppole’s apartments across from Hazel’s. He used to come up and talk to my husband all the time and try to trade him out of stuff he’d found. He couldn’t talk plain and used to ask Johnny if he had any good “shwadin material”. Johnny used to pick at him all the time and always found something to let him trade him out of. I wonder what happened to him. He was a nice kid. Well just had to check in right quick and put Becky’s name down before I forgot it.
Nitey nite,
Deanie
January 18th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Everybody move away?
January 19th, 2010 at 9:13 am
There were postings on here but they have disappeared. A few days ago Joe had more things to share about the people of Richland but they have disappeared. Also a guy had posted something about reopening the Lux Theater and that disappeared also.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
THIS BLOG ,ARE BOTH SCREWED UP {BIG TIME }<THANKS TOO SOMETHING !NOTHING ON R.R.R. WAS PERTINENT TOO ANY ONE BUT ALL OF US W/ IMPORTANT INFO & GOOD STORIES ,THAT "LOTS" OF PEOPLE THAT PUT "LOTS" OF EFFORT IN !!!….DONNA & OUTSIDERS WEB IS (TOTAL ) DISASTER !!MAYBE COMPS.,OR MAYBE INTERNET,BUT STRANGE ,BOTH BLOW AT SAME TIME !!!!MAYBE DONNA & OUTSIDER CAN RESTORE IT ALL ON DONNA"S SITE ,AND MAYBE MAKE HER{DONNA"S}<PRIVATE !IF "NOBODYS" AT FAULT ,MAYBE IT WILL RETURN,HOPEFULLY !HOPEFULLY ,"PEORIAN",WHO HAS SITE FOR R.R.R. BLOG , {NAME THIS PEORIA LANDMARK},CAN STRAIGHTEN IT OUT & GET IT ALL BACK ON FOR US … TX TOO ALL ~~~HELP!!!**NITE-TRAIN**
January 19th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I checked the spam filter and couldn’t find anything but this site did have some unexpected maintenance issues on Saturday night so my best guess is the comments were posted during that time period, and when the problem was resolved, the comments left during that time were lost to cyberspace. Sorry for any troubles.
What is/was the Lux theater?
January 19th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Just spent 25 minutes trying to get on Donna’s site with no luck. But didn’t take it personal. Just shut it down and decided to try again later and checked this site. Guess we will just need to wait and see what happens.
Julie
January 19th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I sent a blog ,just or th heck of it on donna’s web ,after tryin too get anything too show up,nothing would come up ,but after sebdingsmall blog saying nothing of significance,dam if when it posted ,i checked again in few mins. and bingo ,it was LL back,not in real good order ,but ALL back !…THEN ,ALLGONE ,and i mean GONE,BYE BYE, AGAIN !NEVER CAME BACK …gonna try and remember what i did {LICKILY } and syumbled into somethin that got it all back ,before it dissapeared ,AGAIN ….well,here goes …LOL later ~~~~~~WISH ME LUCK,IF ONLY I CAN GET LUCKY AND STUMBLE TOO IT !~~nite-train~~
January 19th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
well,,,,i finally found a post comment ,luckily thats’ a start ,and it stuck at [and last blog] nov.26th….i sent one sayin we must have all ate bad turkey cause life disapeared from nov. 26th too today.i said we all missed x-mas and new years…..i DEMAND MY MONEY I SPENT for X-MAS AND want HANGOVER back from NEW YEARS’EVE party !!!man ,,this aint GOOOOOD at all.I SENT out S.O.S.TOO Donna and told her we were all LOST and wandering around in dark ,scared ,didn’t know where we were and nite time was coming ,getting dark ,uuuuooooo,scary ….LOL …you might try too find ,”POST COMMENT” and send message of any sort ,just too get back on ,and let Donna work it out!~~nite-train~~
January 19th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
i never commented before but i just had to now. good site.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I think Donna’s place is fixed now. You go to the last comment on that first page and where it says older/oldest click on oldest and then go to the last comment on that page and where it says newer/newest click on newest. It’s a pain, but will get you there for the time being. The Peorian asked about the Luxe Theater, from what I have heard, it is where Schilling photography is now on Washington up by what used to be known as 4 corners. Like next to the florist’s. I never knew there was one there. Of course, tho, I am a mere child, too young to remember it. Glad people are writing again. You guys, go give Donna’s site another shot.
Julia
January 20th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Got lost on Donna’s site again. Guess I’ll try again tomorrow. Seems like we are all just wondering around in cyberspace. Talk to everyone tomorrow, I hope. Julie
January 20th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Hi guys. Got back from Florida yesterday. Was there a week. Unfortunately only had a couple days of warm weather. But it was always warmer than here. Wonder who clan tshirt is and if it is someone we know. Glad to know everyone is ok even tho cyberspace may not be. On Monday I was at pharmacy kind a place and the lady there said that Mercury was in retrograde and that interfered with communication. She was blaming the charge card machine being down to this. Maybe yes maybe no. Talk to you all later.
January 21st, 2010 at 10:58 am
Hope anyone who had to be out last night or early morning made the trip okay. Ice doesn’t seem so bad here at least the trees and power lines aren’t coated.
Would you all join me in wishing my Amy (sounds like a Keith Whitley song) a very Happy Birthday. Here goes- “Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Amy-Happy Birthday to You”
If you joined in, just add your name. Thanks bunches. Julie
January 21st, 2010 at 11:18 am
l hope this does not cause Ms Stiers to grit her teeth {Our { RRR’s}wonderful,color-ful, old music teacher , back in the day} l mentioned in an earlier post , how she blew my cover on being able to carry a tune }, but here goes ;
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,
l am sending my wishes to you …
Your Mom says you don’t read my blog , so this one will have to do !
Happy Birthday , Dear Amy , Happy Birthday to you !
l hear you are “Sweet Sixteen” and counting, make each day count , young one !
Prima-Donna
January 21st, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Thank you Prima-Donna. That was very nice and you even visited this blog again. See it really doesn’t take anything away if we visit both sites. See you on the other side. Drama Queen.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:16 pm
HAPPY B-DAY THERE AMY !25 MORE YRS. AND YOU CAN GET MEDICARE CARD!hard too believe i’m just 24 yrs. older than you ,oh well ,have NICE& fun DAY !….Bettie ,,,i hope you got sunburn & have too sleep STANDIN UP ,SUN,what is rhat ? welcome home …Julie, you sounded like you were ,,[singin?]thru that ‘tunnel ‘.i knew something was happening up “THERE” , when i saw flock of GEESE goin over head flyin SOUTH .BIG”V” shape formation ,so goose in lead must’ve had map ,cause they were ALL following him.if you’re gonna sing again ,try that song,{STANDING BY AN OPEN WINDOW}},if you don’t know it ,I”LL (HELP) YOU “OUT”!well ,,,ithink i’ll go try Donna’s web ,so i can find somethin too really p_ _ _ me off!later LADIES ….nite-train*****
January 21st, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Ha ha – you are so funny. Thanks for getting in touch with Amy. She already thinks she knows you. Now Donna knows you can go back and forth and lightning won’t strike. How can I have a daughter 41 years old. I’m still waiting to see what I’m going to be when I grow up. Have a good safe day. Julie
January 21st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Happy Birthday dear Amy Happy Birthday to you.Havent checked hear lately seems i have been on facebook to much and working more now.Glad to see everyone is back. now i have to get ready for work thank gos it is only up the street i have to go.Talk later bye bye
January 21st, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Happy birthday Amy. I hope you’re every bit as sweet as your mom. Have a great day. And Joeeee, you were talking about those geese flying in a v , do you know why one side is longer than the other?
Deanie
January 21st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Happy Birthday Amy. Hope you are having a great day.
January 21st, 2010 at 7:01 pm
In case anyone is wondering, I thing the new name that appeared,
Mareschloe, is sister Mary. Her little doggie’s name is Chloe. Don’t know about T-shirt, but strangers seem to show up from time to time.
Thanks to all of you – this will definitely surprise Amy. Julie
January 21st, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Aw…thank you all for the birthday wishes! My parents are truly the best present I could have ever received..the one that keeps on giving. They are the greatest. I’ll be seeing them tomorrow and can’t wait. I do still feel young and healthy for wish I am grateful. Hope to be kickin’ it for many more years.
take care and thank you again!
love,
amy
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:30 am
goodnite all::::nite-train
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:53 am
good nite all
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:32 pm
HAVE A WONDERFUL B-DAY AMY!!!BUT IF YOU WANNA “REALLY”HAVE FUN,CHANGE ADDRESS ON FRONT OF HOUSE ,GO OUT & PARTY ,SO YOU DON”T GET ‘BORED’W/ THEM {OLD PEOPLE}.LOL…YOU ARE VERY LUCKY TOO HAVE PARENTS LIKE YOU DO!I WENT to see DR.TODAY,BY GOLLY ,I THINK AFTER I GAVE HIM LITTLE “RICHLAND THERAPY”,I THINK THEE OLD BOY”S GONNA BE OK&MAKE IT TILL I SEE HIM AGAIN,IF HE FOLLOWS MY INSTRUCTIONS !YOU ENJOY YOUR {SPECIAL}DAY ,AMY ,AND MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS& WATCH OVER YOU!!! your friend…***NITE-TRAIN***~~~~~~~~~~~
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Nite Train-hope that means everything is ok with you also. Have a great night.
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:05 am
ITS”TOMM.<<<<SLEEP WELL ******~~~~~~GONE~~~~~~nite-train******
January 23rd, 2010 at 1:09 am
TX BETTIE ,,,,I GUESS YOU”RE ONLY ONE WHO CARED,TY!EVERYTHING WENT VERY GOOD …WELCOME HOME ,HOPE YOU & HUBBY HAD “GREAT”TIME OFF! ~~nite-train~~
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
HELLO ALL,,,COMPS.& INTERNET ,SEEM TOO BE “RUNNIN”LITTLE SLOW OR ,IN SOME CASES ,MAYBE NOT AT ALL…LIKE A “VIRUS “HAS CREPT IN SOMEWHERE OR SOME HOW!SOMETHING AINT RITE ON OUR TWO SITES IT SEEMS !WELL,ALL HAVE NICE,SAFE,FUN,RELAXIN WK.END …*****NITE-TRAIN*****~~~~~~~~~~~
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:01 pm
I’m not having any trouble, just nobody is writing to me. Julie
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I FINALLY MADE IT ON WEBSITE OF DONNA”S,MAN,THAT WAS FRUSTRATING & AGGRAVATING BUT FINALLY GOT LUCKY & FOUND IT ,OR IT FOUND ME ! LUCK!!!!SO I”M GONNA STAY ON IT FOR THE NIGHT …***nite-train***
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
I’m not having trouble with the other site either. I think Nite Train was bragging abt having no problems and it is showing him who’s boss. Have a good night all. Just watched Illinois get beat (again) ): ): They couldn’t beat Richland Raiders.
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Bettie. watched the game with Ray. And now the Blackhawks have also lost. Just the Bulls left. Sent you an e-mail but it came back to me. Would you please tell Larry Happy Birthday for me. Sent his card late and he won’t get it until Monday. Can’t call, since I’m not calling anyone this year. Thanks a lot. Julie
January 24th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Julie, do you mean you are not calling anyone at all this year or just on their birthdays? Just got back from his house and he was pretty disappointed that there wasn’t a surprise party for him like the one for Bill, Mary, Brenda and me. I am thinking abt having a 50th for him in March when the weather hopefully will be a little better. Will let you know details later. I think the Bulls won last night, didn’t they? 1 out of 3 aint bad. Talk to you later.
January 24th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Yes, they did win. I gave up and went to bed after 3rd quarter. But woke up when Ray came to bed. Couldn’t go back to sleep, got up and read for an hour, went back to bed but got up at 4:30 for the day. I thought Gayle had added Larry to someone’s 50th. Not really calling anybody. Mainly just hiding under my blanket. That’s not true either. Pretty much doing okay. Amy was surprised but happy at the responses. She is still with Blane. Longer than I thought he was going to stay. He was going to come home with us and work on the computer for me. I’d rather wait for Ray to read Windows 7 for Dummies and have him do the explaining. Take care and sleep in this week on those cold mornings. Love Julie
January 24th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Yep it is going to get cold this week and I’ll not get up and out too early. Still working out at Curves most days and bowling Monday evening. Other than that hanging around home and on the computer. Talk to you all later.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Just sitting back and reading everyones comments.Have nothing to contribute today but to say hi to all and that all is well here.You all have a great day.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
ananymous is me
mareschloe
January 27th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
hi all,been terribly quiet on old blog ,hope all is well.check in later….*****nite-train*****
January 27th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Hey Anonymous. Glad everything is ok. You’re right. Not much going on – watching Illinois doing their thing-hopefully a little different this time. Talk to you all later.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Nobody wrote on here today. Everybody froze out? Have a good nite everyone.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Hey Bet – Was Larry able to keep the water from freezing during this cold spell? If you’ve been on Donna’s blog you probably read about the water main in our front yard breaking. I was in the computer room, laying on the bed so the sun could hit me and trying to sleep, listening to classic country while a back hoe was digging up our yard. But it really didn’t bother me. I was thinking about Mom so I got up and wrote Donna again and then tried to sleep. Still couldn’t but was feeling pretty good anyway. The break was the city’s responsibility so we didn’t have to worry about it, water was only shut off for an hour, Amy is thinking that being laid off in March is an opportunity to be able to home for Christmas and we aren’t planning on adopting Joe, so the curse of three things happening in a row is broken. Why are you up so late? Were you bowling? Two nights a week now? What is happening with the job opportunity at the hospital? So much to know. Were you able to see the video of Natalie that Erik put on face book? Think she will grow up to be a pole dancer? I’m hoping we will be able to come to EP during the next week to visit the cemetary. I’ll let you know. We’ll not spend the night. Got offers from the Paradice for an overnight stay but I’ll want to be home. Brenda & Barry went to Arizona for January & February so we don’t have our Friday night dinner out and cards. They wanted us to come for a week but we aren’t. I hate to admit it, but we do smile at each other when we see about the bad weather Arizona is having. Sorta like how Donna secretly feels when Deanie has bad weather in Arkansas. Well they are done with the front yard and we should have water now. Does that mean I have to fix supper? I think not. Talk later. Love Julie
January 29th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Hey Julie. I did read the other blog. Glad your water is back on. Hell no you don’t have to cook! By the way, I am retired and can stay up as late as I want and I do. I was bowling last night and then got on the computer close to 10. Was up til around 1:30. Larry’s pipes have been fine as far as I know. He had problems with his car but that got taken care of yesterday. Did Amy get some kind of severance package where she will be ok for awhile? I’m sure she will get something soon. Going to Curves now. Will talk at ya later. Let me know when you come down. No talk abt the job at the hospital but I’m not ready yet to think abt that.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
She works until the 2nd week of March. Has a weeks paid vacation. Then 3 months severance with health coverage and then unemployment which Obama has extended. She feels confident she will have something before then. She made a lot of contacts when she was with United Way. Fund raising would be a good match for her. And she has done temp work before. She was in much worse shape when she and Michael broke up and she had no job and no car but managed. If one of the kids had to lose their job, she will handle it best. And of course, she can always come home. I’m sure she will consider that as an option.
No I didn’t cook. I showered, smell like a field of violets and hope sleep comes easy tonight. I wouldn’t mind being up if I could sleep during the day. I was talking to Ray about going to EP and he reminded we have a Toyota. So not sure what we will be able to do. Will let you know as soon as we do. Love Julie
January 30th, 2010 at 2:12 am
Has your Toyota been recalled? I was wondering about that. Hopefully the violet scent brings you comfort and sleep tonight. Hopefully you are asleep right now. I’m going now. Talk to you all later.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Did Larry ever get his check from us?
January 31st, 2010 at 2:32 am
Yes he got it. He had some car problems this week and was pretty stressed about that. I know he appreciates what you do. He doesn’t always express it though. Hope you are sleeping. Good night.
January 31st, 2010 at 3:37 am
Does it look like I’m sleeping? Shoot even tried sex last night. Had a good time and Ray slept like a baby but I was up. Finally took a couple of Ativan, hadn’t had any for a couple of weeks and went back to bed at 4:00
this morning. Ray woke me up at 2:30 – halftime of Illinois game then felt sleepy the rest of the day. And here I am early Sunday morning. Glad he got the check. I wasn’t worried about not saying anything. Talk later. Julie
February 1st, 2010 at 12:27 am
Hey Julie. It’s a little earlier tonight but hopefully you are sleeping or soon will be. Robyn and I went and picked up Mike in Bloomington today and took him to Cathy’s grave today. It was her birthday. We then took him back to Bloomington. Not a bad day for driving. Hollywood has some health issues right now and Brenda is kind of concerned about it. Hopefully he will be ok. Talk to you later. Call if you can’t sleep if you want.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:08 am
Gave it the good old try but slept an hour then wide awake. Might as well get back up. Quiet weekend here. not much going on. Even might try to get out of the house tomorrow. Talk later . Love Julie
We haven’t gotten a printer for the computer, but before it broke down I was printing this blog to give Kathy. I still don’t know what people are worried about. Do you?
February 1st, 2010 at 2:53 am
Not sleeping yet. Just visited the other site and after I posted my comment, thought oh oh I done it again. I need to learn to behave or do you think it’s too late. Going to go back to bed now and pray for my sins – not all of them- or I would be up all night. Just the ones this weekend.
You had a good day for driving. Talk with later. Love Julie
February 1st, 2010 at 3:36 am
Hey girls. It must be contagious, this not sleeping thing. It’s 2:30 am and I’m wide awake. Julie I read about you printing off the blog for Kathy, how is she? Tell her I’m still waiting for a letter. Girl, I’ve never seen anything anyone has written on either site that was not o.k. That’s what they’re for isn’t it? To say what we feel. I sure wish more would come on board don’t you? Well, snow started melting today. And it’s going to get back up in the mid 40s by the middle of the week, but we are suppose to have freezing fog before morning. Sure is crazy weather. I plan on staying inside a snugglin.
Catch you girls later,
Sure do love talking to you
Deanie
February 1st, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Nice to see you over her again. Sorry for freezing rain and/or fog. That’s just the worse. Woke up today feeling really good after actually being in sort of a depressed mood for a while. Sorta goes with the non sleeping. Maybe you could bring TT up for a short stay. I enjoy the snuggling and reading stories. Do you remember when our grandmothers were old. Do you feel as old as your grandmothers seemed to you? I know that I don’t know. And I don’t think we look as old either. I know mom smoked for way too many years which caused a lot of winkles and it wasn’t easy being boss of all her little housekeepers. That adds a lot of gray hairs. Time to start thinking about lunch and what to do for dinner. You have a really good day too. Julie
February 1st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Yes! I remember looking at my grandma and thinking man, she’s old, absolutely ancient. And I think about other people when they were my age and remember thinking, my God, they’re old. But, I don’t feel that way until I look in a mirror and I don’t recognize that person looking back. Her eyes are the only thing that gives her away. It is the only thing that looks like me. Isn’t that strange? I don’t think we age like they did. I look at mom, who turned 80 Friday, and I can see they age showing on her some, but not like an 80 year old. She looks like she should be my age and that I am much younger, but trapped in this strange person’s body. Oh, well, too deep for me. Hope you fix something good for dinner and me and TT will slip up and dine with you.
Later,
Deanie
February 1st, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Come on – left over pizza for lunch but think it will be lasagna for supper – feeling Italian. Somewhere on one of the blogs Joe was talking about the Mentalist being the best show on TV. I agree that Simon Baker is the best looking leading man on TV but now that Burn Notice is back on, do believe than Jeffry Donovan can give Simon Baker a run for Best Looking on People Magazine. If you don’t watch it, it’s on USA on Thursday nights. Do you have GAC channel. They done a special a couple of weeks ago 0 The homecoming reunion of the Gaithers and the special that Alan Jackson did on his new CD called Precious Memories. Watched while it was on and a couple of times since them. Usually I’m reading and looking up from time to time to whatever Ray’s watching.
Hang on it’s getting warmer. Julie
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Howdy. Julie so glad you are better. Want me to smack whoever was making you so unhappy? I’ll be glad to do it. Bowled last night and had a great series, at least it was for me. Had company afterward and watched basketball. I live an exciting life. Talk to you all later.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Enjoying reading posts by my sisters…life is good. RIP, Mom, Happy Birthday (one day late) –
February 4th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Ray and I went to EP today to put flowers on Mom’s grave. Her birthday’s tomorrow but supposed to have snow then so went today. It’s been quite a while since we’ve been there and it looks worse and worse all the time. Came by the HS and they are or already have expanded the building. School reaches all the way to the boulevard with the boulevard now providing parking. Downtown itself the only thing that looks decent is Beck’s florist. I wonder how long that has been there. We got flowers for our wedding there in1963. Bettie met us at the house for lunch from Avanti’s. We didn’t visit very long but also did not stop at the Paradise. Larry and Monte are both still doing well. Julie
February 4th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Happy Birthday Grandma. I miss you.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Happy birthday, Mom. Love you. Does anybody remember when mom wrote for the Tazewell Courier for the Richland area. She always had a nice article no matter what was going on in her life. Good night everyone.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
An exceptional lady missed by all that knew her.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
not sure why my post said anonymous before. but it was me. I remember how Grandma’s cheeks felt when I kissed them..my mom’s feel the same. weird perhaps..but I like it.
February 5th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Sweet thoughts Amy. It was good to see your mom and dad yesterday. Larry, you can really be sweet also. Love you guys.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
i do remember the courier somewhere i have a couple of moms articles.she had many.that was sweet of you amy even though mom had plenty of wrinkles her skin was soft. i must be off to bed working early in the morning but enjoyed my day off today.Spent part of it with my granddaughter it was a fun day.If antone is interested on facebook there some people from the bottoms on there now .
February 7th, 2010 at 8:26 am
A bonanza last night, Illinois, Bulls and Blackhawks. I seem to remember seeing Bradley on TV but don’t know if they were playing last night or it was a highlight. Forgot to ask Ray. And Mom’s skin may have been soft but what about those toe nails?
February 7th, 2010 at 8:36 am
yes julie those toenails were brutal cant remember for sure was it you or Lynda who used to come down and take care of them.Its superdowl sunday any big plans anybody?Im working until 3 then dont know how much of it i will watch.Everybody have a great week love to all.Anan is me mares chloe.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Bradley did win yesterday. The Illinois game was great. I’m not sure I will even watch the superbowl being’s I’m not a football fan but may tune in for commercials and entertainment. Everyone have good day.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:55 am
From wonderful soft cheeks to groady toe nails – it was mom’s heart that outshined everything. Each of us had our down times with Mom but it never lasted long…glad you and Ray visited Larry and Monte and the rest but I would have stopped at Paradise for at least 10,000 pulls!
Love ya all, g
February 9th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Happy birthday PD
February 10th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Seem to remember that you have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, Joe , and the weather didn’t get too bad so Carol should be able to get your there. I’m sure Bettie will join me in hoping it’s a good report and then you take the time to listen to him. Julie
February 11th, 2010 at 1:57 am
Yep-Nite Train you listen to your doctor after he listens to you. We want a full report afterwards. Take care.
February 11th, 2010 at 3:24 am
oh bettie – why can’t I sleep. Did you have A party for Byron. Just family or did he have friends over. I haven’t heard from Lynda since before Christmas. Kathy just once. We went out Monday and Tuesday and thought that might help but here it is again and no sleep. Going to have to do something before I lose it altogether. Talk later. Julie
February 11th, 2010 at 8:45 am
ok nite train where are you havent seen anything for awhile from ya hope all is good.Its been 32 years ago that Don took me away from richland so many changes since then East Peoria is so differant now remember the bowling alley where Larry and Gary and Iwould goto.the skating rink the barber shop waibels so much is gone even in the bottoms the park . hazels.the old gas station which bettie and i would walk and get a cold bottle of soda hell you cant even get a (bottle) soda anymore what the hell.so much of center street gone.Well i guess things do change if Caterpiller has its way they will all be gone.But i will always keep my Maple Street Memories with me always.Well gotta go for now talk to you all later.Hope things are good for eveyone.Come back nite train you make me laugh with your stories.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
You can take the girl out of Richland but you can’t take Richland out of the girl. Julie, maybe you need something besides ativan. Won’t the doctor prescribe ambien or something along those lines? I wished you could sleep too. Maybe give Lynda and Kathy a call and meet for coffee or something. Hope tonight is better for you. Take care everyone. I don’t think Byron had a party this year. There was a snow day on his birthday too. We will get together this weekend.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Sorry girls. I’s not on Joe’s approved list of people he can communicate with. Thought it was just me but maybe you guys are included now also.
But you are right Mary that the Joe that was on this site was the nicer one. He almost always made us laugh, was kind to people and especially Amy on occasion. He had a ton of information that most of us had long forgotten. Seems like when he is on the other blog, he’s whoever they want him to be. At times he has been extremely cruel. Going to read for a while. I’ll be back on again in about an hour or so. Think I’ll play some games first. I’ve had a Carl Smith CD on three different times, then had to leave, so think I’ll finish it first. Later Julie
February 12th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Wrote a message but it didn’t show up. Sorry girls but I’m not on Joe’s list of approved people he can write to. Maybe it also includeds you guys now too. Agree with you Mary that the Joe on this site was the nice one that almost always made us laugh, was nice to my Amy and was well informed of all the Richland rr goings on. On the other site he seems to be whoever they want him to be. Sometimes even incredibly cruel. They seem to have formed a tight little circle of Joe, Donna, Deanie and their spouses and left everyone else out. Occasionally throwing a crumb our way so we look in to see how much fun they’re having. Not even going to apologize for lack of sleep this time. Tho isn’t three hours in two nights enough. Think I’ll try to go to sleep now and get back on again in about a hour. If not asleep by then, it’s going to be a while before I can try again to sleep. Probably shouldn’t send this either, but oh well. Julie
February 12th, 2010 at 12:05 am
Whoops, both showed up. Sorry about that.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:23 am
Julie, sorry you feel that way. If you notice, I don’t write much on either site. I read it every day to see if there is something new, but don’t comment much. And Joe only answers what Joe wants to answer. I’ve asked questions before and got no response from his. But, in fairness, I have asked you and Bettie questions too and got no response. It may be that sometimes those things weren’t showing up in order. And my husband doesn’t do computers unless it’s Craig’s list and he’s looking for an old car to rebuild. He doesn’t care if I’m on it, but he’s never been to either site. I enjoy reading what other people write, I’m not the author my sister is. But, I can’t see that anyone has ever been cruel on either site. Maybe a little off the wall once in a while. But, never cruel.
Deanie
February 12th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Just walked down Memory Lane. I can’t imagine growing up any place else. True the neighborhood isn’t the same one we all grew up in, but in our minds it will never change.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:35 am
You’re not sitting where I am. I’ve always felt like you have been very friendly but people have been cruel. I know my self esteem is a fragile thing and that is my problem to try to overcome. But Joe is a different person depending which site he is writing on. We’ve all had to face different perspectives of what we believed happened and others memories of what happened. It all depends on your own point of view. I too feel like sometimes my comments haven’t been read because it seems like they are ignored. Too many times I’ve wondered lately if being on these blogs is the smartest thing I’ve done or the dumbest. Why are you up so late. You have a little one to play with tomorrow. Julie
February 12th, 2010 at 3:21 am
Hi Art. Glad to see you here. Julie, right now it’s 3 in the morning and that little angel is going strong. Sometimes her going to sleep is easy as pie and other times you can threaten bodily harm and she won’t go to sleep till she just finally keels over. So, I go with the flow. It’s kinda hard on an old gal, but, I’ve got used to it. Hope you get some sleep.
Deanie
February 12th, 2010 at 4:41 am
That,s funny. It’s 3:30 here. I’ve been trying for the last two hours to get on the other site. It would go there but when I’d hit newest comments, the computer would keep chugging away. Finally made it, so am going to try once again for sleep. Please stay in touch. Julie
February 13th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Hi everyone. I agree that the comments don’t always come in order and then when glancing at the last few may not realize there are ones that I may not have read. I think that happens on both sites. I try to answer anything directed to me and sometimes comment on other stuff. Sometimes like Deanie I just read and don’t comment. Hope everyone has a good night. (and a sleep filled one)
February 13th, 2010 at 1:35 am
Sleep – you are being funny. I suggested on time that we put the time we write in on Donna’s blog but no one commented on it so guess no one thought it was a good idea. Brenda & Barry got back from Colorado this week so we went to American Legion for fish tonight and played cards over there for a while. First time for pinochle in quite a while. Had a beer with the fish and it made me quite sleepy so really thought sleep wouldn’t be a problem Went to bed about 11:00, pillow talked for a while and here I am again. Deanie, I think we have sat in the same chair. I bet you were the peace keeper in your family. Wanting everyone to be happy and get along. I’ve found myself playing that role with friends and family before. On the news tonight I heard that there was more snow on the ground in Pensacola, Fl than in Chicago. Now isn’t that just sad? Hopefully I will remember to call Lynda this weekend. You take care, Bet and talk later. Deanie, seriously does TT not sleep some nights either. Will she sleep late the next morning? I’m trying not to take any more medication Bettie. I’ve read that with Ambien you sleep walk, binge eat at night, take a walk or drive a car. Wouldn’t that be something?
Take care guys. Julie
February 13th, 2010 at 6:14 am
Hopefully she will sleep till about noon or after. She gets her days and nights mixed up a lot. On the days her dad is off she stays all night with him and they don’t go to bed till really late and then when she gets back here she doesn’t know what to do. This fall she will go to pre school and I will have to get her on some kind of routine. But then, I am a lot like you I have a hard time sleeping anyway. And then during the day I am just beat and end up taking a nap. I read that the older we get, the less sleep we need. I believe it. Sometimes I may not sleep maybe an hour in a 24 hour period and then the day after that just die for 5 or 6 and then be ready again. Other days I just go around in a haze. That is till T.T. pulls me out of it. I am glad Johnny helps me so much with her. She thinks her poppa is it. Well it’s almost 6 and she’s finally passed out, so I’m going to try to get a couple hours in before the guys get here to work on the house. Will keep you in my prayers.
Deanie
February 13th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Deanie with TT this may be a little harder but Julie, maybe try to force yourself to stay up during the day and then maybe you would sleep a little more at night. And what difference does it make if you sleep a few hours during the day instead of at night. If you were a third shift worker, that’s what you would do. The last two nights I have had a hard time going to sleep. Still awake past two and afraid to look at the clock after that. It’s not easy not doing what you are supposed to do but this time in your life, there is no need for you to “supposed” to do anything. Just let it flow. Robyn and Tina are planning a family reunion for June 5. They are putting info on Facebook so all the Facebook family members will get the info and I will try to let others know. Details to follow.
February 13th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Sometimes I sleep like a baby – other nights I wake after a couple of hours and just lay there. Last night I played Mahjong on my phone from bed because it was too cold to get up and I couldn’t even fall asleep.
I agree with Bet – you can take the girl out of Richland but ya just can’t take Richland outta the girl…love all the memories that get discussed here even though none of my class mates have joined in; I told Gayala Hale VanOrder about it on FB but I do not think she ever logged in but then I am not on here frequently…today I bookmarked it though so maybe more often! Love to family…g
February 13th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I have read all the recommendations on both sites on how to get a good nights sleep. Will take all of them under advisement and decide which way to go. I lay down during the day and may sleep for 15 minutes or so but never longer. And I do go to bed when Ray does and think all those good thoughts, may even fall asleep for an hour but then I’m wide awake and if I don’t get up, just keep tossing and turning. It’s little TT who needs her sleep. A little one like that can get sick too easily if she doesn’t get sleep. Keeping her up with her Dad is fun for them both, I imagine. Pre School will be a big help in getting her and Grandma on schedule. I’ve never thought about or wanted to get Richland out of my life. It’s too much what we are even tho I’ve lived in Kankakee longer than Richland.
Gayla was on here for a while. Told her she had to tell us a deep dark secret about you Gayle if she wanted to belong. She wouldn’t play along. Going to watch some Olympics for a while. See you all later – much later. Love ya Julie
February 13th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Three more Richland couples that married that I didn’t see mentioned (please forgive me if I’m mistaken).
Gary Hammond-Brenda King
Kenny Regentz-Kathy Hammond
Rick Elsey-Sherry Young
February 13th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Hey Julie, my reference to being out of Richland came from Mary’s saying Don took her out of Richland 32 years ago. Their anniversary was Thursday I think. Richland will always be a part of us.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Yaoh , lil Art !
Thanks for the info on the married Richland River Rats to River Rats .
l didn’t know that Hammonds still lived in the “Bottoms” after l left.
Sorry , for the “Lil” Art bit , but l guess you will always be that to me .
Your Mom was really good to me growing up and l didn’t forget it , she did a lot of good for a lot of people ..thought l would give her a shout out .
Thanks again for the info .
Donna
February 14th, 2010 at 1:00 am
Happy Bday, Donna.
February 14th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Thanks Sweetie! lt is 12:12 so l am officially “OLD” !
February 14th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Happy Birthday to my “older” sister. May God grant you every wish you wish and keep you safe in his loving arms. And I’m sure if he’s busy from time to time, he knows Outsider will stand in for him. Love you more than my………. Well, you know.
Deanie
February 14th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
l may be “officially ” OLD… BUT l will never be older than 16 at heart ..{ sometimes younger , like Peter Pan , eh Judy ?
February 14th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Have a great bday and Happy Valentine’s day everyone.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Julie sounds good that you got out with brenda and barry hopefully the card games continue and maybe relax you so you can sleep ive had a few restless nites myself and dont know why hopefully get back on track.To Art not sure you know who mareschloe is but im mary helferich rhoades dons wife how ya doing?Im glad to see you have been writing here.Do you know where rick and sherry are.lost contact with bonnie and the family when your folks passed away and everyone else.Well heres hoping everyone has a good nite and love to all my family and river rats.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Julie sounds good that you got out with brenda and barry hopefully the card games continue and maybe relax you so you can sleep ive had a few restless nites myself and dont know why hopefully get back on track.To Art not sure you know who mareschloe is but im mary helferich rhoades dons wife how ya doing?Im glad to see you have been writing here.Do you know where rick and sherry are.lost contact with bonnie and the family when your folks passed away and everyone else.Well heres hoping everyone has a good nite and love to all my family and river rats.
February 14th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Yoah , Lil Art…l forgot to ask about Bonnie and her family ? My Maw just loved Bonnie …l kinda liked her too .;-)
Later all you River-Rats …by the way l think we have another mole over at the hang-out…remember the last time we had one ?? Jog your memory a little and you will remember ..Later Taters
February 17th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Mary, I did see that mareschloe is you. For Mary & Donna, I’m not in touch with Bonnie or Rick. I think Bonnie lives somewhere in Peoria. Rick became a a pastor & the last I knew lived in Nashville, Tn. I do have several names that I wonder if any of you remember, some short term river rats, some long gone from there & some just long gone.
Here goes……Wanda & Gary Johnson-Charlene Ward-Gary & Jack Williamson-Gayle Belcher-Pat Walker-Joyce, Tom & Gary Davis-Wanda Bell-LaVerne Sites-Doug Sullivan-Clifton Cavit-Judy & Ernie Franz-Jim & Joe Compton-Herb Harris-Patty & Bob Stanton. I have to quit there, because that’s more thinking than I usually do in a week & it rather hurts.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Hey Art, I remember Cindy and Ernie Franz. Cindy was my age and Ernie was older. Does anyone remember the Zornes that lived on the 400 block of Chicago. And the Manuels that lived I believe on Clark street. My older brother Joe married Margaret Manuel for his first go around.
Deanie
February 18th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Art none of those names ring a bell except the manual family i think there were as many of them as there were us.As for any others the Davises were familier i thought they were related to your family some how.I can remember Dorothy talking about them unless its another family.My sister Brenda may know but she doesnt have a computer so she doesnt know this site.Julia i know your on facebook if you go to the bottoms site there is a lisa montgomery on there and if you go to her friends there a lot of manuels as friends on her friends list.I think it was hers.i”ll check it again and make sure for ya,if im wrong ill let you know who it is.Not much else is going on here everybody have a good day.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Lo out there Jewels, Art and Mary,
l am taking a sick day today so l thought l would check out the sites to see if anything was happening out you guys way.{ let’s here the aws now ..aw!aw!
Jewels , l do remember Stanley Zornes , we were school mates and dance buddies sometimes on dance day in PE…
Lil Art , most all the names you mentioned are familiar to me BUT l don’t have any current information on any of them , it will be interesting to see if any others do.{ The Davises you mention , was one of them the one we called “Ponch” or “Poncho” ? lf so l think someone told me he passed away..
Hi Mary, yes, it did seem like there were a lot of Manuels, like Helferiches , but back then that was not really all that unusual . For years l thought something was kind of odd in our family because, at the time , we were only 5 ; Maw,Daddy and 3 kids, then the two “babies” came along in the early 60s and l thought we might be getting on track , but that was the end of that !
l always thought it was cool how the Balls all had names starting with the same letter , N for the gals and T for the boys , made it easier to remember on Valentine Day !
Have fun , Guys and keep on keepin on
February 18th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Mary & Julia, looks like I’m dating myself here, most of those people are older than the two of you. I think my dad & the Davises’ dad were half brothers, which might mean Don’s mom may be Mr. Davises’ half sister, not sure about that. Does Don hear from Jim?
February 18th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Anybody out there have any info on any of the Major’s family?? { another of the larger bottoms family ,Mary}??l know that Joe and Jack have passed away , but what about Susie,Jerry , Dickie, Lilttle Mary Pearl, Grace, Bonnie ?? …How about the Franks family? The Regentz?? Dobbins? Youngs??Kings??Linda Cross? Just a few that came to mind and l may have asked befor , but l agree with Art , that when l think too hard it hurts !
Later Taters
February 18th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Donna, Gary Davis was the one called Pancho, not sure why though. I think he moved to Oklahoma & I do seem to recall he passed away. Tom died in the late 60′s or early 70′s, got shot along with Dave Parks in an apartment in Peoria, I don’t remember the exact circumstances though. Another family with several ‘rug rats’ was the Stroud family who lived at the corner of Cass & Sanford.
February 18th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Thanks for the catch up Art…l know Dave Parks passed on not to long ago and it was from his obituary that l found out that Kenny had passed before him .
..One of the sad parts of playing catch up, or connect the roots, is that we find out many of those we remember didn’t make it into this millennium with us …the good part is finding those of us who did make it , reconnecting and sharing the memories , including the ones involving those who passed, that way the memory of their essence still stays alive .
Cat’s In The Cradle , come to mind, don’t it ? 
Did you ever make fun of your parents for reading the Obits and watching the weather-channel only to lately find yourself doing the same thing ?
Later Taters
February 18th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
I remember most of the names but don’t know what any of them are up to or where they are. Has anyone mentioned the Hultquists’? I think there were 5 boys. One of them died in a fire at their home. I think Willie works at Walmart in East Peoria but I don’t know abt any of the others. Happy birthday to Mareschloe’s husband Don today.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
thanks bettie for the birthday wishes for don.art im not sure about the davises and lib.Have not talked to jim since libby stroke or soon after there is to much that went on and would be to much to say long story short she was in the nursing home here in town that we live and he threatend to take to out of here to somewhere else and we all no that jim is not reliable to stay in one place very long so things got really nasty after that libby stayed her and we never saw him again.last we heard from an ex wife a coulpe years ago he left her a moved to florida.so much for that been many years ago.don is ok with that. .got to get to bed busy day tomorrow going to see bettie and robyn her son is in a spelling at school i have the day off so im going.good night sweethearts good night.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Lo Bette , Just a quick one out to you …l do remember the Hultquists , There Mom lived next to me for 13 years in the first home we bought from Cliff and Mable Himmelrich{ out of the “Bottoms”}. l haven’t seen any of them in quite awhile , we moved from there about 28 years ago { Gads! l am OLD!
…but l know that the mother died .
Happy Birthday M’s Hubby ,Don!
February 18th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Quick hey out to you too , Mary , your comment posted just as mine did . Good night , sweet dreams to all .
February 19th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Hope you are feeling better, Donna. Goodnight all.
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:19 am
Where is everyone? Out building snow men?
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:33 am
Frosty the Snow-man …l want to hurry him on his way …l want to say good-by and beleive me l won’t cry ,,,cause l know he’ll come back again some day …thumpity , thump , thump , thumpity thump thump . let’s look at Frosty go ….
l hope everyone is feeling better and that this last little blizzard in our tea-cup is short lived and soon melted . 
Hi Bettie !
March 6th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
oh where oh where did my river rats go oh where or where can they be……….
March 7th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
you guys need to get a facebook page
March 7th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Dave who ?? River Rat or nay??
March 7th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
reply dave.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
There is a facebook page. I think it’s called Richland Bottoms
March 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Unbelievable!!!! It brings tears to my eyes to read the comments of all the people who are(were) touched by the “bottoms” experiance…God bless you all!!! Hi Joe Denny…one of my early life heros!!! Was then and is now…Stop n see me sometime Joe…Come back home Joe..we need a remarkable mind like yours to keep things on track…your friend…Bobby Scott
March 12th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Bob – Are you Carolyn’s brother or son? I see on Facebook that Carolyn’s kids are living in their old houses in the bottoms. Carolyn and I went to school together. I agree Joe should come back on because he knows everything about everything in the bottoms. Joe wasn’t my hero but he was my friend all those years ago. He certainly was the rebel back then and he may be now and that is why he isn’t on this site any more. So come back Joe!!!!
March 12th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Jewels ,can you beleive that the Montgomery gal who has the “Bottoms” page on FB is Marie Hosbrough’s niece ?? She is Doug’s daughter and her mom is Yvonne { remember Sophie and Yvonne Regentz? } Geesh what a small world and how OLD does that make you feel ??
March 12th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
OOPS! Forgot to welcome Bobby Scott { Bob for all you ADULTS out there
} l think Joe D is having computer problems but hopefully he will be back here and on the Prima-Donna site soon .
March 12th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Fun to see how all our posts cross each other , isn’t it ?
Hang in there Bob , we just take a tad getting used to ! 
March 13th, 2010 at 12:07 am
As the Disney song goes “It’s a small world after all”. Guess it must be true then. Any one else not know most of the people on the Richland Bottoms site, now that makes me feel old. :-/
March 13th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Yoah , out there Art …Yes, l do NOT know most of the people on that site either …just inadvertantly found out that some of them were related to people l used to know !
Like the one Bogard guy who used to live across from your Mom and Dad and played hoops with Mark and Denny . l told him l used to babysit for your folks and may have inadvertantly babysat him if he played with Mark and Denny …small , small world after all ! l agree 
Do you wonder how many times you have passed someone on the street or dealt with them in a store etc. and not known who they were but find out they were someone you knew back in the day ..or the kids or grandkids of someone you knew ! Whee , l am old ! 
March 13th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Hi Lynda Burkhalter…Carol Scott Sunkin is my very, very old sister!!! lol…we are both on facebook..if you are on there also..look us both up and make us your friend…sorry about the very old sister thing…if she was your age that would be a reflection on you….carolyn is my slightly older sister….better???…did I redeme myself? : )
March 13th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Donna, I had no idea that she is Doug and Evons daughter..
March 13th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Art Woolard…franklin st.? Mrs. Woolard was my babysitter before I became a big boy and went to kindergarden..I know Mark Woolard and his brother…Dale was my favorite renter years ago at 354 Chicago…Dale was sooo nice..dont know where he is now though…
March 13th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I went to grade school (which I forgot until recently) went thru high school with him and went to the Church of Christ on Arnold Rd. with him…His mom and dad are ken and sue and had a successful home building and remodling business. I forgot that Dave is a true “bottoms boy”! This web page sure brings back long forgotten memories…Ms. Sercowitz is my moms very good friend…Ms. Sercowitz is not doing very well now…did anyone go to the appreciation gathering at Fondulac administration bldg. about 10 years ago…was all in honor of the most wonderful, gentle, caring teacher I have ever met…she will be rememberd forever by many!!!!!
March 13th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
sorry…I was talking about David Bogard in my last comments…donna was commenting about possibly babysitting for him…
March 13th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Thanks for all the input Bob . l was sooo sorry to hear about Ms Serkowich
l just recently sent her a card to what l hope was her current address , one of the other posters but it up in an earlier post. l adored her so { still do whenever l think of her l have the kind of feelings that only warm , wonderful memories give a person and only warm, wonderful people can help create .} Please keep us updated …l missed her event 10 years ago l didn’t know anything about it or l would have tried to make it back for it . Later Taters
March 13th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
By the By Bobby , if Dot babysat you , you probably rode on my lap a time or two when the weather was too nasty even for us RRR’s to walk it !
..back and forth to school when my Mom would pick Dot and the boys up to go to school and we all would cram in the car { can’t do that now or you would get seatbelt citations to say the least ! 
}
March 13th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
That was also after the two younger kids came into our family , Lorri and Jim , before that Joe, Jewels and l pretty much toughed it out every day come rain , shine or snow storms …ahhh the good old days …brrrr
March 13th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Bob, Del is in the hospital at this time, he has several ailments & isn’t doing very well. I don’t have many specifics though. Denny lives in the house on Franklin & Mark lives on Eden St. in East Peoria. Ms. Serkowich was at my moms’ visitation in 2003, haven’t seen or talked to her since, but what an awesome person she has been to her student & families for such a long time.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Art , l am so sorry for Del’s current situation
We will put him on the prayer list. l remember babysitting for him when he lived across the street from your Mom . Your Mom was good to me and l don’t think of the “Bottoms” that l don’t think of her fondly { l smile when l think of all her remodeling ! 
} She did seem to keep in remodeling mode and went all out ..Good memories !
Art send us an email at RichlandRiverRats50s60s@yahoo.com and we will hook you up with the other site if you think you would like to ?
Later Taters
March 14th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
hey all you richland bottoms people..I LOVE YOU !! Richland Grade School closed in 1972. i know this because i went to kindergarden and 1st grade there. they closed the school and made us go to Lincoln on Springfield Road. i hated leaving Richland school. i made this facebook page..please join it and spread it around http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Richland-Bottoms-East-Peoria-Illinois/307693051795?ref=ts
March 14th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
joe denney…you were my favorite of my dads friends when i was growing up. sadly my dad passed away 3 years ago, i took care of him the last 6 years of his life. he had so many health problems. he had both of his legs amputated almost to his hips due to diabetes. he passed away march 26th and 2 hours later my first grandson was born. so its really true, God takes one from you and gives ya one right back. joe i used to love going to the Goose, when my grandpa Don had Turpin Sandblasting and we would get a, or i should say, I would get a ice cold Coke and gramps would get a 7&7..lol and you would be bartending and would give me coins to put in the jukebox or to play , try to play pool..lol back then it was so fun to hop in your grandpas truck and go to the goose , now ya cant do that because of the strict DUI laws, understandably. your brother Trenace lioved next to my granny for many many years, wish he still did. her new neighbor isnt too friendly. my dad always told me that you named your daughter after me because you thought i was the cutest damn thing..lol..is that true? did you name Lisa after me? anyway, we sure would love to see ya someday, mom and doug still live on cass st. stop by sometime.
March 14th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
oh i forgot to add this…story has it that the school was closed and was going to be made into a day care center for caterpillar workers, but they couldnt because the school is filled with asbestos. i would cry my eyes out if they tore that building down. i think that instead of building a stupid caterpillar museum, they should renovate that school and make it an historical site. ya know whats really cool? my moms teacher was ms. sercowich and ms. yuronis, they were also my teachers, and my oldest daughters teachers.
March 14th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Hey Lisa …l know that Pal Joee will be glad to read your posts when he gets back online …to my understanding he is having computer probs but like Arnold ..he will be back !
Later
March 14th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I just wanted to let Bob know that I have been in contact with Carol on Facebook and we are only as old as we feel right? That medium has been wonderful to reconnect with old friends. And Lisa, I see you there also. Did I see right that your mom was Yvonne Regentz? Yvonne and I were good friends (like most of us of the same age group in Richland). In deed – a small, small world.
March 14th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Yes Lynda Yvonne is my mommy..lol Doug Hosbrough is my stepdad, my real dad was Donnie Montgomery. Mom still lives in the bottoms as well as my granny. Minnie Regentz, we just celebrated her 87th birthday Friday. Can ya believe it? she has lived in that house since the day she was born in 1923…i think she stayed there on Chicago street so long because she has so many beautiful things that we all said “grandma, if you ever move, i will be out of town that week”..lol too much stuff to move. i am so happy that i made that facebook page..i can hardly wait to see it each day just to see what people write and the pictures, and the memories, ive only been on FB a few months so hopefully in time i can reconnect with more people from the past that i miss so much.
March 14th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
oh and i am going out tomorrow to take some pictures of things that i remember and i will post them tomorrow night.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:59 am
I was thinking that Richland School was a daycare for awhile after the school itself closed. I think sister Cor Marie had it for awhile and maybe some of my nieces and nephews went there. She now has Children’s Center of Tazewell Co in Creve Coeur. She’s got to be close to 90 yrs old herself. Does anybody remember her?
March 15th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Hi Bettie!
l do not remember the Sister you mention BUT l do rememeber someone telling me back then that it had been opened as a daycare but had to close because of the asbestos problem …quite frankly l figured at the time} that was “IT” for good ol Lady of Richland ..that they would definetly tear it down then…but for some reason they didn’t ..and the beat goes on ..la-di-da-di-da
March 15th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Lisa, Get your mom on here and what a wonderful Tribute we have going for the people of Richland Bottoms. Not only are we remembering our heritage here but also on the two facebook pages and Donna’s web site. How great we are!
March 15th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
It has been fun glancing through the comments. Too much to read in one night.
Mine is one more name to add to the Richland Riverrats.
Lots of good times growing up in the Bottoms.
March 16th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Lisa, thanks for the pics on FB.
March 18th, 2010 at 5:27 am
Youre welcome Bettie..
March 21st, 2010 at 12:11 am
Had a great time today celebrating Larry’s 50th birthday-even though his birthday was in January, had a party today at Dvis Bros. Was great pizza and great family day.
March 27th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
This is for the little Helferich girls. I am Donna and Deanie Crossno’s mom, Lorene. I just wanted to tell you how much I thought of your mother. She was the sweetest woman. I remember for my 40th birthday she gave me a surprise birthday party at my house after work. We grew so close. She was a good woman, and I grew to love her very much. And she raised some pretty good kids too.
Lorene
March 27th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Thanks so much Lorene for the comments about my mom she did do what she could for us kids and to say a very good job of it.I think i do remember you Lorene or maybe my mom talking about all the time dont remember ever hearing about the party though.I dont really remember the people on here but i can remember the names that i’ve heard thru the years.Well getting off here now have a good week everyone and hoping for some good spring weather.
March 27th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Same here.
March 28th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Lorene, I also want to thank you for the kind words you spoke of Mom. As you know we didn’t have much but at the time we didn’t know it because most of the people living in Richland were in the same class. Mom and Dad, however, did try to give us kids the best life they could and I think they succeeded in making all of us happy and successful (in our own way).
March 29th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Lynda, sounds like your family had the really important things, a loving family & solid values, doesn’t get any better than that. Oh & my mom thought your mom was great too.
March 29th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
l think you got it , Art . l think all three ladies were pretty special , each in their own way and each in different ways to all of us . The tie that binds is that we all knew them.
March 31st, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Art, I think your mom and our mom fought like sisters. They could argue with each other but nobody else better argue with the other.
April 1st, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Hello there, Happy Fool’s Day!!
A family was visiting an Indian reservation when they happen upon an old tribesman laying face down in the middle of the road with his ear pressed firmly against the blacktop.
The father of the family asked the old tribesman what he was doing.
The tribesman began to speak…”woman, late thirties, three kids, one barking dog in late model, four door station wagon, traveling at 65 m.p.h.”
“That’s amazing!” exclaimed the father.
“You can tell all of that by just listening to the ground?”
“No,” said the old tribesman. “They just ran over me five minutes ago!”
Happy April Fool’s Day!
April 3rd, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Lisa – Sophie was in my class and I have many wonderful memories of her; please if you talk to her, tell her Gayle said hi; I have asked if she was on Facebook but do not think she is. Would love to reconnect with her.
As for Lorene, thanks so much for saying such nice things about Mom; although my sisters and brothers hate to admit it, she did LOVE ME BEST (except for Monte, of course)…
April 3rd, 2010 at 9:47 pm
HI HELFRICK GIRLS, WAS JUST THINKING AS I READ YOUR POSTS ,IF YOUR MOM CAN SEE YOUR POSTS ,SHE IS SMILING AND SAYING ,SEE I ALWAYS TOLD YOU I HAD THE SWEETEST SMARTEST KIDS IN THE WORLD.AND I KINDA THINK ,SHE MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING THERE! LOVE YOU ALL, LORENE
April 3rd, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Mom was the writer in our family as shown in all her Richland articles for the Tazewell Courier. She really liked that job and enjoyed gathering the info for it. She also did say “I told you so”!
April 4th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
WOW, how I ever stumbled onto to this blog is a mystery, but I too went to Richland Grade School in the 60′s, up to 4th grade with Mrs. Dunton. I grew up in the bottoms until then when we moved to another part of town. My Granny worked at Gorman’s grocery store. Me and my brother, Dave, use to yell at the Caterpillar men taking lunch on the roof to throw us money, it is how we got our candy money. Then it was still a penny a piece. I remember the safety on the neighborhood. We had a Mrs Hunt living across from us on Edmund (it was a concrete block house-duplex). She had a bulldog. I recall the tornado that hit our neighborhood, maybe ’62 or ’63? I recall the day Kennedy was shot. So many teachers crying and we were sent home. I cannot recall the music teacher, but her house is the one near CJHS. Of course, who could forget Mr. Softee and the late summer night trips to get ice cream when you heard the music. WOW, how did I get to this sight???
April 4th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Welcome. We have pretty much felt the same thing when we discovered this site. Again, you are quite bit younger than I am. But you must have gone to scchool with my younger sisters. There are a couple of other sites dedicated to the bottoms. Donna Crossno has one and I’m sure she can send the site to you if you are interested. Sister, Lynda Helferich, Sue Walker and Russel White have a site and are trying to plan a reunion in the near future. And another one that I can’t remember the address, but am sure someone will send it. We’re a welcoming group of people all connected by the memories of a place that was accepting and loving. Julie
April 4th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Rob, we must be abt the same age but I don’t think I remember you. Have you seen the RichlandBottoms page on facebook? Julie is my sister and ditto, welcome. Glad you found this page.
April 5th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Rob (and any other blog contributors who lives or lived in Richland). If you have a Facebook account all you need to do is type in Richland in the search and you will find both the Richland Grade School site and the Richland Bottoms site. I don’t have time right now to send the link but let us know if you have Facebook and can locate what I have given you. There are lots of pics and even more memories so give it a try.
April 5th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
will check out fb, i have a class picture i can share
April 5th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Is it possible the reunion could be held in part of the school, or has it been barred from entry. Even my mother went to this school. I enjoyed the fb sights. I posted a class picture of 64-65.
April 6th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Rob we thought the same thing about the school as the reunion but yes it is off limits to everything. It is sad to go down there and see it all fenced in and no entry.We had endless times there .Im going to see if you are on the richland site and look your picture up.Not sure whos class you were in but it has to be someone who is a family member.Not much going on here im glad to see some of you are on facebook now.I have a memory does anybody remember Mr Comfort im thinking he was the janitor when i was at richland.Some reason his name rings a bell with Hope this finds everyone ok and who is the april fools guy maybe Joes back hum hope so.Thanks again Lorene for the nice comments.
April 6th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Yes, Mr. Comfort was one of the custodians after Mr. Denny. He lived over by Krogers and the Church down{ up} town.
April 6th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
thanks for clearing that up fom me.Hope everyone is enjoying the nice spring weather we are having.
April 9th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Rob told me about this site and it has been fascinating to read. Mary, I was in your class and so was Rob. I married Scott Walker who was also in our class. We lived on Fisher St. and then moved to Sanford. My grandparents and aunts all lived in the Bottoms also, and after we got married Scott and I lived on Franklin. Edith Tonjes was my best friend but have lost touch with her so it’s nice to hear all the good memories.
April 10th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Christina, Rob and Scott – You are much younger than I am but the memories we all have are a very common bond. You say you went to school with Mary (did you know she turned out to be the wildest of all the Helferich’s). Mary was our youngest sister. You probably knew Gary also and if you went to school at Richland you know our brother Monte as well. This blog site has been wonderful but we also have a site on facebook called Richland Grade School and another called Richland Bottoms. Rob said he posted a pic on Facebook but I haven’t seen it. I will look again. Please post any memories you have on either site. I’ll be looking for them.
April 11th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
yes christina i remember you.I dont know anything about Edith either if her mom and dad still lives in the bottoms either.i may have to get my peoria phone book out and see if they do.Thru Rob i have been in contact with Brenda Rohn.Other than that nobody else.so do you sill live there.I dont remember scott though maybe if you get on facebook and look at robs picture and tell me which one he his might ring a bell.Getting late dont know where everybody has gone to but its awful quite on here anymore.Moved to facebook everybody?Lynda the picture is there.
April 12th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Not moved Mary , l think everyone is just enjoying the weather as we get it one day at a time …it was such a looong winter they are probably making hay while the sun shines .:-)
April 12th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
ok Donna it is great out there now.
April 13th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Pal Joee ..if you are out there on the tracks somewhere , please pull into the depot..l have an SOS for you from Bonnie Stosich…she wats to know if you know anything about a Pat Cowan that lived in the Bottoms in the Day? l guess we have all elected you unofficially as the Wizard of When since you have so much Richlandite history knowledge …if you can help her out , just reply , emai{ l can get you her email}l ,or if your puter is still down and you are geting this info via 3rd party , just call Vic { vickie Ray }and let her know and she can pass it on to Bonnie …Thanks ..l hope you and Carol are doing well and enjoying the beautiful weather ..
April 18th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Donna did you know that Bonnie is my cousin?..she was just here tonight visiting!
April 18th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Yoah , Lisa ,
l have been busy all week-end and haven’t checked in at any of the bases until now , but ,oh well , l wil have to catch her scrawny lil hiney next time shes’s in town . Thanks for the heads up., kiddo.Did your Groovy-Garden make it through the frost?
Bon just recently told me you guys were kin .;-)
l knew she was going to be in town soon but l thought it was next week-end .
April 19th, 2010 at 11:39 am
The correspondence on this particular entry is incredible. Who needs Facebook and Classmates.com????!!!!
April 19th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Joleen , are you related to Theresa Hatton? Her family used to live up by the church on Center ?? Theresa and my lil sis Lorri used to be great friends in the 60-70′s and Theresa was one of Lorri’s bride-maids at her first wedding..also ,Please expound on your comment that this particular entry is incredible?
April 20th, 2010 at 8:55 am
My Grandmother is Theresa Hatton, but I’m sure they’re not the same. She died in ’02 at the age of 96!! As far as further explanation of my comment – we have Facebook, Classmates.com, Myspace, etc. etc. I think it is awesome that this little local site has so many people reconnecting and sharing stories of their child hood. Good stories. I grew up on Glen Oak Avenue in Peoria so I wasn’t part of your neighborhood, but the stories are all the same.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Thanks Joleen ,
No, l don’t think your Theresa was the same .:-) the more l thought on it l think the ones l referred yo may have spelled their name HattEn .
l dig where you are comming from .:-) on this site . lt was amazing also how we all ended up on here .
l have always said that the memories of that time period are shared by a majority{ or at least a VERY large number } of people who lived it , whether the east side of the river or the west , upper or lower states ,it was kind of an era phenonomon shared by a particular and large number of people .Some had it better, some worse , but similar enough that most everyone can identify with the over-all of it all .:-)
Thanks for the reply
April 21st, 2010 at 10:16 am
All these years and the school still stands…. Does anyone know who owns it, and are there plans to re-open it? Doubtful I suppose. But I see they just replaced some of the plywood so at least some effort is being made to keep it secured from the weather (although 30+ years with the heat turned off has probably made the paint and walls turn into mush unfortunately). I’d love to see the inside but its probably heartbreaking.
April 21st, 2010 at 11:13 am
Some things are better left the way we remember them, reality isn’t always pretty.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
l agree Art, that reality isn’t always as pretty as sometimes our memories are . l also am greatful that l had the realities that l did have to look back on , especially in times like these . The other side of the coin is that sometimes reality is not as bad as we percieve it , or percieved it to be at the time , sometimes it really takes an old dose of hind-site to make you realize how good you had it and maybe appreciate your “reality” of the current day more because of it .
…Raiders Rule ! Rose-colored or not ! 
l know “reality” says that the inside of Richland would probably be decayed and nothing like it was …BUT l truley feel that the grand old lady is a keeper of the heart and memories walk those halls and would come alive if we could only be there to witness them …they wait for an appreciative audiance , one like only we who knew it as it was, could be . l know l am sappy and an old romantic , but so what, like Rizzo says in grease …’there are worse things l could do …l don’t steal and l don’t lie, but l can feel and l can cry ” All the mems from Richland and “the day” were not all roses and no thorns , but it was such a truly unique time and place l think we should all draw what comfort and closure from it . good, bad or indifferent as we can .
The really ironic thing is for me to be their{ Richland and “the day” } defender ,l have said that l have run away from home since l was 16 , BUT probably , the closer truth was that l was running to “home” and never got there so that what l was running from became more than it was ie; the Richland-Experience ..l never wanted to be here { Illinois} l always wanted to be “home”{ Ark}, but circumstances dropped me here and like the Baily’s in Wonderful life , circumstances kept me here …l was never happy about it , l just accepted it as my “duty” ..and yet that little slice of my life from 5-16 is , as l say one unique time that l wouldn’t trade for coin or circumstance . You all realize , my baby-boomer friends { younger and older alike } that part of what we all are going through is mid-life { no matter what age bracket that you are currently in }, “is that all there is ” , with a dose of rose-colored memories for good measure !
April 24th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
wanted to say hello to everyone
April 24th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
hello jason do we know you and are you from the bottoms?
April 26th, 2010 at 12:46 am
hELLO, i LIVED IN THE BOTTOMS FROM 0 TO 16. WENT TO Richland then Central and the E.Peoria High. Unfortunately decided to drop out in the beginning of my junior year. I was just home visiting my mom who still lives on Chicago Street. My sister is Lynn Cafferty. I have been reading the messages but never seem to see snything by any of my particular friends. I especially would like to know if anyone knows what happened to Peggy Cowan who lived on Cass Street. She had a brother Freddie and a baby brother whose name I think was Riley. Also the Wenglarz twin girls and Charlene Vansagee. (probably wrong spelling) I did see Sue Perry while I was home. Her little sister Kay was one of my best friends but I had know for a long time she died in a plane crash. She told me Al Bremer worked at a WalMart in Washington but I simply ran out of time. I talked my sis into stopping at the Center Tap for a beer. In case any of you didn’t know Kay’s dad Fuzz Perry owned it so Kay and I spent a lot of time there getting free hamburgers and soda. Anyway a man by the name of Red Butler happen to be there and it was fun talking to him as he seemed to know everyone and everything about the bottoms. I tried to talk my sis into seeing if there was anyway we could sneek into Richland school but she did not seem as keen on the idea as I did. Anyway if anyone has any information on Peggy Cowan in particular I would love to know how she is doing.
April 26th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Sandy….I’m running down Peggy Cowan as I send you this e-mail.just talked too Judy Glossick minutes ago ,we will be having “long’ conv. tonite about Peggy,who lived at 222 Cass St.,Judy at 216 Cass,& in between them ,Milo Turbett, at 218 Cass St. .Peggy’s mom & dad divorced long ago,after they all moved out East to State of Virginia.Peggys’ married W/ 4 or 5 children,Riley became a minister,Freddy became an alcoholic,but I’ll have her, Peggy’s PH. # tonite!Peggy,Judy,& Nellie Gresham were inseperable. We were ALL together {EVERYDAY & NITE}…I will have Ph. # nos. tonite .Judy & I are gonna have “LONG” talk about “ALL” our yrs. & (TIMES) together ,WILD & CRAZY!!! Every nite was New Years EVE!LOL!Them 3,& Donna & her sister Bonnie Barnette, Marty Lane,Diane Privette,Sylvia Walker & Gracie were the {GIRLS},myself,Joe & his bro. Tim Starr,Red Rawlings,Jerry[Bud] Belden,Gene Taylor,Donny Borton ,Jr. Roberts,& Donna & Bonnies’ Bro. Jay Barnette…WE never,ever missed a nite being together ,never!ALL just “FRIENDS”,THATS” ALL!!!There was a Sandy,Lynda,& Johnny Cross that lived in the 200 block Chicago St. ,was that you?I heard he went to Cal. & was on LAPD force ,same Cross?Al Bruemmer & I were same grades all thru school,from Richland all the way.He done REAL well ,lived in 500 block Chicago St.,next too Danny,Pat,&Janet Redmon family,whom I lived W/ in ’56′ for awhile when I was running around w/ Pat ,the oldest kid..Janet was friends W/ Patty Himmelrich & Diane Grieves,who live onFisher St. …Al Bruemmer had the [Dubuque] meat distrbution stores in Peoria area,PLUS his UPSCALE “UNCLE AL’S”Steakhouses,Man ,HE had it all,and deservedly so ,he WORKED nonstop!Finally got married around 55 yrs.old…LOL…serves him rite, everyone deserves a little pain & suffering!…Sue Perry[Hall]& I were very close for MANY yrs.,FUZZ was one of my MOST favorite people since 1950 till he passed away..Kay & her Husband Bobby were living in Alabama ,he built the race engines for “HALL OF FAMOUS”& 3 time National Champion Bobby Allison of NASCAR FAME, & they were flying too Daytona for the awards banquit ,when their plane crashed,very sad,she was a SWEETHEART!Sue’s Bro. Bob & I were very close friends at one time in early 50′s, i talked too him about 3 yrs. ago ,he was getting ready too move to Colorado where his Son is…I tended bar for Joe Genusa for about 7 yrs., “SUPER CLOSE”W/other ‘business’for about 30 yrs., him & Fuzz Perry had about a 30 yr. fued goin,that got “WILD” at times,& i LOVED um both like my Dad,& I finally got them together & SETTLED it .It was TOUGH,I told um both ,you’re gonna die ,& we’re gonna END THIS,so I got them to meet & end it ,FINALLY!!! If You want innfo on Peggy ,let me know.~~~*nite-train*~~~
April 26th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
hello stranger – welcome back. Lots of people have missed you. There are now two other web sites devoted to the bottoms. sleepless
April 26th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Yeah Nitetrain. Glad you’re back. Hope everything is well with you. Julie, are you still being sleepless?
April 26th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
good to see you back nite train all the information you have is so awesome .only hope ypu stay here in case someone needs the info.Take care .And plus we all miss you:)
April 26th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Joe, weren’t you friends with my brother Glenn?
April 26th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
nite train a lot of us are on facebook now care to join us there also that is where the sites are that julie is talking about hope to see ya there.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:31 am
HI ALL…..1st. Art, Glenn & I were more than “FRIENDS”…we were very close ”buds” at one time,,,,he use too come in the [GOOSE} to see me all the time ,& I would go over too Louie’s “CAT & FIDDLE” on So. Adams ST. in PEO.& party out ,man. HE was a dear FRIEND.we got wild over there one nite while we on our bikes’ ,come up Cedar St. bridge & he dumped it ,no one hurt ,but we laughed so hard ,the other guys’ had to pick his bike up & straighten handlebars so we could make it too “GOOSE” for a feel better ,he was a GOOD GUY & FRIEND!we use too blow peoples’ mind ,when he would order a lite bulb or pack of razor blades , & eat um like bag of potato chips…LOL…blow um away ,man ,he was GOOD GUY!!!…~~~*Joe*~~~nite-train*~~~
April 27th, 2010 at 12:34 am
So what’s been happening with you lately?
April 27th, 2010 at 12:44 am
Julie,Mary,Bettie,….well the “SNOW” finally melted,may get up in the 60′s too 80′s ,won’t it be nice? where have you guys’ been ?oh well, its’ April now ,so maybe everyone woke up and realizie its’ almost Spring ,since i’ve didn’t ‘sleep’ all winter like most of “YOU”.have nice wk.~~~*joe*~~~
April 27th, 2010 at 12:51 am
We weren’t the ones that left. So we weren’t the ones sleeping. have you found all the other people who have been looking for you on the bottoms site? I’m actually on facebook some of the time. Still not wild about it but it kills the time. julie
April 27th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Sandy,,,,worked them phones for about 3 hrs. ,from Peo. ,too NEBRASKA,TOO Virginia , talked too {MY OLD FRIENDS } & people you want too know about ! say when …Man, were they shocked ,surprised,happy,,,,it was a “BLAST”…..~~~***JOE***~~~nite-train~~~
April 27th, 2010 at 3:19 am
it’s getting too late to even play games and everyone has gone to bed. So guess that I will try that again. Still on e-mail if you want to talk.
April 27th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I think nite-train is Joe is it not. Yes my brother John was a police officer for 30 years and has now retired in Idaho, I have been married(my second) for 29 years and we live in Seal Beach Ca, I am retired hairstylist and my husband retired Police. My sister lives in Elmwood. I don’t come home often but made a promise to do so yearly from now on to see my mom whos is 90. Would love to let Peggy know I have thought of her often over the years. Thank’s
April 27th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
welcome back Joe! You sure were missed around here!
April 27th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
anonymous is me. just forgot to type my name in.
April 27th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Sandy….just got off PH. W/ Peggy,a little shocked she was. She is living in Portsmuth,Va.,married 48 yrs.,5 children & would love too talk to you.DO call her,so you,if you care too ,set up e-mail or get on her facebook ,but she does want too talk to you….I hope i helped get you ‘hooked’ up.I talked to Nellie Gresham till midnite last nite & she had all info i needed to go forward this day…Judy Glossick,that lived on Cass St. next to Peggy ,put me W/ Nellie ,so here is her PH.#….1-(757)405-1890.Nellie lives in Kearney, Neb… did your family live next door to Tom/Eddie Miller on Chicago St.? I do feel little bad for you people out there in that hot,humid,sunny Ca.,we’re {LUCKY},cause its’ suppose to get down too about 36 to39 here tonite,and “WAY” back up too 62 tomm.,so we can wear our new ‘hoodies’ we got for x-mas!!!GEESH,unreal! My Sister lives in Glendale,been out there since 1949,so we e-mail back-n-forth often…You mentioned Al Bruemmer,he Supervisor of Deli at Wal-Mart in Washinton,Il,was meat cutter but now running “DELI”….sure doesn’t need money just can’t stop working!i FOUND it easiest thing i,ve done,”retire”,i get IT! later ,if you need “ANY” info …~~~*nite-train*~~~{Joe}
April 27th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Joe, I remember the light bulb & razor blade appetite he had. Teeth of steel I guess. Hard to believe he’s been gone over 40 years.
April 27th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Sandy…I got thinking that this isn’t the’most’ private blog too talk on,& there were “OTHER” things I wanted to mention to you after talking too Peggy,but i didn’t want to thro it out into ‘space for all….i know very little about these “COMP”.,but my wife does if you ,W/ your Husbands advice & knowledge about this kind of stuff & what i’m trying too say,that i wanted to tell you ,but didn’t wanna go WORLDWIDE W/ it, but if you wanna know my e-mail ,it would be a lot more “PRIVATE”.NO ONE can read or or see it!only thing is ,i don’t know how too do it. after you talk too Peggy,[i also have her cell ph.#],if you need it…let me know if you need more….~~~*nite-train*~~~
April 30th, 2010 at 11:01 am
You don’t write, you don’t call – what’s a poor girl to do? Know you have computer access again. Been waiting to hear from you….
So if you’re still out there nite-train, get in touch.
April 30th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Joe, tell me some of the stories you remember about when you and my dad were running around together and the Trojans. I see Mike Tyree quite often, he has a book he made of you guys and the Trojans, it was actually very interesting.
April 30th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
HI ALL YOU {GOOD LOOKIN}GIRLS”,,,,Comp. was down for awhile ,Daughter got it fixed & put it in (HER) room,which i never go in ,she wanted to put it back out here in Comp. room long while back for me,but i told her it didn’t matter ….she finally set it up back in here ,i stil didn’t even look at it till maybe couple wks. ago .{NEEDED} the “BREAK”!!!hows’ Julie & the girls doin,& Ray?well i hope.Lisa,your Dad & I were great friends for yrs., but for “STORIES” ,we’ll have to do [THAT] on more private blog! Triple X Rating , not fit for the weak of heart,ME included !…LOL…We’ll work it out tho,PROMISE…I finally got Peggy,Nellie,Judy,Sandy …all hooked up ,from Ca,too Va,Too Neb.,back too Peo. area….GEESH! isn’t quite the NOUN i’d wanted to use ,but,,,,tele. ph. , cells, Comp.,sorta decent “CUSS” words ,completed ….I think I can find anyone ,except maybe myself,AND at times i couldn’t find a banana if they turned me loose in a chiquita warehouse !!! MAN!we’ll get it worked out….Julie ,have nice wk. end W/ your card game .{CHEAT}!~~~***nite-train***~~~
April 30th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Are you reading Donna’s blog anymore? No one on there anymore but I visit with her at night when I can’t play games anymore and she seems to stay up late at night also. Deanie is on vacation but she is also a night owl. How about Lisa’s site? Have you been on that one. Makes you think every kid in EP grew up in Richland with all of the sudden interest. Didn’t play cards tonight. Brenda’s brother died this week and the funeral was today. Told you before they won’t cheat and neither will I, but sometimes I wonder about my “evil twin” taking over. We’re seeing all the kids tomorrow in Madison for Natalie’s 6th birthday. Some of the students in Erik’s 6th grade class have formed a “band” and are going to come over and play “music”. Glad to be back in touch. julie Also I notice that Amy still thinks she can handle my life for me.
May 1st, 2010 at 12:21 am
Maybe the “evil twin” needs someone to “handle my life”!? You do a great job on your own. Have fun in Madison.
May 1st, 2010 at 12:48 am
Well we’re ready to go. Looks like I will be sleeping most of the way since I’m still up now. Honey, you don’t need to borrow my “evil twin”. You have one on your own if you would just let her loose once in a while. Tho sometimes I’m not sure if maybe you should come back and let the evil twin take a break. The weather must really be messing up computers or else there are so many people getting to stay up later on Friday nights. It’s not easy accessing any of the sites. It looks funny to see May come up on the computer. Time is going by so fast. Have a good weekend. We’re coming home tomorrow night and not staying the weekend. My friend Sue was counting on my support at her daughter’s bridal luncheon. Got the invitation today and it’s going to be June l. That does present a problem. The groom’s mother doesn’t have an evil twin, she has evil quintuplets. Visit later. Sleepless One
May 1st, 2010 at 7:48 am
joe, if you are ever in the area, you should stop by and see grandma minnie, i was telling her that i was talking to you and she was tickled!! she just turned 87 and is still full of piss and vinegar!! she’s a pistol for sure!! i took care of dad the last 6 years of his life, he had sooooo many medical problems, diabetes, rheumitoid arthiritis, he had an anuerysm on his aorta, and the 2 years before he passed, he had both legs amputated due to diabetes. he passed and 2 hours later my grandson was born. but dad was dad right up till the end, flirting with the nurses, being his funny self…i sure miss him
May 8th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
I wanted to address the newpaper who does “Name the Peoria Landmark”.
When I first saw the picture of the poor dilapidated building that had meant to much to our community, I was shocked. Not that I haven’t seen it frequently, but when I look at it on visits home, I see it through the eyes of love. It’s seen with the teachers, cooks, janitors who worked there and loved the children they taught. Who gave a hug when needed and a swat when needed. I hear the noise of chili suppers, plays and operettas performed yearly and see the ghosts of children running on the playground. When this site opened it was an opportunity that we had been looking for. To meet up with old friends, new friends, people who came before you were there and after you left. It has started at least three other Richland Sites, one which is trying to organize clean up groups to help the elderly still living there and one trying to organize a reunion. It took our memories back in time to when we dared mortality to find us. When friendships were made and never broken. When we could run barefoot thru the creeks and play kick the can at night. We were able to picture our parents and friends as we knew them then. It’s been interesting to see how people find this site and have been drifting to it over the last several months. By printing this picture you have given a gift to the people from what we lovingly call the Richland bottoms and ourselves Richland River Rats. I thank you for that.
May 9th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Right on Julie H.B. ! l am sure that we all second,third and fourth that emotion …well said fellow RRR,well said !
May 11th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Nice job julie and well said and so true.
May 11th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Wow-that was very touching.
May 12th, 2010 at 1:22 am
Thank you girls for your kind words. Fighting insomnia again tonight so got back up for a while. The Smithsonia Magazine just devoted several pages to how our memories are formed and how we retain them. Trying to find something to help with traumatic stress syndrome. An interesting idea to me was that each time we recall a memory, it is altered a bit. So that over a period of time, if more than one person is recalling the same memory, it will be different for all of them. And if a memory is recalled over and over, it can be altered to where what was a happy time is now a sad time. I tried to make sense of it but my poor uneducated brain wasn’t able to wrap around it enough to make sense. Just feel that most of us have a lot more happy memories hanging around than sad ones or is it that those are the ones we chose to remember.
Donna, I feel you are right about facebook. Too many times when I’m on it, I just feel sad – not depressed exactly, just sad. Maybe because so many things can be interpretated differently. So on that note, I’m asking my friends on here to e-mail if you want to be in touch. You all have my e-mail address and I’ll stay in touch that way. I miss the laughing and joking that we all used to do. Please try to stay healty, happy and try to buy a winning lottery ticket. Love Julie
May 14th, 2010 at 2:19 am
Nothing new to write about. Just felt the need to say hello to everyone.
My anniversary present to Ray on Wednesday was to stay off the computer for 24 hours. Think I managed it, but pretty addicted to the Free Cell game. Windows 7 has one million games that I’m determined to get thru. So back to it.
May 14th, 2010 at 10:49 am
good luck with that one Julie.Day off today done ome cleaning and thats about it.
May 15th, 2010 at 12:45 am
1 MILLION GAMES SHOULD KEEP YOU OCCUPIED FOR AWHILE. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. LOVE YOU.
May 15th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
You would think so wouldn’t you. I’ve been visiting the bottoms today in my mind so have been up and down. So many happy things to remember and that is what I am trying to focus on. Doctor’s tests haven’t shown anything but problem still persists. Waiting to see what he is going to do next. He’s like a dog with a bone. Still insists that therapy is what I should have. I’ve tried explaining that I do know what the problem is and facing it anymore than I have, isn’t the answer. Sweet, sweet Natalie called this morning and she has conquered bike riding. A biggie when you’re 6. May all her problems stay that small.
By the way I’m up to 6500 games. Long long way to go. Julie
May 16th, 2010 at 12:25 am
You should spend more time with the grandkids while they are still kids. (Just my opinion) You’ll hit a million (games not kids) before you know it. You probably don’t care but there are hundreds, maybe thousands of games on Facebook. I really like playing Family Feud. I haven’t seen a Jeapordy game. Feel better soon. Love ya.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Believe me, I would spend 24/7 with them if I could. We must have raised the kids to be too independent. They left to spread their wings and stayed. The last thing I need is to start another game on the computer. Today I feel like a Hank Williams song – just pick one – anyone will do. But this week, we’re going to do at least one fun thing each day. We’ll take turns deciding what it will be just as long it’s something at home or somewhere very close. Wasn’t their a twin boy and girl who lived in the 6 or 700 block of Munson named Greenleaf? Seems like the boys name was Eric. They were (again) quite a bit younger than me probably closer to your age. Not sure why that name popped into this head of mine but suddenly it was there. Are you working this week? Love ya back.
May 16th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Mom – you guys should go bowling! You used to be a champion!!!
May 16th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
I don’t remember that name. I went back to work May 3. Hasn’t been too bad yet. Got my first ck for half a pay period. Not bad. It will be the end of September before we know it. I agree with Amy, go bowl, walk to DQ or along the river if there is a river walk. What are some Hank Williams’ songs? Going to bed. Hey did you get my chat message when you were on FB earlier? I just asked how you were feeling. Have a good night.
May 17th, 2010 at 12:50 am
Guess I didn’t. You’re the bowler. I have only bowled once or twice with the kids in the past 30 years. I’m not sure what Ray has planned for tomorrow. Amy, we went to Carlos for brunch this morning and Jackie came over and said you wrote on her web site. Must have been the mention of coconut cream pie. Oh Hank Williams can take care of any mood. He sang Jumbalya, Kawliga, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, I Saw the Light and so so many others. And he wrote most of them.
Don’t make it September, we haven’t even had summer yet. Guess I’ll go back to bed and see if sleep will come. If not, I’m not going back on the computer. Reading a book I need to finish. You ever find being on the computer makes you sad?
May 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I really am glad when I find the time to read this site; I don’t visit the other one anymore (lost the link) – Natalie and her two wheeler, huh? Exciting stuff. It’s reading these blogs, most of the FB things, etc. that put a big smile on my face! Julie – enjoy your daily fun things — I remember your dance lessons you and Ray did; I had fun watching!
May 17th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Today it was rainy and cool and just plain dreary. Ray picked watching an old black and white movie. Something we used to do on rainy days. The movie was “Red, White & Blue”, name had nothing to do with the movie but it starred a young Betty Hutton. Then he taped two more movies. Told him that doesn’t accomplish anything if he tapes two movies for every one we watch. We will never live long enough to watch all the ones he has taped already. Take care.
May 17th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
I do not not remember the name you asked adout earlier either julie.Hope you guys are enjoying your daily things.What makes you sad on facebook i like Gayle enjoy the facebook page some of the pictures i have never seen so have been enjoying them.Maybe something you could do is make more picture frames with all the pictures you have i have done that and it was fun to do.Don got me two huge frames for christmas so i did one with his family nd one for mine.It was fun for me.Looking forward to the reunion and hoping lots show up.Everyone have a good nite.
May 17th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
memories can be both sad and happy but most of us has said, they are what has made us what we are. hope you slept better last night and will tonight. What is your plan for fun tomorrow?
May 17th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
If I sleep tonight and wake up early enough and the “stress” isn’t bothering me, we will probably go to Harrah’s in Joliet. Then Thursday will be my day again and the “fun” thing is going to the dentist at 8:50 in the morning. I don’t think that should count, do you? Maybe we’ll go up to Trader Joe’s where Ray buys a case of “One Buck Chuck” Only the wine isn’t that cheap in the midwest – only in California. But still pretty cheap. I don’t like it but there is always something interesting to pick up there when we go – like imported chocolates. Just understand that we’re not going to tell you all the fun things we have planned.
May 18th, 2010 at 6:41 am
If Kyle and I decided on each picking one fun thing to do each day, we would be at each other’s throats after the first two – most times although we do occasionally select things to do we both enjoy. I had trouble sleeping last night myself so I got up at 10 til 5 (after going to bed at 11:30) and walked the dogs with Kyle. Then did my Mahjonged.com – really am hooked on that. I have lots more pictures to scan but need Kyle to show me how again. Another big project I have to do is to put all our DVD home videos on the computer – but that is when I’m ready for a big crying jag; they are mostly when Michael lived with us and it was such a fun time – he was a little over 1 when he and Shelley moved here from Vegas so he learned to walk here. Now at 14 – WOW … I did get a chuckle about Natalie’s breakup and then reading Byron’s – Mike was “broken up with” twice last week and he didn’t even know he was going “out” — One girl asked him to the 8th grade dance and he said he had to ask him mom (because he was waiting for an answer from the one girl he asked) so the girl who asked him said they were not going out any more and I did not get details on the second one. Mike is just going to go; we bought him a suit – he wanted to rent a tux but we didn’t do that. Sam’s end of grade school dance has a Mardi Gras theme so he thought he should wear that type of clothes; we looked but had no luck so when we told Shelley, she said no – it was regular dressy clothes but could be Mardi Gras colors. We have them so rarely any more we don’t have time to do all the things we would like. I really want to go gambling sometime soon so I guess it will have to be one of the days we are in Peoria. I do think Kyle is going to take off one day to drive to St. Louis while we play cards at Larry’s or wherever…but we will get to the boat and Davis Brothers, I’m sure. I’ve been having really bad stomach issues myself and haven’t eaten much (at least since Saturday’s PMI picnic) but Shelley, Karen, Aaron, Kyle, and I got sick after eating some potato salad but mine tummy still is not right. Gosh – guess I’ve chatted more than enough…worky worky time. Love to all, g. Oh, is it mandatory to mention Richland memories? Can’t wait to see everyone…
May 18th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Just read on the Richland blog that a reunion (get together) is being planned for August 28 at noon at Fondulac Park. I don’t think everyone is on that blog so be sure and check it.
May 18th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
That’s also on Facebook. Planner’s meeting this Saturday. Sorry you didn’t have good time at Harrah’s. You don’t have to tell me everything. I will leave that to my imagination. Hopefully it is even better than I can imagine. Have a better night.
May 21st, 2010 at 10:47 am
Where are the updates on Face Book about the planning of the reunion?? l can not find it on the Richland pages??
May 21st, 2010 at 11:40 am
Hoping that the reunion turns out well for all involved and that Mrs. Serkowich is able to be there. If she is, she will remember all of you. Sounds like this would make a good human interest story for the newspaper.
There is something called “Land Memory”. You feel best on the land you and your family grew up on. No matter what happens to us or the land we still feel best there. If you spent your childhood there, playing, laughing, walking to school, or church you had as much right to the land memory as anyone else.
May 21st, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Donna, look in my friends and find Sue Walker. She has most of the info abt the reunion.
May 22nd, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Thanks , Sweet Bette, will do.
May 22nd, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Thanks , Sweet Bet, will do .
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:43 am
Our week of doing a fun thing each day didn’t turn out to bad. Wednesday we went to Harrah’s for a hour. Thursday, I had a dentist appointment and didn’t think that should count, so I tried to see how many people I could tick off. That was pretty easy. Friday we played cards in the afternoon. We won two games of euchre and two games of double deck pinochle (without cheating, Joe) and today went to Madison to watch Natalie play her version of soccer and have lunch with them. Nothing planned for this week, just the same o-same o. Missing everyone. No one seems to be writing much anywhere. Julie
May 23rd, 2010 at 3:12 pm
See ya on facebook once in awhile and try to chat with you. Not much going on. Looking forward to the reunion. What are you bringing?
May 25th, 2010 at 9:33 am
We lost a river rat yesterday Delmar Woolard passed away yesterday.He hasnt been good for awhile now .RIP Delmar .
May 25th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Amen! Thanks for the info Mary ….someone said on FB that we lost David Stroud also this week. Ride on R.Raiders !
May 25th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I was reading some old entries and came across one that Amy wrote saying that this site was a “happy place”. And it was. Most of the time reading or writing entries, I was smiling or laughing out loud. Someone was always joking or teasing and I think we mostly did have fun. I miss that. I don’t sense that on the other blogs. I am glad that so many people have joined with us river rats and do hope that the reunion is very successful. It would be great to have one every couple of years. Feel that most of ones on the sites went to Richland in the mid 50s to early 60s and we just missed being classmates by a couple of years. I’ve enjoyed all the pictures. Found some old ones of mine that I will try to post when my kids come home and show me how to do it. I’m getting tired of the doctors trying to figure out what’s the matter with me so Ray and I have decided to take off for 2 or 3 weeks the middle of June. Hopefully more people will have joined in when we return. Even though you said you would be back later, can’t see where you are writing on any of the blogs Joe. I miss you and your silliness and our chats but guess you are doing what is best for you. Hope everything is okay with you and your family. Would be great to have you back tho. I tried for a while to participate on the other blogs but it never seemed to work out. It has never been a “happy place” for me. Understand there has been storms in the Peoria area tonight. We just have the heat and a non-working a/c. At least it wasn’t working until this afternoon. Everyone behave and take care of yourselves. Later. Julie
May 27th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Hi Guys , Just thought l would check in and leave info on Delmar Woolard’s guest book if you would all like to go sign it etc. l used to babysit for Delamr when he lived across the street from his folks on Franklin street { l mistakenly put Monson , on my entry in his book } …the site is http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookID=6554263247194&page=5
Later Taters
Hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer sun ….we can do without the humidity but hey , the sun’s a start !
May 29th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Memorial Day Weekend- After giving thanks for all the military, what are we left with. Well here it’s hockey, baseball, NASCAR, prepping for Indy 500. When did celebrating our military become a sportin weekend? Feeling pretty bummed out today after a great day yesterday so slept most of the day. Up to over 7500 free cell games completed with a 69% winning percentage. Probably be 8000 before I get to bed. Anybody hear how the count is coming along for the reunion? We won’t be there this year but hope it continues every couple of years. Jeez Donna, there is hardly anyone left my age now. Stop adding more names.
May 29th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Hey Julie – why will you and Ray not be at the reunion? I’ve been looking forward to seeing you both (well, not just me but the rest of the family who will be there, too). Do you guys have other plans that Saturday?
May 30th, 2010 at 12:16 am
Just wrote a long comment on Helferich page but it couldn’t be added for some reason. This computer must be trying to run my life also. No we won’t be there on the 5th. I haven’t slept well in so long I’ve lost count and haven’t eaten right since the week before Easter. Just think it is best for me to stay home. Everyone will have a grand time. Am I mad at anyone – of course not. Know haven’t talked to you on the phone for quite a while but Ray is very protective of my sleep and sometimes, just feel too sad to talk. Wrote more but that’s enough on this site.
May 30th, 2010 at 8:02 am
unbelievable is all i can say
June 1st, 2010 at 9:51 am
love is unconditional. remember that. life takes us all on different journeys and at times we don’t understand where we are or why we are there. During those times, we just hope that those who love us will support us and even if they don’t fully understand – they will try. Family is in the heart and the journey almost always leads back home…..
June 1st, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Another early morning tomorrow. Have to be at hospital for another test. That’s the last one scheduled and then the meetings with the doctors start. Who knows, don’t even much care anymore. Just so tired of all of this. But just read where Mother Teresa said that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. Just wish he didn’t think I was so strong. Have a good evening and stay dry amidst all our midwestern storms.
June 1st, 2010 at 9:31 pm
I’ve read a lot of the comments, but has there been a verdict on when this school opened and closed? I’ve only been in Peoria for a year and I’ve got to say it’s very strange the way this neighborhood is cut-off and very different from the rest of East Peoria and Creve Coeur. Much more interesting than the new mall.
You guys sound very lucky to be from what you call a “not rich” neighborhood but have the opportunity to go to such a great school. Especially in a neighborhood that is a real community, not just a bunch of houses. I don’t think that’s very common anymore. Too bad you had to go to a crummy high school though.
June 1st, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Julie, you take care. Hopefully there will be something definitive for you. The not knowing is the worst. Love you.
June 2nd, 2010 at 12:41 am
I don’t think our high school was crummy just very very large for what we had grown up with. Not sure when the school opened. My best guess would be mid to late 30s. How did you discover this web page? Since its inception at least three others have been added with additional “river rats” and a reunion is being planned on one of them.
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Julie, how did your test go today?
June 3rd, 2010 at 2:04 am
Okay, I think. At least it’s over. I was looking thru old pictures today to try and find some with Mark in them to send to Nicole. Came across some of the same ones Gayle posted today. I’m going to try and post some when the kids get home to show me how. Erik called to talk about the hockey game and said he was showing them to Natalie. She was interested in about the first couple and then asked if she could get down and go play. I felt about the same way. Into 8000 of Free Cell but think I will read for awhile. Take care.
June 3rd, 2010 at 8:34 pm
I think this is one of the sites Joe Denny sometimes visits. If you do, Joe, I asked Lynda to post a picture of you and me to the Richland Grand School Facebook page that was taken in December 1980 (after Dad died) … hope that was okay; I should have asked permission first…
June 4th, 2010 at 2:13 am
Amy sweetheart, thanks for your unconditional love. It’s hard for some of the family to understand why we won’t be there next Saturday but hopefully it will all work out. Trying to get everything ready to leave next Wednesday or Thursday. We might see Gayle and Kyle sometime then. I think you met Joe the same time as someone took the picture of them. Should really try to go to sleep. Have a lot to do tomorrow. Love ya
June 5th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Is everyone safe? Nasty storm just passed thru here that had us in our basement for a short time. Most of the family was in Peoria today for a family reunion. My niece sent some pictures but doesn’t look like everyone made it. They were also having very bad weather. No one has let me know if all made it back home okay.
No , I mean no, sleep last night. Played games for a while then couldn’t find any book that hadn’t already been read so I started back at the beginning of this and it almost reads like a novel. Several interesting chapters and characters. No heros or villians were designated so the mind was free to associate any way it wanted. But it was fun reading it again all at once and like most books that I read, hated to leave the characters behind when I finished. Or is it finished? don’t know.
Late this morning the doctor’s office called and one of the tests I had taken, now warrants a different test. Going to tell them to forget about it but have already invested so much time and insurance that might as well see it to thru to the end. Afraid it’s going to interfere with our trip.
Let me know if you all survived the night storms because even Arkansas wasn’t immune. I’ll be worrying.
June 6th, 2010 at 8:40 am
We all made it thru the night. Lots of damage in Elmwood. There was a tornado touchdown by Mccluggage Bridge, the one off 116. Think everyone is ok. Talked to Larry and he said Gary was ok. Lynda was saying on facebook that everyone there was ok. Bill and Char and kids, and Chris and tina and kids left before the storm and hopefully they made it home. When are you having your other test? Missed you a lot yesterday. Was great to see Liz, Darren and Trevor.
June 7th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
I see all my aunts here talking about Miss Serkowich. Of course I am a lot younger then my family on here. I too also had Miss Serkowich back when I went to Lincoln Grade School. She was a substitute by then. It was always nice having a teacher that taught so many of my family members. It was nice to talk to her about my family when they were younger. I think I may have went into the old school once with my dad and uncles to play a game of basketball.
Onto the tunnel. I remember that oh to well. I remember Grandma Helferich getting all of us together when the weather got bad and going into the tunnel. I do not know if it really was a safe place. I do remember feeling safe in there though. It was a sad day when they sealed up the old tunnel. Why did they do that? I never really got a straight answer on that. My friend Jeff and I and the help from my old neighbor are the ones that put that basketball hoop up. Its amazing that its still standing after over 15 years. We had a lot of fun playing basketball all day. Heck we would even play at night thanks to that street light that was there above us.
June 7th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Kendra and I made it home safe. We left a few hours before the storm. The town north of where I live, Streator, suffered a lot of damage as well. It was pretty nasty by what I read. I was happy our local CBS affiliate stayed on with the weather. Was nice to watch where the storms were heading and letting us know everything we needed to know. The family reunion was a lot of fun. Was nice seeing everyone. Its been a very good many years since I seen a few of you’s. Thank you for the invite.
June 7th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
How grown up you sound Larry. It would have been nice to see you on Saturday but I was the one that wasn’t there. All the family seemed to really like Kendra. Have you set a wedding date? Think all of us were impressed with Saturday’s storm. Seemed to travel straight across Route 17. Dwight is 30 miles west of us. Aroma Park just a few miles East. So we were fortunate. Never even lost power. We are driving to Florida on Friday and hope the weather stays nice for the drive.
June 8th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Okay, I’m going to write this in daylight so I can’t blame it on being up and awake at 2 in the morning. I believe the tests were fine. At least the radiologist told me to go on the trip and have a good time.
It seems like in the past 6 months, I have managed to upset a great many family members and friends. We all get depressed at one time or another but manage to shake it off and move on. But you can’t control depression, it controls you, and you have to hope that your family and friends are understanding.
This site has been a godsend and I have appreciated it. After we get back around the end of June, I don’t think I’m going to write on it anymore. It has been fun sharing in the memories with all of you but no one seems interested in doing that anymore and it’s depressing being on here by myself. The other sites are interesting to read but seems I have nothing to share on them. Donna you keep up the good fight because it may be people will drift over there like some have on here. I will still read yours occasionally. And we did have fun, didn’t we?
June 8th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I love you so much Mom. I had a lot of fun reading your entries on here along with everyone else’s. I know I had fun – just being a child of a proud River Rat. I truly do believe that even if you have upset friends and family, that the frustration/anger/confusion etc. is only temporary. It’s so incredibly tough to understand depression – when you are the one suffering from it and when you are a loved one trying to cope with and understand it. We all want to be able to make everything better. Or believe we have the answers that will help ease the pain. And maybe those suggestions are good ones and even the right ones. But you are the only one who can make those decisions and I will say it again – I love you and support you. And, ofcourse, I also experience the very funny, loving, smart and HAPPY woman you are too. You are that woman. Always have been and always will be. The depression is a part of you but it is NOT all of you. I love ALL of you. Now go have an incredible time on your vacation. I can’t wait to hear all about it. All my love, Amy
June 8th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Hi aunt Julie. Yes we have set a wedding day. It is fast approaching. The big day is July 5th of this year. I am excited about it. I know she is the one. We compliment each other so nicely. Where I am strong she is weak. Where she is weak, I am strong. I am sure you feel that way about uncle Ray. I missed you at the family reunion as well. One day maybe I can venture up to Kankakee and see you guys. I was up there not long ago with my mom but didn’t know how to get a hold of you. God bless and drive safe to Florida.
June 9th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Love you Julie. Be safe on your trip. Whether I express it well enough or not, I do understand some of what you are going thru and hope being away makes you feel better.
June 9th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
did you watch the hockey game? Now we won’t have to worry about Friday’s game. Ray should be much more relaxed driving. Getting a clean report from the radiologist made me feel better.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Think I’m going to shut down and unplug the computer now. Big thanks to all of you who wished us a safe trip.
June 12th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Hope you are sleeping whereever you are.
June 21st, 2010 at 11:19 pm
didn’t do too bad considering. It was a great vacation in spite of the awful heat and the awful pictures. If anything can make you face up to your age it would be your pictures. Funny but I don’t feel like I’m going to be 69 in a few weeks. Made me realize how foolish I’ve been on this site. Know I can never be that 21 year old girl again but it was good to feel that way if even for just a few minutes. Storms are over for now so going to try to get some sleep if possible. In a word that I’ve heard before. Later
June 21st, 2010 at 11:24 pm
good night. I thought your pictures were nice.
June 25th, 2010 at 1:47 am
Our pictures weren’t nice. Erik took very good pictures however. Went for a walk this evening and Elizabeth was working in her yard. Chloe the goat was outside with her along with the three dogs. One dog was in the house. Chloe is quite friendly and does follow Liz like she is her mother. These animals are in town in their house and the two horses are boarded at a farm. Finally getting laundry done and house straightened out but not sleeping as you can tell. Finally a decent day and maybe two more to come. What kind of wedding is Larry and Kendra having and where is it going to be. When and where is Ashley planning her party? After l:00, I tend to just ramble. so later. Julie
June 25th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Wedding is in flanagan on July 5. The party is July 10th. Not a surprise anymore.
Hope you are having a better night.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
If I know one thing about memories, it is that it is more likely people remember the good things and not so much the bad; that is the case with me in general. I know there were really tough times at home when we were growing up – some pretty bad ones, some embarrassing ones. School was not always great – I hated “dress up day” where the girls wore their angora sweaters and other beautiful things; I remember Lynda, Brenda, and me wearing the same clothes every three days — that was one reason I think we each went to a different bus stop. My preference though is to remember the best times and we had many. Although we did not typically voice it, I did love my sisters and brothers back then and love them more today. On any vacation when I see Maple Street I always smile and think of “home”…Love ya, Gayle
June 26th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Hey , Gayle !☺
l think your comment was very sweet and you expressed sentiments that a lot of us could identify with . l do think that it is the good memories that we do tend to share more with others …lt is not that we are looking back with rose colored classes and actually believing that everything was wonderful and perfect with no bad experiences to be had. l think it was just more that the bad memories we HAD to live through and can’t change .Lived and endured through, but really don’t wish to recall since, really, once was enough to go through them. Why repeat a painful experience ? l think sometimes it helps to acknowledge that we all had them, though , so that others, possibly, can identify and maybe don’t feel like they are alone with their own , possibly painful, memories .Rather than thinking that we lived such a different reality than they did . l think we all had similar experiences ,peppered with differences and degrees of good and bad and l do think it helps to share them . Sometimes we discovered something new in the memories ourselve in the sharing of them . A clearer understanding of things as they actually were maybe , in hind-sight , looking back . l enjoy your sharing and all the folks here who have shared.Have a blessed night and a happy tomorrow .
June 27th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Hello Aunt Julie. Kendra and I are just having a small wedding at our church. Nothing big. Her parents and my mom, sisters and I did invite my dad. We didnt go all out. The other party is here in Flanagan at the community building. It wasnt a surprise to me. My mom told me about it.
June 27th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
There’s no doubt that we like to remember the “good” memories. Who wouldn’t want to do that. But remembering the good memories, will also call up the ones that weren’t always so good. And like it’s been said before, we really don’t have much of a choice in what our brain choses to remember and when it remembers. We can chose to remember the good ones and push the ones not so good as far back as possible but they will still resurface when least expected. And also it is the good and the bad that has shaped us into what we have become. I’m actually glad that is relatively early tonight. Who knows what I would be writing if it was after 2 in the morning when my “evil” twin tends to take over.
Larry and Kendra, I wish you much happiness with your marriage and hope we will be able to make it to your celebration. “later” julie
July 4th, 2010 at 1:13 am
It’s like all family and friends have moved on. Pretty much tired of writing to myself. I really must have irritated a lot of people in these last four months. Not too many writing on the other sites either and just don’t enjoy face book. Over 9,000 free cell games so that isn’t exciting anymore. Not sure “later” will ever be back so guess it’s time to call it quits on this site. When my family and friends decide they miss me and want to write can be reached by e-mail. julie
July 9th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
My mind has been wondering today and find myself coming back to this site where I have been most comfortable. It was the first of the Richland sites where we found out what had happened to our friends, could ask and answer questions, explore our little area of the world, where the school and churches were a vital part of our lives, before the union hall and tunnel were built, before houses were moved, burned or destroyed. And in our minds and hearts, we were young again if just for a little while. I admire the other sites and their plans for reunions but can’t feel a part of it. Probably because I am so much older than they are. And with a birthday coming up, do feel older. Joe, I worry about you and wonder if you are in good health. Thought about calling you but had deleted your phone number like you asked and seem to have lost the paper that I had it written down on. If you could call, my # is 815-939-2166. I miss your knowledge of all things Richland and your ability to always make me laugh. Donna, your site was a continuation of this one with a little more privacy. And sweet little Deanie tries to keep our spirits up with her forwards. Even though I only had 2 hours of sleep this morning, I did not turn the computer on and am writing this in the middle of the afternoon instead of the middle of the night when I might write anything. Wish I enjoyed face book more. It is great for looking at pictures of my beautiful nieces and nephews. Larry’s son just got married and Judy’s grand daughter is getting married next summer. It’s enjoyable watching them grow up. And am hoping there are a lot more birthdays so I can continue to see the family grow. Said I wasn’t going to write on this site anymore but here I am again. julie
July 13th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Happy birthday to my sister, Julie, tomorrow. Have a great day.
July 15th, 2010 at 2:33 am
Thank you, Bettie. The day was very good, almost perfect. If I could get to sleep tonight, it would be better. Wish I understood why sleep is so elusive. This is going on the third night with only 2 hours of sleep. Will be shutting off the computer and trying again. Friday it will be a year since my friend Kara died. Such a waste of a young mother but just have to believe she went to a better place. Thinking about her last year won’t make it easy to sleep now. Take care.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I went to Richland for the first grade. However, my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc. lived in the Richland area up till I was in high school. I do remember the “mom and pop” grocery stores and there were several while I was growing up. Poppins (near Clark Street), Speacies (sp?), Hagey’s, Tom George Store on Center Street, Anthony’s across from Gate 4, and the one on Chicago Street. This is the one I used the most as my Grandma Clatt lived about a half a block away. I can vividly remember going to the store with 50 cents and coming back with 3 bottles of soda, a loaf of bread, and enough baloney to feed 4 people. I remember a lot of the kids from the 40′s. Weavers, Denneys, Bevards, Millers, Walkers, Frenchs, Roachs, Freys, Richys, Fiends. I think every house in Richland had at least one kid. It was a nice area and all of the houses and yards were neat and clean. While I didn’t live there past the first grade I spent many a summer and Holidays with my grandmother and knew and played with a lot of the kids. Of course, we all came together again at Central Jr. High and then in High School. My house is still standing at 422 Cass.
Just stumbled of the web site and it brough back a lot of fond memories. Dan Shute was the Principal and my first grade teacher was Grace Tjaden ( the best teacher I ever had) Enough for now, I will check back again to see if there have been some new entries.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
So Jay, about how old would you be? By the Richy’s, do you mean Helferich. That is my family. We lived across the street from the union hall. It’s always nice to find new people on this site. Welcome aboard. There’s a Richland page on facebook as well.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
There were twins and they were friends of Al Breummer.
I am 73. When I went to school the Union Hall was not there and Don and Fred Weaver lived across from the school.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Finally someone who is older than me tho but not by much. Just turned 69. Did you know the Crosnos? They were younger also but Donna has a website that is mostly for Richlandites. If you are interested, she will send you her website. Bettie is my sister. She only lived in the house on Maple but we moved there from Sanford Street. I don’t think there is anyone who lived in Richland who doesn’t have fond memories of it.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
No, I don’t know that name. I went to Washington Grade School (which by the way is still standing, but hasn’t been a puplic school for many years now) so I only knew kids that lived by my grandma – Richie Friend, Tom Miller, Shelby Bevard, Chuck French, Jim Frey, the Richy twins, Al Breummer, Chuck Nichols. My Aunt was a teacher at Richland (Lois Clatt). Another Aunt, Velma Dorich-Neff lived on Edmund Street by Speacies Market. Another Aunt Verla Parrot lived over by Poppins Market near Clark Street. Do you remember Charly Lang’s Gas Station at the corner of Chicago and Monson? My Uncle “Tubby” Neff ran the Center Tap for many years. I just heard the Cleon Tucker passed away. They were are neighbors when I lived on Cass Street. I was out of High School when you arrived, I graduated in 1955.
July 17th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Mrs Clatt was your aunt, huh. I was lucky enough not to have her for 5th grade but when I went to Central, she was my 8th grade teacher and ended up liking her quite a lot. Sorry didn’t mean to indicate you are old. I was just surprised someone was writing who wasn’t one of the “younger”bunch. Remember Charley Lang’s gas station very well. And the Center Tap was the favorite place for my parents to go when they would go out for a little while in the evening. Joe Genusa’s Wild Goose was where they went when we lived on Sanford St. Do you remember the free movies he would show outside on Friday nights, or the cookouts that Species would have at Halloween. It was a great time to be kid and a great place to grow up.
July 17th, 2010 at 12:18 am
No, I don’t rember the free shows, but I do remember the Wild Goose. I think it was on Cass Street about a block or so from where I lived. I believe is was nicknamed the “Bucket of Blood” because there were so many fights. I am not sure which Tavern was which but I do know there was one by that name. My Uncle Tubby also owned Clannons Court – not a particularly nice place. He also owned the Auction House where Schmidts Skating Rink was. Do you remember the “Windmill” restruant beside the old skating rink? You must have went to school with one of the Bevards – Sharon, Shiela, Shannon, Sheldon?
July 17th, 2010 at 12:32 am
I know the names as friends of my sisters and brothers. Especially Shannon for some reason. Skating Rink-yes and the restaurant. We mostly hung out at Kenny’s restaurant in downtown EP. There were so many of us, I was 2nd oldest so most of the time I was watching the little ones. Older sister has passed on. She was Judy Helferich and would have been at least at high school same time as you were. Pat Tate would have been there too. Where was Clannons Court? I remember a alley off of Sanford St that was full of houses that were rented. How about the Donaldson’s. They lived around there and had several boys. The youngest was my age but the older ones were Clarence & Donnie.
July 17th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Hi Guys !
Julie l am so glad that your persistance paid off for you as our newcomer , Jay { WELCOME} seems to share a lot with you .☺ That is great . Jay you are welcome to view the other site if you wish { email Flame2250@yahoo.com} and l will be glad to send it to you.
l am 60 years old but l do remember a lot of what you and Julie have been sharing with us . We called Charlie Lange’s Gas station “POPS” and he and his wife Ruthie { and her cats ☺ } were part of most anyone reminicing about the Richland area during the 50′sand 60s memories also .
Kenny’s resturaunt used to be a hangout for us too ,as was Mac’s Cafe and Newells among other places through the years. l am so glad you too are sharing . l will step back now and just enjoy your input . There must be a dose of magic to this website as it seems to draw old Richland-iters home , sometimes one at a time and at their own time ☺ Great !♥♥
July 18th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Jay AVERY ? Any relation to Gail Avery? You wouldn’t be “TIPPY” , would you ?
July 19th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Yes, Gail is my brother and yes Tippy was my nickname. When I went to Washington grade school, my mother insisted that I be called Jay. From then on, mostly only the immediate family called me that and as I got to be a teenager, it had virtually disappeared.
My cousins the Parrots lived on Fisher Street and then later on Clark Street.
My Grandma Clatt was a very close friend of Ruth Lange.
Also, I had cousins that lived on Center Street– the Clatt’s, Corwin (Cornie), Barry, and Wendall.
I remember the Stouts (Marilyn, Peggy, Jack, Bill, and Donna), The Tollivers (Carol and Bill), the twins that lived next to the church on Center Street, Carl Dane, Darrel Eyman, Dick Glossick, Fishers, Redmans, Moores.
As I said, I m moved when I was 7 to Fairview Avenue, but I had so many relatives in Richland that I spent a lot of time there especially in the summers. A lot of good kids from there, sorry to see how much it has changed over the years, but then that is how it goes.
Yes, I remember the Donaldsons – Jack was near my age. Yes, that is where Clannon’s Court was. It was named after the guy that managed for my Uncle.
July 19th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
My Brother Gail worked at Kenny’s. My wife’s father owned Brownfield’s Resturant. I am sure you remember the Luxe Theatre. I spent many evenings there when my mother bowled at the Bowlaro. Of course, almost every Saturday morning for the westerns and the serials. 9 cents to get in, 5 cent candy, what a time?
July 19th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
I had a friend named Betty Sherman who lived in Clannon’s Ct. We spent a lot of time at the Luxe Theater. Take a quarter, get in for a Lash LaRue western and still be able to buy candy. And loved those serials. They would end one weekend with the hero falling off a cliff and start the next weekend with him standing on the other side of the cliff. They really knew how to do cliff hangers then. We used to get back to the bottoms quite frequently when my parents were still living and were able to see a lot of the changes happening. But not so much anymore. We might go as far as the cemetary and stop at Davis Bro Pizza but it’s really quite sad. How did you ever stumble on to this site?
July 19th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Jay , Thanks so much for sharing , putting a little , fresh, “old” blood in the place ☺ Was Elvina still at the Bowlaro back then ? She was quite a character . l can’t really remember for sure if it was “Brownfields” { aka;Brownies} or Kenny’s that l took my cousin to for her last plate of onion rings . She had terminal cancer and wanted those onion rings so badly as she had eaten them befor , l was just a teenager and she wasn’t a lot older than me …anyway,so we went , she ordered and GOD allowed her that enjoyment . She had passed by the next year so no more trips for onion rings for us . l used to think of that ,and her, every time we drove or walked by, but then they tore most of downtown East Peoria up or down and l never ate onion rings a lot after that, but when ever l have l think of that incident . l think all of us from the 40s-50-60′s era really enjoyed such a unique time in such a unique place that makes up the Richland phanonamon…like the line in Stand By Me , something about he “never had friends like the ones he had when he was 12 , but heck , did anyone really ever have .” l think that applies to this , Richland phenomenon thing..you can add or subtract a few years but the essence was there , then ,and never really has been since. l can tell you , l for one, love the moments that we all bring them to life again , no matter how short lived , it is such an indescribable feeling and that feeling can take you a long ways . Another one of those , “you have to fill it or live it to understand it ” things .l know we all had our share of unpleasant memories from back then too , but overall, and that not with-standing ,it was a truly unique thing to have experienced .
Please keep sharing .
July 19th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Geesh , l just wrote a long post and hit submit and now it is gone ! lf it comes in later, l apologize for repeating . l just basically wanted Jay to know how much l enjoyed his posts and his bringing his new”old” blood into the site with some fresh “old” memories .
We were all truly blessed to have lived when and where we did with the people , characters, and places we had . Sharing the Richland Phenomenon of you had to have lived it and experienced it to understand it .Please keep sharing and caring ..it keeps those dying embers alight .
July 20th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I found the site by asking the question, “When was Richland School built and when did it close”. Obviously, this is not a well known set of dates.
Once I got there I saw that there was some interesting memories from some people I remembered (Joe Denney) in particular. He and I played basketball together with Erwin Ray and others. Also, I drive through there a couple times a year to just reflect on my beginnings. It is always a good feeling to be able to go back and see some of the buildings and homes that were there when I was growing up. Something that I have never changed in my life is knowing where I came from and the people I grew up with. I know as time goes by, we all get farther away from relatives and friends, but it is nice to reflect back on those simpler, kinder, gentler times when we were growing up. Wally and Clarice Miller ran the Bowlairo. I think she probably got onion rings from Kenney’s. My father-in-law (Brownie) was famous for his hash browns. His were the best in the world (and I have had some experience overseas). The next best was Bailey’s Tavern right nest to the RR track. I worked at the Camera Shop that was next door to Bailey and across the street from Kaufmans. The camera shop was in the same building as Paluska’s Plumbing. I remember well when Davis Brothers opened with some of the earliest Pizza in the Peoria area. The other early Pizza place was Radio City Tap in Marquette Heights. I remember when the river was flooding and all of the Caterpillar people + others were filling sand bags to keep Richland from flooding and on that occassion they were successful. It was long after that, that Caterpillar and the Government build the levee that is there now.
July 20th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
It is enjoyable to listen to someone else reminese about the bottoms. Everyone I know that grew up there is fiercely proud of their heritage. I do rememer Brownfield’s restaurant and the old downtown. I worked for a while at the old Sputnut Shop owned by Bob Welte. He ended up marrying a friend of mine, Madonna Ellis Housbrough. Brother Bill worked at the original Davis Brothers Pizza when he was in highschool. If you’ve read all the entries on this site probably discovered we all have a lot of the memories just slightly different due to age. Remember when Sanford St was paved. The flood when almost everyone had to move out. The Levee being built. Really do enjoy “taking my mind, back in time” Who did you marry? I was in a highschool class with a girl whose last name was Brownfield.
July 20th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I married Nancy Brownfield
July 20th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I married Nancy Brownfield – Class of 58
July 20th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
I was a year older. It seems like she might have been in one of my business classes. The name is sure familiar to me.
July 20th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
First of all guys ..have you read on the Peorians page that he is giving up on his bloggs ?? He is a little dissallusioned tight now l am afraid
. Go read it and give him some support he has been so good to all of us !
Hi Jay ! and Julie …geesh l enjoyed your post! Junie Baily { Baily’s Tavern} was a friend of mine growing up { knew Judy ,Julie and baby Freddy too} and Vickie Ray { Erwin’s sister } , among others,and l were comrades in arms for many years and many adventures .☺
My Aunt Laura Jean and my future mother-n-law both worked at Davis brothers at different times back in the day and l remember when Kauffman’s burnt down . l remember Paluskas and Mrs Paluska , in Particular , her hair was such a dark black ….l think your father-n-law is the same one we called “Brownie ” . l do think you are right about it being Kenny’s Cafe that had the onion rings that Dorothy-Jean loved so much …Newels was on the back street behind Waible’s and my cousin Margaret Webb lived back there too …my cousins , Dan Langston and Sandra { Sandy} Howard lived on Hershall by the fire and police departments and the old Roller Gardens .
You probably do share more memories with Julie and Joe. Joe has been our Richland sage on this site …Keeper of the Richland Trivia-Data Bank , ☺ we would have floundered many times without him . Please keep sharing because you ring so many bells in the myst of my memories and l like the music they make ☺..Thanks again for sharing
July 21st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Betty, Nancy’s sister was in the class of 57.
When Nancy I were first married we lived in an appartment building accross the street from the Police Station. I think the building was owned by a guy named Harris. Yes, my father-in-law was called “Brownie” by most everyone. Do you remember Citron’s, Propp’s, Fon-du-Lac Hardware (Aaron Lange), the Nighthawk Tavern, the Four Aces, Millers Tap, Variety Club, Billmeyer’s. Did you know that the Chinese Rest. was the first Kroger Store in East Peoria, then it became a Piggly Wiggly. Do you rember Hiller’s Bakery on Erie Street. It was just down the street from the A&P Store (where Kroger currently is). My dad worked second shift at Cat and after we would pick him up at 11:18 we would go to the bakery and get a dozen “fresh” glazed donuts. \You could smell donuts everywher in East Peoria from that place. Then righ at the end of Erie Street on Washington Street was “Moms” (Jansen’s) Hot Dog Stand (actually a camper trailer converted). Ben Franklin Dime Store that became Waibles. East Peoria’s only “hotel?” Newells, right beside Schmidt’s Texaco Station.
July 21st, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Ah …l am in memory heaven ! Thanks so much for sharing . l am not feeling up to par tonight and can hardly hold my head up but l had to check in here befor l completly give it up and give in for the night and see if you had shared anymore and sure enough you had ! ☺ Thanks again!
l remember much of what you said …l also remember Martin’s gas station and the stamp books we filled to get 2.00 worth of gas { a lot of gas back then ! ☺} l do remember Piggly Wiggly and that is where City Hall occupies today …When A&P first opened across the street beside the Dairy Dream , my Mom won a prize and had her pic took for being their certain number customer { the picture is still around, here or there ,somewhere } l am sure that she would love to see the picture now but at the time she was so embarrassed because she had just planned to just run in and out the store that day and had her hair in curlers covered by a pretty head-scarf{ remember those gals ? ☺}Back then you didn’t go “out” unless you were dressed properly and ready to meet and greet . ☺ So the pic caught her with purse, bag of groceries a big smile and scarf covered hair !☺
The bakery l remember was Patroffs { on Washington Street by Bogard’s Drug and down from Chicks Drive-In}…Frank Patroff and l were friends in HS..
l do remember the wonderful smells that wafted the streets …of small resturaunts…wonderful baked goods …ummmm..l also rememeber the not so plesant smells but ,hey, who wants to dwell on those ? l think we all rememeber them too well too ☺
l wish l could hold my head up longer but , as much as l am enjoying this trip down memory lane , l can not focus right now { l am attributing it to the heat and humidity and my just having a weak spell } so for tonight …l thank you and Julie for sharing and hope you keep on . Good night All ♥
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:30 am
There are two other sites dedicated to Richlandites if you are interested. There is a reunion being planned for Fondulac Park on August 28. The planning is being done by a Russell White, Lisa Montgomery, the daughter of Yvonne Regentz and Lynda Helferich Burkhalter. The web site with more information is Facebook/Richland Grade School, E. Peoria, Il. Lisa Montgomery is planning a barbeque also (not sure of date). Her web site is Richland Bottoms, East Peoria, Il Facebook. If you have trouble accessing either of these sites, I could let them know. If you have stayed in the E.P. area you may familiar with some of these names.
Other thing I wanted to mention – I know Donna really enjoyed high school and had a good time. Never felt like too many of us from Richland really fit it. Highschool was were I realized other people thought we were poor and that “river rats” wasn’t a nice name. Even though I have a lot of pleasant memories I also remember that polluted Caterpillar smoke that probably has caused a lot of diseases among people who grew up there.
Even knowing that, wish that my kids could have had the freedom we all had growing up.
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I didn’t grow up in the Richland Bottoms. I went o Roosevelt School. We lived above my dad’s restaurant. I could post a great deal about the old downtown East Peoria. It is where I spent my childhood. I am on here just to give you some information. Miss Serkovich is still alive. She lives with her brother Joe at Riverview Senior Home on Centennial Drive, up by ICC. I am sure that she would be happy to give any of you all the information that she knows about Richland. This is a teacher who dedicated her live to teaching 1st graders for 42 years. I was a teacher at Lincoln School when Richland closed. I knew many of the family names because I lived in East Peoria, and many of them came into my dad’s restaurant, did there banking on Friday night and Saturday morning, went to the Luxe Theater, and frequented the many taverns in that area.
I wondered if the Tammy who had a bad experience when transfering to Lincoln was Tammy Ausmus. I feel really bad about her having to go through that. We teachers tried our best to see that the transition went smoothly. Having to close any neighborhood school is sad. A neighborhood school is like a meeting place for everyone. It is a place to belong.
I had two of Joe Denny’s daughters at Lincoln. I loved teaching, and I loved the kids. If this is Tammy Ausmus, I remember having her on the 5th and 6th grade basketball team. She and Jean were great players, but they wouldn’t pass the ball to any of the other girls except each other. After some coaxing and working together, they finally relented. We had a really good basketball team that year.
Someone really should go see Miss Serkovich. She would love to have the company, and I am sure she is a fountain of information about Richland.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Miss Serkovich has been a part of our family for a very long time – going to weddings, picnics, wakes and funerals, visiting with us when my mom was spending long months in the hospital. She organized a get together for Richland students several years ago that was well attended. She is hoping to attend the reunion picnic I mentioned earlier organized by Russ, Lynda and Sue if her brother is well enough, Miss Yuronis used to always come along with her until she passed. She has been on our prayer list and Christmas card list. Earlier we had posted her address on Donna Crossno’s Richland web site so people could send her notes or cards. Anyone who ever attended Richland holds her dear in their thoughts.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Thanks so much for the update on Miss Serkovich. She is such a lovely and caring lady. I know she was dedicated to her students. I am so happy to hear that she is included in the reunion in August, and that her former students still stay in touch with her.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I had an aunt that lived in the apartment building across from the police station. Her name was Alice Moore. She was a nurse at the hospital in Bartonville. She probably was there when you and your wife lived there Jay. She lived in the first apartment on the left when you walked in the door. Quite a character. I also worked at the original Davis Brothers after I was married for a while. Can still smell that delicious pizza.
July 22nd, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Hi Betty! ☺ Thanks for the input …l would welcome you to the site but ..#1 , it isn’t mine to welcome you to..and #2 your post didn’t really sound like you cared to pursue any more than giving your perspective and some info you felt we needed ..so l will leave it at thanking you for them both .
…
To anyone else really interested in experiencing this “Richland Phenomena”, I would suggest you read all the posts first . Taken out of order they don’t give all the details , for example; the fact that students have and do keep in touch with and feel protective of Ms Serkowich etc.
l, personally, have developed a kind of protectiveness about this whole time and these people we talk and reminisce about and the places we wander down while we roam the Mysty Mile …l don’t always agree ,nor do others always agree with me or each other , but we share and enjoy the walk . We are not all school teachers, nor editors { although some of us are} we are not sharing on this site or mine to correct each others memories …only to share . l , again personally speaking, value and welcome the sharing , positive and negative , although, of course , l prefer the positive .Having come from the Richland Experience, like any other experience, had its pros and cons ..one of the pros was that l did learn to let others express their points from their point of view and value it as just that , their point of view,not necessarily mine , not necessarily not mine. Hopefully when l give feed back with my point of view l do so without diminishing, or appearing to try to diminish ,anyone elses . l want to “share” memories , not try to correct someone elses remembrances by insisting that they conform to mine . Like most issues , there are many facets and depending on where the light shines , only a few ever come to light ,so to speak..
That being said …l did enjoy high school …over-all …just the way that it transpired BUT l am sure that l would have enjoyed it more if l had have had better circumstances { ie; financially etc.} and maybe not had so many dealings with the few bigots that l did deal with …but deal with them l did …good , bad or indifferent. l have never held a persons title , or position above the person , for , nor hopefully, not against them ..l dealt solely ,and still try to deal, with the person in reaction to how they treated me …not with what area of town they lived in or where their father worked or didn’t work or how their friends treated me or others …just each one of them individually .. l had friends and acquaintances from all backgrounds and ages because of that { as l am sure that l have those who are not crazy about me…l try not to hang out with them more than l have to !
l remember Roosevelt School too { mentioned in previous post either here or on my blog} ..my cousins went to it when they moved “out” of the “Bottoms” up by the Police Station and Davis Brothers { also mentioned in many posts } . Cuz, Dan worked for the Schearer brothers at their market { the open air one }..l remember a friend of Sandra’s { Sandy Howard} who used to live in the apartments Betty referred to and she would go skating with Sandy and l sometimes at the Roller Gardens { also mentioned in posts } l could go on and on but l really do not feel well so l will wrap it up for now
Keep sharing and you new people { actually old friends,acquaintances etc. from back in those days } please come join in the spirit and the remembering while we are all still around to do so. Later Taters Prima-D out ..
July 22nd, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Hi Betty! ☺ Thanks for the input …l would welcome you to the site but ..#1 , it isn’t mine to welcome you to..and #2 your post didn’t really sound like you cared to pursue any more than giving your perspective and some info you felt we needed ..so l will leave it at thanking you for them both .
but in seriousness, sometimes you have to …then and now …
To anyone else really interested in experiencing this “Richland Phenomena”, I would suggest you read all the posts first . Taken out of order they don’t give all the details , for example; the fact that students have and do keep in touch with and feel protective of Ms Serkowich etc.
l, personally, have developed a kind of protectiveness about this whole time and these people we talk and reminisce about and the places we wander down while we roam the Mysty Mile …and most of all the people who are trying to share all this right now .l don’t always agree ,nor do others always agree with me ,or each other , but we share and enjoy the walk . We are not all school teachers, nor editors { although some of us are} we are not sharing on this site ,or mine ,to correct each others memories …only to share . l , again personally speaking, value and welcome the sharing , positive and negative , although, of course , l prefer the positive .Having come from the Richland Experience, like any other experience, had its pros and cons ..one of the pros was that l did learn to let others express their points{ speak their minds} from their point of view and value it as just that , their point of view,not necessarily mine , not necessarily not mine. Hopefully when l give feed back with my point of view l do so without diminishing, or appearing to try to diminish ,anyone elses . l want to “share” memories , not try to correct someone elses remembrances by insisting that they conform to mine . Like most issues , there are many facets to memories of events, places and things.. and depending on where the light shines , only a few ever come to light ,so to speak..
That being said …l did enjoy high school …over-all …just the way that it transpired BUT l am sure that l would have enjoyed it more if l had have had better circumstances { ie; financially etc.} and maybe not had so many dealings with the few bigots that l did deal with ..l didn’t have a lot of what a lot of them had materially or supportavely speaking { like Julie pointed out , other than a few teachers here and there encouraging us, and our own dreams , no one expected us to go to college or anything of great importance} ,but l had goals { all my own , not anyone elses or backed and supported by anyone else , just lil old me }…l learned to try and deal with them all and l did …good , bad or indifferent. l have never held a persons title , or position above the person , for , nor hopefully, not against them ..l dealt solely ,and still try to deal, with the person ,in reaction to how they treated or treat me …not with what area of town they lived,or live in, or where their father worked or didn’t work , or how their friends treated me ,or others …just each one of them individually .. l had friends and acquaintances from all backgrounds and ages because of that { as l am sure that l have those who are not crazy about me…l try not to hang out with them more than l have to !
l remember Roosevelt School too { mentioned in previous post either here or on my blog} ..my cousins went to it when they moved “out” of the “Bottoms” up by the Police Station and Davis Brothers { also mentioned in many posts } . Cuz, Dan worked for the Schearer brothers at their market { the open air one }m and the skating rink with Chuck Doubblaire, long befor he got on the Police Department or Chuck became Mayor ..l remember a friend of Sandra’s { Sandy Howard} who used to live in the apartments Betty referred to and she would go skating with Sandy and l sometimes at the Roller Gardens { also mentioned in posts } l could go on and on but l really do not feel well so l will wrap it up for now
Please !Keep sharing and you new people { actually old friends,acquaintances etc. from back in those days } please come join in the spirit and the remembering while we are all still around to do so. Later Taters Prima-D out ..
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Is that my sister Bettie?
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:20 pm
No Gayle , It is the Betty Brownfield ,Betty …sorry about the mix-up and the double post l didn’t do that and l don’t know how to rectify the situation so all l can do is apologize to my fellow travelers for the repeat .
Sorry.
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:43 pm
The second post was really supposed to be the only one the first one must have been while l was first writing it .Sorry
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Hi Donna, I didn’t intend to infringe on your wonderful site. I just wanted to make sure that you knew about Miss Serkowich. Sorry I misspelled her name before, but my typing isn’t always accurate. I did have the honor of teaching with your great teachers from Richland when the school closed. I also had the pleasure of having so many enjoyable kids from the Richland area when I taught at LIncoln and at CJHS. I also went to school with so many great kids from Richland when I went to EPCHS. The high school was a melting pot for kids from all the schools in East Peoria. We all became Red Raiders then. Your Richland site is so great. I have really enjoyed reading what all of you have said. Joe Denny is so funny. I remember Richard skating at Doubleaire’s Rink. I skated there too. He was a really good skater. I hope that you don’t mind if I peek in occasionally to read the latest.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Heck no Betty we do not mind “peeking-in” at all .. and you were not infringing …lt isn’t my site …Keep peeking in AND please, keep contributing .:-) All is appreciated . l just interpreted your original post to pretty much say that you really didn’t want to participate, just , more or , less a one time thing .{ l think we have already discussed how easy mis-interpretation can be on these things
} Heck , we have been begging for people to input …you just go right ahead and input-input ! You sure don’t need my permission ,,the Peorian already gave his blessing to us all a long while back and it is actually his blogg …so Mysty Mem walk with us any old time ya wanna ! Thanks for caring that l cared . 
♥
Prima-Donna has left the blogg!
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
By the way …Betty …l do agree that Richard could really skate and he was also very nice to talk to. l think he kind of looked out for us younger RRR’s . l do remember him and the Roller Gardens very fondly . ♥
} agree with your “melting-pot” about EPCH, to a point . l think that you are trying to point out that once we got there , from where ever we came from , that we became Red-Raiders in spite of our differences …BUT l don’t agree that everyone felt like that or felt like a bonified { 
} Red Raider just by having gone there .l thoroughly understand where those who don’t feel meshed with it are coming from . Forgive me if l am misinterpreting again , l don’t intend to, but l get from some of your input that you kind of feel like we{ all we RRRers, in general} brought a lot of the separation complex on ourselves ??? l am sure , like in any similar cases , that may have been true to a point , for some , not all …l also notice that you keep differentiating those taught at and taught to, which both amplifies what we have been discussing off and on , and also defines it in it’s own way by its’ presence, yet you were raised in the general vicinity also …?? Again l think it is just one of those things that really can’t be explained , just must be lived … l enjoy searching for answers and input of every degree helps in that search …Thanks again for your input …and l hope l didn’t scare ya off. Like Joe Denny pointed out,in the past, a lot of people not from the “Bottoms” and not understanding us , feared us , l agree with his comment …to a point …l also feel that it wasn’t necessary, nor do l feel like they thought it was necessary , after they got to know us …They soon found out that we were just people like them , caught in circumstances neither they or we controlled …l don’t wish to appear to want to control anything now, bloggs or otherwise …actually l have just been looking back and thinking Phewww what a long journey it has been , but in the same breath how quickly it flew by . l enjoy the give and take of a good give and take > 
l also { believe it or not
July 23rd, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Anybody remember the other Richard from the skating rinks last name ? He was younger than Richard Denny and we gals use to love to skate the duos with him ?? Seems he joined the army at one point but did come back on leaves etc. l think Gloria turner would remember more of the names from the old Roller Gardens since she staffed the concession bar a lot back then { maybe Lois,her sister ? } What fun was Friday nights and Saturdays in East Peoria back then . You were only limited by your funds and friends
Along the lines Bettie B and l kind of touched on , l think most would agree that when we were out having fun at the skating rink , movies, bowling, Static Attic, Big John’s , Teen Center or just hanging out that no one cared very much where you came from at that point ..kind of like in the movie Grease ..they didn’t care much …until “What will they say …Monday at school ” 
….lt’s the week-end guys , Who cares about Monday right now …lets rock-n-roll ! 
Later Gaters , After while Crocadiles!
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Donna, I stubled accross a book at the EP Library called “Centennial History of East Peoria” . I have scanned in the section about the schools-
Richland, Roosevelt, CJHS, EPCHS, and others. I don’t know how to attach to this web site, but if you would give me some of your EMail addresses, I would be happy to share.
Roosevelt was built in 1905-06 and was a 4 room school. It was doubled to 8 rooms in 1925. It was closed in 1960.
Central was the next school built in 1916.
Richland was built in 1927, enlarged in 1947, and closed in 1973.
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Donna, I found a book at the Library with a lot of interesting info. I scanned the section on Schools and would like to share with all, but I don’t know how to attach to this site. Maybe, I could send to you by email and you can distribute. I prefer not to get involved in “facebooks” (senility maybe?). There is so much info in this book.
I bought the last copy the library had, but I do have a list of key members that put the book together and they migh know where to get copy. The book is “Centennial History of East Peoria” (published 1986)
Roosevelt was built about 1905 and closed 1960.
Richland was built about 1926 and closed 1973?
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:36 pm
I didn’t see my first blip take, I thought maybe I had forgot to “submit”, sorry for the repeat.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Donna and I have agreed long ago that we will disagree on many things.
I had to miss a great deal of high school all four years due to family obligations. It’s very hard to get accepted when you can’t be relied upon to be a hallway “buddy” or lunch “buddy”. Education was very important to my parents, and because I had (believe it or not) common sense and found learning easy to absorb, I was the one who was needed at home with the understanding, I could still graduate. Also I couldn’t be relied upon to hang out in the evenings or attend football or basketball games.
I am pleased that you found this site, Jay, Betty and whoever Rover may be. I think you will also be able to direct others here. I usually check in on all the sites every week or so, but lately there hasn’t been anyone writing on any of them. It’s summer and people are busy. Maybe things will change in the fall.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Hey Jay …just send them to the flame2250@yahoo.com addy because my server is goofing up on my regular email and l don’t want to take the chance that they would get lost ! …l will send yo the link to the other site in return ..thanks so very much for all the leg work …Great going you guys …keep on keepin on .
Julie , l thouroughly understand where you are comming from on the HS feelings , kiddo , l think that l understand more than you think that l do .♥ l remember how the times were back then ,,some don’t remmeber as well and some chose not to remember at all or very little ..but back in our day what you had to do was not an uncommon thing ..it would be like today the younger child getting to go to college with the promise to the older one of college later …but later never coming ..you will find lots of references to “A Wonderful Life” in my musings and that is one of the points that always hit home with me …the kind of promise “your day will come ” . well like George found out, his , nor a lot of others , “day” never really came …ah looking bask in hindsight , he saw that he had had a wonderful life but nothing like the young George Baily had invisoned …
We agree on a lot more than we disagree on my Mysty-Mile friend !
Keep on Rockin,Ramblin , and Reminincing
Jay ,l will be looking for your email “new” old friend .♥
July 24th, 2010 at 8:27 am
l want to thank Betty Brown Dobbins again for your input . You said you taught at Lincoln and CJH ….Did you teach a special reading program , or do l have you confused with another good teacher? lt was a wonderful program that helped kids build their self esteem . Something all kids need but especially kids from challenging back grounds so to speak. Be it upper, middel or lower class , that problem exist in all classes and castes .
Still a very proud profession
Teachers have such a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference in a childs life ..it is an awesome responsibility knowing that one has the power to do such things , make or break so to speak . l was lucky enough to have been exposed to mostly the make, rather than break, ones . lt is still one of the most rewarding and challenging professions,l think ,although l do not envy any one of them all the new challenges that come with todays world , but like all challenges they can be met with the “right stuff”
Jay, are you any relation to Judy Dobbins ? She was a sweetie from back in Mems Myst. Alot of them exist there .
The heat is not going to give us a break today so l probably will check back in later today .Like Julie said , normally summer means less computer activity ,more outside etc. but it has just been too hot to think lately , mus less do .
Later Gaters, afterwhile crocidles …
“Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible.”
July 24th, 2010 at 11:16 am
It is interesting ready new posts from new people and seeing East Peoria and Richland threw there eyes.Things have changed so much in both places.I do remember going skating at the roller rink fun times there.Some of the places must have been gone before i came along.I find myself thinking about Miss Serkowich a lot and calling her once in awile last time i did she didnt feel like talking her back hurt her so much.I suppose her being on her feet so many years causes that.But im sure she wouldnt have had any other way.She is the best.Everyone have a great weekend.
July 24th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I believe Mrs. Ballard ended up at Glendale teaching 3rd or 4th grade. I’m certain she isn’t anymore but that’s the last I heard.
July 24th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Hi Mary …keeping cool?
You were quite a bit younger than me and things were changing a lot and awfully fast as l became a teenager , so l am sure they had changed even lots more by the time you were a teen …but it was good times
l am sure people have good times even now ..it is just that 40-60s decades had a kind of aura to them , still do . It was one of those unique little segments of time caught in time and in the memories eye and the rememberer’s heart .l am sorry Ms Serkowich was feeling so badly the last time you talked to her , but l am sure she appreciated your concern . l don’t know how she would feel to know that she has become a mini-celebrity through these sites and our reminiscing , for she was always , among other fine attributes , a very modest woman ..Does’t matter , she is a hero in a lot of past students eyes , whether she likes it or not .
Hi SuperTrooper …Mrs. Ballard may have ended up at Glendale but from the early 70s to late 80′s l was active at Glendale and l do not remember her being there then …Mr. Mc’Donald is the only old Richlandite teacher that comes to mind that I remember from Glendale ?
Keep on Keepin on , Raiders, Gators , ,Guys and Gals .:-)
July 24th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Hey Tippy , you out there ?when i asked if you were Gail’s Brother last wk., i was playing under my ‘pool playing’ name at the time ,& forgot to switch back to my web “name” ..you mentioned Gail worked at Kenny’s Cafe ,indeed he did w/ my older Brother ,Jr.,they were close friends , and it was called the Blue Bird Cafe back then , later to be changed to be called Knobby’s.It was “GREAT” to have you, Mrs. Betty D., she being the “BEST EVER”,to have had her as, not only as a {TEACHER}but as an example of what your child could become.We got LUCKY by having two of our daughters who were in her class!a BIG TX to her…after she (retired) and would come in as ‘Sub’,all the kids ‘ ,no matter what school ,grade whatever ,knew her car & HOPED their teacher was ‘sick’ ,& she was gonna be their teacher.unbelievable , but thats’ how it is,when they say,[YOU&"RE THE CREME DA LA CREME/ TOP OF THE HEAP]!AND SHE WAS!!!GOD BLESS HER !Now that guy Bobby that she married, She done alright there too! One of the good guy’s.hope she got him off that motorcycle by now.tell Bobby ,Joe D. said Hi!!!Tippy , is Gail still around here ? My Brother Fred ,{Jr.} is 81 now living in Palm Beach ,Fl.,& a close friend of both of theirs’ , passed away last yr., Wayne Cleer.They all three ran around together . Before i forget ,you said you went to Washy. Grade School, do you remember a a kid [a wild one] , named Chuck Wirth? He lived across from the High School somewhere close…I’m outta here till next time ,cause i wanna talk about Brownfields’ Restaurant ,what a GREAT TRADITION it was to E.P.,and not only there daily crowd, but ESPECHILLY to watch Mr.&Mrs. Brownfield work it !I shot baskets out the back door W/ Nancy & Betty’s Bro. Dick a few times ,the smell of the food was a “killer”. they finally took basketball hoop down,maybe becouse i was more interested in food than game…..later
July 24th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Joe talking about someone being “off a motorcycle?” That’s one of the several ways I remember you, Joe – sitting on a motorcycle. Another is your playing pool. Several of you hanging around with Julie; talking to mom; drinking a beer. Could someone tell me what Mem Myst is? There are tons of places you all mention but I don’t remember a lot of them. The mini-grocery stores in Richland, some of the bars, Julie at Spudnut Shop, the rec center and swimming there. I had Miss Ballard and Miss Cassidy. Keep writing everyone – it is great reading these posts.
July 24th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
happy to see your back Joe was getting worried about ya,hope things are good for ya and in good health.Have you always played basket ball ?Oh well good times back then.Have a good nite .
July 24th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Hi again Joe
Yes, I knew Chuck Wirth. He was sort of the “king” at Washy. Good size lad for his age. I think he was a year or two older than me.
I keep hearing about the Spudnut Shop – those were the best tasting donuts ever made. It was a tough choice between them and the donuts from Hillers on Erie Stree. In Panama City Floorida, there is still a Spudnut Shop and they are still good.
Wasn’t Poppin’s Grocery close to where you lived? Also, I think my cousins Dwane and Harriet Johnson lived near you. I’m sure you also remember the Parrots as they lived for awhile around the corner from you. Wiilard Birge was another of Gail’s friends. I am sure you remember Carl Dane, Ed Moore, the Fishers?
What were the twins name that lived by the church on Edmund Street
July 24th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Joe, my first blip didn’t “take”
Yes Gail is still with us. He has been very active until just this past Winter. He hurt his knee and had to leave Florida early. He had a Winter place in Lakeland for the past 15 years, but sold it this Spring. His wife Donna was getting tired of going down there. I think another Illinois Winter may change her mind — we’ll see.
Yes, I saw where Wayne Cleer died. I played on the EP Methodist Church team several years along with Charley Cheesman, the Spurgeons, Don Williams.
Who was on your team when I played? Erwin Ray I remember, but who else?
July 25th, 2010 at 12:44 am
Tippy;;;at our 8th grade graduation from Central School ,Chucky Boy ,after they handed him his diploma, he turned around & give ALL the “BIRD”! Everyone was in awe ,[SHOCK] , he laughed & kept rite on walkin>>>.he was ‘tough ‘ when we played Washy. 5th / 6th grades in basketball/softball, but we never lost a game …speaking of Charley Cheeseman , now this guy could play any kind of basketball you wanted ,he was GOOOOD!your bro. Gail,if i remember rite was left handed & had a nice ‘lefty’ jump shot. Sammy Parrott, do remember him ,Carl Dane in my class,ALL the Fishers ,Ed& Kenny [P-Dink] Moore,ALL the Davis’s,,,if they drove thru Richland ,they had to {drive by me},a little humor there! I “KNEW EVERYONE,,for one reason or another ,& sooner or later they “knew ” me! We seen & talked W/ Willard Birge & his Wife at skating rink for yrs. the ‘TWINS’ i think you’re talking about was the Schaeffer,Thelma & Velma girls that lived next to Church on Edmund St.,also there were ‘twins’ that lived on corner of Monson/Chicago Sts. ,the Wenglarz girls,last house of 2oo block Chicago St.,left hand side of St.,across Charley & Ruth Laing’s little gas & get !{LOL}.some of the guys’ that played on our team was ,tall kid from Kentucky,Skip Henderson, Donnie Borton,[who married Danny& Pat Redmon's Sister Janet] Bud Beldon,[who worked at Chicks' Drive Inn],&Ervin Ray.At one time ,i had Dick Glossick , Al Bruemmer & i think Cleon Tucker on another team,but these guys’ were working all the time ,didn’t need this…They were VERY good>you had to steal the ball from um to get a shot ,lol,ALL GUNNERS!!!Alot of VERY good atheletes came out of Richland,the Walkers’,Davis’s,Redmon,Cleon ,& a “REAL PRO’,Named Cornie Clatt !Talked too Cornie & Dike Edelman a couple of times ,ALL CLASS,BOTH!!!Edelman still holds record for most “LETTERS” awarded at U OF IL…you mentioned the Stouts that lived on Chicago ST., he delivered our milk back in the 40s,when he was the milkman ,His Children,Peggy ,Donna, Bill & others…POPPINS’ grocery became Billings’,Bentz ,then closed …208 Monson St. We were :all 8″ ,born & raised at 100 Monson St.;;;house once sat across hard road where Cat{HOLT MANUFACTURING THEN} foundry is now…P.S….two other guys’ that ran w/ Gail & my Bro.,was Tommy & Ciff Grabill,if you talk to Gail.TX & take care ~~~~~*nite-train*~~~~~
July 25th, 2010 at 12:47 am
you’re up late
July 25th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Joe, you mentioned the Corny Clatt. There were three families of Clatts in Richland. My Grandma Clatt {Jack and Eugene } my uncles lived on Chicago St. across the street from Jim Frey. Cecil (Nig) Clatt lived on Center St. across from the “horse lot” (this was Cornies dad) — {Wendell, Barry, and Corwin.} my second cousins. Lois Clatt {teacher} lived on Monson St. {Marvin} also my second cousin.
Sam and Don Parrot have both passed and Sidney is in Rosewood Nursing Home (the last I have heard). Gail was right handed and did have a sweet jump shot, Wayne Cleer had a “sweeping” lefhanded hook shot that I think started on the floor (but it was accurate). Gail and I played a few years together in a Church League with Chuck van Saghi (sp?).
You are right, there were some very good athletes from Richland, but when we were kids, Richland was very populated with kids. I have told my wife many times that almost every house had at least one kid and on the average I suspect there were 3 kids per house. This was the place to live in the 40s and 50s before a lot of the other sub divisions like Robein came into existence. Everybody lived in Richland, downtown East Peoria, or around EPCHS.
Having trouble sleeping – thought getting on the “time machine” or as it was on Rocky and Bullwinkle – the “way back machine”.
Good talking with you and as I think of other graffitti, I will post it.
July 25th, 2010 at 8:18 am
All I can say is – Again I love hearing everyone’s memories of Richland. Please keep it up.
July 25th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Geesh , Bullwinkle , l feel like l am reading the “Frost-Bite Falls Review”
ln this case l guess it would be the Richland -Rats Review { although l know that many still don’t like the “Rats” reference …but hey , it was part our reality , just like Rocky and Bullwinkle were ! 
…keep Ramblin River-Rat Raiders
l am soooo glad you guys are here and that Joe has returned { he will keep it all on track
July 25th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
How many of you remember when the Carnivals would set up on Cass Street where Cat LL is? Also, the Carnival set up on the “dump” where Cat KK is today. The other place that was used for the Carnivals was by the old Windmill Cafe and Schmidt’s Roller Rink. Who can forget the “horse lot”? That is where almost everyone went to play baseball or softball. It was on Center Street where the back of Caterpillar’s Parking lot is. How about wading in the “drainage ditch”? My Grandma always told me to stay out of it because of tin cans and broken bottles, but it never stopped us.
July 25th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Drainage ditch , l gotcha on …waded it many times with and without my lil kid-sister side-kick ..l do not actually remember being told NOT to play in them etc. specifically , but l am sure we weren’t told to go play IN them specifically either !
..l think the usual phrase was “Go outside and play ! ” ….”and take your sister with you ! ” 
…there was a lot of fun to be had in those ol ditches, tunnels and such , but looking back l realize just how dangerous they were …and people wonder why we are a tad over-protective with our kids and G-kids . 
l think now , looking back with 20/20 we realize the potential dangers that lurk in such adventures …no wishing to deny them the adventure , but just wanting to protect them from the dangers.l guess they kind of go hand in hand though..adventure and danger , huh? 
..
July 25th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
It’s really encouraging to see this site active again. Look what you’ve accomplished Jay. Brought new people to the site and old ones have returned. Joe has always been needed for his great knowledge of all things Richland, and for quite a while, Donna wouldn’t even write on this site, and some of my family has returned. I think this writing late and very early is an age thing. Sometimes find myself finally going to sleep at 4:00 in the a.m. which was the same time, got up the day before. Who can understand it. Isn’t it fun to go back in your mind to the days when you were able to wade in the ditches and play basketball, go to Spesia’s with five cents and get a bag of mixed candy. For the time you spend there, in your mind, you are that same young child again with the whole world in front of you and nothing was impossible. One of my daughters has named this “a happy place” and it certainly was that. Don’t feel there is much I can contribute as far as people or places are concerned but would still like to hang out here with all of you and if ever I can add anything, I’ll jump in. So please keep writing and bring any other river rats you know along. julie
July 25th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I agree Julie. I feel like a young un but my memories are there too. I remember wading the the ditches too. They were kind of far away from our house but once in awhile we would venture that far away (about 4 blocks!). I remember Spesia’s penny candy and how much we could get for a dime. those days will always live with us.
July 25th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Went to larrys in the bottoms today and bettie and I drove around the bottoms trying to remember who lived where hell most of them are gone that i remember.Not the same at all since i have been away 32 years ago .It has been a long time since i drove around there.Nite train do you still live in the bottoms?If you do let me know maybe a visit may happen one day while im in town.have a nice evening all.
July 26th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Yes, my Grandma Clatt was a very close friend of Mary Spesia. So, I got to go there quite often. Also, my Aunt Velma (Dorich) Neff lived two houses away on Edmund (this house is still there). My most vivid memeories or of the Chicago Street Market. I would get a “triple dip” ice cream cone with a paper in the bottom with a cute saying of better yet -’you have won a free cone” all for a Dime. You could get 6 “cold” sodas for a Quarter. Going to the “big” store, A&P on Erie Street was a major expedition. Remember the penny gumball machines with the “striped” ball? This ball was also worth a free ice cream cone. During WW II, my gandparents had connections with Strickfadens (way way out on Cole Hollow Road – probably 5miles) for whole milk and I got to churn the butter. Also, the had a connection for eggs down by Manito (Spring Lake area) Lawson,s — another far off place {maybe 15 mile}. Amazing when you are little how far some places seem to be and now they are just place on the way to somewhere more important. I do remember having chickens in our back yard and potatoes in our side yard on Cass Street.
God, life was so simple and gentle back then.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Your last sentence on that last post , Jay , was a heart wrencher !
l think if we had to sum it all up what you wrote says it all .
The fact that we all can identify ,yet some of us are comming from the 40s background , others the 50s-60′s says something also to the stability of the times , the common goals , the simple , gentle things we all took for granted . They were just always there, when you were young and had been that way when your older sibling was young etc., and we thought they would never change .Now with all the “progress” and change is anyone happier than they were then ? l don’t mean more comfortable , or better off , l mean “happier” ??
l have so many memories of then but actually my Richland time only lasted a few years 55-66, and l watched it change from a little distance from 66-current time .
I loved to read the comments , please keep posting it is like water to a thirsty man { or woman☺}Keep on keepin on ..
July 27th, 2010 at 12:30 am
Hey you guys scared me for a minute. Thought you took to heart (even though it is true) that this early morning getting up and late night writing was an “age” thing.
I definitely remember the carnivals in EP. There was the one that was held every year. Fall Festival, maybe? The first taffy apple was eaten there and none have ever tasted that good again. Also learned that it was impossible to eat a cotton candy by yourself and then go on the Tilt-0-Whirl. There was also a small circus that set up near the Steak & Shake and trailer park. We always went because my Dad traveled with it with his mom & dad before finally settling in Peoria. Mom’s mother lived in Pekin and it also was a mini vacation getting there and back. Funny how someone elses memories can trigger so many others in my mind.
July 27th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Yes the old dump on Camp Street near Steak and Shake was a regular place for the very large carnival. I think the name was “The Royal Shows”.
It was the largest I had ever seen in the Peoria Area. Yes, there was a Fall Festival for a few years and then in the 60s, I tried to rejuvenate it by combining the Jaycee Bar-B-Que with a carnival. I think I tried about three years and then I had to quit the Jaycees as I got layed-off at Cat and had to move to Macomb as a Manager Trainee for Kroger. It went off into oblivion. This may be a piece of trivia some of you might remember, I danced with Earlene Barnes at the amateur show during one of the Fall Festivals. I think it disappeared because the businesses downtown began to close down. They were the ones that actually sponsored it – I think the Chamber of Commerce ran the festival. They used to close two blocks of Washington St., all of Erie St. and two blocks of Main St.
July 27th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Tippy;;;qiuckly to finish up on that “TWIN” thing ,besides the Shaeffer twins next to the Church on Center St.,Wenglarz twins last house on left hand side of 200 blk. of Chicago St.,across from Chicago St. groc. store,there were the Bogard twins at 208 Chicago ST.,Wilma&Thelma, the Elam twins,Frieda&Frances in the 200 Monson St.,two houses from end on right hand side of blk.,and of course my twin bros., Richard & Robert…OH,if that counts,do ME ,or IS it I?(I)”GETS” CONFUSED!!!little HUMOR for those that can still chuckle!…back too Teachers,Mrs.Tjaeden WAS the best 1st. grade teacher one could have ,& Mrs. Clatt was my 5th. grade teacher,none ever better!put them two & Betty D.,& from there it goes STRAIGHT downhill W/ the EXCEPTION of Mrs. Circowich, Mrs. Youronous, Don Shute,our 6th grade teacher/ Principal…i have ALL my 1st. thru 6th grade pics.& report cards,5th & 6th grade sports’ letters{the BIG BLUE & GOLD LETTER(R) from 5th & 6th grades yet,perfect condition, man, now thats’ a “MIND BLOWING ” trip going thru them…!too much too GRASP!….Strickfadens used to have a big garage just across railroad tracks on right hand side of Washington St. where they worked on cars ect.,a guy got killed when a tire he was fixing ,put too much air in it & rim blew off of bench ,hit him in head & killed him ,my Dad knew the Strickfadens well….was Eddie your uncle married to your Aunt Velma? good people ..did Tubby have a brother named Joe? Tubby & his Wife helped alot of people during peoples’ rough times …i My brothers & I hit made them carnivals on Cass St.[bldg.ll] & [bldg.kk] on Sanford St. when they built bldg. kk ,they had ‘open house’ for a wk.,we made that ‘pilmrage’ every day .LOL..up on second floor it was an abundance of treats ,cookies,snacks, sodas,little bags of surprises,a big area where they showed cartoons alday,we MOVED IN.all but slept there.got to know most the guys’ that worked there,UNREAL.we were never late or left early!! Basically moved in ,they didn’t REPEAT that that {GOODWILL GESTURE},when they opened bldg. ll,NO SIREE ,Cat . officials learned one good deed doesn’t deserve another…i tried to show my APPRICIATION by going too work there in 1956,lasted 6 mos. …worked 2nd shift ,20 min. lunch period.always late getting back .Bridgeway Tavern always crowded ,didn’t give me much time to drink lunch,boss always complained ,after about 20th ,[this is last time Joe] i rode my motorcycle in after hour lunch period too punch out ,they got all excited about me ridin in bldg. to punch out,i explained to them i couldn’t walk very far ,so they “PUNCHED” me , as in ::::FIRED:::: i thanked um & rode back out before ‘escort patrol ‘ arrived! COOKIES were sure good tho,maybe they remembered me. i hear dinner bell ,cannot be late … later ~~~~*nite-train*~~~~ P.S.—we were playing ball at old{HORSE LOT} on Center St. ,the night the ‘Green Gables’ tavern burnt down,&George Cornwell & Joe[Marvin]Stien,both Ass’t. Firechiefs’ died when wall collapsed on them!barely knew Cornwell, but thought the world of Joe Stien,hell of a guy , always tried too keep me on straght & narrow path…He drove high school bus also ,GOOD guy !!!!
July 27th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
nite train is there anything that happened in the bottoms that you dont know about?It is interesting hearing your stories and other peoples i sure didnt no any of that.I can remember hearing about the carnivals and such but dont remember them.oh well goodnite all.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Yes, Eddie Dorich was my Uncle and his parents lived next door to them Frank Dorich – they were direct from the old country Croatia.
Yes Joe was Tubby’s brother. They owned the Center Tap for awhile and Joe had a resort in Minnesota. They also ran the auction house where Schmidt’s Roller Rink was. I see you remembered Florence Tjaeden, she was a sweetie and spoiled me rotten. It caused me some problems when I went to Washy. My second grade teacher there was a “bitch”. But I got over it and continued on. Funny you remembered the “grand opening” of KK. I went to it also and remember the treats upstairs and ironically I started my career at Cat in KK on third shift.
Yes, my dad knew the guy that got killed with the tire accident. They bowled together and he worked at Cat full time and was just working part time at Strickfaden’s. His name was Russ Amsler.
Do remember what was next to Strickfaden’s — it later was Kaufman Furniture, but what was it originally? I am thinking it was a car dealer, but not for sure.
July 28th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Tippy;;;bldg. KK was a really neat & clean working place to work ,if youwere going to choose factory facilities as a place to work…Myself & Pat Redmon hired in the same day,May of “56″,i ,EXCUSE ME IF I USE THAT NASTY WORD “WORK”,I worked in bldg. N thru bldg. X,directly across the St.from ALL them bars on Washington St.,not enviroroment safe area for me,friends coming across st. W/ a beer now & then ,then too make matters worse,Cat. couldn’t get their times correct,[7:18 ,3:18 ,11:18 ,kept me confused ,i'm either gonna be EARLY or "LATE". I CHOSE LATE.so they let me GOOO!It was then ,I "PROMISIED myself ,I "WOULD {NEVER,EVER,}buy one of their yellow TRACTORS,and they had plenty 'just' sitting around in lots everywhere ,but i never gave in ..Two of my ole "BUDDIES" tended bar for your Uncle Joe ,when he owned Center Tap, Joe Genusa & Fuzz[Edgar] Perry,they became “BITTER” enemies for about 30yrs.,& it got “PERSONAL” & out of control at times,I was “VERY ” close too bothtended bar for Genusa for 8 yrs. ,& still ‘very ‘ close W/ him,but thought the world of Fuzz,spent all them yrs. w/ him also!I had a long “TALK” finally W/ both & said this will end ,Fuzz is gonna die ,its’ time to end this,took Fuzz down to Goose,they talked ,then Genusa started stoppin’ 3 or 4 times a wk. at Center Tap ,it was finally over !!!That Windmill Restaurant that set in front of Pop Schmidt’s skating rink , round like it was ,was kinda cool when you think of it…down they came ,& that Gulf Service Station came ,then it went.I may be wrong,but i think Strickfadens was already gone ,moved out & then Kaufmans’ Furn. came in ,cause i was living in that 1st. big rooming house just across r.r. tracksin in early/mid 50′S,no strickfadens’still there, & Kaufmans’ hadn’t arrived yet.now when Kaufmans’ burnt down in mid 60′S, I was living in Bob Winston’s Law [lol] office,& of course had 5or6 of my friends move in also, much too Bob’s dismay ,i was the landlord had keys too everything ,never payed rent,& we stood on roof of Winston’s & watched all the action….Bob & wife Dorothy actually WERE REALLY GREAT people ,ESPECIALLY too ME! Life was a BLAST living there…LOVED UM BOTH!!!They even had me bring “BIKERS” up too their house an Fondulac Drive,i TRIED to talk him out of that NIGHTMARE ,but they insisted ,sooo,soon Cops’ ARRIVED & he told um he invited us up ,,,,Dorothy served us sandwiches,Bob bought the beer /wine, Dorothy raised garage door , played piano,,too much for ME to handle[UNBELIEVABLE].REGROUOP,thank them & GET OUT of there ,LIKE GONE QUICKLY!!!Ya gotta love um tho’..they were TRULY great to me ,always!I’ll check on that Kaufmans’ Furn. thing tho..~~~*nite-train*~~~
July 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
You’re memory is still amazing. Or is it more like mine, in that it is much easier to remember what happened a long time ago than what happened last week. julie
July 28th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
HUH???? I have no idea WHAT you’re talking about ,,,now what was the question? or was it an answer ,i ,ugh, forgot already ,me think !
July 28th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Yes, Winson was a dandy. The story on him was his father (apparently a rich Chicago lawyer) paid Bob a healthy sum to never come to Chicago — never did know the whole story but that was the scuttle-but. I played basketball with Cuck Perry and I rmemeber Fuzz quite vividly. Much like Fred Bailey, they were certainly “personalities” of EP. Fred has the second best food in EP right behind Brownfield. In fact, their hashbrowns were identical and the best in the world. I worked at EP Camera Shop (run by Stacey Gebhard) located in front of Paluska’s. Ate many a luch from Bailey’s. Yes, Kaufman had a very successful fire and then moved down (way down) on Adams Street near Western- changed the name to Mr. K’s, but the same guy. I’m sure you bought jeans at Propp’s or Citron’s in EP.
Yes, there were a few Taverns by Gate 4. I can’t remember all of them but I know Harry Neal, Joe/Vic Anthony, Marty’s Catta Club, Weaver had one, there was one next to the Center Tap towards Washington St. There must have been close to ten in that area. Remember Tom George’s Market that was next to the Center Tap. Joe Rafool’s Paradise down by Steak and Shake. The Four O’Clock on Camp Street by the “dump”.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
also the spudnut shop, so all you workers did have an alternative to drinking if you were looking for it. My Uncle Rich owned the radio repair shop on main before changing it to TV repair. He would give me old transisters that weren’t quite finished with their power for my little transistor, which I still have.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Where was the Radio Repair and what was his name?
July 28th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I was just recalling how many taverns there were. I am aware that there were other places to go, but not many in that concentrated area. I do know that Anthony’s served some pretty good food in their tavern. Also, I think the Glee Club was the one next to Center Tap had outstanding fried chicken – I used to go there to eat before I went to work at the Auction House (the old skating rink) when I was in high school. Twenty minutes for lunch/supper wasn’t enough time for me to get from where I worked in Bldg. X over there and back. So I ate in the Cat cafeteria, which wasn’t too bad.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
It was Rich Dillon and Julie probably knows where the shop was. I don’t remember. I do remember him coming to our house to fix our TV’s though.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:12 am
Pretty sure it was between the restaurant and where Beck’s is now. We weren’t allowed to go in so that’s just my best guess.
July 29th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Carroll’s Tavern was next to my dad”s building. It was still there when they built Beck’s. There was an old house owned by a dentist where Beck’s is now. I don’t know what year they tore it down, but we sneaked in the house. Someone had left a window opened. The dentist had either moved or died. The right hand side of Beck’s building is actually the old Carroll’s Tavern. I doubt if too many people know or remember any of this. We do because we lived above the restaurant. I am on here really to inform you that Miss Serkowich’s brother Joe passed away yesterday or the day before. It hasn’t been in the paper yet. You probably know that Miss Serkowich can no longer drive. I don’t know what her plans are as far as staying at Riverview. She also has a house in Peoria.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Thank you for the information, Betty. She has worried and looked after him for a long time.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Betty , thankyou sooo much for the heads up on Ms Serkowich. That is sad news to hear but l am glad everyone can get a chance to send her condolances properly, {like she taught us too
a little exploring , youse guys did , huh ? 
Ah the adventure and fear of “getting caught” , huh? 
…speaking of ..
Come on you other A’s -J’s and K’s -Z , get in there and help your fellow RRR’s out ! They are sharing and caring …return the favor .Double -dog…tripple-dog dare ya ! 
The dentist that you wrote of , was it Dr. Katz?? Seems like you had to go up to his office from the rear behind Waibles?? …I see that we “Bottoms” kids weren’t the only ones tempted from the straight and narrow on occasion
l am really enjoying Joe and Jay and Julie all in putting fresh “old” mems etc. but , l, don’t know about you feel about it ,Betty, seems like one letter of the alphabet is being more represented than any other ?
Again , Thanks Betty
July 29th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Just a quickie …does anyone remember the palm readers who lived in those brick houses on Main street, before they all were tore down { in the area where Hardees and the old Shop-Ko sit now} …we called them the witch sisters when we were kids , but l can’t remember much more , than stories of how they got people to give them money in a hankerchief to chase bad spirits or curses away and then they pretended that the spirits had actually taken the money ..yeah , right
and other than we walked wayy faster past their house than we did most places, we weren’t scared or nuttin ….yeah , right ! 
July 29th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Betty D.;;;i remember Carroll’s Place real well.a little friend of mine that went 1st thru 6th grade W/ us ,then on to Central for 7th & 8th grades ,Step-Father owned it then. friends’ name was Gene Jordan…his step-father sold it to Bob & myrtle Rice & changed name to ,”Shamrock Tap”.Bob Rice is the ‘one’ that bought Richland School & local 974′s local union hall across st. from Richland School on corner of Globe / Elm St. …Charlie & Don Schmidt had 1st. National Bank Bldg. oncorner where Beck’s is,& i mean RIGHT on corner,the Ladies Eastern Star Headquarters ,was above Bank.My one Aunt worked at Bank,another Aunt belonged to Eastern Star group up above bank…as far of the “BEST” plce to eat , it certainly was Brownfields, but do you remember the little enclave too enter the restaurant to your right ,or turn to your left & go in Pee Wee[Levi] King’s barber shop,He was E.P. Fire Chief at the time also! He was cutting my hair in August, 1944 ,when the news that ,President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ,had just died !He always had his boots/jacket/Chief’s helmut sitting in shop , fire whistle go off ,{HE GONE},you’re left sittin in chair,but at times he had another ‘wanna be’ barber helping out ,that would finish up ,amazing…LOL…speaking of Carrolls’ place, that’s how i think i shot baskets out the back door of the restaurant,being up there W/ Gene Jordan,whose ,like i said ,owned Carrolls,that is if bro. Dick was playin …did you ever get that “MEAN OLE MAN’ Bobby D.off them terrible old motorcycles ? I CERTAINLY hope so..later~~*nite-train*~~
July 29th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Tippy::: I typed a “LONG” ,what i thought was interesting / imformative piece last nite ,about an hr. to ‘one finger’type, lots of GOOD stuff ,hit submit ,dissapeared,finally retrieved it twice ,re-submit —-gone…wife re-trieved it AGAIN,nope, gone again .she wanted me to dictate what i said ,but you can’t dictate what you really mean or feel ,just doesn’t work.oh well ,maybe it’ll show up sometime later. it was a interesting story.names /places/people /things you would ‘re-call’…lol..we’ll try again to retrieve it tho’,never to give up….~~~*nite-train*~~~
July 29th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Bob Rice, Bob Baugh, and Ed Moore were the toughest guys in East Peoria at that time. Bob Rice seemed to be a real nice guy at least that is what I saw. There was another tavern accross the street – Nitehawk? Letha Peters lived above ther I think. Then behind Brownie’s was another tavern – the original Variety Club. I think Jerry and Myrna Vollmer lived next door. Al Schier had his market where Bud Schmidt bujilt the Texaco Station and Schier’s moved accross the street where CVS is. I remember a lumber yard right against the tracks (I think this was Laverne Schwab’s first lumber yard). He moved over on Gold (Columbia St.) and started Builders Cash and Carry. I think French’s Cleaners was in behind Schier’s.
I will have to tap my memory banks for more graffitti.
July 29th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Anyone interested. Think if you hit comment and then wait for (what is on my computer) the little blue and yellow box that says Top Speed, to stop working, then your comment should be accepted. Took quite a while to figure that out.
July 29th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Bob Rice, Bob Baugh, Ed Moore ? you GOTTA be kiddin’ !Danny Redmon or Jr. Walker could’ve WHIPPED them three at the SAME TIME ,no PROBLEM! Jr. Walker was from the bottoms,{Richland }as was Danny Redmon …Jr. WON the Heavyweight Golden Gloves Championship in 1953/54 good friends,I still talk to him,see him now & then.still in GOOD shape ,225 lbs.,34 in. waist ,arms/ chest still there…Knowed Ed Moore since grade school,good friends,spent about as much time in my mobile home when he had Cooler Tap as me ,finally gave him key,BUT,PALEEEZ,NOT even CLOSE to being in same league W/ Danny or Jr. , REALLY!!!The “FAT” man, Baugh & son Jack,I battled them both at SAME time at Walts’ Corner Tavern at corner of Adams& Franklin ST. in Peo. ..Bob got free shot at me W/ a SNEAKY Sunday punch ,& man i’m tellin ya, he HAMMERED me,didn’t knock me down ,went straight backwards so fast & hard ,hit hall about 5 ft. behind ,couldn’t fall ,bounced back& whacked him as Jack jumped on top of bar & used ‘SAP’ on top of my head ,i grabbed both his ankles ,down he come ,i think i got a shot at him ,when someone yelled “COPS” ,they ran out ,i grabbed bar towel for top of head ,ran to restroom, bleeding bad .cops’ wanted me to go hosp. ,turned that offer down,denied fight ,got back too E.Peo. where cops’found me & talked me into getting head sowed up.Honestly ,Bob hit me soooo hard ,it didn’t hurt! LOL..he hit me so hard,i’m not kidding, if that WALL hadn’t stopped me ,they would’ve arrested me for speeding up Adams St. we talked at Bob’s funeral ,[Jack & Me] laugh about it ,but he said when i jerked his feet out from under him because of spilled beer on bar,he landed on both shins & blood clots ,he got blood poison or something & was pretty sick for awhile.i told him my “HEAD” w/ stitches didn’t improve my LOOKS either !!! But THEM 3 Guys’ aren’t in the same league W/ Danny & Jr.! They would ‘MAN-UP’ & tell you that.I would put Jr.s Sister up against them , {JOSIE}LOL!So many guys’ around in the “DAY”,Al Shipman, Bob Pollitt,Don Gisi,& others …later ~~~*nite-train*~~~
July 29th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
It’s very hard to believe, but Ray will be 72 tomorrow. Where has all that time gone? Next May we will have been married 48 years. Seems impossible since still waiting to see what I’m going to be when I grow up. Do know that is very hard to move forward without a foot firmly planted in the past. As I told Donna, I don’t go back in time so much to feel young as to receive strength. That is another plus for growing up a river rat. The strength that we got from that. Not a lot of people learned to tell time from the shift whistles blowing. Tho never could understand the 18 minute part. Our daughter, Amy will also learn if she is getting the job she interviewed for sometime tomorrow. Has been unemployed since March. We’ve got our fingers crossed.
Doesn’t sound like you ever done anything the simple way, Joe.
Betty – our son is also a teacher at a magnet school in the Madison, Wi school district as is his wife. Hard time imagining him in front of a classroom controlling 6 & 7th graders. Only thing he was interested in controlling at home was the remote control. President Obama appeared at his school last year to reveal the Incentive program he was starting. Both his & Mara’s school have applied, but didn’t receive it. Haven’t heard about any school getting one. My thoughts and prayers will be with Mrs. Serkowich tonight. julie
July 29th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Anonymous, You have most everything correct. Gary, Gene, Carol, Al, stepmom Judy, and her daughter Linda lived in the brick building behind the market. French Cleaners was also there. Myrna and Jerry Volmer lived in an upstairs apartment by the alley behind Mc Kinley hotel. There was a house between the apartment, which was attached to the side of the house, and the Variety Club. Schelm Brothers had a factory next to that. I used to wake up in the summer to the rhythm of the machines banging over there. Letha, Jack, and Joe Peters did live above the Nighthawk Tavern. Larry Morgan lived above the Variety Club or Mugg’s house. He became a policeman. The Neltner Family lived above the Variety Club for a while also. Larry Hankerson did too. Behind the upstairs apartment that the Volmer’s lived in was a little old house. An old couple lived there. I can’t remember their names now, but Gene or Gary probably could. Ronnie McDonald lived on Herschel Street. Joe, You are right about Gene Jordan. His stepfather owned the tavern. He worked hard for him. He and Gene ran around together too. Gene Jordan became a state policeman or some kind of policeman too. Ronnie Mc Donald went to Roosevelt School too. He became a teacher and then a principal. We had some fun times in downtown East Peoria. We were the Four Corners’ buddies, that is according to Gene Scheerer. According definitions, he said that we lived in the ghetto. Mr. and Mrs Citron lived above their store. PeeWee Kings barbershop was really part of my dad’s building. He was quite a character. Sometime I will have to tell you what he told me about his birth. As far as Bob Rice, Bob Baugh, and Ed Moore, they were all really tough cookies. I know that if you set Bob Baugh off, he wouldn’t say anything. He just knocked you for a block. However, when he came in the restaurant, he was one of nicest men and would do anything for you, but you better never cross him. Ed Moore, to me, was a teddy bear. He took us out to his barn, and let us ride his horses. He was a nice man too unless you crossed him. I don’t know too much about Bob Rice, but he was in good shape. He and Myrtle moved into the Sommerfield’s house for a while. There were more taverns in downtown East Peoria too. Miller’s Tavern was on the northwest corner of Washington and Main. The Four Aces was on the North side of West Washington Street. Yard’s Tavern was across the street. Billmeyer’s Tavern was next to the pool hall on East Washington Street. Joe, Thank you so much for the nice things that you said about my teaching. I really appreciate that. I loved teaching, and I loved the kids. I really miss it. Yes, Bobby finally sold his motorcyle a number of years ago. I was very relieved when he did. I also want you to know that when I saw Peter Fonda in Easy Rider, I immediately thought of you. You could have been his double.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Yes, and the taverns didn’t end there. The 308 Club at the bottom of Springfield Road, MacKenzie’s right across the street on Washinton, next door to Frank’s Cafe – which eventually evolved into Chic’s. I was never quite sure why we needed so many taverns in such a small area, but apparently we did as they all seemed to be relatively successful. I guess when you had upward of 35,000 employees at Caterpillar and a concentration of people living in the immediate downtown area, it explains it.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Oh , you guys ! ♥♥♥ You have made a lot of people’s day today with your posts . ♥
and l was delighted to find out that you shared an affection for Ronnie McDonald ! He lived next door to my cousins on Hershall street and we thought he and Pinky were sooo way cool even back then{ she had a bedroom painted black with pink accessories ! How cool was that ? 
. When he was going to college we really thought he was something else and then he ended up being our teacher in 8th grade at Richland{ mine anyway , Sandy went to Roosevelt and then Central . We shared a mutual admiration society, for many years , first as neighbors of sorts , then student teacher , and then co-workers , as years later he taught my children at Glendale school. He never failed to point out to anyone that would listen that he had taught me and what a good student l had been …Did wonders for fragile egos ,l miss him that is for sure , l would have liked for my grandkids to have had him for a teacher , but sadly that isn’t to be . 
First of all l want to say ,once again, that my heart and sympathies go out to Ms Serkowich and pray that GOD grant her the strength she needs right now to get through this, her most recent life trial .
On a more upper note …Betty , l loved your post ! You placed so many things ! Thankyou and you and l also agree on the Easy Rider resemblance for Joe ,although some of his escapades make me think more of Steve McQueen at times .
Gene and Gary Sheerer used to tease me mercilessly that they were going to narc on me to my parents , because l would come across to the fruit stand to put on or take off my lipstick or any other adjustment l had made to my appearance before the folks picked us up from skating { Danny worked for them for years so we would stop in before and after skating a lot of times . Ahh …thanks for the memories …;-)
l won’t hog anymore time , but l will be reading …Keep on keepin on …rock , ramble and roll …
July 29th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Do I know Anonymous Says??
July 30th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Great to hear “Anonymous ” mention 308 Club, neat to sit in there ,ice cold mugs,sorta dark ,catch all that traffic and action at the intersection,air conditioned ,,,really nice place to hangout!Seen my Aunt Jean Hammond at Krogers’ few days ago ,91 yrs. old,amazing!worked at Davis Bros. Pizza from 1ST. day they opened for business,till LAST day when they closed!!!NEVER missed a day ,unreal !!!You mention my old {SWEETHEART},Mae MacKenzie,[husband Jess was E.P. Cop for yrs.],after 3rd. time they woke her up too come down for my ‘postbail’ on a Fri. nite,she said ,Joseph, my little darlin, from this moment (3 a.m.)on, you will be here till Monday Morn. ,do I make myself CLEAR?I said YES ,as a BELL! from then on ,i would go in on every Fri. evening & give them the $15.50 for bond money before i got started …Her & Hade Arnold were really great people .Her as Police Magistrate ,He as Judge W/office above police station…Everything was $15.50 ,speeding,disorderly conduct,a ride in Harold Schmidt’s Ambulance,everything, all the same.course the ambulance was free, brother Robert lived upstairs at funeral home & worked there ,so that was freebee.when he finally quit takinng our “EMERGENCY”calls…Oh, Betty D. ,Jordan went to Fl.& retired as rank of Detective I was told …Anonymous ,,,you mentioned the 35,000 Cat. workers ,you’re exactly rite ,taverns ,gambling ,money fun ,jobs anywhere & every one working ,the BEST of the GOOD TIMES ! NEVER will be like that again ! What our Children W?Grandchildren will NEVER get too HAVE what WE ALL HAD..I enjoy all kinds of music ,BUT ,if you listen to the (STATLER BROS.),song that FITS ALL of us ,names,turn of events, futures,maybe few changes of names here -n- there,circa “52″THRU “59″,it fits all of us ,one way or another ! Called ,{THE CLASS of “57″}. THATS” US!:::::~~~~~*nite-train*~~~~~
July 30th, 2010 at 6:48 am
Joe, You mentioned Jean Hammond. Didn’t she live on the same street as you but on the corner of the next block and didn’t she have a daughter about my age? I also seem to remember that her husband (Gary??) worked at Davis Bros. and one day hit 2 kids on bikes. If I remember right he never drove again. These are my memories but unlike yours mine could be a bit distorted. Thanks to all of you for the memories. We seem to have branched out a bit from Richland but that’s o.k because there is still a connection. As Jay said we are all going back to a simplier life and time.
Keep it coming.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Lynda;;;My Aunt Jean & Uncle {JIM},did live at 200 Monson St., 1st house in second block.NO Gary Hammond in the family, I think you’re thinking of Hammonds’ that lived on /in 100 block State St.:::my Uncle Jim drove truck & worked for N.E. Finch trucking Co. for about 40 yrs. NO “Biicycle” incidents there , wrong Hammonds!they had 3 Children,two boys’ and a girl,James[Bud] , George[Tubby], ,that worked at Davis BrosW/ his Mother,my Aunt Jean] ,and daughter Cheryl ,that would prob. be about your age…annd THEY NEVER run grocery store next door!store started out as Poppins’,then Billings ,lastly Bentz AND CLOSED, GOne, as i am for while…~~~*nite-train*~~~ ALL,have nice day/wk. end!!!
July 30th, 2010 at 11:11 am
This is for Joe and your other class of 57 ers but you can change the title to Class of 68 and any class in between and it pretty much will fit . Enjoy!
Don Reid – Harold Reid)
Tommy’s selling used cars
Nancy’s fixing hair
Harvey runs a grocery store
And Margaret doesn’t care.
Jerry drives a truck for Sears
And Charlotte’s on the make
And Paul sells life unsurance
And part time real estate.
Helen is a hostess
Frank works at the mill
Jenett teaches grade school
And prob’ly always will.
Bob works for the city
And Jack’s in lab research
And Peggy plays organ
At the Presbiterian Church.
And the class of ’57 has dreams
We all thought we’d change the world
With our great works and deeds
Or maybe we just thought the world
Would change to fit our needs.
The class of ’57 had dreams.
Betty runs a trailer park
Jan sells Tupperware
Randy’s on an insane war
And Mary’s on welfare.
Charlie took a job with Ford
And Joe took Freddie’s wife
Charlotte took a millionaire
And Freddie took his life.
John is big in cattle
Ray is deep in debt
Where Marvis family wound up
Is anybody’s bet.
Linda married Sonny
And Brenda married me
And the class of all of us
Is just a part of history.
And the class of ’57 has dreams
But living life day to day
Is never like it seems
Things get complicated when
You get past eighteen.
But the class of ’57 had its dreams.
Oh, the class of ’57 had dreams…
Didn’t we all …but this song does seem to hit it on the head .
July 30th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Prime-Time;;;;A “BIG” Thank You for “THAT”,,,WE {ALL} got too EXPERIENCE that trip back ‘IN THE DAY’,but it ended for the kids of these days’,they’ve been (CHANGED). Changed by “DESIGN”,made too believe no future ,no trust ,no family ties,nothings permanent;jobs, security,or life !Hard to find Kids’ that have dedication,desire,or face the Challenges of the real world!~~~*nite-train*~~~
July 30th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Yes, we have digressed a little from the immediate Richland area, but I think a bigger thing is this is all part of “our” East Peoria and I find it interesting to hear how we all interacted in the Downtown area and in the schools. I think every geographic area of a city has a “story” to tell as the environment was a little different in each case.
We in the Richlands were basically surrounded by an Industrial Giant (Cat), the closeness of the River, and the lack of any major businesses.
The Roosevelt/Central group were pretty much “city kids”
The Washington Group were spread out over a large area and were more rural than anything else.
The Jefferson Group was just “up on the hill”.
But regardless of location, we were all kids and for the most part just middle class folks. Never had a lot of money, but somehow had enough for what we needed — and sometimes a little extra.
The main thing is we grew up in the best times the country has ever seen or will ever see again.
Our music, culture, morals, and our ethics will never be improved on.
So, Nite-train (and others), let’s keep the Richland/EP flame burning with fond memories. It is for sure that “current events” are not very soothing, so let’s live in the past when things were kinder and gentler.
July 30th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Tippy;;;;VERY WELL SAID!!!You covered it perfectly !Going ‘uptown’ , was a BIG deal…we thought the kids uptown ,had it made,how lucky they were to have everything rite outside their door. we were “FENCED IN” by that big 8 ft. CAT. fence .LOL .But ,you got it rite…Wife hollern ‘supper ,be back on later..~~~*nite-train*“`
July 30th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
The Statlers had many songs that reflected back to our time:
“What ever Happened to Randolf Scott?”
“Carry Me Back”
“Do You Remember These?”
“The Movies”
“Child of the Fifties”
“Years Ago”
and
“you Can’t Go Home Anymore”
I am sure there a couple more, but thanks for tripping the trigger on the Statlers (one my favorites)
But there songs do take you back that wonderful time.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Welllll …you can call me donna,PrimeTime,Prima-Donna,River-Rat…or whatever ..Call me whatever you want , just don’t call me later for supper !
We were the ones supposedly from the “other-side of the tracks” { and we literally were on the “other-side-of-the-tracks” 
But we never let a person being from either side of the tracks get in the way too much of too much 
.. Never held a persons wealth, or lack there of , against them 
We did all share “uptown”-”down-town”and all around the town, and the HS. 
Over all , when all was said and done ,we did all get along very well , especially when you consider the diversity of backgrounds that we all came from and brought to school with us . 
We were pretty much our own mini-united-nations …Native American Indian, Czech,Polis,French, English , Australian , just to name a few . We actually were the melting pot of sorts for the area . Like you pointed out most of the local surrounding areas were the same in differing degrees , and a good old RRR story would likely include references to one or more of those areas and people at any given time . 
So fuel up the fire and throw another log on …we have a long haul ahead , miles to go before we rest our heads . Later Gator or After while crock-a-dile …either way keep on ramblin , rumblin and reminiscing!
Jay , you do have the situation right , l feel too . We Richlandites were, in particularly , mostly all from middle-class ,Cat or Hershall workers , with a few others thrown in for good measure .;-) l am sure we do not intend to come across as reverse discriminating either
l also agree, Jay that calmer memories need recalled during these not so calm times, to give us all strength to keep on keepin on . We have to give these kids the thumbs-up so that they will know that they can still turn it all around …it ain’t over till the fat lady sings , and l have a sore throat so that isn’t happening anytime soon !
July 30th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Tippy;;;; W I R L radio plays the Statlers songs alot. just this morn. ,they played ,”Do YOU REMEMBER THESE”,i go too sleep W/ it on 1290 A.M. … they play the older songs’, the ones’ you can understand & sorta relate too.I blogged a long ,interesting ,informative to you Wed. nite about things from Bob [Charles] Perry,Center Tap, the “MAN” we ALL knew, ,Joe Rafool! IT WOULD NOT SUBMIT,DISSAPEAR ,COME BACK UP ,GONE,that went on for about an hr. , then gone compltely !When world Champion checker player ,{WILLY RYAN},came to town & came over to Center Tap & played 20 guys’ at same time on shuffleboard at Fuzz Perry’s joint ,some State Champions,former Champs, just moving up& down board ,BEAT UM ALL! Talked to Bob[Charles]couple yrs. ago ,he’s still got Willy’s autographed book titled ,.Fuzz was real good .I was one time too,Fuzz & I played 5 game set ,I won 2 Him1 ,2 draws!LAST time i could beat him!!!Bob & I played 100 games one day ,each won 4 games ,92 DRAWS. Never could handle him again ,he was TOOO good for me!!!One of the top shuffleboard players in country,he was! Him & Joe Abraham were unbeatable ,travel cross country & kick butt,they would!!!At one time ,no one could beat me on my shuffleboard ,when i was tending bar at Goose,well Bob would give me 14 pts.,play to 15 & let him have hammer,he beat me EVERY time ..LOL>>Bob spent many days7 nites at our house ,as i did theirs,loved Fuzz& Pauline, Sue & I were VERY close ,Kay had her friends,mostly Sandy Cross ,John’s Sister.John& Sandy both in Ca. , John retired after 30 yrs. W/ LAPD ,Sandy’s Husband 29 yrs. as a Ca. Policeman. Their Mother ,in her 90′s ,still lives in 200 blk. Chicago St., next door or two from where Tom& Eddie Miller onced live.well, i’ll give someone else a whack at this.keep on keepin on~~~*nite-train*~~~
July 30th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
As one of the Helferich 12, I did sometimes feel discriminated against once I left Richland; before that, everyone at our grade school seemed pretty much equal but when I started going to Central then to EPHS, there definitely was a snobbery that I had never experienced on our side of the tracks. I’m not saying everyone was perfectly and always happy in the bottoms – Gayala Hale, Dorothy Pribble, and I “ran away from home” a couple of diferent times — always to each others’ houses, only to be taken back home by one of the parents. That’s right – all of us had two parents and typically one was home whenever the kids were home. Wasn’t easy getting away with much!
July 30th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Isn’t it great seeing this site growing again. Ah, The Statler Brothers. We were lucky enough to get to see them in concert, up close. Always has been my favorite group. Had to put a CD on and listen again. For this occasion, there is Sweeter & Sweeter.
Sweeter and sweeter the days roll on by
Memories outnumber the stars in the sky
The more I deny it, the more that I cry
As the memories grow sweeter, I miss you and cry.
Then there is “Maple Street Memories”
“The Best I Know How”
“We got paid by Cash”
“Count on Me”
“Forever”
Then there is all their gospel music. So many songs that talk to our generation.
Went out to dinner tonight with our friends, came home and played cards, I looked around the table and realized I was playing cards with a group of 70 year olds and I had another year to get there.
All of you sharing this space, think of the bottoms when you hear the Statlers,
July 31st, 2010 at 12:05 am
Julie, I thought you would like the reference to the Statlers. Glad you felt young today. Have a great night. Love you.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:12 am
Yoah Gayle ,
Man your engines and do your damage …the rumble is on ! 
l do identify with the “running away” to each others houses ….THE BIG ESCAPE had nothin on us , right !;-) We even shared a co-conspiriter or two …You call her Dorothy but l always called her and knew her as Jeanie Pribble …been a day or two but it is always fun remembering …l can remember snuggling up with the lights out and whispering way into the night when we were supposed to be going to sleep ,{ the bedrooms were always cold and dark and we were always full of secrets to tell and plans to make, but Corlos and Zola never got angry with us ..
l also remember Gayla from our church GAA { ?} girls meetings …
l guess that there has always been snobbery like you described and we did get a big dose of it when we left the safety of our little self-contained island . l know that l have written of this before, that it was true of all of us probably to a point from the area, but especially those of us who didn’t get to make the transistion from Richland to Central and then the HS ..we were just thrown into the big pond straight out of the little pond ..True it wasn’t always perfect in our little Richlandite world , but as you said both parents , were the norm and one or the other usually at home or in yelling range except for our little escapades and such } and for the most part we were kind to each other , but by no means perfect . Like all families we had our little squabbles and feuds , but they were usually dealt with “in bounds” not “out-of-bounds” .
Somebody said the Statlers seemed to hit on our situations with their music a lot and l think that is true because they were not just any singers of any songs , but singers of our peer group and generation.Singers,and ,sometimes, writers, of songs about our time, that was their time too . There songs seem to sounds real and valid because they were and they were believable singing them , because, like us, they had lived them and so we identify with them much more than some.
Keep on keepin on , guys and gals …them memory embers are turning in to a full fledged fire …could be part of the reason we are experiencing this recent heat wave
July 31st, 2010 at 1:27 am
didn’t say I was feeling young, just that I was the youngest at the table.
July 31st, 2010 at 9:58 am
Got info on Joe Serkowich funeral is tuesday at 11 and visatation is an hour before that.Don and I are going to go and hoping other rrr are going to go and support Miss Serkowich.She has been there for our family so many times and I want to be there for her.Talking about running away you girls i remember a time I told mom and dad i was running away and they said go ahead so i took off around the corner and there they sat in the yard watching me as i going around the block. I could see them moving there chairs around and watching every move i made.When i knew they werent coming to get me I come back home.You are so right having a parent always home was great.Doesnt seem that way to often anymore.So many times i listen to old country on sunday morning and here maple street memories takes me back to my maple street memories.Mine are so much differant than all of yours.Some i have heard about and some i havent but always happy to hear other peoples memories.Hell i wasnt even born until 1958 and you guys were done with school by then.Always hoping maybe someone my age will find this site.
July 31st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
You guys were talking about all the taverns, did anyone mention Tony’s 4 O’Clock Club. I remember if it rained a lot, you had to walk in water to the table. Long time a go! I was just a child.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Hi Guys ! Head up to “baby” Mary !;-) By the way what do you mean we were out of school before you were born you little whipper-snapper? You know {right off the top of my head } I think l was in 3rd grade in 58 ..far from outta school …we wished !;-) l do know what you mean though and 8 years is like another generation away , but you were still there during some pretty good times . Thanks for the info on Miss Serkowich
…l am printing the a snipet of the obit and the ural to the full one for anyone wanting the full Obit , both here and on the other site;
Joe Serkowich, age 95, of East Peoria, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2010:
Online condolences may be made at http://www.cumerford.com.
http://www.cumerford.com/sitemaker/sites/cumerf0/obit.cgi?user=233746Serkowich#
Later Gaters…
July 31st, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Now , Jewels , { aka DeeDee} you know that you were not allowed to go in places such as you just mentioned in your post …psshaw …a bar where spirits and strong liqueur were served …tsk!tsk! l know it never crossed your mind to disobey..{ by the way is that the one Marie’s aunt tended bar at?
} …anywhooo. l know you just had a momentary slip or something { wink!wink! } cause l know you wouldn’t have done anything we weren’t allowed to do 
..
…humidity-wise anyway, according to the thermometer it isn’t that hot 74 or something like that , but you couldn’t prove it by the sweat on my brow …you cats stay cool and keep on keepin on …later ,Gaters
I posted a link earlier for those of you who wanted to read all of Miss Serkowiches brothers obit etc. but it said it had to be monitored, or some such thing, before it could be posted, so the Peorian must be doing some editing today …but if you want it before he gets a chance to repost it , just got to the PJ Star online obits and it will take you there .
Whew! lt is hotter than Moll Flander’s knickers
July 31st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Tippy;;;;The “Statler Bros.” are going to be on at 7 pm,Channel 12 {PBS}…~*nite-train* later:::::::::`
July 31st, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Missed the Statler Bros !
but watching Aretha Franklin narrating a Dick Clark thing on same PBS …ahhh memories …..good , good mems . Thanks PBS and Nite-train for giving Tippy the heads up …..l feel nice …like sugar and spice ….
July 31st, 2010 at 11:11 pm
To all out there, I don’t remember if I mentioned this, but I have a copy of the 1986 EP Centennial- I got a web site from “flame”, but I can’t copy pictures to it. If anyone is interested, send me your email and I will begin scanning and pasting until I get the book sent.
My email is averyjs321@aol.com
August 1st, 2010 at 9:41 am
Yoah , Jay …Sorry , l meant to let you know what was happening on my end on the scanned part of the book you sent me …l finally got it downloaded { l think;-) } and l will start posting some of it on my site to share with the gang and that way they can download what they want from there if they want …again Thankyou sooo much for gathering the info . lt may take ma a few days to get it on the site but hang in there gang, l will “get er done ”
. lt is some interesting history on the old schools and area . Thanks again, Jay.
August 1st, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Sorry guys , l am having oodles and caboodles of problems and am not getting info Jay sent downloaded like l thought l could . l think it is just toobig a down load may have to have Jay send one page at a time as seperate attachments …don’t know what else to try .lt will not let me copy and paste like l thought l could so at the moment l am stymied ..
For some reason , niether blogs will accept the download or even the comments …l am going to try and get this through one more time and then l am calling it a night …Nite , sleep tight, don’t let the bed-bugs bite
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:25 am
Received an e-mail today in a round about way from a Ken Eyer who lived in Richland on Edmond St. Moved when the overpass was built. Graduated from HS in 1969, 10 years after I did. He knew Gary Shinall, Allen Barber, Linda Bradley, Bev Kinworthy, Brenda Purdue, Brenda Quattlebaum, Connie Oldham, Howard French, Gail Ratcliff. Also know Ronnie Belcher. He has an older brother Jim and older sister Carol. Could probably name others he said. If anyone has any questions, he would be glad to try and answer them. Doesn’t have face book. That’s the extent of the e-mail so if anyone is interested let me know.’
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:06 am
Hey – I do not remember a Ken Eyer.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Gayle, he said his older sister Carol worked on the Class of 68 reunion with Starla. Didn’t you know her?
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I remeber the Eyer family from church, Richland Southern Baptist Church. Only one was younger than me, Patty.
August 3rd, 2010 at 2:37 pm
My brother Larry and I went to Miss Serkowichs brother visatation she was holding up very well.Kinda surprised I didn’t regonize anybody there.Thought maybe some of the rrr would have been there.
August 5th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
sorry to see that this site has gone inactive again. Joe, can’t believe you haven’t responded to Key Eyer or the people he has mentioned. Imagine that you and Jay are corresponding via e-mail and the rest of us won’t learn of all of your escapades.
August 5th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
No, I am still here and “nite train” and I are not on a “private line”. I did not know the Eyers. What ever happened to Florence Tjaden. She was my first grade teacher (what a sweetheart).
August 5th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Just heard from my sister about the reunion on the 28th. They have about 4 couples confirmed and the members of the committee and their spouses. Mrs. Serkowich is still hoping to be there and Lynda says she still remembers things they have all forgotten. Wish we could be there. I had a Miss Hahn or Bohn for 1st grade. A young teacher (think her first job) and she only lasted a year. Hard to compete with Miss Serkowich and Miss Yuronis. Though I thought she was great.
August 6th, 2010 at 6:17 am
I just saw something posted dated August 2 that says it is from me but I don’t think it was; admittedly, I’m definitely getting older but I do not remember the Eyer family nor do I recall typing it….Also I believe Anonymous right after that was my sister, Mary.
August 6th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Hi Guys and Gals
per Toby Keith 
}
.
Shovel time will be here before we know or want it , so l,personally, am sure not rushing summer, AC or not ! 
I can’t speak for anyone else , but l have been trying to survive the heatwave and some days it takes its toll on me worse than others.. so l am not as active on here, or anywhere ,as I once was { BUT, l am as active once as l ever was
Jay , the name Tjaden rings some distant bell , but l didn’t have her as a teacher . Maybe the bell will get louder and l can recall her clearly.
Julie , l do think l remember Kevin Eyers and a sister , but again , not clearly. l did know Linda Bradley fairly well , she lived next door to the Owens twins , Larry and Wanda and l hung out with them a lot .She went skating with us quite a bit .l used to run into her occasionally but haven’t for a long time now . Gary Shinal also , although l thought that he had passed away , l , hopefully,am wrong on that but , l remember his mother too, she ended up living out at Leisure Acres with my Aunt Alice { she was a retired nurse }.
l talked to Brenda Perdue just the other day at Krogers , she is doing well. Gail Ratcliff is also remembered , although l think the ones you are naming off are more from Jewels age group than mine and were probably ones she would remember clearer. l am sure night-train knows something on them because he just knows something on everybody from the “Bottoms”
You guys stay cool and hydrated and when your cussing the heat remember the cold
August 6th, 2010 at 11:43 am
hi julia!
i just found the richland school blog last night. still reading today, and was amazed to read my name!!! LOL you are one of my first memories of going to school, the whole class (kindergarten) was gathering in front of Ms Litchfield to listen to a story, and you knelt down on a thumb tack with your knee! you screamed, Ms Litchfield pulled the tack out, then the memory fades. do you remember that?
another memory of you is at EPCHS, in science class, we got in trouble for talking so much, and i ended up having to move my desk beside Mr Rails desk for what i remember as the rest of the year lol.
by the way, i live down in fort myers, florida these days
August 6th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Didn’t mean to sound nasty on earlier e-mail. Like I’ve mentioned before, sometimes my evil twin takes over. Glad to see the interest is still alive for this site.
August 6th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Hi Tommy, what a great surprise, I send you an email. Isn’t this site the neatest thing? Write more. Can’t wait to hear from you.
August 6th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Jewels , is that Tommy Moore , the same one that is Mary Moore’s son ??
l am just enjoying being able to breath …so ll will just breathe …later Gators!
l suppose l should address that question to him …Tommy are you Mary Moores son ?
l got some email attachments from Jay on the school info and l will tackle posting them this week end . l think everyone will enjoy them . Thanks again Jay . We get a reprieve from the heat tonight and should hold until later tomorrow night according to the weatherman…oops metorologist..whatever !
August 6th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
PS …All good things must come to an end , they say..Heat wave is set to return tomorrow night and remain for the entire next week ! l really do empathise for all who have to work in this breath of hell type heat,especially the ones who have to do so without the benefit of AC ..it is bad enough to sit in front of a fan and not move when it is that sizzeling hot , but it has to be unbearable to have to actually move around and do something in it . Well , stay cool all ,and ,please, keep keepin on ..Later Gators
August 10th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Not sure what is going on with this site but it is definitely something not good. I know Julie has posted a couple of times and I have posted a couple of things that just seem to disappear. Yesterday I responded to Richard Elston who had joined the group. I think Richard was in my class with J.R. Barnhill, Russ White, Sue Walker and Donna Buckner. They were of course just a few. If it was the same Richard Elston I want to make sure he has the information on our Richland reunion that is coming up. I hope this post stays long enough for him to see it. I did just look at the Richland site on Facebook and I think I have identified Richard in some of the school pics that are posted there.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Five minutes ago I posted something. It was there and I re-read it. Logged out came back in and it is gone. Richard Elston, if you get this please email me at lyndalea604@aol.com. I will give you info on the reunion.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:20 am
What is going on. Several posts are missing, including the 2 I just sent.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:11 am
I don’t know what is up , but l have posted for 3 days only to have them dissapear . l hope that this posts but l will not post again . Anyone wanting to contact me use tthe email listed in the previous post of the Face Book sites .Good luck and Good by
August 10th, 2010 at 9:16 am
For the moment The last post did post . l am not sure if it will stay posted but l meant to write that if anyone wants to contact me , use the email l posted in earlier posts Flame2250@yahoo.com or contact me on the Facebook sites.Good luck , Good by and …
GOD bless
August 10th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I’ve thought it was my computer – not the site. I wonder who is checking this site now? Maybe some one is censoring it. Also been wondering about the new people that have just come recently to this blog. Have you read all the comments, just a couple of pages, or just the last few? Lot to read. In the beginning there were just a few of us and we probably weren’t too aware of how public it was. Things may have been said about other people that they wouldn’t wish to be mentioned without their permission. We were probably careless in that. Also you may have been wondering why people of our age would care so much about the past. Actually the older a person gets, they are more comfortable looking back than in looking toward the future. When you are younger, you are more interested in the future. I hope this site doesn’t dry up. If it wasn’t here, Deanie you and Tommy would never have crossed paths again. I keep looking for my first grade “boyfriend” to show up or 2nd grade – by 3rd grade, didn’t care for boys.
Jay, I was hoping that the book you were forwarding to Donna would talk about the history. Obviously it was good farming – thus Richland. We moved there in 1941 (on Sanford St) and there were lots of houses there at that time. When we moved to Maple, late 40s or early 50s. there was the large empty lot across from the school. It had a community well at one time. Several neighbors used it for garden plots, used as playground, and then the Union Hall was built. The area was as much about our surroundings as the people. Please keep writing.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Yes, please keep writing. I don’t always have comments, being so young and all, haha, but I enjoy reading info about where I grew up. Monte was born in 1950 and if I am right, the family moved into the Maple St house right after he was born. Is that right, Julie? I don’t remember the union hall not being where it is. Everyone have a good night.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Richard Elston – are you out there? We would love to get in touch with you for the Richland reunion. It is coming fast – August 28 at Fon du lac Park in E. Peoria. I also would like to find out if you were in my class.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Richard Elston – are you out there? I would love to get in touch with you regarding our Richland reunion. Please email me at lyndalea604@aol.com.
August 11th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
ALL;;;about all this ‘wondering’ if “someone” is censoring or ‘overseeing/controling’ this web-site or others,I, like others ,is having same prob.;and many other people i know ,that aren’t involved w/ any of us or this web, are having probs. w/ their comps. also !NO ONE that blogs on this rrr is savvy enough comp. literate,enough to insert /delete/redack/block out/remove,re-insert or control anything !!!I’m certainly not! getting on this & “OBITS”,is my expertise & as far as i can go ,& most of the time , more than i can handle…takes forever ,blank/gone/ freezing up/lost /re-appear!thats’ what EVERYONE is having probs. W/.,no conspiracy,mostly “LOUSY” internet provider! ALSO, all is prob. internrt “GRID”, maybe due to INTENSE HEAT!It works better/faster ,less probs. at nite , so don’t “FRET”, the internet {BOOGIE MAN}ain’t gonna GITCHA!I’ll make sure you’re protected!LOL!The cable (TV)is doin the same thing!I’ve learned SOOO many new cuss words ,because of this internet cable for TV & COMP!! !~~~~~*nite_train*~~~~~
August 11th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Joe, I agree with you totally. I’m not sure what the problem has been but I certainly don’t think what we are saying is worth anyone’s time censoring us. A few days ago a Richard Elston posted something on here and it disappeared. I am trying to get him back on because I want him to come to the Richland reunion.
P.S. Glad you are still on here and writing.
August 11th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Yoah , fellow RRRers …in particular Night-Train and Linda, ..l agree with you to a point . The heat is something else and has kept more people inside and online than normally would be on this time of year . Like my lil bro tries to explain it to me { and he is VERY computer literate ,makes his living in fact , from setting computer systems up for several large corporations…he got the cyber brains ☺ }…but when he talks to me he tries to speak slowly and simply , baring in mind my lack of puter power and efficiency. ☺ He says it is like a large highway and our little computer cars are clogging it up with all this extra blogging etc. that and as Night-Train pointed out , service providers etc. probably all add up to …problems ! ☺ l didn’t mean to insinuate that anyone was actually censoring us because we are so dad nab interesting or dangerous ☺ Sorry , if anyone took any of my comments that way .l was just trying to point out that these blogs do not run their selves and that the Peorian said he was going AWOL for a while so who ever is in charge of it , could , very innocently be not handling the spam filters etc. in such a way that some of our comments are discarded as spam …does that make any more sense ? Either way, l just always check back in and try to comment on occasion unless l get frustrated and then l give up for the moment …bUT you can’t keep a RRRer down so l always come back …hope you all do too …later Gators …keep on keepin on !
August 11th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
PS. l sent Julie the info Jay shared via email …anyone else who would like it either go to the other site and check it out or send me an email requesting it and l will be glad to share ..
Also forgot to thank Night-Train for the Cyber-Boogie protection …l , for one , feel much saver knowing we have a protector , ever vigilant and alert for any danger the C.B.Man might send our way …Oh, and l know exactly what you mean on increasing our blue language with some new internet specialities , l have acquired quite a few myself!! ☺
Right On !
August 11th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
okay-you guys caught me. I’m the sabateur. I am so computer savy that I’m not even able to download what Donna sent me. Reading on the other site,looks like they will have a good turnout for the reunion. Most of them were in the same 2nd grade class together.
Ken, I hope that Sue contacted you and gave you the information you needed.
And I’ve been missing my friend. Julie
August 12th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Julie, I emailed you and told you that Sue had, in fact, gotten ahold of Ken Eyer. His older brother Jim was in class with us and I have been told he is now deceased. I think Ken is coming to the reunion. I have been trying to get in touch with another classmate who showed up on this site but was one entry that is no longer here. His name is Richard Elston and he went to school with us.
August 13th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
too bad-nobody wanted to play. lots of people have had trouble with my sense of humor. This has been a happy place and I’m going to try to always think of it in that way. It also warms my heart to see the new people on here. Some a few years younger and some a generation younger. But we all feel deeply about the same places and people. We have all either dealt with spring floods or watched the creeks rising in the spring. All gone to the same grocery stores and bought the same size bag of candy whether we paid 5 cents for it or a quarter. We all waved to neighbors sitting on their front porches tho maybe not the same ones. All suffered thru Cat traffic and strikes. Tho we all have many differences we all shared much more. We can be proud of the lessons learned there that helped us in our futures and makes us long for the past. I’m closing with the words of Bob Hope going thru my mind and heart – “Thanks for the Memories.”
August 13th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
It is wonderful reading these posts and seeing folks pop up; I wonder why some who are on FB and probably know of this site do not share. Oh well, to each there own. I’m extremely tired tonight and as soon as laundry gets done, I’m going in. Florida has their tax free weekend going on now and Kyle and I are going shopping for a few things for ourselves and the grands. Abby is going to be 3 at the end of this month; Eli is my youngest at 2 – time is flying by so quickly. Does anyone know if Abby Weir is still around? She was one of Judy’s friends.
August 13th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
aBBY IS STILL AROUND SOMEWHERE. HER DAUGHTER RECENTLY DIED SUDDENLY. JUDY’S KIDS, I THINK MAY BE ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HER.
August 13th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
jULIE, tag you are it.
August 14th, 2010 at 7:34 am
No Julie is not it unless she hits the comment button before me. The Richland Reunion has gotten me excited. Last night I talked for over a half hour to Margaret Goben and the night before that to Margaret Stroud. How happy and excited I am that it appers they are coming to the union. Others in my class are Danny Langston, Shannon Brevard, Judi Chism (Maybe) Tom Brown, J. R. Barnhill, and others. I now begin my weather worry but can do little about that. While talking with Margaret G. she told me Don Shinall passed about 3 months ago. I was so sorry to hear that but I understand he had a bad heart. Many memories of Don. I am still trying to get in touch with Richard Elston and hoping he again looks at this site. Well I hope others beside us Helferich’s get back on here so we can again hear other peoples memories of Richland.
August 14th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
I thought Danny Langston was in my class and I remember Judi Chism. Does anyone know Joyce Elliott’s last name? Does anyone know what became of Dot Pribble or Carolyn Fox?
August 14th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Gayle;;;;;;Joyce Elliott lives in the 1st. house past Charlie & Ruth’s gas station on Monson St.,W/ new husband ! Sherrie ,[her sister],lives on down Monson St.,same block,(500)right hand side in Van-Orders’ or Bevards’ old house, both on Monson St.—Joyce’s last name i don’t remember,since her & Max divorced & she re-married ,but here is her PH,#,if you wanna call her;;;{DON”T} tell her how you got it,let her think you “HAVE” a (CRYSTAL BALL)!!!!—–(309) 472-8630;;;;her & her new hubby stopped by about 4 mos. ago;;;;she’ll be glad too hear from you , she seems’ real happy W/ her life now !!later- – -~~~~~*nite-train*~~~~~
August 14th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Thanks, Joe — I’ll give her a call tomorrow. I’ll be visiting East Peoria this upcoming week and of course, Davis Brothers is on the agenda. We will probably play cards at Larry’s and visit with Monte for a bit. I am guessing from what I read on here is that you no longer live in Richland and maybe not even Illinois? Maybe Joyce knows what has become of Dot and Carolyn and others. I do talk to Gayala once in a while on FB. Take care, gayle
August 14th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Gayle;;;;;if you go to Davis Bros. for pizza ,DO NOT,i repeat go to the one in Creve Couer, its’ {TERRIBLE}! the last 3 we got there were “LOUSY”!2 wks. ago we screwed up & thought we would try it again ,[WRONG]!We called um,they said ,(come down & we’ll give you one) at no cost , we said “NO THANKS”!!!TERRIBLE!!!!on a Fri. nite at 8:30 p.m.,figured they’d be busy, NOPE, 2 tables,2 people at each table ,thats’ it …3 waitresses,2 bartenders,DUMP empty on a Fri. nite & now we understand why!use to have too wait for table when downtown ,not there.there’s a Davis Bro. pizza in Fondulac Plaza ,out past E.Peo. High School,at about 2000 block E. Washington St. thats’ ok ,but not one called ‘Larrys’ in Creve Couer. Have safe trip & enjoy your stay while here..~~~*nite-train*~~~
August 15th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Gayle, Danny Langston is my cousin and sheriff where I live down here. Has anyone contacted him on the reunion? I saw on one of the facebook pages where he was pictured with a group from a former reunion. If no one has contacted him, I will.
August 15th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Gayle, when mom died was the last time we were at Davis Bro in Creve Coeur. Everyone was angry with me because I chose to stay at home. Red Butler had brought over Avanti’s spaghetti for the family. When we went to Davis Bro. to join up, everyone had left so Ray and I took the girls down to the Goose so they could see if what I had told them about it was true. And fortunately someone decided to pick a fight so they got to see Joe D. break that up.
I recently bought a Honda Civic but it has a terrible radio, no tape player and only a 1 CD changer (I am so spoiled). So my teenage granddaughter is going to load up an I-Pod for me to play in the car. Ray has transferred some tapes to CDs for her and I’m making a list of songs that I would like to be on there. Now if you all would give some suggestions for songs, I’ll get her an I-Tunes gift card and she’ll be all ready.
Some one asked about Pat Himmelrich. At our 25th class reunion she came in from California where she was selling real estate, I believe. She was on the planning committee for our 50th so someone from that should be able to say where she is now. A red corvette you said she had, that would catch any boys eye.
August 15th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Danny Langston has been contacted and has told us he will be at the reunion. I know he was at our 25th high school reunion which was the last year I attended. I am so looking forward to this and hope anyone from Richland School not in our class will come at 2. A couple of days ago I talked to Margaret Stroud and Margaret Goben for the first time since high school and both of them are coming. Margaret’s sister, Frieda, may also attend. Still hoping Richard Elston looks again at this site so he can be included. Not sure where he lives so no other way to contact him except possibly here.
August 15th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Well again, my posting disappeared. It was on the screen, I exited out of the site and about 10 minutes later came back on and it is gone. Just wanted Julia to know we have contacted Danny Langston and he has told us he was coming to the reunion. I have talked to Margaret Stroud and Margaret Goben for the first time since 1964 and they both have told me they are coming. I am really looking forward to the whole thing. Still trying to reach Richard Elston. There is still time for him to see this (if it stays posted) so we can give him the details of the reunion. Hopefully he is local.
August 15th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Sorry for the double post. When I submitted the last posting the previous one also posted.
August 15th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Julie, I have many more pages and I think it mentions the Richland area. My computer has been on the “fritz”, so I haven’t been posting. I didn’t want to send anymore to Donna until she told me she had a way to post the pages.
August 15th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I’m right there with you on the Davis Bros in Creve Coeur, Joe. Time before last when I was in EP, my brother Larry took us to that one and I did not like it — I’m not saying I didn’t eat a whole bunch of it, it just wasn’t as “good” as the one out by EPHS. Looking forward to my trip next week. Lynda – when is your reunion again? Is it this upcoming weekend when I’ll be home? How cool would that be!
August 15th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Joe funny you mentioned the creve couer davis bros. last time gayle was home Larry wanted the one from creve couer and you are right it was horrible and Gayle was lets say not happy at all.When she comes for a visit it will be the one in washington /its a tradition davis bros,cards at larrys and the boat.
August 15th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Gayle, the reunion is the 28th. Lynda, I thought for sure someone would have told you about Don Shinall. I saw it in the paper and thought Sue or Carolyn would have let you know. Sorry. EP Davis Bros all the way. There is also one in Peoria Heights owned by the EP folks. Just as good. Julie, are you wanting old country songs like He stopped loving her today, Don’t close your eyes?
August 15th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
I Found Someone of My Own…Let’s Just Kiss and Say Good Bye…Now Look Here, Is that a Teardrop on the Corner of the Pain, Now Don’t You Try to Tell Me that It’s Rain…In the Garden…How Great Thou Art…Things, Like a Walk in the Park, Things, Like a Kiss in the Dark…
Let’s all reminese about songs…I sing to Eli all the time – songs like Oh My Pappa, to me he was so wonderful and Hush Little Baby and Playmate, and I can’t spell the first part but the second part is Whatever Will Be, Will Be, the Future’s Not Ours to See, can’t spell the next part…
Love those songs – there are tons from years after but those above are wonderfu. I am taking Shelley and Karen to see Air Supply on 8/28 – they are the very first concert I ever took them too and we are all excited about it.
August 15th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Maybe someone can correct my spelling above; you know, that word … when you think about the past…
August 15th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
well thanks guys but the artist would also help. She can find them with just the name and/or lyrics but then she wouldn’t know which artist I would prefer. I heard Eddy Arnold sing Misty Blue and liked it. Went on the internet and about 15 different people had recorded it. We took the kids to a Fleetwood Mac concert in Champaign when the girls were in highschool. Our seats were way up in the bleachers and there was so much marijuana smoke we couldn’t see the stage. Not many classic country songs that I don’t have on CD. Nicole C. mentioned one by Blue October that I had never heard before called “Picking up the Pieces” that I’ll put on the I-Pod if Ellen can find it.
Gayle, it’s Que Sera Sera by Doris Day.
Jay, when Donna sent the article to me, my computer said cannot download. We don’t have anyone in this house that understands computers. Daughters boyfriend was going to teach me everything I would ever need to know about them when they came down from Michigan but he plans on moving back to Maine the end of August. He could do it from there if I would give him some information but I don’t want to do that. If you could any suggestions?
August 16th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Ava Maria by Jewell is one I can recommend. I’ll have to do some review to find artists on the others although Bettie knows Let’s Just Kiss and Say Good Bye and He Quit Lovin Her Today…more later
August 16th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Hi Guys and Gals..hope you have been keeping cool . l am going to try and post a quick one on here . l tried to the other night and they kept dissapearing again so l gave up …but here l am back, just like a bad penny .;-) This goes out to Judy B { or anyone that has any info } …Judy will you ask your Aunt { Rusty’s Mom , isn’t she the one that still lives in Creve Couer? } } if she remembers the name of the old little school there in Creve Couer from back in the 50s . l started first grade there and we moved to the “Bottoms” shortly after …No one seems to remember the name { it was behind the old Fogler store { Dollar General now } . Our teacher that year was another fine example of what a teacher can , and should , be ..but sadly l wasn’t there long enough to absorb her name and it is lost to me , although the memory of her is not . She was a wonderful lady also , much like Miss Serkowich. Miss Serkowich kind of became imbedded in ones mind ,{ as did the other teachers when you attend the same school for 8 years as some of us did} l would really like to find both names . Rhonda { Susie Yergain } Barrows would probably remember because she lived in the house on the corner across from the school…if you are out there Susie please pipe up !
Thanks …Keep on Keepin on , kiddos !
August 16th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
ALL;;; talked to Joyce Elliott today ,said her & sister Sherry would be there;;;;Sylvia {Josie} Walker was glad too hear about it & said she had Miss Cerkowich for 1st. & 3rd. grades ,& she’ll be there also !{For THE Good Times},By Ray Price !!!~~~~~*nite-train*~~~~~
August 16th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
kISS AND sAY gOODBY IS THE mANHATTANS. I can’t remember who sang “he stopped lovin her today” but Julie probably knows that one. And of course, don’t close your eyes is Keith whitley but I am sure Julie knows that one too. The Misty Blue I really like is by Dorothy Moore. I like Nite Trains suggestion too. Good Night all.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:16 am
thanks – still waiting for other suggestions. George Jones- Bettie- just the #1 song on all time country hits. Haven’t heard Dorothy Moore sing Misty Blue.
Looks like the turn out for the reunion is growing by leaps and bounds. Originally I think it was mostly Lynda’s class but others are going now also. Would like to be there. You’re going with Mary aren’t you Bettie?
How about you Joe, are you going? Really thought Donna would but she says no. And not many Keith Whitley songs I don’t enjoy.
Feeling incredibly sad tonight. Amy is having no luck finding a job so can’t keep those thoughts out of mind about not being able to help her. Going to be on the computer a little while longer, then will try sleep again.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Quick correction on the status of the reunion attendees …l am not sure whether l will attend or not . Whether l attend, or not, l do hope that everyone enjoys themselves and behaves in a proper and RRR way in front of our beloved Miss Serkowich !
lf l am not there physically { which is still in doubt } l definetly will be there in spirit ..
l think that it is great ANY of us are still around to do ANYTHING !
Keep on keepin on …
August 17th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Julie;;; George Jone’s,{He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today},is #2 as the all time Country Music Songs of “ALL” time !!! #1 is, Tammy Wynette’s,{Stand By Your Man}, The # 1 , Country Song of all time !!!Ironic them married from about ’68′ too ”76′.both GREAT songs’ tho…. Tammy’s song just barely beat George’s song out, & should’ve , altho by very narrow margin , and “I” agree W/ it !!!~~~*nite-train*~~~
August 17th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
l am going to repost this from off my site …just for the heck of it !
…
“Just in time for the end of summer comes a blow out from out of the past with folk from out of your past! ..A blow-out like those you rememeber oh so well..in the vein of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft ,Tomb Raiders, now here comes,.. “Richland Raiders , Righters of the Last Reunion ” …playing at a Fondulac park near you on August 28 ..come meet old friends …become new friends in 2010 !
Just thought l would give the whole thing a thumbs up ! Two thumbs up like the movie critics .
Julie , your songs lists seems to be increasing as fast as the reunion .
l don’t have any to add , but l think that it is cool that others are …Later Gators ..keep on keeping on !
August 17th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Just like a man to prefer Tammy to George. On my list, George is the #1. Beginning to think you were going to write to everyone but me. “For the Good Times” is also a great song but I remember kids laughing at me for liking “Send Me the Pillow you Dream On.” Looking forward to getting together with Ellen so we can get this project started. Things with Amy have gone from bad to worse but she’s stronger than she thinks and will come out of this okay. You guys got the cooler weather sooner than we did. This afternoon it finally cooled off, thank goodness. TV is playing George Jones “Who’s Gonna Fill their Shoes” as I sit typing this. I can pick up a modern country station of my radio and trying to listen and enjoy it. But someone of it is just awful. later
August 17th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
nite train what would a rrr reunion be without you i sure hope that you are going to be there maybe just maybe a basketball hoop will be around.let us know what time you may would be there id really enjoy seeing you again.looking forward to seeing everyone there .good nite
August 17th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Julie, try going to WIRL.com and see if you can get some classic old country. Not sure if you can but being a radio channel surfer in the car, I do hear some good oldie goldie stuff. Things will work out for Amy. She is a smart young lady and very pleasant and fun to be around. I told Mary I would go to the reunion with her. Should be fun. Night all. By the way, I prefer Your Good Girl is gonna go bad by Tammy.
August 18th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Julie;;;Tammy & George are both ,one & the same to me, like um both,but “MY” favorite Tammy Wynette song is ,{Woman to Woman},& 2nd is ,{Kids, Say The Darndest Things}!As far as Jones’ ,favorite is ,{I Always Get Luuucky W/ You}!All ,or Most of THEIR songs are GOOD . but I like Tammy’s ‘Woman to Woman’ best..~~~*nite-train *~~~
August 18th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Mareschloe;;;that RRR reunion gig is kinda a prob. for me ! you see ,i’ve got this thing where “I” still look, act, walk, talk, feel, ugh,like i’m still 25 or so.Drs. say its’ because of my early life style,no drinkin,[hick-up]smokin,[cough]lying, cussin,[dam-it],stayin out all nite ,[wonder if suns' comin up or goin down],anyway , leading a nice honorable clean life, yep ,thats’ what ole Doc. said :: so rather show up & see people that might be embarrassed ,because its’ been 30 to 50 yrs. since some of have seen each other, now some might look my grandparents too me,& me like that real nice innocent kid yet, i’ve decided , W/ advice & help from Dr.,a Plastic Surgeon , TWO age enhancement Drs. ,to try to make my self look older..Drs. say they”ll try , i wanna try to look like i’m in my 70′s ,Drs. say almost impossible,maybe 40′s, i say 70′s,they said they’ve got alot of work ahead of them…oh well, i’ll let you know how their comin’ along as we go;;;;~~~~~*nite-train*~~~~~
August 18th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Night Train …just a quickie out to you regarding your prob finding right Doc for the work you want done …l found a marvelous one and recomend him highly …why ,he has me looking like some ancient 60 year old { and we all know that that can’t be , since l stopped aging in my teens} lt was one of his hardest challenges , he said , but he managed to work reverse miracles on me ,so l am sure he wouldn’t have a prob with you …name is Dr. N. UR Dreams …great guy …give him a shot …or let him give you one what ever
Hope you like his work …Keep on keepin on …l know that you will …by the way friend don’t you know that the same great minds that can retain memories from 50-60 years ago and are never older than 17 in their minds are also wize enough to have made it this far knowing that Father Time is an equal opportunity employer …you puts your time in …he takes your looks and youth away …:-) but if you’re lucky you live another day . Outta here …
August 18th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
PS…Forgot to throw in a more serious side to that last comment …that it is the soul inside the shell we all call body that we all connect to and that others have connected to on this site and others …in my case the shell on the outside didn’t hold up near as well as the soul inside , although they both have had a pretty rough ride . Some people had a softer ride , some didn’t , some just more $$$’s to cover the needed upkeep .
Seriously , l think we all wrestle with the facts of life not meeting up with the fantasies of mind…but , the memories we all have the “back thens ” were made by the very same people who live in the “now” and l don’t think any of us expect anyone do resemble the “then” , in the “now” ..Everyone have fun at the event with your old , new friends …whatever shape your in , your an original …a R.R.R. !!;-)
August 18th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Been wondering what has happened to the other people who recently have visited this site. Know they must have insights.
Read your hilarious meanderings, Joe and Donna’s serious rebuttal and afraid I’m going to side with Joe on this one. I certainly am aware of what my calendar age is, the age I am in my mind, and the different ages I can be with my friends and with strangers. I am quite a bit older than the ones who are going to be there. On seeing them unexpectedly and not in a crowd would be okay, but enmasse – uh no. TV just started playing George & Tammy” Near Year” And again it’s a great song. Guess they are the model for todays Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
August 18th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
O.K. you guys. Age is just a number and Julie, those who have organized this event are no older than I am and you and I know when we are together we seem pretty equal. I would hope you, Joe, Donna, etc. etc. would come to the 2 P.M. reunion. Maybe there won’t be many your actual physical age, but darn it, Joe seems to know and get along with all age groups. I hope all of you reconsider. It seems like we will have a good turnout but we always are hoping for more. Hope to see all of you Richland Alumni at 2 P.M. on 8/28.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Donna, Joe, and Julie, No more excuses. You should go to the reunion because you are alive and can go. Everybody has gained weight or lost some hair. Everybody looks different. This is a chance of a lifetime to see old friends and meet new people who also went to Richland. You have talked about this so much and have such fond memories of Richland, you need to go. You will be sorry if you don’t. You may never have another chance. It sounds to me that all of you are still young at heart. That’s all that makes any difference. I will be really disappointed if I dont’ read all the good things that happened at the reunion on this website after August 28. Please go. I know you will thoroughly enjoy yourselves.
August 18th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
okay being prolly the youngest that will be there it is all about the person that we knew and loved i wont even know to many people there but love my former rrrs.who wants to miss a good time with lots of memories and seeing faces to put them with.I agree with the others and hope you will change your minds.
August 18th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
i TALKED TO Fred Hosbrough today and told him abt the reunion. He will let the rest of his family know and maybe the Regentz’ too. I thought some of them already knew about it though.
August 18th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
“You should go to the reunion because you are alive and can go. Everybody has gained weight or lost some hair. Everybody looks different. This is a chance of a lifetime to see old friends and meet new people who also went to Richland. You have talked about this so much and have such fond memories of Richland, you need to go. You will be sorry if you don’t. You may never have another chance.”
I agree with Betty Brownfield Dobbin.
August 19th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Betty, That was very nice. Did we ever decide if we had a highschool class together. I seemed to remember you or your sister in, I think, business machines, with again I think her name was Miss Murray. Very old, short, a little chunky, white hair and a reputation of being a mean teacher. Also taught shorthand.
Amy, my dear, mind your own business. You don’t know as much as you think you do.
August 19th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Betty, Yvonne Regentz Hosbrough is on the committee. I certainly hope they know about it.
August 19th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
NEWS FLASH;;;could not believe it ! woke up this morning , and was HAPPILY”AMAZED ” ,that I won’t have too go thru all that pain & suffering , exspense time & trouble ,it must have been Amy & Betty D.’s blogs that turned things completely around ! I LOOK like I’m 74 yrs. old,thin white hair ,even dentures,& HAPPILY feel like my age:I;m so lucky to have had Amy & Betty D. get ME up too “SPEED”!I do LUV ya both,{LOL}!Seriously tho ,Amy you are a ,and your Parents’MUST be awfully PROUD of YOU;;;& Betty D,not enough adjetives to describe you & all you’ve meant too SOOOO many Children in your long and illustrious career ,{A Job Well Done},A BIG TY from alot of kids you tutored & was their mentor!You had TWO of my Girls’ ,& they still luv ya & will never forget cha!;;;Now for me, Iived life wide -opened,full-throttle ,nonstop 24/7for 50 some yrs.,no regard for {TODAY},so when it caught up w/ me ,[or i caught w/ it], back in 2004 ,i had broke that 145 mph speedometer twice on that factory custom ,a cop wanted to buy it ,& I knew it was time,51 yrs. was long enough w/ my riding ,plus i wasn’t feeling that good…sold it ,went to Randi Jo’s graduation,knew it was TIME to get help,& help I NEEDED ,& help i GOT!Caught a ride up to Peo. from Sullivan,Ill ,straght to emerg. back doors at OSF ST. Francis ,they seen me comin’ & met me at auto. doorsW/ wheelchair,asked if i needed it ,I said I CERTAINLY DO!They took one look at me ,rite on pass admit. desk ,on too bed in E.R.,aired me up immediately,{OXYGEN},my level was 60,[50 you pass out,40 you're DEAD], needles w/ drip in one arm,drawin blood out of other,needle in top of left hand w/ somethin’ goin in,portable x-ray machine wheeled in,3 Drs.,two nurses ,askin’ Carol if i had “LIVING WILL”,she no,asked her ,does “HE” want resusitation if need be?before SHE could answer ,I raised up & hollered “HE DO”!!!LOL!!! they told her i prob. had 6 mos. left,forgot to tell “ME”! I weighed 105 lbs.,Stuff they had me on really freaked me out for few days’…but i’ve been on oxygen ever since.It’ll be 5yrs./6 mos. tomm.!that ‘trip’ to OSF[St.Francis]where it all started was Feb. 20th ,2005;;;;5&1/2 yrs tomm.1′m on oxygen 24/7 every day since then ,no big deal ,just nice to breathe good ,my blood work up is excellant,better than Drs.,weigh 177 lbs.,never changes…Drs. can’t believe how good things ‘ are…i feel great…nothing’s a bother to me.I can come & go anytime ,anywhere if i so choose.ITS” OK!!! ~~~~~*nite-train*~~~~~
August 19th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Amy;;;where I addressed you & said you are a[then it dissapeared somehow when i hit 'submit'],the rest of it was, “you are a GOOD Girl,& your input is appreciated ,for when ‘we’,& thats’ all of us as children, and when we were told “THIS-N-THAT” by our Parents ,there came a time when our Parents were sometimes ready & willing too listen to what we wanted too say,maybe not always agree,but feel a little “PRIDE”by what our children had to say,knowing they had been listening to us more than we thought,even when we ‘rolled our eyes’ & took that ‘deep breath’, followed by that look ,’yea,yea, we got it!Speaking for myself,I done “IT” better & more often than anyone , I mean I not only ,but I ‘STAMPED n MAILED IT’to everything that got in my way!kids today are a helluva lot smarter than I was at their age,so you hang in there Girl ,cause one day we’ll have to give up “OUR SEAT” to you younger ones’,& I’m satisfied that you’s can handle it! our grandparents probably wondered at times if OUR parents would handle it THEY CERTAINLY DID ,and we as parents at times do ,they all handled it,I think we ALL done OK ,& we ALL know our Children will TOO!We’d be on the WRONG road,if there wasn’t a “BUMP” here n there!~*nite-train*~
August 19th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Thanks to all of you for the encouragement. The committee for the reunion deserves a lot of credit and it does look like it will be well attended. Specially glad that you will be going “nite-train” as it just wouldn’t be a Richland reunion without you there. Know you have always been partial to Amy and your words will help her through what she is going thru right now. I’d like to share some of it but would never do that on such a public blog. She has always given me strength, even her rolling of the eyebrows days. She says I am her strength but it does work both ways. When a fight was needed to clear the air, she was always there to participate, and as much as I tease her, she never lost sight of who was the parent and who was the child. After this being said, I’m afraid I won’t be there but not for any of the reasons mentioned here. If it’s successful, maybe it will become annual. Hope all of you write about your experience there on here or on e-mail. julie
August 19th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Hi ! l am going to squeak and sneak in here for just a short comment …Thanks ♥, in particular Betty B Dobbins and the Helfrich gals , for trying to be encouraging on attendance …who knows what might happen ..RRRers are sooo unpredictable !
.
…just a thought ….
Keep an eye out .
As for the reunion ,itsself, l would like to ask a question?? l am under the impression that it is being held at the Park on top of Springfiedld Hill ..to ones right if going up the hill …the park that has the old pavillion where our teen dances were held ?? Am l correct …if so l do wonder if they have a very big turn out where people will park ?? As l remember it , there are only about 15 parking spaces and 3 private residences up there that might also be using the parking spaces . When we attended the functions as teens there was not any problem as most of us walked and climbed the hill via the landscaped walk-ways { well those of us who didn’t have flashy red cars to drive etc. …a lot of you know who l am refering to l am sure ☺ Anywhoo…so there was no worry on enough parking in the day but l don’t think many of the attendees will care to retrace those particular steps in the today
On the subject of meeting people en-masse , Julie , l do understand where you are comming from and smaller informal meetings are nice …maybe the next time you are in town at Davis Brothers , who knows who might drop in and say , “Hey! ”
Later Gators …keep on keepin on …
August 20th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Donna, The reunion is at the top of Fond Du Lac Drive where you have to make the sharp right turn to get in. You are the second one who has mentioned the small parking area so I will have to check with those who reserved the pavilion to find out more. I will let you know. I am excited about our class who are meeting at noon but I am also excited about the other alumni who will be coming after 2. It should be so much fun hearing the type of experiences all of us had through the years. Hope Joe, you, Julie and all the others who visit this site as RRR’s will be there to give us all an account of their growing up years.
August 20th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Off the subject for a minute. Just talked to Amy and she said she was going to respond to you, Joe and to me but got too emotional. But she was touched. Wow got most of the afternoon to myself, Ray has gone to get my car an oil change and since he’s out will do some grocery shopping. We will be going out to eat tonight and then plan cards. Last week I won all the games, but tonight Barry and I will be partners and we don’t have too much luck. Tomorrow a wedding to go to that I’m looking forward to, so for us, this is a jam packed weekend. Take care all. julie
August 20th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Lynda;;;;FORGET “FODULAC DRIVE”!!!WRONG WAY TO Fondulac Park,where RRR reunion is!!!You go up Springfield Road[THE HILL],,at about 3/4 s way up hill,you take a “SHARP” right ,(& it is sharp)to turn in to get up small incline too Park,{Pavillion}..sometimes its’ easier to go on up too top of hill & turn around at Lincoln School at top of hill, turn around & come back down ‘short distance’ & pull into your left …not difficult!!!Plenty of parking ,3 houses’ up there,people park in their driveways ,or soon will when they SEE this coming!!! If not,well then WE”LL show our “TRUE” R.R.R & push THEIR cars’ over hill & make room.see how SIMPLE it is? You’se worry TOO much!LOL! We never let “LITTLE” obstacles bother us before ,HUH,DID WE? Of course NOT…Have we lost thee “OLD RRR SPIRIT? I don’t think so!!! STAY OFF FONDULAC DRIVE, its’ go up SPRINGFIELD ROAD ALMOST to top,on RIGHT side ,about a 1 & 1/2 blocks up !!!happy landing!LOL!~~*nite-train*~~
August 20th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Thanks Joe for setting me straight. I guess old age really did set in but it made sense to me to go up Fond du Lac Drive to get to Fond du Lac Park. I really know where I am going just a little confused about names. Julie thought it would be good to post some of the names that I now will be at the reunion. I’ll try my best but I don’t have any idea of those outside of my class. Others who will be there at 2 can just come and we didn’t ask for RSVP’s. Here’s what I know and I’m only giving maiden names.
Sue Walker, Barb Walker, Margaret Goben, Frieda Goben, Margaret Stroud, J. R. Barnhill, Loyal VanOrder, Gayala Hale, Russ White, Lyndon Cagle, Carolyn Scott, Lynda Helferich, Bettie Helferich, Joe Denny, Gerda Stroble, Mary Helferich, Hari McNally, Norma Schramm is coming from Alaska, Yvonne Regentz, Jim Smith, Tom Brown, Shannon Brevard – these are just the ones I know – there probably are others who RSVP’d to Carolyn. A few have responded to Facebook who I don’t know and they are Vickie Chadwick Maxwell, Rob Campbell and Christina Walker. I hope this gives those on this site a better idea of who is coming. Hope to see you all. Oops! Almost forgot, Miss Serkowich is supposed to be there. How great is that!!
August 20th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Lynda;;;; Not you ,but lots’ of guys & gals used to go up on Fondulac Drive too park & be together, personnaly myself I went up there a few times & park , only to look at all the nice ‘lights’ across the river in Peoria & see how many we could (count) ,,,I think i got too 7 or 8 maybe once,and they must have turned um’ ALL out…can’t remember what happened !ugh,anyway ,i had similar expereince few wks. ago here at house ..flashback i guess …was asleep ,middle of nite ,when i heard noise in kitchen that startled me ,woke up & w/ out thinking ,grabbed all my clothes under my arms, shoes’ in one hand ,jumped out bedroom window & ran down street about a block trying to dress on way , then realized i had been at my own HOME! Sheepishly I tried to crawl back in window & get back in bed ,Carol turned on lite & asked what was goin’ on,ugh—I told her i was ‘practicing’ a fire drill from old School days’ from Richland ,cause i’ve had RRR on my mind so much ! I think she believed me ,cause now we have ‘smoke alarm’ in bedroom..little LATE for that item!SO,ALL stay off Fondulac Drive. Does anyone of you know how many lite’s there are, looking in Peoria,looking from Fondulac Drive?~~~*nite-train*~~~
August 20th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Lynda;;;; Not you ,but lots’ of guys & gals used to go up on Fondulac Drive too park & be together, personnaly myself I went up there a few times & park , only to look at all the nice ‘lights’ across the river in Peoria & see how many we could (count) ,,,I think i got too 7 or 8 maybe once,and they must have turned um’ ALL out…can’t remember what happened !ugh,anyway ,i had similar expereince few wks. ago here at house ..flashback i guess …was asleep ,middle of nite ,when i heard noise in kitchen that startled me ,woke up & w/ out thinking ,grabbed all my clothes under my arms, shoes’ in one hand ,jumped out bedroom window & ran down street about a block trying to dress on way , then realized i had been at my own HOME! Sheepishly I tried to crawl back in window & get back in bed ,Carol turned on lite & asked what was goin’ on,ugh—I told her i was ‘practicing’ a fire drill from old School days’ from Richland ,cause i’ve had RRR on my mind so much ! I think she believed me ,cause now we have ‘smoke alarm’ in bedroom..little LATE for that item!SO,ALL stay off Fondulac Drive. Does anyone of you know how many lite’s there are, looking in Peoria,looking from Fondulac Drive?~~~*nite-train*~~~
August 20th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
22 lights
August 21st, 2010 at 12:52 am
22 lights’ eh? you must’ve had power seats ! we had the ‘old’ crank & fold back ones…LOL…a “KID” way back then ask me what we did up there at nite,and of course i told him we,(we counted lites) across the river in Peoria .He said REALLY? i said really,sure we did..He said “maybe me & my girl friend will do that too”! Man,i thought ,what a dufus! All them yrs. I thought She was niaeve as hell & in DENIAL, & and she thought DA-NILE was a river in Egypt & he couldn’t have found a banana if they turned him loose in a chiquita warehouse.this went on for 50 yrs. or so ,up to Fondulac Drive ,park & look across river & count lights..I ran into him a couple of mos. ago , asked him how things were goin’,he said he was on his way up to Fondulac Drive ,still lookin’ at the lights.I asked by your self? He said yea, they had never married,had Children ,she had passed away yrs. ago,so he would go up & remember ALL them lights they use to look at ,cause EACH one had a {SPECIAL} meaning to “THEM”as when they were together ! Lookin back ,I think THEY had it ALL figured out & AWAY ahead of this ole Cowboy. No worries, no problems , just waitin’ to meet & be W/ HER again and look at that BIG light together once more!!!{MEMORIES}! & I thought they were “OUT of THE BOX”!~~~~~*nite-train*~~~~~
August 21st, 2010 at 12:56 am
and don’t forget the submarine races on Grandview Drive?
August 21st, 2010 at 7:42 am
Donna, As Joe said, there should be no problem with parking unless this thing brings a whole lot more people than I imagine. Also I emailed Sue and she feels the same way. We may end up having people move their cars if others leave earlier but she doesn’t think we are going to have a problem. After all, like Joe said, we’ll just push cars down the hill.
August 21st, 2010 at 9:50 am
I’m laughing and crying at some of these recent posts…I remember the dates I had watching the submarine races and counting the lights. I’m anxiously waiting pictures to be posted to FB from next Saturday. I’m in EP this weekend – could not come next weekend because I’m taking my daughters, Shelley and Karen, to see Air Supply — they were the first concert I ever took the girls to — way, way too many years ago! Enjoy everyone!
August 21st, 2010 at 9:55 am
the entry under Bettie Davis dated 8/21 at 9:50 was written by Gayle Finan
August 21st, 2010 at 10:06 am
Lynda , first of all l have to at least make the pretense of objecting to auto vandalism { aka; pushing cars over hills etc.
} as my Cuz , the Sheriff of Greene County, may be present at the shindig and l wouldn’t want to make the long arm of the law have to lndian wrestle me and Joe for pushing cars over the hill or make a scene or anything like that !…Senior-juvinile-not delinquents that we are..NOT saying that it would be us doing it, just whoever did it .. 
} Sure wouldn’t set a good mood for the festivities, l don’t think . 
Seriously, hopefully there will be enough parking for all those wishing to attend and if not {aside from knowing that your committee did a good job recruiting 
} they will just have to put on their big girl and boy panties and figure it out or do without .:-)
…That is what we used to call “Counting the Lights” as brought up by Night-Train and Julie , you little romantics you ♥ Remembering those “Blue-berry Hill Thrills ” was ya ?? Awww …to start with Fondulac Drive has always had the best view of the Peoria “lights” for teenagers on this side of the river , from a purely esthetic perspective 
{ along with about some of the only , rare , privacy, we kids had back then . Away from parents and other adults { you know those “old” , over 30 people ! 
} Away from prying , judging eyes .. where your neighbors , friends of your parents etc. weren’t reporting back your every move to your parents or teachers , or both ! 
}…still was that way ,for a while anyway ,{ could still be for all l know } even after you guys and even OUTSIDER and l had long stopped counting the “lights” from that viewpoint…besides that what “making out” back in the day ACTUALLY was would be considered “quaint” today { sure was blood boiling back in the day , though , wasn’t it ? 
For the most part anyway …because there were , naturally different degrees then as there is now ..light,medium , heavy …not light voltage , “making-out” degrees
…Kids today would think we were sooo square …not the “hip” of the hippest that we know that we were 
They see more on a 30 minute sit-com now a days than even the most learned of our day would have been aware of …making out was one thing ,and didn’t , necessarily tie one down for life BUT most of what they show on some of these programs now a days was definetly reserved for “the one” and “the ring” 
Speaking of “parking” …what a seg way huh?
l still would not trade my youth for theirs , no matter how many notches on the belt is considered cool …Sometimes too much of a good thing is just definetly too much and makes it not so “good” after awhile , just one more thing to take for granted …wouldn’t trade , no sir wouldn’t trade …you guys and gals keep on keepin on ..
August 21st, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Truth in writing law. Never counted lights on Fondulac Drive. It was amazing to see the submarines in Peoria Lake and must have forgotten about sitting under the trees at the EP swimming pool. Now that that has been cleared up — the enthusiasm for this get together is amazing and it will only be growing during this week. My sadness is over whelming at not being a part of it. All of you please tell Miss Serkowich how much I love her and let me know all of you who you visited with and how much fun it was. I’m praying for a beautiful sunny day with the perfect temperature in EP.
August 21st, 2010 at 1:03 pm
O.K. I knew I shouldn’t have started listing the people coming because I certainly have missed some. Others I believe to be coming are Danny Langston (Thanks Donna), Judy Chism and Judy Stokes. Again, I know there are more but wanted to throw these additional names out.
August 21st, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Just a quickie ….what is this “truth in writing law ” Julie ? We don’t want to have to start all over with a new blog now do we ?
…l think we discussed something like this before and we decided it was called “literary licience” , or some such thing, when we kind of put a little spin on the telling of things? 
Seriously,l do empathize with your feeling kind of left out , l am still not sure myself how it will all end up as far as attending goes, but l am sure that those who end up attending will keep you{ or us} filled in and give Miss Serkowich your wishes and mine too if l end up a no-show …
Does anyone k