New Naperville Nostalgia!
Below are some memories from people who know how we got from
there to the Naperville of today and we thank them for sharing
some of those memories. If you'd like to add some memories or photos
Remember Andy's Popcorn? Owner Andy Stoos was my great uncle. When not popping, he and other gentlemen played checkers in the back. There was a gumball machine in front, not many charms, he saved most for me, that was the great part about having an "Uncle Andy".
---Jean Tannery/Chastain, submitted May 5, 2008
Some of my greatest memories growing up in the 60's and early 70's revolve around summertime. The parades were my favorite! I lived on Hillside and remember clearly (after I was old enough) walking to Washington Street with a friend to see the parade. The Fourth of July fireworks held at Naperville Central, the Band Shell, Centennial Beach, roller skating outside at the rink on Ogden, The Last Fling, ice cream at the Cock Robin, pop corn and a drive in movie and bowling at Sports Bowl etc. etc. Naperville was a kid's dream for a home town. Thanks for the memories!
I now live in Cleveland, Tennessee. I married someone from here. My Mom, Sandy Christian Ray Starowesky, grew up there too. She still attends reunions and stays in touch with old friends. She knows about everybody from old Naperville. I remember Mayor George when I was a little girl. How old is he?
---Debbie Ray Sherlin, DSherlin@nccog.org
Submitted April 29, 2008
Editor's Note: Mayor George Pradel was born in May 1937.
Bill Abe is honored with Jaycees’ Life Achievement’ DSA
Yes! My dad did received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Naperville Jaycees at their 30th Annual Distinguished Service Awards "Oh What a Night" on Fri. April 25, 2008. My brother John and I were the presenters for the Lifetime Achievement Award and shared a few stories about his volunteering/ involvement in the community over the years.
We were very honored and excited to present the award to our dad especially since he was a charter member of the Naperville Jaycees. All 3 of us kids were also Naperville Jaycees members over the years so and it was fun to share some humorous stories about his volunteerism and community involvement. He laughed!
---Jane E. Abe
Biography of William Abe
Calling Naperville his home for over 65 years, William (Bill) Abe has been dedicated the community and an influence and inspiration to many. Born in Appleton, WI, Bill come to Naperville to attend North Central College and graduated in 1950 after serving in the Navy Air Corp. during WWII for 2 1/2/ years. He has been an active force at the College, including offering his strong leadership not only to the Board of Trustees (since 1966) but also to the Alumni Board (since 1962). In 1976, he received the College’s Outstanding Alumni Award, and in 1997, he received the school’s Gael D. Swing Award for Meritorious Service, one of the highest accolades bestowed by North Central. Bill was named Life Trustee of North Central College in 2002. He continues to lend his wisdom to Board deliberations as a Life Trustee.
His community involved spring boarded in 1954 when he was a chartered member of the Naperville Jaycees, holding several positions during his time with the organization. (All three of his children become involved in the Naperville Jaycees decades later.) One year later, Bill became a chartered member of the Naperville Kiwanis Club (i.e.: Evening Kiwanis) and still attends their Monday meetings! Also in 1955 he joined the Naperville Country Club. Then in 1994, Bill received the American Legions’ “Citizen of the Year Award ” and in 1996 received the Naperville Kiwanis “George F. Hixson Award”.
From 1977 – 1992, Abe was an active board member of the City of Naperville Electric Advisory Board, when the community experienced its single biggest population surge (+39,739) in the Chicagoland area. Paving the way for Naperville and its way purchasing of electricity that saved $$ for its residents.
As a 50+ year member of Grace United Methodist Church, Abe has held numerous leadership roles with in the Church and in the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. From leading Sunday School to Church Trustee to Foundation Member, Bill also played a big roll in the land, building and moving of the Church, to its present day location on Gartner Road.
Bill still commutes to Chicago (everyday) to Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc., as Senior Vice President for Investments and has basically been with the same company since August 1, 1950 (through corporate buyouts, company mergers, office moves). He even finds time to continue his national work as Treasurer for FIHE (Federation of Independent Higher Education).
Married for over 53 years to fellow North Central College grad, Mary Bomberger , they have 3 children and 5 grandchildren, all who live in Naperville. Bill is an avid Green Bay Packers fan even through he has not lived in WI since graduating from high school.
---Posted on April 28, 2008
Another Naperville Nostalgic Note...Listening to Sad Sam Jone's no-hitter in the car going to football practice from High School.
--- Marty Merrick (Naperville Central High School '56), mmerric@attglobal.net
Submitted April 27, 2008
Former resident writes a book of prayers
Our dad, John Spinner worked 25 years at Kroehler's and then was co-owner the Naperville Liquor Store (where Starbucks is now) until his death in 1961. Our mom, Louis Rechenmacher Spinner worked at Wehrli's Home Appliance for many years.
Chuck Spinner, born and raised in Naperville and now a resident of Ashville, New York, has recently published A Book of Prayers: To the Heavens from the Stars. The book is a collection of beautiful favorite prayers from 118 wonderful celebrities including Oscar winners, Olympic Gold Medallists, four-star generals, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and even a Monarch and three former Miss Americas. Prayers have come from the only hurler to ever pitch a perfect World Series game; from the player who hit "the shot heard round the world"; from the only two time Heisman trophy winner; and from the only four time NCAA wrestling champion. Former Cleveland Browns lineman Doug Dieken wrote the Foreword and Spinner added a chapter on the qualities and power of prayer along with engaging introductions to each of the celebrities.
You can find a synopsis of the book, Spinner's biography, and a sample section from the book by going to http://ABookofPrayers.com. The book can be ordered by the online sources listed or can be ordered at Waldenbooks or Border Books.
---Spinlake Spinner, Submitted April 9, 2008
Ss. Peter and Paul teacher, Ed Geary, is remembered by his nephew
My uncle, Ed Geary, was a teacher at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Naperville for many years.
He and Aunt Pat lived near the heart of downtown Naperville for many years, long before the residential and commercial growth of the last three decades.
I grew up in Chicago and rarely saw Uncle Ed and Aunt Pat except on special occasions, but he was one of my favorite relatives because of his genuine warmth and sense of humor.
By the mid-1980s I had moved to the western suburbs and was working part-time as the club professional at the Naper Olympic Fitness Center. For more than 20 years I played there, as well as gave lessons there before its recent closing.
Often I would come across members and friends who had been taught by Uncle Ed in grammar school and they all talked very highly about him. Apparently Uncle Ed was an extraordinary educator who was in the business for all the right reasons. He developed a reputation throughout his career for being a memorable, engaging teacher, the kind of teacher you wish taught your own children.
One of the last times I visited Uncle Ed he was returning to his modest home near downtown Naperville in an ambulance...as he came out of the ambulance he saw my sillouette and remarked "Looks like a Grigas boy to me..."
I was in my early 40s and, yes, our family trademark is that all the boys are tall and a bit gifted with a bit of a belly, making us look a bit more like a Manatee than a human. But Uncle Ed knew how to immediately connect with people, and his sense of humor was in full throttle that day.
It was a great visit, and when I got up to leave he handed me his card--a simple yellow business card with his name on it, beneath which appeared the simple phrase "Educator".
No ostentatious titles, no thermographed text, just a simple phrase that carried more impact than any other "notice me" title.
The card still remains tacked onto my office bulletin board as a reminder of how people should be remembered.
Yet this story doesn't end there.
Shortly after my uncle's death I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina on a family vacation.
While there a resident I came across while golfing invited me to the local fitness club, which had racquetball courts and fitness equipment.
He also provided me with a coupon for a free week-long membership at this particular club.
While signing in, however, the desk attendant told me the coupon was valid only for those who lived in the area, and were candidates to become full-time members.
It was a reasonable stipulation...the coupon obviously was meant to attract paying members, not allow the use of the club by people who had no intention of buying a membership.
The manager happened to be standing there and politely explained the situation.
I was about to comply and pay the daily guest fee when the talk centered on where I was from, and I told him the Naperville area.
He said he had grown up there himself.
"Where did you attend grade school?," I asked.
"Ss. Peter and Paul" was the response.
"Did you happen to know my uncle Ed Geary? He was a teacher there," said I.
"You are Ed Geary's nephew? He was the best teacher I ever had. I never liked science, but he made you feel so good about learning I actually looked forward to his class every day," the manager said.
With that he tore up the guest registration form and told me to come in all week as his own personal guest, all because Ed Geary was an extraordinary man who touched so many lives.
A thousand miles away from Naperville he continued to have a positive influence on people.
Whenever I reflect on the rapid growth of Naperville and the urban sprawl it has encountered, I go back to my memory of Uncle Ed and the basic goodness of soul, which was embedded in Naperville for so many years.
He was truly a great ambassador for Naperville.
---Don Grigas, chief128@comcast.net, Submitted April 4, 2008
Naperville Nostalgia Answer for April 2008 Issue
Jean Tannery is living at the address on the airmail letter (pictured with a card and without a Zip Code). It was sent by her mother. It is a greeting card, inside it's signed "Mommy."
She is a little older now. Did I say little older?
My whole name is Alva Jean Tannery/Chastain.
My mom's family, back to 1836 I believe, were some of the first settlers in Du Page County.
My dad's family were settlers in Du Page County also.
My mother was born in the stone house now occupied by atty's and an Insur. company on South Washington (use to be River Road) across from Pioneer park.
I got a few calls telling about the letter appearing in the paper.
---Alva Jean Tannery/Chastain, April 2, 2008
Example of why Christopher Lawson has enjoyed living in Naperville for 26 years
Last fall I purchased a fairly expensive Toro snowblower from Buikema’s Ace Hardware store on Washington Street. Since I have a pretty long driveway, I wanted one with power and electric starter.
I bought that particular model based on the recommendation of the department manager, Larry Hiipakka. It was a good recommendation.
I used the snow blower for those first three snows. No problem. Then, probably because the engine flooded quickly (which apparently is a characteristic of this model)…I ended up burning out the starter.
I took it back to Buikema’s…and they sent it off for repair. Meanwhile…it was starting to snow again. I asked Larry what he intended to do to make sure I was a happy customer…since I bought the Toro, and needed it now. He said he didn’t have any loaners…but he would send someone to clear my driveway.
He did that…twice! Way above and beyond the requirements…but necessary and very appreciated.
That gesture looked like it was about to be for naught when the repair shop called to say that the electric starter was “abused by the owner” (me)…and that there was no warranty coverage.
The starter would cost me $250…about a third of the original cost of this two-month old machine. I insisted that I didn’t do anything but try to start the darned thing; no abuse. But I was just whistling in the wind to the repair guy.
I called Larry. He was getting a bit frustrated with this particular customer (me)…but he remained professional. He recited that he was without the authority to do anything about the cost of repair but he referred me to the store manager…Terry Sharo.
Terry: “How may I help you?”
Me: “I need to have my snowblower back. It’s snowing. It broke and I want it to be repaired.”
Terry: “I want you to be a satisfied customer. The repair is not covered by warranty, so…would it make you happy if I covered the cost myself?”
Me: “Huh??”
This is a great example of how to conduct home town business. “I want you to be a satisfied customer!” What a concept! Thanks Larry; thanks Terry!
---Christopher Lawson, Sylvan Circle, Submitted April 1, 2008. No joke!
A distinguished military career honored
Former Naperville resident, Col. John R. “Jack” Roche, USAF, Ret., will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at 11AM, March 24, 2008.
Roche, age 90, a resident of West Palm Beach, FL, died November 4, 2007, at the Good Samaritan Medical Center.
“Jack lived with Bob and me and our girls in a small Shiffler apartment near the train station after he came home from the war,” e-mailed Mae Roche Raymond, Jack’s sister who still lives in Naperville. “He became one of the first investors in John Case's Pfiester Feeds on Ogden Avenue. He made many friends in Naperville during those years between wars. In his last years with the Air Force he was Commander of Hickam Field in Hawaii.”
Roche was born on March 24, 1917, attended St. Ambrose College, named his bombers after St. Ambrose, and was a real war hero. His correspondence with John O'Donnell was published in the Quad City Times during the war and later resulted in a book called Dear John, which was a collection of wartime letters.
Obituary published in the Palm Beach Post stated: “A veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, Colonel John ‘Packy’ Roche began his military career as a pilot with the Army Air Corp in 1941. He was a pilot with the first squadron of B24s to depart from North America for the European Conflict and later joined the North African campaign with the 8th Air Force, 93rd Bomb Group.
“As an original member of the famed 93rd Bomb Group, Col. Roche survived being shot down twice and was awarded numerous service medals that included 2 Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Service Cross. The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for the low level bombing run over Ploesti, Romania, arguably the toughest air battle of WWII. Late in the war, he was recruited to work on the highly secretive Manhattan Project.
"In 1946, he participated in the nuclear weapon tests at Bikini Atoll. During his 30-years in the Air Force, he served as a commander of numerous air bases around the world and was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon.”
He retired from his military career in 1970. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia M. Roche of West Palm Beach, FL, five children, and numerous members of his extended family.
---Mae Roche Raymond, Naperville, IL, February 18, 2008
Fun picture (centerfold of the February issue). Are you going to reveal the who, what, why and where in your next issue? Looks like they were having fun gathered for some relaxed project. I noticed several of them had on paw print badges/stickers. (I recognized) only Wes Spencer, my math teacher, ...Mr. Coleman, principal ... I did not go through my yearbook to try and match any up. Looks like it was taken during my high school years, though, which was 1968 entering as a Freshman until I graduated in 1972. I was looking for my mom, Hazel MacLennan, who taught 5th grade at Ellsworth for years...not there.
---Gale Ganet, 1972 Naperville North High School Graduate Submitted Feb. 4, 2008
About A&W and Dog N' Suds. (And other eateries)
The A & W was located just a few hundred feet east of where the lobby of the Stardust Motel sits. When we moved to Naperville in August of 1963, our house in the Saybrook subdivision was two weeks shy of completion so, we had to room at the "New Era Motel" which later became the Stardust. The former New Era building still stands but, looks like it's used for maintenance and housekeeping storage.
The Naperville A & W was owned by the Kopetkie (SP) family but, closed in the early 1970's. When we were staying at the New Era, I walked over to grab a dog and a root beer on my own which was a big deal to an eleven year old. During our stay, my Grandmother drove us over to the Naper Theater for a matinee showing of the original "Nutty Professor" starring Jerry Lewis. Across the street was the "Intermission Cafe" which is now "Potter's Place".
The "Dog N' Suds came in to being in the mid 1960's and was located on Ogden between Charles and East Avenue. In 1969, I got into CB radio and the prank of the day was to park around the corner and gab on the CB which interfered with the intercom. Your voice could be carried out over their speakers and some of the language "other" CB'ers used wasn't always in good humor. The owner eventually put a filter in the system so, that game ended. Dog N' Suds at that location went belly up in the early 1980's.
The "Earl Of Sandwich" was located across from the Wheel O' Meal at Columbia and Ogden. It was the predecessor of Subway and Quizno's. There, I really got my first taste of hero and Italian sub sandwiches. It was only in business for a few years in the mid 60's-early 70's and I believe some clinic type offices reside on that site today.
The original Naperville Dairy Queen was on Ogden across from where Jiffy Lube sits at Wisconsin Ave. It moved to Washington and Ogden about 1972 or so. At the original site, they ran a little nine hole mini golf coarse on the side. I believe DQ was run by the Barry family. Mr. & Mrs. Barry were very nice people and treated their customers like family.
"Parkview Pizza" was originally at the corner of Center Street and North Ave across from Burlington Park. hence, "park view"... get it? In about 1968 or 69, Jim Ruzika (SP) moved the business to Ogden Ave where George's Place now occupies. Here, Jim was able to expand his seating and entertainment venues which included a beer garden. Eventually, there was a Parkview in Aurora, Lombard and Downers Grove in addition to the flagship Naperville location. Sometime in the late 1970's business went South for Jim and eventually all the Parkview locations closed with the Naperville store being the last to fold. It became "Oodles" for maybe a decade and after a number of transitions became the "George's Place" it is today. (I delivered pizza's for Parkview for a year when I was in High school.)
Footnote to Parkview.... Jim opened up a Fondue Stube in the front part of the building and later another location in Chicago on Peterson Ave. The Fondue Stube assumably under another owner still stands in Chicago. Click here: Fondue Stube 773-784-2200 | Fondue Restaurant in Chicago
Andy's Popcorn. Ah yes... probably mentioned elsewhere in Positively Naperville but, fresh in my mind today. Andy's was located in the old Miller Stone works approximately where the downtown Giordano's stands today. Andy Stoos would crank out bushels of popcorn during the day and early evenings and that's all he did. When the weather was right (humidity factor figured in here) he would make his global class caramel corn. Many an afternoon my friends and I would bike over to Andy's for a fresh bag of popcorn and a soda from the vending machine at Buzz Nelson's Pure station on Washington Street. I remember once I led a group of new friends over to Andy's and when we ordered our bags of popcorn, he said "I'm not giving you any of this popcorn" pointing to the bin. Instead, he popped a fresh batch right before our little eyes and said.. "This is what you came here for"!. Of course melted butter was available not that butter flavored caraway oil! The building that Andy's occupied now sits at the Naper Settlement as the original stone cutters shop. I'll bet you couldn't find a kernel of popcorn in that structure if you took the whole place apart.
Steak And Shake.... Yup, originally at the corner of Iroquois and Ogden where the liquor store now stands. S & S tried to punch a hole in Mc Donald's, Wendy's and McDonalds market but, not with much success. They were there from 1978 - maybe 1981 at best. Now, there are at least three Steak And Shake's within a few minutes of Downtown Naperville.
Over in the Iroquois Mall, the former downtown Naperville "Tongs Garden Restaurant" is located. Before moving there many years ago, it was located at the site now occupied by Barnes & Noble at Chicago and Washington..
Fast food in Naperville was dominated by Prince Castle / Cock Robin until Burger King and Mc Donald's rolled into town in the mid 1960's. One interesting operation which I think only lasted a summer was called the "Shanty" which was a hot dog stand - ice cream type business in a trailer parked in the street across from the old Nichols Library. I think it caused some problems with traffic and other business complained about the location and tacky look. If my memory serves me right, the entrepreneur was trying to mimic the original Portillo's over in Villa Park which was also run out of a trailer at a shopping center. This would have been somewhere between 1964-65.
Other quick-serve dining options in Naperville were the lunch counters at Woolworth's, Naperville Drug (Jefferies) or W. T. Grant at Naper Plaza. Kmart and it's luncheonette didn't come around until 1973. The lunch counter at Oswald's was removed in 1955... eight years before my arrival in Naperville.
My 45-year relationship with Naperville is likely to be traded for a new home in Michigan by the end of the decade, so I better pass my memories on to those who indulge themselves in local history before I succumb to senior citizen memory loss. Maybe the next entry will be hardware stores.
Cow Tunnel Note: Yes.. There was "hanky panky" going around there, but you didn't hear it from me!
---Paul Mejia, 1163 Oakton Lane, Naperville, IL 605450-0309, Submitted Feb. 4, 2008
February Naperville Nostalgia Photo Identification
Angelina "Angie" Akulow, a business education teacher at Naperville North High School for 12 years (1970-82), correctly identified the photo that appeared in the of the February issue of Positively Naperville. Akulow, who taught with the first group of teachers when the school first opened to all freshman in 1970, noted NNHS Principal Coleman (front row, far left, white jacket) and many teachers and staff on "Grub Day" in 1974.
"Grub Day was a day of levity so we could relate to the freshmen students. ...North was all freshmen when it first opened," said the 39-year Naperville resident who came here from southern Illinois when the city had a population of 21,000.
"The picture brought back lots of memories," said Akulow. "I'd guess that Anne Lord is the one who saved the picture for 30 years."
Akulow is the pictured on the left end of either the third row from the top or the bottom.
"Anne is pictured in the front row center between the teacher in the WIU t-shirt and Wes Spencer," she said.
Akulow also remembers that while teaching she wore a Mickey Mouse watch that she'd had since childhood. "The students were always surprised I wore a Mickey Mouse watch," she recalled.
Today, Akulow keeps busy attending Municipal Band concerts, plays, movies, yard work, attending mass every day and volunteering at her church.
45-year Naperville newcomer wants answers!
As a newcomer, 45 years here since birth, so much of the older things are just at the edge of my memory. I could write all day but instead I'll just ask a question and mention a few things not mentioned.
Someone mentioned A&W Root beer.
I thought it was a Dog 'n Suds and remember it was East of the Animal Hospital (my dad used to joke about that). Which one was it?
No one mentioned the outdoor roller rink West of the Swap Shop, Bart's Hobby shop in Naper Plaza, the old pop machine that dropped the cup at Naper Theater, listening to the Civil Defense group during the 71(?) flood on my walkie talkie and all the debris piled up in a huge mound near Sportsman Park the next day, Tasty Bakery was good but Lora Mae's donuts were better, even though the place was smoke filled.
There were snowball fights in summer when Cock Robin defrosted their freezer, watching the houses moved to the Settlement, the sprays coming out of the beach bathhouse, the "bubblers" at the beach, YMCA Day Camp at McDowell Woods, Park District summer program at Elmwood School.
The Hippies on the bridge? I too wish I had a picture of Wheel o Meal. My mom said the only person that she saw win a free meal (next visit) was a relative with out of state plates. My brother worked as a bus boy at Golden Bear where Pizza Hut is now at Odgen Mall.
Does anyone else remember a short lived Steak n Shake at corner of Ogden and Iriquois where the liquor store is now?
I, too, de-tasseled corn, but they bused us South. We'd show up in the morning with a container frozen solid and by lunch you'd have water. My friend's crew got left in a field on his birthday once. I'm starting to write down complete stories from events and adventures from my youth. I guess I'll see if the Settlement wants them. Growing up here in the 60's and 70's was amazing.
I will always love this town because of such a great childhood here.
---Daniel Bulley, dbulley@wideopenwest.com
The former Burgess Standard Station on S. Washington St., across Jackson St. from Beidelman Furniture, was the site of Phillip Beckman's Harness Shop long before it was a gasoline station. Philip Beckman was my Great-Grandfather.
I live in Monticello WI, which no-one has ever heard of, but it is 5 miles south of New Glarus, which is much better known.
I grew up on my father's farm, on the Will county side of 87th St. When I was a child our house was about 4 miles from the south city limits, which I think were along the south edge of the Naperville Cemetery. I am amazed and amused by how the south city limits boundary has passed our farm by and has gone down to meet Plainfield.
I just spent Thanksgiving with my sister in Naperville. Such a big town! Wow.
---Margaret Walsh
Memories of a little act of kindness
I need the citizens of Naperville and the business owners of Naperville and as far as I am concerned the surrounding communities to know what happened to me and my son last Friday evening.
My son, Jared D. Lydon, a 2002 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School, was coming home on a 10 day leave from the United States Air Force. He and his girlfriend Meagan Drexler also serving in the USAF were due in at Midway Airport at 5:15PM.
To back up in my story, a few months ago at Cantigny Park, Operation Support Our Troops hosted Gary Sinese and the Lt. Dan Band in a benefit concert to raise money for the Troops. I met a man who rode in the "PATRIOT GUARD". He told me of the support they give to military members to welcome them home or on a much sadder note, escort the casket of a fallen hero.
I checked out the website www.patriotguard.org and humbly asked if someone from the Patriot Guard could meet my son and his girlfriend at the airport to help me welcome them home. I also called the Mayor of Naperville, George Pradel.
Why would I, being no one important or even a resident of Naperville anymore call the Mayor? Because since I have been back in Naperville doing business at Saturn of Naperville as their Public Relations & Business Development Mgr. I have had the pleasure to meet and speak with the Mayor on many occasions. Yes, some of those were business related events, but most have been involving in "giving back" events. Such as Parkinsons Disease Walk, MS Walk, NCO fundraiser, Rotary fundraisers, etc. I also know he himself is a Marine Veteran. He has always been so supportive of anything to do with the Vets I thought he might like to know of the Patriot Guards escort for my son. He immediately told me to call 2 men he knows from the American Legion and VFW. He then gave me Police Chief Dials phone number and told to contact him as his wife worked within the Neuqua Valley High School Administration. Within minutes of my leaving messages with these men I received return phone calls telling me they would also like to show their support and help in the welcoming home of my son.
So now that I have you up to date on the background of last friday, let me continue. I-55 was a parking lot last friday night at 5:30PM. The Patriot Guard had set up at the Cracker Barrel on Weber Rd. and I-55 at 5PM to be prepared to meet us when we pulled in the parking lot. I didn't tell my son about the surprise "escort" back to our home in Oswego. With the traffic being horrible on I-55 I took all side roads thru all the towns from Midway back to the Cracker Barrel. Needless to say we didn't arrive til almost 7pm. That meant that the Patriot Guard Riders, the Naperville Police Dpt., the Romeoville Fire Dpt., the Bolingbrook Police Dpt, the Oswego Police Dpt., family, friends and oh ya, my friend MAYOR GEORGE PRADEL, had been waiting out in the cold in that parking lot for almost 2 hours to welcome my son home!
Imagine my son's surprise and the honor we all felt for all these "strangers" waiting out in the cold, to welcome him and Meagan home. About 40 Patriot Guard Riders and others had a archway filled with American Flags and Patriot Guard Flags saluting to him, calling out to them "thank you for serving our country", "God bless you", "welcome home", as we drove thru the welcoming line of supporters. Then we got out of the car and each and every person there shook my sons hand, some gave him a big hug and again expressed their thanks for his service to his country.
There are a lot of proud moments in a mothers life. This is by far one of the proudest. None of these people had even met me or my son before this day, only Mayor George and my son has never had the pleasure of meeting the Mayor.
I ask you, what Mayor of a big city like Naperville, waits out in the cold for 2 hours to shake hands with a stranger who isn't even a resident of his city anymore? I can't tell you what that meant to me. Not only did he wait the 2 hours he then also joined in the escort back to my home in Oswego. Remember, it was dark then, no one could see it was the Mayor in that darkness. He gave up his entire friday evening to show my son he matters and his service to his country is valued.
This night is the something I thought you needed to know! Good news! Great proud moments, not just for me and my son, but for all the residents of Naperville and community leaders as well.
Thank you!
---Carla "CJ" Lydon, Former 15-year-old resident of Naperville
Posted November 2007
October 2007 Naperville Nostalgia: Loved the Naperville Nostalgia!!! That picture is of the very beginnings of Kidz Kabaret - that wonderful youth theatre troupe that is taking Naperville by a storm (and growing in leaps and bounds!). And, of course, Crossroads is where the now Comedy Shrine exists!! So fun to see the old photos!
---Lynn Hodak
Create memories and impact with Naperville Exchange Club
This is a message I received last week from a fellow Exchange Club member from the St. Petersburg Exchange Club who recently met the brother of Richard Wistocki at one of their Exchange Club meetings. She said he was so inspired by how we honored his brother at our Police Officer of the Year ceremony that he went on an Internet search for Exchange Clubs in the Florida area and found their club just to tell his story. We have no idea how much of an impact we have on the community and the guests who come to our club meetings. It made my day. Keep up the good work!
----Dave Wentz, Lincolnland District President
I wanted to share this memory with you and also please share it with your club. I had a wonderful opportunity recently because of the impact that was left on this person from the Naperville Exchange Club. We were contacted by a person that works for Prudential and asked to speak about getting involved in our community and sharing Exchange with them as well as our local center, Help A Child, Inc. This gentleman was in Naperville visiting his family. While he was there he went to your meeting where you honored the Police Officer of the Year---which was his brother.
He was so impressed that when he came home he looked up clubs in our area. This has turned out to be a wonderful working relationship and one that continues to grow. Again, ......thank you to the Naperville Exchange Club for making such an impact!
---Kathy Mize, St. Petersburg Exchange Club
Posted Oct. 2, 2007
I remember when I was a little kid, the comic book store on the corner of Washinton and Chicago (where Barnes & Noble is now) and I also remember the record store were Features Grill is now as well as the bowling alley. Oh, how Naperville (downtown) has changed and is continually changing!
---Mike Krumlauf
Submitted October 1, 2007
I loved reading the nostalgia about Seager Park; my boys once found an old glass soda pop bottle there for Yoohoo chocolate soda. They were fascinated!
---Becky Simon
Submitted September 11, 2007
NCHS freshman opened Celebration Peace Month 2007 with memorable thoughts
Mayor Pradel, distinguished guests, dear friends and family, I am very honored for this opportunity to be here tonight for the inauguration of Naperville’s month-long celebration of peace. I would like to thank Mrs. Natesan for inviting me to speak, and for all her hard work in the past years for compiling this exhibit on the life and vision of Mahatma Gandhi. As a 14 yr-old freshman at Naperville Central, I am delighted to have been invited here for my work on a peace poster contest for Lions International. Under the theme of “Celebrate Peace,” my work was chosen as one of the 23 merit award winners among approximately 350,000 posters from 75 countries around the world.
My poster depicts a dove perched upon a globe of flags, carrying joyous children upon its feathery wings. The children each represent different ethnicities and backgrounds, but despite their differences, they share an aura of ecstasy under the same ebony sky. The dove is surrounded by symbols or methods of celebration in various countries, from a child’s birthday piñata to various dances. Fireworks sprinkle down from the top, as in a typical New Year’s celebration, just as how each passing bit of time brings promise to a change in the world.
“Peace” is a somewhat ambiguous word, one pertaining to an abstract thought and interpretation. Upon hearing the word “peace”, some people immediately take the idealistic stance, thinking of peace on a global magnitude, a day when everyone will get along. Still for others, this word “peace” evokes graphic images of the 60s with the hippie era, war protestors singing songs claiming that all the world needed was love. In general, the most common definition of peace is the state of absence of worry, conflict, or sorrow. Quite often, especially just at the click of a television remote, we see so many famous peoples of this age claim that their sole dream in life is to achieve world peace. No matter how people perceive peace, it seems as if nearly everyone wants to achieve some idea of perfection, an ultimate halo of serenity.
Often, amid the clutter and clamor to seek peace, there’s a question that I pose to myself, is peace on such a grand scale truly possible, or is it really just some utopian hope, a figment of our wistfully well-wishing imaginations?
The answer that I have found is that peace in a grander perspective can only come about if we, as individuals, have a peace of mind. As stated by the Roman 1st century philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca, “The mind is never right but when it is at peace with itself.”
In other words, we cannot hope to teach others about peace if we do not understand its works in ourselves. Gandhi’s calm crusade for Indian rights through non-violent protests was part of his hope to see a brighter future in his country. Had Gandhi been irrational, carrying an unsettled soul, the effectual change he had helped to bring would probably have been too hard to attain. Even at the end of his life, finding a calm within his own spirit, he made a sign of forgiveness to his assassin.
Peace, like many other things, needs an element of determination, as a driving force to urge on. Our own American hero, Martin Luther King Jr., drew inspiration from Gandhi, with a similar stratagem of passive resistance and inner hope during the Civil Rights Movement. Both Gandhi and Dr. King continued on their path for equal rights, despite the obstacles and hardships imposed upon them by government. Inner peace also involves an essence of sacrifice and an embodiment of virtue for others to follow. Mother Teresa strove to help the poor, giving up a more comfortable life in a convent to live with the less fortunate in Calcutta. In a similar way, Gandhi was a strong role model for his followers, leading them on long journeys to show defiance in the collection of salt, or spinning his own clothes to boycott British monopolies. As in each of these three people, all aspects of life start with a small, but willful fire, carrying full potential to be shaped into a bigger possibility.
So, dear friends, tonight we are going to celebrate peace together regardless of who we are or where we come from, just as the Plains Native Americans state in their phrase, “Miakuye oyasin,” which means “we are all related.” I hope that later tonight, after watching the movie on Gandhi’s life, we may be able to feel some sort of peaceful quietude in our hearts. With humble honor, I would like to present the opening of Naperville’s celebration of peace.
---Krystle Yueng, Freshman at Naperville Central High School
Presented in City Council Chambers on Sept. 7, 2007 / Posted on Sept. 8, 2007
I know Del Jay Kinney. He was a friend of my parents and a long time Naperville resident, as well as went to my church (well, I went to his I guess :-) ). He has moved to Lebanon, Ohio ... to a Methodist retirement "village" that a lot of Naperville Methodists move to. He did work for the YMCA, but not the Naperville YMCA or any local Y .... but the larger organization. Very nice guy.
---Rick Spencer, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, North Central College
For years, people have mentioned Del Jay Kinney ... I believe he was with the YMCA ... No relation to me, though.
---Ray Kinney, President, MinuteMan Press
I knew Del at George Williams. He was a professor as I recall. That is why he lived here.
---Tom Beerntsen, President/CEO, Heritage YMCA Group
Many years ago, in the 1940s, I would attend a church camp each summer at Camp Seager in Naperville.
One my fondest memories is of swimming sessions at a pool in town that had a beach. At the time it was immense for a 10 to 13-year-old. I had never heard of a pool with a beach, either before or since.
I was born and raised in Sterling, just west of Naperville and went to college in Chicago. I was headed for North Central College, but changed goals.
Now many years later, I have stumbled onto your Web site and enjoy it immensely. In between years, I was very active in the YMCA movement in Chicago, Sterling and eventually in California. In the '70s or '80s, I became acquainted with Del Jay Kinney, a Naperville citizen.
I would like to thank Naperville for the hours of pleasure given to me during those many summers so long ago.
---Irvin F. Tretteen, yumard@verizon.net
Submitted on Sept. 5, 2007
(Ed Channell writes a monthly column in the PN publication. In August 2007, he used his space for a little reminiscing about old Naperville, a good fit for our Naperville Nostalgia Blog.)
Some of my younger readers have mentioned that my column seems to be sliding toward the senior crowd. Helllloooo-------- I’m a senior!
I take pride in remembering. I’ll talk for hours about Last Fling in an unpaved lot at Centennial Beach, Naper Theater, the Intermission Restaurant, burgers at Fidlers, Midway Lounge, Elbow Room, Wheel-O-Meal, Ivanhoe, and an all-male Jaycees club that met in the basement of the old Nichols Library.
Or how about the time Brand Bobosky proposed putting art on the walls downtown? Graffiti, if you will.
I think we live in the best of times right now, today. Being on the backside of 60 sure has its advantages in realizing how lucky we are to be living in a wonderful city, in an amazing country at this time in history.
I think of things younger people take for granted today and wonder how they would have handled the '40s, '50s '60s today much less no electricity, no car, no phone, no running water, no TV and so many other things that have been introduced into my short life.
It’s hard to pinpoint one thing as being the most important advancement over my years. A two, three, four-car garage? A TV and phone in every room, including the bathroom?
Looking back to 1966 when I started my business, I realize how hard it was compared to today. The hardest part back then was communicating. My days were spent either making sales calls or actually installing systems that I had previously sold. I had to make a point of being back into my office by 3PM to return all the calls I received that day.
Today cell phones make it so much easier. With a Blue Tooth blinking in my ear, I could answer and return my calls between sales stops or while I was installing a speaker above Ken Small’s desk. I could actually be on vacation and still conduct business from wherever I wandered---even on a golf course.
See that, many of you didn’t even know Ken Small was Naperville’s Mayor before Chet Rybicki, Peg Price, Sam Macrane and George Pradel.
Yes, in some ways, I feel sorry for today’s younger generation today. So much is taken for granted and so many complain. If you mention how you had to walk two miles to school each day and both ways were uphill, they look at you as though to say, “I wonder how old that old feller is?”
As I slide down the backside of 60, I pat myself on the back and wonder “Was the drawing at the Midway on Friday or Saturday night?”
---Ed Channell, August 1, 2007
PN Nostalgia Editors asked Lorraine Freed Kunkel, "What were your grandparents' names and where did they live in Naperville?"
Thanks for your reply. My Grandparents names - Edwill and Vinnie Freed. Edwill was the station master. Vinnie was a homemaker. Edwill is a Charter Member of Naperville United Methodist Church. They lived for years on Ellsworth Street. Don't know the number, but know my brother, Bob Freed, would.
My 50th High School Reunion is in Naperville this year. If you got involved with this at all I know many comments could be added to your list.
---Lorraine Freed Kunkel
MEMORIES RING ON...
My sister, Jean Freed Fabian has the same phone number my Grandfather and Grandmother had only with more numbers. There number was 39M, which I believe means they were the 39th family with a phone in Naperville. -
--Lorraine Freed Kunkel, Posted July 6, 2007
JUST A FUNNY SIDE LINE!
We have had the SAME telephone number since 1951, now for 56 years. We have
moved around in Naperville six times. Honestly, we have always paid our rent and bills! We just always stayed in the 355 telephone area, and had always been in the 60540,
address area, UNTIL this past year. When we moved to 60563, everyone said you'll have to get a new number, BUT now with so many people having cell phones, there isn't the shortage of the old numbers and we got to keep ours! We'll take it to our grave barring any big changes even tho Bill Gates says within three years things will be so different we'll have to adjust again and again! Sounds exciting to me!!!
---Dee Schumacher, Posted June 5, 2007
Memories of the NCHS Redhawks 2003 and 2004
Championship Seasons
There are so many wonderful memories of the Redhawks'
back-to-back championships, it would take up far too much
space to even make a partial list. My daughter, Lauren
Grochowski, is one of the girls in the photograph.
For me, the fondest memories are the ones that never
made the paper or the 10 O'Clock news. I loved when it
was our turn to host the team pasta dinners. It is hard to fill a house with that much food, noise, and laughter any other time. The annual team sleepover prior to the start of the season was also at our house.
I can still see the mountain of basketball shoes piled up by the front door and hear the Karaoke machine going full blast until the wee hours of the morning. Just like lots of the average homes with teenagers around Naperville.
On the court is where this group of girls really showed they weren't your average teenagers. Volumes have been written about Candace Parker, but I can summarize the two years Lauren and Candace were teammates this way. The best player on the team and in the nation was also the best teammate. She is incredibly gifted as an athlete, but she is equally gifted in filtering her celebrity through her sense of humanity. Everyone was important to her beginning with her teammates and schoolmates, through the
hordes of autograph seekers, media members, well-wishers, and on-lookers.
When talk centers on the championship seasons it is common for people to say that Naperville Central won because nobody else had Candace Parker. I simply reply that they won the championship because the Redhawks had Rachel Crissy and Tiffany Hudson. I will always admire how these two girls were such complete players, both willing to accept less in the way of stats and personal glory in exchange for two rings.
In today's "me-first" world of athletics, they understood that the team would be successful if they complimented Candace's immense talents rather than competed with them. On just about any other team in the state, either girl would have been a big star and their team's "go-to" player. On the two title teams, they were simply the heart and the soul of the group, each willing to sacrifice personal gain for team success. Rachel and Tiffany were easily the best two players at Central, outside of Candace Parker, since at least the year 2000. The three of them together provided the talent and veteran leadership needed to go all the way. The rest of the girls were vital parts to the engine.
I can also look at the photograph in Positively Naperville and remember how incredibly hard the girls worked in the off-season to push themselves to get better and better. Each gave up a lot of freedom and activities with their friends and family to spend their summers playing on the club circuit and with each other in summer high school leagues.
Larry Parker, his friend Mike Henry, and club coaches Glenn Earl and Mike Seeberger spent hundreds of hours working with Lauren. I know her teammates in the picture had some of these same summer coaches, plus others, schooling them on the fine skills that would raise their game to championship levels. All five girls pictured are on athletic scholarships in Division 1 today---their reward for the hard work and sacrifices.
The one other thing that stands out for me as I look at the picture is the fact that 10 of their teammates are missing. While the picture doesn't show their faces, I remember their individual contributions on and off the court. My favorite memories are of all of the girls who comprised the 2003 and 2004 IHSA Class AA state basketball champions.
It sure has a nice ring... make that two nice rings.
Jay Grochowski, Naperville
Response to Naperville Nostalgia, April 7, 2007
Naperville's Cow Tunnel
I'm not sending anything in or requesting anything, but I wasn't quite sure how else to contact you. For a school-related assignment, I am supposed to find where the old cow tunnel is located. I know that its near the train station and I think it might be at 12th and Main, and given your Naper Nostalgia site, I think maybe you could help me out. Thanks. ---Yuan
Answer: The cow tunnel is still there, but somewhat diminished in size and use. I think mostly raccoons and opossums travel through it now.
Animals do need our help when changes to the landscape affect their patterns. When the railroad came through Naperville in the 1860s its path split a farmer's pasture in two. The railroad compromised and built a tunnel under the tracks so the cows could walk freely on the property.
The cow tunnel is located at Webster Street and the tracks. There is also another tunnel further east, south of Seager Park, but when the locals refer to the cow tunnel, the Webster Street tunnel is the one they are thinking about.
In the 1970s the cow tunnel was fenced off from human use because Mayor Rybicki felt there could be "hanky-panky" going on. As a young person who used the tunnel to get from my grandparent's home to my cousin's home it was a safe way through a dangerous line. I personally think it should be reopened.
Thank you for your interest! ---Mary Lou Wehrli for Positively Naperville
Former resident visits after 25 years:
My name is Amy Goleb-Kimmel. I lived in Naperville from 1953 to 1971. I attended Ss. Peter and Paul Elementary School and graduated high school from Naperville Central in 1971. My favorite teachers were David Gaydos (English) and my Russian language teacher (I can’t remember her name.)
I visited Naperville in October 2006 after 25 years. One of the most beautiful sights was a lovely painting in a walkway depicting old Naperville. It showed town hall, the movie theater, etc. The mural was signed by Lisson-Kuhn and Netzley. Thank you for this lovely memory. Please do more!
I visited my old house at 324 S. Sleight Street and found it still there. To the right of my old house, Mrs. Raymond's house had been taken down and a HUGE new home is now in its place. I drove to Ss. Peter and Paul School and saw that many of the streets in that area are now walkways. Al's Candy Shoppe on the corner is empty.
One of the purposes of my visit to Naperville was to locate the grave site of my infant sister, Ann. Before my visit, I worked with the director of cemeteries for the archdiocese who was most helpful. I discovered that the grave locations back in the 1950's were not recorded well. The infant grave sites at the Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery were not recorded officially at all! Even though I had a receipt for a infant grave site for Ann ($20 back in 1959), nothing on the easement of burial certificate indicated a lot location.
Working to locate Ann's location from my present home in New Market, Maryland, it appeared that I had reached a dead end. However, I thought a physical visit to the cemetery might yield some clues and it did.
Using my father's cryptic notes and meeting with the director of cemeteries at the cemetery, we were able to locate Ann. I saw many familiar names near her including Ferrero (Is this a relative of a fellow student, Rich Ferrero?). I looked for Madam Sicre in the cemetery---she was the French teacher we had at Ss. Peter and Paul.
It was an interesting journey locating my sister. Someone I spoke with at Ss. Peter and Paul rectory told me that the priests sometimes wrote the location of where people were buried on the back of a window shade. Back then, Naperville and our community was so small that a note on a window shade was official record keeping and was all that was needed.
---Amy Goleb-Kimmel
Posted Dec. 26, 2006
I lived in Naperville from the time I was born--1928--till 1957. I remember downtown: Mydad was the owner of RIFE CLEANERS, and he used to give a Tootsie Roll or a stick of Beeman's gum to every child who came into the shop. Next door to us was LAURA ROETTIG'S CORSET SHOP, and on the other side of her, SCHERER'S HARDWARE (later Soukup's). I remember the old men who used to sit around the stove in Scherer's and talk and spit tobacco.
When I was young, Broeker's store had two sides to it: Dry goods and groceries, and that was a place where everybody went to get the latest news. Teresa and Louise waited on you, and when you were buying gifts, they knew everyone's size and preference.In a very small shop near the Naper Theater, Maggie Herbert sold "notions"--supplies for sewing, knitting, crocheting, and also lovely little toys: tiny china dolls for a penny, tin motorboats with small water tanks for a nickel. (You'd light a little candle under the tank and the steam would propel the boat for a few feet.)
Across the street was FAULHABER'S MEAT MARKET. Around the corner on Main Street was REICHE'S FIVE-AND-DIME STORE, where we used to buy penny valentines to put in the Valentine boxes in our classroom. On Washington Street, near Jefferson, there was a nice cozy restaurant called THE GYPSY TEAROOM, featuring entertainment by the ORRIN TUCKER BAND, which later became famous, especially for singer WEE BONNIE BAKER's rendition of "Oh Johnny Oh!"
At NAPER THEATER, we watched weekend movies featuring Shirley Temple, Jane Withers, Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy, and Roy Rogers. They ran serials once a week: "Flash Gordon," "Buck Rogers," and the preposterous "Son of the Guardsman," which was a pathetically low-budget film about valiant knights who rode endlessly around the countryside in rickety armor and engaged the evil enemy in battle for no very good reason. And I wonder how many people remember the OTTERPOHL DAIRY ad that ran before the main feature? It showed a large empty milk bottle that filled the entire screen, and after the message had been delivered, the bottle mysteriously filled up from the bottom with milk. When we came to that part, the audience provided a loud sound effect: WHOOOOP!
I also remember: THE YELLOW SHEET, which was a small advertising giveaway that came out once a week and featured trivial and funny local news. KROEHLER FURNITURE FACTORY, which used to blow a noon whistle to signal lunch time, and a one o'clock whistle to indicate that lunch time was over. I remember when we all gathered at the depot to watch the amazing race between two CALIFORNIA ZEPHYRS, the proud new additions to the Burlington Line. I also remember the tragic train wreck, when two zephyrs collided just short of the Naperville Depot. And: Sledding down INDIAN HILL, the CHRISTMAS CONCERT of the Naperville Band at PFEIFFER HALL, the incomparable MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, which included a number of bands led by a spectacular male baton twirler, elementary school children marching with their teachers, fire trucks, and veterans, including one frail veteran of the Civil War who rode in an open car.
So many good memories, and we old-timers thank all the new people who have preserved the memories of Old Naperville so well!
---Marj Rife Hart , Posted July 17, 2006
Remember the old Moose Lodge?
Every Friday night, the Moose Lodge (on Ogden near Columbia) had a fish fry (with hamburgers for those opposed to seafood). We kids would drink about 10 bottles of 10 oz. cokes and play the sliding puck bowling machine. Everyone was there at the long,
communal tables. There was an organist playing the Hammond (unmistakable sound) Organ--- old standards.
And at Christmas time, they'd have a gift grab bag.
I was told there was a roulette wheel in a back room but only had second hand info on that. It was a great place and the Moose did great work for orphaned children at Mooseheart in Batavia. They always sponsored good Little League teams, although I played
against them on Wilbert Hageman's Kiwanis team.
---Mitch Eales
Submitted June 10, 2006
I'm a native Napervillian and I remember all those things being written about in this column. The asparagus farm in Goosepimple Heights belonged to Mr. Lance. who hated our dog. We lived at the corner of 12th and Main and the land to the south was one of his asparagus patches. We lost our dog to poison and we all thought we knew who did it. Goosepimple Heights is so named because the land north of Ogden was fairly flat except for one small hill on the Fry farm and from a distance it looked like a goosepimple, hence the name. It was actually an old Indian mound. We used to walk over to Fry's Farm and buy milk right out of the milk house with cream still on the top. Mom would skim off that cream and we'd have strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream.
There was a taxi stand at the back of the Kroger store which was located at the northeast corner of Main and Jefferson.
The Red Top Tavern was owned by Mr. Staffeldt and when we were kids, my sister Kay and I would play behind the fence with JoAnn Staffeldt.
The organist in the window at the Midway Lounge was, I believe, Bonnie Hageman. She played beautifully.
Remember when Officer Fairbanks walked Washington Street between Nelson's gas station (Van Buren and Washington) and Jefferson Ave.? He would always help all the kids across the street.
We used to walk through the cow tunnel to Naper School from 12th and Main. How many kids walk that far today?
How many of you remember the "witch" who lived on the northeast corner of VanBuren and Main? (Never did know her name).
I remember walking downtown and everyone you met you were either related to or they were Catholic or Protestant, whichever you weren't.
I also remember in or about 1949-50, Budge Givler and a few of his friends, skipped school and put Ronnie Berlin's car in the middle of the river at the Eagle Street bridge where cars could ford the river.
It wasn't Reidy's Dime Store, but Reiche's Store at the northeast corner of Main and Jackson. They had everything imaginable in that store. I think I ranked them right up there with Soukups.
---Mary Fraley (Givler), submitted June 1, 2006
Naperville celebrates 20 years of Historic Preservation with Mayor's Proclamation
WHEREAS, historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability; and
WHEREAS, in 1986, the Naperville, Illinois City Council designated a specific neighborhood to be its Historic District as special and unique; to be set apart from every other; to attract tourists, contribute to the area’s stability and livability, and give residents a sense of connection with their shared heritage; and
WHEREAS, it is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals such as those here today in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a community; and
WHEREAS, “Sustain America–Vision, Economics and Preservation” is the theme for National Preservation Month 2006, co-sponsored by the Naperville Historic District, a neighborhood of the East Central Homeowners Organization, known as ECHO; North Central College and the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and
WHEREAS, Historic Preservation Month 2006 is an occasion for celebrating the historic resources within the community and increasing public awareness of the importance of historic preservation so that special resources can be preserved to pass onto future generations;
NOW, Therefore, the National Trust for Historic Preservation does honor the City of Naperville for designating a specific portion of its community as an Historic District, and thanks the people of Naperville for joining their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing and participating in Preservation Month.
Signed, sealed and delivered on May 13, 2006, to the Naperville Mayor
George Pradel.
Ron Keller Remembers Memorial Day Parades
I marched my first Memorial Day Parade in 1945! In those days, each class marched with their teacher to the cemetery. I carried a bouquet of lilacs and when we reached Naperville Cemetery, my mother met me and led me to my great-grandfather's grave. Samuel Weinhold fought for the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) in the Civil War. When I laid them on the grave, I was hot and tired and told my mother I didn't want to do this again, to which she replied, "Yes, you will!"
Well, I did every year until I got in the band then carried a sousaphone instead of flowers. So this will be my 62nd Memorial Day Parade!
What a shame the grade school bands are no longer marching! I have a picture of the combined Ellsworth and Naper School bands standing on the steps of Pfeiffer Hall on Memorial Day on May 30, 1929! They look so proud. They started a tradition that ends this year. Such a loss for Naperville.
---Ron
