By Ken Kennedy On a mild late October weekend night in 1966, my friend and cousin, B.J. Fitzpatrick, and I were out “bumming.” We were both seniors in high school, always telling each other what we wanted to do after graduation. So to speak, dreaming about our futures. We were walking on Main Street and about … Continue reading Bumming in Braidwood
Author: braidwoodguy
Born and raised in Braidwood, Illinois. Worked in secondary and higher education since 1962. Have 5 kids and 14 grandkids. Avocation is writing and genealogy.
Braidwood News 1871-1872
August 19, 1871 – People’s Advocate We are reliably informed that surveys have been made for a canal from the Kankakee River to the Braidwood coal fields. The stakes are driven at a point on the west side of the river near the “Camp place”, about one mile above the guard lock and upper dam. The … Continue reading Braidwood News 1871-1872
Wilmington Independent News
July 22, 1868 Mr. Editor – Being a participant in the general feeling which “conserves” the peace of this portion at least of Will County, we but echo the inquiry hourly heard upon our streets, why is it that there is an attempted suspension of civil rights and the constitutionally guaranteed “inalienable” and God given … Continue reading Wilmington Independent News
Link to Kennedy Books
I should have made everyone aware that all five books may be previewed and purchased by going to braidwoodguy.com. Feel free to contact me if there are any problems. TK
A Story of My Mom’s Garden Legacy
by John Kalec In the heart of the South Side of Chicago in 1935, on a narrow street lined with brick homes and the hum of distant streetcars, lived a little girl named Evelyn. Her home at 5246 Hermitage was modest and often bustling with the sounds of her older brother Fritz, her younger brother Rich, … Continue reading A Story of My Mom’s Garden Legacy
“Would you like some company?”
Living in Colorado for nearly 40 years is vastly different from living in Braidwood in the 1940s and 1950s. Yes, the weather is consistently better, the Novembers are virtually cloudless during the days, and evenings see the temperatures drop by about 30 degrees. Driving west for our daily exercise at the Rec Center, 7 minutes … Continue reading “Would you like some company?”
Who/What is Your Competition
"It's amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit." Harry Truman It seems as though people are always competing. Automobile drivers race ahead of the car ahead only to stop at the same stoplight down the street. Line too long in this lane, maybe I can move to the right and … Continue reading Who/What is Your Competition
Conversing with a Baseball Card
From the age of 13, I collected baseball cards because I was a baseball fan. I did not collect and trade cards for any other reason. At age 85, my reason remains the same. My most poignant memory at that age involved a quick stop at Floyd Nielsen’s local drug store on Main Street on my 45-minute … Continue reading Conversing with a Baseball Card
My Nerdy Side: Theater
Although education and coaching dominated much of my professional life, the persistent backdrop of my journey has been in the arts: music, theater, literature, and poetry. Much of my writing has focused on life’s transitions from childhood to adulthood to old age without appropriating justice to the arts’ roles in those transitions. This piece is about theater. … Continue reading My Nerdy Side: Theater
My Nerdy Side: Music
Although education and coaching dominated much of my professional life, the persistent backdrop of my journey has been in the arts: music, theater, literature, and poetry. Much of my writing has focused on life’s transitions from childhood to adulthood to old age without appropriating justice to the arts’ roles in those transitions. Without apology, it’s time … Continue reading My Nerdy Side: Music
Braidwood Beginnings 