By Bill Butcher Grandpa Herman P. Reardanz I began my adult life working for Amoco or—as it was called back when my grandfather Herman P. Reardanz worked there—Standard Oil. Because it was the standard. There I was out on my job, new here in Minnesota having recently transferred from Illinois. I was at a job site … Continue reading The Standard Oil Man (Part One)
Blog Articles
The Magic of St. Rose School
By Brenda Rayburn St. Rose "Clowns" My memories of growing up in Wilmington are filled with the incredible freedom and creativity we shared as children and families. One of my absolute favorite stories to tell my grandkids is about my days at St. Rose School. It was such a small parish, yet we always managed … Continue reading The Magic of St. Rose School
Blessed be the Ties that Bind
By Timothy Nathan Pinnick Timothy Nathan Pinnick FOREWORD In the spring of 1984 as a young lieutenant in the United States Army, I began my quest to discover my family heritage. Two years later I published what I had uncovered to date in a six-page handout titled PINNICK – JOHNSON REUNION ’86 “BLESSED BE THE … Continue reading Blessed be the Ties that Bind
The Van Duin (Van Duyne) Story
By Margaret Van Duyne Baskerville Guyney (b1/20/1901) My father, Pieter Van Duin, a teacher in America, changed the family name to Van Duyne. Born February 6, 1860, in Opdam, Holland. Married Margaret Klaver on May 1, 1881, in Opdam. They had 19 children – 3 died in infancy. (John, Richard, and Margaret.) Peter had one … Continue reading The Van Duin (Van Duyne) Story
The Day My Father Was in the Sunday Homily
By Loretta Kennedy Tulley June 12, 1996 Following is a letter from my relative, Loretta Kennedy Tulley. Loretta’s father was James Kennedy, a brother of my grandfather, Dan Kennedy. Dear Tom and Family, I’m enclosing information from an abstract. Maybe some of the dates or the information will help you. We have been very busy … Continue reading The Day My Father Was in the Sunday Homily
My Great Grandfather, Blacksmith in the Civil War
C.C. Augustus Ginter II (b. 9/28/1837 – d. 9/19/1892) Growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, I don’t remember my mother or her siblings talking about the Ginter family history or the fact that their grandfather had served in the Civil War. Mom’s parents, Oscar and Minnie (Becker) Ginter, were virtually unknown to me. Minnie … Continue reading My Great Grandfather, Blacksmith in the Civil War
Like It or Not, We are All Connected
“Nothing exists by itself alone. We all belong to each other; we cannot cut reality into pieces. My happiness is your happiness; my suffering is your suffering. We heal and transform together.” Thich Nhat Hanh Consider the workings of the internet, a vehicle we use in our everyday communications and functions by which we connect with … Continue reading Like It or Not, We are All Connected
Running from Cleveland to Columbus
By John Kennedy “If you can run 143 miles to Columbus, you can certainly write a book about it!” Marybeth Keeler In the early morning hours of Friday, September 28, 2018, I walked out my home in Aurora, Ohio and looked out into my yard, still wet with morning dew. Getting up early for a … Continue reading Running from Cleveland to Columbus
TRANSCRIPT OF ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW WITH GORDIE GILLESPIE
Professor Gordon A. Gillespie Former Athletic Director and Coach, Lewis University Interview: July 15, 2010 Br: Br. Bernard Rapp, interviewer Br: So, would you like to start... Gordie: Well, in going through the outline that you were so kind to send to me, Brother…I’ll start with my early days. I’m a Chicago guy, and very proud of … Continue reading TRANSCRIPT OF ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW WITH GORDIE GILLESPIE
The Humanity Canopy
“Canopy defined: A canopy is a type of overhead roof or else a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is attached, able to provide shade or shelter from weather conditions such as sun, hail, snow and rain." Place: Braidwood Recreation Club (BRC) Date: Summer, 1954 People: Tommy Ray (age 13) and Carole Ann Kennedy (age 11) … Continue reading The Humanity Canopy
Braidwood Beginnings 