A Ritchie Hills Mystery By Bill Butcher So as the story wound down, our sense of adventure and curiosity kicked in... someday we should go look for it. Could it still be out there? A Strange Breeze on Channel 9 So summer continued on, and the heat built as the days grew longer and the … Continue reading The Legend of the Goonie Goo Goo (Part Two)
Blog Articles
It All Started in That Summer of 1988
A Memoir of Small-Town Childhood, Evening Stories, and the Unexplained Part 1 By Bill Butcher Lazy Days and the Ritchie Grain Elevator It all started in that summer of 1988. It was a fairly normal summer—days and nights spent fishing, camping, and hanging out as we did back then. But that was, unbeknownst to us … Continue reading It All Started in That Summer of 1988
A Truly Unique Braidwood Guy
“Braidwood was the foundation for my life.” Phil Weidner There have been a few famous Braidwood people that I have written about in blog posts, “Braidwood Beginnings: Growing up in a Coal Town.” (https://braidwoodguy.com) Anton Cermac, former mayor of Chicago killed by an assassin’s bullet while standing next to Franklin Roosevelt, was born in Braidwood. Labor leader John Mitchell, who … Continue reading A Truly Unique Braidwood Guy
The History and Heart of Catfish Days 1976
Chester Catfish A Bicentennial Heritage Celebration in Wilmington, Illinois By Sharon Cosgrove Mosier The Origins of a Wilmington Tradition Catfish Days 1976 provides such fond memories. Myra Cosgrove was a very active person in numerous events in the community, and 1976 would prove to be one of her lasting gifts to Wilmington. Myra was a … Continue reading The History and Heart of Catfish Days 1976
Fourteen Cents and a Double Feature: Memories of the Wilmington Matinees
By Jim Gassensmith The Mar Theatre in Wilmington, Illinois. Photo taken in 2021. Saturday Matinees and Cliffhanger Serials Every Saturday we headed off to the Wilton or the Mar Theater for the matinee. It was cheap—only fourteen cents—and that was for a double feature: usually two Westerns and a serial in between. The serial was always … Continue reading Fourteen Cents and a Double Feature: Memories of the Wilmington Matinees
The Legacy Behind the Bar: The Lockwood Garage
By Todd Lockwood “Gone for parts. Back soon.” Screenshot I would like to comment on the new bar in town called “The Garage on Water.” That bar was actually built in what used to be a real garage. My Dad, Keith Lockwood, relocated the family back to Wilmington in 1961. He had previously been employed by … Continue reading The Legacy Behind the Bar: The Lockwood Garage
The Legacy of Ed’s Dairy Bar
By Barb Koenig Osburn I loved growing up in Wilmington. If you were around in 1962, you will understand why I say I thought I was a somebody—because my dad was Ed Koenig, the founder of Ed's Dairy Bar. I was six years old when my family moved to Wilmington. The new Route 80 ended … Continue reading The Legacy of Ed’s Dairy Bar
Wilmington: Earliest Memories through Eighth Grade
Jim Gassensmith Jim in St. Rose 8th grade: tallest boy, middle of 4th row (I'm on far left) (Editor's note: Jim Gassensmith and I both graduated from St. Rose in 1954 and then from Joliet Catholic High School in 1958. He remains a friend of mine and lives in Florida. Jim has written an autobiography … Continue reading Wilmington: Earliest Memories through Eighth Grade
Roy Keeley: Athlete and Electrician
By Brian Keeley A Sports Story First, some background history. My father graduated from Wilmington High School in 1932. During his high school career he developed an extremely accurate two hand set shot which he would shoot from 25’-35’ feet from the basket. In 1932, he set the Wilmington single game scoring record which lasted … Continue reading Roy Keeley: Athlete and Electrician
The Standard Oil Man (Part Two)
By Bill Butcher Grandpa Reardanz Serving Customers This is part two and truly it's about life, neighbors, and caring for people because it's right, even if it means you have to swim against the stream. It's about how even great American companies like Standard occasionally get it wrong. So grab a coffee and let's get … Continue reading The Standard Oil Man (Part Two)
