Braidwood Saloon Society in the 1940s and 1950s

"There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern." Samuel Johnson The Riviera, Braceville, Illinois Why did dad and other men go to the bars? (And it was mostly men.) While I can’t speak to all men, I have enough experience to … Continue reading Braidwood Saloon Society in the 1940s and 1950s →

Learning Through Books, Music, and People

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Alvin Toffler Still have some of my old library. Learning and Unlearning When we are young, we are sponge-like, soaking up all that surrounds us while we are formed into the people … Continue reading Learning Through Books, Music, and People →

Moving to Colorado: How a Decision was Made

“If your world doesn’t allow you to dream, move to one where you can.” Billy Idol A move, no matter the distance, is artless once the decision is made. The hard part is actually arriving at the decision. I used to think that, for my parents, it should have been fairly easy to move from Walker Street … Continue reading Moving to Colorado: How a Decision was Made →

Journey into the Past

“People say you're born innocent, but it's not true. You inherit all kinds of things that you can do nothing about. You inherit your identity, your history, like a birthmark that you can't wash off…” Erik Pevernagie We all hope to learn more about who we are and how did we get this way. For me, I have … Continue reading Journey into the Past →

We Were Never Bored in Braidwood

Small towns make up for their lack of people by having everyone be more interesting. Doris "Granny D" Haddock Preparing for another adventure: Marty Kozloswki, Louie Highbaugh, Killer Kozlowski, me, Pete Cinotto, and my brother Kenny. “Weren’t you bored growing up in Braidwood?” Never. Growing up in my hometown of Braidwood in the '40s and '50s, I … Continue reading We Were Never Bored in Braidwood →

Travel Lust Started Here

“A rule of the blue road: Be careful going in search of adventure—it’s ridiculously easy to find.” William Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highways: A Journey into America As you know, I have great respect and love for my hometown, Braidwood. I owe so much to the people who surrounded me during those critical growing years. In many ways, I … Continue reading Travel Lust Started Here →

Coming of Age in the ’60’s

"The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility." John Lennon Little did I know that, at age 21, my future path already had been prescribed. The 1960’s and 1970’s confirmed that prescription. … Continue reading Coming of Age in the ’60’s →

More of My Best Years of Coaching

“We were privileged to have some great kids. Our philosophy was to make Major League people not Major League ballplayers. We wanted the kids to come out of our place with a career beyond baseball. You can call it life after baseball, and that was our objective." Gordie Gillespie After all my years coaching in … Continue reading More of My Best Years of Coaching →

Adele Ginter Kennedy: My Braidwood Wonder Woman

"There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."― Jane Austen It wasn’t easy for my Dad when his wife went to work outside the home. You see, the husband was the breadwinner in his day and … Continue reading Adele Ginter Kennedy: My Braidwood Wonder Woman →

Blazing New Trails

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” -Brian Tracy I’m not exactly sure why mom wanted me to go to Joliet Catholic High School after my six years at St. Rose in Wilmington. I spent only those last six … Continue reading Blazing New Trails →