“Curiosity is what separates us from the cabbages. It's accelerative. The more we know, the more we want to know.” David McCullough (Taken from my journal notes) My first trip to Ireland in 1994 merely whetted my appetite in the search for relatives, any relatives, from Europe. The trip had been a terrific success and a … Continue reading John and I Find Irish Relatives
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When Baseball Cards Become Real
By the time I was 10 years old, my childhood had been thoroughly indoctrinated by baseball. Living within a few feet of a baseball field in Braidwood surely contributed to this state of mind since the town team and high school games ensnared me every spring and summer. It was evident from my lanky frame that I … Continue reading When Baseball Cards Become Real
The Game When Gordie Ordered His Hitter to Strike Out
Seldom does a coach tell his player to fail. Yet, Gordie Gillespie, recognized by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as the “Baseball Coach of the Century,” did exactly that. Catcher Ron Fordonski was ordered to strike out. Baseball players hate striking out. For me and for most every hitter, that long walk back to the dugout … Continue reading The Game When Gordie Ordered His Hitter to Strike Out
The Moment I Fell in Love with Adult Education
“Lucky, indeed, are those who have a moment of discovery that shouts out, “This is what I want to do!” That moment when latent and, perhaps, unrecognized, personal strengths and desires are merged with an event that resonates within the very soul of your being. Congruent personal mission aligned with a need that pleads for your company leaves … Continue reading The Moment I Fell in Love with Adult Education
Into Ireland the First Time
Tom, Carole, and Kenny From the time that Elmo O. Barnes, itinerant writer for the Wilmington Advocate, asked me about certain of my relatives in that city and I had no idea how they were part of my personal history, I was moved to learn more about tracing my ancestors. About 1972, I spent considerable … Continue reading Into Ireland the First Time
Searching for a Missing Great Grandfather
“Ik werd verkrqacht doorde dokter.” (Translation: "I was raped by the doctor.")Evy Klaver These words might have been said in 1888 by my great-grandmother, Evy Klaver, an immigrant from Holland. Evy was probably a domestic worker who spoke very little English. My Search for a Missing Link: Background Not many people get into genealogy research at … Continue reading Searching for a Missing Great Grandfather
No Social Security, no Medicare, no Health Insurance: My Parents’ Lives in 1920s and 1930s
“Your grandparents came of age in the Great Depression, when everyday life was about deprivation and sacrifice, when the economic conditions of the time were so grave and unrelenting it would have been easy enough for the American dream to fade away.” Tom BrokawTom Brokaw The best way to study history is to start with our parents. … Continue reading No Social Security, no Medicare, no Health Insurance: My Parents’ Lives in 1920s and 1930s
“You’re Telling Me We Lived in a Former House of Prostitution?”
“It is true, son, but it was only for a little while.” A little explanation is needed. I lived in Braidwood my first 21 years with the last four of those years being mostly on the campus of Lewis College (University). After Dolores and I were married in June of 1962, we lived in Joliet … Continue reading “You’re Telling Me We Lived in a Former House of Prostitution?”
Gordie Gospel: According to Disciples Pat, Ray, Tony, and Tom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordie_Gillespie "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." St. Francis of Assisi Over the years, a lot has been written about Coach Gordie Gillespie. I decided that most of these short articles should be put into one document in order for my grandkids, young coaches, and aspiring leaders in any field to … Continue reading Gordie Gospel: According to Disciples Pat, Ray, Tony, and Tom
Avoiding a Riot at Lewis: 1971
"The College holds, as a basic principle for its existence, the civilization of the mind, the development of the rational process by which men can work for their betterment. Any tactic which impairs the freedom of thought and expression and of due process in controversy is incompatible with the very natures of the College and … Continue reading Avoiding a Riot at Lewis: 1971
Braidwood Beginnings 