Dee King DeGroh I recently asked Dee (King) deGroh about her strong affiliation with Braidwood. Dee’s grandfather, MJ Donna, documented significant historical facts about our town, in “The Braidwood Story.” She cherishes the time she has spent in Braidwood where she actually lived from 2005 to 2016. But then Dee returned to Naperville to be … Continue reading My Braidwood Memories
Tag: family
Nicknames vs “Knocknames”
Nickname: an additional or substitute name given to a person, place, or thing usually descriptive and given in fun, affection, or derision, as “Doc,” “Shorty,” etc. a familiar, often shorter, form of a proper name, as “ Dick” for “ Richard” (Merriam Dictionary) Knockname: a substitute name meant to demean, dehumanize, or otherwise degrade another human being and perpetrated by a bully. (TRK) Dear Grandkids: If … Continue reading Nicknames vs “Knocknames”
A Conversation on the Porch
John Kalec This past summer I was sitting on our porch in Maine with our daughter Katherine and we were planning my Mom's 95th birthday party in Braidwood. I always have found that the best conversations seem to always take place on the porch and I remembered back to my grandmother's house which was right next … Continue reading A Conversation on the Porch
A Memorable Braidwood Thanksgiving
John Kalec During my visit to Braidwood to see my Mom earlier this month, we talked about the wonderful family Thanksgiving dinners we enjoyed over the years at home on Division Street. My grandparents would join us, as well as aunts and uncles from both sides of the family. But the most memorable holiday was … Continue reading A Memorable Braidwood Thanksgiving
The Hero We Didn’t Know
“My Dad would be very pleased to hear that his story is shared….hopefully it can help someone suffering with the type of issues that he did.” John Kalec In Braidwood, Illinois, on May 23, 1923, my grandfather Mathew Kalec died from a sudden heart attack. My grandmother was 8 months pregnant with my Dad and upon … Continue reading The Hero We Didn’t Know
Another Walker Street Story
John Kalec The following story by John Kalec was sparked by Carole Kennedy Robeson’s tale about an old gentleman bachelor who lived on Walker Street in Braidwood. My sister, brother, and I delivered newspapers to the Kalec house in the 1950s and 1960s. John has been a friend of mine since the Braidwood days and has … Continue reading Another Walker Street Story
Living on Walker Street
Carole Kennedy Robeson I'm not sure what looked Mr. Davy like. He was a dark shadow of a figure when he opened the door of his home. It was very dark inside and everything about the house seemed to be leaning toward the earth. But I loved going across the street to his house on Sunday, carrying his dinner that … Continue reading Living on Walker Street
Braidwood Beginnings 