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
Tag: life
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)
The Standard Oil Man (Part One)
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)
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
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
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
A Story of My Mom’s Garden Legacy
by John Kalec In the heart of the South Side of Chicago in 1935, on a narrow street lined with brick homes and the hum of distant streetcars, lived a little girl named Evelyn. Her home at 5246 Hermitage was modest and often bustling with the sounds of her older brother Fritz, her younger brother Rich, … Continue reading A Story of My Mom’s Garden Legacy
Who/What is Your Competition
"It's amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit." Harry Truman It seems as though people are always competing. Automobile drivers race ahead of the car ahead only to stop at the same stoplight down the street. Line too long in this lane, maybe I can move to the right and … Continue reading Who/What is Your Competition
Conversing with a Baseball Card
From the age of 13, I collected baseball cards because I was a baseball fan. I did not collect and trade cards for any other reason. At age 85, my reason remains the same. My most poignant memory at that age involved a quick stop at Floyd Nielsen’s local drug store on Main Street on my 45-minute … Continue reading Conversing with a Baseball Card
Braidwood Beginnings 