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)
Tag: writing
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
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)
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
The Day My Father Was in the Sunday Homily
By Loretta Kennedy Tulley June 12, 1996 Following is a letter from my relative, Loretta Kennedy Tulley. Loretta’s father was James Kennedy, a brother of my grandfather, Dan Kennedy. Dear Tom and Family, I’m enclosing information from an abstract. Maybe some of the dates or the information will help you. We have been very busy … Continue reading The Day My Father Was in the Sunday Homily
