Richard (Dick) Briggs

I forgot that I was born in Peoria and attended Greely grade school for first half of kindergarten. Since I didn't play well in Peoria, my dad took a management job at Eureka Williams.  I finished K at Franklin.  I lived on University Street near Fell Park and a corner gas station.  Anyone remember the city owned power plant near Franklin and where the IWU Admin office is now located?

Dick

Jack Keefe

Dick -- 

Nice to see you posting on the forum, and looking forward to reading more from you.

That wasn't a power plant where the Wesleyan visitors center parking lot is now. Instead, it was a garage where Illinois power kept its service trucks. There was also a radio tower on the grounds, My grandfather worked out of the garage before he retired from IP in 1960. The city did have a power plant but it was located downtown on South Lee Street. The building is still there.

The garage was transformed from a streetcar barn. Bloomington completed the switch to buses in 1936 and eventually garaged its buses at Oakland and Main.

Back to the IWU visitor center parking lot -- here is a little known fact. It was the site of the University of Illinois' first football game. In 1890, they came to Bloomington to play Wesleyan. Wesleyan won the game. The Illini captain was from Bloomington. 

Anyway -- more than you asked for, but an interesting story nonetheless.   

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Hi everyone:

Here in El Paso we have had ozone pollution but also smoke from California.  Thank goodness for masks!  I'm a bit concerned for Cheryl McLay in Arizona.  If we have it here, I'm afraid she might be experiencing a heavier version of the smoke.

Hopefully she will let us know if she is ok!

Love to all, Linda

Terrie Troxel

Hi Linda,

Your note made me worried about Cheryl so I called her cell. She just hit a 180 yard drive on a par-3 and is trying to get down in two. Seems fine. Thanks for your concern.

Terrie

James (Jim) Rookus

We even getting overcast hazy smoke from out west here in Michigan ... fortunately not affecting our air at ground level!

Cheryl McLay (Kehoe)

I am fine in Tucson AZ.  We have had quite a bit of smoke from the CA fires.  Actually about 2 months ago we had our own fires in the mountains right by us.  They were started by lightening strikes.  Mountains so rugged the only way to fight them was to drop fire retardant.  Once the fire came over the ridge toward civilization the firefighters set back fires toward the existing fires.  We weren't in danger but friends closer to mountains were on the alert evacuation warning.  After our first heavy rain the air smelled like a wet fireplace.  Burned over 150,000 acres.  Animals were coming down to get food and water.  A friend had bighorn sheep in her back yard.  We had a mama bobcat and 3 cubs.  They stayed for a week.  I did put water out for them.  We are fine.  Thanks goodness for golf.  We can get out of the house and actually do something.  Game not what is used to be but able to maintain a 14 handicap (from the forward tees).    We are well and extended family all healthy.  

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Dianne Shaffer:

Did you see that Mike Buckley died Sept. 8?  Does Jeanne know?

Love ya, Linda

Steve Jetton

Dick Briggs -

I well remember those visits to Mr. Thompson's office.  I think he just penciled us in on his calendar ahead of time for a regular monthly visit.  One time I was out sick the day he summoned us, so I had to go in byself when I got back to school.  He looks at me - I want to imagine there was a barely suppressed smile on his face - and he says: Well, Steve.  I understand you're the one causing all this trouble.

I don't believe that enlightening lesson was on the 1st or 2nd grade curriculum.

I didn't blame you guys, though.  I'd have done the same thing.  Plus, it was probably true.  At a later point in life I came to the realization that I was an instigator.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Steve, that sounds like a confession of sorts. But, although you addressed it to Dick, you gave no reference to what the investigation was about, leaving the rest of us in the dark. Do you care to elaborate?

On another front, so glad to hear from Cheryl McLay Kehoe and Terri Troxel. Wow Cheryl. Golfing below par. WOW! I talked to Wendy a couple of days ago and she is also doing fine in the midst of the wildfires out west. We have many other classmates who are in the midst of all that. Would love to hear from them.

OMG, the times we are living in.

Larry Cotton

Hi everyone! Thanks for the birthday wishes. I have followed the forum, but have not taken part in a long time. I updated my profile adding kids to my grandkids and great-grandkids. We are now up to 12 grandkids and 12 great-grandkids. I also finally retired from Yosemite National Park two years ago. I guess it was a good decision seeing what is going on now. I feel for all of my friends working there. Waiting for the Covid and the fires to end so we can travel again. I am getting close to ten years as a cancer surviver. My stage 4 colon cancer is gone and I still have 4 small spots left on my stage 4 prostrate cancer. Generic testing showed my cancer was from a gene passed down. I am on my 3rd Kemo pill and have started a shot that will block the cancer from spreading to my bones. It fills in the pits that cancer does to the bones. I have lead a positive attitude life, lots of exercising, hiking. etc. If anyone knows someone with cancer and they are not doing well, I would be happy to share the treatment I have been going thru. Thanks for all of your great posts. I will try to do a better job on the forum. 

David Brock

Thanks for birthday greetings.  Followoing are some shots from a trip earlier this summer. Sandy and I went to Door County, Wi.   My recently widowed sister and daughter travelled with us.  Following are a couple of shots.The Light Houses are 2 of the many light houses in Door County on the Lake Michigan shore.  The stained window is in the Door County/Sturgeon Bay Maritime Museum and the deorated 'Cherry
art' was part of the Chamber of Commerce fundraiser.  The fish were one day's catch--Salmon and Trout.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Dick, Nice to see you posting.  Keep it up.   It is really something that you and Dicksie have known each other almost your whole lives.  Seems like you two were really born to be together.  I'm sure you guys have thought of that.

Also, it's nice to see some other people posting that haven't for a while.   Welcome back, and keep it up.

Marvin, I hope you are continuing to heal and your therapy is making you stronger.

Mel, do you have an indoor pool you can use over the Winter so you don't lose any of what you have gained all summer?

David B,  I loved the pictures of Door County.   That is a trip I've never made, but have talked about going several times.  My D-I-L loves light houses. The 3 of us have gone to Mackinac Island and had a good time.So maybe, someday we can go to Door County.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Joan Pease (Clark)

Seeing Cheryl McLay's post the other day made me nostalgic for the 'olden days.' This our homeroom at Bloomington Junior High in 1960. (I may have posted this before, but I am old and forgetful.)

David Brock

Sandra J.--Door County would be about 300 miles from Bloomington.  We have found the best way is to go up 51/39 to Rockford then east to Milwaukee, then about an huor north to Door County.  It can be as adventuresome as you want it to be.  It is a bit remote, so don't be surprised if cell service is spotty.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

David B,  That route sounds good.  Not going near Chicago.   How much time did you actually spend there?   When I was working, I had a patient tell me you can do the county in one day.  You drive up one side and down the other.   I would think how long that takes would depend on how many stops you make to shop, sight see and eat..  Maybe that patient didn't stop much.   Did you take the ferry over to Washington Island?  If you did, did you take your car, also?  Do you think Washington Island is worth going to?

Thank you for all the info.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Linda Bristow (Elias)

Hi everyone!

Next month is coming quickly.  Halloween is in the mind's of children who want to dress up in costumes and get candy.  We lived during such an innocent time...........even if I did throw eggs and tomatoes sometimes.  This year will be so different for the children.  I'm sure many of them will remember the Halloween that Wasn't!  I have just one grandchild who is young enough to participate in the thrill of Halloween.  He is 8 and just wants to be an alien.

He put notes on the front door of houses where children live (on his block).  He wants the neighborhood to put one piece of candy on the front porch of each house with children.  It must be wrapped.  He said he will personally deliver candy to their house in his costume with a mask and gloves.

I'm proud of him for figuring out how to include the other children and make an effort of creating their own Halloween.

I hope your grandchildren have their minds filled with their ideas of fun for Halloween too! (-minus my eggs and tomatoes!)

Love to all,

Linda

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Jim, Max and others who asked, my condo closed the pool 9 days early on Monday. Even so, I swam 40 laps that night in 70 degree water and reached 72 mile. Two miles short of my goal of swimming my age. I drove to Bloomington with my son on Friday and realized that was the same as swimming from Dwight to Chicago. I kept imagining, as I was driving at about 80 miles per hour, myself swimming on the side of the road. Then it hit me how freaking far 72 miles is. So, I'm good with that.

It has been quiet on Raiders64 for a few days. What have you all been doing as we close out the summer? Would love to know.

James (Jim) Rookus

MEL ....  I am so proud of you completing 72 miles and especially the finale in the cold waters!  I will consider your mission accomplished... you certainly would have made the goal easily if they would not have messed you up by closing the pool too early!  

MEL... YOU ARE THE RADER'S SENIOR OLYMPIAN ! ! !

Now that summer is over I just lost my part time job as "pool boy" !  Our pool was also just closed and today my sons came over to help put the cover on it!  The next part time job I'm promised is in about 6-8 weeks.... shoveling snow.... can't wait !!!

LINDA.... a really cute idea your grandson came up with.... the little guys are so cute and the things they come up with!  Every Monday and Wednesday we watch our 5 youngest ( 1 yr - 10 yrs) for about 5 hours each day and wow the things they come up with!  Keep us on our toes!!!

David Brock

Melvin --Congratson the swimming distance--good job.  A few days ago some were asking about signs of Autumn.  This week I saw 2 Chickadees and a pair of Titmice feeding at the feeder.   They are normally here during the winter months.  I noticed 2 fawns today that had lost almost all of their spots.  They will be 'grey ghosts' shortly.  Thought for the day--'See everything.  Overlook a great deal.  Improve a little.---Pope John XXIII

David Brock

Sandra J--Sorry for the delay on Door County.  Drive time from St. Louis area is about 8 1/2 or 9 hours.  We usually have gone  for 4 or 5 days.  Usually 2 days drive time (1 up & 1 back).  That will give you 2 or 3 days to signt see.You can drive up the bay side and back the lake side in a day, but you might not see what you want.  There are several significant stops--Sturgeon Bay Pioneer Village and Mariner's Museum--Ephraim, Fish Boil,  Egg Harbor, very nice harbor view over Grren Bay.  Ellison Bay has a number of art shops, Cana Island Light House--take a hay ride over to the island, Bailey's Harbor has the 'Goats on the Roof'.  There are numerous gift shops and artisans .  You may want to check withe Chamber of commerce in Sturgeon Bay for more info and details.  Renards Cheese shop south of Sturgeon Bay is an excellent source for local cheese. We both enjjoy fishing and usually plan a day for fishing usually on the lake side (mostly Salmon and Trout).

Melvin (Mel) Theobald