Oh, the things we keep, the material things that we wouldn't trade for the world. The things we
wouldn't sell for any price. They're not the diamonds and rubies, are they? They're not the exquisite museum pieces! Not the first edition books. Well, maybe they are, but probably not. They're probably the more simple things, small or large, that we keep because they mean something to us - in our hearts, in our memories. Maybe it's that piece of vintage furniture or set of cookbooks, handed down to us by a loved one. A set of fine china, silver, vintage linen or piece of jewelry. Am I right?
But if someone asks us what we'd save first in an emergency, what do we usually say? Yes, our pictures, our old pictures. The ones of our ancestors. The ones of our children when they were babies, growing up. Wedding pictures, etc. The NEW pictures we have on our telephones! We'll probably never touch those or put them in frames or actual albums. They're supposedly floating somewhere on a cloud - of sorts. That's "magic" to me, "magic" that I don't begin to understand, but of which I'm
entirely too dependent.
I remember m a n y years ago, summer 1980. The emergency sirens were blaring, warning of a
storm. The wind began to blow ferociously. My first thought was to find Jamey, my most prized possession, who was out riding his new bike. I went to the porch to scream for him and finally he appeared, the wind blowing him backward as quickly as he pedaled forward. A little Wizard of
Oz-ish as I think back! But, long story short, I had him in my clutches. We retreated to the cellar. The storm that day was pretty devastating to Chester. I'm not sure if they ever technically decided if it was a tornado or straight line wind, but it took most of the roof off of the courthouse, downed trees all over town, damaged many, many houses, etc. Power was out immediately - and for a couple of days. In our little corner of town, lightning struck the old Gilster feed store buildings on Stacey Street, across from the old Dairy Queen. It was a mighty fire and from our vantage point farther up the hill, we could see the tall flames licking into the storm darkened sky. In what seemed like no time, the wind was blowing the embers upward and toward us. Men and women, many of whom had raced home from work, were out in their yards, some even on their roofs, with garden hoses, making an effort to save their homes if it became necessary. I had an immediate plan - since I couldn't get on the roof! I grabbed my Grandma Hasemeyer's vintage trunk and started stuffing it with framed pictures and photo albums. I dragged that heavy trunk as close to the front door as I could get it. And thankfully, there it sat for a couple of days until electricity was restored and our lives were calmed. It sat as a stark reminder that we had been faced with a possible disaster. Who knows if I would have been able to drag both it and that boy of mine out of the house if I'd actually had to. But I was ready to try. When pressed, we save what means the most to us.
A few weeks ago some dear friends of mine in Louisiana awoke to a quickly flooding home. They said they grabbed their little girls and very few precious items before they raced out the door to a "do-gooder's" rescue boat that was waiting outside. Days later when they were able to get back to their
water damaged home, it was truly devastating to see what was lost, what was damaged beyond saving, what was gone forever. But they're moving on. Faith and strength, determination and fortitude. They know first hand now, the pain of loss, the joy of what and who were saved.
We know that these things we love are just things, right? Of course we do. For many of us, the most precious THINGS we have and love and protect are only priceless to us, not of monetary value to anyone. I have that earlier-mentioned old camelback trunk that belonged to my Grandma Hasemeyer. She saved the money to buy it from her first job at the old shoe factory. Wouldn't trade it for anything. I have an old wooden box trunk that my Great Grandpa August Hasemeyer brought over from Hanover, Germany in 1888. He was 16 and it held everything he owned in the world. The front of the box, in indelible ink, says, A. Hasemeier, Schester, Illinois. Fewer will understand this one, but I have an old set of deer antlers, brought to me when I was seven or eight years old, by my Grandpa Hasemeyer when he bagged a deer on a hunting trip to Colorado. When he called on the phone and asked what he could bring me, that's what I asked for! I've got 'em. Wouldn't trade 'em for anything! You see where I'm going with this. And I hope that, as you're reading, your mind is traveling through your home, thinking of those THINGS you wouldn't trade for anything either.
But the truth is, and we all know it, we could lose these things and survive. We would never really lose them because the memories of why we have them and of why they mean so much to us, resides in our hearts, in our minds. We have the memories of mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, our kids, our friends. It's because of them that these items are priceless to us. Because those people are and were priceless to us. And that, my friends, is what it's all about. I pray none of us ever has to face
such a loss. But if we do, may that same faith and strength of my friends, be with us all.
It's early morning, a time I don't often see but only hear about. That means the air will be cool for
a while yet. You know where I'm going. The porch calls as does the first of cup of morning coffee. I hope your day is wonderful!
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Memories Of Chester's Camptown & Fairgrounds
I spent a little more time today with Dean Lochhead, who may just be my "new best friend"!
That man is a never ending bundle of historical information, combined with great humorous stories,
all about Chester and its people. Let me say up front how very much I appreciate the time he's been
willing to spend with me, helping me to better understand the town I call "home". He talks. I scratch notes. I ask crazy questions. He laughs at me and he talks some more. More notes. On and on.
Today Dean and I discussed a subject about which I have been curious for a long time. Maybe you have also. Most of you know where Chester's Camptown is, right? For those of you who may not know, Camptown is NOW considered to be the area - approximately from Grace Church on Route 150 east, on east to the edge of town. But have you ever wondered how or why that area became known as Camptown?
According to Dean, in the 1920s and early 1930s, it was not unusual for bands of gypsies to travel the country, moving from area to area. These groups would camp near to towns. They would park their wagons, build their bonfires and rest a few days before moving on. Townspeople in general were very wary of gypsies, as gypsies had a reputation for kidnapping children and for thieving. Now, I in no way wish to cast aspersions on any group of people. I'm just telling you how it apparently was in that time. Chester was no exception to that pervasive attitude. According to Dean, Chester's constabulary at that period in time would not allow the bands of gypsies who would approach Chester to camp inside the city limits. They were told they had to set up their camps in the area east of town - which henceforth came to be known as Camptown. Dean said Camptown at that time was considered to begin approximately where WalMart and McDonald's are now located, continuing on eastward. After informing them of where they were allowed to camp, the gypsies were only allowed to come in to Chester after word went out to the citizenry that gypsies were in the area and that children should be watched or taken indoors for safety purposes. Then the gypsies could only come to town a few at a time to do whatever shopping or bartering they needed to do. Dean said that minimizing the numbers made it easier for merchants to keep an eye out for stealing, but he believes that it still took place. Dean speculated that overwhelmingly the gypsies were of eastern and southern European descent and my research bears out that probability. Now, is it just me - or does this information not blow your mind?
Another area in Chester that has always fascinated me is what I think of as the Fairgrounds Addition. And you may ask, WHERE IS THAT? I remember my dad referring to the area around Lincoln and Washington Blvds. as the Fairgrounds Addition. We've all seen the very attractive stone gate archway
that sits on State Street, just between Lincoln and Washington. Well, that archway is there for a
reason. Behind it and far to the right and to the left of it was Chester's fairground area. Dean grinned when he told me that the horse racing track still exists. I looked at him questioningly. "The race
track," he said, "was where Lincoln, Garfield and Washington Blvds. now are!" Amazing!
According to Dean, there were additional entrances to the fairgrounds behind Carter's Market (now Korando Heating/Cooling); on what is now Lee Street near the Schmerbach home; two more gates nearer where the high school track now is; one on the County Farm Road; two more by what is now Lincoln Blvd.; two more where East State St. now is; and one by where the Bill Sherrell house was later built (now the home of Ila Mae Kloth).
The fairgrounds included a top notch baseball field where the Chester National Baseball Team defended its honor throughout the year. Among those who played for this team were such as notables as Erwin Schueren, who went on to play in the minor leagues; and Roger Wolff who ultimately played several years in the major leagues. Both were pitchers. If a fella wanted a cold beer during a baseball game, he couldn't buy it on fairgrounds property. But he could cross over to the original New Moon where an outside wooden beer stand was roughly constructed. "Cold beer here!!!!!"
Dean told me that a carnival was always brought to Chester for the days of the annual fair. He also remembers that one of the carnival attractions each year was a verrrrry big live bear that local young men would be invited to wrestle in a ring. Dean's Grandma Lochhead ran a boarding house in her home in the 1400 block of State Street. During fair time, she would always tell her boarders that she was glad her sons had more sense than to try to fight a bear! Many years later, Grandma Lochhead's son, Lenny Lochhead, confessed to his mama that he had, in fact, fought the bear. She was horrified!
Dean recalled that as the years went by, those who owned the properties that the fairground was on began to want to sell their properties for development. Early families to build in that area included Mr. and Mrs. Willis Carter, Sr., Mr and Mrs. Jim Crawford, Harry Draves, Powleys, Knapps, Eggemeyers and Smiths. Dean's parents wanted to build a home on East State Street. Mr. Lochhead hired day laborers who dismantled a house in Grasshopper, Illinois (near Pinckneyville), moved it to Chester and reconstructed it on East State.
It is certainly my hope that as I share these bits of historical information, you - my readers - are able to see in your minds the pictures I'm attempting to "paint". I fear I am limited by my own imagination. I am, however, fascinated by it all and I hope you are finding it interesting too. I welcome your comments and/or suggestions.
I'm not even thinking of the porch today. The heat and humidity have driven me inside. But, as always, I have hopes for tomorrow. And how appropriate, I suppose. Here on these pages we see a bit of what yesterday was like in our fair city. And now, we all have high hopes for tomorrow. May your
tomorrow be fair and pleasant.
That man is a never ending bundle of historical information, combined with great humorous stories,
all about Chester and its people. Let me say up front how very much I appreciate the time he's been
willing to spend with me, helping me to better understand the town I call "home". He talks. I scratch notes. I ask crazy questions. He laughs at me and he talks some more. More notes. On and on.
Today Dean and I discussed a subject about which I have been curious for a long time. Maybe you have also. Most of you know where Chester's Camptown is, right? For those of you who may not know, Camptown is NOW considered to be the area - approximately from Grace Church on Route 150 east, on east to the edge of town. But have you ever wondered how or why that area became known as Camptown?
According to Dean, in the 1920s and early 1930s, it was not unusual for bands of gypsies to travel the country, moving from area to area. These groups would camp near to towns. They would park their wagons, build their bonfires and rest a few days before moving on. Townspeople in general were very wary of gypsies, as gypsies had a reputation for kidnapping children and for thieving. Now, I in no way wish to cast aspersions on any group of people. I'm just telling you how it apparently was in that time. Chester was no exception to that pervasive attitude. According to Dean, Chester's constabulary at that period in time would not allow the bands of gypsies who would approach Chester to camp inside the city limits. They were told they had to set up their camps in the area east of town - which henceforth came to be known as Camptown. Dean said Camptown at that time was considered to begin approximately where WalMart and McDonald's are now located, continuing on eastward. After informing them of where they were allowed to camp, the gypsies were only allowed to come in to Chester after word went out to the citizenry that gypsies were in the area and that children should be watched or taken indoors for safety purposes. Then the gypsies could only come to town a few at a time to do whatever shopping or bartering they needed to do. Dean said that minimizing the numbers made it easier for merchants to keep an eye out for stealing, but he believes that it still took place. Dean speculated that overwhelmingly the gypsies were of eastern and southern European descent and my research bears out that probability. Now, is it just me - or does this information not blow your mind?
Another area in Chester that has always fascinated me is what I think of as the Fairgrounds Addition. And you may ask, WHERE IS THAT? I remember my dad referring to the area around Lincoln and Washington Blvds. as the Fairgrounds Addition. We've all seen the very attractive stone gate archway
that sits on State Street, just between Lincoln and Washington. Well, that archway is there for a
reason. Behind it and far to the right and to the left of it was Chester's fairground area. Dean grinned when he told me that the horse racing track still exists. I looked at him questioningly. "The race
track," he said, "was where Lincoln, Garfield and Washington Blvds. now are!" Amazing!
According to Dean, there were additional entrances to the fairgrounds behind Carter's Market (now Korando Heating/Cooling); on what is now Lee Street near the Schmerbach home; two more gates nearer where the high school track now is; one on the County Farm Road; two more by what is now Lincoln Blvd.; two more where East State St. now is; and one by where the Bill Sherrell house was later built (now the home of Ila Mae Kloth).
The fairgrounds included a top notch baseball field where the Chester National Baseball Team defended its honor throughout the year. Among those who played for this team were such as notables as Erwin Schueren, who went on to play in the minor leagues; and Roger Wolff who ultimately played several years in the major leagues. Both were pitchers. If a fella wanted a cold beer during a baseball game, he couldn't buy it on fairgrounds property. But he could cross over to the original New Moon where an outside wooden beer stand was roughly constructed. "Cold beer here!!!!!"
Dean told me that a carnival was always brought to Chester for the days of the annual fair. He also remembers that one of the carnival attractions each year was a verrrrry big live bear that local young men would be invited to wrestle in a ring. Dean's Grandma Lochhead ran a boarding house in her home in the 1400 block of State Street. During fair time, she would always tell her boarders that she was glad her sons had more sense than to try to fight a bear! Many years later, Grandma Lochhead's son, Lenny Lochhead, confessed to his mama that he had, in fact, fought the bear. She was horrified!
Dean recalled that as the years went by, those who owned the properties that the fairground was on began to want to sell their properties for development. Early families to build in that area included Mr. and Mrs. Willis Carter, Sr., Mr and Mrs. Jim Crawford, Harry Draves, Powleys, Knapps, Eggemeyers and Smiths. Dean's parents wanted to build a home on East State Street. Mr. Lochhead hired day laborers who dismantled a house in Grasshopper, Illinois (near Pinckneyville), moved it to Chester and reconstructed it on East State.
It is certainly my hope that as I share these bits of historical information, you - my readers - are able to see in your minds the pictures I'm attempting to "paint". I fear I am limited by my own imagination. I am, however, fascinated by it all and I hope you are finding it interesting too. I welcome your comments and/or suggestions.
I'm not even thinking of the porch today. The heat and humidity have driven me inside. But, as always, I have hopes for tomorrow. And how appropriate, I suppose. Here on these pages we see a bit of what yesterday was like in our fair city. And now, we all have high hopes for tomorrow. May your
tomorrow be fair and pleasant.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
A Short Trip To McGuireville
I hopped in the car recently and headed north on Illinois Route 3 to a place called McGuireville. Have any of you ever been there? Of course you have, though some of you may not realize it. I certainly didn't have to fill my tank or pack a bag to get there. If you've headed north through Chester, past the Evergreen Cemetery, you are already in what some still call McGuireville. In my early years I always
knew where McGuireville was, but I'm learning that there are now fewer and fewer people in Chester who do.
I spent part of my afternoon with Dean Lochhead as he kept watch over Lochhead Brothers Garage in McGuireville, as his well known son, Mike Lochhead was busy working on cars and answering service calls. Dean and I whiled away the afternoon talking about McGuireville history. Actually, for the most part, Dean talked and I just listened - occasionally asking a question or two. For those of you who don't already know it, Dean is a treasure trove of historical information about all parts of our community. I was blown away by some of the information he gave me.
Apparently McGuireville begins as we've passed Evergreen Cemetery, approximately at the turn off to Allendale Street. Beyond that point - you are officially in McGuireville. Named for one of its early entrepreneurial citizens, Jim McGuire, the area pretty much stood alone, even with its own water system, and was not incorporated into Chester's city limits until just after the end of World War II. Dean says that the citizens of McGuireville were approached about becoming part of Chester and it was decided that they would, with a couple of stipulations. Chester agreed to enlarge the current water line and purchase the water district from McGuireville. A done deal.
Jim Lochhead, the late father of Don, Dean and Dale Lochhead, first opened a gas and service
station in Chester in 1929, on State Street where the Salty Dog now sits. Around 1935 or '36 he moved his business to a location in McGuireville where he managed a station that was owned by Jim McGuire. This business sat between a feed store (building still there) and what was then The Gables, a bar, restaurant and dance hall, also owned by Jim McGuire. In the early 1940s The Gables was, for a short time, Chester's American Legion Post. Later it became the El Capri Steakhouse and bar.
Around 1939, Jim Lochhead purchased the property down the road where the family business now sits. He approached three local men, Elmer Kipp, Ed Driska and Charlie Caron, who along with Lochhead, drew up plans for his station and small garage. Mr. Lochhead told the men he wanted to open in 30 days, so they set to work and got the job done.
During those early days, Dean said there were several businesses in McGuireville, including Mrs. Allen's grocery and small attached motel, which sat next to Wide's Service Station and Diner. He remembers going to Mrs. Allen's store for ice cream and candy, as his family lived just up the road. Later on, Mrs. Allen's was turned into The Bal Tabarin and motel, owned by Art and Marty Maes. Dean recalled that a very well know sign that sat atop the Bal read, "As The Crow Flies, 60 Miles To
Cape Girardeau Bridge". What a memory!!
Dean had a lot of stories about incidents involving McGuireville and "residents" of Menard Penitentiary, considering the proximity through the woods from the penitentiary to McGuireville.
He said that during World War II, the warden's lake area was absolutely off limits to anyone without special permission to use it. But he said that didn't stop him or his buddy, Ernie Schuchert. They would sneak in to the woods to the lake property where they would fish - not usually with much luck.
One such day a very LARGE man on a horse approached without them noticing - until he spoke. "Doin' any good, boys?" he asked. It turns out that this man was in fact an inmate, entrusted to the care of the warden's cottage and lake area. He told them to wait while he went to the other side of the lake and retrieved a healthy string of caught fish and brought it to them. He told them that any time they fished there and had no luck, there would be a string of fish there for them and to feel free to take
it home to their families. Dean said, "Meat was hard to come by during World War II and we had to buy it with ration stamps. Our moms were glad to get that fish!"
Dean also shared stories about a few times when inmates either escaped or left the prison farm and
came to McGuireville. One time an inmate got into Dean's family's house while his mom and the boys were home, but he left as quickly as he'd entered. Another time, two prisoners got into a
neighborhood home and tied up the residents, a man and his wife, threatening at first to kill them! After changing their minds about the murder, they then stole the family car and headed north on Route 3 and were caught the next day. Certainly the most humorous story was about an inmate, a trustee who was the caretaker at the warden's cottage. Dean said that a couple of nights a week the inmate would change into street clothes at the cottage, walk through the woods and do business at the Bal. He'd drink a beer, buy a fifth of whiskey which he put into his back pocket and head back across the road in to the woods. When he arrived back at the warden's cottage, he would change back into his prison issue clothing and no one was the wiser.......until one night Jim Lochhead figured this had gone on long enough and he placed a call to the warden. When the inmate returned to the cottage that evening, he was met by prison officials who quickly put a stop to that little plan.
When Dean was in the 8th grade, he decided he wanted a job. With the help of his father, he contacted three St. Louis newspapers, the Globe Democrat, Post Dispatch and The Star. Seven days a week, a Gulf Transport bus would deliver newspapers to the Lochhead station, where Dean would
prepare them and deliver them to McGuireville residents and businesses. He kept these paper routes for the next three or four years - in all kinds of weather. And that was the beginning of Dean Lochhead's excellent work record!
Now - I want to apologize in advance - just in case I may have misquoted any of Dean's great stories. I've certainly tried not to. In the next couple of weeks I'm planning to talk about some other areas of
Chester that often went by names you may not recognize. Check in and see for yourself.
Have you been outside today? Well, I have and it's pretty inviting. I'm heading back out with a cup of
coffee. If you see me on the porch, don't hesitate to stop by!
knew where McGuireville was, but I'm learning that there are now fewer and fewer people in Chester who do.
I spent part of my afternoon with Dean Lochhead as he kept watch over Lochhead Brothers Garage in McGuireville, as his well known son, Mike Lochhead was busy working on cars and answering service calls. Dean and I whiled away the afternoon talking about McGuireville history. Actually, for the most part, Dean talked and I just listened - occasionally asking a question or two. For those of you who don't already know it, Dean is a treasure trove of historical information about all parts of our community. I was blown away by some of the information he gave me.
Apparently McGuireville begins as we've passed Evergreen Cemetery, approximately at the turn off to Allendale Street. Beyond that point - you are officially in McGuireville. Named for one of its early entrepreneurial citizens, Jim McGuire, the area pretty much stood alone, even with its own water system, and was not incorporated into Chester's city limits until just after the end of World War II. Dean says that the citizens of McGuireville were approached about becoming part of Chester and it was decided that they would, with a couple of stipulations. Chester agreed to enlarge the current water line and purchase the water district from McGuireville. A done deal.
Jim Lochhead, the late father of Don, Dean and Dale Lochhead, first opened a gas and service
station in Chester in 1929, on State Street where the Salty Dog now sits. Around 1935 or '36 he moved his business to a location in McGuireville where he managed a station that was owned by Jim McGuire. This business sat between a feed store (building still there) and what was then The Gables, a bar, restaurant and dance hall, also owned by Jim McGuire. In the early 1940s The Gables was, for a short time, Chester's American Legion Post. Later it became the El Capri Steakhouse and bar.
Around 1939, Jim Lochhead purchased the property down the road where the family business now sits. He approached three local men, Elmer Kipp, Ed Driska and Charlie Caron, who along with Lochhead, drew up plans for his station and small garage. Mr. Lochhead told the men he wanted to open in 30 days, so they set to work and got the job done.
During those early days, Dean said there were several businesses in McGuireville, including Mrs. Allen's grocery and small attached motel, which sat next to Wide's Service Station and Diner. He remembers going to Mrs. Allen's store for ice cream and candy, as his family lived just up the road. Later on, Mrs. Allen's was turned into The Bal Tabarin and motel, owned by Art and Marty Maes. Dean recalled that a very well know sign that sat atop the Bal read, "As The Crow Flies, 60 Miles To
Cape Girardeau Bridge". What a memory!!
Dean had a lot of stories about incidents involving McGuireville and "residents" of Menard Penitentiary, considering the proximity through the woods from the penitentiary to McGuireville.
He said that during World War II, the warden's lake area was absolutely off limits to anyone without special permission to use it. But he said that didn't stop him or his buddy, Ernie Schuchert. They would sneak in to the woods to the lake property where they would fish - not usually with much luck.
One such day a very LARGE man on a horse approached without them noticing - until he spoke. "Doin' any good, boys?" he asked. It turns out that this man was in fact an inmate, entrusted to the care of the warden's cottage and lake area. He told them to wait while he went to the other side of the lake and retrieved a healthy string of caught fish and brought it to them. He told them that any time they fished there and had no luck, there would be a string of fish there for them and to feel free to take
it home to their families. Dean said, "Meat was hard to come by during World War II and we had to buy it with ration stamps. Our moms were glad to get that fish!"
Dean also shared stories about a few times when inmates either escaped or left the prison farm and
came to McGuireville. One time an inmate got into Dean's family's house while his mom and the boys were home, but he left as quickly as he'd entered. Another time, two prisoners got into a
neighborhood home and tied up the residents, a man and his wife, threatening at first to kill them! After changing their minds about the murder, they then stole the family car and headed north on Route 3 and were caught the next day. Certainly the most humorous story was about an inmate, a trustee who was the caretaker at the warden's cottage. Dean said that a couple of nights a week the inmate would change into street clothes at the cottage, walk through the woods and do business at the Bal. He'd drink a beer, buy a fifth of whiskey which he put into his back pocket and head back across the road in to the woods. When he arrived back at the warden's cottage, he would change back into his prison issue clothing and no one was the wiser.......until one night Jim Lochhead figured this had gone on long enough and he placed a call to the warden. When the inmate returned to the cottage that evening, he was met by prison officials who quickly put a stop to that little plan.
When Dean was in the 8th grade, he decided he wanted a job. With the help of his father, he contacted three St. Louis newspapers, the Globe Democrat, Post Dispatch and The Star. Seven days a week, a Gulf Transport bus would deliver newspapers to the Lochhead station, where Dean would
prepare them and deliver them to McGuireville residents and businesses. He kept these paper routes for the next three or four years - in all kinds of weather. And that was the beginning of Dean Lochhead's excellent work record!
Now - I want to apologize in advance - just in case I may have misquoted any of Dean's great stories. I've certainly tried not to. In the next couple of weeks I'm planning to talk about some other areas of
Chester that often went by names you may not recognize. Check in and see for yourself.
Have you been outside today? Well, I have and it's pretty inviting. I'm heading back out with a cup of
coffee. If you see me on the porch, don't hesitate to stop by!
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Uptown Chester Culture
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the many taverns that once existed in Chester. That kind of got me thinking about some of the earlier history around town. Again, let me say, I'm not the best historian for Chester, but I like learning as much as possible about how it "once was" up and down our city streets.....even perhaps before the streets were paved. I've often said to my husband, "I'd like
to have the ability to see it the way it was for one day." Short of that, I have to use my imagination.
I spoke in my earlier column of Wittenbrink's Tavern which sat where our gazebo park now sits. Let's take it back a bit. Early history tells us that for many years prior to 1937 the Wiebusch Saloon stood there at 995 State Street. It was a two story building. In the early days of the Wiebusch Saloon, there was an adjoining home on the west side, toward the back of the property. This allowed for a lovely, large front yard. In 1937 Oscar Wittenbrink purchased the tavern from Louis Boettcher. Mr. Wittenbrink remodeled the second story of the tavern with a large apartment in the front for his family and others toward the rear for rentals. He then removed the house and in that space, he built a store building that later became the Ben Franklin Store. It was first operated under the management of M.J. Boettcher who only had it a short while. During the 1950s the Ben Franklin Store was owned and operated by Tony Lassiter. I so clearly remember that store and all the treasures it had to offer. I remember being fascinated by the tiny little red children's chairs that sat here and there in the aisles of the store. And, unfortunately for my mother, I used to love buying her the little $1.00 bottles of Evening In Paris cologne. She always said thank you, but I'm sure she didn't appreciate the scent. Later, as a Ben Franklin Store, the business was owned by the McDonald family. Ultimately it housed Hall's Discount Store and finally Turkey Two Crafts and Gifts.
Oscar Wittenbrink operated Wittenbrink's Tavern for many years. After his death, H.A. (Howard)
Boxdorfer, Oscar's son-in-law, took over management for a while, before he began subletting the
business. Milton Wittenborn operated the business for a while and later it became R. & R. Tavern. The tavern was finally called Wilson's 3-Way Stop. There was a fire in the building in 1987 and it was completely torn down in 1990. The city established the gazebo park at the location in 1992.
Next door to the gazebo park is the building now housing Spinach Can Collectibles & Museum. During the early 1900s the Chester Opera House was located on the second floor of the building. There was a double stairway entrance to the theatre which was in the back of the building. The opera house was one of the popular centers of cultural entertainment and pleasure for the people of Chester and the surrounding area. There were extravaganzas by local drama clubs, stock companies of high repute, many of them coming to Chester for a week's stand. There were concerts by one of the three Schuchert bands, local parties by written invitation only, many home talent programs, dancing for the public and by local dance clubs, a skating rink, silent movies, then the talking pictures. A few years ago I acquired a small paper program from Friday evening, March 15, 1918, for the presentation of "A Little Savage" by the Juniors of Chester High School. Music was by Fritze's Orchestra. Settings for the play were provided by Herman Schroeder Furniture and Undertaking. Hats for the performers were supplied by the Smith Sisters. Among the performers in the presentation were Lilburn Perry, Glenn Douglas, George Heuer, Briggs Howorth, Dorothy Herschbach, Vesta Mudd, Fay Divers and Kathryn Thomas. Are any of these names familiar to my readers?
The interior of the opera house theatre was very elegant with a large stage equipped with a drop curtain, stage scenery and plenty of dressing rooms behind. A piano sat off-stage. Chairs were used
for the audience and the seating capacity was about 350! Two large stoves in the front corners heated the theatre. The stairway came up in the center of the floor with a closed railing around three sides,
while in the back of the hall was a most gracefully curved balcony which extended forward on both
sides.
John F. Schuchert built the elegant opera house in 1875 and was the proprietor and projector operator. His son, John William (Windy Bill) Schuchert, grew up in the business and became owner and operator. He was said to be a jolly man, a good host at all times. He reportedly always had a tale to tell and so became known as Windy Bill. One of his most popular traits was his love for hamburgers. These were usually bought at the Wiebusch Saloon next door to the opera house. Many years later, Elzie Segar would immortalize Windy Bill as the character Wimpy in his Popeye cartoon series. Elzie Segar sometimes operated the projector in the opera house and did a variety of other jobs there, as well. In his spare time, he enjoyed creating cartoons, which lead to his very successful, though short career. At various times the right side of the first floor of the opera house building housed the Sigmund Aszmann Grocery Store, Aszmann Shoe Store, Harris' Midway Restaurant, Schuren's Shoes, Mode O' Day Dress Shop and Forget Me Not Florist. Businesses on the left side of the first floor have included Heitman Drugstore, Gleich's Drugstore, Fleming Electric and the Chic Shoppe.
If you have no knowledge of Chester or have no connection to its history, these little bits of information probably will mean little to you. But if you do have a connection or have an affinity for this small river town, then perhaps these bits and pieces will speak to you. And if that is the case,
imagine, if you will, how it once was, how this little bluff community once looked and lived and breathed, how its people lived their lives. Obviously it fascinates me. I hope it peaks your interest too.
Next week we'll talk about different areas of Chester that you may or may not recognize by the names
that they were called.
The sun is down and there's a breeze in the air. You know where I'll be. Care to join me on the porch?
Coffee and conversation are free.
to have the ability to see it the way it was for one day." Short of that, I have to use my imagination.
I spoke in my earlier column of Wittenbrink's Tavern which sat where our gazebo park now sits. Let's take it back a bit. Early history tells us that for many years prior to 1937 the Wiebusch Saloon stood there at 995 State Street. It was a two story building. In the early days of the Wiebusch Saloon, there was an adjoining home on the west side, toward the back of the property. This allowed for a lovely, large front yard. In 1937 Oscar Wittenbrink purchased the tavern from Louis Boettcher. Mr. Wittenbrink remodeled the second story of the tavern with a large apartment in the front for his family and others toward the rear for rentals. He then removed the house and in that space, he built a store building that later became the Ben Franklin Store. It was first operated under the management of M.J. Boettcher who only had it a short while. During the 1950s the Ben Franklin Store was owned and operated by Tony Lassiter. I so clearly remember that store and all the treasures it had to offer. I remember being fascinated by the tiny little red children's chairs that sat here and there in the aisles of the store. And, unfortunately for my mother, I used to love buying her the little $1.00 bottles of Evening In Paris cologne. She always said thank you, but I'm sure she didn't appreciate the scent. Later, as a Ben Franklin Store, the business was owned by the McDonald family. Ultimately it housed Hall's Discount Store and finally Turkey Two Crafts and Gifts.
Oscar Wittenbrink operated Wittenbrink's Tavern for many years. After his death, H.A. (Howard)
Boxdorfer, Oscar's son-in-law, took over management for a while, before he began subletting the
business. Milton Wittenborn operated the business for a while and later it became R. & R. Tavern. The tavern was finally called Wilson's 3-Way Stop. There was a fire in the building in 1987 and it was completely torn down in 1990. The city established the gazebo park at the location in 1992.
Next door to the gazebo park is the building now housing Spinach Can Collectibles & Museum. During the early 1900s the Chester Opera House was located on the second floor of the building. There was a double stairway entrance to the theatre which was in the back of the building. The opera house was one of the popular centers of cultural entertainment and pleasure for the people of Chester and the surrounding area. There were extravaganzas by local drama clubs, stock companies of high repute, many of them coming to Chester for a week's stand. There were concerts by one of the three Schuchert bands, local parties by written invitation only, many home talent programs, dancing for the public and by local dance clubs, a skating rink, silent movies, then the talking pictures. A few years ago I acquired a small paper program from Friday evening, March 15, 1918, for the presentation of "A Little Savage" by the Juniors of Chester High School. Music was by Fritze's Orchestra. Settings for the play were provided by Herman Schroeder Furniture and Undertaking. Hats for the performers were supplied by the Smith Sisters. Among the performers in the presentation were Lilburn Perry, Glenn Douglas, George Heuer, Briggs Howorth, Dorothy Herschbach, Vesta Mudd, Fay Divers and Kathryn Thomas. Are any of these names familiar to my readers?
The interior of the opera house theatre was very elegant with a large stage equipped with a drop curtain, stage scenery and plenty of dressing rooms behind. A piano sat off-stage. Chairs were used
for the audience and the seating capacity was about 350! Two large stoves in the front corners heated the theatre. The stairway came up in the center of the floor with a closed railing around three sides,
while in the back of the hall was a most gracefully curved balcony which extended forward on both
sides.
John F. Schuchert built the elegant opera house in 1875 and was the proprietor and projector operator. His son, John William (Windy Bill) Schuchert, grew up in the business and became owner and operator. He was said to be a jolly man, a good host at all times. He reportedly always had a tale to tell and so became known as Windy Bill. One of his most popular traits was his love for hamburgers. These were usually bought at the Wiebusch Saloon next door to the opera house. Many years later, Elzie Segar would immortalize Windy Bill as the character Wimpy in his Popeye cartoon series. Elzie Segar sometimes operated the projector in the opera house and did a variety of other jobs there, as well. In his spare time, he enjoyed creating cartoons, which lead to his very successful, though short career. At various times the right side of the first floor of the opera house building housed the Sigmund Aszmann Grocery Store, Aszmann Shoe Store, Harris' Midway Restaurant, Schuren's Shoes, Mode O' Day Dress Shop and Forget Me Not Florist. Businesses on the left side of the first floor have included Heitman Drugstore, Gleich's Drugstore, Fleming Electric and the Chic Shoppe.
If you have no knowledge of Chester or have no connection to its history, these little bits of information probably will mean little to you. But if you do have a connection or have an affinity for this small river town, then perhaps these bits and pieces will speak to you. And if that is the case,
imagine, if you will, how it once was, how this little bluff community once looked and lived and breathed, how its people lived their lives. Obviously it fascinates me. I hope it peaks your interest too.
Next week we'll talk about different areas of Chester that you may or may not recognize by the names
that they were called.
The sun is down and there's a breeze in the air. You know where I'll be. Care to join me on the porch?
Coffee and conversation are free.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
A PATRIOTIC TRIBUNE ON SEPT. 11
My column today will be a little different than most of the others. This will be more of a news release for an event that is near and dear to my heart, Chester's annual sacred concert, which is held during Chester's Popeye Picnic. This year's sacred concert will be Sunday, September 11 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester. An instrumental prelude will begin at approximately 1:40 p.m., followed by the vocal concert at 2 p.m. As I continue here, I'd like to convince you to attend! It will be an hour well spent, I assure you.
Chester's first sacred concert was held in 1979 in conjunction with Chester's sesquicentennial celebration. It was coordinated by Sue Reiman, who played the wonderful pipe organ at St. Mary's. Vocalists, if my memory serves, included Gordon Bovinet, Richard Janssen and Jane Akers Stallman.
Sue continued to coordinate the concert for several years. When she retired, I took the reins.
This year's 38th annual concert falls on the 15th anniversary of the brutal 9/11 terrorist attacks on the USA. Therefore, most of the concert will feature beloved patriotic music. Following is a listing of vocalists and their chosen selections:
Steve Colonel - 1. America, The Beautiful
2. Let Freedom Ring!
Mitchell Colonel - 1. Battle Hymn Of The Republic
2. God Bless America
Chester High School Swing Choir, Directed by Steve Colonel
1. Star Spangled Banner
2. We Honor You
3. God Bless The USA
First Baptist Church, Chester, Directed by Linda Schafer
1. I Love This Land
2. This Is Our Freedom
Ensemble, St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Directed by Jane Stallman
(Don Stallman, Steve Stallman, Shirley McCormick & Jane Stallman)
1. Come To Jesus
2. In Christ Alone
Piano Accompanists: Vicky Beers & Jane Stallman
As I mentioned above, the annual sacred concert is always held in conjunction with Popeye's Picnic. Although there is other music on the picnic grounds, this is the only event of its kind during the picnic weekend. Father Gene and the people of St. Mary's Parish generously welcome us each year into their beautiful air-conditioned sanctuary. We stress that people are welcome to attend in their appropriate picnic attire.
And so, having given you all plenty of advance time, I am hoping that you will plan to attend this wonderful event. Spread the word, please, to family and friends. Chester has so many talented people who give of their time and musical gifts to provide this concert. Come. Enjoy. And thank these vocalists and musicians for what WILL BE a wonderful patriotic concert!
Chester's first sacred concert was held in 1979 in conjunction with Chester's sesquicentennial celebration. It was coordinated by Sue Reiman, who played the wonderful pipe organ at St. Mary's. Vocalists, if my memory serves, included Gordon Bovinet, Richard Janssen and Jane Akers Stallman.
Sue continued to coordinate the concert for several years. When she retired, I took the reins.
This year's 38th annual concert falls on the 15th anniversary of the brutal 9/11 terrorist attacks on the USA. Therefore, most of the concert will feature beloved patriotic music. Following is a listing of vocalists and their chosen selections:
Steve Colonel - 1. America, The Beautiful
2. Let Freedom Ring!
Mitchell Colonel - 1. Battle Hymn Of The Republic
2. God Bless America
Chester High School Swing Choir, Directed by Steve Colonel
1. Star Spangled Banner
2. We Honor You
3. God Bless The USA
First Baptist Church, Chester, Directed by Linda Schafer
1. I Love This Land
2. This Is Our Freedom
Ensemble, St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Directed by Jane Stallman
(Don Stallman, Steve Stallman, Shirley McCormick & Jane Stallman)
1. Come To Jesus
2. In Christ Alone
Piano Accompanists: Vicky Beers & Jane Stallman
As I mentioned above, the annual sacred concert is always held in conjunction with Popeye's Picnic. Although there is other music on the picnic grounds, this is the only event of its kind during the picnic weekend. Father Gene and the people of St. Mary's Parish generously welcome us each year into their beautiful air-conditioned sanctuary. We stress that people are welcome to attend in their appropriate picnic attire.
And so, having given you all plenty of advance time, I am hoping that you will plan to attend this wonderful event. Spread the word, please, to family and friends. Chester has so many talented people who give of their time and musical gifts to provide this concert. Come. Enjoy. And thank these vocalists and musicians for what WILL BE a wonderful patriotic concert!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
School Starts Very Soon
Its almost time for school to start. I can feel it in the air. All the stores are offering sales on school supplies and clothes. I see that Chester High School had its Freshman Academy this week - an orientation for 'newbys'. The Boys of Fall are already having football practice. It's almost time for school to start, for sure.
I get a little restless this time of year. I think that feeling reverts to the days when my own son was preparing to go back to school at the end of summer. I was excited for him, but sad for me. I loved having him home for the summer and dreaded the day when our summer would end. I remember years ago, when he was about 9, I started working at the Randolph County Herald Tribune in May of that year. It was a tough summer. I hated working while he was out of school. When May came around the next year, I gave my notice at the H.T. because I just didn't want to miss another summer. My boss, good ol' J.T. Akers told me that if I'd write youth baseball news over the summer - from home essentially - that I could come back in the fall. That arrangement worked for a couple of years, until I felt like I could actually bear to be away from home. I'm still so grateful to Joe Akers for that - and for lots of things.
Going waaaay back to my school days, I too remember feeling torn when it was time for school to start. I missed my friends. And I loved getting the new school supplies, notebooks, pencils and pencil bag, all that good stuff. But leaving summer behind was difficult. My sister and I didn't have a schedule during the summer. Other than going to Chester's swimming pool, our time was pretty much our own. Back then there was no summer ball for girls. We just chilled for three months. Yes, three months. We didn't go back until after Labor Day, remember? Summer, when I was young, seemed endless. So carefree. So magical. Staying outside till late.....sleeping in.....just a feeling that I haven't had since. Can anyone relate?
I attended Chester Grade School where it now sits. I believe Chester's earlier grade school, which sat in downtown Chester, closed a year before I started Kindergarten. My sister, Charmaine, did attend the old school for one or two years. What I remember most about that old building was the large outside fire escape, a tubular thing that one could slide through. It went from the top floor to the ground. I don't think I was ever inside the building and I never tried the fire escape, but for a youngster, it was fascinating to look at!
The current grade school opened in 1954, following what at the time was the passing of a large public bond issue to provide funding for the construction of the school. Anyone from my era who visits Chester Grade School now will see a much changed building. Wonderful improvements and additions have been added and that's a good thing. However, feeling a little sad over what had been, it eased my grief a little to see, during a tour of the facility, that portions of the school still look somewhat the way I remember them.
I had some wonderful teachers in that school. Looking back, almost all of them were single women, having never been married. They had a name for that back then. People called them old maids. I wonder what those wonderful, dedicated, loving women thought of that phrase. Who remembers Mrs. Zeiger from Kindergarten? Or Mildren Plog, Helen Proctor, Hulda Rickenberg, Margie Bryden, Blanche Garver, Leta Fricke, Mary Gladys Ervin, Marie Bollinger? There were many others. Junior High brought us Clara Taggart, Bernice Woolcott, Waldo McDonald and Warren Buescher. I know one thing. Teachers in that era certainly didn't look like teachers look today. Teachers today look younger because, for the most part, they are younger! But one thing they all have in common is the dedication. Teachers today are still dedicated to educating children. With an occasional exception, in my opinion that has not changed.
Just recently someone shared with me a lot of old composite class pictures of the years I was in school. These pictures included 1955 through 1962. I hadn't seen them in years and it brought back so many wonderful memories of schoolmates and teachers. These pictures had belonged to a former classmate of mine, now deceased. His widow wanted me to try to identify the kids in the pictures. Wow. I did a better job than I thought I would, but could not identify them all. A couple of the girls' pictures haunted me. I knew their faces but could not think of their names. Then one day, I picked up the pictures and their names just came to me! Dixie Laramore and Doris Davenport, where are you today and do you ever think of those years you lived in Chester and attended Chester Grade School? I hope so. I remember you.
Chester is rich with good schools, St. John Lutheran, St. Mary's Catholic, Chester Grade School and Chester High School. For a small community, it's a really good thing that all of these schools are still open and thriving, in spite of funding issues, etc. I hope they all continue to thrive for many, many years to come. I know all three local elementary school principals and am proud to call them friends.....Wendy Lochhead at St. John; Janelle Robinson at St. Mary's and Tim Lochhead at CGS. With their continued guidance and love, I'm sure these schools will be around for a long time. I am also acquainted with Dr. Sara Gass, principal at Chester High School. She too is working hard to see that our high school students receive the very best possible educations.
Yes, it's time for school to start. And in a very few days I'll watch, from my porch, as those school busses pass by, filled with children who are probably just as torn as I was about another summer being over.
I get a little restless this time of year. I think that feeling reverts to the days when my own son was preparing to go back to school at the end of summer. I was excited for him, but sad for me. I loved having him home for the summer and dreaded the day when our summer would end. I remember years ago, when he was about 9, I started working at the Randolph County Herald Tribune in May of that year. It was a tough summer. I hated working while he was out of school. When May came around the next year, I gave my notice at the H.T. because I just didn't want to miss another summer. My boss, good ol' J.T. Akers told me that if I'd write youth baseball news over the summer - from home essentially - that I could come back in the fall. That arrangement worked for a couple of years, until I felt like I could actually bear to be away from home. I'm still so grateful to Joe Akers for that - and for lots of things.
Going waaaay back to my school days, I too remember feeling torn when it was time for school to start. I missed my friends. And I loved getting the new school supplies, notebooks, pencils and pencil bag, all that good stuff. But leaving summer behind was difficult. My sister and I didn't have a schedule during the summer. Other than going to Chester's swimming pool, our time was pretty much our own. Back then there was no summer ball for girls. We just chilled for three months. Yes, three months. We didn't go back until after Labor Day, remember? Summer, when I was young, seemed endless. So carefree. So magical. Staying outside till late.....sleeping in.....just a feeling that I haven't had since. Can anyone relate?
I attended Chester Grade School where it now sits. I believe Chester's earlier grade school, which sat in downtown Chester, closed a year before I started Kindergarten. My sister, Charmaine, did attend the old school for one or two years. What I remember most about that old building was the large outside fire escape, a tubular thing that one could slide through. It went from the top floor to the ground. I don't think I was ever inside the building and I never tried the fire escape, but for a youngster, it was fascinating to look at!
The current grade school opened in 1954, following what at the time was the passing of a large public bond issue to provide funding for the construction of the school. Anyone from my era who visits Chester Grade School now will see a much changed building. Wonderful improvements and additions have been added and that's a good thing. However, feeling a little sad over what had been, it eased my grief a little to see, during a tour of the facility, that portions of the school still look somewhat the way I remember them.
I had some wonderful teachers in that school. Looking back, almost all of them were single women, having never been married. They had a name for that back then. People called them old maids. I wonder what those wonderful, dedicated, loving women thought of that phrase. Who remembers Mrs. Zeiger from Kindergarten? Or Mildren Plog, Helen Proctor, Hulda Rickenberg, Margie Bryden, Blanche Garver, Leta Fricke, Mary Gladys Ervin, Marie Bollinger? There were many others. Junior High brought us Clara Taggart, Bernice Woolcott, Waldo McDonald and Warren Buescher. I know one thing. Teachers in that era certainly didn't look like teachers look today. Teachers today look younger because, for the most part, they are younger! But one thing they all have in common is the dedication. Teachers today are still dedicated to educating children. With an occasional exception, in my opinion that has not changed.
Just recently someone shared with me a lot of old composite class pictures of the years I was in school. These pictures included 1955 through 1962. I hadn't seen them in years and it brought back so many wonderful memories of schoolmates and teachers. These pictures had belonged to a former classmate of mine, now deceased. His widow wanted me to try to identify the kids in the pictures. Wow. I did a better job than I thought I would, but could not identify them all. A couple of the girls' pictures haunted me. I knew their faces but could not think of their names. Then one day, I picked up the pictures and their names just came to me! Dixie Laramore and Doris Davenport, where are you today and do you ever think of those years you lived in Chester and attended Chester Grade School? I hope so. I remember you.
Chester is rich with good schools, St. John Lutheran, St. Mary's Catholic, Chester Grade School and Chester High School. For a small community, it's a really good thing that all of these schools are still open and thriving, in spite of funding issues, etc. I hope they all continue to thrive for many, many years to come. I know all three local elementary school principals and am proud to call them friends.....Wendy Lochhead at St. John; Janelle Robinson at St. Mary's and Tim Lochhead at CGS. With their continued guidance and love, I'm sure these schools will be around for a long time. I am also acquainted with Dr. Sara Gass, principal at Chester High School. She too is working hard to see that our high school students receive the very best possible educations.
Yes, it's time for school to start. And in a very few days I'll watch, from my porch, as those school busses pass by, filled with children who are probably just as torn as I was about another summer being over.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Holy Cow! It's A Home Run!!!
Sometime around the mid to late 1950s until the Spring of 1963, my favorite place to be on a summer evening was on my Grandpa Hasemeyer's lap, sitting in a home made lawn chair in his back yard, listening to the voice of Harry Caray on KMOX-AM. At least that's who I remember most. "Holy Cow!!!!", he'd yell! Grandpa had an old, half broken tube radio that sat in the open window in his summer kitchen on Swanwick Street and, for me, that's where the sounds of baseball came from. I loved it! And because of Grandpa, I learned to love the St. Louis Cardinals. I know that Joe Garagiola also announced, but for the most part, I remember Harry Caray's voice. And I remember the names of those boys of summer who are pretty much etched in my brain......Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Tim McCarver, Curt Flood, Mike Shannon, Ken Boyer, Julian Javier, Red Schoendienst and my favorite - first baseman Bill White! Oh, I know there were others and their names are still familiar to me, as well. But those names above stayed with me in a big way.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not an information addict when it comes to professional baseball. Those people amaze me. I've never paid a lot of attention to stats. Maybe a little. And while watching games now, I find I'm still shaky when it comes to some of the more obscure rules. But for me, that doesn't matter. I love the St. Louis Cardinals.
There were lots of years during my early adulthood when I didn't watch regularly - too busy with my son's T-Ball, little league, swimming meets and so forth, I guess. But I never forgot them. Throughout the past several years I've re-joined the status of avid fan and now that I'm retired, I'm relentless. I don't like to miss a game if it's humanly possible not to.
Lots of people go to games at the ballpark regularly. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. Bob would rather watch the games on TV. Grrrrrrrr. We go once in a while. :) For me, though, there's nothing like being there. The smells. The noises. The venders. You know what I mean. I've followed the Cardinals through many coaches and managers, through many player trades, etc. I get frustrated with them, but I can never cheer for a different team.
Obviously most of us watch the games on TV these days. Listening to them on the radio - unless we're in the car - is pretty much a thing of the past. But as much as I enjoy sitting at home in front of the TV, watching the Cardinals play - I often comment that something is missing for me. I'd love to sit outside, on the porch or the patio, and just listen to the sounds of the game. It's the memory of those great summer nights that I miss. And Grandpa. I miss my Grandpa.
And if I could get Harry Caray or Joe Garagiola back in the announcer's booth, that would be great too. They were sure a lot better than the some of the ones we listen to today.
I know that the Cardinals are not having an epic 2016 season. In fact today they got tromped. But I still love them. I always will.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not an information addict when it comes to professional baseball. Those people amaze me. I've never paid a lot of attention to stats. Maybe a little. And while watching games now, I find I'm still shaky when it comes to some of the more obscure rules. But for me, that doesn't matter. I love the St. Louis Cardinals.
There were lots of years during my early adulthood when I didn't watch regularly - too busy with my son's T-Ball, little league, swimming meets and so forth, I guess. But I never forgot them. Throughout the past several years I've re-joined the status of avid fan and now that I'm retired, I'm relentless. I don't like to miss a game if it's humanly possible not to.
Lots of people go to games at the ballpark regularly. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. Bob would rather watch the games on TV. Grrrrrrrr. We go once in a while. :) For me, though, there's nothing like being there. The smells. The noises. The venders. You know what I mean. I've followed the Cardinals through many coaches and managers, through many player trades, etc. I get frustrated with them, but I can never cheer for a different team.
Obviously most of us watch the games on TV these days. Listening to them on the radio - unless we're in the car - is pretty much a thing of the past. But as much as I enjoy sitting at home in front of the TV, watching the Cardinals play - I often comment that something is missing for me. I'd love to sit outside, on the porch or the patio, and just listen to the sounds of the game. It's the memory of those great summer nights that I miss. And Grandpa. I miss my Grandpa.
And if I could get Harry Caray or Joe Garagiola back in the announcer's booth, that would be great too. They were sure a lot better than the some of the ones we listen to today.
I know that the Cardinals are not having an epic 2016 season. In fact today they got tromped. But I still love them. I always will.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Care For A Beer?
Lots of people in Chester who are my age or older (and fewer and fewer are older any more :)), often have said, "There used to be taverns on every corner in Chester!" Well, they're right. There were. And many of you who are Chester natives or who lived in Chester during the first OR second half of the last century, know that. Now, I'm not advocating for taverns on every corner. I'm just remembering that there was no shortage of that particular type of establishment when I was growing up and when I was a young(er) woman.
On the fringes of Chester, on Route 3, north - we had the El Capri Steakhouse and the Bal Tabarin, both restaurants with great food, but also bars. I remember Lindy and building Bob Schroeder (not to be confused with funeral Bob Schroeder who owned Schroeder Funeral Chapel) owned the El Capri -and in the days of my memory, Art and Marty Maes owned the Bal.
Coming in to Chester's business district was Eggemeyer's Tavern on the corner of West Holmes and Swanwick Street. I remember Grandpa Albert Hasemeyer was quite the fan of Eggemeyer's. :) In addition to the beer and an occasional whiskey that I am quite sure he consumed, he loved to play cards in the back area of the bar. I know he often ate soup there. I learned from an anonymous source in recent years that a trick to Eggemeyer's excellent soup was that they never washed the soup pot! Can't verify. I'm just saying.....
On up Swanwick, across from Frager's Clothing Store, were the Liquor Store and Dan Piosik's Tavern, side by side - two rather shot-gun buildings - which also had a regular following. Many would go from one to the other, though most had a favorite between the two, I believe.
Jogging on over to State Street - kind of across from P.N. Hirsch, sat a tiny little place called
The Colonial Tavern (now I'm really dating myself). I believe that a man named Lofink owned The Colonial. And just a parking lot away was The Royal Hotel. The Royal was an old hotel with a fine restaurant, lunch counter and, of course, a bar. Chester's upscale, I'll say. In later years, the establishment owned by Bill and Jo Koeneman by now, added a motor lodge. The Royal burned in the late 1980s.
Just up State Street at the three-way stop, sat Wittenbrink's Tavern. Chester's gazebo park now sits at that location. The building/bar had many owners - which could be a separate column someday. But suffice to say, it's history was rich and included our own Windy Bill Schuchert, owner of Chester's early opera house which sat next door. Windy Bill who was the pattern for Popeye's friend, Wimpy, loved the hamburgers from this establishment.
So, let's head downtown to the courthouse block and beyond. A very well known establishment was Buddy Buddy Lounge, owned by southern Illinois entrepreneur Buddy Harris. A little farther down on the same side of the street - I believe was a place called Liz's Bar. Someone may correct me on this one and I welcome that. At the corner across from the courthouse sat the Grandview Hotel. What a glorious history that building had. Built. Burned. Built again. Massive with great architecture. Much ado about everything took place here at what was sometimes called the Heartbreak Hotel. During the days of my memory it was owned and operated by Johnny Jungewaelter. What a great guy! The back of the building featured the old hotel, complete with a great old hotel desk and an open staircase. The front of the establishment housed a large bar area and attached cafe. The building was razed years ago and the location is now a parking lot for courthouse business.
If we jog to the left off of State Street, approaching Buena Vista Street, you would pass another downtown establishment, Ruth's Bar. It sat next to the old Bunny Bread store. Traveling on down toward the riverfront, you could jog to the Landmark, next to the railroad tracks overlooking the Mississippi River. I remember this place being owned by Noah and Marie Crowder during the 50s and 60s. It could get pretty raucous on a weekend night and it was sometimes referred to as the Peppermint Lounge. The Crowders were good people who lived on the premises.
Now, if you're willing, let's drive the river road toward Menard. On the right, just before you'd get to the prison, you would see The Wagon Wheel. I know it burned to the ground. Don't remember when.
Stay with me. We're not through. Let's take Opdyke Street as it becomes Route 3, south, past the historic swimming pool to the old Nite Hawk restaurant and bar. I believe that at an early time it was owned by Bill and Kitty Weber. Sometime after it was owned by Bill and Esther Knowles, Andy and Jirinda Cleiman, Art and Marty Maes and later Olie Misselhorn. No one ever eating home made pizza or fried chicken there will ever deny that it was the absolute best ever! One side had a bar where you could also eat and the other side featured more of a cafe. Many great people worked there over the years. It is well and fondly remembered by many.
If you were leaving Chester via State Street as it became Rte. 150, you would pass the New Moon bar and restaurant. My first memory of its owner was of Jimmy Durkee, though I know it had MANY owners before and after that. In early days a small gas station was attached. It had great bar food, a juke box and one of those long bowling machines - all geared to keep my sister Charmaine and me entertained while my dad was at the bar! I remember that she and I watched Elvis and The Beatles on Sunday nights as we watched the Ed Sullivan Show on the bar television. Great memories. Aw, come on! They are! In later years the establishment was called Molly's Moon and it has now been town down.
I'm sure I've missed some - or possibly don't even remember some, though we were pretty tuned in to these establishments when I was a kid. Meaning absolutely no disrespect - my dad, Bode Dungey, was a pretty "social" fellow, if you know what I mean. Charmaine and I knew the phone numbers by heart to most of the local watering holes. On lots of nights when dinner was almost ready, mother would say, "Girls, find your daddy." We'd get on the phone and when we found him, we'd say, "Daddy, dinner's ready!"
I remember several years ago when my son, Jamey, was living and performing in New York City, I would go to visit him. One day when we were exploring lower Manhatten, near the theatre district I believe, he directed me to cross a major intersection with him......to an 'out of place' little tavern that sat on a corner. He stepped up on the "stoop" of the tavern and I joined him. He opened the old screen door to the tavern and out wafted a very familiar smell........stale smoke and beer. Now, you may think that isn't a very inviting smell. But he looked at me and smiled and said, "That reminds of Grandpa Bode." And he was right, it did. He'd been walking by one day and the smells through the door had spoken to him. I know he also has other and different memories of his Grandpa Bode. But this memory was pretty sweet to me - and to him, I think.
Oh, well - just more memories of Chester. Some of you, after reading my blog, may have decided that I live in the past! :) Sometimes. But I'm also very rooted to the present and excited about the future. In fact, right now Bob is outside braving the heat as he rebuilds our side porch. I'm looking forward to getting on that swing again!
On the fringes of Chester, on Route 3, north - we had the El Capri Steakhouse and the Bal Tabarin, both restaurants with great food, but also bars. I remember Lindy and building Bob Schroeder (not to be confused with funeral Bob Schroeder who owned Schroeder Funeral Chapel) owned the El Capri -and in the days of my memory, Art and Marty Maes owned the Bal.
Coming in to Chester's business district was Eggemeyer's Tavern on the corner of West Holmes and Swanwick Street. I remember Grandpa Albert Hasemeyer was quite the fan of Eggemeyer's. :) In addition to the beer and an occasional whiskey that I am quite sure he consumed, he loved to play cards in the back area of the bar. I know he often ate soup there. I learned from an anonymous source in recent years that a trick to Eggemeyer's excellent soup was that they never washed the soup pot! Can't verify. I'm just saying.....
On up Swanwick, across from Frager's Clothing Store, were the Liquor Store and Dan Piosik's Tavern, side by side - two rather shot-gun buildings - which also had a regular following. Many would go from one to the other, though most had a favorite between the two, I believe.
Jogging on over to State Street - kind of across from P.N. Hirsch, sat a tiny little place called
The Colonial Tavern (now I'm really dating myself). I believe that a man named Lofink owned The Colonial. And just a parking lot away was The Royal Hotel. The Royal was an old hotel with a fine restaurant, lunch counter and, of course, a bar. Chester's upscale, I'll say. In later years, the establishment owned by Bill and Jo Koeneman by now, added a motor lodge. The Royal burned in the late 1980s.
Just up State Street at the three-way stop, sat Wittenbrink's Tavern. Chester's gazebo park now sits at that location. The building/bar had many owners - which could be a separate column someday. But suffice to say, it's history was rich and included our own Windy Bill Schuchert, owner of Chester's early opera house which sat next door. Windy Bill who was the pattern for Popeye's friend, Wimpy, loved the hamburgers from this establishment.
So, let's head downtown to the courthouse block and beyond. A very well known establishment was Buddy Buddy Lounge, owned by southern Illinois entrepreneur Buddy Harris. A little farther down on the same side of the street - I believe was a place called Liz's Bar. Someone may correct me on this one and I welcome that. At the corner across from the courthouse sat the Grandview Hotel. What a glorious history that building had. Built. Burned. Built again. Massive with great architecture. Much ado about everything took place here at what was sometimes called the Heartbreak Hotel. During the days of my memory it was owned and operated by Johnny Jungewaelter. What a great guy! The back of the building featured the old hotel, complete with a great old hotel desk and an open staircase. The front of the establishment housed a large bar area and attached cafe. The building was razed years ago and the location is now a parking lot for courthouse business.
If we jog to the left off of State Street, approaching Buena Vista Street, you would pass another downtown establishment, Ruth's Bar. It sat next to the old Bunny Bread store. Traveling on down toward the riverfront, you could jog to the Landmark, next to the railroad tracks overlooking the Mississippi River. I remember this place being owned by Noah and Marie Crowder during the 50s and 60s. It could get pretty raucous on a weekend night and it was sometimes referred to as the Peppermint Lounge. The Crowders were good people who lived on the premises.
Now, if you're willing, let's drive the river road toward Menard. On the right, just before you'd get to the prison, you would see The Wagon Wheel. I know it burned to the ground. Don't remember when.
Stay with me. We're not through. Let's take Opdyke Street as it becomes Route 3, south, past the historic swimming pool to the old Nite Hawk restaurant and bar. I believe that at an early time it was owned by Bill and Kitty Weber. Sometime after it was owned by Bill and Esther Knowles, Andy and Jirinda Cleiman, Art and Marty Maes and later Olie Misselhorn. No one ever eating home made pizza or fried chicken there will ever deny that it was the absolute best ever! One side had a bar where you could also eat and the other side featured more of a cafe. Many great people worked there over the years. It is well and fondly remembered by many.
If you were leaving Chester via State Street as it became Rte. 150, you would pass the New Moon bar and restaurant. My first memory of its owner was of Jimmy Durkee, though I know it had MANY owners before and after that. In early days a small gas station was attached. It had great bar food, a juke box and one of those long bowling machines - all geared to keep my sister Charmaine and me entertained while my dad was at the bar! I remember that she and I watched Elvis and The Beatles on Sunday nights as we watched the Ed Sullivan Show on the bar television. Great memories. Aw, come on! They are! In later years the establishment was called Molly's Moon and it has now been town down.
I'm sure I've missed some - or possibly don't even remember some, though we were pretty tuned in to these establishments when I was a kid. Meaning absolutely no disrespect - my dad, Bode Dungey, was a pretty "social" fellow, if you know what I mean. Charmaine and I knew the phone numbers by heart to most of the local watering holes. On lots of nights when dinner was almost ready, mother would say, "Girls, find your daddy." We'd get on the phone and when we found him, we'd say, "Daddy, dinner's ready!"
I remember several years ago when my son, Jamey, was living and performing in New York City, I would go to visit him. One day when we were exploring lower Manhatten, near the theatre district I believe, he directed me to cross a major intersection with him......to an 'out of place' little tavern that sat on a corner. He stepped up on the "stoop" of the tavern and I joined him. He opened the old screen door to the tavern and out wafted a very familiar smell........stale smoke and beer. Now, you may think that isn't a very inviting smell. But he looked at me and smiled and said, "That reminds of Grandpa Bode." And he was right, it did. He'd been walking by one day and the smells through the door had spoken to him. I know he also has other and different memories of his Grandpa Bode. But this memory was pretty sweet to me - and to him, I think.
Oh, well - just more memories of Chester. Some of you, after reading my blog, may have decided that I live in the past! :) Sometimes. But I'm also very rooted to the present and excited about the future. In fact, right now Bob is outside braving the heat as he rebuilds our side porch. I'm looking forward to getting on that swing again!
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