Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

I found these pictures of Mikes Market which shows the changes over the years.  I was never in the earlier buildings, I was in the newer building picking up the delicious sugar cookies they used to make and sell.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

This is a picture of the downtown area I like to remember.  I spent many happy hours in the Kresge Dime Store trying to find something to buy with my allowance.  The store had so much crammed into it you had to really look to find what you wanted.

This is a picture of West Front Street which housed one of the many bars that were in that area.

o

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Don Feek!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Breakfast this Wednesday, the 11th at Shannon's at 9:00 o'clock.  Hope you can make it!

Susie Dowell (Emery)

Who remembers Anglers Lake? That is where I first ice skated, but the surface was never very smooth which made it difficult to skate, but it still was so much fun!  So when Four Seasons opened, I was thrilled to skate on the beautifully smooth surface. As a result of improving my skating there, I thoroughly enjoying an ice skating class at U of I.  However, the big, very athletic instructor selected me to demonstrate ice dancing to the class.  Since he was leading, of course, I had to skate backwards and was frightened that I would fall, trip him, and he would SQUASH me!!!!  Fortunately, that didn't happen, but I will never forget that experience.

As a sidelight, because I had  a phys. ed. minor, I also took ballroom dancing and had the opportunity, or maybe I should say misfortune, of dancing with Dick Butkus ( the very large, soon to be well known line backer for the Chicago Bears) He kept stepping on my toes!!!

Back to Four Seasons....Who remembers going to Four Seasons after Prom one year?  We ice skated, etc and had dinner there. Very exciting!!! 

Thanks again, Barb, for contributing so many nostalgic photos, which bring back fond memories.

Susie  

Ron Williams

Barb:

I believe Mittelstaedt Grocery was on west Olive.  We had no car, so my mom would send me there for basics on my bike. 

I believe there also was a tavern/pool hall called the Cheyene close to the Saratoga.  You could get in under 21 and play pool with the rest of the west sider social misfits, if you were daring and not concerned about your physical safety.

Ron

Ward "Corky" Snearly

Susie, Patty often mentions how much fun she had swimming 🏊‍♀️at The Angler's Club.  She has many fond memories. 🚣‍♀️ Somehow, we weren't aware of the place or I would have certainly tried to get my folks to join as I loved to 🏊‍♂️swim and 🎣fish.  Best, Cork & Patty

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Sadly we've added another name to the In Memory section.  Vance Laussman  passed away in April of this year.

Marty Fugate (Kusmaul)

A lot of joy left this planet without Vance.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Another classmate has been added to the In Memory section.  Sandra Mattingly Wolford passed away in June.

Bill Butler

        Feelings are always hard to put into words when friends pass away, but I’ll try.  We are all saddened by Vance’s passing. His humor and interests were unique, special, and very rememberable.   The title for one of his senior English essays was, “The sex life of ping pong balls”.  Yeah, believe it or not, he got an A⁺ on it.  Not many of us could pull that off.  My essay, “Zenobia, the zombie who stalked Los Angeles” only got a B⁺.  (I’m still trying to forgive him for that).  In another English class, Vance signed up for the debating team.  That takes guts and smarts.  Our hats off to you, Vance, you made BHS proud.

        Vance’s passion --  if not obvious by his “bounce-around-town”, stripped-down Model-A Ford -- was cars…. and particularly the race type.  That “A” only had 4-cylinders (200-cc, 24-hp.) and one seat… and it was for the driver.  (I’m still trying to forgive him for that too!).  The “A”’s speedometer maxed at ~45-mph (2,200 rpm), but I’m absolutely certain that Vance had it doing at least 65 (and not downhill).  And if that rod bounced severely at 20-mph, think about 65-mph!  When Vance came to class he was shaking, and it wasn’t from the cold weather!

        Did you ever know anyone who could listen for hours to the audio tapes of cars coming around the curves at the Le Mans, France, race?  Vance could tell you everything and more about the engineering and design that went into those racers.  Most of us were listening to Elvis or Conway Twitty or The Big Bopper or Roy Orbison or Little Richard or the boogie woogie stomp, ….but Vance?…. no, …just engines revving and red-lining at 10,000 rpm – the music of ecstasy and bliss.

        Keep that helmet on and seat belt buckled, Vance, your Porche is in the pole position and leading the field.  A.J. Foyt, Jr. is your co-pilot.   Drive safely and peace be with you.  The Class of 1962 is cheering you on.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Carol Jones Dennison!!!!
C

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Jim Wilson!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Our condolences to Karyl Uban Kafer and her family on the loss of her brother Dave. 

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Who remembers going to Dick Bells Amusement Park on South Main Street?

And  it being Fair time, this is a picture of the McLean County Fair when they had it out off of Route 9.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Donna Graen Larkin!!!! 

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Sandy Singletary Eich-Koester!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Who remembers going to the YW for the dances they had when we were in Junior High?  I spent a lot of happy hours there.  Sadly it was torn down for none other than a parking lot for the Pantagraph.

  .

This is the school we all missed going to, the "old" High School.  They have made it into apartments instead of razing it which is a good thing.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Jerry Brooks!!!! Je

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Larry Troxel!!!!

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Remember Casey's Market Basket.  I think it was the only place that was open late at night and on the weekends if you needed a loaf of bread or milk.  It later became Casey's Garden  Shop and just this summer it was sold to a young couple who had worked for them.

Do you remember the little lunch counter they had in Kresges right inside the door where you could get a hot dog that was in the machine that kept them going in a circle to cook them.  I always wanted the one which was so charred it looked dead but boy was it good.

Phil Hershey (Hershey)

My dad shopped at Casey's frequently and was friends with the owner. I Briefly worked there one summer. 

Barb, whenever I cook hot dogs or burgers on the grill my wife wants her dog practically burnt but her burger rare.

Barbara Kincaid (Menken)

Happy Birthday Ira Keown!!!!

Ron Williams

Barb:  

I worked at Casey's Market Basket  from 4 to 9 after school 5 days a week while at BHS at .75 an hour.  After graduation two days later I enlisted  in the Navy, and like they say "Join the Navy and see the World.".  

I did many duties, but my favorites were  working produce, making fruit baskets, selling Xmas trees, and working the rotary chicken and rib cooker.  Good experience and many memories.

Thanks again for the blast from the past.

Ron

Suzie Gross (Kiesewetter)

I have received a couple e mails that Milan would have posted that might interest some of you.

Diane Tyler Cosentino

bctrav@comcast.net

309-663-1983    

From: Bob & Diane Cosentino <bctrav@comcast.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2021 1:13 PM
 

July 10, 2021

Hi to all BHS Alums!

Just a note to let you know what’s been going on and what we’re hoping will happen!

First, there is to be a  Foundation “Fountain Park” dedication and Social Sunday, July 18 at 4:00.  I will be going and will walk with Miss Selk to find her “Bench”.  We’ve collected a total of $980, needing $800. The remainder was given directly to Miss Selk.  She was very surprised and considered the Bench to be VERY SPECIAL!!

Secondly, I’ve spoken to the ‘powers that be’ and they’ve agree, barring another  Covid emergency, to let us have the BHS chorus perform.  Miss Selk was very excited. 

The tentative schedule will be as follows:

            Thursday, September 30 – rehearsal at 7:00 in Rehearsal Room 1

            Friday, October 1 – rehearsal at 3:00 in Reh. Rm.

            Saturday, October 2 – gather at 2:00 in Reh. Rm. to warm up with concert at 3:00

This schedule may conflict with other Class Reunion Activities so join us when you can but please let me know if you are planning to attend so we’ll know how much music is needed.

I also am aware there are people whose email addresses I don’t have, but who would very much like to participate.  Please tell anyone and everyone about this and have them let me know.  Give them my email address and/or phone # so I can keep a list.   Miss Selk had suggested “Each One, Bring One”. 

For those who have BHS Class of 19…..  on the internet, please put this on your announcement section.  I really do miss Milan Jackson; not only because of his gentle soul, but also because of his Computer Savvy!!

I think that’s all for now.  If you have any questions, please ‘reply to all’ and I’ll do the same if I have any answers! 

We have so much to be grateful for.  I don’t know too many people who have had the musical experiences we’ve shared with Miss Selk.  Let’s see how many we can gather for this tribute to a great lady, to celebrate her 100^th birthday!!

As she says,

“Keep Singing”

Diane Tyler Cosentino - 1965

309-663-1983

bctrav@comcast.net