Rick - you mention the Aldrides - any relation to the Aldriges in Richmond, IL?

there was another greasy spoon located behind the gas station across from Crystal bowl, some of us would would enjoy a good hamburger and fries while we were ditching school.

I think at one time we had about 12 of us there,  good times

Kathy,

Must be different Aldridges!  No relatives that I know there!

The place at 176 and 31 is now called "Little Johns".  I can not remember the prior name.  Their Italian Beef does rival Mr. A's though!!    They also specialize in Chicago style hot dogs, Gyros, etc. 

Paul---you would definitely like it!!

Hi to all - I have to post a correction.  I "misremembered" something about the grocery store I wrote about earlier.  It wasn't the IGA or the Open Pantry - it was called the  "Royal Blue" grocery store - Mr. and Mrs. Ranczak operated it.  I also goofed with the name of the man at the newspaper store  - not "Stubby" but "Stumpy".  Ah, well. 

I'll definitely have to check out Little Johns AND Mr. A's when I'm in town in September Rick. There's only one place I know of out here in Portland that even serves Italian Beef - and I haven't been to it for years - if it's even still there - in another part of the city far from me. They also used to show the Cubs games on WGN! Thank God for cable so I can watch the Cubs, White Sox and Chicago news from time to time!

Remember the railroad tracks that ran from Woodstock St. to Dole Ave.? Now it's part of Dole Ave., right? And how about Oak Manufacturing - they use to make tuners for television sets. Are they still in business? In CL?

Have we exhausted CL memories classmates? What does anyone want to discuss next? Remember, anyone can start a new topic by clicking the Post New Topic button below.

Paul,

  The area on Dole Avenue where the railroad tracks were has a new subdivision built there. It is part of Center Street where Ron Legal used to live. As far as Oak...it is now a college. Columbia University I believe. You are not going to recognize this town...it has grown tremendously, and the downtown area has been pretty much completely redone. It is very nice....the old theatre is now Raue Center for the Arts...Bill Cosby even played there once!! We are BIG TIME now.

Paul, those tracks used to go all the way to the lake, and in winter , they ran out on the frozen lake, where they would chop up the Crystal Ice, and send it out in boxcars to Chicago and beyond.  The old stories were that there was a couple of cars that got caught in the thaw and sank. 

Yes Paul we have had alot of memories,  I really think that with all of us, we could go on and on, and on. Isn't that what old people are supposed to do.  Just rattle on until someone remembers what you did? 

As far as new topics, how about

Last November, my Mom and I were in downtown Crystal Lake and went into the Fabric Shop on North Williams.  The owner told us that she was recognized for running one of the few independent fabric stores left in the U.S.  She is in her 80's and still runs the store which hasn't changed very much from when I used to go in there when I was a kid.  My sisters and I used to sew a some of the clothes we wore as teenagers.

Do you ladies remember not being able to wear pants to school?  Also the beautiful matched pleated skirts and wool sweaters shown in the stores?  Times have really changed. I watch the kids get off the bus from high schoolnow in their sweatshirts and ratty jeans or shorts!!  Sometimes they don't even wear a coats when weather is freezing cold.  We couldn't have done that in Northern Illinois!!

Hey Charlie - you finally figured out how to change your photo to a present one - way to go! I almost did it for you but thought that might not be cool!

If anyone wants to change your Master Photo to one of your other posted photos, just click Edit/Upload Photos on the left and then the MAKE THIS MY MASTER PHOTO link to the right of your posted photo you want to make your Master Photo.

And I LOVE the Cubs regalia photo Charlie! I was a White Sox fan back in my CL days but have been a Cubbies fan ever since my sister Kathy moved about 8 blocks from Wrigley Field and could get me free tickets to the games!

Hey Paul, as far as pics go, which one are you? Do we have to refer to you as The Beav ? My pic was from fathers day, went to the game with my son, good time.  Hey, think Kathy could adopt me so I could get tickets too?  I really don't ask for much, just a ballgame, hot dog, and maybe a cold 6 dollar beer.

Hey Charlie,

I think I share your passion, except on the other side of town. I'll be at the game Saturday

Have a good time, I know you wil.  Nothing beats a good time at the old ballpark. 

Those days are over Charlie since Kathy's no longer on the air! Remind me to introduce you to her at the reunion and you can see if she can work something out for you!You think they'll still be playing in September? If yes, I'd love to go to a game! A Sox game too Rick!

Does anyone remember John that use to roam the streets of Crystal Lake? Every town has someone like him. I don't remember his last name or where he lived but you would always see him walking and doing odd jobs and usually we would see him on 14 near St. Thomas or the Tasty Freeze or McDonalds or the Motel. Always clean and had on his dark blue jeans and shirt tucked in and always a hat on.

Yes, that was Johnny Dahl (the unofficial "Mayor of Virginia Street" Was a loyal CLCHS fan and when he died he was buried in a Central HS Letterman Jacket.

 I remember he had the title of being "The Mayor of Virginia Street".

Susie, we need to crown you Queen of the reunion. You can jog all of our memories with one little tid bit. We just ask and you deliver. Wow "Mayor of Virginia Street" I had forgotten about that until you mentioned it. My Uncle owned the Mobile gas station accross from the National grocery store. Full service then. Gased you up and checked your oil and washed your windows. Remember when our Moms use to set their hair on rollers and put a scarf on and go grocery shopping?

Yes, there weren't hot rollers back then. Miss the full service gas stations. Downtown CL had the very last one...granted I only used it in the winter time but it was nice.

You have brought back a lot of memories with this blog. I remember buying clothes at Tobers and going to the movies downtown. There was an elderly woman who gave me a hard time because I was tall for my age when I was eleven years old and she always tried to charge me the adult price for a movie ticket. She finally called my parents to verify my age!

We used to sneak up into the balcony when she wasn't looking so we could shoot spitballs down at people in the lower level. I went to the first Beatles movie there and the girls about broke my eardrums with their screaming.

I used to say hi to the "Mayor of Virginia Street" all the time. He was a landmark. When I'd go to the bakery across from the park in front of the Congregational Church, I'd see him going up down the street delivering ice.

I definitely remember the A & W and the Pantry especially since I knew most of the Aldridges and the Barchards. The Pantry had great milkshakes. For a while, my brother and I used to go in twice a week after closing and clean the Pantry. 

I also remember some overnights where we slept in tents out on the Barchard's sod farm.

The first time I bought an illegal drink in a Crystal Lake bar occurred at the Greeks. I just said the heck with it one night and walked in and sat down next to an older guy that I knew. I ordered a beer and the bartender served me.

Mrs. DeMarce owned the theater. Remember getting little baby chicks at Easter? I'm trying to remember the name of the older "I say that with a smile...she was old!!) lady who worked for her selling tickets....if and when it comes to me...I'll update.She lost her little dog once and I found it (30 years ago)

The Greeks.... Was started as "The Crystal Lake Confectionary"  shortly after WW I  by my great uncle Pete Metropulos and his younger brother ( my grandfather) Bill Metropulos  and a distant cousin of theirs, Gus Metropulos. I remember buying Taffy apples  there as a child that my Uncle Pete  made himself and often before taking a train into Chicago, my mother, sister and I would stop there for  a treat before boarding the train.We also sometimes bought the weekend edition of the Tribune there .

The business stayed in one part of  the family or another ( later  re- named The Olympic) until the early '90's, I think and is still owned  and managed by a Greek family. Nearly 100 years of Greek  owned proprietorship. Opa!

It will always be "The Greeks" to me. Go there for breakfast on Tuesday mornings after my referral group. Always see Judy Wilhammer there. It is owned by the man that owns Angelos Shoe Repair (next to Heisler's) if I'm not mistaken. Thought he was a relative of yours, Nick (cousin or something) Good place to run into "old CL" folks. I still order a vanilla coke there once in a while (special treat-gotta watch the calories at my age) Used to go there in HS w/Don for fries (lots of catsup) and vanilla coke and sit in the booths. Didn't they sell the candy/apples, etc in the very front at one time?

Ok...my old brain wouldn't rest until I thought of the name of the

woman who worked at the Theater and sold tickets..Mrs Zelus(not sure if that's the correct spelling)

That's it for now.

How does she remember these things? You're amazing Susie!

Paul, i'm thinking that you should be renamed

PUP,Classmate Hunter   

You can move but he will find you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps a new occupation!

Yea when do you sleep?      

Yeah Bob, some might say I'm a bit tenacious - or obnoxious! But we DO have over 50% participation now! Not all due to me by any means however. Jill Johnson Maltos and Joan Corrigan Staker are the real behind the scenes heroes. They found most of our lost classmates (and are still finding them!) and then Barb Lachenmaier Spangenberg and I called them. One unreturned call however never disuades me! By that way, that reminds me, if anyone knows Jim Keller, YOU need to get his butt here! He's had two phone calls where Barb and I actaully talked with him and he still hasn't shown up! What nerve! Maybe I'll post his phone # here soon so ALL of you can call him!

As for my sleeping patterns, I actually live in two separate time zones in my mind Bob - one in Pacific time and one in South African time with Ger. So my body just adjusts to where my mind is at the time - so I get all the sleep I need or none depending on the circumstances! (I'd better go to bed!) 

Paul.......that's a very good idea......to post the phone number of Jim Keller or anybody else who doesn't respond.   Nothing like a good ambush!!   I would hope that 99% of the class of 69 has a great sense of humor.

I second that emotion (seroiously  I would find some time in the next few weeks to find our hesitant comrades and "smoke 'em out")

Good God!!  I think I've mastered the blog.  I tried once before a while back but it didn't fly.......  You may all laugh, but I kept looking for the "send" box, there's no "send" box.....just save and preview????  For me the laptop is just a toy and I hate reading manuals but sometimes the "computers for dummies" book would come in handy I guess.

So, I'm curious as to what some of the hang ups might be that are preventing some of our classmates from surfacing.  There's nothing wrong with "remember when".  Surely we've all matured and there has to be more good memories than bad.......not to mention how easily we will laugh at the past.

Well, I'm certainly looking forward to September.  I just wish more would come out of hiding.......at least post a profile and let everyone know how you're doing.

G.                                        

Uh oh, we've unleashed a Wild Woman fellow bloggers! Way to go Gloria. You go girl!

As for our missing classmates, high school is a hard time for lots of kids and some of our "kids", even though very grown, were no exception. Some just don't want to have anything to do with that time of their life so, I think we just need to respect that and wish them all the best. And enjoy all the fun we're having here! 

Yes Paul, that is very true and I acknowledge that issue in my answer to the "words of wisdom" in my profile.  High school can be a very hard time in anybodies' life.  But it has been 40 YEARS!!  I would just like to see more participate.......school was a chunk of our lives and look how fast time has passed.  There is so much to be thankful for.  Well, somebody better jump in and change the subject...........

G.

I totally agree Gloria and I certainly wish they would all come on here! That's why we created this! We wanted a way for ALL our classmates to participate as some have no desire to come to a reunion, can't come, or whatever. My 28 year old daughter created one of these sites for her class which is having their 10 year reunion this year and they've had a lot more difficulty getting people to join it beacuse most classmates her age are on Facebook! Lots of us are too but not nearly as many as her age group. But I just don't think like that format nearly as much as this.

So there is a place in Crystal Lake that has Italian Beefs.  We can't find them in Florida except for about 35 miles away.  the owners are from the Chicago area.  There is no place better for Italian Beefs than Northern Illinois and we miss them.  In fact you go some places in other parts of the US and they don't have a clue what an Italian beef is.

We'll have to check the place out when we come to the reunion.

Donna

The place for the best Italian beefs is Mister A's and it is still in business.  Whenever I go to CL to see my parents, that is one of the first stops.  It is right on 14, across from the bike shop, and not far from The Freeze.

Charlie Boss wrote:

Speaking of the intersection of 176 & 31 (think 5-way for now) It'll be going to a 4-way within the next couple of years.

There was a gas station there that did have an attached "greasy" spoon; which I believe was a Standard station (there was one there on ONE of the corners).  I lived a mile down that road when we moved there in 1962 from Walkup Woods.  You've gotta be talking about the place south of Crystal Bowl (off E. Terra Cotta Ave.). 

To the west of Crystal Bowl; it was a Shell gas station (across 176) before it was renovated to Little John's.

For most of you; your minds are going to blank out at times trying to think of what used to be in place of what's there now!  When you left CL (if this was in '60 or '70); you'll remember where JEWEL food store was.  When you come back; it ain't there now.  A lot of little shops and a restaurant.  I remember driving around & around looking for a parking spot.  Jewel has since moved their store two or three times on Route 14 on the Pure Oil Bldg. property.  Back in the day, there weren't too many carryout or casual dining growing up.  Now we got a lot to choose from (probably just every place else).

Mr. A's still has great food; but Tommy's is really good too, and Portillo's if you're looking for GOOD Italian Beef.  I haven't tried Little John's; but enjoy THAT while you can because when you come back to visit next time; it will be another WALGREEN's.  And E. Terra Cotta Ave. will become a cul-dul-sac as the state is closing off that portion of the intersection to remove that 5-way headache of traffic congestion.  (I believe that people heading west on Terra Cotta Ave. only get  30 seconds for a green light.)  On the west side of 31; Jim Danca Olds eventually became Jim M'Lady which is now on Route 14.  In its place is a Wendy's, and a Shell gas station now stands.  The now defunct Mobil station was a restaurant before Mobil took over; but for the life of me I can't remember the name of it.  Guess it cuz we only ate there once back in the early 70's. Anyone remember the restaurant's name?

When you all come back, take the time to drive around and try to remember what was there before (when you left any way).  Hope your mind is clearer than mine is when you try to remember what was there.

Thanks for sharing all those memories of the places that used to exist.  I had forgotten until they were mentioned.  Here yesterday, gone today.  How quickly things change!

yes the greasy spoon was south of crystal bowl,  the restaurant across the st. was called  tareydale before it was knocked down.  they had the best ham and cheese omelot.

Oh yea Mr. A's is the best. I still buy jars of hot peppers from them and bring them back home. We don't have Italian beef places in Ga, what a shock that was. I remember driving home from here in the 80s to see my mom and stopping at Mr. A's first, made her mad. My two sons love the place too, I remember when I was 20 and my first son Steve was a baby, "Mrs" A would always ask about him when I went in there. The guy who does the fries now must be the son cause he looks just like his mom! Steve was going to drive up from Ga just to go there, then drive home, glad he was just kidding!

The Amoroso family owned Mr. A's.(still in the family, I think) I still go there when I want a great dog & fries!

Going back to Tornado days...was just at a home on Harold. 365 Harold....the owner said it was

leveled by Tornado but couldn't remember who lived there at the time...any help here??

The family still owns Mr. A's, two brothers, Bob and ?.  Bob's mother in law used to live in one of my properties.  Good guys, old time cl.

Tornado, I remember a house on Harold that was totally devastated, it was at the first turn from keith ave. for some reason I keep remembering the name " Goss",  don't know if that is correct, but I think they had relatives that owned farm land across 14,  and their  barn was destroyed and an uncle lost his life.  when they rebuilt the barn, they put in a basketball court, and an inground pool,  where at times we would party and be stupid.

Lots of classmates have recently joined the site so we just want everyone to know that there are three blog Forums currently with 14 topics having been discussed. Linda Benson Good was the original author of our most popular Topic - general reminiscing of days gone by.  

Check out all the topics and post a comment if you have something to add! If you click on the Forum List at the top of the page, you can view the Forum titles. Click a title and you will see the the individual topics listed in that Forum. If you'd like to start your own topic to be discussed, click "Post New Topic" at the top of the page, name your topic and post away! Happy Blogging!

I do remember the fish pond at Martinettis.  We would go on Friday nights for the fish fry. My brother and I would make my little sister put her hands in a get the coins people had thrown, in to make wishes I guess.  She would give us the coins, but she was the one who got in trouble.

The Silent Woman was the place to get your stylish outfits.  I remember some "heather" wool skirts with matching sweaters. Just the thought makes me feel itchy.

Millie Geske ran the fabric store across from the movie theater.  And I do think Louise Quinn was near there too.  Miss Raue ran the hardware store and donated the funds to turn the theater into the Raue center.  They have wonderful programs there.  As I recall the hardware store was a "lost in time" warp kind of place too.

Just for the record The Cottage was the House of Willis when our family moved to CL in 1954. It was a gift shop then that seemed to appeal to my Mom and sister.

At that time the First Methodist Church was located next to the Lake Theater. When the Church relocated to Crystal Lake Avenue, I seem to recall a chain food store was built on the site. A Jewel store I believe. It was torn down when commercial development started to boom on Route 14 along with Coventry subdivision.

My summer jobs were at Oak Mfrg (the old building that was demolished) and at Precision Twist Drill, which was near downtown in those days. I also worked one summer at Lenny's The Breakers, which I think is still there just west of Flowerwood on Route 14.

My classmates and I also frequented Blondie'd Delicatessen. When we were in grade school Bill Reichert and I would go there to buy baseball cards. The first day a new series of cards came out we were there. By junior high we would go there after shooting baskets at Central Junior High or playing touch FB over by the high school and would generally be so dehydrated we'd chug 3 Pepsis before we pooped out on the 4th one.Blondie seemed happy to see us, but it did not stop her from chasin smoking while she sat at vthe counter and visited. I don't remember her husband being around all that much.

I too became familiar with the old poluice station/jail along with 4 friends in a case of mistaken identity. All teenage boys looked the same back then apparently. Despite the mistake my father was not happy to have to come retrieve me around midnight.

Of course, I remember Jimmy's Place and Bill's Grill. Both family favorites. Now that I know a relative of Barney's ran it, I can understand why it was popular.  The Schwinn bike store next to Bill's Grill was a Gambles Hardware Store back then. My brother Steve got his first bike at Gambles.

As to the restaurant on Route 31 and 176, I think it was called the Country Kitchen or something like that. My Dad liked their fried chicken. I preferred my Mom's.

The McDonad's next to The Freeze (now demolished) and the Crystal Lake Motel (Greenewalt family) came to town in the late 50s. I think the McDonaldd's was the first chain fast food restaurant in CL, although A & W and the Dog N. Suds followed shortly. Speaking o the Dog N Suds, no one has mentioned the Crystal Lake Drive In Theater on Pingree Road not far from the Suds and the Pingree Stables..

The Freeze was popular back then too. I still like their Coney dogs, but my wife and daughters never understood the attraction.

Our family used to go to Simonini's in Algonquin. My Dad's and Mom's favorite nice restaurant. In high school our crew used to go to Tafel's in Algonquin for late night burgers and fries. It was located at the top of the hill on Route 31 on the North side of Algonquin.

Some of you must remember crazy Marguerite Rom and her son Quinn O'Brien. They owned the Crystal Lake News and Shopping Guide, purportedly a competitor for the CL Herald. A pretty flaky pair. Their newspaper office was under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of Virginia Street.

Finally, were classes still painting store windows for Halloween in your day. I think we did it every year from junior high into early high school. Tim Zell the most artistic guy in our class or most likely the whole school always came up wth winning picture, and it seemed every year our class painted the window at Gieske's. A lot of fun, but ancient history now.