Looking for W. C. Brewster
Dave, do you or anyone in the area know what happened to W.C. Brewster. He
went to M-D-R his freshmen year(1955). Then I think he moved to Texas. He
has not attended any of the class reunions. I think his mother and step dad
still live in Minonk, but I am not sure of their name.
It is one of the Schneider's. Would appreciate help in tracking him down.
Thanks....Karen Mooradian
Editor's note: Bud Schneider is W. C.'s stepfather.
Remembers pool hall shark
The person I was referring to in my letter about the pool hall was Tom
Rossman. He is presently a trick shot artist traveling all over the country
doing trick shot demonstrations. I used to shoot pool with him just about
every Friday night at Elsie's.
I also remember sledding on Spencers Hill and also building cars
(somewhat similar to soap box derby cars) to race on the hill. We lived at
the north end of Locust Street when we did this.
Bill Hinkle
hinkle@davesworld.net
Wash Frank Swisher the pool shark?
Hi Dave,
Could the person be referring to Frank Swisher in regards to the pool tables,
etc? I don't know if he worked on them, but he is one of the first persons
I met when I first came to Minonk. He was quite a gentleman and was a good
pool player. He was a mechanic and had a big bldg. behind his trailer. Not
too long after that he had to quit working all together. He has been passed
away for several years if he's the one they were thinking about. He was loved
by everyone, and such a gentleman. He also helped out at the VFW a lot.
Wanda Patterson
Editor's note: Refer to the Elsie's Pool Hall letter below
Remembers unknown building
Hiya Dave :
Geesh the whole site is wonderful !! Who would have thought Minonk would be on the internet. I remember your dad very well. He was such a nice man.
My name is Kim Livingston Wakefield.... my dad is Dave Livingston and my brothers are Stephen and Mark. My grandma and grandpa were Tom and Mildred Livingston. Not sure which ones you remember. It's been a long time since I heard all those names. Stephen graduated from Minonk in 1966, Mark moved to Bloomington and graduated from Normal Community High School in 1970 and I graduated from Minonk in 1975.
I did want to comment on the old picture tho. I believe those buildings were where the bakery, and movie theater are. Well not sure what the theater is now. But, I spent a lot of time riding my horse in town ( may remember me doing that hahahaha) and the building farthest down reminds me of the bakery. Thunder used to love to stop at the bakery and the guys would sneak him a loaf of fresh bread. I could be wrong about those buildings. Let me know will you ??
These pages brought back a lot of memories... I even got to see my grandmother in the library photo. I haven't seen a photo of her in 20 years. THAT was worth more than I can tell you !!!!! Thank you all for creating such great pages !!!!!!
Kim (Livingston) Wakefield
Editor's note: The writer is referring to the building on Oak street.
See story.
Looking for Betty Morgan
Dear Dave - I have been searching for information on Betty (Morgan) Orr. I
believe she graduated in 1957. She married a Clarence Orr from Streator.
I've lost contact with her; wonder if anyone in Minonk can help me out.
Carolyn (Durre) Blobaum
ECBlobaum@aol.com
Feedback on "Doc" Hodgson
Hello Dave-I got an email from a Minonk resident (Emily Zivney) who identified the
Pharmacy for me. It is apparently a bar, connected to the bowling
alley. Thought you might like to know.
I have another question for you. I have a diary that my gr-grandad kept
the last 2+ years of his life. He apparently had a few good friends
that helped him out, driving him to town, etc. One name that appears
over and over is John Ryan. In your "chatterbox" section of the
website, I see a John Ryan mentioned--I don't think this could be the
same man, but possibly his son? If you are ever in touch with the
family, please let him know that my gr-grandad refers to John Ryan
fondly, many times--he made life much easier for an 80+ year old
neighbor.
The diary has made for interesting reading-the entries are vey brief,
and are chronicles of the weather, visitors, and gr-grandad's health.
There are many names of old residents who called on him-John Ryan, the
Newtons, Ralph McCurdy, Mrs. Van Doren, Rev. Dirksen, Mrs. Patten, Babe
Smith, Tom Livingston, etc. etc. I often wonder about these folks, they
sound like very nice and caring people.
Thanks again for a great website!
Deborah Huffman
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Update on 1951 basketball team
Dear Dave,
I really enjoyed your writeup on how time passes all too quickly. For the
record, Ray Harms' nickname was "Rainbo" and he lives now in Decatur. Snake (Dishinger)
and my wife and I had lunch with him the day before the class reunion. Our
record was 26 wins, 3 losses, and we won 22 in a row. Also went to the
sectional, where we lost to DePue (as you mentioned). We enjoy your website very
much! Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Tom Toler
Remembers 1951 sectional game
Hi Dave, I too was at Ottawa with my dad for the sectional, four smaller schools that year,
Morris and St. Paul of Odell being the other two. Thanks for the memory.
Bob Schmitz
Editors note: The writer is referring to the 1951 sectional basketball between Minonk-Dana
and Depue. St. Paul of Odell went on to win the sectional and went to the Sweet Sixteen in Champaign.
Glad to see Minonk on the internet
Hi Dave!! I'm not sure you remember me but I certainly remember you having
watched you play basketball. I was pleasantly surprised to learn from my
sister Glenna that Minonk had a web site. I immediately went to the site to
find out that the site is fantastic. I have spent a few hours going through
the site and enjoying the memories. I was especially surprised to see a
picture of Davis Bros.'s first tractor and seeing Dad and my Uncle's picture.
I have seen that picture before but it has been many years ago. I called my
Mother who lives in Hot Spring's Village, Arkansas and told her
about the site and the picture. I also noticed a picture of the 59
basketball team and my cousin Gary Davis. The site is really well done. I
too was interested in knowing about the old MDR trophies. I look forward to
once again seeing them displayed with pride some day. I saw a number of
email addresses that I intend to contact. Again, thanks for all of your
effort in making this site such a wonderful resource.
Brian Davis
Class of 65
Remembers Elsie's Pool Hall
I spent a lot of time at Elsies pool hall in the early 60's. It was the place
to hang out. Some of the things I remember about it were the hot roast beef
and mashed potatoes and the french fries in a brown bag. We would stop there
before school and put our order in for lunch and Elsie would have it sitting
on the counter when we got there at lunch hour.
We all wondered about a guy that always was around there and who worked there
on the pool tables, we called him Switzer, he was always kind of mysterios.
We spent a lot of Friday nights up there to play a few games of pool before
going to the show and then afterward. There is even ony guy I know who worked
there racking balls and was a real good pool player and went on to be a professional
trick shot artist. Keep up the good work.
Bill Hinkle
hinkle@davesworld.net
Wants info on E. M. Hodgson Pharmacy building
Hello-My name is Deborah Huffman, and I stumbled across you website
today. I have enjoyed it! I have never been to Minonk, but my
great-grandfather, E.M. Hodgson Jr. was a longtime resident, and
operated a Phamacy in Minonk from 1900, until he retired in1940
(he passed away in 1958). I was wondering if by any chance the building is
still standing--the only reference to the store location is in his obituary:
"On March 15, 1900 he purchased the C.L. Zinser drug store in Minonk, in the south
block, where he conducted the business very successfully until he
retired on April1, 1940, having sold the business to Mr. C.J. Struble".
Also, I do have a copy of his obituary, and was wondering if you might
like to use it in your biography page. If so, I would be glad to send
it along. If it helps in your decision-making, his obit also states:
"During his long residence in Minonk, Mr. Hodgson had served as a city
treasurer, and had served on the Minonk school board, a trustee of the
Presbyterian church, and was a Republican in politics". In addition to
the obit, I have a photo of my gr-grandfather riding his horse in the
Minonk Street Fair of 1902, and standing in front of his Pharmacy in the
early 1900's. Any info you may have on the existence of the Pharmacy would
be most appreciated! I will send along the info I have if you wish.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Deborah Huffman
dhuffman@nwlink.com
Expresses appreciation for veterans
Dave
Great job on your editorial on Memorial Day. Very informative and
enlightening. One of those WW2 casualties was my uncle Harrison Witte. The
recent article in the News Dispatch about him answered some questions that I
always had about his death. I too, would like to express my sincere appreciation
to all the men and women that have served, and continue to serve in the
military to keep our country free. I think that your editorial was so good that
it should be published to additional regional sites and newspapers.
Arlen Ruestman
Toluca, IL
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