Another Mom post. These are mostly for me, helping me sort through some things belonging to my mother that I just can’t throw away. I won’t throw them away, but will send them to my brother — he’s better at throwing things away than I am.

Today’s post features several of Mom’s IDs — things she carried in her wallet at some point — except for the school badge — that would probably have been on a lanyard around her neck.

Jewel-Osco Preferred Customer Card

Here’s her Jewel-Osco card. Jewel was her grocery store of choice. (Osco is the pharmacy within Jewel stores, at least the stores I am familiar with). In the Jewel-Osco on the west side of Elgin, half the store (left as you look at it) is Osco and the other half (right side) is Jewel. The Osco side has a few aisles dedicated to booze.

Women of the Moose Membership Card

Mom (and her mother before her) belonged to the Women of the Moose. Women could not (and still can’t as far as I know) be actual members of the Moose but they could belong to the Women of the Moose. From what I recall, the women did the cooking and, according to their official web page:

The Women of the Moose provides social, educational and community service opportunities to its members, as well as sporting events and activities geared toward the entire family. Our members are enthusiastic; they bring a special passion and commitment to the Moose fraternity. But don’t think the Women of the Moose are all work and no play – they also bring a unique brand of fun and energy to their meetings and functions.

Women of the Moose Web Page

I don’t remember much about her involvement with the organization — I remember my Grandma Green’s more — but I do know that when my mom was in her decline the next door neighbor (another member) said that the members paid for Mom’s membership.

Metra Reduced Fare Permit Card

It’s highly likely that Mom never used this card. I don’t remember he using public transportation ever, except with someone else (like me). I guess this card could get her on the train to Chicago and local buses at a reduced rate. It expired a little less than 2 years after her death.

Club Victoria Card

I’m sure Mom used her Club Victoria card. The Grand Victoria is a casino on a boat in the Fox River in Elgin. I don’t know that Mom gambled, but she definitely used her senior discount at a buffet at the casino. I never accompanied her — although I think she asked once or twice if I wanted to go. I hated the casino and she knew it.

This card is probably very old — it has no scanner, but does have those punch outs instead. There does not seem to be a Club Victoria any more, but there is a Grand Victoria Club that seems to be only for gambling.

Larkin High School Work ID

From sometime in the 1970s through at least 1995 Mom worked for the Elgin school district’s lunch program. For most of the time she worked at Larkin High School.

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Looking back at this post I probably should have put the cards in chronological order, but I cannot be bothered to change it.