Category Archives: Memories

Craft Item from Illinois’ Sesquicentennial Celebration

Memories, Musings, , , ,

I was 12 when my home state of Illinois celebrated its 150th anniversary of its admission to the Union. I don’t remember much about the celebrations, but I do remember making this leather patch/necklace in Girl Scouts. I’m going to guess that the colored yarn represented feathers on a Native American headdress, but I could very well be wrong. Maybe they were just for looks.

And while we’re on the topic of Illinois — I just listened to the state song of Illinois (called Illinois) and remember singing it in school. I remembered the lyrics at the beginning, but near the end is this stanza:

Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois, Illinois,
Can be writ the nation’s glory, Illinois, Illinois,
On the record of thy years,
Abraham Lincoln’s name appears, Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois, Illinois,
Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois.
Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois.

Stanza from Illinois’ state song

I knew who Lincoln and Grant were, of course, but I had to look up Logan. This sentence caught my eye:

In 1853, John A. Logan helped pass a law which prohibited all African Americans, including freedmen, from settling in the state.

Wikipedia (see also https://www.lib.niu.edu/1996/iht329602.html)

This man is honored, not only in the Illinois state song, but has two statues erected of him — one in Chicago and one in Washington DC — and has cities, towns, neighborhoods and at least one college named after him.

I’m surprised no one is talking about this.

Thank You Card from Mr. Topolewski

Life, Memories

In 1974 I was minding my own business in the fabric section of our local Ben Franklin where I worked. A tall man approached me and asked if I’d be willing to help him play a practical joke on his son for his son’s 18th birthday. Apparently just as he left the house to go shopping he called to his son and asked if there was anything he’d like his dad to pick up at Ben Franklin. The son allegedly replied, “Yeah, bring me a cute checkout girl.” After some internal debate (and checking in with my parents) I decided to go ahead and do it.

The plan was for me to wear my uniform to their house and have dinner with the family after being introduced as Dan’s birthday present. Then I’d stick around and attend a basketball game, then stay for a party at their house.

It turned out fine in retrospect — although I told my journal a different story — and I had a fun story to tell people throughout the years.

I appreciation, Mr. Topolewski gave me this card along with a necklace with a dove of hope.

Thanks a whole bunch!

Donna!

Thanks for making my son’s 18th birthday one he’ll never forget.

You’re a good sport and have a great sense of humor.

Mr Topolelski

Sadly Mr. Topolewski passed away a couple of years after that. I blogged about him on my first 365 project.

Clare’s Opinion of her Mom

Family, Memories, Writing

My mom is middle size. She used to have long hair but she cut it. It is brown just like mine and wiggly but she tries to make it straight. She has brown sparkly eyes. Sometimes she cooks waffle pancakes for me and they are my favorite. She works in a school and teaches students. When I go to her work I draw pictures and I go outside to play there. I appreciate that she makes my lunch every day. My favorite time with my mom is playing with her on the weekend. I love my mom very much. My mom is special to me because she helps me with my homework. Clare