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Post by roman on Oct 22, 2014 17:54:16 GMT -6
It might be entertaining to see what posters have to say about the most interesting person they remember living in, or growing up, in Streator.
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Post by father of two on Oct 22, 2014 18:17:51 GMT -6
I learned do much from so many people. My favorite teacher was Mr Daugherity, 6th grade at Greeley School.
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Post by OutlawwithaSnipeSniper on Oct 22, 2014 18:21:40 GMT -6
Most interesting? Chippie Rizzo or Matt Coley.......  |
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Post by roman on Oct 22, 2014 20:38:02 GMT -6
The first name that comes to mind is Andy Bakalar. Andy spent a number of years with the Ringling Brothers’ Circus, and pioneered the Human Cannonball act. However, he could do most anything related to circus acts, including high wire walking. When I was a kid, he ran the concession at the Little League/Pony League games at the Southside Side Diamond.
One summer, when I was in college, I worked out with him at the old YMCA. He must have been at least 70 years of age, but he could still do amazing things in the gym. I asked him where he had learned what he could do, and he told me that he would watch the old Vaudeville shows and go home and practice. He kept up with a number of modern acts through letters, and would tell me when a particularly good act was going to be on the Ed Sullivan Show.
I can still see how he walked: a jaunty, lively, happy walk with a big smile on his face.
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Post by helencrump on Oct 22, 2014 22:31:12 GMT -6
The lady in black. As a kid/teen she simply was scary. But, as an adult, she was a favorite patient of mine, and her nephew told me many nice things about her. My heart went out to her, as her son was one of streators losses in Vietnam.
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Post by dumdave on Oct 23, 2014 10:12:33 GMT -6
Two people come to mind. Doug Deiken was not a hale fellow how are ya, but gosh he was so tall and big.
Hogie Greenwood was a hale fellow how are ya. Real nice guy.
P.S. The best teacher I had was at SHS. Eileen Driscoll. I was READY for college English and could write papers.
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Post by Blue Star on Oct 25, 2014 16:42:33 GMT -6
I've met so many, but 3 influenced me a lot. Mr. Case, my 6th grade teacher @ Wooland. I was to be friends w/him & his wife as an adult, years later. A husband & wife team that were youth leaders & very good mentors for many kids & still are. Around town, I'd have to say Mayors Lux & Conner. Good men. Tommy Canale ran for councilman once & he was a very funny man too. hc, I knew & saw the "Lady-in-Black" Once she came into the laundramat, bent down & gave my toddler daughter a big hug. You could tell she loved children & I knew about her sone too.  Sniper, along w/your choices there was a Frankie Verdiramo (sp?)that was quite the character too. |
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Post by OutlawwithaSnipeSniper on Oct 25, 2014 17:29:28 GMT -6
Sniper, along w/your choices there was a Frankie Verdiramo (sp?)that was quite the character too. Yes, he was "interesting" to say the least. I will leave it at that...... |
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Post by ~MnM~ on Oct 26, 2014 20:35:32 GMT -6
The first name that comes to mind is Andy Bakalar. Andy spent a number of years with the Ringling Brothers’ Circus, and pioneered the Human Cannonball act. However, he could do most anything related to circus acts, including high wire walking. When I was a kid, he ran the concession at the Little League/Pony League games at the Southside Side Diamond. One summer, when I was in college, I worked out with him at the old YMCA. He must have been at least 70 years of age, but he could still do amazing things in the gym. I asked him where he had learned what he could do, and he told me that he would watch the old Vaudeville shows and go home and practice. He kept up with a number of modern acts through letters, and would tell me when a particularly good act was going to be on the Ed Sullivan Show. I can still see how he walked: a jaunty, lively, happy walk with a big smile on his face. Andy was a great little guy, and very talented at that. He was a great friend of my dads, and he gave my dad his cannon that he was shot out of with Ringling Brothers Circus, and all of his circus props. Years after his passing the Streator Hobby Show's theme for the year was circus related, my dad hauled out of storage Andy's circus cannon and props, and these were then featured that year in the show. After the show my parents donated all of this to the Defenbaugh Museum, owned by George and Vernal Defenbaugh out in Ancona, and it is all still there. M |
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Post by ~MnM~ on Oct 26, 2014 22:39:08 GMT -6
Oh I have toured that museum many many times........fascinating! I just wonder though what Harry will end up doing with it all..............since Vernal and Thelma aren't there anymore to oversee it. M  |
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Post by ~MnM~ on Oct 26, 2014 22:59:17 GMT -6
Ohhh so good to know! Thelma I swear pretty much dedicated her life to that museum....what a cool place though, hopefully he will share it all soon with everyone! As it needs to be! M  |
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Post by Blue Star on Oct 27, 2014 0:55:34 GMT -6
I've seen it too. Amazing amount of diff. kinds of things
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Post by dumdave on Oct 27, 2014 9:12:12 GMT -6
I am very lucky. My Mom and Dad were they most interesting people I have ever met. The few folks here in town that remember either of them, always had a positive thing to say about them. All my HS friends liked them too.
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Post by dumdave on Oct 30, 2014 10:09:06 GMT -6
bumping for spam
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