More disgusted with trash
I also have been disgusted with trash but not just out by Woodys and Shell.
I used to pick up a lot of stuff tossed out of cars into my yard along 8th
street. Now that I live just East of town I'm still picking it up. I do not
offer any solutions other than take a garbage bag and go for a walk. I
believe 99% of the people are considerate and never throw trash. The problem
is amplified because it only takes a small amount of litter to create a
really bad looking area. Recently Donna and I noticed our property was
looking bad with litter again and I was surprised it only took 20 minutes
and 1 bag to clean it up. Individuals can make a big difference in how our
town looks.
Jack Devine
jacdona@davesworld.net
Disgusted with trash at Caroline Development
Am I the only one disgusted by the river of trash flowing across the lot
from Woody's & the Shell station? It continues across two bean fields
directly for Minonk and can be seen collecting heavily in the yards along
the North-West corner of Jefferson and Eighth. This garbage has been flowing
out of the Caroline Development area for at least a couple months, plenty of
time for responsible parties to respond to an accidental spill. I can't be
the only one who noticed this...why is it being permitted? It wouldn't be
tolerated from any of us voters/tax-payers/homeowners.
D.J. Sweeney-
Letters on tree editorial
Remembers Minonk's trees
I enjoyed the editorial on trees. When I was young and relatives would visit
us, the one thing besides the jumbos they remarked on were the beautiful old
trees. A city full of trees was how one aunt described the approach to the
city...Having just discovered your page I am enjoying your editorials. The
bank corner is the first thing I missed upon returning to Minonk after an
absense of many years. How dare any one remove those fought after steps.
Also my dad worked for Public Service and was very much involved with the
rural electrification you mentioned. I just wanted to says thanks for
bringing good memories to a lot of us "oldies".
Bob Schmitz
Agrees on trees editorial
Hi Dave, I couldn't agree with you more regarding trees. When we look at
some of the old photographs of our city, and then compare the subject to as
it looks today, there is often something missing. Its the trees. Trees lend
a certain element comfort and elegance to any property, to nothing of what it
does for wildlife.
Several years ago, when I was an alderman in Minonk, I authored and managed
to get passed, an ordinance regarding tree replacement. Although I don't
remember the exact details, I do remember that at the home owner's request,
a tree must be replaced by the city, if it was removed and/or authorized for
removal, by the city. The ordinance even specifies that a minimum trunk
diameter of 2" (I think) be used as a guide for replacing the tree. This
was to prevent sapplings from being used. This ordinance can not result in
any charge to the homeowner. However the homeowner is repsonsible for
keeping the tree watered for the first year. Many people are unaware of
this...what is the best way to get this circulated?
In the mean time, the folks out on East 8th might be interested in exercising their option in
this matter. Keep up the fine work.
Joe Limbaugh
Minonk, IL
Feels closer to home
I am a 1978 graduate of M-D-R High School and have not really lived close to
my hometown in almost 20 years. I currently live only a couple of hours
away, but it seems the busy-ness of daily life keeps me from visiting my
parents (Dean & Shirley Barth) as often as I would like. They recently came
to visit me and my Dad showed me your Minonk site. Since then I have been a
frequent visitor to this site and enjoy it very much. I can't even imagine
how much work goes into the upkeep of it or how much time it requires. I
just wanted to say "Thank You" for making me feel closer to home.
Vicki (Barth) Wilham
Remembers early farms
Dave, the pictures looked great(class of 36 G.S.). I wrote Betty Broers Zimmerman about the
school one. She lives in Normal and we correspond occasionally. I don't know
how you keep up with all the information, but us old dudes surely must
enjoy the attention. The editorial was priceless, and your prose can only
be appreciated by those who lived on the early farms. My Swedish granddad
in Minnesota lived in a house without most conveniences by choice. My
dad and uncle finally talked him into an electric light bulb installed in the
back yard out house. Probably to read those catalogs! It is hard to believe
that I now can't get along without two cars , two tvs, two vcrs a heated
pool and air conditioning. Thanks again for the memories.
Albin Johnson
Class of 81 Reunion?
My name is Juli Schuett, my maiden name is Juli Johnson. I was told of your
website and would like to add my name and address to your list of Alumni. I
would also like to know if our class is having a reunion this summer.
I graduated in 1981.
Juli Johnson Schuett
mjsjms@msn.com
Editor's note: If anyone knows of a class of 81 reunion, please respond to
the writer. Thank you.
Cows dodging paintballs
Hi Dave,
I got a call from my neighbors out here in the country east of Minonk Thursday
evening. They asked me if I saw anyone in their drive way. It seems someone had
shot paint balls at their cows, hitting two calves and scaring them badly no
doubt. Its a shame when one has to do something like this to innocent animals.
Is there any other RR folks complaining about paint ball damage I wonder?
Wanda Patterson
New viewer from Arkansas
I just learned of your website from an old school friend from MDR High.
I went to school in Minonk from 1962-1966 and have been completely out of
touch since. I am so glad to have learned of your site and have already
enjoyed my first reading. I especially liked the old pictures depicting Minonk in what must have been it's boom days. It would also be nice to see some pictures from around the time I was there. I was very sad to read that Mrs. Lois Yates had passed away as she was one of my teachers and a very sweet lady.
I will continue to check in on your site often and will inform others from
Minonk that I am in touch with.
A Little Rock, Arkansas Retread,
Paul V. Meginnes
Responses to editorial on slow van drivers.
Drives a van in the right lane
As you know I drive a van. But I do drive the speed limit or a few
miles per hr, above it. But if some one is driving 10 or 15 miles above
the limit they should have to worry while passing me on the right side.
But I seldom drive on the left side of the road. Out here in Phoenix Az.
they have so many accidents on the free ways due to drivers driving 15
to 25 miles above the speed limit that they raised the limit to 65. They
felt with the higher speed limit people would not drive faster than 65 mph.
Boy are they mistaken, now they drive 80 and 85 mph. And when they do have
an accident it takes 15 squad cars and 12 hrs investigating what caused the
accident. But any way I will be looking in my rear view mirror for you.
And about web tv. I would not be without it. Now that I know, if you are
correct, I can hook up in Minonk with out paying long distance charges I
will hook back up when we get back home.
Bob Cufaude
Bitwise user clobbered with phone charges
I would like to know if anyone in town that uses bitwise internet had a
surprise on their phone bill during the month of Feb. If the local dial up
number was busy my computer was transfered to either a Bloomington number
or Benson number. I was charged over $200 in phone charges long distance
because of this. Bitwise says its the phone companys fault.
The phone company says its bitwise problem. I am still stuck with the phone bill.
lynnette-w@mailcity.com
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Responses to Minonk's missing trophies editorial
Minonk High School has a history also
Referring to the editorial in Minonktalk regarding school names Minonk-Dana-Rutland,
Minonk-Dana I did not find Minonk Community High School. We came in somewhere in
the archives and hopefully we are stored in the bus barn as former students. Oh yes...
the same school... same place, the school where I graduated in 1943. Poor excuse is given
by saying it is counter productive to say we never existed pre-Fieldcrest. We did!!! And
still do.
If our school did not exist tell that to all the nurses, doctors, lawyers, executives,
teachers, researchers, farmers, businessmen, and families who were educated in the schools
of learning called Minonk. When we had no school and the ashes lay, we were educated
in church basements, buildings, the library and Masonic Temple, and for a period of time
with no books, place was Minonk High School. A new school was erected from the fire. We also
held classes in the gym which was spared the fire.
May we now recall all those students who answered the call of duty in December 1941.
Some are no longer here to visit or see their former school, all graduates of Minonk's
school system.
Now the question is "what to do?" This amused me. Should we as taxpayers have a voice?
Also, school board members? We are the ones who pay the bills.
Several years ago my brother, who resides in California, and I were having a
conversation regarding a plaque he constructed complete with brass names of his classmates
who played basketball on their championship team. He sent the plaque to the high school and received no
answer. On an occasion of my class reunion, MCHS class of 1943, I made a trip to the high
school to find out if for some reason it was lost in the mail. No. It had been received.
The school personnel said "We just could not use it, this is now Fieldcrest." I asked "May I
have this so as to return it to my brother?" After an hour of searching the answer was
"It was here but I guess it has been lost." Common courtesy would say they had received
it and sent it back. Now, could this be in the bus barn? Who knows? Many from this town
are gone and I guess forgotten. Huh... they did exist.
My class of 1943 since our graduation from the same high school, in the same gym, hold
regular reunions in the Minonk area. We all reflect on our school days at M-C-H-S.
Remembering our classmates who are no longer with us we place memory books in the
Filger Library dedicated to fellow classmates with a label saying - in memory of ---,
class of 1943 Minonk Community High School. Maybe we should put Fieldcrest so people
will recognize the school.
I would like to add in closing, as our country grew, we had to add a star for each
state when admitted to the United States of America. But we never have thrown out the
old ones, only made room for more. Also, the red and white stripes are our "roots",
always to remember. Three cheers for the bus barn. Rah. Rah. Rah.
Joan (Johnson) Schneider
M-C-H-S Class of 1943
jolies418@webtv.net
Glad trophies are found
Dear Dave:
Thank you for finding out where the tophies are . I never dreamed
they would be in a bus barn!! I helped win some of those trophies as did
others. If we cannot have them in the gym I would be in favor of the Minonk
Community Center. I will be in Minonk on May 25th. and the 26th. Our class of
51 will be celebrating oer 50th. reunion. I hope to see you at that time.
Thanks again on finding the trophies.
Tom Toler
Use storefront for trophies
Dear Dave,
Tom Toler is my husband's uncle. I am concerned about the MDR (or other combinations of trophies), too.
I was wondering if anyone in Minonk had given thought to a small "Minonk Museum". I think we let the history of our town die every day.
Would one of the people who own the buildings downtown lend a storefront to create such a thing? I'm sure it could be a tax break and the government might offer grants to start a museum.
We could start with the school trophies and put them on loving display since they mean so much to the people who earned them.
Then, who knows, maybe people would loan memorable items for display.
The back of the Jackson's store has some photos but I think we could do more.
Who owns the old News Dispatch building or the Palmer's Jewelry Store building (last known as a lawyer's office)? These would work.
Who knows how long it will be for a Community Center to be built? We could do this in the mean time.
Minonk has a heritage that should be preserved. Can we start this? I am game.
Sincerely,
Nancy Tweedt Reiter
Time to take action on trophies
Now that we have solved the mystery of the lost trophies it is time for
someone to take possession of the trophies. Since the school district is
not interested in what happens to them and the board members decided that
the trophies have no meaning to Minonk history and put them into a cold
shed I feel some action should be taken. This storage spot can not be
doing the trophies any good. The humidity, cold has to be doing some
harm to them, especially if they saved the pictures. Somehow they should
be removed and protected for future showing.
I cannot believe that the
present is the only thing that the district is interested in. It seems
like their attitude is to hell with the past, and today is all we are
interested in. It is like saying everyone will forget the past. Not so.
If a vote were taken from everyone who helped earn those trophies I am sure
they would argue that these trophies mean as much to them as those that
are won in the last few years.
I am sure if Dr. Capasso had contributed
to the winning of these trophies he would have found space in the school
for them.
Bob Cufaude
Trophies belong in gym
Hi Dave,
I think the trophies should be displayed at the school, as that's where the
kids played for and at, and part of the history of their school days. I can't
imagine why it would be a problem actually. After all its a positive thing
among so many negatives concerning kids and schools these days.
Wanda Patterson
Cardinal not a harbinger of spring
Saw the latest Minonk talk. Cardinals spend the winter, so their appearance is not
necessarily a sign of spring. Sorry about that.
Daryle Uphoff
Editor's note: Minonktalk did not mean that a picture of a cardinal is a sign of spring.
The real sign of spring was that it was warm enough to go outside and take a picture of
a cardinal.
Letters of appreciation
Appreciates Minonktalk
Jim and I have just discovered minonktalk.com thanks to our mutual friend
Shirley Barth. We were thoroughly engrossed with the chatty news,
editorials, clear photos, historical information, and, of course, the satire.
Thank you for doing this and making Minonk an even more special place.
(You sure know the intricacies of making a great website!)
Jim and Marcia Stolt
Enjoys reading about Minonk
Hi Dave.
I just wanted to thank you for this WONDERFUL site! I grew up in
Minonk (1962-1982) and have lived in the Akron, Ohio vicinity for the past 19
years. With a husband, two children and a full time job, it would be
impossible for me to "come home" every time I feel homesick, but you've given
me a "place" to go to alleviate my symptoms. It's great to look at the old
pictures and read all the interesting tidbits about Minonk--past and present.
My parents (Ken and Sharon Lindley) still live in Minonk, as do other family
members. I still get back once or twice a year to visit and attend the
graduation ceremonies of my nieces and nephews, etc.
I remember your parents, as well. I used to go to their home and enjoyed
making crafts with your mother.
I have a lot of memories that revolve around growing up in a large family in
a small town--the town being part of that family. Keep up the good work--I
look forward to each update! Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Denise (Lindley) Robinson
Likes web site
I love your website!!!!!!!! I am a former Minonkite and I only live 13 miles away in
Roanoke so I get to visit over in Minonk quite often since I have family
still over there. Keep up the good work.
Sonnie (Hattan) Moritz
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