This issue of Olney Memories is a little shorter than some, but
thought it
was time to send it out to all of you anyway. Maybe some of these
memories
that the people have written this time will spur a little memory in
your own
mind and you will have some memories of your own to share.
Wanted to say that my husband and I have been gone on a month-long
vacation
and just in case any of your wrote with a change of address or with
a memory
contribution that is not included below, please resend. I would not
want to
have missed any of your letters while I was away.
Thanks for all your e-mail updates too! Remember, if you know of
others
who would like to be included, just send their names and e-addresses
so I can
add them to the growing list of readers and contributors. We now
have 439 on
the mailing list!! Hope you enjoy this latest issue of Olney
Memories!
Ann Weesner King
_Pianoann97@aol.com_ (mailto:Pianoann97@aol.com)
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Olney Memories # 47
Iva May Spieth Robinson
_asamay1@juno.com_ (mailto:asamay1@juno.com)
My memories start with the old Schmauhausen Drug Store on the south
side
of Main St. Also the Bower Drug Store just a few stores away.
Both
were great places to go for a coke, if you can imagine was only 5
cents back in
the 40's.
Mr. Bower who seemed awfully grumpy but was a softy.
The dance hall that was behind a restaurant on the north side of
Main St
west of Walnut St.
The High School at that time was on Main St. near the Old Olney
Sanitarium. In 1940 when I was in High School it was OTHS,
Olney Township High School.
Coming home for lunch. Lunch at school was a sack lunch you brought.
Just for starters.
Thanks,
Iva May Spieth Robinson
Class of 1940
OK, time to start adding a few to whenever you do the next one.
My family (wife and daughter) live in Springfield, IL. I've been
reading
all the previous memories. What fun and such a lot of history about my
hometown. I look forward to the next installment.
As some of you may recall my family included the Spieth's of
Olney. I grew
up in the Speith Studio under the watchful eye of my grandfather
(Fred Sr.)
and uncles (Jim & Fred Jr.) There were seven of us (cousin's -
my brother
Rix, and cousins Fred, Joe, Mike, John & Tom) that grew up in the
studio and
we've had many fun times exploring the darkroom, working with all the
various machinery and producing our own pictures. When I was
attending OCC, I
was working at the studio in the afternoons and weekends. Part of
my job was
to make 'duplicates' of pictures that were sent in. To do that, I
ran the
stationary camera used to photograph the print and thus make a new
negative so
that more prints could be made.
Now many of you have seen a picture appear annually. Let me tell
you a
little story. During that time in the studio (way before such
useful tools
and Photoshop, Pinnacle Studio or a miriade of other software
programs) I cut
and pasted to put together a print of a squirrel that appeared to be
sitting
the crux of a tree saluting the small American Flag. That picture
was shared
with only a few people, but one of them was one of my teachers at
OCC, Dr
John Spencer. Dr. Spencer is/was (?) a wonderful man and a
wonderful teacher.
I thoroughly enjoyed his classes. He later began doing an
annual 'white
squirrel census' to show growth/decline in the population. He came
to me
one day and asked permission to use that photograph when he was
preparing to
do one of the first surveys. And, in the words of Paul Harvey ...
now you
know the rest of the story of how that photograph came to be that
you have
seen appear in the paper through the years.
I also recall fondly my High School years under the tutelage of Gus
& Mary
Sliva ... among others. But music was my passion at the time. I
was in
the main choir all 4 years. I recall Music Man though I didn't get to
participate in that show and then I did get to participate in Fiddler
on the Roof as
the Rabbi's son. Many, many, many years later I again
participated in that
show but this time in the open theater we fondly enjoy in Springfield
called
the MUNI opera. But that is whole other story and not related to
Olney.
Back to Fiddler on the Roof. The rehearsals were fun. Anne
Weber was
Tzeital in show and was supposed to be kissed. Rumor has it she
had not been
kissed or didn't want to be kissed on stage. Mary suggested to the
young
man, I can't recall his name right now, to surprise her one evening
in a
rehearsal and give her a kiss as she departed the stage without any
announcements.
He did.... she decked him on the spot !!! The show did go on,
and I
think she even allowed a 'stage' kiss to take place after that.
I also fondly recall the annual talent show but can't recall the
name of it.
I remember the auditions in the choral room and then the night of the
performance. Does anyone else remember 'The Vamp' with Cecelia
Hill and Mike
Rumsey? I am going to have to look for my yearbook to see what
other talents
happened that year and try to recall the name of the show.
I hope to get back to Olney again sometime and am curious if the
Xmas show
still has the tradition of the Hallelujah Chorus as its finale with
any and
all willing former choir members invited to join in? That was
always a
delightful show. Gus and May were fantastic teachers that have
shaped the lives of
so many through the years. So many lives have been touched and
it seems
very minimal now to say 'thank you' to them both. I know Gus is
gone and I
don't know about Mary. They were delightful people that loved kids
and
music. Olney was very blessed to have them for so many years.
They enriched
many lives. We love you Gus and Mary.
Another teacher I greatly enjoyed was Mrs. Griffin the French
teacher. She
was extremely kind and to an impressionable young high school
student, very
knowledgeable. I still recall the many days in her French lab
learning to
conjugate verbs and put together sentences. You will also be
missed Mrs.
Griffin.
Mrs. Richardson was in charge of the newspaper. I was able to
participate
in it for at least one year as photographer. Once, a celebrated
organist was
giving a concert. I was trying to be discreet and had very quietly and
unobtrusively slipped from the front row of the auditorium, down into
the
orchestra pit to get some pictures of him for the newspaper. He
stopped his
performance and asked what I was doing and to please stop. I don't
believe his
concert made the school newspaper as a result.
I am encouraging my parents to write in and talk about the Spieth
Studio
(its history) and my fathers shop on Whittle Ave ... The Olney
Printing Co.
It was between the Farmers Market and Jones' As have many before,
I spent
many hours in both places. The Farmers Market for sugar treats and
Jones'
checking out the sporting goods (tennis racquets, fishing gear,
etc.) and the
motorcycles. I wanted a motorcycle for a long time but it wasn't
til many
years later that I finally bought one.
OK, that is all from me for now. Looking forward to responses and
further
additions about choirs, musicals, and the talent show. Take care
everyone.
Kim Robinson
Class of 1973
Springfield, IL
Bud Dodson
_buddodson1@comcast.net_ (mailto:buddodson1@comcast.net)
I guess it's the weather but as I sit here watching the sun set
behind the
Rockies I thought I'm a little lonely so check your E-mail. Dad
was a Scout
Master and we used to go to Slanker's Woods, or go to the dump and
shoot
rats! Most of the memories I've written about so I'll move on.
I remember the many weekends Jimmy Cazel, Bobbie Hearring and I
would sell
War Bonds or stamps in front of the Dime Store on Main St on
Saturdays. I
am not sure of the Car Dealers name that was across from the court
house but I
remember Dad trading in his 29 Dodge for a 35 Dodge plus $350.00 Don
Taylor's Dad at Taylor's Print Shop giving us our picks of a never
ending supply
of stamps (collectors) for our used or old rags. And finally
starting high
school. The last Memories mentioned Freddie Newton whom had a much
more
well known brother named Frank, coach at OTHS who always told me if
I worked
hard and stayed in school he would get me a tryout with his friend
Geo (?) Halas
coach of the Chicago Bears. Playing football with those Olney
stars Dean
or was it Bud Krudwig, Bill Vail, Jack Forrest who went on after
West Point
to become a Lt Gen, Jerry Miller, Don Hinterscher who succumbed to
the Polio
that struck our team in 1945. Olney was a very Patriotic Town
during WW II
I no longer have my 43-44-45 Olneans so I can't look up all the
names of
those classmates and friends.
Things were going pretty good by the time I graduated from St Joe's and
prepared for OTHS. I think there were eight of us that graduated
that year, Don
Blank, Martha Gassman, Frieda Krick, Bernard Herman, "Flit"
Summers, and a
special friend Dick Layman. OTHS was different than St Joe's we
all walked
to school, Schmalhausen's became the place, Model "A"'s were in
style all
with "A" rationing stickers for gas. All (at least some) of the
big boys
smoked so we did too. One of the regular noon time highlights was
held in the
Gym at Lunch Hour. Plays, Skits, various entertainment forums were
always
being held, for three years Jim Welker and I boxed as a regular
event We
always had a POW-WOW. All in all it was a pretty good time even
though money
was scarce, food, shoes and gasoline were all rationed. But we
survived.
Well guess it's time for bed so so-long to all you Olneans.
Bud Dodson
Class of '47
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Iva May Spieth Robinson
asamay1@juno.com
I have been reading all the "Memories" and enjoying them and the
name of "Wide Awake Saloon" finally came to me. It triggered lots of
memories so now it is my turn. First of all I was raised over my Dad's
Studio and my neighborhood was all businesses. My world was the
Methodist
Church to the East, Fred Schneiter Grocery to the North, and Central
School just one block West where I had to cross the IC Railroad tracks
and fortunately a guard was stationed there (in that cute little
building) to help all the children get to school safely. I
attended all
eighth grades there. But what I really want to tell you was of all the
businesses that were on Whittle Ave. Most letters have told of
Main St.
but Whittle was MY street. I will mention lots of businesses in each
block. The order may not be correct but they were there at one time.
Starting with my side of the street (West) at Main was the First
National Bank. At one time Zean Gassmann Insurance,A.C. Roberts
Insurance Agency, Beal's Newstand with an entry on Walnut also, a
stairway up to Dr. Ralph King and Dr. Borah, dentist and Olney
Savings &
Loan on the corner. I remember Dr. King as a short friendly man in a
white suit. He made house calls and was called to the Studio one
evening. There was maybe six of us working on; Christmas orders as
someone needed some medicine for a cold. He ended up seeing everyone
of us and then only charged my Dad about $10. Imagine that today !!!!
The second block south had Geo Wagner Barber Shop, Bourell's Music
Store (later Powhatan's), the New Yorker Tavern (Jim & Hannah Miller),
Kroger's on the corner. More but can't recall now.
The third block had Bower Park (a small public park), Fred Schneiter
Grocery, Town Talk (Tubby Gassmann, homemade ice cream), Pete Dale
Linotype Shop later Zean Gassmann Insurance, a dress shop owned by Jim
Pottorff, Fessel Cleaners, a small Tiny Diner (small hamburgers 5
cents), a private house with a yard and fence, another Wagner Barber
Shop
(brother Al), then Electrolux occupied that spot (Elmer Brookfield and
real estate office), J & J Market, Harold Drew Appliance Store and
on the
corner was a small soda fountain and penny candy booth originally
run by
two couples alternating weeks, the Buddemeyers and Edminstons. Later
taken over by Jim & Claribel Whitaker. I must add at this point
around
the corner on Elm was Leingang's Bakery. The most delicious smell in
the world came from there. Also makers of "Bubby Bread" named for
their
handsome nephew, Bubby Pepple who lived across the alley. Later the
building was made into apartments by the Whitakers.
401 Whittle was Spieth Studio, my home. We had a picture of the
"Wide Awake Saloon" it was on the corner lot with a Schnitzel bench
(whittling bench) in front of it hence the name Whittle Ave. William
Spieth started the studio there and sold it to his brother, Fred.
At the
end of my first grade of school I became very ill with pneumonia and
spent a month at the Olney Sanitarium in the hands of the Weber
Brothers.
I received so many gifts from well wishers and had a large Library
table displaying them. When I recovered and was dismissed we gave the
gifts to my classmates. Speaking of the Weber Brothers Clinic reminds
me of a Dr. Hall that was hired on the Clinic. He married while in
Olney and had wedding pictures taken at the Studio. My Dad got a visit
from the FBI one day and asked for any negatives of the Doctor
(?). He
was all too glad to give them the negatives and get rid of the men.
Then
to find out that the Doctor was a fake and had delivered one of his
grandson's David.
Next to the Studio was the annex of King's Furniture Store later to
become (Charlie) Jones Cycle Shop, Midwest Ice Cream plant, Galen
Bohren
Electric Shop later becoming the Olney Printing Company owned by Arthur
Cox and then my husband Bob Robinson, an empty lot with a large sign,
Hampton's Market later the Little Farm Market, and Cal Kent Filling
Station later Bob Byrne car dealer.
The 500 Block had a Phillip 66 station, Forsyth Lumber Yard, Hocking
Auto Parts, a wholesale grocery store with the Bowling Alley on the
second floor. The last block held Voyles Beauty & Barber Supply with a
school overhead, some restaurants and a Tavern, the rest I don't
remember
to the Railroad Depot.
Starting back at Main St on the East side was Murray Hardware then
later at the end of the block, Dick Fessel Men's Clothes and Anderson
Gift Shop (Emmon and Lil). Willard Forsyth had a Paint Store sometime
in one of these stores. The Olney Trust & Banking original bank
started
the next block with the Olney Daily Mail, a Farm Equipment Building
(Hudson-Hill ?) and Beals Newstand.
The original home of Olney Printing Co started the 300 block,
Hocking Auto Parts, Porter (?) Funeral Home, a Taxi stand, G.E.
Telephone Co and the Post Office completed the three hundred
block. The
New Olney Hotel was across from the Studio, burned down and replace
by an
ATM for the 1st National Bank, Jared's Double R Hatchery, Harry Hillis
Garage, Pete Landis Car Dealership later an Apartment Bldg completed
the
block with offices for Dr. Jim Landis and Dr. Montgomery.
Lastly before the Shoe Factory was another car dealership
(Oldsmobile I think) and Poland Garage.
Incidentally, The 1941 Centennial was for Olney. Big pageant,
parade, beards grown by the men etc.
Bob and I retired to Winter Haven, Florida in 1986. We are in the
phone book if you are in the area.
Hope this is not too long. Thanks Ann for the "Memories."
Iva May Spieth Robinson
Class of '41
Sally Hunt
_SHUNTbirds@webtv.net_ (mailto:SHUNTbirds@webtv.net)
Reunion:
The class of 1951 is going to be having their 55th class reunion on
the 29th
of Sept. and if you haven't notified us would appreciate hearing
from those
planning to attend. If so, do so by writing:
Sammie Fehrenbacher
5376 East Frontage Rd.
Olney, Il. 62450
Thank you!
Sally Dale Hunt
Class of 1951
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Bud Dodson
_buddodson1@comcast.net_ (mailto:buddodson1@comcast.net)
I've enjoyed both the writing and reading and the memories. I
sometimes
wonder what happened to so many others. Dora Jane Turner, Miss
Borah, Miss
Holmes; all teachers, Richard "Dick" Layman whose father worked for
Axelson
Oil Field Supply (?) and was transferred before graduation. I
expected Dick
to become a classical piano player and the list could go on. As we
grow
older those relationships seem to become more important to us. I
doubt many
people remember the freedoms we had as underage drivers etc. due to
the shortage
of young men in the area due to the war.
Anyhow thank you!!!
Bud Dodson
Class of '47
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