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Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

For those of you not on Facebook or active LTAA members... Andrew can typically be found behind the piano at Hugo's Frog Bar but during Covid restrictions. Check this out next Saturday.  It's fun and free!

It’s a long way from the 1974 Lane Tech Production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”, but we are delighted to share that Andrew “Snoopy” Collins ’75, has found his way back home! 

Please join LTAA members and friends next Saturday for the Frog Bar Piano Bar “Virtual Edition”, where Andrew will sing and play songs to delight all of us... and donate 15% of his tip jar to the LTAA Scholarship Fund!

Listen to some great music from the comfort of your own home, sing along (no one can hear you after all), and enjoy our Covid version of Clocktower Club!

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Edward Mc Carthy

Was that the one on North Avenue and First Ave?  OMG....I recall that place.

Edward Mc Carthy

Just checked in with my wife.....yes, North and 1st.

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Yep!  Sounds like a fun virtual event. 

I remember going there and also the big Star Slide and go-carts down the road.

John Simmers

Four kids in my family and just a few years apart. I remember my Dad driving my Mom and Us  - in our family's 1963 Rambler American Wagon, out to Kiddieland -- just once or twice each Summer, and it always seemed like such a far place to go (but, worth it!).

Then -- one-year, I don't remember exactly which it was -- my Dad didn't stop at Kiddieland, but he kept driving (actually, just a bit further west) -- and KABOOM!! .. that's the day we all graduated to ADVENTURELAND!!! 

Andrea M Adam

     Ok, so all this talk of Kiddieland made me have a dream last night about Russell's BBQ. My parents would often take us to Russell's after we went to Kiddieland since it was right on Thatcher and on the way home. I'm not sure if it's still there but now I have a hankerin' for one of those beef sandwiches and the cole slaw in the soggy paper cup. Ahhhh, the memories.

     Getting back to Kiddieland (we never went to Adventureland), I loved the trains there and especially going through the tunnel at the end. I'm sure they had to close because of all the safety violations there must've been in that park. I will admit though, I took my kids there when they were young and we lost one of my sons. They immediately closed the park to anyone going in or out. As it turns out, my son decided to go on a ride all by himself. My BAD!

     The worst though were those horrid little car you sat in and you had to make it go yourself with your hands, turning a crank and (I believe) your feet on some pedals. I always had a hard time getting my chubby little body around the track. I think my parents stuck me on that ride on purpose. We did though always fall asleep on the way home. ZZZZZZZ.

Deborah "Debbie" Tono

OMG - I even took my kids there when we visited my folks (who still lived in Chicago back then) and they were just 3 & 4! They LOVED it! I have to find the photos of them & my mom on the Train - all smiles!!! Went back several times each year as I had a 3rd child who couldn't miss out on the annual Kiddieland fun - not sure who enjoyed it more, my kids or my parents!!!!

I loved the hand/foot crank cylce thing cuz I was so competitive! One time I went so fast that the cycle jumped the track and I was stuck on the other side by myself, my Mom panicked and the attendant finally came to help me! Probably the last time my folks let me ride it! LOL...

All - Please take care and maintain the Social Distancing & Hygiene guidelines as this COVID-19 virus is still around and making a 2nd appearance, at least in Colorado!

Janet Peterson (Ingraffia)

I went to Kiddieland when I was younger but was much too cool in my teenage years to go there. Then we would go to Adventureland. We would also hang out on Friday nights at the go karts and batting cages on the other corner of North and First. Then Old Chicago opened. That was really cool! Indoor amusement park...didn't matter what the weather was. 

Andrea, Russell's BBQ is still there. They had expanded to a couple other spots, didn't do well and closed those locations. The original is still on Thatcher. I went there about a year ago and just didn't like it as much as I used to. Glad I went though. 
 

There is now a Costco on the property where Kiddieland was. They have also recently demolished Maywood Park Race Track across the street. That corner looks nothing like it used to. 
 

Peter Ingraffia

Just a bit more reminiscing.... a picture from one of my favorite rides at Adventure Land. By the way, the Adventure Land site is now the Scottish Rite of Chicago building. It's a very cool looking building. 

Monica McAvinney

My memory of one adventure was setting up my girlfriend on a blind date, and I remember us going down the BIG slide and acting like kids squeezing into the train.  The funniest moment came when we were on some ride that swung back and forth and whipped us around.  We were jerked so hard that my girlfriend's gum shot out of her mouth!  It landed on the back of the seat where her blind date was sitting.  We got off the ride and saw this wad of gum on the back of his shirt & never told him.  We laughed all afternoon.  Mean, silly girls!
 

Grace Tanaka (Danziger)

Hello Fellow 76'ers,

Sorry to have been absent from forum for months. It was a difficult transition for me and husband Marc to work entirely from home when both our places of work went remote. Then I got placed on work-share 60% work and pay, which I'm actually grateful for since 10% of our staff was permanently laid-off and another unknown number on unpaid furlough for 90 days. The only part of this I'm grateful for is that Marc is not traveling for work currently, so we get to see each other every day (and avoiding the 1.2 hr each way commute). We, our kids and grandchildren (another on the way) are all fine, and I'm happy to see fellow alums responding positively.

Really glad LTHS Alumni Day at Cubs Spring Training happened before COVID shutdowns! Love the photos.

I'm am so so sad to learn about John Nakawatase and his mother. Thank you for sharing, Bob, and Michelle for the Tribune article. John was definitely one of the sweetest men I've ever known. How tragic. Not all our classmates have been as fortunate as we.

I seem to be sneaking in during a Kiddieland/Adventureland reminiscence. We must've gone to Kiddieland, not sure about Adventureland. My memory is toast, though - I'm so impressed by your clear remembrances!

I hope we'll be able to get together by the time of the 50th anniversary of Lane becoming co-ed. I can hardly believe it has been nearly 4 years since our wonderful 40th Reunion.

Take care, everyone. Some things are relaxing around the country, so even more - please stay safe and well.

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Welcome back Grace! 

Hey Bicentennials... we're working on the database for the 50th anniversary of the first women at Lane celebration in 2021 and I have been assigned the task of finding all the women in our class!  I am looking for the following classmates.  If anyone knows of them, or if we have accounted for them under a different surname and I'm not smart enough to figure out 2+2, (art major), please reach out either through this site or email me at michellemweiner@gmail.com

Jane Shipp

Grace Boron

Andrea Jauck

Kimberly Anne Kacick

Norlyna Hui

Debra Simpson

Lydia Zalewski

Deborah Zawada

Maria Zinkann

Slavica Zivovic

Thanks everybody!

MW

Robert Cole

Hi Grace!  Welcome back!

I've been lax on the posts lately, too.  My family has been especially lucky during the covid pandemic, thank God.  We've been very careful and everyone has been healthy.  Jobs have been good.  My daughter is a public schol teacher and went to e-teaching from home.  She lives with us so it was funny to walk by and hear a room full of students downstairs!  I work from home anyway, so the isolation has been no change.  And, working in IT for a company that picks up medical waste... covid has been a boon.  More medical waste than ever to pick up and more work than I could shake a stick at!  My wife left her previous position (too much international travel) and has taken a position developing partnerships for a local non-profit.  Her forte, anyway.

I will say, though, the dreaded "COVID SHOPPING" took hold of us!  When you're home all the time what is ther to do but online shop?  We had a professional landscaper completely re-do our front yard.  Crushed stone patio and lots of new plantings.  I re-did the back bed, digging out 10 years of overgrown stuff and putting in all new plantings.  And, I've torn out everything along the side of the building, preparing for planting in the fall.  We're getting the siding powerwashed and then painted and new gutters within the next few weeks.

Lisa has taken hold of the inside.  We're sporting three new rugs, three tables and custom draperies on the way.  So, it's been a busy isolation period for all of us!

I remember Kiddieland.  I thought it was further north that it was.  We lived far north and went so often I just assumed it was nearby.  Particularly liked the Tilt-a-Whirl and bumper cars!  And, who else palyed skeeball at Riverview?  I think Chicago considered skeeball and pinball gambling, so it was pretty rare in Chicago.  I believe Riverview had an exemption for skeeball.  And, the north side of Howard Street (technically... Evanston) was one giant pinball machine!  

Howard Street was great.  Booze on the south side (Evanston was dry) and pinball on the north.  

Edward Mc Carthy

Michelle,

I may have a lead on Jane Schipp.  I'll let you know.  Her brother lives here in Park Ridge and is a neighbor of mine.  I'll see what I can find out.

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Thanks Ed, Janet and Chris for weighing in.

MW

Norman Vorne

So this has been all over the news...

Lane Tech may soon get rid of its Native American mascot after petition calls for its removal

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/lane-tech-may-soon-get-rid-of-its-native-american-mascot-after-petition-calls-for-its-removal/

 

Robert Cole

I'm not sure how I feel about losing our mascot.  LTHS uses the Indian as a symbol of its strength and pride.  Not in a derrogatory way.  At least he's not named "Chief Wahoo."

On the other hand, many do see the term "Indian" as a derrogatory term.  Maybe we can keep the symbol but use a name other than "Indian?"

Frank G Styzek

I experienced this previously when, as an alumni of the University of Illinois, The Chief was retired. Totally disagree with the decision as both U of I and Lane Tech used the Indian as a symbol of strength, courage, inspiration and grace.  I respect the opinion of others but will always be a Lane Tech Indian. 

Gregory Groeper

Just a reminder that we also have a Facebook Page
We discuss Lane memories, current affairs, Chicago and national issues, science, history, family, music, Obits, etc.
There is Zero moderator censorship. All we ask is to avoid profanity and attacking people instead of ideas.
We've got 92 alums signed up there so far, come join us if you'd like.
Lane Tech Alumni - Class of 1976
https://www.facebook.com/groups/162877686780/

Edward Mc Carthy

Losing the mascot?  Criminal.  Such rich history and tradition.  Each new class and generation are the stewards of what came before them.  Political correctness will ruin this country.  To be sure, there is plenty that needs to change.   But LTHS's mascot?   In 2006 when U of I  caved in to NCAA threats of losing funding....they sh+t canned the Chief.  A law suit brought by someone who never attended the school and lived in another state!  Chief Illiniwek who was the most respected and revered thing on the  Urbana campus.....gone.   The Chief proudly honored the rich traditions of a native American culture.  When the board voted to 'off' the Chief, my enire family stopped donating to the school.  It was several grand a year from all of us.  We were proud U of I grads.  My daughter went to Florida State University, home of Chief Ocseola.  She would NOT attend U of I.  If you have ever watched an FSU football game, you know how incredible the Chief is.  Oh, and my wife is part native American.  Also a U of I alum.  She loved the Chief and FSU as well.  Her grand pap was a full blooded Potowatomie.  

Look at all the professional sports team with names that may  invoke some possible question?  The Washington Redskins.  The Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians and  the Cleveland Browns. Anyone screaming there?

Do the New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy?  The Christtian world has sports team names. Is it inappropriate to have the NewOrleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres? 
Then there are the team names that ( may ) glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. The Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates!  And how about the Trojans and the Beavers........I could go on and on.    I get it.  Everybody has issues with everything.  My milennial children have taught me so much about tolerance and being open minded.  But if we continue to cave in to all these things, we will have nothing left.  Tolerance is a two way street.

BTW, for those who don't know .....the Fighting Illini moniker had NOTHING to do with indians fighting.  The Fighting Illini rose from those U of I students who went to war in WW1   They coined the moniker,,.The fighting Illini. 

You may take the moscot away, but I will always be a proud Lane Tech Indian.  A warrior.  A timeless legend.  You may agree with me, you may not.  But Lane taught me to be proud, be brave and show honor in your beliefs.  Where ever you go, what ever you do, remember the honor of.......................... 

Patricia Hodge (Hanes)

Very well put Ed.  I agree 100%!

Norman Vorne

For those interested, there is a change.org petition to save the Lane Tech Indian.

https://www.change.org/p/lane-tech-alumni-bring-back-lane-tech-indian-logo?

Andrea M Adam

All,

     Thanks to Ed for giving us some of the rich history of U of I and their defunct mascot. The tail is definitely wagging the dog these days and for those of us who believe in tradition and feel respect for the Lane Indian, consider signing the petition than Norm referenced in his post. Thanks.

Patricia Hodge (Hanes)

Thanks Norm, done.