By Ricky Rieckert
Dear readers, subscribers, all.
This week, I’m going to write about, first, something a reader suggested.
Betty sent me a compliment about my articles and that she likes reading them. She said it brings back memories.
This letter was forwarded to me from The Voice.
Upon reading, I thought it was a complaint.
Then as I read further, I saw it was a compliment, my first one.
It was heartwarming.
We start on Spring Street in Aurora, between Broadway and Lincoln Avenue.
Betty is a relative to Robert Michels who owned Michels Lumber, for years on the Southside of Spring Street, between the viaduct and Lincoln Avenue.
Years later, Bob Bohr occupied the front by Spring Street with Bohr Roofing.
Across the street, by the viaduct, was a business called Michels Harral & Oil, owned by Art Michels.
By the mid 1960s the company closed, when more residents used natural gas.
Robert and Art were brothers.
I knew Robert from the Knights of Columbus 736 on Galena and Lincoln Avenue.
I knew his sons, Dave, Nick, and Bill. I also knew his brother Jim from the Luxie’s Club on High Street by Grove Street, on the west side of the street.
Jim belonged there, but was also on the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America in Belgium, Wis.. They have a week celebration every year.
Go figure, The Luxembourgers are in Belgium, Wis. and the Belgiums are in Luxembourg, Wis..
I knew Jim’s son, Sean. He was the mayor of Sugar Grove 1999 to 2021 and is currently a Village trustee.
Sadly, Jim passed away, not too long ago.
I sincerely apologize for a couple of weeks ago, when I wrote about the Tivoli Theater and Stardust Ballroom.
They were just east of River Street on the north side of E. Galena.
Also, when I was on S. Broadway, I forgot about Robert Hall Clothing Store just South of E. Benton Street, on the west side of S. Broadway, before the railroad viaduct. Not Robert Hull, No. 9, “The Golden Jet” of the Chicago Blackhawks.
My mom would take us kids there, when we were young.
Next week, I’ll start on E. Downer Place.
Have a nice, safe week.