By Ricky Rieckert
(Part 5)
Welcome to the fifth part, of fraternal, nationality, social clubs, and social clubs of Aurora.
This week, I want to start out by stating that I have belonged to all of the clubs, except the Seventh Ward Club, which I went to a few times. It was on the east side of Jefferson Street, going north to Solfisburg Park, before the railroad tracks.
It was purchased by someone and was knocked down years later. Just a memory now.
The Seventh Ward, Luxie’s, and Casa Romana, I believe, were all built around the same time and had the same architecture. They had a bar room in the basement and banquet hall on the second floor.
I never belonged to Club 66 and the Aurora Latin American Club, although I worked as a contractor at the Latin American Club, years ago.
Several are closed, which I haven’t mentioned, being obsolete (closed for good). They are: Italian American Club, Irish Club, Romanian Club, East Side Social Club, Aurora Moose, Club 66, and the Seventh Ward Club.
I had a chance to be Grand Knight at the Oswego Council, years ago, and declined, because of being born in Aurora, I didn’t want to go anywhere else.
With the K of C, #736 at Annunciation, I transferred to Our Lady of Good Counsel (O.L.G.C.) #14929 to meet the, then 30-man roster, to open a Parish Council. Today, it’s 25 men.
At that time, I belonged to The Holy Name Society, a Men of the Parish Ministry, at O.L.G.C., where I was secretary.
At the time, we were the last Holy Name Society in the State of Illinois.
We lost a lot of men through the years, from old age. Some were Knights and some joined our new Council.
The Holy Name, (now in limbo) had fundraisers to donate to the Parish and to charitable organizations.
I belonged to the Holy Name Societys at Sacred Heart, St. Marys Church and O.L.G.C..
In addition, I belong to the 4th Degree Knights of the Marquette Assembly #188, which covers most of the Kane County area for the Rockford Diocese.
I celebrated the 100th anniversary of the K of C #736 and the 100th anniversary of the Aurora Turners Club and the 125th anniversary of the Aurora Luxembourg Club, years ago. A great accomplishment for all three Clubs residing in Aurora.
With the Aurora Moose Lodge closing, I transferred to the St. Charles Lodge, to keep my seniority and support Mooseheart.
When the Eagles Club closed, I kept my dues up to date, where as, not many others did, and when they closed, it was either transfer to Marseilles, Ill. (south) or Gilberts, Ill., (north) which was originally in downtown Elgin, and they moved to Gilberts, west of Randall Road, near I -90.
I take a little road trip to keep supporting both, and keep seniority in, but I am a Life Member of the Eagles. The Gilberts Eagles Club is in the country and looks like a country club.
The Wild Rose Club, I have heard, is the oldest social club, in the state of Illinois.
That wraps up fraternal, nationality, and ward social clubs and independent social clubs.
Next week, will be the Service Clubs of Aurora (Part 6), and the grand finale will be the Luxembourg Club (Part 7).
Have a great week!