By Ricky Rieckert
A big wish to all of the mothers to have a happy Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12.
Continuing my narrative on Aurora in the old days from an earlier column: On East New York Street, west of Eola Road at Eastern Avenue on the north side was Hartman’s Grocery Store and in later years, Hartman’s Pools.
West of there on Oakview Avenue, on the south side was Ray’s Discount Store which had a lot of stuff, almost like an old K-mart. It burned down years later and nothing replaced it.
On the north side was The Highway Lounge, owned by Sam Poulous and Tom Theodore. Right across New York Street on the south side was The Blue Lantern, owned by John Benakis.
That was the place I started receiving a payroll check at age 15, as a busboy.
I received $1.25 per hour and 10% of all waitresses tips who worked when I did.
John hand-cut all of his steaks.
On the southeast corner of East New York Street and Farnsworth was Charlie’s Luau Lounge with artificial palm trees in front.
Just east of there was the first Kentucky Fried Chicken store in Aurora.
Across the street on the north side was Classic Bowling Lanes and Liquor Store.
•Back to the Summer of 1976: I went on a vacation with a friend and his parents to Kansas near the state line with Oklahoma.
After entering a town we came upon an accident involving a car and a pickup truck. The car had flipped on its roof.
I heard screaming and raced to the car and pulled the mother and two daughters from the car and brought them to safety. Then the mother screamed, “My daughter.” I never saw the girl when I got the other three out.
I was approaching the car again when it exploded into flames.
I got away and felt helpless while that little girl perished.
I felt so terrible. I cried when the firefighters extinguished the fire.
Life is too short some times. We should never forget to make the best of life.