April 2009 Archives

I'm sad to say this will be the last blog I write in Joliet for the Herald News. But don't worry too much. I'll be randomly updating this confounded contraption once in a blue moon from our new location in Plainfield.

While cleaning out my desk and packing up my editing tools in the newsroom, I happened upon a copy of a local sports magazine that ceased circulation after its first edition. Its failure probably had something to do with the lack of professional sports teams in Joliet.

But as far as semi-pro recreation goes, everyone knows Joliet is a JackHammer town. And wouldn't you know it, my great-great grandfather was a basetender for the 'Hammers in the 1850s.

Although back in those days, they played in a limestone quarry -- nothing like the luxurious grass at Silver Cross Field you see today. Games in the quarry only lasted about 20 minutes because the air conditions were deplorable. The matches were poorly attended out of fear that the original mascot, a Bengal tiger, would break loose and eat bystanders. Sadly, many of the founding players eventually died of consumption or tuberculosis and the league was discontinued until 2002.

So if nothing else, I'm proud to say my own kin was featured on the cover of Joliet SportWise magazine. It's a shame the publication fell out of favor in the community. Where else am I going to find historical sports commentary?

There is something about this area that brings a tear to my eye. Locals know it and visitors try to experience it for themselves. Here are 3 Things we really love about the Herald News circulation area. (An idea blatantly stolen from the Sun-Times.)

1. Bridges. The one-way roads leading us in are just fine. But wait! It's a setup! Get out! All roads leading out of the downtown trap are "struck up." We still haven't found the way out of town so now we telecommute to work. It's the domestic sequel of "A Bridge Too Far."

Homeless man Brian Delaney crosses over the Jackson Street bridge in Joliet as the Cass Street bridge malfunctions in the background, flipping cars into the river.(Michael R. Schmidt photo).
















2. Slovenian people. They're a great, jovial bunch. The Zdralevich family introduced the world's greatest Poorboy sandwich to our region. Why can't I have more Merichka's in my diet?Jak się masz!

Janez Kramberger (left), the chairman of a Slovenian parlimentary committee for relations with Slovenians living abroad, takes photos of the interior of St. Joseph Catholic Church in downtown Joliet. (Liz Wilkinson Allen photo)

3. Empress casino. Despite the fire, the Egyptian spirit of the casino continues to thrive in our community. The generous employees volunteer in our villages; they entertain us with poker games and they feed us with buffets. God bless our heroes at Empress Casino!

Billowing smoke from the Empress Casino fire can be seen from miles away in the rural area Friday, March 20, 2009, outside Joliet as children attempt to cook lunch using heat from the blaze. (incorrect file photo)

Bonus Thing. Harrah's casino. As the casino that didn't burn down, our livelihood depends on the success of our beloved downtown gambling barge. God bless our Harrah's Heroes! Keep that money flowing in.

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