Do You Remember Going to this Store???

COTTAGE HILLS -- Rana Vallery, whose grandfather, Carlo Monari, opened Monari's Grocery in 1939, supplied these photos to The Telegraph. The store would undergo several renovations and face-lifts throughout the years, eventually becoming Furniture Wholesale Outlet.

The building burned down May 24. Many who came to watch firefighters battle the blaze recalled working at the old grocery store or shopping there. The building most recently housed the furniture store, an auto repair shop and a beauty shop. Fire investigators are trying to determine a cause for the fire.

Here's a snapshot of the Roberts family around 1968. Rana is standing between her dad and mom with little sis, Ranita out in front.

Hello, from David Black

Here's David Black's response to a letter I mailed him awhile back.

Hi Linda, sorry this took so long to get back to you, like most other people, I have too much to do, and not enough time!

I will try to answer some of the questions on the list you sent me.

- was married for 13 years, divorced now for 9.
- one daughter age 16.
- three college degrees now, pre-engineering, computer science, psychology.
- working as an electronic technician, in an engineering lab, Rockwell-Collins Radio Corproation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa...working at the same company for 33 years now!
-hobbies: amateur radio, computers, electronics, reading, good discussions about most everything.
-if money was not an issue, what would I do... travel!
-anything interesting to tell classmates... yes, I will tell two quotes that are my favorites.
"It is what you learn after you know it all that really counts" Harry Truman
"Live every day as if it was your last, because one day it will be" anonymous

Please let me know if there will be a class memory book. I don't think I'll be able to attend the reunion but I would enjoy reading what everybody has been doing.

Thanks for writing to me and taking the time to put things together and I hope the reunion is a success.

Also, I have included a picture of me in this message, feel free to share it with anybody that is brave enough to view it!

Signed, David Black

David did not supply a phone number or an email address.

But his mailing address is
David Black
722 Greenfield St. N.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Drop him a line and let him know how much we'd like to see him at the reunion!

Is anyone interested in renting a motel room for the night of the reunion? We'll try to get everyone in the same motel so the party can continue IF YOU CHOOSE once you're "home" safely from Julia's.

Let me know as soon as possible if you'd be interested and we'll see what can be done.

BBQ This Saturday!

Don't forget the BBQ is this Saturday, 6/9/07 from 3p to 7p!

BBQ will be held at John Walker’s house located at 4624 Wood Drive just North of Bethalto.

Directions: Drive North on Prairie St. through town, turn left on to Culp Lane, follow Culp Lane until you see the Red Barn and turn right. Watch for the sign - Wood Drive is the first street on your left. John’s house is on the left side of the road and we’ll be out back.

Please call Linda Goldsmith at 618-971-8609 or email her at linda_goldsmith@hotmail.com to R.S.V.P. and let us know what you can bring! Everyone should bring a lawn chair.

Here are a few ideas:Meat, BBQ Sauce (Debbie Vezzoli Spurgeon won the Blue Ribbon at IL State Fair for hers), Vegetable Side Dishes, Bread/Buns, Condiments, Fruits, Desserts, Drinks, Ice, Utensils, Napkins, Paper Plates, Cups, Music, Tables, Games/Activities, your suggestions…

Hope to see you there!

A Short Update on Rhonda (Backs) Poehler

Here's a short blurb to update you all on Rhonda Backs Poehler - she didn't have any pictures for us though. This is a new address. And, now we'll hear from Rhonda -

Rhonda Backs Poehler
340 Ver Bunker Ave.
Port Edwards, WI 54469

I lived in the Alton area until 1981 when my son Garett was born. I moved to Silver Lake, WI and helped my Dad operate a small grocery store. I moved to Kenosha, WI in 1987 and had a baby girl, Anna, in 1988. No reason to talk about my failed marriages.

I met Dennis in 1992 and we married in 1994. He is a SFC in the WI Army National Guard. He served in Kuwait 2005-2006. My son Garett is in the Air Force and served in Iraq the first year of the war. He is training for Flight Engineer in San Antonio. He is married and has a 2 year old-Alexis. I love being Granma. My Anna is living in Chicago and planning on attending college back in Wisconsin next year. My Mother lives in Worden and I visit her at least 3 times during the year. My husband’s entire family lives here in Wisconsin.

I’ve had a variety of jobs-Hairdresser, store manager, waitress, tourism assistant, motel front desk, and recently bank teller. Being a military wife has been rewarding, but having a full time career outside the home just never seems to work out. We have moved a few times and with my husband leaving I’ve had to maintain kids and home, the tough job!

Dennis will retire from military in next couple of years. We are planning our last move now and new careers.

I have been blessed with health, a great husband and children. My faith has gotten me through some very difficult times.

I’m not sure if I will be attending the reunion in Sept. My life revolves around the military schedule. Dennis always says one thing I do best is make any house we live in a home.

So, pray for our troops and don’t listen too closely to the media-they don’t know everything.

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It was great to hear from you Rhonda! Thanks for the update. Please keep in touch. I sure hope everything works out so you can make it back for the reunion!