Wharton Field House - 90th Birthday

 

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Wharton Field House - 90th Birthday

My father, Homer Jackson, is the shadow at the bottom. He was a laborer in building Wharton - and very proud of it. Wharton looms in the background, so our family had an ideal location for Wharton and Browning events, basketball games, football games, track meets, fireworks, pro wrestling, car shows, and the Harlem Globetrotters. I am on the way in the photo, much to the dismay of my siblings, but still invisible and insensible of this photographic moment.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

M - O - L - I - N - E !
Mary Gail Laverenz

Do you remember Mary Gail Laverenz back-flipping across the basketball court at Wharton Field House as the crowd spelled out M - 0 - L - I - N - E !

The roar of the crowd was deafening.

A photo would be great.

I recall at the time that only one other person did the same acrobatic cheer, Joline from Moline. I have no other information than that vague memory.

I found Mary Gail's name listed for a birthday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline. Let me know if I have the right person.

She is on the cast recording of this Broadway show.

Wharton had that monstrous scoreboard hanging over the court. Now it is gone. Who can forget how it blocked the view and seemed to limit play?

Monday, January 25, 2010

Browning Field in the 1920s

Browning Field
Wharton Field House was built in 1928.
Anonymous Dave:

"Here's a pic of Browning Field from the mid-1920s. A great shot that includes the old baseball stands that burned to the ground around 1958. Browning Playground is not there yet, nor is Whitey's Ice Cream... although the large white building at the very bottom center of the photo is the building that became the Whitey's "factory." Note how narrow 23rd Avenue (now Avenue of the Cities) is."

From Wikipedia:

John T. Browning (1830-1910) was a lawyer who served as the City of Moline's first City Attorney. He was also a two-term State Assemblyman. In his last year of his life, Browning was planning on erecting a memorial to himself on the farmland that he owned when he was convinced by A. M. Beal, President of the Moline Board of Education, to deed the land to the city for use as an athletic park. On July 14, 1910, he added the codicil to his will, stating that his land were to be "held in trust forever by the City of Moline and dedicated to the public as and for a playground and athletic park, which shall be known and designated as the John T. Browning Park, Playground, and Athletic Field".[1]

The next four years saw the creation of a American football/track and field stadium and a baseball field.[1] In the late 1920s, T. F. Wharton, president of the Moline High School boosters' club led the drive toward the sale of bonds, the proceeds of which to pay for the construction of a field house on adjoining land (this was also deeded to the city of Moline upon the retirement of the bonds).[3] Wharton Field House was opened to the public in 1928.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Whitey's Sgt. Camo Ice Cream

Our neighborhood, near Wharton Field House, was two blocks from the original Whitey's. The Dairy Queen was next door, so we could slum it and buy ice milk. But the best treat was to pick out a unique flavor at Whitey's, or enjoy a malted thicker than cement. I remember saving up to get a banana split, because TV shows always mentioned them.

Baskin Robbins had a fling at good ice cream, but they gave up on quality. Whitey's is forever, we hope.

Everyone goes back to Whitey's when returning to the Quad-Cities for a visit. Now they have online ordering, too.

The neighborhood included Wharton, Whitey's, and the Hasty Tasty Restaurant.

Rest in Peace, James Beert, Friday, September 26, 2014,

 

Rest in Peace, James Beert

Jim and Jorja Beert

Obituary for James J. Beert
Coal Valley, Illinois

James J. Beert, 70, of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Friday, September 26, 2014, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Jim DeBisschop officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, where there will be a Prayer Service at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Robert R. Jones Library in Coal Valley.

James Joseph Beert was born October 27, 1943, in Moline, Illinois, the son of Albert David and Bertha (Wulffaert) Beert. He served in the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. He married Jorja L. Hepner on September 21, 1968, in Moline. 

Jim worked for Coal Valley State Bank, starting in 1971 when it was just a trailer in the corn fields. He worked for the bank for 17 years until it was sold. He then worked as a mail carrier for the Bettendorf Post Office for 16 years, retiring in 2010. After retirement, he enjoyed working part time for Milan Auto Auction. 

He was a member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Coal Valley, was Past-President and served on the board of the Robert R. Jones Library for over 28 years, and had been a member of the Coal Valley Lion’s Club and coached softball for Dad’s Club.

Jim collected 1950’s and 1960’s die cast classic and muscle cars, and memorabilia. He also loved his chow-chow dogs over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Jorja, of Coal Valley; a daughter, Jamie Beert of Salt Lake City, Utah; a son, Jason Beert of Rapid City, South Dakota; grandsons, Logan and Hudson Beert; his mother, Bertha Beert of East Moline, Illinois; a son-in-law, Brad Garrison of Salt Lake City; one nephew; and five nieces including Amy Beert of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who donated a kidney to Jim in 2007. He was preceded in death by his father, and brothers, Ronald and Gerald Beert.

Visit Jim’s personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, and light a free candle in his memory.

Honored for his service to the library.

Forty-seven years of marriage.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Steve Quick and Susan Ogle, and God's Blessings.

 

Happy 50th Anniversary, Steve Quick and Susan Ogle,
and God's Blessings.

Moline Memories

Happy 50th Anniversary, Steve Quick and Susan Ogle,
and God's Blessings.

Garfield Grade School - The Biggest and Best; Coolidge Junior High - Smartest and Coolest! Each One Has a Page on Facebook. Honor the Teachers and Say Hello to Alumni.

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Garfield Grade School  

Went Condo - Sob!

Calvin Coolidge Junior High, Now Alternative High

Coolidge teachers were strict and never hesitated to inflict physical pain on those who were more than five minutes late.

We stayed loyal to the Cubs when cowards crawled cautiously away. The fiercer the fight, the longer the wait, the sweeter the victory.

Rest in Peace - Burdette Ringquist - Calvin Coolidge Teacher and Principal

 

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Rest in Peace - Burdette Ringquist - Calvin Coolidge Teacher and Principal

 Burdette Ringquist, Facebook Page

Burdette L. 'Burt' Ringquist Jul 12, 2019.

Burdette L. “Burt” Ringquist July 20, 1934 - July 10, 2019 LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. —

Burdette L. “Burt” Ringquist, 84, of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., formerly of Moline, well-known Moline educator, died Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in Poet's Walk Assisted Living, Sarasota, Fla. Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, 1201 13th Street, Moline.

Burial is in Riverside Cemetery, Moline. Burt's family will greet friends at a funeral luncheon at the church following the burial. Trimble Funeral Home, Moline, is serving the family.

Burdette Leigh Ringquist was born July 20, 1934, in Moline, to John Wesley and Helen (Anderson) Ringquist.

He married Virginia Daniels on Jan. 31, 1954, in Moline. Burt graduated from Moline High School, Black Hawk College and Augustana College, and received his master's degree from Western Illinois University. He was an educator with the Moline and Quincy School Districts for many years. He retired as Principal of John Deere Middle School in 1996. He was previously an Administrator at Moline Senior High School and Principal at Coolidge Junior High School.

While in Quincy, Ill., he worked as Principal of Quincy Middle School and Quincy High School.

Burt was a member of Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, Moline, where he was actively involved for many years, and he is a current member of Harvest United Methodist Church in Lakewood Ranch. An active civic leader, he was vice president of the Moline Board of Education, president of the Moline School Foundation and Junior Achievement, a board member for Chaddock Home in Quincy, president of the Moline DARE board, and a Stephen Minister.

He was instrumental in developing the Middle School concept in Moline schools, and was a consultant for the National Association of Secondary School Principals for the team concept of teaching. Family was important to him, and he enjoyed reading, traveling and genealogy.

Burt was a sports enthusiast and loved the Boston Red Sox. Burt is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia; four children and spouses, Kirk and Sissy Ringquist, of Nikiski, Alaska, Karen Ringquist, of Schaumburg, Ill., Kent and Pam Ringquist, of Lakewood Ranch, and Kyle Ringquist, of Provincetown, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Kelsie, Logan, Nash, Alexis, Nolan and Cole Ringquist and Matthew Karriem; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Delbert and Bruce Ringquist. Burt's family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.

 Mr. Ringquist, left, was always ready to do something fun with his fellow teachers. His class in civics was epic.

PS - I teach teachers at a university, so the question is often asked, "What was your favorite teacher like?" I had many favorites in the Moline system, from Kindergarten through graduation.

Mr. Ringquist was at the top of the list. He was always smiling, giving away his enjoyment of teaching. We had him for the required civics class at Coolidge, hardly an exciting topic.

The lessons must have stuck. I had to advise friends in 2016 that we were not voting for the president but for the electors who would decide the election.

I remember how he divided the class into rival factions and had us run a campaign, voting for a slate of politicians - us. We had to persuade him that our side was better than the other one. He challenged us to be creative, and we had a great time.

He had a great time, always smiling in class. I doubt whether any other teacher smiled so easily or so often.

Gregory L. Jackson

Toby McGriff

 

Friday, December 16, 2016

Rest in Peace, Toby McGriff. May the Angels Lead You to Paradise

Toby and Stephanie McGriff

Robert A. "Toby" McGriff, 68, of Moline, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at Genesis Medical Center, Silvis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Pius X Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 1st St. A, Moline, with a Christian wake service at 3:30 p.m. Entombment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. A memorial fund has been established.

Toby was born July 27, 1948, in Watervliet, Mich., the son of Robert L. and Ann Lee McGriff. He married Stephanie K. Ybarra on Oct. 25, 1969, in Silvis.

Toby worked as the band director at Grand Ridge Elementary School, Grand Ridge, Ill., and a vice president at the former Ringle Express, Coal Valley. He retired as an admissions and career adviser at Partners in Job Training with Rock Island County.

Toby was a member of the Moline Jaycees, where he served as past president and a state vice president, as well as earning recognition as a United States Jaycee Senator. He was a member of the Bettendorf Park Band, was a former lector at St. Mary's Church, Moline, and a canter and choir member at Sacred Heart Church, Moline. He read for APRIS at WVIK Radio, was an avid Chicago Bears and NASCAR fan and loved his dog, Max.

Survivors include his wife, Stephanie; daughter, Heather Hamilton, Waterloo, Iowa; sister, Beth Ann (Tim) Leaf, Lutz, Fla.; 17 nieces and nephews; and 11 great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by son-in-law, Mike Hamilton; and sisters, Janet Hoag and Joette McGriff.

Condolences may be left at RaffertyFunerals.com.

When we were planning for the MHS 66 50th Reunion, seeing Toby was #1. My wife and I knew he had been in and out of the hospital and living at Rosewood Care. He told us our dog Sassy would be welcome at Rosewood, so that made it especially fun to take her for the visit. 

My wife and I had a long visit with Toby. We went back to 7th grade band at John Deere, as I recall, and MHS Band for another three years. He met my wife Chris when I took her to a concert at Blackhawk Community College. So Toby was a family friend, for 50 years.

Band friendships were a natural. We had an enormous room where people congregated after school. That bandroom was on the way out to the parking lot, so Toby often gave me a ride home, even when I forgot about driving my father's car to school. When I remembered, halfway home, Toby frowned and turned  around his little Corvair. He was great about it, but questioned me closely after that, when I needed a ride. "Are you sure you didn't drive today?"

Doubtless all of us have pleasant memories of Toby, always cheerful, enduring incredible suffering with his health problems, infections, and surgeries. Apart from relating some facts, nothing in his conversation suggested that his life was something other than ordinary. He loved to talk about his family and dog. It was difficult to leave.

 Toby is sitting in front of the tubas.

Liz Copeland and Her Christmas Cat - Clancy.Mary Copeland,

 

Liz Copeland's Christmas Cat - Clancy

Clancy is simply the most photogenic cat around. He clearly loves to wear costumes and to post for his staff.

Liz Copeland, MHS68, is an exceptional photographer. Her mother was a favorite teacher at Garfield Elementary School.