Honoring Gold
Star Members
Am. Leg. Aux. 80

These very special members of the Auxiliary have lost a father, son, husband or brother during war time service or whose death was the result of a service connected injury or disease incurred during the eligibility dates of the American Legion .

In 2000, our unit has four Gold Star Members from World War II. These are sisters living out of state.

Each year a book is given in their honor to this library. We are pleased to give $100 to personalize a brick in the Garden Walk for them.

ROBERT A.
AREHART
1956-1990

This brick is to help commemorate the brief life of our son, “Bob.”

Bob often visited the Library as a student. Later, he utilized its resources in his work. Unfortunately Bob was a cancer victim at the age of 33. We can only hope that those who view “his” brick, will discern his short time with us, and endeavor to discover the reason.

For those who might reference this page; we ask that you please visit your Doctor for regular check-ups. In this way, perhaps some day, we may help defeat the disease that took him from all of us.

Love and very much missed,

Robert W. and Daisy Arehart



11 July 1999

We chose to have a brick inscribed in honor of Jean and Glenn Bahler to thank them for their sponsorship for our wedding, which occured on September 9, 1998. Jean and Glenn Bahler have lived in Downers Grove since 1965 and are faithful patrons of the library. We felt that this was a gift that they can continue to enjoy throughout the year.

Ginger Bahler and Buck Sanders



It has been said, “Don’t do anything once with your child you are not prepared to do a thousand times.” For our son Adam, one of those thousand-timers has been your library. From the time Adam was about 4 yrs old, the library was one of our regular hangouts. We would spend hours there. And there were certain picture books – Thomas the Tank Engine, The Little Engine That Could, the Little Critter series – that he would check out over and over again. He had the words to Wild Thing and Freight Train memorized.

Soon enough the words started to play a greater role in his choice of books. He moved onto cowboys, shipwrecks, and the Goosebumps series. But he still comes to the library.

Adam is 9 now – and the rest of the has exerted its pull upon his interests: sports, Nintendo, even – God help us – professional wrestling. The days when I could use keeping him home from the library as a dire punishment are gone. But books still have a large place in his life.

Once when he was six, we asked Adam why he liked the library so much. He said, “Books are awesome!”

And that’s what’s on his brick.

Jo and Bob Bassi
13 July 1999

ADAM BASSI
“BOOKS ARE
AWESOME!”

My Special Brick

William Herring Bateman was born in Downers Grove, Illinois, March 13, 1915. He was the second son of Bessie and Rupert Bateman, the grandson of Marie and William Herring. He lived in Downers Grove his entire life.

His father owned and operated the Bateman Lumber and Coal Company, which was located at the present site of the Downers Grove Village Hall. The company had previously been started by his uncle, Thomas Potter , as the Potter Lumber and Manufacturing Company. At that time, through the 1930’s, the firm manufactured and sold chicken houses, shipping all over the USA. Later they manufactured sheds for storing fire hose equipment. William (“Bill”), and his brother Rupert, continued the business as President and Treasurer, respectively, after the death of their father in 1946. When coal became obsolete as fuel for home heating, “Coal” was deleted from the name. The Batemans sold the business in 1958.

On August 7, 1937, Bill and I, Vera Kjeldsen, were married. That was the beginning of the happiest days of our lives. God’s richest blessings have been ours. Our four children are William Herring Bateman Jr., Marcus Kelden Bateman, Bryan Joel Bateman, and Andrea Bateman Kinsella. My beloved Bill died July 5, 1995, in Downers Grove. We were blessed with 58 happy years together. I am grateful to know his special brick will be at the Garden Walk of the D.G. library for his grandchildren to see.

Vera K. Bateman

WILLIAM
HERRING
BATEMAN

One of my fondest memories of my children's childhood summers was our weekly visit to the library. The children's room was quickly found my three sons. Child-size shelves, tables, and chairs, and colorful decorations were part of this very special area. Each child could find a fish or a bird with his name, indicating how many books he had read. Some of my sons' favorite books are:

Jim - 29 years old: Harold and the Purple Canyon and Flat Stanley
Todd - 30 years old: Clifford the Big Red Dog and Pablo the Penguin
Geoffrey - 34 years old: Curious George and any book dealing with cars

These visits to the library are truly one of my very special memories of summers past with my children.

Submitted by:
Janice Battaglia
July 5, 1999

After living in Downers Grove for forty years, it seemed mice to have a special brick at the library that our family has used often.

JEROME &
BERNADETTE
BECKER
TERRI DEBBIE
TOM JUDY

TEACHERS OF
BELLE AIRE
SCHOOL 1999

The brick was given to the teachers of Belle Aire School 1999 not only to show our appreciation of them but all teachers who have and will teach there. We also wanted to make it enjoyable for all the students who attend or attended Belle Aire using the library to see a brick on the Garden Walk honoring their school and teachers.

Belle Aire PTA 1999



Thanks to a very special group of young 3^rd and 4^th graders on many fun soccer seasons. It is so much fun to coach with kids like you!

Michael, Grace, Ian C., Johnny, Greg, Jenna, Ian N., Amy, Tory, Hayley, Cily, Jake, Luke

And, of course, Coach Pryzbl!

Coach Binder

The Fred Bong
Family in DG Since 1955

The Bong family - Fred, Maude, Janet, and Charles - lived in Downers Grove from August 1955 until November 1998. Downers Grove was a great place to raise a family. Janet and Charles even married local residents, Haines Lockhart and Robbie Kelly. Janet has two stepchildren, Meegan and Trey Lockhart, and Charles has two sons, Christopher and Peter.

The Bongs were very active residents. Fred was involved in the Masonic Lodge and Toastmasters. Maude was President of the Downers Grove Garden Club, and held other leadership positions as well, and she was very involved in the Woman's Club.

Both helped start the Downers Grove Christian Church and were very active in all church activities. One of Maude's greatest achievements was starting the "Tender Loving Care Preschool" which she owned and operated from 1977 - 1988.

Fred is deceased and Maude finally decided to sell her home after 43 years and move in with her family.The Bong family is very grateful for having lived in such a great community with good schools, a great library and wonderful people.

Anne Bradstreet’s bricks honor a remarkable American pioneer woman poet. She found time to write poetry about God and family and friends in her life from about 1630 to 1670. She would cope well today among the busy women who still find time for creative expression.

I am a descendent of Anne Bradstreet and have always admired her courage and accomplishment.

Lillian D. Culbertson

REMEMBERING
POET
ANNE BRADSTREET
1612 - 1672



Wayne, Yvonne
Cowell Family
1998

Our brick story in Downers Grove began in 1961 when we moved to the village with three small sons. Instilled with a love of reading at an early age, they found weekly trips to the library exciting events. Each armload of books was carried home and placed in our library book box to keep books safe while being read and enjoyed.

The boys have grown and have now blessed us with grandchildren who enjoy reading as well. The Downers Grove Public Library has been a special place for us through the years. We're are happy for the new addition, and are proud of our library's place in this community.

Yvonne and Wayne Cowell.

Jerry Cozzola was a beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. He was also a voracious reader and an elegant writer. Many Christmases ago, he gave someone a dictionary and inscribed in it one of his spur of the moment aphorisms: “Words are the ribbons that tie us together, from day to day and generation to generation.” A simple but wise reminder from someone who treasured communication so deeply, and who enjoyed the wonderful relationships with people of every generation and walk of life.

After he retired from a long career in the Chicago Public Schools, Jerry and his wife Phyllis moved to Downers Grove. They visited the library regularly, and often stopped at the garden walk. They loved to read the inscriptions, enjoy the bronze sculpture, and just watch the world go by.

When Jerry passed away in October of 2002, we wanted a remembrance of him in the garden walk. We think “J.P.”, as we called him, would be pleased, and we hope his love of books will carry on for many generations to come.



We brought our brick to honor our daughter's high school graduation from DGS in 1998. In her words, “The library was a magical place.” Authors like Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, and Patricia C. Wright, among many others, opened the doors to her imagination. She loved the summer reading program and winning movie tickets. While others spent time outside in the summer, Caroline sometimes wanted to stay inside and read. Her memories of the library are lasting and vivid, even including Miss Paula's braids!

As a soon-to-be college sophomore, her early exposure to the old library appears to have a positive effect on her academic pursuits. The new library will provide permanent yet dynamic source of pleasure. We were and are proud of her accomplishments and wanted to honor her in this way. Thanks to the DGPL for providing us with the opportunity.

Linda and Ted Craft
July 11, 1999

THE CRAFTS
TED, LINDA,
& CAROLINE



“I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.”

Jorge Luis Borges

The Dog Eared Book Club was founded in September 2002 and has maintained its initial eight members since its inception. Our book club is grateful to the Downers Grove Library for the preparation that goes into providing our members with the selected books each month and to the library staff for sharing their knowledge and expertise as we continue to make our yearly lists of books to read.

Through our members’ mutual love of reading we have had the opportunity to engage in stimulating conversation; discussing current topics, historical events, and have developed an understanding of the influence of history on literature past and present. We have taken related field trips following book discussions such as visiting Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin after reading Water for Elephants. We are comprised of eight women who came together six years ago as acquaintances, interested in sharing our love for reading, and have since formed valuable friendships; sharing our personal achievements, glories and defeats and forever solidifying who we are in each others’ hearts.

For books are more than books, they are the life
The very heart and core of ages past,
The reason why men lived and worked and died,
The essence and quintessence of their lives.

Boston Athenaeum

IN MEMORY OF
PIERCE DOWNER
THE FAMILY

Who is the “family”?
Harley Phillps born 1903 to John D.
John D. born 1848 to George Dorrance
George Dorrece born 1809 to Pierce Downer, born 1872.

***

Harley Phillips and Margaret Kelly
John Dempster b 1941 - living in Minnesota
Sharon Ann b 1944 - living in Downers Grove
Patricia Ann b 1945 - living in Downers Grove
Michael Orson b 1948 - living in Chicago

John D. and Virginia Pogorely
Daniel Patrick b 1972 - living in Minnesota
Timothy John b 1977 - living in Minnesota

Sharon and Ed Gin
Terry b 1963 d 1990
Christopher b  1967 - living in Chicago

Michael and Holly Badtke
Kathleen b 1966 - living in Naperville
Michael Gregory b 1968 - living in Germany
Kelly b 1970 - living in Wheaton

Michael Gregory and Ilona Wohl
Ashley b 1989 - living in Germany
Whitney b 1991 - living in Germany
Oliver b 1998 - living in Germany

and so...Pierce Downer’s “the family”



Downers Grove High School
55^th Reunion ~ Class of 1948

The Class of 1948 grew up and learned in the then, one and only Downers Grove High School. The class included some 250 students, who were raised during the years of the “Great Depression”. Many shared the highs and lows of maturing during the tumultuous war years of the ‘40s and 50s; we were part of the “Great Generation!” Throughout our lives, we have benefited from the conservative nurturing of those caring teachers at D.G.H.S….even though we probably didn’t realize it at the time! Many attended college, fought in the Korean War and ensuing conflicts, and travelled to the far corners of the earth. Many of us have moved about in corporate life, and have enjoyed rich, full lives, complete with interesting stories, many of which have been recorded autobiographies in a bi-annual Newsletter, “The ’48 Update”. These newsletters have been, and continue to be, a gift that evolved after our 50th eunion, initiated by a dedicated classmate whose generosity of time and energy has been cherished us all!

We’ve raised families; some of us have faced tragic moments, and a few of us still find ourselves in the “sandwich generation”! The years fell away when the 50th reunion was held in 1998, but even more so as we gathered for the 55th reunion. There were 70 classmates, accompanied by 50 spouses or guests, who eagerly shared precious moments during the four-day event held in September of 2003! Among those attending was Miss America of 1948, a fellow classmate. Shortly after the reunion, another classmate was honored at the 2003 Alumni Award of Excellence in October.

When some of visited the “new” library on Curtis Street, the site of the “old” Carnegie Library, the engraved bricks on the Garden Walk were a treat to see! At the closing banquet of the Reunion, there was unanimous approval by the class to create yet another memory of this significant event. The library played an important role in our lives. We would very much like to make a donation, and request that the brick be engraved bearing the title above, to be placed among the others in the path. We hope that many will walk the walkway and reflect on the “good old days”….and times…and the people of the Class of 1948!



A brick has been purchased by Pat Clark and Friends in memory of our daughter. The inscription is:

Linda Kay Batten Doyle
Loved to Teach

This truly was a very thoughtful gift in memory of our Linda. Linda loved teaching as much as life. The seeds of knowledge Linda planted in 29 years of teaching second grade will continue to grow throughout our lives. She made learning a fun experience.

Linda was also an avid gardener, sharing many bulbs, clippings of irises, hostas, peonies, and lilacs with her friends, planting and sharing seeds of love, friendship, and everlasting beauty

Linda was a very special daughter. She was loved and brought so much happiness and life long joy into our family. She never asked more than for our love. Linda made our time together special and happy. Her love she gave to us will always be in our hearts as we remember her beautiful smile. Linda suffers no more, she is at peace, our special angel. Our faith teaches us we will see her again.

Linda Kay Batten Doyle
3/5/52 – 5/5/05



RUTH JOHNSON
SARA & DAVID
DREISER

As residents of Downers Grove since 1959, we brought up our three children here; from 1980 to 1996 and beyond, we had a resident grandchild, Ruth Johnson.

Our son, David Dreiser, with his wife, Nancy Sladek Dreiser, has brought up his 2 children, Sara (11 years old) and David (8 years old) in Downers Grove.

Our memento brick is for our three grandchildren, Sara and David Dreiser and Ruth Johnson.

Our adult children, Elizabeth, Dan, and Richard honored us on our 65th wedding anniversary with a brick in our names.

Richard’s wife, Trish Roussel, and I acknowledged his 48th birthday this year, naming catalog case, paralleling our brick program, on their Lake Geneva, WI library, where Rich has been President of Friends of the Library for several terms.

Lillian and Harry Dreiser

IN MEMORY OF
DOROTHY
DUCAY
~WITH LOVE~
HER CHILDREN

This brick was placed in memory of my mother, Dorothy Ducay, who died on August 3rd, 1997. I was pleased to recognize the special love that her children (my sister Barbara and I), her grandchildren (Scott, Jeremy, and Kristen) and her great grandchild (Tyler) felt for her. Placing the brick at the Downers Grove Library also recognized the special affection my mother had for the library and for books in general. She always used a donation of books as a way to memorialize a special person or event - she made a donation toward books for anniversaries, births and deaths. The book became a “permanent” and shareable memorial - the same way we, her children, hope to make the brick and the garden a permanent and shareable memories to her.

Ever since we moved to Downers Grove in 1991, the Downers Grove Public Library has been an important part of our lives. John and Cindy have always enjoyed checking out the wonderful selection of books and magazines. Their first daughter, Katie, often participated in storytime when she was younger. Now she uses the library’s books for report research. Katie also enjoys reading the Rebecca Caudill books. Their youngest daughter, Becca, just started going to infant storytime. Additionally, Becca enjoys crawling around the Mouse House. In conclusion, we love the library and plan to use it for a long time!

The Edmundson Family



Richard &
Elaine
Ensign

My husband, Richard, and I have lived at six different locations in four towns along the “Q” tracks during our 46 years of marriage. We came to Downers Grove in 1977 after our children were raised and built what we called our “retirement home” - although my husband had not yet retired. We have lived here for nearly 22 years now - longer than any of our other residences.

We have both enjoyed Downers Grove and become more involved in the community than we had in any other town. We often commented on the unique atmosphere and strong religious strengths of those whom we met. Richard died in 1996.

When the offer came to purchase the brick, it seemed fitting opportunity not only to donate to the library, but to record our having lived here and been a part of two decades of its history. Hopefully, in future years someone will note our brick and say, “I remember them.”

Elaine Ensign



FRIDAY NIGHT
LIBRARY DATE
SUE AND DAVE

We both work, (Sue as a teacher and Dave as an attorney), and look forward to meeting at the library on Friday night to get our books for the weekend. We live within walking distance and have done this for more than twenty years at the last three library buildings.


Brick Stories G to M

Brick Stories N to Z


For more information about donating a brick of your own, pick up a brochure in the library or call the Administration Office at (630) 960–1200.