Western Springs was a wonderful place to live and raise children. It was so nice being known as one walked into the drug store, the clothing store, Pretty Penny, and other stores. I remember one day Warren told me of an outfit in the window at Pretty Penny so I went and bought it and it was always a favorite. Anne worked at the jewelry store called Kings, and she also worked at the bakery, called Kershbaums – their Swedish flop was a favorite. Judy worked at the cleaners for awhile. Bill and Pete had a paper route for years. Bill then got a summer job with the Santa Fe Railroad through Mike Adams. Western Springs had a wonderful down town area with the train running right through it. At Christmas we would take the children to Marshal Fields to see the tree and Santa. Warren and I would go in to Orchestra Hall to hear special concerts.

When Bill started McClure Junior High we went to orientation and as Cathy and her parents entered the room I said, “You know who the cutest girl in this school is? She just walked in the door.” He didn’t date her until his senior year in High School; and it’s nice to know he listened to his mom! At the end of our time in Western Springs, 15 years, Bill was at Millikin University, Judy was at Carrol, Anne was a junior in High School, Pete was in seventh grade and Sue in third. It was decision time between Sheboygan, Wisconsin, or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.