BILL GRAY with CLASSIC AUNT HAZEL

4th of July at the Catteaus was always a fun day. Food, family, pinochle, swimming pool and an electric piano solo or two in the garage. Something for everyone. But the memory that always makes me smile: sitting at one of the card tables in the driveway, playing pinochle with dad and the uncles, it's fairly late in the day, the sun is going down - it was a beautiful end to a wonderful get together. That's when Aunt Hazel came marching through the garage and down the driveway farting with every step she took. "Oops, I have the poopies" was her only comment as she made her way to the lawn in an effort to spread her joy to one and all. I still use that phrase today to explain an unusual aroma, now and then.

DEBBIE GRAY on GROWING UP with AUNT LOUISE and UNCLE BONI

Since the Bonikowski’s lived 2 blocks away, it was my home away from home and they were like my 2^nd set of parents.  That was great most of the time.  I’d walk or bike over there about every weekend.  I’d have unlimited cokes, Uncle Boni’s popcorn and all the sports I could watch on tv.  We’d sit in the living room and yell at the tv (me and Aunt Louise, anyway).  Uncle Boni would be the voice of reason and tell it like it was “no, he did too travel!”

Often, the 3 of us would walk down to the Bridge Villa where we would belly up to the bar and listen to the Cubs/Cardinals on the radio and yell at it (me and Aunt Louise, anyway).  There, I got all the kiddie cocktails or sodas I could drink.  Was also given lots of dimes to play the bowling machine and Aunt Louise and Uncle Boni would often play along.  Many quarters were handed over so I could play the jukebox. 3 songs for that quarter.

The other exciting thing was getting to go to the Bradley basketball games.  They had season tickets as did Joann Ehmann.  Aunt Louise and Joann sat together 6 rows behind the visitors bench.  There, they would yell like crazy the entire game.  Occasionally, somebody would look over and Aunt Louise would give them a little smile.  I took that to mean we were excused.  Uncle Boni sat across the fieldhouse in the theater seats or what I called the old folks section.  They just watched and clapped, that was about it.  When one of them couldn’t go to a game and my brother Bill had finally gone off to college, I got the extra ticket.  Those were the best times, especially when I got to sit in Aunt Louise's or Joann’s seat where I could jump up and yell all night.  Uncle Boni would always chuckle about the times I used his ticket because the people around him never failed to mention to him how his niece sure liked to yell.

Also went to church with them every Sunday.  Because I had no choice.  However, at some point we started going out to breakfast at Jumer’s after Mass, so that made it all worthwhile. Those killer cinnamon rolls to look forward to.

The one thing I’ve always appreciated about going over there all the time is it’s where I really learned to enjoy reading.  Uncle Boni had a subscription to Sports Illustrated and I got to read it from beginning to end and we would talk about the stories.  I always credit him with getting me pointed down the reading path.  He gave me my first subscription to Sports Illustrated and later on a crossword dictionary.  On the first page he wrote "use it and gain knowledge."  I still have it. 

To this day, mom and I, when we’re sitting around belching out loud, we’ll look at each other and say “excuse me, pigs, I’m a gentleman” one of his favorite sayings!
There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.

Lastly, as I said, having them nearby was mostly a great thing.  However, I do remember one time when it would have been preferable if they hadn't been.  I was not allowed to ride my bike on Madison Street.  Too busy my mom said.  So I did ride on Madison as much as possible.  One time I was riding on Madison with a friend riding on the handlebars.  I lost control, we both went flying and a car coming down the street had to slam on the brakes to keep from hitting us.  That was really bad luck for me since it turned out to be Aunt Louise and Uncle Boni.  They both came flying out of the car and read me the riot act for what seemed like forever.  Then, they made me WALK, not ride, my bike all the way home as they followed behind in the car.  And, of course, once I got home, I got yelled at even more.  I’ll never forget that day.

GARY BONIKOWSKI on UNCLE NELSON, UNCLE BILL & Garage Door Opener Installation

Installing a garage door opener with the uncles.
Uncle Nelson bought a new garage door opener. Somehow, I was recruited to help install it. Don't remember why I was chosen. Uncle Nelson and Uncle Bill were my "helpers". In my usual methodical way (some would say anal, but we will ignore them) I am following the step by step instructions. Meanwhile, my "helpers" are pulling pieces out of the box and saying: "Gary, where does this piece go." I am on step 24 and that piece is for step 87. "Please, just put it back in the box." I reach the point where the rail and trolley are assembled and attached to the door, and the motor unit attached. The motor unit is resting on top of a stepladder, per instructions, in preparation to be hung from the ceiling. At that point, for reasons unknown, Uncle Nelson went outside and flung open the door, which smashed the motor unit onto the concrete floor. There was no visible sign of damage and nothing rattled, so I figured that I might as well complete the installation. Which I did, and naturally it did not work. "Hey Gary, are you sure you wired it right?" My patience with my "helpers" was wearing a bit thin by this point. I removed the motor unit. Uncle Nelson and Uncle Bill returned it to the store and told them it was defective. (If you had been smashed into a concrete floor, you would be defective too.) No one could ever look more innocent than Uncle Bill. The store gave them a new motor unit, it was installed (I believe that I was safely back in Chicago by then) and worked fine. Working with our uncles was always an adventure.

CONNIE HIGGINS on SCOTT GRABINGER'S post

Aunt Elda's patience with us kids was amazing. Thanks for posting this as it brought back some pretty good memories. Come to the family reunion this summer and I am sure Aunt Elda can give you a few tips to refresh your "memory" on pinochle! 

CONNIE HIGGINS on DEB SPENCER GRAY'S post on NINA'S 7UP SALAD

I for one am hoping that 7UP Salad is in the recipe book! I love that stuff.

SHIRLEY KELLERSTRASS on SUMMER ACTIVITY

My kids spent their mornings and evenings in the summer across the street on the school playground. The Park District had all kinds of games, ladies reading stories, basketball and tetherball, craft painting, and all kinds of things to keep the kids entertained. It was a wonderful program that kept the kids off the streets. I wish there was something like that for kids today. The rule was just as soon as the street lights come on you had better be home. 
El and Troy were a big part of my kid’s lives.

SHIRLEY KELLERSTRASS with another funny CHRISTMAS EVE story

Then there was the Christmas Eve when all the family was partying at our house and El came up and told me if I didn’t turn on some heat that everybody was going to go home. I was running around like crazy playing hostess and had not noticed there was no heat. Someone had evidently sat in the chair under the thermostat and turned it off by accident. Somewhere, floating around is a picture of everyone sitting around on their hands trying to keep them warm. Shirley Kellerstrass 

SHIRLEY KELLERSTRASS with a funny ANNE story from a CHRISTMAS EVE

One story I remember most was a certain Christmas Eve visit from Anne. The kids were all in bed, and I was waiting until they fell asleep so I could pick up the kid’s Christmas presents from El’s and Troy’s house. Besides being exhausted, I’ve always been a sleepy head and could not wait for them to get to sleep. But Anne had this long band of sleigh bells and just as the kids were about to doze off, she would shake them and yell excitedly “Did you hear that? I think I hear him, I think I hear him!!”.   I could have killed her! 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT DONNA

Aunt Donna was an amazing person. She made friends wherever she went. Once you were her friend, it was for life. She traveled to many different states as well as several different countries. She was genuinely interested in what was going on in our lives and just knowing who we were as people. She visited us when we lived out of state, she visited us when we lived local. She took us to see the Cubbies. She was the family errand girl. If someone needed something from the store she was off. Shirley cooked... Donna ran to the store! It worked perfectly. I miss her dearly! 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT SHIRLEY

Shirley (Mom) The strongest woman I know. She has always set the bar of someone to aspire to be. She had six children, raised six children, went to work, started at the bottom and worked her way up. She always provided what she could for us and I can’t really remember lacking for anything. She survived breast cancer, had chemo and never missed a full days’ work. Her door is always open when anyone comes to visit and she has taken in more than one of her siblings when they needed to recuperate. She has won many local awards (including the 25 Women in Leadership and the JC Penny Golden Rule Award) for the volunteer work she does in the community. She still volunteers at a Food Pantry every Monday morning. She has and continues to make the most of her life. 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT MACK & UNCLE BUD

Aunt Virginia (Macky) and Uncle Bud loved to dance. When I think of them, I always think of them talking about dancing out at the old Hub Ballroom. We went to their farm a few times and loved running around out there. I remember the pool they had was metal and I think it was supposed to be what the cows drank out of. We loved swimming in it. I know that we loved swimming and really didn’t care what form the pool came in. Terry always had pigs. That was the closest I ever came to being around farm animals. (I can live with that) Anyway, Uncle Bud and I always talked about Unions and how they made our country strong. 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT ELDA & UNCLE NELSON

Aunt Elda is always humming and listening to music. She has always seemed so happy go lucky. I know when she sends me a card for my birthday and Christmas, she has spent a lot of thoughtful time picking them out. I love that about her. She has always been close to her kids and I really think Sandy was her “kindred spirit.”  She loves the Cubbies and the Bears and is a walking encyclopedia on both. I love to talk politics with her because she and I have the same political brain! Uncle Nelson was always pretty quiet and very kind to me. They threw some pretty good parties at their house, too! Remember the time they had everyone over and Uncle Troy and Uncle Boni were sitting on the swing out in the yard and it broke? 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT NINA & UNCLE BILL

Aunt Nina and Uncle Bill’s house was always fun to go to. They offered me opportunities that I would not have necessarily had. I went to the movies far more than I would have if not for them. Debbie would call and she and Uncle Bill would come get me. He would take us to wherever we needed to go. It was usually the movies or Emo’s. Aunt Nina always had pink hair tape in her hair. Uncle Bill was always sitting at the kitchen table smoking his Tareytons. He was such a quiet man in one way but you could always sit down and have a conversation with him. Aunt Nina always had the cleanest house. She was always dusting and running the vacuum. I had the opportunity to visit Aunt Nina and Debbie in Texas last year and I can tell you she is still dusting. I saw her humming and dusting. It brought back many, many fond memories. 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT HAZEL & UNCLE GENE

Aunt Hazel and Uncle Geno let us swim at their house when we were in our teens. They also hosted some really great family 4th of July parties. The card sharks were in the garage and the rest of us in the pooI. The food was plentiful and always delicious. I always loved the way Aunt Hazel changed her hair color. I have never met anyone else who did that. I remember her with brunette, blond and red hair. What fun! Uncle Geno was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. As Aunt Hazel and Uncle Geno got older we had some great Organized Labor and political discussions. 

CONNIE HIGGINS on UNCLE NICK & AUNT MARY

Uncle Nick and Aunt Mary would sweep into town and everybody loved to see them. Mom would make homemade macaroni (enough for 60) and everybody would come over. Aunt Mary and I had some great talks out back of Aunt Ella’s house smoking. She was funny and I loved the ring she always wore that had the spinning circles. I had never seen one like it and thought it was so cool. Uncle Nick was a real sweetheart that always took interest in what was happening in your family life. He was the best hugger ever! It was like he was making up for living so far away and he wanted that hug to last for a good long time! 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT LOUISE & UNCLE BONI

Aunt Louise and Uncle Boni were so much fun! Aunt Louise was always singing and dancing around. Uncle Boni was always playing with one of the kids. They always stopped by Shirley's house on Sunday mornings after church. Uncle Boni always had one of the babies on his lap and they were playing with one of the cigars in his pocket. It would be fair to say a lot of them cut their teeth on those cigars. He was always pretending like he pulled a quarter out of their ears, and then he gave it to them. They loved him.  Aunt Louise and Uncle Boni both loved to play pinochle and just plain were fun to be around. 

CONNIE HIGGINS on UNCLE JOE & AUNT ROSALIE

Uncle Joe and Aunt Rosalie had the coolest house ever. I loved to go there for family parties and sit on their porch swing. We have one today on our own front porch! Uncle Joe was always so patient and he loved little kids. He was always so interested in my own girls and what they were up to. You knew he loved you! I remember Aunt Rosalie had a love for reading and I do too! It made me feel sad that as she aged she lost most of her sight. Probably the last time I went to their house she had a lighted magnifier on her kitchen table that helped her read and that made me feel happy for her! 

CONNIE HIGGINS on UNCLE BOSS & AUNT JEAN

The memories that I have of Uncle Boss and Aunt Jean are them coming into family reunions and greeting everyone. Uncle Boss always had Brian at his side and they both greeted you with hugs. I loved Aunt Jean's wonderful smile and how big her laugh was. I don’t remember this but I wanted to add something about how committed they were to PARC. At the time they had Brian, most people with Downs Syndrome were still in institutions. That was not going to happen to Brian. Aunt Jean worked at PARC and Uncle Boss served on the board. Aunt Jean played piano for the PARC chorus (which was very well known) and they both helped to raise funds for the organization. I am proud that they were “movers and shakers” back in the day that helped establish rights for people with disabilities to have the full lives they do today. 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT VERNA & UNCLE SYL

Aunt Verna let us swim at her house whenever we called and asked her. This was a great opportunity for us. I would ride my bike over to her house and spend the afternoon. When I think of her I will always think of her walking. She walked to Ardan's and Spartan's on University almost daily. She would come back with bags of full stuff for all of her kids and grandkids both here and in North Dakota. Uncle Syl was such a nice man and the smile that reached his twinkly eyes could light up the whole room. I remember one year on New Years Day we were all over at Aunt Ella’s house and Uncle Syl had to run home for something. He let us kids ride to his house in the back of his truck. I think the temperature must have been in the teens and we all froze but what fun we had! He was such a talented carpenter and I used to love going in his little workshop out behind his house to see what he was working on! 

CONNIE HIGGINS ON AUNT ELLA & UNCLE TROY

Aunt Ella was the grandma we never had. The Kellerstrass Kids needed someone and she was it. She and Uncle Troy used to come pick us all up in his Cadillac and take us to the Dairy Queen. Aunt Ella would be licking the little kids cones trying to keep up with the drips running down the side. It was a hoot to think they would even allow us in that fancy car and not worry about the spills. Aunt Ella and Uncle Troy were so good to us. When Uncle Troy was home sick with cancer, I took my girls over there to have Aunt Ella watch them for me. I have pictures of Kori sitting in front of Uncle Troy's chair playing. After we went home he told Aunt Ella if she couldn’t watch both those kids, she could tell me “no” the next time I asked them to babysit. Aunt Ella told me he loved every minute of playing with Kori that day he was just giving her a hard time! One of the things I value in my life was the time I got to spend with Aunt Ella as she suffered with Alzheimers disease. When I came in the room her face would light up and I know she always knew who I was; that made me feel so loved. One afternoon Uncle Boss was visiting her and she asked him what his name was. He said “I’m Guido your brother.". She then asked him where he lived and he said, “On Tiezzi Lane in Washington."  She looked right at him and said, “ Oh, I have a brother who lives in Washington!” I love that story. 

CONNIE HIGGINS on AUNT ANNE

Aunt Anne was a very generous person to all of her nieces and nephews. She used to take Cami and I home to Farmington with her on Friday nights when she worked downtown at Johnson’s Men’s Store. We would leave the old bus station in downtown Peoria and we would get off the bus in downtown Farmington, stop at Johnny’s Supermarket, pick up a few things and then walk home. She always took us to Kershes Café for dinner. I loved their hot roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy and I would get to finish the meal with a piece of delicious coconut cream pie. We had a lot of fun staying with her and may wonderful memories! 

DEB SPENCER GRAY (BILL'S WIFE) on NINA'S COOKING

Coming from a family of culinary-challenged cooks, I thought I was in hog heaven going to the Tiezzi family gatherings.  I remember the first time I had Nina’s 7-up Salad one 4^th of July.  It was delicious! (One of the reasons I married Bill!).  She gave the me the recipe, but mine never tasted as good as hers.  She was a wonderful cook and I felt lucky that she shared her recipe “secrets” with me.  I think one of the reasons she was such a great cook was that she constantly tasted everything while it was cooking. By the time a meal was ready to serve, she wasn’t hungry because she had been eating all day!

KAREN BRADBERRY on SPORTS FANS

The Tiezzi aunts and uncles were such sports fans. Nothing came between them and their sports until Father Time finally caught up with the merry band. During baseball season they'd trek to Wrigley Field to cheer on their hapless, but beloved Cubs. This went on for years until finally it seemed that a trip to an emergency room became part of the trips. To cover all bases, we cousins would both cross our fingers and pray as our Moms and Dads hit the road. It became time to settle for radio and tv broadcasts.

Speaking of broadcasts, I remember the day I knew Mom was home, but just couldn't reach her by phone. Becoming extremely worried, I headed for her house. As I came down her street a Cub game could be heard blaring. All was well. That noise meant Mom was enjoying the game, but had forgot to put in her hearing aid. The tv drowned out everything else. 

SCOTT GRABINGER on PINOCHLE

I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned the family game -- pinochle. There were always at least three tables going at any family gathering. When we cousins were young, we wanted to play the game but didn't know how. The elders had no interest in teaching us, except for Elda. I wonder how many of us started learning the game from her. Then we could start playing the game among ourselves but wanted to break in and play with the adults. We vied for the best tables, the one with Syl and Bill or another with Elda, Ella and Shirley. This was the dream. As we grew older, they began to tolerate us, though Gary always had an advantage, he was the best of us. I miss the game, but haven't played in years, I'd probably try to meld four nines. -- Scott 

LYNN CATTEAU HOLLAND on CHRISTMAS at AUNT HAZEL & UNCLE GENE'S

Christmas Day was always a Tiezzi afternoon party at our home. We would have lots of food, music and card playing. Someone would always play the piano as the group sang along. These were fun times with the family.

LYNN CATTEAU HOLLAND on AUNT HAZEL & UNCLE GENE 4th Of July

July 4th was always a family day for us. We set up lots of card tables and long food tables in the garage for all of the Tiezzi's to visit. We always had the pool ready to go for lots of fun in the sun. We all enjoyed the delicious food, card playing and pool activities.