Mildred Helen Schafer Memories from Wanda L (Brink) Gines

One of my earliest recollections is walking across town with my mother
and pushing my baby brother in the wicker baby carriage on our way to
Grandma Schafer's house. (age 4 to 5) wlg

When I was in the first or second grade, Mother gave me a quarter for a hot lunch in the school cafeteria on a particularly cold winter day so I wouldn't have to walk home at noon. At noon I decided to walk to town instead of having lunch. I bought a neat easter basket with my 25 cents. When I got home after school my mom questioned me as to where the basket came from. 
Being very proud of my accomplishment, I told her what I had done. I learned in a hurry that money given to me was to be spent for its intended purpose only. Mom walked all the way up town with me and made me return the basket, apologize and ask for my money back. Of course, the money then had to be given mom. A hard lesson was well learned. wlg

Mother shared memories of living in Chester, Illinois during her childhood. Historic Chester was established in 1819, a "River City", and is the site of Evergreen Cemetery with 1st Gov. Shadrach Bond and Elias Kent Kane Monuments, the Chester bridge crossing the Mississippi, Menard Prison, & the Chester Riverfront.

Mary's River Covered Bridge built in 1854 has a 90-foot span and is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the U.S. Randolph County Museum & Archives built in 1864 is a repository for French-Colonial era records and special exhibits. Next door the Randolph County Courthouse offers a panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley from glassed-in observation deck.

Popeye Statue Monument to Elzie Segar, Chester native and creator of the "Popeye the Sailor Man," stands near Chester Bridge. Spinach Can collectibles next to the downtown minipark displays many Popeye collectibles & souvenirs. I find this particularly interesting as "Popeye" was very popular when my son Ron was a child. I remember when we went grocery shopping, he would always go find a can of Popeye Spinach. wlg