I was reading back through my blog today and realized that I’ve written a lot of negative stuff. I suppose that’s because it’s easier to complain than to commend. Or it could just be a character flaw…. In any case, I just wanted to say a few words about why I still live in Peoria.
My roots in Peoria are deep. My great-great-grandfather, Fred Siefert, came to Peoria right after the Civil War. He and his son owned Siefert & Son Plumbing and Sewer Contracting, and they did work all over, including the Commerce Bank building downtown and Peoria High School. Another great-great-grandfather, Nick Day, owned and operated a restaurant in Peoria’s Union Station. My great-grandfather, Cyrus Summers, was a streetcar conductor in Peoria and later a bus driver after they retired the trolleys. My grandfather, Orville Summers, worked for the Peoria Journal Star, first as a paperboy, and ending up as the national advertising sales manager. My grandmother, Jacqueline Siefert Summers, was a third-grade teacher at Greeley School until she retired in 1975. When I was younger, my dad and I would take bike rides all around the city. We would ride through the east bluff, and he would tell me stories of growing up at the corner of New York and Ravine. Then we would ride downtown and take a ride on the Julia Belle Swain, then get something to eat at Sears (they used to have a little snack shop downstairs).
Suffice it to say, my family has lived and worked and played in Peoria for a good long time. So, one of the things I love about Peoria is its history — not only my family’s history here, but all the great history people like Jerry Klein and Bill Adams try to remind us of. I think a history museum would be wonderful downtown so we could collect a lot of that history and display it — for Peorians and visitors alike. I’m disappointed that some buildings were demolished that should have been preserved (the Palace Theater comes to mind), but I’m thankful for the buildings we do still have, such as the Rock Island Depot and the G.A.R. hall.
Another thing that Peoria really has going for it is its arts community. From community theater to professional productions, there’s a lot of opportunity to see and participate in great plays, musicals, operas, and ballet. I was involved in community theater for a while at Corn Stock and Peoria Players. My wife and I had a lot of fun — she’s a dancer, and I did some tech stuff, like sound effects and sound reinforcement. I even tried acting once, and realized it wasn’t my calling. There are a lot of great bands in the area. I was in one called JammSammich for about five years as the keyboardist. They’re still going strong, as are a lot of other talented musicians in the area.
I love to take my daughters (and soon, my son too!) to the park — Glen Oak Park has really great playground equipment, plus lots of grassy areas for picnics. I have fond memories of church picnics down at Detweiller Park, and playing frisbee golf at Bradley Park. As much as I hate their plans to rip out the Kellar Branch to put in a bike trail, I’m happy with the way the park district has kept up the many Peoria parks and provided great places for families to go.
And, I can’t forget the many festivals and celebrations — the Santa Claus Parade, Fourth of July fireworks, Taste of Peoria, Heart of Illinois Fair, Steamboat Days, and many other parades and festivals.
I could go on, but I think you get the idea. I really do like living in Peoria, even though most of my friends have moved outside the city limits. They think I’m crazy, but I’m staying here. It’s home to me.