Raleigh in front of School District #11’s Main Office

A ride in a general way toward the world famous 7th street/1550E took me around and through the parking lots and driveways of my former place of employment.  Many changes have occurred since my retirement, including this sign in front of the new main office/bus barn of the school district.

Sometimes ‘Cornjerker’ is regarded as one of the more unusual of school nicknames, the sign includes ‘Jerky’ — the school mascot.  You can read how the name Cornjerkers came about here.

Among the more recently famous Cornjerkers is a former Ohio State University head basketball coach. I had the privilege of knowing both he, and his father, who was a long time coach and Athletic Director for the district.

Several school consolidations have taken place as the building facade indicates

Jerky is up there to welcome everyone

(Incidentally, the [oo] of Hoopeston is pronounced as in Hook, or Look, or Shook)

Non-Cycling Anecdote:

Visible in the photo is the chimney for the boilers — on the side of it is a TV tower.  One night many years ago a group of young men decided it would be a good idea to climb the tower and stand on top of the chimney.  One of the adventurous group either climbed or fell into the chimney.  He fell several feet down, and out of reach, until he encountered a ledge like structure.  His compatriots went to a teachers house nearby to get a rope to pull him out, but said teacher (not me!) thought the Fire Department would be a far better idea.  The rescue was successful.  The school Administration put the quietus on any news coverage of this event at all — and needless to say, the lower part of the tower made inaccessible to further climbing!