Sad farewell to two unique favorites

Jumer's Castle Lodge in the 1970s
Jumer’s Castle Lodge in the 1970s. Photo by Roger Wollstadt.

Vonachen's
Vonachen’s Junction in the 1950s from Peoria, Illinois Revisited in Vintage Postcards courtesy of Arcadia Publishing.

Just days before the closing of New York City’s famed Tavern on the Green, December 2009 also brought sad news about two landmark Peoria restaurants. Jumer’s, located just a few blocks west of campus, closed on December 21. Opened in 1970 by Jim Jumer, the hotel/restaurant was known for its Bavarian decor and towering black bear, but might have been most famous for the scrumptious cinnamon rolls.

French fries for a quarter?

Take look back at an old Vonachens Junction menu. Go >

Since 1956, alumni have also had fond memories of meeting and eating at Vonachen’s — either in the dining room or in one of the train cars. The restaurant at the intersection of Knoxville Avenue and Prospect Road was opened by PETE VONACHEN ’49, and became VOP’s (Vonachen’s Old Place) in 1979. The last meal was served in 2008, and the building was demolished on December 3, 2009. The two train cars have been donated to Wheels O’ Time Museum in Peoria. Read an earlier story about the museum at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/wheelsoftime05.

Fortunately, there are many other good eateries in the area, but these two legendary restaurants were truly unique. They will be missed.

Racing for a cure

Thank you for the Cancer Warriors feature in the Winter 2010 edition of Bradley Hilltopics. My involvement with Susan G. Komen for the Cure began in 1984, while I was a student-athlete at Bradley (cross country and track). At that time, I never imagined the reach and impact that Komen would have on so many lives, including my own.

Linda Washkuhn, Suzy Komen’s best friend, returned from the first Race for the Cure in Dallas in 1983 and sought assistance to create a similar event in Peoria, Suzy’s hometown. Together with other members of the Illinois Valley Striders, we designed a course, planned the logistics, promoted, and managed the first Komen Peoria Race for the Cure in 1986. I have served as the race director for the past 20 years.

Online

Visit bradley.edu/
jointeambradley

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is now the global leader of the breast cancer movement, investing more than $1.5 billion since 1982. We have more than 125 Affiliates and Komen Race for the Cure events in the U.S. and internationally. Please join President Joanne Glasser, honorary chairwoman, and Team Bradley at the 25th Komen Peoria Race for the Cure on Saturday, May 8. Otherwise, please join or create a Team Bradley at the Race for the Cure in your city.

PHILIP LOCKWOOD ’85
President, Komen Peoria Memorial Affiliate
Morton, Ill.

Dr. Brewer’s legacy

I am the granddaughter of DR. JOHN I. BREWER ’25 HON ’76, whom you featured in the InMemory section of your latest issue of Bradley Hilltopics. My sister found the article and passed it around to the family. The article reminded us all of what a dear man he was and how passionate he was about medicine. We were all surprised with the basketball photo! We knew he played basketball at Bradley, but we had never seen a photo before. Thank you.

PAM BREWER
Boise, Idaho

Thanks to ABBY WILSON ’10 for her article on my grandfather. What a treat to see his memory is still alive, and to be reminded of the things he did. He was a great guy and often told me stories of his days at Bradley. He sure made the most of his life and Bradley was a huge part of what made him what he was. Thanks so much!

JOHN H. BREWER
Los Angeles, Calif.

Former BU president’s words

The last Hilltopics was a beauty with a number of interesting articles. You and your staff are to be commended for your creative talents.

DR. MARTIN “JERRY” ABEGG ’47 HON ’93
Dallas, Texas