MAR 9, 2026
- Mar 10
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 19
SPECIAL THANKS to Terry Toll, Tom Konieczko, Chelsea Ostrov, and Amber Lacher for sponsoring today's Alumni House luncheon. Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Potato Salad & Chips
were the main course..
Tom Konieczko, Amber Lacher, Chelsea Ostrov, Terry Toll
Joining Us: Terry Toll, Tom Konieczko, Chelsea Ostrov, Amber Lacher,
Marty Defatte, Pam Mano, Mark Mano, Dave Benjamin, Monica DaPra,
Dave Cook, Bill Horvath, Frank D'Acquisto, Rick Jones, Dan Kovara,
Kellie Arson, Cindi Sanchez, Frank D'Acquisto, George Oteman, Bill Dombrowski,
Tom Goebel, John Ketarkus, Lloyd Tremmel, Nick Comande, Joe Macareno,
Tim Mattes, Rick Ropiak
Table Pictures thanks to..........Lloyd Tremmel '60
NEW FACE.............
The Monday gang welcomed newcomer Tim Mattes '61
A SPECIAL DINNER.............Thanks to Monica (LaFleur) DaPra '77
Monica hosted the Angel Boys Basketball team for a pasta dinner at the Alumni House. She also has handled the official game book for boys home basketball games for the past 20 years. Her hubby Greg '77 via the Athletic Assoc. has handled the refreshment center for home girls & boys volleyball, basketball games and wrestling matches for over 25 years as well.
Monica, Pulda & Greg DaPa
From Monica DaPra:
Never was I so grateful to the Old guard (no disrespect), AKA Charlie’s Angels, for the work they put in originally and continue to maintain, at Alumni House.
I had the opportunity to host this year’s boys basketball team for a pre game day pasta dinner as they begin what could be a significant run to state with an 18-4 record. I’d planned a script to share my family’s 4 generation story of Angels but always knew I’d let them take the lead, which they hit from long range!
They walked in slowly, heads turning side to side, to take it all in, oblivious to its presence from across the street. “Wow, this is like a museum.” “ Do you know if any other schools have this? I bet they don’t.” “This was a girls’ school?!” On and on with this exchange. Awestruck. Mind blown. Anything but quiet!
The only time a hush fell over the room was when assistant coach/math teacher Lou Rideaux, led the room in prayer before we ate. A true reverence for this group, this moment and for God for making it possible.
I printed out that the first sport, in the 1920’s , was basketball. My Dad, a 1943 grad, had boxing as an option. Athletics were, and remain, a big part of SCHS history. I questioned if anyone had ever heard of Harvey Knuckles. Nos across the board. So I took out the 77 yearbook and paged to the state championship picture. I told them Harvey’s story , youngest of 17, played at Toledo, NBA tryouts, and a career in Europe til age 50! Can not count how many times I heard “for real?!” One player asked about Jim Chones. The 69 Lance had his team picture and when questioned I told them what I knew, senior transfer, one year at Marquette under Al McGuire, NBA and broadcaster, daughter played for Marquette as well. More disbelief expressed that these guys came before them. Same gym which they were impressed to learn just who John McGuire and Bob Letsch were and why their names were honored in the "Pit".
While they enjoyed the meal, I believe the history so eloquently displayed, reminded them they are now a part of it, and that took center stage. Future students will be looking at them in the Lance and showing appreciation, reverence for their accomplishments, many of these boys were members of 2024 state football champions.
My initial thought was to “carb” them up for the regional semifinal against conference rival St. Thomas More, but I think they took in so much more. One senior said “Man, I can’t wait to graduate, so I can come back!”
Old guard meet new guard.
Follow the Angels in the WIAA State Basketball Tourney
https://www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Winter/Boys-Basketball/Watch
https://tournaments.wiaawi.org/brackets/Basketball/Boys/2026/2026_Basketball_Boys_
OUT & ABOUT..............
CRIBBAGE.................SEMI CORRECT ???
Table #1: Bill Dombrowski/Frank D'Acquisto 2 - 1, Rick Ropiak/Monica DaPra 1 - 2,
Dombrowski, Ropiak, D' Acquisto, DaPra
Table #2: Canadian Cribbage.............
Mark Mano/Rick Jones 9 - 4, Lloyd Tremmel/Joe Macareno 1 - 9
Tremmel, Mano, Macareno, Jones
Point to Ponder..............
AMEN...........
Trip Down Memory Lane............The Good Old Days
Red Barn / The Farm Restaurant Racine
After the Farm version of the restaurant was sold the next businesses have struggled on the Barn shaped restaurant location . . Not sure there is any future success coming there.
The Red Barn located on Durnad Ave across from the old Glodblatts Strip Mall, was built in 1969 by Gene and Carol Spolar. Gene & Carol sent their 2 boys to SCHS - Tony '81,Tim & Tobin '88. Gene was an asst baseball coach for the Angels. He was an avid Chicago/St Louis/Arizona Cradinals football fan. Labeled as the longest Cardinal football season ticket holder for the franchise. https://www.draeger-langendorf.com/obituaries/gene-skin-albert-spolar/Known The Barn was known for its distinctive red barn-shaped building, it was part of a chain founded in 1961 that had nearly 400 locations at its peak. In 1983, after the franchise folded, the Racine location was rebranded by the owners as "The Farm". I believe the Red Barn concept was fresh, not frozen. Beef prepared daily.
Key Details of the Racine Location:
Location: The building was known for its unique barn-shaped architecture.
Transition: In 1983, the owners left the franchise to create "The Farm".
Menu: The location was famous for its burgers (Big Barney, Barnbuster), fried chicken, and frozen custard.
The Red Barn restaurant chain folded in the 1980s due to intense competition from McDonald's and Burger King, coupled with poor management and corporate neglect after being acquired by City Investing Company. The new owners, interested in real estate, stopped marketing, leading to a 1986 bankruptcy.
LAUGH FOR THE DAY...............
I went to get a haircut the other day, and the barber kept asking me the same question over and over.
As he’s cutting my hair, he says, “So, how’s your mother-in-law doing?”
I shrugged and said, “She’s fine.”
Five minutes later, he asks again, “So, how’s your mother-in-law?”
Now I’m getting annoyed, but I answer, “I told you, she’s fine.”
A few minutes after that, he asks yet again, “So, how is your mother-in-law doing?”
I finally snap: “Dude, I already told you twice—she’s fine! Why do you keep asking about my mother-in-law?”
He chuckles and says, “Oh, don’t worry, it’s not because I actually care. Every time I mention your mother-in-law, your hair stands straight up… and it makes it a lot easier for me to cut
Angels Connecting..................
Fr Juan said Mass for the Racine Snowbirds in Naples Florida last Sunday.
Pat Rogan '77 & Chris Gorman '77 assisted Fr Juan -
Remember the alter boys back in the day ???
They had to learn Latin to respond to the priest during Mass.
Over 40 Racinians & Angels in attendance
1st Thursday of the Month - Alumni & Friends meet 9am at DeRango's
on Washington & West Blvd
Class of '76 - Committee is meeting and planning for their 50th Class Reunion next summer. Contact Nick Comande - MTCLIMBR@EXECPC.com
Class of '73 - Luncheon was Tuesday December 9th at the Alumni House. Paul Sklba is coordinating the get-together.
Class of '62 - website: SCHS1962.org - Compliments of John McNamee '62
• Class of '60 -They also meet the last Wednesday of each month at Dynasty restaurant.
- contact Renee (Ricchio) Benjamin for details - rsbenjam@sbcglobal.net
• Class of '59 - meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Castlewood restaurant
- contact Mary (D'Acquisto) Woitach for details - JWOITACH@yahoo.com
• Class of '58 - meets 1st Tuesday of the month at Dynasty restaurant
- contact Karen (Petersen) Verbeten for details - Kverbeten1@wi.rr.com
Purchase your Angels Items online. Click on......
Prayers for families of deceased Alumni - Friends
George Gordon passed away this morning with family at his side. - details forthcoming
IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE ???
Maybe your doctor was honored ???
Remeber when your doctor actually came to your house to check on you ???
Prayers for Alumni & Friends dealing with Health Issues:
Jim Poulsen - is at Aurora not sure what the problem is - Mark Mano reporting
Mary (D'Acquisto) Woitach '59 dealing with lung cancer
Joe Woitach '59 has a growth on his neck - taken biopsies & no report on results.
Bob "Worm" Stanton '55 P slipped on the ice and broke his ankle in 2 places - doing well, back home.
SPECIAL PRAYERS.............
Joe & Mary Woitach, Jim Mascari, Terry Toll, Joe Ingrasci, Dave Schilling, Fr Joe Hornack, Chris & Sue Gorman's grandson Elijah, Walt Strini, Jim Poulsen, John Hansen, Don Heck,
George Gordon, Bob Letsch, Mickey Postorino, Helen (Wilmes) Miller, Mike O'Brien,
Dick Albregts' wife, Rudy Weibel's wife, Marty Defatte's wife Donna,
Bill Halberstadt's wife Judy, Dan Peterson's wife Donna
Important Dates.................................
Tuesday March 17th - St Patrick's Day
Wednesday Aril 1st - April Fools Day
Friday April 3rd - Good Friday
Sunday April 5th - Easter Sunday
BE SAFE - BE HEALTHY - BE POSITIVE
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