Hub memories

Built in 1938, the Hub Ballroom in Edelstein had an unceremonious ending as it burned to the ground Tuesday night, June 23. Its famous dance floor contributed to the complete and final demolition of the structure, according to fire officials. The smooth, but old wooden floor quickly ignited as the fire spread. Over the years thousands danced on the Hub Ballroom floor to the melodic sounds of such bands as Ralph Flanagan, Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk, Duke Ellington, Billy May, Ray Anthony, Stan Kenton, Tommy Dorsey and so many others.

It was an entertainment center for more than bands. There were singers, lots of famous and near famous stars. There were the Four Lads, the Crew Cuts, the Four Freshmen, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty and many more. I was a D.J. at WPEO when it was a rock station. Owned by the Dandy Corporation, WPEO brought Twitty to town early in his career for a big dance at the Hub. It was packed, as it usually was. To give you an idea how early it was in his career, Twitty could only afford to stay at the Rocket Motel on Galena Road. “Of course, Harold Jenkins, who became Conway Twitty, went on to have more #1 recordings than anyone,” says Royce Elliott. Royce opened for Twitty many times.

A lot of local bands and entertainers appeared at the Hub. There were local bands like Tiny Hill, Bill Hardesty and Chuck Foster (Music in the Foster Fashion). How many readers remember a duo called the “Pistachio Nuts?” The two talents sang, danced and told jokes on New Year’s Eve for about six straight years before huge crowds. Who were they? Mike Dentino and Bill Rexford. “We were a local Martin and Lewis,” Dentino told me. “We started with seven boys at the Dentino School of Dance,” he recalled. “We were the Rhythm Boys.” Later, when Rexford got out of the service, the two decided to team
up as the Pistachio Nuts. “We traveled all over Illinois and Iowa doing shows and prom dances. I was Lewis and Bill was Martin,” Mike said. Bert Potter, founder of the Hub, hired the “Nuts” to do shows on New Year’s Eve. “The place had shoulder to shoulder people. For our encore performance, we did a tap dance while sitting down,” he said. No doubt, it brought the house down.

BEL-WOOD: LOCATION,

LOCATION, LOCATION

It’s been said for years that the three keys to retail success are location, location and location. I wonder. Do those three keys apply to plans for a new county nursing home?

Peoria County Board members recently voted overwhelmingly to build a new facility rather than try to renovate the existing one. I predicted such. Predicting where it will be constructed is another matter.

Only two board members opposed new construction; Pat Hidden and the usual naysayer, Merle Widmer. Hidden had attempted to defer action on the vote with a second from Widmer. I’m told Hidden has been behind a petition drive to keep Bel-Wood in her district. Apparently, she thinks Bel-Wood helps employment there. The petition drive, so far, has fizzled, as did her motion for deferment. The next task the board will address is location. There are advantages to building at the existing site and there are disadvantages. The land is free and it’s near other county facilities for sharing services. The disadvantages include lack of regular bus service and the distance from hospitals and other medical offices.

It appears most board members would like to see the new county nursing home to be more centrally located. Locations mentioned in early discussions include land near Zeller Zone Center and land owned by District 150 next to Sterling School. The major consideration in the selection process should be the safety and security of residents and their families as well as Bel-Wood employees. Given the crime history around Sterling School, including Newman Golf Course across the street, I would eliminate that location. Good luck County Board!

WILL MARTHA ROSS

GET ELECTED THIS TIME?

It’s time for the District 150 board to elect Martha Ross to replace Dr. David Gorenz. She should’ve been elected last year, but Gorenz apparently insisted on keeping his job. Like most boards, this one is sharply divided. Some support Ross and some don’t. The anti-Ross members, and I could name them, are lining up behind Debbie Wolfmeyer. Unless Wolfmeyer acknowledges the fairness of electing Ross, she will face off in what will be a close vote in July. It appears the key vote will come from newly elected Laura Petelle. Nothing like walking into a fire during the first month on the job. There are many reasons to support Ross. She has no administrative baggage. Many believe she has an open and objective mind. She has the experience and she will treat everyone with dignity and respect. I don’t think she has an arrogant, know-it-all bone in her body. Recently, county and city elected officials stated District 150 was struggling and I felt they were reaching out in support. Unfortunately, some board members were offended and lashed out at Mayor Jim Ardis. New leadership is badly needed.

STEVE MORRIS IS IN….

FORMER PEORIA

JOURNAL EDITORIALIST IS OUT

Peoria attorney Steve Morris has been appointed by the Peoria County board to replace banking official Tim Riggenbach.On the County Board for the past six years as representative from District 10, Tim won election to the City Council. Reportedly, six people were interviewd for Riggenbach’s job. Among them was former PJS editorialist Shelley Epstein. Known for his liberal views, Epstein left newspaper employment and later wound up as an apparent spokesman for a company that occasionally was an editorial target, Ameren CILCO. That job didn’t last very long and Epstein then found a position with Bradley University, again as an apparent spokesman. Rumor has it he claimed to be a Republican and had a strong interest in replacing Riggenbach. While Riggenbach is a strong Republican, that’s not so for Epstein. Hardly. Epstein did pull a Republican ballot on a couple of occasions in his life-time say election insiders. as a life-long Republican, I never once saw Shelley at a party meeting.

As mentioned, six persons were interviewed to take Riggenbach’s place on the board. New board chairman Tom O’Neill handled the interviews with fairness and objectivity according to my sources. I’m told, in the end, the choice was between Morris and former deputy sheriff Ed Meister. While I don’t know Morris, I can tell you Ed is one of the nicest guys you would ever meet. Also in the running was attorney Bob Gates. The final choice was Morris and I wish him the best.

RIGGENBACH SETTLES

INTO HIS COUNCIL SEAT

With his replacement selected and installed, Tim Riggenbach is now focused on his new responsibilities as a city councilman. “It’s been interesting,” he said. “Everybody knows who you are when you become a city council member. That isn’t true when you’re on the county board.” As a result, Tim stated he now gets a lot of phone calls. “Most are from people with legitimate issues.”

NEWS NOTES

Among those praising new board chairman, Tom O’Neill, is former chairman Bill Prather. Prather, who’s the vice chairman, had kind words for his successor. “He handled committee assignments fairly and I like the way he approached the selection of Tim Riggenbach’s replacement.” A personable guy, O’Neill has been accused of being too partisan in the past.

I wish Bill Prather the best. He’s been struggling for years with some health issues and tells me he will be returning to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for evaluation.

The annual JDRF Walk in September in Glen Oak Park will be headed this year by Rocky Vonachen as chairman and his father, Pete, as honorary chairman. the event raises thousands to support research for a cure for juvenile diabetes. Our nine year old grandson has diabetes as does Pete and our friend, Royce Elliott.

Welcome to Ben Rosenthal as the new general manager of Independence Media, owners of several Peoria radio stations. Ben comes to town from Wisconsin where he was a big Green Bay Packers fan.

HAVING FUN

Royce and Roger and friends aren’t on the radio anymore with the demise of WOAM, but we’re still having fun. Royce Elliott and his faithful companion, yours truly, along with one of our frequent morning guests, Mike Dentino, entertained at the Peoria Journal’s Prime Time Saturday event at the Civic Center, June 13. We did shows at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Some of the attendees were regular listeners to “Breakfast with Royce and Roger.” We thank them for all the compliments. Believe it or not, one woman tearfully, yes, tearfully, told me how much she missed our morning humor and positive attitudes about life and America. She said, “I don’t listen to the radio anymore.”I offered her some Prozac but she declined and we both laughed. She almost had me tearing. Both Royce and Mike were outstanding.The emcee could’ve been better.

JONATHAN WINTERS

SOON TO RELEASE

NEW COMEDY CD

Another frequent guest on our morning show was one of America’s funniest comedians, ever, Jonathan Winters. He informs me he is busy producing a new comedy CD that will soon be released. He’s playing the part of several different people in a variety of jobs. In the past he’s used such names on me as Leland Buckhorn and Wayne Offendecker.

HAPPY JULY 4TH

Every 4th of July for the past six years we celebrated July 4th with patriots and patriotic music. It became a popular tradition on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger.” Our guests included veterans like former Peorian Bob Michel who was a foot soldier in Germany and former Mayor Bob Lehnhausen who flew B-17’s and B-24’s over Europe and Dick Reynolds, a Navy man in the South Pacific, who was a prisoner of the Japanese. Karl Schmidt told of his near death experiences in World War II. There were others who told their dramatic stories. The programs always ended with expressions and descriptions of their love and affection for our country. On this July 4th, I salute them and other men and women who have served and are serving in our military with the words of Daniel Webster.

“I shall know but one country.

The ends I aim shall be

my country’s, my God’s and Truth’s.”

I WAS BORN AN AMERICAN;

I LIVE AN AMERICAN;

I SHALL DIE AN AMERICAN.”