Originally Posted by
Gene East
The Lake X Dave is referring to is better known as Twin Oaks Boat Club in Quincy,IL
Like Lake DePue, the "upper bay'' where Twin Oaks is located is a well protected area off a major river. Twin Oaks, Mississippi River, Lake DePue, Illinois River.
Lake DePue is somewhat larger than the Twin Oaks area, but they both are subject to enviromental issues.
In fact Twin Oaks cancelled their 2011 race due to low water and had it not been for the rains from the remnants of the hurricane a few weeks ago, this year's race may have been scrubbed as well.
Many hours were spent testing and developing ideas for Quincy-Mercs and Merc-Quincys at Twin Oaks.
We were there at least once a week from spring thaw to freeze up (except during duck season) and guess who got stuck in the cold water, thank God for wet suits! By the way, at one time that water was 8-10 deep.
When we weren't working on the waters in front of Twin Oaks, we were often playing there. I saw my first barefoot water skier there.
His name is Jerry Simison!
Ask Butch Leavendusky about playing pool with a Quincy "hustler"!
There are so many boat racing greats who walked on the sidewalk Dave mentioned that there would not be room on this post to list them all. I consider every one of them a friend!
BTW: Dave, you did not need to walk on the grass. You are more than qualified to walk on the sidewalk.
The building is now an HVAC shop and the square footage is nearly tripled. I received permission to visit the "old shop" a while back.
The new owner and I gave each other guided tours. Mrs. Keck, the owner seemed very interested in the long and colorful history her building once played in the sport of boat racing.
Dave, when you left 5th and State I hope you turned right onto 4th street and saw the convention center. If so, you had to notice a 3 block area had been cleared with the exception of a sparkling clean white 2 story neighborhood grocery store and deli.
Winking's Market was spared the bulldozer of progress in deference to it's history as Quincy's last remaining neighborhood grocery store and to public pressure to preserve the store's heritage. The store is still owned and operated by the Winking family.
Those of us who worked at Q.W. often ate lunch at Winking's. In fact I had lunch there a couple of months ago. An old fashion meatloaf sandwich, a pint of milk and a piece of pie cost me $3.00.
Not everything good about the neighborhood is gone. Thank God some things never change!
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