Generations share their stories in Waukegan

It's common to think kids need high-tech gadgets and electronic enticements to be entertained.

It may be true for some, but a group of third-graders were captivated Friday afternoon by something far less technical - the spoken word.

The "Welcome to My World. An Afternoon of Stories" was held at Joplin's Java and Ragtime Cafe in Waukegan. Six senior citizens, most in their 80s and one in his 90s, spoke to about 20 students from the Cooke Magnet School in Waukegan. A few of the children shared their stories too.

The first-ever event was staged by Vista Health Systems' Senior Circle Memoir Writing Group. Chris Walsh-Angelos, the coordinator of the program, said the exercise goes a long to bridge the generation gap.

"Hearing each others stories can teach us to respect each other and break down stereotypes," Angelos said. "The kids can learn that although the seniors are so much older, they deal with the same universal issues. When the seniors hear the young people talk about their lives, they come to see they aren't just a bunch of rambunctious kids."

The youngsters heard tales about life growing up on the farm, loving cats and what it's like getting chased by a bull.

The kids chuckled hearing Al Machak tell his story about getting into a fistfight over a girlfriend in eighth grade. The 83-year-old from North Chicago said he and a friend got into it for the love a "pretty girl with pigtails."

"I got a bloody nose and a fat lip but won the fight," he said. "But when Eleanor gave me a kiss on the cheek and called me her 'hero,' all the pain went away."

The students were amazed to hear Gloria Riek's story about getting chased by a bull one day on the farm.

"He was a huge, angry, snorting beast," Riek said. "I never knew I could run that fast."

Student Angel Banuelos said he enjoyed hearing about life in the "old days."

"I really liked hearing about how much things have changed since they were little," Banuelos said. "They didn't even have computers."

Walsh-Angelos said small events like this have a bigger impact than it appears.

"We would like to think we're changing the world one afternoon at a time," she said.