Swimming Day

World War II soldiers marching into Pounds Hollow, Illinois in 1945, carrying bags and waving to people.
Soldiers return home to Pounds Hollow, Illinois, greeted by loved ones in 1945.

‘The water should be just right, as hot as it has been,’ Chet said. ‘I am going to wear my 1920s smim suit again,’ Chet beamed. ‘The last time I wore it, we had an adventure,’ Chet laughed. ‘Some would call it time travel,’ Chet danced on one foot and then the other. ‘I still have the Model T in my driveway,’ Chet noted. ‘I hope we meet some of our Eldorado ancestors today at Pounds Hollow,’ Chet said.

Red 1957 Chevy convertible with flux capacitor and four people time traveling through a vibrant cosmic vortex
Four excited friends travel through time in a retro car equipped with a flux capacitor.

‘Well, I have plenty of Merlot packed as well as Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, the Dogs Kids love to eat,’ Neva J noted. ‘If the Roaring 20s take over, I will wear my Flapper Bathing Suit, Neva J laughed. ‘I would love to run into the young Neva J and Bill sunning on the Beach,’ Neva J crossed her fingers. ‘When Bill got back from WWII, we often went to Pounds Hollow for a swim and to make plans for our future, Neva J noted. ‘He had a bit of PTSD, but in those days we called it Shell Shocked,’ Neva J continued. ‘Men’s swimming trunks were big and bulky,’ Neva J observed.

Couple sunbathing on a beach with lake and forest background, colorful umbrella, drinks, and beach bags
A couple enjoys a sunny day at Pounds Hollow Lake beach, relaxing on a striped towel by the water.

‘The first time I looked at the Pounds Hollow Beach, it was the 1920s, and when I looked again, it was the 1940s,’ Jane said. ‘I see my mom and dad in the water, floating on inner tubes,’ Jane laughed.

Three people enjoying tubing and fishing on a river with a bridge and trees in the background
A nostalgic comic scene shows friends tubing and fishing on a sunny day.

‘I swear Grandma A and Charles are walking on the beach, and it is 1928, and Grandma is pregnant with Neva J, Billy B proclaimed!

Pregnant woman and man walking barefoot on beach at sunset with picnic basket
Arthur and Eliza enjoy a peaceful sunset walk on Pounds Hollow Beach in 1928.

‘I fit in with my 1920s bathing suit as everyone else is wearing one also,’ Chet mused. ‘We are going to have to stop talking about the dirt road through the woods, or perhaps keep taking it,’ Chet laughed!

People dancing on the beach at Pounds Hollow with a live band on a platform and onlookers nearby in 1924
A crowd enjoying the 1924 Pounds Hollow Beach Dance with live music and dancing on the sand

‘The grass is all dead in June, Neva J said. ‘What has happened to our favorite swimming Hole,’ Neva J continued. ‘It has been so hot for some time,’ Neva J observed. ‘I thought Pounds Hollow Lake would be here for us like it was for our grandparents and parents,’ Neva J said as tears streamed down her face.

Dried lake, small puddle, elderly woman weeping

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