A Tour Back in Time of My Home Town - Belvidere Illinois
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- I grew up in this town in northern Illinois called Belvidere. Even though I haven't lived here in over 13 years, not much has changed since I left. Let's reminisce and highlight some of the strongest childhood memories I have of the area.
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Michael, now l understand why you wanted to go to Miami… please don’t misunderstand; your hometown looks like it was a very nice place to grow up.. but.. it doesn’t seem like the type of place that offers differing lifestyles, excitement, and openness to different ways of thinking, living… if I’m wrong, please know, no offense intended.. just reminded me of where l grew up… very nice, but sort of a homogenizing of life; nothing terribly exciting or offering alternative ways of thinking… anyway; thanks for sharing; glad you made it to Florida, and are “living the good life” 🙂🌺
You nailed it Gail that is mostly why I left. had a pretty young age I realized I wanted a little more out of life especially in the excitement department and opportunity. And as you can see it would not have been here for me. But other than that it is a nice place
Beautiful town. Seems like a great place to grow up in.
It was!
not if you were autistic in the 90s, it was horrible
I'm one of the reasons they had to change the front door for the Eagle grocery store, use to steal so much booz from there lol
Love this video! I have relatives in Rockton, IL. Beautiful!
Michael, you grew-up in a really nice place !!.... Lots of great memories, you got me thinking of my home back in NY......Back East towns have certain "look" and "sense of history"....Heck, it was just a better time to be alive....I'm not ashamed to say, I wish I could go back !......Thank you, for making me reminisce......I enjoyed your video, one of the Best......Godspeed....
Yes I did Jim there is no doubt about that. Even thinking of the bad memories are good since it’s been so long LOL. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and made you think of your own childhood
Its always nice to go back and see where your from and where you made memories because it made you the person you are today and a part of it will always be a part of you.
Absolutely jay was really nice to take a walk down memory lane and see things that still looked the same after all these years. It was heartwarming for me. Haven’t really done anything like that since I left
Very nice tour of your home town.... Wow!!! A Tornado Sculpture!!! First time I have seen one of those!!!
First time I see a tornado sculpture too!
Hi,...Michael.I had requested this type of video months ago. Glad to see you finally made it. As much as you enjoy 'Floor ida' you knew at some point you would have to make peace with your time in Belvadere.
I know you did Tony in fact your comments back then are what inspired this video. It was actually nice to be back here again and revisit some old memories
@Michael Bordenaro, what an excellent tour and video you made. I grew up on West Madison Street 2 blocks from Belvidere Park and went to Perry school. Class of ‘94. Thanks for taking all the time you did to make this video. My class was the first one to attend the “new” junior high right next to the high school. We went to the “old” high school for juniors high that became Pearl place (connected to the old community center). We changed schools over winter break. What a time!
Michael, glad you made it back to Northern Illinois for a visit. Like I told you before. I am a lifer here in Elgin. It's bad in January and February but I like a change in seasons. Fortunately our town continues to grow little by little. I think Florida is pretty great especially in winter. I like the east coast Miami to West Palm Beach. Say hi to your dad and safe travels.
Yes it seems like a lot of people that live up here do you joy the change of seasons so of course it makes sense to stay. Can’t beat Florida in the winter though
@@MichaelBordenaro No you sure can't. Hope to visit for a couple of weeks in February.
I used to be a member of the 24 Hour Fitness, too. Loved it!
My dad and stepmom’s house looked a lot like your family’s house…same layout and white with burgundy shutters. Cool! We had two huge oak trees in our front yard. Six kids would climb up one at once.
That’s pretty cool Jeannie! It’s nice to hear that this video can drum up memories for others like yourself😀
This looks way better than anything Florida has to offer. Why did you leave it? Looks like paradise compared to Miami.
I agree.
I can smell BOREDOM from one thousands miles away--for young and adventurous souls.
That’s all perspective. I can’t look back into time but I can almost guarantee you I would never have this RUclips channel if I did not leave this place. It can be mentally limiting to live in a place like this. I don’t regret my move one bit
Phong said it! Especially as a teenager
I agree with Michael it’s all about perspective. Florida has a lot to offer from small towns, rural areas and heavy populated areas. @TheMoon you might like Belle Glade, FL or the many other small towns Florida has to offer. 🌴🏝🐊😷
Great job Michael, I like how you edited and narrated this video and you did a great job showing us your beautiful hometown! Thank you!
Thank you very much Ralphie it was really fun to walk back in time and see all the old familiar places and how little things have changed
Michael, I grew up in Capron. But moved to Belvidere when I got married. Both of my kids, now adults, grew up in Belvidere, I remember it like it was yesterday. Both my kids were Baptiste at Zion Lutheran. My kids went to Belvidere High too! My daughter lives in Rockford. I moved to Florida myself after a divorce. This brings back so many memories.
We had a shed just like that in our a k years, too! Very cool!
I was raised here. I attended St. James Elementary School & BHS. BUC PRIDE! To this day I've never had a pizza better than Sam's! MAYBE Ambrogio's if it's still there.
Lung Fung & Dairy Ripple were the spots! This was a wonderful trip down memory lane.
Very cool to see and hear stories from you while driving with Dad. It looks like an exact replica of my hometown so I get it! Church, school, baseball, rock n roll and roll and cornfields. Did I miss anything? Beautiful greenery and blue skies. Family is everything.
Glad you enjoyed my walk back in time Gina! And I don't think you missed anything, that about sums it up😄
This is so great! Glad you got to go home for a family visit and make this video. Very worthwhile!
I agree😀
Beautiful place, very flat which I like, I use to live in Chicago back in 91 missed some time !!!!
That Chinese restaurant looks like the one in “A Christmas Story!”
That’s funny!
Lung Fung’s food was awesome! Their egg rolls, fried rice, sweet & sour sauce, etc. The staff was always friendly..used to go there often in the 90’s. I miss their food.
It is crazy how many things are still the same after 24 years and interesting to see what has changed.
Very nice and clean, seems like a pretty safe place to grow up in :)
How far is your hometown from Chicago?
It is all of those things
This is about a 90 minute drive to downtown Chicago
I just saw a video where you said you were quitting selling Florida real estate. I'm disappointed hearing this. My wife and I can't relocate for possibly a couple more years and were hoping to have you find us a place to live. We feel that you are an honest person. I have some health problems that hopefully will pass in a short time. We also are from Illinois. Only were about 300 miles south. We are close to the town of Alton. Anyway, we wish you all the luck in your endeavors.
Yes well I am not planning on taking any new clients personally. But since that video, I have partnered with another agent willing to help my clients that still need help, and I feel confident passing my business along to them. If you ever decide you need the help of my team, the contact info is in the description of all these new videos. Never heard of Alton IL, but its cool that you guys are from there too! Thanks for the kind wishes of the future 😊
Hey Michael! Crazy but i was just going through RUclips and i came across your video. I am also from Belvidere Illinois! Went to BHS and always enjoyed the fair in the boone county fairgrounds and i also played in the BYB league there as well. Great memories there! I am in Chicago now but i have many many memories from Belvidere! Blessings my friend, great video!
Such a small world Rene. I have heard from several people here on RUclips that they are either from Belvidere or know the area. Sounds like we have a common history
Thanks Michael for sharing your memories with us and thanks again for your previous review on the boat trip. Have you considered investing in 360 video camera. Best Regards
You’re welcome Peter I’m happy you enjoyed it! I have not mainly because I would need to learn how to use it LOL. I try not to put any barriers in front of me and making my next video. It seems like the more equipment I get the more complicated it gets too😄
Michael, Long-time viewer, first-time comment... Great video - I watched it from beginning to end. Awesome to hear and see more about your midwestern background. I'm excited to see more stories from your cross-country adventure!
Hey thanks for commenting! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my mini documentary LOL. It was longer than I would’ve liked it to be but with so much history there was a lot to cover and even then was only a fraction
I really enjoyed this! You grew up in a beautiful place.
Thank you so much!
Your hometown is so close to where I live in Illinois.. I used to pass Belvedere on my way to Rockford when I dated somebody who lived there. Next year, I’m headed to Florida. 😊👍🏼
That’s cool! Are used to go to Rockford all the time for different stores work etc.
I grew up not too far from you in Rockford. Levings Lake was my getaway spot!! Always pleasant to visit home…thanks for sharing and all the best!!
Oh nice I have heard from other people in the past that have grown up in the area too
Great place to call home. great beginnings.
Yes it wasn’t bad
Nice video!! Looks like the area we're leaving in Wisconsin. Experiencing those crazy winters is one reason we're moving :)
I don’t blame you I could not handle the winters here anymore. If I ever lived here again being a Snowbird would be a must LOL
Based on how you've talked about your old home town in your other videos, I figured it was rundown and poor. Looks like it was a wonderful place to grow up.
Majority of the Mid west is that way. Where I live in Florida it's tons of Michigan, Illinois and Ohio transplants.
It was a great place to grow up. Maybe I gave the wrong impression
Love that park😊 beautiful area so peaceful. Thanks for the tour. I think you should move back🙃🙂 and OMG I did the same thing, I would get dropped off for CCD and then leave and just go to the playground instead 🤣😂
Yes I love the park too one of my favorite things about the area. As for moving back…. I am going to have to say no😄
I also grew up in Belvidere and now live in New York City, so I appreciate your video and understand your reasons for moving to Miami, as noted elsewhere in your replies. I wouldn't change my moving and still love it here in NYC, but I do enjoy going back home to get away and see friends there. I recognized probably 90% of the areas you visited in your video, and especially enjoyed the segment on Washington School, where I paused several times, checking out my old classrooms and remembering, like you, certain playground moments. Thank you for this video. It was a very nice break from the world right now.
Hi Ed, glad I could give you a break from the craziness that is todays world. In fact, visiting here again, was a break from all that for me as well. It was nice to be back home for a bit. Its funny how those elementary days at Washington just came rushing back like it was yesterday! So glad you enjoyed the video 😀
Beautiful park 💜 Thank for sharing!
Yes this time of year is the best up here
@@MichaelBordenaro Yes, now through October imho 💜🤚🍃🌻🍁🍏🍂
We have a lake like that in our Southwestern town. It's very peaceful and there's a walking trail here.
But we have another walking, bike trail , which goes for hundreds of miles , and connects to other trails
in other states. Around here , there's always something to do outdoors. And we have a super large
gym ( over 100,000 sq ft ), they have hundreds of activities to do , no matter if you are 6 months - 100 years old.
If you want to learn how to swim , develop film , etccc . To many things to list.
This is where everyone who wants to live in this region. They will rent an apartment ( at the beginning ) and
a few years buy a house. There's not enough homes available.
And it all depends on which city you want to move too.
The only reason we moved here, to be close to this bike trail and that's when we had a home built.
Enjoyed it Michael…thanks for sharing…I’ve lived in South Carolina all of my adult life but my home island place until college was even more rural/remote by far than your town……Pelee Island, Ontario. Always love visiting Florida! 🌴🌊😎
What stands out to me the most is how clean everything looks. Beautiful town. My parents had a Belvedere car in the 60's. I wonder if it was named after your town? Seeing the plant there made me think it might have.
Yes it is a clean little town. Nothing fancy but a peaceful place to live for the most part. I’m not sure on the name of the car that’s a good question!
The car is not named after the town and was not made there. It's spelled differently. The town is Belvidere and the car is Belvedere like a brand of Vodka with the name. It means beautiful view. Not sure what language.
I was hoping I was gonna see myself in the video passing by down on the sidewalk 🤣 I'm always out and about after the gym lol
That would’ve been cool!
Looks like a nice place to grow up.
Overall it was
I’m from Belvetucky. Cheers man
Ha ha ha I have heard that one before😆
For the last 10-11 years, I've camped at Holiday Acres, just outside of Belvidere. It's a great little town!
A lot has changed in these 2 years. Lived here my whole life. The edge is no longer there. Lung fung did close. But from what I'm hearing is opening back up. Love hearing the memories!
Poplar grove has a nice apple orchard: edwards I think it’s called.
Yes!!
It's weird seeing the town I live in on RUclips 😄
I'll bet ! It was nice to be back and showcase the old stomping grounds.
Beautiful area!
It is Karen
Makes me think of the song Things Have Changed B Dylan
Oi Michael, great video as always. You should try scuba diving with Lisi. There are some great spots in Florida and you are very close to Cozumel, one of the best diving destinations. Air fare from Miami to Cancun is so cheap! Get your certification and let’s dive together.
Maybe one of these days I will definitely have to do it in the kitty pool first lol
The park looks alot like the one you visited in Ocala.
It sure does Nick!
It just occurred to me I haven’t been to Belvidere in over twenty years (I’m from Wisconsin). Nice place. I’ve heard of the tornado you mention. Great video! Beautiful memories. Subscribed.
Glad to take you down a memory lane walk!
So great seeing where you grew up and learning more about you and your family. Nice town! Growing up in South Florida, I always preferred the bigger cities too, until about 5 years ago…. I’m Over the “rat race” LOL. Desire more peaceful and tranquil environments now 😊
I could see myself circling back to a smaller town like this in the future. Glad you enjoyed a little bit of my history Karen😀
Very nice spot- I'm moving here for a job in about a month!
Looks lovely except that it might just be too cold for too long.
Yeah that is a major issue for me to the cold
I grew up in Belvidere in the 70’s and early eighties.
My hometown too mate. Left when i was 21 in 2011
I can see you sitting on that bench 0:52 and thinking Life is Like a Box of Chocolate. :-)
Yep I used to do that a lot Ken
Wow I use to go to school there in the 70s perry school . And lived right the bridge . When I saw your video I froze wow it been a minute. Ive been in florida since. Lol thanks for sharing.
Very cool!
Small world…I went K thru 6 at Perry school in the late 50’s,married,moved to W Madison St,my 3 children then went to school there as well…in the late 70’s. It was a great neighborhood school.😊
What a nice video. I feel like I was there. You were able to capture some great points of your life . I can tell you sincerely enjoyed shooting and editing this video. Your walks on the beach probably are related to the walks around that lake. I can also see the Ocala in Belvidere. You probably got that appreciation for the Hell Cat Dodge from that Chevy dealership, probably hearing a Camaro. It is no wonder to me that you have a Camaro. I know you used to rip and run all over that place. It looks like you had a great beginning in Illinois. My dad spent much of his childhood in Elgin Illinois, outside Chicago. I can feel your sense to venture away for more excitement in a big city. I'm glad you could do this for yourself, enjoy it, and take us along. I bet Lissi got a kick out of this too. You probably earned some good points with her with this. :) Thanks Bro.
Thank you very much Randall and you called it I did used to rip and run on a bunch of these back roads here with the Camaro LOL. I know Elgin too I was born there! Lisi definitely has been enjoying our time here as well
Thank you for sharing your childhood neighborhood videos
but I love Miami Florida 💯% lifestyle better.
Yep me too that’s why I’m still here Jennifer😀
memory lane!
It sure was
I'm sure it would've felt a lot different during the other seasons! Do you know what that noise is at the field 30:25 or so? There's the same noise in the summer where I'm from and never knew what it was.
Cicadas
@@britthinch8414 thank you!! Now I can stop wondering
Oh yes in fact it was nice to be back here in the summer because a lot of the times they visited in the past were in the winter. My friend told me those sounds were cicadas
The old church used to go to that used to be my old daycare
That’s so funny!
I bet the hills look strange too you :P
Ha ha no I did have them for the first 20 years of my life so I’m still used to it
Belvedere is a very pretty little town.
It sure is and I can definitely appreciate it more now as an adult than when you’re a teenager desperate for more action
@@MichaelBordenaro Ha, ha! I hear ya. Yes, as adults, we slow down and appreciate things a little more.
@@Jeannified absolutely being back here I see this place in a totally different light than before
Oh wow, I live in Roscoe right now! Trying to move down to Boca but the market is too crazy right now. I didn’t know you were from this area! I agree, it’s very limiting, I feel like I’m in a black hole here. It is beautiful but it there’s not much here and not much culture.
I lived on w Boone st. And Went to perry school.
What a small world!
@@MichaelBordenaro currently live on newburg rd. Belvidere is nice but I'm heading to Florida or Tennessee myself
@@opticsking4909 Oh nice!
It looks like Ocala.
Thank you Henry for being on my side on this one LOL. Especially for someone who lives in Ocala👌
My wife grew up in Belvidere
Such a small world! I seen other people here on the channel that I’ve heard of Belvidere before too
Very pretty area where you grew up. Do your parents still live there or near Belvedere?
Yes it is Lindy! Yep my whole family still lives in the area pretty much
How did/do you feel going down memory lane? Miss anything in particular?
It felt really good Michael. I wouldn’t say I miss it as I’m not one to really dwell on the past. Is it hard to say one thing I miss it would just be how empty things are like the grocery store the roads the parks etc. since the population is so low you don’t have a ton of people everywhere
When did mom find out you didn’t go to confirmation classes. lol 😂
When the church called her saying I wasn’t there. They ratted me out LOL
@@MichaelBordenaro that’s funny 😄.
@@jankumm5596 😁
When I went to Washington Elementary school in the 80's there was no playground. It was the town Jr High school originally so no playground. You got lucky. We had to just run in the field and black top with nothing but balls and jump ropes. The tornado was 1967 and the high school was not damaged much. The gym was used as a morgue for bodies they found that people had to come claim. That was weird to think of as a kid having PE in there. It's Meehan not Mee han. It was named after a teacher at the original Washington school. Said like Me in. My high school class of 96 was the first to go all through Belvidere South Middle School when it was new in the early 90's. Then it was just 7th and 8th and called Belvidere Jr High. My brother's high school class of 93 was the last to go all the way through the old Jr. High next to the community building which was originally Belvidere High School until late 60's and part Washington Elementary in the 50's.
Thanks for sharing your part of Belvidere history. Always interested to hear the doors like this 👍
I can see why you left. Nothing has changed there. Miami never stops building. Lol
I use to live in Belvidere I remember all this was 16 years old then I was also in the Tornado that hit the high school on april 21st. 1967 I lived there for about 12 years have since then moved to Calif. do you remember the ( Sandwich Shop ) a small little stand best burgers I ever ate they were 25 cents back then owners name was Harold not there anymore though, I went back there to see my brother in 2019 but could only stay for about two hours but what a memory
Wow you go way back with Belvidere! They have a memorial in front of the high school from that tornado, not sure if you saw that in my video. Don't remember the sandwich shop, but its cool to look back after we have moved on to "bluer skies" ✌️
Small world….hometown Belvidere girl and I was 15, a freshman, at the new high school and. remember April 21, 1967 when the F4 tornado hit the school….will never forget. Survived by crouching in the locker bays. It was a very sad, scary day. Yes, I remember the small sandwich shop (next to the old ymca) it was called Bennett’s.
I am currently in Belvidere Highschool they do not have that rule anymore sadly I will be a graduate of 2027 and middle school I also went to as well as the church thing I live on the block right in front of it
And if you want a "big city" lifestyle just head on over to Chicago. How far away is your hometown from Chicago?
Its cold
@@doubleoseven273 Okay and?
@@thedirtybubble9613 cold weather is no fun to live in
Belvidere is about 70 miles from Chicago.
It’s about a 90 minute drive to downtown Chicago from here
✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾✨🔥niece. look at PoPs. 😁
I used to live in belvidere
I live here right now
Cool, thanks for watching!
I live in Belvedere Illinois.
Have you ever been in Hazel Crest, IL where I live?
I have not
Hey man I went to Washington Academy to do you know any of your teachers and might have had them
The only ones I can remember from Washington I think their names were Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. Ramboldt
If memory serves me right, the tornado hit belvidere in 1967?
Yes I believe so
My Dad worked at Chrysler, at that time, 2nd shift. I was in 7th grade, and I remember the devastation of that darn twister.
@@cathyspears7888 wow so you have been in Belvidere for a long time then!
I grew up in Rockford, but I did live in Belvidere. I still have family up there. I live in southern Illinois now
Going to school in this town in the 90s was horrible. Their special ed classes were horrible! I really hope the schools have changed. Also alot of gangs in the 90s and I hope that changed! I left in 2000 so it's been a good while. I don't miss it. I don't miss the cold. I don't miss the shitty people. I don't miss the wind lol
You might of known my son. Jeremy Mitchell, or my daughter Corey Mitchell
Where I live
Under our apostle paul’s ministry,today we are only saved by BELIEVING The Gospel of Jesus Christ,1st Corinthians Chapter 15 verse 1-4.Jesus Christ died on the cross,was buried,and rose again on the third day.Jesus Christ Shed Blood is what saves you when you believe this plan of salvation with your heart.
What does Lizzie think of Illinois?
Hey Cheryl 🤗
I like visiting, I think is very peaceful, love to go for walks at the parks…
We are having a great time and enjoying some family time.❤️
I love how it gets nice and cool at night this time of the year and we could have a fire going outside and just chill.
I wouldn’t want to live here though 😄 it gets way too cold in the winter and the beaches are not my type of beaches plus you have to pay to get in 🙃
Thanks for your support!!🙏😘
@@Lisithedogwalker I understand ,I am two states over in Minnesota. I believe our weather is very similar. I'm glad you got to check out the Midwest ! 😄. If you guys want another trip our Minnesota state fair starts tomorrow through Labor Day 🎡 I believe it's the largest fair in the US it's really fun tons of food vendors rides concerts etc. There is a reserved plot of land for it.
@@cherylmorelli3210 It’s my seventh time coming over😀
Can’t wait to go to Edwards Apple Orchard they will be opening this Friday for the season.
State Fair sounds fun!😜
@@Lisithedogwalker MN State Fair is the best! If you guys decide to do hold a Minnesota State Fair meetup, count me in!
@@destinationtwincities Sounds Good 👍😎
Do u remember the old jr high school
I can definitely see why you left that dump
You're joking, right?
I remember selling u weed at the park pool
I like you videos I watch it all the time but please don't use the name of God in vain.
I'm sure you're getting the looks.
Because it is super creepy for you to be filming schools knowing what people do nowadays with all of the terrorism acts and shootings
I grew up here in the 90s and it was horrible. The "one of my school fights happen right here" is right, lots of fights and bullying and gangs!
Enjoyed it Michael…thanks for sharing…I’ve lived in South Carolina all of my adult life but my home island place until college was even more rural/remote by far than your town……Pelee Island, Ontario. Always love visiting Florida! 🌴🌊😎
Thank you Roy! I think when we grow up in these small rural towns that’s usually the trigger to move somewhere with a little more excitement