The Abraham Ready to Wear Store Written by Dr. Anthony Bashir The Abraham Ready to Wear Store was located at 117 Main Street in Spring Valley and opened in 1903. Our grandfather, Sam Abraham and our grandmother Khzma, who we knew and loved as Sitoo Emma, emigrated to the United States from Rashaya al Wadi […]

From Peddling to Printing written by: Karen Morrissey George Kaleel was born in Spring Valley, Illinois March 24, 1933 the youngest child of Nemer and Evelyn Kaleel. He grew up in Spring Valley until the age of five when the family moved to Earlville Illinois. He loved sports and playing football, baseball, and basketball. At […]

Jameel “Jimmy” Saad written by son, Jeffery Saad Seven year old Jameel “Jimmy” Saad emigrated from Rashya, Lebanon in 1907 with his adoptive mother and her son Sam. Upon arriving in the U.S.A., the three traveled to Chicago. Jimmy decided to make the four day trek to Spring Valley to live with his brother Habib […]

Nick and Shafica Kaleel  Rashyia, Syria (Lebanon) Written by Judith Kanag                 Sunday Dinner with Family & Friends My family went to Spring Valley and spent the whole summer with my grandparents. My mother Geena, my sister Georgia, and my brother Douglas were there. Nick peddled apparel to […]

The Jolly Six Written by Ron Malooley It is about 1952, and a group of girls from St. George Church decided that they were going to have a group called “The Jolly Six.” This group of girls decided they were going to put a level of social events together. These six girls would plan parties […]

What the Statute of Liberty Means to Me Written by Jeannie Malooley Leonard Alexis Malooley – 1963 Alexis Malooley receives publication honor in 1963. It was the first time that a Spring Valley pupil was so honored. Alexis, who wrote her poem while in the 5th grade, is the daughter of Ed and Sadie Malooley. Alexis […]

The Children of St. George Published by Nicole Christine Medawar-Wiltse on Facebook Turn back time to when we were young and didn’t know anything but love, both to give and receive… For the next few moments, recreate times past… Enjoy, the time that was… WHO DO YOU KNOW?                 […]

The Door: A Monument to a Century of Altar Service By written by Ronald Malooley and edited by Jake Malooley The year was 1940. I was four years old. Father Seraphim Nassar of St. George Orthodox Church, Spring Valley, told my parents it was time for me to become an altar boy. A robe, the […]

Marrying Lebanese Work Ethic with Orthodox Christian Values Written by Jeannie Malooley Leonard   As Orthodox Christians, we make our presence known in the community in many ways. One way is through our work ethic and the ability to run a successful business. Generations of families who had been in business were recognized by Spring […]

Nemer Kaleel: Born in Rachyia-El-Wadi, Lebanon, Nemer Kaleel dreamed of moving to America where his father peddled clothing. In 1905, his dream came true and he saw the Statute of Liberty in September and then traveled to Spring Valley. He rented a house for $2/month and embarked on a clothing peddling business that lasted for […]