08/25/2020
Who was that masked woman who just won $1,890.15 at "Bonnie's Lady Luck Slots Cafe" in Willow Springs IL!
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What does 75 years in business, a banquet venue and restaurant, America's oldest historically elegant private billiard club and living museum, an ice cream parlor and a newly built video gaming cafe all under one roof have in common?
Bonnie's Dining & Banquets and The Illinois Billiard Club.
"LADY LUCK"
"LADY LUCK" is the name given to an LED back-lit etched mirror created in the 1980's by two life long friends - Mr. Jim Parker and Mr. Gil Van Vossen. Jim and Gil formed a small etched glass and mirror company that was known as a combination of their last names - VANKER STUDIO.
The mirror was initially used to model an example of their work. Most of their work was designed for and installed in high-end restaurants built by the Charles Bender Company, a company founded in the late 19th century and to this day is still recognized as one of Chicago's finest restaurant and store fixture developers.
One of Jim and Gil's etched back-lit mirrors measured a 120 running feet was installed in 1989 within a restaurant in Addison IL
A larger and more diverse display of Jim and Gil's work can be seen within the Illinois Billiard Club's living museum located within the same building as Bonnie's Dining and Banquets at 8442 - 8446 Archer Avenue - Willow Springs, IL. - (708) 839-5820 - partiesatbonnies.com/
Lady Luck is a westernized expression of the Roman goddess of luck, Fortuna ( Fortuna is nearly identical to the Greek goddess Tyche.) Fortuna was the goddess of (good or bad) luck in Roman religion. Fortuna's decisions in whether to provide good or bad luck in any given situation was a casting of lots (i.e. a gamble.) She might bring good or bad luck, who knows except the lot in her hand where it will land? Fortuna was not perceived by the Romans as literally blind (for she must see to read the lot), her blindness was a metaphor... she herself did not know what fate she would make. Her predictions were built on whimsy. Yet in sculptures she sometimes was presented as blind or with a blindfold... as exemplified in contemporary depictions of Lady Justice.
Thus, the terminology "Lady Luck" refers primarily to the concept of not having certainty in a particular outcome, for Lady Luck (i.e. Fortuna) has already picked up another lot to be cast!
Now with all that said, one can only hope that LADY LUCK brings good fortune to everyone who might after reading this story better understand the enormous social, sporting, gaming and dining diversity of not only Bonnie's Dining & Banquets and the Illinois Billiard Club, but beyond. To when they even host or attend a private function hosted at Bonnie's they and their family and friends will also have a chance to see and experience the only glowing example in existence of Bonnie's "LADY LUCK" etched mirror before stepping into Bonnie's Slots Cafe. And if in the end they are given good luck, Bonnie's will even package up their winnings to GO!!
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Bonnie's Slots Cafe opens at 10 AM all 7 days a week. Either just walk in, or, plan ahead with a reservation for yourself and other friends to have your own Bonnie's Lady Luck slots party. And to take your visit to another level enjoy dinner in Bonnie's 100 seat dining room on any Weds or Friday evening. (708) 839-5820 / partiesatbonnies.com/
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For your knowledge and entertainment I have attached an enlightening story excellently written by a man who in my mind is the greatest billiard historian of the time in which we live. His name is Mike Shamos, who has been writing for a billiards publication known as The Billiards Digest - a wonderful publication that began some 4 years after the founding of our Illinois Billiard Club.
Good Health, good reading and above all - stay safe and protect
yourself and all of those around you - don't forget to wear your mask!
Blessings,
Jim and Bonnie Parker
Founders, Owners and Operators of The Illinois Billiard Club and Bonnie's Dining & Banquets now collectively celebrating 77 years in business.
