Believe it or not, Bulgaria may be responsible for the most common carnival ride at any state fair. “Pleasure Wheels”–powered by strong men cranking large wooden rings with riders sitting on attached chairs–were created in the 17th century, according to Scott Webel, curator of the Museum of Ephemerata in Austin, Texas. Antonio Manguino, a Frenchman, […]
Molly Beck
Posted inNews
Our fair city
Seeds of changePrisoners take pride in their fancy foliage Next year, when he comes to the Illinois State Fair, Trinity Payne plans to eat ice cream and caramel apples and try “that big slide.” Justin Hartmann hopes to sample the ribeye steaks and “walk around—like I can’t do now.” “Aw, c’mon, be honest,” their supervisor […]
Posted inNews
Sticking to the union
Looking at the building a block from downtown Jacksonville, you might wonder why this eyesore is still standing. An ordinary three-story red brick box at 228 South Mauvaisterre, the Jacksonville Labor Temple has boarded windows and a padlocked door that might be opened by a mild summer storm. But despite its disheveled appearance, this building […]
Posted inOpinion
Illinois’ lost laureate
Quick–who was the first poet laureate of Illinois? If you said Carl Sandburg, you’d be wrong. Don’t feel too bad; Governor Rod Blagojevich didn’t know either. When he announced his search for a new principal poet, he mentioned only two: “This individual will follow in the footsteps of previous Poet Laureates Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn […]
