There was an orchard on the dairy farm. My uncle told me, “One year in my teens there were so many apples that the farm couldn’t use them all, in spite of apple pies, apple crisps, and apple brown betties coming out of our ears. I had visions of hard cider but Gramp had me pitch […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inIT Picks
Jack-O-Lantern spectacular
FESTIVALS | Fall favorite will draw thousands to carillon Fri., Oct. 17, 6:30-9:30pm and Sat., Oct. 18, 6:30-9:30pm.Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, Washington Park | 217-546-3853 This annual favorite is truly a sight to see. Hundreds of hand-carved, glowing jack-o-lanterns will light up the night. The carillon will be playing with special lighting and sound effects […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
United Way volunteers make lasting impact during Day of Action
This fall, the community came together in a powerful demonstration of service and teamwork during United Way of Central Illinois’ fall Day of Action. A total of 211 volunteers, organized into 26 teams, rolled up their sleeves and made a difference in our community. The day began with a kickoff luncheon sponsored by PNC. Volunteers […]
Posted inFilm
Derek Cianfrance speaks about Roofman and its complex character
“I was looking for something that focused on a person people could relate to and what their hearts and desires were. I heard this story, and it walks the line between comic and tragic, which are two sides of the same coin. So, I was looking for something more palatable for people to see and […]
Posted inFilm
Story of Roofman shines through, John Candy: I Like Me a loving tribute
Search for purpose drives Roofman Between 1940 and 1944, writer-director Preston Sturges produced a string of classics that were, and remain, an unprecedented success among Hollywood filmmakers. The Lady Eve, Sullivan’s Travels and Hail the Conquering Hero were among the movies made during this period, each of them featuring a plot conceit the director returned […]
Posted inPoetry
Overheard
As a kid on the farm, I kept my ears open, especially around the hired men’s sitting room. I heard about Glenn and Bill, both courting the same girl. “Who took her to the dance?” asked one hired man. “Glenn took her,” replied the other. “But Bill hid in the rumble seat of Glenn’s coupe. […]
Posted inIT Picks
Annual event honors veterans
In this annual event, motorcyclists as well as drivers of cars and trucks are invited to ride to honor the nation’s veterans past and present. Meet first at Staab Funeral Home to register. Ride begins at 1 p.m. Stops will include Camp Butler National Cemetery, Spaulding Area Veterans Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park in Riverton, Oak […]
Posted inCulture
Final year for popular annual tree tour
The public will have one last chance to take part in the popular annual tree tour at Oak Ridge Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 18. This year’s tour, from 1-4 p.m., will feature the Grand Valley, a rolling expanse at the south side of the cemetery. There are no graves due to the terrain, providing a […]
Posted inArts Features
Monster mashup at the Hoogland
Beetlejuice Jr. is a family-friendly, hour-long, gothic funhouse adaptation of the Tim Burton cult-classic film of the same name. Cleverly directed by Nicole and John Sivak, it’s an irreverent, zany show full of humor, heart and enormous sand worm puppets. The plot – as Beetlejuice declares in his meta opening number, “Being Dead” – is […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Migration and our faith tradition
Since June 4, we have had yard signs posted on the blocks around the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse. These signs are based on Catholic Social Teaching principles which come from the Gospel and the living tradition of the Catholic faith. I am quick to say that these messages are not unique to our faith tradition. Many […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Haman, hatred and a hangman’s noose
The seeds that men plant bear their own fruit. Hatred is one of those seeds. Enter Haman. The Persian kingdom was under the reign of Ahasuerus, who, for whatever reasons, had appointed Haman over all of the nobles and princes of Persia. Now Haman was a descendent of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, whose […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The voice within
Hello, my name is Dr. Roxanne Casey. As a child reared in the inner city of Chicago, I overheard women often talking about the constant inequalities due to society limiting them to domestic roles, submissive wives and mothers. I lacked understanding as a child regarding their conversation, but I recalled their conversation when I was […]
