Columnist

Tis the season of the Mint Julep Cocktail

Published by admin on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 11:38am

After missing Derby Day in 2020, the Run for the Roses was back on its regularly scheduled first Saturday of May in 2021 in front of a live audience. Medina Spirit entered the contest at 12-1 odds and held the lead for the majority of the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports, eventually winning the race. Official Derby attendance was 51,838 fans making it the largest crowd at an American sporting even since the beginning of the pandemic.

May 1880, prosperity and peace

Published by admin on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 11:36am

In our continuing series of the year 1880 we have arrived at May. It was unusual in that there was only one strike, and money seemed to be flowing everywhere. Buildings were rising, others were being enlarged. Set the way back machine and be prepared for peace and prosperity, if only just for a little while.

Batter up, it's base ball fever, May 1921

Published by admin on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 8:58am

Our way back machine takes us today to May of 1921, 100 years ago. Unfortunately, newspapers from the first two weeks are missing so we catch up on what's happening on May 13, and what is happening is baseball, baseball and baseball.

A maddening story of incompetence and chaos

Published by admin on Sun, 05/02/2021 - 4:37pm

The inspector general's report on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs LaSalle Veterans' Home is a maddening story of incompetence and chaos at every level.

Medicine and its practice, a cure for what ails you

Published by admin on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 10:47am

One of the prevailing myths about the 19th century is that there were few doctors. The truth is that we were dripping in doctors. Many of them, however, were quacks, fakes and downright frauds. Today we look at a few of those who practiced in this area.
First let me say that there were many competent, brilliant doctors in this area. There was Dr. Bowen, Dr. Willard, Dr. Strong, Dr. Trott and many others who treated and sometimes successfully cured their patients. Those men are not among the type we are going to talk about today.

In the mood for a milkshake? Try this Cocktail

Published by admin on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 10:44am

“We're on a mission from God”. A classic one liner in an iconic movie ripe with quotable figures. Cars were crashed, we dusted off some forgotten R&B standards, Cab Calloway made an appearance, and The Blues Brothers re-introduced America to the Orange Whip.

Will it live or die, health problems in Coal City

Published by admin on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 10:13am

Today we look a bit west to the City of Coal. It was a planned community, with the only criteria for its location was that it was near the coal mines. Like Braidwood, it sprang up almost over night. It was truly like a newborn child, with all the hopes and dreams of its future. But there were also the perils that all children face, especially in the 19th century.

Gov. Pritzker needs a better budget plan

Published by admin on Sat, 04/24/2021 - 12:59pm

The state's fiscal news of late has been a whole lot better than just about anyone expected. March's base general funds revenue grew by $422 million versus a year ago, mainly because of stronger than expected receipts of personal and corporate income taxes and sales taxes. That follows a growth of $330 million in February's receipts.

Start of Spring with a Azalea cocktail

Published by admin on Tue, 04/20/2021 - 10:52am

Spring has sprung at Augusta National! The azaleas are in full bloom, and the 85th edition of the Masters Tournament did not disappoint. History was made as Hideki Matsuyama became the first-ever Japanese professional golfer to win a men’s major golf championship by the closest of margins, a single stroke. This week we toast the historic win with the unofficial Masters Tournament cocktail, the Azalea.

Tragedy at Woodsmen’s Hall, acetylene gas to blame

Published by admin on Tue, 04/20/2021 - 10:41am

All that’s left is an empty space, not even a big one. No one would ever guess that a building was there at all. At the southwest corner of Water and Baltimore is a small empty space. On the walls of the first building south is the remains of an old ad. But at one time a three story building was there. A millinery shop owned by the Kinsella sisters was on the first floor. The upper floors were used for social organizations; that is until January 17, 1907.