Columnist

Public prefers the lies: Gubernatorial contest may be most dishonest

Published by admin on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 11:27am

    I suppose it's too much to expect that we get an honest debate about the need for more state revenues in the already active gubernatorial race. Candidates will be candidates and voters will be voters, after all.
    Gov. Bruce Rauner's campaign blasted out an e-mail last week telling supporters that newly announced billionaire Democratic candidate JB Pritzker wants to raise the state income tax to over 5 percent, which, the campaign claimed, would be "Higher than it was under Pat Quinn!"

The Navy Grog could make you groggy

Published by admin on Wed, 04/05/2017 - 10:00am

    Has anyone ever asked if you were feeling a little “groggy”? How did you answer?
    The term “groggy” is yet another drinking slang term that has roots in naval history. Grog was a cocktail of rum, citrus and water served aboard ships in the 1700's.  
    The Grog had two primary purposes: prevent scurvy, and to make the stagnant water aboard the ship more palatable.

The one-legged sheriff of Will County

Published by admin on Wed, 04/05/2017 - 10:00am

    Hardy is a word that is usually used to describe early settlers in any part of the country. But in Robert Huston's case, it just doesn't say enough. Let's look at the life of the one-legged sheriff of Will County.
    Robert Huston was born in New York City on Aug. 7, 1844 to Irish immigrants Robert and Elizabeth Huston. His father was a weaver back in Ireland, but in New York he scrambled to make a living. Searching for a better life, the Huston's came west in 1850, settling on a farm near Gardner.

Settler's best friend and worst enemy - fire

Published by admin on Wed, 04/05/2017 - 10:00am

        When we think about the first settlers in our area, we imagine them living on the prairie with beauty all around them. The tall grass dotted with flowers waved all around them as they went about their chores.
    This very beauty however could turn into a wild monster in a blink of the eye. I speak of the monster known as the prairie fire. Today we look at fire.

Fear, or how a man shot his best friend

Published by admin on Fri, 03/31/2017 - 4:54pm

    The depression, which occurred in the 1870's in this country, produced a nation of transients and tramps. Men traveled around the country, hopping the rails, looking for work. When they found none, some were not above robbing the defenseless.  
    Women went indoors when the sun went down. Doors were locked and bolted. If you were leaving town, you did not tell anyone, because chances were that you would return home to find your valuables missing.
    On Sunday, November 19, 1878 this atmosphere of fear lead to the accidental shooting of the Braidwood town marshal.

Joliet Penitentiary, a walk in the park

Published by admin on Fri, 03/31/2017 - 4:50pm

    Recently I drove past the old Joliet Penitentiary on Collins Street. It's getting an exterior makeover, new plantings, new parking lot and new signage. Soon it will be open to the public, and will no doubt be a great success.
    We all have a fascination for the place, and we always did. Today's way back machine will take us to October of 1883.

Get a real budget, before you kill the baby

Published by admin on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 12:42pm

    I've been going to Statehouse committee hearings longer than I care to remember - something like 27 years. Last week, however, was the first time I can ever recall having to fight back tears during a hearing.

The Grasshopper - like mint chocolate chip ice cream for grownups

Published by admin on Fri, 03/24/2017 - 11:14am

    Patience, grasshopper. A delicious after-dinner mint in a glass awaits you, and you're in for a real treat if you have never tasted a Grasshopper.  
    The Grasshopper is also known as a “Grasshopper Martini”, but it is not in any way, shape, or form a Martini.
    Bars and restaurants call it a Martini because it is served in a cocktail (Martini) glass.
    Ok, so it's not a Martini, but it is an incredibly delicious, bright green mint/chocolate drink.  

Paint job stops reproduction of General Lee cars

Published by admin on Fri, 03/24/2017 - 11:09am

In the 1980s it became one of the most recognized cars in American TV history. It was called “General Lee”, a 1969 orange Dodge Charger featured in the television show “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
But as of two years ago, reproductions of the General Lee were halted, especially as a children’s toy, all due to what was painted on its roof.
The General Lee became famous for being the main get-away vehicle for the good old’ boys on a popular action-comedy TV series.

Zombies spotted in tiki bars

Published by admin on Fri, 03/24/2017 - 11:06am

    Zombies are coming! Well, zombies are coming back for an eighth season of The Walking Dead in 2017.
    The upcoming season will mark 100 episodes for the most watched television series of all time. Face it folks, zombies are hot.
    Seventy years before they appeared in hit television shows, zombies were frequently spotted at tiki bars as early as the 1930's. Of course the zombies at the bar were cocktails, and this week we are going to serve up the original 1934 recipe from the creator of the Zombie, Donn Beach.