Columnist

A-hunting we will go, or playing fowl

Published by admin on Wed, 11/22/2017 - 9:00am

    Hunting season is here. Whether it is for goose, duck or pheasant, hunting for the many varieties of fowl has always been a tradition in our area. Of course, there is one species missing today, the prairie chicken. Grab your gun, a hunting we will go.

Mix up a classic holiday cocktail - eggnog

Published by admin on Wed, 11/22/2017 - 9:00am

    Eggnog has been an American Christmas staple as long as we have been independent of British rule. George Washington himself served a highly spirited version of eggnog and it is his recipe that remains one of the most popular with those willing to take the time to make eggnog from scratch.
    Making eggnog from scratch is more akin to cooking than it is to mixology and most of us will choose one of several pre-made eggnogs from our local grocery store to serve at our holiday gatherings.

Give thanks for family, friends and modern day refrigeration

Published by admin on Wed, 11/22/2017 - 9:00am

 

When preparing a Thanksgiving feast, the last thing a hostess needs to worry about is if your refrigerator is properly working.

Test your knowledge; it's time for a quiz

Published by admin on Wed, 11/22/2017 - 9:00am

    This Thanksgiving while you're lounging on the couch in a haze of turkey and fixings, instead of watching football, try taking this quiz about Braidwood history.
    All of the questions are based on past Time Was columns. Good luck.

 1. Who was Braidwood's first mayor?
    a. James Braidwood
    b. William Odell
    c.  L.H. Goodrich
    d. Daniel McLaughlin

 2. Lower Braidwood is on what side of town?
    a. North
    b. East
    c. South
    d. West

These aren’t normal times for Illinois politics

Published by admin on Sat, 11/18/2017 - 2:49pm

 

Operating Engineers Union Local 150 is making good on its threat to back a Republican primary opponent against House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.

Elwood gossip, only 140 years old

Published by admin on Wed, 11/15/2017 - 9:00am

    One of the reasons we read our local paper is for the gossip. We may not call it that, but news of happenings to our neighbors is extremely interesting to us. It was no different 140 years ago.
    Today we repeat gossip that we read about our neighbors in Jackson Township, published over a century ago.

The candyman who made chocolate affordable

Published by admin on Wed, 11/15/2017 - 9:00am

 

Although the world knows him best for his chocolate, Milton Hershey’s first successful confection after several failed attempts was actually caramel.

Pimm’s Cup, iconic cocktail of New Orleans

Published by admin on Wed, 11/15/2017 - 9:00am

    New Orleans is the birthplace of many iconic cocktails. The long list includes “the big three” New Orleans drinks: The Hurricane, Ramos Gin Fizz and The Sazerac.
    Surely you wouldn't leave the crescent city until you have had at least one of each, but don't forget to swing by Napoleon House for the unsung hero of New Orleans cocktails, the iconic Pimm's Cup.

Tramping through history, men on the move

Published by admin on Wed, 11/15/2017 - 9:00am

    It was the 1870's and a whole army of men were on the move throughout the nation. They moved mostly by train, well-hidden in freight cars.
    Some were new immigrants who could not find a job; many were men who had fought and seen too much during the Civil War. Others were refugees from the slums of the large eastern cities. They were generally known as tramps.
    Braidwood was a well-known destination among these men. Coal was coming into its own, factories, railroads and home-heating needs meant the demand for coal exceeded the amount produced.

Latest Illinois crisis makes for an unusual session

Published by admin on Sun, 11/12/2017 - 3:16pm

 

One of the most unusual Illinois veto sessions I’ve ever seen wrapped up last week.