Columnist

Women of Will, more than moral support

Published by admin on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 1:04pm

Last week we talked about the beginning of the Civil War, 160 years ago. Today I want to look at the role of women during that time. It is true, there were women who enlisted by passing themselves off as men. But they are the exception rather than the rule. Woodruff in his book about that time tells us exactly why women were so important to the cause.

Try this green herbal cocktail, the Last Word

Published by admin on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 1:03pm

“It's not easy bein' green”. Kermit the Frog was the first to ponder this conundrum in song, and he was followed by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, Diana Ross, and many others. There are many spirits dressed in green on the shelves of your local spirits retailer, but only one is completely naturally green. That distinction belongs to one of the most unique, and most mysterious spirits on the planet, Green Chartreuse.
How unique is Chartreuse? Well, it is so unique that there are no substitutions for it. None.

New census numbers may change early legislative maps

Published by admin on Sun, 08/15/2021 - 10:30am

In the wake of last week's Census numbers release, the news media has widely reported a seeming reduction in the number of white people, both nationally and here in Illinois.
"Census shows U.S. is diversifying, white population shrinking," the Associated Press reported. "Overall, in the five collar counties, the white population declined by 183,869 over the past decade," the Chicago Tribune reported.
But is that true?

Refresh yourself with this 150 year old cocktail, the Canchanchara

Published by admin on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 12:05pm

When you hear the phrase “Cuban cocktail”, more than likely you think Cuba Libre, Daiquiri, Mojito, or Ernest Hemingway sitting near the end of the bar sipping his signature cocktail on a hot Havana afternoon. Sure, all of the aforementioned Cuban cocktails are well known, however, none of them were the “first” Cuban cocktail.
To find the earliest known Cuban cocktail, we'll have to go all the way back 1868. During the Ten Years' War between 1868-1878, a mixture of rum, honey, and citrus was warmed over a fire and served to battle weary guerilla fighters.

How it began, and how we reacted - The Civil War

Published by admin on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 12:00pm

There has been talk recently, I am sure you've heard it, that we are in for another Civil War. As far as I am concerned, one was just plenty, thank you. There are many who think Will County was not affected very much because we were in the North, or because we had no slaves, or because they have not read much about it. One hundred and sixty years ago it began, and I am not sure that it is over. But let's start from the beginning using George Woodruff's account from his book The Civil War Years in Will County, Illinois.

Braidwood's secret agent, Thomas Miller Beach

Published by admin on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 11:45am

Look up Thomas Miller Beach on Google and you will see him called a super spy and a hero of the Civil War. But Braidwood knew him as a good doctor and a generous man - and as Dr. Henry LeCaron. Let's peel away the myth to look at the man.

Unvaccinated state workers ‘part of the problem’

Published by admin on Sun, 08/08/2021 - 9:20am

When Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced that state employees who work in congregate facilities would have to be vaccinated by Oct. 4, the largest state employee union, AFSCME, released a statement chiding the governor. "We strongly oppose any effort to define them as part of the problem," the powerful union claimed on behalf of those workers.
But Pritzker also said that about 80 percent of new COVID-19 cases in those congregate facilities "have been due to infection among employees."

August 1921, you've got mail but no bridge

Published by admin on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 11:51am

Today we look back 100 years, to August of 1921. The economy was improving, people were getting back to their pre-war routine. The Spanish flu had run its course and it was time for life to go on. The biggest problem was the old wagon bridge, but let's hop aboard the way-back and see what the problem was.

August 1880, picnics, petty crime and politics

Published by admin on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 11:49am

Out look back at the year 1880 takes us to August. So much was going on it is hard to pick out what to talk about, but to Braidwoodites, the parties and picnics took first place. So climb on to the way-back machine and let's join the party.
We start the month like this, “A large picnic party gathered at Supervisor Smillie's place near Horse Creek, on Thursday, and made a gala day of it. Many of the guests were from this (Braidwood) city.”

Toast former Cub Rizzo with a Crown Royal and ginger cocktail

Published by admin on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 11:09am

Last week marked the end of an era, at least it did for fans of a certain baseball club on Chicago's North Side. Last week Cubs ownership began the rebuilding process by shipping out the core of 2016 World Series team including the man that many regard as the face of the modern-era franchise, Anthony Rizzo.
There's a cocktail in here, and we'll get to it. First, a few words about the beloved but now former Cubs first baseman.