Columnist

Bit of downtown Chicago on display in Wilmington

Published by admin on Wed, 10/04/2017 - 9:00am

 

A vintage display item that once sat in the windows of a department store in the Windy City has gotten a second life at an Island City antique shop.

Rauner’s pro-choice vote builds GOP distrust

Published by admin on Wed, 10/04/2017 - 9:00am

 

One reason why Gov. Bruce Rauner promised to veto HB40 last spring was to prevent a House Republican revolt on the state budget.

The lesser known strike, 1889 in Braidwood

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2017 - 9:00am

    I have written much about the 1877 strike in Braidwood that brought the state militia into town along with some very bad publicity. It resulted in long court cases costing the coal companies a small fortune.
    They obviously learned nothing about the miners they were employing, especially their tenacity and sense of solidarity. Today we look at the next big strike, wider in scope, but no less violent.

Illinois leaders talk state construction project

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2017 - 9:00am

 

The four leaders met last week, but didn't appear to accomplish much of anything.

Sickness and death, St. Rose's struggles in 1875

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2017 - 9:00am

    Last time we talked about the earliest history of St. Rose of Lima, and took you through the building of the brick church. For those who wondered where this church was, we have determined that it was on Chicago Street one block west of the old train depot on the north side of the street.
    We also believe that the church plus rectory would probably have taken up more than one lot.

Celebrate Halloween with a Candy Corn Martini or shot

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2017 - 9:00am

    About this time of year our local supermarkets remind us that Halloween is coming. Yes, this advance notice seems to come earlier with each passing year. I'm willing to overlook the untimely Halloween displays in mid-September (summer) if those displays include the heart and soul of Halloween. Of course I'm talking about candy corn.
    Ah, yes, candy corn. It's not Halloween without it, and as we will find out this week it's not just for the kids. Reintroduce candy corn to your guests this year with the official cocktail of Halloween, The Candy Corn Martini.

This canister not as old as the original Quaker

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2017 - 9:00am

 

Do you have a vintage tin canister as part of your home decorating? While it may appear to be authentic, you’d be surprised how many are false reproductions of the real thing.

From riverbank to hill, 150 years of faith

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 9:00am

There is no doubt; the history of Will County is intertwined with history of the Catholic community, and the history of Wilmington and the surrounding communities, no less so.
Consider that the first white man in Wilmington was Father Marquette, a Catholic missionary and explorer who passed through in 1673 and Father Hennepin a few years later.
The French voyageurs that plied the rivers also brought the Catholic religion with them as they traded with the tribes of the Plains. But the story of the organized church probably begins with the I&M Canal.

For variety, try Nell's Hall, but watch out for the Mrs.

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 9:00am

    Gathering places for events, especially entertainment oriented can be hard to find in a small town. Not so in the 19th century, when folks with an eye to make money built “halls” to accommodate all kinds of gatherings.
    We have written about Music Hall in Braidwood, but there was another public hall built earlier. High class it wasn't; but the variety of events that took place there couldn't be beat. And apparently neither could Mrs. Nell.

Summer cocktails you might have missed

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 9:00am

    The beaches are empty, it's baseball and football season, and depending on where you live, fall may or may not be in the air.
    The change of seasons is officially upon us as we mark the end of summer on Sept. 22. Does your drink of choice change with seasons? Mine certainly does.
    My summer is mostly rum and tequila cocktails while cool fall and winter nights are made for bourbon, Scotch and Irish whiskey.