Spring’s arrival in the Peoria area is marked in many ways: the arrival of robins, the opening of Emo’s, the planting of palm trees at O’Brien’s field, annnnnnd the annual Grand Tour of West Bluff Homes. This year’s tour will be 25th anniversary of this annual event. It will be held on Sunday, May 18th from noon until 5:00 p.m. and will feature five west bluff homes as well as the Converse Marketing Building on Main Street. Local florists will decorate each location. Due to the anniversary date, local dignitaries will be at the homes to meet the public and to help celebrate those 25 years.

To offer a bit if history, the West Bluff began in the mid 1800’s when Peoria’s most prominent citizens built stately mansions along High-Wine Street, Moss Avenue, and Randolph Ave. Today the area includes Bradley Park, Bradley University, and ten neighborhoods: Armstrong-Ellis, Arbor District, Columbia Terrace North, Cottage District, Orchard District, High-Wine, Uplands, Moss-Bradley, Randolph-Roanoke, and University East.

Funds raised from the tour are used to beautify the West Bluff. Ticket donations are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the tour. Tickets can be purchased at these participating florists: Sterling Flower Shoppe, Finishing Touches, Monier’s Flowers & Gifts, Michele’s Floral Events, Heaven on Earth, and Floral Expressions.

Tickets are also available at The Olde Hair Shoppe (a regular advertiser in this publication) in West Peoria and The Spotted Cow in Peoria, or from Committee Members. Listed below are brief tidbits for each home. Please note you can match the pictures to the addresses above!

1125 Main Street - Owner: Jane Bodman Converse - Bluff Crest Manor, now the home of Converse Marketing, was designed by Swedish architect Charles Ulrichson, and built in 1881 by Edward Easton, a wealthy grain trader and distiller. This lavish, 11,000-square-foot home is an example of Second Empire Design. The all-masonry structure has a carved stone, three-story tower; 14-foot ceilings; intricately carved walnut woodwork; marble and stone fireplaces; ebony, walnut, and oak parquet floors; and a third-floor ballroom and billiard room where Teddy Roosevelt, among others, was entertained.

1206 N. Flora Avenue - Owner: Dale & Tracey Hanssen - This Queen Anne style home—a “stick style” Victorian—is in Peoria’s Orchard District. It was built for James Durkin, owner of Durkin Pharmacy, and completed in 1884. Some of the home’s Victorian Queen Anne details include evidence of stick embellishment, an apron over the side window, and the prominent embedded corner tower. The home was recently restored by the present owners and has been converted from multiple small apartments back to a one-family dwelling.

1405 W. Columbia Terrace - Owner: Jared & Sandra Lonergan - This Georgian brick 4-square was built in 1926 by Charles Wison, a distillery and banking businessman. Its symmetrical interior structure, built on either side of a central entry way, classifies this home as Georgian. Extensive renovations were made in 2005 to the original kitchen and the upstairs master bedroom and bath. Today, smallest bedroom is what was originally a maid’s quarters.

1503 W. Parkside Drive - Owner: Brad & Mary George - This home is a Tudor Revival with Prairie and English influences, built circa 1923. Its first owner was Meyer Block, president of the Reliable & Iron Metal Company. The current owners have made several updates to the house, including the addition of a retaining wall, pool and patio in the back of the house; a fireplace insert; and a laundry room upstairs.

1922 W. Rohmann Avenue - Owners: Ryan Stevenson & Michael Murphy - This renovated four-bedroom home, built in 1924, was at one time owned by former Mayor Jim Maloof. The enclosed sunroom was originally a front porch, and original arched entries lead into the formal living room and din ing room in the front half of the home. One of the previous owners built an addition on the back of the house, which features a brick fireplace and picture windows. The current owners purchased the home in August 2007 and finished the basement with a full-service bar and home theater.

1605 W. Moss Avenue - Owner: Richard Tomic - This regal Cape Cod with an open floor plan was built in 1910 by Thomas Lovelace, a prominent Peoria financier. The letter “L” in the stained glass windows at the stairway landing stands for “Lovelace.” The home features original birch floors and woodwork as well as four fireplaces. The house has four bedrooms, three full baths and two half baths. Current owner Richard Tomic, who purchased the home in October 2007, is currently remodeling the third floor, which was the maid’s quarters.

Social service agencies are identified by their address and name prominently displayed in front of their building. Such identification lets curious on-lookers or people needing help know they are at the right place. The name, however detailed or descriptive, cannot do justice to the numerous services provided by that agency. Without the opportunity to visit inside and ask questions, it’s difficult to realize the scope of the help available. The buildings cannot tell the heartfelt stories of people in crisis. But facts, figures and insights can help.

Not-for-profits typically operate on a shoestring budget, especially those working independently and without financial backing of a national network. Agencies prioritize their services because needs surpass funding. It’s difficult ranking the most important among such needs as food, clothing, self-help programs, or education for basic skills. Agencies work together, preventing duplication of services, although resources within neighborhoods are important as many people in need do not have reliable transportation. Read the rest of this entry »

ROYCE IS BACK!

After a brief bout with his health, my radio co-host, comedian and good friend Royce Elliott, is once again bringing smiles and laughter to those who participate and listen to “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” on 1350 WOAM. Everyone knows how funny and witty Royce is and he was sorely missed while struggling with health issues.

TIM WILES SCORES WITH NEW BOOK

Speaking of “Breakfast with Royce and Roger,” former Peorian, Tim Wiles, was a guest on the show. Tim is director of research at baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

A graduate of Bergan High School, Wiles is co-author of a book celebrating the 100th anniversary of the writing of the song, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

Titled, “Baseball’s Greatest Hit,” the book traces the history of the music composed by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer. The colorful book is filled with fascinating photos and even includes a CD with a variety of versions of the song. Obviously, our favorite version is by Harry Caray sung in the 7th inning during the first Cub night game. The book sells for $29.95 and would make an excellent gift. Read the rest of this entry »

To many, May means Mayday and May flowers – violets in baskets left at doorsteps where bells are rung and visitors flee, laughing. May means Mother’s Day, too, of course, but more, too.

Personally, May is when my son was born – 21 years ago this month. And it’s when my own youthful innocence died – at Kent State 38 years ago.

Then, I thought that government would listen to its people; that it would care what demonstrators thought – about the Vietnam War, women’s rights, poverty and a whole host of issues.

But the government didn’t hear, and a detachment of National Guardsmen accidentally fired on peaceful protestors, Americans were told, killing four and wounding nine.

It turns out, however, that the government did hear, and that the shooting of unarmed protestors was no accident. Read the rest of this entry »

The canvas was timeworn, and tattered; the wood… worn, brittle, and battered. But one thing time could not tarnish was an enduring beauty, grace, and symmetry. This weathered wooden canoe was a relic; a special gift from a special friend (and paddling partner) who is now in his 80’s.

After hauling it back to Peoria in April, I gave it a once over, and looked up the identification number on line. It appeared to have been made by Old Town Canoe Company, of Old Town Maine, some 96 years ago, around 1912. I sent the information, via snail mail, to Old Town. They still have records of each canoe’s history, when it was sold, and to whom. There may be some tidbit to help in restoration. Read the rest of this entry »

According to an article that was carried by the Associated Press, Moody’s Investors Services doesn’t think much of the future of GateHouse Media stock. The agency cut GateHouse’s corporate family rating to “B2” from “B1.” Moody’s also “reduced its probability of default rating one notch” (whatever that means) to “B3” from “B2.” Both ratings remain at the non-investment grade, or “junk” level.

In other words, if you now own stock in GateHouse Media Inc., you own junk bonds.

Nice. Real nice.

At this point, I’d rather own a wad of Confederate States of America cash. At least some collector might want to pay me something for it. Read the rest of this entry »

As I was compiling this particular issue of the Community Word, my inner self kept telling me to “just do it.” And, since none of my readers chose to send in editorial content, I decided this was indeed the right time to do it. It was, after all, the month of May and May in Peoria means it’s time for the Race for the Cure.

I’ve always been proud to be a Peorian and to support Peoria’s Race for the Cure, which is one of 117 such races nation-wide. It’s a very worthy cause. The Susan Komen Foundation, as most of you know, does great and wonderful things for breast cancer patients.

I have to admit, however, that in the past I had no personal ties to this topic of breast cancer. I thought I was well-informed on this issue, but I was wrong.

Last summer, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. To say that it turned my life upside down would be a gross understatement. I am lucky that I caught it early and I am lucky that we have wonderful resources in Peoria for the treatment of this disease. I’ve now completed my treatments of chemotherapy and radiation and still have four months left to go on another less invasive treatment. While I haven’t quite yet reached that official status of being a cancer-free “survivor,” I feel that I am. It was a sobering and life-changing experience for me and my family. I am also extremely lucky to have had an awesome support system of family and friends and co-workers.

As we approach this great Peoria race, I would like to encourage all of you to support it and to learn more about this topic. Encourage the women in your life to do a monthly self exam and to get mammograms annually.

While I haven’t exactly kept my cancer diagnosis a secret, I didn’t have the strength yet to “go public.” I feel stronger now and have decided that May would be a great time to show my support of the Komen Foundation’s efforts. For those of you interested in donating money to this great cause, you can help me to raise funds for it. I recently registered online with my own Race for the Cure webpage, where people can easily donate online. If you’re so inclined, you could go online to donate money for this great cause here or you still have some time left to go ahead and register for Race Day.

Mom drifted off to sleep long before bedtime most weeknights. As a child I remember how she got up early every day, dressed up real nice and went to work. My brother and I got home before she did, and when she arrived she wasn’t up for much conversation.

One day Mom told me she could use some help at her office, something about a machine that folds letters and stuffs them into envelopes going haywire; it folded hundreds of letters the wrong way.

I was thrilled to go to work with her. She was the Office Manager at a Christian magazine and it was cool seeing her orchestrate the circulation department. The day I sat in the office with her to refold all those letters and stuff them in envelopes was the day I got the bug. Not sure if that’s the right word for it – some days I would call it the disease, but whatever it was, I got it. Now, I get up early, dress up as nice as I can and work in an office!

I’m not saying I dreamt of becoming an office professional, I didn’t. It just got into my DNA that day and now the mundane, monotonous tasks that so many loathe, I love.

I was only 12 when I sat at that desk in my Mom’s office, but I was old enough to understand that she and her staff were indispensible and could never be replaced by machines.

As a 20-year veteran in the administrative profession, I now know why Mom was so exhausted when she came home. I fully respect her efforts and endurance in a career that without question can try the very soul of the most stable personalities.

One must possess incredible patience and skill to sit behind a desk all day, magically complete their tasks and dodge bullets of gossip, condescension and backstabbing – not to mention staying clear of dueling egos. The workload alone is not for the faint-hearted. Mom is now retired from the office world and I’m still plugging away at piles of paperwork – though my office is wherever I want it to be – as long as I have my laptop and a strong Wi-Fi signal. Technology aside, the work is still the same, and still rewarding.

Sometimes I wonder how I can be so much like her in that respect and yet so different. She could cook circles around me in the kitchen and had a wonderful flair for decorating and entertaining. I’d rather be at my computer plucking away at these keys, cooking up stories, and entertaining readers. ‘To each his own,’ as they say.

I love my Mom. She is kind, thoughtful and generous. And, while I’m proud that I share her skill set professionally, I’m still working to earn the profitable wages of a life lived with a mother’s heart.

One of the many blessings attributed to a long life is the opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on youthful dreams. What once seemed like an awesome idea dims and dulls through the years. Sometimes once coveted goals become faint memories.

While I’ve not lived nearly as long as I hope to, this month marks a milestone birthday, 60. What’s most amazing is how quickly it arrived. I can remember in vivid detail happenings from my teens and 20’s and then it’s as though fast-forward was pushed, and instantly it’s decades later. Age is not a concern to me. I am the age I am, and regardless of fiber I eat or sweets I don’t or if I exercise, the number is the same. I’m grateful for 60 years, and hopeful for many more birthdays to celebrate.

Growing older was not something I gave a lot of thought to since time passes regardless. I’ve read articles about determining your “real” age as opposed to your chronological age. And I can remember my grandmother in her 60’s and my thinking she was old. It’s a matter of perspective. Who’s counting, comparing, and the age of the one deciding who’s old.

I was married three weeks before my 23rd birthday. It was always my dream to live in Chicago. It didn’t happen, and while I have no regrets, it’s interesting to revisit a dream from long ago. To celebrate our anniversary, my husband and I spent two days in Chicago. Downtown Chicago, where it’s all happening, or where I once believed it was. (Sometimes you find out it’s happening right where you are, if you know where to look.) The city is still vibrant, but the view is different for me. And along the way, I gained some insights about age, mine and others.

Amazing how many young women walk around in high heels. I felt older with every pair I saw. By afternoon’s end, when I was exhausted walking in my basic New Balance ties, I felt nearly obsolete. Ah, young heart, old feet.

A quick snack at an obviously popular coffee shop reminded me my concentration is limited. Many young people were sipping beverages, visiting with friends, and working on laptops. Multi-tasking, especially with something electronic, doesn’t work for me. Carrying around a laptop or a backpack also doesn’t work. Must be my age.

We stopped for lunch where we’d eaten when I was “younger.” The noise was over the top. We barely flipped open the menu and I knew food wouldn’t compensate for the roar. We left for quieter surroundings.

My dream city is toppling from its long-standing prominence. That can happen with dreams. They are great fantasies, but don’t always live up to expectations. The accumulation of wisdom and experience, afforded by the wondrous opportunity of growing older, puts a different slant on previous wishes and wants.

I’m still trying to make peace with body parts that sag, collagen that’s clumped rather than diffused advantageously, and my neck. If I peek in a mirror, the view’s tolerable. But look into the magnifying glass, essential now and again, and I’m shocked. I wonder when the terrain changed.

Gratitude seems the best response. I’m grateful to be here, trying to make a difference, however small. I’m grateful for the people in my life, for the love I receive, and the opportunity to love back, and the places I’ve seen. Sixty, such a blessing and what marvelous potential. Definitely where it’s all happening!