TOO SOON!
It was a shock, a disappointing shock, when the announcement came that well-known Manual High School and University of Illinois basketball coach, Wayne McClain had died at the young age of 60. While initial news reports said he died from a lung infection and pneumonia, his close friend and former basketball coach, Chuck Westendorf, revealed McClain had been secretly fighting lung cancer for two years.
The startling revelation came during an emotional and tearful interview on our morning radio show on FM 90.7.
Westendorf was in the room with McClain when he passed away at Carle Hospital in Champaign. McClain’s son, Sergio, later confirmed his father had been diagnosed with lung cancer, but had kept the diagnosis from virtually everyone.
McClain’s success as a coach has been recounted by everyone locally and statewide. Westendorf told listeners to “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” that McClain was known for his compassion for Manual players.
“Some of his kids didn’t have the money for clothes. Wayne made sure they were able to dress with shirts, ties, and trousers. He made sure they had decent meals,” Westy said. “Though he ‘rode’ the kids during practice, he made sure to pat them on the back when they were leaving the school. He told me he wanted the kids to leave with a smile on their faces because of the adversity many of them were experiencing in their lives.”
It was a great tribute to Wayne McClain and the life he lived that ended far too soon. I thank “Westy” for the heart-felt remarks he shared with our listeners.
JOIN US
As mentioned, Chuck Westendorf was a guest on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger,” the morning show now heard on the FM radio dial at 90.7. This is commercial free radio where you hear lots of local news by Alicia Butler without seven to eight minutes of commercials before, during, and after newscasts. We’ve had some exclusive guests with exclusive stories. Coming up are appearances by Judge Steve Couri, Federal Judge Jim Shadid, the producer of the NBC Dateline Nathan Leuthold program, and possibly, the daughter of the late and great comedian, Jonathan Winters. You’re welcome to join us for entertaining talk, music, sports, and lots of laughs guaranteed to start your day with a smile.
GOOD CHOICE
Congratulations to Stacy Peterson! She’s been appointed the new public relations director for the City of Peoria. Stacy has outstanding credentials and an impressive resume. More importantly, she’s a fireball filled with energy and possessing a dynamic and positive personality. She’ll do an excellent job. PJS reporter Nick Vlahos might take lessons from Stacy. In writing about the appointment of Peterson, Vlahos had to dredge up the twitter story about Peoria’s mayor and the fry cook. Like others at the newspaper, Vlahos again provided his spin calling the twitter personal and profane attacks a “parody.” Right and Booth didn’t shoot Lincoln.
SPEAKING OF THE JOURNAL
What has happened to the Peoria Journal?
This was once one of the best daily newspapers of any city of comparable size in the country, not that I’ve read that many daily papers in my life. But, I’ve done some traveling and have picked up papers in gas stations, motels, and stores in multiple cities east, west, north and south. So, I have some basis for praising PJS.
Sadly, today’s Peoria daily is bad. The A section of the Sunday, October 19 edition had 22 pages and 19 of those were either full page ads or close to it. The paper has become a shoppers publication with Gatehouse, the owner, obviously worried about surviving financially. News reporting is minimal except for sports and obituaries.
DUMB AND MORE DUMB
Hardly a month goes by but what more evidence splashes out about how dumb it was for District 150 board members to vote to close Woodruff High School. You’ll recall the vote was 4 to 3 to shut down the north side school with an enrollment of over 900 students. Meanwhile, the board voted to open a new high school after telling the community it could not afford four high schools. Quest Charter Academy now includes a high school and is interested in fielding a football team with Peoria Heights High School.
Millions were spent to retro fit Peoria High School to accommodate most of the former Woodruff students. Now taxpayers will be asked to continue paying the folks who brought the charter school concept to Peoria so a new high school could open and field a football team. Is that dumb or what?
IS AM RADIO DYING?
Last month we said we would talk about AM radio and its apparent decline. Space limitations push the subject to next month.
THANKSGIVING WISHES
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”–Cicero