Author Archive

Dear Amelie Estelle, When your Daddy greeted your Papa and me in the hospital room while holding you, my heart skipped a beat. I’ve seen him with his newborn nieces and nephews, but you are his first newborn daughter and the memory of you two together is forever etched in my mind. Welcome to our family,...
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Perspective is difficult to explain to young ones, and apparently some adults, based on various crass comments on Facebook. The Presidential campaign and election are over, and results were a bitter disappointment to many, but continual negative remarks, unless tempered by beneficial suggestions, are not helpful, especially for those promoting the negativity. At...
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Q: You favor shifting the cost of educator pensions from the state to the local school districts. Isn’t that going to result in huge increases in property taxes? A: Shifting local pension obligations back on local school districts is a controversial issue. Right now, Central Illinois is subsidizing pensions for educators in the Chicago collar...
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Skill Sprout is an agency serving children with developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their informational brochures say, “Exceptional Services for Extraordinary Children & Families.” Services include: diagnostic services; social skills training; outpatient therapy services and tutoring. The team of trained professionals, which include a clinical psychologist, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist and licensed...
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Rebuilding Together-Peoria, a not-for-profit organization, is an all-volunteer group that partners with the community to rehabilitate homes of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled. The efforts of the many volunteers make it possible for others to continue to live in warmth, safety and independence. Rebuilding Together is the nation’s largest non-profit organization working...
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About 12 of us first met in the winter of 1967 in a training class at the Greater Peoria Airport as prospective employees of Ozark Airlines. Most of us were in our late teens or barely 20. This was many years prior to photo identification cards or company badges and we all regret not...
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When I was a child, I often asked my mother whom she loved most: my dad, my sister or me. I was hoping, and rather confident I would be high scorer in this category. It never happened. She always told me she loved all of us the same amount but in different ways. That...
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The prospect of making New Year’s Resolutions has always grabbed my attention even as a child. I love the idea of a new year waiting to be filled with all life has to offer. I have since learned, of course, that often the future is filled with mixed events, but that possibility didn’t occur...
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Holiday traditions have always been very important in my family. We’re not hesitant to make adjustments if an activity loses its significance, but we’re not slackers when it comes to celebrations. I grew up in a very small family, but what we lacked in numbers, my parents made up for in generosity, laughter and...
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Gratitude is an essential ingredient for Thanksgiving Day. Joined with laughter and love, and the savory aroma of turkey and dressing, and pumpkin pies, the menu and mood are sure to please. Thankfulness is expressed on other days throughout the year, but on the fourth Thursday of November, it reaches a crescendo as we...
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