My wife, Mary, and I were driving south of Peoria to visit the Emiquon Wetland Restoration and National Wildlife Refuge at Dickson Mounds near Lewistown. It was just before Thanksgiving, and I was looking forward to finding a bunch of…
A few random thoughts running through my head this month …
It’s amazing. A couple of years ago, the Peoria County State’s Attorney had some cops arrested and changed with police brutality. The arrest was based on a YouTube video taken immediately after a nighttime race through Peoria’s streets. The convicted…
Enjoy It While You Can
by Dolores M. Klein, Peoria, IL As we see the Holidays “coming at us” all around, we remember too well the hectic-ness, cleaning, cooking and baking, writing Christmas cards, inviting family and friends to celebrations, gathering the Christmas lists from…
An Open Letter to the Springdale Management Authority, Board of Directors & Cemetery Manager
by Elaine & George Hopkins, Peoria, IL We support protecting the Springdale Savanna. It’s a piece of Illinois history that deserves to be left alone. Please keep the existing agreement with the state IDNR. The Savanna should not be used…
First 100 Days
by Lori Curtis Luther, Peoria County Administrator Thanksgiving Day marks my 100th day as Peoria County’s Administrator. Reflecting on the past 100 days, I certainly have much to be thankful for since August 16, 2011. First, I would like to…
They Hated Roosevelt too. Remember?
by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL With more that 25 million unemployed, the poverty rate moving upward every month, corporations going overseas, and many small businesses turning belly up, I think it is appropriate to take a backward glance to the…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part twelve
Rachel is in the lobby of the Afterglow Journey Center, baffled by her receptionist’s hesitation on answering her question. “Tina, I was just talking with Mrs. Stone an hour ago. Is she still cleaning out Mr. Stone’s room or isn’t…
May we always believe in the magic of love!
Dear Santa Claus, Yes, I know you’re a very busy man in December and probably wondering why a woman my age would be writing you a letter. Sentimentality for one reason and a genuine fondness for the season is another.…
West Peoria News for December
You are invited to the annual Christmas Party given by the West Peoria Resident’s Association co-hosting with the Franciscan Center to start the Holiday Season, on Sunday, December 4th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Santa will light the Christmas tree…
Musings for December
Here it is the last column of the year and it seems like I just wrote the first one last month. It has been an eventful, exhausting and draining spiritually in so many ways. Both Jason and I have been…
Zero Degrees of Separation Movie Group Shows The Muppet Movie at the Pekin Public Library: A Positive Movie to Begin the Holiday Season
Zero Degrees of Separation Movie Group has moved its showing of “The Muppet Movie” to December 10th at 10:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. in the Pekin Library Conference Room. This showing starts the beginning of the movie group’s new venue, new…
Shop Talk: Small business highlights
Tired of crashing after drinking lots of caffeinated coffee to keep alert? According to Raven Trapp, founding member and network distributor of SereniGy, there is an alternate that helps you feel better. According to Trapp, “80% of the population of…
Happenings for December
thru Dec 17 – Candlelight Walks – Recurring weekly on Fri. & Sat. at Luthy Botanical Gardens. thru Dec 31st – Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre presents “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Recurring weekly on Sun., Thurs.,…
Free Events for Kids and Families in December at Peoria Public Library
PreSchool Friday, December 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 – Fun Time Storytime – North Branch – 10:15-10:45 a.m. – Fun stories and songs for children ages 3-6. 497-2100 FREE Wed., December 7 – Fun Time Storytime – Main Library,…
Newsbriefs
Gordon Votes to Close Pension Loopholes Working to reform the state’s broken pension system, state Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) recently supported two measures aimed at closing loopholes & preventing abuses of state pension benefits. House Bill 3815 prevents an employee…
Tazewell County Jaycees October Trunk-Or-Treat: Community Service for Families This Halloween
The Tazewell County Jaycees annual Trunk-Or-Treat event in Fondulac Plaza in East Peoria, Illinois was another hit this year with families living in the area wanting to celebrate Halloween with their children. Additionally, the Trunk-Or-Treat event showcases area businesses ability…
Dungeon of Darkness: Pekin’s Premiere Haunt Scares Up Great Business in 2011
Dungeon of Darkness, Pekin, Illinois’ longest running haunt, had a great Halloween season this year with the integration of new rooms and new scares. The haunted attraction, ran by Matt Ruder, his wife Beth Ruder, and Dennis Shea as well…
OccupyPeoria makes a splash
It was a surprisingly large rally, by Peoria standards. I hung out at the Occupy Peoria rally on Oct. 15. What you have to understand is no one really occupied anything. The rally was held at the corner of West…
Pathways of Faith
Love is a basic tenet of Christianity and Reverend Steve Barch has devoted his life to sharing God’s love with others. The paths of such a vocation have been varied, but the journey continues to offer him many opportunities to…
City Leaders Seek Input on Cumulative Voting System
Peoria may change the way it elects City Council members provided city residents are unhappy with the outcome. Bradley University’s Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service (IPL) is leading an initiative to give Peoria citizens a chance to weigh…
The reason for the season
The Importance of Being Haddad’s Market
By Greg Speck Mark Wrhel, owner of Haddad’s Market knew that many people were devastated by the fire and the destruction of the Haddad’s Market, in January of this year. He knew his customers had really depended on the store…