Proctor Hospital Happenings

The Family Maternity Center at Proctor Hospital offers an array of classes for everyone in the family including moms, dads, siblings and grandparents. Most classes are free. Newborn Care (free) June 3 LAMAZE ($60 per couple) June 7-28 Breastfeeding ($10.00)…

Experiencing exellence

Excellence is often difficult to define, but easy to recognize. Sometimes it’s found in the ambiance of a restaurant or gift shop or in the presentation of a colorful and delicious meal. Excellence can be demonstrated in the positive, friendly…

Doing What You Are Called to Do

Nuns have fascinated me since I was first introduced to Sister Mary Paulinda, a young, pretty nun who was my kindergarten teacher. She must have rethought her vocation more than a few times as I was not thrilled about going…

Quinn picks Simon as running mate

The daughter of the late U.S. Senator and one-time presidential candidate Paul Simon is making a run for Lieutenant Governor. She’s not garrulous or shy, not a Washington insider or a political novice. But she’s savvy, real and ready to…

Extensive construction and renovations at Bradley

by Tyler Maritote The west side of Bradley’s campus has a new welcome sign: “Welcome to Bradley University, please excuse our dust.” That side of the campus is undergoing extensive construction with new additions, renovations and buildings, the most recent…

Happy birthday

On numerous occasions I’m reminded by other people what a great man my father was. Recently, I received an invitation to appear as a guest on the cable program, “Neighborhood Views,” from the host, Lorraine Carter. Lorraine said she not…

Cat, Ameren, ADM among Toxic 100 air polluters

A new list of the top corporate air polluters in the United States includes two companies based in Peoria and a third Illinois firm with a key operation here, according to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The “Toxic…

The Garden needs the serpent

It was enormous, and I had almost stepped on it. I ran to my grandfather while pointing back at the largest snake I’d ever seen. It was sunning itself in his orchard. He just looked over at the snake and…

A GOP senior’s view of the Peoria Tea Party

By Coleen Lickiss, Marquette Heights, IL Knowing the momentum American Tea Partiers were gaining, I, a Republican senior, personally wanted to see and hear what really transpired at the Peoria Tea Party April 15 along the riverfront at the end…

Starving for Life

There is something about physical starvation that drives a human soul to hunt for food at any cost. In that condition, all other earthly pursuits become meaningless and the mind is completely absorbed in the chase for sustenance. What saddens…

Serendipity for May 2010

Nostalgia reigns supreme in my heart. I am sentimental and a saver, not a great combination if one is trying to downsize possessions. I am always trying to downsize something, either my stuff or me. The project never ends. Some…

West Peoria News for May 2010

Remember Americans who have served our country on Memorial Day weekend with the Annual West Peoria Memorial Day celebration beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the West Peoria War Veterans memorial on Saturday, May 29th. The memorial is at the corner…

Musings for May 2010

Today, Saturday, April 24th, is a gorgeous, fresh day after the rain cleansed everything yesterday. It smelled better outside and it was a joy to breathe the air. I made sure Kaja did her business, and I picked it up,…