On October 16, 1854, in Peoria, Abraham Lincoln argued against expanding slavery and touched on a citizen’s role, that when he governs himself that is self-government, “but when he governs himself and also governs another, that is more than self-government.…
If you’re reading this, then you made it to the year of our Lord, 2023. Perhaps there is light snow on the ground and a solitary robin sitting on a frosty tree limb just outside your window. If you’re lucky,…
At 123 years old, the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest running citizen science project in existence. Its roots date back to 1900, when ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested that people should go out at Christmas and count…
After an absence of three years, the annual Peoria Journal Christmas Sing returned Tuesday, Dec. 13, without the involvement of the local newspaper. Apparently, Ebenezer Scrooge, new owners of the Peoria Journal Star, had no interest in continuing what they…
Remember when Christmas celebrations signaled time to bring out the “good dishes” because paper plates and napkins were not allowed? Paper products weren’t so popular in the 1950s and ’60s whatever the celebration, but particularly not for the Big Holidays.…
Before the origination of public art museums, exposure to distant cultures was limited to private collections and travel of elite society and nobility. The history and development of museums have a rugged lineage with the political controversy of questionable artifact…
Last month I explored Greenland’s and West Antarctica’s accelerating ice loss. Both are approaching tipping points beyond which continuing ice loss becomes irreversible. Yet, these glaciers are so massive that it’s hard to imagine them withering away. For that task…
The first time I can remember being exposed to the Illinois prairie was more than 40 years ago on a hike led by Hal Gardner at Jubilee College State Park. It was part of a “Prairie Day” event to build…
If we’re to believe WCBU-FM, and there’s no reason not to, Methodist, Proctor, and Pekin hospitals have been transferred by Unity Point Health of West Des Moines, Iowa, to Carle Foundation of Urbana for $75 million. The deal, which Unity…
“I Never Sleep Cause Sleep Is The Cousin Of Death” – Nas (New York State of Mind) Upon winning a second term as governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis declared in his victory speech that “Florida is where ‘Woke’ goes to…
