Category Archives: Uncategorized

Obituaries: Dixon, George

Obituaries: Dixon, George

Gayle Hunter-Dixon BLOOMINGTON – Gayle K. Hunter-Dixon, 81, of Bloomington, passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. Per Gayle’s wishes there will be a private family service held at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded. The family suggests for memorials to be made to the First…MORE

Great Escape to Alaska

Great Escape to Alaska

Head to Alaska for a cruise along the Inside Passage on the Royal Princess, and a train trip into the heart of Alaska’s wilderness! MORE

Lincoln’s Pigs & Swigs Festival

Lincoln’s Pigs & Swigs Festival

Head out to downtown Lincoln for a 2 days of amazing BBQ, craft beer, and live entertainment! Up in Smoke on the Square is a BBQ competition that draws pitmasters from all over the country to showcase and compete with their top BBQ! The Pigs & Swigs Festival held in historical downtown Lincoln, was created…MORE

16th Annual Epiphany Carnival

16th Annual Epiphany Carnival

16th Annual Epiphany Carnival June 14-16, 2018 It’s the 16th Annual Epiphany Carnival at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal! 3 days of Food, Games, Carnival Rides, and More! This carnival is a fun for all ages, open to the public, and has free admission. Advance tickets sales (10 for $20) will begin the weekend of…MORE

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…