On June 18, 2009,
I developed a new feature called the "Shot of the day". That's right, I
will be capturing one image per day here in Havana for that spot on the
front page which will give you a feel for what is going on around town
on that particular day. This page will contain a record of those images,
published here on a smaller scale. The original large images will be
placed on the website homepage and will change
daily so be sure to check it out, you never know, tomorrow may just be
"your" day.
Sheridan Lane Restaurant
January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR
January 2, 2010
Brrrrrrrrrr!ant
January 3, 2010
It might be cold, but...can
anything be more beautiful that our Nation's proud symbol soaring and
fishing above the Illinois River right here in Central Illinois on a
beautiful clear, crisp New Year's morning?
January 4, 2010
Havana Graffiti...seems
to be showing up all over town. On houses, cars, trucks, you name it. The
house above is on West Washington but there have been many other similar
acts in other areas. Time to get a longer chain for your pit bull.
January 5, 2010
The HHS Lady Ducks...are
off to another great year. Fresh off some productive tournament play it
is time to get down to business in their home conference. On Monday
evening the Ladies hosted the Peoria Heights Patriots. In both games the
high-flying Lady Ducks flew off with a commanding early lead and never
looked back. This Thursday beginning at 6:00 the Freshmen Ladies will
take on Canton, followed by regular Varsity Basketball against Elmwood
HS with the JV game beginning at 7:15 so come out for a great night of
these great Lady Ducks basketball.
After a long absence from the home court
the Boys Varsity Ducks return on Tuesday night at 6:00. I hope everyone
will brave this little cold snap and come out to support these great
teams of young folks, it's a fun night out for everyone...GO DUCKS!!!
The photos from Monday night have now been uploaded, just
click the link below...
The Ducks...were
the hosts to the Rushville Rockets on Tuesday night. Truth is, the HHS
Varsity Ducks aren't very good hosts as they promptly handed the Rockets
two losses for the evening.
The photos from the game are finished and uploaded, sorry for the delay.
Just click the link below.
The Days of Winter...are
far from ugly once you get passed the change of the season. Even on those
occasional ugly days there is still a lot of beauty in winter. Stop
shivering for a minute and look around you
:-) even the driven
snow of a large winter storm creates some very beautiful snow shapes and
drifts. Nature is a beautiful thing...even in winter. Just in case you would
rather see the beauty of winter right here on 62644.com stay tuned I have a
lot more coming for you.
January 8, 2010
Midwest Speed Expo...is
back once again this Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on
both days. This show is a great time for everyone, drivers and fans
alike love this show because it is a chance to find out what's new this
year, see old friends, and the fans get a great opportunity to meet
their favorite drivers...and you never know who will show up.
What better way to spend
a wintry Saturday or Sunday just before the start of the new season? The
MIDWEST SPEED EXPO is your opportunity to look over and purchase both
new and used parts for your racing program as well as to talk with
representatives from area tracks to catch up on any rule changes. Also
on hand will be representatives from chassis manufacturers as well as
shock, wheel, fuel, tires and safety equipment to answer any questions
you may have.
On Sunday the 3rd
Annual Midwest Speed “DRIVER of the YEAR” will be named and awarded in
memory of my mother Cindy Young. The award will include $500.00 cash and
products for the winning driver! The winner will join last years
co-winners Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois and Justin Allgaier of
Riverton, Illinois and Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL., winner of the
inaugural award.
Make this a family event
and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun! Make your plans
now and mark your calendar and don’t miss this event! Admission is just
$7.00 for adults with a $2.00 discount offered to all U.M.P., I.M.C.A.
and Northern All Star Late Model Series members when you present your
membership card at the door! Children under 10 are admitted free!
Additional information can be
obtained by visiting
www.midwestspeed.net
or calling Show Coordinator Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.
January 9, 2010
Once upon a time...many
years ago about this time of year I remember a night when the road
conditions were very similar to this. There were four much younger guys who
were taking in a movie at the Lawford. Upon exiting the theater they were
surprised to find that it had warmed up and had actually rained while they
were enjoying the movie. As strange weather events sometime take place, the
rain had almost instantly frozen on top of the snow packed country roads. As
the four of us, oops did I say that, were on a country ride we stopped to
look at the unbelievably clear sky and the huge moon and stars. As we were
climbing into the car someone said, "I've always wanted to ski." You can
pretty well imagine the rest, but I must say that hanging on to the rear
bumper, knees bent, shoe leather on the smooth ice was great entertainment
and a thrill a minute. Miles and miles later everyone decided we had enough
cold fun and the inside of the car seemed the place to be. One individual
happened to notice that he had completely worn out the soles of his new
boots he had just received for Christmas. The very next morning those boots
were on their way to town for re-treads, hopefully before "the old man"
noticed. Have you tried to pull something over on your parents lately?
You're right it didn't work then either. Oh, the good old days.
January 10, 2010
Is anyone tired...of
winter photos yet? If so drop me a note at
crtrc1@aol.com and let me know
what you would like to see, this could be fun. I will try my best to fill
your requests/ideas.
January 11, 2010
Fun on a Winter day...Elizabeth
Otto and Kali Cowart were having a ball when I caught them tearing up
the slopes in Rockwell Park on Sunday.
January 12, 2010
Break is over...and the "Mad
About the Ducks" show is back. The entire team got together to catch up
on what happened in 2009 and what is headed your way in 2010. This 3
part show is ready to go and so is the team. There are some great new
shows planned and being planned so stay tuned in.
Click the link below for the MATD Homepage and show links...
It was a Tuesday split...the
Hartsburg/Emden Stags came to town on Tuesday night to play the Ducks.
The early JV game was all Ducks but the Varsity game was quite a battle.
The Stags took a small early lead, taken over quickly by the Ducks who
held the lead until 1:06 of the 4th Quarter when the game became tied.
That last minute was the entire game with the Stags taking the contest
55-53. The photos are finished, just click the link below for more...
Winter scenes...this
is from my country tour last weekend. I think I will save some of these for
August, they could come in handy.
January 15, 2010
Today...you get not one, but FOUR
Shots of the Day!
THE Network is born...On
Thursday, January 14, 2010 something very special happened. Next week the
whole story will be announced here on the Shot of the Day, do stay tuned for
this one...
Keep going there's more...
Havana
Duck Lanyards...are
available at Havana Junior High School for $3 each. The proceeds will help
support the Scholastic Bowl team and other programs. E-mail Mrs. Trimpe at
ttrimpe@havana126.net
for
more information or stop by the junior high office to purchase some.
HJHS Basketball...the
Jr. High Ducks took on Pleasant Plains Thursday night. There are photos
for you, just click the link below...
The Stack...or
some call it, the cloud maker, is quite evident on a very cold day recently.
January 18, 2010
The iDUCK Network...is
HERE! I have been so privileged to be a small part of this amazing project.
To experience the enthusiasm of the school district from Dr. Twomey and
everyone else involved has been very inspiring, but it was Tracy Trimpe who
took the bull by the horns and has made all this happen with the support of
her fellow teachers and Principal Jerry Wilson, when she got the kids
involved the true magic really began happening. Soon the new domain,
www.iducknetwork.com will be up and running but you can
see it now by clicking the Duck in the photo above. These talented and
creative kids will be doing it all and what a thrill it will be to work with
them and to see the results of their efforts. To all of these great kids,
"You are the greatest!" All week this week, the Shot of the Day will be
focused on them and their efforts on this project.
January 20, 2010
Just seconds before the above photo was taken, I
asked Tyler Cleer if he was going to have a fun night, his answer was a sly
smile and a "You better believe it." With that, Tyler took the charge to the
court in hand as he lead his team into the gymnasium against his former
team, the Lewistown Indians. Tyler joined the Ducks this year and has been a
very welcomed addition in basketball this year with his
solid, focused, and very determined play. Welcome home Tyler, we're glad
your here.
Coming Monday...Some may look at
the W/L numbers for the season and call it a bad year. But those numbers do
not always define a season. Friday night the Ducks hosted BPC-Avon with
another split on the evening. The photos from the game will clearly show the
intensity, focus, and hustle of the Havana Duck Varsity Squad but some still
question those numbers so the "Mad About the Ducks" team sat down with Coach
Brady and some of the squad on Saturday morning for a very interesting
discussion about the season.
Also coming Monday...is
photo coverage of the Havana Lady Ducks Saturday game against Elmwood.
Two-game photo
coverage plus HD Video all
for FREE and the click of a mouse.
January 25, 2010
Some may look...at
the W/L numbers for the season and call it a bad year. But those numbers do
not always define a season. Friday night the Ducks hosted BPC-Avon
with another split on the evening. The photos from the game will clearly
show the intensity, focus, and hustle of the Havana Duck Varsity Squad but
some still question those numbers so the "Mad About the Ducks" team sat down
with Coach Brady and some of the squad on Saturday morning for a very
interesting discussion about the season.
The photos are posted for you to view and the video just
click the links below...
The Havana Lady Ducks...continued
their fantastic season on Saturday with game against Elmwood. It was a
Varsity only make up game which the team won handily.
Sam's
signing...with
Western Illinois University happens Wednesday, February 3 at 2:30 PM in
the North foyer of Havana High School.
As many of you know, Sam has worked very hard all four years of his high
school career. All the best to you Sam! Click the link below for more
information...
Our Lady Ducks...hosted
the Midwest Central Lady Raiders on Thursday night for a Varsity only game. The impressive HLD team took off from the beginning
and never looked back. Once again this year, Coach Jerry Wilson's team
is a force to be reckoned with in Central Illinois and beyond,
congratulations girls, your hard work and dedication shows, all the best
for the rest of the season.
Dr. Twomey, fan...Patrick
M. Twomey, Superintendent, Havana Community School District #126 officially,
but that is only one side of this interesting man. He is very approachable,
great to talk with, he's a dad with young kids too, but there is one thing
about him that is pretty impressive, I think at least. That is the amount of
time he spends at school functions supporting teachers, parents, and of
course his students. He goes to so many school functions I would like to
give him a camera to take pictures for 62644.com. I have seen him at so many
school events on week days, week nights, week-ends, home games, away games,
plays or concerts on a Sunday, you name it you will see him there. While
shooting the Lady Ducks Vs. Midwest Central on Thursday I caught a photo of
him in the stands. I thought it was pretty interesting to check out what he
is holding in his right hand. Havana athletes throw souvenirs
to selected people in the stands who are special to them
as a gesture to recognize those people when the players are announced to the
crowd. I think it says a lot about those people in the stands who catch
those special gestures from the athletes be you a mom, dad, grandparent,
boyfriend, girlfriend, or even a District Superintendent. BTW, it was a nice
catch too! You will get a chance to get to know Dr. Twomey a little better
as the "Mad About the Ducks" Team will be taping a show with him over the
weekend and is scheduled to air on Monday, don't miss this one, I think this
one will be great.
