August 1, 2009
Coming soon to your favorite website... Something new and important is coming to 62644.com soon, stay tuned. Thanks to the DEA for the great photograph above.
August 2, 2009
Danny Thomas... experienced a miracle in 1962 at the Dedication Ceremonies of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The story of Danny's dream is one you should know, please CLICK HERE . What began with a miracle and a promise for and by Danny Thomas, the miracles and that same promise continue stronger than ever almost 50 years later. Donations to St. Jude are subject to Danny's promise and extremely strict rule that no more than 10% of every dollar donated would ever go for expenses, making certain that the children battling cancer would have the greatest chance possible to receive their miracle.
It is 453.58 miles from Memphis, Tennessee to Peoria, Illinois, a long drive but even a longer run. Dedicated runners from literally everywhere are doing just that in order to keep the dream and promise of Danny Thomas alive. Their efforts of running this 453 1/2 miles will again make it possible to give children and their families not only hope but the facility to engage in their battles against cancer.
In the above photo the first of the St. Jude Runners arrive in Havana, Illinois, in the early Saturday morning light at 5:30 am, where the Happy Handful 4-H Club had a hot shower and a hot breakfast waiting for them at Havana High School. This much appreciated meal and shower was a great project for the local 4-H Club, the smiles on the faces of the runners and the 4-H'ers were about equal, and the real smiles of the children and their families in St. Jude were there also. Great Job Happy Handful!
August 3, 2009
HHS Fitness Facility... is a modern, state of the art center. This facility is awesome and receives a great deal of use.
August 4, 2009
Macomb Group Hosts 2nd Annual Local Foods Dinner… This very interesting event is quite unique as it is a celebration of their assets combined with their talents which all come together in this great community event. I am sure you will see this event grow quite large in the future as this great concept also seems to be very well organized.
Please CLICK HERE for the rest of this story.
SPECIAL EDITION August 4, 2009
Havana, Illinois, 8:10am… This is the West lawn of the Mason County Court House looking to the Northeast. According to the NWS a storm containing 80 mph straight line winds came through Havana between 8:00am and 8:30am. The area hardest hit was the Main/Market Street area. I have placed additional photographs online, I have heard of no reported injuries at this time. There was a related fire in Hurley's basement which was dealt with very quickly by HFD. The Havana Park District and the City of Havana are working very hard and responded immediately to remove trees from the streets in order to make passage on the streets of Havana possible once again. Ironically, only a short term of power-loss was experienced.
August 5, 2009
Fighting Drugs in Havana… Two Havana teens have taken recent life-flight's to Peoria hospitals due to drug overdoses. A group in Havana has decided that as long as the sneakers are hanging in this town, the gloves will remain on the ice. The Havana Area Prevention Team has formed a group from within their ranks to address the use of DXM in Havana. Appropriately named, The DXM Task Force, this group has already made great progress against the teenage use of DXM. You may or may not know about DXM, information is the key...the key to saving the lives of Havana teens. In the last few months I have been working with this group to produce a website for them in order to provide you with important online information. Please click the link below to read more from this group. You will be glad you did.
August 6, 2009
August Tradition… For many years now, the first few days of August finds me sitting at my computer working on the website in the early evenings. Then, when least expected that familiar sound catches my attention. I know from experience that there is not time to look, but only to grab my camera and attach a lens before heading out the door with a smile on my face. Why, you might ask. That sound was my signal to come meet the new HHS Marching Band. There they were marching sharply down McKinley in front of the High School. HHS always has a very talented band and Director George Caton is a huge reason for that. The new group looks good and sounds good, so all that said, meet your 2010 HHS Marching Band. PS, see ya next August.
August 7, 2009
The Second Miracle… Not long ago the Havana Park District was under heavy fire to prepare RiverFront Park for the City Catfish Tournament after floodwaters had devastated the park for many weeks. They pulled the task off without a hitch. On Tuesday morning, just 3 days before the annual City Car Show, Mother Nature displayed her might once again when a devastating storm blew through RiverFront Park with 80 mph straight-line winds. This time Superintendent of Parks, Jim Barrett knew that he and his team really had their work cut out for them. On top of everything else the city’s dump was soon filled to capacity and closed. This left the District forced to “store” the debris temporarily at Veterans Park. There will be a car show later today thanks to the hard work by the Park District team; what they accomplished in such a short time is nothing short of a miracle.
For more information see the Peoria Journal Star story by CLICKING HERE .
August 8, 2009
The King of Pop… I am sure that like me, many of you have heard or been part of numerous discussions regarding the late Michel Jackson. Everyone has an opinion about his doing this or doing that, but there is one fact that prevails. MJ was an extremely talented person even at a very young age. More than his singing talents was his stage presence, the man was without a doubt the best showman/entertainer/performer the world has ever seen, a fact that no one or event can ever take away. He was amazing to watch on stage as he totally captivated any audience in any part of the world. The entertainment industry is so very demanding yet he always brought perfection and that unmatchable WOW factor to the spotlight of the live stage. MJ was and always will be the true legendary entertainer. This video will allow you to study the magic of his every move onstage, crank it, every drumbeat is indeed magic…CLICK HERE. Regardless of the pain and demons he was given to bear in his life, Michael gave all of us magical memories. Thank you Michael and Godspeed.
August 9, 2009
Havana's 7th Car Show… As you will see there were beautiful new "trick" cars, the ever popular "Muscle" cars, the beautifully restored "Vintage" cars, and everything else in between. Adding to the event was an Antique Tractor Show and Pull which is always popular and Tim Oest was there to capture lots of images. The photos are processed and published, you can view or purchase prints by using the following link... CLICK HERE .
August 10, 2009
Country Roads… One thing about small towns is that even if you work very long hours seven days a week, you can do what I did this morning and take a couple hours, your camera, and in two minutes you are looking at scenery like this no matter what direction you take. I think it's called charging your batteries. My vacation is over so better get back to work.
August 11, 2009
The Mad Duck…
is back from summer vacation and it will not be long now. The coaches tell
me they are ready to get started and the players I have talked to are
excited about there respective upcoming 09/10 sports seasons. As usual my
camera batteries are charged and ready to go and again this year you will be
able to find all the HHS and HJHS Sports events on the sports portal link on
the link panel at left or click
August 12, 2009
Spoon River
College…
August 13, 2009
First home game
of the year…
August 14, 2009
Last shot…
August 15, 2009
157th Illinois
State Fair…
August 16, 2009
Skynrd Rocks Illinois…
August 17, 2009
Plan "B"… I did have something different planned for the Shot of the Day, but then it became one of those go with the flow kind of days, so since one of the purposes of the Shot of the Day is to show you what was going on around the area for the day, I guess this will do the job. Anyone else resort to Plan B today?
August 18, 2009
Havana repairs… A lot of work is going on around town. This site is on Orange Street, just down from the Post Office. This includes the installation of wheel chair ramps on the curbs. Lookin' good guys.
August 19, 2009
Just a little push… Well maybe a big push would be better. Tuesday afternoon found the final stages of preparation to slide the last sections of boat ramps into place. It is pretty tricky business preparing the underwater slope of the bank when nothing can be seen, so in order to get-r-done it takes some wading, swimming, feeling around, and even measuring to get it right. The North side is ready to go and very soon the huge concrete slabs will be slid into place. Interesting project.
August 20, 2009
Sheridan Lane Restaurant & Lounge… Most of you know that Ty Pennington is back in Central Illinois this week, but even he and his Extreme Makeover team would be impressed with the new classy bistro at Lakewood Golf Course. A huge touch of elegance surfaced in Mason County with the official opening at their first public luncheon on Wednesday. I will be back for many more photos and a more detailed story very soon, in the mean time you have to come see this remarkable transformation. Sheridan and her executive staff have prepared a menu that is awesome and waiting for you on Wednesday thru Saturday at lunch 11-2, dinner 5-9, and a special bar menu 11-11, all leading to a Sunday Brunch from 11-2. Give owner, Sheridan Lane a call at 309-546-2741 for more.
August 21, 2009
The sky wasn't falling… but a few bricks were at the Graham Hospital Supplies building. All should be back to normal in a couple more days. It's been kind of fun to watch the crowd head for the river front to watch the boat ramps being moved into place, then the group moves to Main and Plum to check out the building repairs two stories up, and a little extra attraction is the brick laying and sidewalk alterations at various locations around town. Who said there is nothing to do in Havana?
August 22, 2009
Meet the Ducks… is an annual tradition when everyone has a chance to do just that, and this is the 2009 edition. All the respective fall teams and squads from both HJHS and HHS were present on Friday evening. The remainder of the photos have been processed and can be viewed by using this link CLICK HERE . It is good to have the Ducks back home, and that is just where the Varsity Football Team will be next Friday night for their first home game of the year, see ya there!
August 23, 2009
Downtown blooming… The planters at the corners of Main and Plum and Main and Orange are looking quite nice these days. Definitely worth parking for a few minutes and taking a closer look.
August 24, 2009
A beautiful Sunday morning… and time for another one of my mini-vacations so I grabbed the camera and headed for the country. Here is one of my vacation photos to share with all of you. The weather has just been absolutely gorgeous...and to think these are the Dog Days of August.
August 25, 2009
This is Quiver River… Over time it has also been known as Quiver Creek. It is hardly known but in history, and history mentions it's legendary hunting resources among other things. The History of Mason County holds many mentions of this beautiful yet hidden treasure of our area...
"Much the same surroundings and inconveniences greeted the early settlers of this township as did those of Manito and other adjacent portions of the county. Their marketing had to be done a long way from home, and the time required for getting their crops to market was almost equal in length to that required to raise them. Their principal trading-points were Havana, Mackinaw and Pekin. Their milling was done at Mackinaw or across the river in Fulton County. The journey to Mackinaw consumed four or five days, governed somewhat by the length of time they had to wait for a "grist" to be ground. Simnnnds built a mill on Quiver Creek, in quite an early day, and a few years later, McHarry's Mill, on the same stream, was erected, so that those coming in a few years subsequent to the date of the earliest settlements made in the township, were denied the exquisite pleasure of going to mill at Mackinaw, and on Spoon River, in Fulton County."
"Wild game of all kinds was so abundant that the farmer did not dare to cut up his corn in the fall and place it in shocks; if he did he was sure to come out in the spring minus one-third to one-half of his crop. The marshes and sand hills around the head of Quiver Creek were famous hunting-grounds in an early day. But the march of civilization, the dense settling-up of the country and its improvement into fine and productive farms, have driven out all the larger kinds of game, and we have nothing left save that which is commonly found in the older settled portions of our country. Vast and mighty changes have come upon us during the forty years last past. Forest City Township has never had a grist-mill erected within her borders. McHarry's, in Quiver, and Shanholtzer's. in Manito, supply the deficiency."
Want more? Click this link... The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois
August 26, 2009
South Boat Ramp… slides right into place on Tuesday morning. Lots of things going on down by the river as all of the docking was also delivered and will soon be moved into place. Flooding reeked havoc this past year with these riverfront projects by the Havana Park District but things are moving along now that the water levels have allowed these final stages to be preformed.
August 27, 2009
Oh poop!… It's very nice to go for a walk with your favorite pet on a nice day. That is something I always sincerely enjoyed while my friend, Furby was alive. But I have to ask you, how many times have you seen someone walking their dog and allowing Fido to relieve himself in the yard of a neighbor without even thinking about cleaning up afterward? Havana has some beautiful parks where families gather for a great time and possibly enjoy a picnic. Sadly it is common practice to allow Fido to do his thing in these parks without the owners doing their thing. The Havana Park District is trying to make everyone aware of this serious problem, please do your part because Fido does not have that option.
August 28, 2009
Bon Appetit…from Sheridan and Marcus of Sheridan Lane Restaurant & Lounge at Lakewood Golf Course. Culinary artists are responsible for skillfully preparing meals that are as pleasing to the palate as to the eye. This newly opened restaurant has served the Culinary Arts well as you can plainly see here and taste for yourself on Wednesday thru Saturday at lunch 11-2, dinner 5-9, and a special bar menu 11-11, all leading to a Sunday Brunch from 11-2. For more photos and information please CLICK HERE.
August 29, 2009
Four years ago…I began working with video on 62644.com. At that time the website was just not capable technically to contain quality video without a long loading process. However, things change in four years and the time is here as planned. I am not talking about cell phone type low-grade video but you will soon have full 1920 x 1080 Professional High Definition broadcast quality video right here on 62644.com. Everyone loves the Shot of the Day and now it will have a companion in local and area video news. This step forward will also bring with it the soon-to-be-realized live online local broadcasts. So stay tuned as you will shortly be clicking that arrow to see the entire play in High Definition Video. Oh, BTW, the Ducks win 40 - 0.
August 30, 2009
Riverfront Project…My feeling is that this will be quite a view when the walkway to the docks at the pilings are all installed and the landscaping finished. We all know that Havana has it's fair share of skeptics but this is the only major project that keeps going forward no matter what setbacks are thrown at it. Sure, it's not a grand hotel or a world-wide tourist attraction, it's only a simple place to dock your boat, make a short visit to Havana while you take a brief rest and pick up a few things you might want or need, but in the end it will be a class act and a major, positive addition to Havana. It will also be a place where folks can visit the riverfront and have a comfortable place to watch a beautiful sunset or a few bald eagles fishing the river. Granted the project has been plagued by river flooding and a very wet year, but the project keeps moving forward. All things said and done it is the most positive and realistic project in Havana since they paved the streets and one dream that will come true regardless of all the advice from the sidelines and all those who didn't think of it first.
August 31, 2009
September 10, 2005…It's 8:06 am the morning after the opening parade of Oktoberfest. With the annual Havana event just a matter of days away I thought it might be fun to take a look back. In the same manner it will also be fun to see some of the low end flip video technology compared to the latest HD technology you will begin seeing here later this week. Yes, you can click the arrow now.
