November 1, 2009
"HOLLYWEEN"...At the Sheridan Lane Restaurant was even more fun that I thought it would be. Sheridan, Marcus and the entire staff was more than ready for the event as you can see in the photo. Everyone was there, Sunny and Cher, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, all made it just to name a few. The photos are ready just click the link below to see all the fun...
November 2 & 3, 2009
Issued by The National Weather Service...
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE ILLINOIS RIVER AT HAVANA. * UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 830 PM SUNDAY THE STAGE WAS 18.1 FEET. * FLOOD STAGE IS 14 FEET. * MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 19.7 FEET BY WEDNESDAY EVENING THEN BEGIN FALLING.
FLD OBSERVED FORECAST 6AM LOCATION STG STG DAY TIME MON TUE WED ILLINOIS RIVER HAVANA 14 17.8 SUN 10 AM 18.6 19.3 19.7
November 4, 2009
Issued by The National Weather Service...
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE ILLINOIS RIVER AT HAVANA. * UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 730 PM TUESDAY THE STAGE WAS 19.9 FEET. * FLOOD STAGE IS 14.0 FEET. * MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 20.5 FEET BY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING THEN BEGIN FALLING.
November 5, 2009
The Havana Lady Ducks...What a great bunch of young ladies this is. The team may only have one Senior and yes, the team lost a lot of talent from last year but you have to look near and far to find an equal to the experience this team has. Members of this team proudly and rightfully carry the hardware of two Illinois State Championships. The team is not large in stature but they will show you as much heart and determination as you can imagine. This will be a great season to watch these 13 Lady Ducks take it to a very talented conference schedule. This is a winning team of talent and hustle and I hope you will support them and come to as many games as possible. They open their season with the Macomb Tournament beginning on November 16th, with their first regular season home game on November 23rd against West Hancock. An interesting video is available at the link below with Coach Wilson and the team, please take a couple minutes to watch it and learn more about the upcoming season and this group of great young ladies. To all of you...have a great season and savor each minute and every play. I will be there to capture you some memories.
Click here for a video introduction of the team by Coach Jerry Wilson
November 6, 2009
The high waters...of the Illinois River was a big help for a change to Havana's Park District on Thursday. The water levels allowed a barge carrying a huge crane to lift the new landing facility pieces into place as you can see above. This is a major step in finishing the new Nature Center which has been delayed by unusual conditions at the riverfront this past year. The walkway will be added next and the new face of Havana's riverfront will be very attractive.
November 7, 2009
The Illinois...is no longer the quiet little river on it's 273 mile journey from Chicago to the Mississippi River. At this stage of 20.7 feet it is a very powerful force gathering most things in it's path. The River is forecasted to begin a slow decline on Saturday.
November 8, 2009
There is nothing...really relevant about this photograph as far as the day goes other than the texture and colors of the tree and rope caught my eye and thought I would share it with you.
November 9, 2009
A new tree...now grows in the front lawn of HHS.
November 10, 2009
HJHS students...are a bunch of great and talented young folks. I hope all of you will get into this poster contest. This is not something you have to do like homework or chores but something I hope you will do to express your creative talents for a good cause and we'll have a little fun with it too. Of course the purpose of this is to create awareness of the dangers of abusing certain over-the-counter medications and obviously that is not funny, but here is what we will do, you guys make posters and I will come and photograph them and we will post every single one of them right here on 62644.com. I can't wait to see your creations. For more information click the link below...
November 11, 2009
A long trip for Reliant...He was one of the victims of Katrina, and luckily was saved then somehow found his way to Central Illinois and his foster family. That foster family is none other than David Dodd, owner of Invisible Fence of Springfield. Now, Reliant is one very smart dog and he proves it while traveling around Central Illinois to visit with local Fire Departments, teaching them how to use the equipment donated by David's company to help save the pets who have been traumatized or injured in house fires. Tuesday Reliant came to Havana, for more information click the link below...
November 12, 2009
Thank you.
November 13, 2009
The Ducks are here...come along and meet the coaching staff and the players as Coach Brady introduces the 2009-2010 HHS Ducks.
November 14, 2009
Friday the 13th...for some keeps them from normal activities. Personally, like most it is just another day or even a lucky day. In my days of doing lots of traveling, I always traveled on the 13th as you could always get a seat on any flight. How did you spend your Friday the 13th? And yes, I did walk under the ladder.
November 15 & 16, 2009
Zac Kolves...is a talented HHS Student. If you are a Havana Ducks Football fan you know him as "Mongo". Zac is also an avid reader and a talented writer as you will see in the up-coming HHS Fall Play. Zac has been chosen to be the Host of a new innovative feature right here on 62644.com. Welcome to "Mad about the Ducks", a regular online TV Sports Show produced, directed, and developed by Ted Connolly in Hi-Definition Video for 62644.com. This is something you will not want to miss right from the very first show. Each show will be archived for viewing at any time. The Show will feature special guests, on location special features, all the local sports facts, and a lot of fun.
What is a great sports show without a great news show? Stay tuned for that, but it is coming. Zac and the show will first air in it's entirety next week and then the gloves are on the ice, we will be showing up when you least expect us, this will be informative, local, and lots of fun as you will see in the introductory video at the link below.
November 17, 2009
The Boys...are ready to go, it's that time of year. I couldn't resist these two.
November 18 & 19, 2009
2009 HHS Football Awards Night...was on the menu for Tuesday night at the gym. Of course this was the last one at HHS for our eight great seniors above. We have a segment of "Mad About The Ducks" uploading and will soon be available to view at this link below...
November 20, 2009
Two Shots of the Day?...Why not, because I am still working on getting the video below uploaded and the HJHS Boys Basketball teams took on the Rushville Rockets on Thursday night above. The first game saw that team go 5-0 for the season and when I left in the 3rd Quarter of the second game, well let's just say it was looking pretty good for the Rockets.
FOR MORE AND THE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME...CLICK HERE
November 21, 2009
The HHS Drama Club...scores yet another hit with an original play by three of their own members. Penned by Havana High students Derek Ferree, Seth Lesemann, and Zac Kolves. It's here this weekend so be sure to catch the Saturday night or Sunday afternoon performance.
A Holiday Day… Havana High’s Fall Play
The Havana High School Drama Club presents Holiday Day on Saturday, November 21st at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at Havana High School.
The story of Holiday Day was written by Havana High students Derek Ferree, Seth Lesemann, and Zac Kolves. In the story, characters from many popular holidays get together for fun and conversation on one day. The cast includes Mother “Mildred” Nature (Hadley Karrick), Father Time (Zac “Mongo” Kolves), Santa Clause (Derek Ferree), Mrs. Clause (Anna Oest), Herbert the Elf (Brock Jump), Cupid (Arti Parikh), St. Patrick (Seth Albert Lesemann), Easter Bunny (Gabby Lewis), Punksutawney Phil (Breahna Lesemann), Jack Oleander Lantern (Tyler Ferree), The Tooth Fairy (Nicole High), and Santa’s Elves (MacKenzie Case, Kylan Brent, Kayleigh Cogan, Skye “Rocket” Mibbs, Adan Smith, Jesse Graham, and Jamie Weldy, and Andrea Smith). The Grand Voice is performed by Ben Homan.
Carol Rainer directs this original production with assistance from Beth Lesemann (costumes), Julie Yoeum (Production Assistant), Dylan M. Welker (Baby Consultant), and Shannon and Andy Karrick (Sets and Costumes).
The price for the show is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and students, and $2.00 for K-8th grade youth. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Holiday refreshments will be sold before the show and at intermission.
After Sunday’s show there will be a question and answer session with the audience for all of the cast, crew, and writers of the play. Don’t miss this unique performance.
November 22, 2009
Meet the Ducks 2009...For those basketball fans out there who don't show up on these meet the team nights because "it just a little scrimmage game", you should have been there on Friday night. Four full quarters of full court, full contact Ducks Basketball under new head coach Nathan Brady and Jr. Varsity coach Bill Blessman, it was definitely fun to watch and left no doubt in anyone's mind that these teams are full of hustle, intensity, and quickness. The new face of transfer student Tyler Cleer from Lewistown joins seven other returning seniors including; Chris Sarff, Eric Hills, Levi Bridges, Sam Kachanuk, Alex Noble, and of course Travis Davenport will provide plenty of experience and talent on the court this season. There is also considerable talent from underclassmen which will give the team a lot of depth.
Another big part of another Ducks Basketball season is the HHS Varsity Cheer Squad. This squad has a lot of their own talent and enthusiasm and they are much prettier than the basketball team. These hard-working girls include: Alex Richardson, Maggie Armstrong, Kelly Fornoff, Courtney Lippert, Brittany Roat, Samantha Dunker, Jenna Carter, Christy Huffman, Bridget Redmond, Abby Beck, Megan Riebling, and Adan Smith. No, I am not going to forget about our great Dance Team and HHS Band, there will be more about them a bit later.
It looks like a really fun season is ahead for both the boys basketball but also the girls varsity basketball program, so make it a point to come out often and watch all these talented students do their thing, they will impress you with their abilities and hard work. For now...GO DUCKS!!!
November 23, 2009
I can only say...BRAVO!..."A Holiday Day" has come and gone and if you missed it be sorry you did. It was the best thing I have seen in years. The three creative minds who scripted this original play showed quite a show of innovative and creative genius and they are pictured above; Seth Lesemann - left, Derek Ferree - right, and Zac Kolves - rear. The play was hilarious and the creation of the props used were remarkable. Who would think of using a roll of packing tape as a musical instrument or a leaf blower and toilet paper to to make a very dramatic effect?
Director, Carol L. Rainer, did her usual excellent job with a cast that included: Hadley Karrick, Zac Kolves, Derek Ferree, Anna Oest, Arti Parikh, Seth Lesemann, Adan Smith, Gabby Lewis, Tyler Ferree, Ben Homann, Brea Lesemann, and Brock Jump. The Elves, and what a bunch of Elves they were: Andrea Smith, Kayliegh Cogar, Adan Smith, Skye Mibbs, Mackenzie Case, Jamie Weldy, and Kylan Brent. The Crew also did a great job and they are: Andy & Shannon Karrick, Rick & Julie Yocum, Zac Kolves, Dylan & Lexi Welker, Gabby Lewis, Adan Smith, Skye Mibbs, Hadlie Karrick, Beth & Brian Lesemann, and Kaye Taylor.
EVERYONE did just a fantastic job, and this should just be a very shinning example of the many forms of talent our young folks have in this community. I am extremely proud of all of you, it was a great pleasure for me to be there and to be able to photograph your creation and hard work.
Carol Rainer's statement read: "Thank you all for coming and supporting the kids. The 3 senior boys who wrote this play have been a pleasure to work with in all of the productions they have been in for the last 4 years. One of them is off to SIU to study film making. Because of your patronage of the arts, the students have grown and continue to reach for the stars and beyond."
November 24, 2009
The HHS Lady Ducks...Opened their regular season at home on Monday night against West Hancock. The early game saw a lot of excitement in the 4th Quarter as the Titans rallied and with a last second shot broke the tie for the win. The Varsity team however took control early and held the point total till the final buzzer. The Ladies travel to Porta on Monday to take on the Lady Bluejays. GO DUCKS!!!
November 25, 2009
"Is it 2012 yet?"
November 26, 2009
Shirley Schmidt Barker...began realizing a beautiful dream 10 years ago. Her idea of bringing this small community of 3,500 souls called Havana together for a day or even an hour was an old and simple idea first tried in 1621 at a place called Plymouth. Shirley did bring the community together, when you look at the photograph above think for a moment about all the hands required working together for one purpose. Last year Project Thanksgiving served over 800 meals and I am sure 2009 will see many more. It's not about a free meal, it's about togetherness in the spirit of being able to do so and being thankful for the simple goodness of life and friends. It's about sitting down beside an old friend you might not have seen for a number of years even in a town of only 3,500 people. I would ask that where ever you sit down for your Thanksgiving meal today, think for a moment about the origin of this day and regardless of your position on our Nation remaining in a State of War, please remember our Troops in your thoughts, prayers, and thanks. And to Shirley...we miss your smile and your huge heart, but thank you most for your dream and creating Project Thanksgiving.
Share Shirley's dream, dinner is from 11-2 at The Chester Center.
November 27, 2009
That crazy day is here...the only thing I know of that will get folks up at 2 am and drive 50 miles, stand in lines, fight over a particular doll or game, and love every moment of it. Yes folks, it's BLACK FRIDAY. Oh and BTW, I went out Wednesday and spent my $12 in town this week did you? I did not however, go out of town and purchase a new $40,000 automobile, did you?
It seems that my photographic images continue popping up everywhere without my knowledge or permission while making money for others on their websites and in other publication's advertisements without compensation or even recognition or thanks, so there went my $12.00 this week. Maybe I won't go out and spend another $12.00 in town next week after all.
November 28 & 29, 2009
The "Mad About the Ducks" Team...is now complete. I am extremely proud and honored to tell you that the three highly creative and talented HHS Students above are now the key team for our new online sports show. Seth Lesemann (left), Zac "Mongo" Kolves (center), and Derek Ferree (right) created and wrote the recent hit fall play, "A Holiday Day". All three will serve as Co-producers, with Zac continuing as the show's Host, all will share in creative, production, development chores. I will also continue as part of the team but more-so in the background as I want these three huge talents to be able to show their creative talents to the world. We will be shooting our first regular weekly sit-down type sports show on Saturday, November 28th, with a very special guest. This show will air early next week, you will want to see this show. We will also continue to do location shows at games, events, and as "Mongo" says, "we'll get you".
November 30, 2009
The "Mad About the Ducks" Show...premiers with it's first "Show". When you talk about sports there is one person to talk with and Bob Kuntzmann is the special guest of this first show. We think you will enjoy this conversation between our very own "Mongo" Kolves and Mr. K, click the link below...
