Inmates at Kewanee facility have their say
I left the prison on a recent Wednesday with a better understanding of what foments urban violence, after talking with the real experts — in…
Is more gambling too much? How would we know?
At the convenience store in my rural town, there is a new “wall” of plastic boxes filled with colorful lottery instant-game tickets, right o…
‘Madigoons’ causing trouble again for speaker
When House Speaker Michael Madigan announced in February of 2018 that he’d fired Kevin Quinn, the brother of Madigan’s alderman and politica…
Festival 56’s summer finale is not to be missed
Festival 56 is ending its 2019 summer season on a strong (musical) note. Its sixth and final full production, “Little Women, The Broadway Mu…
Where’s Elvis? Drifting down the Mississippi
HE’S ALIVE! Actually, according to him, he’s come back for another run. Elvis was on the stage of the Celebration Belle as it recently cruis…
In Canada, they certainly can make decent gas cans
FORT FRANCIS, Ontario — How is it that a society with the engineering know-how to put a man on the moon 50 years ago can’t make a decent g…
‘I Do, I Do’ offers a nostalgic look at marriage
When it comes to watching love stories, the Hallmark channel is my go-to station.
Why? Because I kn…
‘Practically perfect’ performance of ‘Poppins’
Audiences rushed the theater last Thursday evening for the opening of Festival 56’s fourth show this season, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s…
Summer heat has arrived with a vengeance
We’ve waited and waited for it. Well, now it’s here. Do we dare complain about the heat? Heck — yes! Why not? We complained about all the wa…
What a church congregation did to attract a giant rat
When I first heard that folks were protesting in front of a Lutheran church, I couldn’t help but wonder about what transgression they were p…
Talented cast turns ‘Othello’ into a women’s story
In William Shakespeare’s time (1564-1616), women didn’t act in plays. They weren’t allowed to, back in those days.
