Columnist

    I recently took a ride up the Des Plaines River almost all the way to Brandon locks. The views seemed to contradict each other.
    On one hand the amount of wildlife, especially wading birds was incredible. On the other hand, we had to dodge lines of barges while loading docks, chutes, etc. lined the shoreline, crowding closer as we made our way to Joliet.
    It was clear to me that commerce was still happening on the river in a big way. Today we look back to the time when Wilmington was using these same waters for its commercial ventures.

Hosting friends and neighbors for drinks on the porch or by the pool is what makes summer special. Take full advantage of the opportunity to congregate outdoors. That first cold snap will be here all too soon.
There is nothing wrong with an ice chest full of your favorite beer, or an open bottle of wine to serve to guests. If you wish to go beyond beer and wine, you have to decide if you are going to work your home bar during the gathering or provide a self-serve option for your guests.

    Living in the rich agricultural area of our county, we see food all around us. Even in those corn fields we find the much talked about high fructose corn syrup. Many think that that product is a recent additive to the American food source. That is not true. One hundred years ago it was part of the great effort to win the war.
    As more and more men were drafted the government found itself with a problem. All those men needed to be fed well if they were to fight at their greatest potential.

    As the war progressed news received at home from the front were full of battles, ship sinkings, gas attack and more.
    A letter from a local boy, proving that he was alive and well, was a morale boost for the whole community. The Wilmington Advocate printed many of them. Today we read letters from the front written exactly 100 years ago this month.