Columnist

Simple cocktails to make at home

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 11:16am

Social distancing is not something that comes naturally to most of us, but in times such as these, it simply must be done. There will be plenty of time in the future to reconnect (in person) with loved ones, and to pull up a stool at your favorite neighborhood bar. Believe me, your neighborhood bartender misses you, too.
In the meantime, we simply have to get by on what we have around the house, or on whatever we can acquire on a trip to our local grocery store for some essential items.

Taking the health officials advice, 171 years ago

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 11:13am

Of course, we know that the present pandemic is not the first, and no doubt it will not be the last. The coronavirus is just the present little beastie we need to avoid. In one of the oldest newspapers that exists from this area we find advice about the epidemic of 1849, the little beastie's name was cholera, and it too was a killer.

Damn that dam!

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 11:11am

The last time we talked about the 1883 ice floods that destroyed much of what was in the river and along side of it. This included Dam #3, located where the concrete dam is now. The problems this caused were many.

Pandemic has lawmakers putting aside their differences

Published by admin on Sun, 03/29/2020 - 12:14pm

This is a story about two very different state legislators, representing very different districts with the same strong belief in hope during a time of anguish.
Some legislators are known for their lawmaking abilities and some are known for their constituent services. Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) falls more into the latter category.

Fun, frolic and flight — 1885 had it

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 11:59am

Today we are looking at 1885, a year that started out upbeat and positive, but ended with a financial crisis that would result in a decrease in population and a financial downturn for the whole community.
Music Hall was Braidwood's entertainment center. Almost all important balls and soirees were held there, and when possible, the management booked one of the many traveling vaudeville acts so prevalent in those days. Usually these acts would be booked at least a month ahead of time so that posters and ads could be placed around town.

The beginning of the end of the canal boat era

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 11:55am

Before we take our little journey back in time, I wanted to say hello to one of my gentle readers who I met last week. Joey and his father read my column every week and I appreciate their loyalty. Thanks for your support. Now set the way-back machine to 1882 and enjoy the trip.
Wilmington in 1882 was a gay place, especially in the summer. Anyone who was anyone went on a riverboat excursion. Whether the object was a day's fishing, a picnic, or perhaps a dance, the steamboats were kept busy day and night.
Here are a few excerpts from the social news printed in the Advocate.

Make your own Margarita for your next virtual happy hour

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 11:28am

Anyone miss happy hour yet? In recent weeks social distancing has changed the face of happy hour as many of us are staying indoors, minimizing contact with others.
Modern technology has a solution: Enter the “virtual happy hour.” Virtual happy hours are happening, and they're quite enjoyable. If you choose to enjoy a cocktail during your virtual happy hour, seize the moment and make it your first Margarita of the season.

Behave like you're a COVID-19 carrier

Published by admin on Sat, 03/21/2020 - 1:25pm

"We know now, just the fact of community spread says that at least one percent, at the very least one percent of our population is carrying this virus in Ohio today."
That was Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton speaking on March 12, when Ohio had only five confirmed COVID-19 cases. One percent of Ohio's population would be about 117,000 cases. "Community spread" means that the virus was transmitted by someone from inside the community, not someone who brought it in from outside.

The early Irish Societies of Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2020 - 2:12pm

There are three things necessary to build a canal — a pick, a shovel and an Irishman. An old joke dating back to the Erie Canal. And for the most part they were right.
The Irish were responsible for that canal and later the I & M Canal in Illinois. They were hard workers and knew how to dig. And when the canal was finished they turned to other kinds of digging, digging for coal.

A touch of the Blarney stone, ads of 1880

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2020 - 2:12pm

Since St. Paddy's day is this week, I tried to find something about the Irish in Wilmington, but couldn't find much.
The Wilmington Irish, unlike the Braidwood Irish, had been in this country for several decades. They had come in the 1840s, and had assimilated pretty well. And although St. Rose was known for her Irish parishioners, they celebrated the Feast of the Assumption, rather than St. Patrick's Day. But there is one thing that the Irish are known for that was plentiful here, and that was blarney, especially in newspaper advertisements. Let's look at a few.