Our BLS Team Needs Volunteers

The BLS Team .... Again
I typically don't get into controversial things but the BLS situation has greatly upset me.  I live in this town.....and don't have access to the BLS team response during the day.  Yet during the evening or the weekend Greenview residents have that access.  I can't control when I need 9-11 nor can anyone else. 

I guess I'm not too popular because I brought up the BLS team and the lack of response on another social network.   No one likes to face the fact that something needs to be done and there is always a bad guy who brings up a touchy subject....and that was me, because I had the occasion to call 9-11 and no BLS team member responded.     I only hope those who didn't like the fact that I brought it up, never have to call 9-11 as I did with no response from the team two different times!!!!!!!  I certainly appreciate every member of that BLS team and am not negating the good they do, I simply think the team could be improved. 

I certainly realize that the BLS is a volunteer team and I value their work and I'm not degrading anything they do, but it's the lack of procedures and lack of trying to obtain new members that I have a problem with as well as the procedures the county uses to obtain mutual aid when the Greenview BLS doesn't respond.  Members of the BLS team know that there is no coverage on the weekdays yet nothing has been done to try to obtain new members.  Time for change.  Any if anyone out there could possibly be a BLS volunteer and go through the classes it takes, let me know and I will pass your name on.  After today I will not post anything about the BLS unless someone asks me to do a post.  I think I'm one of the only ones in Greenview who really cares enough to bring it up. And if I ever have to call 9-11 when the BLS team is on duty I only hope it's not held against me.  And if anyone is upset that I brought this up ...... well...............

Old versus New Greenview - During My Years

We used to have a theater, The Linda Theater.  We don't now.  We used to have several stores through the years, Johnson & Denton, West Foods, Barnett's,  K & K Red Cardinal, Les McKee, Lockwood's, Apke's.  We have Zero stores now.   We used to have a skating rink.  It burned down.  We used to have a two banks, we have one now (from Middletown). 

We used to have Presbyterian Church, Christian Church, St. John's Evangelical Church, Catholic Church, Church of Christ.  We now have Greenview United Church, The Baptist Church, and The Christian Church.

We used to have implement dealers, Cramer Machinery, Baugher's Implement, Rohlf's.  We now have Rohlf's.  We used to have Jones' Pontiac, Hinrich's Chevrolet, Cramer's Auto (Plymouth, etc).  Now we have no actual dealers but we now have Tuttle's Used Auto Sales.

We used to have a department store, Rodemer's and later Kirby's.  We have nothing now, but there is a nick nak craft store called Zip Zap.

We used to have two cafes, the Corner Cafe and the Village Inn and long long ago another down the street from Smitty's.  Now we have no actual cafe but you can get food at Chili Bears or take out at Casey's.

We used to have laundromats at various places in town.  We don't have any now.  We used to have a car wash.  We don't have one now.  We used to have mutiple gas/service stations, Hinrich's, Standard, FS, Tuttle's.  We now have two, Tuttle's and Casey's.

We used to have lots of different taverns through the years ....     Smitty's, The Lower Tavern, Swede's, Joe Simmering's,  Coonrod's, Cousin's Lounge and Restaurant, Richard's.  Now we have two, Chili Bear's and Cousin's Tap.

We used to have numerous beauty operators Blanche, Louella, Addie, two Barbs, Jean, Diane, Lisa, but now have only one, Lisa.  We used to have two barber shops, Webb's and Conkling's.  We don't have any now.

We still have a Funeral Home....Hurley's. We still have a cemetery.
We have an ice cream shop. We have Casey's...thank goodness it's the glue that holds the town together.  We have an auctioneer, Ron Sanert.  We have a post office (for now).  We have some kind of window film company, Jeff Johnston.  We have a multiple home building/concrete contractors that I know of,  Kevin Janssen, Alan Janssen, Dan Horn.  We have a cleaning service, Rainbow. 

We have meals for the seniors.  We have the Masonic Lodge.  We have the Amvets.  We have the elevator.  We have the park.  We have the school (for now).  We have ??????? not much else. 

Recipe

Apples are abundant these days.  I like to dip my apples in a dip of some kind.  This recipe is for all fruit but is especially good with apples.  This is a recipe from one of my relatives that I got long ago.

Taffy Apple Dip
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
 Few chopped salted peanuts (I omit these)
Mix together and chill.

Thought For The Day
Today's post is so apropos for today........

Public opinion in this country is everything.

--Abraham Lincoln

Everything I have read points to the fact that the human race has evolved from the monkeys, chimpanzees and the apes.  From primate to human.....I guess I can believe that based on certain anatomical similarities, but I still have some reservations.

Some days I feel like a monkey and want to swing from the trees but that doesn't happen often.  Some days I feel like a banana so does that mean my monkey ancestors' traits are showing through?  I know we all have a "tail bone" so does that mean I once had a "tail"? 

I guess I will never truly know if I were a monkey in my past life.  But I do have a very pertinent question......if we humans were once monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?????

Just asking........

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Wet Paint.....Don't Touch

Wet Paint is Wet Paint

I thought with this new type paint you could paint anytime .... including when it's damp out or raining.  But no.....that wasn't the case with me yesterday. 

Just tell me the truth.....when you see a sign that says "WET PAINT" do you get the feeling that you absolutely have to touch the paint just to make sure it's wet???  I know I do.  It's the temptation that just burns all the way through me.  I just have to do it.  I guess my thoughts are ..... did the painters forget to take the signs down.....is it still wet......is it almost dry.......if it's wet, how long before the painters come to take down the signs????

Why the heck would I care about when the paint will be dry or even if it is dry?  I just know I have to touch it.  It's kind of like if someone tells me to "don't do this or that" I want to immediately do it!!!  Is it the thrill of maybe getting caught touching the wet paint??  I personally think it may be the uncontrollable curiosity that we humans are born with.  That uncontrollable curiosity sometimes makes us do stupid things.  Like touching the wet paint to see if it's dry.

Today's paint is usually fast drying so I think most paint jobs would be dry or almost dry about 10 minutes after it's painted.  But was it yesterday?????  NO IT WASN'T!!!   The paint was wet and it was oil paint....so I couldn't wash it off....it stuck to the napkin I found in my purse.....and then when I went to the restroom to try to wash it off, the soap and water just rolled off the sticky mess on my hand....and then my hand stuck to the paper towel. 

I grabbed another paper towel and wrapped it around my hand.  Maybe I could pretend that I cut my hand thus the reason for the paper towel bandage on my uncut but paint laden hand.  This store didn't have anything I could buy to get it off.    Since I had other errands to do, my next stop had to be a store where I could buy some type of paint remover.  Goo Gone....yep that was something that wouldn't leave a bad stink, but would probably take it off.  I head on down the street aiming for the store so I could find Goo Gone or something like that.  I found it....I used it right in the store so I could maybe stay in the store and shop for other items on my errand list.  All I could smell was Goo Gone as I walk around the store. 

 Then I get the bright idea to dig my hand lotion out of my purse and use it on my hands to cover the Goo Gone smell.  There must have been something in the Goo Gone which turned the smell of my hand lotion to a rancid like state because my hands started smelling like a combination of rotten fish and burned rubber. All I could think of was to quickly find the restroom and wash those rotten smelling hands before someone goes by me and thinks I'm a fishmonger who's been out back burning tires.

I literally run to the restroom, leaving my cart right where it stood.  At least I had the smarts to grab my purse......of course I had to wash the purse straps too to get the awful smell off the straps.  After about ten times of washing my hands, at least I could stand the smell of  me, myself and I.  I couldn't wait until I got home though so I could pour half a bottle of vinegar over my hands.....my grammy's ultimate cure for curing stinky hands.

This little escapade of mine concerning touching the wet paint may have been the cure for my uncontrollable curiosity with the Wet Paint sign.  I think that next time I will believe the sign....I probably could put my hand on the bible and swear that I won't do it again.....not forever and ever.  Or will I???



Abraham Lincoln Timeline Continuation
On November 6, 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States.  Since Abraham Lincoln was once a resident of this county and perhaps roamed the lands where Greenview exists, I feel it's important for all of us to celebrate the  Presidential election of this man and to know as much about Abe as we can.

This is a continuation of the other Abe Lincoln timeline posts in my blog.  If you missed the other posts about Abraham Lincoln, on the right side of this blog post is a section with the title "Labels".  The posts relating to Abraham Lincoln can be called up and reviewed.  After calling these up you might come to the end of the posts, but be sure to press "older posts" at the bottom of the blog to assure all of the posts have been reviewed.  In the last timeline post, Abraham had just broken his engagement to Mary Todd.

1842 - Abraham doesn't seek re-election to the state legislature.  In the summer he resumes his courtship of Mary Todd.  In September he accepts a  challenge  to a dual to Democratic State Auditor James Shields over published letters making fun of Mr. Shields.  The dual of swords is averted by an explanation of letters.  On November 4, Abraham Lincoln marries Mary Todd.

1843 - Abe Lincoln is unsuccessful in his try for the Whig nomination for the U.S. Congress.  On August 1, his first son Robert Todd Lincoln is born. 


Robert's Death Certificate July 26, 1926






1844 - In May the Lincoln family moves into a house in Springfield bought for $1500.  Abe campaigns for Henry Clay in the presidential election.  In December he dissolves his law partnership and set up his own practice.



1847 - The U.S. Representative moves into a boarding house in Washington, D. C.  with his wife and two sons.  On December 6 he takes his seat when the Thirtieth Congress convenes.  On December 22, he presents resolutions questioning President Polk about U. S. hostilities in Mexico.

First known photograph 1846 ..........



1848 - On January 33 he gives a speech on the House floor against President Polk's war policy regarding Mexico.  In June he attends the national Whig convention supporting General Zachary Taylor as the nominee for president.

1849 - On March 7 & 8th he makes an appeal in front of the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the Illinois statute of limitations but was unsuccessful.  On March 31st he returned to Springfield and left politics to practice law.  On May 22 he was granted U. S. patent number 6, 469 regarding buoying vessels over shoals (the only president to ever be granted a patent).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the future we will once again visit the timeline of Abraham Lincoln.  Thank you your interest in learning more about this former resident of our area.

Recipe

With the holidays coming up, you might need lots of icing/frosting recipes.  I used to love my grammy's white fluffy icing when I was a kid, so long ago I got the recipe from her and have been using it for years.  It is wonderful on an angel food cake!!

Grammy's White Fluffy Icing

1 egg white

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon of salt

3/4 cup sugar

Mix ingredients with a mixer.  Add 1/4 cup boiling water (to help cook the egg white) and mix until peaks form (while beating set the pan down in a pan of hot water to also help cook the egg white).

Thought For The Day

We turn not older with years,

but newer every day.

--Emily Dickinson

When I used to go to the post office in the city, I would often see the FBI most wanted posters hanging up on the wall.  I don't see these a lot these days, but every once in a while I will see one of these FBI most wanted posters.   I think it's more common to see these posters in rural post offices rather than the larger ones these days.

 I remember seeing Osama Bin Ladin's poster a few years ago and thought what disgust I had for a person who didn't even live here but one who could order murders in our country...... he was the one who laid claim to our worse homeland disaster of our history, 9-11.

When it was common to see the posters I always wondered why these posters were on the walls.....did they want us to go out and find these criminals for the FBI???  Was I supposed to start packing a gun and go criminal hunting?  Or, was I supposed to just look and perhaps one day find that the joker on the wall was the guy who just sold me my coffee at Starbucks? 

 Maybe it would have been better  if the government/FBI would have issued stamps with the wanted person's picture on the stamp.....then the postal delivery persons could have delivered the mail and looked for the criminals at the same time.  Time and money saver in my estimation.

I asked at a post office not long ago (not ours) why the FBI posters weren't on the walls .... I was told "we don't get them any more"  .... "we only have so much wall space and we need to try to sell our mailing envelopes and boxes and stamps".  Ah ha.....now I know why I haven't seen many most wanted FBI posters these days. 

Of course it appears that not only will there not be FBI posters, before long there might not be walls to post them on any way because there might not be post offices in lots of places.  The internet, online banking, facebook and twitter  are doing away with the postal system.....I personally like to get mail.....even junk mail.....some of it is funny to read....while others junk mail doesn't even make it to the "To Be Opened File". 

So goodbye FBI posters......what's next to go???? The republic for which it stands????

                              

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Grant A Wish Day

The Wish Fairies Are Handing Out Wishes
Hurry Hurry....it's grant a wish day.  I definitely want my most desired wish to be granted....but I haven't thought of the wish I want yet.  I knew yesterday that today was the day to line up for the best wishes in the world, but I had to take the time to properly think of what would benefit me the most.  I'm still thinking!!

If I were to ask you right now what would be the wish you would ask for if a genie popped out of the bottle and told you that one wish could be granted, would you know right off what it would be?  I bet ~~NO~~ you wouldn't know.  So take a moment and try to think what that wish would be.

I have spent about 12 hours trying to think of what mine would be and I'm still puzzled.  First of all I wanted to have two million dollars, but I just know that if I got that money,  all my relatives would line up at my door every day wanting me to cook fancy and expensive meals or write them checks or even drive or fly them around so they could go shopping on MY money.....you know places like Tiffany's, Sak's Fifth Avenue, Giorgio Armani, Dolce and Gabanna,  in other words the elite and the best....and I would most likely have to pay for all of the plane rides to get to the shop location.

Those expensive steak dinners and shopping trips would be just too much money so I withdraw my thoughts for that two million dollar wish.  On to the next thought about wishes.

I sure don't want to waste my one wish on something that's impossible to get from the wish fairies, so something along the lines of being beautiful and young and healthy is out I guess.  Hmmmmm......My wish mechanism is just not working well.....the only thing I can think about wanting is to be fair, fey and sweet as a sugar cookie. 

Being a  "fey type person" I could dance with the leprechauns who are friends of the wish fairies.  They always hang around together don't you know.  If I were fair, I would be fresh as a daisy and maybe I could have strawberry blonde hair.  Of course I'm already just about as sweet as can be, but to be as sweet as a sugar cookie is just the ultimate thing in life.  Especially if the cookie is sprinkled with fairy dust and chocolate nonpareils.

Yep...that's my wish.....to be fair, fey and sweet as a sugar cookie!!  What's your wish??

Old Tyme Greenview

1953 - Korean War Armistice signed July 27-28. 
 * August 7 -  Dr. Stanley Paulauskis opened an office for the practice of medicine.  He and his wife, daughter and step-son, Imar Waldners together with Mrs. Paulauskis' mother Mrs. Jasienski are natives of Lithuania and became citizens in 1956. 
 * October 20 - Howard Separ patented a portable bowling alley.  It is being manufactured and widely distributed by the Carrom Industries, Ludington, Michigan. 
 *  November 12 - Mrs. Paul Davis became the new operator of the Markee Grill (at the theater).

 * October 9 - A new chlorinator was installed.
 * November 27 - Memorial lights were installed in the chapel of the Presbyterian Church for Mrs. Clemma Brooks by her children.

1954 - Fall of 1954, a Youth Center was organized under the sponsorship of the PTA in order to give youngsters in high school a place to meet and have fun.  Gowdy Biggs purchased the shoe repair business from Ambrose VanNattan who had bought it from the Purin Pittman estate.  David Woodrum took over the flower agency of the Roseview Greenhouse.

1955 - Greenview Feed Co. opened for business.  Owners were Russell Yocum, Roland Montgomery and Ed Pickett.
 * March 4 - Linda Theater installed cinemascope after six years in business.
 * May 1 - Dedication services of remodeled Christian Church.
 * May 27 - Greenview voted for Daylight Savings time for the first time.
 * August 5 - Cramer Impletment Co. bought the village jail and site for $510.
 * August 19, Secretary of State Charles Carpentier issued a not-for-profit charter to the Greenview Racing Association (midget racers).

1956 - March - The Linda Theater closed.  Blood Alley was the last show.  The owners were too busy to keep it open.
 * June 1 - Greenview went on daylight savings time.
 * June 15 - The Curtis Elevator was destroyed by fire.  It was owned by Clyde McClintick.  (The elevator was rebuilt and was in operation in 1957).
 * June 29 - Construction began on the new telephone building.
 * Sept. 28 - Construction began on the new concrete elevator owned by Paul Allison.

Note:  To me the old town was really hopping back in the 1950's....too bad we can't get some momentum going like our parents age group did.  Sometimes I forget to mark what I have posted from my scrapbooks....so I might be repeating myself.  Sorry for that, but I'm sure there are readers who didn't see the original post or have forgotten they read it .... like me.  I don't have a lot of Greenview pictures unfortunately and would love to have more....if you have any you would be willing to share, could you scan them and email them to me:

carlaslittlemoms@yahoo.com.

Information

Last week I received information that Alan Janssen and his brother Kent were hurt in a construction accident.  The information I got, indicated they were pouring concrete walls and due to a jolt by the equipment one of them fell from the top to the basement floor (about 8 feet)  and then maybe another fluke where the concrete equipment knocked the other.  Not sure on the fine details....only repeating what I heard.  I understand Alan had multiple vertebrae injuries as well as a severely damaged leg, including a crushed heel.  At least two surgeries have been performed on Alan.  Kent suffered multiple broken ribs(11 ribs).

I hope I have most of this right.  I heard the same story from multiple people.  Prayers for these two fine guys. 

Recipe

Munchy Crunchies (the sweet version)

1 stick margarine

1 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons white corn syrup

Large handful of mixed nuts (no peanuts)

Pretzels if desired.

Cook in a large bowl on high in microwave until it boils.  Remove and add 7 cups chex corn or rice (or mixture) cereal and large handful of mixed nuts....can also add a few pretzels.  Stir and spread  on waxed paper to let cool and break up.  I don't store with an airtight cover...just loose.  Can half the recipe from lesser amount.

Thought For The Day

When I was young, I used to admire

intelligent people; as I grow older,

I admire kind people.

-- Abraham Joshua Heschel

Lately I've noticed that actual Barber Shops seem to be dwindling down to just a hand few.  Don't men get haircuts any longer.....or do I just not know there are still millions of Barber Shops out there.....or since the majority of stylists are women, are women stylists cutting most men's hair?

Every time I go to get my hair cut, the shop I go to is full of men there for haircuts....the stylists are all women.  Those women seem to know exactly how to cut men's hair.  I used to think that only men barbers had the grips on how to cut mens' hair.  But those cosmetology schools must now teach stylists how to do it.  Are there even any Barber Colleges left in this world??  Or do all students just learn how to cut men and womens' hair?  I wonder if they still do those old fashion facials where the barber placed a hot towel around the face prior to getting a shave.....wonder if those stylist also shave men too??

I remember back in the late 1960's and the 1970's, when everyone grew their hair long, I always wondered what in the world the barbers did during that time.  I guess their only customers were the older generation who wouldn't have grown their hair long on a bet!!  Now they do.... some of these older folks even sport ponytails with beads and braids.

I'm sure the old cheap barber haircuts are a thing of the past.  And, I can't believe how expensive my hair cuts are becoming....but you have to get your "hairs" cut or wear it down to the floor.....too much trouble for me.

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Holidays Are Coming

Holidays Are Coming - R U Getting Ready??
This morning I looked at my calendar.  I couldn't understand why November 8th was in red....red always means a holiday.  Then I remembered that the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November is the USA election day......but not this year.
I thought I better look at the rest of the month so I don't forget about any other holiday coming up.  November 11th is Veteran's Day so I bet there will be some super sales.  Also on November 11th it's Rememberance Day.  For November 12th I found that this is not only Chicken Soup For The Soul Day but it is also Elizabeth Cady Stanton Day whoever she is. 

Moving on to November 13th, it's Mom's and Dad's Day....what is this....I thought we had Mother's Day and Father's Day earlier this year.  Moving to the 14th I found it's Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day....boy do I need that.  Two " special holidays" grace the 15th.....America's Recycles Day as well as Pack Your Mom Lunch Day.  On November 16th, it's Button Day.

Seriously, did the greeting card companies make all of these up just so people would send cards?????  I'm only half way through the month and I'm tired.

Good gosh, three holidays fall on November 17th.  First is Homemade Bread Day, the second is National Young Reader's Day and the third is Take a Hike Day.  I'm about ready to take a hike!  I can't afford to buy cards and postage for all of these days.

Moving on to the 18th I found it's William Tell Day...that must have been the day he shot an apple from his son's head.  On November 19th we must all play Monopoly as it's Monopoly day. Two more holidays fall on the 20th.....Mexican Revolution Day and Universal Children's Day.  The 21st of November brings us World Hello Day.....I'm ready to say goodbye to all of these holidays.

November 22 is Stop The Violence Day but in my book it means more to me.....my mama was born on this day and  my great-grandma as well as President John Kennedy both died on this day...... and it's my sister-in-laws birthday too ....seems these people are pretty important but they didn't warrant a special day.  National Cashew Day falls on November 23.....guess they want everyone to buy expensive cashews for the next day's big holiday meal.

Then comes Thanksgiving on November 24th.  On the 25th, National Parfait Day arrives and in case you didn't know it, it's Woody Woodpecker's birthday too.  November the 26th brings us National cake day....I will still be full from November 24th thank you.

I'm just about at the end of the month when I find that Pins and Needles Day is on November 27 and find there is no special holiday on the 28th but it was Mark Twain's birthday on this day.  November 29th also is a no holiday day....wow!  Bringing up the final day I find it's Stay At Home Because You're Well Day.

I really can't believe all of these holidays this month.  I bet you think I made this all up....but I really didn't.....Now I can't wait until December to see what it's all about!!

Death
A lifelong resident, known to almost everyone in town, died Wednesday night....... Hermina Dowell.  She was the secretary/bookkeeper at the Greenview Schools for years and years and well known and well loved by many. Her services will be held in Greenview ( listed below)  Hermina was the former Hermina Boeckmann and the mother of Travis Dowell.

Visitation:  Sunday 3 to 5 pm, Hurley, Greenview
Funeral: Monday, 10 a.m., Greenview Christian Church
Flowers or donations:  Memorial Medical Center Foundation in care
of 6C Cardiac ICU

Springfield Area Pictures

You should be able to click on the picture to get an enlarged version on most of these.  And, if you want to save the picture, right click on the enlarged version and then click "save picture".  If you have friends who were former Springfield people who would be interested in viewing all of the Springfield pictures I put on this blog, please give them my blog site address.  All Springfield vintage pictures can be seen by looking at the right side of this blog and going down to "Labels" and then clicking on Springfield IL vintage pictures....it will bring up all posts with Springfield vintage pictures....scroll through the posts and when you come to the end, click on "older posts" to keep bringing them up until all of them have been viewed.  Enjoy!!!

Flecks's Motor Court on Route 125

Fleck's Motor Court Matchbook

Advertisement for Palace Hotel

214 1/2 North Fourth Street

St. Nicholas Hotel 1910

Travel Lodge on 9th down by Cook Street...1960's

Although not used for many years, this place was just torn down in the past few years.

Magolia Court...junction of Rtes 36, 29 and 54.

I think this is where Clearlake and Dirksen Parkway is now maybe.

Howard Johnson's 1025 South 5th Across From Bisch Funeral.

I remember eating at the cafe in front of the Motel.  The cafe building is still there I think.

My most prized picture....Moonlight Gardens.

I always remember people talking about it but I was too young to remember it.

More to come in the near future.  If you like

these Springfield, IL vintage pictures, please

let me know so I will continue to post my collection of pictures.  Thanks.

Recipe

Ultimate Shortbread Cookies 

1 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
non-pareils, coarse sugar, or chopped nuts to roll these in

Beat, with mixer,  the room temperature butter, sugar and extracts until the mixture is light and fluffy (2-3 minutes on high). Add the flour, half a cup at a time, beating well between each addition. Roll the dough into a log and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then chill until very firm or up to two days.

After "logs" are very firm, roll them in sprinkles or nuts (optional) and slice into ¼" slices. Bake on ungreased baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes.  Good!

Thought For The Day

All the world is full of suffering.

It is also full of overcoming.

--Helen Keller

What color of paper clips do you use?  I lean towards the nickel ones for everyday stuff,  but I have some really cool red ones and yellow ones too.  Those red paper clips are the utmost as far as I'm concerned. 

I keep those red paper clips for special things.  If I reach in the paper clip box and pull out a red paper clip for an everyday thing, I have to immediately throw the clip back in there and hope for a more low key color in the next grab.

When I find different types of red paper clips I always buy them.....I'm beginning to think I have a fetish with red paper clips.

It's getting harder and harder to find a box of red paper clips.....I've been praying to the paper clip gods that the manufacturers continue to make my beautiful red paper clips.....whatever would I do if I can't find my favorite red clips?  Choose another color maybe...

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A Small Town's Slide Toward Demise

Our Town Needs Growth And Fast
Do you still live here?  Did you move away?  And if you did, why did you move?  Was it because the town had no place to shop?  Was it because there were no jobs in the town itself?  Was it because it was too far to drive to work in the city? Was it because the town didn't offer you the opportunities for you or your children?  All of these factors figure in when a person decides to move from the small town.

The town is quaint.  But the town is old and it's squeaky with its ball bearings in need of a good lubrication as well as in need of growth in all aspects.

Each time the town loses a business, I worry and I'm sure the city fathers worry too.  Because tax revenue just went out the window.

Let's look at the school  In 2008 the enrollment in the elementary grades was 130.  Now it's listed as 113. (The total school enrollment is 227.)  The elementary school is ranked 1,827 out of 2,453 elementary schools in Illinois.  The  2010 math test score for grades 3, 4 and 6 exceed the state percentage.....the 5th grade is far behind.  The 2010 reading scores for grades 3 and 6th exceed the state percentage but the 4th and 5th grade are sadly behind the state level.  To me this shows that a teacher along the way didn't appropriately do their job for some classes of children.

The high school enrollment for 2010 was 114.  The PSAE given to Juniors in 2010 wasn't much better.  Math scores were at 47.7%compared to the state level of 52.7%.  Reading was the best at 57.1 while the state level was 54.0%.  Science again was lower with 47.6% compared to 52.4%. (data source for both grade and high school: localschooldirectory.com)

When my children went to school the test scores in all grades were significantly higher.  I used to follow these scores because I moved back to Greenview in 1981 because of the good school/scores.

Is it only a matter of time before our school will be forced to consolidate?  My feelings are "YES".  Economics point towards that as well as declining enrollment.  I personally can't think of another small town in central Illinois that is a similar size to
Greenview which is still on their own and not consolidated into a larger school district.  What the heck would this do to our town?  Our taxes will most likely go up and every time the new consolidated school needs a referendum our town will be out voted.  I can barely afford my taxes now (from $1300 in 1995 to $3200 in 2010 and I have a tax exemption due to my disability)

I also wonder if the decline and sliding of the town itself has anything to do with children not growing mentally.  If there is nothing in the town to expose children and adults alike to current events, social contact, public recreation, and opportunity itself, how can our youth and other citizens grow and likewise how can the town grow??  Do the city fathers not care and don't do anything to encourage growth?  I think the answer may be leaning to the "yes" side because they don't know what to do......because perhaps they don't venture out to see what can be done.  Perhaps they feel there are limits placed on creativity ..... but this prevents the town to grow and evolve.

There are people who advocate and voice their accolades for the "quiet life" of the small town.  Especially those who have moved here from the big city to get out of the bustle and hustle.  But those of us who remember the small town with more pizzaz and the small town bustle, want more....we don't want our town to die completely.  It's important to us.

I remember a song by Simon and Garfunckle many years ago describing the small town they've left.  A couple of phases were:  "after it rains, there is a rainbow, but the colors are black"....."imagination they lack, for everything's the same". 

Perhaps we need imagination and creativity and more community allegiance.  We need something in our town.  Just sayin......


Old Tyme Greenview

Many of your and my ancestors are at rest in the area cemeteries.  Some were transported to Petersburg before Greenview proper had a cemetery, but many of our ancestors lived in the out lying area, such as Irish Grove and Sugar Grove.  There is a web site on which you can search for your relatives.  And you can also enter death information about your loved ones to bring the site up to date.  I thought some people who live out of the area might like to have access to this site since visiting the cemeteries might not be viable.


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=106323  Irish Grove

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=108448  Sugar Grove

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=105563  Greenview Elmwood


Recipe
I have begun to get out my holiday recipes.  I needed to decide which candy to make for Thanksgiving.  I decided on Cream Cheese Cherry Balls.


Cream Cheese Brandy Cherry Balls.

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, quartered
2 Tablespoons Brandy
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 8 ounce package cream cheese
2 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups flaked coconut
Marinate cherries at least 4 hours or overnight in brandy.   Melt Chocolate chips and butterscotch chips over a double boiler and add cream cheese. Stir in cherries, balls. Roll in coconut. Refrigerate - the longer the better. The flavors will intensify.

Thought For The Day

The deepest craving of human nature

is the need to be appreciated.

--William James

Another deer accident for us.  Hubby dearest now has 5 deer accidents over the long run.  I have zero, knock on wood.  Luckily he buys older cars with lower mileage to drive to work......but this is the second time for this car hitting a deer.  Just about a year ago, a deer jumped out south of Cantrall.  This time it was on Interstate 55 just north of the Sangamon Exit.

This deer knew how to hurt a car....the whole front end is messed up.  Oh well.....he will find the used parts, bolt on a new fender, hood and bumper and call it a day.  Luckily he can do the work himself.

I say let's thin out the deer in this area.  But I also say, be careful when driving.....the deer are running wild about now!!!

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Chocolate Day Wednesday

Time For A Chocolate Candy Bar

Being the chocoholic that I am, it's time to stop and smell the roses (chocolate that is).....drag out the chocolate bar, tear off the wrapper and eat it.  Who cares that it's 4:30 a. m. in the morning.  Chocolate is for anyone, at any time.

I doubt that I will soon see a healthy diet come out which says "Eat Chocolate Every Meal", but I sure can wish for that.  But at least the medical environment doesn't frown upon chocolate like they use to.....now they say you can eat dark chocolate and it's good for you.  They probably wouldn't include my desire to eat chocolate for three meals a day in the healthy medicinal report, but I can at least feel I'm doing something healthy when I rip that candy bar wrapper from the dark chocolate Milky Way Bar.....oh my goodness I really like those!

I've loved eating chocolate since I was a kid.  I remember my mom telling me years ago to never buy a chocolate candy bar from a machine in the summer because it would have bugs in it......but I bought them anyway.....I wonder how many bugs I ate in my lifetime from buying chocolate bars in the summer from a machine.

That good old chocolate just gives you a boost....gives you pleasure and always gave me pimples as a teen....but did that stop me from eating it....NOOOOO!  If I could have joined Willy Wonka at his chocolate factory I would have.

Whew it's 4:45 a. m.....I feel better after eating that candy bar from which I ripped the wrapper .....and stuffed half of the candy bar at one time in my mouth.  All the while I was typing, I had chocolate slobbers running from both sides of my mouth....who cares....it was wonderful and I'm satisfied now.  Besides you can't see me .... good thing too.....chocolate slobbers on my frog pajamas sure isn't a pretty sight.  But now it's time to share my other half of my candy bar ..... Chocolate anyone??????

Old Tyme Stuff
The following is a continuation of the History of Menard County from the 1879 book, The History of Menard and Mason Counties:

At the session of the Legislature in 1838-39, Menard County was stricken off from Sangamon, and named in honor of Col. Pierre Menard, a Frenchman, who settled at Kaskaskia in 1790. Menard was so popular in his day, with the people of Illinois, that when the Convention framed the Constitution of the State, a clause was included in the schedule to the Constitution providing that
" any citizen of the United States, who had resided in the State for two years, might be eligible to the office of Lieutenant Governor." This was done in order that Col. Menard, who had only been naturalized a year or two at the time, might be made Lieutenant Governor under Shadrach Bond, first Governor of Illinois, after its formation into a State.

As Menard County was named after this popular Frenchman, it may be interesting to the reader to give a brief account of his life. Pierre Menard was born in Quebec in the year 1767. He remained in his native city till in his nineteenth year, when his native spirit of adventure led him to seek his fortunes in the Territories watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries. He was, therefore, soon found in the town of Vincennes, on the Wabash River, in the employ
of a merchant, one Col. Vigo. In the year 1790, he formed a partnership with one Du Bois, a merchant of Vincennes, and they removed their stock to Kaskaskia, in Illinois. Menard, though possessed of but a limited education, was a man of quick perception and of almost unerring judgment. He was candid and honest, full of energy and industry, and these qualities soon marked him as a leader among the scattered population of his adopted home. For a number of years, he was Government Agent for the Indians, and his candor and integrity soon won for him the esteem and friendship of the Indian tribes. This fact secured him great advantage as a merchant, as he could buy their pelts for half that they could be purchased by the " Longknives." He was a member of the Lower House of the Legislature while Illinois was under the Indiana regime, and, from 1812 to 1818, he was a member of the Illinois Legislative Council, being the President of that body. He was Lieutenant Governor from 1818 to 1822, and after that he declined to accept further honors at the hands of the people. He acquired a considerable fortune, but much of it was lost through his liberality in going security for his- friends. He died at the good old age of seventy-seven years, in Tazewell County. Such was the man
for whom the county of Menard was named.

Note:  I will continue the history of Menard County in a future post.



Recipe
Chocolate Chip Pie
2 eggs
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/ cup melted butter, cooled to room temperature
1/2 bag of chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 nine inch pie shell, thawed

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Add white and brown sugars, beat until well blended. Stir in flour until well combined. Add chips. Pour into pie shell and bake at 325 degrees for one hour. Yummy

Thought For The Day - a poem for true friends

Suppose that everything that greens and grows
should blacken in one moment, flowers and branch.
I think I would find your blinded hand.
Suppose that your cry and mine were lost among numberless cries
in a city of fire when the earth is afire.
I must still believe that somehow I would find your blinded hand.
Through flames everywhere  consuming earth and air
I must believe that somehow, if only one moment were offered,
I would find your hand.
I know as, of course, you know the immeasurable wilderness that would exist  in the moment of fire.
But I would hear your cry and you'd hear mine and each of us
would find the other's hand.
We know that it might not be so.
But for this quiet moment, if only for this moment,
and against all reason, let us believe, and believe in our hearts,
that somehow it would be so.
I'd hear your cry, you mine -
And each of us would find a blinded hand.
~Tennessee Williams

Normally I try to write at twice the speed of life.  My definition of that is to give me a word or a thought and I will write as fast as I can or as fast as my fingers can type.  "Got to get the jumbled thoughts on paper" is my motto.  Kind of like being a kamikazi writer.....survive as long as you can, writing at top speed....just get it done!!

But....lately I think my speed of life has greatly slowed.  I'm lucky if I get two paragraphs written in 15 minutes....totally unusual for me.  I think everyone's speed of life changes with the weather, with the climate, with the daily routine of your life and especially if your world is moving too fast.  Mine is I think.  Time for this chick to put on the brakes and write with the golden pen, but a slow golden pen....let the thoughts flow at a slower pace and don't crowd the old brain fluid (poor thing is having a brain fart).  Or, maybe come up with some better blog ideas so that the brain fluid is thinner and flows faster.

If I'm boring you with my posts, let me know.  It's hard to judge what others think when I'm having a writer's melt down....which happens to most writers ..... I think it's called writer's block.  It's really weird to sit and stare at a blank page and your mind is as blank as the blank page. 

I think this happens when I'm multi-tasking and I go on alert....waiting for the next digital task to happen......I'm either a Digital Junkie or a Digital Dummy .... whichever suits me best.

Awareness creates choice....so let me know if you have a specific topic that would suit this blog.  I'm sure I could use some hints right about now with this writer's block giving me brain-itis.....whatever that is.

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Comments are always welcomed and encouraged!!  Please!!

A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In the Bush

Talking About Two Birds in One Of My Bushes

Over the years I've heard people talking about having a bird in your hand was worth much more than two birds in a bush.  I always wondered why people said that.  A person I knew was always saying that so I finally asked what exactly does that mean?  She said it meant if you already have something don't want more....you are being greedy and might lose it all.

Ok then I got it.  So I said to her:    "I guess it's kind of like if you sell the cow you won't have any more milk to drink.....so you better keep the cow .... and then I went on to say keep the dang bird you already have in your hand, because if you let the bird go that you have in your hand, it'll fly away and you might not catch the other two in the bush."  She said: "Yep" you got the right idea. 

I thought that was a really dumb thing to use birds to describe the scenario....why not just come out and say "it's better not to be greedy because you might lose everything you already have."  But that would be too simple.  Then she told me it was  either a Greek proverb or an English thing (I know people in the UK use all kind of sayings to get their point across.) 

I told her I once had a boyfriend who kind of went by this bird saying except he lost out .... he had multiple girlfriends and didn't tell this here bird who thought she was in his hand.  He had lots of birds in the bushes he tended.....then this here bird found out and flew away and all he was left with was a bunch of old birds in his bushes.  But they didn't fly away.....he was stuck with those ugly old birds. ...and man they were ugly. My friend said...."well that's kind of like what the saying means but not exactly."  Guess my situation wasn't quite an example of the bird slogan.

After all of these years, I finally understand just exactly what one bird in the hand is better than two in the bush means.....I know that if you see you have a bird in your hand, you better hope he doesn't have to go the bathroom, because you're going to be hanging onto that one bird according to the saying......And I know for a fact you're not going to like having poop on your hand from the one bird in the hand.

Old Tyme Stuff
Taken from the History of Menard and Mason Counties 1879

History of Menard County
Illinois, like other new Territories, was at first divided into counties, covering very large areas, in fact, the entire State was once " Illinois County ; " but as the country became more thickly settled, these counties were subdivided, and many portions re-divided the third or fourth time. Illustrative of this fact, it may be stated that at the time of the admission of Illinois into the Union, it comprised only fifteen counties. As the settlement of the State began in the southern portion and gradually extended northward, it is not at all surprising
that in more than one case it would have been impossible to find the northern boundary of the county unless it were considered as extending to the north line of the State. As an illustration of this subdivision of counties, it may be stated that the city of Chicago, or at least the land on which the city now stands, was once in Fulton County ; whereas, the nearest point of Fulton County to the city of Chicago is now 150 miles on an air line. A further illustration of this fact may be briefly given. If the reader will turn to the map of Illinois, he will observe that Crawford County is the eighth county
south on the State line from Chicago. This county at first included Chicago. When Clark was formed, it embraced Chicago ; and when Edgar was cut off of Clark, the "great city" was in it; and then when Vermilion was cut off of Edgar, Chicago fell into it : so that a great many counties in Illinois can boast of at least at one time including Chicago.

In consideration of the fact that Menard County was stricken off from Sangamon, it becomes necessary to give a brief outline of the latter. The reader, having perused the history of the Northwest, as given in a former part of this volume, will remember that portions of Illinois were settled even before the close of the last century. Prior to the formation of the county of Sangamon, by act of the Legislature, approved January 30, 1821, the territory of which
it was formed was included in the counties of Bond and Madison. Sangamon County, when first formed, included all of what is now Logan, Tazewell, Mason, Menard, Cass and parts of Morgan, McLean, Marshall, Woodford, Putnam and Christian. The boundary remained thus till the year 1824, when the Legislature reduced its limits ; it still, however, extended to the Illinois River and included all of Menard and parts of Christian, Logan and Mason. The boundaries of Sangamon County remained unchanged till the year 1839, when the Legislature again subdivided it, cutting off Menard, Logan and Christian. The name Dane was first given to the latter, but, after a few years, it was changed to Christian. 

Note:  the History of Menard County is long so I will continue some of the Menard County history in tomorrow's post.


Greenview News

The Greenview Petefish, Skiles and Co. Bank facility formally closes today, November 1 at noon...permanent closure.  Accounts have been moved to Petersburg.  Supposedly an ATM will be installed in Greenview.

Recipe
I love soup and am always looking for new and exciting recipes.  A while ago I found this soup recipe on the Paula Dean web site.  She has wonderful recipes and they always seem to turn out so well....and taste so good.  This is a soup recipe called "Tastes Like Lasagna" and it does.

Tastes Like Lasagna Soup - 8 to 10 servings
1 lb ground chuck
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
1 (32 ounce) box chicken broth
2 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cup broken lasagna noodles
1 (5 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - sprinkle on top

garlic crostini, recipe follows
Garlic Crostini:
1 thin French baguette
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves smashed garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large Dutch oven, combine ground chuck, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned and crumbles. Drain well.  Stir in thyme, brown sugar, broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add noodles, and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 to 10 ovenproof bowls. Evenly sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6-inches from heat, 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly. Add a garlic crostini slice on top. Serve immediately.

For the garlic crostini:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut bread into 1/4-inch round slices. Place on baking sheet and brush each slice with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; place in oven and bake until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Rub each side with smashed garlic cloves.

Thought For The Day

Nothing so needs reforming

as other people's habits.

--Mark Twain

Have you driven down the street and seen a bunch of boys and their pants are sliding down off their butt.  They have a belt on them but they keep sliding down.  These boys reach down and yank on the pants.  What the heck is the purpose of wearing pants down on the buttocks with the butt crack showing!!

When I was young there were such things as hipsters....but those weren't worn below the hips.  The belt line was only about 2 inches below the waist.  To me these boys have sagging pants.

The majority of boys I see are black boys (and I'm not trying to be a racist), it just seems it fits their lifestyle more than white boys.  I guess this pants below the hips is a fashion statement and these boys are followers.....they sure aren't trend setters.  I heard that this fashion started in prison so the kids want to follow the gangsters.

Can you imagine one of these low pant wearers coming in for a job interview......I absolutely wouldn't hire this person as I would be afraid of the pants slipping and then the business would be accused of sex discrimination....showing it all!!

Most times it appears the underwear they have on is grossly dirty......even with holes.  At least they could wear some fancy underwear.

I suppose that many of these kids do this to aggravate or annoy their parents....and the parents must not do anything because they would be ignored anyway.  Perhaps schools and cities should pass ordinances......we sure had school rules when I was young.  Arrest those who don't pull up their low riding pants.....I just think it's gross!!!

But on the other side I guess there are a lot of older people who pull their pants up to their armpits......resulting in high water pants....but somehow this just isn't as gross as seeing the butt cracks on these boys.  Guess I'm getting a bit cranky in my old age.

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