Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln

In honor and celebration of President Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, here is a re-published Top Ten List I featured in the August 2005 issue of the Peoria Jaycees newsletter, The Charge!

Top Ten Things Jaycees Learned About Abraham Lincoln At The Lincoln Library

10.) At the Lincoln-Douglas debate, Lincoln made a rebuff stating, "I knew Jack Daniels.  Mr. Douglas, you're no Jack Daniels."

9.) Made a guest appearance on an episode of Star Trek.

8.) To entertain Union soldiers, did magic tricks with his top hat.

7.) Consistently referred to the Confederacy as "the evil-doers."

6.) After arriving in Washington DC, hired a young Stan Munton as a White House page.

5.) Concluded his Emancipation Proclamation with the Paris Hilton catch-phrase, "That's Hot!"

4.) Started growing his beard after having a queer makeover.

3.) Saved a bunch of money on his carriage insurance by switching to Geico.

2.) Lincoln had an intern named Clinton; Clinton had an intern in the Lincoln bedroom.

1.) You're going to have to wait over an hour and a half to get into the Lincoln Museum.

To help understand this list a little further, a group of us went to visit the then-newly opened Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, IL.  It was very popular at the time and to make a long story short, the line was just too long for us to wait to get in.  So we found other things to do while in Springfield. 

Superbowl

Just some comments, observations and opinions of the American tradition we call the Superbowl.

Currently watching the game right now with 7 minutes to go for the 3rd quarter, it looks like Arizona is screwed. Since I don't have any money on the game, I really don't care one way or the other. I usually like to go for the underdog team unless there's some mitigating circumstance involved.  So it would be nice to see the Cardinals take it.

Many times, my interest is more in either the Superbowl party I'm at or the commercials. Now is it me, or have the commercials seem pretty lame the past few years. Some of them are just plain dumb.  Few are funny.  Beer commercials are usually the best. I think the last batch of really good Superbowl commercials was about 8 or 9 years ago during the dot com era.  I saw some movie trailers for commercials today. A Land of the Lost remake with Will Farrell? Uhhh! Where's my Pepto Bismol? 

As for Superbowl parties, I usually attend the Peoria Jaycees "SuperFest." But this year, since we now have the dogs, we can't really leave for more than 2-3 hours. So we are just staying at home in the Doghouse Bar with a pot of chili and fire. We were at the dog park earlier today, so the dogs are sleeping well. They'll be wide awake by the time we want to go to bed.

There used to be belief that if an original NFL team won the Superbowl, then it would be an up year for the stock market.  It proved true for almost 25-30 some years if I remember right, with exception of a couple of years. So for many times, I wanted an NFL team to win... all for monetary gain on my part. But there's been so many changes in football, I really don't know which is what between the old NFL/AFL teams or if this superstition can even still hold.

Half time show. The 3-D stuff was alright.  Springsteen did a good job at delivering a show. It would be tough to pick out which songs to play for only a 12-minute show. He was a bit winded after doing a couple of songs, but the guy is in his mid-50s. However, I don't like the fact he sold out to Wal Mart, so I was leaning towards being in a boycott mode for the half time show. Either way, this year's half time show was light years better than that debacle MTV put on in 2004 with Kid Rock wearing the US flag as a poncho and Janet Jackson with her so-called wardrobe malfunction. 

Anyways, it's time to stoke the fire and grab another Heineken.

AMVETS Building Not Historic

The powers that be voted Tuesday night not to designate the Amvets building as a historical landmark. And I am happy with the decision and happy for the Amvets!

I think it was wrong for the Central Illinois Landmark Foundation (CILF... not Chicks I'd Like to F...) to push for this designation after 5 or 6 years the Amvets were trying to sell their building and they finally received a bid and purchase agreement. I belive that many on the city council voted it down because of the situation many of these players were in.

According to CILF, the building passed the criteria to be considered "historic." And it is probably so. But in my opinion, from what I know, I think it is just an old building with beautiful design. They just don't make buildings like that anymore. But what was historic about it? And CILF wanted the city council to stand with them and designate this building a historic landmark. And once this is done, they wanted the Amvets to make the proper improvements and refurbishments at their expense. This is what I think is really wrong.

As a property owner, you have several responsibilities. You need to ensure that your property is kept up on modern fire and saftey codes, follow any zoning laws and make sure it is clean of litter and nuisance free. But if CILF had their way, what right do they have to force the Amvets to make unneeded renovations to satisfy the historic landmark certification?

The Amvets is not made of money. Their membership is declining rapidly from older members passing away and younger veterans not signing up to join. The reason they were selling was to get a smaller, more manageable and economical facility. That is what they were going to do with the proceeds. The Amvets next door neighbor, the Riverside Community Church, was going to raze the building to make way for a youth center. Basically, shit happens and life goes on. While I hate to see a beautiful old building go down, the alternative would have been for the Amvets to stay where they are and watch the building, and their post, fester.

It would be unlikely for the Amvets to sell this building had this historic landmark been made. Who is going to buy a building that was just designated as a historical landmark and that they would have to put upwards to a $1 million of renovations? Instead, if CILF really wants to save that building, they need to buy it themselves and they can then perform whatever refurbishments are needed on their dime. As it stands now, its the Amvets building and they can do what they want with it, within reason of course. And that includes selling it to Riverside so they can begin construction of its youth center.

The AMVETS Debacle

File this one under "What the hell are they thinking" folder.

I've been reading here and there about the situation between the local Amvets Post 64 and the Central Illinois Landmark Foundation (CILF). CILF wants to designate the current Amvets building on Monroe St as a historical landmark. But CILF decides to do this right before the Amvets is to close on the sale of the building.

For the past 5 or 6 years, the Amvets have been trying to sell its building so that it could move to a smaller and more manageable facility. Finally, the Riverside Church agreed to purchase the Amvets building so that it could expand its church. This would then allow the Amvets to move to the former Penguin Tap in Peoria Hts. Until now...

CILF has single handily thrown a monkey wrench into the whole works. Riverside Church has backed off from the deal siting uncertainty over what the outcome will be since they would not be able to expand the church if CILF gets their way. Why did they wait this entire time while the structure was for sale and then during the 11th hour before closing, they want to designate the building as historic? This reeks of CILF purposely wanting to derail the Amvets/Riverside deal for reasons unknown.

The Peoria Jaycees monthly membership meetings have taken place there since 1994. And since the Amvets provides a meeting place, the Jaycees have supported the Amvets and will continue to do so. As a member of the Peoria Jaycees, as well as an associate member of the Amvets, I've spent considerable time in the building and I'm familiar with it. It is costly to maintain. Considerable capital would be needed to rehab it, which the Amvets does not have. So if the building should get the historic designation, it's very unlikely it will be fixed up anyway. And that's some gall... CILF telling the Amvets that their building is historic and they have to fix the place up on their dime. It's Amvets' building; they can do what they want with it.

The Amvets have other problems. Their membership is declining as its older veterans are either dying or falling ill while younger veterans are simply not joining. They also don't have the financial strength to remain there indefinitely, let alone rehabbing it because its a historic landmark.

I don't know where CILF gets off on taking this course of action, but if they really want to designate this building as a historic landmark, they should buy it from the Amvets for the same price Riverside was going to buy it. Then the Amvets can move as planned and CILF can foot the bill (and it probably would be a 7 digit figure) to rehab the place.

... end rant...

Did Anyone Miss The Haunted House?

Before we knew it, the Halloween season of 2008 has come and gone.  And during that time, did any of us miss the Peoria Jaycees Haunted House? I'm sure a few did... mostly dedicated patrons of the attraction.  As for Jaycees members, I doubt it. 

After 37 years of scaring citizens of Peoria and Central Illinois, the Peoria Jaycees opted not to continue on for a 38th year with its Haunted House at Exposition Gardens.  Why?  Mainly because of little interest in organizing the event amongst the chapter membership.  Declining attendance and revenues was another factor since there are many more haunted attractions to compete with in the area. Liability was another factor as more and more, we needed to hire off duty police officers to stand guard against what appeared to be gang/trouble makers who would hang out in the parking lot all night.

The project is very labor intensive.  Most people probably don't realize how much work must go into the event before we even open the doors.  First there is pre-planning of the event and design of the house.  Then there are 2 or 3 semi-trailers loaded with props and building materials that need to be delivered to Expo Gardens.  Next, we convert a completely empty barn into the Haunted House by unloading the trailers of many pre-fabricated walls (which can be heavy), props such as a mad scientist table, bottomless pit, electric chair, fake tombstones, etc.  Then construction begins. Once the walls are up and firmly braced, the electrical work is done.  Depending upon what is featured in the house, this can range from simple to complex. Room decor gets done around this time as well as the giant facade of the house would be installed. After the fire marshall inspects the house, we can open for business. Normally, the house is open for about 2-3 weeks.  In the last several years, we would be closed on Monday and Tuesday nights as those were not very strong revenue generating evenings to open.  Once November hits, it's time to tear it all down and pack it away in the trailers for next year.  This is after working at the barn in the cold almost each night for well over a month. We're pretty burned out at this time.  In 2007, all this was done for a net profit of only $5,000. By contrast, this project made easily over $10 - 12,000 in less time 10 years before.

I joined the Peoria Jaycees in very late 1994.  My first Haunted House was in 1995.  At that time we started unloading the trailers and construction around October 1.  It would be at this time we'd get all the road signs out. Our most famous one was the big billboard type sign we place at Allen Rd and War Memorial Dr.  We haven't used that sign for the last several years as it is quite some work setting it up. Two weeks later, we'd have the house built and be open for business. Had we held the Haunted House this year, the chairman was planning on beginning construction in August.  In the last few years, construction would start earlier and earlier in the year because there was not much help from chapter members for the construction of the house. Finding volunteers for the operation of the house was not as bad. Perhaps 70% of the house would be manned by Jaycee members (in the real old days, 100% of the house was manned by Jaycees members).  Tear down was problematic.  During my first year as a Haunted House volunteer, we were probably done with tear down around Nov 10 - 15. Now days it extends to the end of the month; all because no one wants to do the physical labor.  

The physical labor aspect can clearly show why the Peoria Jaycees have cancelled this project. I guess people these days do not want to do that much work. When I was in my 30's and very active with the organization, it was a labor of love among many of us; not so much with the membership these days.  At the August membership meeting, a plan was presented for the 2008 38th Annual Haunted House.  A vote yes would be to keep the Haunted House; a no vote was to cancel this year's event.  The chapter, after long discussion, voted it down.  Only 2 votes were casted to keep it. The debate to keep it had been going on for the past 3 or 4 years. However it's not to say it won't come back.

The Peoria Jaycees Haunted House got its start in 1971.  It was originally built in an actual house on Wilcox St in Peoria.  The organization thought they had permission to "redecorate" from its owners.  Once built, they discovered that the real owners was Commercial National Bank. Yikes! The Jaycees worked things out with the bank so they could continue the event. If I remember the history correctly, 14,000 people came out to the House of Terror that year.  

I barely remember it.  No, I wasn't in the Jaycees in 1971... I was only approaching my 7th birthday.  But there was a story in the paper about it. My mom showed me and one day, I think after church, we drove past the house to see it during the day.  I remember trying to look in the windows to see what was in there.  I wanted to go in really bad.  Of the stories I've been told, there was a slide you rode down into the basement to get inside.  I'm not sure how much you can do that these days since we'd make the place handicap accessible.

I've worked many Haunted Houses in the past. I was a Haunted event judge for the Illinois Jaycees in 2001. I loved working these projects.  But I have to admit, I really didn't miss the Haunted House this year.  Instead, I helped out on the Jaycees Masquerade Ball, which could replace this long running event.

Is Common Courtesy Too Much To Ask

Is everyone getting tired of all the television and radio ads of all the candidates for political office? The election season is simply way too long now days. And the way all these ads are run, all these candidates must want these offices really bad. Or do they?

I was not in attendance for this forum. This story was told to me by one of the organizers of this event, so technically, it's hearsay. But it comes from a very good source.

The Peoria Jaycees, along with the Biltmore Heights Neighborhood Association and the North Florence Neighborhood Association held a Local Candidates Forum on September 30th at Unity Church. In organizing the event, they invited all candidates for the 18th Congressional District, the 92nd Illinois Representative District, Peoria County Board for that area of the city, the Peoria County Coroner and the Peoria County States Attorney. Colleen Callahan, running for Congress, was the first to respond to the invitation. She unfortunately had other commitments, but offered to send someone to represent her. On the night of the event, Johanna Ingersoll was the first to arrive. Her opponent, Steve Schmidt was one of the last to arrive. The most headed exchange that night was between candidates for States Attorney, Kevin Lyons and Darin LaHood.

As for Aaron Schock, the organizers did not hear one way or another from him or his campaign if he could attend. Granted, there was not a lot of people there, Schock should have at least offered the common courtesy to respond to the invite. I guess these constituents didn't matter enough for him... not even for him to take the time to RSVP.

This is not the only time he has snubbed the Jaycees. In 2004 we tried to give him an award at the annual Distinguished Service Awards. He claimed he was unable to attend the banquet, and these things have happened with other award recipients. But usually these award winners get someone they work with or a family member to accept on their behalf. Not Aaron Schock. Despite how connected he is or appears to be, he claimed he could not find one person to accept his award. You can read more here.

I look at the slate of all candidates for office this year and I'm greatly disappointed as I am every 2 years. Again, we are getting more the same. We need leadership, not more politicians. I'll take an honest "average Joe" over a typical politician any day.

Rocking Boats and Roasting Past Presidents

On Saturday, August 16, the Peoria Jaycees held its annual Rock The Boat event. This is a 2 hour excursion on board the Spirit of Peoria Riverboat with a party and band in full swing. The cost is $35 and covers all the food and beer. And again, Rachel's Hippo was the top bill. And again, they played very well. They did Cheap Trick's I Want You To Want Me, which I don't think I've seen them play before... maybe it's new for them.

Anyway, during the cruise, I was witness to a ruckus. A female ship worker (she was in some officer's suit, who knows, she could have been the captain) was trying to control another woman who was becoming physically irate. The ship officer was also assisted by two other guys who were undoubtedly Spirit of Peoria employees. The woman who was being restrained was noticeably intoxicated. They eventually got her into a stairwell where they talked with her and to calm her down. At this point, she stopped resisting and just broke down and started crying. With running mascara, she looked very similar to Ozzy Osborne.

At the end of the cruise, boat officials were escorting off a gentleman who was also very intoxicated and was probably on the verge of causing trouble. I don't know what the full story on this one was either. But once off the boat, we discovered that the woman and this guy were a couple of some sort. The Peoria police were waiting at the dock when the ship arrived. Upon reaching the squad cars, the police were forced to use pepper spray on this guy.

The Spirit of Peoria's crew handled these scuffles very well. The Rock the Boat event I thought was organized really good and at least most everyone had fun.

The boat docked around 10pm, which is still early. So a few of us decided to meet up at the Camel Club on Galena Rd. Buffy and I were first there before anyone else. At this time, we were kind of hungry, so we turned around and headed to McDonald's for a bite. I had the top down on the car as we headed through the drive thru. Waiting for our food, I looked up and noticed a very sizable spider in a web underneath the soffit. Looking at the color, size and shape of it, it appeared to be a black widow. If you recall, I had a black widow in my back yard that I wrote about on this blog a couple of summers ago. Since then, I have found another 6 black widows in my yard (just this summer alone). "How can you tell?" asked Buffy. I claimed it looks similar even though I couldn't see any markings yet. Once we had our food, I pulled the car up and stopped right underneath it. I saw what looked to be some red markings on it. Face it, Peoria has been invaded by the black widow.

We returned to the Camel Club, eat our dinner, had a drink or two, listened to an odd mix of music on the old 45 juke box and hung out with friends.

This past Friday night was the Jaycees annual Homecoming where we honor the immediate past president with a party and some type of roast. For the last few years, I've fried chicken for the event. I get a few good comments and many enjoy the dinner. We can thank Uncle Charlie for giving me my fried chicken prowess. I also stepped up to run the karaoke machine since Shane Hoadley was ill and couldn't make it that night. He could have at least let us use his bigger karaoke equipment instead of that small, 5 inch screen that no one could see. But another good time was had with the Jaycees.

A Wet Weekend

This past weekend, Buffy and I joined a group of roughly 20 other Jaycee members and friends for an annual camping and canoeing trip. We always stay at "Tree Island" at the Cherokee Village campground outside Turkey Run State Park in Indiana.

On the way there, we were running into and out of rain storms. Past Champaign, IL, we were finally out of it, but it eventually caught back up with us once we arrived and set up camp.

Buffy and I purchased a new, bigger tent along with cots for this year's trip. That was a good move! Sometime after I went to bed (2:30 - 3am), a thunderstorm came up. As I laid there, half asleep, I wondered how well this new tent will hold out the water. As rain dropped from the sky and onto the nylon tent, also equipped with an additional tarp, coupled with thunder and lightning, it made for very good sleeping weather. And the tent stayed high and dry.

Saturday morning was a muddy mess. We ate breakfast and called a few times to check on canoeing availability. We were scheduled to go at 11am and we were told to call 30 minutes in advance of that to check if any canoeing would be allowed. Our trip "leader" Kate suggested that the booze consumption be limited should go out on the creek as the water level could be high and somewhat dangerous. This would have severely hampered the entertainment of everyone at the expense of a certain member of our excursion.

We were called back with bad news. No canoeing, not only due to rain in the vicinity, but due to rain up north which was flowing our way.

As the weather cleared, many of us decided to hit a swimming pool at Turkey Run State Park. It was somewhat interesting to find many Amish people hanging out at the pool. I felt sorry for the Amish kids, especially the girls, as they wanted to get into the pool but were not permitted.

That evening, the sky clouded and the wind picked up. Thunder roared throughout the area and lightning occasionally flashed. This did not look good. The rain eventually started, but did not bring any violent weather. But at any rate, the steady rainfall brought miserable conditions as we all sat huddled under a couple of canopies placed side by side of each other.

Sunday morning, Buffy and I departed the Cherokee Village. On our way out, we crossed Sugar Creek where we would have canoed. Water completely filled the banks and was moving downstream quite rapidly. This is why the State of Indiana canceled all canoeing.

We all still had a good time and always seem to manage to do so regardless. It could have dropped to 28 degrees and snowed a half a foot and we'd still manage a good time. But maybe later this summer we might get in some canoeing yet.

Playing at the Opera House at Expo Gardens

I've seen this video a few times at a couple of other websites. The Who, live at the Opera House in Peoria on March 10, 1968. I've also heard that Ted Nugent and the Kinks have played there too.



This weekend, the Peoria Jaycees International Beer Festival is taking place in the Opera House. Waterstreet and Stepdown are the featured acts this year, which will be playing in the Opera House.

The Dubby Dance

This is the dance Dubby performed after the last NE Patriots touchdown in Super Bowl XLII. With less than 3 minutes left in the game, Dubby (as well as many others) prematurely believed they had the game wrapped up. Instead, the NY Giants won, 17 -14. Sorry, Dubby.