Originally printed in the July 21, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News In August 1838 the United States Exploring Expedition sailed from Chesapeake Bay. Like the Lewis and Clark expedition, it was composed of military personnel as well as civilians. Unlike Lewis and Clark, the group contained several scientists[Read More…]

Originally printed in the June 23, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News This morning I had the opportunity to take an early morning walk through the Forks State Park. It was cool and quiet, that is if you ignore the constant rumbling coming from the highway. I could hear[Read More…]

Originally printed in the June 23, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News There are three dates coming up in the near future that will probably receive some attention from the publishers of magazines, newspapers and producers of educational television programs.Beginning in June 1962, The New Yorker magazine, began publishing[Read More…]

Originally printed in the April 7, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News In my reading about the early United States, I have occasionally come across the term “The Year Without a Summer.” This is usually used as part of the explanation why a family has moved out of the[Read More…]

Originally printed in the March 24, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News In every war there are always different groups of people involved on both sides. There are those who are actively in favor and willing to participate. On the other hand there are people who oppose the war[Read More…]

Originally printed in the March 31, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News On May 14, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or Corps of Discovery, left their winter camp and started up the Missouri River. In the next two years there will be many articles and TV shows to[Read More…]

Originally printed in the Feb. 18, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News The population of birds in the Illinois Valley during the winter is not the same as the summer. There are some birds, such as vultures, that migrate south during the winter. Another group, which includes white-crowned sparrows,[Read More…]

Originally printed in the Feb. 11, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News Recently I have been reading a biography of John Adams, President of the United States and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It has given a greater appreciation for our “Founding Fathers” and the[Read More…]

Originally printed in the Feb. 4, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News January is not the normal time to work in the garden. Besides being wet and cold, most soil is very clumpy and difficult to work. However, this year there was a week or so of dry weather[Read More…]

Originally printed in the Jan. 28, 2004 edition of the Illinois Valley News For the last few months, a few people in the Valley have gently reminded me that the newspaper has been lacking Tidbits and that my hibernation should be over. I usually agree with them but then get[Read More…]