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…]

Originally printed in the Sept. 3, 2003 edition of the Illinois Valley News

Originally printed in the Aug. 20, 2003 edition of the Illinois Valley News Last week’s Tidbit article discussed Spotted Knapweed, Star Thistle, and Russian Knapweed. The BLM has a booklet that explains noxious weeds of Oregon. Copies are available at the IV Visitor’s Center and at the Kerbyville Museum. The[Read More…]

Originally printed in the Aug. 13, 2003 edition of the Illinois Valley News Flowering plants, or Angiosperms, are primarily classified into families according to similarities in the flower structure. Leaves, stems and roots are also similar in members of the same family. Flower colors can be very different, even within[Read More…]

Originally printed in the May 28, 2003 edition of the Illinois Valley News On Mother’s Day, my wife and I had a very interesting experience. We were sitting in the living room digesting the wonderful meal that Elaine had made for her mother and discussing very important topics. We heard[Read More…]