The Best of Dan Fogelberg

The Best of Dan Fogelberg: "1. Netherlands - Dan Fogelberg
2. Part Of The Plan - Dan Fogelberg
3. Heart Hotels - Dan Fogelberg
4. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
5. Hard To Say - Dan Fogelberg
6. Leader Of The Band / Washington Post - Dan Fogelberg
7. Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelberg
8. Run For The Roses - Dan Fogelberg
9. Make Love Stay - Dan Fogelberg
10. Missing You - Dan Fogelberg
11. The Language Of Love - Dan Fogelberg
12. Believe In Me - Dan Fogelberg
13. Lonely In Love - Dan Fogelberg
14. She Don't Look Back - Dan Fogelberg
15. Rhythm Of The Rain - Dan Fogelberg
16. Magic Every Moment - Dan Fogelberg
17. A Love Like This - Dan Fogelberg"

Not Part of the Plan

My beloved has been a fan of Dan Fogelberg for a long time. Her friend Eileen introduced her to his music more than 25 years ago and when my wife found out that Dan was from Peoria (her birthplace), she was even more enchanted with this singer/songwriter.
We had the pleasure of seeing Dan Fogelberg in concert on two occasions. Once was the year we were married when he performed at the old Poplar Creek outdoor theater north of Chicago. We were able to barter up for tickets in the pavilion and thoroughly enjoyed the music in the outdoor venue during a warm late summer evening. The second time was about five years ago in Rockford, where he performed at the Coronado Theatre. This was a very intimate setting where we were able to see him much more up close.
We were sad to hear that he had advanced prostate cancer, when it was announced in 2004 and are now even sadder to read of his death at the young age of 56.
We can be comforted by listening to his music, but it is tough to realize that there will be no new original music from this gifted musician, who brought pleasure to hundreds of thousands over the years. I know that he was labeled as a "pop" musician or as one of the forerunners of "light rock," but he could play just about any type of music and could have gone either the direction of classical or big band (like his father) or country, rock, folk or any combination. He played music that thrilled his fans and from the depth of the lyrics and the purity of his voice, he most likely played that which pleased himself, also.
It is too bad that people and performers are often pigeon-holed into one genre or another and are chastised when they try something new, but in any respect it shouldn't matter if you are making music or listening to music that you enjoy.
Dan, you were truly a "Leader of the Band" and I'm sure that your father and mother were proud of your accomplishments. We will miss hearing your voice live, but know that we can always hear from you at almost any time.

Check out some of the songs from "The Very Best of Dan Fogelberg listed in the post above or go to Rhapsody.com and listen to one of my favorites, "The Power of Gold" from the album, Twin Sons of Different Mothers with Tim Weisberg.

Hitting a Few Wrong Notes

Parents are notoriously protective of their children in most cases. We're no different. We like to see our children succeed and shutter when they don't. There are times, though, when we have to let them succeed or fail on their own, because they do learn from their mistakes. Take a ten-year-old playing her first solo and then hitting a few off-key notes. The audience is very forgiving for one so young, but the child may only hear the sour notes and not realize that she had the wherewithal and spirit to continue on with the song and keep improving as she played.
Not everyone can sound like Charlie Parker when they first pick up the saxophone. Not even Charlie Parker sounded like him when he first started. It is amazing to me when one so young has the courage to stand in front of hundreds of people and play in the first place.
So, to all the budding musicians out there, don't let a few bad notes get you down. Keep on playing and one day, well, you just never know.

Charlie Parker: "1. Barbados - Charlie Parker
2. Ah Leu Cha - Charlie Parker
3. Constellation - Charlie Parker
4. Parker's Mood - Charlie Parker
5. Perhaps - Charlie Parker
6. Marmaduke - Charlie Parker
7. Steeplechase - Charlie Parker
8. Merry Go Round - Charlie Parker
9. Groovin' High - Charlie Parker
10. Big Foot - Charlie Parker
11. Ornithology - Charlie Parker
12. On A Slow Boat To China - Charlie Parker
13. Hot House - Charlie Parker
14. Salt Peanuts - Charlie Parker
15. Chasin' The Bird - Charlie Parker
16. Out Of Nowhere - Charlie Parker
17. How High The Moon - Charlie Parker
18. White Christmas - Charlie Parker"

Since I've Been Gone

It finally took a new computer for me to get back to this site and compose anything. I had started on numerous occasions and had paragraphs written, but the "Old" computer kept freezing up on me and all was lost. All that was new, anyways. I can't or at least choose not to rehash everything that has gone on for the past few months, but here we are a few days from Thanksgiving and I am now writing weekly for a new newspaper (well, it is new for me).

The weekly column "For the Love of Community" now appears weekly in the Village Voices and the Freeport Focus. Both of the papers are also available online. Just click the above and it will take you to the site. There is a nominal fee (less than $25 for the annual subscription) or it is also available through mail subscription or at newspaper kiosks.

The Focus and Village Voices really promote local news with features about the people of Northwest Illinois. It is locally owned and operated with local features writers, reporters and contributors. Check it out each week.

One of the best things about being a "Theater"parent are the multiple opportunities to see my daughter perform in some extraordinary productions. Over the past four years there has been, "Bye, Bye Birdie," Studs Terkel's "Working," "The Pajama Game," and this year's phenomenal show, "Thoroughly Modern Millie." The Freeport High School theater department is exceptional with a vast array of talent and an unusual panache for a high school group. I'll miss seeing my daughter and her fellow seniors perform locally, but most likely will see some of them in the future either on stage or perhaps screen. A dad can dream, can't he?

No Matter How You Paint It, There Must Be Substance

It has been about a month since my last column appeared in our local paper. The editor and the publisher continue to print columns about how they want the input of the readers about the numerous changes they have made in the past few months. Thursday's edition is supposed to be the "Brand New" Journal-Standard, but the 6 or 7 or 8 dozen people that have approached me about their displeasure that my column was eliminated, almost every person has stated how discouraged they are with the changes that have been made. "The newsprint is to thin or faint to read," "there is hardly any local news," "what are they thinking?" are just a few of the comments that I have been hearing. The main reason that people cite for keeping their subscription is to read the obituaries.

How ironic that the current state of the printed edition of the newspaper is one that has to do with death. A column in the current edition of Slate discusses this fact. When I started reading the column, I had a weird sense that I was reading about myself. While I no longer subscribe to any print editions of local or regional papers, I do still purchase the Sunday Tribune when it is available. Lately, it has been selling out faster than usual, perhaps due to the decreased amount of current news in the local paper.

So, how does a newspaper rectify their dwindling sales and readership? I don't profess to have the answers to this, but the first thing they have to consider is an increase in the quality of the writing. The second thing is to be more regional in their approach. Newsmagazines and magazines in general have blossomed through this approach by finding niches and serving their readership. Newspapers are still trying to be all things to all people, but the competition from the internet, 24 cable news services, news radio, and instant news sent to one's cell phones or blackberries allow us to maintain an instant stream of current news information.

To that end, it appears that the local paper has been moving away from quality in an attempt to gain more advertising, use more space for photos without substantive content, and to serve as a training ground for neophytes in the newspaper industry. There are good writers that continue to produce good work, but then what I hear frequently is that there are people that have no history in our neck of the woods, that are trying to share insights about the people and politics of the area.

Many of us were "outsiders" at one time or another in Freeport and the surrounding areas. Some of us earned our stripes by being out in the public and serving the community or building up our businesses. None of the three primary columnists that wrote for the paper for more than 8 or 9 years was originally from here, but we became ingrained in the community and chose to be here with our families. I guess one could say that we paid our local dues by giving back to the community and becoming a part of it. That is no longer the case, as I was cut from the paper (along with Sara Tortomasi) and the two "legends" who remain have seen their column space decreased or altered in some way.

Change is inevitable, but change just for the sake of change is often counterproductive. If one wants to keep the paper viable, the quality has to be there, the local perspective must remain, and the change can't be so drastic that people either lose interest, are overwhelmed, or just plain turned off.

Currently Writing without a Home

I want to start off by saying how much I appreciate all of the people that read my column, "For the Love of Community" for offering your support. I find it difficult to understand how the local daily newspaper can receive dozens of letters and even more phone calls about the cancellation of my weekly column and only print one of the letters. I have spoken with numerous people who told me they called the paper and are now being put through to a voice mail. No one will talk with them, except one reader who was called back after his second letter and was informed that I "wasn't fired," but that the paper had decided to use some "new voices." So far, it sounds mostly like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand. They won't let this become a public discussion because of the heat that they will take.

So, in the meantime, until I find another home in the print world, I'll continue to try and keep up some semblance of writing skill with our "Pretzel City Logic" blog site. The following is the column that was to appear in The J-S on July 2, 2007 about the demise of the Germania Club.

Can We Fix It? No, We Can't!

By

Roland Tolliver

The room within is the great fact about the building. --Frank Lloyd Wright

Good morning, everyone. I hear there was some brouhaha about a beloved building here in Freeport recently. There has been word on the street about some conspiracies, though Oliver Stone hasn’t been here to film anything, yet. There is no grassy knoll, so I guess it didn’t peak his interest.

Another star has come to town, though, with dreams of filming a new television show. The producers are planning on calling it: G.S.I.: Germania Scene Investigation. A few of the show’s cast sat down for an interview with our curmudgeonly correspondent, Al Bebach, recently.

Al: Welcome, gang. I understand that you’ve taken your new roles quite seriously. I’d like to introduce some of the actors who’ll be in the show. There’s Bob T. Builder; his best friend,

Wendy; Scoop; Muck; Dizzy; Roley; and Lofty. These construction crime scene investigators leave no stone unturned. Let’s start with Bob. What attracted you to this show?

Bob: Well, Al, I really like to build things. I’ve been doing it most of my life. It is also fun to tear things down and rebuild them. I don’t know much about the Germania, but there have been some interesting theories about it. We want to get to the bottom of the collapse. Not literally, mind you, though!

Al: Wendy, you seem to be more than just another pretty face. You’re even wearing a hard hat to the interview. What do you do on the show?

Wendy: I’m there to make sure that Bob does his job properly. I get the permits, manage the crew and basically get the work done. Of course, I also make sure that our pets Pilchar and Scruffy are fed.

Al: Doesn’t leave much work for Bob, does it?

Wendy: No and that’s the way he likes it. Uh, huh! I work closely with Lofty to find out if any of these theories are true. Scoop, Muck and Roley are really the workhorses in this show, though.

Al: What theories are being bantered about?

Lofty: We’ll look into whether construction of the Lindo expansion weakened the Germania building or possibly that the sound from ‘Music on Chicago’ was too loud.

Roley: Yeah, and we’re going to see if the Mayor or the Publisher were anywhere near the site before the building collapsed. Everyone is a suspect on this show. Except us, of course!

Al: What about the citizens. They have a number of ideas about what happened and all of those memories.

Bob: The producers and writers have thought about that. They’ll incorporate those memories into flashback scenes. We’ll use Big Band music and try to recreate the interior from old photos and people’s stories.

Al: Will this be a reality show, documentary or a serialized drama?

Wendy: Well, Bill Kurtis isn’t narrating, so it won’t be on A&E. We’re hoping to be a companion show to CSI on CBS if that’s A OK with the CEO. We’re hoping to last long enough to be syndicated. That’s where we, as actors, we’ll make some extra money.

Al: Will you focus on any other structures for the show?

Muck: We’re thinking about looking into Cheaters and Super 8, but we like the history of the Germania building. We couldn’t help but notice how people feel connected to the building and the memories. The collapse is more of a mystery, which should keep the show interesting. We want to eventually solve the puzzle so that other historic buildings don’t suffer the same fate.

Al: So, what you’re saying is that the show is basically about preservation?

Bob: Of course, that’s why we’re mostly builders. Even we can’t save every structure, though. Didn’t you guys used to have an historic courthouse?

Al: Hey, that’s not fair!

Bob: Just trying to have some fun with you, Al. We heard there is a Carnegie Library that may need our help, though.

Al: Well, our time is just about up. We want to wish you good luck with the show and hope that you solve this mystery next season. I think we’ve heard from everyone but you, Scoop. Do you have any last thoughts for us?

Scoop: Not really, Al. I’m just here to pick up the pieces and put them into the trucks. I just do my job and hope we can find some answers.

Al: So do we, Scoop. So do we.

Farewell Column, but not Farewell

I would like to publish the column that appeared in The Journal-Standard in order to show the comparison of what was deleted and edited from the original "Farewell" column, but it was not made available online to our readers. If you read Saturday's paper in the Home and Garden section (please, how ironic, I can't get anything to grow) then you can see how altered it was from the original. Again, thanks to all who are signing the petition, calling or writing The Journal-Standard and are otherwise upset with the cancellation of the "For the Love of Community" column.

I Read It In the Sunday Papers

By

Roland Tolliver

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night. --Rodgers and Hammerstein

Dear Loyal Readers,

It feels a little strange (okay, very strange) writing this week’s column. Here I am, almost 50 years old, and I’ve never been fired from a job, or let go from anything before (unless you count being cut from the varsity basketball team my junior year, but then some men really can’t jump). So, it is with sadness and befuddlement that I share this “For the Love of Community” column with you today.

I realize that every journey has destinations, layovers and other stops and starts along the way. This journey began nine years ago next month when we shared a story about the Stephenson County Fair and how a young boy discovered how the Fair began. We’ve had many laughs and tears throughout these years about the fun, foibles, and events about our beloved community.

I think that of all of the comments I’ve heard over the years, it has been those that appreciate the stories of family with all the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that occur. We’ve grown together over the past nine years. I’ve listened to your stories and have taken them into my heart. The hundreds of calls, emails, letters, and face-to-face encounters have resonated with me, knowing that you’ve read my feeble attempts at conveying my thoughts about life, and that you’ve cared enough to share with me.

When my co-author, Dr. Steve Spyrison, and I started this column in 1998, little did we know where this would lead. I still miss his contributions and wish that there had been greater understanding before his dismissal. There have been more egregious omissions and commissions by others since then with lesser consequences. When we started freelance writing at the request of Jeff and Julie at The Journal-Standard, we took the “free” part too literally for the first two and one-half years. Hey, what did we know? We were both in the medical field.

The years have gone by fast as we’ve shared stories about birth, life, and death. I have been humbled when pastors told me they were using the columns in some of their sermons and one was read at the funeral of our dear Audrey. I was surprised when a column appeared in the Wall Street Journal’s online edition. That story generated emails from across the country and was published in multiple languages throughout the world. Other columns have appeared on "The Biggest Loser," Kingsford Charcoal, and various other websites. The wonders of the Internet!

Most heartwarming have been the letters from soldiers in Iraq and the comments from our local firefighters for my columns about the heroism of the men and women who perished in the tragedy of 9/11. Yes, the world has changed in the past nine years. That single day made sure our lives would never be the same.

I'd like a to take a few lines to offer my gratitude....

To the editors that I’ve worked with over the years: Thank you.

To those that I’ve shared the Pulse of the community with: Thank you.

To my office staff that put up with my other “vocation: Thank you.

To the readers that went out of their way to share their thoughts, stories and comments with me: Thank you.

To all of the men and women who serve our country and our communities: Thank you.

To all of the readers that kept up with Freeport and Northwest Illinois online through the columns: Thank you.

To my friends and fellow writers who shared your insights into this ever-evolving, dynamic field we call “writing”: Thank you.

To all of the grateful volunteer agencies, especially those that benefited from the books sold: Thank you.

To all of those that are asking me to continue writing: Thank you. (You may check out some online submissions and keep in touch at http://www.pretzelcity.blogspot.com/).

To Al Bebach: Thank you. You complete me!

And especially to my family, my lovely bride, Irena, our daughters, son and son-in-law: Thank you. You have been my inspiration and the source of many stories through the years. Thank you for being open-minded and encouraging! You don’t know how much that has meant, but I’ll keep trying to let you know.

So, as this journey called life takes a detour, we’ll plan on continuing to share our love of this community we call home. May God bless you and your families all the days of your lives.

In the Spirit of Community,

Roland Tolliver

If one door closes, don’t let it hit you on the way out. --Al Bebach

Thank you for your support

Thank you to Heidi Downing for her letter supporting the column in Sunday's Journal-Standard. Maybe if there are enough people complaining about the cancellation of the column or calling to support its reinstatement, the powers that be may reconsider their decision. Here is Mrs. Downing's letter:

After reading the Editor's Notebook and From the Editor (7/8/07) I became excited about the changes coming soon to The Journal-Standard. However, I noted that one of my favorite columns - For Love of Community - was missing from the paper. Is this one of the changes I wondered. I called Lori Gray only to discover that this much enjoyed column written by Dr. Tolliver has been dropped as part of your "re-envision." The purpose of my letter is to ask that you reconsider your decision. I would also encourage others who have enjoyed For Love of Community to voice their opinion by either calling Lori Gray at 815-232-0186 or writing a letter to Mr. Analore.

Heidi Downing

Freeport

A Long Hiatus

I've been gone for a while from this site. My oldest daughter was married last month and I've been playing catch-up in the office and composing my weekly columns. Speaking of which... the column "For the Love of Community" was canceled by The Journal-Standard here in Freeport. No specific reason was given other than the typical doublespeak of "we've decided to make some changes" and my column was no longer part of that plan. It is interesting that I was able to submit a "farewell" column, but when it appeared in today's paper (and they didn't make it available online) it only vaguely resembled the column that I submitted. There was no mention of the reason why I was leaving. It was made to seem by their bastardized version of my column that I was leaving of my own accord. That was not the case by any stretch of the imagination.

My ten year-old daughter has started a petition in an attempt to have the column reinstated. She has more than 120 signatures so far. I envy her desire and determination. I think we have a budding social activist on our hands. I am proud of the way she has taken action. We'll see if the powers that be at the local paper take notice or continue to play this out as ostriches.

I will publish the original column on this site by Monday. It is currently on my office computer and I'm working from home tonight. I will also make the four "Wedding" columns available on this site.

So tonight I go to sleep with many questions about why my nine year-old column is being forced out when it was widely read and appreciated by the people of Northwest Illinois and online by many others.

Rumors

From Art to Art at the Freeport High School in March to the Spring play, Neil Simon's Rumors, already. I have been so remiss in getting to my own site that an entire month went by without an entry. Think that is the first time since I started this thing that I've missed a whole month.

This year's play for the high school has a fantastic set design, but I've yet to see even a moment of the rehearsals. A colleague who took pictures for The Journal Standard said that from what she saw it will be a very funny play. Knowing the actors and actresses involved, I am sure it will be. Most of the lead characters have been in previous productions from last the play last Spring to the Fall musical and Showtime these students have been active on stage in many different types of performances.

I'll write more after seeing the play, but for now I'm anticipating big laughs and much hilarity.

Art to Art

For a more detailed account of the performances, please see the article in today's Journal-Standard by Diana Roemer.

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Mea Culpa

I was informed this morning that I made a mistake in listing the second coach for Freeport High School's Speech Team for several of their championship years. I was thinking of George Enstrom, a local attorney, who is the son of the actual coach, Ralph Enstrom. The error has been corrected on the posting "Don't Know Much About Speech History" which was appropriate considering that I saw the correct name in the IHSA State Speech program and still typed in the name in my head instead of the correct name. Apologies to those who knew Ralph, whom a patient told me today, was an excellent teacher.

The Big Awards

Helen Mirren was the surest bet among all nominees. She won. Now up is the Best Actor category and Reese is looking lovely as she presents the award, which goes to...Forest Whitaker, who just recently completed a compelling story line as the conflicted, vengeful, and ultimately tragic character on "ER". He is a fine character actor, who falls easily (at least it seems so) into his roles.

Stephen, Francis, and George are together to present the Best Director Oscar, most likely to Martin Scorcese, but my sentimental favorite is Paul Greengrass, who directed United 93, but the Oscar goes to the one who has suffered the longest drought without winning, though he should have at least twice in the past (Raging Bull and Goodfellas). He finally has won for a movie that supposedly wasn't as good as the other two, but it was his year this year. Much like when Spielberg won for "Saving Private Ryan" there is a good chance that his film will not win the Best Picture Award. A lighter comedy that captured some hearts, like "Shakespeare in Love" did, "Little Miss Sunshine" has a very good chance of winning.

Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson are together for the presentation of Best Picture. The most popular film is "The Departed", but Marty just received his award, so let's see who takes home the Big Prize...

And the Oscar goes to "The Departed" which just happened to star Jack Nicholson. So the cast of stars, Leo, Matt, Jack, Mark, Alec and gang took a Boston crime lord and the police department and some switcheroos and turned it into Oscar gold.

That's all for tonight, folks. How did you do on your Oscar scorecard? Better than I did, I hope.

The Al Gore Love Fest

More than 90% of Hollywood is said to vote Democrat. Based on the tribute by Leo to Al Gore, his appearance, the win for "An Inconvenient Truth" and the win for Melissa Etheridge and her song, "I Need to Wake Up" from Gore's documentary, it looks like it has been Al's night. If Hollywood can swing the vote for the next President, perhaps, David Geffen and the gang may have to bring up Barack Obama at next year's Academy Awards to help him garner some votes before the 2008 elections.

Ennio Morricone

I once sat through four of Clint Eastwood's spaghetti Westerns in one day. Almost eight hours of watching Clint light stogie after stogie, squinting, and always getting the villain. Whether it was being saved from a hanging, wearing protective steel under his poncho or dowing another shot of whiskey before firing off another round to save the town, the movies' scores stuck with me. I walked out into the evening sky with one of my best friends, Tony. We were blinded by the setting sun after spending the entire day in the movie theater. "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," "For a Few Dollars More," "A Fistful of Dollars," and "Hang 'Em High."

Clint just finished announcing the honorary Oscar to Ennio Morricone for his years of contributing haunting and memorable scores to many films, including the ones with Clint riding off into the sunset or running through a cemetery to find the hidden money.

Segio Leone is smiling somewhere as his movies once made a star of the guy from "Rawhide" and now the music that has been inspirational since the 1960's is being honored. He continues to write and perform the music that has lead to some strange and interesting takes on his scores.

A Surprise Winner... To Some

Best Adapted Screenplay wasn't too difficult to pick out, William Monahan for "The Departed" was pretty much a sure bet, but then again so was "Cars" at least according to the critics. The surprise winner to all who thought "Pan's Labryinth" would win best Foreign Language Film...welcome to Germany's "The Lives of Others." Even a squirrel finds an acorn in the winter once in a while. Jerry Seinfeld is trying to make funny right now. Ellen has been a little too earnest in her attempt to please so far. Funniest bit, for me at least, was the song and dance routine by Jack Black, Will Ferrell, and John C. Reilly.

Al Gore's film, "An Inconvenient Truth" conveniently just won the Best Documentary Oscar. No hanging chads for this one. I understand that somewhere in Dade County people are cheering and they've decided to go completely green for Al's sake and that of our country.

Wide Open Races to Wide Open Spaces

Another one bites the dust. I thought for sure that "Cars" would take the Animated Feature Oscar, but then it isn't wise for a podiatrist to vote against a movie with the name, "Happy Feet!" "Happy Feet" was funny, sad and had great animated action sequences, but I thought that the characters in "Cars" were more fully developed. I'm glad I didn't bet on the Awards this year. I never have before, so I guess that this would definitely not have been a good year to start.

One Wrong, More to Go?

Okay, so I picked against Eddie Murphy for Best Supporting Actor. In that respect I was right, but I picked the wrong actor. Alan Arkin, who starred in one of my favorite comedies, the original, "The In-Laws" and also in "Catch-22" among others, was a sentimental favorite as the foul-mouthed, coke-addicted, grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine." Kind of a lifetime achievement award. Perhaps this bodes well for Peter O'Toole, though Forrest Whitaker will be tough to beat. This may also be a prelude to "Little Miss Sunshine" and a victory for Best Picture. Stay tuned.

Not Much Time

Usually, I write this prior to the start of the Academy Awards. Anyways, here goes my predictions for this year, just under the wire...

Best Supporting Actor: Mark Wahlberg
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson
Best Actor: Forest Whitaker
Best Actress: Helen Mirren
Best Director: Martin Scorcese
Best Animated Movie: Cars
Foreign Language Film: The Lives of Others
Adapted Screenplay: William Monahan
Best Original Screenplay: Michael Arndt
Best Song: Love You I Do
Best Documentary; An Inconvenient Truth
Best Movie: Little Miss Sunshine

Okay, it has started, so these were my quick picks, even though I failed to see a single nominated movie this year. Quite a feat, eh?

Hope your predictions work out for you.

Don't Know Much About Speech History

Freeport High School recently sent seven individuals in eight events to the Illinois High School Association State Speech Tournament at Rock Island High School. Unfortunately, we did not place any duo or individual in the finals, but the team performed very well. Whenever the judging is subjective certain "favorites" tend to emerge. That seemed to be the case this year, as it was last year, when the Northwest Illinois Sectional failed to produce a single champion and very few representatives in the finals. DeKalb with 11 events for state had three finalists, who placed in 5th, 6th and 7th places. Rock Island had one individual with two 4th place finishes. Pearl City's "Performance in the Round" wound up 6th (though no points were awarded as this is an exhibition event). There is a definite pattern with the suburban schools ending up in the finals, whether their performances are the best ones or not. Much of the "downstate" area has difficulty reaching the finals, not just our neck of the (back)woods.

As stated in the FTLOC column of February 26, 2007, here are the years of Freeport's team champions and individual state winners:


Team/ Place/Year Coach(es)
FHS 1941 1st Jeanette Lloyd
FHS 1942 2nd Jeanette Lloyd
FHS 1949 1st Jeanette Lloyd and Ralph Enstrom
FHS 1950 1st Jeanette Lloyd and Ralph Enstrom
FHS 1951 1st Jeanette Lloyd and Ralph Enstrom

FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS:

Event Champion Year
After Dinner Speaking John Voigt 1955
Extempore Speaking Roger Kasten 1951
Oratorical Declamation Harold Horstmeyer 1950
Original Oratory Jack Sellke 1943
Original Oratory Clarence Norman 1971
Serious Reading Louise Ousley 1945
Serious Reading Donna Smith 1949
Radio Speaking Scott Smith 2000
Verse Reading Lorraine Saunders 1941
Verse Reading J. Robert Beddow 1942
Verse Reading Gerald Kline 1950
Verse Reading Jean Bloomquist 1954
Verse Reading Clarence Norman 1972

Clearly Speaking Photo Montage FHS State Speech Team 2007

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Proud Papa

I'm feeling rather proud of my daughter, Veronica, this week. She is the first female from her high school to qualify for the Illinois State Speech Tournament in the Humorous Duet Acting event. She and her partner, Jake, who has qualified the previous two years with a male duet partner, have had good success this year winning several tournaments. The Freeport team has once again done the school proud. Two years ago they sent six individuals or duets to state. Last year they were in nine events at state. This year there are seven individuals in eight events. Three of the team members are in two events each.

This is quite an accomplishment as they are currently ranked ninth in the state based on team strength. They join traditional powerhouse teams such as Wheaton North, Downers Grove South, DeKalb, and others. They are one of nine teams to have participants in at least eight events for the state tournament.

It has been a fascinating year to watch and attend the tournaments. These young men and women have shown tremendous growth not only in their presentations, but in their leadership skills and their personal demeanor. They carry themselves with a sense of self-confidence, knowing that they have excellent communication skills. This is a necessity in today's economic climate. It is imperative to be able to communicate well to succeed in college, grad schools, and in business. These students will have a distinct advantage.

We are looking forward to attending the state tournament in Rock Island, Illinois this weekend. Our daughter, who is competing in the dichotomous events, Humorous Duet Acting and Dramatic Duet Acting, will be one of the participants, but we will be there to root for our home team, as well as members of other teams in Northwest Illinois, including Eastland-Pearl City.

It is difficult not to cheer on all of these students, approximately eighteen individuals or duos, for each event. Some sectional events had ties, so that one or two additional students may be in an event. They have been honing their skills throughout the past several months and now it is their turn to shine.

To follow the tournament results, go to espeech.net. Best of luck to all of the students that qualified for state, but we'll be cheering on our home team of Freeport. Go Pretzels!

Ouch! That Hurts

Much like Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl for the BCS Championship game, the Bears started out great. Hester worked his magic on his way to another kick-off return for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Bears looked quite ordinary after that. They forced fumbles and even had an interception, but in the end, Rex is no Peyton.

The Bears had a great season, but in the overall scheme of the game, the NFC once again cannot stand up to the AFC when it comes to the big game. We should have been able to see this coming by the way the Bears lost to both New England and Miami during the regular season. These are teams that Indy beat during the regular season and playoffs. It was too easy to get blinded by loyalty and the way they played two weeks ago against the Saints.

The Bears may one day win another Super Bowl, but I don't think it will be with Rex Grossman as quarterback. He is a nice guy, but seems to get "happy feet" whenever he is being pursued; keeps throwing off of his back foot, which leads to many of his underthrows (interceptions); and can't seem to get a grip on the ball (fumbled snaps). They desperately need a Tom Brady/Peyton Manning type of quarterback, who is confident in the huddle, on the field, and in the pocket, which would then help his teammates develop confidence in him. Rex just doesn't have that going for him and it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. As Simon and Garfunkel sang years ago, "You're shaking my confidence, baby."

Is it time for baseball season, yet?

Today is Super

Has it really been 21 years since the Bears beat the Patriots in New Orleans? Once again the Bears are playing a team from the original AFC East, though the Colts were moved to the AFC South (I thought that Indy was in the Midwest, but what do I know?). Anyways, everyone outside of Chicago is saying that it is Peyton Manning's year. Time to finally win the big one for the best quarterback not to win a Super Bowl in the current group of the better quarterbacks. Maybe it is his time, but if it hadn't been for the porous New England defense in the final quarter of the AFC Championship game, Tom Brady would be back in the big game.

I look for the Bears defense and special teams to stand up very well against the Colts. The two coaches, who know each other well, will be evenly matched, and if Rex Grossman can have even a decent game, the Bears will win. Peyton is good, no doubt. I saw him shred the Chicago defense for four touchdowns a couple of years ago at Soldier Field. I think it was during Lovie's first year in 2004. The Bears defenders looked like the proverbial "deer in the headlights," but there is something different about this team so far in the playoffs.

The pre-game is already going on the local radio stations and most likely on TV, though my son is spending the morning watching the Disney Channel, so I wouldn't know. I'll be getting the Buffalo Wings ready for the game and waiting for the new commercials to go along with what I hope will be a great game.

Contrary to my prediction if the Patriots and the Bears were playing, I am going to stick with the hometown team... Bears 27 Colts 24. Good as Gould in the last minute of the game.

"Pounding" Away

Our daughter graduated with her Associates Degree in Applied Sciences this past Friday in Nashville. The past 18 months have gone by very quickly. She is now awaiting her time to take the national certifying board exam to become a licensed massage therapist.

Now that she is home, she is part of our team that is focusing on the local "Get Fit Challenge" sponsored by FHN. Our unimaginative team name, Freeport Podiatry, consists of five folks trying to regain some semblance of fitness. Two are trying to get fit before their wedding in June. Two are trying to look and feel healthier before their daughter's wedding. One, recently married, is looking to get healthier (along with her new beau).

This past year was a revealing one for me as I was at a low point in health last January. Since that time I've been able to lose 25-30 pounds and regain better cardiovascular health. I still have room for improvement and look forward to getting to a more improved state of health. The Get Fit Challenge is a good way to maintain a level of accountability.

As the New Year morphs into its second month, it is a good reminder that it is necessary to take care of one's self if one is to be able to help others. Best of health in the New Year!

What Will the New Year Bring? 2007

Way overdue in getting to this site. Thought that regular readers, if there are any left, would like to catch up on one of the most recent columns from "For the Love of Community." Two years ago this column (for 2005) had a far-reaching audience when it ended up in the "Best of the Web" from the online version of The Wall Street Journal. Anyways, Happy New Year!
And as for the Bears-Patriots prediction... I'll enjoy my crow now, but it sure makes it easier to maintain a single allegiance... GO BEARS!

What Will the New Year Bring? 2007

by

Roland Tolliver

Today we welcome back that pugnacious prognosticator, Mr. Al Bebach. He gained a smidgeon of notoriety two years ago by ending up in the Wall Street Journal’s online edition with his predictions. Let’s see how he does this year with his ancient Ouija board....

January

* Denver will be known as the Mile High City for the 5280 feet of snow that fall on the area. "Global warming my butt!" complains a stranded traveler.

* The Academy Awards announce that Will Ferrell has been nominated for the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth Stranger than Fiction." Al Gore complains that he "invented fiction."

* The Chicago Bears eke their way through the NFC playoffs with "Good Rex" at quarterback.

February

* The Chicago Bears meet the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl and promptly lose 46-10 with "Bad Rex" having a -20 quarterback rating.

* The Grammy Awards give the top record award to The Dixie Chicks, who attend the show with the Bush twins.

* The Academy Award for Best Picture goes to "The Deported." The backstage crew have all left before they realize "The Departed" was misspelled.

* John Walsh of "America’s Most Wanted" is an election judge for Freeport’s primary when he sees that there is an Alderman "At-Large."

March

* Osama Bin Laden receives a nomination form from the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest continuous game of "Hide and Seek."

* State laws change under pressure from the tobacco industry’s lobbyists and "No Breathing" sections are established in restaurants.

* The 700 Mile fence along the Mexican border is delayed until Halliburton can put in a bid.

April

* The Governor announces that mandatory health insurance will be free for all Illinois residents without raising taxes. A spokesman announces, "April Fool’s!"

* Hillary Clinton announces that she is forming a task force to study the results of her candidacy’s task force report. "I just want to be sure I can win," she says.

* Freeport’s general election results in four new city council members to balance the voting.

May

* Mother’s Day is celebrated throughout the world when an 80 year-old French woman gives birth to triplets. "We don’t like losing to ze Spaniards," she proclaims alongside her 60 year-old daughter.

* Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron’s record and immediately goes on the disabled list. No one hears from him again.

* Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani throws in his hat to become the Republican Presidential candidate. "I let Hilary win the Senate, but I’m not pulling out this time," he proclaims.

June

* Wal-Mart decides that 186,000 square feet is still too big and downscales our Super Center to 100,000 square feet. "It’s still plenty big for y’all," a spokesperson from Bentonville comments.

* The NBA playoffs conclude with the Detroit Pistons regaining the championship. Detroit catches on fire.

* The NHL playoffs end with the Detroit Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup. The stadium’s ice is used to quench the fire.

July

* Halliburton is announced as the general fence contractor by President Bush. Senator Kennedy calls for an investigation into "Border Gate."

* YouTube.com surpasses the CW and NBC to become the third most-watched network. Google’s stocks push the Dow past 16,000.

* Judy Baar Topinka plays "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch of a White Sox game. "She was available," explains a memo from the PR department.

August

* Bozo, Chuckles and Clarabelle the Clown are hired posthumously to promote a new line of designer meats. "That’s supposed to be ‘cloned’ meat, not ‘clown’ meat, you fool," a spokesman tells the ad agency.

* Senator Barack Obama officially enters the Democratic race for the presidential nomination. "If someone from Illinois is going to be President, they’re not going to be from New York," he declares.

* The Emmy for best show goes to "Betty’s 24 Ugly Heroes are Lost in a Desperate House. "We couldn’t come to a consensus," says the producer.

September

* The state legislature finally decides that school shouldn’t start until after Labor Day.

* The Cubs are in first place heading toward the playoffs when three starting pitchers go on the disabled list. Somewhere a goat is laughing.
"Wait’ll next year," everyone shouts.

* Osama is still hiding among the weapons of mass deception. Al Jazeera starts production of the game show, "Where’s Osama?"

October

* 12 inches of snow fall on Columbus Day. There won’t be another snow fall until January.

* It is announced that Paris, Lindsay, Nicole and Britney will join the cast of "The Biggest Loser" before they realize it is about weight loss. "Nevermind," they collectively say.

* The Christmas shopping season officially kicks Halloween off of the calendar.

November

* Palestine says that it will be at peace with Israel. "Just as soon as we’re sure that Iran has the bomb," announces their Prime Minister.

* The Detroit Tigers win the World Series when a rule change ensures that the pitchers are not allowed to field a ball in play.

* Nicholas Sparks releases his new book, "John Deere" about a forlorn Iowa farm girl who invites John Edwards to join her before the Iowa caucus. "You know y’all want a man from the South to run this country," she says.

December

* Osama Bin Laden is found only 30 years short of the "Hide and Seek" record set by Josef Mengele.

* John McCain enters the Republican Presidential race after being given the key to the Border Fence’s gate. "Remember the Alamo!" he shouts.

* Christmas is finally remembered as a time of peace and for once we experience a true, "Silent Night, Holy Night."