Pretzel City Logic

It's Halftime in America

2012-02-06T15:30:00.002-06:00

Maybe I'm naive or just missed something, but I saw the Clint/Chrysler ad as pro-Detroit, pro-automaker and a good old-fashioned wake up call to Americans that we have been on hard times and that we have a chance to pick ourselves up by our proverbial bootstraps and show the rest of the world what we can do when we put our minds to being the best. But, then, maybe I am really just naive or blinded by the plight of Detroit, the place of my birth and all of my childhood and young adult memories and remembering the hard work of people like my father, Roland Tolliver, and all they have given to the Motor City. But, that's just my opinion.

Vera Romuk, R.I.P.

2010-05-12T19:37:00.009-05:00

The following is the Eulogy that was given for Mrs. Vera Z. Romuk by her daughter at her funeral service on Saturday, May 8, 2010. A daughter's love is one that binds her to her mother in the best of circumstances and keeps her memories in her heart even after her passing. Mrs. Vera Romuk, nee Zyznieuski, died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 12:40 p.m.. This was eight weeks, two hours and ten minutes after her husband of almost 52 years, Dr. Witold Romuk, passed. Vera was accompanied by her son, John, at the time of her death, much like her husband, Witold, who was in the presence of their daughter, Irena, when he died. I rarely saw them when they were not together and we can now take comfort in knowing that they are together once again.

Eulogy for Vera Romuk

Vera Romuk- daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. My mother began her life’s journey in Vilna, Belarus on September 6, 1931. Her father, Stepan, was a farmer and a tailor, and her mother, Eudokia, was a homemaker and a seamstress. Their simple farm provided much of what they needed with crops in the rich soil, a few animals, and one special white horse that my mother would tell us stories about until her final years. She and her older brothers, Walter and Nikodem helped on the farm and she would often visit the nearby fields to pick berries. Their lives were turned upside down, however, by the ravages of World War II. Caught between the Russian army and the German army, the horror of war was forever imbedded in her memory when she witnessed a Russian soldier shoot her brother, Walter, who at age 19 had refused to fight for the Russians, vowing to be part of the Belarusian National Guard. He would die shortly after, despite an attempt by a German medic to save his life.

The family was uprooted and relocated to a German Displaced Persons Camp, where her father was made to use his tailoring skills to sew clothes for the German citizens and soldiers. After they were liberated by the Allied Forces, the family members were sponsored by families in the United States to move to this country. My mother was 18 years old when she moved in with a family from North Platte, Nebraska in 1949. She completed high school there and the sponsor family had set their sights on her remaining in Nebraska to go to college and marrying their son. She, however, set her sights higher, and was granted a full scholarship to Bradley University in Peoria, where her brother, Nick, was attending. Their parents joined them there and the family was reunited. She added to her growing list of spoken languages by earning a degree in Spanish. I would say that is pretty impressive for someone who spoke no English upon arriving in this country.

My mother then began working as the secretary for the Chief of Police in Peoria after graduation. Mutual friends from a local Belarusian group introduced her to a handsome medical resident, who was 17 years her senior, but who shared a similar background. Fortunately for John and me, and nine grandchildren, they fell in love and were married at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on July 26, 1958. I was born the following May while my dad was continuing his training to become a pediatrician. Three years later, they had a son, John, and I had a little brother (who’s not so little anymore). When our father began a year of fellowship training at Children’s Memorial Hospital, our family moved to the Ukrainian Village neighborhood in Chicago. This began my mother’s lifelong love of the city and she immersed herself in various organizations and committees that supported and brought to the world’s attention the plight of the Belarusian people in her native country. They would later buy their one and only home on Oleander Avenue in the northwest corner of Chicago, where we would grow up and I would one day meet my husband right in my own backyard!

Our life was a whirlwind of parades, marches, folk fairs, and dinners with local, national and international dignitaries. My mother reveled in her role as a spokesperson for Belarus and all of the Captive Nations. We’d celebrate the Belarusian Independence Day every March and “Christmas Around the World” at the Museum of Science and Industry every December. My mother’s passport said that she was an American, but there was no person I knew who was a greater supporter of her homeland of Belarus with its rich customs, traditions, and heritage. If anyone wanted to know about Belarus, or sometimes even if they didn’t, Vera Romuk was the person to go to. The movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, had nothing on our mother. Every day growing up was our Big Fat Belarusian Celebration. You just have to look at the wedding video of my husband and me…we should have made it into a movie before they did, then we’d be famous and have a lot of money in the bank!

To our mother, Vera, the hallmarks of her life were centered around her faith, her family, her friends and her freedom. She was a patriot through and through and could never understand how people could talk ill of our great country. She had lived through the war and did not or would not take her liberty for granted.

Her faith melded with her heritage at her home away from home, Christ the Redeemer Belarusian Eastern Rite Catholic Church from the time they moved to Chicago until its closing in 2003. We would sit through the long masses, though usually arriving on Vera time, which was a little later than most. John and I and our cousins would become restless waiting for the Agape in the basement of the Church, where the adults would talk about Belarus and the kids would enjoy the baked goods. We thought that was our reward for having to stand, sit, and kneel through such long services, much of which we didn’t understand. The smell of incense somehow still makes me think of donuts and kolachky. Our mother loved the Lord and would never think of missing a Holy Day unless she or one of us kids was too sick to attend, which wasn’t often.

Her family motto was, “The family that prays together stays together”. She believed in traditional values like having dinner together, attending school functions and parent-teacher conferences, thanking people who have helped her, and sharing Sundays together as a family. That was pretty much how it went, except the once a month Sundays that our father had to make rounds when he was on call, and even then he’d often take one of us with him and then we’d come back home for our family dinner. I don’t recall ever staying with a sitter, except for maybe a couple of times. John and I would go almost everywhere with our parents. We especially loved the trips to KFC before heading out to Paddock Lake in Wisconsin. These values and principles carried over when Al and I began our family. While we still lived in Chicago, many Sundays were spent at Christ the Redeemer Church in the morning and at my parents' house in the afternoon. Some things don’t change much, do they, Mary and David?

The house always seemed to be bubbling over with family and friends. There were lively conversations, mostly revolving around Belarus and the Russian government controlling their native land, or about Church or some upcoming celebration or cultural event. Our mother was the quintessential hostess, always ready with baked goods and chai or a full meal if you came at the right time. No one ever left the house hungry, unless they chose to. My fondest memory has to do with her famous “poppyseed” drink. It was always a part of the festivities of the Christmas season and as simple as it was, it was a symbol of her native Belarus and the sweetness of its people. Of course, we would have to check each other’s teeth for weeks to see if there were any seeds still stuck in between. Just last Friday, when we went to visit her in the hospital, she said she wanted some poppyseed drink. On Sunday, with a make-shift strainer of a styrofoam cup with holes punched in the bottom, we made her poppyseed drink at her bedside and this was her last supper. She could barely whisper, but she said that it tasted “so good” to her. It was the sweetness of life and her beloved Belarus upon her lips one last time.

Freedom! How she cherished hers by reaching out to immigrants and compatriots from Belarus and other Captive Nations. Her gift for language allowed her to communicate to people from Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and other countries that were behind the Iron Curtain. She longed to return to Belarus, and was able to go back twice with our dad. She and our dad were greeted like foreign dignitaries when they returned “home” to Belarus. And it was this need to make others feel welcome that led her to helping those that needed assistance in navigating their new home in Chicago. She knew the gift of freedom and that her friends and relatives in Belarus and other captive nations did not have the same freedoms. She was very passionate about her mission to promote freedom throughout the world and every congressman, senator and politician she met would also be made aware of that, and that included going all the way to the White House where she would let then-President Ronald Reagan know the same thing. And we have the pictures to prove it!

My mother was an intelligent, educated, well-read, curious woman, who spoke eight or nine languages and was as sharp as a tack. It was better not to engage her in a heated debate, because she had a determination, okay, a stubbornness that would wear the other person down until her point was made. Many people would comment on how they always learned something from our mother. She also loved to do crafts, draw and write poetry. Just ask my husband, Al, who became her personal editor over the last 25 years. When I was 7 or 8 she taught me how to crochet. She patiently helped me to make a hat - a beret with a pompon on top! Some of my cousins still have something I crocheted for them years ago! She loved to celebrate special occasions like births and baptisms of her grandchildren with poems. "Babula" loved her grandchildren and was always in her element when they would visit her. It was such a wonderful celebration in 2008 when my parents came out to Freeport with John’s family and we were able to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary complete with Belarusian food and even a limo ride. It was just like they were newlyweds again!

My mother always seemed to find signs in life when something important was about to happen. At the end of her life, the signs were clear. She was on the top floor of Northwestern Memorial Hospital overlooking Lake Michigan and when she was transferred to the Hospice unit, she was in the highest room number in the entire hospital. Just like our mother, she just had to be that much closer to heaven! I can hear her singing, “Nearer thy God to thee.”

While life was not always easy for her, she made sure that she would try to make it easier for others through her generosity of time, donations, and efforts of letter writing, speaking or advocating for the less fortunate. Shortly before she died, she asked me to get a check to the Salvation Army Children’s Fund. I brought the check to our local chapter and the woman was so grateful. She said that her donation would allow children to be able to attend camp this summer, who otherwise would not have been able to go.

Our mother was a courageous woman from humble beginnings. She was a survivor, not only of the war, but of physical challenges, having survived a stroke, breast cancer and never seemed to slow down even after the car accident when her left foot was crushed and had to be amputated. She never felt sorry for herself or wanted to be a burden to others. Her will to be independent lasted until the end. She said to us on the Friday before she died, “Go home and be with your family. I don’t want you to get stuck in traffic.” It was just like her.

Vera Romuk was a woman of style and substance. As you can see by the Belarusian costume that she chose to be buried in and the elaborateness of the funeral service, she loved all of the pomp and circumstance of celebrations. And yes, even though this is a sad day for us, it is also a celebration of an incredible woman, a loving wife, who was not meant to be a widow for long, a wonderful mother and grandmother, and a citizen of the free world. Yes, this costume is the one that she wore the day that she met President Ronald Reagan at the White House during a Captive Nations event. Even among all of the dignitaries present, Vera Romuk would stand out among the crowd.

This noble servant of God met Chicago Mayors Daley, Washington, and Bilandic, Governors Thompson and Edgar, congressmen and senators, but it was always her willingness to help others and her generosity that took center stage.

If someone met Mrs. Vera Romuk, they would never forget her. She had that way about her that could charm, enthrall, and educate a person all at the same time. Her life was one that was well-lived and she told us shortly before she died, “Tata is calling me home to be with him.” Well, Mama, we know where he is and now we know that you are once again by his side.

Mom, thank you for giving me life, sharing your faith in Christ with me, and for showing me how to serve others. I love you. We all do.

Dr. Witold Romuk: R.I.P.

2010-03-11T14:11:00.005-06:00

Born: Witold Romuk on July 15, 1914 at home in Jekaterynoslav, Ukraine
to Jan Ulladsyva (Plenko) Romuk. The area of Ukraine was occupied by
Russia and his parents were of Belarusian descent. He was the second
of five children. The family returned to their hometown of Lipniski,
Belarus in 1920 after the Russian Revolution. His father ran a
restaurant in Ukraine before returning home. Upon their return to
Belarus, his parents resumed working their farm and homestead.

After completing his high school education, Witold went to
Sudetebrandt, Germany where he worked loading wood at a railroad
station, in addition to jobs in a sugar factory and hospital. He returned to Belarus for a short time after having worked in German labor camps and spending time in Displaced Persons camps during WW II. He then returned to Germany and studied at Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich, Germany from
1949-1953. He received the Pope Pius XII International Scholarship to
study medicine at Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium. Dr. Romuk then completed a two year internship in London.

Dr. Romuk was sponsored by a Catholic priest from Benedictine
Monastery in Lisle to come to the United States, where he had to redo his
medical internship, because medical licensing at that time did not recognize foreign country medical internships. He did an additional two years of internship at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital (now St. Mary's
Hospital) in Chicago after coming to the U.S. by way of Ellis Island
and New York City. He completed his Pediatric Resdency at St. Francis
Hospital in Peoria and a fellowship at Children's Memorial Hospital in
Chicago, Illinois. He met Miss Vera Zyznieuski in Peoria through
mutual friends, who were also from Belarus, and they were married on
July 26, 1958. Dr. Romuk, who grew up being considered "stateless"
because of the ever-changing borders of the Eastern European region of
Belarus, Ukraine and Poland, stated that one of his proudest moments
was becoming a United States citizen in 1961.

Dr. Romuk began his career in medicine as an "old-time" doctor, making
house calls and often being paid for his services with bread, eggs,
and various foods. He then began to work for the State of Illinois
with the Chicago Read Medical Center. He was a pediatrician for most
of his career for children with multiple forms of special needs. He
retired after 25 years at the age 75.
He continued to study medical journals and keep up with the latest in
medicine until the last year. One of the most magnanimous acts of Dr.
Romuk was to help in the plight of Belarusian children who were
affected by the radiation fallout from Chernobyl, an area he had
visited in 1986. He kept in contact with experts including doctors at
UCLA and Dr. Romuk sent money and packages of medicine for the
children. He was career-long member of the American Academy of
Pediatrics, where he was a Board Certified Member.

Dr. Romuk's civic contributions were vast, including being an active
member of the Belarusian Coordinating Committee of Chicago, Illinois.
He took part in Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science
and Industry annually, spoke to groups in Chicago, Cleveland and
Toronto and visited the White House with his wife, Vera, to take part
in a cultural awareness program for Captive Nations, meeting President
Ronald Reagan. He was active in the Folk Festivals in Chicago and many
parades, and was befriended by Mayor Richard J. Daley, Senator Frank
Annunzio and various politicians and dignitaries from all walks of
life. Dr. Romuk could converse with many people at all levels, having
been fluent in seven languages. He had been a lifetime member of
Christ the Redeemer Belarusian Rite Catholic Church in Chicago until
the time of its closing.

Dr. Witold Romuk died peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, March
9, 2010 at the home of his daughter, Irena R. Tolliver in Freeport,
Illinois. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Vera (Zyznieuski)
Romuk; his daughter, Irena (Dr. Roland) Tolliver; his son, John Romuk
(Granite Bay, CA); grandchildren, Mary (David) Brown, Veronica,
Claire, Teresa, and Gregory Tolliver of Freeport, Illinois; Shelby,
Scott, Tristan and John Gage Romuk of Granite Bay, California; his sister,
Stacia (Anatole) Sot and brother Fred (Helena) Romuk of Belarus; his
sister-in-law, Anna Zyznieuski of Chicago; and nieces, Mary Ann (Marty) Anderson and Lila (Bobby) Underwood, and Tanya Sot; and nephews Walter (Deb) Zyznieuski, George (Laura) Zysnieuski and Viktor Sot; and several great nieces and nephews; and two great-great nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Peter, his
sister, Wanda and his brother-in-law, Nicodemus Zyznieuski.

The Rite of Christian Burial will be afforded Dr. Witold Romuk on
Saturday, March 13, 2010 at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in
Chicago, Illinois at 10:30 a.m.. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m.
until the time of the Mass. A memorial fund has been established in
lieu of flowers and may be directed to Muzyka & Son Funeral Home, 5776
W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 6030.

These Are The Days To Remember the Good Times

2010-03-04T15:57:00.003-06:00

New meaning has been added to "life is crazy" around here. I have been around people who are sick most of my adult life. First, working at a psychiatric hospital and then into the field of podiatry. Very rarely have I had to deal with end of life issues, except in my own family, where multiple family members died before the age of 50.

My beloved father-in-law is 95 and now we are working with hospice and the slow decline of this once magnanimous man, who spoke 7 or 8 languages, spent his career helping disabled children as a pediatrician, and promoting Independence and cultural awareness of his homeland, Belarus. Now the days are spent primarily in bed, being turned from one side to the other to prevent bed sores, and helping him up to do his necessary duties. Much of the communication has reverted back to his native Belarusian and my wife must be present most of the time to translate.

No one really likes to deal with death and dying, but we know in our hearts that if at all possible, we want him to go out with the dignity with which he has lived his life. We hold his hand. We keep him warm and we pray that he is not in pain or suffering. One day, when he was still able to sit on the couch, a couple of weeks ago, he awoke from a nap, looked at his daughter, and asked, "Am I still here?".

Yes, Tat, you are still here and in your own way, you will always be here with us. Your love and influence and grace will stay with us forever.

Glad to Be Here

2010-02-27T15:08:00.003-06:00

There are days like today that I am glad to be living in the Midwest. Earthquake in Chile and tsunami warnings throughout the Pacific Ocean region and snow covering the East Coast. Here we sit with upper 30's temps and a slightly overcast day. Roads are dry and sitting idly by having a hot Americano and surfing the web.

How often do we complain about where we are living? We don't like it when it's too cold. We tell everyone when it's too hot. It would be easy to dismiss the overall "bland" days when not much is going on, but when we see hundreds or thousands of people dying due to weather related disasters, it is time to appreciate where we are.

From earthquakes to tsunamis to blizzards...yeah, I'll stop and think and thank God next time I have to shovel a few inches of snow off of the driveway. It's a small price to pay.

A Day of Respect

2010-02-12T12:46:00.003-06:00

A Day of Respect will soon be here, but each day should be one of respect. It should start from the top down and despite their "apologies" to Tim Shriver, President Obama and Chief of Staff Emanuel need to stop their derogatory, degrading, and demeaning comments about children and adults who have special needs. This isn't PC, people, this is a request for respect for all human beings. And it is not only a left or right issue (Mr. Limbaugh can keep his inflammatory comment about the subject to himself, too and offer an apology), this is one of parents, siblings, family and friends who have given fully of themselves to ensure as good a life for the children and adults who cannot fully fend for themselves, nor defend themselves.

Teachers, students, politicians, citizens and people everywhere need to remember the old saying of "walk a mile in my moccasins" and get their heads out of their proverbial arses and use their brains when it comes to their use of hurtful language. It is heard from the hallways to the Beltway in America. Children and adults tend to be marginalized by society. No one is fully aware of the day-to-day struggles, details, and duties, as well as the diligence interspersed with small victories that come with our children with special needs. There is such a wide spectrum of disabilities that often people with special needs are not recognized as such. Just ask a parent of a child with autism or cerebral palsy or a multitude of other conditions about their lives. Take a few minutes to get to know them and don't forget for a minute that for each "tragic" story in the news about children that are abandoned or abused, there are thousands that are in a family or facility that provides love, compassion, care, and kindness. We must never lose sight of this and continue to diligently defend the rights, encourage the dignity and support those who have special needs and those who care for them.

Happy Birthday, Coach!

2009-10-18T10:04:00.002-05:00

There are very few people in the world who make me perk up my ears and really listen to their message. Coach John Wooden, who turned 99 on October 14 is one of those people. From my youth in the 60's following the phenomenal success of the UCLA Bruins to the later years of reading his books and stories about his success as a college player, coach and brilliant life coach, he has been one of the most influential people in my life. Even if it has been from afar.

A few years ago I wrote a column for the paper about Coach Wooden that ran in March, 2001. It is being reprinted here for his birthday. Hoping to see him reach 100!

Life Lessons from a Hoops Legend

Roland Tolliver

I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs. John Wooden

Once upon a time in America there was a little watched basketball tournament that usually featured the same team every year, only their opponents would change. The result in ten out of twelve years was the same, including seven consecutive national championships. The NCAA basketball tournament, the Sweet Sixteen, the great office pool parlayed into millions of dollars in gambling was once played before half-filled stadiums, attended mostly by students there to support their schools. Teams like Loyola and Marquette would even win an occasional title, but nothing like the teams from UCLA and their coach, John Wooden. The glamour of players like Pistol Pete Maravich, Elvin Hayes, Austin Carr, and Calvin Murphy would spark interest in their individual talents on other teams, but it was almost always the team play of UCLA that would walk away with another championship.

For the non-sports fan or those that could care less about college basketball or the tournament, there is hope in the message from the most famous messenger to come out of college basketball. This man who would not allow dunking in practice, who kept meticulous notes of every practice, who stressed that the team work as one unit, whose practices were harder than most games, shared his humble message with legions and legends. Men looked to him as a second father, a mentor, and an exemplary role model. Students of the game have tried to imitate him, some more successfully than others. And through it all, no one has been able to attain even a modicum of his accomplishments during their careers.

I recently came across a book simply titled Wooden by Coach John Wooden with Steve Jamison. I have read a great deal about Coach Wooden, including his biography, They Call Me Coach, and I always learn something new from his insights. In this more recent book Coach Wooden shared a list of principles that his father gave him when he graduated from High School in Indiana. In this day of uncertainty among our youth, the high school shootings and the bullying and harassment of fellow students, these lessons can serve as a starting point for parents and children in gaining an appreciation and a respect for life.

In the chapter titled, "The Gift of a Lifetime", Coach Wooden was given an old wrinkled two-dollar bill and a card with a verse on one side by the Reverend Henry Van Dyke that read:

Four things a man must learn to do

If he would make his life more true:

To think without confusion clearly

To love his fellow-man sincerely,

To act from honest motives purely,

To trust in God and Heaven securely.

On the other side of the card it simply said "Seven Things to Do." It read as follows:

1. Be true to yourself.

2. Help others.

3. Make each day your masterpiece.

4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

5. Make friendship a fine art.

6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.

7. Pray for guidance and count and give thanks for your blessings every day.

These principles are timeless and mean as much, if not more today than they ever have. I especially like the idea of making each day a masterpiece, as each of us has the power to do a little better today than yesterday. Each of us has the opportunity to follow the golden rule with each person we meet, treating them as we would like to be treated and most importantly passing this idea on to our children, who in this period of history are in need of our guidance daily.

I don't know if your team is still in the running for the office pool or the on-line contest. Maybe you are like me and just enjoy the sport and root for a favorite team, "Go Spartans!" I like to see a well-contested, fundamentally sound game. One that is fair and exhibits a level of enthusiasm and determination.

No matter who is left to cut down the nets at the end of the final game, there is one more game left to play, one that is more important than all of the ones it took to reach the pinnacle of a basketball season. This is where Coach Wooden's lessons are best suited and where he felt that he should be making the biggest difference in his players' lives. Coach is now 90 years old and most of his former players and the current group tower over him, but he continues to be held in high esteem by those who know him and those who only know the legend. He continues to stand tall with a quiet voice that speaks volumes. For in the end we still have to play the game of life and that is the one that matters most.

Recent Column in The Journal Standard

2009-09-10T11:34:00.003-05:00

The Great Health Care Debate

Roland Tolliver

Dan, a small business owner in the Chicago area, conscientiously paid his health insurance premium for over twenty years. Each month the bill would come and each month he would cut a check and forward it to the company. About two summers ago the company received the largest order it had ever had. The company was working almost around the clock and he was right alongside them. Thirty days lapsed and he was notified that his policy was cancelled. A couple of months earlier, he found out that his cholesterol was slightly elevated. He had gone in for a physical prior to running a marathon. Dan offered to send in his check, but the company wouldn’t reinstate him for, yes, you guessed it…a pre-existing condition. Dan cannot get health insurance without paying so much that it would create a major financial hardship for his family and his business. Dan favors the “Public Option” in the health care plan as proposed by the government.

Dan’s story is not unique. We, here in Northwest Illinois, are hearing this type of story almost daily. Businesses are downsizing. People are being “walked to the door” and the ranks of the uninsured or underinsured are growing with each lost job. The emergency rooms are becoming more crowded as people seek health care without the insurance or wherewithal to pay the medical costs. Medicaid ranks are growing, even though the state doesn’t have the money to pay existing bills. The number one reason for bankruptcy in our country is because of health care costs from a catastrophic illness or injury. What is our country to do? How will we be able to afford it? And what cost will there be as a nation becomes sicker, grows older and as the Baby Boomer Generation reaches Medicare age?

I had the opportunity to take part in a Health Care Forum in Chicago on September 1, 2009 at the WTTW studio in Chicago. There were only 24 guests invited to be a part of the audience and the panel included Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Senate Majority Whip; Dr. Jeremy Lazarus of the AMA; Dr. Paul Handel of Health Care Service Corp, the parent company of Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Illinois; and Kevin Scanlan of Metropolitan Chicago Health Council, which represents 140 Chicago area hospitals. The hour long program, which was one of the most civilized I’ve seen, focused on some of the major issues which are currently (and will be) affecting Americans from all walks of life. Those of us in Stephenson County and throughout our region represent a microcosm of what is happening throughout the country and the health care issue is being rabidly debated, but goes much deeper than the rhetoric that is offered on the nightly cable news and on talk radio.

I presented a question to the panel about the problem that rural America faces in recruiting and maintaining physicians. There is currently a shortage of between 7,000-10,000 primary care physicians in America. This number is expected to grow to approximately 50,000 by the year 2020. Whether it is a preference for an urban lifestyle over a rural lifestyle, or whether it is the fact that the average medical student is graduating with a student loan debt load of over $155,000 even before they start in practice, fewer physicians are going into general practice. Another factor in the physician shortage is the cost of malpractice. This is another topic in the national debate, but was not addressed at the forum in Chicago. While the reform of tort laws is certainly an important issue, it is not the only factor for the escalating costs of health care.

The debate will continue to rage on, as it has for many years. Some feel that the current administration is forcing their plan onto the public. There is fear of so-called “death panels” and rationing of health care. In some ways, that is already going on in our country. From experience, however, it is not usually the public insurance, i.e. Medicare, which limits a physician’s ability to practice medicine. Their guidelines are straightforward. It is more often private insurance companies that are making the patients and their physicians “jump through hoops” when it comes to ordering necessary exams, prescribing the best medications for certain conditions as indicated, and being able to perform the procedures needed to allow a patient to live a pain-free or at the least, a more comfortable life.

No matter which side of the health care “debate” that one is on, we cannot deny that something has to be done for coverage of over 46,00,000 uninsured people in America. Neither can we afford to continue driving potential doctors away from the medical profession, because we will have an even greater divide in people receiving health care. We in rural America will suffer the consequences at an even greater percentage than in urban areas. We cannot afford this for our sakes, for the sake of our children and grandchildren and for the sake of our community’s overall well-being.

The questions are difficult and real answers about the cost of health insurance, prescription medications and the cost of poor lifestyle choices affect all of us. Let your voices be heard by writing our Senators and Congressmen. When the President speaks to the joint session of Congress this week, we must remember that it is ultimately up to each of us to make informed choices and take ownership in this issue and in our own health, whenever possible.

To view the Health Care forum, please visit WTTW’s Chicago Tonight website

or go to:http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,8,8&vid=090109a

Dr. Roland Tolliver is a podiatrist and freelance writer from Freeport.

Health Care Forum WTTW

2009-09-05T20:47:00.002-05:00

I had the fortune of being one of 24 guests invited to take part in a health care forum at WTTW in Chicago on September 1, 2009. The forum was one of the few that I've seen that has been civil, even though there were dissenting sides of the issue present. The forum's expert panel included Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Senate Majority Whip; Dr. Jeremy Lazarus of the AMA; Dr. Paul Handel of BC/BS's parent company; and Kevin Scanlan of Metro Chicago Healthcare Council.

The questions/comments were relavent to the topic, though a couple of issues were either skirted over or weren't discussed in the 53 minute program. The host was Phil Ponce, longtime Chicago television newsman.

The most heated portion of the debate took place between Sen. Durbin and Dr. Handel. The Public Option, while favored by many, is being hotly contested and dissuaded by the Health Insurance companies. I had the most difficulty swallowing the "reason" why the CEO of Health Care Service Corp, the parent company of BC/BS of Illinois makes over 12 Million Dollars per year.

The consensus seems to be that those who have employer-based health care insurance are happy with it and those who are uninsured or underinsured (or like some of us are paying exorbitant amounts for less than optimal insurance with high deductibles) look at the public option as a way of being able to afford health insurance without going bankrupt or struggling to make ends meet.

There has been, and unfortunately always will be, some form of rationing of health care. It happens here in the USA and in countries with socialized or nationalized health programs. The underlying issue is that no matter what comes down through the House and the Senate, it will end up costing more than we can afford. We can't afford to do nothing, either, though.

Health Care Shortage

2009-07-23T11:59:00.002-05:00

The site above tells of the current and projected shortage of doctors in America. The push for national healthcare continually forgets one very important fact. In countries that have nationalized or socialized medicine, the physicians are able to go to medical school for much less cost (and in some countries for free) to medical school if they qualify for admission. American medical students are graduating with an average debt of $150,000. How can a student enter practice knowing that they will not be reimbursed at a rate sufficient to cover even their student loans, let alone the additional costs, such as malpractice. Rural areas, where reimbursement rates are lower, will be hit even harder and are already suffering from a physician shortage.

The problem will only get worse with the proposed healthcare initiative being strong-armed into existence by President Obama. We've had patients that have lived in countries, such as Great Britain, with nationalized health care and they've reported that there was a waiting time for basic services of up to six months or more. Insuring more people will not only overwork existing doctors, but will disinsentivize people from considering going into medicine. If there is change in the cost of going to medical school, it would offer more qualified students a chance to study medicine and create an environment where financial renumeration is not such an overarching issue. Somehow, I don't see the cost of medical school going down anytime soon, though.

Father and Son

2009-05-24T20:23:00.002-05:00

This is the first weekend that my son, G., and I have had a father and son weekend where we've stayed overnight somewhere. His soccer team has been competing in the Midwest Soccer Cup in St. Charles, Illinois. They had a tough 2-1 loss this morning, but with two wins yesterday and the point totals, they made it into tomorrow's playoffs as the wild card team. It is fun to watch them grow into young men, the current pretzel tossing contest aside, they've taken to competition with a healthy attitude. They are still at the stage where they are playing for the thrill of playing. They like the competition more than practices, but, hey who doesn't.

I remember fishing and hunting trips with my father. There weren't club soccer teams or traveling baseball teams when I was my son's age. Now there are both and club volleyball, basketball and other sports where the kids play throughout the year. I don't know which is better, or maybe it is just that things are different. The joy of trying various sports and activities is missing sometimes, but the level of competition seems to be at such a higher level than in previous years. Either way it is fun to be with the children throughout these endeavors, either athletics, dance, music, or speech (as any one of the children have done at one time or another).

Time for some sleep, as the next game comes around early in the morning.

The Long Weekend

2009-05-03T23:23:00.003-05:00

The Twin Cities were the sight of our recent and rare chance to get away for a few days. We are grateful that our daughter and son-in-law are willing to help out with our special-needs daughter, and our other two younger children. This week is special for the fact that my beloved, Irena, will be 50 on Friday. She didn't want a vacation, or a trip to Hawaii, or a "surprise" party. She wanted to go and have an "Oprah Makeover" as was featured on her show. reVamp Salon in Minneapolis is where Christopher Hopkins and his extraordinary staff of designers, estheticians, among others brought out the "new" Irena. Not that I saw anything wrong with the old version. She literally received the royal treatment and the photos do not lie. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll stop here...

Bird was the Word

2009-04-15T21:26:00.002-05:00

I saw Mark "The Bird" Fidrych pitch at Tiger Stadium five times during the summer of '76. He brought a lot of heart and joy to a city that was already starting on a downward trend. The sold out stadium was raucous on those nights and everyone wanted a curtain call whether he pitched a complete game or left early. The only time I remember the stadium being that much fun was the game where Denny McLain won his 30th game.

Mark made the game fun, not only for those in attendance, but for his teammates, as well. He kept the Tigers in almost every game he pitched that season with a 19-9 record and 2.34 ERA. He pitched 24 complete games that year. That is a career for many of the coddled starters in today's game. Hair flopping, mound grooming, and ball talking were just a few of the styles he brought to the field. None of it would have mattered if he hadn't pitched so well, though. It was a competitive nature and pinpoint accuracy that made him what he was that year.

Unfortunately, fame can be fleeting. He injured his knee jumping over the dugout railing (there was that juvenile streak in the fair-haired boyish charm). He tried to come back too soon and with his mechanics off, he then injured his shoulder. The Bird would only go 10-10 the rest of his career only showing glimpses of the brilliance of 1976.

Just like Mark "The Bird" Fidrych left the game too soon, so did he leave this life too soon. There may be no second acts, but there can definitely be fond memories. Godspeed, Bird, may you fly high, throw straight and bring such joy to the next life.

The Other "R" Word

2009-03-31T13:37:00.002-05:00

The following column appeared in the Freeport Focus the week of August 19, 2008 about the time of the release of the movie, Tropic Thunder. It is being reprinted here as today is the Day of Acceptance for people of all abilities. Please click the title link above for more information from the Special Olympics. In light of the condescending remarks of our President on the Jay Leno Show recently, this is indeed a teachable moment for America and the world. Remember to be kind to all you meet.

The Other “R” Word
By
Roland Tolliver

“As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.”
--Robert Schuller

“The best comedy of the Summer,” scream the headlines in the entertainment industry.

“Film critics stand firm against “Tropic Thunder” protests by advocates for the disabled,” states another in The Los Angeles Times.

There are no protests scheduled outside of the Lindo Theater. At least not that I have heard and there doesn’t need to be one. People have every right to view a movie, just like they have the right to sending in there letters to the editor or saying what they want to in the privacy of their own homes. It apparently doesn’t matter that large groups of people are offended or that a derogatory word has become so pervasive in our society that it is regularly used by students and teachers in our school district to refer to anyone who may be a “little slow.”

Just don’t say it in front of me, please. I’m not sure what it is in our society, but people have a tendency to marginalize those that are different from them. There have been endless struggles in our country to excise the cancerous language of prejudice in our society. The Chinese and others of Asian descent were not allowed to marry a Caucasian until well into the 1940’s, when we allied with China during World War II, even though thousands of Chinese died helping to build the Transcontinental Railroad. The Irish were thought to be here only for their brawn during the same time period.

The Japanese were forced into internment camps during WW II, even if they were born in our country. Polish jokes were commonly told to indicate that they were stupid. The African-Americans in this country suffered years of indignity, which is why I cannot comprehend their wanton use of the “N” word in rap songs. I was incredibly surprised by the use of the word “uppity” when a letter to the editor in The Journal-Standard was used to describe Senator Barack Obama. It has such a disparaging connotation that I expected a much more vigorous protest to that particular letter.

That brings us back to the people that have become the most marginalized in our society and the ones that are least able to defend themselves. The assault on people who are mentally challenged in our society is reaching epic proportions. When school-aged students regularly call people “retards” it shows a total lack of understanding. They can, perhaps, claim ignorance. When teachers use the same word in like fashion, it shows a lack of compassion. When Hollywood perpetuates this negative stereotype without regard to the consequences, it shows a level of mean-spiritedness that will only exaggerate the problem. This is where “Tropic Thunder” has crossed the line.

Much of the early press about the movie was for the Robert Downey, Jr. character, who undergoes a “pigmentation process” in order to portray a Black actor in the movie. While this certainly sets another low standard for the industry, it pales in comparison with the discriminatory social commentary in regards to people that are mentally challenged.

The most disturbing aspect the producers and director, Ben Stiller, make with their movie, is that they know it will appeal to young adults and teens, who themselves are still impressionable, and their “Don’t Go Full Retard” mantra will likely become this summer’s movie catchphrase. How does a parent or a sibling or a relative of someone who has brain damage, epilepsy, Down’s Syndrome, autism, or a variety of injuries, illnesses or hereditary conditions that affect the brain explain the rude comments made by the insensitive about them?

Have any of these people ever lived with a child or an adult who “doesn’t fit in”? Have the insensitive people ever been in a store when someone’s brain-damaged child or teen is throwing a temper-tantrum in the middle of an aisle? Do people think that seeing a T-shirt with the above slogan helps the situation? Or are people that unconcerned with the feelings of others these days? It truly makes me sad that people can be so unkind.

I know from which I speak… I’m not a prude. I don’t go around pretending to be the captain of the politically correct police. I have enjoyed some of the movies of Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and the other actors in this movie. I have even seen the mentally challenged in some of their movies portrayed in a positive, sensitive light. What I don’t get, and I admit that I am refusing to see the movie, is how or why their portrayal has gone astray. Are producers and directors that hard up for material that it is now acceptable to denigrate the people in our society who are least able to stand up for their own rights?

Decide for yourselves what to do when it comes to the movie, everyone is in their rights to do so, but think about the implications of encouraging this prejudicial movie to be a financial success. Think about how its message seeps into the brains of the most impressionable segment of our society and how that venom then spews forth in our schools and our community. Think about all of the people that have fought for generations to eliminate social prejudice in our society and how much still exists. Then think hard about giving your hard-earned money to people who still “don’t get it.” Maybe, just maybe, they will get the message we are sending. And then maybe our children, family members, friends and acquaintances will know compassion, understanding and respect in their schools and communities. Maybe!?

Dr. Roland Tolliver is a freelance writer in Freeport. He has been fighting the good fight with his wife and family for their daughter, Claire, and others with mental and intellectual disabilities for more than a decade. He may be reached at rtolliver@kastlepublishing.com or through the blog “Pretzel City Logic.”

Special Olympians Deserve Better

2009-03-21T21:13:00.002-05:00

Our President's off-handed attempt at a joke about his bowling has turned into a minor firestorm. I understand that his bowling is pretty weak, but then again so is his recent attempt at being humorous. For those of us with children who have participated in Special Olympics, the comment was another example of how people with special needs are viewed as less worthy of respect. There is a good chance that this is not how he really feels, but oftentimes the true colors of one's opinions come out in the unscripted moments. Grandma used to say that someone can be book smart, but dumb as a piece of coal when it comes to common sense. Looks like this is one of those moments. We can hope that some good comes out of the Presidents' gaffe.

Where Have All the Children Gone?

2009-03-18T15:44:00.006-05:00

It doesn't seem possible, but the children do move on. Our friends, Steve and Petra, let us know recently that their son, Jason, has moved to California. He has been interested in writing screenplays and found some people to live with in the L.A. area and has taken the chance to follow his dream. I wouldn't be surprised to see our daughter, Veronica, do the same thing in a few years (once she graduates from college, please!).

When our oldest daughter, Mary, went off to college, it happened so soon after her high school graduation, that in some ways it didn't fully register. She came back with her degree and her fiance, David. They will be married two years in June. Yes, they do grow up much quicker than we imagine. Sometimes, they come home. Sometimes, they move on. I have now lived in Illinois for almost 28 years, though I still feel that Michigan in many ways that it it is still my home state. One of the recent reminders for me was when I went to see the movie, "Gran Torino". The movie was filmed primarily in the Detroit area with the closing scene taking place along Lake Shore Drive/Jefferson Avenue along Lake St. Clair. There were so many memories brought back from that one scene alone. Driving along the lake. Biking along the lake. Running along the lake. Going north toward the last town where I lived, St. Clair Shores, before moving to Chicago in 1981.

The landscape of Detroit has changed so much in the past two decades. Most of these changes began in the 1960's and 1970's after the riots of 1967. The great "White Flight" took homeowners and longtime residents out of the city and to the ever-developing suburbs that were taking shape. The migratory patterns have continued over the years with movement continuing farther north into Oakland and Macomb counties. The farm land of our youth is now the next mall or subdivision. The areas around Lincoln High School and the Van Dyke School District are now lower income housing areas in many cases and the once middle-class is now the lower middle-class or even lower income areas. The school district is now much more integrated than when I left the area in 1981.

We don't get back "home" much anymore. Travel is more difficult with a special-needs daughter and an active family. When I do go home, the old haunting grounds look so different, but the streets remain about the same. I go on auto-pilot and get around just fine, but the landscape is very different, especially the farther out I go. The tract of land where we used to ride our motorcycles has been developed and the woods are mostly gone. The "corner store" is long gone and the mega-stores are taking over the area. What has changed more recently is the vast number of homes for sale, foreclosed or being auctioned off. It was recently announced that approximately an additional 17,000 jobs will be lost in Warren, where I grew up, due to the closing of automotive plants and cost-cutting measures by GM and Chrysler. There will be more than that, though, as the ancillary companies that are related to the auto industry.

Rolling Stone Magazine recently profiled Detroit and the ghost town that it is becoming. Large tracts of land, where even coyotes are now seen roaming, loom desolately between abandoned or run-down houses. Large factories and warehouses sit idly by with broken windows and grafitti-filled walls.

So, where have all the children gone. Whether it is in Northwest Illinois where jobs are becoming more scarce or in my hometown, Detroit, area, the children are moving to where they can make a decent living. We have two younger children still at home. One day they will have to make a decision. Where will the children go?

Even More Photos from No Exit

2009-03-15T16:45:00.004-05:00

More Photos from No Exit at North Central College

2009-03-15T16:29:00.003-05:00

No Exit

2009-03-15T16:12:00.003-05:00

Veronica was in her first major performance at North Central College this past weekend at the new Madden Theatre. The play was No Exit by Jean-Paul Satre and was directed by third year student, Abby Stark. The cast of four performed with zeal for this psychological drama about three people stuck in hell, which is defined as "other people." The following photos were taken after the play and identifies the major characters: Sean Driscoll as Garcin; Veronica Tolliver as Inez; Kathryn Bauer as Estelle; and Kati Riess as the Valet. They should all be proud of the show and their performances.

NIU Moving Forward

2009-02-13T14:30:00.004-06:00

The following column was published last year, days after the massacre on Valentine's Day at the DeKalb campus of Northern Illinois University. It is reprinted now as a memorial to those who lost their lives and as a tribute to those who continue to carry on despite the tragedy. God bless.

How Do We Understand the Incomprehensible?
By
Roland Tolliver

“It often happens that the real tragedies of life occur in such an inartistic manner that they hurt us by their crude violence, their absolute incoherence, their absurd want of meaning, their entire lack of style.” --Oscar Wilde

I’m tired of moments of silence, lighting candles and makeshift memorials. Don’t get me wrong. I understand the reason behind them, but I’m just mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained by the need for them. I’m tired of the senseless murders that are happening on our campuses and in our streets. I’m tired of feeling the tightening of the encompassing circle of death, especially as it comes ever closer to home. I’m tired of having to read headlines about deranged or mentally ill individuals who feel that they have to go out in “a blaze of glory” by taking innocent victims with them. Aren’t you tired of it, also?

This time it hit particularly close to home, not only geographically, but personally. One of my daughter Mary’s best friends was scheduled to be in that room for a 3:30 p.m. class. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of students from northwest Illinois attending Northern Illinois University. We keep hearing the refrain, “It isn’t supposed to happen here,” but it has and we feel helpless to stop it. We hear suggestions to arm the instructors or that we should allow concealed weapons, so that students can protect themselves. How? Do we have ROTC members standing in each class with rifles loaded and ready to defend our rights to be educated? Would the massacres at Virginia Tech or at NIU have happened if we had surveillance cameras in every classroom with guards standing ready to intervene?

I feel like I know the instructor who was shot and then chased by the gunman. I’ve known his grandmother for years and she has shared with me his many accomplishments in the world of paleontology. Joe Peterson is working towards his doctorate in a field that most of us probably don’t understand. His passion has been shown at the Burpee Museum and in the discovery and excavation and recovery of Jane, the dinosaur. He was married last summer and was settling into his academic life at Northern. His grandmother always speaks glowingly about him. She says that she doesn’t always understand what it is he does in paleontology, but she has always supported him. I can imagine that one of the last things she would have been worried about was that her grandson would find himself running for his life during a class. He was shot in the shoulder, but what kind of scar will actually be left, knowing that five of his students are dead. Five students who minutes earlier had probably been watching the clock looking forward to Valentine’s Day or to the weekend or just finishing class so they could go to the bathroom. Then all hell breaks loose and the only thing on the mind of more than a hundred students is, “How do I get out of here?” How does a teacher or anyone comprehend this?

What I’m sensing, and this doesn’t come from exhaustive psychosocial analysis, but from just a curiosity about human nature, is that we have moved into a phase of “disconnect” when it comes to this type of senseless killing. Have you noticed the way in which the killers burst into rooms with guns blazing and they start just wiping out innocent victims? Go back to Columbine or Virginia Tech and now to NIU and many other incidents in between and you have this vigilante mentality that permeates the killers. Now, look at the types of video and computer games that have been prevalent among the age-group that has been predominantly responsible for these attacks. These games, like Grand Theft Auto, often depict a person who has the ability to kill without conscience and when you are “killed” in the game, you just start over. I don’t know if the NIU killer was a “gamer,” like the Columbine murderers were, but there are frightening patterns developing among the ones who have killed so many of our students. Boys and young men, especially, seem to lose the ability to separate virtual reality from reality and when one adds mental illness into the equation, it becomes even more volatile.

NIU’s president, John Peters, was very forthcoming in a press conference the day that these innocent students were slaughtered when he said that sometimes there is just no way of preventing this type of tragedy from occurring. When someone is determined enough, they tend to find a way to carry out their plan. And it had to have been planned for him to sit in a hotel room in DeKalb for three days, to purchase the guns in advance, to mail the items and the letter to his girlfriend, and then to proceed to the lecture hall with the concealed weapons. Mental illness or not, he had the wherewithal to follow through with his plan.

How does a bright individual like a Kazmierciak or even a Kaczyinski go from amicable to annihilator of human life? What mental buttons are pushed that lead to such a drastic and tragic transformation? How can one person say he was “just the sweetest guy” in retrospect when he has just blown away unsuspecting people in such a cavalier way? What are we missing here? What piece of the story doesn’t make sense? How do we get to the underlying questions in everyone’s minds: “Why did this happen?”; “Why does it keep happening?”; and “What can we do about it?’

There are no immediate answers, just like there are no easy answers. Those that have stained our innocence often leave us clueless, because they take their own lives before any answers are forthcoming. Those that are left behind, like Joe Peterson, the wounded, those that escaped, and the families of victims are left to painfully ask, “Why?”

Over the Funk

2009-02-12T16:43:00.002-06:00

It's been more than a month since posting here and I think that part of it was the melancholy felt by losing another outlet for writing. It was sad to see the demise of The Freeport Focus. There were a number of good, hard-working people who really wanted to see the paper succeed. Unfortunately, the economic downturn and the paucity of regular subscribers cut into the chances of the paper making it. They brought a sensibility to the community and fulfilled a need in covering school board and district issues, community government, county government, and definitely highlighted local athletics and arts.

The Journal Standard picked up the pace with some of their coverage and have done a much better job with their coverage on the web. I especially like what Joe Tamborello has done with the video presentations and his photos tend to be of high quality. There are still too many generic columns by GateHouse contributors that have little to no bearing on our area. There is still a need there that needs to be filled.

How many events have happened since the beginning of the year?! A new President, a miraculous water landing in the Hudson River, a pork-filled "stimulus" plan, further deepening of the recession, and the birth of octuplets. Oh yeah, and Illinois has a new Governor! Blago's gone, but he won't let us forget him, because he is on t.v. every few hours.

There has been no scarcity of faux pauxs in the early days of the Obama administration. Just today another choice for Commerce Secretary has withdrawn his name. Why weren't all of these people truly vetted, especially in the Treasury Department when it comes to who has and hasn't complied with the tax laws? There is also something inherently wrong about having lobbyists or those who have received large donations being nominated for positions like Secretary of Health and Human Services, nee Tom Daschle. And please, President Obama, it comes across as a sign of weakness by declaring, "I screwed up." How about something along the lines of, "I apologize that this candidate was not fully vetted. We have asked him/her to step aside, because we will not tolerate these indiscretions in my administration. We will work to make sure that this does not happen again."

For any regular readers of the newspaper columns, I'll try to stay more up-to-date with postings at this site. Drop me a line and touch base.

A Girl and Her Dog

2009-01-06T12:38:00.003-06:00

Claire and Shia, Then and Now

Five years ago, while listening to NPR, I heard a story about service
dogs for children with autism. They were called "companion dogs" and
some of the children were making good progress with social
interaction. While Claire does not officially have autism, she has
symptoms that are similar. We looked at some of the options available.
My wife wasn't too keen on going to Spain for a dog, which is where
the NPR story took place. I would have loved to have gone, but
pragmatism often rules around here. The other locations we found were
in Ohio and California. Ohio's program had a 5-6 year waiting list.
California, well, it might as well have been Spain.

A friend of ours, who knew that we were looking for a companion dog
for Claire, found out about a place called "Working Class Dogs." It
was in McHenry County, Illinois and run by Julianne Taylor, who had
worked at the California location previously. We made an appointment
and about six months later, we were approved for a dog for Claire.
That was about five years ago and after Shia was trained, and we were
trained to handle Shia, she came home with us and our lives have not
been the same since.

What can I say about a dog that seems smarter than I am some days?
Okay, most days. She has this sense of when to seek attention, when to
ask for assistance and when someone just needs to pet her, which is
pretty much any time she is not working for Claire. She is by Claire's
side or at her feet most of the time when they are home together. When
Claire is in school, Shia is just like any other household dog with a
substantially higher dog intelligence level. And when Claire is home,
we'll find Shia right by her side. Whether it is during dinner and
Claire is trying to sneak Shia something off of her plate, or while
watching a movie with the two of them cuddling under a blanket, we'll
typically find one if looking for the other.

Early mornings, when Claire intuitively knows it is time for school,
she'll arise and head to the bathroom. Shia, arouses and heads to our
bedroom, where I feel her cold nose nudging my hand. I'll pet her head
a few times and try to roll back over to go to sleep for a few more
precious minutes. Then I'll feel a paw on my back or at the back of my
head, as she'll try to crawl up into the bed. "Down," I'll say, and
she'll lay on the floor waiting patiently for the next subtle movement
in the bed, knowing that it is time to go out and then time for
breakfast.

Yes, Shia knows the routine, as do we. She has trained us as well as
we have trained her. She will cuddle with anyone who is sitting on the
couch or come and lie at our feet, just to be near someone. She has
her moments when she goes to her kennel for some quiet time, but
bounds down the stairs when she hears someone coming in the door or if
she hears a voice in the kitchen.

So, as I write my last column for The Freeport Focus, I wanted to take
a few minutes to let everyone who has asked or thought about asking
about Claire and Shia, that they are quite the pair. Each day they
bring some joy and laughter into our home. It is hard to remember the
days before Shia came home to be with us, much as it is difficult to
realize that Claire has been free of seizures for more than eight
years. As she celebrates her "Sweet Sixteen" birthday next week, it is
with awe and amazement that I realize how wrong the doctors were about
Claire those many years ago. And as I look at the two of them,
sleeping side by side, I know that there is magic between a girl and
her dog.

And that magic is called love.

'Twas a Few Days Before Christmas

2008-12-23T16:02:00.005-06:00

'Twas a Few Days Before Christmas

by Roland Tolliver

With all due respect to Clement C. Moore...

'Twas a few days before Christmas, and all through the town,

The shoppers were taking out credit cards and laying them down;

All of the people were out of their houses,

Except for the ones that were at their computers clicking their mouses;

Electronics, games, dolls, and books,

Movies, jewelry, and clothes filling all the crannies and nooks;

In the malls there were Santas galore,

One for each walkway, one for each store.

The children were fighting and whining and way past ready for their beds,

While visions of Game Boys, cell phones, and the latest ads still stuck in their heads;

They were pulled, pushed and dragged through just one more store,

I want this! I want that! We're hungry! We're bored!

It started in October before Halloween, all of this clatter

The decorations, the advertisements, the special sales, as if it mattered,

Shop early! Shop often! Don't worry about cash,

90 days, no payments, no interest, the money's gone in a flash.

The season has become just a blur to the eyes so it appears,

We've become enamored more with decorations and reindeer,

Than the original reason and history of our beloved St. Nick,

Now the kids know more about theWii, computers, games and joy sticks.

And we ask about the craziness and who can be blamed,

Then we pull out our credit cards and list them by name;

Now, Visa! Now, Mastercard! Now, Target and Wal-Mart!

Put it on American Express and Discovery! Put it all in the cart!

To the top of the limit! Put it on lay away, charge it all!

No cash, that's okay. Gotta have it now till the creditors call!

There is no limit that is too high,

We've got to have all of the latest or the kids will cry.

So into the house comes the latest, the greatest, all new,

Our vans and SUV's all full of toys, for mommy and daddy, too.

And then, in an instant, with our charges through the roof,

It seems like we no longer needed proof.

As I reached into my pocket, not a penny to be found,

I realized that to commercialism we've become bound.

And I thought of a baby whose birth was the start of it all,

Born not in grandeur, but in a stall.

With a Father in Heaven and one on earth,

A mother so pure and an angel foretelling His birth.

A star rose in the East and three Wise Men traveled to Bethlehem,

Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh they brought for Him.

And now we argue over Merry Christmas! and Happy Holidays!

Is this why He came into his world? I wonder what He'd say?

Perhaps, He'd tell us there is war, famine, disease and homelessness, the world's gone berserk,

There are things to be done here on earth; Now, let's get to work!

So let's fill the churches with families and song,

At least once during the year, let's all try to get along;

Let the food pantries be filled, no cupboards be bare,

It all belongs to Him, so we all have something to share.

Let's hope that no child is left with nothing under the tree,

Open our hearts for the less fortunate so that they might see,

Why Christ belongs in the center of our festivities!

The magic of Christmas goes beyond the toys and the clothes,

It means so much more than the ribbons and bows.

We celebrate Christmas for all kinds of reasons,

But, there remains one simple reason for the Season;

A baby was born, so that we may have everlasting life,

And to bring peace, love, joy and hope during times of strife.

And so from our family to yours, as we prepare for this most Holy Night,

We wish a Blessed Christmas to all, and to all, May God keep you in His light.

Goodbye, Again

2008-12-22T17:08:00.002-06:00

Once again it is time to say goodbye to a weekly column. The Freeport Focus will have two more editions, tomorrow (12/23/08) and then the last one on Tuesday, December 30th. There was a grand plan to create a new daily newspaper, which would have been the first one in the country this year as far as I know. Unfortunately, it was launched at a time when an economic firestorm hit our community and the country. There was not enough time, nor enough resources to give it a full go of at least one year, which would have been the minimum time necessary to become more fully established.

The competition with the other local paper has lead to greater local coverage and improved quality, but the question is now, will it be sustained? I will miss the weekly deadline and trying to stay topical with the columns, but will try to maintain more frequent postings on this site. It is hard to not want to say something about our current state of affairs in Illinois with Blago, et al and what will happen with President-Elect Obama and the new administration. Our world is so ripe with potential stories that it makes the fingers itch to write about them.

Looking at the state of newspapers, though, makes it easy to understand how it would be difficult to have a new start-up for a newspaper. The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News are cutting back to three days per week and two days per week, respectively. An online presence is a must if there is to be local news disseminated to the public. The ones that will suffer the most will primarily be the geriatric population that relies on the daily paper in print form. Eventually, most people will be online and this will become almost the only source of news in a print format. The news will most likely go the way of The Christian Science Monitor with a daily online edition and a weekly newsmagazine edition.

Welcome to the internet age of news ...

Will He Stay or Will He Go?

2008-12-15T10:52:00.002-06:00

Our beloved, okay, not so beloved as bedeviled, Governor, Rod the Mod, is not going to leave quietly, is he? It is quite evident that he should be gone. It is sad that it appears that his wife, Patti, has been complicit in his dealings for more and more money. Shakedowns, extortion, backroom dealings, and selling his soul for a few extra (alright, a lot of extra) dollars.

How does this happen when he knew that he has been under federal investigation since 2003? It boggles the mind to think that he is that brash, brazen, unrepentant, and ignorant all at the same time. Word from the New York Times is that Rod the Mod even blows up at his own personnel when they can't find his prize hairbrush. This is a man who manages to never take responsibility for his actions. I spoke with a relative this past weekend who works with a former elementary school classmate of Rod's. The former classmate is not surprised by the outcome of his governorship. She said that as a student, he never accepted blame for any of his actions. He always managed to blame someone else, or get them in trouble. His "goody-two shoes" act wore thin with his classmates, but he managed to hoodwink the nuns in charge.

There is no excuse for his actions. When reading the Federal Complaint it is apparent that the hubris of our governor is beyond even our worst expectations. Trying to sell a Senate seat, influence peddling with regards to the Tribune and the sell of the Cubs and Wrigley Field, garnering cash for the "Green" lanes of the Illinois Tollways, and shaking down the CEO of Children's Memorial Hospital for public aid money to be released. Holy bleep!

I have written about the Gov for the past several years and wondered when, not if, he would be indicted. I thought that it would most likely be because of his dealings with Tony Rezko. It seems that this was just the tip of the iceberg. How derelict of his duties could one person be? Well, he could have been an investment banker like Bernard Madoff who managed to fraud people of more than $50 billion, but he wasn't running a state into the ground in the meantime.

Complicit in the Gov's dealings was his wife, Patti, or so it appears according to the tapes transcripts. She was at least aware of the Gov's actions against the Chicago Tribune, based on her foul-mouthed tirade against the editorial board. Her father, Ald. Dick Mell, from whom Blago's family has been estranged for the past few years, tried warning us of his son-in-law's actions. Was anybody besides John Kass actually listening? Apparently the FBI was, but they waited for concrete information in order to file the Federal complaint. The Trib is to be commended for withholding information about the wiretaps until the FBI had the necessary information to arrest Rod the Mod.

Now, we need to get on with the process of selecting another Senator for our state. I'm split between getting Patrick Quinn has soon as possible in order to allow him to make a selection, or going with a special eleciton in order to allow both parties to submit potential candidates. I think that the most expeditious option of getting Quinn into office and allowing him to select a Senator who could serve out Barack Obama's term may be the best option for now. Then we can hold our regular election in two years and vote in a well-vetted candidate. Perhaps, the public will actually take a good, long look at the people running and not just vote for the person with the most money in his/her campaign chest and the best television appearance.

The Column That Was Edited

2008-12-10T11:09:00.004-06:00

The following is the column that appeared in The Journal-Standard on Christmas Day, 2006. The letter to Santa from Governor Blagojevich was left out of the online and printed editions, as I was told that the editor didn't feel it was appropriate at the time because "no charges" had been filed against the governor. The editor is long gone, as is the subsequent one and many of the columnists, freelance writers and writers from that Christmas Day two years ago. I guess there is no room for political insight or prognostication in certain publications.

Dear Santa
by
Roland Tolliver

For somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. —John Greenleaf Whittier

Merry Christmas Morning to You!
I have intercepted some letters that were directed to Santa, but due to the public figures involved in writing these, the letters were to be made available to all. So, here is a sampling...

Dear Santa Dude,
I always, like, loved to hear that Dorothy sing in "The Wizard of Oz," but my favorite character was that Scarecrow guy. It may be because I could, like, relate to him. So, Santa, could you, like, um, bring me a brain for Christmas?
Love,
Britney Spears

Dear Britney,
Why don’t you wait outside with Paris, Nicole, and Lindsay tonight? I’ll see if I can get a four-for-one special. Like, totally, cool, eh!
Love,
Santa Dude

Dear Santa,
I seem to have lost my way. I never should have listened to my friend Tony Rezko. It seems that I put my own power and greed ahead of the people that I was elected to serve. I was going to ask for forgiveness or maybe some way of making restitution, but what I really want is some more hair gel. Thanks.
Yours in Power,
Governor Rod

Dear Governor Rod,
I think that there are quite a few things you could use before I stuff your stocking with hair products. Maybe I could provide you with common sense, a calculator that tells you the real numbers and damage you are doing to your state, and what it means to raid the working people’s hard-earned money. Instead, I’ll just hold off the feds and that indictment for a while longer. Okay?
Wishing I Were the Prosecutor,
Santa

Dear Santa,
I really need your help. I have been in office for six years and now I’m really at an all-time low. The voters chose Democrats to lead both the Senate and the House of Representatives. My poll numbers are slipping lower than Jessica Simpson’s IQ and now Rummy has left me. Would you please give me a clue as to how we can end this mess in Iraq? Thank you.
Respectfully,
President George W. Bush

Dear Mr. President,
There are some things that even Santa has a hard time getting someone for Christmas. I hope that Mr. Gates (not Bill, but the other one, Robert) will aid you in this endeavor. Let’s face it, though, you can’t keep hiding your head in the sand. Our men and women deserve to know what the real plan is. They’re the ones stuck every day in the sands of Iraq. Mrs. Claus and I would like to see them come home safely. Our best to Laura and the twins. By the way, have they been naughty or nice this year?
Wondering Where the Answers Are,
Santa

Dear Mr. Claus,
Perhaps you have heard of me. I have written two best selling books. They loved me in New Hampshire and even in New York. I am gaining momentum with a capital "MO"! I am eloquent, suave and debonair with a flair for the spoken language. I may have made a mistake in doing real estate business with a Mr. Anthony Rezko, but I got a great deal on my mansion. Mr. Claus, sir, what I am most in need of, however, is having done something of substance in my political career, besides, become the golden child of the Democratic Party. Will you help me?
I Could Be Great in ‘08,
Senator Barack Obama

Dear Mr. Obama,
Thank you for writing. The elves have been very busy this year building platforms. Perhaps, they could help you when they’re done. It would be good to have a foundation of substance on which to build your campaign. Let’s see, you did try to make amends with Senator McCain from Arizona and you once visited that nice little town of Freeport in northwest Illinois. And you... and you... well, good luck on that, sir. I wish you the best in your quest, but be wary of Illinois politics. It not only makes for strange bedfellows, but they can turn on their own in a hurry. Say hi to Hillary if she’s still speaking to you.
In a Non-Partisan Way,
Santa

That’s all the space we have folks. May you and your families have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Day! Till next year....

Letters to Santa, 2008

2008-12-10T10:01:00.005-06:00

Two years ago when I did my "Letters to Santa" column for my previous newspaper home with the Journal-Standard, my "request" from the current governor of Illinois was for leniency should he be indicted. This "letter" was omitte from the J-S, because I was informed by the editor at the time that the governor did not have any charges against him. I let him know at the time that he would. Fortunately, my new home newspaper, The Freeport Focus and Village Voices, are more progressive in their format and forward-thinking with their editoral board. This year's "Letters to Santa, 2008" came out yesterday, the same day that the same governor was arrested and removed from his home in handcuffs. We may be small town in comparison with the likes of the Chicago Tribune or Sun-Times, but state politics affect us as much as the rest of the state.

The following column appeared in the December 9, 2008 editions of The Freeport Focus and Village Voices:

Letters to Santa, 2008

By: Roland Tolliver

“One of the problems we have in this country is that too many adults believe in Santa Claus, and too many children don’t.” --Lee Lauer

Dear Santa,
Thank you for letting us fly to Washington, D.C. in our private jets to present our request to Congress for billions of taxpayers’ money. I know that put us on the naughty list, so we drove out in our hybrids the last time and it looks like they will give us some money this time. Does that mean we are now on the nice list?
Signed,
THE BIG (but getting smaller) THREE

Dear Not So Big Anymore Three,
Santa has been flying to his locations for years. Of course, it is my job to give, rather than receive, so people don’t complain about my flights. Besides, I don’t leave much of a carbon footprint, unless you count reindeer gas emissions! Ho! Ho!
P.S. Get your acts together or you’ll be getting the “Bridge Loans to Nowhere” in your stockings.

Dear Santa,
How is it I got away with murder, but now may be spending 15 years or more in prison for kidnapping for some sports memorabilia? Do you remember when I used to be a Hall of Fame running back? Doesn’t that count for anything? By the way, have you seen my other glove?
Insincerely,
O.J.

Dear One Glove,
You must not have remembered the story of Al Capone, did you? He got away with murder, but went to jail for tax evasion. One way or the other bad karma will catch up to you! As your friend and attorney once said, “If you did the crime, you must do the time.” Or was that on an episode of Seinfeld?

Dear Santa,
I refuse to admit that I am on the naughty list. I am a major political figure and do not deserve to be in “Club Fed”! I am an old guy with diabetes and miss eating at the fancy restaurants in Chicago where I dined regularly with major political donors and cronies. So, why am I still in prison? Could you spring a Presidential pardon for me under the Christmas tree this year?Unrepentantly yours,
George Ryan

Dear Father of the Bribe, George,
I’m not usually a vindictive Santa, but you deserve to stay right where you are. There are six children up in Heaven with the last name of Willis who will never see another Christmas with their parents. You at least are well “fed” (sorry, couldn’t help that one!) and have a place to sleep. I will send a personal letter to President Bush on behalf of those children to ask that he leave you where you are. Perhaps, we’ll have a few more Illinois politicians, maybe even another governor, joining you in the near future. Seems like Illinois governors have a propensity for ending up behind bars, don’t they?

Dear Santa,
We’d really like to attend classes without the threat of violence or disruptions in our schools. We know that most of the focus is on the high school, because of the number of incidences here, but we know that there have been problems at the junior high and other schools, as well. If it wouldn’t be too much to ask, do you think you could bring us a more peaceful 2009 school year, so that we can concentrate on getting an education and not have to worry about graffiti, fights, weapons, and threats?
Thank you, Santa.
Praying for Safe Schools,FHS Students and Parents

Dear FHS Students, Parents and Staff,
You may not know this, but Mrs. Claus and I, have been praying for you and other schools throughout the world. We know that prayer isn’t allowed in most schools, but in these trying times we could all use a few extra words with the “Big Man on Campus” for all of us. I can’t offer any guarantees, but consider those that are causing all of this trouble to be on the “naughty list” and know that they’ll get what is coming to them. In the meantime, keep studying and I’ll keep you all on my personal “honor roll!”

Sometimes letters are answered in mysterious ways. Yes, Governor Blagojevich, there is a Santa Claus, and he will be bringing you a lump of coal and an orange jumpsuit.

Who Will Buy this Senatorial Seat?

2008-12-09T13:04:00.004-06:00

So, Rod the Mod finally gets his comeuppance. Patrick (the Elliot Ness of today) Fitzgerald and his crack team of investigators and prosecutors have once again put faith into our system. More than two years ago I wrote about the Governor seeking a way out of an indictment and the column was censored by the Journal Standard, because he wasn't "charged" with anything at that time. There was plenty of evidence at that time that he was being investigated, but no charges were forthcoming ... yet. One can clearly speculate that the investigation would one day lead to enough evidence, but the editor at that time was unwilling to allow an opinion to be voiced. Of course, that editor, as well as the publisher and much of the staff there are no longer there.

I wasn't prescient at the time, only well-read and well-versed in Illinois politics. The situation was being followed closely, despite the fact that Illinois voters once again voted a probable criminal into the office of governor. Didn't he learn anything from George "Fed" Ryan? Didn't our citizens learn anything about Chicago politics and the machine that continually produces the "above the law" politicians that screw over the citizenry in order to line their pockets with as much cash as they can take in.

What brashness, hubris, "testicular virility", or ignorance by a member of the government! He should be taken from office as soon as legally possible. This man has created a travesty for our state and the office of governor. What part of a sworn oath to uphold the office of leader of this state did he not understand?

Please, please take him to join George Ryan as quickly as he can be driven to Club Fed. Extortion for money for "green lanes" with a state contractor. Withholding money from Children's Memorial Hospital for shake-down money from their CEO. Threatening to keep money away from the Tribune Company and the sale of Wrigley Field unless editorial board members are fired. Asking for a union position to guarantee a $300,000 a year salary once he is out of office. Selling the Senate seat vacated by President-Elect Obama to the highest bidder. 76 pages worth of the brash acts of a village idiot and his stooge, John Harris.

The criminal complaint against Blago and his chief of staff shows the depths to which this elected official has sunk and how far down he is willing to take this state with him for his personal gain and for his wife. Heaven help us!

How Safe Are Our Children?

2008-12-04T16:13:00.004-06:00

So, now the school district has decided that video cameras are a good idea in the high school? When we asked why these were only being installed in the "special education" classrooms this past Spring, we were told it because they only had enough money to put them in these classes. Did it have anything to do with the complaint filed by one of the aides against a special education teacher, who was cleared of any wrongdoing, but nonetheless is no longer working in a job that she loved? When we pointed out that there were more incidents in the hallways, gym classes, cafeteria and even in the lavatories, we were categorically rebuked and my spouse was made to look foolish for suggesting that cameras were needed in the above mentioned locations.

And now, at last night's board meeting, we were informed that "security consultants" were being contacted and that they were looking for the best deals on security cameras and that they should be able to be tied into the existing intranet system in the school. Why does it take events like those that have happened in the past few weeks to finally get our administrators to take action? Couldn't an effective discourse on the subject taken place when the idea of cameras in certain classrooms was being proposed? It is the old "lock the barn door after the cows are out" mentality that seems to permeate our community at times.

Tim Connors, the speech and drama teacher/coach at the high school presented a letter signed by 71 teachers asking the board to provide three concrete steps in an attempt to rectify the current problems at the high school (and it does run into the junior high, as well). The three primary that he conveyed on behalf of the teachers were:
1. The installation of video monitoring cameras in the appropriate locations throughout the school, including entrances/exits, hallways, and cafeteria among other places and the installation of metal detectors at entrance points;

2. Stricter and consistent disciplinary actions for students that disregard conduct codes and school regulations, this would include expulsions where indicated;

3. The training of security personnel to monitor the school, including additional support personnel.

The teachers have indicated their willingness to work with the administration in an attempt to curtail, and potentially eliminate the onslaught of potentially harmful actions by certain students (and in at least one case a parent and other adult).

The disruption for our students is unprecedented in the eighteen years that we have been residents of this community, including having two children graduate from FHS and one currently attending the school. Not only do I not wish to see any harm come to her, but neither do we wish to see any student, teacher or staff member injured, or worse. The illicit actions of a few are creating an atmosphere of fear, distrust, and in no way is conducive to teaching our children. How can one learn when there is constant distress and duress?

Let it Snow

2008-12-01T17:01:00.002-06:00

Early morning in Freeport and apparently salt really is in short supply. Try getting to the junior high or high school when a semi-trailer is stuck at the intersection of Empire Street and West Avenue. There were a few locations where sand had been spread at the intersections, apparently not near the schools, however. This is only the first snowfall and already we are in transportation turmoil in our fair city. I'm sure that the new snow parking restrictions will make everything just hunky-dory, though.

So, welcome to the winter (though it is still officially autumn) in Northwest Illinois.

Going the Extra Mile

2008-11-24T10:58:00.003-06:00

Just read this post from the Freeport School District Newsletter. There are definitely some exemplary teachers and "retired" teachers in our district. Heidi Downing is one such example. I was fortunate enough to have a daughter, who had her for a teacher. A good time to accenutate the positive:

Hooray for Heidi
From the Desk of Danielle Summers, Principal of Center School
Early last week (two weeks ago), Heidi Downing* subbed for Barb Kerr in the
afternoon. Students were finishing up, a quite intense and extensive, project.
On Thursday, Heidi was on her way to Rockford to spend time for herself by shopping.
(That is what retirement is all about.)
On the way, Heidi became more and more upset by the article she read in the paper that morning. The article was information on the Equity Data Presentation from Wednesday night. What bothered her most was the information on the district’s African American males and how they begin to fall behind early in their school careers. Heidi turned her car around and came to Center School. From subbing earlier in the week, she knew three African American boys were behind in a project. She spent three hours working with these boys to complete their project. The finished project was amazing. In addition to the project, Heidi read the equity article with the boys and talked about the young African American man on the front page, who is a former HAPP student and who has accomplished much.

It is that kind of dedication to students and desire to see students succeed that makes our district so wonderful. And especially makes Heidi so wonderful.
Heidi: Thank you so much for making a difference!

* Heidi retired from the school district a few years ago after a dedicated career as a teacher, HAPP leader, FEA leader and strong proponent for equity issues. Thankfully, she remains involved in our school district.
There are a number of such examples that often are overlooked due to the other issues within our district. I still question the wording of the administration in their response to the high school falling below the state standards, "because of the special needs" children and their test scores. As the parent of a child with "special needs" who cannot take standardized tests due to a low intelligence quotient, how does this factor into the scoring by the state. Are all children with IEP's put into the same category? Does a child with ADD or ADHD, who can test with certain accommodations get put into the same category as a child with severe mental retardation or altered cognitive abilities? How are these differences accounted for within the district and with state standardized tests, that are used to determine state funding for the schools?

No Chiild Left Behind has been a blatant failure for our district and for the country. There is no way that one standard can be used for all students.

The Day After, Locally

2008-11-05T22:37:00.005-06:00

It has become apparent that in Northwest Illinois we are staunchly Republican on the local level. The overwhelming victories by Sen. Bivins, Congressman Sacia, and U.S. Representative Manzullo. The election in Stephenson County mirrored the national percentages in voting for Sen. Obama over Sen. McCain. This is the first time that I am aware of that our county has voted in favor of a Democratic presidential nominee over a Republican.

The City of Freeport, which is extremely slow to change or to accept new concepts and ideas, voted overwhelmingly (65% to 35%) to stay with the Mayor-Council form of government instead of looking toward the future of our economic livelihood and strongly consider a City Manager-Mayor-Council form. We either embrace our candidates for their outgoing personality, even if the city is eroding around us, or kick them out if our taxes are raised to an uncomfortable level.

What does any of this portend for our local economy in a time when our major employers, such as MetLife, let more employees go, including ones that had been there for more than 40 years and had dedicated their lives to the company? We see the bright and shiny new retail stores like Wal-Mart, Menards, and the refurbished Farm and Fleet, but these are not "new" businesses to our area. These are expanded companies, who are now letting their new hires go as the economy continues to slide and the stores reach a point of balanced business (the initial traffic flow has leveled off).

We are landlocked in Freeport with no major expressways nearby (think Rochelle and I-88 and I-39) and no four-lane highway to our West. This has severely limited our ability to grow in population or in business. We are now at a 6.9% unemployment rate compared with 4.8% one year ago, as of September. Of course, this isn't helped by the 8.9% rate in Winnebago County, where many of our residents work. How many more unemployed do we have that are now on other forms of subsidized income who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits?

There are many aspects of our city and county that are in need of assistance, whether through the government or local business initiatives. There is definitely a need for the two to be working together for the area and not have people so consumed with personal approval ratings or image, but who get things done with the general good of the economy and standard of living not taking a backseat to the next election.

Thoughts on the Day After

2008-11-05T12:30:00.004-06:00

Found this while looking through various blogs about the election. Thought it was an interesting post which highlights the symmetrical and cyclical nature of American politics:

Conservative blogger Rod Dreher notes:

1. The modern conservative movement began with the crushing defeat of Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential race. The modern conservative movement ends with the crushing defeat of Arizona Sen. John McCain -- who took Goldwater's Senate seat upon his retirement -- in the 2008 presidential race.

2. Modern liberalism began its implosion with riots in Chicago's Grant Park at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Tonight, modern liberalism is reborn at Chicago's Grant Park, where a black Chicago Democrat will celebrate winning the presidency.

Obama Wins Election

2008-11-04T22:28:00.002-06:00

As the final days of the campaign ran its course, there was the distinct feeling that Senator Barack Obama of our state of Illinois would win the election. In another online discussion group, I predicted that Sen. Obama would win 338 Electoral College Votes. While I fully supported Senator John McCain for his abilities in National security issues and especially for his stance on the pro-life issue, I am an American and appreciate that the country of Lincoln fought for the rights of any American of the appropriate age to run for President. There is to be no encumbrance to race, color or religious affiliation when running for the highest office in the land.

I wish Senator Obama well. I do hope that he moves more toward the centrist, conservative demeanor that he displayed at Harvard (according to Professor Ogletree his former mentor at Harvard Law School). It came down to the primary reasons of the economy (doesn't it usually?) and the ability to link Senator McCain with the Bush presidency.

Now there is the hope that the Senate does not become a supermajority with 60 Democrats, or perhaps that would be a good thing, because then we can see if the Democrats can solve the nation's woes and not have partisanship to blame for any failures to "change" our country for the better.

I am guessing that no one will mispronounce his name like I predicted almost four years ago prior to President Bush's second inauguration in 2005, when Senator Kennedy called him Senator Osama.

We'll see if we start moving in a positive direction.

It Is Time to Vote

2008-11-03T22:31:00.001-06:00

Column first appeared in Village Voices on October 28, 2008

At the Crossroads
By
Roland Tolliver

“Life is lived forward, but can only be understood backwards.” --Søren Kierkegaard

The nation is at a crossroads. Oil prices fluctuate and long lines at the gas pumps are happening in parts of our country. There is turmoil in the Middle East with continued concerns about Iran. The Republican candidate is a balding, white male, military veteran, who is trying to distance himself from a President with an abysmal approval rating. Saturday Night Live has lampooned a national candidate to the point of turning the party representative into a mockery. A vice-presidential candidate was selected to appease the conservatives. On the other side, a smooth talking liberal candidate is the nominee from the Democratic Party. He has little experience at the national or international levels, but has brought in a long-term U.S. Senator to cover his weaknesses. The economy is in the dumps with the possibility of inflation and depression both looming large. The Presidential election is just days away.

The year was 1976. Gerald Ford, the man who was appointed to the Presidency, was running against the upstart Democratic nominee, Jimmy Carter. The nation wanted to distance itself from Richard Nixon, and anybody associated with him. Walter Mondale, the long-time Democratic Senator from Minnesota, was nominated as the Vice-Presidential candidate, seen as someone who could shore up the party’s ticket. Gerald Ford was lampooned by Chevy Chase of SNL, who made a career out of his one-note comedic bludgeoning of a single misstep on a runway in Austria, dismissing the fact that Ford was probably the most athletic President in history. Senator Bob Dole was the V.P. nominee, who appealed to the more conservative constituency.

It was my first election. I had turned eighteen that year. I was a political junkie from the time I was in the fourth or fifth grade, even to the point of charting the Electoral College votes the night of the 1968 election. My parents thought I was prescient when I predicted that Nixon would name Gerald Ford from our home state of Michigan as his Vice President when it was apparent that the disgraced Spriro Agnew would be leaving office. I was also torn in trying to make my first major decision as a voting adult.

Today we find a number of parallels to 1976. We have a tested politician who has chosen a more conservative candidate to be his running mate. We have an untested, but smooth-talking candidate, who has chosen a long-term Senator as his running mate to balance his inexperience in foreign affairs. We have the coming inflationary economy that is in a recession. Gas prices are fluctuating on an almost daily basis. Iran is threatening Israel and there is continued instability in the Middle East. And not the least is America’s desire to distance itself from an unpopular President and the other party doing its best to connect the Republican Presidential nominee and the current President for their own political gain.

The four years of the Carter administration were most-likely one of the lowest points in the history of our country’s standing in the world. We were perceived as weak. Our military was decimated by the desire to try and be the anti-war nation, having been disillusioned by the Vietnam War. Our economy soured and gas prices skyrocketed with long gas lines and rationing. The one international event that stands above any other during that time was the Iranian Hostage Crisis with the subsequent tragedy in the ill-fated rescue attempt. “Carter’s Blackest Day” was the headline in the daily paper in Munich (where I was studying) on April 25, 1980, the day after the failed “Operation Eagle Claw” and the death of eight of our finest soldiers in Iran the day before. And now Senator Biden informs us that if his running mate is elected President, he will be tested with an international crisis within the first six months of his Presidency.

The parallels are many and we have been informed many times throughout the years by Winston Churchill and others that if we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Despite President Bush’s misgivings and shortcomings, there has not been another attack on U.S. soil since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We have not located Osama Bin Laden and perhaps we never will regardless of who is elected President. We are in an unpopular war, but when is war ever popular? The current candidates want to stop genocide and other atrocities in other parts of the world, and that was accomplished to a large degree in Iraq with the capture and ouster of Saddam Hussein, but due to the misguided pretenses of attacking terrorists in Iraq, this fact is often overlooked.

There is still much work to be done with the economy, in fostering world peace, in protecting innocent lives here and abroad, and protecting our own shores. Despite the campaign rhetoric and baseless promises for change, the winner will still have to work with Congress to pass any sweeping changes. As a country, we move more at the rate of an ocean liner than a speed boat when it comes to change. There is no modern-day prophet or single individual who accomplishes all he or she sets out to do and definitely not in four years’ time.

I voted in 1976 based on my enthusiasm of the moment. I went with the new guy, against my deeper gut feeling that I should vote for President Ford. I listened to the promises and the rhetoric. I was young and highly impressionable. I learned a valuable lesson that I have taken with me each subsequent election. I vote independent of party line locally, but have voted for a Republican for President since that impetuous decision in 1976. I have a feeling we may have another difficult lesson to learn in the next few years, but as a country we will survive either way.

Presidential Candidates' Health

2008-11-03T22:29:00.002-06:00

Column first published in Village Voices, October 14, 2008

Fit for Office

By

Roland Tolliver

"John F. Kennedy has not, nor has he ever, had … Addison's disease." --Dr. Janet Travell, President Kennedy's Personal Physician

In this, the age of HIPPA laws and medical disclosure issues, Americans want to know about the health status of their elected officials, especially the President. This has now carried over, and with good reason, to the candidates who are running for President of the United States. The health of the candidates for Vice-President also presents intriguing questions, but not to the same extreme. The forthrightness of past nominees has been questionable at best, including several Presidents whose near-incapacitation or inability to lead were masked or hidden by their doctors and personal assistants.

The above example for then Senator Kennedy is one of the most blatant and glaring in regards to Presidential candidates. While JFK is often revered as one of our great Presidents, he most likely would have never been voted in if there had been full disclosure of his health problems. It has been revealed that he was thought to be addicted to painkillers because of chronic back pain. He had full-blown Addison's disease (a condition that affects the adrenal gland and requires cortisone to allow the body to function) since 1947, but that fact was hidden from the public. There were multiple other medical conditions that afflicted Senator Kennedy, but these were hidden from the public in his campaign's desire to project a youthful, energetic candidate to the country. The first televised debate in 1960 only accentuated that persona to the public and allowed JFK to become President.

Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, was initially just as secretive, by minimizing a heart attack in 1955 and downplaying his gall bladder attacks. He did eventually seek counsel from President Eisenhower, who had had multiple medical problems during his two terms in office during the 1950's. He instructed President Johnson to let the American people know about his medical status. LBJ went so far as to reveal his "gall bladder surgery scar" during a press conference.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower not only suffered a heart attack in 1955 during his first term in office, but had severe Crohn's disease, which required surgery in 1956 and had a stroke in 1957, which left him with a slight speech impediment.

It has been well-documented that President Ronald Reagan developed Alzheimer's disease, which many people have determined probably manifested toward the end of his second term. It is also well-known that his successor, President George H. W. Bush, has Grave's disease, which affects the thyroid gland.

Throughout the history of our country, as well as country's around the world, the health of many nations' leaders has come into question at different times. Fidel Castro, Boris Yeltsin, and Kim Yong Il among others have been or were kept out of the public eye when seriously ill in order to "protect" them from those who had suspicions of their ability or inability to lead. While dictatorial countries and communist regimes often operate under a veil of secrecy, our own government has done this over the years when it has come to our own presidents' health concerns.

The questions concerning our current presidential candidates' health continue to be asked by journalists, physician panels, and the electorate. Is John McCain, who will be 72 on Inauguration Day, too old for the presidency? Does his history of hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and previous bouts with melanomas lead one to believe that he may not survive even one term in office? Will people take into account that current actuarial tables (while only an indicator and obviously not a prognosticator of actual lifelines) indicate that he will most likely live at least another twelve years? Do voters look at the fact that his mother is still living vibrantly at age 96? Will we stop to consider that he has survived a Vietnamese prison camp and has now led a full life of service to his country? Of course, the job of President of the United States has taken a toll on the last two Presidents. Just look at photos of Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush before and after taking office.

Most people look at the Democratic Presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama, and imagine that he is the picture of health. He is slim, plays pick-up basketball regularly, and is said to eat relatively healthy food choices with little or no excess fats or junk food. What is often overlooked is his addiction to nicotine and his frequent relapses in regards to the use of tobacco. There have been many people in their forties and fifties who appear healthy, that succumb to the effects of smoking, including heart attacks, cancer of the throat, mouth, and lungs among other types, as well as emphysema and related breathing disorders. His mother died of cancer at the age of 52.

There are many issues on which this presidential campaign will be decided. There are also many questions about a candidate's health that are legitimate. Few journalists will dig very deep into the 1,500 plus pages of medical information that Senator McCain released, just as few will go beyond the one page "I'm normal" news release that came from Senator Obama's campaign headquarters. If there are underlying medical conditions that truly affect one's ability to lead the country and make the critical decisions that are required on a daily basis, then these should be fully disclosed, because it is important when making the choice at the ballot box.

If the non-issue health concerns are blown out of proportion only for the chance to question one's ability to lead, then these need to be critically addressed by qualified individuals in order to substantiate the findings or to discredit them, whichever provides the true answer. We can no longer fall prey to the whims of a candidate's handlers, who in the past insulated the candidate and his medical conditions from the general public, and vote blindly. If it is of no consequence, then vote for the best man and/or woman. If it is, and we don't know until after the fact, then we better be sure that the Vice-President's health is in order.

Cubs Playoff Woes

2008-11-03T22:25:00.001-06:00

First Appeared in The Focus on October 9, 2008

I Can’t Believe I Watched the Whole Thing!

By

Roland Tolliver

“Chicago Cubs fans are ninety percent scar tissue.” --George Will

The year was 1968 and I was helping to head up the mock election for President in our elementary school. It was the year of Richard M. Nixon and Hubert H. Humphrey. It was also, for all of us living in Michigan, “The Year of the Tigers.” As crucial as the upcoming election was, and believe me, the campaign lasted nowhere near as long as the current one, life was put on hold for Carlson Elementary School. I know it is ancient history for some, but this was in the days before a television - complete with cable - in every classroom. It was the only time during my thirteen years in public education that a television was brought into the room in order for the class to watch the World Series games involving the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Kemp allowed us to hang on every pitch, as the games were played during the daytime then. Television didn’t control the schedule in those days.

This past week, we once again put a political campaign on the backburner, the Palin-Biden debate notwithstanding, in order to watch hometown teams compete in the Major League playoffs. The Tigers faded this year faster than a complete sentence by Ron Santo when the Cubs make an error. Not since 1906 had both the Cubs and the White Sox been in the postseason at the same time. Chicago and Illinois were gung-ho a week ago. The Cubs had won the Central Division and had the best record in the National League and with it, home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Sox took two extra days to secure a place among the final eight teams.

And then a strange feeling a déjà-Blue came over Cub fans throughout the area and the country. We watched the first game and cheered when Mark DeRosa hit a two-run home run into the right field bleachers. Ron Santo continually reminded us that “this is the year!” We were given that hope, that belief, that thrill of anticipation that we were on our way. Ryan “Home Field Rules” Dempster was on the mound and the wind was blowing in. Somehow, some way, though, the wind seemed to blow the ball every which way but over the plate. Walk the bases loaded and then … Loney Tunes … James Loney (who?) launches one over the center field wall and it is the “grand salami.” Bases cleared, Cub fans sigh, and we never lead again in the entire series. I watched each inning, staying up until late in the night, hoping, wishing, cajoling, and the end result was another year without a playoff win.

Only four teams have been swept two years in a row in the playoffs. The Cubs are now one of them. Only two teams had the best record in the National League and then were swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Cubs are now one of those two. The games were disheartening, disappointing and devoid of any of the fun-filled action that they displayed throughout the regular season. We couldn’t pitch when we needed to. We couldn’t hit when men were on base. We couldn’t field when the ball was hit to us.

I know that “we” weren’t on the field or at the plate or in the dugout, but “we” have been behind the team during this magical year, hanging on every curve ball, every home run, every anxious moment. And “we” were the ones that couldn’t afford playoff tickets and sat home and watched each pitch and garnered a greater and greater feeling of dread whenever Alfonso Soriano came to the plate or when a runner was on base and we could sense the impending double-play ball would be hit by one of our players. We could see the Cubs sitting on their hands with their heads down while on the bench or see them with their gloves up when the ball was down when they were on the field.

No matter what superstition or lucky charm or magical field was invoked or which god was prayed to or how many times the dugout was blessed, a team has to be able to hit, throw, and catch a baseball better than the other team. The Cubs didn’t do that and once again we must “wait till next year.” Now it is 101 years and counting.

The Tigers went on to stun the Cardinals in the 1968 World Series after being down three games to one. Hubert Humphrey won our school’s mock election, though not the real one. Denny McLain, who would be the last pitcher to win 30 games in a year, would eventually leave the game in disgrace after being traded to the Washington Senators, as would the winner of that year’s election, Richard Nixon, who was ironically also dismissed from Washington, D.C. in disgrace. Some events in life are difficult to predict, much like trying to figure out when the Cubs will win their next World Series.

Now, it is back to the election season (though the White Sox just won to stay alive in the playoffs as I write this on Sunday evening) and there is once again a major decision to be made about leadership in our country. But before that day arrives … “Hey, Lou! Why didn’t you put Fontenot at second to start the series and put DeRosa in right? Could you talk to Soriano about not swinging at everything within his sight line? Why didn’t you take out Dempster and put in Marshall after Ryan’s fourth walk? Will ‘Big Z’ ever grow up? What’s up with Derrick ‘Double Play’ Lee when a man’s on base?” So many questions, so much off-season time …

We've Got Questions

2008-10-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

The Following Column appeared in The Freeport Focus on September 24, 2008:

We've Got Questions … Do They Have Answers?

By

Roland Tolliver

"In many ways what they've done is created a world for real presidential debates in which the candidates have an opportunity, to a larger audience, not to engage each other, but to give another version of their stump speech." --John Wells

We'll take the opportunity today to play moderator for this week's debate between the presidential candidates for the two major political parties. Our condolences to the obscure Party candidates, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr, Tom Millican, and Chuck Baldwin who were not invited, but they invite you to read their position papers on the major issues at their respective web sites, if you can find them. So, let's present the questions and maybe someday we'll be able to hear the "real" answers.

We flipped a coin and Senator Obama called heads. Yes, heads it is and Senator Obama has chosen to receive … the first question.

Moderator: Senator Obama, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to sit here "thisclose" to you. I love your campaign and all that you stand for, but as a non-biased news anchor, I am compelled to ask you some tough questions. Our first question is, "What is it like meeting Oprah? I mean, OMG, she is the one we all strive to be like."

Senator Obama: Well, Mr. Moderator, it is truly an honor to be here and we represent change that you can believe in. I met Oprah at church with Reverend Wright where I never heard anything about hating America or subjected my family to any such vitriol. We would meet for coffee and cookies and talk about shopping at the local Jewel.

Moderator: Thank you, Senator, for your insightful and awe-inspiring answer. What is your favorite cookie, by the way?

Senator Obama: White chocolate with macadamia nuts or a good oatmeal raisin.

Moderator: Thank you for being here, Senator McCain. Let's start with a simple question. "What can you tell us about Charles Keating and the problems that bedeviled the savings and loan industry?"

Senator McCain: Charles Keating. Charles Keating! You ask him about Oprah and cookies and I get Charles Keating. Did you know that I spent five and a half years as a POW in Hanoi? Why didn't you ask him about the $126, 349 he received from Fannie Mae in the past four years? His staff has consulted with the deposed chairman of this pseudo government organization and you ask me about the savings and loan industry? I am the real change agent here.

Moderator: Senator McCain, please just answer the questions. This isn't Fox. Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews wrote the questions, so you know they are fair. Senator Obama, how did you and Michelle meet? You are such a lovely couple and your girls are just adorable.

Senator Obama: Thank you, sir. Michelle and I were working at a Chicago law firm and she was my advisor. We went to see Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" on our first date. I told her she was the 'right thing' for me. Now we're a happy family and this campaign is like our third child.

Moderator: That is so sweet, Senator. Senator McCain, how do you account for not knowing how many houses you have?

Senator McCain: How did he meet Michelle? Did you know that they were married by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who the Senator no longer acknowledges? How many houses do I have? Ask my esteemed colleague how he managed to have real estate shenanigans with Mr. Tony Rezko, who is now in jail awaiting trial for illegal campaign fundraising activities. How much money did he raise for the Senator?

Moderator: Senator McCain, you are not sticking with the topics, you have one more chance. Senator Obama, may I call you Barack?

Senator Obama: Yes, sir, you may.

Moderator: Thank you, Mr. Presiden…, I mean, Barack. My final question of the night for you is, "If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?"

Senator Obama: As I intuited in my book, "Dreams Of My Father", a New York Times bestseller, by the way, I would have liked to have gone to Kenya to meet my father, whom I never really knew. I was raised by my loving grandparents in Kansas and I'm just a small town kid at heart. Otherwise, I'd like to meet Osama bin Laden and say, 'shame on you' for what you did to this country and to tell him that he ruined my name, because people keep confusing his and mine, like Senator Kennedy when he introduced me to the Senate.

Moderator: Yes, a good tongue lashing ought to teach that bin Laden character that we mean business! Mister, I mean, Senator McCain, you have supported the war in Iraq since the beginning, while Senator Obama was against it, even though he wasn't actually in the Senate when it started. How do you justify America not just packing it up and calling it a day?

Senator McCain: He wants bin Laden to apologize? Get real, will you? Just like his friend William Ayers apologized? Ha! What kind of debate is this, anyways? You know darn well that I'll follow that terrorist to the gates of hell. I may be old enough to be my opponent's father, but I'm tougher than nails. I actually had to eat nails once when I was in Viet Nam. I needed the iron from the rust on them.

Moderator: That's enough, Senator McCain. I am going to turn this one over now to the pundits who will tell Americans what they think and how the people should think. They all believe that the typical American voter doesn't know how to think for themselves and they have a lot of airtime to fill. Bye, Barack. Are we still on for coffee tomorrow morning? Give my best to Michelle and the girls.

Heard off camera: Hey, you're still on the air! They'll think that we're supporting one candidate over the other. Turn off your mike, will ya?!

House Call for the Spin Doctor

2008-10-07T08:09:00.003-05:00

The following column appeared in The Freeport Focus on September 18, 2008.

House Call for the Spin Doctor

By

Roland Tolliver

“The political spin in Washington is revolting, just revolting. It’s a callous political game.”

--Rob Bishop

Two weeks ago I would have given odds that Senator Barack Obama would be the winner of the general presidential election the first Tuesday of November. A few years ago I coined a term, “politainment”, in which the new word was defined as being the melding of politics and entertainment. It has become ubiquitous in our society that the issues are only marginally brought forth, but the perception of a candidate’s personality is front and center when campaigning. This is primarily related to national politics where the “big money” is spent on television advertising and the faces of the candidates’ are ever-present.

When one goes back to 1960 for our general presidential elections there is a distinct pattern of the “better looking” candidate winning the elections. For those of you who recall the first presidential debates in 1960, those who were listening on the radio were sure that Vice-President Richard M. Nixon had won with more salient points, but as we know Senator John F. Kennedy won the general election. Many ceded that his election victory was sealed during that debate, which was also televised. He was photogenic, eloquent with his speech, and was not sweating like a pig (one without lipstick) during the debate. Nixon on the other hand lacked Kennedy’s charm and was sweating like a pig (his makeup was probably running, too). This was the start of the “politainment” period in American politics.

Each subsequent election has seen similar national predilection for the candidate that was perceived to have more camera appeal, though one could argue that Nixon vs. Humphrey or Nixon vs. McGovern was a “visual” wash and it could also account for the “hanging chad” closeness of the Bush vs. Gore election. One could argue those, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that the more photogenic candidates are typically the general election winners for president.

That leads us to this year. Here we have Senator Barack Obama, the thin, handsome, gifted speaker of a candidate, who came out like gangbusters during the primaries, only to almost lose what seemed like an insurmountable lead, but hung on for his party’s nomination. On the other side of the coin, we have the more “seasoned” candidate, Senator John McCain, who seems stauncher, less talented at conveying his message from a podium, and a trifle rougher around the edges.

America is always on the lookout for something new and exciting to come along. We give our television shows a few weeks to “wow” us and if it doesn’t grab enough ratings fast enough, the shows are yanked off of the air. We tend to be the same way about our politicians running for national office. We give them the opportunity to smooth talk us into believing that they are all about change or hope or reform or whatever buzz word is commissioned by the campaign managers and people pulling the candidates’ strings and then we try to decide who we like the best, or who we like the least.

This campaign season, however, has seen a wrench thrown into the boiler. While the one candidate has the GQ looks and suave demeanor going for him, he also has a long-winded, perennial politician without a hint of “change” in his profile as a running mate. The other candidate, who has served his country for fifty-some years, is trying to project an image of change, which alone he could not achieve. He has, however, changed the perspective of the race by asking a fresh new face to the national scene to be his running mate. Where one candidate says he is about change and didn’t back it up when he had a chance to make a distinction with a running mate, instead of highlighting his own shortcomings with his choice, the other made it clear that it is he who will be running the country if he wins, and that the vice-presidential nominee is there to support his leadership.

The fact that she is just as photogenic, if not more so, than the Democratic presidential nominee, is where the wrench comes in. America has not typically had an election season where a presidential candidate has spent so much time and energy in comparing himself to the vice-presidential candidate for the other party. Where experience is lacking, quite frankly in all of the candidates, the quality of leadership should fill in that void. So, the question becomes not who has the experience to lead, but who has the ability to lead, to make the tough decisions, and with whom to consult in order to make those decisions.

The next fifty days or so will be a blur to most of us. We will see political attack ads. We will hear enough spin to make our heads spin and we will in typical fashion most often hear only what we want to hear. The majority of Americans have already decided who they will vote for. The messages that will be sent over the next weeks will be geared at swaying those that are sitting on the proverbial fence. Many will vacillate depending on their personal stance on certain issues and how they perceive that the candidates match up with their positions. Others will see who appears to show the qualities they deem necessary for the leader of our country.

What many will not do, will be to see beyond the political spin, to dig deeper into a candidate’s qualifications and to make an informed decision. Many will look at the candidates’ appearances on the television screen, listen to the pundits, and vote based on the presentation of the packaging of the candidates. The polls will be like watching to see how well a movie is doing at the box office or a television show in the ratings. Many will jump on a bandwagon depending on any given day’s results. This is the type of political entertainment that has been perpetuated since 1960 and now has grown with the advent of 24/7 news coverage into the “politainment” monster that everyone knows, but few want to recognize.

Politics shouldn’t be about which candidate comes across best on television. It should be about who is best suited to lead our country. Alas, that seems to be a forgotten factor.

Watching the RNC

2008-09-15T21:52:00.003-05:00

Last week's column in The Freeport Focus is presented here for a "fair and balanced" account of the other national convention.

Watching the RNC

Or Being Embedded with C-SPAN

By

Roland Tolliver

“Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.” --Every speaker at the RNC after their introductions.

Our media maverick, Al Bebach, spent the last week embedded with C-SPAN, otherwise known as Continuous Sarah Palin Action News, this past week during the Republican National Convention. He is a little blurry-eyed after his back-to-back convention attack, but he was willing to share his thoughts with us again this week. (If you missed last week’s convention coverage, it may be viewed at http://pretzelcity.blogspot.com/).

Roland: Tell me, Al, how was this convention compared to the DNC in Denver?

Al Bebach (AB): I didn’t see as many celebrities. There was Pat Boone and Jon Voight, but no Arnold or Clint. Nothing like the DNC with Oprah, P. Diddy, or a host of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who were all clamoring to touch the hem of Barack Obama’s garment.

Roland: How was the mood of this convention?

AB: Much more businesslike for the first couple of days. There was a rush of enthusiasm for Wednesday night, though. Everyone was waiting for the main speech of the convention.

Roland: Do you mean Mike Huckabee’s or Fred Thompson’s?

AB: No, you silly goof. I’m talking about Sarah “Barracuda” Palin.

Roland: What did she have to say to the adoring crowd?

AB: I didn’t follow the words at first, so I had to watch it a second time on You Tube.

Roland: Why didn’t you watch her speech the first time?

AB: Because I spent the entire time just watching her. She’s like Lois Lane, I was just waiting for her to take off her glasses and let down her hair. If Obama should be on GQ, Sarah will end up on Vanity Fair or something like that. McCain looked like a doting grandfather when they were on stage together.

Roland: What about the content of the speeches, though. Any unusual revelations like you noticed last week?

AB: Let’s see. There was Mike Huckabee who told a long story about students not having desks. I guess that was relevant for children’s left behinds.

Roland: I believe that is “No Child Left Behind” and he was talking about our veterans’ earning the right for us to have a free education.

AB: You don’t really know Huckabee’s sense of humor, do you? Then Fred Thompson spoke of alligators and swamps. I think he was referring to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Probably some off-handed reference to Sarah Palin’s dad, Michael, and his friends from Monty Python. I loved the Knights who say “Ni!” “Bring me a shrubbery!”

Roland: Michael Palin is British and is not Sarah’s dad. That would be funny, though, come to think of it. How did her speech go over?

AB: She was definitely the star of the convention. I don’t know that she laid any new policy information on the line, but she laid into the media and told us she did say no thanks to Simon and Garfunkel.

Roland: Simon and Garfunkel?

AB: Sure, she said, “Thanks, but no thanks for the Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
Roland: That was the Bridge to Nowhere and she did support it at first when Senator “I’ll Fight My Indictment” Ted Stevens tried to get the appropriations for his state.

AB: Whatever. She was dynamic, eloquent and did I say, good looking?

Roland: Yes, you did, but what does that have to do with anything? If she was a man, you wouldn’t even bring it up, would you?

AB: You obviously missed last week’s column. Barack is the Rock Star and Sarah is now the Rock Goddess, though she wouldn’t like that title. You know? No false gods before me and all that. She made the main speaker seem shaky and unsure of himself by comparison.

Roland: You mean, Sarah Palin.

AB: No, Rudy Giuliani.

Roland: I was surprised that it took him almost to the end of his speech to mention 9/11. I realize that this week mark’s the anniversary of that most tragic day in American history, but surely he must have done something besides that in his life.

AB: You mean besides enjoying finding attractive women to marry?

Roland: Yes, besides that. What about the women who spoke other than Sarah Palin? Cindy McCain and Laura Bush were there, weren’t they?

AB: Yes. Cindy McCain had on an outfit complete with full accoutrements to the cost of over $300,000. Laura Bush ensemble was a mere $4000 or so.

Roland: Does that mean anything?

AB: The differences should tell you something. One comes from money and isn’t afraid to let it be known, no matter how many houses they have. The other one has served her country admirably and would probably like to return to a home on the range.

Roland: That brings us to the final night and the most anticipated event of the night.

AB: Obama being interviewed by Bill O’Reilly?

Roland: Ha! Ha! No, I’m talking about Senator McCain’s acceptance speech. Did he hit a “home run”?

AB: Let’s just say that he has served his country and that age shouldn’t matter as much as the American media makes it out to be of significance. On the other hand, he should probably be like most successful mates in a relationship and let Sarah do the talking from now on.

Roland: Thanks, Al. I can’t wait to hear your input over the next sixty days leading up to the election.

AB: It has felt like sixty months since this year’s election process started. I’m going to bed and hibernate until Christmas. Wake me when it’s all over.

Roland Tolliver is a freelance writer and contributor to The Freeport Focus and Village Voices. You may read additional writings and view photos from the Sesquicentennial celebrations at http://www.pretzelcity.blogspot.com/.

The Quiet Morning Sky

2008-09-12T15:33:00.005-05:00

I lay in bed yesterday morning and heard the planes flying overhead. There is a distinct pattern of flight from points west to O'Hare Airport that goes directly over Freeport around 6:00 a.m.. I could set my alarm to the early morning drone of the jets. Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of the day the jets quit flying for several ominously eerie days. The nation was at a standstill while the impact of the terrorist attacks of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Flight 93 were felt throughout our country and the world. It was the day the skies stood still.

All of the articles about "Where were you?" have been written to commemorate the date. The politicians put away their animosities for a one day truce. The memorials were held and the names of the victims were read and the bells tolled for those who gave their lives that day. Taps were played from the roof of the Pentagon and the sad refrains from the bagpipes echoed through the courtyard.

Local ceremonies were held throughout the country and law enforcement officers and fire department personnel were asked for their views on the tragedy and how it has affected our nation over the past seven years. Schools held moments of silence or stood at attention for "Taps" or the national anthem. Some said prayers for the victims and their families. Others went about their day, as if it were just another day.

I looked at the sky and wondered how something like that could happen and could it or would it happen again? Are there enough safety precautions now at our nation's airports, rail stations, and bus terminals? How much difference does it make if we take our shoes off or are strip-searched? Do we feel safer for ourselves and for our children? How much lip service has been given and how much actual action to ensure our country's protection has been taken?

There are plenty of reasons to question the war in Iraq and how it actually has affected the fact that there have been no more attacks on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. There were legitimate reasons to go to Afghanistan and yet, Osama Bin Laden has still not been located. We've lost more soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq than died on 9/11 and we wonder to what end.

We are coming to an election and the "change" that is being touted is not really about true change in the way things are done, but in a change of the face of leadership. Will it matter much whether it is McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden if there is no change in the Congress? Once either one gets into office, the first term is about not screwing up too badly in the first two years, so that the next two years can be spent trying to stay in office with the next election.

Whether lipstick on a pig is an issue or who is the real agent of change really matters are left to public opinion, but it is really about having a vision for our country and the ability to convey that message to the citizens who are the ones whose lives are affected. Take away the TelePrompters and you still have human beings with doubts, human faults, and an occasional idea that takes us beyond the rhetoric and into a real sense of desire to accomplish something. Bring it to the level of everyday citizens and they might even find that their message resonates into community action.

We remember. We live. We go on. We move on. And in another year, we'll remember again. We should remember each and every day, though, about the days the skies stood still and our lives were changed. Forever.

Watching the DNC

2008-09-09T20:12:00.004-05:00

Watching the DNC
Or How to OD on the Democratic National Commercial
By
Roland Tolliver

“Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you all very, very much.” --Every Speaker featured on Primetime Television’s version of the long infomercial known as the DNC.

We put our friend and pundit in front of C-Span for four straight days to get his interpretation of the Democratic National Convention this past week. Our man of the hour, the pugnacious prognosticator of the press, Al Bebach, spent considerable time not only deciphering the double-speak and diatribe (don’t worry, in all fairness, he’ll report on the Republican National Commercial, er, Convention, if it is held next week), but reading “between the lines” or tells you what was not said, or at least omitted from the highlight reels.

AB: Should I start with the big speech?
Me: You mean, Senator Obama’s?

AB: No, you silly man. I meant the one by the woman in the tangerine travelling pant suit.
Me: Sure. Go ahead. What did she say?

AB: It wasn’t what she said. It was what she left out. “I’m here tonight as a proud mother, a proud Democrat … as a proud senator from New York … a proud American … and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.”
Me: So. What’s the problem?

AB: Don’t you think it was a little, well, rude of her not to mention being a proud wife? Bill is sitting there mouthing his little, “I love yous” and she doesn’t even acknowledge him.
Me: Maybe she was getting back at him for that Monica Lewinsky thing in the White House?

AB: Perhaps, but that had to be embarrassing for the former President. Then she brings up her support of Senator John McCain when she said, “Know the way. Know the how. Know McCain!” and then the whole crowd started shouting, “Know McCain!” I mean, wasn’t she at the DNC?
Me: I think she said, “No way. No how. No McCain.”

AB: That’s what you think. I had a chance to see a draft of the speech and I think she was subliminally trying to support McCain. She plans on taking her 18 million voters with her and going home to … now where did she say she’s from? New York, Illinois, Arkansas, Washington, D.C.?
Me: What else do you have?

AB: My favorite line was about the most important job being taking care of our families and to “help every child live up to his or her God-given potential … ”
Me: That sounds like a good idea to me.

AB: The most important line must have been cut from the telecast, though.
Me: And that was …?

AB: … except the ones that we never want to give the chance to be born … Every human life deserves a chance to reach his or her potential, but there is no chance if there is no birth. What is God-given about that?
Me: I see your point. How about any of the others? What about Joe Biden?

AB: Let’s see. “Barack and I took very different journeys to this very destination, but we share a common story …” What he left out was that he’s shared a common story with others before.
Me: What do you mean?

AB: Don’t you recall how he used the story of British Labor Party Leader, Neil Kinnock, even plagiarizing his words as his own during a speech at the Iowa State Fair during the 1988 presidential campaign? He did the same thing when he was in college, but it was only “stressless scholarship” then, whatever that means?!
Me: So, he’s told a few lies. That shouldn’t disqualify him as a politician.

AB: Touché, sir. Touché! Then there was his line “My parents taught us to live our faith, and to treasure our families.” He, like Hillary, keeps leaving out the caveat, except the family members that don’t get a chance to live in the first place.
Me: I’m getting the impression that you are pro-life, Mr. Bebach.

AB: Well, Mr. Biden and the rest of the speakers are definitely on the opposite side of the fence on that subject.
Me: That is a major part of the Democratic platform. It does seem to go against the grain of the faith that Mr. Biden was alluding to, doesn’t it? How about Bill Clinton’s speech? Any insights?

AB: I think he said it all pretty much in his second sentence, “Now, in the end, my candidate didn’t win.”
Me: I didn’t think it was the end, but isn’t it the beginning of the final stage of this race?

AB: Yeah, of course. What was in his mind’s teleprompter went something like, ‘Now I don’t get to go back to the White House. Man, I had some fun there, but if Obama doesn’t win the general election, then McCain will be really old, and Hillary can run again and … why did I get the primary process changed … why did we let Barack Obama speak at the DNC four years ago? Why? Why? Why? … and …’
Me: And, what?

AB: I don’t know. He went on so long that I fell asleep and when I woke up there was a sustained applause when I think he said something about concluding his speech.
Me: And then there was the spectacle of the final night and the historic nomination of this country’s first African-American for a major party candidate for President.

AB: Yes, there was. And it was a truly momentous occasion in our country’s history. But then he, like Hillary, managed to commend a variety of occupations, but with a plan for national health care, both failed to mention the people who will be providing this health care.
Me: The clinics at Wal Marts and Walgreens?

AB: No, though it may come to that. I’m talking about doctors. I guess they don’t fall into the category of “ordinary men and women” who “found the courage to keep it (the American dream) alive.”
Me: I suppose it is just reward enough to keep people alive.

AB: Yeah, I’m sure that’ll fit nicely on a placard. I have to admit that Senator Obama has a way with words, but he sure uses the words “I will” a lot. He seems to forget about a Congress that has to be dealt with, though he’s only actually spent about 150 days there since he was elected as an Illinois state senator, and there is the issue of actually winning the election first. Then he keeps referring to shows like “Eight is Enough.” I wonder if Dick Van Patten will have a place in Obama’s cabinet?
Me: I’m exhausted just listening to you. How did you stay awake to see all of those speeches?

AB: It was the politicians and speakers abilities to keep offering everyone in America so much hype!
Me: I think they were saying, “hope.”

AB: You don’t know much about politics, do you?

Dr. Roland Tolliver is a contributing writer for the Freeport Focus.

Sesquicentennial Ball

2008-09-06T21:26:00.001-05:00

Sesquicentennial Parade August 30, 2008

2008-09-06T20:37:00.001-05:00

Debate Sesquicentennial Freeport 2008

2008-09-06T11:44:00.001-05:00

Lincoln Douglas Sesquicentennial: Part 2

2008-09-06T10:07:00.004-05:00

Additional photos from the Lincoln-Douglas Sesquicentennial Debate re-enactment from Freeport, Illinois on Saturday, August 30, 2008 in Freeport's Debate Square. Click on the photos to enlarge the picture.

Lincoln Douglas Sesquicentennial: Part 1

2008-09-06T09:35:00.012-05:00

The following photos were taken from the Lincoln Douglas Sesquicentennial that took place in Freeport, Illinois on Saturday, August 30, 2008. George Buss portrayed Abraham Lincoln and Tim Connors is Stephen Douglas. Click on the photos to enlarge the pictures.

Dr. Ed Finch as Captain Silas Terry

Guitar Hero or Rock Star: The Candidates' Version

2008-09-05T15:43:00.005-05:00

The great debate is on. I was no where near being in the money in my GOP vice-presidential nominees. I, along with millions of other Americans, said, "Who?" when her name was being bantered about prior to the official announcement. Then I heard her speak at the nomination announcement and along with millions more, said, "Wow!" I really don't know much about her policies besides what has been written by the medial or has been presented by some of the "talking heads" but I couldn't help but be impressed by the strength of her speech. I know that a speech does not make a candidate, but no one can deny that eloquence of speech has not helped Obama. There is always more to a candidate than their comfort behind a microphone or in front of an audience. Of course, there is often less than meet's the eye as well once the teleprompter is no longer on.

There are those that can make a book come alive with the spoken word, but who cannot utter an intelligent thought on their own. There are others that are better when thinking on their feet or persuading people to believe in them or their ideals. Much in this way the two party's tickets are much alike, though in reverse order. Senator Obama's speaking ability is a given, when he is reading from a prepared text, so far, Governor Palin has proven just as adept in this format. If you've ever had the chance to see John McCain in an informal setting, he can be charming and disarmingly humorous and a quick thinker. Joe Biden, while long-winded and often evasive with his rhetoric, nonetheless, does better in a debate-style setting, than in front of a group of people. Witness the dryness of McCain's and Biden's speeches at the RNC and DNC respectively. Palin and Obama each drew around 40 million viewers for their speeches and clearly stirred up their respective audiences and core constituents.

How will all of this play out on the national stage? What will the debates prove? None of the candidates have been specific about policies. None of them have done much more than tout promises that will be all but impossible to implement or to pay for. None of them have the ability to circumvent a congress that is hellbent on maintaining their levels of power at whatever cost to the American public and Jill or John Q. Taxpayer.

All of the "I wills" in the world do not translate into effective action. None of the "crossing the aisles" will amount to anything if the other party is not willing to sacrifice or commit themselves to a global vision of a nation in need of healing. The infomecials known as the conventions are good show, but lacking in substance. Gentlemen and lady, state your positions!

Who Can it Be Now?

2008-08-28T17:32:00.005-05:00

The DNC is at the end of the festivities. The coronation of the emperor is about to take place and everyone is wondering ... who is McCain going to choose as his running mate? He'll apparently take the high road tonight and congratulate Barack on his historical achievement, especially given that this is the 45th anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That is bound to be a major tie-in tonight as he is outlined by the columns on the stage in a 21st Century re-enactment of the speech given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But, like most Hollywood movies (or Oprah-produced events) the setting is all style and of questionable substance. Can he sell himself to middle-America? Will the cowboys of Texas or Montana or Wyoming say, "Now that is someone I can get behind and support." Or will the great event ring hollow like a motivational speaker who revs up the crowd, counts his cash, and never has any follow-through? So far, I have only seen the latter in the rhetoric. There is a division that still exists between the Barackians and the Clintonians and no words of Bill or Hillary will be enough to satisfy the disaffected, the disgruntled and the disengaged.

Back to McCain. I look at three possible choices and know that I will most likely be wrong. McCain will want someone with broad appeal, who doesn't vary greatly from his stance on the abortion issue, and who has the chutzpa to put the long-winded, plagiarizing senator from Delaware in his place. So, look for someone who is respected and known well-enough to Americans that they don't need a phonetic dictionary in order to pronounce the name or a Who's Who book to recognize. Most likely it will be someone like Minnnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (though Minnesotans have failed to do well in national elections, see Mondale, Humphrey, albeit they were Democrats), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison ( could have wide appeal among discouraged Hillary backers), Mitt Romney (though he comes across as too much like Dan Quayle and that may not fly), or my personal favorite choice, Secretary of State,Condoleeza Rice. She is not a politician. She has vast international affairs experience. She would be able to appeal to all races and while she carries the baggage of President Bush and the boisterous media's incessant chattering about all-things negative for America, she can hold her own in any situation.

We'll find out tomorrow when the GOP and Senator McCain meet in Dayton, Ohio. And I'd be willing to bet against 3:00 a.m. text messages to alert the party's faithful. McCain probably doesn't text message, anyways.

The Democratic National Commercial

2008-08-28T08:57:00.003-05:00

If it is possible to get diabetes through the extra syrup coming through the t.v. screen, I think I may have to stock up on a supply of insulin. Illinois political "hugfests" and fawning over the foe that vanquished you to the extent that it was like a 60's "lovefest" have just about made me sick to my stomach. There is no animosity for Barack Obama, the man, but there is no Barack-envy for his far-left stances on partial-birth abortions and protecting Americans in these troubled times.

Did anybody else find it rather ironic (or is that sardonic?) that Hillary failed to mention her husband, Bill, during her glowing introduction of herself? She came before us as a "proud mother," a "proud Democrat," a member of the "sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits," among other definitions of who Hillary is, but with Bill mouthing his "I love you's" visible to every person watching television, she did not wish to be or chose not to be, a proud wife. Is Bill that big of a liability now, or is it that she is no longer a wife, but a senator, a public servant, a mother, and Bill is, well, it looks like Bill is now on his own.

Where Does One Draw the Line?

2008-08-11T18:36:00.004-05:00

The yellow lines are painted, quickly, along the south side of Empire Street. Three blocks of No Parking should solve any sight line issues along the street, until someone else is hit, like the accident on Friday or worse. No Parking for 12 months of the year and 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to allow people to cross over to the baseball diamonds seems a bit excessive, me thinks. Could there have been some dialogue before putting this up for a vote and implementing the No Parking zone to such an extent? Sure, it was presented to the Council, but if you are like me, I don't read The J-S cover to cover and much of the agenda is not even included in the paper. I also don't regularly attend City Council meetings, but perhaps I should start.

I was speaking with a civil servant the other day, also known as a mail carrier, and this person informed me about the same type of situation along Harlem, south of Cannova's and the surrounding businesses. The mail carriers now have to park half-way up the street in order to deliver to the businesses and most often have to transport mail from these establishments back to the truck. The carrier thought that it was to discourage street parking for Cannova's, but it also affected those serving the area throughout the entire day, even when the restaurant was closed.

I'm not sure that I understand this need to overcompensate for these types of situations. Why can't there be compromise as to the times that these ordinances are in affect, much like what happens in Chicago. Is it that difficult to put the times on the signs when an parking ordinance is in effect in order to allow for greater productivity? It doesn't appear to work that way, apparently.

We want a beautiful city, but some only want to do it one way, their way. There has to be an attempt at compromise when trying to establish new entities without infringing on the rights of local business owners or homeowners. So far, we're still waiting for that to happen.

Like a Good Neighbor

2008-08-09T13:52:00.003-05:00

There are certain days that one feels like the windshield and other days that one feels like the bug. At least that's how it has been said. This was the week to be the bug. First, the basement floods with a back up of the septic system. Then I'm informed that the septic and sewer rider that could have been had for $40 per year and was never offered, is not in my homeowner's policy. Talk about food for flies!

If there was a bright spot to the entire fiasco, it was the service that we received from RestoreX in Freeport. Not only were they professional and efficient, they were courteous and respectful of my family and the situation. The sound of the fans and dehumidifiers was like living in the engine of a 747, but the family room level dried out and they were able to minimize the odor. I have the utmost appreciation for Rob and his co-workers for a job well-done, well almost done... there are still a few things to be finished, but it could have been a great deal worse without their expertise.

Back to the bug's life... our building has been here for 23 years and we've occupied it for the past seven years. A love-hate relationship has developed with Little Cubs Field, which was built across the street from our office. Our parking lot has become a de facto parking spot for those that find it more convenient to walk to the field than using the lot north of the field. When little consideration is given to the property (not to mention the signs posted that vehicles will be towed if parked in the lot) then it was time to take action. This was done much to the chagrin of a certain city official, who may think it is easier to appease the attendees than be concerned for a business owner and explain that said business owner is protecting his business, which he is fully in his rights to do. Liability issues being what they are, we don't need the extra risk.

As the Little Cubs take on the Little Cardinals this afternoon, I am looking forward to a fair and equitable resolution for these issues for the safety of the people who live in the neighborhood and those who are patrons of the parks.

Focus is Going to Need A Bigger Cap

2008-07-28T20:41:00.002-05:00

Well, now we know where Olga is! She'll be appearing in the pages of the new daily newspaper in Freeport and the surrounding areas. Yes, Olga Gize-Carlile, award-winning journalist and former 40 year contributor to The Journal-Standard, is joining the new team. This news, coupled with the hiring of Alan Jones as the editor, adds another feather in the cap for this transition from a weekly paper to a daily paper. There are probably not too many "new" newspapers that are being launched in the United States currently. Many newspapers are folding or merging with other papers, or are drastically cutting their costs via layoffs, and reduced expenditures. Major newspapers are hurting for advertising revenue and subscriptions are dropping with the widespread dissemination of news on the internet, television and various forms of radio.

This isn't stopping AdPix, Inc. and their investors from venturing into charted waters and facing the old guard in a good old-fashioned showdown. The publisher for the "other" paper even commented in the story that announced that The Freeport Focus was going to a daily format that they were "ready to rumble." They started off their rumbling by "terminating" the best-loved and most widely read of their contributors, Olga Carlile. Her picture and the constant reminder of her "Journalist of the Year" award were plastered on the front page of the paper for almost a year after she her accolade was announced. Then when she was walked to the door and unceremoniously released from her writing endeavors at the "home" she has known for 40 some years, there was nary a word in the paper about it.

Rumble, I guess, has multiple meanings. That could signify the sound heard when someone is thrown under the bus, or perhaps the "rumbling" sound one hears from a nervous stomach when one is under great duress and about to face the unknown. Of course, the "rumble" referred to was referring to the announcement at the start of a "professional" wrestling match, and if that is the case, I think I'll place my bet on the heavyweight division... and stay Focused.

Stay tuned, because this town is about to get interesting.

Another Feather in the Cap

2008-07-22T22:49:00.003-05:00

A little over a year ago, the following story appeared on the WTVO website:

Where's Alan?
Reported by: WTVO Newsroom

Wednesday, Aug 8, 2007 @07:00am CST

UPDATE 8/8/07: There have been requests for an update on the condition of Fox 39 News anchor Alan Jones.
"There's been some improvement", says Jones. "Since my last posting a few months ago, I've undergone eyelid surgery to take care of some of the blepharospasm effects of apraxia. That's allowing me to keep my eyelids open a lot easier. And a regimen of Botox will help as well."
"I'm more than ready to get back to work on the air, and believe that will happen soon. Thanks for thinking of me."

Fox39 News Anchor Alan Jones hasn't left the station as many have asked. No, he's just not in a position to be on the air right now.
"I've been dealing with a severe case of dry eye and what's called benign essential blepharospasms. Those are involuntary eye spasms that are closely aligned with dry eye", says Jones.
"That and the symptoms of dry eye; the irritation and light sensitivity; make it impossible to be on the air. But I've been getting extensive treatment, so hopefully I'll be back at 9 soon."
The station has been receiving numerous phone calls and e-mails wanting to know Alan's whereabouts.
"Thanks for everyone's concerns and questions. I'm still here, producing the Fox39 News at Nine, while my colleagues do a great job filling in for me."

Well, now we know where Alan Jones is. He was just announced as the new Editor of The Freeport Focus, the soon to be daily newspaper in Freeport and surrounding communities. Dan Stevens, current reporter, columnist, editor and publisher was able to keep this under wraps until today's big headline story in Village Voices. It will be the lead story in tomorrow's Focus, also.

How does this bode for our "News Wars" that has been brewing for the past month or so (obviously, much longer than that, but most was behind the scenes). There have been a few major changes at the long-standing newspaper in our area, but the upstart Focus is going ahead with great ambition and great promise. While I know there is a certain amount of ill-will since my inauspicious dismissal from the other paper, and a definite feeling of bias in favor of AdPix, Inc. since I am now a contributing columnist, the overarching feeling in the community is that they are ready for a "local" paper with "local" writers and "local" stories.

People are starting to send in their subscriptions for "Faith in the Focus", the new office is about to be functional, and it will be within a stone's throw of the building at State and Main. This, as it is often said, is about to get interesting.

Would You Like to Rethink That Plan?

2008-07-14T21:46:00.003-05:00

Click the title above to read about the design plan for The Journal-Standard that was written by the most recently departed editor, Andrew Analore, whom upon my dismissal from The J-S, informed me that he had moved half-way across the country for this job. He also made it clear that he had as much at stake in this community as I did. I did remind him of the track record for editors at our local daily (though there will soon be a second daily in town) and that I wondered if he could comment on Freeport after living here for more than 18 years. I guess we'll never find out now.

Why is any of this of any importance? I think it goes to the heart of the lack of communication between The J-S and the community. There is still no word forthcoming on Olga Gize Carlile's status, while the publisher may now call Lena home, he has still only been here for less than two years, and as for the finding out the pulse of the town in coffee shops (as Mr. Analore alluded to in his column about the design change of the paper)...just which coffee shops is he referring to?
I haven't heard the positive comments coming from anyone about the design changes in any of the ones that I frequent, namely all three... Cafe Mondo, Nine East Coffee, and Higher Grounds.

I understand that The J-S is "ready to rumble", and I admit to being disillusioned with their current status (and to being slightly biased as a contributing columnist for the Village Voices and Freeport Focus papers), but I am contacted almost daily about The J-S by people who were disappointed by their decision to cancel my "For the Love of Community" column. They didn't want "personal" columns included in their new format, but now that is exactly what they are going back to, including those by the publisher and new columnists (most of whom are GateHouse syndicates, or local ones who do not live in Freeport or our immediate circulation area).

So, what is it going to be? A nameless distributor of day-old news and sports scores or one that engages the community with thoughtful, current topics by local contributors? I guess we will soon see, won't we?

Shown the Door, Where's the Gate(House)?

2008-07-09T13:33:00.003-05:00

Word on the street is that our 2007 Illinois Journalist of the Year is now out of a job. If recent reports like this one from the Wall Street Journal (The Train Wreck at Gatehouse Media) are any indication of things to come, then it looks like Mrs. Carlile will not be the last of the employees at The Journal-Standard to be lead out to the curb. If the reports from friends of Olga are true (and I would like to speak with her myself to get her side of the story), then this was an ignominious end to a long-term relationship between Mrs. Carlile and The Journal-Standard.

Gatehouse Media is looking at a massive debt load and decreased revenue stream. How long will it be before The Journal-Standard becomes incorporated into the Rockford Register-Star that is also owned by Gatehouse? Consolidation, while not a forgone conclusion, seems to be even more likely given the less than stellar numbers put up by Gatehouse.

In indirectly related news (as far as the fate of print-edition newspapers) The Chicago Tribune announced that they will have another mass lay off by the end of August due to declining ad revenues and increased operating costs. The number of printed pages will again be decreased and a design change is due in September.

Newspapers are struggling. Years of loyal advertising accounts are now looking to spend their money elsewhere. The top-down hierarchy of most newspapers is fast changing with the continued expansion of internet news services, online editions of the papers, and independent bloggers (many of whom have entered the mainstream media by way of their blogging insights). Publishers have, in many cases, downplayed the significance of bloggers as being "guys in pajamas with too much time on their hands", but now that the writing is on the wall for many publishers and major and mid-major newspapers, perhaps it is too late to save the traditional paper as we have known it for most of our lives.

Let's be honest with the citizens, local paper, give us the news of "Where's Olga?" and what is really happening at The Journal-Standard. In the meantime, while it may seem counterintuitive to initiate a new daily paper in the area, it also makes sense, because people are clamoring to hear local voices about local happenings, politics, and business, instead of wire service feeds and syndicated claptrap that doesn't involve us. So, bring on the daily edition of the Freeport Focus. The timing seems right.

Where, Oh, Where Has Olga Gone?

2008-07-02T21:40:00.004-05:00

The following appeared in the National Federation of Press Women about Freeport's Olga Gize Carlile:

Olga Gize Carlile started her 50-year career in journalism at a time when few married women were in the workforce, becoming one of the first women managing editors at the newspaper. A dedicated print journalist, book author and columnist, she broke ground for women journalists in finding ways to balance career, family, and community commitments. She has held many offices in IWPA, served eight years on the NFPW Education Fund board, and was the 1992 NFPW Communicator of Achievement.

Now, there is no word from her longstanding employer, The Journal-Standard, about her status at the newspaper. Various "rumors" are flying about the town, but to date,there has been no official word from the publisher or editor at The J-S.

Last year when she was being honored by Northern Illinois University as the 2007 Illinois Journalist of the Year, there couldn't be enough "face time" for Mrs. Carlile on the front page of the paper and now... well, only the rumors of her being escorted to the door, being asked to work limited hours with no benefits, or to take a buyout and quit writing for the paper to which she gave most of her adult life her time, talents and treasures.

It is time that some notice be forthcoming. There are many readers of the local daily who have only kept their subscription because Olga was still writing. If she is no longer on the staff, well, it is my guess that there will be an onslaught of letters, phone calls, emails, and canceled subscriptions in the very near future.

Whether intended or not, this will only help to further entrench the support for the new upcoming daily paper, The Freeport Focus. I realize that there is a certain bias on my behalf, having felt the indignity of minimal forewarning before being told that my services were no longer needed at The J-S, but as I was reminded that I was "only" a freelance writer (albeit for 8 1/2 years), Olga has been with The J-S for what 50 years or so? I'd expect a greater degree of dignity than what the rumors are implying, but we'll have to wait and see what the "rest of the story" is or at least the edited version will be.

The Tao of Steve

2008-06-17T13:51:00.003-05:00

The following column first appeared last month (May 14, 2008) in the Freeport Focus and Village Voices newspapers. It is reprinted here in follow up to numerous requests. Thanks for reading.

The Tao of Steve
by
Roland Tolliver

“To give anything less than
your best is to sacrifice the

gift.” - Steve Prefontaine

I haven’t found that
there are too many heroes in
life. There are a number of
people that have worthy
traits that are worth emulating.
There are those people
that have qualities that make
them stand out in the world,
whether it be in politics,
education, sports, the performing
arts, religion, and in
that all important field of
parenting. There is one person,
though, that I have not
been able to get out of my
head since I was a teen. Over
the years, I have found some
bizarre connection with this
man, who will have been
gone from this live for the
past 33 years this month.
Steve Prefontaine,
known simply as “Pre”
among those familiar with
the man and his life, has
generated untold stories of
his running acumen, guts,
and dedication. He was born
Steve Roland Prefontaine on
January 25, 1951, exactly
seven years to the date of my
own birth. Of course, there
is the strange coincidence
that his middle name and
my first name are the same,
as well. So, perhaps there
was some pre-ordained reason
that I was drawn into the
near mystical fascination
with this Olympic runner
and his short, but productive
life.

It was the summer before
my freshman year in high
school when Pre ran the
infamous 5,000 meters race
in the Olympics in Munich.
These were supposed to be
the “Happy” Olympics with
a return to peace in the
world. These Olympic
Games will always be
remembered for the 13
Israeli athletes and coaches
that were killed by
Palestinian terrorists after
the Israelis had been taken
hostage. A number of the
athletes managed to escape
and hide in the American
dorms. Any innocence of the
Olympics was lost that year
and as recent history has
proven too many times, the
innocence of a terror-free
world is but a dream. Besides
Mark Spitz winning seven
gold medals in swimming,
Frank Shorter winning the
marathon, and Dave Wottle
with his white gold cap coming
from last to first to win
the 800 meter race, there is
only one event that sticks
out in my mind. That was
the gutsy race that Steve
Prefontaine ran in the 5000
meter final, only to finish
spent and in fourth place.

He was young, 21, competing
against much more
seasoned runners, and he
almost won an Olympic
medal. It was then that I
realized that we can’t win all
the time, but that we can
always give a full effort in
whatever we do in life. There
have been a number of times
in life that I thought it
would be easier to just pack
it in and give up, but then I
think back to that summer
and how many obstacle I’ve
overcome in life since then.

One of my life’s highlights
was living in Munich
for a year while I was an
undergraduate student and
one of the highlights of that
year was running a race that
concluded on that same
track that Steve and Frank
and Dave and the U.S.
Olympic team and athletes
from around the world had
competed on. I often go
back to that day in my mind,
knowing that so many people
that have had great
influence on my life are no
longer here, but carry me
through many days as spiritlike
inspirations.

“Run fast. Run strong,”
they say. “Keep going. You
can do it,” they remind me.
“We’re watching over you.
You are not alone,” they
remind me.

Whether it be my uncle,
Wayne, who died in a one
car accident almost exactly a
year after Pre, or my mother,
Mary, who died almost
exactly five years after
Wayne, or Pre, whom I never
had the chance to meet,
there words carry me
through trying times. Their
memories strengthen the
loving and fulfilling
thoughts and words of my
bride and family today. I
have found that while it isn’t
healthy to dwell in the past,
we can meld our history with
our present to sustain us
today and brighten our
tomorrows.

Steve Prefontaine was
not only the greatest runner
in America during his career,
but one who worked equally
hard for equality and justice
among competitive runners
in our country. Many of the
changes he fought for against
the Amateur Athletic Union
eventually came to fruition
after his death. The entire
Olympic process in our
country eventually changed
based on the rights he fought
do diligently for. It is the
essence of making a difference
in one’s life that has
stuck with me as much as his
running prowess has over the
years. It is one impetus for
trying to make a difference
in my community, my
church, in my profession and
within my family.

“Go, Pre!” his fans
would shout at each of his
meets. He wouldn’t be
around to see the books written
about him or the movies
made about his short life. He
would see the minions of followers
that would be
influenced by his accomplishments.

Steve Prefontaine died in a one-car
accident in Eugene, Oregon,
the city of his greatest feats,
early on the morning of May
30, 1975. There are many
theories about the crash, but
the only one who knows for
sure is gone.

No one should be held
up as an idol, but there are
people that influence who
and what we become. We are
all influenced by the people
we meet in life or by the lives
of the people we read or
learn about. For me, I’ve
found myself following the
Tao of Steve for much of my
life and with God’s help
hope to follow it for many
years to come. One day
maybe my children or others
will be inclined to follow the
“Tao of Roland”. Well, anything’s
possible, right?!

Dr. Roland Tolliver is a
freelance writer from Freeport.
He often wonders what it
would have been like to be an
Olympian. He may be reached
at rtolliver@kastlepublishing.
com. You may view more
photos at http://www.pretzelcity.
blogspot.com/

More Photos of Pre and Me

2008-05-09T21:09:00.001-05:00

Photos of Pre and Me

2008-05-09T20:27:00.002-05:00

Pre and Me

2008-05-09T19:00:00.004-05:00

I know that there has been a great deal written about Steve Prefontaine over the years since his death in 1975. I have written about his influence in my life and some of the coincidences that I share with him for the next issue of The Freeport Focus that is scheduled to appear in next week's edition. Today's entries focus more on some of the photos of Steve Prefontaine and me (when I was much younger, circa 1975-1976 to around1982. The similarities are striking at times and in no way were the photos "Pre"- planned, as I did not see any of the photos of Pre until well after his death and long after my high school photos were taken.

From YOUNG to AARP

2008-02-25T22:03:00.004-06:00

It is the one month anniversary of a 50th Birthday so to mark the milestone, here is the column that originally appeared in The Freeport Focus.

This marks to us a milestone. God has blessed us to be 50 years old. --Christine Jamison Berdequez

Holy cannoli! You’re 50! --Al Bebach

My good friend, Al Bebach, decided to stick around an extra week to help me celebrate my fiftieth birthday this week. He likes to gather some tidbits and meaning from others’ lives, so this week he took the chance to interview me for this week’s column. Here goes nothing….

Al Bebach: So, you’re gonna’ be fifty, eh? I would’ve never guessed. 55, 60 maybe, but 50, nah. What’s the most important thing that has happened to you in that time?
Me: You mean besides being born, because otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

AB: Yes, of course, wise guy!
Me: I have to say unequivocally that it was meeting my beloved wife. Obviously, she wasn’t my wife when we met, but she would become Mrs. T. less than two years after we met. Five children later and I feel very blessed to still be so in love with her.

AB: What was the most memorable world event that’s happened during your life?
Me: The first one I remember was the assassination of JFK. He was killed the same day that my grandfather died. I can still see myself coming home from kindergarten around 1:00 p.m. when the announcement was made during “As the World Turns.” My mother just broke down crying and our nation’s innocence seemed to be lost that day. At age five I didn’t know that at the time. My first personal encounter with death came later that night when we found out that my grandfather had died.

AB: Who has influenced you the most in your life?
Me: Early on it was my mother. She was my biggest fan during all the sports that I played, though she was heartbroken when I gave up football for cross country as a junior in high school. She was always a big football fan. My uncle, Wayne, encouraged my running and was my friend and mentor until he died at age 23. My wife, Irena, has been the most influential over the second half of my life. I shudder to think of where I’d be without her!

AB: What is your greatest accomplishment?
Me: Thanks for asking the easy questions. I bet you’re easier on Paris or Britney. I think the greatest is staying in a loving relationship for nearly 24 years now. Helping to raise five children (and continuing to do so). Coming to know Christ helps guide all of the other accomplishments. I’d have to say that most have to do with my family.

AB: Have there been any major turning points in your life?
Me: Yeah, sure. Where do I start?

AB: Maybe just a few, I’m limited to so many words here.
Me: Okay. Getting a full ride to college definitely was one. I was the first from my family to graduate from college. Spending a year studying in Munich, Germany helped me to broaden my view of the world and gain an appreciation for good beer. My mother’s death two weeks after I graduated from college when I was 23 definitely made me grow up faster than I might have wanted to. Meeting my wife in Chicago during podiatry school comes at the top of the list. Moving to Freeport to start my own practice has influenced many of our life’s decisions. Finally, learning to be there and take care of our special needs daughter, Claire, has changed our lives in untold ways.

AB: That’s quite a list.
Me: I know. Life turns on our experiences and our circumstances. Each event, each person we meet, each decision we make affects each subsequent event, relationship and occurrence in our lives.

AB: Are you always so profound or did you get that from a fortune cookie?
Me: Ha! Ha! Maybe it is nearing the mid-century mark that has me thinking about life and its many meanings lately.

AB: What have you done that was really fun in your life?
Me: Definitely travelling through much of Europe when I was 21-22 years old. I met so many people and saw an entirely different world than I knew before that. Road trips with my wife before we were parents come to mind. Trips to Seattle, San Francisco, northern Michigan and Stratford, Ontario were memorable. The best gift I ever received for my birthday was when my beloved sent me to the Detroit Tigers Fantasy Camp for my fortieth. She totally surprised me with that one!

AB: So, given your milestone here, are you going to do anything special? Buy a sports car? Go to Europe, again, or Hawaii? Take a cruise?
Me: All of those are great ideas, but we’re not planning on any of those, yet. Maybe we’ll choose one of those ideas for our twenty-fifth anniversary. Actually, with any luck and a lot of hard work, I’ll be running the Country Music Marathon in Nashville this April.

AB: Are you celebrating or just into pain?
Me: No, no. It’s just something that I’ve wanted to do. Testing the limits kind of thing, you know? I’ve always enjoyed running and a marathon just seemed to be a good mid-life goal for me.

AB: Yeah, good luck with that. I can drive 26 miles, but to run that far. Hey, more power to ya’! Any last words you want to share before the big day, old man?
Me: I’d like to think that wisdom comes with age, but I know enough people that exhibit that old adage, “You can only be young once, but immature forever.” I also know that behind every great man is a greater woman encouraging him and working with him as an equal partner. Let’s see. It is possible to overcome adversity in life and to learn something from it and even become stronger in your faith and learn to help others. It is really easy to forget what a gift each day is, so in the immortal words of Warren Zevon we need to learn to enjoy every sandwich. Savor each bite of life like it is your last, because you never know when it will be. I guess that I’d finally like to say that laughter really is good for the soul and I know that I need to practice that as much as I preach it!

AB: Thanks, Roland, my friend. I wish you another fifty years, especially if you and your wife get that many more years together. You two really do deserve each other, and I mean that in the best way.

I guess sometimes the ground can shift between your feet. Sometimes your footing
slips. You stumble. And sometimes you grab what’s close to you and hold on as tight as you can. – from The Wonder Years

The Will to Win

2008-02-18T00:25:00.000-06:00

The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur. --Vince Lombardi

I’ve been a “Speech Parent” for the past three years following the growth and maturation of an outstanding group of students at Freeport High School. Yes, I’ve seen competitors from some of our other local schools excel as well, but obviously there is a connection to one’s home team. Dan Stevens has done the “objective” work of describing the meets, presenting the results, and highlighting some of our top local contestants. He has the background and isn’t “attached” to any one school per se, but tries to offer a fair and balanced presentation of the students of Northwest Illinois. As for me, I admit that I am biased in favor of my own daughter and the Freeport team, though I do find myself rooting for any of the local students to also do well. It’s kind of a parochial mentality of “us” (Northwest Illinois) versus “them” (larger suburban Chicago schools) that permeates some of that thinking. But, like I said, I am playing favorites…
I spent most of my high school years in sports competitions, usually track and cross country. Like most sports, the most baskets, the most points, the fastest times, or the most pins knocked down determine the winner. It is clear cut. There is no subjectivity left to the imagination. You run the fastest, you win. You swim the fastest, you win. You pin your opponent, you win. I competed one year in “forensics,” which is now primarily referred to as speech. I was okay. Not great. Definitely not like many of our local students from Freeport, Eastland-Pearl City, Lena-Winslow and Aquin. I’m sure I’m missing someone, but you get the point. I didn’t know enough to take it as seriously as these students do. I did know enough to know when someone was better than me. I don’t remember the young lady’s name in one competition, but I can still remember how we were both scheduled to read Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.” She read first and I wanted to crawl out a window, partially because she read so well that I was actually scared and partially because I was intimidated to the point of wanting to pretend that I wasn’t there. Actually, I wished I weren’t there at that point. Fortunately, no one read the same poem that I read for my other event and I actually placed. Way back in the stone ages there were only three or four events, unlike today where there are fourteen events. There are more choices, but also students with much more talent.
As a “speech parent” one of the most difficult aspects is dealing with the unknown. That unknown is a variable referred to as subjectivity. There is no way of predicting how a judge is going to score a student’s performance. One judge can give out a “1” which is the best score and another judge can give a “6” for the same performance. We don’t know who the winner is until the names are announced. There is no photo finish as it would be if two runners cross the finish line. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason, at least none that we mere mortals can understand. What I do know as a parent and frequent attendee of speech tournaments is that there is a group of dedicated students in our area and throughout the state who put in long hours after school and often during the summers, share their hopes and dreams of a brighter and more intelligent future, and gain a level of poise and maturity that many adults would benefit from emulating.
Congratulations to those that have “given their all” and maybe came up just a little short of a trip to the state tournament. There are many of us who have never even come close. No medal, ribbon or plaque can take away the effort, dedication and time that you have put into a season that will leave a lifelong legacy for your lives. You are an inspiration to those of us who look to you as the future leaders of our society. You are off to a great start and that cannot be measured by a stopwatch or the number of points scored. That can only be measured by the heartfelt effort that has shined brightly each week.
Good luck at State to all of our area’s speech teams’ members!

In Pursuit of Perfection

2008-02-18T00:19:00.002-06:00

It has been a while since I have posted to this site, but I have still been writing a weekly column. This column seemed to gain a "companion" from another local media source two days after this was printed. Our local congressman seemed to have a similar situation occur. Oh well, here is the column in its entirety.

The supreme object of life is to live. Few people live. It is true life only to realize one’s own perfection, to make one’s every dream a reality. --Oscar Wilde
It is Sunday evening and the Patriots’ perfect season has just gone the way of so many snowflakes in a blizzard. One could sense it coming. The pressure was mounting with every play. When Eli Manning slipped the grasp of seemingly the entire defensive line to complete the pass to the 25 yard line, destiny seemed to draw up a new game plan for the Patriots.
“It’s only a game,” we tell ourselves. And yet, it seems to be the American way, perhaps the way throughout the rest of the world, to celebrate perfection. Of course, there are those that revel at the thought of ending perfection, as if it were too much to bear the thought of someone being that good at anything. Americans are notorious for only recalling what a team or individual has done in their last game. Sadly, it tends to carry over down to the level of even elementary school, junior high and high school competitions. “Win at any cost” has replaced “just do your best” as the rallying cry for our youth. This mentality permeates our society, though, thankfully, is not totally pervasive.
How do we develop that fine balance between “everybody plays” and “it doesn’t matter who wins” to the idea that one is supposed to win, no matter what? The former takes out the whole idea of competition. When our children are taught that they are entitled to play on a team, then it doesn’t really prepare them for the “real world” that adults find themselves in. You know the one, where large corporations fire or buy out thousands of employees at a time in order to ship the jobs to foreign markets to make stockholders happy. Ask the residents of Galesburg about the “friendly” Maytag man. Ask hundreds of Freeport residents about their jobs at long-gone insurance companies, “lifelong security” at institutions like Newell or Micro Switch or Kelly-Springfield or Burgess or… the list goes on.
A time eventually comes when all of this “fair play” gives way to a sense of entitlement. If one is used to always getting one’s way, then it is expected to continue. A feeling of entitlement subsequently leads one to no longer try and improve or move beyond the status quo. One’s comfort zone then becomes a guiding force, but one that also works like a form of imprisonment. Why move out beyond one’s level of comfort when so little effort is involved to remain there? What motivation is there to grow and develop? Why would one put oneself into any type of competition when it is evident that “it doesn’t matter who wins” as long as one is taken care of? No child will be left behind because the government has mandated it? Left to the discretion of the states, what precludes them then from dumbing down their standards in order to make it seem as if “everyone is winning”? It becomes an extension of entitlement and a further step toward a socialist movement. It worked wonders for the former East Bloc countries, didn’t it?

The Best of Dan Fogelberg

2007-12-20T22:05:00.000-06:00

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

2007-12-20T21:40:00.000-06:00

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

2007-12-14T23:40:00.000-06:00

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

2007-11-21T18:16:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-27T23:12:00.000-05:00

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!

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

2007-07-16T10:36:00.000-05:00

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

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

2007-07-14T21:58:00.000-05:00

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

2007-07-14T21:38:00.001-05:00

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

2007-05-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-01T16:16:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-26T11:55:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-25T23:02:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-25T22:36:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-25T21:50:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-25T20:49:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-25T20:45:00.001-06:00

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?

2007-02-25T20:25:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-25T19:41:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-21T00:26:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-19T21:43:00.000-06:00

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Proud Papa

2007-02-13T22:58:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-05T00:02:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-04T11:53:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-28T13:59:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-21T22:48:00.000-06:00

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

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."

Dear Santa

2006-12-25T19:51:00.000-06:00

My fellow columnist, Andrew Heller, from the Flint Journal, came up with a similar idea to the column that I wrote for The Journal Standard here in little ol' Freeport, Illinois this week. Unfortunately, part of this week's column was edited out due to space constraints in the paper I'm guessing. Anyways, here is the column in its entirety from this week. Hope everyone had a glorious and blessed Christmas.

Letters to Santa

by

Roland Tolliver

For somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.

—John Greenleaf Whittier

Merry Christmas Morning to You! I have intercepted some letters that were directed to Santa, but due to the public figures involved in writing these, the letters were to be made available to all. So, here is a sampling...

Dear Santa,

I always, like, loved to hear that Dorothy sing in "The Wizard of Oz," but my favorite character was that Scarecrow guy. It may be because I could, like, relate to him. So, Santa, could you, like, um, bring me a brain for Christmas?

Love,

Britney Spears

Dear Britney,

Why don’t you wait outside with Paris, Nicole, and Lindsay tonight? I’ll see if I can get a four-for-one special. Like, totally, cool, eh!

Love,

Santa Dude

Dear Santa,

I seem to have lost my way. I never should have listened to my friend Tony Rezko. It seems that I put my own power and greed ahead of the people that I was elected to serve. I was going to ask for forgiveness or maybe some way of making restitution, but what I really want is some more hair gel. Thanks.

Yours in Power,

Governor Rod

Dear Governor Rod,

I think that there are quite a few things you could use before I stuff your stocking with hair products. Maybe I could provide you with common sense, a calculator that tells you the real numbers and damage you are doing to your state, and what it means to raid the working people’s hard-earned savings (think TSP). Instead, I’ll just hold off the feds and that possible indictment for a while longer.

Wishing I Were the Prosecutor,

Santa

Dear Santa,

I really need your help. I have been in office for six years and now I’m really at an all-time low. The voters chose Democrats to lead both the Senate and the House of Representatives. My poll numbers are slipping lower than Jessica Simpson’s IQ and now Rummy has left me. May I please give me a clue how to end this mess in Iraq? Thank you.

Respectfully,

President George W. Bush

Dear Mr. President,

There are some things that even Santa has a hard time getting someone for Christmas. I hope that Mr. Gates (not Bill, but the other one, Robert) will aid you in this endeavor. Let’s face it, though, you can’t keep hiding your head in the sand. Our men and women deserve to know what the real plan is. They’re the ones stuck every day in the sands of Iraq. Mrs. Claus and I would like to see them come home safely. Our best to Laura and the twins. By the way, have they been naughty or nice this year?

Wondering Where the Answers Are,

Santa

Dear Mr. Claus,

Perhaps you have heard of me. I have written two best selling books. They loved me in New Hampshire and even in New York. I am gaining momentum with a capital "MO"! I am eloquent, suave and debonair with a flair for the spoken language. I may have made a mistake in doing real estate business with a Mr. Anthony Rezko, but I got a great deal on my mansion. Mr. Claus, sir, what I am most in need of, however, is having done something of substance in my political career, besides, become the golden child of the Democratic Party. Will you help me?

I Could Be Great in ‘08,

Senator Barack Obama

Dear Mr. Obama,

Thank you for writing. The elves have been very busy this year building a platform. Perhaps, they could help you when they’re done. It would be good to have a foundation of substance on which to build your campaign. Let’s see, you did try to make amends with Senator McCain from Arizona and you once visited that nice little town of Freeport in northwest Illinois. And you... and you... well, good luck on that, sir. I wish you the best in your quest, but be wary of Illinois politics. It not only makes for strange bedfellows, but they can turn on their own in a hurry. Say hi to Hillary if she’s still speaking to you.

In a Non-Partisan Way,

Santa

That’s all the space we have folks. May you and your families have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Day! Till next year....

Still the Same, Only Different

2006-12-01T22:50:00.000-06:00

Bob Seger. Where has the time gone? First concert: 1974 at Cobo Arena, where he would record Live Bullet a year later. He played for $1 for a bunch of high school students who had participated in a March of Dimes fundraiser. We also had the "pleasure" of hearing Brownsville Station and a group called, Church. It was Seger that we had all come to hear, though.

Two years later at the Pontiac Silverdome there were 76,000 of us together to hear the local legend who had made a big splash with "Live" with the Silver Bullet Band. One giant sing-a-long, as we all knew the words. "Beautiful Loser" played on the 8-track of my Mustang Ghia as we drove to the concert. After listening to Elvin Bishop sing about how he "fooled around and fell in love" the crowd waited anxiously for Bob Seger to take the stage and I can't recall how long he played, but it was most of the new album plus a few other songs.

When Seger hit it big, he headed out to the streets of L.A. for some of his most successful albums. I saw him a couple of time during those years at Cobo Hall and Pine Knob where the tickets to each concert became harder to come by. He was Michigan's answer to Springsteen, but he had been at it longer, though for years mired in the regional success without the same level of national recognition. That was until "Night Moves" anyways. He then strung together a number of successful, millon-selling albums, including "Stranger in Town," and "Against the Wind."

After a long layoff, he came back with a decent, if nondescript album, "It's A Mystery." The tour, however, in 1996, was excellent and I was able to see him again, this time at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago. Then the real hiatus took place and Bob Seger became family man, motorcycle dad, and yacht captain (winning the Port Huron to Mackinaw race twice). He stayed close to home in the Detroit suburbs and took the kids to school.

The love of music apparently never died, just like Rock and Roll Never Forgets. He kept writing and culled down his 60 new songs into the 12 that appear on his newest album, "Face the Promise." I wasn't sure what to expect of the concert, as his voice sounded weaker and raspier on his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and during a few television appearances when the new album came out. He must have either a great vocal coach or some tricks to strengthen his voice because he was in fine form for the concert last night at the Allstate (formerly Rosemont Horizon) Arena.

His set was excellent and mixed with some hard rockers and his famous ballads. A few songs could have been left out, "Satisfied" and "Simplicity" weren't his best and could have added a few like "Fire Lake," "Like a Rock," and one of my favorites, "Jody Girl." All in all, though, he sounded stronger than he did in 1996 and that is saying something for the man who has gone from sweet 16 to 61. He has faced the promise and his fans are the ones who have benefited.
I hope we don't have to wait another 10 years to see him rock the house, though.

Over the Blues

2006-11-24T16:20:00.000-06:00

Here it is the day after Thanksgiving and I'm finally back to writing. Of course, the doldrums that were left over after the Tigers lost in 5 are finally starting to subside. At least the team made a trip to the World Series after more than a dozen years of ineptitude. Michigan came thisclose to earning a trip to the BCS game. Well, maybe not that close, but close enough that they should be considered to play OSU again. More on that on another day.

There are the lingering effects of the elections to consider. The thought of four more years of Blago in office is enough to frighten many people, including me. The national elections took a "throw the bums out" mentality. Now that the Democrats have control of the House and the Senate, let' see if they can live up to their promises of bipartisanship or block everything that President Bush tries in the final two years in office. I'm betting that it will be the latter instead of the former, but maybe a wake-up call was needed for the Republicans that couldn't keep their hands out of the trough. The Dems may be looking to share in a larger portion of the pork, though it would be nice to find some real reform in politics. The odds are it isn'g going to happen.

Black Friday. Time for the retail industry to turn a profit. It would be better for our community if we had a stronger retail market. Super Wal-Mart and Big Menards will offer some shopping alternatives, but what about a higher end retail store, like Kohl's or even Target. The declining purchasing base, mid-level and high-level managers are leaving like geese flying South. These jobs will not be returning anytime soon, however. Newell-Rubbermaid, Honeywell, Titan Tire, General Casualty are each showing effects of mangement or ownership changes. The tax base is weakening and we keep incentivizing the big-box retailers.

Waiting is the Hardest Part

2006-10-18T22:49:00.000-05:00

When a team is on a roll like the Tigers have been it is tough to sit back and watch the other teams playing to get into the World Series. Detroit, however, should benefit from the week's rest, especially Sean Casey and Joel Zumaya. They are two very integral parts of this team's success and its projected fortune once the series starts against... either the Mets or the Cards. Watching the pitching of both of the National League teams must have Detroit chomping at the bit to get back out and hit the baseball.

Much like last year's White Sox, there is the waiting while the National League Championship series goes longer and potentially wears out the starting pitchers. Detroit's young guns and old rifle, Kenny Rogers, have time to re-energize and come out slinging in the Series opener in Detroit on Saturday. The biggest question going in, once it has been decided who they'll play, is the weather. Colder weather tends to favor the pitchers, because most batters don't relish the thought of hitting a ball thrown at 100 m.p.h. when the temperature hovers around freezing.

I'm sure that the media and the folks at Fox are rooting for the New York Mets with their larger potential television audience. It would be fun to play a new team in the Series for the Tigers, but the lingering smell of success against the Cards in 1968 is sweet, also. The Carloses, Delgado and Beltan, scare me with their ability to reach the fences, but the walls at Comerica Park are quite a distance from home plate if the ball is hit anywhere but directly down the lines. Albert Pujols seems to be the biggest threat for the Cards. Neither team, however, has a pitching staff that holds up against the Detroit aces.

Another rainy day and night here at Tigers' Central in Freeport, Illinois and this doesn't bode well for the weather the next few days in Detroit as they usually have our weather 24-48 hours later. I look forward to the Series even though I can't be there or see the first game live on TV. There are at least four good reasons to believe that Detroit will once again be World Series champions and they are... Nate, Kenny, Justin, and Jeremy, and of course there is Joel, Jamie, and Todd out of the bullpen... and Placido, Pudge, Maggs, Brandon, Carlos, C-Mo, Curtis, Sean, Marcus and the rest.

Detroit in 5.

Celebrate, but Keep the Ultimate Goal in Sight

2006-10-15T15:52:00.000-05:00

Seven games in a row for the formerly beleagured and now beloved, Tigers. I can't remember a home run as sweet as the one that Magglio Ordonez hit last night in the bottom of the ninth inning. One pitch. One swing. Delirium in Detroit and for Tiger fans everywhere.

Destiny is often overrated when it comes to sports teams. Over the last three years, however, three of the oldest teams in baseball, Boston, the Chicago White Sox, and Detroit have each made it into the World Series. Of course, Boston and Chicago had been waiting much longer than Detroit for World Series championships. Detroit has been so dismal over the past decade plus that it seems like 1984 was an eternity ago. Face it, when your team loses over 400 games in four years, it seems as if time has stood still.

Now we are there once again. Does Jim Leyland keep the same lineup for the Series? Can he bring Chris Shelton back as a first baseman with Sean Casey injured, or is he stuck with the players that he brought to the ALCS? What about the pitching rotation? Does he stay with what is working and start Nate, then Justin, then Kenny, and finish with Jeremy? Or does he tinker and put his post-season ace, Kenny Rogers, as the starter for game one now that the series will start at home in Comerica Park?

These and more questions will be decided, but first we have to find out who Detroit is going to play... St. Louis or the New York Mets? For now it is the infamous TBD.

Tonight's the Night

2006-10-10T23:17:00.000-05:00

It's deja vu all over again. Back to 1972. The Detroit Tigers against the Oakland A's. Back then, however, the A's would win and go on to three World Series Championships. The Tigers wouldn't make it back to the Series until 1984, the "Bless You Boys" year of Sparky Anderson and that amazing 35-5 start to the season. Now here we are again. Detroit has just taken game 1 of the ALCS 5-1 and turned a record-setting five double plays in the game. And this was with their number 4 starting pitcher, Nate Robertson.

That is now four games in a row in the playoffs. Those of us who long for another championship watch actively. Hanging on every pitch. Holding our breath during the tense moments and wanting to be there to congratulate the players, like Brandon Inge, who had more hits tonight than in the entire Yankees's series.

This was never meant to be a sports blog, but at this time of the year and the Tigers still playing in October, I am fantasizing about another World Series title. I see the Tigers beating the Cardinals in 7 games like 1968. I imagine the Tigers beating the Mets, whom they've never played in the post season. I wear my Tigers jersey and remember my week at fantasy baseball camp with players from the '68 team. I close my eyes and relive my one at bat against Mickey Lolich and the hit down the first base line that drove in a run.

Most of us will never know what it is like to face a 100 MPH fastball or what it is like to hit a home run or make the winning play in a major league game. Very few in life ever do. We live vicariously through the exploits of our favorite teams. And as a lifelong Tigers fan, this year the exploits have been much more enjoyable.

Game one down. Three more wins to go before the Series. Let's go, Tigers!

Free Falling and Bouncing Back

2006-10-05T21:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it has been years since the Tigers were in the playoffs. Once they clinched a spot they went into a season-ending free fall losing their last five games when a single win would have clinched the division. Was it a major league choke or was there a method to their madness? Now that they have bounced back with a win against the vaunted Yankees it appears that maybe, just maybe they have a chance to win one or both games at home. This is especially true if Randy Johnson is not up to his normal self and Kenny Rogers can keep his head in the game.

So, this was not intended to be a sports blog and in essence it isn't, however, as a lifelong Tigers' fan it is too exciting playing in October to not be enjoying the moment and sharing thoughts about it. This has been such a turnaround season after more than a decade of futility that I find myself sneaking away to read about the team, watch as much of the game as possible, and then read some more when not catching the latest sports talk radio or internet buzz.

It would be great to see Detroit face Oakland for the ALCS and then the Tigers to take on the Cardinals like it was 1968 all over again. And any Tiger fan recalls the first championship since WWII that happened that magical year of Mickey Lolich, Denny McClain, Al Kaline and the entire '68 team. For now, it is taking it one game at a time and praying that the pitching holds out and keeps the Yankees to three runs or less in at least 2 of the next 3 games. Besides, Al Kaline will be throwing out the first pitch tomorrow.

GO TIGERS!

The 20 Year Cycle

2006-09-29T17:40:00.000-05:00

It seems that it happens about every 20 years or so. Sure, there was the blip in the system when they made the 1972 and 1987 playoffs without going to the World Series, but the Detroit Tigers have won the Series about every 20 years at least since 1945. They beat the Cubs that year then for the first time in my lifetime, they won in 1968 and again in 1984. Figuring that they are due after more than a decade of udder futility, the Tigers are in the playoffs again this year. Of course, it appears that they are trying to give away first place, a position they have held since early May. Now that the Twins, who just happen to have eliminated them from the 1987 playoffs, have caught them.

Detroit only has to win three straight against a Kansas City team that they have dominated this season in order to maintain first place and a date with the Oakland, the team that beat them in the 1972 playoffs. Either way, the goal is to win first place and not have to face the Yankees during the first round.

The hope is that in a short series the Tigers pitching will prevail. They have been strong all season with a few down weeks. The team chemistry should return to early season levels with the return of Placido Polanco at second base. He was sorely missed during the late August/early September swoon.

So, let's win three and then head to the Playoffs with home field advantage at least for the first round and possibly the second round and World Series. Of course, the success they have had on the road this year means that maybe it would be better if....

Nahhh, let's not think about that.

A Tiger in the Tank

2006-09-10T14:25:00.000-05:00

I've been following the Detroit Tigers all season. Unbelievable start for a team that lost 119 games just a few years ago. Here they were 10 games up at the beginning of August and looked like a sure bet to make it to the playoffs, most likey with home field advantage. Then before we know it they start looking like the 1969 Chicago Cubs. They went from winning at almost a .700 clip to dropping 2 out of every 3 games.

I have been watching the games over the internet and I don't think I've seen a victory in a month of games that I have been able to watch. What happened? Is it the pressure of playing in a pennant race among a group of young players who are short on experience? Is it that the pitchers aren't used to pitching that many innings, even though Justin Verlander, the phenomenal rookie, has been the team's best pitcher since the swoon started? Maybe it is that the novelty of Jim Leyland has worn off? Or perhaps the Twins are really the better team?

Of course, it doesn't help that as I watch the game, write for this site for the first time in more than a month, and turn to see that the Lions have lost on a last second field goal...yech! Oh well, they are only games. No life and death situations, but the third triple hit today by the Twins definitely hurt.

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the 5th anniversary of 9/11. I wonder what we have learned as a nation. Do we feel any safer? or have we gone back to our complacency of worrying about the more mundane things in our lives? It is hard to imagine that five years ago today how much our lives would change within the next 24 hours of September 10, 2001. There was no indication to the general public that we would not be able to look at the world in the same way, travel freely, look at other cultures the same, or consider what the future holds for our children without some sense of dread. May tomorrow be remembered for the innocent lives that were taken on that day, for the families that were personally affected and for a nation that must now keep a constant vigil of its borders from both sides.

The Journal-Standard

2006-08-08T19:47:00.000-05:00

The Journal-Standard

It was nice to have the J-S write a positive story about children with special needs. This is a great program which was started through a collaborative effort. It was in the formative stages over the past few years and really meets a community need. We have been fortunate to be the beneficiaries of several endeavors through Malcolm Eaton Enterprises. It was an honor to serve on their board for three years. This is one non-profit entity that deserves the praise that it receives.