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?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Shown the Door, Where's the Gate(House)?
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Where, Oh, Where Has Olga Gone?
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Tao of Steve
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/
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/
Friday, May 09, 2008
Pre and Me
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.
Monday, February 25, 2008
From YOUNG to AARP
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
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
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Will to Win
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!
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
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 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?
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Best of Dan Fogelberg
The Best of Dan Fogelberg: "1. Netherlands - Dan Fogelberg
2. Part Of The Plan - Dan Fogelberg
3. Heart Hotels - Dan Fogelberg
4. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
5. Hard To Say - Dan Fogelberg
6. Leader Of The Band / Washington Post - Dan Fogelberg
7. Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelberg
8. Run For The Roses - Dan Fogelberg
9. Make Love Stay - Dan Fogelberg
10. Missing You - Dan Fogelberg
11. The Language Of Love - Dan Fogelberg
12. Believe In Me - Dan Fogelberg
13. Lonely In Love - Dan Fogelberg
14. She Don't Look Back - Dan Fogelberg
15. Rhythm Of The Rain - Dan Fogelberg
16. Magic Every Moment - Dan Fogelberg
17. A Love Like This - Dan Fogelberg"
2. Part Of The Plan - Dan Fogelberg
3. Heart Hotels - Dan Fogelberg
4. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
5. Hard To Say - Dan Fogelberg
6. Leader Of The Band / Washington Post - Dan Fogelberg
7. Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelberg
8. Run For The Roses - Dan Fogelberg
9. Make Love Stay - Dan Fogelberg
10. Missing You - Dan Fogelberg
11. The Language Of Love - Dan Fogelberg
12. Believe In Me - Dan Fogelberg
13. Lonely In Love - Dan Fogelberg
14. She Don't Look Back - Dan Fogelberg
15. Rhythm Of The Rain - Dan Fogelberg
16. Magic Every Moment - Dan Fogelberg
17. A Love Like This - Dan Fogelberg"
Not Part of the Plan
My beloved has been a fan of Dan Fogelberg for a long time. Her friend Eileen introduced her to his music more than 25 years ago and when my wife found out that Dan was from Peoria (her birthplace), she was even more enchanted with this singer/songwriter.
We had the pleasure of seeing Dan Fogelberg in concert on two occasions. Once was the year we were married when he performed at the old Poplar Creek outdoor theater north of Chicago. We were able to barter up for tickets in the pavilion and thoroughly enjoyed the music in the outdoor venue during a warm late summer evening. The second time was about five years ago in Rockford, where he performed at the Coronado Theatre. This was a very intimate setting where we were able to see him much more up close.
We were sad to hear that he had advanced prostate cancer, when it was announced in 2004 and are now even sadder to read of his death at the young age of 56.
We can be comforted by listening to his music, but it is tough to realize that there will be no new original music from this gifted musician, who brought pleasure to hundreds of thousands over the years. I know that he was labeled as a "pop" musician or as one of the forerunners of "light rock," but he could play just about any type of music and could have gone either the direction of classical or big band (like his father) or country, rock, folk or any combination. He played music that thrilled his fans and from the depth of the lyrics and the purity of his voice, he most likely played that which pleased himself, also.
It is too bad that people and performers are often pigeon-holed into one genre or another and are chastised when they try something new, but in any respect it shouldn't matter if you are making music or listening to music that you enjoy.
Dan, you were truly a "Leader of the Band" and I'm sure that your father and mother were proud of your accomplishments. We will miss hearing your voice live, but know that we can always hear from you at almost any time.
Check out some of the songs from "The Very Best of Dan Fogelberg listed in the post above or go to Rhapsody.com and listen to one of my favorites, "The Power of Gold" from the album, Twin Sons of Different Mothers with Tim Weisberg.
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.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Hitting a Few Wrong Notes
Parents are notoriously protective of their children in most cases. We're no different. We like to see our children succeed and shutter when they don't. There are times, though, when we have to let them succeed or fail on their own, because they do learn from their mistakes. Take a ten-year-old playing her first solo and then hitting a few off-key notes. The audience is very forgiving for one so young, but the child may only hear the sour notes and not realize that she had the wherewithal and spirit to continue on with the song and keep improving as she played.
Not everyone can sound like Charlie Parker when they first pick up the saxophone. Not even Charlie Parker sounded like him when he first started. It is amazing to me when one so young has the courage to stand in front of hundreds of people and play in the first place.
So, to all the budding musicians out there, don't let a few bad notes get you down. Keep on playing and one day, well, you just never know.
Charlie Parker: "1. Barbados - Charlie Parker
2. Ah Leu Cha - Charlie Parker
3. Constellation - Charlie Parker
4. Parker's Mood - Charlie Parker
5. Perhaps - Charlie Parker
6. Marmaduke - Charlie Parker
7. Steeplechase - Charlie Parker
8. Merry Go Round - Charlie Parker
9. Groovin' High - Charlie Parker
10. Big Foot - Charlie Parker
11. Ornithology - Charlie Parker
12. On A Slow Boat To China - Charlie Parker
13. Hot House - Charlie Parker
14. Salt Peanuts - Charlie Parker
15. Chasin' The Bird - Charlie Parker
16. Out Of Nowhere - Charlie Parker
17. How High The Moon - Charlie Parker
18. White Christmas - Charlie Parker"
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"
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Since I've Been Gone
It finally took a new computer for me to get back to this site and compose anything. I had started on numerous occasions and had paragraphs written, but the "Old" computer kept freezing up on me and all was lost. All that was new, anyways. I can't or at least choose not to rehash everything that has gone on for the past few months, but here we are a few days from Thanksgiving and I am now writing weekly for a new newspaper (well, it is new for me).
The weekly column "For the Love of Community" now appears weekly in the Village Voices and the Freeport Focus. Both of the papers are also available online. Just click the above and it will take you to the site. There is a nominal fee (less than $25 for the annual subscription) or it is also available through mail subscription or at newspaper kiosks.
The Focus and Village Voices really promote local news with features about the people of Northwest Illinois. It is locally owned and operated with local features writers, reporters and contributors. Check it out each week.
One of the best things about being a "Theater"parent are the multiple opportunities to see my daughter perform in some extraordinary productions. Over the past four years there has been, "Bye, Bye Birdie," Studs Terkel's "Working," "The Pajama Game," and this year's phenomenal show, "Thoroughly Modern Millie." The Freeport High School theater department is exceptional with a vast array of talent and an unusual panache for a high school group. I'll miss seeing my daughter and her fellow seniors perform locally, but most likely will see some of them in the future either on stage or perhaps screen. A dad can dream, can't he?
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?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
No Matter How You Paint It, There Must Be Substance
It has been about a month since my last column appeared in our local paper. The editor and the publisher continue to print columns about how they want the input of the readers about the numerous changes they have made in the past few months. Thursday's edition is supposed to be the "Brand New" Journal-Standard, but the 6 or 7 or 8 dozen people that have approached me about their displeasure that my column was eliminated, almost every person has stated how discouraged they are with the changes that have been made. "The newsprint is to thin or faint to read," "there is hardly any local news," "what are they thinking?" are just a few of the comments that I have been hearing. The main reason that people cite for keeping their subscription is to read the obituaries.
How ironic that the current state of the printed edition of the newspaper is one that has to do with death. A column in the current edition of Slate discusses this fact. When I started reading the column, I had a weird sense that I was reading about myself. While I no longer subscribe to any print editions of local or regional papers, I do still purchase the Sunday Tribune when it is available. Lately, it has been selling out faster than usual, perhaps due to the decreased amount of current news in the local paper.
So, how does a newspaper rectify their dwindling sales and readership? I don't profess to have the answers to this, but the first thing they have to consider is an increase in the quality of the writing. The second thing is to be more regional in their approach. Newsmagazines and magazines in general have blossomed through this approach by finding niches and serving their readership. Newspapers are still trying to be all things to all people, but the competition from the internet, 24 cable news services, news radio, and instant news sent to one's cell phones or blackberries allow us to maintain an instant stream of current news information.
To that end, it appears that the local paper has been moving away from quality in an attempt to gain more advertising, use more space for photos without substantive content, and to serve as a training ground for neophytes in the newspaper industry. There are good writers that continue to produce good work, but then what I hear frequently is that there are people that have no history in our neck of the woods, that are trying to share insights about the people and politics of the area.
Many of us were "outsiders" at one time or another in Freeport and the surrounding areas. Some of us earned our stripes by being out in the public and serving the community or building up our businesses. None of the three primary columnists that wrote for the paper for more than 8 or 9 years was originally from here, but we became ingrained in the community and chose to be here with our families. I guess one could say that we paid our local dues by giving back to the community and becoming a part of it. That is no longer the case, as I was cut from the paper (along with Sara Tortomasi) and the two "legends" who remain have seen their column space decreased or altered in some way.
Change is inevitable, but change just for the sake of change is often counterproductive. If one wants to keep the paper viable, the quality has to be there, the local perspective must remain, and the change can't be so drastic that people either lose interest, are overwhelmed, or just plain turned off.
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.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Currently Writing without a Home
I want to start off by saying how much I appreciate all of the people that read my column, "For the Love of Community" for offering your support. I find it difficult to understand how the local daily newspaper can receive dozens of letters and even more phone calls about the cancellation of my weekly column and only print one of the letters. I have spoken with numerous people who told me they called the paper and are now being put through to a voice mail. No one will talk with them, except one reader who was called back after his second letter and was informed that I "wasn't fired," but that the paper had decided to use some "new voices." So far, it sounds mostly like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand. They won't let this become a public discussion because of the heat that they will take.
So, in the meantime, until I find another home in the print world, I'll continue to try and keep up some semblance of writing skill with our "Pretzel City Logic" blog site. The following is the column that was to appear in The J-S on July 2, 2007 about the demise of the Germania Club.
So, in the meantime, until I find another home in the print world, I'll continue to try and keep up some semblance of writing skill with our "Pretzel City Logic" blog site. The following is the column that was to appear in The J-S on July 2, 2007 about the demise of the Germania Club.
Can We Fix It? No, We Can't!
By
Roland Tolliver
The room within is the great fact about the building. --Frank Lloyd Wright
Good morning, everyone. I hear there was some brouhaha about a beloved building here in Freeport recently. There has been word on the street about some conspiracies, though Oliver Stone hasn’t been here to film anything, yet. There is no grassy knoll, so I guess it didn’t peak his interest.
Another star has come to town, though, with dreams of filming a new television show. The producers are planning on calling it: G.S.I.: Germania Scene Investigation. A few of the show’s cast sat down for an interview with our curmudgeonly correspondent, Al Bebach, recently.
Al: Welcome, gang. I understand that you’ve taken your new roles quite seriously. I’d like to introduce some of the actors who’ll be in the show. There’s Bob T. Builder; his best friend,
Wendy; Scoop; Muck; Dizzy; Roley; and Lofty. These construction crime scene investigators leave no stone unturned. Let’s start with Bob. What attracted you to this show?
Bob: Well, Al, I really like to build things. I’ve been doing it most of my life. It is also fun to tear things down and rebuild them. I don’t know much about the Germania, but there have been some interesting theories about it. We want to get to the bottom of the collapse. Not literally, mind you, though!
Al: Wendy, you seem to be more than just another pretty face. You’re even wearing a hard hat to the interview. What do you do on the show?
Wendy: I’m there to make sure that Bob does his job properly. I get the permits, manage the crew and basically get the work done. Of course, I also make sure that our pets Pilchar and Scruffy are fed.
Al: Doesn’t leave much work for Bob, does it?
Wendy: No and that’s the way he likes it. Uh, huh! I work closely with Lofty to find out if any of these theories are true. Scoop, Muck and Roley are really the workhorses in this show, though.
Al: What theories are being bantered about?
Lofty: We’ll look into whether construction of the Lindo expansion weakened the Germania building or possibly that the sound from ‘Music on Chicago’ was too loud.
Roley: Yeah, and we’re going to see if the Mayor or the Publisher were anywhere near the site before the building collapsed. Everyone is a suspect on this show. Except us, of course!
Al: What about the citizens. They have a number of ideas about what happened and all of those memories.
Bob: The producers and writers have thought about that. They’ll incorporate those memories into flashback scenes. We’ll use Big Band music and try to recreate the interior from old photos and people’s stories.
Al: Will this be a reality show, documentary or a serialized drama?
Wendy: Well, Bill Kurtis isn’t narrating, so it won’t be on A&E. We’re hoping to be a companion show to CSI on CBS if that’s A OK with the CEO. We’re hoping to last long enough to be syndicated. That’s where we, as actors, we’ll make some extra money.
Al: Will you focus on any other structures for the show?
Muck: We’re thinking about looking into Cheaters and Super 8, but we like the history of the Germania building. We couldn’t help but notice how people feel connected to the building and the memories. The collapse is more of a mystery, which should keep the show interesting. We want to eventually solve the puzzle so that other historic buildings don’t suffer the same fate.
Al: So, what you’re saying is that the show is basically about preservation?
Bob: Of course, that’s why we’re mostly builders. Even we can’t save every structure, though. Didn’t you guys used to have an historic courthouse?
Al: Hey, that’s not fair!
Bob: Just trying to have some fun with you, Al. We heard there is a Carnegie Library that may need our help, though.
Al: Well, our time is just about up. We want to wish you good luck with the show and hope that you solve this mystery next season. I think we’ve heard from everyone but you, Scoop. Do you have any last thoughts for us?
Scoop: Not really, Al. I’m just here to pick up the pieces and put them into the trucks. I just do my job and hope we can find some answers.
Al: So do we, Scoop. So do we.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Farewell Column, but not Farewell
I would like to publish the column that appeared in The Journal-Standard in order to show the comparison of what was deleted and edited from the original "Farewell" column, but it was not made available online to our readers. If you read Saturday's paper in the Home and Garden section (please, how ironic, I can't get anything to grow) then you can see how altered it was from the original. Again, thanks to all who are signing the petition, calling or writing The Journal-Standard and are otherwise upset with the cancellation of the "For the Love of Community" column.
I Read It In the Sunday Papers
By
Roland Tolliver
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night. --Rodgers and Hammerstein
Dear Loyal Readers,
It feels a little strange (okay, very strange) writing this week’s column. Here I am, almost 50 years old, and I’ve never been fired from a job, or let go from anything before (unless you count being cut from the varsity basketball team my junior year, but then some men really can’t jump). So, it is with sadness and befuddlement that I share this “For the Love of Community” column with you today.
I realize that every journey has destinations, layovers and other stops and starts along the way. This journey began nine years ago next month when we shared a story about the Stephenson County Fair and how a young boy discovered how the Fair began. We’ve had many laughs and tears throughout these years about the fun, foibles, and events about our beloved community.
I think that of all of the comments I’ve heard over the years, it has been those that appreciate the stories of family with all the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that occur. We’ve grown together over the past nine years. I’ve listened to your stories and have taken them into my heart. The hundreds of calls, emails, letters, and face-to-face encounters have resonated with me, knowing that you’ve read my feeble attempts at conveying my thoughts about life, and that you’ve cared enough to share with me.
When my co-author, Dr. Steve Spyrison, and I started this column in 1998, little did we know where this would lead. I still miss his contributions and wish that there had been greater understanding before his dismissal. There have been more egregious omissions and commissions by others since then with lesser consequences. When we started freelance writing at the request of Jeff and Julie at The Journal-Standard, we took the “free” part too literally for the first two and one-half years. Hey, what did we know? We were both in the medical field.
The years have gone by fast as we’ve shared stories about birth, life, and death. I have been humbled when pastors told me they were using the columns in some of their sermons and one was read at the funeral of our dear Audrey. I was surprised when a column appeared in the Wall Street Journal’s online edition. That story generated emails from across the country and was published in multiple languages throughout the world. Other columns have appeared on "The Biggest Loser," Kingsford Charcoal, and various other websites. The wonders of the Internet!
Most heartwarming have been the letters from soldiers in Iraq and the comments from our local firefighters for my columns about the heroism of the men and women who perished in the tragedy of 9/11. Yes, the world has changed in the past nine years. That single day made sure our lives would never be the same.
I'd like a to take a few lines to offer my gratitude....
To the editors that I’ve worked with over the years: Thank you.
To those that I’ve shared the Pulse of the community with: Thank you.
To my office staff that put up with my other “vocation: Thank you.
To the readers that went out of their way to share their thoughts, stories and comments with me: Thank you.
To all of the men and women who serve our country and our communities: Thank you.
To all of the readers that kept up with Freeport and Northwest Illinois online through the columns: Thank you.
To my friends and fellow writers who shared your insights into this ever-evolving, dynamic field we call “writing”: Thank you.
To all of the grateful volunteer agencies, especially those that benefited from the books sold: Thank you.
To all of those that are asking me to continue writing: Thank you. (You may check out some online submissions and keep in touch at http://www.pretzelcity.blogspot.com/).
To Al Bebach: Thank you. You complete me!
And especially to my family, my lovely bride, Irena, our daughters, son and son-in-law: Thank you. You have been my inspiration and the source of many stories through the years. Thank you for being open-minded and encouraging! You don’t know how much that has meant, but I’ll keep trying to let you know.
So, as this journey called life takes a detour, we’ll plan on continuing to share our love of this community we call home. May God bless you and your families all the days of your lives.
In the Spirit of Community,
Roland Tolliver
If one door closes, don’t let it hit you on the way out. --Al Bebach
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Thank you for your support
Thank you to Heidi Downing for her letter supporting the column in Sunday's Journal-Standard. Maybe if there are enough people complaining about the cancellation of the column or calling to support its reinstatement, the powers that be may reconsider their decision. Here is Mrs. Downing's letter:
After reading the Editor's Notebook and From the Editor (7/8/07) I became excited about the changes coming soon to The Journal-Standard. However, I noted that one of my favorite columns - For Love of Community - was missing from the paper. Is this one of the changes I wondered. I called Lori Gray only to discover that this much enjoyed column written by Dr. Tolliver has been dropped as part of your "re-envision." The purpose of my letter is to ask that you reconsider your decision. I would also encourage others who have enjoyed For Love of Community to voice their opinion by either calling Lori Gray at 815-232-0186 or writing a letter to Mr. Analore.
Heidi Downing
Freeport
After reading the Editor's Notebook and From the Editor (7/8/07) I became excited about the changes coming soon to The Journal-Standard. However, I noted that one of my favorite columns - For Love of Community - was missing from the paper. Is this one of the changes I wondered. I called Lori Gray only to discover that this much enjoyed column written by Dr. Tolliver has been dropped as part of your "re-envision." The purpose of my letter is to ask that you reconsider your decision. I would also encourage others who have enjoyed For Love of Community to voice their opinion by either calling Lori Gray at 815-232-0186 or writing a letter to Mr. Analore.
Heidi Downing
Freeport
A Long Hiatus
I've been gone for a while from this site. My oldest daughter was married last month and I've been playing catch-up in the office and composing my weekly columns. Speaking of which... the column "For the Love of Community" was canceled by The Journal-Standard here in Freeport. No specific reason was given other than the typical doublespeak of "we've decided to make some changes" and my column was no longer part of that plan. It is interesting that I was able to submit a "farewell" column, but when it appeared in today's paper (and they didn't make it available online) it only vaguely resembled the column that I submitted. There was no mention of the reason why I was leaving. It was made to seem by their bastardized version of my column that I was leaving of my own accord. That was not the case by any stretch of the imagination.
My ten year-old daughter has started a petition in an attempt to have the column reinstated. She has more than 120 signatures so far. I envy her desire and determination. I think we have a budding social activist on our hands. I am proud of the way she has taken action. We'll see if the powers that be at the local paper take notice or continue to play this out as ostriches.
I will publish the original column on this site by Monday. It is currently on my office computer and I'm working from home tonight. I will also make the four "Wedding" columns available on this site.
So tonight I go to sleep with many questions about why my nine year-old column is being forced out when it was widely read and appreciated by the people of Northwest Illinois and online by many others.
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.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Rumors
From Art to Art at the Freeport High School in March to the Spring play, Neil Simon's Rumors, already. I have been so remiss in getting to my own site that an entire month went by without an entry. Think that is the first time since I started this thing that I've missed a whole month.
This year's play for the high school has a fantastic set design, but I've yet to see even a moment of the rehearsals. A colleague who took pictures for The Journal Standard said that from what she saw it will be a very funny play. Knowing the actors and actresses involved, I am sure it will be. Most of the lead characters have been in previous productions from last the play last Spring to the Fall musical and Showtime these students have been active on stage in many different types of performances.
I'll write more after seeing the play, but for now I'm anticipating big laughs and much hilarity.
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.
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