Rambling through central Illinois, giving serious consideration to May as the best month of all.
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At lunch the other day, we started talking about how bad roads are around here. High on my list is Illinois Route 78, aka the covered-wagon trail. Someone else submitted Illinois Route 97 as terrible, noting that damage to the shoulder is eating into the roadway, making it tough for two large vehicles to pass safely. Then there’s Illinois Route 180 north of Williamsfield, where folks ponder what the “shoulder” of the road actually looks like. There’s a pattern here. Roads with “Illinois” in them are all too often in bad shape around here. And while lots of money is being spent to fix bridges – including closure of the Knox County Highway 18 bridge over Interstate 74 starting May 15 – there’s plenty of repaving that needs to be done after decades of inaction. All of which makes me wonder, what did the Romans know about making their roads (some of which are still used today) that we don’t know today?
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As the story goes, a nearby resident started mowing his yard last Thursday, but had to stop when he was halfway done due to rain storms that rolled in. By the time he got out last Friday to finish mowing, the grass he had cut less than 24 hours earlier had already grown enough to require another mow. Some years, I’d say that’s made up. Not this spring. … A ticket-taker at an Elmwood track meet offered me two suggestions for an upcoming column. She said, “Tell people they aren’t supposed to blow their grass into the street,” then added, “There are no street numbers on many houses in town.” Later that evening, while mowing, her words hit like a hammer as I blew a clump of grass into the street and realized that the house numbers we purchased last winter are still sitting inside the front door, waiting for me to “find time” to put them up. Ouch. … Kudos to Crossroads Assembly of God Church in Elmwood for celebrating its 40th anniversary on May 5. … Hey, if any beekeepers out there want to set up a hive near some prime prairie flowers, apple trees, clover and other good pollinator plants, give me a holler. We’ve got a perfect spot for you. I like bees, but only from a distance. … Seems visits to Illinois by international tourists increased by 39% in 2023. Any chance that total includes immigrants transported to Chicago? … Talent makes coaches look good. But the best coaches also get the most out of those they lead. All of which brings me to Ron Boyer, who for the 11th time is taking a Farmington bass-fishing team to the state tournament. Kudos, Ronny, even if your team was second to a Princeville squad coached by a guy who prefers toothy critters, Tait Sennett, likely the best muskie-fishing basketball coach in Illinois.
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Parting shot: I’ve been watching and rewatching video of a Columbia University student explaining why she and her fellow protesters should be able to have food and water brought in to them after they broke into a university hall that they then occupied. She questions the university’s commitment to its students, saying, “Do you want students to die of dehydration and starvation or get severely ill even if they disagree with you … this is like basic humanitarian aid we’re asking for.” Watching this video is so stunning, I keep waiting for “Saturday Night Live” to reveal that it’s a funny comedy skit. But it’s not. As a result, it’s not even remotely humorous. Just scary.
Contact Jeff Lampe at (309) 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com
