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Legendary Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi who is stuck with a legendary misquote.

Looking Back

By Leigh Morris “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” No doubt you’ve heard – and maybe even used – that quote countless times. No… Login to continue reading Login…

Nathanial Prentice Banks

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By Leigh Morris It took 15 rounds of voting for U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy to become the new U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives.… Login to continue reading Login…

In 1911, car 234 made history by carrying President William Taft between Decatur and Springfield. A century later, it is preserved and operated by the Illinois Railway Museum. (Leigh Morris photo)

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By Leigh Morris This column is dedicated to those who dream of traveling back in time. Yes, time travel is possible. Skeptical? OK, here’s a… Login to continue reading Login…

Looking Back

By Leigh Morris Well, we got our first real taste of winter last week. It was unpleasant, but it sure could have been much worse.… Login to continue reading Login…

Illustration for a 1920s General Electric refrigerator advertisement

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By Leigh Morris To use natural gas or electricity, that was the question! The future belonged to mechanical refrigerators, but was unclear whether electric or… Login to continue reading Login…

Touting the virtues of the icebox (Author’s collection).

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By Leigh Morris This week we begin our journey 3,000 or so years ago in China, when it was discovered that ice could be cut… Login to continue reading Login…

Lou Boudreau managed the Chicago Cubs in 1960, but resumed his role as a Cubs radio broadcaster from 1961 until 1987.

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By Leigh Morris Though mostly forgotten today, Beardstown’s Milton Angier was really big news in 1920 when he was named to the U.S. Olympic track… Login to continue reading Login…

Mark Twain

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By Leigh Morris Everyone needs a place to seek refuge from the cares of the world, a place to renew our spirit. For me, I… Login to continue reading Login…

Finances

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By Leigh Morris “A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing,” Alexander Hamilton wrote on April 30, 1781.… Login to continue reading Login…

Religion in central Illinois

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By Leigh Morris Religious services have been conducted in this area for untold centuries by the native peoples who occupied the land. Their burial and… Login to continue reading Login…