21 for Illinois at 206: County Seats

Happy Birthday Illinois!

It's time to party like it's 1818 all over again.

There's much to celebrate about Illinois.  I thought about this back in April when I traveled to the southeast part of Illinois to watch the total solar eclipse in Greenup.  On my way there, I briefly stopped in Toledo, the seat of Cumberland County.

It got me thinking about the county seats of Illinois's 102 counties.

To celebrate today, here's a snapshot of what's in county seats in Illinois for another 21 for Illinois list for the 21st state.

1. Cheney Mansion in Jerseyville was once a stagecoach stop called the Little Red House.

2. The Golconda Marina offers access at a scenic spot along the Ohio River.

3. In Princeton is the Lovejoy Homestead, where abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy once lived.

4. In Clinton, the C.H. Moore Homestead was once the home of a leading Clinton citizen and now a museum and site of the Apple 'n Pork Festival.

5. The Bellefontaine House in Waterloo was the second American settlement in the Old Northwest Territory and the first in Illinois.

6. Marshall was near the eastern end of Illinois's portion of the Historic National Road and was named for US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall.

7. Taylorville has the Christian County Historicla Society, with a collection of buildings on its campus including a courthouse where Abraham Lincoln participated in cases and a Bee Castle.

8. The Shastid House in Pittsfield was built by John Greene Shastid after he relocated from New Salem, where he was Abraham Lincoln's neighbor.  Whenever Mr. Lincoln would visit Pittsfield, he would stay at the Shastid House.

9. Mount Vernon has teh Jefferson County Historical Village, a collection of pioneer log cabins and other structures.

10. The Kibbe Museum in Carthage has impressive collections of historical artifacts.

11. Belvidere's Summerfield Farm and Zoo has a collection of exotic animals.

12. Sycamore is the location of the Blue Moon Bikes Vintage Stingray Museum.

13. Oregon, IL, has a Paddle Wheel Riverboat that docks along the Rock River.

14. Monmouth's Stoneware Museum has a large collection of pottery.

15. Macomb has the Living Lincoln Topiary Monument, a mixed media piece of art with stone, steel, and the beard formed by flowers and greenery.

16. The Monticello Railway Museum in Monticello offers the opportunity for excursion rides on vintage passenger trains.

17. The Illinois Riverdock Restaurant in Hardin has great views of the Illinois River.

18. Paxton has a Carnegie Library building.

19. Shelbyville has Lake Shelbyville.

20. The James Millikin Homestead in Decatur was built in 1876, the year of the USA's centennial.

21. The Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin is the oldest courthouse in Illinois still serving its original purpose.

New Understanding of Sacraments

This evening 20 years ago, I attended the first of a series of monthly Confirmation preparation meetings.

It was the first opportunity we had to assemble in our small groups and meet our mentors.  My group had Mrs. Shinners and Mrs. Bakker as our mentors.

As would be different from the others, we met inside Ascension Church to focus more on our topic, the sacraments.

We were handed a quiz to see what we know about sacraments, and I had rather limited knowledge.  This meeting helped set that straight.  By the time I left, I had a very clear understanding of the 7 sacraments of the church.

It was fitting that the first meeting would have this topic.  As I reflect back 20 years later, I have come, through learning, to even greater understanding of the sacraments. They are encounters with God by which He infuses us with His grace.  Drawing us to Himself, we are brought alive to live with purpose, as I would come to experience myself when I was confirmed.

Dear 1036: The Vessel and the Centerpiece

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

I rejoice in celebrating this day when our family moved to Oak Park 32 years ago and settled in you.  It's time to party like it's 1992 all over again!  I give thanks for our family's many years in you, and also for my place in this community of Oak Park for 32 years.

As happens periodically, November 28 is on Thanksgiving Day, with a focus on coming together as family around a meal.

Often I have remarked that you have been a home where I have truly made a life.

Making a life has truly been real when I sat down for a meal.

Today is the kind of double holiday that evokes memories of great meals.

One particularly memorable Thanksgiving Day was in 2008.  My cousin from the Denver area, Brian, and two of his Navy comrades, all three of whom had just finished boot camp, joined us for our meal.  Carol Finnegan, a dear friend from church, was also there.  There was a palpable sense of goodness with our family being together and other friends with us, too.

Among the great food we had for dinner day after day, pork tenderloin was an especially tasty meal, particularly when it came fresh off the grill.  So much good food came off that grill.

Another significant piece of cookware was the crock pot.  One year, for New Year's Day, Mom made meatballs in the crockpot.  We invited both Grandmas to dinner, and both ended up staying home.  As a spur-of-the-moment action, we invited our good friends, the Reiters, who lived a block away. They came with two or three of their tenants who came from other countries.  It was a wonderful meal.

One year on Nativity/Christmas Day, Mom and Dad made a roast in the crockpot which included Coca-Cola.

Mom encountered lots of nice recipes.  One of my favorites was taco pie.  She was also really good at making enchiladas, particularly the white chicken enchiladas.

When Naomi and Eric married, they contributed fine side dishes to holiday meals, like homemade falafel and a wild rice/sweet potato dish.

All of this food gave way to wonderful smells wafting out of the kitchen.  I have memories of so many pleasant smells, a signal that we would sit down and enjoy each other's company with great food.

For many Thanksgiving meals, we had a black pan that came in very handy for cooking the turkey.

The pan was a vessel for the turkey, which was a centerpiece for an august meal.  It's just like you, beloved 1036 Clarence, are a vessel for a huge swath of my life and our family experience. Furthermore, you remain a centerpiece, a special place that will not fade into the background, but remain deep in my heart, deeply beloved.

Through these memories, we remain connected.

All my relations.

You are a place that deserves to be continuously remembered and celebrated.

I declare once again that we're not just lucky for our years with you, but we are blessed.

Joyful, joyful we adore the Lord!

God's blessings,

Paul

Mom took this photo of the cooking pan on the dining room table, both fixtures for years at 1036 Clarence

Thanksgiving Thoughts 2024

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday that combines so many significant elements and evokes what matters most in life.

Life is a gift and is full of goodness, and we see that in so many ways.

Like Presidents Washington and Lincoln wrote in their 1789 and 1863 Thanksgiving Day proclamations, respectively, we can look all around to see robust industry and an abundance of goods, especially from our fields.

Even with the troubles we face, we can still find ways to be grateful.  Case in point, President Lincoln established this day as an annual national holiday during a terrible war that emphasized the intense divides in our country, which we experience in different ways in our own day.

Yet we can still be grateful for what is good about this country and what is working, like the ways that people, even in government, are finding points of agreement and working to serve others.  Furthermore, our country was founded on principles of freedom and liberty which led to a structure that allows us to participate by casting our votes and then engaging in other ways beyond the election.  Our founding principles are truly a gift that make it possible for us to flourish.

It's great that in a month with elections in the first week, we have this holiday toward the end of the month to remind us of what's at our core.

Another important, national-scale event took place earlier this year, the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) in mid-July. In light of the NEC and the four Eucharistic pilgrimages that led to it, which brought thousands together, I'm reminded of how Thanksgiving is so much a part of Catholic practice because the Eucharist, the heart of the Mass, is from the Greek word for Thanksgiving.

Seeing thousands of people come together for the National Eucharistic Congress was so uplifting as we came acknowledging the presence of God among us, and the goodness He imparts to us.

In light of the Eucharist, we see that life is a wondrous gift from God, Who is the source of all goodness. His character manifests timeless realities of Love, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.  He has created us with great value, and fills us so that we can be a gift to one another.

We can summon  goodness and share it with those around us, since our human experience is enriched when we join together in communal experiences.  Thanksgiving Day is a great example of how a meal is great, and it's even better when shared with others.

Indeed, it's a gift that God gave us life, has filled us with His presence and goodness, put us in communal structures, and gives us the opportunity to achieve our fullest potential by being gift to one another.

I spoke with my students in RE class recently about Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, which answers the question, "What does it mean to be human?"

Life is a gift, and as we are aware of all goodness around us, we live out Who God created us to be, living for His praise because of the many ways we are aware of His goodness.  Indeed, our worth in God's eyes gives us a deep purpose for life.

One great example of someone who lived with purpose was Michelle Duppong.  In both her ministry as a FOCUS missionary and then working for the Diocese of Bismarck, she put faith into action by shining God's radiance toward others and leading them to encounters with Him.  Her faith helped her keep up her morale even in the midst of cancer treatments.  Now, her cause for canonization is underway, and she continues to be a beacon of hope.  Her parents were at the NEC, promoting her cause for canonization, and I met them.

Yes, we have been created as a gift, and we have the great purpose of being a gift of blessing to others.  Thanksgiving Day is special for me as a holiday that reminds me of what's great about the United States, and its spiritual overtones lifts me up to rejoice in God, the source of all goodness.  We realize that we're not just lucky, we're blessed.

On this day that marks 32 years since my family moved to Oak Park, which remains my hometown, I give thanks for my place in this community, in this country, and in the Church, by which we praise our God and live our mission.

God bless the USA!

And here's an inspirational performance of "America, the Beautiful" by Claire and Dave Crosby, to bring it all together on this special day.

Appreciating Chicago Once Again at Open House Chicago 2024

I got to open up Chicago a little bit more once again for the annual Open House Chicago weekend 2024.

Saturday, October 19, was my volunteer day.  I rode the Green Line to Central Avenue, and then walked about 5-10 minutes to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, in what was turning out to be a great weather weekend.  Juding by two windows near the church's entrance, I figured this church was named for St. Martin of Tours.

I kept company with some members of the church seated near the typical entrance of the church in an area joining the sanctuary and additional offices/rooms.

When another church member showed up and suggested opening the main doors, I offered to sit there and watch for visitors.  By this point, the pleasantly mild temperatures were already present, and it was nice to sit the doorway and feel the air.

A woman came with her son, and at one point, they went up to a podium with a microphone and someone from the church encourage him to sing.  I eventually got in on the act and sang some songs I know.

I moved back to the other entry hallway around 4 PM when some of the church members left.

From the front steps looking side St. Martin's

The sanctuary

One of the church members photographed me posing near the altar.

Exterior of St. Martin's

At 5 PM, the visitation period ended, and about 5 minutes later, I was on my way back to the Green Line and then back to Oak Park.  On the platform, I got a great view of the Austin Town Hall, and the Notre Dame Church.  As the train headed west, I got a great view of St. Martin's through some trees.

The next day, Sunday I departed homebase between 11:30-12:00.  As I walked to the Harlem Station, I felt it was definitely another great weather day. I got the eastbound Green Line train departure around 12 noon.

I detrained at Morgan and found some cafe seating to eat my lunch before heading to the CTA Control Center.  When I learned it was suddenly unavailable for tours, I decided to visit the 345 N. Morgan Office building nearby.  This building has lots of great amenities for its workers, including an outdoor terrace.

View toward the Loop from a conference room

Seating

View looking west from the outdoor area

Above and below are views of the outdoor seating.

While I missed out on the CTA Control Center, I did get a great view of a CTA car on top of a nearby building.

By 1:00 PM, I was on the Green Line again.  I rode it to 43rd Street, further south than I've ever gone before on it.  When I disembarked, I walked right next door to the station to visit The Forum.  It was once a performing arts venue in Bronzeville.  Now efforts are underway to restore it.  While there, I was also glad to learn that the neighborhood is now part of the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area under the auspices of the National Park Service.

The stage

Looking out a window toward the east along 43rd Street

Interior view of the Forum

Above and below are pieces of artwork on the walls of The Forum.

Plaque on the exterior wall of The Forum

The Forum as viewed from the platform of the Green Line 43rd Street Station

Next, I rode the Green line to Cermak-McCormick Place and walked from there to the Wheeler Mansion.  On the way to Bronzeville, I saw an OHC volunteer who was headed to this mansion.  I decided, on a whim, to check it out.

Front of the Wheeler Mansion

Inside one of the bedrooms

A model of the USS Constitution

ABove and below are photos of other bedrooms

A parlor space near the front entrance

The kitchen in the lower level

The two mansion dogs, Chloe (right) and Windy (left) with their handler

Decorative window over the staircase

The backyard space

Patio out the back door

Outdoor seating on the north side of the mansion

Then it was back to the Green Line for a short ride to the Loop.

I intended to visit teh Cliff Dwellers' Club, not realizing it was open only on Saturday.  Yet it was right by Orchestra Hall, so I visited there instead.

I got to go up on stage and pose at the conductor's stand.

View of the stage

View from the stage toward the seating

People could go up on stage and pose at the conductor's stand, and I certainly took advantage of the opportunity to strike a pose for conducting my own symphony:

I believe someone on the CSO staff took my photo, as she was doing for others.

Then I went to the Thomas Room on the ninth floor, which had outstanding views of Grant Park and the Lakefront.

View looking southeast toward Grant Park, with the hourly jet plume shooting up from Buckingham Fountain

View looking northeast toward the Art Institute and Millenium Park

View looking straight east toward Lake Michigan

View of the terrace outside the Thomas Room

Inside the Thomas Club

View looking out from the Thomas Club

View inside the Thomas Club

To cap off my time of sightseeing, I got some more great skyline views at 333 S. Wabash.  There was an empty floor space with great views toward Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, and Lake Michigan, to the southwest, and to the Sears Tower to the west.

View looking southwest

View of the inside of the floor open for viewing

View to the east-southeast toward Buckingham Fountain

View to the south, including the elevated CTA tracks

View to the west, including the Sears Tower and 333 S. Wacker

View looking up at the exterior of 333 S. Wabash from the ground level outside

A fellow visitor photographed me with Grant Park in the background.

A fellow visitor photographed me with the Sears Tower in the background.

Following my visit there, it was just a short walk to the Green Line and then back to Oak Park.

Once again, OHC was a great weekend in which I connected more deeply with Chicago.  I got to see a great mixture of places, even when my plans worked out differently than I thought ahead of time. There were also some pleasant surprises along the way in visiting places I hadn't planned for ahead of time. All in all, I enjoyed everything that I saw, and it gave me a profound sense of satisfaction and pride to be part of Chicago.

Beginning a Kairos Journey 20 Years Ago

On the evening of Saturday, November 20, 2004, I went to the Pine Room in the lower level of Ascension School.  With my already well-established typical flourish, I signed my name in a book, by which I began the process of preparing for Confirmation.  Following a short meeting, the whole group of Confirmation candidates went to 5 PM Mass at Church.

Given how much of an impact my Confirmation has had on my life, I'm eagerly looking ahead to October 15, 2025, when I mark the 20th anniversary of that sacred Kairos moment.

Today, I reflect on what happened when I started the process of preparing.

My parents both had to complete a form that officially registered me.  I remember glancing over it, and noticing what my parents said in response to a question about what made me ready.

At that time 20 years, as might be typical for many at that age, I participated in Confirmation because there was a parental expectation, much as I was taking on many responsibilities as I journeyed through adolescence into adulthood.

Yet as I reflect back on the experience, I think I was ready for more than just going through motions of expectations.

The great irony in my experience of attending Percy Julian Middle School, a public school, is that encountering people of other cultural and religious backgrounds caused me to turn inwardly and reflect more on who I am, which led me to more greatly appreciate who I am.

I laid aside disinterest in religion, including Mass attendance, and I embraced who we are as a Church and what we do, along with my part in it.

That appreciation grew throughout 6th and 7th grade, so that by the time I began preparing for Confirmation in 8th grade, the Spirit had been at work to make me ready for what I would learn and how I would encounter God.

20 for 20 Years of National Treasure

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the theatrical debut of a movie that is among my favorites: National Treasure.

To celebrate, here is a list of 20 aspects of National Treasure I like.

This list reveals parts of the plot, so if you haven't seen the movie and want to keep it unspoiled, please feel free to continue reading this post after you've watched it.

1. The epic panoramas of Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York City

2. When Ben's grandfather John shows him the eye on the back of the 1-dollar bill

3. When Ben's grandfather John knights Ben

4. Ben's determined remark about stopping Ian

5. The collection of George Washington's campaign medals

6. When Abigail states that she's seen the back of the Declaration of Independence, and what she says is there is true, it's not a Hollywood fabrication.  Then Ben reveals it's an invisible map.

7. The scene in the rotunda of the National Archives after Ben and Riley talk with Abigail in her office, and Ben makes a profound remark about a phase in the Declaration.

8. The views of the west end of the Mall as Ben and Riley talk at the Lincoln Memorial

9. Researching in the Library of Congress

10. The background music at the gala

11. The decoy Declaration of Independence that successfully fools Ian

12. The hot breath that reveals the hidden script

13. The $100 bills inside Common Sense

14. The Silence Dogood letters display

15. The profound words that arose when Abigail and Ben were inside Urban Outfitters before Riley arrived

16. When Riley notes that there was no Daylight Savings Time until after 1776.

17. The visit to Independence Hall, with the view of the Centennial Bell and especially when they're in the Assembly Room

18. Heere at the Wall

19. The soundtrack is fantastic music and I play it all the time as background music.

20. It's the only movie I can think of that stars the Declaration of Independence.

Huzzah!

The Installation 10 Years Ago

The Archdiocese of Chicago formally welcomed its new leader, Blase Cupich, when he was installed as Archbishop of Chicago 10 years ago today, on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, succeeding Cardinal George.  His appointment had been announced about 2 months prior.

One specific line part of his homily stood out to me.  He described a story about an exchange he had with a teacher, and used that as context for how to respond to the need for evangelization.  In light of shifts in the church leading people to depart, then-Archbishop Cupich said the following:

"Jesus tells all of us today to go back to where our journey of faith began, to be in touch with the joyful experience of being transformed by the intimacy God offers us, to be willing to share it with the next generation. Young people have always been attracted to authenticity of life, where words match deeds. Let’s not be afraid to let our young people know about our life with God and how it began. Like Marie Walsh, let’s stay close to them, so close that we can hold them by the neck, and tell them what it means for us to believe, and share with them how the Gospel has brought joy and meaning to us and transformed our lives. Such witness of personal faith many times has made the skeptic take a second look, has inspired vocations, and in my experience, animates our advocacy on behalf of human dignity with joy and compassion, purifying it of anger, harshness, and fear."

I was in my second year of teaching Religious Education.  When I heard those words, I took it as a mandate to do my part in helping encourage the young people in my class to encounter God and to do so by sharing how God has worked in my life.  While class involves learning church doctrine and practices, I've come to realize that an integral part of what I do is testifying to how God has worked in my life, and offering such testimony makes a profound impact.  I wasn't that far removed from my college years, when God did extraordinary works in my life, especially through my participation in St. Teresa's.  It was only fitting that as I considered what to do with my life following college, I would become a catechist/teacher to channel my newfound zeal for faith, taking the gift of faith that had been shaped in so many ways and handing it on to the next generation.

Perhaps that's why, even though I never dreamed of becoming a catechist growing up, it feels like a dream job come true.  I've found such passion and purpose as I live God's dream for my life.

Making a Life and History in the Heartland

It's nice to get out and about in my region of the country to see the places that speak to the national experience as a whole.

In that spirit, I went on a Labor Day weekend road trip.

Around 11 AM, I got in Avila and head in a southwesterly direction, driving I-55 and then onto I-80 through Illinois and then into Iowa.  (Please note that all times in this post are CDT. And, as usual, all photos are mine unless otherwise noted.)

Following a quick stop for shopping at the World's Largest Truck Stop, it was a short drive to a place I was eager to visit, West Branch, IA, where a remarkable life story began 150 years ago on August 10, 1874.  Here, in this small town, President Herbert Hoover was born.  I was glad to come back as a way to commemorate this milestone.

First, upon arriving around 2:30-3:00, I went to have a later lunch at the Sweets on Main Street.  I had a chicken sandwich with a Polar Bear dish, which was basically ice cream infused with birthday cake flavor, the designated flavor of the month to celebrate Herbert Hoover.

Sweets on Main Street is one of several fine business establishments on Main Street in West Branch.  Next door was a candy and gift shop, where I went to browse.

Then I walked around the historic area and over to the museum.  This day wasn't my first visit there, but it was special to visit again during the month marking 150 years since Herbert Hoover's birth, particularly standing in the two-room house where he was born.

The museum's security monitor photographed me posing by Herbert and Lou Hoover wearing birthday hats.

Above, I'm inside the birthplace home of Herbert Hoover, and below I'm standing in the outside front walkway.  A fellow visitor got these photos of me.

Shortly after 4 PM, I got in Avila and started making my way west, continuing on I-80.  At Des Moines, where I-80 and I-35 converge into the same lanes around the north and west sides of the city, I rounded a curve and then continued south directly onto I-35.  At the last rest stop before Missouri, I paused and noted a scenic area nearby some lakes.

Soon after entering Missouri, I stopped at the first rest stop, with a large area of prairie right beside it that was scenic in its own right.  (Please see the two photos below.)

Around 8:30, I arrived at my hotel for the night, the Quality Inn in Kearney, MO, just north of Kansas City.  I got a chicken margherita pizza from a pizza place within a 2-minute walk away.

The next morning, I was up around 7 AM, and soon went to breakfast.  The hotel had a great selection, including biscuits and gravy, along with the customary hotel Belgian waffle.  (The gravy was in a Kansas City Chiefs-themed crock pot.)

A few minutes after 8 AM, I was on my way in a southerly direction toward Kansas City.  In about half an hour, I arrived at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Kansas City for 9 AM Mass.  I was impressed by the golden dome, which shone brilliantly in the morning light of that first September day.  The interior had a bright appearance, too.

Exterior of the cathedral as viewed from the parking lot looking from east to west

Inside the Cathedral sanctuary, looking toward the entrance in back

Inside the Cathedral sanctuary, looking toward the altar and the Cathedra chair (appearing to the left)

Following Mass, I lingered a while by the Cathedral to admire it and have some breathing time before the next part of my day.  I ended up in Independence for lunch at Fazoli's.

By 1 PM or so, I was back in Kansas City to visit the Negro Leagues Museum.  

Out front of the building along 18th Street housing both the Negro Leagues and American Jazz Museums

This museum did a great job telling the story of how the Negro Leagues came into existence and how it impacted the African-American community in the US.  There were many teams that formed, and interesting personalities who got them started and among the players. There was a video presentation about the Negro Leagues near the start of the exhibit.

A display with a timeline and map of the various Negro League teams

Above is a theater showing a video presentation about the Negro Leagues and below is the bleacher-style seating in the theater.

Kansas City Monarchs uniform

Stadium entrance gates

One part of the museum that stood out to me was props from the movie 42 about Jackie Robinson's MLB debut.  I saw that movie the day before I graduated from Valparaiso University, when it was first in theaters, and so it is in my mind associated with an important event in my life.  That movie may have been part of why I wanted to visit this museum.

42 movie paraphernalia

The exhibits surrounded a display of a baseball diamond--please see the photo below.

Outside the main exhibit, just off the lobby of the building that also houses the Jazz Museum was a special additional exhibit about the Negro Leagues--please see the two photos below.

After visiting for about 2 hours or so, I drove to the site of the stadium where the Monarchs used to play, which is now a park with interpretative signage--please see the two photos below.

Around 4 PM, I started making my way east, after filling up with the delicious satisfaction of once again paying less than $3 a gallon for gas.

It was a straight shot east on I-70 toward my hotel for the night.  About 6 PM, I stopped in Columbia for dinner at Bob Evan's, a delicious turkey meal with fixings--please see the photo below.

Between 8:30-9:00, I arrived at the Comfort Inn in Hazelwood, which was right by an alignment of Route 66.

The next morning, Labor Day Monday, September 2, I was up by 7:15.  I drove about 10-15 minutes to St. Ferdinand Parish to attend 8 AM Mass.  I noticed a brick in the wall state the parish dates back to 1788.

Inside St. Ferdinand's sanctuary

Stone inside the outside wall near the entrance

Exterior of St. Ferdinand

Back at the hotel, I enjoyed another wonderful breakfast that included biscuits and gravy, along with 4 mini-waffles from a special iron there that I've never seen before--please see the photo below.

Once I was done with breakfast and packed up, I drove about 30 minutes south to the south side of St. Louis County to visit Ulysses S. Grant NHS, which I had been aiming to visit almost ever since the bicentennial of President Grant's birth back on April 27, 2022.

Entrance to Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

It preserves the site of an estate that his wife's family, the Dents, originally owned, and then passed into his ownership.  I have been to the Grant home in Galena many years ago, and I wasn't as familiar with this home in St. Louis, so I was glad to visit it.  I learned more about the history from a ranger who did a porch talk to me as the audience of one.

Exterior of the White Haven House

The front entrance

Inside one of the rooms

Toy chest

Stairs leading to the upper level

Inside the central hallway of the house looking out front

The cellar

View of the back of the house

Here I am posing with my copy of Ron Chernow's Grant biography on the front steps, which have been there since the 1810's. So they're the same steps walked upon by Julia and Ulysses Grant.  I believe the ranger on porch duty photographed me here.

It was nice to walk around inside and see the other outer buildings.  I enjoyed the company of fellow visitors as I struck up conversations while meandering through the buildings.

Toward the end of my visit, I visited a building that was originally built as a stable and now houses museum exhibits of the lives of President Grant and his family.

Exterior of the stable-turned-museum

By 12:30, I was on my way north.  After getting gas, I got a quick lunch at Lion's Choice, a chain I was unfamiliar with, and because of an error with the credit card processing, I got the shaved beef sandwich for free--please see photo below.

Then I did some grocery shopping at Dierberg's.  I meandered a little bit north by the campus of my Grandpa Martin's alma mater, Washington University, as a way to connect with him in the year marking the centennial of his birth.  

At Washington University's Campus

Washington University sign

From there, I headed a short distance south to get on I-64.  I bid farewell to Missouri as I crossed the Mississippi River and then went right onto I-55 for a hour-long drive north back to Chicagoland.  I enjoyed some great podcasts as I drove.

By 7 PM, I was back in Oak Park.

Final mileage upon arriving back at home base

This road trip provided a great opportunity to spend some time getting to know what's in my neighborhood in the Midwest/Central USA.  I've passed through Kansas City a few times on the Southwest Chief, and I was glad to have the chance to stop and visit for a while.  Driving around to various spots during my day on Sunday gave me a feel for the different neighborhoods and suburbs of Kansas City.

After hearing about the Negro Leagues Museum from the Bush Center's Strategerist podcast when it featured the museum's CEO, I was eager to have the chance to see it for myself and learn more about this past of US history.  It speaks to how a people facing discrimination strove to make something of their lives and make a name for themselves as they awaited the integration of the MLB.

In a presidential election year, visiting Herbert Hoover and Ulysses Grant sites gave me new perspective on past times.

As a follow-up to this weekend road trip, I did a day outing to West Branch on Saturday, October 12 to spend a little more time there.  That weekend was the annual Fall Fest in West Branch, and there were delightful decorations including scarecrows along Main Street along with sidewalk sales.

After arriving and getting lunch at Main Street Sweets, I went to the blacksmith shop to see a demonstration by one of the NPS employees.  I was intrigued to get detailed explanations about the work blacksmiths did back in the day, particularly Jesse Hoover, Herbert's father.  Because WEst Branch had rail access, people generally went to a blacksmith for repairs like adjusting shoes on their horses, rather than acquiring new products.  It added another touch to seeing the context of Herbert's young life, including the seat for Herbert (or Bert) and his siblings.

Looking out the door of the blacksmith shop toward the Herbert Hoover birth home

While there, I also viewed a video in the National Park Service visitors' center, which described what it was like when Herbert Hoover was growing up in West Branch.

I also visited the museum.  There was a special exhibit for the 150-year birthdays of both Herbert and Lou Hoover.  It included some archival materials that added more personal touches beyond what is on display in the main exhibit, including what Herbert and Lou did in their personal lives..  I was intrigued by the video coverage of Herbert Hoover's visit to West Branch in the 1950s for his birthday and the large celebration that happened.  It included a large cake that a woman in a nearby town meticulously prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a picnic lunch with fried chicken.  A network news reporter broadcast a rooster's sound from West Branch that morning that was heard around the nation. And there was memorabilia from individuals and organizations who offered their birthday wishes to Mr. Hoover.

A model of Herbert Hoover's birthday cake

Newspaper coverage for a woman who baked the cake

Display for the picnic lunch on Herbert Hoover's birthday

Above and below are views of inside the special exhibit gallery

This old-fashioned radio played "Happy Birthday" in the exhibit gallery.

It was also nice to browse the main exhibit again, since the museum plans to temporarily close for a renovation in 2025.  The milestone birthday added a significant touch to viewing the exhibit and the life of Herbert Hoover and what influences it had on US and even world history.

Display in the main exhibit gallery for Herbert Hoover's inauguration

Lou Hoover's dresses

As I traveled throughout the Midwest/Central USA to visit these places and engage with their history, the circumstances and settings resonated with me because I've been here in the same region.  Even in neighboring states, I can connect with the experiences of presidents and Negro Leagues players, who strove to live with purpose in their lives in their families and communities.

Like it said in the special exhibit about Herbert (and Lou) Hoover's 150-year birthday, our lives matter, and birthdays reflect that.  We all have a role to play and we can make an impact on the world around us.  The Heartland of the USA has great examples of how people worked to make the world a better place, through humanitarian causes and advancing racial justice.  It was special to visit these places and to visit the history there, in company with fellow visitors, to appreciate what is significant that arose from the Heartland of the USA.