(618) Hometown Magazine July 2020

(618) MAGAZINE HOMETOWN J U LY 2 0 2 0

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from the

EDITOR

EDITOR Andrea Howe ahowe@mtcarmelregister.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter

CONTRIBUTORS Kim Bayless

July, for me, is the month of juicy red garden tomatoes, still a little warm from the sun, with a splash of salt — and fresh-shucked corn on the cob. Summer reading. A good lemon shake-up. Ice cream churning under a shade tree. Walking barefoot in the grass and trying to find animals in the clouds.

This year, July 4 ushers in the 194th birthday of our country. In six years, God willing, we’ll be marking 250 years as a nation. It seems impossible because I’m sure it was only yesterday I was looking forward to our July 4, 1976 family reunion. We were a colorful bunch in our patriotic colors, but that year, my Dad took the prize with his cowboy boots, his red-white-and-blue wide vertical-striped flared jeans, shirt and cowboy hat. He only wore those jeans once. I still wonder how Mom convinced him to do it!

I took the cover shot for this issue at an Independence Day parade last summer, in Mount Carmel. The miniature Uncle Sam image prompted me to share the Uncle Sam story. In September 7, 1813, the United States gets its nickname, Uncle Sam. Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, supplied barrels of beef to the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. Wilson stamped the barrels with “U.S.” for United States, but soldiers began referring to the food as “Uncle Sam’s.” A local newspaper spread the story, and soon Uncle Sam became the personification of the nation. In September 1961, Congress recognized Wilson as “the progenitor of America’s national symbol of Uncle Sam.” Spend some time with us for a little summer reading in this issue about Independence Day plans then (our Glancing back feature) and now, as Evan Merrill sketches out some of Mount Carmel’s plans for a fireworks show.

Mona Warrick profiles local artist Eric Bryant, who is illustrating a new book, “I Am A Patriot” and Kim Bayless shares her special Independence Day cook-out menu.

Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington shares some thoughts about vintage fashion, too. Check out our Senior Chat feature, and I have a few thoughts about the days of summer.

We hope you enjoy reading about your (618) Hometown neighbors as much as we enjoy bringing (618) Hometown Magazine to your home each month.

— Love and blessings to you!

Andrea Howe Editor

Evan Merrill Mona Warrick Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington

TO ADVERTISE Courtney Shuttle courtney@pdclarion.com 812-220-4861

CONNECT WITH US Find us on Facebook @618HometownMagazine P.O. Box 550 Mt. Carmel IL 62863 618-263-1005 Email: news@mtcarmelregister.com

ON THE COVER HOMETOWN

(618) MAGAZINE 20 J U LY 2 0

Andrea Howe

table of

CONTENTS

July 2020

ART BY: ERIC BRYANT

3

SENIOR CHAT

12

REBIRTH OF AN ARTIST

Our seniors are staying healthy!

See what they have been up to

Eric Bryant takes his career to a new level by illustrating his first book

6

GLANCING BACK

18

FANTASTIC 4TH

Take a look at some July history in our community

Mayor Joe Judge says this year’s celebration is a go, but with key differences

8

RECIPES

20

A RETURN TO VINTAGE FASHION

Kim Bayless offers a hefty Fourth of July dinner plan

Erin has the secret to creating trendy pieces from your home

Financial Services for every step!

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SENIOR CHAT: LIVING THROUGH COVID-19

WRITER: ANDREA HOWE

Our July Senior Chat visit with 618 neighbors in local facilities wasn’t possible in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic precautions, but residents and staff are so creative in finding ways for residents to stay in touch with their communities. We share a few of those images with you, and we’ll be making in-person visits when it’s safe to do so!

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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020 3

PHOTOS BY: ANDREA HOWE

Wabash 4-H fair planners hope for a show WRITER: EVAN MERRILL The Wabash County Youth Exhibition, or Junior County Fair, has become a staple of the community.

Whether you’re indulging in the fair’s tasty lunch menu options, joining fairgoers for the annual honoring of Fair Queen and Fair

the fair throughout the years – case in point last year. Its annual dodgeball tournament was held in the mud, in some less than ideal conditions, but that didn’t stop kids and adults alike from having a blast.

Princess, or in attendance for the countless events and activities for

Now however, the fair faces a vastly different threat.

fairgoers, it’s no wonder the tradition has become so revered.

Unlike torrential downpours, which can be worked around, a

“It’s just a lot of fun -- you get to see a lot of people you don’t usually see throughout the year.” said Jana Marriott, Director of the Wabash County Youth Exhibition.

Marriott has chaired as director of the fair since 2015, but has been affiliated since she was nine years old. She returned to help organize and ran the fair princess competition from 2004 to 2016 as well.

Having been around the annual festivity for so long, it’s safe to say Marriott, like many others, realizes the importance of the fair.

She was once in the same boat – an aspiring fairgoer, raising an animal, competing in the activities.

Weather has certainly compromised the success or viability of

4 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020

virus, an “invisible enemy” as President Donald Trump has referred to many times, cannot.

Concerns around COVID-19 have already caused the cancellation of many fairs in the area.

Governor J.B. Pritzker has expressed some doubt as to the feasibility of hosting state or county fairs.

With restrictions limiting social gatherings and businesses, it already hampers most, but practically makes a traditional fair next to impossible to hold.

This year’s fair, scheduled from July 18-25, was up in the air at press time. Marriott and her colleagues were waiting for directives from the state’s 4-H Foundation.

“We’re kind of waiting on the extension office, the 4-H, the state itself to see what they’re going to do,” Marriott said. “Then we can go from there and decide what we want or can do.”

Which begs the question – is postponement, or a revised fair a possibility? Marriott couldn’t envision either happening.

“I doubt they’d postpone it,” Marriott said. “It gets too close to the State Fair — if they get to have the State Fair. It’s just too close to that time period,” “Yeah, I don’t know if they could go house to house… I can’t say for sure what we might be able to.”

The house to house point Marriott mentions is in regard to a notion of judging the animals, which young 4-H members keep throughout the year, and potentially commuting from house to house to judge – in the event of a cancellation.

The fair’s past festivities have included an the ice cream social, crowning of Fair Queen and Princess, and the kids bringing their animals in, dodgeball, Family Fun Night, pork chop dinner by the Wabash County Foundation, followed by the parade of champions and an auction.

As much as Marriott and the fair staff wish to continue the tradition, they stressed the safety of fairgoers is paramount.

“It’ll be very disappointing to all of those who volunteer our time to put it on,” Marriott said. “It’s very disappointing to all the kids who are involved, because most of them already have their animals, they’re already taking care of them… It would just be disappointing for everyone involved because we wouldn’t be able to hold any of the extra events that we have,” Edwards County Fair Board voted in early May to cancel the county fair, and 4-H shows will be done virtually.

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GLANCING

BACK FROM THE JULY 3, 1890 EDITION OF THE MOUNT CARMEL REGISTER

UNCLE SAM’S BIRTHDAY Where and How it Will Be Celebrated: To-morrow is the 4th of July, the 114th anniversary of the day that our ancestors rose in their might and gave the British lion’s tail such “a hell of a twist,” that the curl has never been out of it since. It was an event of such historical importance that its recurring anniversary has never failed to be duly celebrated.

The feeble infant born on that 4th of July, 1776, has grown into a mighty giant, known, feared and respected on every habitable spot of the globe. Uncle Sam is indeed a great man, and his birthday will be duly commemorated in every country and in every clime.

In this county, celebrations will be held as follows: — At Adams Corners — Basket picnic, games, etc. Orations by Hon. E. Callahan, of Robinson, Hon. J. Ed. Black, of Lawrence, Elder W.R. Couch and Prof.

W.H. Pool, of Friendsville. Miss Clara Couch will read the Declaration of Independence. Music by the Adams Corners cornet band.

— At Rochester — Basket picnic, etc. Addresses by Rev. J.H. Walterick, Prof. G.L. Guy and Hon.

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Summer celebrations of 1890, 1920 and 1970

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— At Cowling — Basket picnic, dance, orations in English and German, string and brass music, and a good time generally at the grove of Frank Bosecker.

The dance will be continued at night.

EVENTS IN MOUNT CARMEL’S SOCIAL CIRCLES State’s Attorney Mundy made a trip to Robinson last week.

Col. John W. Ingersoll, of Olney, was in the city Thursday.

Judge Bell attended the funeral of Col. Crebs at Carmi, Friday. His many friends in this county will be grieved to learn of the sudden death of Col. John Crebs of Carmi, on Wednesday of last week. He was a good lawyer, a stanch Democrat and a gallant soldier.

He was twice a representative in congress from the old 13th district.

Master Harry and little Miss Mintie Phipps are spending the heated term in Indiana.

Mr. David Seibert, one of the stanchest of Edwards county Democrats, was in the city Monday. Mr. S. reports good times in West Salem.

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FROM THE JULY 9, 1920 EDITION OF THE MOUNT CARMEL DAILY REPUBLICAN-REGISTER

SALARIES PAID IN THIS SECTION Counties in this section of the state have reported to the state superintendent highest and lowest salaries paid county teachers the past year. The figures show: Edwards $115 highest, $60 lowest Wabash $135 highest, $70 lowest White $140 highest, $80 lowest

BUGS ARE NUMEROUS Persistent reports tell of great damage being done by chinch bugs to the corn crops. County Treasurer Chas. Buchanan, who has returned from Edwards county, where he has been surveying, reports having seen one field which appears to have been ruined by the pests.

FROM THE JULY 13, 1970 DAILY REPUBLICAN REGISTER

RECORD CROWDS ATTEND THREE AREA EVENTS Local and area residents turned out over the weekend in record numbers and participated and attended events staged in both Wabash and Edwards counties while the weatherman smiled his blessings on one and all. ...Edwards County and area residents began storming Albion for the day long “Swine Day” program sponsored by the Edwards County Ruritan Clubs.

Crowds estimated at more than 3,000 jammed Albion, and parking spaces were at a premium even blocks from the square in downtown Albion where

most of the activity took place.

Fourteen Edwards County men turned out for the Male Beauty Contest and Marcia Yockey, WTVW Channel 7 Evansville Weather Girl, judged the gents and selected David Woods of Ellery, representing the 4-H Clubs as the first place winner. Windy Cullison, Albion, representing the Albion Stock Yard, took second place, and Earl Bailey, representing the Edwards County Saddle Club, was judged the third place winner. ...A scheduled, canceled and then rescheduled appearance by Evansville sky divers came off at about 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon, when the three divers landed at Albion City Park.

While all of this action was going on in Albion, the Keensburg Ruritan Chowder and double-auction got underway in Keensburg. More than 2,500 local and area residents were served chowder and the Ruritans reported that it was their most successful chowder to date. ...Marcia Yockey made an unexpected appearance in Mount Carmel, too. Planning to stay in Albion just long enough to judge the Male Beauty Contest, Marcia became engrossed in the fun and games at Swine Day and stayed on most of the day. In her haste to get to Princeton, Indiana for the races on Saturday evening where she was also scheduled to appear, she took a wrong turn and stopped at the home of Mrs. Louise Williams of Mount Carmel, seeking directions. Marcia was headed for Lawrenceville at the time instead of Princeton, and sensing that she was on the wrong route, she received assistance at the Williams home. ...Sunday dawned clear, bright and hot, and the Mount Carmel Rotary Club began work at sunup on their annual Corn Day. The Rotary Club served more than 1,000 corn-eaters and completely sold out of fried chicken and sweet corn. More than 3,000 ears of corn were cooked and sold by the club, and they beefed up their menu with fresh homegrown tomatoes, cole slaw and onions, and the corn was the best in recent years.

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My overa any ways . My e a n d my nergy shoulde r tightne ll achines s is b e n umb n e tter ss h s s in my fingers is as sub sided. T he c omple te - L inda L ly gone!“ .

(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020 7

FIRE UP THE GRILL WRITER: KIM BAYLESS

Let’s celebrate Independence Day with a cookout! Whether you prefer

charcoal or gas — grilling is a great way to prepare a meal any time, especially in the summer.

A great 4th of July menu might be...

Specially seasoned burgers Macaroni salad

Grilled corn on the cob with herbed butter

DIY sundae bar with various toppings, (including homemade hot fudge sauce) Freshly made lemonade

However you choose to celebrate this summer holiday, I hope you

incorporate some or all of these favorites. Let the fireworks begin!

8 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020

PHOTOS BY: TIM MARTIN

(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020 9

SPECIAL SEASONING 3 T. Kosher salt

2 T. coarse ground pepper

2 T. garlic powder

2 T. dried oregano

2 T. onion powder

1 T. cumin

3 T. smoked paprika

1 T. brown sugar

Combine all. Sprinkle onto chicken, steaks, chops or burgers. Store any remaining seasoning in an airtight container.

MACARONI SALAD 1 lb. box elbow macaroni, cooked

DRESSING:

Red onion, chopped

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Green pepper, chopped

2 c. mayonnaise

1 lb. bacon, cooked & crumbled

¾ c. vinegar

Cheddar cheese, chunked

Salt and pepper

Mix dressing with a wire whisk and pour over the macaroni mixture.

HERBED BUTTER 1 stick softened butter

Fresh herbs of choice

Chop fresh herbs and mix into a stick of softened butter. There are endless combinations. I sometimes add fresh minced garlic to it as well.

HOT FUDGE SAUCE 2 c. sugar

¼ c. baking cocoa

½ c. butter, cubed

1 t. Vanilla extract

5 oz. can evaporated milk

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cocoa. Stir in the milk; add butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat; cook and stir for 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

To reheat: Put the sauce in a small saucepan; bring to a boil and stir until smooth. This makes 2 cups of sauce.

FRESH LEMONADE 5 lemons

5 oranges

3 qts. Water

1 ½ to 2 c. sugar

Limes - optional

Squeeze the juice from four of each of the fruits; pour into a gallon container. Thinly slice the remaining fruit and set aside for garnish. Add water and sugar to juices; mix well. Store in the refrigerator. Serve on ice with fruit slices. This makes 12-16 servings (about 1 gallon).

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Rebirth of an artist WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK Artists are constantly reinventing themselves. Carmi’s Eric Bryant is no exception. He finds himself in a Renaissance of sorts; A rebirth of his career, if you will. The artist is busy rebuilding his portfolio and looking to the future. “Even now, at 55, I think my best experiences are ahead of me,” said Bryant.

On the heels of illustrating his first book, Bryant feels optimistic. “I’ve always wanted to illustrate a children’s book, so when this opportunity came about I was at a place I had to do it.”

ERIC BRYANT

The book, I Am a Patriot, is a collaborative effort with author Janey Mack. “She found me on a Facebook

business page, contacted me, and we hit it off,” said Bryant. “We decided to illustrate a simple book about traditional patriot values using illustrations of North American animals. I took too long trying to adjust my usual style of painting, to be more fitting for a children’s book, but when it finally began to click Janey cheered me on! I wanted to achieve a realistic look to the animals, while keeping a simpler colorful style suitable for a picture book. I decided to combine a wash and opaque mix that worked well with the variety of animals we chose.”

Bryant created around 50 layout drawings and 45 paintings to “get to our final 32 paintings that will appear in the book.” Bryant said he and Mack have decided to self-publish “for a dozen reasons.” While this collaboration is the first with Mack, Bryant said there may be more to come.

“Janey is my boss, partner, and friend. The book itself, secondary markets, and future projects have been her idea.” Mack, a published author, lives in Arizona.

Drawing inspiration from many places. Bryant said, “I’ve always liked sports, hunting, and fishing, and I was drawn to those images in books and magazines..But honestly, inspiration is unpredictable. Sometimes, it is small, ART BY: ERIC BRYANT

sometimes very loud. Money can be a very big inspiration. I’ve done pieces my parents are proud to show around, and I’ve also done cat treat illustrations. Many more people saw the cat treat packaging and didn’t care.”

Bryant often paints what he observes in the great outdoors. “Wildlife is pretty great. Sometimes a wave will come over you, and you may not pursue it but it’s there in something you see, or a piece of music, or the way light

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falls on something and you understand how you can express it,” said Bryant. “That may sound odd to people, but other artists will get it and know exactly what I mean. And, it all comes from God.” He is thankful to be commissioned for portraits..”I like to paint people in art as much as I like wildlife. It’s a different challenge to capture someone’s likeness.

Every portrait I do is from photos sent to me by clients,” said Bryant. “Many times, those pictures are the only time I’ll ever see this person, so I better recognize their features. I’ve had some pro athlete jobs. Kids are great subjects, also, and I think most portrait artists would agree. You’re trying to capture someone who will look different in a year. ”I will draw or paint your favorite people, pets, animals, or anything else you like. I like a challenge,” he said.

Of the many works Br yant has created, he has some personal favorites. “They are in categories, but the things I’ve gone through, and the characters I’ve met to gather reference material, made them more interesting. For example, I have a lion and lamb piece.

I sat for four days, at the St. Louis Zoo, waiting for a lion to get in the right light and sit the way I wanted.

Big cats sleep a lot. He finally nailed it in the afternoon light. The day I shot the lamb at Grant’s Farm was a trip. It’s my mom’s favorite story for me to retell. I did a wolf holiday stein for Miller Brewing, and photographing the wolves at a sanctuary outside St. Louis, among a group of Girl Scout Brownies, made for one crazy day!”

Among Bryant’s other favorites, “I painted Reggie White. I painted a series of Emmitt Smith, for the Dallas Cowboys, and he approved my paintings. I was pretty pleased to learn that, A portrait that I made of my cousin’s daughter, changed the way I work in colored pencil. My Brittany In Water probably shows what I do in gouache best.” Bryant’s newest favorites are the drawings and paintings he recently completed

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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020 13

for I Am a Patriot. “These paintings will always be special to me and my

go. They should research the artists they admire and find out how they

partner, Janey.”

chose their path,” said Bryant. “For artists like me, in visual arts, I always

On the subject of gouache, which is Br yant’s favorite medium,

encourage developing hand eye drawing skills. Artists already see the

“Gouache is an opaque watercolor. It’s pronounced gwash. It is water

world differently than others, so why not? Draw with digital media, but

based but very different from watercolor or acrylic. It was what Robert

draw with materials in your hand. And, talk to as many professionals as

McGinnis used on all his books and posters.Having never used it, the first

you can to glean from them.”

time I squeezed it from a tube, I did a black and white portrait and loved

Bryant has drawn inspiration from many artists. “I prefer American

it. Later, I began to see it could handle in loose wash as well as fine detail

illustrators over them all. Robert McGinnis is my absolute favorite. Ber-

and it was perfect for wildlife and landscape. Like watercolor, it is unfor-

nie Fuchs, too. These were guys I was collecting their magazine covers

giving, and it’s tricky to learn. I think every artist plays with different

and movie posters. William Adolph Bougeureau is my favorite classic oil

media, but one of those will grab them.

painter and John Singer Sargent. I’ll never be close to their work, but I

“Over the years I’ve used all mediums, but today I prefer doing people

use parts of what they do in my own painting.”

in smooth mediums like oil and colored pencil,” he said. “Anything with

Bryant was a child when he first realized he had artistic talent. “When

fur or feathers, I like gouache, but I’ve painted figures in gouache as well,

drawing in church, I first noticed vanishing points and perspective,” said

it’s just harder. With gouache, you can shape it to a razor off your brush.

Bryant. “Drawing kept me quiet, and Mom and Dad were happy.”

It’s a tough medium, and I’ve worked very hard at learning it.”

After graduating from Carmi High School in 1982, Bryant spent three

Like most artists, Bryant has a process when creating his art. “My

semesters at Eastern Illinois University. “My advisor told me I needed to

process, I owe to art school. I begin with a concept, then I design a com-

go to an art school,” said Bryant, “so I chose The Columbus College of

position and choose my medium and materials. Each medium has its own

Art & Design in Ohio. There, I was grounded in fundamentals.” He grad-

process, but I usually work from background to foreground, light to dark,

uated, in 1988, with a degree in illustration.

and I finish with details.”

These days, Bryant rarely lacks inspiration. “I had an instructor tell me the difference between a professional and an amateur is waiting for

He began his career, as a freelance illustrator, in St. Louis, building a portfolio while working for clients including Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, Ralston Purina, John Deere, and the Dallas Cowboys.

inspiration. Artists might lack inspiration, similar to writer’s block, but

Bryant has work on exhibit at the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of

writers are in a different world. They are creating something, from with-

Regional Art on the campus of Southeastern Illinois College in Harris-

in, by stringing words and sentences together, and that paints a different

burg. “I am honored that my art was chosen for display in this new muse-

kind of picture I have a hard time understanding. I admire writers like my

um,” said Bryant.

partner, Janey, and understand how blocks could affect their creativity. I

Br yant said, “Ever y good gift comes from God. Ever y last one. I

believe the most helpful thing artists, writers, and musicians can do is fill

believe we begin to recognize our talents and interests as we are growing

their hearts with experiences and people that will spark their creativity.”

up. How much, or how little, we develop those gifts into skills is up to us.

Bryant has had opportunities to encourage aspiring artists. He recalls

My life could have gone in different directions had I not chosen to hone

the words of one of his drawing teachers, “there is nothing new under the

those natural talents, but most recently, I have felt very blessed because

sun, but we should work to be the best we can.”

I’ve worked hard and haven’t given up. I feel my best work is ahead of

“Every young artist will feel something within that will call to them, and depending on their environment, they will be encouraged, or it will

) 8 1 6 (

be ignored. They should weigh all of that and decide how far they want to

R U O Y E S RTI E N V O D I T A I D O E T WANT IN THE NEXT ASH? AB SS E W N E I H S T U B ONG L A E F I OF L

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Y A D O T S U LL

14 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020

me, and that’s from God, too.”

Bryant may be contacted at 618-384-1961, or by email ebillustrator@ gmail.com.

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Country kids WRITER: ANDREA HOWE I look at all the technology in my home today and realize that hardly any of it was invented, much less made available to the masses, during my childhood. We created our own entertainment.

Summer vacation wasn’t traveling or spending the day at the pool. There were three of us, countr y kids, at home during the summer, amusing ourselves eight miles removed from the largest town, and three or four miles away from even a countr y general store.

Our biggest outing was on grocer y day, when Mom scouted at least five dif ferent stores for the sales, and stopped by the Nehi bottling plant to turn in bottles and get new cartons of Royal Crown Cola. We were allowed to stop at the public librar y, where I checked out as many books as were allowed, to devour over the next week.

Summer vacation involved chasing lightning bugs and capturing them in a Mason jar. Or collecting locust shells for Grandma, who rewarded us with warm cinnamon sugar-sprinkled baked pie dough scraps. I still wonder what she did with all those bug shells.

t:

Left-righ

r y, brothe Sister Ka , e m Jerry and 1968. r e m m su

Summer vacation was walking barefoot on sand roads, picking sand burrs out of my feet.

Hair in a ponytail, playing outside and sweat leaving a track down my dirty face. Cutting wild honeysuckle from the brush along the

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road to bring home.

chores to earn enough money to get that

in the newspaper bir th announcements.

Sleeping backward in the bed, head

prize (Barbies for me) out of lay-away.

Then strangely, we broke our arms within

at the footboard near the screen window,

Inevitably, we chose the chore of washing

a month of one another.

making noises as the box fan distorted my

the car. Out came the water hose and a

But I digress. When L yndell and her

voice.

bottle of dish soap. We delivered some

sisters were visiting their grandparents

streaked cleaning jobs, but we had fun,

Jake and Marie, we had the best time play-

and we were paid a quarter each. I think

ing in Marie’s wash house or walking back

Riding Trigger the pony two and three

Mom and Dad knew that the minute they

to my house, and coaxing Trigger out for

fields away from the house, plodding

started off down the sand road, it wouldn’t

an adventure. Sometimes we took a walk

along, until he decided he was finished

matter whether the car had streaks of dirt.

across the field to the “thicket,” exploring

with us and tried to roll us off, or take the

When we tired of washing the car, we

bit in his mouth and race to the barn, as

just turned the water hose on one another,

When I visited L yndell’s house, I expe-

we hung on for all we were worth.

shrieking and r unning around the yard

rienced the best-ever “splash park” — run-

— sometimes hopping if we happened to

ning through the cornrows while the irri-

catch a sand burr in our feet.

gation sprinklers passed over us!

Sitting under an old walnut tree, reading Black Beauty. And Nancy Drew.

Summer vacation was always about being hot, and finding a way not to be. My

it as if we had our own private island.

brother Jerr y, sister Kay and I envisioned

We played together. We fought. We got

Sometimes summer vacation was a visit

a new swimming pool. We dug a big hole

spankings. We got over it, and we found

to the general store for penny candy or

and lined it with black plastic, then ran the

something else more interesting.

cold soda, or ice cream.

water hose forever and ever, never able to

Something more interesting might

Always, summer vacation involved vaca-

fill it up. We grew up in sand countr y, right

mean taking a walk down the road and

tion Bible school, where we made crafts

next to a watermelon field. We had no clue.

across the field to our neighbor’s house,

and learned Bible verses and met kids we

When we wanted something new, we

where my friend L yndell’s grandmother

might see again in the classroom.

lear ned about lay-away at the Tresslar

lived. Her cousin Mike and I were born on

store, and we pestered Mom for more

the same day — even wound up mixed up

Summer vacation? We didn’t have all the gadgets, but we had all the fun.

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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020 17

FANTASTIC 4TH PLANNING AMID COVID-19 WRITER: EVAN MERRILL

COVID-19 pandemic precautions have put a damper on several area Independence Day activities, canceling plans for several area fireworks displays, but Mount Carmel officials are still planning for a Fantastic 4th.

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Mount Carmel’s annual celebration is a go, according to Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge.

This year’s celebration will be incredibly different in contrast to years past.

The city’s initial plans included bringing countr y singer Clayton Mann to Mount Carmel to per form and add to the celebration, along with the usual plans of a parade, and the firework display taking place on Golden Aces Way. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a concert became vir tually impossible for Judge to include in his revised plan to the state. He said the traditional parade may also be unlikely, with already having a large-scale celebration with the firework show.

If all goes according to plan, the area should be in Phase four of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan by July 4 – or further along if Pritzker makes amendments to his policy. Phase four allows for maximum social gatherings of 50 or less, complicating even the logistics of the fireworks.

“It looks like it’ll only be 50 people max at the timeframe, unless Governor Pritzker changes his mind and we can have another zero added onto that,” Judge said. “… We spoke to the school district about the fireworks and it looks promising that we’ll have that. I

don’t think we’ll have a parade this year. I just don’t know if it’ll happen or not, I just think it’s pushing it with the fireworks and the parade.”

For the revised plan, Judge said various ideas the city has submitted in its plan to the state include opening the gates of the practice field at Riverview Stadium, and having a maximum occupancy of 50 people per side of the stands at the home of the Golden Aces. This year may mark the first time the city’s opened the practice field gates for the celebration.

With the gates to the practice field opened, spectators can bring lawn chairs and watch the show with friends or family – all while adhering to social distancing precautions. Additional spectators could park in one of the large parking lots adjacent to the stadium on Golden Aces Way, and watch from their vehicles, bed of their trucks, or sit out by their vehicles.

“What we’re going to end up doing is, as far as the seating up in the stadium — we’re going to have people counting and we’re going to limit it to 50 per side,” Judge explained. “We’re doing a six-foot gap between aisles, that way you have six feet and then every other bleacher. We hope that’ll work — I submitted it to the DECO and hopefully that’ll work.”

Something as simple as a firework is a morale booster for Southern Illinoisans, who

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after two months and counting indoors, are eager for anything to mark a return to normalcy. On the day celebrating the nation’s freedom, it could offer an escape to life as we know it and a glimpse to 2021.

Even more impor tantly, it could bring a much needed economic boost to the city, which Judge says is losing thousands of dollars by the week due to losses in local tax revenue amid the shutdown.

“Any increase in business that they’re getting right now would be a positive,” Judge said.

“Many are closed or have been limited for a very long time. By that point, we should be in Phase four, which should allow for their dining rooms to reopen and hopefully they’ll see a rush of business.

“I think it’ll have a huge impact on people, because right now everyone needs a positive, something uplifting to not just look forward to, but get excited about. Since March 21, they’ve been kind of sheltering in place, and mentally that just messes with everybody.”

The firework show will begin at 9 p.m. With the stands on a first come first serve, limited basis, spectators should arrive early for seating.

There will also be a fish fry at the Senior Citizens Center on July 2, which Judge confirmed will proceed as normal.

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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020 19

A Return to Vintage Fashion WRITER: ERIN ZINZLIETTA-PENNINGTON My Grandmother used to say, “All that is old is new again.” She wasn’t wrong. Recently my daughter called and wanted to know if I would sew her a few dresses. Normally, when I am not teaching, she has a “to-do list” for me of items she would like made, so her request was not unusual. When I asked what she preferred she replied, “I want some 1940s dresses; specifically shirtwaist style.” I was shocked. I had no idea this look was back in fashion.

It seems that as the world has witnessed this pandemic it has been a not so gentle reminder of other times in histor y when we faced hardship. Suddenly, there is a resurgence of 1940s and 50s fashion trends. We are back to “making do” and using what materials we have on hand and do not have to order from out of the country. During World War II, “Restrictions on fabric, leather, and metal for fashion required clever solutions to use what was available.” (www.artsandculture.google.com) Dresses made from two-three yards of fabric became the norm.

Women want to feel beautiful and feminine again, but need practical daily clothing. While we will not have to resort to repurposing curtains, we do want “wash and wear” clothing that is easy to care for and does not require an expensive cleaning service.

Just as in history when “Wartime priorities took precedence over most women’s lives. Women’s wardrobes were adapted to include slacks, warm coats, and washable frocks to suit their wartime activities. Washable cottons and separates saved dr y cleaning chemicals, time, and money.” (www.artsandculture.google.com) Color was of significance, too. There was a return to bright colors and elegant fabrics; a gentle reminder that it was necessary to face

utterick, Vogue, B and McCall’s y have Simplicit easy to released duction use repro patterns.

life with a cheery outlook and attitude of victory. Reproduction patterns have recently been released by Vogue, Butterick, McCall’s and Simplicity, for anyone wanting to recreate vintage style. You will not be able to buy them for a fifteen cents and a quarter as in days passed, but you will be able to use the patterns effectively now that directions are printed directly on the tissue pieces, unlike the originals.

My personal opinion is that we lost something as a society when women started dressing like men. Don’t even get me started on those women that go to the grocer y store in their pajamas.

Once we quit wearing dresses, slips, nylons, heels, hats and gloves, we degenerated into a culture of commonality. Sadly, that common ground is now spandex. What would Coco Chanel have to say about that?

ERIN ZINZILIETA-PENNINGTON is a 2010 graduate of McKendree University and a 1994 graduate of Eastern Illinois University. She possesses a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education English. She has been an educator since 1994.

20 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JULY 2020

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