SPRING 2010
Western Illinois Magazine In this issue...
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Letter from the Editor Welcome to Western Illinois Magazine, the only magazine in the world that gives a damn about Western Illinois.
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Bartonville: A Broken Home Where the Haunted Roam The Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane in Bartonville has been the subject of legend over the years. Ever hear the tale of ‘Old Book,’ the mute gravedigger who wailed at every funeral? By Lauren Finkler
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Western Illinois’ Tractor Man After teaching history at Western Illinois University for more than four decades, Bill Combs decided to indulge in one of his passions—rebuilding antique tractors. By Amber Ruthe
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Suspicious Gin Ridge Fires Continue to Spark Controversy In 1948, the Charles Willey Farm, located in Gin Ridge, south of Macomb, was plagued by a mysterious series of fires—more than 200 of them. After the main farmhouse, a couple of barns and a milk house burned to the ground, authorities blamed a niece, 12-year-old Wonet McNeil. But no one has ever figured out how she did it. By Ben Ellington
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Galesburg’s Precious Jewel: Seminary Street From gourmet restaurants and exquisite jewelry to organic baked goods and used books, Galesburg’s Seminary Street neighborhood is a special place with something for everyone. By Sarah Zavala
Small Business Owner Lives the Dream A Question and Answer session with Lisa Welch, owner of Fruits of Love Custom Carpet Studio of Macomb—‘the Rug Lady.’ By Gail Christianson
Forgottonia In the early 70s, Western Illinois was ignored and neglected by the most of the state’s politicians. Along came WIU student Neil Gamm, who, with tongue pressed firmly into his cheek, preached that maybe the region should just secede from the rest of Illinois and call itself ‘Forgottonia.’ By Ed Komenda
Chris Ward: The Comic Book Creator Who Talked to Lincoln Since graduating from Western Illinois University in 2003, Chris Ward has worked for magazines, been a certified pharmacy technician, performed in a band and filmed junior-dance competitions. Oh, and he wrote a comic book about President Barack Obama. By Sarah Zeeck
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Future Hall of Famer Pays a Visit to Macomb Last year, baseball star Jim Thome, originally from Peoria, stopped by a Macomb eatery for dinner. It turns out he likes the hunting in these parts. By Matt Kosek
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Livin’ with Lincoln: Bringing the Past to Life When Keith and Penny Shank took their six grandchildren to visit the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, the clan found plenty of history but also ghostly holograms, Civil War dress up and, of course, the gift shop. By Gail Christianson
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Western Illinois, Meet Your All-Star: Setting the ‘Barr’ for student athletes The quarterback of Western Illinois University’s Fighting Leathernecks is a star not only on the field but also in the classroom. By Matt Kosek
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Rock-N-Rolla: They Do Musical Things Brady Lavin, a junior music business major at Western Illinois University, decided to jumpstart his career by producing a weekly newsletter, Rock-N-Rolla, devoted to music reviews and the local music scene. By Alyse Thompson
Western Illinois Magazine
The only magazine in the world that gives a damn about Western Illinois
A Western Courier Publication 1 University Circle Macomb, IL 61455 309-298-1876, ext. 7 Vol. 1 No. 2 Spring 2010
BY ALYSE THOMPSON It wasn’t easy, but we did it. After hours of reporting, writing and designing, the diligent staff and I would like to present to you the second issue of Western Illinois Magazine. With the help of awesome journalism professor Richard Moreno, we decided to delve into the odd, the unusual and the just plain weird in this side of the state, thus our theme: “strange Illinois.” From the now abandoned asylum in Bartonville to the legend of the Macomb poltergeist, we have all the delightfully abnormal bases covered. But if you are looking for something a little less macabre, take a trip down Seminary Street in Galesburg or recall Neal Gamm, who campaigned to have 14 western Illinois counties secede
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and become a separate state. And of course, we couldn’t forget some of the stories in our own backyard. In this issue, baseball’s Jim Thome will make a surprise visit to a local steakhouse, and Bill Combs, a former history professor, will show you his expansive collection of tractors. Regardless of your taste, we have something for you. As a new student and a new member of the staff, I was completely unaware of what western Illinois had to offer. But hopefully, with the help of these articles written by the diverse and talented staff, you will discover the wonderfully eccentric area that is western Illinois, just like I did. So sit back, relax and let your journey begin.
EDITOR Alyse Thompson COPY EDITOR Lauren Finkler ART DIRECTOR Lauren Staten GRAPHICS/DESIGN EDITORS Gabe Thein, Ian Davis, Ed Komenda, Matt Marcotte, Nicole Raddatz, Sarah Zavala COVER DESIGN Matt Marcotte STAFF WRITERS Gail Christianson, Ben Ellington, Lauren Finkler, Matt Kosek, Ed Komenda, Amber Ruthe, Alyse Thompson, Sarah Zavala, Sarah Zeeck PHOTO EDITOR Hank Moreno PHOTOS Associated Press, Gail Christianson, Matt Marcotte, Julia Moreno, Amber Ruthe, T.J. Salsman/special to the State Journal-Register, Chris Ward, Sarah Zavala, WIU Special Collections ADVERTISING MANAGER Ashley Gerkin ADVERTISING SALES Colleen Batterma, Morgan Huber, Allison Osborne, Natalie Santos ADVERTISING DESIGN Bethel Hampson, Jackie Witte BUSINESS MANAGER Erin Reno ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Meghan Vance DISTRIBUTION Shannon Ferrell, Eric Hein, Brad Ferraro ADVISORS Richard Moreno, Bill Knight Western Illinois Magazine is published once per semester by Western Illinois University students. All content reflects the editorial discretion of the students operating the magazine and must be interpreted as unofficial university communication. Single issue copies available. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of editorial content without written permission is prohibited. Disclaimer: Advertisements in this publication do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited or restricted by law. Reprints: Contact Richard Moreno, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, r-moreno@wiu.edu.
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BARTONVILLE Peoria State Hospital —
A broken home where the haunted roam
PHOTO BY LAUREN FINKLER
Abandoned since 1973, the historic Bowen Building was the centerpiece of the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane in Bartonville..
By Lauren Finkler
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veryone has a story, but at the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane, now known as the Peoria State Hospital, some stories were never heard. Patients suffered and the hospital workers tried their best to cure, or at least sustain, the incurable, but when all else failed, the gravedigger (who was a patient himself) hollowed out a new home in the ground for numerous individuals who died at the asylum. Little is known about the gravedigger, mostly because he couldn’t speak coherently, if at all. His real name is unknown, but he was nicknamed “Old Book” and recorded as Manual Bookbinder in historical documents. The only documented record of “Old Book” at the asylum resides in a 1905 supervisor’s journal according to Gary Lisman’s book, “Bittersweet Memories: A History of the Peoria
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State Hospital.” The journal entry lists Bookbinder, M. for having received six total handkerchiefs, valued at twelve cents. “Old Book” put his handkerchiefs to use as outbreaks of tuberculosis, pellagra and epilepsy plagued many patients under the supervision of hospital superintendent, Dr. George A. Zeller. With each patient, the mute gravedigger continually displayed his remorse during burials by leaning against what would become known as “the weeping tree” and loudly wailing.
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any other patients weren’t as cooperative or remorseful as “Old Book” according to a quote from Dr. Zeller in Lisman’s book: “…this institution contains the most violent, destructive and habitually untidy inmates of any in the State and, collectively cannot likely be duplicated anywhere in the United States. They are the picked cases from more
than 7,000 insane.” Zeller continued, “We have with us many homicides, two of whom are life-time convicts. We have a woman who choked two women to death, and a man who inflicted a fatal bite upon another and subsequently killed two women with a fire poker.” While Zeller aimed to fill a void that previous local facilities fell short of, he didn’t have any previous experience in the care or treatment of the insane. “These buildings were built to correct problems, but they really didn’t correct a lot of the problems. It was part of this sort of progressive era of reform, trying to reform our mental institutions, but a lot of them were overcrowded.” said Michael Kleen, folk historian and author of the upcoming book, “Paranormal Illinois.” “When the Peoria State Hospital closed in 1973 there were 47 buildings standing on the grounds; of these, 33 were part of the original complex built
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A lot of things went on there that never should have, and people were put in there that didn’t belong, at least they didn’t when they got there. Mary Doering, Peoria Resident
PHOTO BY JULIA MORENO
Hundreds of nearly identical headstones, many marked with little more than a number, stretch across the Bartonville Asylum cemetery.
between 1899 and 1910 and three others were over 50 years old. By 2005 nearly all of the original buildings are gone,” according to Lisman’s book.
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eoria resident, Mary Doering is no stranger to the strange occurrences that took place within the asylum, witnessing several of her own while paying visits with her mother to her great aunt and great grandmother in the 1960’s and 1970’s. “Never enter a dorm at an insane asylum with a cut on your hand, you really draw a crowd. I learned that the hard way,” said Doering. In the dining room, four or five patients were setting the tables. One of the patients noticed that Doering had cut her hand, while the nurse went to get Doering’s great aunt, who was committed to the asylum after her only child was sent to Vietnam. “She’s bleeding,” yelled the patient, and soon they were all surrounding Doering, staring at her hand and trying to touch it. “It really freaked me out. I don’t think I thought they would hurt me, it just was eerie,” said Doering. The nurse returned with a napwkin for her bleeding hand, telling the patients to get back to work. They obliged, but they kept glancing over at her. “I couldn’t wait to get out of there,” said Doering. During other visits, Doering typically played on the lawn with her sister and
brother while her mother visited with relatives. Visitors would rarely go into the living quarters; typically, they would visit in the dining area, outside on the porch or in the yard if the weather permitted. Doering’s mother spoke of a patient who sat and rocked a baby doll because she had lost her baby in a fire. Another woman pulled her hair out. “I guess she would very slowly pull one hair out at a time. She would do it till she was pretty much bald on one side and then she would start on the other side. By the time she finished the second side the first would have grown back in enough so that she could start back on that side,” said Doering. Another woman would say “there’s the S.O.B. that did me wrong” to Doering’s grandfather every time he visited; they never knew if she said this to all men or only him. Another woman grabbed Doering’s Aunt Sheron, a tiny woman. “I guess the woman just took a liking to her, came over and grabbed her. The nurses had to get her away from Sheron, she wanted to keep her,” said Doering. While the staff was always polite and friendly as far as Doering knows, it was suspected that they beat the patients. When her great grandmother, who had been committed in 1961 after a supposed suicide attempt, passed away in 1970, the mortician reported bruises on her torso. Doering recalls hearing of terrible
treatments being performed in the basement of the administration building, also known as the Bowen Building, which still stands today. “To me, the place still has an eerie atmosphere,” she said. “I know I never liked going there. I always thought it was creepy and more than a little frightening. A lot of things went on there that never should have, and people were put in there that didn’t belong, at least they didn’t when they got there,” said Doering.
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ccording to Lisman’s book, many therapies were attempted over the years at the asylum including: color therapy, phototherapy, hydrotherapy, insulin shock/comatherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, occasional lobotomies, and occupational and industrial therapy. While some treatments were more drastic than others, the asylum experimented with several various treatments to combat the patients’ diseases. Hydrotherapy was said to treat up to fifteen different conditions, making it one of the most extensively used treatments at the facility. According to records from 19051919 in Lisman’s book, a total of 87,818 hydrotherapy treatments took place over the years. Violent patients often responded well to color therapy. Phototherapy seemed to help with patients suffering from tuberculosis.
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Diabetics were exposed to insulin shock/ comatherapy. Electroconvulsive therapy was said to treat depression, mania, schizophrenia and even homosexuality. Lobotomies were rare at the asylum, and their intended purpose is not clarified. Occupational and industrial therapy allowed for patients to have jobs, teaching them new skills. The treatments were mostly experimental, and the number of patients continually increased, causing overcrowded living quarters which made it easy for diseases to spread. “It’s really hard to visualize how they expected anybody to get better in that environment,” said Kleen. Many patients still haven’t left the hospital grounds, finding a new resting place in one of the four cemeteries. According to records, the hospital, which was in operation for 71 years, had an average of about 50 burials each year, many of these being attributed to natural causes. “We buried only the bodies of the friendless and unclaimed, as the remains of the well-to-do were shipped at the expense of the friends and relatives to such points as they designated,” said Zeller in Lisman’s book. “The dead were all strangers to us and our ceremony was simply a mark of respect rather than an indication of personal attachment to the deceased. Therefore, it may be imagined how surprised we were when, at the critical moment, Old Book removed his cap, began to wipe his eyes and finally give vent to loud lamentations,” Zeller continued. According to Lisman’s book, it is said that “Old Book” was a psychotic from Austria, who died after six years at the asylum, in 1910. Like many of the patients he buried, he is said to have died from pellagra. It is also rumored that “Old Book” rests in cemetery two, at grave marker 713, where
an unmarked stone resides. The only known treatment he received was the occupational and industrial therapy, where he dug graves, but when his own grave was prepared nobody was ready for the scene that took place. When “Old Book” was being buried, many hospital employees gathered to say their goodbyes to their beloved coworker and patient who had so respectfully mourned others deaths preceding his own. Several witnesses claimed they heard weeping and saw the apparition of “Old Book” resting against the tree as his coffin was being lowered into the ground. The workers lowering the casket fell back in unison and the casket shot up as if it was empty. At Zeller’s orders, the shocked gravediggers removed the casket lid. “Old Book” lay lifelessly, and the wailing stopped. “George Zeller claimed that there were a lot of witnesses to the event and he himself was a well respected medical doctor, so I tend to take his word for it,” said Kleen. As the tree began to perish, Zeller ordered workers to remove the tree several times, but the weeping would persist, discouraging workers from following through. “One of our men tried but at the first stroke he threw down his axe and ran to his quarters declaring that in the clouds of smoke that curled upward he could plainly outline the features of our departed mourner,” said Zeller in Lisman’s book. Kleen believes that the tree was eventually struck by lightning, but the desperate and sorrowful cries of the dead still haven’t stopped.
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he bits and pieces that are left of the asylum today are nestled among the various businesses on
Peoria State Hospital Therapies Color Therapy
— utilized primary color schemes to calm patients
— extremely violent patients were placed in the black room
Electroconvulsive Therapy
— colorful glass panes & incandescent lamps served different purposes
Hydrotherapy
shocked,
seizure, believed to alter the brain’s
chemistry
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— the injection of increasing increments of insulin until falling into shock
Western Illinois Magazine
sending
into
a
— involved severing nerve fibers connected to the frontal lobes of the thalamus
Occupational and Therapy
them
Lobotomy
liquid
— various treatments involving water in each chemical state: vapor, ice, &
Insulin Shock/Coma therapy
— patient’s brain is electrically
Phototherapy
Pfeiffer Road in Bartonville, Ill. While many of the former asylum buildings have been rehabilitated for current needs, most have been torn down. Today, all that can be located is the overgrown cemetery and the 111-year-old Bowen Building, which served as the nurses’ residence for the majority of the years the hospital was in operation. Anyone who visits the Bowen Building will find graffiti covered walls, broken windows and no trespassing signs near every former entrance. The doors are heavily chained and all the first floor windows are boarded up. Local volunteers hope to restore the building and turn it into a bed and breakfast, but funding is limited. “There’s just not much we can do with these buildings,” said Kleen. Still, adventurous vandals or curious ghost hunters have found ways in over the years. Kleen has heard people talk of hearing weird noises and feeling uneasy on the ground of the former asylum. “It could be (haunted). A number of people died there, so it’s entirely possible. The thing with a lot of these abandoned places is that people are more likely to be scared,” said Kleen. People forget that there can be animals running around and other explainable occurrences that may not necessarily be paranormal. Kleen continued, “It’s so easy for the senses to be fooled.” As the asylum nears its final chapter, the legends of “Old Book” and all his fellow patients live on in the experiences of today’s visitors in ways that many believe to be unexplainable. The historic Bowen Building faces potential demolishment, but even in its deteriorating state it begs to be cured in ways many of its former patients could not be.
Industrial
— employment for patients in primarily maintenance jobs, no salaries given
PHOTO BY LAUREN FINKLER
A rusted metal grate cover on the Bowen Building carries the initials for the Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane (I.A.I.I.).
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Galesburg’s Precious Jewel:
Seminary Street By Sarah Zavala Shopping is every woman’s weakness, being waited on is every man’s desire and playing in a store filled with toys is every child’s fondest wish. While Galesburg’s Seminary Street neighborhood can’t make all those dreams come true, it comes pretty close. Seminary Street is a three-block shopping district of small, independent shops located in the heart of the historic community of Galesburg, which is 49 miles northeast of Macomb in Western Illinois. The Calico Cat
If you start on the street’s southern corner, you’ll encounter the Calico Cat (88 South Seminary St.), a gift store jammed with a wide variety of stylish items including chocolates and sweets, jewelry, home fragrances, gag items and decorative products. Mike Black, who has worked at the Calico Cat for the past eight years, modestly suggests that customers can find the perfect gift for just about anyone. Blake, who has worked at various businesses on Seminary Street for the past two decades, is posed to take over the Calico Cat. “I am going to be the owner at the beginning of next year,” Blake said. He is purchasing the business from Mary and Jay Matson, who have operated it for more than four decades. Black, who is from Galesburg, is an alum of Western Illinois
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University (B.S. in Computer Science in 2000 and M.S. in Instructional Technology in 2002). He became involved with Seminary Street when he was hired to maintain the neighborhood’s web site. “Then I decided I would rather do this,” Blake said. He does not have any major new plans for the store; it is still a work in progress, he explained.
The Landmark Café and Creperie Just down the street from Calico Cat is a longtime local dining favorite, the Landmark Café and Creperie (62 South Seminary St.). Opened in 1978, the Landmark is owned by Phil Ditkinson, who, like Black, is another WIU grad. Ditkison, who has owned the eatery since 1998, formerly worked at the Macomb Dining Company, located where the current D.J.’s Steakhouse is located in Macomb. “I did the restaurant business when I was at Western, I loved it and loved the people,” said Ditkinson, who majored in personnel administration and industrial relations. “At the time I didn’t want to do what I went to school for.” He said that he has maintained about 25 percent of the Landmark’s original menu, noting that many of the sandwiches and crepes are exactly the same as they were when the restaurant opened. However, over the years he has added
Western Illinois Magazine
a number of items that have safe and adventurous foods, become signature dishes. For Landmark has the ability to example, the Spinach Bisque customize almost every single soup is the house specialty— thing on the menu. the Landmark sells about “There is only about five 14,000 cups or bowls a year. things on the menu we are In terms of popularity, sand- not able to modify to fit wiches are still the most ordered the customers request,” items after the soup. Landmark Ditkinson said. also carries, what Ditkinson refers to as the “safe food.” “Its food that people recognize that is not too scary,” he said. Some of this comfort food includes the popular “Terrific Turkey” sandwich, a turkey melt, and a chicken almond sandwich. The “Terrific Turkey” is served on rye, Sourdough French or whole Kohl’s Diamond Gallery wheat bread (or bun) and Of course, after grabbing a includes tender slices of turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, cucum- bite to eat, you may need to ber, mayonnaise and butter. walk off some of those calories. On the side are potato chips or Fortunately right next-door is marinated fresh vegetables and Kohl’s Diamond Gallery (53 South Seminary St.), where you a homemade mustard sauce. “We also have fun preparing learn it is true—even if you’re other foods,” Ditkinson said. only window-shopping—diaRoasted Duck Quesadilla, monds are a girl’s best friend. “I’ve been in the jewelry busiPolenta with Wild Mushrooms, ness for 33 years and decided and a Polenta Torte are some of the other dishes prepared to open my own shop,” said at the Landmark. The Roasted Jeff Kohl, who has owned the Duck Quesadilla contains thin- gallery for the past five years. ly sliced roasted d u c k breast with m u s h rooms, jack and parmesan cheese, scallions and roasted red peppers between c r i s p y flour tortillas. It is served with apple bourbon c h u t n e y. SARAH ZAVALA A s i d e from the Ryan Kohl works on renewing and shinning a diamond in the basement of Kolhs Diamond Gallery.
He previously operated a jewelry shop down the street but once the building on Seminary Street opened, he changed locations. The new shop is more spacious, which allowed him to add more display cases. “I feel I could offer more than when I worked at a corporate store,” Kohl said. “Everyone carried the same thing and a lot of it was made overseas. Here I am able to handpick every piece and it’s all quality made.” Kohl said he enjoys owning his own business because it allows him to custom order for his customers. Additionally, the Seminary Street location has a large basement that allowed his wife, Lori, to open her own business selling designer purses. His son, Ryan does stone setting, sizing, and cleaning in a basement workshop.
In other words, it’s all in the family. Innkeeper’s Coffee Looking at so many diamonds and flashy jewelry can make you tired. But by taking a comfortable stroll down the block to Innkeeper’s Coffee (80 North Seminary St.), you can get your caffeine fix. Innkeeper’s Coffee opened in November 1998 and co-owners Mike Bond and Johan Dwalt take pride in the quality and variety of coffee they serve as well as their ever-changing food menu. The coffee shop boasts a tasteful, welcoming wood and glass décor. But unlike the cookie-cutter chain coffee joints that seem to have taken over nearly every street corner in America, Innkeepers roasts its own coffee, and makes and bakes its own food items. “We roast 25 different coffees from Africa, Asia, Central America and South America,” Bond said while hustling around to serve his customers. “We have a full kitchen, we do all of our own
baking, we make all of our own deserts, and we also serve lunch… our menu changes every day.”
Chez Willy’s For those looking for something a bit more gourmet, Chez Willy’s (41 South Seminary St.), owned by Bill and Brenda Egenlauf, specializes in eclectic American cuisine, which is served at both lunch and dinner. Main dishes range from several sizes of filets in a Bernaise Beurre Blanc sauce to pan seared scallops. Locals rave about the shoestring potatoes served with lunch entrees. Additionally, Chez Willy’s, which has been on Seminary Street for more than a decade, is known for its extensive wine list and its desserts, which include a tasty crème brulee.
Toys and Teachers Gifts, food, diamonds, and coffee—it’s about time the kids get to have some fun. Look both ways before crossing the street to a shop with an intriguing name, Toys and Teachers (47 South Seminary St.). Children, don’t be overwhelmed upon walking into the shop—the toys extend as far as the store, 100 feet long with a back room that is 18 feet wide. Toys and Teachers has been open on Seminary Street for eight years, but recently moved down the street from its former location next to Stone Ally, explained owner Peg Nelson. “Toys and Teachers focuses on carrying manipulative toys, accents and accessories for teachers,” Nelson said. “Our focus is having the child be energized by
their own creativity…we carry nothing electronic.” The shop is filled with teacher and school supplies, along with toys and lots of arts and crafts. “A lot of children come in with parents and grandparents and while the shopping is being done, parents do not have to worry about the child playing in the street, it is a nice atmosphere for them to be in,” Nelson said.
Stone Alley Books and Collectibles After getting the children rounded up, it’s time to visit a shop that just might suit the entire family. Called Stone Alley Books and Collectibles (53 South Seminary St.), this shop has only been open for about six months, according to owner Ben “Stone” Stomberg. Stomberg grew up in Galesburg and actually started his broadcasting career at WIU in the basement of Henninger Hall with the dorm radio station WHEN, where he hosted the “Joker and Boomer show.” Stomberg worked as a professional broadcaster for 10 years before he moved back to Galesburg and opened Stone Alley. The shop is fairly new, opening up last August. Many of his customers include teachers, students and parents shopping for kids. In fact, Stomberg says he’s been surprised about how much of his business has been college students from nearby Knox College as well as Monmouth College and WIU. “We specialize in books, both new and used, and comics and records, both current and vintage,” Stomberg said. “Business is going very well, I have no complaints, holidays were great, January was slow, February is back up there… kind of what we expected.” Mother Goosebumps And speaking of expecting, the store adjacent to Stone Alley is
known as Mother Goosebumps (77 South Seminary St.) and it caters to parents looking for unique children’s clothing and accessories. Open for 16 years, Mother Goosebumps boasts colorful murals on the walls and bright colors, including the clothing, which will catch any young child’s eye. “We have the ‘Thomas the Train’ table, which keeps kids entertained while Mom shops,” said store manager Rhonda Trowbridge, who has worked at Mother Goosebumps for 13 years. She has helped parents find the perfect piece of clothing for every occasion ranging from a dress for the local Daddy-Daughter Ball to the perfect outfit for the birthday boy or girl. Uncle Billy’s Bakery Any visit to Seminary Street
should include a stop at Uncle Billy’s Bakery (83 South Seminary St.) for a baked treat. Owned by Mori and Susan Lyon, the bakery grinds all of its flour on the premises and makes everything from scratch. “Sweets and bread are the specialties,” said Sue Cherrington, an employee for eight years. With the exception of a few items, everything is made from organic flour or natural ingredients. “There are very few good bakeries so a lot of people come here just for the bakery,” Cherrington said. Knox college students and people from out of town often come in when they are shopping Seminary Street or passing through downtown Galesburg. •
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So while Seminary Street won’t grant all your wishes, it can offer a nice box of Godiva chocolates, a diamond bracelet or a phenomenal organic oatmeal cookie—and that surely counts for something.
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COURTESY PHOTO
Neil Gamm opens a toll bridge to raise funds for neglected Western Illinois.
By Ed Komenda
T
here was a time in Western Illinois when taxes were up and public attention was down – residents of the region seemed to be isolated in the late 1960s, inhabiting a cornfield oasis with no hope, or opportunities, for exit. With the only passenger train service to Chicago cut and a proposal to build a superhighway from Chicago to Kansas City turned down twice in Congress, Western Illinois had limited options. Residents felt ignored. It wasn’t until a young Vietnam veteran from Ipava came along and stomped his feet in protest, that the region started getting the attention its residents had been looking for.
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Western Illinois University theatre student Neil Gamm, then 25, wearing his signature boutonnière and a black frock coat, had a grandiose idea he hoped would break the shackles that bound his region. Gamm, along with a group of several other Western students, decided they wanted to declare independence and secede from the state of Illinois. It was then that “Forgottonia” was born. The state encompassed 14 counties (although it was said to include 16 counties) including Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler, Scott and Warren. The capital of the new state was established in Fandon, a village of about 60 people, located five miles south of Colchester. “Our name suggests why (we’re acting),” Gamm said in a 1973 article. “We
have been forgotten so long. We have a history of being forgotten and ignored.” Established “tongue-in-cheek,” the Forgottonia publicity project was meant to call attention to the state government’s lack of response to this region of Illinois, as far as roads and other improvements were concerned, according to acclaimed western Illinois author and historian John Hallwas. And it did, as the surrounding media seemed to fall in love with the radical effort. “The Forgotten people were able to use the media better than any politician ever has,” wrote Rick Baker in a 1979 article on the subject. “Soon these forgotten people had reporters trampling their forgotten flower beds, and had television cameras stuck in their forgotten faces.” Baker added that when reporters
COURTESY PHOTO
Neil Gamm stands near an abandoned building in Fandon, the capital of Forgottonia.
couldn’t find real news, they would often write about Forgottonia and interview Gamm, labeled a “public relations genius,” who seemed to always have something interesting to say. “This is not just a stunt. Like swallowing goldfish or sitting on top of a flagpole. Nor do I seek publicity for myself,” Gamm said. “When people realize that many business and professional people are backing this effort, they’ll see that it’s not a joke.” The campaign mostly focused on the region’s roads, which were often deemed inadequate. Gamm claimed, “Good roads, especially interstate highways, are just empty dreams.” “At the time, travelers couldn’t get to western Illinois from anywhere else,” wrote James D. Nowlan in a September 1998 article in Illinois Issues magazine. “There just weren’t any good roads out there.” Several requests for state funding to build four-lane highways with direct routes to Chicago, Springfield and Peoria were made, but no one seemed to be listening. But after the birth of Forgottonia and the media event surrounding it, there seemed to be a flurry of highway improvements in the region. Political figures began to take notice of the region’s inadequate infrastructure, such as the lack of roads and passenger rail service. The state of Illinois finally responded in 1971, creating the “Illinois Service” initiative. This effort partnered with the then-newly established federal train system, Amtrak, worked to provide statesubsidized rail service between Chicago
and downstate communities. In 2006, Amtrak doubled its service output, offering two daily roundtrip trains on the Chicago-to-Quincy route. Although the Forgottonia effort seemed to get things moving, as roads continued to be resurfaced and State Route 67 between Macomb and Monmouth was widened to four lanes, some people thought the effort was not worth the time and energy. “The Forgottonia effort, although it got some attention to the western Illinois region, was a mistake,” Hallwas said. “Among other things, it clearly implied that our region was a kind of backwater.” It was this focus on the region’s inadequacies that prompted a negative view of western Illinois, he added. “[It was] as if to say, ‘who would want to live in such a neglected place?’ On the contrary, our region has a rich history, has some wonderful small towns, and has some lovely natural areas, so I felt we would do much better to emphasize those positive aspects,” he said. The campaign was not without farcical elements. Forgottonia had an official flower: the forget-me-not, a state bird: the albatross, a flag: which was plain white, and an educational institution: Forgottonia University. It was also rumored the new state would have a military academy at West Point, a missile base at Huntsville and a new automobile factory. It was also said Gamm even took out a loan to purchase an all-terrain vehicle, which would have enabled him to “travel the bumpy roads of western Illinois in comparative safety.”
“There are certain parts of this which are pranks and are humorous,” Gamm said in regard to the seemingly “wacky” antics surrounding the campaign toward change. Then-Western Illinois University President John T. Bernhard expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in Forgottonia, particularly the state of higher education in Illinois. “In terms of dollars appropriated for institutions of higher education in Illinois, Western is at the bottom of the pile,” Bernhard said, in a November 1973 article regarding education at Western. “We have been able to survive by cutting corners, especially on equipment. However, we can’t continue this too much longer.” He added that “slow, steady, constant pressure over a long haul” would be the key to success and the goal of the region could not be accomplished overnight. “If the people are becoming irritated by the term Forgottonia, that’s fine. They need to be irritated,” Bernhard said. “Nobody else will cry for us. Western’s got to cry for Western.” And then Forgottonia seemed to vanish over night. In the fall of 1974, the media lost interest in Neil Gamm, the driving force behind Forgottonia. By then his campaign had lost its steam and Gamm left for Springfield, where one publication said he was acting in various summer theatre productions. By the 1990s it was reported he had moved again, this time to Versailles, Missouri. It was recently reported that Gamm had settled near Eugene, Oregon.
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By Matt Kosek
AP PHOTO
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Livin’ With Lincoln:
By Gail Christianson
t was Abraham Lincoln’s 201st I birthday and, in Springfield, Ill., a school holiday. Penny and Keith
Shank decided they wanted their five grandchildren—Garrett (age 9), Zachary (8), Kaeden (7), Logan (6) and Madeline Kinison (4)—to get to know the 16th president as something more than the guy on the back of a penny. So they took them to Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Fortunately, the Lincoln Library and Museum is no stodgy, old school facility where children have to whisper and keep their hands to themselves. In fact, with an ambiance akin to a Disney World-style attraction, the Abraham Lincoln Museum is one of the most modern and technologically innovative museums in the world. According to David Blanchette, communications manager of the Illinois State Museums, the Lincoln museum actually incorporates technologies usually found in theme parks, coupled with a “rigorous standard of scholarship,” to present a unique experience. “Visitors encounter historical settings, interactive exhibits and theatrical special effects that make the history engaging, both intellectually and emotionally,” he continued. The result, said Penny Shank, was that “the children were enthralled with everything and asked many questions.” She said the children were most impressed by the Union Theatre, a multi-screen, multi-media surround sound presentation that depicts the 16th President as seen through the eyes of supporters and detractors. They also enjoyed the story of how when Lincoln was a young boy, he was kicked in the head by a horse and was unconscious all night. His family was afraid he would not live. “That’s not good about Lincoln getting kicked in the head,” said Zachary sadly. “They all remembered he was 6”4” and weighed 180 lbs, though,” said Penny Shank, “And they tell everyone, too.” All the cousins were intrigued with the Ghosts of the Library, a
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Left: The Kinison children prepare a meal in Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic. Right: Zachary Kinison stirs ‘soup.’
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PENNY AND KEITH SHANKS
Zachary Kinison (saluting) poses with siblings Garrett (Union officer), Kaeden (Lincoln), Logan (gentleman) and Madeline.
holographic presentation that mixes a live actor and special effects to highlight the facility’s world collection. “Are there really ghostes?” asked Madeline (yes, that’s how she pronounced the word ‘ghosts’). In the Hall of Holograms, where the pros and cons of
abolishing slavery are vociferously discussed by what appear to be floating heads of proponents and opponents, Zach, Logan and Garrett wanted to know how they could talk without their bodies. “Why aren’t they dead? They can’t live without their
Bringing the Past to Life
bodies! How are they talking? Their heads are just floating in air!” exclaimed Logan. Garrett, a history buff, enjoyed The War Gallery, which presents a stunning film which compresses the four years of the Civil War into four minutes, complete with an “odometer of death” synchronized to show mounting casualties on both sides. His comment was poignant: “I wish we didn’t have wars, but since we do I wish all wars could only last four minutes.” The Kinison clan all agreed that their hands-down favorite was Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic, an area just for children with period costumes in their size, plus games and activities from the 1800s. “We visited the attic before and
after touring the exhibit halls, and it was hard to get them to leave,” said Keith Shank. “We’re not surprised, since only Garrett, the oldest one with us that day has begun to develop an appreciation for history. Some of the younger ones still have the impression Lincoln was our contemporary.” Inside the Attic, the children were fascinated to learn about life in the 19th century. They learned that meat was kept in a river or a hole in the ground, because of a lack of refrigerators. “Look how people had to cook in a pot over a fire in the fireplace,” Kaeden said. “They were making stew and had potatoes, onions and carrots.” Garrett, Zach and Logan loved the Civil War uniforms while Madeline wanted to know if she could have
a dress like the frilly frock she was wearing. “I’m so pretty! I wish I was borned (Madeline’s word) in those days. I like cooking in the fireplace,” she said. The cousins enjoyed setting the table and eating; in fact, they spent most of their time in the kitchen area. At the end of the day, Grandfather and Grandmother Shanks were completely exhausted, but satisfied with the experience and knowledge they were able to share with their grandchildren. And they were reminded of something President Lincoln once said: “I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here (the White House) as my father’s child has.” Maybe some day.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PENNY AND KEITH SHANKS
PHOTO BY JULIA MORENO
Two very different faces of a legend: Logan Kinison dresses up as President Lincoln.
A statue of young Lincoln from one of the exhibits at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
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Western Illinois’ Tractor Man By Amber Ruthe Bill Combs taught history at Western Illinois University for 42 years, with his specialty being in European history. He keeps himself busy in retirement by playing table tennis with his wife in doubles matches, but his true passion is rebuilding and collecting antique tractors. Combs grew up on a family farm in northwest Missouri. As a boy, he learned how to farm with tractors. While working with tractors at a young age, he developed a liking for them. His family owned many tractors and they were always using them for work on the farm. Now, as a retired college professor, he has collected close to twenty-some tractors that are spread out on his 12-acre property in Colchester, IL. However, some are back in Missouri where he originally acquired them. “I don’t go for rare tractors,” Combs said, “I liked the tractors that everyone had.” Having a large number of antique tractors seems a bit overwhelming, but Combs keeps all of them running. He has a workshop that is kitty corner to his home where he spends time fixing his tractors. The one that he is currently working on is the first tractor he ever owned; the 1935 Farmall was quite a find for Combs, giving him his first taste of what would become his addiction. In about 1964, Combs was shopping around for a tractor that he could mow his land with. He was living in Kansas at the time, teaching at Kansas State College. Combs’ brother had mentioned to him that he’d seen a tractor that he thought might be for sale in Missouri. It wasn’t long before Combs contacted the owner to find out if the tractor was indeed up for sale. The owner told him that the tractor probably wouldn’t be any good because the engine had been frozen for quite some time. Combs paid him a visit anyhow. He realized that this tractor was just like the tractors he had been around his whole life on the farm and had a gut feeling about how to fix the freezing of the engine. He told the seller that he would give him twenty-five dollars for it. The seller agreed. All it took for Combs to get the tractor moving was a heating torch. He heated the bottom of the transmission, drained out the water that had been frozen, cranked it up and drove away. This was a surprise to the seller. Combs acquired his first tractor for a steal. This isn’t the only way that he finds his tractors. He attends antique tractor auctions. The tractors that Combs buys at auctions are mostly broken and battered when he first gets them. When he is finished with them they look almost new, with a little bit of wear and tear. It’s no surprise that they should look used after being restored, because Combs
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PHOTO BY AMBER RUTHE
Bill Combs spends his time collecting tractors.
frequently uses all of the tractors that he collects. Unlike most collectors, Combs puts his pieces to work. “I don’t create museum pieces. I try to restore them back to about what they were to begin with and then I try to find a job for them,” Combs said. His tractors don’t just have the typical job of most. He uses them to drill monstrous holes on his land for posts. The driveway isn’t really a driveway at all; it’s more of a grass roundabout. In the winter time he uses a tractor with a plow on the front to clear a circle out in the snow to create his driveway. When he isn’t putting his tractors to work,
Combs spices them up with a wash, and maybe a few touch-ups of paint, then lines them up at the annual tractor show put on at Argyle Lake. He lines up about five tractors diagonal to each other. Usually there will be a little piece of laminated paper hanging on the side of the tractor or in front of it to inform the admirer of the tractor’s details and its history. When people think about tractors, John Deere might come to mind. Combs is not a big fan. This might come as a shock to some. How can a tractor collector not like John Deere? He admits that he does own one of them, but only one. He simply doesn’t like the funny sound they make because they only have two cylinders. Oliver, Farmall, Case, Massey- Harris, and Allis-Chalmers are among the brands that he owns. Combs’ father owned mostly Farmall tractors and some of the Farmalls that he owns now were the same tractors that he used in high school on his family’s farm. Even though Combs’ tractors aren’t extremely rare, they received quite a bit of attention in the article that he wrote for the magazine Antique Power. The article he wrote was about his rare blacksmith-made post hole digger that he can attach to any of his tractors and his Sears and Roebuck front loader that is attached to his 1936 Farmall F-20. There were a few letters to the editor of Antique Power about connections to the two rare pieces that gave Combs’ more insight on where they came from. Combs’ collection continues to grow. He is fascinated with fixing tractors and bringing them back to life. Some of the tractors that he owns work so well and get so much use that he hasn’t even had time to strip them bare to rebuild them. They are always out at play.
PHOTO BY AMBER RUTHE
One of Combs' many antique tractors awaits restoration in his shop.
Keep an eye out
for the next issue
Suspicious Gin Ridge Fires Continue To Spark Controversy
By Ben Ellington
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Western Illinois Magazine 21
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER LIVES THE DREAM By Gail Christianson
PHOTO BY O. GARCIA
Lisa Welch creates custom rugs workshop.
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in her
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PHOTO BY O. GARCIA
Welch recieves orders for her rugs.
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Chris Ward The Comic Book Creator Who Talked To Lincoln By Sarah Zeeck An American pastime, the comic book, generally features high-flying superheroes donning capes and flashy emblems, showing off their superpowers. But the USA is full of real-life superheroes as well: firefighters, volunteers, and sometimes even presidents. Seeing Abraham Lincoln or Barack Obama featured in a comic book medium is just ludicrous, though…isn’t it? Not for Rushville native and Springfield resident Chris Ward. Ward, 28, recently
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PHOTO BY T.J. SALSMAN/SPECIAL TO THE STATE JOURNAL REGISTER CREDIT
authored “Political Power: Barack his way up to opinions editor. Upon Obama,” published by Bluewater graduating from WIU in 2003, productions, a comic book that he landed an internship in New regales Obama’s speech at the 2004 York City at Wizard Magazines, Democratic convention and tells his where he worked for a brief time. story through inauguration, with He later wrote columns for Game historical highlights in between. On. Looking for a way to make Unlike traditional comic ends meet without selling all of his books, political comic book heroes belongings on eBay, he eventually don’t wear capes, fly, or have ended up moving back to Illinois for fantasy-driven superpowers; in more stable and lucrative work. fact, the book begins with Ward Initially, Ward wasn’t interested and Abraham Lincoln enjoying in writing a political comic book. horseshoes (a Springfield-created “(Writing a political comic book) delicacy comprised of slices of Texas sounded about as exciting to me as Toast, burgers, fries, and cheese becoming mayor of Q-lot,” he said. sauce), talking about Obama. In addition to enriching the comic book with histories, landmarks, and prominent figures in Springfield, he was able to work in the history of corn dogs in the biography. Ward got involved in publishing while working for PHOTO CREDIT The Edge of the Chris Ward, a 2003 WIU grad, poses as himself for Western Courier and a panel that appeared in his comic book, “Political eventually working Power: Barack Obama.”
“Then, they pitched me Obama, and I jumped on it immediately. Living in Springfield, I at least had some personal connection I could use to springboard into his story. And, at the time, I thought his wild popularity would translate into record sales for me.” The book didn’t end up earning Ward worldwide fame, but it did earn him notoriety throughout west-central Illinois. The book sold roughly 10,000 copies, which according to Ward was more than some Batman and Spiderman comics, but less than some Sonic the Hedgehog comics and a comic featuring Obama fighting off zombies. “I’m really happy with our book. It got great reviews, and a few Marvel and DC folks had some nice things to say about it,” Ward said. “The art is stunning— painted by Africa’s own Azim Akberali—and the narrative is a lot of fun for an otherwise dry topic.”
Currently, Ward doesn’t have any future political comic books lined up. He was offered to write
“Michelle Obama: The First Year,” which he declined. “I just couldn’t get excited about something like that. What would it be, just her planting an organic garden for 22 pages?” Ward added. “Unless a spider bites her and she starts climbing the walls, I can’t find a fun angle there. “ Ward is currently working on two books, neither of which feature Obama, and he continues to freelance. Additionally, he works as a certified pharmacy technician at Memorial Hospital and helps film junior dance competitions for his friend’s production company across the country. He also writes and maintains two websites: worldofwardcrap. com and worstcartoonsever.com . After completing “Political Power: Barack Obama,” he wrote “Female Force: Condoleezza Rice” for Bluewater Productions. Both comic books are available for purchase on Amazon and COURTESY OF CHRIS WARD/BLUE WATER PRODUCTIONS eBay.
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Western Illinois, Meet Your All-Star Setting the ’Barr’ for student athletes
BY MATT KOSEK PHOTOS BY MATT MARCOTTE
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M
att Barr isn’t your typical student-athlete. When most people think about football players, they think of athletes whose physical make-up resembles that of a semi-truck, and whose intelligence is strictly limited to the football field. But through his achievements on and off the field, Barr has completely erased that stereotype, proving that hard work not only on the field, but in the classroom, is the key to his success. Matt Barr was born September 12, 1987 in Belvidere, Ill. to John and Pamela Barr. He first started playing football in first grade and played flag football all the way up to junior high. It wasn’t until seventh grade that he started playing tackle football. “Growing up, I’ve always liked basketball better,” Barr said. “That was always my favorite sport, but I loved playing football too, and during high school I had more success playing football than basketball, so I decided I wanted to pursue a college athletic career in football.” In high school, Barr was a varsity athlete in basketball, football and baseball. Most average high school students would be overwhelmed trying to find time to balance their respective sport, homework and their social life, but looking back, Barr actually wishes he could have done more. “In high school to me, and probably to a lot of kids, sports were all that mattered if you were an athlete,” Barr said. “So playing all three sports didn’t even seem like that big of a deal to me. I wish I had time to do more, to play more sports.” Barr not only handled the extra load, he excelled at each sport, particularly football. His senior year, he was an all-conference quarterback and punter, the league’s offensive MVP, an academic all-state honoree, and an IHSA Coaches Association and News-Gazette allstate player. Additionally, he completed 62 percent of his passes and rushed for more than 1,000 yards on an average of 9.4 yards per carry. Western Illinois Head Coach Mark Hendrickson, who recruited Barr out of high school, is amazed at his quarterback’s ability to perform at such a high level in three different sports. “At that size of a school, it’s very unusual for someone to be productive in three varsity sports,” Hendrickson said. During the process of trying to recruit Barr, one of the first things that stood out to Hendrickson was the high school quarterback’s advanced mobility. “He handled the
ball very well in the option game,” said Hendrickson. “He was mobile, had good feet, and above average speed for a quarterback.” Hendrickson said he only had one concern about Barr. “The only thing that made me a little nervous was hardly anyone else was recruiting him,” said Hendrickson. “But we’ve never based our recruiting philosophy on who’s recruiting someone. It’s just what we see in a young man and that we believe they can come in and help us.” The more he got to know the talented quarterback, the more Hendrickson began to recognize what a “first class young man” he was dealing with. He was also impressed with Barr’s 4.0 plus GPA
and his high ACT score. After he watched Barr’s game tapes, the decision had been made for him; Barr was the man he wanted. “I became sold on the fact that I thought he could come here and be a productive quarterback for us,” Hendrickson said. The confidence that Western Illinois showed in Barr was ultimately the reason he decided to come play for the Fighting Leathernecks, and not for Illinois State, the other school that was pursuing him at the time. The week before it was time to announce his decision, Hendrickson offered Barr a scholarship to play quarterback for Western Illinois. Illinois State also offered a scholarship, but to play wide
Western Illinois Magazine 27
receiver. “The fact that Coach Hendrickson believed that I could play quarterback at this high of a level, at the Division 1 level, really made me believe, really made up my mind that I wanted to play for him.” Even though Hendrickson recently took over as the head football coach following the departure of Don Patterson, he and Barr have quite an extensive history together. The three and a half years before Hendrickson was handed the head coaching job, he spent every day with Barr as his quarterback coach. “I know that Coach Hendrickson works as hard as anybody and he’s always going to be as prepared as possible, so I put 100 percent trust in him to put us in a position to win and to have a successful season next year.” Barr wishes that last season could have turned out differently, but he doesn’t regret it. He uses it as motivation instead. “Everybody is so motivated because last season went the way it did,” Barr said. “Right now we have a ten game losing streak, so every time we worked out, every time we conditioned, that’s not in the back of our mind
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but that’s the primary thing we’re thinking about. Everybody is anticipating a much better season because we’re working very hard to change things around.” The hardest thing for Barr last season was the fact that he was powerless for most of it, after a seasonending thumb injury in the fourth game against Southern Illinois. “It was very tough. I had very high expectations for myself, I had very high expectations for the team , and to miss the last seven and a half games and watch the team struggle with some very tough losses, it was tough for everybody, not just me,” Barr said. Barr isn’t a stranger to injury though. His sophomore year he separated his shoulder against North Dakota State and missed three weeks of practice. Luckily for him, the week after North Dakota State was a bye week, so he only ended up missing one game. He knew he could come back and play, so he frantically rehabbed his shoulder so he could get back on the field. This past season’s injury was much more severe, and thus required a much longer and more grueling rehab process. “I knew that there was
no chance I’d be back for the season so I really took my time and made sure I followed the plan and didn’t try to rush it,” Barr said. Coach Hendrickson applauded his quarterback’s work ethic and determination to bounce back from his injury. “When you’re injured, you have to be very disciplined because even though you can’t practice, you can’t do what you want to do, you can’t play the game of football, but you have to rehabilitate your injury everyday and Matt did that very well and it paid off for him,” Hendrickson said. Even though Barr couldn’t physically help his team last season, he still contributed in any way he possibly could. “He’s a total team player, he’ll do whatever the coaching staff asks him to do at any given time,” Hendrickson said. “Even though he was injured, he was a great asset to the team.” Barr was on the sidelines for every game of the painfully long season, cheering on his teammates and trying to will them to a victory any way he possibly could. Barr helped the team while he was out by taking on the role of mentor for young freshman
quarterback, Will Lunt. “The one thing you can’t teach is experience, and that’s what I tried to help him out with, by using my experiences and drawing upon my experiences to give him advice,” Barr said. The experiences that Barr drew upon to help out Lunt were the ones that he went through as a red-shirted freshman in 2007. At the time, Barr was battling Zach Wells for the starting quarterback position. The original plan was that Wells was supposed to play the first quarter of the first game of the season, and Barr would play the second quarter. At halftime, the coaches would decide who would play the rest of the game, and ultimately the rest of the season. Well, it never got to that point. “On the third play of the game, Zach sprained his ankle and I played the rest of that game and every snap for the rest of the season.” This season, both Barr and Hendrickson have very high expectations for the Western Illinois football team. “Matt and his teammates are very determined to get Leatherneck football back to where it belongs,” Hendrickson said. Barr’s return definitely increases
Western’s chances of success this year, as he is a major threat on the field. “He’s the dual threat you’re looking for both as a runner and a thrower,” Hendrickson said. This past fall, Barr received the Lincoln Laureate Academic Award, which recognizes the most outstanding senior in academics and extracurriculars . Out of 52 statewide winners, Barr was the only student athlete. “I know I work hard to achieve my goals I set for myself. To have somebody else recognize how hard I’ve worked over my career at Western Illinois University means a lot to me.” So how does Barr manage to be so successful in both the classroom (he currently has a 3.851 cumulative GPA), and on the football field? “A lot of it has to do with the way I was brought up, the values my parents instilled in me,” Barr said. He also attributes a lot of it to simply keeping his eye on whichever goal he is striving for, whether it is academic or athletic, and not allowing himself to be sidetracked. So what kinds of goals does Barr hope to achieve after his time at Western Illinois? He hopes to one
day become a lawyer. This summer after receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting, he plans to take the LSAT, return next year to get his masters degree in accounting, and then go off to law school after he graduates. With an accounting background and hopefully being a certified public accountant, he wants to do something with tax law for a private law firm. But for now, Barr has his sights set on the next football season. He hopes the team will look up to him. Although Barr isn’t usually the most vocal players, he speaks up when he feels it is necessary. “Matt doesn’t talk a lot, and yet when he has something to say, whether it be in the locker room or on the field, the players know that they’d be wise to listen to what he has to say,” Hendrickson said. “If things need to be said, I’ll say them, but I’d much rather lead by example,” said Barr. With the upcoming season being his last, Barr hopes to lead the Leathernecks to a complete turnaround of last season, and in doing so, give back to the school that in the past five years has given him so much.
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-NRock Rolla THEY DO MUSICAL THINGS By Alyse Thompson You may have seen it in the Union on all the tables. You might have seen it in Café Aroma, when you went to get your regular Caramelot during Cappi Hour. Or maybe you noticed it at Chick’s on the Square when you went to get your “Chicken lips” fix. What do all these places have in common? It’s the “Rock N Rolla,” a weekly, musically diverse newsletter, run by junior music business major Brady Lavin. What started as a practicum for former music business student Aly Jados is now Lavin’s undertaking. Having no other background in producing publications besides writing for the “Rock N Rolla,” Lavin’s guitar teacher Matt Warnock urged him to take over the newsletter in 2008 after Jados graduated. The “Rock N Rolla,” produced by the School of Music’s guitar studio, contains articles by music students seeking the writing experience. “The articles come from usually people in the
Benji Gold, a junior music business major and a classical guitarist, frequently writes for the “Rock N Rolla.” He started by helping distribute the newsletter, but now he covers topics like computer technology for producing music and the debate between vintage and modern. “Whenever something happens in the music industry or a new band comes out with a CD that I like, I’ll probably write a review and just show anticipation,” Gold said. In addition to its weekly installments of music news, the “Rock N Rolla” team also produces a “Weekend Entertainment Guide.” By being placed in all the residence halls, it is meant to give students a quick and easy way to find something to do over the weekend. “People post their own things around the dorms, but there isn’t anything that compiles all the stuff that is entertainment over the weekend,” Lavin said. “We decided that we could fill that void and make a little money.” Accompanying the articles and the entertainment guide are advertisements from local businesses. These
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guitar studio because the money goes to bringing in guest guitarists,” Lavin said. “It gets people published and it’s a resumé builder, and it gives me content so I don’t have to write every article.” Unlike many larger publications, the “Rock N Rolla” is made entirely using Microsoft Word. “Word seems to be working just fine,” Lavin said. “I have a template set up. It’s all done with text boxes, basically.” Although it is created simply, the newsletter covers a multitude of musical topics, ranging from opinion pieces to info about budding bands. “People want to do stuff on current events or this band they just found out about,” Lavin said. “It’s really whatever they want to write about. Some people write about cool new products that have just come out. If I have an idea, I will suggest ideas for articles for people to write, but basically, I’ll just be like, ‘Hey man, can you get me an article by Wednesday at 6:30?’ and they’ll write something, just as long it’s about music in any way.”
ads help fund visits from guest artists for clinics or workshops in Browne and performances in COFAC Recital Hall. Past musicians brought in by the “Rock N Rolla” team include classical guitarists Roddy Ellias and Brad DeRoche. Recently, the “Rock N Rolla” has begun to branch out from its humble indie roots. According to Lavin, the newsletter co-sponsored the annual WIU Guitar Festival held April 9, 10 and 11. Classical, jazz and finger style guitarists from Canada, Brazil and the U.S. performed at the COFAC Recital Hall and taught master classes throughout the festival. “You can compare it to the Lollapalooza of Macomb,” Gold said. Despite being a small publication, Lavin thinks it has been successful. It’s a pretty straight up amateur thing, but it seems to be turning out pretty well,” Lavin said. “Its been getting a pretty good response.” Even with the newsletter’s increasing popularity, the “Rock N Rolla” team still wants to fulfill their original purpose: to promote musical awareness.