Coming down the railroad tracks, it’s that Jolly Trolley Special bringing all my memories back. The village of Morton had four sets of tracks - two carrying people and two freight. Depression years produced stylish autos, but little cash.
They met monthly, this informal group of retirees, at a local coffee shop. They had all worked at the same industrial firm, mostly management staff and mid-level managers — men and women whose careers had overlapped and who had worked with each other in a variety of jobs.
History is fun, especially when it is easily accessible.
We have several old binders at our office filled with newspapers from the past. They sit on a shelf, undisturbed.
I’ve been thinking about taking them off the shelf and exploring their contents for some time.
I always knew this day would eventually come — just never knew when.
But, alas, I write my final piece for the Morton Times-News. For more than four years I held this position with great pride.
Despite the fact that I hate aging, I love to write about getting older; I don’t know why.
Whenever I travel somewhere, I really get caught up in the feel of the place.
Rather than buying T-shirts with a state name on them, I buy historical books so I know some of what happened there.
I had a nice conversation with a Morton resident who has some ideas that could add some historical value to this newspaper.
Matt Nance of Morton, a self-proclaimed history enthusiast, called me a couple of weeks ago interested in encouraging the Morton Times-News to launch a series of historical pieces relating to the village. His ideas were simple, but also interesting.
The Morton Community Foundation recently hosted a 1950s fundraising event called “Shake, Rattle and Roll” at Mike Murphy Ford. It’s amazing how many poodle skirts, bowling shirts, saddle shoes and letterman jackets came out of the closet for this event. While the theme suggested a step back in time, the MCF is always looking to the future of Morton and how we can serve this community and make it better.
Disregarded? In one ear and out the other? The editors of this newspaper recently chided Mortonites for lack of attention/interest/response to the mayor’s annual state-of-the-village presentation. As I read it, the editorial contended that the mayors annual speeches are packed with facts and useful information about village business, but are disregarded except for “hot button” items that some folks oppose or favor.
Ah, summer is almost here. It is time to release ourselves into the great outdoors. The students, free from the confines of an educational environment, are undoubtedly enjoying that time off. Unfotunately, some are taking far too much advantage of their free time. Just ask anyone at the Morton Police Department.
It is time for me to address an issue that has been very unpopular with a few Mortonites the past few weeks that led to hours on the phone and several e-mail responses.
I watched a love affair unfold online during the Valentine’s Day weekend that left me feeling less loved.
Amidst a budget deficit ... a bright spot emerges.
Morton might finally have that grocery store that was so heavily desired during 2008’s liquor ordinance debates.
And, Morton Mayor Norm Durflinger is “thrilled to death.”
Bob Riffle approached John LaMere to thank him for heading up efforts after a transition parent roundtable Friday night. The two, along with about 20 other parents, are still in the early phases of developing a path for the future of their children with developmental disabilities.
It was a prediction that, perhaps, Libby’s would have rather I not make.
But, I did.
I spent Wednesday morning at Jefferson Elementary School with two classes of fifth graders who had a bone to pick ...
Nathan Domenighini, the barely shaving editor of this newspaper, before absconding the state last week for a vacation on the sweltering coast of Alabama, suggested I write a column for the Morton Times-News ...
In my nearly three years as editor of a newspaper in this town called Morton, I have never made the mistake I have weekly nightmares about ...
Do you know about the new water tower being built in town? Well, what would you think if a pumpkin could be painted on it?
From the Pumpkin Festival to the school district, I have a lot to discuss today.
