By: Greg Batton
While I’m thinking of it: appreciations, recommendations, thoughts and gratitude.
WITOI is a download of thoughts I have had recently about the people, events and places of where we live: Central Illinois. This isn’t sponsored. It’s just my recent experiences and my related thoughts.
These are all shared with love and kindness. Hope you enjoy the read.
- Mason City Limits Comedy Club. Chris Speyrer, along with the encouragement and help of John Means, aka Dr. Gonzo, opened a comedy club in the small town of Mason City, Illinois almost 20 years ago. I performed there recently, and it occurred to me how much I love this place. It’s small, quaint, historic and a perfect room for comedy. Chris is a great host. I highly encourage you to make a point to catch a show there sometime soon. I am not sure where you would be coming from, but I can tell you the drive is relaxing and beautiful. It reminds me of why I love living here in Central Illinois. Find more information at www.mclimits.com.
- Just completed in Peoria was the 62nd Annual Fine Art Fair along the Peoria Riverfront. This cool couple of days is an absolute gem of art, friends, jazz, and showing off the city. 130 artists from across the country make their way to set up shop. Across all mediums (or media) these folks sell and show off their talent to hundreds of happy visitors. It is one of my favorite events of the year and the weather this year didn’t hurt! Congratulations to Shannon Cox, the Peoria Art Guild, an army of volunteers and all the artists. We appreciate you!
- Do you walk? I used to be able to get it done every day but after a knee injury, those days are fewer than I would like. This past weekend I was out on the Rock Island Trail. Years ago, some visionaries helped turn an old rail line into a 26-mile walking, running and biking trail. The trail is terrific; it’s well-maintained, it has great scenery and is a great break from the day-to-day of life. I hope you try it. Thanks to all who made it happen and continue to make it happen. Shout out to the Peoria Park District for the part of the trail in the city.
- One gem in Peoria that I forget about is the Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club. Founded back in 1907, the IVY Club is certainly a club for boaters and their families but also caters to non-members for certain events and meals (Sunday Brunch). I was there recently as the host of Jokes on the Water put on by local comic/entrepreneur Blind Stein. Heath James Thornton and Dobie Maxwell rounded out the bill with Blind. Hilarious! Great room, nice folks. Try them sometime. Buy a boat.
- Squirrels are getting it done right now. Holy smokes, they are busy! I enjoy watching them. It’s not like I am sitting in the park staring, but I see them on my walks, crossing the street like maniacs and getting it done (not that) in my backyard. Are they happy? They seem so. I wouldn’t mind their lifestyle. Here’s a squirrel’s job: look cute, dart from here to there with recklessness and generally enjoy being themselves. I bet they don’t judge themselves by the actions or work ethic of other squirrels. Nice going squirrels. We don’t say it enough, but you make the world better.
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