CHARLESTON — Local Master Naturalists Group, Prairie’s Edge, has planned several fun and informative presentations and guided walks throughout June to celebrate National Pollinator Month.
“The goal is for participants to learn more about our known pollinators, some of the forgotten pollinators, the threats they face, and ways to help them,” says Master Naturalis program coordinator Jenny Lee.
The launch event will be held on Saturday, June 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library. You’ll learn the basics of pollination and pollinators, get tips for observing pollinators in the wild, take a guided walk through the library’s butterfly hotspots, and get a sneak peek at the activities planned for the month.
Additional presentations will be held at the Douglas-Hart Nature Center from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. “Native Bees” will be presented on Thursday 9th June. Learn about their habits and habitats, the threats they face and their importance in comparison to that of honey bees. Learn what helps or harms native bees, including backyard gardening and the pros and cons of apiaries and bee baths.
On Thursday, June 23, during Forgotten Pollinators, learn about moths, wasps, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, bats and other small mammals that are excellent pollinators. Learn how to identify these species and how you can help make a positive impact.
Gardening for Pollinators will be featured on Thursday 30 June. Learn about pollinators common throughout Illinois, how to identify them, the native plants they attract, and how you can use these native plants to create a pollinator oasis in your garden. regardless of your space constraints.
FARM AND GARDEN: Sweet peas are not your garden pea variety
Guided hikes are offered at various locations throughout the month. During these walks you will learn about some unique plant-pollinator relationships and several community science pollinator projects.
Walks are scheduled for Friday June 10; Thursday June 16; Monday, June 20; and Tuesday 28 June. For locations and times and to register, go to go.illinois.edu/pollinate or call 217-345-7034. Learn more on the Prairie’s Edge Master Naturalists Facebook page.
My Town: Clint Walker’s Memoirs of Coles County from the Archives
Cosmic Blue Comics
From the Journal Gazette of November 22, 1992, this photo by Cosmic Blue Comics in Mattoon; where I spent practically every Saturday afternoon for about two years. That little back room to the right of the Coca-Cola sign was where the many, I mean many, long crates of old issues were kept. I still have my boxed copy of Tales of the Beanworld issue #1 that I found there. Unfortunately, this place is now just a “green space”.
Mattoon Arcade
Pictured is Bob Murray of Shelbyville from the June 2, 1982 Journal Gazette demonstrating his dominance over the TRON arcade game at the “Carousel Time” arcade in the Cross County Mall, which would later become Aladdin’s Castle, to soon on being nothing more. I spent almost every Saturday in this arcade, maybe with the exact same hairdo. However, without overalls. I was more of an “Ocean Pacific” kid.
Icenogles
Pictured November 28, 1988, Journal Gazette, Icenogle Grocery Store. Being from Cooks Mills, we didn’t shop at Icenogle’s often… but when we did, I knew from a young age that’s how a grocery store should be in a perfect world, and not just because she had it Wooden floors, comics on magazine racks, or lots, and I mean lots of trading cards in wax packs.
cooks mills
By the time this showcase article about Adam’s Groceries appeared in the Journal Gazette of June 13, 1998, I had long since moved away from Cooks Mills, but there was a time when I could very well have been one of those kids in this photograph; because if it was summer and you had a bike and you lived in Cooks Mills, that’s where you ended up. According to last report they still had Tab in the Pepsi cooler on the back. I am seriously considering asking my money man if I could afford to reopen this place.
Mr Music
Pictured from the Journal Gazette, July 16, 1987, this ad for Mister Music, formerly located on the Cross County Mall. I didn’t buy records at that age, but eventually I would and it all went under. If you think hanging out with your buddies at a record store on a Friday night with a hot driver’s license fresh in your wallet doesn’t sound “cool” then you’re right. But it’s the best a geek like me could do. Wherever you are today, owners of Mister Music, please know that a Minutemen album I found in your cheap bin changed my life.
Sound source guitar throw
Portrait of the author as a young man attempting to throw a guitar through a target at this year’s Sound Source Music Guitar Throwing Contest, April 18, 1994, Journal Gazette. Check out my grunge era hoodie, and yes… look closely, those are Air Jordans you see on my feet. Addendum: Contrary to the cutline, I didn’t win a guitar.
Pictured, clipped from the online archives at JG-TC.com, an April 18, 1994 photograph, Journal Gazette of Sound Source Music Guitar Throwing Contest winner and current JG-TC employee Clint Walker.
vets
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow, Vette’s Teen Club, from the Journal Gazette June 20, 1991. I wasn’t “cool” enough to hang around behind Vette in his “heyday” and by “cool enough” I mean “not practiced enough.” in parking lot fights”. If only I could dare now.
FutureGen
FutureGen: The End of the Beginning and Eventually the Beginning of the End, December 19, 2007, JG-TC. I wish I had paid more attention back then. I probably should have read the newspaper.
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