The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have announced that registration is open for two upcoming events.
Love fresh cut flowers but unsure how to keep them longer or how to arrange them? University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners invite you to Flower Power, a workshop all about cut flowers. Join Master Gardener Christina Edmonds-Behrend for a series of fun and interesting workshops on Saturday 16 July and Saturday 6 August from 9:30am to 10:30am.
Workshops are held in the 4-H Building at the Coles County Fairgrounds.
In session one, Tools & Tips, participants will learn basic flower arranging tools and tips for longer lasting flowers. In session two, “I’ve Grown Them, Now What?” you’ll learn the simple elements of flower design with practical applications.
Participation is limited. To register, go to go.illinois.edu/FlowerPower or call the Mattoon Extension office at 217-345-7034. Registration costs $5 per session.
FARM AND GARDEN: The Illinois Master Naturalist program is accepting applications for training
Plant identification grazing
Doug Gucker, Extension Ag and Natural Resources Educator, wants to help people who are new to grazing and pasture management identify plants that are commonly found on pastures. Take him out to pasture on Tuesday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Grazing takes place at a private home at 22450 E. County Road 2100 N., north of Oakland. Participants will learn about the most common plants found on pastures, including those that are harmful to livestock. Learn how to identify and control them.
Participation is limited to 20 people. To register, go to go.illinois.edu/PastureID or call the Mattoon Extension office at 217-345-7034. Registration is free, but donations are welcome. Competitors must be able to walk across an agricultural pasture. There are no facilities available.
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 after not being a thing anymore. 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’, 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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