You Busy May 30, 2010?

It's never too early to prepare for some Rock and Roll, and where better than Wapella to get ready for a Rock Fest in Heyworth?

41 years Heyworth rocked (like it always does) but this time a whole slew of musical legends were in town for a major rock festival.

From The Movie "Incident at Kickapoo Creek" Website

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The Incident at Kickapoo Creek, is probably the most successful rock and roll festival you have never heard of. It is also one of the most mysterious and scandalous festivals in rock and roll history. What people do remember about the rock fest is the promoter, L. David Lewis who disappeared shortly after the festival was over, leaving his farm, his family, and a warrant for his arrest. The festival cash (in sleeping bags) disappeared approximately the same time.
Among the 60-odd bands and acts on the roster: B.B. King, Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes, Canned Heat, Country Joe & The Fish, Genesis, REO Speedwagon, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Music mogul Irving Azoff was an 18 year old college student responsible for lining up the talent for the outlawed rock festival. Azoff is featured in the documentary as well as BB King and Ted Nugent among the numerous interviews of people who reflect on their experiences at the festival.

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Sounds like fun, and who but our commenters would be able to put on a revival? This would be quite a show, as many of the above acts are still alive. I can't imagine it would cause much of a commotion, as Hog City has been pretty quiet on Village politics lately. What do you say about Wapella Rocks?

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Willard Horsman

Willard Paul Horsman, 102, Bloomington, passed away Monday (Aug. 17, 2009) at Martin Health Center, Bloomington.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at Kibler-Smith Memorial Home, Bloomington. His funeral will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The Rev. Molly Ward and Deacon Bruce DeGooyer will officiate. Entombment will be at Park Hill Mausoleum, Bloomington.

Those desiring may make contributions to Martin Health Center, 2025 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington, IL 61701 or to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Bloomington, in Willard's memory.

Willard was born July 5, 1907, in Fisher, a son of Jessie L. and Anna Tyas Horsman.

He graduated from Fisher High School in 1925 and managed several Western Union Telegraph offices in Illinois and Wisconsin until 1927 when he came to Bloomington. In February of that year, he joined the Daily Pantagraph circulation department prior to its consolidation with the Daily Bulletin. While with The Pantagraph, Willard was the city circulation manager, circulation manager and later became the general manager until he retired on Dec. 31, 1972

Horsman managed the lucrative and competitive Wapella market for the Pantgraph in the 1950's.

He was a member of Park United Methodist Church; Masonic Lodge 43 and the Bloomington Consistory; a 50-plus year member of the Young Men's Club; and a member of the transportation committee of the Association of Commerce and had been chairman for several years. Willard was the executive director of Bloomington Unlimited from 1973 to 1977.

On July 8, 1928, he married Faye I. Steele in Fisher. She preceded him in death on July 1, 2002.

Willard is survived by son, Allan Horsman, Bloomington, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Faye; and two brothers, Ray and Clarence Horsman.

Willard's family would like to thank the staff at Martin Health Center for all of the care and kindness they gave to Willard during his stay there.

RIP Les Paul 1915-2009

Les Paul, ace guitarist, has died at age 94.


I'd call him the Master of the Telecaster, but he played a Gibson, well, he didn't just play a Gibson, he invented most of the important parts of the Gibson, resulting in the Gibson Les Paul. Sort of like a Sam Browne Belt or a Ralph Lauren Polo, it took a full name, in this case Les Paul to let on to the genius of this man and his instrument.

Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Ace Frehely, and Peter Frampton all swore by it. Chuck Berry, BB King, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards and about 25% of the market used one most of the time. But Les not only could do the engineering work, he could also play in a variety of styles enjoyed by everyone from fans of music raning from Big Band, to Country and Western, and Heavy Metal. Jimmy Page shares the rare distintion of having a double named guitar manufactured, the Gibson Les Paul Jimmy Page, apt for its double necked force.


Still playing in a jazz club in New York City only a few weeks ago, Les enjoyed the audience much like the audience enjoyed his music. At 94, Les had seen a garage industry become an international force, and established a universal figure for popular music.

RIP Les Paul.

Second Chance: Coming Soon to a Legion Hall near You

There deadline has passed, but Wildcats are granted a reprieve.

Maybe there was a band named Second Chance that played at prom or something, or one of Clem Toohill's pet dogs in the 1970's, insert your own joke here, either way you win.....there is a Second Chance to get registered for the massive WHS Reunion to be held in Heyworth (where else?).

Here is the tipoff

The Wapella Wildcats are headed to Heyworth in what promises to be a barnburner of a WHS Reunion. Saturday September 5, 2009 at the high respectable American Legion Hall in Heyworth Illinois a convocation like no other will be held.

Starts at 5PM
Ends at ??? (always a big draw)

Appetizers, Tea and Lemonade will be provided.

There will be drinking, dancing and fighting, so come prepared for at least 2 out of the 3.

If you click on the picture you will get a larger image. Or just click here.

You should then be able to print out a full color flyer to be strategically placed at all 9 Wapella businesses. How about the Churches as well?










Here are some contacts, representing some of the biggest names in WHS Alumni today.

Class of 1969
Chris Thorp - (217) 781-2829 email - kernel@leapstream.net
Class of 1970
Steve Schmid - (309) 824-4156 email - sjnschmd@aol.com
Class of 1971
Judy (Schmid) Mowery - (309) 473-2078 email - judy.mowery@verizon.net
Class of 1972
Mike Colliver - (309) 473-2229 email - mkc506@msn.com
Class of 1973
Patty (Ritter) Rich - (309) 838-5005
Class of 1974
Jackie (Sapp) Palmer - (309) 378-2524
Class of 1975
Tammy (Colliver) Doner - (309) 473-3606 email - tsdrld77@yahoo.com
Linda (Reynolds) Whitaker - (309) 821-9631 email - linwhitaker@yahoo.com
Class of 1976
Cindy (Shoemaker) White - (217) 949-4981 email - bcwhite77@mchsi.com
Nancy (Duncan) Witten - (309) 261-0054 email - nwitten@fsb1.com
Class of 1977
Karen (Ledbetter) Underwood - (217) 935-3005
email - karen.underwood@exeloncorp.com
Cheryl Reynolds - (217) 935-5469 email - creynolds_21@yahoo.com
Class of 1978
Etta (Duncan) Whitted - (217) 935-9161 email - awhit59@dtnspeed.net
Class of 1979
Brenda (Colliver) Underwood - (309) 473-2190
email - dukefaninill@yahoo.com
Elizabeth (Holland) Lord - (217) 935-8756 email - lizzard79@hotmail.com

All are welcome. Note to Brenda and EEP are you looking for contacts for 1980+? I think our loyal readers can provide.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Msgr. Thomas Maloney

Monsignor Thomas W. Maloney, 73, Lexington, died at 3:09 a.m. Friday (Aug. 7, 2009) at his home.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington, with the Most Rev. Daniel Jenky, bishop of Peoria, presiding. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

Father Maloney was born March 13, 1936, in Bloomington, the son of Thomas William and Fauntella Rose Brannan Maloney.

He is survived by three sisters, Mary Jean Kraft, Normal; Louise Ralph, Springfield; and Marjorie Handley, Decatur. Uncle Tom has 19 nieces and nephews, 65 great-nieces and nephews and a host of exceptional and very faithful friends, including many relatives in the greater Wapella area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two nieces and two brothers-in-law.

Father Tom graduated from St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kan. He was a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools and served six years in the National Guard before entering the seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Atchison, Kan.

After his ordination to the priesthood in 1967, he served as an assistant priest for the Diocese of Peoria at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, St. Patrick's in Ottawa, St. Monica's in East Peoria and Epiphany in Normal.

Father Maloney was assigned as the pastor of St. Mary's in Lexington and St. Joseph in Chenoa in 1976. He also served as the chaplain for Central Catholic High School for 14 years. He was later appointed pastor of Epiphany Parish in Normal and served there until his retirement in 2002 due to poor health.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Earl Angel

Earl Lee Angel, 74, Wapella, died at 2:19 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 5, 2009) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with J. Kent Hickerson officiating. Burial will be in Oak Park Cemetery, Clinton. Visitation was Thursday.

Memorials may be made to Earl Lee Angel Memorial Fund.

He was born Sept. 4, 1934, at Sterling, son of Winford Carl and Helen McQuality Angel. He married Leona I. Crutcher on April 28, 1972, at Lincoln.

Surviving are his wife, Leona I. Angel, Wapella; five children, Rick L. (Beverly) Angel, Clinton; Linda (Brian) Diskin, Fithian; Mike (Maddie) Angel, Farmer City; Deanna (Russell) Moore, Atlanta; and Mark (Kim) Mills, Clinton; three siblings, Gary (Doris) Angel, Andover; and Diann (Jim) Perring and Nancy (Dick) Baldwin, both of Clinton; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one great-grandchild.

He worked at Revere Copper & Brass Inc., Clinton, for 27 years and then he worked at Olin Fabricated Metals as an inspector until he retired. He later owned and operated Earl's Stump Removal.

Earl enjoyed fishing, hunting and woodworking.

All flags 1/2 mast please for U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict, Earl Angel.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Robert E. Ishmael

One of the Grand Gentlemen of Wapella has passed.

Robert Edward Ishmael, 84, Wapella, died at 1:15 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 6, 2009) at Veterans Administration Illiana Health Care System, Danville.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Wapella, with the Rev. Patrick Henehan officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Wapella, with military honors. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. Memorials may be made to DeWitt County Friendship Center, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity or a charity of the donor's choice.

He was born Dec. 16, 1924, in Springfield, son of John Edward and Blanche Ray Ishmael. He married Helen Delores "Fat" Gahr on May 16, 1946, in Springfield. Helen passed away Aug. 10, 1994.

Survivors include his children, Jerry (Lynette) Ishmael, Clinton; Rick (Rita) Ishmael, Wapella; Robin (Herb) Ringenbert, Normal; and Kathy (Roy) Walker, Wapella; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David on Feb. 14, 1971; one grandchild, Robert Vandervort; one great-grandchild, Aaron Ishmael; and two brothers, Leo and Jerome.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Wapella.

Robert was a carpenter for more than 50 years. He was a member of Amvets and VFW, Clinton; Eagles Lodge, Clinton; and the St. John's and St. Patrick's Catholic Church choir. He also was involved with the DeWitt County Habitat for Humanity, and at an age most people begin slowing down, became a long distance runner.

Bob Ishmael was a dedicated servant to the poor and sick, tirelessly volunteering his time and his resources to support the community at large. As much as anyone in Wapella, Bob made himself available for others when his many talents were needed. At the same time Bob was also the consummate gentleman, able historian, and a truly thoughtful person, indeed one of the great raconteurs of any age in Wapella.

All flags 1/2 mast please for US Army Air Corps Veteran of WWII, Bob Ishmael.

Stories That Did Not Make The Cut

You and I both know that Wapella.com posts only the choicest stories about Wapella or not. Here are a few that got left on the cutting room floor, perhaps to be taken up at a later date

1) Your Beard is Weird: That Keith Hernandez sure looks like a lot like John Stossel. If Dennis Miller used Just For Men hair dye, he might get his edge back. Dennis Miller doesn't look that much like Hernandez or Stossel, but could fill in if needed.


2) Ivan Dixon directed quite a few Rockford Files (9) and Magnum PI's (13). I wonder if he was ever tempted to pull in his beloved Kinch character from Hogan's Heroes into a more modern setting like Trapper John, MD.

3) A big congrats to Nick Buraglio for winnning some sort of kickball championship in Champaign.

4) In this day and age, would anyone start up a catalog pickup/drop off store like Sears used to have in Clinton, near Daisy's Rooms? Was Daisy's Rooms convenient for Sears customers?

5) I bet the Van Dyke households were mayhem around holiday time after Jerry Van Dyke hit the big time with his character Luther in "Coach". Did Dick Van Dyke get a pre-nuptial agreement with Michelle Triola. For two points, who was Michelle's previous beau?

6) The Kickapoo conference was never that good, but pretty competitive. Did anyone there ever play football? Did anyone from Wapella play a college sport that they did not play in High School?

7) The Grand Hotel had sort of a relish tray that was not half bad. Sinorak is Karonis spelled backwards, Karonis being the last name of the owners.