News and Observations from Wapella, Illinois: Home of the Wildcats.

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Friday, October 31, 2008

How About Some Floyd for Halloween?

Nothing spookier than Pink Floyd. Here's the Band led by Syd Barret doing the psychedelic "See Emily Play" These guys could really dance.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Can Anyone Find a Zagnut?


Ever since Buck's Red Fox closed it has been nigh on impossible to find a Zagnut bar at the grocery or candy store. I recently needed one of the coconut/peanut butter concoctions to stock up on some sweets, but nothing, literally nothing in the Zagnut line at the Jewel.

Now if you recall, there was a shortage of "Old Coke" when Coca Cola changed recipes in the 1980's but Buck's held out, and still had Old Coke when it was selling at a premium elsewhere. Charitably, Buck Johnson sold it at list price, and will always be regarded for his goodwill in sweet sales.

But Zagnuts? Where to get them? Candy machine at the bus station? NAPA in Clinton? Gaslight Square?

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Jim Hart

James E. Hart, 87, Wapella, died at 6:40 a.m. Monday (Oct. 27, 2008) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with the Rev. Leah Pogemiller officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Clinton, with military rites at the gravesite. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Dr, John Warner Hospital Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.

He was born April 13, 1921, in Morgan County, near Murrayville, son of William E. and Ivalou M. Gibson Hart Sr. He married Ruth Rimbey.

Surviving are his spouse, Ruth Hart, his wife of 66 years; two daughters, Norma (Jim) Sams and Brenda (Dale) Rueger, both of Clinton; daughter-in-law, Sherlyn Harrold, Victoria, Texas; eight grandchildren, Roger Sams, Janelle Thomas, Rhonda Matthews, Ron Rueger, Randy Rueger, Alisha Janek, Brandi Huber and Rachel Harrold; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, William E. Hart Jr., Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Pauline Hart and Frances Brummett; and adopted son, Ned Harrold.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. He was a graduate of Murrayville High School. He served with the Illinois State Police for 30 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of Illinois Trooper Lodge 41.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, coffee with others, playing cards and being with his family.

Jim will be remembered throughout the Village as a lawman, great friend, neighbor, gardener, Cardinal Fan (Pre-1982) Cub fan (Post 1982), traveling companion and the #1 source for entertaining and enlightening conversation.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Half Masts All Around


One of Wapella's finest has passed. Jim Hart, a pillar of the Village, died this morning at age 87. He will be sadly missed by all. Full Obituary to follow.

Friday, October 24, 2008

And How is This Band Connected to Wapella?

Rising demand brings us Kaiser Cartel, a interesting sounding band from Brooklyn via Southern Indiana. Courtney Kaiser is the girl singer, and a good one at that. But per our loyal readers, there's more to it. She is the great niece of one of Wapella's finest, the only clue we have. So have at it Wildcats. How is Kaiser Cartel connected to Hog City?

Travelling this Weekend? Take Some Dudley Along

Six Days on the Road is a long time. So what better way to go than with Spencer Wisconsin's own David Darwin Pedruska, better known to you and I as Dave Dudley. His music is All-American, but you can still hear the polka coming from that cowboy outfit he is wearing. Here's one for the road, with the late great Dave Dudley.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

RIP Nick Weatherspoon

Nick Weatherspoon, the 10th-leading scorer in University of Illinois basketball history, was found dead Friday at his home near his hometown of Canton, Ohio, authorities said. He was 58.

Weatherspoon had been in declining health in recent years. He suffered from a degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine. His right side was paralyzed for a time.

Death was believed to be of natural causes, authorities said.

When his career ended, Weatherspoon fought for insurance benefits and eventually lost an Ohio insurance business he started.

"It was mentally devastating," he said in a Tribune interview last year. "My mind still deals with that. I guess I'm still livin'. I can talk, but I can't get around too much. I'm in a bad situation."

Weatherspoon, a 6-foot-7-inch, 195-pound forward, was one of the first 30 former Illini to have their jerseys hung from the rafters of Assembly Hall in a ceremony in September.

Freshmen were not eligible in Weatherspoon's era, but in three seasons he scored 1,481 points and left Illinois as the school's all-time leading scorer. His career average of 20.9 points per game remains an Illinois record, and he contributed 11.4 rebounds per game.

In 1973, his senior year, he averaged 25.0 points per game, third highest in Illinois history.

Weatherspoon was a first-round pick of the Capital Bullets (now Washington Wizards) in 1973. In seven NBA seasons, he averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds. He also played for the SuperSonics, Clippers and Bulls (41 games in 1977-78).

Friday, October 17, 2008

My Apologies to Frank Beard

You probably heard it too, the rumor that Frank Beard, legendary drummer for ZZ Top had died. Well its not true, Frank had a few health issues but he is shaking his beard just like he has for nearly 40 years now. So naturally I assigned a few more properties to Frank and Z-boys from Houston than they actually owned, and was about to post a tribute to ZZ with a cool version of "They Call me the Breeze"

No such luck for Billy, Dusty and Frank, "The Breeze" is a Lynrd Skynrd cover of the country rock classic. Here's the Jacksonville Florida Southern Fried rocker performed on TV in the UK. Two points if you know who did the original version.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Stop the Presses! Happy Birthday Ruth Hart


Another of Wapella's finest celebrates this week. The incomparable Ruth Hart lights 86 candles to light up the South Side of Wapella.

Congratulations Ruth, you are always a champion in Wapella!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Happy Birthday to the Grand Marshal


2008 marks 86 years for Wapella's Finest, Bill Morris. The Grand Marshall, The Flag Commissioner, the Mayor, the titles and honors go to great lengths for this great gentleman.

86 Cheers for the Chairman of the Board. Yeah Wapella!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Vessel Losses and Casualties in Tremadog Bay and on St Patrick's Causeway

The Wreck of the Barque Wapella in January 1868 at Dyffryn, Merioneth

Struck the Causeway then wrecked near Llandwywe? (The following taken from a letter to the gwynedd Family History Society from Mr D.G.Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog)…….From the Reg. Burials Llandwywe Meirioneth……" On the night of 24th jan 1868, a barque, the WAPELL OF BATH, in America, having missed her course struck the causeway and came ashore about 12 o'clock at night........... She would have been nearly dry at 2 or 3o'clock but at 9 o'clock A.M., the crew 15 in number attempted to land in boats, but these were upset at once. Eleven in all were drowned and four were saved..............The vessel held out for a full week before she broke up. All might have been saved had they remained on board.........The ship came from New Orleans with cotton............. Isac Lincoln Orr, captain, drowned from the Wapella of Bath, America and found on the shore on the 5th Feb 1868. Age not known........The body of Captain Orr was disinterred and sent to America 25th Jan 1870"


Or stay off the sea-side of the Mersey, with a little help from the Mersey-canal-siders, Lancashire's own Stone Roses.


Video Version


Better Quality Audio Version

Monday, October 6, 2008

Open Up That Top 25 Again



Illinois 45 - Michigan 20

Michigan is lame, but Saturday was good enough to get a ranking don't you think?


Saturday, October 4, 2008

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Ed Sojka

Edward E. Sojka, age 56, of Wapella, passed away at his family residence in Wapella at 8:46 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2008.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Long Point Cemetery, Wapella. Family will conduct services. Burial will follow. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton is handling arrangements.

Edward E. was born in Clinton, Ill. on Sept. 6, 1952 a son of Edward John and Eva Mae Mearida Sojka. Survivors include: his mother, Eva Mea Sojka, of Wapella; one step-son, Steve Baker of Morton, Ill. and one granddaughter, Samantha Baker of Kansas City, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Beverly Ann Geddes. Edward was a truck driver for 35 years. For many of those years he worked at Williams Nationalease Co. in Normal, Il. Earlier in his life he played the drums in a band. He was an avid video-game player.

Ed was a Wapella Wildcat and will be greatly missed in the Village.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Madge Adams

Verla Madge Adams, 89, of Marengo, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008 at Florence Nursing Home in Marengo.

She was born April 9, 1919 in Unionville, Mo. to Creston and May (Camp) Olinger.At age 7, she performed with her father on the Vaudeville stage as Cyclone Madge singing and dancing.In 1938 she married William Blaine Adams in Pollock, Mo. That same year, they moved to a large ranch near Pueblo, Colo. where her husband was a ranch manager. Madge received her teaching degree from Kirksville Teachers College in 1938. They later moved to Caruthersville, Mo. where Blaine was a farm manager for Doan’s Agriculture for two years.


They moved to Illinois where they lived at various farms in Central Illinois until returning to the original farm around 1980. Madge and Blaine Adams lived a mile north of Wapella on the west side of RT 51 for many years, where Blaine was recognized as a great gentleman and wrestling legend, having grappled at the college level for the Fighting Illini.

Madge was an elementary school teacher for a year, a short story author, an advertisement copywriter for 20 years at Biddle Company in Bloomington and eventually started Adams Advertising Services where she wrote local advertisements for many years. She was an avid bridge player, loved to travel and was active in the local community. She was a member of the Marengo Women’s Club and Marengo United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her son, William B. (Patricia) Adams Jr.; two grandsons, Scott J. (Lori) Adams of Marengo and Mark Jeffrey (Kathy Schnetz) Adams of Barrington; and three great grandchildren: William Blaine Adams, Katherine A. Adams and Elizabeth L. Adams.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Blaine in 1987 and her sister Gloria Olinger Rew.

Visitation will be held at Calvert Funeral Home 201 S. Center St. Clinton, Ill. on Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 from 1 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2 p.m. Please omit flowers. Memorials in her name may be made to the M.O.R.E. Center P.O. Box 32 Marengo, IL 60152 or the Marengo United Methodist Church 119 E. Washington Street Marengo, Ill. 60152.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Springfield Rocks: Poison's Bret Michaels at Lenscrafters

Cubs on the Ropes. Can LA Knock them Out?

Have the Cubs given up? Or are they planning a rope-a-dope for the Dodgers? They looked a little worst than the Wapella Blues last night with each of the infielders making an error.

Some weepy Cub fans were interviewed on the radio this morning challenging Cub fans not to boo poor play. What are they supposed to do? Cheer on the bumblers?

Should the Cubs just pack it in?

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Secret Weapon for the Cubs?


Do the Cubs have something up their sleeves? Jose Oquendo you ask? No, he will not do it. But the word on the street is that "Tarzan" Joe Wallis may be reactivated for the playoff series. The Cubs may need him to climb the walls a Wrigley to trump the Dodgers.

Is Wapella backing the Cherry Circle Athletic Club?

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