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WRITTEN IN THE STARS The students who attend UIS and then leave afterward have no sense of history or tradition about our beloved Prairie Stars. Some outof-state group is hired to create ridiculous images and names and expect people to praise them for their brilliant stunt, collect their check and then take off.
The history of the Prairie Stars dates back to 1977 when we held a contest to name the Sangamon State University soccer team. Englishman John Watts, our senior soccer official, held the winning name: Prairie Stars. I know; I was there. We were loyal supporters and proud of our soccer team for its ongoing winning tradition in NAIA, playing in post-season tournaments, playing here in Springfield as well and other locations, and even winning the NAIA national title.
For those of you who have no idea of SSU soccer, visit the soccer stadium and view the memorial erected in honor of John Watts for his many years of service and countless contributions to our soccer community. John and his wife, Marge Watts, laid out most of the fields that our YMCA youth soccer kids play on today – don’t destroy his legacy.
Illinois sits on the “prairie” and “stars” represent “winners.” How can a handful of students decide that there’s a better description for winners? You can’t! The majority of campus residents, administration and faculty and Springfield community are satisfied with the Prairie Stars’ name. Leave your hands off of the Prairie Stars’ name – it ain’t broke, so don’t try to fix it! Stan Zielinski Springfield
WHAT’S IN STORE
Thank you for the eye-opening article “Grocery stores galore” (Bruce Rushton, Nov. 27).
At least now, inner-city, lowincome people know the reason why we are losing local grocery and other stores. The stores have decided to “go where the money is.”
I really cannot blame any of the stores for moving into more prosperous neighborhoods. After all, the business of business is to make money.
The edge of town is where the people with more money to spend live, so it just makes sense for business to abandon the inner city and go where profits will flourish. Norman Hinderliter Springfield
BUTT OF THE JOKE
The state of Illinois has another ridiculous law taking effect soon that really does not make sense and could affect gun ownership. As of Jan.1, 2014, it will be illegal to toss a cigarette butt out of a car window (what about motorcycles?). After a third conviction, it will become a felony on a person’s record. With a felony conviction on your record, it will be illegal to own a firearm in the state of Illinois. Backdoor law? I wonder what is next. Maybe a law making it illegal to step on cracks in the sidewalk? Or how about a law against passing gas in public? Let your imagination go wild on these or other possible new laws. Anthony Casper Springfield
SAVE THE TAYLOR HOUSE
The picture of a building on Page 9 (Nov. 21) is correctly captioned as to location – 12th and Cass streets, Springfield – but not as to status: “abandoned.” Indeed, images of that building have appeared often in local press and on TV for more than a decade, where the structure has been correctly identified as the historic Judge John Taylor House. It has been vacant since 2002, but certainly not abandoned. Save Old Springfield has successfully stabilized and protected this 1857 Lincoln Era gem ever since it was marked for demolition early in the last decade. Efforts continue to preserve and restore this significant piece of the city’s history. Jerry Jacobson Save Old Springfield
The photo of the Taylor House appeared in error with our news story on legislation to help cities demolish abandoned homes. See page 10 of this issue for Curtis Mann’s article on some of the interesting history of the house on Springfield’s east side. –the editor
storypoem #16
nellie needham a spinster schoolteacher my grampa’s second cousin loaned him money in 1911 to build the round barn it was paid back very slowly over the years during the depression she lowered the interest to match the federal land bank wouldn’t take no for an answer my dad inherited the debt told nellie he’d pay interest and some principle every due date but only if she fi rst wrote to him she did but never mentioned money a lively correspondence ensued over many years I met her once in watertown I was 15 she was over 90 tiny wrinkled spry bright eyed she said the chariot had missed her door if it didn’t swing low soon she and her friends were going to charter a bus she also said every day she raised her kitchen shade if it stayed down her neighbors would know she was in trouble when my father paid the last installment she returned it wrote that of all the family she’d lent money to he and his father were the only ones who ever paid it back I have the fi le of mutual letters it is sweet reading she says old age has been kind to her with health home friends what more can she need? nothing, but the world needs more nellies
©2013 Jacqueline Jackson
