No understanding of Catholic teaching
I was saddened to see how far Chris Britt has gone in his editorial cartoon making fun of Bishop Paprocki (July 24). It is clear that Britt has no understanding of Catholic teaching. Mary Keldermans placed herself outside of communion (excommunicated) with the Catholic Church by attempting to be ordained as a priest.

Gwyneth knows
The Illinois once supported trappers, woodcutters, market hunters of waterfowl, net fishermen and musselers in turn. Each had organized themselves into enterprises devoted to making disappear populations of living things that at first seemed beyond counting.

Do-nothing Congress takes a vacation
Those poor stiffs must be pooped from trying to catch up on all the heavy lifting that piled up while they were away from their lawmaking duties. And – gosh, again – in just a few days, Congress will go back on vacation, this time for a five-week summer recess.

LETTERS
The Dayton Wright version of the de Havilland design differed in several important respects – primarily the substitution of the 375 hp Rolls-Royce “Eagle” VIII with a 400 hp “Liberty” engine. There were also slight differences in the dimensions, weights and performance between the D.

Positively Pat
And an infamous poll taken by Gallup in April found that 50 percent of Illinoisans would move to a different state if given the chance. We were first in the country on that response, according to Gallup. Just 25 percent of Minnesotans, by contrast, felt the same way.

WOOF!
Sangamon County Animal Control officials have declared dangerous a pair of dogs owned by Sheryle Henry, a member of a county advisory board on animal control. The dogs in June attacked a small mixed-breed dog owned by Christine Groves while Groves was walking her pooch [See “Board member’s dogs attack,” by Bruce Rushton, July 31].

TAYLOR HOUSE RESTORATION
One of the last unrestored pre-Civil War buildings in Springfi eld is fi nally getting some love. Workers started tearing asbestos siding off of the Judge John Wickliffe Taylor House at the corner of 12th and Cass streets in Springfi eld on Aug. 5, and a huge pile of trash had already been removed from the front lawn of the long-neglected building.

Medical pot regulations approved
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted to approve regulations in July for the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, following months of public hearings.

Missing the money
Computer tampering charges have been dropped against a defendant in a bizarre court case involving supposed computer hacking at a defunct Illinois nonprofit. Still, millions of dollars in state and federal grants are missing, and the nonprofit’s director has yet to account for the money.

The silliest catch
I am sitting at the Brick Tavern when I feel someone tug on the back of my t-shirt. It is a fluorescent yellow hue, the color favored by highway workers, Kid Rock fans and the dentally challenged.

An exciting, eclectic season at Sangamon Auditorium
Aug. 28 is sure to be a “night in white satin” when the Moody Blues take the stage as the first of three major rock and roll acts of 1960s-era provenance making their way to the auditorium this season. In addition, flautist Ian Anderson will be playing favorites by his old band Jethro Tull (“Aqualung”) on Oct.

Cool off in Mammoth Cave, the world’s longest
Brandsford is the fifth generation of his family to introduce visitors to Mammoth, 360 miles from Springfield. If you are lucky enough to land him as your National Park Service tour guide, you will learn about Mat Brandsford, his great-great-grandfather, a slave who worked as a cave guide in the 1800s.

Family fair memories
It was the lodestone of my childhood summers. The Illinois State Fair was something I looked forward to almost as soon as the previous year’s fair ended. But after our annual Fourth of July picnic, I could think of little else, planning for it carefully as the fair inched closer on the calendar.

Brown biopic
I’ve often said that film biographies are a nowin proposition and any director foolhardy enough to take one on is just asking for trouble.

It’s not all fair
The Illinois State Fair cannot be denied. When the corn dogs and lemon shake-ups hit town, Springfield becomes a different place. Hotels are at capacity, bars can stay open until 3 a.m. and restaurants pick up extra business from the increased city traffic.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Clare Dunn
From her rural raisings in southeast Colorado, farm girl Clare Dunn came out from behind the plow to plant seeds into country music’s field of opportunity. Once, she spent her time driving trucks and tractors, now she’s traveling the nation singing her songs of real life experiences to country radio audiences.

PUB CRAWL
Mouthsex, Ski Mask, Pregnancy Test, Swamp Rat, King Worm.

THE CALENDAR
available for purchase. 217-725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901..

FAIR | Family fun
It’s that time of year again. The Illinois State Fair will be held Aug. 7-17. The Twilight Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. Great days for families are Friday, Aug. 15, which is Futures for Kids Day (activities for young kids and many of the contests take place); Saturday, Aug.

THEATER | Charming characters
Springfield Municipal Opera’s third show is Shrek the Musical.

MUSIC | Where there’s a will there’s a way
12, at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. We’re ecstatic Willie’s back in town. The incomparable Nelson continues to create as if there’s a fountain of youth inside his soul.