Knox in the News

From My Web Times:

To Bill Strong Jr., his father was his hero. And many in the Ottawa community share that sentiment.

Bill Strong Sr. died Sunday at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley at age 86. Although he was born in Sandwich and grew up in Earlville, Ottawa became Strong’s adopted hometown.

He moved to Ottawa a few years after his service in World War II and started a farm supply store in a bakery in the building that once stood behind the Roxy theater. Over the years he sold a wide assortment of merchandise, including appliances.

“He was a good dad, and always supportive and encouraging to us,” Strong Jr. recalled.

Strong Jr. said his father had close ties to Galesburg’s Knox College, where he received his bachelor’s degree, and was pleased to be able to journey back there recently for a visit to his old fraternity house.

“Dad loved to travel and he visited five continents. His favorite places were the Parthenon in Greece and Sedona, Ariz. And, you know, while he loved to travel, he could never wait to get back home to Ottawa.”

From the Register-Mail:

C. Kay Larson was inspired by the rich history of west-central Illinois. A longtime Civil War buff and independent scholar, her interest is now the subject of her latest novel, “South Under a Prairie Sky: The Journal of Nell Churchill, U.S. Army Nurse and Scout.”

Nell, the star of Larson’s second book (her first was a biography on lesser-known Civil War leader Anna Ella Carroll), is based on her great-great- grandmother’s niece who was born in 1865 in Biggsville. Nell becomes the reader’s guide through some of the major events during the Civil War and she later becomes Mary “Mother” Bickerdyke’s protege.

While Nell herself is a fictional character, much of what she witnesses is true and the details are historically accurate, Larson said.

Nell’s journal begins in 1856 Kansas, but when slavery becomes a big issue in the area, her family moves to Monmouth. Local readers will find plenty of places and names they recognize when reading Larson’s work. Nell grows up on a farm and attends Knox College, while her brothers and cousins attend Monmouth College. Nell follows the 1860 presidential election, (won by Abraham Lincoln) and she and her family aid in the running of underground railroad stations for fugitive slaves.

When the Civil War breaks out, Nell’s brothers and cousins immediately enlist in the Union Army. Nell does her part for the cause and joins a medical team in Tennessee after the Battle of Shiloh. It’s not long after that Nell becomes the protege of the legendary Sanitary Commission Agent Mother Bickerdyke.

From The Motley Fool:

As the holidays set in and the season of giving begins to brush elbows with the cabal of commercialism, we’re presented with — to borrow from the classic education vernacular — an ideal “teaching moment.”

So exactly how do you convince those in a material world to love giving as much as getting? Easy: Explain how one begets the other.

Giving makes you happier
Behaving charitably really is good for you — and not just in an “eat your peas” way. Research has shown that the benefits of generosity are twofold.

First, we get a psychological lift from helping others. According to Knox College psychology professor Timothy Kasser, people who focus on generosity are happier (and healthier!) than those mired in materialism.

From the Register-Mail:

What are you thankful for in the Galesburg community?

Knox enriches community
I’m thankful that Knox College is part of our community. Galesburg would be charming enough without it, but the college adds so much. Nearly every week there is an excellent concert, lecture, recital or play, often for free. Our award-winning community orchestra would not likely be so impressive without Knox College talent. Unlike some private college libraries, the Seymour grants any county resident check-out privileges. And the staff at the superb Knox College Archives could not be more helpful and civic minded. On campus are some of Galesburg’s most precious architectural gems, historic sites and urban green spaces.

Knox College is also one of Galesburg’s larger employers, and those jobs are not going away. Each year the college generates tourist dollars during commencement weekend and other special events. Galesburg’s economy also benefits from the money spent by students, faculty and staff at local businesses. Sure, there is some town-gown tension, inevitable wherever a college exists, but that is nothing compared to the many ways Knox College enriches our community. Will Schick

From the Peoria Journal Star:

‘When all the stars aligned’

“Three excellent playoff opponents and one Class 5A state football championship later, Richwoods High School popularized the impression coach Tom Peeler had of his team considerably earlier in a 13-0 season.

“In the end, a non-specific, over-simplified word was the only way to describe the Knights. They were winners.”

Or so wrote legendary Journal Star sports writer Bob Leavitt in Nov. 23, 1984 editions about Richwoods’ 21-14 victory over Deerfield. As 16 more teams look to add state titles to trophy cases across Illinois, the Knights celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city’s first state crown…..

Chad Eisele, a 41-year-old athletics director and football coach at Knox College.

“Coach Peeler is the greatest teacher and leader I’ve ever known. … You couldn’t find a better coaching staff at any level.”

From the Register-Mail:

A local businessman described as “a unique individual” and known for his involvement in community causes is the recipient of the 2009 Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award. Guy Vitale, owner of G & M Distributors, learned he won the award at the 31st annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon on Monday at Best Western Prairie Inn.

Long-time Carl Sandburg College Board of Trustees members and former Knox College professor Dr. D. Wayne Green won the award last year. As is the tradition, Green had the honor of introducing Vitale. Green said another tradition is that the name of the award recipient is kept secret, so he promised to talk about the winner without revealing the award recipient’s name until the end of the introduction…..

Vitale was recommended for the honor by attorney and fellow community activist Doug Mustain.
“It means a lot to be recognized by the people of my hometown,” Vitale said upon accepting the award.

He said some rare individuals are born with vision. Vitale said he was not one of those.

“My vision pretty much came from the community I am living in,” he said. Vitale said he has been able to succeed because of the complete support from Galesburg.

He spoke of his grandfather, who emigrated from Europe and sold fruit door-to-door.

“My father came from Chicago to attend Knox College,” Vitale said, noting that his mother also graduated from Knox.

He said he has had a lot of help along the way, from his teachers in District 205, “as well as many friends who helped me a lot to see what is important. … This award would only be possible in my case with the help” of all those people.