2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 11/10/2015

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

The 2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine has arrived. The front cover features a High Dynamic Range image of the Normal Theater in Normal taken during the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in July.  The rear cover is a shot of the memorial at Illinois State University that remembers the 7-
Aaron Leech, Torrey Ward, Scott Bittner, Jason Jones, Andrew Butler, Terry Stralow and Thomas Hileman who lost their lives in a plane crash on their way home from the NCAA basketball tournament in April.  Other features in this issue - a wrap up of the Normal CornBelters winning season, McLean County Antique Automobile Associations annual car show, Sugar Creek Arts Festival, a preview of the State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout, some highlights from the very wet Friday Night football games, the blood red moon and eclipse, volleyball and football from both Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan and It's Official makes a return.

Be sure to look up our sponsors.  They probably offer something you want or need.  Buy local where most of the money from your purchase returns to our local economy.

Heyworth Hornets hosts Gibson City Melvin Sibley (GCMS) Falcons

Well, 3 times in one season we've covered the Heyworth Hornets at home.  It was the fall of 1976 since we last did that!

The night wasn't too kind to the Hornets.  GCMS is a force to be reckoned with this year.  If they have lost a game, I couldn't tell you who beat them.  We saw them in week one against LeRoy and the story was much the same.  The crowd was a little lighter this trip to the Hornets field than it was the other 2 times.  Not sure if everyone was expecting this lopsided affair or if they just stayed home to watch the Cubs in the Division Series in St. Louis against the Cardinals for the first time in history of the MLB.

Watch the Normalite Newspapers (Heyworth Buzz), Best Look Magazine for more covered provided by Alan Look Photography - Bloomington-Normal's Best Look in Sports Action Photography.


20151009 GCMS at Heyworth football photos - Images by Alan Look
 - chimper

Olympia plays U High

The first Friday in October was a pleasant change from many in September.  The air was a bit cooler and no lightning!  The Spartans of Olympia visited Hancock Stadium to take on the Pioneers of University High. It was senior night for the Pioneers.

Check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for game coverage by the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington Normal.


20151002 Olympia at UHigh football photos - Images by Alan Look
 - Chimper

Illinois State Redbirds defeat Northern Iowa Panthers in conference play

Family Day had Hancock Stadium at standing room only and the tailgates all full. Governor Rauner was on hand as well as comedian Bill Engvall.  Both teams came into the square off with records of 2 wins and a loss.  The Redbirds loss was to Iowa.  The Redbirds switched up quarterbacks most of the game with Jake Kolbe getting the first snap and Tre Roberson coming in and out.  Jay Blunk, a graduate of ISU and a member of the Chicago Blackhawks stopped by with a big shiny cup often referred to as a Stanley Cup which brought a round of applause from the fans.  Redbirds took the game to go to a record of 3-1 and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Be sure to check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for more photo coverage from the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington - Normal.




20151003 Northern Iowa at Illinois State football photo gallery - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

Heyworth host Tremont for Homecoming

Friday Night September 25, the Heyworth High School Hornets hosted the Tremont Turks for the Hornets homecoming football game.  As we drove to the game, it was kind of deja vu of the 2nd week of the season when we also covered the Hornets in Heyworth at clouds started backing in from the Northeast.  The resulting sunset was nearly the same as week two - vivid brilliant colors providing back light for silhouettes of some houses and birds flying just west of the field.  The playing conditions were night and day.  The clouds cleared off to reveal a brilliant moon and there was no precipitation or lightning in the area to prevent any action on the field.

Our star of the night was the Homecoming King, Cole Sinn who seemed to have about twice as much will and fire as the next Hornet on the field.  The Queen this year was Lydia Martens.

Please look for more coverage in the Heyworth Buzz - a Normalite Newspaper, and in Best Look Magazine.  The image show below is complements of Alan Look Photography - Bloomington Normal's Best Look in Sports Action Photography.

20150925 Tremont Turks at Heyworth Hornets football photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

Augustana Vikings take the IWU Titans in a Women's Volleyball Match

On Tuesday September 22, the Vikings from Augustana pried a seesaw volleyball match from the Titans.  The match went 5 sets.  The 4th set went to a two point overrun in order for the Vikings to take it.  They also got the best in the 1st and last sets.  The Titans took the 2nd and 3rd sets, both by the score of 25-21.  Nicole Morrissey let the Vikings with 20 kills while Kyleigh Block had 23 for the Titans.  Also for the Vikings were Kylie Siebert with 27 digs and Hannah Lindaman with 23 assists.  Leading those categories for the Titans were Mary Rankin with 44 digs and Colleen Rynne with 33 assists.  The Titans now have a record of 10-3 overall and are 0-1 in the conference.

See Alan Look Photography for some great photos and the November issue of Best Look Magazine for more coverage.

 - Chimper



20150922 Augustana Vikings at Illinois Wesleyan Titans volleyball photos - Images by Alan Look

Illinois Wesleyan defeats the Storm of Simpson College

In a very lopsided scoring game, the Titan football team from Illinois Wesleyan defeated the Storm from Simpson College of Iowa.  It was a non-conference game for the schools.





20150919 Simpson at Illinois Wesleyan - Images by Alan LookIn a very lopsided scoring game, the Titan football team from Illinois Wesleyan defeated the Storm from Simpson College of Iowa.  It was a non-conference game for the schools.

Chili Bowl lives up to it's name

Yes, it was a chili night on Friday for the Chili Bowl between the Normal Community Ironmen and the Normal West Wildcats.  The temps were in the low 60's and there was a pretty good breeze blowing in from the north at Normal West High School's football field.  The effects were evidently felt more by the Wildcats than the Iron.  The Iron stormed ahead in the first half, but the Wildcats stayed in the game with a couple of pretty solid drives.  In the end, it wasn't enough for the hosts with the Iron taking the game and the Chili Bowl.

 - Chimper



20150911 Chili Bowl - NCHS at NCWHS football photos - Images by Alan Look

Friday fizzled out.

The high temperatures and humidity across the mid section of the country spawned isolated storms on Friday night.  Although some rain fell in the area, the biggest problem locally for football games was the lightning.  Many area schools saw their games suspended because of the electric atmosphere.  Normal West playing in Collinsville, Normal Community and Bloomington both playing at home and Heyworth were all subject to the suspensions.  One report tells of more severe thunderstorms to the east affecting the Champaign - Urbana area, Danville and into west central Indiana.

Play did get started at the Heyworth game.  Heyworth hosted the Falcons of Flanagan, Cornell, Woodland.  The Falcons started the game kicking to the Hornets and defending the north end zone. Brandon Day accepted the kickoff for the Hornets and made a good run up the field.  He followed it shortly after moving the ball much closer to the goal.  After a too high pass to Skyler Cox in the corner of the end zone, the Hornets kept the ball on the ground with runs by Keith Hickenbottom and eventually one by Matt Schultz for the first score of 6 points. A 2 point conversion ensued on a keeper run to his right by quarterback Jacob Day.

The game suspended shortly after with the Hornets in the lead 8-0

 - Chimper

20150904 Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland Falcons at Heyworth Hornets football photos - Images by Alan Look

#IHSA, #IHSAFOOTBALL, #HEYWORTHHORNETS #FLANAGANFALCONS #HEYWORTH #FLANAGAN #CORNELL #WOODLAND #ALANLOOKPHOTOGRAPHY

2015 high school football season arrives

Friday night August 28th was the first night for IHSA football games.  Our usually list to pick from was a little smaller this year than others as the home game schedules only had 3 playing in McLean County.  The schedules are a bit tighter this year with Lexington joining the Ridgeview/Blue Ridge partnership.  We hear it was a numbers decision associated with potential players and not a financial situation.  What ever the reason, it is good to see that those who want to play and the administrators found a way to make it happen.  The Ridgeview/Blue Ridge/Lexington team we believe is still known as the Mustangs.  They played the Fisher Bunnies at Fisher on opening night.  We hope to cover them soon.

Our pick placed us in LeRoy with the Panthers hosting the GCMS Falcons of Gibson City - Melvin - Sibley high school.  The Falcons seemed to have the edge early and I believe they won (we had to leave in the 3rd quarter for another commitment), but the Panthers held their own.  The game was 7-6 Falcons in the lead as we headed for the bus.  The announcer yelled touchdown as we were loading gear, but we didn't hear who it was.

Enjoy the photos!  Check out the Normalite, LeRoy Leader and Best Look Magazine for more images from Alan Look Photography as the issues are published.

 - Chimper -



20150828 Gibson City Melvin Sibley (GCMS) Falcons at LeRoy Panthers football photos - Images by Alan Look

#IHSA #IHSAFOOTBALL #GCMS #LEROY #GCMSFALCONS #LEROYPANTHERS

August 2015 - Volume 4 Issue 3

Now available online - viewing and electronic downloads are free, but grab a copy of the printed edition.  It really pops!

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 3, August 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 8/15/2015

Best Look Magazine August 2014 Volume 4 Issue 3 - Number 13

May 2015 Issue released

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 2, May 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 5/15/2015

May 2015 Issue of Best Look Magazine

Need something to do on Memorial Day weekend?  Ever been to the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall in Marseilles Illinois?  It is a special place right along the Illinois River.  It is a first rate memorial and a solemn place to pay your respects to those who have made the freedom we experience possible.  Our cover and a story are dedicated to it.  Take a peek, this one is all funded by donations...

Other items in this issue are the basketball wrap-ups for the Illinois State Redbird and Illinois Wesleyan Titans men and womens teams, the runs to state by the Central Catholic girls and the boys teams from Normal Community and Ridgeview.  It's Official is back and there are a coupe of pieces on the Chicago Skyline and Christian Stoniev.

Thanks in advance for taking a peek at our publication and supporting our advertisers!

Alan

May 2015 issue a week out

One short week before the May 2015 issue is available for viewing and purchase.  In this issue, the cover story deals with the men and women of the US Armed Services that have lost their lives overseas fighting for our freedoms.  Other coverage will include the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, a wrap up on area basketball for the 2014-15 season, a local entertainer, the It's Official page and a couple of other features.

Mark your calendar and come by in a week to see the rest!

Torrey Ward & Aaron Leetch

It's been a very long and sad day for most everyone in Central Illinois today.  Waking up to the news that a small plane crashed a couple miles short of the airport in the dense fog and the suspense till the names of the 7 people killed in the crash was enough to wear one down very early.  Then hearing the names about lunch time, just seemed to take all the wind from the sail.  The dreary day just became gloom.

I sit back of the baseline for most every Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball game.  I have been for 15 years.  Knowing that most don't really like a camera in their face, I normally just do my job while keeping my distance.  People see me, I see them, we probably even recognize each other away from the arena.  It was no different with Torrey and Aaron.  I don't remember even getting the chance to say hello to Torrey.  I probably did to Aaron as he would have moved around the arena more.  I don't really recall.

With Torrey, one always knew when he was near the court.  He dressed impeccably, and usually had at least one player with him.  The respect for him just transcended the commotion.  Today, I saw a couple images of him where he was actually leaning into the court shouting something.  I didn't see that a lot.  He appeared to always be calm, cool and gentlemanly.  I'll miss seeing him on the court.

Aaron, worked behind the scenes.  Much of what you see around ISU Athletics is due in part to his greatness at his job.  He energized the community and the businesses and got everyone behind the 'Birds.  I'll recognize more of those efforts now that he is gone, wondering always which may not have happened had he not been on the job.



Torrey Ward photos - Images by Alan Look
 - Chimper

Ridgeview and Normal Community play Peoria

Our two latest publications are special issues that chronicle the Ridgeview Mustangs and the Normal Ironmen boys basketball teams play in Peoria at the IHSA State Finals.  The Mustangs qualified for their 1st ever appearance and the Ironmen for their third.  The Mustangs placed 3rd and the Ironmen placed 2nd.  Both had excellent records and a tremendous amount of fun this season!  Please take a look at our publications complete with front and back cover images, a short story and several high definition images.  Be sure to check out our advertisers.  They all really appreciate any business that comes their way.  I'm sure you will get personalized service from everyone of them.

Click for Ridgeview
Click for Normal Community

Alan Look Photography

New home for Best Look Magazine

Welcome to what will become the new home for Best Look Magazine's online presence.  We will be transitioning away from the http://bestlookmag.com address sometime in the future.  We haven't worked through all the details yet and this sites development is still incomplete.