American White Pelican Migration - Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge

  

The vast expanse of the sky shimmered with the soft glow of dawn as the great white pelicans set their course northward. Their long, broad wings stretched wide, catching the spring thermals that carried them effortlessly over rivers, fields, and wetlands. With each beat of their powerful wings, they followed an ancient route, one that had guided their ancestors for generations.

As they soared over the Mississippi River, the waters below teemed with fish, a promise of the abundance that lay ahead.

Their destination was Emiquon, a vast floodplain in central Illinois, where nature had reclaimed the land and restored it to its former glory. Once a drained agricultural field, Emiquon had been revived into a wetland haven, rich with life and sustenance for the migrating flocks. It was a sanctuary, a place where they could rest, feed, and gather strength for the journeys still to come.

As they descended, the pelicans were met with the scent of fresh water and the symphony of life that thrived in the marshes. Swirling eddies of fish glimmered beneath the surface, while reeds swayed in the gentle breeze. Other birds—egrets, herons, and ducks—greeted their arrival, sharing in the wealth of the wetland.

They would spend weeks here, regaining their strength before continuing farther north to their breeding grounds in the upper Midwest and Canada.

For now, Emiquon was home—a place where the rhythm of migration paused, where the wild heart of the wetlands pulsed strong, and where the white pelicans found peace under the wide, open sky.

Image from March 20, 2019.

Sioux Falls Storm visits Bloomington Extreme

  This Day in History:

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (March 14, 2009) — Sioux Falls Storm quarterback Mitch Tanney delivered a pass under pressure Saturday night as the Bloomington Extreme defense closed in at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Tanney, facing an unblocked rush from defensive lineman Leif Murphy, managed to get the throw off before being hit. The Storm traveled to Bloomington for the matchup against the Extreme in the indoor football showdown.

Both teams looked to gain early momentum in the season as they battled in front of a lively crowd in downtown Bloomington.

Today in History: Toilet Paper Shortage Sparks Panic Buying Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

 Today in History"

NEW YORK (MAR 13, 2020) — As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States in March 2020, an unexpected crisis unfolded in grocery stores and supermarkets nationwide: a severe shortage of toilet paper. Panic buying and supply chain disruptions left shelves empty, prompting concern, confusion, and at times, conflict among shoppers.

The shortage, fueled by fears of prolonged lockdowns and supply interruptions, saw consumers rushing to stockpile essential goods. Retailers struggled to keep up with demand as manufacturers worked around the clock to replenish inventory.

Images and videos of customers hoarding toilet paper, sometimes filling multiple carts, quickly went viral on social media. Reports of altercations in store aisles emerged, with some shoppers resorting to reselling toilet paper at marked-up prices online.

Supply chain experts pointed to a combination of panic-driven purchasing and shifts in consumer behavior as key factors. With more people staying home, demand surged while commercial supply chains—geared toward businesses and institutions—failed to adjust quickly.

Toilet paper manufacturers ramped up production, but the industry’s just-in-time inventory model left little room for rapid response. The situation gradually stabilized as retailers implemented purchase limits and supply chains adapted to new consumer patterns.

By late spring, stores began to recover, though some areas continued to experience sporadic shortages. The toilet paper crisis of 2020 became a defining symbol of the early days of the pandemic, highlighting the fragility of supply chains and the power of consumer psychology in times of uncertainty.

Today in History March 12, 2016: Leo Lions Battle Le Roy Panthers for IHSA Class 1A Title

 

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Leo Lions battled the LeRoy Panthers on Saturday at Carver Arena in the Peoria Civic Center IHSA Class 1A boys basketball championship.

LeRoy, making its first appearance in the championship game, fought valiantly. LeRoy’s impressive run to the title game cements its place among Illinois’ top small-school programs.

Toy Trucks, Lincoln Logs, and Lockdown: How Classic Toys Found New Life During COVID Quarantine

 

When the world slowed to a halt in early 2020, so did childrens routines. Schools shuttered, playgrounds emptied, and screens became a lifeline to education and entertainment. But amid the upheaval, a surprising trend emerged: the revival of classic, hands-on toys like toy trucks, Lincoln Logs, and wooden train sets.

Among the biggest beneficiaries was Lincoln Logs, the nearly 110-year-old construction toy that saw a resurgence as families embraced home-based play.
Toy trucks, particularly the classic die-cast models and sturdy plastic dump trucks, also made a comeback.

For some, the return to old-school play wasn’t just about entertainment—it was a way to cope with the uncertainty of the pandemic.

It was the same for this sports photographer... no games, no sweaty gyms, no photos to edit unless you found something else to photograph! Thank goodness for Lincoln Logs, and old toy trucks!

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Ridgeview Triumphs Over Annawan in IHSA Super Sectional Showdown

  NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — The Ridgeview Mustangs secured a hard-fought victory over the Annawan Braves in the IHSA Class 1A Super Sectional boys basketball game on March 6, 2018, at Redbird Arena, punching their ticket to the state finals.

Ridgeview overcame a determined Annawan squad with a strong second-half performance, pulling away late to earn a win. The Mustangs’ disciplined defense and clutch shooting proved decisive in the battle for a spot in the state semifinals.

Annawan fought valiantly throughout the contest, however, Ridgeview’s defensive pressure forced several crucial turnovers late in the game, limiting Annawan’s chances to mount a comeback.

March 5, 2005 - Normal Community Captures Regional Title with Win Over Rival West

  On this day in History...

NORMAL, Ill. (March 5, 2005) — The Normal Community Ironmen secured the boys' basketball regional championship Saturday night, defeating cross-town rival Normal Community West in a hard-fought matchup.

The Ironmen relied on a balanced scoring attack and strong defense to hold off the Wildcats in front of a packed gymnasium at Normal Community High School.

West kept the game close throughout. The Wildcats cut the deficit to three with under two minutes to play, but Normal Community responded with key free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach.

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