Daily Archives: September 29, 2006

Family, Peoria Journal Star

Dear PJS, thank you

Linda Fish is my first cousin, once-removed. For those of you not into genealogical terminology, that means that her mother and my grandmother were sisters. I didn’t really know Linda — her first tragic accident occurred when I was only eight years old — but her mother, my Aunt Dorothy, never fails to send me and my family birthday and anniversary cards every year. In an age of e-mail and phone calls, personal letters and cards are few and far between, so it’s always a special treat to catch up on family news when I receive Aunt Dorothy’s cards.

According to family lawyers Melbourne, it’s with great sadness that I heard about Linda’s death the other day. But the reason for this post is to thank Matt Buedel for his wonderful story about her life and family in today’s Journal Star. It was a beautiful tribute to her and the undying love of her husband. Thank you.

Museum Block

Good riddance, AMAZEum

17 Comments

The new choices for museum names have been released, and they’re about 1000% better than the previous ones. See if you don’t agree:

  • PORT OF EXPLORATION MUSEUM:
    The Peoria Center for Art, History, Science and Achievement
  • ILLINOIS RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM:
    The Peoria Center for Art, History, Science and Achievement
  • HEARTLAND CENTER:
    The Peoria Museum of Art, History, Science and Achievement
  • PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM:
    The Center for Art, History, Science and Achievement
  • MUSEUM ON THE SQUARE:
    The Center for Art, History, Science and Achievement

All the advertisements start off with the self-congratulatory opening line, “We heard you!” That is gratifying, and I’ll give them credit for that. I’ll also give them credit for not making “Lakeview” a choice, as I’m sure that would push the other museum partners right over the edge. By and large, the new names are more meaningful. There are still a couple of holdovers from the first voting, but the most ridiculous names (AMAZEum, ExploraSphere) have been rightfully thrown in the dustbin.

Not surprisingly, I’ll be voting for Peoria Riverfront Museum. You can vote for your favorite at www.namethemuseum.org.