A new edition of a compact photohistory examines the impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the rural Midwest. Tom Emery, a historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill., is the author of Soldiers with Picks and Shovels, which tells the story of the CCC, a wildly successful and popular program of the Depression-era New Deal, […]
Robertson Hall fire was 60 years ago Sunday
The history of Blackburn College has been defined by destructive fires, including the blaze that destroyed Robertson Hall in 1959. The loss of Robertson severed a remaining link to Blackburn’s past. Sunday, November 10, marks the 60th anniversary of the fire, which claimed much of the biology and art departments at Blackburn, as well as […]
Tuesday’s Democratic debate had Blackburn connection
CARLINVILLE — The fourth Democratic Presidential Debate on Tuesday evening had a connection to Blackburn College. The debate was staged in Westerville, Ohio at Otterbein University, where Dr. John Comerford is in his second year as President. He went to Otterbein after serving in the same position at Blackburn from 2013-18. Comerford oversaw a comprehensive […]
Blackburn alum Hutchinson was ground-breaking female reporter
For decades, female journalists were relegated to soft news and local coverage, rarely allowed to cover the biggest, hard-hitting stories. Blackburn College alum Louise Hutchinson, however, broke that mold, along with numerous gender barriers. In a twenty-one year career with the Chicago Tribune from 1952-73, Hutchinson reported on some of the most memorable events of […]
Sixth annual SamJam features Grammy-winning performer
Popular Music Festival Offers Brewfest with Over 50 Craft Beers CARLINVILLE – A popular music festival created to celebrate the medical challenges of a local resident will feature a Grammy-winning performer this year. The SamJam Music & Brewfest is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 from noon until midnight at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds just north […]
Blackburn breaks ground on solar project
CARLINVILLE – Optimism abounded as Blackburn College broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art solar project in a ceremony on campus Thursday afternoon, May 16. The $3 million, 2-megawatt solar array, which will be constructed on eight acres of the northern part of the Blackburn campus, is expected to provide over 80% of the school’s energy […]
Timmermeier concludes excellent career for Blackburn Volleyball
CARLINVILLE – Shelsie Timmermeier, a senior middle blocker from Gillespie, concluded an excellent career for the Blackburn College volleyball team this fall. The 6’0 Timmermeier appeared in all 28 matches for Blackburn and finished the season with 125 kills. She recorded fifteen kills to go along with three block assists in Blackburn’s four-set victory over […]
Help needed for missing Macoupin County track records
Work is continuing on the second and third volumes of a history of the Macoupin County Track Meet that benefit high school track programs around the county. However, some information is missing on individual winners from some of the county meets, and track athletes, parents, coaches, and fans are being asked to help contribute information. […]
Blackburn’s Young is Celtics assistant
CARLINVILLE – It’s a long way from Blackburn College to the Boston Celtics bench. But Jamie Young has enjoyed the ride. Young, a 1998 Blackburn graduate, just completed his seventh year as an assistant coach with the Celtics, who have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in each of the last two seasons. It’s been […]
Blackburn College names interim president
CARLINVILLE – Blackburn College has temporarily filled a leadership vacancy with the naming of an interim President. Dr. Jennifer Braaten, who spent fifteen successful years as President of Ferrum College in Virginia, will serve in an interim capacity as Blackburn conducts a nationwide search for a permanent President. Braaten assumes her duties at Blackburn on […]
Blackburn guarantees free tuition with Macoupin Promise
By Tom Emery CARLINVILLE – A bold new program at Blackburn College will guarantee free tuition to students from Macoupin County high schools, while a separate program will meet financial needs of students from around the nation. The Macoupin Promise will provide free tuition to Blackburn for qualifying students from all high schools within Macoupin […]
Staunton was home to minor league baseball a century ago
The face of minor league baseball is changing today, as larger urban areas boast teams with state-of-the-art ballparks in areas of urban renewal. It is quite a departure from a century ago, when fifty-one minor leagues dotted the nation and placed teams in many smaller cities and towns. Staunton was among them, and for four […]
Gillespie’s Timmermeier excels for Blackburn volleyball
By Tom Emery Gillespie High School graduate Shelsie Timmermeier enjoyed an excellent season for the Blackburn College volleyball team last fall. A 6’0” middle blocker, Timmermeier was a third-year starter for Blackburn and recorded 137 kills on the season. She ranked fourth in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a .251 hitting percentage. Timmermeier […]
Blackburn celebrates record with $26.3 million campaign
By Tom Emery CARLINVILLE—Blackburn College is celebrating a record capital campaign that raised over $26.3 million for the school. The Creating Opportunity campaign exceeded the goal of $25 million in the most successful fund-raising effort in Blackburn history. The campaign brought in donations and pledges from alumni, staff, faculty, and friends of the college. “This […]
Project of Gillespie man wins award from ISHS
Contributed article by Tom Emery A historical and free reading project conceived by a rural Gillespie man has earned the Certificate of Excellence from the Illinois State Historical Society. A Rough Broken Country: Diary of a Wagon Train to the California Gold Rush was the conception of Lindell Loveless, a retired hog producer and businessman […]
Old postcards provide clues to courthouse cannon
By Tom Emery CARLINVILLE – A pair of recently-discovered old postcards may provide some clues to research on the cannon that adorns the grounds of the Macoupin County courthouse. Organizers of an effort to restore the cannon have asked for the public’s help in locating information on the six-pound, 1841 cannon, including historical background such […]
Archives find solve mystery of Blackburn’s one-armed baseball player
Contributed article by Tom Emery CARLINVILLE – A discovery of long-forgotten articles in the Blackburn College archives has solved a lingering, and surprisingly controversial, mystery of the school’s history. The story involves a one-armed baseball player at Blackburn from a century ago, and in recent years, debates have erupted over his identity. One popular belief […]
Third edition of “SamJam” to raise money, awareness for neurofibromatosis
By Tom Emery CARLINVILLE—Twelve hours of some of the finest progressive bluegrass in the Midwest will be on display at SamJam 2016 at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 17. The event will raise funds and awareness for neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that disturbs cell growth in the nervous system and causes tumors […]
Macoupin County Civil War group works to restore Civil War cannon
By Tom Emery CARLINVILLE — After successful efforts to restore two Civil War flags, members of the Macoupin County Civil War Round Table are now working to restore the historic Civil War-era cannon on the grounds of the Macoupin County courthouse. The cannon, located on the south side of the courthouse block, is a local […]
Sunday marks 10 years since Vince Demuzio’s Death
by Tom Emery Sunday, April 27 marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Vince Demuzio, the longtime state senator and a powerful political voice of downstate Illinois. His legacy lives on in a multitude of ways. Demuzio (D-Carlinville) was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 1974 and served until his death from colon […]