Opinion
Sometimes life’s greatest blessings come with living a little crazy. So it was that fifty years ago, at 1:30 p.m. on a balmy Thursday, Dec. 28, we—Martha, a cub Lifestyle Editor and columnist for The Belleville (IL) News-Democrat, and Jim, a second-year law student at Washington University in St. Louis—were married in Rock Island, IL.…
Read Full Article 
The next-to-last week of the year. Where did the time go, my friends? … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 481 of The Daily Dirt. 1. The stretch run is here. The nerves are frazzling, the hours are dwindling and the store shelves are emptying. It’s almost the end of the Christmas shopping…
Read Full Article 
Charles Bronson and the NFL, a match made in viewing heaven … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 480 of The Daily Dirt. 1. What might be the only positive byproduct of recovering from a bout with the flu has been the opportunity to catch up with some old movie watching. In this…
Read Full Article 
Daily Dirt for Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 “Disorganized, forgetful and … lazy.” Yep, that pretty much sums up my shopping skills, or lack thereof. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 479 of The Daily Dirt. 1. When it comes to Christmas, there are three types of people, at least according to couponbirds.com. Those three…
Read Full Article 
Daily Dirt for Friday, Dec. 15, 2022 I have no study material to back me up, but I’m pretty sure I’m above that Illinois average for calories consumed … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 478 of The Daily Dirt. 1. The average Illinois commuter will have consumed more than 161,000 calories, most of…
Read Full Article 
There are some great contemporary Christmas songs, and then there is “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney and Wings. Ugh … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 477 of The Daily Dirt. 1. We’re less than two weeks away from Christmas, which means Steve is singing Christmas songs in the mancave. These are three…
Read Full Article 
All I can say is … Best. Birthday. Present. Ever. … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 476 of The Daily Dirt. (Hey! We’re zeroing in the big 500, which will come shortly after the first of the year. And they said it would never last …) 1. Best. Birthday. Present. Ever. My son,…
Read Full Article 
Whew! Some good news for “Yellowstone” fans … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 475 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Relax, “Yellowstone” fans. There will be more episodes this season than many thought, including myself. Last week in this space I wrote about how upset I was that season five of the mega-hit…
Read Full Article 
In a state where vanity license plates are such a big deal, I can’t believe Illinois is lagging behind in naming its snow plows … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 474 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Sooner or later, it’s going to snow and we’ll see those big plows going up and…
Read Full Article 
Remember those marvelous evenings when “American Idol” was must-see TV, when more than 30 million Americans tuned in? Those were the days, my friend, we thought they’d never end. But, alas, they did … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 473 of The Daily Dirt. 1. I think it’s safe to say there…
Read Full Article 
Daily Dirt for Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 Sure, the world has plenty of problems, but after reading today’s first item, I’m pretty sure you’ll be glad you’re living in the here and now and not 30 or 40 years ago. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 472 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Have…
Read Full Article 
Sports, more Beth Dutton and banana splits form today’s winning combination … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 471 of The Daily Dirt. 1. An old newspaper boss of mine and faithful reader of The Daily Dirt, Dave Hackenberg of Toledo, Ohio, sent me an idea for a topic here. I’ve always counted…
Read Full Article 
We’re here to help. For those struggling with what to buy a relative or friend, just keep reading … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 471 of The Daily Dirt. 1. If you’re like most us at this point of the year, it’s time to either start (or hopefully finish) your Christmas shopping.…
Read Full Article Daily Dirt for Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 I usually start dreaming of a White Christmas about right now … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 470 of The Daily Dirt. 1. I don’t think anyone would disagree that thoughts of the holiday season this month likely include visions of families gathering, friends meeting, singing…
Read Full Article 
Never underestimate what a quality cookie can do for your overall outlook. Yes, those are words to live by … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 469 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Since we’re now well into December, it’s officially OK to overindulge on Christmas cookies. So, what kind should be on the lookout…
Read Full Article 
Today is Father’s Day in Thailand. I’m not kidding. So to celebrate fatherhood, I’m turning over this edition of The Daily Dirt to my oldest (and only) son, Geoff. You may have to come to know him for his weekly contribution of NFL picks. Today, he has a larger platform … and what does he do?…
Read Full Article 
Daily Dirt for Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 Well, it’s been fun, but I’m done. Today wraps up our Retro Week celebration as we pay homage to 55 years ago (1967) with our look at some of that year’s key happenings and pop music headlines … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 467…
Read Full Article 
Daily Dirt for Saturday, Dec. 4, 2022 We’re near the end of Retro Week. We’ve reached 50 years ago, which means today we’re dealing with 1972, which was the year I graduated from high school. I remember the world in general and pop music quite well at that time, so welcome to my world … Welcome to today’s…
Read Full Article 
Retro Week moves ahead here on the Daily Dirt, which means we make our first of two stops in the 1970’s. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 464 of The Daily Dirt. 1. The 1970’s provided us with such lasting memories as bell-bottom pants (for guys!), platform shoes (for both genders), feathered…
Read Full Article 
Daily Dirt for Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 Retro Week continues today as we look at pop culture items and pop music from 40 years ago. If that seems just like yesterday, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 464 of The Daily Dirt. 1. 1982. It hardly…
Read Full Article 
Daily Dirt for Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 It’s the first of two Retro Week stops in the ’80s, so get on board! … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 463 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Twas 35 years ago when we were all interested in the following. Yep, it was 1987 and these…
Read Full Article 
I talked with the Ebbings (read the story of Rob and Vicki Ebbing here) at Two Rivers Marina last fall as they started their Great Loop adventure, giving them a few tips on my wife’s and my Great Loop adventure and long river trips which started from Two Rivers Marina in 2013 and spanned the…
Read Full Article 
I’ve always wanted to meet Sophie B. Hawkins, but more about her in a minute … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 462 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Just like yesterday at the onset of Retro Week, we’ll look at some of the events surrounding pop culture and music trends. This time, we’re…
Read Full Article 
Welcome aboard … Hopefully, you will enjoy today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 461 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Welcome to the inaugural Daily Dirt Retro Week. With the 2022 calendar nearing an end, I felt it was the perfect time to look back at important anniversary-type years (in particular, for the baby boomer generation),…
Read Full Article 
After you have perused today’s Daily Dirt, do yourself a favor a look over the last of “Love Actually.” I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 460 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Since it’s officially the Christmas season now, let’s kick it off with the 10 best holiday movies,…
Read Full Article February 24, 2025
CRIBS: DOWNTOWN QUINCY LOFTS
Obituaries
Current Weather
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT