Opinion | The Journal-News

GUEST COLUMN • Emma Bangs, Legendary Teacher

In the late 19th century, women had few professional opportunities. Many that did work gave up their careers when they married. Emma Trimble Bangs, however, broke the mold. A longtime Montgomery … more

by Tom Emery | 7/24/23

GRANDMA'S DIARIES: July 1956: Battle Of The Hedge Row

July 1956 is a busy time on the farm. I want readers to know how important Howy Ward was to my grandparents. He farmed their land on a share basis, but he did so much more. He was like a third son to … more

by Carole (Best) Brown | 7/17/23

GROWING YOUR ROOTS: Pulled Pork Has Been A Centerpiece

Pulled Pork has been a centerpiece in the Farm Bureau office the past few weeks. We started with serving lunch at the Montgomery County Fair swine show and now we have moved on to member appreciation … more

7/17/23

Constructed in 1904 through funding from Andrew Carnegie, Litchfield Public Library’s building was the focal point of downtown Litchfield for 112 years. Above, is an early photo of Litchfield’s Carnegie Library.

Did You Know... Litchfield Library

Litchfield Public Library first opened in 1882 in an upstairs room at 421 North State. Three hundred books were purchased for the new venture and Mary Wallace was hired to serve as the … more

7/17/23

The City of Litchfield’s first post office was established in 1853 by Postmaster Mr. Cummings. Though early post office buildings are difficult to verify, the city’s current post office was built in the early 1900s (pictured above).

Did You Know... Litchfield Post Office

The City of Litchfield’s Post Office was moved from Hardinsburg to Litchfield in 1853, when the postmaster of Hardinsburg, Mr. Cummings, moved his store. The name was officially changed to … more

7/10/23

Letter To The Editor: When The Wind Blows . . .

Now, I am not a city person who does not understand the country. I have approximately 870 acres and farm about 550 of it in Central Illinois. It is fairly good, level ground that we … more

7/10/23

GUEST COLUMN • A New Era of Corporate Responsibility

As a Republican who represented Illinois in Congress, and a fervent advocate for the delicate balance between individual liberties and collective safety, the hard decisions surrounding data privacy … more

by Former Congressman John Shimkus | 7/10/23

RAMBLINGS: Life Lessons From Henry David Thoreau

Back in the days of yore when I taught American Literature at Hillsboro High, one of my favorite writers to introduce to students was Henry David Thoreau of Walden Pond fame. Because we had only 90 … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 7/3/23

Did You Know About... Litchfield Museum

The City of Litchfield is unique in that it is on the original Historic Route 66 (1930-1940) and the four lane Route 66 (1940 – 1977). What better place could there be to put a museum … more

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center | 7/3/23

A FEW GOOD THOUGHTS: The Most Human Hero Of Them All

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” opened in theaters this past weekend. The fifth and final installment of the series opened on Friday, June 30, at the Orpheum, and I was apart of a … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 7/3/23

GUEST COLUMN • Teacher’s Regiment Had Area Men

In Illinois as elsewhere, Civil War troops came from a wide variety of occupations. In one regiment, many men were future teachers. The 33rd Illinois Infantry, which originated at Illinois State … more

by Tom Emery | 6/26/23

The Litchfield Hotel (pictured above) opened on the corner of North Madison and West Ryder Street in the early 1800s. It contained 90 guest rooms and housed 20 permanent residents, and was considered by many to be one of the finest hotel’s in this part of the Illinois.

DID YOU KNOW? • Litchfield Hotel

The Litchfield Hotel, considered by many to be one of the finest in this part of the state, opened on the corner of North Madison and West Ryder Street in the early 1890s. The lot that the hotel … more

6/26/23

Choose Professional Fireworks Shows

Independence Day is approaching, and fireworks will soon dominate the sky. The Illinois Insurance Association and its member companies encourage residents to choose professional fireworks shows … more

Kevin J. Martin, Executive Director, Illinois Insurance Assoc. | 6/26/23

GROWING YOUR ROOTS: Dairy Month Kicks Off Busy Summer

A busy summer awaits us as we are preparing for activities at the county fair, organizing membership appreciation lunches, and recruiting sponsors and teams for our golf scramble in July! … more

by Katie Wilson, Montgomery County Farm Bureau | 6/20/23

GUEST COLUMN: Moldy Fruit And Newspaper Clippings

Filling out my college applications this past year, I found myself fixed on the parent section because I felt as if I was lying. “Limited information is known about parent 2.” … more

by Kamryn Kiper | 6/20/23

The cornerstone for Litchfield Community High School (pictured above) was laid in 1923 and the building served the community for over seven decades, before it was razed and replaced with a new school in June 1997.

Did You Know... About Litchfield High

The corner stone for Litchfield Community High School was laid in the fall of 1923. By the spring of the next year, the building was near completion and the class of 1924 held commencement exercises … more

6/20/23

GRANDMA'S DIARIES • June 1956: Checking Area Farms

Readers who are farmers will probably be really interested in Grandma's June entries. I would be so interested to know how the economics and average crop yields have changed since 1956. Grandma and … more

by Carole (Best) Brown | 6/12/23

Litchfield Fire Department has served the City of Litchfield for 149 years. Originally organized in 1874, the department’s first fire station was located in the city hall building (pictured above) on the corner of Ryder Street and Monroe Street.

DID YOU KNOW? • Litchfield Fire Dept.

Litchfield Fire Department has a long history in the City of Litchfield. The fire department was organized in 1874, with John Lange, the first chief to be elected, stepping into leadership in 1875. … more

6/12/23

RAMBLINGS • Thank You, Hillsboro

Every so often I pause to reflect upon myself–where I am in my life cycle; where I began; and how and why I navigated my path from its beginning to the present day. I’m sure most of us go … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/5/23

Three Ladies Are A Credit To Their Profession

For the past 20 days I have been a patient at Montgomery Nursing and Rehab for the purpose of therapy following a left hip joint replacement on May 5. Hannah, Nadine and Vickie were diligent and … more

Linda Hagood, Taylorville | 6/5/23