Our Rural Heritage
184 stories
Christmas in the 1870s, Part 1
By Sandy Vasko Today we are going on a journey, not unlike Scrooge’s journey, to the past, the long past.…
How to dress for every occasion, 1881
By Sandy Vasko In today’s society, how you dress is not as important as it used to be. My mother…
Thanksgiving Day at the Pen, with the electric pen
By Sandy Vasko Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in many different ways, large family dinners, visits to local restaurants, community suppers,…
A Wild Goose Chase, at Kankakee’s Grand Marsh
By Sandy Vasko If you live in the country anywhere around here, you are aware when hunting season starts. The…
The mysterious case of Henry Belt
By Sandy Vasko The story of the freedom-seekers is one that has been told in Will County for many years.These…
Mr. Edison’s talking machine, it really talked!
By Sandy Vasko Listening to other people’s voices is something we do day in and day out. One might think…
The hometown hero hurler hunted success
By Sandy Vasko Will County is a sporting place, whether it’s football, baseball, basketball or even fishing, sports has always…
A county, and country, divided – the Election of 1860
By Sandy Vasko Elections in this part of the country are usually hotly contested. But they don’t hold a candle…
Florence farmers fought the big guy
By Sandy Vasko The high cost of gasoline, the dangers fossil fuels poses to our environment, the effects on the…
Old soldiers, old times, Civil War reunions
By Sandy Vasko At the turn of the 20th century there were still quite a few Civil War vets in…
Kill or keep? Will County wild things
By Sandy Vasko Every once in a while, we hear of sightings of animals that have long since left our…
Republicans vs. Dems, or rallying for a winner
By Sandy Vasko The office of President of the United States and the topic of elections is never far from…