In 1977 I was newly hired out of graduate school to write media releases for Congressional Candidate Peter F. Mack. I sent out an advisory that he would hold a gathering at his house (on South Grand, across from Washington Park), that reporters were invited and “semi-soft drinks” would be served. While circulating at the event, I encountered crack State Journal-Register political writer extraordinaire Al Manning who recognized me on sight and explained why he had come. “Your release said ’semi-soft drinks’ and I had to find out what you meant,” he said, smiling with Coca Cola in hand. In stating “semi-soft” I meant “beer but no whiskey or other distillate spirits.” By saying “semi-hold” in the heading today, I mean I’m not tending to several concerns, normally in my daily task agenda, but I’m not hiding from the world.
I’m bothered most that this mode has me not updating my arts sites, the CIVAG pages. I did attend the fab receptions for the new gallery exhibitions at Prairie Art Alliance and Sangamon Watercolor Society. Btw, SWS is really improving their presence on the third floor at Hoogland: consistent labels for every painting, excellent signs posted at Hoogland walls and elevators the night of the reception inviting folks to come up and say hello, and hands-down without a doubt, the best reception food and wine I have encountered outside the Illinois State Museum art gallery reception I attended for the first, but hopefully not last time four years ago. And mind you, the Prairie Art Alliance folks know how to share a fine fruit plate and cheese ball, yes sirree. I introduced my friends, George and Cherie Jaworski (The Granite Guy, North Dirksen Parkway) to Gayle Norton and PAAtrons, and hope their firm will become involved with them at future receptions. But since downloading the 60-something pictures from that festive libation — I mean, occasion — I have re-focused on my book Springfield Aviation, coming soon from Arcadia Publishers — except for the ncessary time at the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.
Gary Huff gave a SUPER presentation about the Q5 project to foster employment in Sangamon County. And later today I MUST visit Oak Ridge Cemetery and write a poem for a coming event I will be emceeing.
The evening at the Hoogland rekindled my enthusiasm for the visual arts in town, and if I could be two people at once, one of me would be poet/visual arts guy; the other, aviation historian. But man, this BOOK will not finish itself. I’m at the wheel here, and I must steer it home. And my work will all be done by early April if all goes as planned. THEN I can return to the arts, though I’m rather resigned that, given the low interest my my little visual arts antics, aviation will come to the fore, even after I deliver the book. Look for a greatly expanded aviation web presence if my arts efforts support doesn’t happen even with PayPal added recently.
For now, I have many miles to go before I sleep, and promises to keep . . . . and promises to keep.
Live long . . . . . and proper.
