Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • 4

JG-TC I www.g-tccom Talking Poimits Jumping into Normandy, 70 years after D-Day A4 WEDNESDAY, AAAY 7, 201 4 DATEBOOK TODAY 'I If J2.T Si i rV. r(4T t-i i i tmHWhtttim inn. a.i.w'.ir nniiV 1 1 i fv mmVi i i -i ti i -mmm 9 a.m.-2p.m., 2014 Annual Senior Expo, Lifespan Center, Charleston. 6 p.m., Neoga High School Book Club: "War Community Program, Neoga High School Library, E. Seventh Neoga, 217-895-2205.

7 p.m., Coles County Public Health Board meets, Human Services Building, 825 18th Charleston. 7 p.m., Gunny Sack Revue performs, 1061 Yoder Center, 1061 E. Columbia St. (Illinois Route 133), near the Dollar General, Arthur. 7 p.m., Hindsboro Village Board meets, Civic Center.

10 p.m., Karaoke, Friends and Company, 509 Van Buren Charleston; 217-345-2380. THURSDAY 10:30 a.m., "Books and Babies" (activities for infants through 24 months), Charleston Carnegie Public Library, Rotary Room 712 Sixth Charleston; www. charlestonlibrary.org; 217-345-1514. 6-7 p.m., Bag Toss Tournament, American Legion Post 88, 1903 Maple Mattoon, 217-234-7155. 7 p.m., Open Mic Night, Jackson Avenue Coffee, 708 Jackson Charleston, www.jackso-navenuecoffee.com, 217-345-5283.

SATURDAY 9 a.m. -5 p.m., National Train Day event, designated train viewing and photo area, model train layout, vendors, locomotive horn exhibit, Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. North Central 217-552-4059. MONDAY 6:30 p.m., Westfield Improvement League, fire station. TUESDAY 7 p.m., Coles County Board meets, third-floor meeting room, courthouse.

MAY 15 7 p.m., Coles County Public Health Board meets, county Health Department office, 1404 Broadway Mattoon, GREG KELLER Associated Press COMMES, France (AP) -Weather in Normandy had been iffy for days. Showers and wind gave way to sunshine, then lightning storms over the sea. We watched and waited for the signal to jump. With a window of only a few hours, I began to doubt our chances. Finally the message my companions and I had been waiting for arrived: The jump was on.

Unlike the paratroopers of the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions who jumped into Normandy on D-Day 70 years ago, our orders came not from General Dwight D. Eisenhower, but via text message from our paragliding instructor. My wife and I had come to Normandy ahead of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings to explore the region's history, cuisine and culture. I'd been to the U.S. military cemetery at Omaha Beach years before, a trip that's still a must for many Americans visiting France.

But this time we wanted to explore farther afield. We'd crisscross the region from the cheese-making town of Pont l'Eveque in the east to the isolated Gatteville Lighthouse in the west. Near Omaha Beach, Claude Bellessort runs Elementair, a paragliding school in Port-en-Bessin. An expert pilot who's led paragliding excursions as far afield as Nepal and Morocco, Bellessort has offered tandem paragliding flights here since 2002. The thrill of taking off from the cliff top and swooping over the beaches, imagining how it appeared on D-Day, made the 10-minute flight an unforgettable highlight of three days in Normandy.

Local officials estimate that the invasion anniversary will attract several hundred thousand tourists to Normandy this summer. The commemorations culminate June 6 in Ouistreham, where U.S. President Barack Obama, French president Francois Hollande and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will gather to remember the more than 9,000 Allied soldiers killed or wounded that day. We spent the night after our jump in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, a tiny village in Omaha Beach. This was one of the invasion's five famous landing areas spread over 50 miles (80 kilometers) of coast where 160,000 U.S., the U.S war cemetery in Collevllle sur Mer, Normandy April 25.

Local officials estimate that several flock to Normandy this summer, attracted by the 70th anniversary of D-Day next June 6. 1 llr HP. mm i -i Associated Press forget. This isn't a museum for me, it's my home." There's more to do in Normandy than visit war memorials. The Pays d'Auge around the small town of Cambremer is the heart of Normandy's traditional apple cider and apple brandy-making region.

We stopped at Stephane and Lucile Grandval's distillery, Manoir du Grandouet. The family has made cider here for three generations; one of the giant oak barrels where the heady, intoxicating apple brandy known as calvados is aged dates from 1792. We bought a few bottles of a lush, creamy, award-winning cider and they added one as a gift. The friendly gesture reminded me of a line from the classic D-Day war film "The Longest Day." Gen. James 'Jumpin' Jim' Gavin of the 82nd Airborne tells his troops, "When you get to Normandy, you'll only have one friend-God and this," lifting a rifle.

For visitors 70 years after the invasion that helped liberatg Europe from Adolf Hitler, that's happily no longer true. the details firsthand before you trust someone with your hard-earned cash. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) You will be restless and looking for an adventure today.

Plan a day trip or learn something new that can enhance your professional future. Don't be afraid to share your feelings and intentions. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Get ready for a challenge and a chance to put your energy to good use. Proceed with creative plans that you've been considering.

You'll get the backing you need from someone important. ARIES (March 21 -April 1 9) Get back on course where your health and fitness goals are concerned. Start with a nutritional diet. If you feel good, you will excel. WEDNESDAY'S HILO High Tuesday 105 at Ljw Tuesday 20 at Pryden, Texas Mount Vtehington, N.rF NATIONAL TEMPERATURES 'j 1 e- This 18th century manor house was the site of the Battle of Bloody Gulch, made famous in an episode of the television series "Band of Brothers." American paratroopers were nearly routed by an SS tank division until saved by the arrival of the U.S.

2nd Armored Division, aka "Hell on Wheels." On a tour of the manor grounds, Feuardent pointed out foxholes and let us handle examples of the 12 tons of weapons, helmets, grenades and other artifacts he's dug up. "Two days ago I was searching the other side of this hedge, and the metal detector just started going 'Ding! Ding! Feuardent said. In his 200-year-old home, Feuardent points out traces of blood stains on the wooden floor of his sons' bedroom, where two soldiers' bodies, one German, one American, were discovered after the battle. "They fought hand-to-hand in my home!" Feuardent says with awe. "We try to keep the spirit of the Americans who died here alive," Feuardent says.

"We never 23) Love and romance will put a smile on your face. Plan a little surprise for someone you enjoy spending time with. Your kind gesture will pay off in many ways. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.

22) A family member may not be interested in your plans. Give him or her space, and carry on with your agenda. A physical challenge will be stimulating and rewarding. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec 21) A seminar, lecture or special interest group will provide the information and stimulation you desire.

Attend a conference or travel to an unfamiliar destination. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Before making a financial decision, consult with the people who will be affected by the choice you make. Get all of Students listen to their teacher hundred thousand tourists will British and Canadian troops came ashore on D-Day.

Omaha, where the U.S. 1st and 29th divisions landed, saw some of the day's bloodiest fighting. To look out to sea here or at the nearby Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Col-leville-sur-Mer, and imagine the scene at dawn on June 6, 1944 is breathtaking: 5,000 landing ships and assault craft assembled in the largest armada in history lined up across the horizon. Our host for the night was Sebastien Olard, 46, a bakery supply salesman and passionate amateur D-Day historian. Olard grew up in the village of 200 inhabitants on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach.

Fifteen years ago he bought a stone house surrounded by a sheep pasture that village elders say was the first home liberated by American troops on D-Day. He's turned the home into a museum-cum-vacation rental called "La Maison de la Liberation" (House of the Liberation). For 80 euros, guests can overnight there and enjoy a history lesson. HOROSCOPES If today Is your birthday: Hidden assets and unsolicited financial aid will be welcome surprises this year. Consider Investing In property or learning new skills.

Family and friends will play a larger role In your life as well. If you keep the lines of communication open, you will be offered support, suggestions and hands-on assistance. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Someone will be overly sensitive. Don't waste time on a no-win situation. Move on to more valuable projects, working with people who will contribute as much as you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You will be in a celebratory mood today. Get out and party, or find other ways to share your happiness. Your power Rockford 83 I 52 Moline 87 I 60 84 Springfield 86 I 63 Effingham A 8' 84 1 62 at wi I Olard's grandfather, who lived in the neighboring village of Vierville-sur-Mer, feared a German counterattack after the invasion, and walked with his wife and children to Saint-Laurent to seek evacuation to Britain. "They had to step over bodies. My grandfather told his children, 'Don't worry, just walk.

They're sleeping. he recalled. There are many D-Day museums in Normandy, so I narrowed our selection to two using a $5 smartphone app "Normandy D-Day the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum in Bayeux and the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Bayeux uses film, photographs and other artifacts to provide an overview of the battle. The Airborne Museum narrows the focus to paratroopers who dropped behind enemy lines the night before the invasion; displays include one of the C-47 "Sky-train" aircraft that flew them from England.

A few miles south near Caren-tan, we met Franck Feuardent, owner of the Manoir de Donville. of attraction will help you get closer to someone special. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Finish any incomplete paperwork and tie up loose ends regarding investments, health issues or legal matters. The less you leave to chance, the better you will feel about the future. LEO (July 23-Aug.

22) It's a good day to take part in networking functions and mingle with your peers. You will make new allies and find a platform to express your plans for the future. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You may be inundated with conflicting information.

If someone is pressuring you, back away and take time to think things over. A mistake will turn out to be costly. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. WiCH, Crjicago 73 I 50 in 63 IND.

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Monday and 8 p.m. Tuesday. LOCAL SKIES Sunrise 5:47 a.m.Sunset 7:52 p.m. STATE TEMPERATURES Bloomington CarbonrJale Chicago O'Hare Lawrenceville Moline Rockford 78 63 63 86 75 66 42 59 41 57 42 41 OUTLOOK Saturday Mostly sunny 7658 Jenday Mostly cloudy 7851 NATIONAL OUTLOOK REGIONAL OUTLOOK OUTSIDE TODAY 84 64 toby's ncofd Mgh IMsy's nconl Iw 90(1916) 30(1906) SL Louis 85 I 64 City High Low Pre Otlk Anchorage 48 44 .18 Rain Atlanta 85 61 Clr Boston 64 47 Clr Dallas-Ft Worth 89 65 Cldy Denver 77 50 Cldy Detroit 62 39 Cldy Honolulu 84 72 .01 Clr Houston 85 68 Cldy Indianapolis 73 48 PCIdy Kansas City 85 59 Clr tasWgas 71 60 PCIdy Los Angeles 68 56 Clr Miami Beach 86 69 Clr Mpls-St Paul 65 47 Cldy Nashville 87 59 Clr New Orleans 83 62 PCIdy New Mark City 71 52 PCIdy Philadelphia 73 50 PCIdy Phoenix 87 71 PCIdy St Louis 87 58 PCIdy Salt Lake City 62 44 Rain San Diego 67 60 Cldy San Francisco 67 52 Clr Seattle 61 49 PCIdy 74 52 .36 Cldy VS'v National summary weather Thunderstorms la Upper Midwest Showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of a storm system over the Plains. A few strong to severe storms will be possible More showers and thunderstorms will be likely north and west of the storm over the Rockies.

Ffm THE ULTIMATE V-I TALKING POINT Check www.fg-tc.com for the latest news and up-to-the-minute weather information for the area Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Breezy. South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy.

Lows in the mid 60s. South winds 15 to 20 mph. FOUR-DAY Thursday Partly sunny Frlday Rain 7658 86768 Party CsT 7777 Cloudy Showers.