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Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1
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Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1

Publication:
Journal Gazettei
Location:
Mattoon, Illinois
Issue Date:
Page:
1
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

II" 1 A wmmia iwiiiiihwt'wwHiwwwltlW' 1 It HB Mil -f: I 1 Veterans Day 1998 Thanks to veterans A EVEnyooDy LIKES riATToon In the spirit of Veterans Day, local children put their hands over their hearts, honoring the Stars and Stripes. Below, J.R. Livesay II, a retired U.S. Navy commander who served in the Vietnam War, addresses the crowd at Peterson Park Wednesday in Mattoon. Livesay said, The true heroes are those men and women who did not return to their loved Photos by Doug Uwhead i 1 TJ ,3 6 We aire ttliie; flmcky m95; Veterans speak at park after parade By Jeff Kelly StaffWriter MATTOON Citizens who braved the chilly weather Wednesday morning to celebrate Veterans Day were told, "We are the lucky ones." After a short parade that ran from 21st Street down to Western Avenue and over to Peterson Park on Broadway Avenue, onlookers gathered around the flag to hear speakers.

"They are the heroes; we are the lucky ones," said J.R. Livesay LT, a retired U.S. Navy commander who served in the Vietnam War. The true heroes are those men and women who did not return to their loved ones to share and enjoy life's many experiences with their Major Gen. John Phipps, who served on duty in World War presented a wreath donated by the second-grade children at Bennett School in Mattoon.

The wreath was set out for display near a commemorative headstone on the southwest corner of Peterson Park. Tm real proud of all those kids," said Phipps. "They did a marvelous job. Tm going down to the American Legion building now to celebrate this day." "On this Veterans Day, let us re-dedicate ourselves to seek freedom so that future generations may enjoy peace without the heartbreak exacted by war," Livesay said. Participants in Wednesday parade included Illinois State Rep.

Dale Righter, Mayor Wanda Ferguson, Coles County Coroner Mike Nichols, State's Attorney Steve Ferguson and this year's Miss Greenup, Tatum Green. The Mattoon Green Wave Marching Band marched in the Veterans Day parade along with the Mattoon Junior High School March- -ing Wildcats. Members of the Mattoon American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, United States Marine Corps, Junior ROTC and Ladies Auxiliary Club also marched to show support of American war veterans. -4Jj jr Mostly cloudy. High In the lower to mid 50s.

Southwest wind10to15mphbecom- Ing northwest. See A6. Ulinoiswins NEW YORK (AP) Freshman Cory Bradford had 19 B9lnts and classmate obert Archibald added 14 Wednesday night as Illinois beat Georgetown 65-50 In the third-place game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. SeeB1.

Beacon shines for Moultrie County A7 Joy ride GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) For one 1 0-year-old boy, driving a pickup truck wasn't too hard, stick shift and all. In fact, he might have completed his planned 200-mlle trip If the windshield wipers hadn't broken. The boy told authorities he yvas driving from a foster home In Keshena to an aunt's house in Milwaukee. He made It about 75 miles In pouring rain Tuesday morning but had to stop and call B1 1 when the wipers stopped working.

I Police were amazed at the boy's driving ability. "I asked him how he was able to drive and he said, I just moved the seat ahead as far as I could and could reach the said Lt. Roger tantagne of the Brown County Sheriffs Department. I -JiH Win a 100,000 lights. Local groups are working with the Lightworks committee to pass out candy canes and accept donations at the end of the route.

There is no admission charge. About 30,000 cars a year go through the park, including local residents and visitors. Park Superintendent Kurt Stretch said the display is for the enjoyment of the young and the young at heart, adding an extra touch in the community for the holiday season. Stretch said storms, including the tornado last spring, created some extra work in replacing lights and redoing wire. And the electrical system now is about at its maximum, but Stretch said he hopes next year to add more electrical capability and expand the display again.

The park has 24-hour security during the Lightworks season. Stretch said the number of sponsors for displays is about the same as a year ago, while sponsorships for lighted trees increased. Ptioto by Kevin Kllhoflar By Carl Walworth City Editor MATTOON Seven new displays have been added to tradi tional favorites for the 1998 edition of Mattoon Lightworks. The holiday light display opens Friday in Peterson Park for the sixth consecutive year. Hours are 5 p.m.

through 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. The Lightworks includes a candy cane-lined park drive and 45 or so displays along the roadway, with multiple items in many displays.

Among the additions are an animated horse and sleigh, a Santa pulling reindeer and riders on sleds. The five-horse carousel is back with an animated look this year; the number of lighted trees increased from about 60 to about 70; and the tunnel with about 4,000 white lights is in place. The entire display has between 80,000 and Lir patriots 4 Kurt Stretch, Mattoon parks superintendent, checks lights in a Peterson Park display Body slams, anyone? Combative wrestlers will entertain Saturday Photo by Doug Lawtwad ment," and most of the fun is in trying to figure out what's really happening and what's staged, or a "Until you've had your head smashed into a railing or had your knee blown put, don't say wrestling's fake," says the Iceman, pointing his finger menacingly. There's more that's fixed about pro basketball and boxing than in wrestling. Nobody bets on wrestling." "I have had matches where we invite a fan into the ring," said Draven.

"It was always over in 30 seconds because no matter how it looks, it's hard to handle a guy this size." When it comes to having fun in his spare time, Skullcrusher admitted he enjoys the simple things in life, like "hurting people." 1 2 CLASSIFIEDS C8-14 COMICS C5 ENTERTAINMENT C7 FARM C4 LIFESTYLE C1-3 j.OTTERY A6 OPINIONS A4 RECORDS A6 SPORTS B1-4 i throw them in the ring together next month." This man is grinning only because the two mammoths are on his payroll, and, as the owner and operator of the United Wrestling Federation, James Draven hopes to bring wrestling excitement to central Illinois. This is something new for the area," said Draven, whose army of muscled performers will take to the ring this Saturday in Mattoon. Iceman and Skullcrusher are not actually on the card yet for this Saturday's Central Shock '98 at the Central School, 100 N. 22nd beginning at 8 p.m, but that might change. "I'm trying to get them on the card still," said Draven.

They've had a long-running feud. Iceman is supposed to be on a plane at that time Saturday." The arena event now publicly calls itself "sports entertain By Jeff Kelly StaffWriter MATTOON A man dressed in a black suit wearing a shiny gold mask sits at a table next to a bald, 350-pound man with a goatee. "You're a born loser," says the masked man, who goes by "Iceman," to the larger man. "You want to fight right now? I'm always ready to fight!" the bald man, whose moniker is "Skullcrusher," replies, having to restrain himself from pushing the small table over and striking Iceman. "These guys are like this 24 hours a day," says a third man grinning on the other side of the table, apparently oblivious to the potential violence about to erupt right beside him.

They're always bragging about who's the best and who can beat who, so Tm going to I Firewood! 5 What more could vou ask to 1 In today's classified ads? pirawood COON'S FIREWOOD SER VICE, any alia amount. Daiivary avaiiabia. Alao, CI nupwor. 346-2528 Second-graders perform at Bennett Elementary School's Veterans Day Program Tuesday in Mattoon. More than 100 second-graders were involved.

To place an ad, call 235-5656. See WRESTLERS A10.

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