‘We did it’: Wadsworth filmmaker finally debuts ‘Star Wars’ homage
Patrick Read Johnson wiped a tear away from his eyes as the audience at the world premiere of "5-25-77" stood and applauded at the end of the semi-autobiographical film he...
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Earnest gardeners ward off rain at Conserve Lake County native plant sale
Wearing a warm jacket and holding a plant list beaded with a few raindrops, Katy Barnett said to Naomi Hershiser, "Did you find the filberts?" She and other gardeners wheeled...
Get happy at Waukegan’s Dandelion Wine fest
Ray Bradbury wrote about the happiness machine in his iconic novel "Dandelion Wine," published in 1957 and reminiscent of his early boyhood days exploring the ravines of Waukegan. Sixty years...
Wadsworth native’s ‘Star Wars’ homage ready to hit the big screen
As a teenager 40 years ago, Patrick Read Johnson sat starry-eyed in the Genesee Theatre watching the movie that inspired him to pursue his life's work as a filmmaker. Now,...
Classic rock artists join orchestra for show
When Mickey Thomas joined Jefferson Starship (later renamed Starship) as lead vocalist in 1979, he thought after doing a couple of albums with the group, he'd be back to making...
Illinois Brass band marches in for Round Lake show
For tuba player Bill Kaempfe, it's all about the fundamentals. "When you're playing tuba, it's the fundamental sound of the band. It gives the support," said Kaempfe, president and member...
Water circus will set up its tent at Gurnee Mills
Cirque Italia has vowed to remain animal-free. The traveling circus instead relies on human skill and dexterity along with 35,000 gallons of water to entertain its audience. "The show consists...
Catch your fish and eat it, too, at annual derby
It doesn't matter how young a fisherman is or how small the catch, everyone's got a chance to win a prize at Waukegan Park District's 26th Annual Fishing Derby, to...
Waukegan Symphony concert marks Reformation anniversary
When Stephen Blackwelder realized 2017 was the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, he immediately thought of Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, known as the Reformation Symphony. Then a host of...
Dangerous Folk trio sing about changing times
When seasoned folk singer David Drake was asked to perform at the 35th anniversary of Milwaukee's first coffee house in 2002, aptly named The Coffee House, he decided to create...