WILL IT PLAY IN PEORIA?

On the road again.  I left my fabulous hosts Bruce and Becky and headed toward Normal, IL yesterday morning.  I had some time.  It wasn't a long stretch of road between stops so I let my fancy guide me.  I saw a sign on the highway for KICKAPOO CREEK WINERY.  I simply had to stop and make a visit.  After all, I had just finished with a volunteer gig for the last three weeks at a vineyard in southwest Wisconsin plus I had just tipped a canoe on the Kickapoo River.  Kickapoo - Winery - come hither Patt. I took about a half hour stop off, chatted with the staff, did a little gift shopping but passed on the tasting.  My stomach was empty and drinking and driving, even a small tasting was not on my responsible agenda.

On the road again #2... I decided to stop in Peoria.  "Will it Play in Peoria?"  Or is there play in Peoria?  I guess so.  There is an amazing park there.  Although I did not stop at the Zoo I did stop next door at the Botanical Gardens.  What a great spot for a little driving rest.  It was a perfect day for walking the gardens.  The little baby bunny I stumbled upon definitely agreed.

 

Having had worked in the creative departments of three different advertising agencies in California Peoria always held the significance of being America's test market for new ad campaigns - "The Heartland of America".  This is where researchers did their focus groups to see if an idea would "Play in Peoria" and therefore the majority of the country. Not all USA citizens come from big sprawling megalopolises like the one I was raised in.  Taking this trip outside I really am seeing the differences in people, attitudes, lifestyles and concerns..  Not everyone rises each morning to NPR, Dunkin' or Starbucks and a commute into an even more condensed city.  I see neither it good or bad.  I have been experiencing the diversity and I have been thoroughly enjoying chatting with people along my path.  I ask questions and I listen without judging the right or wrong in their opinions and viewpoints.  I simply find it refreshing to get out of my own northeastern bubble (besides South America and Europe that is).

At one point while being routed by my GPS into a small Iowan suburb I say aloud to myself,  "What do these people DO here." I answered myself with my observances.  "They raise kids, get involved with their community, are active in their churches, they recreate with boats, some have campers, they fly American flags, tie yellow ribbons on trees, have ceramic decorations in their yards and most likely don't lock their houses up tight at night.  This is the Heartland, and so is Normal and Bloomington, Illinois.

My host Doug invited me to an outdoor dinner at a huge park last night.  I had thought it was going to be a bunch of his friends having barbeque, chipping in for the food, tossing down a few beers and maybe tossing a frisbee.  Well... not exactly.  It was at a park, a HUGE park owned by State Farm Insurance, a major employer in the area.  The park is for the employees and their families and has a multitude of amenities including minature golf.  I felt catapulted back to the 60's when corporations had full communities for their employees complete with social structure and events.  People were lifetime employees, not changing jobs every five years, with pensions and gold watches.  I didn't know this still existed in the USA.  I thought it had completely disappeared.  Not in Normal, IL and not with State Farm.

The dinner was not a picnic and there wasn't any beer.  It was held in a big covered area filled with present and retired employees and their families.  For the cost of $6 you got a full meal and a chance to sit with your fellow employees and friends and a gazillion little ones.  It is good clean family fun, a good vibe and a nice company perk in the Heartland of America.

After dinner it was off to the shooting range to help (well I watched and joked more than helped) construct 16 Olympic-style shooting boxes for marksmen/woman.  My CS host Doug has trained the majority of his life in the sport.  Three of his former coaches were there putting the target stands together.  It was great fun to use power tools again.  The pneumatic staple gun was a DO NEW for me.  We didn't take a photo of that.  I believe that you need a license to use one of those.  While shooting staples into the wood I mentioned that I had never shot a real gun, arrows yes but firearms no.  Two of the coaches asked if I wanted to try.  YES!  That may be on my DO NEW list for tonight.  We'll see.

OK - done for now.  I have some Abe Lincoln stuff I want to check out today.  After all I am in the "Land of Lincoln."  I am sure of it.  It's written on most of the license plates here.