Six long-time McLean County residents to be honored as History Makers

The History Makers Gala is June 18. (Photo courtesy: McLean County Museum of History/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

MCLEAN COUNTY – Six long-time McLean County residents make up the McLean County Museum of History’s 2024 History Makers class.

This year’s class includes history makers ranging from educators to entrepreneurs and organizers.

The class includes Julie and Bob Dobski, Barb and Bob Hathway, Jan Lancaster, and John Penn.

Those six individuals will be honored at the 12th annual History Makers Gala, which will be held on June 18 at Illinois State University.

“Our 2024 class of History Makers is truly remarkable. We looking forward to celebrating their legacies with the community<” Director of Development Norris Porter said in a news release. “These leaders have a common thread in elevating our community and those in need.”

Tickets for the event inside the Brown Ballroom include dinner and live entertainment by Illinois Voices Theater.

Tickets can be purchased at the Museum or online at bit.ly/hmgala24.

For those attending the event, tickets are $100 for the general public and $75 for Museum members.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…