A Review of my First Novel - DYING MOON

“Dying Moon” by Shawn Oetzel:

Debut novelist, Shawn Oetzel introduces readers to a fresh version of the fantasy genre as he transports otherworldly creatures straight into the heart of Los Angeles. One has arrived with vengeance and murder in his heart while the other faces the challenge of tracking this rogue elf to dole out his own personal version of justice. Oetzel makes it unmistakably clear early on, this final confrontation will be a life or death battle.  

Kalen Or’Wain, Captain of the Elven Royal Guard, is prepared to die for his people, but the unexpected assignment—which sends him to the terrifying world of the humans—shakes him to the core. Compelled by duty and scarred by his own personal history, Kalen confronts this unusual world—the people and his mission head-on—instantly experiencing emotional overdrive. He has stepped into a pale comparison of the beauty that he is familiar with and feels ill equipped to move forward without his human counterparts. While Kalen and his motley crew organize, their prey is moving quickly forward with single-minded determination to complete a ritual that will destroy the Elven race.

Oetzel—gifted with the talent of painting a literary image in your mind—offers readers the unique opportunity to re-experience the small things, often taken for granted, as he entertains with sudden bits of humor while racing towards the climactic ending.  

Reviewed by Shannon Raab with Suspense Magazine

Armageddon's Children By Terry Brooks - A Book Review

*This review was poriginally published by Ascent Aspirations Magazine (http://www.ascentaspirations.ca/ )

Armageddon's Children is the newest novel from one of today's most successful fantasy writers Terry Brooks. Mr. Brooks is best known for his widely popular Shannara series which have helped put the fantasy genre on the literary map. He has also authored the lighter yet equally entertaining Landover series and along the way created what some believe to be his best work the Word and Void trilogy; the last being a much darker style of fantasy with a definite edge. With his new novel, Armageddon's Children the first in a new trilogy, Terry Brooks delves back into this dark world albeit several hundred years into the future.

The premise of the Word and Void books is basically the forces of good or the Word and the forces of evil, the Void, have been waging a constant struggle to tip the balance of power to their own respective sides. In Armageddon's Children the forces of evil have all but won leaving civilization in shambles. Mankind is left decimated with the few survivors trying to eke out an existence by living in compounds in a post apocalyptic world and facing a constant struggle with the more powerful forces of evil.

With the threat of an even larger holocaust brewing, the Word sends forth Logan Tom, a Knight of the Word, on a mission to locate a hidden magical creature in an effort to save the human race. The Word also charges Angel Perez, another Knight, in finding and helping the long lost Elves as they search for a magic to save their own people. These two story arcs work independently of each other throughout the book with equal time given to each.

The story also follows Hawk a leader of the Ghosts, a group of basically children that have refused to live sheltered lives within a compound. Hawk serves as leader, father figure, and protector of the group. He shares a Romeo and Juliet type romance with Tessa who lives within a compound in what is left of Seattle. This relationship causes many twists and turns in Hawk's life and eventually leads to a desperate conflict. There are several hints along the way that Hawk is set to be a key figure throughout this trilogy.

Armageddon's Children is perhaps the darkest book Mr. Brooks has written. It is filled with images of a destroyed society and a desperate people. Death and atrocities are a part of the everyday life for the characters in the book, and Mr. Brooks does a masterful job at showing the utter devastation and desperation the world has devolved into. It would have been easy for him to go over the top with horrific images and gory details, but instead he uses a more subtle approach which forces the reader to use their imagination. It is expertly done, and adds a sense of grit to the overall story.

This is easily the best novel Terry Brooks has written in years. He has always been considered a master of plot and he definitely shows off that talent with this book. Dialogue has never been one of Mr. Brooks strong points and it is somewhat lacking in the book as well though it is never a distraction. He walks a fine line between being graphically accurate and staying true to his more family orientated style of writing. This is evident when one of the characters uses the term "frickin" instead of the actual less acceptable term. Little items such as this never detract from the story however as the overall writing is superb throughout.

Terry Brooks has been a master of the fantasy genre for going on thirty years. With his new novel, Armageddon's Children, the first of a new trilogy in the Word and Void saga, he continues to solidify his spot as one of the greatest genre authors of his time. With his knack for intricate plotlines and well developed characters he delivers perhaps his greatest novel. He does a grand job of setting the table and wetting his fans' appetites for what promises to be a special series. This book is a must read not just fans of Mr. Brooks but for any fan of the genre.

The Stanley Cup: A History & Tradition

*This article was originally published 6/9/10 on Associated Content.

To be honest, I am a casual hockey fan at best. My interest in the sport has been piqued this year by the success of the Chicago Blackhawks. I have gained a new found respect for hockey as I have followed along during the Playoffs, but I still have a rudimentary knowledge of the rules and history of this professional sport.

 

Growing up in Central Illinois I spent my summers playing baseball. Hockey was simply not a sport played by the neighborhood kids I grew up with. To me, it was a game played in Canada and the only thing about hockey which I even had a passing interest in was the fighting. Over the years however as my interest in all sport increased I of course learned the NHL championship trophy was called the Stanley Cup, but I never knew why. Oh I knew it was named after some guy but this was the extent of my knowledge. With my attention now focused on hockey as the Hawks edge closer to that Stanley Cup, I decided to do some investigating.

Even though hockey is not quite as popular in this country as football, baseball, and basketball its championship trophy, the Stanley Cup, is probably the most recognizable. Most sports fans can tell you the trophy is named for a Lord Stanley, but who was this guy, and how did such an esteemed and prominent professional sport’s championship come to be named after him?

sportsthenandnow.com

According to Legends of Hockey as posted on their website legendsofhockey.com, “The Stanley Cup, notably the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in North America, was donated in 1892 by Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, Lord Stanley of Preston and son of the Earl of Derby.”

At this time Lord Stanley of Preston was also the Governor General of Canada. The trophy was actually a silver punch bowl Lord Stanley purchased for 10 Guineas which was about $50.00 at that time. The Cup was originally inscribed as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, and it was given to Canada’s top-ranking amateur hockey club each year. It was not until 1926 that the NHL took possession of the Cup. It was another 21 years however when in 1947 the Stanley Cup became the official championship trophy of the NHL.

The original bowl is now on permanent display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The Stanley Cup that is given to the NHL champs is called the “Presentation Cup” as it is presented to the championship team. It was created in 1963 by a Montreal silversmith. Fans can recognize this Cup by the seal of the Hockey Hall of Fame which is etched on the bottom of the Cup and can be seen clearly when the winning teams’ captain lifts the Cup over his head.

One of the more notable traditions associated with the Stanley Cup, and something unrivaled by any of the other professional or amateur sports is that each player and member of the team’s front-office gets to keep the Cup for a 24-hour period after winning the championship.

According to Sean Gregory in his article, The Stanley Cup, “When Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General of Canada, purchased the Cup for $50 in 1893, he never anticipated that a goalie would use it as a popcorn bowl in a movie theater, like New Jersey Devils’ Martin Brodeur did over a century later.”

Due to this unparalleled tradition, the Stanley Cup has been at the bottom of Mario Lemieux’s swimming pool and at a variety of strip clubs – most notably with Mark Messier at Scores in New York. A Kentucky Derby winning horse, Go for Gin was allowed to eat feed out of the Cup, and Steve Yzerman even showered with Lord Stanley’s Cup. The Cup has been all over the world as well including in a combat zone in 1997.

According to Wikipedia, “During the trip to Kandahar, Afghanistan from May 2 to May 6, organized by the NHL, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the NHL Alumni and the Canadian Department of National Defense, the Cup was put on display for Canadian and other NATO troops. It briefly came under missile attack on May 3, but emerged unscathed.”

The Stanley Cup in its current version is made of a silver and nickel alloy. It stands at 35 and ¼ inches tall and weighs in at 34 and ½ pounds. It consists of a bowl, collar, shoulder, barrel, and base. The rosters of each team to win the Cup are engraved along the many areas with the first roster being engraved in 1906. Currently there are 2163 individual players engraved on the Cup with more added each year.

According to Legends of Hockey as posted on their website, “Overshadowing all other championship trophies in sports, the legend and glory of the Stanley Cup continues to live in the dreams of hockey players and fans alike.”

Lastly, Sean Gregory had this to say in regards to the Stanley Cup which I feel is the best way to end this article, “Blemishes and all, the Stanley Cup is a beauty. What other trophy may show up at your local tavern for a shot or two? But, if you happen to see the Cup this summer, please keep it clean. And do yourself a favor: no matter how psyched you are to see the trophy, keep your lips off Stanley.”

“Engraving Facts, Firsts, & Faux Pas”, Legendsofhockey.net

“History”, Legendsofhockey.net

Sean Gregory, “The Stanley Cup”, Time.com

The Comic Book Shop

Funny how one little store can bring me so much pleasure. Of course the comics themselves are fantastic. I am currently enthralled with the new Harley Quinn storyline. However it is not just the books which draw me to the store like a moth to the flame. Its the memorabilia, the uniqueness of my fellow patrons, in short, the whole ambiance of the place.  Yes, its small and a tad dingy but in its own special way - it is home. 

John S.Rhodell Brewery & Bar - Best Beer Anywhere

Beer – unfortunately this adult beverage has become synonymous with over-zealous frat boys and over-indulgent sports’ fans. Beer is often considered the middle class drink of choice for a blue collar people. This may be true in part, but there are places where the brewing of beer is considered an art and those who know the craft are called masters. Rhodell Brewery in Peoria, Illinois is one such place.

Located along the riverfront in Peoria, Rhodell Brewery is a brewpub steeped in Scottish tradition. It first opened in 1998, and advertises itself as the only brewery in the United States offering brew on premises to customers. This means anyone can come in and brew their own beer under the watchful eye of a brewmaster on site. Take note however that this is done by appointment only.

If you are looking for a place to kick back a few domestic beers, sip a glass of wine, or do some shots of whiskey then Rhodell’s is not the place for you. They serve beer – period. Rhodell’s brewmaster has over 30 recipes for different styles of beer. Any nine of which are offered at various times throughout the year.  One of the more unique attributes Rhodell’s offers is they also keep one cask conditioned ale which is served from a traditional style British hand pump.

Rhodell Brewery is not for the faint of heart as the sign greeting customers with an old Scottish Clan fighting song written on it which starts “May the blood of my enemy be in the ale that I drink” can attest to. You cannot go in, plop down on a barstool and order up a bottle of Budweiser, but you can get some of the most flavorful beer I have ever tasted. These beers include Scottish Ales, Triples, Belgian style Dubbels, and even a variety of wheat beers which have become popular here in America.

I have had the pleasure of sampling a number of Rhodell Brewery’s beers. A few of my favorite include Mordor Ale, a serious dark stout so good it will make you cry, Nut Brown which is perhaps the most satisfying beer I have ever drank, and the fruity yet full Blackberry Ale. I am looking forward to fall when their Pumpkin Spice Ale becomes available as well. I can honestly say the ale found at Rhodell Brewery is the best I have ever had.

For those interested in visiting Rhodell Brewery to sample the ale or to try their own hand at brewing visit Rhodell’s website at www.rhodells.com for all the details.

Epstein: Always A Line To Draw In Free Agent Bidding « CBS Chicago

Epstein: Always A Line To Draw In Free Agent Bidding « CBS Chicago



Hope the meatball fans and the writers at the Chicago Sun Times read this...

Check out the Amazon.com ad - see someone familiar?!

The Sword of Shannara Epic Fantasy at its Finest

The Sword of Shannara is an epic fantasy novel by Terry Brooks. First published in 1977 it tells the story of Shea Ohmsford and his quest to retrieve a fabled blade needed to fight against an unspeakable evil threatening to take over the Four Lands he and his family call home.

She Ohmsford is leading an ordinary existence in the small village of Shady Vale along with his brother Flick as they help their father run the local inn. Everything is at it should be until Allanon, last of the Druids, enters Shea’s life turning it upside down.  Shea learns an unbelievable truth about his heritage before being thrust into an even more unbelievable quest to find a lost talisman. Shea soon finds himself part of a mis-matched band of heroes made up of the various races of the Four Lands hoping to find the Sword of Shannara, the only weapon which can defeat the Warlock Lord whose evil threatens to cloak the world in darkness, all the while being chased by the Warlock Lord’s evil minions.

The Sword of the Shannara is the book that introduced the literary world to fantasy guru, Terry Brooks. It has spawned one of the most recognizable series in genre fiction. If J.R.R. Tolkien is considered the grandfather of the fantasy genre then Terry Brooks would definitely be its father. The Shannara series helped shaped the landscape for the modern fantasy genre.

The Sword of Shannara is not only my favorite novel, but also holds a special place in my heart. I was introduced to this masterpiece the summer my parents divorced. I was 12-years old and whenever things got too heavy for me I could lose myself in the pages of this fantastic novel.  Shea Ohmsford became a close companion and his exploits were not just a source of entertainment but a salvation for that 12-year old boy whose own life was turning upside down. Years later I wrote to Mr. Brooks thanking him for helping me get through a tumultuous time. He was gracious enough to write back, and that letter is now framed and hanging in my office.

Later in life I was inspired to become a writer myself after one of my annual readings of The Sword of Shannara. I even mentioned Mr. Brooks in the Acknowledgements of my debut novel, Dying Moon. My goal has been to pay it forward so to speak in that if I can help one young reader get through a tough time like The Sword of Shannara did for me, then I can consider my writing career a success. 

*This review/article first appeared with Yahoo Voices in 2011-20012

Getting Old Sucks...

There is nothing like a cold slap in the face to remind you how old you are getting.

I am 41-years of age now. I don't exactly feel like I am 41  (How is 41 supposed to feel?). In fact I still think of myself as pretty spry. My thoughts and ideas haven't changed. In my mind I am still the care-free, whimsical, non-conformist I was in my early 20's yet this morning I was handed a reminder this may no longer be true.

While stepping out of the shower and after drying off I pulled a muscle in my hip...MY HIP, while putting on my underwear. So now along with feeling like a complete ass I am moving around like an 80-year old. Suddenly stepping over my dog gate became an adventure and my commute to work resulted in series of old-man groans as I exited my vehicle. At the rate I am going by the end of this day I will need a damn walker!

Happy Friday to me...

Where are they now? 5 former Chicago Cubs prospects

*This article first appeared on Yahoo Sports in September 2010. I have updated some information as I could find it.

One of the great things about baseball is the idea of an exciting young prospect breaking into the Major League line-up and making an immediate impact propelling their team into the Playoff hunt. Many baseball experts agree the way to sustain success in MLB is to develop a productive farm system which can churn out talent like an assembly line. Though before success is achieved there is often failure.

With that in mind, here are five former Chicago Cubs highly touted prospects who teased fans with their talents before fading away into baseball obscurity.

 

Lance Dickson – Starting Pitcher

 

Dickson was considered a phenom when the Cubs drafted him with their first round pick out of Arizona State in 1990. He made 11 starts in the Minors going 7-3 while posting a miniscule 0.94 ERA. The Cubs front office was also dazzled by his 111 K’s in only 761/3 innings. Thinking they had an Ace in the making the team brought Dickson to the Big Leagues on August 9, 1990 to make his debut. Unfortunately Dickson never realized his full potential. He had trouble throwing strikes and went 0-3 with a robust 7.24 ERA.

Dickson was sent back to the Minors never to return to the Majors. At the minor league level he was voted the best pitching prospect as well as having the best breaking ball. Dickson continued to put up good numbers and it seemed inevitable he would find his way back to Wrigley Field. Instead he suffered a stress facture in his foot which in turn led to arm trouble and eventual arm surgery. He officially retired from baseball in 1995.

Lance Dickson can be found these days back in Arizona where he owns and operates Lance and Company Nova Home Loans, a successful mortgage loan company. For more information about Lance and his business check out www.lancedickson.com.

 

Gary Scott – Third Base

 

Before Aramis Ramirez took over the hot corner in Chicago the Cubs had gone through a plethora of players trying to fill the void at third base left by the departure of Ron Santo. In 1991 however, the team thought they had found their 3B savior when Gary Scott lit up Spring Training. He was handed the Opening Day start at third in 1991 but faded quickly hitting only .165 before being demoted in early May. The following season was eerily similar as Scott again had a great spring and looked ready to become the Cubs everyday third baseman. He was once again given the Opening Day start only to hit a miserable .103 before being sent down at the end of April.

Eventually Scott was traded to the Florida Marlins in November of 1992. He was traded several more times before retiring from baseball in 1996 having never returned to the Major League level. His career stats of .160 average with 3 homers and 16 RBI’s are a far cry from what hopeful Cubs fans had been expecting.

Last reports have Gary Scott being hired by TFS Energy in 2005 where he works as a global oil broker. More information about TFS can be found by visiting their website, www.tfsenergy.com.

 

UPDATE: As of a 2013 article on ESPN by Tim Struby Gary Scott is working for A.E. Bruggemann & Co. in Rowayton, Conn.

 

Dwight Smith – Outfield/Pinch Hitter

 

During the 1989 Playoff run the Cubs were ignited by two rookie outfielders, Jerome Walton who would go on to win the Rookie of the Year and the runner-up to that same award, Dwight Smith. Smith hit .324 that season while driving in 52 runs. The team thought they had a corner outfielder and solid left-handed hitter who would be a mainstay in the line-up for years to come. Instead Smith spent four up-and-down seasons with Cubs before leaving via free agency after the 1993 season.

Smith did resurface with the Atlanta Braves where he played on their 1995 World Series Championship team. He spent one more season in Atlanta where he played his last Major League game in September 1996.

After baseball Smith kept a low profile especially after his arrest for possession of cocaine in 2006. Lately he has shown up on YouTube in a series of instructional videos on how to coach. One of these videos can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=irnZ6055kYs.

UPDATE: Dwight Smith's son, Dwight Smith Jr. was drafted in 2011 by the Blue Jays and is a rising prospect in their organization.

 

Brant Brown – Outfield/First Base

 

Brown seemingly came from nowhere when he made his debut with the Cubs in 1996. He filled in as a spot starter in the outfield and as a pinch hitter. Brown’s best statistical season in the Major’s came in 1998 when he was part of the Cubs’ Wild Card team. He always seemed to come up with the big hit that season and after smacking 14 homers while hitting .291 many of the Cubs' faithful were clamoring for Brown to become the everyday 1B. However, the Cubs had a different idea and used Brown’s success to bait the Pittsburgh Pirates into trading one of their best pitchers, Jon Leiber. 

Brown had a decent year in Pittsburgh hitting a career best 16 homeruns. Brown was traded in 2000 to the Florida Marlins. He briefly returned to the Cubs later in 2000 where he appeared in his last Major League game that August. He continued to bounce around the Minors for a number of organizations before retiring in 2003.

Brant Brown is probably best remembered by Cubs’ fans for his dropped ball against the Brewers in 1998. A play which allowed Milwaukee to win the game 8-7 and caused Ron Santo, the Cubs radio broadcaster to yell out his now famous, “NOOO!” Brown is currently the hitting coach for the Frisco Rough Riders who are the Double-A affiliate for the Texas Rangers.

UPDATE: Last information I could find was Brant Brown was hired as a Minor League Coordinator and baserunning coach for the Seattle Mariners in 2012.

 

Dave Martinez – Outfield

In June of 1986 little known outfield prospect Dave Martinez made his debut without much fanfare. However he became a quick fan favorite with his spectacular defensive play in the outfield, base-stealing ability and timely hitting. Martinez was on his way to what many fans thought was going to be a lengthy career as the Cubs starting center fielder and lead-off hitter. Instead he was inexplicably traded to the Montreal Expos midway through the 1988 season. Soon after, rumors began to surface that Martinez had been having an affair with the wife of Cubs All Start 2B, Ryne Sandberg and this was the reason for the move.

Out of all the players mentioned in this article Martinez has had the most successful career. He spent 15 years in Majors playing for a number of teams. Martinez never became the everyday player, but was a valuable utility player and defensive specialist. His last Major League game came with the Atlanta Braves in 2001. Martinez ended his career with a .276 average along with 91 homers, 580 RBI’s and a respectable 183 stolen bases.

Dave Martinez is currently the bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, and is considered a future managerial candidate. His name has been linked to a number of MLB teams as a prospective manager including the Chicago Cubs.

 

UPDATE: Dave Martinez was recently hired by the Chicago Cubs to be their Bench Coach starting with the 2015 season.

The Bernstein Brief: Bad Money Is Part Of Baseball « CBS Chicago

The Bernstein Brief: Bad Money Is Part Of Baseball « CBS Chicago

Enough Said...

Dave Martinez new Cubs Bench Coach...

Well it looks as if Dave Martinez will be coming back to Chicago to fill a familiar role - Bench Coach for Joe Maddon. This is the same position Maritnez held in Tampa Bay for a number of years. Still not sure why he wasn't offered the Rays' Managerial job, but their loss is clearly the Cubs gain.

Unfortunately this means the idiot Sandberg fans will be crawling out of the woodwork again. Sandberg was passed over for the Cubs job when Theo and company took over much to the ire of the uneducated faction of Cubs fanbase. Sandberg is perhaps one of the most overrated players in recent MLB memory, but was the darling of the Chicago Cubs through the 80's and into the 90's.

For those who remember Martinez was a teammate of Sandberg's but was mysteriously traded to the then Montreal expos. Rumors swirled Martinez was having an affair with Sandber's wife at the time, and Sandberg forced the Cubs into moving the popular Martinez out of town. None of these rumors have been substantiated but often when there is smoke there is fire so I guess you can draw your own conclusions. As for me I could care less - it was 30 plus years ago after all.

I wonder which idiotic Chicago beat writer will try and bring this up in an interview or write an article. My guess is it will be someone from the Chicago Sun Times - I'm looking at you Rick Telander.

I feel this is another great move by Theo and Jed and improves an already good coaching staff that much more. Martinez provides the a similar link to the Latin American players that Renteria did and has a Major League resume which earns him instant credibility and respect. Along with Maddon and Bosio, Martinez will now be a part of what could be the best coaching staff in the NL Central.

Sadly I will temper some of my enthusiasm as I begin my spin around the internet viewing articles as I know the meatball Chicago fans will be out in force... 

THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy - A Writer's Perspective

I am an avid reader and a writer trying to break into the mainstream. I have an affinity for fiction so after having several friends and colleagues suggest I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy I finally decided to give in. I had some credit left on a Barnes & Nobles gift card leftover from Christmas so I figured what the heck so on a whim I picked up Mr. McCarthy’s novel. What I was not prepared for however, was how profound an experience and journey The Road was going to take me on.

Cormac McCarthy is a renowned American writer who has a number of well respected works including The Orchard Keeper and No Country for Old Men which was adapted into a movie that eventually won a Best Picture Oscar in 2007. The Road however is considered by those in the literary world as his magnum opus. It won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2007, and was also recently made into a feature film starring Viggo Mortensen. After reading the book myself I understand and appreciate why The Road has earned such acclaim.

The Road is really a simple tale of survival told by a master craftsman in Cormac McCarthy. On the surface it is a story of a man and his son making their way through a post-apocalyptic world. A world savaged by some unnamed disaster which has left civilization in ruins. Underneath however, the story is so much more.

I have never had a book effect me in the way The Road did. I have read books which have made me laugh or cry. There are books I love which invoke a myriad of emotional responses from pure joy to utter disappointment. But, never has a book made me stop and question how I look at the world and myself. It is as if Cormac McCarthy was somehow able to capture the essence or the very soul of the written word, and then set it free on the pages of The Road.

The night I finished reading The Road I was unable to sleep. I could not stop thinking about the imagery and absolute bleak existence of the Man and Boy. As a father myself, I was touched and even frightened on a personal level by the choices the Man had to make regarding his son’s continued survival. Even now, when I find myself with a few minutes alone I am still compelled to try and find an answer as to what I would have done in the same situation as the Man along with the other questions the novel challenged me with.

 

The Road is not an easy read for a number of reasons. Not only is Mr. McCarthy’s style hard to get used to which includes no chapters and limited punctuation especially with dialogue, but the absolute stark and desperate existence the Man and Boy face make you, the reader, uncomfortable and almost afraid to turn the page. Also unlike most novels, in The Road you never learn the characters’ names or any specific places and locations where the characters travel. Even though there is this frustrating vagueness with the story which I feel was a stroke of pure genius on Mr. McCarthy’s part, you cannot help but find yourself emotionally invested in the characters and their plight.

The main character in The Road, the “Man”, is all of us, and his son the “Boy” is hope. Their journey to desperately find something, anything that is better than what they have now mirrors our own struggle to get through life. Their destroyed world where civilization has been reduced to the point where almost all life is gone and what few people remain are split into desperate stragglers just trying to survive from minute to minute or devolved cannibalistic gangs who have lost any shred of humanity is a frightening glimpse at a future none of us want to believe is possible. The Road serves as a reminder and a warning of how fragile a relationship we as a people share with our world and especially our environment.

 The Road by Cormac McCarthy is not for the faint of heart. It will shock you and even in a few instances outright appall you. It compels you to stop and think as well as forces you to question the norms you hold dear and once felt so comfortable with. As a writer myself, I stand in awe of what Cormac McCarthy has created, and even though The Road is a challenging read I could not recommend it more.

The Deerman of Kewanee

Local legends are as common and as popular in small towns across the Midwest as high school football. Many of these so called legends center on some kind of strange creature/human hybrid. This is evident in Illinois as a plethora of bizarre “monsters” have been reported across the State. There is the Farmer City Monster, the Cohomo, Murphysboro Mud Monster, Enfield Horror, and even Bigfoot has made an appearance in the Land of Lincoln. However, in Kewanee, the jewel of Henry County we have, Deerman.

Deerman is a half-human/half-deer who is said to reside in the area around Johnson Sauk Trail State Park. Deerman is described as a creature with the upper body and partial torso of an antlered buck deer and the legs and lower torso of a man. Deerman walks upright and as legend has it, comes out at night to often scare young couples who go to the park for some, shall we say, alone time. It is also rumored if a person sees Deerman three times that person will die.

The Deerman myth originated sometime in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s in Kewanee. It was first reported on by then editor of the local newspaper the Star Courier, Jerry Moriarity. As the legend grew graffiti began popping up around warning residents “Deerman Was Here” and “Fear Deerman”. Current journalist for the Star Courier, Dave Clarke has managed to keep the legend alive through various articles over the years - a last of which appeared in the paper in March 2011 when with the help of a former Kewanee resident, Mr. Clarke tongue-in-cheek reported a possible connection between Deerman and Cernunnos, a Celtic deity often referred to as the Stag Lord.

As with many of these types of mythic creatures there are, of course, no pictures or video evidence. Information is based solely on eyewitness accounts. To my knowledge there have been no new sightings of Deerman in years. This has not stopped warnings of “Deerman Lives” from cropping up around town from time-to-time on bridges and buildings. So, if you find yourself traveling through Henry County and namely Kewanee, Illinois and decide to visit Johnson Sauk Trail State Park on a moonlit night – Beware the Deerman!