Survey says…..

A producer of “Family Feud” once estimated that Richard Dawson had kissed about 20,000 women during the timehe hosted the show. The kiss became something of a trademark for Dawson, along with his swaggering style, his wisecracks and his British accent. The popular game show host died last night from complications of cancer at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 79 years old. Before “Family Feud,” Dawson was best known to American TV audiences as one of the prisoners-of-war in “Hogan’s Heroes,” a comedy in which the prisoners outsmarted their Nazi captors and ran the place themselves. Dawson once quipped that the show ran for six years — which he said was “a year longer than Hitler.” Dawson began as a stand-up comic in London. In the early 1960s, he landed roles in U.S. comedy and variety shows. His performance as a military prisoner in the 1965 film “King Rat” led to his casting on “Hogan’s Heroes.”

Young Doctor

The University of Chicago is about to graduate its youngest medical student the school’s history. Twenty-year-old Sho Yano graduates this week from the Pritzker School of Medicine. He entered medical school at age 12 when the median age is usually 23. Yano will be starting residency in pediatric neurology. He’s also an accomplished pianist and has a black belt in tae kwan do.

Felony Franks

A Chicago hot dog stand that drew attention and criticism for a crime-themed menu, its logo and hiring former convicts is slated to close. The owner of Felony Franks tells the Chicago Sun-Times that the restaurant has had declining business, among other problems. Owner Jim Andrews says he’s hired dozens of ex-offenders since opening the stand in 2009. Manager Brian Smiley is a convicted felon. He says the restaurant gave him another chance in life. The restaurant was once under scrutiny by a Chicago alderman who said the restaurant’s name, logo and slogans were in bad taste and a bad influence for young people. The restaurant fought a legal battle with the city to erect a sign outside. One of the restaurant’s slogans includes, “Home of the misdemeanor wiener.”

IVAR bake and book sale

IVAR is hosting their book and bake sale today from 8 – 2pm at the Peru City Hall. Many many books to browse.

He has left the building

President Barack Obama has left Chicago after spending Friday night at his home on the city’s South Side. Obama spent part of yesterday morning taking a walk around the Hyde Park neighborhood with White House adviser Valerie Jarrett. Obama was last at home in January.

 

Knox College speaker

The chief prosecutor of five Guantanamo Bay prisoners charged in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks has given the commencement address at Knox College in western Illinois. Brigadier General Mark Martins spokes at yesterday’s commencement in Galesburg. The Register-Mail reports that Martins told the more than 300 graduates that “sharp contrasts are the source of dramatic action.”

Bureau County Wine Tasting

Tasting wines from around the world ….in an orchard. It happens June 15 at “A hundred acres Orchard and Market” to benefit the Bureau County Red Cross. Buying ten dollar tickets in advance gives you a chance to win a night’s stay at Jumer’s in Rock Island or four tickets to the John Deere Classic. Raffle and admission tickets are available at the Prouty Building and Central Bank in Princeton. The event starts at 5:30 on June 15. It’s sponsored by Country Financial.