All posts by robcoventry

I am a mid-western guy who was born and raised in Peoria, IL. Over the years my job has taken me across the country and the world. While Peoria is my Center of the Universe, I genuinely enjoy visiting new and interesting places around the world, documenting my observations, and gaining new appreciation for the world's diversity.
Peoria

Peoria – Home of Championship Football

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After a five year dry spell, Peoria is once again home of Championship Football. To make up for lost time, Peoria area schools won two state Champions. Peoria High School won 5A and Deer Creek Mackinaw won 2A – both for their first time in school history.

Peoria High School took their high scoring offense to the championship and were tested every step of the way against an evenly matched Vernon Hills team. The match was like watching two heavy weights go at it for 6 rounds. But in the end it was Peoria’s defense that took the ball from Vernon Hills in their last three possessions then marched on to outscore them 62-48. Junior running back Geno Hess ran for 215 yards and two touchdowns for Peoria High. Senior Jaleen James added 67 yards and a touchdown.

peoriahigh5achamps
2016 – QB, Coran Taylor takes the keeper past two defenders from Vernon Hills

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Personal Travel

Paradise Vacation 2.0

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Waking up on Monday morning after returning from paradise vacation 2.0 sucks. There is no luxury cabana by the serenity pool, no beach-side walks, no mid-morning Mai Tai, no afternoon spritzes from Rowena, no casual dining in the ocean air restaurant, and no ocean view bedroom. But those are just some of the reasons we decided to celebrate our 30th anniversary at our favorite location in Maui at the Four Seasons, version 2 of the best anniversary vacation. I spent three months planning for this reboot of our prior visit five years ago. It turned out so great we did not want to leave.

Mountain Top Sunrise

We awoke at OMG-thirty Friday morning to make our way to Hawaii. Three flights and 17 hours later, we found ourselves back home at the Four Seasons, Maui. By the time we drove from the airport to the hotel it was 10:00 PM, we were wiped, and we had an early start, so we crashed for the night…. well part of the night.

If Friday morning was an early start, Saturday was off the charts. We headed up to the top of Mt. Haleakalā and no matter who I asked, everyone at the hotel recommended leaving by 2:30 AM. No, that’s not a typo. I don’t care who you are or where you come from, 2:00 AM alarms are not welcome. Somehow, we managed to drag ourselves down to the lobby for a cup of coffee and a muffin before gathering the blankets and towels for our trek up the mountain top.

Standing on the dark, cold mountain top in the middle of the night, we still didn’t quite understand why we began so early, that is for about ten minutes. When we looked back at the parking lot below the summit, the lot that was empty but for five or six cars when we arrived ten minutes before was completely full. Within minutes, people were jockeying for prime positions at the summit. Lucky for me, the Four Seasons advised us to leave at 2:30 AM, so I had the perfect position and a great parking spot 100 yards away.

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Personal Travel, Uncategorized

Boston July 2016

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In early July, Deb and I went to Boston to catch the sights and spend some time with friends. Deb hadn’t been to Boston before. I had not really done the tourist thing, so this was a great way to share a new experience with friends that know the area. John and Barbara are foodies too, so we were looking forward to some fantastic grub and good times.

When you go to Boston without a real plan, you grab a map of the Freedom Trail and make your way to catch as much as you can in a short time. Looking back, that worked out pretty well. We stayed at the Hilton Faneuil Hall, which turned out to be a great spot to walk the trail because the hotel in the middle what’s called the North End of Boston.

Before we ventured onto the Trail Saturday morning, John and Barbara drove up from Rhode Island for dinner Friday night at Atlantic Fish Company, a great little seafood place in what’s known as the Back Bay area of Boston. The food was very good and the company was even better. It was just a blink of an eye from when we sat down for dinner and when we were across the street toasting a great evening. Continue reading Boston July 2016 →

IBM Travel

London/Paris May 2016

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In May, I returned to Europe for business. This trip was special for a couple reasons. After long last I finally got the chance to visit Paris and since I had meetings in London, I spent the weekend there before hopping the Eurostar through the Chunnel to Paris. Bucket list checked.

We stayed in South Bank at the Mondrian Hotel right on the Thames because our office and our meetings on Thursday and Friday were nearby. This is the view from my hotel room. Quite nice.

Mondrian View
View from my Mondrian Hotel Room Mondrian Hotel 20 Upper Ground London, SE1 9PD

Of course you can’t go to London without having dinner at a proper pub. On our first night, we had dinner at the Black Friar, which was a short walk from our hotel on the other side of the Thames.

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Peoria

People Of Peoria

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The first person most people think of from Peoria is our famous son, Richard Pryor. Granted, Richard rose from the lowest of means to become perhaps one of the most influential comedians in the last 50 years. In the spirit of expanding the world’s view of Peoria, allow me to educate you on some of the other famous sons and daughters from Peoria.

Susan G. Koman

KomanFoundationLogoAlthough her life was shortened by breast cancer, perhaps our most famous Peorian is Susan G. Koman. Koman’s sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, founded the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982 as a promise between two sisters. More than 20 years later, the Komen Foundation is a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs. Working through a network of U.S. and international Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, the Komen Foundation is fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants and supporting education, screening and treatment projects in communities around the world. Continue reading People Of Peoria →

IBM Travel

Updated IBM Travels

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It’s been a while since I have posted pictures from my IBM travels. This first picture doesn’t do justice of the gorgeous skies flying into Chicago early on August 24. I was making a connection to Raleigh for an event there and it was about 7:00 am as we circled the city and flew over Wrigley Field. I had to capture this shot using my iPhone. My only regret was that I didn’t have my good camera with me to get a better picture of the approach into O’Hare. Oh well. You can get an idea of what a great start this trip was.

Boss is in Dublin, IRE. I am on the phone at 3:00 am. This is my greeting while on the phone.

The picture of froggy gives you and idea of what it’s like to have a worldwide role. My boss and much of our team was in Dublin, Ireland. They were holding an important planning session. I woke up at 2:30 am for a 3:00 am start. This little guy greeted me when the call started. It’s like he’s saying, “what are you doing up at this hour?” The meeting was good but it was tough to answer his question. Continue reading Updated IBM Travels →

Peoria

Will it Play in Peoria?

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The phrase, “If it plays in Peoria” originally comes from Peoria’s deep connection to Vaudeville. You might ask how Vaudeville came to Peoria, of all places. Among other things, the Illinois River brought Vaudeville to Peoria.

In the Civil War era, show boats would cruise rivers of the country making stops at river towns like Peoria, Pekin, and Chillicothe. Around 1900, one of those showboaters – a minstrel singer named “Honey Bay” Evans – decided to stay bringing his act to Rouses Hall. By 1902, Rouses Hall changed its name to the Main Street Theater and was a bona fide Vaudeville house.

The Orpheum opened on Madison just north of Main about 1910. The Orpheum was part of a circuit of theaters created by Martin Beck of the New York Orpheum. If you could make it at the Orpheum in Peoria, you had a crack at the Orpheum in New York. Continue reading Will it Play in Peoria? →

Peoria

Peoria, IL: Center of The Universe

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FrigidPeoriaWhy Do I Call It “Center of The Universe”?

Scientists believe that the center of the universe is either a place you cannot reach or a place that you cannot escape. When you’re traveling by air to or from Peoria during Fall, Winter, or Spring it often feels like a place you cannot escape or reach.

Over the years I’ve traveled extensively. Whenever I introduce myself, I get those interesting questions and funny looks. I hear “Peoria, IL, Caterpillar, right?” Or “Peoria, IL, Richard Pryor, right?” Many say “If it plays in Peoria…” I find that everyone has misconceptions of Peoria, IL. In response to their misconceptions, I go into my pitch about how Peoria is such a great place to raise a family. Then, I drop little bits of Peoria trivia in order to change their perceptions. I’ve got quite a list.

Men in Black 1 – Agent K says ‘1,500 years ago, everybody “knew” that the earth was the center of the universe. 500 years ago, everybody “knew” that the earth was flat. And 15 minutes ago, you “knew” that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you’ll “know” tomorrow.’

My hope with this site is that you will get to “know” Peoria the way I’ve come to know Peoria. Do you know where the term “If it plays in Peoria” came from? Do know how WBMD radio got their call sign? Did you know Peoria is the home of the first commercially available automobile? Continue reading Peoria, IL: Center of The Universe →

Personal Travel

Tampa Vacation

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In June, we took the family to Tampa for a much needed vacation. We decided to rent a house on the beach, which was a difficult decision. In hind sight, we would not do it any other way. The trip was incredibly relaxing, just what we needed.

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