ChimpersCage

On March 17, 2018, the quaint town of Normal, Illinois, came alive with the spirited revelry of its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a cherished tradition that painted the streets with hues of emerald and echoes of jubilation. As the calendar aligned with the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint, the community gathered under a crisp spring sky to celebrate heritage, unity, and the promise of renewal that the season whispers. The parade, a vibrant procession through the heart of Normal, wove its way along familiar avenues, drawing families, friends, and visitors into a shared tapestry of festivity. Floats adorned with shamrocks and streamers rolled gracefully by, while local bands filled the air with lively tunes that stirred the soul and quickened the pulse. Marchers, clad in green regalia, waved to the onlookers, their smiles as bright as the sun that occasionally peeked through the clouds, casting a golden glow on the scene. This was more than a mere spectacle; it was a testament to N...

  This Day in History: BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (March 14, 2009) — Sioux Falls Storm quarterback Mitch Tanney delivered a pass under pressure Saturday night as the Bloomington Extreme defense closed in at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Tanney, facing an unblocked rush from defensive lineman Leif Murphy, managed to get the throw off before being hit. The Storm traveled to Bloomington for the matchup against the Extreme in the indoor football showdown. Both teams looked to gain early momentum in the season as they battled in front of a lively crowd in downtown Bloomington.

--> Sports fans love a good player tribute or memorial.   They flock to places like stadiums, the various hall of fames, hometowns of heroes and museums to see artist’s renditions of the athlete and their careers.   There are simply hundreds of places to visit to pay homage to the many great athletes of the world.   Bloomington Illinois has added a venue in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery!   A cemetery is not your standard variety venue. Many cemeteries feature stone art.   Many old stones were carved with scenes of nature or animals and the way those are depicted generally has a meaning.   There is some of that art in Evergreen Memorial, but there is also new art that just grows with the trees.   It all began in 2015 when a tree died near a spot where a plane had crashed during the Memorial Day ceremonies of 1948.   Instead of cutting down the tree and removing the stump, management decided to have it carved into a memorial com...

It wasn't cutting edge 25 years ago, but not a lot of communities had a facility quite like the one being built in Bloomington Normal.  Through joint cooperation between the two cities and a series of fortunate events, a trail was built that spanned the central area of both.  The right of way held by the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad was being vacated by the railway and the cities opted to buy it.  Adding some pavement, bridges and entry points, a trail was created for walkers, runners, bicyclers and rollerbladers.  The original trail has been expanded and is still expanding since that initial project was completed.  On Saturday May 10th, several past and present dignitaries, press, users and people happening by the Connie Link Amphitheater celebrated the 25th birthday for the trail. 25th Birthday Celebration of Constitution Trail in Bloomington Normal Illinois. - Images by Alan Look  - chimper -

Citing advice to leave a high pressure 7 day a week job for his better well-being, Al Bowman has announced he plans to retire as soon as a suitable replacement can be found. Bowman is nearing 60 and has led Illinois State University for the past 9 years and been a part of the ISU family for 34.  He is the schools 17th president and is very popular in that post.  He can often be found at Redbird Arena for any event being held there and is also spotted at the other sporting venues on Campus.  He's seen as much without a coat and tie as he is wearing them. Image Gallery  by Alan Look Photography Look for a follow up in the February issue of Best Look Magazine

On Wilder Field in Tucci Stadium at Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington Illinois, the Titans topped the Scots 53 - 7. Alan Look Photography photo gallery Be sure to check out the current issue of Best Look Magazine !

It's here! The Best Look in sports action photography, would like you to know that they have just released the first issue of Best Look Magazine.  Best Look Magazine is a local sports/leisure/event publication of local interest.  It can be viewed and purchased via the website http://bestlookmag.com . Please drop by and take a peek. You can always find us by turning to http://bestlookmag.com.

Congrats to the Illinois Wesleyan Titan Basketball teams. Yes, both the IWU Titan Men's and the IWU Titan Women's teams this season have broke the barrier in Division III to make it to the respective NCAA tournaments. Seems like I can never get enough free time to cover them too many times, but I generally manage to get there once or twice a season. If you never consider attending, you should. Especially when they are at home in the Shirk Center. The closeness of the seating creates a very exciting and competitive environment. I don't think you will find a gym where you can get closer to the action without being in it. Add the pep band you get some real atmosphere. Oh, one more plus - at least in my eyes... I've never seen a break for a media time out! The game just keeps moving at the participants pace. Keeps the raw playing power and emotion in the game. Players, coaches and officials may see it different. Congrats to all the Titans. Ladies first! ...

Normal Community Ironmen and the Normal Community West Wildcats duel in IHSA Regional Lots of tense moments, lots of tough decisions, lots of teamwork, lots of friends, lots of foes, lots of sadness, lots of joy. In overtime, the Wildcats hold on to a 2 point lead that had 2 opportunities to be a lose. Not a lot one can add to the action that happened inside the black lines or inside the Shirk Center. The stories will be told for at least a generation. you had to be there, or you need to read the story by Steve Robinson in the upcoming Normalite Newspaper . 20120302 NCWHS v NCHS Regional - Images by Alan Look

I was lucky enough last season to be able to make the inaugural game of the Frontier League Cornbelters at the Corncrib in Normal. They are ready to start their second season and opening night at the 'Crib is May 27th at 7pm against the Southern Illinois Miners. I hope to be there. Being on the Media List, I get lots of notices from them. The latest just hit my email box about 10 minutes ago. They have hired a new Hitting Coach. The Media release follows. "CornBelters sign former MLB as new hitting coach ‘Boots’ Day joins team following 2 seasons in Calgary NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, are pleased to announce the signing of Charles ‘Boots’ Day as the team’s new hitting coach for the upcoming season. Following a six-game road trip to begin its’ second season, the CornBelters will play its’ first home game of the 2011 campaign at the Corn Crib on Friday, May 27 at 7 P.M. versus the Southern Illinois Miners (CEFCU Opening Night). D...

Well, the late spring and summer are generally down time for sports action photography in Bloomington Normal, at least for me. In late June, I normally cover the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All Star games, but other than that I get to work on personal projects. Those could be anything from home repairs, car updates to photo shoots. One photo project I work on when I get time and some good weather and light is my collection of landmarks in the Bloomington Normal area. See the slideshow below. Recently added were some shots from downtown. The old McLean County Courthouse, now the Mclean County Museum of History and the State Farm Downtown building and a few others in that vicinity were my recent takes. Also some stitched panoramics of Miller Park on Bloomington's west side. Downtown is of real interest. It's been dying an agonizing death for years. I'm sure there are people that have moved in to town a dozen years ago that have never been down there!. The old buil...