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Funding for Heartland Highways is made possible in part by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System,
dedicated to providing care for all and creating healthy communities in East-Central Illinois.
Offering general and specialty medicine including a regional cancer center, heart and lung center,
orthopedics and sports medicine, a center for interventional pain, and a full complement
of diagnostic and rehabilitative services. Sarah Bush Lincoln: trusted, compassionate
care. Coming up on this episode of Heartland Highways,
we’ll meet people with interesting occupations! First, we head to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois,
to visit Sue Wood, the University of Illinois Chimesmaster. So what exactly does a chimesmaster
do? Well, Sue will tell you all about it coming up! Then, you better watch out! We sit in
on a meeting with a group of Illinois Santa Clauses. The only requirements to be in their
group? Love what you do and have a real beard! And finally we’ll take you to the Past Timers
Reunion. This jam session features many familiar faces of the Central Illinois country music
scene. Stay tuned! That’s all next on Heartland Highways!
[music] Today we’re here at the Alumni Clock Tower
on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Why the clock tower? Well,
our first story is about chimes, a lot like the ones in the clock tower here. For nearly
a century now, bells have rung out from Altgeld Hall at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
campus. Sue Wood has been playing the chimes in the tower since 1971. We got to meet Sue
and learn all about the coveted Chimesmaster position.
>>Narrator The Northeast corner of the University of Illinois is home to two long time campus
traditions. The statue of Alma Mater, welcoming all of her students, both past and present.
And Altgeld Hall, one of the oldest buildings still in use.
[chimes] It houses the Mathematics department, some
of the most interesting architecture and if you’re ready for a long climb up a dark
stairway, it is the home of the Altgeld Chimes. Altgeld has been here since 1897. It actually,
the first part of the building, the original building was built in just one year. It’s
had four additions since then, but the building itself because of its special nature is on
the National Register of Historic Places. The bell tower was built with the building
in 1897 with the intent of eventually having bells in the tower, but it stood empty until
1920. >>Narrator The bells became the focus of student
bodies. The classes of 1914 through 1921 raised funds for 13 bells. And after prompting from
the Dean of Students, funding was found for 2 more, making a total of 15.
In 1971, um, I knew that there were bells over here because I could hear them at, at
the university so I came over one day and found Albert Marion, who was the chimesmaster,
playing away and I mentioned that I would like to play the bells also. The music department
ran out of funding and no longer funded students to come over and play and I said, “Well,
I can take up, up the slack.” >>Narrator And Sue Wood has been doing that
ever since. Performing, more or less, every Monday through Friday around noon playing
songs of every type. We’ve come up to a total of about 2,000
selections that have been transcribed to fit on the chimes here. But we have a habit of
always playing “Hail to the Orange,” our short school song, and it’s been tradition
for at least the last um 40 years and maybe longer than that.
>>Narrator Guests who have had a chance to visit are usually surprised by what they find
up high in old Altgeld Hall. Our visitors in general come up to the door
and say, “Oh, I thought this was all automatic and you’re, you’re standing there playing.”
And I said, and I usually say, “Well if you hear music being played, it’s somebody
standing at this keyboard.” And they’re always surprised at the way the system operates
because of course compared to modern technology it’s antiquated. And people say, “Well,
why don’t you mechanize?” And we say, “Why should we?” I mean it’s such a
perfect system. [chimes]
Our music ranges from everything, from music, from folk music from many countries and I
try and this is something I try to do if I can discern what the nationality of some of
our visitors might be, I’ll surprise them with a folk song for their country and I’m
always amazed at the response I get. They’re, they say, “You played something, you played
my song, you played.” And I think, “That’s great, I hit it on the button that time.”
>>Narrator Due to their unique nature, the chimes have been challenging performers for
years. Once in a while we get asked to play something
special. And the one that sticks in my mind is the time I was asked to play the bells
for the 1812 Overture. The mass bands were on the steps of the auditorium which is at
the far end of the quad and the band of course had its own chimes system there, but they
wanted the bells in the background at the right place. Well, my husband came up here
and sat on the phone here and talked, kept in contact with somebody at the back of the
bands over there and when it came time to play the bells, he would say, “Okay, now!”
and I go “dununuhnuhnunuh.” Just back and forth and up and down and everywhere and
I never realized just how much lactic acid buildup you get in that short period of time.
And they’d say, “Okay, stop!” So I’d stop and I’d think, “Oh, well a little
bit until next time,” and by the next time of course everything would be calm again and
start over again. The instrument being as large as it is and the fact that you have
to use downward pressure; it’s not a fast instrument, so if you’re playing something
fast you have to really learn to manipulate it to the point where it will respond properly.
And we can play fairly fast music on here, uh I mentioned a while back that there was,
we had one fellow who wrote out The Flight of the Bumblebee to play on here and he did
it as a challenge and he played it through and he was, in quotes, “dead afterwards.”
>>Narrator Tours are available and many departments on campus have brought their quests and visitors
to Altgeld, to experience the concerts first hand.
Well, we’ve had them from Thailand, Korea, Germany, Turkey, um Singapore, um quite a
number of the European countries and Russia and I’m not sure just what the longest distance
might be but they come from all over the world. >>Narrator The Altgeld chimes have been a
long honored and enjoyed tradition on the University of Illinois campus. Students have
been passing between classes to the chimes ever since the 1920s. But the question remains,
why did the Dean of Students in the 20’s insist on 15 bells?
15 bells is what it takes to play “Illinois Loyalty.”
>>Narrator Sue Wood has given thousands of concerts and has been heard by millions of
people. And she has, over the years, become part of the fabric of the university’s campus.
But what does she enjoy most about playing one of the world’s most unique instruments.
Probably enjoy the anonymity most of all because nobody knows who’s up here playing and while
that doesn’t excuse mistakes or anything like that, it’s always, I always get a kick
out of people coming up and finding, “Oh there is somebody playing.”
[chimes playing] Some of our favorite adventures were ideas
that came from viewers like you. If you think there’s a place we should see or a person
we should meet, let us know about it. Just make sure it’s in the Illinois, Indiana
or Missouri area. Drop us an e-mail at heartlandhighways@weiu.net, call us at 1-877-PBS-WEIU or send us a letter
to 600 Lincoln Avenue Charleston, IL 61920. This next group may be one you think about
closer to Christmastime, but for them, it’s Christmas all year long. I caught up with
what you might call a Santa Claus Club right here in Central Illinois and learned that’s
there is a lot more to them then the jolly laughs and smiling exterior.
>>Narrator At first glance, this may look like any other group gathering. But, if you
look a little closer, you might start to notice that something’s a little fishy, or should
I say jolly? This is the Bearded Santa Society, is what
they call it. And you have to have your own beard to belong. So, and that works out real
well and I enjoy this. We get together every so often and go out and eat somewhere like
this and sit around and visit and talk about things that’s happened to us.
>>Narrator This particular group gets together several times a year at various places in
Illinois and is actually one of several Santa groups who do so. They share stories and experiences,
catch up with one another and talk about what it means to be a Santa.
I bought a Santa suit and one Sunday after dinner, my whole family always comes to my
house for Sunday dinner, and uh one Sunday after dinner I snuck in the bedroom and I
put on the suit. And I come walkin’ back out and my grandson’s gonna be 3 in October,
I come walking in the kitchen, he comes walking around the table and he stopped and looked
up at me with his eyes like this and he, “Santa.” And I thought, “Yeah, okay.” I said, “How
are you?” and he goes “I been good!” [laughter] And my daughter says, “Dad, he
don’t know you.” I said, “No way!” I just had the jacket and the hat. I says,
“No, he knows me.” So I went in the bedroom and took everything off, I come back in the
living room and he was on the couch watching TV, I walked in and I sat down next to him
and I said, “Caleb, who was just here?” He said, “Papa, Santa was just here!”
[laugther] >>Narrator Some might consider this group
a club, but for others… What club? >>Narrator The Santa Claus Club
here. We’re not a club, we’re a family. A family of Santas. We’re not related, but
whenever you get a group of Santas, we’re, we’re family. And uh yeah you could say
we’re a club, but it’s a Santa of giving, loving and we love what we do.
>>Narrator The only requirements to be in the Bearded Santa Society are that you love
what you do, as Santa Ken said, and that you have…what else? A real beard, of course!
No, if I could take mine off I would, but I can’t. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. >>Narrator
You keep it year round, huh? I keep mine on year round and I think about everybody else
does. Now, during the summer I trim it down, but usually my beard comes down to about right
here, and that’s about right where I want to keep it and I have got a Mrs. Claus who
takes care of it and it’s a lot training, a lot of work.
>>Narrator And speaking of Mrs. Claus, there are several who come to these regional get
togethers too! I’ve been doing this for a little over 30
years, and um usually um my first appearance is usually the middle of November and we go
through Christmas Eve. I think um 10, 15 years ago Mrs. Claus was uh almost uh unheard of
uh but she’s getting um out of the kitchen now and uh getting a little more popular.
She’s coming into her own actually I think. >>Narrator And Gloria is helping break Mrs.
Claus out of her mold by teaching classes on her new-age image.
I’ve been uh teaching classes and trying to promote Mrs. Claus as being something more
than uh a cookie baker. And so uh, dressing a little bit more lavishly and uh trying to
change the image totally, but uh I’ve taught classes in uh Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a couple
years and um just trying to change Mrs. Claus’s image somewhat.
>>Narrator For the Santas, being St. Nick is more than just a seasonal job. For most
of them, it’s a year-round gig. I’m a true Santa that enjoys what I’m
doin’. I play Santa 24/7, 365 days a year. If you see me in uh other colors than red,
you’re lucky [laughs]. >>Narrator Many of the Santas travel regionally
and a few, even nationally. One thing most of them have in common though is the wide
variety of events they attend. They asked me to, uh the senior citizens group
did, and so I uh, I did it that first year uh that got me ruined, I just kept doin’
it and every year I get more jobs and more jobs and I do a lot of hospitals, nursing
homes, and places like that. I do those for free. I don’t charge anything for going
to those places. Um, I’ve got people that book me a year in advance and um I’m pretty
busy. I do private parties, corporate, hospitals,
schools, uh, and uh hospice, I belong to an organization called “Santa America.” They’re
right now working with the uh children and adults and uh that are handicapped, uh autism
and now we’re starting to work with the uh wounded uh soldiers and families of um
of our Armed Forces, the ones that keep us safe.
>>Narrator And for all of the Santas, it’s not about making a living, but spreading joy
in the true holiday spirit. [music]
Oh, seeing the smile, the, the, the best Christmas present you can ever get is the smile from
a child, or an adult. And uh, I’ve had them from 2 days old to 110.
I guess it’s what I can give people, I can give the kids. Uh, there’s a lot of places
that I go, that you know, they can’t afford to pay for Santa and if I can give to them,
that’s what I do. An uh there’s places that I don’t charge and uh that’s good
because I’ll live just as long without it. [singing]
We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas
and a happy new year! Ho, ho, ho, ho. If you’d like to purchase a copy of any
Heartland Highways program visit our online store at www.weiu.net. DVD’s are available
for $25 each. If you prefer, you can call in your order at 1-877-727-9348. Just let
us know what show you’re interested in by mentioning the story name or person featured
in the show. Like the Santa Claus Club, this next story
brings together a group of people with a common interest. Back in the 50’s and 60’s, East
Central Illinois was a hub for live country music. Clubs and bars were part of a musical
circuit for bands and their fans. So what ever happened to those musicians? We’ll
we happened to catch up with several of them at the Past Timers Reunion, an annual jam
session and get together. [Music]
Kenny Pryor and I started this thing uh about five years ago to get the old guys together.
Uh I could call it something else but… Uh we play music. We all played around here quite
a bit around Decatur and within 50 miles. I don’t know uh I thought we’d all just
get together all of us at least once a year. We’ve had really good turnouts. The turnout
today isn’t that great because it’s so hot. But, it generally is really a good turnout.
We have it each year and people come from Arizona and everywhere else the musicians
to play. >>Narrator It would take more than a little
Illinois summer heat to keep these musicians from attending the annual Past Timers Jam,
this year at Eagle Creek State Park, near Shelbyville, Illinois. Musicians from the
local area as well as those who used to be local came out to reminisce and play some
classic country music, the kind you just don’t hear much on radio anymore.
[Music] There’s a lot of people in America that’s
really liked that music. They don’t like this newer country stuff these new artists
uh they sound a lot alike you know. Back then they had style. Everybody had a different
style you know and it was good music, well written music and uh that’s why they stayed
with it you know and uh they just love it. Some of them are uh in their 70s and love
to play more than me even. [Laughing] I played a little piano when I was about 12
and somebody put a guitar in my hand and I said wait a minute. Uh so it’s I was about
12 or 13 when I started to play guitar. And uh I was born in 1934, so you can figure it
out. [Laughing] And I was in a group called Sangamon Valley Boys and uh for about 12 to
15 years. And we did a lot of fairs fair dates and uh TV, Radio
[Music] I started playing in 1962 um locally. Well,
a place called High Point Tavern or Saloon down by Seagull. And I started playing country
music. I played rock ‘n roll music in High School and I started playing country music
simply because we were married and needed the money.
There was several from our area that went to Nashville. Um Dallas Shaw went. Let’s
see Daryl Chapman went. Kenny Pryor went ended up playing with Johnny Paycheck. Um I know
that we have had a lot of people from this area played with well with uh Marvin Lee who
discovered Allison Krause of course. And so we’ve had some real connections with Nashville.
>>Narrator Whether they made careers out of music or just did it on the side, several
are still at it today. Well I’m still playing and actually most
of these guys that were playing here today play. I am playing some with Marvin Lee and
with uh we played the moose uh last night in Decatur and uh playing with Jim Allen of
course. And so, uh it kind of gets in your blood, you know you really enjoy it. You know
it’s just a country music. It it’s in you, it’s in you you know. So, as long as
I am able o play I’m gonna play and I know these fellows feel the same way. And they’re
some real professional guys. I mean there’re some guys who can really play in Central Illinois.
>>Narrator Even though some of these people have never played together or haven’t for
years, it doesn’t take long for it all to come back.
[Music] >>Narrator This once a year gathering brings
back the sounds of the golden era of country music, but it also gives old friends a change
to reminisce. Just meeting all these people, running into
people I haven’t seen for 50 or 60 years or yeah 50 years a time and don’t even know
‘em and they walk up to you and say hey, we used to come out to the bars and watch
us you know. But, uh yeah that’s fascinating you don’t see somebody for a long time.
Uh I like best is getting to see ‘em and visit with them some you know and pick a little
um kind of reminisce. Just have a good time you know. It’s good to see them all.
[Music] Want more information on the story you’ve
just seen? Head to our website at weiu.net/hh. Check out our online episode gallery for past
and present shows. Send us an e-mail or find out how to contact the people and places we
feature in the show. That’s weiu.net/hh. That’s all the time we have for this week’s
show. Remember, if you’re looking for more information on today’s stories or any of
our other adventures, just head to our website at weiu.net/hh. We’ll see you next time.
Funding for Heartland Highways is made possible in part by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System,
dedicated to providing care for all and creating healthy communities in East-Central Illinois.
Offering general and specialty medicine including a regional cancer center, heart and lung center,
orthopedics and sports medicine, a center for interventional pain, and a full complement
of diagnostic and rehabilitative services. Sarah Bush Lincoln: trusted, compassionate
care. [music]