The author of this book sets out on a journey to uncover the essence of wilderness. Instead of travelling to remote, untamed parts of the world, Mitchell ends up exploring the green realms of his childhood and the gardens of Italy. He is pulled inward and toward home, back to what Thoreau called contact - an abiding, enduring and daily connection with the world. He comes to realize that the wildest place may be right in his own backyard.

Applegate: Freedom of the Press in a Small Town is a slice of Americana as told by Armada Times Editor James Mitchell, along with Lindsey Kingston, student editor of the paper's high school section. Mitchell took over as editor of the Times in the wake of a lawsuit that had been filed by its publisher against the local school board, initiating one of the many First Amendment battles that would be waged during his two-year tenure. While the content of most rural weeklies typically runs to favorite recipes and homecoming game reports, the Times would open up a forum on issues including gay...

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry was introduced to Prince Hall Masons of the State of Illinois in the late 1800s by multiple Supreme Councils. By the end of the 19th Century, two Consistories were in existence-Occidental Consistory and Prince Hall Consistory. Through the leadership and sacrifices of several dedicated men, these Consistories consolidated and retained the name of Occidental Consistory. However, it was by the vision of a Masonic Hero that she took the Oath of Fealty to the United Supreme Council, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall...