will.illinois.edu/prairiefire/episode/pf1999-05-13 WILL, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Series Episode WILL interviews then-96-year-old Seely Johnston and hears about his life and connections to such American greats as Bob Hope and Red Grange; we travel to Springfield and see the beauty of the landscape and foliage of Oak Ridge Cemetery; we see the beauty of Illinois back country as we present the second half of our "Hiking Illinois" segment. Abstract Segment Environment, Landscape, Parks/Outdoor Recreation, WILL Custom Prairie Fire Subject Headings Alison Davis Wood Producer Segment Historical Landmarks, Horticulture, Illinois Culture/History, Science/Nature, Springfield, WILL Custom Prairie Fire Subject Headings Prairie Fire tours historic Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. It’s not only the resting place of Abraham Lincoln, but of four governors, poet Vachel Lindsay and early Illinois pioneers. City historian Ed Russo talks about the tombstone architecture in the cemetery. Abstract Alison Davis Wood Producer Segment Business, Champaign, Champaign County, Family history, Illinois Culture/History, Sports, WILL Custom Prairie Fire Subject Headings During the 73 years he has operated Johnston’s Sports Shop in downtown Champaign, Seely Johnston has sold speed skater Bonnie Blair her first pair of ice skates, given film critic Roger Ebert his first job and outfitted hundreds of skaters with gear. “If you go into a restaurant with Seely, everyone knows him. He’s a combination local historian, businessman and civic leader,” said Prairie Fire host Alison Davis. Johnston, who is approaching his 96th birthday, was a close friend of U of I football legend Red Grange. “He’s one of the few people still alive who saw Red Grange play at Memorial Stadium,” said Davis. Johnston still goes to work every day, and reads the newspaper faithfully to keep up with current events. Ebert, who is interviewed in the Prairie Fire segment, says Johnston’s secret of longevity is that he looks forward to every day of life. Abstract Alison Davis Wood Producer WILL-TV, University of Illinois Copyright Holder Publisher ¬© 2009 University of Illinois 1999-05-13T12:08:01-06:00 1999-05-13T12:08:01-06:00 video/mp4 http://willmedia.atlas.uiuc.edu/mpeg4/pf1999-05-13.mp4 Moving Image MPEG video MPEG-4 00:28 eng pf1999-05-13.mp4 WILL Public Media, University of Illinois 1999-05-13T12:08:01-06:00 1999-05-13T12:08:01-06:00 video/x-flv http://willmedia.atlas.uiuc.edu/flash/pf1999-05-13.flv Moving Image Flash Video Flash Media 8 00:28 eng pf1999-05-13.flv WILL Public Media, University of Illinois 1999-05-13T12:08:01-06:00 1999-05-13T12:08:01-06:00 video/vnd.rn-realvideo http://willmedia.will.uiuc.edu/ramgen/pf1999-05-13.rv Moving Image 00:28:00