Zambora, Zec and Papa Bish

I love being a Papa but I must confess that I had a pretty good teacher. With the DuQuoin State Fair upon us, this one is for all the Papas out there who are making one insane memory at a time! Zambora the Gorilla Girl(DuQuoin, Illinois, circa 1993) There is no better grandfather in the

Recalling the DuQuoin State Fair

Thinking about the DuQuoin State Fair this morning. Generations of kids from DuQuoin literally grew up with this fair. We were it’s labor force. It was the biggest deal ever. I remember Sam the Candyman, Malone’s Taffy, First Heat dances, Car races, smoking hot days and nights, trotters, the Exhibition Hall, famous people walking through

Zambora the Gorilla Woman (and the proper role of grandparents)

With the DuQuoin State Fair ending today, I thought I would pass along my favorite Fair story circa 1993.  This one is contained in “Exactly As I Remember It.” Zambora the Gorilla Woman (DuQuoin, Illinois, circa 1993)   There is no better grandfather in the world than Fred Bishop.  He was born for the job.