Visions 2016 - Why I Live Here

I work at the local newspaper in my town. And during February we publish different stories about different counties that surround our little berg. And we call this conglomeration of stories Visions. We were asked this year to write about why we live where we live. 

Here is what I put forth...

Why I Live Here — CENTRALIA, IL

by Toni Walker

"Why I live here" is an interesting question to contemplate. I had never really considered it before. Why do I live here?

I live here because the people I have encountered in Centralia are the most awesome people in the world. Yes, our dear city has its crime, shady elements and whatnot but what city doesn't? I choose to look on the bright side and see all the goodness this city has to offer.

This is the city where I grew up. And with that comes a ton of great memories. I remember the snow in the early 80's when we were stuck at home and everyone in our neighborhood camped out at our house for days because we had the only working fireplace. My sister and brother made an igloo in the front yard and the snow was as high as the mailbox.

I live here because it is where I call home. This is where my parents live. My nieces and nephews, who don't even live here, call Centralia home too. There is a lure to this city that really speaks to people's hearts.

   Have you ever had the feeling that something was meant to be? I know I was meant to be here. I had a choice early in my life if I wanted to move to Chicago and I just had this knowing that this city was where I truly belonged.

   I went to Centralia High School and participated in the Centralia Cultural Society during my high school years. I was shy and drama club really brought me out of my shell. I learned how to be more of myself in my hometown while discovering my love for theater and music.

   Ever since the sixth grade I have been in some sort of choir or worship team and continue to do that until this very day. These days I sing alto in my church's worship team and have a solo every few months.

   A lot of people I know yearn to get away from wherever they live. Move to the big city. Experience life. I have experienced a great deal of life right here at home in Centralia, IL.

   I am a second timer here at the Sentinel. That means I have worked here at two different times in my life. In the late 80's/early 90's I worked for three years in the mailroom, paste-up and as an assistant to the ad staff laying out ads that were to be typeset into the Compugraphic machine.That's all old-school tech nowadays. 

   I work this time around as a graphic designer in what is called Composing. I design advertisements, send plates to the plate machine for different publications and am currently in charge of the TV Weekly that runs every Saturday in the Sentinel. 

I am a third-generation Sentinel employee. My great-grandmother set linotype, my dad was a paperboy and I have had quite a few different jobs here. It is so cool to know that I am a part of the Sentinel's legacy, even if only a small part.

Like I said, why I live here is an interesting question that I think we should all ponder. Ask yourself... why do you live where you do?

-- Toni Walker