TBT – Rick Baker

#TBT – Growing up in Central Illinois with bad seasonal allergies, I spent many summer days indoors. The library was one of my favorite places to keep out of the pollen storms.

Being an avid reader led me to writing. One of my earliest influences was local columnist Rick Baker, who wrote for the Peoria Journal-Star. I likely would not have been brave enough to found my own online magazine or do freelance writing had it not been for his influence early on.

Rick Baker wasn’t perfect and he wasn’t always right. He was, however, a hell of a journalist and commentary writer. My late friend – Peoria journalist Billy Dennis – would have commented all over this post in agreement.