Just read a report from NBC Chicago that the body of the boy’s father was found with them. There is no other news as to whether it was a murder – suicide or what as of yet. For further details we will just need to be patient and wait. The report states that they were found in McLean County but other than that details have not been released. Please keep the family in your prayers as that is about the only comfort that we can provide for them at this time.
It is with great sadness that I have to report that I received news this morning that the bodies of Jack and Duncan Connelly was identified around midnight last night. The email from the official bringing jack and duncan connolly home safe group came in this morning on facebook and did not have any details other than stating that the mother (Amy) is going through some rough times and would not be carrying her phone right now. Our thoughts and prayers goes out to this family that has suffered so much. I don’t understand how a father could do such a thing to his sons but it is the unfortunate fact of this society that we do indeed have such monsters amongst us. Please, if you are a father or mother and are reading this, take the time to ensure the safety of your children (no, I’m not trying to imply that the mother did not do so. I understand she was attempting to get the court to revoke this mans unsupervised visits.) Hopefully they will find the father and be able to persecute him to the full extent of his crimes.
May the Lord strengthen this family and work a miracle of relief in their lives. May He surround them with love and kindness of family and friends.
After leaving the Manatee Viewing Area we decided to go to Goodson Farms Strawberry Market for our usual strawberry shortcake that the market is renown for.
They have all sorts of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as Cuban sandwiches and of course lots of strawberry related items! This is without a doubt one of our favorite stops when we go to visit family in west central Florida. I don’t think we have ever missed an opportunity to visit Goodson Farms (even if we try to follow my brother’s directions to get there). After the visit to the farm we said goodbye to Charlie and Laura as they had a 4 hour trip to get home and we went back to moms place in Sun City Center (actually it is in Kings Point). We went swimming that afternoon and enjoyed a salmon dinner (which I cooked) and baked potatoes.
Finally in Florida! Today’s schedule consists of going to the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Area in Apollo Beach, FL. Jean and I have been here numerous times with my dad and we have seen manatees most of those times. This year was no different even though we were there at a late time for the manatees to be there (they travel into the gulf once the water in the gulf warms to the high 60′s/low 70′s). It was raining slightly and it made the visit even more interesting but did not dampen the spirits of the five of us that went (Jean, Mike, Charlie, Laura and myself). We did have a nice surprise though as not only did we get to see manatees
picture of a mom and baby manatee
a fin of one of the two dolphins that visited us
We also saw numerous birds as well….
Here’s just a few of them….
I believe this to be a Wilsons Plover
a Lesser Dowitcher
A Brown Pelican
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Laughing Gull
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Got up early and hit the “hot” breakfast. The only thing hot about it was the waffle that you had to fix yourself. Was really disappointed with this continental breakfast and would not recommend staying here again. Got on the road (it was raining slightly) and headed south for the Georgia – Florida border. Long trip through Georgia but the traffic was not bad being it was a Sunday morning. Went through Atlanta with no problems and made it through Macon area without getting stopped (but did see lots of police cars pulling other drivers over). Made it to the Welcome Center and did our regular routine of stopping in to get free orange/grapefruit juice. At this point I should mention that at just about every stop we made for either gas, to stretch or to use the bathroom, we have been distributing flyers about the two missing Connolly boys and just about everyone has been very cooperative. The Florida Welcome Center even offered to place fliers in both of their display cases. Our hope is that someone will see a flier and notify the authorities of their location.
After leaving the Welcome Center we continued to moms and arrived around 6:00 p.m. eastern time. My brother Charlie and his wife Laura were there and we were able to visit with them that evening until we all retired for the night.
