Wake Up Tri-Counties Todd DeDecker Talks Tim Plukovich Presentation and Chautauqua in Bishop Hill

Todd DeDecker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about two upcoming events in Bishop Hill this month, giving visitors opportunities to explore baseball history and experience the past through interactive historical presentations.

On Saturday, August 15th, Tim Pletkovich will present “Confessions of a Baseball Scout” at 1 PM at the Steeple Building Museum. Pletkovich began scouting amateur players for the Philadelphia Phillies at age 14 and joined the Chicago Cubs at 21, becoming the youngest paid Major League Baseball scout at the time. He will share stories from his years scouting for the Cubs during the 1980s.

Then, on Saturday, August 22nd, the annual Bishop Hill Chautauqua will take place in the park from 10 AM to 4 PM, weather permitting. The free event will feature first-person portrayals of historical figures, educational presentations, and music.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Donations are welcome, and Bishop Hill’s museums, restaurants, and other attractions will also be available throughout the day.

For more information, visit visitbishophill.com or contact the Bishop Hill Heritage Association at 309-927-3899.

Bishop Hill to Host “Confessions of a Baseball Scout” with Tim Pletkovich

Baseball fans will have a unique opportunity to step inside the world of professional baseball scouting when Tim Pletkovich presents “Confessions of a Baseball Scout” on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Steeple Building Museum in Bishop Hill.

The presentation, hosted by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, will begin at 1 PM and will feature stories and insights from Pletkovich’s years evaluating baseball talent for Major League organizations.

Pletkovich began sending scouting reports on amateur free agents to the Philadelphia Phillies at just 14 years old. At age 21, he joined the Chicago Cubs, becoming the youngest paid scout in Major League Baseball at the time. He went on to scout for the Cubs during the 1980s, gaining firsthand experience evaluating players and identifying potential professional talent.

During his presentation, Pletkovich will share stories from his time with the Cubs and offer attendees a look at the world of professional scouting. The program provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on how scouts evaluated players during an era before today's widespread use of advanced technology and analytics.

The event is part of the Bishop Hill Heritage Association’s ongoing efforts to preserve and share the community’s history and heritage while bringing unique educational programs to the public.

Anyone interested in attending “Confessions of a Baseball Scout” is encouraged to contact the Bishop Hill Heritage Association at 309-927-3899. Additional information is available at bishophillheritage.org or by email at [email protected].

Whether you're a lifelong baseball fan or simply interested in the fascinating stories behind America's pastime, this presentation offers a chance to discover what it was like to scout the next generation of professional baseball players.

Bishop Hill Chautauqua to Bring History to Life on August 22, 2026

History will come alive in Bishop Hill on Saturday, August 22nd, as the Bishop Hill Historical Society presents its annual Chautauqua, a day-long program featuring historical portrayals, storytelling, and music.

The event will take place in the park from 10 AM to 4 PM, weather permitting. If necessary, the program will be moved to a dry indoor location. All of the programs are free and open to the public, although donations are welcome. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the day in the historic community.

The tradition of Chautauqua dates back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, when communities gathered for several days of music, lectures, preaching, entertainment, and discussions about current events and new ideas. Bishop Hill, Kewanee, and Geneseo were among the communities in the region that hosted Chautauqua programs.

The modern Bishop Hill Chautauqua continues that tradition by using historians, storytellers, and actors to portray historical figures and bring important moments in history to life.

The day's schedule will include:

10 AM – John Adams Brian “Fox” Ellis will portray John Adams, the second President of the United States and one of the nation's founding fathers. The first-person presentation will offer attendees an opportunity to learn about Adams' life and experiences while asking questions of the character.

11:30 AM – Deborah Sampson Judith Colerow will portray Deborah Sampson, a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve and fight during the American Revolutionary War. Colerow is traveling through the Midwest as part of her tour and will bring Sampson's remarkable story to the Bishop Hill stage.

1:30 PM – “1619: The Journey of a People” Dr. Ted Williams III, a professor and actor from Chicago, will present “1619: The Journey of a People.” The program will explore the history and experiences of African Americans, including slavery, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Music to Follow – “Power Song of Democracy” Folk singer Chris Vallillo will close out the day's programming with music spanning American history. His performance will feature songs ranging from Revolutionary War-era music to protest songs from the 1950s and 1960s.

One of the unique aspects of the Bishop Hill Chautauqua is the opportunity for audience members to interact with the historical characters. Performers conduct extensive research to ensure their presentations are historically accurate and remain in character while answering questions.

In addition to the Chautauqua programs, visitors can enjoy Bishop Hill's museums, restaurants, and other attractions throughout the day.

For more information about the Chautauqua and other upcoming Bishop Hill events, visit visitbishophill.com or follow the Bishop Hill Heritage Association on "Facebook".

The Bishop Hill Historical Society encourages residents and visitors to bring a lawn chair and spend the day experiencing history in a unique and interactive way.