Representation of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Photo: www.vpul.upenn.edu.

InFocus continues to spotlight the challenges faced by Southern Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS. In this segment, we meet AIDS survivor Scott Thorn, a former pastor who returned to Southern Illinois after contracting the disease so he could be close to his family and to raise his son. Now a consumer representative with the Southern Illinois HIV CARE Consortium, Thorn shares his story about dealing with the social stigma of HIV/AIDS and how he is trying to build a normal life for himself and his son while managing the realities of living with the disease. To find out more about these InFocus specials and for access to an online list of resources, visit our HIV/AIDS web pages. You’ll also find information about FRONTLINE: The Age of AIDS, airing May 30-31 from 8-10pm.

Is there cash in your attic? That's a question many people are asking lately as a fondness for all things old is enjoying a resurgence. It has inspired many people to sort through their attics, basements, and sheds for potentially valuable or interesting items.  The staff at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt. Vernon decided to capitalize on the popularity of "attic mining," and brought back its popular event, Appraisal Days. People from across the area bring items to the Mitchell Museum on the grounds at Cedarhurst where professional appraisers give visitors more information about their item, where it was likely to have originated, and its approximate value. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 3 at Cedarhurst’s Mitchell Museum.

 

In this segment, we catch up with Darryl Sheldon at the Fort des Chartres Rendezvous to see how pewter tableware was created on the Illinois frontier in the 1700s. Sheldon recently acquired the family pewter business from his father, who retired after 30 years, and says he enjoys traveling around the Midwest to demonstrate this 18th century craft. Using tools from the frontier era, Sheldon drops solid pewter into a melting pot heated to about 600 degrees F, which instantly liquefies the pewter. He then pours the liquid metal into a brass spoon mold. Within 40 seconds, the liquid’s temperature drops to below 400 degrees and begins to solidify. The spoon is removed from the mold and allowed to cool, and then it is trimmed, filed, and cleaned with steel wool. Fort de Chartres is a reconstructed 18th century stone fort near Prairie du Rocher, Illinois that first served as a French military outpost in the early 1700s and later served as outposts for England and the United States. An annual Rendezvous is held on the grounds, which will be held this year on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4 (parking is $5.00). One of the largest events of its type in the country, the Fort de Chartres Rendezvous features 18th century crafts, food, and music; thousands of historically-dressed participants; flintlock musket and rifle competitions; cannon and mortar competitions; traders; and much more.