Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam
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Bill Kurtis on the prairie. Photo courtesy of Bill Kurtis.
Legendary anchorman and "voice of God," Bill Kurtis, 85, announced this month he's retiring from his regular (and hilarious) gig as judge and scorekeeper on "Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!" His last show is May 23.
- In retirement, Kurtis tells Axios, he looks forward to "More writing. More reading. More time on the land."
✍️ Zoom in: "I've fallen in love with the act of writing all over again," says Kurtis, who penned last year's "Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News," and is cranking out new chapters.
- 📚 On reading: "A stack of books is already sitting next to the most comfortable chair in the sunroom that has a spectacular view of the gardens."
- 🌳 On the outdoors: "I have a passion for the land and will be spending more time as a dedicated steward of my own green acres, especially those natural wild prairies and woodlands. My Wellies are by the door. "
What's happening: As Kurtis dives into retirement, we asked him to share his ideal day in his longtime home of Chicago.
🌅 Morning activity: "Taking sunrise photos on the lake followed by a riverwalk stroll."
🥞 Breakfast: "Sitting down to a short stack of lemon ricotta pancakes with blackberries and lemon syrup – with a glass of mango, orange and pineapple nectar served up at Beatrix River North."
👨🏻💻 Afternoon activity: "Grabbing my laptop, heading to the terrace to write – and feed seeds to my chipmunk friends under my feet, with all the birds at their feeders."
🥓 Lunch: "Having my favorite sandwich on the terrace: B-L-Fried T – that's honey smoked bacon, lettuce, fried green tomatoes with remoulade mayo on grilled brioche bread from Buttermilk in Vernon Hills where it's hard not to also take out their homemade hot honey biscuits."
🏞️ Evening activity: "Taking a club car ride with my wife, Donna, around our entire property – making notes and taking photos along the way."
🍒 Dinner: "There is nothing better than a dinner with a good friend who happens to be one of Chicago's premier chefs and the owner of Prairie Grass Café, Sarah Stegner.
- I will definitely go for the filet of beef with red wine sauce & shallot-herb butter and a side of creamy dreamy mashed potatoes and a big slice of Mom's cherry pie."