Mt. Carroll Rotary President Terrie Miller (left) presents the clubs annual contribution to Dianna Roemer, Freeport American Red Cross Executive Director. Roemer was the guest speaker at the December 14 meeting and presented the past year’s overview of the northwest Illinois region. (Courtesy of Barb Brierton)

The Week 12 Chadwick-Milledgeville Thumbs Up Winners. Back Row, Left to Right: Nicholas Smith, Seraiah Menendez, Christian Shores, Noah Newstrand Front Row, Left to Right: Lydia Faulkner, Quinten Frederick, Kaden Garnhart, Coltan Stahl

 

The Morrison Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Whitey Nelson of Nelson’s Electric the recipient of the “Because Nice Matters” Customer Service Award for the month of November. Whitey was nominated for his great service beyond the call of duty, honorable work ethic and quick response to help a customer. If you have received exceptional customer service from a business in the Morrison area, contact the Chamber at (815) 772-3757 and tell us about your experience. (Courtesy of Corinne Bender, MCC)

 

 

Health Beat

Mark Klein

The Answer Fitness, Tanning & Nutrition Centers

Who Can Participate in Tae Kwon Do?

The Korean term Tae Kwon Do can be loosely translated as “the art of kicking and punching.” In 1989 Tae Kwon Do was the world’s most popular martial art, it combines sparring techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, meditation, and philosophy.

Tae Kwon Do training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches and open-handed strikes, as a martial art it is popular with people of both genders and of many ages. Physically, Tae Kwon Do develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina.

I enjoy seeing parents as they watch in amazement while they observe their young child standing at perfect attention during the beginning of class. I also enjoy seeing the adults during their third week of stretching as they realize “it’s getting better and I can do this. I respect the tae kwon doe creeds. I shall be a champion of justice and freedom.” and “I shall build a better and more peaceful world,” and learning how to protect yourself while enhancing self worth and self confidence, which is always a good thing.

Now to answer our question, who can participate in Tae Kwon Do, EVERYONE! Get up, get out, and get started..

Here’s to your health,

Mark Klein

Roberts To Head Community Fundraising Efforts For New Library

The first words Floyd Roberts heard upon completion of his four years as President of the Friends of the Lanark Public Library (FLPL) came from Marsha Clausen, the newly installed President. Her request was for him to coordinate club activities related to getting plans moving on the new library and determine how the organization could help.

In November, the Lanark City Council voted to appoint the “Friends (FLPL)” organization to conduct the official community-wide fund raising program for the new library. Clausen then appointed Roberts to head the program and organize a plan for the campaign.

This is the first article in an ongoing series to keep the public aware of the progress of the project. Other materials and interviews are being developed to share information about the need to update and enlarge the library; the project itself; and the current progress being made.

Last week the city planning committee voted to recommend counsel to proceed through the stage of completing floor plans, drawings and specifications for construction bidding. The Library Board meeting is scheduled at 5 p.m. on January 4th, preceding the council meeting. The current schedule is to complete the bid packets by the end of January and allow bidders three to four weeks to develop their quotes. The project will be promoted through construction trade magazines and industry news channels. Local providers are being asked to contact city hall for information on how to bid their services for the project.

“We believe it is important that the full community be kept aware of what is happening, as it happens,” said Roberts. “After all, most people only see a new library develop in their community once during their lifetime. So, it can be an interesting and exciting event.

“We want to work with a student organization to provide youth oriented information on Facebook and other social media. We’re working on developing a speakers bureau and welcome invitations to visit group meetings, as well. Reservations for presentations can be made by calling 493-2262.

“Cooperation and generous support from The Prairie Advocate News and www.pacc-news.com will be a valuable resource and information channel for all,” Roberts explained.

RAB Meeting

A Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting will be held on the evening of January 13th at 6 p.m. in building 247 conference room at the Savanna Army Depot. All meetings are open to the public. If you have any questions regarding this Savanna Army Depot meeting, please contact John E. Clarke, BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Environmental Coordinator at 815-273-8827 or Cindy Irwin, Savanna site manager at 815-273-8311.

Students Learn About Christmas Tree Farms

Grade school students throughout Ogle & Carroll counties learned about Christmas tree farms during the month of December. The Ag in the Classroom program teaches students that many items we use everyday originate from crops grown by farmers. Some crops we eat. Some crops are used to make our homes beautiful. Some crops we use to make clothes and other helpful items. Some crops help us celebrate!

Trees, like corn, are grown on farms. Tree growers do many of the same things other farmers do. But, a tree crop is different because it takes 4 to 10 years before a tree can be harvested. Also, a tree farmer must plant 1 to 3 new seedlings for every tree that they harvest because seedlings have many enemies including: insects and disease, rabbits, and deer.

Like other crops, trees must be fertilized and weeded. The farmer also prunes the trees to control how fast they grow and shapes them so that when they are sold, they have a shape that people will like.

Harvest time is very busy for growers. The trees that will be cut must be selected and tagged. Once the trees are cut, they are baled nice and tight so that the branches won’t be damaged as they are shipped to tree lots to be sold.

Because trees stay in the fields for so long, they have 4 to 10 years to be a habitat for small animals and insects. They also make oxygen for all living things. So the next time you think of products grown on a farm, add Christmas trees to your list.

A special thank you to Dollinger Christmas Tree Farm, Shannon, for the many tree samples they provide each year. These samples provide an opportunity for students to compare the various kinds of Christmas trees.

Agriculture in the Classroom is a program to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society. Students learn that thousands of farm products are in the world around them—on their plate, in the clothes they wear, in the medicine that makes them well, and in earth-friendly fuels and plastics.

Ag in the Classroom is offered through the University of Illinois Extension-Ogle County in partnership with Carroll County Farm Bureau, Ogle County Farm Bureau, Carroll County Soil & Water, and Ogle County Soil & Water. For more information about the program, call the Ogle County Extension Office at (815) 732-2191.

GoodSearch & GoodShop for Volunteer Hospice of NW Illinois

Raise money for Volunteer Hospice of Northwest Illinois, Inc. just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch.com, or shopping online with GoodShop.com .

Volunteer Hospice of Northwest Illinois, Inc., your Neighbor Helping Neighbor

Volunteer Community-Based Agency, provides compassionate care, support and education to families dealing with life-limiting illness and loss.

For more information, please contact Joann Robinson, Executive Director of Volunteer Hospice of Northwest Illinois, Inc., located at 111 W. Front Avenue, P.O. Box 185, Stockton, IL 61085, or call (815) 947-3260.

Operation Piece of Home, Care Package Drive

Operation Piece of Home was formed in September 2010 after hearing about a soldier who was stationed overseas that never received a single letter or package. “Our troops deserve to know that their sacrifice is appreciated,” said Tar Bush, Morrison area coordinator. “Operation Piece of Hope sponsored a Care Package Drive in December for our troops stationed overseas. We need any and all of the following items and donations.”

Food - Must be individually packaged at the manufacturing level; no baked goods or chocolate, please. Beef Jerky, Snack Crackers, Chips, Twizzlers, Hard Candies, Popcorn, Peanuts, Trail Mix, Powdered Drink Mixes (Kool-Aide, Gatorade, Crystal Light), Cookie Packages

Entertainment - Books, Magazines, Sudoku and Crossword Puzzle Books, Tapes, CD’s, DVD’s (no illegal copies), Travel Size Board Games, Checkers, Chess, Playing Cards, Hand-held Electronic Games, Newspapers.

Toiletries/Hygiene - Individual Sizes, Baby Wipes, Hand Sanitizers (waterless), Nose Spray, Eye Drops, Deodorant, Feminine Hygiene Products, Foot Powder, Hairbrushes, Combs, Hand Lotion, Nail Clippers, Shampoo, Q-Tips, Disposable Razors, Sunscreen, Individual Tissues, Body Wash, Tylenol.

Miscellaneous Items - Plastic Silverware, Zip Lock Baggies, Batteries (all sizes), Duct Tape, Fly Strips, Pre-Paid Phone Cards, Socks, Shoe Insole Cushions, Disposable Cameras, Notebooks, Pens, Blank Cards, Letters of Appreciation.

“Additionally, we are always in need of postage,” Tara said. “It is our main expense. Right now we have 22 soldiers and their units to send care packages and letters to. We will still be sending out packages even after the holidays!”

If you are able to volunteer, donate, or have questions, please contact Tara at 815-499-0804 or via email at Operationpieceofhome@gmail.com. There will be Morrison, IL, drop boxes for donations at:

Morrison Community Federal Credit Union, 204 E. Main Street

Schuler Motors, Inc., 727 W. Lincolnway Road

St. Peter Lutheran Church, 601 N. Jackson Street.

Augsburger on ONU Dean’s List

Greta E. Augsburger, daughter of Kerri Archer, Pearl City, and Marc Augsburger, Battle Creek, has been named to the Ohio Northern University deans’ list for the fall quarter 2010-11. She is a freshman majoring in language arts education.

The deans’ list includes students who attain a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 grading system. Ohio Northern University’s quality, student-centered education distinctively combines the liberal arts with professional programs for more than 3,600 students in its five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Pharmacy and Law.

Family Practice Providers Serve Patients Throughout NW Illinois

A study published in the December journal Pediatrics found that many children in the nation’s rural areas don’t have a healthcare provider close to home. Children in FHN’s service area, however, are minutes away from quality healthcare from a Family Practice physician or nurse practitioner.

“FHN family healthcare providers can be found at our satellite offices throughout northwest Illinois,” said Mark Gridley, FHN vice president of physician affairs. “Families can rely on FHN physicians or nurse practitioners trained in caring for the health of people of all ages at nine FHN locations outside Freeport, including Forreston, Lanark, Lena, Mount Carroll, Orangeville, Pecatonica, Savanna, Stockton and Warren.”

In addition, four Pediatric specialists and two family nurse practitioners see patients at FHN Family Healthcare Center – Burchard Hills in Freeport. For more information on FHN’s healthcare providers qualified to see all members of the family, visit www.fhn.org or call FHN’s Physican Referral Line toll-free at 1-877-6000-FHN (1-877-600-0346) ext. 948.

NW Illinois Forestry Association Meeting

A discussion about supplying forest biomass to the planned Jo Carroll Energy biofuels plant will be held on Tuesday, January 11th, 7:00 pm, at the Stockton Public Library at 140 West Benton Avenue. The Northwest Illinois Forestry Association (NIFA) will host the session following a brief business meeting.

Russ Simpson, vice president for economic development, will represent Jo Carroll Energy and bring biofuels plant engineer and consultant Ed Smith. Dave Dornbusch, executive director of the Blackhawk Hills RC&D, who has been a consistent supporter of this plant and has personal experience with supplying biofuels, will also join the discussion.

The Jo Carroll Energy (JCE) biofuels plant is planned to begin operations in four years on 60 acres adjacent to the Danisco plant, south of Savanna and north of Fulton. JCE wants to fuel the plant by on-site chipping of pole-sized logs received from northwest Illinois forests. These logs would be residue from timber stand improvements, thinnings, or forest restorations.

NIFA has invited forestry consultants and loggers as well as forest landowners to address making this a profitable and beneficial enterprise for all. The discussion will cover delivery procedures, volumes needed, pricing, and transport. The meeting is open to the public and NIFA welcomes and wants everyone’s participation in these discussions.

To reach the Stockton Library, take Main St. (Hwy 78) through Stockton to the north edge of the downtown business district. Turn west on W. Benton Ave. between Bauer’s Insurance and The Corner Tap. The Library is on the southeast corner at the end of the first block.

Delegates Sought for Summer Science Education Camp

Governor Pat Quinn is calling on graduating high school seniors to apply for an opportunity to attend the National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) in West Virginia this summer.

Students from across Illinois are encouraged to apply for a full scholarship to the month-long NYSC program. Two students will be selected as official Illinois delegates, allowing them to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, regardless of financial status.

“I want to encourage young people to learn the value of education – and particularly the sciences – not just during their time in school, but all throughout their lives,” said Governor Quinn. “A good education is the foundation for a good job, and good jobs are the foundation of a productive, healthy and vibrant society.”

The NYSC program gathers outstanding science students from all 50 states to participate in a month-long academic retreat. Lectures and hands-on research projects are presented by scientists from a wide variety of scientific fields. Delegates are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members. Delegates also present seminars covering their own areas of research and interest.

The National Youth Science Camp was first held in 1963, established in the Monongahela National Forest in the mountains of West Virginia. With support from the National Youth Science Foundation, the State of West Virginia and corporate sponsors, each Governor can select two graduating high school students for an all-expenses paid scholarship to attend the NYSC.

In Illinois, representatives from the Governor’s Office and the Illinois State Board of Education will review applications from high school students who: are eligible to graduate before June 30, 2011; have shown exceptional achievement in the math or science fields; have shown leadership in school and community activities; have demonstrated skills outside of the sciences and academic pursuits and those who have demonstrated a curiosity and eagerness to explore many and varied topics.

Students who would like to be considered for this opportunity should complete the application and return it to: Illinois State Board of Education, Attn: Gil Downey, NYSC Selection Coordinator, 100 North First Street, C-215, Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001 or via email at gov.youthsciencecamp@illinois.gov. More information about the camp and electronic copies of the application can be found at http://www.nysc.org. For a paper copy of the application, or questions, please call 217-557-7323.

Applications are due January 28, 2011. The camp will run Thursday, June 30 through Sunday, July 24, 2011.

Community-Minded: Crouse-Engles Post #0357, American Legion

The American Legion is the world’s largest veterans organization with membership open to those holding an honorable discharge from active duty in the U.S. armed services after 1914. Legionnaires dedicate themselves to perpetuating the principles for which they have fought, to include civic responsibility in the nation, to preserving the history of their participation in American wars, and to binding together as comrades with all those who have served.

They also pledge to defend law and order, to develop “a one hundred percent Americanism,” and to help the less fortunate. Four Allied Expeditionary Forces officers-of-the-line informally started the Legion in February 1919 while still on active duty in Paris, France.

These founders-Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Lt. Col. George S. White, Major Eric Fisher Wood, and Lt. Col. William J. Donovan-sought to bolster soldier morale during the post-armistice period. They enunciated the organization’s purposes at the Paris Caucus and saw them reaffirmed at the Continental Caucus, held three months later at St. Louis, Missouri. The Legion received its incorporation from the U.S. Congress on 16 September, 1919. The Legion assumed the role of representative for all former military service members. At the onset of every war or major military action since WW1 (1914-1918), the Legion has persuaded Congress to amend its incorporation to allow veterans of those conflicts to join the Legion.

Through its strenuous efforts to obtain benefits for veterans, the American legion earned the reputation by the late 1930’s of being one of the nation’s most effective special interest groups. Its demand for a bonus for WW1 veterans, finally met in 1936 and its promotion of the GI Bill of Rights for WW2 veterans, achieved in 1944, testify to its dedication to all veterans-not just its members. The Legion has five international groups, fifty state departments, and over 14,000 local posts.

A post of the American Legion was organized in Lanark, Illinois on November 8, 1919. Twenty six local veterans of WW1 were charter members. On December 13, 1919 a charter was issued to them by the National Headquarters of the American Legion. The Charles Y. Crouse Post of the American legion, State of Illinois, No. 0357 became the first official post name to honor Charles Crouse who died while serving in the U.S. Army during WW1. Elmer A. Lockwood was the first commander.

Points of interest associated with Post 357 include establishment of a soup kitchen in 1931, election of Mary Boylle Dresbach as the first female commander of the post in 1940, and issuance of a new charter in 1946 changing the official post name to the Crouse-Engles Post to honor Forrest A. Crouse who was killed in action in the South Pacific in WW2.

Most recently the post coordinated erecting a Veterans Memorial at the Lanark City Cemetery. The American Legion and VFW have been adding new stones each year. If you would like to order a stone for a Lanark area Veteran, you can obtain an application form from the Express Lane in Lanark or contact LaMoille Poffenberger at 1-815-493-2412, 400 Blair Lane, Lanark, IL 61046. If ordered by May 1st, the stone will be set by Memorial Day. The cost if $100.00.

The post is currently commanded by LaMoille Poffenberger, assisted by Senior Vice Commander Wayne Derrer. Major post activities include (along with the local VFW post) planning and conducting Memorial Day services, providing honor guards for the military honors at veterans funerals, placing markers and American flags on veterans graves, planning and conducting appropriate Veterans Day observances for Eastland School students and the community, planning and hosting a Veterans Supper for area veterans, sponsoring Boys State, Girls State and Oratorical Contest participants and assisting local veterans in need.

Upper Mississippi Refuge Fur Catch Reports Due in April

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reminds Refuge trappers to submit their fur catch reports before the April 15 deadline. Harvest data from reports is used for management purposes and shared with the respective State agencies. Trappers who fail to meet the April 15 deadline may not be eligible to receive trap tags for the 2011-2012 trapping season.

Although a few trapping seasons remain open at this time, most Refuge trappers are done trapping by this time each winter. The Refuge encourages those trappers to submit reports early in order to provide the most current and accurate data. All trapping on the Refuge ends March 15, 2011. Refuge trap tags and permits are still being issued and are available at District Offices. Two hundred ninety-six Refuge trapping permits were issued for the 2009-2010 trapping season.

In addition to being the most visited refuge in the country, the “Upper Miss” Refuge has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams, within its boundary. It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 250 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit HTTP://www.fws.gov