More Important News

Mount Carroll’s Annual Christmas Walk & Tour of Homes

Join the Mount Carroll Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, December 1st for their annual Christmas Walk & Tour of Homes.

The Christmas Tour of Homes will be held from 10 to 2. Tickets are for sale NOW at the Driftless Area Stillroom, downtown in shops @ glenview. $5 advance, or $7 day of the Tours. Call 815-244-1630 to charge your tickets and you can pick them up that day. 8 stops on this holiday tour (see photos).

Pictures With Santa will be held from Noon to 2 at the Carroll Co. Senior Center, 306 N. Main St. Have your face painted while you wait!

Story Time with Father Christmas at the Mount Carroll Township Library from 10:30 to Noon. Kids crafts, too!

Dray Rides (weather permitting) from 2 to 4 pm. Boarding at the Market Street Commons.

Keep on the lookout for strolling Dickens Characters, holiday sales & more.

Carroll County Singers ‘Christmas Cantata’

The Carroll County Singers will be performing their Christmas Cantata Saturday, December 1 at 7 pm and Sunday, December 2 at 2 pm at the Lanark Church of the Brethren, located at 326 South High Street in Lanark IL.

The description of this musical from the composer is “There are so many voices at Christmas. They can be personal and friendly; they can be ancient and inspiring; they can be shouted from the mountaintop and whispered deep in the heart. But the voices of Christmas can also be sad and reflective. They can recall Christmas long ago and a Christmas not yet discovered. But the only true voice of Christmas comes from the pages of Scripture and the song of the angels: ‘For unto us a Child is born! For unto us a Son is given!.’”

Come out and and get into the Christmas spirit through this musical of Prophecy, Promise and Praise. For more information, please call choir director Stacy Kalina at 815-291-4689.

Chadwick School Veteran's Day Program

Lee Gibbs, First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired) the key note speaker at the annual Chadwick School Veteran’s Day Program held Monday, November 12, 2012.

Officers of the Savanna VFW announced the winners of the annual Patriot Pen Essay Program. Pictured above (L-R) are Mr. Bill Scott, Vice Commander Savanna VFW, 1st place winner Ben Covey, 2nd Place Winner Dylan Alexander, 3rd Place Winner Samantha Miller, and Mr. Bruce Mottin, Commander Savanna VFW.

Payton Harris, Co-President of the Chadwick Junior High Student Council, presenting a gift of appreciation to Chadwick Veterans Day Program Key Note Speaker Mr. Lee Gibbs, First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired).

West Carroll FFA Dairy Foods Team 10th at Section #1 Meet

The West Carroll Dairy Foods Team consisting of Ashley Hunt, Shawna Lott, Rachel Badtke, Kristen Houzenga and Cameron Ehlers placed 10th at the Section #1 FFA Dairy Foods Contest held November 13 at Lena-Winslow High School. West Carroll had a team score of 440 in the event where a lower score is the better score. The team score is computed by adding the 3 lowest scores. A Dairy Foods team takes a written test on the dairy industry, evaluates milk samples for possible defects, identifies 10 different cheeses, compares real vs. artificial milk products, scores the California Mastitis Test, and criticizes milker head units, and completes a 5 question team problem relating to dairy economics. There were 11 section #1 FFA schools and 84 individuals participating in the contest.

West Carroll FFA Agronomy Team wins Section #1 Contest

The West Carroll FFA Varsity Agronomy team consisting of Karley Metz, Chloe Carson, Dylan Williams, Kaylee Vos and Tessa Sibley won the Section #1 FFA Agronomy CDE (Career Development Event) held on November 7 at Eastland High School. The team scored 828 to win the event. The contest consisted of identifying 25 weeds from slides, identifying 25 crop seeds, judging rings of corn, oats, wheat, hay, soybeans, and corn silage and taking a soils test as a tie breaker.

Individually, West Carroll placed 5 members in the top 10. Seth Bradley won the contest with a score of 291. Also, West Carroll FFA members Christy Ralston, Clare O’Connor, Kaylee Vos and Chloe Carson placed 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th respectively

The West Carroll FFA Agronomy team will now compete at the State FFA Agronomy CDE held on December 8 at the University of Illinois.

As part of Milledgeville High School’s Career Day on Friday, November 2, MHS freshman toured Adkins Energy and visited Highland Community College. Sophomores visited Sauk Valley Community College. Juniors and seniors had organized and individual college visit days. Pictured are freshmen with the Highland Cougar.

Members of Chadwick-Milledgeville Girl Scout Brownie Troop 5311 toured the Milledgeville Vet Clinic in November 7, 2012. They thank Dr. Tracy Burckhardt for teaching them all about pet care and the ins and outs of being a vet to complete work toward their pet care badges.

(Courtesy of Troop leaders Angela Shaw and Jody Mertz)

West Carroll FFA
Attends 85th National FFA Convention

West Carroll FFA members Tom Knight, Bailey Durward, Jessica Armstrong, Brianna Kampmeier, Cameron Ehlers, Contessa Ehlers, Cassie Johnson, Sabrina Seidemann, Kristen Houzenga and Shawna Lott recently attended the 85th National FFA Convention held this year from October 24 to October 27 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The theme of the convention was “Grow.” The group rode with other local FFA members on a Wiersema charter bus and stayed at the Courtyard Marriott East in Indianapolis, Indiana.

MHS Students of the Month at Morrison Rotary

Joining Morrison Rotary for lunch were November Students of the Month Kyle Meurs, son of Alan and Shelly Meurs, and Alyssa Patten, daughter of Mike and Deane Patten. Alyssa plays in the Morrison marching band, pep band and jazz band. She also attends dance class, plays the piano, enjoys helping with fundraisers and loves to decorate cakes and bake. She plans to go to Univ. of Wisconsin LaCrosse majoring in Biology and continue to graduate school for Physical Therapy.

Kyle was head of the football team this year, plays basketball and is on the National Honor Society. He enjoys refereeing the Junior Tackle games and helping the elderly with their yard work. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and farming. He plans to go into Civil Engineering at Univ of Platteville, WI.

(L to R) Rotarians Ken Alexander, Jane Dixon and Lou Schau. The new Rotary podium for meeting use was presented by Jane in memory of her late husband, Leonard, who was a charter member of the Mt. Carroll Rotary Club.

Bob Hatheway (R) of Shaw’s Market in Mount Carroll visited with the Rotary recently. Bob shared with the group how he became a part of the business and spoke about the exciting renovations currently going on there. Bob is pictured with MC Rotarian Lou Schau.

Apple River Well & Pump Co.- Absolute Water Solutions celebrated their Grand Opening with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 410 Main Street on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. (Front, L to R) Ruth Carey, Savanna Chamber President Rob Canier, Brady Liberg, owner, Casey Sullivan, John Lieberg, owner, and Savanna Mayor Larry Stebbins. Middle: Board Member Lorraine Haring, Nancy Lawfer, Times Video/Radio Shack owner Dennis Bowman, and daughter Erin Bowman, Savanna Chamber Executive Director Pam Brown, and Jean Ferris, Savanna Historical Society. Back: Thomas and Grace Johnson.
(PA photo/Andrew Williamson)

Eastland FFA Hosts Section Agronomy Contest and Grain Fair

On Wednesday, November 7th the Eastland FFA Hosted the Section 1 FFA Agronomy Contest and Grain Fair at Eastland High School. Students from Section 1 brought in samples of grain and hay to be judged and scored.

Students from Eastland that participated in the grain fair were Riley Denekas with oats, soybeans, corn and hay, Alex Dambman with hay, straw and corn and Anthony Murphy with corn, soybeans, wheat and oats. All students got either an A or B rating in all categories.

Section schools that competed in the agronomy contest included Eastland, Forreston, Pearl City, Du-Pec-Win, Lena-Winslow, West Carroll, Scales Mound, Stockton, Orangeville and River Ridge. The contest consisted of multiple parts including Soils Practicum, Grain Ring judging with corn, wheat, oats, soybeans, hay and corn silage, weed identification and seed identification.

Members of the Eastland FFA served not only as contest participants but also as helpers during the contest. Students served as group leaders, card collectors, room monitors and registration helpers. Those that helped to run the contest were Jennah Price- Asbell, Shawna Saunders, Blake Lauder, Alex Johnson, Mikie Davies, Bailey DeMichele, Catie Stephenson, Farrah Stubbe, Kaylin Kuberski, Seth Blair and Riley Signer. Team members included Matt Keppen, Brooklyn Stoner, Trisha Sims, Anthony Murphy, Brett Meinsma, Riley Denekas and Steven Murphy.

The team placed 5th overall for the contest with Matt Keppen placing 4th overall as an individual. Special thanks go out to Dambman Service, the Lower Family, Lamoreux family and Flikkema family for donating corn silage and hay for the contest. Also the chapter would like to thank Chris Lower for helping score at the contest.

Official Call of the Meeting of the Carroll County Farm Bureau

Official Notice is Hereby Given that the Annual Meeting of the Carroll County Farm Bureau is being held in Mount Carroll, Illinois on Thursday, December 20, 2012 in the Carroll County Farm Bureau Board Room at 10 a.m. for the purpose of electing Directors, Associate Directors, and President of the said Carroll County Farm Bureau for the ensuing year and to vote on all other matters as provided for in the By-laws of the Organization.

Keith Rath, Secretary

Speaker Featured at NAMI Sauk Valley Meeting

NAMI Sauk Valley will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 27, at the Sinnissippi Centers, 325 IL Rt. 2, Dixon. This meeting provides education as well as support to families struggling with a diagnosis of mental illness in a relative or friend.

Hugh Brady, President of NAMI Illinois, will be the featured speaker. Brady got involved with NAMI in 2006, founding the NAMI Barrington Area affiliate, and has served on the state board for 4 years. He is also Co-President of the North/Northwest Suburban Task Force on Supportive Housing for individuals with mental illness.

The Family-to-Family program has been rescheduled to begin in mid-February. This twelve week educational course is recommended for family members and friends of those suffering from a severe mental illness. The free classes will meet on Thursdays at the Whiteside County Regional Office of Education, Sterling, IL, beginning February 21.

There will be no NAMI meeting in December due to the Christmas Holiday.

NAMI Sauk Valley is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and NAMI Illinois, serving the residents of Ogle, Lee, Carroll and Whiteside Counties. For more information about NAMI Sauk Valley or the Family-to-Family course, contact Mary Ann Hutchison (815-244-1405), or Lorna Engwall (815-778-3662), or e-mail namisaukvalley@gmail.com.

Sunday Night Movie at the First Baptist Church

This Sunday, the First Baptist Church in Mount Carroll is proud to present the widely acclaimed Apostle Peter and The Last Supper movie. This movie stars well known actor Robert Loggia as the elderly Peter, Bruce Marchiano as Jesus, and Lawrence Fuller as Martinian.

The film relates the Biblical story of the Last Supper as told through the eyes of the Apostles.

Set in Rome A.D. 67, two jailers at the ancient Mamertine Prison take custody of a famous criminal. He is Simon Peter of Galilee - apostle, disciple and personal friend of Jesus, also called the Christ. Condemned to death, the elderly Peter (Robert Loggia) recounts his life as a simple fisherman who became one of the boldest figures in all of Christianity. As Peter prepares to depart this earthly life, he will make an unforgettable impression on his jailers through the saving power of the Gospel.

Please come and enjoy this inspirational movie with us at 5:00 pm Sunday November 25th at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Carroll, 201 S Main St. If you have any questions please contact John H McConnel Jr at (815) 244-4005.

Local Crisis Line to Offer Training

CONTACT of Northern Illinois training classes will be offering it’s training class for those interested in becoming a CONTACT Help Line Volunteer. The training allows potential volunteers the opportunity to learn about CONTACT, its ministry of listening and community resources. Training classes prepare volunteers to assist troubled callers by listening, providing referrals and intervening in crisis. Classes are informative and interesting and are held in a welcoming and fun atmosphere. Upon completion of the class, volunteers will receive 3 credit hours from Highland Community College that can be converted to CPDU’s for teachers.

Cost for the training manual is $20. An initial meeting will be held on December 3, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m in the Eilerts Conference Room, 1100 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport. Training topics include but are not limited to: Communication skills, Marriage and Family, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Loneliness and Grief, Self Care, Crisis Intervention and Domestic Violence. For more information please call CONTACT at 815-233-4357.

Savanna Red Kettle

To volunteer to ring the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign in Savanna, IL please go to our Facebook events page and sign up under the Friday/Saturday date of your choice and let us know the time you’d like to ring. We only ask you ring in one hour increments. (More if you’d like!) This is an easy and great way to spread Christmas cheer!

If you have any questions, you can call Joe Belander at 815-273-2345 or 815-564-7144

Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference

The Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference will be held Jan. 9-11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Ill. The conference, which features more than 100 speakers and 50 trade show exhibitors, will again host four concurrent preconference workshops, general sessions, and breakout sessions aimed at helping Illinois specialty growers cultivate their operations.

On Wednesday, Jan. 9, participants may attend one of four preconference workshops, including Cover Crops, High Tunnels, Basics of Orchard Establishment/Tree Fruit Production, and Sweet Corn.

The conference opens Thursday, Jan. 10, with a general session highlighting the Illinois specialty crops industry and its partners and addressing a range of issues, including produce recalls, severe weather, herbicide drift, food safety, new pests, and more.

Participants are invited to attend breakout sessions Thursday, Jan. 10, and Friday, Jan. 11, on Agritourism, Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Organic Foods, Emerging Issues and Opportunities.

Following Thursday’s breakout sessions, the annual banquet will include a keynote speech titled, “A Family and a Farm” by Holly Spangler, farm wife and associate editor at Prairie Farmer Magazine. The 24th Annual Apple Cider Contest and 11th Annual Hard Cider Contest will again be held in conjunction with the conference, with winners being announced during Thursday evening’s festivities.

To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor information, please contact Diane Handley at 309-557-2107 or dhandley@ilfb.org. A detailed conference agenda and cider contest details can be viewed at www.specialtygrowers.org. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at a rate of $89 per night. Please call the hotel directly at 217-529-7777 and ask for the Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference room block to make reservations at the conference rate.

Call For Artists and Featured Artist

The Main Street Art Guild (MSAG), an arts organization interested in representing the talented artisans of the Carroll County and surrounding areas, wishes to announce their featured artist of the month, Mike Martin of Mount Carroll. He will have his photography on display at Market Street Commons (Brick Street Coffee) through the end of the year. This revolving venue is open to all artists who wish to display their work to the public.

In addition, MSA rent venues that are available or for details about displaying, please contact Heather Houzenga at 563-212-7155.

Square Dancers to Perform at Big Meadows

On November 28, at 6 pm the Grand Squares Square Dancers will be performing at Big Meadows Nursing Home located at 1000 Longmoor Ave in Savanna. Everyone is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.

Big Meadows Helps Hurricane Sandy Victims

Big Meadows Nursing Home residents and staff are collecting spare change to help Hurricane Sandy victims. Money will be collected until the end of November and then donated to the American Red Cross to assist Sandy victims. If you would like to help visit Big Meadows at 1000 Longmoor Ave in Savanna. For more information call 815-273-2238.

Feast Your Eyes on Interesting Wild Turkey Facts

The domestic, farm-raised turkey most Americans eat on Thanksgiving Day is nothing like the wild turkey feasted on by the Pilgrims and Native Americans.

With Thankgiving Day approaching, here are a few facts about the tasty game bird chosen as the main course for the first feast:

Wild turkeys, now almost 7 million strong, were almost extinct in the early 1900s.

Wild turkeys can run up to 25 mph. Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest-known human, averaged 23.35 mph during his world-record, 100 meters.

Wild turkeys were argued by Benjamin Franklin to be a more appropriate choice than bald eagles as our national bird.

Wild turkeys rarely weigh more than 24 pounds while domestic turkeys regularly grow to more than 40 pounds.

Wild turkeys, which have as many as 6,000 feathers, can fly as fast as 55 mph. Most domestic turkeys are too heavy to fly.

Wild turkeys have much sharper vision than humans and can view their entire surroundings simply by turning their head.

Wild turkeys can make at least 28 different vocalizations, with gobbles heard up to one mile away.

Wild turkeys roost (sleep) in trees, often as high as 50 feet off the ground.

- National Wild Turkey Federation

Become a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener

The University of Illinois Extension is looking for individuals who have an interest in gardening, horticulture and natural resources to apply for the 2013 Master Gardener Training Program.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is a comprehensive training program that welcomes individuals with a variety of skill levels and experience. The Master Gardener mission is helping others learn to grow. Upon completion of the education training, Master Gardener recruits are asked to use their knowledge and experience to educate the community on best gardening and horticultural practices. Each county has a variety of volunteer opportunities from answering home horticulture questions to teaching young children how to garden.

Training classes will be held at the Stockton Township Library (140 W. Benton Ave. in Stockton, IL) beginning January 8th, 2013. Classes will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday through March 26th.

Class topics include botany, soils and fertilizer, trees and shrubs, vegetables, fruits, insects, turf grass management, disease control, pesticide safety and others. Class fee is $140, and this includes materials, but not lunches. All quizzes and tests will be “take home”.

Stephenson County residents that are interested in the Master Gardener Training Program can contact Nikki Keltner at the U of I Extension-Stephenson County at 815-235-4125. Jo Daviess County residents can call Maggie Guenzler at the U of I Extension-Jo Daviess County at 815-858-2273.

HCC Presents Guest Lecturer Dr. Barnhart in ‘2012: The End of Days’

Did ancient Mayan prophecies predict the end of days in December of 2012?

Join special guest and Mayan scholar Dr. Edwin Barnhart as he separates fact from fiction in his lecture “2012: The End of Days?” The presentation begins at noon on Monday, November 26, in the Ferguson Fine Arts Theatre.

As the Maya Exploration Center Director, Dr. Barnhart has two decades of experience in Mesoamerica as an archaeologist, an explorer and an instructor. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Fellow of the Explorer’s Club, and teaches National Science Foundation classes for college professors on Maya astronomy and sacred geometry.

This event is free and open to the public. Visit highland.edu for more information.

Northwest Illinois Food Co-op Seeks Board Members

Throw your hat in the ring: Join the Board of Directors of the Northwest Illinois Food Co-op. The group is requesting all interested candidates reply to nwilfoodcoop@gmail.com (subject: Board Candidate) with your name, a brief bio, and a paragraph explaining why you would make a good Board member.

The deadline is near; we’d like to have the Board in place in mid-December. Northwest Illinois Food Co-op: Join our Journey! Support Local Farmers, Promote Healthy Eating. Visit the web site at www.nwilfoodcoop.org.

Tastiest Cookie Contest Featured at Savanna Christmas Walk

This year, the Savanna Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Tastiest Cookie Contest to be held at the First Savanna Savings Bank. Cookies will be judged on appearance and taste on November 23, 2012.

Cookie bakers are asked to have 4 to 6 plated decorated cookies with a minimum of 2 dozen cookies to the First Savanna Saving Bank by 4:30. The remainder of the cookies will be sold at the Cookie Walk at the Blackhawk Area Credit Union at 6 p.m. The winners of the tastiest cookie and best decorated cookie will each receive $30 in Chamber Bucks. For more information please contact the Chamber office at 815-273-2722 or savchamber@grics.net.

The Chamber will sponsor a Silent Auction and Cookie Walk to be held at Blackhawk Area Credit Union and SAVANNA Bingo. SAVANNA Bingo sheets will be available throughout the participating businesses or on line. Visit our 12 sponsoring businesses for a chance to win $100. (www.savannail.com/eventcalendar).

Several businesses typically not found on Main Street will temporarily move for the evening! Businesses to join the festivities include: J C Carey Motors at THE National Bank parking lot; Computer Systems Solutions, D & D Firearms, Savanna Woman’s Club, and Gro Youth Group may be found at 318 Main St. Manny’s Pizza is hosting a vendor fair with six different vendors.

Manny Castro will be ringing the bells for the Salvation Army in front of Manny’s Pizza. Other celebrity bell ringers are sought for that evening. The Salvation Army is looking for bell ringers for other Holiday weekends as well. Please contact Karen Carvell Hutton at 815-990-0002. Your participation with this program benefits the community.

Come see Santa and tell him your Christmas wish list at the Savanna Thomson State Bank where your children can have a digital photo taken with Santa. The area children are also invited to stop by THE National Bank to write their letters and our Savanna Office will be sure to get them safely delivered to the North Pole! Thanks to Facemakers, we will once again see the Christmas Characters out and about! Be sure to wish them Happy Holidays!!

Horse-drawn wagon rides, sponsored by Swiss Colony, will start at the House of Events and tour our festive Main Street. The Savanna Historical Society at 406 Main St will have a hot chili supper with a candy and gently used items sale.

Meeting Date Change for Washington Twp.

The regular Trustee meetings for Washington Township, regularly set for the second Monday of each month, have been changed to the second Tuesday from December 2012 to March 2013.

Starting time is 7:00 pm at the Township Building, Savanna Army Depot. For more information, please contact Carol Bundy, Township Clerk.

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