More Important News
Sergeant First Class Danyal David Reifsteck (R), 333rd MP CO. of Lanark, IL, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on Saturday, December 8th, 2012 during the 333rd Military Police Company Ball in Freeport, IL. Reifsteck was presented the award from First Sergeant Machin of the 333rd Military Police Company and Major Wilkerson of the 333rd Military Police Battalion. The Meritorious Service Medal is a military award presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States. SFC Reifsteck and his wife, Katie, have 2 children, Stephen (11yr) and Natalie (9yr). (Photo by Rogers Photography)
Celia Hartman, a 5th grader in Mrs. Yochem’s class, has earned 200 points in the Accelerated Reader program at West Carroll Primary School. Keep reading! (Courtesy of Jennifer McGinnis)
West Carroll Christmas ProgramThe West Carroll Primary School students held a Holiday Concert this past week. Students and music teacher Mrs. Pudwill did a fabulous job, getting the audience in the Holiday spirit with a variety of songs and entertaining acts. The concert, held in the WCPS gymnasium in Thomson, was packed with parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings. It was a great, festive evening enjoyed by all . (PA photos/Lynnette Forth)
On December 5th, the Eastland 7th & 8th Girls Basketball teams went to the Shannon/Lanark Food Pantry with the donation they had worked hard to collect. They also took 12 tags off the giving tree at the local bank and went shopping for them. Pictured are front row: Anastasia Matias, Anna Kuper, Claire Pauley, Shelbi Janssen, Jordan Miller, Mackenzie Randecker, Leah Kuper, Madison Weaver, Brittany hardy, Payton Demichele, Emily Denekas, and Erykah Ames. Back row: Destiny Swalve, Jillyn Ruter, Bobbie Pollizzi, Makenzie Fink, Grace Norton, Hannah Kempel, Taylor Metz, Shianne Mitchell, Nia Blackmore, Mackenzie Byer, Adrianna Hensgen, Katie Krogman and Shelbi Preston. (Courtesy of Becky Krogman)
Morrison Rotary welcomes new member Angie Bruggenwirth (C). Angie was sworn in at the December 28th meeting by President Kevin Schisler (L). Her sponsor, Vicki Wiebenga (R) was also on hand to add Angie’s Rotary pin to her lapel. Angie is the Manager at HB Wilkins Title Company. (Courtesy of Morrison Rotary)
Savanna Rotarian Bill Dayton has the honor of inducting Stan Schleuning, Director of Marketing at Big Meadows, as a new member to the Savanna Rotary Club.
Carroll County 4-H Federation held a food drive and challenged all the Carroll County 4-H clubs to participate. The Chadwick Achievers 4-H Club was the winning club with the most non-perishable items collected. The county 4-H clubs collected almost 400 pounds of food items that were divided between the three county food pantries. Shown are representatives picking up their boxes of food and participating 4-H members. L to R: Heidi Weber, 4-H Federation Advisor; Deb Bailey, Chadwick/Milledgeville Food Pantry; Shelby Skiles 4-H Jr. Ambassador; Elizabeth Rath, 4-H Jr. Ambassador; Pastor Mike Wey, Mt. Carroll/Savanna/Thomson Food Pantry; Mary Francque, 4-H Federation President; Saphire Harris, 4-H Jr. Ambassador; Gayla Colbert, Lanark/Shannon Food Pantry. Thank you to everyone for your support of this project!
The Season for Giving
There is never a greater feeling for Christmas than when you get to help out an organization that is in need of donations and help during a holiday season. Since starting my studio in June, I have had a very successful year, and I wanted to do a project that helped out our community to say thank you for this great year. The Pitter Patter Pantry in Mount Carroll has always been a great organization, and this holiday season I wanted to help out. Pictures with Santa was the best way that I could think of. I mean, who doesnt love Santa? This was my first year and I didn’t know how it was going to turn out, but I am happy to say that 65 children showed up ready to let Santa know what they wanted. I received many donations for the Pitter Patter Pantry, including baby clothing, diapers, food, bottles, a crib, toys and over $350 dollars. Thank you to all the kids and parents for your support! I would like to give a big thank you to Lanark Fire Department for letting me use the ranger and the fire truck. I also would like to say thank you to CatWalk Salon, Brother’s Inn Restaurant, First State Bank of Shannon, Carroll County Locker, Clark Carroll Insurance, Eastland Feed and Grain, Northern Illinois Diesel, Carroll Service, Lanark Lions Club, Express Lane, and Lanark Fire Department for the monetary donations. Without you, all this wouldn’t have been possible. I look foward to seeing everyone next year. Kara Michelle Photography
West Carroll FFA Agronomy TeamThe West Carroll FFA Agronomy Team of Kaylee Vos, Chloe Carson, Clare O’Connor and Christy Ralston competed at the State FFA Agronomy CDE held on December 8 at the University of Illinois. The team placed 23rd out of 38 teams but still achieved a red ribbon rating based on their score. Individually, Chloe Carson scored a 256 for a blue ribbon, Christy Ralston scored a 225 and Kaylee Vos a 223 for red ribbons and Clare O’Connor a 209 for a white ribbon rating. The State FFA Agronomy CDE consisted of judging rings of Wheat, Oats, Soybeans, Corn; identifying 25 weeds and crops; a soil practicum; and completing a written agronomy exam. The team was only 8 points away from a blue ribbon team rating. Pictured are (left to right) L to R: Christy Ralston, Kaylee Vos, Chloe Carson, and Clare O’Connor.
Much Too Loved to be Forgotten
Morrison Community Hospital (MCH) held its 21st Annual Tree of Lights ceremony on Dec. 10. Pictured is MCH CEO Kent Jorgenson welcoming participants and reading a reflection passage. This year’s theme is Much Too Loved to be Forgotten. More than 30 people attended the ceremony with Rev. Mike Selburg leading the prayers, invocation and reading of the names of individuals remembered. Participants received an angel ornament to place on the tree in memory of a loved one who has passed away. For a $5 donation to the MCH Foundation you may still place an angel on the tree in memory of someone you love. The tree will remain lighted through the holiday season. For more information contact us at 815-772-4003. (Courtesy of Jennifer Alvarado, Administrative Assistant, MCH) Winners Announced
Winning trees were chosen by visitors from among the 51 trees at the Savanna Festival of Trees. Sponsors brought and decorated trees at the Savanna Museum and Cultural Center, 406 Main St, Savanna. The number of Christmas trees grew this year as sponsors were added from communities surrounding Savanna - Mount Carroll, Fulton and Sabula. “Attendance almost doubled this year and our event drew coverage by TV 4 from the Quad Cities,” said Festival organizer Jean Ferris. The 2012 Festival Dec 1-9th was put on by the Savanna Historical Society to raise funds for renovation of the Savanna Museum. “People had a lot of Christmas spirit, they bought raffles and gave generously,” said Ferris. “Our thanks to all our sponsors, members and visitors for the success of this year’s Festival!”
Eastland High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) sponsored an “Ugliest” Christmas Sweater contest to help students get in the spirit of the season. Winners are (L to R) Abbi Hake, 3rd place; Megan Schmeieder placed 2nd; tied for 4th place Crystal Lott and Madison Sroka; and Gentry Lessman, 1st place. Prizes were furnished by Lanark Express Lane. (Courtesy of Freddie Preston)
From left to right are he Milledgeville Elementary Week 12 Thumbs Up Winners. In the front row are Carson Diehl, Johnathan Brearton, Erika Braunstein, Kylee Jensen, Maliah Grenoble. In back are Ethan Bradley, Izaac Toms-Smith, Gage Wilk, Kolton Wilk, Anastasia Surdez.
The Chadwick Junior High School Choir members sang for the Good Samaritan Nursing Home residents and staff on December 12, 2012. Students sang their Holiday concert selections and then the residents and staff joined them in singing a few familiar Christmas carols. They are under the direction of Mrs. Margo Weber. Great Stocking Stuffer From the MC RotaryThe Mount Carroll Rotary Club has two fundraisers each year that provide funding for the many organizations in Mt. Carroll, Carroll County and Rotary International that are supported by the club. The first is the Mayfest Beer tent and the second one is the Rotary Raffle with tickets that are being sold through Dec. 18. 300 tickets are sold for $25 each. A monthly drawing is held beginning in December with a $250 winning ticket each month. The tickets make perfect stocking stuffers for the holidays. Tickets are still avaliable and can be purchased from any Mt. Carroll Rotarian. They are also avaliable at Brick Street Coffee in the Kraft Building in downtown Mt. Carroll. Help MCCF Reach Its GoalThe Mount Carroll Community Foundation Board of Directors announced the following at the December General Membership meeting of the Chamber of Commerce: The Mount Carroll Community Foundation (MCCF) is doing well in trying to maximize the goal for the Challenge Match program. The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, the organization we are affiliated with, will match our donations 1 for 2 up to $20,000. This program ends Dec 31, 2012. This means if we raise $20,000 before the end of the year, they will kick in another $10,000. We are thrilled to report that we currently have in hand or pledged $13,600. We still have 3 weeks to reach our $20,000 goal and we feel confident we can make it. This means we will get at least $1000 next year to give grants to non-profit organizations in the community and this amount will grow every year. Please help us reach our goal. Write a check or have a friend write one to the Mount Carroll Community Foundation and note “Community Impact Fund” on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to Mount Carroll Community Foundation, 320 N. Main St., Suite 150, Mount Carroll, IL 61053. Last Minute Gift WrappingYou are in the final stretch. This is last FULL week before Christmas. Get your gifts wrapped before Santa’s Elves go on break! Gifts need to be at the River Bend Senior Center by Thursday Noon and picked up on Friday by 1:30 PM. For more information, please call Charlotte Combs-Shepherd at the River Bend Senior Center & Transit Facility, located at 912 4th Street in Fulton, IL. - 815-589-3925. Jo Daviess County 4-H’ers Attend National CongressJo Daviess County 4-H’ers Codie Geisz, Kelley Koester, and Corey Wachter attended National Congress November 23-27 in Atlanta, Ga. Codie, Kelley, and Corey are all members of the Top Notchers 4-H Club and have been active 4-H members for 8 years. The National 4-H Congress event dates back more than 80 years. National 4-H Congress offers 4-H youth an expanded educational experience through seminars, community service projects, and tours sponsored by local and national 4-H program donors. The event is designed to address the needs and issues of youth while helping to develop capable, competent, and caring citizens. The program is built upon the Cooperative Extension System’s belief that young people can be significant partners in addressing the issues that face our nation, especially those affecting youth. Highlighting this year’s event were presentations by Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011; Dr. Eugen Schoenfeld, Georgia State Professor; and Dan Thurman, Dynamic Speaker. All Congress delegates participated in special cultural programs and a night at the Atlanta History Center. Other educational experiences during National 4-H Congress included participation in workshops focusing on cultural differences, team leadership development, and the power of youth. “Each of these outstanding 4-H members has taken advantage of what 4-H has to offer and the benefits have paid off!” said Kim Christman, Youth Development Educator. “They have gained a tremendous amount of life experiences in 4-H that will serve them well in their future endeavors. We were proud to have Codie, Kelley, and Corey represent Jo Daviess County at this prestigious event.” For more information about Jo Daviess County 4-H and the opportunities this program can provide you and your family, please contact University of Illinois Extension at 815-858-2273.
|
