Shaw's Food Pride Donates

Leigh Ann Piper of Pitter Patter Pantry with Bob Hatheway, owner of Shaw’s Food Pride in Mt. Carroll, who recently donated $350 worth of diapers to Pitter Patter Pantry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Carroll Tour of Homes 2009

This year’s Mt. Carroll Tour of Homes 2009 will be held Saturday, December 5th. There is a wide variety of decorating and architectural styles on the tour this year, and these homes have never been on the tour before.

The hours to visit the houses will be from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Remember: Please, no photography, with or without a flash, permitted inside any of the homes.

The Tour of Homes 2009 will include two houses in town, with one built at the beginning of this town’s history, and the other being a much more recent structure. There are also three houses on the outer edge of town, each completely different from the others. The homeowners who have graciously volunteered their homes include Alex & Amy Veith, Ron & Marsha Foltz, Diane Manikowski, Bruce & Penny Lally (in photo above) and Jim & Vivian Eaton. 

Advance tickets will be available at dabluz boutique, local banks and Land of Oz. Tickets will also be available on the day of the tour as well as brochures with maps and information on each of the homes.

Other events will be taking place that day. The Mt. Carroll Christmas Walk will be held during business hours on December 5th. Santa will be available downtown for children to discuss their wish lists and to have their complimentary “visit with Santa” photos taken. Be sure to take your dray ride with our holiday horses, and search for the elusive prize in the Treasure Hunt. Merchant specials will be offered. Please join us as we celebrate this start to the Christmas holiday.

A Favorite

Sunny is a light orange male that has been at the shelter for over a year. He can’t figure out why he has not been adopted. Sunny is a young adult and enjoys attention. He will return hugs when he is being held and loved. He is a favorite of the volunteers at the shelter, but he wants his own home and family. Come visit the shelter and see what a sweet boy he is. Call 244-6543 or 273-3183 today to see Sunny and all her friends at the shelter. Heartland Pet Welfare is located at 2720 Wacker Rd, Savanna, IL.

 

Asbestos Abatement at Fulton High School

Jane Bauer, River Bend School District Superintendent, announced that asbestos abatement started Tuesday, November 24, and will continue for approximately two weeks at Fulton High School. Abatement Specialists (above) will remove asbestos tiles from the shop and wash down the entire shop area. This work will be done during the second shift. The entire shop area and the north lower level hall where asbestos will be removed will be enclosed with approved code walls. All agencies involved have approved this clean up to be conducted with students and adults in the building. (PA photo/Mark Hagen)

 

 

 

 

 

Harry and Girls

Tax-Aide Volunteers Ready For Carroll County Tax Season

Carroll County Volunteers recently attended Illinois Tax-Aide training in St. Charles, IL. (L to R) Anne Haliotis, Technical Coordinator, Harry Fitzsimmons, IRS Chicago Office, Mary Ann Hutchison, District Director, and Vicky Trager, Training Coordinator. (Photo courtesy of Mary Ann Hutchison)

The Carroll County Tax-Aide leadership team met in October with the AARP Illinois Tax-Aide coordinators and the IRS representatives.  In the two day seminar leaders exchanged ideas as well as gained information on tax law changes.  Last season, Carroll County assisted 334 taxpayers, filing 293 returns of which 97% were quality reviewed.  Tax-Aide insists on a “second set of eyes” checking the data entries.

Counselors will begin training on the computer software in January, 2010, ready to assist taxpayers by February 5.  New tax counselors are welcome to join the team.  If you are interested in learning more about tax preparation, contact the Senior Center 815-244-1800 or Mary Ann Hutchison.

There are many new tax credits available this year.  It is not too late to take advantage of these credits.

- First Time Homebuyers may receive a refundable credit up to $8000 for sales implemented by April, 2010.

- Current Homeowners who purchase another main residence qualify for a credit up to $6500.

- Energy-Efficient Home Improvements such as adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows as well as heating and air conditioning systems earn a credit of 30% of purchase, up to $1500.

- Making Work Pay Credit offers up to $400 refundable credit ($800 for MFJ) for working taxpayers.

In addition to tax credits, there are several deductions which may be taken without itemizing expenses.

- Taxpayers who purchase a new car (2009-2010 models) may deduct all sales and excise taxes from income.

- Property taxes may again be deducted.

- Teacher expenses up to $250 may be deducted

There are many other benefits and changes in the new tax laws as well as some additional forms.  Illinois Department of Revenue also has new forms and now requires a parcel identification number on the return to claim the property tax exemption.

AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service, preparing tax returns and answering tax questions free of charge.  Tax-Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation and is offered in conjunction with the IRS.  The program’s mission is to provide high quality free income tax assistance and tax form preparation to low-and moderate-income taxpayers,, with special attention to those age 60 and older.  The local sponsor is the Carroll County Senior Organization.  For questions or to volunteer, contact the Senior Center at 815-244-1800.

Fulton Windmill Hosts Thousands of Visitors

Fulton’s authentic Dutch windmill, de Immigrant, hosted nearly 11,000 visitors between April and October, 2009. Visitors to the windmill came from 6 continents and 37 countries. Over two dozen group tours visited the windmill ranging from school field trips to church groups and car clubs to bank clubs. Tourists to the windmill represented 48 states; only Rhode Island and Vermont were excluded. Most of the visitors came from the Midwest - Illinois (1553), Iowa (855), and Wisconsin (354). Outside of the Midwest, visitors from Texas (172) and Florida (155) rounded out the top 5 states. So how did people hear about the windmill? While only a little over a third of the visitors (4,100) answered the question, most said friends and family, road sign, and newspaper/brochures.

What impact do these visitors bring to the area? While it is difficult to quantify, the State of Illinois Bureau of Tourism estimated over $33 million was generated from domestic travel to Whiteside County in 2008, which brought in $750,000 in local tax receipts to the communities within Whiteside County. The State of Illinois Bureau of Tourism estimates a leisure traveler spends $129 per day.

Fulton Tourism Director, Heather Bennett, anticipates the number of visitors to the windmill to be even higher since many people do not sign the guest registry and there are no fees to track visitors to the windmill. A special thanks to Mary Faber for tabulating the windmill guest book registry.

Holiday Story Hours

What do the holidays, reading, and children have in common?  It’s Holiday Story Hour time for Preschool through third grade children at Carroll County’s local libraries! 

Join us on Wednesday, December 2 from 5:00 – 7:00 at the York Township Public Library for Mrs. Claus’s reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.  There will be music, books, crafts, and treats for children of all ages that night. 

Then on Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 – 11:00 you may visit either the Savanna Public Library or the Mt. Carroll Library for their Holiday Story Hour.  Santa will be making his appearance at Savanna, while Father Christmas will be visiting the Mt. Carroll Library.  Both places will have books and treats for all the children attending. 

All three events are sponsored by the libraries, the Northwestern Illinois Reading Council, and the Illinois Reading Council.  Plan to attend with your children for an exciting reading adventure to get your holidays off to a great start!

For more details, contact Janell Hartman at 815-590-8790.

Cohen Says Fighting For A Healthy Economy Makes America Strong

On Tuesday, November 24, Scott Lee Cohen, a Democrat for Lieutenant Governor, was in Thomson at the Sunrise Restaurant to draw support for the much-debated proposed sale of the Thomson Prison.

Community leaders and supporters canvassed the Thomson community, then met at the Sunrise Restaurant, a location where community leaders have previously rallied in support of reorganizing the prison.

The proposed sale of the prison to the federal government could bring 3,500 jobs and up to $1.1 billion into the economically hard-hit Caroll County. Officials say they can’t afford to run the state-of-the-art maximum-security prison, which is currently nearly empty. With the sale, comes the possibility of housing for Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Scott Lee Cohen stands for job creation in Carroll County where unemployment is at 10.5%. Cohen spoke out against challengers whom he believes are creating fear-mongering dialogue regarding the relocation of Guantanamo Bay detainees.

“I join Village President Jerry Hebler in supporting this move to sell the prison to the federal government because I have confidence in the local leaders and residents who want this facility,” Cohen said. “Keeping our economy healthy can better help us maintain our strong security.”

Caroll County Board member, Gerald Bork, delivered the opening remarks at the press conference. 

Clifford Duward, York Township Supervisor, also attended the event to show his support.

“I support opening the prison,” Duward said. “I think it will create job opportunities for young people.”

“The people of Carroll County deserve this opportunity to provide for their families,” Cohen said. “A job is more than a paycheck, it’s a source of dignity and pride for anyone willing to work for it and a healthy economy is the ultimate source of American strength.”

Thomson Prison Support Letters Needed

Support letters from City Councils, School Boards, civic groups and anyone in the region that would be willing to assist with the effort are requested by the Tri-County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA). It can begin with a briefing, a single-page document that can be emailed, which explains why a worker would want to locate in your community, i.e. tax rates, school success, driving distance in time from the prison and other attributes of your community. Ideally, the plan would also include the number of available homes and buildable lots. The documents are being compiled by TCEDA.

Please send them to rsimpson@jocarroll.com, or mail to

Russ Simpson, TCEDA Interim Executive Director

Sr. V.P. of Economic Development and Member Services

Jo-Carroll Energy, Inc. (NFP)

Christmas Cantata

As part of the 2009-2010 Concert Series of the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Morrison, Emmanuel’s 85-voice “Voices of Praise” cordially invites the area to experience their third annual Christmas cantata, “Christmas is Jesus!” which will be presented in three performances, Thursday and Sunday evenings, December 10 & 13 at 7:00 p.m. and a Saturday afternoon, December 12 matinee at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Emmanuel Reformed Church, 202 E Morris, Morrison. Doors will open at 6:00 each evening and at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Under the direction of ministry coordinator Rich Criss, “Voices of Praise” is the 85-voice outreach choir comprised of those from the 60-voice Sanctuary Choir of the Emmanuel Reformed Church as well as members of other churches in the area. Churches represented are Albany United Methodist Church, Bethel Reformed-Sterling, Crossroads Community Church-Morrison, Community Mennonite Fellowship-Sterling, Christian Reformed Church-Morrison, Ebenezer Reformed-Morrison, First Baptist Church-Clinton, IA, First Christian Reformed-Fulton, First Lutheran-Chadwick, First Presbyterian-Morrison, First Reformed-Fulton, Gateway Faith Fellowship-Fulton, Open Bible Fellowship-Morrison, St. Peter’s Lutheran-Morrison, Second Reformed-Fulton, Spring Valley Reformed-Fulton and Trinity Reformed-Fulton. All members have come together unified under one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to share the story of Christmas through powerful music.

The choir’s great attention to detail in telling the story and creating the rich, full sound of the Christmas season will make this an experience that will bless choir and congregation alike.  This unique approach to the timeless story of Christmas features the 85-voice “Voices of Praise,” but also showcases gifted male and female soloists. Filled with treasured Christmas carols and a clear evangelistic presentation, the music and message of “Christmas Is Jesus!” is guaranteed to make your season bright! Moving narration and the beauty of gorgeous Christmas decorations and candlelight caps off each presentation of this music.

The choir will be joined by soloists Bob VanZuiden, Pam Muur, Becky Bierma, Rich Criss, Ed Pruis, Kristi Emerson, Nancy Shank, Heather McIlrath and Megan Morthland. Brenda Haan will narrate.

No tickets are needed for this 75-minute concert and a free-will offering will be received. All ages are welcome and the church is handicapped accessible. A fellowship hour will follow all performances, hosted by the women of Emmanuel.

A free shuttle bus will be provided for one hour prior to and following all three performances. This shuttle bus will pick up from Ebenezer Reformed Church’s parking lot just two blocks south of Emmanuel’s campus dropping you off at the curb in front of Emmanuel. This convenient service will aid in your parking ease.

A staffed nursery will be provided for the very young and a fellowship time will follow each concert. For more information, please visit the church’s web site at www.emmanuelreformedchurch.org. 

Consumers Choose Locally Grown and Environmentally Friendly Apples

When asked to compare apples to apples, consumers said they would pay more for locally grown apples than genetically modified (GMO) apples. But in a second questionnaire consumers preferred GMO apples — that is, when they were described, not as GMO, but as having a Reduced Environmental Impact.

The research conducted by University of Illinois economist Michael Mazzocco and Augustana College marketing professor Nadia Novotorova demonstrated that product labeling makes a difference when it comes to consumer acceptance.

Mazzocco says it’s about selling the benefits. “When GMO crops were first introduced, people called them ‘Frankenfood’ and emphasized the laboratory processes used in breeding. The benefit seemed to be for farmers who saved money by not having to spray their crops with chemicals.”

The reality is that apples can be bred to be disease-resistant, so they don’t have to be sprayed with fungicides and other chemicals 15 to 20 times per growing season. This attribute gives them reduced environmental impact, and that’s a benefit consumers can wrap their teeth around, as well as their wallets.

“One thing we learned was that if you’re going to get any benefit from technology, you’re going to have to communicate the benefits of it,” Mazzocco said. “People aren’t willing to pay you for the technology just so they can have another attribute. There’s an equal trade-off. But, when you don’t call it GMO and instead you communicate the benefit to the environment, it’s more than a one-to-one trade-off and consumers are willing to pay more for it.”

No apples were tasted, handled or even seen. “In both questionnaires, people rated apples based on a description. We were trying to identify where the trade-offs are between the attributes,” Mazzocco said. “People don’t want an apple. What they want is the attributes of the apple — nutrition, flavor, color, etc.

“But, an apple also comes with other attributes. Like the guilt from using all of that diesel fuel from transporting it from the state of Washington to Illinois or the fear of feeding your children what might be Frankenfood,” Mazzocco said.

Both surveys began by giving the participants the identical short lesson in apple growing which included information about apple diseases and pests and how disease-resistant apples are developed. One apple is made through laboratory techniques where a naturally occurring scab-resistant gene from an apple was inserted into another variety of apple that’s your favorite — the one you would normally buy. This apple that has the gene inserted in a laboratory can reduce apple spraying 15 to 20 times per season in an orchard in the Midwest for an apple grower that’s susceptible to apple scab.

“A conventional apple, a non-cloned apple, grown in a typical apple growing region in Washington, Michigan, or New York, probably is not susceptible to apple scab and has fewer sprays. So in order to have a locally grown apple in the Midwest you’re going to have to do something about apple scab otherwise you may not have a crop,” Mazzocco said.

Given that information, 200 people rated 12 combinations of attributes of apples. For example, one might be $1.39 a pound, produced far away, and conventionally grown. Another apple might be $1.59, locally grown, and GMO. For the second study, a separate set of 200 people’s questionnaire described the attribute as “reduced environmental impact” rather than GMO. Everything else was the same.

“Looking at the rankings of all of the combinations of attributes, and the comparison of the weightings of the importance of the various factors — what it boils down to is that people will pay more for reduced environmental impact. When you call it a GMO, there are some who will steer away from it, but on average they’re indifferent. They’ll trade local for GMO,” Mazzocco said.

“We concluded that the benefits of genetic modification are something that consumers can get their arms around. People understand the benefit that with these apples you have fewer fungicide sprays around your neighborhood and your waterways in order to enable locally grown apples — grown in the Midwest.”

The study also found that people aged 65 and older have a stronger preference for conventional apples. “When we called it a GMO apple, the people aged 65 and older reacted to that. When you call it reduced environmental impact, they didn’t react to it as much and younger people trend towards it.

“The message is that we need to be careful what we label things and to communicate the benefits,” Mazzocco said.

Consumer Preferences and Trade-Offs for Locally Grown and Genetically Modified Apples: A Conjoint Analysis Approach appeared in a 2008 issue of International Food and Agribusiness Management Review.

Impact of Product Attribute Wording on Consumer Acceptance of Biotechnology Applications in Produce appears in the November 2009 issue of Journal of Food Distribution Research.

Oil from Biotech Soybeans Increases Key Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Humans

Oil from soybeans modified through biotechnology increased levels of omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in red blood cells according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2009.

“This soybean oil could be an effective alternative to fish oil as a source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids,” said William Harris, Ph.D., lead author of the study and chief of cardiovascular health research at Sanford Research/USD and professor of medicine at Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, S.D. He said, “We know that giving pure EPA to people reduces their risk for heart disease. Presumably, if you gave this special soybean oil to people, you’d do the same thing — reduce heart attacks.”

The study highlights report that a modified soybean oil increased the level of an omega-3 fatty acid in humans more than regular soybean oil; the modified oil may provide a plant-based alternative source of omega-3s; and the oil’s health effectiveness as a food ingredient remains to be proven.

H1N1 Shots For Priority Groups

Whiteside County Health Department will be opening up its supply of H1N1 to all priority groups starting Monday, November 30th on a walk-in basis at the Rock Falls Health Department Facility (across from Rock Falls High School) Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

Priority groups include:

- children ages 6 months -24 years

- caregivers of children under 6 months of age

- pregnant woman

- healthcare workers/first responders

- ages 25 - 64 with underlying medical conditions

Children age 9 and under are encouraged to get their 2nd shot.

The Whiteside County Health Department is located at 1300 W. Second St. in Rock Falls. Foe more information, call (815) 626-2230.

Master Gardener Volunteer Training Offered

University of Illinois Extension will offer Master Gardener training at Dixon, Sycamore, Rock Island and Belvidere beginning in January, 2010. Volunteer Master Gardeners are a vital link in getting horticulture information to the public. They provide answers to a variety of home gardening questions and volunteer their services for community beautification plans, Junior Master Gardener program, gardening workshops and numerous other projects.

Master Gardener Trainees receive over 60 hours of in-depth training from University of Illinois educators and specialists. The classes contain unbiased, research-based practical information. Basic botany, vegetables, fruits, insects, diseases, soils, turfgrass and ornamentals such as trees and flowers are a sampling of the topics taught.

Master Gardeners are ordinary people with two special qualities – a love of gardening and nature, and the desire to share that knowledge with others. Applicants must fill out the application, sign the volunteer agreement form, submit a fee for training manuals and return all of this to the Extension office by early December. Because class size is limited, all applicants will be interviewed. An internet training option is also available for those unable to attend in person.

Classes are offered one day a week for 10 weeks. Upon completion of the course, the intern is expected to volunteer 60 hours of service, mostly during week days, over a one or two year period.

“Helping others learn to grow” is the mission of the program. Anyone interested in learning more about the program and the specifics of the 2009 training schedule should contact the University of Illinois Extension Office in Mt. Carroll at 815-244-9444 or in Elizabeth at 815-858-2273.

Diabetes Life Lines Newsletter Available

“Diabetes Life Lines” is a free newsletter available to help persons with diabetes get information on various subjects. If you would like to be included on the mailing list please send your name and complete address to University of Illinois Extension, Carroll County Office, 807D South Clay Street, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053 or call 815-244-9444.

Presenters Announced For Northwest Illinois Grazing Conference

The Northwest Illinois Grazing Conference is planned for Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at Holy Cross Church, Stockton, IL. The conference will run from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Presenters include Ed Ballard, Grazing Consultant; Farm Manager, University of Illinois Dudley Smith Farm and recently retired Animal Systems Educator with the University of Illinois Extension. Ed has spent his entire career in animal agriculture working with producers and industry groups to enhance farm profitability and sustainability. His topics include “The Grazing Advantage-You Can Make It Happen” and “Extending the Grazing Season to Reduce Stored Feeds.” Afternoon presenter will be Dr. Larry Tranel; Iowa State University Extension Dairy Field Specialist. Dr. Tranel has been an extension professional since 1989, and had also been a dairy producer from 1986 to 1999 transitioning to dairy grazing in the process. Topics include “Million Dollar Farms Through Dairy Grazing” and “Tips and Tricks From Observing Successful Graziers” Participants will also be able to fine-tune their knowledge about grazing through hearing from several local successful beef, sheep and dairy graziers.

Early registration fee, which includes workshop materials, is $20 if received by December 1. For late registrations and walk-ins, the fee increases to $30 per person. To register or to obtain more information contact the Jo Daviess Extension Office at 815-858-2273. On-line registration can also be done via the Jo-Carroll Unit website at http://jdc.extension.uiuc.edu which offers a credit card payment option.

Christmas Celebration

The Second Annual Community Christmas Celebration will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, at the First United Methodist Church.  This is a wonderful opportunity for all Christians from different churches and those that don’t regularly attend a church to come together for a time of inspiring Christmas music to remind us yet again the “reason for the season” that unites us all.

The program will feature a variety of music with praise groups and individual performers singing and playing your favorite Christmas songs.  One of the highlights of the celebration will also be the community choir.

All adults and teenagers are invited to join the community choir in singing around five selections.  No matter if you sing in a choir or if you sing in the shower, you’re welcome to join. 

Practices will take place at the First Presbyterian Church at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 9.  Pam Watts and Gloria Miner have both offered their time and talents to direct and accompany the choir again this year.

A free-will offering will take place during the program to support the Great River Outreach.  2008 was the first year the Community Christmas Celebration took place, and it was a huge success, raising $650 for the Great River Outreach.

For more information on Savanna’s upcoming Community Christmas Celebration, call Mark Miller at (815) 273-2123.