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Tax-Aide Volunteers Prepare For The Season

Carroll County Tax-Aide counselors and intake volunteers are training for the new tax season.

These are the volunteers who will be preparing taxes at the Carroll County Senior Center in Mount Carroll starting on Wednesday, February 13, 2013.

We are very pleased to have such a professional group of volunteer preparers come to the Senior Center to prepare taxes for our clients and the community.

Front row L to R – Jud Smith, Eric Trager, Lewis Lehnhardt, and Howard Kennedy.

Back row – Diane Frese, Barb Anderson, Susan White, Vicky Trager, Anne Haliotis, Char Daehler and Mary Ann Hutchison.

Not pictured Patsy Lehnhardt, Sandi Law, Lori Brummer, Louise Kallemeyn, and Gladys Larem.

MaryAnn Hutchison is the District Coordinator, Anne Haliotis is the Technology Coordinator and Vicky Trager is the Training Coordinator.

Tax-Aide appointments may be made on Wednesday and Friday mornings, beginning February 13. To make an appointment, contact the Carroll County Senior Center, 815-244-1800 (866-214-1959, toll-free).

Eastland FFA Hosts Lock-In

On Sunday, January 20th the Eastland FFA hosted a lock in for its members from 8:00 pm Sunday night until 6:00 am on Monday morning. The date was perfect due to the fact that there was no school on that Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observance.

The lock- in was a chance for members to bond and have a fun time as a chapter. During the lock in members were able to play basketball, tennis-volleyball, Just Dance, Guitar Hero, watch movies play cards and of course eat lots of food.

The lock- in was a great success with over 35 members in attendance. Students look forward to having another one next year.

Eastland FFA Attends 212 Conference

Five Eastland FFA members attended the 212 Conference at the Marriot Hotel in Schaumburg Illinois on Friday and Saturday, January 25th and 26th. The 212 Conference is designed especially for freshmen and sophomore FFA members. It is intended to get them thinking about the positive difference they can make in the FFA and the school.

While at the Conference students listened to speakers and attended “Virtue” sessions hosted by Illinois State FFA Officers. At the sessions, members worked in groups to accomplish goals and to learn to work as a team. Friday night the members had some down time where they were able to attend the 212 dance or go swimming in the hotel.

Members who attended from Eastland were Mikie Davies, Becky Lindsay, Drew Preston, Chris Kniss and Steven Murphy. All the members said that they had a great time at the sessions and got to meet a lot of new friends from around Illinois that they hope to see at other FFA events.

Diane Bausman, Executive Director of the Blackhawk Waterways Convention & Visitors Bureau, was the guest speaker at the Jan. 29 Mount Carroll Rotary Club. She is pictured with Mt. Carroll Rotarian, Gary Foltz. Blackhawk Waterways promotes tourism in the counties of Carroll,Lee, Ogle and Whiteside. Go to www.bwcvb.com . (Courtesy of MC Rotary)

Grim Reaper Stalks Halls at WCHS

January 25th saw the invasion of the Grim Reaper at West Carroll High School. Nationally, 11 teens a day are killed in vehicle crashes. Hundreds more get banged up and hurt because of some dumb little mistake that could be totally preventable.

WCHS Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), were awarded an Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) grant to encourage students to buckle up, don’t drive distracted (especially text and drive), drink and drive or ride with anyone who is drinking, and slow down.

As part of the OTSD grant, SADD members painted their faces white to symbolize how many teens a day die from vehicle accidents.

SADD members also hosted a “Grim Reaper” Quiz Bowl with questions about teen driving. Prizes for students with all the correct answers were furnished through the OTSD grant.

SADD is funded through the Carroll County Substance Education Coalition (CCSEC) with a Partners for Success Grant from the IL Department of Human Services.

Kim Lawfer, former Savanna Rotarian, was recently awarded the Paul Harris Fellow award. The Paul Harris Fellow award is presented to a person that has portrayed exceptional service and assistance to better the peoples of our community and world. Pictured with Kim are Savanna Rotarians Ann Murphy and Bill Dayton.

Tthe Milledgeville Elementary Week 15 Thumbs Up Winners. From left to right, in the front row are: Brooklyn Balsiger, Kayden Knutti, Micah Toms-Smith, Holley Frederick, and Olivia Schurman. In the back row are: Marissa Sturrup, Caden VanDyke, Austin Lapp, Zander Dyson, and Zachary Pauley.

Chadwick-Milledgeville held their District Spelling Bee on January 31. Taking 1st place-Allison Fossett, 2nd place-Ben Covey, and 3rd place or alternate -Kyle Ottens. Allison and Ben will go on to compete in the Pearl City Spelling Bee that will take place on Tuesday, February 26th with a chance to earn a trip to Washington D.C.

Pictured are the three winners from left to right: Allison Fossett, Ben Covey, and Kyle Ottens.

Local FFA Chapter Attends 212 Conference

Members of the West Carroll FFA Chapter attended the National FFA Organization’s 212 Conference at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg Hotel, Schaumburg, Illinois on January 25-26, 2013.

The two-day 212 Conference personal development program helped students learn skills for personal growth and how to set and achieve goals. The conference also featured a self-discovery workshop designed to help members find their own passions for success in life.

Illinois held two 212 Conferences with 437 FFA members attending the conference in Schaumburg and another 268 attending the 212 Conference held in Collinsville. The conference is open to freshman and sophomore FFA members.

212 program staff members are college students who are former state or national FFA officers. Many staff members have also worked as counselors for the Washington Leadership Conference, FFA’s national leadership seminar held in Washington D.C. each summer. FFA is a national organization, of over 540,000 members, developing each student’s potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Local, state and national activities and award programs provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills acquired through agricultural education.

Rich Mattas Takes Helm of JDCF as Interim Director

The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) would like to announce that Rich Mattas, former Vice President of JDCF’s Board of Directors, has taken the post of Interim Director of the Foundation. Former Executive Director, Sandi Helgerson, stepped down at the end of 2012 to take a new position in Dubuque. “I have been given an opportunity to work with the land a little closer to home in Dubuque, Iowa. My next role will be with the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, serving as their Executive Director. Dubuque is my home town and I am proud to “plug in” where I grew up,” said Helgerson.

“JDCF grew greatly during Sandi’s four and a half years as the Executive Director, “ said board President Judith Wehrle. We are all proud of the many fine accomplishments achieved during those years and are appreciative to Sandi for her leadership. We wish Sandi much success in her new position.”

The Foundation is beginning a search for a new director. Until that position is filled, Rich Mattas will be serving as Interim Director. Rich has been a member of the JDCF Board of Directors for almost nine years, and he has now resigned from the board to assume his new responsibilities. He can be reached by email at director@jdcf.org or by phone at 815-858-9100.

Presidents’ Week Chicken & Biscuit Dinner

The Savanna 1st United Methodist Church will hold its annual “Presidents’ Week Chicken and Biscuit Dinner” on Sunday, February 17th.

Dinner will be served from 4:00—7:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. Deliveries within the Savanna city limits and carry-outs are also available.

The menu consists of homemade chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, carrots, applesauce, cranberry sauce, cherry pie á la mode, and a beverage.

A special treat awaits those enjoying their meals in the church. “Presidents” will be dining with them! Mannequins of 10 U.S. Presidents will be seated at dining tables, courtesy of Gene Wright, their creator. These figures are usually on display at the Savanna Museum and Cultural Center located on Main Street.

The dinner ticket prices are: $9 for ages 11 years and up, $4 for children 4 through 10 years old, and free for children 3 years and younger. Tickets may be purchased at the door, from a church member, or through the church office, phone (815) 273-2345.

The Savanna First Methodist Church is located at 2100 Chicago Avenue, on the eastern edge of town.

EHS Student Council Blood Drive

The Eastland High School Student Council is hosting a Blood Drive on Wednesday, February 13th in the high school cafeteria. Staff from the Rock River Valley Blood Center will draw blood between 1:30 and 6:30. Double Red Blood Cell Donations are will also be taken.

If you are at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health, you should be eligible to donate blood. One in three people will need blood and you never know when you or someone you love might be the one.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center is the sole supplier of blood and related services to OSF Saint Anthony, Rockford Memorial, SwedishAmerican, Beloit Memorial, Freeport Health Network, and several other area hospitals. The Rock River Valley Blood Center needs to collect 965 units each week to meet area patient needs.

By hosting a Blood Drive, the Eastland High School Student Council is helping to save lives in our community. Join us in sharing the Gift of Life. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Nancy Kniss at 493-6341.

You can contact the Rock River Valley Blood Center at 815-965-8751, toll free at 866-889-9073 or on the web at www.rrvbc.org.

Federal Crop Insurance Deadline Is March 15

Illinois farmers recovering from last summer’s drought will need to start planning their federal crop insurance coverage needs in advance of the March 15 signup deadline.

Some farmers will find lower rates due to reductions made by the Risk Management Agency based on changes in the federal rating methodology. The Trend-Adjusted Actual Production History option has been expanded to the entire state. It allows farmers to have their actual production history based on recent county yield trends.

“Last summer’s devastating drought magnified the importance of risk management in protecting crop assets. Crop insurance represents a vital tool in risk planning,” says Sheri Bane, director of commercial/agribusiness for COUNTRY.

Other notable federal crop changes include a High Risk Alternative Coverage Endorsement provides separate reduced-yield coverage on high-risk acres within a county. The endorsement further allows for revenue protection at a lower coverage level, or an equal or reduced level of yield coverage. In addition, blue corn contract growers in select Central Illinois counties can obtain a Yield Protection policy.

Farmers can secure coverage through yield, revenue and county protection policies. Some farmers could qualify for Enterprise Unit coverage that insures all acres of an individual crop within a county.

Farmers can further reduce risk by developing a grain marketing plan. COUNTRY financial representatives can help farmers secure market analysis and grain contracts through AgriVisor LLC, a joint venture of Growmark Inc. and Illinois Farm Bureau.

“We’ve been insuring Illinois farmers for 87 years. Our certified crop representatives and crop specialists ensure farmers secure the appropriate coverage for their individual operations,” says Bane.

COUNTRY is among the leading federal crop insurers in Illinois. In addition to federal crop insurance, COUNTRY also offers crop hail insurance for hail, vandalism and fire damage to standing crops not covered by federal crop insurance. The GrainGuard® policy provides protection for harvested grain and offers additional replant coverage options.

Luther College Announces 2012 Fall Semester Dean’s List

Kevin Kraus, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Luther College, announced the 2012 fall semester Dean’s List.

Connor Stanton a Luther College junior from Morrison, Ill., has been named to the 2012 fall semester Dean’s List. Stanton is the son of Paul and Tricia Stanton.

This fall’s list includes 797 students; 149 freshmen, 207 sophomores, 177 juniors and 264 seniors. To be named to the dean’s list, a student must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale and must complete at least 12 credit hours with 10 hours of conventional grades (A, B, C, D).

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