More Important News

Artist Chris Shannon, 26, of Clinton, IA is the Main Street Art Guild featured artist, with his work on display through the month of May at the Market Street Commons building in downtown Mount Carroll.
(Courtesy of MSAG/Heather A. Houzenga)

The annual Carroll County 4-H & FFA Livestock Judging contest was held recently with 174 youth from seven counties participating. The contest is held at the Carroll Co. Highway Building.

Placing in the top ten for the contest was (Left photo) Front Row L to R 1st place Rachel Badtke, Carroll Co. 4-H & West Carroll FFA; 2nd place Megan Reed, Cambridge FFA & 4-H; 3rd place Hayden Keltner, Pearl City FFA & 4-H; 4th place Anna Ring, Carefree 4-H Club; 5th Doug Williams, Carroll Co. 4-H & Chadwick-Milledgeville FFA

Back Row L to R: 6th place Devin Koester, JoDaviess Co. 4-H; 7th place Kyle Hemmersbach, Byron FFA; 8th place Keelyn Swawson, Byron FFA; 9th place Stephanie Nadig, Stockton FFA & 4-H; 10th place Katie Miller, Cambridge FFA & 4-H. Congratulations to everyone!

The annual Carroll County 4-H & FFA Dairy Judging Contest was held at the Carroll Co. Highway Building with 97 youth from 5 counties participating.

Placing in the top ten for the contest was (Right photo) Front Row L to R: 1st place Michael Foley, Scales Mound FFA & 4-H; 2nd place Cassie Johnson West Carroll FFA; 3rd place Emily Hanlin, Byron FFA & 4-H; 4th place Ellie Lenkaitis, Forreston FFA; 5th place Megan Hayunga, Freeport FFA

Back Row L to R: 6th place Ryan McLane, River Ridge FFA & 4-H; 7th place Brianna Kampmeier, West Carroll FFA; 8th place Jared Dickman, Florence Crickets 4-H; 9th place Eric Ebersole, Chadwick Achievers 4-H (not pictured); 10th place Hunter Binns, Stockton FFA. Congratulations to everyone

Milledgeville High School’s SADD organization recently completed the Operation Teen Safe Driving campaign, sponsored by IDOT. Pictured is the OTSD Team, consisting of: Front Row: L-R Zach Herin, Elivia Medema, Sarah Leif, Hannah Kehl, Betty Nicklaus, Samantha Schmidt. Back Row: L-R Ashlyn Shores, Bailey Fisch, Kylie Patterson.

Activities held during the three month period of the campaign emphasized the three areas of concentration: 1) Distracted Driving 2) Impaired Driving 3) Seat Beat Usage. The OTSD Team coordinated events to educate peers on the above mentioned areas which included: new driver auto emergency kits – distributed at a special lunch for new drivers, arranging for IDOT’s Driving Simulator for all high school students to experience, and designing and purchasing a banner reminding students not to text while driving which has been mounted in the main hallway of the high school.

An estimated 70 people attended Twice-Sold Tales’ Grand Reopening March 8th and 9th at The Special Touch in Lanark. Customers enjoyed home-baked treats and giveaways in celebration of the bookstore’s relocation and reopening in February. The nonprofit gently used bookstore, run by the Friends of the Lanark Public Library (FLPL), is located in the Unique Mall at 504 IL Route 64 and offers thousands of titles in all categories for inexpensive prices. Pictured L to R: Ken Viglietta; Karen Sturtevant, president FLPL; Carol Kruzek, Twice-Sold Tales co-chair; Anne Viglietta. (Photo courtesy of Denise Krysiak)

NCILC to Share Plans for 2013

The next meeting of the North Central Illinois Logistics Council (NCILC) will be Thursday, March 21, 2013. The NCILC has reorganized its structure and its meeting format and is anxious to share their “news” with its members and with the general public as well.

The meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will be held in Room C-316 on the Oglesby Campus of IVCC. Anyone who would like to attend this meeting should RSVP to either Jo Ann Johnson at (815) 224-7930 or Kevin Lindeman at (815) 433-5830 in order to receive a Visitor Parking Pass which is now required to park in any of the visitors lots at the college.

Regional Transportation Committee Meeting Notices for Regions 1 & 3

The next Regional Transportation Committee meeting for Region 1 (Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties) will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 10 AM at the Freeport Public Library located at 100 E. Douglas St. in Freeport. Human service organizations with an interest in public transportation are strongly encouraged to attend as well as anyone that is interested in public transit.

The Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) - Region 3 - Transportation Committee (Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, and Putnam Counties) will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 10 AM at Mendota Area Senior Services located in the Mendota Civic Center (1901 Tom Merwin Dr., Mendota). Human service organizations with an interest in public transportation are strongly encouraged to attend as well as anyone that is interested in public transit.

The Regional Transportation Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of the Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP). HSTP identifies transportation needs and develops solutions to improve transportation services for seniors, people with disabilities, individuals with lower incomes, and veterans as well as the general public.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has formed an agreement with North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG) for the purposes of preparing, implementing, and updating the plan for Region 1 (Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties) and Region 3 (Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, and Putnam Counties). For more information about NCICG or HSTP, please visit www.ncicg.org or contact Jacob Matsen at 815-433-5830, Ext. 15.

NVIC Launches National Billboard Vaccine Education Campaign

During March and April 2013, the non-profit National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC.org) is conducting an educational billboard campaign in Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, Washington and Texas to encourage well informed vaccine decision-making. The NVIC billboard features a photo of a mother and child and asks “Vaccination? Know the risks and failures” followed by the NVIC.org website address.

The multi-state billboard campaign will reach cross-generational and diverse audiences through priority placement of free standing commercial billboards in Chicago, IL; Phoenix and Tucson, AZ; Portland, OR; Olympia, WA and Austin, TX. NVIC’s billboard will be viewed by more than 10 million people traveling on major highways, bridges and near malls or other key locations in those metropolitan cities, such as the Phoenix Diamondbacks Stadium and the State Capitol building in Austin.

“Vaccines carry risks that can be greater for some individuals and vaccination does not guarantee you won’t get the disease. This is true for pertussis, influenza and mumps vaccines, for example,” said NVIC co-founder and president Barbara Loe Fisher. “It is critical that everyone becomes better educated about how to recognize the symptoms of complications for both infectious diseases and vaccines.”

NVIC has placed a similar ad in the April issue of Midwest Health and Wellness Magazine, which annually reaches an audience of four million consumers in Midwest spas, salons, doctors’ offices and health food stores.

The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) is a 501C3 charity founded in 1982 and dedicated to preventing vaccine injuries and deaths through public education. NVIC advocates for informed consent protections in medical policies and public health laws, including vaccine laws. NVIC.org is the oldest and largest consumer-operated website on the Internet providing information on diseases and vaccines.

For more information about vaccine risks and failures and how to make an educated vaccination decision, go to NVIC.org. To access the online NVIC Advocacy Portal, which provides information about legislation affecting state vaccine laws, go to NVICAdvocacy.org.

Electronics Donation Helps Give a Voice to People with Autism

For March Disability Awareness Month, Secure Recycling Services of Dixon announced today the donation of an IPAD to the residents of Kreider Services’ Willow Lane Group Home.

While electronic recycling is but one of its many business endeavors, Secure Recycling Services (SRS) has stated that one of their prime objectives is to help support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since the beginning of the year, part of the recent sales from SRS were used to underwrite the first purchase of a brand new IPAD.

“The people who live in our Willow Lane Group Home,” said Jeff Stauter Kreider Services’ CEO, “have autism. Some individuals can speak, some cannot. It is amazing. Using the iPad device empowers a person who has difficulty communicating to have their desires and ideas heard.”

Accepting on behalf of group home residents, Jen Heller, Supervisor for the home further explained, “I had my Kindle notebook with me one day and I let Jason play with it. The look of amazement that came over his face, when he heard the device talk to him…. It was like he finally had a voice….This is amazing stuff….. this can open up a whole new world for so many of our clients. We are so grateful that SRS wants to do this for us.”

Heller also stated that the iPad has a lot of different applications. The device has the capability of something as simple as communicating if the person is hungry and what they are hungry for. The health application can also help identify if a person does not feel well, if there is pain, and where the pain is located on a body map.

“With this device, Kreider Services staff can create personalized boards to help each person better communicate with staff and with each other,” explained Heller. “The educational applications seem unlimited…This will open a door for a lot of other clients at Kreider Services… it is exciting!”

The Secure Recycling Services has future plans to continue donating additional devices for individuals at Kreider Services. If you are interested in learning more about Secure Recycling Services, please contact Greg Gates 815 . 288 . 6691 x. 258 or gatesg@kreiderservices.org” or visit Secure Recycling Services website at www.securerecyclingservices.com

WCCI Scholastic Bowl Results

Fulton defeated Pearl City 90 to 80 to capture the 2013 WCCI Scholastic Bowl held Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Antl Hall in Savanna. Fulton earlier defeated Eastland 130 to 70 to advance to the Finals, while Pearl City defeated West Carroll 125 to 40 in the other Semi-Final Round Match.

West Carroll defeated Eastland 90 to 80 for Third Place.

Quarter-Final Round Matches saw Fulton defeat Stockton 150 to 60, Eastland bested Scales Mound 100 to 80, while West Carroll topped Milledgeville 85 to 50, and Pearl City downed River Ridge 150 to 70.

Savanna Smiles 4-H Club Holds Meeting

By Izabella Fredericks, Savanna Smiles 4-H Club Reporter

The Savanna Smiles 4-H club held their 4-H meeting on Sunday, March 10th. Dena Harridge told everyone that the Federations next activity will a workshop on April 27th. There will be more information on everything that will be there in the future.

Shelby Skiles said that the Jr. Ambassadors have decided to clean up the park down on Bowan Street as their project for the year. The members were told that they should be getting the premium checks from last year by the end of the month.

A reminder on the ethics training that animal project people need to take. Our garden project plans will be talked on at the next meeting.

Julie had the sign-up sheet for helping at the Lanark club for Special Olympics. The club will be going up on May 4th to help. After the meeting Karina gave a talk on clay items she made. Saphire gave one on her collections and Belle gave one on scrapbooking and wildlife.

Next meeting will be April 14th at 2:30 PM at the church.

Carroll County 4-H Jr. Ambassador Group To Meet

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Program Coordinator, 4-H & Youth

The Jr. Ambassadors will be meeting Tuesday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. in the Extension Office Meeting room in Mt. Carroll. They will continue with work and planning of their service learning project. Contact Leanne Rahn at the Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office for more information on how to join the Jr. Ambassador team. Please call 815-244-9444 or e-mail lrahn@illinois.edu Bring a friend.

Carroll County 4-H Foundation To Meet

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Program Coordinator, 4-H & Youth

The next meeting of the Carroll County 4-H Foundation will be Tuesday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. Pizza will be served, please bring your own beverage.

Anyone that would like to work with this group in support of the 4-H Program is welcome to attend.

For more information contact University of Illinois Carroll Co. Extension Office at 815-244-9444 or Leanne Rahn at lrahn@illinois.edu.

Carroll County 4-H Leaders Meeting To Be Held

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Program Coordinator, 4-H & Youth

All organizational and project 4-H leaders are invited to attend the meeting scheduled for Monday, April 1, at 6:45 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Board Room, Mt. Carroll.

Before the meeting, a 2 meat supper will be served at 6:00 p.m. to honor our volunteers for National Volunteer Week. To attend the supper, please send your reservation to the Carroll Co. Extension Office by Thursday, March 28.

Upcoming events and activities will be discussed; plans for the 4-H Fair will be started; Volunteer Week and more will be agenda topics.

For more information or to make your reservation for the supper, contact Leanne Rahn at the Carroll Co. Extension Office at 815-244-9444 or lrahn@illinois.edu.

Cancer Survivor Victory Dinner

The 2013 Relay for Life of Carroll County Cancer Survivor celebration and dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, at the Mt. Carroll Curch of God. Registration and hors de oeuvres begin at 4:30 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Invitations have been sent out. If you are a cancer survivor living in Carroll County and did not receive an invitation or if you know of someone that was missed please contact Bev Lundquist at 1106 East Benton Street, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053 or call 815-244-9684. Reservation deadline is March 25.

Demonstration: How to Make a Hat Stand

Are you into the 1800’s Victorian history? Do you make your own bonnets and hats? In reality, what’s a hat without the proper stand? Jolene Foat and Elizabeth Myelle will make a Victorian hat stand during their afternoon demonstration. Through this process, you will gain the knowledge to make one of your very own in the comfort of your home. Bring a pencil and paper to take notes. These beautiful hat stands will make a decorative statement in any house.

This demonstration will take place at the 1876 Banwarth House & Museum located at 408 E. Sycamore St. in Elizabeth IL on Saturday, March 23rd from 1-2pm. The fee for attending the Hat Stand Demonstration is a $3.00 donation per person and free for Planetary Studies Foundation members. For more information please contact Diane at 815-858-2014 or dsipiera@planets.org.

Evening Walk in the Woods

On Saturday, March 23rd you can join the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society for a night hike. (This event has been rescheduled from Feb. 26 due to unfavorable weather.) Experience the wonder of the night while walking through the woods. A guide will lead you on the trails while you learn about the night adaptations and listen for owls. You may even get to hear more than one type of owl. Participants will meet (7:30 PM) at the Mogle Center at Oakdale Nature Preserve which is located three miles south of Freeport on Baileyville Road. Come prepared for walking outdoors. The hike is free and open to the public. Contact Richard at 815-865-5279 if you have questions about the hike.

NW Illinois Audubon Society Annual Banquet

You will not want to miss the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society 32nd annual banquet and program which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10th in Freeport, IL. This year’s program titled “Seeing 748 Birds in One Year” will feature Sanford Komito, played by Owen Wilson in the movie The Big Year. Sanford actually had his big year in 1998 when he spotted 748 birds species from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31. He will talk about the history of the American Birding Association’s Big Year and share pictures of the highlights of his Big Year.

The annual banquet is a fundraiser for Northwest Illinois Audubon society and includes a meal featuring locally grown foods including pasture raised roasted turkey from Arnold’s farm, sweet corn from Drake’s farm and homemade desserts made by Audubon members. The banquet will be at Embury United Methodist Church, 515 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, IL. Come to see the silent auction items at 5:00 PM. The meal will be served at 6:00 with program following at 7:30 PM.

The deadline for registering for the program is April 3. The registration form can be found at www.nwilaudubon.org (click on the News tab) or you can request a registration form by calling Teresa at 815-835-5109. If you are a member of Northwest Illinois Audubon Society you will find a copy of the registration form in your mailbox early in March. Register early, seating limited to first 150 for banquet.

Humane Society of Carroll County News

The Humane Society of Carroll County held its elections for the coming year. The President is Geoffrey Carroll, The Vice President is Barb Luders, Secretary is Mary Green, and the Treasurer is Kay Davis. The Society is selling lollipops for a fundraiser and will be selling beef sticks in the future. They will be participating at the Junk in the Trunk in Savanna on May 11th. On May 5th they will be handing out information on responsible pet ownership at the West Carroll Primary School. The Society would like to hold a membership drive in the future and possible at the Junk in the Trunk. The next meeting will be April 10th.

THE National Bank Announces Ottens Promotion

Bart Ottens has been promoted to SVP Market President at THE National Bank. In this capacity he will oversee the banking activities of the bank’s northern market.

Bart has over twenty years of banking experience. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Bart is actively involved with the Chadwick Lions Club, Carroll County Health Board, and the First Lutheran Church. Bart can be reached at his office in Chadwick by calling 815-684-5792.

THE National Bank is a locally owned, full service bank headquartered in Bettendorf, Iowa. Additional offices are located in Davenport, Iowa; Canton, Chadwick, East Moline, Elgin, Havana, Milan, Moline, Morrison, Mt. Carroll, Rapids City, Savanna, Silvis, Sterling, Illinois and Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Heritage Arts Make and Take Workshop for all ages-Mt. Carroll

Heritage Arts Make and Take Workshop is an event sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and the Home Community Education Associations of Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Lee Counties. This workshop promotes the continuation of skills and arts once passed down from generation to generation. This workshop will take place at Naaman Diehl Auditorium in Mt. Carroll on Saturday, April 6th from 9am-3pm. Naaman Diehl Auditorium is located at the intersection of Routes 64 & 78 in Mt. Carroll attached to the Farm Bureau Building.

Participants can make and take a session in the morning and a session in the afternoon. Session topics include needle tatting, cathedral quilting a pin cushion, corn husk rose making, cupcake decorating, purse making, patriotic wreath making. One could also learn the art of Scherenschnitte, a German art of paper cutting, how to make your own lip balm and hand lotion or how to make a brooch pin out of hot glue. The workshop is a fun day for all ages.

Carol Chandler of Dixon will give an opening program on the Orphan Train. There is a $15.00 per person workshop fee plus additional class fees for each session by March 29th. Early registration is encouraged, as several sessions have limited enrollment. For further information or to request a registration form, contact University of Illinois Extension Carroll County Office at 815-244-9444.

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