It is time to start thinking summer and what is one of the first things we think of? Fresh fruits, veggies, and other homegrown foods. Well I know I do not have a green thumb to grow anything, however many of you certainly do. The Mount Carroll Farmer’s Market is always looking for new members to be a part of their event. If you would like more information on the Mt. Carroll Farmer’s Market or would like to sell your products at it, please contact Gordon and Mary Roach at 815-244-3027. The Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon May thru October downtown Mt. Carroll.

Spring is also the time to start thinking of losing that winter covering. Most people begin to panic over the upcoming short and swimsuit season. Starting in April, Jenna Stebbins will be teaching Zumba classes in the Naaman Diehl Auditorium. What is Zumba? It fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Classes will be offered at $5 per session on Monday and Wednesday evenings starting April 5. Class will be held from 5-6 p.m.

I have to say that the Women’s Committee and I are all very excited about the participation we received from all who took part in our Farmer’s Share promotion. Of the 50 bags that were assembled and sold for the “Farmer’s Share”, 37 were placed in the donation box and given to the Mount Carroll/Savanna Food Pantry. There were $10 worth of groceries in the bags which were being sold for only $1.90, the “Farmer’s Share”. All of the items in the bags had corn in them. A big thank you goes to the Illinois Corn Marketing Board for making this project possible with a grant we received from them. A big thank you also goes to all who bought the bags and donated them. Next week I will have the names of the winners of the Shaw’s gift cards.

We only have 18 tickets left for the July 2nd game between the Cubs and the Reds. It is very exciting to think that the MLB will be kicking off the “real” games in just a matter of days! In the mean time I have been getting my baseball fix by watching some high school ball.

Identity theft can happen to any age and economic group. Find out what you can do to protect your identity and what you need to do if you are a victim by attending a Carroll County Farm Bureau Quality of Life Action Team sponsored program on “Identity Theft: What to do to Protect Your Identity” on Wednesday, April 14 at 10 a.m. in the Naaman Diehl Auditorium at the Carroll County Farm Bureau. Evelyn Prasse, Consumer and Family Economics Educator with University of Illinois Extension will be the guest speaker. The program is at no charge to the public; however, registration is requested by calling the Farm Bureau office at 815-244-3001 by Friday, April 9.

The Farm Bureau office will be closing at 11:30 on Friday, April 2 for Good Friday. Ads must be in by 11 a.m. on Friday in order to be in next week’s paper. We hope everyone has a Happy Easter!