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More Important NewsSullivan’s Employees Go Red for Women’s Heart Health
Awareness can be one of the best preventative measures we can take in staying healthy and promoting good health to others. That’s what Linda Grisinger of Sullivan’s Foods acknowledged when she proposed that Sullivan’s employees take one day to raise awareness of women’s heart health by wearing red. Sullivan’s employees who joined millions of others across the country in wearing red on Feb. 4 made a $1 contribution to the FHN Judy and Virgil Bocker Cardiovascular Center. Sullivan’s Foods matched the funds raised by employees. That day was met with outstanding participation, totaling 179 employees wearing red. Money was raised through this effort, but more importantly, awareness of women’s heart health was achieved. For more information on Sullivan’s Foods, visit www.sullivansfoods.net. For more on the Wear Red for Women’s Heart Health annual event, visit www.goredforwomen.org.
Chadwick Milledgeville FFA Competes at State FFA Proficiency Awards
The Chadwick Milledgeville FFA had 1 student compete at State Proficiency Award Judging on April 2nd at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Kyle Imel, a junior, competed in the Specialty Animal Production Entrepreneur area specializing in Boer goat production. Over the past several years Kyle has started and maintained his own Boer goat herd. In his project he is responsible for all of the management, feeding, breeding, purchasing, and health decisions with his animals. In addition to raising the goats Kyle also shows them at Section 2 FFA fair as well as the Carroll County Fair. In addition to raising goats Kyle also kept records on his beef breeding herd, feeder cattle herd and duck production businesses. Along with his record books Kyle is also very involved with the Chadwick Milledgeville FFA Chapter where he serves as President. Kyle did an outstanding job at State and we look forward to his accomplishments in the future.
Chadwick-Milledgeville Celebrates Annual FFA Chapter BanquetThe Chadwick-Milledgeville FFA celebrated their annual chapter banquet last Wednesday night. The banquet consisted of the chapter advisor ,Mrs. Cindy Feltmeyer, awarding Chapter Awards and all around recognition of the member’s CDE’s and SAE’s they have involved themselves in throughout the 2010-2011 school year, along with the induction of the 2011-2012 officers. The first awards of the night were the Greenhand awards which 13 first year members received. There were two Greenhands that received special awards for excessive leadership ability and outstanding achievement. These recipients were Kayla Selman, whom of which received The Outstanding 1st Year Member Award, and Abbie Gelwicks receiving The Star Greenhand Award. The Star Chapter Degree was received by second year member Nick Nelson with Outstanding 2nd Year Member award given to Carli Hunter. Kyle Imel received Star Chapter Farmer for his proficiency areas which included Specialty Animal Production and Beef Production. Mitchel Rahn and Kaleb Ebersole also received awards for their proficiency areas. Mitchel received the Star Agribusiness for Turffgrass Management and Kaleb for Swine Production. The fourth year member award, the DeKalb Award, was awarded to Tom Nelson. Honorary Members that were chosen by the second, third, and fourth year members by vote were Mrs. Paula Rademacker, and Tom and Sandy Imel. Every grade level has one person that is awarded the Leadership Award. This year for Freshman was Lauren Hackbarth, Sophomore Carli Hunter, Junior Kyle Imel, and Senior Ethan Flynn. To complete the banquet, Mrs. Feltmeyer announced the 2011-2012 officers. Next year’s officers will be: President Kyle Imel, Vice President Eric Gibbs, Secretary Kayla Selman, Reporter Abbie Gelwicks, Treasurer Carli Hunter, Historian Lauren Hackbarth, Sentinel Nick Nelson, and Chaplin Randi Marie Kleckler. Congratulations to all members who received awards and all newly inducted officers.
The Week 24 Thumbs Up Winners from Chadwick-Milledgeville Elementary. Back Row, Left to Right: Carly Janssen, Steven Adee, Ryan Kendall. Front Row, Left to Right: Lydia Faulkner, Anthony Speers, Andrew Lapp. Not Pictured: Salome Pasch & Cody Brown.
PLN & First Class Insurance Donate Equipment to Milledgeville Fire DepartmentTo show their appreciation for the outstanding service to the community, representatives of First Class Insurance and one of their providers, PLN Mutual Insurance Company, presented the Milledgeville Fire Dept. with a DSPA (Dry Sprinkler Powder Aerosol) unit. “We wanted to do something for the local fire department,” said Bill Gorski, PLN Inspector/Adjuster. “Not only do we have great agents here at First Class Insurance, but the Milledgeville Fire Dept. - along with all the rural departments around here - are true professionals. We wanted to help out.” “The DSPA is a fire intervention tool that helps knock down fires before they become too hot and spread,” said Chief Dave Folk. “It’s a great tool to have - we appreciate it.” Sally Frederick, a partner of First Class Insurance in downtown Milledgeville, said the “Milledgeville Fire Dept. is made up of a great group of volunteers. They are great to work with.” Chief Folk said that the department’s newest acquisition will also help them serve the community better. The MFD recently purchased a used Pierce Saber Rescue/Engine from Winslow Township - in New Jersey. “It was a long ride from New Jersey to Milledgeville,” Folk quipped. “Fire trucks are not designed for comfort.” The 2000 Pierce cost the MFPD $170,000 compared to over $360,000 for a new truck. “In the long run, it will save us even more,” Folk said. “This one unit will replace a 1972 tanker, a 1966 engine, and a rescue squad. These 3 units will be combined into one new one. All the extrication equipment, hoses, and some other equipment from the old vehicles will be installed in the new truck.”
Allie Williams Recruits VISTA VolunteersCra-Wa-La ViP (Volunteers in Probation) has recently recruited AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to serve in the area. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) taps the skills, talents, and passion of more than 7,000 Americans annually to support community efforts to overcome poverty. The program’s nationwide corps of VISTAs commits full-time for a year at nonprofit organizations or local government agencies, building the capacity of these organizations to carry out programs that fight poverty by recruiting and managing community volunteers, raising funds, and helping to manage projects. VISTAs also combat illiteracy, expand job opportunities, develop financial assets, reduce homelessness, improve health services, reduce unemployment, increase housing opportunities, reduce recidivism, and expand access to technology for those living in rural and urban areas of poverty across America. Alli Williams, 23, of Lanark, IL works with the Juvenile Justice Project in Macon Co, where she will be helping to build juvenile justice councils and to sustain them for the future. Williams joined AmeriCorps VISTA as a continuation to public service work she did in college, and to join the war against poverty. Williams says that she hopes to gain hands on experience as well as use the year as an opportunity to grow personally. Williams is a 2010 graduate of Illinois State University.
West Carroll Team Wins Regional Envirothon CompetitionThe West Carroll High School Envirothon Team has claimed the title in the 2011 Land Use Council 1 (LUC) Envirothon Competition. West Carroll competed against 29 other teams to earn this title. Team members include: Loran Thacher, Sam Wilkinson, Zack Timm, Eric Coverdill, and Matt Strauch. The team is led by Mrs. Judy Fitzpatrick. Not only will each team member receive individual trophies and a traveling trophy in recognition of their victory, but each student will receive a scholarship as well. West Carroll’s win at the LUC Envirothon earns them the opportunity to compete at the Illinois Envirothon – a statewide competition for the winning teams on the LUC levels. The state competition will be held on May 12th and 13th in Monticello, IL. The winner at the state level will go on to compete in the Canon Envirothon National Contest held in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. The West Carroll Team received a $2,000 scholarship through Blackhawk Hills RC&D. Each student of the five member team that wins the competition is to receive a $400 scholarship to assist with college expenses. Highland Community College was the site for the Land Use Council 1 Envirothon held Wednesday, April 6, 2011. LUC I consists of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) from Carroll, JoDaviess, Stephenson, Ogle, Lee, and Whiteside counties. The Envirothon competition consists of 5 stations: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a Current Issue – Fresh and Saltwater Estuaries was the choice for 2011. Each team was given a packet of study materials eight weeks prior to the competition. The students spent 15 minutes listening to presentations at each station and then had 20 minutes to take a test over the presentations as well as the study materials. Each team is also required to give a 7 minute oral presentation that is related to the Current Issue Theme for the year. The students must then field questions from a panel of judges regarding their presentation.
IDOT NewsThe Illinois Department of Transportation announced that weather permitting, construction work in IL 40, two miles north of Sterling, will begin on Monday, April 18, 2011. Illinois Constructors Corporation is starting the $2.2 million project to replace the IL 40 bridge over Elkhorn Creek. Traffic will be restricted to one lane while the surface is replaced one half at a time. Temporary traffic signals will be used to control traffic flow. Drivers should be prepared to stop when approaching the work area. The project is scheduled to be completed by early November. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive carefully through all construction zones. Italian Cuisine FeaturedAn “Italian Cuisine Dinner” will be held on April 30th from 5:00pm to 8:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church located at 219 N. Pearl St. in Stockton. The dinner will feature lasagna with or without meat, spaghetti with or without meat, meatball sandwiches, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Carry outs are available and delivery can be requested during the supper by calling . Showcase Highland to be held at Midwest Medical Center in GalenaMidwest Medical Center in Galena will host a “Showcase Highland” program on April 27th, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. Featured will be programs about Highland Community College, including a multi-media presentation by graphic design instructor Sam Tucibat about the award winning student magazine “Prairie Wind” and an update about Highland’s Nursing and Allied Health programs and the new Ray and Betty Stamm Nursing Wing. Donna Kauke, associate dean of nursing and allied health, will provide the nursing update, and Peg Dittmar, nurse practitioner at Midwest Medical Center and a graduate of the HCC nursing program, will discuss her training and experience at Highland. Additional presentations include a video update of Highland’s innovative wind turbine technology program, along with a few words from Diane Gallagher, Highland Trustee from East Dubuque. The “Showcase Highland” evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and presentations at 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Dr. Joe Kanosky, HCC president, will welcome attendees. Jim Berberet, Foundation interim executive director, will recap the status of the Growing for tomorrow…Changing lives today campaign to raise several million dollars to pay for the Ray and Betty Stamm Health Science Nursing Wing, the Wind Turbine Technician Training Center and scholarships for students. United States Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill) today released the following statement in response to Standard and Poor’s negative outlook on U.S. debt:“The coming legislation on the Debt Limit offers the chance to save the dollar and our economy. If we miss this chance or if Congress sends the President a blank check, then the following quote from S&P is a stark warning for our future: ‘We believe there is a material risk that U.S. policymakers might not reach an agreement on how to address medium- and long-term budgetary challenges by 2013; if an agreement is not reached and meaningful implementation is not begun by then, this would in our view render the U.S. fiscal profile meaningfully weaker than that of peer ‘AAA’ sovereigns.’ “ West Carroll Kindergarten Round-UpThe West Carroll School District is rounding up all kindergarteners for fall registration! The Kindergarten Round-Up will be held on Thursday, April 28th at West Carroll Primary School from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Early Steps will hold their Tiny Tot Olympics during the 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. time slot. To encourage registration of all eligible students on April 28th, door prizes are being offered that include a book bag, school supplies, and books! Children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2011 are eligible to register for kindergarten. Parents should bring a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate and your child’s immunization records. If you are unable to make the April 28th registration date or have any questions, please call the West Carroll Primary School Office at . Whiteside SWCD Offers Education Grant The Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is sponsoring an education grant available to all school classes in Whiteside County, grade levels Pre-K thru 12th. Grantees are to use the money to promote and support natural resource or environmental education. Grant funding requests may include, but are not limited to: tools, books, software, lab equipment, and field trips. Costs of development of natural resource areas will be considered, such as: a wildlife habitat garden, nature trail, or prairie site. Grant request maximum is $1000.00. Previous recipients of SWCD grants do qualify. If you would like a copy of the grant criteria and instructions on how to apply use contact information provided below. Ask for a 2011 Environmental Education Grant information handout . Grant deadline is May 2, 2011 – so act quickly! SWCD contact information: Attention: Rhonda, Whiteside SWCD Educattion Program, 16255 Liberty Street, Morrison, IL: Fax #: (; Ph.#: ( Ext. 3. FHN Hospice Volunteer Training Begins May 5 Be a vital part of the FHN Hospice team. A new session of FHN Hospice volunteer training will begin May 5 in Freeport. FHN Hospice uses a team approach including patients, family members, nurses, social workers, home health aides, physicians, clergy and volunteers, all of whom work together to plan and coordinate care for terminally ill patients. “Hospice volunteers become a special and important part of this team,” said Sheryl Wolff, FHN Hospice volunteer coordinator. “They share the gift of themselves to make a difference in the lives of hospice patients and their families.” The four-week, 14-hour comprehensive training course for new volunteers provides information on all aspects of hospice care and hospice volunteering. It will equip volunteers with skills needed to provide compassionate care and companionship to terminally ill patients in their homes or in nursing homes, as well as prepare volunteers to help in the Hospice office. Training includes classes on concepts of death and dying, grief, communication skills, stress management, infection control, safety and the bereavement process. There is no charge for the training, but registration is required. The training sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. beginning May 5 and ending May 26. Those who wish to become Hospice volunteers must attend all the sessions, which will meet at the FHN Hospice office, 773 W. Lincoln Boulevard in Freeport. A light supper will be served at each session. FHN Hospice covers Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle and part of Winnebago counties, and volunteers are needed for each of these counties. For more information or to register for the classes, call the Hospice volunteer coordinator at . 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Returns to Polo TCDPolo Town & Country Days is again having the very popular 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, Saturday, June 18th, starting at 9am. It will be held in the Crossroads Church Parking lot, near the festival. There will be divisions for both boys and girls, grades 4th – 8th (as of Fall 2011). The cost will be $40 per team, and there will be awards at each division. Permission slips and payment are due by May 1st. You can get the permission slip from our website at: www.polodays.org or by contacting Jennifer Grobe at (815) 677-1188. Mark your calendars for Town & Country Days – June 16th – 19th. Craft Show – Polo Town & Country DaysThe Polo Town & Country Days Festival will be held from June 16th – 19th, 2011. This year’s Craft Show will be held indoors at 116 N. Franklin in Polo, north of the Post Office. This building housed “The Christmas Cupboard Crafts & Antiques” during the holidays, and was formerly Olsen’s Elevator. The Craft Show will be open from Thursday, June 16th – Sunday, June 19th. Hours are 10am – 7pm Thursday – Saturday and 10am – 5pm on Sunday. Vendors may participate as many days as you choose. All booth spaces will be $25.00 – no matter how many days you are there. You should supply your own tables or other display racks. You may set up your booth area on Monday from 3pm – 7pm or Tuesday from 10am to 3pm or by appt. Questions – please call Carol at (815) 440-7618 or Cindy at (815) 946-3302. NAMI Sauk Valley meets April 26NAMI Sauk Valley will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, at the Sinnissippi Centers, 325 IL Rt. 2, Dixon. This meeting provides education as well as support to families struggling with a diagnosis of mental illness in a relative or friend. NAMI Sauk Valley plans to conduct the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program this fall. The free, 12-week course is taught by trained NAMI members who have lived with this experience and offers education and support for families and friends of people with mental illness. NAMI Sauk Valley is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and NAMI Illinois, serving the residents of Ogle, Lee, Carroll and Whiteside Counties. For more information on NAMI or the Family to Family class, contact Mary Ann Hutchison (), Lorna Engwall () or e-mail . Scholarship Announced by Stephenson County 4-H FoundationThe Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation is pleased to announce availability of the Darrell Miller Scholarship. The Darrel Miller 4-H Scholarship was founded by Jeff Miller of St. Geneva, Illinois, a grandson of Darrel Miller. Jeff initiated to scholarship to honor his grandfather, the late Darrel Miller, a long time 4-H leader and volunteer, of Freeport. One $500.00 scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year will be awarded. “I wanted a way to honor my grandfather for the impact he made on so many young people over the years through his involvement with 4-H,” stated Jeff Miller, “ I am pleased that so many youth were guided by him, as I was.” To be eligible to apply, individuals must be a resident of Stephenson County and must have been a member of a 4-H Club for at least three years. They must also exemplify commitment to the agribusiness and local community, and have demonstrated service to others through their involvement with 4-H and other activities. Applicants must be accepted at their chosen college or university and be a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 hours per semester. To receive an application and be considered for the scholarship, please call the U of I Extension-Stephenson County at . Completed applications are due by June 30, 2011 to the U of I Extension Office-Stephenson County, 2998 W Pearl City Rd, Freeport. The Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation Board and members of the Miller family are responsible for selection the scholarship winners. Past recipients may re-apply for consideration each year. FOODPLAY Coming to Eastland & West Carroll StudentsThe national award-winning theater show, FOODPLAY, will be presented at 40 select schools throughout Illinois, including Eastland and West Carroll students, using the power of live theater to turn kids on to healthy eating and exercise habits — thanks to sponsorship by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). FOODPLAY will be bringing its cast of colorful performers, amazing feats of juggling, motivating messages, music, magic, and audience participation to the West Carroll Primary School in Mount Carroll on Wednesday, April 27th at 9 am, and at 1 pm at the Eastland Middle School in Shannon. Eastland elementary students will be traveling to the Middle School for the program. Building on the success of last year’s partnership, Illinois soybean farmers with their soybean checkoff have partnered with FoodPlay Productions again this year to bring the gift of FOODPLAY to 40 Illinois schools during April, National Soyfoods Month. In response to the nation’s alarming childhood obesity epidemic, the Celebrating Soy!—FOODPLAY tour will reach up to 17,000 children and their families with essential nutrition and health information to help Illinois families take charge of growing up healthy and fit. For additional information, please contact Melinda Charbonneau, Ag Literacy Coordinator-Ogle & Carroll Counties, University of Illinois Extension at (. Vacancy on Savanna Park BoardThe Savanna Park Board is seeking the names of persons interested in serving as a Park Board Commissioner. In the recent election, no one ran for one of the board seats. The Board appointee will serve until the April 2013 Park District election. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest to the Savanna Park Board, P.O. Box 329, Savanna, IL 61074 prior to noon on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. The Board intends to interview candidates for the vacancy. For more information, please call the Park District office at . TLP Holds Auditions for ‘Children of Eden’Artistic Director James Beaudry and Timber Lake Playhouse are pleased to announce auditions for local performers for their production of Children of Eden, part of the 50th Anniversary Season at the playhouse. Children of Eden begins rehearsals July 15th and will be performed July 28th through August 7th. Anyone cast must be available for all performances and scheduled rehearsals. Auditions will be held on Sunday, May 1 at TLP. One lead role is available for a boy who is a strong singer and can play age 10 and 12. Two featured roles are available for two other boys of similar ages. Ensemble roles are available for teen dancers and a small singing ensemble of children and adults will also be used. Children must have completed 3rd grade. Auditions for dancers will begin at 2:00 P.M. Vocal auditions will begin at 3:00 P.M. Anyone interested should prepare 16 measures of a contemporary-sounding song or anything from a musical. Boys interested lead or featured roles are encouraged to prepare an entire song. Please bring sheet music for the accompanist. People will be seen in the order they arrive. A sign-in sheet will be available at 1:30 P.M. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Road in Mount Carroll, Illinois. More information can be found at the company’s website, www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. Expressions Art Sale and ReceptionBidding began on silent auction items and a few art pieces were sold shortly after the Expressions Art Sale began. Expressions is a fund raiser for the Sinnissippi Foundation. “Art and silent auction items went on display Tuesday April 12th at the Next Picture Show gallery,” says Andy Jackson, Marketing Coordinator for the Sinnissippi Foundation and Sinnissippi Centers. “It didn’t take long before several pieces were sold and bids were placed on silent auction items. “In fact, very early on there were several competing bids on the Green Bay Packer’s autographed football alone. There seems to be great interest in the football, especially with the Packer winning Super Bowl XLV. We are so grateful for the generosity of those individuals, businesses and organizations who are participating in Expressions. Without them, this event would not be possible,” adds Jackson. Expressions concludes with the close of the sale at 9:00pm Friday evening April 22nd. Silent auction bids will be accepted through 8:00pm. Proceeds from Expressions will help the Foundation continue its mission of supporting the mental wellness of individuals and families. For more information on Expressions call Andy Jackson at , visit online at Sinnissippi.com and look for the links to Expressions, or if you have a Facebook account visit the Foundation’s fan page by searching for “Sinnissippi Foundation.” MMTA Variety Show Auditions May 3Morrison Music Theatre Association will be holding auditions on May 3 for a variety show that will be presented in June. Performances will be at Morrison High School on the evenings of Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11, with full dress rehearsals on June 8 and 9. Auditions will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison from 6:30 to 8;00 p.m. This date was added to accommodate performers who were unable to attend the April sessions. Those who can’t attend this audition, but who wish to be in the show can contact Bob Stone at , Kathy Janicek at or Betty Stralow at to make other arrangements. MMTA is looking for ALL types of talent from Morrison and the surrounding communities to be a part of the show. Performers are NOT required to have performed in previous MMTA productions to participate. Auditions are being held to insure that acts are appropriate family entertainment and of high quality. Singers, dancers, actors, comedians, instrumentalists, jugglers, tumblers and all other talents will be showcased in the performance. Acts may use an accompaniment CD, but a piano accompanist will be provided at both the audition and the performance for those who need one. People who don’t have a specific talent, but who would like to be a part of a group musical presentation or skit are also encouraged to attend one of the audition sessions. Freeport Public Library Gardening SeriesThe University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Stephenson County in partnership with the Freeport Public Library will be offering a spring gardening series. The series will include three programs with the topics of salad table gardening, container gardening, and landscape design. “Salad Tables for the Backyard Gardener” will be offered on Tuesday, April 26, at Noon. This session will be led by U of I Extension Master Gardener Wes Robinson. Backyard gardeners will delight in the way that a salad table can extends the growing season. Learn what salad tables are and how to build one for your own yard. Information will be provided about tips and techniques used for growing in a salad table. Examples will be on hand for participants to view. “Creating Beautiful Container Gardens” will be presented on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. by U of I Extension Program Coordinator Nikki Keltner. Containers are an easy way to add beauty to any area of a yard or patio. Learn the basics of creating a container garden that will look great for the entire season. A beautiful picture presentation will highlight plant combinations that will make your containers the envy of the neighborhood. “Practical Landscape Design” will be presented on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. This session will be led by U of I Extension Master Gardener Steve Bottino. Proper landscape design is simple with a few key rules. Learn design tips that will make your landscape pleasing to the eye. Steve will share with the audience basic landscape design rules and how to implement them in your own yard. All programs will be held in the community room of the Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport. Pre-registration is requested by calling the U of I Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125 or on-line at www.extension.illinois.edu/stephenson. Registration is $5 per person. Carroll County Spring Health Fair PlannedBy Linda Davis, County HCE Family Living ChairmanThe 21st annual Health Fair will be held Monday, May 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Naaman Diehl Auditorium in Mt. Carroll. There will be a $2.00 donation payable that morning. Screenings and services offered will include blood sugar (five hours of fasting is required, you may only have water), cholesterol, blood pressure. Information booths will be available on cardiac; men, women & children’s health; poison; sleeping disorders; gerd; diabetes; vascular; arthritis; lifeline & memory. Other agencies attending with information include – Carroll Co. Farm Bureau, Carroll Co. Senior Center, Good Samaritan Society, Jo-Carroll Energy-First Call Medical Monitoring, On the Move Community Fitness Center, RAMP –ITAC Amplified phones, University of Il Extension FNP program, University of Il Extension Master Gardener Program. The Carroll County HCE (Home & Community Education) will provide a complimentary snack in the morning. For more information contact Linda Davis, County HCE Family Living Chairman at . The Health Fair is sponsored by: Carroll County HCE, University of Illinois Extension, and FHN Top 50 Program. Carroll County Safety Day For Families PlannedBy Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Community Worker, 4-H & YouthA Progressive Agriculture Safety Day will be held Saturday, May 7, at the Carroll Co. Fairgrounds near Milledgeville. This fun-filled morning is open to all youth 6 -13 years old and adults ages 14 and up. Planned activities include demonstrations, discussions and hands-on activities on safety-related topics. Participants will be divided into small groups to rotate through the safety sessions. Youth sessions offered will be First Aid, ATV Safety, Equipment safety, grain safety, chemical safety, animal safety and electricity safety. Adult sessions are first responder techniques, chemical safety, ATV safety, grain safety, tractor/pto safety, laws/requirements for operators, electrical safety. The Safety Day will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. A fee of $5 per person covers the cost of snacks, a T-shirt for children, speakers, and a take-home bag of materials. Families with 4 or more people pay a maximum of $20. Registration forms are available at the Carroll County Farm Bureau or University of Illinois Extension Office in Mt. Carroll. The Safety Day is being presented by Carroll County Farm Bureau Quality of Life Action Team, Carroll Co. University of Illinois Extension, COUNTRY Financial, FHN, 1st Farm Credit Services, Stateline Farm Rescue, and Jo-Carroll Electric. Illinois 4-H Youth Visit Families in AustraliaBy Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Community Worker, 4-H & YouthDena Harridge, a 4-H member from Carroll County will visit Australia as part of a 15 member national 4-H cultural exchange delegation this summer. 4-H youth from Illinois and other states are eagerly looking forward to the experience including Evan York of Winnebago County. Dena is a member of the Savanna Smiles 4-H Club, is a Carroll County 4-H Ambassador and a sophomore at West Carroll High School. She is the daughter of Denise Harridge and the late Dwayne Harridge. The program, coordinated through the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, sends 4-Her’s to Australia on a yearly basis. After orientations in Wisconsin, Los Angles, and Melbourne, the 4-H youth go their separate ways to month-long home-stays located throughout the state of Victoria in southeastern Australia. Each will return home with a unique experience to relate. During the month, youth are exposed to a wide range of agricultural experiences and learn different farming methods first hand while living and working with a farm family in Australia. A few days together in Sydney will allow them time to compare notes and exchange ideas before their long flight home. The program offers the additional benefits of fostering long term friendships as many families and exchanges continue to write long after the home stay ends. If you are interested in hosting or traveling with an international 4-H exchange in Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, or Norway please contact Leanne Rahn at the Carroll County Extension Office by calling (815) 244-9444. Historical Marker DedicationThe Fulton Chamber of Commerce will dedicate an Illinois State Historical Marker for the Reagan family plot on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. The dedication will be held at Calvary Hill Cemetery, part of Fulton Township Cemetery. Several of President Ronald Reagan’s ancestors, including his great-grandparents and grand-parents are buried in Fulton. Ronald’s parents were both born and married in Fulton. The Fulton Chamber of Commerce has played a vital role in recognizing the President’s connection to Fulton. For the last several years, the Chamber has included Reagan’s ancestral connection in the annual Fulton visitor guide and website. In early 2009, the Fulton Chamber advocated for the addition of Fulton to the Ronald Reagan Trail. In November 2009, the Ronald Reagan Trail Association approved Fulton as part of the Ronald Reagan Trail. The Fulton Chamber of Commerce also worked with Representative Richard Morthland’s office to add Fulton as an official trail community recognized by the State of Illinois and Illinois Department of Transportation. The State of Illinois approved the trail extension in March 2011. Most recently, the Chamber received a D.S. Flikkema grant to create promotional signage for the Ronald Reagan Trail traveling exhibit. Funds for the Illinois State Historical marker have been donated by the D.S. Flikkema Foundation, Fulton Township, Immaculate Conception Church, Michael Johannesen, and Ed and Nancy Kolk. A representative from the Illinois State Historical Society will be present at the dedication. The marker dedication is open to the public. Attendees should enter from North 6th Street and 1st Avenue. Amber Manning Wins AAUW ScholarshipAmber Manning of Sterling, Illinois, is the recipient of an AAUW Graduate Scholarship awarded by the American Association of University Women Carbondale Branch. Manning grew up in Lanark and her grandmother still lives here. A second-year doctoral student in Educational Administration and Higher Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), Amber holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Educational Psychology. She is working in the Office of the Provost at SIUC as a graduate assistant. Among her many professional accomplishments are serving as an outpatient intern doing therapeutic work with individuals diagnosed with various mental disorders. She has co-taught Educational Psychology 100 at SIUC. Amber has researched health care reform and analyzed university student health insurance policies and presented her information as a guest lecturer at the Association of the Study of Higher Education in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition, Amber has studied in Kenya, Africa, researching Kenyan higher education and participating in a service learning project there. The American Association of University Women Carbondale Branch awards annual scholarships for the purpose of promoting scholarship and educational advancement for women. There is a Sauk River Valley AAUW branch. Glenn Miller and The Music of WorldWar II, Saturday, April 30, 2011 at The Savanna Museum and Cultural Center, 406 Main Street at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. The presentation will be given by Lewis Erenberg, Professor of History at Loyola University, Chicago. Professor Erenberg is especially interested in the history of popular culture and entertainment. He will examine the competing values contained in the music and how integration first surfaced in the world of swing. This lecture is based on his research and book, “Swingin’ The Dream”. As part of his program, he will discuss and feature familiar favorites, including “In the Mood, Chattanooga Choo-Choo and Dreamsville, Ohio”. Not only will toes be tappin’ to the beat, several couples from the Carousel Dance Studio of Clinton, Iowa will demonstrate the art of swing dancing. The program will be in the Community Room, first floor of the museum at 406 Main Street. The program, presented by the Savanna Historical Society, is free and is made possible in part from a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council. West Carroll PTO NewsThe WC PTO has distributed funds for the 2010-2011 following fieldtrip requests. Kindergarten $320.00; First Grade $320.00; Second Grade $210.00; Third Grade $552.00; Fourth Grade $325.00; and Fifth grade (in Jan) $575.00. K-3 were upon requests from the teachers per grade level. The PTO wants to thank the communities of West Carroll for their support on fundraising, and the parents who come and help sort the fundraisers and volunteer with various activites through the year. We want to remind parents of PreK through 8th grade students that election of officers will be held on May 10th at the final 2010-2011 school year meeting which will be held in the Savanna Primary school library at 6pm. For more information for WC PTO call Elisa Brown or Teresa Duggan . Democrats Submit Preston for Vacant County Board SeatIn light of the resignation of Carroll County Board member Gerald Bork (D-2, Mt. Carroll) last month, the Carroll County Democrats sent a letter to CC Board Chairman Rod Fritz asking that Ronald Preston be appointed. The Carroll County Democrats are led by Chairman Bork. Preston, who served on the Board prior to losing the election in November, may be appointed at the next Carroll County Board meeting, set for Thursday, April 21, at the Courthouse, 9:30 a.m. SVTP Attends IL Tax Day Rally At State CapitolThe Sauk Valley Tea Party recently organized a bus trip to the “Illinois Tax Day Rally” held Friday, April 15th at the Illinois State Capitol building. The bus, which picked up in Sterling, Dixon, and Mendota, was filled with more than 40 supporters from 13 towns. Some participants met the bus from as far away as Joliet. The group then joined hundreds of like-minded protesters from around the state at the rally, which was held indoors in the Capitol rotunda due to rain and bad weather. The rally featured a wide variety of speakers who addressed tea party supported goals such as repealing the recently enacted IL income tax increase, trimming government spending, reducing the national debt, and reducing the size and scope of government. During the event, several supportive lawmakers left the legislative floor to join the rally, receiving cheers of support from the energized crowd. The protest lasted approximately 3 hours and was an organized and peaceful protest of runaway government spending and policies. The Sauk Valley Tea Party’s next monthly meeting will be held Tuesday April 26th 2nd at the Loveland Community Building, 513 West Second St, Dixon IL, beginning at 6:30pm. For more information email or visit the groups website at http://www.saukvalleyteaparty.com Response by Senator Mark Kirk to S&P’s Negative Outlook on U.S. Debt
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(L to R) Front row: Milly Boden, and Stevie Morris. Back: Keven Larson, Anita Larson, Sk8 Park coordinator, Kathy Gable, Chamber of Commerce President, Sam Rowell, and Garrett Trebian.
