May Employee of the Month at TCC

Thomson Correctional Center is proud to announce that the Employee of Month for May 2009 is Major Patrick Hobart.

Patrick began his career with IDOC on June 25, 1990 as a Correctional Officer Trainee at the Pontiac Correctional Center, earned certification as a Correctional Officer on September 25, 1990 and was promoted to Correctional Lieutenant in September 1997. Pat was promoted to his current position as Major at the Thomson Correctional on November 16, 2006.

Major Hobart is an instrumental member of the Administrative team at the facility. He has contributed in the development of policies, procedures, and security post descriptions. Patrick also developed and implemented the training department ensuring compliance with all requirements of the program. The continued success of the training unit is a direct reflection of Major Hobart's hard work and perseverance.

Patrick is a dedicated and selfless employee who continually places the facility's and agency's needs ahead of own which was recently apparent when he was assigned special duties at the Stateville Correctional Center for several weeks and completed the tasks without hesitation or complaint. He is a very security minded individual who can be counted on to competently complete any given task. Major Hobart is a well respected supervisor who motivates staff by setting high expectations of himself and subordinates alike. He has diligently addressed his assigned duties and responsibilities and has led by example.

In addition to his assigned daily duties, Major Hobart serves as a member of the Internal Audit Team/Committee, serves on the Employee Recognition Committee, is an ERB Hearing officer as well as a Property Control Officer.

As Employee of the Month for May2009, Patrick will receive a copy of this memorandum, a check in the amount of $25.00, and two complimentary car washes.

Harbor Crest Open House

Please join the residents, staff and board of directors of Harbor Crest Home, Fulton, Illinois, your local "Five Star" nursing home in celebrating National Nursing Home Week on Saturday, May 16th from 1:30 p.m. ­ 4:00 p.m. They will be having an open house and community picnic to celebrate the new changes in their facility and the appointment of the new Administrator, Joe Coulter from Knoxville, Illinois.

New changes to the facility include a new dining experience, activity room and expanded rehab area. Entertainment will be provided all afternoon with an evening hot air balloon presentation, weather permitting. A picnic meal will be available for $5 per person.

Harbor Crest has attained a "Five Star" quality rating, from the federal government, due to health inspection results, staffing and quality measures. The Five-Star Quality Rating System was created to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily and help identify areas about which you may want to ask questions.

Harbor Crest Home is welcoming, Joe Coulter, as Administrator to their management team. He brings eighteen years of nursing home experience from numerous areas from his previous employment. Joe has a strong desire to work in a non-for-profit nursing home. He also has a strong administrative background with experience in skilled care, assisted living, and intermediate care. He is also experienced in grant writing with a strong background in mechanical/maintenance operations and computer technology. Joe has worked in the Knoxville County Home for eighteen years, is married and has two children.

Conference Held on Greening Our Communities

The Jo Daviess-Carroll County Solid Waste Agency, in conjunction with the Jo-Carroll Extension Unit, hosted a conference on April 23rd for local government officials, business leaders, and interested individuals that focused on bringing together creative forces for environmental progress within our communities.

The Greening Our Communities: Resources, Ideas, & Collaboration conference was held at Buck's Barn in Thomson, IL and was well attended by local mayors, county board members, public works officials, and enthusiastic community members. Doug Scott, IL Environmental Protection Agency Director, was the keynote speaker and other speakers included Tim Ridder, Environmental Services Director for the City of Rock Island. Tim shared all of Rock Island's green initiatives and how their green team works together to implement the mission. Smart Energy Design assistance Center (SEDAC), represented by Andy Robinson, Energy Engineer; and Lee Trotter, representing IL DCEO, shared the resources their agencies have available. Jo-Carroll Energy spoke on the reasons to continue conserving energy and Prairie Works, Inc. provided information on how and why to retain community green spaces and put native landscaping in place to prevent erosion and save money.

It is anticipated that this conference will continue on an annual basis with new green challenges and topics. Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties have small communities and very limited budgets. One of the aims of this conference was to highlight the resources available to those communities and encourage networking and pooling of resources. For questions regarding the conference and future participation, contact Maggie Friedenbach, Recycling and Conservation Programs Coordinator, representing the University of Illinois Extension and the Jo-Carroll Solid Waste Agency, at 815-244-9444 or by email mfrieden@illinois.edu

Redevelopment Authority Launches New Website

LRA Promotes Low-Cost Land, Buildings, Attractive Employee Wage Scales, Large Tracts

The Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority, LRA, is happy to announce its new website, www.lrasavannail.us. The site has been revamped to give business entities a peek at what the Savanna Depot Business, Industry & Technology Park has to offer.

"Users should be very happy with the results of this long-overdue redesign of the site," said Diane Komiskey, LRA executive director. "The site provides easy access to the information needed to begin the process of locating in a multi-use park that is zoned and ready to permit industrial development, tourist-oriented commercial business and condos with shops and water views."

The website redesign was completed in-house. It resulted from collaboration among the LRA's three staff members. They brought to the table knowledge of the Depot Park property, recent coursework in website design, writing experience and studies of base reuse and economic development. The website features available property and its amenities: the Jo-Carroll Enterprise Zone, HUBZone designation, Foreign Trade Zone #271, lots with water views and fiber broadband service. The Savanna Depot Park encompasses 3,000 acres in Jo Daviess and Carroll counties on the BNSF Railway just off the Great River Road between the Quad Cities and Galena in northwest Illinois.

The LRA offers the low-cost land and buildings, highlights the attractive employee wage scales and seeks buyers for 40 to 90-acre tracts of industrial property that can be combined or divided.

The Depot Park is part of the former Savanna Army Depot. The average closed military base takes 25 years to be redeveloped, Komiskey said. "Nevertheless, business entities have recognized the area's attractive wage scales, opportunities for reduced property and sales taxes and chances to defer or avoid import duties." Six years after the first parcel was transferred from the Army to the LRA, less than 20 percent of the 3,000-acre Savanna Depot Park remains on the market.

Food Handler's Refresher Course Offered

A Foodservice Manager's Refresher Course will be held at Naaman Diehl Auditorium on Thursday, June 11th. Sarah Todd, Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness will present the program from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Individuals who hold a current Illinois Public Health Department Sanitation Manager's Certificate need to check to see when their certificate expires. Those managers that have certificates expiring are encouraged to take a refresher class. Taking the class early does not change the date your certificate expires. Please call the Carroll County office of University of Illinois Extension at 815-244-9444 for registration details.

CM-FFATest Plots Planted

On Monday May 5th the Chadwick Milledgeville FFA chapter planted their test plots. "We planted 8 acres of corn, with a row spacing of 30 inches at a population of 34,000 plants per acre at a depth of 2 inches," said Nic VanderVinne, Reporter for the CM-FFA. "Herbicide and fertilizer were applied by Milledgeville FS. Seed was donated by Steve Smith and was planted by Joel Stover."

On Thursday May 7th the Chadwick Milledgeville FFA chapter hosted their annual petting zoo. Members brought in animals and farm equipment for elementary students to observe.

12 Ways to Have a Blast With Your Kids

In today's economy, families are watching every penny. That doesn't mean family fun has to end! Child rearing expert, Bette Holtzman, vice president of consumer and family advocacy at The Goldberger Company, offers some great family-friendly outings that will get parents and their kids outside and moving this spring and summerwithout breaking the bank. Families can take advantage of the warm weather and these 12 fun activities that will cost them little or no money at all:

1) Take a Trip to the Farmers' Market. Farmers' markets are unexpected family-oriented places that offer great stimulation for children. They present a fun learning opportunity where kids can experience various colors, shapes, sounds and smells. Kids can touch and taste. And there are plenty of freebies, which means mom and dad don't always have to buy! Frequent visits allow a family to develop relationships with local farmers and vendors in their community. To find a local farmers' market near you, visit: www.localharvest.org/farmersmarkets.

2) Do a Little Gardening. This is an inexpensive way to teach your kids about nature. Buy a packet of seeds from a local hardware store or gather some leftover seeds from the fruits and vegetables you bring home from the market. Kids can plant flowers, fruits or vegetables in your backyard garden, a flower pot, or a widow box, and watch them grow. Plus, girls and boys love to play in the dirt!

3) Visit the Schoolyard or Playground. Head to an elementary school playground outside of school hours, or any local park or playground. When your kids have tired of the swings and jungle gym, go for a walk or take a bike ride.

4) Go on a Picnic. Pack up some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and juice boxes and spread out a blanket at a nearby park. Meet up with other moms and dads and their kids. Feed the birds or ducks day-old breadjust watch out for those pesky squirrels! You can even bring the family dog or a favorite doll or stuffed animal along for the fun.

5) Make Your Own Bubbles. Whether you're at home in the backyard or at the park, blowing bubbles is always a fun activity for kids. Take the fun one step further and make your own bubbles together! All you need is a shallow pan, a little dish soap, water and glycerin (available at your local pharmacy). A house fly swatter doubles as a wand for lots of teeny bubbles. Check out some great bubble recipes and tips at http://bubbleblowers.com/.

6) Hold a Neighborhood Bicycle Parade. Round up the children on your street and hold a bicycle and tricycle parade through the neighborhood! Use The Prairie Advocate newspaper as handlebar streamers. Attach playing cards to the part of the bike that holds the wheels in place, and when the wheels turn, the spokes will make all sorts of noise.

7) Have a Garage Sale. Get rid of "stuff" in the house that you no longer want or need. Parents are always looking for "gently used" children's things. Let your school age kids manage their own lemonade standalways a big hit! Or, if you're in the market, take your kids to a neighborhood garage sale. Let your kids pick out a "new" toy. Remember, another kid's old toy is new to your child! Garage sales are also great places to find gently used books for all ages to read. Check The Prairie Advocate community newspaper for garage sale listings, and at www.pacc-news.com.

8) Chalk is Cheap. Sidewalk chalk is a great invention. It's thicker than blackboard chalk (easier for small hands to maneuver), it lasts longer, and it comes in colors and fun shapes. Any sidewalk or driveway becomes a canvas for "works of art" and will attract children of all ages. This is a fun mess that is easy to clean up with a garden hose or families can just wait until it rains.

And for rainy days or those days when it's just too hot to be outside, here are some great indoor activities to try:

9) Walk the Mall. Many local malls open their doors for walkers before the stores open. Get a group of moms and dads together, grab the kids and strollers, and head out bright and early to get some exercise. Moms and dads can visit the coffee shop afterward and bring some juice boxes for the kids. Call your local mall to learn more about their walking program, as some require registration.

10) Visit the Public Library. The public library is a terrific and often underutilized resource for families. Because early literacy is a huge part of the library's mission, most libraries have a number of free programs including story times, author readings, reading contests, and even craft activities. Check your local phone book for library and branch information.

11) Make Your Own Clay!

1 Cup flour, 1 Tbsp oil, ? Cup salt, 1 Cup water, 2 tsp. Cream of tartar, Food coloring or beet juice or carrot juice.

Combine flour, salt, cream of tartar in bowl. Gradually stir liquids into dry ingredients.

Stir in food coloring or juice (add small amounts at a time).Cook in saucepan over medium heat until a ball forms. Clay will darken slightly when cooked.

Remove from heat and knead until smooth. If sticky, cook for a few minutes longer.

Have fun ­ just be careful of the furniture!

12) Spend Time on the World Wide Web. More and more parents are using computers with their young children, as the Web can help teach important skills. The Internet offers a wealth of knowledge and activities for children to do on their own or with parents or older siblings. There are some phenomenal Web sites and resources out there. I like www.PBSKids.org, www.ala.org/greatsites, and www.nwf.org/kidzone. Or Google "free stuff for kids" for a host of other options.

Bette Holtzman has been a family therapist and children's advocate for more than twenty five years. As Goldberger's vice president of consumer and family advocacy, she interacts with parents, product designers and professionals to help clear paths of information and inspiration in the playthings Goldberger creates and in the concerns of parents for and about their children's playtime.

Operation Pride

The Germinators Garden Club is making an "Operation Pride" award available for outstanding and beautiful gardens and landscaping in the Savanna, Mt. Carroll, Thomson, Fulton, and Clinton communities. The "Operation Pride" award will be given in the months of June, July, August, September, and October of each year.

Here's how to nominate a garden or landscape:

· Submit a letter with the property owner's name, location/address, and property owner's phone number

· The reason for the nomination

· Name of person submitting the nomination and contact phone number

· To: The Germinators Garden Club c/o Linda Frerichs, 2006 Portland Avenue, Savanna, IL 61074-2654 or e-mail : frerichs@internetni.com

must be postmarked by the 15th of each month to be considered for the next month's award.

judges will be the "Operation Pride" committee members of The Germinators Garden Club. An "Operation Pride Award-of-the-Month" sign will be placed in the yard of the winner for the month awarded, and a 1-year family membership to the Germinators Garden Club will be awarded.

Make a Difference in a Child's Life

For over 25 years, the WIC Program has been helping mothers, babies, and children get the foods they need for proper growth and development. Even if you or your family members are working, it can be hard to make ends meet. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program may be able to help with the right foods and advice on nutrition, health care, and immunizations.

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program. It is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA). The combination of nutrition education, nutritious foods, and yearly health care visits strengthens families long after their WIC eligibility ends.

Call the Carroll County Health Department to schedule an appointment at 815-244-8855.

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