Callahan Wins State Award

Amie Henneman Callahan of Moline, formerly of Thomson, Illinois, was awarded the State Outstanding Junior Award by the Illinois State Daughters of the American Revolution at the state conference in Bloomington on April 26. Callahan received the award from State Regent Betty Ford, who presented her with a pin and ribbon. She is now eligible to compete at the national level in Washington, D.C. in July.

Callahan was cited for her work in the Children of the American Revolution and her many chairmanships in her local Carroll Chapter DAR. She is also an Associate member of the Mary Little Deere-Fort Armstrong Chapter of the Quad Cities. A Junior DAR member is under the age of 36, of which there are over 2,000 in Illinois. In 1979, Amie's mother, Luanne Bruckner of Thomson, was also named Outstanding Junior. This is only the second time in the history of the award that a mother-daughter have won the honor. This is the fourth State Outstanding Junior Award for the Carroll Chapter.

Callahan, a graduate of Thomson High School, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Western Illinois University, and her Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College in Davenport. She presently teaches piano and is organist and pianist at Bethel United Wesley Methodist Church in Moline, where her husband, Michael, is the music director. The couple have three children.

Hankemeier Earns IEPYE Award

Local University of Illinois Extension youth development educator Sara Hankemeier is among a team of Extension professionals who earned a state award for work on a 4-H curriculum. Sara Hankemeier and other Extension professionals in the state have been recognized by Illinois Extension Professionals for Youth Educator (IEPYE) as the winner of the Illinois Educational Package Team Award. The team will be officially honored during the IEPYE Fall Association meeting on August 28. The team was recognized for their work on the 4-H manual, Scientific Inquiry with Butterflies: A Teacher's Guide, which is available as an Illinois 4-H project for groups such as school classrooms, 4-H after school clubs or 4-H clubs. Hankemeier works in JoDaviess and Carroll Counties.

"The team worked very hard on this manual which took almost four years to get published," Hankemeier said. The activities for the manual are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for 3rd to 5th grades.

"All activities are hands-on and allow students to explore the anatomy, life cycle, habitat and migration routes of butterflies while teaching and using the principles of scientific inquiry," Hankemeier noted. Raising butterflies from larva can be done in conjunction with using this curriculum. Students have opportunities to use scientific tools and to use scientific measures as they learn, the educator said.

The committee of Extension staff worked in consultation with Dr. Michael Jeffords of the Illinois Natural History Survey to create the curriculum complete with Power Points, reproducible pages for students and worksheets. Others who are receiving the award for the manual include: Barbara Roberts, Dr. Madonna Weese, Dr. Michael Jeffords, Renate Jobst, Dana Homann, Brenda Roedl, Ruth Ann Vokac, Jamie Wheeler, Dr. Suzanne Bissonnette, Dr. Michael Gray, Dr. Kevin Steffey, Dr. Arthur Zangerl, Susan Kessler, and Jacqueline Roy.

Hankemeier encourages finding out more about local Extension by visiting the Jo/Carroll website. Additional resources for teachers are available at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/jdc/teachers.html.

Kirsten's Club to Teach Pioneer Skills, History

Girls age 9 and up may register now for Kirsten's Club, a summer program focusing on pioneer life and skills based on the American Girl character "Kirsten". University of Illinois Extension will present this program in cooperation with Carroll County public libraries in Milledgeville June 2, 3, and 5; in Lanark June 11, 12, and 13; in Savanna on June 16, 17, and 18; in Thomson on July 10, 17, and 24; in Mt. Carroll on July 28, 29, and 30; and in Mt. Carroll on July 28-30. The clubs are designed to familiarize participants with pioneer life from the perspective of a young girl growing up during that era.

Kirsten's Club takes its name from the well known American Girl book and doll series character "Kirsten Larson", who traveled with her family from Sweden to homestead on the Minnesota frontier in 1854. During the club meetings, participants will learn all about pioneer life through a variety of fun activities. The Club will explore pioneer foods, clothing, and shelter and make crafts representative of the time period. Horseshoes, shadow tag, marbles, and Battledore and Shuttlecock are examples of pioneer games participants will enjoy. Kirsten's Swedish heritage will also be explored through traditional Swedish food and crafts as we compare her life in Sweden to her experiences on the frontier.

Advanced registration is required, and space is limited to twelve participants. A registration fee to cover costs of supplies and materials will be charged. Registration forms are available at participating libraries and at the University of Illinois Extension office at 807D S. Clay St., Mt. Carroll, IL. Contact the University of Illinois Extension at 815-244-9444 for more information.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Rainfall Totals For NW Illinois

The volunteer rain recorders for University of Illinois Extension report their April totals:

In Carroll County - Mt. Carroll: Richard Fuller, 4.98; Nancy Gable, 5.70; Les Grim, 6.65; Maynard Kehl, 9.76; Kenneth Rahn, 6.20; Mary Rapp, 5.82; and Tom Tuite, Mt. Carroll, 6.20.

Savanna: Allen Beyer, 4.60; Leroy Getz, 6.00; Keith Rath, 6.18; and Paul Rath, 6.55.

Chadwick: Tim Adolph, 5.70; Raymond Henningsen, 5.56; and George Weber, 5.00.

Milledgeville: Shirley Cheeseman, 1.80; Frank Fogel, 5.70; and Phyllis Wagenknecht, 5.10.

Lanark: Edna Beattie, 4.20; Kris Lauritzen, 6.60; and Robert Michael, 5.00.

Shannon: Jim Endress, 4.20; Eileen Kent, 3.64; and Mary LaShelle Mantle, 5.65.

Douglas Kalec, Thomson, 6.30.

In Jo Daviess County - Galena: Dwight Bischel, 6.82; Mary Dittmar, 7.50; Wayne Dyrke, 7.24; Darlene Farrey, 9.75; Pete Peterson, 8.30; and Catherine Winslow, 7.95.

Stockton: Herbert Hill, 7.52; Ronald Lubick, 5.29; David Marcure, 6.05; David Fernstaedt, 8.70; and Arlo Paxton, 7.85.

Scales Mound: John Diedrich, 7.60; and James Huilman, 8.17.

East Dubuque: Edwin Kuhle, (Menominee), 2.34; and Todd VanOstrand, 6.30.

Don Terry, Apple River, 6.98.

Greg Haas, Elizabeth, 7.15.

Raymond & Riley Wolter, Hanover, 7.10.

Virginia Niemeier, Lena, 9.00.

Auditions for 'Mrs. Lincoln'

Winneshiek Players announces open auditions and a call for production team members for the play "Mrs. Lincoln" by Thomas Cullinan. Winneshiek veteran, Lynn Jones, directs this remarkably inventive and exciting play that probes into the dark corners of history to reveal the bizarre, but affecting story of Abraham Lincoln's widow in the bitter years after his assassination. In 1875, ten years after Lincoln's tragic death, his widow was declared insane and upon petition of her son, Robert, was confined in the Bethlehem Place Sanitarium, Batavia, Illinois, for about a year. The play is set in the confines of this room and Mary Todd Lincoln recalls the incidents of her married life, far beyond the four walls that surround her. This play is being produced in conjunction with the Lincoln-Douglas Sesquicentennial Celebration.

Auditions will be held at the Winneshiek Playhouse on Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10 at 7:00 PM. Auditions are open to the public and all are welcome. Casting needs are four (4) women, two (2) of which are African American, and four (4) men. Age ranges of both men and women are from 20 to 60. Those auditioning will do a reading from the script. Production team members, backstage crew and other volunteers are also needed to produce "Mrs. Lincoln". The performance dates are August 29, 30, 31, September 4, 5 & 6, 2008.

For additional information, contact Lynn Jones at (815) 235-2019, or by e-mail at jones_lynn@hotmail.com. Call the Winneshiek Players' Box Office at 815-232-7023, or check out the Winneshiek webpage at www.winneshiekplayers.org.

The Winneshiek Playhouse is the Nation's oldest continuous all-volunteer community theater. located at 228 W Clark (corner of Clark and Walnut) in Freeport, Illinois.

Bonnie Temperley art at 321 Art Gallary

The Artists Cooperative of Savanna has announced that the watercolors and pastel works of Bonnie Temperley of Clinton will be displayed at the 321 Art Gallery on Main Street in Savanna from May 17th through June 22nd with an Artist's Reception and Open House from 6 to 8 pm on the evening of the 17th.

Though Temperley has been an artist since childhood, her formal art education was completed through the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. She taught art at the high school level in that state for 3 years before relocating to Clinton where she was employed as an elementary art teacher for 32 years until she retired. Since that time, her art activities have included giving art classes at both the Clinton River Arts Center and the 321 Art Gallery in Savanna, where she is currently scheduled to present a beginning watercolor workshop on June 14th from 10 am until 1 pm. Believing that continual practice is the best way to improve your own skills, she consistently takes classes from other artists to enhance her abilities and spends time painting almost every day.

Her previous sessions as an instructor at the Savanna Gallery have been well attended and have ranged from plein air locations at the Mississippi Palisades State Park and other nearby sites to the home school art classes she has taught since the Gallery opened in 2006. She is particularly adept at teaching youngsters to explore the connection between art and everyday objects and how to apply art in more practical ways.

Temperley's work in this exhibit is an outstanding collection of innovative ideas combined with established techniques in both watercolor and pastel. Her method of rarely using pencil to lay out her chosen subject matter is an unusual one; she prefers to draw with the medium itself, feeling that this gives the work a freshness and vibrancy that allows her, as an artist, to explore more options than if she had restricted herself to penciled boundaries. The exhibit has great variety in both subject matter and technique; viewers will be impressed not only by the color elements shown but by the variations chosen for rendering the subjects.

The public is invited to visit the 321 Art Gallery at any time during its open hours to view this showing of Temperley's pastels and watercolors, to enjoy the work of other ACS members and the many examples of artistic, one-of-a-kind items on display by artisans skilled in the use of wood, clay, stained glass, paper, jewelry and canvas. Admittance is free and open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm on Wednesdays through Saturdays. Sunday viewing hours are from noon until four pm.

New Carnival Featured at Polo Town & Country Days

Jennifer Grobe, President of Polo Town & Country Days, Inc., is pleased to announce that the committee has contracted with Great American Shows to provide the carnival rides and games for this year's festival.

Great American Shows is a family-owned business that has been in the Chicagoland area for three generations. They present a full carnival experience with traditional carnival food, games for the young and young at heart, and dazzling mechanical rides to twist, turn and spin patrons of all ages.

Among the over 15 rides they will be bringing include the Zipper, Swinger, Tempest, Tilt a Whirl, Gravitron and Paratrooper. There are also many rides for the younger set, such as the Super Slide, F-80 Airplanes, Berry Go Round, Hampton Dune Buggies & Motorcyles.

"The 2008 Polo Town & Country Days Festival will be held from June 12-15," Grobe said. "The theme for this year's festival will be 'Farm Livin' is the Life."' The festival begins again with our Famous Fireworks Display. Join us on the football field to get the full effects with the simulcast music presentation prepared by WLLT."

Crafters Needed

This year's Craft & Collectible Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Booth spaces are approximately 10 feet by 12 feet and cost $25 each. Indoor spaces are available for a limited time. Applications for the craft show have been mailed. If you have crafts for sale and need an application, please contact Cindy Sullivan at 815-946-3302.

Little Miss & Mister Contest

Polo's annual Little Miss & Mister Contest will be held on Thursday, June 12th, at 6:00 pm. The contest is open to all children ages 4 ­ 6 who live within the Polo School District. The winners of the contest will ride in the Grand Parade on Sunday, June 15th, at noon. To enter your little prince or princess, visit www.poloil.net to print an application form. Or, print the child's name and age, parents' name, address and phone number on a sheet of paper. Send to Polo Town & Country Days, P.O. Box 324, Polo, IL 61064. Call Sherri Beers at 815-946-3030 for more information. All entries must be received by June 6th,2008. We will only be accepting the 1st 20 entry forms. All applicants will be notified via a phone call.

Fun For All

The festival will continue with Kid's Day on Friday, Lowell Gentry and Friends in the Beer Garden on Friday night, Dwyer & Michaels on Saturday, the Grand Parade on Sunday and free entertainment for all ages all weekend. New entertainment will include the Log Hoggers wood carvers, a Sand Volleyball Tournament, Art on the Sidewalk and a Pig Scramble.

Come and enjoy one of the best small town festivals in the area. For more information and a schedule of events, visit Polo's website at www.poloil.net or call 815-677-1188 or 815-946-

4-H Forecast

By Leanne Rahn, 815-244-9444

Carroll County 4-H Federation To Meet

The next meeting of the Carroll County 4-H Federation will be Saturday, May 17, at 9:00 a.m. at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll.

We will have a short meeting followed by a lesson on horticulture and floriculture. The group will wind up the morning by planting flowers with the residents. Dress to get dirty. The meeting will he held rain or shine.

The Chadwick Achievers 4-H Club is in charge of refreshments. For more information contact Leanne Rahn at University of Illinois Extension 815-244-9444 or e-mail at lrahn@uiuc.edu.

Chadwick 4-H Club Holds Meeting

The Chadwick Achievers 4-H Club met on May 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the Methodist Church basement in Chadwick. There were 10 members present. Our club will be sponsoring 2 awards at the Carroll County 4-H Fair in August. The 4-H Federation will be meeting May 17, at 9:00 a.m. to plant flowers at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll. Volunteers are needed to work at the Mayfest food stand May 24 & 25, contact the Extension Office if interested. 4-H Fair entries are due by July 2. Our next meeting will be June 7, at 7:00 in the Methodist Church in Chadwick. All youth between the ages of 8 and 18 are welcome to attend our meetings and see what 4-H is all about.

Carroll County Dog Obedience Sessions Scheduled

All 4-H'ers are invited to take advantage of dog obedience classes now being offered. The classes will be held June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30th at the 4-H Fair exhibit building at the Milledgeville Fairgrounds. A dog obedience class will be held from 7:00 ­ 7:45 p.m. and a showmanship class will be held from 7:45 ­ 8:00 p.m. All youth should be accompanied by a parent.

You will learn what you can and cannot do in the ring while you are being judged. Learn hand placement, correct foot work and the pattern that the judge will be asking you to do. Every participant will need to bring with them their dog, proof of rabies vaccination (required), a choke collar, a 6 ft. leash, water bowl, bags and paper towels to clean up and chewable treats.

To register or for more information contact Leanne Rahn at Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Service at 244-9444 or e-mail lrahn@uiuc.edu. There is no cost to 4-H'ers for this program.

Carroll County 4-H Cookbooks, Bears & Bricks Available

Looking for that perfect gift for the person who has everything? How about a Carroll County 4-H Cookbook! The cookbook is a culmination of tried and true recipes from 4-H families and 4-H alumni. Cost is $10.00 per cookbook.

Also available is a 4-H bear. The musical bears play "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" and sell for $5.00. The non-musical bears sell for $5.00. The walkway of bricks is an on-going project for the 4-H exhibit building at the fairgrounds. The bricks are $50.00 and have room for two or three lines of engraved writing on them. It makes the perfect gift for the family or in remembrance of someone special.

For more information or to purchase a cookbook, bears or a brick contact Leanne at Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 815-244-9444. All proceeds will go towards programs, materials and educational opportunities for the Carroll County 4-H program.

Carroll County 4-H Leaders Meeting Planned

The next Carroll County 4-H Leader's Meeting will be held Monday, June 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. at the Carroll County Farm Bureau Board room. We have many agenda items to discuss ­ 4-H Fair, summer activities, records, etc. All organizational, project and Junior Leaders are encouraged to attend. For more information contact Leanne Rahn at University of Illinois Extension, 815-244-9444 or at lrahn@uiuc.edu.

2008 Phi Kappa Phi Student Initiates

Nearly 150 Western Illinois University students were recently inducted into Western's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

The Western Illinois University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi was chartered in 1972 by 25 faculty members dedicated to academic excellence. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and encourages superior scholarship in all academic disciplines, and honors persons of good character who excel in scholarship.

Admission to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval in accordance with the bylaws of both the chapter and the national society. Invitation is to the top 7.5 percent of juniors, top 10 percent of seniors and the top 10 percent of graduate students.

Local inductees include: Susan Mae Miller, Chadwick, senior, psychology; Marty Craig Lamb, Mount Carroll, junior, management; David P. Hamling, Savanna, senior, law enforcement and justice administration.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, is warning residents to take precautions against tick bites to prevent contracting the diseases ticks can carry. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Now through June is the peak period for tick activity, since ticks become active when the temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or more at ground level.

"As the weather gets warmer and people spend more time outdoors, they need to be careful to protect themselves from tick bites," said Dr. Arnold. "Ticks can transmit a number of diseases through a bite, so people should be diligent about using personal prevention measures and insect repellent when they are outdoors in areas where ticks may be present."

Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush and, if infected, can spread various diseases, including ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected deer tick. The first sign of infection is usually a rash at the site of a tick bite from three to 32 days after the bite. The rash expands over a period of several days and the center of the rash may clear as it enlarges resulting in what can be referred to as a "bull's eye appearance." Ticks can bite without causing discomfort and the rash is not usually painful so these rashes can be overlooked especially when they occur on areas of the body not readily noticed like on a person's back or the back of the leg. Some combination of fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes can also occur.

It's important for people to recognize the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, and other tickborne diseases, so treatment is not delayed. Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease. Left untreated, other signs and symptoms of the infection can occur including facial palsy, severe headaches and stiff neck, pain and weakness in the extremities, joint pain with swelling, heart palpitations and light headedness due to changes in the heartbeat.

Non-resident Archery Deer Permits Available June 1

Non-resident archery deer hunting permits for the 2008-09 Illinois Archery Deer season will be available through the DNR Direct online and by phone beginning June 1.Non-residents can purchase combination archery permits via DNR Direct Online License Sales at http://dnr.state.il.us (Click on DNR Direct on the home page) or by phone at 1-888-6PERMIT

(1-888-673-7648).Non-residents are allowed to purchase one combination archery permit (one either-sex/one antlerless only) at a cost of $400.

There will be 25,000 non-resident combination tags available for the 2008-09 archery deer season, which is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2008 through Jan. 15, 2009. Antlerless only permits for $15.50 will be available throughout the season over the counter at local license agents, as well as through DNR Direct online or by phone.

May is National Bike Month

National Bike-to-Work Week is May 12-16 and this year's Bike-to-Work Day is Friday, May 16.Riding a bike to work it is less costly than driving, it is better for the environment, and it is great exercise.Bicycling is also a great way for families to spend time together.Hop on your bike, head to a local bicycle trail, or ride your bike to work.For more information on bicycle riding and safety, contact your favorite local bike shop or cycling organization.

Wingshooting Clinics

The IDNR and partnering organizations are hosting a series of wingshooting clinics for beginning shooters and for more experienced hunters this spring and summer.Youth/Women's clinics are free.Saturday sessions generally provide instruction for girls and boys ages 10-15, while Sunday sessions are generally used to provide instruction for girls and women ages 10 and older.(Youth participants must be at least 4 feet 6 inches tall and weigh at least 75 pounds).

Instructors are certified by the National Sporting Clays Association.Hunter clinics are designed to enhance the wingshooting skills of those ages 16 and older.Hunters with wingshooting skill levels from beginner to advanced are encouraged to attend. A small fee is assessed each hunter clinic participant to cover the cost of clay targets and refreshments.

Upcoming Local Youth/Women's clinics (and contact phone numbers) include:

May 17-18 - Des Plaines Conservation Area (Will Co.); phone 217/785-8129.

June 28-29 - St. Charles Sportsmen's Club, Elburn (Kane Co.), phone

630/363-6180.

Upcoming Hunter Wingshooting Clinics include:

May 31-June 1 - Des Plaines Conservation Area (Will Co.); phone 217/785-8129.

June 7-8 - Briar Knoll Hunting and Fishing Club (Lee Co.); 815/857-2320.

For the complete wingshooting clinic schedule, check the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.

Free Fishing Days Set For June

Dozens of organizations conduct fishing derbies and other special events as part of Illinois Free Fishing Days, to be held this year June 6-9. Organizations interested in receiving educational and promotional materials to be used as part of an Illinois Free Fishing Days event should contact Gary Watson, IDNR Free Fishing Days events coordinator, at 217/782-9990.

During Illinois Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish without the need to have a sport fishing license, inland trout stamp or salmon stamp.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman

Make arrangements now to join women from throughout Illinois for the next Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop, July 11-13 at the Lorado Taft Campus in Oregon, Illinois. The popular Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshops introduce participants to a wide variety of outdoor recreation skills and activities. The cost includes all meals, lodging, use of equipment, and course materials.For more information and registration materials, click on the IDNR website at the following link: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/Bow/index.htm

Senior Honor Student Recognition Banquet And Scholarship Night The 28th Annual Senior Honor Student Recognition Banquet, sponsored by the Chadwick-Milledgeville School District, was held on Thursday, May 12, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milledgeville. A total of 138 scholarships from 63 local donors, were presented to 22 seniors totaling $32,400. New scholarship donors who would like to contribute to next year's scholarship night, can do so by contacting Tim Schurman, Principal at 815-225- 7141, ext. 224.

Pictured: front row L - R: Cody Buckman, Ethan Silvius, Brittany Cummings, Jennifer Eich, Gina Silvius and Katie Peugh. 2nd row L - R: Jackie Appel, Rosemary Imel, Jennifer Carter, Hannah Adolph, Lacey Janssen. 3rd row L - R: Dylan Jones, Shane Stuart, Nathan Puckett, Jamison Wiersema, Darrin Rahn, Roman Minyaylyuk. Back row L - R: Evan Hollewell and Tyler Isenhart.

Rural High School Students Wanted For Summer Health Careers Camp

The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford is looking for rural high school students interested in a future in the health professions to participate in a three day summer camp at Northern Illinois University, June 6-8, 2008. Applications must be received by May 15, and participation in the camp is free.

The purpose of the camp is to provide rural high school students with a hands-on experience in different health careers and to show the different opportunities available in the health professions. Students will receive information about education and training, academic requirements, financial aid and campus life. The faculty for the camp is composed of health professionals currently in practice, school counselors and college students.

Campers will stay in a dormitory on the campus of NIU in DeKalb, Ill. Activities will include a simulated emergency medical team rescue of car wreck victims with helicopter support, the option of visiting an anatomy lab, a hospital visit, bowling and billiards party, games and a social activity with dance instruction on new steps and moves. Parents and students will also attend a session lead by university counselors about applying and obtaining financial aid for education following high school. All meals and recreational activities are provided.

Current rural high school freshman, sophomores and juniors from the 14 counties of the Northern Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) region are eligible to apply. These counties include Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Henry, JoDaviess, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago.

Student applications must be received on or before May 15, 2008. Please mail applications to Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper, MSW, at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, Ill., 61107. Applications can be obtained at www.ilrhpguide.com/camp.cfm.

For more information on the summer Health Careers Camp, contact Vicki at 815.395.5854 or vweide1@uic.edu.

State Final IHSA Music Scoreboard

Here is the State Final IHSA Music Scoreboard which includes band and choral programs from Illinois high schools. This is likely the first time all three Carroll County High Schools have achieved state rankings.

West Carroll finished 3rd in the Class B ranking. The Band director is Emily Bressler with Scott Madison serving directorship of the Chorus.

Eastland ranked 1st in Class C led by Band and Choral Director Elizabeth Judd.

Rounding out at 3rd in the Class D Division is Chadwick-Milledgeville under the directorship of Brad Linboom, chorus and Margo Weber, band. Congratulations to all these Carroll County High School music programs.

Normal (Community) 586.5

Class B

1 Herscher 900

2 Macomb 723

3 Savanna (West Carroll) 711

4 Richmond (R.-Burton) 633

5 Clifton (Central) 543

6 Williamsville 537

7 Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) 501

8 Monticello 480

9 Orion 475.5

10 Forreston 468

Class C

1 Lanark (Eastland) 636

2 Villa Grove 546

3 Glasford (Illini Bluffs) 531

4 Prophetstown 526.5

5 Grant Park 444

6 Downs (Tri-Valley) 436.5

7 Aledo 393

8 Argenta (A.-Oreanna) 384

9 Stockton 369

10 Hamilton 325.5

Class D

1 Orangeville 553.5

2 Cissna Park 411

3 Milledgeville 345

4 Avon 258

5 Pearl City 238.5

6 Table Grove (VIT) 223.5

7 Cerro Gordo 201

8 Valmeyer 180

9 Warsaw 171

10 Cambridge 163.5

10 Donovan 163.5

Night of Masquerade Returns to Savanna

Mayor to Award 2007 Costume Winners

Savanna, IL - The second annual El Noche de Carnival returns to Savanna,

Saturday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the House of Events, 108 Main Street, Savanna. Capturing the mystery of a night in Venice, and the fun of Carnival, the evening of masquerade, dinner and dancing will raise money to benefit the 321 Artists Cooperative and the Savanna Historical Society.

Savanna Mayor William Lease will award recipients of last year's best costume contest. Last year's winners include Alescha Cernetisch, of Albany, Illinois, as a Romanian gypsy; Jean Ferris, of Savanna, as Cleopatra; Beth Holland & Jim Zid, of McHenry, Illinois, as Little Red Ridding Hood and the Big, Bad Wolf; and Carol Gloor, of Chicago, as a gothic queen. Last year's benefit raised a total of $4,352 including contributions to cover expenses.

After expenses, approximately $800 was divided and donated to four organizations the Savanna Historical Society, the 321 Artists Cooperative, The Palisades Art League, and The Rivertown Theatre Project of Illinois.

Tickets for the masquerade gala are $27 each and include one cocktail, buffet dinner, dancing and entry into the costume contest. Tickets can be purchased at the Savanna Chamber of Commerce, 815-273-2722 or the 321 Art Gallery, 815-273-2781. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event at House of Events, 108 Main Street, Savanna. Checks should be made out to Savanna Summer on the River.

El Noche de Carnival complements Mount Carroll's 27th Annual Mayfest, Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25, giving visitors to the area more options and opportunities to enjoy the weekend. Mayfest offers continuous musical entertainment, a craft show, classic car show, food, beer and wine tents, and children's entertainment. Admission is free.

Savanna Summer on the River is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation formed to raise funds for art and historical organizations in Savanna and promote Summer tourism to Carroll County.

Bike Blessing Success In Spite of Weather

Church On A Hill hosted the 8th Annual Blessing of the Bikes Saturday, May 10th at Poopy's in Savanna. The event saw approximately 40 bikes and more than 60 riders participate with over 21 cities represented from the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. "The weather wasn't quite cooperative," stated Pastor Wayne Carvell, "but we had great support and appreciate everyone who got involved with the event." A special thanks goes out to Brent Hurlbert from Commanche who helped coordinate and advertise the event.

All bikers are encouraged to watch for the upcoming Bike Show and Bug Run coming July 5th at Poopy's in Savanna. This will be a fund raising event for the Greta River Outreach. Details for registration in the Bike show and Bug Run will be announced within the next few weeks. All bikers are invited to participate. Anyone interested can Call Pastor Wayne Carvell at Church On A Hill 815-273-7061.

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Nicole Olson and Austin Walker were crowned Eastland High School Prom Queen and King, at the Grand March held at Eastland High School. Following, the Class of 2009 hosted the "Under the Sea" themed Prom with a dinner and dance at The Rafters in Lena. Also on the court were attendants: Marissa Beverley, Karleigh Lillge, Kelsey Pierce, William Hammer, Braydon Mahoney, and Justin Witt. (Courtesy Eastland High School)

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