More Important News

Exelon Long Time Sponsor of Morrison’s Paint the Town

The Exelon Corporation has been a long-time supporter of Morrison’s annual Paint the Town event, now in its 19th year, held Saturday, September 21, 2013. Bill Stoermer, Exelon, recently presented their sponsorship check to the CAPA (Children’s Art Preservation Association) Board of Directors.

Front, L to R: John Martin, Dana McCoy, Bill Stoermer, (Exelon), Sarah Thorndike, Beth Poling, Nick Bonnier (and daughter); Middle: Pat Fuller, Barb Bees, Angela Gibbs; Back: Carol Wolf, Tony Wright, Pat Gibbs. To register to paint a square or find out about how to become a sponsor, visit www.paintthetownmorrison.com

Local Youth Group Heads to St. Paul for Mission Trip

The Holy Trinity Lutheran Parish – consisting of St. John Lutheran (Massbach), St. Paul Lutheran (Hanover) and Trinity Lutheran (Derinda) – sent out five youth and three adults into the city of St. Paul for the congregations’ first-ever Mission Trip. Participants included Angie Conklin, Kara Conklin, Jordan McLane, Laura Marquez, Tayler Meneguin, Tabria Thomson, Abbie Wurster, and Intern Michelle Greenwald.

The crew left on Sunday, July 28th with a sending service to bless their work with God’s people. They arrived at Immanuel Lutheran in St. Paul later that afternoon where the crew was greeted by a number of the Youthworks staff. (Youthworks is the organization that the Parish used to organize the trip). They joined with four other denominational church youth groups in their work for the week.

The group spent four 14-hour days out in the areas of St. Paul serving and building relationships with the people there. Time was spent in local Nursing Homes, Boys and Girls Club, and the Salvation Army Pre-School. The crew served meals, played with kids, entertained elderly, and helped clean the places they served.

What was so special about this Mission Trip was not that the participants did not do physical labor in serving the St. Paul people, but actually stepped outside of their comfort zones to get to know the kids and adults. Each participant spent time talking and engaging with the people in order to get to know their stories and provide the love of Christ with the people of St. Paul.

Throughout the week, the participants prepared and served all of their own meals for not only themselves but for the other church youth groups along for the week. Also, each day the youth took responsibility in cleaning-up after themselves between cleaning up the kitchen after meal-time to toilet-bowl scrubbing every morning. The participants also found themselves having individual daily morning devotions before they headed off to their worksites with “CLUB” time happening each night with a group Bible Study and engaging activities to learn about the day’s theme.

The theme for the week of service was “UnDesireable,” which emphasized God’s deep desire in wanting us for who we are regardless of what we have done in our lives. Each day, the crew was introduced to a new sub-theme (Broken, Pursued, Restored, and Empowered) in sharing how God constantly desires us for who we are. Every day, the youth and adults were encouraged to put these sub-themes into practice in their service with the people of St. Paul – which was truly seen as each shared Christ’s love with the St. Paul people.

The crew returned home on Saturday afternoon, after a fun day at Mall of America, fatigued and exhausted but with a heart full for love of the people they went to serve in St. Paul. Truly no one returned home the same as when they left only a few days before. Blessings to all who participated and supported this crew in their Mission Trip in serving God’s people!

Five Generations Strong

Back Row (left to right): Great Grandfather Francis Frederick, Rock Falls, IL; Grandmother Michelle Workman, Mt. Carroll, IL and Father Gerrett Haag, Mt. Carroll, IL.

Front Row (left to right): Great-Great Grandmother Ardith Frederick, Mt. Carroll, holding Leighla Haag, Mt. Carroll, IL.

45th Reunion for Elizabeth Class of 1968

The Elizabeth High School Class of 1968 held its 45th Reunion on August 3, 2013 at Manny’s in Savanna. Pictured are (left to right): Carol (Haas) Stoner, Carol (Kraft) Avey, Kat Groezinger, Edward Haring, Donald Schumacher; Second row: Steve Schemehorn, Lee Robinson, Sam Lieb, Carol (Eickman) Waser, Robert Spoerl, Susan Lunning; Third row: Nancy Roberts, Marc Schultz, Sherry (Westphal) Suess, Sherri (Hoppe) Naumann, Bill Waser; Fourth row: James Diehl, Roger Eickman, Mike Read, Mike Chiaverina.

Good Samaritan Society-Mount Carroll Grant to Benefit Head Start Children

Alison Kanosky, (center) a Doctoral student at Yale University, discussed her dissertation research project on Economic Development in Carroll County at the Mount Carroll Rotary Club’s program at the Tuesday, Aug 13 meeting. Rotarians also pictured are Mike Risko and Dick Noble.

Rotary Brings Student from Thailand to Morrison

Rock Falls and Morrison Rotary have sponsored a student through the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. Krits Jedjinda is from Thailand and will be a student this year at Morrison High School. He also performs traditional Thai dances and his group performed for the Rotary international meeting. He says he likes all sports. He speaks Japanese and some Chinese as well.

He will stay with three host families during his time in Morrison. His first host family will be Tanner and Suellen Girard. He was on a soccer team in Thailand and looks forward to learning and being a part of the Mustang Football team this year. Welcome Krits to Morrison!

Introduction to Natural Health and Natural Health Alternatives

Volunteer Hospice of Northwest Illinois is pleased to announce the presentation of a program entitled Introduction to Natural Health and Natural Health Alternatives at their September Community Education Meeting.

This program will be held at the Stockton Park House, Stockton, Illinois on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 10 a.m. The speaker for the event will be Susan Schafer, PhD of Natural Healing Express located in Lena. The public is encouraged to attend this informative meeting. There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers, so plan now to come if you have questions on the subject.

Please register for the event as seating is limited. Reservations can be made by phoning Volunteer Hospice of NWIL at . The Stockton Park House is located one block off of Route 20 on Pearl Street in Stockton and is handicap accessible. For more information on Susan Schafer you can visit her website at www.naturalhealingexpress.com.

Shannon Homecoming Little Miss Contenders

The 2013 candidates vying for the title of Shannon Homecoming Little Miss are (L to R) Ella Gunderson (Rob & Kelli Gunderson); Jenica Stoner (Ryan & Shelley Stoner); Abigale Hollister (Tom & Kirsten Hollister); Molly McKenna (Chuck & Sara McKenna); Olyvia Leverton (Lance & Jenna Leverton); and Ava Miller (Jon & Heidi Miller). The Little Miss Competition begins at 5 pm at the stage on Saturday, August 31. (PA photo/Tom Kocal)

Shannon Homecoming Queen Candidates

The 2013 candidates for Shannon Homecoming Queens are (L to R) Miranda Grisham (Lance & Carla Grisham); Ronnie Miller (B.J. & Debbie Miller); and Courtney Walker (Dan & Andrea Walker). The Queen Competition begins at 5:30 pm at the stage on Saturday, August 31. (PA photo/Tom Kocal)

The 2nd Annual Johnny Races!

Organize your team of 3 to push, pull, and drag your friends through the streets of downtown Shannon ~ all while they sit high atop a throne!

The races will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 1st in front of Shannon State Bank near the main stage.

What? You can’t do this because you don’t have a toilet? We have that all covered. Feel free to deck out your own stool or you can use one of ours. Don’t forget your reading material, robe, underwear, toilet paper, or anything else you would like to use as props.

Can’t afford it? It’s free! Just come, have fun and encourage your friends and family to show their support by cheering your team to the finish line.

A trophy will be given for the first place team.

Questions? Call Dawn at .

We’ll see you there!

Shannon Homecoming Labor Day Parade

Shannon Homecoming Labor Day Parade will be held Monday, September 2nd at 10 am.

The parade is one of Illinois’ oldest Hometown annual celebrations starting in 1919 to welcome home WWI soldiers.

To enter the Shannon Homecoming Celebration Parade, please send the following information.

Registration and lineup will be at Lion’s Park between 8:00 and 9:45 am.

Pre-registration is greatly appreciated but not necessary.

Name of organization:

Contact person:

Address:

Telephone number:

E-mail address:

Please mail to:

Brad Woessner

17228 Stanton Rd

Shannon, IL 61078

or

We request you write a small paragraph of information detailing your entry as you go by the viewing stand.

Hope you can make it to our great parade!

Gershwin’s ‘‘S Wonderful’ Ends the Season at TLP

Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) presents the area premiere of ‘S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical, an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of the brilliant music and lyrics of brothers George and Ira Gershwin. The show, which includes over 40 classics like “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Summertime,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” opens Thursday, August 15, 2013 and runs through Sunday, August 25th.

The show premiered in 2010 at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and has been a hit around the country. Five performers sing and dance their way through 5 different stories that transport the audience to 1940s Hollywood, 1920s New York, 1930s Paris, 1950s New Orleans and the present day. The cast includes Genna-Paige Kanago, Sarah Larson, Zak McMahon, Lexie Plath and Tim Wessel, all resident performers from TLP’s 2013 company. Wessel and Cameron Turner (Monty Python’s SPAMALOT) provide choreography.

Director Courtney Crouse said, “The beauty of the Gershwin’s music and lyrics is palpable. The feelings they evoked when first written, they still evoke today. It connects deeply with people everywhere. The storytelling we do with dance adds to the universal nature of these themes. It moves us, and we identify. It’s impossible not to.”

Gold Series Subscriptions for TLP’s next season are also on sale now. Summer 2014 brings a thrilling line-up that includes Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The new Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, and the local premier of the most popular musical of all time, Les Miserables. The rest of the season includes the plays An Inspector Calls, which is a thrilling ghost story by J. B. Priestley, and Neil Simon’s Rumors. Next summer will close with a revue of 60s hits called SHOUT! The Mod Musical.

Season subscriptions are $100, 28% off the single ticket price. Subscription prices increase to $110 on September 1. Single tickets for TLP’s 2014 mainstage season will go on sale in May 2014. Groups of 15 or more may reserve blocks of tickets immediately.

Waiting in the wings for the Magic Owl Children’s Theatre are a new adaptation of Robin Hood in May and Pinkalicious the Musical in July and August, based on the ever-popular children’s books by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. All Magic Owl Children’s Theatre tickets are available now through the box office only.

‘S Wonderful performs evenings at 7:30pm, and there are 2pm matinees on Sunday and Wednesday. There is also a Saturday matinee performance on the opening weekend at 3pm. Order tickets through the box office 10am - 5pm daily at or any time at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. Tickets are non-refundable.

Min’s Mississippi 19th Annual Walk/Run

The nineteenth annual Min’s Mississippi Memorial Walk/Run will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2013 in Thomson, IL. The four mile event starts at 8 a.m. on the west end of Main Street, past the Thomson causeway campground, on a flat scenic country blacktop. Every mile on the course will be marked accurately and there will be two water stops on the course and one water stop at the finish.

Refreshments will be provided for participants only. Pre-registration for the race is in effect and will be available until August 23rd for $11.00. All late or race day registration fees will be $13.00. T-shirts will be guaranteed to all entrants made prior to August 25th. T-shirts may be available on race day for late entries. Race day registration time is from 7 - 7:45 a.m.

Running classes include: eight and under, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-30, 31-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over and 200 pounds and over. Money raised during the event will go toward the Melinda Ann Wilkinson Scholarship Fund, which has been established to provide financial assistance to a deserving Thomson resident each year.

Race registration forms are available at local businesses or by contacting Melody Wilkinson at . For more information visit www.facebook.com/minswalkrun, or register online at www.GetMeRegistered.com/MinsMissMemRun.

Palmer College Dean’s List

Olivia Barr, of Shannon, IL, a current 2nd Trimester student in the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, has been named to the Dean’s List for the 1st Trimester.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 in all studies for the respective term. The highest possible GPA is 4.00.

Palmer was established as the first chiropractic college by Daniel David Palmer in 1897. Palmer College of Chiropractic received accreditation from the Council on Chiropractic Education in 1979 and from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1984.

70th Birthday Party

Please join the Carroll County Republican Women at our 70th birthday party. Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Manny’s Banquet Hall, 211 Main Street in Savanna, IL.

There will be a social hour from 5 - 5:45 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. The menu includes broasted chicken, salad, baked potatoes, green beans, rolls, birthday cakes, coffee and iced tea. There will be country western music by the “Diamond’s In The Rough”.

A fun program of our journey through 70 years has been planned and all Presidents will be introduced. All present and past elected State and local officials, and any past candidates who we helped and were not elected can say a few words when you hear your name. (one minute)

Our good friend of Carroll County, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is our special guest. The cost is $20 per person. Please make checks payable to CCRW and mail to V. McConnel, 401 S. College in Mt. Carroll, IL 61053. Reservations must be in by Thursday, September 5th. Questions, please call . Event Co-Chairmen: Arlene Bickelhaupt and Venita L. McConnel.

Common Core, Uncommonly Bad

Heidi Holan, of ParentalRights.org will address the August meeting of the Sauk Valley Tea Party at the Loveland Building in Dixon on Tuesday, August 27th at 6:30pm.

Heidi will educate us on the Common Core State Standards Initiative which is being implemented in most of our local schools this fall. Common Core is a federal initiative designed to homogenize diverse state educational curricula. It is a one-size-fits-all, centrally controlled curriculum for every K-12 subject.

As we have seen, the results of previous top-down federal education programs have been less than impressive and educators and parents across the nation are discovering that the Common Core curriculum does not improve K-12 education. In fact, this approach threatens to eliminate educational innovation, locks in place an unacceptable status quo and hinders efforts to develop academically rigorous curricula, assessments, and standards.

This meeting is open to the public and we encourage parents, teachers, school administrators and school board members to attend--whether you agree with other tea party values or not. This issue is so important that it is uniting those across the political spectrum. Common Core affects the future of education for all our children and grandchildren.

Please join us at the Loveland Community Building (513 W. 2nd Street in Dixon) at 6:30pm on Tuesday, August 27th to learn the facts about the Common Core Curriculum and the rising concerns of educators and parents.

For information on the Sauk Valley Tea Party or more details on Tuesday’s meeting, please visit our website, SVTP.WEBS.COM or email us at .

RAMP Offers Free ITAC Amplified Phones for the Hard-of-Hearing

Through the Deaf/Hard of Hearing services, all four RAMP offices have an Illinois Telecommunications and Access Corporation (ITAC) selection center. ITAC, at no cost to the consumer, will provide a free amplified telephone. There are no age or income restrictions. ITAC programs are required and governed by Illinois law www.itactty.org.

It is easy to qualify for a free ITAC telephone and simple to do. To qualify you must:

·   Be a legal resident of Illinois

·   Have your doctor or audiologist sign off that you are indeed hard-of-hearing

·   Have a standard land line at your residence (Now includes Comcast users!)

You can obtain an ITAC application and try the amplified phones at this RAMP location:

STEPHENSON COUNTY 2155 W. Galena Ave. Freeport IL 61032, ( voice/tty

RAMP is a not-for-profit that is a passionate partner for people with disabilities desiring to live a useful and rewarding life.  RAMP empowers people with disabilities to realize there are no limits to what they can do.  This is accomplished by assisting them to live independently, make changes in their own lives, seek peer support, obtain resources and remove barriers that threaten their dreams of independence.  RAMP advocates the implementation of current laws, promotion of needed legislation and improvement of existing systems for persons with disabilities while working to diminish negative attitudes that threaten to impede equal access. RAMP advocates for and serves people with disabilities out of four offices located in Boone, DeKalb, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties. For ore information about RAMP visit our website www.rampcil.org. RAMP is a United Way Member Agency.

Fundraiser for American Cancer Society

Two colors of tulip bulbs - pink and red - , as well as mixed colors of tulip bulbs and two kinds of daffodil bulbs - yellow and yellow with orange throats – are now available for pre-order through August 26. These bulbs are the largest bulbs available from the Netherlands and are the same as those sold in past years in Whiteside County in a promotion known as “Plant It Pink”.

Flyers have been paced in financial institutions throughout Whiteside County. Bulbs are 10/$10 or at a reduced price, if purchased in larger numbers of 25/$20 or 100/$75. All checks/cash must accompany orders. Orders may be submitted to any member of Clem’s Gang Relay For Life team. Delivery of bulbs will be during the first week of October. All proceeds minus shipping/handling costs will be donated to the American Cancer Society. For an order blank or more information, please contact Betty Clementz at .

Margaret Schneemann to Make Public Presentation

The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society invites all to the Oakdale Nature Preserve potluck and program on Tuesday, September 3. Join us at 6:00 p.m for the potluck; bring a dish to pass and table service. Beverages will be provided.

The program begins at 7:15 p.m, presented by Margaret Schneemann, water resource economist, on “ ‘MY’ Backyard: Remembering That Every Residence Is an Important Part of the Local and Global Landscape.” Ms. Schneemann will present advice on promoting healthy lawn and landscape practices.

The event is free and open to the public.

Oakdale Nature Preserve is located 3 miles south of Freeport off Baileyville Road.

For more information, contact Keith Blackmore, .

Youth Fishing Derby

Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office and Mounted Patrol are holding a Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, September 7th 2013 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Rockwood State Park, Morrison, IL with registration begins at 8:30 AM.

The fishing contest is open to all youth aged 15 and under, and is free for everyone. Prizes will be awarded to all youth participants throughout the morning. Grand prizes awarded for largest fish (total length) in each category. Special prizes awarded for individual efforts. A parent or guardian must sign for each child.

Become a Regular Blood Donor

September is National Preparedness Month, a time for Americans to prepare for emergencies of all types, including ones that require blood transfusions. By giving blood through the American Red Cross, donors help ensure an adequate supply is available.

It can take up to three days for donated blood to be tested, processed and made available for patients, so the blood on the shelves is what saves the day when an emergency strikes.

Currently, eligible donors of all blood types, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, are needed for the Red Cross to readily meet patient needs. Donors who gave blood at the start of summer may now be eligible to donate again.

Help the Red Cross be prepared by making an appointment to donate blood. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Whiteside County

Sept. 4 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Focus Services, 1100 First Ave. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 10 from 1-6 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Erie High School, 435 Sixth Ave. in Erie, Ill.

Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Sept. 12 from 3-8 p.m. at Tampico United Methodist Church, 202 Lincoln Ave. in Tampico, Ill.

Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., in Rock Falls, Ill. –Platelet donations only. Platelet donations are taken by appointment only.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.