Get Involved With Carroll County 4-H

By Leanne Rahn - CC Community Worker, 4-H and Youth

Looking for a new way for you and your friends to have fun? Give 4-H a try! Carroll County 4-H invites young people 5 to 18 years of age to have fun, meet new people, and even learn new skills through all of the action-packed, hands on programs. 4-H is the youth development education program of University of Illinois Extension Service helping youth learn skills for living. 4-H provides real-life, hands-on experience for kids.

4-H offers a host of educational projects designed to fit into the things you like to do. The computer projects will teach you how to use a variety of programs. Dog and cat projects teach you how to care for dogs and cats, read their body language and how to determine if they're sick. There are also many intercultural activities, where you learn about cultures in different countries as well as in your community, and foods projects where you can make a variety of snacks.

To become a 4-H member, you need to enroll in one of the community 4-H clubs. A club has five or more members and one or more volunteer leaders. Club members elect their own officers, plan club programs, and conduct six to twelve meetings and other events each year. Each member enrolls in at least one 4-H project. For more information about 4-H, contact the Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 815-244-9444. There's a 4-H club near you!

CC 4-H Cloverbud E's Club To Meet

By Leanne Rahn - CC Community Worker, 4-H and Youth

"E" is for excitement because this is an exciting time for kids who are five to seven year olds by September 1, 2008 and are not yet in the third grade, to be become involved with the 4-H Clover Bud"E's". The countywide Clover Bud program is set up to help your child get a taste of what 4-H is about and develop positive self esteem. The program promotes social interaction with other children in the county.

"E" is for encouragement. Each of the project areas will be discussed during a group meeting. We will talk about your child's project and have fun learning games that help your child with their project.

"E" is for education. Your child will learn the basics of 4-H. The Clover Bud"E's" will not elect officers or have formal business meetings, but will discuss these items to prepare them for the regular 4-H program.

"E" is for entertainment. Each night we will play games that provide socialization skills to your child.

"E" is for exhibits. Your child's project will be exhibited at the Carroll County 4-H Fair with the other 4-H projects. Your child will receive acknowledgement for a job well done.

"E" is for enjoyment. If your child would like to be a part of the fun of the Carroll County Clover Bud"E's", the meetings will be held the second Saturday of each month from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Carroll County Extension Office Meeting in Mt. Carroll. The first meeting will be Saturday 13, from 9:30 ­ 10:30 a.m.

For more information contact Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 815-244-9444.

Carroll County 4-H Federation Will Meet

By Leanne Rahn - CC Community Worker, 4-H and Youth

September 1st, starts the new 4-H year in Carroll County, and to get the ball rolling the 4-H Federation has a great night planned for their September meeting.

The Federation will meet Saturday, September 13th, at 5:00 p.m. at the Dennis & Jill Wright farm near Thomson. All 4-H'ers are welcome to attend.

To start the evening off we will have election officers for the 2008-2009 4-H year. We will also go over program and activity ideas for the upcoming year. The Federation has planned games and activities for all ages. Each club is also invited to bring a team of 4, 4-H'ers for a rousing game of capture the flag.

To top off the evening everyone is invited to make radio spots for National 4-H Week. These spots will be played on WCCI radio station during the week of October 5-11. Plan to attend. Please bring a dish to pass, your own table service, lawn chair and your own drink. Federation will supply the hot dogs & buns.

For more information, contact Leanne Rahn at Carroll County University of Illinois Extaension Office at 815-244-9444 or e-mail at lrahn@illinois.edu.

Angels of Hope Relay For Life Team

The "Angels of Hope" American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team from Lanark will be sponsoring a fundraiser at Dave's Place in Lanark on Saturday, September 20.

We will start off the evening selling Manny's Pizza from 4:00 ­ 7:30 p.m. Whole pizzas are $8.00 (can be purchased cooked or frozen) or $2.50 per slice. From 9:00 p.m. ­ 1:00 a.m. come dance to classic rock, country and blues by the Cross Cut Band from Freeport. Don't miss out on the fun.

There will be door prizes throughout the evening. Raffle tickets will be on sale until midnight. 1st prize is 50/50 cash; 2nd prize 1 night stay in the deluxe suite at Hickory Hideaway; 3rd prize is 4 people/18 holes golf with card at Oakville Country Club.

For more information please call 815-493-8503 or 815-493-6573.

Shedding Light On Bipolar Disorder

In years gone by it was referred to as manic-depression. Today it is referred to as bipolar disorder. Regardless of the terminology there is still a significant need for public education on this often misdiagnosed disorder affecting an estimated 6-million individuals.

On October 9th, Sinnissippi Centers will present "Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder" a community presentation at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon (1013 Franklin Grove Road) at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free presentation.

Everyone experiences moments of happiness and sadness. But for individuals with bipolar disorder, feelings of happiness and sadness are often extreme.

"An individual may suffer debilitating depression and euphoric, elevated or irritable moods in a cycling pattern," explains Alisa Wolf, clinical services manager for Sinnissippi Centers.

"A message we would like to get across to the public is that bipolar disorder is nothing to be embarrassed about. People with bipolar disorder work jobs, raise families and life full lives. While it is a life-long condition bipolar disorder is definitely treatable."

There are several treatment options for individuals with bipolar. But often treatment needs to be tailored to the individual.

"What works for one person may not work for someone else," adds Leigh Terrell, clinician with Sinnissippi Centers. "Treatment often includes a regular routine of medication, therapy and education on how to manage their condition."

According to Terrell, another important component of an individual's care for bipolar disorder is the support they receive from family and friends.

"Mental illness doesn't just affect the individual with the illness; it affects the family. Our goal is to help family members learn the importance of taking care of themselves."

Terrell recommends that family members and friends learn as much as they can about bipolar disorder and treatment.

"Knowledge is key to properly assisting with your loved one's recovery."

Annually during October the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) sponsors Mental Illness Awareness Week, which this year is October 5-11th. Part of that week is Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day on Thursday, October 9th. NAMI challenges the public to:

- Learn more about the symptoms of bipolar disorder;

- Participate in a free mental health screening;

- Reach out to individuals who have bipolar disorder;

- Encourage individuals with bipolar to seek treatment.

For more on the "Shedding Light on Bipolar Disorder" presentation on October 9th call 1-800-242-7642 or visitwww.sinnissippi.com.

Sinnissippi Centers is a behavioral healthcare agency serving Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties, with office locations in Dixon, Mt. Carroll, Oregon, Rochelle and Sterling. For more information about programs and services, call Sinnissippi toll-free at 1-800-242-7642.

Learn More about the 2008 Carroll County Comprehensive Plan

After discussion at the Carroll County Board meeting on August 21st, an additional "public discussion" to review the 2008 Carroll County Comprehensive Plan will take place at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 pm in the Community House, 101 N. Main Street, Mt. Carroll.

The County Board will discuss the Plan further at its October 16 meeting prior to an expected vote.

Copies of the plan have been sent to each County Board member. Mayors of the towns and villages in Carroll County have also been asked to consider a resolution in support of the Plan, and to put these resolutions on their meetings agendas within the next two weeks.

"We apologize that some libraries did not get their copies of the plan as promptly as promised," said Laurie Gungel, Executive Director of the Carroll County Economic Development Corp. "They are now at the libraries in Chadwick, Lanark, Milledgeville (Wysox Twnshp), Mt. Carroll, Savanna, and Thomson (York Twnshp). Since Shannon has no public library, a copy can be found in Shannon City Hall office."

Copies can also be downloaded directly from the CCEDC's website, www.ccedc.org.

Funding for the preparation of the "2008 Carroll County Comprehensive Plan" was provided by ComEd, Jo-Carroll Energy, the Carroll County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies Committee (CEDS), the Jo-Carroll University of Illinois Extension, and the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation.

Free Screenings at Forreston Fire Department Open House

FHN will be part of the Forreston Fire Department Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at the firehouse.

No cost or pre-registration is required for the FHN screenings, which include height, weight and blood pressure checks as well as cholesterol and blood sugar testing. (Those wishing to undergo the blood sugar test should fast ­ no food or drink except water ­ for five hours prior to the testing time.)

FHN will have displays on men's, women's and children's health and FHN services as well as information from the Illinois Poison Center on poison prevention. Other displays include burn prevention, fire safety and Burn Camp information.

For more information, contact Donna Daws at 815-938-2050.

FHN, a not-for-profit organization with nearly 1,400 employees, is an award-winning regional healthcare system committed to the health and well-being of the people of northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin.For more information about FHN, please visit www.fhn.org.

Regional School Superintendents Announce Bus Evacuation Drill Day

Illinois Regional Superintendents of Schools have declared Wednesday, September 17, 2008, as Bus Evacuation Drill Day for school districts in Illinois. As a requirement of the Illinois Safety Drill Act, public schools in Illinois are required to hold at least one bus evacuation drill each year.

The Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents is delivering this message statewide in order to encourage districts and bus owner/operators to hold evacuation drills early in the school year.

"We want our students and drivers to be prepared in case of a bus emergency. The safety of our children is so very important, and this one simple activity can yield major benefits in the event of an emergency," remarked Marie Stiefel, Regional Superintendent of Schools for Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson Counties.

According to the Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, bus evacuation drills are to be scheduled and personally supervised by the proper school official or designated school administrator. Police, rescue and fire personnel should be invited to participate in this training event so as to be prepared for a school bus emergency.

"In many bus emergencies, only 2 to 5 minutes are available to complete an evacuation before possible serious injury to students might occur. By practicing early in the school year, we can make each of our students aware of the proper way to vacate a school bus in an emergency," stated IARSS President Marc Kiehna.

Plum River Playhouse Has New Stage

Plum River Playhouse, a recently organized community theater in Stockton, Illinois, will be presenting the first play on their newly constructed stage on Friday, September 26, at 7:00 P.M. They just completed construction of the stage at their handicapped accessible location at 117 N. Main Street in Stockton. They will be hosting Orangeville's Mighty Richland Players production entitled "Two Pairs of Shorts" for this performance. This cooperative community theater venture is the first joint event for these two groups.

Ticket price includes a dessert buffet which will be served before the last skit. This performance combines several comedic short stories, some original by performers of the tales. The title "Two Pairs of Shorts" stands for four short stories included in the performance, which additionally includes two tales.

Tickets are available at several businesses in Stockton. These include Eccentrics at 105 W. Front Avenue, Ink and Paper at 113 S. Main Street, and Vanderheyden Furniture at 115 N. Main Street. You may also call (815) 947-2878 to reserve tickets.

Keltners to celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary

Carl and Ruth Keltner will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, September 14 with an open house at the Lena Community Center. Friends and relatives are invited to join them from noon to 3 p.m. They request the omission of gifts but would appreciate contributions of non-perishable food items for the Lena Food Pantry.

Carl Keltner and the former Ruth Boltjes were married September 14, 1958 at Bethany United Church of Christ in Freeport. The Rev. C.H. Uthlaut officiated.

The Keltners have three sons: Kevin (Sandy) Keltner, John Keltner, and Ryan (Nikki) Keltner all of Pearl City and one daughter Kathy (Don) Vasi of West Chester, PA. They also have 13 grandchildren.

Garner - Moll set wedding date

Timothy and Cindy Garner of Lanark announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their daughter, Rachel Lynn to Zacharie Ray Moll, son of Douglas and Vicki Moll of Shannon. The bride-elect is a 1999 graduate of Eastland High School and a 2002 graduate of Highland Community College. She is employed by Hygienic Fabrics and Filters in Lanark. Her fiance is a 1998 graduate of Eastland High School and is employed by Curtis and Sons in Lanark.

The couple is planning a September 13, 2008 wedding at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon. Invitations have been sent.

Johnson - Alvarado announce engagement

Katelyn Johnson of Lanark and Jason Alvarado of Freeport announce their engagement.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Mark and Deanna Johnson of Lanark. Her fiance is the son of Dave and Vicki Feagan of Freeport.

The bride-elect is a graduate of College of DuPage Nuclear Medicine program and is employed at Freeport Health Network in the nuclear medicine department. Her fiance is also employed at Freeport Health Network by Sodexho Corporation.

The couple is planning a November 15, 2008 wedding at Lanark Church of the Brethren. Invitations have been sent.

Gaul - Mlakar take wedding vows

Cassandra Rae Gaul of Chicago and Jason Edward Mlakar also of Chicago were united in marriage on March 15, 2008.

The bride is the daughter of Robin and Jeffery Saar of Shannon and granddaughter of Janice and Omar Wilhelms and Wayne Gaul all of Shannon.

The groom is the son of Deborah and Gary Mlakar of Franklin, TN and the grandson of Frank Ducato of Bradenton, FL and Howard Mlakar Sr. of Allison Park, PA.

Cassandra is a graduate of Western Illinois University and is employed in Institutional Bond Sales at BMO Capital Markets in Chicago.

Jason is also a graduate of Western Illinois University and is a District Manager for ADP in Chicago.

The bride and groom were married on the white sugar sand of Marco Island under a setting made of bamboo with areca palm fronds creating an archway overhead. Clint Wiley provided acoustical guitar music.

Serving as Maid of Honor was Abigail Linker of Chicago along with bridesmaids Jennifer Mlakar, Franklin, TN; Angela Davidson and Christina Trione of Chicago; Raynesia Fleming from Savoy and Jessica Jones of Downers Grove.

Best Man for the groom was Michael Mlakar of Maple Grove, MN along with Groomsmen Nathan Flad of Kansas City, MO; Jordan Epperson, Los Angeles, CA; Jeffrey Reddington, Jason Hawbecker and Clint Venhorst all of Chicago.

Host and Hostess duties were performed by Nikki Saar of East Dubuque and Doug and Jackie Hawbecker of Lanark. Picture Guest Book Attendants were Melissa Mlakar and Kirk Peterson.

A reception was held at the Marco Beach Resort, Marco Beach, FL immediately following the ceremony.

The couple honeymooned on a Western Caribbean Cruise and reside in Chicago.

Angels of Hope Relay For Life Team:

The "Angels of Hope" American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team from Lanark will be sponsoring a fundraiser at Dave's Place in Lanark on Saturday, September 20.

We will start off the evening selling Manny's Pizza from 4:00 ­ 7:30 p.m. Whole pizzas are $8.00 (can be purchased cooked or frozen) or $2.50 per slice. From 9:00 p.m. ­ 1:00 a.m. come dance to classic rock, country and blues by the Cross Cut Band from Freeport. Don't miss out on the fun.

There will be door prizes throughout the evening. Raffle tickets will be on sale until midnight. 1st prize is 50/50 cash; 2nd prize 1 night stay in the deluxe suite at Hickory Hideaway; 3rd prize is 4 people/18 holes golf with card at Oakville Country Club.

For more information please call 815-493-8503 or 815-493-6573.

NARFE Meeting Notice

Chapter 604 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association will hold their monthly meeting at noon Thursday September 18 at the House of Events, Savanna. A luncheon buffet will be available at noon for those who wish to eat. The business meeting and program will follow at 1:00. The Chapter 604 delegate to the national convention will report on convention results. Join us and be involved in protecting your future-NARFE! All active and retired federal employees, spouses and survivors, are cordially invited.

Friends of Chadwick Library Meet

The Friends of Chadwick Library will meet on Wednesday September 17th at 2 p.m. at the library. Even if you have never attended a meeting of the Friends, please feel welcome to do so. New members are always welcome. Phone the library at 815-684-5215 for further information.

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