More Important News

Airman Luke Robertson

Air Force Airman Luke Robertson, the son of Marc and Darla Robertson of Barclay Road, in Milledgeville, IL, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

DeWalls Celebrate 50th

The children of Eldon and Elsie DeWall of Freeport will honor their parents with an open house for the celebration of the couple's 50th anniversary.

Friends and relatives are invited to join them from 2 to 4 p.m. September 27 at The 4 Seasons in Freeport. The couple requests the omission of gifts.

Cards may be sent to the DeWalls at 713 Alamo, Freeport, IL 61032.

Eldon DeWall and the former Elsie Bochman were wed September 25, 1959, at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Avon, SD. Rev. Milford Best presided.

Eldon is a retired dairy farmer and Elsie is a retired registered nurse.

Their children are Evelyn (Dennis) Osterloo, Evan (Stephanie) DeWall, Everett (Lori) DeWall, and Everlee DeWall. There are 7 grandchildren.

Lamoreuxs Married 40 Years

John and Marilyn (Zwicker) Lamoreux celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on September 6 at their home in Lanark. They were married September 6, 1969 at the Preemption United Methodist Church near the Quad Cities. The couple has four children, Jennifer (Sam) Fisher of Milan, MI; Darcy (Aaron) Mathes of Midlothian, VA; Andrew (Kristie) Lamoreux of Champaign, IL; Dan (Stacy) Lamoreux of Lanark; and three grandchildren (Ryan and Jacob Mathes, Carly Lamoreux).

John farms the family farm south of Lanark with his brother, a nephew and son Dan. Marilyn has worked in the Lanark office of the Freeport Health Network as a patient services representative for 22 years.

The Mt. Carroll Rotary Club hosted Rotary District Governor Elise Cadigan from Rockford at their regular Sept. 8 meeting. Serving 49 Rotary Clubs in Northwestern Illinois, she spoke about Rotary's pledge to service in local clubs as well as world wide iniatives. Pictured L-R: Ken Alexander, Club Secretary, Jane Dixon, Club Treasure, Elise Cadigan, Paul Tobin, Club President, and Asst. District Governor Mark Boyd of Freeport. (Photo courtesy of Lou Schau)

School Supplies Donated

(top)(L to R) Bailey Baker, Jacob Spencer, and Skylar Nelson, students at West Carroll Primary School, with Dr. Chris Dinning, D.C. and a cart-load of school supplies donated by Cornerstone Chiropractic. (top-right)Dr. Dinning with supplies presented to Principal Tim Shurman at Milledgville Elementary. (right)Dr. Dinning with supplies presented to Superintendent Mark Hansen at Eastland Elementary in Lanark.

Cornerstone Chiropractic in Mt. Carroll held a school supplies drive for a period of two weeks in August. "This is the second year that I had such a drive in my office," said Dr. Chris Dinning, D.C. "Donations were accepted from the community and patients as well. In all we collected over $750.00 worth of school supplies.

On Tuesday, August 18th we distributed the supplies to the West Carroll Primary, West Carroll Intermediate, Milledgeville Elementary and Eastland Elementary.

Carroll Co. 4-H'ers exhibiting beef at the Illinois State Fair Jr. Show received 5th place for Beef Herdsmanship honors out of all the counties exhibiting at the State Fair Jr. show this year. The 4-H'ers received this award for keeping their exhibit area immaculate & tidy as well as their animals and equipment. This honor will allow our 4-H beef exhibitors special privileges at the 2010 Illinois State Fair Jr. Beef Show. 4-H'ers exhibiting this year were (L to R) Tyler Zumdahl, Shannon; Brock & Courtney Swalve, Chadwick; Justin Witt, Lanark. (Photo courtesy of Leann Rahn)

15 years 1500 squares

Paint is Here and Paint the Town 2009 is Near

Six pallets and 8,600 bottles of paint arrived at the Morrison Fire Station this week where it is stored under the watchful eye of the firemen until the event. The Fire Department is merely one of the many, many Morrison residents and business people who support Paint the Town and it would not be possible without them.

"It's a neat event," stated Mike Wiersema, Waste Management district manager. "We've been involved with Paint the Town for many years. It's a good community event." Waste Management was one of the very first sponsors to come onboard with the Children's Art Preservation Association (CAPA). That was in 1995, the second year of PTT.

Sponsors for Paint the Town 2009 include: Fitzgerald Pharmacy; Wells Fargo Bank; Exelon; CGH; Sterling Gazette; Clinton Herald; City of Morrison; American Piping Group; American Products; Baxter and Woodman, Consulting Engineers; Cornerstone Insurance Agency; Blackhawk Lumber; Community State Bank; Design Loft; DQ Grill & Chill; Farmers National Bank; Happy Joe's; Howard R Green; Law Office of William R. Shirk; 3M; Medical Associates; Moring Disposal; Morrison Community Hospital; P&P Tool; State Farm Insurance; Subway; Dr. William Simpson, DDS; Super Wash, Inc.; THE National Bank; Volkert and Associates; Waste Management; WSDR, WZZT, WSSQ radio; A+ Self Storage; Coplan & Buckwalter, PC; Hudson and Associates; Ken Kophamer Realty; Law Office of Lester Weinstine; Morrison True Value Hardware; Pignatelli & Mertes, PC; Prairie Ridge;Sterling Federal Bank; Tegeler Accounting; The Morrison Clinic and Vision Center; Whiteside News Sentinel; Climco Coils Company; Morrison Blacktop; Morrison Unit District 6; Nelson, Kilgus, Richey, Huffman, and Buckwalter- Schurman; Northwestern Title; RC Smith - Scenic Stage Line; Schuler Motors

Without the sponsors Paint the Town would not happen. The PTT board is very appreciative of that support, particularly in these trying economic times. Because of their generosity, registration for Paint the Town is still $10. For their ten spot, participants get an event containing five colors of paint, brushes, chalk and mixing materials, plus sponsor giveaways, a t-shirt and are assigned their own square.

Proceeds from Paint the Town fund art related activities for Morrison students. These include wheels and a specialized kiln for raku pottery at Morrison High School. This spring, CAPA purchased moveable display screens for each school; these were used for the first time at this year's CAPArt Spring Show, yet one more event paid for by Paint the Town. Art field trips for MHS and MJHS students are also underwritten.

"It's such a wonderful, simple concept," said Katrina Kelly Kuhn. "I really like looking at all the paintings; the range and variety is incredible, cartoon characters, tributes to family members, patriotic themes. Last year there was one of Obama that was very complex."

Frank Kelly, Katrina's father, "always loved Paint the Town." His family designated CAPA and PTT as one of Frank's memorials. Those funds, along with proceeds from Paint the Town, allowed CAPA to award three $1,000 scholarships.

In addition the numerous generous sponsors of Paint the Town, the event relies heavily on volunteers. In the final days leading up to the event and on that particular Saturday, well over 100 people spend thousands of hours helping make PTT a success. The early morning slots are filled, but, according to Volunteer Coordinator Barney Habben, he could use a few more for later in the afternoon. You can call him at 815.772.2018.

Registrations are beginning to pour in to the Morrison City Building, both by mail and on foot. Advance registration is $10 and registration for the day of the event is $15. More registrations are coming in online which is new this year. The PayPal cost is $11 and the cutoff date for that is Sept. 16.

"Participants who registered online need to pick up their bags under the purchaser's name," noted Gayle Smith, board member in charge of registration.

Paint the Town will take place in Morrison on Saturday, Sept. 19. The streets of the central business district will be turned into an extensive art gallery with 1500 five foot squares over six blocks. It is day of family fun for everyone with food and entertainment to go along with the painting.

"Paint the Town has grown to be almost like the fair," commented Wiersema. "You just expect to see everyone there."

New Land Steward Specialist Welcomed

The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) is pleased to announce that Jeff Horn has joined its staff as the Land Steward Specialist. Jeff has several years of experience in the conservation field and education in natural resources. His responsibilities include implementing land management plans and maintaining sites for public access. He will also be coordinating on projects with volunteers.

Jeff comes to JDCF from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources where he was part of the Natural Heritage Residency program. He completed his Master of Science from the University of Illinois in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences in 2009.

Before going back to graduate school, he worked with several different agencies, including the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, and the Nature Conservancy. Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, baseball, and spending time with his family.

The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation is a local non profit dedicated to protecting the natural wonders of the Jo Daviess County area. In addition, JDCF owns Schurmeier Teaching Forest in Elizabeth and the Buehler Preserve and Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve in Galena, all of which are open to the public for hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. JDCF also owns the Keough Effigy Mounds Land &Water Reserve and a portion of Horseshoe Mound. These sites will be open for public use in the future.

For more information, visit their office at 126 N Main Street in Elizabeth, IL, call (815) 858-9100, or find them online at www.jdcf.org.

The Stott Family of Lena Named Recipients of New Home

LENA ­ With a knock on the door Wednesday morning, Sept. 9, Ty Pennington and the crew put the wheels in motion to change the lives of the Stott family.

The Stott Family of rural Lena, Illinois and their children, Kaila, 18, Jonathon, 16, and Michael, 15 have been chosen to receive their dream home courtesy of the hit ABC-TV reality show ­ and the generosity of thousands of volunteers and donors across northwest Illinois.

"We're just so overwhelmed!" said Joey Stott, who married Philip six years ago, blending their family and moving to their small farm outside Lena. "A week from now, we'll be coming home to a new house, because so many people opened their hearts and reached out to help."

"Putting together plans for the Stott house has been such an amazing process," said Rick Hasken, owner of Hasken Construction and the leader of the build. "Laurie and I feel honored to be part of helping make their dream home a reality. I can't wait to get started!"

The Stotts were selected as an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition family following their nomination for the program by area family friends.

Accident Takes the Life of Savanna Woman

On Friday, September 11, 2009 the Savanna 911 Center received a 911 call reporting a one vehicle accident near 11508 Wacker Road. Savanna Fire and Ambulance responded along with the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.

It appeared the westbound vehicle driven by 51 year old Marcella M. Humphrey of rural Savanna lost control while negotiating a corner. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The Carroll County Coroners Office pronounced Humphrey dead at the scene (Humphrey's obituary appears in this week's PA).

Assisting at the scene was the Savanna Police Department and the Illinois State Police. The accident remains under investigation by the Carroll County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police. No further details are being released at this time.

Taco In A Bag Supports CC Girl Scouts

The Carroll County Girl Scouts are hosting a Walking Taco Supper (Taco In A Bag) to raise money for Carroll County girls' partnership. The fundraiser will be held Tues., September 22, from5-7 p.m.

Eastland High School (Lanark) is the location, and will be held in conjunction with the Eastland VS. West Carroll Girls Volleyball game.

Cost is $3.00 and includes taco, drink and dessert. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Any questions, please call Jane Shaw at 815-273-3607.

Friends of TLP Fall Fundraiser

The Friends of Timber Lake Playhouse will again be taking orders for Pies. This is a great way to do your Holliday baking. We are getting the pies from "Easy as Pie" in Fulton, IL. These are the pies we use for the Ice Cream Social and we also have Pastry Studels, Homestyle Cookie Dough and Dutch Letters.

If you do not know any of the Friends and wish to order contact Judy Stevens 815-244-1118 and she can connect you with someone in your area.

A Chilling Event in Mt. Carroll

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, Chilling Tales and Poems will be presented by the Friends of the Mount Carroll Public Library on Saturday, October 3, 2009, 7:00 p.m., in Metcalf Hall on the Campbell Center Campus, 203 E. Seminary, in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

Richard Hall as Edgar Allan Poe, Steven Hoffmann, narrator, and Dawn Hall in a supporting role will provide a memorable performance celebrating the poet's life and the 200th anniversary of his birth. Dramatic adaptations of The Raven, The Pit and the Pendulum, and other immortal works of Poe will be presented in this gripping theatrical work. Alyssa Nelson, harpist, will provide musical entertainment.

Wine, hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be served. A silent auction with items donated by generous community individuals and merchants will also be offered.

Cost is $25.00 per person; seating is limited. Tickets are available at the Mount Carroll Township Public Library, Brick Street Variety and at Mt. Carroll banks: THE National Bank, Savanna-Thomson State Bank and the Mount Carroll Banking Center, or by calling 1-800-244-9594, ext. #4.

All proceeds from this event will be used for the renovation of the Mount Carroll Township Public Library. For more information, contact Anna Gray An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe Event Chairperson, Friends of the Mount Carroll Public Library at 815-906-9053 or email annamgray@aol.com

Illinois Farm Deaths Increase, Roadway Collisions No. 2 Cause

Illinois farm-related deaths increased for the second consecutive year in 2008-09, according to a survey by COUNTRY Financial. Deaths totaled 33, up from 29 in the previous year. The number of deaths in 2008-09 was the highest since 2000-01, when 38 deaths were reported.

Illinois lost 25 farmers and eight non-farm residents. For the ninth year in a row, tractor rollover was the number one cause of death. However, casualties caused by roadway collisions increased in number and surpassed grain bin incidents as the seconding leading cause of death.

· Thirty percent of farm-related deaths were caused by tractor rollover.

· Roadway collisions increased by five to account for 24 percent of deaths.

· Deaths involving grain bins dropped to 12 percent compared to 17 percent previously.

COUNTRY, the No. 1 insurer of Illinois farms, tracks farm-related deaths through newspaper accounts.

"The fact that farm deaths are on the rise is certainly cause for concern, especially the significant increase in casualties stemming from roadway collisions," said Jeff Gendron, senior vice president of property/casualty operations for COUNTRY. "We need to increase awareness of these issues, and that's why COUNTRY participates annually in National Farm Safety and Health Week."

To boost awareness of increasing casualties, "Rural Roadway SafetyAlert, Aware and Alive" is the theme for National Farm Safety and Health Week Sept. 20-26.

According to the University of Iowa, 60 injuries occurred from roadway collisions involving farm equipment in Illinois in 2007. Injuries jumped to 74 in 2008.

The New England Journal of Medicine recently reported that rural crashes are more frequent and severe than urban crashes. Rural crashes are also more likely to result in death with nearly 54 percent of crashes resulting in one or more fatalities.

According to Gendron, lack of awareness contributes to a majority of roadway accidents. Both farmers and motorists need to exercise more caution on the road and remain alert at all times. Motorists should closely watch the farm vehicle's signals and never follow too closely. When farmers move their equipment, they might want to have a vehicle follow them to increase their visibility of the equipment ahead.

COUNTRY, Illinois Sheriffs Spread Roadway Safety Message

Gib Cady knows first-hand the tragedy of rural roadway collisions. They make up half of the incidents to which the Henry County sheriff and his deputies respond.

As a lifelong county resident, Cady often finds familiar faces among the victims of these incidents. For those reasons, he plans to use the Sept. 20-26 National Farm Safety and Health Week theme, "Rural Roadway Safety ­ Alert, Aware and Alive," to create added awareness and reduce farm equipment collisions.

According to a COUNTRY Financial annual survey, roadway collisions involving farm equipment accounted for 24 percent of Illinois farm deaths from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. Roadway collisions ranked as the second leading cause of farm deaths behind tractor rollovers.

"Roadway safety requires a continuous educational program. Our county Farm Bureau is good about making sure farmers have new, properly placed slow moving vehicle (SMV) symbols on their equipment," says Cady, of the red and orange SMV triangle.

Displaying SMV symbols properly constitutes only part of roadway safety education. Cady recently helped the Illinois Sheriff's Association (ISA) create a new Highway and Farm Safety Committee to address rural roadway crashes. Cady, ISA president, wants to find a method to measure roadway incidents involving farm equipment throughout Illinois.

The committee and members of the Illinois Roadway Safety Group, which includes COUNTRY, have discussed developing a roadway crash form. The form could be used by law enforcement first responders to gather data about collision causes and injuries. Data could then be used to increase roadway safety awareness for farmers and rural motorists, and reduce rural roadway collisions.

"The worst accidents seem to involve farm tractors. It's difficult to pull up to something like that. We need to do everything we can to prevent roadway collisions and save lives," says Cady.

To further increase roadway safety awareness, Cady and his 76 deputies plan to distribute a new Illinois Farm Bureau brochure to motorists at events throughout the summer. "Share the Road Safely" includes tips for rural motorists and farmers.

Cady says rural motorists can prevent collisions by:

· Taking their foot off the gas as soon as they see farm equipment.

· Passing farm equipment only if they know conditions are safe.

· Exercising extreme caution on rural roadway hills and curves.

Farmers sharing the road should remember to:

· Avoid peak traffic hours and the busiest roads when moving farm equipment.

· Use escort vehicles when moving equipment. Escort vehicles should closely follow farm equipment to afford the highest visibility and warning.

· Pull over and allow traffic to pass if road and shoulder conditions are safe.

"Every second in life is a second that cannot be relived especially if that last second is the last second of your life," says Cady. "Don't carelessly waste your seconds."

Recycle Electronics, Latex Paint, & Lead-Acid Batteries

Recycle your e-scrap, latex paint, and lead-acid batteries, September 26, at the Green Fair. The location is Highland Community College West and the Elizabeth Community Building on Route 20. Many items will be accepted for free; computer monitors and IMACs have a fee of $5.00. Televisions 27" and smaller are $15.00 and any TVs larger than that have a $25.00 fee. Large floor copiers require a $10.00 fee. Most miscellaneous electronics and accessories will be accepted at no charge. A few examples of no fee items are: CPUs, laptop PCs, keyboards, cords and cables, printers, VCR/DVD players, radios, stereos, telephones, fax machines, and more.

Latex paint (only) will be accepted for recycling at the following charges: Quart container $1.50 each, gallon $2.50, 2-gallon $3.50, 5-gallon pail $8.00. No other type of paint will be accepted. This is a great opportunity to clear out that unused latex paint and avoid the drying process which is needed for disposal. By recycling latex paint instead of disposing of it, it can become a new consumer product instead of filling up and contaminating our landfills.

Lead-acid batteries accepted for recycling at no charge. No other types of batteries will be accepted. Recycling is available from 9:00 a.m. ­ 3:00 p.m.

The second annual Green Fair, September 26th, will be held at Highland Community College West, Elizabeth, IL. In addition to the recycling opportunities, there are also green exhibitors, many speaker presentations, cooking demonstrations, a wine tasting festival, and more. To receive a detailed Fair brochure, contact Maggie Friedenbach, Recycling and Conservation Programs Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension, 815-244-9444 or email mfrieden@illinois.edu. The Green Fair website is www.nwil-greenfair.com. For Jo Daviess County visitor information, call 877-444-5850 or visit their website, www.galena.org.

Wine Tasting Festival at Green Fair

While you're meeting green businesses and listening to the many speakers available at Green Fair 2009, September 26, Elizabeth, IL, take the time to relax with a glass of wine, too. Multiple northern Illinois wine growers will be offering their unique wines for sipping and for sale at the Green Fair. Sponsored by Welcome Inn, the wine tasting will be in the Elizabeth Community Building across the parking lot from the Fair exhibitors and presentations. There will even be recumbent bicycles on hand to travel from one building to the other.

Wineries represented include August Hill Winery, Galena Cellars, Massbach Ridge Winery, and Rocky Waters Vineyard.

The wine tasting festival fee is $10.00 which includes a souvenir wine glass and five tasting tickets for redemption at the wine tasting booths of your choosing. More tasting tickets will be available for purchase. General admission at the green fair is $5.00 and includes one free raffle ticket. Feel free to attend both wine tasting and Green Fair activities or just choose just one or the other. Other Green Fair activities are cooking demonstrations by local chefs sponsored by Learn Great Foods, children's activities, recycling opportunities, and more.

Learn more about Green Fair 2009: Going Green is Mainstream at www.nwil-greenfair.com. To receive a detailed brochure, contact Maggie Friedenbach at the University of Illinois Extension, 815-244-9444 or mfrieden@illinois.edu. For Jo Daviess County visitor information, 877-444-5850 or www.galena.org.

College Presentation Planned at Morrison High School

On Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM, Morrison High School junior and senior students along with their parents are encouraged to attend a college planning presentation at the MHS Auditorium. Jennifer Robinson, Guidance Counselor for Morrison High School, will be presenting information to the students and parents on selecting a college, the application process, deadlines for applying to State and private colleges/universities, as well as transfer procedures.

This presentation is intended for students planning to attend a four-year institution along with those planning to attend a two-year college. For those who may want to start out at a two-year college or already know they want a two-year college, Sauk Valley Community College and Clinton Community College will have reps on hand before and after the presentation to answer any questions regarding attending and/or transferring from their college.

If you have every talked with someone who has gone through the college application process, they will tell you they wished they had been more knowledgeable before they started. This is your chance to become more knowledgeable. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM in the MHS auditorium. If you have any questions, you may call 815-772-4071 and ask for Mrs. Robinson or Mrs. Lindsey in the Guidance Office.

New Prescription Service is Fast - and Private

OMAHA, Neb. ­ Joining the ever-expanding trend of electronic prescription routing, all Pamida pharmacies now proudly accept e-prescriptions from physicians connected to the Surescripts® network. E-prescriptions are computer-based, physician-generated prescriptions that are sent electronically to patients' pharmacies. In Savanna, the Pamida Store is located at 251 S. 4th St., and the Pharmacy may be reached at 815-273-3581.

"We're excited about being able to provide this service to our customers and hope they utilize all that it has to offer," said Jeff Walsh, Pamida's vice president of pharmacy. "Every day, Pamida strives to bring added convenience and exceptional service to our customers. E-prescriptions is just another way of fulfilling this promise."

The benefits of this service are numerous for Pamida customers. Overall, the service helps reduce health care costs, improves the accuracy and efficiency of filling prescriptions and allows for rapid distribution of health care information between patients, pharmacies, physicians and insurance carriers. Other benefits include:

· Speedy arrival of prescriptions at Pamida which decreases wait time

· No prescriptions to drop off at pharmacies, which saves trips made by patients

· Faster, more convenient approval of refill requests between pharmacists and physicians

· Increased accuracy for pharmacists due to legible prescriptions

· Personal health information is kept private and protected by federal and state laws.

Consumers who are interested in their state's progress reports about e-prescriptions should visit http://surescripts.com/news-sign-up.html.

Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Pamida, which operates 207 stores throughout 17 states primarily in the Midwest, including your Pamida in Savanna, Illinois, carries a wide variety of merchandise including apparel, home and electronics, seasonal items, toys, housewares and groceries. Pamida operates 142 pharmacies and is a health care leader in each of its communities. In addition to their hometown service, Pamida generously gives back to local organizations throughout their community via the Pamida Foundation.

For more information about Pamida or the Pamida Foundation, visit our Web site at www.pamida.com.

FSA Accepts Applications For Biomass Crop Assistance Programs

Scherrie V. Giamanco, State Executive Director at the Farm Service Agency announced that biomass conversion facilities can begin signing up to participate in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which will help increase production of renewable energy. The program, authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, provided financial assistance to producers who deliver eligible material to biomass conversion facilities and FSA will provide financial assistance to collect, harvest, store and transport eligible materials.

"This program will benefit producers, the developing biomass industry, the general public and the environment as we continue working to expand production and availability of renewable energy," said Giamanco. "Owners of eligible material can receive financial assistance for delivering qualified biomass to conversion facilities that use biomass for heat, power, bio-based products or advanced biofuels." Biomass conversion facilities and material owners or producers should contact their FSA state offices or visit www.fsa.usda.gov for more information.

FSA will begin accepting applications from biomass facilities interested in participating in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)/ Once the agreement is signed between FSA and a facility and funding through the program is provided, the facilities can begin accepting materials. Producers who sell these materials can apply for matching payments under the collection, harvest, storage and transportation (CHST) component of BCAP. The matching CHST payments are paid at a rate of $1 for $1 per dry-ton equivalent received from a qualified biomass conversion facility, not to exceed $45 per dry-ton equivalent. A biomass owner is eligible to receive payments for two years. The purpose of the matching payments is to assist biomass producers with the CHST cost of delivering biomass to a qualified biomass conversion facility.

For example, if a qualified biomass conversion facility pays a producer $30 per dry ton for biomass, the material owner or producer would be eligible for a matching payment of $30 per dry ton from FSA. This payment will help offset the costs of CHST. Biomass conversion facilities may become "qualified" by submitting an agreement to the FSA state offices. The agreement generally provides the requirements for becoming a qualified biomass conversion facility. Once a facility becomes qualified, eligible material owners or producers who deliver biomass to that facility may be eligible to receive CHST payments.

USDA Implements Farm Storage Facility Loans Program

Scherrie V. Giamanco, State Executive Director (SED) at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) wishes to announce that changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program have been implemented in accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill, which will allow producers of eligible commodities to obtain low interest financing to build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers FSFL on behalf of the USDA Commodity Corporation (CCC).

"President Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack are committed to providing the necessary resources to keep producers financially solvent before, during and after each crop year, and this program will help ensure that they have adequate capacity to store their harvest until they sell it on the open market," said Giamanco.

The maximum principal amount of a loan through FSFL is $500,000. Participants are required to provide a down payment of 15 percent, with CCC providing a loan for the remaining 85 percent of the net cost of the eligible storage facility and permanent drying and handling equipment. Loan terms of 7, 10 or 12 years are available depending on the amount of the loan. Interest rates for each term rate may be different and are based on the rate which CCC borrows from the Treasury Department.

Payments are available in the from of a partial disbursement and the remaining final disbursement. The partial disbursement will be available after a portion of the construction has been completed. The final fund disbursement will be made when all construction is completed. The maximum amount of the partial disbursement will be 50 percent of the projected and approved total loan amount. Applications for FSFL must be submitted to the FSA county office that maintains the farm's records. An FSFL must be approved before any site preparation or construction can begin. The following commodities are eligible for farm storage facility loans: corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, oats, wheat, barley or minor oilseeds harvested as whole grain; corn, grain sorghum, wheat, oats, barley harvested as other than whole grain; pulse crops-lentils, small chickpeas and dry peas; hay, renewable biomass, fruits (including nuts) and vegetables-cold storage facilities.

For more information about FSFL or other FSA price support programs, please contact your FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov

NARFE News

Chapter 604 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association will hold their monthly meeting at noon Thursday, September 17, at the House of Events, Savanna. A luncheon buffet will be available at noon for those who wish to eat. The business meeting will follow at 1:00.

There will be a guest speaker of interest to everyone. Come and spend a late summer afternoon with your NARFE friends and neighbors. All active and retired federal employees, spouses and survivors, are cordially invited.

We'll Let You Entertain Us

Carroll County's Got Talent

Can you sing, dance, play an instrument, or do something else to entertain? If so, sign up for the Carroll County's Got Talent Show, set for Sunday, October 25, at the Campbell Center Auditorium in Mt. Carroll, IL. A panel of judges will determine the winners and cash prizes will be awarded.

Entry forms must be received by October 9, 2009. Only 20 acts will be selected to perform. Entry fee is $10 for a solo act, $15 for a group, and must accompany the entry form. To obtain an entry form or receive further information, please contact The Campbell Center Administrative Office at 815-244-1173.

The best talent in Carroll County will perform just for you in the Campbell Center Auditorium, 203 E. Seminary Street, Mt. Carroll, IL. Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets available at the door.

GROWMARK Director Election Results Announced

GROWMARK, Inc., Bloomington, Ill., announced the results of director and officer elections, held in conjunction with the regional cooperative's annual meeting in Chicago. Four of the cooperative's 16 director seats, established by geographic zone, were elected and will serve three-year terms. GROWMARK's six established governance zones cover all of North America; there are multiple directors per zone. One at-large director represents Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin Farm Bureaus. GROWMARK is affiliated with Farm Bureau in those states.

GROWMARK directors elected include:

Zone A ­ Rick Nelson of Paxton, Ill., was elected to the GROWMARK board in 1990; he has served as vice chairman of the board since 2004. He also serves on the board of directors for Ludlow Cooperative Elevator and Heritage FS, Inc. He and his wife Patricia farm more than 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans.

Zone B ­ Larry Garlisch of Forest City, Ill., has served on the GROWMARK Board since 2006. He has been a director of Sunrise Ag Service Company since 2002 and has served as the vice president of Fulton FS since 2000. He and his wife Nancy, along with his cousin Robert, specialize in irrigated seed corn, specialty corns, row crops, and a variety of specialty crops.

Zone C ­ Randy Newcomb of Ashley, Ill., has served on the GROWMARK Board since 1987.He is currently serving as president of AgriPride FS, Inc., Red Bud, Ill. and Washington County Farm Bureau. He and his wife Chris farm 5,500 acres in southern Illinois with their son, Alan.

Zone D ­ Allen Tanner of Creston, Iowa, was elected to the GROWMARK Board of Directors in 2004. He has been a board member of AGRILAND FS, INC. since 1989, where he has held the offices of president, vice president, and secretary. He and his wife Candi operate a 2,000 acre corn and soybean farm and manage a beef cow herd.

Additional information is available at www.growmark.com.

Whiteside County 4-H Drive-Thru Pork Chop Barbecue

The Fall Whiteside County 4-H Drive-Thru Pork Chop Barbecue will occur Thursday, October 1, 2009. You are invited on behalf of all of the Whiteside County 4-H'ers to come and support the Whiteside County 4-H Program by purchasing pork chop meals for your family to enjoy at home.

The Drive Thru will be held at the Whiteside County Extension Office at 100 E Knox Street in Morrison. The event will occur from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. where you can drive up pick up a great meal cooked by the Whiteside County Pork Producers and take it home to your family. There will also be various drop off locations at designated times for those that do not live in the Morrison area. The five other drop off locations are as follows: Fulton at the Agri King Parking Lot at 4:30 p.m.; Prophetstown at the United Methodist Church Parking Lot at 5:00 p.m.; Tampico in front of the Community Building at 5:30 p.m.; Erie at St. Ambrose Parking Lot at 6:00 p.m. and Sterling at the Old Wal-Mart Parking Lot at 6:30 p.m. Tickets must be pre-purchased by September 15, 2009. Prices are for a one chop sandwich dinner $7.00 and for a two chop sandwich dinner $9.00, which includes the sandwich(es), salad, chips and a cookie.

This 4-H Fundraiser replaces the 4-H Food Stand at the Whiteside County Fair. For tickets contact your local 4-H family or contact the Whiteside County Extension Office, by Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 815-772-4075. A limited number of drive thru's, in the Morrison pick up location, without tickets, will be available at the event, but to be guaranteed a great meal get your tickets in advance. Thanks for helping support your Whiteside County 4-H Program!

Snails Pose Health Risk for Llamas and Alpacas

Courtesy of Ashley Mitek, Whiteside Co. U of I Extension

It's hard to believe that those slow-moving slugs and snails you find in your garden can harbor a deadly parasite. Meningeal worm, or more formally Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, pass their eggs in white tailed deer feces. Snails pick up these eggs and allow the parasite to complete its life cycle. The white tailed deer is the natural host for the parasite, but camelids (alpacas and llamas) are not. A hungry alpaca grazing a field of lush pasture might not even notice it has accidentally taken a bite of a gourmet meal of deadly worms.

Dr. Varsha Ramoutar recently completed a residency in large animal internal medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. She says, "we most commonly see meningeal worm infection in the spring and fall, but it can occur anytime." During the summer, when temperatures are soaring, heat stress can also worsen the problem in down animals.

How the worm infects its host sounds like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. After the alpaca ingests a contaminated snail or slug, the meningeal worm migrates through the animal's spinal cord and central nervous system and gets lost. It's called the meningeal worm because the meninges are the layers of thin material that surround nervous system tissue.

As one might expect, a worm crawling through a spinal cord inflicts damage to the fragile structure and causes neurological signs and symptoms. "These patients typically present to us at the clinic as recumbent animals unable to stand," notes Dr. Ramoutar. Although there are many reasons why an alpaca may have an abnormal gate or be unable to move, meningeal worm infection is tentatively diagnosed if the alpaca has unusual neurological behavior with an abnormal cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) tap.

Even with these diagnostics, a veterinarian cannot officially diagnose meningeal worm unless a necropsy (autopsy) is performed. But that doesn't mean that animals contracting the parasite may not survive.

Owners can have a vital role in the prognosis for their animal by early detection. Dr. Ramoutar advises "If you notice your alpaca or llama walking abnormally, stumbling, having a difficult time getting up, acting blind or appears depressed or acting strangelywhich can be subtlecontact your veterinarian and seek help. The earlier the animal is treated the better."

Even if an animal survives, "there may be some scarring in the brain and spinal cord," notes Dr. Ramoutar. But she goes on to mention that despite having minor neurological deficits, these animals can still become productive members of a breeding herd.

One way to prevent alpacas from contracting the disease is to fence the entirety of your property to keep deer out. This can also be coupled with a vegetation free zone covered with gravel greater than 6 feet wide on the inside perimeter of the fence and can also act as fire zone. One can also have ducks on the property, who act as a biological control by feeding on the snails. Lastly, talk to your veterinarian about developing a monthly or regular deworming program that will drastically reduce the chance of your camelids succumbing to the disease.

On a final note, llamas and alpacas aren't the only animals that can contract a meningeal worm infection. Nearly a century ago people noticed that occasionally a moose would be found walking in a constant circle. This disease later became known as "moose sickness," which is the same as meningeal worm infection.

For more information on meningeal disease and its prevention, contact your local veterinarian.

When a Hypothyroid Dog Really Isn't

Courtesy of Ashley Mitek, Whiteside Co. U of I Extension

Rover, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever, shows up at his veterinarian's office for an annual check-up. After one too many table scraps he is slightly overweight and perhaps, in his older age, not as rambunctious as a few years ago. Because he is a "geriatric" patient, blood work is recommended.

When one of the values on the chemistry panel (a specific type of blood test that looks at organ function) comes back low, the doctor explains that Rover has hypothyroidism. This means that the dog's body is not producing enough of a certain hormone that controls many functions, most notably metabolism, potentially explaining the weight gain and lethargy.

While Rover may in fact be hypothyroid, the disease cannot be accurately diagnosed by a low TT4 (thyroxine), the type of measurement commonly found on a routine chemistry panel for geriatric patients.

Dr. Thomas Graves is a veterinary internal medicine specialist and an endocrinology expert at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. He says, "obesity is very common in dogs and people tend to think about hypothyroidism as a potential cause." But not every dog that is overweight is hypothyroid. In fact, there are very few dogs that are truly plagued by the disease.

"There are many reasons why a dog's TT4 on a chemistry panel may be low," notes Dr. Graves. For one, almost any type of illness can drop the levels below normal and various commonly used drugs can also have the same effect.

Diagnosing a hypothyroid dog is not straightforward. A clinician must take into account all of the patient's clinical signs and blood work values, including cholesterol levels and specific types of testing that measure Free T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels. In addition, the patient must be showing clinical signs of the disease such as: inactivity, obesity, decreased appetite, skin abnormalities, mental dullness, and intolerance to exercise and cold.

The reason it is a problem that dogs are erroneously diagnosed with hypothyroidism is because the standard treatment, thyroid hormone supplementation, might have negative effects. "We know that anytime you give a hormone it affects several other body systems," explains Dr. Graves. But since no one has studied what exactly happens when you over-supplement with thyroid medication, researchers don't know what harm it is causing.

"To me, the greatest problem with giving a dog thyroid replacement therapy without a proper diagnosis is the fact that you may allow an underlying disease to progress undiagnosed," notes Dr. Graves. Since administering thyroid hormone to dogs often makes them more "peppy," and overall, look healthier, it is possible that you will mask another ongoing disease.

It is interesting to note that in contrast to dogs, hypothyroidism in humans is quite common and easy to diagnose. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists estimates that approximately 25 million people have the disease, though half of them will never be diagnosed. Until veterinary experts can develop a better way of testing dogs, hypothyroidism will continue to be a frustrating disease to diagnose, requiring special blood tests interpreted by experienced clinicians.

For more information about canine hypothyroidism, contact your local veterinarian.

Treating Hyperthyroid Cats With Just One Shot

Courtesy of Ashley Mitek, Whiteside Co. U of I Extension

Although injecting a cat with radioactive material might sound like it would do more harm than good, it's the best treatment option for cats with an overactive thyroid gland. The disease, which is common in middle-aged cats, causes several symptoms such as: weight loss, hyperactivity, anxiety, vomiting, increased thirst and urination, along with an increased appetite. Once diagnosed, there are three treatment options: radioiodine therapy, surgery, and lifelong oral medication.

"Radioiodine therapy is arguably the safest and most effective treatment," explains Dr. Thomas Graves, a veterinary internal medicine specialist and endocrinology expert at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. Surgical removal of the thyroid glands can cause laryngeal paralysis, as well as other complications, such as hypocalcemia (low calcium levels). Lifelong oral administration of methimazole, an anti-thyroid drug, also carries risks and can be expensive long-term.

Although the thought of injecting your cat with radioactive material may cause concern, it does not seem to bother cats or cause any discomfort. In fact, the procedure is incredibly simple. The cat arrives at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a catheter is placed. One injection of radioactive material is given, and then the patient relaxes in a special room until being released from the clinic.

Some owners grow concerned that leaving their beloved cats in the hospital for five days is too traumatic. However, Dr. Graves mentions that, "Over the years I don't know how many hundred cats I've treated with radioiodine therapy. I've never had a patient that did not easily acclimate to hospital life." In short, cats residing in the hospital after treatment have a good quality of life.

Because all hospitals, both human and veterinary, that administer radioactive treatment must follow extremely strict guidelines established by each individual institution, feline patients must be kept as "in patients" for approximately five days after their injections. This precaution is in place so that when cats return home they give off only minimal amounts of radiation.

It's interesting to note that in human medicine, radioiodine therapy for people with hyperthyroidism is an outpatient procedure. Even though humans receive much higher doses of radiation than cats, a recently treated person who is still radioactive could be standing in line behind you at the grocery store because doctors can explain to humans certain restrictions to follow.

For example, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends that patients sleep alone for the first few days after treatment to avoid radiating your significant other. They also mention that women who hope to get pregnant should refrain from conceiving for at least six months after treatment.

Dr. Graves gives similar instructions to clients who come to pick up their feline friends who received radioiodine therapy. "I usually recommend that clients refrain from sleeping with their cats for the first few days, and contact with pregnant women or small children should be minimized," he notes. But besides that, cats are very safe to be around.

If you have questions about radioiodine therapy, contact your local veterinarian.

FREE Customer Service Training:

Enhance your Customers' Experience

Everyone talks about excellent customer service, but few really deliver it. Ross Ament CAE, MA will lead participants through an interactive, lively session examining how to create a customer focus environment.

It's set for Wednesday September 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the House of Events in Savanna.

Light supper available. Free to those who live or work in Carroll County or Lena IL; and Thursday September 17 from 8:00 to 11:00 am at the Heritage Center in Lanark. Continental breakfast available. Free to everyone.

See more details at bheic.com. Call 815-541-0557 or email jhuggins@bheic.com.

From the Fields

By Jim Morrison

Extension Educator, Crop Systems

Rockford Extension Center, U of I

Proper use of limestone is one of the most important management strategies in crop production. Limestone should be the first soil amendment considered in cropping systems.

Don't try to guess what your limestone needs are. A soil test every 4 years is the best way to monitor the need for limestone. The measurement of soil pH tells if limestone is needed, but not how much.

In a cash-grain system maintaining a pH of at least 6.0 is recommended. With alfalfa and clover in the rotation, the pH needs to be at least 6.5, preferably closer to 7.0.

Remember the pH scale is in logarithmic terms, so each unit change in pH means a tenfold change in acidity or alkalinity. Thus, lime needs increase rapidly as pH drops.

The benefits of a liming program are many. Limestone can lower the soil solution concentration of aluminum and manganese, which can be toxic to plants. An increase in soil microbial activity is noted as soil acidity is decreased. Liming enhances nitrogen fixation and may improve soil structure and tilth. The availability of mineral elements (for example phosphorus and molybdenum) to plants can be increased by proper liming.

Several factors determine the type of liming program, with the crop to be grown probably the most important. Soil texture, organic matter, and method and depth of tillage are other critical items. The timing and frequency of lime applications are also

important. For example, with leguminous crops, lime should be applied at least 6 months before seeding on acid soils. If applied just before seeding, the lime will not have adequate time to react with the soil.

Limestone quality is defined by two factors-the effective neutralizing value and the degree of fineness. The neutralizing ability of the material is indicated by the calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE). The higher the CCE value, the greater the limestone's ability to neutralize soil acidity. Pure calcium carbonate (CCE of 100) is the standard against which all liming materials are measured. The CCE level is inherent in the limestone material, and it can not be changed.

The second factor is particle size or fineness of grind. The rate of reaction depends on the surface area of the liming material in contact with the soil. The finer the limestone is ground, the faster it will neutralize soil acidity. Limestone too coarsely ground will be very slow in raising the soil pH. Lime particle size is based on the percentage of materials that pass through 8-, 30-, and 60-mesh screens.

Those applying limestone are encouraged to obtain the publication "Illinois Voluntary Limestone Program Producer Information". The booklet, produced annually by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Department of Transportation, indexes limestone samples from quarries that wish to participate in the Illinois Voluntary Limestone Program. Analyses of CCE, fineness scores, magnesium percent, and correction factors are included.

It's available at University of Illinois Extension Offices and on-line at http://www.agr.state.il.us/news/pub/Limestonebooklet.html

Art Show at Fulton's Martin House Museum

Attend an Art Show/Sale to be held at the Fulton Museum on Saturday, September 26 from 3 to 7 o'clock and on Sunday, September 27 from 2 to 4 o'clock. The Fulton Historical Society will sponsor an Artists' Reception with wine and cheese on Saturday.

Local and area artists will be in attendance to display and sell works of art such as painting, drawing, sculpture, carving, photography, etc. Also on display for the first time to the public will be the art work of Dr. Allen Workman, a former resident of the Fulton area. After his death, his daughter, Michelle Maslowski of California donated her father's painting and drawing to the Fulton Historical Society.

Local artists Regina Dixon and Pam Leavens Blecha are co-chairing the event. Artists who are interested in participating should fill out an entry form (see attachment) and return it to one of the co-chairs before September 18. Artwork must be brought to the Museum on Monday, September 21 between 2 and 4 o'clock, or 7 to 9 o'clock that evening. Pam may be reached by E mail at plpictoria@gmail.com or by phone at 815 589-3805. Completed entry forms may be mailed to: Pam Leavens Blecha, Fulton Commerce Center Suite One, 1000 4th Street, Fulton, IL Regina's E mail is joe.dixon6@yahoo.com or by phone at 815 592 2704.

Entry forms are available via E mail by request of the co-chairs. The Fulton (Martin House) Museum is located at 707 Tenth Avenue, Fulton, Illinois.

Fall Potpourri at the Lanark Public Library

One Webster definition of potpourri is: a mixture of unrelated subjects. That is a

good way to describe fall news from the library.

In tough economic times, parents might find it harder than ever to make sure their children have everything they need for school. Make sure your family has a library card.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month. A library card can give kids access to free homework help, materials to research their papers or a source for their next book report. It can also help make life after school more fun, with free access to music, DVDs, the Internet, books and more.

Of course, library cards aren't just for kids. In fact, 68 percent of American adults have a library card. Now more than ever, people are turning to their libraries for reliable financial information, free computer and Internet access, and, of course, books, movies and more. The Lanark Public Library is supported by real estate taxes within the boundaries of the City of Lanark. Residents or taxpayers owning property within the city boundaries are eligible for a free family library card. Those living in the rural area of Eastland School District may purchase a yearly card.

Is your garage stuffed with things just to good to give away? What not attend the free e-Bay class at the Heritage Center on September 16, 6pm. Please call the Library at 815-493-2166 so instructor Tommie Healey knows how many participants to expect.

Labor Day weekend the Friends of the Library served Pie Plus on the porch at Picket Fence Florals fall open house. Thanks to the talented bakers for being so generous

to share their skills and all those customers that enjoyed desserts, live music and conversation on the Collins porch. The Friends meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 7pm at the City Hall and they welcome visitors and prospective members. Plans are underway to offer pies and a "gently used" book sale on November 13 and 14. The intent of this sale is promote the idea of "regifting" so the library would welcome your "slightly used" books and movies for this sale.

The library is in the process of organizing a coupon club so if you have extra coupon brochures we would collect them for use by our patrons and club members. If our hours of Tues, Wed, Fri Noon-5, Thurs Noon-7:30 and Sat 10-3 are not convenient for you to drop them off please feel free use the book drop.

Check out the Lanark Public Library soon.

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