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More Important NewsCarroll Service Company Earns Performance Improvement Award
Carroll Service Company, based in Lanark, Ill., received a Performance Improvement award at the GROWMARK, Inc. annual meeting. Ray Woessner is the manager and Rick Groen is the president. GROWMARK measures the improvement in the performance of member cooperatives based on return on invested capital. Over a five-year time frame, each cooperative’s return on invested capital improvement is measured in comparison to other cooperatives in the System. From this measurement, the Performance Improvement Award was developed. General Manager Ray Woessner credited the company’s dedicated employees and the relationships the company has developed with the customers. He said, “I am proud of the service our employees provide to our customers. Our employees working with our customers are responsible for our success over the years.” GROWMARK is a regional cooperative providing agriculture-related products and services, as well as grain marketing in 31 states and Ontario, Canada. GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated member cooperatives. The FS brand represents knowledgeable, experienced professionals acting with integrity and dedication to serve more than 250,000 customers. More information is available at www.growmark.com VP Friel-Draper Resigns from CGH Medical Center
Longtime CGH Medical Center employee Theresa Friel-Draper resigned her position as Vice President and Chief Risk Officer last week to explore new opportunities. “This was a difficult decision for me,” said Friel-Draper, who began her career at CGH in 1990. “Saying good bye is never easy to do. It has been a pleasure watching our employees doing what they do best - contributing to the care of our patients and helping each other make the best of any situation.” As Chief Risk Officer, Theresa was responsible for CGH’s general corporate legal activities and the Quality and Risk Management Program. She also oversaw Human Resources, Medical Staff Services, Case Management, Infection Control, Home Nursing, Service Excellence, the CGH Health Foundation, Community Services and the CGH Auxiliary. “Theresa is an accomplished attorney, and her medical background enhanced her position at CGH,” said CGH Board Planning Committee Member and Illinois attorney Trish Joyce. “Her particular skill set will definitely be missed by the entire organization.” Theresa received her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Iowa and her juris doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law. She is a member of the Illinois Association of Hospital Attorneys, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management. In addition, she has participated on numerous area healthcare facility boards, including the Lee County Health Department, Northern Illinois Cancer Treatment Center, Home of Hope and the Amboy Education Foundation. “Theresa has demonstrated great leadership during her tenure at CGH and holds a passion for improving the quality of health care for the people of the Sauk Valley,” said CGH President and CEO, Ed Andersen. “We appreciate all that she has done and wish her much success.” CGH Sprint for Health Proceeds Donated to Area High School
The proceeds from CGH Medical Center Sprint for Health 1 Mile Fun Run, sponsored by the CGH Health Foundation, were presented to Rock Falls High School for their football and volleyball athletic programs. Michael DeFranco, MD, Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgeon (left) and Joan Hermes, executive director of the CGH Health Foundation (right) are shown presenting a $500 check to Rock Falls High School Athletic Director Rich Montgomery (middle). The award was based on the large number of students participating in the run including flipping a tractor tire over the course, as well as their run times.
Good Samaritan Society-Mount Carroll Auxiliary members donated a laundry theme basket for the center’s Founder’s Day Silent Auction to be held Oct 6th. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the care center’s residents. Pictured (front, left) LaVona Cheeseman, Gloria Bausman, Carol Endre, (back, left) Berta Lenkeit, Ruth DeMuth, Charlene Collins, Mary Keith. For more information or to donate items, please contact Anna Gray at 815-244-7715.
FHN Family Healthcare Center – Burchard Hills, in Freeport give back $20,080 from sports physicals to Freeport schools. Pictured left to right: Janet Ernst, Barb Pierson, Angie McHugh, Megan Kerchner, Tina Brinkmier, Greg Guderyon (President, Pretzels Fan Club), Dinna Barker, Mary Price, Jeanna Strader, Lori Scibona, Deb Woodruff and Luise Schnoor. FHN’s series of sports physical clinics, held throughout the spring and summer, helped save time and hassle for many area parents. The proceeds from the $20 physicals have been donated back to the schools by FHN. FHN Physicians performed a total of 813 sports physicals at FHN satellite offices across northwest Illinois. This program, raised $16,260 to donate back to 14 area schools.
Recently Dr. Dinning, D.C. of Cornerstone Chiropractic & Rehabilitation delivered school supplies to local schools to start out the School year. This is the fifth year that Cornerstone Chiropractic has done this. Each year the need grows and so have the donations increased each year as well. This year we had almost $1,000.00 worth of school supplies that were distributed to the three elementary school districts in the county. From left to right in the photo are: Lakin Getz, Elijah Neblung, Matthew Green, Trinity Perry, Ashton Miller, and Dr. Chris Dinning, D.C. Total Makeover at Tangles’ New Location
By KATHY MOORE
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Writer Mick Parsons (L) visited with Rotarian Mike Risko and the Mount Carroll Rotary Sept. 3rd to present a travelogue on his recent travels to the Western United States. (Courtesy of Lou Schau)
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Assistant Governor Helen Kilgore made three Rotary Foundation presentations at the September 12, 2012 meeting of the Savanna Rotary Club.
Bill Wright was given a certificate and pin for having achieved his Paul Harris Fellowship. Ann Murphy was presented a gold Paul Harris Foundation pin with 2 sapphires for having achieved the third level of Foundation giving. Pat Murphy has been named a Paul Harris Fellow by his wife Ann, and was presented with a certificate and pin.
Contributions to The Rotary Foundation fund many humanitarian projects throughout the world. The monies donated by Rotary Districts each year are invested for a period of three years after which the interest comes back to the District to fund grants for projects in our local Rotary communities.
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Anthony Curcio (C), an entrepreneur looking to begin a beverage manufacturing business in Mount Carroll, explained the concept of his new business to the Mount Carroll Rotary at their Sept. 10 meeting. Also pictured is Kathy Schmidt (L), past president of the Morrison Rotary, thanking the Mount Carroll club for their help with the Morrison Harvest Hammer 5K Run & Duathlon on September 15th, 2012. Rotarian Anna Gray welcomes them. (Courtesy of Lou Schau)
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The Milledgeville Elementary Week 3 Thumbs Up Winners: Front Row,Left to Right: Cameron Mickelson, Corra Yingling, MaKayla Hartson, Lili Drinkall. Back Row, Left to Right: Bryce Aude, Briana Wilkinson, Paige Miller, Andrew Lapp. (Courtesy Talisa Pauley)
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The First Sate Bank - Shannon - Polo - Lake Carroll announces the promotion of Justin W. Schubert to Assistant Cashier. Justin has been with the bank for 15 years. He and his family reside in Shannon.
(PA photo/A. Williamson)
Forestry Tour of Award-Winning ‘Acorn Acres’
Jerry and Marge Misek were selected as 2011 Illinois’ Tree Farmers of the Year. A tour of their Jo Daviess County Tree Farm, Acorn Acres, is being sponsored by the Illinois Tree Farm Program and the Northwest Illinois Forestry Association on Saturday, September 29th.
The tour is open to the public and will start with registration from 9:00 to 9:45 am. There will be a $5.00 registration fee to cover lunch and snacks.
Following registration, small groups will start a walking tour of moderate difficulty through the forest. There will be 8 ten minute stops on the half mile tour. At each stop, speakers will discuss their topic and answer brief questions. Topics covered are: regeneration from the 1998 wind storm damage; tree diseases; pond establishment; commercial thinning of Black Walnut; Bush Honeysuckle eradication; Shiitake mushroom production; selecting crop trees in a pre-commercial Black Walnut thinning; and Black Walnut sale.
Lunch will follow the forestry tour with short presentations, door prizes, and a Woodmizer sawmill demonstration. The afternoon quarter mile walking tour will include 6 stops. The stops will include: CRP warm season grass establishment; CRP shrub plantings; dry dam; grass waterways, diversion and rock checks; wildlife food plot, firebreaks, and alternative warm season grasses; and a shallow water pond.
The event will take place rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. The morning walking tour will last 2 hours and the afternoon tour will last 1 ½ hours. Attendees should have the ability to walk over the trails. Come to the tour and enjoy a walk in a hardwood forest adorned with fall colors, meet some great people, and maybe pick up a useful idea or two.
102 East Route 30, Suite 3 • Rock Falls, IL 61071 • Phone: 815-625-3854 • Fax: 815-625-4072 • www.blackhawkhills.com
The Acorn Acres Tree Farm is located 6 miles southeast of Elizabeth, IL. To reach the tour site from the north, take Route 20 to Derinda Road (2 miles east of Elizabeth), turn south and travel 3 ½ miles to Skene Road. Turn left on Skene Road and travel ½ mile to the farm lane. The address is 3093 East Skene Road.
From the south, take Route 78 north of Mt. Carroll for 2 miles and turn left on Elizabeth Road. Travel approximately 6 miles and at the stop sign, turn right on Zion Road. Continue on Zion Road and it will turn into Massbach Road as you enter Jo Daviess County. Stay on Massbach Road (do not take a left at the “to Elizabeth” sign) and drive through Massbach. About 1 ½ mile north of Massbach, turn left on Skene Road and travel 2 miles to the farm lane. (Travelers from the south may also just follow the blue Massbach Ridge Winery signs and go 1 ½ mile north of the Winery to Skene Road.) Directional signs will be posted at Skene Road and on Route 20 at Derinda Road.
Contact Jerry or Marge Misek by email @ AcornAcres@sandprairie.net or phone 815-598-3215 with questions or for more information.
Corrected Shannon Lions Club/American Legion 2012 Labor Day Raffle Winners
IHC Pedal tractor won by John Schryver of Shannon (donated by Birkey’s Farm Store)
DVD Player won by Nathan Erbsen of Lanark (donated by The Bocker Group)
$100 Gas Card won by Andrew Chesney of Freeport (donated by Al’s Quality Service)
Gift Cert. Engraved Stone won by Rod Witmer of Pearl City (donated by JLB Stone Heath Lessman)
JD Pedal Tractor won by Scott Clark of Shannon (donated by Barkau & Sons)
Wing Back Chair won by Marilyn Phelps of Shannon (donated by LeBaron & Miller Interiors)
Gas Grill won by Laura Koser of Lanark (donated by Meador Ag)
$100 Gift Cert CC Locker won by Ted Perkins of Forreston (donated by Artman Agency)
Kreug Coffee Maker & Coffee won by David Shaulis of Lanark (donated by Process Screw)
JD Bean Bag Game won by Jim Schryver of Shannon (donated by Holland & Sons)
Digital Camera won by Dickie Schultz of Campobello, SC donated by Shannon Bank/Polo/LC)
1:16” Die Case Semi Truck won by Jim Schryver of Shannon (donated by Anderson Trucking)
1:16” Die Case Semi Truck won by Steven Fellows of Freeport (donated by Anderson Trucking)
1:24” Die Cast Race Car won by Andrew Chesney of Freeport (donated by Moring Disposal)
1:24” Die Cast Race Car won by K Rothermel of Durand (donated by Moring Disposal)
GPS System won by Sandy Schryver of Shannon (donated by Shannon Fire Dept.)
Bean bag Chair won by Jim Schryver of Shannon (donated by Rite-Way Furniture)
$50 Gift Cert. Brothers Rest. Won by Ryan Fransen of Downers Grove (donated by Custom Home Builders)
Gas Wed Eater won by Jim Schryver of Shannon (donated by Polo Co-Op)
32” LED LCD HDTV won by Zach Henkel of Sublette (donated by Bryans Repair)
$50 Gift Cert FS won by Matt Zumdahl of Lanark (donated by Carroll Service)
Queen Size Comforter Set won by Norma Meier of Shannon (donated by Slumberland Furniture)
Work Site Radio won by Jeff Kromm of Freeport (donated by The Headquarters)
Shannon Lions Club Cash For Christmas Raffle
There will be 12 drawings for cash prizes. Drawings except for Hometown Christmas will be made at the First State Bank Shannon.
From October 31 through November 14th everyday Monday-Friday except on Monday November 12 due to Holiday there will be a drawing each day for $100.
Thursday November 15th drawing for $500. Friday November 16th drawing for $1,000 at Hometown Christmas Celebration at Shannon Fire Station.
You may win more than one time. Only 250 tickets will be sold at $20 per ticket. Tickets may be purchased from any Lions Club member or at the First State Bank Shannon. If you have any questions please contact Sally Koch at 815-493-2812 or 815-275-6769.
Emergency Grazing Period Extended
Doug Olson member of the Carroll County Farm Service Agency County Committee said “To assist producers, USDA is permitting farmers and ranchers in drought stricken states that have been approved for emergency grazing to extend grazing on CRP land through November 30, 2012, without incurring an additional CRP rental payment reduction.” The period normally allowed for emergency grazing last through September 30. According to Olson the extension applies to general CRP practices and producers must submit a request to their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office indicating the acreage to be grazed. USDA’s continuing efforts to add feed to the marketplace benefits all livestock producers, including dairy, during this drought.
Additionally, Olson stated “The Secretary’s extension does not apply to emergency haying of CRP. Also the extension of emergency grazing on CRP acres does not apply to these practices: CP8A – Grass Waterway-Non-easement; CP23 – Wetland Restoration; CP23A – Wetland Restoration-Non-Floodplain; CP27 – Farmable Wetlands Pilot Wetland; CP28 – Farmable Wetlands Pilot Buffer; CP37 – Duck Nesting Habitat; and CP41 – FWP Flooded Prairie Wetlands.
Olson urged producers with any questions on this and other FSA programs to contact their local FSA office.
St. Mary’s Church’s Fall Rummage & Bake Sale
Fall is here and it is the time to get out and start shopping for bargains! St. Mary’s parish invites the shoppers of Morrison to our 2nd annual “Fall Rummage & Bake Sale,” October 5th. & 6th. Two days of bargains and fresh baked foods will be available on Friday, October 5th, 12:00 - 5:00, and Saturday, October 6th, 8:00 - 12:00. Adult, children and infant clothes, furniture, antiques, toys, gift items, fine glassware, holiday decorations, sports equipement, household supplies, and lots - lots more will fill the St. Mary’s parish hall, 13320 Garden Plain Road. Join us for two day of shopping fun and bargains!!!
New Law Allows Counties More Flexibility to Rehabilitate Non-Violent, First-Time Offenders
Governor Pat Quinn today highlighted a new state law at the Cook County Criminal Court Building that will help local law enforcement more effectively rehabilitate non-violent, first-time offenders. The governor was joined at today’s event by legislators and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, whose office launched the successful pilot program on which this new law is based.
“To improve public safety, we need smart crime prevention strategies that put offenders on the right path,” Governor Quinn said. “When we use our resources more efficiently, we can reduce crime and increase the effectiveness of our criminal justice system.”
Senate Bill 3349, sponsored by Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and Rep. Kimberly du Buclet (D-Chicago), created the Offender Initiative Program and is based on a successful one-year pilot program launched in Cook County for first-time, non-violent offenders.
“It is clear that there are far too many cases in the criminal justice system and I think that prosecutors can play an important role in implementing new alternative sentencing measures like this that not only bring just results, but also provide non-violent offenders with a second chance,” said Alvarez. “We have been extremely pleased with the results of our Deferred Prosecution Program and we are very proud that the governor and the Illinois Legislature have seen fit to use it as a model for prosecutorial-based diversion programming across the state.”
With the approval of a judge and the state’s attorney, an offender can be placed in a diversion program similar to probation, instead of being incarcerated. The offender would have to meet certain requirements, such as making restitution; performing community service or holding a job; attending educational classes to receive vocational training, a high school diploma or a GED; and if appropriate, receiving substance abuse treatment and passing drug tests.
If the offender successfully completes the intensive program, the state’s attorney can request a dismissal and expungement of the original charges and the offender will be spared the enormous burden of having a felony conviction on his or her record. However, if the offender reoffends within five years, those expunged records may be used against them in court.
Since February of 2011 when the pilot program began in Cook County, a total of 645 individuals have been accepted into the program. Felony charges have been dismissed against 257 of those individuals.
According to county estimates, about $1.1 million of taxpayer resources has been saved through this program, due to lower court and incarceration costs. The rehabilitative services offered in the program also make it less likely a person will re-offend, which reduces future costs to the criminal justice system.
SB 3349 codified this Cook County program into state law and allows state’s attorneys across Illinois to create their own offender initiative programs that can be tailored to the needs of their jurisdictions. Governor Quinn signed this legislation on Aug. 27, 2012.
Life Goes on with “The Cemetery Club”
Come see the fun when four enchanting widows deal with one eccentric widower. It’s “The Cemetery Club,” by Ivan Menchell, performed by Plum River Playhouse, in conjunction with Northwest Illinois Theatre Coalition.
Ida (Sandy Sweitzer, Pearl City), Lucille (Melinda Baker, Cedarville), and Doris (Barbara Clemmons, Freeport), all widows, have been friends for years. They each have a different view on creating new relationships with men, and meet once a month at the cemetery to visit their deceased husbands gravesides. Sam (Brad Field, Mt. Carroll), a widower, is interested in a new chapter. He escorts Mildred (Freda Weis, Elizabeth) to a wedding that the three close friends will attend as bridesmaids, creating a bit of confusion. Freda Weis also directs this delightful comedy.
Come to laugh, and be prepared to cry, too, at the show that deals with the challenges of moving on. Opening performance dates are October 6th at 7:00 pm, and October 7th at 2:00 pm in Stockton at Christ Lutheran Church. Plum River Playhouse tickets may be purchased at Stockton Banking Center by calling 815-947-2000. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
Performances at the Hanover Township Hall at 111 Monroe Street will be Thursday, October 11th and Friday October 12th at 7:00 pm. Tickets for Back Street Players may be purchased for $12 at Village Hall, 207 Jefferson Street, 815-591-3800.
See the $20 dessert show in Orangeville October 19th and 20th at 7:00 pm and October 21st at 2:00 pm at 203 W. High Street. Reservations can be made for the performances at Mighty Richland Players by calling Monroe Arts Center toll free at 888-596-249. Visa or MasterCard only.
For further information please e-mail nwitc2012@gmail.com.
The Northwest Illinois Theatre Coalition in made up of the Back Street Players of Hanover, Mighty Richland Players Dessert Theater of Orangeville and Plum River Playhouse of Stockton.
IL Losing Ground on its Poverty Reduction Commitment
Two reports released today, one by the U.S. Census Bureau and the other by the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty, present startling pictures of poverty in the nation and in Illinois. In addition to showing no progress made on poverty reduction at the national and state levels, the Commission’s annual progress report reveals that the state is sliding backwards in its stated commitment to halve the number of Illinoisans living in extreme poverty by 2015:
• There are now almost one-quarter million more people in extreme poverty in Illinois than there were 4 years ago when the state made its poverty reduction commitment.
• A total of 842,719 or nearly 7% of Illinoisans live in extreme poverty, which is defined as having incomes below half the poverty line (that amounts to $8,958 for a family of three in 2011).
• One out of every 7 Illinoisans (a total of 1,812,051 or 14.2%) and one of six Americans (46,247,000 or 15%) live with incomes below the poverty line ($17,916 for a family of three in 2011).
As the country struggles to gain a foothold on the path to economic recovery, these reports reveal persistent challenges. Yet, these near unprecedented poverty levels are not simply the result of the recession and a sluggish recovery. Poverty was on the rise before the recession began as broader shifts in wages, job quality, workforce preparation, inequality, and harmful cuts to the safety net disproportionately impacted people at the lower end of the income spectrum.
“The recession accelerated and exacerbated poverty trends we were seeing starting in the early 2000’s, when nationally poverty rose from 11.3% in 2000 to 12.5% in 2007,” said Sid Mohn, President of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights and Co-Chair of the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty. “What I had trouble understanding then and am even more baffled by now, is how complacent we have become as a nation and as a state to these trends. We absolutely cannot accept nearly 1 out of every 7 people in poverty as our new normal.”
The Commission’s annual report points to how policy decisions and disinvestment in programs designed to provide support to struggling Illinoisans have combined with longer-term shifts, resulting in a rapid loss of ground on the state’s poverty reduction commitment. During the 2012 legislative session of the 97th General Assembly, 12 bills were introduced that were aligned with recommendations of the Poverty Commission, yet only one of those bills passed both houses and was signed into law. The growing number of individuals experiencing extreme poverty and the lack of policy solutions advanced to address the growing need signifies an absence of political will and lack of commitment among decision makers to reduce extreme poverty.
“Poverty is a reality in every single corner of the state—from downstate to Chicago’s northern suburbs or “North Shore” where my agency is located,” said Gail Schechter, Executive Director of Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs. “It’s time we not only own up to that reality but that we revolt against it. It is unacceptable for elected officials to say that their hands are tied because of pension or debt obligations. This is reactive and allows elected officials to avoid stating a position on poverty elimination.”
To that end, the Commission’s report offers a series of recommendations that can help Illinois refocus its efforts and take steps towards the achievable goal of cutting extreme poverty in half. The recommendations include an increase in the TANF cash grant to bring those covered up to 50% of the federal poverty level, an increase in the TANF participation rate to reach half of all those eligible, expansion of rental housing subsidies to an additional 2,500 households, provision of 2,500 new community college scholarships for those living in extreme poverty, and creation of a statewide Transitional Jobs program to create 40,000 new jobs.
Read the full Commission annual progress report at http://www.heartlandalliance.org/policy-and-advocacy/.
In addition to poverty, the Census Bureau’s report also contained pertinent information on income and health insurance trends. Heartland Alliance’s Social IMPACT Research Center has developed this quick guide to the data: http://www.heartlandalliance.org/research/quick-data/overview-of-poverty.html.
New local estimates will be released Thursday, September 20. At that time, the Social IMPACT Research Center will have available fact sheets outlining income and poverty trends and health insurance coverage information for all Illinois counties and places with populations over 65,000 as well as Midwest states.
The Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty is an independent body that was formed in 2008 to create a strategy for the state to cut extreme poverty in half in a manner consistent with international human rights standards. The Commission is staffed by the office of Governor Pat Quinn and by Heartland Alliance.
For more information: 312-870-4949, research@heartlandalliance.org, or www.heartlandalliance.org/research
Area Youth Invited to Participate in HCC Children’s Choir
The Highland Community College Children’s Choir rehearsals will be held on Mondays from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Fine Arts Center, room 10. New singers are welcome to attend.
All students 8 to 13 years of age who enjoy singing are invited and encouraged to join the choir. There is no audition required. The Children’s Choir provides an opportunity to practice vocal music talents as well as promote personal and social growth. There is no registration fee.
The Highland Community College Children’s Choir began in the early 1980s. Over the past 25 years, the Children’s Choir is credited for encouraging the musical talents of hundreds of adolescents and teenagers. This year, Dagny Brandt was named as the new director of the Children’s Choir, succeeding Diane Dietmeier who retired last summer after more than 20 years of service.
Brandt has earned degrees from Luther College and the University of Iowa. Before moving to Freeport in 2000, she served as an assistant professor of music at Jamestown College in North Dakota. Currently, she directs a church choir, teaches in local public schools, and gives studio-applied lessons in voice to high school and college students. Brandt lives in Freeport with her husband, Thompson, and their children, Kristin and Carsten.
For more information, please contact the Fine Arts Department at 815-599-3490.
Cover Crops Trap Residual N Following Drought
This is the perfect year to plant cover crops in Illinois, according to soils and agronomy experts with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Besides the obvious negative impact on crop yields, the drought will leave residual nitrate in the soil at harvest time, potentially allowing nitrate to leach out the bottom of the root zone. If more typical precipitation returns in November through April, the amounts of nitrate lost could be much larger this year than usual, leading to nutrient loading to local waters and eventually to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.
That’s how cover crops can help. Cover crops will scavenge residual N and recycle it through their plant biomass, says Illinois NRCS State Agronomist Brett Roberts. He says as cover crops decompose next year, some of the N taken up by the cover crops will be released for use by the next cash crop, and some will go towards building soil organic matter.
“Fall-planted cover crops would be a good investment this year, to benefit both their own farms and regional water quality,” says Roberts. The best N-scavenging cover crops include oats, cereal rye, or annual ryegrass mixed with oilseed radish. If a farmer is interested in fall grazing, then turnips or other brassicas could be mixed with the oats and cereal rye.
Roberts says cover crops could help farmers recoup part of their fertilizer N investment from last season, and will improve soil organic matter and soil biological activity. “Cover crops will also be very useful after soybeans for adding organic matter and trapping N released by decomposing soybean residues,” he says.
One of NRCS’ key messages to farmers is to add living roots to the soil during more months of the year to increase organic matter and improve soil health. Along with eliminating tillage activities, NRCS State Conservationist Ivan Dozier confirms that legume cover crops as natural fertilizers and grasses as scavengers of nutrients often lost after harvest or during winter.
“Diversity above ground improves diversity below ground, which helps create healthy productive soils,” says Dozier. “Cover crops should be an integral part of a cropping system. They help improve soil health by developing an ecosystem that sustains and nourishes plants, soil microbes and beneficial insects.” Besides helping to restore soil health, cover crops also protect soil against erosive heavy rains and strong winds. They can provide livestock producers with additional grazing or haying opportunities, and winter food and cover for birds and other wildlife. For landowners with enough soil moisture for the cover crop, the choice could be a true benefit.
Producers are encouraged to check with their crop insurance providers to be sure planting cover crops does not adversely affect crop insurance coverage. Additionally, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) considers grazing of certain varieties of cover crops as harvesting.
Landowners interested in planting cover crops should visit the local NRCS office for more information on the best solution for your operation. Federal, state or local financial assistance may be available.
‘Play The Election’ Digital Learning Game
Rand McNally is partnering with leading civics educators such as Sandra Day O’Connor’s iCivics.org, iSidewith.com and National Mock Election to provide innovative election education programs for students. Rand McNally’s “Play the Election”, launched in August, is a free collaborative, online tool that teaches 7-12 students about the 2012 Presidential Election and election process through games, resources and competition.
The following organizations have endorsed and are promoting Rand McNally’s recently launched “Play the Election”:
iCivics.org has endorsed “Play the Election”, and has linked to the game from its Election Site. Formed two years ago by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to reverse Americans’ declining civics knowledge and participation, iCivics.org prepares young Americans to become knowledgeable, engaged 21st century citizens by creating free and innovative education materials.
“Play the Election provides both historic and current information to help educate and engage students in understanding the unique Presidential electoral process in the United States,” says Jeff Curley, Deputy Director of iCivics.org. “This interactive learning game will enable students to challenge themselves and other students to gain a deeper understanding of a very complicated process.”
iSidewith.com is providing an additional game, “What Candidate Do You Side With?” as a resource on the Play the Election site. iSideWith, utilized by more than 3 million people, was designed to help educate users by providing an accurate and updated breakdown of how they align with the candidates on a variety of issues.
The My Voice National Student Mock Election has endorsed “Play the Election” and Rand McNally will become a curriculum sponsor, providing direct access to “Play the Election” from the National Mock Election website. The My Voice National Student Mock Election, supported by the Pearson Foundation, aims to help teachers motivate, engage and reward students through hands-on, interactive experiences that involve students in their own learning.
“Students are a vital part of our electoral process, and we want them to learn about the importance of their vote. Play the Election is a great tool to help children understand the process, and what impacts the outcome,” says Adam Ray of the My Voice National Student Mock Election. “The additional teacher resources make it easy for teachers to integrate the program into their curriculum plan.”
Rand McNally has established several other marketing partnerships with student-facing organizations, such as Channel One News and Rock the Vote.
Channel One News, the leading television news network for teens nationwide, has included a link to the game in their OneVote election center. Rock the Vote, the organization founded more than 20 years ago to encourage young people to vote and be heard, will include “Play the Election” in its teacher resources as part of the organization’s Democracy Day.
“The endorsements and marketing partnerships from premier organizations in the educational and election arena are testament to the unique and powerful use of technology provided by Rand McNally’s “Play the Election” digital learning game, and its ability to engage kids in the election process,” said Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally.
And, as America prepares to elect its President, Rand McNally and USA TODAY Education invite students in the 7-12th grades to tell our President what’s on their minds via Rand McNally’s “Dear Mr. President” essay contest, running from August 15 through November 27, 2012.
“Play the Election” Digital Learning Game
“Play the Election” is an engaging community driven experience that helps students learn about the election process through a series of interactive games and competition. Students predict the election winners for each state on an interactive election map, and compare their predictions to their class and the country to see where they rank. The program also includes eleven digital mini-games that delve deeper into influential and battleground states, like Ohio and Florida.
An accompanying online teacher resource center includes lesson plans based on the Common Core Standards making it easy to integrate the games and activities into the classroom.
“Play the Election” and more detailed information and complete contest rules for “Dear Mr. President” are available at www.randmcnally.com/dearmrpresident.
Summer Drought May Dull Fall Color
The deep reds, crisp oranges and golden yellows that usually punctuate the fall landscape may not be so spectacular this year after a summer of statewide heat and drought.
“Drought is bad for fall colors,” said Jeffrey Dawson, a professor emeritus of natural resources and environmental sciences at Illinois. “In a normal fall season with plenty of rainfall, the leaves should begin to change in October. In a fall season such as this one, we are seeing a premature leaf drop. This affects fall colors because with leaves falling from the trees earlier, fewer leaves are left to actually change color.”
Even though the summer drought has affected the health of Illinois trees, state climatologist Jim Angel remains hopeful that fall colors will still be able to make an appearance this season.
“All is not lost – the recent rains and cooler weather have slowed the deterioration of the trees’ health. I’m a little more optimistic now than I was a month ago.
“Predicting fall color is still more art than science,” Angel added. “The best recipe for good fall color consists of a growing season without stress (such as that brought on by drought, flood, heat), followed by fall that has clear, sunny days and night temperatures that are crisp but not below freezing.
“You do not want a wet, stormy fall because the cloudy days and wet leaves cause the colors to be muted,” he said. “In addition, stormy weather has a habit of blowing the leaves off trees just as they turn color.”
Dawson said the color-change process is a living process.
“During the period of color change, sugars and other nutrients from the leaves move back into the tree, allowing it to retain (sugars and nutrients) efficiently, rather than shedding them with subsequent leaf fall.”
“For the first time since 1988, all of Illinois has experienced drought this year,” Angel said. “So the results are going to be similar around the state.”
Angel is affiliated with the State Water Survey, a unit of the Prairie Research Institute.
CGH Sponsors Free Car Safety Check
It is estimated that about 80% of car seats are misused, either because a child is in the wrong seat, the seat is installed wrong, or the child is not placed in the seat correctly. Are you using your car seat correctly?
If you’re not sure, visit the FREE CGH Car Seat Safety Check on Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Rock Falls Fire Department, 1013 7th Avenue.
Qualified professionals will review your car seats and show you how to safely transport children by using the appropriate child safety seat or safety belt correctly.
Visiting an inspection station can also help to make sure you are keeping up with the latest car seat guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the NHTSA.
Highland’s Friends of Fine Arts Meeting
The public is invited to a meeting of the Highland Community College Friends of the Fine Arts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 27, in room 6 of the Ferguson Fine Arts Center. All community members with an interest in promoting the arts at Highland are encouraged to attend.
The meeting will last an hour and focus on reports from each discipline within the Fine Arts department to plan for the future of the organization. The mission of the Highland Community College Friends of the Fine Arts is governed by the fundamental belief in the vital role that the arts play in the lives of our residents, our communities, and in the campus life of HCC students. Additionally, the Friends of the Fine Arts strive to increase the level of participation, and broaden opportunities for students of the visual and performing arts.
For more information about the HCC Friends of the Fine Arts, contact Tim Hood at 815.599.3417 or tim.hood@highland.edu. To complete a membership application, visit the Friends of the Fine Arts home page at highland.edu.
Reducing Damage Caused By Storms
Steps to protect residents and property from storms and other hazards will be discussed during the Carroll County Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee meeting on September 27 at the Carroll County Farm Bureau in Mount Carroll. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.
Chadwick, Lanark, Milledgeville, Mount Carroll, Savanna, Shannon, Thomson and Carroll County representatives are participating in the planning process. Agriculture, insurance, school districts and the American Red Cross are also represented on the Committee.
“Severe storms frequently cause damages to buildings, crops, roads, and other critical infrastructure in this area and across Illinois,” according to Greg Miller, Carroll County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Coordinator. “Since 1960 Carroll County has experienced at least one federal declared disaster every decade. Severe thunderstorms and floods are the most frequently occurring natural disasters in our county.”
Carroll County has an emergency response plan, but not a mitigation plan. “Emergency response plans prescribe what actions should be taken after a storm hits. This mitigation plan identifies actions that should be taken before a storm occurs,” added Miller.
Carroll County and the participating municipalities have been assembling lists of mitigation projects and activities. The mitigation plan is expected to be finished in this winter.
While the public has provided input on portions of the plan, the entire plan will be presented for public review and comment before it is submitted to the state and federal government for approval.
A public forum will be conducted for interested persons to review the plan and ask questions of Committee members. A two week public comment period will be established to accommodate interested persons who are unable to attend the forum. “We want to make sure that anybody who is interested has an opportunity to review and comment on the draft plan,” emphasized Miller.
Interested persons can submit questions and comments to the Committee members or directly to the Carroll County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency. Please contact Greg Miller at 815-631-8844 for more information.
Saar, Mlakar, Schriner Attend LPL Financial Regional Roundtable
Robin Wilhelms Saar, Cassandre Wilhelms Mlakar, and Karen Schriner recently attended the Regional Roundtable, a leading financial services industry conference hosted by LPL Financial, an independent broker.
Held in Oakbrook on June 27, 2012, the Regional Roundtable is one of the industry’s premier conferences focusing on helping clients succeed in the current economic environment.
Robin is Executive Vice President and a Financial Advisor at First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll. She is FINRA Series 7, 66, Chartered Senior Financial Planner, Life Insurance and Long Term Care licensed. Cassandre is also a Financial Advisor at First State Bank. She is FINRA Series 7, 63, and Life Insurance licensed. Karen is a Senior Sales Assistant at First State Bank.
They are available for appointments by calling the Shannon Facility at 815-864-2111, the Polo Facility at 815-946-2777, and the Lake Carroll Facility at 815-864-2125.
Return of the Black Regiment
Then join us as we welcome Black Regiment pastor Dan Gibson as our featured speaker to help us celebrate the Constitution. The Black Regiment is a group of modern ministers who are unashamed to proclaim liberty from their pulpits, as the original Black Regiment did in Revolutionary War days.
We hope you will bring a friend to hear this inspiring and thought-provoking presentation on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Rockton Community Center, 302 W. Main in Rockton. Please come and sit with like-minded people who wish to learn more about how we can all make a difference in the future of America.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We are friendly and welcoming to all who love freedom! For details, please contact Jane Carrell, Northern Illinois Tea Party, by email: janeC@Teaparty-NIL.com
10 Reasons to Re-Elect Bobby
Reason #3: Defending the Rock Island Arsenal
The Bobby Schilling for Congress campaign has unveiled the third reason in their “10 Reasons to Re-Elect Bobby” series. The series focuses on the successful record of U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) and explains why one good term deserves another. The campaign plans to release one reason per week leading up to the election on November 6. This week, the campaign is focused on Schilling’s efforts to defend the Rock Island Arsenal and strengthen our national defense.
Reason #3 to Re-Elect Bobby: Defending the Rock Island Arsenal
Since taking office, Bobby Schilling has made defending the Rock Island Arsenal and strengthening our national defense a priority.
“One of my greatest joys as a U.S. Representative so far has been working to build up the Rock Island Arsenal,” Schilling said. “We’ve been able to get a lot of good things done, and I think we can do more. Right now my main concern is protecting the Rock Island Arsenal from sequestration, which would essentially gut the military and cost hundreds of jobs.”
According to the Center for Security Policy Standards, about $31 million in federal contracts for Quad City businesses would be eliminated if sequestration goes into effect.
While working across the aisle with U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), Schilling has fought to defend the Rock Island Arsenal and strengthen our national defense by...
Expanding public-private partnerships at the Rock Island Arsenal...
Schilling and Loebsack fought for language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to allow unlimited public-private partnerships at our nation’s arsenals, creating the potential for hundreds of new jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal.
Fighting to improve the Rock Island Arsenal’s core skills and manufacturing capabilities...
Schilling and Loebsack also worked to include a provision in the NDAA that designated the Rock Island Arsenal as a Center for Industrial and Technical Excellence, further improving the Arsenal’s ability to enter into public-private partnerships and attract more manufacturers.
Protecting the Rock Island Arsenal from BRAC...
Schilling and Loebsack prevented the Rock Island Arsenal from facing risk of closure in the short-term by refusing to authorize additional rounds of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) in either FY2013 or FY2015, as had been called for by the Department of Defense.
Worked to prevent devastating cuts to the military from sequestration...
Schilling supported H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act, and H.R. 5872, the Sequestration Transparency Act, in an effort to prevent the nearly $500 billion in scheduled cuts to the military that would devastate the Rock Island Arsenal.
Schilling said that dysfunction in the U.S. Senate and the White House have resulted in an unprecedented level of uncertainty.
“This do-nothing attitude coming from the Senate and the White House is absolutely unacceptable,” Schilling said. “The Senate has now gone more than 1,200 days without a budget, and they’ve failed to advance a single appropriations bill this year, let alone debate the more than 30 bipartisan jobs bills that the House has already passed. The Senate isn’t doing its job, and unfortunately the hard-working men and women at the Rock Island Arsenal and the folks employed by our area’s remarkable defense manufacturers are paying the price for that inaction. It’s time for the Senate to show up and work for the American people.”
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