More Important News
Please join (L to R) Carol Kruzek, Ramona Koning, Pat Ely, Karen Sturtevant, and Denise Krysiak and the Friends of the Lanark Public Library’s Twice-Sold Tales Used Book Store for a Grand Re-Opening Celebration at their new location in The Special Touch’s Unique Mall, 504 W. IL RT. 64, Lanark, IL. The celebration begins Friday, March 8th - 9 am to 5 pm. through Saturday, March 9th - 9 am to 12 noon. Refreshments and special promotions provided. Take a guided tour of the new location, and thousands of used books and tales in great condition. Father and Daughter Community Dance, ‘Masquerade Ball’
Join us for the eighth annual St. Mary’s Father and Daughter Community Dance, “Masquerade Ball.” This special family evening will be held Friday, April 5th, 7-9:00 pm, at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 13220 Garden Plain Road. The dance is for the Morrison community’s fathers and daughters of all ages. Young ladies are to invite their favorite escort - father, grandfather, uncle, or brother for this memorable evening of music and dancing and fun. Admission is $20.00 at the door for all escorts - and free for all young ladies. Admission provides the evening’s entertainment, music by Pierre’; raffle baskets of surprises and spring time gifts; and a variety of delicious refreshments. This is an event that has grown into a community family special evening. Join us Friday, April 5th.
Carroll County Sheriff and Savanna Rotarian Jeff Doran (R) was the guest speaker at the February 26 Mount Carroll Rotary Club. He is pictured with Mt. Carroll Rotarian Kim Riley-Smith. (Courtesy of MC Rotary) Morrison Rotary February Students of the Month
Morrison Rotary welcomed Students of the Month Billie Conner (R) and Sam Ottens to their February meeting. Billie is the daughter of Bill and Melody Conner. She is active in Key Club and helps with blood drives, Paint the Town, Leaf raking and tutoring. She likes to play softball, volleyball, basketball and enjoys reading and babysitting. She has plans to attend a college for Chemical Engineering. Sam Ottens is the son of JoAnn Ottens and Michael Ottens. He is a senior and has been on the Golf team all four years. He has also been active with the Scholastic bowl team which advanced to the State the past two years. He volunteers with the Masonic Lodge in their pork chop sales and with the Mississippi Valley Blood Center blood drives. His hobbies include bowling, studying history and sciences and loves to travel. He has been to 45 of the 50 states. After graduation he plans on attending Illinois State University with a double major in Human Resource Management and Safety. Congratulations to these students for their achievements and service to the community. ‘Get the Lead Out’ a Huge Success
Two weeks ago the Elizabeth Historical Society presented their first in a series of four programs in 2013. Don Beck of Warren discussed lead mining in Elizabeth and Jo Daviess County in a presentation entitled ‘Get the Lead Out.’ In his presentation Beck brought lead ore and various maps of caves and mines. He recalled stories from various miners who are no longer with us but who taught him about the area. Don’s sense of humor and wealth of information had everyone entertained for over an hour. Over 24 people were interested in finding out more about their heritage through mining. The second program in this series will be held at the 1876 Banwarth House & Museum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, with ‘River Ridge Entries in the 2013 Illinois State Fair.’ The Banwarth House is a green Victorian home located at 408 E. Sycamore St. in Elizabeth. The general public is invited to attend.
West Carroll Primary School held its annual Science Fair on February 27th, 2013. 90 entries were submitted, with many blue ribbons awarded. 6 students earned the Grand Prize. Front row (left to right) Nikki Honchell, Alex Sumpter, Alonzo Boardman. Back row: Elijah Harrison, Olivia Charles, and Katie Honchell.
Brick Street Salon officially opened with a Ribbon Cutting on March 1, 2013. Caitlin Krum, owner is pictured with her family and members of the Mount Carroll Chamber of Commerce. (L to R) front: Catherine Pokropinski (Chamber), Caitlin Krum, Susie Krum, Karen Davis (Chamber), Mayor Carl Bates, Larry DeSpain, Skip Krum, Kurt Krum, Doris and Don Rogers. The Salon offers hair cuts, styles, color, and tanning. Krum said “Business has been good so far. Tanning has really taken off”. (PA photo/Lynnette Forth) Classes Start Soon for Midwest Industrial Trade School
Recent graduates of Midwest Industrial Trade School received their Certificates of Completion. (L to R) Brad Phillips, Lena, Andrew Schubert, Forreston, Course Instructor Chad Eshleman, Joshua Hasting, Stockton, and Jon Werkheiser, Lena. Midwest Industrial Trade School in Stockton congratulates their most recent class of graduates. Receiving their Certificates of Completion are Brad Phillips, Lena, Andrew Schubert, Forreston, Joshua Hasting, Stockton, and Jon Werkheiser, Lena. Course Instructor Chad Eshleman said that new classes for pipe welding, carbon steel and stainless steel pipe welding start March 11, June 3, and August 12, 2013. Midwest Industrial Trade School (MITS) strives to provide accessible quality educational programs and services, which anticipate and respond to personal and community needs and expectations. These efforts will reflect an active commitment to excellence, to lifelong learning for future generations and cooperation with all segments of the community. MITS is committed to meeting or exceeding customer needs and expectations through Continuous Quality Improvement of the curriculum offered. Midwest Industrial Trade School offers numerous skilled trade career technology courses. Well-qualified, experienced and dedicated instructors guide the educational experiences of students in small, personalized classes. Almost all faculty members are specialists in their fields. The Welding Technical course will prepare the student with the opportunity to obtain a skilled trade career as a Maintenance Mechanic or Construction Welder. The Pipe Fitting Technical course will offer the career opportunity as a Construction Pipe Fitter or Residential Plumber. The school’s staff offers help in setting educational and career goals, assistance in preparing for a job search and help in finding a job within the selected career field chosen. Faculty are also available to help students identify concerns, make important educational decisions, adjust to the school atmosphere, and improve personal relationships and set goals for the future. Midwest Industrial Trade School is located at 535 South Simmons Street, Stockton, Illinois 61085. For more information, call 1-877-MIT-WELD (648-9353), or visit their web site at midwestindustrialtradeschool.com.
SADD is Sweet
Eastland High School(EHS) Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) held a bake sale to celebrate Valentine’s Day. (L to R) EHS SADD members Bailey DeMichael, Megan Schmieder, Samantha Johnson, Gentry Lessman, Karalicia Kennedy; not pictured: Lauren Swanson, Abby Hake. Megan Schmieder, SADD member, said, “This was our first big venture to help establish our treasury and we were very pleased how much the student body at EHS supported us.” SADD members have also been using the Fatal Vision Goggles (drunk goggles) during EHS home basketball games for free throw contests to earn funds. SADD is the student section of the Carroll County Substance Coalition (CCSEC) which receives funding through the Partners for Success grant from the IL Department of Human Services. Everyone Buckle Up!
West Carroll Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) has been sponsoring a “Buckle Up” Pledge at school and during basketball games. The “I pledge to buckle up every one, every time,” poster was provided through the OTSD grant with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) members encouraging everyone to sign. Students were pleased with how many signed and said that they always use their seatbelts. (Courtesy of Freddie Preston)
Mount Carroll Rotary Club member Kim Riley-Smith is pictured with Feb. 12 meeting speaker Ed Messina, a builder who lives in Mt. Carroll/Chicago. (Courtesy of MC Rotary)
Mount Carroll Rotarion Brandt Hutchcraft (L) with speaker Dennis Asay of the Mt. Carroll Ambulance Assosciation, who briefed the club at their Feb. 19 meeting on the history of the service which started in Mt. Carroll in the 1960’s. (Courtesy of MC Rotary)
The Morrison Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 22, 2013 at Kreative Rentals Ltd, 115 E. Main Street, to recognize new owner Katie Jakubs. Kreative Rentals is a premier rental, decorating, and consulting business for weddings and all of your special events. Pictured l-r: Heather Toppert, Maurits & Jost Insurance; Stephanie Vavra, thecity1.com; Jean Eggemeyer, Bit O’ Bliss Candy; Katie’s father Bruce Hunter Jr.; Owner Katie Jakubs; Katie’s mother Marcia Hunter; Jennifer White, THE National Bank; Corinne Bender, Morrison Chamber of Commerce; and Marti Wood, City of Morrison. (Courtesy of Morrison Chamber of Commerce) Scam AdvisoryWhiteside County Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi received information today from a Morrison Business owner regarding a possible scam. The unknown caller informed the local business they have been retained by Whiteside County to conduct services on the county’s behalf. When questioned further, the caller left no name or number and indicated they would call back at a later time. Sheriff Wilhelmi wants all business owners (and residents of Whiteside County) to be informed we do NOT, nor will we be, soliciting through an outside agency for county business. The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office urges all residents of Whiteside County to be aware of this potential scam. Should you have any information regarding this or any other possible scam, please contact the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office. Carroll County Lawyers Seeking Donations for ‘Feeding Illinois’ Food BankThe Carroll County Bar Association in cooperation with the Illinois State Bar Association, announces that it is accepting donations of perishable food items and money for it “Feeding Illinois” food drive. Donations may be dropped off at the Carroll County Courthouse, Circuit Clerk Sherri Miller’s office, during normal business hours until March 1, 2013. “Feeding Illinois” is a coalition of eight Feeding America food banks, which provide food to nearly 2,000 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters throughout the state. The organization is committed to educating people about the role of food banks in addressing hunger and raising awareness of the need to devote more resources and attention to hunger issues. This One’s Got Sole: The History of ShoesWhat’s the key to the perfect look? Amazing shoes. Both men and women have known for centuries that shoes can make or break an outfit. Take a step back into the wonderful world of footwear, from practical to completely impractical. Diane Sipiera and Elizabeth Myelle will explore the history of shoes, along with the many variations in both style and purpose. A PowerPoint presentation will follow the path of this rarely thought of, but quite essential item throughout history. They will cover the Roman Empire through the 21st Century. Be enlightened by the various textiles and artisan craftsmanship throughout the years and see how footwear has become indispensable. This slide presentation will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 1:00pm until 2:00pm at the 1876 Banwarth House & Museum, 408 E. Sycamore St. behind the Law-Jones Funeral Home in the Village of Elizabeth. Look for the green Victorian house. The Planetary Studies Foundation is a non-for profit organization. This program is free for PSF members and a $3.00 donation for non-members. All proceeds go toward PSF scholarships for students interested in pursuing a career in the sciences. If you would like to reserve a spot for this lecture, please contact Diane Sipiera at (815) 858-2014 or dsipiera@planets.org. Scholarships Available for Leadership ConferenceThe Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is extremely proud to once again be named as a principal sponsor for the annual Cebrin Goodman Institute on Substance Abuse (formerly Illinois Teen Institute). The ISA will be awarding scholarships to cover the cost for students to attend this exceptional, award winning program. CGTI is a week-long youth leadership training for middle and high school students who want to learn leadership skills, meet other youth from around the state, and become empowered to create change in their schools and communities! With a focus on personal responsibility, decision-making, and leading to change– this conference is for future leaders who want to make a real difference in their community CGTI teens will learn to: • Develop skills to be an advocate for positive change • Make a difference in their community • Communicate more effectively • Prevent drug and alcohol abuse This years’ conference will be held at Eastern Illinois University July 21-25, 2013. The ISA will be awarding 60 scholarships statewide. Scholarships are filled quickly. Any student who wishes to attend, please contact your local Sheriff’s office or the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association for an application and/or further information. For scholarship consideration applications must be submitted to your local Sheriff’s office or ISA, not directly to CGTI. As a participant the following will be furnished: tuition, lodging, t-shirt, workshop materials, recreation and meals. Transportation will not be included. Is Your Business Ready For Government Contracting?Prepare your business for successful government contracting for all available opportunities, including the potential opening of Thomson Prison. A free business workshop demonstrating how to register and certify a business to bid on government contracts, including contracting with any Federal, State, County and City governments will be held on March 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Manny’s Pizza in Savanna, IL. Vicky Miller, Director of the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (IL PTAC) at Black Hawk College and Beth White, Government Contracting Specialist, ISU Extension, CIRAS, will present the many business opportunities for products and services that will be used by the prison and demonstrate how to conduct business with the federal government. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Activation Coordinator, Cathi Litcher states “I appreciate the coordination of two lead Thomson Talent Team Partners, TCEDA and Blackhawk Hills, working together to educate the local business and community leaders about federal government procurement. There will be contracting opportunities locally, and historically, in the smaller communities, two or three businesses had to start a joint venture company in order to meet the minimum need for the facility. In the past, this type of partnership agreement has worked especially well with filling requirements for local perishable food items, for example.“ “If you are interested in accurate, relevant and timely information about the Thomson facility, I would encourage you to attend this worthwhile training. Vicky Miller has extensive knowledge and expertise in sharing the basic steps that small businesses must take in order to pursue federal government contracts. Find out about obtaining a DUNS number and how to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and be prepared for the Bureau of Prisons online solicitations at http://www.fedbizopps.gov” \t “_blankIt could take up to six months for all the paperwork to be completed and processed,” explained Litcher. Remember, Procurement Technical Assistance Center staff assist business owners in understanding solicitations and contracts at no charge. If you’d like to know more about projected Bureau of Prisons contract opportunities during 2013, check out this link: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/osdbu/forecast.pdf. Those who should attend in the Illinois and Iowa region are business owners, business managers, Mayors, Chamber directors, Chamber boards, Chamber members; economic development organizations; political leaders, financial institutions, real estate developers, realtors, and anyone involved in the construction and food industries. Registration is required. The registration form is available at http://www.tcedaonline.com. Fill out the registration form and email to lmccarthy@jocarroll.com or call Lisa at 815-858-4491. Lunch from Manny’s will be available for your purchase. Did You Know?The Lanark Public Library had 15,714 visitors last year, and lent over 23,300 materials last year? Please consider joining, or renewing, your support of the Friends of the Lanark Public Library. Annual membership is only $10! Please send your membership or gift to: Friends of the Lanark Public Library P.O. Box 143 Lanark, IL 61046 Did You Know?The Lanark Public Library lent 8,000 adult fiction, and nearly 2,000 non-fiction books - over 5,000 children’s books - over 1,000 audio books - and 5,000 DVD’s & VHS tapes. Please consider joining, or renewing, your support of the Friends of the Lanark Public Library. Annual membership is only $10! Please send your membership or gift to: Friends of the Lanark Public Library P.O. Box 143 Lanark, IL 61046 Kelsey McFarren Named to Illinois College Dean’s ListKelsey McFarren, a senior from Fulton, was named to the Illinois College Dean’s List. McFarren is the daughter of Boyd and Sally McFarren of Fulton. McFarren is a graduate of Fulton High School. Candidates for the dean’s list must complete at least 14 semester hours and post a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All grades must be C or better, and no more than one C grade is allowed. Super Recycling EventNorthwest Illinois residents and businesses are invited to participate in the upcoming Super Recycling Event collection set for Saturday, April 6, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The recycling collection will be conducted at the Carroll County Highway Department, just off Rt. 52/64, at 10735 Mill Road, Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Free recycling categories include electronics such as computers, monitors, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, printers, keyboards, mice, laptops, cords, cables, phones, radios, speakers, copiers, cell phones, and more. Small household electronic items are also accepted at no charge and include microwaves, vacuum cleaners, coffee and bread makers, toaster ovens, small saws, drills, holiday lights, hair dryers and more. Batteries are also accepted for free and include all types of alkaline, lithium, rechargeable, and large lead-acid vehicle and machinery batteries. Bulky metal items are also accepted for free and include bicycles, swing sets, metal shelving, metal cabinets, lawn and garden tractors, lawn mowers, snow blowers, metal patio furniture, outdoor grills, metal bed frames, steel posts, metal fencing, and more. Additional recycling items will be accepted that involve a small fee. Large household appliances will be accepted for $10 per item and include refrigerators, dish washers, stoves, air conditioners, etc. Latex paint will be accepted for a charge with a quart container costing $1.50 each, a one gallon at $2.50 each and five gallon containers at $8.00 each. Compact and large fluorescent bulbs will also be accepted for a charge with bulbs four feet and under costing $1.00 each and bulbs over four feet costing $2.00 each. Paper and document shredding including DVD disposal is also offered and will cost $2 per participating household or business. The event is sponsored by the Jo-Carroll Solid Waste Agency. For questions, please contact Mark Maidak, agency coordinator, at 815-541-8183, or via e-mail at jocarrollswa@yahoo.com. Eagle Nature Foundation Annual MeetingKen and Sue Turner from Warren, IL will be the featured speakers at the Eagle Nature Foundation’s (ENF) Annual Meeting and Fund Raising Luncheon to be held at 11:00 am on April 6, 2013, in the Main Building of the Klehm Arboretum & Botanical Garden in Rockford, Illinois. Their presentation on “Winning the Nora Mega Farm Fight” will follow the Annual Meeting at 1:00 pm. As part of ENF’s fund raising efforts, a silent auction will start at 11:00 am. At 11:30 the luncheon will be served by ABC Catering of Rockford. At 12:30, immediately following the luncheon, there will be a regular fund raising auction and drawing for a 50/50 raffle. Donations for these auctions have already been received from many persons and businesses in the area. Other donations are welcome for both auctions from any person or business, or anyone may enter the 50/50 raffle by sending a check to ENF. (The tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5). The regular auction and 50/50 drawing will be followed by ENF’s Annual Business Meeting and Award Ceremony at 1:00 PM. Immediately after the business meeting, the Turners will give their presentation. After this ENF’s Board of Directors will hold their annual board meeting. The general public is invited to attend this Luncheon and Meeting. Luncheon tickets are $25 per member of ENF, or $40 per non-member, (which includes a one year membership into ENF). Luncheon, or raffle tickets, must be purchased prior to March 29th from the Eagle Nature Foundation’s office at 300 East Hickory Street, Apple River, IL 61001, or by calling 815-594-2306. Tickets may also be purchased by going to our website, eaglenature.com . Anyone wishing to just hear the presentation for no cost, should come to the meeting at the Klehm Arboretum before 1:30 pm. New Film Reveals Dark Side of Agenda Driven NewsIn a country where deceit has become the norm, shouldn’t we expect our mainstream media to expose the deception rather than cover it up? Day in and day out our news and information coverage is spun in such a sinister way that we cannot trust what we see and hear. And we know it...just take a look at the polls regarding media trustworthiness. How did this nation go from the desire of a Free Press to a “bought and paid for” media? Peddling Influence may have the answer. The newest film from Director William Lewis and Associate Producer Gary Franchi, Peddling Influence, is a 90-minute whirlwind of information regarding the fraud that is our news media, the role advertising plays, government involvement and so much more. “How are We-the-People to make educated decisions about anything without all the facts, yet we never get the facts, especially from the media,” states Lewis. Some of the details revealed are sure to shock you, while others will confirm what you already you know. American journalist John Swinton delivered a scathing revelation to a group of fellow reporters and editors gathered to celebrate his life’s achievements. “There is no such thing, at this stage of the world’s history in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. I am paid for keeping honest opinions out of the paper.” Swinton conveyed this eye-opening declaration not in the 20th Century, but in the late 19th Century, proving that our media has been controlled, in some fashion, since well before that time. Peddling Influence covers the United State’s questionable entry into the Spanish American War, the use of advertising dollars to shade coverage, the lack of exposure of information that affects our population regarding a number of issues, including NutraSweet and H1N1, a few of the outright lies our media has conveyed, how foreign countries stepped up to persuade the United States to remain loyal, and reveals how media chooses what it will cover and who the outlets considered “experts,” and much more. The new release from Lewis and Franchi offers bold solutions and alternatives to the media we have come to loathe. With topics too numerous to cover in one expose’, the disc also includes a bonus presentation, Rumors of War, regarding World War 1 and World War II that, along with portions of the feature film, are sure to bring our entire war history into question. If you’ve ever had the slightest reservation about media conduct, this expose’ is a must-have for your information arsenal. For more information on and to acquire your copy of Peddling Influence, visit William Lewis Films at http://nnn.is/Peddling_Influence - Debbie Lewis, 2013 DCP/Acre Sign UpAlan Flikkema, Chairman for the Carroll County FSA County Committee has announced that the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program are being offered for the 2013 program year under the 2008 Farm Bill Extension. According to Flikkema, DCP and ACRE sign-up for 2013 started on February 19, 2013. The ACRE election and enrollment sign-up period will end on June 3, 2013 and the DCP enrollment sign-up period will end on August 2, 2013. Flikkema also said “The only program change from 2012 to 2013 is that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop year”. This means that eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE in 2013 and vice versa. Flikkema urged producers with questions about the 2013 DCP/ACRE sign-up to contact their local FSA office. Farm Service Agency Employee Attains 20 Years of ServiceProgram Technician, Janice Durward, recently attained 20 years of service with the Carroll County, United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency Office, which is located in Mount Carroll, Il. Currently, Janice is in charge of, and is considered the Technical Expert in, administering the Payment Limitation and Eligibility Programs, Production Adjustment Program which entails the Direct and Counter Cyclical Payment and Acre Programs and the Dairy Program. In addition to these responsibilities, Janice also assists producers at the county office counter, and serves as a primary backup in helping to administer other essential programs offered to Carroll County producers in the county office. Janice and her husband Andrew reside in Argo Fay and have 3 daughters. Bailey is a freshman at West Carroll High School, Kim is a freshman in College at Platteville Wisconsin and Kara is a Junior at Monmouth College. Meeting Brings Cattle Industry Experts to IllinoisIllinois cattlemen and cattlewomen will have the opportunity to here from industry experts at the 2013 Illinois Cattle Feeders Meeting. The meeting will be held on March 6th at the Ogle County Farm Bureau in Oregon, IL. The seminar will be start at 8:30am and conclude at 4:00pm. “This meeting is a must-attend for Illinois cattle producers. First-hand access to this kind of knowledge in the cattle industry is rare.” says Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Beef Extension Educator. Dr. Ron Gill, Professor and Extension Livestock Specialist with Texas A&M University will be on hand to discuss low-stress cattle handling. Dr. Gill is one of the leading animal-handling consultants in the country. He will offer insight on cattle behavior, cattle handling, and facility design based on years of experience and proven practices. Mark McCully, Assistant Vice President for Certified Angus Beef will discuss beef quality trends, consumer preferences, and branded beef programs. Certified Angus Beef is the largest, most successful branded beef program in the United States. Mark will offer a look into consumer preferences, demand trends, and the most profitable marketing streams. Dr. Paul Peterson, Professor of Derivatives Trading, University of Illinois will present “What’s next for the cattle market?” Dr. Peterson spent most of his life trading and managing trade with the Chicago Board of Trade and Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. With extreme volatility existing in the cattle market, Dr. Peterson will outline some strategies to best manage risk and take advantage of moving markets. Dr. Mike Cecava, Director of Feed Technology ADM Research will discuss improving crop residues for feeding beef cattle. Travis Meteer, U of I Beef Extension Educator will talk about corn silage feeding considerations, and Rich Hines, Summit Livestock Facilities will discuss the advantages of feeding cattle indoors. Come join fellow cattlemen in Oregon, IL on March 6th to enjoy an opportunity to gain knowledge on money-making decision in today’s cattle industry. Pre-registration is suggested for the meeting to ensure adequate meal number, however there is no fee. Please RSVP to Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension, 37737 Perry Fishhook Road, Baylis, IL 62314 or email wmeteer2@illinois.edu. Meeting details are available at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/oardc Carroll County 4-H Shooting Sports Groups to MeetBy Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Program Coordinator, 4-H & YouthA 4-H archery workshops will be held on Sunday, March 17, at 1:30 p.m. for all 4-H’ers enrolled in the archery project and for any non-4-H youth between the ages of 8 and 18 by September 1. The workshop will be held at the Mike & Jodi York farm located at 25269 E. Locust Rd., Lanark. You must be accompanied by a parent. Dress for the weather. For more information contact Mike York, Lanark or Leanne Rahn at the Carroll Co. Extension Office 815-244-9444 or lrahn@illinois.edu. Reset Your Internal ClockHave you ever wondered why you tend to wake up at the same time without an alarm clock, fall asleep about the same time or get hungry about the same hour each day? The answer is due to your circadian rhythm or biological clock found deep in the brain’s hypothalamus. Our amazing clocks are highly intertwined with physiological and behavioral processes. They routinely manage our 24-hour sleep/wake cycle with brain wave activity, hormone production and cell regeneration. But our internal clocks don’t adjust well to new routines. Biological clocks have a profound effect on when we go to sleep, eat and wake, but also on mental and physical health. The inner workings of our clocks are high-tech machines. One good example is the daily night-time routine. As night falls the clock is in high operational mode as it begins to slow the body for sleep, lowering body temperature, and releasing the hormone melatonin that makes us feel sleepy. The clock is ‘programmed’ to react to light and darkness and the daily departure of the sun—essential for our bodies to function throughout a busy day. Creatures of habitOur internal clocks keep us on track. Without the intricate balance, we’d have jet lag more often than not. Sluggishness, insomnia, lost appetite, and an awful feeling of being “out of it,” are natural consequences of jet lag, a frequent discomfort of travelers. When you travel across time zones and it’s 10 p.m. back home, your internal clock will have you wanting to go to bed no matter what the local time is, even if it’s noon locally. Even though our clocks do not adapt well to interruptions in daily routines, did you know our circadian rhythm can be reset, making good sleep possible? There are many situations when our clocks may be out of sync with daily life. If you go to bed much later than usual, take a different job that requires you to work at night, or act as a personal caregiver to a friend which results in interrupted patterns of sleep, you’ll probably have problems adjusting your circadian rhythm. The Latin phrase, “about one day” or circadian best describes the human sleep cycle. Disrupting this cycle can be harmful down the road. Poor quality sleep can affect your immune system. Many sleep studies have discovered that your rest is directly linked to your well-being and daily health. People who have chronic sleep problems have a weaker defense system against pathogens that cause illness, such as the common cold. To make matters worse, it is known that poor sleep can lead to overeating. While it is not exactly understood, the body uses rest to ‘recharge’ the body. Hormones such as leptin, which control appetite, may be affected by poor quality sleep. A recent study at the University of Chicago found a correlation between disrupted sleep cycles and increased appetite, especially cravings for rich foods. Clock reset tipsWhat can you do if you are one of millions who work late at night or sometimes disrupt your circadian rhythm? Good news! We can trick our clocks if need be to maintain a 24-hour cycle while still getting the rest we need, even if the sun is shining. Track lifestyle patterns: Decrease caffeine and alcohol intake before bedtime. Work on reducing stress. We all have stress, but it is the single major factor to poor sleep and long-term health problems. Find structured ways to relax. Yoga is a good example. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Exercise regularlyWhen are you exercising? If you’re exercising too close to bedtime, you might be confusing your internal clock with this nightly activity. What is the room like where you sleep? If you need to sleep in the daytime, it is very important to shut out light to trigger light/dark cycles. Adjust your room’s environment if your room is too hot or loud. Studies have shown that very dark (pitch black), cool rooms are the most ‘sleepable.’ If you live near traffic, invest in ear plugs. Upgrade your mattress for a more comfortable, good night’s sleep. - Mark Underwood is a neuroscience researcher, president and co-founder of Quincy Bioscience, a biotech company located in Madison, Wisconsin focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel technologies to support cognitive function and other age-related health challenges such as memory. Mark is also creator of popular brain health supplement Prevagen. Mark has been taped as an expert in the field of neuroscience for The Wall Street Journal Morning Radio, CBS and CNN Radio among others. Mark is also a contributor to the “Brain Health Guide” which highlights the research at Quincy Bioscience and offers practical tips to help keep healthy brain function in aging. More information can be found at: www.quincybioscience.com. Chadwick Achievers 4-H Club Holds MeetingBy Rachel Scidmore, Chadwick Achievers 4-H Club ReporterChadwick Achievers 4-H had a meeting on Wednesday, February 6th, 2013. Public speaking presentation is coming up next month in March. Chadwick 4Hers be sure to take your Ethnics Class test before May 1st. Demonstrations or talks this month by Sydney Pauley- Outdoor Adventures, Doug Williams- Dairy, Eric Ebersole- Gardening. Meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held March 6th. Computer Art SPIN Club To MeetBy Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Program Coordinator, 4-H & YouthThe next meeting of the Carroll County Computer Art SPIN club will be Saturday, March 16, from 1:00-3:00 pm, at the Clinton Community College Technology Center, at 1951 Manufacturing Dr., Clinton Iowa. The group is for all 4-H & non4-H youth between the ages of 10 and 18 years old by September 1. This session, the topic will be exploring computer based graphic design. This is a hands-on learning group that will meet for a total of six times. For more information contact University of Illinois Carroll Co. Extension Office at 815-244-9444 or Leanne Rahn at lrahn@illinois.edu. Carroll County 4-H Shooting Sports Groups to MeetBy Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Program Coordinator, 4-H & YouthA 4-H archery workshops will be held on Sunday, March 17, at 1:30 p.m. for all 4-H’ers enrolled in the archery project and for any non-4-H youth between the ages of 8 and 18 by September 1. The workshop will be held at the Mike & Jodi York farm located at 25269 E. Locust Rd., Lanark. You must be accompanied by a parent. Dress for the weather. For more information contact Mike York, Lanark or Leanne Rahn at the Carroll Co. Extension Office 815-244-9444 or lrahn@illinois.edu. Carroll County 4-H Horse Committee To MeetBy Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Program Coordinator, 4-H & YouthThe next meeting of the Carroll Co. 4-H Horse Committee will be Tuesday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the Carroll County Extension Office meeting room. Anyone interested in working with youth with their horse and pony project is welcome to attend. The committee is always looking for new members. Agenda items include the summer learning opportunities, upcoming Horse Shows and the 4-H Fair Horse Show plus more. For more information contact Leanne Rahn at University of Illinois Extension Office at 815-244-9444 or at lrahn@illinois.edu.
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