More Important News

It’s Got to Be Jazz!

West Carroll Primary students gave a great performance during their Spring concert. Students presented lively jazz tunes under the direction of Anne Pudwill.

(Prairie Advocate photos/Lynnette Forth)

Valerie Johnson Wins Second Place

Sophomore Valerie Johnson from West Carroll High School received 2nd place in the Aspiring Artists exhibit at the Freeport Art Museum. The annual spring exhibition highlights the best work by students in grades K-12. Awards are given for First, Second, Third places as well as Honorable Mentions in three different grade groups. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the exceptional talent and creativity of young artists in our communities. The exhibition is sponsored by Freeport Health Network and awards are sponsored by Blick Art Materials. The exhibit runs through May 25, 2013 in Freeport.

Accelerated Reader
Pizza Party

Students in grades 3-5 had the opportunity to read books from two Illinois Reading Programs, Rebecca Caudill and Bluestem. In order to participate, students had to read the required number of books from the 2012-2013 booklist from either program and pass the AR test. They got to vote on their favorite book during a pizza party held in the library. Their votes get to help choose the winning book in each program.

Back row: Brady Rice, Juulyn Rihtar, John McCombie, Bradley Tuftee, Colton Ballard, Grace Shelly, Brady Handel, Katie McGinnis, Emma Scott, Jacob McLuckie

Middle row: Shayla Roberts, Arthur Donley, Brennon Cavanagh, Sophia Guenzler, Daisy McCray, Hannah Bauch, Aaliyah Jones, Alice Coats, Hannah Walters

Front row: Andrew Stingley, Jayden Forth, Katlynn Stretton, Lilly Hayden, Alex Sumpter, Tommy Falk, Kloey Ostendorf. (Courtesy of Jennifer McGinnis)

Thumbs Up Winners

The Milledgeville Elementary Week 22 Thumbs Up Winners. From left to right in front row: Abbygail Branscomb, Wyatt House, Peyton Stark, Samantha Richter, Alyssa Stepp and in back row: Brady Brown, Lannigan Rogers, Zander Dyson, Salome Pasch, Eric Ebersole.

The Freeport Community Foundation awarded grants to 10 non-profit organizations at a reception held on April 9. The grant recipients, from left, in back row: Sam Havens, NAMI; Julia Friberg, NIFB; Abbe Hayner, Parkview; in middle row: Keith Chesterton, Habitat for Humanity; Ed Finch, Stephenson County Historical Society; Leslie Mastroianni, American Red Cross; in bottom row: Sue Swanson, VOICES; Jessica Caddell, Freeport Art Museum; Lisa Chapman, Assault & Abuse Services; Amy Reile and Christy Garnhart, District 145; Dan Schmitt, Executive Director-Freeport Community Foundation; and James Rhyne, Board President, Freeport Community Foundation. (Courtesy of HCC)

Lanark Library Gets Some Big Help From Some Friends

Sue Sauer (L),Treasurer of the Lanark Public Library, accepts a $15,000 check from Tami Kniss, Treasurer of the Friends of the Lanark Public Library. The donation will be used for furnishing at the new library in the Lanark Municipal Building at 111 S Broad Street. Significant donations such as this will be recognized on a donor tree being designed by local artist Rachel Burkholder. (Courtesy of Lanark Public Library)

Chadwick-Milledgeville Attends FBYC

On Monday April 8, 2013, four members of the Chadwick-Milledgeville FFA chapter traveled down to Springfield, IL for the 2013 Farm Bureau Youth Conference that took place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel. The conference was full of activities that would teach the students how to grow their legacies. Students had opportunities to go to six different growth sessions that each had different themes relating back to agriculture, such as what to do after the FFA, Leadership rules, and how to promote agriculture in a positive way and teach those who do not know exactly what the agriculture industry does. Attendees also went to a career fair to learn about careers in agriculture and to talk to colleges. After a long day, everyone was rewarded with a dance and evening activities. The students returned home Tuesday night with many new leadership skills to bring to the chapter.

Reported by Lauren Hackbarth Chapter president.

Carroll County 4-H Horse Bowl Members Compete

By Leanne Rahn,
Carroll County Community Worker 4-H & Youth

Carroll County 4-H horse project members participated in the Regional Horse Bowl & Hippology contests at Highland Community College in Freeport.

In the Sr. Horse Bowl division – Carroll Co. team placed 2nd. Team members were Natalie Shaw, Renee Henert & Megan Poole. In answering the most questions correctly, Natalie Shaw placed 1st and Renee placed 8th over-all.

Jr. Horse Bowl Division – Carroll Co. team placed 1st overall. Team members are Kaiti Collins, Katie Hoffman, Olivia Charles, Alivia Preston and Caryssa Hemmen. The team will now compete at the State Contest on May 4th, in Champaign. In answering the most questions correctly, Katie Hoffman placed 1st, Gretchen Richter 2nd, Caryssa Hemmen 9th over-all.

In the Hippology division individual state qualifiers were Jr. Division: 1st place Olivia Charles; Intermediate division: Natalie Shaw, 1st; Katie Hoffman, 2nd; Megan Poole, 3rd; Caryssa Hemmen 4th; Kaiti Collins, 6th; Gretchen Richter, 7th; Senior Division: Renee Henert, 5th. They have the opportunity to participate at the State Contest May 4-5.

In the horse judging contest, Olivia Charles placed in Jr. Divisionand Kaiti Collins placed 2nd in Intermediate Division. In Oral Results, Olivia Charles placed 1st in the Jr. Division.

Team coaches were Bryan Hollewell of Millegdeville & Joan Harms & Mary Francque of Sterling.

EMS Hosts IGSMA Contest

The Eastland Middle School, Ayn Coleman, director, hosted the Illinois Grade School Music Association on Saturday, March 16th in Shannon, IL. This contest was for junior high band, chorus, and jazz band.

Participating schools included Orangeville, Eastland, Pearl City, Galena, Harlem, Rockford Lutheran, Scales Mound, West Carroll, South Beloit, and Durand. Schools performed for three adjudicators and received a brief clinic from an adjudicator following their performance. There were many outstanding performances and students got great comments from judges and tips for further success.

Eastland would like to thank IGSMA District IV chairperson Lisa Eaton for chairing the event, host school Eastland Middle School and their director Ayn Coleman, as well as the many volunteers from the Eastland community who made the event possible. (Courtesy of EMS)

Be a Part of ‘The Best Little Farmers’ Market in Northwest Illinois!’

Are you looking for ways for your garden plot to produce a supplemental income or even a full income for your family? Is your business new and you’re looking for a great way to get more exposure? Is your organization in need of a fundraiser? The Morrison Farmers’ Market is a great way to accomplish all of these, with little start up costs.

This year’s market begins two weeks earlier on May 18 and runs through October 5, 2013. The market is held every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., rain or shine, at 202 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL (behind the Heritage Museum). The seasonal fee for 2013 is $60.00 per spot for the full season and must be paid in advance with application. Weekly rates are $5 per space and must be paid before set-up. Vendors can download an application at www.morrisonfarmersmarket.com or call and request an application package be mailed. One evening market will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., downtown Morrison. A separate fee of $5 per space will be collected.

A vendor is any person offering for sale articles for human consumption such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, chicken, cheese, certified organic products, baked goods, nuts and berries as well as artisan and craft products. Local farmers are those operating in Northwest Illinois, although products from other locations may be sold, if the market would benefit and must be marked as such. All dairy, meat, poultry, eggs, and cottage foods vendors must be in compliance with any governmental regulations and have acquired all necessary licenses, permits, etc., prior to selling at the market. Join us for a true, supporting community of friends, neighbors, and farmers celebrating fresh, locally grown foods and craft products.

Evangelist Steve Pettit in Shannon

Evangelist Steve Pettit, will come to Shannon on April 28 - May 1 to conduct special evangelistic services at Shannon Baptist Church. The Sunday services begin at 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m., and the Monday through Wednesday services begin at 7:00 p.m. On Tuesday evening, the team will present an Irish sacred concert.

The meetings are geared for the entire family. Beautiful music is provided each evening by his evangelistic team, who has over sixteen professional recordings. Mark Egerdahl will conduct a special teen program called the “Cola Wars,” and will conduct a nightly children’s program called “Spy Games 2013.” The public is welcome to share in the excitement of these services each evening. The church is located at 101 N. Broad Street, Shannon, and the Pastor is Tim Lehman. For more information call .

Evangelist Pettit is widely known as a strong Bible preacher, emphasizing revival and evangelism. He has preached in 22 foreign countries over the past 27 years. Having worked with teenagers for 34 years, he has a special burden for young people and their problems. Currently, he is the national director of Cross Impact, a ministry to secular colleges through local churches. He and his wife Terry have four children and a son-in-law.

Morrison Community Garden Season Officially Starts May 11th

The Morrison Community Garden “officially” welcomes the start of our 4th planting season on Saturday, May 4th. Last summer’s concerns about possible drought are slowly changing to much warmer days which will soon become frost free. It is time to be outside and in the garden!

The plan to have early garden plots tilled and available for planting in mid-April for those gardeners interested in growing cool weather plantings has not been possible due to weather conditions. However as soon as the garden has moisture content appropriate for successful tilling, the Garden’s 36 reserved plots will be available for planting at the discretion of each gardener. May 11th is the designated date based on usual safe “frost free” temperatures for garden planting in northern Illinois. New to the garden this year is a storage shed provided last season as part of Jordan McGarvey’s Eagle Scout project. The shed will be used for greater convenience for all of the gardeners to store personal gardening tools as well as basic gardening supplies. Also new this year, a new composting system will be initiated to help improve garden maintenance with less personal work and time for each gardener. This season Garden volunteers and gardeners are taking on a shared responsibility for the overall planning, care and maintenance of the Garden. This year it can be truly considered for the first time a “community garden.”

The second seasonal meeting will be held May 2nd, Thursday, at 6:30 in the Odell Library’s Community Room for volunteers and gardeners. Preparation for this season’s garden planting and maintenance will be discussed along with special topics as using the new composting system, shed access, and topics of interest to the membership.

Stamp Collecting

Meet philatelist Sheila Magnus of Hanover on Saturday April 27th from 1-2pm. Sheila will discuss basic stamp collecting. Topics such as how to get started, tools needed, albums and more will be explained.

Also discussed will be types of collecting- topical, country mint, used, first day covers, among others. Sheila will provide examples of tools, albums and first day covers. Resources will be given for getting started in stamp collecting.

This program will be held at the 1876 Banwarth House & Museum located at 408 E. Sycamore St in Elizabeth, IL. Admission will be a $3.00 donation per person and free for Planetary Studies Foundation members. For more information or to reserve a seat, please call the or email . For upcoming events visit our website www.banwarthmuseum.com or find us on Facebook.

Gun ‘Control’ Documentary Presented

Northern Illinois Voters Forum will host the popular documentary, “Innocents Betrayed: The History of Gun Control” on Thursday, May 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Northern Suburban Library, 5562 Clayton Circle, Roscoe.

The one-hour film surveys various 20th century regimes around the world and the effect of disarmament on minority populations. A brief discussion will follow.

For more information, please contact Gretchen Olson at , or by email at .

It’s Closer Than You Think: Whiteside County Fair

The Whiteside County Fair is getting ready for another five days of great entertainment this year, beginning the morning of Tuesday, August 13th and running right through Saturday, August 17th finale. The 143rd annual fair, held at the fairgrounds in Morrison, IL, has many new additions to the schedule for this year. The Loghoggers will have three carvers at the Fair this year and will be competing against each other daily. There will also be a thrill show and music this year at the Fair.

Tuesday, August 13th nightly grandstand entertainment will be Pro-Bull Riding at 7:00pm. Other events to start the fair off are the Western Horse Show, Kids Pedal Pull, Open & Jr. Swine Judging, and Rabbit Judging.

Wednesday, August 14th grandstand entertainment, you will see Tonny Petersen’s Hell Drivers Motor Thrills at 7:00pm. Western Horse speed events will start the day off at 8:00am and at 9:00 the Dairy will be judged.

Thursday, August 15th, Cal Stage Band will be in front of the grandstand at 7:00 pm. That morning in front of the grandstand at 8:00 am the Heavy Horse Hitches will be judged. Also at 8:00 am the Beef Cattle - Jr. Heifer / Jr. Steer will be judged at the Beef Show Arena.

Friday, August 16th Tractors & Trucks will pull the sled in front of the grandstand again this year at 6:30pm right after the Antique Tractor Parade that starts at 5:45pm. During the morning at 9:00am the Heavy Horse Halter Classes will be seen from the grandstand. The Open Beef Show will be judged in the Beef Show Arena at 9:00 also. Harness Racing will take over the track at 1:30pm to entertain everyone in the grandstand during the afternoon races.

Saturday, August 17th, the Demolition Derby will finish off the fair’s five-day evening attractions at 6:30pm. Harness Racing is back on the track again at 1:00pm. Some other events on Saturday are Horseshoe Tournament, Kids Pedal Pull, and the Loghogger Carving Auction. As always, the fair board strives to provide something for everyone, young and old alike.

Wilson Family Rides will entertain the kids and adults again this year with their outstanding carnival and midway attractions, providing a festive and fun time for everyone. Grandpa Cratchet Stage Show will return again this year along with our Bike Give Away each day of the fair and the Cake/Pie Walk.

Thank You for supporting the Whiteside County Fair. With the budget cuts from the State of Illinois we need your help in keeping the Fair going for many years to come. Check out our website for more information about the fair at. www.whitesidecountyfair.org

Red Cross Blood Drive to be held at Highland Community College

Highland Community College will host a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 29, in the Student Conference Center, room H-201. This event is sponsored by the HCC Support Staff, Phi Theta Kappa chapter, and Alpha Sigma Lambda of Columbia College.

Every day more than 21,000 people receive blood from an American Red Cross donor. It’s the generosity of volunteer blood donors on which patients rely to get the lifesaving blood products they need.

The need for blood is increasing. Blood and platelet donations to your local Red Cross are down, while hospital usage is increasing. The need to meet your blood drive collection goals is greater now than it has been in recent years.

Remember to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water prior to donating. A photo ID is needed and appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Contact Rhonda Perry at or to schedule an appointment.

Jo-Carroll Energy Members Re-elect Board Directors

An estimated 450 members, employees and friends of Jo-Carroll Energy gathered for an appreciation breakfast and the cooperative’s annual meeting held April 13 in Elizabeth.

A number of new members were on hand for the annual meeting, the first following the co-op’s recent merger with Farmers Mutual Electric Company.

During the meeting, members approved bylaw amendments that created a new tenth district covering the Geneseo area, directors to represent the district and clarification of qualification requirements for service as a director.

Three incumbent Jo-Carroll Energy directors were re-elected to the cooperative’s board of directors. Results of the election for the director election in District 2 were announced. Members re-elected Joseph Mattingley of Scales Mound in a two-way race in which Mark Turczynski had challenged the incumbent. Mattingley also has served as board chairman since 2007.

Incumbents Martin Werner of East Dubuque and Chris Stadel of Hanover were re-elected to represent Districts 1 and 4, respectively, by a vote of acclamation at the meeting. No other candidates had filed petitions for nomination. A bylaw change approved in 2011 provides that ballots are mailed to members only in districts where more than one candidate has been nominated. All directors serve three-year terms.

In keeping with the meeting theme “This Is Your Co-op”, Mattingley opened his remarks by asking those present to think about why they were at the meeting.

“It’s because we believe in the benefits of a community working together,” he said. “By their very nature, co-ops empower members to improve their lives. We want you to be involved as we build a better future together.

“By working with your co-op, you can make a big impact on the communities we serve. We encourage all members to learn as much as they can about their co-op, and join us as we lend our time, resources and assistance as we continue the cooperative tradition of making a difference in our communities,” he added.

Michael Hastings, Jo-Carroll Energy president and CEO, echoed the chairman’s comments that members are the cornerstone of the cooperative.

“Over the years, it has been you, the members, who have ensured our success,” he said. “From the early days, we’ve had dedicated local folks step up and contribute to help bring service to their rural neighbors. . . . We are a community of people, helping one another. And that is the cooperative difference.”

Mattingley and Hastings both welcomed the new members from the merger, and recognized employees for their efforts during the past year. Hastings also presented updates on projects undertaken by the cooperative’s electric, natural gas and broadband departments, an online member portal and savings through the Co-op Connections Card.

District 7 director David Senn of Mt. Carroll was elected as chairman at the board’s reorganizational session following the annual meeting. Mattingley announced during the meeting he was stepping aside from the chairmanship. Senn served as the board’s treasurer previously. Werner was elected as treasurer. Board officers re-elected were Stadel as vice chairman and Marcia Stanger of Apple River, District 3, as secretary.

West Carroll Middle School to Host Scholastic Book Fair

The West Carroll Middle School will host a Scholastic Book Fair at the end of April to help raise funds for the library.

The Middle School Book Fair, which is taking place from April 29 through May 3, is open from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. every day that school is in session. A special evening event will be held in conjunction with the Spring Concert at the Middle School on May 2. Online ordering is available by going to the West Carroll webpage at www.wc314.org and following the link or at www.scholastic.com/schoolbookfairs. The online ordering will be available from April 24 – May 10. Books are shipped to the school at no charge.

Scholastic Book Fairs feature a wide rage of age-appropriate books for young teens and adults including mystery and adventure novels, fantasy, sports guides, cookbooks, and the latest bestsellers from more than 150 publishers.

Book Fair attendees can help build classroom libraries by purchasing books for teachers through the Classroom Wish List program. Gift certificates can be purchased if one is not certain what materials a teacher would like but wants to make a contribution to the classroom or library. Teacher Wish Lists will be posted, and attendees simply select a Book Donation Card or Gift Certificate from the pocket displaying the teacher’s name you wish to support. Be sure to sign a bookplate for the book as well.

Scholastic also offers the All for Books! program in which donations of money go directly to buy books for the library. In addition, Scholastic Book Fairs will match the All for Books! dollars with a donation of up to a million books. The donated books will be distributed by three national literacy programs devoted to improving reading skills among children: Kids in Distressed Situations, National Center for Family Literacy, and Toys for Tots.

Scholastic Book Fairs help promote literacy and reading while at the same time raising money for much-needed school resources. Proceeds from the Book Fair are used to purchase magazines, software, and books for the libraries. As in the past, profits from the Book Fair are a substantial portion of the libraries’ budgets.

Campbell Center Workshop for Preservation of Gravestones and Monuments

The Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies of Mount Carroll is offering a one-day workshop on Saturday, May 11, 2013 entitled “Preservation of Gravestones and Cemetery Monuments”. The workshop will be conducted at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Mount Carroll, and is open to anyone interested in learning more about preserving gravestones. The instructor is Jon Appell, a gravestone expert who lives in Connecticut. He will teach basic resetting, cleaning, and maintenance of older gravestones and monuments.

This workshop is sponsored by the City of Mount Carroll, and is free to Mount Carroll residents. Non-residents may register for a cost of $35.00 per person. All the necessary equipment will be provided, as well as a list of suppliers for the materials you will need to carry out your own work. The hours for the course will be 8:30-4:30, with a break for lunch.

To register for the class please call the Campbell Center office at , or email us at . Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.

Fire Protection Grants Awarded to 96 Illinois Communities

96 fire departments across the state will share $2 million in grant funds to purchase small equipment, protective clothing, breathing apparatus and other tools for firefighters. These Small Equipment Grants are funded through a percentage of all fire insurance sold in Illinois, and are distributed through the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. The grant awards are part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to increase public safety and support emergency responders.

The purpose of the Small Equipment Grant Program is to provide funds directly to local units of government for the purchase of small equipment by a fire department, fire protection district or township fire department. These departments are eligible for grants up to $26,000.

The Fire Marshal’s office received 271 applications requesting a total of $5,581,522 in grant money during this application period, almost three times the amount of grant funding available this year. The Small Equipment Grant committee, comprised of members of the fire service, examined the applications in a blind review, and recommended the $2 million in available grant money to be awarded to 96 of the fire departments who submitted applications.

Local fire departments receiving $26,000 grants are Chadwick Fire Protection District, and Savanna Fire Department.

Augustana College Winter Term Dean’s List

Augustana College announced 872 students were named to the Dean’s List for the 2012-2013 winter term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

Following is a list of local students who earned this honor:

Kaitlyn Cook from Savanna, Ill., a sophomore majoring in business administration-advising and communication studies.

Jennesa Miller from Savanna, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Holly Scholl from Polo, Ill., a freshman majoring in graphic design.

Katelyn Sedig from Morrison, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

William Weede from Hanover, Ill., a junior majoring in biochemistry, pre-medicine, and chemistry.

Nathan White from Polo, Ill., a senior majoring in geology.

Community Supports Silent Auction for Senior Services

A wonderful assortment of gift certificates, theme baskets, toys, handcrafted items, household goods, jewelry, collectibles, and more has been donated by generous individuals and businesses throughout Carroll County to benefit senior services.

The Carroll County Senior Services Board of Directors is hosting the 2nd annual Silent Auction to benefit senior services. The public is cordially invited to view and bid on scores of items that will be on display for bidding at the Senior Center, 306 N. Main St., Mount Carroll, April 22-26, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Silent Auction will end on April 26 at 7:00 p.m. with refreshments served from 5:00 p.m. –8:00 p.m. Items may be picked up at the auction’s closing or when arrangements are made for pick-up. All event proceeds will be used to support the services provided by CCSSO.

Carroll County Senior Services Organization (CCSSO) provides vital services and assistance to older adults and persons with disabilities. CCSSO assists with Medicare, Extra Help, pharmaceutical assistance, license plate discount, and LIHEAP (heating and cooling assistance). The Senior Center offers Tax-Aide assistance, FHN health screenings, educational programs, trips, crafts, recycling and recreational programs.

Six wheelchair accessible vehicles provide transportation to persons of all ages.

Be sure to stop by and bid for this worthy cause. For more information, please contact the Carroll County Senior Center at or call .

Humane Society Meeting Recap

The Humane Society of Carroll County held its April meeting on Wed the 10th. Finalization for Junk in the Trunk for May 11th and for Tag Day on May 18th was the main topic. Everyone was asked if they could possible help for just a couple of hours at these events or to think on it and to let the secretary no as soon as possible. Also we picked the topics for our silent auction baskets this year for the county fair in Aug. Everyone will be working on them as we find things to go into them. We will do a dog, cat, horse, gardening, comfort/spa, a red tractor and then a green tractor theme. We will be holding the next meeting on Sunday May 19th at 7:00 PM at Kay Davis’s resident.

- Mary Green, secretary

Chadwick Achievers 4-H Club Holds Meeting

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Community Worker 4-H & Youth

Chadwick Achievers had a meeting on Wednesday, April, 3, 2013.  Last month Livestock Judging and Public speaking were completed. Ribbons were handed out to Livestock Judging participants.  Talks and demonstrations were given by Emma Foster- Visual Arts, Dylan Alexander- Communication, Foods, and Tractors, Abby Mermiema- Scrap booking, Natalie Wilkinson-Cooking.  Meeting was adjourned.  Next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2013.

County 4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun Group to Meet

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Community Worker 4-H & Youth

Clinics for the 4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun project will be held every Tuesday and Thursday night from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Clark VanBuskirk shooting range at 8989 VanBuskirk Road, Mt. Carroll during the month of April (April 23, 25 & 30th).

The Shooting Sports Shotgun Club is open to current and non-4-H youth 10 and older by September 1, 2012.

Bring with you to the clinics: $10 to cover the cost of shells and targets; A 20 or 12 gauge shotgun; A parent or adult – you will also have paper work to fill out that needs a parent signature; Safety glasses if you have them; Dress for the weather & bring bug spray

If you have any questions, contact Wayne Knight at or the Carroll Co. Extension Office at .

Carroll County 4-H Shooting Sports Archery Group to Meet

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Community Worker 4-H & Youth

A 4-H archery workshop will be held on Sunday, April 28, at 1:00 p.m. at the Mike & Jodi York farm, Lanark. Bring equipment if you have it. A parent MUST attend with you; if your mom or dad cannot then you need to find another adult to be responsible for you.

The May 4 practice shoot date has been changed to Saturday, May 11 at 9:00 a.m. Please adjust your practice schedule.

For more information or if the weather is questionable, contact Mike York, Lanark or Leanne Rahn at the Carroll Co. Extension Office or .

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Releases B4College Smartphone App

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) today launched the first free smartphone app specifically designed to help Illinois students plan, prepare and pay for college. The B4College app sends personalized notices directly to students who download and install the app on their mobile device.

“Just as technology is invaluable in the classroom, students are turning more and more to mobile devices for their social and information gathering activities,” said Eric Zarnikow, ISAC Executive Director. “B4College provides individual students with highly personalized content on topics they self-select as part of their college preparation process.”

Developed in-house by ISAC’s College Access and Outreach, IT and Research, Planning and Policy Analysis teams, B4College automatically delivers relevant, timely and personalized alerts to college-bound students. Currently the application sends two types of user-selectable alerts: FAFSA completion reminders and alerts about local ISACorps and other agency outreach events.

Mr. Zarnikow noted that several factors made development of a smartphone app possible. “B4College leverages ISAC’s unique data handling capability and custom data sets to generate notices to individual students based on their location and FAFSA filing status.“

“B4College allows ISAC to share some of its institutional knowledge accumulated over 50 years of helping to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois students,” Mr. Zarnikow added. We want to put that experience to work in a way that makes sense for today’s students and today’s technology”

Mr. Zarnikow added that the B4College app will continue to be enhanced, expanding the number of services available to today’s always connected students.

Currently available for Android smartphones at Google Play, an iPhone version will launch in early summer. A Facebook account is required to use the app. Additional information, including an introductory video and link to Google Play, is available at ISAC’s website, http://www.isac.org.

About ISAC

Established in 1957, ISAC’s mission is to help make college accessible and affordable for Illinois students through administration of need-based grant and scholarship programs, outreach efforts across the state and by offering College Illinois!®, the state’s 529 prepaid tuition plan. The Commission has provided more than $10.4 billion in grants, scholarships and non-loan aid to over 4.8 million Illinois students and families.

National 4-H Volunteer Week Celebrated!

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Community Worker 4-H & Youth

April 21-27, has been slated as National 4-H Volunteer Week. I can’t think of a better way to maintain a healthy and happy heart than by volunteering to help others, especially our young people.

You’ve read this many times and you will see it many more times - “Volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H program.” And, as we celebrate National 4-H Volunteer Week, I want you each to know how important our 4-H volunteers are.

Without the dedicated time and support of adults and teen volunteers our program would be severely limited. Because of volunteers we have a multiplier approach. If I train twenty club volunteers, and they organize twenty 4-H clubs of ten children each, then volunteers have helped our program to reach two hundred youth. And, chances are, each volunteer will train at least one other adult volunteer along the way. It takes this multiplier effect to make things happen.

But it isn’t just club leaders who make our Carroll County 4-H program work. It is also parents and other adults who help transport, who open their homes for meetings and project activities and who share their special talents through workshops and project clubs. The Carroll County 4-H program’s success also depends on other volunteers and council members who assist with needs assessment, plan and conduct programs and help secure funds for 4-H programs. Many young people also volunteer to help conduct 4-H programs.

To everyone who works so hard to help build future leaders from the youth of today, we salute you this week and always. If you would like more information on how to become a Carroll County 4-H Volunteer, contact Leanne Rahn at University of Illinois Extension Office, or .

Sheep/Goat Weigh-in & Tattooing For State Fair

By Leanne Rahn, Carroll County Community Worker 4-H & Youth

On Saturday, May 11, will be the annual sheep/goat weigh-in and tattooing for any 4-H’er or FFA member that is planning to exhibit at the Illinois State Fair Jr. Show in August.

This is not a requirement to show on the county level only if you are going to State Fair.

The weigh-in will take place at the Terry Bocker farm near Lanark, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Please arrive during this time. This will be the only weigh-in for state in this area. Others are scheduled for the Quad Cities and in Central Illinois.

If you have any questions please call the Carroll County Extension Office at or e-mail Leanne Rahn at .

The weigh-in will be held rain or shine. You must be 10 years old by September 1, 2012 to exhibit at the Illinois State Fair Jr. Show.

Laura Vandermyde Inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is pleased to announce that Laura Vandermyde of Morrison, Ill., was recently initiated into Phi Kappa Phi--the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Vandermyde is pursuing a degree in Nursing at Western Illinois University.

Vandermyde is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The Society has chapters on more than 300 college and university campuses in North America and the Philippines. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”

The Bridges Out of Poverty Training

The Bridges Out of Poverty Training is coming to Galena May 16 at the DeSoto House hotel. The Riverview Center is hosting the event from 9:00 am-4:00 pm and the $30 fee will include registration, lunch, and materials. The training is provided by Community Circle of Care/Child Health Specialty Clinics.

This course is designed to introduce you to a framework for understanding poverty and the individuals that live in generational poverty. Bridges Out of Poverty provides an overview of skills, policies, and procedures that enable organizations and communities to become more adept at working with individuals who are in poverty. Participants will develop an understanding of: the importance of human resources in one’s personal coping capacity, identifying individual client resources is beneficial in developing a support system for each person, the hidden rules of poverty, middle class, and wealth and how those rules impact daily living for individuals in each class, and language registers and patterns of discourse and how these factors impact both the giving and receiving of information.

For a registration form or if you have questions, contact Carrie , . Register early as seating is limited.