West Carroll Spelling Bee Winners

The annual Spelling Bee at West Carroll Intermediate School was held on Wednesday, January 27, in the Media Center.  Sixteen students who had been previous winners in classroom spelling bees were competing that day.  Fifth grade teacher Beth Diener acted as pronouncer.  Judges for the event were retired teachers, Fran Donart, Judy Schreiber, and Mary Highland. 

The champion speller of the event was fourth grader Isabelle Foltz.  Her top three competitors were Jeronimo Barragan, Kaitlyn Duggan, and Kaylee Anderson. 

These four students will go on to compete against middle school students in the District Spelling Bee on Monday, February 1, at the West Carroll Middle School in Mt. Carroll.  Two winners from that day will go on to the Regional Spelling Bee in Pearl City.  The next advanced contest would be the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

Top photo, front from left to right:  Billy Walters, Isabelle Foltz (winner), Abbi Law, Hope Fehlhafer, Karson Metz; second row: Jeronimo Barragan (2nd), Anthony Mendoza, Billy Grummitt, Logan Gengenbach, Jared Knight.

Back row: Joseph Kleckner, Kaitlyn Duggan (3rd), Olivia Brinkmeier, Kaylee Anderson (4th), Eli Traum, and Jack Cottrell.

At right, First place winner Isabelle Foltz. Congratulations!

(Photos courtesy of Christie Grimm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bakers Announce 50 Years

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Baker of Chadwick will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on February 6, 2010. James Lee Blair Baker and Paula Naydene Church were married February 6, 1960 at the United Methodist Church in Prophetstown, Illinois. They farmed in the Prophetstown area on Prairie Lane and in the Morrison area on the Marshall Farthing farm, raising hogs, cattle, and grains for many years. Jim also worked for General Electric, Morrison; Johnston Feed Service, Mt. Carroll; and is retired from Curtiss & Sons’ John Deere dealership, Lanark. Paula worked for Elmwood Dairy and Sullivan’s Grocery Store (bakery), Morrison; Johnson’s Processing, Chadwick; and is retired from Bibler Trucking Co., Chadwick. She is the secretary, organist, and social committee chairman for the Chadwick Evangelical Free Church and coordinates the Chadwick/Milledgeville Food Pantry for the local churches’ ministerial association.

The couple are the parents of two children; Margo (Bill) Weber of Chadwick, and James (Laura) Baker of Byron. They have four grandchildren: Heidi and Melody Weber of Chadwick, and Tyler and Kaitlyn Baker of Byron. A celebration is planned for this summer.

Those wishing to send greetings may address cards to P.O. Box 262, Chadwick, IL, 61014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sturtevants observe 65 years of marriage

LANARK—Mr. and Mrs. Merle Sturtevant will observe their 65th wedding anniversary on February 10, 2010. Merle Sturtevant and Jean Hammond were married February 10th, 1945 at the Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa by Rev. Maurice Lesher. They farmed near Lanark until retiring to Lanark in 1987.

They are the parents of two sons, Max and Kim (Karen) Sturtevant, both of Lanark. Four grandchildren, Cheri (Rod) Fritz of Lanark; Todd Sturtevant of Freeport; Karla (Lee) Turney of North Liberty, Iowa and Katrina Sturtevant of Winnebago, IL. A family dinner is planned.

The couple reside at 121 Parker Ct., Lanark, IL 61046.

Meet Patches. She is a young white and black adult. Patches came to the shelter with kittens to care for, but her babies have been adopted. Now Patches is ready to be adopted. She is a quiet, sweet girl and would love a family of her own. She is spayed and current on vaccinations. Call today at or 273-3183 for an appointment to meet her and her many friends at the shelter.

THE National Bank Donates to Haiti Mission Project

The Carroll County Haiti Mission received a donation of $450 from the employees of THE National Bank. After seeing the devastation caused by the recent earthquake employees of THE National Bank set out to help those in need. On January 22nd the bank’s employee’s at all four Carroll County branches participated in a “casual” day, which allowed them to leave their professional bank attire at home and dress casually when they made a donation to the Carroll County Haiti Mission.

This donation will be used by volunteers to purchase medical supplies for their trip to Haiti in early February.  The supplies will be used to treat earthquake victims at the clinic previously built by the volunteer group (located about 40 miles from Port-au-Prince).  They also plan to take additional supplies directly to Port-au-Prince. 

(Photo from left to right) Marsha Foltz, Retail Service Manager Mt. Carroll Downtown, Cindy Ottens, Regional Retail Service Manager, Mt. Carroll Highway, Terrie Miller, Carroll County Haiti Mission Project, Laurie Foltz, Retail Service Manager, Chadwick, and Nancy Lawfer, Retail Service Manager, Savanna. (Photo courtesy of TNB)

Thumbs Up Winners

Pictured are Thumbs Up Winners for week 17 at Chadwick School. Front row l-r is Ashton Olson, Brianna Wilkinson, Noah Newstrand, Caroly Yingling

Back row l-r is Hope Herin, Connor Woodin, Marcus McKenna, Keziah Pasch.

Charles B. Rudolph

Attorney Charles B. Rudolph has joined the Freeport law firm of Plager, Krug & Bauer, Ltd., where he will engage in the general practice of law, with a focus on agriculture, business and commercial transactions, estate planning, tax law and related litigation.

Mr. Rudolph is a magna cum laude graduate of Northern Illinois University’s College of Law, where he served on the Board of Editors as Lead Article Editor of the Law Review. He was also a tutor in the Academic Support Program, helping ensure that new students successfully made the transition into law school. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois, and is a member of the Illinois and Stephenson County Bar Associations.

Mr. Rudolph is a graduate of Pearl City High School and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is married to Mia Rudolph, who is a Registered Nurse at FHN. They live in Freeport with their daughter Johanna. Mr. Rudolph is a member of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross and plans increasing involvement in the community. He enjoys cooking, golf, the outdoors and his family.

The law firm of Plager, Krug & Bauer, Ltd. is headquartered at 10 N. Galena Avenue, Freeport, with branch offices in Orangeville, Stockton and Elizabeth.

Dorothy Footitt Scholarship

The Dorothy Footitt Scholarship Committee is announcing that scholarships will again be available to graduating seniors of Carroll County High Schools. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist Carroll County youth to further their education.

Applicants may be any graduating high school senior residing in Carroll County attending a state accredited high school. Selection of winners will be based on academic achievement, community activity, and personal recommendations. Application forms are available from high school counselors and may be submitted at any time before March 15, 2010.

The scholarships are available through a fund established in 1968 in honor of Miss Dorothy Footitt who organized the Carroll County Home Bureau and Carroll County 4-H Clubs and served as advisor for many years. The fund has grown over the years by donations from individuals, HCE units and from Miss Footitt. A copy of her autobiography The Memoirs of Dorothy V. Footitt by Dorothy Footitt with Craig Sidor is available at all local public and high school libraries.

Questions concerning the scholarship may be directed to: Carolyn Nelson at .

Open Your Hearts Not Your Wallets

Was one of your New Year’s Resolutions to start volunteering, are you interested in meeting new people or becoming more active in your community?

You can give back to your community by volunteering your time and talent to the CHOICES Marketing and Fundraising Committee now being formed. This committee is right for you if you have just a few hours to give or an abundance of time to commit by joining a fun and exciting group that will give back to those most in need during these difficult times. This committee is seeking all types of dependable volunteers, from envelope stuffers to event coordinators. The level of commitment is up to you and you decide in what you would like to be involved. This is the perfect opportunity for you to bring fresh ideas and energy to the Program, all while helping spread the word about CHOICES and raising funds for a worthy organization.

Everyone invited to the first informal and informational open house to be held February 23, 2010, from 6:00-7:00 pm at the CHOICES office, 203 W Market Street, Mt. Carroll. This will be an opportunity for you to learn more about the committee (no commitment necessary). CHOICES is ending domestic violence through safety, healing, and education for individuals, families, and our community.

Visit www.choices4you.org or for more information on services in Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties.

WIU Fall 2009 Area Graduates

More than 950 students earned academic degrees after the Fall 2009 semester at Western Illinois University’s Macomb and Quad Cities campuses and through extended studies. Of those, some 100 graduates were students whose primary attendance site was at the WIU-Quad Cities campus.

Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to more than 680 students, which included 62 students at WIU-QC. Nearly 80 individuals (16 from WIU-QC) were awarded Western’s Board of Trustees-Bachelor of Arts degree (BOT-BA), which provides adult students with an opportunity to earn a regionally accredited undergraduate degree in a manner compatible with their educational needs and lifestyles.

Area graduates include:

Mount Carroll: Mistia J Cook, Bachelor of Arts, Board Of Trustees; Athena A Craig, Bachelor of Science, Zoology; Annetta Lynn Young, Bachelor of Science In Education, Elementary Education

Savanna: Carene Louise Hatteberg, Bachelor of Business, Marketing.

Elizabeth: Kurt R Diestelmeier, Bachelor of Science, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration

Pearl City: Emilie Litow, Bachelor of Science, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration

Fulton: Joe Ray Pence, Master of Science, Sport Management; David Andrew Sharer, Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

Morrison: Jennie Nevette Pruis, Bachelor of Science In Education, Elementary Education; Kimberly Rae Smith, Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science In Education, Elementary Education; William A Thorndike, Bachelor of Arts, Board Of Trustees; Sylvester Robert Wood, Master of Arts, Geography

Free Dental Day Offered

Severe tooth decay is more than a nuisance – it can affect a child’s performance in school and even his or her health. FHN, as part of the American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile campaign, is offering a Free Dental Day for uninsured or underinsured children Saturday, Feb. 13.

“Healthy teeth and gums are more than just ‘pretty,’” says Catherine Baer, DDS, a dentist at FHN Family Dental Care. “If a child’s teeth hurt, he or she can’t eat a proper diet or concentrate on schoolwork. The pain from tooth decay or gum disease can be so severe that a child can’t even sleep. Free Dental Day is an opportunity for us to educate children and their parents on the importance of good oral hygiene, and to take care of the children whose families may not be able to afford regular dental care.”

Uninsured and underinsured children through age 12 are eligible for free cleanings, exams, x-rays and fluoride treatments as part of Free Dental Day from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 13 at FHN Family Dental Care, 1768 Rosenstiel Drive, Freeport. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is required to receive services on Free Dental Day; call or toll-free to register.

FHN Family Dental Care has a staff of four general dentists who provide a full range of oral care including gum disease treatment, adult and juvenile braces, oral surgery, root canals, dentures, partials and cosmetic dental procedures, including tooth-colored fillings and veneers. Children can be seen as early as age 2. Most insurance plans are accepted.

For more information on Free Dental Day or on FHN Family Dental Care, visit www.fhn.org.

Give flu the WAVE this season! Remember to Wash your hands, cough or sneeze into your Arm, get Vaccinated and treat Early – call your healthcare provider if you don’t feel well.

Free Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings

Free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings are scheduled throughout the Sterling and Rock Falls area for the month of February. The free screenings are offered by the CGH Community Services Department and the CGH Health Foundation.

It is recommended that individuals age 18 and above have their blood pressure monitored at least every two years and more often if an individual has high blood pressure, pre-hypertension or other risk factors. Because high blood pressure often has no symptoms, it is imperative to have it checked on a regular basis. If undetected, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and other health problems.

Blood sugar testing is used to identify individuals who have higher than normal blood sugar readings. Testing is recommended every three years starting at age 45. Individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetes or other risk factors should consult with their physician for recommended blood sugar testing intervals. Persistent high blood sugar can lead to kidney damage, blindness, heart attack and loss of sensation, as well as poor circulation in the extremities. Blood sugar tests can be done after fasting (no food or drink for 8 hours) or randomly, in which case a patient has eaten. No appointments are necessary.

The February screening schedule for Sterling/Rock Falls includes:

Wednesday, February 3: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. 
County Market, 210 W. 3rd St., Sterling

Tuesday, February 9: 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Kroger Foods, 2301 N. Locust St., Sterling

Thursday, February 11: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Rd., Sterling

Friday, February 19: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Save-A-Lot, 1000 First Ave., Rock Falls

Friday, February 26: 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway, Sterling

For a complete schedule of blood pressure/blood sugar screenings, cholesterol screenings and pre-diabetes class screenings, visit www.cghmc.com/screenings or contact the CGH Community Services Department at (815) 625-0400, ext. 5716.

Volunteer for New “Pink Ladies” Program

Volunteers Needed for New “Pink Ladies” Program at MCH
The Morrison Community Hospital Auxiliary is looking for volunteers to reestablish a “Pink Ladies” volunteer program at the hospital. The new program will allow volunteers to help with non-patient care services at the hospital; such as directing visitors to their destination, assisting families who are waiting for patients undergoing surgery, and offering concierge services to patients.

The new proposed program will not be officially titled “Pink Ladies” because it will be an opportunity for men and women to generously donate their time to the hospital. The program is in the introductory stage and gathering the volunteers is the first step. “We are looking for individuals that have a compassionate and caring nature. Imagine offering visitors a cup of coffee while they wait or handing a patient a freshly baked cookie as an afternoon snack. These special touches can truly make a big difference and we are proud to have the MCH Auxiliary be a part of it,” said Chad Haskell, MCH Director of Communications.

The MCH Auxiliary was officially organized on September 27th, 1956.  By 1973, the auxiliary had grown to 385 members and the “Pink Ladies” had recorded 2,072 hours of assisting the hospital and patients. Many of the volunteers served on committees that hand crafted paper roses for patients, bibs for new babies, and stuffed animals for every child patient. They also made operating pads, gauze, sponges, and dressings for the surgical department.

While the new generation of volunteers will not be required to bring a needle and thread with them to the hospital, they will need a warm smile and a passion to help others. Current members of the MCH Auxiliary and other individuals that are interested in more information are encouraged to contact Chad Haskell, MCH Director of Communications at .

Stockton Police Report Break-in

On the morning of January 28, 2010, at 06:48AM, a burglary was reported by employees of the Freeport Health Network, 105 West North Avenue in Stockton. When the first employee entered the building she noticed items strewn around the reception area.

Investigators of the Stockton Police Department were called as well as crime scene investigators (CSI) of the Illinois State Police. The burglary is under investigation by the Stockton Police Department.

If you have any information on the burglary, please contact the Stockton Police Department, 155 W Front Ave., Stockton Il 61085, or call .

Carroll County 4-H Steer Weigh-In & Tattooing

4-H Steer weighing and tattooing will he held Saturday, February 6, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Jim & Kayla Ruter farm near Shannon. Snow date will be February 13 at the same location.

Any 4-H’er who has a beef steer or a market heifer for a project must attend the weigh-in. Also anyone that is remotely thinking of showing steers at the State Fair Show in August in the Jr. Department beef steer and beef premiere classes. State Fair animals must also be tagged with an electronic ID tag. Qualifying carcasses must grade at least low choice, have a yield grade lower than 4.0 and weigh 900 lbs. or less.

For more information or to register by February 4 to attend the weigh-in and tattooing, contact Leanne Rahn at the Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 244-9444 or e-mail at .

Carroll County Tentative Multiplier Announced

Carroll County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Brian Hamer, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law.

This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.

State law requires property in Illinois to be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently, with farm home sites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures but with farmland and farm buildings assessed according to standards based on productivity. The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the sales price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments/county assessor.

If this three-year average level of assessment is one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be one (1). If the average level of assessment if greater than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be less than one (1). And if the average level of assessment is less than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be greater than one (1).

Assessments in Carroll County are at 33.32 percent of market value, based on sales of properties in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2009 taxes, payable in 2010. Last year’s equalization factor for the county was 1.0000. The tentative factor is subject to change (1) if the County Board of Review takes actions which significantly affect the county assessments or (2) if local officials or others can present data showing that the Department of Revenue’s estimates of the average level of assessments in the county should be adjusted.

A public hearing on the tentative multiplier will be held between 20 and 30 days after the tentative factor is published in a newspaper of general circulation within the county. A change in the equalization factor does not mean total property tax bills will increase or decrease. Tax bills are determined by local taxing bodies when they request money each year to provide services to local citizens. If the amount requested by local taxing districts is not greater than the amount received in the previous year, then total property taxes will not increase, even if assessments many have increased, The assessed value of an individual property determines what portion of the tax burden a specific taxpayer will assume. That individual’s portion of tax responsibility is not changed by the multiplier.

Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District Offers Scholarship

The Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is taking applications for a $500.00 Scholarship. This will be awarded to a Carroll County youth who is or has graduated from a Carroll County school to further his or her education beyond high school in an agricultural field.

Selection will be based equally on the following three criteria: Scholastic Achievement, Financial Need, and Extra Curricular Activities. All completed forms must be returned by March 26, 2010 to the SWCD office at 807-C South Clay Street, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053.

Applications may be obtained from any of the high school guidance counselors or by calling the SWCD office at , extension 3.

Hotshots Hold Meeting

The Milledgeville Hotshots held a meeting on January 13, 2010. At this meeting our club paid outstanding bills for fleece, embroidery, and drinks for the federation meeting. We discussed the possibility of writing a 4-H story to submit to the state for the national 4-H book. There will be a Dog Club Potluck at Naaman Diehl on February 28. It will begin at 6:00 pm. It was announced that the membership fee will be due at the next meeting. Many members paid that night. There will be a driving clinic at the Hollewells an March 20. The clinician for this event is Wes Licht. The regional horse bowl and hippology contest is on March 20 at Leaf River. There is also an Illinois state judging contest at the Illinois State horse fair. After this report, there were talks by Matt Keppen on crops and Ethan Nash on visual arts. After the meeting we made a fleece blanket for our former leader Jill Wright. Our next meeting is on February 10 at 7:00 pm.

Country Clover January Meeting

The Country Clover 4-H group met on January 11th, 2010, at the Milledgeville Community Center. The meeting was called to order by President Caleb Farmer. The Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge were said. The roll call was taken by Alayna Farmer and the minutes of the previous meeting were read. A motion was made by Micah Farmer to accept the minutes meeting and a second was made by Hannah Brill. The treasurer’s report was then given by Jeanna Farmer.

Mrs. Fisch announced that if anyone in the group wanted a 4-H t-shirt to contact her. Awards from the previous year were passed out. The group then talked about if they wanted to apply for a grant so they could perform a community service project. The group tossed around several great ideas and then a motion was made by Bailey Fisch to either buy or make items for the Pitter Patter Pantry. A second was made by Shea Dobish. Mrs. Brill announced that University of Illinois Extension office in Mt. Carroll was having a contest for the best drawing for the fair book cover. She also announced that the Public Presentation Contest form was due soon. A motion was made by Bailey Fisch to adjourn the meeting and a second was made by Lasondra Bosley. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 P.M.

Talks and Demonstrations were then given by: Alayna Farmer: How to make an Orange Julius; Jeanna Farmer: How to decorate a Cake; Olivia Zimmerman: Cross-stitching; Claire Stringer: Different Dog Breeds; Hannah Brill: Entomology; Guest Speaker Ed Brill: The Culture of China

Savanna Smiles 4-H Club Meets

The Savanna smiles met on January 10, 2010.This month we did not go sledding at the Church of God because it was too cold to go. The meeting was called to order at 2:45 p.m. Kylie did the American pledge and Dena did the 4-H pledge. Old business was discussed. New business. Fair book cover contest - entries due March 1. Winners will be given $10 by federation. Food demonstrations and public presentation contest - Saturday, Feb 27 at 9:00 at Farm bureau in Mt. Carroll. Drive through pork sandwich supper is March 27, 2010. This is a drive through only! Only pre bought tickets will receive dinners. Meeting adjournment: Motion Katie Sid seconds it. Talks and demonstrations were given by Katie Hoffman: Visual Arts Paper Christmas Tree, Sapphire Harris: Collection on knickknacks, Vet Science, Elizabeth Rath: Visual Arts clay pots and glass blowing, Adam Rath: Collections on Webkinz. Then we played board games together. It was fun! Our next meeting is Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 2:30 at the church. Dena is signed up to bring snacks. All youth are welcome to attend and see what 4-H is all about. If you would like to join 4-H you can contact the Extension Office at 1-.

Carroll County 4-H Public Presentation Contests To Be Held

It’s time to select your topic, gather your notes and practice, practice, practice for the annual 4-H Public Presentation contests to be held Saturday, February 27.

The public speaking contest will start at 9:00 a.m., at Naaman Diehl Auditorium in Mt. Carroll. 4-H’ers may choose from the following areas for their presentation: Illustrated speech, formal speech, extempore speaking, oral interpretation, original works, speaking of horses or horticulture.

The demonstration contest will be held following the Public Speaking Contest. 4-H’ers may choose from the following area for their presentation: Food division - International, ethnic, or regional cuisine; nutrition; food science; food preservation; food safety; making food dollars count; general demonstration; horse demonstration and horticulture demonstration. Both contests will be held in the morning. Savings bonds, cash prizes or gift certificates will be awarded to the top 4-H’ers in each area. Registration deadline is February 15.

The public is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Leanne Rahn at Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 244-9444 or .

Carroll County 4-H Federation To Meet

The next monthly meeting of the Carroll County 4-H Federation will be Thursday, February 13th at 1:00 p.m. in the Extension Office meeting room in Mt. Carroll. Following the regular business meeting everyone will go to the Good Samaritan Nursing home to make Valentines with the residents. All 4-H’ers, friends and families are welcome to attend.

Club to bring refreshments is the Carroll Co. Kids Club. For more information about the 4-H program, contact Leanne Rahn at University of Illinois Extension Office at or e-mail .

New Lead Law Going Into Effect

New Renovation, Repair and Painting Lead Law

The Illinois Department of Public Health Lead Program is holding 16 meetings around the state to inform the public about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Renovation, Repair and Painting lead law that goes into effect April 22, 2010.

The new law requires contractors, property managers and others paid to replace windows or renovate residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This new law is intended to protect children from leaded dust that may result from disturbing lead-based paint.

Common activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create lead hazards that can be harmful to children and adults. In 2008, more than 5,000 Illinois children had elevated blood lead levels. This new federal law has the potential to significantly decrease childhood lead poisoning.

There is no safe level of lead in the body. Lead poisoning can cause health problems including decreased I.Q., learning disabilities, kidney disease, high blood pressure, miscarriage, and birth defects.

For more information about the meetings, contact the Illinois Lead Program at .

Moline Meeting

Thursday, February 25, 2010 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

(8:30 a.m. Continental breakfast) I-Wireless Center 1201 River Drive Moline, IL 61265

Rockford Meeting

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (8:30 a.m. Continental breakfast) Holiday Inn - Hoffman House Moritz Banquet Room 7550 East State St. Rockford, IL 61108

HeartChecks Offered During Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death today, clogging vital arteries in silence. Could you or a loved one be at risk for a heart attack and not even know it? During February, American Heart Month, consider giving your loved one some peace of mind with a $99 HeartCheck from CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling.

Safe, painless and lasting just 15 short minutes, HeartCheck of the Rock River Valley is performed just like a traditional x-ray. Using the 16 ring Lightspeed CT scanner, computerized heart scans provide a fast, accurate view of how much calcium buildup exists in your arteries. The test gives your healthcare provider essential information about your heart health – allowing you to make positive lifestyle changes if you’re found to be at risk. If an urgent blockage or condition is detected, CGH radiology and cardiology physicians can quickly respond to address the concern.

To schedule your $99 HeartCheck during the month of February, call CGH Medical Center at (815) 625-0400, ext. 5550. Gift certificates are also available.

U of I Extension Seeks Public Input on its Future

State budget constraints have prompted University of Illinois Extension to explore ways to cut costs and still provide high-impact programming, and Extension leaders are now seeking public input on their options.

A series of 10 public meetings are scheduled around the state. The two closest to the Jo Carroll Unit are Thursday, February 25: 2:00-4:00 pm – DeKalb Unit Office, 1350 W Prairie Drive, Sycamore, Illinois; and Thursday, March 4: 6:00-8:00 pm – Bureau Unit Office, 850 Thompson Street, Princeton, Illinois

“To be fiscally responsible, U of I Extension is planning for funding cuts, but we want to make these cuts in such a way as to maintain Extension’s strong tradition of high-impact educational programming, which has had a dramatic effect on the citizens of Illinois over the years,” said Bob Hoeft, interim Extension director.

It’s projected that Extension funding will decline between $2 and $5 million next year, and a rescission of state funding is expected for the 2009-10 budget year.

While a cost-savings plan is not yet finalized, Hoeft says he’s operating on several guiding principles.

“First, we want to maintain a system that produces and delivers effective, high-impact educational programming in response to local needs,” he said.

He says we are exploring the concept of multi-county units to reduce administrative costs such as facility rental and administrators. At the same time, it’s expected that the number of educators would increase for these multi-county units.

“We also want to support youth programming and 4-H at the same high level because it has a major impact on Illinois children. “This will be a priority in the reorganization,” Hoeft said.

Hoeft also emphasizes the continued use of new and effective learning technologies to deliver educational programming.

After the public meetings, Hoeft expects to finalize reorganization plans in mid-April and start implementing the plans after that.

University of Illinois Extension’s FY09 budget totaled $65 million, supporting 800 employees of all classifications. The budget is made up mostly from federal, state and local funds.

Four Seasons Gardening Program Gets Underway

Four Seasons Gardening, a 12-session program presented by University of Illinois Extension, includes a wide array of gardening and landscaping topics. Three seminars for each of the four seasons are offered. The first session of the winter series, titled Ferns in the Landscape, is offered at the Mt. Carroll or Elizabeth Extension Offices Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 1:00 pm. or in the Mt. Carroll Extension Office on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm.

This session focuses on how ferns can provide multi-season interest, even during the winter months. The seminar features a color slide presentation accompanied by the voice of the instructor as people from all over the state participate.

Other topics in the winter series include The Elusive Morel, set for March 9 and 11, and A Gardener’s Guide to Plant Propagation on March 23 and 25. Cost per session is $5. Advance registration is needed. Phone to attend in Mt. Carroll or to attend in Elizabeth. If you have disability needs, please indicate when registering.

‘Agriculture First’ Scholarship

Pearl City Elevator, Inc. is proud to sponsor an ‘Agriculture First’ scholarship program. This is the eighth year that the company is sponsoring the scholarship program which has been created to improve and support the agricultural industry. Pearl City Elevator, Inc. will award (4) four $500 scholarships to qualifying students furthering their education in an agricultural field. Any high school senior graduating in 2010, pursuing a two or four year degree in livestock production, crop production, or closely related agricultural field is eligible.

The creation of the ‘Agriculture First’ scholarship signifies, in part, the focus of the company. “We believe that the ‘Agriculture First’ Scholarship signifies the emphasis of our companies strong foundation in the agricultural community and the commitment to the youth in the area. We believe that the youth are an important key to the future of our agricultural community,” said Todd Block, General Manager of the Pearl City Elevator, Inc.

Scholarship applications can be picked up at any of the following locations: Pearl City Elevator in Pearl City, McConnell Coop in McConnell, Dakota Coop in Dakota, Warren Coop in Warren, Baileyville Coop in Baileyville, Alliance Nutrition or Alliance Commodities in Lena or by calling the Pearl City office at 1- and a application can be mailed. “Pearl City Elevator is customer focused, performance oriented and innovative in our daily business relationships which can be seen through this scholarship program ‘Agriculture First’” states Todd Block. Pearl City Elevator is an agricultural and consumer supplier of petroleum, feed, fertilizer, chemical and grain marketing services.

The ‘Agriculture First’ scholarships will be awarded to (4) four high school seniors based on scholastic achievement, leadership in agriculture, and a perceived ability to contribute to agriculture in the future. Applications must be postmarked by March 12, 2010.

Vondra Scholarship Offered

Pearl City Elevator, Inc. is committed to the sponsorship of the Jim Vondra Community Service Memorial Scholarship. Jim was a highly personable and conscientious employee. His customer dedication was second only to his family. His customers invariably became his friends, and their concerns also became his.

To assist in the noble cause of higher education, and more so, to honor the life and preserve the memory of Mr. Jim Vondra, Pearl City Elevator, Inc. will award two $500.00 scholarships per year.

These scholarships are designed for graduating high school seniors, or previous graduates pursuing higher education, and will be awarded based on academic achievement, service and leadership in the community, financial impact, and an essay by the applicant.

Applications may be picked up at any of the following locations: PCE in Pearl City, McConnell Coop in McConnell, Dakota Coop in Dakota, Warren Coop in Warren, Baileyville Coop in Baileyville, Alliance Commodities in Lena, or by calling the Pearl City office at 1- and an application can be mailed. All applications must be posted by March 12, 2010.

Prairie Wind Magazine Now Accepting Submissions for 2010 Edition

Submissions are now being accepted for the Prairie Wind magazine, a collection of original poetry, prose, visual art, and recorded music contributed by students, staff, alumni, and other members of the Highland Community.

 Submission guidelines are available at www.theprairiewind.org.  The deadline is February 12, 2010.  More information is available from any of the magazine’s faculty advisors:

Kim Goudreau, , ; Sam Tucibat, , ; Bob Apolloni, , .

The magazine is published annually under the auspices of Highland Community College, 2998 West Pearl City Road, Freeport, Illinois, 61032. It is a cooperative project of the Humanities, Graphic Design, Art, and Music departments in the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. Each issue is created by an editorial board composed of students and volunteer community members who are guided by a team of faculty advisors.

Curing Cabin Fever Geocaching Event

Are you itching to get outside? Do you want to get your kids unglued from the TV and video games? Come to the Curing Cabin Fever Geocaching Event (GC22FNG) on March 27th at Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center located at 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson, IL. Some folks are versed in Geocaching while others don’t even know how to pronounce it. For those not familiar, it’s pronounced (JEE-oh-CASh-ing). It is a high-tech treasure hunt using a hand-held Global Positioning System receiver (GPSr) to find a treasure or cache. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and “treasure,” usually toys or trinkets of little monetary value.

This Event is geared towards beginners, however all levels are welcome. You can log onto www.geocaching.com and sign up to attend or call the Refuge at ext. 16 to sign up for the event. You don’t need to own a GPSr you can borrow one of ours for the event. If you do bring your own, please be sure to bring your cable to connect to the computer for downloading cache locations. We want to get you outside and cure your Cabin Fever.

We also need experienced geocachers to volunteer and help us with one of the Geocaching Activities. If you would like to volunteer either call or let us know by logging you’ll help us on the www.geocaching.com web site.

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, Minn. to Rock Island, Ill., protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. This 240,000 acre refuge was established in 1924.

When History Reveals the Future

The Exchange State Bank of Lanark was founded in 1878 under a charter of the State of Illinois. It has survived these 130-plus years as a single bank entity. Local ownership continues to serve as a stabilizing force offering a modern banking operation to the community and surrounding area.

Retaining a strong capital position has always been a priority. The bank continues to build capital and reserves without seeking government assistance. The Board of Directors and management team work in tandem to keep long term success the focus rather than short term windfall gains.

At the same time, keeping up with innovative banking solutions keeps staff and the board on alert for new, better, and more efficient ways of serving bank customers. The bank thrives by offering personal attention to the people in our marketing area.

The bank has been a leader in offering products such as cashflow financing, secondary lending for farm and home real estate, individual retirement accounts, health savings accounts, and a non-bank subsidiary to provide other non-FDIC insured investment options.

The history of Exchange State Bank points to a bright future. The Exchange State Bank is a member FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender. Customer safety and fair treatment is a part of Exchange State Bank’s 130-plus year history.

Lanark Library Features Snapshot Day

Libraries all around the state of Illinois will feature Snapshot-One Day in the Life of Illinois Libraries on February 10. The community is invited to the Library at 110 West Carroll Street to share their stories of how libraries have played an important role in their lives for entertainment, enlightenment or personal enrichment.

Robin Fisch, Family Nutrition/Family Consumer Science Educator from University of Illinois Extension will hold half hour sessions demonstrating ways to preserve your family story in the form of an heirloom cookbook or personal memoir. Fisch will give programs at 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30. Coffee and Hot cider will be served. Each person will be ask to add their favorite book or author to a wall chart that will be posted in the library. A display will also feature recently acquired audio books, large print titles and DVD’s. For more information call Tues, Wed, Fri Noon-5 Thurs Noon-7:30 and Sat 10-3.

Ladies Pamper Day

Just when you thought winter was going to get you down, the Team Patriots Relay For Life presents “Ladies Pamper Day,” a fundraiser for the benefit of the American Cancer Society.

The event will be Saturday, February 20, from 10 to 4 at the Mt. Carroll Church of God, 816 S. Clay St. in Mt. Carroll. Advance tickets are $15 ($17 at the door), and are available at Savanna-Thomson State Bank (all locations), THE National Bank at the downtown Mt. Carroll branch, and Flower Fan-A-See in Mt. Carroll.

The fun day features door prizes, finger food, a Fashion Show, flower care and arranging demonstration, and vendor shopping. Be prepared to be pampered by Sophia Phelps Reflexology Specialist, Chair Massage, feet treatments, facials and satin hands by Mary Kay professionals, hair cuts and styles, mobility health and wellness by Cornerstone Chiropractic, and scrapbooking.

For more information, or to order tickets, call Donna at , or Gwen at .

CCHMP 9th Annual Fundraiser

The Carroll County Haiti Mission Project (CCHMP) hosted its ninth annual musical fund-raiser at Charlie’s II in Mt. Carroll on Saturday, Jan. 30.  The L.R. Band (above) from Peoria performed. The event also featured food and door prizes.

(Below) Scheduled for their 26th regular trip to Haiti February 10-16 are Terrie Miller (left, accepting donations from two guests at the Charlie’s), Teri and Trevor Timm, Jerry and Mandie Cornelius, and Jeff Elliott.  Two dentists will also join the crew. A send-off luncheon at the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church is set for Sunday, Feb. 7 at 11:30 a.m. Tax-deductible monetary donations can be sent to CCHMP, 111 E. Broad St., Mt. Carroll, IL  61053.  (Because of baggage space limitations, only monetary donations are being sought for this trip.) To learn more about CCHMP, and for updates on the earthquake, go to http://cchmp.tripod.com/.

(PA photos/Tammy Burkholder)