Cover Story . . .

Savanna Opens the Doors to 333 Chicago Avenue for the Public

Michael Miller

For The Prairie Advocate News

Savanna Superintendent of Public Works John Lindeman (rt) answers questions about 333 Chicago Avenue, while Councilman Bill Robinson conducts a tour for the public. (PA photo/Michael Miller)

The City of Savanna conducted an open house at 333 Chicago Avenue, from 9 A.M. to 12 Noon on Saturday, March 20th, 2010.

The event drew between 40 and 45 visitors. Though there was no formal question and answer session, visitors could and did question Council members and City staff individually throughout the event. Visitors could tour the building and get an idea of what the future of the building holds in store, and plans for the building were readily available.

Councilman Jack Fosdick says that he thinks the event went “pretty well”, and that “anybody with questions got them answered”. He said he wasn’t sure what the response would be but that “everybody there had a legitimate interest” in the project

Fosdick says that overall, there was a good cross section of people in attendance, including some former City councilmen attended, as well as some people in the construction business, and Dr. David Hansen, who used to work at the clinic. Roughly half of the City council attended, and Fosdick opined that every City ward was represented by the visitors.

Fosdick said he appreciates the City employees who volunteered their time and efforts to the event, including three department heads and virtually the entire administrative staff.

Mayor Larry Stebbins echoed Fosdick’s positive comments, saying that he was “’happy with the number of people that showed up” and that he was “glad that everyone got a chance to look the building over”. Stebbins added that he “had some real favorable comments” during the event.

Milledgeville High School Play

When a young college professor, Keats, is offered a promotion to become Dean, the offer comes with a string or two attached! In order to accept the offer, he must find a wife and get married. When his best friend John learns about the offer, he decides to assist with the search for potential marriage candidates. This is when the real fun begins! Keats finds three girls all willing to become his wife but the problem is . . . which one! See how this comic situation evolves and which girl will become his bride in this is a 3-Act comedy filled comic humor and fun. It is a must see for everyone! Join the Milledgeville High School Drama Dept. on Friday, March 26th or Saturday, March 27th to join the fun. Performance time is 7:00 p.m. and the doors will open at 6:15 each night. Come join the fun and celebrate the Dramatic Arts in Milledgeville!

Artisans Shop Hop

“What a find” says Alice

As she falls to a place where the streets

Are covered with bricks,

Store fronts emerging with all sorts of gifts,

Merchants and owners taking pride to assist.

“Where am I”? Turning her head

A shop appears; Ideas n’ Designs Antiques AND

Mad Hatter Tea Room the sign exclaims!

A curious Mad Hatter opens her door

Shouting “WELCOME” please come in!

What nonsense and pleasure the many displays call out

As Alice continues to process her fall.

The Mad Hatter explains

“Today is the Shop Hop!

One of our many yearly events

Where you visit each owner operated shop

Of our Mount Carroll Wonderland

Finding artisans of all sorts

Creative and helpful their wares for sale

Take it all in!

Just remember to come back again!”

The dream can continue

As you map out your trip.

The Shop Hop is contagious

With many neighboring towns to visit.

The Adventure Starts…

Friday April 9th 10th 11th, hours are varied some starting at 9:00 A.M.

Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE!!!

DON’T BE LATE!

You can find The Mad Hatter (Linda Anderson) at:

Ideas n’ Designs Antiques-Mad Hatter Tea Room

116 W. Market Street

Mount Carroll, IL 61053

www.mtcarrollil.org/

Mt. Carroll Rotary Club

Mt. Carroll Rotarian Leonard Dixon (L) and Mark Harkness (R) are pictured with speaker Bill Timm at the March 2 club meeting. Timm, a West Carroll Middle School teacher, gave an update on the Carroll County Haiti Mission Project trip to Haiti in late Febuary as well as his trip to Haiti in mid-February as part of a University of Miami Medical Group providing medical services on-site. Timm mentioned his arrival to the capitol city and at the airport seeing a large Rotary International facility set up and providing help along with Shelterbox, a Rotary affiliate. (Photo courtesy of Barb Brierton)

In The Service

Air Force Airman Christopher R. Aspinwall graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Lindy Aspinwall of N. First Street, Pearl City, Ill., and nephew of Dena Blakely of S. Van Brooklyn Road, Freeport, Ill.

Aspinwall is a 2009 graduate of Pearl City High School.

4-H Green Hands

Lanark United Methodist Sesquicentennial Award

Kathyrn Ling, pastor of the Lanark United Methodist Church, accepts a sesquicentennial church award from ISHS president Mark Sorensen.

Lanark UMC Honored

On Sunday, March 7, The Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS) recognized more than 100 historic houses of worship from several faiths and denominations at a celebration and banquet held on the campus of Wheaton College. The first-ever Sesquicentennial Church Celebration and Banquet was attended by more than 170 people representing 60 churches and synagogues.

The celebration began with a reception that featured a power-point slide presentation featuring the historic churches and music played by students from the Wheaton College Music Conservatory. Comments were made by ISHS president Mark Sorensen and Wheaton College President Dr. DeWayne Litfin, and concluded with the presentation of the awards. Participating churches received a certificate of recognition, signed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and ISHS President Mark Sorensen.

The Illinois State Historical Society has hosted an annual centennial awards ceremony for businesses since 1984, but this year’s celebration focused exclusively on sesquicentennial churches. The anniversary was linked not only to Wheaton College’s 150th year but to the election of President Abraham Lincoln, who was elected to his first term in office in November 1860. All of the recipient churches were established prior to Lincoln’s election, when slavery in America was still the law of the land and threatened to extend into the northern territories. The possible extension of slavery divided congregations North and South, sometimes within the same community. The banquet was a celebration of these churches’ struggle and survival through America’s trial by fire, and prepared the way for the faith communities of the 21st century.

Seniors Recreation Program at the NEW Odell Spring Schedule

New hours for seniors activities will be starting in April to welcome in spring and summer at the Odell Library Community Room. Activities will be ever Tuesday and Thursday in both the morning and afternoon. Morning activies will be from 10:00 - 11:15 and in the afternoon from 12:15 -2:15. The third Thursday of every month will be” Bingo with Lisa”playying for prizes and special refreshments from 10:00 - 11:15. If you want to learn how to play “Mexican Train Dominoes” or you know how to play this fun game, it is available the first and second Thursday of every month12:15 - 2:15 -or- whenever you want to come and play.

These recreational activities are provided as an opportunity for seniors to get togehter and share time together soicially. Many of the card games and board games that we all used to play as Rommie, Pitch, Scrabble, Checkers and Canasa you may not have played for awhile; but, the rules all come back as you play and they are just as much fun. Special speakers with a variety of information, music, special programs are provided for your enjoyment. Also, the newly repaired billard table is available every Tuesday and Thursday for use in both the morning and the afternoon. It has been several years since it was in a condition to be used - come and try out your skills.

The Seniors Recreation Program is a special time to get together and enjoy new and old friendships for a part of each week. Schedules of activities are available at the Odell Library, Chamber of Commerce Office and City Hall. Watch for fliers about Morrison with an invitation for you to come and enjoy yourself with friends at the Odell every Tuesday and Thursday morning and afternoon.

Eauine Promotion Board Upcoming Vacancies

The Illinois Equine Industry Research & Promotion Board (EPB) is asking interested, qualified Illinois horsemen to submit applications for three seats on the Board to be filled, beginning this year.

Deadline for applications is April 30, 2010 so appointments can be made at the Board’s annual meeting, according to Karen E. Freese, Chair.

The Board is made up of Illinois horsemen who must represent a cross section of the industry by geography and segment. Members whose terms are expiring are Frank Bowman, central Illinois, pleasure horses; Anne Gallagher, southern Illinois, thoroughbred race industry; and Joy Meierhans, northern Illinois, show horses.

Application forms are available on the Internet at www.HorsemensCouncil.org. Click on the EPB logo, then locate Board Applications under the index for Directors & Committees. Applications also may be requested from the Board office in Springfield.

All applications shall be submitted to: Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703, phone (217) 585-1600, fax (217) 585-1601.

A resume or brief biography is requested to enable the EPB to make an informed and unbiased decision on the qualifications of each individual applying.

The EPB is charged with selecting recipients for grants funded by the Illinois equine checkoff program, which provides for the voluntary assessment of a nickel per 50-pound bag of horse feed sold at retail.

By law, EPB funds must go to support equine research, education and promotion in keeping with the enabling legislation’s core purpose: “Enhancement of the Illinois equine industry through self-funded programs, projects and activities. Grants to institutions and individuals will be related to equine research, education and industry enhancements and promotion.”

Any group, individual, company or institution may apply for funding. Preference will be given to projects benefiting the largest number of people/horses.

A detailed research application is available (as well as a shorter project application) at www.HorsemensCouncil.org or from the EPB administrative office.