More Important News

Ribbon Cutting in Morrison

The Morrison Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting on June 19, 2012 for KAS eRecycling, 649 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL to welcome them as a new business and new member of the Chamber. KAS eRecycling dismantles and recycles all electronic waste in an environmentally safe manner. Contact KAS eRecycling at (815) 772-3500. Attending the ribbon cutting were pictured l-r: Pat Zuidema, City of Morrison; Jan Roggy, State Farm Insurance; Jennifer White, THE National Bank; Ellen Smith, DQ Grill & Chill; KAS eRecycling Owners Carol and Ken Stralow with their children Sarah, David, and Hannah; Norma Nelson, THE National Bank; Susan Gomez, Wells Fargo Bank; Stephanie Vavra, thecity1.com; Dennis Pate, Moring Disposal; Sandi Crouse; Corinne Bender, Morrison Chamber of Commerce; and Rayanne Ohlsen.

Patrick Fritz, son of Larry and Christy Fritz, (left) and Drew Kaczmarski, son of Paul and Debbie Kaczmarski (right), both of Mount Carroll and seniors at West Carroll High School, are the recipients of the two Jo-Carroll Energy Scholarships awarded to students from Carroll County. Jo-Carroll Energy board director David Senn (center) presented the scholarships. Candidates were judged on grade-point average, college entrance exam scores, work and volunteer experience, school and community activities and a short essay demonstrating their knowledge of energy cooperatives. Also receiving Jo-Carroll Energy Scholarships were Gregory Cox of Scales Mound, Sophia Ahmed of Galena and Emily Gardner of Albany.

(L to R) Sonia Nelson and Conrad Iandola of Plum River Farms and Rotarians Nola Charles and Ken Alexander at the Mount Carroll Rotary Club June 19 meeting. Plum River Farms of Pearl City is a Pasture-Raised/ Grass-Fed/ Grass-Finished Beef business and presented the program to the Mt. Carroll Club. (Courtesy of Brandt Hutchcraft)

Over 800 racers participated this weekend at Mc MotoParks’s Loretta Lynn Qualifying Race. The Park was packed with spectators Thursday through Sunday. (PA photo/L. Forth)

June 30th Car Show in Morrison

Emmanuel Reformed Church, 202 East Morris Street, Morrison, invites you to a Car Show on Saturday, June 30 in the church parking lot.

The first 100 entries will receive dash plaques, a goodie bag and an opportunity to win one of three major door prizes at trophy time. Based on participant judging, Top 30 Award Plaques will be given for several categories, including: Best of Show, Best Ford, Best GM, Best Mopar, Best Truck and People’s Choice.

Pre-registration is $5. Registration at the show is $10. It is requested that all car entries also bring two canned goods for the Morrison Food Pantry. On the day of the show, registration runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m., with judging from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Awards will be announced and trophies handed out at 7 p.m.

The public is also invited to stop by the event and is asked to bring canned goods for the food pantry in lieu of an entrance fee. You will be given the opportunity to pay $1 per vote for the People’s Choice award. Music and Emmanuel’s YF Food Booth will be provided. Please, no dogs or bikes in the car show area.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the Emmanuel Men’s Ministry program.

For more information, and to pre-register, please contact Lloyd DeShane, before 6 p.m., at .

Dental Tips from the Carroll County Health Department

By Sally Marken

Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products

Practicing basic dental care:

- Prevents tooth decay.

- Prevents gum (periodontal) disease which can damage gum tissue and the bones that support teeth, and in the long term can lead to the loss of teeth.

- Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist, and makes the trip more pleasant.

- Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.

- Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.

- Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.

Improves overall health.

- Makes it possible for your teeth to last a lifetime.

Are there ways to avoid dental problems?

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing. Brush your teeth twice a day—in the morning and before bed—and floss once a day. This removes plaque, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.

Use toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.

Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow. Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease as well as other health problems. Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.

Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.

We provide dental presentations to preschools and grade schools free of charge.

Carroll County Health Department will be hosting a dental clinic on August 7, 2012. Meets the school requirement for dental exam and dental sealant will be completed. This service is cost free due in part by “Smile Illinois”. Call for information at

Just a Quick Reminder

The E&I Club will be meeting this Thursday, June 28, at Burkholder & Sons Concrete in Lanark, IL at 6:30 pm. The location is 722 North Broad Street in Lanark. You can check out their website below and find out a little more about them prior to the meeting: http://burkholderandson.com

A short presentation will be given by Andy Skoog on Streamlined Timekeeping. Feel free to pass the invite on to others. For more information, please contact Theresa J. Wittenauer, Economic Development Coordinator at Blackhawk Hills RC&D at or email .

Shannon Community Worship Service on July 1

Three Shannon churches will worship together in a community worship service in Shannon Park on Sunday, July 1 at 11 am. Pastor Donna Gericke, of Prairie Dell Presbyterian Church will preach the sermon. Music will be led by the Bethel Church Praise Team. Loose offering will be given to the Shannon/Lanark Food Pantry.

The service will include patriotic hymns and prayers for our county. There will be an Ice Cream Social in the Shannon Park shelter immediately following the service.

The service is a project of Bethel United Methodist Church, Prairie Dell Presbyterian Church and St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, but all are welcome. Bring your own lawn chairs. Shannon Park is located at 300 S. Hickory St. in Shannon. For further information call (815) 864-2581.

Sand Burr Golf Outing

The annual Sandburr Golf Outing will be held August 18th, at Oakville Country Club in Mount Carroll Illinois.

The format will remain the same, with individual play and 4 person scramble. Due to the constraints of using a 9 hole vs 18 hole course, we will shot gun start the event.

Additionally we require all participants to RSVP no later than August 3, 2012. The cost of the event is $45 with meal or $35 without meal, this includes cart fees.

You can reserve your spot by calling Kim at Lockhart and Law Insurance Agency - .

If possible please try to arrange your own groups and provide a phone number for the group when calling, if you’re individual or scrambling, dining or not.

Based on the number of golfers who golf we will shot gun start at 10:30 a.m., targeting 5:30 p.m. for completion.

If we get a very strong turnout, the tee time may need to be moved up earlier, thus the need for contact information to let individuals know if something changes.

This year’s committee consists of Paul Campion, Randy Law, Ryan Eissens, Frank Tipton, Nathan Tipton and Steve Whiting.

Morrison Resident Selected to Attend National Conference

Nora Beswick, a junior at North Central College and resident of Morrison, Ill., was one of two students selected to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., May 31-June 2.

The annual conference is sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), an organization that serves student affairs professionals at colleges and universities in the United States. Some 550 college and university students from around the world attended the conference, which included skill-building workshops, networking and volunteer opportunities, and inspiring speakers.

North Central’s Student Affairs Leadership team, consisting of the dean of students and directors who oversee various departments in student affairs, selected Beswick after she submitted an application detailing her campus involvement and reasons why she wanted to attend the conference.

Beswick, a double major in French and organizational communication, enjoys meeting people and hearing their stories and had many opportunities to do just that. “A conference highlight for me was connecting with peers,” she said. “We got to meet people from all over the world. Language is a love of my life and it was thrilling to speak in different languages with others who are as involved with it as me. The whole experience confirmed that I can do what I want to do because others are doing it.”

She felt the experience made her feel empowered, more aware and wanting to focus on what she’s learning in her classes and doing on campus, which is a lot.

“I’ve always believed it’s important to be involved in things you’re passionate about,” said Beswick. On campus, she’s a student ambassador in the Office of Admission, former president and district board member of Circle K International, co-president of the French Club, membership chair for the Blue Key Honor Society, a College Scholar, publicity chair for Break Away service trips, member of Cardinal Dance and a participant in Focus, a weekly student-run worship service. In fall 2012, she will study abroad at the Universite Catholique de L’Ouest in Angers, France.

Beswick received a scholarship from North Central College’s Office of Student Affairs to attend the conference.

Founded in 1861, North Central College is an independent, comprehensive college of the liberal arts and sciences that offers more than 55 undergraduate majors and graduate programming in six areas. Located in the Historic District of Naperville, Illinois-rated by Money magazine as among the nation’s “Best Places to Live”-North Central College is just 30 minutes from Chicago’s Loop. With more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students, North Central College is committed to academic excellence, a climate that emphasizes leadership, ethics, values and service, a curriculum that balances job-related knowledge with a liberal arts foundation and a caring environment with small classes. Visit northcentralcollege.edu to learn more.

Taking Bids At The Whiteside County 4-H Show

The Whiteside County 4-H Show is here, and one of the highlights of the show is the Sale of Champions. This event is the conclusion of the 4-H member’s hard work. The public is invited to take part in this sale of champion and reserve champion animals and again this year some general projects will be sold.

The bidding for the animals will begin after a welcome and parade of champions which starts at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 19 in front of the grandstand at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds in Morrison. These animals will go home with the highest bidder.

Some of these champion animals include: Market Barrow; Market Gilt; Pen of Market Barrows; Pen of Market Gilts; Pen of Rabbits; Single Fryer; Market Wether; Market Ewe; and again back in to the lineup Market Animal and Rate of Gain Steer. Some of the general projects that could be sold are photography, visual arts, clothing and more.

If you wish to come and bid, as well as support your local 4-H program, then you are invited to come a few minutes before the auction starts, viewing of the projects will be available at 5:30 p.m. in the swine/sheep barn. Come and show your support of these 4-H’ers hard work and enjoy the fun.

The Whiteside County 4-H Show runs July 16-17-18-19, 2012. For more information regarding the show schedule, please call the Whiteside County Extension office at .

Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center Agronomy Day

The Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center will be hosting its summer Agronomy Day on July 10, 2012. Join University of Illinois Extension specialists and researchers as they address issues pertinent to the 2012 growing season. The program starts at 9:30 a.m. and will finish with a meal at 12:30 p.m. It is open to all who wish to attend and there is no admission cost.

Weather permitting, presentations will take place outside in the research plots. Field topics include:

- What does it take to produce high soybean yields? - Emerson Nafziger

- Update on corn rootworm issues and Bt Performance - Mike Gray

- Corn disease identification and management - Carl Bradley

- Nutrient removal by corn and soybean - Fabian Fernandez

- 2012 weed control challenges - Doug Maxwell

The 160-acre Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center located north of Shabbona has been conducting crop research since 1948. It is the northernmost research center within the U of I Crop Sciences department that is dedicated primarily to corn and soybean research. More than 45 research and demonstration projects are conducted at the center every year. Visitors are always welcome.

The research center is located at 14509 University Road, about 5 miles north of U.S. Route 30 on University Road, which runs just east of Shabbona and a quarter mile south of Perry Road.

For more information, contact Russ Higgins at or email .

Anticipating the Estimates of June 1 Stocks of Corn and Soybeans

The USDA will release the estimates of June 1 corn and soybean inventories on June 29. The level of those stocks will reveal the rate of consumption during the third quarter of the 2011-12 marketing year and the available supply for consumption during the fourth quarter.

According to University of Illinois agricultural economist Darrel Good there is likely to be a wide range of expectations for the June 1 stocks estimate. “Based partially on the on- going record strong corn basis, we anticipate that feed and residual use of corn during the third quarter was larger than the estimate for last year’s use,” Good said. “If so, June 1 stocks would be near 3.1 billion bushels and use for the year would be expected to exceed the current USDA projection of 4.55 billion bushels.

“The June 1 stocks estimates take on a little more importance this year due to the relatively tight year-ending inventories projected for both corn and soybeans, even though more early- harvested corn is expected this year.

The surprises in recent corn stocks estimates also add some drama to the upcoming report,” Good said.

For corn, the estimate of June 1 stocks will reveal the level of feed and residual use during the previous quarter because weekly estimates of exports and domestic ethanol production provide on- going estimates of use in those categories, Good reported. Based on cumulative marketing year export inspections through May and Census Bureau export estimates through April, exports during the quarter were likely near 390 million bushels. Based on weekly and monthly estimates of ethanol production, total food and industrial uses of corn during the quarter may have been near 1.64 billion bushels.

“Anticipating feed and residual use of corn during the previous quarter is made more difficult by the surprising levels of June 1 stock estimates the past two years and the resulting wide range of implied feed and residual use during the March-May quarter,” Good said. “Use was calculated at 1.273 billion bushels during the March-May quarter in 2010, but at only 716 million bushels last year.”

Good said that for the entire 2011-12 marketing year, the USDA projects feed and residual use at 4.55 billion bushels, 243 million bushels less than use of a year ago. “Implied use during the first half of the year was 247

million less than that of a year ago, with all of the decline occurring in the first quarter,” he said. “If the USDA forecast is correct, use during the last half of the current year should be about equal to that of last year. Use during the final quarter of the year is expected to be relatively small due to the availability of more than the normal amount of new crop corn in August, and perhaps a little more summer wheat feeding than occurred last year.”

So, what about third quarter use?

“On the surface, third quarter feed and residual use might be expected to be near that of last year,” Good said.

“Total red meat and poultry production during the second quarter of the

calendar year was about 1.5 percent less than during the same quarter last year, egg production was almost unchanged, and milk production was up about 6.5 percent. In addition, the production of distillers grains was about equal to that of a year ago. However, implied use during the third (and fourth) quarter last year was extremely small and there is less than complete confidence in the accuracy of that estimate.”

Good said that anticipating the June 1 stocks of soybeans is less difficult than for corn, but has been complicated by the discontinuation of the monthly Census Bureau estimate of the domestic crush. Quarterly crush estimates are now based on monthly estimates of crush by members of the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA). The USDA no longer reports domestic crush by quarter, but reports total domestic use that includes feed, seed, and residual use.

“Based on NOPA estimates for the March-May quarter, we estimate total domestic crush at about 425 million bushels, 7.3 percent more than crushed in the same quarter last year,” Good said.

Historically, quarterly feed, seed, and residual use varied widely from year to year, but averaged about 41 million bushels during the third quarter of the marketing year in the previous four years. Use during the first three quarters of the year averaged 197 million bushels for those same four years.

Good said based on estimated feed, seed, and residual use during the first half of this year, that average would also point to third quarter use near 40 million bushels. Total domestic use during the quarter was likely near 465 million bushels.

“Based on cumulative export inspections through May and Census Bureau estimates through April, soybean exports during the third quarter of the year were near 257 million bushels,” Good said.

“Consumption of soybeans for all purposes should have been near 722 million bushels, pointing to June 1 stocks near 650 million bushels.”

Lost Mound Deer Hunt Drawing is July 20

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the drawing for the special deer hunts on the Lost Mound Unit (former Savanna Army Depot) of Upper Miss Refuge for Youth and Hunters with Disabilities is July 20. Applications are available at the Refuge Office located at 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson IL 61285 or can be obtained at the Refuge website http://midwest.fws.gov/UpperMississippiRiver.

Applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Refuge office starting July 1 and must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 19. A random drawing for the 40 hunt sites will be held at the Refuge office at 10AM on July 20 and is open to the public. Applicants are not required to be at the drawing.

The Youth Hunt dates are October 6-7 and the Disabled Hunt dates are November 10-11. Youth must be Illinois residents, a minimum of 10 years old and not reached their 16th birthday by October 6, 2011. Hunters with disabilities can be resident or non-resident and must possess a minimum P-2A disability certification issued by the State of Illinois or similar certification from other states.

All selected hunters are required to be accompanied in the field by an able-bodied adult attendant capable of tracking and retrieving deer. A mandatory orientation and safety training program is required for all hunters, their attendants and any family member that accompanies the hunter. Orientation/safety programs will be held: Saturday, September 29 (Youth or Disabled) from 9:00AM-4:00PM at Manny’s Pizza, 211 Main Street, Savanna IL and; Friday, November 9 (Disabled only) from 9:00AM-4:00PM also at Manny’s Pizza. For additional information, call the Refuge office at .

Attracting Beneficial Insects

The University of Illinois Extension will be hosting an Attracting Beneficial Insects to your Garden Program on Thursday, July 5th from 11:00am – Noon at the Highland Community College West Campus in Elizabeth.

Not all insects are bad! In this program, Horticulture educator, Candice Miller, will help you learn to identify those good insects in your garden and cover methods of attracting these insects and getting them to stick around. This program is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Pre-registration is required by July 3rd by calling (815) 858-2273 or going to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw/ Cost is $5.00 per person.