20th Illinois BBQ Championship

The 20th Annual Illinois State Barbeque Championship will be held on July 9th and 10th at the Lions Park in Shannon, IL. Over 50 teams from 8 states will be competing in the Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned contest.

There is no admission fee for the public. The Shannon Chamber will be serving pulled pork sandwich dinners on Friday, July 9th from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 10th from 11 to 2 p.m. at the Lions Park Pavilion on Stanton Street. For further information contact Theresa Lake at .

At the Mt. Carroll Rotary Banquet and Scholarship Awards on June 29, seven recent graduates of West Carroll High School were awarded Gene and Betty Teeter Rotary Scholarships. L to R they are pictured with Gene Teeter: Maria Heath, Carrie Brinkmeier, Beccah Yuswak, Chelsey Sipe, Trevor Timm, Becca Fritz and Megan Fitzpatrick. (Courtesy of Lou Schau)

Nelda Miller-Baker Turns 90!

There will be an Open House on Saturday, July 10, 2010 to celebrate Nelda Miller-Baker’s 90th Birthday. It will be held at the Cedarville United Methodist Church, 600 W. Washington St., Cedarville, Illinois from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. No gifts, please. Come and join Nelda and her family to celebrate this joyous occasion.

 

 

 

 

50th Anniversary Open House

Honoring Richard and Geraldine Vervaecke

Richard Vervaecke and Geraldine McCray were united in marriage on August 6, 1960 at the United Methodist Church in Erie, IL. Janet (McCray) Kopko, sister of the bride and Larry Franks, friend of the groom, stood up with the couple.

Richard and Geraldine have 3 children, Donna (Marc) Gabel of Warren, IL, Allen (Amanda) Vervaecke of Stestonville, WI, and Deborah (Scott) Downs of Freeport, IL. They have 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

They have farmed in Erie, IL, Mount Carroll, IL, Stratford, WI, Holcomb, WI and Stetsonville, WI. They now reside at 595 W Hwy #153 Mosinee, WI 54455.

An open house will be held at the Naaman Diehl Auditorium, NW corner of Rt. 78/64 in Mount Carroll, IL on Sunday, August 1st from 1-4pm serving cake and punch. Friends and family are invited to attend.

(Top) Mt. Carroll Rotary Club’s Annual Banquet and Scholarship Awards were held June 29 at Oakville Golf Club. Officers pictured (L to R) Wayne Brooks Treasure, Jane Dixon Vice-president, Paul Tobin, outgoing President, Terrie Miller, new president and Ken Alexander, club secretary.

(Below) Pictured L to R are Paul Tobin, Delbert and Janet Hockman, and new club president Terrie Miller. Delbert received the club’s Community Service Award. He served Mt. Carroll as a police officer for 31 years, the last 10 as Police Chief, and recently retired. (Courtesy of Lou Schau)

Nest Egg Investors Attend Convention

At the Better Investing National Convention were (left to right) Mark Robertson, founder of Manifest Investing website; Wylma Colehour, Nest Egg Treasurer; Marge Oliphant, Nest Egg Secretary; Gladys Larem, Mary Ann Hutchison, members; and Ken Kavula, Chair of the Better Investing Volunteer Advisory Board. (Courtesy of Mary Ann Hutchison)

Four members of a local investment club, The Nest Egg Investors, traveled recently to Saint Louis, MO for the Better Investing National Convention. Attending were Gladys Larem, Chadwick; Wylma Colehour, Mount Carroll; Marge Oliphant, Naperville; and Mary Ann Hutchison, Mount Carroll. There they participated in educational workshops as well as exchanged ideas with other investment clubs. Sam Stovall, Chief Investment strategist of the S&P Equity Research Group, was the featured speaker.

The Nest Egg Investors formed a ladies investment club in 1996 when the stock market was regularly breaking records. Members have seen the market go up and down several times since the club’s inception. The philosophy of the Better Investing organization and the Nest Egg Investors is to invest regularly, buy quality companies at bargain prices and sell when the company’s basic fundamentals weaken.

The club meets the first Thursday of each month, 1 p.m., at the Senior Center, 308 N. Main Street. Creating educated investors is the basic goal of the club, while also increasing portfolio value. Visitors are welcome to attend a meeting. For more information contact Diane Heath, 244-1187 or Mary Ann Hutchison, 244-1405.

Carroll County Relay For Life Raises over $64,000

The Carroll County Relay For Life, supporting the efforts of the American Cancer Society, was held Saturday, June 26 at the Milledgeville High School. Christiene Gable of Mt. Carroll, Co-Chairman with Cindy Jacobs, Lanark, said, “We were very fortunate . . . no rain! We thought it would rain on us, but we stayed dry the whole day.”

Gable reported that 70 survivors and their guests attended the Survivor Dinner, and that 23 teams participated.

“There were 537 luminarias sold, and as of June 27, over $64,000 was raised, and we know there are more donations coming in,” Gable said.

The Top Fundraising Team was Jan’s Fans at $8100; Top Fundraising Youth Team was the West Carroll FCCLA at $2705; and the Top Fundraising Individual was Karen Sloan with $2897.

“What a wonderful day. Thanks for all your efforts,” Gable said.

(Photo courtesy of Aimee Rogers)

Lisa Steen Riggs Presents at Windmill Cultural Center

Caption for attached picture: De Immigrant volunteer millers treat Lisa Steen Riggs to ice cream treats following her presentation about the Danish windmill in Elk Horn, Iowa.

Lisa Steen Riggs, executive director at the Danish windmill in Elk Horn, Iowa, presented at Fulton’s Windmill Cultural Center on June 29, 2010. Riggs showed a video about the origins and reconstruction of the Danish mill. It was moved from Denmark to Elk Horn in the 1970’s. Riggs was the first employee at the mill and continues to manage the facility 33 years later. She continued her talk with PowerPoint presentations about the Danish windmill and international windmills.

The Elk Horn windmill is home to the largest Danish gift shop in the United States. Half of the gift shop business is done via the Internet, and they have made as much as $500,000 a year with gift shop sales. They are also involved with city festivals and have changed the focus of the festivals in recent years in order to attract younger people to attend. Elk Horn is a town of 600 people, and more people travel to Elk Horn to work than those who leave Elk Horn for jobs.

Riggs is also the U.S. executive council member and editor of the U.S. e-newsletter for The International Molinological Society (TIMS). This organization is dedicated to connecting mill enthusiasts from around the world. They host an international symposium every four years. The last one in 2007 was held in the Netherlands and the next will be held in 2011 in Denmark. They also host smaller conferences, with the last one held in the Czech Republic. The TIMS board will meet in the United States in September. Approximately 20 board members from around the world will tour mills in Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. The board members plan to visit the Fulton area and tour mills in the area.

Riggs’ presentation was made possible, in part, from a grant from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, which provided funds to the volunteer millers for a laptop and projector.

The July presentation will take place on July 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the Windmill Cultural Center. Sallie de Reus from Pella, Iowa, will discuss the topic “Traveling in the Netherlands with Grandchildren.” At that time, there will also be 2 Dutch millers in Fulton. The volunteer millers encourage the public to attend. The events are free, handicap accessible, and open to the public.

Carroll County Open Horse & Pony Show

An Open Horse and Pony Show, sponsored by the Carroll County 4-H, will be held Saturday, July 10, at the Carroll Co. Fairgrounds near Milledgeville. The show will be held rain or shine. There will be a lunch stand on the grounds by the 4-H. The show will be held at the horse arena, located at the west end of the fairgrounds. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the arena, with the show starting at 8:30 a.m. There are 47 classes to choose from and a trail class will run throughout the day. A negative Coggins Test is required.

Class sponsorships are available to any individual, family, business, etc. that would like to be a sponsor.

For more information, for a show flyer, or if you would like to sponsor a class, contact Charles Nash, Steve Hollewell or Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at or e-mail Leanne Rahn at .

Carroll County Chicken Scramble

The Carroll County Fair Chicken Scramble, sponsored by the Carroll Co. 4-H, will be held on Thursday, evening August 5th, starting at 6:00 p.m. in front of the grandstand at the Milledgeville Fairgrounds. Check in time is 5:30 p.m. on the stage. The Chicken Scramble is open to all youth ages 5 – 7 years old. Entry deadline is July 19th to the Carroll County Extension Office. There is a limit of 20 participants per age class. Entries will be taken on a first come basis. Youth signed-up by the entry deadline will receive a $5.00 cash prize.

Entry forms can be found in the Carroll County 4-H Fair book, the Carroll County Fair book, from the Carroll Co. Extension Office in Mt. Carroll and on our website at http://web.extension.uiuce.edu./jdc. For more information, contact Leanne Rahn at the Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 244-9444 or .

Carroll County 4-H Dog Judging

Saturday, July 17, at 8:30 a.m. will be the Carroll County 4-H Dog Judging Show for all county 4-H’ers enrolled in dog care and dog obedience projects. The event will be held at the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Carroll County Fairgrounds, Milledgeville.

4-H’ers with projects to be judged, need to have their projects checked in between 8:00-8:15 a.m. Please remember to bring a water bowl for your dog.

The public is welcome to attend.

For more information, contact Leanne Rahn at the Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 244-9444 or .

Country Clover 4-H June Meeting

By Olivia Zimmerman,

4-H Club Reporter

The Country Clover 4-H group met on June 14th, at 6:30 p.m., at the Milledgeville Community Center. The meeting was called to order by vice president Shea Dobish. The Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H pledge were recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by Secretary Alayna Farmer. Roll call was then taken. The Treasurer’s report was then given by Jeanna Farmer. Mrs. Fisch reminded the group that they would be doing the pasta fundraiser again in the fall. The group then discussed where to go on their club field trip. They voted on going to the Discovery Museum in the Quad Cities.

The group also went over what they would have to do for the fair. Mrs. Fisch told the group that thanks to various donations they would still get fair premiums. There was discussion on what they could make for a dinner given to all those staying on the fairgrounds during the fair. It was decided that each member would make two dozen cookies to put in sack lunches. Meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Talks and demonstrations were as follows: Dani Sheddan - How to care for a dog & How to make smores; Gabbi Sheddan-How to strip wires; Hannah Brill - Principles of design & Cartoon drawing; Alicia Sheddan-Mixing paint with primary colors & How to remove a stain. Triana Meyers - How to apply make-up; After the demonstrations the group agreed to meet again in August.

Raise Money for 4-H by Making a Few Laughs

The Carroll County 4-H Federation group is raising money by having a “Yard Clover” program. The group made many wooden clovers about a foot in diameter to put in people’s yards. People in the community can have their friends, co-workers, bosses or whomever they choose to receive a yard full of these clovers along with a flyer explaining the prank. The cost is $20 to have the yard clovers put in someone’s yard and then the recipient pays a donation to have them taken out of their yard. The 4-H Federation will handle the deliveries and removal. To make arrangements to have someone “Clovered”, contact the Carroll Co. Extension Office at and give them the information needed. The clovers will stay up for approximately a week and everyone can get a few laughs.

4-H To Hold Set-Up Night

The Carroll County 4-H will meet on Wednesday, July 28, at 6:00 p.m., to sweep out the 4-H exhibit building, set-up the risers, and get the rest of the building and the ice cream stand ready for fair week.

This will be a clean-up and set-up night for all 4-H’ers and 4-H families to get ready for the 4-H Fair.

Please bring push brooms, hammers, rags, buckets, cleaning supplies, a ladder to hang the banners, cordless drill, etc. Everyone’s help is appreciated. Pizza and drink will be furnished by the 4-H Federation for all workers.

For more information or to sign-up to attend for a food count, contact Leanne Rahn at the Carroll County University of Illinois Extension Office at 244-9444 or e-mail at .

Eastland Registration at One Site Due to Construction

A Message From

Superintendent Mark Hansen

Because of the construction scheduled at the high school this summer, the Eastland School District will be holding registration for school on Wednesday, July 28th, from 12:00 (noon) to 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Eastland Middle School in Shannon. All registration will be at the one site again this year.

In mid-July, mailings will be sent to the households of all students previously enrolled in the district. Included in these mailings will be a “Residency Enrollment Checklist.” Public schools are required to verify the residency of students who are enrolled in their schools. This checklist must be completed by all parents/guardians for all of the students you will be enrolling in the Eastland schools for 2010-11. Students cannot register themselves. Parents/guardians should complete this form in advance, and present it first thing when they register at the middle school on July 28th. With this form, you will be required to show two forms of identification from the list provided. Parents/guardians must register students, and they must have two forms of i.d. with them in order to proceed through registration.

Also included in the mailing will be a “Certificate of Residence” form that must be completed only for students who are:

1. new or transferring to the district, or

2. living with another adult who is not their parent, or

3. homeless

If you have your checklist and two forms of i.d., it will take only a moment to verify your student(s)’ residency status. Parents/guardians will then be provided with registration packets to complete on site. We also will have a station for submitting copies of physicals or dental exams.

The last step in the process will be payment of fees. Students will be registered once all of the steps have been completed. If you are unable to complete all of the steps, or to pay fees, you will need to go back to each school before the start of the school year in order to complete the process.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation. If you do not receive a mailing by July 15th, or are new or transferring to the district, please stop at any of the building offices to get copies of the information that was mailed out.

Polo’s Back to School Clothing Swap

Help get some nice clothes for Polo’s area children at less cost to families this year. The swap takes place on Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 9AM-4PM at the Polo United Methodist Church, located at 105 Congress, Polo, IL.

Here’s how it works . . .

1.) Go through all your closets and pull out any clothes in pre-school through high school sizes for both girls and boys that don’t fit your children any more. Clothes should be gently worn and not torn or hugely stained. School supplies and office supplies are also welcome.

2). Contact Rebecca Arreola at to make your clothing donation. Clothes can either be brought before the event or to the event.

3.) Come to the event (details listed below) with a can of food or a non-perishable item, and take clothes for your children to wear this year. For every bag of clothes or can of food you bring, you get to take a bag of clothing home.

All canned food items will be donated to Polo Life Line. All left over clothing will be donated to a worthy charity as well. If you have any questions or would need help making a donation, please contact Rebecca Arreola at .

Thomson Prison Contracting Event

Whiteside/Carroll County Enterprise Zone & Whiteside County Economic Development Administrator Betty Steinert would like to remind everyone about the upcoming educational event on July 13, 2010, at

10-11:30 a.m., to be held at the Sterling Schools Centennial Auditorium, 1608 4th Avenue, Sterling. No reservations are needed for this date. Vicky Miller, C.B.S. of the IL Procurement Technical Assistance Center at Black Hawk College will be conducting the “Event.”

This important meeting is to prepare for the many contracting and procurement opportunities associated with the proposed opening of the Thomson Prison by the Federal Bureau of Prisons(BOP). This meeting will include all Illinois and Iowa regional partners.

Vicky will let you know of the many community services and products that will be used by the prison and learn how to engage your company to conduct business with the federal government. There will be three, two hour training classes that are mandatory to become a service provider or vendor with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. These classes will be held in the month of August, in Thomson. Registrations will be handed out at the July 13th event. All who plan on attending these classes in August must register.

Services will be required at the time the BOP takes over the facility, now is the time to prepare to have everything in order to become a vendor. Those who should attend in the Illinois Iowa region are, mayors, chambers directors, chamber boards, chamber members; economic development organizations; business owners, political leaders, financial institutions, real estate developers, realtors, and anyone involved in the construction industry.

Join FSB on an Exclusive Tour of Italy’s Hidden Treasures

First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll has announced Italy as its 2011 overseas travel destination. This tour package combines Tuscany with centuries-old villas, highlighted by experiencing the rich history of the Vatican and the Roman Empire, to include a guided tour to the Vatican Catacombs (Popes’ tombs, below St. Peter’s Basilica) and an extraordinary look at some of the world’s most magnificent art treasurers. Cruise by private boat along the shores of Cinque Terre villages clinging to coastal mountains. Discover culinary purpose on this visit to the birthplace of “pesto”. See the lifestyles of the rich and famous with a private boat-launch on Lake Como. Visit many other cities, towns and villages rich in history that are scheduled in this unique exclusive tour of Italy and its treasures.

Wednesday, August 4th at 6pm will be the preview meeting held at the Shannon Bank location in the lobby. RSVPs are requested to ensure enough available space. The tour operator will be on hand to answer any questions. The public is welcome to attend this meeting and tour. The tour is a 13-day tour scheduled for April 6 – 18, 2011. Briefly, the tour is 2-nights in Rome, 5-nights in Montecatini (Tuscany) and 4-nights in Lake Garda (northern lake region). Come and learn all of the inclusions of this fabulous tour.

This tour is referred to as Italy – hidden treasures because there are four special visits not usually found in other tours. They are the Vatican Catacombs, Cinque Terre (Italian Riviera), DaVinci’s mural of “The Last Supper” and a visit to Balzano, gateway to the Dolomite Mountains and home to the world’s oldest human mummy from about 3,300 BC (53 Centuries ago).

To obtain more information or place a reservation, please call Desi Ozburn at First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll, .

Shuman Graduates from Clarke College

Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, awarded degrees and honors at its 167th Commencement Ceremony on May 8, 2010.

Honored at the ceremony was Justin Shuman of Lanark, IL, with a doctor of physical therapy degree in Physical Therapy.

Clarke College is a dynamic, Catholic, coeducational, liberal arts college known for superb teaching and academics. Academic offerings include more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs and four graduate degree programs. Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa. It is the only BVM college in the country. Clarke’s 55-acre campus is a blend of historic buildings and new, state-of-the-art facilities.

Lost Mound Special Deer Hunt Drawing

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 23. 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 and must be received no later than 4:00PM on July 22. A random drawing for the 25 hunt sites will be held at the Refuge office at 10AM on July 23 and is open to the public. Applicants are not required to be at the drawing.

The Youth Hunt dates are October 9-10 and the Disabled Hunt dates are November 13-14. Youth must be Illinois residents, a minimum of 10 years old and not reached their 16th birthday by October 9, 2010. 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.

Orientation Program

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. Two orientation/safety programs will be held: Saturday, October 2 from 9:00AM-2:00PM at Buck’s Barn, 11503 Three Mile Road, Thomson IL and; Friday, November 12 from 9:00AM-2:00PM at the House of Events, 108 Main Street, Savanna IL. For additional information, call the Refuge office at .

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses 550 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas.

Potter’s Marsh Duck Hunt Drawing

The Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that the Potter’s Marsh (Mississippi River Pool 13) drawing for waterfowl hunting sites will be held on Saturday, July 31, at the House of Events, 108 Main Street in Savanna IL. Applications will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the drawing to be held at 1:00 p.m. You must apply in person and must be present at the drawing. When your ticket is drawn in the lottery, you will select your choice from the 49 available blinds. A $10 application fee is required. A $100 non-refundable blind fee is charged for each applicant that receives a blind.

Applicants are required to show the following information: photo identification, 2010 Hunting or Sportsmans License, 2010 Federal waterfowl stamp, 2010 State duck stamp and a Firearm Owners Identification Card (IL residents only). Residents under 21 do not need the FOID but must be accompanied by an adult (21 or older) who has a valid card. Non-residents can provide a current year license and state stamp from their resident state. Applicants must be a minimum 16 years old.

Interested hunters may contact the Refuge Office at for an application and regulations or stop in the office. Information can also be obtained at http://midwest.fws.gov/UpperMississippiRiver website. The Refuge Office is located at 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson, IL (approximately 4 miles south of Savanna off of Hwy 84, behind Metform).

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 MN to Princeton, IA, protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. This 240,000 acre refuge was established in 1924.

Manzullo Continues His ‘America Speaking Out’ Tour in Freeport

U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) is inviting northwest Illinois residents to join him July 12 for a citizens meeting in Freeport to help him craft a new agenda for America focused on strengthening our economy and putting Americans back to work.

The meeting, a continuation of Manzullo’s “America Speaking Out” tour across northern Illinois, will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 12, at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring Street, Freeport . The inaugural meeting of Manzullo’s “America Speaking Out” initiative was held Friday, June 4, at the Milledgeville Community Center in Carroll County. “America Speaking Out” is a new program to encourage Americans to offer ideas on a new way forward for our nation. The ideas will be used by House Republicans later this summer to craft a new agenda for America.

“Too many Americans are still out of work and are frustrated they are not seeing action from Congress to help our economy recover and thrive again,” Manzullo said. “I encourage citizens to come out to Freeport and ‘speak out’ with their ideas on a new way forward for our country.”

Manzullo will kick off the Freeport meeting with some brief remarks and then turn it over to the citizens to get their ideas on how to return America to prosperity. Other topics could include their thoughts on fiscal responsibility, American values, national security, or anything else they want to suggest or discuss.

Citizens can print off the “America Speaking Out” comment sheet, fill it out with their ideas, and bring it to the meeting. Manzullo will have a “suggestion box” to drop off the ideas and will post them on large white boards as the meeting ensues. Photos of the white boards will be posted on Manzullo’s webpage after the meeting. Citizens can also visit Manzullo’s America Speaking Out webpage where they can post their ideas or vote on other ideas that have been posted.

Tri-County Opportunities Elect Officers

Officers of Tri-County Opportunities Council, Community Action Agency, were elected at the Council’s recent annual meeting. Kenneth Krogulski, LaSalle, will serve another one-year term as Chairperson; Albert Harmon, Toulon, was reelected Vice-Chairperson. The returning Secretary is Julie Jacobs, Sterling, and Fred Phillips Sr., Savanna, will serve as Treasurer.

At the same meeting, awards were given to Mary Healy, Dixon, for 15 years of Board service and to Donna Hess, LaSalle, for ten years of Board service.

Serving Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside counties, the Council has provided a wide variety of programs and services for thousands of low-income people over the past 45 years. Its Board is comprised equally of representatives of public bodies, private interests and those it serves. Anyone interested in learning more about Tri-County or joining its Board of Directors may call the agency at 1-. Tri-County Opportunities Council is a United Way Agency.

No Melon Days in 2010

Due to the lack of volunteers & interest, the Thomson Melon Days Association is disappointed to announce there will not be a Melon Days Festival this Labor Day 2010. Some organizations are still planning on holding their activities during the weekend and will advertise those as the weekend gets closer. The Melon Days Association will meet in February 2011 to discuss the possibility of another festival. Volunteers & support are needed to have Melon Days continue. Please come & show your support. For more information, you may contact Tiffany Tipton at

GRO’s Summer Fundraiser Times Two

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will be providing supplemental funds up to $1000 for the upcoming Great River Outreach Fundraiser. GRO will host a kickoff cookout on July 17th at The Table in Savanna and a second cookout on August 7th.

GRO has served more than 19,000 meals since 2007 and provides emergency assistance and other services to people who need help. If you have been thinking of giving to GRO, you can increase the value of your gift 33% by donating at this time. Thrivent Financial will contribute $1 for every $3 raised during the three weeks in between. Donations can be mailed to 820 S. Mill St., Mt. Carroll, IL 61053 or donate online at http://www.greatriveroutreach.i8.com.

You can also support GRO’s benefit cookouts on July 17th or August 7th at The Table, 926 Viaduct Rd., Savanna. We’ll be grilling up brats, burgers and pork chops from 11-7.

Happy Birthday Party for Shannon’s 150th

Shannon’s Community Birthday Party will be held Sunday, July 18 at 12:30 at the Village Park. There will be games for the kids, food to purchase (or bring a picnic), entertainment by Steve Sheffy, free cake and ice cream, a balloon launch, a short history of Shannon and a signing of a Proclaimation of Friends of Shannon as well as visiting with friends and family.

Come and join the fun as the community of Shannon begins to celebrate its 150th year. There will be memorabilia for sale. A book of Shannon’s History is being prepared and will be ready this fall. The cost is $25 if ordered before Labor Day, $30 after Labor Day and $35 after publication. Order forms will be available at the party. Bring your lawn chairs and come on over and party with us. For more information contact Bonnie Foust .

Freeport’s Swift Hospitality Group Expands with Madison, Wisconsin Hotel

Swift Hospitality Group, Inc. (SHG) based in Freeport, Illinois announced that Fitchburg Lodging LLC, in which they are an investor, has acquired the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Madison Southwest, Wisconsin location effective Thursday, June 24. David Swift, President and CEO, announced that the 69-roomMadison hotel has been added to SHG’s expanding list of lodging properties throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. This portfolio addition brings the company’s total number of hotels under management to 14.

“We’re excited to be a part of a city like Madison where there is plenty to see and do,” Swift said. “Our hotel’s comfortable, friendly personality is a perfect fit for theMadison area. The hotel caters to both leisure and business travelers. Not only does it have a great indoor pool area with an 18-person whirlpool spa and a waterslide play area for family fun, this hotel also features a versatile and modern meeting room that accommodates up to 20 guests. In addition, the hotel is a proud recipient of the 2009 Country Inn and Suites by Carlson President’s Award.”

The Country Inn & Suites in southwest Madison features 69 smoke-free hotel rooms. The hotel will undergo renovations almost immediately, bringing all-new upgraded plush bedding to each room.

“Our Madison Southwest Country Inn & Suites is a wonderful place to stay, whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway in a whirlpool suite, a fun weekend with the kids or a modern, comfortable place to stay on a business trip. With so many things to see and do in Wisconsin, guests are sure to love the convenient location of our Country Inn & Suites nearby to a number of local restaurants. Located just off Highway 151, our hotel is just a short drive from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Alliant EnergyCenter and Reddan Soccer Park. For family friendly excursions, check out the Madison Children’s Museum, the Arboretum or the Henry Vilas Zoo,” said SHG Executive Vice President of Operations Pam Thrasher.

The hotel is managed by Shari Lochowitz, who has been in the SHG Hotel Manager Development program. She has recently made travelers comfortable at other SHG locations including Country Inn and Suites by Carlson properties in Independence, IA and Zion, IL and also at the Holiday Inn Express in Urbana, IL. For more information on group rates, business discounts, and vacation packages, please visit www.countryinns.com or call (608) 270-1900 or 1-.

A family business, Swift Hospitality Group is dedicated to the development and management of select hospitality properties across the country. Striving for excellence in all endeavors, the group focuses on teaming with its partners to create opportunities, invest wisely, and turn multifaceted ideas into profitable projects with strong reputations for quality and service. Swift Hospitality Group has over $154 million in hotels, either open, under construction, or in various stages of development in many locations throughout the United States including Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Whether as owners, franchisees, developers, or as a management company, they have crafted a distinctive corporate infrastructure to support their growing business and have created a culture of relationship-based success.

Tea Party in Petunia Parade

Approximately 50 members of the Sauk Valley Tea Party participated in the 46th Annual Petunia Festival Parade held Sunday afternoon, July 4th, at Dixon IL. The group’s entry, a patriotically decorated trailer outfitted with park benches, was filled with riders displaying American flags and other patriotic displays. In addition, a large group of supporters walked the parade route alongside the entry. The group was enthusiastically received throughout the parade as they passed out a variety of informational items during the event. Overall, 600 pocket Constitutions, 600 Founding Father Cards, candies for the kids, and other educational items were distributed along the parade route.

After the event Amanda Norris, a SVTP member, said: “We had an amazing response from the crowd! We were greeted with cheers and shouts of support along the entire route. We ran out of Constitutions in no time . . . half way through we were out of all of our handouts. What a great way to renew your spirit! I just want to thank every patriot who made this such a great experience.”

The Sauk Valley Tea Party is an organization in the Dixon, Sterling, Rock Falls and surrounding area, dedicated to furthering education about our constitution, politics, economics, etc. It is a grass roots organization dedicated to reducing government spending, reducing taxes, and making everyday citizens’ voices heard. For more information about Sauk Valley Tea Party, visit http://www.saukvalleyteapaty.com.

Classes at Artists Cooperative

Heather Houzenga, President of the Artists Cooperative of Savanna, announced a new roster of classes for July today. “We’re starting with two drawing classes for children this month,” she said, “to be followed with two painting classes for children in August. Parents can either pay per class or sign up for all of them at a reduced amount.”

She explained that this is ACS policy in keeping with it’s stated goal of raising public awareness of the arts and offering a variety of opportunities to explore the creative arts.

“We’ve also scheduled a watercolor workshop for the 17th, a fun evening making jewelry on the 22nd, a soft pastel workshop with former Savanna art teacher Mark Skidmore on the31st and then, there’s the regular Open Studio that meets every Tuesday evening for local artists to paint on a regular basis with each other. We accept all levels of skill at these events, want them to be pleasant for all who attend and hope they are both rewarding and encouraging.”

She urged anyone interested in attending one of these events to read our ad in this paper and call either the Gallery during its open hours or contact Mary at (815) 273-7406 after 7 in the evening for full particulars because it will be necessary to make reservations for participation in these classes.