1 Front Volume 142 No. 51
Friday, November 25, 2016
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When one’s water won’t turn on ... Tonica cracks down on delinquent bills By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — Water shutoffs were a topic of discussion in Tonica, for those bills that go unpaid and especially for those residences which lack tenants. The board reviewed the issue at its meeting Monday, Nov. 21. “Water bills went out last week, and we had a crackdown,” village clerk Heather Sherman said. “There were three to four renters that weren’t paying,
and we shut their water off,” she continued. “And then my phone was ringing.” The water shutoffs were a point of interest for the Tonica Village Board, as they discussed the importance of trying to shut off water automatically when tenants leave. “My biggest concern is that there’s a couple of people who have left town, and they don’t have people yet,” Village President Kevin Sluder said, indicating residences in which nobody lives.
The situation could cause problems for the village if the water lines remain running, and the landlords do not maintain heat over the winter. “If they don’t turn on the heat, a pipe freezes and blows, we could be liable,” Sluder said. “As long as we turn the water off, we can’t have any pipes blowing up.” The main problem with the plan is that the village does not always know when this water needs shut off. “Sometimes they just up
and leave, and we don’t know about it,” Sluder said.
Sewer plant
Tonica’s sewer plant project is advancing better than expected, according to village engineer Jack Kusek. He has reason to be optimistic of the project, as the weather has allowed the workers to progress beyond expectations. “At this point, they’re probably about a month ahead of schedule,” Kusek said. “Mother Nature has been kind,” Sluder added.
Kusek agreed, with a caveat: “Mother Nature has been kind, and they’re really kicking butt.” With winter looking to swoop in, this advanced stage of work should be beneficial for the village and the project. A new phase of construction is about to begin, and Kusek believes it to be largely immune to the weather’s potential effects. “The weather is not going to slow them down too much regarding those,” Kusek said. “Unless it gets really frigidly cold, I expect they’ll still be working out
By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
Tonica Page 2
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Summer school
For anyone who sees summer school as punishment, Lostant disagrees. The summer school program at Lostant was a success with 33 students electing to participate. “We didn’t think we would have anybody. And then we had so many,” Melissa Einhaus, a teacher at the school, said. “We
Lostant School Page 2
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Tonica’s map of the water system is well underway, as all the disparate elements have been located, Kusek told the board. In fact, the work went so well additional features were added to the map. The village invested a lot of time into the project, locating every feature of the water system, as noted by Marc Lemrise. “A lot of time went into
By Zachary J. Pratt
LOSTANT — Lostant Community School’s recent purchase of a salad bar has seen success at lunch. The Lostant School Board heard an update at its meeting Monday, Nov. 21. “We have been serving between 31-37 daily, salad bar,” the school cook Carol Spangler said of the students who are choosing this option. “For the kids, we put their lettuce on the plate,” she said. “They go through and put whatever they want on it.” The salad bar offers many options with which to top the lettuce. “Cottage cheese and egg, that’s considered your protein,” Spangler said. “Cottage cheese goes very well in this school. I was surprised.” While the initial period of operation might have been a little unsteady, Spangler said the children now eat it all. “The first couple days, they might have thrown half of it away because they weren’t sure,” she said. “Since they’ve figured that out, it’s worked very well.” The students even try new foods and combinations with their salad. Spangler noted students taking radishes and commenting that they had never had it before. Appreciation of the salad bar is offered from outside the school as well. A health department representative who recently preformed an inspection had kind things to say about the initiative. “She said we’re very lucky to have a salad bar because she doesn’t see very many K-8 that have one,” Spangler said. “She says the kids should feel special for it.” “I think it was a good investment for the school all around,” Spangler said.
One Section - 8 Pages
Water map
Keying in on security
Salads, summer school and literacy
Vol. 142 No. 51
there through the winter”
Tonica News photo/Mike Vaughn
The one that got away ... This Tom Turkey appears rather proud he escaped the dreaded Thanksgiving table on Thursday. From the way it looks, though, he’s happy to wish all of the Tonica News readers a belated Happy Thanksgiving. We hope it was a day filled with many blessings and memories.
Stay Local. Save Local.
TONICA — Tonica Grade School is acting upon security concerns over keys never returned. Throughout the years, keys have been loaned out for various purposes, and some of those keys have never returned, leaving an opening for security concerns. “You’re only as good as the key you don’t get back,” Principal Chuck Schneider said. The school plans to replace the front lock with an interchangeable core, which will allow access through a rental key without the same key working elsewhere. If a key is lost or otherwise not returned, the core can be exchanged for another one the school will have on hand, and the one which had previously been in use can be re-keyed. Schneider said there will likely be a deposit required to cover the costs of new keys and re-pinning the cylinder. Furthermore, he explained all doors will be set to open with the key, not to unlock, which will prevent doors being accidentally left unlocked. “Right now, if somebody gets a key for the gym, they’re getting the same key everyone else has,” board President Jeremy Hillyer said. The process looks to be completed in a timely manner, hopefully by Christmas. In other news: • With record levels of updated policies, school officials are looking to digitize the school’s policy books. “Quite frankly, we’re struggling with our policy books,” interim Superintendent James Whitmore said. The current process requires board members add in new policies and remove those that are obsolete. If that upkeep isn’t completed, it leaves the policy book inaccurate. “I believe I have two accurate copies,” Whitmore said. “Other than that, I wouldn’t know.” A service from the Illinois Association of School Boards would publish the policy manuals online, providing easier support for the constantly-updating tomes. “I’ve worked with the service before at
Tonica School Page 3
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2 Local
2 • The Tonica News • Friday, November 25, 2016
Seeking Sources
Lostant School
Where in the world is The Tonica News? Are you planning a vacation or holiday trip? Don’t forget to take along a copy of the The Tonica News. Once you get to your destination, have someone snap a photo of you holding the newspaper, and then send the photo to us along with pertinent information about who is in the photo and where you are. We’ll be happy to share your photo with other Tonica News readers, your friends, family and neighbors. Email your photo and information to news@tonicanews.com. You can also drop it by our office in Tonica.
expanded our groups into kind of a one-room schoolhouse philosophy. “When they were here, they really did work hard,” Einhaus said. “I was surprised at how willing they were to work hard.” As much as the children enjoyed the program, Einhaus said there were compliments from parents as well. “They were impressed with what we did,” Einhaus said, but that does not mean the staff does not intend to improve the program in future iterations.
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A little on the wild side ...
Illinois Reading Council
Literacy is important at Lostant Community School, and a recent conference could help improve how it is taught. “Three of our staff went to the Illinois Reading Council (IRC) conference in Peoria,” Superintendent Sandra Malahy said. Einhaus and librarian Ruth Ann Brizgis had taken part in the conference. Einhaus gave a brief presentation of the experience. A major aspect of the conference was the speakers, of which Einhaus mentioned three. The first was football player-turned-author Tim Green, who advances the cause of literacy by writing stories many children want to read. “Tim Green writes sports stories, and he’s responsible for getting a lot of boys to read,” Einhaus said. “Kids that are into sports, he can really hook them into reading. “We were kind of star-struck,” she said. “We went by his room, and we were like, ‘Is that who I think it is?’” Another speaker at the event was Lou Ferroli, former president of IRC, who introduced the educators to another way of thinking about reading. “One thing that stuck into my mind was reading with your eyes as opposed to reading with your ears,” Einhaus said. Sandra Athans, author and teacher, also spoke at the event. Brizgis and Einhaus hope to implement what they learned at the conference, putting concepts into practice.
Above, TVFD Assistant Chief Bill Gray not only had one of the deer entered into Tonica’s annual Deer Night and Chili Supper fundraiser, but he also brought several animals he trapped locally and a wide array of furs and mounted displays. At right, Tonica Volunteer Fire Department member Terry McCleary was one of the many volunteers working in the kitchen during the annual Deer Night and Chili Supper held to raise funds for the TVFD. A bowl of hot chili was just what guests needed to fight off Saturday’s arrival of cold, windy weather. Tonica News photos/Dave Cook
Tonica
Publisher Sam Fisher sfisher@tonicanews.com
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Editor Terri Simon tsimon@tonicanews.com
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news@tonicanews.com. Photos should be sent as an attachment. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tonica News, P.O. Box 340, Princeton, IL 61356
that, a whole lot,” Lemrise said. “Many days; many, many hours.” For all the time spent on the task, Lemrise credited a piece of technology Tonica had recently bought, which allowed them to accurately search for the various parts of the system. Furthermore, the process has improved the team’s proficiency with the device, so future projects can go even more smoothly.
Four-way stop
The intersection at Route 251 and Ray Richardson Road, the once foreboding stretch of road, has become notably safer after the state authorized it to become a four-way stop. Police have been watching the intersection since the addition of new signs, and the location has experienced a marked change. Sluder said the four-way stop has been beneficial. One of the effects has been to slow people coming into town. Another has been to correct misconceptions by making them correct. “The east-west people who thought it was a four-way to start with, now it is,” Sluder said. However, as promising as the results have been at this point, Sluder noted the major season for traffic has yet to begin. “This summer will be the big test for it,” he said.
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Friday, November 25, 2016 • The Tonica News • 3
Tonica’s EAV projection Increased EAV good news for Tonica School By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — A look at Tonica School District’s 2016 levy indicates reasons for optimism. Interim Superintendent James Whitmore provided a look into the district’s projected levy at the board’s meeting Wednesday, Nov. 16. Throughout, he reiterated the results are not Whitmore began his presentation with the equalized assessed value (EAV), which is the reason for his optimism. The total EAV for 2015 was $33,733,381, which is estimated to increase to $36,250,094. “That’s the basis of this good news: that’s a three million increase,” Whitmore said. He believes this increase results from farmland assessment. “If this turns out to be true, that’s wonderful news for little Tonica,” he said, adding he believes the area taxpayers will see a beneficial effect from these results. “Your tax rate will actually — may, may — actually go down,” he said. The estimated tax rate is $3.19, which Whitmore said “is actually a nice, tidy tax rate for a school this size. That’s good news for your community because you’re becoming wealthier,” he said. The projections are based on a 4.95 percent increase. In other news: • A talk with a fuel provider has caused the district to reconsider how it has always managed fuel. “We’ve always adopted our new fuel programs in October,” board President Jeremy Hillyer said, though the district has learned January is the best time to lock in rates for its fuel. “In past history, however many years, it’s cheapest in January,” Hillyer said. Whatever the district can lock in at that
Tonica School From Page 1
another school district, and they do it right,” Whitmore said. The discussion comes at a time when the district is dealing with what Whitmore described as “the largest number of updated policies that the school board administration has ever put out.”
time is likely to be the best it can get through the year. “He (the fuel provider) was invited to come in because he is our present supplier,” Whitmore said. “It totally reconstructed my philosophy on when fuel should be purchased.” The district is planning further conversation with its provider — to discuss the types of fuel available and the differences between them, as well as costs. • An external storage building has been costing the Tonica School District extra over the years, but the issue could soon be rectified. The structure, once a town building, has incurred power and heating costs over the winter seasons because the district has been unable to shut its water off. “They winterized the building, drained the lines, everything they had to do, but we could not find the shutoff,” Hillyer said. “They know where the line’s at, just not the shutoff.” It was suggested the shutoff might have been paved over at some point in the past. It may be possible to use a metal detector to locate the water shutoff, which would be excavated so the building can be properly winterized. “It’s a nice building. I mean, it’s in good shape, has a good roof,” Hillyer said. “Right now it’s a money pit. To heat an old building like that is a lot.” Heating bills are not the only concern for the building’s current situation. If an emergency requires the water to the house be shut off, that affects the whole school. “In my opinion, a separate building like that should have its own water shutoff,” he said. “Right now, if something were to happen over there — a water main break — we would have to shut the whole school down.” With a working water shutoff, the associated costs as well as this potential for emergency complications would be abated. Schneider estimates there are around 500 pages with legal citations and notes, and around 249 of just policy language which could go in the manual with simple oneword changes. • The school has recently dealt with repairs that now seem to be complete. The school has undergone work on both an asbestos removal and a chimney repair project, both of which have reached completion.
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Tonica Volunteer Fire Department The Tonica Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) responded to 13 emergency calls during October with year-to-date calls of 147. There were five ambulance requests, three accidents, one change-of-quarters to Oglesby, one automatic fire alarm, one car fire, one transformer pole fire, and one mutual aid combine fire. Training included: • An operational disaster drill conducted with the National Incident Management Structure (NIMS); 18 fire department members participated. • Six participated in a review of the station, trucks and equipment. • Thirty-one completed a review of the standard operating guidelines for driving, and 12 members completed a driver training course. • Five participated in the Fire Safety Program at the Tonica Grade School, and two fire fighters from Leonore also participated. They reviewed the Exit Drill In The Home (EDITH) procedures with students and also demonstrated various pieces of fire and EMS equipment. Kindergarten through thirdgrade students were then able to view Tonica’s fire truck and ambulance and Leonore’s rescue truck. A school fire drill monitored by
the TVFD was also conducted. • Fourteen members participated in hose, nozzle and pump training. • An eight-hour grain bin rescue awareness training session, sponsored by Stateline Farm Rescue, Morris Hospital and OSF Life Flight was held in Minooka. In other department news: • Todd Anderson was elected to the board of directors. • Chief Stremlau filed the annual multi-jurisdictional NIMS compliance report. • A resignation was received from Courtney Ashley who moved from the area. •Firefighter Hanna Billig was reactivated after a leave of absence. Ken Dimmig was accepted as a junior fire fighter, and Denise Weik was accepted as a radio operator. All new members must successfully complete a probationary period. • James Hardie Company donated seven additional gear lockers. • Thirty-eight donations of more than $100, 11 donations of more than $200 and one donation of more than $300 were received. • A significant monetary donation from Elaine Ford was also received. • An additional $950 was received for the Skip Skerston Memorial.
Program delivers spirit to Illinois Valley seniors PERU – In the Illinois Valley area, the local Home Instead Senior Care office is inviting the community to celebrate with local seniors who may be alone during the holiday season. The Home Instead Senior Care office serving the Illinois Valley area is helping to facilitate Be a Santa to a Senior, a community program that provides gifts and companionship to seniors who may be isolated from friends or family during the holiday season. The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered with several local businesses, including Hy-Vee Foods, Handy Foods, Sullivan’s Foods, Jewel-Osco, LaSal-
le Veteran’s Homes, IVCH Adult Day Care, Bureau County Senior Center, Voluntary Action Center, Mobile Meals programs, among others, to help with gift collection and distribution. Shoppers are invited to participate by picking up a paper ornament at a participating location displaying a Senior trees from Nov. 16 to Dec. 5, which will be hung with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts. Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations: Hy-Vee Foods, Handy Foods, Sullivan’s. For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call Marie Argubright at 815-223-7970.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR THE VILLAGE OF CEDAR POINT, IN THE COUNTY OF LA SALLE AND STATE OF ILLINOIS I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Cedar Point, in the County of La Salle and State of Illinois, for the year 2016 will be held on Dec. 5, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Hall, 203 Oak St., Cedar Point, IL 61316. Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Jacob J. Frost, Village Attorney, 102 E. St. Paul St., Spring Valley, IL 61362, Telephone No. (815) 323-4851. II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for the 2015 year were $21,277.66. The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for the year 2016 are $23,339.42. This represents a 9.69% increase over the previous year. III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for the year 2015 were $0.00. The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for the year 2016 are $0.00. This represents a 0.00% increase/decrease over the previous year. IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for the year 2015 were $21,277.66. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for the year 2016 are $23,339.42. This represents a 9.69% increase over the previous year. Published in the Tonica News Nov. 25, 2016.
4 Perspective
4 • The Tonica News • Friday, November 25, 2016
The Editorial Page The Tonica News Sam R Fisher
Terri Simon
Publisher
Editor
Would I be proud of me? Once upon a time I was a kid who loved reading, writing, school, and my family and friends. At times, around those I didn’t know, I was painfully shy. That changed quickly once I really got to know someone — then I would talk incessantly. I tried to always be nice to others, and above everything else, I hated to get in trouble at school. I had big dreams for the future by the Shannon time I was in middle Serpette school. I was going to be a rich, famous COMMENTARY novelist, own a green Jeep, date lots of different guys before I settled down, and live in a beach house or a huge, elegant mansion with my younger sister or some close friends. I was going to have a fabulous wardrobe and an active, exciting lifestyle. My life was basically going to be like a non-stop Barbie commercial, and it was going to be awesome. Flash forward 30 fast years later. How close did I come to achieving my childhood dreams? My life is a completely different world than I dreamed it would be. I started dating my future husband when I was 23, which didn’t leave a lot of time for that active dating life I had imagined I would have once I was done with school. I’ve never owned a green Jeep, or any Jeep for that matter. I’ve never stepped foot in a beach house, and no one would ever mistake my house for a mansion. The out-of-this-world wardrobe I thought I would have hasn’t materialized either. I’m happy if I have something clean to wear most days, and many of my outfits are decidedly too boring for Barbie. I wear a lot of muted colors like gray, black and brown — colors that are acceptable in the workplace. I still struggle with the active lifestyle goal most days, but I’m not a total failure in that department. Despite my desk job, which can take a major toll on a person’s fitness level, I ran a half marathon earlier this year and still play tennis in addition to my regular runs. But I’ve done some things young Shannon from 30 years ago would love and even be amazed by. I have close relationships with my brothers and sisters, even if I don’t live with any of them. I have great friends, and best of all, I have my husband and two wonderful children who make me proud and happy every day. I may not be a rich, famous novelist. But my younger self would be over-the-moon excited to know she would turn out to be a writer. It’s how I’ve made my living for almost 20 years, and my work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and websites during that time. The younger me wouldn’t have even known what a website was, but she would be thrilled to know that her work could be read around the world because of it. As for that novel, I wrote it five years ago, and it’s been sent out to less than five agents since then. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what my young dreams were, and a book was always at the top of the list — I wanted to hold it in my hands and see my name on the cover. Here’s the thing about childhood dreams: While your priorities shift, the superficial dreams, like a great wardrobe, fade away, but the important ones never really die. They might get buried, but they never really go away. Some part of you remembers and yearns for it, even if it’s just a little, even if it’s subconsciously. I’m not ready to give up on my childhood dream of being a novelist just yet. I feel like I owe it to my younger self to give that novel a real try. In the past month, I’ve been working on my new query letter, so I can send it out to more agents. I don’t know what will happen, but that’s kind of the point to a childhood dream. It may seem big, uncertain and out of reach, but that’s what makes it worth attempting. So what would the kid I once was think of the person I’ve become? Her life may not have unfolded exactly as she had hoped, but in many ways, it turned out better than she ever dreamed. I think she would love where she landed. Tonica News Copy Editor Shannon Serpette can be reached at sserpette@bcrnews.com.
Shop small on Saturday The National Federation of Independent Business is America’s leading small business advocate. We are proud to represent 350,000 small, independent business owners nationwide, including over 11,000 in Illinois. We are also very proud to co-sponsor the 2016 Small Business Saturday promotion with American Express. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for most of the jobs in this country. They have provided 66 percent of all net new jobs since the 1970s. They represent 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers. Most Americans don’t know an owner of a big department store, but there’s a good chance that many people know small-business owners. They’re our friends and neighbors. They’re among the most generous supporters of civic groups, local charities, youth sports, schools, and virtually every other form of community activity.
Kim Clarke Maisch COMMENTARY Nov. 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is Small Business Saturday. It’s intended to encourage Americans to support small business not just one day a year, but whenever they go shopping. Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, is when families wake early, sit in traffic, compete with other drivers for mall parking spots, jostle with crowds, and stand in line to buy things they could find much closer to home. Small Business Saturday offers a much different experience. Shoppers who visit locally-owned businesses will find almost everything they could get at the mall and
plenty of items by local artisans, designers, bakers, chocolatiers, brewers and tinkerers that can be found only on Main Street. In terms of service, Americans who “shop small” likely will be dealing directly with owners who know that happy customers usually come back. The campaign to “shop small” on the Saturday after Thanksgiving started in 2010. It has grown every year. Last year, more than 95 million Americans visited local businesses on Small Business Saturday, and they spent more than $16 billion. We hope that even more Americans participate this year. Small Business Saturday is a great way to start the holidays, support local communities, and boost the national economy. Kim Clarke Maisch is the Illinois state director of the National Federation of Independent Business. She lives in Springfield.
My mess ... my chaos ... my defense As a recovering PIG (princess In garbage), I have often tried to rationalize the messiness of my surroundings. My excuses have ranged from a lack of technical knowledge, “I don’t know how to run that contraption!” ... to the psychological defense, “My mommy never taught me how to clean!” ... to sheer laziness, “I don’t feel like it!” ... to business, “I’m working 90 hours a week and don’t have time!” ... to finger pointing, “The house would be clean if it weren’t for those darn kids and animals!” No matter what the reason, the result was the same. I don’t have dust bunnies. I have dust camels. They lumber menacingly across the floor, galloping with their huge, growing masses on their backs and then take refuge under the furniture, only to emerge at the most inopportune times. Dust snakes leap from the ceiling fan blades when it is turned on after being stationary for a while. My laundry has actually sprouted legs and tried to climb into the washing machine, begging someone to pull the knob and start the water. Dishes have grown their
Lori Boekeloo COMMENTARY own life forms and have needed to be disposed of. I’m not bragging, although the accomplishment of such filth takes time and lack of effort. I’m just stating some sad facts, about my former housekeeping ability. Like I said, I am recovering. There are a few misguided individuals who have actually complimented me on the cleanliness of my home now, and over a dozen individuals and families actually pay me cash money to sanitize their environments. I’m doing much better, but it’s kind of like the former fat girl that still has that extra 10 pounds around her middle, even though she used to tip the scales. I’m not ever quite sure if I believe them when they say it, and I always wonder how bad it actually was. As a human, we can rationalize anything, and my rationalization
for the environmental chaos is this ... at least you know there was a life lived in my house. My mess is proof of life. As I tripped over Rescue Heroes and cursed the Legos, I know there were children, dear to my heart, who occupied that floor. When I see the pile of bills on my desk, I know that I have had the finances to pay those bills and the blessing to live in a land of abundance. The dust on my shelves means I was too busy running my children to all of their activities and providing them with a wealth of experiences to take with them in life. The mountain of laundry is proof that we’ve been clothed. The dishes mean we’ve been fed. I know I owe this all to God. I know I can look upon my mess and count my blessings. I know that, ‘All I have needed, His hand hath provided.’ OUCH ... did we really NEED that Matchbox car? Lori Boekeloo of Hennepin is a mother of three. She can be reached at lorianne67@hotmail.com, or friend her on Facebook for more humor and inspiration on a daily basis.
Considerations by Nedda I am glad November is here. All the past events seemed so important, and of course they are, but now we can focus on Thanksgiving. You know how I feel about our great national holiday. It is ours to treasure with no obligation. Have snacks for Thanksgiving; just be together. Have everybody give at least one blessing for which they are grateful. I have a lot of them. My personal blessings are watching the trees glow with color and see a cat curl up on the bird feeder and go to sleep. (He just as well, he will never catch a bird.) Having a friend drag me into a joke with a huge hook and then dash my hopes he will vote for my candidate! I love humor and people who laugh at things. The ability to see the positive in life and feel the energy of my own and other’s hope. The universe, that holds secrets that beg us to learn more and occasionally give us poor humans a glimpse of the real story. A simple
Nedda Simon COMMENTARY flower that blooms when its season is gone reminding us to hold on. A call to hear a dearest friend has pulled through a very serious health incident, and the joy of hearing the messenger’s voice hitch with a little cry of relief. The generous community I live in that gives to others without a pause or question. We surely get all riled up about some things, and it might be wise for us elders to calm things down a little by reminding others that “this too will pass,” and we will do better next time. It is scary for younger people to see their plans seem to have gone awry; but it is our job, I think, to reassure them and tell them to
try again. Hope and encouragement go a long way. Young folks sometimes think we didn’t fail or struggle with decisions or life events, and it helps them to know that others have walked in that path. We simply show we made it, a little ragged maybe, but we made it. They don’t need a lecture when they are scared. Let us get out ourselves. Let us be civil, more compassionate and caring for the other person. Put down all the cell phones, turn off the TV and “noise” and look at each other and listen. Really look at them and see yourself with their pain, joys and struggles. Give up what you thought you knew at truth. Forget what others have told you as the truth. Make up your own mind and find love for others, forgiveness of others, and maybe we can all heal. Nedda Simon of rural Princeton can be reached at neddasimon@ ymail.com.
First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Constitution of the United States, 1789
5 Life
Friday, November 25, 2016 • The Tonica News • 5
Community IVBTC Charity Challenge raises more than $11,000 UTICA — On Aug. 26, the Illinois Valley Building & Construction Trades held its annual charity challenge at Deer Park Country Club in Utica. The beneficiary of this year’s event was Starved Rock Regional Center for Therapy & Child Development (formerly Easter Seals LBC). The weather was amazing and nearly 100 guests came out to golf and make a difference in their community. “We are proud to announce that over $11,000 was donated to SRRC as a result of this event,” said
Dave Argubright, chairman of the IVBTC Charity Challenge. “We would like to thank everyone that attended and donated and allowed SRRC to continue to help hundreds of local children each year.” The event also included a 50/50 raffle and other prizes, including a grill, White Sox tickets, dinner certificates, golf certificates, Chicago Wolves tickets and more. More than 20 individuals walked away with something. “We can’t thank IVBTC enough for choosing SRRC
as the beneficiary of this year’s charity challenge,” said Tracy Beattie, director of development at SRRC. “The funds raised will allow us to fill the gap as funding cuts and state budget challenges are always a threat.” SRRC provides therapy services to local children Photos contributed and childcare for children with and without special needs. The mission of the A representative from the Illinois Valley Sunrise Rotary presented dictionaries to all the organization is to help every child achieve their maxi- Lostant Grade School third graders. She explained to the students different parts of the mum potential. One hun- dictionary, along with a game of find that word. dred percent of all donations stay local and help children in the community.
Rotary donates dictionaries
Opportunities in ag business OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College agriculture students learned of job opportunities and much more at a recent tour of Consolidated Grain and Barge in Hennepin. “Students saw firsthand how the products they are helping to produce in agriculture are shipped all over the world,” IVCC instructor Willard Mott said. “There are excellent job opportunities available to students
in the district and CGB is a great example of this.” The morning tour began with a group discussion led by Central Group Manager Matt Cessna, Grain Merchandiser Dustin Atwood and Human Resources Northern Region director Joanne Koopman. The group discussed CGB’s history, affiliate companies, employment opportunities and personal college and career success stories in agriculture.
Students also toured the barge loading dock, grain quality testing laboratory and grain merchandising offices. “It was an excellent educational experience and we look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships with area agricultural businesses,” said Mott. For information about IVCC’s ag program, call Mott at 815-224-0413 or email Willard_mott@ivcc. edu.
‘The Living Nativity’ LASALLE — Stage 212 and NCI Artworks are teaming up for a special holiday production in conjunction with LaSalle’s “Miracle on First Street” event. “The Living Nativity,” a live narrated version of the Christmas story featuring
many popular Christmas carols, will be presented at Stage 212 Saturday, Dec. 3. Performances will be at 1, 2 (Spanish language performance) and 3 p.m. Performers will be volunteers from Stage 212 and the community at large. “A
TRI-COUNTY AUTO SALES 2010 Hyundai Elantra $4,995 Photo contributed
Matt Cessna discusses the size of Consolidated’s bins and the trucks hauling materials from a barge at the facility.
BOYLE
Christmas Trees
2006 Ford F-150 $4,995
2009 Chevy Impala
Living Nativity” is directed by Phil Grant and produced by Natalie Smigel and Chris Coughlin. Tickets are $5 each and available for purchase by visiting stage212. org, by leaving a message at 224-3025 or at the door on the day of the event.
339-6165
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6 Life
6 • The Tonica News • Friday, November 25, 2016
Putnam County Community Center Nov. 28 — Pork chops, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, peaches. Nov. 29 — Sub sandwich, chicken noodle soup with crackers, coleslaw, fruit cocktail, dessert. Nov. 30 — Chicken and dumplings, peas and carrots, gelatin, apple juice, wheat bread. Dec. 1 — Quesadilla casserole, lettuce salad with toppings, peaches, dessert. Dec. 2 — Tomato soup with crackers, grilled ham and cheese, green beans, applesauce. Bread, butter, fruit juice and 2% milk are available with meals. For reservations, call 800-757-4579 24 hours in advance of the day’s meal. The menu is subject to change. Meals are available to senior citizens 60 plus at no cost, but donations are appreciated. The meal program is partly funded by donations, so they have a suggested donation of $5 per meal. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.
Menus Tonica Grade School Breakfast Nov. 28 — Bagel and cream cheese or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Nov. 29 — Waffle and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Nov. 30 — Cheese omelet or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Dec. 1 — Sausage, egg and cheese biscuit or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Dec. 2 — Powdered sugar or chocolate doughnuts or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Lunch Nov. 28 — Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, fruit, milk. Nov. 29 — Corn dog, green beans, applesauce, milk. Nov. 30 — Barbecue chicken sluggers, baked beans, fresh fruit, biscuit, milk. Dec. 1 — Philly steak, sub bun, Mozzarella cheese cup, fruit/veggie bar, chips, milk.
Children’s orthopedic assessment clinic Dec. 2 — Cheese garlic flat bread, banana, Romaine lettuce, milk.
Lostant Grade School Breakfast Nov. 28 — Danish, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Nov. 29 — Pancakes and syrup, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Nov. 30 — Breakfast bacon boat, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Dec. 1 — French toast with syrup, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Dec. 2 — Scrambled eggs and toast, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Lunch Nov. 28 — Chicken fajita, carrots, fruit cocktail, bread, milk. Nov. 29 — Chicken alfredo, mixed vegetables, peaches, bread, milk. Nov. 30 — Sloppy joe on bun, chips, corn, applesauce, milk. Dec. 1 — Cheeseburger macaroni, green beans, pineapple, milk. Dec. 2 — Nachos with cheese, peas, pears, milk. * All menus are subject to change.
STREATOR — The Streator Elks 591 Lodge, in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation, will sponsor a free children’s orthopedic assessment clinic on Monday, Dec. 5. The clinic is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is by appointment only. To make an appointment, call the Illinois Elks Children’s Care office at 800-272-0074 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are no charges for any services at this clinic. The Elks will hold the clinic at the Streator Elks Lodge 591, located at 202 N. Park St. in Streator. No medical referral is necessary for the clinic but physicians are welcome to refer patients to the clinic for a specific reason or second opinion. School nurses are welcome to refer children and families to the clinic. The Elks Organization has been working with physically challenged children since 1928 and this is one of the 16 clinic locations throughout Illinois. The clinic is an ideal time to have a child reviewed for bone and joint development. If your child has feet pointing out or in who complains of back, knee, leg, ankle pain or has a back curvature, they can be seen at this clinic. There is no charge for any diagnostic services at this clinic. The Elks will provide financial assistance to the best of their ability for children needing further treatment or specialty equipment when the family lacks sufficient resources to do so. In the past, the Elks have purchased therapy services, corrective shoes, braces, wheelchairs and augmentative communication devices to help children overcome a variety of physical challenges.
7 Class
Friday, November 25, 2016 • The Tonica News • 7
- 400 Merchandise
General Terms and Policies
- 200 Employment
450 • Under $1000
The Tonica News reserves the right to classify correctly, edit, reject or cancel any advertisement at any time in accordance with its policy. All ads must be checked for errors by the advertiser, on the first day of publication. We will be responsible for the first incorrect insertion, and its liabilities shall be limited to the price on one insertion.
228 • Help Wanted
2 new Craftmaster Plum settee loveseats, bought from Goods Furniture. $999.99. 815-878-1516
*Looking for:* PREP COOK, WAITSTAFF, DRIVERS. Please apply in person. Drivers must have valid license & insurance. Alfano's, 115 West St. Paul Street, Spring Valley, IL
2 Refrigerators, $125 each. Call 815-876-7320
• Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept
325 gallon poly water tank, never used, fits on 1/2 ton truck, $180. Call 815-875-3538 4'x8' Game/craft table, reinforced on legs with wheels, $35; 5'x9' table also $45. Call 815-866-2452
NEED MORE INCOME? Check out the Tonica News Classified. You might find opportunities to earn that extra income!
Call 815-875-4461 classified@bcrnews.com
999 • Legal Notices
999 • Legal Notices
Wood burning fire place, $125; Montgomery Ward chain saw $60; 5 piece deer stand, $100. Call 815-643-2118
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, OTTAWA, ILLINOIS IN RE: THE ESTATE) OF CATHERINE ) RITA CINOTTO, ) Deceased. ) No. 16-P-115 NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION CLAIMS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the death of CATHERINE RITA CINOTTO, late, of Ottawa. Letters of Office were issued on November 3, 2016, to CRAIG J. CINOTTO, whose Attorney is APLINGTON, K A U F M A N , MCCLINTOCK, STEELE & BARRY, LTD., 160 Marquette St., P.O. Box 517, LaSalle, IL 61301.
Claims against the Estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk, Circuit Court, in the LaSalle County Courthouse, Ottawa, or with the Representative, or both, on or before May 25, 2017, and any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the Attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed. Dated this 11th day of November, 2016. JAMES OLSON CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS 119 W. Madison St., Room 201 Ottawa, IL 61350 Published in the Tonica News Nov. 25, Dec. 2
************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE
2-year-old comfortable La-Z-Boy sofa, dual power recliners. 3 years remain on warranty. $650. 816-813-8782 (cell)
HARD TO FIND THAT RIGHT PERSON FOR THAT JOB OPENING? The Tonica News Classified can reach just the right person you are looking for to fill that job opening. Call 815-875-4461
CLASSIFIED LINE AD & LEGAL DEADLINES:
450 • Under $1000
Heavy duty fireplace spark screen for $75; Welbuilt electric oil radiator for $25. Call 815-488-2931
Items $1,000 or less can run FREE for 1 time. Limit of 5 lines. Up to 3 items with price and price totaling under $1,000. 1 ad per household per week. No commercial ads, firearms or animal sales. E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number) No Phone Calls!
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, OTTAWA, ILLINOIS IN RE: THE ESTATE) OF STEVE E. ) PATTERSON, ) Deceased. ) No. 16-P-204 NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION CLAIMS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the death of STEVE E. PATTERSON, late, of Oglesby. Letters of Office were issued on November 3, 2016, to Dennis Patterson, whose attorney is Aplington, Kaufman, McClintock, Steele & Barry, Ltd., 160 Marquette St., P.O. Box 517, LaSalle, IL 61301. Claims against the Estate
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may be filed in the Office of the Clerk, Circuit Court, in the LaSalle County Courthouse, Ottawa, or with the representative, or both, on or before May 25, 2017, and any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed. Dated this 3rd day of November, 2016. JAMES OLSON CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS 119 W. Madison St., Room 201 Ottawa, IL 61350 Published in the Tonica News Nov. 25, Dec. 2 and 9, 2016.
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– Classifieds –
8 Adv
8 • The Tonica News • Friday, November 25, 2016
Holiday Saving Sale! 3 pc. Theatre Group only 8 Slate Pool Table with FREE Ping Pong Top!
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