Friday, December 29, 2017
Volume 144 No. 4
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TONICA SCHOOL BOARD
Work to be done on boiler, pipes, water main BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com TONICA — Tonica Elementary School is gearing up for work in its boiler room. The district is preparing for repairs to the boiler, the pipes and the water main, according to Principal-Superintendent Chuck Schneider. A large part of the project,
Schneider said, is “to take off about 10 feet of asbestos.” The different items were added to the project to save costs in the long run. “The biggest expense is the setup,” Schneider said, explaining how adding the different projects together is more cost-effective than doing them separately. Asbestos abatement is not the
only problem at hand. “There is also an issue of mold from the condensate system, which has to be taken care of as well,” Schneider said. Timing is, as always, an important factor in planning the project. “In theory, we could actually do something over spring break. We just don’t want to do anything when people are in the building,”
Schneider said. “That’s more perception, since nobody will be at risk, just because of the way they build those containment structures,” board President Brian Marcinkus said. However, there are factors outside of the district’s control. At the current time, the district cannot use health-life safety funds
The sound of music in Lostant
for this project, as it must first be accepted as an amendment. This amendment is being sent to the state, but there is no guarantee when a response might be returned. “The hope is that the state will approve this amendment pretty quickly, but it’s possible they will take a long time,” Marcinkus said.
TONICA
School’s tax levy gets board’s OK BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
Lostant Grade School students sing during the school’s recent Winter Program. Kindergarteners through eighth-graders took turns singing holiday songs, some classes performed skits written by themselves, and the cheerleaders performed a dance for the audience. Shauna Breckenridge was director and manager of the program, and Corbin Shaver was stage manager.
TONICA — Tonica School Board members approved a tax levy request for the coming year. “The EAV rose about 6 percent last year,” James Whitmore, district financial consultant, said at last week’s meeting. “That’s the second year in a row you’ve seen that kind of growth.” The district is able to specify how much it asks for in three areas: IMRF, Social Security and tort. To build its tort fund, the district elected to reduce the amounts asked for in the other two. The levy increase does not exceed 5 percent, and therefore did not trigger a
Truth in Taxation hearing. Whitmore said he thinks this “is, in a way, a thank you to your taxpayers. “If we’re very, very fortunate, the tax rate might not increase much at all, and that would be a blessing,” he said. In other news, the district opted to continue its relationship with Illinois Central Schoolbus. Illinois Central Schoolbus had provided a threeyear bid, but the district had started off by accepting one year. Part of the reasoning was so it could look at the possibility of joining a local consortium; however, the district has realized it would receive no cost savings from doing so.
TONICA
The year in review: A look back at the stories of ’17 COMPILED BY DAVE COOK news@tonicanews.com TONICA — Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a two-part review of the events featured in The Tonica News area during 2017.
Jan. 6
The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation announced the creation of the Carol and Dick Janko Scholarship. Initially established with a $50,000 gift, the scholarship is for promising young entrepreneurs from LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam and Livingston counties who have graduated from high Vol. 144 No. 4
One Section - 8 Pages
© The Tonica News
school and/or college and wish to further their education.
grooming business “Pretty Paws Boutique.”
Former Tonica resident, farmer and author Darrell Alleman publishes “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue: Stories of Everyday People at War,” a collection of the war stories told to him by dozens of local veterans.
The Tonica School Board decides to keep Chuck Schneider as Tonica Grade School’s permanent principal.
Jan. 13
Jan. 20
The Lostant Village Board maintains the ordinance against the popular trend of allowing residents to keep backyard chickens.
Jan. 27
Tonica resident Aaryn Brooker opens the village’s first dog
Stay Local. Save Local.
Feb. 3
Feb. 10
The office of Illinois State Sen. Sue Rezin donates two new flags for Tonica’s Civil War monument.
Feb. 17
The Lostant Village Board discusses how the plan to set aside and use the money collected through the new cellular tax.
Feb. 24
The Tonica Parent Teacher Council sponsors a visit from
Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures. The wide array of reptiles, including a large python and Bubba the Alligator, thrill both students and staff.
March 3
The two candidates for the Tonica Village President election, Kevin Sluder and Arthur Foltynewicz, share their candidacy information and goals for the village.
March 10
Three Illinois Valley farmers, Tonica’s Matt Bangert, Putnam County’s Kevin Knapp and Bureau County’s Tony Bonucci, share their agricultural predictions for 2017.
March 17
Lostant’s Fred Hartenbower attends his last official village board meeting as mayor.
March 24
The Tonica School District discusses the potential purchase of either general working cash bonds or health-life safety bonds as the state considers a property tax freeze.
March 31
The Tonica Grade School Scholastic Bowl team lets students academically compete for their school in a non-athletic extra-curricular activity.
See REVIEW, Page 2
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2 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 29, 2017
Seeking Sources
Biggest Drive in Town
TONICA
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.
Photo contributed
(USPS 633340) Published every Friday at Tonica, IL 61370 Entered at Tonica Post Office as Periodical Mail $22 In LaSalle County $25 Outside of LaSalle County
Employees of Northern Partners Co-op, with the help of Lou’s La Grotto Restaurant in Peru, recently completed the Biggest Drive in Town. Donations of coats and food were accepted at all NPC locations as well as La Grotto throughout the fall harvest season. On Dec.20, these donations were then delivered to organizations in the Illinois Valley that will distribute them to people in need this holiday season. The donations filled five vehicles.
• REVIEW Continued from Page 2 April 7
Contact Editor, General Manager Jim Dunn jdunn@bcrnews.com Associate Editor Rita Roberts rroberts@bcrnews.com
Email to:
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
Amtrak’s long-distance routes face federal budget cuts.
April 14
Tonica’s Kevin Sluder wins 87.78 percent of the vote in the village’s mayoral race. Jack Immel is seated as the new village president for Lostant after Fred Hartenbower’s 10 years of serving in the position.
April 21
The Illinois Legislature proposes to limit school board members to two terms.
April 28
The Tonica School Board approves a procedure to allow students to skip grades if they’re academically advanced. Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino faces a hearing on his campaign contributions and spending.
May 5
The Tonica Grade School Community Club
presents the United Way’s HUSKY program with a $600 donation to help provide school supplies to more than 4,000 students in the Illinois Valley.
May 12
Lostant Mayor Jack Immel proposes several ways to tighten the village’s budget through cutting expenses, such as road projects, tree removals and the police department.
May 19
Tonica, like many other communities in the Illinois Valley, faces problems with flooding after recent heavy rains.
May 26
Tonica Grade School is concerned with budget problems aggravated by the state’s failure to make mandated payments.
June 2
IVCC’s revitalized agriculture program successfully enrolls 14 students in its first year and is expected to continue to grow and further develop.
June 9
LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton says investigators have developed a person of interest and recovered a vehicle that was examined for a connection to the hit-and-run fatality of Spring Valley’s Wyatt K. L. Wyatt, 22, on June 4 in Peru.
June 16
Luke Dobrich, 39, of Oglesby arrested in the June 4 hit-and-run fatality of Wyatt K. L. Wyatt. Lostant approves a new ordinance requiring residents to clearly display their house numbers.
June 23
Jed Brooker opens Aces & Eights Bar & Grill in Tonica after renovating the former Folty’s Market building.
June 30
The Tonica School Board names TGS Principal Chuck Schneider to the dual role of superintendent. The Lostant School District issues $1,260,000 in life-safety bonds.
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
Tonica Grade School first-grader Alexis Baker helped her schoolmates sing about the cold weather and the importance of mittens during their school’s recent Winter Concert. Tonica school officials said they were pleased with the students’ musical performances.
Music curriculum rebounds, as the concert proves BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com TONICA — After arts and music were cut from Tonica Grade School’s curriculum in March of last year, some might have wondered whether such activities could rebound. A recent Winter Concert music program indicates that they can, and have. “What a music program!” Principal-Superintendent Chuck Schneider said at last week’s Tonica Grade School Board meeting. Schneider said the Dec. 10 concert saw 300 people or more attend as the community showed its support for the students and for the arts. “It was an incredible
experience,” Schneider said. “If I could sum up the comments I was hearing, it was, ‘This is what the community needed.’” “It wasn’t just, ‘My kid’s up there,’” Schneider said. “It was, ‘This is really good.’” Nikki Freeman agrees with that sentiment, noting that “The bucket drums, they actually had a beat.” James Whitmore, district financial consultant and former interim superintendent, had his own take to provide. “If you remember where you were last August, to now being able to offer a music program, I don’t think I’ve ever personally experienced anything like it,” Whitmore said.
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Friday, December 29, 2017 • The Tonica News • 3
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ON THE RECORD
Michelle Halm of the Putnam County Community Center Name: Michelle Halm Family: My husband Nate, our son Jack, and our pup Taz. Occupation: I’m the executive director of the Putnam County Community Center, and I’ve been here a little over three years. How has this type of work changed since you began: I wouldn’t say the work itself has changed, but it has become extremely financially challenging for Illinois human service providers since I began in 2014. I’ve also seen much stricter government guidelines for grantees come into play. What services does the PCCC provide: The PCCC is an Aging & Disability Resource Center that provides an array of services. Some of our main services include information and assistance; community outreach (home visits); free daily meals for those older than 60; transportation; a lending closet (free medical equipment); Medicare counseling; weekly exercise classes, as
well as various activities; and entertainment and educational programs. What do you enjoy about your work: Everything -- I love the seniors and the people I work with. I leave work everyday feeling fulfilled because of what the center does for people. What’s surprised you during your time as director: The lack of importance that is placed on seniors in this country. We’ll all be there someday, and I think a lot of people choose to push that thought to the back of their minds because it seems too far off. What is an event at the center which you’ve enjoyed: I can’t pick one in particular. Our activities director, Shauna Greenwood, does a fantastic job, and I love working with my staff and volunteers at all events and fundraisers. What challenges does the center face: The biggest challenge the center currently faces is receiving secure funding.
Another challenge is bringing in new faces! The stigma of the term “senior center� is unfortunate because we have a lot to offer older adults and strive to enrich their lives with everything we do. How have you overcome these challenges: Our incredible community has helped us overcome funding challenges in the past, although that challenge is not going away anytime soon. The people of Putnam County have been so generous to us, and they are the reason our doors are still open today. Overcoming the challenge of bringing in new faces will require us to evolve, adapt and accommodate the future generations of seniors. What would you like to see the PCCC be able to offer in the future: I’d like to see the center continue to offer the services, programs and activities that it does now. In a dream world, we would receive more funding and be able to expand on those things. Being that Putnam County is the smallest in Illinois, I think it’s pretty extraordinary that there’s a place like this, so I hope it never goes away.
Tonica News Photo/Dave Cook
HENRY
IN BRIEF
Master Gardener training to begin
Labor Summit slated for Jan. 20 in Ottawa
Limited seating for the program HENRY — The University of Illinois Extension will offer a Master Gardener webinar training program Jan. 23 through April 3. The training will be held every Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Marshall-Putnam Extension Office in Henry and will be conducted via live webinars taught by
Extension horticulture educators. Extension Master Gardeners will be present to assist and guide the discussions and answer questions. Seating is limited. The application/payment and required screening process must be completed by Jan. 12. Interviews will be conducted the week of Jan. 15 to determine final approval for applicants. The cost of the program is $250 per person. This includes the training manual, education-
al materials and supplies for the 11-week class. Participants must be willing to provide a minimum of 60 hours of approved volunteer service to complete the internship process following the training class. To reserve a seat in the class, call the Marshall-Putnam Extension Office at 309-364-2356 or request an application online at http:// go.illinois.edu/MasterGardenerTraining. Applications will be sent out on Jan. 2.
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OTTAWA — On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Illinois Valley Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, is hosting a Labor Summit in Ottawa for working people. Featured speakers include Father Larry Dowling, St. Agatha’s of Chicago; Professor Robert Bruno of the University of Illinois; Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan; and Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. They will be addressing issues
that impact working families statewide. The program will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 401 W. Main St. Registration begins at 7 a.m. The program starts at 7:45 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. Pastries and coffee will be served in the morning, and a lunch will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but advanced registration is required because space is limited.
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4 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 29, 2017
The Editorial Page The Tonica News Jim Dunn Editor, General Manager
With kids, be persistent, consistent W
hen I owned my own day care and parents interviewed me to decide whether they wanted me to be in charge of their most precious gifts from God, they often asked what type of discipline policy I used. I answered, “Persistent and consistent.” These two elements I find very important in training a child in the way they should go (and they sound cool together when you say them out loud). Too often, parents give up. Let’s face it. We get tired! They say kids need to hear things 1,000 times before it actually registers and becomes a part of what they know and do. I would have to take issue with this factoid as it pertains to some of the various children I’ve watched over the years. I know my own children are about at their limits for things like “clean your room” and “keep your hands to yourself.” I actually had to revise that last one to “keep your body parts to yourself” since my inventive youngsters began using their feet and heads to infringe on the personal space of those around them. But the fact remains: we tend to want to give up. Unfortunately, kids don’t. They will do what works for them, and if they think they can wear you down, they will. THEY know how to be persistent, so we need to be persistent-er. I always laugh at parents who give in after a long bout of wailing, because all they have taught their children is that they CAN be worn down. If they are persistent enough, they will get their way. We build endurance in them much the way a runner trains and goes a greater distance every day so he can run farther and farther without tiring. Pretty soon, our parenting becomes a marathon instead of a sprint. The other key factor is consistency. If you don’t enforce the same rules the
COMMENTARY Lori Boekeloo same way every time, the child won’t know what to expect. How can we know what is right and wrong when we get conflicting signals from the one who MADE the rules? Sure, situations change, but all in all, the basic rules should remain the same. Kids like boundaries. They really do. Can God relate to us? I think so. He sees that he needs to be persistent and consistent. He knows that all of his rules are written down for us so we know what to expect. He is persistent in his pursuit of us and his love for us. As his children, have we learned persistence? Do we seek him in this way? After 1,000 times of praying, has it become a habit? Has it become part of who we are? Are we consistent? Do we do the same thing each time we seek him? Do we kneel when we pray? Do we quiet ourselves and remove ourselves from distraction (which is funny, because when I originally wrote this, I had someone in “time out,” the radio going — albeit Christian radio — and was listening to two boys running Hot Wheels into the wall!). What are our habits as they pertain to our relationship with Christ? We won’t succeed all of the time. We all fail in our pursuit to be the perfect parent. Luckily, I know the one who does not fail, and with his parenting skills to guide me, I might just turn out all right and my kids may grow into happy, healthy productive members of society.
Note to readers: 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.
Write to us Letters to the Editor should not be more than 500 words in length. Only one person can sign a Letter to the Editor. The author of the letter must include his/her name, hometown and telephone number. The Tonica News reserves the right to edit or refuse any Letter to the Editor.
Ives wants to trim school districts Illinois has 852 vs. Florida’s 100 districts
I
llinois has too many school districts, taxpayers pay way too many administrators, and our children are suffering for it. It’s hard to argue with any of those things, but politicians have been gun shy about addressing the issue ever since Gov. James R. Thompson proposed a school consolidation program more than 30 years ago and received a political backlash that likely still has Big Jim spinning. There is an old saying that the hardest animal to kill in Illinois is the school mascot. Community pride and tradition often stand in the way of sound education and fiscal policy. That’s why it’s refreshing to see a politician wading into those waters again. State Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and she’s not afraid to take on political sacred cows – like local school districts. Illinois has 852 school districts. By comparison, Florida, a state with a similar population, has 100. Every one of Illinois’ school districts has its own school superintendent and administrative support personnel. Districts could be merged without even closing school buildings, and taxpayers could save big bucks. How much? Well, Ives is vague in her estimates, saying the savings would be in the “billions.” But here is a simple trick. The median salary for Illinois school
SPRINGFIELD SCOOP Scott Reeder superintendents last year was $133,300, according to the Illinois Association of School Boards. So, if Illinois were to reduce its number of school districts to 100, it would save about $100 million a year in that position alone. “First thing, every school district should be a unit district,” Ives told me in an interview. “No more high school districts, no more elementary districts.” That’s a good idea. It would provide greater continuity for children to be in the same school district as they mature. But fiscal discipline is required, too. Cost savings can be eaten away by bumping all salaries up to the most generous contract of the districts being merged. Also, youngsters attending many rural school districts lack the diverse course offering they need to be successful in college, Ives said. In tiny school districts, advanced science, math and foreign language offerings are meager, at best. Consolidating with neighboring districts not only helps local taxpayers but provides higher quality educational opportunities. By the way, I live in one of those rural school districts, and Ives is right on the money here. “Only 50 percent of our state’s new high school graduates are rated as college ready. That’s ridiculous. We need to do something
about it,” Ives told me. Ives is challenging Gov. Bruce Rauner in the March 20 Republican primary election, while seven Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination. During the past three decades, the state has offered incentives for school districts to voluntarily merge. Progress has been glacial at best. It’s time the state stirs things up in these educational fiefdoms. You’ll hear school administrators, fearful of losing their jobs, hollering about “local autonomy.” Baloney. They can talk about autonomy all they want, but it is state taxpayers who are pulling the bulk of the freight for those administrators’ pensions. And Illinois has the worst-funded pensions in the nation, no matter whose numbers you use. The state says it has an unfunded pension liability of $130 billion, but Moody’s Investment Services puts the number at more than $250 billion. Regardless, the state is broke, and many of our school districts are not getting the desired results. Something needs to be done. And right now, the only gubernatorial candidate I hear making serious policy proposals in this area is Jeanne Ives. Hopefully, more candidates will follow suit.
Note to readers: Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist. He works as a freelance reporter in the Springfield area and produces the podcast Suspect Convictions. He can be reached at ScottReeder1965@gmail.com.
What to look for as 2018 nears I
see plenty of troubled and challenging times ahead in 2018, but there are also opportunities to look for leaders with consensus-building skills, and to develop those skills ourselves, in all sorts of groups and organizations. This was an interesting year that’s just passed, wasn’t it? And here’s the thing: I suspect 2018 will be just as intriguing. Let’s start with some good news. The economy had a good year in 2017, seeing overall growth, subdued inflation, progress on wages, and even some signs that economic growth is reaching the poor. The question is whether this can continue. For one thing, the Fed has been raising interest rates, and will almost certainly continue to do. Income inequality — a drag on the economy and a strain on our social structure — is accelerating. Equally worrisome is lackluster growth in productivity. And while the Trump administration pursued an active deregulatory course in 2017, it will slow in 2018, because one key statutory authority undergirding those decisions has expired. Two things that will certainly grow are the national debt and annual deficits; not only do policy-makers appear unwilling to rein them in, they actually are making policy decisions, like the tax bill, that do the opposite. The nation’s politics, meanwhile, have been tumultuous and largely unproductive, and that will likely continue. I should point out that on the biggest political question of the year — what happens to President Trump — there’s not actually much to say. The Mueller investigation will drive a lot of the political agenda in 2018, but we’re mostly in the dark about where
COMMENTARY Lee H. Hamilton he’s headed. Whatever he finds and whatever actions he takes, however, will determine a lot of the politics of the country. There has been no sign of a letup in political polarization; indeed, if anything, it’s been exacerbated over the past year, with conservatives moving to the right and Democrats becoming more left of center on issues like immigration, health care, welfare, and race. The two parties will continue to be highly polarized. It used to be that both the Republicans and the Democrats held a mix of liberal and conservative views. That has changed. The wings are coming to define what is “mainstream” in both parties. We’ve had an intensification of cultural divisions — President Trump has shown special interest in these issues, and a willingness to fan their flames. There’s nothing to suggest this will let up. This past year was filled with scandals related to sexual harassment and the place of women in society, upheaval over the alt-right and its white supremacist views, and a variety of resignations and political turnovers driven in no small part by voters’ cultural beliefs. I expect that volatility to continue. In world affairs, President Trump has made “America First” his byword — a focus that has led to a worsening of relations with our key allies, especially Europeans. I don’t think that will improve in 2018.
Given his approach to the Middle East, his nuclear brinksmanship on North Korea, his mysterious ambiguity toward Russia, and his challenges to traditional U.S. policy and the global system the U.S. built and led for decades, there’s no reason to think that relations with key European and Asian allies will improve. The dominant foreign policy issue — absent a crisis — will be our relationship with China. While I think it’s premature to believe that China will inevitably overtake the U.S. as the world’s leading power, its rise is a key historical phenomenon that will continue to play out in 2018. North Korea will remain the principal “hot spot.” Yet while I see plenty of troubled and challenging times ahead in 2018, there are also real opportunities. I think voters are tired of polarizing politicians, which offers us a chance to look for leaders with consensus-building skills, and to develop those skills ourselves, in all sorts of groups and organizations. I believe there’s real interest in preserving a sense of opportunity for all Americans, a goal that is deeply ingrained in our country. And for all the stresses and strains of the past year — and the upcoming one — I believe people will respond to leaders in both public and private life who focus on what’s working well in the country, who avoid war, who emphasize common ground, and who are clearly devoted to the common good. Let’s hope 2018 proves me right.
Note to readers: Lee Hamilton is a professor, adviser and scholar at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
Friday, December 29, 2017 • The Tonica News • 5
PERU
EWTN recognizes 15-year anniversary of WSOG Catholic Radio PERU — A special Mass celebrated by Father Ronald Margherio, O.S.B of St. Bede, honored the 15th anniversary of the founding of WSOG Catholic Radio in Spring Valley. EWTN stands for the Eternal Word Television Network and has been broadcasting Catholic television and radio programming for over 25 years. WSOG, which stands for “Witnessing the Spirit of God,” is located at St. Bede Acade-
my and covers the following counties in Illinois: LaSalle, Marshall, Northern McLean, Putnam and Woodford. Their call numbers are 88.1FM (operated by Spirit Educational Association), and was founded in 2002 by Judge Louis Perona. The WSOG Studio was also rededicated to the late Judge Louis Perona and EWTN recognized the 15th anniversary with a plaque presented to Joan Perona, son Jim Perona Jr. and Jim Enger.
HENRY
RVP announces upcoming auditions HENRY — River Valley Players have announced auditions for “Godspell” will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, and Sunday, Jan. 7, at St. John’s Community Center, 1302 Second St. in Henry. Performances dates are April 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 and are held at the same location. “Godspell” is a powerful musical with a powerful
message. The target age for main characters is 16 and above, however, younger students are welcome and their talent will be considered for main casting and ensemble parts. Under the direction of Mark Nowakowski, a talented cast of multi-generations is always the goal. The character descriptions are available on
their Facebook page, River Valley Players, and on their website, www. rvphenry.org. Auditioners should be prepared with a song best suited for their vocal range (a pianist will be provided), be ready to learn a few dance steps and have some fun. For questions, call Carol at 815-228-3539 or Mark at 815-663-7718.
STANDARD
Mindful Eating class planned for Jan. 18 STANDARD — University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Susan Glassman will present a Mind-
ful Eating class from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Putnam County Community Center in Standard.
To register for the class, or for more information, call the Extension office at 815-224-0889 by Wednesday, Jan. 17.
PRINCETON
Small Engine SPIN Club set to begin
Photo contributed
Fr. Ronald Margherio with sports announcer Jim Enger, and Joan and Jim Perona on Dec. 13.
PRINCETON — University of Illinois Extension Unit 8 will offer a Small Engine SPIN (Special Interest) club beginning Feb. 3, 2018. The club will meet monthly, from February through May, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Meetings will be held at the Princeton Arts Academy, 230 Backbone Road in Princeton. Participants will explore small engine theory including identifying parts of an engine,
different oil grades and much more. Over the duration of the club, participants will disassemble and re-assemble a small engine. Members are encouraged, but not required, to bring their own small engine during designated hands-on meetings. Club membership is open to Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam county youth ages 8 to 18. Current 4-H members’ enrollment is free while
non-members must complete the $20 enrollment fee. Registration is open through Monday, Jan. 22, at https://web. extension.illinois.edu/ registration/?RegistrationID=17714. For questions regarding the Small Engine SPIN Club or how to become a 4-H member, contact the Bureau County Extension office located at 850 Thompson St., Princeton, or call 815-8752878.
JD ’S Libations S MOKEHOUSE B AR & G RILL • Live Music s d n ie r f r o f e c la p t a e r g A
Live Video Gaming Downtown Magnolia
Photo contributed
Blessing of Station WSOG on Dec. 12, 2002.
MENUS LOSTANT GRADE SCHOOL Jan. 1-5 — No school.
TONICA GRADE SCHOOL Jan. 1-5 — No school.
PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER Jan. 1 — PCCC closed. Jan. 2 — Hamburger and bun, baked beans, coleslaw, applesauce, dessert. Jan. 3 — Ham salad and bun, potato soup
with crackers, carrot sticks, fruit yogurt. Jan. 4 — Meatloaf, au gratin potatoes, corn, pineapple, roll and butter, dessert. Jan. 5 — Polish sausage with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, orange. 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.
We’re sending good wishes for a happy & healthy, wonderful new year.
Phone (815) 869-3301 | Open 7 Days A Week!! Mon-Thurs 3pm–Close • Fri-Sun 10am–Close
Tuesday...............................................Tacos Wednesday..........................Regular Menu Thursday ..................................Wing Night Friday.........................................Fish Night or Smoke Special Saturday...............................Smoke Special
MARTY CHIROPRACTIC
SAVE THE DATE Sat. Dec. 29 - Prime Rib!
SM-PR1490193
815.368.3421 Corner of Rt. 18 & 251, Lostant, IL Exit 41 on I-39
SM-PR1487491
Reservations Required!
6 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 29, 2017
PRINCETON
How to emerge from holidays with a healthy start to 2018
Americans gain on average one to two pounds over the holidays. Simple, smart strategies during the holidays can set up a positive start to 2018. “The best approach for the holidays is to aim for weight maintenance,” Laura Barr, Nutrition and Wellness Educator with University of Illinois Extension, said. “Weight loss initiatives are difficult to start at this time of year. Now is the time to focus on not overindulging, which is a success in itself with all the temptations of the season.” When the New Year begins, shift that focus to a person’s overall nutrition and exercise goals, Barr added. “Fending off the holiday gain does not mean giving up your traditional favorites,” Barr said. Barr recommends some real-
istic strategies for healthier, and harmonious, holiday season:
Strategy 1: Go on offense “Sometimes the holiday bustle wreaks havoc on workout routines. It can be easy to let the schedule slide for a few weeks,” Barr said. “If you miss one, don’t fret, just get back on track. By making time for exercise this time of year, you will be better prepared for family time, shopping and all other festivities.” Research shows that adults should exercise 150 minutes per week. The benefits include achieving a healthy weight, boosting immune function and mood, and building muscle, bone, and flexibility. “If you aren’t in an exercise routine, cease some seasonal
opportunities to get you moving,” Barr said. “Go sledding or take a walk to look at holiday lights in your neighborhood. Park your car farther away from the store, and opt for stairs over escalators.”
Barr also recommends taking advantage of this time to slow down, enjoy food and company, and give your body time to register satiation at the holiday meals.
Strategy 2: Stay defensive
“If you are hosting or bringing a dish to pass, add a few simple vegetable and fruit options to the menu, instead of just rich and saucy choices,” Barr said. “For more traditional offerings, there are small, simple changes that can make a big difference to the total calories and fat. And, most people will not catch the difference in taste.”
Many of us have packed calendars with family, friend and work parties, often featuring food. “Make a plan before you go, and you’ll be less likely overdo it,” Barr said. “For example, eat a salad or snack on vegetables before leaving; then, if there are no healthy choices at the party, you have already checked that box. The goal is not to deny yourself your favorite treats, but instead to help you enjoy less healthy items in moderation.”
Strategy 3: Tweak the game plan
Strategy 4: Stay hydrated With all the great tastes of the season, you may want to skip the sodas, and simply sample the
punches and nogs. “Soda, juice cocktails, sports or energy drinks, flavored creams and nogs all provide little or no nutritional content and really are just empty calories,” Barr said. “Choose water – flat or sparkling – instead. Infusing water with berries, citrus fruits, cucumber and/or mint will keep you hydrated and curb appetite and still feel festive.”
Strategy 5: Eyes on the prize “The holiday season means time with loved ones and preparing for the upcoming year,” Barr said. “If you do overindulge at a celebration, push guilt away and start a new day. As you explore alternatives and adopt healthier habits, you will look and feel better over time.”
SPRINGFIELD
Illinois pesticide applicators receiving special training SPRINGFIELD — A new website and free classes are enabling Illinois farmers and commercial pesticide applicators to get a jump on required dicamba training. The Illinois Department of Ag (IDoA) is partnering with agriculture industry groups to facilitate statewide, classroom training to help certified applicators comply with new label requirements for products containing dicamba. Dicamba is the active ingredient in three USEPA-approved herbicides to manage dif-
ficult weeds in soybean fields. Illinois has more than 15,000 licensed agriculture pesticide applicators that could potentially use these herbicides in 2018, so the scope of the training effort is significant. “Illinois is the first state to begin training on these new requirements, and the attendance of farmers and commercial applicators at these training programs has been phenomenal, with over 1,000 applicators trained in just the first few weeks of classes” said Raymond Poe,
director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert added, “Illinois farmers are committed to the effective stewardship of this important soybean technology, and the great turnout at these training classes is a testament to how seriously farmers take the issue of proper pesticide use.” The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA) developed a website to facilitate the training. The class schedule, frequently asked questions, helpful
resources and online registration for classes is available at www.ifca.com/illinoisdicambatraining. IDoA approved the training materials for the 90-minute classes to ensure quality and consistency. Those completing the training receive a certificate, which will assist the applicator in meeting one of the new recordkeeping requirements included on the product labels for 2018. The Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Corn Growers are
promoting the training to their farmer members, and IFCA is working to ensure that all commercial applicators and operators receive the training. According to Jean Payne, president of the IFCA, the proper stewardship of dicamba is paramount. “Although applicators are required to have training, we encourage everyone who plants dicamba tolerant soybeans to attend a class and understand the careful approach that must be taken to successfully steward this technology.”
SPRINGFIELD
Secretary of state urges safety behind the wheel for New Year’s SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding motorists that the best way to drive safely this holiday season is to avoid drinking and driving.
• In 2016, from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day, three of the seven fatalities in Illinois (42 percent) were alcohol-related, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
• In Illinois, 76 percent of those arrested for DUI are men caught driving with a blood alcohol content of twice the legal limit, according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.
• The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes is four times higher at night than during the day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration (NHTSA). White suggests that those who will be participating in celebrations involving alcohol take public transportation, a cab, ride sharing or designate a sober driver.
––––––––––––––––––––– Classifieds –––––––––––––––––––– General Terms and Policies 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. CLASSIFIED LINE AD & LEGAL DEADLINES: • Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept Call 815-625-3600 classified@bcrnews.com
229 • Professional/ Clerical Receptionist Needed: Part Time help needed. Must be available mornings, afternoons and evenings. Computer skills necessary. Apply in person with resume at 1405 N. Main St., Princeton Mon-Fri 9-5.
232 • Business Opportunities ********** THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of the Tonica News Does not have the opportunity to fully investigate the credibility of each advertiser appearing within these columns. If an offer sounds “too good to be true” it probably is. Proceed with caution if you are asked to send money or to give a credit card number. Proceed with caution in calling 900 phone numbers. All phone numbers prefixed by”900” are charged to the CALLER. Charges may be assessed on a “per minute” basis rather than a “per call” basis. The Tonica News Classifieds makes every effort to qualify these charges for the reader. If you have a concern about an advertiser, please contact: Better Business Bureau 330 North Wabash Chicago, IL 60611 312 832-0500
ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICES RIGHT HERE! In the Classified. Just call 815-625-3600.
450 • Under $1000
450 • Under $1000
For Sale: Oak Dining table & 4 chairs $150; Butcher Block dining table & 4 chairs $150; nice sofa $70; La-Z-Boy Recliner $60. 815-875-2713 Golf clubs: Taylor made Aero Burner driver, 10.5 degree $100; Ping G25, 3 wood, $100. As new. Call 815-872-1906 Mail for Windows 10 100 Ft air hose reel with hose $20.00 Black and Decker 5 in orbital sander $15.00 815-866-8934
Vintage "Fyr-Fyter" extinguisher, $45, & 14 grain elevator buckets, $70, & Tasco telescope, $40 815-488-2934
WANTING TO SELL YOUR CAR? Call 815-625-3600 ************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE 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)
767 • Mobile Home Sales **************** PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call, HUD tollfree at 800 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800 927-9275
E-mail items for sale to:
classified@bcrnews.com
A2
Friday, December 29, 2017 • The Tonica News • 7
We’re Taking FREE Classified Advertising
E-mail items • Up to 5 lines of copy for sale to: classified@ • 3 items maximum in ad bcrnews.com • 1 ad per week, per household • Private party sales only for all items valued under $1,000! • Excludes services, firearms & animal sales
Auto Body Specialists Truck Toppers & Accessories
GLYNN’S DEMOLITION DEMOLITION & EXCAVATING Raejean Glynn, Owner Terry Glynn, Owner
815-878-8948 Free Estimates Fully Insured
“You bend ‘em, we mend ‘em” Mike Supan Jr. ∙ Linda Supan ∙ Michele Straughn
9286 East Power Plant Rd. Hennepin, IL 61327 Fax 815-925-7475 gngdemolition@yahoo.com
325 North 25th Rd, Route 251 South of Peru
815-224-1506
EMERGENCY: 815-252-0032
red CArpet ServiCe
PEACH CONSTRUCTION CO.
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For the World’s Best People
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504 S. McCoy Granville, IL 815-339-2511
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in Concrete, Plumbing, Electric & Carpentry No Job too Small “For A Peach of A Deal”
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See Castles Built at facebook.com/Peach1981
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COMPLETE CAR AND TRUCK CARE 24 HOUR TOWING SERVICE Rt. 89, McNabb, IL • Jack Bima, Owner
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202 W Harper Ave
ROUTE
PH:
71
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FAX:
Open 7 days/week 8-5pm
Johnny Sieg
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815-878-7367 Where We Always Keep You
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Mon--Fri 8AM - 5PM M
PO Box 326
Granville, IL 61326
112 S. St. Paul St. Mark, IL 61340
AUTO BODY
route71autobody@frontier.com
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GRANVILLE
FOLEY MOTORS
Full Service Store
Inc.
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116 South 2nd St. Standard, IL 61363
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We Have A Great Selection Of Floor Coverings To Meet Your Every Need!
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PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.
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8 • The Tonica News • Friday, December 29, 2017
We are always open on New Years Eve! Sunday December 31st we will be serving our Full Menu from 4:30 to 8:30
GET READY!
Double Chocolate Martini Salted Caramel RumChata Martini Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail Tortellini & Broth Broiled Triggerfish w/Crab & Shrimp Stuffing CharGrilled Choice Top Sirloin Kabob Chocolate Caramel White Russian Cherry Vanilla RumChata Cake
We hope you have a Fantastic New Year filled with blessings of Peace, Love & Health! Thank you for your support through the years... – Craig & Shelly
815-339-6577
Corner of Milwaukee St. & IL 71, Mark, IL
Have a Prosperous New Year from Connecting Point!
family d n a d e n w o y ll Loca
operated
When You Think Computers, Think
SM-PR1486510
Most Repairs Completed Locally Within 24 To 48 Hours!
Downtown Peru • 800-352-7018 • 1622 Fourth Street • Just West of the Post Office