Jersey County March 2022

City Center program positions Jerseyville for continued growth

IMPROVEMENTS IN PARKS AND BUSINESSES ATTRACT TOURISM AND SPENDING

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

Jerseyville has been a key influence for the region surrounding it since the mid-1800s, making notable contributions to agriculture, transportation and business for over a century and a

half. The well-manicured storefronts and classic building architecture of the downtown area currently house everything from antique and resale shops to retail, commercial and food service businesses as well as office and residential space. Current plans are positioning the downtown area for continued growth and vitality in the coming post-COVID era. Those plans are the result of collaboration between the city and the Jerseyville Economic Development Council.

Green space and places where families can relax and enjoy the town are a part of the program.

The JEDC was formed almost five years ago. The purpose of the nonprofit group is to look at ways of bringing development to Jerseyville and diversifying its tax base. Shari Albrecht is its executive director.

Albrecht explains when the pandemic hit, the city teamed with the JEDC to identify a path forward. “We wanted to know what our small business community was going to look like when the pandemic was over,” says Albrecht. The result of that collaboration was the formation of the Jerseyville City Center program. The program combines the efforts of the JEDC and members of the Jerseyville city government, including Michael Ward, tourism coordinator for the city’s Explore Jerseyville tourism department.

Albrecht and Ward note the City Center initiative is not simply a one-layer beautification program.

It includes downtown streetscape improvements but also focuses on business development, tourism, branding and marketing. It’s goals are to increase sales tax revenue, increase commercial property values, support and retain small businesses and increase the number of people visiting Jerseyville each year.

While the program is community-wide, the team knew it was important to focus on the downtown business district. The 28-block City Center district runs from Jefferson Street on the east side to Liberty Street on the west side and from Illinois 16 on the south end up to Mulberry Street on the north.

The group consulted industry experts on what they expected the postCOVID consumer to want. That research revealed people want a space that is walkable and familyfriendly, a space that makes them feel safe and healthy,

and someplace they can actually experience as opposed to feeling like they are just visiting. “Families have spent over a year with the kids packed up in the minivan traveling through places,” says Albrecht. “Post-COVID, they don’t want that. They want to come and really get to know the community.”

Albrecht points out Jerseyville has the largest walkable downtown area in the region. She notes how within that space are recreation opportunities, parks, entertainment, shopping, drinking and dining, and a wealth of history. Historic walking tours with informational markers are being developed as part of the program. The Carnegie library, the county courthouse, the Jersey County Historical Society, historic homes and the First Presbyterian Church all lie within the district’s boundaries. The church

building, built in 1882, was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Extensive improvements are being made to the Lions Club/Wittman Park complex, the Rotary Park and the City Center park. The ribboncutting for City Center park was held in August of 2021. Ward notes it is now a flexible space wired for entertainment events. “It can support a stage if needed as well as food trucks. It has a lot of versatility,” he says. “There is green space, an outdoor art gallery and STEM stations for kids.” In addition, electric car charging stations have been installed on the south end of the park and are free to the public.

A commercial building grant program has been created to facilitate improvements in businesses’ physical infrastructure. The first project completed under

the grant program was the renovation of the Stadium Theater.

Ward works with business owners in designing upgrades and improvements to their buildings. The grant program can provide up to 50 percent of the renovation costs. A tax increment financing program rebates some of the business’ taxes and an enterprise zone program allows construction materials to be purchased without the associated sales tax. “Michael Ward’s services are free,” says Albrecht. “When you put that together along with all of these programs, it is a powerful incentive for existing businesses to grow and for new businesses to move to the area.”

In addition to existing enterprises in the area, new businesses are discovering the appeal of the program.

recently announced they will be opening locations in Jerseyville.

Albrecht and Ward say there is much more to come and a master plan will be rolled out this summer. They note the initiative will continue

to honor the area’s historical heritage while moving forward with improvements which will accomplish the cultural and economic goals of the city. 3 explore.jerseyville-il.us

$1,110

Germania Brew Haus and Riverbend Axe Throwing

Rt. 16 to Mulberry Street Jefferson Street to Liberty Street: The Jerseyville City Center District includes 28 blocks of restaurants, entertainment, night life, shopping, history and green space as well as office and residential space.

Rotary Park

The Stadium Theater renovation was the first project completed under Jerseyville’s Commercial Building Grant program.

SECRET DINER

Unassuming awesomeness

By Bill Roseberry Big Z Media

This neighborhood

restaurant and pub in western Madison County is a definite staple. It has been a part of the community since the late 1970s, so it’s earned its loyal customer base.

I always love getting a chance to visit this joint. Pull into the paved parking lot across the street, or park along a side street near the restaurant. The brick structure pops up quickly as you’re driving through town. It’s unassuming stature fits its unassuming awesomeness perfectly. Walk in through a small vestibule at the front of the building and open into a hallway. You will immediately find a door on the left for the bar and the first dining room on the right. If you continue down the hallway a larger dining area appears on the right with a more open setting. There are wooden booths with high backs along the outside walls and round tables sprinkled through the middle of the room. A second entrance into the bar is available on the left.

Continue down the hallway and you’ll find the restrooms along the back wall. Then take a hard right and you’re led to a private dining room area in the back of the building, saved for meetings and large groups. This whole building is much bigger than

Arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

it appears from the outside. For my visit I was there with a group of friends and we sat in the first dining room near the entrance. A little more brightly colored than the main dining room and bar, there are tables situated in this room and it commonly houses larger groups and meetings, too.

One cool newer amenity to the front dining room is half garage doors on the outer wall to turn it into a patio dining area during the warmer months.

It’s always fun to pony up to the bar here too, which is separated from the dining patrons, though you can get food there, too. There are always TVs airing sporting events and you can plop down at the bar or at one of the few tables along the wall. While the atmosphere is an endearing trait of this place, the food is the main event and why I was here. I steered away from my normal order on this visit, which is never disappointing. You can’t go wrong with a monster breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and an order of onion rings here. You’ll have enough food to eat for days and it is unbelievably delicious, but I wanted to dare to be different on this visit.

I turned my attention to one of the horseshoes on the menu this time. I went with the golden horseshoe with roasted turkey. This open

Overall:

Cleanliness:

faced monstrosity featured Texas Toast piled high with crinkle cut French fries, turkey and was finished off with a golden, creamy cheese sauce. The fries here are thick cut and a perfect vehicle for the horseshoe, never becoming soggy under the avalanche of cheese. I especially loved the touch of the turkey. It made the whole dish lighter than most horseshoes I’ve had featuring things like burgers or chicken strips. I didn’t feel stuffed when I was done. Between the sweet, creaminess of the cheese, the saltiness of the fries and the hearty taste of the turkey, it offered plenty and was super delicious. Hamburger, smoked ham, roast beef and chicken strips are also meat options for their horseshoes. To wash it all down I went with an Oberon American wheat ale from Bell’s. It’s a lighter beer, featuring a touch of orange and citrus in the flavor.

There are plenty of other food and drink options here of course; even daily food specials for lunch and dinner. The menu even boasts

Service:

Food:

Price:

Any idea of the name of this restaurant? Check the puzzle solutions to see if you are right.

having the best Bloody Mary in the universe.

Some other great food choices here are the pizzas. With a 12-inch pie featuring a plethora of topping options, you can’t go wrong. Ask about the pizza of the month, too. With fried chicken, steaks, pork chops, pastas, burgers and a slew of sandwiches, salads and appetizers, there are plenty of selections for everyone. This is just a great place to bring the family, or enjoy a fun night out with friends.

This is a simple substitution cipher in which each letter used stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Solution is accomplished by trial and error.

Go Figure

DIFFICULTY H H H

CryptoQuip

SPECIALS

Cinnamon

Specialty pizzas $10

Buy

one pizza, get one half off

Word Scrambler

Weekly

Pizza

•Adam Sinclair•Seth Moore

•Beth Emmons•Britny Hill

•Scott Gage•Andy Ruyle

Where do bad rainbows go?

Prism. It’s a pretty light sentence.

Do you know what a stormtrooper’s favorite store is?

The one next to Target.

Why does Waldo only wear stripes?

He doesn’t want to be spotted.

Geology rocks but,

Geography is where it’s at.

I accidentally drank a bottle of disappearing ink.

Now I’m sitting in the ER waiting to be seen.

Bought a wig for 25 cents.

It was a small price toupée.

A whole lot of books just fell on my head.

I have only my shelf to blame.

You should never call people “average.”

That is really mean.

Dad Jokes.

Sudoku

DIFFICULTY H H

By Mick Harper

1. What time is the train in BTO’s “Takin’ Care of Business”?

2. Which song was Barry

Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!

FLASHBACK

Gibb’s first try at falsetto?

3. Name the band that released albums titled “Equinox” (1975), “Crystal Ball” (1976) and “The Grand

Illusion” (1977).

4. What was Bobby Vinton’s “Mr. Lonely” about?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Darling,

look both ways before you cross me, You’re headed for the danger zone.” 3 (answers in puzzle solutions)

Find at least six differences in details

between panels.

Life is better in full volume

No

Dr. Joe Hopper, FAAA Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Michelle Cramer, FAAA Doctor of Audiology

FARM Homestead &

Tips for gardening with kids

Family Features

After months of cool weather, the first hint of spring will likely have the whole family eager to dive into outdoor activities. This year, as you begin tackling the garden, find ways to get the youngest family members in on the action, too.

Not only is gardening an activity you can enjoy together, there are numerous ways to incorporate ageappropriate, teachable moments from counting and colors to responsible care of living things.

Creating a positive first experience with gardening can start with this simple advice:

Dedicate a spot for a junior garden, which allows you to instill a sense of pride and ownership in the little gardener while protecting your own garden areas from ambitious young hands.

Provide appropriate tools in child sizes. Just as you would teach a child the finer points of baseball using a bat and glove, demonstrate the joys of gardening with tools such as a rake, hoe and trowel, all of which can be found in sizes more manageable for little helpers.

Let the kids choose what to plant. Whether flowers or food plants, allow children to make their own decisions (within reason) about what they would like to grow. This can help them engage in

the magic of watching items they selected emerge from the ground and grow into their finished forms.

Encourage exposure to unfamiliar plants that entice the senses with

appealing smells and flavors. Herbs such as chives, mint and basil are good choices, or consider edible flowers such as pansies or violets. Set an example for your child to imitate by giving

regular and proper care to your own garden.

Remember to bring the lesson full circle by enjoying the bounty of your garden together, whether it’s a small hand-cut bouquet or a meal

featuring your child’s freshgrown produce. Find more tips for gardening with your kids at eLivingtoday.com. 3

Horning into a unique business

RARE LONGHORN CATTLE OPERATION THRIVES IN LOCAL AREA

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

Many people have seen longhorn cattle in western movies, but the breed is extremely rare in this part of the country. The cattle are known for their characteristic horns which can extend to over eight feet tip-to-tip for both cows and bulls. The breed is descended from the first cattle introduced in the New World, brought over by explorer Christopher Columbus and the Spanish colonists.

SS Backwards Longhorns, located north of the town of Medora, is one of the few longhorn cattle operations in the Midwest. Owners Scott and Dara Simmons raise the cattle for breeding and sale as well as for commercial meat production. While the cattle do not produce as much meat as other breeds like Angus, Herefords and Charlois, the meat itself is particularly lean and tasteful. The Simmons’ explain that SS Backwards grows only grass-fed longhorns, producing especially healthy and flavorful meat.

Scott Simmons started the cattle operation in 2000. “I was looking for something different to raise,” he explains. “I went down south and saw some longhorns and knew then

it was what I wanted to do.”

He says the name of his operation came from the fact it seems he always does everything backwards. “I bought the cattle and didn’t have a trailer to haul them and had to get one. Once I got a trailer to bring them back, I didn’t have fence to keep them in and had to build one. It just seems I’m always doing things with this operation backwards to the way they should be done.”

Simmons is passionate about his operation, consistently improving the herd by taking great care to breed only the most desirable characteristics of size, color, bone structure, horns and heartiness into his line of stock. He has now raised five generations of longhorns and says each has

progressively improved. He raises the cattle for breeding and for sale. “People buy quality cows,” he says. “You have to constantly make sure you are breeding the stock for improvement.” Simmons notes he travels all over the United States to find top quality breeding stock. Likewise, people come from all parts of the country to buy cattle from him because of the superiority of his line.

“Those cows are like his kids,” says Dara. As he walks through his cow lot, Simmons can readily identify each of his 85 head of cattle by name, point out the particular characteristics of each and explain what his exact plan is for any particular animal.

In 2008, Dara Simmons started selling meat from

Scott and Dara Simmons run the Backwards SS Longhorn cattle and commercial meat operation north of Medora. [photos by Frank Prager]

Scott stands next to a longhorn named Viper Dragon. The horns on the bull measure 88 ¼ inches tip-to-tip.

some of the longhorns. She points out that Scott takes care of the cattle operation and she handles the meat business. “His cattle moo and mine sizzle,” she says with a laugh.

The meat products available include grass-fed, extra-lean ground beef, hamburger patties, summer sausage, hard salami and bologna. Sirloin, ribeye, T-bone and porterhouse steaks can be purchased as well as soup bones, short ribs and all-beef hotdogs. Lean beef sticks are available in plain, sweet teriyaki, jalapeno, garlic and barbecue flavors.

SS Backwards Longhorn meat products are available at select area retail shops such as Bucks Crossing in Medora and Carrollton, Cleta’s Nutrition in Godfrey and Green Earth Grocery in Edwardsville. They are also sold at local area farmers’ markets, including Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market, Goshen Farmers’ Market in Edwardsville and the Springfield Holiday Farmers’ Market. The meat sticks can also be shipped upon request.

Dried skulls with the horns attached are another product of the operation.

“People decorate with them,” explains Scott. “They are a popular home décor item for many people. We sell a lot of them.”

Simmons explains that

longhorns are generally gentle by nature but caution is needed when working around them because the horns swing around whenever they move their heads, sometimes

unintentionally bludgeoning anyone near. Walking through the cow lot watching a large herd move about with their ranging horns swaying with every movement is a spectacular

sight. Tours of the cattle operation are available upon request.

Inquiries regarding purchase of meat products can be directed to Dara at 618-9469679. For questions about

breeding or purchase of cattle, call Scott at 618610-1921. Pictures of the cattle and information about meat available for sale can be found at ssbackwardslonghorns.com.

Additional information about the operation, including tours or purchase of skulls, can be obtained by emailing ssimmons@copeplastics. com. 3

Our Farm & Homestead section publishes in Spring and Fall. If you would like to share your family’s stories or photos, or to purchase advertising, please contact danaangle@bigz.media.

The SS Backwards Longhorns operation currently has 85 head of longhorn cattle.

Dara Simmons and her son, Andrew, with one of the dried cattle heads the operation sells for home décor.

A day to sample what Jerseyville has to offer

JCBA and JCHS to host art exhibit

Attention history buffs, architecture aficionados and photography fans. The Jersey County Business Association and Jersey County Historical Society will host an architectural retrospective Thursday, March 15, from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Jersey County Historical Society’s museum, located at 601 N. State St. in Jerseyville behind the Cheney Mansion.

The event is open to the public and free of charge.

The exhibit will feature the photography of Jody Jedlicka and provide fresh perspective of familiar structures in Jersey County and the surrounding area. In addition to being a professional photographer, Jedlicka is an adjunct instructor at Lewis and Clark Community College.

Everyone is invited to attend the event, and snacks and beverages will be served.

SAMPLE, POUR & EXPLORE

March 19, 2022

11:00 AM-6:00 PM

Jerseyville, Illinois

ADVANCE TICKETS ARE REQUIRED VISIT WWW.JCBA.IL.US/EXPLORE TO PURCHASE

JCBA grant program taking applications

The Jersey County Business Association (JCBA) is excited to announce the opening of another round of the Façade Improvement Program. Applications for building improvements for JCBA members are being taken now.

The JCBA began this

program towards the end of 2020. The Façade Improvement Program enables JCBA members to apply for a matching grant of up to $1000 to improve the front or rear façade of their buildings. The JCBA will award a matching grant each quarter to its members with qualifying projects.

Research shows that when businesses make outside building improvements it leads to increased sales. Exterior improvements also tend to motivate owners and tenants of surrounding properties, creating a snowball effect that is beneficial for the whole community.

JCBA hopes that their Façade Improvement Program will help give many local businesses the resources they need to beautify their building and attract more customers. To enter your building for the next round of the program, you must be located within Jersey County and a

The Jersey County Business Association (JCBA) is teaming up with local Jerseyville businesses to offer an event that is surely to be daytime drinking at its best. Sample, Pour & Explore will be on March 19 and will feature five Jerseyville establishments. From 11 am to 6 pm each stop along the way will feature a signature drink and appetizer. In addition to the fun of strolling through Jerseyville to visit new businesses, each participant who goes to all five locations can enter a raffle for a picnic hamper filled with local goodies, valued at over $250. Entry into the raffle, and the signature drink and appetizer at all five locations is included in the $25 per person ticket price.

Event organizer Lisa Wittman, who chairs the JCBA’s Small Business Committee said this was her first time doing an event like this in Jerseyville. “While the JCBA does a lot of work to promote shopping small, this is our first event of this type in Jerseyville. We ran a similar event in Grafton last year which was hugely successful, and we wanted to try and to do something similar. If all goes well, we hope to make this event an annual one, like its Grafton counterpart. Grab a group of friends, purchase your tickets, and join us for a great day.”

Tickets MUST be purchased in advance, so that our participating businesses can cater accordingly. Tickets can be purchased online, and a link to do so can be found at jcba-il. us/sample or by visiting the Sample, Pour & Explore Facebook event page. You must be 21 or over to purchase tickets, and identification will

member of the JCBA. To find out more and

Even Exchange

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two 6-letter answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MA STER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. HISTORY: When did the first Winter Olympics take place?

2. PSYCHOLOGY: What is the extreme fear represented by a condition called ophidiophobia?

3. AD SLOGANS: Which company featured this advertising campaign in the mid-1980s: “Quality never goes out of style”?

4. LITERATURE: Which 19th-century novel begins with the line, “Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show”?

5. MOVIES: Where were the park bench scenes from “Forrest Gump” filmed?

6. ANATOMY: What is the common name for the orbit in human anatomy?

7. MEASUREMENTS: What does a hygrometer measure?

8. U.S. STATES: In which state was the movie “Children of the Corn” filmed?

9. LANGUAGE: What does “fair dinkum” mean in Australian English?

10. SCIENCE: What is the common name for nitrous oxide? 3

(answers in puzzle solutions)

Community, commitment, and integrity at the crossroads

By Mike Adams Big Z Media

It’s been said that “Every day is a crossroads. Every day is a chance to change your life and our world for the better.” That has certainly been true in the journey of Chris Erwin, State Farm Agent in East Alton.

Chris is a native of the Riverbend area. Born and raised in Godfrey, he attended Marquette High School where he was a catcher for the Explorers baseball team. He went on to attend college at SIU Edwardsville where he continued his baseball career.

In his senior year at SIUE, Chris was drafted by the Texas Rangers as a catcher and spent the next year in their minor league organization on the field with such greats as Pudge Rodriguez and Carlos Peña. During that year

Chris got a first-hand look at the difference between major and minor league talent.

Chris returned to school at Western Illinois University to pursue a master’s degree in sport management and while there committed to being the head coach for the local high school baseball team. That’s when he faced a major crossroads in life. The Texas Rangers called Chris back. After weighing his options, looking at his own level of skill, and considering the commitments he had already made to the local high school athletes, Erwin declined the offer to return to the Rangers Minor League organization. It was a big decision for a young man then in his early 20s but that decision is indicative of a life of integrity and service.

Erwin graduated with his master’s and spent some time with a St. Louis based sports marketing company. He then went on from there to pursue his dream of being a college baseball coach. Chris spent the next 7 years coaching college baseball in Texas, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Indiana, and Ohio.

It was during a time when his dad was battling cancer that Chris chose to leave coaching college ball and returned home to the Riverbend area.

Since that time Chris has had many changes in his career. He spent some time in the steel industry and in the horticulture industry and has now found a successful career with State Farm Insurance. His life has been a series of crossroads and decisions but no matter what road he has chosen, hard work, dedication and a commitment to serve others have been his driving motivations.

“It’s never about the product, but always about the people.” said Erwin in a recent interview. It has been that commitment to people that has led Chris and his agency to be deeply involved in serving the community whether it is helping individuals, a local school, or a civic organization.

Chris’s love for sports and commitment to helping students in our community pursue their dreams has inspired him to team with Big Z Media to create the Chris Erwin State Farm Scholar Athlete program. Each week one male and one female high school athlete is chosen as the athlete of the week, culminating in two $1,000 college scholarships to the male and female athlete of the year.

He has also continued his connection with the sport he loves by coaching the Father McGivney Catholic High School baseball team.

Personal relationships, great service and availability are the keys to Chris’s continued success and the driving force behind everything he does.

To connect with Chris Erwin State Farm Insurance you can contact their office at 618-259-1357 or stop by the office at 970 E Airline Dr Ste B, in East Alton. 3

IT TIME FOR A NEW SYSTEM?”

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“Barrett Heating and Cooling is a highly professional, local business. We’ve had them out for yearly maintenance. We recently had some leaking from the basement humidifier and Greg came out same day to fix the issue, which happened to be Christmas Eve. ... This new mother of twins is appreciative of Greg and Steve’s dedication to making the customer experience absolutely phenomenal.”

“Amazing customer service! I placed a work order request on their website and requested help with our air conditioner. Roger called in advance of arrival and as always was friendly and professional. Roger diagnosed my components systematically and explained what he was doing. He had the replacement components on his truck. One hour later and our emergency is over.”

Brighton man helps promote curling

By Mark Ellebracht & Doug Jenkins Big Z Media

The sport of curling, which dates to the 1500s in Europe, continues to gain popularity around the world, helped along every four years by the spotlight of the Olympic games. It was an Olympic event in 1924, then returned as a demonstration event in 1932, 1988 and 1992. It was finally added as an official event again in 1998 and its popularity began to take off around the world, most notably in the United States.

Thanks to that popularity, curling clubs began popping up around the country in areas where there was never much interest in the sport.

Curling clubs were common in northern and northeastern states, especially those bordering Canada, but further south it was difficult to find clubs or even an ice rink where you could learn the game.

For a few winters before it closed due to mine subsidence, the U.S. Ice Sports Complex in Fairview Heights held “learn to curl” sessions. Other rinks in the St. Louis area and Metro East devoted most of their ice time to hockey, figure skating competitions, and public skating. Most owners didn’t want to invest in curling equipment and didn’t know much about the sport. However, there was something about curling and its popularity in the Olympics that gave

momentum to a group that called itself, simply, the St. Louis Curling Club, which officially formed in 2010.

Jim Winsdale of Brighton is currently the vice president. He picked up the game in the early 1970s while stationed in Alaska with the U.S. Air Force.

The way in which the sport is played has changed a little since he started, with better equipment and better ice conditions along with different styles of throwing. But the stones, which weigh between 38 and 42 pounds, are still just that…stones.

“They are solid granite, but with some of the newer stones, manufacturers are doing what they call inserts where they will take the bottom off of a stone and put a new piece of granite on because it wears off, the stone actually does wear down.”

Winsdale says the club holds “learn to curl” events on a regular basis.

“We have a 2-hour session where we provide the equipment and we’ll put people on the ice and teach them how to throw and sweep and things like that. Then once they get the hang of it, we’ll set up a match where groups can play against each other.”

The next two sessions are at capacity, but more will be added soon. 3

stlouiscurlingclub.org

Is it a loan, or is it a gift?

DEAR DAVE: We have $15,000 in credit card debt. My husband works very hard, but only makes about $25,000 a year. We’re also living in a very old trailer right now, and I stay at home with our newborn. My dad told us he is willing to pay off our debt if we agree to get financial counseling together, and show that we are serious about doing better with our finances. What should we do? --

Harper DEAR HARPER: I wouldn’t accept the money from your dad if it’s going to be a loan. If you really want to ruin family events, have debt to your parents. It twists you up inside. And it’ll be especially hard on your husband. No matter what anyone else says, the borrower is always slave to the lender.

If it’s going to be a gift, meaning there’s no expectation of repayment, that’s a different story. Still, I think your dad has a great idea in making the debt payoff contingent on you two going to some kind of financial counseling, and making a proactive effort to change things, get out of debt and save money—for your child’s future and for yours. I’d probably do the same thing.

It doesn’t sound like you’re being crazy with your money, but it’s tough to provide for a family on that kind of income. You and your husband need to sit down together, develop a monthly budget and a realistic five-year plan to improve his earning potential. Make it a date night. Hold hands, do something inexpensive you both enjoy, and let him know he can be anything he wants to be. Then, help him decide exactly what and where he wants to be in five years. What does he want to be making, and what feasible steps can he take educationally or in terms of job training to get there?

If you want to go to work at some point when your baby is a little older, that’s fine. I completely understand the desire to be at home with a brand new baby. But hard work alone just isn’t enough these days. You’ve got to boost your brain power and value in the marketplace, too. God bless you guys!

Be patient, find your path…and forget about student loans

DEAR DAVE: My husband and I are 30, and we are on Baby Step 2. He wants to go back to school and become a social worker. He currently makes about $20,000 a year as a teacher’s assistant, and he wants to take out student

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loans to do this. He already has an associate’s degree, which wouldn’t mean four years of loans, but the idea scares me a lot. I have a good job, so how can I still support him and his desire to further his education without agreeing to go deeper into debt? -- Britney DEAR BRITNEY: So, it’s kind of a situation where you’re working the Baby Steps and he’s not. On top of this, he wants to go into debt to do social work. Does he know what social workers make these days?

This guy obviously has a heart for helping people. That’s a great thing. But I’ve got to believe there are ways to expand his options. Social work is one path, but there are probably several paths he could follow to get involved in what he loves about the idea of social work.

I’m guessing he has a passion for counseling and advocating, too. Finishing a four-year degree would put him in a position where he could potentially move into a guidance counselor role or something along those lines, considering his background. But taking out loans isn’t necessary. He just needs to be patient, and wait a little bit while you two buckle down on the Baby Steps and get out of debt. He could get a second job for a while nights or weekends, and then you’d be able to pay off your debt faster and avoid those stupid loans thanks to the cash you set aside. Plus, there are millions of dollars in scholarships out

there for traditional and nontraditional students. Sometimes when people feel stuck in a job, they automatically default to the idea they need a degree. What your husband really needs right now is a clear idea and direction. Then, you determine if a degree is necessary to get there. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not against social work. But I’ve talked to so many people who went six-figures into debt, only to wind up making $38,000 as a social worker for the state. That’s crazy!

You two need to sit down together, and talk all this out. Tell him why you’re worried, and point out that borrowing a bunch of money isn’t the only way—and definitely isn’t the smart way—to make this happen. If you really want to support him, Britney, you need to help him see there are steps

GREENE COUNTY HOMES L.P.

325 NORTH CARR ST., PO BOX 33 WHITE HALL, IL 62092

Now accepting applications for brand new 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes in Roodhouse & Greenfield, IL. Homes include: Large landscaped lots, with front & backyards. Paved driveways, Two (2) car attached garage, Patios in rear of home. Washer/dryer provided, Fully equipped kitchens (stove, refrigerator & dishwasher), Central air & Garbage removal furnished. Rent is based on income. In addition, you may be eligible for rental assistance.

Applications may be obtained at the o ce of the Housing Authority of Greene County, 325 N. Carr St., White Hall, IL, or you may call 217-374-2128 between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday-Friday.

Shelly K. Mason • Executive Director

he can take to pursue his dream without it turning into a financial nightmare for both of you. 3

Dave Ramsey is a seventime #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, which airs 1-3pm weekdays on WBGZ 107.1FM / 1570AM

Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives.

Walnut Estates

Now accepting applications for 2 and 3 bedroom homes in Carrollton & White Hall, IL. Mini-playground area, nice neighborhoods. Rent varies based on income. In addition, you may be eligible for rental assistance.

Homes include: Large landscaped lots, Paved driveways, Two (2) car attached garage, Patios in back. Washer/dryer provided, Fully equipped kitchens (stove, refrigerator & dishwasher), Central air & Garbage removal furnished.

Authority

White

Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation goes ‘extra mile’ for cancer patient

Mark Kelle thought he had an abscessed tooth. He was prescribed medication, but soon started having nose bleeds and was sent home from work.

Last September, Kelle ended up in the Emergency Room at Alton Memorial Hospital and had a CAT scan. That’s when he found out he didn’t have an infection -- it was a cancerous tumor in his sinuses.

“When they first told me, I didn’t say anything for about three minutes,” said the Wood River resident.

“I stared and it took me a minute or two to process, then I asked, ‘How much time do I have?’”

Kelle was connected with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist with Washington University Physicians. He soon had a 10-hour surgery

and was hospitalized for a week.

“They had to take skin grafts from my leg to rebuild the upper part of my mouth and cheek,” said Kelle. “They told me if I waited any longer to go to the ER, it would have affected my eye.”

During his recovery, Kelle lost his job and his insurance. His care team at Alton Memorial learned about his situation and encouraged him to apply for assistance from Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation’s Extra Mile Fund. The fund helps patients undergoing treatment at the hospital pay for their essentials so they can focus on treatment, healing and recovery. The Foundation awarded Kelle $800 for his rent, which kept a roof over his head.

“Mark is working with a social worker to help him apply for disability and social security, since he doesn’t meet the age requirements,” said Toni Brummett, a radiation and oncology department nurse at Alton Memorial. “This donation from the Foundation will help to bridge the gap.”

Last year, dozens of people donated to the Foundation’s first Ribbon of Strength Campaign, which benefits patients like Kelle. They purchased sections of ribbon that were laid out to form a giant purple ribbon, symbolizing support for those undergoing treatment for cancer and in memory of those who lost the battle.

“We were blown away by the incredible response from the community and pleased we have been able to help so many patients because of their donations,” said Kristen Ryrie, manager of Foundation and Development for Alton

Memorial Health Services Foundation. “We are kicking off the campaign for this year. Donations will be used to pay for patients’ utilities, mortgage or rent, car repairs and gas so they can continue to come to treatments.”

To help a cancer patient, visit altonmemorialhealthservicesfoundation.org/ribbon-of-strength and donate to the Ribbon of Strength Campaign by March 10, or contact the Foundation at 618-463-7701. 3

Prekindergarten Child Find Screenings

Community Unit School District No. 100 administers speech, vision, hearing, and developmental screenings for prekindergarten age children.

If you have a child who turned 3 or 4 years old as of September 1, 2021 that you would like screened for prekindergarten or early childhood placement for the remainder of this school year or for fall placement, please call 618-498-5561 (ext. #5) for an appointment.

618-576-2225

By Lucie Winborne

• Rapper Snoop Dogg tried to rent the country of Lichtenstein for a music video, but was rejected.

• The Vatican has its own telescope staffed by priests, and has even received awards for the pursuit of scientific research.

• Until they are large enough to sleep upright, baby owls sleep on their stomachs because their heads are too heavy.

• Actual corpses were on the set and going to be used during the filming of “Apocalypse Now.” However, the man who supplied them turned out to be a grave robber and was arrested.

• Oceans around the world contain about 20 million tons of gold in the water itself, worth hundreds of trillions of dollars at current prices.

STRANGE BUT TRUE HELP WANTED

• In 1997, Motley Crue created a soda called “Motley Brue” to help promote their new album “Generation Swine.” For additional fun, they added enough blue dye to turn the drinker’s urine green.

• Walt Disney accidentally “kidnapped” Richard Nixon by dispatching his monorail train before the Secret Service could get on.

• When added together, the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666.

• M&Ms were created so military soldiers could enjoy heat-resistant and easily transportable chocolate during war.

• If your arm or hand falls asleep, try rocking your head from side to side. This will release the pressure on the nerves in your neck and wake up the limb.

• In 2003, PepsiCo offered Estonia $25 million dollars

to change the spelling of one of its lakes, Lake Peipsi, to Lake Pepsi, but was turned down.

• A man legally named Santa Claus was elected to the city council in North Pole, Alaska.

• In 2009 the British zombie movie “Colin,” on which writer/director Marc Price spent 18 months and a whopping $70, won an award at the renowned Cannes Film Festival.

• Further on the subject of zombies, their fans are known as zombopiles, while fear of the ghoulish creatures is known as kinemortophobia.

• Nineteen-year-old Jonathan Parker, of Fort Loudoun, Pennsylvania, was charged with burglary after stealing two diamond rings and using the computer in his victim’s house to check his Facebook profile, forgetting to log off from the site. 3