Jersey County March 2023

BECOME PAIN FREE THE NATURAL WAY

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Day camp registration starts March 6 at TNI

By Doug Jenkins & Mark Ellebracht Big Z Media

The first day of registration at The Nature Institute for its Discovery Day Camps is coming up soon and organizers want you to be ready when it opens. Space tends to fill quickly. The camps begin the first week of June and run through early August.

TNI Director of Education

Lauren Scull says camp is for kids ages 3-14, “The first week of camp we only have our preschoolers and this is the first year we are offering a full day for them rather than just a half-day. We’ll still have the half-day option, but fullday will be an option too.”

All the other age groups will follow and they expect

another strong turnout for the middle school camps which were very popular last year.

Pre-registration for TNI members will open on March 6, with non-members allowed to register beginning March 10. Registration has gone to an all-online process. 3 thenatureinstitute.org

Illinois Conservation Police recruiting new class of trainees

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Law Enforcement is seeking applicants for the position of conservation police officer trainee.

Conservation police officers enforce state laws intended to protect Illinois’ natural and recreational resources. They are vested with full state-wide police authority and are trained to the highest standards for law enforcement professionals in Illinois. Conservation police officers serve as an important link between IDNR and its constituencies, and they are often called upon to assist other agencies in emergency situations and rescue operations.

IDNR’s Office of Law Enforcement currently has a staff of 148 conservation police officers and is looking to expand its ranks by 25 with the newest class of trainees. Applications must be submitted electronically by March 3. Instructions for applying can be found at bit.ly/2023CPOtrainees.

Criteria to be considered:

• Must be not less than 21 years of age, or at least 20 years of age and have successfully completed an associate degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university;

• OR three or more years of active-duty military service, honorably discharged prior to applying;

• OR military service (active, Reserve, or National Guard), currently serving or honorably discharged, with one or more of the following medals: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal.

For additional eligibility information, visit bit.ly/ CPOrequirements. IDNR offers competitive pay and benefits, including

affordable, employersponsored health care; dental and vision insurance; pension; employer-furnished equipment; take-home patrol vehicle; flexible scheduling; and more.

The hiring process will consist of:

• application submission

• physical fitness and swimming proficiency tests

• in-person interview

• medical examination

• psychological examination

• background investigation

Unless previously certified as a police officer in Illinois, selected applicants will be required to complete a paid, 16-week police certification at the Illinois State Police Academy. An

additional paid, 14-week Conservation Academy must be completed as a condition of employment. During these training academies, selected applicants will be provided meals and lodging on site Monday through Friday.

For more information, applicants may call or email a recruiting officer:

Conservation Police Officer Tom Davis, thomas.davis@ illinois.gov, 847-404-3596

Conservation Police Officer Isaac Gerard, isaac.gerard@ illinois.gov, 309-214-0203. 3

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I lost my job as a personal trainer recently, I’m just not strong enough.

So I put in my too weak notice. So there I was this morning, sitting and drinking coffee in my slippers, and I thought to myself...

I’ll have to start cleaning a few cups around here.

Why did the casino refuse entry to the big cat? Because he was a cheetah!

Dad Jokes.

CHICKEN ALFREDO

PIZZA

MON FREE Cinnamon sticks with pizza

TUE FREE 2 liter of soda with pizza purchase

WED Specialty pizzas $12

THU Buy one pizza, get one half off

FRI FREE cheesy garlic bread with pizza purchase

SAT One topping pizza $10

SUN Purchase two pizzas, get one FREE

Weekly Pizza Winners

Weekly Gas Winners

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!

Go Figure

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.

CryptoQuip

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.

What’s The Difference?

Find at least six differences in details between panels.

Find

Place

9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Word Scrambler

Jersey Community High School recognizes 2023-24 Illinois State Scholars

Jersey Community High School Principal Dr. Jason Brunaugh is pleased to announce that 14 students from the Jersey Community High School graduating class of 2023 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this prestigious recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually.

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from high schools across the state.

Illinois State Scholars are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester unweighted class rank.

The following students were named 2023-24 Illinois State Scholars:

Cate Breden, daughter of Cory and Susie Breden; Ryan Crawford, son of Paul and Rachel Crawford; Bernard and Jack Dohrn, sons of Christopher and Heather Dohrn; Lucy Fritz, daughter or David and Kari Fritz; Drake Goetten,

son of Aaron and Kelly Goetten; Josie Hudson, daughter of Craig and Sara Hudson; MacKenzie Jones, daughter of Ray Jr. and Jennifer Jones; Katelyn King, daughter of Sean and Beth King; Jerra LaPlant, daughter of Jeremy and Julie

LaPlant; Isaac Loges, son of Brian and Debbie Loges; Amber Samples, daughter of Timothy and Amy Samples; Alexander Steinacher, son of Keith and Natalie Steinacher, and Bria Tuttle, daughter of Brad and Kris Tuttle. 3

As a result of medical negligence, you have been thrown into one of life’s most traumatic experiences. Your life will forever be different. Your grief and anger are overwhelming. We can help. We are an experienced resource for area families coping with birth injuries. Lifetime care for your child will be financially and emotionally expensive.

Even Exchange

Do not change the order of the letters.

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. Who released “Lady Sings the Blues” and when?

2. “I’m Still Standing” was released on which Elton John album?

3. Which song was the first to rank as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100? When was that?

4. In 1953, Elvis Presley recorded a double-sided record with “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.” Who was the record for?

5. Name the song that contains these lyrics: “Too many long conversations and no one is hearin’ a word.”

TRIVIA TEST

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. ART: Where is the Prado Museum located?

2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the only country that the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn pass through?

3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “tempus fugit” mean?

4. MATH: What is another name for the division sign?

5. MUSIC: How long did it take singer Bob Dylan to write the big hit “Blowin’ in the Wind”?

6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many times on average does a ruby-throated hummingbird flap its wings in one second?

7. MOVIES: Which movie features the line, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal”?

8. LITERATURE: Which novel features four children named Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy?

9. TELEVISION: What is Joey’s famous line in the sitcom “Friends”?

10. ANATOMY: What is a common name for the pinna in human anatomy? (answers in puzzle solutions)

by Donna Pettman

SECRET DINER

By Bill Roseberry

Creative burgers are top notch

There’s nothing like a good burger and in the immortal words of Samuel L. Jackson, this joint in western Madison County certainly has a tasty burger.

The restaurant sits along a busy street in town with street parking in the front of the building and a parking lot in the back. You can enter on either side of the establishment.

MOMENTS IN TIME

The History Channel

• On Feb. 27, 1693, England’s first women’s magazine, The Ladies Mercury, debuted. With a print run of just four weeks, each singlesheet, double-sided issue consisted of an advice column addressing “all the most nice and curious questions concerning love, marriage, behavior, dress and humor of the female sex, whether virgins, wives or widows.”

• On March 5, 1774, John Hancock delivered the fourth annual Massacre Day speech, commemorating the Boston Massacre in which British soldiers killed five men in a crowd on King Street. Hancock’s oration and denunciation of the presence of British troops in Boston increased his standing as a leading patriot.

• On March 1, 1869, U.S. postage stamps featuring scenes were issued for the first time. The pictorials included a post horse and rider, a locomotive, a shield, an eagle and a ship, and the Adriatic Sea. Prior to that time, the stamps had only depicted portraits of dead statesmen.

• On March 4, 1960, actress-comedienne Lucille Ball filed for divorce from Cuban-American singer and bandleader Desi Arnaz, citing

his drinking and infidelity, after 14 years of marriage. The couple most memorably earned a place in American hearts as Ricky and Lucy Ricardo on their 1950s TV sitcom “I Love Lucy.”

• On March 2, 1962, Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in a match with the New York Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with a final winning score for the Warriors of 169-147. Six decades later, Chamberlain’s record still remains unbroken.

• On March 3, 1991, motorist Rodney King’s severe beating at the hands of Los Angeles police officers was captured on an amateur video taken by bystander George Holliday from a nearby balcony, which later led to riots when the officers were acquitted. King had been stopped and arrested for driving while intoxicated on the interstate.

• On Feb. 28, 2013, scientists electrically connected the brains of two rats with electrodes reaching into the motor cortex, the region of the brain that processes movement. The animals were then able to share and act on each other’s sensory information and were trained to press a lever when a light went on above it.

The large, open dining room features dark wood laminate flooring. High and small tables are sprinkled throughout the spacious dining area with black cushioned chairs. It’s nice and spread out to give patrons a bit of privacy on their visit.

A stage area in the front of the place offers a few more seats with high tables and stools with red cushioned tops. There is also a dinerstyle bar counter toward the back of the dining room, which feeds into the kitchen. Some other features are several TVs hanging on the walls for entertainment, beer signage and Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man arcade games situated on the stage. On my visit they were playing 80s music over the speakers, too. Of course the reason for the visit was my intrigue over these creative burgers, so I was ready to dig in. I went with my parents who were also first-time visitors. I decided to start us off with an appetizer of guac bites before getting to the main course. If you aren’t familiar with guac bites, they are breaded cocoons filled with piping hot, creamy guacamole inside and they are done very well here. They are served with a sweet chili sauce. They were super tender

and featured a very thin breading encasing the sweet and creamy guac. The sauce made for the perfect companion to travel the sweet and spicy spectrum.

As for my main course, I chose the mac and cheesy burger, accompanied by tater tots. It’s just as advertised — an angus beef patty served on a brioche bun and smothered in macaroni and cheese and a heaping helping of bacon bits.

The burger was so incredibly succulent and the brioche bun was super airy and tender. My favorite part of the experience is that none of the tastes were overpowered by another. You got the flavor of the bun, the burger, the bacon and the mac and cheese in every bite.

Other orders at the table included the simply named hamburger, which featured pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato only, the ultimate grilled cheese with American, swiss and pepper jack cheeses as well as a big slab of ham served on sourdough bread and a cup of broccoli cheese soup. There were satisfactory comments on all of it. One cool aspect of this place is they will serve these burgers vegan and/ or gluten free if desired. I

Overall:

Cleanliness:

Service:

Food:

Price:

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

applaud them for that as well as the rest of their eclectic menu. I also have to give props to the quick and excellent customer service we received.

Some other interesting doozies include the Sooo Gouda! with gouda cheese, bacon, onions and garlic aioli, the PB & J Burger with hot pepper strawberry jam, peanut butter and bacon on a burger and the Frito Pie with chili, fritos, fresh jalapenos, onions and cheddar cheese.

There are also creative horseshoes, grilled cheese options and an awesome line of hot dogs. I would try it all, but for the purpose of this article I thought the burger was most appropriate. 3

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.

Brighton 618-372-7077

Godfrey 618-466-1240 Edwardsville 618-655-1441

The Big Z marks 75th anniversary

Seventy-five years ago this February there was something new in the air in the Alton area. You couldn’t see it or smell it. But you could hear it if you had an AM radio receiver.

At the end of World War II, commercial radio was a quarter-century old. Most of the initial stations were regional signals, covering vast areas and providing national news and entertainment programming for the masses. But following the war a plethora of local stations were being granted licenses by the Federal Communications Commission. As such it was that in February of 1948 the Alton area welcomed its very own local signal when WOKZ 1570 AM (now WBGZ) signed on from studios at the Hotel Stratford in Downtown Alton.

Robert C. Goshorn, publisher of the Jefferson City, MO newspaper and founder of Capital Broadcasting Company, along with his partner, R.L. Rose began the process of bringing local radio to Alton in 1946 when they formed Illinois Alton Broadcasting Company. In early 1948 they were granted a construction permit to build a 1000 watt AM radio station to serve Alton and surrounding communities.

The process culminated in

WOKZ signing on the air in February of 1948. The new station generated a great deal of excitement and an estimated 2000 people showed up at an open house at the new studios shortly after the station took to the airwaves.

Early programming consisted of live in-studio performances by local musicians. Local news was gathered and disseminated. And local dignitaries were interviewed. It was all about being local, as the popular national programs emanating from New York and distributed by the various networks were available through the wellestablished St. Louis radio stations. What set the new WOKZ apart was its focus on local happenings.

The Illinois Alton Broadcasting Company ran the station for just a matter of months, selling to North Shore Broadcasting out of Louisiana which formed a subsidiary, WOKZ, Inc. But in December of 1953, a local man, Edward N. Palen, bought WOKZ and the station has been under local ownership ever since.

Palen was an astute broadcaster, assembling a talented team that would help establish the station as a staple of the community. Among those recruited by

Palen was Nick Bono, who served as chief engineer and would later become part of the station’s ownership group. Clyde Wiseman came aboard, initially as program director, then as news director. He would later be elected mayor of Alton. Another Palen hire was a local high school kid by the name of Lane Venardos who started as a disc jockey. Later, he would move on to WBBM in Chicago before moving to New York as a producer of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. In the 80s, Venardos was named Dan Rather’s executive producer for the CBS Evening News, and later still the vice president of news for CBS.

In November of 1957, Palen built new studios just north of Alton on Godfrey Road and moved the station from its original location at the Hotel Stratford. The spacious new studios heralded a new era for the local radio station and it was around this time that Helen Hamer Walters began her more than 25-year run as a popular talk show host. It was seven years later, in the fall of 1964, that Walters, and two co-workers, Walter Brink and Nick Bono, would form Morrell Broadcasting Company and purchase WOKZ from Palen. Brink would serve as GM, Bono

remained chief engineer, and Walters continued in sales and as host of her daily talk show.

The new owners soon added a sister station to WOKZ. In January 1967, WOKZ-FM signed on the air. Much of the day it was a simulcast of the AM programming, but the FM was able to stay on the air after sundown when the AM was required to sign off. Thus, WOKZ became the home of local high school sports playby-play and Fighting Illini broadcasts. Behind the mic for many of those early high school broadcasts was an East Alton native and SIUE graduate, Dewayne Staats who went on to a long career as an MLB broadcaster and still serves as the TV voice of the Tampa Bay Rays. WOKZ-FM was sold in 1979 to Laclede Communications in St. Louis. WOKZ-AM was sold in 1984 to Metroplex Communications, whose primary stockholders were Bethalto residents Lewis and Charles Dreith and their half-brother Clyde Jones. The new owners changed the call letters to WBGZ (The Big Z), indicative of a new area for the radio station. Lewis Dreith would serve as General Manager, and his son, Mike Dreith, as News Director and Operations Manager.

A significant upgrade was made in 1987 when the FCC authorized the station to broadcast at night. Up until that time it was limited to daytime hours only. The full-time schedule allowed The Big Z to begin a comprehensive schedule of high school sports playby-play, a feature that had been set aside with the sale of WOKZ-FM in 1979. The Big Z became the voice of five area high schools: Alton High, Marquette, East AltonWood River, Roxana, and Civic Memorial. Thousands of high school games have been aired on the Big Z since 1987.

After Mike Dreith moved on to pursue other interests, long-time St. Louis newsman Jim Scanlan came aboard as News Director and Sam Stemm joined the station as Program Director. Stemm was named General Manager in 1990 and changed the programming format to news/talk. Over the course of time, Stemm bought out various members of the Dreith family, becoming majority owner in 2004. Stemm served as GM for 26 years. Nick Darr was named General Manager in 2016 and continues in that role.

WBGZ returned to the FM airwaves when in 2015 a new signal was acquired at 94.3 and the Big Z’s programming was simulcast

on both AM and FM. In 2020, Big Z programming moved to 107.1 and 94.3 was repurposed as home to a new oldies station, MyMix 94.3, which is also simulcast on 92.3 FM WIL HD3. The Big Z’s news/talk programming and MyMix’s oldies programming are also streamed live at AdvantageNews.com, which is also the website for local news, podcasts, and more.

In 2021, Metroplex acquired Today’s Advantage newspaper and along with

the two radio formats and a full portfolio of digital advertising products, Big Z Media has become a full-service marketing and advertising resource for locally owned and operated businesses.

What started as WOKZ 75 years ago and has evolved to Big Z Media has boasted local ownership for the past 70 consecutive years with a total of only five general

HAWKLAND ESTATES

managers over that span of local ownership.

Big Z Media Vice President

Nick Darr says, “Local owners and managers, along with dedicated local media specialists, is a key component in the longevity of the organization. Local people serving local businesses and providing reliable and pertinent information to the community is a winning

Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club Chili Chowdown March 6

The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club’s 37th Annual Chili Chowdown is set for Monday, March 6 at Main Street United Methodist Church in Upper Alton. The popular fund-raising event features all-you-can eat chili, beverage, and dessert for just $10. Serving hours are 11am through 1pm and again 4:30pm through 7pm. Diners may eat in or carry out.

the Chili Chowdown has been held at a number of venues, but in recent years has settled into its home at Main Street United Methodist Church which affords ample parking, ease of egress, and plenty of room for diners.

formula that stands the test of time and promises to flourish in the future.”

While the media landscape is much different today than it was in 1948, WOKZ/ WBGZ/Big Z Media continues to evolve and adapt and remains relevant despite the ever-changing media dynamic.

And that’s good news for the community it serves. 3

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONs FOR HOUSING

The secret Rotary chili recipe is guarded by event chairman Dennis Wilson. He says the recipe originated with the late Don Johnson, proprietor of DJ’s Bar and Grill in Upper Alton. Members of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club prepare and serve the chili. Over the years

Tickets for the annual Chili Chowdown are available from any member of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club and will also be sold at the door. The annual event raises funds for local Rotary projects, including the annual scholarships given in conjunction with the club’s Student of the Month program and to a student of industrial arts at Lewis and Clark Community College. 3

You focus on celebrating. I’ll focus on protecting your family and financial future.

Now

applications for 2 and 3 bedroom homes in Carrollton, IL, close to hospital, grocery store and restaurant. Mini-playground area, nice neighborhood. Rent varies based on income.

Homes include: Large landscaped lots, Paved driveways, One (1) car attached garage, Patios in back. Washer/dryer hook-ups, Fully equipped kitchens (stove, refrigerator & dishwasher), Central air & Garbage removal furnished.

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

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.

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

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

Quality

now: Paul 217-204-3830 or Brendan 217-371-4943

“COUNTRY Financial®” is the marketing name for the COUNTRY Financial family of affiliated companies (collectively, “COUNTRY”), which include COUNTRY Life Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, and their respective subsidiaries, located in Bloomington, Illinois.

0822-160MM_20692-December 13, 2022

Nathan Wittman, MBA Financial Representative 722 W County Rd Ste B Jerseyville, IL 62052-2598 www.countryfinancial.com/nathan.wittman nathan.wittman@countryfinancial.com (618)498-6414 www.hurleycdjr.com

Local people serving local businesses and providing reliable and pertinent information to the community is a winning formula that stands the test of time and promises to flourish in the future.

Nick Darr

Big Z Media Vice President

Trivia Test

Madrid, Spain. 2. Brazil. 3. Time flies. 4. Obelus. 5. 10 minutes, according to Dylan. 6. About 50 times.

“How you doin’?”

Outer ear.

Flashback

1. Diana Ross, in 1972. The song was on the double soundtrack album for the film of the same name, a biopic about singer Billie Holiday.

2. “Too Low for Zero,” in 1983. The song did well on the charts, helped by an MTV video.

3. “Poor Little Fool,” by Ricky Nelson, in 1958. The first thing Billboard ranked, however, wasn’t records, it was sheet music, in 1913. Records weren’t listed until 1936.

4. His mother, as a birthday present. Presley paid $3.98 for the recording fee.

5. “Dancin’ Shoes,” by Nigel Olsson, in 1978. Olsson got his start in England with the Plastic Penny band and eventually collaborated with Elton John, Neil Sedaka, Rod Stewart and several others on numerous albums.