Riverbend April 2022

OBITUARIES

Anthony Garris

49 | East St. Louis

December 19, 2021

Anthony “Tony” Charles Garris died unexpectedly at his home on December 19,

2021. He was born in Alton on January 3, 1972 to David “Dave” (Jennifer) Garris of Cottage Hills and Carol F. (Buckshot) McClain of Alton. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter, Kacee D. Coleman and his son, Devin J. Garris; grandchildren, Ryan M. Ewing and Jada L. Martin; siblings, Robert “Bob) E. Conner, Babette M. “Bet” Conner, Carie D. (Meadows) Forbes, Angela D. Garris and David E. Garris, Jr.;

stepbrother Daniel “Danny” (Lonnie Elaine) McClain, Jr. and stepsister Pamela Collison; Uncle Ross Moxey and aunts Barbara A. “Barb” (Jackson) Buckshot, Marian H. (Buckshot) Dunston, Bobbie Jo (Buckshot)

Curry, And a host of nieces

nephews cousins and other family members and friends.

Tony was preceded in death

C

by a son Jacob Cunningham, stepbrother Eric M. McClain; his grandparents Eugene G Buckshot, Jr., L. Maxine (Smotts) Buckshot, Fred Garris and Pearl Lee GarrisPetrokovitch; His aunt and uncles, Ronald E. “Ron” Buckshot, Edina “Dina” (Buckshot) Short-Davis, Rebecca A.

“Becky” (Buckshot) Noble, Robert “Bob” Noble, Robert “Bob” and Kathy (Garris) Aldridge, Stanley “Stan” and Sheila M. (Buckshot) Geabes, John Dunston, Fred and Linda Garris, Sandy (Garris) Moxey, And a cousin Jimmy short, other family members are Thomas M. “Tom” Conner and Cecil K. Meadows, Junior.

There will be a celebration of life event at Gordon Moore Park on May 15, 2022. For further details and to leave your stories about Tony go to Facebook: Anthony Garris (memorial page).

Dr. Arvin J. Crose

87

| Collinsville

March 9, 2022

arrangements by Gent Funeral Home

Dr. Arvin J. Crose, 87, died at 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at his residence.

He was born May 16, 1934 in Salem, Oregon the son of the late Alvin and Lillie Arvilla (Blake) Crose.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran and retired as a Dentist in Godfrey in 1999.

Arvin was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Dell Crose on January 15, 1988. He married Betty MillsCrose of Collinsville on May 22, 2005 in Caseyville. They enjoyed many years traveling together.

Surviving are his daughters, Mary D. Cozart of Laughlin, Nevada, Anne C. Gonzalez of Warrenton, Mo., and Lynne J. Wheeler of Jeffersonville, Indiana and seven grandchildren. Also

ruise port development and high-speed rail are critical to the success of tourism and community development in southwest Illinois, Cory Jobe President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau told an Illinois Senate Committee Thursday.Tourism Bureau president outlines regional tourism growth plan

“Both represent massive infrastructure opportunities to move people to destinations -- not just commodities and freight,” Jobe told the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee during testimony. “We must quit thinking of our waterways as only highways for commodities and freight.

The cruise ship industry is poised and ready to ramp up cruise experiences on Illinois Waterways.”

surviving are his children by marriage, Delores Harper of Franklin, TN, Glyn Adams of Troy, IL, Paul Brewer of Pocahontas, IL, Keith Brewer of Collinsville, and Robert Brewer of Alton, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Besides his first wife he was preceded in death by one daughter, Julie Crose Dickinson.

Graveside services were held March 14, 2022, at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Rabbi Lynn Fineberg officiated. Memorials may be made to the Beit Tefilah Messianic Congregation in St. Louis, or The Greater Alton Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Additional information and online guest book may be found at gentfuneralhome.com.

Marks Mortuary

Development of outdoor recreational opportunities goes hand-in-hand with attracting travelers to southwest Illinois, Jobe pointed out. The bureau is working with key partners and service providers to activate a plan for a regional approach to better utilize the natural resources, open spaces and byways in the region. Building the visitor experience can also build better communities. The overall effort needs to be bent toward expanded livability. Jobe noted in this way, the region will grow the hospitality and tourism sector; the GDP, and will produce preferred relocation destinations that can attract and retain young families, retirees, displaced workers, and start-ups…laying the foundation for future growth in southwest Illinois communities.

“These changes will then put the region in a

tremendous position for future, beneficial development,” Jobe noted.

Southwest Illinois is home to key tourism drivers that can’t be replicated anywhere else, Jobe said. It is home to the confluence of the nation’s three great rivers – the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri. It is also home to two national byways – The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway and Illinois Route 66. All are key draws for increased tourism in southwest Illinois.

The Tourism Bureau has created two impact reports highlighting the cruise industry and development of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Both reports show the importance of the leisure Mississippi River

RHINE 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Leroy and Tisha Rhine will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on March 27, 2022.

Leroy Rhine and the former Tisha Asaro were married on March 27, 1997 at the Madison County courthouse with James Hackett officiating.

Leroy is a truck driver with Beelman Truck Co. and Tisha is a patient access manager for BJC Healthcare.

Their children are Lexi Asaro of Alton, and Jeremy Rhine of Bethalto.

cruises on Alton and the impact of recreational byway development along the 33-mile byway corridor.

“Becoming a gateway and regional hub for outdoor recreation is key to Alton’s continued growth and economic health - I am excited to work with mayors along the byway to embrace transformational change for our region and State of Illinois,” Alton Mayor David Goins noted.

Jobe, who has been appointed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to head the

Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission, also pointed out the need to continue to revitalize and prioritize Route 66 in Illinois leading up the centennial anniversary of the road in 2026.

“Sustaining a commitment of funds for preservation, development, and marketing of Route 66 from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge is critical in telling our story and capturing international and domestic leisure travelers to Illinois,” Jobe pointed out. 3

Shoe Roads Sale in AMH Café A/B April 7-8

Alton Memorial Hospital’s White Cross Auxiliary will have a Shoe Roads Productions shoe sale in the hospital’s Café A/B meeting rooms from 11am - 4pm Thursday, April 7, and from 7am - 3pm Friday, April 8.

Masks are required and six-foot physical distancing should be observed, with a maximum of 15 people in the room at one time. The

Café A/B meeting rooms are located at the back of the AMH cafeteria, which is in the hospital’s Beeby Wing across from the gift shop.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the White Cross Auxiliary. Pre-orders are being accepted now at shoeroads.com and can be picked up at the sale. For more information, call 314-640-0902. 3

VILLAGE OF BETHALTO WATER SYSTEM FLUSHING

A. Lauritzen, ChFC®, RICP® Financial Representative Godfrey jeff.lauritzen@countryfinancial.com

Jeffrey

“Our family loving and caring for your family in the time of need has always been our motto.”

Brunaugh Constructionbuilding on a strong foundation

By Mike Adams Big Z Media

Jason Brunaugh, owner of Brunaugh Construction, understands the necessity for beginning each project with a strong foundation. That has certainly been the case when he began building his business.

Jason grew up around the construction business. His grandfather founded Widman Construction many years ago and his father worked for the company. Their example of hard work, integrity, and quality craftsmanship, along with his mother’s influence of creativity and faith, gave Jason the foundational materials he needed for a

strong foundation to launch his company.

Jason went to school in Jerseyville, and was an athlete in high school. His love of basketball won him a scholarship to Arkansas Tech University where he spent two years learning how to balance a schedule packed with classwork, practices, and a rigorous schedule of games and team activities. It was a crash course in time management that would serve him well in his future career.

After two years at Arkansas Tech, Jason came home and attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville for an additional year. While in school at SIUE he began

working with Mike Wickenhauser Construction. While Jason had been around aspects of the construction business for his entire life, this was his first introduction to home construction. That started out as a summer job and three years later Jason was still working with Wickenhauser and had advanced from clean-up to more hands-on aspects of the construction process, eventually learning finish carpentry.

From there Brunaugh moved on to work with T.J. Jun at Jun Construction, where he apprenticed as a project manager. Jason credits his time with Jun as being where he really learned how to run the business side of a construction company. For the next 15 years, Jun allowed him to learn everything from managing a project to handling the financial challenges associated with the construction process.

In 2014, with the blessing of his employer, Jason launched out on his

Homer Adams Parkway work to resume soon

The Illinois Department of Transportation will finish up a repaving and patching project along the Homer Adams Parkway in Alton that was paused late last year. The work that included milling and resurfacing from Broadway to Alby Street began in late August.

IDOT Engineer John Adcock says they are just waiting on the weather to warm up. Adcock says there is another project currently under way. Patching work is happening this week on the Homer Adams Parkway from Alby Street west to Godfrey Road, continuing north to Airport Road in Godfrey. That work is expected to be completed by the end of May.

Grafton to consider expanding historic business district

An architectural fixture in Grafton is moving closer to being placed on the national Register of Historic Places.

It was revealed at the city’s recent board meeting the old Boat Works building has gotten approval at the state level and is now awaiting word from the federal level.

Alderwoman Mary Lillesve would like to see the historic business district extended to the east end of town. Alderman Peter Allen said there is a perception that if you are in an area with the historic designation, that means there are more restrictions than benefits, but he says he has found that is not the case.

own to begin Brunaugh Construction. This new venture would prove to be both exciting and a bit scary. After all, Jason was moving from a good paying steady job to a brand new venture with no guarantees. But the foundational things he learned from his childhood and his experience would soon pay off.

Jason understands that the home construction industry has some bad players who have made some people leery, so if he would be successful, he would have to set his company apart from the crowd. Values like

integrity, reliability, promisekeeping, and punctuality would be built into Brunaugh Construction’s DNA. And those ethics have paid off in creating a great company culture and a successful business model.

Since its inception in 2014, Brunaugh Construction has expanded its services to include new home construction, remodeling,

home additions, and also insurance reconstruction. Their slogan is “On time, On Budget, On Purpose” and it is one they strive to live up to.

You can contact Jason Brunaugh and Brunaugh Construction at 618-4338811 or visit them online at brunaughconstructiondesign.com. 3

Watch Jason Brunaugh on Big Z Media’s “BUSINESS OVER A BREW” advnews.link/ brunaugh

Jason Brunaugh

I was reviewing area news to get some ideas for this article and later that same day, I stopped by the grocery store on my way home from work. When I got in line to check out, I noticed a friend in front of me unloading her cart. Our roughly 10-minute exchange became the inspiration for this month’s article. Enjoy!

Let’s call my friend, “Lucy.” As I got into line at a local grocery store, I noticed Lucy before she noticed me, and I started to chuckle to myself. A little background, Lucy has been a guest on the air with me a few times to promote work done by a local foundation. If I give too much more away, you might figure out who she is, but it’s always a good visit, she’s always got something to say (talks a lot), and we get along off-air as well. Lucy and I usually give each other a hard time when we chat, always in jest, but still not cutting each other any slack.

Back to the store. Lucy was unloading various boxes of food, produce and a small

TOWN OF THE

By Mark Ellebracht

table. (Keep that one in mind for later). I said, “Hey Lucy, how are you?” She turned around and said, “Hello Mark! You know, I’m glad I ran into you, I really enjoy reading your article in the paper!” (I had to pause, wondering what article, in what paper? I’ve spent the better part of 30 years writing for or talking on the radio, I forget sometimes that I have this column).

I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, expecting to hear, “but that article last month was a real snoozefest.” However, to my surprise, she kept piling on the compliments. Maybe she was trying to butter me up to get back on the air again or maybe trying to get me to pay for her order?

We continued to exchange banter and she apologized for taking so long to unload her cart. THEN, she looks behind me and offers a woman holding two items to cut in front of her. And me! That takes guts. Lucy scooted both of us out of the way for the nice shopper to quickly check out and exit the store. As I stood

watching the shopper head off to freedom with her two items, I hear, “Oops, you weren’t in a hurry, were you?” Then Lucy smiled and finished unloading her cart, but as she does this, she took a grocery divider and placed it in the middle of her items. “I’ve got two orders here, please dear,” Lucy says to the cashier. I leaned in and said under my breath, “That takes guts, letting someone cut in front of me, then you’ve got two orders? What next, paying in cash?” I was right, she’s headed to her purse and pulls out a couple of 20s. It gets better. Remember those tables? No price tags. Tables? It’s a grocery store! The checker heads off to look for a price, and I ask how much she’s paying. “Only $20, that’s a good deal.” The checker returns, but quickly leaves again. “I guess she forgot the code, or something.” Yeah, I guess.

I’m beginning to think I’m being set up by Lucy. She’s probably been stalking me the whole time…jumps in

Local pizza, wings, burgers and ice cream highlighted during Epic Food Month

line just before I head to check out, decides to let another shopper in front of me, divides her order into two payments, rips the price tags off the tables, and then pays in cash. Twice!

“Lucy, I’m writing about this in the paper. I’ll change your name to protect the innocent, but you’re guilty of slowing down the flow of commerce in this store. It’s all on video.” She just smiles, still counting her 20s.

“Mark, it’s been so good to see you, sorry for holding up the line, hopefully your food didn’t spoil,” she said laughing as she walked out the door.

Honestly, it was good to see Lucy, but lesson learned, middle of the afternoon shoppers often slows me down. I’ll keep a mask in my pocket in case I run into Lucy again and quietly add items to her cart when she isn’t looking.

If you have an idea for a good news story we can cover, let me know. Email me at mark@bigz.media. 3

Back by popular demand, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau will celebrate local foods with an epic foodie experience throughout the month of June.

Businesses and restaurants that serve up great burgers, wings, ice cream and pizza will be highlighted throughout the month of June during Epic Food Month. Each week a different local favorite food will be celebrated. The epic weeks include: Epic Pizza Week, Epic Wing Week, Epic Burger Week, and Epic IceCream Week.

“We started highlighting our epic foods last year and it was an amazing success,” said Cory Jobe, President/ CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “We had 100 different restaurants participate serving up thousands of burgers, pizzas and ice cream treats to residents and visitors alike. Now we want to take our epic foods to the next level”

Epic Food Month will kick off with Epic Pizza Week June 6-10; Epic Wing Week June 13-17; Epic Burger Week June 20-24, followed by Epic Ice Cream Week June 27-July 1. All Epic Weeks run Monday

through Friday in order to encourage weekday sales for businesses.

Businesses in Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin, Montgomery and Greene counties interested in participating should contact Joey Naples, Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Engagement and Outdoor Recreation Coordinator at: jnaples@ riversandroutes.com

Deadline to participate in Epic Food Month is Friday April 29. It is free for local businesses to take part. Any restaurant that participates in all four epic food weeks will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 cash prize.

All participating businesses will be featured on the tourism bureau’s Epic Food Week web page which will also include any highlighted specials. The bureau will also promote the weeks through paid digital and social media efforts.

“Locally owned and operated businesses have some terrific burgers, wings, ice cream and pizza,” Jobe noted. “Promoting Epic Food Month is just another way to steer visitors to those businesses in our six county Great Rivers & Routes region.” 3

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Germania Brew Haus opens three new locations

Business offers quality coffee and great atmosphere

By Frank Prager Big Z Media

Germania Brew Haus has been a prototype for the energetic, innovative businesses driving the economic resurgence of Alton and its surrounding communities in recent years.

Opening its Alton location in 2017, the coffee house has adapted and grown over time to accommodate both the tastes of the public and the demands imposed on all businesses by the pandemic. Its expansion into three new locations ratifies it as a cornerstone of the increasingly vibrant Riverbend area.

The business is owned by husband and wife, Jared and Carolyn Brynildsen, and Jared’s brother, Ben

The Brynildsens all have hometown connections to Alton and a broad exposure to business models they have seen around the world.

Ben Brynildsen manages the ongoing operations of the original Alton location as well as those of the new locations in East Alton, Godfrey and Jerseyville. Born and raised in Alton, extensive business management experience along with a friendly, professional approach to customer service makes him the ideal fit for the position.

Germania Brew Haus offers what Ben Brynildsen describes as a relaxed atmosphere suitable for couples, families, highschoolers, business groups and anyone else who enjoys quality, flavorful coffee drinks. Selections include lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, fresh-brewed coffee, cold brews and espressos. The business also offers teas, smoothies, milkshakes, hot cocoas, craft soda and more. In addition, customers can choose from a food menu of bacon, egg and cheese strudels, Nutella strudel bites, energy bites and overnight oats.

The original Alton location occupies the former Germania Bank building at 617 East Broadway.

Brynildsen explains when the pandemic occurred, the

business began offering curbside service which allowed customers to remain in their cars while making their purchases. “When they pull up out front, a bell rings inside and we send someone out to take their order,” he says. He says in addition to in-house and carry-out business, many of their customers today continue to enjoy the convenience of curbside service.

In August of 2020, Germania Brew Haus opened a new location at 5775 Godfrey Road in Godfrey. Like the Alton location, the Godfrey business offers indoor seating and also accommodates take-out orders. It also has a drive-up window for customers who prefer to stay in their cars.

In February, a third location opened at Eastgate Plaza in East Alton. It is currently drive-through only but offers the same menu as the two walk-in locations. Brynildsen says they will be building a covered patio there in the near future so customers can stay to relax and enjoy their refreshments on site if they wish.

A fourth Germania Brew Haus location is opening in Jerseyville at 309 North State St. in April. It will be a full walk-in location with seating and the complete Brew Haus menu. Brynildsen says they are excited about opening in Jerseyville. “Customers kept telling us we should open there and we’ve found the community and business environment there to be growing rapidly,” he says.

Germania Brew Haus’ motto is, “Craft Coffee, Craft Culture and Craft Community.” Brynildsen says Craft Coffee refers to the quality of the product. Crimson Cup brand coffee is ground and brewed in house. “It’s not just about fast service to get the drinks out. We really care about the quality of what we serve.”

He explains Craft Culture refers to the working environment the company fosters. “Culture is our staff,” he says. We want them to know they are respected.”

He attributes the success of the business to the quality of the menu items and to the friendliness of the baristas and staff. “How great our people are is really the key to our success.”

He says Craft Culture is about what the business can do for the community.

He highlights cash register roundup fundraising campaigns to help local efforts like the Restore Network, an organization helping foster care families.

He points out the business’ employees also volunteer their own personal time to do trash cleanups and volunteer work for charitable groups like Sleep In Heavenly Peace, a group helping children in need of beds.

All Germania Brew Haus locations are open from 6am - 6pm weekdays and from

7am - 6pm on weekends. All locations can be reached by phone at 618-800-5130. The complete menu is available at germaniabrewhaus.com. The business can also be found on Facebook and Instagram. 3

Ben Brynildsen manages the four area Germania Brew Haus locations.

A Germania Brew Haus barista prepares an Americano at the Alton location. [photos by Frank Prager]

Germania Brew Haus has opened new locations in Godfrey (left) and at Eastgate Plaza in East Alton.

ON RECLAIMING RICH

Projects and new businesses move the city forward

Wood River’s rich historical significance has been a source of pride for generations of families and businesses in the town.

From its start in 1908, the commerce, culture and

atmosphere of the town comprised the ideal of the American Dream. Exploding from a population of 84 in 1910 to 3,476 only ten years later, the city of Wood River was cited in the 1920 United States census as the fastest growing city in the country.

Well into the late twentieth century, the city’s downtown business district thrived and competed head-tohead with other large area municipalities for commerce. Over the decades the economy changed the landscape of commerce

and Wood River, like many other communities across the country, struggled to retain core businesses. While still an integral part of the Riverbend area, the city’s main street paled in comparison to the boom days when residents needed

to venture no further than Ferguson Avenue to find almost anything they needed.

Citizens and businesses alike are interested in seeing Wood River reclaim the economic energy of past days and are optimistic

about its future. Initiatives being undertaken by government, citizens groups and private business organizations are focusing on revitalization and a revival of the commercial and residential enthusiasm that has long made the city a

landmark.

Modern, reliable infrastructure is key to attracting business. Mayor Tom Stalcup talks about major efforts currently in progress by the city to improve sewers, streets, sidewalks and water lines.

“We’ve put significant dollars behind them,” he says. Stalcup gives credit to the city’s department heads for the progress being made.

“We have a great staff at city hall,” he says.

Wood River’s municipal parks are a major bright spot for the city and Stalcup says they are constantly being improved. The parks are premiere recreation areas in the Riverbend area. The golf course at Belk Park attracts golfers from across the entire St. Louis area. Among several park projects, the city is in the process of modernizing and replacing playground equipment at Central Park.

Plans have been designed

for a recreational complex for the city. Current designs call for a 37,000 square foot building with two levels. The building will include a walking track, basketball court, meeting rooms and parks offices. Stalcup says bids have been received for the construction while planning for financing grants and major funding are still underway.

Stalcup also explains that two major city projects will also help both the business and residential communities. He says the East End Detention project at the corner of I-255 and Route 143 is three-fourths completed. He points out the effort to eliminate flooding from that area will result in fifteen acres of land available for new commercial development.

The Sixth Street Project is another floodplain elimination project which will affect 180 homes in the area. “Those residents

currently have to pay floodplain insurance on their homes,” explains Stalcup. “When the project is completed, that additional cost to those residents will be eliminated.”

New businesses have begun coming to the area. Riverbend Family Ministries is relocating its operation to a recently-purchased space downtown. At the same time, a school for masseuses is moving into the space the ministries are vacating, and a tattoo business will be moving in across the street.

The Sweet Tooth Shop and Martin’s Tunes & Eats are two more businesses which opened in Wood River in the last year.

Zack Deaton, one of the owners of the Burger Bar located on Ferguson Avenue, says he is optimistic about the future of the Wood River area. “We’re excited to be part of the historic Wood River business district,” he says. The Burger Bar opened in January.

Russell’s Corner Café opened in September 2020.

Andy and Katy Russell own and operate the restaurant. They grew up in Wood River. “We’ve seen what downtown Wood River

can be and think it’s a good place for our business,” she says. “If you want to make it better, you have to be part of it.”

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Word Scrambler

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!

Brewery Collectable Show

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.

FLASHBACK

By Mick Harper

1. Who released “Give a Little Bit,” and when?

2. Which artist released “Love Is a Battlefield”?

3. Who released “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”?

TRIVIA TEST

4. Why did Billy J. Kramer add the middle initial when he created his stage name?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “This is the moment I’ve waited for, I can hear my heart singing, Soon bells will be ringing.”

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. LITERATURE: Who wrote the poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”?

2. TELEVISION: Eric Taylor was the dad in which 2000s TV drama?

3. MATH: What is the Arabic number equivalent of the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI?

4. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the Tyrrhenian Sea located?

5. FOOD & DRINK: What is the primary ingredient in the canned product SPAM?

Kids’ Maze

6. ADVERTISING SLOGANS: What product did football player Joe Greene promote in the “Meet Joe Greene” TV commercial?

7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How fast do honeybees fly?

8. MOVIES: Who was the famous person portrayed in the movie “Lust for Life”?

9. HISTORY: When was Elizabeth II crowned queen?

10. EXPLORERS: Which early European explorer named the Pacific Ocean? (answers in puzzle solutions)

Go Figure

DIFFICULTY

MOMENTS IN TIME

The History Channel

• On April 3, 1776, the Continental Congress, lacking sufficient funds to build a strong navy, gives privateers permission to attack all British ships. Any goods captured by the privateer were divided between the ship’s owner and the government.

• On April 2, 1863, responding to acute food shortages, hundreds of angry women riot in Richmond, Virginia, demanding that the government release emergency supplies, breaking windows and looting stores. Confederate President Jefferson Davis threw his pocket change at them from the top of a wagon.

• On March 29, 1927, Major Henry O’Neil de Hane Segrave becomes the first man to break the 200 mph barrier. Driving a 1,000 horsepower Mystery Sunbeam, Segrave averaged 203.79 mph on the course at Daytona Beach, Florida.

• On April 6, 1776, the Continental Congress takes the first step toward American independence by announcing its decision to open all American ports to international trade with any part of the world that is not under British rule. It was the first act of independence by the Continental Congress.

• On April 9, 1859, a 23-yearold Missouri youth named Samuel Langhorne Clemens receives his steamboat pilot’s license. Clemens would later write under the pseudonym Mark Twain, a boatman’s call noting that the river was only 2 fathoms

deep, the minimum depth for safe navigation.

• On April 10, 1879, Schandor Herz -- the future John Hertz, the man behind what will one day be the world’s largest car-rental company -- is born in present-day Slovakia. In 1923, Hertz bought a fleet of used Ford Model Ts and named the business Hertz Drive-Ur-Self Corporation.

• On April 5, 1955, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, the British leader who guided Great Britain and the Allies through the crisis of World War II, retires as prime minister of Great Britain. In the first year of his administration, Britain had stood alone against Nazi Germany.

• On April 7, 1961, President John F. Kennedy sends a letter to Congress recommending that the U.S. participate in an international campaign to preserve ancient temples and historic monuments in Egypt’s Nile Valley threatened by construction of the Aswan High Dam.

• On April 4, 1973, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center officially open in New York City. The buildings replaced the Empire State Building as the world’s tallest building, though they would only hold that title for a year.

• On April 8, 1989, California Angels rookie pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born without a right hand, makes his Major League Baseball debut in a 7-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners. 3

This morning, Siri said, “Don’t call me Shirley.” I accidentally left my phone in Airplane mode.

My wife told me to pick up 8 cans of soda on my way home from work. She was pretty mad when I only picked 7 up.

To the person who stole my glasses: I will find you.

I have contacts.

I tried to use “fortnight” as a password.

The website said it’s two week. That’s a nice ham you got there.

It would be a shame if someone added a ‘s’ at the front, and ‘e’ at the end of it. Why did the triangle player quit the orchestra? It was just one ting after another.

Don’t scream into a colander. It’ll strain your voice.

Dad Jokes.

Today’s Special by Mike Ostresh

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.

Wishing Well

Find the listed words in the diagram. They run forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Unlisted hint: Fits tightly around the neck

Here is a numerical puzzle designed to spell out your fortune. Count the letters in your first name. If the number of letters is 6 or more, subtract 4. If the number is less than 6, add 3. The result is your key number. Start at the upper left corner and check one of your key numbers, left to right. Then read the message the letters under the checked figures give you.

What’s The Difference?

Find at least six differences in details between panels.

L&C Student Art Exhibit opens April 8

Lewis and Clark Community College’s 17th Annual Student Art Exhibition will return to the Hatheway Cultural Center Gallery April 8-25.

The juried exhibit will begin with an opening reception, scheduled from 4-6pm, Friday, April 8, during which time prizes will be awarded for 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and three honorable mention awards.

Art Program Coordinator Angela Hung is looking forward to this year’s show.

“Our students are excited that the annual Student Art Exhibition will be able to be held on campus in the Hatheway Gallery this year,” Hung said. “The exhibit represents the culmination of much hard work by our students over the course of an academic

Gov. announces release of $37.5m for main complex renovation

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined leaders from the Metro East and Lewis and Clark Community College Monday in L&C’s Reid Memorial Library to announce the release of long-awaited funding for the college’s Main Complex Renovation Project.

The last time L&C’s Student Art Exhibit was held in person was 2019 when Kaleigh Grace won first place with her drawing titled, “Timothee Chalamet.”

year.”

The exhibit typically features more than 100 submissions, many of which will be available to purchase.

The event is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10am-4pm, Monday

through Friday, and 10am2pm Saturdays throughout the exhibition.

For more information on the exhibit or L&C’s Associate in Fine Art program, visit lc.edu/program/AFAart or contact Hung at 618-4684665 or ahung@lc.edu. 3

“This project has been a long time coming, and so the commitments across many organizations to make this possible are exciting,” said L&C President Ken Trzaska. “It never would have happened without true commitment by a team of dedicated team members here at the campus and throughout the state.”

The Main Complex includes five historic buildings (Baldwin, Caldwell, Wade, Fobes and Reid Halls), totaling

Simplicity’s signature Free Floating™ Mower Deck allows the deck to follow the contours of your lawn giving a scalp-free cut. Reliable power & performance, electric height-of-cut, modern styling & LED

approximately 170,000 square feet. Contained within that space are a number of classrooms and student service areas, including the library, bookstore, enrollment services, financial aid and more.

Planned renovations include mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades, health and life safety improvements, the replacement of the fire suppression and fire alarm systems, ADA, lighting and elevator upgrades, interior finishes, and upgrades to the roofing systems, windows and building envelopes.

“The Main Complex represents our past, but with this investment, it also brings to the forefront a critical investment to our future – a future that symbolizes a renewed model for educational access and flexibility,” Trzaska said.

The project will be partially funded by a $37.5 million investment through Rebuild Illinois, the governor’s bipartisan capital plan and the first in nearly a decade, as well as an additional $12.5 million local match from the college, which was approved by the L&C Board of Trustees at a special meeting in September 2021.

“Throughout my governorship, I’ve been very proud to increase support for L&C and also for all of our community colleges, and to make college more attractive and more affordable for students,” Pritzker said.

“There’s no better time than now to put a down payment on the strongest possible future for the Metro East and the entire region. The renovations here at Lewis and Clark represent just that –fuel for growth in this region for many years to come.”

The grant was originally appropriated by the state in the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program in 2019. Sen. Rachelle Crowe recognized the need for critical renovations, particularly when L&C officials closed parts of the Main Complex in Fall 2021 due to safety concerns stemming from failing HVAC systems that created mold issues. She was instrumental in acquiring the funds, according to Trzaska.

“This is truly a great day,” Crowe, a proud L&C alumna, said through a huge smile Monday afternoon. “Lewis and Clark’s Main Complex is the heart of the campus for students, for faculty, for staff

and for visitors, and I’m so relieved to see today’s investments moving forward so we can continue to operate on the main campus. This renovation offers the strongest, most cost effective path to return this historic complex to full working capacity.”

L&C Student Trustee Sam Copeland said he hopes much of the funding will be spent to upgrade classrooms and learning spaces in the historical complex.

“It’s impossible to put into words the feeling you get when walking down these historic halls that students have been walking down for years and years – thousands of students – and that’s what makes it so hard to look at how this building has deteriorated,” Copeland said. He added that L&C faculty and administration have been pushing innovations to keep the college on the forefront of education – with things like Competency-Based Education and Blendflex course offerings – and said he hopes the classrooms and learning spaces can be upgraded to match and support those functions.

Sen. Steve McClure said the project will help continue to drive economic growth for the region.

“I don’t think people realize that people tend to stay where they go to school. Lewis and Clark has a particularly strong impact because of the trades it offers,” McClure said. “This is one of the most beautiful campuses I think in the whole country for any community college, but these renovations are going to help so much to sustain that and to bring us into the future here.”

Rep. Amy Elik echoed his sentiment.

“Lewis and Clark is arguably one of the best community colleges, not only in the state, but in the nation,” Elik said. “We will keep that reputation with these necessary renovations.”

Also in attendance during the announcement were Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick and L&C Trustees Dwight Werts and Charles Hanfelder

Lewis and Clark Community College is a two-year higher education institution with multiple campuses, a river research center, community education, and training centers serving around 12,000 students. 3

Rep. Amy Elik, Sen. Steve McClure, Sen. Rachelle Crowe, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, L&C President Ken Trzaska and L&C Student Trustee Sam Copeland. [photo by Jan Dona, L&C Marketing & PR]

Steak and potato specialty

By Bill Roseberry Big Z Media

I trekked to the southern border of Madison County for my latest food adventure. My dad and I visited a chain joint with only this location in Illinois and the next closest west of St. Louis, heading into central Missouri. It is more commonly found in the south.

With a western theme and hearty meal choices to boot, this is a great gathering place for larger groups and an overall fun time.

It sits not far off of the interstate, intertwined in with slew of other businesses. Take a frontage road to your destination, and it does stand solo with a spacious parking lot to serve plenty of patrons.

Once you enter the parking lot, you’ll see a small patio to the left of the entrance for outdoor dining on warm days. There is a mural of a country singer holding a guitar and sporting a cowboy hat painted on a yellow wall.

Enter the establishment through a small vestibule and come face-to-face with the host/hostess station.

Pictures of Wild Bill, Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane and

Jesse James adorn the walls near the entrance.

As for the dining experience, there are lots of small dining areas dispersed through small rooms, making for a little more intimate setting. There is one large dining area with a high ceiling, too.

It has western murals on the wall, a deer head hanging up, mounted fish; just an outdoor and western theme.

But while the atmosphere was quirky and cool, I was there for the grub and it was pretty good. To start, each table is served rolls with butter and honey. That was a good start to the eating experience.

Steaks are the specialty here, so I chose the 12-ounce Hawaiian ribeye with a baked sweet potato and fried okra. Dad went with a 6-ounce sirloin, house salad and the baked sweet potato. Okra is a great comfort food for me. Here there wasn’t anything special about it, but it met my expectations to please my palate.

The steak was very good, but originally came out pretty rare and I had to send it back. I ordered it medium well. Our waitress was quick to fix the mistake and when it returned it was perfect.

a great char on the edges, but it was tender in the middle. The taste was driven by the teriyaki and pineapple juices from the marinate. Grilled pineapple slices garnished the top of it and were tender and delicious.

I can’t lie though, the star of the meal was the sweet potato. It was loaded with butter and brown sugar and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The flavor was popping in every bite. It was one of the best I’ve had in awhile.

While the steaks were very good, they aren’t the best I’ve had, but for the price point it’s well worth checking this place out. There are plenty of other cool options on the extensive menu, too.

Grab yourself a filet mignon wrapped in applewood smoked bacon, an 18-ounce T-bone, or a 16-ounce ribeye. There are also

Overall:

Cleanliness:

Service:

Food:

Price:

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

awesome options like pork chops, fried chicken, mesquite grilled salmon, blackened salmon, fried catfish, a slew of burger, sandwich and salad options, and plenty more. Appetizers like onion tanglers and chipotle chicken nachos don’t sound like they’d disappoint either. 3

the facts before you act.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) That workplace problem still needs your attention before you finally can close the book on it. Meanwhile, a long-anticipated reunion gets closer to becoming a happy reality.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You might be demanding more from others than they can give. Best advice: Have a long and frank talk to determine what the facts are. Tensions should abate as the week winds down.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Aspects are favorable throughout this week for making contacts that could be important to your career plans. Meanwhile, an old friend offers the advice you’re seeking.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s time to stop licking your wounds from past mistakes. Get up and get going toward your future. Loyal friends will be there to help the Lion get back into rip-roaring shape.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Take time out to go over what’s expected of you before you begin your new project. Otherwise, you run the risk of pushing yourself harder than you need to.

SAVINGS

out of it.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You should feel recharged and ready for whatever your workaday world holds for you. The same positive energy spills over into your personal relationships.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A prospect might be less than it appears to be. Like the Archer in your sign, you always aim for the truth. And this is no time to settle for less than full disclosure.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Start doing some serious thinking about a career move that could entail more than just changing job sites. Some lifestyle changes also might be involved.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) With tensions easing at the workplace, a more positive environment once again encourages the free flow of ideas so typical of the always-innovative Aquarian.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Show some of that usually hidden steelstrong Piscean backbone, and stand up for yourself if you hope to make a case for that promotion you know you deserve. 3

101 Wesley Drive • Wood River 618.254.0605 midmembers.org

Energy Matters

At

SIUE’s Black Girls Rock meet SIUE UBMS high school students for a time of ‘Black Girl Magic’

A group of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Black high school students had the opportunity to meet and mingle with a contingent of SIUE’s Black Girls Rock (BGR) during a fashion show on Friday, Feb. 25 on the Edwardsville campus.

“When the occasion to attend the SIUE Black Girls Rock Fashion Show presented itself, I invited my Black female high school students in hopes they would connect with students they could identify with,” said UBMS Program Director Desiree Tyus “Visiting college campuses can be overwhelming, however, being immersed in this type of collegiate event allowed the students to get a feel for what college life could really be like.”

UBMS students from Collinsville High School attending the fashion show included freshmen

TanDee Willis and Aniyah Edwards, sophomores

Mariah Fox and Danajah Willis, and senior Kayla Thomas

The visit was part of the program’s ongoing effort to encourage first generation Black students to attend college in pursuit of their STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematic) degrees. Tyus wanted to enhance the typical college tour experience.

“During the pandemic, there has been a significant decline in student participation,” said Tyus, “especially among Black females. Many students are working after school jobs out of necessity, and/or are involved in other activities such as sports, band and more.”

“I appreciated going to the Black Girls Rock Fashion Show, because it was a great experience for us to be able to look up to Black young women and get great feedback,” said UBMS sophomore Danajah Willis “It also gave us inspiration

for our future and motivated us to embrace our ‘Black Girl Magic.’”

“The major thing I appreciated,” said UBMS senior Kayla Thomas, “is that the president and vice president wanted us to keep in touch to help prepare us for our college career!” Thomas, who plans to attend SIUE in the fall, intends to work with BGR on community service projects.

“Attending the BGR fashion show, permitted my students to see the value of joining an organization while in college to build their personal network, develop soft skills, and expand their leadership potential,” explained Tyus. “Furthermore, research has shown that higher retention and persistence rates in college are associated with student involvement and a sense of belonging on campus.”

The SIUE Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program helps youth prepare for higher education

and serves students from Collinsville. Participants receive instruction in advanced mathematics and science during the school day, homework assistance and hands-on STEM workshops twice a week after school, and cultural, career and college preparation on Saturdays. During the summer, students participate in a six-week residential program that allows participants to reside on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s campus and undergo college preparedness. Services provided prepare students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary STEM degree programs. The program is designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. For more information about how you can get involved in our program, please visit us at collinsvilleubms.com. 3

FEDERAL

4435 Alby St, Alton 618-466-3884

200 N. Main St, Brighton 618-715-6220

Will your child be 5 on or before September 1st?

Will

Alton School District 2022

This event is for all incoming Kindergarteners, including students currently enrolled in Early Childhood and Head Start. We are excited to welcome all families to visit their new school during Kindergarten enrollment. Students will take a Pre-K assessment while parents complete the enrollment process. Families can meet teachers, tour the school, have a snack, take a photo with our Redbird and take a bus ride provided by Illinois Central.

Lovejoy Monday, April 43:30-7:00 pm

Lewis & Clark Tuesday, April 53:30-7:00 pm

Eunice Smith

Wednesday, April 63:30-7:00 pm

Gilson BrownThursday, April 73:30-7:00 pm

**If you are unable to attend on the date at your child’s school, you may attend one of the other dates.

Legal guardians must bring a certified birth certificate of their child, parent photo I.D. and 2 proofs of residency to enroll. If available please bring health records.

If you have any questions regarding the enrollment process or school boundaries, please call the Administrative Center at (618) 433-7821 or visit us online at www.altonschools.org

A group of SIUE Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Black high school students met with a contingent of SIUE’s Black Girls Rock (BGR).

Flashing yellow arrow signals coming to U.S. 67 in Godfrey

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that flashing yellow arrow traffic signals will be installed in the coming months along U.S. 67 from Illinois 140/Broadway Connector in Alton to U.S. 67 and Illinois 111/267

Lars Hoffman Crossing in Godfrey, improving safety and traffic flow along a major commercial thoroughfare.

The first flashing yellow arrow signal was recently

activated at the Walmart entrance on Godfrey Road and U.S. 67. Installation of all 12 planned flashing yellow arrow signals is expected to be complete in June. Temporary daytime lane closures will be required.

The Federal Highway Administration encourages flashing yellow arrow traffic signals at certain intersections to reduce left-turn crashes, following research that shows

drivers found them easier to understand and fewer collisions occurred where they were used when compared to traditional yield-on-green signal configurations. They also have been proven to increase intersection capacity, allowing higher traffic flow than those with only the standard red, yellow and green arrows.

The flashing yellow arrow is used in addition to the standard red, yellow

and green arrows. When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow allows motorists to make a lefthand turn after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Otherwise, the new traffic signals work the same: A steady green arrow means turn left, a steady yellow arrow warns that the signal will turn red and a steady red arrow means stop.

A new policy is under development at IDOT

that will require the use of flashing yellow arrow signals at signalized intersections if cost and intersection design allows. A video on how they have been used in Illinois can be found on IDOT’s YouTube channel by clicking here.

For news on this and other projects in IDOT’s District 8, follow @IDOTDistrict8 on Twitter or sign up to receive email alerts from IDOT in Motion. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook. 3

Jerseyville teen achieves black belt and instructor status

By Mark Ellebracht

Big Z Media

A Jerseyville teen was recently awarded the Martial Arts Student of the Year from Grogan’s Academy of Martial Arts in Edwardsville.

Christian Maag, son of Robyn and Ed Maag, is a junior at Marquette Catholic High School in Alton and earned his first-degree black belt late last year and is now a certified instructor at the school. Big Z Media caught up with the 17-year-old recently to talk about the achievement:

What are your thoughts on achieving the certificate of instructor?

It’s a pretty big honor, especially considering how many other students we have there with the same experience, it’s a big achievement.

When did you get interested in martial arts?

I got involved in fifth grade. My parents wanted me to switch schools, but I made a deal with them that if I switched schools, I could start martial arts. Did you have an idea of how far you wanted to go?

Not really. I knew I wanted to get my black belt. Growing up, I always watched SpongeBob where he did martial arts and that was a big one, and then the Jackie Chan Adventures was also a big one for me and it pushed me to try it for myself.

What’s been the most challenging part?

All the time you have to put into it, especially for earning a black belt you have to learn different forms and I’m not very good at memorization so trying to do the different forms took a lot of time.

What’s been the most fun part of your training?

I just really liked doing it. There’s a lot of protocol with it, a lot of discipline, a lot of bowing and I always enjoyed

that kind of stuff. I’ve always wanted to be in the military and thought putting those two together would be neat. My dad is in the Air Force, and I’ve always thought about someday becoming an Air Force pilot.

And you were named Student of the Year at your academy last year?

It was actually a shock to me. I had COVID at the point when they were planning to present the awards at a Christmas party so I couldn’t attend but someone said something to me about winning an award, but I said I didn’t know anything about it, so I don’t think they were supposed to mention it. Then a couple of weeks later, I got the award.

What’s it like being an instructor?

We have a team of instructors and I teach two days a week, but also fill in if someone else is out. We teach all ages, and the people are grouped based on their ability level. It’s fun!

Tell us about Master Grogan, who runs your school.

He is amazing, he’s such a good speaker and can hold your attention when he talks about anything. He’s a great instructor and really good at what he does.

What else do you want to achieve?

I’m just a first-degree black belt and follow the saying “CAN I”…which means Constant And Never-ending Improvement, so no matter where you are it’s good to be happy with where you are, but also constantly looking to improve on that.

And Master Grogan offered these thoughts on Maag:

Christian has always been a hard worker and role model to other students and his amazing attitude is so empowering to others. He’s a reflection of the amazing core values his family instills and the values we’ve instituted at our academy for over 25 years. 3

Christian Maag

Make Easter ‘eggstra’ special

Tips to bring your family together to decorate eggs

Family Features

Easter is about traditions, both old and new, as well as celebrating family and creating lifelong memories. In fact, nearly 8 out of 10 Americans will celebrate the holiday this year, according to the National Retail Federation, which often includes egg decorating amongst the fun.

Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to the 13th century. Eggs were once viewed as a forbidden food to some religious entities, so people would paint or decorate them to highlight the end of penance and fasting.

Yet still today, coloring eggs can help bring the whole family together and

inspire simple moments of connection and creativity.

From dunking eggs in neon dyes to embellishing them with paint, glitter and more, PAAS® brand — named after the Dutch word for Easter, “Passen” — offers these expert Easter egg dyeing tips based on its 140 years of experience.

KEEP IT CLEAN Wash your hands in hot, soapy water before and after handling eggs, even if they’ve already been cooked or decorated. This helps protect you from any bacteria that may be on the egg and protects the eggshell from oil on hands that may make the dye not adhere properly. Make sure an adult supervises all projects to ensure food safety precautions are observed.

HARD COOK, DON’T

HARD BOIL Although the cooking water must come to a full boil, the pan should be immediately removed from heat so the eggs can cook gently in the hot water. This method produces tender, not rubbery eggs and minimizes cracking.

BANISH THE GREENISH RING This harmless but unsightly discoloration sometimes forms around hard-cooked yolks as a result of a reaction between sulfur in the egg white and iron in the yolk. It occurs when eggs have been cooked for too long or at too high a temperature. Cooking eggs in hot, not boiling water then cooling immediately helps minimize this discoloration.

MAKE THEM “APEELING”

To ensure easily peeled eggs, buy and refrigerate them 7-10 days in advance of cooking. This brief “breather” allows the eggs time to take in air, which helps separate the

membranes from the shell.

STORE EGGS SAFELY

In the shell, hard-cooked eggs can be refrigerated safely for up to one week. Refrigerating them in their original carton prevents odor absorption. Once peeled, eggs should be eaten that day. Piercing shells before cooking is not recommended. If not sterile,

the piercer or needle can introduce bacteria into the egg. Also, piercing creates hairline cracks in the shell through which bacteria can enter after cooking.

TAP INTO YOUR CREATIVE SIDE You don’t have to be highly creative to create an “eggceptional” egg. Use your imagination to create appealing eggs

by gluing on fun materials found at craft stores, like fake gems, sequins, trims and ribbons. You can also use paint, including gold or silver metallic paint, to make eggs special. An option like PAAS egg decorating kits can help make the process more convenient and fun. 3 paaseastereggs.com

By Matilda Charles Waiting Out COVID

An unscientific poll of senior friends and neighbors revealed just what we’ve accomplished during the past two years of this pandemic. The answer: not much.

Mostly, it seems, we’ve been waiting. Waiting for it to be safe to shop in person.

Waiting for our clubs and meetings to start up again.

Waiting for a visit from family across the country that has feared bringing COVID to our door. Waiting for all the vaccines and boosters to do what they were supposed to do.

Waiting to be unafraid again.

In the beginning we were all for following the rules. We seniors are a tough bunch, and we know a lot. We have coping skills that got us through any number of crises life has thrown at us. But this pandemic has brought many of us to our knees. Each person in my humble survey could, when queried, point to the exact

time when the tide turned in their mental health. It was the omicron variant and the additional vaccine booster, when it became apparent that COVID wasn’t going away soon.

For me, a daily to-do list has come in handy. On a sheet of paper I have two columns: one work, one play. In the work column there are household tasks such as doing one load of laundry. In the play column are things like wiping the dust off the piano and learning a new song each week.

On the back of the page are two more columns. One is a list of names, and somebody gets called every day. In the other column is an everlengthening list of things that are going right. This one is sometimes hard to fill out, but it gets done, even if it’s only notes like: Completed a crossword puzzle in seven minutes.

Try it. Make your lists, especially if you’ve felt yourself sinking under the weight of this never-ending pandemic. 3

You and your family may be eligible for increased benefits

By Betsy Buchheit Social Security District Manager in Alton

We know your circumstances may change after you apply — or become eligible — for benefits. If you, or a family member, receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), certain life changes could increase your benefit amount.

As part of our Potential Entitlement initiative, we want to help you identify where you might qualify for a higher benefit.

For example, you may be entitled to higher benefits based on your own earnings record or someone else’s record. Some of the life changes that could possibly increase your benefits include the following scenarios:

If your spouse or ex-spouse dies, you may be eligible for a higher survivor benefit

based on their earnings record. The death of an ex-spouse may entitle you to a higher survivor benefit even if you are already receiving a survivor benefit on another spouse’s record. We encourage you to read our publication, Survivors Benefits, for additional information at www.ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf.

If you are receiving Social Security benefits based on your spouse’s work and you worked and earned credits, you may be eligible

for a higher retirement benefit based on your own work. You can view our Retirement page at www. ssa.gov/retirement.

If your deceased adult child provided at least half of your support, you may be eligible for a higher parent’s benefit based on your child’s work history. Our publication, Parent’s Benefits, includes information you may want to consider at www.ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10036.pdf.

We continue to focus our Potential Entitlement initiative on people who face barriers. These populations include older people, children with disabilities, veterans, SSI recipients, and people with limited English proficiency. We are proud to say that since we started the initiative in 2017, our efforts have resulted in approximately $553 million in retroactive and total monthly increased benefits paid.

Check out our Explore the Benefits You May Be Due page at www.ssa.gov/ potentialentitlement for more information on any additional benefits available for you and your family. You can use your personal my Social Security account to check your benefit and payment information –along with your earnings record. If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, you can create one today at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount!

Please share this information with your friends and family — and post it on social media. 3

The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a countryside neighborhood that bustles with activities and opportunities. Along with our new name comes a fresh focus on good health and wellness, and exciting, new services, amenities and programs. We invite you to come be a part of it all, to discover what’s next for you. Call us at (618) 466-8662 today to learn more!

The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a countryside neighborhood that bustles with activities and opportunities. Along with our new name comes a fresh focus on good health and wellness, and exciting, new services, amenities and programs. We invite you to come be a part of it all, to discover what’s next for you. Call us at (618) 466-8662 today to learn more!

New name, new amenities, same great community!

New name, new amenities, same great community!

The United Methodist Village is now Asbury Village! Here, you’ll find a countryside neighborhood that bustles with activities and opportunities. Along with our new name comes a fresh focus on good health and wellness, and exciting, new services, amenities and programs. We invite you to come be a part of it all, to discover what’s next for you. Call us at (618) 466-8662 today to learn more!

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

New name, new amenities, same great community!

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

5201 Asbury Avenue Godfrey, IL 62035

Don’t just live life ... Hear life!

Health care is more than treating illness or injury. It’s about everything that helps you live your best life. At OSF

Saint Anthony’s Health Center, we listen to you and work with you and your family to achieve that active lifestyle you desire.

We provide:

•Individualized, coordinated care with access to specialists

•Education and information on health and wellness topics

•Financial and nurse navigators to support you and ease concerns

•Encouragement to help you live the life you want

After 145 years, our Mission remains unchanged. No matter who you are or where you’re going, we’re here to support you with the greatest care and love.

osfhealthcare.org/careandlove

Dr. Joe Hopper, FAAA Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Michelle Cramer, FAAA Doctor of Audiology

RiverBend GROWTH ASSOCIA TION

john KELLER Ser v ing Business,

FROM THE PRESIDENT ’S DESK

Encouraging Growth in Southwestern Illinois

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

Waggoner Equipment Rental

Waggoner Equipment

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

April 13 Member Mingle at Crisis Food Center

May 11 Member Mingle at Alton River Dragons

May 25 NEW EVENT – Chamber Choice Awards

June 17 Riverbend Golf Classic

Welcome

Rental, LLC has been chosen as the March 2022 Riverbend Growth Association Small Business of the Month award recipient. The family-owned and operated company has been in business for 35 years now. Waggoner is a large equipment rental company, with a core fleet of deck cranes that range from 2.5 tons to 25 tons. Additionally, they have a solo 33-ton boom truck as well as rough terrain cranes with a range of 35 to 160 tons. They can also provide their customers with forklifts/telehandlers and skid steer equipment as needed, as well as crane mats and rigging. Waggoner provides free onsite job evaluations and consultations and offers 24hour service as needed. All their operators are NCCCO certified and members of International Union of Operating Engineers and they have a fully staffed shop to service the equipment. Waggoner got its start in Madison, Ill. It was first owned and operated by Wilbur Waggoner

At that time, the Wilbur Waggoner Company was known for trucking, equipment rental, and excavating. The fleet back then consisted of trucks, backhoes, hi-lifts, crawler cranes, truck cranes, and hydraulic cranes. In 1986, three partners purchased the Wilbur Waggoner facility, with David S. Yates, as the partner and operating general manager.

While continuing to follow in its founder’s footsteps, Waggoner Equipment Rental took a primary lead in crane

rental. And in 2020, Alana (Yates) Yount, daughter of David S. Yates and serving as Waggoner’s operations manager, solely purchased the company. Soon after, Waggoner Equipment Rental was designated by the Illinois Capital Development as a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

In 1987, Yount started working with payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable at the company back when her father was still GM and needed the help. At the time, she was pursuing a career in nursing. Her father offered to pay her just slightly more than she was making as a certified nurse’s aide (CNA) to come help him out, and she did. Over the years, Yount’s career goals shifted to align with becoming the company’s president and owner.

For more than 30 years now,

Waggoner’s mission has been to help its customers reach new heights. “We restore the past and build the future, observing safe lifting practices on the ground and in the air. We aim to make our customers look good, and always represent them in the highest fashion,” noted Yount.

Waggoner Equipment Rental 618-254-2464

6 Helmkamp Drive, Wood River waggonerequipment.com @waggonerequipment

“We are always keeping our employees updated and trained,” she added. “We strongly promote safety and always encourage advancement in education and training. And we pride our operations on our strong customer relations on all our construction sites –industrial, commercial, and residential. We believe in excellent communication, knowledge, and skillset to make the job easier for our customers.”

Waggoner Equipment Rental is further passionate

about its involvement and support of the community. They sponsor a variety of events and hold membership in organizations like the RiverBend Growth Association. Yount said, “We are very passionate about working with organizations such as Refuge and Patches and Badges for Kids. I am also a part of the 100+ Women Who Care from the 618.”

“There always seems to be challenges for any company to face. For us, one is being smaller and competing with the larger companies. But we are a personable company with a long-term, dedicated team. You will see a familiar face and likely work with the same person. One of the best things about being a family-owned and operated local business is the people we work with and serve and being a part of the community.”

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Family. Friends. Community.

PHASE 2

TAMMY CAN’T BREAK THIS WALL DOWN, BECAUSE...

for three months, passing the time by sketching on Ayapaneco, or, more properly, Nuumte Oote (“the

• Sand is the most extracted material in the world.

played in the same band (called Joey Dee and the Starliters) as Jimi Hendrix.

• In 2006, an Athens court ordered the worship of the 12 gods of ancient Greece -- including Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Athena and others -- to be unbanned.

• Vikings fed their wounded soldiers a strong onion soup to help gauge the depth of a stomach wound. After a few minutes, they would smell the wound and if they could smell the onion soup, they knew the wound was too deep and the soldier could not be saved.

• The “artificial strawberry flavor” in a McDonald’s milkshake is made up of around 45 chemicals.

• “Jeopardy!” contestants stand on adjustable platforms so that they all appear to be the same height on camera.

• On the last Sunday of November in Lopburi, Thailand, an annual Monkey Buffet Festival is held that provides food and drink to more than 2,000 local monkeys, as a thank you for drawing tourists to the town.

• The role of U.S. first lady isn’t reserved solely for the president’s wife. Historically, some first ladies have included nieces, sisters or daughters-in-law of the sitting president.

• The word “and” and the ampersand symbol (&) mean different things in movie

credits. Two writers’ names joined with an ampersand means they collaborated, while “and” means they worked on the script at different times.

• Researchers have discovered that the Fritillaria delavayi plant, which has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for 2,000 years, has evolved camouflage in heavily harvested areas.

• In 1355, a dispute between two students from Oxford University and a local tavern owner over the quality of its wine grew so heated that it resulted in a three-day-long riot, which left 63 students and 30 locals dead. 3

8

Family

Reading is a foundation for learning, yet a vast gap exists in access to books for low-income neighborhoods.

According to the Handbook of Literacy Research, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is just one age-appropriate book for every 300 children. Without books in the home, children lack the opportunity to practice reading skills and are exposed to fewer opportunities to build their vocabularies.

While these limitations can hinder personal performance, multiple studies correlate low literacy rates with social concerns like elevated drop-out rates, reliance on welfare programs and criminal activity.

Literacy is a cause that affects the community as a whole. Learn how you can champion literacy in your community with these tips:

Give Books to Children

The joy of receiving and opening a gift is exciting in its own right, but a book is a gift that keeps giving. You can make a book gift extra special by choosing a topic or theme that has special meaning, such as a place you’d like to visit together or a beloved character you enjoy incorporating into your make-believe playtime with the child. As a bonus, if it’s age appropriate, read the book together for the first time so it always carries a special memory.

Visit the Library

Libraries can be awe-inspiring places for kids. The wall-towall books represent thousands of possibilities. With so many options to choose from, you can introduce children to the delight of discovering different genres, enchanting topics and favorite authors who keep you coming back for more.

When children have their

own library cards, they can practice the grown-up process of checking out and caring for books. What’s more, honoring due dates helps teach responsibility.

Marking that date on the calendar is a fun way to build anticipation toward the next visit.

Support Organizations

That Promote Literacy

Conducting your business with companies that share your commitment to literacy is a way to inspire reading on a larger scale. One example is The UPS Store, which created the Toys for Tots Literacy Program in partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to provide disadvantaged children with direct access to books and educational resources that enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively.

Create Reading-Inspired Traditions

Children thrive on routines and rituals, and incorporating books into special moments can be an especially effective way to establish positive connections with books and the joy of reading. At home, traditions might be as simple as bedtime stories or reading parties where the whole family dons pajamas early and gathers in a room to read together, whether quietly or out loud. You can also tie reading traditions to special celebrations, like reading a favorite story together before heading to bed on the eve of a birthday or holiday.

Participate in Events

Supporting Literacy

Show your support by attending and participating in events that showcase the importance of reading. Examples might include book fairs and fundraisers for literacy programs in your community. You can also look into programs offered through your local library and community center. If you find a shortage of events in

your area, consider creating one of your own, such as visiting a local senior living center and reading to residents or hosting a book swap or book club with your friends and neighbors.

Encourage Kids to Get Hands-On

Reading a book is one way to demonstrate literacy, but kids can also develop a love for reading and put their comprehension skills into practice by adapting their favorite stories for playtime. That might mean acting out a different ending for a favorite story or drawing a picture from a scene they remember best. You can also promote literacy by encouraging kids to write songs or their own short stories, which they can illustrate for a finished book to share with others.

Start a Neighborhood Library

Recognizing not all kids have access to books at home, you can help promote an interest in reading by creating a mini library within your neighborhood. Create a small structure that will protect books from the elements and spread the word that the contents are free for the taking. Encourage users to return books when they’re done so another child can enjoy them and invite neighbors to donate their gently used books to help fill your library.

Model Good Reading Habits for Kids

Children learn from the examples set by trusted grown-ups. Sharing your love of reading with a child demonstrates you value learning and education. You can encourage children to mimic your interest in reading by sharing stories about the books you enjoyed most when you were their age and choosing to spend quiet time reading together in place of screen time. 3 theupsstore.com/literacy

Get away without going away

Family staycation ideas that won’t break your budget

Family Features

Family vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the hectic schedules that accompany everyday life, but sometimes time or money (or both) make planning an elaborate trip a non-starter. However, a staycation — a vacation you take right in your hometown (or nearby) — can be much less expensive and fit into nearly any amount of available time with the added bonus of skipping out on potentially stressful travel.

Consider these staycation ideas to take advantage of your local area’s attractions and prove you don’t have to go far to spend quality time together.

Visit local landmarks. Just because it’s not a traditional vacation doesn’t mean you can’t pretend to be tourists. Start by visiting the places you recommend to friends and family from out of town or pick up a city guidebook to uncover hidden spots you may not even know exist. Make a plan to seek out historic sites, visit local landmarks

like museums or try an out-of-the-way restaurant (or two) you’ve never eaten at before.

Camp out in the backyard. Camping doesn’t have to be done far from home. In fact, it can be done right in your own backyard. Pitch a tent to sleep under the stars and plan a night full of traditional camping activities like roasting s’mores, telling spooky stories by flashlight and trying to identify stars and constellations.

Set up a picnic in the

park. Pack a basket with sandwiches, fruit and other treats and head to the park. You can enjoy a casual meal then take advantage of the open space for a family walk or game of tag before retreating to the playground to let the little ones expel any leftover energy. Have a home spa day. If you’re looking for some relaxation but don’t want to splurge on the full spa treatment, plan an at-home oasis instead. Light some candles, run a bubble bath and break out the facial masks and fingernail polish.

Visit

a strategy for hitting the most popular thrill rides and waterslides while skipping those that may not provide quite the same entertainment value. 3 elivingtoday.com

ADVANTAGE ATHLETES

Gallatin’s Diamond Jubilee a success

Marquette’s Owen Williams, CM’s Kelbie Zupan named POYs

More than 200 attendees packed the Best Western Premier Hotel in Alton on March 20 for the 75th Gallatin Players of the Year Banquet.

Marquette Catholic and Civic Memorial fans left happy as Owen Williams of the Explorers and Kelbie Zupan of the Eagles took home the male and female Player of the Year awards respectively. They headlined a great night for the diamond edition of the longtime high school basketball banquet.

Alton Mayor David Goins served as keynote speaker and gave a passionate speech about success. The former Redbird basketball player used the word success as an acronym to inspire the young basketball players in the crowd, connecting hoops with the game of life.

Goins, a winner of the POY award in 1978, was one of 15 former recipients of the honor who attended Sunday. He joined Ricci Stotler (CM, 1967), Kevin Caldwell Sr, (Alton, 1990), Eric

Frankford (CM, 1994), Amie Gernigan (Marquette, 1994), Nic Stotler (CM, 1996), Angela Payne (Roxana, 1996), Michelle Beiermann (Marquette, 2000), Ashley Russell (East Alton-Wood River, 2001), Jordan Davis (Roxana, 2003), Emily Best (EA-WR, 2004-05), Kavon Lacey (Alton, 2006-07), Cassie Endicott (CM, 2011), Megan Trost (CM, 2013-14) and Allie Troeckler (CM, 2015-17).

Joining the past winners in a short ceremony was the 2022 recipient of the Gallatin Special Service Award, 1985 AHS graduate Cathy Snipes. The all-time leading scorer for Alton basketball with 2,673 points never won a POY award because the banquet didn’t recognize female winners until 1994 when Gernigan was the first honoree. She cemented herself in a fraternity where she belongs and did it in front of a rousing standing ovation.

Snipes was the third honoree of the Gallatin Special Service Award,

joining Alton Exchange Club members Dave Elson and Gary Buck.

Zupan became the 12th straight CM POY for the girls basketball program, capping a brilliant season that saw the Eagles go 32-6 and earn their first trip to the state tournament. CM finished fourth at the Class 3A state tourney. She earned POY honors over fellow finalists Kiyoko Proctor of Alton, Emily Johnson of EA-WR, Chloe White of Marquette and Lexi Ryan of Roxana.

Williams became the fourth male POY winner for the Explorers in the last nine years, all playing for head coach Steve Medford. He edged out Adrian Elliott of Alton, Sam Buckley of CM, Seth Slayden of EA-WR and Aidan Briggs of Roxana for the hardware.

Other award winners included Evan Wells of Roxana and Abby Williams of Marquette, who won the boys and girls 110 Percent awards, Parker Macias of Marquette and Alton’s

Proctor who were the Free Throw award winners and EA-WR and CM which nabbed the boys and girls Team Sportsmanship trophies.

This was the first banquet for the Gallatin Awards since 2019. Due to COVID-19 the banquet was canceled the last two years, while the committee continued to hand out awards.

The banquet began in 1946 as the High Twelve Club banquet before shifting to the better known Alton Exchange Club Basketball Awards banquet in 1950. It shifted to the Gallatin Awards in 2018 when the Alton Exchange Club could no longer carry the torch due to dwindling numbers.

A committee of local supporters featuring Bill Roseberry, Steve Porter, Joe Silkwood and Frank Akers took over the reins and with the support of John Simmons kept the banquet alive. In 2019 the committee expanded to welcome Tim Lowrance and Trish Holmes.

At the request of Simmons, the banquet was renamed for the legendary Harry “The Horse” Gallatin, who was a 1944 Roxana High grad who went on to a 10-year NBA career which ultimately landed him in Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 1991. Among many

other highlights, Gallatin was also the inaugural athletics director and men’s basketball head coach at SIUE. Gallatin passed away in 2015 at 88. His widow, Beverly and son Steve and wife Beverly attended the fete. 3

EAWR All State wrestlers Jason Shaw and Aaron Niemeyer Jerseyville bowling team award winners

CM Lady Eagles celebrate a regional championship Marquette Lady Explorers celebrate a regional championship

Alton High state wrestling champ Antonia Phillips

AdVantage Athletes sponsored by Simmons Hanly Conroy

Owen Williams and Kelbie Zupan [photo by Dan Cruz]

Roxana sophomore Chris Walleck advanced to the state finals in the IHSA 3 point competition

If you’ve driven around Bethalto lately, you’ve likely noticed several projects in the works. Crews have begun work along Prairie Street, moving utilities and completing storm sewer updates in preparation for the reconstruction of the roadway from Corbin Street to Alma. This construction will cause traffic detours, so watch for signs as you travel through town.

Work has also started on the reconstruction of the Albers Lane/Friedel Bridge. This entire bridge will be replaced in the coming months, making for a safer route to north of town—the bridge is now closed until the completion of that project.

By Gary Bost Bethalto Mayor

Bethalto news you can use

The Stadium Drive Bridge is also in need of repair and will hopefully be a project in the books very soon.

Road improvements take planning, time, and money, and we appreciate our residents’ patience as we make progress throughout town—remember, “the road to success is always under construction.” We’d like to give a big thank you to our Public Works director, Public Works crews, and contractors for all you do.

The Village Spring Cleanup was scheduled for the week of March 28. However, if you miss a thing or two, or need to schedule a largeitem pickup throughout the year, you can call Republic Services at (618) 656-6883 to schedule a pick up at no

charge.

Yard waste service begins on April 1 as well—residents can call Republic to sign up for this service at the number shown above. Just a reminder, electronics and “anything with a cord” are not accepted, but there are electronics recycling events held throughout the year at various Madison County locations. For more information on electronics or hazardous waste recycling, call 618-296-6647.

Bethalto Spirit is getting ready for a year of fun events. Follow their Facebook page for information on free Music in the Park, their weekly farmers market, and special Arbor Day events in our Village Arboretum. We appreciate all that this group

and

does to help make Bethalto a great place to live!

As a reminder, all Village Board meetings are open to

the public; regular meetings are the second Monday of the month beginning at 7pm and are held in our Council Chambers inside

Village Hall. We encourage residents to attend and to stay informed of all the happenings in town.

Prioritize self-care for a brighter future

Family Features

When so much of the world is beyond your control, it’s easy to become anxious or overwhelmed trying to take care of everyone and everything. Making self-care a priority allows you to take charge and protect your own mental and physical wellness.

For many people, self-care gets neglected while other needs and obligations move to the forefront. That’s why being intentional and getting organized can help put you on a better path.

“A steady schedule is a healthy schedule,” said Jackie Michaels, a vocalist, songwriter, actress and author who shares her own journey to help others learn how to appreciate life by encouraging self-care, self-love and healing. “Set intentional goals to realign your life and create time for yourself to accomplish your goals.”

Michaels offers these words of wisdom to those who are just beginning their journey of intentional self-care.

Take advantage of the energy of the moon. A new moon is an ideal time to contemplate and plan for the future, as its path toward light and energy can align with your progress toward a milestone

or goal. Conversely, a full moon’s expansive positive energy is thought to help amplify both conscious and sub-conscious thoughts for productive meditation. As the moon wanes, this is a time for reflection, shedding what hinders your progress as you prepare for another fresh start with the return of a new moon.

Make time for yourself to find balance. In today’s busy

world, this advice can be much easier said than done, but that’s why Michaels recommends arming yourself with tools that can help. For example, the Love Me Right Self-Care Journal and Planner can help you set boundaries for yourself and others. You can use the calendar to set and take necessary breaks from time to time as a step toward selfcare management.

Relax and release before starting a new week. Each week is an opportunity for a fresh start. Take time over the weekend to mentally rest and recharge, paying attention to areas of growth and accomplishment. It’s also helpful to be intentional about letting go of disappointments and missteps from the week behind you and focus your mental energy on how to

continue progressing toward your goals. Make every effort count. When time is precious, there’s little room for lackluster effort. While you may not be able to realistically put everything into all that you do, you’ll likely discover a pattern of greater success in the activities where you invest yourself more deeply.

Ultimately, you may find it

easier to pass on activities that don’t pique your interest enough to command your full energy.

Recognize there’s no guilt in putting yourself first. Think about what you give to your friends, work and other external forces in life. When your effort is limited, chances are your results are, too. The same applies when you’re working on yourself. If you only give what energy is leftover after giving to everyone and everything else, you’re not likely to achieve the results you desire.

Understanding that giving all of yourself is the only way to reach what you aspire is the first step toward letting go of the guilt you may feel when you make yourself and your own time the first priority. Give yourself credit and acknowledge your achievements. When you’re busy chasing your goals and dreams, it’s easy to lose sight of what you’ve already accomplished. Take time to celebrate victories and be proud of what you have accomplished. Also remember acknowledging milestones and progress toward bigger, long-term goals can help keep you motivated and determined to reach the finish line.

3 jackiemichaels.com/loveme-right-initiative

Village of Bethalto page sponsored by Allstate - John Standefer, JR’s Flooring, and Tom Lane Ins and Fin Svcs, Inc

AUDIOLOGY

Can a hearing aid help me understand speech?

Yes, but it takes quality technology. Many people know firsthand that hearing loss can affect the ability to perceive as well as understand sound. So it’s important that a hearing aid be able to help with both tasks.

That’s why we’re excited about the new Signia Pure Charge&Go AX hearing device, which uses separate processors for speech and background noise rather than just a single processor to handle both.

In addition, this advanced device:

• Is subtle, with a slim, discreet profile

• Offers a comfortable fit with glasses

• Is available in budget-friendly options

• Provides the convenience of rechargeability

LOCAL EXPERTS

BANKRUPTCY

Can a bankruptcy stop a garnishment?

YES.

You go to work every day, you work hard for your paycheck and it still doesn’t go as far as you need it to.

INSURANCE

How much homeowner’s insurance do I need?

Dr. T.K. Parthasarathy President & former SIUE Professor of Audiology

Gas prices are rising, groceries prices are rising, the cost of living for everyone is more expensive than it used to be. In this economy, every penny counts.

Shari Murphy

Then your employer notifies you that they have received a wage garnishment order and will begin garnishing your already-stretched-too-thin paycheck.

Can bankruptcy stop the garnishment?

This question comes up quite often. You want to insure your home for its full value. As far as homeowners insurance is concerned, the value you want to insure it for is the amount it would take to rebuild it. You can check with your insurance agent, a builder, or a contractor to get an idea. Keep in mind though, anytime your remodel or add living space, that value will increase so you’ll need to adjust your coverage.

Tom Lane

For your belongings, take a room-by-room inventory. Keep this list somewhere in a fire-safe place. Many people use a video camera or digital camera and store them on a disc.

• Streams phone calls and other audio right to your ears

At Better Hearing Clinic, we know that hearing and understanding are critical to healthy communication. We’re dedicated to solutions that help you do both. Call for a free consultation today!

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding designed to give you a fresh financial start by allowing you a “discharge” of most unsecured debts, including credit card debt, medical bills, and past due utility bills. Once bankruptcy is filed, all collection efforts by creditors, including garnishments, must stop.

Your paycheck will be restored and, without the burden of other, now-discharged debts, will go even farther than it did before the garnishment.

SHARI L. MURPHY

94 Northport Drive, Alton 618-208-6002 betterhearingclinic.com

Follow the plan, and make stuff happen!

DEAR DAVE: I just started

Baby Step 3 of your plan. It took me about 12 months to pay off $8,000 in debt during Baby Step 2. I am 50, and I work in the printing industry making about $38,000 a year in a city with no local or state income tax. I have not done a lot about retirement yet, and that worries me now that I am learning to manage money in a smarter way. How can I stay on track with the Baby Steps and still do something about retirement?

-- Blake

DEAR BLAKE: I generally look at a timeframe of six months to a year for saving a fully funded emergency fund. So, if it took you about a year to pay off $10,000 in debt, you’re probably looking at about the same length of time—or less, since the debt is gone—to save up an emergency fund. Keep in mind that an emergency fund is three to six months of expenses, not income.

But here’s the thing. If you start building retirement right now and have an emergency, do you know what you’ll use? Yep, you’ll use your retirement. That’s why an emergency fund comes before retirement in the Baby Steps.

The median household income in America is around $68,000, and that’s often two incomes. You’re probably working pretty hard for that $38,000, so I would challenge you to think about and work toward something

you could be doing in the near future to make that much money or more.

I want you to open your mind and imagination, and start thinking fresh again. Don’t do something silly like quit your job today, but if you’re going to be making $38,000 five or 10 years from now it’s time to aim at something else.

I’m trying to speak to your retirement fears, as well as warn you against addressing retirement without having an emergency fund in place. Save up a solid emergency fund over the next year, while at the same time doing some serious thinking and goal setting.

Maybe you’d like to do something completely different, or even own a printing company by that time.

AD&D insurance? No, thank you

DEAR DAVE: My wife and I both work, and we have been looking at level term life insurance policies. A friend says it would be a good idea for us to have accidental death and dismemberment insurance, too. Do you agree? -- Aiden DEAR AIDEN: You both definitely need good level term life insurance policies. Stick with 15- to 20-year level term life insurance, and make sure that coverage is separate from anything provided by your employer. Each one of you needs 10 to 12 times your yearly income wrapped up in a policy. If you make $50,000

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P.O. Box 136, Wood River 618-797-8888

a year, that means you need a policy with $500,000 to $600,000 worth of coverage. The idea of life insurance is to take the place of income. If you or your wife died, the other could invest the insurance money and replace that lost income. You do not—I repeat, not— need accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. These policies are cheap, but they’re pretty much worthless because of the long list of conditions they won’t pay out for. Most pay out only a small portion in cases of dismemberment, and many won’t pay a death benefit if you die from a medical procedure, health-related issue or drug overdose. The devil’s in the details, and AD&D policies are chock-full of them.

If you have long-term disability insurance in place, which is what I recommend, you can be covered for a substantial part of income lost due to an injury or disability. One study says 25% of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled by age 67. In my mind, those odds are way too high for you to skimp on long-term disability insurance—especially when it’s very affordable in most cases. If you’re in your prime income-earning years, a permanent disability could derail your dreams of homeownership, paying for your kid’s college or having a dignified retirement.

Date night can be inexpensive and fun

DEAR DAVE: We’re trying to get control of our finances by living on a budget. We also have about $18,000 in debt we are trying to pay off. My husband brings home $3,400 a month, and I am currently taking care of our eight-month-old baby. We

Having regular reviews with your insurance agent is the best way to make sure you are adequately covered so nothing unexpected pops up.

would like to have a date night once a month, and he thinks we should set aside $200 for this. Under the current circumstances, I feel like this is too much. What do you think? -- Carolyne

DEAR CAROLYNE: If you’d told me you guys make $150,000 a year, I’d say go have a great time. But with your income, and a lot of debt on top, I’d put the brakes on that amount. It sounds like he’s looking for an outlet to unwind and have a little fun, without giving a lot of thought to the big picture. The good thing, though, is you’re working together and beginning to take this personal finance thing seriously.

My advice would be to lower the date night amount to about $50 right now. That’s plenty for a reasonable dinner and a babysitter for a couple of hours. Going out on a date doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Years ago, when my wife and I were broke, we did tons of stuff that didn’t cost a dime. Things like hiking and picnics are great ways to spend quality time together, while keeping your pocketbook in your pocket. Just be creative, talk about it together and make sure you find ways to have a little us time on a regular basis.

Stronger and in good financial shape

DEAR DAVE: My husband and I are getting a divorce, and everything will be final in less than a month. I haven’t worked outside the home in a few years, but according to the terms of the divorce I’ll receive $75,000 in cash on the day the divorce is finalized. I also have about $5,000 in debt on a credit card I am responsible for

116 W. Bethalto Blvd, Bethalto 618-377-8912 tomlaneagency.net

paying. Other than that, I have no debt. Can you give me some advice for moving forward in my life? -- Starla

DEAR STARLA: I’m truly sorry to hear you’re going through this. If you’re not already connected to a good church, I hope you’ll consider finding one. Having caring people of faith around you in times like this can help a lot. The credit card debt is a small part of your financial picture right now. Still, my advice is to go ahead and pay it off as soon as you receive the settlement money. That way, you’ll be completely debt-free and still have $70,000 in the bank. There’s a little bit of a catch, though. You’ll need to live for a while like that money isn’t there. Use just enough to get yourself settled somewhere else, if that’s a consideration, and then start looking for a job so you can eat and pay the utilities. There are tons of places hiring right now, and the money’s decent, so it shouldn’t be too hard to start generating a regular income soon.

If you’ll do this, that big chunk of cash will still be sitting there a year from now when the pain of the divorce has lessened a bit. At that point, you’ll be stronger and more emotionally and mentally ready to think about the future and make real plans. And if you haven’t already, cut up that credit card and close the account. The last thing you need right now is an avenue to more debt. AD&D insurance? No, thank you DEAR DAVE: My wife and I both work, and we have been looking at level term life insurance policies. A

friend says it would be a good idea for us to have accidental death and dismemberment insurance, too. Do you agree? -- Aiden DEAR AIDEN: You both definitely need good level term life insurance policies. Stick with 15- to 20-year level term life insurance, and make sure that coverage is separate from anything provided by your employer. Each one of you needs 10 to 12 times your yearly income wrapped up in a policy. If you make $50,000 a year, that means you need a policy with $500,000 to $600,000 worth of coverage. The idea of life insurance is to take the place of income. If you or your wife died, the other could invest the insurance money and replace that lost income.

You do not—I repeat, not— need accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. These policies are cheap, but they’re pretty much worthless because of the long list of conditions they won’t pay out for. Most pay out only a small portion in cases of dismemberment, and many won’t pay a death benefit if you die from a medical procedure, health-related issue or drug overdose. The devil’s in the details, and AD&D policies are chock-full of them. 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.

@DaveRamsey

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

By Keith Roach, M.D.

Yellow Lenses to Rescue for Macular Degeneration

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have an elderly friend who’s becoming blind from macular degeneration. After hearing of a particularly frustrating event she experienced due to vision loss, I remembered the great clarity that the yellow-lens (to reduce glare) glasses gave me, not just at night, but daytime also.

So, I sent her a pair to see if it would help, as a lastditch effort. She called me crying, it had made such a difference! She has now had her prescription eyeglasses

done with the yellow (blue-canceling?) lenses.

Of course, we understand that this is just a temporary help, and won’t prevent the blindness from taking its course, but it has given her much better vision for a time. -- I.L.B.

ANSWER: Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in industrialized countries.

It is a degeneration of the central part of the retina, called the macula, which is responsible for fine detail central vision. The underlying cause is not precisely known, and the course is progressive.

I was able to find a 2002 study that confirmed that yellow or orange lenses improved contrast sensitivity in people with early age-related macular degeneration, whereas red and gray lenses worsened

it. Another study suggested that the perceived benefit (the subjective experience by the person) was enhanced, but that objective improvement in vision was not actually improved much at all.

In my opinion, perceived benefit is still worth a great deal, and since there is little effective treatment for the more common “dry” form of ARMD beyond vitamins and smoking cessation, I am publishing your letter in hopes that some people will get improvements in their vision, as your friend did, from this low-cost treatment with essentially no risk of side effects.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 73-year-old man who has always had a large prostate. Thirty years ago, my urologist described it more like the size of an orange rather than a

walnut. Despite its size, it has never given me any problems -- no UTIs, sudden urination, poor stream, waking me in the middle of the night, etc. Despite not having symptoms, about 10 years ago I was prescribed finasteride at a dose of 5 milligrams, and Rapaflo to “try to keep it in check.” In 2018 I had an ultrasound done of my prostate, and it was measured at 185 grams. It was measured again recently and is now 232 grams. My PSA is always in the 3.2-3.5 range. At what point does a prostate get too large? Should I be concerned even without having any symptoms? To his credit, my urologist discussed my surgical options, along with the related side effects. I am reluctant to do anything if it’s not necessary. -- J.J.

ANSWER: The normal

prostate gland is about 20 grams, and only 4% of men will develop a prostate over 100 grams. Yours is well past that, though far short of the world record of 2,410 grams.

It is striking that the size of the prostate does not well correlate with a man’s symptoms. Since you have no symptoms and a low PSA level (especially considering the size), there is no indication to

do anything surgically. The risk of surgical complications is higher in men with very enlarged prostate glands, so I would certainly be cautious about considering surgery.

3

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Email questions to toyourgoodhealth @med.cornell.edu.

BUSSES FOR SALE

Roxana C.U.S.D. #1 will accept bids for the sale of one 2009 Blue Bird 65 pass. bus, minimum bid $6,000 and one 2010 Blue Bird 65 pass. bus, minimum bid of $6,000. For more information, call 618-254-7572.

Sealed bids will be due in the District O ce on April 7, 2022 at 10:00am at which time a public bid opening will be held. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof.

By Sam Mazzotta

Don’t Forget to Provide for Pets in Your Will

DEAR PAW’S CORNER:

As an attorney who helps clients prepare wills, I’d like to urge your readers to review their end-of-life plans and make sure that their pets are provided for. It’s so important to designate a new caregiver for their pets so that they are quickly rehomed to a person who will love and care for them.

I own a lovable German Shepherd, and each year, I review my own life plan and adjust it if needed -- usually an adjustment in the amount I’ll give to his future caregiver to help with the financial aspects of taking in a pet, which can be substantial. -- Darren H., Philadelphia DEAR DARREN: Thank you for this reminder. None of us likes to think about the possibility of dying, but as people who love and care

for our pets, we need to do it for them, and make sure they will be loved and cared for. You can read more about how to include a pet clause in your will at this link: tinyurl.com/3yjbzmdx.

What if you’re not in a position to make or update your will at this time? Put it on your to-do list, and in the meantime, make a list of trusted relatives and friends who you think would be good caregivers for your pet. Contact each of them

to ask if they’d be willing to take in your pet if something should happen to you. This type of informal arrangement will give you some peace of mind. As soon as you’re able to do so, create a written will or review your existing will. This helps ensure that your pet will go to a loving home and minimize their stress and grief. 3

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

PAW’S CORNER

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Trivia Test

1. Robert Frost

2. “Friday Night Lights”

3. 1776

4. Between the west coast of Italy and the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica

5. Pork

6. Coca-Cola

7. 20 mph

8. Vincent van Gogh (by actor Kirk Douglas)

9. 1953

10. Ferdinand Magellan

Flashback

1. Supertramp, in 1977. It first appeared on their “Even in the Quietest Moments ...” album and was later released as a single.

2. Pat Benatar, in 1984. The song netted Benatar a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, her fourth. The Grammys no longer separate by gender in this category.

3. Baccara, a Spanish flamenco dance duo, in 1977. The disco tune became a big hit in Europe and topped the charts in the U.K.

4. John Lennon told him to. The “J” was for Julian, Lennon’s son.

5. “Hawaiian Wedding Song,” by Andy Williams in 1958. The song was from the 1926 Hawaiian “Ke Kali Nei Au” (Waiting There for Thee). It was retitled and has been covered by numerous others, such as Elvis Presley in the 1961 film “Blue Hawaii.”

5 Eastport Plaza Dr., Collinsville

Laptops and wifi hotspots available for checkout at Hayner Library

The Hayner Public Library District is pleased to announce that new laptops and hotspots are available for check out by eligible patrons of the district. The laptops come equipped with current Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, have a web camera, ports for a flash drive on which to save work, and up-to-date browsers installed to search and access the internet. The wifi hotspots can link a device, such as this laptop, a tablet, or phone, to high speed internet service -- free of charge.

The library received funding for the laptops through the Illinois State Library’s Expanding Digital Inclusion: Transforming Library Services grant. Bernadette Duvernoy, Executive Director of Hayner Library said, “The district is so excited to offer this service to our community. We learned many lessons while working through the pandemic. Offering patrons access to education, information and communication without actually coming into the library is critical. Along with the multitude of online services and virtual programming Hayner currently provides, circulating laptops and hotspots is another link in the chain that connects library services to the community’s needs. We are so thankful to the Illinois State library for providing the

funding for the purchase of these devices.”

Eligible patrons include those Hayner Library District patrons, age 18 and older, with a current district library card and no outstanding fines over $5. The devices may be checked out for up to two weeks

after signing a Library Electronic Device Agreement in which the patron agrees to be responsible for the return of device(s) and all accompanying components. Patrons are responsible for all damage to Hayner Library equipment in their possession. 3