NEWS
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Calhoun News-Herald
CALHOUN COUNCIL FOR SENIOR NEWS Information and Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Your questions are always welcome: 618-576-9567. Coming Up: May 17: free Bingo, Noon; May 22: Caregiver Group, 6 p.m. We are closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28; June 4: walk-in question and answer opportunity at Miller Apartments Community Room, 201 Earley St., Hardin, 4 to 5 p.m.; June 6: St. Louis Area Foodbank food distribution, at the riverside in Hardin, 10 a.m. Thank you for your continued support of our events and activities! Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Come join us for a delicious hot lunch! Over 60: donate what you can afford. Under 60: must pay $6.00. Wednesday, May 16: Roast turkey w/gravy, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, fruit crisp. Thursday, May 17: Fiesta hamburger steak, roasted potatoes, pinto beans, frosted Jello cake. Friday, May 18: Baked ham, au gratin potatoes, veggies, carrot cake. Monday, May 21: Chicken piccata, noodles, broccoli, mixed berry crisp. Tuesday, May 22: Chicken and dumplings, carrots, fruit crumble. Wednesday, May 23: BBQ country style ribs, baked potato casserole, green beans, peaches. Thursday, May 24: Baked chicken, creamy risotto (rice), succotash, man-
darin oranges and pineapple. Friday, May 25: Beef stroganoff over noodles, broccoli, kidney bean salad, cheesecake w/topping. Aging in Place. “Aging in place� is the phrase used to describe the goal of remaining in your own home, safely, for as long as possible. Each person’s needs are different, so a critical assessment of your current living space may be needed. Here are some things to consider: 1) Functionality. Can you move around your home safely? Do you have to climb a lot of stairs to get in and out of your home or to get to a full bathroom? If you have trouble with stairs, it might be time to consider making some changes, like installing a ramp to get into your home or having a bathroom installed on the same floor as your bedroom. 2) Location. Is your home in a place that you love and that is close to family, friends and services? 3) Safety. Will you be able to get help, quickly, in an emergency? Are you living in a remote place that gets cut off when a river or creek floods, or there is a heavy snowfall? 4) Services. Are you reasonably close to medical facilities, gas stations, grocery stores, church, etc.? 5) Affordability. This is a biggie. Perhaps property taxes, homeowners insurance and general upkeep are eating up a big chunk of your budget. Maybe your home is due for a major
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Hardin, Illinois
By Mary Crawford repair like a new roof. If you live in an older home, lack of insulation, older windows and aging furnaces/air conditioners might be running up your utility bills. For many people with limited incomes, re-modeling a current home to make it safer or more energy efficient is an obstacle. The idea of getting your belongings sorted out for a move to a new place can be a huge emotional and physical challenge. Moving in with a family member may not work, either, especially if they don’t have a lot of extra space or you are blessed with a lot of young, active grandchildren (you love ‘em, but enjoy your peace and quiet, too!). There are some programs available to help lower-income seniors. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Program offers grants and low-interest loans to seniors who would like to improve the safety of their homes. The Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation has weatherization programs that can help improve the safety and energy efficiency of your home. For people who are looking to downsize, and perhaps move into a home that has already been updated with low-threshhold showers and other safety features, senior apartments might be an option. If you’d like to remain in your home but are concerned about your safety, please talk with someone, like a friend or family member, to find a solution. We can connect you with information: 618-576-9567.
Central Illinois Senior Celebration Marks 20th Year The 20th annual Central Illinois Senior Celebration will be held on May 16, 2018, at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrance to the event is a can of food for the Central Illinois Food Bank. May is designated by the Administration for Community Living as Older Americans Month. To coincide with ACL, this year’s theme is “Engage at Every Age� which emphasizes never being too old to take part in activities that enrich older adults’ physical, mental and emotional well-being and celebrate the many ways older adults make a difference in our communities. The Central Illinois Senior Celebration offers such a
voice. Nearly 100 exhibitors will be available to help enhance or maintain independent community living. To date, the event has exhibitors registered from health care providers; social service agencies; state agencies; housing options; retirement and end-of-life estate planning; travel and volunteer opportunities; assistive technology and commercial vendors who will be available to answer questions and assist with attendees’ needs as well as to promote independent lifestyles among adults age 50 and older. Entertainment and food are also part of the event. For more information, contact Jean Welch, Chairperson, at 217/503-4629 or like us on Facebook.
Rick Cox, DMD Carrollton Family Dental 603 Fifth Street Carrollton, IL 62016
Accep ting New Patie nts
Telephone: (217) 942-5033 Fax: (217) 942-9503
Most Insurances Accepted
Luke Combs coming to State Fair Up and coming country superstar Luke Combs is headed to the Illinois State Fair where he will be the featured concert in the Grandstand on Tuesday, August 14. The authentic and fiery, Ashley McBryde, will be the opening act on what is Agriculture Day at the fair. This singer/songwriting pair is sure to provide country fans with a jam-packed, electrifying show. Watching Luke Combs give his all during a sweaty, jam-packed show in Nashville for rowdy fans and radio power-players is to understand why he’s come so far, so quickly. Both onstage in front of thousands or alone in a room with his guitar, the North Carolina singer-songwriter knows who he is, where he comes from and where he wants to go. And on his debut album for River House Artists/ Columbia Nashville, This One’s for You, he invites listeners to share in his remarkable journey. “My friends, the guys in my band, and my parents helped me through so much and were always very encouraging. That’s where this song (This One’s For You) was born from and why it’s very special to me,� Combs said. “I named the album that because it sums up my whole life.� A collection of 12 songs all written by Luke, often with frequent collaborators Ray Fulcher and James McNair, This One’s for You paints the most relatable of pictures. Songs like the driving “Hurricane� and the cautionary “One Number Away� capture the essence of heartbreak and bad decisions, while the winking “When It Rains It Pours� and boozy “Beer Can� celebrate life’s little victories. In every song on the album, there’s at least one lyric that will elicit a knowing “I’ve been there� from fans.
McBryde also writes about her life experiences. You can get a glimpse into her life through songs like, “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega,� “Livin’ Next to LeRoy,� and “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.� She is one of Rolling Stone’s “Artists You Need to Know.� The magazine says McBryde has, “the swagger of Hank Jr. and the songwriting of Miranda Lambert.� “This is a fantastic country concert combination for the Illinois State Fair,� State Fair Manager Luke Sailer said. “We’re thrilled to have breakout artist Luke Combs headline and equally thrilled to welcome Ashley McBryde back to the Illinois State Fair. Ashley performed on the Rising Star Stage last year and her talents blew everyone away. It will be great to see these rising stars up on the fair’s biggest stage.� Tickets to see Luke Combs with Ashley McBryde at the Illinois State Fair will go on sale on Saturday, May 19 via Ticketmaster.com. For those who wish to purchase tickets in person, the Emmerson Building on the state fairgrounds will begin selling tickets to this concert on Monday, May 21. Tickets for seven other concerts are on sale now. Ticket prices are as follows: Friday, August 10: Boy George and Culture Club with Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey Tier 3 - $22 / Tier 2 - $27 / Tier 1 $32 / Track - $32 / VIP - $42 Saturday, August 11: Halestorm & Mastodon Tier 3 - $28 / Tier 2 - $33 / Tier 1 $38 / Track - $38 / VIP - $48 Sunday, August 12: Foreigner with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Tier 3 - $25 / Tier 2 - $30 / Tier 1 -
$35 / Track - $35 / VIP - $45 Monday, August 13: Dueling Pianos International Free Concert Tuesday, August 14: Luke Combs with Ashley McBryde (on sale 5/19) Tier 3 - $12 / Tier 2 - $17 / Tier 1 $22 / Track - $22 / VIP - $32 Wednesday, August 15: 311 & The Offspring with Gym Class Heroes Tier 3 - $34 / Tier 2 - $39 / Tier 1 $44 / Track - $44 / VIP - $54 Friday, August 17: Brett Eldredge Tier 3 - $29 / Tier 2 - $34 / Tier 1 $39 / Track - $39 / VIP - $49 Saturday, August 18: Flo Rida and Ludacris with Childish Major Tier 3 - $27 / Tier 2 - $32 / Tier 1 $37 / Track - $37 / VIP - $47 Sunday, August 19: Brantley Gilbert Tier 3 - $35 / Tier 2 - $40 / Tier 1 $45 / Track - $45 / VIP - $55 The Illinois State Fair will once again offer Stage Side Parties for each of the Grandstand concerts. An additional $30 ticket will provide fairgoers access to an exclusive pre-show party that includes a food provided by the Illinois Pork Producers Association, entertainment, giveaways and early entry into the concert. New this year, the fair will provide each stage side ticket holder with a parking pass for that night’s concert if the tickets are purchased prior to July 31. The Stage Side Party is only available to those who have purchased a concert ticket to attend that night’s concert – both concert and party ticket will be required to enter the party tent. These tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster once tickets go on-sale. Mark your calendars for the 2018 Illinois State Fair, August 9 through 19, in Springfield.
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Illinois recognized as top tech employer It’s Information Technology Month and the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) is highlighting the state’s digital transformation and the positive impact on state operations. The agency, established by Governor Rauner in 2016 through Executive Order, is charged with building an enterprise IT organization for the State of Illinois to improve government efficiencies through innovation, enable state agencies to more effectively serve Illinois citizens and improve the overall cybersecurity of the state. “Our teams have made it a priority to modernize technology, so we can work smarter and protect the personal information of our hardworking citizens,“ Governor Bruce Rauner said. “Over the past couple of years, staff at DoIT has been focused on upgrading old, antiquated systems that had been neglected for decades and bringing our state into the 21st Century.� Illinois ranks fifth in the nation when it comes to tech employment, adding more than 437,000 people to the state’s workforce and about $45 billion dollars
to the state’s overall economy, according to the 2018 Cyberstates study, published by CompTIA. DoIT teams are building a strong defense for the state, with a focus on enhancing cybersecurity and protecting sensitive information for all employees and citizens of Illinois. More than 46,000 state employees have received cyber awareness training and nearly six billion records have already been secured, as part of the State of Illinois Cybersecurity Strategy, which was released in 2017. Through the multi-agency blockchain Initiative, DoIT worked with DCEO, DPFR and others to explore distributed ledger technology and evaluate how to capitalize on opportunities for the state. Several practical uses are being explored including health provider registries and continuing education tracking. As a result, the state received the Illinois Capital Innovation Award for Government Solutions for its advancements with blockchain in the public sector. DoIT is also helping local jurisdictions build up their digital systems and save money through its Smart State initiatives.
Earlier this year, DoIT introduced a Smart Street Lighting Program that will allow municipalities to utilize the state’s master contract to find qualified and competitive street lighting vendors to save money and offer more functionality for their communities. “We’ve made impressive strides with advancing technology in Illinois,� DoIT’s Acting Secretary, Kirk Lonbom said. “Emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and data analytics hold great promise as Illinois strives to become the first ‘Smart State’ in the nation.� And, thanks to DoIT technicians and engineers, Illinois residents and businesses have more access to state websites and services on their mobile devices, going from mobility of only 3 percent in 2016 to over 50 percent currently. DoIT continues on an accelerated digital transformation and modernization strategy to improve technology in Illinois. DoIT announces IT milestones that have been accomplished in Illinois, as well as what lies ahead for the state through news found on DoIT’s website.
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“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ � —2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NIV
ow often do you find yourself praying to be relieved of your pains and infirmities? Perhaps it would be better to pray to have the strength, courage and patience to bear your infirmities. This prayer becomes increasingly important as we age, since our bodies eventually wear out. As the saying goes, “Old age is not for sissies,� at least in part because the elderly almost invariably have their share of chronic aches and pains. As the writer Philip Roth remarked, “Old age isn’t a battle, old age is a massacre.� But it is also worth remembering that certain infirmities actually contribute to our character, making us better people by reining in certain untoward desires or tendencies. So how do we develop the necessary strength of spirit to bear our pains and infirmities? One way is to get in the habit of doing small things every day which are difficult, painful, or just plain boring. This practice will help you to develop fortitude and strength of spirit for the more difficult and painful episodes, which are bound to come. And remember that in your suffering, you are in some ways sharing in the suffering of our Lord, who suffered greatly in his time here on earth. – Christopher Simon
Rull Brothers Hardin, IL
Alton Memorial Hospital to host 4K run/walk Alton Memorial Hospital will hold a Family Fun Run/Walk at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 9. Distances are 4K for runners age 15 and over, and a half-mile for 14 and under. Registration for the event,
Cultivating Strength of Spirit
held in conjunction with the Alton Roadrunners, is $20 in advance and $25 on the morning of the race. Proceeds will benefit the AMH Heart Walk team and the American Heart Association. Ribbons will be awarded to the top runners in each age group.
There will be T-shirts for all runners. Refreshments will be available after the race. To register or for more information, visit www.altonroadrunners.com or call 618-972-8635.
‡ ‡ ‡ Jersey Community Hospital ‡ ZZZ MFK RUJ
These religious messages are published each week in the Calhoun News-Herald as a service to our churches and are sponsored by the listed business firms.