CALHOUN NEWS-HERALD 75¢ PER COPY
INSIDE SPECIAL
Class of 2010. See pages B2-6
OUR TOWN
HARDIN, ILLINOIS 62047
VOLUME 138 - ISSUE 19
CHS PROM
County saves on new contract By JILL THURSTON Calhoun News-Herald With the dire financial status of the county, it was good news Thursday when the Board of Commissioners discovered the county could save some money on its contract with the company that provides the equipment necessary to determine resident’s property tax. County Clerk Rita Hagen said the county’s contract with Manatron,
“The only thing that would cost us a lot of money is the server, if it had to be replaced, and that would be about $12,000.”
Rita Hagen County Clerk
Where am I? See page A10
MAY 12, 2010
Inc., the company that provides property tax and records management solutions for the county, has decreased from $24,000 per year to $19,288, which results in a savings of $4,712 annually. “We signed a three-year contract with them, and that will save us more than $12,000 over the life of the contract,” Hagen said. “Manat-
ron will service our hardware and software but will only replace the equipment, if needed.” Hagen added that the equipment the county now utilizes is only four years old. “The only thing that would cost us a lot of money is the server, if it had to be replaced, and that would be about $12,000,” Hagen said. “Otherwise, if the computer went down, we could replace it for a lot cheaper than $4,000, so if all goes well, we will be saving money in the long run.” Also at the meeting, the board adopted a resolution establishing County Engineer Barry Webster’s annual salary of $82,400. According to the resolution, the county will pay half of Webster’s salary with the Illinois Department of Transportation picking up the tab for the other half. In other business, the board: ■ Approved the minutes of the previous meeting. ■ Approve the list of bills. ■ Approved a pasture lease for Kathryn Hamilton for lot 12 of the Alexander Subdivision in Kampsville. The lease will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2013. ■ Approved renewing the liquor licenses for Straight Home Bar & Grill and Cedar Hill Resort. The next meeting is slated for Monday, May 17.
CANDIDATES
Jill Thurston/Calhoun News-Herald
The Calhoun High School Prom is Saturday, May 16. This year’s theme is “Havana Nights.” Walk-ins will be held at Calhoun Elementary School at 4 p.m. with the dance commencing at Lockhaven Country Club at 7 p.m. Afterprom festivities will be held at Tri-County Bowl in Jerseyville from midnight until 3:30 a.m. The above students are the king and queen candidates for the event. Front row, left to right: Rebeca Lorton, Ashley Rose, Lindsay Franke and Ashley Baalman. Back row, left to right: Hayden Sievers, Tony Hillen, Trent Bick and Brad Eberlin.
RELAY FOR LIFE
SOCIAL
Five generations. See page A5
SPORTS
Brussels softball action. See page B1
CALHOUN NEWSHERALD • Index • Our Town . . . . . A10 Marketplace. . . B8-9 Opinion . . . . . . . A2 School . . . . . . . B10 Public Notice B7,10 Real Estate . . . . B7 Social . . . . . . . . . A5 Sports . . . . . . . . B1 Obituaries in this issue: Bick, Krese. © 2010 Calhoun News-Herald
Benefit planned in Hardin Missy Zipprich’s cancer story for former Calhoun resident By JILL THURSTON Calhoun News-Herald Family and friends of former Calhoun native, Nate Lorton, will be hosting a benefit in his honor next Saturday, May 22, at Straight Home Bar and Grill in Hardin beginning at 7:30 p.m. He is the son of Sandy and Jeff Lorton of Grafton. He was diagnosed in November with IgA nephropathy, which is a kidney disorder that occurs when IgA—a protein that helps the body fight infections, — settles in the kidneys. Next Saturday’s fundraiser will feature a DJ, a 50-50 drawing, pork sandwiches, chips and more. There will be a $10 cover charge and all proceeds will go to Lorton to help offset medical costs which are not covered by his insurance. “I just want to thank everyone for all of the thoughts, prayers and gifts,” Lorton said. “I really appreciate it.” With the disorder, 90 percent of those diagnosed live a full life without kidney damage and 10 percent of those affected suffer kidney damage and experience renal failure. Lorton is among that 10 percent. “I went for a physical and my blood pressure was up and I hadn’t had any blood work done in awhile, so they tested it,” he said. “After that they sent me to a renal specialist, and that’s when they determined that I was in stage kid-
By JILL THURSTON Calhoun News-Herald Missy Zipprich was chosen as the honorary chairperson for Calhoun County’s 11th annual Relay for Life celebration which was held Friday at the Calhoun Elementary School gymnasium. Zipprich told the crowd that she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma of the breast last year at age 31. She said she felt extremely
ney failure.” Lorton explained he currently has 8 percent kidney function and if all goes well, he will have his kidney transplant on Monday, May 24. “I feel pretty good except for the headaches and extreme fatigue,” Lorton said. “My sister, Danielle (Goebel), was a 100-percent match and was going to donate one of her kidneys to me, but when she
“I just want to thank everyone for all of the thoughts, prayers and gifts.”
Nate Lorton Former County resident was going through testing, they found out that she had kidney stones and can’t be a donor. Right now, I’m just taking things one day at a time.” When Lorton’s sister was ruled out as an eligible donor, his dad, Jeff, began the testing process. “My dad and I are on our way now (Tuesday morning) to do a cross match where they take his blood and see how I react to it,” Lorton said. “I’m hoping that Dad’s a match and that the transplant will take place as scheduled. If he’s not a match, we’ll have to change the transplant date and find another donor, and I will have to start dialysis.”
“You only have one body so you need to make sure you take care of it, so please get your yearly exams.”
Nate Lorton Lorton and his wife, Laurie, are the parents of four children: Emma, age nine; Matt, age eight; Henry, age six; and Eddie, age three. The family lives in Minonk, a small town in central Illinois. Lorton teaches math and science at Fieldcrest Middle School in Wenona and coaches football at Fieldcrest High School in Minonk. Laurie Norton teaches third grade in Gridley. Lorton said he is grateful for his wife who has been quite busy taking care of the kids and doing most of the household chores. “She’s a real strong lady and, like me, she just takes it one day at a time,” he added. For further information on the fundraiser call Straight Home at (618) 576-2766. To track Lorton’s progress or to leave a message, log onto the Caring Bridge at www.caringbridge.org/visit/natelorton.
Missy Zipprich Cancer Survivor lucky as her cancer was diagnosed at an early stage, which made it much easier to treat. “I was a new mother of two young children who was not expecting such a turn in my life. I had no family history of cancer and lived a pretty healthy lifestyle. Despite my first urge to curl up in a ball and cry, I knew I had to find the courage to fight this battle. A month after
my diagnosis, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction,” Zipprich said. “I wanted my life back in my control, and for me that meant losing my breasts. I was determined to win this war over cancer; the scars are just my battle wounds.” Zipprich told the crowd that cancer can turn one’s life upside down. “I’m still trying to deal with the emotions that still effect me - fear, anger, disbelief and now excitement that all of the treatments are over. Breast cancer has been the scariest thing I have ever gone through. I still have days where I am scared for the future, but having cancer made me find strengths I didn’t know I had,” Zipprich said. “I have developed relationships that are closer than I ever thought possible. The love and support I have received from family and friends have overwhelmed me. I have met so many cancer survivors in this community that has given me a new meaning to the word ‘strong.’” Zipprich noted it is an amazing feeling to label herself a “survivor.” “I just want to tell everybody that you need to be pro-active about your health,” she added. “You only have one body so you need to make sure you take care of it, so please get your yearly exams.”
Jill Thurston/Calhoun News-Herald
Missy Zipprich was chosen as the honorary chairperson for Calhoun County’s 11th annual Relay for Life Celebration which was held Friday at the Calhoun Elementary School gymnasium.
Calhoun celebrates 11th annual Relay for Life By JILL THURSTON Calhoun News-Herald Despite the drop in temperatures and the chance for rain in the area Friday, the 11th annual Calhoun County Relay for Life went off as planned even though the event had to be held indoors. Jo An Corbett, Calhoun County Chairman of the American Cancer Society, welcomed everyone to the event. “You come here year after year and support the American Cancer Society and in behalf of the Calhoun Unit of the American Cancer Society, I welcome each and every one of you,” Corbett said. “This is our 11th year to have a relay and I want to remind all of you that one year we raised over $50,000 with less than 5,000 people. That year, we were number one per capita in the state and that is commendable.” Corbett went on to say that everyone involved is working to find a cure for cancer and that every day 187 people in the state of Illinois hear the words, “You have cancer.” “That is why we are here tonight, to honor the survivors, the caregivers and those that are no longer with us,” Corbett
said. “We are celebrating, we are remembering and we’re fighting back.” David Fuhler was the master of ceremonies for the event and provided information about the guest speakers, Dr. James Piephoff, oncologist at St. Anthony’s Cancer Center in Alton, and Dr. David Harmon of Illini Medical Association. “I don’t know how many years I’ve been coming here, but I plan on being here every year from now on,” Piephoff said. “I like to see the people of all ages getting involved in the fight against cancer. Last year the American Cancer Society became the official sponsor of birthdays and I think that is very appropriate and wonderful because with everybody who is diagnosed with cancer and becomes a survivor, that is more birthdays to celebrate. The American Cancer Society is leading the way in increasing the number of birthdays and I hope you remember why we’re here and I will see you next year, also.” Harmon then addressed the crowd, stating that he became a caregiver for his mother, who was a cancer patient, when he was only five years old. “My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and she fought the disease until I
was in college, for 14 years,” Harmon said. “It was a little unusual two years ago to lose my father to lung cancer, so I have been a caregiver on both ends of the spectrum.” Harmon urged cancer patients and caregivers to contact the ACS as there is a lot of help available. “My hope is that when my grandchildren get to my age, the word cancer for them will be like the words polio and smallpox for me,” Harmon said. “They’ll be just memories that no longer plague us and take our loved ones from us.” The American Cancer Society’s 24-hour hotline number is (800) 227-2345. Cancer information specialists are available anytime, any day to answer questions related to cancer. Individuals can also visit www. IllinoisCancerHelp.org for the most up-todate and in-depth cancer information and resources which include: ■ Transportation assistance to and from cancer treatments. ■ Free wigs, turbans, hats and other services from the Wig Bank, located at Calhoun County Health Department, 210 French St., in Hardin. ■ Look Good…Feel Better sessions for (See, RELAY FOR LIFE, A2) C
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Jill Thurston/Calhoun News-Herald
Jo An Corbett, Calhoun County Chairman of the American Cancer Society, welcomed everyone to the annual Relay for Life ceremony.