Scott County Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019
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Altman graduates basic training. See page A2 WC Cougar Boosters announce schedule. See page A3 Crime Stoppers. See page A4 Winchester Community Picnic highlights. See page A7
WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, JULY 26
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Scott County Times
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VOLUME NO. 152 NUMBER 30
Great Scott Community Market now accepts LINK By CARMEN ENSINGER Scott County Times When the Great Scott Community Market (GSCM) opened its doors last year, the organizers had a set of goals they wanted to achieve over the course of the year. Recently, the last and final goal has been checked off that list – they are now able to accept LINK cards for grocery purchases. “We are excited to announced that now we can accept the Illinois LINK card from those who receive SNAP benefits,� GSCM Board President John Paul Coonrod said. “By accepting LINK cards, we hope to be able to provide fresh produce and related grocery items to even more area residents.� GSCM opened for business Aug. 25 and one by one, those items on that list of goals has been checked off. The next to the last goal was completed in March of this year when they started offering delivery service. But when they first opened, they had no idea it would take this long to be able to accept LINK cards. “Getting approved and set up has proven to be a very long and arduous process,� Coonrod said. “At first we thought we would be up and running in a few months but, obviously, that didn’t
paper application, it again took forever happen.� Coonrod said they sent in their appli- for them to process it. Then they asked cation to the USDA online and they were us for additional information and we sent them that. Then they wanted the contacted a short time later. “They got back to us some time later information in a different form so we and told us they needed additional infor- sent them that.� Once the informamation,� he said. “We tion was approved, got them that informathey had to send out an tion and tried to sub- “Without the inspector to inspect the mit it online, per their store. After he gave his request, and the website community wouldn’t take it.� support there can okay, they then had to wait for the equipment So, they started the process all over again be no community to arrive. “When the equipwith the initial appli- grocery store. If ment did arrive – it cation along with the didn’t work, so we additional information the town wants had to send it back and and the website would a grocery store get new equipment still not accept the it needs to shop and then train on it,� application. Coonrod said. “Every “So, I called USDA there.� step in this process and told them I had has taken us just shy tried their website on several different com- John Paul Coonrod of a month to complete because the turnaround puters and could not get GSCM Board President at the state level is so it to work,� Coonrod said. “So, they tell me slow. We really have that the website really doesn’t work and been working diligently the whole time can they just send us a paper applica- to get LINK but it has been a really drawn out and bureaucratic process.� tion.� With this last major hurdle overcome, “By that time, we had been trying to get it up and running for three months,� Coonrod said those who helped organize Coonrod said. “After we sent in the the market can rest easy for awhile.
“Everyone involved in setting up this store has worked their tails off at various points throughout the past year-and-a-half without pay to bring affordable, fresh food to Scott County,� he said. “We have all taken time away from our paying jobs and our families and accepted the unavoidable stress associated in setting up a small business.� With that said, Coonrod hopes that the families of Winchester and the rest of Scott County will patronize the market and take advantage of what it has to offer. “It is essential to the survival of the store and its mission that area residents choose to shop here,� he said. “Without the community support there can be no community grocery store. If the town wants a grocery store it needs to shop there.� Coonrod said that while the store is not losing money, it does need to generate some extra cash during the summer months. “Typically, grocery stores lose some money over the winter months so this is the time of year when we need to be making a lot of money,� he said. “Everything boils down to the traffic coming through the door and we need that traffic.�
Tractor pulls coming Aug. 10 to fairgrounds By CARMEN ENSINGER Scott County Times
T
he Second Annual David Lashmett Memorial Tractor Pull is set to take place at the Scott County Fairgrounds on Saturday Aug. 10 with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and pulls starting at 5:30 p.m. “We are expecting a lot more tractors this year than we had last year,� Event Organizer Dallas Lashmett said. “We are expecting around 80 tractors this year, up from last year’s total of 45.�80 The tractor pulls was a staple in Winchester for many years up until around the mid 1990’s. “We don’t know what happened – whether they just got tired of putting them on or what, but around the mid 1990’s, they stopped having them here,� Lashmett said. “Last year, we thought we would try and bring them back and see what kind of response we received.� The response was overwhelming. “The attendance and participation was amazing last year for our first year back,� Lashmett said. “It was amazing to see how good the crowd was and we are expecting even more people this year.�
In fact, last year there were four sets of bleachers set up for spectators. In anticipation of a bigger crowd this year, they are setting up six sets of bleachers. “We want everyone to have a good seat and sit around and enjoy the show because it is for a worthy cause,� Lashmett said. “Last year, we made a $3,500 donation to the Shriner’s Hospital for kids with proceeds from the pull.� This year’s proceeds will be donated to them as well. The Shriners will have the food and beverage concessions as well. A new class has been added this year – a class for diesel trucks. Other classes include: Outlaw Tractors, Old Skool, 8500 Pro, N/A Tractors, Farm, 10,000 N/A, 12,500 and the new class of Working Class Diesel. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12. “We just want everyone to come out and support the Shriner’s,� Lashmett said. “Come out and enjoy and evening of speed, dirt, dust, noise and maybe some beer if you like because it is for a good cause.� Lashmett said he wanted to thank the Scott County 4H Jr. Fair Board for the use of the fairgrounds again this year. For more information on the pull or about entering a tractor, contact Lashmett at 217-3717102 or Rob Fearneyhough at 217-473-8128.
WINCHESTER
Submitted photo
ROYALTY
These three young ladies were crowned as the new royalty for 2019 during the pageant Saturday afternoon during the Winchester Community Picnic. Miss Winchester is Bailey Mason; Jr. Miss Winchester is Olivia Kraushaar-Bingeman and Little Miss Winchester is Lillyann Kline. They will represent Winchester for the next year in all of the events in the surrounding area.
Carmen Ensinger/Scott CountyTimes
CRAIGS
HONORED AS PARADE MARSHALLS It was a hot and humid morning Saturday, but that didn’t stop a huge crowd from gathering around the Winchester Square for the annual Winchester Community Picnic parade. Parade marshalls this year were life-long Winchester residents, John and Judy Craig. All of the pageant contestants, plus royalty from other communities also participated in the parade. See more photos on A2 and A7.
Property taxes due The Scott County Treasurer’s Office would like to notify Scott County property owners that the first installment for Scott County property taxes for 2018 are due July 26.