H METOWN VOICE
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM Retail Local Postal Customer
April 2020
The Lunch Wagon and many other organizations are stepping up to help area kids during these difficult time.
“Know Better Banking”
Committed to serving our customers!
After
Now is a great time to schedule your outside painting jobs!
•Houses •Barns •Lawn Furniture •Outbuildings and more!
Consider the What ifs
Before
Sandblasting • Soda Blasting • Full Service Painting Outbuilding Painting • Rock Engraving and Much More! We’ve expanded and now have an Industrial Paint Booth! Large enough for all your Full Size Semi, Tractor & Trailer needs!
1241 County Road 400 E Albion, IL 62806
618-445-2847 www.fearnblastingandpainting.com • Find us on Facebook Before
Now taking Christmas orders for rock engraving!
Some of the Many Services We Offer: Sandblasting, Soda Blasting, Full Service Painting, Outbuilding Painting, Rock Engraving & Much More!
After
We’ve all heard the expression, “You never know.” That’s why it’s important to plan ahead to protect the ones you love. Life insurance can be an easy and affordable way to help protect your family’s financial future. COUNTRY Financial® can help you determine the type and amount of life insurance that’s right for you. Talk to a local financial representative today.
Steven Thomson Financial Representative West Salem , IL 62476
(618)456-2309 Auto, home and business insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Preferred Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company®. Life insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®. Fixed annuities issued by COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®. All issuing companies located in Bloomington, IL. 0415-560HC-03989-3/25/2020
1241 County Road 400 East • Albion, IL • 618-445-2847 www.fearnblastingandpainting.com • Find us on Facebook
Meet your new cash cow.
*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APYs accurate as of 1/21/20. Minimum to open is $100. Qualifications: You must have 15 posted and settled debit card purchases per monthly statement cycle. Only point-of-sale (POS) debit card transactions processed through a merchant qualify. ATM transactions are excluded. You must be enrolled to receive your monthly statements electronically. To qualify, you cannot receive paper statements. You must have at least one (1) automatic debit transaction each month setup through ACH or Bill Pay. If all qualifications are met each monthly qualification cycle: (1) ATM fees incurred during qualification cycle will be reimbursed up to $20 and credited to your account on the last day of the statement cycle; (2) balances up to and including $20,000 receive APY of 3.00%; and (3) balances over $20,000 earn 0.25% interest on the portion of the balance over $20,000, resulting in 3.00% to 0.71% APY depending on the balance. If qualifications are not met all balances earn 0.05% APY. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Qualifying transactions must post and settle during the monthly statement cycle. Transactions may take one or more banking days from the date transaction was made to post to and settle account. The advertised APY is based on compounding interest. Rates may change after account is opened. Limit one account per social security number.
The Lunch Wagon turning lemons into lemonade By: Josh Gill In 2014 Melissa and Bobby Smith moved into Allendale and decided to get involved in their community. Melissa started by speaking with local schools about summer lunch programs and discovered that there wasn’t really any in their area. So they took it upon themselves to create their own program, starting by serving meals to local children from their own home. “That’s the first thing that we ever did, but we were trying to figure out how you would ever feed in Mt. Carmel and you couldn’t have just one location because the kids are so spread out there.” Melissa explained. After a brainstorming session Melissa found a concessions trailer for sale on Facebook. “That got me thinking of an ice-cream truck type situation, where they go into different neighborhoods, and I thought we should do something like that because we could take it straight to the locations where the kids are at.” In 2015 thanks to the help of local donations, Melissa had her concessions trailer, and the Lunch Wagon was born. As of today the Lunch Wagon has delivery routes in towns all over Wabash County, and serve upwards of 800 kids a week. Even in the wake of a global pandemic Melissa and her crew aren’t slowing down. “We’re going to keep feeding people until someone tells us we can’t anymore.” Melissa said determined. Working in groups of less than 10, Melissa and her volunteers take ev continued on page 2
Meet the Owner
This edition marks the 6 month anniversary of the Hometown Voice! I would like to thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement and support, I truly appreciate them! I especially would like to God for this oppurtunity and thank my wonderful family for supporting me in this venture, I couldn’t do it without them! I enjoy publishing a product featuring the wonderful residents of Edwards and Wabash Counties and look forward to continuing to bring you Hometown news! Page 1 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
The Lunch Wagon continued from page 1 ery precaution to insure the utmost safety when handling the meals, from always wearing gloves to even dawning homemade face masks. The Lunch Wagon is fully ran by donations made by members of the community. “It’s gotten to the point that I don’t have to worry too much. If we need something, I feel that all I need to do is ask and people are ready and willing to help.” Melissa smiled. Recently she even received a donation of tortilla shells from the local Taco Tierra and taco sauces from Taco Bell in order to have a taco day for the kids. Through the Parkview Christian Church the Lunch Wagon has become a fully functioning non-profit organization, which means any donation made to them is tax deductible. If you’re looking to make a donation or help out you can find Melissa and the Lunch Wagon on Facebook. It’s people like Melissa, her husband, and the people who volunteer with her, that make me love this job. They’re truly extraordinary, and I hope they’re able keep up the good work.
At top left people have been generously giving to The Lunch Wagon through their Amazon wish list. Top right Kyle Peach persents Melissa a check for over $6,000 rasied through Facebook. At left voluneers practive safety and brave the elements to serve.
If you would like to donate money to help The Lunch Wagon please write a check to Parkview Christian Church and mail in envelope addressed to: The Lunch Wagon 11467 N. 1550 blvd Mount Carmel, IL 62863. If you want to buy from their Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/61IE2RLD3OYU. Any other donations please contact Melissa at 618-240-4299. Page 2 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Albion Pagoda and Mineral Wells By Terry Harper The Pagoda, or band stand, in Albion was built in 1914 as a community project by the Albion Women’s Beautifying Club, with Mrs. E. P. Carlyle as chairman of the fund-raising and construction. It was designed by W. E. Felix, an architect from Fairfield. William T. Burrell was in charge of the actual construction of the structure. The main purpose of the Pagoda was for band concerts, a popular social event of the time; as well as a shelter for the Albion Mineral Well located beneath it. The two-story structure is octagonal in shape, having eight brick columns. Access to the upper floor is by way of stairs going up from the southeast side and leading into the center of the band floor. The upper floor was used for the band. Rails around the stairs were for the band members’ safety. The roof is of red clay tile, somewhat resembling the roofs of pagodas in the Far East; with the overlapping tiles coming to a peak in the center of the roof. Dedication of the band stand was made August 29, 1914, as a tribute to William T. Burrell, Albion’s Bandmaster from 1884 to 1914. He did more locally for the advancement of music than any other one person. For his services of instructing some 200 young boys how to play musical instruments, he never charged a penny. The Pagoda is actually the third such structure to be built in this location. In 1889, a public well was dug on this site. The water in the well was cool, mild, and very agreeable to the taste of those accustomed to it. Many people who drank from the well began to experience relief from their body ills. Many people claimed to be cured of their rheumatism, kidney and urinary troubles, derangements of the stomach and bowels, and many other afflictions, by the use of the water. The cures were not confined to hometown people only. News of the Albion Mineral Wells was widespread. People from neighboring towns came to drink the Albion Mineral Water and great quantities were shipped, upon people ordering it. In the evenings during warm weather, crowds frequented the well. There were actually four public wells dug, one on each corner of the Public Square. Two of those wells supplied water strongly impregnated with minerals. However the water from the well on the southwest corner was considered the best by most. That on the southeast corner was so strong that animals refused to drink it. A neat structure was built about 1890 over the popular Albion Mineral Well. It was a sim-
ple wooden structure built in a square with a hipped, tin roof, eight supporting posts, and open sides. Arches were formed by lattice work on the open sides. The second structure on this site, also wooden, was built about 1906 and was built on the same order as the first structure, except that it was a two-story structure with an outside stairwell located on the east side, which provided entrance to the upper story. Arches were formed by lattice work on the open sides of the upper story, with the lower half of the upper story being boxed in for safety. The upper story was used as a bandstand for the frequent concerts in warm weather. The town fire bell was located on top of the bandstand. This structure served the community until 1914 when the present structure was built. The pagoda was restored by the City of Albion in 2017 and 2018 under the direction of preservationist Bob Yapp of Hannibal, MO.
Page 3 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Page 4 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
4-H Youth in Action
Jake Wiseman What is a 4-H meeting like? By Jake Wiseman 4-H meetings are always really fun. I am a member of the Ellery Panthers 4-H Club. The club meeting starts off with the pledges, and then the secretary takes roll call. After that the leaders give announcements. Sometimes, the meeting has business items to discuss. Following the announcements and business, there are talks, demonstrations, and specials. Each year you are required to do at least one talk, demonstration, and special. A talk tells the club about one of your projects. A demonstration shows the club something interesting that relates to one of your projects. A special can be just about anything: music solos, jokes, poems, and so on. Then the meeting is adjourned and you have refreshments. Every club meeting, two families are assigned refreshments. Depending on how many people have talks, demonstrations, or specials the meeting can last from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Sometimes, we do different things at our meetings. In our club, we have pen pals in Chicago that we write back and forth to every meeting. Every year we also do a canned food drive to the local senior citizens center. 4-H isn’t just for farm kids or younger kids. Anybody can be in 4-H. It is a fun experience and a good learning opportunity for anyone. To check out a meeting near you, call the Extension Office at 618-445-2934.
We do Hair, Nails, Toes and Waxing Contact Morgan at 618-919-0776 for an appointment.
Judy
Susan
Susan’s Beauty Shop 367 North 5th Street Albion • 445-2056
Morgan
Call for an appointment
4-H Youth in Action
Eva Hocking 4-H’s Impact on My Life Eva Hocking, 4-H Ambassador, Wabash County Throughout my life, I have gone through countless changes, but for the last nine years one thing has stayed consistent – my involvement in the 4-H program. 4-H has acted as a catalyst for change and growth in my life. When I started 4-H as a little shy eight-yearold kid, I never would have guessed its impact on me. Through 4-H I have learned leadership, public speaking skills, parliamentary procedure, proper animal care, responsibility, and my passion for creation, among countless other things. 4-H has helped me to build the skills needed to succeed, not only in 4-H itself, but also in the real world. Without the 4-H program, I cannot be confident that I would have developed the skills that I now use in day-to-day life as both the Mt. Carmel FFA Reporter and a member of DYMAC, among other leadership positions I currently hold. One thing that I have always loved about 4-H is that you can learn pretty much whatever you want in it. If you have a passion, you can take that to the fair. I have personally taken everything from entomology and swine to theater arts and floriculture, and everything in between. So many people, when they hear the name 4-H, think of it as kids showing their animals, and while that is part of it, the possibilities reach far beyond just animals and animal care. Through the Public Speaking project, I learned how to properly write and “block” a speech. This has proven useful in my English classes, as well as in posing propositions and discussions with various organizations. Most of these skills I have not had the opportunity to learn in school, but I see them as both fun and useful for my life now and for the future. 4-H has truly changed my life for the better, and without it I would not be who I am today.
If you have a story idea or picture to share...contact Laurie Snidle at hometownvoice2019@gmail.com or Josh Gill at jgill228@gmail.com
Page 5 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Wabash County Chamber salutes their volunteers The absolute existence of the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce is reliant on volunteers. We need them for all things big and small. Our organization is made up of a volunteer Board of Directors. Have you ever heard that saying “Ask the busiest person you know to help you, because that is who gets things done.” This saying is Oh-So-True for us. Every Chamber Board Member is a business leader that has many irons in the fire and we are so grateful for them. We currently have 17 Board of Directors and they all have such a diverse set of skills and things to offer to help our Chamber thrive. Louise Acree and Terry Beckerman are maybe the Directors with the longest tenure. Terry was the President when I was hired back in 2012 and he gave me so much guidance and so much of his time and thought. He has helped me more than he will ever know. Louise has been to almost every Administrative Professionals’ Day Luncheon we have ever had and this year will ,ark our 33rd l. SHe is a big asset to us and we will be sad to see her actually retire someday. Gary Ritz and Bridget Shepard have also been on the Chamber Board for a very long time. They are both regulars at Chamber Events and always have great advice. Michelle Brooks, Jenna Swanson, Ryan Masterson, Toni Brines, Dave Easter, Sheryl Gottman, Kim Keepes have all joined the Chamber Board since I have been the Director. They all have a vast amount of differences that make them both unique and an asset to the Chamber, business community and the Chamber. Britney Cowling, Shelia Wallace, Sawn Storckman, Blake Witsman, Chuck Bleyer and Kevin Schuh have all more recently joined the Chamber Board. They all have some great new ideas that we are happy to start working on to enhance our business community. If I can brag for a minute....The Wabash County Chamber of Commerce has a Scholarship Program. The purpose of
the program is to educate young people and get them back into our local workforce. Britney Cowling was the recipient of Chamber Scholarship Program in 2017. Not only is she the manager of a local business in Mt. Carmel, she is also a business leader that has joined the Chamber Board and also serves as a Director on the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee. She is a great example of a great volunteer. What’s the biggest event of the whole year in Mt. Carmel? THE CHAMBER AG DAYS!!! This event is really what brings so many people together. We rely heavily on volunteers to pull this event off. Lindsey Schmucker runs The Chamber’s Lemon Shake-Up Booth. The finds volunteers to work shifts and it is actually a lot of fun (unless and ice cold shaker of sugary goodness explodes on you and practically everyone else in the booth with you!). If you have worked the Lemon Shake-Up Booth you know what we are talking about! If it were not for our volunteers this fundraiser would not even be possible. I seek volunteers to do a lot of behind the scenes work. Set-up, stage set-up, street cleaning, trash changing, Little Miss Ag Days helpers...... Two years ago we had what we refer to as the LEMON CATASTROPHE OF 2018. It was a bad year for citrus and the local grocery store that we order all the lemons from did not get our order in from the supplier. They did not have exactly what we wanted, so instead of sending up any ol’ lemon. They sent us none. Can you imagine a couple days before your big event and not having the main ingredient!? We called around every place in the tri-state and found a place that would sell up 18 cases of lemons. YAHHH. Oh yeah, we are busy. Who is going to drive around and get these lemons for us. I’ll tell you who, Rod Rodriquez. He has always been a great asset to Mt. Carmel and The Chamber. He and his wife, Debbie used to manage the Shake-up Booth and cut all the lemons for us. He did not blink an eye when I asked him to go pick up 18 cases of lemons. We are oh SO thankful for all of our Chamber volunteers. Without them we would not be where we are today.
Page 6 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
On Monday, March 16th, Allendale School started their free meal service to all children between the ages of 0 and 18. We served 109 lunches and 100 breakfasts to the children in the school community. Allendale School would like to thank the following personnel for helping on our first day: Sarah Courter, Karla McCowen, Evelyn Newell, Lee Campbell, Dena Tarpley, Audrey McGee, Brittany Weiss, Ellen Grounds, and Bryan and Michele Loeffler. Other faculty/staff members will be helping over the next several days. Mr. Bowser is extremely proud of the faculty/staff, as well as the school community, in how they have come together to make the best of this difficult time and feed the children of the community.
TENPINS
Your Premier Place for Fun • Bowling • Illinois VIdeo Gaming • Full Service Lounge • Hot Food • Cold Drinks • Quality Snacks • Arcade Games • Three Pool Tables • Two Juke Boxes • ATM • WiFi • IBPSIA Certified Pro Shop • Open Lanes Daily
Banquet Hall/Meeting Room Let us Host Your Next Event
Open EVERY Day! 618-263-6506
bowlmountcarmel@aol.com
930 West 9th Street, Mt. Carmel Page 7 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Volunteers play an important role in the county Farm Bureaus of Edwards & Wabash Counties The Edwards and Wabash County Farm Bureaus have been around for over 100 years, and the main thing that keeps these organizations growing, and thriving are the volunteers. “We are who we are because of our volunteers,” states Rebecca Perry of the Edwards County Farm Bureau. “Our volunteers are who give guidance to the organization, make the program decisions, and give their time and talents to serve the organization, the agricultural industry, and their community.” Each of the county Farm Bureau conducts over 50 programs that impact their communities and membership each year. The volunteers of the Farm Bureau assist with the decisions to make these successful, the set-up and take down of venues, the food preparation, and the marketing and promotion of these programs. “We strive to help our communities,” states Carol Jo Beadles of the Wabash County Farm Bureau. “Making our communities a better place and educating our communities in various aspects are what Farm Bureau is all about. None of this would be possible without our volunteers.” Currently, the Wabash County Farm Bureau has over 35 volunteers that serve on committees and the board, with over 40 other volunteers who serve in other capacities. The Edwards County Farm Bureau has over 50 volunteers that serve on committees and the board, with over 40 other volunteers who serve in other capacities. “As we celebrate National Volunteer Week in April, it is essential that we recognize those who give to help our organizations thrive, “states Perry. “Thank you to all our volunteers. You are why we are so successful,” states Beadles.
The Wabash County Young Leaders are seated (L to R): Gus Beadles, Sam Deisher- Chairman, Deric Wright, Lewis Kieffer, Kyle Schonert, Jace Rector, and Jonas Trimble. Standing: Christy Haase, Bryce Pavia- Vice-Chairman, Colton Etzkorn, Austin Woods, Jacob Beadles, Andrew Tennis, Justin Berberich- Secretary/Treasurer, and Julie Alka.
At left: The Wabash County Farm Bureau Board of Directors are first row (l to r): Kyle Schonert- Mt Carmel City, Brad Winter- Wabash, Brent Strine- Mt Carmel Rural, Dolores Timberlake- Bellmont, and Connie HockingCompton. Back row: Willis Kelsey- Friendsville, Chad Broster- Lick Prairie, David Blythe- Lancaster Ryan Peter- At Large (Lick Prairie), and Deric Wright- Coffee.
Page 8 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Edwards County Ag in the Classroom and Farm Credit celebrate National Ag Week
The first and second place winners in the Edwards County Ag in the Classroom National Ag Week Contest display the books they won compliments of Farm Credit. Top left to right: West Salem Grade School and Grayville Wells Elementary. Below: Albion Grade School.
To promote and celebrate National Ag Week in March, the Edwards County Ag in the Classroom program hosted contests for the Kindergarten through fifth grade students at Albion Grade School, West Salem Grade School, and Wells Elementary School. The Kindergarten and first grade students had a coloring contest. The second-grade students had a coloring contest where they had to add something to the photo. The third-grade students had a draw a design for a tshirt. Fourth grade students had to design a placemat/ tray liner. Fifth grade students had to design a poster. The winners all received agricultural related books compliments of Farm Credit. The first and second place entries were all put up on displays in Albion, Grayville, and West Salem.
Although it was the last day of school for a little while, we tried to make it fun. We had leprechaun punch and honey nut cheerio bars with rainbow sprinkles for our snack!
Page 9 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Wabash County Ag in the Classroom National Ag Day T-Shirt Contest 4th Grade students in Wabash County showed off their creative ability and entered Wabash County’s Ag in the Classroom National Ag Day T-Shirt Contest. Students were asked to design their own t-shirt to honor National Ag Day - 2020. They were asked to be creative, artistic, and original, and to use the 2020 National Ag Day theme – “Food Brings Everyone to the Table”. The winning designer won customized tshirts with their design for their class! Drayden Naney in Mrs. Webb’s class at Mount Carmel Grade School was this year’s winner.
Students from Mrs. Webb’s 4th grade class show off their National Ag Day shirts with Drayden Naney’s winning design. Front row: Shyloh Knauss, Alli Calhoun, Khloe James, Ty McCleave, Justice Toothman, Logan Mobley, Kameron Compton, Mason Kieffer, and Mason Buchanan. Middle row: Carter Burns, Addison Mobley, Breeana Morris, Madix Dillard, Courtnee Compton, Axle Maxwell, Zane Wilcox, and Chase Wiggins. Back row: Mrs. Webb, Emma Juenger, Sakura Miller, Violet Feury, Journey Loudermilk, Annelise Garrison, Abigail Arena, Isaiah Glenn, Noah Hipsher, and Ag in the Classroom Coordinator, Staci Roberts. Not pictured: Erica Davids, Drayden Naney, Adrian Romero-Hernandez, and Peyton Sutton.
Friends of Grayville come together to distribute over 100 bags of food for Grayville students
Page 10 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
All items that Cox Companies sell, repair or rebuild can be picked-up and delivery FREE to any Cox Companies location. Page 11 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Learning from the Past to Impact the Present and Future 4-H certainly has to be one of the most versatile youth development programs available for today’s young people. In undertaking its quest to provide learning opportunities that will enable youth to cultivate skills that they can utilize for a lifetime, 4-H is able to offer experiences that cover a plethora of subject areas. Many of these areas could be included in the “STEAM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) categories of subjects. Wabash County 4-H recently had the pleasure of hosting one such experience in the form of its “Engineering an Empire 4-H Afterschool Club” for 4th-6th graders at St. Mary’s School in Mt. Carmel. This program, adapted from a curriculum from Utah 4-H, focused on how various civilizations from historical periods engineered structures and devices to meet the needs of their populations. This allowed participants to take a look at the past and see how the ways people did things can be applied in the present. The group met four times, with each meeting having a different focus. The first meeting explored Ancient Rome and how the Romans perfected the concept of the arch and incorporated it into structures they built, including aqueducts. After learning about how compression and resistance work together to hold up an arch, the group was challenged to build arches with no adhesives to hold the pieces together. Following this, they were tasked with building an aqueduct out of blocks that would allow a marble to roll from one end to the other, incorporating arches into the design. The second meeting moved on to Ancient China, where the inhabitants had to devise ways to move water to irrigate their many crops, including rice in terraced rice paddies. The two methods focused on were the “Yeta” pump, which uses a simple lever method to move the water, and the “Rehat”, a type of water wheel. Students were divided into groups and provided materials to try to build their own Yeta and Rehat. For the third meeting, time moved forward to the Middle Ages in England, with the focus on catapults. The group learned about a specific type of catapult, known as a trebuchet, which operates on a simple lever and counterweight system. A fun time was had, with each student building their own catapult out of paint sticks and other materials, followed by the launching of marshmallows. After the first round of launching, everyone went back to the drawing board to develop hypotheses about ways they could improve their catapults. A second round of launching then allowed them to test their adjustments. During the last meeting, participants were again divided into groups, with each group challenged to engineer its own empire. Incorporating some of what they had learned at the previous sessions, each group was asked to create its own country and decide what type
of climate it occupied. Then, based on the climate and the country’s population, they had to decide what types of things they would have to engineer for their citizens to thrive. After mapping out how their empire would be arranged, each group was again provided materials to build the structures and devices they would need. Creativity abounded as the students implemented their ideas. Learning from history and applying the knowledge that has been accumulated over time is very important for people today, and 4-H was fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity to some of the youth of Wabash County. Hopefully, this program was a positive experience for these students that will impact them as they move forward into their futures.
Page 12 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28: 5-6
Easter Candy Easter candy can quickly detour a successful nutrition and fitness regimen with the gooey goodness of Cadbury eggs, the smooth peanut butter and chocolate flavor of the Reese’s eggs, the chocolate bunnies, and the jelly beans that fill the plastic eggs hunted in community parks, courthouse lawns, and home lawns around the nation. Without a clear plan, a person can find himself/herself munching on these goodies as we continue to “stay at home,” under the Governor’s directives. These candies speak truth into my life during this Easter season. A few years ago, as I was praying, I prayed, “Lord, crack the exterior hardness of my life to get to the gooey center.” I recognize in my own life, a desire to present the outer shell in a form that looks good and that appeals to people, causing them to like me. I really don’t want people to get too intimate to be able to discover the gooey center where I may be struggling, may be hiding something, or may be displeased with my own inner thoughts. The struggle that occurs when I allow the outer shell to be broken is the gooey center oozes out uncontrollably. I no longer have control in the way I had when I was able to block people with an outer shell that kept them at a distance and away from intimacy with me. In the story of Jesus and the Last Supper, we see the disciples willingness to go with him to a point in the struggle, yet Jesus tells them, “Tonight all of you will desert me.” Peter, being who Peter is, states, “Even if every-
one else deserts you, I will never desert you” (Matthew 26:31, 33 NLT). Peter is always one to speak first and think later. He has a continual “foot in mouth disease” that causes Jesus at times to quiet him and to scold him because Peter’s outer man and selfishness try to get in the way of Jesus’ ministry and mission. As Peter once again states his perceived superiority over the other disciples, Jesus states, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times that you even know me” (26:34 NLT). After Jesus is arrested and is taken to the High Priest, Peter lurks nearby to see how this would all end. As he is seated in the courtyard, a servant girl identifies him as one who was with Jesus the Galilean…Peter denies such a relationship. Later, he denies Jesus to another servant girl and then a third time to a group of bystanders. As he makes the third statement, the rooster crows and Peter remembers Jesus’ words to him. “He went away, weeping bitterly” (26:75 NLT). The outer shell had been broken as his fear, anxiety, and uncertainty overwhelmed his exterior “holding it all together.” The gooey center (his heart) was seen in his words as he was uncertain of how this would all end and was uncertain where he would end up in the midst of this crisis. He ran away from the scene; he was heartbroken; he had done what Jesus knew he would do.
Page 13 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Easter Candy by Rev. Matt Henson How many times have you been in this condition? Are you in this condition today, where you are scared, anxious, and uncertain? Where are you turning in this time? Are you willing to allow the outer shell to be broken in the midst of other people so your gooey center can be seen and shared? Or, are you going to continue to hide behind the outer shell and struggle by yourself in the midst of this uncertainty, fear, and anxiety? If the story ended there, it would seem bleak and even more uncertain. Yet, as we celebrate during this time of Easter, Jesus did not stay in the tomb—Jesus is risen! We have hope! Peter ran away from Jesus in the midst of Jesus’ trial, flogging, and crucifixion. Yet, when Jesus is risen, he shows himself to Peter and the other disciples. Peter is one of the first people to run to the tomb when the women report that the tomb is empty. Peter is the one who Jesus asks on three occa-
BONE GAP CHRISTIAN CHURCH John Bogle, Pastor
7 a.m. Sunrise Service, Breakfast Following 9 a.m. Morning Worship Regular service times: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. • Evening Worship 325 South State Street, Bone Gap • 446-3318
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Rev. Father Robert Zwilling Mass times: Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday 7 & 10:30 a.m. 125 West 5th Street, Mt. Carmel
sions, “Peter, do you love me?” And each time, Peter responds in the affirmative. Peter was given a second chance to live in freedom and to follow Jesus. As we celebrate Easter this year, it will surely be a different experience. In the midst of the Coronavirus and the uncertainty of gathering in our sanctuaries to worship with one another, we need to allow our outer shell to be broken so our gooey center can be dealt with in God’s grace. We need to turn over our anxiety, fear, and uncertainty to the resurrected Savior, Jesus. We need to realize that Jesus’ death and his resurrection are our hope for today, tomorrow, and into eternity. Jesus never gave up on Peter and Jesus will never give up on you. Join in the New Life that breaks the outer shell, so the gooey center (our hearts) can shine through to other people in the midst of this crisis. Jesus is Risen! Article submitted by: Rev. Matt Henson Rev. Matt Henson is the Lead Evangelist and Executive Director of Living the Adventure Ministries based in Albion. Matt travels the nation and the world in mission and proclamation ministry. Matt also serves as Chaplain/Firefighter/First Responder for the Albion Fire Department. Matt lives in Albion with his wife (Nancy) and children.
Northside Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Dennis Seidel Easter Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
Regular service times: Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m. • Evening worship: 6 p.m. Bus transportation available by calling 384-1021 805 North State Road, Grayville
If you have a story idea or picture
St. Sebastian Catholic Church
to share...contact Laurie Snidle at
Rev. Father Robert Zwilling
hometownvoice2019@gmail.com
Mass times: Sunday 8:30 a.m. 4921 North 1400 Blvd., Mt. Carmel www.stmarysparish.net
www.stmarysparish.net
or Josh Gill at jgill228@gmail.com
Page 14 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Science at St. Mary’s Catholic School Samantha Newkirk is in her second year teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science at St. Mary’s Catholic School. Her goal as a teacher is based on Proverbs 25:2. This verse says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings to search things out.” God did not tell us everything there is to know about our world. But He did give us, to quote a favorite author of mine, “big clever, curious, problem-solving brains, and told us to figure things out and solve problems.” She strives to motivate, challenge and encourage her students to wonder, to question, to think and to solve problems as God has commanded us to do. This looks a little different in each of her classes she teaches. Smaller class sizes allows her to provide at least one handson activity per lesson. This is an amazing opportunity for the students at SMS. The following is a peek at what she does in each class. At the sixth grade level, the content is primarily life science based. The goal at this level is for students to take what they are learning from the reading, notes, and lecture and apply it in the lab. By doing this, students are using the scientific process to answer questions. The students are also practicing answering questions by providing evidence. The students are also asked to make models to show understanding. The sixth graders do a lot of fun things. Some of which include; learning how to use a microscope and observing cells, creating skits, dissecting flowers, modeling photosynthesis and cellular respiration and building DNA models.
Seventh and eighth grade science classes look a little different than the sixth grade science class. The students start out the year in the 7th grade by connecting the scientific process to the engineering process. They come up with their own models, based on research, and then use those models to design and test experiments and engineering solutions. We use these methods throughout 7th and 8th grade. In these classes we focus on content, application (through the scientific process and engineering) and modeling. The students in these classes are required to provide evidence from their reading or data to support their answers. They do a great job! Seventh grade focuses on earth science. Some of the fun things taught in 7th grade are: researching, designing, building, and testing solar cookers; researching, designing, building and testing earthquake structures. The students have modeled watersheds and artesian wells and experimented independently with density. This year we borrowed a groundwater model from the University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale. The students were able to observe groundwater movement.
Page 15 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Science at St. Mary’s Catholic School Eighth grade’s focus is on physical science. Some of the fun things we do in the 8th grade are: researching, designing, building and testing water rockets, building Newton’s cars, dropping marbles from ceiling height, shooting straws to the ceiling, playing with slinkies to model waves, and lighting marshmallows on fire.
Hands on learning is very valuable. When asked about hands-on learning, Mrs. Newkirk states that she believes it is more valuable when it is tied to, and used to reinforce content that they have spent some time learning about. It is her hope that the students science experience at SMS creates curiosity and wonder and the ability to think and solve problems so they can do big things for the Lord.
Edwards County S3DA Archery Team
Page 16 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Edwards County S3DA Archery Team By Josh GIll In 2016 Edwards County started their own S3DA archery team. “We started with 42 members on the team. In that year we competed in indoor and 3D competitions. We traveled to Springfield, Illinois to the indoor state championship and were able to bring home a lot of medals as well as four team awards.” Said coach Eli Landingham. Team awards make up for the top five shooters in each age division as well as overall scores for the day. Since the team was formed they have been fortunate enough to be able to send at least one archer to shoot at the collegiate level every year. Today the Edwards County team only has 34 members. “Our numbers are strong in the middle school division, followed by high school then elementary. Even though we are down in numbers from our first year we are blessed with many great archers.” Eli said. The beauty of archery is that anyone can be involved. The Edwards County team is currently made up of boys and girls ranging from 3rd grade to 12th grade. “All archers that want to participate on the team first have to become a member of the S3DA and purchase an Edwards County jersey. Due to the nature of our sport one must provide their own equipment.” Explained Eli. All archers involved in the S3DA must obey the same criteria of all other sports teams within
the Edwards County school system, and since it is the Scholastic 3D Archery they must also keep their grades up. Currently the Edwards County Archery team has 34 members, 7 coaches, and a lot of fun. “We have just finished up our indoor season this year going from mid-December to mid-March. We attended 9 regional qualifiers and the state shoot. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we have not yet attended nationals for indoor. The S3DA is now looking into making it a virtual shoot hosted by each state and scoring electronically.” Explained Eli.
Page 17 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Albion Grade School On March 2nd, 2020, all of the 2nd grade classes at Albion Grade School celebrated Dr. Seuss’ Birthday. They made Cat in the Hat hats, read Seuss books, and ate Green Eggs and Ham.
Page 18 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
April 2020 Edwards and Wabash County Senior Center Menus - Sponsored by The First National Bank 6)
EC - Cheeseburger on bun, fried okra, baked beans, pudding WC -Sloppy Joe on Bun, Tator Tots, Brussel Sprouts, Fruit
7)
EC - Fried baby shrimp, baked potato, mixed veggies, cake WC - Taco Salad, spanish rice, refried beans, chips, baked apples
8) EC - Ham, sweet 9) potatoes, asparagus, fruit WC - Salisbury steak, potatoes & gravy, carrots, pudding
EC - Chicken 10) EC - Chili, cheese casserole, mixed salad sandwich, veggies, pickled beets, crackers, cinnamon rolls pudding WC - Closed WC - Ham, yams, green beans, roll, dessert
13)
EC - Polish 14) EC - Chicken 15) EC - Meatloaf, 16) EC - Cavatina, 17) EC - Hot dog on sausage, black-eyed parmesan, vegetable mashed potatoes, brown lettuce salad, garlic bun, potatoe salad, bread, fruit peas, pudding blend, pasta salad, jello gravy, green beans, slaw, sherbet bar cookies WC - Fried Chicken, WC - Spaghetti w/meat- WC - Ham & beans, oven WC - Cheeseburger on WC Reddi Ribs, potato fried potatoes, brussel potatoes & gravy, corn, bun, lettuce & tomato, balls, california blend, wedges, mixed sprouts, corn muffin, roll, dessert fruit, garlic bread potato wedges, dessert vegetables, dessert fruit crisp 20) EC - Country fried 21) EC - Ham & Beans, 22) EC - Spaghetti 23) EC - Loaded baked 24) EC -Vegetable soup, potato, w/peppers, steak, mashed with meatballs, crackers, cheese slices, potatoes, tomato salad, onions, turkey, ham, potatoes, white gravy, lettuce salad, peas, pickles, pudding corn bread, fruit sour cream, cake lima beans, pudding garlic bread, cookies WC - Breaded tenderWC - Chicken noodles, loin on bun, lettuce & WC - Salmon Patties, carrots, peas, biscuits, WC - BBQ on bun, tator WC - Meatloaf, baked tomato, baked beans, potato, broccoli, roll, Mac & Cheese, Peas, tots, pickle spear, Jell-o w/fruit dessert dessert Dessert cookies 27) EC - Pork burger, 28) EC - Bourbon 29) EC - Sweet & Sour 30) EC - BBQ chicken, 1) EC - Fish, baked chicken, tater tots, baked beans, pickle, pork, broccoli, rice, fried green beans, beans, slaw, macaroni vegetable blend, onion, sweet potato spring rolls, brownies & cheese, fruit carrots, pudding pudding fries, fruit WC - Chicken salad WC - Country Fried WC - Beef roast, potato, WC - Chicken Strips, WC - Polish Sausage on Steak, potatoes & grave, carrots, roll, dessert sandwich, lettuce & potato wedges, mixed bun, green peppers & tomato, pasta salad, corn, biscuit, Jell-o vegetables, pudding onions, chips, fruit dessert
Providing Professional, High Quality, Personalized Financial Services
Allendale • Mt. Carmel • West Salem • Carmi
If you would like to reach 9,300 mailboxes in Wabash and Edwards Counties...
Call Laurie Snidle at 618-919-1941 or email: hometownvoice2019@gmail.com Page 19 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Brought to you by Rigg FamilyCare Pharmacy May 1st GHS baseball & softball home vs Webber @ 4:30 pm 1st MCHS girls varsity soccer home vs Centralia @ 4 pm 1st MCHS girls JV & varsity softball @ Mt. Vernon @ 4:30 pm 1st MCHS boys varsity baseball @ North Posey @ 5 pm 2nd MCHS Prom 2nd MCHS girls JV & varsity soccer home vs Centralia @ 4:30 pm 2nd MCHS boys JV baseball @ Newton @ 11 am 4th ECHS baseball & softball home vs Red Hill @ 4:30 pm 4th MCHS girls JV & varsity soccer home vs Centralia @ 4:30 pm 4th MCHS girls JV & varsity softball home vs Carmi @ 4:30 pm 4th MCHS boys varsity baseball home vs Princeton @ 5 pm 4-8th GHS baseball & softball MTC Tournament @ TBA 5th ECHS baseball & softball homve vs. Carmi @ 4:30 pm 5th MCHS boys tennis @ Flora @ 4:30 pm 5th MCHS girls varsity soccer @ Harrisburg @ 4:30 pm 5th MCHS boys JV baseball @ Fort Branch @ 4:30 pm 5th MCHS girls JV softball home vs Jasper @ 4:30 pm 6th ECHS JV baseball home vs Olney DH @ 4:30 pm 6th MCHS JV baseball @ Lawrenceville @ 4:30 pm 6th Wee Wed Pre-K Story Hour @ Groff Library in Grayville @ 9:45 pm 7th ECHS baseball & softball @ Red Hill @ 4:30 pm 7th MCHS tennis home vs Fairfield @ 4 pm 7th MCHS softball @ Flora @ 4:30 pm 7th MCHS baseball @ Mt. Vernon @ 5 pm 7th MCHS JV baseball home vs. Mt. Vernon, IN @ 6:15 pm 8th MCHS baseball home vs. Lawrenceville $ 4:15 pm 11th ECHS baseball & softball @ Newton @ 4:30 pm 13th ECHS baseball & softball @ Cisne @ 4:30 pm 14th ECHS softball home vs. Mt. Carmel @ 4:30 pm 16th ECHS baseball @ Sauget, IL vs Mt. Carmel @ 1 pm
Congratulations to the March Student of the Month, L. Sam Speir! His teacher said he is “always polite and well-mannered towards students and staff. For his efforts, he will receive a cooler bag from Doug Raber, State Farm, $20 cash from Matthes Farms, a $15 gift card from United Mutual Insurance, a value meal from McDonalds, a t-shirt from the VFW, a car care gift bag from Super Clean Car Wash, and a water bottle from JW Equipment.
Rigg FamilyCare Pharmacy 37 West Main St., Albion, IL Phone: 618-445-2581 Hrs: M-F 8:30 - 5:30 • Sat. 8:30 - 1:00 Page 20 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Watch the Edwards County High School FFA page for their annual plant sale
The Edwards County Housing Authority is accepting applications for income based apartments in Albion and West Salem. Utilities are included with charge for electric overage. Applications are available at the ECHA Office located at 125 W. Cherry St., Albion, IL Equal Housing Opportunity
Page 21 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Ham Loaf Lettuce-Cauliflower Salad Easter Crack 1 1/2lb ground ham 1 1/2lb ground pork 1 head lettuce(chopped) 4 c Chex cereal 2 c pretzel sticks 1 egg beaten 1 c milk 1 head cauliflower (chopped) 2 c Cheerios 1 c pastel m&ms 1 c crushed cornflakes 1/2 tsp dry mustard 2/3 c mayonnaise 1-9oz bag peanut butter m&ms(opt) 1 med. onion (diced) Cadbury mini eggs(opt) Sauce: 2 T brown sugar 1 T flour 1 1lb. Cooked and crumbled bacon 1-12oz bag white chocolate chips 1/2 T dry Mustard 1/2 c water 1/3 c Parmesan cheese In lg. Bowl, mix all ing. Except white choco. Chips. Place 1/2 c vinegar 1/2 c craisins 1/3 c sugar chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl and heat for 1 Make 2 loaves. Wrap each in foil & bake 325 degrees Place ingredients into large bowl, cover and min & 30 sec. at 70%. Power. Stir until smooth. Pour over For 1 1/2 hrs. Open foil and pour off grease. Cook store. Toss before serving. snack mix and gently stir. Pour onto wax paper lined jelly sauce until sugar is dissolved. Pour over loaves. roll pan and set. Then break up and store in sealed bag. Submitted by: Lori Wiseman Bake 1/2 to 1 hr. More uncovered. Baste. Bean Salad Potato skins 1 can 15 1/2 oz. kidney beans 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Original dressing 3 boiled eggs (chopped) 4 baked potatoes, quartered, 1/4 c sour cream, 1 c shredded cheddar cheese, 3 T sweet pickle relish green onions, bacon bits. 2-3 T miracle whip Scoop out potatoes & combine with sour cream & dressing mix. Drain and rinse beans with cold water. Add chopped eggs, relish and Fill skins with mix. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 12-15 min. 375 degrees miracle whip. Mix well and chill until use. Garnish with grn. Onions & bacon bits. Makes 8-10 servings
709 West Main Fairfield
842-5040
$
5 off $25 Purchase with this coupon Expires 5-4-20 Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters concert postponed
Mt. Carmel, Ill.— The Wabash Valley Arts Council announced today that the concert, “Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters,” that was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Brubeck Arts Center theatre has been postponed. The WVAC is in contact with the artist and will announce the new performance date once it has been confirmed. Page 22 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Wabash Valley College Archery Program Earl Lawrence has been shooting a bow since 1981, nearly 40 years. Archery, for him, isn’t just a hobby but is a bit of a passion. For the past two years Earl has been the head coach for the WVC Archery Program and one of the coaches for Wabash County’s Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) Program. S3DA is a youth program that starts from the third to the twelfth grade. “To shoot archery you don’t have to be big, you don’t have to be tall, you don’t have to be fast or strong. It’s a sport where nobody sits on the bench, everybody gets to participate.” Explained Earl. The S3DA came out hand in hand with the Collegiate Program to help steer kids towards a college education. Even offering scholarships through their tournaments. “It’s designed to be a school program, but a club, an archery shop, or a church, or any other establishment can have a team.” Earl said. When the programs first started they only had 5 kids on the roster. “We still had a really good beginning year. We went down to our outdoor target nationals and two of the kids made top 5 and one made top 10, and we got 3rd in the men’s and women’s mixed bow-hunters. So right out of the gate we were doing good.” Earl said proudly. Nearly every tournament Earl’s team has gone to they have placed, and most of the kids involved are now planning to go on to college to further their education. “I know a couple of the kids wouldn’t even go to college if it wasn’t for this program, they’ve told me that much.” Earl said. Earl has been a part of this program since the very beginning, and he takes pride in his work. Being able to teach kids the sport, the art of archery and bow-hunting, and to be in a position to help encourage them to go to college, Earl is doing his best to create a brighter future, one arrow at a time.
Page 23 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Oak Leaf Trucking, Inc. Grain Hauling Neil Fearn 618-838-3852
Mike Harris 618-839-0526
Albion, IL
Go Green
Paperless Billing Feel good about saving money, when you switch to bank draft and paperless billing.
Sign up between March 12th & April 22nd, 2020 and receive a one time $5.00 bill credit. Page 24 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
s u s n e 2020 C
KEEP SMALL TOWN COMMUNITIES CONNECTED.
Page 25 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
IJAS Region 8 Science Fair in Carbondale Illinois
Allendale School is proud to announce three students who received individual awards at the IJAS Region 8 Science Fair in Carbondale, Illinois on March 3rd. Holly Doerr won an award for Overall Excellence with a cash prize of $250. Her project was: Does Highlighting What You Read Help You Remember Details Better? Kenadie Homan won an award for Outstanding Project in Consumer Science with a cash prize of $50. Her project was: Which Sports Drink Has the Best Reaction Time? Hallie Courter qualified to compete at the IJAS state competition at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Her project was: Does Positive Reinforcement Affect Running Time? Allendale School would also like to congratulate all of the other 7th and 8th grade students that competed in the Science Fair on Tuesday. According to Mr. Nick Waldroup, Science Teacher, it was a great experience for all of the students from Allendale.
Kenadie Homan won an award for Holly Doerr won an award for Hallie Courter qualified to compete Outstanding Project in Consumer Overall Excellence with a cash prize at the IJAS state competition at MilScience with a cash prize of $50. of $250. Her Project: Does Highlikin University in Decatur Illinois. Her Project: Which Sports Drink lighting What You Read Help You Her Project: Does Positive ReinHas the Best Reaction Time? Remember Details Better? forcement Affect Running Time? Allendale School is proud to announce the February Students of the Month: Front row: Bennett Morris (Kindergarten), Lola Bray (1st Grade), Max Ford (2nd Grade), Jaxon Morris (3rd Grade) Back row: Ava Bates (Jr. High), Brayden Wilford (Jr. High), Adrienne Lawrence (4th Grade)
To advertise in the Hometown Voice Call Laurie Snidle at 618-919-1941 or email
hometownvoice20192gmail.com Page 26 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Sophia Discher- Part 1 by Daisy Roser Meet the Author
Daisy is the 13 year old daughter of Tim and Angela (Hawkins) Roser. Daisy is a homeschooler who lives on a farm near Enfield, IL. She spends a lot of time tending animals, but she enjoys most a beautiful horse named Hondo. She loves to draw and read and plans to be a best selling author some day.
I heard a soft ruffle of fabric, and glanced up to see an old woman approaching the park bench. My brow furrowed as I examined her strange attire. She wore a purple sweater that clashed with her brightly colored skirt, a small green hat tilted precariously on her head, a large feather stuck out of the top. A string of pearls dangled around her neck while multiple other necklaces clicked together, plastic beads. A permanent frown marred her lined face. She sat down with a soft grunt, and I turned back to the sunset. We sat there quietly for another few minutes, and I hardly glanced her way until I heard a soft click, click, click. I turned swiftly to see where the sound was coming from. The old woman was sitting calmly, squinting down through large, wire-rimmed glasses at an antique typewriter. I did a double take, my brow wrinkled and my eyes widened, as I stared. I think a choking sound escaped my lips as my mouth dropped open. The woman glanced at me, her beady blue eyes peering at me disdainfully through her wire rimmed glasses, as if daring me to say a word. Click. Click. Click. My mouth snapped closed. Click. She added for good measure, glancing down again at her typewriter. Ding, she slid the bar across the top. “What are you staring at, boy?” she asked intently, a small frown forming on her puckered lips. She scowled when I didn’t answer. “I… umm… nothing,” I said, stammering. I blinked once and hurriedly turned back to the sunset. After pausing for a minute she spoke again, her voice creaking and groaning with her wheezy southern accent. “What’s your name?” she asked softly, suddenly sounding very kind, as if she were talking to a young child. “Liam,” I said, sounding painfully timid for a full grown man. “Liam,” she repeated, “You like sunsets, Liam?” she asked, sounding quite compan-
ionable. “Yes,” I answered, averting my eyes and staring down at my hands resting in my lap. “Yes,” she repeated softly. “Enjoy your sunset Liam… It may be the last one you’ll ever see,” she turned again to her typewriter unconcernedly. “What?!” I blurted, turning back to her quickly, my eyes wide and my mouth dropping open. But she was silent again, staring down at her typewriter. “Liam!” I looked up, startled by the call. “Come on!” Emma called from across the park field. I jumped up glad to have an excuse to leave, I nearly sprinted from the park bench. “Emma?” I asked, walking up to my younger sister. I glanced behind me nervously, at the old woman. “Yes?” Emma answered. I shook my head, “Mmm, nevermind,” I said quietly, glancing again at the old woman on the bench. “Okay,” Emma said calmly, smiling up at me. “We have to get back soon, anyway.” She hurriedly pulled me along toward our house, positioned on the other end of the park. “Mom said she was going to make your favorite, apple pie!” Emma grinned again. I gave a soft smile, Emma’s favorite, not mine. “Wait,” I said, pausing and turning again back to the old woman sitting alone on the bench, slowly packing up her typewriter into her large flower covered tote-bag. “Who is that, sitting there?” I asked, careful to keep from sounding too curious. “I haven’t visited in a few years, is she new to the community?” Emma’s brow darkened and she frowned. “That’s Mrs. Insby, she’s lived here for a couple years, her house is just over there,” Emma said, pointing to a tall house standing hardly a quarter-mile away. “But, you’re right to ask,” Emma grinned, “she is an interesting woman.” Emma glanced around conspiratorially, “I’ve heard she’s a bit eccentric.” Emma added softly, “And is so dangerous that the police don’t dare arrest her, she’s done horrible crimes, I think she’s hiding something.” I smiled, that seemed a bit of an exaggeration. “She doesn’t look too dangerous,” I said to Emma trying to stop the smile from contorting my entire face. “She seems quite nice, actually. Maybe a bit odd, though. Did you see the vintage typewriter on her lap?” I asked. Emma’s eyes danced, “Who cares?” she asked, smiling, “I just want to go home and get a piece of that apple pie!” “Wait,” I said, tugging on my sister’s arm, again slowing her speeding pace. “Look, she’s coming this way,” I added, pointing at the old woman who was slowly making her way toward us, her large flower tote nearly dragging the ground from the weight of her typewriter. “I wonder what she wants,” Emma said softly. The woman walked up to us, peering out of those wire-rimmed glasses, her eyes glittering brightly in the fading light. “Liam!” Mrs. Insby called, “Liam, come here.” continued on page 28
Page 27 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Sophia Discher- Part 1 by Daisy Roser
continued from page 27 “What?” Emma asked, her eyes wide, “How does she know your name?” I shook my head, trying to get Emma to be quiet. “Liam, have you seen a tall man with a large hat and large nose?” she asked. I blinked. “He’s out to get me,” the woman said quietly, glancing around suspiciously. I blinked again. “Oh, nevermind,” she said. “Are you coming to dinner?” she asked. I blinked a third time. “No, not today?” she asked. I barely caught myself before blinking a fourth time, instead I shook my head. “Tomorrow?” she asked. This time Emma blinked. “We’ll think about it,” I said, trying to pull my sister around her, but Mrs. Insby grabbed Emma’s arm.“You can come too, little girl,” she said a little too kindly. “My house is just around the corner.” Mrs. Insby said, still grinning at Emma and pointing at the tall, thin, house with her free hand. It looked totally deserted. No lights were on in the house, its tall windows were dark. The mansion looked strange and slightly eerie against the background of the sunset. Emma snatched her arm away from the old woman, and managed a half-sincere smile. “We’ll come, yes, thank you for the invitation,” she said, not sounding thankful at all. Mrs. Insby smiled again, this time a genuine, gentle smile, it lit her entire face, highlighting the smile lines around her eyes.“Noon,” she said, still smiling. I nodded, “Yes, thank you Mrs. Insby,” and hurriedly, “Now, we have to go-” “How do you know my name Liam?” Mrs. Insby interrupted my getaway. I blinked twice and resisted the urge to shrugg. “I-I heard it-you... that your name was… umm… Mrs. Insby.” “Oh,” she answered, smiling again, seeming satisfied with the answer. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She stepped away for a second, then she inched closer, this time grabbing my arm, and whispering, “Please, be on the lookout for the tall man.” Letting go of my arm she smiled brightly and practically danced away, “Visitors!” she cheered. “Not in twenty years, would I ever, I must get everything ready,” the old woman swung her bag excitedly as she bustled away. “Wow! She really is strange,” Emma commented, “Now let’s get going.” “Wait,” Emma paused, “How did she know your name Liam? And what are we going to do? We obviously can’t go tomorrow, she might kidnap us or something,” “Yes,” I said slowly. But as we walked home the thought kept nagging me, it stayed in the back of my mind, I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. After supper and two large pieces of the acclaimed
‘Apple Pie’, my mind wandered once again to the eccentric Mrs. Insby from the park. Emma caught my gaze and motioned toward the checkerboard. Still, my mind wandered. Emma won three games in a row, and I found I couldn’t concentrate on the game. Finally I retired with a reassuring challenge for a checkers rematch tomorrow. I don’t think mom was convinced that I was alright. She asked if there was anything wrong, but she let me escape to bed without much further questioning. I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t. My mind wandered aimlessly to Mrs. Insby. Would I go or would I not? She scared me, in a way… and I surely didn’t WANT to go. But something drew me to her, she was intriguing, worth investigating, I could tell. She seemed desperate for company, desperate for someone, for a friend, and a question plagued me, why didn’t she have friends? Why didn’t she have visitors? She was rich enough, but I had to wonder… not in twenty years? It took a while to convince Emma of the necessity of going to Mrs. Insby’s lunch date. Mom insisted upon coming with us, and I felt somewhat relieved; Mom would know how to handle a strange old woman such as Mrs. Insby. Mom always had such a caring nature, and decided we needed to bring a present. So we were late, though, on the bright side, we carried along a pan of brownies still warm from the oven. Boom, boom, boom. The sound of the knocker against the solid wood door seemed to echo in the silence. I stared up at the imposing structure, and barely resisted giving an intimidated shudder. After a short moment, the door slid open effortlessly. A sweet, black-faced border collie met us with several barks of joy, she jumped up to greet Emma, and sniffed the brownies companionably. The dog licked my hand and stared up at me with bright black eyes. Emma grinned and bent down to pet the dog. The delicious smell of italian spices and freshly baked bread wafted through the opening, but no Mrs. Insby. We could hear the sounds of work in a kitchen so I
Jr Markman, Owner 1365 Illinois Route 130 Albion, IL 62806
Page 28 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
618-446-2703 Fax: 618-446-3269
Sophia Discher- Part 1 by Daisy Roser continued from page 28 leaned into the opening and hollered “Hello?” softly. No one answered, “Hello?” I said again slightly louder. Still no one answered, “Hello?” I said, nearly roaring. “Mrs. Insby?” A pretty young woman rounded the corner at nearly a sprint. Her long, dark curls bounced as she ran, she skidded to a stop and grinned up at me brightly, her blue eyes bright and merry. “Hello,” she said, still gasping for breath. I smiled back and examined her carefully, wondering who she was. Her white apron splotched with obvious marinara sauce and flour smudges dotting her face alluded to a strenuous morning in the kitchen. There was something peculiar about her eyes, the shape of her chin, the slender nose. “Oh, I’m so glad you’ve come to visit,” she said smiling, “I see Susie here let you in.” she placed a friendly hand atop the collie’s head. Looking into those bright, blue eyes, I couldn’t help but ask, “Mrs. Insby?” I couldn’t help but believe that this was indeed Mrs. Insby from 40 years previous, her granddaughter perhaps, I was struck by the resemblance. “Well, no sir,” the girl said with a soft giggle. “Although I do hope to become Mrs. Insby when my fiance returns.” I nodded quickly, “I met someone in the park yesterday,” I said, ducking my head, “who invited my sister and me here to this house for lunch today.” I paused. Her eyes shone with delight as a soft giggle escaped her upturned lips. “Yes, yes, I do recall inviting you for lunch… now that I think on it…” another giggle a bit louder. “Though, I wasn’t at all sure you’d come…” she smiled. “Well, you are in luck, I’m far from a professional chef, but I happen to have some lunch coming out of the oven in a minute, right this way please,” she said politely. “I’ll take your coat if you’d like ma’am,” she said to my mother, holding out her arm. As she and Mom exchanged pleasantries, I glanced around the hallway darkly. Something quite delusional appeared to be taking place. This prettyfaced young girl simply couldn’t be the old woman who was in the park yesterday. “Come, have a seat,” the girl said sweetly motioning to a rustic table in the middle of the kitchen. Mom placed the slightly warm brownie pan on the table as I eagerly searched the room looking for some sort of evidence… The bright-eyed collie sat beneath a low bench. A tote bag atop the bench, appearing to hide the antique typewriter. Our hostess introduced herself as 19-year-old Sophia Discher, future wife of Crispin Insby, who was on
his last traveling job assignment with the regional coal mining operations. Ms. Discher had full intentions of marrying Mr. Insby as soon as he returned. But… where is the old woman with the wire rimmed glasses from the park yesterday, who claimed to be Mrs. Insby? “Thank you so much Sophia for sharing your meal with us.” Mom said smiling brightly, she was fully accustomed to talking with total strangers and seemed perfectly content to do so, “I hope you like brownies?” she asked. “Mmmm, yes ma’am,” said Sophia grinning, “Nothing suits me like a sweet chocolate dessert,” she paused. “That was very thoughtful of you,” Sophia added gently. I noticed Emma eyeing the tote bag near the collie named Susie, and I turned toward Sophia, “Does your grandmother live with you here, or an aunt, or perhaps your fiance’s relative? This is quite a large house to have full responsibility for at your age.” “Oh, no, Liam…”How does this young Ms. Discher know my name? “ I am quite capable of managing things here until the wedding.” Sophia said. Something just isn’t adding up here. I thought to myself suspiciously as I glanced around the room, scrutinizing every piece of furniture. Who was the old woman I met in the park yesterday, I wondered, it couldn’t be Sophia, though they shared a strange resemblance. Was it possible that taking off a pair of wire-rimmed glasses and changing into more fashionable clothing could change a person so much? More to come next time:)
Page 29 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Seasons by Meghan Fearn Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 2 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot what has been planted.” I have thought about this verse quite often in the last few days, as the garden catalogs have started to arrive and the signs of spring have begun to appear. As I look back over the history of gardens I have planted, I have noticed that my garden has often reflected the season of life that I am experiencing at that time. As a child, the garden represented a learning season for me. I would spend hours learning from my mom and my grandma. They taught me how to space rows for planting, when to harvest, and how to preserve the produce. There were fun times of snapping beans in front of a good movie. There were also the not-so-fun times weeding and being made to eat some of the vegetables that a 10-year-old just doesn’t appreciate. This was a season of learning meant to prepare me for the next season of life. The first garden I had on my own came out a of a season of need. My husband and I were fresh out of college and we were broke! This garden was planted to give some relief to the budget. Those vegetables I forced down as a 10-year-old became staples in our diet. At one point my husband and I had a large vegetable garden: 1200 strawberry plants, 10 blackberry plants, and over 40 fruit trees. We would use what we needed and then sell the excess. This season of gardening and life was full of hard work, but was very rewarding. As we began having children, my garden reflected a season of humility. I distinctly remember being pregnant with our fourth child and looking out my kitchen window to see my large garden overrun by weeds. My fruit trees were overgrown and even my flower beds were beyond repair. I felt so embarrassed by the fact that I couldn’t keep up with what I had started. I went outside, hopped on the mower, and began to mow down the entire garden. Please don’t ask my husband how that fared for the mower. It is still a sore subject! I took RoundUp to all the flower beds and then went to the store and bought green beans off the shelf. I took the words “time to uproot what was planted” quite literally. It was a very humbling time to realize that I just couldn’t do it all, but a lesson I am so thankful for today. I am now a mother of six children. I have two teenagers in the house and this season of life has transitioned into one of teaching. My kids now spend time with me thinking of creative ways to garden more simply. They get to go up to Great Grandma’s house to learn how to plant green beans, to weed, and to harvest. The seasons have come full circle. The student is now the teacher.
Seasons in life are inevitable. There is a time to learn, to grow, to be humbled, to teach, and to experience so many other things. The goal isn’t to always have the biggest, best garden. The goal is to learn in the current season and to take joy in the growth! Following are a few practical gardening tips I have learned during each season. The season of learning: 1) Grandma Wiseman always said the best fertilizer is scraps! Take your food scraps out to the garden all year long and spread them over the top of the soil. Till them in as they decompose. 2) Use a Bundt pan when cutting sweet corn off the cob. Set the cob on top of the center rise. You can cut straight down the sides, allowing the corn to drop into the pan. The season of need: 1) University of Illinois Extension has some great resources and growing guides, but here are a few things I have found to work for me. Plant beans outdoors mid-late April. Plant corn outdoors in mid-April. Plant tomatoes indoors in early March and transplant in late April. Plant cucumbers outdoors in mid-late March. Plant squash and zucchini outdoors two weeks after the last frost. Fruits like strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are usually the most successful if planting in the spring as a plant. For the first year, pick off and discard any blooms you see on the plants. It is important for the plant to focus all of its energy on root development and plant growth. After the first year, the plants will be capable of growing larger and healthier fruit. The season of humility: 1) You shouldn’t mow down a full-grown garden with a small riding mower. 2) There is great joy in supporting gardeners that work hard to grow and sell their produce (Abe Roser, Sunnybrook Garden, Joy Lane Produce). 3) There is freedom in RoundUp and rock! The season of teaching: 1) There are so many resources online that you can use to help you start a garden. There are also many types of gardens: raised beds, traditional gardening, planter gardens, patio gardens, etc. You don’t have to have a large yard or space to garden. Get creative with your space. 2) Plant tomatoes in pots. This cuts down your weeding. If you keep them watered, you have great tomatoes! To keep the pots from being too heavy, put packing peanuts in the bottom of the pot instead of filling it completely with soil. 3) Plant in intervals. If you plant your entire bag of bean seeds in one setting, you will be harvesting them all in one setting. Life is busy, give yourself a break and spread the work out a little. The most important lesson: Just enjoy being outdoors and being with your family as you garden!
Page 30 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Allendale and St. Mary’s Sports Banquet On Thursday, March 12th, the Allendale Ruritan Building held the 2019-2020 Co-op Sports Banquet for Allendale School and St. Mary’s School. Many student-athletes were awarded on this evening for Softball, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Girls Basketball, and Boys Basketball. The following won special awards on the evening: Softball: Lauren Fisher (Golden Glove), Nora Jones (Golden Glove), Bella Andrews (MVP) Boys Cross Country: Alex McGinnis (Motivated Runner), Levi Potts (Best Attitude), Trentin Casburn (Best Attitude), Brendan Bowser (Most Improved), Kollin Kelsey (MVP), Isaiah Courter (MVP) Girls Cross Country: Hallie Courter (Motivated Runner), Nora Jones (Best Attitude), Linden Stevens (Best Attitude), Emma Carie (Most Improved), Isabella Monroy (Most Improved), Lily Keepes (MVP) Cheerleading: Chloe Cusick (Captain), Isabella Monroy (UCA AllAmerican), Avery Swift (UCA All-American), Ava Bates (UCA All-American) Girls Basketball: Lyla Keepes (Cteam MVP), Madeline Mann (B-team MVP), Madison Stevens (A-team MVP), Sarah McCorkle (2nd team AllConference), Kali Walker (2nd team All-Conference), Nora Jones (1st team All-Conference), Madison Stevens (1st team All-Conference) Boys Basketball: Brendan Bowser (B-team Most Improved and Most Assists), Brady Porter (B-team Free ThrChampion and Most Assists), Chase Gher (B-team Most Points), Reed Stinson (B-team Most Rebounds), Cameron Kolb (B-team Most Steals), Trent Casburn (A-team MVP, Most Rebounds, 2nd team All-Conference), Reed Stinson (A-team Most Improved), Elliott Acree (A-team Free Throw Champion and AllConference Honorable Mention), Matt Jackson (A-team Most Points), Carlos Monroy (A-team Most Steals), Kollin Kelsey (Most Assists and All-Conference Honorable Mention) Thank you to the coaching staff of each sport: C.B. Walker and Mark Fisher (Softball), Sarah Courter (Cross Country), Cindy Brogan (Cheerleading), C.B. Walker, Lori Stevens, Jon Jent (Girls Basketball), Rich Casburn, Jon Porter, Tim Clemans, Larry Letson (Boys Basketball). Also a thank you to Cindy Brogan (St. Mary’s Principal) and Jami Walker (St. Mary’s Athletic Director) for all of their help during the co-op between the Yellow Jackets and the Rockets. It was a very special season, as softball made the semi-finals of the Regional, girls basketball won the Diocesan Tournament in front of a packed house at Allendale, and the boys basketball team received a 4th place in the WEAA Conference Tournament, 3rd place in the Cisne B-team Tournament, 3rd place in the Clay City Cteam Tournament, and an SIJHSAA Regional Championship.
The 2019-2020 SMS/Allendale Co-Op Boys Cross Country Team
2019-2020 Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball (7th/8th grade)
2019-2020 Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball (5th/6th grade)
2019-2020 Lady Rockets C-team
Page 31 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Allendale and St. Mary’s Sports Banquet
The 2019-2020 SMS/Allendale Co-Op Cheerleading The 2019-2020 SMS/Allendale Co-Op Girls Cross Country Team Squad
The 2019-2020 SMS/Allendale Co-Op Softball Team
2019-2020 Lady Rockets B-team
2019-2020 Lady Rockets C-team
2019-2020 Lady Rockets A-team
Page 32 • Hometown Voice • April 2020
Northside Missionary Baptist Church wants to Share God’s Love with Grayville Looking for direction in this volatile market? Logan Bailey
Financial Advisor 1204 Oak St Mt Carmel, IL 62863 618-263-3899
• A FREE Community Meal will be served from 5 - 7 p.m. in the church basement on April 15th. • FREE Food Bundles will be given away in the church basement begining at 8 a.m. on May 9th.
Northside Missionary Baptist Church
805 North State Road, Grayville MKT-5894H-A-A1
edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
Sundays: 9:30 am Sunday School • 10:30 Morning Worship • 6 p.m. Evening Worship/Youth/CIA • Wednesdays: 7 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Pastor Dennis Seidel • Youth Leader Amanda Johnson
Everything you need to get a beautiful smile is just an appointment away! We offer dental care for your whole family from kids to grandparents and everyone in between. Our Comprehensive Services Include: • General Dentistry exams • cleanings • fillings • Latest Technology the area’s only Conebeam CT for more accurate diagnosis of certain dental conditions. • Cosmetic Dentistry & Implants whitening • veneers • Endodontics & Periodontics root canals • laser gum surgery • Orthodontics, Crowns & Bridges David R. Miller D.D.S. & Bryce L. Miller D.M.D. Invisalign • dentures • partials
325 East 13th Street, Mt. Carmel
618-263-6555
New Patients 618-388-3558
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 - 5:00 comprehensivedentalcaremtc.com