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January 2022
Members of the 2022 Mt. Carmel CEO program prepare for the Food Truck Jamboree on January 15th. Check inside for more information.
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Northside Missionary Baptist Church wants to Share God’s Love with Grayville • FREE Food Bundles will be given away in the church basement beginning at 8 a.m. on January 8th and February 12th. • A FREE Community Meal will be served from 5 - 7 p.m. on January 19th and February 16th in the church basement.
Northside Missionary Baptist Church
805 North State Road, Grayville Sundays: 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 Morning Worship 5 p.m. Team Kids - Grades 1st-6th & Youth - Grades 7th-12th Pastor Dennis Seidel
Mt. Carmel CEO Program plans Food Truck Jamboree
By Meghan Fearn “Good morning! My name is Maleah Armstrong. It is a pleasure to have you with us this morning.” This introduction caught me off guard. The young lady shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and was dressed in business attire. At first, I thought “Wow, she is not the typical college student.” However, nine handshakes and introductions later, my thought process changed to “someone has taught these young men and women how to be professional.” The professional behavior and good manners were taught to these students as a part of a year-long program called Mount Carmel CEO. The dual-credit class is offered through Wabash Valley College. Upon completion, the students are awarded with 12 college business credits. The program is work-intensive and requires the students to meet daily, Monday – Friday from 7:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. “You learn to get up, get ready, and be on time,” shared Edwards County High School Student, Zeme Markman. Class time is anything but traditional, as the students spend most of the time meeting and touring area businesses. They have frequent guest speakers who teach everything from public speaking to finances and everything in between. The meeting I attended took place in the basement of the Mt. Carmel Branch of First Bank. The students sat around the table and conducted what appeared to be a professional board meeting. They had an agenda, presentations, financial reports, and subcommittees. Each person who had the floor stood when they spoke, and all students seemed to be active participants. “We have learned to work well as a team.” commented Dirk Kight. This teamwork was evident, as most of the discussions revolved around an upcoming event designed to raise funds for their second semester projects. The event they are preparing for is a Food Truck Jamboree. The Jamboree will be held at the Anderson Building at the 4-H Center in Mt. Carmel on January 15th. Those who attend will be treated to free samples served by area food trucks from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30p.m. The food trucks will then open their full menu for attendees to purchase. The event will also have live music, karaoke, and a cash bar. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through their Facebook page @Mount Carmel CEO. The money raised from this event will become seed money for the students’ second semester business ventures. Each student is required to create and implement a business plan, creating a product or service that will be featured at their annual Spring Trade Show. Over 90 CEO students have gone through this program and no two ventures have looked alike. Businesses over the years have included candle making, baked goods, stump grinding, t-shirt printing, self-published devotionals, and so much more. Through this experience, the student learns the hard work and the positive/negative aspects of building a business from the ground up. The group hopes to encourage more students to investigate and apply for this program. To bring awareness to the program, the class is sponsoring a Regional Neon High School Dance for students in the Southern Illinois region. The dance will be held on January 14 at 8:00 p.m. The cost to attend is ten dollars and all high school students are welcome to attend. CEO students will be available to share information and answer questions about the program. Students interested in applying for the CEO Program must submit a written request for admission, letters of recommendation, and they must complete an entrepreneurial profile. The CEO Program will continue to help students immerse themselves in real-life learning experiences with the opportunity to take risks, manage the results,
Page 1 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
CEO Program plans Regional Neon High School Dance and learn from the outcomes. More information for the program can be found at https://www. mountcarmelceo.com/. For questions about the program and the upcoming events, email mountcarmelceo@gmail.com.
Members of the CEO Program shown at left: Front row (l-r): Anthony Bleyer, Anna Bromm, Maleah Armstrong. Back row (l-r): Jason Miller, Dirk Kight, Callie Messerole, Zeme Markman, Caden Rothrock.
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Christmas Isn’t Over
By Meghan Fearn By the time this article publishes, most of our Christmas celebrations, parties, and decorations will be over and put away. We will have settled into some type of routine. Our kids will be back into schoolwork, and we will be doing our best to pursue New Year’s Resolutions. As a child, I remember the let-down I felt after the last gift was opened and the last ornament was put away. The realization that Christmas was over was such a sad thought. However, as I have grown, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has changed my thinking about Christmas. I now realize that Christmas doesn’t end at midnight on Christmas Day. An even greater realization is that Christmas Day is not where the story of Christ began. To understand the beginning of Christmas, I first had to understand why Christ needed to come to Earth to begin with. The need for a Savior began long before the birth of Christ. It started in the Garden of Eden, with one man and one woman. Adam and Eve lived, walked, and talked with God in the Garden. However, they chose to disobey the one rule that God had commanded. Through that act of disobedience, sin entered the world. With sin came the punishment of death and separation from God. But God loves His people so much that He didn’t let sin and death win. He promised a Savior, One who would take the punishment of death away by becoming a Perfect Sacrifice. The need for the Savior was in place, God’s people lived as sinners in a sinful world. Their only hope was the promise of that coming Savior. Then it happened, one night in a dirty stable, in the small village of Bethlehem. The promise of the Savior was fulfilled. God became flesh through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Why would an all-powerful, all-knowing, Holy God become flesh? Why would he subject himself to the evil, the pain, and the sin of this world? John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. It was because He LOVES us!! GOD LOVES US! What an amazing thing to think about. He lived on this Earth, and was crucified in a horrific death, taking the full punishment for sin. Not just for the people who had lived, but for all of those to come. He did what we could not do on our own. He paid the full penalty for our disobedience, resurrecting from the grave and defeating death. We no longer have the punishment of death. Instead He gave the greatest, most important gift of all…..eternal life. It is a gift, free to all who repent of their sin and believe in Him. Christmas isn’t over. Christ will return for His people one day and we will once again live with Him. For this, we can sing Gloria in excelsis deo! (Glory to God in the Highest) all year long!
If you would like to advertise or have a story idea or picture to share... contact Laurie Snidle at hometownvoice2019@gmail.com 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 3 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Recognized for 7 Top Programs in the US
Olney, Ill. -- A website that helps students make college decisions recognized Illinois Eastern Community Colleges for seven top programs in the United States. Intelligent.com, which is a resource for online and oncampus program rankings and higher education planning, included IECC in its programs assess for 2022. The research identifies programs in the nation based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Intelligent.com implemented a unique methodology that ranks each program on a scale from 0 to 100 across five categories. The scoring system compares each university according to program strength, student readiness, return on investment, cost, and student engagement. Researchers compared 704 programs from 2,900 universities and colleges across the United States. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges offers flexible distance learning that appeals to busy adults or hybrid models that include on-campus and online formats. Experts at Intelligent.com assessed programs that help students enhance and develop advanced skills for a variety of in-demand positions. Intelligent.com rated IECC as the top choice for Online Associate in Medical Assisting Programs and gave IECC the Intelligent Pick Award. The Human Resource Assistant program ranked 13th nationally and was named the Best for Illinois Transfer Students. For General Studies Online, IECC was 15th and was named the Best of Tech Skills. They rated the Alternative Fuels program the best in the state. IECC ranked 18th nationally for its Accounting Program. The Medical Office Administration Program ranked 22nd and earned the Best Internship Option Award. The Pharmacy Tech program rated 35th and was named the Best for Certification Review. “When students come to Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College, they’re getting an exceptional education,” said IECC Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower. “One of the biggest reasons for that is our faculty strive to get to know our students and help them succeed. Students can count on personalized attention when they come to any one of our colleges.” Studies show that obtaining a degree increases income substantially, degree holders earning 84% more than those with only high school diplomas or those without a completed GED. The percentage difference in earnings continues to grow with higher learning degrees such as masters, doctoral or professional degrees, with the unemployment rate decreasing to as much as 1.1% for those with a doctorate.
To advertise call Laurie Snidle at 618-919-1941 or email: hometownvoice2019@gmail.com
Teachers, clubs, churches... share upcoming events and pictures at hometownvoice2019@ gmail.com Page 4 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Englishman on the Prairie By Meghan Fearn Family history runs deep in rural communities such as Edwards County. Many families can trace their roots for hundreds of years to the exact location they currently reside. Some families have detailed accounts of their history right down to the number of acres their family farmed and the implements they used to farm it. Others may have a few pictures, recipes, and heirlooms that have been passed down through the generations. Whatever the story may be, learning family history can bring alive those recipes, traditions, and the landmarks around us and this can spark the imagination. Edwards County Native, Ellen (Bunting) Jones has used this spark of imagination to write a novelette called Englishman on the Prairie, a story based on a family legacy that began right here in Edwards County. Jones was born and raised in western Edwards County. After graduating from Edwards County High School in 1977, she married and moved to Indiana where she spent over 30 years working for the Department of Child Services and raising two daughters. Jones had always enjoyed writing and even contributed to the Albion Journal and West Salem Advocate during her high school years. However, it wasn’t until she discovered a deed in a lockbox, with a name she didn’t recognize, that Jones decided to dig deeper and begin to write. She enlisted the help of her cousins, Mark and Crystal Bunting. Together, they searched through their family history and began to piece together names, dates, and places. They found names that are still familiar and an active part of Edwards County such as Simms, Gill, Snidle, and Bunting. They also found dates that include early 1800s and locations where there are still many of these families residing. At the end of the search, Jones discovered the marriage of her Great-Great Grandmother, Hannah Simms, to an English immigrant named Ned Snidle. The writer side of Jones led her to wonder what it might have been like for a young man to travel to a new country alone. What would it have been like to live on the Illinois Prairie in the mid 1800’s? Knowing her family was one built on faith and love, she could imagine the way her family would have welcomed this young man and helped him begin his life in Edwards County. Fact, imagination, and a deeply engrained love for God and family combined to create a beautiful story of inspiration. During the 2020 shutdown, Jones put these ideas and thoughts to paper and wrote her first book. After the research was finished and the story took shape, Jones called a toll-free number she had found to order a self-publishing kit. Before she could investigate the process of self-publishing, she received a call from Christian Faith Publishing expressing interest in what she had written. She sent them her story and within the next week was presented a contract for the book. The book is a combination of fact and fiction and is set in Edwards County using real names and locations. Jones has fond memories of her childhood in Edwards County and strong family connections. Her daughter is currently building a home in the same area Ned and Hannah raised their family and near many other descendants of this pioneer couple. “I like for people to guess what is fact and what is fiction in the book.” says Jones. “I hope people feel the faith, love, and legacy that is a part of this book, the legacy of family.” The book, Englishman on the Prairie, is now available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For more information, find Ellen Jones Author on Facebook or email her at reajones@ live.com
Page 5 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
ECHS FFA Agronomy CDE Pictured at left: The ECHS FFA Agronomy team (lr): Rylan Robb, Sidney Watson, Samuel Bailey, Kassidi Metcalf, Campbell Biggs, Jake Wiseman, Cage Metcalf, Easton Keener, and Emma Wiseman
By Rylan Robb In early December, the Edwards County FFA competed in the Agronomy contest. This is where members identify seeds, plants, equipment, and need to take a general knowledge test as well as a test about insects. This year, the team included Cage Metcalf, Kassidi Metcalf, Rylan Robb, Sidney Watson, Jake Wiseman, Easton Keener, Samuel Bailey, Campbell Biggs, and Emma Wiseman. The team participated in two different contests: our section contest and the state contest. At section, the team placed 2nd with Rylan placing 1st and Kassidi placing 2nd. The team received 12th place at the state level with the team consisting of Cage Metcalf, Kassidi Metcalf, Rylan Robb, and Sidney Watson. Kassidi finished 27th at state. The team is coached by Michelle Wiseman.
Rick Clark to headline Cover Crop Coffee Shop
The Edwards and Wayne County Farm Bureaus along with Citizens National Bank are sponsoring cover crop expert Rick Clark at the Cover Crop Coffee Shop on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Little Prairie Christian Church. The event starts at 8:00am with breakfast. Rick Clark, a fifth-generation farmer in Warren County, Indiana. The story of Rick’s transition from chemical dependency to regenerative practices has propelled demand from other farmers to learn his strategies and garnered national attention. In 2017, Clark was honored as Danone’s Sustainable Farmer of the Year. Additionally, Land O’ Lakes honored him with an Outstanding Sustainability Award, and he was also a regional winner of the American Soybean Association’s Conservation Legacy Award. Currently, Rick is Field to Markets 2019 recipient of the Sustainable Farmer of the Year award. His farm runs on a five-crop system with corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and regen. Everything Rick does is centered on these two pillars. He uses non-GMO seeds, no-till farming, crop rotation, and cover crop diversity to regenerate soils and drive a profitable business. After Rick graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agriculture and economics, he took an unexpected path when he chose to leave the family farm to pursue a career in finance after a friend told him about the opportunity. He packed his bags and worked in the heart of Chicago’s financial district for four years learning the ins and outs of the market and trading municipal bonds. Rick now speaks
and does consulting around the country teaching other farmers about his approach. Additionally, Elliot Lagacy, Regional Representative with the Illinois Department of Agriculture will be in attendance. There will also be a question-and-answer panel with Doc Roser and JR Upton. For reservations, call either the Edwards (618-445-2113) or Wayne (618-8423342) County Farm Bureau office by January 26, 2022.
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Page 6 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
ECHS FFA Sales Team Competes at State
Pictured above: The ECHS FFA Sales team (l-r): Caleb Stevens, Jaron Weaver, Rylan Robb, Caden Rothrock, and Easton Keener
By Rylan Robb Recently, the Edwards County FFA’s Ag Sales team just concluded competing for the year. This team consisted of Rylan Robb, Caden Rothrock, Caleb Stevens, Easton Keener, and Jaron Weaver. In this contest, these members had to make a sales presentation as a team, make a sales presentation as an individual, and take a written test. The team placed 2nd at Section, allowing them to move on to the district contest. At Section Rylan Robb placed 2nd, Caden Rothrock placed 9th and Caleb Stevens placed 10th. At the District contest, the team placed 3rd overall with Rylan Robb as the first place individual. The team was able to advance to the State competition and placed third. The team competed at the State competition at Lincoln Land Community College and finished 9th place in the State. Great job Ag Sales team!!
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Congratulations to the December Student of the Month, Karmin Beadles! She was nominated by her teacher for her excellent test grades. For her efforts, she receives a Phillips 66 Card from United Mutual Insurance Company, Casey’s gift card from the Hope Center, a $15 gift card to McDonald’s, $20 cash from Matthes Farms, a can coozie from Steve Thomson Country Financial, a water bottle from Gerri Hughes Tupperware, a t-shirt from the VFW Auxiliary, a water bottle from Doug Raber State Farm, a t-shirt from Albion Equipment, and a t-shirt & beef sticks from Country Home Processing. Great job, Karmin!
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Haitian Relief Fund Correction In the December issue the zip code was incorrect. Donations can be sent directly to the Haitian Relief Fund at First National Bank of Allendale, P.O. Box 9, Allendale, IL 62410.
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Edwards County Sports Schedule IECC Ranks #2 Nationally Sponsored by United Mutual Insurance
Date Team Jan. 3 ECHS Girls @ Robinson Jan. 4 ECHS Boys Home vs. Fairfield Jan. 6 AGS Boys Home vs. Owensville Jan. 6 ECHS Girls Home vs. Carmi Jan. 6 AGS Volleyball @ Effingham Jan. 7 ECHS Boys @ Flora Jan. 8 ECHS Boys @ North Clay Shootout Jan. 10 AGS Boys Home vs. Fairfield Jan. 10 ECHS Girls @ Eldorado Jan. 11 ECHS Boys Home vs. Carmi Jan. 11 WSGS Boys @ Newton Jan. 12 AGS Boys Home vs. Carmi Jan. 12 WSGS Boys @ Grayville Jan. 13 ECHS Boys F/S @ Newton Jan. 13 ECHS Girls @ Fairfield Jan. 13 AGS Volleyball @ Grayville Jan. 14 ECHS Boys Home vs. Eldorado Jan. 17 AGS Volleyball @ Lawrenceville Jan. 18 WSGS Boys Home vs. Allendale Jan. 19 AGS Boys Home vs. Allendale Jan. 19 WSGS Volleyball @ Grayville Jan. 20 AGS Boys @ Cisne Jan. 20 ECHS Girls Home vs. Hamilton Co. Jan. 20 WSGS Boys Home vs. New Hebron Jan. 20 WSGS Girls Volleyball @ Parkview Jan. 21 ECHS Boys Home vs. NCOE Jan. 22 AGS Boys @ Johnston City Jan. 22 WSGS Volleyball @ 8th gr. Trny. New Hebron Jan. 24 AGS Boys Home vs. Grayville Jan. 24 ECHS Girls @ Carmi Jan. 24-28 ECHS Boys F/S @ Hamilton Co. Trny. Jan. 25 AGS Volleyball @ St. Thomas Jan. 25 WSGS Volleyball home vs. Grayville Jan. 27 ECHS Girls @ Carmi Jan. 28 ECHS Boys @ Wayne City Jan. 28 ECHS Boys @ Carmi Jan. 29 AGS Boys 7th gr. Jr. NEC Trny. @ Fairfield Jan. 29 ECHS Girls @ Olney Jan. 29 AGS Volleyball 7th gr. Trny St. Thomas Jan. 31 ECHS Girls Home vs. Flora Jan. 31 WSGS Volleyball @ Clay City
Time 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 5:00 pm 6:15 pm 5:00 pm 6:15 pm TBA 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 5:15 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:15 pm TBA 10 am 6:00 pm 6:15 pm TBA 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm TBA 1:00 pm TBA 6:15 pm 4:30 pm
United Mutual Insurance Company 14 N. 4th Street, Albion 618-445-2306
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For Best Value
Olney, Ill. -- Students at Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College are getting a tremendous value according to the website Best Value Schools. They ranked Illinois Eastern Community Colleges as having the second-best valued Associate Degree in Liberal Arts in the nation. “In recent years, the cost of tuition at many colleges has skyrocketed forcing many students to take on unreasonable amounts of debt to earn a degree,” said IECC Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower. “This once again shows that there’s a smarter way forward for students by attending one of the four colleges in our district.” Best Value Schools used a matrix of cost, faculty to student ratio, and graduation rates to determine their rankings. The lower the cost and faculty to student ratio there is, the higher the institution ranks. The higher the graduation rate is, the higher the institution ranks. IECC has a tuition rate of $135 per credit hour, a faculty to student ratio of 14 to 1, and some of the highest retention and completion rates in Illinois. Best Value Schools also called attention to the online options available to students at IECC. “Each of our colleges is filled with students that are working on foundational classes that will be used to support advanced studies at four-year institutions,” said Gower. “The quality of our programs has received recognition at the local, state, and national levels. In fact, each of our colleges is an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. College, which means we offer some of the best education available in the country.” In November, FCC, LTC, OCC, and WVC awarded Success Scholarships to 254 students at 18 area high schools totaling nearly $180,000. “Our tuition is already one of the lowest in the area,” said Gower. “When students make the decision to receive a high-quality education at IECC, they are making a financially smart choice and avoiding the burden of high amounts of college debt.” IECC’s next Priority Deadline is February 25. Students can go to www.iecc.edu/priority to begin the application process. In addition to filling out the application, students also need to complete the FAFSA using the school code 001742, which covers each of the colleges within the district. The awards for the second Priority Deadline will be announced in mid-March.
To advertise or share a story idea contact Laurie Snidle at 618-919-1941 or email: hometownvoice2019@gmail.com
Page 9 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Mt. Carmel Jr/Sr High School Sports Schedule Date Jan 4 Jan 4 Jan 6 Jan 6 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan. 8 Jan 8 Jan 8 Jan 8 Jan 10 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 11 Jan 11 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13-20 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 15 Jan 17
Team Girls Basketball Girls JH Basketball Girls Basketball Boys JH Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Boys HS Basketball Wrestling Girls Basketball Girls JH Basketball Boys 5/6 Basketball Girls Basketball Boys FS Basketball Boys HS Basketball Girls JH Basketball Boys 5/6 Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Wrestling Girls Basketball Boys JH Basketball Boys HS Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Boys HS Basketball Boys JH Basketball Boys 5/6 Basketball
Event Start Time Wood Memorial 6:00 PM Home Carmi-White County 6:00 PM Home Richland County 6:15 PM Home Carmi-White Co. Middle 6:00 PM Home Vincennes Rivet 5:30 PM Away Robinson High School 6:15 PM Away Robinson Duals 9:00 am Away Edwards County 1:00 PM Home 7th Gr NEC Trny-Flora TBD Away Albion Tournament TBD Away Newton Community 6:15 PM Away Fairfield Jr-Sr 6:15 PM Home North Posey 5:30 PM Away Vincennes Rivet 5:30 PM Home North Posey 5:30 PM Home North Posey Elem. 5:30 PM Away Carmi-White County 6:15 PM Away LIC Tournament TBD Away Flora Jr High School 6:00 PM Home Richland County 6:15 PM Home Richland County 6:00 PM Home Cisne High School 2:00 PM Home Vincennes Rivet 9:30 AM Home Red Hill Grade School 6:00 PM Home
Date Jan 18 Jan 18 Jan 18 Jan 18 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 20 Jan 20 Jan 21-28 Jan 24 Jan 25-29 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 27 Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 31 Jan 31 Jan 31 Jan 31
Team Wrestling Boys HS Basketball Boys JH Basketball Boys 5/6 Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Boys FS Basketball Boys JH Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Boys 5/6 Basketball Boys HS Basketball Girls Basketball Boys 5/6 Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Wrestling Girls Basketball Boys JH Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Girls 6th Basketball Wrestling Boys JH Basketball Girls Basketball Boys FS Basketball Boys 5/6 Basketball Girls 6th Basketball
Event Start Time Richland County 6:00 PM Home Newton Community 6:15 PM Away Owensville 5:30 PM Away Center Street Fairfield 5:00 PM Away Parkview Jr High School 6:00 PM Home North Posey 6:00 PM Home Fairfield Jr High School 6:00 PM Away Carmi-White County 6:00 PM Away Richland County 6:00 PM Away LIC Tournament TBD Away Casey-Westfield 6:15 PM Away Red Hill Tournament TBD Away Richland County 6:00 PM Away Robinson High School 6:30 PM Away Paris High School 6:15 PM Home Richland County 6:00 PM Away Fairfield Center St. 5:00 PM Away Red Hill Grade School 6:00 PM Away Eastern Illinois Duals 9:00 AM Away 7th Gr NEC Trny-Fairfield TBD Away Bluford (Webber) 6:15 PM Away Robinson High School 6:15 PM Away Flora Jr High School 6:00 PM Away Vincennes Clark Middle 5:30 PM Away
OCC Baseball Winter Camp January 15 OLNEY, Ill. — Olney Central College Baseball will host a Winter Camp on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the OCC Gymnasium and Britton’s Bullpen in Olney. Players ages 6 through 9 will meet from 9 to 11 a.m. while 10- to 12-yearolds will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Instructors will include the OCC coaching staff and players, along with Phil Britton, a two-time NJCAA All-American who played minor league baseball for seven years. The cost is $60 and those attending will need to bring a bat, glove, helmet and shoes. To pre-register or for more information, call Coach Dennis Conley at 618-395-7777, ext. 2131, or 618-843-0333. You also may contact him by email at conleyd@iecc. edu. Registration forms are available online at www.iecc.edu/occ.
Page 10 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Allendale School is proud to announce the November Students of the Month: Front row - Brantley Deisher (Kindergarten), Madisyn Weiss (1st Grade), Benjamin Snyder (2nd Grade), Colton McGee (4th Grade) Back row Tristan Bray (Jr. High) and Kathryn Andrews (Jr. High) not pictured Grayson Wilford (3rd Grade)
Allendale School is proud to announce its December Students of the Month: Front row - William Jackman (1st Grade), Luke Harms (2nd Grade), Chandler Bray (3rd Grade). Back row - Max Ford (4th Grade), McKinlee Grimes (Jr. High), Isaiah Courter (Jr. High) Absent - Wade Barbre (Kindergarten)
Page 11 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
CRMH pharmacists tackles pediatric need by coordinating Vaccines for Children program By: Tara Lemke Most parents can relate to the saying “less is more”. Whether referring to the use of glitter on an art project or the number of stops you have to make when running errands, most would agree that fewer is better. Now, parents can plan for fewer stops when scheduling well-visits and vaccinations for their children as well. Thanks to the efforts of Kelcey Semple PharmD, BCACP, BCADM, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist for Carle Richland, our pediatric patients at the Carle Olney location are able to receive their childhood vaccinations during wellness checks. Previously, vaccines had to be scheduled separately through the local health office, which required parents to schedule two appointments for their children…one for the actual Well-Child Visit and one for the recommended childhood vaccinations. “COVID has brought to light the need to challenge “the norm” and make sure that we are offering all opportunities available to make it accessible and convenient for parents to get their kids those milestone vaccines they need,” Semple said. While the Carle Olney clinic providers will be able to assist their patients in getting their needed vaccines during their wellness visit, currently there are not appointments available just to get a vaccine. “We are hoping to expand that in the future, but at this point we don’t have the capacity to just do vaccine appointments. We are only offering the vaccinations as part of the child’s wellness Kelcey Semple has spent the last few visit and only at Carle Olney at this time. The Carle Bridgeport and months coordinating efforts to bring the Carle West Salem locations are not yet set-up for child vaccina- Vaccines for Children program to the Carle Olney clinic providers. tions,” notes Semple. CRMH is excited to make this first step in opening the door for providing an additional service line.“Kelcey recognized the gap in vaccination coverage in our community and tackled this challenge head on. She spent countless hours developing the program and preparing for the State Inspection, assisting with the EPIC build and helping to train staff,” said Sara Buehnerkemper PharmD, Director of Ancillary Services for CRMH. Buehnerkemper was so impressed with Semple’s work to bring this program to the Carle Olney location, she nominated her for a Key Contributor Award, which she was awarded. “I nominated Kelcey for this award because she is the perfect example of furthering goals for our organization and continually performs over and above her everyday duties,” says Buehnerkemper. The Vaccines for Children program has officially launched at Carle Olney and is available to patients seeing one of the Carle Olney providers. “I’m excited to say that we have the green light from the state, the vaccines are here and ready to be used, our staff has been trained and we are excited to begin this service for our littlest patients,” says Semple. “It’s a good feeling to have the program available and to see all the work pay off.”
illiana home inspections Bill Miller, Inspector
207 E Oak St., Allendale, Il 62410 illianas59@yahoo.com 618-262-6968 Page 12 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Wabash County 4-H’ers work to spread the holiday spirit!
Ornament Group: (Back L to R) Brianna McCoy, Kris Hutton, Ryland Markle, Stetson Potts, Ethan Miller, Kamryn Hutton, Quinten Miller, Greta Hocking, Courtney Potts. (Middle L to R) Samuel McCoy, Addison Tennis, Eliza Kramer, Klay Hutton, Alivia Peach, Ava Giese. (Front L to R) Lydia Deming, Emry Wilcox, Jaxon Moore, Nicholas Moore, Mark Deming, Eli Hocking, Isaac Hocking, Zayn Cheadle. Around thirty Wabash County 4-H’ers came together to create some fun Christmas ornaments. Each kid was able to make five different ornaments that we then donated to the Oakview nursing home in Mt. Carmel. The kids had a great time and were excited to donate the art they had created. Before the night was over, we also worked as a group to create two Christmas wreaths and some Christmas cards that we also donated to the residents of Oakview. The Christmas cards were filled with messages and drawing from the 4-H’ers as they wish them all a happy holiday season! Interested in being apart of Wabash County 4-H contact our office today at 618-262-5725. Or stop by at 738 N Market St., Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Page 13 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Card Group: (Back L to R) Brianna McCoy, Ryland Markle, Ethan Miller, Stetson Potts, Quinten Miller, Kamryn Hutton, Courtney Potts, Greta Hocking. (Middle L to R) Samuel McCoy, Addison Tennis, Kris Hutton, Eliza Kramer, Klay Hutton, Alivia Peach, Ava Giese. (Front L to R) Nicholas Moore, Mark Deming, Eli Hocking, Jaxon Moore, Isaac Hocking, Emry Wilcox, Lydia Deming, Zayn Cheadle
Grayville Sports Schedule Date Team Jan. 4-8 GJHS Boys @ WEAA Trny. Jan. 8 GHS Boys @ North Clay Shootout Jan. 12 GJHS Home vs. West Salem Jan. 13 GJHS Volleyball Home vs. Albion Jan. 14 GHS Boys @ Cisne Jan. 15 GHS Boys Home vs. Norris City Jan. 17-22 GHS Boys @ Webber MTC Trny. Jan. 19 GJHS Volleyball Home vs. West Salem Jan. 25 GHS Boys Home vs. Woodlawn Jan. 25 GJHS Volleyball @ West Salem
Time TBA 10:30 am 6:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:15 pm 2:00 pm TBA 5:15 pm 6:15 pm 5:15 pm
Allendale/St. Mary’s Sports Schedule
Date Jan. 3-8 Jan. 4 Jan. 6 Jan. 7-9 Jan. 10 Jan. 13 Jan. 14-16 Jan. 18 Jan. 19
Team Boys WEAA Conference Trny. Girls @ New Hope Girls @ Jasper Girls Diocesan Trny. Boys Home vs. Red Hill Boys @ New Hebron Boys Diocesan Trny. Boys @ West Salem Boys @ Albion
Time TBA 6:00 pm 6:00 pm TBA 6:00 pm 6:00 pm TBA 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
Alka Family Chiropractic Center 618-262-4994 Start the New year feeling good . . .Schedule an appointment to feel better! • Improve Posture • Fewer Headaches • Less Stress • More Energy CHIROPR A ILY
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Page 14 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Comedians - By Daisy Roser Meet the Author
Daisy is a fifteen year old farm girl. She works, studies and rides her horse, Hondo, near Enfield, her home. She’s got eight siblings, a bunch of half-filled sketchbooks and a head full of dreams. Someday she’s gonna be famous, just wait. Daisy is the daughter of Tim and Angela (Hawkins) Roser.
By: Daisy Roser I’ve watched a lot of comedian videos. Studied the way that they walk, the way that they talk, their tone as they present a joke or tell a tale. At the time I was trying to learn how to be funny and charming because I felt that I was seriously lacking in those departments. But lately, I have improved. Several people have told me that I have a good sense of humor. Once or twice I’ve been told that I could be a comedian, and I’m sure it’d be a fun job if I didn’t have such horrible stage-fright. But I’ve only had people tell me these things more recently. I call it developing a personality. I’ve had to.Because I used to be very boring. When I was a little girl, I was strange. I had the odd, philosophical thought that since I didn’t really have anything to add to conversations, I should just listen to them. And I did. I got really good at listening to conversations and learning from them. I got really good at dissecting book conversations because I read a lot of books in those days. I never added anything to conversations until I had learned enough information that I felt qualified to speak on whatever subject was involved. Because humor comes from knowledge. I’m not saying this all hoity-toity, as if I’m some great paragon of wit and wisdom. I just believe that humor comes from the things that we know. Our knowledge and our experiences. The books we read and the people we are around will mold our sense of humor into something. Sarcastic, satirical, mild, theatric, these are all different brands of wit, and can all be used in many different
ways. But most of the funniest stories involve people. People are social creatures, and usually, these funny stories revolve around the various interactions of the human race with friends and acquaintances, their behaviors, actions, and conversations while in contact with others. So, to understand the art of conversation and humor, you have to observe people interacting with people. Understanding the dynamics of what people think is amusing is one of the key factors in making a joke, telling a funny story, or just making someone laugh. I love making people laugh. Even if it puts me in an uncomplimentary light in the process. Self-criticism is one of the most efficient modes of humor. It has to be used correctly, making the subject something impersonal enough not to offend anyone on your behalf. Jokes about other people have to be milder. You can burn yourself to whatever degree you know you can handle, but with others, there is a fine line between teasing and offending, as I have painfully figured out on countless occasions. Anyway, understanding and experiences.Those are the things that comprise humor. Experiences are what most comedians draw their humor from. Oftentimes not the kind of experiences that you wouldn’t think very funny. Often circumstances that are decidedly unamusing. Yes, some of the best, and funniest, comedians of all time are those that have suffered through some awful circumstances. Incarceration, divorce, the death of a loved one, military combat, previous mistakes, failures, abuses, hardships. These are the fiery trials that forge greatness, and I’m only naming a few. Hardship breeds overcomers. The brightest of lights come from the darkest of nights. This doesn’t simply apply to comedians, it applies to time periods, artists, philosophers, people in general. Hardships create the greatest personalities. But I’m focusing on comedians now. The fact that comedians can make light of such serious circumstances may be appalling to some. But to others it is encouraging. The idea that these people can draw upon the darkest moments of their lives sometimes… live through them, and tell the world about
Oak Leaf Trucking, Inc. Grain Hauling Neil Fearn 618-838-3852
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Page 15 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Comedians continued - By Daisy Roser them in an encouraging light is pretty inspiring. It brings a nearly redemptive light to the seemingly perfunctory practice of stand-up comedy. You know the saying, “you’ll laugh about it someday?” That saying doesn’t normally help in the middle of a crisis. It doesn’t give you a new perspective, a better frame of mind for the situation that you are going through. But to see real-life, applicable models of people who have come through situations of the same sort, and lived to both laugh about it and make others laugh about it - that is a thought that will give you courage and stamina in a situation that might otherwise seem completely hopeless. That’s a good thing in general, but when comedians, who have gone through the exact same trials as you, come up on a stage, that lends even more credulity and an air of relatability to a story that would otherwise be simply ‘inspiring.’ Say, perhaps, someone was going through a rough breakup. And they went and heard someone, a comedian, for the sake of the argument. Not that you would normally go hear a comedian after a dramatic and tearful estrangement. Then again, maybe you would, I’ve never broken up with someone, and I’m not even sure I’m using the politically correct terminology here. But say that comedian spoke of also going through a rough time in the same category, but up, on that stage, they were smiling and chuckling along with the audience about their ex’s eating habits, or horrible texting skills. Wouldn’t that encourage the hypothetical listener going through their break-up? For another example. Someone lost their job, they went to the same hypothetical stand-up show, but instead of hearing about a breakup, they listened as a comedian told of the troubles of job hunting and exaggerated about cheap living and bad hotels. Or someone, although I’m not sure how accurate this would be, lost someone. And they went to their hypothetical show and watched as perhaps, for a second, the speaker got teary, talking about their mother. This hypothetical person watched as the comedian ‘got real’ for a moment to say that she, the mother, was in a better place, to say how kind she was, what an example she was, how much he or she had loved the person. And then the speaker went on to talk about the exaggerated troubles of sorting through old junk from the nineteen-fifties, about their siblings playfully fighting over old scarves and moth-eaten sweaters. And then, went on to talk about the exaggerated strictness of his or her deceased mother, when raising children, before turning into the sweetest most loving, doting, gift-giving, grandmother. To tell of the ridiculous cooking secrets his/her mother would studiously guard,
bacon grease, leaving out meat, day-old bread, and such, that would somehow turn into scrumptious meals with the flick of a wrist. Perhaps old romantic advice would be told, that the speaker stupidly followed. But it would be a nostalgic story. One that would somehow help. If only to show the listener that he or she is not alone in their loneliness or abject sense of absence. Again, say a person was just released from prison. They’re struggling a lot. Guilt, homelessness perhaps, want of food, clothing, basic necessities. And they watch on the TV as someone who has been in their shoes before, tells a story or perhaps, nasty prison food, comparing it to a cafeteria they once ate at. Perhaps the person reveals, in a humorous light, the struggles of rebuilding a ruined reputation. Perhaps the person even goes so far as to exaggerate the heist which originally brought them to prison, their own ineptitude or desperation. But the story is one of redemption. It’s a tale as old as time, of someone going from broken to whole, from old to new, convicted to comedian. A story that might point to a greater hope, a better life, a newer person through Christ, even. A story that could lead the person to make something of his-her-self, to become a charitable businessperson, a loving father or mother, a hopegiving comedian themself. These hypothetical situations may seem unrealistic, merely farcical in their exaggeration, but I’m trying to give an example of the way that humor can, not only bring joy to a person’s otherwise unhappy life but also, how it can bring hope. God gave us the gift of humor, wit, intellect. He gave us brains, not just to function with, but to use. Eyes not just to see but to observe with. Ears not just to hear with, but to listen with. Some people use their gifts to artfully bring others down, to roast and stew them with sarcastic wit and brilliant retorts. But God says to use our gifts to build each other up. And humor is a wonderful way to brighten another’s day. To bring joy to someone. To build another up. Use your gifts appropriately. Stop by Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to Daisy 12 pm and check out the new fresh cut meat case and frozen food we have available. You’ll never know what you will find!
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm • Saturday 8 am to 12 pm
Page 16 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Seth Root Reelected to State Young Leader Board Seth Root of Bone Gap was reelected to serve a 2-year term on the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders state board. He will represent District 17, which includes Edwards, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Wabash, Wayne, and White counties. Seth farms in Edwards County and is a member of the Edwards County Farm Bureau Young Leader committee. He is also active in the Edwards County Fair. He is the son of the late Anthony Root, and Kristen Speir.
Pictured at left: Seth Root was reelected the state Young Leader Board of the Illinois Farm Bureau representing District 17. He is congratulated by Illinois Farm Bureau Board member, Larry Miller.
Edwards County takes part in the IAA Annual Meeting The Edwards County Farm Bureau had a successful IAA Annual Meeting in early December. The county was awarded numerous awards including the Pinnacle and Liberty Bell awards. Additionally, the received County Activities of Excellence awards for Ag Literacy, Farm Income & Development, Health & Safety, Local Affairs, and Multi-County. Delegates were also successful in getting policy in the Illinois Farm Bureau policy book that supports allowing road districts to share road commissioners and clerks. Additionally, members were able to interact with multiple elected officials at both the state and national level. Micheala Greathouse of rural Albion parJason Balding, president of the Edwards County Farm Bu- ticipated in the Young Leader State Discussion reau and the many awards won by the organization at the meet, making it to the Top 10. 2021 IAA Annual Meeting. He is pictured with Illinois Farm Bureau president Richard Guebert.
Susan’s Beauty Shop Let Santa’s Elves help you choose the perfect Christmas Gift! 6664 N 900 Blvd., Keensburg • 618-298-2474 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 to 4 • Sat. 8:30 to 3 • Closed Sunday www.timberlake-furniture.com
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Page 17 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Wabash County’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Wabash County Farm Bureau started a new membership program entitled the Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways. This program highlighted the local membership discount providers, and it gave back to the members. Members received information about the program along with a postcard for them to mail back to the Farm Bureau office. To be entered in the drawing, members must have returned a completed entry-form postcard. Each “giveaway” was from a local membership benefit provider. The giveaways and winners were: Little Italy’s PizzaMark Bader, Smith Jewelers (ornament)- Sharon Majors, Tequila’s- Robert Hocking, Alka Family Chiropractic- Tim Jackson, Kelly O’s- Mark Tennis, Wabash CFB- Stephanie Bosecker, Smith Jewelers (tractor coin bank)- James Russell, The Grind- Chris Brown, Foxglove Acres Ranch- Sara Steckler, COUNTRY Financial (Jody Smith & Bill Stinson)Carolyn Hocking, Rural King- Brent Ford, and the Grand Prize $100 in Wabash County Chamber Bucks from the Chamber of Commerce, a cooler from COUNTRY Financial, and $50 worth of freezer beef from Foxglove Acres Ranch went to…Stephanie Durham. Congratulations to all the winners!
Wabash-12 Days of Christmas winners: Stephanie Durham was the grand prize winner of the Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways from Wabash County Farm Bureau. She received $100 in Chamber Bucks from the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, over $50 worth of freezer beef from Foxglove Acres Ranch, and a cooler from COUNTRY Financial. Congratulations to all the winners!
Call Stu or Sam at 618-445-3329 today for a free estimate!
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Photos that apprear in the Hometown Voice are submitted. If you have a photo or story to share email Laurie Snidle at hometownvoice2019@ gmail.com
Page 18 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Victorious Children’s Home
By: Meghan Fearn Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27 When the Grace of God has transformed a person’s life, that person cannot help but share the news of His Grace. This news is shared through the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Victorious Children’s Home in Kakamega, Kenya is one organization that exists to share the gospel and to put action to the words in this verse through the care of orphans. The mission of V.C.H. is to reach out to the hurting world of children with Christ-like compassion, feeding one mouth at a time; healing one wound at a time; educating one mind at a time and winning one soul to CHRIST at a time. The vision of this organization is led by a woman named Vicki. Vicki grew up in Kenya, Africa surrounded by difficult circumstances, in poverty and without knowing Jesus Christ. When she heard the Gospel, it changed her. She began looking for ways to reach the children who were in situations just as dire as she had been raised in. She started by preparing food for the street children on special occasions. Then, with the help of her pastor, she opened Victorious Children’s Home. The home provides the basic needs to the most vulnerable children who include orphans, abandoned babies, homeless children, street children, and those from abusive environments and dysfunctional families. The home also provides the children with education, teaches them work ethic, and gives them the hope of Christ. There are currently over 180 children living at V.C.H., aging from newborn babies to college students and many more who have been raised knowing the love of Jesus. This is made possible through Vicki and the supporters of V.C.H. Nelson Reiber is a retired pastor, living in Allendale. He and his wife, Clara, met Vicki many years ago through the pastor of Vicki’s church and they support V.C.H. faithfully. Over the years, Vicki has become like another daughter to them. They communicate daily. Up until the Covid shutdown, they have welcomed her into their home on a yearly basis. They introduced the ministry of V.C.H. to many churches, organizations, and people all over the area to help raise funds to keep the home operational. The Reiber’s marvel at the work they have seen done in Kenya, especially during the hardship of the pandemic, where finances have been especially challenging. Clara shared, “Vicki never complains, she just knows the Lord will take care of them.” The needs of caring for this number of children can seem overwhelming. Lodging, food, school supplies, medical care, uniforms, and tuition are only a few of the needs. Donations do not just meet basic needs. In a recent letter from Vicki to the Reiber’s, she shares; “You may not know how much you have impacted these children. You have given them a reason to live a meaningful life and explore their full potential. Your investment in these lives has erased the pain they carried before and has put a smile on their faces. Now, they have made peace with their past; found purpose for their present; and have passion for the future.”
Page 19 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Victorious Children’s Home For those who wish to contribute to the ministry of Victorious Children’s Home, donations can be sent to Victorious Children’s Home 19772 Wabash 18 Ave. Allendale, IL 62410. This money goes directly to the home. For more information about V.C.H., e-mail Nelson and Clara Reiber at chmcministry@frontier.com
West Salem Grade School Spelling Bee Winners Pictured above (lr): Grade 3-5 winners: Claire Doelling (3rd place - 3rd Grade), Sonny Bell (4th place - 4th Grade), Kaitlyn Stevens (2nd place - 4th Grade), Lukas Herald (1st place5th Grade)
Pictured above (lr): Junior High winners: Xander Wilkerson (1st place - 8th Grade), Jackson Weiler (2nd place - 6th Grade), Mathias Wilkerson (3rd place - 7th Grade), Zeke Taylor (4th place - 8th Grade)
Page 20 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Sponsored by Fairfield Save-a-lot where you can get low prices everyday! 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained Ingredients 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes 1 whole onion, diced 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomato with green chiles 1 stick butter 1/3 c. flour 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, optional 4 c. whole milk 2 c. half-and-half 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix 4 heads broccoli cut into florets Directions 1 pinch nutmeg 3 c. grated cheese (mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. jack, etc.) Add taco seasoning and mix well. Stir in the reSmall dash of salt (more if needed) maining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; Freshly ground black pepper simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until heated 2 c. chicken broth, if needed for thinning through, stirring occasionally. Directions Melt butter in a pot over medium heat, then add White Chicken Chili the onions. Cook the onions for 3 to 4 minutes, Ingredients then sprinkle the flour over the top. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute or so, then pour in milk 1# boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped and half-and-half. Add nutmeg, then add brocco- 1 medium onion, chopped li, a small dash of salt, and plenty of black pepper. 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 to 2 cans (14 ounces each) chicken broth 30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Stir in 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp dried oregano cheese and allow to melt. 1-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper Taste seasonings and adjust if needed. Then either serve as is, or mash it with a potato masher to 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, drained, divided break up the broccoli a bit, or transfer to a blender 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese in two batches and puree completely. (If you puSliced jalapeno pepper, optionalDirections ree it in a blender, return it to the heat and allow Directions to heat up. Splash in chicken broth if needed for In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chicken thinning.) and onion in oil until lightly browned. Add garlic; Simple Taco Soup cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, chiles, cumIngredients in, oregano and cayenne; bring to a boil. 2 pounds ground beef Reduce heat to low. With a potato masher, mash 1 envelope taco seasoning one can of beans until smooth. Add to saucepan. 1-1/2 cups water Add remaining beans to saucepan. Simmer for 201 can (16 ounces) mild chili beans, undrained Broccoli-Cheese Soup
30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and onion is tender. Ultimate Potato Soup Ingredients 1 pound bacon, chopped 2 stalks celery, diced 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 8 potatoes, peeled and cubed 4 cups chicken stock, or enough to cover potatoes 3 tablespoons butter ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon dried tarragon 3 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro salt and pepper to taste Directions In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until done. Remove bacon from pan, and set aside. Drain off all but 1/4 cup of the bacon grease. Cook celery and onion in reserved bacon drippings until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Add cubed potatoes, and toss to coat. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Return bacon to the pan, and add enough chicken stock to just cover the potatoes. Cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream, tarragon, and cilantro. Bring the cream mixture to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir the cream mixture into the potato mixture. Puree about 1/2 the soup, and return to the pan. Adjust seasonings to taste.
709 W. Main, Fairfield • 618-842-5040
Open: Monday - Saturday 8 am to 8 pm•Sunday 8 am to 7 pm Page 21 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
January 2022 Edwards and Wabash County Senior Center Menus - Sponsored by The First National Bank 3)
EC - Chicken Strips, Potato Wedges, White Gravy, Mixed Veggies, Pudding WC -Canadian Bacon, Egg, Cheese on Croissant, Hashbrown, OJ
4)
EC - Ham, Macaroni & Cheese, Baked Sweet Potato, Ice Cream WC - Salisbury Steak, Potatoes & Gravy, Mixed Veg, Fruit
5) EC - Pork Fritter on Bun 6) EC - Beef Manhattan 7) W/ Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Peas, Fruit
WC - Cheeseburger, Lettuce & Tomato Potato Wedges, Cookie
EC - Chef Salad:
w/ Lettuce, Tomato, Ham, Turkey, Brown Gravy on Slice of Bread, Onions, Shredded Cheese, Chopped Carrots, Pudding eggs, Crackers, Cake
WC - Fairground Fish, WC - Wh. Chicken Chili, Potato Salad, Baked Pimento Ch. Sand., Beans, Hushpuppy, Crackers, Dessert Dessert 10) EC - Cheese Burger on 11) EC - Country Fried 12) EC - Baked Potato, 13) EC - Chicken -N- 14) EC - Fish , Hush Bun, Pickles, Onion Puppies, Potato Salad, topped, w/ BBQ & Shredded Dressing, Sweet Potatoes, Steak, Mashed Potatoes Waffle Fries, Slaw, Fruit , Gravy, Vegetable Blend, Cheese, Pickle, Onion, Lima Slaw , Sherbet Green Beans, Fruit Beans, Lemon Tart Pudding WC -Coney Dog, Tater Tots, WC - Meatloaf, Potatoes & WC - Broccoli Cheese Soup, WC - Ham & Ch Slider, Carrots, Fruit WC - Chinese Dumpling, Turkey Sandwich, Gravy, Green Beans, Roll, Pasta Salad, Pickle Spear, Fried Rice, Egg Roll, Crackers, Dessert Dessert Cookie Dessert
17) EC - Hot Dog on Bun, 18) Relish, Onions, Baked Beans, Potato Chips, Fruit WC -Closed
24)
EC - Pork Burger on Bun, Pickles, Onions, Lettuce Leaf, Tater Tots, Corn, Pudding
WC -Corndog, Curly Fries, Fruit, Cookie
EC -Pork Chop, Baked Potato, Sour Cream & Butter, Broccoli, Fruit WC - Chicken Strips, Fried Okra, Texas Toast, White Gravy, Fruit
Vegetable Blend, Pasta Salad, Gingerbread
WC -Salmon Patty, Mac & Cheese, Peas, Pudding
WC -Pizza, Salad, Breadstick, Fruit
EC-Beef & Noodles Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Pudding
WC -Liver & Onions, Potatoes & Gravy, Carrots, Pudding
EC - Meat Loaf, Cheesy Potatoes, Peas, Pudding
20) EC - Cavatini, Garlic 21) Bread, Lettuce Salad Cookies
WC - Pork Burger, Pickle & Onion, Fries, Cookie
25) EC - Chicken Parmesan 26)
31) EC-Chicken Casserole 1) w/ Mixed Vegetable Pickled Beets, Fruit
19)
EC - Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Fruit
WC -Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Let. & Tom., Steak Fries, Cookie
2) EC - “Ground hog” &
Cabbage Casserole, Pinto Beans, Carrots, Fruit
WC -Beef Stew, Cabbage, Biscuit, Cookie
WC - Fried Chicken, Corn, Coleslaw, Biscuit, Dessert
EC - Taco Salad with: Taco Meat, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onion, Cheese, Salsa, Sour Cream Corn Chips, Cake
WC - Ham & Beans, Cabbage, Corn Bread, Dessert
27)
EC - Sloppy Joes on 28) EC - Ld Baked Potato: Bun, Pickle, Onion, Fried w/ Diced Ham, Diced Turkey, Peppers, Onions, Shredded Cheese, Green Beans, Slaw, Nacho Cheese, Sour Cream & Pudding Butter, Ice Cream WC - Pork Loin, Dressing, WC - Cabbage Roll Soup, Green Beans, Roll, Dessert Salad, Breadstick, Dessert
3)
EC - Lasagna, Salad Garlic Bread, Pudding
WC - Baked BBQ Chick., Cheese Potato, Cali. Blend Veg., Roll,Dessert
4)
EC - Broccoli Cheese Soup, Turkey & Cheese , Sandwich, Crackers, Fruit WC - Fish on Bun, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Fruit
To order a meal in Edwards County please call by 9:30 am. Albion- 618-445-2017 • Grayville- 618-375-7777 • West Salem-618-456-3600
Suggested donation for those 60+ in Edwards County is $5.00. Under 60, (unless married to someone 60+) the cost is not a suggested donation and is $7.00.
In Wabash County call 618-262-7403 60 and older $4.25, under 60 $6.25, students $5.00, children 12 and younger $4.25 Page 22 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Edwards County Extension holds Cookie Decorating workshop It was a cold and blustery day outside on Saturday, December 11. But the Edwards Co. Extension office was filled with warmth and fun! Several 4-H and non-4-H members gathered to learn the art of cookie decorating. Ashley Spray took the time out of her busy schedule to demonstrate and teach her techniques of decorating Christmas cookies. Ashley is a self-taught decorator; she has been doing it around two years. It is a profession that she can do in her home, while raising her family. The attendees went home with four decorated Christmas cookies. They did a great job of decorating and were very attentive to details. Edwards Co. 4-H is appreciative of all the volunteers that share their career with our youth of the community. Each workshop we host is an attempt to spark an interest, in an area they didn’t know they had. All area youth are welcome to attend workshops. Call the Edwards Co. Extension office at 618-445-2934, with questions.
Pictured above are the cookie decorating worshop participants: Front(l-r): Patience Brown, Emmitt Spray, Sarah Spray, Gabriel Andrews, Evelyn Bond, Hadleigh Gifford. Back(l-r): JJ Spray, Kylar VanMatre, Hayley Perry, Layla Beadles, Breeana Willett, Keira Willett, Hannah Perry
Edwards County Ag in the Classroom focused on evergreen trees in December
Most of the lessons taught in December by the Edwards County Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program focused on trees, specifically, evergreen trees. Students learned about the differences between evergreen and deciduous trees. They learned about all the work farmers must do to grow Christmas trees. They also learned about the different stages in the life of an evergreen tree. Various volunteers conducted the lessons at Albion Grade School, West Salem Grade School, and Wells Elementary School in Grayville. Pictured: Students at Wells Elementary School in Grayville display some of the supporting materials they created with their AITC lessons on evergreen trees. Some of these include a stages of growth worksheet, a decorate the Christmas tree worksheet, and a bead bracelet where each bead represents something associated with evergreen trees.
Page 23 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
Albion Grade School Spelling Bee Winners
Pictured above (l-r): Grade 6-8 winners: Eli Koertge, 1st place; Ashlyn Weaver, 2nd place; Jenna Shaw, 2nd place; Alice Robb, 2nd place.
Pictured above (l-r): Grade 3-5 winners: Eli Garrett, 1st place; Olivia Lankford, 2nd place; Curtis Horton, 2nd place; Blake Groff, 2nd place; Easton Fisher, 2nd place.
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Termite Treatment Pre-treat for Termites TiaFSCP® Morgan, FSCP® TiaBugs Morgan, Bed Financial Representative Financial Representative Spiders 827 Chestnut St 827 Chestnut St Mount Carmel, IL 62863-1456 Mice www.countryfinancial.com/tia.morgan Ants Mount Carmel, IL 62863-1456 tia.morgan@countryfinancial.com Fleas (618)262-2005www.countryfinancial.com/tia.morgan Roaches tia.morgan@countryfinancial.com Brown Recluse Spiders (618)262-2005 Carpenter Ants Powder Post Beetles Crickets Auto and Home policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company®, or COUNTRY Preferred Insurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. General Spray 0520-510HC_21938-4/9/2021
Page 24 • Hometown Voice • January 2022
WELCOME ,
Dr. Nicole Fyie
Wabash General Hospital is excited to welcome Dr. Nicole Fyie to our primary care team! Dr. Fyie is eager to accept new patients. She sees patients of all ages in Mount Carmel and Albion, Illinois. WGH Primary Care Chestnut Street Location 1123 Chestnut Street Mount Carmel, IL 62863 (618)263-4376 WGH Albion Medical Clinic 26 E. Elm Street Albion, IL 62806 (618)445-8170