july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 1
2 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
Investment Insight for Every Generation Since 1854 sm
Your focus: Uncover trust and estate strategies for the future. Our focus: One and the same.
B B, CWA® | Sr.VP | Financial Consultant
R T | VP | Financial Consultant
B H | VP | Financial Consultant
D J | Financial Consultant
200 Tower Square | Marion, IL 62959 | 618-997-4608 | 1-800-997-4608 Securities offered through ©2007 J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC | NYSE, FINRA & SIPC
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 3
Table
of contents
Publisher/Owner
cover Story
Jim Muir
Still Standing.........................................................................20
Creative Director
other Features
Toby Brooks
A FORCE in Workforce Training..............................................8
Account Executive Cheryl Hughey
Hughey Joins Marion Living Staff.........................................12
Photographers
Take Me Out to the Ballgame................................................16
Ceasar Maragni Christopher Kays
Contributing Writers Harry Boyd Lila H. Colloton Don Gasaway Sue Glasco Ceasar Maragni Jim Muir Jon Musgrave Bernie Paul Dixie Terry George Trammell
4 • marion living magazine
Youth on Display..................................................................26 6
13
14
Advertisers Index
City of Marion................................................................................2 Coleman-Rhoads Furniture............................................................7 Heartland Regional Medical Center............................................31 Hilliard Lyons.................................................................................3 Hospice of So. Illinois....................................................................25 Image Graphics...........................................................................29 John A. Logan College..................................................................15 Marion Chamber of Commerce.....................................................25 Marion Ford Hyundai....................................................................11 McDonalds............................................................................29 Neon Internet ...............................................................................7 Saluki Illustrated..........................................................................30 T-Birds Grille..................................................................................7 The Bank of Marion.......................................................................32 Williamson Co. Regional Airport....................................................29 Williamson Co. Tourism Bureau....................................................30
• july 2009
j u l y
8
16
20
on the Cover:
Store manager Don Samuel in front of the historic old Wye Supply General Store west of Marion. He says he himself shopped there as a youngster. Ceasar maragni photo
2 0 0 9
28
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 5
From
G
the publisher
july 2009
reetings and welcome to the July issue of Marion Living Magazine.
I can’t tell you how much I look forward to joining the faithful readers of this magazine in this particular space each month. While there might be many of you that I don’t know and perhaps never will I really do look at these meetings as much more than just a way to fill a page in this magazine. In fact, I like to imagine it as two old friends sharing a conversation over a backyard fence or a cup of coffee. With that said, let’s take a quick look at this month’s ML. I love quirky, out-of-the-way places and this month’s cover story certainly fits well in both categories. Wye Supply, located near the intersection of old Route 13 and Route 148 is unique to say the least. It might best be described as taking a walk into a totally different era, a slower time and a less stressful time. It’s also a refreshing contrast from the sprawling, impersonal 200,000-square feet mega stores that now dot the landscape in every direction. It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words and with that in mind I think ML’s Ceasar Maragni did an outstanding job capturing the ‘feel’ of Wye Supply. This month’s feature, “Youth on Display” might be looked at as a regional story it has a Marion ‘hook’ because the final event sponsored by “Southern Illinois Kids Got Talent” will be held at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center. But, really it wasn’t the Marion tie that caught my attention as much as it was that a group of young people from Williamson County were giving up their time to volunteer for a project to raise money for abused children in Williamson and Franklin counties. When much of the news we hear about the younger generation these days is negative, I found it refreshing to see these young folks take the initiative to do something positive. I believe you’ll feel the same way. Keep this number in mind – 128,590. OK, got it. A feature this week about Marion resident Phil Minnis highlights his long and distinguished career at John A. Logan College. While Minnis has worn numerous ‘hats’ at JALC, it’s his work in the Business and Industry Center that stands out. Oh, that number again – 128, 590 – that’s the number of area residents that have been retrained or have had their skills updated at the center since 1999. Minnis provides ML yet another opportunity to highlight a person that has quietly made a difference in a lot of lives. So, the last point that I need to make is this … enjoy the July issue of ML.
All the best,
Jim Muir 6 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 7
Marion Living
feature
john d. homan photos by logan
A FORCE in Workforce Training
Marion’s Phil Minnis heads up JALC’s workforce development center – the top business and industry center in the state
8 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
media services
M
ost of his adult life has been dedicated to the preservation of existing jobs and development of new careers for displaced employees through workforce training. Phil Minnis of Marion is Dean for Workforce Development and Community Education at John A. Logan College and has served in that capacity for the last 11 years. The central Illinois native (Morrisonville), who moved to Marion from Carbondale in 1976 with his wife, Linda, is one of the college’s more valued employees, having been hired in 1986 to serve as coordinator of the Early School Leavers Program and Director of Special Projects. Minnis had been employed the previous nine years with the Illinois Farmers Union, where he served as training coordinator for federal employment and training programs. That background in workforce training gave him the experience necessary to later head a similar program at Logan. Minnis was later promoted to Associate Dean of Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Director of the Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA) at the college before his last promotion as dean. “John A. Logan College is playing a major role in keeping the local workforce competitive and assisting economic development groups in attracting new jobs,” Minnis said. “For these valuable services to continue, we need the continued funding of the Illinois Community College Board Workforce Development Grant.” The ICCB has allocated more than $3 million to community colleges through the grant with funds used to assist communities in the attraction,
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 9
“
It also meant a lot to me to be in on the ground floor so to speak with the planning of the Workforce Development Building here on campus. I have seen firsthand how much we have grown over the years. – Phil Minnis retention and expansion of jobs. About 98,000 workers are trained annually statewide because of grant funds. At Logan, the Business and Industry Center provided customized training to more than 14,000 employees in Fiscal Year 2008. There were 774 courses and workshops provided to 142 businesses and organizations. Since 1999, more than 128,590 employees have been retrained or have had their skills updated with the help of instructors at the center. Minnis said he supervises 40-plus employees at the Business and Industry Center located in the H building on campus and also oversees the budget. “I’ve been fortunate to work with good people over the years,” he said. “Most of them know what needs to be done, which makes my job easier. I especially appreciate the help I’ve received from Darren Pulley (Associate Dean for Corporate Education) and Barry Hancock (Associate Dean for Community Education). They’ve been around for a while and there’s something to be said about continuity.” Minnis said the college has formed great partnerships with organized labor, economic development and community 10 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
groups. Minnis himself has served as president of the Man-Tra-Con corporate board and Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) advisory council, while also participating in many chamber of commerce events in the region. The former Army veteran, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SIUC, said his job has been “diverse enough” with his work in adult education, continuing education and business and industry to hold his interest over the years and make him feel like he is “making a difference” in the region. “It also meant a lot to me to be in on the ground floor so to speak with the planning of the Workforce Development Building here on campus. I have seen firsthand how much we have grown over the years.” Colleague Lisa Hudgens, who is director of placement at the college and formerly worked for Minnis, describes him as a man who is always the diplomat. “It didn’t matter what the situation was. Phil always had a calm approach to solving a problem,” Hudgens said. “That’s one of the character traits I admired most about him. He is a good listener and would ask questions before acting. I never once saw or heard of Phil raising his voice to someone or show anger in any way.”
JALC President Dr. Robert Mees said Minnis has been “a tremendous asset to the college,” especially in the area of workforce development. “Phil brings years of experience to his position and has been involved with many economic development groups over the years. To have him in charge of workforce development is why we have the No. 1 business and industry center in the entire state. He is an outstanding administrator – highly organized. I have the utmost confidence that anything he does will be done right.” Minnis said his job at the college is ever-evolving. “You don’t stop changing in this business,” he said. “It’s incumbent upon us as a department and the workforce in general to continue to update our skills.” Minnis said he has no desire to retire anytime soon. “My wife says I’d be better off working,” he said.
“
Phil brings years of experience to his position and has been involved with many economic development groups over the years. To have him in charge of workforce development is why we have the No. 1 business and industry center in the entire state. – Robert Mees, JALC President
is also a voracious reader. The Marion couple has two sons, Andrew of Battsville, Md. and Cary of Herrin.
Now 62, Minnis said he spends time working in the garden and playing an occasional round of golf. He
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 11
Marion Living
jim muir
feature
Hughey Joins Marion Living Staff
M
photo by ceasar
maragni
arion Living Magazine owner and publisher, Jim Muir, is happy to welcome Cheryl Hughey to the staff.
“We are thrilled that Cheryl has joined us at High Road Publications and Marion Living Magazine,” Muir said. “Cheryl has an impressive work history in sales management and when you couple that with her strong work ethic and people-skills she is certainly a great addition to our staff.” Cheryl has worked in retail sales and retail management, spending 11 years in the grocery business in Carbondale and also worked in newspaper advertising sales and sales management for 13 years at the Southern Illinoisan. Cheryl has experience with direct marketing and specialty print product sales and production. Cheryl is a native of southern Illinois and was raised south of Carbondale, near Makanda. She attended Carbondale Community High School and also attended John A. Logan College. Cheryl and her husband Bob, who is sales manager at Ron Ward Chevrolet, have been married for 34 years and live near Makanda and Giant City Park. The Hugheys have one son, Chris, who is employed in sales at Ron Ward Chevrolet and is also attending John A. Logan College in the nursing program. Chris and his wife Amber, a fifth grade teacher in Carbondale Elementary School district, live in Carbondale and have one son, Aaron. Cheryl points out that the Hughey's are avid sports fans. “If there is a ball, bat, club or even a puck involved, we’re interested! Summers at the Hugheys include daily St Louis Cardinals baseball games watched or listened to and, more recently, the Southern Illinois Miners,” she said. “We also follow the St Louis Rams and the Blues. Locally, we follow all high school sports in our area, and take pride in the accomplishments of our local kids achieving their personal goals. The Hugheys can be found at every home Saluki basketball and football game and truly bleed and, as the Saluki Illustrated tagline reads, also read Saluki maroon.” Cheryl began her tenure with Marion Living on July 13. “I am looking forward to working with our customers to promote their message through Marion Living and all other High Road Publications products!” Cheryl said. “I am a strong believer in a consultative sales, working together to make advertising work for my clients.” Cheryl can be reached at 618-353-8515 or at chughey@salukiillustrated.com. 12 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
MARION CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Script It
Odds & Ends
From Page to Stage
Marion Carnegie Library and Marion Cultural and Civic Center present “Script It: From Page to Stage,” a free scriptwriting and theater workshop for participants from ages 12 to 19. During the workshop, participants will learn to adapt their choice of book, story, graphic novel, comic or manga into a short play. The finished products (10 to 15 minutes each) will be performed by participants on the MCCC stage! Theater basics will also be taught. Registration for the workshop is open now and will continue until the maximum number of 45 participants is reached. Participants must bring the written material they wish to adapt, as well as a notebook to write in. The workshop will meet July 20 to August 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. and August 10 to 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. The performance will take place on August 16 at 2 p.m.
Larry’s at Your Library Opening July 13! Brought to you by Larry’s House of Cakes!
JULY EVENTS CALENDAR
Wild in Your Backyard • Wednesday, July 1 • 10 a.m. Pam Sundeen from Second Nature Rehabilitation will talk about caring for critters and will bring baby animals for viewing. Open to children’s summer reading program participants. Bug Girl Sammie Henson • Wednesday, July 1 • 1 p.m. See her collection of 300 bugs! Open to children’s summer reading program participants. Summer Family Movie: Bedtime Stories • Monday, July 6 • 10 a.m. When Skeeter’s bedtime stories begin to come true, he tries to make sure of a happy ending for everyone. Rated PG. Walk on the Wild Side • Wednesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. The Wild Side of Science Program will include a Dinosaur-in-a-Can, the glowing electric pickle and a kid-created thunder storm. Open to children’s summer reading program participants. Summer Family Movie: A Bug’s Life • Monday, July 13 • 10 a.m. Once every year, grasshoppers come to an anthill and eat what the ants have made. Rated G. Science on the Wild Side • Tuesday, July 14 • 1 p.m. Presented by Harvey Henson, geology professor at SIU. Open to teens. Bolt • Wednesday, July 15 • 10 a.m. Movie day at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center. Popcorn and drinks are $1. Open to all ages. Rated PG. Summer Family Movie: Inkheart • Monday, July 20 • 10 a.m. An adventure of a father and daughter searching for a lost book, things take a dark turn when figures off the page wreak havoc in the real world. Rated PG. Wild About Food • Wednesday, July 22 • 10 a.m. Learn to make simple snacks and smoothies with fruit and vegetables. Games and physical activity included. Open to children’s summer reading program participants. Storyhour • Monday, July 27 • 10 a.m. Hosted by Waldenbooks. Open to pre-school ages. Confessions of a Shopaholic • Monday, July 27 • 5 p.m. The “Read the Movie, Watch the Book” selection is based on the book by Sophie Kinsella and tells the story of Rebecca, who is struggling with her debilitating obsession with shopping and the sudden collapse of her income source. Rated PG. Discussion time will follow the movie. Teen Summer Reading Party • Friday, July 31 • 1 p.m. Celebrate the end of summer reading! Games, prizes and food. Games Group for all ages and skill levels on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and Anime Club for teens every second and fourth Friday at 1 p.m.
All programs are free and open to the public, unless noted.
206 S. Market • 993-5935 • www.marioncarnegielibrary.org Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 13
Marion
don gasaway
outdoors
Catfish Time Williamson County lakes prime location for catfish action
S
ummertime and the catfish are jumping.
This line from an old song of the 1960’s is a reminder of the excellent ‘catfishing’ available in Southern Illinois lakes and rivers. The catfish are not jumping. But, they are thumping those tasty morsels that anglers present to them. A staple of southern cooking, catfish are also available in restaurants as well as local lakes. But, it is more fun to catch your own. Here are some tips for catching your own in Williamson County. Top catfish producing lake in the county is Crab Orchard Lake in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge near Marion. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the catfish population of this 7,000-acre lake is selfsustaining and has not required supplemental stocking to maintain the fishery. The Crab Orchard Lake contains both channel and flathead catfish. It also contains a good population of bullheads, a member of the catfish family that does not gain the large size of the others. Fishing for catfish is a laid back type of angling. The rigs are simple and the baits, although often smelly, are simple as well. It is a good idea to remember that catfish like cover. They are bottom feeders that hold around rocks
14 • marion living magazine
and stumps. Once one sets the hook, the fish will do its best to break off the line. Veteran catfish anglers prefer a line that is of at least 12-pound test. The tough line helps prevent the sandpaper-like teeth of the fish from wearing or weakening the line causing a break. With high quality tough line, anglers can fish around rocky, stump infested, underwater terrain. Most often the rig for catfishing is simply a baited hook suspended beneath a float (cork, bobber or whatever one calls it). It is cast to a probable location and allowed to sink to the level where the fish are believed to be located. Bait can be live or dead. Popular baits include: minnows, leeches, crayfish, catalpa worms, leaf worms, red worms, night crawlers, frogs and cut bait. Cheese baits, popular in the spring, are less successful in the summer heat. During periods of overcast or drizzle, catfish cruise the flats in search of food the same as they do at night. Under such conditions, a three-way rig works well. One swivel is attached to the line that goes to the reel, the second to a drop line of about eight inches with a heavy sinker on the end. The third swivel is attached to a line of about 30-inches with a hook and bait at the end. The rig allows the bait to float just off the bottom a location popular with catfish.
• july 2009
Catfish can also be found in most of the other Williamson County lakes. Another popular place to fish for catfish is Little Grassy Lake a1200-acres body of water to the south of Crab Orchard Lake but still in the refuge area. It produces many channel catfish on a regular basis throughout the summer. Whether fishing from shore or boat, in the evening or morning, night or day, catfish are a marvelous fish for action. They can be as finicky as any game fish, and yet do not require a lot of expensive tackle to pursue. For more information about fishing in Williamson County, contact the Williamson County Tourism Bureau at 800-GEESE-99 or 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion, IL 62959. Fishing information in the form of a free brochure is available from them. Additional up to date information is contained on their website at: visitsi. com or by the above phone number and its fishing hot line. E-mail may be addressed to the tourism bureau at: sjohnson@visitsi.com. Motels and restaurants are in ample supply. Williamson County Tourism Bureau and the website are a good source of referrals. Fishing licenses and bait are available locally.
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 15
Take me out to the ball game , Take me out with the crowd . Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, I don’t care if I never get back , Let ’s root, root, root for the Miners, If they don’t win it ’s a shame . For its one , two, three strikes, you’re out, At the old ball gam
Nothing...Nothing in
16 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
,
s,
game!
muir photos by ceasar maragni story by jim
n the entire world says summer like baseball Displaying a smooth, level swing and a sold batting stance, 10-year old Taylor Yucus of Benton enjoys the children's activity area of Rent One Park
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 17
T
he sound of ball meeting bat and leather popping, the roar of the crowd, a line shot into the gap, a runner going from first to third on a single, the squeeze play, the anticipation of the umpire's call, the walk-off hit or homer that sends everybody home happy and just the sheer anticipation of every pitch and every at-bat. And then there's the smell -- the smell of brats grilling (with peppers and onions and washed down with your favorite beverage, of course), the smell of popcorn, cotton candy and more than anything, the smell of summer and being outdoors. Unlike all other sports there’s no clock and no time limit in baseball. The game will end when the final out is made and not before. In football and basketball if you're down 10 with two minutes to go the game's over. In baseball you can be down 10 with two out in the bottom of the ninth and still have that one chance to start the rally of all rallies. Yes, there’s nothing in the entire world that says summer like baseball. And with the emergence of the Southern Illinois Miners onto the regional scene those wonderful sights, sounds and smells of America’s Pastime are now a summer feature in Marion. Marion Living photojournalist Ceasar Maragni recently visited Rent One Park and captured the excitement through his lens, which brings to mind the old adage that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ After looking at these photos you have to wonder if the person that coined that phrase is a Miners’ fan and a frequent visitor to Rent One Park.
18 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
Miners mascots Dyn-O-Mi and Lucky give high fives to this young fan
-Mite ves
Fans pour through the gates for a recent game at Rent One Park. In just two seasons, the park has drawn a total of 477,583 fans for Miners games.
Madison Miller, 9, of Marion got a nifty looking Miners baseball face painting applied Southern Illinois Miners owner Jane Simmons chatted with of People's National Bank President Bill Bonan II as the two prepared to toss out "first pitches" on the night of the home opener
John Homan of Herrin was focused in the official scorebook as a recent game got underway. Homan begins his first season as Official Scorer at Miners home games.
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 19
STILL STANDING
Marion Living
cover story
Despite the emergence of mega retail giants in every direction, the Wye Supply General Store remains a fixture in Williamson County
20 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
story & photos by ceasar
maragni
Mark Rodgers, of Galatia, left, is a regular customer of The Wye Supply. He says he found the place about 15 years ago, adding, "I buy all my hammer handles here. Usually when I'm running short, I'll buy half a dozen at a time."
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 21
F
or over half a century now The Wye Supply General Store west of Marion has been a fixture alongside old Route 13 where it intersects with Route 148. Nestled back less than a hundred feet on the north side of the road, the quaint old store remains a Mecca for shoppers of all ages who seem to love weaving their way through the store's narrow isles and the eclectic variety of unique merchandise. That was the case recently when Brian Meeham and Darla Lawless, both of Creal Springs, visited the store. Now 39, Lawless commented, "I've been coming here since I was a little girl." Her companion laughed and added, "She told me as we pulled in here that she used to come her when she was knee high to a grasshopper." That's not an uncommon theme according to current store manager Don Samuel. He's 61 and himself came shopping here as a youngster. He added, "I also get a lot of people who come in and say, "I didn't know you were still open". But the line he hears the most is "I used to come here years ago." The business has a fascinating history and first owner Vince Cagle would probably be surprised that it's still going. Cagle was a carpenter who opened the place after World War II ended. It was a small restaurant at the time he bought it, and before long he expanded it into a much larger building supply and hardware store and created the board sided structure some of which still stands today. It was Cagle who dubbed his store "The Wye Supply." In 1954 Carl and Theresa "Tess" Hill bought the Wye Supply from the Cagle family. The Hills ran the store for 28 years. After Carl Hill died in 1978, Tess ran the store alone for a while before selling it to Carl McVey. McVey and store manager David Fogle were able to keep the store open, despite Wal-Mart, Lowe's and other giant outlets taking the pub- Looking for an American lic's bargain huntRacing hub? They've got ing to a whole new one.
Nut crackers of various shapes and sizes are just a small part of the very unusual mix of merchandise for sale at The Wye Supply General Store. 22 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
Looking for some wisdom? You'll find some hand written suggestions on signs along with a whole lot of other stuff at the store.
“I get a lot of people who come in and say, ‘I didn’t even know you were still open.”
– Don Samuel, store manager july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 23
Brian Meeham and Darla Lawless, both of Creal Springs drop in for some shopping at The Wye Supply General Store.
level. It seemed that enough customers still found this charming little country store with its dirt floors and dimly lit shelves appealing. It was a dependable source for once common, but now seldom found items, from the last century. It still is. After Carl McVey's death in 1987, David Fogle continued to manage the store by himself. In the 1990's a fire destroyed much of the building's roof and quite a bit of the contents, but Fogle cleaned things up and reopened in a smaller version of the original store. After Fogle passed away in 2005, the store sat idle for some time before current owners Ralph and Gayla Haught brought it back to life once again. The store is now open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Although the hours aren't as long as they used to be and the inventory isn't as large, the store remains true to it's roots by offering shoppers a unique array of items they aren't likely to find
24 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
“She told me as we pulled in here that she used to come here when she was knee high to a grasshopper.” -Brian Meeham, Creal Springs in one grouping anywhere else, at least not around here. That's what seems to keeping drawing customers like Mark Rodgers, of Galatia, back on a regular basis. He found the place about 15 years ago. He says, "I buy all my hammer handles here. Usually when I'm running short, I'll buy half a dozen at a time." When's the last time you heard someone say that?
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 25
Marion Living
jim muir
feature
photos by ceasar
YOUTH
maragni
on
A group of Williamson County youngsters are spearheading an effort to sh support to abu 26 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
n
W
hen Spencer Gualdoni comes up with a plan it’s a good idea to simply get out of his way.
For the second consecutive year Gualdoni, of Herrin, is spearheading “Southern Illinois Kids Got Talent,” a talent show that will feature auditions at different area venues before culminating with a final show on Sept. 19 at the Marion Cultural & Civic Center. The 14-year-old Gualdoni who will be a freshman at Herrin High School this fall, said he got the brainstorm for “SI Kids Got Talent” from watching a television show. “I was watching a television show called “Oprah’s Big Give” where each week they gave people money to help others and I was inspired by the program and I wanted to do something to help the needy in Southern Illinois,” said Gualdoni. “I thought because I’m a kid I wanted to do something to help people my age so I decided to try and do something to help the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center.”
“I was watching a television show called ‘Oprah’s Big Give’ where each week they gave people money to help others and I was inspired by the program and I wanted to do something to help the needy in southern Illinois.” – Spencer Gualdoni, committee chairman SI Kids Got Talent
And quickly young Spencer turned his idea into
LEFT: Spencer Gualdoni of Herrin listens as Williamson County Board Chairperson Tracey Glenn introduces the young people involved in producing the upcoming Southern Illinois Kids Got Talent show at a press conference held at One Hot Cookie recently in Marion. ABOVE: Several area young people held a press conference recently in Marion to promote the upcoming Southern Illinois Kids Got Talent.
DISPLAY
showcase the talents of southern Illinois ‘kids’ while at the same time lend bused children july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 27
a reality scheduling an appointment with representatives from the child advocacy center. Enlisting the help of other like-minded youngsters his age who also have a desire to help the less fortunate last year’s event raised more than $4,000 to help abused children. Williamson County Commissioner Tracey Glenn is part of a three-person advisory group that oversees the work of the youthful SI Kids Got Talent committee. Kurt Endenbrock, assistant superintendent with Franklin-Williamson Regional Office of Education and Lashonna Hicks, with Williamson County Child Advocacy Center join Glenn in making up the adult advisory committee. Glenn stressed that ‘advisory’ is the key word. “We’re there to give advice when needed but all the work, the planning, just everything, they do,” said Glenn. “When they need a little guidance, that’s what we’re there for.” Glenn said the Gualdoni and the group spearheading SI Kids are wise beyond their years. “I think it’s great a group of kids between the ages of 11 and 17 are this conscientious and aware about the needs in their community,” said Glenn. “They chose the child advocacy center because of the budget situation in Springfield and I think that’s very impressive that these kids are on top of what’s going on and really trying to help. These are just very impressive kids when you meet them, they’re just phenomenal.” Gualdoni said auditions for finalists for the Sept. 19 show will be held on August 22 at West Frankfort High School
Sydney Lay of Carterville listens intently at the event. and then again on August 29 at John A. Logan College. Gualdoni said the youthful committee has handled every aspect of the planning from locations to ticket prices. “We’re looking for any kind of talent,” said Gualdoni. “After the two auditions we’ll select the finalists for the Sept. 19 show. With this being our second year we know more what to expect this time. It’s been very rewarding for all of us to be involved in this.” Anyone needing more information can contact Gualdoni at 889-7944.
28 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 29
30 • marion living magazine
• july 2009
july 2009 • www.marionliving.com • 31
Do you ive ass want m $H? A C n i interest
BONUS RATE
3
.05%
UP TO $75,000
. is moolah magic
Kasasa
MID RATE
count that A FREE checking ac . E interest in caysh pays you MASSIV ys ou! , ght. Pa That s ri
. with Kasasa cash Make more moolah
Do you Kasasa?
APY*
0
.50%
APY*
OVER $75,000
BASE RATE
0
.25%
APY*
if all qualifications are not met
Free checking No monthly fees No minimum balance Free online banking with bill pay VISA check card First order of checks free Nationwide ATM fee refunds* To get massive interest and nationwide ATM fee refunds, just do these simple things each month: make a minimum of 10 debit card transactions, 1 ACH auto debit or direct deposit, access your account online, and receive your monthly account statement electronically. A checking account that actually pays you. Only available at America’s finest community banking institutions.
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 04/09/09. Minimum to open account is $100. Rate tiers are as follows: 3.05% APY applies to balances of $0.01 - $25,000 and 0.50% APY applies to balances over $25,000 as long as qualifications are met each statement cycle. 0.25% APY applies to all balances if qualifications are not met. All balances will earn 3.05% - 0.50% on all balances as long as qualifications are met. Rates may change after the account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings. Qualified debit card purchase is any purchase of $10.00 or more, excluding PIN based transactions. ATM fee refunds up to $30 per statement cycle.
BNV5401_Marion_CashDetail_8"x10"_MarionLivingMag_FA.indd 1
32 • marion living magazine TIMEZONEONE
18/06/09 4:21 PM
• july 2009 ISSUE: july
BNV5401/Marion/S/TZ1
www.kasasa.com/marion
LIVE AREA: XXXXXXXXX