1 Local Volume 140 No. 19
Friday, July 5, 2013
The Tonica News
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Poverello Outreach helps needy By Dixie Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
WENONA – The ministry program Poverello Outreach is sponsored by the parishioners of the Catholic parishes of St. Mary in Wenona; St. Patrick in Minonk; St. Ann in Toluca; Sacred Heart of Rutland and
St. John the Baptist of Lostant. This program provides financial assistance to those in need with unpaid rent or utility bills. Poverello means “poor man” and refers to St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the religious Order of Friars Minor. St. Francis had a great
love for the poor and ministered to them, according to Deacon Fran McGann, who is the director of Poverello. Fran serves with nine parishioner volunteers. This group interviews clients on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. “It took us a while to
get started,” he said. “We wanted to make sure we were not going to cross over or horn in on anyone else’s ministry. We wanted to make this completely different.” Poverello wants this ministry to be seen as a hand-up, not a handout. The members of
the group and church members recognize that times are tough financially. The ministry was developed as to not overlap another group’s work, but to help clients pay overdue rent or utilities, which is an area that had not been addressed in central Illinois.
“The generosity of our parishioners has been overwhelming,” McGann said. “We take a monthly collection in each of the parishes. We call it the Poverello collection. We are in our second year of this ministry and the funds are keeping us going.”
See Outreach Page 3
Cedar Point Classic: A two-day fundraiser Proceeds go to Cedar Point Fire Department By Dixie Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
CEDAR POINT – Cedar Point will host the Cedar Point Classic, a new and expanded two-day celebration, July 13 and 14. This celebration will include a 16-team, 14-inch men’s softball tournament, live music and plenty of food and drinks, with all profits going to the Cedar Point Fire Department which is one of the few non-taxing fire departments left in the Illinois Valley area. Taking over this event in the last two years was a big responsibility, according to Kevin LaFollette and Mike Margis, two of the organizers of the newstyled celebration. “Myself, personally, have fond memories of being 6 years old and accompanying my uncle to this event and being the ‘bat boy,” said LaFollette. “So naturally when I started to play men’s softball, I did whatever I could to convince my team to enter.” Margis and LaFollette are joined by Kevin Gould, Lee Balerini, Dick Allemen, Kyle Kotecki, Jeff Strauch, Nick Piscia and Carl Puetz in the planning, organizing and carrying out of the event. The goal is to do better than the past year in raising money for the Cedar Point Fire Department.
See Classic Page 3
Tonica News photo/Barb Kromphardt
Keeping Tonica residents safe The Peru Fire Department brought its aerial truck to Tonica for training June 27. In addition to inspecting the school and the Methodist church, the Tonica firefighters also tested water pressure in the fire hydrants.
Women of Distinction By Tonica News staff news@tonicanews.com
Do you know her? We’re sure you do … She’s the woman who is always involved in something — making a difference in her neighborhood, her community, her environment. She is the one who you always call when you need a helping hand, a person who goes the extra mile to help make life better for others.
She is that person who comes to mind when you think of a big heart and benevolent soul. This woman is the one who many turn to in times of need, whose attitude, efforts and often behind-the-scenes work ethic changes life in a positive way for others. Illinois Valley Living — the area’s premier quarterly magazine featuring the people, places and things of the Illinois Valley — is proud to present the first annual Women of Distinction
Inside
Vol. 140 No. 19 One Section - 8 Pages
Women of distinction nomination form © The Tonica News
Award, honoring the women of the Illinois Valley who have made a difference in the area and who are representative role models as leaders in their fields and communities, as well as those who have made a positive difference in the lives of others. “We are really excited about developing a program that recognizes women for their outstanding contributions to the communities of the Illinois Valley. Too often women who play a huge role in their success of
See Page 2
Willy Wonka Jr. See Page 7
their community or business are not fully recognized for their accomplishments. This is what Women of Distinction is all about,” Illinois Valley Living Publisher Sam Fisher said. Illinois Valley Living is asking you to nominate that special woman who has taken a stand, gone that extra mile, made a difference and/or been a role model for others. Nominations are currently
See Distinction Page 2