BCJ-03-08-2018

“PRSRT.STD.” US POSTAGE PAID NO. 486 PRINCETON, IL 61356 SHAW MEDIA

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Vol. 12 No. 33

Princeton High will present ‘Band Geeks’ on March 16-17 PRINCETON — In the tradition of “Glee” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” comes “Band Geeks,” a celebration of the tribulations of the millions who have spent football halftimes pounding out Sousa-like renditions of “Maria.” Whether you were in the band, on the team or in the stands, you’ll recognize the woes and revel in the fun of “Band Geeks.”

Princeton High School students will high-step into their “Band Geeks” roles for two performances at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 16, and

Saturday, March 17, in the Sally Skinner Council Auditorium.

“Band Geeks” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied

by MTI. Originally produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price, executive director.

Both shows are reserved seating.

All tickets are $8 and may be purchased by calling 815-875-3308, ext.

1130. A ticket order form is also available on the PHS website at www.phs-il.org.

Photo contributed

In Princeton High School’s production of Band Geeks, Laura (Kyra Strom) is the center of attention of her best friend, Elliott (Kyle Degutis) and newcomer Jake (Daniel Naffziger) while they sit on the bleachers. The play will be performed on March 16 and 17.

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PROMISE DRESS SALE

Illinois Valley Scene • Thursday, March 8, 2018

Say yes to the dress

IV Scene photo/Goldie Rapp

PROMise Dress Sale coordinator Amy Thompson adjusts a dress on a mannequin while setting up for the sixth annual sale at First United Methodist Church in Princeton. The sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10.

Dressing up for less the goal of March 10 dress sale Discounts make event popular, and not only with prom-goers

BY GOLDIE RAPP grapp@bcrnews.com PRINCETON — More than 700 dresses will be for sale during the PROMise Dress Sale next weekend.

The sixth annual sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at First United Methodist Church, 316 S. Church St. in Princeton.

The sale offers new and pre-worn dresses of all shapes and sizes at a

discounted price of $50 or less.

Coordinator Amy Thompson said it’s a great opportunity to avoid having to pay full price on a prom dress, which can be pretty pricey these days. Thompson said she recently read an online survey that stated the cost of prom in the Midwest now averages about $600.

Thompson put together the first dress sale in 2013. Since then, the sale has grown every year and attracts shoppers from all over the area and beyond.

Thompson said there are plenty of options aside from prom dresses to look through, as well. Some look for homecoming, weddings and cruises, while others have been known to stop in and pick

up a formal dress just to wear for appropriate occasions.

Thompson said the day is fun and always busy. Sometimes it can be chaotic.

She said the best way to shop the sale is the night before during the VIP event. Those who donate a dress five years or newer can shop the VIP night, which will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 9.

Every year, the proceeds from the PROMise Dress Sale have been split and donated to two non-profit community organizations that are geared toward benefiting kids.

This year, Thompson has selected First United Methodist Youth Ministry and Second Story Teen Center in Princeton.

Thompson said the teen center is an awesome place for kids to go and hang out.

“It’s a safe place for the kids.

They offer shelter and food for the kids and it’s just a nice, healthy environment for them to be after school,” Thompson said.

She said it takes courage to do what Second Story owners Jeff and Dana Van Autreve did to get the teen center up and running.

“To listen to God, hear his message and actually go through with it. It’s amazing. To see how successful the teen center has become, you really know that God is standing behind them, supporting them and helping make it possible,” she said.

OTTAWA

OTTAWA — The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Lucia Matos, will present performances by winners of its 2018 Young Performers Competition at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Ottawa Township High School.

Junior division winner Aubrey Garretson, flutist, will perform “Papillion” by E. Kohler. She is the daughter of Chris and Todd Garretson of Peru. She is a freshman at LaSalle-Peru High School and is in the L-P band. She has been a student of Sue Gillio for five years and is also a member of the Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble, in which she plays alto flute. She has participated in the Summer Flute Retreat and the ninth and 10th annual Flute Days. In addition, she has earned first division ratings for her solos at Band-O-Rama and was selected to participate as fourth chair at the 2016 IMEA District 2 Music Festival in Rock Island.

In 2017 she performed in the Senior Division ILMEA band.

Senior division winner Jessica Znaniecki, flutist, will play “Hypnosis” by Ian Clarke. She is the daughter of Linda and Neal Znaniecki of Oglesby and a junior at LaSalle-Peru High School. She is a member of

the L-P marching and symphonic bands and participates in the spring musicals. She has studied flute with Sue Gillio for five years. She is also a member of the Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble, in which she plays the contrabass and subcontrabass flutes. She was selected for District 2 ILMEA for the past six years and in 2017 for the Senior Orchestra. In January 2017 and 2018, she performed in the All-State Honors Band at the Illinois Music Education Conference held in Peoria. She was the winner of the IVSO Young Performers Competition junior division in 2015 and was honorable mention in the senior division in 2016 and 2017. She participated in the annual Summer Flute Retreat in Peru and performed in the master class of Gerald Carey, flute professor emeritus, Western Illinois University, for the past four years.

She has also performed on the baritone for the 2015 Tuba Christmas at IVCC. She was a NCI ARTWorks SHINE honoree and performed at the SHINE Gala in May 2016. She is a member of the Chicago Flute Club and National Flute Association.

Also on the program is Symphony No. 8 in G Major by Dvorak, described as “a classic example of

Jessica Znaniecki

Aubrey Garretson

music in which a simple and direct exterior hides a very sophisticated and multi-layered interior” by Kenneth Woods, Principal Conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of Colorado Mahler Fest. The first movement begins with a hint of darkness. The melody in G minor is very lyrical.

The strings open the second movement with a heartfelt and somewhat sentimental melody. The third movement is in the style of an Austrian folk dance. In the fourth movement a

fanfare is heard again and again.

Admission to the concert is by season subscription or individual ticket, available at the door or online at ivso.org. Adult tickets are $20 and students K-12 are free with a student ID. College students with ID are $5.

This program is sponsored by the Miller Group Charitable Trust and partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Season sponsors are Ning Communications and Ottawa Radio. The auditorium is handicapped accessible.

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Illinois Valley Scene• Thursday, March 8, 2018

Young Performers Competition winners will perform March 11

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Illinois Valley Scene • Thursday, March 8, 2018

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HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

Eliza Suggs’ memoir tells a remarkable tale Author, born in 1876, transcended multiple barriers

BY SARAH COOPER Princeton

H

ere is an offering for Women’s History Month about a native of Bureau County whose remarkable personal and family story is not widely known.

Eliza Suggs, the youngest child of James and Malinda Suggs, was born near Providence on Dec. 11, 1876.

Several things about Eliza and her family stand out. First, the Suggses were African-Americans in white, rural Illinois. They were among a small number of former slaves who settled in Bureau County after the Civil War. James and Malinda met as teenagers when enslaved on the same plantation in North Carolina. They married and had three children under slavery.

After the war’s onset in 1861, James managed to slip away and join Union forces. At the war’s end, with the help of a Union officer, Mr. Suggs was reunited with his family, and they made their way north to Bureau County, where they lived for almost 20 years. While here, the couple had four more children, all girls: Mathilda, Katie, Lenora, and lastly, Eliza.

We know this history because of Eliza. She gave voice to her parents’ experience under slavery

weighed about 50 pounds and was under three feet tall.

And what do we know about the Suggs family in their Bureau County years? Census records show them living in rural Wyanet in 1870 and in Princeton (on Pleasant Street) in 1880. Mr. Suggs had been a blacksmith and a farmer but found his true calling as a preacher and orator, often at Emancipation Day celebrations organized by Princeton’s black community in the 1870s.

In “Shadow and Sunshine,” Eliza recounts an attack on a religious revival meeting in Princeton that her family experienced: The Suggs sisters (left to right): Eliza, author of “Shadow and Sunshine,” Lenora (Mrs. “While the meeting was in progL.E. Selby), Katie, Mathilda (Mrs. S.M. Williams) and Ellen (Mrs. S.E. Thompson). All ress one night the rowdies gathexcept Ellen (who was born under slavery), were born in Illinois after the Civil War. ered, cut down the large tabernacle and threw stones into the small cause them to break. in the book “Shadtents,” resulting, in Eliza’s descripOne day my little sisow and Sunshine,” tion, with those attending, “lookter Lenora, two years which was published ing like soldiers after a battle.” older, was showing in 1906, when she Despite the setback, the assembly me how some people was only 30 years regrouped the next day. And, wrote old. Part of the canon shook hands at meetEliza, “The city authorities proming. As she shook my of American slave ised protection from future disturhand to show me, my narratives and oral bance, and kept their promise.”

The Rev. Malinda arm broke.”

Eliza Suggs ensured that the James Suggs histories, the book Suggs Eliza was clearly has been digitized story of her parents’ lives under Father of Mother of a bright and curious by the University of slavery would not disappear. She Eliza Suggs Eliza Suggs child. While confined North Carolina to also ensured that her own remarkat home, a sister preserve it. able story of transcending multiple taught her to read. Early on, she In the early 1900s, to be a young, barriers — as a woman, an Afrifound refuge in a Christian faith black, female author was remarkcan-American, and a person with able. That Eliza coped with a severe that sustained her. In 1886, when a daunting disability — would also Eliza was 10, Mr. Suggs moved the physical handicap makes her endure. “Shadow and Sunshine” is achievement that more exceptional. family to Orleans, Nebraska, so his the evidence. children could attend school at the Her growth was stunted in infanFree Methodist Seminary there. cy, likely from an extreme case of Note to readers: Images that Eliza’s family would carry her rickets. accompany this column are into the school every day. She was “My bones being very soft and courtesy of the University of North never able to walk. As an adult, she tender, just the least thing would Carolina at Chapel Hill.

BUREAU COUNTY

Water well checkups urged during March 12-16 PRINCETON — The Bureau County Health Department and the Bureau County Farm Bureau are partnering with the National Ground Water Awareness Association to remind residents it’s “time for your water well checkup” in support of National Ground Water Awareness Week by providing free well sampling test kits for residents of Bureau County.

Wells can provide high-quality drinking water, and about half the

U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells.

During National Groundwater Awareness Week, Bureau County residents can pick up the free kits Monday, March 12, through Friday, March 16, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Bureau County Farm Bureau building in Princeton or at the health department during their regular business hours.

These test kits normally cost

$15, but during March 12-16, they will be distributed for free.

Please note: After that week, the kits will only be available from the health department, and they will cost $15.

After participants collect a sample, it must be mailed by overnight delivery to Springfield. Because testing is not done on the weekend, it is necessary to obtain and mail the sample on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The water sample must

be received in Springfield within 30 hours of being collected. The charge for overnight delivery is approximately $10.

Results of the water samples will be sent back to the health department, where they will analyze the results and pass them along to those testing their water.

For more information about the water samples and what they are testing for, please contact the health department.

Read us online • bcrnews.com • putnamcountyrecord.com • tonicanews.com

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Photo contributed

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Variety show lineup announced PERU — Six Illinois Valley Community Hospital doctors headline the list of performers who will sing, dance and make you laugh at the IVCH Foundation Community Variety Show on Saturday, March 10, in Matthiessen Auditorium at LaSalle-Peru High School.

A fundraiser for the Foundation’s MRI fund, the show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and will go on sale at the door at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale in the IVCH gift shop, at Uniforms Etc. in LaSalle and online at ivch.org.

IVCH physicians performing in the show include Mark Fernandez, M.D.; Ricardo Calderon, MD; Paul Bonucci, MD; Kelly DeBoer, MD; and Kemoria Granberry, MD; and David O’Donnell, DO. Doctors Fernandez, Calderon and Bonucci, who appeared in the hospital’s last variety show in 2011, this year will be joined in a comedy skit

by DeBoer, who is president of the IVCH medical staff.

Dr. Granberry, an obstetrician/ gynecologist with the Women’s Health Care Center at IVCH, is a Beyonce’ fan and will be singing one of the songs made popular by her. Granberry took first place in the “Red, White, Blue & You Talent Competition” in Streator last July as part of that town’s Independence Day celebration.

Dr. O’Donnell will deliver a standup comedy routine.

Opening and closing musical acts — “Getting to Know You” and “Get on your Feet” — will be performed by

the IVCH Players, a group of a dozen hospital employees and their families and friends who have been practicing since early January under the direction of Renee Rebholz.

The audience will also see and hear talent from throughout the Illinois Valley, including: • Two routines performed by students from the Dance Center in LaSalle.

• Marseilles resident Jerry Peterson singing “Candy Man” while accompanying himself on a keyboard while dancers perform in the background.

• Emily Brodzik of Peru singing “Landslide” accompanied by Alex Dittmer on the guitar.

• A dance number performed by Peru’s London Cabrera and Trudell Byrd.

• A piano piece, “My Heart will Go On,” performed by Utica’s Laura Thurow.

• T. J. Martin of Peru and Michael Moutray of Varna performing “Pink Houses”.

• Danielle Bourell of Streator and Stephanie Simpson of Spring Valley.

• Jack Feliksiak of Peru singing “O What a Beautiful Morning”.

• Songs sung by Steve Chamberlain of LaSalle, Katelyn Pullam of Cherry, Katrina Walters of Spring Valley and Megan Cullinan of Peru.

Local radio personality John Spencer and Bev Sons, a member of the IVCH Foundation board of directors, will be the masters of ceremony for the show, which is being directed by Dawn Moutray, head of the hospital’s social service department.

Illinois Valley Scene• Thursday, March 8, 2018

815-875-1221

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Illinois Valley Scene • Thursday, March 8, 2018

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PRINCETON — Celebrated annually in the United State, United Kingdom and Australia, Women’s History Month highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Throughout March, the Princeton Public Library will present programs, films and a special art display featuring local and national contributions by women.

Monday, March 8, 8:30 a.m., Friends in Council will meet.

Thursday, March 8, 6:30 p.m., Discover artist Georgia O’Keeffe, presented by Laurie Bonucci.

Saturday, March 10, 12:30 p.m., Wellness Workshop.

Monday, March 12, 6:30 p.m., Monday Movie: A modern woman teaching a very conservative school realizes her students are very bright, but are not reaching their full potential.

Tuesday, March 13, 10:30 a.m., Youth Services story time and craft. The theme will be frog.

Tuesday, March 13, 6:30 p.m., Harriette Gillespie presents artist Frieda Kahlo.

Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m., Widmark Wednesday. A Richard Widmark movie will be shown.

Thursday, March 15, 10:45 a.m., Tigers Read PHS Book Club meets.

Thursday, March 15, 6:30 p.m., Discussion from Women of Business in Princeton.

SPRING VALLEY — Lego Play is a new program for children ages 8-16 to create masterpieces with Legos.

Legos will be provided by the library. Any child under 7 must be accompanied by an adult and will be given Duplo blocks to build with during the program, if they so desire. Please do not bring in any Legos to the program, respect the creativity of others, leave the Legos at the library, and have fun. This free program will be held once a month the third Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call the library at 815-663-4741 with any questions.

The library in Spring Valley is also collecting aluminum cans with the proceeds supporting the library and

local Scouts. Cans may be dropped off at the library during its hours of operation. A large box inside the west front door is available for drop off. Cans should be tied in a plastic bag. For more information, call the library.

The Richard A. Mautino Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. in the meeting room at the library.

WYANET — The Wyanet Library is gearing up for its second session of programming this year. At the 2nd Thursday@the Library program on Thursday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m., Terry Johnson will present a program on Quilts of Valor, a nationwide foundation that awards healing quilts to service men and women who have been touched by war. Johnson has quilted for more than 30 years and has become a group leader for the Quilts of Valor in the last 10 months. Join us to hear her journey of how she became involved in Quilts of Valor and why its become almost a full time job. She will bring quilts to show as well as a power point presentation.

The R.A. Sapp Library’s computer classes, normally held on the first and third Thursdays at 6 p.m., will be on hiatus until further notice because of a conflict in time.

The library has been hosting a class on self-publishing, books, poetry, etc., on the second Tuesday each month at 1 p.m. So all aspiring authors and poets, come on out and see how to get those books out to the adoring public.

BUDA — The library is open 1 to 5 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday; 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; closed Thursday; 1 to 5 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday.

WALNUT — Walnut Public Library has a new display in its showcase. Gene Henrikson has brought in some of his blacksmith items, along with storyboards displaying the process of creating each item. Stop in and take a look.

The library is asking patrons to donate empty ink cartridges and old cell phones. The library is able to recycle them for cash.

DEPUE — On the second Tuesday of every month, the library hosts blood pressure and blood sugar screenings for free. The screenings are administered by St. Margaret’s Health from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

TISKILWA — Friday, March 9, 1 p.m., the library will show a movie.

Monday, March 12, 4 p.m., craft club will meet.

Tuesday, March 13, the library will host a bloodmobile. Call ahead for an appointment.

On the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m., the library’s book club for adults meets.

Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., the library hosts a yoga class, where participants enjoy camaraderie with others and are challenged mentally and physically. Cost is $5 per person.

BUREAU — The Leepertown Township Public Library is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday; and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The library has computers for patron usage, as well as copier, scanning and fax services.

Call 815-659-3283 for information. (The fax number is the same as the phone number.)

LADD — The library sponsors an adult coloring club on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Adult card club is on Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.

PERU — Again this year, trained AARP volunteers will be at the library to prepare federal and state income returns for electronic filing.

This service is for older citizens and/or those with lower incomes. No business-related tax returns.

Appointments for completing returns are available Mondays and Thursdays starting Feb. 12 and ending April 6.

To schedule an appointment, call the library at 815223-0229 or stop by the library at 1409 11th St.

PRINCETON

Civil War group plans fundraiser on March 10 PRINCETON — Members of the Princeton Civil War Committee/ Shadows of the Blue and Gray are currently selling tickets for a drawdown on March 10 at the Princeton Elks Lodge.

All proceeds from the drawdown will go directly to Shadows of the Blue and Gray, to support the Civil

War event planned for Oct. 14-15 at City-County Park in Princeton.

Ticket prices are $40 each, which includes dinner for two and chance to win cash prizes totaling $1,500.

Also included that evening will be a silent auction and a chance to mingle and talk to a number of Civil War re-enactors dressed in period

clothing who will be on hand.

Another feature of the evening will be a one-time reunion of members of the Illinois Valley’s own 1950s-1960s premier rock ’n’ roll band, Junction, performing with guests and friends.

Tickets can be purchased by sending a check to Shadows of the Blue and Gray, P.O. Box 285, LaMoille, IL

61330 or from committee members.

Dinner-only tickets can be bought at the door for $15 per person, and dance/listening only tickets can also be bought at the door for $5.

Drawdown ticket buyers need not be present to win.

For more information, visit the website ShadowsBlueGray.com.

OGLESBY

OGLESBY — A scholarship has been created with the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation to honor the memory of former Princeton High School teacher and coach Randy Swinford, who died Oct. 25 at age 64 after battling cancer.

His widow and high school sweetheart, Lani Frandsen Swinford, created the Randy Swinford Legacy Scholarship for students pursuing technical or digital technology careers with a $10,000 endowment.

The $1,000 annual award, to be awarded for the first time in September, will benefit students in technical areas such as automotive, HVAC, industrial maintenance, tool and die making and welding, among others. In addition, students in digital careers such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), computer networking, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and electronics also qualify. Preference will be given to Princeton High School graduates.

“Thanks to the compassion and generosity of Mr. Swinford’s wonderful family, his legacy will endure at IVCC and Princeton High School and in death he will continue to support hard-working and industrious students,” said IVCC President

Jerry Corcoran.

In 1976, Swinford moved to Princeton to teach industrial arts at Princeton High. He was a beloved wrestling and football coach at the school from 1976 until his retirement in 2011, when he was inducted into the IWCOA Coaching Hall of Fame. He served in the Naval Air Reserve.

For 20-plus years, Swinford taught IVCC classes at Princeton High School.

“He would come directly off the (wrestling) mat to teach night class,” said friend and colleague Brian Church. “And he’d be up to drive the school bus early the next morning.”

Lani said throughout his life, Randy worked to help people including the hundreds of “sons” he coached.

The Swinfords have three daughters: Katie (Joel Hanlon), Jillian and Elise, and a grandson, Lucas.

More than 1,000 guests attended his life celebration in rural Princeton. Rather than a somber affair, Randy insisted in his final wishes that he “buy one more round” for friends and family.

Contributions can be made to the Swinford scholarship through the IVCC Foundation. For information, contact Fran Brolley at 815-224-0466.

Photo contributed

IVCC President Jerry Corcoran (left) accepts a $10,000 check from Lani Swinford to create the Randy Swinford Legacy Scholarship. Mrs. Swinford was joined by Randy’s longtime friend and colleague, Brian Church, a retired guidance counselor at Princeton High School.

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TIME: 12:30 PM (Doors open at 11:30) PLACE: Bureau Valley North School - Walnut, IL TICKETS: $3.00 (Ages 1 - 5 and seniors free!)

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Illinois Valley Scene• Thursday, March 8, 2018

Scholarship created to honor memory of Randy Swinford

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Illinois Valley Scene • Thursday, March 8, 2018

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TIGERS ALUMNI GAME PRINCETON — The fifth annual Princeton Tigers Alumni Basketball Game will be Saturday, April 21, starting at 2 p.m. at Prouty Gym. All former Malden, Princeton and Tiskilwa players/alumni are welcome to play. Format will depend upon number of players and ages. Cost is $25 and includes a T-shirt with a jersey number.

To sign up, send a check made payable to PHS Basketball to Princeton High School in care of head coach Michael Fredericks, 103 S Euclid Ave., Princeton, IL 61356.

TEAM MARATHON MCNABB — The Starved Rock Runners 26.2by5 Team Marathon is set for Saturday, March 17, at Putnam County Junior High School in McNabb. There are a variety of competitions including: Teams consisting of five members (mixed or single gender), each running one leg of 5.24 miles. Cost is $90 if postmarked by March 16.

Couple - Two member male and

female. Each person runs one 5.24 leg. Age is determined by youngest member. Cost is 40 if postmarked

by March 16.

Solo - single person event running one 5.24 leg. Cost is $20 if postmarked by March 16.

All 18 and under teams are free.

For more information, contact Bob Rehn.

Registration for the second season for the Youth Basketball League is now open.

Pickleball has moved inside the BCMC on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Adult volleyball, swim lessons and Nerf Nights are underway.

For more information, call the Metro Center at 815-872-0840.

from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 11.

Early registration postmarked by Feb. 25 was $30 for the first child in family and $25 for each additional family member. Now that it’s after Feb. 25 date, the fee is $35. Send checks made payable to SBA Baseball, att: Bill Booker, 24 W US Highway, Peru, IL. 61354.

LORI’S WALLEYE 5K RUN

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SPRING VALLEY — This year’s Lori’s Walleye 5K Run will be Saturday, March 24, starting at 9 a.m. at Hall High School.

Cost is $25 if postmarked by March 18 and $30 through and including race day.

Checks payable to the Spring Valley Walleye Club, may be sent to Walleye Run, 407W. Dakota St., Spring Valley, IL. 61362.

Race day registration and package pick up is available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Hall High School.

METRO CENTER EVENTS PRINCETON — The following events are coming up at the Bureau County Metro Center:

PERU — The St. Bede Academy baseball program will present the Spring Training Baseball Clinic March 3 and March 10-11 for boys ages 6-14. SBA head coach Bill Booker and his staff along with Bruins players will offer instruction on the fundamentals of the game, including hitting, fielding, pitching, catching and throwing.

Weather permitting, some drills may at the academy field.

Session I will be for ages 6-8 from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 3.

Session II will be for ages 9-11 from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 10.

Session III will be for ages 12-14

SPRING VALLEY — Diggersz Volleyball, a Spring Valley-based club, is looking for 14U players (seventh-eighth grade) interested in playing the upcoming club season.

The club is low cost (under $500) for the entire season. There will be five tournaments scheduled on Sundays with one practice a week with other nights of practice dedicated to specific talents.

No tryout will be held. Call 815878-5681 or email volleyballone@ comcast.net for information. Club will not interfere with school activities and will avoid any conflicts with student school participation.

•••

Send items for Happenings to sports@bcrnews.com.

PRINCETON

Comedy Night planned at Festival 56 on March 10 PRINCETON — Chicago comedian Jordan Holmes will headline an evening of standup comedy at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at the Grace Performing Arts Center in Princeton. Appearing with Holmes are Matt Drufke and Xavier Lamont. The show features adult themes.

A Princeton native, Holmes has been performing in the Chicago area for the past eight years and is a regular at Zanies and The Improv. Of himself, he says, “I tell jokes and yell. Usually both at the same time.”

Fellow comedian Drufke is known for his aggressive, interesting and always funny comedy act. His debut album, “This Is Supposed to Be Fun,” reached No. 2 on the comedy charts. Lamont, meanwhile, spent nearly 10 years in the corporate world before making the leap to the comedy scene. His edgy style of storytelling has made him a crowd favorite in clubs in Chicago and around the country. He has also appeared on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and in the film Killing Poe. Festival 56’s Grace Performing Arts Center is located at 316 S. Main St. in Princeton and is completely accessible with ample parking nearby. To purchase tickets, visit www.festival56.com or call 815-879-5656. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available for sale at the lobby bar. For more information, call the box office at 815-879-5656.

Jordan Holmes will headline Comedy Night at Festival 56 on Saturday, March 10.

Photo contributed

Hoffeditz signs with Augustana

Vigars signs with IVCC

9 Illinois Valley Scene• Thursday, March 8, 2018

Photo contributed

Photo contributed

Princeton senior Eric Hoffeditz signs his letter of intent to play football at Augustana College in Rock Island. He was a all-conference defensive lineman. He was joined for his signing by his parents, (front) Ray and Vanessa Hoffeditz, and (back) PHS coach Ryan Pearson.

Princeton senior setter Kate Vigars signs to play volleyball for IVCC. She was a Second Team TRAC All-Conference selection. She was joined at her signing by her parents (front), Amy and Mike Vigars; and (back row) IVCC coach Erin Polte, Logan Junior High School coach Hallie Monroe and PHS coach Andy Puck.

Malden native Blumhorst one of the good guys in coaching When you’ve been around this business for as long as I have, you meet a lot of good people. Good coaches, good teachers, good officials, good administrators and good kids.

Brian Blumhorst is one of those good guys. You will meet none better.

The Malden native has coached and taught for 31 years, the last 20 at Mendota High School along with stints at Tampico (F/S coach 198789), Annawan (head coach 1989-95) and Polo (head coach 1995-98).

He’s touched and influenced countless number of young athletes along the way with his good humor and compassionate manner that makes his well liked and respected by all.

Blumhorst’s career has not always been all rosy. After five years as head coach at Mendota, he was let go as the head boys basketball coach in 2006. His last team won five games with a senior class that won no games at the freshman level.

I was stunned to see such a knowledgeable coach let go, but then again not really surprised, after all I’ve witnessed over the years with external and internal pressure placed on coached.

Blumhorst took it all in stride.

“To be honest, my wife and kids were probably more upset than I was,” he said. “Yeah, I felt bad that night. But I got up the next morning, looked at the mirror, and said, ‘You know what, I did everything I thought I possibly could to get our

HIERONYMUS’ HYPOTHESIS Kevin Hieronymus kids better.’”

Some people in his position would vow to never coach again or quickly put that school in their rearview mirror. Not Blumhorst.

He became the freshmen girls coach the following year at Mendota, and was back on the boys bench the year after to become varsity assistant under former Trojans head coaches Eric Lawson and Jan Thompson. He’s also been the Trojans longtime golf coach.

He said he never looked anywhere else with Mendota between where his wife’s (Patti) and his parents lived.

“There were more important things than me being head coach,” said Blumhorst, who teaches in the science department at Mendota and finds it ironic he went from the purple-and-gold colors from one MHS school (Malden) to another.

“To be honest, I still like being around kids. No matter where I’ve been, the kids are always the same. Kids make it fun and make it worthwhile more than anything else. My kids are out of the house, so nobody at home. I might as well do something.”

That’s what makes Blumhorst one of the true good guys in the business. He’s in it for all the right reasons.

Sports was the way of life for Blumhorst and his younger brothers, Troy and Kyle.

“Growing up, all I ever did in the summer and most of the year, was play games. My brothers and I would ride our bikes three miles into town just to play tennis ball or basketball. Whatever we could get our hands on,” he said.

He got his start playing basketball in the fourth grade at Malden Grade School, where he developed his game under coach Lloyd Johnson.

“Lloyd had fourth grade through eighth. I tell you what, those seventh- and eighth-graders took care of us. They were our basketball buddies. They took care of us,” he said.

See BLUMHORST, Page 12

IV Scene photo/Mike Vaughn

Malden native Brian Blumhorst (left) has coached for 31 years, this year as sophomore girls coach at Mendota High School.

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• BLUMHORST Continued from Page 9 Due to low numbers, Blumhorst got to play on the seventh-grade team as a fifth grader, though he said he wasn’t very good.

“I was like the greatest practice player. For some reason, when I’d get in the game, I was just God awful.

I couldn’t make anything, I was a turnover waiting to happen,” he said. “I’ll never forget, over Christmas vacation, Lloyd said one of these days, ‘You’ve got to take what you’re doing at practice to the game.’ I started approaching games like practice and after that, I was fine.”

He also honed his game nearly every night playing more basket-

ball on the full court his dad built for the kids in the barn.

“Shooting around rafters, hanging tires and work on my behindthe-back passes. It was just fun,” he said.

Johnson ran the boys through all the old Pistol Pete and Oscar Robertson drills, putting an emphasis on defense, rebounding and assists, Blumhorst said, and never ever talked about scoring.

“Lloyd tracked which one of our guys gave up points, because we always played man to man. I remember one game we gave up two points at half and our biggest argument and discussion was who should have been assigned those two points,” Blumhorst said.

Blumhorst became a pretty good scorer over time, breaking Mike Farley’s 20-year-old all-time scoring record at Malden (1,374) with 1,498 points. While he knew he was listed at the top of the area in Hugh Skinner’s annual listings here in the BCR, Blumhorst said he never knew he was No. 1 all-time at Malden until a certain sports editor came around and told him.

“My scoring and high jump record will never be broken,” he said with a laugh with Malden closing her doors in 1983. “It’s kind of cool. Some of the old-timers here give me a lot of grief.”

When asked if he can beat his sons, Chance and Trey, now a senior star at Rockford University, he laughed and said, “Maybe in H-O-R-S-E. The

1-on-1 days are over.”

Sports have been good for Blumhorst, and Blumhorst has been good for the sports and the kids he’s coached.

“I still remember to this day my oldest son coming home from first grade and looking at me in the eye and said, ‘Dad, what do people do that don’t like sports,’” he said.

“That’s kind of been my life. I can’t imagine not being a dad, not teaching. And the coaching I’ve stayed in.

I’ve had a blast. Even going through the firing and all that, it’s still been a good to me. I’ve never seen a reason to get out of it.”

Kevin Hieronymus is the BCR Sports Editor. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com.

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Illinois Valley Scene • Thursday, March 8, 2018

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