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Tuesday, April 5, 2016
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Walnut’s new wildlife area
Expected to be open in June By Dave Cook dcook@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Dave Cook
The clean-up crew at Walnut’s new wildlife area fought Saturday’s high winds as they worked to prepare the area for public use. Here, trees are cut down along the entrance, and other areas near the pond had previously been cleared using controlled burning. See more on Page 3
Princeton man diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease will not give up his fight for a quality life eengel@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Parkinson’s disease asks in no uncertain terms for a person to sit down — eventually for good — but Gerrit Stevenson stood back up anyway. Stevenson is originally from South America, and he eventually made it to Illinois after living on the East Coast for part of his life. The soon to be 72-yearold was a truck driver for many years and enjoyed line dancing, among other aspects of an active lifestyle. He was a humble man walking a simple path, and even though he’d never just go through the motions, the day arrived when he simply couldn’t even if he wanted to. Stevenson first started noticing symptoms of Parkinson’s as early as 2008, when he lost his sense of smell. His hands would shake while he was dancing, and his legs would go numb to the point his wife had to pull him out of their vehicle, for he could not perform the task himself. He went to Mayo Clinic and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where the doctors reiterated the likeliness he
had Parkinson’s. “It’s a neurological disease that starts in your head, usually on the dominant side of your body,” Stevenson said, relaying the body loses it’s abilities of full anatomical function with neuron malfunction causing uncontrollable muscular trembling. “Your limbs shake, and you can’t walk anymore. After a while you end up in a wheelchair, unless you take care of yourself.” Stevenson said he’s obviously acquired greater awareness of the disease since his diagnosis, and he has encountered many instances where people just accept the outcome once they find out they have Parkinson’s, doing nothing to combat the degenerative slip into the wheelchair. “Doctors know a lot about the disease, but they don’t have a cure for it, which makes some people give up easily,” he said, noting an individual suffering from Parkinson’s must be careful in their activities — holding the rail on the way up and down the stairs — instead of challenging the laws of gravity.
Parkinson’s Page 2
Former pro wrestler puts on a show to raise money for area playgrounds
By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The kids pack into the arena, anxiously awaiting the title fight for the belt … Frankie “the Chi-Town Hitman” Wolsfeld vs. The Empty Schoolyard. The Chi-Town Hitman comes out “swinging,” dropping a chain link swing set on the Schoolyard. Oohs and ahhs fill the gymnasium as the Chi-Town Hitman twists the Playground with a gravity-defying flying seesaw move, and the Empty Playground goes down for the count in the clutches of a jungle gym monkey bar. The crowd celebrates the truth … the Empty Schoolyard never stood a chance against the champ. Frankie Wolsfeld spent the early stages of his adult life throwing his basketball-sized biceps around wrestling rings and cages all across the globe. The “ChiTown Hitman” — as he is affectionately known by fans everywhere — moved to Princeton close to 10 years ago to work
Year 170 No. 41 One Section - 16 Pages
(815) 915-8748 © Bureau County Republican
Wildlife Page 3
Wrestling for a seat on the swing
Supported during the stumble By Eric Engel
WALNUT — Residents of Walnut will soon have approximately 60 more acres of park district to enjoy. In January, the Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District officially donated the land that was previously the Ross Wildlife Refuge. Clean-up crews have been working to prepare the site for public use and hope to have it open in June. James Schoff of the Walnut Park District said, “We’re getting close; there’s still quite a bit of general clean-up. We’ve got some junk and scrap metal to remove. We’ll be establishing the parking area and will eventually be putting in some nature trails, so there’s more access to the other areas.” The site hasn’t been open to the public since the 1980s, and the 23-acre pond will soon be providing ample opportunities for local anglers to test their skills. “The Illinois DNR did a survey last summer, and the pond is in very good health. There’s bass and bluegill. It didn’t show any crappie, but I’ve heard they’re in there. The only thing that was recommended was stocking it with catfish to help keep the gizzard shad in check,” said Schoff. Gizzard shad are an invasive small fish whose high consumptive
at ServiceMaster DSI, and even if he’s not springing from the top ropes anymore, his spirit for entertainment and generosity will never lose their luster. “Rumble for the Kids started five years ago for an Easter Seals event at the Bureau County Fairgrounds,” Wolsfeld said, mentioning the event has now been redirected toward establishing great opportunities in the Princeton Elementary School (PES) District. “The money raised from the event will help build new playgrounds in the district through the PES Plays program.” Years back, Wolsfeld was talking with a good friend who brought up the idea of a pro wrestling charity event in Princeton. Wolsfeld reached out to his mighty ring of pro wrestling contacts all across the country, and Rumble for the Kids was born. On Saturday, April 30, professional wrestling personalities of the last three decades will throw their bodies around
Playgrounds Page 2
Economical lab services and diagnostic testing, including digital x-rays, are also offered on-site. These services are available to anyone, regardless of your doctor’s practice or hospital affiliation.
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