1 Front
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
BCUW director resigns Replacement to be announced By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON – After five years as Bureau County United Way Executive Director, Michelle Lymberopoulos has decided to step down from the position and retire. “I have had the opportunity to help people in a variety of areas throughout these last five years and have learned a lot about their desire to survive the tough times, provide for their families, find employment, live without the constant worry of where their child’s next meal is coming from, how to keep their family in their homes, pay utilities, etc,” she said. Lymberopoulos explained she took the position in July 2008 because she had always enjoyed helping others. “I felt I was always suited for non-profit work,” she said. Lymberopoulos admits there have been difficult tasks throughout the years. When she took over the position, it was right around the economy’s recession, and tough times called for tough decisions. Lymberopoulos said fundraising in a bad economy and seeing an increased need for help while working with less donated dollars were tough challenges. “Referral services have increased in the last several years due to the economy, and unemployment has also risen,” she said. Under her direction, however, the Bureau County United Way has seen numerous positive changes such as an increase in volunteer numbers, added annual fundraisers like Trivia Night and an increase in awareness of how Bureau County United Way benefits the surrounding communities.
Serving Bureau County Since 1847
A new library addition $1 million renovation/addition planned for Tiskilwa By Lyle Ganther lganther@bcrnews.com
TISKILWA — Ground was broken Friday for a 3,800-square-foot addition to the Tiskilwa Library. Village and state officials joined library board members at the ceremony held where the new library will open its doors after construction is finished. The existing library will become a community meeting place after it is renovated.
See Library Page 4
Farming ... the old ‘fashun’ way Gordon Dremann operates one of several pieces of antique farm equipment during Sunday’s Ol’ Fashun Threshun Days, held two miles south of Ohio. The 36th annual event is sponsored by the Bureau Valley Antique Club.
Arrr, Matey! Young pirates explore ‘Treasure Island’ set and have lunch with a pirate By Goldie Currie
See United Way Page 4 Year 167 No. 88
PRINCETON – Little “buccaneers” swarmed the Festival 56 production set of Treasure Island Sunday afternoon for a special Lunch with a Pirate event hosted by Learning Stage, the education committee of Princeton Theater Group and Festival 56.
98213 00012 1 7 © Bureau County Republican
Wayne Nowlan of ATSE Consultants of Peoria, the architect for the project, said at an open house in May the existing library’s drop ceiling will be removed to reveal the original tin ceiling. The current non-operational clock and bell tower on the library building’s roof will be removed during the renovation. There will be an interior ramp from the new addition to the existing library with an exterior ramp located at the building’s north side for handicap accessibility. There
will also be two handicapped parking spots in front of the new addition that will be the main entrance into both buildings. The estimated cost of the project is $1,016,600 with $504,241 of that coming from an Illinois State Library Public Library Construction Act Grant; the remaining $512,000 represents the local share. The Friends of Library’s fundraising goal for the project is $100,000 with $48,615 in donations and pledges collected so far. The remaining funds will come from
BCR photo/Becky Kramer
gcurrie@bcrnews.com
One Section - 20 Pages
NEWSSTAND PRICE 75¢
Attendees were asked to come dressed as their favorite pirate and make up a swashbuckling pirate name as they were invited to play games, make crafts, learn pirate songs and dive into the story of “Treasure Island.” “Treasure Island” is a classic tale about a 12-year-old cabin boy Jim Hawkins and the greatest anti-hero, Long John Silver. The story was written by Robert Louis
Stevenson and provides an action-packed story of sailing, mutiny and buried treasure. About 26 guests were provided a lunch right on set as they mingled with “Treasure Island” pirate actors Patrick Poole, Kurt Bilanoski and Kelsie Brejcha and the production’s set designer Chris Gadomski. Gadomski explained his designs for the set and how he was able to mastermind the creation which has temporarily taken over the Princeton High School Council
See Festival 56 Page 2
For breaking news, sports and current weather conditions, go to bcrnews.com