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STERLING NATIVE MOVES Something old, something ‘Modern,’ and more. UP IN THE WORLD MIXED MARTIAL ARTS, B1
A9-12
dailyGAZETTE Thursday, March 24, 2016
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
DIXON | PARK BOARD
District hangs on to its lifeline Board agrees to keep membership in state park association amid state budget uncertainty BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – As the state budget crisis continues, park districts throughout Illinois are trying to find ways to cope with funding losses. During the Dixon Park Board meeting Wednesday, the issue
of state funding came up as the board arrived at a consensus to continue its membership with the Illinois Association of Park Districts. During the last 25 years or so, the park district has received about $750,000 in state grants used for capital improvements, land acquisition and other projects, dis-
trict executive director Debra Carey said. However, in the midst of financial uncertainty in Illinois, the lack of state grant opportunities has created hardship for park districts large, small and everywhere in between, she said. The last funds the park district received from the state
was a boat ramp restoration grant about 2 years ago. “This is a real issue for park districts and forest preserve districts,” Carey said. “Springfield is in a disastrous mess, and there are hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds that aren’t going where they are needed.” LIFELINE CONTINUED ON A5
Next meeting The Dixon Park Board next meets at 6 p.m. on April 13 at 804 Palmyra St. For an agenda or more information, go to dixonparkdistrict.com or the park district office at 804 Palmyra St. or call 815284-3306.
DIXON
ROCK FALLS
Greet minds think alike
Hitting close to home
New greeter shares her predecessor’s open-arms policy BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Zach McAllister of Plainfield works on smithing a leaf out of red hot iron Sunday at Dave and Babe Brandon’s home in rural Rock Falls. Each third Sunday of the months that have an “R” in them, the couple invite skilled, novice and budding blacksmiths to learn, teach and ply their trade at their well-stocked workshop. Sunday was McAllister’s first time at the hammerin, but he plans to drop in again next month. Check out this Saturday’s SV Weekend Community page for more photos from the hammer-in.
MORRISON
Arts in the spotlight Fifth-grader’s work wins statewide award BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
MORRISON – Nelly “Yaya” Gil is a fifth-grader after her teacher’s heart, and she’s already won over the State Board of Education. The 10-year-old Southside Elementary student recently took third place in the board’s statewide art poster contest. Seven members of Stasha Hayes’ art club entered the K-8 contest for public, private and home-schooled students.
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TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 75
“For one of my fifth-graders to get one of those places is pretty amazing,” Hayes said. “A lot of kids from a lot of schools entered,” Nelly said. “It was amazing to win third place. I thought I might be like 100th or so.” The winners were announced publicly last week, during Illinois Arts Education Week, and will be recognized at the Illinois Art Education Association This inspired piece earned Nelly Gil, a 10-year-old fifth-grader Fall Conference, which runs at Southside Elementary School in Morrison, third place in the Nov. 3-5 in Normal. statewide art poster contest put on by the Illinois State Board of Education. “It was amazing to win third place,” said Gil. “I thought I might be like 100th or so.” ARTS CONTINUED ON A5
INDEX
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ........... A7 COMICS ...............B6
CROSSWORD....B12 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
PLAN!T............A9-12 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
DIXON – Elizabeth “Betsy” Bulfer left her legacy of welcoming newcomers to Dixon in good hands. For more than 6,000 residents, their first impression of the city came from a basket filled with local coupons Elizabeth and goodies “Betsy” Bulfer delivered by a smiling and spirited Bulfer, who carried the title of Dixon Greeter for 43 years. “This really was her Tere baby,” said Elliott Tere Elliott, who worked with Bulfer Inside for about A fine 6 years. “She lady. A fine t o u c h e d legacy. We s o m a n y bid farewell people in so to “Betsy” many definBulfer: ing ways, Page A6 and she will always be remembered for that.” Bulfer died on March 16 at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon. She was 78. Elliott plans to continue the Dixon Greeter legacy, but never would consider herself Bulfer’s replacement. GREETERS CONTINUED ON A4
Today’s weather High 41. Low 25. More on A3.
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