Illinois gas tax increases to 48.3 cents per gallon as of July 1
q Illinois remains among nation’s most heavily taxed states at the pump
By CATRINA BARKER
The Center Square
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois drivers face another gas tax hike as of July 1, despite already paying the nation’s second-highest rates.
Illinois drivers now see the state gas tax rise to 48.3 cents per gallon – up 1.3 cents from last year – as part of an automatic inflation adjustment that keeps Illinois among the nation’s most heavily taxed states at the pump.
Supporters say it’s needed for infrastructure, but critics argue it burdens consumers, drives business out of state, and hasn’t improved roads.
Illinois Policy’s Dylan Sharkey says the state collects $6 billion a year for transportation, yet roads show little improvement.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation grades the percentage of roads in each state under acceptable conditions, and in Illinois, those numbers haven’t gone up in six or seven years,” said Sharkey.
Nate Harris, CEO of the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, says the average consumer doesn’t realize how much of their fuel cost is taxes and fees.
“With state, county, local, environmental and other taxes and fees, Illinois is second behind only California in cost to the consumer,” said Harris.
Sharkey said a natural way to boost road funding would be to attract more drivers to Illinois.
“Out-migration, Illinoisans choosing to live some-
Illinois drivers now see the state
last year – as part of an automatic inflation adjustment.
where else, just increases the cost for everyone else who chooses to stay,” said Sharkey.
Fuel retailers warn that high gas prices are driving Illinoisans across state lines to fill up and shop, costing the state sales tax revenue.
“The annual inflation adjustment to the state’s motor fuel tax is not going to impact independent retailers any differently than the big companies. These taxes are passed on directly to the consumer. Where this does impact the retailers, and the communities their sales tax revenue helps, is on the borders with Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky,” said Harris.
“Someone in the Quad Cities has all the more reason to
fill up in Davenport instead of Rock Island and get their tobacco or vape products from there as well.”
Separate from the annual gas tax increase, beginning as part of the fiscal year 2026 budget July 1, taxes on tobacco and vaping products goes up to 45%.
As electric vehicles and hybrids become more common, Illinois lawmakers are considering new ways to fund road maintenance –including a possible vehicle mileage tax.
Harris said the shift away from gas-powered cars is straining the current system.
“These proposals all come with their own challenges, but taxes on liquid fuels will not cover increased road usage by EVs forever,” said Harris.
The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association is advocating for a halt to the automatic inflation adjustment built into the state’s motor fuel tax, citing the billions already sitting in the state’s Road Fund.
“With billions of dollars ready to use for construction projects in the Road Fund, the state does not need to automatically increase the tax right now,” said Harris.
In 2019, 20 Republicans in the House and three in the Senate voted in favor of a bill that included a fuel tax hike.
Sharkey emphasized Illinois pays the second-highest gas taxes in the nation.
“But some state lawmakers think Illinoisans don’t pay enough toward roads,” said Sharkey.
JB Pritzker running for 3rd term; running mate is not yet announced
q Gov. says he has unfinished business
By JIM TALAMONTI
The Center Square
CHICAGO – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will continue the fight as a happy warrior as he seeks a third term as Illinois governor.
Pritzker made the announcement June 26 at the same Chicago Park District fieldhouse where he launched his first campaign eight years ago.
The governor said he has unfinished business.
“We’ve got to keep moving toward credit upgrades in our state, and we’ve got to make sure we’re funding K-12 education,” Pritzker said.
The governor discussed his values and accomplishments as he addressed supporters and fellow Illinois Democrats. The governor said he preferred optimism and criticized those who talked in negative terms about Illinois.
As his speech shifted from state to national politics, Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a “megalomaniac narcissist” and referred to congressional Republicans as a “malignant clown car.”
Former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Stephanie Trussell is running for the Illinois House seat currently held by state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn. Trussell pointed to the governor’s record during his first two terms.
“Let’s talk about losing a congressional seat. Numbers don’t lie. People are fleeing Illinois. Let’s talk about all the major corporations that have moved their headquarters or much of their operations to other states that are friendlier to businesses,” Trussell told The Center Square.
When pressed by reporters, Pritzker would not promise that he would stay in office for a full four-year term. The governor has not ruled out a run for President of the United States in 2028.
Pritzker did not announce a running mate as he kicked off his campaign. Current Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, who said he would not seek reelection.
Pritzker praised Stratton as “the best lieutenant governor” Illinois has ever had and said he would choose a replacement soon.
“They’ve got to be someone who could do the job if something happens and they had to take over and,
Illinois’ soil conservation funding stagnates amid recent dust storms
q Experts say the funding for state conservation districts has been ‘deprioritized,’ even in more robust budget years
By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Three
main factors contribute to the formation of Midwest dust storms: strong winds, dry soil in farm fields and large amounts of loose soil.
That’s according to Andy Taylor, the Science and Operations officer at the National Weather Service’s office in Lincoln. He said these are key ingredients that meteorologists, farmers and experts in the agricultural community have found cause dust storms when they converge.
On May 16, Chicago saw its first major dust storm since the Dust Bowl, which stretched from Texas to New York in the early 1930s and deposited 300 million tons of soil across the nation – 12 million tons of which settled in the Chicago region, ac-
cording to the Bill of Rights Institute. The storm in May dropped visibility in the city to near zero as wind gusts blew over 60 mph at times, according to the National Weather Service.
Taylor said the atmospheric environment that day was more characteristic of the dry environments in the High Plains or Southwest U.S., not the Midwest. As rain began to fall near Bloomington, it quickly evaporated and cooled the atmosphere, creating strong pockets of wind that began to move North. And as winds sped up, the storm began to pick up and move dry and loose soil from fields it passed over, which created the dust storm.
“The type of dust storm event that we had that affected the Chicago area, I wouldn’t necessarily take that occurrence as saying
we’re going to see an increase in those type of events from this point on,” he said.
“Although, anytime you see all those ingredients come
together, we certainly could see that again.”
Soil conservation funding ‘deprioritized’ While there were no
deaths due to the storm in Chicago, a major dust storm that occurred in central Illinois on a portion of I-55 resulted in a multi-car pileup that took the lives of eight people and injured dozens more in May 2023.
That dust storm also dropped visibility to zero on the stretch of the interstate between Farmersville and Divernon, and was again caused by dry, loose soil being picked up and moved by winds.
Although Taylor said dust storms are not new to Illinois – as his office has documented events back to the 80s – most of the storms don’t move across vast expanses of the state. Instead, he said they often occur in more localized areas, like the storm near Divernon in 2023.
“When we’re seeing the
right weather-related factors coming together and the ground is fairly dry, which matches up with loose soil so we know we’re going to be more prone to blowing dust, we coordinate with partners in the agricultural community to determine when we might anticipate those blowing dusts events,” Taylor said.
The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts has been lobbying for increased funding for additional district employees. This year’s state budget allows for each district to staff one full-time employee, which AISWCD Executive Director Eliot Clay called “wildly inadequate” as he said each district needs at least two.
Pritzker
Three main factors contribute to the formation of Midwest dust storms: strong winds, dry soil in farm fields and large amounts of loose soil.
LOCAL AND AREA
Summer reading begins at Graves-Hume
MENDOTA – Join the Graves-Hume Public Library as it kicks off Week 1 of summer reading.
The first week of the summer reading program will run July 7-11.
On Monday, July 7, join the library at 3 p.m. for a viewing of two dinosaur-themed movies with “Dinosaur 13”, a 2014, PG-rated movie, 95 minutes) and at 5:30 p.m. for Jurassic Park, a 1993, PG-13-rated movie, 127 minutes in length.
On Wednesday, July 9, Graves-Hume
hosts Family Day with puzzles, crafts and open play inside from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
T-Rex Explorers will be at the library at 6 p.m. Friday, July 11 to explore dinosaur bones and fossils up close. This program is outside.
All programs are family focused with an open invitation for you to join all events. No separate registration is required. If a program is outside, please provide any seating for yourself. If rain is expected, the event will be moved indoors.
Spring Savings Subscription Match
Kishwaukee College to offer new bookkeeping certificate
MALTA – Kishwaukee College announced the creation of a new bookkeeping certificate, which will be available to students starting in the Fall 2025 semester.
The certificate is part of Kish’s Marketing and Management program and is designed for students seeking bookkeeping roles in various sectors, including government, education, non-profit, corporate and more. Students will learn the essential skills and knowledge required to manage records effectively.
“The bookkeeping certificate is a great way for students to learn the fundamental prin-
ciples of recording financial transactions,” said Jescelynne Gibbons, Associate Dean, Office of Instruction. “Overall, students earning this certificate can enhance their qualifications and improve career prospects in the financial sector.”
Based on feedback from the College’s Business Advisory Committee, Kish created the certificate to meet local workforce demand.According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2023 to 2033, there will be nearly 174,900 employment openings for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks.
The Bookkeeping certificate is 16 credit hours and can
be completed in one or two semesters. Courses will cover topics including financial and business accounting, accounting software like QuickBooks, and communication strategies in the workplace. The certificate is a stackable credential and can lead to the completion of an Associate in Applied Science degree in Marketing and Management. The Fall 2025 semester begins Monday,Aug. 18. To learn more about the bookkeeping certificate, contact Tammy Tiggelaar, Associate Professor of Business/Marketing/Management, at ttiggelaar@kish. edu or 815-825-9478.
Mendota fireworks brighten the sky on June 28
The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce put on yet another dazzling firework display in celebration of Fourth of July. This year, they were on Saturday, June 28 at Lake Mendota. (Reporter photo by Brandon LaChance)
Tracy Cooper, right, the executive director of the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry accepts a check for $75 from The Mendota Reporter’s Brandon LaChance. The check is from the Spring Savings Subscription Match where Reporter subscribers leave donations and the paper matches. (Photo courtesy of Grant Saylor)
LOCAL AND AREA
NCI ARTworks to announce exhibition winners on July 11
PERU – NCI ARTworks will announce the winners of the juried art exhibition at the opening reception for over 30 Emerging Artists on Friday, July 11 from 6-8 p.m. at NCI ARTworks Gallery at 400 Fifth St. in Peru.
The opening reception begins at 6 p.m. and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and People’s Choice Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. The opening reception is free, and all are welcome.
Artists throughout the Illinois Valley have submitted art pieces to be juried by NCI ARTworks for the July Emerging Artists’ Exhibit. Over 30 artists have been selected to present one-to-three pieces in the exhibit. There will also be a People’s Choice Award that friends, family, and patrons can vote for online https://
www.nciartworks.com/peoples-choice-votehere-for-your-favorite-artwork.html.
This will be a unique exhibit due to the wide variety of styles, from realism to abstract. Works are in acrylics, oils, photography, sculptures, and mixed media. Artists present a wide range of subjects from landscapes to portraiture and nature to architecture.
Artists include: Alice Tang Matthews, April Stevenson, Aubrey Siebert, Aurora Reed, Benjamin Fisher, Carol Crane, Danica Scoma, Gayle Ackerman, Gretchen Hauger, Heather Farrell, Jacob Stouffer, Joe Figgiani, Joey Lucas, John Fitzgerald, John Betken, Kayla Greenwell, Larisa Sarver, Laurie Innis, Lisa Marie Carlson, Lorena Malm, Lyle Newby,
Saint Bede unveils Fund-A-Need Project
PERU – St. Bede Acad -
emy is proud to announce the launch of its 2025 Fund-A-Need Project: Refectory Revival - One Table, Many Stories, which is aimed at restoring and modernizing one of the most cherished and historic spaces on campus - the refectory.
For generations, St. Bede’s refectory has been more than a dining hall. It has served as a central gathering place where students come together to share meals, form friendships and build lasting memories.
St. Bede aims to raise $230,000 for this project, which includes installation of two safety exit doors, tin ceiling refurbishment, 17 new windows, electrical and lighting upgrades, wall patching and painting, floor polishing and modern graphic details and window shades.
“This isn’t just a renovation project,” said Michel Massamba, Director of Mission Advancement & Major Gifts. “It’s an investment in the community and culture of St. Bede. The refectory is the heart of our campus, and we’re inviting our alumni, families and friends to help keep that
heart beating strong.”
The Fund-A-Need Project is being launched ahead of St. Bede’s 42nd Annual Auction, taking place on June 14. While a featured paddle raise initiative during the event, donors don’t need to wait until auction night to contribute. Gifts are being accepted now through the evening of the auction. Early contributions are encouraged and
will help build momentum toward reaching the fundraising goal. Gifts of all sizes are welcome to help fund this project. Donors who contribute $500 or more will receive an invitation to the Refectory Appreciation Party on Thursday, Dec. 11.
To learn more about the campaign or to make a gift, please visit www.st-bede. com/fundaneed-2025.
COMMUNITY MATTERS
Mary Jean Dzurisin, Morgan Phillips, Natalie Glynn, Natalie Zelman, Nikki Ranney, Paula Guttilla, Ro Grabow, Ryia Boaz, Samantha Joyce Blaskiewicz, Samuel Dickey, Sandra Rust, Sandra Velazquez, Stephanie Znaniecki, and Tammy Zellers.
The public is welcome to vote for their favorite pieces of art online at: https://www. nciartworks.com/peoples-choice-vote-herefor-your-favorite-artwork.html
The NCI ARTworks opening reception for the month-long Emerging Artists exhibition is free and all are welcome. More information about the event can be found at www. nciartworks.com.
NCI ARTworks is a regional arts agency,
a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the arts community in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties through artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. Its mission also is to create venues which support public and private education, community events, economic development, and cultural tourism. ARTworks’ vision is to foster communication between artists, arts organizations, and arts educators. NCI ARTworks is located in the Westclox ARTworks Center in the west wing of the Westclox building in Peru. The organization is supported, in part, by the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information visit www.nciartworks.com.
Princeton Library hosting a book sale July 17-18
PRINCETON – The Friends of the Princeton Public Library is hosting a summer book sale on Thursday, July 17 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday, July 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St. More than 6,000 quality used books in both hardcover and paperback are for sale. All books have been cleaned and sorted into over 30 categories for easy shopping. Included are current best sellers, cookbooks,
mysteries, children’s and young adult books, history books and science books. There will also be puzzles, CDs and DVDs for sale. The sale will be held in the Friends of the Library sale room. Patrons may enter through the front door of the library and follow the signs to the sale. All hardcover and children’s books will be located in the sale room. Paperbacks, puzzles, CDs and DVDs will be in the adjoining area of the library.
LaSalle County Health Dept. launches free Residential Sharps Disposal Program for residents
OTTAWA – LaSalle County Health Department is launching the Residential Sharps Disposal Program to provide residents with a free and easy way to dispose of medical needles. This program is funded through a grant received from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Residential Sharps Collection Program.
The sharps disposal program aims to make sharps disposal easy and accessible for our county residents. The initial launch provides two 24-hour accessible drop off kiosk locations in the county at the LaSalle County Health
Department 717 E. Etna Road, Ottawa, and the LaSalle County Forensic Center, 520 W. Walnut St., Oglesby. These kiosks will accept standard Sharps containers. This program will not accept sharps from businesses.
Residents may pick up sharps collection containers by visiting the LaSalle County Health Department (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) or the LaSalle County Forensic Center (8 a.m.-4 p.m.), Monday through Friday.
The sharps containers are quart size and can hold about 36 one cc syringes, the most common needle size. Residents should insert the sharps point-first into the container and secure the lid. Residents may dispose of the sealed sharps container at either kiosk at their convenience. If you are using a personal container and your container does not fit into the kiosk, please drop off your secured container at LaSalle County Health Department during normal business hours. Both the sharp container and disposal are free to residents, and no appointment is necessary. For questions, please contact the LaSalle County Health Department at 815-433-3366 or the LaSalle County Forensic Center at 815-434-8268.
OBITUARIES/LOCAL NEWS
Andrea L. Goth
OGLESBY – Andrea “Andy”
Lynn Goth, 54 of Oglesby, formerly of Mendota, passed away at home on June 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Visitation was Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mendota, from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass at noon with Fr. Gregory Nelson officiating. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota.
Andy was born on July 7, 1970, to Richard L. and Janet (nee Auchstetter/Dewey) Becker. She married her rock and forever love of her life, Michael Goth, on July 12, 1997, and had two wonderful sons, Nicolas and Nathan, and adored her four-legged fur baby, Layla.
Andy is survived by her husband, Mike, of 28 years; sons, Nicolas and Nathan; her mother, Janet Becker of Mendota; her brothers, Doug (Jodie) Dewey of Bloomington, Bryon (Anne) Becker of Elmhurst, Eric Becker of Princeton, and Pat (Kelly) Becker of Mendota; many nieces and nephews; and one great niece.
Andy was preceded in death by her father, Richard L. Becker in 2016; paternal grandparents, Robert and Sue (nee Baird) Becker and maternal grandparents Anthony and Mary (nee Thompson) Auchstetter.
Andy grew up in Mendota and attended Holy Cross Grade School, Mendota High School, and graduated from Illinois State University in Normal. She worked at Grundy Bank in Morris and LaSalle State Bank. Later she went to Deer Park School and was a bookkeeper. Most recently Andy worked at Waltham Elementary School in Utica. This is where she found her passion as a Paraprofessional. Her position there touched her life not only working with the students but the amazing staff as well. Andy enjoyed gardening, canning, camping and spending time with family and friends.
Pall bearers will be her four brothers, Doug Dewey, Bryon Becker, Eric Becker, Pat Becker, and Eric Anderson, Jeff Fogle, Jamie King and Randy Vincent.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Holy Cross Church or Waltham Elementary Education Fund (WEEF) and would be appreciated.
DEATH NOTICES
Eric P. Walzer
LaMOILLE – Eric Paul Walzer, 50, of LaMoille, passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer on June 22, 2025, at home surrounded by his loved ones.
Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Horner-Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. The funeral service was at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 27, at the Horner-Merritt Funeral Home with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Interment followed at Restland Cemetery in Mendota.
Eric was born Oct. 24, 1974, to Gary Walzer and Linda (Brennan) Walzer in Mendota.
He is survived by his parents; three children, Erika (Christian) Kleckner, Hunter Walzer, and Tobi Walzer, along with their mothers Tasha Kelly and Dawn Neidetcher; his long-time partner and fiancee Christina (Rivera) Smith along with her four children, (Angelica, Emilia, Lola, and Dax); grandson, Olsen Kleckner, as well as three step-grandchildren Silas, Nora, and Mabel; step-sister, Emily (Christman) Kelly; nephews, Kyle Walzer and Ryder Kelly; and niece, Chelsi Kelly. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Toby Walzer, and his step-mother, Traci (Williams) Walzer.
Eric was a true outdoorsman. If you were looking for him, you would most likely find him on a boat trying to catch some fish (keyword: trying), usually with his best friend, Wayne Reutner. If not on the water, Eric would be on some kind of machine: a Harley, four-wheeler, skidsteer, you name it. He liked to stay busy. He loved taking trips to Wisconsin and often spoke of his memories at Grandma and Grandpa Walzer’s cabin in Adams-Friendship. He played hard, but he worked hard too. While he was a jack of most trades, concrete was his specialty. Over the years he worked for several companies, even starting his own, but proudly ended his career with his long-time friend, Pat Escatel.
He was truly loved and will be greatly missed.
Please visit www.horner-merritt.com to sign the online guest book.
Greg A. Truckenbrod
MENDOTA – Greg A. Truckenbrod, 52, formerly of Mendota, passed away with his wife on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
Cremation care has been provided by the Horner-Merritt Funeral Home. Memorial visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Horner-Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota.
Greg was born Oct. 17, 1972, in Mendota, the son of Jerald and Elsie (Hall) Truckenbrod. He married Rosemarie Martin on May 18, 2025, in Alaska.
Greg is survived by two children, Mikkel Truckenbrod and Aaron Truckenbrod of Florida; his father, Jerald Truckenbrod of DeKalb; three siblings, George (Alan) Truckenbrod of Mendota, Rhonda (Tim) Schultz of DeKalb, and Renee Truckenbrod of Sheridan; several nephews; and the mother of his children, Wendy Truckenbrod.
Greg is preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Truckenbrod. Greg was a 1990 graduate of Mendota Township High School. He proudly served in the United States Navy for three years. Greg struggled with MS his entire life while still working a variety of jobs throughout his career. He was a friendly guy with a great sense of humor who was always joking around. He had a big heart and was always willing to help out in any way he could. He was quite the handyman. Greg loved to travel through the United States.
Contributions in Greg’s name may be directed to an autism awareness foundation of the donor’s choice or the National MS Society. Please visit www.horner-merritt.com to sign the online guest book.
Linda Spenader
MENDOTA – Linda (Biehl) Spenader, 85, of Mendota, went home to Jesus on June 27, 2025. Visitation service will be from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 2 at Horner-Merritt Funeral Home with the funeral following at Restland Cemetery.
Social Security News
Are you age 70 or older and not yet receiving benefits?
The Mendota Reporter will print DEATH NOTICES (approximately 50 words including name, age, date of death, time/date of services) free of charge. OBITUARIES will be printed at a cost of $100 to be billed to the arranging funeral home or prepaid with cash, check or credit card. Please submit obituaries or death notices to editor@mendotareporter.com.
For further information, please contact Morizzo Funeral Home at 847.752.6444. The family also invites you to visit www.morizzofuneralhome.com to share a memory or sign the guest book. Don’t miss out on
By Mike Weitl PERU
– Retirement is not one-size-fits-all. It can mean different things to different people. Perhaps you have not applied for Social Security retirement benefits because you’re still working or are delaying applying so you can get a higher benefit. If you’re age 70 or older, you should apply now for the benefits you’re owed. Your benefits will not increase if you continue to delay applying for them because you are 70 or older.
Did you know that you can receive benefits even if you still work? Your earnings can increase your monthly benefit amount – even after you start receiving benefits. Each year that you work, we check your earnings record. It’s possible your latest year of earnings is one of your highest 35 years. If so, we will automatically recalculate your benefit amount and pay you any increase due.
The best and easiest way to apply for your benefits is
with a personal my Social Security account. You can create your free account at www. ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you create your account, you can get an estimate of how much you might receive each month based on when you want to start receiving benefits and then apply.
In your account, you can also:
• Access publications –like our fact sheet for workers ages 70 and up at www.ssa. gov/myaccount/assets/materials/workers-70andup.pdf.
• Learn about benefits for your spouse and family members.
• Manage your benefits once you start receiving them.
We’re here to help you secure today and tomorrow and we invite you to learn more about applying for retirement benefits at www. ssa.gov/apply. Please share this information with those who need it.
(Weitl is the Social Security District Manager in Peru.)
Linda was born on Dec. 17, 1939, to Howard and Marjorie Biehl. On June 28, 1958, Spenader married her soulmate, Alan Spenader.
She grew up in Hinckley and graduated from Hinckley High School. When her alma mater was mentioned, she would sing the Hinckley school song. The family home was filled with love with her parents and six siblings: Sharon Nurnberg, Jerry Biehl, Steve Biehl, David Larsen, Debbie Larsen and Dawn Goldman.
Along with her husband, Linda will be greatly missed by their children, son, Mark (Donna) Spenader and daughters, Sally (Jerry) Hanson and Shari (Jon) Allen.
Some of her greatest moments in life came from the joy of being a grandmother to Chrystal, Hollie, Dougie, John, Becca, Evan, Connor and Claire. She also has 15 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Linda loved playing the role of “Secret Santa,” going to their baseball games, recitals and school outings.
Linda had many jobs as she worked in the Mendota High School cafeteria and drove a school bus for many years. She worked at Plano Molding for a few years until her daughter Shari opened a craft store, Village Square Crafts, in downtown Mendota. She also worked at Country Kid Home Daycare with her daughter Sally. To this day, some of the children still affectionately call her grandma Linda.
Spenader loved crafts and sewing, but her favorite activities were with her family. She even hiked the Grand Canyon, at 64, to be included in the family backpacking trip.
Throughout her life, she attended many churches. New Life Evangelical Church was a meaningful time of her life as she was very involved in Sunday school and vacation bible school programs. Linda joined whatever committees she was needed for. It was there she gave her life to Jesus and made a lifetime commitment.
She is now with Jesus, her sister Sharon Nurnberg and her grandson Doug Wagner in heaven.
LOCAL AND AREA
Soil
Continued from Page A1 something I’ve been trying to wrap my head around, and I have not gotten a good explanation from anybody.”
“I really, honestly think conservation funding has been deprioritized,” he said. What do soil and water conservation districts do?
Soil and water conservation districts began to crop up across the U.S. in the late 1930s as a response to the Dust Bowl and Congress’ subsequent declaration of soil and water conservation as a national priority. According to the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, that declaration prompted then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt to recommend legislation to state lawmakers that would enact districts in every state.
Illinois has 97 districts, or nearly one district for every county in the state. Employees of the districts are responsible for a variety of tasks – including assessing farmland, educating farmers about conservation practices and connecting farmers with grants from the state and federal government. These all play a key role in the association’s mission of protecting Illinois’ natural resources.
“Unlike a group like the Department of Natural Resources or the EPA or even the Department of Agriculture, SWCDs are not a regulatory body,” Clay said. “We are not going out there and enforcing rules and laws on people, we’re just trying to help farmers do better. And that’s the reason why a lot of farmers rely on SWCDs, is because they do not see us as like, the ‘government’ coming in and telling them, ‘this is how you’re going to do your operation.’” Soil conservation funding stagnates
The fiscal year 2026 budget signed by Gov. JB Pritzker last week allots
$7.5 million to the state’s SWCDs – that’s a $1 million overall cut from the previous year, although funding for operations remained level. Funding had already been cut by $4 million total in fiscal year 2025.
Of that $7.5 million, $3 million will go to cost-share grants, which act as reimbursements to farmers for the costs of implementing both state and federal conservation policies, such as cover crops. The remaining $4.5 million will go to administrative costs.
Clay said the breakdown of that $4.5 million provides $40,000 to each Soil and Water Conservation district – meaning that every district will have enough funds to pay one full-time employee. He called the salary “wildly inadequate” for the district employees, most of whom have college degrees.
“$40,000 – and that’s supposed to include benefits, so their take-home is less than that – is barely enough, I mean I would say it’s not enough even for one person” Clay said. “And it’s hard to keep people and incentivize people to come to work when there’s not the kind of money there that there should be.”
In addition, Clay said each district needs two full-time employees to be fully-staffed – one to make on-site visits to farms and one to coordinate schedules, receive phone calls and emails, and staff the office.
He said in recent years, the association was told by both the Department of Agriculture and the governor’s office that if they wanted more funding, they would have to advocate for the money to individual lawmakers outside of budget negotiations.
“I don’t know of any other agency or subsect of an agency that has to, on their own, go to the Capitol and get money,” he said. “That’s very peculiar to me and is
The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Over the past two years, Clay said the association unsuccessfully lobbied for $10.5 million in annual funding.
“The bigger question I’m left with after being the executive director over the past six months and witnessing it from this angle is, what does the legislature and the administration value?” Clay said. “It really gets to bigger questions about how the state has dealt with conservation funding in general for the last 20plus years.”
Soil conservation efforts and farming practices
Kevin Brooks, a commercial agriculture educator at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said the agriculture community has identified practices farmers can use to reduce the amount of dry, loose topsoil in their fields.
“Measuring the humidity level as a cause is not the issue,” Brooks said in an interview with Capitol News Illinois. “I won’t say it’s not 100% not about the weather, but this is primarily about tillage.”
One suggestion he made was for farmers to till their fields less frequently and instead resort to strip-tilling or using no-till strategies whenever possible to reduce the amount of loose topsoil in fields.
Strip-till is a tilling practice where only narrow rows of a field where seeds will be planted are tilled, leaving the rest of the field untouched. While there are many short- and long-term benefits to strip-tilling, no-till practices often don’t seem to benefit farmers right away but do often have long-term advantages, Brooks said.
Rep. Charles Meier, R-Okawville, farms 1,500 acres in southern Illinois with his family, including corn, wheat, beans, hay, and beef cattle. He said most crops are already minimally tilled by farmers.
“I’m 66 years old and we never no-tilled when I was a kid,” he told Capitol News Illinois. “All of our conventional soybeans are no-tilled now, all of our wheat is done by minimal-till, and our corn is all by minimal-till now.”
He said he’s in frequent contact with his SWCD, and criticized Democratic leadership’s funding priorities, such as subsidies for renewable energy.
“They’re not funding the nuts and bolts of Illinois conservation,” Meier said. “I’m not against wind and solar but they don’t pay for themselves and they’re making us taxpayers pay for them.”
Another main practice Brooks recommended farmers employ was planting cover crops, which are crops planted after harvest not for their produce, but for their benefits to the soil. Cover crops can be planted after a fall harvest for a variety of benefits, including to preserve topsoil through the winter, increase organic matter in the soil and dry the field earlier in the spring.
Brooks also attributed recent dust storms to the invention of high-speed discs – a tillage attachment with many more disks than normal tillage attachments, which tills at faster rates. He said these disks have taken tillage speeds from around 4 mph to over 10, and that farmers in Illinois quickly amassed these machines during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the pandemic relief funds they received.
“In theory, they’re supposed to be a kind of conservation because they don’t go into the ground very deep,” Brooks said. “But they literally turn the top several inches of a farm field into powder.”
Dust storm driving tips
Andy Taylor, from the National Weather Service, recommended safety tips for drivers who find themselves caught in a dust storm.
“If you’re caught in dust with extremely low visibility, the advice is to pull completely off the road, turn off your heads and take your foot off the brake,” he said. “Which may sound kind of counterintuitive in a way, but the reason for doing that is because if you have your lights on, people coming into the dust may think you’re moving. They may see your taillights and think ‘Oh look, someone I can follow’ and that may exacerbate accidents and pileups.”
He also advised drivers who know there is risk of a potential dust storm to travel ahead of the storm or to delay travel until later in the day, if possible.
(Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.)
Summer cookout cost is nearly unchanged from ‘24
By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek
Families celebrating the Fourth of July will still face high grocery bills, with prices down an average of just 30 cents from last year’s record, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 marketbasket survey.
This year’s Independence Day cookout for 10 people is expected to cost $70.92, or about $7.09 per person — the second-highest total since AFBF began tracking prices in 2013. While the survey doesn’t include every possible holiday food item, it offers a snapshot of what families are paying this summer.
“Inflation and lower availability of some food items continue to keep prices stubbornly high for America’s families,” said AFBF Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub.
The survey includes cookout staples such as cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream. Prices rose for ground beef, potato salad and canned pork and beans, while pork chops, chips and hamburger buns saw slight declines.
Two pounds of ground beef now cost $13.33, up 4.4% from last year. Pork and beans are up 20 cents to $2.69, and potato salad rose 6.6% to $3.54.
Several factors influence these increases, reflecting the sort of challenges farmers regularly face. Fewer cattle are available for processing, which is affecting supplies. Steel and aluminum tariffs mean increased prices on canned goods. Egg prices — important
for potato salad — remain elevated, though they’ve dropped from earlier record highs as flocks recover from avian influenza.
“As we turn to celebrate the Fourth of July in Illinois communities and at home, I’m proud of the work Illinois farmers do to continue to provide a safe, abundant, nutritious food supply for consumers,” Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan said.
“It is also important to remember that higher grocery store prices don’t necessarily mean that farmers are benefiting. We are price takers, not price makers.”
Farmers’ share of the food retail dollar is only 15%, while the cost of running their farm is up, from labor and transportation to taxes, Ayoub said.
Six cookout staples did show a price reduction, including a 3-pound package of pork chops, which is down 8.8% from last year, at $14.13, as well as chips averaging $4.80 a bag, a dime less than 2024 and hamburger buns are 2.6% less expensive, at $2.35.
The amount of pork available to stores is up, which is pushing prices down, and demand for potatoes has eased, helping bring down the cost of chips. Additionally, wheat prices are still much lower than record highs of three years ago, contributing to the slight decrease in the cost of buns.
(This story was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com.)
“Those people
meetings, begging to be red pilled, saying, ‘We’re not gonna vote for Democrats
anymore.’ It’s time for us to engage with a group of people that we thought were solid blue, but they’ve shown us recently that they share our values,” Trussell said “They want to join us in this effort to defeat J.B. Pritzker and everyone in Springfield.”
Pritzker
Continued from Page A1 beat Pritzker, Trussell said Republicans can’t wait until three months before the election to campaign in Chicago.
have been showing up at City Hall
OPINION
Award-winning Newspaper IPA/NINA Ill. Press Assoc./No. Ill. Newspaper Assoc.
Kip Cheek, Managing Editor Brandon LaChance, News Reporter Jennifer Robinson, Office Manager
Opinions expressed on this page are those of the writer or artist. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Reporter management or staff.
Letters to the editor should be typed or handprinted. They should also be brief. All letters must contain a name, address and telephone number. The editor reserves the right to publish, condense, revise or reject any submissions.
It can be hard to decide what to watch on the TV when the family is sitting in the living room.
The number of Pandora stations, Spotify playlists or different Sirius channels summoned in a family trip to the local grocery store could rival the different number of lottery digit combinations. Forever let the odds be with you.
Same could be said when it comes to deciding what’s for dinner, where to go to for a summer vacation, which gift card to get grandma and grandpa for Christmas or what kind of animal should be the family pet, if one is brought into the home at all.
It’s OK to be different Never the Last Chance
By Brandon LaChance
The reason all of these questions could become conundrums or a reason for a brother and sister to give each other dirty looks or a wife to tell a husband, ‘You’re in the doghouse’ is because we are all different. It doesn’t matter if the same blood cells flow through each other’s bodies or eye hues, cheek bones structures or nose size are shared, likes and dislikes for each person are different.
Sure, there could be a similarity here and there such as comedy movies are favored over other genres, you and your sister are Swifties or WWE Raw is the entire family’s desired program on Mondays.
But there will be differences.
In the room I’m in right now, as I’m typing this, three others just left after we were talking about music preferences. I, of course, will always say Lil’ Wayne is my GOAT (greatest of all time), while another’s favorite band is Band of Horses and the two younger individuals like rock or pop music, and newer options.
When it comes to wrestling, one loves Seth Rollins and another Logan Paul, while my favorite for the last 15 years has been CM Punk. We may bicker or yell at each other when another’s favorite is doing well or whooping on our favorite.
Kevin Hart is funny to one, while others think he’s annoying.
Pepperoni is a favorite to a few, while others would rather eat all veggies on a pizza.
The tricky talent to handling these difficult decisions, which are life and/or death, is understanding and compromise.
First, everyone has to understand there are a million options for everything in our society because we all have different likes and we all don’t have to be the same. No one has to do the same thing as someone else or like something the other person does, just because they do, but we have to understand and appreciate the fact they’re allowed to have their opinions and their set of trends, style and taste buds.
In a weird but actual way, this is what veterans of the American military have fought for in different wars and world issues. For all of us to be free and be who we want to be. Although it may start a war in a household of different loves and hates, these debates have to be understood and tended to with compassion.
Even when you think they’re insane they think Lil’ Wayne’s voice is annoying, but they love Bob Dylan.
Comprise is the other remedy.
Without being able to change one’s opinion unless they want to, which is another strong factor of being free and your own person, you’re never going to make them like what you like.
So, instead of forcing them, let the admiration and realization something or someone they may not have cared before, creep in. Don’t give them the listen to this or else, or the there isn’t anything else to eat because I licked it all (which I may have told my sister when I was younger), it’s about the give and take.
One Lil’ Wayne song for one Dylan song.
One Adam Sandler movie for one Bill Murray movie.
Just try one slice of pepperoni pizza for one veggie tale.
Each bit of compromise and understanding will show your family members, friends, or others, you love them, appreciate who they are, while showing them who you are.
Everyone wins.
The conundrum becomes a loving lesson with music, movies, food and anything else that tickles your fancy.
And the fancy of those around you.
Mendota City Officials
MAYOR
David Boelk, 803 Meadowview Drive, .........815-538-3924 CITY CLERK
Emily McConville, 1404 Ben Mar Ave., .......815-539-7459
FIRST WARD ALDERMEN
James Fitzpatrick, 807 Pennsylvania Ave., ...815-538-2474
John Hessenberger, 1406 Hillcrest Drive, .....815-539-9934
SECOND WARD ALDERMEN
John Holland, 902 West Lawn, ......................815-528-5367
Leo Hochstatter, 1102 S. Park Ave., ..............630-841-1315
THIRD WARD ALDERMEN
Kyle Kim, 504 First Ave., ..............................815-538-2414
Jay Miller, 702 First Ave., ..............................757-412-9374
FOURTH WARD ALDERMEN
Mark Peasley, 2111 Cedar Ave., ....................815-252-7243
Vicki Johnson, 206 Ninth St., ........................815-866-5558
James Strouss named acting mayor – 1987
(The following is from Jessica Nashold’s Backtracks & Sidetracks column reprinted from July 2, 1997.)
By Jessica Nashold
Ten years ago today, July 2, 1987, the city council held a special meeting and named Third Ward alderman James Strouss acting mayor. The resignation of Mayor James Troupis had become effective on July 1. This was not Alderman Strouss’s first experience as acting mayor. He had served in that capacity from February 1983 to May 1985, following the resignation of Mayor Ken Roling. Roling had resigned when a change in his employment appeared imminent, which would have involved a change in residence. Although this situation altered, the resignation could not be withdrawn. Now, in 1987, Strouss had a clear view of city affairs and went on record to state his goal of getting all city departments to work together. He favored Troupis-initiated programs including the Enterprise Zone, the TIF District and Community Development Action. Although he was dissolving the Troupis advisory committee, he planned to retain other committees until August.
Strouss said he would name a police chief by the first council meeting in August. He expressed concern about a $250,000 cost overrun for the Mendota Civic Center and intended to make it one of the first matters he addressed.
At the regular council meeting on July 6, 1987, three Plan Commission members resigned – Marge Carroll, Jim Wade and Robin Childers. Strouss appointed Jim Poisel and said he would name additional Plan Commission members by July 20.
A Tax Increment Finance district commission was established to administer allocation of revenue from the district. Serving with Strouss on this commission were Jack Kellen, Greg Gromann and Paul Norris; Shirlean Hackman representing the Chamber of Commerce; Morris Morgan, representing Mendota High School District; James Basala, representing Mendota Elementary District. Persons to represent Mendota and Troy Grove townships were yet to be named.
Although Strouss was now acting mayor, he continued to serve as alder-
Backtracks & Sidetracks
man of the Third Ward. He received the mayoral salary as alderman.
***
Mendota athletes attended a Western Illinois University basketball camp and ran up a score of 10 wins and five losses. In tournament play they were 3-0. The players were Steve Hanson, Geoff Bond, Troy Sheridan, Brian Schmidt, Scott Aughenbaugh, Jeff O’Sadnick, Colby Sawin, Kyle Schoenholz and Chris Howe. Their coach, Mike Kilmartin, had this to say –We learned we can play with any team of our enrollment size and physical size.
***
Beryl Becker found an old ledger dated 1857-1868 wedged between the studs of an old house he was remodeling. The ledger was for a general store, Frary & Howard in LaMoille, and listed sales of groceries, clothing, shoes, hardware, lamp oil and coal to customers living in the LaMoille area. The find was particularly timely as LaMoille was preparing to celebrate its sesquicentennial.
***
At the First State Bank parking lot, movies were shown on Thursday evenings “when it was dark enough.” On July 9, 1987, the feature was “Three Stooges in Orbit” and on July 16, “Pink Panther Strikes Again.” Square dancing with audience participation was an added attraction. There was no charge for the movies, but pop and popcorn were for sale. It was hoped the free shows would encourage Thursday night shopping.
***
Raymond Blaydes, 1004 Chicago St., received the Men’s Garden Club July Garden of the Month Award. He said in some past years the area had been flooded, but now –The new lake has been controlling the run-off.
***
Tri-County Veterinary Service opened in the former Dayton Dairy
building at 1215 Sixth Ave. Drs. Wayne Brown and Dwight Becker also conducted a clinic in Earlville.
***
The National Bank of Mendota featured its seven full-time tellers in its July 8, 1987, advertising. Pictures were included. The tellers were Dolores Jones, Margaret Blackwell, Kathie Jackson, Donna Karstens, Connie Volkert, Margaret Rosales and Annette Truckenbrod.
***
Advance notice was given that the 9-1-1 emergency system would be in effect for all 538 and 539 exchanges on Aug. 1, 1987. Do not use for house checks, dog complaints, locked car doors or lost animals. The 9-1-1 number was to be used only in true emergencies.
***
A competition in Sidewalk Chalk was conducted by the children’s department at Graves Public Library. The contest was in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and drew 71 young artists in a number of age groups. The sidewalks in Veterans Park were covered with the entries.
***
Six drivers for the Mendota Farmers Coop were recognized for their safety records: Rick Joerger and Duane Fassig, five years; Richard Warren, Scott Zinke and Mark Dinges, four years; Don Gehant, two years.
***
An age discrimination suit was filed against Interstate Brands Corp., owners of Dolly Madison shops. Two Mendota clerks, one 62 and one 55, had been replaced by younger employees. They sought reinstatement, and should that not be possible, continued salary with fringe benefits until they attained the age of 70. The plaintiffs also asked that attorney’s fees be reimbursed.
***
Complaints about high summer rates for electricity drew a response. The Illinois Commerce Commission approved high summer rates to discourage excessive use of air conditioning. Customers using less than 400 kilowatt hours will not notice any difference.
The rioter’s white hood
By Rich Lowry
Who is that masked man? Well, there’s a chance he’s an antisemitic rioter.
New York City and other jurisdictions are debating mask bans after face-coverings have become associated with acts of mayhem committed by people who hope to avoid recognition and evade criminal responsibility.
The most iconic image of the L.A. riots involves a man on a dirt bike waving a Mexican flag ... in a mask.
It’s no surprise that he was wearing a mask. At this point, failing to wear a mask when engaging in lawless activity is a major faux pas. It’s like wearing white before Memorial Day or showing up at L.A.’s upscale restaurant 71Above in flip-flops.
Embattled New York City mayor Eric Adams has been emphatic that there needs to be a return to the broad ban on masks that was repealed during the pandemic (the state just passed a more limited measure creating enhanced penalties for people wearing masks to conceal their identities while committing crimes).
The meaning of the mask has changed in recent years. Prior to COVID-19, wearing a surgical mask in public likely meant someone had a compromised immune system; during COVID-19, it usually meant someone was complying with the pandemic rules and associated social pressure; after COVID-19, it tends to indicate either someone is too neurotic to give up pandemic-era practices -- or wants to harass Jews or throw rocks at the cops.
In an era of ubiquitous facial reconciliation technology, a face mask is a bid to foil efforts by police to track down after the fact those who committed criminal acts. It’s not a get-outof-jail card -- masked rioters are sometimes arrested on the spot -- but it’s a layer of protection for the person hoping to break or burn something and melt away without consequence.
This is why prior to COVID-19 masks outside of a medical context tended to have a negative connotation in the popular imagination. The Lone Ranger was the exception that proved
the rule. Otherwise, the masked man was going to hold up the stagecoach, rob a bank or burn a cross on someone’s lawn.
A 1990 Georgia Supreme Court ruling upholding a mask ban said, “A nameless, faceless figure strikes terror in the human heart.”
Certainly, after seeing what’s gone down on the streets after the killing of George Floyd and on the campuses since Oct. 7, everyone should be on edge when encountering masked protestors. If nothing else, it’s not reassuring when people are afraid of being associated with their own cause, or the means with which they are going to agitate for it.
New York first banned masks in the 1840s in response to protesters harassing landlords. Later, in the 20th century, states prohibited face coverings to address the depredations of the KKK.
The bans were either not enforced or repealed during covid. Masks went from being a symbol of outlaw behavior to becoming the sine qua non of good citizenship according to Dr. Fauci and other public-health authorities. The snugly fitted N95, or even better, an elastomeric respirator with replaceable filters, showed a heroic commitment to your own health and the well-being of others.
The clashing perspectives of the last two governors of New York indicate how the debate on masks has turned. ThenGov. Andrew Cuomo in 2020 urged protesters to mask up. “You have a right to demonstrate,” he declared, “You don’t have a right to infect other people.” Cuomo’s successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul, went in the opposite direction after seeing masked protestors menace Jewish riders on the subway last year. She came out in favor of restricting masks and supports the watered-down change recently passed by the legislature. With a long, hot summer in the offing, the issue won’t go away in New York, or anywhere else. The mask is now part of the kit of rioters, as useful, indispensable and emblematic as a Klansman’s white hood. Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review. (c) 2025 by King Features Synd., Inc.
Mendota Elks names essay winners, Teen of Year
MENDOTA – Each year
the Mendota Elks Lodge hosts an Americanism essay contest where students can write an essay that answers that year’s topic. This year the topic was “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me.” The top three advance on to the District competition. Then the top three from the District advance to the State level. This year’s winners are:
6th Grade Mendota Elks Lodge Winners – 1st place, Ally Tillman, Holy Cross; 2nd place, Brooklyn Mauch, Holy Cross; 3rd place, Paul Hochstatter, Holy Cross
6th Grade Great Northwest District Winners – 1st place, Brooklyn Mauch, Holy Cross; 2nd place, Paul Hochstatter, Holy Cross; 3rd place, Ally Tillman, Holy Cross
Each month the Mendota Elks Lodge selects one male and one female from the senior students that are nominated from the local high schools to be the Teen of the Month. At the end of the year these schools nominate one male and one female for the Mendota Elks Teen of the Year. The lodge winners then compete at the district level and if a winner moves to the state level. This year’s winners are:
September – Dessa Komitas, Mendota High School, and Nathan Siri, Bureau Valley High School
October – Jillian Anderson, Ohio High School, and Gavin Pinter, Princeton High School
November – Shelby Bentley, Mendota High
Above left, Mendota Elks sixth grade essay
winner Ally Tillman with Exalted Ruler Dessa Collings. Right, Mendota Elks Exalted Ruler Dessa Collings with Nathan Siri, winner of Teen of the Month (September), Mendota Elks Lodge Teen of the Year, Great Northwest District Teen of the Year and 1st place Illinois Elks Teen of the Year.
School, and Cade Odell, Princeton High School
December – Izabella Birkey, Bureau Valley High School, and Landon Hulsing, Bureau Valley High School
January – Aiden Besler, Bureau Valley High School,
and Samantha Woolley, Princeton High School
February – Elin Workman, Princeton High School, and Kaleb Workman, Bureau Valley High School
Mendota Elks Teens of the Year – Samantha Woolley, Princeton High School,
and Nathan Siri, Bureau Valley High School Great Northwest District Teen of the Year – Nathan Siri, Bureau Valley High School Illinois Elks Teen of the Year – 1st place, Nathan Siri, Bureau Valley High School
Stage 212’s ‘Legally Blonde’ scheduled for three weekends in July
LaSALLE – Stage 212’s summer musical, “Legally Blonde,” by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach, is so much fun, it should be illegal! Based on the adored 2001 cult classic film, “Legally Blonde” chronicles the transformation of Elle Woods, through memorable songs and dynamic dances, as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.
“Legally Blonde” will be presented July 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27 at Stage 212, 700 First St., LaSalle. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are available to the general public for $22 each and may be purchased by visiting the box office Monday 4-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.noon or by calling 815-224-3025 during those hours. Tickets may also be pur-
chased online by visiting stage212.org.
Elle’s life is turned upside down when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her to attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school, and there, she struggles with peers, professors, and her ex. With the support of some new friends, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
Appearing in the cast are Nora Maier as Margot Chapman, Olivia Bergfeld as Serena McGuire, Aliha Diaz as Pilar Moore, Serena Rogers as Elle Woods, Eric Masini as Warner Huntington III, Fredrick Davis as Emmett Forrest, Elizabeth Raiter as Enid Hoops, Ashley Hurst as Vivienne Kensington, Reid Tomasson as Professor Callahan, Megan Zomboracz as Paulette Buonufonte and Jaime Parks as Brooke Taylor-Wyndham.
The featured ensemble includes Austin Allbert, Douglas Alleman, Forrest Boes, James Hoehn, Lauryn Barla, Sydney Ganskop, Lainey Johns, Ivy Soens and Emma Woulfe. The ensemble includes Susan Hagerty, Spencer Kain, Nathan Leffers and Nina Leffers.
Production staff includes director/ vocal director Kevin J Alleman, producer Victoria Duttlinger, choreographer Hanna Pohar, assistant choreographer Ivy Soens, production assistant Ella Johns, stage manager Jenn Masini and crew members Mary Craven and Ariana Lesman.
“Legally Blonde” contains occasional strong language and sexual innuendo.
“Legally Blonde” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
town Hall in
DIXON - State Representative Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) has announced his 2025 Summer Tour events for July.
The tour consists of coffee & conversation events and town halls held on most Wednesdays from through Aug. 27. Coffee & conversation events will all be held at locally-owned coffee shops and restaurants.
Fritts will hold a town hall event on Wednesday, July 16 from 6-7 p.m. at the Paw Paw Community Center, 362 Chicago Rep. Brad Fritts to hold
Mendota Elks sixth grade essay
winners Brooklyn Mauch, left, and Paul Hochstatter, with Exalted Ruler Dessa Collings. (Photos contributed)
POLICE BLOTTER
2 CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC BATTERY
Elijah R. Carter, 24, of 1005 Sixth Ave., Mendota, and Kyla M. Rowe, 20, of 1005 Sixth Ave., Mendota, were charged with domestic battery after police officers responded to the report of a disturbance in the 1000 block of Sixth Avenue at 10:30 a.m. June 24. Both subjects were transported to the LaSalle County jail.
WARRANT ARREST
Jacob B. Wheeler, 32, of Spring Valley, was arrested at 10:19 p.m. June 24 on a Bureau County warrant for failure to appear/domestic battery, after a traffic stop at Fifth Street and Fifth Avenue. The subject was transported to the Bureau County jail.
DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED
Blake M. Stamberger, 25, of 328 Zimmerman Road, Mendota, was charged with driving while license suspended after a traffic stop at U.S. 34 and First Avenue at 2:28 a.m. June 27. The subject was released with a LaSalle County court date.
GARAGE SALES & NOTICES
Be aware of bicyclists on roadway
July 3
July 5
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Misc. household, tools, books, textiles, collectibles, costume jewelry, vintage, few antiques, artworks. 1t27r
MENDOTA – The Mendota Police Department urges motorists to pay attention, be alert for bikes and share the road. MPD urges bicyclists to be predictable and observe traffic laws. Your actions affect public opinion.
Illinois Bicycle Laws Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles. Bicyclists riding on a highway are granted all of the rights and are subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, with few exceptions.
Lane Positioning – When riding on roadways and bicycle paths at less than normal traffic speed, ride as close as practicable and safe to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, ex-
cept, when overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or, when preparing for a left turn, or, when reasonably necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, motorized pedal cycles, pedestrians, animals and surface hazards.
Lights on Bicycles – For night riding, a front lamp with a white light visible from at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector on
the rear visible from 100 feet to 600 feet are required. A rear light visible from 500 feet may be used in addition to the red reflector.
Two or More on a Bike – Bicycles shall not be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped, except that an adult rider may carry a child securely attached to his person in a backpack device or sling.
Parental Responsibility –The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize the child or ward to violate any of the provision of this code.
The Mendota Police Department encourages bicyclists to wear a helmet for protection against head injuries. Grass clippings, etc. in streets No person shall throw, place or leave, or cause or permit to be thrown, placed or left, any ashes, dirt, filth or rubbish, grass clippings, or foreign matter in or upon any street, alley or sidewalk of the City of Mendota. Penalty: Any person violating this section shall be subject to the penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $500. Imposition of any penalty for a
HOME IMPROVEMENT
that may need to be replaced.
Signs an AC unit may need to be replaced
Summer is a season of relaxation. Warm air, longer hours of daylight and vacations from school and work make summer a laid back time of year.
Many people enjoy the warmer air of summer, but it’s important to have a cool place to retreat once temperatures become particularly warm. That means a well-cooled home with an air conditioning system operating at peak capacity. A new HVAC system can last between 15 and 25 years. Homeowners whose systems are at least a decade and a half old can keep an eye out for the following signs that an HVAC may need to be replaced.
• Higher energy bills: Energy costs can vary widely by location, but homeowners know that their energy bills have been on the rise for years. That can make it hard to gauge if higher energy bills are a reflection of market price increases or a unit that needs replacement. But higher energy bills could
indicate a unit is not working efficiently, which is a telltale sign of an HVAC that may need to be replaced. Compare energy bills from a year ago to current bills, and then factor in the price increase. If energy consumption is on the rise compared to a year ago, that could indicate an HVAC unit is working less efficiently.
• A humid home: Humidity is a part of summer, but it’s typically felt outdoors, not inside. A home with a humid interior while the AC is running could indicate a problem with the HVAC unit. According to HVAC.com, a functioning HVAC unit utilizes an evaporator coil to pull excess water vapor from the air in a home and drain it away from the home. If the air inside a home is humid, the unit might be having a mechanical issue that’s preventing this important task from being performed.
• Frequent repairs: A telltale sign a unit needs to be replaced is the need for frequent repairs. Home -
owners who are now on a first-name basis with their HVAC contractor may want to ask that professional if it’s time to replace the unit. Money being spent on frequent repairs may be better repurposed toward financing the purchase of a new unit that could last as long as a quarter century.
• Poor air flow: An HVAC unit operating at peak capacity will produce a steady flow of cool air through the vents throughout a home. Poor air flow through those vents means it will take longer than normal to cool a home, and homeowners can put their hands near the vents to see how well or how poorly air is flowing through them. If air is flowing poorly, the unit will have to work harder to cool the home, which will contribute to higher energy bills.
A fully functional air conditioning system is vital in summer. Some telltale signs any homeowner can spot may indicate an existing HVAC unit needs to be replaced.
Helpful tips to tackle those challenging paint projects
(StatePoint) Some DIY projects are easier than others. Painting tricky areas like windows, curves, corners, murals and more might intimidate some painters, but don’t let difficulty deter you from transforming your home into a space you love. DIYers of all skill levels can complete tough paint projects with a few useful tips and the right tools.
Challenge 1: Windows When facing any difficult painting project, like windows, preparation is critical. First, clean the wood trim with warm, soapy water and a cloth or sponge. For wooden windows that will require paint application near the glass, don’t forget to wipe the windowpanes with a glass cleaner. Buildup on these surfaces can prevent painter’s tape from bonding to the surface, leaving room around the edges for paint to seep through and creating unnecessary cleanup post-painting.
Once the surface is prepped, line each windowpane and the trim with painter’s tape, overlapping the edges in each corner for the tightest seal.
Challenge 2: Curves and Edges
A good multi-surface painter’s tape can help DIYers achieve professional results for most paint projects, but when it comes to unusual contours, it’s worth investing in a conformable painter’s tape, like FrogTape Advanced. Made with thin but strong washi paper backing, the green tape lies flat while conforming to curved areas, like around light fixtures, mantels, molding and fireplaces. It’s also treated with exclusive PaintBlock Technology to seal tape edges for clean, sharp paint lines.
Challenge 3: Corners and Trim
When painting around windows, line each windowpane and the trim with painter’s tape, overlapping the edges in each corner for the tightest seal.
When painting a wall or ceiling, it’s not always easy to prevent paint bleed in the corners where adjacent walls or trim meet. Properly applying painter’s tape can simplify the task.
When painting the ceiling, apply tape to the wall around the perimeter of the room, keeping the tape flush with the line where the two areas meet, and overlap the tape in the corners. A similar process can be followed when painting wood trim. When the project is complete, remove the tape slowly at a 45-degree angle while the paint is still wet for best results.
Challenge 4: Murals
Recent consumer research conducted by FrogTape discovered that one of the most popular painting trends for DIYers is nature-inspired faux wallpaper. While more
than half of people prefer painting a mural over applying wallpaper, 36% still say “not feeling confident in painting skills” is holding them back from trying this project.
Experienced painters may be confident enough to freehand a design, but those who are newer to the task can rely on painter’s tape or stencils to bring their vision to life. Stencils can be used as a guide to create floral or leaf patterns, or DIYers can sketch the shapes and tape them off with painter’s tape to keep outlines crisply defined.
Painting is one of the most rewarding DIY projects, but don’t make it harder than it has to be. These tips can help simplify your next paint project, no matter how complicated it might seem.
How to boost home value before selling
People considering buying or selling a home are facing a unique market. The real estate market has been in flux for several years, and high interest rates have made it more expensive to borrow.
The Mortgage Bankers Association is projecting that 30-year mortgage rates will level out to 6.5 percent for the forseeable future. That means that people who have been waiting for changes in the real estate market could be disappointed, and hesitant buyers may finally just bite the bullet and buy even if mortgage rates are not where they hoped they’d be in 2025. Homeowners with properties they are considering listing for sale would be wise to make certain changes that will help garner the best prices from buyers. Make kitchen and bath improvements
The kitchen is the heart of many homes. Real estate agents may recommend that homeowners make minor to moderate kitchen upgrades like resurfacing cabinets, upgrading countertops and changing fixtures or hardware to give the room an overhaul.
Homeowners also should look to bathroom updates as smart investments that can improve home value. Kitchens and baths are characterized as “money rooms” that add the most value to a home. Declutter the home
Homeowners should clean out items they no longer need. Decluttering can make a space feel bigger, which is beneficial in a market where open concept floor plans remain popular among home buyers. When buyers walk through a prospective home, they want to envision themselves living there, something that is more easily done if the home isn’t overrun with the current homeowner’s belongings.
Get to painting
Painting a home is a cost-effective renovation with a lot of oomph. Freshly painted rooms appear clean and updated, says HGTV, and that can appeal to buyers. Homeowners should choose neutral colors to accommodate the widest array of potential buyers.
Improve the landscaping
The exterior of a home is the first thing potential buyers will see as they roll up to view a property or look at a listing online. Homeowners should start by evaluating and enhancing the landscaping. Ensure the lawn is well-maintained and add plants that provide color without a lot of maintenance.
Expand usable space
Homeowners can think about adding to the usable space in a home. This translates into finishing basements or attics, converting garages to rooms or adding a three-season room.
Higher energy bills could indicate a unit is not working efficiently, which is a telltale sign of an HVAC
Attic insulation functions as a thermal barrier that helps keep warm air inside the home from moving into the attic and escaping to the outside. Conversely, in warmer weather, attic insulation helps keep hot attic air from infiltrating the cooled interior of a home.
Utilizing a whole home approach to energy efficiency
(BPT) - A spike in home energy bills often leads consumers to suspect a problem with their heating or cooling equipment. However, before assuming faulty equipment is the cause of high energy bills, it’s a good idea to consider other potential culprits that can reduce energy efficiency and lead to costlier heating and cooling bills. Some areas within a home can allow heated or cooled air to escape before it enters the desired room. The attic is a good example of a space where undetected issues can reduce comfort, adversely affect air quality and decrease energy efficiency.
Signs of thermal problems in the attic may be visible from a home’s exterior. During cooler seasons, heated air escaping from a home’s attic may pass through the roof deck, melting snow or frost. If nearby homes’ roofs are covered in snow or frost while your home’s roof is bare, this may be a sign of attic heat loss.
Installing a sufficient amount of attic insulation is one way to reduce energy loss. According to Energy Star, homeowners can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and accessible basement rim joists.
Insulate to avoid the chimney effect
The proper level of insulation can help defend against the chimney effect (sometimes called stack effect). This term describes the phenomenon of less dense, warm air vertically flowing to the highest part of a structure - often the attic. Attic insulation functions as a thermal barrier that helps keep warm air inside the home from moving into the attic and escaping to the outside. Conversely, in warmer weather, attic insulation helps keep hot attic air from infiltrating the cooled interior of a home.
A proper thickness of insulation installed in the attic can also help avoid
moisture buildup, which can lead to mold growth and potential structural issues. Attic insulation helps maintain indoor temperatures, reduce energy loss and support occupant comfort.
Are your attic ducts in order?
Other attic components can also affect air throughout the home. When ductwork is properly sized and in good condition, airflow is balanced to support comfort and efficient air distribution. Ducts that are too small can cause airflow resistance, resulting in an uneven distribution of air, causing the heating and cooling equipment to cycle more frequently and putting more strain on equipment. Similarly, ducts that are too large may result in lower air pressure and poor temperature control throughout the home. Even acoustics can be influenced by ductwork, as properly sized ducts may help reduce noise generated by air flowing through the ducts.
While duct size matters, so does the condition of ductwork. Holes and loose connections in attic ductwork can allow cooled or heated air to escape before it reaches the register in the desired room. Contaminants inside the attic can enter these breaches and flow into the rest of the home. An increase in dust levels inside the home may be a sign that attic ductwork needs attention.
Inspecting the attic with a whole home approach
A home’s energy efficiency relies on a system that includes the heating and cooling equipment, ductwork and ancillary components like insulation. Ensuring that all these components are properly functioning can help contribute to occupant comfort, support indoor air quality, promote energy efficiency and contribute to the longevity of the home’s comfort system. An inspection of a home’s attic - including measuring insulation levels and assessing ductwork - should be included in HVAC service and maintenance checks.
How to keep indoor air clean during allergy season
Seasonal allergies can turn a warm and welcoming spring or summer day into something else entirely. Congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes are just some of the unpleasant symptoms of seasonal allergies, which are most often triggered by high pollen counts during spring and summer.
The Mayo Clinic advises seasonal allergy sufferers to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. But what about indoor air quality? The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that eight out of 10 people are exposed to dust mites and six out of 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander. Dust mites and pet dander can each trigger allergic reactions. Pair those two triggers with higher pollen counts common in spring and summer and it’s no wonder that many seasonal allergy sufferers are ambivalent about the warm weather seasons. Fortunately, steps can be taken to keep indoor air clean during allergy season.
• Close windows and doors. Many people embrace opportunities to open their windows and doors on warm days, but doing so allows outdoor allergens like pollen to get inside. Pollen can attach to furniture and clothing, and that can make time indoors unpleasant for allergy sufferers. Maintain
indoor air quality by closing windows and doors on windy days and/or days when pollen counts are high.
• Employ air cleaning devices. The AAFA notes that air cleaners with CertifiedAsthma & Allergy Friendly® filters can filter nearly 98 percent of allergen particles in the air. The AAFA maintains a list of certified air cleaners at asthmaandallergyfriendly.com.
• Keep a clean home. The Mayo Clinic notes that, in most homes, items such as bedding, upholstered furniture and carpeting provide an ideal environment for dust mites, which are microscopic bugs that trigger allergic reactions in many people. The AAFA recommends keeping surfaces in a home clean and uncluttered to control dust mites. Washing bedding and uncovered pillows in hot water each week also can help to corral dust mites and improve indoor air quality.
• Vacuum frequently. Frequent vacuuming is another way to improve indoor air quality. The AAFA maintains a list of Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® vacuums that have been tested and found to prevent allergens from reentering the air.
• Prevent mold and treat areas where infestations have occurred. Mold also contributes to poor indoor air quality. Dehumidifiers can be used to reduce mold and dust mites, making these beneficial additions to allergy sufferers’ homes. Minimizing house plants around the house and addressing leaky fixtures immediately are some additional measures to prevent mold infestations. It may not be enough to simply stay indoors to avoid allergic reactions on spring and summer days. Embracing measures to improve indoor air quality can be vital for allergy sufferers as well.
Remodeling projects allow homeowners to put their personal stamps on a property. In addition to choosing a color and design scheme that fits a particular aesthetic, homeowners may want to outfit their homes with various features that can make them more accommodating to modern living. Homeowners can use these ideas as a springboard for remodeling projects designed to modernize their homes.
• Open floor plans: Open floor plans remain coveted characteristics of modern home architecture. An open layout enables occupants to feel like they are enjoying spaces together without having to be on top of one another. Since sightlines are not obstructed in open floor plans, homeowners can enjoy a cohesive design style across each level of the home.
advantage of natural sunlight to using environmentally responsible materials throughout a home, modern homes can function with a much smaller carbon footprint than older structures.
• Smart home technology: A smart home is equipped with appliances and other devices that can be controlled remotely, typically from a phone or computer connected to the internet. Investopedia notes that smart home technology offers homeowners convenience and cost savings. Smart home technology is available across a wide range of budgets, ranging from thousands of dollars for a complete home automation to roughly $100 for a small change like a smart thermostat.
more comfortably.
• Dual owner’s suites: Dual owner’s suites can be an asset for couples who choose to sleep separately. The Sleep Foundation says individuals choose to sleep in different rooms for a variety of reasons, notably reduced sleep interruptions and improved sleep quality. Plus, an extra bedroom can come in handy when one person is ill or in the event a partner snores. Rather than one person in the relationship getting the “lesser” space, certain homebuilders now offer plans for dual owner’s suites so both people get the features they desire in a bedroom.
• Three-season room: Many homeowners aspire to bridge the gap between the indoors and outside.
• Eco-friendly features: Eco-friendly features modernize homes and may even earn homeowners rebates from the government. From positioning rooms to take
Three-season rooms help transition from the yard to the interior of a home, and offer a touch of nature without the bugs or unpleasant elements. A number of home improvements can bring homes up to the standards of modern living. Upgrade
• Accessibility features: A home that can grow with its residents is advantageous. When choosing renovations, features like slip-resistant flooring, stylish grab bars and low-threshold or barrier-free showers can enable homeowners to age in place
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Patios are popular gathering spaces. The choice of patio material can go a long way toward determining how much homeowners get out of these spaces.
Options abound for choosing patio materials
Patios are popular gathering spaces when hosting warm weather affairs.
Backyard barbecues are a staple of summertime entertaining, but in order to make the most of such affairs, homeowners first need a place for guests to gather. And more and more homeowners are looking to patios as their go-to spaces to host loved ones.
When contemplating a patio addition or renovation, homeowners will need to choose a material for the space. Options abound regarding patio materials, and the following rundown can help homeowners identify which material is best for them.
Pavers
Pavers are incredibly popular among modern homeowners. Pavers come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes, and that’s helped to make them a highly versatile patio material that can help homeowners set their spaces apart from neighbors’ and friends’. Pavers require careful installation that makes this an ideal job to reserve for skilled, experienced professionals. One of the more notable characteristics
Landscape
of pavers is individual pieces can be replaced without affecting the entire patio, which can make repairs easier and less expensive.
Concrete Concrete was long a go-to choice, but a tendency to crack has affected the viability of this material in the eyes of many homeowners. But concrete still has its proponents, as it tends to be a budget-friendly option. Staining and sealing can add to the appeal of a concrete patio, which is best installed by a skilled professional.
Brick Brick is a durable material and provides a unique aesthetic, which can be appealing to homeowners who prioritize uniqueness when planning a patio. Bricks are not invulnerable to cracking, and that’s a variable homeowners must keep in mind when considering this material.
Flagstone
Flagstone offers a natural look that can emphasize and foster a connection with the great outdoors. Flagstone is a heavy material that requires profession-
al installation. Flagstone is among the more expensive patio material options, but the overall cost of the project will depend on the size of the patio.
Maintaining a patio
Maintenance is a notable factor to consider when examining patio materials. The amount of maintenance could be relative to each property, but it’s also worth noting certain materials may require more TLC than others regardless of the setting. For example, a material like flagstone could require some extra attention to prevent staining. Patios are expensive additions, so homeowners will want to do all they can to keep a new one looking good. When considering patio material options, homeowners should speak with a contractor about maintenance and recognize how much time they will likely have to devote to upkeep. If time is short, then a material that’s more hands-off might be the best bet.
Patios are popular gathering spaces. The choice of patio material can go a long way toward determining how much homeowners get out of these spaces.
lighting options to brighten up a property at night
Landscape lighting has been growing in popularity, and industry experts anticipate that growth will continue for years to come.
According to the market research firm Technavio, the market size for outdoor landscape lighting is estimated to grow by nearly $133 million between 2024 and 2028. That growth is evident in data sheets, but it’s also visible to the naked eye, as more and more property owners are utilizing outdoor landscape lighting to increase security and draw attention to their lawns and various features on them.
Homeowners considering adding landscape lighting to their properties may be overwhelmed by the options at their disposal. Indeed, there are many ways for homeowners to accentuate landscape features and create a stunning nighttime look. The following rundown of landscape lighting options can illuminate the many different ways homeowners can use light to make their properties more appealing at night.
• Spotlights: Spotlights are among the more popular landscape lighting options. Spotlights are used by fans of uplighting, which places the light beneath a particular feature and then aims light upward to draw attention to it. Many homeowners utilize spotlights and uplighting to illuminate statues and trees.
• Step lights: Step lights help to make moving around a property at night safer. Step lights are installed on the vertical face of the step or along the sides of each step. Homeowners who have a deck may find step lights particularly useful, especial-
ly if the deck is multi-level and/or attached to a staircase that leads down into a yard.
• Flood lights: Flood lights are a type of spotlight that are generally used to illuminate large areas, such as a driveway or a deck. Flood lights illuminate from above, so these typically are best for lighting up manmade portions of a home’s exterior rather than natural features like trees or gardens.
• Garden lights: Garden lights direct light downward toward a garden. These provide a soft light that can draw attention to plants at dusk and throughout the night. Many
homeowners like the sense of serenity garden lights help to create during twilight and evening hours.
• Path lights: Similar to step lights, path lights typically are installed as a safety feature. But path lights still boast aesthetic appeal, as they help to light up walkways and driveways without providing a burst of light that can feel overwhelming for residents and visitors. Path lights come in a variety of styles and sizes, so homeowners can experiment with their options to find the one that best suits their needs.
• Ground lighting: Ground lighting is like recessed lighting inside a home, only these lights are placed in the ground and send light upward rather than downward from a ceiling. Ground lighting fixtures are often installed in gardens, directing light upward toward shrubs or trees.
Homeowners can illuminate their home exteriors in numerous ways, each of which can add to a property’s aesthetic appeal at night.
Simple ways to get through a power outage
When a power outage strikes, life can be turned upside down in a heartbeat, particularly when communities remain in the dark for hours or even days on end.
A loss of power can knock out internet communications, close retail businesses, prevent use of medical devices, and adversely affect transportation. Power outages can cause food spoilage, affect HVAC systems and impact indoor temperatures, and may even prevent some water wells and septic systems from operating.
No one wants to be inconvenienced by a loss of power, but taking certain steps in anticipation of a potential outage can make it easier to manage these unwelcome disruptions.
• Invest in a generator. A portable or whole-house generator can be a valuable investment. Whole-house generators will switch on when power is disrupted to the home. A portable generator takes a little more work to get started and runs on gasoline. But it can be used to provide power to some appliances in the home, depending on size, or to keep a light or two on as needed. Portable generators should be kept away from windows and far enough from the home (20 feet) to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.
• Keep flashlights, candles and batteries handy. Make sure to have these items at the ready and easily accessible. Extinguish candles before retiring to bed, and always exercise caution around open flames.
• Charge devices. Keep mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and any other devices fully charged if an outage warning is issued. A fully-charged power bank or a solar-powered charging station also can be helpful. Store a charging cable in the car and use that to replenish power supplies if the outage lasts awhile.
• Prepare for food storage. Keep freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible to retain the cold air inside. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage. If the outage lasts more than four hours, discard meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cooked leftovers, milk, and yogurt. Fill a cooler with ice bags or frozen bottles of water to keep additional items, including medications, cold.
• Plan for cooling or heating a home. The American Red Cross suggests using sealant around windows to insulate the home. Extra blankets can keep people warm. Opening the windows for a cross breeze may help when it’s hot inside. However, if the weather is very hot or cold and the indoor temperature cannot be maintained, go to a location with air conditioning or with heat. Don’t use the stove or an outdoor grill indoors for warmth.
• Stock books, puzzles and games. Figure out ways to keep busy that don’t require electricity. These can include crafts, reading material, puzzles, board games, and more. • Unplug appliances. Unplug appliances and other devices so they are not damaged when the power returns and potentially surges. Power outages can be a nuisance and even dangerous. Plan accordingly if a storm is expected to knock out power.
Is it time for a security check?
Today, insecurity is an epidemic. Too many people—including many Christians—walk around timid, afraid, lacking confidence, and feeling bad about themselves.
But when Jesus died on the cross for us, something happened that I like to call “the divine exchange.” He took away our sins and everything we are not, and then He made us perfect in Him.
God wants you to be confident, bold, fearless, and free. He wants you to be healthy and whole— fully able to pursue your destiny. And He desires
for you to feel good about yourself and your relationship with Him.
Insecure people tend to compare themselves with other people and feel a need to “keep up” with them.
For years I tried to be like everybody else. I tried to be steady and easy-going like my husband, Dave. Then I tried to be like my pastor’s wife, who was super sweet and sensitive. But the truth is that we are only anointed to be ourselves!
For example, it’s amazing how excited you can be about your
From Hometown Heroes to Golden Anniversaries, we celebrate the
to
prayer life until you happen to compare notes with someone else who gets up before daylight each morning and prays for four hours.
Now, if you don’t know who you are in Christ (who God says you are), you suddenly feel like your prayer life is nothing. Then, just to keep up, you frustrate yourself trying to do what they are doing.
How do I know? Because this happened to me years ago. As a result, I got myself a clock, locked myself in a room and declared to everyone, “I’m going to pray for four hours a day! I’m not coming out of here, and you can’t come in!” Everything went well until I fell asleep five minutes after I began.
God made you an original…and He has a unique plan just for you. Comparing yourself to others just leads to frustration. But having the confidence and freedom to be yourself leads to peace and joy.
Too many times we look at ourselves when we should be looking at God. We focus on all of our own weaknesses, and before we know it, we are timid, fearful, and convinced that everything is too hard to accomplish.
If this is you, then Philippians 3:3 (AMPC) can change your life. It says to “…put no confidence
or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh….”
Some people look at their weaknesses and think, I could never do something great for God. Then there are others who look at their own strengths and think, I don’t need help…I can do this on my own.
Regardless of what we can or cannot do, God wants all of our confidence to be in Him. Because the truth is, apart from Him, we can do nothing!
David was one person who knew who he was in Christ. The entire army of Israel was too frightened to fight the giant, Goliath. But David wasn’t. Why? Because he was looking at God and not himself. He knew that his God could do anything. As a result, he walked straight out to the battlefield and killed Goliath with a stone and a slingshot.
You, too, can have this “David” kind of confidence. You can become a giant-killer when you learn who you are Christ. God wants you to feel
good about yourself. He wants you to be bold…to be fearless…to believe Him for big things.
Ephesians 3:20 (AMPC) says that God is able to “…do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”
I believe God is just waiting for some of you to boldly step out and ask Him for things that go beyond your mind or what you think is possible. Our insecurities will make us feel like we’re not worthy to even ask. But remember, in God’s economy, you don’t get what you deserve—you get what Jesus deserves! Wherever you are in your journey with the Lord, He wants you to know that you are right with Him. You may not be perfect, but God sees you as perfect because of His Son. And because of this, you can go forward with boldness, joy, and the divine confidence you need to fulfill your destiny.
*** For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-part teaching resource I’m Okay and I’m on My Way. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 150 books, including BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND and OVERCOMING EVERY PROBLEM (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life program, which is broadcast to millions in over 110 languages. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
MENDOTA
ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS
Rev. Greg Nelson, Pastor
Fr. Jeff Windy, Parochial Vicar
Ray Fischer, Jose Lopez, and Hector Diaz, Deacons HOLY CROSS, MENDOTA Weekday Mass
M - 6 p.m., Tu - 8 a.m., W - 8:10 a.m., Th - 8 a.m., F - 7 a.m. Weekend Mass
Sat - 8 a.m. (1st Saturday only), 4 p.m.; Sun6:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish) Confession
STS. PETER AND PAUL, PETERSTOWN
Weekend Mass Sun - 9 a.m. Confession
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
100 E. Sixth St. (815) 538-5587
Rev. Mary Bohall, Pastor
SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
9 a.m. Coffee Fellowship
9 a.m. Sunday School
9:30 a.m. Worship
In-person & on Facebook at: Mendota First United Methodist Church July 3 - 10 a.m. Worship at Allure
ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
808 Jefferson St.
Pastor Jeff Brace jbrace8459@gmail.com
Church office (815) 538-2186
Facebook: Mendota Zion United Methodist Church
SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
Sunday Worship 9 a.m.
Sunday School for Preschool - 6th grade in fellowship hall during worship service (Parking lot worship available on 90.9 FM during Sunday services)
TUESDAY - Prayer group 7 p.m.
UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH
4401 State Route 251 (815) 538-3444
Rev. Charles Yeakel, Pastor
E-mail: mendotaupc@yahoo.com www.mendotaupc.org
SUNDAY: Christian Education-10 a.m. Worship - 11:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY: Midweek Bible Study - 7 p.m.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1003 5th St. (815) 538-5603
Website: fpcmendota.com Accessible
Pastor Laurie Walker Fellowship 9:45 a.m.
Children’s Sunday School following children’s message Worship 10:30 a.m.
LA MOILLE
ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
LaMoille (Clarion) 4 miles west of Mendota on Rt. 34 (815) 539-7820
Sunday Worship 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Accessible
If I Can
By William Arthur Ward
If I can write one verse of truth today Or give my fellow man a song to sing; If I can push one needless cloud away And help men live as children of the King:
If I can lend someone a helping hand Or warm a place where friendship needs to be;
If I can build a bridge where fences stand And light a lamp that other men might see;
If I can open doors of hope this day By letting someone know that others care; If I can speak in words that seem to say: I know the heavy burdens that you bear.
If I can guide a pilgrim on his way Or pause to bid him stay for food and rest;
If I can do these, Father, this I pray: “O let me do them with my very best.”
The Merchants on this page urge you to attend a house of worship this week.
VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH
COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“Faithful & Effective” 505 W. 7th Ave. (815) 539-9081
La Moille (815) 638-2348
Pastor David Jungnickel E-mail: lamoillecumc@gmail.com
Available on Facebook Live Facebook page www.facebook.com/fpcmendota July 3 - 10 a.m. “Fill My Cup” July 6 - Communion July 7 - Noon MAMA at China House July 8 - 7 p.m. Session
Pastor Steve Breedlove
SUNDAY Sunday school Worship
WEDNESDAY Prayer Service
NEW COVENANT ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Rt. 251 at Lake Mendota P.O. Box 54
Phone (815) 539-7107 (church) (815) 871-5702 (pastor)
Larry Sheaves, Pastor www.newcovenantmendota.org www.facebook.com/NCAOG
“Preaching the blood, book and blessed hope.”
Sunday School Worship
MENDOTA BIBLE CHURCH
Rt. 251, 1/2 mile south of Mendota (815) 538-6876
Brian Kelly, Pastor www.mendotabiblechurch.org
SUNDAY SCHEDULE Sunday School Worship Evening Service
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
607 Tenth Ave. (815) 539-5626
Pastor Elise Rothfusz
E-mail: office@stjohnsmendota.org
Website: www.stjohnsmendota.org
Schedule:
9 a.m. Sunday Worship in person and online via YouTube Find us on Facebook
NOTE: Please contact your individual church regarding online services or for other church-related information.
CHRIST’S CHURCH
“He is the Head of the Body, the Church . . . That in everything He might have the supremacy.” Col. 1:18 1107 Main St. (815) 993-2462
Dave Manion Jim McDowell Wayne Shuman
Please join us for . . .
Sunday Bible Study (all ages) 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Church Builders 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer 6 p.m. Men’s Ministry
Ladies & Mens Bible Study Thursday 6 p.m.
Non-denominational
Please call for more information
COMPTON
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
398 Church Road, Compton Pastor Jeffrey Schlesinger (815) 539-6567
Wheelchair accessible Website: www.ilccompton.org E-mail: immanuellutheran compton@live.com
“Living in God’s Grace as a Neighbor to the World” SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
8:30 a.m. Worship at Immanuel 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship at First
Online “devotional service” videos continue every Sunday at facebook.com/ilccompton and YouTube. Check our website and Facebook page for more information.
SUNDAY WORSHIP 9 a.m. Children’s Sunday School following children’s message FELLOWSHIP 10 a.m. (nursery available) Mondays
Hamiel
Website: www.faithbiblefellowship.info
E-mail: fbfchurch20817@gmail.com
“At Faith Bible Fellowship, we exist to glorify God through the equipping of His saints, teaching of His Word and raising of His name. We would love to have you join us to worship and learn about our risen Savior.”
1. Is the book of Cheirut (KJV) in the Old Testament, New Testament or neither?
2. In Galatians, “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through _____ serve one another.” Friendship, Honesty, Love, Hope
3. From 2 Corinthians, “Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is _____.” Hope, Freedom, Love, Liberty
4. In John 8, “If the _____ therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Heart, Worship, Celebration, Son
5. From what book’s 6:7 does it say, “For he that is dead is freed from sin”? Isaiah, Daniel, Mark, Romans
6. How many times is the word “independence” mentioned in the Bible? 0, 2, 11, 17
ANSWERS: 1) Neither, 2) Love, 3) Liberty, 4) Son, 5) Romans, 6) Zero
BIBLE TRIVIA by Wilson Casey
MARKETPLACE
of Mendota, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on June 25, 2025 to HARRY TODD PHALEN, 9 N. 4179th Rd., Mendota, IL 61342, and whose attorney is David M. Kaleel, 806 Jefferson Street, Mendota, Illinois 61342. Claims against the estate may be e-filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Probate Division, LaSalle County Courthouse, 119 W. Madison St., Ottawa, IL 61350, or with the Independent representative, or both, within 6 months from the date of the first publication of this Notice, or if mailing or delivery of a Claim Notice from the Independent Executor is required, the date stated in that Notice. Any claim not filed on or before the above stated dates is barred. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts. gov/serviceproviders. htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http:// www.illinoiscourts.gov/ FAZ/gethelp.asp.
Copies of a claim e-filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the
at Farmers State Bank of Sublette, or Lee County Housing Authority, 1000 Washington Avenue, Dixon, IL. Questions, call 815-284-2759.
FOR RENT: MENDOTA 1 & 2 Bedrooms, Appliances, A/C
(noun): The invisible barrier that comes at every turn for workers without a bachelor’s degree. See also: no alumni network, biased algorithms, degree screens, stereotypes, and misperceptions. Millions of qualified STARs — workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes — with experience, skills and diverse perspectives are being held back by this silent barrier.
Strange But True
By Lucie Winborne
* Squirrels play a role in reforestation by forgetting some of the buried nuts and seeds they store, which then sprout into new trees.
* In late 1800’s Australia, some desperate sufferers of rheumatism climbed into a whale carcass in their search for relief, and were told to remain there for 20-30 hours, with occasional breaks. The heat and gases emitted by the decomposing animal were believed to create a sweat box of healing compounds.
* Acrylic nails were invented in 1957 by a dentist experimenting with how to create an artificial fingernail to protect his thumb after he’d accidentally cut it.
* The Inuit people used goggles made from bone, wood or other hard material to protect their eyes from UV rays more than 2,000 years ago, designed to cover the eye while leaving a small slit to see through. The slit narrowed and sharpened the wearer’s field of vision while protecting their eyes from snow glare.
* In 1980, Detroit gave Saddam Hussein a key to the city out of recognition of donations he had made to local churches.
* School desks have 300 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
* Marion Donovan created the first practical disposable diaper in 1950 by using shower curtains for plastic covering and layers of tissue as the inner absorbent material.
* Uranus rotates on its side, appearing to roll around the sun like a ball, according to NASA. The most likely explanation for this unusual orientation is that it experienced some type of massive collision in ancient times.
* American Christians are more likely to take “morally neutral” risks when they think about God as a benevolent protector.
ENTERTAINMENT
Celebrity Extra
By Dana Jackson
Couch Theater
“Thunderbolts” (PG-13)
-- Although this latest Marvel film underperformed slightly at the box office, trailing behind its predecessor “Captain America: Brave New World,” it still received positive reviews from critics and landed well with Marvel fans. Led by Florence Pugh, who reprises her role as Yelena from “Black Widow,” “Thunderbolts” follows a group of ex-mercenaries who are baited into a trap by CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) to cover up her illegal misdoings. After being thrown together haphazardly and forced to escape, this group of antiheroes eventually evolves into a fullfledged team, rivaling the CIA director and her corrupt plans. Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”), Wyatt Russell (“Night Swim”), and David Harbour (“Stranger Things”) co-star in the film, out on July 1 to rent. (Apple TV+)
“The Alto Knights” (R)
-- Director Barry Levinson hasn’t struck gold with critics or audiences since his 2001 film “Bandits,” which received two Golden Globe nominations. But perhaps signing on Robert De Niro to play the dual roles of two mobsters was Levinson’s way of trying to bring back the appeal! This biographical crime-drama film out now follows mob boss Frank Costello and underboss Vito Genovese during the 1950s, just as an unsightly war begins between the two of them. What they couldn’t have expected was that this war would lead to the inner workings of the American
Mafia getting brought up to the surface for all the public to finally see. (Max)
“Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy” (TV-MA) -- On Nov. 5, 2021, the third annual Astroworld Festival was held in Houston under the management of rapper Travis Scott. Approximately 50,000 people attended the event. While Scott was performing, a crowd crush occurred that killed 10 people and injuring hundreds in total. Although the crowd crush was declared a mass casualty event around 9:40 p.m., Scott continued to perform to fans who were crying out for him to stop until about 10:15 p.m. Featuring firsthand accounts from survivors, event workers and medical staff, this documentary out now details this terrifying concert experience that absolutely should have been prevented. (Netflix)
“Heads of State” (PG13) -- Out on July 2, this action-comedy film stars John Cena as U.S. President Will Derringer and Idris Elba as U.K. Prime Minister Sam Clarke. (With John Cena as the president, expect heavier comedy than action.) A meeting on Air Force One between the two world leaders goes awry, and after miraculously surviving a plane crash, the pair must lean on each other’s skills to get themselves to safety. Luckily, they also have the help of MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra-Jonas), who will travel day and night to protect Will and Sam from their adversaries. Jack Quaid (“The Boys”) and Paddy Considine (“House of the Dragon”) co-star. (Amazon Prime Video)
1. Which group wrote and released “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”?
2. How did the Scottish group Bay City Rollers get their name?
3. What was the name of Herb Alpert’s band?
4. Which group had a hit with “Windy”?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Who’s gonna ride that chrome three wheeler, Who’s gonna make that first mistake.”
Answers
1. The Bee Gees, in 1971. It was penned by brothers Robin and Barry Gibb and held the top slot on the charts for two weeks.
2. Their manager threw a dart at a map of the U.S. and it landed on Bay City, Michigan. Their only U.S. No. 1 song was “Saturday Night,” released in 1975.
3. The Tijuana Brass. In the beginning there was only one member -- Alpert himself using a tape deck to record multiple layers of music to record his first single, “The Lonely Bull.”
4. The Association, in 1967.
5. “Fire Lake,” by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, in 1980. Partially penned in 1971, Seger hoped to include the song on his 1975 album, but it wasn’t finished by then. It eventually made it onto his 1980 album, “Against the Wind.”
E. Moss
Q: Will Elisabeth Moss be in the upcoming spin-off series of “The Handmaid’s Tale”? I know her character is in the Margaret Atwood novel on which the series will be based. -- K.S. A: While Elisabeth Moss will be an executive producer of “The Testaments,” the sequel series to Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” she has no plans to star in it. However, Ann Dowd will once again play Aunt Lydia, and Jordana Blake will be back as Hannah. New faces include Rowan Blanchard (“Snowpiercer”) as a teenager named Shunammite; Lucy Halliday (“Blue Jean”) as June’s daughter, Daisy; and Mattea Conforti (“Power”) as another teen named Becka.
In the meantime, you can catch Moss with Kerry Washington (“Scandal”) and Kate Mara (“House of Cards”) in the upcoming Apple TV+ series “Imperfect Women.” While it’s also a drama based on a novel, it’s not dystopian like “The Handmaid’s Tale.” It’s about three longtime
By Tony Rizzo
HOLLYWOOD -- Fol-
lowing his “faster than a speeding bullet” frontal nude scene in “The White Lotus,” Patrick Schwarzenegger will star alongside Margaret Qualley in Amazon MGM Studios’ film “Love of Your Life.” (Ryan Gosling is one of the producers.)
Looking back to his previous credits, Schwarzenegger starred as Tim Tebow in Ryan Murphy’s “American Sports Story.” He also appeared in HBO’s limited series “The Staircase,” Amazon Prime Video’s “The Terminal List,” and “The Boys’” spin-off “Gen V.” In addition, he starred in Netflix’s “Moxie,” which was directed by Amy Poehler, as well as the sci-fi/ thriller “Warning.”
Add to the mix the crime drama “Echo Boomers,” the psychological horror “Daniel Isn’t Real,” the romantic drama “Midnight Sun,” and the miniseries “The Long Ride Home.” As Alicia Keys would say ... “this boy is on fire!”
***
Henry Cavill followed up his “Deadpool & Wolverine”
1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the bar where Homer Simpson hangs out?
2. MUSIC: What are the first names of the Jackson 5?
3. MOVIES: What prop is found in almost every scene in “The Fight Club”?
4. ANATOMY: What does the term “hallux” refer to in human anatomy?
5. GEOMETRY: What is the perimeter of a circle called?
6. LITERATURE: What is Ron Weasley’s patronus in the “Harry Potter” book series?
7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: How many tusks does a warthog have?
8. GEOGRAPHY: How many states does the Pacific Crest Trail cross?
9. SCIENCE: What is a common name for iron oxide?
10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in WWII? Answers
Moe’s Tavern.
Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.
A Starbucks coffee cup.
The big toe.
Circumference.
Jack Russell Terrier.
Four.
Three (California, Oregon, and Washington).
Rust.
George H.W. Bush.
friends whose lives are turned upside down during a murder investigation.
***
Q: When is “Paradise” returning for another season? Also, is there a way that James Marsden will appear in it somehow? -- M.A.
A: According to Deadline, when the show’s creator Dan Fogelman pitched the series to star Sterling K. Brown, he envisioned it for a three-season run. Lightning definitely struck twice with this creative pairing as Fogelman’s prior series, NBC’s “This Is Us,” was a huge hit that put Brown on the map. The new season of “Paradise” was about halfway done with filming as of early June.
The season partially takes place in the bunker that everyone is already familiar with, but we’ll also find out what was going on aboveground in the real world during the first season when the characters were sheltered. Shailene Woodley (“Big Little Lies”) has been cast in the new season, but nothing is known yet about her character.
The always-busy James Marsden has moved on to other projects, including “Your Friends and Neigh-
Hollywood
cameo by starring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Rosamund Pike in Lionsgate’s “In the Grey.” He’ll also star in Amazon MGM’s sci-fi film “Voltron,” with Sterling K. Brown and Rita Ora. Plus, he is back playing Sherlock Holmes in Netflix’s “Enola Holmes 3,” with Millie Bobby Brown as his little sister in the title role again.
The fictitious social media blitz claiming that he’s the new James Bond is fake news, just like “The Golden Girls” reboot and those posts claiming that ABC is canceling their top-rated talk show “The View.” The hosts speaking their truths apparently rattles the cages of a certain group who hate their “annoying” fact-checking. ***
One of Hollywood’s greatest movie stars Kim Novak will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from the Venice Film Festival in late August. Some of the superstars she starred opposite in over 60 films were William Holden (“Picnic”), Frank Sinatra (“The Man with the Golden Arm” and “Pal
bors,” an Apple TV+ series that has been renewed for a second season. He’ll also appear in the fourth installment of the blockbuster hit “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and he’ll play Cyclops in Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.”
As for “Paradise,” both Julianne Nicholson and Nicole Brydon Bloom will be back as baddies Sinatra and Jane, respectively, when the series returns to Hulu in early 2026.
***
Q: When is “Bachelor in Paradise” coming back? “Love Island” seems to have taken over in popularity. Will it ever return? -- A.E.
A: You’ve probably seen the commercials for it by the time I answer your question, but yes, “Bachelor in Paradise” returns to ABC on July 7. This time, some mature cast members will be in the mix. Familiar faces from both “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette” are heading to Costa Rica for a second chance at love, along with the usual younger demographic from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.” Jesse Palmer returns to host, and Wells Adams will once again be tending bar and giving out advice.
Power (“The Eddy Duchin Story”), Jeff Chandler (“Jeanne Eagles”), James Stewart (“Vertigo” and “Bell, Book and Candle”), Kirk Douglas (“Strangers When We Meet”), and Richard Johnson (who was her husband from 1965-66) in “The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders”. At that film’s wrap party in the Waldorf Towers, Kim invited me to join her entourage, and I found myself sitting at her center table on one side of her, while her husband was on the other. At one point, she bemoaned that she dropped her favorite lighter and beseeched me to dive under the tablecloth to find it. In a grandiose move, I grabbed the tablecloth and gallantly dove under the table ... not realizing that I’d also grabbed her 18th-century sack-back gown consisting of many petticoats. I found myself under said dress and nothing else! Luckily the lighter was found, but we’ll have to, uh, address the rest of the story at a later date in my book of many such tales!
Joey”), Tyrone