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Wednesday, March 3, 2021

STRIKE A POSE

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Sterling High School’s pom team performs during the halftime of the boys basketball game against Moline recently. The shortened basketball seasons continued with state-ranked Eastland and Amboy battling in two games last week. Photos on pages 8-9.

Vol. 81 • No. 25 One Section • 12 Pages

© Prairie Advocate

Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

2

SAVANNA

Great River Outreach details new sites, services

BY MICHAEL MILLER For Shaw Media SAVANNA­– The Great River Outreach, a long standing service organization whose mission is to “embrace a Christ-centered mission to coordinate the most efficient access to clothing food, shelter and other support to those in need of offering,” gave a lengthy presentation to the Savanna City Council on Feb. 23 during a Zoom meeting.

Matt Jones, Parson Bob Smart, and Dave Engaldo detailed the three new sites for the GRO. The Table, a fixture in Savanna for years, providing a meal from Monday to Friday, is now in the old Pool 13 location on Main Street. Beside it is the Classy Closet, an “upscale resale” facility, and in the old Tangles Hair Salon site, is Bridges, a community resource center.

Jones said many services will

be provided at Bridges, including classes in health, cooking and other areas. Movie nights and special “talk” nights are on the docket as well.

Bridges is already open, and the Classy Closet will open on April 10 of this year, he said.

The GRO is supported entirely by donations and plans are for the three buildings to be connected, creating a “mall like atmosphere”, Jones said.

At times, one or more of the buildings may be closed off to the others, depending on particular needs.

Jones invited all Savanna City Council members to attend a tour of the building on Thursday, and Engaldo said he would give a private tour to those members who couldn’t make it on that day.

“This is fantastic,” said Savanna Mayor Chris Lain. “I see this as a partnership with a great benefit for the community.”

Lain was particularly excited to hear that the Riverview Center and possibly Sinnissippi will be using office space at Bridges, citing the urgent need for drug/alcohol rehabilitation and support services to those in the area.

In other action, the council: • approved a service agreement for engineering services from MSA engineering for the replacement of two city lift stations, located at

Bowen and Wacker, in the amount of $89.000. Public Works Superintendent John Lindeman said these stations were both extremely old and presented issues due to their age, and also safety.

• approved a service agreement for engineering services from MSA engineering for street work on Keller, Pike and Superior for a total of $64,800. Total project costs estimated at $396,800 dollars with funding from various city and state funds. “This would be completely redoing these streets. We tried to choose streets that would make the most impact upon the most people,” Lain said.

• approved a third service agreement with MSA for water system project totaling $26,400 dollars. Lindeman said this study would be beneficial to Savanna in several aspects, particularly in the area of saving on wasted water.

COOKIE TIME!

More than one way to get Girl Scout cookies this year Some Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois will host Girl Scout Cookie booths in innovative ways during a worldwide pandemic through this month.

Girls, their families, and their troops can choose from a variety of cookie booth options to connect with cookie customers.

For those who prefer contactless cookie sales and delivery, girls and troops can market virtual cookie booths where customers order cookies directly through a girl’s cookie business website and have cookies shipped to their homes.

If girls want to remain local and still connect in-person with customers, families may host pop-up cookie booths at the end of their driveway or block.

Girls can also participate in traditional, in-person cookie booth sales.

org/buycookies to purchase cookies

Girl Scout entrepreneur looking for

directly or be connected to a local

cookie customers.

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Cookie Finder directs consumers to in-person cookie booths closest to them.

Girl Scouts staffing in-person cookie booths will abide by COVID19 health guidelines, including wearing a mask and social distancing as appropriate.

This year’s cookie lineup features Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, S’mores, Lemon-Ups, and toffee-chipped Toffee-tastics. All for $5 per package.

Customers may visit girlscoutsni.

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For information on classified advertisements, display advertisements or billing please dial: For information815-625-3600 on classified advertisements, Fax 815-625-9390 display advertisements or billing please dial: For editorial 815-625-3600 please dial: 815-625-3600 www.prairieadvocate.com Fax 815-625-9390 For editorial please dial: 815-625-3600 www.prairieadvocate.com Publisher .......................................... Jennifer Heintzelman Circulation ........................................................ Abbie Clark Editor ........................................................... Earleen Hinton Advertising Sales ................................... Angelica Martinez The Prairie Advocate is published weekly by Sauk Valley Media, a division of B.F. Shaw Printing Co. Member of Shaw Newspapers and the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Seven-year-old was found unresponsive in his home Feb. 17

BY EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com Family, friends, and classmates of Nathaniel Burton held candles and glow sticks as they stood in front of his elementary school on Feb. 23 as the investigation into his death less than a week before continues.

“My twins are in his class,” said Kristi Guentert as she waited for the vigil to begin. “They took it hard the first day when they found out, but everything the classroom has been doing has been helping.”

Seven-year-old Nathaniel, son of Bryan E. and Sarah L. (Safranek) Burton, was found unresponsive in his bed at 403 S. 10th St., around 2:30 a.m. a week ago, on Feb. 17. He arrived at KSB Hospital in Dixon in full cardiac arrested and was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was conducted the next day, but specifics on a cause of death are being withheld until the autopsy report and toxicology results are in, which will take about a month, Lee County Jesse Partington has said.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation into what officials have confirmed as a potential homicide continues.

Tuesday night, Nathaniel’s grandmother and other family members stood with more than 100 others as they paid tribute to the first-grader, just three blocks from his home.

“I had so much time with him this summer,” said his maternal grandmother, Colleen Hackman. “So many happy times with him. It just makes me feel so good that so many people care. And you know, I love my kids and I love other peoples’ kids and kids are, just you know … kids should be loved. So thank you, everybody, for caring.”

Craig Arnold, pastor of Riverstone Church on S. 10th St., in Oregon, said the vigil was being held to honor Nathaniel.

“This is where we are going to find healing through community, conversations, stories. This is where we are going to remember Nathan. We want this to be a celebration of life, not a slandering of those left behind in an investigation that is still going on.

So, there are a lot of questions here,”

Nathaniel Burton Arnold said.

Oregon Superintendent Tom Mahoney also addressed the crowd.

“I can tell you this is one of the most challenging things a school superintendent has to deal with,” Mahoney said. “Our staff, our school community hurts because of this loss.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our current students and our staff. It has been tremendous, and we are thankful for that.

“What we are focused on is our grieving process, and then how we support those students who are here with us. We just need you to know that we love your kids.”

Last week, Oregon Elementary School students made a memorial by decorating Nathaniel’s desk with handmade cards; they also put a teddy bear wearing a face mask in his seat.

Guentert said Nathaniel’s death also impacted her family.

“It hit me really hard, because I could not imagine anybody my kids’ ages passing away. And then finding out it could have been a homicide it makes it 10 times harder,” she said.

Her twins helped create the classroom memorial, and she purchased pots and seeds for his classmates to grow flowers in his memory.

The vigil was organized by Shannon Martin of Oregon, who has lived in the town since she was 12 years old and wanted to do something to help.

“I did not personally know the little boy. Oregon has always been a community for me, and I always felt that if I needed something I could always turn to the community, and I felt like this was a good time we could all come together,” Martin said.

“I was just standing in my kitchen on Thursday and posted it on Facebook, and it just kind of blew up from there.”

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Several hundred people attend a candlelight vigil Tuesday night for Oregon first-grader Nathaniel Burton. A banner for Nathaniel displayed at the vigil read: “Forever Mapped in Our Hearts, Rest in Paradise Sweet Little Angel, Nathaniel Burton, 9-9-13 – 2-17-2021.”

Supplied

Oregon Elementary School students made this memorial for first-grader Nathaniel Burton, 7, who died early Wednesday after being found unresponsive in this home on South Fourth Street at 2:35 a.m. His death is being investigated as a homicide.

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Candlelight vigil held for Oregon first-grader while investigation into his death continues

3

Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

4 REGIONAL NEWS

Playing the long game as vaccine lines grow

BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ

How to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine

kschultz@shawmedia.com Hey, here’s something that may be in even shorter supply than COVID19 vaccines: Patience.

Getting the vaccine is a numbers game, and patience might be the only way to keep your sanity while you await your turn.

As of last week, there are roughly 65,435 adults in Lee and Whiteside counties eligible for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. That doesn’t include the 16- to 18-year-olds who also are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

More than 14,000 people are signed up with the Whiteside and Lee county health departments – more than 9,000 in Whiteside and more than 5,000 in Lee – and are awaiting their appointments. Those numbers don’t include essential businesses that are signing up for on-site vaccination clinics for their workers.

Phase 1b expanded Thursday, adding people younger than 65 with serious health conditions to the eligibility pool.

Sauk Valley health departments are bracing for an avalanche of more sign-ups, and for now, even longer waits.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in Lee County as of Wednesday, 6,463 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered, and 1,936, or 5.5% of the population, is fully vaccinated.

In Whiteside County, those numbers are 9,597 and 2,878, or 5.1% fully vaccinated.

In Ogle County, total population 50,923 (children and adults), 9,100 people have gotten at least one shot, while 2,048 are fully vaccinated. That’s 4% of the population.

In Carroll County, where the total population is 14,312, a total of 2,156 people are vaccinated, while 540, or 3.77% have had both shots.

Whiteside County is averaging 162 vaccinations a week, Ogle 143, Lee 123, and Carroll 83, the state health department reports.

The number of first doses each department gets weekly is based on population and yet varies, often unexpectedly, as does the day those doses arrive; lately, it’s been around 200.

Until the federal government beefs up the national vaccine supply, it’s going to take a very long while for enough people to get that shot in the arm that will put them on the path to herd immunity. To normalcy.

“We want every eligible individual in Whiteside County who wants to

Alex T. Paschal?apaschal@shawmedia.com

Cory Law, emergency response coordinator for the Whiteside County Health Department, speaks with nurse Donna Smith in Fulton. Teachers, school staff and manufacturing employees were invited to have their vaccinations administered at the high school. be vaccinated to be able to be vaccinated,” the Whiteside County Health Department’s Cory Law said.

“We do not have an endless supply of vaccine, there is a high demand for it, and we all need to be flexible and patient through this process, as we often have to deal with last-minute changes or complications.”

The biggest complaint his department is hearing?

“Individuals signing up for the wait list/notification are concerned as to whether or not they are signed up,” Law said.

“Our current system does display a confirmation screen informing individuals they have been registered once they submit, and it sends a copy of their responses to their email, but some have missed these, leading to concerns.”

The Carroll County Health Department, which does not have a vaccine sign-up option on its website or Facebook page, also is asking for patience.

“We have received a very limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine,” the department said in a news release Wednesday.

“We have typically received 100200 doses weekly and have very little advance notice. Our first clinic was held on Jan. 4, and we have had 13 clinics ... due to the short supply of the vaccine, we try to alternate clinics between essential workers and the general public who may qualify.

Phase 1b2 will start after Phase 1b1 is completed.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding.”

Lee County Health Department Administrator Cathy Ferguson-Allen says the biggest complaint she and

her staff are hearing concerns the long lag time between registering and actually being able to get the vaccine.

“This is out of our control with limited vaccine allocations,” Ferguson said. “We understand that people are anxious to receive vaccine.

We are just as anxious to provide it. We thank our residents for their patience.”

Ogle County, which has about 8,000 people in the older-than-65 pool, also is vaccinating at a snail’s pace, but is ready to go when the allotments increase.

“We can do 1,100 just at OCHD, and I’d bet both hospitals could match that and we could do over 3,000 in a week if we had the doses,” Health Department Administrator Kyle Auman told his county board recently.

Because vaccinations are given by appointment only, it’s crucial that all eligible people sign up, the health officials stress.

Most people prefer to do so online, either by themselves or with help from friends or family members. It’s a quicker process – it can be harder to get through by phone or to get a call back – and it will help staff by reducing the enormous volume of calls they’re handling now.

Those with no internet access, though, can call their health department and staff will help sign them up.

Once you have signed up, don’t worry if you don’t hear from someone right away, they say. Vaccine appointments aren’t being scheduled until doses are in hand, and because the allotments are so small, it may take several weeks for someone to get back to you and set up your appointment.

Businesses with certain classes of essential workers, as well as individuals, should be signing up for COVID-19 vaccines. Go to dph.illinois.gov to determine your eligibility.

In Whiteside County: Go to whitesidehealth.org or call 815-626-2230.

In Lee County: Go to LCHD.org or call 815-284-3371.

In Ogle County: Go to www. oglecounty.org and click on Health Department, or 815-562-6976.

In Carroll County: Call 815-2448855.

CGH Medical Center patients: Go to www.cghmc.com or call 815-6250400.

KSB Hospital patients: Sign up with your local county health department or call 815-288-5531.

Morrison Community Hospital: Call 815-772-5511 or sign up at whitesidehealth.org Walgreens: www.walgreens.com The departments also share their vaccines with their health care partners – Whiteside with Morrison Community Hospital and CGH Medical Center in Sterling, and Lee County with KSB Hospital.

Walgreens pharmacies also are administering vaccines; they get their supplies straight from the federal government, although they, too, experience a fluctuation in the number of does available, and also have extensive waiting lists. It takes online registrations only; go to walgreens. com to sign up.

It’s not a bad idea to sign up with a variety of agencies – with your health care provider, with Walgreens, with your county health department, with your employer – and after you get the shot, just make sure to answer the phone when you get the call from the other agencies, and let them know to take you off their list.

A bright spot on the horizon is Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, a oneshot version that passed another hurdle today on its way to approval.

If the FDA approves that vaccine, it won’t boost supplies by much right away, though – only a few million does are expected to be released the first week – but J&J has said it expects to provide 20 million does nationwide by the end of March, and 100 million by the end of summer.

SAVANNA - Joseph A. Randall, 70, of Savanna, passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2021, in his home after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

A funeral service was held Feb. 27 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna.

Family and friends are invited to share in Joe’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome. com.

Joe was born Oct. 22, 1950, in Savanna, the son of George and Grace (Chafer) Randall.

On June 9, 1972, Joe married Roberta Housenga, in Mt. Carroll; the couple went on to celebrate 48 years of marriage and raise four children.

Shortly after his school days, Joe served in the United States Army, first in Germany (with many stories to tell), then nine months in Vietnam. Joe served from October 1967 to October 1970.

He didn’t often speak of his days in Vietnam, but he was proud to have served his country.

Joe spent the rest of his working life with the railroad, totaling 37 years with Chicago Northwestern and later Union

Pacific, before retiring in 2010.

Joe was a member of the VFW and American Legion, and served as Governor for the Moose Lodge.

In his free time, he loved to camp and fish, spend many hours outdoors with his children and grandchildren, as well as play euchre and watch NFL games, for which he oversaw/managed the family betting pool.

In his quiet time, he enjoyed reading, watching crime shows, or woodworking in the garage.

Joe was a family man, filling that role in different forms throughout his life.

In his working years, he commuted to Chicago regularly to work and support his family.

Despite the grueling commute, he still made it to all events of importance with overwhelming love and support, each time. In his retirement, with the abundance of time, he reveled in his role all the more, as the patriarch.

Joe will be dearly missed by his wife, Roberta; sons, Scott Cravatta, of Mt. Carroll, and Troy (Jamie) Randall, of Lanark; daughters, Candy (Anthony) Marine, of Berwyn, and Angela (Michael Leitzen) Randall, of Clinton, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Falicia, Brady, Jordan, Jennah, Alexis, Caydence, Taylor, and

Brandon; one great-granddaughter on the way, Aspyn; brothers, Robert Randall, of Savanna, and William Randall, of Savanna; sisters, Mary Gilmore, of Savanna, and Sandra (Larry) Chrest, of Sabula, Iowa; nephew, Jeremy; and niece, Holly.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace; brothers, Gerald Randall and Edward Randall (infant); sister, Ellen Randall (infant); and nephew, Logan Randall (infant).

VERNON L. SCHULTZ LANARK - Vernon L. Schultz, 91 of Lanark, passed away Monday, February 22, 2021 at Rock River Hospice and Home in Sterling.

Vernon was born on April 23, 1929 to the late Floyd and Hazel (Dean) Schultz.

Vernon married Beth Bast on Sept. 30, 1950 at Cherry Grove Church where they worshiped together for many years.

Beth passed away November 27, 2019.

Vernon farmed his whole life. He was an all-around handyman who worked hard and cared for others.

He is survived by his sons, Gerald (Anne) Schultz and Ronald Schultz; his daughter, Vicki (Stan) Toepfer; his nine grandchildren; his 14 great-grandchil-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CLAUDIA E. EITEUNER MOUNT CARROLL – Claudia E. Eiteuner, 77, of Mount Carroll, died Friday, February 19, 2021, in her home.

Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mount Carroll handled arrangements.

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Due to COVID-19, a celebration is not possible at this time, but she would enjoy receiving cards.

Cards may be sent to Elaine Bicker, 524 N. Argyle St., Lanark, IL 61046.

dren; and his two sisters, Verla Lohman and Verneice (Gerald) Turner.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brother, Virgil; his sister, Viola; and his granddaughter, Kristy Pierce.

A private family service will be held.

Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial fund has been established for the Shannon Lanark Food Pantry.

Condolence may be shared at www. hermannfuneralhome.com.

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OBITUARIES JOSEPH A. RANDALL

Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

GIRLS BASKETBALL REGIONAL NEWS

Fulton’s Dutch Lyndon egg hunt canceled Coatney, HenzeDays, named to SVM all-area team Library – “Operation Chowhound,” a nonfictional account by Stephen Dando-Collins, and “Of Windmills & The COVID-19 pandemic has War,” a fictional take on the operaclaimed two more popular events — tion, written by Diane Moody. this time in Fulton and Lyndon.

In Lyndon, the Wright’s Egg Hunt Dutch Days, which celebrates the in Richmond Park also is canceled for town’s Dutch heritage on the first the second year in a row. weekend in May, has been canceled, John and Kodie Wright held the Dutch Days Festival Committee first village-sponsored event in 2013 Chairwoman Barb Mask said. after outgrowing the one they started This year’s theme was “Operain their backyard. tion Chowhound” and would have It’s grown exponentially – in 2019, remembered the military-humanitarthe event featured 30,000 eggs, more ian mission that saved thousands of than 300 bikes, toys, bounce houses Dutch citizens from starvation in the and a petting zoo and drew more final days of World War II. Dwight than4,000 people to this village of 600.

Eisenhower, who was then the Allied “We’re very sad to make this Supreme Commander, orchestrated announcement,” Kodie said. the relief effort to bring food during “The 2-week quarantine they wantthe famine and cold winter. ed us to do has turned into a year In coordination with the 75th anniMichael Krabbenhoeft/Shaw Media now, and who knows how long it will versary of these food drops over the Dancers preform traditional Dutch dances during 2019 Dutch Days in downtown Fulton. actually continue. We wish we could Netherlands, the committee had arranged airplanes to fly over the 1974. “It’s a festival where thousands any community events until at least give back to the kids like we always festival, plus partner with the local of people come from everywhere. Peo- September, because of the risks of do, but we have to do our part to keep everyone happy and healthy.” food bank. ple love it, and businesses do well.” spreading the virus, Mask said.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed The theme and all activities will be A more efficient vaccine rollout She encouraged would-be festival continued next year, Mask said. could have made a difference, but it’s goers to check out “two wonderful Eastland’s Lydia Coatney Eastland’s Erin Henze that next year life will be back to nor“It’s so hard to cancel this,” said been too slow of a process, and local books” about the food drops, now mal and we will get to see all those Eastland’s Lydia Coatney Eastland’s Erin Henze Mask of the event that first started in health providers favor of delaying available at the Schmaling Public smiling faces again.”

BY SARAH FORD For Shaw Media

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15

SPORTS | Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com •Wednesday, March 18, 2020

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

6

SPORTS | Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com •Wednesday, March 18, 2020

tney, Henze named to SVM all-area team

15

FARM BUREAU COLUMN

pplications are now available for nurse practitioner scholarships through the Illinois Farm Bureau Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program.

There will be 15 scholarships, worth $4,000 each, granted this year.

The scholarship program, now in its 29th year, helps encourage and develop the pool of rural health practitioners to help meet primary health care needs in rural Illinois.

Students who receive scholarships agree to practice for two years in an approved rural area in Illinois.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be Illinois residents and be a Registered Nurse accepted or enrolled in an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program.

Funding is provided by the Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program.

Applications are available at county Farm Bureaus® throughout the state, on the Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program website at RIMSAP.com, or by writing Donna Gallivan, program manager, Illinois Farm Bureau, PO Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Applica-

COMMENTARY AT A GLANCE Chastity Welch

tions are due May 1.

For additional information, contact Donna Gallivan at 309-557-2350, or via email at dgallivan@ilfb.org.

•••

Each March, we celebrate National Ag Month. Illinois is a leading producer of soybeans, corn and swine. According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), as of April 2019, Illinois had 72,000 farms.

Illinois farmland covers 27 million acres -- about 75 percent of the state’s total land area.

The large number of farms, coupled with the diversity of commodities produced, makes it difficult to describe a typical operation.

However, statistics provide some indication about what it means to farm in Illinois. The average size of an Illinois farm, including hobby

Carroll County Farm Bureau members can place up to two free classified ads per week, with a limit of 250 characters per ad (not including spaces).

Ads are limited to personal or farm items for sale/wanted to buy, or farm labor or services available or wanted. No ads for the sale or rental of real estate, garage sales, or commercial businesses will be accepted.

For Sale: Big round bales, first and second cut hay, good quality, wet wrapped, 815-541-5761 For Sale: Mixed firewood. 815-225-7824.

For Sale: 4 hand-quilted quilts, sewn by Irene Woods, former Mt. Carroll School teacher; bought at Kenny Woods Farm Sale. 815-541-6592.

For Sale: JD 7000 planter. 4 row, 38 in. $4.500 or best offer. Ear corn elevator, really good shape; used last year. $800. 563-271-0001. farms, is 375 acres. Most farm acreage is devoted to grain, mainly corn and soybeans.

About three percent of Illinois farms have swine. Beef cows are found on about 22 percent of farms, while about one percent have dairy cows.

Some farms produce specialty crops and livestock, including alfalfa, canola, nursery products, emus and fish. Many farming operations also support recreational activities

such as hunting and fishing.

I have no doubt we are the only ones, but when Mother Nature gave us that great springlike weather last week, she also gave us some headaches.

As all gutters were full of snow and ice, the melting caused some good leaks and melting.

So if happen to come into the building in the next little bit, you may find a mess here and there as we work to clean it all up.

The 2021 Regional Spelling Bee winner is…

“Our Family Serving Yours” since 1900

Xander Busjahn from Dakota School District.

Evan Trone from Our family has been serving the Shannon, Pearl City & Lake Carrol Areas with

Honesty & Integrity for over 20 years

We specialize in: ~Personalized Services ~ Cremation with Dignity at a state-of-the art facility ~ Custom Affordable Monuments ~ Pet Services ~ Assistance with out-of-town Arrangements

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Warren School District was 2nd place.

The Regional Spelling Bee champion will receive the following prizes:

· Regional Spelling Bee 1st place trophy. · Qualifies for the Scripps National Spelling Bee · The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award — a 2021 United States Mint Proof Set · A one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium · A one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online, the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 2nd place winner will receive: Regional Spelling Bee 2nd place trophy Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Nurse practitioner scholarships are being offered A

7

Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

8 GIRLS BASKETBALL

Third-quarter run lifts Amboy Clippers past Eastland Cougars in rematch

BY ERIC INGLES eingles@shawmedia.com.

AMBOY – Two nights after being knocked off in Lanark by the defending state champions, the No. 1 team in the state in Class 1A came up with a response, as Amboy used a strong third-quarter push to beat No. 2 Eastland 66-52 on Feb. 25.

The Clippers led 31-26 at halftime and saw that lead cut to three early in the third when Karlie Krogman hit a basket in the paint.

But Amboy responded with a 14-2 run, and led by double digits the rest of the way.

“Our fast break, getting a good outlet, what we’re good at,” Amboy’s Gabby Jones said. “If we get a good rebound, get the ball to Mallory [Powers] and Abi [Payne], they know how to push the ball up the floor and find the open person.”

Payne kicked things off by feeding Jones for a layup. After baskets

by Powers and Brianna Blaine and Powers adding three points from the free throw line, Payne fed Olivia Dinges for a 3-pointer. Payne then fed Blaine for a basket to put the Clippers up 47-30.

Annika Myre and Natalie Hughes ended the run with back-to-back 3-pointers, both off assists from Krogman, cutting the deficit to 49-36 after three, but the Cougars never got back within single digits as the teams spent the fourth quarter trading baskets.

“I thought our kids played hard, I thought our kids played well,” Eastland coach Nicole Brinker said. “We just had some things not go our way.”

During Amboy’s run, Eastland got a basket from Addison Burkholder, but that was it in a stretch where the Cougars shot 1 for 9 and turned the ball over four times.

For the game, Eastland turned the ball over 16 times, with Amboy steals accounting for eight of those. Three of those steals came from Jones, who also contributed 16 points and three assists.

“I saw her playing defense really well and getting around the girls, working hard,” Powers said. “Offensively, she played great. She was battling with girls, getting offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, and putting it in when we needed it the most.”

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Eastland’s Chloe Sweitzer grabs the ball from the fingertips of Amboy’s Olivia Dinges.

That came two days after Jones was limited to seven points with foul trouble in Eastland’s 51-49 win Tuesday.

“We knew what she was capable of,” Brinker said. “Powers and Payne do demand so much attention and you have to credit them because they are willing to share the ball, and they got it to [Jones] and she made good plays. She’s probably one of the most underrated players in the area. I thought that last year too.”

Jones scored three times on layups in the fourth quarter as Eastland tried to get back into the game with a full-court press, but Payne and Powers were able to navigate it, feeding Jones all alone under the basket.

“I don’t think anyone can press

us,” Amboy coach Mike McCracken said. “With Abi on the floor, she can break a press all by herself. We were in a better position. The other night they didn’t really press us except for some man, and that wasn’t the problem, the problem was we didn’t execute. It was just one of those nights we didn’t finish, and tonight we were able to maintain it and build.”

The Clippers (7-1) jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead thanks in large part to a pair of steals from Powers, the first leading to a layup and a threepoint play, the second leading to a layup for Payne. Powers then added another free throw.

Eastland (10-1) got back within two thanks to free throws from Krogman and a Talena Rogers basket in the paint before Jones answered with a pair of baskets on the other

end to put the Clippers up 10-4.

Eastland again got within two on baskets from Rogers and Krogman, and twice had the ball with a chance to tie the game or take the lead, but a defensive rebound and a steal from Jones ended that chance, and Powers fed Blaine for a 3-pointer.

Amboy led by as many as seven in the first quarter after Jones added a basket off an assist from Payne, but a Rogers putback and a Krogman basket off an assist from Burkholder made it 15-12 Clippers after one.

The second quarter was a continual string of Eastland getting within two only to have Amboy extend the lead. Six different times, the Cougars were within a basket of a tie only to have Amboy answer. A Krogman basket was answered by

See AMBOY EASTLAND, Page 9

GIRLS BASKETBALL | EASTLAND 51, AMBOY 49

No. 2 Cougars rally to defeat top-ranked Clippers in first of two meetings BYBRIAN WEIDMAN bweidman@shawmedia.com.

LANARK – Natalie Hughes was not part of three classic games between Eastland and Amboy in the 2019-20 season.

The transfer student from West Carroll made her presence felt in a big way in the first meeting between the Cougars and Clippers this season.

Hughes drained a jumper from the foul line at the buzzer to lift Eastland to a 51-49 comeback victory before a small but delirious crowd in Lanark Feb. 23.

Eastland lost two of three meetings against Amboy last year, but won the one that counted most – in the finals of the Pecatonica Sectional on the way to a Class 1A state championship. Those Cougars were senior-dominated, but this year’s version showed they can play a little bit as well.

“I think we came into the game

definite underdogs, losing all of the people we did and they didn’t lose much,” senior forward Karlie Krogman said. “We kind of took that, put it on our shoulders and went with it.

We played as hard as we could.”

Eastland (10-0, 7-0 NUIC South) trailed for the whole game after digging itself a 10-0 hole in the first 5½ minutes of play.

It was a long, uphill climb, but the Cougars finally caught the Clippers at 47-47 following a 3-pointer from Hughes with 1:05 to play.

Two free throws from Talena Rogers with :47.4 to go put Eastland up 49-47, but Amboy was able to tie the score at 49-49 on a layup by Mallory Powers with 8 seconds to go.

That set the stage for Hughes. She took the inbounds pass from Krogman and weaved her way through the Amboy defense. When she got to the free-throw line, she fired up a shot that hit nothing but net. It was a shorter version of a shot made by

Lydia Coatney in last year’s sectional that lifted the Cougars to the win.

“I was just looking to get the ball up the floor as quick as possible and see what was there,” Hughes said.

“As I crossed half court, they came up, and I saw an opening. I just went for it.”

Krogman (26 points, 12 rebounds) and Hughes (14 points, 4-for-5 on 3-pointers) did most of the heavy lifting for the Cougars. Talena Rogers chipped in five points and seven rebounds.

Collectively, the Cougars held an Amboy team averaging 71 points per game to 22 under its average.

“They did it on the defensive end,” Eastland coach Nicole Brinker said.

“We know we don’t have the firepower that we had last year, but we are stronger defensively than we were last year. These kids just worked. They tirelessly kept getting out there, kept getting stops and kept making plays.”

Amboy (6-1, 4-1) led by as many as

10 points (36-26) when Gabby Jones hit a 3-pointer with 2:40 left in the third quarter. It was still 47-41 with 2 minutes to go after Abi Payne hit layup, but the Clippers had two turnovers and a missed layup by Payne down the stretch before Powers tied it up late.

Powers finished with 19 points to give her 1,006 for her 4-year varsity career. She hit a 3 with 3:10 left in the second quarter for the 1,000th point.

Shortly thereafter, an announcement was made and she was given a standing ovation.

“It means a lot to me,” Powers said.

“I’m glad that we had a season so that I could achieve this goal, but my teammates have been right behind me and giving me the opportunity to get this this. They provided me with great passes and great shots to make me get 1,000 tonight.”

Powers also had 11 rebounds, while Payne added 14 points and four assists.

• AMBOY EASTLAND Continued from Page 8 Powers, a Rogers basket answered by Dinges, a Krogman spin move in the paint for two answered by Blaine. “[We had to] definitely lock down on defense,” Jones said. “It helped when the guards followed Krogman down to the post and helped inside there. Our defense picked it up this game compared to last game.”

Amboy extended the lead to as many as six with Powers hitting a layup and Blaine hitting a jumper off an assist by Jones, but Eastland once again got within two on baskets from Chloe Waller and Rogers. Dinges then capped off the first-half scoring with a 3-pointer, making it 31-26 Amboy at the break.

Krogman and Rogers each scored 12 in the first half. Krogman finished with 20 points and eight rebounds. Rogers finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.

“Talena and Karlie were carrying it.

They were the only ones to score in the first half,” Brinker said. “We knew we had the advantage there with them. They did a great job and we were giving them the ball and just making good defensive plays.”

Powers finished with 15 points for Amboy. Payne, limited to two points in the first quarter, finished with 13 points and four assists.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Eastland’s Talena Rogers pulls down a rebound against Amboy on Feb. 25.

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Eastland stuns Amboy with buzzer-beater

9

Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

10 Winter Scenes

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

ABOVE: Snowmobilers ride in a field along Milledgeville Road last week. Sufficient snow totals and cold temperatures allowed area riders plenty of opportunity to ride this winter, but the recent warm temperatures and subsequent thaw has halted the season. TOP RIGHT: This frog, made of old tire scraps, is still holding his own as he sits in snow drifts in a yard between Mt. Carroll and Savanna along Illinois 64. LOWER RIGHT: Ice fishermen were busy a week ago trying their luck on the Frog Pond in Savanna. A good snow base and frigid temperatures made it a good season for ice fishing.

SPORTS ROUNDUP SVM Sports Staff sports@saukvalley.com Boys basketball Eastland 69, West Carroll 25: The Cougars cruised past the Thunder in Mount Carroll.

Wyatt Baber led Eastland with 19 points. Carson Witt added 15. Drew Burkholder added nine.

Bradley Storjohann led the Thunder with six.

Eastland led 22-3 after one quarter and 38-12 at halftime.

Girls basketball Eastland 57, West Carroll 15: Ten different Eastland players scored in a home win over West Carroll.

Karlie Krogman led the attack with 13 points. Delana Erbsen added 11.

Tori Moshure led the Thunder with seven points.

Eastland led 20-2 after one quarter and 29-3 at halftime.

Fulton 40, Erie-Prophetstown 35: The Steamers pulled out the close win at home over the Panthers.

Mak Glassburn and Olivia Purvis each scored eight to lead E-P. Boys basketball Eastland 58, Forreston 42: Kellen Henze scored 31 points as the Cougars beat the Cardinals in Forreston.

Drew Burkholder added nine.

Eastland jumped out to a 21-11 lead

after one quarter, and led 33-23 at halftime and 47-30 after three quarters.

Milledgeville 83, West Carroll 44: The Missiles picked up the NUIC crossover win. The Missiles jumped out to a 28-13 lead after one and led 55-21 at halftime.

Treyton Selman scored 23 points in the first half and finished with 27 points.

Kieren Harris added 13. Izaac TomsSmith scored 10.

Ashton Miller led the Thunder with 14 points. Jacob McLuckie added 13 points and three assists.

Eastland 54, Amboy 29: The Cougars led 26-12 by halftime, then turned that into a 42-18 lead after three quarters in an NUIC South win in Lanark.

Wyatt Baber’s 14 points paced Eastland, with Kellen Henze scoring 10 and Kamden Baber added eight.

Jordan Gulley scored seven points, all in the fourth quarter, to lead the Clippers.

Milledgeville 67, Forreston 37: The Missiles jumped out to a 20-10 lead after the opening quarter, stretched it to 36-20 by halftime, and 51-31 by the end of the third period in an NUIC South win at home.

Treyton Selman poured in 38 points for Milledgeville, hitting five 3-pointers and making all seven of his free throws.

Kieren Harris had 10, and Ryan Kendall added eight for the Missiles.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

124

CELEBRATE RECOVERY! A program based on the Bible.

Weekly Meeting Every Friday from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at York Community Church, Thomson, IL. Contact: Robert Heath @ 815-2593550.

HOMES FOR RENT

EMPLOYMENT

505

There is a better

way...

Winstead Pallet Salvage Looking for a CDL truck driver.

Hours are MonFri 6am to 3pm.

Some days may be until 4:00.

Deliveries are local. Please call 815-626-9545 to set up an appointment.

CHADWICK 3BR country home, Chadwick, 2 car gar. 815-499-0463

SELL

those unwanted items with the help of a Prairie Advocate Classified Ad 625-3600 284-2222

LOCATED JUST N. OF JCT. 64/78

PLEASE FOLLOW COVID-19 GUIDELINES CHECK FOR UPDATED PICTURES WEEK OF AUCTION

Wagner Victrola; rocking chair; highchair; sled; paper cutter; drop-frt. secretary; cookstove; books; pictures; hutch; Sterling dairy bottle; thermos; Keepsake ornaments; 10-drawer rolling cart (NIB); MANY MORE ITEMS How To Make Your Dining Room Set Disappear...

DALE JONES (309) 299-6400

Simply advertise in the Classifieds and get results quickly!

Dixon, IL

Sauk Valley Media has a full-time opening for an Inside Sales Representative.

Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC • TF (844) 847-2161 www.SullivanAuctioneers.com • IL Lic. 444000107

AUTOMOBILES 905

Got something you really want to sell? Put it in front of the faces of thousands of readers everyday in the Classifieds.

Call today to place your ad!

HAZELHURST ANNUAL SPRING CONSIGNMENT LIVE-VIRTUAL AUCTION SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021

Online bidding will require early delivery. We want to keep everyone safe and healthy (social distancing, masks, etc) therefore we will only be accepting tractors, farm implements, trucks, trailers, vehicles. Plus running riding mowers, 4x4’s, 3 wheelers, golf carts. *** Also accepting small farm items, Good tires will be accepted. NOhayrack items, used lumber or household items. We have the Right to Refuse!*** Questions, please contact us.

Location - Midway between Polo, IL and Milledgeville, IL (17748 W. Milledgeville Rd, Polo 61064 - Mrs. Sherwood Shank Farm) at the corner of Milledgeville Road and Ogle (Brookville) Road. Loading dock and boom tractors/operators available to unload & load most anything.

Got a lot of junk?

Get rid of it fast in the classifieds. You never know what trash could wind up treasure.

Consignments can be called in by March 15 for the salebill advertising and then brought to the auction sight: March 19, 20, 22 through 27, 29, 30 & 31 between the hours of 7:30 am & 5 pm (gates locked).

Gates will be open on April 1 & 2 between 10:00 am & 5:00 pm for viewing (and getting a buyer number).

Please follow PPE Guidelines!

To list equipment, contact: LYLE HOPKINS (IL#440.000185) POLO, IL 815-441-1251 815-946-2660 EMAIL—slpaspolo@gmail.com John Hopkins 815-994-1836 LENNY BRYSON (IL#440.000158) POLO, IL 815-946-4120 SM-ST1861814

Don’t need it?

TERMS: CASH OR CHECK MUST HAVE PHOTO ID TO REGISTER JIM CALHOUN, AUCTIONEER IL LIC.440000333 MT. CARROLL 815-244-9660 FOR FULL LISTING & PICTURES • WWW.CALHOUNAUCTION.COM

Inside Sales Representative

TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE AUCTION OR PRIVATE LISTING!

RIP -N- TEAR: Sewing RepairsBlue Jeans, Work Clothes & Zippers Replaced.

In Thomson area 815-541-3178

Need to place an ad?

Call us today!

815-625-3600 815-632-2554

AUCTIONEERS, LLC LAND COMPANY LLC

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REP.

730

2003 Acura MDX Touring Great shape $4200 815-973-2437

AUCTION

SAT., MARCH 6 9:30 AM (BLIZZARD DATE, MAR. 7) ESTHER PHIMALEE EST. MT. CARROLL FARM BUREAU 811 S. CLAY ST., MT. CARROLL

INTERESTED IN SELLING LAND AT AUCTION OR PRIVATE LISTING?

310 CLOTHING

815-625-3600 or 815-284-2222

Sauk Valley Media, part of Shaw Media, publishes two daily newspapers: the Telegraph and the Daily Gazette,nine weekly publications and also maintains a vibrant and timely online and social media presence.

About This Opportunity: This position requires excellent relationship building skills, a positive team driven attitude, written and verbal communication skills, excellent phone skills, goal driven, multitasking ability, computer and typing skills, ability to manage deadlines, strong organizational skills, an eye for detail, and a proactive work ethic.

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Prairie Advocate Classifieds

11

About Shaw Media: Shaw Media publishes over 150 titles in Illinois and Iowa.

Its holdings include websites, newspapers, magazines, a video production unit and a digital marketing services division. Founded in Dixon, Illinois, Shaw Media has been privately owned by the Shaw family since its inception in 1851.

Enjoy the Rewards of Working Among the Best: In return for your contributions to our success, Shaw Media offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and 401(k) with company match, as well as opportunities to advance within the company.

Apply Today!

Please submit a cover letter and resume: Apply online: www.shawmedia.com/careers Or Mail to: Sauk Valley Media Human Resources 113 S. Peoria Avenue Shaw Dixon, Media IL 61021 est. 1851

est. 1851

Shaw Media is a Drug-Free Employer. Pre-employment background check and drug screen required. This posting may not include all duties of the position.

SELL IT!

To

Prairie Advocate / prairieadvocate.com • Wednesday, March 3, 2021

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

12

BUSINESS NEWS

Hilltop Lanes in Morrison shutting down in April Owner says he has sold property to an investment group

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN bweidman@shawmedia.com MORRISON – For more than 70 years, Hilltop Lanes has been the place where bowlers set ‘em up and knocked ‘em down.

That will be ending in less than two months.

Mike Hamilton, owner of the business for the past 23 years, will shut down for good April 23. He is selling the property to an investment company in Chicago, the contents will be sold, and the building at 629 E. Lincolnway will be torn down.

At its peak, in the early 1990s, Hilltop had 525 league bowlers, Hamilton said.

That number has dwindled to 95 for Monday through Friday league nights.

“The numbers just keep going down every year,” Hamilton said. “[This deal] kind of happened out of nowhere. Somebody approached me about wanting the property, and I figured in a couple of years I was going to want to do this, anyway, and then there might not be a buyer.

I took the opportunity. It’s a little early, but I couldn’t pass it up.”

Hilltop Lanes was built in 1950.

Mike’s dad, Don Hamilton, and his brother-in-law, Art Sikkema, bought it in 1964, and Don became the sole owner in 1971. He and Mike ran it from 1973 to 1998, then Mike became the sole owner.

Old bowlers simply are not being replaced with new ones.

“You’re always trying, but you can’t get the young people to do it anymore,” Hamilton said. “Everybody is my age [64] or older. The young people are too busy with their lives and their kids, so they won’t commit to bowling a 32-week season.”

Leagues at Hilltop run from just after Labor Day until the middle of April. There is open bowling on weekends.

His regulars have been great through this whole process, and are sad they won’t have a bowling alley in Morrison to go to anymore, he said.

“They get it. Most of the league bowlers have bowled their whole lifetime here, so they get it,” Hamilton said. “They’ve seen how the numbers have gone down, and they understand. … It makes me sad Mor-

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com

Mike Hamilton has owned Hilltop Lanes since 1998, taking over for his father who bought the place in 1964. An offer for the property came and Hamilton couldn’t pass it up, though he said the decision was a tough one. Built in 1950, the alley maintained many of the charms of yesteryear. rison won’t have a bowling alley or a golf course or a roller rink anymore.

It bums me out that I’m letting the community down.”

Hamilton is planning a customer appreciation weekend April 17 and 18.

“I’d like people to stop out and share memories of the alley, have a drink and some food, and look at pictures,” he said. “We’re going to try to have all the old bartenders from over the years come out and work a half-hour, and have everybody enjoy that last weekend.”

Hamilton’s plans are to retire, and he and his wife, Elizabeth, will continue to live in Morrison, although they may find time to spend a few months in the winter in a warm spot like Florida. Both knees need to be replaced; he already has an appointment to fix his left knee in July.

Once a bowler with a 210 average, Hamilton plans to bowl twice a week, once his knees are good, at Triple Play Bowling and Banquet in Fulton, where many of his league bowlers now will play.

“I thank the community for supporting me so long,” Hamilton said.

“It was a great job – the greatest job a person could have, as far as I’m concerned.

“I’ve met hundreds of people and have lifelong friendships. That’s what I’ll miss the most, is the people.”