Prairie Advocate_112322

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

PANTHERS ROLL ON

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Lena-Winslow’s Gage Dunker runs through a gap for a big gain in the Class 1A state semifinal against Forreston at Freeport High School on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Panthers ended the Cardinals’ season, winning the game 38-16 to advance to the state championship Friday in Champaign. Story on page 7.

Sorensen wins 17th Congressional District race

Local News Network

Eric Sorensen declared victory Nov. 9 in his bid to represent the 17th Congres sional District in the U.S. House. He released a statement the morning after the Nov. 8 election that his Republican opponent Esther Joy King had called to concede.

“I thank her for running, and while we disagree on the issues, we both have a passion for service,” he said in a news release.

As of Nov. 11, Sorenson had received 119,450 (51.7%) votes to King’s 111,378 (48.3%).

In the release, Sorensen also wrote, “I’ve worked to serve the people of cen tral and NW Illinois for 22 years, earning their trust by telling them the truth and helping them make the right decisions for their lives. In Congress, I will bring that same honesty to representing them and commitment to fighting for lower costs, reproductive rights and good-pay ing, sustainable jobs right here at home.”

He also said he looks forward to con tinuing to be a good neighbor.

Sorensen, a Democrat and former TV weather forecaster, declared victory after 2 a.m., saying, “The meteorologist is going to Congress.”

In social media posts, Sorensen wrote, “Today we say loud and clear: this space

is special and it’s going to be repre sented by someone who’s spent nearly their entire life liv ing, working and actively engaging in our community here, and will make sure that our com munity has a seat at the table.”

The district will have a new represen tative for the first time in a decade.

Cheri Bustos, a Democrat from East Moline, announced in April 2021 that she would not seek reelection after her fifth term in office.

Bustos released a statement Nov. 9 congratulating Sorensen on his victory.

“Yesterday, the residents of north west and central Illinois chose to stand for democracy, freedom and a future where we work together instead of tear ing each other apart. I want to congratu late Eric Sorensen on his victory,” she said. “I am thrilled that the working- and middle-class families of Illinois’ 17th Congressional District will have a repre sentative who will fight for them, work to build up our local economy and con tinue to uplift Heartland values and Mid western voices.

“After serving this congressional dis

trict for the past decade, I want to thank the men and women, young and old, who have been so supportive. It has been my honor to work to improve the lives of every resi dent who I have been fortunate enough to serve. As I look forward to my next step, I am glad to know that those I have served will be represented by an Illinoisan with deep roots in our community who is ready to step up and lead.”

Sorensen was a TV meteorologist in Rockford for 11 years and in the Quad Cities for seven years. He will be the state’s first openly gay congressional member once he’s sworn in.

King is a Judge Advocate General Offi cer in the U.S. Army Reserve and prac tices law in East Moline, focusing on real estate. She ran against Bustos in 2020. That race also was close, 52% to 48%.

The redrawn 17th District includes metros of Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, the Quad Cities and Rockford.

King campaigned on issues including inflation and crime – blaming Demo cratic leadership for inflation – wanting to rein in government spending to slow

down the economy, she said during a candidate debate in early October at Bradley University.

Sorensen campaigned on inflation, reproductive rights and climate change. On inflation, he has spoken about employing multiple mitigation mea sures, such as allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices with drug companies and sales tax breaks.

Both have spoken about the need to grow job opportunities in the district as well as the importance of the Farm Bill.

On abortion, Sorensen said abortion is health care and the government should not be telling people what they can or can’t do with their bodies. King said she’s against abortion based on her faith and approves of Roe v. Wade being overturned. She also criticized the state’s abortion access laws under Gov. JB Pritzker, but supported exceptions in cases of rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother.

Election analysts widely pegged the race as a toss-up, and millions were spent on targeted campaign ads.

More than $7 million was spent by super PACs, national party committees and other noncandidate committees to advocate for or against the candidates.

King raised about $4.6 million and spent $3.8 million. Sorenson raised $2.5 million and spent $2.2 million.

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Publisher

Jennifer Heintzelman

Jennifer Heintzelman Circulation Abbie Clark Editor Earleen Hinton Advertising Sales

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

The publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in adver tisements beyond the amount paid for space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred whether such error is due to the negligence of the publisher’s staff or otherwise and there shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement

Shaw

Eric Sorensen

Esther Joy King

Well, the first measurable snowfall hit Nov. 15. I was told once the date is equal to the number of measurable snows we will have in a year. I can’t say I am excited about 15, but if they are less than 2 to 3 inches, I think I can han dle it.

Last week, we had the bus trip to “Wicked.” I honestly can say I totally forgot what it was like even though I had seen it before. I also forgot how good it was.

I really, really enjoyed it enough that I would head back in tomorrow to see it again. Even despite the rain walking around getting lunch.

However, the day did not end well. By now you likely have heard Paul Cheeseman’s shed burnt that night. We found out when we were leaving the DeKalb oasis.

I am sure inside he wasn’t as calm as he seemed on the outside.

The first bus trip of my career was with Paul driving. He had a new bus, and just like anything mechanical, you never know when something will hap pen. Well, the transmission went out on Illinois 40 south of Buda, and if anyone knows that area, cellphones down there do not work well, if in fact at all!

It has seemed over the years that small or sometimes big things happen while on bus trips. As Paul said on the bus as we drove on the Milledgeville blacktop to head back to the office, there was nothing he could do and luck ily no one was hurt.

•••

Reservations have been flooding in for the charcuterie board class! Cost is $45. The class will be at the Lake Car roll Clubhouse on Thursday, Dec. 8. Registration is required and will end Dec. 1 or when we hit 50 registrations.

The cost of Thanksgiving dinner is up again this year. Farm Bureau’s 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10, which is $64.05 or less than $6.50 a person. This is a $10.74 or 20% increase from last year’s average of $53.31. The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey

Carroll County

For Sale: Landoll Model 2325 Disc Ripper. Very good condition, $8,500 OBO. 563-219-5491.

For Sale: 15-ft. Alamo wing mower $4,000 obo, 2007 16-ft. flatbed trailer $4,800 obo, 563613-3670.

– costs more than last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound bird. That’s $1.81 per pound, up 21% from last year, because of sev eral factors beyond inflation.

AFBF analysis revealed regional dif ferences in the cost of the meal.

The cost for the classic meal was the most affordable in the South, $58.42, fol lowed by the Northeast, $64.02, Mid west, $64.26, and West, $71.37.

The expanded meal (classic meal plus ham, green beans and Russet pota toes) was the most affordable in the South, $74.90, followed by the Midwest,

$81.53, Northeast, $82.76 and West $88.55.

I always find the survey interesting. You can read the full report at www.fb. org.

You have until Dec. 1 to order your individual freezer meal set. It is a little hard to describe, but a few years ago we offered a two-person meal set. This year, they are individual portions. A set includes two of each of the five meals. Cost is $80. You can order on our web site at www.carrollcfb.org or give us a call.

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. To place an ad, call the Farm Bureau office at 815-244-3001 by 3 p.m. Thursday to get your ad in the following week’s paper. The Farm Bureau office compiles the ads and Shaw Media runs them in the Prairie Advocate as a courtesy in conjunction with the weekly column. Shaw Media is not responsible for the ads and any errors or corrections need to be made to the Farm Bureau office.

Eleven students from Eastland High School

inducted into membership of the National Honor Society in a ceremony Nov. 15.

selected for induction were Kennedy Burkholder, Kennidee Bry ant, Lillian Greenfield-Siegner, Ella Gunderson, Paige Joiner, Isabelle Lego, Mallory Misiewicz, Jason Prow ant, Ryan Sauer, Gracie Steidinger and

Jenica Stoner.

They are joined by seven seniors who are members – Hudson Groez inger, Ashleigh Ifert, Emily Janssen, Sarah Kempel, Kyla LaRue, Adelia Rush and Keegan Strauch.

Students were selected by faculty for meeting high standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character. The National Honor Society is one of the old est and most prestigious national organi zations for high school students.

Photo provided by Eastland High School

Eleven Eastland High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society. Pictured are the NHS students. Front row, left to right: Mallory Misiewicz, Adelia Rush, Paige Joiner, Kennidee Bryant, Kennedy Burkholder, Kyla LaRue, Gracie Steidinger and Jenica Stoner. Back row: Ella Gunderson, Belle Lego, Emily Janssen, Sarah Kempel, Lillian Greenfield-Siegner, Ashleigh Ifert, Keegan Strauch, Hudson Groezinger, Ryan Sauer and Jason Prowant.

NEWS BRIEFS

Volunteers sought for live nativity Dec. 2

A live nativity scene is being orga nized as part of the Fulton Christmas Walk from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

Volunteers are needed to portray the characters of the Holy Nativity. Each vol unteer will be asked to take part in the scene for 30 minutes.

The stable with a small petting zoo will be located near de Immigrant Windmill and Windmill Cultural Center at the corner of First Street and 10th Avenue. Cos tumes, music and background props will be provided. Volunteers may be adults or

OBITUARIES

DENNIS LEE FERRIS

Born: October 21, 1955

Died: November 24, 2022

Dennis Lee Ferris, of Chadwick, IL, passed away Saturday, September 24, at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna, IL. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 26, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chadwick. Burial will take place in Chadwick Cemetery.

Dennis was born October 21, 1955, son of Ralph Harold Ferris Sr. and Ruth Elaine (Lar son) Ferris. He attended Chadwick schools, and graduated from Chadwick High School with the class of 1972. Dennis then went on to Western Illinois University, graduating with a B.A. in business in 1980. He furthered his education at the Dale Carnegie Institute.

Dennis worked most of his life in finance. He worked for Credithrift of America as a branch manager in Princeton and Paris, Illinois.

KURTIS KEHL

Kurtis Kehl, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, passed on November 13, 2022.

Arrangements entrusted to Law-Jones Fu neral Home, Mount Carroll, Illinois. Additional information: 815-273-2264.

youth, individuals, families or groups.

“Take this wonderful opportunity to usher in the Christmas season sharing this true message with our community and visitors,” organizer Judith Holesinger said in a news release.

Interested volunteers can call 563249-6115 for details and a schedule.

Toastmasters meeting Dec. 6

The Inspiring Speakers Toastmaster Club will meet at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The club meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Freeport Public Library. The meeting is hybrid

with an online option via Zoom.

Toastmasters builds communication and leadership skills for career and per sonal growth in a fun, friendly and sup portive environment.

Guests are welcome. For more infor mation, contact Tom Willison at 815275-7111 or tomwillison3@gmail. com and visit toastmasters.org.

Bible study taking place on Mondays

Rev. Joel McClellan, pastor of Coleta and Milledgeville United Methodist churches, will lead a four-week Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Mondays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19 at Coleta United Methodist Church.

is located on Main Street in Coleta. The church is equipped with an elevator that is accessible from the main entrance.

Deals at thrift shop

The Carroll County Thrift Shop, 126 S. Fourth St., Savanna, will participate in “Shop Local Small Business Saturday” on Nov. 26.

In honor of the shop’s 50 years of ser vice, 50 cent deals will continue with all regularly priced clothing (excluding coats) sold for 50 cents.

A free kids’ toy is included with each purchase while supply lasts.

Friday hours for the shop are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dennis also worked as a credit manager at Bank of Chestnut and Landmark Credit Union in Danville, Illinois, as well as being bank manager for Kenney Bank. He was a member of the Men’s Club of Kenney, and the Kenney Heritage Association, acting as treasurer for many years. Dennis was a confirmed member of the First Lutheran Church of Chadwick. In his free time, Dennis enjoyed hunting and fishing in northern Minnesota. He was also an avid cyclist and golfer. Dennis was even a certified Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver. He enjoyed diving in waters off Florida and in Lake Superior.

Dennis will be dearly missed by his three brothers, Ralph Ferris Jr. of Chadwick, John (Kimberly) Ferris of Lanark, IL, and James Ferris of Payson, AZ; one sister, Cheryl (Keith) Padgett of Shawnee, KS; and many nieces and nephews. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ruth; and his nephew, Michael Reibel.

Dennis’ family would like to give their thanks and gratitude to the compassionate and caring staff of Big Meadows Nursing Home for their care of Dennis.

The study will help participants dis cover what parts of the Christmas story come from which Gospel and uncover the tension between the past and the future in their own life. There will be time for questions, discussion, prayer and a focus for the upcoming week.

There is no fee to attend. No study book is required, but you may purchase a book, wherever you purchase books, if you desire.

The Coleta United Methodist Church

Money earned at the Carroll County Help Center Thrift Shop is used to help with emergency needs of those in Carroll County, as well as funding one scholar ship for each high school in Carroll County.

Monetary donations to the Carroll County Help Center may be directed to Treasurer Carol Gloor. Because it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dona tions to the Carroll County Help Center are tax deductible.

TOLL FREE (866) 493-2300 110 W Carroll, Lanark 815-493-2323 24490 Payne, Shannon 815-864-2390 Amy Barnes, Designated Managing Broker www.BarnesRealtyInc.com

CHADWICK

DEL PYSE

Del Pyse, 50, of Freeport, Illinois, passed on November 3, 2022.

Arrangements entrusted to Law-Jones Funeral Home, Lanark, Illinois. Additional information: 815-273-2264.

THOMSON

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Panthers headed to state with 38-16 win over Cards

By ANDY COLBERT For Shaw Media

FREEPORT – In the words of Forreston coach Keynon Janicke, “the game couldn’t have started better for us.”

On Lena-Winslow’s third play of the Nov. 19 Class 1A state semifinal game, Kaleb Sanders tackled Gunar Lobdell for a loss of three yards and the Pan thers had to punt.

Taking over on its own 9-yard line, Forreston racked up big chunks of yardage, prompting Le-Win coach Ric Arand to take a timeout.

“I called them out,” Arand said.

The tongue-lashing seemed to have an effect as the Panthers’ defense stiffened and Forreston was forced to punt after lineman Henry Engel tackled running fullback Johnny Kobler for a loss.

Besides the disappointment of a promising drive stalling out, the ensuing punt attempt by Sanders was blocked as Maisen Smith pushed the up-back into the ball.

“It was a spark. It lit a fire under our kids,” Arand said.

Did it ever.

Le-Win (13-0) scored 38 straight points on its way to a 38-16 semifinal win to advance to the 1A state title game against Camp Point Central.

Taking over at the Forreston 19-yard line after the blocked punt, Gage Dunker scored two plays later to give Le-Win an 8-0 lead. Dunker then made his pres

ence felt on defense with a sack of Forreston QB Brock Smith to force another punt.

With the wind swirling about, Sanders could only manage a boot of 12 yards and the Panthers had good field position again. On the first play of the second quarter, Lobdell ran through a huge hole on the right side into the end zone for an 11-yard touch down.

“We controlled the line of scrimmage,” said Le-Win’s Jake Tippett, a two-way lineman.

It was a different situation than in Week 9, when Arand said Forreston beat his team up front, though Le-Win won 28-14.

“It was not a convincing win,” Arand said. “For reston is a different animal. They are tough on both sides.”

Behind Kobler carrying the load, the Cardinals drove 50 yards before stalling out at the Le-Win 21-yard line on a pass breakup by Jake Zeal.

“Once they started throwing, we knew we had it,” Tippett said.

On the very next play, it was Dunker going 49 yards through another gaping hole. Two plays later, he tacked on another 21 of his game-high 178 yards for a score and 22-0 advantage.

“Le-Win is definitely physical,” Janicke said. “They bring it and don’t stop bringing it.”

They showed that on Forreston’s next possession with another three-and-out.

See PANTHERS, Page 12

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Lena-Winslow’s Jake Zeal escapes Forreston’s Jace Engbert for a big gain during their Class 1A state semifinal Saturday afternoon at Freeport High School. The Panthers ended the Cardinals’ season with a 38-16 win to advance to the 1A state championship Friday in Champaign.

SCALES MOUND — He’s a hard worker earning money in a field that he loves with his own growing business and customers who respect him. He couldn’t ask for better par ents and he’s got a support system who would drop everything to help him. And he’s young and in love.

Some might say that Connor Brown is in his heyday.

But as far as he’s concerned, the best is yet to come.

Brown, 21, of Elizabeth, has traversed the hilly terrain in Illinois’ northernmost points in Jo Daviess County for the past two years scoop ing up inventory for his business, Brown’s Baling and Hay, and those hills aren’t the only ups and downs he’s dealt with. Like other business es owner, Brown has faced his share of challenges, but they don’t bring him down — they bring him pride..

“You run into constant problems,” Brown said. “It sucks, but at the same time, at the end of the day when you get caught up, you’ve fixed the problems and it’s something a little more rewarding. You’ll have days where everything goes right, but very rarely does that happen. Anybody in the ag community can tell you that. It’s a constant to stay ahead. It’s enjoying. It’s rewarding.”

“A lot is patience and determina tion,” he said. “When the weather is not cooperating with you, you got to have patience that it will. Through all of the challenges, you have to tell yourself that you are going to get through it.”

Hay baling isn’t easy, but Brown has a strong support system in his parents, David and Dena Brown of Elizabeth, his girlfriend, McKenna Peart, and her parents, Kenneth and Jolleen Peart, of Scales Mound. Con nor uses space at the Pearts’ farm to store equipment and hay.

“I couldn’t ask for better parents, especially my dad coming from a farming background. He will drop everything to help me. My girlfriend is going to college right now to be an ag teacher, and she would drop ev erything to help me as well, as well as her dad, Ken. It’s phenomenal, the support I have. When I get to those days when I can’t find anyone

By Cody Cutter | Sauk Valley Media

• BROWN from previous page

to help, I’ve got somebody, because no matter who I call, they’re going to be there to help me. A lot of people don’t have family or friends like that, but I’m blessed that I do. I couldn’t do this by myself. It’s impossible. It’s amazing.”

When Connor’s father bought a 5-acre field near Elizabeth in 2020 and was looking for someone to bale hay, Connor heard opportu nity knocking.

“He was looking for someone to make the hay,” Connor said. “I’m like, ‘You know what, I’ll make the hay.’ I bought a tractor, I had a piece of ground, but I had no equipment, so I borrowed everything, figured it out the first year, and then started building from there.”

David once was a hog farm er, and Connor would help out at Dittmar Farms and Orchard in rural Elizabeth when he was young. Connor graduated from River Ridge High School in 2019, earned his American FFA De gree 2 years later, and also has a welding certificate from Highland Community College in Freeport. He worked for a welding business in Gratiot, Wisconsin, for a couple of years concurrently with the baling business before focusing on his true passion: living and loving the farm life.

“If farming’s in your blood, and you have a drive for it, it will find you,” Brown said. “It found me, and when I started dating McK enna, I got introduced to bigger operations. I never got tired of it. When I was welding, I would weld 8-9 hours a day and then I’d come here and work as late as possible, whenever I could do it. It’s fresh air. I love the cattle. I love the crops.”

Livestock chews up much of his hay, but he also does straw bales for bedding, landscaping, gardening, decoration, and other uses.

Brown uses a New Holland 565 baler that is about 30 years old, as well as a New Holland 316 that’s about another decade older. They’ve traveled many a field, but

these well-oiled machines continue to get the job done, Brown said.

“At the end of the day, if you got a nice machine that you take care of and makes good bales, it doesn’t matter how pretty it looks, it doesn’t matter how new it is; all that matters is how good of a prod uct you can pump out the back,”

Brown said. “I spent a lot of time adjusting them to make the bales how my customers like them, and when it pumps out a good product, I tend to keep it around.”

Brown bales straight alfalfa, a grass pasture mix with Timothy grass and clover, and a 50-50 grass and alfalfa mix. This year, he added

wheat straw to the fold, which is good for landscaping and animal bedding.

The alfalfa hay “has a lot more sugar, and it’s a lot more higher energy,” Brown said. It’s good for active horses, especially those that get rode on regularly, and also good

Dean Zuidema

Kevin Schisler

Greg Nickrent Brandon Belt

for cattle who need fattened up. Some horses have certain issues and require the grass hay, which is not so tough and stemmy.

One of the biggest challenges Brown faces in the field is knowing whether the work is going to be done before inclement weather sets in. He has a half-dozen weather applications on his phone to follow the forecasts. If any hay does get rained on, that’s enough for the cows to munch on.

Brown didn’t know a whole lot about horses and their diets until getting to know his customers. Now that he has, he’s established a customer base that keeps him plen ty busy, although he sometimes has pockets of time for custom baling. His customers have faith in him, and are excited to know that some one as young as him is finding a a future in the ever-complex world of agriculture.

“There’s so many ways to do it,” Brown said. “You learn from every body. You talk to one guy, and you take a piece of what he has to say, talk to another guy and take a piece of that, put it together and throw some of your own input in on it, and whatever works for you is the way to do it.”

Baling season typically runs from the end of May to the start of October. This year, more word-ofmouth helped him have his best year yet: He churned out about 7,000 bales from nearly 30 acres, and he even had time to do some custom baling. He figures that all of his bales will sell out by the end of November, which is about 2 months ahead of when he ran out last season — and that’s with more bales included in the fold. When the leaves turn colors and the weather gets a little nippier, Brown uses that time to take care of his machines and hauls any remaining hay he has to customers.

When snow hits the ground, Brown can look back on the season with a sense of accomplishment. It’s a feeling that he strives for after each time out on the field, even when the work pushes him to the limits.

“One of the best parts about it is the feeling of success at the end of the day, and the pride,” Brown said.

“I think that’s what a lot of people, especially in my generation, are lacking. There’s a feeling you get that you can’t put into words until you do it. At the end of the day, when you’ve got your hay baled

and everything is up in the barn, and you’re sitting on the porch and it starts raining, it’s so relaxing. There’s a feeling that you accom plished something, and it doesn’t matter what you’re into or what you’re doing. If you don’t have that feeling of accomplishment, there’s just nothing to it.”

For the past 2 years, Brown has received some help for his business through an Ottawa-based agricul ture grant program intended to help young farmers. The Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Fund is in its fourth year. Brown received $6,000 last year to assist with the purchase of his own baler, make tractor

repairs and help with costs of twine, fertilizer and fuel. This year, $a 4,000 grant from the fund will be used to purchase a 16-inch mobile hay conveyor, which will help stack the bales.

“Like Wayne, Connor is gener ous, and his goal is to build and maintain a successful ag business for years to come, allowing him to mentor and give back to aspiring young agricultural entrepreneurs by remaining connected to his FFA chapter,” fund co-chair Beth Wackerlin said in a press release. “Each applicant truly embodied Wayne’s love for entrepreneurship and love for agriculture.”

Brown became interested in Wayne’s story through his associ ation with the grant and his story connected with Brown. Wayne, 25, died in 2017 at a grain facility that he managed in Newark. He grew up helping his dad on the family farm: baling hay, raising livestock, and growing corn, soybeans, and wheat. He didn’t slow down during the off-season either: He went on to co-own a firewood business and plowed snow in the winter. Before his death, he owned a few farm vehicles and had rented farmland growing corn and soybeans.

“I never met him, or was close to him, but I read a lot about him,” Brown said. “He was kind of like me. He was young and started to try to farm on his own, was doing a good job at it and was growing, had a great impact on his community and was looked up upon, and an event like that stopped it all.

There’s a lot of up-front cost in farming, Brown said, and there’s a need to find ways to offset that. The Wackerlin grant is one of those av enues. Money is raised from a meat raffle and meet-and-greet fund raiser each November in Ottawa with past and present scholarship recipients.

Brown is glad to see that there are ways to help young farmers get off the ground when it comes to business, and will continue to be a proud supporter of the Wackerlin grant.

“This grant really, really helps people with that,” Brown said. “You

never read about young people try ing to start businesses, but you go to a place like that and look what their organization is doing, it’s fantastic. It’s really shining a light on people who have true grit and are commit ted to doing what they love, and it’s helping them out huge. It’s helped me a lot, and I’ve seen how it’s helped a lot of other people.”

Brown wants to make next year more successful than this past one, but he’s also cautious about his growth; he doesn’t want to expand too much, lest he become over whelmed. But he’s got the tools and the support, and there’s no Jo Daviess hill that’s too tough for him to climb.

“I find it real interesting when you sit down at the end of the year and you put everything together, you figure out where you’re at and what you want to change for next year,” Brown said. “I’m a people person, and what I really, really enjoy — it’s one of the favorite things I do — is meeting new customers and keep ing in touch with them.

“There’s so many great people out there. I’m fortunate enough to have those great people as customers of mine.”

Connor Brown carries over a bale of alfalfa to stack in his barn in Scales Mound. The 21-year-old enjoys spending time out on the hay and alfalfa fields while putting together bales for farm animals to munch on.

Photos by Cody Cutter ccutter@saukvalley.com

“Our offensive line is where every thing starts,” Janicke said. “When they start pushing us backward, we’ve got problems.”

With three minutes left in the first half, the Panthers had a touchdown called back for holding. The real killer on the drive, though, was the officials losing track of the downs and Forres ton inexplicably given the ball after a Le-Win third-down play.

Understandably, Arand vehe mently protested the mistake, but the officials stuck to the call and the Pan thers were cheated out of two downs.

Le-Win continued to do it on offense and defense in the second half. A three-and-out gave it the ball back near midfield.

Lobdell, a transfer from Oran geville, gained 28 yards after three would-be tacklers had a shot at him at the line of scrimmage. He then capped the drive with a 23-yard touchdown for a 30-0 lead.

Forreston was able to put a 14-play drive into gear, but Sanders was thrown for a 3-yard loss on fourth down at the 26-yard line.

“We were in good spots, but couldn’t finish plays,” Janicke said.

Dunker took a quick hitter up the middle for a 30-yard score, and the 38-0

lead prompted Arand to finish the game with substitutes.

A Sanders 27-yard run set up a 20-yard TD for Kobler. Just as import ant, it was Kobler’s 24th score of the year, breaking Jeremy DeForge’s school record.

“Being on the line the last three years, I hadn’t thought about records,” Kobler said. “That was one of our golden lights today.”

Kobler recovered the ensuing onside kickoff, and Smith ran 39 yards for the final score.

Forreston finishes with an 8-5 record after being in danger of missing the playoffs earlier in the year with a 4-3 record.

“We had turned our backs on each other momentarily and had a team meeting after [losing to] Dakota,” Jan icke said.”We weren’t supposed to be

in this spot [as a semifinalist].

“It was a tall task to get here after being 4-3.”

Forreston had 214 rushing yards; Kobler had 99, and Sanders had 55. Le-Win had 321 rushing yards. Neither team completed a pass.

The game was moved from Lena to Freeport because of Le-Win’s field being unsafe to play on because of fro zen conditions.

Lena-Winslow’s Gunar Lobdell heads to the end zone after avoiding Forreston defenders during the 1A state semifinal Saturday at Freeport High School.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Dixon

West Carroll: The Dixon girls basketball team raced to a 22-point halftime lead

took down West Carroll 60-18 to win its pool at the Oregon Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 18.

Harvest Day led the Duchesses (2-0) with 17 points, while Abby Knipple and Kait Knipple scored nine points apiece; Kait hit three 3-pointers. Katie Drew chipped in eight points for Dixon, which led 17-6 after the opening quarter and stretched the lead to 32-10 by halftime before outscoring the Thunder 18-8 in the third period.

Tori Moshure paced West Carroll with four points, while Abbey Skiles and Haylee McGinnis both hit 3-pointers.

Forreston Thanksgiving Tournament

Winnebago 65, Eastland 51: The Indians outscored the Cougars 34-21 in the second half to pull away for a tourney win.

Quinc Haverland and Sarah Kempel scored 14 points apiece to lead Eastland; Haverland pulled down 12 rebounds for a double-double and dished two assists, while Kempel nabbed three steals.

Trixie Carroll scored nine points and snagged five rebounds, Paige Joiner scored six points and dished six assists, and Olivia Klinefelter chipped in eight points and four rebounds for the Cougars.

Forreston 44, Rochelle 37: The Cardinals outpaced the Hubs 23-15 in the second half to pull away for a win.

Jenna Greenfield and Hailey Green field led the way for Forreston, scoring 13 and 11 points. Brooke Boettner chipped in eight points, while Ericka Alexander added seven points for the Cardinals.

Eastland 49, Forreston 35: The Cougars downed the Cardinals in a Saturday morning game. Lily Mullen led Eastland with 13 points followed by Mallory Misiewicz with 10 and Carroll with 11.

Other stats for Eastland were Burkholder, two steals, one assist; Stoner, four rebounds, one steal, nine assists; Misiewicz, three steals, one rebound; Kempel, nine rebounds; Klinefelter, four rebounds; Rush, three rebounds, one steal; Mullen, one rebound, six steals, five assists; and Haverland, four rebounds.

Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media

Eastland’s Trixie Carroll draws a foul as she shoots against Winnebago during Nov. 18 action at the Forreston’s Girls Thanksgiving Tournament.

Personal Property Auction

Wednesday, November 23rd to Saturday, November 26th

Bruce Francis Estate

Roxanne Francis, Owner 326 Main St., Milledgeville, IL, 61051

This is an Online Sale ONLY. Please visit https://aandtauctionservices.hibid.com/ for sale viewing beginning 11/21/22.

Personal Property: Various antiques (including vintage local memorabilia), household items, decor items (including holiday decorations), glassware, antique oil lamps, Shirley Temple memorabilia, lots of collectibles, vintage tapes, records, CDS, rugbeaters, vintage duck decoys, Disney memorabilia, antique furniture, collectible signs, plus much more! Something for everyone!

Viewing Hours: Items will be available for optional viewing on Tuesday, November 22nd from 4-8pm at the address listed above.

Item Pick-up: Items will be available for pick-up on Sunday, November 27th from 2-6pm unless alternate arrangements are made between buyer and auctioneer.

Follow A & T Auction Services on Facebook for the Online Sale Link and additional sale information, including pictures, how to register for online bidding, and complete sale terms and conditions.

Travis Cunningham, Auctioneer IL Lic. # 441.002600 A & T Auction Services, LLC atauctionservices@gmail.com • 815-297-4595