1 Front Volume 143 No. 6
Friday, January 13, 2017
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Year in review Remembering 2016 Compiled
by
Dave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
FADING RESOLUTIONS Focused to be fit for the entire year By Dave Cook
In the photo
news@tonicanews.com
PERU — Losing weight and improving fitness are the most common New Year’s resolutions. While easier said than done no matter what page of the calendar we’re on, it’s especially difficult after several weeks of enjoying Christmas parties and family gatherings. Illinois Valley YMCA CEO David Potthoff recently discussed the New Year’s rush and provided some advice on how to achieve fitness goals. According to Potthoff, the YMCA has approximately 10,000 members who travel from throughout the Illinois Valley to take advantage of their facilities.
According to Illinois Valley YMCA CEO David Potthoff, walking and treadmills are among the most popular choices for those beginning the new year with a goal of improved fitness. One tip for success was to make fitness routines enjoyable by exercising with friends and family. Other helpful advice was to try a variety of activities and to not do “too much too soon.” (Tonica News photo/Dave Cook) He said one of the fastest growing segments of membership are seniors, and their most commonly chosen activities are walking or using a treadmill. Frequent mistakes of those beginning to live a more fit lifestyle are “doing too much too soon.” “You don’t need to come every day. The best way to ensure success is to
take it slow and have support from a partner, friend or family member; socialization is key. If you go through the gym, you’ll see as much socializing as you do exercise,” Potthoff said. Another bit of advice he offered was to prioritize fitness like you would anything else you have to do.
Resolutions Page 2
TONICA — Editor’s note: This is the second story in a three-part series recapping events that occurred in the Tonica-Lostant area during 2016. May 6 The loss of funding caused by the budget stalemate in Springfield threatens school operations. The IVCC Chem Club holds its annual Sci-Fest which includes dozens of handson demonstrations of various scientific principles. Sci-Fest set a new attendance record of more than 600 visitors. May 13 Hundreds of athletes from the Starved Rock/Area 16 Special Olympics gathered with their fans and families at Hall High School to take part in the 2016 Spring Games. More than a dozen events were held and gold medal winners qualified to compete at the Illinois State Summer Games. May 20 The Tonica Village Board discussed what they should do about the conditions of 1950th Road and Cherry Street. May 27 In the wake of previous program cuts, the Tonica School Board discussed ways to raise fees in order to generate more revenue so more programs aren’t cut. The Tonica School Board discussed possible new rules regarding accommodations for transgender students. June 3 The longtime tradition of Tonica Picnic Day continues at Tonica Grade School. The Illinois Senate approves renaming the section of Route 251 which runs from Tonica to Mendota the Witczak Brothers Memorial Highway. June 10 Lostant Grade School students celebrated the end of the school year with a field trip to the Peru YMCA and the Link Aquatic Center.
Review Page 3
Telling tales of local valor
Darrell Alleman proudly displays his new book, “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue: Stories of Everyday People at War,” a collection of 317 interviews he’s conducted with local combat veterans.
Granville author publishes stories of combat veterans By Dave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook Vol. 143 No. 6 One Section - 8 Pages
GRANVILLE — Life is often quiet and simpler in small rural towns, yet war has consistently disrupted that life. Many men from our small towns and farms have left to fight for our country, and while some didn’t return, those who did have never forgotten what they’ve experienced. A local author has recently pub-
man immediately knew who to approach. “I’ve always had the greatest respect for all veterans,” Alleman said. “I felt good after writing that story, so I started interviewing more and more veterans, but I’d never thought about writing a book.” Alleman’s wife, Jeanne, who edited his writing, provided the needed encouragement to turn the 317 short stories into a book. He said many of his friends are veterans, and while not a veteran himself, he said they often joke he’s one of them.
Valor Page 3
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lished a collection of their stories titled, “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue: Stories of Everyday People at War.” Darrell Alleman of Granville began writing veteran stories in 2005 after being asked by the newspaper to profile a local Vietnam veteran for Memorial Day. “I’d been writing stories for many years for the Granville Rotary, as well as for the Marshall-Putnam Fair and the Putnam County Republican Party,” Alleman said. A local Vietnam veteran had recently shared his story with the Granville Rotary, so Alle-
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