GLIMPSES OF THE PAST - FULTON
60 Years
Sept. 20, 1961
New teachers at Fulton Community High School include James Zahnle, Mrs. Harold Gaarde, Miss Barbara Heary, Mrs. Ernest Smith, Edward Criss and Philip Anderson. Mayor Warren Wiersema, Waterworks Superintendent James Shipma and City Council members Albert Norman, Burton Mathews, Russell DeWeerdt and Jacob Sikkema conferred with state highway officials at the district office in Dixon in an effort to obtain the cooperation of the state in eliminating extensive flooding on 10th Avenue between 12th and 13th streets.
50 Years
Sept. 22, 1971
The only bid for the new Fulton Boat Harbor was rejected by the City Council because it was too high. The bid submitted by Conlon Construction of Dubuque was $158,000. The council rejected the bid because only $125,000 in state funds will be available for the project. A letter of appreciation, which was signed by all members of the Fulton Public Library Board of Trustees, was given to David Flikkema when he resigned. Marlyn Faber was appointed
to complete Flikkema’s unexpired term.
40 Years
Sept. 23, 1981
Returning lettermen golfers for Fulton High School include Steve Bolton, senior; Joe Schrader, senior; Jim Norman, senior; Kent Leininger, junior; Rick Wiebenga, senior; Tim Holl, junior; and Rod Hughes, senior. Doris VanDyke of Fulton walked into Volckman’s in Morrison and punched her time-card for the 15,423rd and final time. She retired after 30 years with the Volckman Division of Ethan Allan. Co-workers held a potluck supper and gave her a clock radio on her final day. A bigger surprise was plant manager Jack Ballinger presented her with her choice of a chair or love seat “for all her years of faithful service.”
30 Years
Sept. 11, 1991
Law enforcement officials in Whiteside and Clinton counties announced that 26 people in the two counties have been charged with unlawful delivery of illegal drugs. A Whiteside County grand jury indicted 12 defendants, and Clinton County charged 14 defendants. Drugs delivered in the investigation
included cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine and cannabis. One of Fulton’s most constructive citizens of the past half-century, the late Janvrin Mitchell, will be honored in a special way at the Jan Mitchell golf tournament and dinner at the Fulton Country Club. The Fulton Kiwanis Club is sponsoring the event. Mitchell was a longtime member of the Fulton Kiwanis Club and served as president on two occasions.
20 Years
Sept. 19, 2001
Staff members of Unity Christian School, along with students and parents, gathered around the flagpole for a prayer service during President George W. Bush’s National Day of Mourning. They prayed for victims and families of the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center in New York City. J.T. Cullen Co. workers gathered around their flagpole to show support for the U.S. They said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” The fire department and police department joined with thousands of others in their professions by holding a memorial service for comrades who
lost their lives in the terrorist attack. Schmaling Memorial Public Library board treasurer Marlyn Faber and board president Ron Koehn celebrated the final loan payment. The $36,000 loan was taken out in January 1989 for the installation of an elevator, which made the library more accessible.
10 Years
Sept. 21, 2011
Members of the 2011-12 Fulton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors include Chamber President Greg Naftzger, KROS Broadcasting and Party Town Mobile DJ Service; Vice President Patti Housenga, Community State Bank; Marsha Norma, Agri-King; Charles T. Dykstra, retired; Tim Wright, Wagner Pharmacy; Jami Smith, Smitty’s Welding Service; Heather Bennett, executive director, Fulton Chamber of Commerce; Kim LaShelle, Lockhart and Law Insurance; Pastor Edie Lenz, First Reformed Church; and Phyllis Housenga, 1st Gateway Credit Union. The Albany Fire Protection District took delivery of a new rescue pumper. It was built by the Alexis Fire Equipment Co. Cost of the pumper is $430,000 with part of the funding donated by the Al Jordan estate.
YOUR HEALTH
Asperger’s syndrome is part of autistic spectrum disorder By STEPHEN D. HARRISON, M.D. Asperger’s syndrome is part of the autistic spectrum disorder. These are neurologic conditions characterized by degrees of impairment in language or communication skills. Oftentimes there are repetitive routines or even rituals that must be performed. It is common for individuals to have more of a monotone or flat type of speaking that may not include much fluctuation. Individuals often take a figure of speech literally as opposed to the picture that another individual is trying to paint. Because of the social challenges, there may be difficulties con-
necting emotionally with peers and even family. Gestures may be limited. Other nonverbal communication and facial expressions may be blunted. Many with Asperger’s have clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements. Parents may not sense anything unusual about children with Asperger’s syndrome until about their third birt hday be cause chil d ren oft en retain their early language skills. It is difficult to say an exact incidence since this rises as awareness increases. Some estimates are only 1 in 5,000, with boys being three to four times more affected than girls. Unfor-
tunately, these social challenges may persist into adulthood. Sometimes the obsessions are so extreme that everything else is excluded in terms of interest. However, they may be quite an expert in their own field and often will appear like professors. The speech may lack rhythm and inflections, and the ability to be aware of their own intensity of voice appears to be a limited feedback process available to them as well. Many conditions may coexist with Asperger’s, including anxiety and depression, as well as tic disorders such as Tourette’s but also ADHD. Although Asperger’s syndrome may not be discovered until
age 3, some feel it is a genetic condition that is hardwired during fetal development. The condition may be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms are vague. Symptoms may apply to many to some degree, including abnormal eye contact, failure to turn when their name is called, or failure to use gestures or lack of interactive play or interest with peers. Often it takes a specialist skilled and aware of the condition to make the diagnosis. There is no specific treatment and no cure. Individuals often are counseled, and their coexisting conditions may be treated to some degree.
20, weather permitting. The work will require a daily closure of the eastbound lane from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 24. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to the nearby U.S. 30 Mississippi River bridge (Gateway Bridge).
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile
devices and be alert for workers. For IDOT District 2 updates, follow it on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
IN BRIEF Illinois 136 Mississippi River bridge inspection begins
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that an inspection of the Illinois 136 Mississippi River bridge in Fulton was set to begin Monday, Sept.
WHITESIDE NEWS Shaw Media / ShawLocal.com • Tuesday, Sep 21, 2021
1971: City council rejects bid for new Fulton Boat Harbor
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