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Lena Community Park Distrcit to hold

Serving the communities in Stephenson County

Shopper’s Guide

VOL. 78 • NO. 33

Fall Festival 5K Run/Walk Saturday, September 10th Pre-register before August 26th Save $5 and guarantee yourself a T-shirt Registration forms available online at: www.lenaparks.org Questions or concerns? Contact: 609 S. Schuyler St. • Lena, IL 61048 Tel: 815-369-5351 lenapark@aeroinc.net

(Office hours are Tues. & Thurs. from 4 - 6 p.m.)

YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016

Panthers look to start season strong REPORTER

The 2016 fall sports season, with action on the football field, now lurks, just over a week away and the Lena-Winslow Panthers look to have a road which appears to indicate early success. In 2015, the Panthers finished the NUIC schedule, undefeated and advanced to the State Playoffs, where they fell in the second round, closing the season with a 10-1 mark. In 2016, the Panthers open the season at Pearl City with a match against the EPC Wolves. 2015 was a difficult season for Randy Asche’s squad, as EPC closed the year with a 2-7 mark and for the first time since 2006, failed to make the playoffs. During the 2014-2015 Season, the Wolves claimed the Class 2A crown as they closed the year with a perfect 14-0 mark. Graduation impacted EPC, possibly harder than many of the teams in the NUIC, but with another season of experience, the expectations are that a better year will be waiting in Pearl City. If the Panthers get past EPC on the road, they will return home for back-to-back contests against two programs which struggled to find wins in 2015. Pecatonica visits in week two. The Indians, under Head Coach Eric Bergin finished 2015 with a 2-7 mark, similar to Lena-Winslow’s opening round opponent. In week three, River Ridge visits. The Wildcats were winless last season, as they played in the smallschool division of the NUIC. After week three, there is a very solid chance that the Panthers will be leading the conference with a perfect 3-0 mark. However, beginning in week four and over the next four weeks, the Panthers will be challenged, as they face perennial playoff con-

tenders and two of the last four Class 1A State Champions. In week four, the Panthers visit Galena. In 2015, Galena joined a host of other NUIC programs, as the Class 1A Tournament began. The Pirates entered the post-season with a 7-2 mark, but fell in their opening round game, closing the season at 7-3. If Lena-Winslow defeats Galena in their week four match, they will move to 4-0 on the year and, most likely, find themselves flirting with the top-spot position in the State of Illinois’ Class 1A field. If the level of success is to continue, the Panthers will have to defeat the Dakota Indians in their Friday, Sept. 23 road game. Dakota ended 2015, similarly to how Galena did, as they entered the post-season with a 7-2 mark, but fell in their opening round game. In week six, the Panthers host the Amboy-Lamoille Clippers, a new member of the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference, having left the Three Rivers Conference, in anticipation of better options. Smaller enrollment numbers will also help the Clippers. In week seven, in what possibly could be a playoff-clinching night, the Panthers travel to Forreston to take on the 2014 Class 1A State Champion Cardinals. The possibility of finding themselves clinching, following the Friday, Sept. 30 match, are high, for Lena-Winslow. In many scenarios, the Panthers could be looking at a 6-1 or possibly 7-0 mark, in week seven. The 2016 fall season wraps up with back-to-back home games for Lena-Winslow. In week eight, they face the East Dubuque Warriors. East Dubuque was 3-6 in 2015 and in their season finale, the West Carroll Thunder pay a visit.

Lena yard of the month

COURTESY PHOTO SHOPPER’S GUIDE

The Lena Beautification Committee has chosen Dan and Sara Todd’s home at 606 Butternut as “The Yard of the Month” for July. The Todds work together to achieve the beautiful park-like setting in their back yard. Dan has built several wooden pyramid structures that feature solar lighting, chimes and a place for vining plants. He has also built many raised beds surrounded by landscape stones. Sara has accumulated approximately 70 different varieties of hostas in many sizes and colors. Two of her favorites are “spilled milk” and “Guardian Angel”. Their yard also features a vegetable garden enriched with compost they maintain. Other attractions are a water fountain, pots of annuals and perennials. Dan and Sara enjoy working in their yard and their love for nature had made their home a refuse for wildlife.

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